Dark Discussions Podcast

Welcome to The Rise of the Cordyceps Infected:  A Last of Us Podcast.  We discuss weekly each episode of the television series THE LAST OF US seen on HBOMax.

COVID-19 hit the world pretty hard in many ways.  With the large initial deaths that occurred, and then the lockdowns, paranoia, and even the politicisation of the disease, the entire world lived in fear that left many folks never recovering.  The new Peacock film, SICK (2023), popped up in early January that takes place right in the middle of the pandemic.

College students Parker (Gideon Adlon) and her friend Miri (Beth Million) head out to Parker’s family remote summer home to quarantine together while they take a needed break for studies.  While sunbathing on the lake dock, Parker gets anonymous texts that begin to creep her out.  As the evening begins to settle on the quaint property, a strange car pulls into the driveway and the two young woman feel something is not right.

The movie is the latest film co-written by Kevin Williamson known for such things as SCREAM (1996), DAWSON’S CREEK, and THE FOLLOWING.  The movie was directed by John Hyams known for BLACK SUMMER, ALONE (2020), and Z NATION.  Your co-hosts are joined by actor Dan Lench (CIRCLE (2015)) to discuss this well received movie, their experiences with COVID, and how the film fits into the pandemic itself.

Welcome to The Rise of the Cordyceps Infected:  A Last of Us Podcast.  We discuss weekly each episode of the television series THE LAST OF US seen on HBOMax.

Arriving at theaters during the summer of 2022, the science fiction horror film NOPE came out as one of the many “big” summer movies.  This was the third effort by director/writer Jordan Peele.  And like his other two films, it was unlike them as well.

The Haywood family owns a ranch out in Agua Dulce, California remote and distant from town.  They work with Hollywood offering their horses for film and television production.  When the patriarch of the family dies from a coin that falls from the sky, Otis (Daniel Kaluuya) and his sister Emerald (Keke Palmer) think that their valley may actually be a home to a alien spaceship.

Jordan Peele wrote the screenplay along with directing the film.  Besides Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer, the film also starts Steven Yeun, Michael Wincott, Brandon Perea, and Keith David.  The film received generally positive reviews by critics but mixed reviews from audiences.  Your co-hosts take a look at this interesting film and discuss their thoughts about it.

Welcome to Horrorphilia Jason’s best of the year show. After scores of new horror releases watched over the year, I’ve narrowed it down to my favorite 30. Also, I’ll have a few honorable mentions and some hidden gems recommended.

With the HBO Max television series THE LAST OF US just arriving for viewership, fungi is now the new start to the apocalypse. Mushrooms, cordyceps, and spores somehow infect a person and then the world ends. The 2021 horror film, THE SPORE, has a very interesting concept for sure a scenario. 

From IMDB: “The lives of ten strangers intersect through a terrifying chain of events as a mutating fungus begins to spread through a small town wiping out everyone that comes into contact with it.”

The film was directed and written by Matt Cunningham starring a cast of mostly unknowns. At its release the movie received many accolades for its fantastic special effects and its haunting music reminding many of classic horror films. Your co-hosts take a look at this interesting film and give their thoughts on the story as well.

Welcome to The Rise of the Cordyceps Infected:  A Last of Us Podcast.  We discuss weekly each episode of the television series THE LAST OF US seen on HBOMax.

The first big horror film of 2023 came out in January.  Usually January is a dumping ground for films that producers think will fail, but not Jason Blum.  MEGAN (2023), also known as MEGAN, appeared at US theaters on January 6th, 2023 and immediately became a hit. 

Gemma (Allison Willaims) works as an engineer and programmer at a toy company.  She’s on a deadline to upgrade their number one toy to be priced cheaper so it can compete against a competitor’s rip-off.  When her sister and brother-in-law die in a car accident, her niece Cady (Violet McGraw) comes to live with her.  Though Gemma has no idea what to do with her niece, she has a project at work for a new robotic companion that she’s named Megan (Amie Donald) that may be able to give Cady companionship.

The movie is co-produced by Jason Blum and James Wan.  Based on a story by James Wan and Akela Cooper (MALIGNANT), the screenplay was written by Cooper and directed by Gerard Johnstone.   Critics have praised the movie and audiences have given it good reviews.  With a budget of $12M USD, the movie has grossed over $131M USD.  Your co-hosts take a look at this new film and give their thoughts.

Welcome to The Rise of the Cordyceps Infected:  A Last of Us Podcast.  We discuss weekly each episode of the television series THE LAST OF US seen on HBOMax. 

Co-host Mike has said “Don’t ever bet against James Cameron.”   And based off his success rate bringing in the box office, no one should.  In 2009, AVATAR became one of the most acclaimed and biggest movies in cinematic history.  Years later, in 2022, the sequel, AVATAR:  THE WAY OF WATER, was finally released at Christmas time, and in a matter of weeks it surpassed TOP GUN:  MAVERICK (2022) as the top grossing fil of the year.  And it also became one of the biggest grossing films of all time too.

So could a film that came out thirteen years ago spark excitement once more after such a long delay for the sequel.  As stated, yes, it can.  The movie has received fabulous reviews from critics and moviegoers have gone in droves to see it.  At the time of this podcast, AVATAR:  THE WAY OF WATER had dominated the box office for six full weeks and was still going strong.

Does the film live up to the hype?  Is it a great sequel to its fabulous predecessor?  And can the movie turn what was a fine science fiction film into a franchise that would be remembered like other franchises like STAR WARS, STAR TREK, and THE PLANET OF THE APES.   Only time will tell, but your co-hosts take a look at this latest film and give their thoughts.