Dark Discussions Podcast

Vampire films are probably as common to find at the bottom of the well on any streaming service as zombie films.  What’s original with them?  Not much, right?  But sometimes a new idea is added to the lore and makes them stand out just a bit more than others.  The new Hulu film, BLOOD (2023), is one of those movies that does things just a little differently to make it feel somewhat original.

Jess (Michelle Monaghan) is a divorce mom with two young children.  A nurse that’s a recovering addict, Jess has had to struggle trying to keep custody of her daughter and son.  When they move back home to the farm Jess inherited from her aunt, her two children head out to the fields and discover a dried up old pond with a mysterious tree sitting in its center. 

Brad Anderson, director of such films as SESSION 9 (2001) and THE MACHINEST (2004), directs from a script by Will Honley.  Receiving a limited release before its streaming run began, the movie has received mix to average reviews from both critics and viewers alike.  Your cohosts take a look at this new movie and give their thoughts.

The timeloop film isn’t nothing new.  One of the most famous is the comedy GROUNDHOG DAY (1993), but the horror and sci-fi genres have had a number of well received films with many now considered modern classics such as EDGE OF TOMORROW (2014), LOOPER (2012), and HAPPY DEATH DAY (2017).  Another such film, stuck in COVID limbo, was released to Hulu in 2021 called BOSS LEVEL.

When former black ops soldier Roy Pulver (Frank Grillo) wakes up to an assassination attempt, he suddenly finds himself in a timeloop.  Trying to reach his son and his ex-wife scientist Jemma Wells (Naomi Watts), he has to relieve day after day as more and more assassins appear to his future self.  Now Roy discovers there may a bigger secret that could result in the end of the world leaving him as a reluctant hero.

The movie is directed by Joe Carnahan who previously did THE GREY (2011) and NARC (2002).  The film stars Frank Grillo, Naomi Watts, but also Mel Gibson and Michelle Yeoh.  Most critics enjoyed this film that some viewers say is an unknown hidden gem.  Your co-hosts take a look at the movie and give their thoughts.

The heist film isn’t anything new in the subgenre of thrillers and crime films.  The movie, SEXY BEAST (2000), came out at a time when films such as PULP FICTION (1994) changed the landscape of movies where midnight movies became mainstream and B-movies became classy.   SEXY BEAST took this new type of throwback filmmaking techniques and put it straight on top of the heist movie.

Gal Dove (Ray Winstone) and his wife DeeDee (Amanda Redman) along with another couple retired to the Mediterranean coast of Spain.  Unfortunately being a former safe cracker for the British mob, can he really retire?  Without notice, Don Logan (Ben Kingsley) arrives at Gal’s home to get him to join in one last heist set up by crime boss Teddy Bass (Ian McShane).  Does Gal have any options or is he forced to do the job?

The movie is directed by non-prolific yet highly regarded director Jonathan Glazer.  The movie star Ray Winstone, Ben Kingsley, Ian McShane, Amanda Redman, along with Cavan Kendall, Julianne White, and James Fox.  Receiving amazing reviews and even noticed at awards ceremonies, SEXY BEAST is considered by some as one of the best thrillers in the last 25 years.  A Patreon pick by one of our listeners, your co-hosts take a look at this amazing film.

Back in 2013, the EVIL DEAD franchise was rebooted with the film EVIL DEAD (2013).  The movie was very polarizing with fans and critics loving it or hating it.  Now in 2023, the next film in the series was released, EVIL DEAD RISE (2023).  This one seems to be getting acclaim consistently without the black-and-white feelings of the prior.

Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) and her husband have separated.  Alone with her three children, her sister Beth (Lily Sullivan) has returned home from a music tour as a guitar technician.  Pregnant and without money, Ellie accepts her with love and wishes her to stay.  When an earthquake hits the Los Angeles area, a hole in the parking garage opens allowing her children to find a copy of the Book of the Dead in an old bank vault.  Things get worse from there.

Produced once again by Rob Tapert and executive produced by Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell,, this latest edition of the series has a new director and screenwriter, Lee Cronin, who did the exceptional horror film THE HOLE IN THE GROUND back in 2019.  Dark Discussions takes a look at this latest movie to star the deadites and gives their thoughts.

Demon and religious horror has always been a solid subgenre in horror.  Such films as INSIDIOUS (2010), THE EVIL DEAD (1981), THE EXORCIST (1973), and THE OMEN (1976) are just a number of some of the best in the subgenre, and all very different.  The new horror film, THE OFFERING (2023), was just released on VOD to fairly strong reviews.  Does it live up to other movies in the subgenre?

When Arthur (Nick Blood) and his wife Claire (Emily Wiseman) visit his Hasidic Jewish father at his funeral home business in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.   After leaving suddenly some years ago and marrying a gentile woman, Arthur and his father have had a falling out.  But his rekindling of the relationship may have a hidden agenda as he hopes to get money from his father to help pay the bills.  But while visiting, the body of a deceased man arrives at the funeral home with a very dark secret.

The movie was directed by British director Oliver Park based off a screenplay and story by Hank Hoffman and Jonathan Yunger.  The cast includes Allan Corduner and Paul Kaye (GAME OF THRONES) and recently became available on the streaming service Hulu.  Dark Discussions takes a look at this new film and gives their thoughts on the story.

Director John Francis Daley, known for the spectacular film GAME NIGHT (2018), joins up with co-director Jonathan Goldstein to direct the new fantasy film, DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS:  HONOR AMONG THIEVES (2023).  The movie is based on the book and game franchise, DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS.  It’s a reboot of an old film series that didn’t live up to expectations. 

The bard, Edgin Darvis (Chris Pine), and his barbarian friend, Holga Kilgore (Michelle Rodriguez), head out to find the Tablet of Reawakening, which will allow Edgin to bring his wife back from the dead.  With the help of a tiefling druid, a wizard, and a paladin, their adventure leads them to the caverns with dragons, and fighting a group of undead wizards.

The movie has received fantastic reviews both from critics and audiences alike.  The cast also includes Hugh Grant, Justice Smith, Rege-Jean Page, Daisy Head, and Sophia Lillis.  There is already talk of a sequel and a televisions series, with some critics calling it similar to the Marvel films.  Your co-hosts take a look at the movie and give their thoughts.

The independent horror film, THEY WAIT IN THE DARK (2023), has been getting some rave reviews including a write up in the New York Times. Director Patrick Rea is no rookie when it comes to horror films. He’s directed some fine films in the genre this last decade including NAILBITER (2013), ARBOR DEMON (2016), and I AM LISA (2020). 

THEY WAIT IN THE DARK as stated on IMDB: Amy (Sarah McGuire), a young woman is on the run with her young son Adrian (Patrick McGee) from her abusive ex-girlfriend. When the past rises up to haunt them, they must confront the forces threatening them from both outside and in.

Patrick Rea joins the podcast to discuss his latest film. As the IMBD description suggests, the film is both a thriller as a Cluster B personality chases our protagonists across state while inside their hiding place a supernatural presence may be even more threatening than the main antagonist.  Listen in and hear what Rea says about his latest slow burn horror film.

Director Patrick Rae has been directed a number of horror films including two that have been reviewed by Dark Discussions Podcast.  Now in 2023, his latest film, THEY WAIT IN THE DARK (2023), showed up on VOD with positive reviews coming from such well known publications as the New York Times.

Amy (Sarah McGuire) is a troubled woman carrying demons from her past.  Now she is on the run with her son from her ex Judith (Laurie Catherine Winkel).  When she returns to her abandoned childhood home, she decides to hide out hoping to have escaped Judith and her physical abuse.   Soon, however, as Judith begins to zero in on her location, Amy’s own personal sins may have come to back for revenge.

The movie was written as well as directed by Patrick Rae.  Starring Sarah McGuire and Laurie Catherine Winkel in performances that were written to ooze the inner demons each woman feels and fears.  Your co-hosts take a look at this film and give their thoughts.

Throwback grindhouse horror films are one of the most successful types of films that independent filmmakers are making nowadays.  With the glossiness of theatrical releases, and screenplays feeling generic, the old school drive-in film that has been all but forgotten by bigger studios has left a lot of filmmakers an opportunity to standout.  The new horror film CANDY LAND (2023) has received buzz and received great reviews from even large publications like the New York Times and Los Angeles Times.

“Lot Lizards” Sadie (Sam Quartin), Riley (Eden Brolin), Liv (Virginia Rand), and gigilo Levi (Owen Campbell) all work at a grimy truck stop.  Fortunately for them they are mostly left alone by Sheriff Rex (William Baldwin).  When innocent girl Remy (Olivia Luccardi) leaves a strict religious group, she lands up being helped by the young working women.  But then a dead body is found in the motel’s public bathroom leaving everyone to believe a serial killer may be among their midst.

CANDY LAND is written and directed by John Swab.  Starring a cast of well known genre actors and actresses, the film is lead by Olivia Luccardi (IT FOLLOWS) in a key part that changes the lives of all the other characters in the movie.  Receiving very good reviews by critics everywhere, your co-hosts take a look at this modern take on a subgenre of horror films that has been under represented in modern cinema.

In early 2022, the Ti West film, X, was released to rave reviews.  With its grindhouse experience, and throwback feel, the move brought horror and midnight movie fans back to the old 42nd Street theaters that used to pocket New York City and Times Square.  To the surprise of many, a follow up film, that was filmed at the same time as X was announced entitled PEARL (2022).

Pearl, the antagonist of X (2022), played by Mia Goth, has her origin story now.  The film is about Pearl’s life on her immigrant German family’s farm.  We see that Pearl is wishing to escape and be in movies.  But unfortunately her life as a teenager is violent and unstable as we see her do things that normal teenagers would never do.

PEARL stars Mia Goth in what some say is a career defining performance.  Also starring are Emma Jenkins-Purro, Tandi Wright, Matthews Sunderland, among others.  Filmed for the relatively low price of $1M USD, the movie went on to make ten times the box office.  Rated as highly as its predecessor by critics, your co-hosts now take a look at this little film and give their thoughts.