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For Pride Month, the podcast continues our review of lesbian arthouse films.  With a lot of these films, we’ve discovered that many are more than just an LGBT arthouse film.  They are dramas, coming-of-age, crime, and in our latest, a thriller.  The British film, THE ADORED (2012), is most certainly a thriller in all ways even though the lead characters may be LGBTQ. Francesca (Laura Martin-Simpson) is a well known photographer.  For her latest subject is the aspiring model Maia (Ione Butler).  At Francesca’s remote Welsh manor home, the two discuss, shoot, and build a friendship.  However, as Francesca misreads Maia’s comments and actions, the two women begin to come at odds with each other.  Soon their once working relationship turns into much more. The film was co-directed by Carl Medland and Amarjeet Singh with a screenplay by Jody Medland.  Laura Martin-Simpson shines as Francesca in a cast that includes her co-star Ione Butler plus Jake Maskall.  Your co-hosts take a look at this film and give their thoughts.

Television actors and actresses have transitioned to film roles quite successfully at times.  One way to start is to do independent cinema.  And to be noticed, sometimes it is best to be daring and courageous in the roles you choose.  Dianna Agron, after her run on the TV series GLEE, got notice for her role in BARE (2015).  The role was a co-starring performance alongside BOARDWALK EMPIRE actress, Paz de la Huerta. Sarah (Dianna Agron) is a young girl living in a small town in Nevada.  She feels ennui as she spends time with her longtime boyfriend, her high school friends, and working her boring job.  When she visits the closed business of her father (who died some years ago), she finds Pepper, a worldly and free-spirited woman, that had broken in to crash on the couch.  Soon the two begin a friendship that will change Sarah forever. The film was written and directed by Natalia Leite (M.F.A. (2017)) and played numerous festivals including Tribeca among others.  The film got buzz more so for the first-time nudity from Dianna Agron but also got notice from the arthouse crowd too.  Your co-hosts take a look at this movie during our June Pride month and give their thoughts.

Welcome to Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews theme month.  June has been designated as Pride Month for the LGBT community.  So to fit with the month, once again the podcast has decided to review various art house lesbian films as we did last year.  To start off, we discuss the 2021 film RIDE OR DIE. When Rei commits a crime for Nanae, a woman in an abusive relationship, the two head out to avoid consequences.  Soon we discover that the two have known each other since childhood.  Rei has an unhealthy infatuation about Nanae and is willing to throw her entire life away.  Nanae, on the other hand, is a very damaged woman who carries personal demons with her that have shattered her inner soul. The film is directed by veteran director Ryichi Hiroki.  Written for the screen by Nami Sakkawa, the story is based on the manga by Ching Nakamura.  Starring Kiko Mizuhara and Honami Sato in unforgiving roles, the movie has received mixed to positive reviews by critics and audiences alike.  Your co-hosts take a look at this interesting film that is as much arthouse as it is grindhouse.

The journey of finding oneself can be a very stressful, a very long, and even a sad journey.  Behavioral health can even be an issue for those who seem to have all their sh*t together.  Even popular people have their so called “demons” or damage.  The knew indy film that IMDB calls a horror comedy, KING KNIGHT (2022), follows a group of such folk who seem to be just that … lost. From IMDB:  Thorn and Willow appear to have it all as the revered high priest and priestess of a coven of new age witches. But a secret from Thorn's past throws their lives into turmoil and sends them on a trippy, hilarious journey. The film is the latest from director Richard Bates, Jr. who is probably best known for his 2012 film EXCISION.  KING KNIGHT stars Matthew Gray Gubler (CRIMINAL MINDS) and Angela Sarafyan (Westworld).  After doing the festival circuit, the movie was released everywhere in Q1 of 2022 getting some decent buzz by those critics who saw it.  Your co-hosts take a look at this interesting film and give their thoughts.

Welcome to Jason Unleashed Episode #02, a scene by scene review of Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022). The film is better than a lot of people give it credit for. Maybe i can convince you to appreciate it a little more, or at least entertain you for the next hour or so. Thanks again for listening and join my Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MyBloodyPodcast (https://www.facebook.com/groups/MyBloodyPodcast)

Nubile young co-eds; a crazy man with a knife, machete, or axe; young people stuck in a location they can’t get out from.  That’s the generic slasher film.  Starting with old giallos from Europe to the hey day of the 1980’s, slashers have been a staple within the horror movie fanbase.  With a few interesting slasher from 2021 including INITIATION, the subgenre has made somewhat of a comeback.  The latest, STUDENT BODY, just came out on February 8th, 2022 wherever one can stream films. Jane (Montse Hernandez) is a brilliant student that doesn’t apply herself.  Most of her clique in high school lead by Merritt (Cheyenne Haynes) are drifting through school.  Her teacher, Mr. Aunspach (Christian Camargo), sees something in Janet.  When he tries to get her to forget those that are “holding her back,” she feels cornered.  Soon a chain reaction causes people to get fired, lives are ruined, and a sledgehammer maniac comes after Janet and her friends. The film also stars Harley Quinn Smith, Austin Zajur, and Anthony Keyvan.  In a duel role, the movie is directed and written by Lee Ann Kurr.  With little press behind the movie, and reviews found only through internet searches, Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews takes a look at the production and gives their thoughts on the film.

Welcome to Jason Unleashed Episode #01. Hororrphilia Jason's Top 30 Horror Films of 2022. I countdown my top 30 favorite horror films of last year, plus honorable mentions, hidden gems, my thoughts on the year as a whole, and more! Download, or stream and enjoy! Thanks for listening and join my Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/266761753481290 (https://www.facebook.com/groups/266761753481290) Show Notes Night House Ending Explained: https://screenrant.com/night-house-ending-explained/ (https://screenrant.com/night-house-ending-explained/) Broadcast Signal Intrusion Ending Explained: https://tinyurl.com/muxcerv4 (https://tinyurl.com/muxcerv4)

On volume 032 of Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews, the podcast reviewed the film EYE WITHOUT A FACE (2021).  All of your co-hosts felt the film was a hidden gem after watching it.  After releasing the episode, folks linked to the film retweeted the episode on social media including Tara Violet Niami, the cinematographer for the movie.  Directly from her website:  “Tara Violet Niami is an award-winning photographer and cinematographer from LA. She is a dual citizen in the US & UK. Tara has an MFA from American Film Institute Conservatory in Cinematography and a BFA in photography at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.”  The interesting thing about EYE WITHOUT A FACE, it is a film that has various different types of camera shots including those that are static.  Shots that are very unlike most movies.  The “EYE” is the camera on a computer.  After contacting her, Tara Violet has joined the podcast to discuss further about EYE WITHOUT A FACE including behind-the-scenes topics but also plot details. 

https://indiescream.in.live/ (IndieSCREAM) Halloween Spectacular Prepare for a week of screens and screams! American Media Society, Inc. is proud to present https://indiescream.in.live/ (IndieSCREAM), an online film festival featuring the works of horror filmmakers from around the globe. Featuring over 50 films airing over the course of a week, https://indiescream.in.live/ (IndieScream )will feature exclusive premieres, special guests, and an opportunity to interact with independent filmmakers who live and breathe horror films through a series of audience Q+A's. Get your popcorn ready and secure your tickets now! Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews interviews the folks behind the festival and also the filmmakers that are participating. Find the festival on https://www.facebook.com/americanmediasociety (Facebook)

Women in horror are essential.  Some actresses especially have made a career for themselves from this subgenre of cinema.  But recently a lot of women have become also directors and writers for films.  In one such case, the 2018 film MARLA had a woman that directs, writes, and stars in the film.  Lisa van Dam-Bates took the reigns to showcase her talents. Marla (Lisa van Dam-Bates) is a young woman who works as a cocktail waitress at a local pub.  Her boyfriend, Jake (Johnnie Ware), works the bar and does the accounting for the establishment.  Being a normal sexually active couple, an old doctor friend of hers offers to give her an IUD free of charge.  Her boyfriend seems suspicious and soon Marla’s life begins to spiral out of control as unexpected consequences do appear. The movie stars Lisa van Dam-Bates, Johnnie Ware, Katie Hemming, Palmer Chase, and Jason Stange as Dr. Lourdes.  After a two year festival run where it had the title MARLA MAE, the movie received a VOD release in 2018.  Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews takes a look at this film that should appeal to both thriller fans as well as midnight movie auteurs. 

Technology has changed things tremendously, especially the internet.  Social media has allowed folks to connect with each other unlike never before.  However, hacking has become prevalent as well.  Personal data and bank accounts need constant protection.  But what about those little cameras on one’s laptop?  What happens when they are hacked and folks are able to watch you when you are unaware?  The new movie EYE WITHOUT A FACE (2021) uncomfortably portrays this. Henry (Dakota Shapiro), a young agoraphobic man, lives in a house he inherited from his father.  Help to pay the property tax, he has let his friend Eric (Luke Cook), an inspiring actor, move in with him.  During Henry’s quiet days at home, he has hacked into the webcams of various women that live in his home city of Los Angeles.  While watching them during their private moments, he suspects one of them to be a possible serial killer. Director Ramin Niami also wrote the script for the film.  Along with Dakota hapiro and Luke Cook, the film stars Vlada Verevko, Rebecca Berg, and Ashley Elyse Rogers.  With its very modern topics, the film is most certainly interesting as it confronts computer crimes, women’s privacy, mental illness, and parental abuse.  Your co-hosts take a look at this interesting film and give their thoughts.

Your podcast hosts take a look at a small film from the UK.  The movie, MEDUSA (2021), and its title may be a bit of a misnomer.  The monster, Medusa, one of a group of creatures called gorgons, are from Greek and Roman mythos from years gone by.  But as a creature, she has been used in many forms in film and literature since. For this movie, we have a young woman, Carly (Megan Purvis), living in a traveling trailer park, along other women who are prostitutes.  At one time leaving this life, she fell back into it, and unfortunately has become once again depended on hard drugs like heroine.  When she is sent to meet a “john”, the man has a snake that bites Carly.  As the days go by she begins to notice something sinister happening to her body and her life. The movie is directed by someone simply named Mathew B.C. but the movie is produced by British producer Scott Jeffrey who is known for funding many low budget horror films.  The film stars Megan Purvis in a strong role requiring much screen time.  Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews take a look at this very interesting film.

Well, the year 2021 seems to be the year that Nicholas Cage has returned to the zeitgeist.  Earlier this year he appeared in the well received potential cult classic film WILLY’S WONDERLAND.  Now a few months later, his latest movie, PIG (2021), brings him once again to the forefront.  It has been one of the most highly rated films critically this year.  With over 213 reviews from mainstream press, PIG has a 97% approval rating.  And audiences ratings are not that far behind. Robin Feld (Nicholas Cage), a rural truffle forager, lives in a shack alone but with his trusty pig who helps identify locations of the buried fungi.  Amir (Alex Wolff), a truffle dealer from  Seattle, collects and pays Robin and others for their gatherings.  He sells the expensive commodities to exclusive restaurants in the city.  When one night Robin is attacked by intruders and his pig is stolen, he sets out with Amir to find his beloved pet.  And the two men on the way may find out more about themselves. The film is the directorial debut of Michael Sarnoski and co-written with Vanessa Block.  Having been filmed two years ago but traveling through the festival circuit since, the movie officially received its United States release July 16th, 2021.  Your co-hosts take a look at this amazing movie and give their feelings on its meaning about life, love, loss, and healing.

Welcome once again to another addition of the Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews Podcast.  In this latest episode we were happy to be able to interview the filmmakers behind the great 2020 horror film, ANYTHING FOR JACKSON.  Joining us is screenwriter Keith Cooper and director Justin G. Dyck where they answered some unanswered questions we had.  The Dark Discussions News Network rated the film the second best horror film of 2020. Afterwards, your co-hosts discuss a number of topics including the state of cinemas, the usage of trailers by marketing departments, as well as talk about such films as A QUIET PLACE PART 2 (2021), AWOL (2017), DON’T TELL A SOUL (2021).

When a movie is adapted from a novel, one can bet that the book is probably an interesting read.  In the case of D. Eric Maikranz, his novel The Reincarnationist Papers has been adapted into a brand new movie entitled INFINITE (2021) starring Mark Wahlberg, directed by Antoine Fuqua, and adapted to the screen by Ian Shorr and Todd Stein.  With its interesting premise, it isn’t surprising that it received attention from film producers. The synopsis of the book from D. Eric Maikranz’s website: Evan Michaels struggles with being different, with having the complete memories of two other people who lived sequentially before him. He fights loneliness and believes he is unique until he meets Poppy. She recognizes his struggle because she is like him, except that she is much older, remembering seven consecutive lives. But there is something else she must share with Evan -- she is a member of the secretive Cognomina. They are, in effect, immortals -- compiling experiences and skills over lifetimes into near superhuman abilities that they have used to drive history over centuries. The author joins your co-hosts to discuss his novel.   Some of the interesting topics are the long journey from book to movie.  Further discussions include the interesting aspects of the various characters and their journey through time.  Among many more things.  For further information, check out https://ericmaikranz.com/ (D. Eric Maikranz’s website) for his news letter and his entire catalog.  Find the movie https://www.paramountplus.com/ (INFINITE at Paramount+).

Megan Fox is a well known celebrity that has been in a number of big budget films like TRANSFORMERS (2007) and TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (2014).  Many times she’s been typecast due to her extremely objective beauty.  But recently she has reinvented herself and has been in a few well received films such as 2020’s ROGUE.  Now her latest film TILL DEATH  has been getting a lot of buzz. Emma (Megan Fox) and her husband Mark (Eoin Macken) have had a bit of a rocky marriage recently.  On their anniversary, they head out for a nice dinner and an eventual trip to their lake house.  When something horribly unexpected happens, Emma has to fight for her life.  The movie is the feature film debut of director S. K. Dale, filmed from a script by screenwriter Jason Carvey.  Megan Fox takes on a very demanding role that has her in almost every scene of the movie.  Does she show that she’s more than a Hollywood celebrity and possibly one of today’s best actresses?  Your co-hosts take a look at this interesting film and give their thoughts.

Summertime for young people is the time to have fun, enjoy being out of school, and finding love.  Part of Pride Month, Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews takes a look at 2015's THE SUMMER OF SANGAILĖ, a film from Lithuania that, like our other art house film discussions this month, tackles much more than its themed lesbian relationship. Austė (Aistė Diržiūė) is a 17 year old girl that Sangailė (Julija Steponaityte) meets at a festival air show.  When Austė lets her new acquaintance know that she works at the local cafeteria, Sangailė visits her there.  Soon their budding friendship turns into something more.  Austė learns that Sangailė has personal demons that are haunting her.  During their time together, Austė begins to bring out Sangailė’s inner self hoping to give her the confidence to achieve her dreams. The movie is directed and written by Alantė Kavaitė.  With its beautiful photography and wonderful performances, Lithuania submitted the picture to the Academy Awards as a potential movie for the Best Foreign Film award.  Actress Aistė Diržiūė was also given a European Shooting Stars award (along with such individuals as Maisie Williams (GAME OF THRONES)).  Your co-hosts take a look this lesbian art house film during Pride Month and give their thoughts.

“Freedom is a Human Right” says the trailer for the 2011 film CIRCUMSTANCE.  A movie with an LGBTQ theme yet it is much more.  When basic rights are taken away from people, and a power structure controls how you should act and how you should think, then what is one’s quality of life?  The movie looks at this phenomenon through the eyes of one family. Atafeh and her friend Shireen are young women living in the Tehran, Iran.  While in public, the two follow the morality laws of the nation while also wearing the required hijab.  But privately at home, Atafeh and her family are much more liberal.  They play music, drink alcohol, and do things not unfamiliar in Western homes.  But when Atafeh’s brother Mahran arrives home from a drug rehabilitation clinic, Atafeh and her family’s daily life changes vastly. The movie is written and directed by New York City filmmaker Maryam Keshavarz with an internation cast of Persian speaking actors and actresses.  Appearing at Sundance, the movie received impressive reviews by critics.  You co-hosts continuing their Pride Month themed films discuss the movie and give their thoughts.

1971 was a very turbulent time.  As the babyboomer generation began to flex their muscles, different ways of life began to grind together like two stones rather than fit together like two puzzle pieces.  But at least discussions happened, even if a bit tense.  The 2015 French film, SUMMERTIME, takes a look at the time period through the lens of two young women trying to find themselves. When young lesbian Delphine (Izïa Higelin) leaves her family farm for a job in Paris, she meets a young women’s lib activist named Carole (Cécile de France (HIGH TENSION, THE HEREAFTER)).  When Delphine brings out Carole’s sexuality, the two begin a torrid relationship that suddenly is interrupted when Delphine must return to her family farm due to a family illness.  Being 1971, and the cultural shock between city and rural life, can their relationship last with so many obstacles? Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews continues the theme for Pride Month with the second in a series of four lesbian arthouse films.  The movie is written and directed by Catherine Corsini and also stars Noémie Lvovsky as Delphine’s mother.  Cinematographer Jeanne Lapoirie does fantastic work with the film’s rural and farm set pieces.  Your co-hosts take a look at the movie and give their thoughts.

Welcome to Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews theme month. June has been designated as Pride Month for the LGBT community. So to fit with the month, once again the podcast has decided to review various art house lesbian films as we did last year. To start off, we discuss the 2006 film THE GYMNAST. What happens when your dreams pass you by? And you begin to sleepwalk each day? Jane (Dreya Weber), a former gymnastic star who’s dreams were derailed due to a boycott of the Olympics and then having her career ended due to injury four years later, is now 42. While being a professional masseuse, she continues to keep her body in competition style. She has a chance meeting with an old friend which leads to training as an aerialist with two other women. Soon she finds out life may not have passed her by after all. THE GYMNAST stars Dreya Weber as Jane Hawkins, not only creating a character at a crossroads in life, but also doing her own stunt work. The film was directed by her husband, Ned Farr, from a script by Michael Carp. The movie also co-stars Addie Yungmee as Serena. Your co-hosts take a look at this character study that also delves into the training behind such acts as Cirque du Soleil.