Welcome to Horror

It’s time for that summer break you deserve, as we turn our attention to Lady Jennifer’s Birthday choice - Ben Wheatley’s magnificent “Sightseers”.

A film which teaches you that G.B.H. stands for Great British Holiday; that dogs and knitting don’t mix; and that, at a push, faecal matter can be an interesting alternative to lipstick.

The minds of writers/stars Alice Lowe and Steve Oram blend perfectly with director Ben Wheatley’s cinematic (and sometimes brutal) vision in this pitch black comedy that pulls no punches; transposing the serial killer road movie over the mundanity of a pair of British misfits on a camping holiday. A film for anyone who knows that true horror is being trapped in a caravan, having a row, in the pouring rain.

Watch (or re-watch) to avoid spoilers and join us.

We’re taking a look at another “locally-sourced” horror; the time-tangled psychedelic noir that is “Burnt Flowers” from Director/Writer/Actor Michael Fausti.

Spanning across 3 eras, a Police Detective on a missing person’s case in the 90s finds it somehow links to a series of unsolved murders around the shady world of 60s gangland, and also to her own family past.

As this is a new film that’s still making waves at various Festivals, this episode is in two stages; first off a general discussion, hopefully giving you an idea of what the film is like, and then we’ll give you fair warning before moving into spoilers.

This is a whole-hearted recommended watch from the Welcome To Horror team, and if you get the chance, we urge you to check it out. With a magnificent cast, a haunting premise and a cinematic look and flair that surpasses it’s small budget and then some; this is a real treat for seekers of the smart and strange in horror.

Watch (or re-watch) to avoid spoilers and join us.

It’s taken far too long, but here we go with The Chiodo Brothers’ “Killer Klowns From Outer Space”.

A film in which Dean Wormer is still having trouble with disrespectful young punks; we discover quite how bad popcorn can be for your health; and reveal the safest place to hide in an ice cream van, in the event of an explosion.

A perennial of the video shop, and many a young horror fan’s gateway to the genre; “Killer Klowns…” still looks magnificent, mostly due to the Chiodo Brothers’ mastery of practical effects and unique style. Embracing its B-Movie premise (it’s similarities to “The Blob” are marked), with performances to match; this film knows its ridiculous and revels in it’s cartoonish silliness.

Watch (or re-watch) to avoid spoilers and join us.

We turn our attention to a cracking little historical horror from Actor, Director, Writer (and all round top bloke) Andrew Elias.

“Tales From The Great War” begins with 4 British soldiers stationed in the trenches of the Western Front being “volunteered” for a mission behind German lines, where, it soon transpires, things more terrible than the enemy are stalking the blasted landscape.

The narrative shifts in time at various points to give us the separate back stories of how these individuals ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time; before tying all of them together.

This episode is in two stages, at first we attempt to give a flavour of what to expect and then we’ll warn you as we move into spoiler territory.

Be under no doubt, we all highly recommend you seek this film out (it is currently available for rent on Amazon) - it’s small budget belies its quality and polish, with a strong script and an excellent cast (including some familiar faces) this is a real gem, that manages to pack more into its 60 minute run time than some movies manage in 3 hours.

Watch (or re-watch) to avoid spoilers and join us.

It’s our 200th episode (well, it’s actually our 246th, but who’s counting?) and to celebrate we’re holding the inaugural Welcome To Horror Hall of Fame Awards (or “Welkies” as all the cool kids are calling them).

Lee, Chris and Adam have chosen favourites from 4 categories - best trope, best performance, best film and best cinema experience.

No prep needed here, just join us for the ceremony live from Essex’s glittering west end, and see if you agree with our choices.

Here’s Adam with a bonus episode of all the facts and gubbins we didn’t quite get to on our “The World’s End” episode.

We recommend that you listen to our main episode (number 199!) first, before diving into this moras of info; and take a shot every time he manages to crowbar in a mention of Doctor Who.

We hope you enjoy this little transmission from the Welcome To Horror Fact Library

It’s the conclusion of our watch through of Edgar Wright’s Cornetto Trilogy as we reach “The World’s End”.

A film in which we learn what that thing above the door is called; another Bond gets the chance at some classy villainy; and we can all acknowledge that the Sisters of Mercy are fucking awesome.

The Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy ends by combining the story of five school friends growing apart, with a sci-fi conspiracy of body-snatching alien invaders. There’s a few new faces in the cast, but essentially this is a victory lap for many of those we’ve seen before. Whilst it may be the lesser of the three films, that’s still no slight when you consider the quality of the first two. Still funny, still wonderfully executed, and possibly the best way to round things off, this is still great movie, even if it doesn’t quite match the dizzying heights of its predecessors.

Watch (or re-watch) to avoid spoilers and join us.

Adam brings us another bonus episode of random facts and things about “Hot Fuzz” that we didn’t quite get round to on our main episode.

This time round he overuses the word “stalwart” and, once again, recommends you listen to the main episode first!

We hope you enjoy this little transmission from the Welcome To Horror Fact Library

It’s part 2 of Edgar Wright’s Cornetto Trilogy, which means we get to make a hot fuss about Hot Fuzz!

A film which features four Oscar winners, only two of whom are actually credited; James Bond retrospectively auditioning to be a Columbo villain; and even if we don’t see a dog look up, we do see a Hound say “Yarp”.

Whilst “Hot Fuzz” is an exceedingly British spin on the very American sub genre of the buddy cop action movie; it also borders fantastically into the familiar trappings of folk horror; with our hero moving to an insular village of spiteful Daily Mail readers, willing to sacrifice anyone and everyone for “the greater good.”

With some returnees from “Shaun of the Dead”, along with more 90s/00s comedy stalwarts and a whole host of distinguished British characters actors; this movie maintains the momentum of its predecessor without ever being in its shadow, and, most importantly, is as funny as fuck.

Watch (or re-watch) to avoid spoilers and join us.

Welcome To Horror - 6 Feet Deeper: “Shaun of the Dead” Here’s a little bonus episode from Adam of facts and things that we didn’t quite get round to on our main episode on Shaun of the Dead.

He apologises in advance for over use of the word “fantastic”, and warns that you should definitely listen to our main episode first, as this is a collection of random stuff that was thrown up whilst researching the film.

This may become a semi-regular addition to the main show in those circumstances that we have too much information to get through on an episode, so hope you enjoy this little transmission from the Welcome To Horror Fact Library.