Scream Creeps

In this episode, the hosts discuss the movie 'The Witch' and share their thoughts and opinions. They talk about their expectations and disappointments, the lack of horror elements, the strong acting performances, and the trippy and creepy scenes in the movie. They also discuss the accents and setting, the predictability of the ending, and the persecution of the protagonist. The hosts express their surprise at the movie's ranking on the list and discuss the possibility of replacing movies on the list. They also share heart rate statistics and rankings for the movie and talk about upcoming movies on the list. Overall, they find the movie to be lacking in scares and not living up to their expectations.

Takeaways

• The Witch is a movie that lacks traditional horror elements and may not meet the expectations of viewers looking for a scary experience.
• The acting performances in the movie are praised, particularly the performance of Harvey Scrimshaw as Caleb.
• The movie features some trippy and creepy scenes, but overall, it is more of a slow-paced period drama than a horror flick.
• The movie's ranking on the list is questioned, as it may not deserve its placement among other horror films.
• Heart rate statistics show that the movie did not elicit significant increases in heart rate, indicating a lack of fear or suspense.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Movie Overview

02:24 Expectations and Disappointments

03:23 Lack of Horror Elements

04:02 Strong Acting Performances

05:36 Trippy and Creepy Scenes

08:01 Discussion on Accents and Setting

09:22 Predictability of the Ending

11:31 Persecution of the Protagonist

13:00 Limited Horror Elements and Slow Pace

15:38 Inconsistencies in the Movie Ranking

18:21 Discussion on Replacing Movies on the List

19:57 Heart Rate Statistics and Movie Rankings

24:07 Upcoming Movies on the List

26:07 Final Thoughts on the Movie

In this episode of Scream Creeps, Jeremy, Josh, and Aaron review the Amazon Prime original movie Totally Killer. Released during the spooky season, this film offers a lighter, comedic break from the intense demonic horror the crew has been covering lately.

The discussion centers on the film's unique blend of 80s slasher tropes and time travel mechanics, often described as Back to the Future meets Scream. The hosts appreciate the nostalgic elements, from the lack of DNA testing (the "DMA machine" joke) to the "stranger danger" parenting style of the 80s. They praise Kiernan Shipka's performance as Jamie, the Gen Z protagonist who travels back to 1987 to stop the "Sweet 16 Killer," and the chemistry with Olivia Holt as her teenage mom. While they agree it's not a "black comedy" as marketed, but rather a fun, lighthearted slasher, they highlight the clever writing that juxtaposes modern sensibilities with 80s culture.

Key Highlights
[00:48] The Premise: Introduction to Totally Killer, directed by Nahnatchka Khan and produced by Blumhouse, starring Kiernan Shipka and Julie Bowen.
[05:17] Black Comedy or Just Fun?: Josh debates the "black comedy" label, arguing it's more of a lighthearted slasher than a dark, gritty comedy like Fargo.
[08:05] 80s Nostalgia: The crew discusses the accurate (and hilarious) depiction of the 80s, including the lack of safety concerns, the "dirt weed," and the fashion.
[13:13] The "DMA" Joke: A highlight of the funniest scene involving Randall Park's character dismissing the concept of DNA evidence, throwing the sample in the trash.
[22:06] Kiernan Shipka: Jeremy shares trivia about the lead actress, noting she started her career as a baby on ER and grew up on Mad Men before Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
[24:42] The "VV" Connection: Josh points out a weird recurring theme in Adam Sandler-produced movies (though this isn't one) where female leads often have "V.V." initials, sparking a tangent on Julie Bowen's past roles.

In this episode of Scream Creeps, the hosts discuss the Blair Witch Project, a 1999 American supernatural horror film. They provide background information on the production and release of the film, including its improvised nature and low budget. The hosts also explore the success and impact of the Blair Witch Project, including its financial success and influence on the found footage genre. They discuss the careers of the actors and controversies surrounding the film. The hosts evaluate the acting and plot of the movie, as well as its marketing and reception. They also examine the symbolism and references in the film, such as its connection to The Crucible and the Salem Witch Trials. The episode concludes with a discussion on the updated scariest movies list and upcoming episodes of Scream Creeps.

Takeaways

• The Blair Witch Project was a low-budget, improvised horror film that became a sleeper hit and influenced the found footage genre.
• The film's marketing campaign, which listed the actors as missing or deceased, contributed to its success.
• The careers of the actors involved in the Blair Witch Project varied, with some experiencing backlash and limited opportunities.
• The film's plot and structure received mixed reviews, with some viewers finding it lacking in scares and plot development.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Blair Witch Project

01:20 Production and Release of Blair Witch Project

03:20 Success and Impact of Blair Witch Project

05:20 Actors' Careers and Controversies

06:46 Discussion on the Film's Structure

09:16 Marketing and Reception of Blair Witch Project

11:41 Influence on Found Footage Genre

14:14 Evaluation of Acting and Plot

15:08 Impact of Marketing and Realism

16:52 Financial Success of Blair Witch Project

18:20 Sequels and Franchise

20:44 Comparison to Other Horror Films

22:13 Symbolism and References in Blair Witch Project

23:58 Connection to The Crucible and Salem Witch Trials

25:11 Improvisation and Filming Process

27:22 Role of Joshua Leonard and Other Actors

28:58 Discussion on Updated Scariest Movies List

34:21 Methodology of Scariest Movies List

35:45 Next Movies in the Scariest Movies List

38:32 Conclusion and Future Episodes

In this episode, Jeremy and Joshua discuss the movie 'The Exorcist Believer.' They provide an overview of the film, including its background, production, and release. They also talk about the cast and characters, the budget and box office performance, and share their opinions and recommendations. The hosts discuss the predictability of the movie and its exploration of faith and religion. They analyze Act One of the film and discuss its tie-in to Catholicism. They also compare different lists of the scariest movies and share their plans for upcoming episodes.

Takeaways

• The Exorcist Believer is the sixth installment in the Exorcist franchise and serves as a sequel to the original film.
• The movie received negative reviews from critics who felt it failed to reach the height and impact of the original film.
• The film explores themes of faith and religion, particularly the importance of belief in exorcisms.
• The hosts recommend waiting to watch the movie on streaming platforms rather than going to the theater.
• Upcoming episodes will cover the Blair Witch Project and Totally Killer.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:59 Overview of the Movie

02:22 Production and Release

03:24 Cast and Characters

04:19 Budget and Box Office Performance

08:46 Opinions and Recommendations

10:28 Discussion on Fandom and Theater Subscriptions

15:51 Predictability of the Movie

18:01 Exploration of Faith and Religion

22:13 Act One Analysis

25:32 Tie-In to Catholicism

28:13 Comparison of Different Lists of Scariest Movies

31:27 Upcoming Episodes and Closing Remarks

In this episode of Scream Creeps, Jeremy, Josh, and Aaron return to their "Science of Scare" countdown to tackle #24: Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi horror masterpiece, Alien. The trio revisits the Nostromo, discussing how the film set the standard for both genres and launched a massive franchise.

The discussion highlights the film's incredible practical effects (designed by H.R. Giger), noting how well the sets and the Xenomorph hold up over 40 years later despite a budget of only $11 million. They break down the iconic "chestburster" scene involving John Hurt, which remains one of the most shocking moments in cinema history. The hosts also praise Sigourney Weaver's groundbreaking performance as Ripley, the tension-filled pacing, and the reveal that Ash (Ian Holm) was an android all along. The episode wraps up with a debate on the best film in the franchise, with the group split between Alien, Aliens, and even Alien: Covenant.

Key Highlights
[00:14] Science of Scare #24: The hosts introduce Alien as the 24th scariest movie according to science, noting its immense influence on sci-fi and horror.
[06:23] The Chestburster Scene: A deep dive into the legendary scene where the alien bursts out of Kane's chest, which the crew agrees is still anxiety-inducing today.
[07:45] Practical Effects vs. Budget: The team marvels at the quality of the sets and creature effects achieved with an $11 million budget in 1979, comparing it favorably to modern CGI.
[15:04] The Egg Chamber: A discussion on the creepy translucency of the alien eggs and the "facehugger" attack, highlighting the brilliant design work.
[36:02] The Jump Scare: Josh shares his favorite scare involving Dallas in the air ducts, where the alien suddenly appears from the darkness with just a reach of its hand.
[39:15] The Android Twist: The crew reacts to the shocking reveal that Ash was an android sent to ensure the alien's survival at the expense of the crew.

In this episode, the hosts discuss the movie 'No One Will Save You' and its unique lack of dialogue. They explore the background of the director and cast, as well as the film's success and critical acclaim. The hosts delve into the emotional impact of the movie and the investment in the main character. They also discuss the intellectual themes and interpretation of the ending. The budget and effects of the film are examined, along with the structure of the acts. The hosts share their childhood movie experiences and the impact of those films on their love for movies. In this conversation, Aaron and Jeremy discuss their childhood dreams and nightmares, including a vivid dream involving Freddy Krueger. They also reminisce about a horror movie called 'Ticks' that scared them as kids. The conversation then shifts to their memories of watching horror movies in their childhood home. They end the conversation by discussing their plans for future movie discussions.

Takeaways

• The movie 'No One Will Save You' is unique in its lack of dialogue, relying on visual storytelling to convey the narrative.
• The film's director, Brian Duffield, is known for his work in the horror and science fiction genres.
• The movie explores intellectual themes and leaves room for interpretation, making it a thought-provoking viewing experience.
• Childhood movie experiences can have a lasting impact on one's love for movies and storytelling. Childhood dreams and nightmares can have a lasting impact on our memories.
• Certain horror movies from our childhood can still scare us as adults.
• Watching horror movies together can create lasting memories and bonding experiences.
• Planning future movie discussions can be exciting and engaging.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Change of Movie

01:00 Movie Background and Lack of Dialogue

02:11 Director and Cast

03:00 Viewer Experience and Emotional Impact

04:08 The Blacklist and Film Success

05:25 Act Structure and Storytelling

06:24 Alien Design and Intellectual Themes

07:31 Realistic Alien Invasion

08:20 Investment in Characters

09:03 Ending and Interpretation

10:25 Movie Budget and Effects

11:54 Short Act One and Act Two

13:53 Intellectual Nature of the Film

14:49 Audience Reactions and Interpretation

15:38 Recommendation and Accessibility

16:56 Alien Design and Storytelling

18:48 Childhood Movie Experiences

19:48 Lack of Dialogue and Supporting Characters

20:33 Director's Previous Work

22:26 Childhood Movie Rental Experiences

23:53 Family Background and Love for Movies

26:43 Impact of Childhood Movie Experiences

28:59 Movies that Scared Them as Kids

30:57 Childhood Dreams and Nightmares

34:35 The Movie 'Ticks'

39:05 Horror Movies and Childhood Memories

41:33 Future Movie Plans

43:42 Closing Remarks

In this interview, Victoria Bell, the writer, director, and star of the movie 'Heir of the Witch,' discusses her inspiration and challenges in making the film. She explains how she combined her Eastern European and Hollywood influences to create her own unique style. Victoria also shares the personal story behind the movie and the difficulties she faced filming during the COVID-19 pandemic. She talks about the challenges of being both the lead actress and director, as well as the importance of teamwork in filmmaking. Victoria reveals her favorite and most difficult scenes to shoot and discusses her future plans as a filmmaker. She offers advice for aspiring filmmakers and shares the message she hopes viewers take away from the movie.

Takeaways

• Combining different influences and personal experiences can result in a unique and authentic filmmaking style.
• Filming during the COVID-19 pandemic presented numerous challenges, but with strict safety measures and a dedicated team, it was possible to complete the project.
• Being both the lead actress and director requires balancing different roles and responsibilities, but creating a supportive and collaborative environment is crucial.
• Filmmaking is a constant learning process, and even without formal training, passion and dedication can lead to successful projects.
• Indie filmmaking involves not only creating the film but also navigating the challenges of distribution and getting the movie seen by a wider audience.
• Consistency and perseverance are key for aspiring filmmakers, as every day should be dedicated to working towards their goals.
• The message of 'Heir of the Witch' is that our actions have consequences, and there is always a battle between good and bad in the world.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Movie Screening

01:18 Film Inspiration and Style

03:21 Choosing Horror Genre and Personal Story

06:19 Challenges of Filming During COVID-19

07:07 Challenges of Being Lead Actress and Director

09:21 Switching Roles and Leading the Team

13:42 Favorite and Most Difficult Scenes to Shoot

18:21 Indie Filmmaking and Distribution Challenges

20:07 Future Plans as a Filmmaker

23:05 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers

25:33 Message for Viewers and Movie Availability

28:21 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode, the hosts discuss the recently released horror film Saw X. They provide background information on the film, including its connection to previous installments in the Saw series. The hosts also discuss the director, writers, and cast of the film. They share their personal connections to the cast members and highlight Tobin Bell's performance. The hosts discuss the production and release of the film, as well as its positive reception. They share their overall impressions and discuss how the film compares to the TV show Dexter. The hosts delve into specific scenes, including the opening trap with the custodian, and discuss Jigsaw's motivations. They also address logical flaws in the timeline of the film. In this part of the conversation, the hosts discuss the different kills and traps in the movie Saw X. They start by talking about the transition from Act 1 to Act 2, where the main character, Henry, realizes he has been conned. They then discuss the first kill, Diego, and how he survives the trap. The hosts also discuss the second kill, Valentina, and the gruesome task she has to complete. They move on to the third kill, Mateo, and the time limit he has to remove part of his brain. The fourth kill, Gabriella, is also discussed, and the hosts question the reasoning behind her punishment. Finally, they discuss the final trap and the climax of the movie. In this episode, the hosts discuss the movie Saw X and analyze various aspects of the plot and characters. They explore the use of foreshadowing and unexpected twists in the film, highlighting a scene where the main character learns the word 'pull' in Spanish, which becomes significant later on. They also discuss the final trap in the movie and the flaws in its design. The hosts mention a mid-credit scene that sets up future installments in the Saw franchise. They conclude the episode by sharing their thoughts on upcoming episodes and thanking the listeners for their support.

Takeaways

• Saw X is the tenth installment in the Saw film series and serves as both a direct sequel to the first Saw movie and a prequel to Saw 2.
• The film received mostly positive reviews, with praise for Tobin Bell's performance.
• The hosts appreciated the character development in the first act of the film, which provided insight into Jigsaw's motivations.
• There were some logical flaws in the timeline of the film, but the hosts acknowledged that such flaws are common in horror movies. The transition from Act 1 to Act 2 occurs when the main character, Henry, realizes he has been conned.
• The kills and traps in Saw V are gruesome and involve time limits for the victims to complete their tasks.
• The hosts question the reasoning behind some of the punishments, particularly in the case of Gabriella.
• The final trap and climax of the movie are intense and involve a teeter-totter mechanism.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Spoiler Warning

01:21 Background of Saw X

02:16 Director and Writer Information

03:22 Cast and Characters

05:16 Personal Connections to the Cast

07:13 Film Production and Release

08:41 Positive Reception and Tobin Bell's Performance

10:35 Overall Impressions and Favorite Installment

11:39 Comparison to Dexter

13:22 Opening Scene and Jigsaw's Mindset

14:27 Trap with the Custodian

15:30 Support Group and Jigsaw's Motivations

19:24 Character Development in the First Act

21:53 Logical Flaws in the Timeline

26:10 Introduction and Act 1

27:36 Transition to Act 2

30:24 First Kill: Diego

34:09 Second Kill: Valentina

35:07 Third Kill: Mateo

39:05 Fourth Kill: Gabriella

43:36 Transition to Act 3

51:01 Final Trap and Climax

52:59 Foreshadowing and Unexpected Twists

55:51 The Final Trap

56:12 Flaws in the Game

58:03 The Mid-Credit Scene

01:00:12 John and Mark Hoffman

01:01:53 The Impact of Taylor Swift

01:03:49 Upcoming Episodes

01:07:34 Conclusion

The conversation methodically reviews various aspects of the movie, including favorite and worst kill scenes, the worst death in the movie, theories about Childs and the ending, discussion of special effects and John Carpenter's work, casting considerations, and other actors considered for roles. In this episode, the hosts discuss their thoughts on the movie 'The Thing' and express their excitement for upcoming episodes. They also mention their plans to interview a director, star, and writer in a future podcast. The episode concludes with a preview of the next episode, which will focus on 'Saw X'.

Takeaways

• The movie features memorable kill scenes, with unexpected twists and impressive special effects.
• The death of Windows is considered one of the worst in the movie due to his inaction and missed opportunities to defend himself.
• Theories about Childs being a thing or not are inconclusive, but the ending suggests that both MacReady and Childs may have sacrificed themselves to prevent the spread of the alien.
• The special effects in the movie were praised, and the discussion highlights the work of the special effects artist and his collaborations with John Carpenter.
• The casting choices, particularly Kurt Russell as MacReady, were well-received, and other actors considered for roles include Christopher Walken, Jeff Bridges, and Nick Nolte. The hosts have a nostalgic appreciation for the movie 'The Thing' due to its combination of sci-fi and horror.
• The podcast will feature an interview with a director, star, and writer in an upcoming episode.
• The hosts express their excitement for future episodes and the opportunity to discuss new movies.
• The next episode will focus on 'Saw X', and the hosts anticipate discussing the death scenes and torture porn elements of the film.

Chapters

00:00 Discussion of Favorite and Worst Kill Scenes

32:11 The Worst Death in the Movie

36:30 Theories about Childs and the Ending

39:29 Discussion of Special Effects and John Carpenter's Work

45:08 Casting Considerations and Kurt Russell's Role

49:01 Other Actors Considered for Roles

50:48 Discussion of the Movie

51:35 Upcoming Podcasts

52:23 Excitement for Future Episodes

53:04 Conclusion and Preview of Saw 10

In this part of the conversation, the hosts discuss their lack of connection with the main character and the cultural differences portrayed in the film. They also highlight the importance of family and relationships in the story. The third act is identified as the start of the climax, and the power of prayer is discussed in relation to the demon. The conversation briefly digresses to talk about the worst movies they've seen before returning to discuss their favorite scenes in the film. In this episode, the hosts discuss their thoughts on the appearance of the monsters in the movie and how it was influenced by a low budget production. They also talk about the predictable ending and compare the movie to Nightmare on Elm Street. The hosts share their favorite movies to rewatch and announce the next movie discussion on The Thing. They conclude the episode with closing remarks.

Takeaways

• The appearance of the monsters in the movie was influenced by the low budget production.
• The ending of the movie was predictable.
• The hosts share their favorite movies to rewatch.
• The next movie discussion will be on The Thing.

Chapters

00:00 Lack of Connection with the Main Character

30:13 Cultural Differences and Americanization

34:42 The Importance of Family and Relationships

38:40 The Start of the Third Act

41:01 The Demon and the Power of Prayer

46:57 Worst Movies and Digressions

47:19 The Climax and Favorite Scenes

48:46 Technical Difficulties

49:35 The Appearance of the Monsters

50:18 Low Budget Production

52:16 Rescuing the Unconscious

52:49 The Peshosh

53:45 Predictable Ending

56:29 Comparison to Nightmare on Elm Street

57:13 Low Theater Attendance

59:48 Would You Watch It Again?

01:01:14 Favorite Movies to Rewatch

01:02:38 Next Movie Discussion: The Thing

01:04:41 Upcoming Movie Discussion: Saw 10

01:05:12 Closing Remarks