Category Archives: Discover the Horror Podcast

DtH: Episode 101 – Horror 101 with Dr. AC

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Better get your pad and pencil before you hit play on this episode. In this extra-long episode, where we go through some different sub-genres and come up with some titles that each of us feel is a good representation of that sub-genre. Not the best, but one that we feel can define that specific category. And to do that, we’ve asked Aaron Christensen, aka Dr. AC, back to the show to help us tackle this ridiculous attempt to such a task. 

Hopefully you have seen a lot of what we’re discussing, but I have a feeling there will be a few titles you never heard of, or knew about, but never got around to. Now’s your chance to start that new list! Again, these aren’t the best, but ones that we feel are pretty important, not to mention well worth your time. Okay… all set? Got your notes ready? Maybe some coffee or energy drink ready? Then hit play!

And if you haven’t already, go check out Aaron’s YouTube Channel HERE.

Titles mentioned in this episode:

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DtH Episode 100 – The Bloody Best Of!

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That’s right . . . we made it to episode 100! Taking a nod from Fangoria Magazine from back in the day, when they would put out their annual “Bloody Best Of” issue, we’re going to follow suit (in a way) by revisiting favorite moments from our previous 99.

When we published our first episode back on Oct. 5th, 2021, who knew we were going to make it this far? But we can honestly say that hearing all the positive feedback from you, our listeners, and hearing that you are seeking out films because we talked about them, seeing them either for the first time, or maybe seeing more of them a second or third time around, really does make all the work we put into each show worth it. And has us excited to bring you another 100.

So, we have much more in store for you, but for now, sit back and enjoy some highlights from past shows, as well as learning once again why keep this going, and why we all will never stop Discovering the Horror!

Films mentioned in this episode:

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DtH Episode 99 – Jaws 50th Anniversary

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Fifty years ago, a film was released that literally changed the world. Jaws transformed the way people think about going into the water and revolutionized how studios make movies, effectively creating what we now call the “summer blockbuster.” Its influence is still felt five decades later, by both fans and filmmakers alike.

And there’s a reason for that: Jaws is just that good.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the film and explore the impact it’s had on us (especially a couple of us who were profoundly shaped by it) as well as on the movie industry at large. People often talk about the idea of a “perfect movie,” one that couldn’t be improved. And while Jaws faced plenty of production problems (like the famously uncooperative mechanical shark), the creative solutions to those problems ended up making the film even stronger.

Films mentioned in this episode:

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DtH Episode 98 – Twice Told Tales: The Blob

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The Blob (1958) & The Blob (1988)

Continuing our theme of taking a deep dive into an original film and its remake, this time we’re looking at a pair with exactly 30 years between them: The Blob, from 1958, and its 1988 remake. A lot had changed in those three decades, especially on the technical side, with advancements in special makeup effects definitely upping the ante on what we see on screen. But the remake also retains much of the same small-town feel and trappings of the original. With these two entries, it’s interesting to see the similarities just as much as how the remake plays out as its own creature, sometimes winking at the original but ultimately leaving its own gelatinous footprint.

For those out there that love to hate on remakes, here’s yet another pair that break the mold and had given us two entertaining entries. Sit back and enjoy!

Films mentioned in this episode:

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DtH Episode 97: Chas Balun

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There have been many horror writers that have been important to the genre, but few have had the outsized impact of the one and only Chas. Balun. Whether it was his work in Fangoria, Gorezone, or his own magazine Deep Red, even if you didn’t see his name at the head of the article, you knew it was him within a few sentences, by either by the tone of the writing, or maybe the films he was covering. Chas’ style was humorous and more than a little confrontational, but he was always waving the flag in support of movies that he felt were important and hadn’t received enough attention. Sure, they tended to be on the gory side, but for Chas. it wasn’t just about the gore.

Not entirely, anyway.

While the three of us knew his work and the impact it had on us personally, for this very special episode, we felt we needed to talk with other folks who were just as impacted by him and also knew him personally. In the second half of the show, you’ll hear from John Szpunar, author of Xeroxferox: The Wild World of the Horror Film Fanzine and Blood Sucking Freak: The Life and Films of the Incredible Joel M. Reed; Art Ettinger, editor at Ultra Violent magazine; and finally, Shawn Lewis, creator of Rotten Cotten and Eibon Press. They all share their own stories of Chas, and we all discuss the profound the impact Chas. had on us and on the horror genre in general. Don’t miss this one!

Films mentioned in this episode:

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DtH Episode 96: Made-for-TV Horror Part 4

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A Taste of Evil (1971), Snowbeast (1977), This House Possessed (1981)

Since this is our 4th time covering some made-for-TV movies, you can tell that we’re kind of a big fan of them. It might have something to do with the time that we grew up and not having the plethora of movies at our fingertips 24/7, or that a lot of these productions were just really well-made stories, and some of them truly frightening. 

In this episode we go back to the small screen and discuss three different titles that while not be the best of this sub-genre, but we feel are still worth checking out. Whether you like deviants running amuck at your house, trying to ski and not get caught by a Yeti, or an unusual haunted house, you might find yourself entertained. And if not by the story, then most likely by the cast! 

Films mentioned in this episode:

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DtH Episode 95 – Mario Bava

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Black Sunday (1960), Blood and Black Lace (1964), and A Bay of Blood (1971)

There are some films and directors that are truly iconic and classics of the genre that sometimes we just assume that everyone has seen already. It’s easy to forget that out there right now, are fans that just might be getting into the genre, either because of their age, or now have a newfound interest in it and have just started taking their first steps. For those out there, we are here to lead over to Italy, to one of the most gifted directors when it came to the look of a film, the Maestro, Mario Bava. And for those that are familiar with his work, maybe it’s time for a revisit and once again, be blown away at what he shows us onscreen. Because if it has been a few years, you might be seeing things for the first time. That is one of the beautiful things about cinema.

For fans starting out with Bava, these three titles really show his beginning, as well as how he would influence other sub-genres of films, from the gothics, the giallo, and even slasher films.

Correction: Edgar Wallace was a British writer, not American.

Films mentioned in this episode:

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DtH Episode 94 – Horror at Home

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As a horror fan, it’s tough enough to try and keep up with all the movies, not to mention all the memorabilia and other collectibles, but just imagine having to live with one! In this episode, we have invited our wives on the show, to give their insights to not just living with a slightly obsessive fan, but how they have embraced the genre as well. You’ll hear how they became fans themselves, to what kind of film gives them the shivers! As you’ll learn, being a horror fan has become a shared experience, a passion and love for all of us. While we might not all love the same titles, we can all agree on the genre as a whole. We welcome Kat AuBuchon, Jenn Glonek, and Dawn Kitley, to what help them Discover the Horror!

Films Mentioned in this episode:

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DtH Episode 90s Sci-Fi Horror

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Hardware (1990), Death Machine (1994), and Event Horizon (1997)

The 1990s are often thought of as a decade of dread for horror fans—not because of what was on the screen, but because nothing good supposedly came out of it. Or at least, that’s the typical response. But as we continue down the path to Discover the Horror, we’re starting to realize that what we remember about the past isn’t always accurate—whether it’s based on our own memories or what we were told.

When you really dig into those ten years, there’s actually a lot of great stuff that came out—even just here in the U.S. And when you look beyond to international horror, it gets even better. Browse through the list and you’re bound to say, “Oh yeah, I forgot about that one.”

In this episode, we decided to tackle that decade and picked three titles that, as it turns out, share some very similar themes. And we think all three are well worth watching.

Films mentioned in this episode:

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DtH Episode 92 – H.P. Lovecraft Movies

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Die, Monster, Die! (1965), Necronomicon (1993), and Gods of the Deep (2023)

While Stephen King may reign supreme when it comes to movies based on his work, good or bad, one would think that with the impact that the words of H.P. Lovecraft has had on the literary world, that filmmakers would be jumping at the chance to bring his horrors to the screen. But while there are a quite a few films, not as many as you’d expect. Could it be that since Lovecraft wrote not in details of what his characters witnessed in his stories, but what it did to them, usually driving them into some kind of madness. But yet, that was the beauty of his work.

In this episode we tackle three very different films, from three different decades, almost three decades apart from each other, all based on the works of this strange author from Providence, Rhoade Island. If not you’re not too familiar with the works of Lovecraft, then here is your chance to watch three adaptations, loose as they may or may not be, but at least will give you a slight peek into his demented stories.

Films Mentioned in this Episode:

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