Roll out the red carpet! Break out your best Versace and Vera Wang outfits. It’s time to hand out some Thingy hardware! The best in horror movies from 2021. It may have taken us a while to get here, but we’ve got some winners to announce.!
Archive for ‘Podcast’
The Scariest Things Podcast Extra: An Interview with Swallowed Director Carter Smith
Carter Smith joins the Scariest Things to talk about his new film, Swallowed, a thrilling body horror shocker with queer themes that took the Overlook Film Festival by storm. Get the behind-the-scenes input on this independently filmed labor of love.
The Scariest Things Interview: The Summoned Cast and Crew
Consider creating your first feature-length movie. With a first-time feature director. In a global pandemic. During the middle of the ice storm of the century. And then debuting it in one of the premiere horror festivals in the world! Happy to say, you nailed it! Listen in to our interview with the cast and crew of The Summoned for their take on the great adventure that is movie-making.
The Scariest Things Podcast Episode 147: The Overlook Film Festival Recap
After a two-year span in which we had to attend the Overlook Film Festival remotely, the standout New Orleans-based industry insider festival was back screening the festival live and in person. Twenty-Four feature films showed along with three short film blocks, which amounted to a whole lot of movies for four days of viewing! Eric, Liz, and Mike break down our impressions of the recently completed festival.
The Scariest Things Podcast Episode 146: Frankenstein Movies
It’s Alive. It’s ALIVE! IT’s ALIIIIIVE!
At long last, The Scariest Things goes to the bedrock of horror movies. Frankenstein. So important, and yet, much like the Monster himself, much-maligned. Though new versions of the Mad Scientist messing with life and death have been produced, the central idea has been passed by other, more immediately terrifying themes. How does the story of Frankenstein stay relevant? Listen to the Scariest Things Episode 146 and find out!
The Scariest Things Podcast Extra: An Interview with “Dexter: New Blood” Composer Pat Irwin
The Scariest Things Podcast Extra: An Interview with “Dexter: New Blood” Composer Pat Irwin
The Scariest Thing Podcast Episode 145: Tropetown Showdown!
Remember who we are: Your Gateway to the Trends and Tropes of the Horror Genre. That means we had better know our tropes… like REALLY know our tropes. And as such, welcome to Tropetown! This is a speed round session where we try and come up with the best and most original example of the trope. It’s a game of can-you-top this? The winner gets to be named Mayor of Tropetown!
The Scariest Things Podcast Extra: An Interview with Dashcam Director Rob Savage (Panic Fest 2022)
The Pandemic fueled dread of Dashcam is showing at Panic Fest in Kansas City on May 1 and May 4. TST had the great opportunity to interview the director Rob Savage to discuss his latest creation.
The Scariest Things Podcast Extra: An Interview With the Cast and Crew of When the Screaming Starts (Panic Fest 2022)
At Panic Fest in Kansas City, a wicked slice of horror-comedy has been ordered up in the form of an indie UK feature, When the Screaming Starts. The Scariest Things podcast crew immediately fell for this mockumentary about a Manson Family-style murder cult setting its roots in London. We were joined by the Director and Actor/Producers of the film to discuss the story of the “family” that slays together and doesn’t stay together (ahem!).
The Scariest Things Podcast Episode 144: The SXSW 2022 Recap
SXSW made its return to live audiences in Austin in March of 2022, and The Scariest Things was present for the event. Liz Williams took in as much as she could at the festival, and the rest of TST’s staff followed by streaming for one of the world’s great film festivals.
The Scariest Things Podcast Episode 143: A Horror Director Sampler Platter
For Episode 143, The Scariest Things examines the works of three directors that we think you should know more about. Under the radar? Maybe. Horror masters? Definitely.
The Scariest Things Episode 142: Our Favorite Horror Couples
Couples. Partners. Lovers. Siblings. Spouses. Besties. Some of the most fascinating horror characters come in pairs. Whether they team up for good or evil, these characters are inextricably linked together to their fates. In Episode 142 we explore some of our favorite horror duets.
The Scariest Things Podcast Episode 141: Police Procedural Horror
Detective, you are a loose cannon! Turn in your piece, your shield, and make sure to turn that ancient evil tome into evidence. Now get out of my office! The cop cliches are layered on top of a genre with plenty of our favorite tried and true horror tropes. This is the world of the thriller and the hunt of serial killers. It is time for Episode 142 and we’re talking police procedural horror.
The Scariest Things Episode 140: Horror Movies We are Looking Forward to in 2022
Call it a hunch. Or perhaps morbid curiosity. We think these upcoming films could be pretty cool. As we transition from what was to what could be, The Scariest Things team casts its gaze forward to what horrors might entertain us the most! Listen in to Episode 140 and find out what you can look forward to with us in 2022!
The Scariest Things Podcast Episode 139: The Worst Horror Films of 2021
This is the annual ritual of summarizing the year that was. We first celebrate the best of the year, and then we have to get real. Not everything was worth your time when it comes to scary movies last year. We don’t enjoy doing this, but we have to name names. Welcome to Episode 139 where we dish out what wasn’t good in 2021.
The Scariest Things Episode CXXXIII: An Examination of Ti West’s Masterpiece: The House of the Devil (2009)
We have decided to do something a little different, this time: A single film analysis. We look back at one of our favorite independent horror films of the last 20 years: The House of the Devil (2009), by Director Ti West. It’s a near-perfect exercise in horror story development and execution, and you can hear our rationale in this bonus podcast episode!
The Scariest Things Podcast Episode 138: The Best Horror Movies of 2021
Happy New Year Scariest Friends! The Scariest Things has now banked FOUR YEARS of podcasts and reviews, and despite a world-wide pandemic, we were able to see a lot of good movies and share our impressions with our ever growing fan base. It’s a good time to thank everybody who has checked in with us over the year. The new Golden Age of horror continues on, unabated, and we look forward to sharing with you a fantastic 2022!
The Scariest Things Podcast Episode CXXXVII: The Psychology of Horror Movies
We Horror fans are an odd lot. We actively seek emotional sensations that make us uncomfortable, agitated, and if done well, terrified. To say that we are adrenaline junkies testing our courage is an easy way out, and doesn’t really get to the truth of things. Ashley Hirusina, a graphic artist managed in one poster, a deep but succinct analysis of why we seek the scary.
The Scariest Things Episode CXXXVI: UFO Horror
Hey! Watch where you’re sticking that thing! Do you believe in UFO’s? Do you think of aliens from outer space with fascination… or dread? Sometimes the aliens look like Alf. Sometimes they look like little green men (and later… little grey men). Some come for peace, and some come to carry us off the earth for experiments of the most awful kind. We will be talking about the latter! Enjoy Episode 136: UFO Horror!
The Scariest Things Podcast Episode CXV: The Horror Potluck Director’s Cut
The Horror Potluck is back! What is the potluck? It’s when each of the podcasters brings a movie to the recording session and we all discuss a movie that the others selected. This time, each of us picked just one movie that we thought had a compelling reason to spend additional time dissecting. The movies we picked are: Baskin, Halloween Kills, and Tourist Trap, each of them worthy of a longer look for uniquely different reasons.
The Scariest Things Podcast Episode CXXXIV: Cryptid Horror
Mysterious sightings and local folklore have pushed curious crypto hunters into the woods and onto deep lakes to reveal the truth. Maybe, just maybe, that local legend will show itself to you. In horror movies, they are true, and they will WRECK you. The Scariest Things talks about some of our favorite cryptid creepies in Episode 134.
The Scariest Things Podcast Episode CXXXI: Folklore Horror
Once upon a time… horror was something you learned from your grandmother or the tribal elder. It is ancient horror by way of magic and myth, bolstered by the shared beliefs of a culture. This sub-genre is open to a broad range of interpretations and can be somewhat hard to pin down for definition. Leave it to the Scariest Things who were not afraid to give our own takes on what Folkloric horror is all about.
The Scariest Things Podcast Extra: An Interview with Tim Shechmeister, Director of “Hello?” : The Best Horror Shorts of the Portland Horror Film Festival
The Scariest Things loves its short horror films, and we had the privilege to talk with director Tim Shechmeister who gave us our favorite horror short from the extensive roster of great shorts that played at the Portland Horror Film Festival. Check out an exclusive release of Hello? right here in this post!
The Scariest Things Episode CXXX: Masked Killer Horror!
One hundred thirty episodes in and we’re finally getting to what has to be what most horror fans identify as the iconic horror trope of all time: the masked killer! Well fret no longer horror fans, we are coming to one of the cornerstones of the genre. You start with Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, and Leatherface, but we’ll get you to the next level in episode 130!
The Scariest Things Podcast Episode CXXIX: Tricks, Traps, and Puzzle Horror
Shall we play a GAME? For some of the brainiest horror movies, go to the tradition of tricks and traps horror. The punishment for not figuring out how to win the game is often painful and deadly. And face it, you watch reality TV shows to see people get eliminated, right? This horror sub-trope takes that idea to the next bloody level.
The Scariest Things Podcast Episode CXXVIII: The Best Horror Films of the First Half of 2021
2021 has delivered a number of films that were held in reserve over the awkward year that was 2020. The studios held back some of their most proven titles, and when the theaters opened up a slew of them hit the theaters, and several of them were worth the wait.
Trailer Alert: We Need To Do Something (2021)
Just off of a buzz generating debut at the Tribeca Film Festival, the trailer for Sean King O’Grady’s feature film […]
The Scariest Things Podcast Episode CXXVII: Creepy Crawlies
Skittering. Scuttling. Swarming. And sometimes… crushing. For millions of people, their greatest fears come with six or eight legs. Yipes! Is something crawling up my leg? AAAAAIIIIEEEE!
Eric’s North Bend Film Fest Review: Tailgate (2021)
★★★★1/2 out of ★★★★★
The ultimate road rage movie that collides with a nail-biting home invasion film. This Dutch film absolutely pours the intensity on in a way unseen in many a year. A rude and headstrong man picks the wrong enemy in a highway tailgating incident, subjecting his entire family to the revenge of a nuanced killer who uses rat poison as his weapon of choice.
The Scariest Things Podcast Episode CXXVI: Giallo!
Buona sera! If you like your horror with a large slice of salacious, then look to the Italians and their bloody thriller tradition of Giallo. Where to start? Let the Scariest Things point you the way to a bloody good time.