Dark Discussions Podcast

Terry Gilliam has been a very “confusing” director. His films are sometimes called inaccessible. Whether it is TIME BANDITS (1981), BRAZIL (1985), or FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS (1998), his work is very distinct. In 1995, his film 12 MONKEYS did have his various traits and also was a well received science fiction film with originality.

In apocalyptic 2035, where people live underground, prisoner James Cole (Bruce Willis) is sent to the surface for samples so a cure for a pandemic that killed most of humanity. Scientists however have a plan. They are able to send people back to the past so to see if they can stop the disease itself. When James heads back to 1996, he discovers that a group of environmental terrorists called 12 Monkeys may be the culprit.

Directed by Gilliam, the screenplay was written by duo, David and Janet Peoples, based off a French short film LA JATEE by Chris Marker. The cast includes Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt, David Morse, Christopher Plummer, and Madeleine Stowe. Your co-hosts take a look at this very interesting film and give their thoughts.

One does being one of the greatest directors of all time mean?  Either way, it can be safe to say that the impact that Wes Craven had on movie cinema qualifies him as one of the best ever.  In 1996, his film, SCREAM, became an incredible hit and many folks feel it is one of the greatest films of all time (more than just a horror film).  After Craven’s passing, the franchise has continued with SCREAM 5 (2022) and SCREAM 6 (2023). 

Sisters Sam (Melissa Barrera) and Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega) have been targeted by the next group of psychos that have decided to take on the identity of the Ghostface killer.  With a group of new characters and many old, the mystery of who the new murders are begins a new chapter in the franchise.

The two new SCREAM films were co-written by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, and co-directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Guy Busick.  Veteran performers Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette, and Hayden Panettiere return while being joined by a new group of 20-somethings.  Your co-hosts take a look at the two latest in the franchise and give their thoughts.

On June 12th, 2023, actor Treat Williams passed away in Vermont in a motorcycle accident.  He had been a Hollywood mainstay having been a supporting actor in many big budget films.  At times he was a leading man as well, and in 1998 he starred in the horror film DEEP RISING.  Dark Discussions has decided to pay tribute to his life by reviewing the film.

Captain John Finnegan (Treat Williams) leads a crew that takes on whatever job is needed.  When a group of mercenaries hire him, he founds out that their target is an ocean liner.  On the cruise ship, Trillian (Famke Janssen), a guest on the boat, is arrested by the crew for pickpocketing.  When a mysterious creature attacks the ocean liner, Trillian, a handful of survivors, and the mercenaries try their best to survive.

DEEP RISING, though a critical flop, has gained a large cult following over the years.  Written and directed by the prolific Stephen Sommers, the movie was an opportunity to allow Williams and Janssen a chance to become A-list starts.  Though their careers didn’t advance as much as some thought, they both have had a long and lustrous career.  Rest in peace, Treat Williams.  Your co-hosts give their thoughts.

For our third lesbian arthouse film during Pride Month of June, Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews searches for the obscure and foreign. NUDE AREA (2014), a film from the Netherlands, is a curious piece of art as it has no dialogue at all. None. And yet as a moving picture, it captures a very poignant idea that the director/screenwriter wanted.

Naomi (Sammy Boonstra) one day sees a Fama (Imaan Hammam) on the train. She anamoured by the girl. Shy, Naomi is unable to approach her. Instead she follows her discovering where she lives and what gym and spa she attends. Soon she interjects herself into Fama’s life, and the two young women learn more about each other.

NUDE AREA was written and directed by Urszula Antoniak. The film paints a picture of the two leads, while the lack of dialogue intentionally makes the viewer wonder if it much of the film is simply Naomi’s fantasy. Barely noticed by critics, the film’s nudity and its LGBTQ topic may have attracted both midnight movie and arthouse fans alike. Your co-hosts take a look at the film and give their thoughts.

World War 2 films were the thing back in the day, but recently they have become more modern with their action, adventure, and pulp style.  The latest from director Peter Thorwarth who directed the vampire film BLOOD RED SKY has the tone of a Quentin Tarantino film, while playing straight with its over the top action.

Heinrich, a decorated Wehrmacht soldier, is captured by the Waffen-SS after abandoning his battalion during the last days of World War 2.  When they hang him, a farm girl rescues him and the two of them discover that the Waffen-SS are now occupying her town looking for stolen gold.

The movie was picked up by Netflix and released May 26, 2023.  Getting impressive reviews from both audiences and critics, the movie has garnered somewhat of a cult following.  Joined by actor Dan Lench, your co-hosts discuss this latest action thriller.

For our second lesbian arthouse film during Pride Month of June, Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews has decided to look at one of the more popular films in the genre. DISOBEDIENCE (2017) was noted by many critics in its initial release as a potential award winner during the year’s end. Though it wasn’t nominated much nor win many, the film was critically praised by both audiences and critics alike.

Ronit (Rachel Weisz) is a fashion photographer in Manhattan. During a shoot, she gets a call that her estranged father, an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, has passed away in her home city of London, England. When she returns for the funeral and will, she reconnects with her old friends now married, Dovid (Alessandro Nivola) and Esti (Rachel McAdams). Now an outcast to the community, Ronit must deal with the mixed reactions of her return as well as a past that still haunts her.

DISOBEDIENCE was directed by Chilean director Sebastian Lelio and co-written by screenwriter Rebecca Lenkiewicz. The script is based of the novel of the same name by Naomi Alderman. Produced by Rachel Weisz as a passion project, the film like many great films is mostly elapsed from public knowledge except by film lovers. Your cohosts take a look at this interesting film and give their thoughts.

Social media and online influencers have changed the world for the worst and the better.  You have talented folks able to show their talents to the world, contact people from all over instantaneously, and entertainment at your finger tips.  But the dark side of the internet has shown through as well.  The new film, FOLLOW ME (2023), takes a look at the darker side of things that could occur.

Jess Peters (Dani Barker) is an inspiring actress, living off her favors coin, while doing fetish videos on-line for money and “likes”.  After mistakenly releasing four seconds of video of one of her “clients”, she has to make a decision that will affect her life in ways she will never know.

The film also stars Luke Cook as well as Dani Barker who wrote the screenplay for the film.  The movie is directed by veteran Sylvia Caminer.  With its positive reviews, the movie is getting a bit of notice.  Your co-hosts take a look at this interesting film and give their thoughts.

Welcome to Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews theme month.  June has been designated as Pride Month for the LGBT community.  So to fit with the month, once again the podcast has decided to review various art house lesbian films as we did last year.  To start off, we discuss the 2017 film ALLURE.

Laura (Evan Rachel Wood) works as a home cleaning service for her father and his company.  While starting a new client in a wealthy home, she meets a 16 year old girl named Eva (Julia Sarah Stone).  Eva quickly becomes interested in the alternative-dressed and interesting woman that Laura is.  Soon a bond happens between the two.  But one wonders what Laura’s true intentions are.

The film is directed and written as a team by Carlos and Jason Sanchez.  The cast also includes Denis O’Hare and Maxim Roy.  The movie is a Canadian production that originally was released at TIFF in 2017 before going wide (to VOD) in Q2 2018.  Your co-hosts take a look at this interesting film that is as much arthouse as it is grindhouse.

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Earlier in 2023, the film MEGAN (2023) arrived to theaters.  The movie was about an artificial intelligence (AI) robot/toy that began to make its own decisions that turned it into a murderous monster.  The science fiction subgenre including AI is suddenly “fresh” with the subject lately in the news.  The latest movie to be released about the subject is THE ARTIFICE GIRL (2023) that’s getting some notice.

Law enforcement Deena (Sinda Nichols) and Amos (David Girard) think they have found an anonymous social media vigilante.  They bring in Gareth (Franklin Ritch) to question him about his work and some online activity he’s been a part of.  When a little girl named Cherry (Tatum Matthews) seems to be a pawn in a pedophile sting, Deena is determined to find the girl and bring justice.

Besides starring as Gareth, THE ARTIFICE GIRL is directed and written by Franklin Ritch.  Also appearing is Lance Henriksen in maybe his largest and important role since the 1990’s.  The film appears to be a science fiction thriller but changes topics as the movie goes along.  Your co-hosts take a look at this little film and give their thoughts.