The 161st episode of 'The Sunshine Happy Kpants Hour' is uploaded and now available through iTunes, Talkshoe, Stitcher Radio, PodcastDirectory.com and streaming LIVE right here.
This week, it's all about Halloween and things that are in the shadows. Topics include: Trick or Treating as a kid, Halloween films during the season and what's in the shadows! (which turned into ghost talk). It's a creepy one, kids. ENJOY!
Songs played this week:
1) Spoiled by Basement
2) Mt. Diablo by The Story So Far
3) Breathe by Basement
4) Four Years by The Story So Far
5) Pine by Basement
6) Swords and Pens by The Story So Far
I don't know if I qualify this as a horror film, so much as a serial killer film. Either way, I freakin' love this film.
I like this shot for shot remake, better than the original. And I feel that it's okay to say that, as the original director remade this version. If you haven't seen this, you should.... it's harsh and pretty amazing.
Here's another remake. It's not as good as the original, but it's heads and shoulders above a lot of other junk out there right now. I recommend watching the original, 'Let The Right One In' first.... but don't neglect this version, it's still pretty damn good.
If you don't like films with a 'slow burn', then you probably won't like this one. However, if you're familiar with 70's horror and how they're designed.... then this is one you need to see. I have been a fan of 'Rosemary's Baby' for as long as I can remember and am proud to have it in my collection.
This is a franchise that kind of came out of nowhere. And even if it eventually turned into a giant, bloody soap opera.... I still dig every single one of them. End of story. Your move, Jigsaw.
The first two, original, TCM's were great. I enjoyed both of them, quite a bit. The third installment, 'Leathface' was mediocre. 'The Next Generatoin' was godawful. Then the remakes happened. The first one took a couple of viewings to get into, but the sequel or prequel was pretty sweet. It got me interested in this franchise again. Check em' out before you judge them.
This is the surprise film from my list. Robert Zemeckis created quite the spooky little thriller here and for some reason, I really enjoy it. It actually creeps me out and I feel funny saying that.
M. Night Shyamalan isn't the most popular guy in Hollywood. A lot of people think he was a one trick pony and have written him off. I think he's just misunderstood and that people have their expectations WAY too high for his films. I've enjoyed all of them.... even 'The Happening'. This is the one that started it all (if you don't count 'Wide Awake') and it's a classic.
The 'Resident Evil' films aren't so much horror as they are action. However, they do have zombies and other mutant monsters and are damn fun popcorn flicks. I am deeply in love with this series and can't wait for the fifth one. Word.
Once again, these films creep me out. The 'found footage' thing is kind of getting played out, but I still enjoy putting these in and getting a little creeped out. The 4th one (3rd American one) is coming out soon and I can't wait.
Rape movies aren't my thing and the original was basically just that. This updated version is much more, in my opinion. The performance of Sarah Butler is what sells the whole story and by the end, you want to take part in the revenge killings. I'd spit on their graves too.
You might not have ever heard of these Norwegian slasher films, but I hope that after you read this or listen to my show, you'll look em' up and watch them right away. There isn't a huge amount of new ground being covered in these films, but they're so damn well done that they can't be denied. I would equate them with a Norwegian version of the original 'Halloween' films. Right down to the second one being set entirely in a hospital. Go, watch, now.
Just in time for Halloween, comes a film about Thanksgiving. This film is so bad that it's good again. It's obviously a puppet and they just don't care. I've seen this multiple times and it just keeps getting better. GOBBLE GOBBLE!
You all know that I love my zombie films and this one is one of a kind. It's right on the border between serious and funny, but don't let that fool you into thinking that it's not a real film. I think that Robert Rodriguez created something truly unique and kick ass. Oh and Bruce Willis.
Again, zombies! One of the best satire/horror films ever made. Edgar Wright, Nick Frost and Simon Pegg used this film to establish themselves as some of the most amazing film making trio of recent times. This isn't just a comedy or a horror film, it's the best of everything. I'm sure you've already seen it, but damn it.... watch it again and again and again and again....
Two things.... first, Peter Jackson used to make amazing, low budger horror films back before 'The Lord of the Rings' happened and he was really good at it. Second, this is a guy's film. Not that girls can't watch it, but it's totally a guy flick.... 100%. It has everything from aliens, people eating vomit, brains falling out of heads, dead birds, machine guns, sheep getting blown up with rocket launchers and Peter Jackson playing duel roles. I can't say enough good things about 'Bad Taste'. Rent it. Hell, buy it.
In direct response to 'Night of the Living Dead', came the comedy counter part, 'The Return of the Living Dead'. I can watch this film anytime, anywhere. It's extremely entertaining and enjoyable. It is also the start of the whole "BRAINS!" thing.
The final film on this list is, of course, a zombie film. Probably the most popular zombie film of the past decade and also the most popular. It has a great cast, a great script and Bill 'f'ing' Murray. I have heard sequel talks, but nothing firm yet. Let's keep our hopes up!
This is the film, in my opinion, that started what would become the Romero zombie craze. This Vincent Price classic is more about vampire like creatures than zombies, but they sure act like the undead and this has the same feel. If you haven't seen this, you need to. Brillance.
This entry on my list will probably draw some questionable looks from some of you. As a series of horror films, these rank right up there with the big budget classics. What Fred Vogel created is something far to realistic and disturbing that it demands an audience. These films are to recent indie horror what 'Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer' was to indie horror of the past.
What you have here is a series of horror films that taps into our fears of being trapped and the unknown. It also has some scary ass monsters that are somewhere between vampires and zombies. The first film is amazing and surprisingly, the second one is just as good! If you have a chance, watch them back to back and turn out all the lights. It's a great ride.
You may be letting out a big groan right about now, but let's look at this seriously. What Kevin Williamson and Wes Craven did.... was bring back horror into the mainstream. Granted, it had some adverse side effects and a lot of mediocre 90's teen horror PG-13 flicks that resulted. However, it also allowed a lot of other films to get made. Hollywood realized that there was a big market for being scared. For that, you have to see why this made the list.... and I also think it's a damn fun film. So there.
There aren't too many Spanish films that make lists like these. It's not to say that there isn't great Spanish horror out there, it's just few and far between still. What these two films did is inspiring. They led to two American remakes, 'Quarantine' and 'Quarantine 2: Terminal' and helped to further the zombie subgenre of plague or virus films. If you haven't seen these, they're both fantastic and there are two more films in the works for this series, before it ends.
Again, you're questioning my choices. I, personally, think that Eli Roth is one of the best of the new class of horror directors. You may only know of the 'Hostel' films because of the whole "torture porn" buzz words. I hate those words. You really just need to come into these two films with an open mind and you might just see what I see. Two very entertaining films, with a dark and twisted center.
If I was to make a list of my favorite horror directors of the past 20 years, Alexandre Aja would be on that list. This was his breakout film and even if you think it was confusing and already been done.... you can't deny how great it still is. This film oozes horror, but with such beautiful cinematography and storytelling. It is one of the reasons I fell in love with French horror. If you haven't seen this, now would be a good time to go and watch it.
By now, you may have stopped reading this list and wondered what in the hell was wrong with me. If not.... stay with me, it's going to be a fun ride! And after that's been said, it brings me to the 'Halloween' franchise follow up films. John Carpenter left the franchise after part 1 and left it up to Rick Rosenthal to pick up where he left off. I think he did a great job and 'Halloween 2' fits perfectly in with the original and sometimes is even better. Rob Zombie's version was done by him and continues on with his original vision. It is considered by most to be a big, gory dud. I think it's what slasher films could be. More than just dead bodies.... there's some thought involved. That's just my 2 cents worth.
Before you cry FOUL! at my decision to include this, have you seen this remake? I know that the J-horror remake trend is played out, but this one was at the beginning and (I think) surpasses the original. I may be a Naomi Watts fan and that may skew things a bit, but I still firmly believe this is a great horror film that deserves a place in the countdown.
You know, I really shouldn't have to even mention this cult classic. Everyone should see this once. End of story.
Best. Vampire. Film. Ever. This is a cinematic masterpiece of horror filmaking. A pitch perfect film.
You've got to hand it to Danny Boyle, the man seems to do no wrong. He also brought the idea of running zombies back into vogue. Granted, these films are about plague/virus victims and not zombies, but it's a subgenre of that genre. These films are a perfect two part storyline with a third, yet to be written.
According to most reviewers, Rob Zombie's best film to date. I love it and think it's way above average for a horror film.... hell, a lot of non-horror films too. However, it's not my favorite Rob Zombie flim. Regardless, this is a must see.... but watch 'House of a 1000 Corpses' first!
What list would be complete without 'The Shining'? A classic and one that still scares me when I watch it. Jack Nicholson at the peak of his game.
It's kind of funny, this film is a classic. However, everytime I re-watch it, I'm not sure that it holds up as well as we'd all have liked. Don't get me wrong, I still love it and Freddy is a horror icon.... despite some increasingly bad sequels.
Here's yet another remake/reboot, however, it doesn't do better than the original. Despite that, it's still one of the best horror films of the new decade! It made zombies scary again and paid homage to its roots.
You can't deny that this film deserves to be on just about every best of list for horror there is. It's a classic that inspired generations of film makers after it was released and is constantly being studied. If you haven't seen it, you should.
The slasher film is a staple of modern horror, but have you seen where it all began? And don't let the age of the film fool you. It is equally as good as anything that's out there right now. Hitchcock was the master.
I love zombies. I've said it 100 times before. This is the film that started it all. (Just make sure the version you see is endorsed by George A. Romero, as this film is public domain and anyone can mess with it.)
I love both versions of 'Halloween'. I think John Carpenter set the stage for the modern masked slasher and Rob Zombie brought it into the modern era. (Perhaps, not entirely by himself.) Both of these films are a staple to watch during the Halloween holiday.
This is one of the films that everybody loves to hate or at least pretend they don't like it. I have never waivered in my love of 'The Blair Witch Project'. Ever since I first heard about it, I was hooked. It is one of the only films that I can watch anytime, anywhere and always get the chills at the end scene. I LOVE IT!
This is, quite possibly, the scariest film ever made. I have a hard time watching it to this day. I tried to read the book once and got sick. There is something about this film that is not right, but that's what makes it the classic that it is.
This film is so amazingly disgusting, but also one of the most entertaining films you might ever see. I can't say enough good things about this film. However, it is NOT for everyone! You have been warned.
This film is one of my all time favorite films, horror or otherwise. I seriously considered putting it in the #1 spot, but I think the #1 film edges it out just a bit. I've seen 'House of 1000 Corpses' so many times that I've lost count. I can put it in anytime anywhere. It's a 70's gritty throwback and can be difficult to watch at times.... but don't let that sway you. It is amazing. I love you, Rob Zombie.
This is it.... my favorite horror film. I love this film for so many reasons. Despite it's laughable special effects and the fact that it's so dated, it still could go toe to toe with just about any modern zombie flim ever made. I had my love of zombies begin after seeing this film.