Genre Exposure: A Film Podcast

Episode 022: The Children (2008)

In this episode, we get into the spirit of the season with Tom Shankland's The Children from 2008. That means a bit of snowbound horror, insufferable family drama, and plenty of killer kids to go around. Jason is forced to reckon with the realization that his Christmas-related pick actually has more to do with New Year's. Michael comes to terms with hating every character in a story. Meanwhile, Dustin struggles to find nice things to say about the film. We also spend a bit of time running down some of our favorites in the killer kids subgenre. And so much more!

Part of the Prescribed Films Podcast Network (www.thepfpn.com)

What We've Been Watching:
-Jason: Candyman (2021)
-Dustin: Endgame (1983)
-Michael: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Show Notes:
-The Children Trailer
-Stream The Children on Tubi
-Related Film: The Children (1980)
-Related Film: The Shining
-Related Film: Village of the Damned (1960)
-Related Film: Village of the Damned (1995)
-Related Film: The Hallow
-Related Film: Halloween (2007)
-Related Film: Krampus
-Related Film: The Bad Seed
-Related Film: Who Can Kill a Child?
-Check out Unsung Horrors' episode on Who Can Kill a Child?
-Related Film: Come Out and Play
-Related Film: Children of the Corn
-Related Short: Disciples of the Crow
-Related Film: The Omen
-Related Film: Pet Sematary
-Related Show: The Walking Dead 
-Related Documentary: Child of Rage: A Story of Abuse
-Related Film: New Years Evil
-Related Film: Terror Train

Next Time:
Prisoners of the Ghostland (2021)

Episode 021: Hold the Dark (2018)

In this episode, we welcome the wintery season and dive into Jeremy Saulnier's most recent film Hold the Dark from 2018. It's another heavy movie with quite a lot to discuss and dig in on. Michael breaks out the whiteboard to chart some of his own personal theories and interpretations of the plot. Jason questions one of the elements made significantly more vague in the translation from book to film. Dustin self-reflects about his hangups with Netflix Originals. As big fans, we also spend a bit of time celebrating the general filmography of Saulnier as well. And so much more!

Part of the Prescribed Films Podcast Network (www.thepfpn.com)

What We've Been Watching:
-Michael: Nobody Sleeps in the Woods Tonight (2020)
-Dustin: The Night House (2020)
-Jason: Dune (2021)

Show Notes:
-Hold the Dark Trailer
-Check out Hold the Dark on Netflix
-Related Film: Murder Party
-Related Film: Blue Ruin
-Related Film: Green Room
-Related Film: I Don't Feel At Home in This World Anymore
-Related Film: The Witch
-Related Topic: Chekhov's Gun
-Related Topic: Yupik peoples
-Related Film: Iron Man 3
-Related Topic: Wendigo
-Related Film: Robocop
-Related Film: First Blood
-Related Topic: Skoll & Hati
-Related Film: Donnie Darko
-Related Film: Hereditary
-Related Author: Cormac McCarthy
-Related Film: Super Dark Times
-Related Film: Under the Silver Lake

Next Time:
The Children (2008)

Episode 020: Occult (2009)

In this episode, we dig back into our archive of listener submitted films and have selected one that marks a return to many of our favorite themes on the podcast. We're back to Japanese cinema and back on the Found Footage train to check out Koji Shiraishi's Occult from 2009 which surprisingly traces us back to some concepts from earlier episodes throughout the year.  Jason levels some pointed criticism on the film's flaws, Dustin geeks out over Shiraishi and his filmography, and Michael finds himself struggling with the darker themes tied up in the narrative. But before all that, we have some parting thoughts on October and try to settle the debate on how to pronounce Ouija. And so much more!

You too can get in touch and suggest a film for our listener episodes. We want to cover it all. Whether it is a film that you think needs more love, a genre we don't tend to tackle as often, one you'd like to see some deeper discussion going on for, or even if you just want to troll by subjecting us to something crazy.  You can e-mail us at genreexposure@gmail.com or contact us directly on your favorite form of social media. 

We'd like to give a special thanks to Aaron for suggesting we check this one out.

Part of the Prescribed Films Podcast network (www.thepfpn.com)

What We've Been Watching:
-Jason: The Call (2020)
-Dustin: Bloody Muscle Body Builder in Hell (1995/2012)
-Michael: Shadow in the Cloud (2020)

Show Notes:
-Occult Trailer
-How to Pronounce Ouija
-Check out Midori-Impuls
-Related Film: Ju-Rei: The Uncanny
-Related Film: Noroi: The Curse
-Related Film: Shirome
-Related Film: Carved
-Related Film: Teketeke
-Related Film: Grotesque
-Related Film: The Sadness
-Related Film: Sadako vs. Kayako
-Related Film: Hell Girl (2019)
-Related Film: Lake Mungo
-Related Film: We Need to Talk About Kevin
-Related Film: Under the Silver Lake
-Related Concept: Magical Thinking
-Related Concept: Synchronicity
-Related Concept: Automatic Writing
-Related Film: The Evil Dead
-Related Film: Kairo (Pulse)
-Related Film: Cure
-Related Film: Creepy
-Related Game: Call of Cthulhu 
-Related Film: Man Bites Dog
-Related Topic: Tokyo Subway Sarin Attack
-Related Film: Creep
-Related Film: Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
-Related Film: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
-Related Concept: Lovecraftian horror
-Related Film: A Serbian Film

Next Time:
Hold the Dark (2018)

Quick Cuts Episode 004: Halloween 2021 Special

In this special bonus episode of Genre Exposure, we cap off our month long celebration of Halloween and everything Horror with a bit of fun. Join us while we embarrass ourselves for your entertainment as all three hosts throw down the gauntlet and challenge one another at a bit of horror trivia to settle a grudge match that goes back to the earliest days of the podcast's inception. Stick around after the game to hear us wrap up with a bit of discussion about some favorite discoveries we've made this month watching horror films and then weigh in with some brief impressions on Halloween Kills. 

Our Favorite Halloween 2021 Discovery:
-Jason: Massacre in Dinosaur Valley (1985)
-Michael: Zalava (2021)
-Dustin: Museum (2016)

Show Notes
-Pick up Trivial Pursuit: Horror
-Check out Unsung Horrors' Fantastic Fest Coverage
-Check out Michael's review of Zalava at the Grimoire of Horror

We hope your October has been sufficiently spooky and from all of us have a very Happy Halloween!

Episode 019: Night of the Demons (1988)

In this episode, the Halloween celebration wraps up with a final group choice to revisit one of our very favorite horror films and show it some love. In line with everything else we've covered this month, we stuck with the 80s, stuck with a horror comedy, and for this one managed to pick something that takes place on Halloween night.  So join us as we celebrate Kevin Tenney's Night of the Demons from 1988. In honor of the occasion, we also spend some time talking about some favorite films related to various areas of interest tied to the movie. Notably, demon movies, films starring the legendary Linnea Quigley and horror films that are about Halloween specifically. As Michael brings up in the episode, memories are made through film and Night of the Demons is very special for all three of us. And so much more! 

What We've Been Watching:
-Dustin: H.P. Lovecraft's The Dunwich Horror and Other Stories (2007)
-Michael: The Show (2020)
-Jason: The Prey (1983)

Our Favorite Linnea Quigley Horror Films:
-Michael: The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
-Jason: Savage Streets (1984)
-Dustin: Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama (1988)

Our Favorite “Demon” titled Horror Films:
-Jason: Night of the Demon (1957)
-Michael: Demons (1985)
-Dustin: Night of the Demons (1988)

Our Favorite Halloween Horror Films:
-Michael: Trick 'r Treat (2007)
-Jason: House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
-Dustin: Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

Show Notes:
-Night of the Demons Trailer
-Stream Night of the Demons on Shudder
-Check out the HPLHS' Complete Fiction of Lovecraft Audiobook
-Check out The Dunwich Horror and Other Stories (2007)
-Check out Michael's Review for The Show at the Grimoire of Horror
-Related Film: Dead Pit
-Related Song: Bauhaus – Stigmata Martyr
-Related Film: The Evil Dead
-Related Film: Night of the Demons 2
-Related Film: Night of the Demons (Remake)
-Related Film: Demon Knight
-Related Song: Computer Date
-Related Film: Bad Candy
-Related Film: Mortuary Collection

Next Time:
Occult (2009)

Episode 018: Trick or Treat (1986)

In this episode, the Halloween celebration continues as Jason keeps us in the year 1986 and swerves over a lane into heavy metal horror with Charles Martin Smith's Trick or Treat. Perhaps even less known by its alternative title Ragman. That's right, not Trick 'r Treat the much beloved 2007 horror anthology but a speaker shredding tale of the demonic evils of rock and roll. So join us as we bow down to Rock's Chosen Warrior and explore the legend of Sammi Curr. Did we forget to mention Gene Simmons and Ozzy are in the film too? Maybe we just didn't want to oversell it like the film's promotion. Jason uses the movie as an excuse to gush about vinyl. Michael finds a way to force Adam Sandler into the show notes. But before all that the gloves come off and Dustin takes some potshots at Netflix and their policy of slapping the "Netflix Original" moniker on things. Also, the gang weighs in on whether Malignant is a Giallo or not. And so much more! 

What We've Been Watching:
-Dustin: Boogiepop and Others (2000)
-Michael: The Guns of Navarone (1961)
-Jason: Malignant (2021)

Our Favorite Heavy Metal Horror Films:
-Michael: Deathgasm (2015) & Heavy Trip (2018)
-Jason: The Gate (1987) & Shocker (1989)
-Dustin: Idle Hands (1999)

Show Notes:
-Trick or Treat Trailer
-Related Film: Rock n Roll Nightmare
-Related Clip: Dee Snider's PMRC Senate Hearing Speech
-Related Song: Fastway - Trick or Treat
-Related Film: Hellraiser
-Related Film: Runaway
-Related Film: Little Nicky
-Related Film: A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge
-Related Documentary: To Hell and Back: The Kane Hodder Story
-Related Film: The Untouchables

Next Time:
Night of the Demons (1988)

Episode 017: TerrorVision (1986)

In this episode, the Halloween celebration continues as Michael launches us into another horror comedy taking us just one year earlier to 1986 with Ted Nicolaou's TerrorVision. This sci-fi tinged goofball comedy brings a lot of love for the classic monster movie while eagerly lampooning life in the 80s. The whole gang takes to the field defending this one while we ponder what people are smoking to allow this gem to sit with a 0% critic score on RottenTomatoes. But before that, Dustin finally gets the chance to bleed his heart out of all his love for Full Moon Features and its revolving cast of collaborators. Also, Jason and Dustin refuse to miss the chance to plug Phantom of the Paradise one more time. And so much more! 

What We've Been Watching:
-Michael: Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
-Jason: The Last Matinee (2020)
-Dustin: Paranoia Agent (2004)

Show Notes:
-Terrorvision Trailer
-Pick up Terrorvision on bluray from Scream Factory
-Check out Full Moon Features
-Related Film: Puppet Master
-Related Film: Subspecies
-Related Film: Bad Channels
-Related Film: Puppet Master vs. Demonic Toys
-Related Film: Tourist Trap
-Related Film: Phantom of the Paradise
-Related Film: Amityville II: The Possession
-Related Film: Inferno
-Related Film: Napoleon Dynamite
-Related Song: W.A.S.P. - Tormentor
-Related Show: Face Off
-Related Film: Re-Animator
-Related Film: Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood
-Related Film: Fright Night
-Related Film: The Giant Claw
-Related Film: Earth vs The Flying Saucer
-Related Film: Robot Monster
-Related Film: Slither
-Related Film: The Video Dead
-Related Film: Scary Movie

Next Time:
Trick or Treat (1986)

Episode 016: Blood Diner (1987)

In this episode, we kick into celebrating Halloween and the month of October with a supersized series of episodes. We will be having one episode a week all month, each one covering a horror film. We've got a secret theme that again developed accidentally but Dustin promised not to oversell it this time so play along and see if you can figure out the connection over the month. Today we're diving into the wonderfully crazy world of Jackie Kong's 1987 feature Blood Diner. A loving tribute to the works of the Godfather of Gore himself Herschell Gordon Lewis, the film pays love to classic gore-filled horror while being every bit the kind of comedy that only the 80s could spawn.  But before we gush about the film, Michael takes his own turn breaking the rules to talk about a bit of horror television. Dustin shares a bit about his experience attending Fantasia virtually. Jason hurls the gauntlet down finding himself underwhelmed with The Green Knight. And so much more! 

What We've Been Watching:
-Michael: Slasher: Flesh & Blood (2021)
-Dustin: Ultrasound (2021)
-Jason: The Green Knight (2021)

Show Notes:
-Blood Diner Trailer
-Stream Blood Diner on Shudder
-Check out Dustin's review for Ultrasound at the Grimoire of Horror
-Check out the Grimoire of Horror's 2021 Fantasia coverage
-Related Film: Motel Hell
-Related Film: Blood Feast
-Related Film: Two Thousand Maniacs!
-Related Film: The Wizard of Gore
-Related Film: Jigoku
-Related Film: The Being
-Related Film: Night Patrol
-Related Film: Psycho Goreman
-Related Film: Murder Rock
-Related Film: Frankenhooker
-Related Doc: In Search of Darkness II
-Related Song: Dino Lee – Stud Pony

Next Time:
TerrorVision (1986)

Episode 015: The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. (1953)

In this episode, Jason drags the gang into covering our first musical via a delicious slice of cult cinema with Roy Rowland's The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. from 1953. Spawned from the mind of none other than Dr. Seuss himself, the film follows the young Bart through a raucous phantasmagoric Seussian nightmare as he wrestles with the sinister machinations of his piano instructor: the titular Doctor Terwilliker. Michael shares his deep love for musicals in general. Jason champions the old Hollywood aesthetic the film thrives on. Dustin pours a hearty cup of haterade such that the other hosts can only justify his criticisms by blaming it on Jason Goes to Hell!?  Things get as zany as the film itself. But before that, we break down our personal favorite musicals. And so much more! So strap on your official Terwilliker Institute beanie and make sure your happy fingers are nice and limber!

What We've Been Watching:
-Dustin: Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021)
-Michael: Synchronic (2019)
-Jason: Skull: The Mask (2020)

Favorite Cult Musical:
-Jason: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
-Michael: Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)
-Dustin: Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

Favorite Mainstream Musical:
-Jason: The Wizard of Oz (1939)
-Dustin: Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
-Michael: Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Show Notes:
-The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. Trailer
-Stream The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T on Crackle
-Related Film: The Jazz Singer
-Related Film: Phantom of the Opera
-Related Film: Clerks
-Related Film: Mallrats
-Related Film: Austin Powers
-Related Film: The Legend of the Stardust Brothers
-Related Clip: “Make 'em Laugh” from Singin' in the Rain
-Related Film: Whiplash
-Related Cartoon: Dudley Do-Right
-Related Cartoon: Futurama
-Related Cartoon: Halloween is Grinch Night
-Related Film: Chicago

Next Time:
Blood Diner (1987)

Episode 014: The Nightingale (2018)

In this episode, we tackle Jennifer Kent's follow-up to The Babadook with 2018's The Nightingale. An incredibly bold choice that abandons the metaphorical terror of its predecessor to show us the very real and very ugly horrors that humanity has inflicted upon itself. We preempt it in the episode, but if you enjoy watching along before listening in then consider this a content warning: The Nightingale deals with some heavy topics that are made all the worse with the fact it pulls from historical context. The film doesn't shy away from the awful truth and that may be too much for those sensitive to certain elements. As we always say, understand what you're comfortable with and there is nothing wrong with skipping out on a film for that reason. We do our best to do the material justice. And so much more!

What We've Been Watching:
-Michael: Freaky (2020)
-Jason: Shock Waves (1977)
-Dustin: The Raiders of Atlantis (1983) & Warriors of the Year 2072 (1984)

Show Notes:
-The Nightingale Trailer
-Stream The Nightingale on Hulu
-Related Film: I Spit on Your Grave
-Related Film: They Call Her One Eye
-Related Film: Revenge
-Related Topic: "Fridging"
-Related Topic: Van Diemen's Land
-Related Film: Tombstone
-Related Film: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
-Related Topic: The Australian Frontier Wars
-Related Film: The Babadook
-Related News Clip: Women in Public Bars: This Day Tonight (1974)
-Related Film: The Lighthouse

Next Time:
The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T (1953)