Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

"Some folks have a strange idea of entertainment." - For Tom McLoughlin's installment of the F13 franchise, Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI, Bob Larkin takes the role of Martin the Caretaker, replacing Crazy Ralph and providing a series of great lines such as this. The witty script sets the tone for a lively installment in the series that is far more self aware than previous F13 films. Let the fun begin! Thomas Mariani, Doc Rotten and Christopher G. Moore tackle another gruesome horror film from the 1980s. Let's welcome the biggest Jason fan of the Grue-crew from Horror News Radio, Dave Dreher, to the show to discuss his favorite Friday the 13th flick.

Decades of Horror 1980s Episode 89 – Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986)

Describe him as you will, but C. J. Graham's and Dan Bradley's Jason in Part VI is part Frankenstein, part Zombie, but all slasher. In the opening scene Tommy Jarvis (Thom Matthews) returns from Part IV: Final Chapter and Part V: A New Beginning to cremate Jason's remains buried in a Crystal Lake cemetery. Instead, he and his buddy Allan Hawkes (Ron Palillo) inadvertently resurrect the killer with lightning. After ripping "Horshack's" heart out, Zombie Jason is on the move chasing Tommy back to Crystal Lake. Ah, movies, such fun. The film is a riot with great action, a murderously inventive Jason and fun characters. Who doesn't love Jennifer Cooke as Tommy's new love interest, Megan Garris. And, ironically, for the first time in the series, there are actual kids at the camp, leading to an interesting scene where Jason shambles into their bunk room.

Grue-crew member David Dreher joins the DoH gang to take a look at one of the films most near and dear to his heart. While, as the curator of Savini.com, he has a strong affection for the first Friday the 13th and Friday the 13th Part IV: The Final Chapter, he admits that he loves Jason Lives just as much. Along with Christopher, Doc and Thomas, he revisits the film going over each shocking kill and all the new mythology added to Jason's motives and stamina. Lightning, who knew? Check out the episode and relive probably the most fun entry into the Friday the 13th franchise. C'monl, it even has an Alice Cooper theme song. What's not to love.

The number one movie in theaters this weekend (August 28, 2016) is DON'T BREATHE, the horror film from director Fede Alverez (Evil Dead). The Grue-crew are on hand to discuss their reaction to the tense thriller from Ghost House Pictures featuring Stephen Lang, Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette and Daniel Zovatto. They dive into the elements that work, the surprises that shock and the zingers that make Thomas question what the hell is wrong with Doc. Ha! Fun times!

Doc steps in to announce the Horror News of the Week discussing a variety of items about the final reveal of the Rings trailer, the tease of Doug Liman direction DC's Dark Universe and the loss of the endlessly talented Gene Wilder, the man who gave us Willy Wonka and Frederick Frankenstein. Not only are the Grue-crew going to Dragon*Con this year THIS WEEKEND, Doc and Gruesome Magazine writer Paul Cardullo are heading to Wreak Havoc Film Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina this late September/early October. Another announcement for the fall is that Horror News Radio will be at Spooky Empire in Orlando, Florida, October 7 - 9, 2016. Oh, boy! Plan your trip now.

Co-hosts Doc Rotten, Santos (The Black Saint) Ellin Jr., Dave Dreher and Thomas Mariani are back again this week to give you the best in horror as they recap, review and obliterate all that is horror this week! Oh, and don't forget - Stump the Saint! (Brought to you by Gruesome Magazine)

Horror News Radio Episode 178 – Don't Breathe (2016) Subscribe – iTunes – Facebook – Stitcher

Feature Review: Don't Breathe (2016)

On a special side note, Don't Breathe is the second film from Fede Alverez covered on Horror News Radio by the Grue-crew. The first one was his first film Evil Dead which we covered on the very first episode of the show. It took 178 episodes to get to his second feature. The film is out now in theaters and the question is "Does it deliver?" The answer is what you are wanting to hear. Doc, Santos and Thomas dive into the film, discussing the acting chops of Stephen Lang, the directing slieght of hand of Fede Alverez and the shocking surprises hiding in the dark, frightening basement. Take a deep breath, here we go!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE

• [00:00:40] Introduction of the Grue-crew
• [00:01:47] Announcements
  • [00:02:19] Dragon*Con
  • [00:04:02] Wreak Havoc Horror Film Festival
  • [00:04:25] Spooky Empire
  • [00:06:52] iTunes Feedback
• [00:09:41] Feature Review: Don't Breathe (2016)
• [01:14:38] Conteset: Announcing the winners of The Walking Dead The Complete Sixth Season contest from Anchor Bay Entertainment
• [01:15:00] Support HNR w/ Patreon
• [01:15:38] Horror News of the Week
  • [01:16:08] R.I.P. Gene Wilder
  • [01:28:59] TNT orders a Let the Right One In TV series
  • [01:36:24] The Rings trailer is finally here
  • [01:44:04] Doug Liman to direct Dark Universe (DCEU) formally known as "Justice League Dark"
  • [01:50:10] Thor Ragnarok gets the What We Do In The Shadows treatment
• [01:55:12] Stump the Saint

GRUESOME LINKS

• Don't Breathe (2016) reviews:
  • The Black Saint on HorrorNews.Net
  • Thomas Mariani on Marianinment
  • Joseph Perry on Gruesome Magazine
• Dragon*Con
• GenreBlast
• Wreak Havoc Film Festival
• Patreon
• Gruesome Tees

This week Joseph Perry chimes in from across the globe, South Korea to be exact. Mr. Perry is excited to share his thoughts with the HNR Extra listeners on a number of films he caught at the recent Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival. This week is dives into the highly regarded Polish dybbuk film DEMON from director Marcin Wrona. Get the behind the scenes info on BiFan along with Joseph's review of this terrific film.

Interviewed this week are Clint Carney and Kelton Jones from DRY BLOOD. The film recently has its East Coast premiere at the GenreBlast Film Festival in Culpeper, Va and the duo were on hand to promote their feature film. Doc sits down with Clint and Kelton to discuss what it took to make this incredible look into the fragile mind of Brian Barnes, a recovering drug addict with a fractured mind.

Horror News Radio Extra Episode 004 – Demon (BiFan 2016) – Interview Clint Carney and Kelton Jones from Dry Blood Subscribe – iTunes – Facebook – Stitcher

REVIEW: Demon (BiFan 2016)

In Demon, a bridegroom struggles with a powerful spirit called a dybbuk trying to take over his mind and body. Of course this all occurs during the wedding ceremony itself. The powerful and well-received film is reviewed by Horror News Radio foreign correspondent Joseph Perry who caught the film at the 2016 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.

INTERVIEW: Clint Carney and Kelton Jones from Dry Blood

The writing/directing team of Clint Carney and Kelton Jones sit down with Doc Rotten to discuss their feature film debut Dry Blood. They discuss their roles in the film, both onscreen and behind the camera. The dive into some of the special effects, sound design and cast. Carney and Jones reveal some of the challenges and rewards of writing, producing, directing and starring in their first horror feature film and what it takes to get the film completed and on the road. It's an interview worthy of fans and film makers alike.

GRUESOME LINKS

• Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival
• GenreBlast Film Festival
• Dry Blood

The Grue-crew board the horror express known as Train to Busan. The South Korean horror film is an incredible new entry into the zombie sub-genre that gets the HNR gang very excited to discuss how successful it is on this episode. If only Joseph Perry were here. Ha! Also, this episode, Thomas settles in to recap and review the animated extravaganza Kubo and the Two Strings. It's Asian zombies in one film and a Japanese samuri beetle, a Moon King and a wooden monkey on the other. Bizarre!

Dave launches into the Horror News of the Week discussing a variety of news about a Lost Boys TV series on the CW, the reveal of the new Pennywise from Stephen King's It and the announcement of a new Godzilla anime adventure. Not only are the Grue-crew going to Dragon*Con this year, Doc and Gruesome Magazine writer Paul Cardullo are heading to GenreBlast Film Festival in Culpeper, Virginia this August 19 - 21, 2016 and to Wreak Havoc Film Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina this late September/early October.

Co-hosts Doc Rotten, Santos (The Black Saint) Ellin Jr., Dave Dreher and Thomas Mariani, the voice of reason, are back again this week to give you the best in horror as they recap, review and obliterate all that is horror this week! Oh, and don't forget - Stump the Saint! (Brought to you by Gruesome Magazine)

Horror News Radio Episode 177 – Train to Busan (2016) Subscribe – iTunes – Facebook – Stitcher

Feature Review: Train to Busan (2016)

The trailer for Train to Busan looked to promise an exciting Asian look at zombies as a group of heroes look to escape the apocalypse aboard a bullet train from Seoul to Busan. The film delivers with exciting zombie action with roots in Dawn of the Dead, 28 Days Later and World War Z but something far more unique. As the Black Saint points out, Train to Busan follows the structure of a classic disaster film. Think Poseidon Adventure or Earthquake. On top of that, the film has a heart with its core characters battling emotional and moral dilemmas as well. The film ranks high with the grue-crew.

What Have You Been Watching: Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

Thomas Mariani steps in with his review of the animated highlight of the Summer Kubo and the Two Strings. While the film struggles to attract an audience in the theaters over its opening weekend, the reviews are strong for this film from Laika, the animation house behind such films like Coraline, ParaNorman and Boxtrolls. The voice cast includes Art Parkinson, Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, Ralph Fiennes, Rooney Mara and George Takei.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE

• [00:00:39] Introduction of the Grue-crew
• [00:03:19] Announcements
  • [] Genre Blast Film Festival
  • [00:03:52] Dragon*Con
  • [00:05:03] Wreak Havoc Horror Film Festival
  • [00:05:26] iTunes Feedback
  • [00:08:07] GenreBlast Film Festival
• [00:10:47] Feature Review: Train to Busan (2016)
• [00:54:47] What Have You Been Watching: Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
• [01:07:55] Support HNR w/ Patreon
• [01:08:29] Horror News of the Week
  • [01:08:55] The CW is bringing horror fans a Lost Boys TV show
  • [01:13:44] Stephen King's It reveals its updated Pennywise
  • [01:20:03] Now that Shin Godzilla is breaking records in Japan, it's time for a Godzilla animated film
• [01:24:26] Stump the Saint
• [01:31:55] What's Next: Don't Breathe

GRUESOME LINKS

• Train to Busan (2016) reviews:
  • The Black Saint on HorrorNews.Net
  • Thomas Mariani on Marianinment
• Dragon*Con
• GenreBlast
• Wreak Havoc Film Festival
• Patreon
• Gruesome Tees

"Carburetors man! That's what life is all about." - The opening lyrics of the song Upholstery from the rock opera Phantom of the Paradise sum it all up nicely. Music is the creative juice of life and sometimes to succeed in the music business you have to deal with shady characters. In the Brian De Palma classic, Winslow (William FInley) strikes a bargain with record label exec Swan (Paul Williams). The film mixes Faust, Phantom of the Opera and The Portrait of Dorian Gray into a lively, horror-tinged manic musical. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.

Decades of Horror 1970s Episode 40 – Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

The film we've been talking about for 39 episodes and two years finally makes it to the editing room as Doc and The Black Saint discuss Brian De Palma's Phantom of the Paradise. Joining the crew this week are Thomas Mariani, Horror News Radio co-host, and Christopher G. Moore, award winning director. Surprisingly, not everyone loves this often overlooked film. Shot between Sisters and Carrie, Brian De Palma hones his craft with music, murder and mayhem, never missing the opportunity to pay homage to a classic influence be it Alfred HItchcock or Orson Welles. The cast includes William Finley, Paul Williams, Jessica Harper and Garrit Graham with Williams supplying all the original songs.

Resting in the shadows of the cult phenomenon Rocky Horror Picture Show, De Palma's Phantom of the Paradise offers a craftier, more cinematic alternative to Time Warps and Sweet Transvestites from Transylvania. Paul Williams pulls double duty starring as the film's antagonist Swan and penning a dozen new tunes. All the entries are fantastic from "Goodbye, Eddie, Goodbye" from the Juicy Fruits to "Old Souls" performed by star Jessica Harper to Williams' own - and Black Saint fave - "The Hell of It". If the songs aren't your thing, then there's the acting, action and amazing set design. Just check out Swan's record shaped desk as he auditions new talent. Of course, the star of the film is the Phantom himself, a talented but tragic figure played by Finley. Too tame? Then check out Graham's Beef for silly satiric fun. Listen now to catch the crew's take on the musical event of 1974, Phantom of the Paradise.

We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at [email protected] or [email protected].

Each year the Fantasia International Film Festival descends upon Montreal, Quebec, Canada, providing genre fans with a copious amount of films, feature length and short films alike. This year Gruesome Magazine will be covering a number of the films being presented at the 2016 festival. Tonight, Thomas Mariani joins Doc Rotten to discuss one of those films, the body horror gore-fest from writer/director Danny Perez, ANTIBIRTH.

Interviewed this week is Derek Tatum, the director of Dragon*Con Horror Track. Taking place in Atlanta, Georgia over the holiday weekend of September 2 - 5, 2016, Dragon*Con is one of the largest and longest running conventions on the east coast. The convention which attracts attendance numbers in tens of thousands, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Derek is championing horror at the fantasy and sci-fi heavy convention by leading the horror track more towards film and TV. He joins Doc and Thomas to share what the convention has planned to thrill horror fans this year.

Horror News Radio Episode 004 – AntiBirth (2016) – Interview Derek Tatum, Dragon*Con Horror Track Subscribe – iTunes – Facebook – Stitcher

REVIEW: AntiBirth (Fantasia 2016)

Look out The Brood. Step aside It's Alive. Brundlefly has nothing on Natasha Lyonne as Lou in Danny Perez' phenomenal AntiBirth. The film is seedy, gritty, taking a dark, humorous, gory look into the life of an addict who gets into more trouble than she can handle. She is slipped an experimental drug which affects her in horrific, frightening ways. The ending contains scenes that are difficult to forget. Doc and Thomas dive into a unique offering from this years Fantasia International Film Festival.

INTERVIEW: Derek Tatum, Dragon*Con Horror Track

Doc and Thomas sit down with Derek Tatum to discuss the upcoming Dragon*Con Horror Track. Derek provides the skinny on the convention and the history of how the horror track finally grew out of a variety of other tracks, eventually bringing in horror movies to accent the literary tone the convention has promoted for 30 years. Derek is striving to elevate the track by bringing in horror film discussions from modern films to influential films from the past decades of horror.

GRUESOME LINKS

• Fantasia International Film Festival
• Dragon*Con
• Dragon*Con Horror Track

Director Joe (Almost Human) Begos returns with an independent horror opus and love letter to all things David Cronenberg. The film is called The Mind's Eye and the influence of Scanners, Firestarter and their ilk is readily apparent. The Grue-crew dive into their thoughts about the film and their appreciation for the practical special effects. Thomas steps in with a surprise What Have You Been Watching segment topic, Pete's Dragon. A childhood Disney favorite gets a modern upgrade, providing Thomas a rare opportunity to praise a remake.

Dave launches into the Horror News of the Week discussing a variety of news about Brad Pitt and David Fincher dream team on World War Z 2, Darth Vader returns in the latest Rogue One trailer and the loss of Kenny Baker, R2D2 from Star Wars. Not only are the Grue-crew going to Dragon*Con this year, Doc and Gruesome Magazine writer Paul Cardullo are heading to GenreBlast Film Festival in Culpeper, Virginia this August 19 - 21, 2016 and to Wreak Havoc Film Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina this late September/early October.

Co-hosts Doc Rotten, Santos (The Black Saint) Ellin Jr., Dave Dreher and Thomas Mariani, the voice of reason, are back again this week to give you the best in horror as they recap, review and obliterate all that is horror this week! Oh, and don't forget - Stump the Saint! (Brought to you by Gruesome Magazine)

Horror News Radio Episode 176 – The Mind's Eye (2016) Subscribe – iTunes – Facebook – Stitcher

Feature Review: The Mind's Eye (2016)

Set in the Nineties, influenced by films from the Eighties the 2016 film The Mind's Eye revisits a familiar premise where psychokinetic powers cause anything from intense nose bleeds to explosive head splatter. The quote on the poster from Film School Rejects says it all, "The best Scanners sequel we never got." The film is passionately directed by Joe Bego and features Graham (Almost Human, Beyond the Gates) Skipper, Lauren Ashley (Jug Face) Carter, John (Darling) Speredakos, Larry Fessenden, Noah (Dead Girl, Some Kind of Hate) Segan and Matt (Contracted) Mercer.

What Have You Been Watching: Pete's Dragon (2016)

What's this? A Disney film? Yup. Thomas drops in with a review of Pete's Dragon, a remake of the 1977 live-action/animated fondly remembered film. It is not often Thomas has positive things to share about a remake of any sort, but here his is praising much of what is to be found in the David Lowery directed family film. And he also praises Wes Bentley - it may be the sign of the apocalypse.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE

• [00:00:39] Introduction of the Grue-crew
• [00:01:46] Announcements
  • [00:03:30] Genre Blast Film Festival
  • [00:04:20] Dragon*Con
  • [00:07:38] Wreak Havoc Horror Film Festival
• [00:09:13] Feature Review: The Mind's Eye (2016)
• [00:36:42] CONTEST: The Walking Dead Season 6 Blu-ray from Anchor Bay Entertainment
• [00:38:04] What Have You Been Watching: Pete's Dragon (2016)
• [00:49:27] Support HNR w/ Patreon
• [00:49:55] Horror News of the Week
  • [00:50:14] R.I.P. Kenny Baker (R2-D2, Star Wars)
  • [00:53:43] Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Rio Olympics Trailer
  • [01:00:13] Brad Pitt wants David Fincher to direct World War Z 2
  • [01:03:23] Arrow announced a slew of new releases: C.H.U.D., Driller Killer and more
  • [01:06:56] Tales of Halloween to recieve a 4 disc Blu-ray extravaganza
• [01:10:36] Stump the Saint
• [01:19:10] What's Next: Train to Busan

GRUESOME LINKS

• Contest: The Walking Dead Season 6 Blu-ray from Anchor Bay Entertainment
• The Mind's Eye (2016) review:
  • The Black Saint on Gruesome Magazine
  • The Black Saint interviews director Joe Begos on Gruesome Magazine
• Dragon*Con
• GenreBlast
• Wreak Havoc Film Festival
• Patreon
• Gruesome Tees

Each year the Fantasia International Film Festival descends upon Montreal, Quebec, Canada, providing genre fans with a copious amount of films, feature length and short films alike. This year Gruesome Magazine will be covering a number of the films being presented at the 2016 festival. Tonight, Paul Cardullo joins Doc Rotten to discuss one of those films, the Canadian horror masterpiece from director Jeff Maher, BED OF THE DEAD.

Interviewed this week is Nathan Ludwig, the festival director of GenreBlast Film Festival. The festival is held in Culpeper, Virginia from August 19 - 21, 2016. This is the festival's first year. Nathan discusses the birth of the festival, the type of films it attracts and the audience they are looking to support. And he gives a preview of some of the films that will play. Horror News Radio and Gruesome Magazine will be attending the festival to catch the offerings and meet the film makers behind the genre films playing that weekend.

Horror News Radio Episode 003 – Bed of the Dead (2016) – Interview Nathan Ludwig Subscribe – iTunes – Facebook – Stitcher

REVIEW: Bed of the Dead (Fantasia 2016)

Director Jeff Maher, along with co-writer Cody Calahan, has created a fun, gruesome horror film centering around a killer bed. That's right, a killer bed. Their film, BED OF THE DEAD, is much more than just its gimmick however. The film also weaves in a morality play and teases out its story with a dash of paradoxical time travel. Colin Price plays a copy investigating the deaths of five persons who were killed in a fire within a "sex club." Alysa King, Gwenlyn Cumyn, Dennis Andres and George Krissa play four of the victims of the tragic event. The film reveals their stories, the motivations behind the bed and contains a collection of gory deaths sure to satisfy most horror fans. Doc and Paul recap and review the film viewed in connection with the Fantasia International Film Festival.

INTERVIEW: Nathan Ludwig, GenreBlast Film Festival

Doc sits down with Nathan Ludwig to discuss the first year of the GenreBlast Film Festival. Ludwig and his team are bringing a large collection ( 19 features and 80+ shorts) to the town of Culpeper, Va on August 19 -21, 2016. Nathan discusses their approach to giving their festival a unique tone and atmosphere as they look to present the best genre based films from independent film makers across the globe. The films include many horror films, fantasy adventures and sci-fi marvels. But it also includes comedy, action and animated features as well. The films showing that weekend include (but are not limited to) All Through the House, Capsule, Frankenstein Created Bikers, Mania, Night of Something Strange, Peelers and...Yeti: A Love Story 2 - Life on the Streets. Look for more reviews and interview from the festival as Doc Rotten and Paul Cardullo attend the festival to report back here on HNR Extra and Gruesome Magazine.

GRUESOME LINKS

• Fantasia International Film Festival
• GenreBlast Film Festival
• GenreBlast Film Festival on Facebook

"I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure." - Hicks (Michael Biehn) agrees with Ripley (Signourney Weaver) in Aliens as they surviving marines search for the best plan in dealing with the swarming, unstoppable xenomorphs. James Cameron delivers a kick-ass sequel to Ridley Scott's highly successful Alien (1979) in a rare case of where the franchise gets even better the second time around. Thomas Mariani, Doc Rotten and Christopher G. Moore tackle another gruesome horror film from the 1980s. To make sure this episode is a super special event, Chris Rotten "Son of Rotten" is joining as a guest host.

Decades of Horror 1980s Episode 88 – Aliens (1986)

Following the success of Terminator, director James Cameron heads to outer space, pitting a unit of marines against an army of xenomorphs from Alien (1979). His sequel to the Ridley Scott classic is a critical and financial success propelling the director into the spotlight as one of Hollywood's top directors. Back for another face to face with the alien monster is Sigourney Weaver reprising her role as Ellen Ripley, the lone survivor of the Nostromo. Paul Reiser is on board as Carter J. Burke, a representative of the Wayland-Yutani Corporation. Lance Henriksen portrays Bishop an android far different than the "glitchy" Ash (played by Ian Home in Alien). Carrie Henn makes a strong impression as the young "Newt" who has survived the alien attacks on LV-426 for 14 days. The marines consist of Michael Biehn (Hicks), Bill Paxton (Hudson), William Hope (Lt. Gorman), Ricco Ross (Frost), Al Matthews (Apone), Jenette Goldstein (Vasquez), Mark Rolston (Drake) and more.

The cast is incredible with great lines. Who can forget "Get away from her, you bitch!" and "That's it, man. Game over, man. Game over!" But the film also has impressive special effects. Not only are the aliens themselves better portrayed in Aliens but the film also introduces the Alien Queen. The sheer size and stature of the creature is overwhelming and visual treat. The fight between the queen and Ripley (within an exosuit cargo-loader) is one of the most memorable battles in 80's cinema. Thomas Mariani, Doc Rotten and Christopher G. Moore relive and review the film in all its glory with special guest host Chris Rotten.

We want to hear from you - the coolest, most gruesome fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at [email protected] or [email protected]. We also want to be sure to thank Neon Devils for their killer track "Bone Chillin'" which we use for the intro and outro of this show.

This week on HNR, the Grue-crew fan through Amanda Waller's files on "the worst of the worst" with their review of David Ayer's Suicide Squad. The DC Extended Universe delivers its third film which follows the events in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice where many of DC's villains are gathered together to defeat a new threat out to destroy the Earth. Will Smith as Deadshot and Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn lead the cast while Jared Leto's version of The Joker dances around the edges. Award winning director Christopher G. Moore joins the crew to determine why "Gozer" is involved in the film - dwerp!

Doc launches into the Horror News of the Week discussing a variety of news where Breck Eisner may guide Jason's return, Peter Block is reviving Pumpkinhead and Willem Dafoe joins Adam Wingard's Death Note. Not only are the Grue-crew going to Dragon*Con this year, Doc and Gruesome Magazine writer Paul Cardullo are heading to GenreBlast Film Festival in Culpeper, Virginia this August 19 - 21, 2016 and to Wreak Havoc Film Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina this late September/early October.

Co-hosts Doc Rotten, Santos (The Black Saint) Ellin Jr., Dave Dreher and Thomas Mariani, the voice of reason, are back again this week to give you the best in horror as they recap, review and obliterate all that is horror this week! Oh, and don't forget - Stump the Saint! (Brought to you by Gruesome Magazine)

Horror News Radio Episode 175 – Suicide Squad (2016) Subscribe – iTunes – Facebook – Stitcher

Feature Review: Suicide Squad (2016)

DC returns to the big screen with Suicide Squad in another desperate attempt to match Marvel's success with its cinematic universe. The results are decidedly mixed as the film breaks box office records for August (beating Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy) and the cast make up for a super-flawed script. Margot Robbie and Will Smith succeed in making Harley Quinn and Deadshot fun characters to watch while Viola Davis is ice-cold as Amanda Waller, proving her character is the true villain of the film. Jared Leto's controversial interpretation of The Joker, while unique and electric, divides fan opinion of his version of the Crown Prince of Crime. Jai Courtney has fun as Captain Cold while Jay Hernandez nearly steals the film as El Diablo. Oh, and yes, Batman is in the film capturing Deadshot and chasing Joker & Harley during the introduction scenes. Fun, frustrating and flawed, Suicide Squad proves to be a heated discussion for the Grue-crew.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE

• [00:00:38] Introduction of the Grue-crew
• [00:02:14] Announcements
  • [00:02:32] Genre Blast Film Festival
  • [00:03:05] Dragon*Con
  • [00:04:43] Wreak Havoc Horror Film Festival
  • [00:04:58] Write a Review on iTunes for a Chance to Win Fandango Gift Card
• [00:05:53] Feature Review: Suicide Squad (2016)
• [01:18:21] CONTEST: The Walking Dead Season 6 Blu-ray from Anchor Bay Entertainment
• [01:20:16] Horror News of the Week
  • [01:20:28] Friday the 13th rumors are heating up as Breck Eisner may join as director
  • [01:26:11] Peter Block (Saw) is ramping up a return to Pumpkinhead
  • [01:29:26] Adam Wingard casts his Shinigami in Death Note with Willem Dafoe
• [01:34:35] Stump the Saint
• [01:42:00] Listener Feedback
• [01:58:32] What's Next: The Mind's Eye

GRUESOME LINKS

• Contest: The Walking Dead Season 6 Blu-ray from Anchor Bay Entertainment
• Suicide Squad (2016) reviews:
  • Doc Rotten at Gruesome Magazine
  • Thomas Mariani at Marianiment
• Dragon*Con
• GenreBlast
• Wreak Havoc Film Festival
• Patreon
• Gruesome Tees