Slashers Podcast

By Slashers PodcastTV & Film

Slashers Podcast episodes

December 16, 2019 The 13th Warrior (1999)
I can feel your confusion radiating through time and space. Sword and sorcery on a horror podcast? Now wait one sanctimonious second! First off, it is based on a book by Michael Crichton named EATERS OF THE DEAD, which aside from being totally metal, is also pretty horrific. The book is about cannibalistic cavemen that torment viking villages dressed like the monster from The Village. Next, they use swords, which means? Yes, they are literal SLASHERS!
Now, the original cut of the film by John McTiernan (Die Hard, Predator, Last Action Hero) was more horror, as evidenced by an abandoned movie trailer, which resurfaced online. That cut was deemed "unwatchable" by author/ producer, Crichton, who took over reshoots and changed the name to The 13th Warrior. We get into the reasoning behind that name change on the show. McTiernan later went to prison for wiretapping in relation to the Rollerball remake, so this was probably for the best.
Crichton not only changed the pacing of the film, cutting the run time by almost a half hour, but he also replaced Graeme Revell (The Crow, From Dusk Till Dawn, Freddy vs Jason) with Jerry Goldsmith (Alien , Poltergeist, Gremlins). We get into the comparisons of the two soundtracks.
The film stars Antonio Banderas (Desperado, Interview with a Vampire, The Mask of Zorro) as Ahmad ibn Fadlan. Fadlan was a real-life Muslim traveler who ventured into Scandinavia and provided a tremendous account of viking funeral rites. Banderas is joined by a bunch of giant white dudes, whose names are too hard to spell and frankly aren't worth the metadata.
The narrative follows Fadlan, almost like an Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, as he goes on a quest beyond his historical counterpart, into a bizarre situation where he is basically ordered by a soothsayer to accompany a band of vikings as The 13th Warrior.
This episode is very fact-intensive. We cross-reference the original Fadlan manuscript with Norse Mythology, and Eaters of the Dead. Plus, you get to hear Jake make bold claims, like that the second half of this film is as good, if not better, than The Lord of the Rings, all while mispronouncing virtually every character's name!
This week's "Hidden Track" is Faerie Ring, with their song: Heavy Trip. This song comes from their album The Clearing. The first 20 fans that message [email protected] with the secret password and we will reply with a download code to get that album FOR FREE!
You can find them at https://faeriering.bandcamp.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/faerie_ring/
If you ever have feedback or recommendations on future episodes, please let us know at [email protected]. You can always find us on our social media: Instagram, Twitter, Slasher App: @slasherspod Facebook: /slasherspod Reddit: u/slasherspod https://www.youtube.com/c/slasherspodcast

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2 hr 11 min
December 09, 2019 Gremlins (1984)
Imagine you're Chris Columbus, y'know, the dude who wrote The Goonies, but before that. Oh, and before you directed Home Alone... and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York... and two Harry Potter Films... and Adventures in Babysitting. Imagine you are living in squalor and the rats in your New York City apartment inspire you to write about creepy crawlers. Then, suppose Steven Spielberg, director of Jaws, E.T., and Indiana Jones buys that script and wants to produce it. Without that almost unfathomably unlikely series of events, we would not have this week's episode on Gremlins.
Columbus' initial draft of the script was much grimmer, featuring the death of Barney, our hero's beloved pup, decapitations, and much more. The script underwent many rewrites, with several members of the cast and crew indicating they settled around 10!
Directed by Joe Dante (Piranha, The Howling, Masters of Horror) this small budget holiday film was an incredible financial success, spawning a sequel and two international theme park rides!
The special effects were by Chris Walas (The Fly, Return of the Jedi, Humanoids from the Deep), who proudly boasted that many effects in the final cut of the film were developed just the day before shooting. There were so many puppets and practical effects in the film that they lost count. In several sequences, puppeteers had to have a puppet on each hand and even on top of their heads!
Zach Galligan (Waxwork, Hatchet 3, Nightbeasts) plays Billy Peltzer. Billy has aspirations of much more than being a bank teller and is entrusted with great responsibility by his father, played by Hoyt Axton, when he is given an incredibly unique Christmas present. Gizmo, Billy's Christmas present, is played by Howie Mandel (Little Monsters).
Phoebe Cates (Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Drop Dead Fred) plays basically the antithetical role to her red-bikini-wearing seductress, and plays Kate, a well-intentioned, hard working small town girl. She also gives one of, if not my absolute favorite monologues in all of film history.
Corey Feldman play's Billy's friend, Pete. If you are confused as to why Billy is so much older than his little friend (*in Scarface voice*) it is because Billy was originally the same age, until he was aged in later drafts of the script.
The film has some astounding cameo talent from the late Dick Miller to Judge Reinhold. While the movie is all the better for it, unfortunately the majority of Reinhold's part was cut, as the unnecessary real estate subplot was left on the cutting room floor. Miller, who plays the somewhat soothsaying Murray Futterman, was so excellent in this bit part that he was brought back for the sequel: Gremlins 2: The New Batch.
In this episode, we review the film delve into the history and trivia, and Jake gives his hair-brained theory as to why this film, The Howling, and Indiana Jones are all in a shared universe. We also take excerpts from the very bizarre novelization of the film by George Gipe. Gipe also did novelizations for Back to the Future and Explorers! By this point, he had also written The Man with Two Brains!
This week's "Hidden Track" is Bone Church with their song: Pale Moon Sacrifice.
https://bonechurch1.bandcamp.com/ ; https://www.facebook.com/bonexchurch/
Also, be sure to check out Danny Bones' podcast: https://themoviesnack.blubrry.net/author/themoviesnack/
If you ever have feedback or recommendations on future episodes, please let us know at [email protected]. You can always find us on our social media: Instagram, Twitter, Slasher App: @slasherspod Facebook: /slasherspod Reddit: u/slasherspod https://www.youtube.com/c/slasherspodcast

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1 hr 43 min
December 02, 2019 Phantoms (1998)
Let's start off December with a chilling tale of mountain horror, brought to you by Dean R. Koontz! His novel, Phantoms, pre-dated Stephen King's IT and there are so many similarities, it borders on suspicious. An ancient creature, that can shapeshift, hires lackeys to do its bidding, travels through the sewers, and systematically preys on a small town. There are more similarities between Pennywise and "The Ancient Enemy" of course, and we get into them!
We also discuss the similarities between H.P. Lovecraft's Nyarlathotep and The Ancient Enemy.
As for film references, there is also John Carpenter's The Thing and The Blob. Do we talk about them? Shit yeah!
Joanna Going plays Dr. Jennifer Pailey, who is brining her kid sister, Lisa (Rose McGowan, Scream, Planet Terror) home with her. When they arrive, the find the housekeeper is dead, and even the good doctor cannot discern why or how. They go to the police department, finding another corpse in similar fashion.
Along the way, they meet up with Sheriff Bryce Hammond (Ben Affleck, Argo, Justice League) and two deputies, Steve Shanning (Nicky Katt, Sin City, Boiler Room) and Stu Wargle (Liev Shreiber, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Ray Donovan). The shapeshifting evil begins picking off the gang until Dr. Timothy Flyte (Peter O'Toole, Lawrence of Arabia, Troy) is brought in as the resident expert in mass disappearances.
The entity enlists Flyte to be his apostle, spreading its gospel, but in its hubris, gives the necessary insight as to overcome the Ancient Enemy.
This week's "Hidden Track" is by DJ KWEST. You can find his music on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djkwesty and his social media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/i_am_kwestmusic/
horror, movie review, discussion, behind the scenes, history, movie production, special effects

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1 hr 59 min
November 28, 2019 Bonus: Artik Q&A
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we would like to share our gratitude for all of our loyal listeners and give you a bonus episode! This is a Q&A we did recently at a screening of Artik with director, Tom Botchii, actors, Jerry G. Angelo and Matt Mercer, and cinematographer, Martin Moody.
Even if you haven't seen the film, it is an interesting discussion. Learn how Tom basically bankrolled the movie himself, rather than wait patiently for studio involvement. Plus, get a glimpse into Tom's writing process and his inspiration from his experiences working on Marvel films. Learn the process that Jerry and Matt took in approaching the material. Also, Martin goes into detail in his method and gives glimpses into some technical aspects of the film you may have missed!
If you ever have feedback or recommendations on future episodes, please let us know at [email protected]. You can always find us on our social media: Instagram, Twitter, Slasher App: @slasherspod Facebook: /slasherspod Reddit: u/slasherspod https://www.youtube.com/c/slasherspodcast

horror, movie review, commentary, behind the scenes, trivia, movie production

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43 min
November 25, 2019 Little Monsters (2019)
No, not the movie where they buried Howie Mandel in blue makeup and prostheses and put him across from Fred Savage, the flick with Academy Award Winning actress, Lupita Nyong'o!
Fresh off her award-winning performance in 12 Years a Slave, which-- oh yeah, was her feature film debut! Lupita opted to try out comedy in an absurd dark comedy, which adds rabid fourth graders to the classic Rom Zom formula, mastered by Peter Jackson (Dead Alive/ Brain Dead) and Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead). She credits her massively jacked shoulders from her work on Black Panther, just months before.
Written and directed by Abe Forsythe, a filmmaker who previously had no aspirations of making a Rom Zom. The story was organically conceived when he dropped his son, who has severe food allergies, off with his primary school teacher. While on a field trip, Forsythe wondered to himself if a zombie outbreak started at that very instant, if his son and his classmates would be safe. Forsythe was so impressed with his son's teacher, the answer was resoundingly yes. Since recording this episode, it was confirmed he is set to direct a new installment in the RoboCop franchise: Robocop Returns, rumored to have Peter Weller returning as the titular character.
Opposite Lupita is Alexander England as "Uncle David" Anderson. England had previously been in Down Under, also directed by Abe Forsythe.
While Josh Gad joked that this film would equate to career suicide, it seemed to be a return to his roots on The Book of Mormon. Perhaps best known as Olaf in Frozen, Gad plays the jaded children's star Teddy McGiggle, whose crowning achievement is sleeping with as many single moms as possible.
This week's "Hidden Track" is Them! by Francis Hollow. The EP it's on, "The Darkness and All It's Friends," is a tribute to horror movies from the 1920's - 1950's from a more modern music perspective. Each song is based around a different movie (in order) The Wolf Man (1941), THEM! (1954), Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), and Nosferatu (1922). The artwork was done in collaboration with Spanish Artist Nache Ramos, more of his work can be found at https://nacheramos.tumblr.com/. Francis Hollow can be
If you ever have feedback or recommendations on future episodes, please let us know at [email protected]. You can always find us on our social media: Instagram, Twitter, Slasher App: @slasherspod Facebook: /slasherspod Reddit: u/slasherspod https://www.youtube.com/c/slasherspodcast
zombies, the walking dead, monster movie, horror, movie review, commentary, behind the scenes, trivia, movie production

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1 hr 31 min
November 18, 2019 Hammer Films
Some have called it "The Studio that Dripped Blood," and for good reason; Hammer Films was one of the most prolific horror production companies of all time and its legacy has permeated many forms of media, whether acknowledged or not. Founded by William Hinds and James Carreras, Hammer Film Productions, Ltd. was initially in the business of "quota quickies," which were cheap and uninspired filler films.
After being presented with a film project to rejuvenate the Frankenstein brand, the studio opted to make their own, since Mary Shelly's work was already in the public domain. With The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), the film company rebranded to almost exclusively guts and gore forevermore. Their next foray was Dracula (1958), which also starred Christopher Lee as the monster.
In The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958), rather than the monster reappearing as he had in the many Universal Monster films, it was Dr. Frankenstein. The Evil of Frankenstein (1964) had Peter Cushing return to his mad scientist. Frankenstein Created Woman (1967) was odd and bad, but worth seeing. Frankenstein Must be Destroyed (1969) had some high points. Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974) featured some adept makeup and effect work.
Christopher Lee played yet another monster, which was also played by the prolific Boris Karloff, the titular mummy in The Mummy (1959).
The Brides of Dracula (1960) was a well received blend of sex and violence. The Curse of the Werewolf (1961) was sadly the studio's only werewolf film. The Phantom of the Opera (1962) was somewhat cursed from the outset, having originally been conceived for Cary Grant before he backed out. Delving into more mythic subject matter, The Gorgon (1964) had some fun practical effects for Medusa and her serpent hair.
Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966), Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968), Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970), Scars of Dracula (1970), The Vampire Lovers (1970), Dracula AD 1972 (1972), and The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973).
The Plague of the Zombies (1966) has some charm. The Reptile (1966) was a schlocky, but well made, creature feature. The Mummy's Shroud (1967)
Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde (1971) was arguably before its time, touching on gender norms.
This week's "Hidden Track" is Silent Horror. Their new album can be found here: https://silenthorror.bigcartel.com/.
If you ever have feedback or recommendations on future episodes, please let us know at [email protected]. You can always find us on our social media: Instagram, Twitter, Slasher App: @slasherspod Facebook: /slasherspod Reddit: u/slasherspod https://www.youtube.com/c/slasherspodcast

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1 hr 39 min
November 11, 2019 Yokai
Yōkai (妖怪, ghost, phantom, strange apparition), the term is basically a catchall for Japanese supernatural monsters, spirits, and demons in folklore. The word itself is made up of the kanji for "bewitching; attractive; calamity" and "spectre; apparition; mystery; suspicious."
Yokai were apparently the first monumental monster card game, pre-dating Pokemon by about a thousand years. Yokai have spawned comics, video games, cartoons, movies, media, and collectibles.
There are many subsets of Yokai, including oni, tengu, tsukumogami, and yūrei. In this episode, we break down the history of these creatures, and how they are
Jake's favorite yokai are kappa, smaller amphibious creatures with bowls of water atop their heads.
Shirime are faceless humanoids with a gaping eye where their gaping butthole should be.
Ashiaraiyahiki are giant feet that stomp through ceilings, commanding the inhabitants to wash them.
Gashadokuro are giant skeletons that rattle around, adding bones and bodies to their hulking forms to make them even more gigantic skeletons.
The "Hidden Track" is Hyuman with their song Battle Against a True Samurai. Their music can be found https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClrASeJSkOZIlsPkyge0gMQ ; https://soundcloud.com/user-416470441 ; and https://www.instagram.com/just_hyuman/
If you ever have feedback or recommendations on future episodes, please let us know at [email protected]. You can always find us on our social media: Instagram, Twitter, Slasher App: @slasherspod Facebook: /slasherspod Reddit: u/slasherspod https://www.youtube.com/c/slasherspodcast
monsters, cryptids, demons, ghosts, creatures, Obake, Tengu, Tsukumogami, Yamauba, Kintaro, Rokurokubi, Yurei, slit mouth woman

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1 hr 34 min
November 04, 2019 Marvel Zombies Part 2
You may recall from last episode that Marvel Zombies was conceived by Mark Millar (Kickass, Kingsmen, Wanted, Nemesis, Starlight, and The Magic Order). After his initial Ultimate Fantastic Four storyline "Crossover," he gave over the Zombies imprint to Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, Invincible) and Sean Phillips (Judge Dredd, Hellblazer, Sleeper, Criminal, Incognito, Fatale).
After Millar, Kirkman, and Phillips moved on, the franchise was picked up by Fred Van Lente (Cowboys & Aliens, Archer & Armstrong, X-Men: Noir) who actually helmed the title longer than anyone else. Artist, Kev Walker (2000 AD, Rogue Trooper, Dungeons & Dragons), took over on the penciling and gave a more modern style to Phillips' muted, classic method.
Though there are some familiar faces Van Lente's cast of characters such as Deadpool and Howard the Duck, the others are much more niche than his predecessors: Machine Man, Morbius, Jennifer Kale, Man Thing, Werewolf by Night, and Daimon Hellstrom. The Inhumans also appear, with a gutsy end for the beloved, teleporting Lackjaw.
In Marvel Zombies Return, Van Lente had help from many other prolific writers in the genre. David Wellington is both a college friend of Fred Van Lente and a prolific horror author, having penned vampire novels starring vampire hunter Laura Caxton and a zombie apocalypse trilogy: Monster Island, Monster Nation, and Monster Planet. Jonathan Maberry, is not only the author of Punisher MAX: Naked Kill and Black Panther. He also wrote the novel, Ghost Road Blues, which won a Bram Stoker award. His follow-up novel, Patient Zero, is what ultimately got him the writing assignment for Marvel Zombies. Seth Grahame-Smith is best known for Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.
Jake touches on Marvel Zombies: Evil Evolution, which involves the Marvel Apes franchise, but since he hates it, he does not belabor the point.
We round off the episode talking about Marvel Zombies 5, Marvel Zombies: Supreme, Marvel Zombies Destroy!, Marvel Zombies Halloween, Zombies Assemble, and DCeased (which, yeah-- obviously isn't Marvel, but is interesting enough to warrant a comment or two).
The "Hidden Track" for this week is Gerardo Preciado aka Ancient Order of the Droids, with his wholly original soundtrack for a movie that does not exist: Zombiria! Be sure to track his kickstarter campaign for a vinyl pressing https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/musikedidiable/zombiria-limited-edition-vinyl-soundtrack ; https://open.spotify.com/artist/5IVlx6vuJszX7AvQ2xU4Oj
Be sure to check out their upcoming album. Devices, which will release in October. If you ever have feedback or recommendations on future episodes, please let us know at [email protected]. You can always find us on our social media: Instagram, Twitter, Slasher App: @slasherspod Facebook: /slasherspod Reddit: u/slasherspod https://www.youtube.com/c/slasherspodcast
zombies, monsters, horror, Avengers, X-Men, X-Force, Heroes for Hire, The Defenders, Dead Days, Shaun of the Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, Night of the Living Dead, Return of the Living Dead, Little Monsters, S.H.I.E.L.D., Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange

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1 hr 34 min
October 28, 2019 Marvel Zombies Part 1
What started as an outwardly mocked pitch by Mark Millar in the break room at Marvel, turned into the best selling trade paper back of all time and a monumental franchise: Marvel Zombies. In this episode, Jake shows off just how deeply rooted his nerdism goes, rifling off trivia no one, not even the artists and creators who made this stuff, actually care about.
You might know Millar's name from pioneering The Ultimate Universe with Brian Michael Bendis, which was integral in creating the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Also, remember that whole Civil War thing? Yeah, that's Millar.
Moreover, his independent work has spawned very successful franchises as well: Kickass, Kingsmen, Wanted, Nemesis, Starlight, and The Magic Order.
The marketing for the initial story arc "Crossover," teased a melding of the Ultimate Universe and the traditional Marvel Universe, but in actuality, it was something much more nefarious. A young Reed Richards is duped by his machiavellian zombie dopplegangar to open up their dimension for a feast of the undead. It is up to Magneto, The Thing, The Human Torch, and Sue Storm to stop The Hunger Virus from spreading. After his initial three-issue story arch in Ultimate Fantastic Four, Millar gave over the reigns to Robert Kirkman of Walking Dead and Invincible fame.
Kirkman teamed with Sean Phillips (Judge Dredd, Hellblazer, Sleeper, Criminal, Incognito, Fatale) to create the first two installments of the Marvel Zombies runs. Their story takes place over countless lightyears, with a cast of characters including: Colonel (Captain) America, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Hawkeye, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Powerman, Iron Fist, Daredevil, Giant Man, Wasp, Black Panther, Thanos, Silver Surfer, Galactus, and so, so many more. At the time, some of these heroes were relatively obscure, but now after the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, these are household names.
In another very ambitious crossover, Marvel negotiated a deal with Dynamite Comics for a story arc wherein The Evil Dead squared off with the Marvel Dead. This story sets forth how Ash Williams and The Sentry entered the Marvel Zombies dimension at the same time, detailing much more of the unspoken substance from the other installments.
The "Hidden Track" for this week is The Rhythm Coffin: https://therhythmcoffin.bandcamp.com/
Be sure to check out their upcoming album. Devices, which will release in October. If you ever have feedback or recommendations on future episodes, please let us know at [email protected]. You can always find us on our social media: Instagram, Twitter, Slasher App: @slasherspod Facebook: /slasherspod Reddit: u/slasherspod https://www.youtube.com/c/slasherspodcast
zombies, monsters, horror, Avengers, X-Men, X-Force, Heroes for Hire, The Defenders, Dead Days, Shaun of the Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, Night of the Living Dead, Return of the Living Dead, Little Monsters, S.H.I.E.L.D.

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1 hr 27 min
October 21, 2019 The Shining (1980)
Masterpiece or abomination? According to like, 90% of people, Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is a peerless magnum opus; however, according to Stephen King and a few of his cronies, it's uglier than a naked old lady rotting in a bathtub.
Let's compare, shall we? Kubrick directed 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, and Full Metal Jacket. King directed Maximum Overdrive. Ahem... MOVING ON!
This film has been embroiled in controversy and skepticism since its debut in 1980. There are theories that span from Kubrick being a secret Nazi fascist, to a free mason, to a man plagued with silent outrage after not being able to take credit for faking the moon landing, with ten 237 other theories in between! ...or was it 217?
The film has a tremendous, albeit minimal cast. Jack Nicholson (Chinatown, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Little Shop of Horrors) kills it (pun intended) as recovering alcoholic and general louse, Jack Torrance. Torrance is the "caretaker" of the Overlook Hotel, who wants to be a part of "management," at the expense of his family and his sanity.
Shelley Duvall (Popeye, Annie Hall, Rocketman) plays his long-suffering wife, Winifred- NOT Winnie or Freddy. Scatman Crothers (Aristocats, Twilight Zone: The Movie, Transformers: The Movie) is Dick Hallorann, who enacts one of the film's greatest variances from the book- which Jake loves and Bryan hates.
This episode contrasts the book and movie, as we do with all of our King episodes. We talk the major differences, such as the Overlook Hotel exploding with Jack Torrance's hands melting to the broiler, to Jack Nicholson freezing in a hedge maze. We also talk some of the smaller variations like Tony, Danny's imaginary friend, either being a distant apparition or a chatty finger.
Also, as you can imagine, there will almost definitely be a reboot, remake, re-whatever in the future. So, we talk about elements of the movies that could work, and those, like those damn topiary animals, that just won't... ever... seriously, Stephen- just drop it.
We hope this episode will help you to prepare for Doctor Sleep, hitting theaters next month. We will be reviewing both the novel and film of that as well!
This week's "Hidden Track" is Alex Cuervo, aka Espectrostatic, fittingly with his song Shiver.
https://espectrostatic.bandcamp.com/ & http://alexcuervo.net/
If you ever have feedback or recommendations on future episodes, please let us know at [email protected]. You can always find us on our social media: Instagram, Twitter, Slasher App: @slasherspod Facebook: /slasherspod Reddit: u/slasherspod https://www.youtube.com/c/slasherspodcast
come play with us danny, ghosts, haunted, here's johnny, all work and no play makes jack a dull boy, paranormal, redrum

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2 hr