This week we get super virtual as Wes and guest co-host Nicole Griffith welcome multimedia artist Dirk Strangely to the show to talk about online alternatives to attending conventions in the days of a pandemic.
Dirk, Wes, and Nicole discuss the development and evolution of online platforms like ArtFarm into a digital convention floor for these chaotic times, dealing with agents and programmers, and how virtual speaker panels and vendor booths would work in a digital conference. Modern problems call for modern solutions.
We also get some UFO-logy in the Week in Horror plus our usual helpings of movie enlightenment from Joe Lewis and Glenn Cochrane. .
This is the second movie treatment of Stephen King’s 1983 classic horror novel. The original movie was released in 1989 and was a reasonably successful film by horror movie standards. Remakes haven’t fared well at the box office in recent years. Most do average at best. That’s where the new PET SEMATARY falls for me, mostly average.
The movie tells the story of Louis Creed (Jason Clarke), his wife Rachel, and their children Ellie and Gage, who relocate to a small town in Maine seeking a quieter life. Their property contains an old pet cemetery where local children bury their pets. Rachel and Ellie stumble upon an eerie funeral procession, leading to curiosity about the site. After an accident kills the family cat, their neighbor Jud takes Louis out past the cemetery, to a remote ancient Indian burial ground where those buried there somehow return from the dead. Cue the vicious zombie cat! The cat indeed returns but is horribly changed, becoming mangy and ill tempered.
It is soon afterward that true tragedy hits when one of the children is killed. Mad with grief and acting against all of the natural (and supernatural) advice to the contrary, Louis decides to take his dead child to the ancient site for resurrection. The results are same. The dead child returns to life but horrifically changed, dark and malevolent. The result is a bloody and terrifying end for several people.
What I liked about the film is its dark tone, steeped in grim story elements such as the fear of what happens after death and the loss of someone so dear that you would be willing to deal with sinister forces to have more time with them. Granted, this is primarily drawn from the King source material but the directing partnership of Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer did a commendable job of bringing the sinister atmosphere to the screen.
The performances are well delivered. Jason Clarke turns in a solid performance as Louis. He is a little wooden at first but as we see Louis dive more into the unexplainable, you can see his acting chops develop. Seimetz turns in a great performance as Rachel, a wife traumatized by the death of her sister. Jete Lawrence almost steals the movie as the sensitive daughter Ellie. Lastly, John Lithgow brings a slice of reserved but eccentric style to Jud Crandall, the neighbor.
That being said, there are a few things that I didn’t like about PET SEMATARY.
Although both versions of the film are roughly the same length (roughly about an hour and forty minutes), the pacing in this version seemed a little slower. Maybe it was a deeper focus on creating the ambiance, which typically for horror movies in a positive, but I feel like that may have worked against this version. That slow burn pace only goes so far.
For a horror movie, it is light on the scares. Sure, there are some obligatory jump scares and a scattering of tension building moments but it is relatively light on gore with the exception of a few scenes. With our era’s shift to darker, broodier movies, I had hoped for a bit more heft in the horror department. The scares just felt lukewarm.
Lastly, the deviations from the source material didn’t set right with me. *SPOILER ALERT*
Unlike the book and the original film, in this version Ellie dies instead of Gage. Even though this gave the movie a different spin, as opposed to a retread of the same old story, it just didn’t settle right to me to change that element. Overall, the story didn’t suffer from the change but it did almost seem the change felt forced, following in the footsteps of Hollywood’s recent trend of gender switching key roles.
In addition, the ending was drastically changed. In the book and 1989 film, the undead Gage is stopped but not before killing Rachel. Louis then continues to make super bad choices by burying Rachel for resurrection. Of course, absolutely nothing good comes of this! This was to demonstrate the addictive power of using this evil place, which is even hinted at in this version. Yet, the ending in this version is retooled in a way that steals away that story thread and leaves too many unanswered questions. *END SPOILERS*
Was PET SEMATARY a bad movie? Not at all. I prefer seeing a new movie, not retreads, but I feel that it was worth the effort to remake. Some directors truly have a passion for their movies. They revive a favorite old property for a new generation with a fresh vision and, though it is a repeat of something we’ve seen, the movie makes its own impact. I just think the slow burn pace and the changes to the story ultimately hurt it in the end.
One last good thing and bad thing before we’re done. GOOD THING: this version didn’t beat us over the head with nostalgia like some remakes tend to do. It was, for the most part, its own movie. BAD THING: not having Fred Gwynne, the original Jud from the 1989 film (and Herman Munster), giving the line “sometimes dead is better” in his goofy accent. John Lithgow just didn’t sound the same saying it.
BONUS: they kept in the Achilles tendon slicing scene! Had they changed that, I would have condemned this movie to the furthest reaches of Hell.
On tonight’s episode, Wes and co-host Chad Harlan welcome the always delightful psychic medium Stephanie Bingham.
Our gang discusses how spirits are fairing during the pandemic and how their connection to the world might have changed during these unusual times. Stephanie also shares some tales from her Eastern Kentucky University days and what’s been occupying her time during the quarantine,
We also get a nice dose of Aussie Exploitation from FakeShemp, a double feature education in the Week in Horror, and hear Joe Lewis’s take on a recent remake of a horror classic.
And finally, would you find a little shark toothed demon child cute? Some people do. You’ll have to listen to find out who.
This week Wes has a cozy chat with Scarefest co-owner, and all-around workhorse, Brandon Griffith about the progress on Scarefest 13 during the pandemic era. They discuss the new neighboring entertainment complex, ideas to keep events close to the center of the action, and Brandon’s love of the Stepehen King classic, THE STAND.
Along the way, Wes and Brandon also make another great celebrity announcement. If you liked the NIGHT OF THE DEMONS movies, you’re in for a treat. Plus there’s going to be new creative contests added to the Scarefest social media pages that will definitely be worth checking out.
FakeShemp asks us to take a fresh look at a misunderstood werewolf classic, the Week in Horror tells about two wildly different films, and Joe Lewis tackles John Carpenter. Well, not really. Just his movies.
Stick around after the main broadcast and check out the second installment in the rural murder mystery series THE FIFTH HOLLAR
This week Wes sits down for a cozy chat with Brandon Griffith, Scarefest co-owner and scholar of many things horror and paranormal related, with the focus on the progress being made toward Scarefest 13.
Brandon discusses how the work on the Convention center is shaping up, ideas for improving events like the VIP party, and booking guests thematically so they tie together well. An example being this week’s announcements of several celebrities involved with the Hellraiser franchise. No spoilers but it builds to a HUGE announcement! (His name rhymes with Jive)
In our regular features, we get a visit from a cranky Joe Lewis as well as Trailer Nation. FakeShemp brings us some found footage awesomeness. Also, don’t forget to check out Glenn’s new show, Good Movie Monday.
Lastly, we’ll get more ax throwing this year. Oh yeah!!!
This week’s show sees Coyote Chris Sutton in solo action in the first half speaking with Mike Ricksecker, author, paranormal investigator, and ghostorian. Ghostorian, awesome word, right?
Chris and Mike discuss Mike’s work on the Travel Channel show The Alaskan Triangle, his theories behind the supernatural phenomenon in Alaska, along with a dash of Shadow People and even a cryptid or two. If you want to know more you can check Mike out at mikericksecker.com or Haunted Road Media on Facebook.
In the second half, Wes brings us 6 celebrity announcements for Scarefest 13. We don’t want to give away any spoilers but several of them are from an iconic 1978 horror movie that involves one our most cherished, iconic serial killers.
Also we enjoy regular segments with Joe Lewis, Glenn Cochrane, and Trailer Nation. Plus this week in horror history celebrates ARMY OF DARKNESS!
Prior to the success of GET OUT in 2017, I would have never thought of Jordan Peele, primarily know for his goofy antics on the KEY & PEELE SHOW, as a horror director. Peele has proven that he has a knack for making films that can get under the skin and give viewers the creeps. His most recent movie, US, shows that Peele is growing in his ambition as a horror director by branching out into even weirder territory than GET OUT and embracing a darker side than anyone that has ever watched the KEY & PEELE would imagine he was capable of.
The movie centers around the Wilson family, set to spend a vacation at a beach house near Santa Cruz. Adelaide Wilson (Lupita Nyong’o) is uneasy about the trip due to a bizarre incident she suffered in a funhouse in Santa Cruz when she was a child, leaving her full of anxiety. Her husband Gabe (Winston Duke) tries to assure her everything is going to be fine. Later that evening the family is terrorized by a family of violent duplicates of themselves, dressed in red and intent on killing the Wilsons. The family has to fight for their lives against their dopplegangers and try to uncover the reason behind their murderous attack.
US is bit of a hybrid of horror tropes. On one hand, it is a slasher flick. The disturbing dopplegangers stalk the Wilsons with the ruthlessness of a Jason Voorhees or Michael Myers. Yet, there is a layer of psychological horror to the film as well. The duplicates, that call themselves The Tethered, are exact opposites of their counterparts but they are still that person. They mimic their thoughts, and in some cases, even their actions. It’s the darkest portion of a person’s mind set loose to physically assault them. The thought of the darker side of a person’s nature being given a life of it’s own is terrifying.
Admittedly, it does take a little while for the movie to really get going. There is a decent amount of set up involved, which does make the beginning kind of drag a bit but it does a great job of setting up the tension and emotional drama that follows. Once the Tethered appear, the pace picks up like a roller coaster.
The movie isn’t ultra gory but it does have it’s moments of bloody fun. Considering the Tethered’s weapon of choice is a pair of super sharp scissors, there’s going to be a little blood involved. And yes, they do run with them! It’s pure madness.
There is a also a dose of dark humor on the side to break up the horror. I think Jordan Peele does a good job of balancing the fun with the frightening. My main hesitation about Peele being a horror director was the fear his movies might be too full of jokes, which in my opinion tends to water down a horror movie if used too much. But Peele seems to know how to blend the chuckles with the terror just right.
The acting really stands out. Nyong’o especially is terrific. She is outstanding at both verbalizing her whirlwind of emotions as Adelaide and using her body language to create unnerving menace as her Tethered duplicate Red. The only place where things are a little uneven are the child actors. At times, they kill it but in other parts they seem a little wooden and stiff as themselves. However, the both give spot on performances as their Tethered counterparts.
My one beef with US is something I usually don’t complain about, which is not knowing enough. Typically I’m not a fan of being led by the nose and told every aspect of a movie. I like to experience it rather than being narrated to. Sometimes it’s the mystery of the monster or ghost or whatnot that makes it scarier. It’s the fear of the unknown. Yet, with US, the Tethered are given an interesting story but there are so many mysteries left unanswered that they almost fall into the category of Plot Hole. What is their REAL purpose? We are told that we made them but the details are vague so the viewer is left guessing.
The movie does have a little of a political and social undertone but it is subtle. Some people may not like that in their horror movies. The Tethered seem to represent the “have not” society. Those people that are forced to live in the shadows, forgotten and mistreated. Their rebellion against their counterparts in a way reflects the anger some feel toward those that have all of the nice things in life and want to destroy those that are deemed better than them. In a way, I see it as US reflecting true life horror.
I can’t say US is a masterpiece. It has it’s weaknesses and there is a interesting twist at the end that viewers will either love or hate. But for the most part it’s a strong addition to the horror genre. Some might walk away shaking their heads from the oddly ambiguous ending. Others might find a greater meaning in it that I missed. Either way it is a good way to kill two hours.
Tonight Brandy Green, former investigator for Ghost Hunters International, joins Wes and cohost Chris Sutton in a first time Scarefest TV experiment where Wes takes the backseat while Chris solos the entire interview. Do wacky hijinks ensue? You’ll have to see for yourself.
Brandy discusses her background in the paranormal and her views on current paranormal television. Having traveled all over the world, she also gives some insight on the dangers of international investigations and places that have truly stuck with her We also find out about her enthusiasm for cooking and the comic book she has written called DARK DISPATCHES. Check out her website and various social media pages for more info.
We also get a healthy does of weekly regulars from Glenn at FakeShemp, Joe Lewis, the Week in Horror History, and a truly surreal segment with Billy Crank. Don’t miss this one!
I’ve recently been revisiting a few of my favorite horror movies of the past. Love them or loathe them, I’ve always felt drawn to John Carpenter’s movies. IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS is one of my favorite John Carpenter classics. I felt like the movie was underappreciated and that it deserved a review to share it’s mind bending glory with everyone.
First off, IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS boasts a great lead in Sam Neill. Neill is a tremendous actor who has appeared in numerous projects but is probably best known as Dr. Alan Grant in the JURASSIC PARK movies though he has had other forays into horror such as the OMEN III: THE FINAL CONFLICT and the scifi/horror flick EVENT HORIZON. Neill truly sells his character as first a smarmy investigator then a horrified participant in a nightmare of insanity.
The movie tells the tale of John Trent (Neill), a prickish insurance fraud investigator that is called in by Arcane Publishing to investigate the disappearance of their prize horror author Sutter Cane (Jurgen Prochnow). If he can’t find Cane, they want Cane’s draft of his final book. Just prior to this meeting Trent is almost killed by an ax wielding maniac asking him about Cane. Thinking the disappearance is some form of publicity hoax, he takes the case and starts an investigation that leads him to a town that isn’t supposed to exist. There he faces the truth about Cane’s writings and learns he’s trapped in a horror story that he can’t stopping living in.
The movie is heavily influenced by the writings of H.P. Lovecraft. Elements of his stories such as the fear of insanity and eldritch horrors lurking at the threshold of our world waiting to devour us, are scattered throughout the the movie. Some of quotes frm Cane’s books are actually quotes frm Lovecraft’s writings. There is also that raw old world mysticism that seems to seep through in stories set in New England, a place where ghost stories seem to have planted their first primal roots in America.
What really seems to make the film work on an unnerving level is that there is this wild metafictional theme about what makes up reality. The characters debate a few times about what constitutes sanity versus insanity and what would happen if those notions reversed themselves. This gives the supernatural horrors that appear afterward such a freakish tone. Is Trent insane or are these things he’s experiencing truly happening?
Although the film really hasn’t aged that well in the era of highly evolved special effects, the practical effects are a huge part of the appeal of this movie. The monsters have a presence that feels far more grounded than fancy CGI. There is one transformation effect that did come across fairly hokey that doesn’t quite capture the full horror of what it’s supposed to convey but it’s still kind of disturbing . Plus, there are creepy children involved. Those are always good.
The movie may not be everyone’s cup of tea. It is surprisingly light on gore. It is a little cerebral, with all of it’s talk about reality versus fiction and the blurred lines in-between, and it does build a pretty bleak story about the end of the world. However, even though it could have done so much more with it’s great premise, the movie does a commendable job of bringing a different type of horror story to the screen.
Although the movie didn’t do so well at the box office, it has gone on to acquire a respectable cult status. I believe it is one of John Carpenter’s overlooked gems and one of the best homages to Lovecraft’s mythos. Definitely not as good as THE THING or HALLOWEEN but stands right up there with PRINCE OF DARKNESS.
If nothing else, you’ll remember the phrase “DO YOU READ SUTTER CANE?”
You can find IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS for rent on Vudu and Amazon.
True life continues to horrify this week as Wes and co-host CC Ann welcome Shay McAlister to the show to discuss unsolved crimes. Shay is a podcaster and Emmy winning investigative journalist for WHAS in Louisville with a keen focus on cold cases. She is also a very active animal advocate and supporter of the ACE Project, a Louisville based nonprofit that helps bring positive resources to the youth community.
Shay has investigated several unsolved crimes in Bardstown KY. Among these are the cases of Jason Ellis, a police officer ambushed by the roadside in 2013, and the disappearance of Crystal Rogers. Shay discusses elements of these cases as well as others. She also talks about many other facets of her job such as personal safety concerns in her line of work and her rapport with the communities that she researches. For more info please check out www.bardstownpodcast.com
The movie feature of the week is the short MOVIE NIGHT, which follows the activities of a man just trying to sit down and catch a movie on the television while facing various distractions. Unfortunately, one of these distractions just might be a terrifying, ghoulish visitor.
We learn about female serial killers in The Week in Horror and that Really Bad Santa prefers beer and pretzels. Don’t miss segments from Mutagen Nation, Billy Crank and movie reviews from Joe Lewis and Fake Shemp. And remember, the Bluegrass Parkways is one of the creepiest roads in Kentucky!
