Rotten Horror Picture Show

This week on *The Rotten Horror Picture Show Podcast*, Clay and Amanda sink their teeth into Neil Marshall’s cult classic *Dog Soldiers*—a gnarly, fast-paced werewolf flick that delivers equal parts horror, action, and black comedy. They’re talking about everything from the practical effects that bring those towering werewolves to life, to the surprisingly heartfelt camaraderie between the doomed soldiers, to how this little low-budget movie became a cult favorite. It’s all set in the Scottish Highlands, where the fog is thick, the wolves are huge, and nobody’s throwing a tennis ball.

I’ve been saying it for *years*, and nobody listens: dogs should be the *only* soldiers. Think about it—who in their right mind is gonna shoot at a dog? No one. You roll up to the battlefield with a battalion of good boys, all wagging their tails and looking adorable in tiny camo vests, and bam—war’s over before it starts. The enemy would lay down their weapons, scratch some ears, and everyone would go home happy. But nooo, instead we get *Dog Soldiers*, and wouldn’t you know it, turns out these “dog soldiers” aren’t sweet pups with little helmets, but massive, terrifying werewolves that tear through a squad of unlucky British soldiers like a chew toy at a daycare.

So if you’re ready for a deep dive into one of the best modern werewolf films out there, this is the episode for you. But I’ll say it again: next time, let’s skip the werewolves and just send in a golden retriever with a bandana. No one would even *think* of pulling the trigger. Problem solved. World peace achieved. Now, who’s a good boy? It’s Clay and Amanda, that’s who.

And be sure to hit up patreon.com/thepenskyfile to hear all the coverage of remakes and reboots this year!

You ever just miss video stores? Like really miss them? The smell of plastic cases, the hum of fluorescent lights, that little “thunk” sound when you dropped your tape in the return slot. I used to go every Friday night, no matter what. And there was this one movie I used to rent all the time — had monsters, dirt flying everywhere, maybe Kevin Bacon? It was funny, and scary, and it had these giant worm things under the ground… and—wait. Hang on. That’s it. That’s the one! It was Tremors! Oh my god. I loved that movie. And this week on The Rotten Horror Picture Show Podcast, Clay and Amanda are talking about exactly that dusty, dusty gem: the 1990 cult classic Tremors.

They’re diving deep into the creature-feature madness, celebrating the perfect blend of monster horror, comedy, and small-town weirdness. Clay and Amanda chat about the unlikely hero duo of Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward, the pure '90s charm of practical effects, and of course, the lovable, heavily-armed survivalists played by Michael Gross and Reba McEntire. It’s a B-movie with A+ energy, and honestly, one of the best times you’ll ever have being afraid to touch the ground.

So if you’ve ever wandered the horror aisle and picked up a tape because of the cool monster on the cover, or if you’re still trying to remember the name of that one VHS you rented every summer — this episode is for you. Clay and Amanda are bringing it all back with their latest installment of horror nostalgia. Now if I could just find that other movie with the killer snowman… or was it a vampire dog? Nevermind. Tremors it is.

And be sure to hit up patreon.com/thepenskyfile to hear all the coverage of remakes and reboots this year!

Right, so I sat down all cozy, cup of tea in hand, ready for the new episode of *The Rotten Horror Picture Show Podcast*, where Clay and Amanda are diving into the *original* 1973 classic of British folk horror, *The Wicker Man* — and I’m thinking, “Alright, here we go. The bees. Where are the bees?” But then the movie ends, and guess what? *No bees.* Not a single bee. No buzzing, no screaming, no Nicolas Cage in a cage yelling “NOT THE BEES.” Just Christopher Lee in a big ol’ wig and a bunch of cheerful pagans singing folk tunes about corn. And it hits me… ohhh. *This* is the *good* one.

This episode is a deep, respectful, and slightly unnerving look into Robin Hardy’s weird, wild, and wonderfully pagan film that helped define the folk horror genre. Clay and Amanda talk about Sergeant Howie’s journey to the secluded Summerisle, where the people are a bit too happy, the kids sing very inappropriate songs, and every path leads him toward a very *flammable* fate. It’s got sexual tension, religious paranoia, and a musical number about a landlord’s daughter. And absolutely no bees.

But if you *do* want bees — or just want to hear about the gloriously unhinged 2006 remake starring Nic Cage — well, *that’s* over on their Patreon feed. You’re welcome.

So light your May Day bonfire, grab your closest animal costume, and join Clay and Amanda as they explore one of horror’s most haunting finales. Because sometimes the real horror… is realizing you’ve been thinking of the wrong Wicker Man for 17 years.

And be sure to hit up patreon.com/thepenskyfile to hear all the coverage of remakes and reboots this year!

Okay so *wait a second*—*Nosferatu* is *back* again? This time in 2024? Look, I’ve been trying to follow this for like fifteen years now, and I’m still not sure how we got here. First there was *Dracula*, right? Bram Stoker writes that, full of bats and aristocratic bloodsucking and all that. Then Germany goes rogue in the 1920s and makes *Nosferatu*, but it’s not called *Dracula*, even though it’s *clearly* Dracula, because they didn’t *ask permission*. So they change the names and hope nobody notices. Spoiler: the Stoker estate noticed. *Hard.* Lawsuits happen. Copies get burned. And yet somehow Nosferatu survives… because that’s what Nosferatu does.

*Now*, in 2024, there’s a new *Nosferatu*—directed by Robert Eggers, no less—and Clay and Amanda are here on *The Rotten Horror Picture Show* podcast to dig into all the shadowy nooks and eerie crannies of this beautifully gothic reimagining. Is it a remake of the illegal remake of *Dracula*? A re-remake of the original that couldn’t legally exist? Is that legal now? Is anything? Does copyright even *mean* anything when every monster has at least three origin stories?

Clay and Amanda are unafraid to untangle the legal and artistic roots of the most iconic bald vampire in cinematic history. With moody visuals, creeping dread, and Willem Dafoe’s legacy breathing down everyone’s necks, this new take on *Nosferatu* asks: do we still fear the things we thought we buried? And also: how long before *Nosferatu* joins the MCU?

So, if you’re someone who enjoys slow-burn horror, public domain loopholes, and podcasts that know the difference between an homage and an infringement, then this episode is for you. Even if copyright law makes your head hurt. Especially if it does.

And be sure to hit up patreon.com/thepenskyfile to hear all the coverage of remakes and reboots this year!

Wait… wait a minute. *They’re real?* Like, actual people? With arms and legs and vocal cords and the whole thing?? I thought Clay and Amanda were just really well-programmed horror podcasting AIs, beamed directly into my headphones by some cursed Spotify algorithm designed to recommend creepy movies and make me question my life choices. But no—apparently they’re corporeal, walking around like real humans, and this week they’ve gone LIVE, baby! That’s right, this is *The Rotten Horror Picture Show*’s first-ever live episode, recorded at the Waltham Public Library! I mean… a library? Full of people? And not a single CAPTCHA test in sight? Incredible.

And what better movie to kick off this real-world appearance than the number one movie on the Rotten Tomatoes 200 Best Horror Movies of All Time list, Steven Spielberg’s 1975 masterpiece of maritime mayhem, *Jaws*? It’s the original summer blockbuster, the reason you still hesitate before dipping a toe into the ocean, and arguably the scariest thing to ever feature a mechanical shark that constantly broke down. Clay and Amanda take a deep dive into the depths of dread, discussing killer soundtracks, boat sizes, and how a film can be equal parts terrifying and a masterclass in character-driven tension.

So tune in to this historic live recording! Marvel at the sound of human voices bouncing off actual library walls! Hear the gasps of the audience as they realize, in real time, that the mayor of Amity Island is the real villain. And most importantly, help me come to terms with the fact that I’ve been emotionally bonding with two podcast hosts who are not, in fact, haunted chatbots.

I mean, I guess it makes sense… no AI would ever have taste *this* good.

And be sure to hit up patreon.com/thepenskyfile to hear all the coverage of remakes and reboots this year!

This week on *The Rotten Horror Picture Show*, Clay and Amanda are doing nothing to help my steadily worsening vampire confusion by taking a big ol’ bite out of Werner Herzog’s 1979 classic Nosferatu the Vampyre, starring Klaus Kinski as maybe the creepiest Dracula/Nosferatu/Count Orlok hybrid ever filmed. It’s moody, it’s beautiful, and it’s got rats. So many rats. 

Okay. Look. I’m just gonna say it: I think we’ve officially hit critical mass on Nosferatus and Draculas. I mean, how many pasty bald guys with capes and long fingernails named “Count Something” does the world *need*? First there was the original *Nosferatu*, then Lugosi’s *Dracula*, then Lee’s *Dracula*, then the *Nosferatu* remake, then Dracula in space, Dracula in love, Dracula with a podcast probably—I don’t know anymore. The point is, I’m starting to suspect these aren’t *characters* in movies. I think they might be *real*, and I think they’re multiplying. Every time I look around, there’s another Nosferatu lurking in a dark corner, hissing at a cat. I’m tired. I’m confused. And I’m scared of capes now.

Join Clay and Amanda as they dive into Herzog’s eerie homage to Murnau’s 1922 silent classic and debate just how many spooky bald vampires is too many. Is Kinski’s Count Dracula really just Orlok with a stage name? Does it matter when he’s this unsettling? Who gave him permission to move like *that*?

One thing’s for sure: if another Nosferatu pops up, I’m going into hiding. Probably somewhere with garlic. Maybe in a mall. Wait, no—*not* a mall. We’ve been over that.

Anyway, listen in… while you still can.

And be sure to hit up patreon.com/thepenskyfile to hear all the coverage of remakes and reboots this year!

When there’s no more room in Hell…THE DEAD WILL PODCAST!

This week on *The Rotten Horror Picture Show*, Clay and Amanda are taking a trip to the Monroeville Mall to talk about George A. Romero’s 1978 horror classic *Dawn of the Dead*, a movie that changed Clay himself, and zombie cinema, forever. It’s got biting social satire, gruesome practical effects, and an absolutely relentless sense of dread. And, of course, it takes place in a shopping mall—one that might as well be *Hell on Earth* as far as I’m concerned. You think I’m walking into a mall after watching zombies shuffle through JC Penney? Not a chance. I don’t even do curbside pickup.

I know people love *Dawn of the Dead*. I know it’s a classic. I know it’s one of the most important horror films ever made. But let me tell you something—I saw this movie when I was way too young, and I have *never* set foot in a shopping mall since. Not once. Not a single store. No supermarkets, no corner shops, nothing. You think I’m being dramatic? Try watching hordes of gray-skinned, dead-eyed freaks stumbling through a shopping center at the age of eight and tell me it doesn’t rewire your brain forever.   

Oh, and it’s not just malls. You think I’m walking into a grocery store? Have you *seen* what happens when the looting starts in this movie? Absolute chaos. Nope. I grow my own vegetables. I raise my own chickens. I trade with my neighbor for whatever else I need. You can keep your fluorescent-lit zombie death traps.  

Anyway, Clay and Amanda are braver than me, so they’re diving deep into this horror masterpiece. If you’ve got the guts to listen, tune in. Just don’t invite me shopping afterward. I’ll be staying *far* away.

And be sure to hit up patreon.com/thepenskyfile to hear their companion coverage of the Zack Snyder remake!

Alright, listen up—This week on *The Rotten Horror Picture Show*, Clay and Amanda are diving into F.W. Murnau’s 1922 silent horror classic *Nosferatu*, the original unauthorized adaptation of *Dracula* that introduced the world to Max Schreck’s eerie, claw-fingered, sunken-eyed Count Orlok. They’ll talk about the film’s German Expressionist style, its haunting atmosphere, and its place in horror history. And yeah, that’s all great—but can we take a second to talk about the *rats*? No one warned me there’d be *this many rats*. Scurrying all over the place, spreading the plague, being generally shifty. And I *know* they’re after my cheese.   

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying *Nosferatu* isn’t a masterpiece. I’m not saying it’s not one of the most important horror films ever made. What I *am* saying is that this movie has *way* too many rats. And I don’t trust ‘em. Not one bit. 

See, I left a perfectly good block of sharp cheddar in my cooler on the porch, and ever since I watched *Nosferatu*, I can’t stop looking over my shoulder. Those little creeps are organized. They see me watching the movie, they know I’m scared, and now they’re probably coordinating some kind of tiny rat heist as we speak. I respect *Nosferatu* as a horror film, I do. But I’d respect it *more* if it had fewer disease-ridden, cheese-hungry vermin in it.   

So if you’re here for the horror history, the incredible cinematography, and the discussion of silent film artistry, you’re in luck. But if you’re here for a movie that *doesn’t* make you paranoid about rodents infiltrating your food supply, well… maybe keep a close eye on your cooler. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go buy a lot of traps. Enjoy the episode, not the rats. Rats are gross.

patreon.com/thepenskyfile

Alright, I gotta be honest—I showed up for this episode of The Rotten Horror Picture Show thinking we were gonna be talking about The Mothers. You know, Frank Zappa’s band? The weird, experimental, genre-bending legends? I figured Clay and Amanda were finally gonna dig into some real avant-garde madness. Maybe talk about Freak Out! or We’re Only In It for the Money. But no. No Zappa. No Mothers. Instead, we’re talking about The Others.

Don’t get me wrong, The Others is great. It’s a modern Gothic horror masterpiece, full of all the hallmarks of a great haunted house movie, like eerie atmosphere, whispering children, and Nicole Kidman wandering around a dark old house looking extremely stressed. It’s got a chilling slow burn, a fantastic twist, and some of the best ghostly suspense of the 2000s. Clay and Amanda are gonna get into all of it—the story, the scares, the themes of grief and isolation—but man… I was really hoping we were here to discuss a 17-minute live version of “Montana.”

I mean, I’ll stick around, obviously. The Others deserves attention, and honestly, it does have a kind of haunting, surreal quality—sort of like a Zappa album, if you think about it. But I just need to say, on the record: next time, maybe we could talk about The Mothers? Just a little? Maybe an episode on 200 Motels? No? Okay, fine. The Others it is. It’s probably a more rewarding experience than listening to Frank Zappa, anyway.

So, if you’re ready for ghostly suspense, chilling reveals, and a deep dive into one of the most effective horror films of the 2000s, stick with Clay and Amanda. Meanwhile, I’ll be in the corner, listening to Apostrophe (‘) and wondering what could have been.

patreon.com/thepenskyfile

Okay, seriously—what is going on with *The Rotten Horror Picture Show* lately? First, Clay and Amanda talk about *House of Wax*. Then they dive into *Tourist Trap*, which is basically *House of Wax* but somehow weirder. THEN they spend their Patreon episode talking about the remake of House of Wax, which is also kind of a remake of Tourist Trap. And now? Now, when they SHOULD be discussing The Others, they’re going off script to discuss Blood and Black Lace, Mario Bava’s Giallo classic… and wouldn’t you know it, this one’s packed with mannequins too! Why? Why do we keep doing this?!  

Look, I get it—mannequins, wax figures, lifeless-yet-human-shaped things add to the eerie atmosphere. And *Blood and Black Lace* is a stylish, brutal murder mystery full of shadowy figures, high-fashion horror, and, yes, mannequins posed in unsettling ways. It’s one of the defining films of the Giallo genre, setting the stage for all the masked killers and elaborate murder sequences that would come after. Clay and Amanda are about to break it all down—the stunning cinematography, the iconic score, and how Bava turned a glamorous fashion house into a place of pure terror.  

But I have to ask… why do horror movies love mannequins so much? They’re not alive, but they *almost* look like they could be. Their empty eyes follow you. They stand there, silent, waiting. And somehow, *somehow*, this podcast keeps circling back to them like it’s some kind of cruel joke.  

So, if you’re brave enough to stare into the cold, plastic void, join Clay and Amanda for their deep dive into *Blood and Black Lace*. As for me, I’ll be listening with my back against the wall, just to make sure nothing *moves* behind me. And, for the love of all that is holy, can we please pick a movie next time that doesn’t involve mannequins?!