Welcome to Cortana’s Communiques – A weekly discussion of the Paramount+ television series HALO based on the video game series and the universe created by XBox. Starring Pablo Schreiber and Natascha McElhone. Series synopsis: Aliens threaten human existence in an epic 26th-century showdown. TV series based on the video game ‘Halo’.

Cortana’s Communiques: The HALO Podcast – Episode s02e06 – Onyx

Dark Discussions, your place for the discussion of horror films, fiction, and all that's fantastic.

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Witches in horror are one of the most interesting monsters. They can be the broomstick and black cauldron type with green skin and pointy hats, or they can be as nefarious as those seen in such films like THE LORDS OF SALEM (2012) and THE AUTOPSY OF JANE DOE (2016). The new film, BAGHEAD (2024), is another take for this villain that was just released to the streaming station Shudder. Iris (Freya Allan) hasn't seen her father in years. When he dies, he leaves her an old but impressive tavern that she can either sell or try to make ends meet. After signing the typical lawyer-like paperwork, she moves into the tavern to begin her new life. When a strange man breaks in and offers her money to see the woman in the basement, Iris has to make a decision that may determine whether she lives or dies. The movie has received mixed reviews both from critics and audiences alike. With his feature length debut, director Alberto Corredor makes an impressively atmospheric movie. The question is, does the script live up to its production values and its impressive cast that includes the "it girl" Freya Allan. Dark Discussions takes a look at this movie with all the buzz and gives their thoughts.

Dark Discussions Podcast – Episode 623 - BAGHEAD (2024)

Over 25 years ago, the Japanese film, RINGU (1998), led a wave of horror films that took some sort of object and turned it into a talisman.  Supernatural evil then begins to haunt or curse teenagers or college co-eds leaving many dead, and the remainder including the survivor girl being unable to ever escape the paranormal blight that follows them forever.  The Australian film, TALK TO ME (2023), took the common trope and made it feel fresher than it deserved to be. Mia (Sophie Wilde) and her friend Jade (Alexandra Jensen) head to a house party where their high school friends have come upon an embalmed hand that can turn spirits corporeal for the person who holds the hand.  When Jade's little brother Riley (Joe Bird) wants a try, things turn deadly as a curse leaves Riley injured and forces Mia into a conundrum that could ultimately lead to her death. Two new filmmakers, brothers Danny and Michael Philippou, directed this surprise A24 hit.  Receiving fairly impressive reviews from reviewers while being enjoyed by audiences, the movie made $92M USD at the box office against a budget of $4.5M USD.  With its success, the film landed up on many top ten lists of 2023.  Dark Discussions takes a look at this interesting film and gives their thoughts.

Dark Discussions Podcast – Episode 622 - Talk To Me (2023)

A weekly podcast discussing the Amazon Prime Fallout television series.

Nuka-Girl Says Drink Nuka-Cola Podcast – s01e04 – The Ghouls

LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL is one of those films that falls within both the Found Footage subcategory and the Cinema Verite subcategories of filmmaking. With its documentary style and its “live” camera shooting, the movie gives us the feel of both before and behind the cameras of a late night television talk show. Night Owls With Jack Delroy is one of the many, but most successful, variety talk shows that are competing with Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show. While beginning to wane in the ratings, Jack (David Dastmalchian) and his team decide to try to make an epic Halloween special including psychics, magicians, and parapsychologists as guests. Unfortunately for everyone involved the supernatural may actually be a real thing. The movie originally made its premiere in 2023 at the SXSW film festival and received some buzz because of it. Released to theaters on March 22nd, 2024, and then on April 19th, 2024 it arrived to Shudder. Receiving excellent reviews by critics, the Cairnes brothers written and directed film, has also been had positive feedback by audiences too. Your co-hosts take a look at this new film and give their thoughts.

Cortana’s Communiques: The HALO Podcast – Episode s02e06 – Onyx

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