Hellbent For Horror

How does it make you feel when somebody stares at you?  An unflinching stare.  Angry?  Scared?  Anxious?  All of the above?  How about when said eyes belong to a doll?  Depends on the doll, really.  If it’s obviously fake, then it’s not a problem, but what if it’s really life-like?  The “uncanny valley” is a term that refers to a graphic representation of how comfortable we are with unreal faces.  They can get closer and closer to human and we like them more until….they cross a threshold and then… let’s say we’re less than happy with them.  This is why people get creeped out by dolls or ventriloquist dummies, or human-styled robots or androids.  This territory is great fodder for horror stories.  The potential for dolls to come to life, or artificial intelligence (AI) or robots getting a software glitch (or even evolving) and turning on us is a great trope to scare people with.  We can also explore our relationship with humanity and technology with great story-telling.  In this episode I talk about AI and the

Oh, to have been there in the heyday of Grindhouse Cinema!  Rows of theaters on New York’s 42nd Street playing classics such as I Drink Your Blood, Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things, Ilsa: She-Wolf of the SS, Three on a Meathook, The Corpse Grinders, and more. These movies are the stuff of cinema legend, and late night video parties...and so are the theaters and audiences that experienced them!   And our guest today, 42nd Street Pete Chiarella, was there for the highs and lows (and sleazy lowdowns) of it all.  Pete, the creator of Grindhouse Purgatory magazine, has lots of stories to tell, and he was kind enough to join me to talk about the filmmakers, the movies, The Deuce, and the Lost Hustler Spirit of New York City.  I invite you to listen in, and experience some real Grindhouse legend. Take a hilarious trip through the gory, sexy, sleazy history of 'The Deuce" of the 1970's with tour guide 42nd Street Pete!   I hope you enjoy the episode.   Join the Hellbent for Horror Horde on Patreon! Click here

I love the spirit of Independent Horror filmmakers, especially fans who are compelled to create, no matter what the odds. In today’s episode I interview Nick Hunt, the director/producer/creator of SAFE PLACE. Nick is a true independent spirit, and we talk about the tremendous amount of legwork required to get his movie into production, how lack of experience didn't deter him, and an eye-opening peek into the power of social media as a marketing tool.  We also talk about my favorite subject: horror movies! Nick talks about his influences, his desire to break down tired tropes, and his optimism for a brave new world in horror. In the tried and true tradition of low budget horror movies, we celebrate that independent spirit in this episode and the drive of all independent filmmakers to get their work made and seen. Follow Nick's film as it comes alive here: https://www.facebook.com/safeplacethemovie/ Follow Nick's journey through first-time directing: https://www.facebook.com/nicholas.hunt.73?ref=br_rs   I hope

SEX and VIOLENCE. That volatile combination is both provocative and controversial for most people. It's where we're at our most vulnerable, and Horror gives us the opportunity to confront our darkest emotions in a safe environment. But, only a few horror films dig deep enough to strike a nerve. They brashly go beyond titillation, and blur the line between sex and violence…to take us to dark, and uncomfortable places. Only a few horror films dare to get... Personal.   Join me as we get into a down and dirty discussion of Sex and Horror!    I hope you enjoy the episode.   Join the Hellbent for Horror Horde on Patreon! Click here: http://bit.ly/2i3VLoe   If you like the show, please consider writing a review on iTunes or Google Play.  It really helps.      You can now subscribe to the Hellbent for Horror podcast now available on iTunes, Google Play, PlayerFM, and Stitcher.   You can keep up with Hellbent for Horror on iTunes @iTunesPodcasts     iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hellbent-for-horror

History is full of real-life horror stories.  In this episode I talk with Dr. Harold Aurand, a professor of History at Penn State University, Schuylkill Campus, about true horror stories of history.  We discuss the Great Molasses Flood in Boston, the Johnstown Flood of 1889 in Johnstown, PA, mine disasters, and some more little-known stories.  Truth is often stranger than fiction.  I hope you enjoy the episode.   Join the Hellbent for Horror Horde on Patreon! Click here: http://bit.ly/2i3VLoe   If you like the show, please consider writing a review on iTunes or Google Play.  It really helps.      You can now subscribe to the Hellbent for Horror podcast now available on iTunes, Google Play, PlayerFM, and Stitcher.   You can keep up with Hellbent for Horror on iTunes @iTunesPodcasts     iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hellbent-for-horror/id1090978706 Google Play link:https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Ibsk2i4bbprrplyvs37c6aqv2ny Stitcher link: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/hellbent-for-

Do you ever wonder how the legends of monsters are born?  What made people think werewolves and vampires were real?  How did the ideas of silver to kill werewolves, and garlic to repel vampires get passed down from generation to generation?  People with mental illness were thought to be visited by ghosts.  Throughout history, before the discovery of microscopic organisms that cause illness, curses and monsters were thought to be the causes of illness and disease.  Interestingly, the weapons from folklore that could destroy these monsters were also effective in treating the real-world disease.   Garlic, salt, and silver all have antimicrobial properties.  In this episode I talk with Julie Vayda, an author and expert on ancient healing techniques.  She also has an interest in folklore and stories of monsters.  Julie sheds some light on how people used to think of illness in relation to folk tales of monsters, cats, and even alien abductions.  It was a fun episode to make, and I hope you enjoy it. Join the Hellb

The movie adaptation of Stephen King’s ‘It’ was hotly anticipated, and broke box office records.  I was curious about the fervent response to this movie, not just by horror fans, but also by mainstream outlets.  After all, the novel came out in 1985, and there was already a miniseries created from it in 1990.  Once I saw ‘It,’ and thought about the movie, I started thinking about movie adaptations of Stephen King’s books, in general.  King is a prolific, long-standing, best-selling author who has been a mainstay of horror fans for over 40 years.  His books have been read and adapted by some big-name directors.  Some of these movie adaptations have been good, and many have been not so good.  The topic of Stephen King books can fill many podcasts, but in this episode I decided to talk about my favorite movies adapted by Stephen King books.  It was a fun trip down memory lane, and got me thinking about what I really like about Stephen King’s style, too.   I hope you enjoy the episode, and let me know what are so

Sometimes, once just isn't enough. And, in the case of Tobe Hooper, it felt right to honor this quirky and often misunderstood artist with a second helping of praise. On this episode, I talk with John Cribbs and Christopher Funderburg, the co-creators of "The Pink Smoke" film review website (www.thepinksmoke.com) about the legacy of the late Tobe Hooper.  He’s a filmmaker who induces strong opinions and debate.  We talk about that debate today, and the contributions Hooper made to, not only horror, but also American Film itself. I hope you enjoy the episode. Join the Hellbent for Horror Horde on Patreon! Click here: http://bit.ly/2i3VLoe   If you like the show, please consider writing a review on iTunes or Google Play.  It really helps.      You can now subscribe to the Hellbent for Horror podcast now available on iTunes, Google Play, PlayerFM, and Stitcher.   You can keep up with Hellbent for Horror on iTunes @iTunesPodcasts     iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hellbent-for-horror/id109097870

Extreme Horror Films: they are the "Elephant in the Room" for horror fans. These films push the limits of the viewer to such the extent that they even divide the horror community on whether they go too far. A large majority of these films have little, or no, socially redeeming value. And yet... There are a few extreme films that use the violence, and obscenity, and nihilism to create something that defies expectations and becomes something horrible/beautiful. For those who dare to watch. Guest Derrick Carey, from the Astro Radio Z podcast (and a horror film director himself), joins us to discuss some Extreme Horror films that aren't easy to dismiss...or forget. I hope you enjoy the episode. Join the Hellbent for Horror Horde on Patreon! Click here: http://bit.ly/2i3VLoe   If you like the show, please consider writing a review on iTunes or Google Play.  It really helps.      You can now subscribe to the Hellbent for Horror podcast now available on iTunes, Google Play, PlayerFM, and Stitcher.   You can keep up

We lost another horror master in August 2017 when Tobe Hooper left this mortal coil.  Hooper was a complicated artist, and in this episode, I talk about my appreciation of the man who gave us the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Poltergeist.  There were varied opinions of the contributions of Tobe Hooper, but I think he was an inspired, surreal filmmaker whose contributions to horror can never be underestimated.  I hope you enjoy the episode. Join the Hellbent for Horror Horde on Patreon! Click here: http://bit.ly/2i3VLoe   If you like the show, please consider writing a review on iTunes or Google Play.  It really helps.      You can now subscribe to the Hellbent for Horror podcast now available on iTunes, Google Play, PlayerFM, and Stitcher.   You can keep up with Hellbent for Horror on iTunes @iTunesPodcasts     iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hellbent-for-horror/id1090978706 Google Play link:https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Ibsk2i4bbprrplyvs37c6aqv2ny Stitcher link: http://www.stitcher.

There's a select group of directors who hold the title, "Masters of Horror" for bringing their distinctive styles to the horror film. But, they aren't the only ones who made an impact on horror cinema. There are several acclaimed directors with illustrious careers who took a "Day Trip" into horror. And their entries into the horror movie defied conventions and, on occasion, influenced horror as much as any of the Masters. James Hancock (host of The Wrong Reel podcast) returns to H4H to discuss the singular horror films of five acclaimed, and award-winning, directors, and how their signature styles helped subvert the tropes of the horror film and expand the film language of the genre. Follow James Hancock on Twitter: https://twitter.com/colebrax The Wrong Reel Podcast Official Site: http://wrongreel.com   I hope you enjoy the discussion, and thanks so much for listening.   Join the Hellbent for Horror Horde on Patreon! Click here: http://bit.ly/2i3VLoe   If you like the show, please consider writing a review o

Whenever you hit a milestone it’s time to celebrate.  This is the 50th episode of Hellbent for Horror, and I could think of no better way to celebrate that than to gather a Wretched Roundtable of listeners to talk about the state of the 50-year-old phenomena known as "modern horror."   Joining me on the show are Zena Sade Dixon (the Real Queen of Horror), John Arminio, and Kevin Maher (Kevin Geeks Out), and we discuss the relevance of classic horror movies to different generations. There’s a 20-plus year age difference among all of us on the panel, and we talk about what movies spoke to us as horror fans in our formative years.  Does horror have an age gap?  What movies benefited from the big screen or the small screen?  What movies benefit from seeing with with a crowd or in the privacy of your own home?  What movies work (or not) when watched with kids?  And those horror classics – are they still horror classics or simply tired?  I hope you enjoy the discussion, and thanks so much for listening.   Join the

Fangoria magazine had been a mainstay of horror fandom for 38 years, but this year they shut their doors.  I remember when Fangoria started, and how fun it was to have a magazine dedicated to horror in all its facets.  In this episode, I talk about Fangoria, how it came to be, and what it meant to the fans and artists in modern horror.  The magazine not only had articles that are still worth looking back to, but the letters to the editor section are a lot of fun to revisit too.  Join me in this look back at Fangoria magazine. Thanks for listening. Join the Hellbent for Horror Horde on Patreon! Click here: http://bit.ly/2i3VLoe   If you like the show, please consider writing a review on iTunes or Google Play.  It really helps.      You can now subscribe to the Hellbent for Horror podcast now available on iTunes, Google Play, PlayerFM, and Stitcher.   You can keep up with Hellbent for Horror on iTunes @iTunesPodcasts     iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hellbent-for-horror/id1090978706 Google Pl

George Romero (1940-2017) has always held a special place in my heart, so it was very saddening to hear of his passing on July 16.  It is hard to say goodbye, and in this episode I talk about George and his career.  It’s a eulogy, of sorts, to a maverick filmmaker out of Pittsburgh who never wavered on his vision - from Night of the Living Dead to Survival of the Dead.  RIP, George. Thanks for listening. Join the Hellbent for Horror Horde on Patreon! Click here: http://bit.ly/2i3VLoe   If you like the show, please consider writing a review on iTunes or Google Play.  It really helps.      You can now subscribe to the Hellbent for Horror podcast now available on iTunes, Google Play, PlayerFM, and Stitcher.   You can keep up with Hellbent for Horror on iTunes @iTunesPodcasts     iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hellbent-for-horror/id1090978706 Google Play link:https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Ibsk2i4bbprrplyvs37c6aqv2ny Stitcher link: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/hellbent-for-horror?re

You don’t need Hollywood to make a movie when you can make one in your own backyard!  Who needs a big budget when you’ve got a big imagination and some friends who are willing (or crazy enough) to get doused in fake blood?  In this episode, I honor the micro-budget horror movie – the movies made with tiny amounts of funds, and huge amounts of passion.  I speak from experience when I say they’re a huge amount of work.  I’ll talk about some that really stand out among the pack, and you should try to track them down to watch.   Thanks for listening. Join the Hellbent for Horror Horde on Patreon! Click here: http://bit.ly/2i3VLoe   If you like the show, please consider writing a review on iTunes or Google Play.  It really helps.      You can now subscribe to the Hellbent for Horror podcast now available on iTunes, Google Play, PlayerFM, and Stitcher.   You can keep up with Hellbent for Horror on iTunes @iTunesPodcasts     iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hellbent-for-horror/id1090978706 Google Pla

Why do we love bad movies?  Well, not all bad movies, but the ones that make you laugh out loud.  The ones that are so bad that they’re good.  And to see one of these movies with a group of friends can be a perfect night.  What about a movie marathon of these turkeys?  A lot of these turkeys were intended to be horror movies, and while they’re not what they were intended to be, they’re still pretty damn entertaining.  In this episode, I talk about a Horror Movie Turkey Marathon with some friends, and give some suggestions for you if you’d like to have a crowd over for some laugh-filled scares.  We’re movie lovers, right?  This is supposed to be fun!   Thanks for listening. Join the Hellbent for Horror Horde on Patreon! Click here: http://bit.ly/2i3VLoe   If you like the show, please consider writing a review on iTunes or Google Play.  It really helps.      You can now subscribe to the Hellbent for Horror podcast now available on iTunes, Google Play, PlayerFM, and Stitcher.   You can keep up with Hellbent for

One reason I love film festivals is that they celebrate creativity.  So I was honored to be asked to judge Etheria Film Night held in early June in Hollywood.  Etheria Film Night is the world's most respected showcase of new horror, comedy, science fiction, fantasy, action, and thriller films made by emerging women directors. I was also able to attend, and cover, the red carpet festivities to talk to people about horror and horror movies.  The event drew a large crowd with varied interests including films, home haunts, and creepy, corpse-filled magazines (literally!).  In this episode are snippets of conversations with people on the red carpet, including the legendary Roger Corman, Stephanie Rothman, Rebecca McKendry, and Bill Moseley (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 and many other films).  Also I talked with some of the directors of the films featured that night, including Tara Price, and the winner of the Jury Prize Bridget Savage Cole.  I hope you enjoy the episode and the energy from the Blood-Red Carpet. Thank

Who says they don’t make good horror movies anymore?  I think we’re in a good time for creative, creepy horror movies, you just need to know where to look (hint: it's usually not from the major studios).   I made a list of movies released within the last four years that I liked, and there were too many to put into one episode!  So, this is Part Two of good, recent horror that is worth watching.  These movies get the “H4H Seal of Approval.”  I’d love to hear your thoughts. To hear Part One: follow this link: http://bit.ly/2qsVMmE Thanks for listening. Join the Hellbent for Horror Horde on Patreon! Click here: http://bit.ly/2i3VLoe   If you like the show, please consider writing a review on iTunes or Google Play.  It really helps.      You can now subscribe to the Hellbent for Horror podcast now available on iTunes, Google Play, PlayerFM, and Stitcher.   You can keep up with Hellbent for Horror on iTunes @iTunesPodcasts     iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hellbent-for-horror/id1090978706 Google

Can you sympathize with a monster?  In some cases I think you can.  It depends on the story and how well the story is told and acted.  In this episode J. Blake Fichera (author of the Rondo-nominated book, "Scored To Death: Conversations with Some of Horror's Greatest Composers") returns to the show to discuss the sympathetic monster in horror movies.  George Romero, Fritz Lang, Martin Scorsese, Joe Spinell, Michael Powell, and Patty Jenkins all presented monsters who were more than simply killers.  While we don’t condone the actions of the characters in these films, these killers display complex psyches that are worth discussing.  We tackle some old and newer films to talk about, among other things, how people empathized with Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver, and how Peeping Tom possibly destroyed Michael Powell’s career because the critics and audiences related to the main character... a little too much. Thanks for listening. Join the Hellbent for Horror Horde on Patreon! Click here: http://bit.ly/2i3VLoe   If y

Who says they don’t make good horror movies anymore?  I think we’re in a good time for creative, creepy horror movies, you just need to know where to look (hint: it's usually not from the major studios).   I made a list of movies released within the last four years that I liked, and there were too many to put into one episode!  So, this is Part One of good, recent horror that is worth watching.  These movies get the “H4H Seal of Approval.”  I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for listening. Join the Hellbent for Horror Horde on Patreon! Click here: http://bit.ly/2i3VLoe   If you like the show, please consider writing a review on iTunes or Google Play.  It really helps.      You can now subscribe to the Hellbent for Horror podcast now available on iTunes, Google Play, PlayerFM, and Stitcher.   You can keep up with Hellbent for Horror on iTunes @iTunesPodcasts     iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hellbent-for-horror/id1090978706 Google Play link:https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Ibsk2i