Saturday Aug 20, 2022
Season 5: Episode 260 - THE 80’S: Motel Hell (1980)/American Gothic (1988).
Film
Film
Saturday Aug 20, 2022
Saturday Aug 20, 2022
King Kong (1933)
King Kong (2005)
The pre-code monster horror fantasy film was released on an unexpected film audience who were in awe of the special effects, story and Fay Wray making her a star. Using stop motion animation to give Kong a life like appearance help him endear to audience. The lines of who is the villain and who is the hero are very blurred. In 2005, Peter Jackson decided to remake his own version and using the original script. He wanted to include scenes initially cut from the original script due to technology and budget. Peter Jackson’s film would be the fourth biggest box office film of 2005.
Opening Credits; Introduction (2.02); Background History (19.17); Film Trailer (20.41); The Original (22.11); Introducing a Remake (1:18.57); Film Trailer (1:21.11); The Remake (1:23.57); Preference Original or Remake (2:10.06); End Credits (2:10.40); Closing Credits (2:14.25)
Opening Credits– Epidermal Sounds copyright 2022
Closing Credits – King Kong Song by Abba. Taken from the album Waterloo. Copyright 1974 Polar Music.
All songs used by Kind Permission. All Rights Reserved.
All songs available through Amazon.
Saturday Aug 06, 2022
Saturday Aug 06, 2022
Book:
The Rats
By James Herbert
Film:
Deadly Eyes (1982)
A horror novel by British writer James Herbert. This was Herbert's first novel and included graphic depictions of death and mutilation. Herbert became inspired to write The Rats in early 1972, whilst watching Tod Browning's Dracula; specifically, after seeing the scene where Renfield describes a nightmare he had involving hordes of rats. Linking the film to childhood memories he had of rats in the London suburbs, Herbert stated in later interviews that he wrote the book primarily as a pastime; "It seemed like a good idea at the time, I was as naive as that." The manuscript was typed by Herbert's wife Eileen, who sent it off after nine months to nine different publishers
The Canadian horror film directed by Robert Clouse, very loosely based on the 1974 horror novel The Rats by James Herbert. The story revolves around giant black rats who begin eating the residents of Toronto after ingesting contaminated grain. Dachshunds wearing rat suits were used in the filming of Deadly Eyes to achieve the effect of super-sized rodents. James Herbert, who wrote the novel upon which the film was based, was displeased with what the filmmakers did to his story, and described it as "terrible ... absolute rubbish.
Opening Credits; Introduction (1.01); Plot Synopsis (13.21); Forming the Plot (14.22); Book Thoughts (18.57); Scoring the Book (46.03); Book of the Season (49.56); Introducing a Film (56.00); Film Trailer (56.41); Lights, Camera, Action (58.44); Epilogue (1:23.48); Film of the Season (1:26.46); End Credits (1:32.08); Closing Credits (1:33.24)
Opening Credits– Classical Jingle by Dan Hughes
Closing Credits – The Rat by The Walkmen. Taken from the album Bows & Arrows. Copyright 2004 Record Collection.
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights Reserved. Used by Kind Permission.
All songs available through Amazon.
Saturday Jul 16, 2022
Saturday Jul 16, 2022
Society (1989)
American body horror film directed by Brian Yuzna, and starring Billy Warlock, Devin DeVasquez, Evan Richards, and Ben Meyerson. Its plot follows a Beverly Hills teenager who finds his wealthy parents are part of a gruesome cult for the social elite.
Though the film was completed in 1989, it was not released until 1992. It was Yuzna's directorial debut and was written by Rick Fry and Woody Keith. Screaming Mad George was responsible for the special effects. For the film's most surreal and gory sequence, the "shunting," Yuzna based it on his nightmares. The sequence was further inspired by The Great Masturbator, a Dali painting.
Parents (1989)
An American black comedy horror film directed by Bob Balaban and written by Christopher Hawthorne. It stars Randy Quaid, Mary Beth Hurt, Sandy Dennis and Bryan Madorsky. The New York Times wrote "The satire of the 50s is more bland than biting, dependent on authentically garish costumes and sets. And when the horror-film scenes begin to intrude on normal life (what is hanging from the cellar ceiling, anyway?) Mr. Balaban can't make the dark elements seem comic enough to mesh with the rest of this nightmarish joke."
Opening Credits/Introduction (1:51); Oh My GOD!!! (32.24); Society (1989) Trailer (34.04); That Is Like So Tubular (35.35); It Is Totally Rad (1:15.28); It’s Like Another One (1:20.00); Parents (1989) Trailer (1:20.50); Bodacious Talk (2:05.19); Such A Wastoid (2:11.02); End Credits (2:11.16); Closing Theme (2:18.12)
Opening Credits– Classical Jingle by Dan Hughes
Closing Credits – XS by Rina Samayama. Taken from the album Samayama. Copyrights 2020 Dirt Records.
Rina Samyama’s new album. Hold That Girl out 02 September 2022.
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved.
Used by Kind Permission.
All songs available through Amazon.
Saturday Jul 16, 2022
Saturday Jul 16, 2022
La Cage Aux Folles (1978)
The Birdcage (1996)
The 1978 International comedy hit film started out as a Paris stage play in 1976. The film would be released and become a big hit in the United States at the time. Considered its subject matter, the film was adored and loved. It would win multiple awards including a Golden Globe and be adapted into a hit Broadway musical. Birdcage would could out with an all star cast which would include the late Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman and Diane Weist. The film directed by Mike Nicholas and adapted by Elaine May would become a box office success.
Opening Credits; Introduction (2.02); Introduction to La Cage Aux Folles (1978) (14.34); La Cage Aux Folles Trailer (1978) (16.00); The Original (17.32); Introduction to The Birdcage (1996) (1:07.19); The Birdcage (1996) Trailer (1:07.56); The Remake (1:10.12); Final Thoughts (1:53.02): End Credits (2:04.28); Closing Credits (2:07.07)
Opening Credits– Classic Jingle by Dan Hughes. Copyright LLPodcast 2021
Closing Credits – Who’s Gonna Save You Now by Rina Samayama. Taken from the album Samayama. Copyrights 2020 Dirt Records.
Rina Samyama’s new album. Hold That Girl out 02 September 2022.
All rights reserved. Used with Kind Permission.
All songs available through Amazon.
Friday Jul 08, 2022
Friday Jul 08, 2022
Book
Battle Royale
By Koushun Takami
Film:
Battle Royale (1999)
Originally completed in 1996, it was not published until 1999. The story tells of junior high school students who are forced to fight each other to the death in a program run by a fictional authoritarian Japanese government known as the Republic of Greater East Asia.
The dystopian novel was previously entered into the 1997 Japan Horror Fiction Awards but was eventually rejected in the final round due to concerns over its depictions of students killing each other. Upon publication in 1999, the novel became a surprise bestseller.
In 2000, one year after publication, Battle Royale was adapted into a manga series, written by Takami himself, and a feature film. The film was both controversial and successful, becoming one of the year's highest-grossing films as well as prompting condemnation by Japan's National Diet. The film spawned a sequel, and two more brief manga adaptations were also created. Suzanne Collins author of The Hunger Games would be accused of ripping off the plot of Battle Royale.
The Japanese action-thriller film directed by Kinji Fukasaku, with a screenplay written by Kenta Fukasaku, Starring Tatsuya Fujiwara, Aki Maeda, Tarō Yamamoto, and Takeshi Kitano, the film follows a group of junior high-school students that are forced to fight to the death by the Japanese totalitarian government. The film drew controversy, and was banned or excluded from distribution in several countries; Toei Company refused to sell the film to any United States distributor for over a decade due to concerns about potential controversy and lawsuits, until Anchor Bay Entertainment eventually acquired the film in 2010 for a direct-to-video release.
Battle Royale became a cultural phenomenon, and is considered one of the most influential films in recent decades, having been highly influential in global popular culture. Since the film's release, the term "battle royale" has been redefined to refer to a fictional narrative genre and/or mode of entertainment inspired by the film, where a select group of people are instructed to kill each other off until there is a triumphant survivor. It has inspired numerous media, including films, books, animation, comics, visual novels, and video games; the battle royale game genre, for example, is based on the film.
Opening Credits; Introduction (1.01); Forming the Plot (09.20); Plot Synopsis (11.18); Book Thoughts (18.07); Queston of the Week (46.20); How many stars? (52.41); Introducing a Film (55.27); Battle Royale Film Trailer (58.18); Lights, Camera, Action (1:00.14); Epilogue (1:21.51); End Credits (1:24.21); Closing Credits (1:25.47)
Opening Credits– Classical Jingle by Dan Hughes
Closing Credits – Who’s Gonna Save You Now by Rina Samayama. Taken from the album Samayama. Copyrights 2020 Dirt Records.
Rina Samyama’s new album. Hold That Girl out 02 September 2022.
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved.
Used by Kind Permission.
All songs available through Amazon.
Saturday Jun 25, 2022
Saturday Jun 25, 2022
Night of the Creeps (1986)
An American science fiction horror comedy film written and directed by Fred Dekker in his feature directorial debut, starring Jason Lively, Jill Whitlow and Tom Atkins. The film is an earnest attempt at a B movie and homage to the genre. While the main plot of the film is related to zombies, the film also mixes in takes on slashers and alien invasion films. Director Fred Dekker originally wanted to shoot the film in black and white. He included every B movie cliche he could think of and insisted on directing the script himself. Most of the main characters (Romero, Carpenter, Raimi, Cameron, Hooper, Cronenberg, Cameron) are named after horror movie makers. The script was written in a week.
Night of the Comet (1984)
An American science fiction comedy horror film written and directed by Thom Eberhardt It stars Catherine Mary Stewart, Robert Beltran, and Kelli Maroney as survivors of a comet that has turned most people into either dust or zombies. The film would gain a cult following and influence the character of Buffy Sommers. inspiration came from real-life teenage girls whom he met while filming PBS specials. Without telling the girls details about the script's premise, he asked them to describe how they would react to an apocalyptic event. The girls saw the scenario as an exciting adventure and only saw a downside to the experience when Eberhardt brought up the subject of dating. Using their answers, Eberhardt wrote the script to be lighthearted and adventuresome.
Opening Credits/Introduction (1.51); Oh My GOD!!! (13.46); Night of the Creeps Trailer (19.51); That Is Like So Tubular (21.18); It Is Totally Rad (44.42); Night of the Comet Trailer (45.44); Bodacious Talk (48.14); Take A Chill Pill (1:05.35); End Credits (1:06.40); Closing Theme (1:08.02)
Opening Credits– Planet Synth by Dan Hughes
Closing Credits – I Surrender (To the Spirit of the Night) – by Samantha Fox. Taken from the album Samantha Fox. Copyright 1987 Jive Records
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved.
Used with Kind Permission.
All Songs available through Amazon.
Saturday Jun 11, 2022
Saturday Jun 11, 2022
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Dawn of the Dead (2004)
In 1978, George Romero decided that he was going to make a sequel to his seminal Night of the Living Dead and looked at American consumerism. Dario and Claudio Argento help to co-finance with European distribution rights and using music by Goblin. The film would be a huge hit in Europe but would suffer at the hands of American censors. The remake, directed by Zack Snyder would become a box office success and surprisingly a success with critics. Snyder used the millennial fast moving zombies which was cleverly used in the UK film 28 Days Later and changed some aspects of the main story.
Opening Credits; Introduction (2.02); Introduction to Dawn of the Dead (1978) (24.54); Dawn of the Dead (1978) (27.31); The Original (30.10); Let’s Rate an Original (139.53); Introduction to Dawn of the Dead (2004) (1:54.02); Dawn of the Dead (2004) Trailer (1:57.01); The Remake (1:59.29); Final Thoughts (2:55.06): End Credits (2:59.30); Closing Credits (3:00.44)
Opening Credits– Used by kind permission through Epidermic Sounds
Closing Credits – Down With The Sickness by Disturbed – Taken from the album The Sickness. Copyright 2000 Giant and Reprise Records
All rights reserved. Kind Permission is granted.
All Songs Available On Amazon.
Sunday Jun 05, 2022
Sunday Jun 05, 2022
Book:
From Beyond
HP Lovecraft
Film:
From Beyond (1986)
Written in 1920 and first published in 1934, Lovecraft’s short story. The story is told from the first-person perspective of an unnamed narrator and details his experiences with a scientist named Crawford Tillinghast. Tillinghast creates an electronic device that emits a resonance wave, which stimulates an affected person's pineal gland, thereby allowing them to perceive planes of existence outside the scope of accepted reality. These characters would be minor characters in Lovecraft’s The Case of Charles Dexter Ward or aka Reanimator.
Stuart Gordon’s body horror film is loosely based on the short story by Lovecraft and stars Jeffrey Combs, Barbara Crampton, Ken Foree and Ted Sorel. From Beyond centers on a pair of scientists attempting to stimulate the pineal gland with a device called the Resonator. An unforeseen result of their experiments is the ability to perceive creatures from another dimension that proceed to drag the head scientist into their world, returning him as a grotesque shape-shifting monster that preys upon the others at the laboratory. Gordon made use of medical advisors to be sure that the actions taken by the doctors and nurses of the film followed proper medical procedures.
Opening Credits; Introduction (1.01);Firey Kitten Podcast (25.31); Plot Synopsis (26.01); From Beyond Synopsis (26.24); Forming the Plot (28.03); Book Thoughts (54.03); Introducing a Film (1:01.02); From Beyond Film Trailer (1:02.42); Lights, Camera, Action (1:03.42); Epilogue (1:51.58); Nothing To Say Podcast (1:56.36); End Credits (1:57.05); Closing Credits (1:58.28)
Opening Credits– Classical Jingle by Dan Hughes
Closing Credits – (This Will Be) An Everlasting Love by Natalie Cole. Taken from the album Inseparable. Copyright 1975 Capitol Records
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved.
All Songs Used by Kind Permission.
All Songs available through Amazon.
Thursday Jun 02, 2022
Thursday Jun 02, 2022
Lady in White (1988)
An American supernatural mystery film directed, produced, written and scored by Frank LaLoggia, and starring Lukas Haas, Len Cariou, Alex Rocco and Katherine Helmond. The plot follows a schoolboy in 1962 upstate New York who becomes embroiled in the mystery surrounding a series of child murders after he witnesses the ghost of a young girl who was murdered in his school's coat closet.
Much of filming took place in Lyons, New York, which took advantage of the appropriate local lore and scenery. The story is based on a version of The Lady in White legend, concerning a woman who supposedly searches for her daughter in Durand-Eastman Park in Rochester, New York, where the director hails from.
One Dark Night (1983)
An American supernatural horror film directed by Tom McLoughlin and starring Meg Tilly, E. G. Daily, and Adam West. The film follows three teenagers sent to a mausoleum for the night as part of a high school initiation rite. A dead, telekinetic occultist returns from the dead and haunts them, forcing the three to survive the night inside the crypt.
The film was conceived and filmed under the title Rest in Peace before Poltergeist, but due to post-production problems, the film was delayed and was released in theatres in 1983. After a period of four years failing to sell the script to various studios McLoughlin and Hawes found a group of Mormon investors who were willing to finance the film for one million dollars on the condition that they started filming in three weeks.
Opening Credits/Introduction (01.52); With Nothing To Say Kitten Podcast (19.08); Oh My GOD!!! (19.39; One Dark Night Trailer (19.49); What’s the Gag (22.21); That Is Like So Tubular (22.57); It Is Totally Rad (1:04.14); Lady In White Trailer (1:04.48); Bodacious Talk (1:06.42); Firey Kitten Podcast (2:09.29); End Credits (2:10.04); Closing Theme (2:11.35)
Opening Credits– Planet Synth by Dan Hughes
Closing Credits – Did You Ever See A Dream Walking by Bing Crosby. Taken from the album The Very Best of Bing Crosby. Copyright 1933. Universal Classics.
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved. With Kind Permission.
All songs available through Amazon.
Monday May 23, 2022
Monday May 23, 2022
The 2001 Japanese techno-horror film is directed by Kyoshi Kurosawa and is not considered a cult classic. The film is told in two parts with the first part considering one of the most unnerving scenes committed to celluloid.
The American remake would spawn two sequels and would carry the story in a slightly different direction. The original script for the remake was written by Wes Craven but was pulled at the last minute with a new scriptwriter and director being attached at a later date. Starring Kristen Bell, Ian Somerhelder and Octavia Spencer.
Opening Credits; Introduction (2.02); Nothing To Say Podcast (23.02); Introduction to Pulse/(24.01); Pulse 2001 Trailer (24.20); The Original (25.25); Introduction to Pulse 2006 (56.10); Pulse 2006 Trailer (57.09); The Remake (59.32); Final Thoughts (2:04.53): Fiery Kitten Podcast (2:11.04); End Credits (2:11.51); Closing Credits (2:13.02)
Opening Credits– Used by kind permission through Epidermic Sounds
Closing Credits – The Dead Don’t Sleep On Me by Nightcore – from the soundtrack Back4Blood Computer Game. Copyright owned by Nightcore 2021.
All rights reserved. Kind Permission is granted.
All Songs Available On Amazon.
Saturday May 07, 2022
Saturday May 07, 2022
Book:
Ringu
By Koji Suzuki
Film:
Ring (1998)
A Japanese mystery horror novel by Koji Suzuki first published in 1991, and set in modern-day Japan. The novel was the first in the Ring novel series, and the first of a trilogy, along with two sequels: Spiral (1995) and Loop (1998). The original Ring novel sold 500,000 copies by January 1998, and 1.5 million copies by July 2000.[1] Ring was the basis for the Ring franchise, including a 1995 television film (Ring: Kanzenban), a 1998 theatrical film of the same name (Ring), a television series (Ring: The Final Chapter), and two international film remakes of the 1998 film: a South Korean version (The Ring Virus) and an English-language version (The Ring).
This Japanese horror film directed by Hideo Nakata and based on the 1991 novel by Koji Suzuki stars stars Nanako Matsushima, Miki Nakatani and Hiroyuki Sanada, and follows a reporter who is racing to investigate the mystery behind a cursed videotape that kills the viewer seven days after watching it. It is titled The Ring (stylized as the Ring) in English in Japan and released as Ringu in North America.
Production took approximately nine months. Ring and its sequel Spiral were released in Japan at the same time. After its release, Ring was a huge box office success in Japan and was acclaimed by critics. It inspired numerous follow-ups in the Ring franchise, popularized J-horror internationally, and triggered a trend of Western remakes, starting with the 2002 American film The Ring.
Opening Credits; Introduction (1.01); Firey Kitten Podcast Trailer (25.37); Introduction to the Book (26.11); Plot Synopsis (27.07); Forming the Plot (31.09); Book Thoughts (1:24.32); Introducing a Film (1:30.26); Film Trailer The Ring (Japanese)/The Ring (US) (1:31.41); Lights, Camera, Action (1:35.46); Epilogue (2:16.22); With Nothing To Say Podcast Trailer (2:24.37); End Credits (2:25.06); Closing Credits (2:29.35)
Opening Credits– Classical Jingle by Dan Hughes
Closing Credits – Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash. Taken from the album Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash. Copyright 1963 Columbia Nashville Records
Original Music copyrighted 2022 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved and used by kind permission.
All songs available through Amazon.
Sunday Apr 17, 2022
Sunday Apr 17, 2022
The Hunger (1983)
This 1983 erotic horror films stars Susan Sarandon, Catherine Deneuve and David Bowie. The plot revolving around a love triangle between a doctor dealing with sleep and aging research and a vampire novel is loosely based on a novel by Whitley Streiber. Though releases to mixed review, the film has a growing cult following with the goth subculture of society. The band Bauhaus appear playing their single Bela Lugosi’s dead whilst silent film legend Bessie Smith makes her final film appearance as the elderly woman at a book signing.
Liquid Sky (1982)
Produced on a budget of £500,000 dollars, the film would reflect on the Elecroclash club scene that was emerging in NYC, Paris, Berlin and London. Anne Carlisle plays the part of Margaret and Jimmy and helped produce the film. The film would be the highest income earner for an independent film that year making in excess of $1.7million. The film’s cult status grows year on year and has earned its placed in the subculture of electroclash punk.
Opening Credits/Introduction (1.51); Firey Kitten Podcast (10:30); Oh My GOD!!! (11.06); The Hunger (1983) Trailer (12.05); That Is Like So Tubular (14.00); Rate It (41.56); It Is Totally Rad (45.56); Liquid Sky (1982) Trailer (47.04); Bodacious Talk (48.47); Such A Wastoid (1:12.22); Nothing To Say Podcast (1:16.48); End Credits (1:17.49); Closing Theme (1:18.30)
Opening Credits– Planet Synth by Dan Hughes
Closing Credits – Kick It by Peaches featuring Iggy Pop. From the album Fatherfucker. Copyright 2004 XL Records
Original Music copyrighted 2022 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved.
All songs used by kind permission.
All songs available through Amazon.
Saturday Apr 09, 2022
Saturday Apr 09, 2022
The Fly (1958)
The Fly (1986)
The 1958 film is considered a sci-fi classic which stars Vincent Price and Patricia Owens. Dealing with a scientist experimenting with molecular transportation machine that has a fly going for a ride causing a human/fly hybrid. The original has a great iconic ending with a small fly with a human head that will never be forgotten once seen.
The 1986 David Cronenberg remake was a critical and financial success and although the camp factor is not as high as in the original, body horror moves forward with practical effects leaving a lasting effect on the audience. The film would win an Oscar for best make-up design and effects.
Opening Credits; Introduction (2.02); Firebreathing Kitten Trailer (14.40); It’s A True Original (15.14); The Fly (1958) Trailer (16.28); Let’s Start At The Beginning (18.32); Final Take (45.02); Let’s Do A Remake (53.01); The Fly (1986) Trailer (54.55); Let’s Give It Another Go (56.58); Did We Need Two? (1:57.30); With Nothing To Say Trailer (2:05.31); End Credits (2:06.02); Closing Credits (2:06.42)
Opening Credits– Used with permission by Epidermic Sounds
Closing Credits – The Fly by Chubby Checker. Taken from the album For Teen Twisters Only. Copyright 1961 Parkway Records. Used by kind permission.
All rights reserved.
All songs available through Amazon.
Sunday Apr 03, 2022
Sunday Apr 03, 2022
Book:
Interview With A Vampire
By Anne Rice
Film:
Interview With A Vampire (1994)
Anne Rice’s debut novel from 1976 is a gothic vampire novel which initially was released with mixed reviews. It is based on a short story by Anne Rice following the life and after life of Louis de Pont du Lac. Anne Rice’s daughter died shortly before writing and her daughter became the inspiration for Claudia. The book series would spawn eleven sequels and share the same universe as the Mayfair Witches and the Mummy. The book has been published a graphic novel on three different occasions.
Directed by Neil Jordan and starring Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Christian Slater, Antonio Banderas and a young Kristen Dunst, the film would be a critical and commercial success. Originally there was trepidation on the part of Anne Rice on the casting of Tom Cruise but she would come around after seeing the finished product. Due to homophobia at the time of making, Louis was going to be changed to a female and star Cher who wrote the song Lover’s Forever for the film. The song was rejected once Brad Pitt was secure in the role and the song would be released on her album Closer to the Truth as a pop dance mix.
Opening Credits; Introduction (.58); Plot Synopsis (13.45); Forming the Plot (14.45); Book Thoughts (20.21); Rating a Book (1:00.55); Introducing a Film (1:04.35); Film Trailer (1:05.59); Lights, Camera, Action (1:08.29); Epilogue (1:31.15); End Credits (1:39.10); Closing Credits (1:41.30)
Opening Credits– Classical Jingle by Dan Hughes
Closing Credits – Symphony For the Devil by The Rolling Stones. Taken from the album Beggars Banquet. Copyright 1968 Decca Records
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved.
All songs used by Kind Permission.
All songs available on Amazon.
Saturday Mar 26, 2022
Saturday Mar 26, 2022
Nekromantik (1987)
West German horror exploitation film co-written and directed by Jörg Buttgereit. It is known to be frequently controversial, banned in a number of countries, and has become a cult film over the years due to its transgressive subject matter (including necrophilia) and audacious imagery.
The film is currently banned outright in Iceland, Norway, Malaysia, Singapore, and the provinces of Nova Scotia and Ontario in Canada. In 1992, the Australian Classification Board banned the film outright in Australia due to "graphic necrophilia content". In 1993, the film was banned in Finland. The film was banned outright by the New Zealand Office of Film and Literature Classification in 1999 due to "revolting, objectionable content (necrophilia, high impact violence, animal cruelty and abhorrent behavior)". The film is banned in a number of other countries as well.
Basket Case (1982)
This American horror film written and directed by Frank Henenlotter, and produced by Edgar Ievins. Kevin Van Hentenryck stars as a normal-looking person who seeks vengeance for the unwanted surgery that separated him from his deformed conjoined twin brother.
The movie was shot on 16 mm film. Basket Case had a budget of only about $35,000, financed by a small production team largely with its own rental money to enable the film to be realized. Director Henenlotter did not have control over the post-production, and the result was dark, murky, and converted to a different aspect ratio. The film was shot in part on Manhattan's 42nd Street. Henenlotter wrote the film as he walked around Times Square, which he called a "seedy, wonderful atmosphere."
The special effects for Belial consist largely of a puppet in some scenes and stop motion in others. When Belial's hand is seen attacking his victims, it is really a glove worn by Henenlotter. The puppet is used in scenes with an actor and where the eyes glow red. The sequence for Belial's rampage used stop motion animation.
We are joined by Matthew Brockmeyer, novelist.
Opening Credits/Introduction (1.51); Oh My GOD!!! (51.13); Nekromantik Trailer (52.11); That Is Like So Tubular (53.06); What’s The Word (1:35.42); It Is Totally Rad (1:40.066); Basket Case Trailer (1:41.00); Bodacious Talk (1:41.54); Such A Wastoid (2:20.32);; End Credits (2:29.36)); Closing Theme (2:30.37)
Opening Credits– Planet Synth by Dan Hughes
Closing Credits – Wild Sex (In The Working Class) by Oingo Boingo. Taken from the album Nothing To Fear. Copyright 1982 A&M Records
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved.
All songs used by Permission.
All Songs Available on Amazon.
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
The Shining by Stanley Kubrick is considered one of the greatest psychological horror films of our time. Combining isolation with madness, Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall give outstanding performances. Stephen King was excited at the prospect of Kubrick adapting his work but once the film came out, the excitement was very short lived.
In 2005, Stephen King thought he would adapt his own book into a miniseries for television. The film does stick to the book and includes many of the elements that made the book a hit but fans of Kubrick’s film were less than enthralled wild King purist to the source material are huge fans.
We are joined by Matthew Brockmeyer, Novelist of the excellent Kind Nepenthe, out now from all good bookstores.
Opening Credits; Introduction (2.02); It’s A True Original (29.55); The Shining (1980) Trailer (31.50); Let’s Start At The Beginning (33.17); Final Take (1:41.52); Let’s Do A Remake (1:52.35); The Shining (1997) Trailer (1:54.31); Let’s Give It Another Go (1:56.49); Did We Need Two? (2:55.20); End Credits (3:27.51); Closing Credits (3:29.15)
Opening Credits– Used with permission by Epidermic Sounds
Closing Credits – Get Out Of My House by Kate Bush. Taken from the album The Dreaming. Copyright 1981 EMI International. Used by kind permission.
All rights reserved.
All songs available through Amazon.
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
Book:
Let the Right One In
By John Ajvide Lindqvist
Film:
Let the Right One In (2008)
The story centers on the relationship between a 12-year-old boy, Oskar, and a centuries-old vampire child, Eli. It takes placein Blackeberg, a working-class suburb of Stockholm, in the early 1980s. The book focuses on the darker side of humanity, dealing with thematically heavy issues such as existential anxiety, social isolation, fatherlessness, divorce, alcoholism, school bullying, paedophilia, genital mutilation, self-mutilation, and murder.
Swedish romantic horror film directed by Tomas Alfredson, based on the 2004 novel of the same title by John Ajvide Lindqvist, who also wrote the screenplay. film adaptation of Lindqvist's novel began development in 2004 when John Nordling acquired the rights to produce the project. Alfredson, unconcerned with the horror and vampire conventions, decided to tone down many elements of the novel and focus primarily on the relationship between the two main characters and explore the darker side of humanity.
We are joined by novelist Matthew Brockmeyer and writer, director, producer and novelist C. Derick Miller.
Opening Credits; Introduction (1.44); Plot Synopsis (15.44); Forming the Plot (17.53); Book Thoughts (23.39); Scoring The Book (1:26.19 ); Introducing a Film (1:36.10); Film Trailer (1:37.52); Lights, Camera, Action (1:39.35); Epilogue (2:50.56); End Credits (2:54.17); Closing Credits (2:57.09)
Opening Credits– Classical Jingle by Dan Hughes
Closing Credits – Let Me In by Laura Branigan. Taken from the album Laura Branigan. Copyright 1990 Atlantic Records
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All songs used by kind permission.
All rights reserved.
All songs available through Amazon.
Monday Feb 21, 2022
Monday Feb 21, 2022
Killer Klowns From Outer Space (1988)
The film is about a clan of evil aliens from an unknown region, who all resemble circus clowns. They arrive on Earth and invade a small town in order to capture, kill, and harvest the human inhabitants to use as sustenance.
Killer Klowns from Outer Space was filmed in Watsonville, California, and at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The film utilizes practical effects, including rubber suits. The score was composed by John Massari. The film received generally positive reviews and has been considered a cult classic.
Bad Taste (1987)
This New Zealand science-fiction comedy horror film directed, produced and photographed by Peter Jackson, who also stars and co-wrote the screenplay, along with Tony Hiles and Ken Hammon. Independently produced on a low budget, it is Jackson's first feature film. Jackson and friends take on most of the key roles, both on and off-screen. The plotline sees aliens invade the fictional New Zealand village of Kaihoro to harvest humans for their intergalactic fast food franchise, where they face off against a four-man paramilitary force. It was a film that provided Jackson with the necessary leverage needed to advance in the industry.
Much of the film was shot in and around Jackson's hometown of Pukerua Bay, north of Wellington, New Zealand using a 25-year-old 16mm Bolex camera.[4] Originally begun as a 20-minute short film called Roast of the Day. Bad Taste was shot primarily on weekends over the course of four years, at an initial cost of around $25,000. Toward the end of the shoot the New Zealand Film Commission invested around NZ$235,000 into the film to ensure its completion. Heavily influenced by special effects pioneer Tom Savini, Jackson incorporated many absurdly gory special effects
Opening Credits/Introduction (1.52); Oh My GOD!!! (19.05); Killer Klowns From Outer Space Trailer (21.07); That Is Like So Tubular (23.13); It Is Totally Rad (1.00.11); The Double Bill (1:05.55); Bad Taste Trailer (1:07.09)); Bodacious Talk (1:09.11); Such A Wastoid (2:08.12); End Credits (2:13.36); Closing Theme (2:15.56)
Opening Credits– Planet Synth by Dan Hughes
Closing Credits – I Eat Cannibals by Toto Coelo. Taken from the album Man o’ War. Copyright 1983 Radiachoice Records
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved.
All Songs Available Through Amazon.
Monday Feb 21, 2022
Monday Feb 21, 2022
Imitation of Life (1934)
Imitation of Life (1959)
The original film was directed by John Stahl and was a box office success where it was released in 1934 and again in 1936. It is as in the Film National Registry. The film stars Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers. The film deals with miscegenation and is considered one of the top films dealing with race issues.
The 1959 film, starring Lana Turner, Juanita Moore and John Gavin. The film was another box office smash and received two Oscar nominations for Juanita Moore and Susan Kohner. This film is also in the Film National Registry as being important to preserve. The film was also part of the Douglas Sirk films that would garnish the tag soap opera melodramas.
Dealing with race issues during their respective time periods, it is interesting how each film handles the central themes.
Mahalia Jackson appears as a gospel singer.
Opening Credits; Introduction (2.02); It’s A True Original (17.06); Imitation of Life (1934) Trailer (18.44); Let’s Start At The Beginning (21.23); Let’s Do A Remake (57.07); Imitation of Life (1959) Trailer (52.15); Let’s Give It Another Go (54.35); Did We Need Two? (1:21.57); End Credits (1:36.18); Closing Credits (1:37.47)
Opening Credits– Used with permission by Epidermic Sounds
Closing Credits – I’m Living in Shame by Diana Ross and the Supremes. Taken from the album Let the Sunshine In. Copyright 1969 Motown Records. Used by kind permission.
All rights reserved.
All songs available through Amazon.
Sunday Feb 06, 2022
Sunday Feb 06, 2022
Book:
American Psycho
By Brett Easton Ellis
Film:
American Psycho (2003)
A novel by Bret Easton Ellis, published in 1991. The story is told in the first person by Patrick Bateman, a serial killer and Manhattan investment banker. Alison Kelly of The Observer notes that while "some countries [deem it] so potentially disturbing that it can only be sold shrink-wrapped", "critics rave about it" and "academics revel in its transgressive and postmodern qualities" The book would epitomise the 80’s in every sense of the word and would be one of the most controversial during that time.
The film was directed by Mary Harron and starting Christian Bale, the film would give a satirical look at the novel.
Set in the 1980s, the film focuses on the actions of Patrick Bateman, the self-proclaimed "American psycho" of the title. While at first glance Bateman is a yuppie New York City investment banker, he is gradually revealed to be living a gruesome second life as a serial killer preying on prostitutes, work colleagues, and finally random members of the public.
Producer Edward R. Pressman purchased the film rights to the novel in 1992. After discussions with David Cronenberg fell through, Harron was brought on to direct and cast Bale in the lead role. Lionsgate acquired worldwide distribution in 1997 and temporarily replaced Harron and Bale with Oliver Stone as director and Leonardo DiCaprio portraying Patrick Bateman. DiCaprio left in favor of The Beach and Harron and Bale were brought back.
We are joined by Matthew Brockmeyer, writer and novelist and Steven Templeman, film aficionado.
Opening Credits; Introduction (1.39); Forming the Plot (14.39); Plot Synopsis (15.50); Book Thoughts (20.25); Rating a Book (1:07.44); Introducing a Film (1:17.20); Film Trailer (1:19.14); Lights, Camera, Action (1:21.19); Epilogue (2:19.54); End Credits (2:34.24); Closing Credits (2:36.27)
Opening Credits– Classical Jingle by Dan Hughes
Closing Credits – That’s Just What You Are – Aimee Mann. Taken from the album I’m With Stupid. Copyright 1994 Geffen Records
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved.
All songs available through Amazon.