Dark Discussions Podcast

In this day and age, not all that surprising, there are sequels to multiple films. One of them that was just released is SMILE 2, the sequel to the 2022 original. SMILE was a bigger success than the studio had expected and so they signed director/writer Parker Finn to a film deal and the first to be produced is SMILE 2.

Pop singer Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) is about to go on tour. Its a new beginning for her after a car accident that injured her back and left her boyfriend and actor Paul Hudson (Ray Nicholson) dead. Recovering from drug abuse, no doctor will prescribe her painkillers for her back pain. When she meets up with a drug dealer, he begins freaking out that some sort of entity is following her.

Picking up right where the prior film ended, SMILE 2 follows the same antagonist from the original. Receiving fairly good reviews from critics and audiences alike, the movie almost tripled its $28M USD budget with a profit of close to $110M USD. You cohosts head to the theaters and decide to review the film giving their thoughts.

1975 was the release of Stephen King’s second novel, ‘SALEM’S LOT. It was a huge success. Shortly after the novel was turned into a classic television mini-series (1979), and a sequel (1987), plus a further remake (2004). But Hollywood wasn’t finished yet. The television prequel series CHAPELWAITE (2021) was released. Now finally a third remake has been released straight to VOD on HBO Max.

Ben Mears (Lewis Pullman) returns to his childhood home of Jerusalem’s Lot as he begins to write a tale about an old dark house entitled the Martsten House which overlooks the town. At the same time two European immigrants set up an antiques store on main street. When a boy disappears, the local police chief begins to suspect that one of the new arrivals may be the perpetrator.

Immediately, the film production and what was screened was mediocre at best. As a result, the movie was shelfed as producers tried to decide what to do with it. But still, some big names were involved with the production. James Wan produced and Gary Dauberman wrote and directed. Your co-hosts take a look at this new adaptation and give their thoughts whether the bad rumors were true.

When Moses parted the Red Sea, it was considered to be an obviously miracle. The ocean and the tides have always been part of sea faring life and have had legends and myths follow them throughout history. A king’s tide is those tides that occur at points throughout the year where they are their highest as the moon, sun, and gravity play a part. The new Canadian film THE KING TIDE popped up on VOD recently to some fairly good reviews. But its title is more a metaphor than part of the interesting plot.

Bobby (Clayne Crawford) is the mayor of the only town on an island off the Atlantic Canadian coast. A small dingy appears by the shore with a young baby in it. He and his wife, having just lost a pregnancy, adopt the girl. When she grows up, she begins to show miraculous powers of healing and fortune. Though Bobby tries to hide this from the community, his mother-in-law thinks otherwise leading to great change upon them all.

The movie is directed by Christian Sparkes from a script from four writers. Besides Clayne Crawford, other stars include Frances Fisher and Lara Jean Chorostecki. The film was originally did the festival circuit in 2023 before a full release in 2024. With very good reviews, the movie had a short lived window of note. Your co-hosts take a look at it and give their thoughts.

The 2016 South Korean film, THE WAILING, showed a number of things about Korea. It included the nation’s feelings of the stamp Japan had left from its occupation of Korea during and prior to World War II. It also showed the superstition of some Koreans and how it still remains years later. The new film, EXHUMA (2024), though much different than THE WAILING has both these aspects within its plot as well.

When a wealthy American family of Korean ancestry believes that medicine will not cure a mysterious illness of their new born, they enlist two “Mu” (or shamans) to get to the bottom of what may be a long lasting curse that has followed the Americans from generation to generation.

The film is written and directed by Jae-hyun Jang and the cast includes superstar Min-sik Choi (OLDBOY 2003) in a very different role than some of his previous. The film was a huge success in its native country and appeared on the television station Shudder for North American audiences. Your co-hosts take a look at the film and give their thoughts.

Just 20 years ago, Demi Moore was a star. Not only a star, but a superstar. Her latest film, THE SUBSTANCE (2024), is a perfect example of aging and stardom and what can happen to folks as a younger generation appears on the scene. And the old, to remain relevant, try to hang on to their glory days.

Actress Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) has transitioned from award winning actress to becoming a huge television star as she hosts an aerobics show. On her fiftieth birthday, her producer Harvey (Dennis Quaid), lets her go as he decides a new and young starlet is needed. Approached by a company called The Substance, she is offered a chance to create a younger and better version of herself using their experimental medication. Things alas don’t turn out all that well.

The film is directed and written by Coralie Fargeat (REVENGE (2017) and also stars Margaret Qualley. Released to the festival circuit and nominated for the Palme D’Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival while winning best screenplay. Released at theaters, the film underperformed, yet still received good reviews by audiences and reviewers alike. Your cohosts take a look at the movie and give their thoughts.

It's the new thing. And it's called the multiverse. It's the running joke of the televisions series RICK AND MORTY. Where at any point in time, your existence diverts into millions of "you" depending on what you do next. The new movie HOSTILE DIMENSIONS (2024) opens up a door (literally) into existences beyond ours.

When graffiti artist, Emily (Josie Rogers), finds a standalone door in the middle of a cellar of an abandoned building, she opens it and disappears. Two documentary filmmakers along with a college professor decide to find the truth of what happens, hoping to solve a mystery that has gone viral on the internet.

The Scottish film is written and directed by Graham Hughes. Besides Josie Rogers, the cast includes Annabel Logan, Joma West, and Paddy Kondracki. With talking dogs, flying whales, and bronze giants, Emily's dilemma may turn out to be more "supernatural" than one thought. Your co-hosts take a look at this hidden gem and give their thoughts.

A new film from the land of the Irish has arrived to streaming after a short run at the theaters. The new movie is called ODDITY (2024). Does it live up to that name? Well, it isn't as odd as the title says, but it sure is a well received supernatural movie.

Dani Timmis (Carolyn Bracken) is home alone at night as her psychiatrist husband, Ted (Gwilym Lee), is at work. When an ex-patient arrives at her front door, he warns her of a stranger that is in her house. A year later, her clairvoyant twin sister Darcy decides to find out what happened that night when she receives a talisman that may be the key to her answers.

The movie is written and directed by Damian McCarthy. Besides Gwilym Lee and Carolyn Bracken, the movie's cast includes Tadhg Murphy, Caroline Menton, Steve Wall, and Jonathan French. Picked up by IFC and Shudder, the film received a quick release at theaters after getting good reviews from critics. Your podcast hosts take a look at this new movie and give their thoughts.

Detective Comics, better known as DC, has delivered some of the most iconic superhero characters of all time such as Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, and Harley Quinn. In 1986, the first issue of Watchmen appeared which was something altogether different. A violent, transgressive, political, and sexual take on superheroes, the series (now a graphic novel), was troubling to some but loved by others.

The talents behind the graphic novel include write Alan Moore, artist Dave Gibbons, and colorist John Higgins. Since its debut, the popularity with its alternate timeline has only grown as it became a movie simply titled Watchmen, written by David Hayter and Alex Tse, and directed by talented and enigmatic Zack Snyder.

Receiving mixed reviews, the movie may have been before its time as comic book films were just at the cusp of dominating the movie box office. In this first of two episodes, your co-hosts talk about the backstory of source material and the dream of Zack Snyder trying to make what many thought as an impossible source material to adapt into what is now considered a beloved cult film by many.

The ALIEN franchise is one of the most successful horror franchises of all time. ALIEN (1979) and the sequel ALIENS (1986) are two of the best films of all time. Others in the franchise have received fine reviews and have interesting premises. Now, the new movie in the franchise, ALIEN: ROMULUS, has arrived.

Rain (Cailee Spaeny) and her synthetic brother Andy (David Jonsson) work for the company Weyland-Yutani as essentially indentured servants. When Rain's ex-boyfriend suggests a chance to flee to a different planet, Rain and the group head to an abandoned space station in orbit to get the fuel needed. Unfortunately there is a secret onboard that may be the death of them all.

The film is directed by Fede Alvarez and co-written with his film partner Rodo Sayagues. The film takes place between the first two films in the franchise. Receiving decent enough reviews, the movie is the first from Disney and has been a financial success. Your co-hosts take a look at the film and give their thoughts.

The co-German and American film CUCKOO arrived to theaters in August of 2024. Neon, the film company that has been releasing some fairly interesting films, got it a general release. Small as it is, the film received a bit of buzz from genre fans. But what is the film about? Is it a monster film? A film about cryptozoology? Demons? Aliens? Whatever it is, many reviewers wondered as much as the audiences did.

Synopsis: 17-year-old Gretchen (Hunter Schafer) moves to a resort in the Bavarian Alps with her father, stepmother, and mute half-sister. The resort is managed by the enigmatic Herr König (Dan Stevens). As Gretchen starts working at the resort’s front desk, she encounters strange and unsettling occurrences that may put her life in danger.

The film is written and directed by German filmmaker Tilman Singer. It stars Hunter Schafer, Dan Stevens, Jessica Henwirk, Marton Csoskas, Jan Bluthardt, and Greta Fernandez. Before its theatrical release, it played at the Berlin International Film Festival, South By Southwest, and Fantasia. Your co-hosts take a look at this odd film and give their thoughts.