Look for any podcast host, guest or anyone
Showing episodes and shows of

Luke Merrick

Shows

MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: An Overview of Halloween (1978) Part 2Luke Merrick returns to help us tempt fate, judge Laurie's Final Girl cred, count crossed eyes, and speculate endlessly on the inner workings of The Shape. It’s the grand finale of our loving autopsy. Scrub in, grab a scalpel and join us at the slab!2023-08-172h 20MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: An Overview of Halloween (1978)Author Luke Merrick is our special guest as we unpack the horrors of Halloween (1978), the blank-faced Shatner mask that launched a thousand ships — or 10,000 slasher movies.2023-05-232h 26MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Maniac Halloween & My Psycho Funhouse Nightmare (Part 1)Let’s kick off another episode of our slasher-movie season with a real mismatch, John Carpenter’s seminal 1977 film Halloween matching up with 1988’s less-prestigious Maniac Cop. This discussion really goes off the rails…2022-03-0135 minMARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Friday - Return of Psycho Opera, Maniac Feast (Part 2)In Part 2 of this pod, Dario Argento’s Opera (1987) tries to manhandle the Elijah Wood Maniac remake (2012) and Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984) tests its chops against The Return of Michael Myers (1988) in a battle of two top franchises’ fourth installments. It’s gonna be pretty cray.2022-02-2251 minMARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Friday - Return of Psycho Opera, Maniac Feast (Part 1)It’s time for another matchup with the March Madmen! Part 1 has the granddaddy of ‘em all, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, going up against Herschell Gordon Lewis’ Blood Feast. Which early '60s slasher will prevail? Put this ep in your ear.2022-02-1532 minMARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Strangers Play Midnight Chainsaw on Death Street (Part 2)Part 2 of this pod pits the O.G. Chucky movie (1988) against a rebooted Leatherface and fam’s film (2003) before those eerie, masked Strangers board the Midnight Meat Train. That last matchup is an especially tough one...2022-02-081h 15MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Strangers Play Midnight Chainsaw on Death Street (Part 1)Another six slasher movies step into the arena! Happy Death Day faces off with Fear Street ’78, Child’s Play (1988) takes on Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003), and The Strangers matches up with Midnight Meat Train. Who will survive and what will be left of them?2022-02-0145 minMARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Behind the Girls’ Burning Rage, Fright and Tension (Part 2)As the tournament to decide the world’s greatest slasher movie rolls on, we’ve got two more matchups to adjudicate! Is The Burning better than Stage Fright? What’s more meta, Behind the Mask or Final Girls? This ep has all the answers, kiddos! Put it in your ear-holes.2022-01-2559 minMARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Behind the Girls’ Burning Rage, Fright and Tension (Part 1)Six more movies are battling it out for slasher supremacy! In this two-parter we have Haute Tension vs. Blood Rage, The Burning vs. Stage Fright and Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon vs. Final Girls. Honk if you’re horrified!2022-01-1834 minMARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Tourist’s Bloody Hatchet Massacre on Fear Street Last Summer (Part 2)In the pinnacle of our Season 1 premiere, the March Madmen decide how My Bloody Valentine (1981) stacks up against Tourist Trap (1979). Two films enter, one film leaves!2022-01-1138 minMARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Tourist’s Bloody Hatchet Massacre on Fear Street Last Summer (Part 1)The March Madmen are back! Our 64-film tournament sets out to answer the question, "What IS the greatest slasher movie ever made?" In the season's first set of matchups, Texas Chainsaw Massacre goes toe to toe with I Know What You Did Last Summer and Fear Street ‘94 faces off with Hatchet II. It's win or pack it in!2022-01-0456 minMARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Season 2 Preview Show (Slasher Films!)This is your sneak preview of the new season of March Madmen! Same three guys, 64 different movies—slasher movies, to be precise. That’s right, the Madmen are back to tackle another subgenre of horror and determine which film is the greatest of all time! This tournament’s gonna get bloody.2021-12-071h 16MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Halloween Kills Review (Part 2)It’s time for a pull-no-punches, spoilerific discussion of Halloween Kills that digs deep into the bloody bone marrow of the hit sequel. Gather ‘round your device, put on your masks and listen.2021-11-231h 35MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Halloween Kills Review (Part 1)A typically exacting dissection of David Gordon Green’s "Halloween Kills" begins with spoiler-free analysis of the 2021 sequel (including our take on this incarnation of Michael Myers) and a big announcement about the next season of our show!2021-11-091h 08MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Season Finale (Part 2)And now, the grand finale of the Toby Awards, as the March Madmen pay tribute to top moments from this season’s films and laugh at the lowlights. Most important of all is the inauguration of our tournament’s winner: the greatest haunted house movie ever made! Will it be The Shining, Terrified, Lake Mungo or Oculus? The ballots are in...2021-10-261h 57MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Season Finale (Part 1)We begin our final show of the season, a look back at the highs and lows of the 32 haunted house movies vying for the title of “greatest ever made.” Part Oscars, part Razzies, all stark raving mad, the Toby Awards are our way of appreciating the good, bad and terrifying about this unique subgenre of horror. Woo-hoo!2021-10-121h 04MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: A Loving Autopsy of Oculus (Part 2)It’s the final episode of the final autopsy of the first season! Get ready for all the Oculus talk you can handle — we’re through the Lasser Glass here, people! It’s a whole lotta lightbulb crunchin’, pottery-stabbin’, pendulum-swingin’ goodness.2021-09-292h 44MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: A Loving Autopsy of Oculus (Part 1)Mike Flanagan’s 2013 fright-fest Oculus was the 6 seed in our haunted-house tourney, but it’s stormed all the way to the Fatal Four. The March Madmen have their instruments sharpened and ready — how will this apparently divisive film fare? Let’s go!2021-09-141h 30MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: A Loving Autopsy of Lake Mungo (Part 2)Plumbing the darkest depths of 2008’s Lake Mungo, the Madmen ponder the implications of Alice Palmer’s plight and an ending that is more chilling than it appears on the surface. This movie is making a late run at the title of "greatest haunted house movie ever made…"2021-08-311h 46MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: A Loving Autopsy of Lake Mungo (Part 1)Mungoheads, rejoice! It’s time to visit the quaint Australian town of Ararat and meet tragically doomed Alice Palmer and her family. That’s right, we’re beginning our examination of Joel Anderson’s highly underrated 2008 haunted house movie. Gonna get spooky up in here!2021-08-171h 39MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: A Loving Autopsy of Terrified (Part 2)And now, the thrilling conclusion of Terrified’s thorough (but loving) autopsy! How did 2017’s Argentinian chiller fare, laid bare on the March Madmen’s slab? Give this track a spin!2021-08-042h 15MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: A Loving Autopsy of Terrified (Part 1)Continuing our in-depth study of the Fatal Four, this episode examines Argentina’s 2017 revelation Terrified (Aterrados), written and directed by Demian Rugna. This movie really lives up to its name, folks! What’s its secret? Listen as the Madmen take it apart, piece by bloody piece…2021-07-202h 42MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: A Loving Autopsy of The Shining (Part 2)Tonight we conclude our insanely thorough dissection of a Stanley Kubrick classic and assess its case for the title of Greatest Haunted House Movie Ever Made. But this tourney is far from over — there are three more movies to dig into on the Madmen’s slab!2021-07-072h 07MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: A Loving Autopsy of The Shining (Part 1)It’s all come down to this: the Fatal Four! Each of our finalists get the most definitive analysis you’ll find in podcast form. First up is No. 1 seed The Shining. Don’t hide in a cupboard, you’re safe with us, we promise…2021-06-232h 00MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Terrified vs. The Orphanage (Part 2)Can one of the season’s most divisive films continue its run? John sure hopes not. It’s the chilling conclusion to this Evil Eight grudge match! Bayona! Rugna! Vehicular carnage and ghostly visitations! Get some.2021-06-0958 minMARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Terrified vs. The Orphanage (Part 1)Tonight it’s Argentina vs. Spain, and we're not talking football! To kick things off (sorry) the Madmen visit the most haunted neighborhood on Earth and document Demian Rugna’s Aterrados (aka Terrified). Hope you don’t have "a condition.”2021-05-1945 minMARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Session 9 vs. Oculus (Part 2)It’s the contentious finale of a brutal matchup — two modern classics go head to head, and only one can survive. Brad Anderson! Mike Flanagan! Mirror eyes! Eerie recordings! I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.2021-05-111h 06MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Session 9 vs. Oculus (Part 1)It’s a heavyweight fight tonight! Sacred grotesque cows are threatened and we get REAL feisty about Brad Anderson's Session 9! Can (Peter) Mullan and the mullet prevail, or will that macabre mirror triumph again?2021-04-271h 01MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Lake Mungo vs. Below (Part 2)It’s time for a deep dive into David Twohy’s Below! Only one movie makes it to the next round — will it be what is probably the scariest sub movie ever made, or Australia’s hidden gem?2021-04-131h 04MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Lake Mungo vs. Below (Part 1)Two watery spirits collide in their effort to influence the living: in this case, to convince John, Vik and Rich to vote for their movie! First up is our examination of the No. 2 seed in the tourney, Lake Mungo, the haunting tale of a teen stricken by a terrifying glimpse of her future...2021-03-3159 minMARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: The Shining vs. The Devil’s Backbone (Part 2)How’d you like some ice cream, Doc? We burrow deep into the bowels of the Overlook Hotel (ew) to study The Shining! Will it beat The Devil’s Backbone? Que es un fantasma? All shall be revealed!2021-03-171h 16MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: The Shining vs. The Devil’s Backbone (Part 1)Tonight we’ve got a battle of grubby ghost moppets and bathtub-dwelling hags! Can Guillermo Del Toro’s 2001 chiller knock off a Stanley Kubrick classic? Stranger things have happened…2021-03-031h 05MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Under the Shadow vs. Oculus (Part 2)To conclude our culture clash of ‘80s Iran and early 21st century America, let’s put Under the Shadow under the microscope. Which haunted house flick shall prevail? Guess you gotta listen...2021-02-161h 20MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Under the Shadow vs. Oculus (Part 1)In the final matchup of our tournament's Sinister Sixteen, a malevolent mirror matches up with a djinn in two very different tales of families haunted by supernatural forces. Part 1 examines Mike Flanagan’s 2013 film, Oculus. Set your timers now...2021-02-021h 25MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Terrified vs. Ouija: Origin of EvilWhat’s worse, having your whole neighborhood be haunted, or discovering your basement is full of a Nazi doctor’s victims, and they’re not happy? It’s a classic March Madmen conundrum! Tune in to see who wins this supernatural smackdown between two terrifying films: Terrified and Ouija: Origin of Evil.2021-01-192h 33MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: The Devil’s Backbone vs. Paranormal Activity 3As the Sinister Sixteen rolls on, Guillermo del Toro goes toe to toe with an oscillating fan cam and the Spanish Civil War squares off against a 1980s suburb! Also: John is humbled, anal sex jokes, and undetonated ordinance. It’s The Devil’s Backbone vs. Paranormal Activity 3, March Madmen style! Don’t forget to watch ‘em with your mother-in-law.2020-12-301h 46MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Session 9 vs. The PactHello, Gordon... This episode pits Simon and the orbitoclast against hiders in the house and Google Maps gone ghosty. Two kickass films, but only one can move on in our little competition. Listen and decide for yourself!2020-12-161h 23MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Poltergeist vs. The OrphanageAn upset is brewing as evil steak and a killer clown toy duke it out with baby baghead and a gnarly auto vs. pedestrian tango! Find out why John hates the ending of El Orfanato and Poltergeist’s roller-coaster ride isn’t as rich a broth for Vik. Rich’s vote decides which flick forges ahead and which is put to rest...2020-12-011h 43MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Lake Mungo vs. The Amityville HorrorTwo very different takes on the haunted house movie go toe to toe in this one! It’s subtle found-footage spookiness vs. two scoops of '70s cheese! Don’t stiff the caterer, folks.2020-11-151h 19MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: The Shining vs. What Lies BeneathRecorded in June 2020, this episode sets the table for the next several matchups. First up: The Shining and What Lies Beneath. Prepare yourself for hotel-prowling big wheels and bathtub surprises squaring off against memory-challenged housewives and bathtub suspense. Whichever film wins, you’re gonna drown in horror!2020-10-281h 43MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Demolition of Apparitions (Part 3)In the final matchup of the first round, The Woman in Black duels What Lies Beneath. Can Harry Potter topple Han Solo? We've got suicidal kids, dead co-eds and a bath you won't find relaxing! One of these vengeful lady ghosts is goin’ home…2020-10-141h 12MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Demolition of Apparitions (Part 2)What happens when an insanely successful film shot on a shoestring budget (Paranormal Activity) takes on an old-school Hollywood star vehicle (The Amityville Horror)? Can Katie Featherstone oust Margot Kidder? Which invisible demon will out-arm-wrestle the other? Click play, kids.2020-09-301h 27MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Demolition of Apparitions (Part 1)We’ve got gritty SoCal spirits going up against casualties of the Vietnam War as ghosts in different decades and hemispheres collide on March Madmen. The Pact! R-Point! Which haunted-house flick will be exorcised? Find out now...2020-09-161h 33MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Spectral Slaughter (Part 3)The Madmen are back, this time debating the merits of J.A. Bayona's The Orphanage (El Orfanato) and Steve Miner’s House. It’s bag-headed moppets versus disgusting muppets! Geraldine Chaplin! Richard Moll! Tough call...2020-08-2758 minMARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Spectral Slaughter (Part 2)It’s the scariest Parker Bros. game ever made going up against a trio of supernatural tales from across the pond! Tonight Ouija: Origin of Evil tangles with Ghost Stories. Don’t forget to say “goodbye”…2020-08-1354 minMARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: Spectral Slaughter (Part 1)The Middle East battles the Eastern Seaboard as Under the Shadow and The Haunting vie for supremacy tonight. Will the Robert Wise classic hold up against its youthful Iranian challenger? It’s (more) undetonated ordinance against a flimsy spiral staircase and a whiny singleton! Something’s gonna go boom…2020-07-291h 08MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: More Blood Drawn (Part 3)A delirious night of recording concludes with A Tale of Two Sisters vs. Paranormal Activity 3 and Below squaring off against The Changeling. Our first big upset breaks John’s heart and Vik faces a Sophie’s Choice moment.2020-07-151h 01MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: More Blood Drawn (Part 2)In this episode four movies fight to the death (and beyond) to reach the Sinister Sixteen! Our matchups are The Innkeepers vs. The Legend of Hell House and The Devil’s Backbone vs. Stir of Echoes. Guess what? Ghosts play dirty...2020-07-021h 09MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: More Blood Drawn (Part 1)Breaking a frighteningly long recording into “bite-sized morsels,” we begin with the mirror in Oculus squaring off against the hanged witch from The Conjuring. Which haunted house movie will prevail? It’s gonna be a bloodbath…2020-06-181h 05MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: The First Cut Is the DeepestTonight the first 10 movies go toe to toe in our tournament of haunted-house movies! Can "Hausu" knock out a heavyweight like "The Shining"? Will "Terrified" take out "The Others"? Tune in to find out…2020-06-043h 13MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: The Selection Show (Part 2)This one goes out to the underdogs as the March Madmen pick the final 16 flicks competing for the title of “Best Haunted House Movie Ever Made.” Much debate goes into locking down the 32-film field, but one prediction will surely come to pass — blood will be spilled over ever-divisive “The Changeling.”2020-04-062h 04MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENMarch Madmen: The Selection Show (Part 1)It's a new day for the Darkest Hour podcast as we re-brand and begin the search for the greatest horror film of all time! This season the March Madmen will whittle down the 32 best haunted house movies, tournament style, until one film stands above them all. Tonight, we select the first sixteen to compete...2020-03-142h 01MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENEvery Night Is Halloween: The Cheffie AwardsFinally, the wrap-up show you’ve been waiting for. The fellas tie a bow on the Halloween series with a “Best Of” special honoring the highlights in categories like Best Michael, Best Kill and Favorite Loomis Line. Of course we've got Most Overrated and Underrated Movie, too. Finally, a look at Scream and where it stands in the slasher-verse.2020-01-252h 14MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENEvery Night Is Halloween: Myers Family PicnicThe fellas complete their epic examination of Rob Zombie’s "Halloween II" and the franchise as a whole, contemplating this Michael’s place in the pantheon, the tragic journey of Laurie Strode, and where a third movie might have taken us. There's more here than meets the eye...2019-12-232h 33MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENEvery Night Is Halloween: Nights with White HorsesThe boys begin an in-depth examination of the fascinating final leg of their Halloween journey, debating theories to explain Michael and Laurie’s shared visions of their dead mother, and wondering if Rob Zombie's explanation really matters.2019-11-062h 05MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENEvery Night Is Halloween: ZombifiedThe misbegotten love child of John Carpenter and Rob Zombie, 2007’s remake doesn’t reach its potential but it certainly sparks discussion as the guys delve deep into these befouled waters.2019-09-262h 42MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENEvery Night Is Halloween: That's Dangertainment!The guys are surprisingly warm to this largely unloved installment, which has Michael adrift after besting his nemesis (Laurie dropped the knife again). Busta Rhymes doesn’t inspire Michael, he confuses him, but that puts the Shape in situations no one could have seen coming... Like getting chewed out by his boss?!2019-06-272h 43MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENEvery Night Is Halloween: Michael vs. Dawson’s CreekThe fellas clash over the quality of this one (H20), which has our socially underdeveloped antihero squaring off against his alcoholic nemesis and a cast with an absurd tendency to startle each other. Find out why fate and slatted-door closets are essential to the franchise!2019-04-251h 58MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENEvery Night Is Halloween: Under the Influence of More Than a RuneIt’s time for “the Paul Rudd one,” a Mad Libs approach to screenwriting that forces us to imagine Michael’s vinegar face and see parallels to F13, but mostly fails in every way.2019-02-182h 11MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENEvery Night Is Halloween: Hell Would Not Have HimWe look deeper into the sequel (5) that is arguably most like the original, make Hitchcock comparisons and marvel at the unique relationship Loomis and Michael share. Also, car puns, “Cookie Woman” and one terrible rat costume.2019-01-142h 09MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENEvery Night Is Halloween: Tina TimeAfter an absurd open comes a film that subverts expectations in fun ways. Tina is a divisive but striking stealth co-lead, Loomis is unhinged, and Michael takes his patient stalking to a new level.2019-01-011h 55MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENEvery Night Is Halloween: Time’s up for Michael?John and Vik delve into David Gordon Green’s megahit Halloween (2018). Do we buy what Laurie’s 1977 scuffle has done to her? What is up with Dr. Sartain’s facial hair? Also, gratuitous references to yogurt and hermaphroditism.2018-11-222h 02MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENEvery Night Is Halloween: Infectious EvilWe return to “The Return of Michael Myers” to finish our study of the Shape’s first stalk-and-stab session in ‘80s Haddonfield, a “soft reboot” for the franchise. Topics include slasher teleportation and Michael’s capacity to check his Hotmail account.2018-07-242h 02MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENEvery Night Is Halloween: Clownin’ with Jamie“The Return of Michael Myers” goes under our microscope as the Danielle Harris era begins in Haddonfield. This wide-ranging discussion is one of our best! Not only do we delve into the deepest layers of this film, we take a big picture look at Michael vs. Jason.2018-07-021h 55MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENEvery Night Is Halloween: And Don’t Forget to Wear Your MasksSpecial guest Emily Rua joins the gents to study the weirdly wonderful Season of the Witch, a Halloween sequel that’s doing just fine without Michael Myers, thank you  very much. Gather round the television, boys and girls!2018-05-312h 09MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENEvery Night Is Halloween: The Hospital One (Conclusion)The boys are back to finish their thorough post mortem on the first Halloween sequel, right down to the HR standards at this third-rate hospital.2018-05-021h 31MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENEvery Night Is Halloween: The Hospital One (1981)This filmic autopsy is a little less loving than the last one, but the gents do give Rick Rosenthal’s “Halloween in a hospital” a thorough clinical assessment. We split this show in two, so more Myers is on the way!2018-04-121h 25MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENEvery Night Is Halloween: The 1978 Original (Conclusion)We conclude our coroner’s report on the film that spawned the slasher craze of the 1980s, filling out Laurie’s Final Girl scorecard and grading Michael Myers’ uncanny impression of P.J. Soles’ bespectacled boyfriend.2018-03-292h 28MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENEvery Night Is Halloween: The 1978 OriginalThe fellas kick off their franchise autopsy with a (very) thorough examination of John Carpenter’s classic, finding meaning in every moment of The Night He Came Home.2018-03-172h 11MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENTHE VVITCH: Wouldst Thou Like to Live Deliciously?The guys travel to 17th century New England to wrestle with Black Phillip, sign their names in the Devil’s book and discuss the witch’s brew of ideas that make this movie an instant classic.2017-11-221h 17MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENTHE VOID: Hardly Empty of HorrorsThe boys enter THE VOID… This Lovecraft-tinged acid trip is set in one hellish hospital, provoking a passionate discussion of the film’s macabre vision.2017-11-142h 02MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENIT FOLLOWS: All Hail the Beta MaleIn Part 2 of an exhaustive investigation of what makes this movie tick, the guys go deep into a problematic third act, wonder how Jay really feels about Paul, and offer answers to the mythology's many haunting questions.2017-08-312h 18MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENTHE DEAD WALK: There's Always Room for RomeroIn this impromptu pod, the guys reminisce about Romero — with a particular emphasis on Night of the Living Dead — on the sad occasion of his passing. Career highlights, personal impact and even the misfires (cough, Diary) are covered.2017-07-251h 53MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENIT FOLLOWS: White Undies of DeathPerhaps the most haunting horror film of the decade thus far, "It Follows" provides the boys much to sink their teeth into. From VD metaphors to mama-humping, this mythology leaves a mark. Our two-parter begins with the big picture and one BADLY broken leg.2017-05-031h 28MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENTOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD: Temperamental TemplarsThis is your Darkest Hour, the podcast that gives horror films a thorough autopsy. In Episode 1, the boys explore the Tombs of the Blind Dead, where wacky morgue attendants, nattily dressed detectives and simian skeletons rub shoulders with one another. Topics include slo-mo gallops, a neutered American version and one odd love triangle.2017-03-291h 59MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENALIEN RESURRECTION: Amelie in SpaceThe trio takes on Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s entry in the Alien franchise. Ripley is back in black and blasting out Joss Whedon quips. But is this xenomorph meshugas without merit, or strangely satisfying? The boys render a split decision on that one…2017-02-051h 43MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENALIEN 3: Fury 161 Is a No-Fun ZoneDavid Fincher’s divisive sequel has its hidden charms, but is it TRULY underrated? Topics include Ripley’s new relationship with the xenos, themes of redemption and previous drafts of the script.2016-11-251h 18MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENPREDATOR 2: This Is Dread, MonIt’s Predator Deuce! King Willie reveals his cryptic secrets to the Guys, who also consider Danny Glover’s billowy '90s wardrobe, Bill Paxton’s one-liners and Gary Busey’s top-secret folder.2016-10-211h 56MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENPREDATOR: No Place for Pencil-PushersYou may not got time to bleed, but you got time to listen to this study of the 1987 classic Predator, which guides you deep into the jungles of “Val Verde.”2016-07-271h 54MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENALIENS Part 2: Game Over, ManWe give ALIENS the frame-by-frame treatment, covering everything from Burke’s parallels to Ash and who screwed over who when Ripley met the Queen. Also, slash fiction gold.2016-06-182h 30MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENALIENS: Mighty Xenomorphin Power RangersOur combat drop to LV-426 begins with the genesis of the James Cameron classic, the nitty-gritty of xenomorphs and a certain cowardly Colonial Marine.2016-05-2155 minMARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENALIEN: In Space No One Can Hear You CreamThe Franchise Guys start a new season with a study of the sci-fi classic ALIEN! Primordial dread, cast clashes, biomechanical lube, Dallas' porn collection and much more go under the microscope.2016-04-132h 02MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENThe Final It's Always Friday?Ambush Bug (Mark L. Miller) of Ain't It Cool News helps us put a capper on this season of the show! Topics include growing up with these movies, our favorite F13 moments, Jason's evolution, what's next for the franchise, and much more.2015-10-031h 32MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENJason: Peaceful Marijuana Farmer?Our cinematic journey concludes on the Platinum Dunes, where the F13 franchise was revived under the watchful eye of Michael Bay. This one divides the guys as opinions on Jason and the other characters vary. We agree that it looks good, at least, and is a welcome return to the "Core Four" feel.2015-09-112h 05MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENFreddy vs. JasonWe call it Jason vs. Freddy around here! Let's size up the opponents in this franchise mash-up and enjoy the brutal exposition along with the kills. One of our wilder shows yet, and that's saying something with this series. Ultimately, Jason wins, but so do we all.2015-08-241h 50MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENA Nightmare on Elm StreetIn our lead-up to "Freddy vs. Jason," the guys take a detour to Springwood for one restless night. Examining the film that launched Fred Krueger's franchise, we compare him to the Joker, delve into dream logic and wonder if Johnny Depp could ever don the razor-tipped glove.2015-08-071h 37MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENJason X Part 2: Jason XXLWe wrap up our discussion of Jason X and its many absurdities (going deep into the "holodeck sequence," of course). Why wasn't there a TV spinoff about Demon, Creighton Duke and Brodski driving around in a sweet van, fighting evil? And so on.2015-07-2942 minMARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENJason X: Part 1Jason X or, "Jason Goes to Space," divides our panel (two enjoyed the film, one hated it) but definitely breaks new ground for the masked madman. This Canadian co-production also makes us wonder if Wolverine is Jason's regenerating cousin. Part 1 of 2 Pods!2015-07-171h 19MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENJason Goes to HellJason Goes to Hell (at the very end of the movie)! In the only '90s installment of the franchise, we've got body-swapping, a wonder llama and lots of self-aware writing. Fingers are broken, (2) bladders emptied and jungle-gyms overturned.2015-07-122h 01MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENFriday the 13th: More Machete AwardsIt's award season again! The next four F13 films close the book on the Paramount era and venture in increasingly weird directions. We hit the highlights and lowlights from Parts V through VIII, from belt-tightening to the bouncing head.2015-06-2452 minMARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENFriday the 13th Part 8: More ManhattanThis one is such a classic in the "So bad it's good" department, we had to do another episode about it. More on Jason the Tourist in Times Square, Uncle Charles' Swim School, and the most unrealistic depictions of New Yawk and heroin addicts ever put to screen. It's more fun than a barrel-full of drowned rats!2015-06-101h 13MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENFriday the 13th Part 8: Manhattan Murder MysteriesJason's harbor cruise in New York features absurd characters, goofy kills and cheese galore. Beyond that, it's brilliant. The boys break it all down for ya! We've got Aquatic Jasons, "You Can't Do That on Television" slime and lots of squelching. In fact, there's so much to talk about we had to make this a Double Episode Edition!2015-06-0458 minMARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENFriday the 13th Part 7: Jason Gets His Ass KickedThe one with the psychic girl! This time Jason meets his match. Just not in a dating kinda way… We count tent spikes and pose questions like, "Just how many bodies are at the bottom of Crystal Lake? If Jason were driving a car near there, would it break down like everyone else's?" It's an epic show!2015-05-251h 43MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENFriday the 13th Part 6: Jason Strikes a Pose"Jason Lives" ("Walks Again" would be more accurate) and we're glad to have him back! In this one, an eerily patient Jason discovers teleportation. How much blame should Tommy take for the dark miracle of Jason's resurrection? Is the movie even trying to be scary, or is it just a thrill-ride? We've got answers.2015-05-121h 25MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENFriday the 13th Part 5: Is Jason Optional?Let's dance with the ugly stepsister of the franchise, "Part V: A New Beginning" or "The One with the Ambulance Driver." We've got a rubber spider, bad enchiladas and one extremely sweet set of ta-tas. Are there conceptual intrigues here, buried beneath the body count? Do you think in wintertime Jason hibernates with the bears?2015-05-051h 37MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENFriday the 13th: The Machete AwardsJust what you needed -- another awards show! The guys give out accolades to the most deserving aspects of Friday the 13th and the first three sequels. Categories include Funniest Line, Hottest Girl and of course, Best Kill!2015-04-1927 minMARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENFriday the 13th Part 4: Kinetic KillingAnother deep dive into the terrifying world of Friday the 13th! It's the end of the "core four" and the final flight of Gordon the Golden Retriever. Among other things, we contemplate the undulating bottoms in '80s exercise videos and wonder if Jason could beat a bear (yes).2015-04-191h 05MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENFriday the 13th Part 3: Jason Grows UpIn what is ironically a more one-dimensional movie than its predecessors, Jason goes 3-D on y'all in this studio campfest! Your hosts also discuss a particular piece of hockey equipment and its hapless original owner, "duck scares" and why blacking out is the best way to survive a Jason attack.2015-04-051h 15MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENFriday the 13th Part 2: Evil Backwoods WizardryWe eagerly accept another helping of Friday the 13th filmage with the seminal second one, which features a lanky, bag-headed Jason trotting around with a pitchfork. Topics include tasteful “semi”-frontals, Jason’s violent introduction to the concept of death, and why it’s a good thing Muffin the Dog didn’t have Aunt Flo in town.2015-03-251h 27MARCH MADMENMARCH MADMENFriday the 13th Part 1: The Strength of the InsaneWe start our tour of the Friday franchise (not the Ice Cube one) at the beginning (not the New Beginning). Pamela and Part 1 provide plenty of burning questions about the film (not The Burning). Was Jason Voorhees dead all along? Is this really more like J Horror and Blair Witch than Halloween? Other topics include scary camping stories, the Final Girl's tomboy haircut, servin' the Bacon, and homicidal griffins.2015-03-131h 30