Clever Ghouls

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In this episode, the Clever Ghouls discuss Annihilation. Released in 2018 and directed by Alex Garland, this movie took us on a mind-altering journey into the heart of "The Shimmer," an iridescent and expanding phenomenon that defies the laws of nature. We talk about themes like the consequences of humans on nature and nature taken back what’s theirs, the human condition, self destruction, the fear of the unknown, and because Maegan likes to be an ass and constantly trigger Blair’s thanatophobia..acceptance of Mortality and Impermanence.

In both the intro and the outro of this episode, there is an acoustic guitar cover of “What Do You Know?” by Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow. This was played and recorded by Maegan, and we do not own the rights to this song.
 
Annihilation is rated R by the MPAA for violence, bloody images, language and some sexuality. For a full list of content warnings for this movie, please check out its listing on doesthedogdie.com. But a few to be mindful of in our discussions are terminal illness, climit crisis, self harm and suicide, as well as death and grief; but nothing graphic on any of the above. And while a dog doesn’t die in this film, there are a few incidents of animal death.

This episode has minisodes to accompany it, so definitely take some time to listen to those for even MORE in-depth content! 

• Dare to Be Scared: Psychology & Neurophysiology of Fear | Minisode w/ Maegan
• Technostress: Sci-Fi & How It Reflects Our Societal Fears | Minisode w/ Maegan
• Monsters are Good For Us: Grief & Mourning Through Horror | Miniside w/ Maegan
• Thanatophobia: The Psychology Behind Death Anxiety | Minisode w/ Maegan
• Unveiling the Dark Depths: The History of Psychological Horror | Minisode w/ Maegan

The Clever Ghouls podcast is run by Blair, Maegan, Marissa, & Melissa. This episode was written, led, and edited by Maegab. Our intro and outro music was created for us by Josh Marshall. For more episodes and other spooky content, find us on your favorite social media platform and pod-catcher through our handle @CleverGhouls. Don’t forget to subscribe and share, and if you really like our content, please leave us a review…or we’ll sic the ScreamBearTM on you. Thanks for listening!

The Clever Ghouls podcast, hosted by Maegan and Blair, is a show dedicated to watching, analyzing, and discussing the movies that make us think about them long after we’ve left the theater or turned off the TV. We bring quick wit and unique perspectives from backgrounds like art history, cinematography, psychology, analysis, public education, mysticism, mythos, and more to create a curated, inclusive conversation around the spooky movies we love. Tune in on your favorite podcast hosting platform to listen along, join the conversation, and chime in with your own observations!

Our intro and outro music was created for us by Josh Marshall. For more episodes and other spooky content, find us on your favorite social media platform through our handle: @CleverGhouls. Don’t forget to subscribe and share, and if you really like our content, please leave us a review. Or we’ll haunt you forever. Thanks for listening!

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From its humble beginnings to its widespread popularity, these films have redefined horror storytelling, delivering a sense of realism and terror like no other. Found footage films have carved a unique and chilling niche in the world of cinema, captivating audiences with their raw, immersive storytelling. Join Maegan in this minisode as she dives into the fascinating history of found footage horror; tracing its origins, evolution, and impact on the horror genre, and digging a bit deeper into inarguably one of our most successful found footage films, The Blair Witch Project.

The Clever Ghouls podcast, hosted by Maegan and Blair, is a show dedicated to watching, analyzing, and discussing the movies that make us think about them long after we’ve left the theater or turned off the TV. We bring quick wit and unique perspectives from backgrounds like art history, cinematography, psychology, analysis, public education, mysticism, mythos, and more to create a curated, inclusive conversation around the spooky movies we love. Tune in on your favorite podcast hosting platform to listen along, join the conversation, and chime in with your own observations!

Our intro and outro music was created for us by Josh Marshall. For more episodes and other spooky content, find us on your favorite social media platform through our handle: @CleverGhouls. Don’t forget to subscribe and share, and if you really like our content, please leave us a review. Or we’ll haunt you forever. Thanks for listening!

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The Blair Witch Project, written, directed, AND edited by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez features the chilling tale of three student filmmakers who set out on an adventure near Burkittsville, Maryland to make a documentary about the local legend of the Blair Witch. It was revolutionary for its time, ushering in an era of found-footage films and guerilla marketing that made people wonder if this was actually real footage of a production gone horribly wrong. We explore ideas like the not-so-ethical consumption of true crime stories, building suspense on a budget, sanity and your brain being, the effectiveness of a well-written story, the psychology of folklore legends, and more. It has been given an R rating by the MPA for LANGUAGE.  This is mostly for the use of the word “fuck” which is said over 130 times (and according the Maegan's calculator brain that's about 1.5 times per minute during its run time).

The Clever Ghouls podcast, hosted by Maegan and Blair, is a show dedicated to watching, analyzing, and discussing the movies that make us think about them long after we’ve left the theater or turned off the TV. We bring quick wit and unique perspectives from backgrounds like art history, cinematography, psychology, analysis, public education, mysticism, mythos, and more to create a curated, inclusive conversation around the spooky movies we love. Tune in on your favorite podcast hosting platform to listen along, join the conversation, and chime in with your own observations!

Our intro and outro music was created for us by Josh Marshall. For more episodes and other spooky content, find us on your favorite social media platform through our handle: @CleverGhouls. Don’t forget to subscribe and share, and if you really like our content, please leave us a review. Or we’ll haunt you forever. Thanks for listening!

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On this episode, the Clever Ghouls discuss Perfect Blue, the 1997 horror anime  film by Satoshi Kon. This movie follows a member of a Japanese idol group, Mima, who retires from music to pursue an acting career. As she becomes a victim of stalking, gruesome murders begin to occur, and she starts to lose her grip on reality. Mima, member of a J-pop idol group named "CHAM!", decides to leave the group to become a full-time actress. She gets stalked by an obsessive fan named Me-Mania, who is upset by her change from a clean-cut image. Following directions from a fan letter, Mima discovers a website called "Mima's Room" containing public diary entries written from her perspective, and which has her daily life and thoughts recorded in great detail.

Join us as we take a closer look at this film and talk about themes such as the schism between artist and identity, voyeurism, fandom and celebrity culture, the relationship of humanity and the internet, parasocial relationships, and what it means to navigate the entertainment industry as a woman. 

This film is rated R for language and nudity; but is a heavy and dark film that has graphic rape scenes, and touches on stalking, murder, mental illness, psychosis and hallucinations, violence, and mental facilities. For more information we invite you to visit Perfect Blue’s page on DoesTheDogDie.com!

The Clever Ghouls podcast, hosted by Maegan and Blair, is a show dedicated to watching, analyzing, and discussing the movies that make us think about them long after we’ve left the theater or turned off the TV. We bring quick wit and unique perspectives from backgrounds like art history, cinematography, psychology, analysis, public education, mysticism, mythos, and more to create a curated, inclusive conversation around the spooky movies we love. Tune in on your favorite podcast hosting platform to listen along, join the conversation, and chime in with your own observations!

Our intro and outro music was created for us by Josh Marshall. For more episodes and other spooky content, find us on your favorite social media platform through our handle: @CleverGhouls. Don’t forget to subscribe and share, and if you really like our content, please leave us a review. Or we’ll haunt you forever. Thanks for listening!

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On this episode, the Clever Ghouls discuss Jennifer Kent’s 2014 sleeper hit The Babadook. Based on Kent’s original short film, Monster, the movie stars Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman as a mother and son. Seven years after Amelia’s (Davis) husband dies while she’s in labor with Sam (Wiseman), we are introduced to the grief that permeates and strains their relationship. The Ghoulies talk about the stresses and expectations of motherhood, grief and mourning, neurodivergence, the difficulties of being a Hollow Knight fan waiting on Silksong, and also…the Babadook as a gay icon? 

This film isn’t rated in the US. For more information and a full list of content warnings,  we invite you to visit DoesTheDogDie.com.

For more in depth content to go along with this episode, check out the following minisodes: 

• Mommy Dearest: Mothers, Motherhood & Maternal Portrayal in Horror | Minisode w/ Maegan
• Monsters are Good For Us: Grief & Mourning Through Horror w/ Maegan

The Clever Ghouls podcast is run by Blair, Maegan, Marissa, & Melissa. This episode was written, led, and edited by Melissa. Our intro and outro music was created for us by Josh Marshall. For more episodes and other spooky content, find us on your favorite social media platform and pod-catcher through our handle @CleverGhouls. Don’t forget to subscribe and share, and if you really like our content, please leave us a review…or we’ll keep mailing you a copy of the Babadook Dook DOOK! Thanks for listening!

The Clever Ghouls podcast, hosted by Maegan and Blair, is a show dedicated to watching, analyzing, and discussing the movies that make us think about them long after we’ve left the theater or turned off the TV. We bring quick wit and unique perspectives from backgrounds like art history, cinematography, psychology, analysis, public education, mysticism, mythos, and more to create a curated, inclusive conversation around the spooky movies we love. Tune in on your favorite podcast hosting platform to listen along, join the conversation, and chime in with your own observations!

Our intro and outro music was created for us by Josh Marshall. For more episodes and other spooky content, find us on your favorite social media platform through our handle: @CleverGhouls. Don’t forget to subscribe and share, and if you really like our content, please leave us a review. Or we’ll haunt you forever. Thanks for listening!

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In this episode, the Clever Ghouls, Maegan & Blair, discuss Beetlejuice, the 1988 horror-comedy film written by Michael McDowell, Larry Wilson, and Warren Skaaren and directed by Tim Burton. Beetlejuice is the story of Adam and Barbara Maitland as they navigate the afterlife after their untimely demise. The Maitlands decide to hire Beetlejuice to scare away the Deetzes, who now occupy the Maitlands’ home–and shenanigans ensue. Join us as we take a closer look at this film and talk about themes such as found family, life after death, intersectionality, allyship, and the power in fighting your own battles.

This film is rated PG for mild language, fantasy violence, and suggestive humor. For more information we invite you to visit Beetlejuice’s listing on DoesTheDogDie.com.

The Clever Ghouls podcast, hosted by Maegan and Blair, is a show dedicated to watching, analyzing, and discussing the movies that make us think about them long after we’ve left the theater or turned off the TV. We bring quick wit and unique perspectives from backgrounds like art history, cinematography, psychology, analysis, public education, mysticism, mythos, and more to create a curated, inclusive conversation around the spooky movies we love. Tune in on your favorite podcast hosting platform to listen along, join the conversation, and chime in with your own observations!

Our intro and outro music was created for us by Josh Marshall. For more episodes and other spooky content, find us on your favorite social media platform through our handle: @CleverGhouls. Don’t forget to subscribe and share, and if you really like our content, please leave us a review. Or we’ll haunt you forever. Thanks for listening!

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Beetlejuice is rich in its in-your-face symbolism and serves as a horror-comedy critique about the effects capitalism and consumerism have had on our lives  to the extent bureaucracy follows us beyond death.  It presents a whimsical and darkly comedic exploration of the bureaucracy of life and death. Through its imaginative portrayal of the afterlife and the intricate workings of the bureaucratic system governing it, Beetlejuice satirizes the rigidity, inefficiency, and absurdity of bureaucratic institutions. By juxtaposing the supernatural realm with the mundane aspects of bureaucracy, the film invites reflection on the complexities and frustrations of navigating the rules and regulations that govern our existence.

The Clever Ghouls podcast, hosted by Maegan and Blair, is a show dedicated to watching, analyzing, and discussing the movies that make us think about them long after we’ve left the theater or turned off the TV. We bring quick wit and unique perspectives from backgrounds like art history, cinematography, psychology, analysis, public education, mysticism, mythos, and more to create a curated, inclusive conversation around the spooky movies we love. Tune in on your favorite podcast hosting platform to listen along, join the conversation, and chime in with your own observations!

Our intro and outro music was created for us by Josh Marshall. For more episodes and other spooky content, find us on your favorite social media platform through our handle: @CleverGhouls. Don’t forget to subscribe and share, and if you really like our content, please leave us a review. Or we’ll haunt you forever. Thanks for listening!

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The representation of artificial intelligence in horror movies encapsulates our collective fascination and fear towards this evolving technology. Through personification, existential questions, and ethical dilemmas, these films confront us with the potential consequences of creating AI that surpasses human abilities and challenges our very existence. By exploring the unknown, the uncanny, and the loss of humanity, horror movies serve as cautionary tales, reminding us to approach AI development with both caution and curiosity. As AI continues to advance in reality, these cinematic explorations provide valuable insights into the complex relationship between humanity and the machines we create.

References:

• RAY SOLOMONOFF
• The Turing Test
• Replika

The Clever Ghouls podcast, hosted by Maegan and Blair, is a show dedicated to watching, analyzing, and discussing the movies that make us think about them long after we’ve left the theater or turned off the TV. We bring quick wit and unique perspectives from backgrounds like art history, cinematography, psychology, analysis, public education, mysticism, mythos, and more to create a curated, inclusive conversation around the spooky movies we love. Tune in on your favorite podcast hosting platform to listen along, join the conversation, and chime in with your own observations!

Our intro and outro music was created for us by Josh Marshall. For more episodes and other spooky content, find us on your favorite social media platform through our handle: @CleverGhouls. Don’t forget to subscribe and share, and if you really like our content, please leave us a review. Or we’ll haunt you forever. Thanks for listening!

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On this episode, join the Ghouls as they dig into Mary Harron’s 2000 film, American Psycho. The movie most notably stars Christian Bale and follows wealthy New York City investment banking executive, Patrick Bateman, who hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he delves deeper into his violent, hedonistic fantasies. We talk about ALL SORTS of shit in this one from that over the top beauty routine, toxic masculinity, materialism, capitalism, and really breaking down that dick-measuring contest that is the business card scene.

The Clever Ghouls podcast, hosted by Maegan and Blair, is a show dedicated to watching, analyzing, and discussing the movies that make us think about them long after we’ve left the theater or turned off the TV. We bring quick wit and unique perspectives from backgrounds like art history, cinematography, psychology, analysis, public education, mysticism, mythos, and more to create a curated, inclusive conversation around the spooky movies we love. Tune in on your favorite podcast hosting platform to listen along, join the conversation, and chime in with your own observations!

Our intro and outro music was created for us by Josh Marshall. For more episodes and other spooky content, find us on your favorite social media platform through our handle: @CleverGhouls. Don’t forget to subscribe and share, and if you really like our content, please leave us a review. Or we’ll haunt you forever. Thanks for listening!

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Psychological horror has evolved over time, traversing the realms of literature and film to offer audiences a chilling exploration of the human brain and thoughts. From its origins in Gothic literature to its influence on German Expressionist cinema, the subgenre has continued to captivate and disturb. Through the visionary works of filmmakers like Hitchcock and the modern exploration of trauma and the subconscious, psychological horror has proven its enduring power to unnerve, challenge, and provoke thought. As long as human fears and the complexities of the mind persist, psychological horror will continue to evolve, offering audiences a mesmerizing journey into the darkest depths of the human psyche.

The Clever Ghouls podcast, hosted by Maegan and Blair, is a show dedicated to watching, analyzing, and discussing the movies that make us think about them long after we’ve left the theater or turned off the TV. We bring quick wit and unique perspectives from backgrounds like art history, cinematography, psychology, analysis, public education, mysticism, mythos, and more to create a curated, inclusive conversation around the spooky movies we love. Tune in on your favorite podcast hosting platform to listen along, join the conversation, and chime in with your own observations!

Our intro and outro music was created for us by Josh Marshall. For more episodes and other spooky content, find us on your favorite social media platform through our handle: @CleverGhouls. Don’t forget to subscribe and share, and if you really like our content, please leave us a review. Or we’ll haunt you forever. Thanks for listening!