Let’s Talk Monsters

Minisode #14 A Bay Of Blood/Ecologia del delitto (1971) posted on 10-20-23 Question #14 In what ways were Italian horror films more advanced than their American counterparts? 

Minisode #13 Psycho (1960) and Psycho (1998) posted on 10-19-23 Question #13 How does the 1998 remake of Psycho compare with the original, and why was the remake such a huge flop? 

Minisode #12 The Picture Of Dorian Gray (1945) posted on 10-18-23 Question #12 How do you classify Dorian Gray as a Monster and what are the monster rules for him?  

Minisode #11 The Invisible Man (1933) posted on 10-17-23 Question #11 In The Invisible Man, James Whale finally got approval from Universal to make a film without a happy ending. With all the potential heroes either killed or compromised, how does the viewer stay invested in this film?  

Minisode #10 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932) posted on 10-16-23 Question #10 How can perspective influence what the viewer sees in a film; what is true and what isn't true? And are Mr. Hyde's evil deeds being filtered through a Victorian lens?  

Minisode #9 London After Midnight (1927) posted on 10-15-23 Question #9 Is it possible (or worth it) to try to experience London After Midnight via reproductions using still pictures and the original script, or is the 1935 remake, Mark Of The Vampire, a sufficient replacement?   

Minisode #8 The Phantom of the Opera (1925) posted on 10-14-23 Question #8 What were some of the techniques use by Lon Chaney Sr. in creating his iconic makeup for Erik, the masked Phantom?

Minisode #7 The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) posted on 10-13-23 Question #7 Should Quasimodo be considered a monster, and do you think The Hunchback of Notre Dame is really a horror film?

Minisode #6 Nosferatu - Eine Symphonie des Grauens/Nosferatu: a Symphony of Horror (1922) posted on 10-12-23 Question #6 In what ways can the original Nosferatu be interpreted as a metaphor for the First World War?

Minisode #5 Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari/The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) posted on 10-11-23 Question #5 In what ways do the sets and backdrops influence the ending of this film?

Minisode #4 Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam/The Golem: How He Came into the World (1920) posted on 10-10-23 Question #4 In what ways is The Golem a creation myth?

Minisode #3 The Son of Frankenstein (1939) posted on 10-09-23 Question #3 Is The Son of Frankenstein on the same level (artistically) with the first two Frankenstein films, even though the SOF was not directed by James Whale? Should the first three Frankenstein films be considered a true trilogy?  

Minisode #2 The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) posted on 10-08-23 Question #2 If Dr. Pretorious were allowed to continue his experiments, what would he have done? What was his ultimate goal? 

In order to celebrate this Halloween season, Mike and Allison are beginning a series of mini episodes that center around a question, relating to a single film. This one-episode-per-day series will continue until Halloween night.  Minisode #1 Frankenstein (1931) posted on 10-07-23 Question #1 By today's standards, are Jack Pierce's makeup and James Whale's special effects still scary. What (if anyt...

In this episode, Mike and Allison continue their discourse on movies about deranged families. In this one, they talk about generational conflict and social class divide, and the roles those topics play in this film.

In their Season 2 debut, Mike and Allison discuss the vampire rule of vampires needing to return to their native/burial soil. Then, they segue into discussing the currently running film, The Last Voyage of the Demeter.    

In this episode, Mike and Allison talk about one of the most deranged families ever to grace the silver screen. They also mention how this film was ahead of the curve and foreshowed certain aspects in later films from the 1980s.  

In this episode, Mike and Allison talk about the (1932) Tod Browning classic, "Freaks", arguing that the non-freaks were the ones who were actually deranged. 

In this episode, Mike and Allison talk about the (1967) cult classic "Spider Baby". With excellent performances from Lon Chaney Jr., Sid Haig, Jill Banner, and Beverly Washburn, this film has gone on to influence and inspire countless horror and slasher films.  

In this episode, Mike and Allison talk about The Fly (1958), debating whether a common household fly should be considered 'murderous'. 

In this episode, Mike and Allison continue their discourse on Vincent Price, focusing on one of his most unique and memorable roles as "The Abominable Dr. Phibes".  

In this episode, Mike and Allison talk about the main monster guys in Universal Horror films and beyond, eventually focusing on the magnificent Vincent Price and his portrayal of Edward Lionheart in the campy "Theater Of Blood" (1973).  

In this mini episode, Mike and Allison discuss the rule of vampire decapitation, citing its use in an episode of a 'not very well-known, nor remembered' TV series called, "Fear Itself" (2008). 

In this episode, Mike and Allison talk about the original Mummy and its connection with eternal life and the myth of Cagliostro.     

In this episode, Mike and Allison discuss the Creature from the Black Lagoon trilogy and its similarity to King Kong, as well as other mythologies.