Dark Discussions Podcast

Earlier in 2023, the film MEGAN (2023) arrived to theaters. The movie was about an artificial intelligence (AI) robot/toy that began to make its own decisions that turned it into a murderous monster. The science fiction subgenre including AI is suddenly “fresh” with the subject lately in the news. The latest movie to be released about the subject i…

Vampire films are probably as common to find at the bottom of the well on any streaming service as zombie films. What’s original with them? Not much, right? But sometimes a new idea is added to the lore and makes them stand out just a bit more than others. The new Hulu film, BLOOD (2023), is one of those movies that does things just a little differ…

The timeloop film isn’t nothing new. One of the most famous is the comedy GROUNDHOG DAY (1993), but the horror and sci-fi genres have had a number of well received films with many now considered modern classics such as EDGE OF TOMORROW (2014), LOOPER (2012), and HAPPY DEATH DAY (2017). Another such film, stuck in COVID limbo, was released to Hulu i…

The heist film isn’t anything new in the subgenre of thrillers and crime films. The movie, SEXY BEAST (2000), came out at a time when films such as PULP FICTION (1994) changed the landscape of movies where midnight movies became mainstream and B-movies became classy. SEXY BEAST took this new type of throwback filmmaking techniques and put it straig…

Back in 2013, the EVIL DEAD franchise was rebooted with the film EVIL DEAD (2013). The movie was very polarizing with fans and critics loving it or hating it. Now in 2023, the next film in the series was released, EVIL DEAD RISE (2023). This one seems to be getting acclaim consistently without the black-and-white feelings of the prior. Ellie (Alyss…

Demon and religious horror has always been a solid subgenre in horror. Such films as INSIDIOUS (2010), THE EVIL DEAD (1981), THE EXORCIST (1973), and THE OMEN (1976) are just a number of some of the best in the subgenre, and all very different. The new horror film, THE OFFERING (2023), was just released on VOD to fairly strong reviews. Does it live…

Director John Francis Daley, known for the spectacular film GAME NIGHT (2018), joins up with co-director Jonathan Goldstein to direct the new fantasy film, DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES (2023). The movie is based on the book and game franchise, DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS. It’s a reboot of an old film series that didn’t live up to expectations…

The independent horror film, THEY WAIT IN THE DARK (2023), has been getting some rave reviews including a write up in the New York Times. Director Patrick Rea is no rookie when it comes to horror films. He’s directed some fine films in the genre this last decade including NAILBITER (2013), ARBOR DEMON (2016), and I AM LISA (2020). THEY WAIT IN THE …

Director Patrick Rae has been directed a number of horror films including two that have been reviewed by Dark Discussions Podcast. Now in 2023, his latest film, THEY WAIT IN THE DARK (2023), showed up on VOD with positive reviews coming from such well known publications as the New York Times. Amy (Sarah McGuire) is a troubled woman carrying demons …

Throwback grindhouse horror films are one of the most successful types of films that independent filmmakers are making nowadays. With the glossiness of theatrical releases, and screenplays feeling generic, the old school drive-in film that has been all but forgotten by bigger studios has left a lot of filmmakers an opportunity to standout. The new …

In early 2022, the Ti West film, X, was released to rave reviews. With its grindhouse experience, and throwback feel, the move brought horror and midnight movie fans back to the old 42nd Street theaters that used to pocket New York City and Times Square. To the surprise of many, a follow up film, that was filmed at the same time as X was announced …

Long time actress and comedian Elizabeth Banks entered the directing ranks with PITCH PERFECT 2 (2015) followed by the reboot of CHARLIE’S ANGLES (2019). Both films received mixed reactions by audiences and also critics. Her latest COCAINE BEAR (2023) also has had mixed reactions from both critics and audiences alike however it has received some no…

Welcome to The Rise of the Cordyceps Infected: A Last of Us Podcast. We discuss weekly each episode of the television series THE LAST OF US seen on HBOMax.Bởi Dark Discussions Podcast

It all started in 1986 with the novella THE HELLBOUND HEART (part of a horror anthology NIGHT VISIONS VOLUME 3) written by English author Clive Barker. The story soon became a movie in 1987 leading to multiple films in the franchise, introducing horror fans to the cenobite demons, the puzzle box talisman known as the Lemarchand Configuration, and t…

Welcome to The Rise of the Cordyceps Infected: A Last of Us Podcast. We discuss weekly each episode of the television series THE LAST OF US seen on HBOMax.Bởi Dark Discussions Podcast

Robert Eggers of New Hampshire is one of the most talked about genre directors on the internet. With his A24 distributed movie debut, THE WITCH (2015), he immediately went became the “director everyone must watch”. After THE LIGHTHOUSE (2019), his latest, THE NORTHMAN (2022), arrived to theaters on April 22, 2022 to critical acclaim. In AD 895, you…

Welcome to The Rise of the Cordyceps Infected: A Last of Us Podcast. We discuss weekly each episode of the television series THE LAST OF US seen on HBOMax.Bởi Dark Discussions Podcast

M. Night Shyamalan burst on the scene with THE SIXTH SENSE (1999), and though he has had a number of “misses”, he’s had numerous successful films too including SIGNS (2002) and SPLIT (2016). Though known as a director, he also has done much of the screenwriting for his films too. His latest, KNOCK AT THE CABIN (2023), an adaptation of a novel, he d…

Welcome to The Rise of the Cordyceps Infected: A Last of Us Podcast. We discuss weekly each episode of the television series THE LAST OF US seen on HBOMax.Bởi Dark Discussions Podcast

After his controversial chapter in the ALIEN film franchise, ALIEN 3 (1992), David Fincher went on a spree of some seriously remarkable films. With a few minor films, he had a run of classics such as SEVEN (1995), THE GAME (1997), FIGHT CLUB (1999), ZODIAC (2007), THE SOCIAL NETWORK (2010) and GONE GIRL (2014). His THE GAME, though a minor success …

Found footage horror films were the big craze a few years back, and the new film SKINAMARINK (2023) takes a little from those films but is its distinct thing. Noted on such websites as IMDB as an experimental horror film, the movie has gotten some note by critics and actually had a theatrical run that was quite successful for its small budget. Two …

Welcome to The Rise of the Cordyceps Infected: A Last of Us Podcast. We discuss weekly each episode of the television series THE LAST OF US seen on HBOMax.Bởi Dark Discussions Podcast

COVID-19 hit the world pretty hard in many ways. With the large initial deaths that occurred, and then the lockdowns, paranoia, and even the politicisation of the disease, the entire world lived in fear that left many folks never recovering. The new Peacock film, SICK (2023), popped up in early January that takes place right in the middle of the pa…

Welcome to The Rise of the Cordyceps Infected: A Last of Us Podcast. We discuss weekly each episode of the television series THE LAST OF US seen on HBOMax.Bởi Dark Discussions Podcast

Arriving at theaters during the summer of 2022, the science fiction horror film NOPE came out as one of the many “big” summer movies. This was the third effort by director/writer Jordan Peele. And like his other two films, it was unlike them as well. The Haywood family owns a ranch out in Agua Dulce, California remote and distant from town. They wo…

Welcome to Horrorphilia Jason’s best of the year show. After scores of new horror releases watched over the year, I’ve narrowed it down to my favorite 30. Also, I’ll have a few honorable mentions and some hidden gems recommended.Bởi Dark Discussions Podcast

With the HBO Max television series THE LAST OF US just arriving for viewership, fungi is now the new start to the apocalypse. Mushrooms, cordyceps, and spores somehow infect a person and then the world ends. The 2021 horror film, THE SPORE, has a very interesting concept for sure a scenario. From IMDB: “The lives of ten strangers intersect through …

Welcome to The Rise of the Cordyceps Infected: A Last of Us Podcast. We discuss weekly each episode of the television series THE LAST OF US seen on HBOMax.Bởi Dark Discussions Podcast

The first big horror film of 2023 came out in January. Usually January is a dumping ground for films that producers think will fail, but not Jason Blum. MEGAN (2023), also known as MEGAN, appeared at US theaters on January 6th, 2023 and immediately became a hit. Gemma (Allison Willaims) works as an engineer and programmer at a toy company. She’s on…

Welcome to The Rise of the Cordyceps Infected: A Last of Us Podcast. We discuss weekly each episode of the television series THE LAST OF US seen on HBOMax.Bởi Dark Discussions Podcast

Co-host Mike has said “Don’t ever bet against James Cameron.” And based off his success rate bringing in the box office, no one should. In 2009, AVATAR became one of the most acclaimed and biggest movies in cinematic history. Years later, in 2022, the sequel, AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER, was finally released at Christmas time, and in a matter of weeks…

We are already 1/12th into 2023 and some good films have come out. However, let's reflect. Did last year start out with a bang or a whimper? Dark Discussions puts together their review of all that was good and bad in 2022. Included was the consideration of dozens of different films that were worthy enough to be considered as a top 10 movie for genr…

Welcome to The Rise of the Cordyceps Infected: A Last of Us Podcast. We discuss weekly each episode of the television series on LAST OF US seen on HBOMax.Bởi Dark Discussions Podcast

It’s been two and a half years since the wonderful actress Kelly Preston has passed away. Back when it happened, Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews had planned a tribute for her, recording episodes on some of her movies. The first recorded TWINS (1988) we recorded and it is in the backlog for future release. However, we also recorded one on he…

Welcome to The Rise of the Cordyceps Infected: A Last of Us Podcast. We discuss weekly each episode of the television series on LAST OF US seen on HBOMax.Bởi Dark Discussions Podcast

English director Simon Rumley is known for his fabulous dark thriller films which include RED WHITE & BLUE (2010), THE LIVING AND THE DEAD (2006), FASHIONISTA (2016), JOHNNY FRANK GARRETT’S LAST WORD (2016), among others. He has won awards at many festivals and has had his films includes as part of Fangoria’s top horror films of all time. Now he ha…

New Year’s resolutions are a big thing for folks. Some want to lose weight, find a spouse, get a new job, work towards completing something; others have goals that they strive for. Co-host Mike said that there are a lot of genre films he hasn’t seen that he wants to get to, so as a New Year’s resolution, why not ask all the co-hosts to see some fil…

In 2021, the film duo of Jamison M. LoCascio and Adam Ambrosio gave the independent film community one of the most impressive horror debuts in these last few years with the movie KNOW FEAR (2021). With the release of that film, the duo went on to make a second feature, switching it up, and doing an anthology film entitled HOW DARK THEY PREY (2022).…

Nihilism is defined many ways but the most appropriate definition for the new film SPEAK NO EVIL (2022) is life is meaningless. This Danish film with its very dark story actually premiered at the 38th Sundance Film Festival. Directed by well known Danish actor Christian Tafdrup, the film shocked audiences but received fabulous reviews from critics.…

Not often is there a film that comes around like 2017’s THREE BILLBOARS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI. Some feel the movie is almost perfect. It was nominated for many awards, won a whole lot, and will probably be remembered more so than the films it competed against. Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand) is a grieving mother. A year prior her daughter was …

Actress Beverly D’Angelo was one of the stars the beloved Christmas movie NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION (1989). Now she’s back in the new horror comedy VIOLENT NIGHT (2022) where Santa Claus is real and he actually has to interact with people that aren’t so nice. Santa Claus (David Harbour) is disillusioned that people just aren’t in the fe…

Independent film can surprise you, especially horror films. Maybe low budget, maybe by new talent, maybe never picked up by a distributor. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t pretty fantastic films. Peter Szewczyk, the director of the 2021 film BEHEMOTH, worked with George Lucas credited with working on visual effects on AVATAR (2009) and HARRY POTTE…

Director, actor, and screenwriter, Ti West, has been around for a bit working on horror and mumblecore films. He’s appeared as an actor in YOU’RE NEXT (2011), he directed the found footage thriller THE SACRAMENT (2013), and did the sequel CABIN FEVER 2: SPRING FEVER (2009). In 2022, he’s had success where his two latest films including the slasher …

Shane Black has many successes, especially with screenwriting. Some of his best known are LETHAL WEAPON, THE MONSTER SQUAD, and PREDATOR (all 1987), as well as IRON MAN 3 (2013). His sense of humor and his apt work on action scenes has given many of his scripts great praise. But he has directed too including our latest choice to discuss on Cinema A…

Originally appearing in the horror anthology film ALL HALLOW’S EVE (2013), Art the Clown has since stormed into cult status as a potential horror icon. For his first feature length film, TERRIFIER (2016), the movie surprised most people with its over the top gore and became a cult classic. Now, he has returned in TERRIFIER 2, a Halloween release th…

Back in 1988, the role playing game, CYBERPUNK, was created by Mike Pondsmith. Since then the game has gone onto much success. Just in December 2020, a video game called CYBERPUNK 2077 was based off the original game and has had tremendous success on video consoles. Now a long anticipated television series, CYBERPUNK: EDGERUNNERS (2022), created in…

Sometimes the best films are those that are lower profile, cost minimal money, and appear out of nowhere. The new Lionsgate film FALL (2022) is the latest movie that shows quality filmmaking against a smaller budget yet looking like it was a mainstream big budget release. When Becky (Grace Currey) and her husband Dan (Mason Gooding) are joined by t…

Like many folks, after a few misses, he leveled out and was able to work on some other films including BLUE STEEL (1990) and a film he directed as well, BAD MOON (1996). BAD MOON was noticeable because of the subgenre of being a werewolf film. It also starred Mariel Hemingway giving it some star power at the time. When a horrible animal attack in N…

Though the Taiwanese film, THE SADNESS, arrived at theaters in Taiwan in 2021, the movie reached North American audiences on May 12, 2022 through the streaming service Shudder. Oddly the film was written and directed by a native Canadian, Rob Jabbaz, the movie is in the nation’s native Cantonese language and subtitled or dubbed for all other nation…

The early October 2022 horror film, SMILE, appeared with little star power. Though Sosie Bacon, the daughter of Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, stars in the movie, besides her famous parents, the movie had no recognizable names or stars. However, with a strong marketing pitch and released by Paramount Pictures, the movie became a huge success at the…