Happy Horror Time

Over the top… and in the best way possible. That’s the simplest way to describe the two horror movies we discuss this week. From Matrix-style action kills and a mind-boggling twist in “Malignant,” to a batshit crazy performance in “Superhost” that’s every AirBnB goer’s worst nightmare, both of these movies are a total hoot!

Actor and trans advocate, Pooya Mohseni, made quite an impact as the Cat Lady in “Terrifier.” And her inspiring story truly moved us. Tune in to hear all about making this throwback slasher film, how her original part was expanded, and the very important work she does writing and consulting on stories representing the LGBTQ+ community.

This week we did something crazy — we got off our couches and went to see two new theatrical horror releases! Psychological thriller, “The Night House,” is literally all about “Nothing,” while the “Candyman” sequel/reboot had us avoiding mirrors, bees, and even the song “Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child.

Daniel Farrands declared in 1989 that he’d be the one to write the sixth Halloween film, and the universe delivered. Tune in to hear what he really intended to happen in “Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers,” the incredible story of how he got the writing gig, and all the details on his latest movie, “Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman” (available on VOD on September 3rd).

Everyone’s favorite badass cheerleader from the ‘80s, Kelli Maroney made fighting zombies in “Night of the Comet” and battling killbots in “Chopping Mall” look super cool. Tune in to hear her stories about shooting guns and doing stunts on set, which character she identified with the most, and all the talk around rebooting both films.

How cheesy are the “Old” jokes we make about ourselves? And was M. Night Shyamalan’s new thriller a Sixth Sense-level success or a The Happening-level disaster? Tune in for the answers to both, along with our review of “The Boy Behind the Door” — a suspenseful Shudder original that was quite the pleasant surprise.

Not only did the original “Wrong Turn” spawn 5 sequels and a reboot, it made people think twice about taking shortcuts. We chatted with Director Rob Schmidt, who told us all about filming this backwoods slasher, how famous actors were originally supposed to play the inbreds, and the battle over which actor got the final kill.

This week we welcome Fear Street expert and mega fan, Hiko Mitsuzuka, to the podcast to discuss this Netflix horror trilogy. Tune in to hear us break down which characters we loved (and loathed), which kills made Tim clutch his pearls, and how Netflix must have paid a fortune for all those establishing songs.

In the original “Sleepaway Camp,” Katherine Kamhi didn’t just tell you her name – she spelled it out for you. Tune in to hear all about playing villainous camp counselor M-E-G, the improv she had to do for her audition, showing up to set on the first day in a limo, and the many summer flings that went on behind the scenes.

From a franchise that won’t quit, to an actress we thought called it quits, this episode is filled with surprises. First we discuss “The Forever Purge,” a unique entry in the not so far-fetched anymore “Purge” series. Then we grovel over Megan Fox’s flawlessness… along with her badass, body-dragging performance in “Till Death.”

Andre Gower was a young teenager when he played Sean, the leader of "The Monster Squad,” in this beloved 80s horror-comedy. Tune in to hear all about filming with such an eclectic cast, how an anniversary screening revealed the film’s cult following, and what led to creating his heartfelt documentary, “Wolfman’s Got Nards.”

Sometimes trailers don’t reveal how truly insane a movie will be — that’s the story behind the two thrillers we discuss this week. “Stalker” reminds viewers to make sure your webcam’s off when having a little alone time, while “Babysitter Must Die” proves that all you need is scout training to ward off home-invading, apocalyptic cultists.

This week we discuss how Hollywood amped up the new Conjuring movie with tons of SFX and gorgeous actors playing the real-life players in “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.” We also fall in love with Gina Rodriguez’s performance in Netflix’s new Bird Box-esque thriller, “Awake” ... but not much else.

If you don’t recognize Jill Whitlow by her sweet, endearing voice, you’ll remember her as the girl-next-door turned badass zombie fighter, Cynthia, in “Night of the Creeps.” Tune in to hear all about working with that iconic flamethrower, drinking until all hours with her co-stars, and the Friday the 13th fan film she’s about to film – "Victim No More."

A horror sequel that lives up to the original? A middle-of-nowhere survival flick that doesn’t feel overdone? Both movies we discuss this week are terrifying treats. Tune in to find out how “A Quiet Place Part II” remains truly scary despite its PG-13 rating, and why “The Retreat” (2021) is the perfect thriller to kick off pride month.

As an original member of the Losers’ Club, Brandon Crane took on Pennywise in the 1990 “It” miniseries – an adaptation that still terrifies audiences to this day. Tune in to hear why the part of Ben Hanscom was so important to him, what Tim Curry and John Ritter were like on set, and how he scored a cameo in 2019’s “It Chapter Two.”

Both thrillers we discuss this week had been on our radar since B.P. (Before Pandemic). “Spiral” attempts to revive the “Saw” series with clever/gory new traps and a copycat killer with an all-too-timely motive, while “The Woman in the Window” reminds everyone to invest in blinds or curtains, especially when living across from Amy Adams.

She battled Pinhead and became a Cenobite in “Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth,” then faced off against the evil Warlock in “Warlock: The Armageddon.” Tune in to hear the effervescent Paula Marshall tell us all about filming these early 90s horror sequels, her extensive career in TV, and that incredibly infamous scene she did in “Nip/Tuck.”

What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than by discussing this week’s movies with our Moms! First we unpack Netflix's “Things Heard & Seen” (and whether sex on the dirt is sanitary) with Phyllis Emert (Matt’s Mom). Then we chat about “Separation” with Darlene Murdock (Tim’s Mom), who is definitely not afraid of puppets.

Although she played the girl next door in movies like “The Last Starfighter” and “Weekend at Bernie’s,” we remember Catherine Mary Stewart as the tough, zombie-fighting Regina Belmont in “Night of the Comet.” Tune in to hear all about filming this “horror-omedy,” which scream queen she first auditioned with, and what it was like filming a love scene with Zach Galligan in “Psychic.”

It’s fitting that the first movie we discuss this week shares its name with the Police’s sinister love/stalk song, as Sam Claflin turns up the creep factor in "Every Breath You Take." And then there’s the bizarre and unsettling “Honeydew” – let’s just say you’ll never look at Lena Dunham the same way again.

She battled Terry O’Quinn in “The Stepfather,” faced a master of disguise in “Popcorn,” and joined forces with Carole Kane in “When a Stranger Calls Back.” Tune in to hear all about Jill Schoelen’s illustrious career in horror, how a close friend and little-known slasher flick led to meeting ex-fiancée Brad Pitt, and which of her many films she enjoyed working on the most.

Familiar horror tropes done differently – that’s the theme behind the films we discuss this week. From a poignant portrayal of a mother looking after her werewolf son in “Blood Moon,” to an exorcism story with 2 sinfully handsome priests and 1 twist ending in "The Seventh Day," both thrillers bring something modern to the traditional.

Take one look at Art the Clown and you’ll know why his movie is called “Terrifier.” We had the pleasure of chatting with the man behind the makeup, David Howard Thornton, to discuss how he approached playing such a sadistic villain, why people are drawn to this 80s throwback slasher film, and even a few tidbits on the upcoming “Terrifier 2.”

Both films we discuss this week left us with more questions than answers. Like how is Joel McHale almost 50 with a body like the one he so “Happily” shows off? And why couldn’t our wish for a new Nightmare on Elm Street-esque film “Come True?” Tune in to hear us confuse even ourselves while recapping these unusual thrillers.