Dark Discussions Podcast

A brand new podcast on the Dark Discussions News Network talking about each episode weekly on the television series MONARCH: A LEGACY OF MONSTERS streaming on Apple+.

Sometimes for independent cinema, people are forced to take up many roles to get a film made.  Sometimes they are so devoted to the movie, they include themselves in more roles than one specific job because the story has been an idea they’ve had for some time and they are completely invested in the project.  Gianna Lutz, the woman behind the new horror film, HANDS OF HELL (2023), not only stars in the film, but also wrote the screenplay and co-directed the work.  As of September 2023, the movie has been available everywhere on VOD to watch.

Two serial killers, Bianca (Gianna Lutz) and Zeke (Adam Kitchen), have escaped from the mental institution they have been reprimanded to.  As a group of vacationers arrive at a remote retreat, the killers have taken over the facility from the owners and have turned the quiet resort into their headquarters to once again begin their murderous ways.

Not only is the movie a show piece for the talents of Gianna Lutz, but it is also another addition to female roles behind the camera.  The movie takes place in Texas not far from the Louisiana border, and brings the cluster b personality once more to the forefront of a non-supernatural horror film.  The co-hosts of the podcast take a look at this newly released movie and give their thoughts.

The podcast’s 600th episode has arrived. With its arrival, the team put up a poll on our Facebook group asking listeners to choose the topic. With a choice of 16 movies that the co-hosts came up with, the 1973 classic horror film, THE WICKER MAN, was chosen. “Come. It is time to keep your appointment with the Wicker Man.”

Police officer Neil Howie (Edward Woodward) head’s to Summerisle Island off the Scottish coast when he receives a harrowing letter about a missing girl. On his arrival, he discovers a strange society following a pagan sect. It’s a land very dissimilar to the mainland. May Day and a celebration of sexual freedom, the land is ruled by Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee). During his search for the missing girl, an ominous conspiracy begins to form around his investigation and his life may be endangered.

The movie also stars A-listers Britt Ekland, Diane Cilento, and Ingrid Pitt. THE WICKER MAN was directed by Robin Hardy and written by Anthony Snell. With its unforgettable ending, the film has become iconic and has been the father of so many more folk horror films including MIDSOMMAR (2019) among others. Your co-hosts take a look at this classic film and give their thoughts. 

The novel FRANKENSTEIN OR THE MODERN PROMETHEUS was written back in 1818, by Mary Shelley, and since then the story has become one of the most famous stories of all time.  And Frankenstein’s Monster is one of the most iconic creatures to ever been created.  Films, plays, and spin off novels have been made of it.  And in many cases, the story has been used as the basis of other tales.  The new movie THE ANGRY BLACK GIRL AND HER MONSTER (2023) is just another example.

Vicaria (Laya DeLeon Hayes) lives with her widower father.  Years earlier her mother was murdered in a random shooting and most recently, her brother Chris (Edem Atsu-Swanzy) was killed in a drug related gang hit.  Science is Vicaria’s thing, and she has learned how to bring back the dead.  Unfortunately, her brother Chris comes back yet isn’t the young man she used to know.

The movie was written and directed as the feature length debut for Bomani J. Story.  The film’s cast also includes Denzel Whitaker and Chad Coleman among others.  Released earlier in the year in a limited run, the film quickly landed up on VOD and the Shudder television network.  Chosen as a contest winning film by listener and podcaster Amy for the Halloween movie discussion, your co-hosts take a look at this new Frankenstein take and give their thoughts on it.

A weekly podcast discussing each episode of the Netflix television live action series ONE PIECE (2023).

The “little” film EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE (2022), independently made, but picked up by A24 for distribution, basically out of nowhere became a major hit and also won seven Oscars at the Academy Awards. Part science fiction, part comedy, part family drama, the movie received great reviews while also making a strong box office.

From IMDB: A middle-aged Chinese immigrant is swept up into an insane adventure in which she alone can save existence by exploring other universes and connecting with the lives she could have led.

The movie stars Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Jenny Slate, James Hong, Jamie Lee Curtis, and remarkably retired child actor Ke Hy Quan who went on to win the Oscar for best supporting actor. The movie was written and directed by the “Daniels”, Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan after having met at Emerson College in Boston years earlier. Your co-hosts take a look at this film picked as a feature by co-host Eric.

A weekly podcast discussing each episode of the Netflix television live action series ONE PIECE (2023).

The new film, YOU’RE KILLING ME (2023), is a new play on the home invasion movie.  What happens if it isn’t your home, and you are at a party, and a person or people who happen to be there mixing and mingling are the killers.  They are already in the house with you.  What do you do?  And what happens if there is an existential concern that prevents you from even getting help from authorities?

Eden (McKaley Miller) and her friend head to a party on the wealthy side of town.  The high school house party is hosted by Barrett (Brice Anthony Heller) who is the son of a congressman.  Eden sees an opportunity to schmooze Barrett to get his father to write her a recommendation letter for admission to an exclusive college.  When a recent crime suddenly comes to the forefront at the party, Eden must figure a way to let the police know while also saving herself from the killers’ attempts to silence her.

The film stars McKaley Miller in a strong lead performance.  Also included in the cast is Anne Heche in one of her last film roles as well as Dermot Mulroney.  Co-directed by Beth Hanna and Jerren Launder from a script by Walker Hare and Brad Martocello, the movie has received excellent reviews by film critics.  Your co-hosts take a look at this new movie and give their thoughts.

A weekly podcast discussing each episode of the Netflix television live action series ONE PIECE (2023).

Demons have always been a staple in religious horror movies. Christianity and Judaism has been a great area to cultivate stories for entertainment purposes when it comes to scares. One faith, Hinduism, has their share of demonic entities and evil beings that try to corrupt or cause chaos to humanity. The recently released film, IT LIVES INSIDE (2023), takes this to Western audiences that may not be as familiar with the religious texts that discuss these monsters.

Samidha, nicknamed Sam, is a popular high school student who comes from an immigrant family from India. Her mother and she butt heads often over cultural issues and her wish to be the person she wants to be. When an old friend Tamira disappears after Sam and she have a fight, an ancient evil may have been unleashed that will terrorize Sam and those around her.

IT LIVES INSIDE is written and directed by Bishal Dutta and stars Megan Suri as Sam, Neeru Bajwa as Sam’s mother, among a large supporting cast. The film has received mixed reviews by both critics and audiences alike. The film received a strong trailer push though didn’t catch on as distributor Neon had hoped. Your co-hosts take a look at this film and give their thoughts.