Saturday Aug 21, 2021
Season 4: Episode 194 - NATURE VS MAN: Godzilla (1954) / Godzilla (2014)
Nature Vs Man
Nature Vs Man
Monday Jul 19, 2021
Season 4: Episode 187 - NATURE VS MAN: Ticks (1993) / Stung (2017)
Monday Jul 19, 2021
Monday Jul 19, 2021
Ticks (1993)
Directed by Tony Randel and starring Seth Green, Ami Dolenz and Clint Howard, the film was direct to video which found its cult audience through video rentals. Dealing with steroids, the film deals with the consequences of what happens when it disrupts the balance of nature.
Stung (2015)
This 2015 German/American co production is directed by Benni Diez and stars Matt O’Leary, Lance Henricksen and Jessica Cook. The film was a stand out upon its release at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film received great reviews based on its performances, script and plotting.
Opening Credits/Introduction (4.05); Man Messes With Nature (14.21); Ticks Trailer (15.27); Why God? (16.54); Final Thought (43.43); Nature Messes With Man (49.50); Stung Trailer (50.34); Mother Nature’s Revenge (52.44); Nature Lives To Fight Another Day (1:18.18); End Credits (1:25.30); Closing Theme (1:28.25)
Opening Credits– Planet Synth by Dan Hughes
Closing Credits – Ticks by Brad Paisley taken from the album 5th Gear. Copyright 2010 Arista Records.
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved.
Saturday Jun 19, 2021
Saturday Jun 19, 2021
The Attack of the 50ft Woman (1954)
The 1958 science fiction film directed by Nathan H Juran and starring Allison Hayes, William Hudson and Yvette Vickers, was released as other giant monster films were being released. Originally considered just a concept, the film would be put in production independently and released by Allied Artist. The film dealt with a heiress who has an encounter with a UFO and is grown much to her philandering husband’s dismay.
The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981)
The science fiction comedy film directed by Joel Schumacher and written by Lily Tomlin and life partner Jane Wagner, stars Elizabeth Wilson, Lily Tomlin, Charles Grodin, Ned Beatty and John Glover, a take off of the 1957 classic film The Incredible Shrinking Man. Lily Tomlin plays four parts in the film. Interestingly enough, the film deals with chemicals that we use in our food and cleaning products and the adverse effect these have.
Opening Credits/Introduction (4.05); Man Messes With Nature (22.10); Attack of the 50 Foot Woman Trailer (23.54); Why God? (25.43); Final Thought (52.33); Nature Messes With Man (59.23); The Incredible Shrinking Woman Trailer (1:00.51); Mother Nature’s Revenge (1:03.22); Nature Lives To Fight Another Day (1:30.08); End Credits (1:40.57); Closing Theme (1:41.48)
Opening Credits– Planet Synth by Dan Hughes
Closing Credits – There’s Always A Woman by Kate Ballard and Sally Mayes taken from the album Unsung Sondheim. Copyright 1993 Varèse Sarabande.
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved.
Sunday May 23, 2021
Sunday May 23, 2021
The Day After (1983)
An American television film that broke viewing figures with more than 100million people (39 million households) watched upon its release. It is the seventh most highly viewed event for television of all times. The film stars JoBeth Williams, Steve Guttenberg, John Cullum, Jason Robards and John Lithgow. The film would explore what would happen if a nuclear war broke out and missiles hit close to two towns in the mid-West
Testament (1983)
Directed by Lynne Littman and starring Jane Alexander, Kevin Costner, Lukas Haas, Rebecca De Mornay, and William Devane, the story tells how a small community falls apart after a nuclear explosion in San Francisco. The film was nominated for an Academy Award and is considered one of the most important American films to come out of the 80’s.
We are joined by Joe Randazzo, director, producer and screenwriter.
Opening Credits/Introduction (4.05); Man Messes With Nature (14.13); The Day After (1983) Trailer (15.51); Why God? (17.25); Nature Messes With Man (49.42); Testament (1983) Trailer (50.52); Mother Nature’s Revenge (52.07); Nature Lives To Fight Another Day (1:18.41); End Credits (132.19); Closing Theme (1:33.16)
Opening Credits– 99 Red Balloons by Nena – taken from the album 99 Luftballoons. Copyright 1983 – Epic Records Music
Closing Credits – It’s Alright by Pet Shop Boys taken from the album Introspective. Copyright 1988 Parlophone Music.
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved.
Friday Apr 16, 2021
Friday Apr 16, 2021
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Directed by George Romero and starring Duane Johnson and Judith O’Dea, would give rise to the independent horror. The film was made for $110,000 and shot outside of Philadephia. The film would gross $30million upon its release. A cult classic today and highly regarded as one of the best horror films of all time, upon its initial release, the critics were less than favourable.
Return of the Living Dead (1985)
The 1985 American comedy horror film written and directed by Dan O’Bannon and starring Clu Gulagar, Thom Matthews and Linnea Quigley. The film is the first film that would introduce some Zombie tropes such as fast moving, able to talk and the hunger for brains. The soundtrack which includes bands such as The Cramps, The Damned, The Flesh Eaters and SSQ is considered one of the best post punk soundtracks of all times.
We are joined by Shanta Pasika, host of the series Hexane Arcane, author Matthew Brockmeyer and writer and producer Joe Randazzo.
Opening Credits/Introduction (.52); Man Messes With Nature (1726); Night of the Living Dead (1968) Trailer (19.01); Why God? (20.41); Nature Messes With Man (1:10,59); Return of the Living Dead (1985) Trailer (1:12.29); Mother Nature’s Revenge (1:15.10); Nature Lives To Fight Another Day (1:51.51); End Credits (1:57.17); Closing Theme (1:58.21)
Opening Credits– Planet Synth by Dan Hughes
Closing Credits – Don’t Leave Me In The Dark by LVCRFT featuring Morgan McMykill Myers taken from the album The Sequel. Copyright 2020 Spooky Never Sleeps Ltd.
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved.
Monday Mar 22, 2021
Monday Mar 22, 2021
Color Out of Space (2019)
Richard Stanley's directorial comeback and based on a short story of HP Lovecraft, The Color Out of Space is a truly original film starring Nicholas Cage. This is the first instalment of a hopefully trilogy of Lovecraft films directed by Stanley to come. The film was a critical success using visual stylings and great performances from Tommy Chong, Nicholas Cage, Joely Richardson and the young cast to make a film that haunts long past the final credits.
The Beachhouse (2019)
Directed by Jeffrey A. Brown in his directorial debut. It stars Liana Liberato and Noah Le Gros as a college-aged couple who take a vacation to a beach house, where they meet an older couple (Maryann Nagel and Jake Weber) and are threatened by a mysterious infection that spreads across the coast.
Given a chilling example of how the world will try to survive at any cost, this film plays havoc on your brain through the final hours which is probably more effective than Jaws because you never know what lurks beneath the ocean surface.
We are joined by Joe Randazzo.
Opening Credits/Introduction (.52); Man Messes With Nature (13.33); The Color Out of Space (2019) (14.58); Why God? (17.12); Nature Messes With Man (1:05.40); The Beach House (2019) Trailer (1:07.13); Mother Nature’s Revenge (1:09.17); Nature Lives To Fight Another Day (1:41.49); End Credits (1:54.27); Closing Theme (1:55.36)
Opening Credits– Planet Synth by Dan Hughes
Closing Credits – The Air That I Breath by The Hollies taken from the album Hollies Sing Hollies. Copyright 1974 EMI Music Ltd.
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved.
Sunday Feb 21, 2021
Sunday Feb 21, 2021
Mad Max (1979)
Directed by George Miller and starring Mel Gibson, this Australian dystopian action thriller would take the world by surprise. Presenting a picture of societal collapse against mayhem and murder an unhinged police cop would go on an odyssey of revenge. The film would earn more than $100 million worldwide and become an instant cult classic.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Directed by George Miller and starring Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Houltt and Zoe Kravitz, the film would be a huge box office success making it the most profitable of all Mad Max within the franchise. Tom Hardy takes over the role of Mad Max whilst Miller installs the story with themes of vengeance, solidarity, home and redemption.
We are joined by Joe Randazzo (scriptwriter, producer) and C. Derick Miller (author, podcaster and musician)
Opening Credits/Introduction (.52); Man Messes With Nature (12.01); Mad Max (1979) (13.32); Why God? (15.40); Nature Messes With Man (37.21); Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) Trailer (39.01); Mother Nature’s Revenge (41.51); Nature Lives To Fight Another Day (1:23.56); End Credits (1:35.56); Closing Theme (1:35.54)
Opening Credits– Planet Synth by Dan Hughes
Closing Credits – Convoy by CW McCall taken from the album Black Bear Road.
Copyright 1975 MGM Music Ltd.
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved.
Saturday Jan 16, 2021
Season 4: Episode 159 - NATURE VS MAN: 28 Days Later (2002) / 28 Weeks Later (2007)
Saturday Jan 16, 2021
Saturday Jan 16, 2021
28 Days Later (2002)
Directed by Danny Boyle and starring Cillian Murphy, Charles Eccelston, Brendon Gleeson and Naomi Harris, this British apocalyptic film would be a box office success garnering a sequel in 2007. Considered to be the film that introduced fast moving zombies, when in fact, it was Return of the Living Dead that actually started this trend. The film would deal with the evil of man and disease when it gets out into the streets of London.
28 Months Later (2007)
The sequel to the successful 28 Days Later, the film would be directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadilo and star Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne and Idris Elba. The film would be a success and receive good critical reviews. It is a direct sequel and deals what the rage virus is introduced into a safe zone due to two people’s direct consequences by putting their needs above the common good.
Opening Credits/Introduction (.52); Story Geek – What To Watch During COVID Crisis (20.46); Man Messes With Nature (26.27); 28 Days Later Trailer (2002) (27.50); Why God? (29.51); Death of a Bounty Hunter (1:04.09); Nature Messes With Man (1:05.09); 28 Weeks Later (2007) Trailer (1:06.55); Mother Nature’s Revenge (1:08.44); Nature Lives To Fight Another Day (1:47.05); End Credits (2:00.03); Closing Theme (2:01.04)
Opening Credits– Planet Synth by Dan Hughes
Closing Credits – Bury Me by Brodiniski ft. Maluca & Bricc Baby Shitro (Brava) taken from the album Brava.
Copyright 2015 Parlophone Music Ltd.
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved.
Saturday Dec 19, 2020
Saturday Dec 19, 2020
We are joined by the incredible cast and crew of this modern classic film that once viewed will become a holiday classic to live out through the years. We are joined by Roddy Hart and Tommy Reilly, the incredible song writing team, John McPhail, the fantastic director and two of the cast members, Sarah Swire (Steph) and Malcolm Cummings (John) who breathe life into their roles. We are also joined by the fantastic Barry Waldo who helped put this together who also wrote the novelisation for the film. Join us as we talk to this very talented group. Make sure you view the film as well because once you do your life will never be the same.
It's That Time Of Year, Break Away, Hollywood Ending, Human Voice - written by Roddy Hart and Tommy Reilly, performed by the cast of Anna and the Apocalypse, available on i-Tunes, Amazon, Spotify and CD and wherever music is sold.
Used by kind permission from MGM music.
All rights are reserved.
Saturday Dec 19, 2020
Saturday Dec 19, 2020
The Toxic Avenger – The Musical (2018)
Based on the 1984 film with book written by Joe diPetro with music by David Bryan, both would write the lyrics together. Opening in 2008, the musical would receive multiple nominations and embrace hard nosed theatrical critics the world over. The show would play all over the world while smashing attendance records for an off Broadway tour and has played Australia, Canada, UK and across the USA. The video is available through Broadway HD.
Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)
The UK Christmas Zombie film came out to critical acclaim and became a UK hit. It stars an ensemble cast of relatively unknown actors, the film and its soundtrack have become a cult classic. Based on Ryan McHenry's Zombie Musical, the film was adopted for the screen by Ryan McHenry and Alan McDonald. Directed by John McPhail, he chose the short shorts and cropped t-shirts from the cult classic Sleepaway camp whilst the film is a cross between West Side Story and Shaun of the Dead as its inspiration.
We are joined by the author of the novelisation of Anna and the Apocalypse book, Barry Waldo and Joe Randazzo, producer and scriptwriter.
If you are in the UK, you can have a free audiobook of Anna and the Apocalypse by clicking on this link: https://www.audible.co.uk/acx-promo
Type in this code: 4C674FHXHL2GZ and the audiobook is all yours for people in the UK. Please leave a review on the audiobook which will help the sales of this fantastic audiobook.
Opening Credits/Introduction (2.58); Story Geek – What To Watch During COVID Crisis (10.01); Man Messes With Nature (18.37); Toxic Avenger - The Musical (2016) Trailer (22.01); Why God? (23.11); Death of a Bounty Hunter (50.29); Nature Messes With Man (52.06); Anna and the Apocalypse (2017) Trailer (56.24); Mother Nature’s Revenge (58.03); Nature Lives To Fight Another Day (1:27.41); End Credits (1:40.36); Closing Theme (1:41.01)
It’s Christmas Eve – taken from the album A Christmas Horror Story by Alex Kashkin. Used by kind permission of Universal Music.
Legend of the Toxic Avenger and Bitch/Liar/Slut/Whore - by the 2014 London Cast of Toxic Avenger. Words and Music by Joe DiPietro and David Bryan. Used by kind permission of Direct Holdings America.
Turning My Life Around, Soldier at War, The Fish Wrap by the motion picture cast of Anna and the Apocalypse. Words and Music by Tommy Reilly and Roddy Hart. Used by kind permission of MGM Music.
Naughty and Nice by LVCRFT - 2019 single LVCRFT Naughty and Nice. Used by kind permission Spooky Never Sleeps
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved. Copyright reserved.
Monday Nov 23, 2020
Season 4; Episode 149 - Nature Vs Man - The Ellory Elkayem Interview
Monday Nov 23, 2020
Monday Nov 23, 2020
We interview Ellory Elkayem, director and scriptwriter of Eight Legged Freaks, Larger than Life and two films from the Return of the Living Dead franchise and more. We discuss his career from his beginnings to current days and some interesting turns his career has made to date. All this and more with our special guest co-host Joe Randazzo, writer and producer. Informative and entertaining interview that you really can’t afford to miss.
Saturday Nov 21, 2020
Season 4: Episode 148 - Nature VS Man: Them! (1954) / Eight Legged Freaks (2002)
Saturday Nov 21, 2020
Saturday Nov 21, 2020
Them! (1954)
This 1954 black and white film directed by Gordon Douglas and starring James Whitmore, Edmund Gwenn and James Arness would be the first nuclear monster big insect film. Originally to be filmed in 3D and in color, this has to be scrapped due to malfunction of the 3D cameras. The film would be the number one highest grossing film for Warner Brothers. There are cameo appearances by Dick York and Leonard Nimoy.
Eight Legged Freaks (2002)
This 2002 horror, monster, comedy, action film would be directed by Ellory Elkayem and star David Arquette, and Scarlet Johansson. The film would be a modest hit but would gain a following upon its released on home video. The film would feature seven types of spiders. The film was to be named Arach Attack but due to the Iraq war it was renamed after a line Arquette ad-lipped from the film ‘Get Back! You eight legged freak!!
We are joined by special guest co-host, Joe Randazzo, writer and producer.
Opening Credits/Introduction (.55); Story Geek – What To Watch During COVID Crisis (11.15); Man Messes With Nature (14.09); Them! (1954) Trailer (15.14); Why God? (18.39); Nature Messes With Man (48.39); Eight Legged Freaks (2002) (49.15); Mother Nature’s Revenge (51.50); Nature Lives To Fight Another Day (1:19.46); Death of a Bounty Hunter (1:35.31); End Credits (1:37.07); Closing Theme (1:38.03)
Opening and Closing Credits– Planet Synth by Dan Hughes
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved.
Friday Oct 16, 2020
Friday Oct 16, 2020
The Children (1980)
The low budget horror film directed by Carlton J Albright, tells the tale of five children infected by a yellow cloud that turns them into bloodless zombies with black fingernails who microwave everything. The film would be noted for its score written by Harry Manfredini who would score big with his Friday the 13th score.
The Children (2008)
The 2008 British horror film directed by Tom Shankland, opened to positive reviews in the UK and US. The film would tell the story over the Christmas season where the children come down with a mysterious illness that causes them to kill anyone who is an adult or over the age of 16. The film is known for its violence against the virgin snow that falls against the innocence of children.
We are joined by special guest host: Joe Randazzo, screenwriter and Troma Entertainment and John Brennan, Joe Bob Briggs: The Last Drive-In and Troma Entertainment.
You can following John Brennan on the following links:
Twitter: @badtechno
Instagram: Badtechno
Don’t forget to watch Joe Bob Briggs: The Last Drive-In: Joe Bob's Halloween Hideaway, October 23, 9pmET/6pm PT, on https://www.shudder.com/ #thelastdrivein!
Opening Credits/Introduction (.55); Story Geek – What To Watch During COVID Crisis (7.52); Man Messes With Nature (12.01); The Children (1980) Trailer (13.45); Why God? (15.24); Nature Messes With Man (36.13); The Children (2008) (36.28); Mother Nature’s Revenge (37.58); Nature Lives To Fight Another Day (1:06.23); End Credits (1:16.41); Closing Theme (1:17.25)
Opening and Closing Credits– Planet Synth by Dan Hughes
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved.
Wednesday Sep 30, 2020
Wednesday Sep 30, 2020
The Toxic Avenger (1984)
An American superhero black comedy splatter film, the film was directed by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Hertz and written by Kaufman and Joe Ritter. Largely ignored on its initial release, the film would find its audience and a long and successful midnight movie engagement at Bleecker Street Cinema in New York City in 1985. The film is considered a cult classic.
The Class of Nuke’em High (1986)
This American science fiction, horror comedy film was directed by Lloyd Kaufman and Richard W Haines with New York holographer Jason Sapan providing the laser effects. The film would spawn four sequels and there is talk about a remake in the works. Although panned upon its initial release, the film has a strong cult following that continues to grow.
We are joined by special guest co-host Joe Randazzo
Opening Credits/Introduction (1.34); Story Geek – What To Watch During COVID Crisis (11.13); Man Messes With Nature (13.46); Toxic Avenger Trailer (15.07); Why God? (18.17); Reflect on Man’s Quest (45.21); Nature Messes With Man (57.28); Class of Nuke’em High Trailer (57.56); Mother Nature’s Revenge (1:01.13); Nature Lives To Fight Another Day (1:20.55); End Credits (1:33.20); Closing Theme (1:34.09)
Opening and Closing Credits– Planet Synth by Dan Hughes
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved.
Saturday Sep 12, 2020
Season 4: Episode 135 - NATURE VS MAN: The Lloyd Kaufman Interview
Saturday Sep 12, 2020
Saturday Sep 12, 2020
Stanley Lloyd Kaufman never really wanted to make movies, but wanted to work in Broadway musicals. During his years in Yale, though, he got introduced to "B" pictures and the works of Roger Corman. Lloyd later got the opportunity to executive-produce a short movie made by a fellow student. The film, called "Rappacini", got him even more interested in movies. He bought his own camera and took it with him to Chad, Africa, were he spent his summer. There, he shot a 15-minute film of a pig being slaughtered. That was his first movie, and was the birth of what was later to become known as Troma Films. He showed the footage of the squealing pig being killed to his family, and their shocked reaction to it made him wonder if making movies that shocked audiences would keep them in their seats to see what would happen next.He wanted to be a director right then and there, so he got a couple of friends at Yale and made his second movie, The Girl Who Returned (1969). People loved it, and he went straight to work on other films, helping out on projects like Joe (1970), Rocky (1976) and Saturday Night Fever (1977).
Lloyd put in a lot of long, hard hours in the film business, just to be in the credits and to get money for his next project, a full-length feature. It was a tribute to Charles Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and the classic era of silent-film comedy. Even though Lloyd hated the movie when it was finally completed, people seemed to love it. He formed a studio called 15th Street Films with friends and producers Frank Vitale and Oliver Stone. Together, they made Love Me My Way (1973) and Super Dick (1971), directed by John G. Avildsen. A friend from Yale, Michael Herz, saw Lloyd in a small scene in "Cry Uncle" and contacted him to try to get into the film business, too. Kaufman took Herz in, as the company needed some help after Oliver Stone quit to make his own movies. Michael invested in a film they thought would be their biggest hit yet, Schwartz: The Brave Detective (1973) (aka "Big Gus, What's the Fuss?"). It turned out to be a huge flop and 15th Street Films was ruined. Lloyd and Michael owed thousands of dollars to producers and friends and family members who had invested in the picture.
Lloyd, trying to find a quick way to pay off the bills, made The Divine Obsession (1976), and with Michael formed Troma Studios, hoping to make some decent movies, since they only owned the rights to films they thought were poor. They were introduced to Joel M. Reed, who had an unfinished movie called "Master Sardu and the Horror Trio". The film was re-edited and completed at Troma Studios (which actually consisted of just one room) during 1975, re-titled and released in 1976 as Bloodsucking Freaks (1976) (aka "Bloodsucking Freaks"). It was enough of a success to enable them to pay the rent so they wouldn't lose the company.
Lloyd later got a call from a theater that wanted a "sexy movie" like The Divine Obsession (1976), but about softball (!). The resulting film, Squeeze Play (1979), used up all the money Troma had earned from "Bloodsucking Freaks" and, as it turned out, no one wanted to see it--not even the theater owner who wanted it made in the first place (he actually wanted a porno movie). Just when things looked their darkest, they got a call from another theater which was scheduled to show a film, but the distributor pulled it at the last minute. Troma rushed "Squeeze Play" right over, and it turned out to be a huge hit. Lloyd, Michael and Troma eventually made millions from it, and had enough money to buy their own building (which still remains as Troma Headquarters). Troma then turned out a stream of "sexy" comedies--i.e., Waitress! (1981), The First Turn-On!! (1983), Stuck on You! (1982)--but there was a glut of "T&A" films on the market. Troma noticed that a lot of comedies were being made, and decided to make one, too, but much different than the rest. After reading an article that claimed horror movies were dead, Lloyd got the idea to combine both horror and comedy, and Troma came up with "Health Club Horror"--later retitled and released as The Toxic Avenger (1984), a monster hit that finally put Troma on the map.
Lloyd Kaufman and Troma have become icons in the cult-movie world, and Troma has distributed over 1000 films. Lloyd has continued his career as a director in addition to producing, and Troma has turned out such films as Monster in the Closet (1986), Class of Nuke 'Em High (1986), Combat Shock (1984), Troma's War (1988), and Fortress of Amerikkka (1989), and Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead (2006), which follows an army of undead chickens as they seek revenge on a fast food palace. #Shitstorm Shakespeare out this year.