Imported Horror

An ancient Jewish legend comes to life as "The Golem," a monster wrought of mud and wrath that becomes an uncontrollable double-edged sword. The film is visually stunning and entirely convincing as a fable and period piece; as a monster horror film, though, Marcus and Melissa found it lacking. Also, would you rather watch a movie about zombies rampaging through a Jewish deli or a savage grandmother terrorizing India?

Motion Picture Terror Scale: 1. Objective Quality: 3 (Marcus), 4 (Melissa). Personal enjoyment: 2+

Articles mentioned in this episode:

"Yoav Paz Talks JeruZalem 2, The Golem, And More In Our Interview," by Kelli Marchman McNeely on Horror Fuel

"INTERVIEW: YOAV PAZ AND HANI FURSTENBERG DISCUSS BRINGING "THE GOLEM" BACK TO LIFE," by Patrick Woodstock on Rue Morgue

"Why So Many Israeli Horror Films Take Place in the Army," by Nirit Anderman on Haaretz

"Israeli audiences warm to home-grown horror movies," by Ben Sales in The Times of Israel

The final episode of Marianne is deeply tense. It absolutely works on an emotional level. Logically, though, it misses a few beats. Marcus and Melissa try to plug a handful of plot holes and criticize the inevitable season two - a decision that feels based on business considerations, not on the story itself.

Spoilercasts are short bonus episodes that break down spoilers and endings for movies and television shows covered in previous episodes. We highly recommend you listen to the previous full episode on Marianne before listening to this spoilercast.

Novels are supposed to be fiction - even novels about horrifying and possessive medieval witches. But Marianne is real, haunting the picturesque seaside town of Elden and its most famous author. Marcus and Melissa binge France's "Marianne," a show that reflects the best of "It" and Stephen King. Also, would you rather right a flock of murderous super turkeys, or get lost in a cranberry bog with a hodag?

Motion Picture Terror Scale: 4- (Marcus), 4+ (Melissa). Quality: 5- . Personal enjoyment: 5.

Articles mentioned in this episode:

"Hodag," on Wikipedia

"Our Cranberry Harvest," on Ocean Spray

Novels are supposed to be fiction - even novels about horrifying and possessive medieval witches. But Marianne is real, haunting the picturesque seaside town of Elden and its most famous author. Marcus and Melissa binge France's "Marianne," a show that reflects the best of "It" and Stephen King. Also, would you rather right a flock of murderous super turkeys, or get lost in a cranberry bog with a hodag?

Motion Picture Terror Scale: 4- (Marcus), 4+ (Melissa). Quality: 5- . Personal enjoyment: 5.

Articles mentioned in this episode: 

"Hodag," on Wikipedia

"Our Cranberry Harvest," on Ocean Spray

On a spooky and technical level, the ending of Shutter was fantastic. On an ethical level, though, its portrayal of some pretty heavy topics was problematic. Marcus and Melissa consider what holds up and what doesn't about the Thai original and American remake.

Spoilercasts are short bonus episodes that break down spoilers and endings for movies and television shows covered in previous episodes. We highly recommend you listen to the previous full episode on Shutter before listening to this spoilercast.

On a spooky and technical level, the ending of Shutter was fantastic. On an ethical level, though, its portrayal of some pretty heavy topics was problematic. Marcus and Melissa consider what holds up and what doesn't about the Thai original and American remake.

Spoilercasts are short bonus episodes that break down spoilers and endings for movies and television shows covered in previous episodes. We highly recommend you listen to the previous full episode on Shutter before listening to this spoilercast.

Have you ever been terrified by a polaroid? You will be. "Shutter" offers a master class in low-tech creepiness, mixing old school dark rooms with an unsettling ghost story. The American remake has a "super crush" from Melissa's younger years - but, sadly, that's the only remotely positive thing the film has going for it. Also, would you rather have a name that's frequently misgendered, or a name that nobody can pronounce?

Motion Picture Terror Scale: 2. Quality: 3. Personal enjoyment: 4.

Have you ever been terrified by a polaroid? You will be. "Shutter" offers a master class in low-tech creepiness, mixing old school dark rooms with an unsettling ghost story. The American remake has a "super crush" from Melissa's younger years - but, sadly, that's the only remotely positive thing the film has going for it. Also, would you rather have a name that's frequently misgendered, or a name that nobody can pronounce?

Motion Picture Terror Scale: 2. Quality: 3. Personal enjoyment: 4.

Everything looks better with a gothic Mexican paint job - especially when Cerberus graces the hood of a vintage Ford Galaxie aptly named The Hound. "Diablero" is Latin America's answer to "Supernatural," an unapologetic and campy tour of Mexico City and its vibrantly costumed demonio. Marcus and Melissa explore the blended indigenous and Roman Catholic roots of the show, its mythology, and its egalitarian commentary on Mexican identity. They also stumble across an impromptu "My Cousin Vinny" reference.

Motion Picture Terror Scale: 1. Quality: 4- . Personal enjoyment: 5. Did my future wife watch this show? Yes! Does it pass the Bechdel test? Also yes!

Articles mentioned in this episode:

"Diablero: mystical Mexican thriller launches worldwide Friday on Netflix," by Susannah Rigg for Mexico News Daily

"Interview: DIABLERO's Rigoberto Castaneda on Creepy Sets, His Favorite Character, and What's Next," by Zena Dixon for Dread Central

Everything looks better with a gothic Mexican paint job - especially when Cerberus graces the hood of a vintage Ford Galaxie aptly named The Hound. "Diablero" is Latin America's answer to "Supernatural," an unapologetic and campy tour of Mexico City and its vibrantly costumed demonio. Marcus and Melissa explore the blended indigenous and Roman Catholic roots of the show, its mythology, and its egalitarian commentary on Mexican identity. They also stumble across an impromptu "My Cousin Vinny" reference.

Motion Picture Terror Scale: 1. Quality: 4- . Personal enjoyment: 5. Did my future wife watch this show? Yes! Does it pass the Bechdel test? Also yes!

Articles mentioned in this episode:

"Diablero: mystical Mexican thriller launches worldwide Friday on Netflix," by Susannah Rigg for Mexico News Daily

"Interview: DIABLERO's Rigoberto Castaneda on Creepy Sets, His Favorite Character, and What's Next," by Zena Dixon for Dread Central