Episodes
Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
Quick Cuts Episode 003: Breaking Down "Elevated Horror"
Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
In this special bonus episode of Genre Exposure, spurred on by some listener feedback we circle around to reflect on the last three episodes of the show and clean house a little. We've been jokingly throwing around this term "Elevated Horror" without really doing it justice as far as detailing it out. Also, we're not sure just how much we even like the term so it seemed worth just a little extra discussion placing the nail in the coffin on this topic. We also list some of our personal favorites old and new that can fall under this banner.
Listen in for our take and as always we encourage you to write in and tell us what you think. We've got some fun stuff coming in the pipeline as we gear up to celebrate October and all things Halloween including our first listener-requested episode. Please write us and suggest movies for us to check out that you want to get a little more love for or want us to discuss and break down. Likewise, if you have questions or ever wish we would have gone a little deeper with a specific topic get in touch and let us know. We'll gladly write you back and, if we think it is worthwhile enough for a larger discussion, we will tackle it in a mini-episode like this one.
Favorite Classic Film That Could be Flagged "Elevated Horror"
-Jason: The Wicker Man (1973)
-Michael: Freaks (1932)
-Dustin: Don't Look Now (1973)
Favorite A24 Film
-Jason: Hereditary (2018)
-Dustin: Midsommar (2019)
-Michael: The VVitch (2015)
-Group Honorable Mention: The Lighthouse (2019)
Wednesday Aug 18, 2021
Episode 012: Under the Silver Lake (2018)
Wednesday Aug 18, 2021
Wednesday Aug 18, 2021
In this episode, we wrap up our special block of episodes exploring the much-discussed and often maligned, but perhaps misunderstood, subgenre of "Elevated" Horror. The final film is David Robert Mitchell's 2018 feature Under the Silver Lake. A curious follow-up to his horror hit It Follows (2014), this neo-noir black comedy weaves a complicated tale following Sam as he struggles between fantastical conspiracy theories and reality while undergoing a personal quest to investigate the disappearance of his neighbor.
The gang charts out the many references and celebrates the vibe of old Hollywood throughout the film. Michael dives deep into the silver lake becoming completely enamored with the film. Meanwhile, Jason finds himself less impressed with its particular merits giving some balanced criticism. But before that, Dustin breaks all the rules presenting a rapid-fire account of the many films he managed to check out while on vacation. And so much more!
What We've Been Watching:
-Jason: Tenet (2020)
-Dustin's Vacation Special: The Invisible Man (2020) & Possessed (1947) & The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) & Knives Out (2019) & Searching (2018) & Benny Loves You (2019)
-Michael: Mulholland Drive (2001)
Show Notes:
-Under the Silver Lake Trailer
-Rent Under the Silver Lake on Amazon Prime
-Check out the Unsung Horrors podcast
-David Lynch Yelling Clip
-Related Film: It Follows
-Related Film: Rear Window
-Related Film: Seventh Heaven
-Related Topic: Synchronicity
-Related Band: Silversun Pickups
-Related Film: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
-Related Film: The Myth of the American Sleepover
-Related Film: Phantasm
-Related Song: “What's The Frequency, Kenneth?” By REM
-Related Film: Ju-On: The Grudge
-Related Film: The Rocketeer
-Related Film: 2001: A Space Odyssey
-Related Topic: Hobo Code
-Related Film: Midsommar
-Related Film: Into the Storm
-Related Film: Murder Death Koreatown
-Related Film: Neon Demon
-Related Game: The Last Ninja (C64)
-Related Film: How to Marry a Millionaire
-Related Film: The Big Lebowski
-Related Film: Donnie Darko
-Go deeper with the mysteries by checking out r/underthesilverlake
Next Time:
Devil's Pass (2013)
Wednesday Aug 04, 2021
Episode 011: The Reflecting Skin (1990)
Wednesday Aug 04, 2021
Wednesday Aug 04, 2021
In this episode, we continue our special block of episodes exploring the much-discussed and often maligned, but perhaps misunderstood, subgenre of "Elevated" Horror. To do this, we're presenting something of an A24 sandwich made from two A24 releases and in the middle an earlier film that would certainly fit the criteria for an A24 release if it happened to come out modern day. That earlier film is the delightful middle section and it happens to be Phillip Ridley's The Reflecting Skin.
Through the disturbing American Gothic lens of a rural 1950's nowhere, we dive in to discuss the horrors of childhood and the very grim reality that awaits us all beyond. Jason falls in love all over again with the movie, but before that Dustin geeks out like crazy over the Saw franchise. Meanwhile, Michael gets a little lost in the visually lush wheat fields of the film while trying to make sense of it all. And so much more!
Special shout out to friend-of-the-show Adam, with who we had the pleasure of watching the film, and gave us some insightful comments that drove our discussion regarding the art Ridley drew from for inspiration.
What We've Been Watching:
-Michael: Boys from County Hell (2020)
-Jason: The Dark and the Wicked (2020)
-Dustin: Spiral: From the Book of Saw (2021)
Show Notes:
-The Reflecting Skin Trailer
-Stream The Reflecting Skin at Arrow-Player
-Related Film: The Passion of Darkly Noon
-Related Film: Heartless
-Related Film: Stand by Me
-Related Film: Only Lovers Left Alive
-Related Film: Demons
-Related Art: Andrew Wyeth
-Related Art: Andrew Wyeth's Christina's World
-Related Art: Edward Hopper
-Related Art: American Gothic
-Related Film: Tideland
-Related Novel: Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine
Next Time:
Under the Silver Lake (2018)