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This week we’ve assembled our own “core four” to breakdown Scream 6, the latest entry in the long running slasher series / meta-commentary on horror movies themselves. Mike is joined by co-hosting regulars Jessica Scott (We Who Walk Here) & Stephen Foxworthy (Disenfranchised pod). We also welcome on to the show Reyna Cervantes (lead gaming critic Bloody Disgusting). Reyna has the enviable task of tackling this trio of Ghostface killers as she’s the only one of the group high on this year’s entry. We take a wide look at this one (and Mike STILL feels he left stuff out) such as whether the New York setting influences the larger, faster, & ultimately gorier brutal set pieces the directing duo of Radio Silence helmed. We discuss Neve Campbell’s absence as Sidney Prescott & whether its time to let the legacy characters go once and for all. Mike talks about the importance of getting mental health right, because of course he does. Plus, we talk about the way this one teases at big reveals, and game changing action but ultimately plays it safe in the name of fan service. All this and more for this week’s show.

After a week off we're back, and we're going back in time to see how our latest series started. Mike, Nichole, Rachel and Devaughn are joined by Mike Scott from the Action for Everyone podcast to talk THE FIRST PURGE. In a series that has tiptoed around its politics, this 2018 entry makes the subtext the text and lays out what we've known all along: The Purge was steeped in racism from the get go, and exists to kill of those in need of the social safety net. We hit the racial and class themes hard but also talk about what a fantastic action/horror hybrid this one is. 

This week we hit the midpoint in our PURGE journey, we look back at Election Year, a film that tries to warn about the dangers the marriage of evangelical Christianity, right wing ideology, and white supremacy represent under the guise of a giant, dumb action movie where a lot of people get shot and a lot of shit blows up real good. Mike, Ari and Nichole try to walk that fine line here and let me tell you, this might be the only podcast that presents evidence on just how poorly Frank Grillo's bodyguard character would do in say, the movie The Bodyguard. Nichole tells us why DC interns might make her purge short list. We debate the politics of the NFFA and whether Senator Roan is naïve in thinking she could change hearts and minds of her opponents. 

This week we're getting down to the street level when we look at The Purge: Anarchy. Mike and Jessica talk about how this film expands on the premise and the promise of the first movie while asking big picture questions about classism and what it would mean to be poor during a purge event. It's not all gloom and academia though as we talk about the B-movie roots and action / horror hijinks that goes down in this fun little thriller that gifted the world an all-timer performance from Frank Grillo. So once again, sharpen the machete, grab a few extra clips of ammo and put on your creepiest Halloween mask because its time to go purging. 

This week we are sharpening our blades, loading up on shotgun shells and going hunting for the one percenters. We’re starting our dive into THE PURGE with the 2013 action / horror title of the same name. Frequent contributors Stephen and Ariel join Mike to talk about the rise of Blumhouse studios, and how The Purge became their second hit franchise after the Paranormal Activity movies. Were these movies secretly written by Nostradamus? What about the political climate we live in now mirrors the world we see in The Purge? What do we think about the choice to center the movie around one percenters rather than the real target of purge events? Also, what was the real life historical tradition that inspired the Purge movies? Plus, what would an actual purge event do to wreck the economy? All this, plus what crimes are your hosts guilty of, and what would be our weapon of choice if we took part in a purge ourselves.

It's time to put another series to bed. This week we talk 2016's PHANTASM: RAVAGER, a movie that had a wild, near two decade gap from its previous installment. We dive into the winding travels it took to get this made: from its origins as a comic book, to a near reboot via New Line Cinema, to the almost webseries Reggie's Rales to its eventual debut at Fantastic Fest. Mike is joined by Rachel Reeves and Ari Powers Schaub to talk the Tall Man's final outing, why this feels more like a fan film than Phantasm film, some confusing timeline issues, whether folks continue to work with Don Coscarelli because he's a great guy or secretly gives of cult leader vibes and has a stack of boy scouts buried in his basement, and where we'd like to from here (hint: give the people "Flantasm" you cowards. 

This week we're joined by Andrew Fabry from the dead letter movie podcast to talk the 4th and what many thought would be the final entry in the Phantasm series with 1998's oblivion. Working with limited funds comparable to the first movie, Don Coscarelli was able to deliver something memorable for the fans by dipping into the past. We discuss how oblivion incorporates unseen footage from the original Phantasm to create something poignant despite its direct to video status. At the same time, we can’t help but notice the seams coming off this one a little bit. The backstory behind this one coming to life may be more interesting than the movie itself, and we detail the journey it took, from having an Academy Award winner nearly bringing his vision to the series, to silver orb-bikini clad women luring potential investors in to pitch meetings.

Having some fun with this one as we breakdown today's trailer for SCREAM VI. We talk about a lot: which characters might not be safe, what exactly is this "shrine" and how it will play into the action, why does Kirby look like she was CGI'd into the move like Jeff Garlin in The Goldbergs, what does Aflred Hitchcock's AI Chatbot think about Jimmy Stewart's wang, and so much more with Mike, Stephen and Jessica. 

After the action / horror direction Phantasm 2 veered towards, "Lord of the Dead" feels like a return to the nightmarish atmosphere of the first one. This one reunites the original performers as well, as Michael Baldwin and Bill Thornberry return to the Phantasm fold. We discuss their return along with the addition of fan favorites Rocky and Tim. We're joined by Ari Hellraiser of Ghouls magazine for Phantasm III. 

Mike, Jessica and Nichole weigh in with their thoughts on the Evil Dead Rise trailer in anticipation of the new movie. 

The Ball is Back and so are with this week's episode on the action/horror romp PHANTASM 2. We talk about this over the top follow up to the 1979 fever dream that goes big. Featuring Reggie Bannister as the everyman action star that is every bit as smooth with the ladies as he is deadly with a flamethrower, this one encapsulates late 80's horror to perfection. Featuring another sinister turn from Angus Scrimm as The Tall Man, it's laden with fantastic special effects, monster design and gore, and it features not one but three deadly orbs this time around. Mike and Rachel are joined by Andrew Fabry from the Dead Letter Movie Podcast for a spirited discussion that is definitely not a dream. 

Every time someone downloads this episode, an angel gets its wings.    For the Christmas holiday we have a special bonus for listeners. Mike and Brian break down one of their favorite holiday films, Frank Capra's Its A Wonderful Life. From its humble beginnings as a Christmas card, to it flopping so hard it shuttered the production company and ended Capra's career as a commercial filmmaker, this had a long and winding road to enjoying its beloved status. We talk about why its message about community building and treating others with dignity still resonates today. We break down the many moments that make us laugh, move us to tears or hit a bit harder as we get older ourselves. It's a different tact for us for sure, but we hope you enjoy this bonus show.    link to the Vox article from Emily St James we quote from near the end of the show

This week Jessica steps into the hosting chair and is joined by Brian, Rachel and a COVID-riddled Mike to talk about their top ten horror movies of the year. It's a massive episode as each host has a list that reflects their own varied and personal tastes, as seen by the 29 movies discussed over 40 slots. 2022 has been a banner year both creatively and commercial for horror, as it continues to prove to be one of the only genres outside superhero movies that puts asses in seats at the theaters time and time again. We also saw huge swings and outside the box movies this year, while personal and collective traumas continue to be mined for scares. What say you listener? Has this been a fantastic year for horror? Are there any movies we overlooked? What does your personal top ten of the year look like? 

This week we’re kicking off a new series with a look back at Don Coscarelli’s independent horror masterpiece, PHANTASM (1979). Mike, Devaughn and Rachel are joined by first time guest Ariel Powers Schaub (Ghouls Magazine) to talk about the influence this movie has had in horror over the past four decades, as films like A Nightmare on Elm Street and televisions Supernatural owe it a great deal of debt We explore Michael’s fear of losing his big brother, the cosmic horrors of the Tall Man and the overall dreamlike qualities that have thrilled crowds for years. We talk about two of the coolest vehicles in horror history: The Barracuda and Reggie’s ice cream truck. And remember…if this podcast doesn’t scare you, you’re already dead!

This week we talked about the surprise sequel we didn’t know we wanted, but we sure as hell needed. Orphan: First Kill tells us the origins of everyone’s favorite murderous little person masquerading as an eight year old. While it could have rested on the goodwill of Isabelle Fuhrman returning to her iconic role and made folks happy just rehashing the plot of the original, First Kill managed to surprise the audience with another shocking twist, and a hell of a camp turn from the lovely Julia Stiles. Does this make you want more Esther? Mike and Devaughn are here to discuss.

Mike, Rachel and Jessica talk about what a banner year it's been for horror and a few of the things we're most grateful for about the genre and the people involved it it. This show drops Thanksgiving morning, so if you're listening to it while stuffing your bird and prepping the cranberry sauce, thank you. 

It's everyone's favorite murderous little person masquerading as a tween! This week we talk the fantastic thriller from 2009 ORPHAN and why it deserves your love and a high spot on the killer-not-quite-kids movie list 

We return to Haddonfield one last time for the final* chapter in the Halloween saga. Folks, this film makes some choices, and we're here to dissect them all. No matter where you fall when it comes to the Halloween movies, and the David Gordon Green entries in particular, it's fair to say everybody was left collectively scratching their hands when the last movie of a trilogy not only introduced a brand new character with Corey Cunningham, but also made him the main focus while sideling Michael and Laurie. Where do you fall, fans? Do you appreciate this bold new direction, or is Corey the "Poochie" of the franchise? Do we love a Laurie that wants to show grief her tits? How do we feel about old man Michael nearly having a heart attack mid-stab? Mike s joined by Rachel, Nichole, Jessica and special guest Jenn Adams (The Loser's Club, Psychoanalysis: A Horror Therapy podcast) to bring this series to an end.    *Until the inevitable reboot in 2025, amirite?

EVIL DIES TONIGHT! We return to Haddonfield to start wrapping up our episodes on Halloween. This week we look back at a movie that sharply divided fans, Halloween Kills. Is it an over the top slasher that delivers some of the goriest entries in the entire series? Absolutely. Does it dip its toes into social commentary regarding mob rule, cancel culture and our inability as a society to think rationally in heightened situations in the most ham-fisted and convoluted ways imaginable? Yes it does. We look at these topics, the mixed messages on how this one defines The Shape as more than a man, and whether the lesser reputation of Kills retroactively damaged fans' feelings about the 2018 entry Mike is joined by Brian Keiper and Michele Eggen of the Movies For Life podcast for a spirited discussion.  

It's the last two weeks of spooky season and that means binge watching horror movies (okay, pretty much every day means that for sure). We have a special bonus show with our picks. If you're someone who is TERRIFIED of all the streaming options and end up freezing like you're were getting stared down by a pack of werewolves instead of trying to decide which Halloween movie to watch, we have our picks from a number of platforms including Shudder, Screambox, Peacock, HBO Max, and Disney+. Mike, Stephen, Jessica, and Bryan are joined by Sarah Stubbs (Final Girls Feast pod).