Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

Out now from Uncork'd Entertainment and filmmakers Tony Jopia, Nika Braun, Yannis Zafeiriou, and Alexander Zwart is the zombie opus - and creatively titled - Dawning of the Dead (2017). Taking place primarily in a newsroom studio, the film covers the zombie apocalypse while interrupting the narrative to show other areas of the world affected by the virus that is reanimating the dead. This allows for a number of different approaches to the attacking ghouls without feeling like an anthology film. This approach works for the most part but also exposes a wide range of effects from excruciatingly terrible to rather impressive. This film also contains some nice homages to Evil Dead and Dead Alive. Check out the review

"I hope I give you the shits, you fucking wimp." Spoon (Darren Morfitt) makes his last stand against the werewolves slaughtering his unit. All these soldiers have to contend with animalistic enemies of their own unit. They're a group of Dog Soldiers as it were. Chosen by our Gruesome Magazine Patreon patrons, Dog Soldiers is one of the few highly recommended werewolf movies. Especially in recent memory. The standards of The Howling or An American Werewolf in London get a lot of love, but otherwise it's a limited genre. Luckily, Dog Soldiers is still popular enough to get the word out there. But enough about the general public. What do the Decades of Horror 1990s and Beyond crew have to say? Find out!

Decades of Horror 1990s And Beyond Episode 33 – Dog Soldiers (2002)

Dog Soldiers follows a group of British soldiers stuck on assignment in the woods. They're attempting a simple training mission in the woods and all seems fine. Well, until they stumble upon Captain Ryan (Liam Cunningham) severely mauled in the woods. The team stumbles into a nearby cottage in order to find shelter from the mysterious creatures that are out in the woods. From there, it's a siege film of werewolves vs. humans.

To take a look at this tale of man vs nature, Thomas Mariani enlists Adam Thomas, Shakyl Lambert and Christopher G. Moore. They've all got plenty to say about Dog Soldiers. There's praise for director Neil Marshall's debut, mainly in how it separates itself from traditional werewolf films. Not to mention his knack for action that would serve him quite well later. Plus, all the questions you've been waiting for. Do werewolves perform ballet? Should werewolves go on all fours or stand upright? Was that really a Matrix reference? Listen to find out all the answers!

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 1990s And Beyond podcast hosts at [email protected] or tweet Thomas @NotTheWhosTommy. Also, make sure to give us some love via iTunes reviews and ratings. Helps us get more notice along the way.

The intro and outro is "Suck City" by Black Math. Look for more of their music via Free Music Archive.

Cloverfield (2008)

Director Chris Parrish - along with co-writer Mason Parrish - delivers a lighthearted, fun monster-filled romp as a group of kids encounters all kinds of terrors as they explore an amusement park in search of Al Capone's legendary hidden treasure. The film has a Goonies and Monster Squad vibe in the best way possible. The film features an evil mermaid, bloodthirsty pirates, fire-breathing dragons, and an army of growling toothsome teddy bears. Oh, my! You know you're in for a nostalgic treat when the store the parents own is called Joan & Chachi's. Check out the Gruesome Magazine review below.

"Destiny! Destiny! No escaping that for me! Destiny! Destiny! No escaping that for me!" Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) comedically exclaims his realization of his true path...in his sleep...in Mel Brook's classic Young Frankenstein (1974). Brook's follow up to Blazing Saddles lovingly parodies the Universal Monster classics with a brilliant cast -- including Peter Boyle, Mary Feldman, Madeline Kahn, and Teri Garr -- and a witty, satirical script from Wilder. Doc Rotten and Jeff Mohr are joined by Chad Hunt and Bill Mulligan, along with HNR co-host Thomas Mariani, to discuss what may be the best horror-comedy of all time.

Decades of Horror 1970s Episode 65 – Young Frankenstein (1974)

Toward the end of 1974, Mel Brooks moves from Rock Ridge to Transylvania to send up the B&W horror films he - and co-writer Gene Wilder - loved so much. From Frankenstein to Son of Frankenstein many of the elements of those original films find their way into the film: the blind hermit, Ygor, Inspector Krogh (in the form of Kenneth Mars' Inspector Kemp) - and so much more. Yes, those are the original scientific lab equipment (by Kenneth Strickfaden) from the original Universal classics appearing once again. The cast, led by Wilder, is superb with Marty Feldman as Igor displaying untoppable comedic timing. Peter Boyle makes an impressive monster with Teri Garr and Madeline Kahn as Inga and Elizabeth, respectively. Cloris Leachman is comedy gold as Frau Blucher [cue neighing horses]. Young Frankenstein works on a number of levels due to the script and the cast...and the reverence and respect Brooks holds for the source material. Even with the film being parody and satire, filmed in black and white, it could easily be considered a followup to the Universal films released decades before.

"The Scariest Comedy of All Time!" - the poster tagline makes a bold promise upon which Young Frankenstein seemingly effortlessly delivers.

The Grue-Crew lovingly recall their first encounters with Young Frankenstein with Doc, Jeff, Chad, and Bill catching it in the theaters upon its first release while Thomas shares that the film serves as a gateway from comedy into horror. Everyone has their favorites lines from "where wolf?" to "what knockers" to "footsteps footsteps footsteps" - the film is full of them. "Put the candle...back!" It also contains an endless series of visual gags that delightfully tickle the funny bone, most of them at the expense of Marty Feldman. Jeff notices that the clock chimes 13 times as the film opens and shares how much in common Inspector Kemp has with his inspiration Inspector Krogh, right down to sticking the darts into his wooden arm - a scene played for dramatic effect in Son of Frankenstein. Bill admits being concerned when the musical number with Wilder and Boyle began; but, by the time the monster growls "Putting on the Ritz," he was sold. The amount of love and respect for this film from the Grue-Crew is only matched by that from Brooks and Wilder for the Universal classics that remain beloved all these years later.

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].

Will Smith reunites with David Ayer to create Netflix's first "blockbuster" original, Bright (2017). With a $90M estimated budget, the fantasy horror cop thriller is a bold move for the streaming company. The film also features Joel Edgerton, Noomi Rapace, Edgar Ramirez, and Lucy Fry in key roles. Set in an alternate universe where man co-exists with fantasy creatures such as elves, fairies, and orcs, Daryl Ward (Smith), a human cop, is forced to partner with Nick Jakoby (Edgerton), the first orc policeman in a tale that involves a magic wand and the threat of the return of the "dark lord." Splicing together the fantasy creatures of Lord of the Rings with a gritty buddy cop story ala Bad Boys, Ayer has his heroes alternating between battling corrupt cops, facing down a gang of orc thugs, and fighting to survive the attacks of magical elves.

Downsizing (2017) from writer/director Alexander Payne has everything going for it. It has a unique and intriguing premise: to save the planet from man, overpopulation, global warming (you name it), shrink man down to one-tenth their original size. It has a great lead cast featuring Matt Damon, Christoph Waltz, Kristen Wiig, Udo Kier, and - standout performance from - Hong Chau. It has delightful cameos from Jason Sudeikis, James Van Der Beek, and many other surprises. However, the film is overstuffed, over bloated, and over baked. It is too much for its own good. Ironically the film itself could be downsized. Tonally inconsistent and messy, Downsizing misses the vast opportunities it presents by forgetting - much like its own lead character - what it really is. Listen to the review to hear more.

Reach out. Can you feel that? Is that... Horror News Radio?! Oh yes it is! Of course, Horror News Radio is known to stray off the titular path of the genre, but this is a pretty special movie to do that for. Star Wars The Last Jedi has fans as divided as the two sides of The Force. Some say it's the best entry in the saga yet. Others are demanding it be removed from the Star Wars canon. Where does The Grue Crew lie? Well, take a listen as Doc Rotten and Thomas Mariani are joined by Christopher G. Moore and Joey Fittos to discuss the new chapter in a galaxy far far away. Of course, there's some Horror News of the Week before that. Dave Dreher is out this week, but Doc & company still give the news its fair due. There's Fox being bought by Disney, horror repping at the Golden Globes and a long lost Mike Flanagan film finally being accessible. Listen in on this extended Horror News Radio episode!

As always, the HNR Grue-Crew would love to hear from you, the listeners, the fans. You can always reach out via email at feedback(AT)horrornewsradio(DOT)com or find us on Twitter: Doc Rotten | Dave Dreher | Thomas Mariani. Also, like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.

Horror News Radio Episode 246 – Star Wars: The Last Jedi Subscribe – iTunes – Facebook – Stitcher

• Disney Buys 20th Century Fox
• ANNIHILATION Trailer
• GET OUT & SHAPE OF WATER rep for genres for The Golden Globes
• MORTAL ENGINES is Mad Max on Wheels
• BEFORE I WAKE to awaken on Netflix

• COMET TV DECEMBER PRIZE PACK The Comet TV December Pack has:1 - Limited Edition Tank Girl x COMET TV T-shirt: "Look, if you want to torture me, spank me, lick me, do it." .... Lock and load with this exclusive Tank Girl goggle-eye tee and get ready to break necks next time you're stocking up on ammo.1 - Tank Girl 4"x9" UV Print: SPLOSH, BAM! If you're a true Tank Girl fan like we are, you couldn't get enough of the film's animated sequences. We're paying homage with two variant UV prints pulled right from the film and custom made for this kit.

  1- Stargate Atlantis x COMET TV SnowGlobe: Tis the season to be Stargate! Bring home the bubble city trapped in this limited edition SnowGlobe... where else are you gonna snag this?

  1 - COMET TV Collectable Card: You'll get one of two collectible COMET TV cards featuring Earth Girls Are Easy & Tank Girl. Giveaway open to the US Please click here to submit your post. About Comet TV - Dec 2017 FILMS ON COMET IN DECEMBER Tank Girl (1995).

• Send an email to media(AT)gruesomemagazine(DOT)com with the subject line TANK GIRL. The Deadline is Midnight, January 5, 2018 What is your favorite SCIFI-HORROR film?

• Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
• director/writer: Rian Johnson
• cast: Daisy Ridley, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Andy Serkis, Oscar Isaac, Carrie Fisher, John Boyega, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern

• It's December and 2017 is coming to a close. In the coming weeks, we will be doing our popular "Best and Worst of the Year" episodes. We want to hear from you. Head over to here to share your favorite … and not so favorite… films of 2017.
• In February, we will be working with the Nevermore Film Festival in Durham, NC to present THE MANITOU on the Big Screen in honor of Santos Ellin Jr. / the Black Saint. Anyone who can make it to the Festival the weekend of February 23 – 25, 20i18. We will have more details as we get closer to the dates. Head over here to keep up with this event.

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Coming from the director of Pulse (2001) and Creepy (2016), the drama horror thriller Daguerrotype (2017) attempts to scare up some chills and goosebumps. Originally titled "Le Secret de la Chambre Noire", Kiyoshi Kurosawa's film is heavier on the drama than the horror and may be found as a bit of sluggish chore for many horror fans craving gore and ghoulish delights. Tahar Rahim as Jean joins photographer Stephane (Olivier Gourmet) in capturing images using a complicated technique called daguerreotype. When the photographer's daughter (Constance Rousseau) falls ill and is perceived as dead, the story takes some creepy twists and turns providing the film with some highlights in its atmospheric cinematography. In the end, the film is too laborious to enjoy as a horror film... or a drama.

"I've been afraid a lot of times in my life. But I didn't know the real meaning of fear until... until I had kissed Becky." Have you ever kissed someone and realized they weren't who they were? That's the horror Miles Bennell is describing in this episode's quote. Join Erin Miskell, Chad Hunt, Joseph Perry, and Jeff Mohr as they harvest the paranoia binbuster known as Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), Don Siegel's classic, black and white, science-fiction shocker. They had to hurry before they fell asleep and became ..., well, someone who wasn't them.

Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Episode 24 – Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

Invasion of the Body Snatchers is ably directed by Don Siegel (The Beguiled, Dirty Harry, The Shootist, and Escape from Alcatraz) and adapted by Daniel Mainwaring from Jack Finney's novel The Body Snatchers. The film tells the paranoiac story of an alien invasion that consists of giant pods that take over people's memories and replicate their bodies, all while they sleep. No one will ever be the wiser! Well, almost no one. Talk about a good motivation for insomnia. In fact, one of the films working titles was Sleep No More.

Including a cast of topnotch, veteran, character actors - Kevin McCarthy (Dr. Miles Bennell), Dana Wynter (Becky Driscoll), King Donovan (Jack Bellicec), Carolyn Jones (Theodora Bellicec), and Larry Gates (Dr. Dan Kaufman) - the film delivers what it's selling. Coming on the heels of Senator Joseph McCarthy's communist witch hunt and even though Finney and Siegel claimed no hidden, political message, the Invasion of the Body Snatchers resonated with the public's fear of unfair prosecution and the resulting drive for conformity. It is an example of a perfect sychronicity between a film and the time in which it appeared in history.

Each of the Grue Crew was affected by this film in their "formative" years and have carried some image or theme from the film throughout their lives, Joseph Perry shares an especially personal story of how the film affected him and his nightmares. When it comes to the rules of the "science" in Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Chad Hunt points out some contradictions, but in the end, agrees they don't detract from the impact of the film. Jeff Mohr wishes the studio hadn't added a narration and changed the ending with the addition of a prologue and an epilogue, but still considers the film to be one of his favorites of the 1950s. Being a product of its time, Erin Miskell points out the homogeneity of the people and pod people populating the story and laments the problem still existing to some extent today.

We plan to release a new episode every other week. The next episode in our very flexible schedule is House of Wax (1953), selected and hosted by Erin Miskell.

Please let us know what you think of Decades of Horror: The Classic Era and what films you'd like to hear us cover! We want to hear from you! After all, without you, we're just four nutjobs talking about the films we love. Send us an email ([email protected], [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected]) or leave us a message, a review, or a comment at GruesomeMagazine.com, iTunes, Stitcher, the Horror News Radio App, or the Horror News Radio Facebook group.

To each of you from each of us, "Thank you for listening!"

"I'll be good I swear... I'll never see a movie ever again." Eddie Beckner (Douglas Emerson) tries to wrap his young mind around the horror that is The Blob. Thirty years after the iconic Steve McQueen vehicle became one of the definitive 1950s drive-in classics of the sci-fi/horror genre, director/writer Chuck Russell - along with his Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors co-writer Frank Darabont - took a stab at remaking it. While not a revered at the time, the remake of The Blob has gained some minor recognition as one of the better horror remakes out there. But does this digest well with the Decades of Horror 1980s crew or are they going to put that reputation on ice? Find out as they walk through a winter wonderland free of snow.

Decades of Horror 1980s Episode 126 – The Blob (1988)

The Blob decided to up the ante on one major aspect of the original film. 30 years after taboos on violence were a bit more lenient, Chuck Russell decided to show off as much gore and horror as possible with the concept. Right from when Paul (Donovan Leitch Jr) is consumed, The Blob shows that it is not afraid to kill at any moment. And brutally so. Perhaps this is why it failed as much as it did upon initial release.

Yet, there's plenty to appreciate now as each of the hosts - Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore, and Thomas Mariani - take their own look back. Thomas marvels at the evolution of the look of the titular Blob from a jelly mold in the original to cancerous tumor here. Doc Rotten is surprised by just how many popular character actors show up. Christopher G. Moore notices all the nuances of set-up and pay-off written in by Frank Darabont. To hear even more details, take a listen! Plus, you'll find out what a "bubblegum tongue" is. Or not. We're still not sure, to be honest.