BRIDES OF DRACULA (1960) d. Terence Fisher (UK) THE TWO FACES OF DR. JEKYLL (1960) d. Terence Fisher (UK) NEVER TAKE SWEETS FROM A STRANGER (1960) d. Cyril Frankel (UK) HELL IS A CITY (1960) d. Val Guest (UK) Celebrated for its distinctive brand of horror and suspense, Hammer Films has left an indelible mark on British cinema and influencing filmmakers around the world. The year 1960 was especially significant for Hammer, as it was a time when the studio was solidifying its identity as a horror juggernaut, but also experimenting with genres, and pushing the boundaries of storytelling, atmosphere, and visual style. Tonight, we'll focus on four films from that year: Brides of Dracula, The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll, Never Take Sweets from a Stranger, and Hell is a City. Each representing a different facet of Hammer's evolving approach, from Gothic horror and psychological thrillers to socially conscious drama and gritty crime narratives. Join AC and his incredible panel of guests (Troy Howarth, Stan Hyde, Barry Kaufman, Lin Morris, Freddie Young) as we look back at HAMMER IN 1960!! -------------------------------------------- TROY HOWARTH is a Rondo Award-nominated writer who specializes in European Cult cinema. His books include The Haunted World of Mario Bava, Splintered Visions: Lucio Fulci and His Films, So Deadly, So Perverse: 50 Years of Italian Giallo Films, among others. He has also contributed audio commentaries, audio essays, and liner notes to over one hundred DVD and Blu-ray releases from the U.S., the U.K., and Germany. He resides in Pennsylvania. STAN HYDE teaches, examines, and consults on international film programs for students (International Baccaluareate's Film Course), as well as writing about model making, film history, and some fiction. He is winner of the Mangled Sky-Scraper Award for helping bring G-FEST, the annual Godzilla Convention in Chicago, to life since 1995, and is a 2021 Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association Hall of Fame recipient for his work with science fiction conventions, clubs, and fanzines. BARRY KAUFMAN has been committed to spreading the gospel of obscure horror and science-fiction cinema since writing the fanzines Monsters of Japan and Demonique in the 1970s and 80s. He ran All-Horror Video out of a house in the woods in Homewood, Illinois through the 1980s, followed by his shop The House of Monsters in Chicago from 1996 to 2007. He now vends at genre related shows and programs festivals in the Chicago area featuring his inconspicuous film favorites. LIN MORRIS is a writer who makes his living doing something else entirely. His novels Spot the Not and The Marriage Wars are both available on Amazon. The first movie he recalls seeing is Two on a Guillotine at the Super 99 Drive-In at much too young an age, and he's been a horror fan ever since. Despite the strenuous efforts of his parents, he remains stubbornly left-handed. FREDDIE YOUNG is a NYC horror reviewer and frequent podcaster. He has been running the website Full Moon Reviews (www.fullmoonreviews.net) since 2006, telling it like it is and enjoys spreading the word on good and bad films, mainly in the horror genre. He's planning on a full-time return to podcasting within the second half of 2025, hoping to put some attention on some "misunderstood films." -------------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD (1985) – 40 YEARS LATER! Tonight we're discussing The Return of the Living Dead (1985), the cult-classic zombie comedy that redefined the undead genre. Screenwriter Dan O'Bannon (Alien, Lifeforce) makes his directorial debut with this wildly exuberant black comedy that mixes terrific comic performances with good old-fashioned flesh-chomping horror. Packed with gory makeup effects, hilarious slapstick energy, a killer punk soundtrack, and a balls-to-the-wall finale, Return of the Living Dead became an instant genre favorite — spawning sequels (of varying quality!) and a generation of BRAAAAINS-loving fans. Join AC and his undead panel of guests (Eric Anderson, Aaron Aubuchon, Kristy Jett, Tim Palace) as they celebrate 40 years of THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD! ---------------------------------------- ERIC ANDERSON was not allowed to watch horror movies as a kid and he is now making up for lost time with a vengeance. He works in a large urban public library and spends as much time outdoors as possible. AARON AUBUCHON is a film professor and writer, and also an editor, director, motion graphics artist and producer. He is also co-host of the Discover the Horror podcast. https://discoverthehorror.com/ KRISTY JETT, faithful horror nerd of 40+ years, resides in Buffalo, NY and is the mother of nine cats. She remains now and forever the world's biggest fan of the film Popcorn (1991). TIM PALACE is a lifelong Chicago-based genre fan with a particular devotion to the horrific. A committed collector of physical media, Tim has amassed close to 13,000 titles he's excited to share with his new terror tyke Oliver. -------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
TRILOGY OF TERROR (1975) d. Dan Curtis (USA) Tonight we're talking about Trilogy of Terror, the beloved horror anthology movie from producer/director Dan Curtis starring Karen Black which premiered on ABC television March 4, 1975. Curtis was already a household name in 1975, having created the legendary vampire soap opera Dark Shadows, as well as The Night Stalker, the highest-rated made-for-television movie released at the time, alongside well-received adaptations of Dracula and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (both starring Jack Palance). So when he hired the legendary Richard Matheson to adapt three of his short stories, it seemed like a can't-miss proposition. Black, who was a two-time Golden Globe-winner and Oscar nominee at this point, was apparently reluctant to do the project, but there is no evidence of reticence in her performances, plural as she plays the lead characters in all three segments, including that of twin sisters in the second. Black literally throws herself into the various scenarios with such gusto that it's no wonder this has become one of her most recognizable film projects. Often remembered as "That Movie with the Little Zuni Doll," the preceding two chapters simply can't compete with the final chapter's breathtaking assault, and that's too bad, since they are both worthwhile suspenseful entries and Black is equally captivating in three separate roles. But there's also a reason the Zuni Fetish has become the poster child for the film, because it's hard to beat a little puppet chasing a full-grown woman around her apartment for good-natured thrills and chills. This anthology showcase for Black and Matheson, served up with panache and chutzpah by Curtis, stands as one of the most enduring slices of television terror ever created for the small screen and remains essential viewing for all horror fans, casual or committed. Join AC and his awesome panel of guests (Jorge Didaco, Dwan L. Hearn, Brett Neveu, Sako Tumi) as we celebrate 50 years of TRILOGY OF TERROR! --------------------------------------------------- JORGE DIDACO is a Brazil-based teacher on theatre, performance, and film. He contributed the essays for The Innocents for Horror 101: The A-List of Horror Films and Monster Movies and In a Glass Cage for Hidden Horror. DWAN L. HEARN, more affectionately known as "The Moon", is an author [The Copperwheat Collection, 2023], co-host of "The Sako and the Moon Horror Podcast," and host of "The Moon = Wrestling Podcast", film-maker with Hallowed Hills Entertainment, and a two-time award-winning screenwriter. BRETT NEVEU is a professor at Northwestern University where he teaches writing for the screen and stage. His film/TV screenplays include Eric LaRue (dir. Michael Shannon) and Night's End (dir. Jennifer Reeder) with Shudder/AMC. Past theatre productions include Revolution with A Red Orchid Theatre, Verböten with House Theatre and Red Bud with The Royal Court Theatre. Brett is also a recipient of a Steinberg/ATCA New Play Citation, The Marquee Award from Chicago Dramatists, The Ofner Prize for New Work and the Emerging Artist Award from The League of Chicago Theatres. SAKO TUMI (aka Cass Voit) is a self-published horror author based out of Northern Virginia. She is also a professional Photographer, Illustrator, Bellydancer and Flow Artist ---------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
LIFEFORCE (1985) d. Tobe Hooper (USA/UK) Based on Colin Wilson's novel, The Space Vampires, a team of astronauts encounter a ship lodged within the head of Halley's Comet and discover three impossibly beautiful humanoid creatures, two male, one female, encased in coffin-like crystalline blocks. And, as any genre film fan can predict, as soon as they get these strange creatures back to earth, blocks are going to crack and heads are going to roll. Working with a spirited screenplay by Dan O'Bannon and fellow sci-fi vet Don Jakoby, Hooper does a fine job keeping the action moving as U.S. astronaut Steve Railsback and SIS agent Peter Firth attempt to track down and contain the interstellar menace. The insane scenes of panic and mayhem as the population of greater London is bled dry of their precious electrical blue fizzies and zombified are great fun, as is watching a young Patrick Stewart strut his stuff as a histrionic asylum official. But, for a good many viewers, regardless of age or sexual orientation, Lifeforce's primary appeal lies in the glory that is French ballet dancer Mathilda May's stunning Vampire Girl. At a time when female nudity was employed in an exploitative and often sleazy manner, May transcends being a mere dazzling bit of eye candy, projecting a genuinely otherworldly and alien presence through her physical, and mostly nonverbal, performance. With grand and gorgeous production design and Nick Maley's terrific makeup effects and animatronics dancing in step with Hooper's unique vision and O'Bannon and Jakoby's cheeky, chatty and occasionally campy twist to classic vampire mythos, Lifeforce is a film like no other, both a product of its time and a timeless cult classic. Join AC and his awesome panel of guests (Fraser Coffeen, Cati Glidewell, John Kenneth Muir, Ryan Olson) as we celebrate 40 years of LIFEFORCE!! ------------------------------------------------------------------ FRASER COFFEEN is the co-host of Creepy History, a podcast dedicated to all the creepy stuff you wish they taught you in High School. He's been published in Horror Homeroom magazine and How to Analyze and Review Comics. CATI GLIDEWELL (aka The Blonde in Front) is a Chicago-based film critic, lifelong cinephile, film festival jury member, and a member of Chicago Indie Critics since 2020. You can find her on all social media platforms, as well as Post Mortem radio and Radio of Horror on YouTube. JOHN KENNETH MUIR is the creator of the award winning-web series, Abnormal Fixation, which returns for its second season in 2026, and award-winning audio drama Enter The House Between. He is also the author of Horror Films of the 1970s (2002), and Eaten Alive at a Chainsaw Massacre: The Films of Tobe Hooper (2001). RYAN OLSON (aka S. Ravenlord of The Cold Beyond music group) is the owner of Deadspeak Design and Night World Records, as well as a member of the Synapse Films street team and a regular on the Synapse Films podcast. His work has been featured in Liquid Cheese, Horrorhound, & Evilspeak Magazines. --------------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1935) d. James Whale (USA) WEREWOLF OF LONDON (1935) d. Stuart Walker (USA) Tonight, we open the creaking doors to celebrate a pair of Universal classics that both turn 90 this year—Werewolf of London and Bride of Frankenstein, released in that golden year of genre cinema, 1935. While not always mentioned in the same breath, these two films mark an important moment in Universal Pictures' legendary horror cycle, one building on an already iconic legacy, and the other attempting to carve out a new path through uncharted territory. Bride of Frankenstein, directed by James Whale, is often hailed not just as the first horror sequel, but one of the greatest horror films ever made. Operatic, strange, darkly funny, deeply human, with a unique blend of gothic horror and sly camp, it expands the mythology of Frankenstein's creation, brilliantly played by Boris Karloff, and introduces one of horror's most unforgettable figures—the titular Bride, played by Elsa Lanchester. Colin Clive reprises his role as the tormented Dr. Frankenstein, and Ernest Thesiger delivers a scene-stealing turn as the delightfully macabre Dr. Pretorius. With gorgeous cinematography by John J. Mescall and a haunting score by Franz Waxman, Bride is a masterclass in horror storytelling and style. On the other hand, Werewolf of London stands as Universal's first attempt at bringing the hairy and the scary to the screen. Though overshadowed by 1941's The Wolf Man, it laid the groundwork for the werewolf mythos in cinema and boasts its own impressive pedigree. Leading the cast is Henry Hull as Dr. Wilfred Glendon, a botanist whose ill-fated expedition leads to a curse of Jekyll-and-Hyde lycanthropy. Behind the scenes, legendary makeup artist Jack Pierce—who also created Karloff's Frankenstein look—crafted the werewolf design with a distinctly different flavor than its successors. With its eerie London fog, memorable characters, and transformative makeup effects, Werewolf of London remains a fascinating chapter in the evolution of monster movies. So, light the torches and join AC and his incredible panel of guests (Jenn Adams, Craig J. Clark, Larry Fessenden, Tom Mula, Jimmy Seiersen) as we explore 90 years of the themes, legacies, and lasting influence of these two genre-defining films, one a towering achievement, the other an underappreciated pioneer. ----------------------------------------- JENN ADAMS is a writer and podcaster from Nashville, TN. She co-hosts The Loser's Club: A Stephen King Podcast, The Lady Killers: A Feminine Rage Podcast, Murder Made Fiction, and The Girls on The Boys. She is a contributor and columnist for Bloody Disgusting, Rue Morgue and Dread Central and creator of the Strong Female Antagonist blog. CRAIG J. CLARK watches a lot of movies. He started watching them in New Jersey, where he was born and raised, and continues to watch them in Indiana. He is a frequent contributor to Crooked Marquee (https://crookedmarquee.com/author/craig-j-clark/) and writes the monthly Full Moon Features column for Werewolf News (https://werewolf-news.com/category/full-moon-features/). He is not a werewolf himself (or so he says) LARRY FESSENDEN is a writer, director, producer, and actor who runs the New York production shingle Glass Eye Pix with the mission of supporting individual voices in the arts. TOM MULA is a Chicago actor, director, and playwright, and author of the bestselling book and play, "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol." JIMMY SEIERSEN from Sweden has written essays for the HORROR 101 and HIDDEN HORROR books, been a short film programmer for Lund Fantastic Film Festival (2010–2022), and creates short films that eventually make their way to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmySeiersen ----------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
THE CHANGELING (1980) d. Peter Medak (Canada) (Apologies for the tech issues during the last 4-5 minutes! We were battling the ghost of Joseph Carmichael!) Tonight we're discussing The Changeling (1980), Peter Medak's stellar haunted house tale which usually takes a back seat to the big-budget envisioning of Stephen King's The Shining, released the same year. But in many ways, this small Canadian film, loaded with creepy atmosphere and tightly fashioned suspense sequences, surpasses the ax-swinging histrionics that Kubrick and Co. dish out. As grieving composer John Russell, recovering from the deaths of his wife and daughter, George C. Scott anchors the picture with a compelling strength and vulnerability. Roused by a murdered child's spirit in the Seattle mansion where he has retreated, Russell's utter conviction with which he seeks to uncover the mystery is riveting. There's also the neat subplot of Melyvn Douglas' duplicitous politician, whose backstory proves more and more integral to the house's healing. William Gray and Diana Maddox craft a marvelous script (based on musician Russell Hunter's real-life story), and Medak, whose films don't always indicate the most subtle of sensibilities, is absolutely the man for the job, creating and sustaining incredible tension throughout as well as delivering marvelous moments of release. The film made a huge smash at the Genie Awards, Canada's version of the Oscars, winning Best Picture, Actor, Actress, Screenplay, Cinematography, Production Design, and two awards for Sound, yet has mysteriously still not achieved the same mythic status as other classic haunted house stories. But once experienced, you'll never look at a red rubber ball or antique wheelchair the same way again. Join AC and his awesome panel of guests (Aaron AuBuchon, John W. Bowen, Jon Kitley, Steven Peros, Gert Verbeeck) as we celebrate 45 years of THE CHANGELING! (Apologies for Sound Quality in the final stretch!) ----------------------------------------------------------------- AARON AUBUCHON is a film professor and writer, and also an editor, director, motion graphics artist and producer. He is also co-host of the Discover the Horror podcast. https://discoverthehorror.com/ JOHN W. BOWEN has been a columnist, reviewer and feature writer for Rue Morgue magazine since 1999, and has also written sporadically for more (...cough...) "civilized" publications, including the Kingston Whig-Standard, The Toronto Star and Kingston Life Magazine. Born in Dallas and raised in Kingston, Ontario, he is also a professional musician and recovering strip club DJ JON KITLEY has been running his website, Kitley's Krypt for 25 years. He's a columnist for HorrorHound magazine, a co-host on the Discover the Horror podcast, and attends multiple conventions and all-night horror movie marathons at the drive-in theaters! https://kitleyskrypt.com/ STEVEN PEROS is the editor and contributor to Giant Beast Cinema and Cinema Bizarro (both reaching #1 on Amazon). Steven is best known for writing Peter Bogdanovich's The Cat's Meow, starring Kirsten Dunst. He is VP of Creative Affairs for Cineverse, home of the Terrifier series. https://stevenperos.com/ GERT VERBEECK is a filmmaker, writer and musician from Brussels, Belgium. His independent production floor Amoeba Pictures offers non-exclusive creative contributions to local projects and international co-productions. He likes his literature, motion pictures and musical experiences diverse, nuanced, and intense. ---------------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
BLACK SUNDAY (1960) d. Mario Bava (Italy) Tonight we're discussing Mario Bava's Black Sunday (aka The Mask of Satan) (1960), one of the most atmosphere-drenched cinematic forays into the supernatural. Marrying the feel of the Universal classics with the darkness of a Grimm fairy tale, and adding in the gorier and sexier feel of the rising Hammer color Gothics, this tour-de-force directorial debut introduced the world to Italian DP Mario Bava and scream queen in the making Barbara Steele, both becoming genre superstars overnight. The breathtaking opening sequence, featuring a spike-studded iron mask, shocked audiences around the world, passing instantly into horror film iconography. The following 85 minutes see Bava weaving an elaborate tapestry of atmosphere and gloom over this tale of vengeance visited upon the family that burned the witch Aja and her lover at the stake two hundred years before. While there are few elements of the fantastic story (very loosely based on Nikolai Gogol's story) that break new ground, this is an unabashedly gorgeous exercise in style and stunning black-and-white cinematography. Steele is outstanding as Aja and her modern-day descendant, Katia, both of whom share screen time with upcoming Hammer star John Richardson. This masterpiece of Gothic mood will linger in the mind long after the lights come up, and is absolutely required viewing for any horror fan. Plus, Bava's pioneering work here paved the way for fellow auteurs Dario Argento and Lucio Fulci, and gave rise to an entirely new subgenre: The Italian horror film. Join AC and his awesome panel of guests (Nile Arena, Craig J. Clark, Ian Simmons, Alan Tromp, Cullen Wade) as we celebrate 65 years of BLACK SUNDAY!! -------------------------------------------------------- NILE ARENA has created cinema collectives, worked the film festival circuit, and lent his voice to podcasts dedicated to the silver screen. His literary/weird fiction journal, Success Stories, is available now at some of the places books are sold. CRAIG J. CLARK watches a lot of movies. He started watching them in New Jersey, where he was born and raised, and continues to watch them in Indiana. He is a frequent contributor to Crooked Marquee (https://crookedmarquee.com/author/cra...) and writes the monthly Full Moon Features column for Werewolf News (https://werewolf-news.com/category/fu.... He is not a werewolf himself (or so he says) IAN SIMMONS runs the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel, where he posts movie reviews, interviews, and critics round tables. He is also a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association, and feels conflicted about referring to himself in the third person. https://kickseat.com/ ALAN TROMP is a golden age Monster Kid, who has published articles in Filmfax, Twilight Zone Magazine, and We Belong Dead publications in the UK. He was scriptwriter for the shot-on-video nightmare, The Soul Eaters. CULLEN WADE is the author of S(p)lasher Flicks: The Swimming Pool in Horror Cinema, out in 2025 from McFarland Books. Follow him on letterboxd @tobe_whooper and Bluesky @cullenwade.bsky.social --------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
FRIGHT NIGHT (1985) d. Tom Holland (USA) FRIGHT NIGHT PART II (1988) d. Tommy Lee Wallace (USA) FRIGHT NIGHT (2011) d. Craig Gillespie (USA) FRIGHT NIGHT 2 (2013) d. Eduardo Rodriguez (USA) Written and directed by Tom Holland, 1985's Fright Night is a genre-blending horror-comedy that combines classic vampire lore with 1980s suburban paranoia. The story follows teenager Charley Brewster, who suspects his suave new neighbor, Jerry Dandrige, is a vampire. When his girlfriend Amy and best friend Ed dismiss his fears, Charley turns to horror host Peter Vincent to save the day… and the night. Chris Sarandon brings a heightened modern sophistication and menace to Jerry, while Roddy McDowall shines as the cowardly genre star pressed into true heroism. William Ragsdale and Amanda Bearse are charming as the young ingenues, with Stephen Geoffreys absolutely unforgettable as "Evil" Ed. Employing a mix of prosthetics, animatronics, puppetry, and makeup, the film's outstanding practical effects were brought to life by the talented team headed by Steve Johnson, William Randall Cook, and visual effects supervisor Richard Edlund, creating richly textured visuals that evoke both screams and laughter. Thanks to Holland's clever writing and deft direction, the cast's invested performances, and groundbreaking effects which still hold up decades later, Fright Night remains a touchstone of 1980s horror, a beloved cult classic that only seems to get better every year. Join AC and his fang-tastic panel of guests (Dino Clark, Daniel Millhouse, Maura Sarazen, Chris Scales) as we celebrate 40 years of Fright Night!! ------------------------------------------------- DINO CLARK has been a horror fan since he was a wee lad, after his parents bought their first VCR in the mid-80s. Born and raised in Chicago, he loves attending horror cons & chatting about his fave horror films with fellow fans! He has been in Human Resources for most of his career, which can be a mini-horror movie at times. DANIEL MILLHOUSE joyfully returns to review films with Dr. AC and friends! As an Assistant Professor at the College of DuPage, he cherishes his Theatre, TV/Film, and Motion Capture acting experiences. He is one mischievous, charming, goofball. MAURA SARAZEN has been watching horror movies since she was a child. Her earliest memory is watching The Exorcist while in a playpen. She enjoys long walks in a fog filled forest, her favorite eye color is black sclera, and she truly believes turning into a werewolf would fix her back problems. CHRIS SCALES is a lifelong horror fan, aspiring horror screenwriter, and horror panelist. ---------------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
DAY OF THE DEAD (1985) d. George A. Romero (USA) Celebrate the 40th anniversary of George A. Romero's Day of the Dead, the dark, post-apocalyptic chapter of his legendary zombie trilogy. We explore the film's unforgettable gore, chilling atmosphere, and its place in horror history. Perfect for fans of classic zombie movies, 80s horror, and cult cinema! In this episode, we dive into: 🔹 Romero's vision of the undead 🔹 Tom Savini's groundbreaking special effects 🔹 Bub the zombie & other iconic performances 🔹 The legacy of 1980s zombie horror Join AC and his amazing panel of guests (Kristy Jett, Michael Klug, Anna Maurya, Michelle Kisner, John McDevitt) as we honor everything that makes Day of the Dead a cult classic, four decades later. -------------------------------------------------- KRISTY JETT, faithful horror nerd of 40+ years, resides in Buffalo, NY and is the mother of nine cats. She remains now and forever the world's biggest fan of the film Popcorn (1991). MICHELLE KISNER is a film critic, freelance writer, and physical media advocate. She has contributed to several websites to include The Cultural Gutter and The Movie Sleuth and is also a member of the Michigan Movie Critics Guild. MICHAEL KLUG was born and raised in South Dakota. He is an actor, screenwriter, film critic, screenplay consultant, novelist, filmmaker and overall movie nerd, living in Los Angeles. Long live George A. Romero!" http://klugiverse.com/ ANNA MAURYA is a film fan stuck in Ohio. They have been a guest on Raiders of the Podcast, a contributor to Hidden Horror, and they generally dislike writing about themselves in the third person. JOHN MCDEVITT is a lifelong cinephile who programs two recurring film events in Chicago: SUPER-HORROR-RAMA! and Fetish Film Forum, a monthly screening series about fetish, kink, leather, and BDSM at the Leather Archives & Museum. John is fascinated by all genres of cinema and appreciates horror most of all for its willingness to explore what makes us uncomfortable and for the compassion it often extends to its characters and the viewer. ------------------------------------------------------------ Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
TARANTULA (1955) d. Jack Arnold (USA) IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA (1955) d. Robert Gordon (USA) KING DINOSAUR (1955) d. Bert I. Gordon (USA) Tonight, we step back seventy years to 1955—the cusp of the golden age for giant monster cinema, as atomic anxiety crept from the headlines onto the silver screen, mutating into monstrous metaphors that stomped, crawled, and slithered into our collective imagination. In this episode, we'll look at three emblematic 1955 films—Tarantula, It Came from Beneath the Sea, and King Dinosaur—and explore how their monsters weren't just fanciful products of science fiction, but also reflections of Cold War fears, rapid technological advancement, and the uneasy relationship between scientific progress and military might. Tarantula, directed by Jack Arnold, featured a titular monster, born of unchecked experimentation, that symbolized the dangers of science without restraint—a warning that progress could turn predatory. Arnold's tight direction gives the film a creeping tension and spooky haunting atmosphere that still resonates. In It Came from Beneath the Sea, directed by Robert Gordon, special effects maestro Ray Harryhausen brought a radioactive giant octopus to life in unforgettable stop-motion detail. The film dramatized fears of the deep—both literal and metaphorical—linking nuclear testing with uncontrollable natural retaliation. On the other end of the spectrum, Bert I. Gordon's King Dinosaur is a textbook example of low-budget outrageousness that entertains in spite of (or perhaps because of) its ludicrous plot, stiff acting, oodles of stock footage, and clumsy rear-projected lizards masquerading as prehistoric beasts. Grab your flamethrowers and portable atomic bombs and join AC and his supersized panel of guests (Joyce Boss, Barry Kaufman, Mark Matzke, Joseph Wycoff) as we celebrate a trio of black-and-white sci-fi classics filled with messages, metaphors, and monsters!! -------------------------------------------------------- JOYCE MIHARA BOSS teaches world literature and cinema, myth, and Japanese popular culture at Wartburg College. Her academic publications and presentations have focused on various topics related to Godzilla, yōkai, global fandom, and Japanese religion and folklore. BARRY KAUFMAN has been committed to spreading the gospel of obscure horror and science-fiction cinema since writing the fanzines Monsters of Japan and Demonique in the 1970s and 80s. He ran All-Horror Video out of a house in the woods in Homewood, Illinois through the 1980s, followed by his shop The House of Monsters in Chicago from 1996 to 2007. He now vends at genre related shows and programs festivals in the Chicago area featuring his inconspicuous film favorites. MARK MATZKE is the narrative voice of numerous Small Town Monsters documentaries such as "Sasquatch Unearthed." He's featured on STM's YouTube series "UFOs Revisited," and has written for Stephen Bissette's upcoming "Cryptid Cinema 2," Nostalgia Digest and G-FAN. JOSEPH WYCOFF is a veteran Chicago actor now based in New Zealand, with onscreen credits ranging from "Ash vs Evil Dead" to the Power Rangers to Josh Ruben's Heart Eyes (2025). -------------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER (1986/1990) d. John McNaughton (USA) Tonight we take a look back at one of the most disturbing and uncompromising horror films ever made: Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. Loosely inspired by the real-life confessions of Henry Lee Lucas, John McNaughton's debut feature is relentless in its refusal to offer comfort, catharsis, or a triumphant finale of good over evil. Originally slapped with an X rating, which made it nearly inaccessible for years, Henry is no ordinary 80s slasher. And what it lacks in graphic cinematic splatter, it makes up for in atmosphere and dread. Michael Rooker, in a chilling breakout performance, grimly underplays Henry as an illiterate drifter who ends human life without remorse, logic, or pattern. Henry doesn't kill for pleasure. He kills because… it's simply what he does. Murder, for him, is as routine as breathing. McNaughton, working from a script co-written with Richard Fire, doesn't make a cheap exploitation horror film. He delivers a sincere, unsentimental character study. The film follows Henry across a bleak, anonymous Midwest to the urban locales of Chicago, shot with natural lighting, real locations, and minimal music, intentionally blur the line between fiction and reality. With strong supporting performances by Tracy Arnold as a young woman fascinated with Henry, and Tom Towles as her lowlife brother (and sometime accomplice to Henry's crimes), Henry remains a stark, nihilistic entry in the canon of independent and regional American horror that still manages to shock and surprise, decades after its troubled release. Join AC and his cadre of confrontational horror fans (Aaron AuBuchon, Ben Beard, Rigo Garay, Hunter Johnson, Jonathon Lucas) as they celebrate 35 years of the wide release of Henry!! ----------------------------------------------------------- AARON AUBUCHON is a film professor and writer, and also an editor, director, motion graphics artist and producer. He is also co-host of the Discover the Horror podcast. https://discoverthehorror.com/ BEN BEARD is the author of The South Never Plays Itself, The Bad Class, Four Horses Seven Seals, and I Never Told You I Was Any Good: The Life and Films of Joseph H. Lewis, among other books. He lives in Chicago with his wife and three daughters. https://bwbeard.com/ RIGO GARAY is a writer/actor/director from Long Island, NY, currently and joyfully employed at Glass Eye Pix (founded by horror auteur Larry Fessenden). He has been seen onscreen in Crumb Catcher (d. Chris Skotchdopple), Blackout (d. Larry Fessenden), and The Leech (d. Eric Pennycoff), as well as TV roles on Blue Bloods, Law & Order: SVU, and Law & Order: Organized Crime. He is preparing for his directorial feature debut, PULL: A DARK COMEDY, currently in pre-production. HUNTER JOHNSON is an actor, producer, and writer born in Wisconsin, educated in Chicago, experienced in L.A., and currently living in MO. He is the co-creator of the HORROR VILLAINS podcast. https://linktr.ee/lahorrorcom JONATHON LUCAS is a horror fiend from Australia whose love for the genre predates his brain's ability to form memories. He contributed the essay for At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul for Hidden Horror, and has appeared numerous times as a panelist for H101wDrAC. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
MASTERS OF HORROR was a horror anthology series like none before, making its small-screen bow on the cable channel Showtime in October 2005. Created by Mick Garris, the show brought together some of the most renowned names in horror filmmaking to direct hour-long episodes that showcased their unique visions. Predating the wave of multi-voiced anthology films like V/H/S and ABCs of Death, each episode was a self-contained story, with genre icons such as John Carpenter, Dario Argento, Tobe Hooper, Stuart Gordon, John Landis, Joe Dante, and Don Coscarelli, alongside newer voices such as Lucky McKee and Takashi Miike, exploring different themes and scenarios ranging from supernatural terror to the murderer next door. The idea behind the series emerged from informal dinners hosted by Garris, with established horror directors sharing ideas and mutual admiration for one another, as well as discussing the genre's rich history and diversity. The first season, featuring 13 episodes from 13 directors, received praise for its bold storytelling and atmospheric tension, pushing the boundaries of cable television, delivering graphic content that rivaled R-rated horror films and giving these horror auteurs a creative freedom rarely found, especially on television. 20 years later, Masters of Horror remains a cult favorite, ripe for rediscovery by a new generation. A bold artistic experiment that ended up being a cultural, critical, and commercial success for Mick Garris and his merry band nightmare makers. Join AC and his intrepid panel of anthology fans (Jay Kay, Eli LaChance, Tim Palace) as we celebrate two decades of MASTERS OF HORROR! ------------------------------------------------------- ELI LACHANCE is a horror writer, chemist, and paleontology enthusiast. He is currently starting his last year in UMSL's MFA in creative writing program. He resides in St. Louis, Missouri with his wife, dog, and two cats, one of which may be the living dead. Some of his writing can be found in Medium Chill and on Channel-31.com. When he's not writing, he loves walking with his dog, bird watching, and hunting fossils. https://channel-31.com/ JAY KAY is the creator of the Rondo-nominated horror podcast, Horror Happens, where he has conducted hundreds upon hundreds of interviews with genre celebrities. He is also a staff writer with HorrorHound Magazine. TIM PALACE is a lifelong Chicago-based genre fan with a particular devotion to the horrific. A committed collector of physical media, Tim has amassed close to 13,000 titles he's excited to share with his new terror tyke Oliver. ----------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!!
JAWS (1975) d. Steven Spielberg (USA) JAWS 2 (1978) d. Jeannot Szwarc (USA) JAWS 3D (1983) d. Joe Alves (USA) JAWS: THE REVENGE (1987) d. Joseph Sargent (USA) From its harrowing opening sequence to the breathtaking climax, Steven Spielberg's hugely successful masterpiece of suspense and thrills, JAWS (1975), scared audiences out of the water and into theaters in record-breaking numbers. On the surface, the plot is simplicity itself: The locals of the northeastern island town of Amity start turning up as fish food when an enormous great white shark materializes, leaving fear and body parts in its wake. Peter Benchley's adaptation (with able help from Carl Gottlieb) of his own bestseller charts the wise course of creating vivid characters that are as memorable as the scenes of teeth-chomping terror. Armed with a top-notch cast of Roy Scheider as the local sheriff with a healthy fear of water, Richard Dreyfuss as a feisty oceanic expert, and the brilliant Robert Shaw as the gnarled shark hunter Quint, there is nary a wasted onscreen moment. Despite being plagued with endless technical problems during production, the 26-year-old Spielberg ratchets up the tension time and again, each sequence more nail-biting than the last. And his efforts are made all the more effective by John Williams' Oscar-winning score, one of the most famous in movie history. By focusing equally between its engaging, likable human protagonists and the monster shark's mayhem, a modern horror classic emerged, one that still commands our respect and enthusiasm a half-century later. Join AC and his crew of landlubbing enthusiasts (Fraser Coffeen, Katie McLean Hainsworth, Anish Jethmalani, Kevin Matthews, Ryan Olson) as we celebrate 50 years of JAWS!! ----------------------------------------------------- FRASER COFFEEN is the co-host of Creepy History, a podcast dedicated to all the creepy stuff you wish they taught you in High School. He's been published in Horror Homeroom magazine and How to Analyze and Review Comics. KATIE MCLEAN HAINSWORTH is a Chicago-based performer/writer, whom you can regularly find on both the DARK NEXUS and FAWX & STALLION podcasts. She's happily guested on HORROR 101 a few times as well as on Roll For Impact's THE STRANGER. ANISH JETHMALANI is Chicago Actor who has been on stages and screens for 30 years. You may recognize him from the horror flick Girl on the Third Floor with CM Punk. He is passionate Cinephile who contributed an essay on The Omen for the original HORROR 101: The A-List of Horror Films and Monster Movies. You can find him on letterboxed at https://letterboxd.com/ajet/ KEVIN MATTHEWS posts a movie review daily on the For It Is Man's Number blog, and is one quarter of the Raiders of the Podcast team who have been putting out weekly episodes for over six years. https://linktr.ee/raidersofthepodcast RYAN OLSON (aka S. Ravenlord of The Cold Beyond music group) is the owner of Deadspeak Design and Night World Records, as well as a member of the Synapse Films street team and a regular on the Synapse Films podcast. His work has been featured in Liquid Cheese, Horrorhound, & Evilspeak Magazines. ----------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
RE-ANIMATOR (1985) d. Stuart Gordon (USA) BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR (1990) d. Brian Yuzna (USA) BEYOND RE-ANIMATOR (2003) d. Brian Yuzna (Spain) Stuart Gordon's debut feature Re-Animator is a fast-paced, tongue-in-cheek blend of horror, sci-fi, and dark comedy that helped define the splatter subgenre of the 1980s. Loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft's serialized novella and set at the fabled Miskatonic University, the wildly intense Herbert West (deliciously played by Jeffrey Combs) embarks on a series of experiments to bring the dead back to life—with increasingly chaotic and outrageous results. Re-Animator leans fully into its mad-scientist premise, delivering practical effects that are by turns grotesque, absurd, and weirdly funny. Bruce Abbott, Barbara Crampton, Robert Sampson, and David Gale round out the cast, grounding the onscreen madness with enjoyably full-blooded characterizations. Balancing horror and satire with sanguinary flair, Re-Animator is gleefully macabre and wickedly entertaining. Its over-the-top tone, energetic pacing, and fearless style earned it cult status, two sequels, a stage musical, and enduring adoration from genre fans of all ages. It's a manic, fluorescent-green celebration of science-gone-wrong—and it still feels delightfully messy, manic, and totally unpredictable—a dizzing rollercoaster of science-gone-wrong that still feels fresh, funny, and furiously unhinged. Join AC and his dazzling panel of guests (Sarah Binion, Anna Ceragioli, Mike Mayo, Chris Wylie) as we celebrate 40 years of RE-ANIMATOR!! ------------------------------------------------------ SARAH BINION is a self-taught horror fan who has turned the simple question "What's your favorite horror movie?" into a personal mission to uncover hidden gems and overlooked masterpieces in the genre. ANNA CERAGIOLI is a Chicagoan who lives for horror movies. From throwing horror-themed dinner parties, playing Monster Bash in her pinball league, or chilling with a Goblin vinyl, it's all horror all the time for her. MIKE MAYO has written several books about film and popular culture, among them VideoHound's Horror Show and American Murder. He is also the author of the Jimmy Quinn historical suspense novels set in Prohibition-era New York. https://www.mike-mayo.com/ CHRIS WYLIE is the co-host of Deep Cuts Horror Trivia in Chicago, and an avid lover of psychological and trash horror. He believes we need to stop shaming people for not having seen certain movies, and has had his ass kicked by Batgirl on film. ----------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD (aka THE GATES OF HELL) (1980) d. Lucio Fulci (Italy) Tonight we're returning to the eerie and bonkers world of Italian horror with a film that defies conventional storytelling — Lucio Fulci's City of the Living Dead, known to American audiences as The Gates of Hell. Following up on the success of Zombie the year before, City of the Living Dead marked a turning point in Fulci's career, steering him away from the multitude of genres he had previously worked in, into the surreal, apocalyptic horror that would ultimately come to define his legacy within the genre. Working with screenwriter Dardano Sacchetti, composer Fabio Frizzi, and special effects wizard Gino de Rossi, Fulci crafted a story where atmosphere outweighs logic, favoring mood and shock value over a linear plot. Despite — or perhaps because of — its fragmented narrative, this is a film that you feel more than follow, a surreal, almost metaphysical approach to horror, one that leaves audiences disoriented, fascinated, deeply unsettled, and hungry for another viewing Join AC and his amazing panel of guests (Jonathon Lucas, Dave James Parker, Larry Sternshein, Nathaniel Thompson) as we explore City of the Living Dead's place in Fulci's career and in Italian genre cinema, and why it continues to resonate with horror fans 45 years later. ------------------------------------------- JONATHON LUCAS is a horror fiend from Australia whose love for the genre predates his brain's ability to form memories. He contributed the essay for At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul for Hidden Horror. DAVE JAMES PARKER is a YouTube film reviewer, collector, and former indie actor who has been running the Mr. Parka YouTube channel and podcast for over 15 years. In recent years he has started a deep dive into 1980s horror films where he often collaborates with horror journalist, podcasters, and authors to discuss an assorted mix of genre films. He has made appearances in notable indie horrors Headless and Applecart. LARRY STERNSHEIN is a lifelong movie fan in Colorado and host of the movie memories podcast "Reel Early." Not only does he love talking about horror and action cinema, but is also a big pro wrestling fan. NATHANIEL THOMPSON has recorded 300 audio commentaries and written five books, most recently The FrightFest Guide to Vampire Movies. You can see him in shows like Eli Roth's History of Horror and Horror's Greatest, and read him yammering about all kinds of movies at mondo-digital.com. ------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
PEEPING TOM (1960) d. Michael Powell (UK) A provocative psychological thriller and a daring exploration of voyeurism, Michael Powell's PEEPING TOM tells the story of Mark Lewis, a withdrawn cameraman filled with deep pain and dark secrets. Powell's brilliant examination of the human urge to look—but not be seen looking—turns Mark's camera into both weapon and mirror. Peeping Tom is a film about watching, made in a medium built for being watched. Powell, fully aware of cinema's voyeuristic nature, floods the narrative with images of seeing, watching, and being seen—even including a blind character who "sees" more than others. Most disturbingly, Powell offers a psychopathic killer as the protagonist, forcing audiences not just to sympathize, but to identify with him—even more brazenly than Hitchcock's Psycho, released the same year to far greater acclaim and success. Audiences in 1960 Britain were unprepared for such a confrontational and honest viewpoint, and the film was condemned, reviled, and effectively ended Powell's career at home. For decades, Peeping Tom languished in obscurity, more referenced than seen firsthand. Today, 65 years later, it is rightfully recognized as a visionary masterpiece—an unflinching look at the dark heart of cinema itself. 👁️ From taboo-breaking storytelling to its lasting legacy in the genre, Peeping Tom is more than a film—it's a lens into horror's darkest instincts. Join AC and his awesome panel of guests (Christianne Benedict, Dave M Gray, Mackenzie Parker, Lee Price) as they celebrate 65 years of PEEPING TOM! 📺 New horror history episodes every Friday night – Subscribe and hit the bell 🔔 to join the class! ----------------------------------------------------------------- CHRISTIANNE BENEDICT is a cartoonist, film writer, malcontent, and Bloginatrix at https://krelllabs.blogspot.com DAVE "M" GRAY is currently a test subject in a subterranean mad science lab and allowed to send proofs of life to Raiders of the Podcast (raidersofthepodcast.blogspot.com or anywhere you podcast) and Twitch (twitch.tv/sh4ggyr4nd) weekly. MACKENZIE PARKER is a filmmaker living in Los Angeles. He studied at Northern Illinois University and the Moscow Art Theater. He has worked on TV shows such as Sons of Anarchy and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and is currently working as a staff editor for Digital Alliance. LEE PRICE has dedicated his career to celebrating our history and culture (including horror films!) through freelance writing and 25 years with the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts. He is a guest blogger at "Wonders in the Dark." ---------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
MANIAC (1980) d. William Lustig (USA) Celebrating 45 years of William Lustig's Maniac (1980) — a cult horror classic that's part slasher, part psychological descent, and all Joe Spinell. Wildly controversial and undeniably influential, Maniac (1980) is one of the most unsettling slasher films of the early 1980s. Directed by William Lustig and starring Joe Spinell—who also co-wrote the screenplay—Maniac follows Frank Zito, a deeply disturbed and isolated man driven by trauma, navigating the grim streets of New York City. Unlike many slasher movies of the era, Maniac is a psychological horror film that focuses less on body count and more on the fractured mind of its killer. Tom Savini's legendary practical effects are a standout, as is Lustig's raw portrayal of urban decay. Jay Chattaway's synth-heavy score and Robert Lindsay's gritty cinematography contribute to a haunting atmosphere that has helped cement the film's cult classic status. Criticized upon release for its extreme violence and perceived misogyny, Maniac has since been reevaluated as a bold example of independent horror cinema—transgressive, unforgettable, and essential viewing for fans of character-driven horror. Join AC and his awesome panel of guests (John W. Bowen, Art Ettinger, Nicola McCafferty) as we celebrate 45 years of MANIAC! ------------------------------------------------ JOHN W. BOWEN has been a columnist, reviewer and feature writer for Rue Morgue magazine since 1999, and has also written sporadically for more (...cough...) "civilized" publications, including the Kingston Whig-Standard, The Toronto Star and Kingston Life Magazine. Born in Dallas and raised in Kingston, Ontario, he is also a professional musician and recovering strip club DJ. ART ETTINGER is the editor of Ultra Violent Magazine, a public defender, and a Razorcake record reviewer. He lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where his lifelong obsessions with punk rock and horror/exploitation cinema continue to consume him. NICOLA MCCAFFERTY is a PhD candidate in the department of Radio, Television, and Film at Northwestern University. Her research looks at screen representations of nonhuman women such as mannequins, dolls, robots, and aliens in order to deconstruct the overlapping categories of whiteness, humanity, and femininity. Outside of grad school, Nicola has a few stray bylines at Dread Central, has seen every Kristen Stewart movie, and runs an Etsy store (https://www.etsy.com/shop/vvitchroom/?etsrc=sdt) where she sells enamel pins, stickers, and prints inspired by horror and cult films from the 1960s to today. ------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
BATTLE ROYALE (2000) d. Kinji Fukasaku (Japan) How did Battle Royale become one of the most influential survival horror films of all time? In this HORROR 101 panel, we dive into Kinji Fukasaku's controversial cult classic—an ultra-violent dystopian thriller where 42 students are forced to kill or be killed. Based on Koushun Takami's novel, Battle Royale blends brutal action with haunting emotion, earning its place as a defining work of J-horror and 2000s cinema. Join AC and his incredible panel of J-Horror enthusiasts (Michelle Kisner, Grant Kuchan, Tyler Pistorius) as we explore the film's horror roots, its commentary on youth, government control, and media spectacle, and how it helped shape everything from The Hunger Games to Fortnite. ----------------------------------------- MICHELLE KISNER is a film critic, freelance writer, and physical media advocate. She has contributed to several websites to include The Cultural Gutter and The Movie Sleuth and is also a member of the Michigan Movie Critics Guild. GRANT KUCHAN is a writer of pulp, wellness coach, and a real swell guy. He plays in any Jug Bands that let him. One day he'll finish another novel, which will probably be available on Amazon, as well as at most Darktower Comics locations across the greater Chicagoland Area. The horror movie that still gives him nightmares is Matango. He saw it when he was six, and still doesn't eat mushrooms. TYLER PISTORIUS is an actor, screenwriter, and producer living in Chicago. His recent works include Death is Business and A Missed Connection, and is currently in development on a new project. ------------------------------------------ Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
1970 was a breakthrough year for vampire cinema — sexier, bloodier, and bolder than ever before. In this episode of HORROR 101, Dr. AC and his panel explore five iconic films that redefined the vampire mythos for a new era: COUNT YORGA, VAMPIRE (USA) – A modern bloodsucker stalks the streets of Los Angeles. HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS (USA) – Barnabas Collins goes full Gothic on the big screen. THE VAMPIRE LOVERS (UK) – Hammer Horror leans into eroticism with Ingrid Pitt as Carmilla. COUNT DRACULA (Spain) – Jess Franco directs Christopher Lee in a rarely faithful take on Bram Stoker's novel. THE NUDE VAMPIRE (France) – Jean Rollin's surreal art-horror vision blends sci-fi and sexuality. 🎙️ Featuring special guests: Chad Hawks, Barry Kaufman, Alan Tromp, and Bobby Zier. If you're into classic horror, cult cinema, or just love a good vampire flick, this one's for you. New episodes every Friday night!
REPULSION (1965) d. Roman Polanski (UK) Co-written and directed by Roman Polanski, Repulsion (1965) is a landmark psychological horror film that explores the mental disintegration of a young woman, Carole (expertly played by Catherine Deneuve), living alone in London. Polanski's first English-language feature—and the first in his iconic "Apartment Trilogy," followed by Rosemary's Baby and The Tenant—Repulsion dives deep into themes of isolation, sexual repression, and psychological trauma. When Carole's sister leaves her alone for two weeks, paranoia and terrifying hallucinations take over her world. Polanski masterfully uses the apartment setting (designed by Seamus Flannery), Gil Taylor's surreal camerawork, and Stephen Dalby's eerie sound design to visualize Carole's descent into madness. Cracking walls, grasping hands, and nightmarish shadows blur the line between reality and delusion, all set to Chico Hamilton's moody jazz score. Join AC and his panel of horror enthusiasts (Dodd Alley, Matthew Amador, Thomas Puhr, and Elena Romea) as we analyze Repulsion's lasting influence, its place in horror history, the complicated relationship between art and artist, and why it remains one of the 1960s' most disturbing and enduring works. --------------------------------------------- DODD ALLEY is an author (Gamers and Gorehounds: The Influence of Video Games on the Contemporary American Horror Film) and has a Masters in Film Studies from Ohio University, where he taught courses on Cult Cinema and Hollywood Reflexive films. MATTHEW AMADOR is an actor and owner of Matador Behavioral Health, where he utilizes narrative fiction as a means to process trauma and anxiety through psychotherapy. www.MatadorChicago.com THOMAS M. PUHR's writing has appeared in Bright Lights Film Journal and the Los Angeles Review of Books, among others. His book, Fate in Film: A Deterministic Approach to Cinema, is available from Wallflower Press. He is the co-host of Gut Punch, a new film podcast from Beneficial Shock! magazine. ELENA ROMEA is the creator behind SpanishFear.com and Horror Rises from Spain. A researcher in literature and cinema, she holds a Ph.D. in Spanish Studies with a dissertation about the filmmaker José Val del Omar. Her work explores themes of estrangement, horror, myth, and cultural conflict. ------------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!