Author: Wes

Carnival of Souls (1962)

Film Review by Bud Jenness

CARNIVAL OF SOULS is either an intentionally layered and meaningful film, or it was a ‘happy accident’ by Herk Harvey. I sometimes say it’s not too far removed from an Ed Wood film, but that’s really not fair at all. There’s something special about this movie, and I’ll be darned if I can really put my finger on it. Continue reading “Carnival of Souls (1962)”

Helen Baldwin Kingkade SF13 E4

This week Wes and co-host Holly speak to Helen Baldwin Kingkade, the director, writer, producer, and a multitude of other hats on the short film SONGBIRD, winner of Best Short Film of 2019 at this year’s Scarefest. SONGBIRD is still currently working its way around the film circuit, netting many awards and accolades in almost every department including Best Actor and Best Cinematography.

A big fan of Alfred Hitchcock, Helen admits that this love may have helped influence the story’s creation. She also discusses SONGBIRD’s casting, the filming process and funding, and what inspires a person to put so much craftsmanship into a short film project. Given the success of this fantastic short film, we’re looking forward to her next project.

We also get some great expanded content this week with a movie review from Bonehead Joe Lewis, a delve into This Week in Horror History and an interview with an Egyptian demon by Dan Nation. An Egyptian demon? Wow, Dan is a brave soul. For more Dan Nation check out Mutagen Nation’s YouTube channel.

 

 

Hereditary

Film Review by Brian Stidham

Hereditary is a rare breed of horror movie, in that it is not only genuinely chilling but it also received an enormous amount of critical praise. It was nominated for multiple awards at several award events including the Chicago Film Critics Association Awards, the Gotham Awards, and The Los Angeles Film Critic Awards. It even managed to score several wins, among them Best Director and Best Screenplay, at the 2019 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards. What makes these wins more impressive is that Hereditary is writer/director Ari Aster’s first feature film. Continue reading “Hereditary”

CC Ann Our Newest Co host SF13 E3

Here it is true believers, not only is there a new co-host but the Scarefest sausage party is proud to welcome a brilliant young lady to the broadcast family, CC Ann. Tonight Wes introduces us to CC Ann, and like any good superhero, she has a great origin story from having a connection to a person in Wes’ past to Scarefest XII being her first horror con ever to becoming a new co-host.

CC Ann comes to us all the way from Baltimore and shares her opinions on the supernatural,, how she feels about remakes, and why TV series are not necessarily her cup of tea. We are looking forward to much more from CC and she will be giving us her first official show soon from the World Oddities Expo. Plus she has some unbelievable art on display during her interview.

Wes also reminds us that the Scarefest wines from this season will still be available through Christmas. And we wonder what wackiness would happen if Wes had been one of the researchers stuck in the Antarctic during John Carpenter’s THE THING.

 

Scarefest 2019 Post Mortum SF13 E1

Scarefest XII has come and gone and was it ever exciting! Tonight, Wes hosts co-owner, and horror icon in his own special way, Brandon Griffith. After an exhausting, but spectacular year, Brandon fills us in on the triumphs and inevitable speed bumps of putting together one of the premiere horror cons in the U.S. How can Scarefest NOT rock out? People got to throw axes with horror legends! 
 
We learn that this year was the best attended Scarefest in the last 3 years with one of the richest film festivals in Scarefest history. Brandon also lays down the dates for next years’s 13th anniversary Scarefest as October 23-25, tying in nicely with Lexington’s bountiful Halloween celebrations. We hear what went over big and what may have gone a little sideways. Prepare yourself for the sheer terror of AOL era internet horror stories and the madness of coffee shops that weren’t open early in the day . 
 
Wes also announces a big change as Scarefest Radio transitions into a new stage of evolution, Scarefest Television! There will new content, new hosts, and new Coke (okay, we made that last part up). Plus we wonder if Brandon ever straightened out his “keyboard is an accordion” dilemma. 

 

John Kassir SF12 E47

Good evening boils and ghouls, tonight Wes and co-host Chad Harlan interview the one and only John Kassir, the brilliant voice talent behind the Crypt Keeper on TALES FROM CRYPT. He brings his own special blend of fun, excitement, and ghoulish humor to our ears as a multi-talented comedian, thespian, voice actor, and lacrosse player. Yes, a lacrosse player. What can’t this guy do?

John walks us through his decades long career from being a theatrical performer to Star Search winner to his multitude of roles in film, television and even video games. And what a career he’s had. He beat Sinbad to win Star Search. He appeared in several seminal HBO series, namely 1ST and TEN and DREAM ON. He has voiced a host of characters, not just the Crypt Keeper, but many other favorites including Deadpool, who he portrayed in various video games years before the character ever appeared in movies. He also shares a little insight into his craft in regard to the difference in roles that are voice only versus appearing in the flesh.

Towards the end of the show we have a few announcements of pre-sale celebrity photo packages and other assorted events for Scarefest XII, just a few weeks away. We also learn that Wes may be able to get John double what Wes makes. So, double of zero is still zero, right?

 

Kane Hodder SF12 E46

Grab your hockey masks and machetes gang! This week, Wes hosts larger-than-life fan favorite Kane Hodder, via remote from Bubba Fest in Knoxville. For those that may not know, Hodder is famous for his portrayal of Jason Voorhees in several FRIDAY THE 13th movies as well as starring in a slew of other projects such as the HATCHET film series and DEATH HOUSE. 
 
The two discuss several of Kane’s movies, both past (OLD 37) and upcoming (KNIFECORP), what’s it’s like to be most famous for a role with zero lines, and if Kane thinks the modern shift toward political correctness could harm the horror industry down the road. We also learn the answers to the big questions like what’s on Kane’s playlist and does he dance. 
 
Sadly, Kane can’t stay the whole show so Wes fills the void in our hearts with some lively events happening at Scarefest XII like celebrity ghosts hunt news and photo op announcements. But we are still left wondering, how do Kane’s fans know that’s really him under that hockey mask?