NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

This week we discuss an under appreciated franchise. It's "30 Days Of Night". What makes these movies so great are the vampires. These arent your sparkly emo vampires. They are feral creatures who screech, have shark like teeth and are super strong. Their sole goal is to have you for dinner. They are right up there on my list of favorite vampires of all time. I just wish there were more movies to explore their history.   

And in honor of the hardy souls of Barrow, Alaska here's some info on Akutaq or Eskimo Ice Cream here 

Photo: Here 

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

This week we cover the top virus pandemic movies. This is obviously a large genre with some 1100 movies listed on Amazon. My suggestions for viewing include "Contagion", "Flu" (South Korea), "Outbreak", "REC" (Spain), "The Last Days" (Spain), "28 Days Later", "12 Monkeys" and "The Andromeda Strain".  

No recipe this week. Who wants to think about food in our current environment?

Stay in your house and stay safe!!!

Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

Given current events, it seems only appropriate that this week we cover "The Crazies'. There are two movies total. The first is from 1973 and was directed, written and coproduced by the father of the zombie genre-- George A Romero. The second movie is a 2010 remake. Citizens of a small town are infected by a government created biological weapon called the "Trixie virus'. Those infected go mad and start killing everyone in sight. 

And since the second film takes place in the fictional town of Ogden Marsh, IA I went with Pride of Iowa cookies from LoveFoodies.com here They are coconut oat cookies with walnuts. Sounds delish!

Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

This week we review the relatively unknown "Stepfather" franchise. There are three films and a remake. Terry O'Quinn (probably best known as John Locke on "Lost") stars in the first two movies. His performance definitely elevates what might otherwise be a Lifetime movie. Jerry Blake (we never learn his real name) ingratiates himself into families where the woman already has children. When they dont live up to his vision of "perfect domesticity" he savagely murders everyone and moves on to the next unsuspecting victims. These films are based on the IRL family annihilator John List. He's more heartless than anything in fiction. 

And in honor of Terry's performance, we have a quick recipe from www.familycookbookproject for O'Quinn's Apple Crisp here

Music Credit: Here 

Photo Credit: Here 

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

This week we review the filmography of Eli Roth. He does it all-- acting, writing, directing and producing. Roth is best know for torture porn films "Hostel", "Cabin Fever" and "Green Inferno". He's also has been involved in a number of other movies you might not know about. They include "Knock, Knock", "Death Wish", "Aftershock" and the kid friendly "The House With A Clock In It's Walls". 

And in honor of Donny The Bear Jew from "Inglorious Bastards", I added some of my favorite Jewish foods from SpoonUniversity here and TooLazyToWriteABook.com here Personal faves are Matzo Ball Soup, Latkes and of course Bagels with Lox and Sour Cream. 

Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

This week we check out Rob Zombie's latest movie "3 From Hell". Check out my review of the rest of his offerings in episode 14. 

"3 From Hell" is the third movie to feature the murderous Firefly clan. The first is 2003's "House Of 1000 Corpses" followed by 2005's "The Devils Rejects". The original trio included: Captain Spaulding (Sid Haig), Otis (Bill Moseley) and Baby (Sherri Moon Zombie). Unfortunately Haig becomes very ill and passes away shortly after the movie was released. He was able to do a few scenes but was replaced by Otis' half brother Winslow Foxworth "Foxy" Coltrane. 

And since the gang fled to Durango, I've included a few foods popular there and in Northern Mexico in general. Check them out at thespruceeats.com here

Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

This week we cover "All Hallows Eve" 1 and 2 as well as "Terrifier". The first two movies are anthologies while the last is a straight up slasher. While the quality is a bit iffy at times the best thing about this series is that it gave us Art The Clown. This homicidal mime with his tiny hat and trashbag of implements is the stuff of nightmares. He's well on his way to becoming one of the icons of horror-- along with Freddie, jason, and Michael. I cant wait for "Terrifier 2" which is due out in October. 

Also check out the top 8 pizza styles. Do you prefer the original Neopolitan, Chicago deep dish or St Louis' cracker like crush? Check out Webstaurantstore.com here to see what makes a New York pizza different from a Detroit pizza.   

Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

This episode (which originally aired in 2/20) has been re-recorded. The 2 latest films have been added and some of the trivia and the recipe have been trimmed.

This week we're covering one of the biggest franchises in horror history. "Puppet Master" has 15 films total. It includes 5 sequels, 5 prequels, a crossover, a reboot and 2 spinoffs. 

The puppets have been everything from protangonists to antagonists to anti-heroes. The reboot "Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich" creates an alternate universe where the puppets are straight up evil. The latest two movies are spinoffs. "Blade: The Iron Cross" again takes place in WWII. "Puppet Master: Doktor Death" has the puppet menacing nursing home inhabitants. 

From Expatica.com we have a number of favorite German foods including Rouladen, Kasepatzle, Kartoffelpuffer, Kosee, and Bratkartoffein. Just dont ask me to pronounce them. See details here

Photo Credit: here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

This week we review a lesser known Canadian franchise. There are three "Cube" movies total. Each features a group of people stuck in a mysterious Cube structure. They must work together in order to survive. As is usually the case, the humans are more of a danger than anything else. 

In keeping with the "cube" theme, this week's recipes feature cube steaks. The name is derived from indentations made in the steak by the tenderizer. Check out parade.com for several tasty recipes here

Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

This week we review the "Slumber Party Massacre". It is sometimes cited as the only horror franchise directed and written by women. Dont expect the shows to go light on violence and T&A because of that. They were all produced by Roger Corman (the King of B Movies) whose matra was blood, boobs and butts. 

No slumber party is complete without popcorn. Here's 50 great flavored popcorn recipes from the Food Network: here

Photo Credit: Here