Category Archives: Horror Movies
TOT TERRORS: THE LEGEND OF BOGGY CREEK
I often get asked about what influences my work as a writer. Inspired by the amazing website Kindertrauma–which is right up my alley–I’m compiling all of my childhood (and some adult) terrors.
The menu of my DVD edition. I have no idea which edition this is, but I know I got this at least a decade ago, maybe more. What I love about this menu is its featuring of what I think is the scariest episode in the film: the creature’s assault on the Fords and Turners.
I wouldn’t be surprised if 1972’s The Legend of Boggy Creek—an In Search Of…esque docudrama chronicling the hair-raising encounters of the people in Fouke, Arkansas with a sasquatch-like creature—spawned an entire generation of Bigfoot hunters: it certainly inspired me to not only fall in love with Bigfoot, but with what-none-of-us-knew-then-would-be-called found footage.
I remember seeing this title card on my grandmother’s kitchen television set — and it totally creeping me out. I’m thinking I could also attribute my love of found footage to this film.
This is yet another of those movies Read the rest of this entry
DARK DISCUSSIONS pays tribute to George Romero
Montage by Philip Perron
Dark Discussions pays tribute to George Romero in the wake of his passing. We discuss his life, his work, and the controversies that sometimes surrounded him, and some of our thoughts might surprise you! You can listen in on Stitcher, iTunes, and here: http://www.darkdiscussions.com/Pages/podcast_297.html
THIS WRITING LIFE EPISODE 10: DAMNATIONLAND is up!
This episode of This Writing Life road trips to Portland, Maine!
For me, being a writer means always studying other media—film, music, art, whatever. One of my favorite things to do is attend DAMNATIONLAND—a horror film festival which showcases short films by independent Maine filmmakers. I probably did more partying than studying…but come take the ride with me! Watch This Writing Life Episode 10: Damnationland here: https://youtu.be/1ro3aNkm89M
If you wanna do it for real? You can check out the dates for 2017 on the Damnationland FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/Damnationland/?ref=br_rs
DARK DISCUSSIONS gets a case of THE BERLIN SYNDROME
The DD masthead for Episode 292, THE BERLIN SYNDROME. Collage by Phillip Perron.
Dark Discussions gets a case of The Berlin Syndrome—a disturbing look at a passionate affair that turns into narcissistic abuse. The film, which stars Teresa Palmer, takes us along for the ride as an Australian photographer travels to Germany and gets more than she bargained for, and is available now on VOD.
Check out the film and then listen to our episode on Stitcher, iTunes, and here: http://www.darkdiscussions.com/Pages/podcast_292.html
TOT TERRORS: THE BERMUDA DEPTHS (1978) – and wow, is there a SEQUEL in the works?
I often get asked about what influences my work as a writer. Inspired by the amazing website Kindertrauma–which is right up my alley–I’m compiling all of my childhood (and some adult) terrors.
The full-page ad that appeared in TV Guide. Those old ads were very effective in enticing people to watch things. I don’t think ads today have the same kind of power.
In 1978, the ABC Friday Night Movie aired The Bermuda Depths. It was billed, in the original TV Guide full page ad, as a frightening mystery surrounding the Bermuda Triangle—a hot topic back in the In Search Of-cryptid-paranormal-UFO-obsessed decade that was the 1970s. I didn’t know this then, but it was written by Alan Rankin, produced by Jules Bass (yes, the Rankin/Bass behind Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer) and directed by Tsugunobu (Tom) Kotani of 1977’s The Last Dinosaur fame—which meant creatures and creepy imagery, and it would certainly deliver.
THE BERMUDA DEPTHS is a Rankin/Bass production that aired in 1978.
In the 1970s, Read the rest of this entry
DARK DISCUSSIONS delights in THE DEVIL’S CANDY
The DD masthead for THE DEVIL’S CANDY. Montage by Phillip Perron.
Dark Discussions delights in the much-admired The Devil’s Candy — an interesting little indie horror film with religious undertones set near Austin, Texas, from the director of The Loved Ones. Hear what we have to say about the movie about a passionate painter who must sell out–and gets more than he bargained for. You can listen to our episode here: http://www.darkdiscussions.com/Pages/podcast_285.html
DARK DISCUSSIONS contemplates LIFE
DARK DISCUSSIONS Masthead for Episode 279, LIFE, by Phillip Perron.
I won’t reveal too much about what we thought about the film (you’ll just have to listen to our episode on Stitcher, iTunes or right here: http://www.darkdiscussions.com/Pages/podcast_279.html), but there are some interesting articles about the movie’s realism floating around, one of which is here in Geekwire: https://www.geekwire.com/2017/alien-horror-movie-life-biology-space/
Life is now available on VOD and on Amazon here http://a.co/b7vDnJE and probably on other platforms.
DARK DISCUSSIONS gets into MONKEY SHINES
DARK DISCUSSIONS mast head for MONKEY SHINES, episode 284. Collage by Phillip Perron.
Dark Discussions gets into some Monkey Shines (according to our listeners, this particular episode is hilarious). This Romero film from 1988 really surprised me personally–I actually thought it was going to be good! Silly me.
One thing that’s really interesting is the original poster, which features a well-known cymbal-clapping monkey toy, has absolutely nothing to do with the film. Personally, I wonder if it was because of the success of Stephen King’s Read the rest of this entry
DARK DISCUSSIONS gets SPLIT
The masthead for Dark Discussions Episode 270, SPLIT. Collage by Philip Perron.
M. Night Shyamalan’s newest thriller, Split, releases this Tuesday on DVD, Blu-Ray, and VOD. Dark Discussions tackled the film when it first hit the big screen in February (and if you haven’t seen it, it’s fantastic, so I’d do that before listening to us spoil it for you).
You can listen in right from the DD website here: http://www.darkdiscussions.com/Pages/podcast_270.html. You can also catch it on iTunes and Stitcher.
To watch or purchase Split, visit wherever you download or buy films–or just grab it on Amazon here: http://a.co/17Xq8L8
DARK DISCUSSIONS explores KONG: SKULL ISLAND
Seriously, this movie has the most fabulous monster porn ever. This giant stick bug rocks my world! I can’t wait to get the Blu-Ray so I can freeze-frame and check it out up close!
The DD crew explores the breathtaking, creepy jungles and marvelous monsters of Kong: Skull Island.
You can download or listen to the episode here–although I do always forget to mention that you can find us on iTunes and Stitcher as well! http://www.darkdiscussions.com/Pages/podcast_277.html
The Dark Discussions Mast head for Episode 277 — KONG: SKULL ISLAND. Collage by Philip Perron.
