Faculty of Horror

Episode 150. Private Lives: Paranormal Activity (2007)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:30:32 +0000

Behind the door of a seemingly normal American home lies something evil. Something that’s been waiting. No, it’s not a demon – it’s a heteronormative relationship with a total douchebag!

Join Alex and Andrea for a dive into the murky waters of demonology, tech bros, and home security with Oren Peli’s feature film debut.

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REQUIRED READING

Paranormal Activity. Dir. Oren Peli, 2007.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Faculty of Horror: Episode 26. Mother Lover: Matriarchy in The Wicker Man (1973 & 2006) and Paranormal Activity 3 (2011).

Horror’s New Wave: 15 Years of Blumhouse. In which Jason Blum break’s down PA’s long road to theatrical release.

With Paranormal Activity, Paramount Sets New Marketing Model. An overview of the grassroots marketing campaign.

Surveillance Tech is Changing Our Behaviour and Our Brains. How our rapidly evolving technology is taking over our domestic and public spaces.

I Love My Husband (Who Hates Me). The Cut’s piece on the socially acceptable misogyny in heteronormative relationships.

“Understanding Home Video” from Home Truths? Video Production and Domestic Life: Tracing the home video industry from America’s Funniest Home Videos to FailArmy.

The right-wing roots of Silicon Valley: traces the roots of the techbro boom in the ’90s to the “free thinkers” of the modern manosphere.

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Episode 149. Bloodlust: The Last House on the Left (1972)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:39:18 +0000

Wes Craven’s first feature continues to draw audiences and critics to it. By examining the production, reception, and impact of The Last House on the Left, Andrea and Alex will investigate the legacy of the rape-revenge subgenre and our evolving understanding of it.

*Apologies for the poor audio on this one, guys! We’ll catch that gremlin one day and we’ll skin him alive!

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REQUIRED READING

The Last House on the Left. Dir. Wes Craven, 1972.

EXTRA CREDIT

A Promising Young Woman and the End of the Girlboss Era. Ayesha A. Siddiqi’s in-depth analysis of the Emerald Fennell’s first feature.

Screams and Nightmares: The Films of Wes Craven. A thorough look at Craven’s oeuvre with insights and anecdotes from the man himself.

Celluloid Crime of the Century – the full 2003 doc is on YouTube, featuring interviews with Craven, Cunningham, and select castmembers.

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Episode 148. In Heaven: Eraserhead (1977)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:00:01 +0000

This month, we’ve summoned friend of the show (and verified Lynch stan) Stacie Ponder to join us as we wander aimlessly into the surrealist nightmare of David Lynch’s mind. Through an exploration of his first film Eraserhead, we’ll investigate one of cinema’s most enigmatic creatives and his myths of America.

Check out Stacie’s podcast: Final Girl After Dark!

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REQUIRED READING

Eraserhead. Dir. David Lynch, 1977.

EXTRA CREDIT

Who Made That Built-In Eraser? An overview of an American partnership.

The Theatre of the Absurd Martin Esslin’s critical essay that defined an undefinable movement.

Premonition Following an Evil Deed (1995) on YouTube. A very unsettling 56-second film!

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Episode 147. The Fackening: 2025 Year in Review

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:00:51 +0000

Another year of mad fackery has come to end, so Andrea and Alex take a last look at 2025 to review our horror (and non-horror) faves of the year.

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Alex’s picks:
Weapons
Bring Her Back
The Ugly Stepsister
Final Destination Bloodlines
Companion
Good Boy
The Occupant of the Room
Mangittatuarjuk: The Gnawer of Rocks

Andrea’s picks:

Bring Her Back

Weapons

Final Destination Bloodlines
Heart Eyes
The Ugly Stepsister

Dangerous Animals

Him

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Episode 146. Slayride: Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 20:43:14 +0000

Andrea and Alex interrogate the pearl clutching that went on during Silent Night, Deadly Night‘s initial theatrical run, what it means to cultivate festive cheer, and the importance of being nice and never naughty.

Class of 2025 Merch is now available! Thanks to Caleb Milatovic and Rachelle Walker for the incredible design!

Join us over on Patreon for more content!

REQUIRED READING

Silent Night, Deadly Night. Dir. Charles Sellier Jr, 1984.

EXTRA CREDIT

At the Movies: Silent Night, Deadly Night. Siskel and Ebert’s review.

A Once Controversial Release, “Silent Night, Deadly Night” Gains Another Chance to Terrorize. Film at Lincoln Center’s piece on the history and importance of Silent Night, Deadly Night.

Santa Claus: The Myth in America. A look at St. Nick’s bizarre (and frankly, kind of hilarious) origin story as a folk hero and a religious icon

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Episode 145. In Memoriam: The Others (2001)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 17:17:33 +0000

Mind the fog and join Andrea and Alex as they explore the dark hallways of Alejandro Amenábar’s The Others. From geopolitics to religion and the weight of motherhood, not everything in the film is as it appears.

Class of 2025 Merch is now available! Thanks to Caleb Milatovic and Rachelle Walker for the incredible design!

REQUIRED READING

The Others. Dir. Alejandro Amenábar, 2001.

EXTRA CREDIT

“Nicole Kidman made a horror movie about Tom Cruise and Scientology.” A video exploration of Kidman’s performance under the watchful eye of Scientology.

Taken from Life: The Unsettling Art of Death Photography. The history and science of capturing images of the dearly departed.

The Birth of Purgatory by Jacques Le Goff. How Catholicism decided it needed a third state between heaven and hell.

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Episode 144. Made for TV: Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 16:21:50 +0000

It’s almost time kids, the clock is ticking! Andrea and Alex explore the strange world of Halloween III: Season of the Witch, uncovering tricks and treats in the history of holiday, Celtic rituals, and our evolving relationship with our TVs.

Class of 2025 Merch is now available! Thanks to Caleb Milatovic and Rachelle Walker for the incredible design!

REQUIRED READING

Halloween III: Season of the Witch. Dir. Tommy Lee Wallace, 1982.

EXTRA CREDIT

Halloween III: Season Of The Witch – The Inside Story Of A Cult Classic. Director Tommy Lee Wallace on ditching Michael Myers to make Halloween’s best sequel, 40 years on.

The Commercialization of the Calendar: American Holidays and the Culture of Consumption, 1870-1930, by Leigh Eric Schmidt.

Irish San Francisco. An article detailing the Irish population metrics in California.

Tricks of Festival: Children, Enculturation, and American Halloween by Cindy Dell Clark.

Halloween’s Mutation: From Humble Holiday to Retail Monstrosity. NYT article on the rise and popularity of the holiday.

Video, Science Fiction, and the Cinema of Surveillance. Thomas Doherty’s article exploring the place of television in film.

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Episode 143. Rage: Apt Pupil (1998) and We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)

asubissati@gmail.com — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 18:28:53 +0000

In this episode Andrea and Alex delve into the dark side of masculinity with the film adaptations of Apt Pupil and We Need to Talk About Kevin to explore the manosphere, motherhood, and the complexities of anger.

Please note: this episode was recorded September 5, 2025.

Class of 2025 Merch is now available. Thanks to Caleb Milatovic and Rachelle Walker for the incredible design!

REQUIRED READING

Apt Pupil. Dir. Bryan Singer, 1998.
We Need to Talk About Kevin. Dir. Lynne Ramsay, 2011.

EXTRA CREDIT

Guns by Stephen King. King’s essay on gun culture and mass shooting in America.

How American Racism Influenced Hitler. Alex Ross’ New Yorker piece on America’s dark relationship with the Nazis.

The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood. Sharon Hays’ treatise on the profession and expectations of mothers.

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Episode 142. Teen Dreams: I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

asubissati@gmail.com — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 14:00:48 +0000

Buckle up and keep your eyes on the road because we’re chatting about the teen slasher thriller I Know What You Did Last Summer. From morality and justice to small town trappings, we unearth a murky past that refuses to stay buried!

More content over on our Patreon!

REQUIRED READING

I Know What You Did Last Summer. Dir. Jim Gillespie, 1997.

EXTRA CREDIT

Behavioral Risks during the Transition from High School to College. The NIH report on tendencies and actions during the last summer before adulthood.

Generation Multiplex. Timothy Shary’s examination of youth culture at the movies.

The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends and Their Meanings. Jan Harold Brunvand’s seminal work on modern folklore.

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Episode 141. Blood Relations: The Hills Have Eyes (1977 & 2006)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 14:00:42 +0000

Pack your car and mind the detours because we’re kicking off summer with an episode on The Hills Have Eyes. From familial tensions to political warfare in the original and the remake, there’s a whole host of darkness to be found under the summer sun.

More content over on our Patreon!

REQUIRED READING

The Hills Have Eyes. Dir. Wes Craven, 1977.

The Hills Have Eyes. Dir. Alexandre Aja, 2006.

EXTRA CREDIT

Sawney Bean – Scotland’s Most Famous Cannibal. An overview of the Scottish legend.

Fairy Tales for the Apocalypse. Christopher Sharrett’s interview with Wes Craven.

Through the Eyes of America: Wes Craven’s “The Hills Have Eyes.” Matt Carlin via Mubi.com.

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Episode 140. Pump It Up: The Substance (2024) Live from Salem Horror Fest

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 21 May 2025 19:44:33 +0000

Join Andrea and Alex live from Salem Horror Fest for feats of strength (!) and a discussion of the horrors of beauty standards, the weight of celebrity culture, and the algorithms that are out to get us.

More content over on our Patreon!

REQUIRED READING

The Substance. Dir. Coralie Fargeat, 2024.

EXTRA CREDIT

Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism. Sarah Wynn-Williams account of her time at Facebook.

On Women. Susan Sontag’s essays on women and their physical relationships to the world.

Fran Lebowitz on Race and Racism. From the 1997 edition of Vanity Fair where Lebowitz discusses nepo babies.

How Ozempic shaming illuminates complexities of treating weight problems from the Harvard Gazette.

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Episode 139. Labour Pains: The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 07:21:50 +0000

Spring has sprung so it’s time to get into the greenhouse! In this episode, Alex and Andrea investigate the differences between mother and caretaker, the privilege of home upkeep, and why yuppies love windchimes.

More content over on our Patreon!

REQUIRED READING

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle. Dir. Curtis Hanson, 1992.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Unnatural History of the Nanny. The NYT’s 1973 exploration of the importance of the role in modern culture.

The Lifesaving, Horrifying History of Wet Nurses. A look at another key and intimate household role.

Querying ‘Karen’: The rise of the angry white woman. Before she was a haircut meme, she was a person.

Review: Third Wave Feminisms. Is “capitalist feminism” a thing?

Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers. Jude Doyle’s non-fiction treatise that examines the othering of female power.

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Episode 138. School of Thought: Detention (2019)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:28:17 +0000

Log on to this episode where we go deep with the film adaptation of the cult video game Detention. From totalitarianism in Taiwan and beyond, the ghosts of our past often have dire warnings about our present and future that we should heed.

More content over on our Patreon!

Catch us LIVE at Salem Horror Fest!

REQUIRED READING

Detention. Dir. John Hsu, 2019.

EXTRA CREDIT

Does Historical Accuracy in Games Really Matter? The pros and cons of infusing entertainment with fact.

Piecing together the past: The Notion of Recovery in Fiction and Film from Taiwan by Steven L. Riep. Observations on recovery narratives and how the white terror has been commemorated but remains poorly understood.

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Episode 137. One of Us: Freaks (1932)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 16:36:28 +0000

Join us as we delve into the lineage and legacy of Tod Browning’s pre-code horror classic. From the morality police to representation of disability to community building through murder, we discuss why Freaks remains a unique and unrepeatable entry in the horror canon.

More content over on our Patreon!

REQUIRED READING

Freaks. Dir. Tod Browning, 1932.

EXTRA CREDIT

Spurs. Tod Robbins short story on which Freaks is based.

What’s so Scary about Disability? Laura Elliott’s piece on the legacy of fearing some bodies.

Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space. Amanda Leduc’s exploration of how society has stigmatized disabilities for centuries.

Code of the Freaks. A 2020 documentary covering portrayals of disability in film.

A Brief Timeline of the History of Disabilities: The Shameful Treatment of People with Disabilities. An overview covering how perceptions of disabilities have shifted over human history.

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Episode 136. Curse of Fack: 2024 Year in Review

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 15:46:57 +0000

Andrea and Alex run down their favourite horror films from 2024, share what they’re looking forward to this year and go head-to-head in trivia for Fack supremacy.

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Episode 135. Family Matters: The Brood (1979)

asubissati@gmail.com — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:52:26 +0000

Join us as we breakdown the isolated families of David Cronenberg’s The Brood. From family structures to the legalese of it all, we investigate why and how we cling to each other.

Last chance for our Class of 2024 merch! Artwork by the incredible Candice Purwin.

REQUIRED READING

The Brood. Dir. David Cronenberg, 1979.

EXTRA CREDIT

Cronenberg on Cronenberg. A collection of interviews with the man himself on the making and meaning of his films.

The Evolution of Pregnancy Portraits From Tudor England to Beyonce. A history of the pregnant body as spectacle.

The Brood: Separation Trials. A Criterion retrospective by Carrie Rickey.

Self-Labeling And Women’s Mental Health: Postpartum Illness And The Reconstruction Of Motherhood – a look at the history of puerperal insanity.

Oliver Reed and Orson Welles on Merv Griffin. From Andrea’s secret stash of bookmarked videos.

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Fack Flash! Robert Eggers’ NOSFERATU

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 15:00:15 +0000

Christmas came early for the profs this year, with an advance screening to Robert Eggers’ hotly anticipated adaptation of Nosferatu! We recorded our immediate reaction at the cinema for our Patreon, but we wanted to spread the good cheer for the film’s wide release.

Hear our raw reactions – but beware spoilers if you don’t want details!

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(Membership makes a great gift, just sayin’)

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Episode 134. Material World: They Live (1988)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 20:05:33 +0000

In this episode Andrea and Alex deep-dive into John Carpenter’s cult-classic exploring the ways that materialism, Marxism, and maximalism have driven us to the edge of consumption.

Check out our Class of 2024 merch! Artwork by the incredible Candice Purwin.

REQUIRED READING

They Live. Dir. John Carpenter, 1988.

EXTRA CREDIT

“Eight O’Clock in the Morning.” Ray Nelson’s short story that inspired They Live.

The Politics of Gender Presentation – Why what we buy to wear matters.

The Films of John Carpenter. John Kenneth Muir’s examination of Carpenter’s filmography.

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Episode 133. Missionary Position: The Conjuring (2013)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 17:58:15 +0000

James Wan’s blockbuster horror offering The Conjuring thrilled audiences and created a cinematic universe but for Andrea and Alex it left an icky feeling that has nothing to do with demonic possession. By investigating the politics, means and ideology behind the film, they’ll uncover the true villains behind this narrative.

Check out our Class of 2024 merch! Artwork by the incredible Candice Purwin.

REQUIRED READING

The Conjuring. Dir. James Wan, 2013.

EXTRA CREDIT

War Over ‘The Conjuring’: The Disturbing Claims Behind a Billion-Dollar Franchise. Hollywood Reporter’s Investigation into the claims made about the real-life Warrens.

Scared Sacred: Idolatry, Religion and Worship in the Horror Film. The essay collection featuring Alex’s chapter on The Conjuring and The Conjuring 2.

Screenwriters Chad and Carey Hayes, interviewed by The Christian Broadcasting Network.

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Episode 132. Mother May I?: Suspiria (2018) with Stacie Ponder

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 19:48:45 +0000

For this very special back-to-school episode, Andrea and Alex are joined by the one and only Stacie Ponder to dig into the depths of Luca Guadagnino’s remake of Dario Argento’s classic. From the dance of politics to the dance of sexuality, there’s more under the floorboards of the Markos Dance Academy than meets the eye.

For more Stacie, check out her blog Final Girl, her column Devil’s in the Details in Rue Morgue, and her Twin Peaks recap podcast series with Mike Muncer, The Detective and the Log Lady.

Check out our Class of 2024 merch! Artwork by the incredible Candice Purwin.

REQUIRED READING

Suspiria. Dir. Luca Guadagnino, 2018.

EXTRA CREDIT

40 Years of German Autumn. An overview of the left-wing terrorist attacks that rocked the nation.

Gaylords of Darkness podcast – ep 82

Hannah Arendt’s challenge to Adolf Eichmann. The banality of evil, in context.

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Episode 131. Clever Girl: Island of Lost Souls (1932) and Jurassic Park (1993)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 15:36:42 +0000

Pack your bags and leave your conception of the social fabric that binds us behind because we’re going to two private islands in this episode! From the darkness of Dr. Moreau’s experiments to John Hammond’s capitalist enterprise, these journeys into the human desire for control rarely end well for anyone involved.

REQUIRED READING

Island of Lost Souls. Dir. Erle C. Kenton, 1932.

Jurassic Park. Dir Steven Spielberg, 1993.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Man Who Hated Moms: Looking Back on Philip Wylie’s “Generation of Vipers” – Island of Lost Souls‘ co-writer has some serious mommy issues.

Dinosaurs as a Cultural Phenomenon – Why have dinosaurs gained such a hold on the public’s imagination?

Of Fossils and Androids: (Re)Producing Sexual Identity in “Jurassic Park” and “Blade Runner” – An essay on how sexual identity anxiety is explored in sci-fi.

The Devil in Our DNA: A Brief History of Eugenics in Science Fiction Films. David A. Kirby’s deep dive into how one of the darkest chapters in modern science was utilized on the big screen.

Kathleen Burke Wins Nationwide Contest! The Road to Panther Woman in Island of Lost Souls. An overview of promotional materials for the Panther Woman contest.

Marx for Cats. The history of cats big and small as viewed through a Marxist lens.

The story of amusement parks is the story of America. A look at how the history of amusement/theme parks reflects America.

Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers. Jude Doyle’s excellent book about female power and monstrosity.

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Episode 130. Nature Calls: Eden Lake (2008) and Backcountry (2014)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 15:50:12 +0000

Pack your bags and your partner because this episode leaves the comforts of civilized society far behind. In this episode we unpack the need for serenity, the heritage of toxic masculinity, and why a bear might actually make a great boyfriend.

REQUIRED READING

Eden Lake. Dir. James Watkins, 2008.

Backcountry. Dir. Adam MacDonald, 2014.

EXTRA CREDIT

Overall Crime Down 44% Since 1995. The Guardian article that pushes back against conservative narratives.

Gangs and Children. A study on the impetus for youth to join gangs and why.

The Gated Community Mentality. Rich Benjamin’s piece on the groupthink that emerges from the gated community lifestyle.

Imagining Nature and Erasing Class and Race – Carleton Watkins, John Muir, and the Construction of Wilderness. Even nature is a socially constructed concept!

David Mech’s website – the author of incel bible The Wolf: Ecology and Behavior of an Endangered Species addresses the widespread misuse of the term “Alpha.”

From the “Cosmo Quiz” to Quizilla to Buzzfeed… what’s next?. The Smithsonian Magazine looks back at the history of quizzes.

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Episode 129. Bad Trip: Angel Heart (1987) and Jacob’s Ladder (1990)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 29 May 2024 13:13:27 +0000

Whether you’re ascending or descending, spiritual journeys through the afterlife are never easy. In this episode, Andrea and Alex tackle two films that share some overlapping tendencies but deviate in unexpected ways.

REQUIRED READING

Angel Heart. Dir. Alan Parker, 1987.

Jacob’s Ladder. Dir Adrian Lyne, 1990.

EXTRA CREDIT

Satanic Feminism: Per Faxneld’s book about the evolution of Lucifer as liberator.

The Book of Lilith. An investigation into the persecution and villainization of Adam’s first wife.

Temptresses. An overview of some of the most iconic evil women and why they are feared.

Falling Angel by William Hjortsberg – borrow it for free!

The Milgram Obedience Experiment.

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Episode 128. The Feral Feminine: Cat People (1942)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 16:43:35 +0000

Coming to you live from Salem Horror Fest, Andrea and Alex prowl the darkest corners of RKO’s cult classic Cat People. From the themes of immigration and assimilation to the parallels of sex and power, we uncover how Jacques Tourneur and Val Lewton’s dark vision of 1940s America remains a prescient warning.

REQUIRED READING

Cat People. Dir. Jacques Tourneur, 1942.

EXTRA CREDIT

What history tells us about assimilation of immigrants. The paper published by Stanford University that explains the trends that followed immigration booms in the US in the first half of the 20th century.

On Female Rage: Does the Wallpaper Look Yellow to Anyone Else? The Harvard Crimson’s examination of a new age of feminine anger that is forever grappling with the past.

When God Was a Woman . Merlin Stone’s 1976 exploration of pre-Christian religions where women led.

The uproar over the New Yorker short story “Cat Person,” explained. Male hysteria at women writing fiction about their feelings.

Gore-Geous: Personal Essays on Beauty and Horror. Alex’s new book includes more thoughts on Cat People.

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Episode 127. In Plain Sight: Manhunter (1986)

asubissati@gmail.com — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 16:27:14 +0000

In this episode, Andrea and Alex investigate how multiple characters are perceived and perceive Michael Mann’s entry into the Hannibal Lec(k)tor cinematic universe. From cops to killers and the humanity in between, these cuts go deep.

REQUIRED READING

Manhunter. Dir. Michael Mann, 1986.

EXTRA CREDIT

How Thomas Harris defined a genre and created fiction’s most likeable villain. An overview of the Hannibal Lecter saga and what made it unique.

The Tabloid that Launched America’s Obsession with True Crime. Joe Pompeo’s look back at the lasting impact of the Daily News.

Eating Blake, or an Essay on Taste: The Case of Thomas Harris’s “Red Dragon”. An examination of the use of high art in a mass market paperback.

Hollywood, Home Movies, and Common Sense: Amateur Film as Aesthetic Dissemination and Social Control, 1950-1962. How technology shaped suburban America’s leisure time.

How 70 years of cop shows taught us to valorize the police by Constance Grady. A history of depictions of law enforcement, from bumbling buffoons to modern day menace.

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See you at SALEM HORROR FEST 2024!

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 16:45:07 +0000

We’re packing our bags to hop onto our broomsticks for our annual trip to SALEM HORROR FEST 2024 – and you’re invited!
Listen in for important info, dates, and highlights!

Buy your tickets here!

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Episode 126. Bad Habits: The Devils (1971)

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 16:58:34 +0000

From the depths of Warner Bros archives, Ken Russell’s infamous film The Devils has been resurrected (ish) once more! Andrea and Alex take this opportunity to dive into the politics, contractions, and naughtiness present within one of the most controversial cult films ever made.

REQUIRED READING

The Devils. Dir. Ken Russell, 1971.

EXTRA CREDIT

Ars Erotica. Excerpt from Mario Vargas Llosa book on the influence of spectacle on the West.

Society of the Spectacle. Guy Debord’s treatise on performance and coercion.

Sex Education in the 1970s. A rundown of the controversial sex education film Growing Up.

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Episode 125. Fack XI: 2023 Year in Review

asubissati@gmail.com — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 18:07:30 +0000

It’s time to look back before we scream forward! Join Andrea and Alex for horror and non-horror faves and a game that will decide their fate for 2024.

Alex’s Horror/Horror Adjacent Faves

1. Red Rooms (dir. Pascal Plante)

2. Godzilla Minus One (dir. Takashi Yamazaki)

3. Talk to Me (dir. Danny and Michael Phillippou)

4. The Curse (TV, created by Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie)

5. Poor Things (dir. Yorgos Lanthimos)

6. Fall of the House of Usher (TV, created by Mike Flanagan)

7. Beau is Afraid (dir. Ari Aster)

Andrea’s Horror/Horror Adjacent Faves

1. Talk to Me (dir. Danny and Michael Phillippou)
2. Poor Things (dir. Yorgos Lanthimos)
3. Huesera: The Bone Woman (dir. Michelle Garza Cervera)
4. Godzilla Minus One (dir. Takashi Yamazaki)
5. The Blackening (dir. Tim Story)
6. The Last of Us (TV, created by Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin)
7. Red Rooms (dir. Pascal Plante)
8. Fall of the House of Usher (TV, created by Mike Flanagan)

Alex’s Non-Horror Faves

Stories I Might Regret Telling You by Martha Wainwright

Monster: A Fan’s Dilemma by Claire Dederer

The Cure live in June

May/December (dir. Todd Haynes)

Past Lives (dir. Celine Song)

Andrea’s Non-Horror Faves

Inscryption (PC)

Slay the Spire (PC)

Vanderpump Rules (TV)

Tetris (dir. Jon S. Baird)

If Books Could Kill podcast

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Episode 124. Death in Venice: Don’t Look Now (1973)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 19:19:40 +0000

Andrea and Alex delve into the murky depths of Nicolas Roeg’s classic to uncover the film’s themes of mysticism, misogyny and the ethics of mourning.

Class of 2023 merch

Artwork by @thelastjohnyontheleft

REQUIRED READING

Don’t Look Now. Dir. Nicolas Roeg, 1973.

EXTRA CREDIT

Daphne du Maurier’s short story.

The Year of Magical Thinking. Joan Didion’s memoir of the year following her husband’s death.

Mysticism as a Female Path. Mary Sharratt’s look and the intertwining history of mysticism and women.

Take Some Pills for Your Hysteria, Lady. A history of men putting women on pills.

Devil’s Advocates: Don’t Look Now by Jessica Gildersleeve – accessible thru JStor via your local library perhaps?

The Social Regulation of Grief by Martha R. Fowlkes. Some emotional attachments are socially undervalued.

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Episode 123. Love Bites: The Hunger (1983) and Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 20:34:18 +0000

In this episode Andrea and Alex delve into some truly long-term relationships and their lasting implications. From ageless vampires to hipster gentrification, sometimes loving someone “forever and ever” isn’t as fun as it seems.

Class of 2023 merch

Artwork by @thelastjohnyontheleft

REQUIRED READING

The Hunger. Dir. Tony Scott, 1983.

Only Lovers Left Alive. Dir. Jim Jarmusch, 2013.

EXTRA CREDIT

Not All Fangs are Phallic. James Craig Holte’s investigation of the female vampire film.

Why hipsters could be seen as modern-day colonisers. The article by Melissa Tandiwe Myambo on the political and cultural effects of gentrification.

Rising costs and gentrification force locals out of Detroit’s downtown and Midtown. Detroit Metro Time’s piece on seniors being forced out of their subsidized housing due to market inflation.

Contemporary myths on boredom. An emergent field of study about when people feel out of sync with the present.

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Episode 122. Homecoming: IT Chapter 1 (2017) and IT Chapter 2 (2019)

asubissati@gmail.com — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 17:59:13 +0000

We all float down here… or we’ll lose our minds trying to make sense of Andy Muschietti’s blockbuster horror films based on Stephen King’s classic novel. In this episode, Andrea and Alex investigate the depths of Derry’s sewer system, summer holidays and sexual awakenings.

Class of 2023 merch

Artwork by @thelastjohnyontheleft

REQUIRED READING

It Chapter 1 and It Chapter 2. Dir. Andy Muschietti, 2017 and 2019.

EXTRA CREDIT

Danse Macabre. Stephen King’s treatise on horror.

Why do Students Get Summers Off? A history of getting to play hooky in the summer.

The American Small Town in the Age of the US Empire. The dream and reality of the American small town.

Return of the Repressed. Robin Wood’s iconic essay about the American horror film.

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Episode 121. Close Quarters: Single White Female (1992)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 19:03:03 +0000

What kind of person could you live with? Barbet Shroeder’s paranoid erotic thriller seeks to answer that question and more as it delves into queer fear, sexual conservatism, property rights and female intimacy.

Class of 2023 merch

Artwork by @thelastjohnyontheleft

If you’re Toronto, catch Alex’s lecture on Brexit in the modern British horror film on October 17 at the Revue Cinema – get your tickets here.

REQUIRED READING

Single White Female. Dir. Barbet Schroeder, 1992.

EXTRA CREDIT

You Must Remember This. Katrina Longworth’s in-depth look at Hollywood, including the last two seasons on the Erotic ’80s and ’90s

The Rise and Fall of the Erotic Thriller. An overview of the complicated sub-genre.

‘Single White Female’ at Thirty: The Legacy of the Women Stalkers of the 1990s – Lesbianophobia in SWF.

A Room Of One’s Own. Virginia Woolfe’s treatise on women and access to private spaces.

Revolting Doubles: Radical Narcissism and the Trope of the Lesbian Double by Olu Jenzen

Queersighted: The Gay Best Friend Criterion Collections video discussion of the problematic trope

Barbet Schroeder’s quite a character.

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Episode 120. Unseen Forces: The Invisible Man (1933 & 2020)

asubissati@gmail.com — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 19:39:24 +0000

From economic disruptors to controlling techbro exes, the unseeable has been used as a metaphor in a variety of ways. In this episode, Andrea and Alex look back at H.G. Wells’ original text, James Whale’s Universal classic and how #MeToo created a new kind of monster.

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REQUIRED READING

The Invisible Man. Dir. James Whale, 1933.

The Invisible Man. Dir. Leigh Whannell, 2020.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Invisible Man. H.G. Wells’ Victorian classic.

Simulacra and Simulation. Baudrillard continues to be worried about copies.

Evolution of Horror: Sleeping with the Enemy and Fear. Alex joins friend of the pod Mike Muncer to talk about home invasion and visibility.

The Dark Universe Cast Photo. Universal Studios’ lost cinematic universe (and the article that photoshopped out one of the key players).

“The Invisible Man” and the Invisible Hand: H. G. Wells’s Critique of Capitalism. Paul A. Cantor dissects the anti-capitalist sentiment of Wells’ story.

WomenWriteAboutComics.com – Kate Tanski dissects the male gaze in Sue Storm’s long overdue solo debut.

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Episode 119. Metamorphosis: The Fly (1958) and The Fly (1986)

asubissati@gmail.com — Sat, 24 Jun 2023 16:25:42 +0000

Dust off the telepods and put your swatters away – it’s time for our thoughts about a short story, an iconic original film, and an even better remake to mingle molecules in an all-new episode.

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REQUIRED READING

The Fly. Dir. Kurt Neumann, 1958.

The Fly. Dir. David Cronenberg, 1986.

EXTRA CREDIT

“The Fly” By George Langelann. The original short story that appeared in Playboy in 1957.

From Pathos to Tragedy: Two Versions of The Fly. Mary Ferguson Pharr’s essay about the different interpretations of the two films.

The Beetle and the Fly. David Cronenberg’s essay about aging, Kafka and his version of The Fly.

On translating Kafka’s “The Matamorphosis.” Susan Bernofsky’s afterword to her 2014 translation of Kafka’s story.

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Episode 118. Friends till the End. Child’s Play (1988)

asubissati@gmail.com — Fri, 26 May 2023 15:22:06 +0000

In this episode we look at the origins of the original “Good Guy.” From his place in the history of toys to his ties to masculinity to the anxiety around 1980s family structures, we go deep with Chucky to find out what makes him kill.

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REQUIRED READING

Child’s Play. Dir. Tom Holland, 1988.

EXTRA CREDIT

The History of Creepy Dolls. An examination of how dolls became part of our nightmares.

Technology’s Covert Socialization of Children: High-Tech Toys. How “high-tech” toys create a false sense of safety.

Hasbro’s My Buddy Doll. A history of the doll that inspired Chucky.

“Midnight Scenes and Orgies”: Public Narratives of Voodoo in New Orleans and Nineteenth-Century Discourses of White Supremacy.

The Child and Adult Trauma in American Horror of the 1980s. Freud’s uncanny child in the era of consumerism.

The Place of Play: Toys and Digital Cultures. A look at toys as “generation-shapers.”

Hasbro Brazil’s ad for Baby Alive, encouraging parents to examine their gender biases.

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Episode 117. Fear of Folk: The Blood on Satan’s Claw (1971)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 17:55:08 +0000

We’re back on our old stomping grounds of Salem Horror Fest to plow the fertile fields of themes and metaphors to unearth why the British folk horror classic, The Blood on Satan’s Claw, left us feeling so icky. From teens and occultism to PSAs and power, we dig deep.

Tickets for Alex’s Brexit lecture on Tues May 2 are available now!

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REQUIRED READING

The Blood on Satan’s Claw. Dir Piers Haggard, 1971.

EXTRA CREDIT

Folk Horror Hours Dreadful And Things Strange. Paul Scovell’s essential text for British folk horror.

Satanic Tourism: Adolescent Dabblers and Identity Work. Pseudo-Satanism as harmless teen fun!

The Seventeenth Century on Film: Patriarchy, Magistracy, and Witchcraft in British Horror Films. Here’s to King James III!

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Episode 116. Carrying On: The Quatermass Xperiment

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 14:11:25 +0000

In this episode we look at what happens when an American experiment crash lands in the British countryside. By looking at the state of England after two World Wars, a crisis of masculinity and humanity’s shaky grasp on scientific responsibility, Andrea and Alex uncover what is truly driving innovation and our need to win.

Salem Horror Fest Info

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REQUIRED READING

The Quatermass Xperiment. Dir. Val Guest, 1955.

EXTRA CREDIT

Hammer and Beyond by Peter Hutchings. An in-depth examination of the studio and its impact.

Seeing is Believing by Peter Biskind. A definitive text for American films in the 1950s.

The Imagination of Disaster. Susan Sontag’s essay about the role of science-fiction in the midst of the Cold War.

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Episode 115. House Guest: Misery (1990)

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 17:48:55 +0000

Mind the roads this time of year because we’re covering Rob Reiner’s iconic film that delves into the murky territories brought to light when your saviour is also your #1 fan. We cover romance novels, toxic fandom, addiction, and more so buckle up! And make sure you know where the Dom Pérignon is kept.

Fack’s Instagram: @facultyofhorror

Salem Horror Fest Info

The Cat Came Back lecture

Become a Patron!

REQUIRED READING

Misery. Dir. Rob Reiner, 1990.

EXTRA CREDIT

On Writing by Stephen King

Adventures in the Screen Trade by William Goldman

High and Low Culture by Abigail Williams

Your Legs Must be Singing Grand Opera by Douglas Keesley

“What’s Toxic Fandom and What Creates It?” By Rachael Lefler

“Where have all the Artist-Addicts gone?” A New York Times article about the white male writer as tortured artist trope

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Episode 114. Facks: 2022 Year in Review

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 21:18:44 +0000

We cast one last glance at a year with a lot of horror highs. Featuring our best of 2022, things we can’t live without, our top 10 horror movies of all time, and, of course, some bloopers.

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EXTRA CREDIT

Alex’s Best of 2022

1. Nope

2. Barbarian

3. Prey

4. Orphan: First Kill

5. Men

6. Slash/Back

7. Fresh

8. Scream

9. What We Do in the Shadows S4

Andrea’s Best of 2022

1. Hellbender

2. The Innocents

3. Watcher

4. Men

5. Scream

6. The Harbinger

7. WNUF 2

8. Resurrection

9. Smile

10. Mad God

What Alex Can’t Live Without:

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair

Nike Internationalists

Dark Roast Coffee

A weighted blanket

A hair straightener (the GHD model mentioned)

What Andrea Can’t Live Without:

Vaseline

Croc’s Brooklyn platform sandal

Lululemon leggings

Wireless headphones & Audible

Tiger Balm

Alex’s Greatest Horror Movies of All Time:

1. The Shining (1980)

2. Alien (1979)

3. The Exorcist (1973)

4. Get Out (2017)

5. The Stepford Wives (1975)

6. Audition (1999)

7. The Witch (2015)

8. American Psycho (2000)

9. Suspiria (2018)

10. Scream (1996)

Andrea’s Greatest Horror Movies of All Time:
1. The Shining (1980)
2. The Devils (1971)
3. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
4. The Innocents (1961)
5. Night of the Hunter (1955)
6. The Witch (2015)
7. The Wicker Man (1973)
8. Get Out (2017)
9. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
10. Spoorloos (1988)

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Episode 113. Stayin’ Alive: Black Christmas (1974) and Halloween (1978)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 19:56:34 +0000

We’re live from Toronto to celebrate our 10th anniversary! This episode revisits the films of our first-ever episode to explore whether our opinions on two horror classics have changed. We dig into the evolution of slashers and the conservative monsters that came to life during a wave of social change while we try to find the sherry.

Thank you to everyone who came out and contributed to the $2500 we were able to donate to Sistering Toronto. Learn more about the organization and their work at sistering.org.

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REQUIRED READING

Black Christmas. Dir Bob Clark, 1974.

Halloween. Dir John Carpenter, 1978.

EXTRA CREDIT

Monsters and Mad Scientists: A Cultural History of the Horror Movie. Andrew Tudor’s examination of expert characters within the genre and how their usefulness has changed.

“Recurrent Monsters: Why Freddy, Michael, and Jason Keep Coming Back.” Paul Budra’s essay from the collection Part Two: Reflections on the Sequel that examines slasher monsters and their staying power.

“A History of Co-Ed Ivy League Schools.” An overview of the co-ed movement in the most prestigious American schools.

The Gift of Fear: Gavin de Becker’s self-help book on how the power of intuition can predict interpersonal violence.

“Her Body, Himself: Gender in the Slasher film” (1987). Carol Clover’s journal article that set the foundation for her 1992 book, Men, Women and Chain Saws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film.

Dead Girls: Essays on Surviving an American Obsession. Alice Bolin’s essay collection on the true crime phenomenon of beautiful dead girls.

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Episode 112. Intruder Alert: Them (2006) & The Strangers (2008)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 15:02:34 +0000

Lock your doors and check your windows because some uninvited guests are on their way. In this episode, Andrea and Alex explore the origins and hyperbole around the home invasion sub-genre and why there may be more to fear than those trying to break in.

Become a Patron!

Class of 2022 Merch is here! Get our limited edition design with art by Laura Hokstad on whatever TeePublic can print it on.

Toronto Live Show! Come see us at The Garrison in Toronto on December 7 to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. Tickets are PWYC with all proceeds going to Sistering.

REQUIRED READING

Ils/Them. Dir. David Moreau and Xavier Palud, 2006.

The Strangers. Dir. Bryan Bertino, 2008.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Lonely Villa, dir. D.W. Griffith (1909). The first home invasion horror film?

Hoodies Strike Fear in British Cinema – Jane Graham’s piece for The Guardian on the rise of Hoodie Horror.

Simulacra and Simulation – Jean Beaudrillard’s treatise on how the real is transformed into media.

We Fear Each Other When Guns Themselves are the Real Danger – A reevaluation of what we have to fear when it comes to home invasion and why.

History of Home Invasion movies – Remember when people actually posted content on Tumblr? T.L. Bodine does.

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Episode 111. Homegrown: 28 Days Later (2002)

asubissati@gmail.com — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 15:57:22 +0000

Andrea and Alex cross the pond to revisit Danny Boyle’s post-apocalyptic film that brought the zombie genre back to (un)life. From virology to bodily autonomy to Brexit, there’s a lot to chew on.

Become a Patron!

Class of 2022 Merch is here! Get our limited edition design with art by Laura Hokstad on whatever TeePublic can print it on.

Toronto Live Show! Come see us at The Garrison in Toronto on December 7 to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. Tickets are PWYC with all proceeds going to Sistering.

REQUIRED READING

28 Days Later. Dir. Danny Boyle, 2002.

EXTRA CREDIT

Varieties of Zombieism: Approaching Comparative Political Economy through “28 Days Later” and “Wild Zero”. Derek Hall’s examination of the metaphorical allusions in relation to the economy.

Britain: Rough month or road to ruin? This episode of CBC’s daily podcast Front Burner covers the on-going strife in the UK from Brexit to now.

Fast Zombie/Slow Zombie: Food Writing, Horror Movies, and Agribusiness Apocalypse by Michael Newbury. How the food economy is reflected in the modern zombie’s increased appetite.

Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic. The CDC’s decidedly playful attempt to teach the importance of emergency preparedness through a zombie narrative.

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Episode 110. Fight or Flight: Final Destination (2000)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 18:54:44 +0000

Andrea and Alex evoke the spectre of Death in their analysis of James Wong’s turn of the century ode to vibes. From risk society to the abject, Final Destination has a plan for everyone.

Become a Patron!

Class of 2022 Merch is here! Get our limited edition design with art by Laura Hokstad on whatever TeePublic can print it on.

Toronto Live Show! Come see us at The Garrison in Toronto on December 7 to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. Tickets are PWYC with all proceeds going to Sistering.

REQUIRED READING

Final Destination. Dir. James Wong, 2000.

EXTRA CREDIT

An Experiment with Time. J.W. Dunne’s exploration of pre-cognitivism and serialism as it relates to our experience of time.

The Society of the Spectacle. Guy Debord’s Marxist analysis of how representation of events has become a unifying human experience to our detriment.

Santa Muerte. An article on the controversial Mexican saint of the disenfranchised.

Risk Society. A summary of Anthony Giddens’ fourth chapter of Modernity and Self Identity (1991).

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Episode 109. Class Act: Society (1989)

asubissati@gmail.com — Sat, 30 Jul 2022 16:01:25 +0000

The elite are literally a different breed in Brian Yuzna’s cult classic film about the perils of popularity and privilege. In this episode, Andrea and Alex dive into the mystique that surrounds the wealthy and explore why they need the rest of us to survive.

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REQUIRED READING

Society. Dir. Brian Yuzna, 1989.

EXTRA CREDIT

Generation Multiplex. Timothy Shary’s fascinating book about the language of film and its influence on teen culture.

Fran Lebowitz on Race and Racism. The iconic writer on inherited privilege.

Baby Scoop Era. The period before abortion was legalized which saw a rise in adoptions.

Orgies: A Brief History of Hanky-Panky. A look back at group sex through the centuries.

Sociology of the elite. A faddish field, but experiencing a revival now due to growing social inequality.

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Episode 108. Souped Up: Blade (1998) and Constantine (2005)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 21:21:14 +0000

Using two popular examples, Andrea and Alex look at the collision between the horror and superhero genres. From conservative leanings to taboo-breaking stories, we explore two films that deviate from the norm (and occasionally, their own source material) to embark in two very different directions.

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REQUIRED READING

Blade. Dir. Stephen Norrington, 1998.

Constantine. Dir. Francis Lawrence, 2005.

EXTRA CREDIT

How Blade created the Marvel Cinematic Universe. How Blade saved Marvel and set it up for cinematic takeover.

Super Black: American Pop Culture and Black Superheroes. Adilifu Nama’s cultural history of the Black superhero genre.

Horror Noire: Blacks in American Horror Films from the 1890s to Present. Robin R Means Coleman’s groundbreaking book examining Black characters and creators in the horror genre.

Blade and the Power of Liminal Privilege. A retrospective look at how the film’s themes endure in the BLM era.

The Black Hero: A Cultural Impossibility. Kathryn Feeney’s breakdown of the Black superhero mirage.

The Devil You Know. Ken Chen’s piece for the The New Inquiry on Hellblazer and John Constantine’s true origins.

How 9/11 Changed Cinema. A look at how a tragic event upended the politics of popular films.

Flying While Black: Two Creators on Inventing (and Reinventing) Black Superheroes. Eve L. Ewing and Evan Narcisse weigh in on the importance of representation in the superhero genre.

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Episode 107. Ultraviolence: A Clockwork Orange (1971)

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 26 May 2022 15:57:20 +0000

Time to take a break from the ol’ Ludwig Van and join us at the Korova Milkbar for a trip into the near dystopian future of A Clockwork Orange. From our Pavlovian responses, to patient care and British Literature, we’ll slooshy what Kubrick’s film has to offer.

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REQUIRED READING

A Clockwork Orange. Dir. Stanley Kubrick, 1971.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Angry Young Men Movement. An overview of the literary movement that shocked a nation in the late 1950s.

Commedia Dell’Arte: An Actor’s Handbook. An in-depth look at the Italian theatre practice and all the characters within it, including the Alex reminiscent Il Capitano.

Stanley Strangelove. The seminal pearl-clutcher by Pauline Kael for the New Yorker in 1972.

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Episode 106. Home Sweet Home: The Haunting (1963)

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 18:27:51 +0000

Time to walk the halls of the terrifying Hill House with Andrea and Alex as they explore what it means to be haunted, gender dynamics in times of duress and why it’s hard to remake a classic.

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REQUIRED READING

The Haunting. Dir. Robert Wise, 1963.

EXTRA CREDIT

Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life. Ruth Franklin’s wonderful biography that explores Jackson’s life through her work.

Rue Morgue #170 – September 2016. Featuring a cover story and roundtable interview on Shirley Jackson’s life and influence.

The Haunting and the Power of Suggestion. An article by Pam Keesey in Monsterzine #6.

Haunting Experiences: Ghosts in Contemporary Folklore. An in-depth look at why our past continues to return to us through ghosts and the supernatural.

American Nightmares: The Haunted House Formula in American Popular Fiction. Dale Bailey’s examination of how the haunted house narrative has served and subverted the American Dream.

House Mothers and Haunted Daughters: Shirley Jackson and Female Gothic by Roberta Rubenstein.

Ghostly Matters: Haunting and the Sociological Imagination by Avery Gordon.

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Episode 105. Doom Scroll: Pulse (2001) and Suicide Club (2001)

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 16:11:04 +0000

In this episode, Andrea and Alex explore two different yet eerily similar films that came out of Japan in 2001. The conversation covers where history, humanity and community end, exploring what is left in its wake and the new limitations of imagining the future.

CW: Suicide. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones: 1-800-273-8255.

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REQUIRED READING

Pulse. Dir. Kiyoshi Kurosawa, 2001.

Suicide Club. Dir. Sion Sono, 2001.

EXTRA CREDIT

Haunted by Leo Braudy. A wide ranging examination of horror and its tropes.

Apocalyptic Dead by Kirsten Moana Thompson. A deep dive into films at the turn of the 21st century and our fear of the future.

Too Lonely to Die Alone: Internet Suicide Pacts and Existential Suffering in Japan. Chikako Ozawa-de Silva looks at the troubling phenomenon in Japan in the early 2000s.

The plight of Japan’s modern hermits. Hikikomori, discussed.

What You’re Feeling Isn’t a Vibe Shift. It’s Permanent Change. Elamin Abdelmahmoud’s piece for Buzzfeed on our shifting reality.

The End of History by Francis Fukuyama. The much cited piece about humanity’s (possible) end of ideology.

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Episode 104. Dark Ages: Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) and Relic (2020)

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 16:15:23 +0000

Whether you call them Hagsploitation, Psycho-Biddy or just plain Elder Horror, growing old is a scary prospect and horror has mined those depths to great effect. Andrea and Alex dive into the murky waters of gender and aging, the burden of care and whether the cycle can be broken.

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REQUIRED READING

Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? Dir. Robert Aldrich, 1962.

Relic. Dir. Natalie Erika James, 2020.

EXTRA CREDIT

Grande Dame Guignol Cinema: a History of Hag Horror from Baby Jane to Mother, by Peter Shelley (1962).|

You Must Remember This, Episode 91. Karina Longworth’s deep-dive into the production and reception history of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?

A Framework for Understanding Old-Age Vulnerabilities. A paper that lays out the multiple challenges facing families and an aging population.

The Costly, Painful, Lonely Burden of Care. From the New York Times: a look at the cost of invisible care.

The Double Standard of Aging, by Susan Sontag. “Aging means a humiliating process of gradual sexual disqualification.”

“Must the Players Keep Young?”: Early Hollywood’s Cult of Youth by Heather Addison. The origin story of Hollywood’s obsession with youth.

“Facing the horror – becoming an old maid,” from the book A Table for One: a Critical Reading of Singlehood, Gender and Time, by Kinneret Lahad.

Bitch media: Aging as the ultimate cinematic horror by Alana Prochuk.

The Alzheimer’s Society: an informative resource – consider donating!

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Episode 103. 2021 Year in Review: From the Book of Fack

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 19:14:42 +0000

It’s that time of year where we look back at our horror and non-horror faves from the last year and have a bit of fun while we’re at it.

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EXTRA CREDIT

Alex’s Best of Horror

Dexter: New Blood
Titane
Censor
Caveat
Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched
Yellowjackets
Midnight Mass
Malignant
The Humans

Andrea’s Best of Horror

Saint Maud
Psycho Goreman
Candyman
Last Night in Soho
The Feast (Gwledd)
The Vigil
Caveat
The Sadness
Midnight Mass

Alex’s Non-Horror Faves

Wandavision
Jagged
Mare of Easttown
Succession S3
Real Housewives (Beverly Hills S11, Salt Lake City S2, Ultimate Girls Trip)
The Weakerthans
Olivia Munn Explores ASMR | W Magazine
We Hate Movies/ Maintenance Phase, Celery Juice episode
Trixie and Katya
Pig

Andrea’s Non-Horror Faves

Voyage of the Rock Aliens
A Column of Fire/World Without End by Ken Follet
Mythos by Stephen Fry
Who is Daniel Johns?
Twitch

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Episode 102. Rule Breaker: Scream (1996)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 19:18:33 +0000

Do you like scary movies? Because Wes Craven’s Scream sure does! In this episode, Andrea and Alex tackle the game-changing film, discussing its origins, impact and legacy.

Class of 2021 Merch is here! Original art by Slutfocate

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REQUIRED READING

Scream. Dir. Wes Craven, 1996.

EXTRA CREDIT

The 1990s Teen Horror Cycle: Final Girls and a New Hollywood Formula. Alex’s book on ’90s horror with a feminist gaze.

Men, Women and Chain Saws. Carol Clover’s treatise on gender in modern horror that coined the term Final Girl.

Columbine. Dave Cullen’s in-depth account of the Columbine shootings.

The Banality of Skeevil. Jude Ellison S. Doyle’s medium article on Skeet Ulrich’s particular brand of ’90s toxic masculinity.

Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers. Jude Ellison S. Doyle’s book on power and monstrosity.

Seventeen Magazine May 1999. Featuring Jewel on the cover, this issue contains the findings of Seventeen x Ladies Home Journal’s survey and the article, “No! 12 Ways to Make That Little Word Heard.”

Cine-limbo: The Millennial/New Age Virtual Afterlife Thriller by Linda Badley. Did Millennial teens grew up on a diet of death-denying media?

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Episode 101. Death Trap: Saw (2004) and Hostel (2005)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 17:16:58 +0000

Do you want listen to an episode about Torture Porn? Well, you’re in luck! Andrea and Alex dive into the 2000s to look at the phenomenon of Torture Porn; what preceded it, what it meant, and where we can potentially place it in our collective imagination.

Class of 2021 Merch is here! Original art by Slutfocate

Become a Patron!

REQUIRED READING

Saw. Dir. James Wan, 2004.

Hostel. Dir. Eli Roth, 2005.

EXTRA CREDIT

Saw 0.5. James Wan and Leigh Whannell’s short film made as a proof of concept for what would eventually become Saw.

Now Playing at Your Local Multiplex: Torture Porn. David Edelstein’s piece in New York Magazine that coined the term Torture Porn.

Sympathy for the Sequel, Saw: The Final Chapter. Alex’s series on Rue Morgue TV.

HBO’s Succession podcast. S3E2 episode where host Kara Swisher talks to organizational psychologist Adam Grant.

How Masculinity Contests Undermine Organizations, and What to Do About It. From the Harvard Business Review, a look at how toxic masculinity took over corporate culture.

Smash hit horror Hostel causes a stir among citizens of sleepy Slovakia. Roth’s interview with European press about his take on Europe and why he made Hostel.

Ghost Faces: Hollywood and Post-Millennial Masculinity. David Greven’s book which features the chapter “Torture/Porn: Hostel, Homophobia and Gay Male Internet Porn.”

Gaylords of Darkness Episode 124: Lady Police Academy. Stacie and Anthony’s fantastic episode on Roth’s Knock Knock.

Capone and Eli Roth discuss horror movies, gore, Stephen King, the phrase “Torture Porn” and much more! An interview on Hostel 2 wherein Roth reveals his insights on feminism among other things…

Torture: A Sociology of Violence and Human Rights by Lisa Hajjar. How the morality of torture has shifted since 9/11 and the war on terror.

Are horror films immoral? No, they aren’t.

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Episode 100. American Nightmare: The Crazies (1973)

asubissati@gmail.com — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 21:01:22 +0000

Live from Salem Horror Fest, our 100th episode on George A. Romero’s The Crazies sees us tackling small-town life, biology, the Vietnam War, health care and our own podcasting mortality. Plus, a very special Cameo!

Class of 2021 Merch is here! Original art by Slutfocate

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REQUIRED READING

The Crazies. Dir. George A. Romero, 1973.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Crazies. Dir. Breck Eisner, 2010.

Robin Wood on the Horror Film. A collection of Wood’s seminal essays.

Hearts and Minds. The 1974 Oscar-winning documentary about the Vietnam War.

New Pandemics, Old Politics: Two Hundred Years of War on Disease and its Alternatives. Alex De Waal’s new book on modernity’s need for narratives and biology’s refusal of them.

The Birth of Biopolitics. Foucault’s lectures that introduce his theories of biopower and biopolitics.

The American Idea: The Best of the Atlantic Monthly. A large collection of essays that reflected and shaped America.

The Washington Post: “If we want people to take the coronavirus vaccine, we need to treat them like consumers” by Jennifer Reich. Has our history with DTCAs made us treat healthcare like businesses?

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Episode 99. Be Our Guest: The Invitation (2015)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 17:47:10 +0000

The table is set, the wine is poured and the time has come to take your seat at the table as we delve into Karyn Kusama’s The Invitation. From a history of dinner parties to the dynamics of grief, we’re serving up a once in a lifetime, four-course meal of analysis.

Class of 2021 Merch is here! Original art by Slutfocate

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Salem Horror Fest 2021 – tickets and info now available!

REQUIRED READING

The Invitation. Dir. Karyn Kusama, 2015.

EXTRA CREDIT

Millennials have dinner parties, they just don’t call them that. Nisha Chittal’s analysis of the history and evolution of dinner parties.

The American Dinner Party. A detailed breakdown of what constitutes a dinner party by Amy Nash.

Rue Morgue TV: An Expert on Cults Reviews The Lodge.

What is it about California and Cults? A history and analysis of the Golden State’s relationship with cults.

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism. Amanda Montell’s book about cults and their wide-ranging influence.

One More Time with Feeling. The Nick Cave documentary that follows the singer as he completes the album Skeleton Tree after the death of his son.

The White Album. Joan Didon’s iconic essay and essay collection about the West coast and the end of the ’60s.

The Epidemic of Despair: Will America’s Mortality Crisis Spread to the Rest of the World (2020) by economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton. Some findings from their book, Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism.

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Bonus content – Candyman (1992) Commentary

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 20:37:33 +0000

Sweets for the sweet! We’re still on our annual August hiatus but we accidentally said “Candyman” five times and resurrected a commentary we recorded for our Patreon back in 2019. Whoops!

Listen in to whet your appetite for Nia DaCosta’s reimagining this weekend!

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Episode 98. House Warning: The Amityville Horror (1979) and Poltergeist (1982)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 16:54:27 +0000

Call your bank and pack the moving truck because we’re uprooting everything we think we know about home ownership. From the Lutz’ mortgage with Devil to the skeletons in the Freelings’ closet (and backyard), Andrea and Alex unearth what lies beyond and beneath the white picket fences of American suburbia.

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Salem Horror Fest 2021 – tickets and info now available!

REQUIRED READING

The Amityville Horror. Dir. Stuart Rosenberg, 1979.

Poltergeist. Dir. Tobe Hooper, 1982.

EXTRA CREDIT

Gaylords of Darkness Amityville 4 episode. The incomparable Stacie and Anthony tackle one of the strangest movies ever made. A must-listen!

Stephen King’s Danse Macabre. King’s non-fiction treatise on all things horror.

Romance and Real Estate, Walter Benn Michaels. Michael’s chapter on the emotional ties to owned property.

Owning Up: Privacy, Property, and Belonging in U.S. Women’s Life Writing, 1840-1890. Katherine Adam’s book about the rise of individuality, property and women’s relationship to owning a home.

In the Nation, Why Owning a Home is Still the American Dream. A history of status, taxes and the uses of home ownership.

Digging Up the Indian Burial Ground Trope. Shea Vassar’s breakdown and history of the trope which includes Terri Jean’s 5 reasons for the trope’s enduring popularity.

The Terrifying True Story that inspired Poltergeist. A look at Amityville‘s neighbours that inspired Poltergeist.

Reaganomics killed America’s middle class. An examination of Reagan’s economic policies and their lasting effects.

Half-True Crime: Why the Stranger-Danger Panic of the ’80s Took Hold and Refuses to Let Go. A deep-dive into the 1980s moral panic and its after-effects.

Cursed Films: “Poltergeist”: The Shudder series by Jay Cheel tackles the many urban legends surrounding the Poltergeist franchise.

“Haunted Real Estate: The Occlusion of Colonial Dispossession and Signatures of Cultural Survival in U.S. Horror Fiction” by Gesa Mackenthun. TIL the word “occusion!”

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Episode 97. No Future: Jack the Ripper in The Lodger (1927) and From Hell (2001)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 18:32:31 +0000

The fog of Victorian London settles on Alex and Andrea as they dive into “Ripperology”: the facts, fiction and shadow cast by Jack the Ripper over our culture. By examining how the figure is depicted in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Lodger and The Hughes Brothers’ From Hell, we can begin to untangle the history of more than one problematic man involved in creating their own mythology.

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REQUIRED READING

The Lodger: A Story of London Fog. Dir. Alfred Hitchcock, 1927.

From Hell. Dir. The Hughes Brothers, 2001.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Lodger. Marie Belloc Lowndes’ novella.

From Hell. Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell’s iconic graphic novel.

London: A Biography. Peter Ackroyd’s seminal book on a sprawling city with an even bigger history.

The “Lodger Evil” and the Transformation of Progressive Housing Reform, 1890–1930. An in-depth look at the lodging house boom of the turn of the century.

Rule, Britannia!: The Biopic and British National Identity. An examination of how popular British figures have shaped the country’s film output.

“Murder for a Penny: Jack the Ripper and the Structural Impact of Sensational Reporting” by A. Luxx Mishou – the history of sensational reporting and its role in Jack’s reign of terror.

“Jack the Ripper, the dialectic of enlightenment and the search for spiritual deliverance in White Chappell” by Alex Murray – how Jack contributed to Horkheimer and Adorno’s dialectic of enlightenment.

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Episode 96. Missing Links: Trollhunter (2010) and Willow Creek (2013)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 25 May 2021 13:58:18 +0000

If you go down in the woods today
You’re sure of a big surprise

Andrea and Alex leave the comforts of modernity and go back to nature to discover what humanity has left behind through our obsessions with cryptids and conspiracy theories. From our fascination with humanity’s evolution to our need to colonize, we have a lot of explaining to do.

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REQUIRED READING

Trollhunter. Dir. André Øvredal, 2010.

Willow Creek. Dir. Bobcat Goldthwait, 2013.

EXTRA CREDIT

Grizzly Man. Dir Werner Herzog, 2005.

The Unidentified: Mythical Monsters, Alien Encounters and Our Obsession with the Unexplained. Colin Dickey’s in-depth examination of the myths that keep us up at night.

CBC Ideas Podcast: Conspiracy Theories. A fascinating look at the rise of fringe theories invading the mainstream.

“Survivorman Bigfoot” takes on the provincial government of British Columbia.

“Cryptozoology in the Medieval and Modern Worlds” by Peter Dendle. Bigfoot myths not only bridge the gap between humanity and beasts but science and faith.

ERRATA: Andrea referred to American primatologist Dian Fossey as having been murdered by the gorillas she was studying – she was actually murdered via machete, a crime which remains unsolved.

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Episode 95. Faith and Chance: Possession (1981)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 00:46:19 +0000

In this episode, we delve into the murky waters of intimate relationships, nuclear families, and revolutionary theatre practices with Andrej Zulawski’s Possession. From the film’s almost instant cult-status to its rocky release, we look at what has made Possession one of the great filmic break-ups and breakthroughs of the late 20th century.

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REQUIRED READING

Possession. Dir Andrej Zulawski, 1981.

EXTRA CREDIT

House of Psychotic Women. Kier-La Janisse’s examination from horror from her perspective. A ground-breaking and personal look at the genre.

Once Upon a Text: Hysteria from Hippocrates. Helen King’s chapter on the patriarchal uses of the term “hysteria.”

Five of the best… Sarah Kane Plays. The National Theatre’s overview of Kane’s writing with links, if you’d like to learn more about her.

Possession: A Marriage of the Natural and Supernatural. David West’s look at the film and Anna’s cryptic monologue.

The Coronavirus Crisis Shows It’s Time to Abolish the Family – an article on why emancipation from capitalism might mean the abolition of one of our most sacred institutions.

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Fack Flash! Mortal Kombat (2021) – PREVIEW

asubissati@gmail.com — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 16:00:33 +0000

CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY! Andrea and Alex got unreasonably excited about the new Mortal Kombat movie, so we recorded our pre-and post-movie impressions in an all-new Fack Flash.

The full episode is available to all tiers of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to the full episode, plus even more perks and extras.

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Episode 94. Bad Romance: Twilight (2008)

asubissati@gmail.com — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 18:40:34 +0000

Get out the glitter and baseball bats because we’re diving into the complex world of Twilight. From fandom to first love to coming of age and problematic depictions, we’re going deep with this one. Hold on tight, spider monkey!

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REQUIRED READING

Twilight. Dir. Catherine Hardwicke, 2008.

EXTRA CREDIT

How Twilight Changed Fan Culture Forever. A look at Twilight‘s intersection of fandom and the rise of social media.

“I Can’t Believe We Read This Whole Book!” How Reading for Their Own Purposes Affected Struggling Teens. Examining the power of reading from a teaching perspective.

Mormon Vampires in the Garden of Eden. How Stephanie Meyer’s Mormonism presents in her text.

Reviving Ophelia. An iconic text that looks at the intersection of teenage girls and media.

The Twilight Saga’s Issue with Indigenous Culture. A breakdown of how the Twilight Saga‘s representation of Indigeneity is problematic.

Catherine Hardwicke Broke Records With ‘Twilight.’ Then Hollywood Labeled Her ‘Difficult.’ Hardwicke’s 2018 interview that details her struggles with getting the film made and her fight for a more diverse cast.

Twilight’s Heteronormative Reversal of the Monstrous: Utopia and the Gothic Design. Is Twilight an inversion of the Gothic?

Teams, Tears, and Testimonials. A cultural analysis of the fan-populated Twilight Time Capsule.

Twilight: the franchise that ate feminism. An overview of the popular criticisms leveled at the series.

Twilight reviewed by Mark Kermode. The veteran film critic goes to bat for Twilight.

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Episode 93. Candid Camera: Perfect Blue (1997) and Cam (2018)

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 17:43:23 +0000

From pop idols to cam girls, the line between reality and perception is dangerously blurred. In this episode, Andrea and Alex delve into the world of personas, obsession and perfection with two films, released decades apart, that grapple with modern anxieties.

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REQUIRED READING

Perfect Blue. Dir. Satoshi Kon, 1997.

Cam. Dir. Daniel Goldhaber, 2018.

EXTRA CREDIT

Ways of Seeing. John Berger’s BBC series on gaze and perception.

Why We’re Obsessed with Celebrities. Psychology Today‘s take our desire for fame equating goodness.

Camgirl. Isa Mazzei’s memoir of camming.

Algorithms have already taken over human decision making. The impact of algorithms on our day-to-day lives.

#Horror – Is It Worth the Fight? A discussion of censorship and the hashtag #horror.

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Fack Flash! Best Couples in Horror – PREVIEW

asubissati@gmail.com — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 16:16:17 +0000

Roses are red,
Violets are blue
The best couples in horror!
From us, to you <3

The full episode is available to all tiers of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to the full episode, plus even more perks and extras.

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Episode 92. 2020 Year In Review: Dawn of the Fack

asubissati@gmail.com — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 23:37:35 +0000

A year in review of a year like no other. The world may have been disrupted in a myriad of ways but we still watched a lot of great content so enjoy our favourite films of last year, a Q&A with questions from you, a very special crossover with Gaylords of Darkness and bloopers. Always bloopers.

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EXTRA CREDIT

Alex’s picks:

Movies

9. The Invisible Man

8. Vivarium

7. Possessor

6. Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist

5. Host

4. Swallow

3. She Dies Tomorrow

2. La Llorona

1. His House

Books

Ghostland by Colin Dickey

Art of the Occult by S. Elizabeth

The Witches are Coming by Lindy West

Shit, Actually by Lindy West

The Home by Mats Strandberg

Andrea’s picks:

5. The Invisible Man

4. The Hunt

3. His House

2. Possessor

1. La Llorona

Books

A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay
Circe by Madeline Miller
Devolution by Max Brooks
The Witches are Coming by Lindy West

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Episode 91. Reality Bites: Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 02:21:14 +0000

In our final episode of 2020, Andrea and Alex venture back in time to Franco’s Spain to face down nightmares, bravery and politics – both real and imagined – as they break down Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth.

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REQUIRED READING

Pan’s Labyrinth. Dir. Guillermo del Toro, 2006.

EXTRA CREDIT

Stuff You Missed in History Class: A look at Franco’s rise to power and his destructive decades long grip on Spain.

Spain Tackles Franco’s Ghost (again): Politico’s analysis of how Spain continues to deal with Franco’s lasting impact.

Insights into Self-Deception: The New York Times piece invoking the “Vital Lie.”

Speaking the Truth with Folk and Fairy Tales: Jack Zipes’ essay about the ongoing power of the stories we tell.

“With a smile and a song …”: Walt Disney and the Birth of the American Fairy Tale. What Mickey Mouse, fairy tales and the American Dream have in common.

Vice International: Inside Spain’s Fascism Fandom.

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Episode 90. Dream Within a Dream: Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 02:56:47 +0000

In this episode, Alex and Andrea we venture into the knowns and many unknowns of Peter Weir’s seminal Australian film. From missing white women to colonialism and purity and propriety, we tackle the many mysteries of Hanging Rock.

Class of 2020 Merch is now available!

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REQUIRED READING

Picnic at Hanging Rock. Dir. Peter Weir, 1975.

EXTRA CREDIT

Gaylords of Darkness’ Episode 71: Their fantastic episode on Picnic at Hanging Rock.

The Secret of Hanging Rock: A PDF of the excised final chapter and accompanying essays.

Miranda Must Go: A campaign to overhaul the tourism surrounding Hanging Rock.

The Uses of Fear: Spatial Politics in the Australian Whiter-vanishing Trope: Elspeth Tilley’s article examining Australian fascination with missing white women.

The Apology and the Battle over Australia’s Founding Myth – Lindy Edward’s piece on reparations in Australia.

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Fack Flash! The Craft: Legacy – PREVIEW

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 18:34:17 +0000

The much-anticipated (if less embraced) The Craft: Legacy is out and we had… feelings… accompanied by a strange and sudden desire for an adult beverage. Blessed be?

The full episode is available to all tiers of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to the complete one-hour episode, plus even more perks and extras.

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Episode 89. Die Partisan: The Dead Zone (1983)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 02:58:14 +0000

SURPRISE! We’re back with a bonus episode to help you get through Election Day and the ensuing aftermath by talking about David Cronenberg’s The Dead Zone. In this episode, we delve into notions of fate, time travel paradoxes, cults of personality, the responsibility of the individual, and the importance of a good wool coat.

Class of 2020 Merch is now available!

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REQUIRED READING

The Dead Zone. Dir. David Cronenberg, 1983.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Witches Are Coming. Lindy West’s essay collection written in response to the rise of Trump.

David Cronenberg, Debra Hill and Martin Sheen interviews. Interviews from the release of the film complete with great fashion and chain smoking.

The Philosophical Problem of Killing Baby Hitler, Explained. Vox’s explanation of the grandfather/Hitler paradox.

A Cult of Personality Can Derail Democracy. Why it’s important to recognize the danger of the track we’re on.

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Episode 88. Cult Classic: The Howling (1981)

asubissati@gmail.com — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 04:57:37 +0000

We’re *virtually* live from Salem Horror Fest this year and we’re talking about sexy werewolves and not-so-sexy wellness with Joe Dante’s The Howling. From cultish retreats to women in media, Alex and Andrea go to the darkest reaches of the p0rn theatre…

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REQUIRED READING

The Howling. Dir. Joe Dante, 1981.

EXTRA CREDIT

Feminist Critique of Freud. A summary of how Freud is less than friendly to women. It the privilege we envy, not the penis!

The Human Potential Movement Gone Awry. A look at how one wellness movement became co-opted.

Self Help Inc. Micki McGee’s book about how self-help became a cultural movement.

Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers. Sady Doyle’s book on the construct of woman as monster.

Haunted. Leo Braudy’s book on supernatural elements in the natural world told from an accessibly academic standpoint.

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Episode 87. Mother Monster: Pyewacket (2017) and Hereditary (2018)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 02:29:35 +0000

CW: Suicide. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones: 1-800-273-8255.

We’re kicking off a new semester by tackling two incredibly dark films that ask the question: have you checked on your mom lately? Alex and Andrea investigate the deepest depths of grief, despair and what we stand to lose (and gain) when we forsake our family for community.

Salem Horror Fest tickets! Get ’em here!

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REQUIRED READING

Pyewacket. Dir. Adam MacDonald, 2017.

Hereditary. Dir. Ari Aster, 2018.

EXTRA CREDIT

Fack exclusive: Pyewacket filmmaker audio Commentary! Adam MacDonald’s enlightening commentary for his film.

Canadians Talking Shit. Adam MacDonald’s podcast – we recommend!

“This be the verse.” Larkin’s poem from Alex’s inaugural poetry corner.

The Book of Spells by Nicole de Pulford. Alex’s foray into teen witchcraft. Disclaimer! We assume no responsibility for those sealed pages!

“Mass Media and Religious Identity: A Case Study of Young Witches.” For all us elder millennials who called the corners in the park.

Generation Multiplex: The Image of Youth in Contemporary American Cinema. Timothy Shary’s examination of teens on screen.

Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers. Maybe the most oft-quoted book of this podcast? Sady Doyle’s book on the construct of woman as monster.

“Silencing the Dead: The Decline of Spiritualism.” A piece from The Atlantic on the history of spiritualism and its fall from fashion.

“Trans Horror Stories and Society’s Fear of the Transmasculine Body.” A trans reading of Hereditary.

“The Truth About the Five Stages of Grief.” Everything we learned in psych 101 was BS! See why Kubler-Ross’ popular grief model should be put down in this great video from Sci Show.

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BONUS CONTENT! Commentary: I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006)

asubissati@gmail.com — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 16:04:27 +0000

The summer bonus trilogy concludes! Join Alex as she mines the occasional depths, miscalculations and style choices of Sylvain White’s I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer, examining whether the 1990s Teen Horror Cycle can exist in a new millennium.

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Episode 86: Summer of Plague Pt 3. Nature Is Healing: Mimic (1997) and The Girl with All the Gifts (2016)

asubissati@gmail.com — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 02:09:20 +0000

Our Summer of Plague wraps up with a look at potential cures and a post-human reality. Between Guillermo del Toro’s Frankensteinian bugs and a post-apocalyptic UK, the end of the world may be closer (and more necessary) than we think.

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REQUIRED READING

Mimic. Dir. Guillermo del Toro, 1997.

The Girl with All the Gifts. Dir. Colm McCarthy, 2016.

EXTRA CREDIT

Down and Dirty Pictures. Peter Biskind’s examination of the rise of Miramax and Dimension Films.

Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities. An in-depth look at the notebooks and films of del Toro.

At Home With Monsters. A look at del Toro’s touring exhibit!

“Mimic”. The short story, by David A. Wollheim

Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection. Julia Kristeva’s treatise on the purpose of abject horror.

Queer Revolution, Zombie Uprisings, and the problem with M. R. Carey’s The Boy on the Bridge: an article examining the prequel to The Girl with All the Gifts.

The Voluntary Human Extinction Movement: “May we live long and die out”

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BONUS CONTENT! Commentary: I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)

asubissati@gmail.com — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 20:02:16 +0000

Alex is back with Julie and Ray to continue their summer pastime of making terrible terrible decisions! This time with Brandy, Jack Black and some dubious geography trivia.

Get your rain slicker, your tanning bed and some popcorn and join the fun!

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Episode 85: Summer of Plague Pt 2. Shut In: 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 15:18:14 +0000

Time to hunker in your bunker! In this episode, Andrea and Alex tackle the issues surrounding Nice Guys, privilege, and the conservative ideology around preservation during times of upheaval.

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REQUIRED READING

10 Cloverfield Lane. Dir Dan Trachtenberg, 2016.

EXTRA CREDIT

r/niceguys. These “nice guys” aren’t nice.

Awards for Good Boys. Add some “nice guy” satire to your Instagram feed with art by Mia Mingus.

The BATCAVE. Andrea’s YouTube episode on 10 Cloverfield Lane.

Cloverfield Clues: A whole YouTube channel devoted to Cloverfield marketing easter eggs online.

J.J. Abrams – The Mystery Box. Abrams’ Ted Talk on the central conceit to his creations.

Theatre and the Plague. Antonin Artaud’s treaty The Theatre and Its Double, which contain his plague theory.

Hollywood 9/11. Tom Pollard’s book on 9/11’s impact on the film industry.

Gaylords of Darkness, Episode 82. An amazing interview with Luca Guadagnino and David Kajganich the director and writer of Suspiria (2018).

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BONUS CONTENT! Commentary: I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 21:06:58 +0000

Join Alex for a commentary on the teen slasher classic, I Know What You Did Last Summer. Featuring a discussion of wigs, classism, star power and how an urban legend threatened to bring down a cynical generation, this commentary makes the case for July 4 becoming the Fisherman’s Holiday.

Cue up the film, get some popcorn and settle in for 100 minutes of teens making terrible choices.

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BONUS CONTENT! Glossary of Gore: Cultural Hegemony

asubissati@gmail.com — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 23:57:24 +0000

Our Glossary of Gore series is normally for Patreon members, but… it’s been a week.

Here’s Andrea on cultural hegemony.

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Fack Flash: Quarantine Viewing, part 1

asubissati@gmail.com — Fri, 22 May 2020 21:30:56 +0000

We’ve had a lot of people asking what we’ve been watching lately so here’s a run of the new releases that have been on our radar.

The second portion of this episode is available to all tiers of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to the rest of our lockdown activities, plus even more perks and extras. Become a Patron!

Movies discussed:

The Hunt
Vivarium
The Invisible Man
Sea Fever
Sputnik
Underwater
I See You
Antlers
Blood Quantum
Relic
Dreamland
The Rental
Swallow

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Episode 84. Summer of Plague pt 1 – Contamination: [•REC] (2007) and [•REC]²(2009)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 20 May 2020 02:02:31 +0000

What starts as a routine stop for a firefighters and a puff piece for some TV journalists descends into one of the most chilling and prescient film franchises in contemporary horror. To kick off the Summer of Plague series, Andrea and Alex delve into the nooks and crannies of Spanish history and a Barcelona apartment complex to read between the frames.

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REQUIRED READING

Rec. Dir Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza, 2007.
Rec 2. Dir Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza, 2009.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Power of Art, Picasso. Simon Schama’s episode about Picasso and the events that led to the painting of Guernica.

Timeout. Interview with Jaume Balagueró.

European Nightmares: Horror Cinema in Europe Since 1945. A look at the collective and individual European horror cinemas.

What is a Parergon? A look at the framing concept.

The 22 Key Turning Points In The History Of YouTube – a history of the megasite and its impact on popular culture.

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Episode 83. Follow the Bouncing Ball: The Changeling (1980)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 01:38:25 +0000

By reminding us of the past, ghosts can shape our future, revealing hidden truths, histories and uncertainties that we’re often too scared to acknowledge. Grief and terror become inextricably intertwined in Peter Medak’s The Changeling, and Andrea and Alex untangle the metaphors, traumas and unspoken realities that have made this film a Canadian horror classic.

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REQUIRED READING

The Changeling. Dir Peter Medak, 1980.

EXTRA CREDIT

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The Uncanny Child in Transnational Cinema: Ghosts of Futurity at the Turn of the Twenty-first Century. An exploration of the children in ’80s cinema and how they speak to the dead.

The Social Shaping of Emotion: The Case of Grief by Lyn H. Lofland. Is grief a social emotion?

Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space. Amanda Leduc’s analysis of narrative and disability.

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Episode 82. Vorsicht! The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) and Nosferatu (1922)

asubissati@gmail.com — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 15:39:44 +0000

Skipping the pond and travelling back to the roaring ’20s (the last ones, that is), Andrea and Alex take a tour of interwar Germany via two of the country’s most celebrated cinematic marvels. From the Weimar Republic to the Frankfurt school, from German expressionism to antisemitism, the past presents us with creativity unfettered (and warnings unheeded.)

The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter!

REQUIRED READING

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Dir Robert Weine, 1920.

Nosferatu. Dir F.W. Murnau, 1922.

EXTRA CREDIT

Become a Patron!

Rights in Nosferatu – A detailed history of Nosferatu vs. the Stoker estate via Nerdly Pleasures.

The Haunted Screen Expressionism in the German Cinema and the Influence of Max Reinhardt – Lotte H Eisner’s examination of Germany’s national cinema and the influence of theatre.

We’re heading back to Salem! Programming for Women With Guts is in flux at the moment but be sure to follow the official pages for news and reschedulings.

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Episode 81. You Bring Me Closer to God: Se7en (1995)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 00:54:50 +0000

From the Gothic urban landscape, to narrative switch-a-roos, to entitled male rage, David Fincher’s Se7en is much more than a morality-wielding killer with a penchant for… unboxings. In this episode, Andrea and Alex delve into the movie’s complicated moral codes, the history of detective fiction and the dangers of having a God-complex.

The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter!

REQUIRED READING

Se7en. Dir David Fincher, 1995.

EXTRA CREDIT

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Places of Horror: Fincher’s “Seven” and Fear of the City in Recent Hollywood Film – An academic look at the fear of urbanization in Se7en.

The Problem of Saw: “Torture Porn” and the Conservatism of Contemporary Horror Films – A look at ring-wing moral vigilantes in the genre.

Se7en Title Sequence – An in-depth look at the film’s title sequence featuring an interview with Kyle Cooper.

American Horror Story: 7 Seasons of Title Design – Alex’s piece on the title sequences of American Horror Story and an interview with Kyle Cooper.

We’re heading back to Salem! Check out more info on the Women with Guts weekend and Salem Horror Fest in October

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Fack Flash: Our Furry Familiars – PREVIEW

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 19:51:29 +0000

It’s a Fack Flash episode about our pets! Join Alex, Andrea and a feisty Pomeranian for a chat about furbabies, familiars and the auditory terrors of canine indigestion.

The full episode is available to all tiers of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to the complete one-hour episode, plus even more perks and extras.

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Episode 80: Return of the Fack!

asubissati@gmail.com — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 03:53:40 +0000

It’s that time again…

Best of 2019!

Best of the Decade!

Bloopers!

Banter!

Bats!

The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter!

EXTRA CREDIT

Become a Patron!

Here’s that Johannes Nyholm clip with the “drunken baby” from his film, Las Palmas.

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Decade in Review: Horror Headlines (PREVIEW)

asubissati@gmail.com — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 17:07:36 +0000

In our first Fack Flash of 2020, Alex and Andrea look back at horror’s biggest happenings and headlines of the past decade, including #metoo, Women in Horror Month, the return of Stephen King, and much more!
Become a Patron for access to the full episode!

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Episode 79. Conception of Violence: Inside (2007)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 18:04:38 +0000

Locking your windows and doors won’t do much good when Béatrice Dalle is at your door. This month we tackle the grotesque Holiday classic Inside (À l’Intérieur) and examine themes of conception, religion, and motherhood alongside the French politics of the time.

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The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter!

REQUIRED READING

Inside (À l’intérieur). Dir. Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury, 2007.

EXTRA CREDIT

Films of the New French Extremity. Alex’s book on the cycle of modern French horror.

Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers. Sady Doyle’s book on female power through the lens of history, mythology, true crime and horror.

Timeline: French riots. BBC’s overview of the events before and during the 2005 Paris riots.

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Commentary – Candyman (PREVIEW)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 22:08:47 +0000

Pass the popcorn! Patrons in our Professor Emeritus tier can watch Bernard Rose’s Candyman with Alex and Andrea via a full-length commentary track. Here’s a taste!

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Episode 78. Blood Ties: Interview with the Vampire (1994) and Queen of the Damned (2002)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 05:39:20 +0000

Sharpen your teeth (and your wits) because this month, we’re devouring the world of Anne Rice and her cinematic vampires. Discussing their emergence from Gothic literary fever dream to hyper-stylized incarnations on the big screen, Andrea and Alex prove that there’s still life in them yet.

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The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter!

REQUIRED READING

Interview with the Vampire. Dir Neil Jordan, 1994.

Queen of the Damned. Dir. Michael Rymer, 2002.

EXTRA CREDIT

Anne Rice and Queering of Culture. A discussing of Anne Rice’s ability to subvert cultural norms.

The Poet, the Physician and the Birth of the Modern Vampire. How the modern vampire was constructed from a toxic relationship.

The Rise of Nu Metal. An in-depth history of nu-metal’s influences, popularity and decline.

Why We Seek the High of Fame. Psychology Today’s analysis of the desire for notoriety.

The Timeless Myth of Medusa, a Rape Victim Turned Into a Monster. A look at the construction of a female monster.

Encyclopedia Gothica by Liisa Ladouceur. Goth subculture, A – Z.

My Vampire Boyfriend: Postfeminism, “Perfect” Masculinity, and the Contemporary Appeal of Paranormal Romance. A look at the romantic appeal of vampires among young women.

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Glossary of Gore – Episode 1 (PREVIEW)

asubissati@gmail.com — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 15:14:02 +0000

In our first-ever Glossary of Gore episode, Alex tackles Laura Mulvey’s theory of the male gaze; analyzing Mulvey’s essay Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema and discussing how it’s been applied since it became part of cinematic vernacular.

The full episode is available only to the post-graduate tier of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to the complete one-hour episode, plus even more perks and extras.

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Episode 77. Human Nature: Under the Skin (2013)

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 01:52:09 +0000

Live from Salem Horror Fest 2019 – Andrea and Alex tackle Jonathan Glazer’s alien masterpiece. Bringing the outlying universe down to Earth, Under The Skin reveals the darkest parts of consciousness in a chilling meditation on what it means to be human.

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REQUIRED READING

Under the Skin. Dir. Jonathan Glazer, 2013.

EXTRA CREDIT

VIDEO: The Making of Under the Skin. An in-depth look at the film’s production.

The Alien Gaze of Under the Skin. How Under the Skin employs and subverts gaze theory.

Where to Begin with Folk Horror. Some key definitions of the increasingly popular sub-genre.

Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity (1990) by Judith Butler. Gender is as gender does, but it’s just a bit more complicated.

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Ask the Fack – Episode 1 (PREVIEW)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 17:57:40 +0000

Our first-ever Ask the Fack Q&A episode is live, in which we discuss our favourite books, our top non-horror movies, and some bonus parenting tips for horror fans (hey, you asked!)

The full episode is available only to the graduate tier of our Patreon! Join now and gain access to the complete one-hour episode, plus even more perks and extras.

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Episode 76. Girls Trip: House (1977)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 11:30:53 +0000

Andrea and Alex kick off a new semester with a discussion of Nobuhiko Obayashi’s House, a truly bizarre but exciting entry into the horror canon. Covering everything from witch-y house cats, to nuclear bombs to inter-generational tensions, this episode may never capture the unbridled energy of the film but it might unlock some doors…

Become a Patron!

Salem Horror Fest – Tickets to our live show on October 5th are on sale now!

The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our monthly newsletter!

REQUIRED READING

House (aka Hausu). Dir Nobuhiko Obayashi. 1977.

EXTRA CREDIT

History Extra Podcast: The story of modern Japan. Author Christopher Harding deconstructs modern Japan and the world events that brought them there.

Video interview with Obayashi. The filmmaker talks about seeing the positive in the negative, the light in the darkness.

Sigmund Freud, The Uncanny. Full PDF of Freud’s theory of the uncanny and its ability to instill fear in us.

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Episode 75. Crime Spree: Henry, Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) and Zodiac (2007)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 11:19:06 +0000

This month, Andrea and Alex pull back the veil on narrative cinema and the true-crime phenomena. From John McNaughton’s nightmarish debut to David Fincher’s gumshoe epic, the answers to our response and responsibility to real-life events is almost always more complex than they appear on the surface.

Class of 2019 T-shirts are available now at Twisted Ts!

Salem Horror Fest – Tickets to our live show on October 5th are on sale now! The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our BRAND NEW monthly newsletter!

REQUIRED READING

Henry, Portrait of a Serial Killer. Dir. John McNaughton, 1986.

Zodiac. Dir. David Fincher, 2007.

EXTRA CREDIT

Violence Incorporated: John McNaughton’s “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer” and the Uses of Gratuitous Violence in Popular Narrative. Steffen Hantke’s in-depth examination of violence in the film.

Regarding the Pain of Others. Susan Sontag’s follow up to On Photography.

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark. Michelle McNamara’s search for the Golden State Killer.

The Ethical Dilemma of Highbrow True Crime. Alice Bolin discusses how true crime went from guilty pleasure to pop culture phenomenon.

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Episode 74. Party of Five: The Mist (2007)

asubissati@gmail.com — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 07:12:17 +0000

Is it the apocalypse or just the start of a new era? Can it be both? Andrea and Alex delve into everything from the military to existentialism, brought to life by Frank Darabont’s controversial adaptation of Stephen King’s novella.

Class of 2019 T-shirts are available now at Twisted Ts!

Salem Horror Fest – Tickets to our live show on October 5th are on sale now!

The Fack Dispatch – Subscribe to our BRAND NEW monthly newsletter!

REQUIRED READING

The Mist. Dir. Frank Darabont, 2007. .

EXTRA CREDIT

A Brief History of the End of the World M.R. Carey’s analysis of the apocalypse genre in literature.

The Philosophy of “Optimistic Nihilism,” Or How to Find Purpose in a Meaningless Universe Open Culture’s helpful video describing how contextualize the end of the world in a healthy, productive way.

Making Sense of “The Weird and the Eerie” A primer on academic Mark Fisher and his works.

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Episode 73. Freddy Inc: A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Master (1988), A Nightmare on Elm Street:The Dream Child (1989), Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991), New Nightmare (1994), Freddy vs Jason (2013)

asubissati@gmail.com — Fri, 31 May 2019 02:25:44 +0000

Andrea and Alex hit the hay one last time to discuss how Freddy became a marketing legend, a cultural sensation and an arbiter of taste. Transitioning from installments in the late ’80s to the ’90s to the early aughts, Freddy illustrates how slashers have evolved (or devolved) to become cultural icons.

Class of 2019 T-shirts are available now at Twisted Ts!

Salem Horror Fest – Tickets to our live show on October 5th are on sale now!

REQUIRED READING

A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Master. Dir. Renny Harlin, 1988.

A Nightmare on Elm Street:The Dream Child. Dir. Stephen Hopkins, 1989.

Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare. Dir. Rachel Talalay, 1991.

Wes Craven’s New Nightmare. Dir. Wes Craven, 1994.

Freddy vs Jason. Dir. Ronny Yu, 2013.

EXTRA CREDIT

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy. The four hour documentary that delves into the nooks and crannies of the Elm Street franchise.

How MTV changed the world with its industry of cool. A look at MTV from it’s birth to the height of its popularity.

Welcome to His ‘Nightmare’: How Freddy Krueger Became a Pop Icon. Rolling Stone examines how Freddy went from child murderer to teen sensation.

Slash of the Titans: The Road to Freddy vs Jason. Dustin McNeill’s exhaustive look at the production history and scripts that led to Freddy vs Jason.

Hockey Masks, Machetes and Razor Fingers: The Writers Behind ‘Freddy Vs. Jason’ Tell All! Trace Thurman’s interview with Freddy vs Jason screenwriters Mark Swift and Damian Shannon.

Bloody Disgusting. Larry Zerner explains the messy Friday the 13th lawsuit.

MTV’s Freddy Krueger Hour clips. All the MTV segments featuring Freddy Krueger promoting NoES 4.

Metacinema: A Modern Necessity. A guide and explanation of “metacinema” from its beginnings.

The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge. Lyotard’s critique of cultural metanarratives.

The Bogeyman of Your Nightmares: Freddy Krueger’s Folkloric Roots. A cultural history of figures like Freddy, and how the original and remake compare.

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Episode 72. Sleeper Hit: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge, and A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 01 May 2019 02:20:19 +0000

Freddy Krueger may be the man of our dreams but what about his creator, the studio that sustained him, his victims and the 1980s? Andrea and Alex dive into their nightmares and beyond to explore the lasting effects of one of horror’s most beloved franchises.

Class of 2019 T-shirts are available now at Twisted Ts!

Salem Horror Fest – Tickets to our live show on October 5th are on sale now!

REQUIRED READING

A Nightmare on Elm Street. Dir. Wes Craven, 1984.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge. Dir. Jack Sholder, 1985.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. Dir. Chuck Russell, 1987.

EXTRA CREDIT

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy. The four hour documentary that delves into the nooks and crannies of the Elm Street franchise.

The Faculty of Horror: Filmmaker Spotlight. Dreamweaver: Wes Craven (1939-2015). Our mini-episode on Wes Craven.

“Fairy Tales for the Apocalypse”: Wes Craven on the Horror Film. A 1985 interview with Craven on the state of horror films in America.

Wes Craven: Thinking Through Horror. A retrospective piece on Craven’s career after his passing.

The Monstrous Years: Teens, Slasher Films, and the Family. Pat Gill’s article on how the slasher film can be read as a reflection of the broken home.

How Did A Bunch Of Mythical Monsters Become Queer Icons? A look at the importance of reclaiming monsters.

The Singular Joy of the Dumb, Fun Slasher Movie Threequel. Wired’s look at the 1980s Horror Threequel cycle.

Uncover: The Village. CBC Podcast’s in-depth series on the Bruce McArthur case.

Robin Wood on the Horror Film: Collected Essays and Reviews. The collected horror-based writings of film critic Robin Wood.

The Legal Industry for Kidnapping Teens. Vice’s look at the Troubled Teen Industry.

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Episode 71. Violent Visage: Eyes Without a Face (1960)

asubissati@gmail.com — Sat, 30 Mar 2019 15:00:04 +0000

Andrea and Alex unmask Georges Franju’s 1960 masterpiece Eyes Without a Face and peer into the damaged landscape of a post-World War II France, body modification and why sometimes, father doesn’t know best.

REQUIRED READING

Eyes Without a Face. Dir. Georges Franju, 1960.

EXTRA CREDIT

Blood of the Beasts (1949) Franju’s short documentary about the slaughterhouses on the outskirts of Paris. EXTREME CONTENT WARNING for this one: animal cruelty.

Fast Cars, Clean Bodies. Kristen Ross’ seminal book about the French desire to rid themselves of their past.

Mystery and Melodrama: A Conversation with Georges Franju. An interview with Franju about his career at the 1980 London Festival.

Behind the Mask of the Horror Actor by Doug Bradley.

Terrible Buildings The world of GEORGES FRANJU. Robin Wood’s article about Franju and the notion of institutions within his films.

Flesh Wounds: The Culture of Cosmetic Surgery by Virginia L. Blum.

Class of 2019 T-shirts are available now at Twisted Ts!

Salem Horror Fest – Tickets to our live show on October 5th are on sale now!

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Episode 70. Man Eater: Ravenous (1999)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 03:35:46 +0000

Andrea and Alex head West to explore the notions of Manifest Destiny and the Frontier Myth in Antonia Bird’s Ravenous. Combining historical context through a modern gaze, Ravenous proves you are who you eat.

REQUIRED READING

Ravenous. Dir. Antonia Bird, 1999.

EXTRA CREDIT

Manifest Destiny – An overview of the philosophical American mandate to head West.

Cannibal (2006) – a German film based on the true story of Armin Meiwes, who ate a man he met online.

“You Are Who You Eat” – Bitch Flicks’ essay on Ravenous, with a discussion on how it handles “manpain.”

Frontier Violence – NYT 1974 article on Richard Slotkin’s recontextualization of the American Frontier Myth.

Survival: A Thematic Guide to Canadian Literature, by Margaret Atwood.

A Tribe Called Red – Canadian Indigenous rap group.

Tanya Tagaq – Canadian Inuk throat singer.

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Episode 69: The Fack Lives!: 2018 Year in Review

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 03:15:03 +0000

Andrea and Alex return for their annual year in review episode. From their favourite films of 2018 to FAQs and bloopers, few stones are left unturned… and those are probably haunted anyway.

EXTRA CREDIT

Alex’s Favourite Films of 2018:

Suspiria

Pyewacket

Annihilation

Assassination Nation

Cam

Andrea’s Favourite Films of 2018:

Suspiria

Hereditary

Assassination Nation

Tigers are Not Afraid

Summer of ’84

Alex’s Horror-Adjacent Film Faves:

Border

Sorry to Bother You

Black Mirror: Bandersnatch

Books mentions:

Be sure to check out the Faculty of Horror Reading List!

Wasteland: The Great War and the Origins of Modern Horror by W. Scott Poole

Different Seasons by Stephen King

The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum

The Troop by Nick Cutter

Bird Box by Josh Malerman

Other sources mentioned:

TIFF Long Take podcast

Gaylords of Darkness podcast

In Conversation with Paul Schrader – An interview from New York Magazine’s Vulture about the state of the film industry and how players like Netflix and Hulu are mining our algorithms.

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Episode 68. House Proud: Mother! (2017)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 03:26:39 +0000

Andrea and Alex break down the foundational elements of Darren Aronofsky’s divisive mother! From authorship to ecofeminism to sink instillation, few stones are left unturned or unexamined.

REQUIRED READING

mother! Dir. Darren Aronofsky, 2017.

EXTRA CREDIT

What is Ecofeminism? An overview of the term that rose to prominence in the 1970s.

The Death of the Author by Roland Barthes. Barthes’ influential piece on the declining importance of God-like authorship.

The Directors Cut Podcast, episode 90. Aronofsky interviewed by William Friedkin about mother!

IndieWire Filmmaker Toolkit podcast, episode 47. Aronofsky on the process and ideology behind mother!

“The Yellow Wall-Paper.” Charlotte Perkins Stetson’s scandalous novella from 1892.

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Episode 67. Where is my mind: The Stepford Wives (1975) and Get Out (2017)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 03:06:34 +0000

This month, Andrea and Alex tackle two films whose hearts lie in the darkest, most secret parts of suburban utopia. In Bryan Forbes’ The Stepford Wives and Jordan Peele’s Get Out, we follow protagonists who are socialized to make room for the privileged and examine what happens when they strike back.

REQUIRED READING

The Stepford Wives. Dir Bryan Forbes, 1975.

Get Out. Dir Jordan Peele, 2017.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. The second-wave feminism manifesto that examines “the problem that has no name.”

The 21st century cult of domesticity. As relevant today as ever.

The Cyborg Mystique. Anna Krugovoy Silver’s examination of the opposing and overlapping views in The Feminine Mystique and The Stepford Wives.

How to Dress Like a Stepford Wife. Great fashion advice without a trace of irony.

On Photography by Susan Sontag. Sontag’s influential treatise on photography and its power.

Capitol Couture via ladyhellbat.com. In which Andrea gets her Hunger Games in a twist.

Horror Noire: Blacks in American Horror Films from the 1890s to Present by Robin R Means Coleman. A history and analysis of blackness in horror cinema.

HORROR BLACKADEMICS: THE GET OUT (2017) SYLLABUS. Graveyard Shift Sister’s compilation of essays about Get Out.

The Horror, The Horror: “Get Out” And The Place of Race in Scary Movies. NPR’s Code Switch’s episode on Get Out and race in horror.

Jordan Peele on Why Get Out Is an Important Movie. Oprah’s interview with Jordan Peele.

‘Horror Noire’ Author Robin R. Means Coleman: The Horror News Network WiHM Interview. An interview with Means Coleman about horror, her book and Get Out.

Surveilling the City: Whiteness, the Black Man and Democratic Totalitarianism. John Fiske’s examination of the normalization of Whiteness through surveillance.

Whitopia: My Trip Through the Whitest Towns in America. Rich Benjamin’s TED talk about his experience living in the fast-growing white communities in America.

Why Hollywood’s White Savior Obsession Is an Extension of Colonialism. An examination of the problematic trope embedded in numerous popular films.

The White-Savior Industrial Complex. How the White Savior trope is embedded in day-to-day life.

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Episode 66. Personal Hell: The House of the Devil (2009)

asubissati@gmail.com — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 18:23:58 +0000

Join Andrea and Alex live at Salem Horror Fest! In this episode they tackle Ti West’s The House of the Devil and it’s reliance on the 1980s Satanic Panic movement. From modern technology to notions of the real and unreal, how much of the devil is in the details?

REQUIRED READING

The House of the Devil. Dir. Ti West, 2009.

EXTRA CREDIT

The history of Satanic Panic in the US — and why it’s not over yet Vox’s piece on the enduring impact of the Satanic Panic in the US.

Satanic Panic: Pop-Cultural Paranoia in the 1980s Spectacular Optical’s deep dive into the cultural influence of Satanic Panic.

The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction Walter Benjamin’s 1936 article delving into the notions of authenticity and aura in works of art.

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Episode 65. Smells Like Teen Spirit: The Faculty (1998)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 04:43:41 +0000

When it’s up to the misfits of Harrington High to stop the parasite-infected faculty from taking over the world, mayhem ensues. Alex and Andrea cut through the muck with a discussion on The Faculty‘s position in the ’90s teen horror cycle, the sociology of high school, and what happens when marketing partnership go awry.

REQUIRED READING

The Faculty. Dir. Robert Rodriguez, 1998.

EXTRA CREDIT

Class of 2018 t-shirts. Limited edition Faculty of Horror t-shirts are only available for a short time! Order yours today.

Salem Horror Fest. We’ll be back October 12-14! Get your tickets now.

Pajama Horror Gala. The Faculty of Horror’s weekly Chat Group has a podcast of its own! Site is still under construction but check it out and be sure to subscribe!

Tommy Jeans ’90s TV spot. The ad that did the opposite of what it was supposed to.

Freaks, Geeks, and Cool Kids by Murray Milner; an in-depth and accessible look at the life of the American teen.

The 1990s Teen Horror Cycle, Alex’s book which features a discussion of The Faculty among many other films from that era.

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Episode 64. Tour de Farce: Young Frankenstein (1974) and What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 02:12:08 +0000

Horror can be horrifying, but it can also be hilarious. Whether it’s mad science or vampires living together, the comedy in these films heightens the absurd as well as our notions of “typical” behavior. At its best, comedy and horror function as a subversion of our day to day lives and expectations enlightening us to the strange elements that we’ve accepted as “normal.”

REQUIRED READING

Young Frankenstein. Dir. Mel Brooks, 1974.

What We Do in the Shadows. Dir Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement, 2014.

EXTRA CREDIT

Class of 2018 t-shirts. Limited edition Faculty of Horror t-shirts are available until September from Twisted Ts through the end of September! Order yours today.

Salem Horror Fest. We’ll be back October 12-14! Get your tickets now.

The Sunday Conversation: Mel Brooks on his ‘Young Frankenstein’ musical Brooks on the inception of Young Frankenstein and its afterlife.

What We Do In The Shadows Interview: Taika Waititi And Jemaine Clement An interview with the filmmakers about their process and reception of the film.

Faculty of Horror subreddit. Keep the conversation going on our subreddit page.

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Episode 63. Play Dead: Funny Games (1997)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 02:04:48 +0000

What constitutes a film? What constitutes a podcast episode description? Andrea and Alex ask these questions (okay, maybe not that last one) and more in this month’s episode. By plundering the depths of filmic conventions, audience expectations and interpersonal contracts, Michael Haneke’s Funny Games asks the hard questions for which there are many answers.

REQUIRED READING

Funny Games. Dir. Michael Haneke, 1997.

EXTRA CREDIT

Class of 2018 t-shirts. Limited edition Faculty of Horror t-shirts are available until September from Twisted Ts through the end of September! Order yours today.

Salem Horror Fest. We’ll be back October 12-14! Get your tickets now.

Faculty of Horror subreddit. Keep the conversation going on our subreddit page.

The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life by Erving Goffman. Symbolic interactionism and dramaturgical analysis.

Bertolt Brecht. Avant-garde theatre practioner who believed in distancing an audience to encourage rational thought over emotional engagement.

Anne Dufourmantelle. The Philosophy of Hospitality. An exploration of the people involved in the dynamics of hospitality.

Jacques Derrida on Hospitality. The French philosopher’s take on the conditional and unconditional concepts of hospitality.

The 1990s Teen Horror Cycle. Alex’s new book is available now through McFarland Books!

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Episode 62. Surveilled: Peeping Tom (1960) and Psycho (1960)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 23 May 2018 02:08:30 +0000

In this episode, Alex and Andrea look through an illicit peephole into the world of the mad and macabre. Both Peeping Tom and Psycho caused sensations when they were released in the same year, causing Western audiences to question the nature of evil, our proximity to one another and how many women we can watch die on screen.

REQUIRED READING

Peeping Tom. Dir. Michael Powell, 1960.

Psycho. Dir. Alfred Hitchcock, 1960.

EXTRA CREDIT

Class of 2018 T-shirts – Get ’em while their hot!

Salem Horror Fest – We’ll be back October 12-14! Get your tickets now.

Visual Pleasure in Narrative Cinema. Laura Mulvey’s groundbreaking essay on the cinematic gaze

Men, Women and Chainsaws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film. Carol Clover’s genre-defining book from 1992.

“Have You Ever Seen the inside of One of Those Places?”: Psycho, Foucault, and the Postwar Context of Madness. Cynthia Erb’s essay on institutionalization and Psycho.

Michael Powell’s ‘Peeping Tom’: the film that killed a career. An overview of the release and reaction to Peeping Tom.

The Misogyny of the Modern Slasher Film. Anna Biller’s blog post about the slasher sub-genre.

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Episode 61. Stardust: Event Horizon (1997) and Sunshine (2007)

asubissati@gmail.com — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 02:13:30 +0000

Andrea and Alex reach for the heavens and find the furthest reaches of hell with two films about space exploration and the darkness therein. Event Horizon and Sunshine explore the different reasons humankind would dare try to conquer space and the horrors that might await us there.

REQUIRED READING

Event Horizon. Dir Paul W.S. Anderson, 1997.

Sunshine. Dir Danny Boyle, 2007.

EXTRA CREDIT

Class of 2018 t-shirts! Available until September 2018 – get ’em at Twisted Ts!

Death Count: All of the Deaths in the Friday the 13th Film Series, Illustrated by Stacie Ponder.

The Making of Event Horizon. Check out all the behind the scenes stories and detailed production history.

Event Horizon‘s shooting draft of the script.

The Myth of Oedipus. The Greek myth and the importance of sight.

Mad, Bad and Dangerous? The Scientist and the Cinema by Christopher Frayling. A book that specifically looks at the personalities of on-screen scientists.

Reasons Behind Cult Suicide . A look at the reasons and psychology behind mass suicide and why most of the “suicide cults” also involve a fair amount of homicide.

Kermode Uncut Film Club: Sunshine. British critic Mark Kermode talks about appreciating Danny Boyle’s Sunshine.

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Episode 60. Season of the Witch: Witches in Film Part 3, The Witch (2015) and The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 02:42:19 +0000

The past few years have seen the figure of the witch become a cultural touchstone for progressives and conservatives alike. From the resurgence of astrology, tarot, and natural healing methods to feminist rallying cry, the witch has never been more inclusive or divisive. Through analysis of two recent films, Andrea and Alex examine the witch’s new meaning in contemporary Western society, and why she remains a symbol of subversive feminism.

REQUIRED READING

The VVitch: A New England Folktale. Dir. Robert Eggers, 2015.

The Autopsy of Jane Doe. Dir. André Øvredal, 2016.

EXTRA CREDIT

Yes, This Is a Witch Hunt. I’m a Witch and I’m Hunting You. Lindy West’s New York Times Op-Ed on the misappropriation of the term witch-hunt during the rise of the #MeToo movement.

Why the Witch Is the Pop-Culture Heroine We Need Right Now – A look at why the figure of the witch has become so deservedly popular.

Satanic Feminism by Per Faxneld. Faxneld’s book on the Devil as liberator of women in the nineteenth century.

The Book of English Magic – An overview of the real and perceived magic used across the British Isles, with a chapter dedicated to witches and witchcraft.

The Autopsy of Jane Doe post-screening Q & A – Following a showing at the Film Society of Lincoln Center, stars Emile Hirsh, Brian Cox and director André Øvredal talk about the making of The Autopsy of Jane Doe.

Francisco Goya’s Black Paintings.

The Satanic Temple – Activism and critical film appreciation, apparently.

W.I.T.C.H. PDX – The figure of the witch adopted for anonymous activism in Portland. Start a local coven near you!

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Episode 59. In Plain Sight: The Thing (1982)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 04:27:54 +0000

John Carpenter’s terrifying cult classic stands the test of time in many regards – from the practical effects, to the performances to the storytelling, there’s little about the film that doesn’t work. Andrea and Alex tackle the film and its stances on leadership, paranoia, the notion of discovery, and more over a bottle of Jim Beam.

REQUIRED READING

The Thing. Dir. John Carpenter, 1982.

EXTRA CREDIT

Horror Noire: Blacks in American Horror Films from the 1890s to Present by Robin R. Means Coleman. An in-depth look at Black culture and representation through the lens of horror films.

Aids as Monster in Science Fiction by Edward Guerrero.

Filmnoia, or How Fear Permeated Cinema. George Wead’s history of perception and paranoia in North American films.

You Must Remember This podcast – the Blacklist series.

The Thing: Infection at Outpost 31 board game. Can you survive the infection?

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Episode 58. A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste: 2017 Year in Review

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 03:06:31 +0000

Come for the bloopers, stay for our favourite films of 2017, the A’s to your burning Q’s and the friendship challenge rematch!

EXTRA CREDIT

Salem Horror Fest! Thank you for having us!

NPR’s Code Switch – a great episode on Black identity in horror and in Jordan Peele’s Get Out.

The Get Out Syllabus – From our friends at Graveyard Shift Sisters, all you could want to know and more about Get Out and more!

TIFF Long Takes : How Horror Slayed the Competition – Alex’s guest spot on the TIFF podcast.

CONTEST! Win a copy of issue #1 of GRIM MAGAZINE! To enter, tell us your favorite horror film of 2017 in the comments section below. Winners will be selected and notified February 15, 2018. [The winner has been selected and notified. Thanks to everyone who entered!]

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Episode 57. Hard Bodies: American Psycho (2000)

asubissati@gmail.com — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 03:13:15 +0000

In our first-ever live episode recorded at Salem Horror Fest in Salem, Massachusetts, Andrea and Alex delve into the dark and depraved world of Patrick Bateman and Bret Easton Ellis to discover what is real and what can be bought with a platinum American Express credit card. From the rise of the yuppie to contemporary parallels, American Psycho is a gift that keeps on giving and never goes out of style.

REQUIRED READING

American Psycho. Dir. Mary Harron, 2000.

EXTRA CREDIT

Salem Horror Fest! Thank you for having us!

American Psycho Author Bret Easton Ellis Tells Us Where Patrick Bateman Would Be Today – An overview of Bret Easton Ellis’ novel American Psycho, which scandalized the literary world and brought a storm of controversy with it.

‘American Psycho’ at 25: Bret Easton Ellis on Patrick Bateman’s Legacy – The author speaks candidly on Bateman’s legacy and serial killer chic.

Documenting Trump’s Abuse of Women – The New Yorker article documenting Donald Trump’s misogyny and vanity.

Lunar Park – Easton Ellis’ 2006 novel that documents the return of Patrick Bateman.

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Episode 56. Come As You Are: Let the Right One In (2008)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 18:10:31 +0000

Winter is upon us again and what better way to embrace the cold than an exploration of Tomas Alfredson’s beloved contemporary genre classic, Let the Right One In? Alex and Andrea discuss the ties that bind and why blood is thicker than knitwear.

REQUIRED READING

Let the Right One In. Dir. Tomas Alfredson, 2008.

EXTRA CREDIT

Let the Right One In – The AV Club’s exploration of the book to film to remake journey of Eli and Oskar.

The National Theatre of Scotland – The trailer for their production of Let the Right One In.

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Episode 55. Strange and Unusual: Beetlejuice (1988)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 03:27:16 +0000

Ghosts, possession, autonomous sculptures and that’s just scratching the surface of Tim Burton’s genre-bending cult classic, Beetlejuice. In this episode, Andrea and Alex manage to avoid saying his name three times while diving into the aesthetics, capitalist virtues and bureaucracy of the afterlife that surrounds everyone’s favourite bio-exorcist.

REQUIRED READING

Beetlejuice. Dir. Tim Burton, 1988.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Imagination of Tim Burton – An overview of Burton’s career through an aesthetic lens.

Michael Keaton on Creating Beetlejuice – The ghost with the most talks transformation.

Michael Keaton Beetlejuice Introduction – Keaton talks all things Beetlejuice before a screening.

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Episode 54. Undead Walking: Night of the Living Dead (1968), Dawn of the Dead (1978) and Day of the Dead (1985)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 04:21:30 +0000

Alex and Andrea go back to the zombie’s origins with George A. Romero’s original Dead trilogy. From their social roots in Haiti to their ties to the New Hollywood movement, these films make delicious brain food.

REQUIRED READING

Night of the Living Dead. Dir. George A. Romero, 1968.

Dawn of the Dead. Dir. George A. Romero, 1978.

Day of the Dead. Dir. George A. Romero, 1985.

EXTRA CREDIT

When There’s No More Room in Hell: The Sociology of the Living Dead. Andrea’s book on Romero’s early Dead films.

Passage of Darkness: the Ethnobiology of the Haitian Zombie by Wade Davis. An interdisciplinary study on Haitian political life and folklore.

Marxism and Literature by Raymond Williams. Marxist concepts applied to literature that provided the bedrock for Williams’ theory of cultural materialism that Andrea holds dear.

Shock Value: How a Few Eccentric Outsiders Gave Us Nightmares, Conquered Hollywood, and Invented Modern Horror by Jason Zinoman.

The Reduction of Urban Vulnerability: Revisiting 1950s American Suburbanization as Civil Defence. Kathleen Tobin’s article on the military’s involvement in the rise of the suburbs.

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Episode 53. Boxed In: Cube (1997)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 03:12:41 +0000

Andrea and Alex tackle the mysterious and ever changing narrative landscape of Vincenzo Natali’s Canadian cult film, Cube (1997). From workers rights to torture porn to prime numbers, they try to solve it all before they succumb to the film’s traps and trappings.

Tickets for our first-ever live show in Salem, MA are available now: buy them here!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date on all our announcements.

REQUIRED READING

Cube. Dir. Vincenzo Natali, 1997.

EXTRA CREDIT

Vincenzo Natali interview. Conducted during press for Natali’s later film, Splice, this interview tackles elements of Cube and Natali’s own ideology.

Rue Morgue Library’s Horrorwood North is out of print, but you can buy the digital version here.

The 1990s Teen Horror Cycle – Alex’s new book is now available for pre-order!

LISTEN

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Episode 52. The Dark Side of Oz: Wolf Creek (2005) and The Loved Ones (2009)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 02:44:51 +0000

Andrea and Alex head to a land down under, exploring a landscape which seems familiar but can change drastically when you head down the wrong back country road. From familial ties to an unforgiving Outback, Australia can provide a terrifying backdrop for the darkest of human psyches.

Tickets for our first-ever live show in Salem, MA are available now: buy them here!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date on all our announcements.

REQUIRED READING

Wolf Creek. Dir. Greg McLean, 2005.

The Loved Ones. Dir. Sean Byrne, 2009.

EXTRA CREDIT

Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation! (2008) A documentary that explores the rise of Australian genre cinema in the 1970s and 1980s.

Screenwave.com.au: Creative Events & Outdoor Cinema in Australia.

Australian National Cinema by Tom O’Regan.

No Turning Back by Joanne Lees – an account of surviving an encounter with the Outback Killer, Bradley Murdoch.

Australia’s dark heart inspires horror movie boom – An interview with filmmakers about what makes Australian horror tick.

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Episode 51. Mark of the Beast: American Werewolf in London (1981) and Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 02:52:30 +0000

Andrea and Alex deep dive into humanity’s literal fear of wolves, metaphorical fear of the beast within and the differences between British and French werewolves. Hint: it’s not just the accent.

Tickets for our first-ever live show in Salem, MA are available now: buy them here!

Don’t forget to enter our contest to win an autographed copy of Rue Morgue Library’s Women With Guts!

REQUIRED READING

An American Werewolf in London. Dir John Landis, 1981.

Brotherhood of the Wolf. Dir Christophe Gans, 2001.

EXTRA CREDIT

Legends of the Werewolves – A slightly cheesy History channel documentary with lots of great information about the history of lycanthropy.

Why I Love… An American Werewolf in London – Part of the BFI’s personal history essays, this one delves into the cross section of growing up in the Jewish faith and watching American Werewolf in London.

The Werewolf of Hull! One of the recent reports of wolf sightings in the Northern city.

Solving the Mystery of the 18th-Century Killer “Beast of Gévaudan” – A summary of the history that Brotherhood of the Wolf was based on.

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Episode 50. Man Seeking Woman: Audition (1999)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 29 May 2017 02:41:13 +0000

Takashi Miike created one of the most infamous, beloved and decisive films when he made Audition: a story of people looking for love in all the wrong places that has influenced a generation of filmmakers and terrified audiences all over the world. Andrea and Alex take a deep dive into the international and seemingly universal fears of love, intimacy and what it means to be a “good girl.”

REQUIRED READING

Audition. Dir. Takashi Miike, 1999.

EXTRA CREDIT

Holding Back Half the Nation – The Economist’s examination of Japanese women in the work place.

“Nice Girl”: Social Control of Women Through a Value Construct – Greer Litton Fox’s paper on the taming of women through perceived goodness.

Salem Horror Fest – We’ll be there October 7th and 8th! Tickets are available now.

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Episode 49. Achievement Unlocked: Resident Evil (2002) and Silent Hill (2006)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 02:43:42 +0000

Andrea and Alex combine their powers and enter all the cheat codes to analyze two of the most iconic survival horror games that were re-imagined as movies. With a look at how narratives transition across mediums and the rise in popularity of video game and nerd culture, their two-player co-op campaign attempts to unlock the mysteries of both films.

REQUIRED READING

Resident Evil. Dir. Paul W.S. Anderson, 2002.

Silent Hill. Dir. Christophe Gans, 2006.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Town That Was – A documentary on the history and lineage of the town of Centralia, Pennsylvania, upon which Silent Hill was based.

Tropes vs Women in Video Games. The first season of Anita Sarkeesian’s webseries.

Alice in Wonderland; The Psychoanalytic Approach – One of the many, many analyses of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland which identifies Alice’s search for identity.

Down and Dirty Pictures: Miramax, Sundance and the Rise of Independent Film by Peter Biskind.

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Episode 48. Crime and Punishment: Rape and Revenge in I Spit On Your Grave (1978) and Elle (2016)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 03:24:08 +0000

The discussion of rape and sexual violence has never been in our cultural conversation as much as it is now. In this episode, Andrea and Alex look at an exploitation classic and a contemporary award-winner to parse out how rape is depicted and how revenge is achieved, if at all.

REQUIRED READING

I Spit On Your Grave. Dir. Meir Zarchi, 1978.

Elle. Dir. Paul Verhoeven, 2016.

EXTRA CREDIT

Support: Anti-Violence Centres in Canada, Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network hotline: 1-800-656-4673.

Roger Ebert’s contentious review of I Spit On Your Grave.

Social Dominance and Forceful Submission Fantasies: Feminine Pathology or Power? A 2009 article by Patricia h. Hawley and William A. Hensley from the Journal of Sex Research.

Andrea’s appearance on the Rue Morgue Podcast discussing I Spit on Your Grave.

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Episode 47. Caved In: The Descent (2005)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 04:01:14 +0000

Andrea and Alex take a deep dive into Neil Marshall’s 2005 contemporary horror classic, examining the intersections of intimacy, adventure, trust and truth. Who will survive, what will be left of them and which ending will they go with?

REQUIRED READING

The Descent. Dir. Neil Marshall, 2005.

EXTRA CREDIT

Cave Ecosystems: Bones and Baskets – A concise exploration of caves and humanities on going use of them.

Ruthless Reviews – The Descent. A oppositional spin on the film’s depiction of women.

Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema by Laura Mulvey – a seminal text for film analysis that introduced the concept of the male gaze.

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Episode 46. Don’t You Forget About Me: 2016 Year in Review

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 03:56:47 +0000

What were our favourite movies of 2016? What are your FAQs? And most importantly – is Alex or Andrea the better friend??

EXTRA CREDIT

In Praise of Paul Feig’s Beautiful Male Idiot – Sam Adams article on Paul Feig’s cinematic trope.

Emily Shoichet, Tattoo Artist – Follow the amazing artist and friend of the Faculty through her social channels listed on her website.

Marxism and Literature by Raymond Williams. Andrea erroneously called it “Marxism and Culture” in the episode, but here’s a nice synopsis.

Reel to Real: Race, Sex and Class at the Movies – bell hooks’ classic collection of essays on film and the importance of representation.

Danse Macabre – Stephen King’s treatise on classic and contemporary horror.

Fast Cars, Clean Bodies – Kristin Ross’ book on post-colonial France.

Generation Multiplex: The Image of Youth in Contemporary American Cinema – Timothy Shary’s analysis on the changing face of film consumption and its impact on the youth who consume it.

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Episode 45. Monsters Ball: Gremlins (1984)

asubissati@gmail.com — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 03:15:07 +0000

‘Tis the season to be scary! Andrea and Alex unpack all the rules that come with Gizmo and the Mogwai and what they mean to small-town America at Christmastime. Don’t get your values wet or feed them after midnight!

REQUIRED READING

Gremlins. Dir. Joe Dante, 1984.

Gremlins 2: The New Batch. Dir Joe Dante, 1990.

EXTRA CREDIT

Orientalism by Edward Said. A book that has only gotten more relevant since its publication 30 years ago.

Key & Peele’s hilarious full sketch on the writing process for Gremlins 2.

The Faculty of Horror Spotify playlist! Have yourself a scary little Christmas with the Faculty of Horror playlist on Spotify.

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Episode 44. If I Could Turn Back Time: The Night of the Hunter (1955) and The Innocents (1961)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 04:16:32 +0000

Andrea and Alex examine two cult classic films which explore the notions of time, childhood and misplaced nostalgia. Both films explore history’s dark secrets and the frailty of humanity but do either of them offer a truly happy ending?

REQUIRED READING

The Night of the Hunter. Dir. Charles Laughton, 1955.

The Innocents. Dir. Jack Clayton, 1961.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Great Depression – a history and overview.

Freddie Francis on The Innocents – The film’s cinematographer reflects on his work.

The Batcave’s 1,000 Subscriber Announcement – Got a question? Ask us! And don’t forget to subscribe to Andrea’s YouTube channel while you’re there.

COURSE NOTES

Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher.

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Episode 43. Compendium of Fear: Creepshow (1982) and Trick ‘r Treat (2007)

asubissati@gmail.com — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 02:43:40 +0000

The possibilities are endless when it comes to a good scare. The horror anthology is a rarity in the genre but when executed successfully they are beloved. Andrea and Alex do a deep dive into two infamous cult classics which deal in a variety of stories taking place around everyone’s favourite holiday.

REQUIRED READING

Creepshow. Dir George A Romero, 1982.

Trick ‘r Treat. Dir Michael Dougherty, 2007.

EXTRA CREDIT

Trick ‘r Treat: Season’s Greetings – The short that started it all.

History of Halloween. An extensive overview on how the holiday came to be.

Faculty of Horror’s 31 Days of Halloween – Take a look at Alex and Andrea‘s list of horror movies to watch in the spookiest month.

Stephen King’s Reign of Terror. We team up with our friends at Movies Ruined My Life for a three hour episode all about King.

COURSE NOTES

Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher.

LISTEN

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Episode 42. French Kiss: Calvaire (2004) and Martyrs (2008)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 03:44:55 +0000

Diving into the depths of France and Belgium, Alex and Andrea examine the politics and borders of New French Extremity. Confronting the complex historical narrative that France has created for itself, all is not as it appears as these films bring the repressed to light.

REQUIRED READING

Calvaire. Dir Fabrice Du Welz, 2004.

Martyrs. Dir Pascal Laugier, 2008.

EXTRA CREDIT

Films of the New French Extremity: Visceral Horror and National Identity – Alex’s book on things French, filmic and extreme.

Saint Joan of Arc’s Trials – a fascinating morbid legal procedural.

Flash sale – Get your limited edition Faculty of Horror “Class of 2016” t-shirts! Available for pre-order until September 30th, 2016.

COURSE NOTES

Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher.

LISTEN

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Episode 41. Ghost Girls: Ghostbusters (2016)

asubissati@gmail.com — Sun, 14 Aug 2016 10:50:40 +0000

After some spectacular “pre-lash” (preemptive backlash) from the online community, Paul Feig’s all-women Ghostbusters has finally hit the screens. Alex and Andrea take a break from their summer sabbaticals to reflect on their love of the original films, what this reboot means to them in terms of representation and why safety lights are for dudes.

REQUIRED READING

Ghostbusters. Dir. Paul Feig, 2016.

Ghostbusters. Dir. Ivan Reitman, 1984.

Ghostbusters II. Dir. Ivan Reitman, 1989.

EXTRA CREDIT

Reminders That Representation Really Is Important – A handy, dandy visual guide to the argument for representation.

Was ‘Ghostbusters‘ Too Expensive to Launch a New Franchise? Variety’s article on Ghostbusters‘ budget.

Why Being Honest about Ghostbusters is Important – Comic Book Girl 19‘s theory on Sony’s strategic marketing of the film.

Your Face is Tanking – An examination of the reporting of Ghostbusters box office numbers versus other tentpole offerings.

COURSE NOTES

Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher.

LISTEN

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Episode 40. ReVamp: Fright Night (1985) and The Lost Boys (1987)

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 02:33:30 +0000

In the 1980s, vampires left their castles and European hideaways for American suburbs and small towns. In this episode, Andrea and Alex examine what happens when the monster you fear is part of your community and discuss what is to be done when they want to borrow more than just sugar….

REQUIRED READING

Fright Night. Dir. Tom Holland, 1985.

The Lost Boys. Dir. Joel Schumacher, 1987.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Growth of the Suburbs. An overview of the suburban expansion following WWII.

The Films of the Eighties: A Social History by William J. Palmer – A look at sequels and nostalgia in the 1980s.

Check out Alex and Andrea‘s guest spots on The People’s History of Film for some more of our favorite nostalgic movies over at GoodTrash Media.

COURSE NOTES

Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher.

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Episode 39. Alienation, Part 2: Alien 3 (1992) and Alien: Resurrection (1997)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 03:12:14 +0000

The ’90s are alive in space with the sequels which have been derided and praised in equal measure. Drawing from the complex production histories of both movies, Andrea and Alex seek to understand the competing visions of the filmmakers and themes that underpin them.

REQUIRED READING

Alien 3. Dir David Fincher, 1992.
Alien: Resurrection. Dir Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 1997.

EXTRA CREDIT

Intertextuality: Hollywood’s New Currency – A video examination of Hollywood’s use of nostalgia as a tool of manipulation.

The Origins of Farce – A history of the farce theatrical movement and France’s particular take on it.

Image of the original newborn alien (NSFW).

COURSE NOTES

Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher.

LISTEN

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Episode 38. Alienation, Part 1: Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 11 May 2016 02:34:31 +0000

Catch Jonesie the cat and keep the work loader handy because Alex and Andrea are on an express elevator to LV-426 discussing feminism, mothering, special effects and the enduring influence of classic science fiction in the Alien franchise. Stay tuned for Part 2 in June!

REQUIRED READING

Alien. Dir Ridley Scott, 1979.
Aliens. Dir James Cameron, 1986.

EXTRA CREDIT

Strange Shapes – a blog dedicated to everything Alien.

Reel Terror: The Scary, Bloody, Gory, Hundred-Year History of Classic Horror Films by David Konow.

H.R. Giger – Giger’s Necronomicon and the making of Alien – A documentary on HR Giger, the artist behind some of the arresting imagery in the movies.

Alien Behind the Scenes – The extensive making-of doc taking a look at all that went into Alien.

The Making of Aliens – The equally-extensive featurette about the second film, featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.

Get That Life: How I Co-Founded Bitch Media – A history of the evolution and influence of Bitch Magazine.

COURSE NOTES

Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher.

LISTEN

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Episode 37. Drawn Together: The Crow (1994) and 30 Days of Night (2007)

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 03:21:39 +0000

Hollywood is currently enamored with the comic book superheroes who have dominated the film landscape for the last several years. In this episode, Andrea and Alex go back to the earlier origins of graphic novel adaptations examining the cult followings earned by horror films based on beloved source materials (as selected by you, our listeners).

REQUIRED READING

The Crow. Dir Alex Proyas, 1994.
30 Days of Night. Dir David Slade, 2007.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Crow, written and illustrated by James O’Barr.

30 Days of Night – written by Steve Niles, illustrated by Ben Templesmith.

Super Heroes: A Modern Mythology. Richard Reynolds’ academic study traces the superhero’s trajectory in popular consciousness since the late 1930’s.

John Kenneth Muir’s review of 30 Days of Night.

You Must Remember This: The Short Lives of Bruce and Brandon Lee – Karina Longworth’s excellent examination of the shadows casts by the influential father and son.

Rewatchability: The Batman Superman Movie – Alex was a guest on Rewatchability to discuss why or if two superheroes fighting matters.

The People’s History of Film – Check out the new podcast by our friends at Good Trash Media. Alex and Andrea were both guests on recent episodes discussing their love of all things film.

COURSE NOTES

Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher.

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Episode 36. Mommy Dearest: The Babadook (2014) and Goodnight Mommy (2014)

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 02:02:32 +0000

Everyone’s got mother issues, right? This episode examines the perceived and manifested strains on maternal instinct once malevolent forces enter the picture. Alex and Andrea investigate where these forces come from and what they truly want.

REQUIRED READING

The Babadook. Dir Jennifer Kent, 2014.
Goodnight Mommy. Dirs Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz, 2014.

EXTRA CREDIT

Monster. Jennifer Kent’s short film on which The Babadook was based.

The Mommy Trap: Four recent horror movies by women explore the most troubling aspects of motherhood.

The Monstrous Feminine: Film, Feminism, Psychoanalysis by Barbara Creed.

Talking to the Directors of the Horror Film ‘Goodnight Mommy‘. Vice talks to the directors about the origins of the film.

COURSE NOTES

Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher.

LISTEN

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Episode 35. Body Rippers: Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 02:49:50 +0000

Bust out your corsets and button up your pinafores because we’re going back to the 19th century… by way of the 1990s. In this episode, Alex and Andrea examine conflicting authorial intentions, monsters and their makers and what happens when love won’t stay dead.

REQUIRED READING

Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Dir Francis Ford Coppola, 1992.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Dir Kenneth Branagh, 1994.

EXTRA CREDIT

Dracula Making-Of Documentary (Parts 1, 2 and 3) – Everything you could want to know (and more) about the making of Dracula.

De Niro Meets Frankenstein – Kenneth Branagh, in character as Victor Frankenstein (or so we think), interviews Robert De Niro about his career and approach to playing the iconic monster.

THE BATCAVE – Andrea’s new YouTube channel is alive… ALIVE!

BLOOD IN FOUR COLOURS book giveaway – Comment on our blog with your favorite horror movies based on comic books, and you’ll be entered to win one of 3 copies of Rue Morgue’s BLOOD IN FOUR COLOURS!

COURSE NOTES

Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher.

LISTEN

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Episode 34. The Assessment III: Season of the Faculty

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 03:01:43 +0000

Andrea and Alex dive back into the virtual mailbag to reassess everything covered in 2015, from the highs to the lows and everything in between.

EXTRA CREDIT

Films of the New French Extremity: Visceral Horror and National Identity. Alex’s book is now available for pre-order!

The Neo-Gothic Horror of James Wan. Alex’s piece on horror impresario James Wan.

Split Lip. Sam Costello’s anthology of short horror comics – we recommend!

The Canadian Horror Film: Terror of the Soul. Many great essays on Canuck horror, including Andrea’s chapter on Pontypool.

The Whorer: Episode 81. The Whorer podcast had a slightly different reading of Clive Barker’s Hellraiser films.

Based on True Case Files: Ed and Lorraine Warren in Film. Alex’s overview of Ed and Lorraine Warren’s life on film.

Remembering Notorious British TV Shocker, Ghostwatch. Alex’s article on the prolific BBC production.

The Witches: Salem, 1692. Stacy Schiff’s excellent book is a great companion to our witches episodes.

I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem. A recommendation from a listener for another perspective on Arthur Miller’s character from The Crucible.

COURSE NOTES

Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher.

LISTEN

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Episode 33. All Work and No Play: Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining (1980)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 18:50:10 +0000

Alex and Andrea take a tour of the Overlook Hotel examining Stanley Kubrick’s seminal film, the spectre of Stephen King’s book and the complexities of family life under the American dream.

REQUIRED READING

The Shining. Dir Stanley Kubrick, 1980

EXTRA CREDIT

Kubrick Goes Gothic. A preview piece from American Film anticipating the release and impact of The Shining.

The Overlook Hotel. This comprehensive Tumblr has all your Shining-related needs covered.

The Making of The Shining. Vivian Kubrick’s candid behind-the-scenes documentary should really be required reading!

Studies in the Horror Film: Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, edited by Danel Olson. Essays, artwork and interviews that deliver the goods that other books might have, ahem… overlooked.

COURSE NOTES

Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher.

LISTEN

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Episode 32. I Want Your Sex: David Cronenberg’s Shivers (1975)

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 03:58:12 +0000

Alex and Andrea are joined by Paul “Canuxploitation” Corupe to deconstruct the architecture and isolation of David Cronenberg’s first feature, SHIVERS, within the context of the Canadian film industry. So grab your favourite parasite, check on your neighbours and listen in.

To enter the HORRORWOOD NORTH giveaway – use #Horrorwood and tag us (@FacultyofHorror) with your favourite Canadian horror film (contest open internationally).

To enter the SATANIC PANIC giveaway – use #SatanicPanic and tag us (@FacultyofHorror) with your favourite Satanic film (contest open internationally).

REQUIRED READING

Shivers. Dir David Cronenberg, 1975.

EXTRA CREDIT

They Came From Within: A History of Canadian Horror Cinema by Caelum Vatnsdal.

From Cinépix to Cineplex: The Studios that Dripped Maple Syrup. From Paul Corupe’s excellent Canuxploitation website, a look at the studios that helped shaped Canadian genre films.

Language Conflict in Quebec. An overview of Quebec’s political and social turbulence from the late 1960s to 1980s.

FEAR ON FILM: Landis, Carpenter, Cronenberg! An excellent interview with Cronenberg and other horror auteurs.

COURSE NOTES

Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher.

LISTEN

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Episode 31. The Power of Christ Compels You: The Exorcist (1973)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 03:13:33 +0000

Keep a crucifix close and put some pea soup on the stove because Alex and Andrea are confronting their demons to talk about The Exorcist and why the scariest things are sometimes the most personal.

REQUIRED READING

The Exorcist. Dir William Friedkin, 1973.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty.

The 1949 Washington Post piece on an exorcism in Mt. Rainier. The news article that inspired Blatty to write the best-selling novel.

History Today article on The Exorcist. Nick Cull explores how the smash-hit horror film exploited all the issues that most worried Americans in the early 1970s.

Horror and the Monstrous-Feminine: An Imaginary Abjection by Barbara Creed. Creed’s seminal paper which explores the female body as a site of trauma and terror.

I Was There Too – The Exorcist with Eileen Dietz. Matt Gourley’s fun and informative podcast focuses on interviews with actors who were there for the great moments of cinema history. In this episode he interviews Linda Blair’s body and stunt double who was also the face of Captain Howdy, Eileen Dietz, who gives a personal account of the shooting of the film.

Shock Value: How a Few Eccentric Outsiders Gave Us Nightmares, Conquered Hollywood, and Invented Modern Horror by Jason Zinoman. The New York Times writer describes playwright Harold Pinter’s influence on The Exorcist’s original theatrical cut.

COURSE NOTES

Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher.

LISTEN

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Filmmaker Spotlight: Tal Zimerman & Why Horror?

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 00:59:49 +0000

Why do we watch horror movies? The aptly named documentary Why Horror? poses that very question to scholars, writers, artists, filmmakers and fans. The film follows comedian, horror journalist and our guest Tal Zimerman as he ventures around the world in an attempt to figure out why we love the grotesque and the terrifying.

Why Horror? will receive its American television premiere Friday October 30th, on Showtime.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Why Horror? Official Website

The Why Horror? Facebook Page

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Filmmaker Spotlight. Dreamweaver: Wes Craven (1939-2015)

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 01:57:38 +0000

A mini-episode sharing our memories of Craven’s films and their impact.

EXTRA CREDIT

Never Sleep Again: The Nightmare on Elm Street Legacy (2010). The only Nightmare on Elm Street documentary you need to see.

Post Mortem: the Mick Garris Interview series. A wonderful four-part interview with Craven covering the highlights of his career.

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Episode 30. Born to Run: Battle Royale (2000)

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 00:45:52 +0000

Andrea and Alex grab their randomly assigned weapons and try to survive the danger zones of Kinji Fukasaku’s turn of the millennium classic while discussing the film’s emphasis on generational divides and the construction of adolescence.

REQUIRED READING

Battle Royale. Dir Kinji Fukasaku, 2000.

EXTRA CREDIT

Battle Royale by Koushun Takami.

The Japanese High School: Silence and Resistance – A thorough overview of the Japanese high school system and its cultural impact.

You Must Remember This Podcast – Karina Longworth’s episodes on Charlie Manson’s Hollywood are great. Highly recommended listening for Faculty lovers!

COURSE NOTES

Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher.

LISTEN

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Episode 29. Jesus Wept: Hellraiser (1987) and Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 23:58:46 +0000

Andrea and Alex open a puzzlebox to unpack the history, mythology and impact of Clive Barker’s iconic series.

REQUIRED READING

Hellraiser. Dir Clive Barker, 1987.
Hellbound: Hellraiser II. Dir Tony Randel. 1988.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Hellbound Heart – Clive Barker’s novella that spawned the franchise.

“Fire, Brimstone and PVC: Clive Barker’s Cenobites as Agents of Hell” – Andrea’s chapter in The Undead and Theology looks at how the Hellraiser series suggests a modernized depiction of hell, morality and punishment.

The Hellraiser Podcast – They’ll tear your ears apart!

COURSE NOTES

Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher.

LISTEN

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Episode 28. Horrorwood: The Haunting (1999) and World War Z (2013)

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 03:55:19 +0000

Blockbusters are as much a part of summer as sunburns and mosquitoes. In this episode, Andrea and Alex explore what it means when the billion dollar industry that is Hollywood casts its evil eye on the horror genre during their most profitable time of the year.

REQUIRED READING

The Haunting. Dir Jan De Bont. 1999.
World War Z. Dir Marc Forster, 2013.

EXTRA CREDIT

Brad’s War. Vanity Fair’s in-depth look at the plagued production of World War Z.

Conclusion to Culture and Society by Raymond Williams. The conclusion to the cultural theorist’s book, containing his insights on community, “the masses” and the myth of common culture.

LISTEN

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Episode 27. Bewitched: Witches in Film Part 2, with The Witchfinder General (1968), The Crucible (1996) and Inferno (1980)

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 21 May 2015 04:22:49 +0000

We return to the theme of witches with an evil eye to look at them in a broader historical and social context. Who was a witch? Who was a bitch? Who actually deserved what they got?

REQUIRED READING

The Witchfinder General. Dir Michael Reeves. 1968.
Inferno. Dir Dario Argento. 1980.
The Crucible. Dir Nicholas Hytner. 1996.

EXTRA CREDIT

Why I Wrote the Crucible. Arthur Miller’s take on his own play as it’s about the hit the big screen.

The Moral Panic Concept. An overview and analysis of moral panic.

LISTEN

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Episode 26. Mother Lover: Matriarchy in The Wicker Man (1973 & 2006) and Paranormal Activity 3 (2011)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 11:37:20 +0000

Andrea and Alex talk about sisters doing it for themselves as women run communities, islands and families with sinister intentions. Are they better, worse or the same as communities run by men? Have they developed an immunity to bee stings and Bloody Mary?

REQUIRED READING

The Wicker Man. Dir Robin Hardy. 1973
The Wicker Man. Dir Neil LaBute. 2006
Paranormal Activity 3. Dir Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman. 2011

EXTRA CREDIT

The Myth of Matriarchal Prehistory. The first chapter from Cynthia Eller’s book which discusses the second wave feminism fascination with a matriarchal order.

The Eeriness of the English Countryside. From film to literature, a look at why the British countryside creeps us out.

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Episode 25. I Thought There’d Be Stars: The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

asubissati@gmail.com — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 11:00:39 +0000

Andrea and Alex return to the outskirts of civilization with Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon’s The Cabin in the Woods. Looking at archetypes, genre tropes and the limits of humanity, the Faculty ponders the fate of horror and if it should survive.

REQUIRED READING

The Cabin in the Woods. Dir Drew Goddard. 2012.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Cabin in the Woods: The Official Visual Companion by Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon.

Literature’s Greatest Fools. A look at famous fools from across literature.

The Stanford Prison Experiment on YouTube. Not a horror movie per se, but pretty chilling all the same.

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Episode 24. Kill is Kiss: Pontypool (2008)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 07:00:15 +0000

Up is down, left is right and black is white in this month’s episode. Tackling the Canadian winter horror film Pontypool, Andrea and Alex talk about national identity, broadcast journalism and how the stories we tell should stop making sense.

REQUIRED READING

Pontypool. Dir Bruce McDonald. 2008.

EXTRA CREDIT

Marshall McLuhan’s Understanding Media: The Extension of Man (1964). The Canadian theorist’s treatise on humanity’s dependence on (and interpretations of) media.

Northrop Frye – Conclusion to a Literary History of Canada (1965). Canadian-ism and the garrison mentality.

Survival: A Thematic Guide to Canadian Literature (1972) by Margaret Atwood.

Pontypool Changes Everything (2009) by Tony Burgess.

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Filmmaker Spotlight: Ashlea Wessel

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 02:52:14 +0000

Andrea and Alex talk to emerging filmmaker Ashlea Wessel about her new body-horror/creature feature “Ink”. The ladies talk filmmaking styles, assembling a crew and horror influences.

She also created this amazing photo of The Faculty of Horror! In case you ever wondered what our babies would look like…

The Indiegogo campaign for INK is still going. Please share and/or contribute!

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Episode 23. The Assessment Part 2: The Revenge

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 01:00:39 +0000

Andrea and Alex venture once more into the breach and tackle the questions and comments received over the last year. They also look back on a year’s worth of topics and reassess their own opinions.

EXTRA CREDIT

The 8-bit Lakeside Lunatic by artist Trevor Henderson.

House of Psychotic Women: An Autobiographical Topography of Female Neurosis in Horror and Exploitation Films by Kier-La Janisse. Highly recommended reading!

Sexing the Cherry by Jeanette Winterson. Subverted fairy-tale goodness.

Definitions and terminology from the National Center for Transgender Equality.

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Episode 22. You Better Watch Out: Santa Claus Comes to Town in Saint (2010) and Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)

asubissati@gmail.com — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 20:15:09 +0000

Andrea and Alex get in the holiday spirit by exploring the myths, legends and traditions that surround one of the most beloved and iconic figures in North America, Santa Claus. In both Saint and Rare Exports, our notions of Santa are turned on their heads but we might still discover the true meaning of Christmas.

REQUIRED READING

Saint. Dir Dick Maas. 2010.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale. Dir Jalmari Helander. 2010.

EXTRA CREDIT

Rare Export Inc. and Rare Exports Safety Instructions. The short films that started it all.

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Episode 21. What To Expect When You’re Expecting: Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 00:01:07 +0000

Don’t drink the herbal remedy, don’t eat the mousse because Andrea and Alex are back to talk about Roman Polanski’s 1968 film, Rosemary’s Baby. By looking at filmic techniques, societal changes and our relationship with evil, you’ll see that this is no dream, this is really happening.

REQUIRED READING

Rosemary’s Baby. Dir Roman Polanski. 1968.

EXTRA CREDIT

Roman Polanski on “Rosemary’s Baby” – Conversations Inside The Criterion Collection. Vice pulls interviews and clips from the Criterion Collection extras for a revealing behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film.

Rosemary’s Baby – Comprehensive Storyform. A detailed breakdown of the numerous conflicts and objectives at play in Rosemary’s Baby.

Background on Reproductive Rights. A look at the challenges that have faced the fight for access to birth control.

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Episode 20. “It’s Very Hard To Get Lost In America These Days”: The Blair Witch Project (1999)

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 04:19:44 +0000

Andrea and Alex take a wrong turn down the horrored halls and discuss Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick’s groundbreaking film, The Blair Witch Project. By looking at the created mythology, unstable narrative and audience reaction they hope to find the map before it starts getting dark.

REQUIRED READING

The Blair Witch Project. Dir Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick. 1999. [DVD]

EXTRA CREDIT

32 Things We Learned From the ‘Blair Witch Project’ Commentary Track. A break down of the most salient points from the director and producer commentary on the DVD.

Book Excerpt: “Film Firsts: The 25 Movies that Created Contemporary American Cinema” by Ethan Alter. An analysis of the release and revolutionary marketing campaign.

The Blair Witch Project. The OG website with only a few updates. Still a great source the Blair Witch mythology and timeline of events.

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Episode 19. Devoured: Eating Disorders in Black Swan (2010) and Drag Me To Hell (2009)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 19:15:17 +0000

Alex and Andrea explore the history, treatment and perception of eating disorders through Darren Aronofsky’s Oscar winning film Black Swan and Sam Raimi’s return to the horror genre, Drag Me To Hell.

REQUIRED READING

Black Swan. Dir Darren Aronofsky. 2010. [DVD]

Drag Me To Hell. Dir Sam Raimi. 2009. [Blu-ray]

EXTRA CREDIT

A History of Eating Disorders. A general overview of the history of the disease and different methods of treatment.

What if anorexia wasn’t a disorder, but a passion? A new reading on rethinking the way that anorexia is treated and thought of.

Body Refractions – Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan. An academic article examining the use of doubling, mirroring and lust in Black Swan.

Sam Raimi Interview, Drag Me To Hell. The director discusses his return to horror and the morality behind the film.

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Episode 18. Camp Blood: Friday the 13th (1980) and Sleepaway Camp (1983)

asubissati@gmail.com — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 03:17:49 +0000

Pack your bag, say goodbye to Mom and Dad because it’s camp time. The annual tradition of camping has come to the Faculty of Horror and Andrea and Alex set off into the wilds to talk about nature, madmen/women and the politics of adolescence.

REQUIRED READING

Sleepaway Camp. Dir. Robert Hiltzik. 1983. [Blu-ray/DVD]

Friday the 13th. Dir. Sean S. Cunningham. 1980. [DVD]

EXTRA CREDIT

History of Summer Camps. A brief history of the North American compulsion to camp overnight.

Sleepaway Camp Analysis, a brilliant and well-referenced article on the impact of the film from a soiological perspective.

Horror Movies as Modern Day Morality Tales. An analytical look at some of the most popular slashers and what they have to teach us about life (and horrible, grisly death).

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Episode 17. Blood in the Water: Jaws (1975) and Piranha (1978)

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 13:41:40 +0000

Alex and Andrea take the biggest boat they can find and go into the deep as summer dawns once again. Their bait is the examination of nature as vengeance, the strong hold of Americana and the new masculine hero. Hopefully they’ll be home in time for dinner.

REQUIRED READING

Jaws. Dir. Steven Spielberg. 1975. [Blu-ray/DVD]
Piranha. Dir. Joe Dante. 1978. [DVD] [Blu-ray]

EXTRA CREDIT

Jaws – Between the Teeth by Peter Biskind. One of the first in depth analysis of Spielberg’s jaws, film writer Biskind tackles the cultural impact and its roots in literature

A guide to the fantastical work of Joe Dante by Keith Phipps, Scott Tobias & Noel Murray. An overview of the career of one of the most beloved directors in genre film.

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Episode 16. Toil and Trouble: Witches in Film

asubissati@gmail.com — Fri, 23 May 2014 20:35:32 +0000

Join Alex and Andrea as they call the corners and delve into the world of witchcraft. By examining The Craft (1996), Antichrist (2009) and The Lords of Salem (2013) the role of the witch as protagonist/antagonist will emerge and will reveal that there is more to these women than meets the eye (of newt).

REQUIRED READING

The Craft. Dir. Andrew Fleming. 1996. [DVD]

Antichrist. Dir. Lars Von Trier. 2009. [Blu-ray]

Lords of Salem. Dir. Rob Zombie. 2013. [DVD]

EXTRA CREDIT

Glamorous Witchcraft: Gender and Magic in Teen Film and Television. An essay about how the young/adolescent witch provides insight into negotiating female power.

The White Goddess: A Historical Grammar of Poetic Myth by Robert Graves. Recommended reading on witchcraft by listener T Quest!

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Episode 15. Life, Death and the Tall Man: Phantasm and Phantasm II

asubissati@gmail.com — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 20:48:14 +0000

Andrea and Alex dig up the bodies they have been burying around the city and discuss the business of death, dream logic, and some beloved character’s journeys through Don Coscarelli’s first two films in the Phantasm universe.

REQUIRED READING

Phantasm. Dir. Don Coscarelli. 1979. [DVD]

Phantasm II. Dir. Don Coscarelli. 1988. [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

EXTRA CREDIT

The Order of the Good Death. A movement to de-mystify the death industry. The videos section is highly recommended viewing.

LISTEN

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Episode 14. Join Us: The Evil Dead & Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 04:02:40 +0000

Alex and Andrea pack up their problems and head to a remote cabin in the woods to learn what lurks deep inside every man which leads to bloodshed and dismemberment. Hopefully, by utilizing hero and mythical analysis they’ll be able to get the safety deposit back.

REQUIRED READING

The Evil Dead. Dir. Sam Raimi. 1981. [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

Evil Dead II. Dir. Sam Raimi. 1987. [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

EXTRA CREDIT

An overview of the Ancient Greek uses for comedy and tragedy. Many of these same specifications still apply to the genre today.

A breakdown of the Joseph Campell Hero’s Journey. From an overall look to a step by step breakdown of each part.

An analysis of Carl Jung’s journey theory, what each one means and how the sometimes very slight differences can change the overall outcome.

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Episode 13. Til Death Do Us Part: Monster Brides

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 05:05:32 +0000

With Valentine’s Day upon us again, Alex and Andrea examine the mates of classic monsters. What is their role? How big is their ring? And will it last past the wedding night?

REQUIRED READING

The Bride of Frankenstein. Dir. James Whale. 1935. [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

The Brides of Dracula. Dir. Terence Fisher. 1960 [Blu-Ray & DVD Combo]

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Episode 12. The Assessment

asubissati@gmail.com — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 05:04:07 +0000

In their twelfth episode Andrea and Alex sift through assorted feedback culled from emails, comments and social media. They dare to tackle the dark and tortuous questions from a year of horror podcasting such as, who are you? Why are you here? Are you ready to accept Jesus Christ as your lord and savior?

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Episode 11. Family Dinner: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 05:02:35 +0000

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so Andrea and Alex take a bite out of Tobe Hooper’s horror classic and all the film and cultural theory that goes with it because the family that eats together, stays together.

REQUIRED READING

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Dir. Tobe Hooper. 1974 [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Dir. Marcus Nispel. 2003 [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

EXTRA CREDIT

The E! True Hollywood Story: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. A sensationalist look at the inception, production and reception of Tobe Hooper’s Texas Chain Saw Massacre in time for one of the Platinum Dunes retreads.

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Episode 10. Girl, You’ll be a Woman Soon

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 05:00:56 +0000

It’s that time of the month! In this episode, Alex and Andrea get a visit from their Aunt Flo to talk about the most natural of all curses: womanhood. Listen as they bleed poetic about Ginger Snaps and Carrie.

REQUIRED READING

Carrie. Dir. Brian De Palma. (1976) [DVD] [Blu-ray]

Ginger Snaps. Dir. John Fawcett. (2000) [DVD] [Bluray/DVD Combo]

EXTRA CREDIT

Monster Pains: Masochism, Menstruation, and Identification in the Horror Film by Aviva Briefel. An analysis about the internal pain of the monster figure.

On the Rag on Screen: Menarche in Film and Television by Elizabeth Arveda Kissling. An in-depth examination of the menstruating monster and its effects on society.

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Episode 9. Child’s Play: Children in Horror Films

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 04:59:50 +0000

Alex and Andrea regress back to childhood to discuss children in scary situations. From the good, the bad and the adorable, they tackle notions of class, purity and what happens to the kids who get picked last for Stick Ball.

REQUIRED READING

The Bad Seed. Dir. Mervyn Leroy. 2004. [DVD] [Blu-ray]

The Omen. Dirs. J.M. Kenny, Richard Donner. 1976. [DVD] [Blu-ray]

The Devil’s Backbone. Dir. Guillermo Del Toro. 2001. (Criterion) [DVD] [Blu-ray]

EXTRA CREDIT

Can You Call A Nine Year Old a Psychopath by Jennifer Khan, originally appeared in The New York Times Magazine. A fascinating look at families dealing with the real possibility that their child may be a psychopath.

LISTEN

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Episode 8. A Friend of a Friend: Urban Legends in Film

asubissati@gmail.com — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 04:58:44 +0000

In this episode Andrea and Alex dig up the stories from our past that we just can’t seem to quit. Why do they keep reappearing, who’s responsible and what’s that scratching noise?

REQUIRED READING

Candyman. Dir. Clive Barker. 1992 [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

Urban Legend. Dir. Jamie Banks. 1998. [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

LISTEN

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Episode 7. Chianti You Hear the Lambs?

asubissati@gmail.com — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 04:56:15 +0000

In this episode the ladies tackle genre, identity and snack food structures in Jonathan Demme’s classic 1992 film Silence of the Lambs. Listen for their screams…

REQUIRED READING

Manhunter. Dir. Michael Mann. 1986. [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

The Silence of the Lambs. Dir. Jonathan Demme. 1991. [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

Red Dragon. Dir. Brett Ratner. 2002. [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

EXTRA CREDIT

A History Channel Documentary, Serial Killers: The Real Silence of the Lambs. A look at the FBI’s behavioural unit and how they have evolved since the release of Jonathan Demme’s film.

LISTEN

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Episode 6. One Ring to Rule Them All: Ring (1998) and The Ring (2002)

asubissati@gmail.com — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 04:54:50 +0000

Alex and Andrea watch a cursed tape. Well, two cursed tapes. Well, a movie about a cursed tape and a remake of that movie. In this episode we’re talking about Hideo Nakata’s Ring (1998) and the Gore Verbinski The Ring (2002) and how changes big and small illuminate dark secrets in different parts of the world.

REQUIRED READING

Ringu. Dir. Hideo Nakata. 1998. [DVD]

The Ring. Dir. Gore Verbinski. 2013. [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

EXTRA CREDIT

The Remake Man by Tad Friend, originally appeared in The New Yorker. A piece about the enigmatic figure of Roy Lee the man who helped launch the J-Horror remake trend and raise it to dizzying heights.

LISTEN

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Episode 5. “I Slay Therefore I Am” – The Buffyverse 1997-2003

asubissati@gmail.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 04:53:16 +0000

Join Alex and Andrea along with special guest Stuart “Feedback” Andrews (host of the Rue Morgue Podcast and Cinephobia Radio) as they tackle Joss Whedon’s seminal television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. By delving into some of the most significant episodes of the series, this Scooby Gang will dive into the thematic and schematic elements of the show in their biggest episode yet!

REQUIRED READING

Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 2010. (The Complete Series) [DVD]

EXTRA CREDIT

Slayage Online – A massive online resource for papers and chapters examining and analyzing the world of Buffy. If it’s not in here, they also accept submissions.

LISTEN

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Episode 4. Do you like scary movies?

asubissati@gmail.com — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 04:50:08 +0000

In this episode, Andrea, Alex and friends tackle the age-old question, which horror films scare you the most? Using different analytical frameworks we discuss a variety of scary films and scenes while grappling with our own traumas.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Uncanny by Sigmund Freud. Freud’s essay about The Uncanny and its transformative powers.

LISTEN

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Episode 3: Jennifer’s Body (2009)

asubissati@gmail.com — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 04:46:15 +0000

In this episode, Alex and Andrea aim their smart-bombs squarely at Diablo Cody’s Jennifer’s Body and how there’s much more to the film than meets the eye.

REQUIRED READING

Jennifer’s Body. Dir. Karyn Kusama. 2009. [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

EXTRA CREDIT

Horror Films… And the Women Who Love Them by Christine Spines, originally printed in Entertainment Weekly. A look at the trend of leading and supporting female roles in horror films and an examination of how the horror market has begun to sway towards women as they make up an increasingly larger percentage of ticket buyers.

LISTEN

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Episode 2. Valentine’s Day: Fatal Attraction (1987) vs Fear (1996)

asubissati@gmail.com — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 00:58:46 +0000

To celebrate the world’s most meaningless holiday, Andrea and Alex take a look at Fear and Fatal Attraction in a celebration of love- the kind that takes a lot to die.

REQUIRED READING

Fatal Attraction. Dir. Adrian Lyne. 1987. [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

Fear. Dir. James Foley. 1996. [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

EXTRA CREDIT

The Traffic in Men and the Fatal Attraction of Post Feminist Masculinity by Bonnie J Dow. This essay examines The Stepford Wives (original and remake) along with Adrian Lyne’s Fatal Attraction and how new readings of female character impacts and changes readings of male characters.

LISTEN

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Episode 1. Halloween (1978) Vs Black Christmas (1974)

asubissati@gmail.com — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 22:57:00 +0000

Join horror journalists and occasional academics Andrea Subissati and Alexandra West as they discuss the seminal Canadian proto-slasher Black Christmas, as well as John Carpenter‘s immortal classic Halloween.

REQUIRED READING

Black Christmas. Dir. Bob Clark. 1974. [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

Halloween. Dir. John Carpenter. 1978. [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

LISTEN

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