Imported Horror

Can paper mache feel pain, when it's twisted and contorted? What if it's escaping a cult? This week, the gang gets captivated and horrified by the creepiest stop motion film of all time. Also, what horror classic would you rather see animated and Melissa accidentally called an elaborate sex dungeon.

Motion Picture Terror Scale: 3 (Marcus) / 4 (Melissa) / 3 (Grady). Quality: 5. Enjoyment: 3 / 4 / 5

Articles mentioned in this episode:

"A Film's Horrors Evoke a Dark Era in Chile's Past," by Nina Siegal in The New York Times

"'The Wolf House' Review: A Chilean Nazi Cult Inspires One of the Darkest Animated Movies Ever," by David Ehrlich in IndieWire

"An Animated Horror Film Dredges a Disturbing Chilean History," by Dan Schindel in Hyperallergic

Leon & Cocina, a digital gallery of the directors' works

Imagine escaping the horrors of a civil war only to discover cold bureaucrats who confine you in a haunted house with an ancient night witch. Or did the "apeth" follow you from South Sudan? This week, the gang spends the night in his surprisingly scary house. Also, would you rather live in a world with no horror movies or only G-rated horror movies?

Motion Picture Terror Scale: 4 (Marcus) / 5 (Melissa) / 5 (Grady) Quality: 4 / 5 / 5 Enjoyment: 4 / 3 / 3

Articles mentioned in this episode:

"'His House': Meet the Director Behind One of the Best Horror Movies of the Year," by Perri Nemiroff for Collider

"HIS HOUSE: INTERVIEW WITH REMI WEEKES," by Rachel Harper for SciFiNow

"His House and the Horror of "Otherness"" by Rosie Fletcher in Den of Geek

"383,000: Estimated Death Toll in South Sudan's War," by Megan Specia for the New York Times, published in September, 2018

"The conflict in South Sudan, explained," by Jennifer Williams for Vox, published in January, 2017

You're trapped in your apartment, self-isolating, watching horrifying tragedies unfold on the news. Sound familiar? Well, good news - this time it's a zombie apocalypse! The gang logs in to discuss #Alive, a surprisingly scary and remarkably poignant take on isolation, suicide and survival. Also, which vintage horror villains would you rather see take over the world?

Motion Picture Terror Scale: 3 Quality: 4 Enjoyment: 4

Articles mentioned in this episode:

"How Zombie Film '#Alive' Sparked Hope At The Korean Box Office," by Sara Merican in Forbes

"EXCLUSIVE | Tyler Posey says isolating himself after 'Teen Wolf' fame helped him play Aidan in zombie movie 'Alone'" by Alakananda Bandyopadhyay in MEAWW.com

"[Herald Interview] Yoo Ah-in talks about being alive," by Choi Ji-won in the Korea Herald

"[INTERVIEW] Actor Yoo Ah-in seeks to get closer to fans with boy-next-door appeal," in The Korea Times

"Yoo Ah-in talks about what makes him feel alive ahead of '#Alive' premiere," in Korea JoongAng Daily

Medical science can't explain everything in Dr. Refaat Ismail's life. It can't explain his nightmares, his mazes, his constant upturned coffee cups or why the creatures of the night seem to haunt him. This week, the gang heads to Egypt for a Netflix adaptation of popular horror pocket books that clearly deserve an English translation. Also, they explore the horror potential for Danish animation star John Dillermand in an anatomically incorrect Would You Rather.

Motion Picture Terror Scale: 3 (Marcus) / 4 (Melissa) / 3 (Grady) Quality: 4 / 4 / 3 Enjoyment: 5 / 4 / 4

Articles mentioned in this episode:

"Paranormal Activity: Inside Netflix's First Egyptian Arabic Original," by Amro Ali in GQ Middle East

"Netflix Brings Arabic Horror to Screen With 'Paranormal' as the Streaming Giant Ramps Up in the Middle East (EXCLUSIVE)," by Nick Vivarelli in Variety

"Denmark debuts new children's TV show about a man with a huge and uncontrollable penis," by Rob Picheta in CNN

Imported Horror is taking a week off following the January 6 attempted coup attempt in Washington, DC. We stand united with democracy and decency. We are opposed to violence, riots, insurrection and illiberalism. Instead of listening to us this week, we recommend the Majority 54 podcast. Roll up your sleeves and find a way to help restore democracy and the marketplace of ideas.

We'll be back next week with episodes on #Alive and Paranormal.

Playing The Beatles or Pink Floyd records backwards won't summon Lucifer, but playing the heavy metal Black Hymn forwards will unleash the hounds of hell. This week, the gang gives 2020 the finger and a righteous send-off with the most shameless and fun metal horror flick ever made. Also, what movies that you've seen this year would you rather have on a deserted island?

Motion Picture Terror Scale: 1. Quality: 5. Enjoyment: 5.

Articles mentioned in this episode:

"Jason Lei Howden Talks the Metal and Horror of 'Deathgasm' (Interview)," by Jonathan Barkan in Bloody Disgusting

"WRITER-DIRECTOR JASON LEI HOWDEN TALKS DEATHGASM," by Alan Simmons in DIY Mag

"Interview: Jason Lei Howden, Director of Deathgasm," by Emperor Rhombus in Metal Sucks

"DEATHGASM OST," by Kristian Galbany Garcia on Spotify. (I couldn't find the full playlist on YouTube, for some reason, but I did find it on Spofity.)

Stalkers watch their flocks on silent nights - including an unsuspecting family of independent sorority sisters. This classic holiday horror is often overshadowed by the generation of grisly slashers it inspired, and by two modern remakes with noticeably different plots. This Christmas, the gang explores slasher lineage and feminist themes in Black Christmas.

Motion Picture Terror Scale: 3 (Marcus) / 4 (Melissa) / 3 (Grady). Quality: 5/4/4 Enjoyment: 5/3/4

Articles mentioned in this episode:

"Bob Clark interview" in Icons of Fright

"The Politics of Slasher Black Christmas" by Matthew Monagle in the Austin Chronicle

"12 Surprising Facts About Black Christmas" by Matthew Jackson in Mental Floss

"Black Christmas – Original Radio and TV Spots" on YouTube

Forget everything you know about Santa Claus - he's actually a shameless demon with an axe, a flying buffalo and a thirst for vengeance. The gang dives into a holiday classic that's purposefully so-bad-it's-good while considering which other holiday deserves the raunchy, punny slasher treatment.

Motion Picture Terror Scale: 1. Quality: 3 (Marcus) / 4 (Melissa & Grady). Enjoyment: 5.

Articles mentioned in this episode:

"WWE'S GOLDBERG TELLS FUNNY STORY OF MEETING HIS WIFE WHILE DRESSED AS KILLER SANTA," by Brett Smiley for Fox Sports

"Santa's Slay (best of)" on YouTube. Link is NSFW. The clip begins at 4:09 because actor Bill Goldberg met his wife in the scene. She's the stunt performer on the swing in the strip club.

In 1906, a young lawyer with spectacular mutton chops travels to rural England to put a creepy old house up for sale. Guess what? It's haunted by the most famous television specter in British history. Also, what horror villain would you rather see invade a cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie?

Motion Picture Terror Scale: 3 (Marcus) / 4 - (Melissa) / 3 (Grady). Quality: 4 / 5 / 4 Enjoyment: 4 / 5 / 4 Triggers: Suicide

Articles mentioned in this episode:

"The Woman In Black: why did Britain's scariest horror film disappear?" by Andrew Male in The Guardian

"Daniel Radcliffe interview: The Woman In Black, Hammer, the British film industry and Harry Potter," by Louisa Mellor in Den of Geek

"Interview: Daniel Radcliffe On 'The Woman in Black' & Post-Harry Potter Work," by Ben Moore in Screen Rant

"The Woman in Black (1989) - "that" scene" on YouTube

"The Woman in Black (2012) - opening scene" on YouTube. Play this one on mute while playing

"Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb" on YouTube, beginning at 3:14

If you're looking for a duel to the death between Santa Claus and the Krampus, then look elsewhere. In the season three premiere, the gang gets duped by a campy and fun trailer advertising a smug and confusing holiday horror. Also, which Christmas legend would you rather defend you from the krampus?

Motion Picture Terror Scale: 0. Quality: 0. Enjoyment: 0. Triggers: Rape.