Derek and J.R. cover that rare thing: a horror movie written for adults. What, we cover a GOOD horror movie, you say? Why yes, although they are almost as rare as a ghost recording captured by a stone, they do exist! Shame that the "stone tape theory" to explain ghost hauntings propounded by kooks in the wake of this movie is such goofy nonsense.
Episode 233 - Folk Horror 1: The Blood on Satan's Claw (1971)
It's the harvest season, and that means folk horror. Just hope you don't harvest DEMONIC EVIL (or is it Satan?) like the townsfolk of our first film, 1971's Blood on Satan's Claw, part of the "unholy trinity" of British folk horror. Quake at the pagan horror, the attempt to smush three separate stories into one, and also at the production teams' quotes about 17 year old actress Linda Hayden, which didn't age too well.
Episode 232 - The Dark Descent, Roundup
Let's be honest, reading classic horror can feel sometimes like eating your literary vegetables. The duo swiftly go through "The Dark Descent," the famous anthology, and give you the skinny on what classic horror stories (many in the public domain and free online) are worth reading. Consider it a public service.
Episode 231 - The Dark Descent, Part 3
The duo discuss two stories dealing with the unknowable and ambiguous. J.R. covers "Seaton's Aunt" by Walter de le Mare, about a mysterious aunt who may or may not be in league with the Devil, a story which H.P. Lovecraft described as containing "a noxious background of malignant vampirism." Derek picks Fritz Lieber's highly influential "Smoke Ghost," about the subconscious anxieties of 1940's America manifesting in . .. well, a ghost made of smoke. Fight ambiguity and indecision by decisively deciding to listen to this episode!
Episode 230 - The Dark Descent, Part 2
The duo discuss two psychological stories from the Dark Descent. J.R. selects "How Love Came to Professor Guildea," about a stone-cold researcher pursued by an idiotic, affectionate ghost, and the experiments undertaken to prove it. Derek goes NYCsploitation and selects "The Roaches," about an overburdened woman and her psychic relationship with NYC's official animal. Also, digressions into space psychosis, Tank Girl, and general angst, as one should expect.
Episode 229 - The Dark Descent, Part 1
The duo return to short fiction with story picks from the "Color of Evil '' section in the influential 1987 anthology "The Dark Descent," which aimed to chart the development of the horror short story. J.R. goes for the offbeat choice of "If Damon Comes" by Charles Grant, where Derek picks the stone-cold classic "The Summer People" by Shirley Jackson.
Episode 228 - Why Are They Still Making Rape-Revenge Films?
Just the feel good genre you want to hear two guys talk about right? The boys ponder why there is anything else left to be said, outside of subversions, about this most distasteful of genres. Not a particular chucklefest.
Episode 227 - The Bonkers Twist in Horror Films
You know when you’re just sitting around, watching some new movie you know nothing about, when suddenly it takes the express train to bonkersville? The boys break down some truly gonzo switcheroos in horror films and why they do or do not work. Unsurprisingly, spoilers.
Episode 226 - The Revenge of Matthew M. Bartlett
The duo talk with Mathew Bartlett, author of "Gateways to Abomination" and "Creeping Waves," about his decision to live the dream by quitting his job and writing monthly chapbooks for a living. How's this wild plan going? Why not sign up for his monthly chapbook series and find out for yourself. But listen to this first.
Episode 225 - The Vigil (2019)
If covering recent religious horror, why not a Jewish one, eh? Would that be so hard? The duo cover The Vigil (2019), about a Jewish man haunted by a demon while keeping vigil over a dead body. And perhaps his OWN DEMONS as well, as that's how metaphors work. J.R. teaches Derek about the difference between Reform and Orthodox Jews and about the actors apparently required to appear in any movies about Jews.
Episode 224 - Horror Roundup, August 2021, Part 2
August rolls on with another live recording, and another mild audio issue. Good thing in depth reviewing of horror films trumps aural regrets! The boys cover the satanic elderly in Everything For Jackson, teenage girl Vince Vaughn in Freaky, and M.R. James' Night of the Demon v. Curse of the Demon. Put your Shudder and HBOMAX accounts to good use and check them out.
Episode 223 - Horror Roundup, August 2021, Part 1
The boys are recording live in NYC, and learning the hard way that the Yeti microphone “Interview” setting is not great. They also learn that Midnight Meat Trains aren’t the only thing you need to fear in the subway, and talk about the films Caveat and The Wolf of Snow Hollow. There’s a hurricane too, but the true natural disaster was what happens when you eat garbage food for 4 days straight…
Episode 222 - Saint Maud (2019)
Finally, the duo covers a movie J.R. is excited to see: "Saint Maud," the critically acclaimed 2019 film which is in the genre J.R. loves: psychologically unstable person with grand plans spiraling toward doom. But count on ole' Derek to spoil the party with his naysaying. Have a listen, and stay for the bickering about movie length!
Episode 221 - Night Tide (1961)
Ride the calming seas with us as we discuss the quaint 1961 fantasy-horror movie "Night Tide," where a young Dennis Hopper stars as a sailor in love with someone who is either a murderous mermaid, or just a poor girl abducted from her Greek island. It's arguably not a horror movie, unless you consider the horror of what turned this innocent Dennis Hopper into the drug-snorting maniac we all knew him to be.
Episode 220 - Carnival of Souls (1962)
The boys are back! Unfortunately, after a drag racing incident they are now followed by a mysterious ghoul... Tune in this week for coverage of 1962's Carnival of Souls, available wherever movies with questionable legal ownership can be found!
Classic THoNaH: Episode 1 - The First Episode
NEW EPISODES NEXT WEEK!!! But until then, let’s go back in time to our very first episode from the halcyon days of 2016. See where it all began this week, and then see where it all ends next…
Classic THoNaH: Episode 161 - Color Out Of Space (2019)
We're back with fresh episodes in two weeks, but for now enjoy our classic recap of Richard Stanley's 2019 film adaptation of Color Out Of Space. 27 years since last directing a film, and probably another 27 before he does again...
Classic THoNaH: Episode 135 - Creature From The Black LaJune 1: The Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954)
JR is almost back, so new episodes on August 4th! In the meantime, please enjoy our Creature From The Black LaJune series in LaJuly. It's as weak a pun now as it was then.
Classic THoNaH: Episode 107 - Underseen Lovecraftian Horror 2: Spider Labyrinth
Cryptical messages only from JR this week, so I guess another classic episode. If your fondness for Lovecraftian-themes like forbidden cults and secret Gods renders you particularly tolerant and forgiving check out Spider Labyrinth.
Classic THoNaH: Episode 97 - Giant Killer Animals 4: Razorback (1984)
No news on JR this week, mostly because "The Man" won't let me get within 1000 feet of him. Did you know that the "R" in "JR" is for "Razorback"? It's cannon now, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy this episode, which we sure did.