Happy Horror Time is hosted by Tim Murdock & Matt Emert – two off-the-wall gay guys who LOVE scary movies! We discuss new horror films (spoiling everything along the way) and interview horror stars & insiders. We're unpolished, unscripted, and a ton of fun!
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That creepy-a$$ smile is back in a sequel to the supernatural flick that made an ear-to-ear grin something to fear. Tune in to hear us break down “Smile 2” — from how it connected and compared to the original film, to our thoughts on what was reality vs. a hallucination, and of course, that flashy ending and where we think the franchise could go fr…
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The “Terrifier” franchise has done wonders for indie horror, proving that an unrated flick starring a sadistic clown can be successful in theaters. Tune in to hear us break down “Terrifier 3” — from the inventive kills the series has become known for, to how they handled the return of the “final siblings” (Sienna & Jonathan), and whether we liked i…
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Ep 225: Interview w/Nick Castle from “Halloween” (1978)
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Many have donned the Michael Myers mask throughout the “Halloween” franchise, but only one was the original Shape — Nick Castle. Tune in to hear all about playing this iconic villain in John Carpenter’s 1978 classic, the story behind his return to the franchise in Blumhouse’s trilogy, and we even chat a bit about some of his writing and directing c…
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Ep 224: Interview w/Jodi Lyn O’Keefe from “Halloween H20,” “Devil in the Flesh 2,” and more
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As Sarah in “Halloween H20,” not only did Jodi Lyn O’Keefe get to work with Jamie Lee Curtis in her first return to the series, but she faced Michael Myers in one of the most brutal and memorable scenes of the franchise. Tune in to hear all about making this 20th anniversary sequel, all the ins and outs of filming her iconic demise, and stick aroun…
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“The Substance” explores how far an aging Hollywood star will go to create a younger, hotter version of herself… and how fabulous a full length yellow coat can be. Tune in to hear us break down this body horror flick — from Demi Moore’s fearless performance, to our interpretation of the film’s more obscure scenes, and of course, those batsh*t crazy…
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Ep 222: Interview w/Parker Brennon & Nancy Loomis, Writer/Director & Star of “Hauntology”
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“Hauntology” marks the feature film debut of Writer/Director, Parker Brennon, who cast Nancy Loomis in her first film in over 40 years. Tune in to hear all about making this queer horror anthology, how Nancy got involved, Parker’s approach to writing these diverse characters, and of course Matt asks Nancy several questions about playing Annie in Jo…
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Ep 221: Till Deetz Do They Part (w/Bix Emert-Hutner, Matt’s nephew)
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Matt’s 10-year-old nephew, Bix Emert-Hutner, is a major horror fan like his uncle, so we invited him on the show to revisit a spooky sequel 36 years in the making. Tune in as we break down “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” — from the new characters and plot points we loved, to the ones that may have been overkill. And if you find yourself smiling from ear …
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F13 Ep: Jason Voorhees is Sooo Fetch! (w/Mark Waters, Director of “Mean Girls”)
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This episode’s not like a regular episode — it’s a COOL episode! 😉 That’s because we’re joined by “Mean Girls” Director, Mark Waters, to discuss “Friday the 13th Part 2” — the film he just so happened to use a clip of in his iconic 2004 teen comedy. And don’t worry, we know how obsessed everyone is with “Mean Girls,” so we asked him all about worki…
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“Strange Darling” is a cat-and-mouse thriller, told in 6 non-consecutive chapters, that stars Willa Fitzgerald from the “Scream” TV series and Kyle Gallner from more horror films than we can list here. Tune in to hear us break down every chapter — from the twists we didn't see coming, to the performance that deserves a ton of recognition, and the Q…
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Ep 219: Interview w/Amanda Wyss from “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984), “The Id,” and more
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As Tina Gray in the original “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” Amanda Wyss was the first teen to encounter Freddy Krueger, meeting her demise in one of the most memorable kills in horror history. Tune in to hear all about making the film that launched this iconic franchise, the horror hacks she learned from Wes Craven, the cameo she was offered in “New …
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Ep 218: Get Away From Us You B*tch! (w/Mark J. Parker, host of Release Date Rewind podcast)
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2024 marks the 45th anniversary of “Alien,” and with a new film in the franchise newly released, we invited our friend Mark J. Parker, host of Release Date Rewind podcast, to discuss it with us. Tune in as we look back at the original “Alien” before breaking down “Alien: Romulus” — from its various ties to the original movies, to how it took libert…
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Ep 217: Interview w/Robert Jayne from “Tremors”
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As teen jokester, Melvin Plug, in the original “Tremors,” Robert Jayne (formerly Bobby Jacoby) battled the huge slug-like Graboids alongside the likes of Kevin Bacon, Michael Gross, and Reba McEntire. Tune in to hear all about making this 1990 horror comedy, the version (and star) of “Tremors 2” that did not get greenlit, and his idea for a “Tremor…
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One of the most polarizing horror directors, M. Night Shyamalan, is back with a new thriller starring Laurie Strode’s son… errr, Josh Hartnett! But did this concert-within-a-movie bring on the thrills or stir up the groans? Tune in as we break down “Trap” — from all that music (from M. Night’s daughter) to all those escapes, and that ending twist t…
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Ep 215: Interview w/Allen Danziger from “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” (1974)
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As Sally Hardesty’s boyfriend, Jerry, Allen Danziger had the esteemed honor of being one of the original five to face Leatherface in Tobe Hooper’s groundbreaking horror classic, “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.” Tune in to hear all about making this iconic slasher, how he reacted the very first time he saw Leatherface, and his recent return to the ge…
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With a scary-good marketing plan, trailers that didn’t give away too much, and a creepy serial killer with Buffalo Bill vibes, Oz Perkins’ latest horror film had a ton of hype surrounding its release. Tune in to hear us break down “Longlegs” — from its memorable performances to all the twists and turns the story took, and the creepiest part of all …
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Ep 213: Interview w/Tom McLoughlin, Writer/Director of “F13 Pt 6”
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Tom McLoughlin took on the task of resurrecting Jason Voorhees in “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives,” and ended up creating one of the most celebrated sequels in the series. Tune in to hear all about making the 6th installment in this franchise, the script he wrote as a direct sequel to “Jason Lives,” his involvement with the “Friday the 13th” …
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The sequel to “X” (and third film in Ti West’s trilogy) follows our anti-heroine, Maxine Minx, to Hollywood in 1985, where she desperately pursues stardom while avoiding a killer. But does this flashy sequel prioritize style over substance? Tune in to hear us break down “MaXXXine,” from Mia Goth’s performance to all those supporting characters, and…
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The third entry in the “A Quiet Place” series takes viewers back to the very beginning, showing how the world became a silent, apocalyptic shell of what it once was. Tune in to hear us break down “A Quiet Place: Day One” — from how it combined heartfelt character development with full-on alien destruction, to those close-up shots of the creatures, …
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Ep 210: Interview w/Adam Bucci from “That’s a Wrap,” “Brute 1976,” and Creator of Small Town Weirdo
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Whether acting in a horror movie or creating designs for his Small Town Weirdo brand, Adam Bucci is a true artist. His Final Boy & Final Girl shirts have been worn and promoted by a variety of genre stars. Tune in to hear all about his recent (and upcoming) horror films, how Small Town Weirdo became what it is today, and the story behind that famou…
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“The Watchers” marks the directorial debut of Ishana Shyamalan (the daughter of M. Night Shyamalan). But did she follow in the footsteps of her father’s good films or his not-so-good ones? Tune in to hear us break down “The Watchers,” from all that storytelling to Dakota Fanning’s performance, and whether we saw that twist coming or whether it took…
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Ep 208: Interview w/Bill Randolph from “F13 Pt 2”
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As Jeff in “Friday the 13th Part 2,” Bill Randolph got to play a happy-go-lucky counselor who was simply looking to have a little fun with his girlfriend at Packanack Lodge. Unfortunately, Jason Voorhees had other plans for him. Tune in to hear all about making one of the most beloved sequels in the F13 series, how his death scene was filmed (and t…
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In the latest slasher, there’s a monstrous killer on the loose, trudging through the woods as he stalks young partiers around campgrounds. And his name is… Jas, err, JOHNNY! Tune in as we break down “In a Violent Nature” — from all those familiar slasher tropes, to what made it unique, and the kill that had us gasping, squirming, and laughing all a…
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Ep 206: Interview w/Lauren-Marie Taylor from “F13 Pt 2,” “Girls Nite Out,” & “In a Violent Nature”
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From playing a sweet, lovestruck counselor in “Friday the 13th Part 2,” to a mysterious woman with a backstory in “In a Violent Nature,” Lauren-Marie Taylor has quite the affinity for woodsy horror movies! Tune in to hear all about making her various slasher films, working with co-star Tom McBride and others in “F13 Pt 2,” and, as a bonus, we’re jo…
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Ep 205: Strangely Familiar (w/Mark Ellis, correspondent for Rotten Tomatoes)
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This week we’re joined by host and stand-up comedian, Mark Ellis, who leads the on-camera efforts at Rotten Tomatoes, to discuss the new reboot, “The Strangers: Chapter 1.” Tune in to hear us break down every bad decision the main characters made, the scenes that had us on edge, how it differed (or didn’t) from the original film, and what we think/…
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Ep 204: Interview w/Christopher Bradley from “The Initiation,” “Waxwork,” and more
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Christopher Bradley has an extensive résumé in horror, and a knack for being murdered on-screen. Tune in to hear all about making 80s horror movies like “The Initiation,” “The Wraith,” “Waxwork,” and “Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat,” the various co-stars he enjoyed working with on these films, and the emotional story behind his decision to come ou…
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Ep 203: Killer Cards & Reading Stars (w/Liana Bassior, host of AstroLyrical podcast)
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There haven’t been many horror films related to astrology over the years, so when we heard about “Tarot,” we knew it was the perfect opportunity to collaborate with our good friend, Liana Bassior, who hosts the AstroLyrical podcast. Tune in to hear us break down every tarot-based apparition and astrological claim in this supernatural horror flick, …
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Ep 202: Interview w/Lesleh Donaldson from “Curtains,” “Happy Birthday to Me,” and more
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From her iconic ice-skating scene in “Curtains,” to being the first of the Crawford Top 10 targeted in “Happy Birthday to Me,” Lesleh Donaldson had many memorable roles in 80s horror films. Tune in to hear all about making these slashers along with her other horror films like “Funeral Home” and “Deadly Eyes,” what happened the day she was supposed …
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Radio Silence, the team that brought us “Ready or Not,” “Scream” (2022), and “Scream VI,” is back with a new twist on the familiar vampire tale… but with a 12-year-old ballerina as the fanged foe. Tune in to hear us break down “Abigail” — from the standout performances to all those explosive surprises, and most importantly, how bloody good of a tim…
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Ep 200: Listeners’ Choice – “Scream” (1996)
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For this very special episode, we asked listeners to vote on what film to discuss, and the clear winner was the original “Scream” (1996). Tune in as we celebrate #200 and break down every facet of this masterful ‘90s slasher — that iconic opening scene, all the characters and catchphrases we love, the lines we got wrong, the kills, the thrills, and…
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Ep 199: Interview w/Bridget Rose Perrotta & Destiny Brown from “Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor”
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The fourth entry in the “Hell House LLC” series introduced viewers to a creepy new setting and a fresh new cast, including co-leads Bridget Rose Perrotta (Margot) and Destiny Brown (Rebecca). Tune in to hear how both stars prepared for their roles in this 2023 found footage film, the spooky occurrences that took place during production, and how bei…
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Demonic possession is nothing new in the horror genre, but bringing it into a 1970s late night talk show — now that’s something we’ve never seen before. Tune in to hear us break down “Late Night with the Devil,” from its documentary setup to its climactic finale, and the most basic question of all — was it scary?…
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Ep 197: Interview w/Devon Sawa from “Final Destination,” “Idle Hands,” the “Chucky” TV series, and many more
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Devon Sawa has made such an impact on horror over the last three decades — from starring in late 90s/early 00s favorites like “Idle Hands” & “Final Destination,” to more recent entries like “The Fanatic,” “Hunter Hunter,” “Black Friday,” and the “Chucky” TV series. Tune in to hear all about making some of his biggest horror flicks, the pitch for an…
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A seedy motel in the middle of nowhere is always a good spot for a horror movie. Now add in some creepy ghosts and an escaped mental patient and you’ve got “Night Shift.” Tune in as we break down this new thriller — from its similarities to “Psycho” to that major twist at the end, and of course, what happened in the sinkhole.…
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Ep 195: Interview w/Jeff Wadlow, Director & Co-Writer of “Imaginary”
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Jeff Wadlow’s latest horror film, “Imaginary,” was just released theatrically on March 8th, marking his 3rd collaboration with Blumhouse. Tune in to hear all about making this new supernatural flick and creating the “Never-Ever” imaginary world, the late addition to the film that came from the mind of James Wan, and the film festival win that led t…
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The recipe for “Stopmotion” goes a little something like this: Take two parts live action, one part stop motion animation, a dash of childlike storytelling, a pinch of losing your mind, and mix them all together. Tune in as we break down every creepy figurine, every “is this real” or “is this a hallucination” moment, and the scene that might cause …
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Ep 193: Interview w/William Butler from "F13 Pt 7," "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III," "NOTLD" (1990), and more
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William Butler has quite the extensive horror résumé. He faced Jason Voorhees in “Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood,” the Sawyer clan in “Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III,” flesh-eating zombies in “Night of the Living Dead” (1990), and even appeared in 2 episodes of “Freddy’s Nightmares.” Tune in to hear all about his vast career …
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Here’s something we learned from watching “Double Blind” this week: If a pharmaceutical company’s willing to pay you 30,000 euro to participate in a drug trial, get as far away as possible! Tune in to hear us break down this new Irish thriller — from all that haunting imagery, to what “double blind” actually means, and how grateful we were for a go…
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Ep 191: Interview w/Joshua Tonks from “The Latent Image”
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“The Latent Image” began as a short film and was adapted into a feature in 2022, with Joshua Tonks starring as a writer who is visited by a mysterious stranger while working on a story in a secluded cabin. Tune in to hear all about making this indie queer thriller, how Joshua felt about his character’s active imagination and motivations throughout …
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Heather Graham, Barbara Crampton, and Judah Lewis (from “The Babysitter” movies) all switching bodies with a horny demon? How could we resist? Tune in to hear us break down “Suitable Flesh” (now available on Shudder) — from all those body-swapping seizures, to the sexy scenes that made Tim blush, and whether it succeeded in balancing all that camp,…
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Ep 189: Interview w/Michael Tough from “Prom Night” (1980)
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Although Michael Tough only acted in a few films, we will always remember his iconic role as Jamie Lee Curtis’s little brother who (SPOILER ALERT) is revealed to be the masked murderer in “Prom Night” (1980). Tune in to hear all about making this disco slasher, what it was like working with JLC in her horror heyday, and his memories of portraying t…
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Ep 188: Don’t Be Afraidy, We Found Katie!
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A masked killer offing people on a holiday is one of our favorite horror formulas. But did this new slasher have us scared stiff, or did it dig its own grave? We’re joined by Katie Hettenbach, comedian and host of the Katie Afraidy podcast, to break down “Founders Day” — from all those eccentric characters, to all the crafty banners left by the kil…
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We couldn’t have been happier to review a thriller that shares the name with our bold & beautiful co-host, Tim. And coincidentally, both our Tim and the movie’s T.I.M. are preppy, blonde, and love serving men! 😉 Tune in to hear us break down “T.I.M.” — from every laundry-sniffing moment, to how creepy that Technologically Integrated Manservant was,…
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Ep 186: Interview w/Bryce McGuire, Writer/Director of “Night Swim”
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Bryce McGuire is making his directorial debut with “Night Swim,” the recently released aquatic horror flick from Blumhouse & Atomic Monster. Tune in to hear all about adapting his 2014 short into a feature film, how all those underwater scenes were created, and the cameo he makes in the movie (that you may not have caught).…
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You ever wonder what would happen if a courtroom stenographer — the one furiously typing away, recording everything that’s said — decided to take justice into their own hands? That’s the plot of “Walden.” Tune in to hear our thoughts on Emile Hirsch’s eccentric performance, that whodunit subplot and ending reveal, and whether it struck the right to…
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Ep 184: Interview w/Jerry O’Connell from “Scream 2,” “Piranha 3D,” “Stand by Me,” and many more
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It’s hard not to associate Jerry O’Connell with his role as young Vern in 1986’s “Stand by Me,” or as one of the current hosts of “The Talk.” But over the last four decades, he’s made quite an impression in horror. Tune in to hear stories about making so many memorable genre films — like playing Neve Campbell’s love interest in “Scream 2” and the r…
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Merry Christmassacre, horror lovers! To make the holidays scary and bright, we chose Shudder’s new culty Christmas flick to discuss while you open presents and down eggnog today. Tune in to hear us break down “The Sacrifice Game” — from which characters we liked, to which we wanted to see more of (wink wink), to that unexpected twist and even more …
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Ep 182: Interview w/Michael Kennedy, Writer of “Freaky” & “It’s a Wonderful Knife”
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From co-writing 2020’s body-swapping horror comedy, “Freaky,” to writing this year’s holiday slasher, “It’s a Wonderful Knife,” Michael Kennedy has a knack for creating a horror spin on classic films. Tune in to hear about what inspired these two memorable flicks, the time he cold-emailed Jason Blum and the ripple effect it had on his career, and t…
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There have been horror films about gremlins, critters, ghoulies, creeps, leprechauns, etc. But Norwegian barn elves at Christmastime? Now that’s a first! 🧌 Tune in to hear us break down “There’s Something in the Barn” — from all those snowy settings, to how no one believes the poor kid in these movies, and overall, whether we elfin’ enjoyed it or n…
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Ep 180: Interview w/Kevin Brophy from "Hell Night"
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Kevin Brophy starred alongside Linda Blair and Peter Barton in 1981’s cult classic, “Hell Night,” where he delivered a monologue that none other than Quentin Tarantino considers one of the best in horror. Tune in to hear all about making this 80s slasher, how Kevin got his start in Hollywood, and the incredible gift left to him by a fan he had neve…
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Ep 179: Thankful for the Sexiest Man Alive
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16 years after Eli Roth served horror fans a taste of an 80s-era holiday slasher called “Thanksgiving,” we finally got the main course — a feature film! Tune in to hear us break down every over-the-top kill, every Turkey Day reference, that horrifyingly real Black Friday opening, and whether by the end we were stuffed or hungry for more!…
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