At The Devils Ball

Just settle back and listen to the ol' Devils Ball express, this is Nathaniel and Sammaeal talking to whoever's listenin' on a dark and stormy night! This week, we discuss John Carpenter's oddball ahead-of-its-time Kung Fu Action Horror Satire Flick BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, with a focus on the films gonzo sensibilities, the extraordinary character of Jack Burton, and differing opinions on the...

This week, we continue our pseudo tradition of spotlighting low-budget filmmakers with the weird, violent, irreverent superhero parody "Hectic Knife" with the films co-creator, Greg DeLiso! With Greg, we discuss the films sense of humor, the guerrilla filmmaking tactics used, the emotional power of art, and how the film is NOT influenced by 90s indie comics as Nathaniel assumed! Enjoy!

We begin the new year with a weird late 80's quasi-superhero film entitled "The Wraith," allegedly starring Charlie Sheen. We discuss the movies bizarre, anachronistic choices, a legitimately interesting action movie villain, and other fun topics. Join us as we delve into "kinda-but-not-really horror-superhero movies!"

The guys marvel at their own magnificence as they realize they actually accomplished their New Years goals in 2021! But more importantly, they attempt to break down Ghostbusters 2, discussing the troubled production, praising the great character work of Peter MacNicol, and remark on how unbelievably hot Annie Potts is in the film. Happy New Year from At The Devils Ball!

In a Holiday tradition, the guys have their (much) better halves on the show to help them discuss the seminal holiday family/musical/horror mash-up "The Nightmare Before Christmas!" Under the watchful eyes of Jenn and Laurie, the guys attempt to break down the weird, macabre piece, with focus on the wonderful animation, nebulous themes, and how this movie was really the work of people not named Ti...

Rolling on with Holiday related films, the guys tackle one of the all-time great Christmas Horror films (and one of the best Christmas films, for that matter), 1974's "Black Christmas." Along with their returning guest, the incomparable Jamie Alvey, they discuss the fantastic cast, the wonderful sense of humor, and the (possibly unintentional) themes of feminism and agency contained within the rat...

In a very special episode, the guys get to talk to their heroes from MST3K and The Mads are Back: Trace Beaulieu and Frank Conniff, and joined by Chris Gersbeck of Dumb Industries! Under the pretense of talking about Batman Returns, discussion turns to superhero films, movie riffing and, of course, Batman. Not much on Returns, though.

The guys are joined by Ryan of "Reels of Justice" and "The Coolness Chronicles" to discuss Exorcist 2:The Heretic. Everyone involved attempts to discuss the movie but finds themselves mostly focused on Richard Burton's odd performance, why Ryan probably should have been on for Exorcist 3, and discuss anything but Exorcist 2.

We roll on with The Perils of Pazuzu with "Exorcist 3:Legion," a wonderful little film. We discuss various endings, excellent performances, and how it measures up to the original film (the original is, of course, the superior film). Check it out. It's NOT! In the File!

The guys attempt to deal with the weird, unprecedented double whammy of the two versions of prequels to The Exorcist! The conversation is as weird and disjointed as the two films themselves, but your intrepid heroes discuss the controversy behind the two films, the philosophical ideas behind them, and express sympathy for the cast and crew. Nathaniel drinks whiskey, Sammaeal mangles names...it's a...

This month, the guys tackle the polarizing and wildly varying in quality horror franchise THE EXORCIST! Starting with the original, the guys discuss "religious propaganda," break down the devastating character arcs, and deliver an appreciation of what is probably Nathaniel's favorite horror film. So eat some pea soup and get your crucifix ready...it's time for The Exorcist!

We continue our discussion on Gateway Horror with guests Mike and Amy of Happy Cloud Media, Scott Davis, Addison Binek, Henrique Couto, and our old pal Paul Tiberius Steadman!

It's our favorite time of year here at At The Devils Ball, and we're celebrating with a two part special episode on "Gateway Horror!" Starting with guests Sarah Sinn, Jessica Scott, Micah Brown and Ryan Rodriguez, we discuss horror media made for young people, parenting and horror films, and other fun conversation!

While not a Halloween movie, Sammaeal asserts it's a Fall movie and therefore it counts! The guys break down the cult film "Behind The Mask:The Rise of Leslie Vernon," discussing the film's deconstruction of the slasher subgenre, compare it to "Scream," and Nathaniel gushes about the film being a love story. Enjoy!

Our "It's kinda Halloween in the sense that the movie at least addresses Halloween in some manner" month rolls on! This week we discuss the Werewolf/Teen Puberty allegory "Ginger Snaps," along with Sammaeal's "Better 2/3rds" Jenn Rich-Hartle! We discuss teen angst, female puberty, body horror and more! Also, Nathaniel is sick and gets confused a lot!

We begin Halloween month without a direct theme BUT we ARE doing a Halloween movie to start things off with Hell House LLC, the creative and low budget found footage haunted house film! We discuss the great scares contained within, the hatred of found footage films in general, and the best way to enjoy real life haunted attractions. Enjoy!

This week, the guys round out their work on the Candyman series with the third installment, Day of the Dead. Once again they rave about the skills of the venerable Tony Todd, Sammaeal doesn't like the lead, and Nathaniel doesn't like the leads shoes. Journey with At The Devils Ball into the exotic future of 2020 (where this movie takes place, despite it looking like 1994...and it was made in 99)!

After a slight delay, Nathaniel and Sammaeal are back to continue their dive into the world of the Candyman series, beginning with the first sequel "Candyman:Farewell to the Flesh." The guys try to puzzle out just what Candyman is up, the problems with adding uniformed authority figures into horror narratives, and praise the solid performances contained within the film.

This week we delve into a little bit of Clive Barker with the groundbreaking 1992 film Candyman. We discuss the permeation of the film in the public consciousness, the racial aspects and more.

This week, a very special episode, as the guys talk the sublime found-footage serial killer film "Capture, Kill, Release," with the co-director Nick McAnulty, who gives insight into the process of making the film, stories from on set, and the greater implications and metaphors contained within the film itself!

Paul Steadman hijacks At The Devils Ball to discuss the weird little film Manitou, which befuddles everyone.

Was going to wait to put it up, but considering it is the anniversary of Nathaniel's favorite Elm Street entry, it might as well go up early! The Return to Elm Street continues with Part 4, and things are awesome.

One year ago today, we put out our first podcast episode during the pandemic. The pandemic, it seems, is still here and so are we! So we recorded this special episode with an incredible amount of self-awareness, self-indulgence, and just a bit of self-effacing...and resulted in a rather heartfelt examination into why Horror is important, and why it's so much fun to discuss. Thank you for listening...

Happy Friday the 13th! We continue our anniversary month with a discussion on the bizarre but undeniably fun Nightmare on Elm Street/Friday thr 13th mashup "Freddy vs Jason" with out pal Chris Gersbeck! Always glad to have him on!

We celebrate our anniversary with "Return to Elm Street," beginning with "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors." We discuss the general popularity of the film, discuss the metaphors within, and Nathaniel theorizes about the REAL reason Dr. Gordon isn't in any sequels. Enjoy!