Spooky Tuesday — A Horror Movie Podcast

Whom among us hasn't considered answering a Craigslist ad for a little extra cash? Sure, there's always a risk that things might get weird, but what could really go wrong? Just kidding. We've seen the Lifetime movie about the Craigslist killer — and now we've also seen Creep (2014). The ultimate in low-budget horror, this found footage story shows just what two besties can come up with when all they have is a scary wolf mask and a dream. On a new episode of Spooky Tuesday, we're asking ourselves the hard questions about job prospects and unpacking improv king Mark Duplass's truly unsettling performance.

References:

https://influxmagazine.com/in-defense-of-creep-2014/

https://horrortheory.com/creep-2014-the-nature-of-creepiness-exploited-loneliness-and-fabricated-victimhood/

https://swiftsilentdeadly.com/8-defense-lessons-from-creep/

https://ew.com/article/2015/06/03/mark-duplass-creep-exclusive-trailer/

https://queer-voices.com/queer-movie-reviews-creep/

Alternate Endings: https://youtu.be/a1KE_Cx6k-w?si=sNUEh_22l8ki-Eox

We know it’s only Tuesday, but could you tell us we’re your favorite podcast in the world? We think we need you to say it every morning from now on, especially this week while we cover Death Becomes Her (1992). This goofy black comedy features Oscar winners Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn as passionate frenemies — and Oscar-winning special effects when that passion spills over into violence. A cult classic close to our own hearts here at Spooky Tuesday, this flick illustrates the true meaning of best friends forever, because what’s immortality worth without your bestie by your side?

Resources:

https://www.cbr.com/death-becomes-her-should-get-remake-starring-kate-hudson/

https://theplaylist.net/death-becomes-her-jessica-chastain-says-shes-spoken-to-anne-hathaway-about-possibly-remaking-the-1992-film-20221024/

https://www.scarymommy.com/entertainment/death-becomes-her-remake 

Do you have what it takes to be a staurrrr? We're ready to be discovered here at Spooky Tuesday — and so is a certain little farm girl who knows how to dream big and smile even bigger. No one loves her more than herself, though, and that's what makes Pearl (2022) the perfect pick for Obsession Month. On our newest episode, we're talking about the X (2022) prequel, a project that was born when a character study spiraled out of control. With its bright colors, iconic quotes, and protagonist who knows that sometimes you need to crack a few alligator eggs to make an omelette, this flick became an instant classic in its own right, and now it's her turn to step into the limelight. 

References:

https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/mia-goth-assault-allegations-stan-culture

https://screenrant.com/pearl-movie-easter-eggs-references-hidden-details/#pearl-39-s-closing-shot-resembles-psycho-39-s

https://scadmanor.com/pearl-slasher-style/#:~:text=Red%20is%20a%20key%20color,done%20bleeding%20into%20the%20background.

https://www.moviemaker.com/ti-west-almost-shot-pearl-in-black-and-white-then-did-the-opposite/

Would it even be legal to do Obsession Month without putting Obsessed (2009) on the lineup? We knew we had to include this movie as soon as we came up with February's theme, and it doesn't disappoint. Or, uh, it actually might if what you're looking for is a horror flick that inspires genuine fear, but if all you need is Queen Bey, a little camp, and a catfight for the ages, then you're in for a good time. Starring Beyoncé, Idris Elba, and Ali Larter, this cautionary tale is all about what happens when an intra-office flirtation goes wrong, and we're breaking it all down on a new Spooky Tuesday.   

References:

https://galeca.org/past-winners/

https://www.theringer.com/2017/6/21/16042220/obsessed-beyonce-good-bad-movie-star-9bd3dcf8fc6a

https://screenrant.com/beyonce-obsessed-movie-box-office-hit-divisive-reviews-reason/

February is all about the romance — and when you combine that with horror, too often you end up with something that looks a little more toxic. That’s why we’re dedicating these next few weeks to all things Obsession, and we know just how to kick this theme month off. This week on Spooky Tuesday, we’re covering Misery (1990), the Kathy Bates classic that introduced us to such famous phrases as “cock-a-doodie” and “bitchly cow corn.” And to help us discuss the movie all about what happens when fans go too far, we invited on AJ, our #1 listener. What? It’s not like a little audience interaction ever hurt anyone before…

References:

https://screenrant.com/misery-book-film-differences/

https://medium.com/movies-and-us/misery-is-terrifying-c2c00fb5ad88

https://www.looper.com/776658/is-misery-based-on-a-true-story/

https://pleasekillme.com/annie-wilkes-stephen-king/

Is this week a Fifth Tuesday? Is Saltburn (2023) a horror movie? Spookies, those questions are more for you than for us — but we do have a lot to say this week. Like, A LOT. Somehow, without really meaning to, we accidentally talked for almost three whole hours about Emerald Fennell’s newest film (and actually, if you count the bits that we cut out, we really talked for even longer). But, hey, if you’ve heard anything at all about the 2006-era flick starring Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi, then you know that conversation is just one of the many things it provokes. On our latest Spooky Tuesday, we’re discussing our first impressions, the Gossip Girl of it all, and that killer soundtrack, plus so (so so) much more.

References:

Interviews with Emerald Fennell:
https://youtu.be/nlVtm5jrgoY?si=khdAAu8qdUreqxME
https://youtu.be/YtKa-39TGpI?si=wltjwg3GD1jeIyVA
https://youtu.be/lhB-VJa0_OI?si=nmeV9ZgmOfooupVB
https://youtu.be/eY4Ff_lhpqA?si=vSLLrW9FhzkyoN_6
https://youtu.be/1DiVSbgPcAo?si=2i3IQ-OGfDOKjy7c

Costuming in Saltburn:
https://youtu.be/Mru3hlsLedQ?si=C-hnUavtWmchuL7S

https://variety.com/2023/film/columns/saltburn-critics-emerald-fennell-upper-class-satire-1235815525/

https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/saltburn-jacob-elordi-ending-explained-76659/

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/saltburn-twist-greek-myth-minotaur

https://medium.com/@ibtisaamahmed/the-symbolism-of-saltburn-that-you-probably-missed-32748741006c

https://screenrant.com/saltburn-movie-easter-eggs-references/#mid-2000-39-s-aesthetic

https://www.reddit.com/r/saltburn/comments/19airjx/the_changeling_boy/

It's that time of year again — Matthew Lillard's birthday!!! We knew we had to celebrate our spooky king in style, and we had just the movie to help us do it. A long-awaited adaptation of a much-beloved video game franchise, Five Nights at Freddy's (2023) made quite the stir when it hit theaters last fall. We don't know about you, but our social media feeds were flooded with fan cams of Matty Lilly, Josh Hutcherson, and the whole Freddy Fazbear crew. It felt like we were singing fan songs and ~whistling~ along for weeks after we first saw it, but there's more to discuss than just the fandom response. ~Join us for a bite~ as we throw our favorite guy a birthday party at the coolest abandoned spot in town. 

References:

Night Shift by Lucy Dacus: https://youtu.be/K7gEgIEUj3A?si=cEtAI4svaf2JTXpv

"Join Us For A Bite" Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0HHAQAdnak&ab_channel=JTMusic

"Five Nights at Freddy's" Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l18A5BOTlzE&ab_channel=TheLivingTombstone

https://www.reddit.com/r/fivenightsatfreddys/comments/jxvesb/bad_news_about_the_fnaf_movie/

https://www.vulture.com/article/five-nights-at-freddys-lore-explainer.html

https://collider.com/five-nights-at-freddys-easter-eggs/

https://collider.com/five-nights-at-freddys-cast-character-guide/

https://five-nights-at-freddys73.fandom.com/wiki/Five_Nights_At_Freddy%27s_Wiki

https://www.reddit.com/r/fivenightsatfreddys/comments/199ruwy/funtime_foxy_is_non_binary/

Forget the beach that makes you old — it's all about the pool that haunts you. Orrr maybe not? Night Swim (2024) is the recent release that made more of a ripple than a splash. Starring Wyatt Russell and Kerry Condon, this flick has been a little divisive among audiences. Is it the kid horror movie we need? Or did it get caught into the PG-13 trap? On a new episode of Spooky Tuesday, we're jumping right into the deep end as we talk about the underlying lore, how the Orioles are the best baseball team ever, and if there's anything worthwhile below the surface of this paranormal pool.   

References:

https://nypost.com/2024/01/06/entertainment/night-swim-makes-big-splash-at-the-box-office/

Original Short Film: https://youtu.be/R5mPELbWVDk?si=SgbU2gcYheyqttbA

It's more than a little unfortunate that when you ask someone if they've seen Frozen (2010), you have to first clarify that you don't mean the Disney princess movie. Once they ~let it go~, though, they just might discover that this flick is worth a watch in its own right. On a new episode of Spooky Tuesday, we're hitting the slopes to find out what happens when three college kids get trapped on a ski lift with no phones, no food, and certainly no magic ice powers. A cautionary tale about the perils of night skiing — and a potential entrant into the extended 47 Meters Down Cinematic Universe — this film offers a new option for one of the worst places to find yourself stranded.

Resources:

https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/resources/history-of-dogs-and-humans/ 

If what you wanted for Christmas was a whole bunch of jokes about male genitalia, well, you must've been a very good little Spooky this year! For our latest installment of B-cember — and our last episode of Spooky Tuesday until 2024 — we decided to spice up the season with Santa's Slay (2005), a holiday horror featuring wrestling star Goldberg as Jolly Old Saint Nick. Take a look under the tree and you'll find a flick full of all three grindhouse Gs, enough innuendo to kill a flying bison, and more than a few familiar faces. There's no better way to celebrate, so join us as we close out the year with a Father Christmas who could clothesline Mannheim and his signature Steamroller move with ease. 

Resources:

https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/santa-claus 

https://wrestlingatthemovies.tumblr.com/post/154722232254/ 

Ready for more B-cember, Spookies? Well, you'd better be, because for our second week of B movie December, we're going bigger and better than ever. On our latest episode, we're diving into Grindhouse (2007), an ode to the double features of horror history. Featuring a ton of your favorite celebrities and with a whole bunch of spoof trailers sprinkled throughout, Robert Rodriguez's Planet Terror and Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof make for quite the movie night. There's zombies, fast cars, and shared cinematic universes galore — all dressed up real nice and with sexy ladies practically hanging off of every frame. We're explaining exploitation film and getting into the real (~reel~) dirty details on a new in-person episode of Spooky Tuesday.

References:

https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/quentin-tarantino-grindhouse-misunderstood-1202225579/

https://www.wired.com/2007/04/grindhouse-look/

https://screenrant.com/behind-scenes-facts-about-making-of-planet-terror/#death-proof-connections

https://collider.com/grindhouse-15-years-later-death-proof-planet-terror/

https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/in-praise-of-death-proof-one-of-quentin-tarantinos-best-movies-128643/

https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/fergie-quentin-tarantino-bit-her-resurfaced-interview-8098833/

https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/rose-mcgowan-robert-rodriguez-planet-terror-harvey-weinstein-rape-1201912923/

https://beverlyboy.com/filmmaking/everything-you-need-to-know-about-grindhouse-film-history/

https://www.grindhousedatabase.com/index.php/INTRODUCTION

https://www.slashfilm.com/762166/the-20-best-grindhouse-movies-ranked/

https://www.cbr.com/spy-kids-machete-do-they-share-universe/

https://www.vulture.com/2007/09/quentin_tarantinos_missing_ree.html

Trailers and Clips:

Hobo With a Shotgun (Fake Trailer)

Hobo With a Shotgun (Real Trailer, 2011)

Death Proof Lap Dance Missing Reel

Death Proof Convenience Store Cut Scene 

It's a B-cember to Remember here at Spooky Tuesday! To finish the year in festive fashion, we decided to do one last lil theme month and dedicate December to B horror movies, so of course we had to start with a classic. Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) may have marked the end of the monster movie era, but it laid the ground work for a whole bunch of famous scary movies that followed. Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water is an obvious one — but Steven Spielberg was taking notes for Jaws, too. On our latest episode, we're talking film history, four foot dicks, and lighting things on fire.

References:

https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/a-brief-history-of-the-creature-from-the-black-lagoon-franchise/

https://www.rogerebert.com/mzs/from-the-deep-on-the-staying-power-of-creature-from-the-black-lagoon

https://www.monstersofmakeup.com/2021/02/10/making-up-the-creature-from-the-black-lagoon/

https://www.geekslop.com/life/fads-and-trends/fads-and-trends-1900/2010/the-3-d-movie-craze-of-the-1950s

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Creature-from-the-Black-Lagoon

https://colinmcmahonauthor.com/2020/04/16/why-creature-from-the-black-lagoon-has-become-more-horrifying-with-time/

https://filmschoolrejects.com/creature-from-the-black-lagoon-real-designer/

You know we ~love~ a theme month here at Spooky Tuesday, but TBH we sort of stumbled on Novembleak on accident. Horror movies aren’t exactly cheery as a genre, but our lineup this month has been particularly… well, bleak, and 28 Days Later (2002) is no different. With some scenes that look a little *too* familiar now that we’ve experienced a pandemic of our own, this not-actually-a-zombie flick features Cillian Murphy (and his dick) at what may or may not be the end of the world. Thankfully, he’s not actually alone — but not all company is good company. On our newest episode, we’re talking about pop culture connections, product placements, and all the alternate endings.

References:

https://collider.com/28-days-later-zombie-movie/

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/28-days-later-oral-history-danny-boyle-alex-garland

https://screenrant.com/28-days-later-danny-boyle-zombie-movie-interesting-facts/#poor-quality-on-purpose

https://www.looper.com/1327528/untold-truth-28-days-later/

https://www.ranker.com/list/28-days-later-behind-the-scenes-trivia-details/linda-meyers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ6zr6kCPj8&ab_channel=LMFAOVEVO

https://screenrant.com/walking-dead-28-days-later-same-opening-rick-jim-explained/

Alternate Endings: https://youtu.be/CyoKyVM_nW0?si=rCEGTrhvoeRDZibF

Malignant (2021) didn’t make the best first impression for us here at Spooky Tuesday — so we were a lil nervous to revisit it on our latest episode. But with Thanksgiving right around the corner, we could think of no better time to cover such a family-focused flick, and boy are we glad we did. Now that we’ve done our horror homework by exploring more of director James Wan’s oeuvre and cinematic influences, we may have finally built the right foundation to appreciate this bonkers batshit off-the-wall movie for the messy, camp realness it is.

References:

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-09-10/malignant-twist-ending-explained-real

https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2021/9/28/malignant-review-article/

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-09-10/malignant-review-james-wan-hbo-max

https://mashable.com/article/malignant-review

https://www.ign.com/articles/malignant-trailer-movie-plot-james-wan

https://mashable.com/article/malignant-hidden-details

https://collider.com/james-wan-malignant-interview/

https://www.thewrap.com/malignant-movie-explained-james-wan/

https://www.intomore.com/entertainment/film/malignant-trans-allegory/

https://morbidlybeautiful.com/digging-deep-malignant-intersex/#:~:text=As%20the%20characters%20share%20one,makes%20them%20both%20intersex%20chimaeras.

You know that thing we always say about getting caught up in the apocalypse? Well, The Mist (2007) is exactly the movie to make us rethink that take — but the censored version available on streaming is definitely testing our resolve. We knew we were in for Lovecraftian horrors, but we didn't realize made-for-TV profanities would be one of them. That said, some of them are definitely growing on us, and we're using all kinds of creative cursing on a new Spooky Tuesday as we debate the merits of solving mysteries (mist-eries?), discuss the changes that were made from the original Stephen King novella, and point out all of the future Walking Dead actors director Frank Darabont discovered during this film. 

References:

https://www.avclub.com/best-albums-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-2023-inductees-1850964928

It’s just generally good life advice to not commit a crime while you’re in the middle of committing a crime — and the same basic principle applies to haunted houses. If you’re putting one on, maybe consider hosting it in a place that doesn’t come with preexisting supernatural lore. Unfortunately, that was a lesson that had to be learned the hard way in Hell House LLC (2015). A found footage-style movie, this mock doc investigates a mysterious Halloween incident that claimed 15 lives. It features creepy clowns, jump scares, and one very important CLEAR reference to Twilight, so of course we’re checking it all out (or in ~ lil hotel joke for ya) on a new Spooky Tuesday.

Resources:

https://www.reddit.com/r/horror/comments/83cpfq/anyone_figure_out_the_hell_house_llc_secret/

https://www.nashvillescene.com/arts_culture/coverstory/tennessees-mckamey-manor-torture-on-demand/article_760ac6f2-513f-5f7c-b1f2-d65d7452bb1a.html

Hell House LLC: The Director's Cut: https://youtu.be/byIZMtb44v8?si=ntZO51JB-LvYiTo3

Anyone up for a Midnight Margarita? We're breaking out our cauldron and brewing up some delicious cocktails in honor of a  new Spooky Tuesday. When we realized we had a Halloween Fifth Tuesday on our hands, we knew we had to pick something special — and Practical Magic (1998) is a movie so perfect that it's almost like we made a wish for it way back in our younger days. Starring Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing, and Dianne Wiest, this witchy flick is all about sisterhood, staying true to yourself, and finding true love in all its different forms. Oh, and about how it's important to have bangs at some point in your life — but mostly the other stuff. 

Resources:

https://www.insider.com/cool-facts-you-never-knew-about-practical-magic

https://screenrant.com/practical-magic-behind-scenes-details-making-trivia/#the-stars-really-got-tipsy-for-one-scene

Should we have saved Suspiria (1977) for pride month? Rumor on the street is that this is a low-key lesbian film... which actually makes a lot of sense when you consider that, in a way, maybe all witch movies are. But while it doesn't actually include any footage of women kissing, Dario Argento's masterpiece is still a visual delight. Just peep all the incredible architecture and fashion! That's not to say that this flick is all (technicolor) flash, no substance. There's a lot to unpack here, which is why we asked Vannah Taylor — writer, ballerina, and fellow horror podcaster — to join us as we break down everything from the classic fairytale references to the pop culture impact.

Follow Vannah Taylor on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok at @sirendeathcult. Follow The Carnal Extremities Podcast on Twitter. Check out their new episodes weekly on Apple and Spotify.

https://www.theringer.com/movies/2018/10/5/17939894/suspiria-dario-argento-luca-guadagnino

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/26/movies/suspiria-remake-tilda-swinton-dakota-johnson.html

https://www.wired.com/story/suspiria-movie-review/

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/503550/14-unforgettable-facts-about-%E2%80%98suspiria%E2%80%99

It’s giving Disturbia. It’s giving Scream. It’s giving Bram Stoker’s Dracula and The Lost Boys and Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire. And it’s most definitely giving Vincent Price. Make no mistake, though — Fright Night (1985) is absolutely iconic in its own right. A creature feature where each and every vampire gets their own special set of teeth, this classic ‘80s flick is home to some great hallmarks of the era. On our latest episode of Spooky Tuesday, we’re breaking down Chris Sarandon’s famous monster movie as we talk about CLEAR references, hot couples, and incredible practical effects.

References:

https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/fright-night-the-enduring-appeal-of-the-80s-vampire-classic/

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/66862/16-biting-facts-about-fright-night

https://movieweb.com/fright-night-facts-trivia/

https://originalcinemaniac.com/2019/06/25/from-top-to-bottom-the-films-of-stephen-geoffreys/