Dark Discussions Podcast

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+.

Dennis Paoli some say has written some of the best horror films of all time. His most famous include RE-ANIMATOR (1985) and FROM BEYOND (1986). His work with directors Stuart Gordon have been applauded which also includes DAGON (2001). The three films listed above are all based loosely off of H.P. Lovecraft’s stories. His latest, SUITABLE FLESH (2023), directed by Joe Lynch, was released during Halloween in 2023 with some great reviews.Psychiatrist Elizabeth Derby (Heather Graham) unexpectedly receives a patient named Asa Waite (Judah Lewis). Troubled and saying he has had experiences of being possessed, he’s the last patient she’d want to break her oath and have an affair with. When a horrific happening occurs at Asa’s house, things begin to spiral and Elizabeth’s sanity may be the price she’ll pay.The movie was directed by Joe Lynch, known for such cult films as WRONG TURN 2: DEAD END (2007), EVERYLY (2014), and MAYHEM (2017). Besides starring Heather Graham (FROM HELL (2001), KILLING ME SOFTLY (2002)), the movie teams actress Barbara Crampton (RE-ANIMATOR (1985), FROM BEYOND (1986)) with Dennis Paoli. Also Bruce Davison co-stars. Your podcast co-hosts take a look at the film and give their thoughts.

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+.

No one can deny director David Slade hit it out of the ballpark with his 2 initial features, HARD CANDY (2005) and 30 DAYS OF NIGHT (2007).  Both were splendid genre films and have become cult classics.  Between the years he has directed music videos and television episodes among some other films.  Late in 2023 his latest film DARK HARVEST was released during the Halloween season.In the early 1960’s within a small isolated farming community in Illinois, every Halloween a monster known as Sawtooth Jack rises from the local cornfields.  Years ago he entered the local church and cursed the town to with failed crops and hardship.  Now, each year, a custom has been set in place.  Each Halloween, the teenage boys of the town must hunt Sawtooth Jack before he curses the town once more.The movie is based on the novel with the same name written by author Norman Partridge.  After being held back for a year, the movie was released to digital VOD as the last film by MGM/United Artist before their absorption into the Amazon movie fold.  Your co-hosts take a look at David Slade’s “comeback” and give their thoughts on the movie.

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+.

New Year’s resolutions are a big thing for folks. Some want to lose weight, find a spouse, get a new job, work towards completing something; others have goals that they strive for. Co-host Mike said that there are a lot of genre films he hasn’t seen that he wants to get to, so as a New Year’s resolution, why not ask all the co-hosts to see some film they always wanted to see and then discuss. Another year doing so, each co-host chose a genre movie that they had never seen and decided to watch it and give their opinions.Films we discuss are Lucio Fulci's 1980 Lovecraftian film CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD, Ruggero Deodato's 1980 film CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, the 1955 Ray Harryhausen film IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA, and the 1988 Tom Holland/Don Mancini classic CHILD'S PLAY.  A wide variety of films they are but also some important ones too that one of your co-hosts finally got to see.With all that, Dark Discussions would like to say happy 2024 to all of our listeners and extra mention to our Patreon supporters, both new and old, and hope to hear about some of the films you folks have never seen and plan to in this new year. Email us at [email protected] and let us know.

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+.

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+.

The Grey aliens have affectively been some of the most frightening monsters in both folklore and film. But unfortunately, for high quality movies in the subgenre, not many stand out. A new film with the title FIRST CONTACT (2023) seemed to be a new entry into the alien monster movie. But when one watches it, the story turns into Cosmic horror too.When Dr. Ian Bradach (Paul Kandarian) discovers something strange about his property, he does some experiments. Soon he disappears and is presumed dead. When his adult children Casey (Anna Shields) and Dan (James Liddell) come to reclaim his estate, they discover that his studies may have lead to something more; a space-time continuum, and an exact point in time for first contact.The movie was written and directed by Bruce Wemple. Though only a ninety minute film, the plot examines many lofty topics including dark matter, eldritch horror, nihilism, relativism, and quantum physics. Is an average length film able to give credence to all that it is trying to get across? You co-hosts take a look at the movie and give their thoughts.

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+.

Kaiju monsters (also known as dinosaur sized beasts) have been a staple subgenre in the horror movie filmography all the way back to KING KONG (1933).  After World War II, the Japanese giant monster movie GODZILLA (1954) appeared and started a franchise that has lasted for almost seventy years.  Toho, the studio that brought us Godzilla, has released their latest in the franchise, GODZILLA MINUS ONE (2023).Kamikaze pilot Koichi (Ryunosuke Kamiki) survives the war only to return to Tokyo and finding it in ruins.  Trying to survive like the rest of post war Japan, he befriends a young woman, Noriko (Minami Hamabe), and the two along with an orphaned baby girl create a hodge-podge family.  Koichi gets a job clearing sea mines.  While working with his crew, Godzilla appears and endangers all of Tokyo.The movie is written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki.  With a budget of $15M USD, the film has gone on to triple its profit.  Some reviewers have stated this may be the best Godzilla movie ever made.  Your podcast co-hosts take a look at this latest release in the classic franchise and give their thoughts.

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+.

When Eli Roth hit the horror scene, he made a huge splash. CABIN FEVER (2002) and HOSTEL (2005) were hits. Then in 2007, the Quentin Tarantino/Robert Rodriguez movie GRINDHOUSE came out with fake trailer added to it making it feel like a true 42nd production. One of those trailers was the remarkable one created by Eli Roth advertising a fake movie called THANKSGIVING. Now sixteen years later, the true movie has been made.When a Thursday night “Black Friday” sale on Thanksgiving happens in the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts, a handful of people are killed from customer violence and the lack of police or security. Over the next year, people are pointing fingers at each other determining who to blame. When the daughter of the store owner of the massacre receives a macabre text message, a serial killer has announced their presence.The movie is directed by Eli Roth and written by Jeff Rendell based off the original faux-trailer. The movie stars Patrick Dempsey, Addison Rae, Gina Gershon, Karen Cliche, among others. Getting solid reviews by both critics and audiences alike, two questions remain. One, is the movie actually any good, and two, does it live up to the original faux-trailer. Your co-hosts take a look and give their thoughts.

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+.

In 2017, the Argentina horror film TERRIFIED (2017) was a hidden gem that turned into a surprised hit when it appeared on the streaming service Shudder.  The director was Demian Rugna and now in 2023 he has a new film entitled WHEN EVIL LURKS (2023).  The movie played at the film festival TIFF and has received splendid reviews.  IFC picked up the film and released it through the theaters before it, too, made it to Shudder.In a world not far in the future, “rottens” have begun popping up.  Demons, or some sort of outer being, possesses people who begin to bloat and become deformed.  However, one must exorcise them otherwise the evil will spread where folks begin to kill each other or do horrible harm to others.  Two brothers, Pedro and Jaime, are stuck in the middle of a new “outbreak” and must figure how to save their families.The movie has received fairly good reviews.  Filled with gore and over the top set pieces, some believe the film could become destined to be a cult classic.  The audience is dropped into the middle of this world unaware that things are “different”.  Does it work?  Your co-hosts take a look at this new film and give their thoughts.

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+.

Cyberpunk? It’s one of the most unique science fiction subgenres. Even though it hasn’t become as popular as space opera or hard science fiction, it has its hardcore fans that have made it remain in the public eye. Japan, alone, it has actually become one of the most popular science fiction story arcs. The movie DREDD (2012), like many American cyberpunk films, was not a box office success, but it has gained an amazing cult following since.In a dystopian future, the government has put in place judges to keep order in place. When a slum tower block becomes the haven of kingpin Madeline Madrigal (Lena Headey), Judge Dredd (Karl Urban) is sent along with rookie Cassandra Anderson (Olivia Thirlby) to investigate three murders. After the capture of one of Madeline’s lieutenants that could implicate her in the murders, she shuts down the building and Judge Dredd is now fighting for his life.DREDD was directed by Pete Travis from a script by A-lister Alex Garland who’s known for the novel, THE BEACH, as well as director of EX MACHINA (2015) and ANNIHILATION (2018) as well as the screenwriter for 28 DAYS LATER (2002). The movie was originally released in 3D and shockingly failed at the box office. Receiving great reviews, and paying tribute to the graphic novel that it is based on, your co-hosts take a look at the movie and are joined by special guest actor Dan Lench to discuss the film.

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+.