Dark Discussions Podcast

With the quiet success and profit of the films X (2022) and PEARL (2022), director/screenwriter Ti West is back with his “final” film in the “X Trilogy”.  MAXXXINE (2024) picks up a few years later from the events from X and continues following the story of Maxine Minx, now back in Los Angeles and trying to break into “legit” films.Maxine (Mia Goth), still dealing with what happened during the filming of her adult film in X (2022), tries out and gets the part for a sequel to the popular mainstream horror movie The Puritan.  But her past seems to follow her as a mysterious video tape appears at her door with unreleased footage from the movie she had filmed back during the Texas massacre.  With some recent murders, the police, her agent, a private investigator, and her friends all get wrapped up into a shocking mystery revolving around Maxine’s past.Besides Mia Goth, the film stars Kevin Bacon, Michell Monaghan, Elizabeth Debicki, Giancarlo Esposito, among others including Dan Lench.  Dark Discussions talks about the film and is joined by Dan as we discuss the film and talk about the movie and Dan’s experiences in this fabulous production.

A QUIET PLACE (2018) and A QUIET PLACE 2 (2020) were two of the very best horror films to come out these last few years. Scary, intense, and suspenseful, they put people on their toes and made a heck of a good time whether you were a horror fan or not. Now, a prequel to the series, with new characters and in a new location, by a new writer/director has come: A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE (2024).Samira (Lupita Nyong'o) is living at a nursing home with terminal cancer. When Reuben (Alex Wolff), her nurse, says he's set up a trip to Manhattan to watch a play, she agrees because she wants to have true New York style pizza one last time. However, the alien invasion seen in the first two films begins, leaving her and Eric (Joseph Quinn), a college student, lost in the half destroyed city trying to survive.The movie was written and directed by Michael Samoski who previously made the well received film PIG (2021). The film, shifting from rural America to the largest city in the country, focuses more on the individual stories of its lead characters. Dark Discussions takes a look at this film and gives their thoughts. Does it live up to the greatness of its two predecessors?

A weekly podcast discussing the weekly Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon

A weekly podcast discussing the weekly Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon

Shark movies, there has been a mixed bag. Obviously, Peter Bentley's exciting novel was turned into the classic thriller JAWS (1975). Other films have been great fun like BAIT (2012) and THE MEG (2018). Some have been more serious and pretty solid such as 47 METERS DOWN (2017) and its sequel. And the shark-adjacent film OPEN WATER (2003) was fabulous. Now the new film, UNDER PARIS (2024), has arrived on Netflix focusing on sharks … and more sharks.Marine researcher, Sophia (Berenice Bejo), while on an expedition in the Pacific focusing on pollution related to shark habitats, watches in horror as her husband and friends all get eaten by the animals. Years later, environmentalists come to her and claim that one of the sharks that she and her crew had tagged on that mission is now in the Seine River and endangering the city.The movie got some early buzz when it appeared June 5, 2024 on Netflix. Was it because the movie stood above other shark films or was it simply the mass advertisement on the front page of the Netflix app that gave it notice. Your co-hosts take a look at this new film and are joined by actor Dan Lench (from such films as MaXXXine (2024) and CIRCLE (2015).

A weekly podcast discussing the weekly Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon

Pride month is wrapping down. So for the last film for our theme month where we are reviewing lesbian arthouse movies, we take a look at the definition of an arthouse film. The movie, ELENORE MAKES LOVE, from 2015, is a short hour long feature with the feel of the type of film that showed daily in New York City during the heyday of black and white erotic films. And yet, like many of them, it presents itself the esoteric and complex arthouse feel that turned erotism into avante-garde or artifice.From IMDB: A young, tall, blonde, female photographer, Dee (Dee Herlihy), meets a pretty brunette model, Eleanor (Audrey Kovar), in an upscale hotel suite in New York City for a private photo shoot. They soon romantically connect and spend the weekend together in the room. As the film progresses into a non-linear dream-like mix of conversation and making love, it is slowly revealed that the two women have a past together. In the end, that past may be more present than we think. In the different flashbacks, the photographer’s brother (Ryan Balas) tells her that he disapproves of her dating Elenore, while Elenore the model has another lover, a married man, whom she spends time with on the side.The film was directed and written by Ryan Balas while also starring as Dee’s brother. A cast of only four, the film stars Dee Helihy, Audrey Kovar, Ryan Balas, and Richard Buonagurio. Being shorter in length, and as deeply arthouse as a film can be, the movie has little reviews by press or websites. Your co-hosts, however, decide to take a look at this little film and give their thoughts.

A weekly podcast discussing the weekly Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon

Internet influencers are no longer a new phenomenon. In this day and age, there are so many, and everyone can take a shot of being one. Whether it is cooking, exercise, home repair, music, or gaming, viewers can never find enough of what they are looking for. The horror movie has also shown this before. Whether it is the film GONJIAM: HAUNTED ASYLUM (2018) or FOLLOW HER (2023), social media and the platforms of influencers are an interesting plot device for scary cinema. A new film, BODY MIND SPIRIT (2024), makes this format its own.Anya (Sarah Bartholomew) inherits her grandmother’s house in California. Bored and without direction, she decides to make her own YouTube channel as a yoga instructor. When she finds her grandmother’s journal, she changes directions and instead follows the “exercises” within it. But is the journal a summoning book for demons, a detailed encyclopedia of witchcraft spells, or just a fun and silly workout for Anya to present for her followers?The movie was directed by Alex Henes and Matthew Merenda and written along with Topher Hendricks. Besides Sarah Bartholomew in the lead role, the film also stars Madi Bready, Anna Knigge, and Kristi Noory. Your co-hosts take a look at this “found footage” movie and give their thoughts.

Small budget films pop up every so often that get a lot of good buzz. Many don’t necessarily have an original idea, yet they do it a new way. The new film, WHAT YOU WISH FOR (2024), doesn’t much tell you anything from the title, but by the ending of the movie it makes perfect sense.Ryan (Nick Stahl) heads to Colombia to visit his old culinary arts college buddy, Jack (Brian Groh). His real reason to visit may be more to do with escaping loansharks. When an unfortunate incident happens, Ryan decides to do the private chef’s dinner that Jack was supposed to do. Soon, things turn out a bit different than he had hoped. And what he wished for may not be what he really wanted.The movie was written and directed by Nicholas Tomnay. Beside Nick Stahl and Brian Groh, the cast includes a great group of performers including Tamsin Topolski, Juan Carlos Messier, Penelope Mitchell, and Randy Vasquez. Your co-hosts take a look at this VOD selection and give their thoughts.

For our theme month where we are reviewing lesbian arthouse movies for pride month, we take a look at a very interesting film about the creator of Wonder Woman and the women in his life. The film is a well received film entitled PROFESSOR MARSTON AND THE WONDER WOMEN (2017)Professor William Marston (Luke Evans) is a professor at Harvard University with his wife Elizabeth (Rebecca Hall). When student Olive Byrne (Bella Heathcote) becomes his assistant, the three become entangled in a love triangle. Using his ideas entitled DISC theory, he begins to live his life that way, as well as invent the character of Wonder Woman following the same hypothesis.The film is written and directed by Angela Robinson. Since it did not contact the family and estate of Marston, Elizabeth, and Olive, the film is very much fictional about actual individuals. However, is the film any good and does it have compelling plot points to standout? Your co-hosts take a look at the movie and give their thoughts.

A weekly podcast discussing the weekly Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon

Bugs, creepy crawlies, and spiders have always been a human fear.  As a result they have made appearances in so many films to scare the heck out of folks.  From Shelob in THE LORD OF THE RINGS (2002-2003) to the large spiders from the 2007 film, THE MIST, spiders are alive and well in film.  The new French film, INFESTED (2024), has joined the "web".When a young collector of insects and exotic animals purchases a spider from the Paris black market, he brings it back to his apartment building.  Not knowing what type of spider, he becomes careless and the creature escapes.  Soon it multiplies, using mammals and people as hosts, resulting in an infestation that will kill them all.The movie has received excellent reviews.  The movie most recently made its debut to the Shudder streaming service where it received a lot of attention.  Does the film live up to the word of mouth that has followed it?  Your co-hosts take a look at the film to give their thoughts.

Pride month and lesbian arthouse films continues. For our second film in the themed month of the podcast, we take a look at a 2017 release called BECKS (2017).Rebecca (Lena Hall) is an aspiring folk singer. When her girlfriend has an affair, Rebecca, broke and apartmentless, heads back home to St. Louis to live with her widowed mother, Ann (Christine Lahti). Soon Rebecca gets a music gig at her old friend’s bar where she meets Elyse (Mena Suvari), a married woman who comes to listen to music with her friends. Soon Elyse takes up guitar lessons from Rebecca. And as always, life doesn’t follow the expected past.The movie stars Lena Hall, Mena Suvari, Christine Lahti, Dan Fogler, and Michael Zegen; a very impressive group of character actors and actresses. The film was co-directed by Daniel Powell and Elizabeth Rohrbaugh and made the festival circuit back in 2017 during its release. Your co-hosts take a look at the movie and give their thoughts about the film.

THE PLANET OF THE APES series has become an institution.  For whatever reason, audiences get a kick out of seeing intelligent apes taking over the world.  With the 2011 reboot film, DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, the series took off once more after being dormant for many years.  The fourth film in the reboot, THE KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (2024), was recently released to some acclaim.Intelligent chimpanzee Noa (Owen Teague) sees his village destroyed and his clan taken prisoner by renegade apes.  He goes off to save all he can.  On his journey, he is joined by Raka (Peter Macon), a Bornean orangutan, and Mae (Freya Allan), a human, and their journey leads them to Proximus (Kevin Durand) who has set up a coastal ape city where Noa's clan may have been taken to.The film is directed by Wes Ball, written by Josh Friedman, inspired by the novel by Pierre Boulle.  Besides Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Peter Macon, and Kevin Durand, the film's cast includes William H. Macy, Dichen Lachman, and Travis Jeffery.  Receiving good reviews from critics and audiences alike, your co-hosts take a look at the latest film in the franchise and gives their thoughts.

A weekly podcast discussing the Amazon Prime Fallout television series.

Welcome to Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews theme month. June has been designated as Pride Month for the LGBT community. So to fit with the month, once again the podcast has decided to review various art house lesbian films as we did last year. To start off with, we are doing something a bit different. Let’s do a fun comedy and mainstream film to begin before we get into the true arthouse. So we start with the Syndey Sweeney superhit ANYONE BUT YOU (2023).Bea (Sydney Sweeney) meets Ben (Glen Powell) at a Boston coffee shop and they instantly hit it off. After an absolute wonderful date, the two make a mistake causing them to figure to never see each other again. When Ben’s best friends sister is marrying Bea’s sister, the two oddly reconnect. And boy, are they upset with each other. But still, can love overcome a stupid mistake and turn a promising start into a wonderful ending?The film became a surprise hit and brought both stars to full A-list status. The movie was directed by Will Gluck and includes a cast of folks that includes Dermot Mulroney and Michelle Hurd. The movie was also nominated for “Outstanding Film – Wide Theatrical Release” by GLAAD media. Your cohosts take a look at the movie and give their thoughts.

A weekly podcast discussing the Amazon Prime Fallout television series.

When THE OMEN (1976) was released, it received very good reviews even if some critics tried to say it was made to profit on the success of the 1973 film, THE EXORCIST. But it itself has become a classic movie and won numerous awards at various award shows. It became a franchise of films, and even had a remake. Now a prequal has appeared entitled THE FIRST OMEN (2024).In the early 1970’s, American Margaret (Nell Tiger Free) arrives in Rome to become a nun. She meets fellow initiates as she tries to adjust to the rigors of the nunnery she happens to be placed. After some shocking deaths, and an appearance of a strange priest, she begins to doubt if her new home is as safe as she first thought.The movie is directed by Arkasha Stevenson and written by TIm Smith, Arkasha Stevenson, and Keith Thomas. The feature stars Nell Tiger Free along with Ralph Ineson, Sonia Braga, and Bill Nighly. Receiving fairly decent reviews, does the movie live up to the original? Your co-hosts take a look and give their thoughts.

A weekly podcast discussing the Amazon Prime Fallout television series.

A weekly podcast discussing the Amazon Prime Fallout television series.

Witches in horror are one of the most interesting monsters. They can be the broomstick and black cauldron type with green skin and pointy hats, or they can be as nefarious as those seen in such films like THE LORDS OF SALEM (2012) and THE AUTOPSY OF JANE DOE (2016). The new film, BAGHEAD (2024), is another take for this villain that was just released to the streaming station Shudder.Iris (Freya Allan) hasn't seen her father in years. When he dies, he leaves her an old but impressive tavern that she can either sell or try to make ends meet. After signing the typical lawyer-like paperwork, she moves into the tavern to begin her new life. When a strange man breaks in and offers her money to see the woman in the basement, Iris has to make a decision that may determine whether she lives or dies.The movie has received mixed reviews both from critics and audiences alike. With his feature length debut, director Alberto Corredor makes an impressively atmospheric movie. The question is, does the script live up to its production values and its impressive cast that includes the "it girl" Freya Allan. Dark Discussions takes a look at this movie with all the buzz and gives their thoughts.

Over 25 years ago, the Japanese film, RINGU (1998), led a wave of horror films that took some sort of object and turned it into a talisman. Supernatural evil then begins to haunt or curse teenagers or college co-eds leaving many dead, and the remainder including the survivor girl being unable to ever escape the paranormal blight that follows them forever. The Australian film, TALK TO ME (2023), took the common trope and made it feel fresher than it deserved to be.Mia (Sophie Wilde) and her friend Jade (Alexandra Jensen) head to a house party where their high school friends have come upon an embalmed hand that can turn spirits corporeal for the person who holds the hand. When Jade's little brother Riley (Joe Bird) wants a try, things turn deadly as a curse leaves Riley injured and forces Mia into a conundrum that could ultimately lead to her death.Two new filmmakers, brothers Danny and Michael Philippou, directed this surprise A24 hit. Receiving fairly impressive reviews from reviewers while being enjoyed by audiences, the movie made $92M USD at the box office against a budget of $4.5M USD. With its success, the film landed up on many top ten lists of 2023. Dark Discussions takes a look at this interesting film and gives their thoughts.

A weekly podcast discussing the Amazon Prime Fallout television series.

LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL is one of those films that falls within both the Found Footage subcategory and the Cinema Verite subcategories of filmmaking. With its documentary style and its “live” camera shooting, the movie gives us the feel of both before and behind the cameras of a late night television talk show.Night Owls With Jack Delroy is one of the many, but most successful, variety talk shows that are competing with Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show. While beginning to wane in the ratings, Jack (David Dastmalchian) and his team decide to try to make an epic Halloween special including psychics, magicians, and parapsychologists as guests. Unfortunately for everyone involved the supernatural may actually be a real thing.The movie originally made its premiere in 2023 at the SXSW film festival and received some buzz because of it. Released to theaters on March 22nd, 2024, and then on April 19th, 2024 it arrived to Shudder. Receiving excellent reviews by critics, the Cairnes brothers written and directed film, has also been had positive feedback by audiences too. Your co-hosts take a look at this new film and give their thoughts.

A weekly podcast discussing the Amazon Prime Fallout television series.

A weekly podcast discussing the Amazon Prime Fallout television series.

Frank Herbert’s original 1965 story, DUNE, was an astounding success.  It has become one of America’s great novels, and is beloved by science fiction fans.  Most certainly apt to fit in with the space opera subset of speculative fiction, the book has been once again recently turned into a two part film series starting with director Denis Villeneuve’s first in the pair DUNE:  PART ONE (2021).  Now he’s back with the second, DUNE:  PART TWO, that has been one of 2024’s biggest successes. Rather than discuss the intricacies of the story, the movie stars an all-star cast.  Timothee Chalamet plays the lead role of Paul Atreides who may or may not be a promised messianic hero.  Also in the cast is Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem, Christopher Walken, Florence Pugh, among many others.DUNE: PART TWO (2024) received glowing reviews from critics.  With its theatrical success, Warner Brothers appears to have green lit the second book in Frank Herbert’s series DUNE:  MESSIAH.  Dark Discussions takes a look at this new film and gives their thoughts.

A weekly podcast discussing the Amazon Prime Fallout television series.

With a title like MIDNIGHT PEEPSHOW (2024), this latest film from England would spell out grindhouse or midnight movie. Also, once one takes a look, you find out it is actually a horror anthology that has a wraparound story that puts it together. With limited yet positive reviews, does the film live up to its name and its genre or is it a mixed bag like many horror anthologies seem to be.In a back alley of the London streets there is a mysterious peepshow that caters to a certain group of people. But beyond that, a mysterious website reaches out to the more adventurous type hoping to get them to join, both as the entertainer and the customer. But once one travels down this rabbit hole, will they ever get to change their mind, rethink their choices, or are they doomed to a new life that wasn’t what they expected.Recently released to VOD, the movie has received six official reviews on Rottentomatoes with all giving it a positive review. Yet audiences have been more mixed with a score at 60%, still positive but not the 100% that the critics have given it. Your co-hosts take a look at the film and give their thoughts. Does it live up to the exploitation title, the horror elements it suggests, and the fact that it is an anthology?

If you haven’t heard of her yet, Syndney Sweeney is possibly the most sought after actress in Hollywood. She had starring roles in shows like EUPHORIA and THE WHITE LOTUS which suddenly made her a big star. With sex appeal and acting chops, and creating her own production company, she’s been able to star in a number of surprise hits such as 2023’s ANYONE BUT YOU. Then with her appearance on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, her hosting gig made her become a meme. Not surprisingly her latest film, IMMACULATE (2024), has arrived in theaters with a bit of a buzz following it.Cecilia (Sydney Sweeney) heads to Italy to join a nunnery that takes care of those near the end of their life after spending their younger years taking care of the poor and sick. As a Sister, Cecilia learns the ropes and daily routine. One morning, a mysterious happening occurs that causes Cecilia to become the focus of attention to the leadership of the convent. However the strictness and rules of the convent contradict typical healthcare and her own wellbeing causing Cecilia to become concerned.  Her unease makes her begin to question if things aren’t what they appear to be.IMMACULATE may look to be somewhat of a throwback to the nunsploitation of the grindhouse days, but it may actually be more aligned with the French Exteme Horror films of the early 2010’s. Fifty-Five Films, Sweeney’s production company, bought the rights to Andrew Lobel’s screenplay and brought on director Michael Mohan to direct, who she worked with on the film THE VOYEURS (2021). Receiving fairly favorable reviews, your co-hosts take a look at this theatrical release and give their thoughts.

Welcome to Cortana’s Communiques – A weekly discussion of the Paramount+ television series HALO based on the video game series and the universe created by XBox. Starring Pablo Schreiber and Natascha McElhone.Series synopsis:Aliens threaten human existence in an epic 26th-century showdown. TV series based on the video game ‘Halo’.

Once again, after a long break, I am back to discuss all things esoteric and from the bizarre. This time it is I focus upon science and film and the new gigantic box office sensation DUNE PART TWO (2024).

As stated many times on this podcast, the Greys, the white and hairless aliens, are one of the monsters in the horror and science fiction genre that seem not to get enough screen time in film.  In 2022, the Paramount film SIGNIFICANT OTHER alluded to space invaders or some sort of being that may play a prominent role in the movie’s story.Ruth (Maika Monroe (IT FOLLOWS)) and Harry (Jake Lacy (THE WHITE LOTUS)) head out for a camping trip in the woods of the Northwestern United States.  It was supposed to be a romantic time, with Harry even planning something special at an overlook of the Pacific Ocean that means a lot to him.  However, the two find the dead body of a deer that is covered with a black substance that doesn’t seem like any type of moss they’ve ever seen.The film was co-directed and co-written by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen.  The film received buzz with it starring screamqueen Maika Monroe.  As for reviews, the movie has a fair score of 71% by the Rotten Tomatoes meter.  With its interesting twist in the middle of the film, and an unexpected ending that oddly works, your co-hosts take a look at the structure of the movie and give their thoughts on the film as a whole.

Welcome to Cortana’s Communiques – A weekly discussion of the Paramount+ television series HALO based on the video game series and the universe created by XBox. Starring Pablo Schreiber and Natascha McElhone.Series synopsis:Aliens threaten human existence in an epic 26th-century showdown. TV series based on the video game ‘Halo’.

The recently released film, MONOLITH (2024), is technically older as it was shown back in 2022.  An Australian film, the movie took a slow path before eventually getting a full release.  It went from festival to festival before arriving to VOD in January 2024 with a Blu-ray release set for April 2024.A failed and questionable journalist (Lily Sullivan) has started a podcast to try to rebuild her career.  Unlike her prior calling, she has instead focused on the bizarre and unknown to try to get acknowledgment.  When an anonymous email is sent to her telling her to get in contact with a woman named Floramae (Ling Cooper Tang), the podcaster heads down a rabbit hole that may lead to a mystery that she may want to investigate.The movie was written by Lucy Campbell and directed by Matt Vesely.  With only Lily Sullivan (EVIL DEAD RISE (2023)) on screen, the movie follows her as she calls and talks to various other characters throughout the world as the puzzling mystery unfolds in front of her.  Your co-hosts take a look at this new movie and give their thoughts.

Welcome to Cortana’s Communiques – A weekly discussion of the Paramount+ television series HALO based on the video game series and the universe created by XBox. Starring Pablo Schreiber and Natascha McElhone.Series synopsis:Aliens threaten human existence in an epic 26th-century showdown. TV series based on the video game ‘Halo’.

The old German legend, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, was an old scary tale told to many of us as children, or it was part of a collection of fairy tales that we read.  The South Korean film, THE PIPER (2015), takes the premise of the legend and brings it to the post Korean War era in 1953 as a setup to the movie. When a father and his young son head to Seoul to find a doctor that will be able to help with the child’s tuberculosis, they stop in a remote rural village for some food and shelter before they continue on their way.  When the town’s leader mentions that the village has a rat problem, the father offers to help.  He is a piper and says he can get rid of the animals.  Offered payment without even asking, the father begins the process, yet while doing so, the piper changes the dynamics of the village and becomes a threat to the town’s leader.The film was written and directed by Gwang-tae Kim and has received little notice in North America.  However, the movie was chosen as a Patreon pick by one of our listeners, and we found it readily available on VOD.  Your co-hosts take a look at this interesting film.  Is it a hidden gem?  Take a listen and find out.

Welcome to Cortana’s Communiques – A weekly discussion of the Paramount+ television series HALO based on the video game series and the universe created by XBox. Starring Pablo Schreiber and Natascha McElhone.Series synopsis:Aliens threaten human existence in an epic 26th-century showdown. TV series based on the video game ‘Halo’.

The unreliable narrator trope is a common theme in many films.  The new horror film, SOMEWHERE QUIET (2024), is a film written and directed Olivia West Lloyd where she wanted to make the film after the “final girl” survives.  What would her life be like after escaping or being rescued. Meg (Jennifer Kim) and her husband Scott (Kentucker Audley) head out to his wealthy families Cape Cod compound in Massachusetts.  Kim has just survived a kidnapping attempt and is suffering from stress and PTSD.  A time away from the rest of the world may be good for her.  While there, Kim meets Scott’s first cousin, Madelin (Marin Ireland), and the three begin to spend a lot of time together.  As time goes by, Kim begins to have memories, nightmares, and flashbacks that begin to affect her sanity.The Cluster A personality can cause one’s mind to see things that don’t exist and believe things that aren’t happening.  The movie takes a look at such a person and what they “feel” around their surroundings.  Co-star Marin Ireland gives an amazing performance as the eccentric cousin.  Receiving great reviews by a handful of critics but negative reviews from audiences, the crew on the podcast take a look at the movie and give their thoughts.

Welcome to Cortana’s Communiques – A weekly discussion of the Paramount+ television series HALO based on the video game series and the universe created by XBox.  Starring Pablo Schreiber and Natascha McElhone.Series synopsis:Aliens threaten human existence in an epic 26th-century showdown. TV series based on the video game ‘Halo’.

Emerald Fennell’s prior film, PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN (2020), received a lot of note and award nominations.  Her latest film came out late 2023.  SALTBURN (2023) is another dark thriller in same vein as such films as CRUEL INTENTIONS (1999), THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY (1999), and even classic films such as Alfred Hitchcock’s REBECCA (1938). Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) comes from humble beginnings.  Receiving a scholarship to Oxford, he meets wealthy Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi).  After Oliver discovers his father’s passing, Felix invites him for the summer to spend with his family at their estate Saltburn.  Oliver slowly begins to ingratiate himself with the family, but as secrets begin to be exposed, are the Cattons using Oliver or is Oliver using them?The film stars Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, and Rosamund Pike in a highly praised performance.  SALTBURN, though overlooked by some award ceremonies, the movie received excellent reviews even if the story itself may be somewhat unappealing.  Your co-hosts take a look at the movie and give their thoughts.

Welcome to Cortana’s Communiques – A weekly discussion of the Paramount+ television series HALO based on the video game series and the universe created by XBox.  Starring Pablo Schreiber and Natascha McElhone.Series synopsis:Aliens threaten human existence in an epic 26th-century showdown. TV series based on the video game ‘Halo’.

Gregg Araki, probably best known for THE DOOM GENERATION (1995), though not prolific, he has come out with a number of films of note including MYSTERIOUS SKIN (2004).  The script was written by Araki based off a novel of the same name written by author Scott Heim.  A Patreon pick from one of our listeners, the podcast takes a look at the film.Brian Lackey (Brady Corbet), a young man, remembers passing out as a child for unknown reasons.  During one of his episodes he sees a shadowy figure staring down at him.  When he sees a documentary about alien abductions on televisions, he goes visits a young woman his age that claims she too had been abducted.  His discussions with her lead to him searching out Neil McCormick (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who appears in photographs with him as a youngster.  Does Neil have an answer or is there a bigger story?The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Brady Corbet, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Michelle Trachtenberg, Bill Sage, and Elizabeth Shue.  Due to its subject matter, the film received the “dreaded” NC-17 rating.  Controversial, the film still received fine reviews from critics including Roger Ebert.  Your co-hosts take a look at the film and give their thoughts.

Welcome to Cortana’s Communiques – A weekly discussion of the Paramount+ television series HALO based on the video game series and the universe created by XBox. Starring Pablo Schreiber and Natascha McElhone.Series synopsis:Aliens threaten human existence in an epic 26th-century showdown. TV series based on the video game ‘Halo’.

The “Black List” is the top screenplays that have circulated around Hollywood and producers that have not been purchased or made yet.  But the buzz follows them.  The new film I.S.S. (2024) is just that.  The script by Nick Shafir was finally purchased and made into the movie.  Distributed by Bleecker Street, the film debuted at theaters on January 19th, 2024.Dr. Kira Foster (Ariana DeBose) joins the International Space Station crew.  With 3 Americans, and 3 Russians, the crew are to orbit earth and do research in hopes to help humanity.  But soon, a black swan event occurs on earth leaving the two national crews not sure what to do.  With friendships, and even the world in danger of ending, the six must decide whether to trust each other and even those from their own home country.The movie’s cast also includes Chris Messina (DEVIL (2009)), Pilou Asbaek (GAME OF THRONES), John Gallagher (10 CLOVERFIELD LANE (2016)), Masha Mashkova (FOR ALL MANKIND), and Costa Ronin (THE AMERICANS).  The direction was done by Gabriela Cowperthwaite.  And reviews have generally been positive.  Your co-hosts take a look at this recently released film and give their thoughts.

Sometimes Hollywood “royalty” aren’t enough for a film to stand out and become a blockbuster.  When you have director Gregory Hoblit, behind such genre films as PRIMAL FEAR (1996) and FREQUENCY (2000), screenwriter Nicholas Kazan behind AT CLOSE RANGE (1986) and REVERSAL OF FORTUNE (1990), and Denzel Washington starring, you’d think the film FALLEN (1998) would be a blockbuster.  But it wasn’t.  Why?Synopsis:  Detective John Hobbes (Denzel Washington) successfully captures serial killer Edgar Reese (Elias Koteas).  On the day of his execution, Reese seems to have made peace with Hobbes, shaking hands.  But while dying, he appears unrepentant.  Days later, copy cat murders begin and drag Hobbes back into a crime wave that may be more than just done by a man.Besides Denzel Washington, the film’s cast includes John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, James Gandolfini, and Elias Koteas.  The movie was released during a wave of supernatural religious thrillers in the 1990’s that were either hit or miss.  FALLEN received mixed reviews and left the box office with little success.  A Patreon pick from one of our listeners, the podcast crew take a look at the movie and give their thoughts.

The podcast decides to try to do something different with our latest episode. Genre movies, books, video games, disc reviews, interviews, anime, art house film – that’s been our regular format. But with 2023 just wrapping up, and almost all of 2024 still to come, we decided to take a look at various films between the two years and recap and deconstruct what we know.2023 was a pretty mediocre year when it came to genre films. Horror and superhero films were mostly forgettable with the occasional gem that hit it out of the ballpark. We go into depths of some well known films like EVIL DEAD RISE, and some lesser known gems like VENUS and MASTER GARDENER. But we also look back at televisions series like LAST OF US and ONE PIECE too.Then we take a look at some films and television shows coming in 2024. Will the new ALIEN: ROMULUS take the franchise in a new direction? After Ryan Gosling’s performance in BARBIE and Emily Blunt nominated for an Oscar for her role in OPPENHEIMER, will their new film THE FALL GUY that’s coming be a major hit? Also discussed is how some of the 2024 movies that may not make the Dark Discussions Podcast may actually be picked up on Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews as episodes. Take a listen and enjoy.

We are already half way through January in 2024, yet 2023 is now in the rearview mirror.  It’s time to take a look at the prior year and go through all the many films that came out that were considered horror and genre films.   Dark Discussions and its co-hosts puts together their review of all that was good and bad in 2023.  Was it one of the better years in genre cinema or did it have too many missteps to be remembered?Each of your co-hosts put together a list of movies they thought were good enough to recommend. Two lists were procured.  This included a list of horror films and a list of other speculative fiction films. Afterwards we then combined those lists and came up with the Dark Discussions definitive lists in both categories as best of the year. Some obvious films like MEGAN (M3GAN) and EVIL DEAD RISE appear but also little known films like THE ARTIFICE GIRL and VENUS were too.Also included are some of our “sometime co-hosts” choices and what they felt were the best of the year. And don’t forget our top and worst scenes, scream queens, breakout star, and anything else you can think of. Dark Discussions wraps up last year in a nice tight bow and gives their listeners a good many films to go out and search for.

A brand new podcast on the Dark Discussions News Network talking about each episode weekly on the television series MONARCH: A LEGACY OF MONSTERS streaming on Apple+.