Lunatics Radio Hour: The History of Horror

From the Ultra species in Ultraman to the awe-inspiring battles in Gamera, we're diving into the heart of this epic genre. Beyond the giant robots and monsters, we discuss the emotive stories, the humanity caught in the middle, and the real differences that set these films apart from the rest. We even delve into the legacy of Toho's prop department in shaping the Ultraman TV show.

Ever wondered how real-life events and political themes find their way into the Kaiju universe? We venture into modern Kaiju films, taking a deep look at movies like 'Cloverfield' and 'Pacific Rim.' The discussion gets intense as we draw parallels between the DARPA program and the 'drift system' in Pacific Rim, touch upon the unique concept in 'Colossal,' and even discuss the 2018 movie 'Rampage.'

Lastly, we switch gears to explore the literature side of the Kaiju world, discussing the thought-provoking themes and storytelling techniques. From the political commentary woven into these narratives to chilling tales of survival and death, we leave no stone unturned. And, speaking of literature, we even bring up John Scalzi's book - Kaiju Preservation Society. Get ready for a hefty dose of insight and a fresh perspective on all things Kaiju! And guess what? We've got some kickass Kaiju-themed merch waiting for you in our store. So, buckle up and join us for this epic exploration!

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Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord.

Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.

Sources

• No film school article by Alyssa Miller: Killer Kaiju: How the Giant Creatures Made Waves in Cinema
• CBR.com article by Jim Johnson Cloverfield Monster's Confirmed Origin Is Actually Pretty Heartbreaking
• Den of Geek’s multi-part series on the history of Ultraman by Stephen Harber. 
• Wikipedia, IMDB + Many Films!

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Buckle up and bring plenty of popcorn, because we're embarking on a colossal journey through the cinematic history of Kaiju films. Ever caught yourself wondering about the origins of characters like Ghidorah, Mothra, Rodan, and Godzilla's son? Prepare to have your curiosity satisfied as we deep dive into the Showa era of Kaiju films.

This week we talk through the evolution of the Godzilla franchise through four eras.

lunaticsproject.com

Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord.

Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.

Sources

• The Kaiju Film: A Critical Study of Cinema’s Biggest Monsters by Jason Barr
• Criterion article by Steve Ryfle: Godzilla’s Conscience: The Monstrous Humanism of Ishiro Honda 
• Unesco.org article on the history of Kabuki theater 
• Hollywood Reporter article by Ray Morton: Origin of Kong.
• No film school article by Alyssa Miller: Killer Kaiju: How the Giant Creatures Made Waves in Cinema
• Sideshow.com article by Shane Smith - A Complete Film History of Godzilla
• CBR.com article by Jim Johnson Cloverfield Monster's Confirmed Origin Is Actually Pretty Heartbreaking
• Den of Geek’s multi-part series on the history of Ultraman by Stephen Harber. 
• Wikipedia, IMDB + Many Films!

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Abby and Alan deeply explore Japan's fascinating kaiju film genre, where enormous monsters and social commentary collide. We're peeling back the layers of this cinematic behemoth, from its roots in Japanese Tokusatsu filmmaking and mythology to the nuclear anxieties that colored its creation.

Ever wonder about the origins of these towering terrors? We've got you covered! We're diving into the influence of 1933's King Kong, the prototype of all monster movies. From there, we're moving to the Godzilla franchise, analyzing its evolution from the revered 1954 classic to the camp-filled romps of today. Whether you’re new to the genre or a seasoned kaiju fan, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into!

lunaticsproject.com

Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord.

Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.

Sources

• The Kaiju Film: A Critical Study of Cinema’s Biggest Monsters by Jason Barr
• Criterion article by Steve Ryfle: Godzilla’s Conscience: The Monstrous Humanism of Ishiro Honda 
• Unesco.org article on the history of Kabuki theater 
• Hollywood Reporter article by Ray Morton: Origin of Kong.
• No film school article by Alyssa Miller: Killer Kaiju: How the Giant Creatures Made Waves in Cinema
• Sideshow.com article by Shane Smith - A Complete Film History of Godzilla
• CBR.com article by Jim Johnson Cloverfield Monster's Confirmed Origin Is Actually Pretty Heartbreaking
• Den of Geek’s multi-part series on the history of Ultraman by Stephen Harber. 
• Wikipedia, IMDB + Many Films!

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Welcome to the thrilling conclusion of our deep-dive into the world of Goblins. This week Abby and Alan present three horrifying Goblin tales. Embark on a journey to the darker side of Japanese folklore as we unravel the terrifying tale of the Adachigahara Goblin, a creature known for its cannibalistic tendencies. Through the lens of a century-old folklore piece, we shed light on this malevolent being that strikes fear into the hearts of wary travelers. With the help of our friend Alex Goleman.

Next, Phil Eslick narrates Abby's story about a man who takes a job as a groundskeeper at a Scottish Estate.

And to round up this series, we're privileged to have JR Santos on board, an author with a passion for folklore. Follow JR on twitter @ccskeleton. Check out his short story collection here.

His first story published, "Azul"was featured on the first issue of the Archive of the Odd's epistolary horror biannual zine, find out more here.

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What if the world of paranormal phenomena is connected in ways we haven't even begun to understand? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with filmmaker and paranormal investigator Karl Pfeiffer, as we unearth hidden connections and delve into the mysteries behind his work. From Ghost Hunters International to creating the cult favorite series Hellier, Karl brings us behind the scenes.

We discuss Karl's holistic view of paranormal phenomena, exploring stories like the Mothman Prophecies and the work of John Keel. From connections between UFO sightings and poltergeist reports to the mind-reality link between the spiritual and physical realms, prepare to have your perspective on the paranormal transformed. Plus, we discuss the creation process behind the captivating paranormal show Hellier, and the importance of maintaining an open mind in the field of paranormal investigation.

This episode is a treasure trove of insights for fans of the paranormal and the curious-minded alike. From examining the global nature of folklore and its potential connection to paranormal phenomena to Karl's memorable experiences investigating the Stanley Hotel, we leave no stone unturned. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the unknown with the captivating Karl Pfeiffer as our guide.

Email [email protected] to submit your short stories and paranormal experiences.

lunaticsproject.com

Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord.

Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.

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Join us as we explore the origins of goblins and their varied representations across different cultures, from the Pyrenees Mountains in France to the British Isles, and even the tengu of Japan. We'll also discuss the cultural and historical significance of goblins, kobolds, and trasgu, analyzing their portrayal in popular culture and the problematic aspects of J.K. Rowling's work. Uncover the mysterious connection between goblins, Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, and the eerie paranormal encounters documented in the Hellier documentary series and the Hopkinsville Goblins case.

Finally, we'll dive into the portrayal of goblins in films like The Descent and Sam Raimi's Spider-Man, comparing them to characters like The Joker and exploring the concept of alien goblins from space. We'll also examine the power of folklore in reshaping our understanding of the paranormal and its representation in modern media, such as metal music videos. Don't miss this captivating journey into the enigmatic world of goblins and their impact on our collective imagination!

Email [email protected] to submit your short stories and paranormal experiences.

lunaticsproject.com

Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord.

Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.

Sources

• Thank you very much to April Brenker for helping with research for today’s episode. 
• A paper by Annliya Shaijan from the Global Journal of HUMAN-SOCIAL SCIENCE, called Goblin Mythology: A Brief Study of the Archetype, Tracing the Explications in English Literature
• A Forbes article by Dani Di Placido: The Harry Potter Anti-Semetic Controversy Explained
• HeyAlma article by Evelyn Frick: The Anti-Semetic History of Goblins 
• CBR.com article by Ben Hardwick: Why Goblins’ Are The Lord of The Ring’s Biggest Misconception 
• History.com article by Volker Janssen: How the ‘Little Green Men’ Phenomenon Began on a Kentucky Farm
• Audio recording www.tobarandualchais.co.uk - Anecdote About Seeing a Goblin
• Irishcentral.com article by Leo Casey: The Irish Legend of The Pooka
• A book called Vampire Universe by Jonathan Maberry
• Pawilds.com article by Lou Bernard: The Goblin Scarecrow
• Medium article by A.L. Treadwell: The Goblins of Old Detroit 
• Project Gutenberg, IMDB, Wikipedia 

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Abby sits down with Lindsey Brisbine of The Chilling Podcast to discuss haunting paranormal experiences.

Listen to The Chilling Podcast here: https://www.thechillingpodcast.com/ and follow Lindsey on Instagram @thechillingpodcast.

Email [email protected] to submit your short stories and paranormal experiences.

lunaticsproject.com

Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord.

Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.

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This week Abby and Alan present time travel-inspired horror stories.

Blessed was written by Caio Major; check out his blog here and Twitter here. And read by Phil Eslick.

HG Wells wrote the Time Machine, Read by Jon C Cook of the Fado podcast.

Once Upon a Time was written by Nadira Jamerson, Read by Sam Owens. Check our Nadira's website here, and follow her on IG @nadiraxrene.

lunaticsproject.com

Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord.

Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.

Support the show

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Abby and Alan explore the history of Time Travel in mythology, film and literature, focusing on horror and science fiction.

Email [email protected] to submit your short stories and paranormal experiences.

lunaticsproject.com

Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Listen to the paranormal playlist I curate for Vurbl, updated weekly! Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.

Sources for today's episode:

• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on Time Travel 
• Oxplore.com article on Ancient Time Traveling Myths
• The Paradoxes of Time Travel by David Lewis (1975) Princeton University
• Guardian article by Stuart Heritage The 20 Best Time Travel Movies 
• CrimeReads article by Dan Frey called The Four Types of Time Travel and what they say about ourselves and the world around us
• Screen Rant article by Craig Elvy - Back To The Future's Time Travel Explained: How It Works & Is It Accurate?
• Wondrium article by David K Johnson, PHD Time Travel in ‘Interstellar’: Time Dilation and Causal Loops
• Space.com article by Alisa Harvey and Vicky Stein - Is Time Travel Possible?
• Wikipedia & IMDB

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Abby and Alan present real unexplained stories submitted by our listeners.

Follow Marcus Hawke here. And Marc Sirinsky here. Final story by Erinn Bryant. 

Email [email protected] to submit your short stories and paranormal experiences.

lunaticsproject.com

Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord.

Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.

Support the show

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices