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Ambient Light is a bi-weekly, personalized horror film recommendation podcast. In this episode, Angi answers questions about: disturbing, intellectually stimulating and philosophical films, films that are slightly off the beaten path, and horror to get you into the Christmas spirit.   I'm doing a double major in psychology and philosophy and I love horror films that make you think in both fields. Often these films include 'intellectuals' who are actually analyzing what is happening in the movie (I like analyzing the analyzing). I love As Above, So Below and Coherence. I also like just plain disturbing films that are more subtle like Sleeping Beauty, Stoker and Funny Games. And I love the metaphysical aspects of the current It film. Any recommendations on these themes? Thank you so much! Kimberleigh, South Africa Suggestions: Martyrs (2008) dir: Pascal Laugier Antichrist (2009) dir: Lars von Trier Man Bites Dog (1992) dir: Remy Belvaux, Andre Bonzel, and Benoit Poelvoorde   ********************** I recently-ish discovered that I love the horror genre, but I kinda feel like I've seen many of the mainstream films out there. Are there any lesser-known films that you can recommend? How do you go about finding decent films that are slightly off the beaten path? Dan, Madison WI Messiah of Evil (1973) dir: Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz. Dark Waters (1993) dir: Mariano Baino.   ********************** It's that time of year, and I'm looking for some suggestions for Christmas-themed horror films. Do you have any recommendations that will help me get into the holiday spirit? Beth, Scottsdale AZ   Suggestions: Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) dir: Charles Sellier Black Christmas (1974) dir: Bob Clark Gremlins (1984) dir: Joe Dante

Ambient Light is a bi-weekly, personalized horror film recommendation podcast. In this episode, Angi answers questions about: the scariest non-horror films, indie films with interesting female characters, and horror watches for people with short attention spans.   What is the scariest film you have ever seen that wasn't regarded as a horror film and should it be? Bo, Seneca, SC   Recommendations:  Dear Zachary (2008) dir. Kurt Keunne Enemy directed (2014) dir. Denis Villeneuve  ********************* My wife and I are authors who write a lot about the horror arena. We love female-centric horror films, but so many of them seem to reduce strong female characterization to "surviving the slasher" or "the ass-kicking warrior", and there doesn't seemt o be much int he way of variety for three-dimensional female characters who are allowed to have more emotions than scared or tough. Do you have any really interesting indie films that have characters that fit this mold? Two that we enjoyed recently were The Blackcoat's Daughter and Adam Schindler's Intruders. They both allowed for the female leads to be both the victim and the aggressor, and it was a unique dynamic. Any other suggestions in this mold (or other groundbreaking female role dynamics) would be greatly appreciated. Chris, Orlando, FL   Recommendations: Excision (2012) dir. Richard Bates, Jr. Alleluia (2014) dir. Fabrice du Welz   ********************* I love horror, but I have a fairly short attention span and sometimes want to watch something shorter. Can you recommend any TV shows or short films that I can watch? Brian, Madison, WI Recommendations: The Exorcist, FOX Channel Zero, SyFy Unedited Footage of a Bear (originally aired as part of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gMjJNGg9Z8  

Ambient Light is a bi-weekly, personalized horror film recommendation podcast. In this episode, Angi answers questions about: Blaxploitation horror, horror films for lovers of Dario Argento's Suspiria, and horror films with great jump scares.   What are some good blaxploitation horror films that you could recommend, if any? Paul Chicago, IL Recommendations: Sugar Hill (1974) directed by Paul Maslansky JD's Revenge (1976) directed by Arthur Marks Ganja & Hess (1973) directed by Bill Gunn ******************** I just saw Suspiria and loved it! Where should I go from here? Do you have recommendations on films that I should see next? Erica Sacramento, CA General Recommendation: Italian Giallos   Specific Recommendations: Deep Red (1975) directed by Dario Argento The Neon Demon (2016) Nicolas Winding Refn ******************** Hi Angi! I love a good jump scare, but jump scares just for the sake of jump scares piss me off. Are there any films that actually use them as an effective tool to build suspense? What are your favorite examples of jump scares (or do you hate them)? Jennifer Chicago, IL Recommendations: Sinister (2012) directed by Scott Derrickson Audition (1999) directed by Takashi Miike The Exorcist III (1990) directed by William Peter Blatty ******************** NEED A HORROR FILM RECOMMENDATION? SEND THEM TO ME AT WWW.OVERTHINKINGHORRORFILMS.COM UNDER THE AMBIENT LIGHT LINK.  

Ambient Light is a bi-weekly, personalized horror film recommendation podcast hosted by horror blogger Angela Harris. In this week's episode, Angi answers questions about Asian horror films, found footage films, and horror films from the 1920s through 1960s. Hi! I'm a big horror fan but have yet to venture into Korean and Japanese horror in a serious way. Can you make some recommendations? I enjoy intellectual and psychological thrillers, and any horror that uses the genre in a philosophical way. Thanks so much! Sandra, Chicago Recommendations: Train to Busan (2016) directed by Yeon Sang-ho, Bedeviled (2010) directed by Jang Cheol-soo.   ************* What are some of the better found footage horror films that don't involve too much shaky cam or overuse of profanity? Dahlia, New Jersey Recommendations: Lake Mungo (2008) directed by Joel Anderson; Exhibit A (2007) directed by Dom Rotheroe.   ************* I don't know very much about horror movies. Where do I begin? Do you have a top five list of films for newbies? I'm especially interested in films made between 1920 and 1960. George, Chicago 1920s Essentials mentioned: Nosferatu, Phantom of the Opera, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Specific recommendation: Haxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages (1922) directed by Benjamin Christensen. 1930s Essentials mentioned: Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, King Kong (errata: The Wolfman was actually released in 1941). Specific recommendation: Freaks (1932) directed by Tod Browning. 1940s Essentials mentioned: Cat People, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. Specific recommendation: The Uninvited (1944) directed by Lewis Allen. 1950s Essentials mentioned: The Blob, The Thing From Another Planet, Godzilla, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Specific recommendation: Les Diaboliques (1955) directed by Henri-George Clouzot. 1960s Essentials mentioned: Rosemary's Baby, Repulsion, The Haunting, Night of the Living Dead, Psycho. Specific recommendation: Peeping Tom (1960) directed by Michael Powell.

Ambient Light is a bi-weekly, personalized horror film recommendation podcast. In this episode, Angi answers questions about: disturbing, lingering films; horror movies for people who don’t like violence; funny horror; and films for people who are looking for something wry & clever. SHOW NOTES 10.10.17 It's been a while since I've seen a horror movie that had thoroughly disturbed me. I want to watch something that will have a lasting effect. Psychological stuff really freaks me out, possession, unnatural movements. Watcha got?? Liz Chicago Recommendations: In a Glass Cage (1986) directed by Augusti Villaronga; Eden Lake (2008) directed by James Watkins. ******************** What horror films would you recommend for someone new to the genre but with a bit of a sensitivity to violence? Is it possible to get into horror - or find a corner of horror genre - to enjoy if big violence really disturbs me? Amanda Connecticut Recommendations: The Others (2001) directed by Alejandro Amenabar; The Ring (2002) directed by Gore Verbinski ******************** Hey there, I'm looking for dark humor horror. I thought Hell Baby while it was fun was over the top stupid and many gags. I really enjoyed Housebound, You're Next, and The Devil's Candy. Kristin Chicago Recommendations: Patchwork (2015) directed by Tyler MacIntyre; Dream Home (2009) directed by Pang Ho-cheung ******************** The horror I like best is slightly wry and clever - like Cabin in the Woods and Train to Busan - not gory for the sake of it, or trying to hide a big 'gotcha' that isn't actually that hidden (I'm looking at you, Babadook). Can you recommend something I might not have thought of? Annemarie London Recommendations: Society (1989) directed by Brian Yuzna; We Go On (2016) directed by Jesse Holland and Andy Mitton.    

SHOW NOTES 10/5/17 Hi Angi, I really loved The VVitch and It Follows. Can you recommend any other amazing, suspense based horror films with great cinematography?? Taryn Chicago, IL Recommendations: The Blackcoat's Daughter (aka February) (2017) Directed by: Oz Perkins Goodnight Mommy (2015) Directed by: Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala ******************** Dear Angi, I'm a horror wuss! What horror movie can I watch that won't give me nightmares? Would you recommend watching horror films earlier in the day when it's still light out so I don't have to go to bed in the dark right after watching it? Is there a horror sub-genre that you find less scary than others? I don't typically like things jumping out at me. But at the same time I don't like things that seem particularly cruel/heart-breaking. Liz Austin, TX Recommendations: The Visit (2015) Directed by: M. Night Shymalan Triangle (2009) Directed by: Christopher Smith ******************** Hi Angi, I would love a horror film recommendation that has a strong female lead (preferrably non-white) and deals with social inequality or injustice. I don't like torture films, or anything that's overly gorey. I also don't want to watch something that will make me feel afraid to be home alone, on a first floor apartment with many windows. But I do really enjoy movies like The Witch, Get Out, The Cabin in the Woods and the Evil Dead series. If the film is made by a female identified writer, director or producer, that's even better! Thanks! Katie Chicago, IL Recommendations: The Girl With All The Gifts (2016) Directed by: Collie McCarthy The Descent (2006) Directed by: Neil Marshall ******************** Dear Angi, I'm interested in food in movies, whether it's used to enrich a setting or scene like the upscale hippie food in The Invitation, or is more symbolic like the rotting rabbit stew in Repulsion. What are some movies you've noticed with interesting uses of food? Carrie Charlotte, NC Recommendations: Kill List (2011) Directed by: Ben Wheatley Nothing Bad Can Happen (2013) Directed by: Katrin Gebbe