Genre Exposure: A Film Podcast

Episode 013: Devil‘s Pass (2013)

In this episode, we return to the found footage subgenre to tackle our first listener-requested episode by checking out Renny Harlin's Devil's Pass from 2013. This documentary-style horror flick is based on the many conspiracy theories surrounding the real world Dyatlov Pass Incident. We get into all that and some other conspiracies the film manages to cleverly wrap into its narrative. Jason debates what the best Renny Harlin film is. Dustin swings down the criticism hammer on poorly used CGI. Michael questions whether the film could be considered Lovecraftian or not.  And so much more!

Going forward we will start working in episodes based on listener-requested films as a regular part of the rotation. If you haven't noticed, we take turns with who pitches what we cover so it will be like you the listeners are the fourth member of the show. 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 Adrian for suggesting we check this one out.

What We've Been Watching:
-Michael: Vicious Fun (2020)
-Jason: The Last Slumber Party (1988)
-Dustin: Be My Cat: A Film for Anne (2015)

Show Notes:
-Devil's Pass Trailer
-Stream Devil's Pass on Amazon Prime via IFC Films Unlimited or AMC+
-Related Topic: The Dyatlov Pass Incident
-Related Film: Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master
-Related Film: Diehard 2
-Related Film: Cliffhanger
-Related Film: The Long Kiss Goodnight
-Related Film: The Covenant
-Related Topic: Conspiracy Theory
-Related Film: The Blair Witch Project
-Related Topic: The Philadelphia Experiment
-Related Film: The Cloverfield Paradox
-Related Film: The Descent
-Related Topic: Time Loop
-Related Novel: Slaughterhouse-Five
-Related Series: Loki
-Related Game: Kholat
-Related Topic: Cosmicism

Next Time:
The Nightingale (2018)

Quick Cuts Episode 003: Breaking Down "Elevated Horror"

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)

Episode 012: Under the Silver Lake (2018)

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)

Episode 011: The Reflecting Skin (1990)

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)

Quick Cuts Episode 002: Celebrating George A. Romero + The Amusement Park (1973)

In this special bonus episode of Genre Exposure, we celebrate the works of Master of Horror George A. Romero. We talk about our favorites among his many creations, share our fond memories, and then turn our focus onto his newly released “lost” film: The Amusement Park. Heads up, despite its critical acclaim we all walked away feeling pretty mixed about this curious piece of lost media. Listen in for our take and as always we encourage you to write in and tell us what you think.

Favorite “Dead” Series Film
-Jason: Dawn of the Dead (1978)
-Michael: Night of the Living Dead (1968)
-Dustin: Day of the Dead (1985)

Favorite “Other” Romero Film
-Jason: Martin (1977)
-Michael: Knightriders (1981)
-Dustin: The Crazies (1973)

Show Notes
-The Amusement Park Trailer
-Stream The Amusement Park on Shudder
-Lost Film: London After Midnight (1927)
-Related Film: Dawn of the Dead Remake (2004)
-Related Film: Night of the Living Dead Remake (1990)
-Related Film: Monkey Shines (1988)
-Related Film: Creepshow (1982)
-Related Show: Tales From the Darkside (1983-1988)
-Related Film: The Dark Half (1993)
-Related Film: Land of the Dead (2005)
-Related Film: Diary of the Dead (2007)
-Related Film: Survival of the Dead (2009)
-Related Music Video: The Misfits – Scream! (1999)
-Related Concept: Road of the Dead
-Related Book: The Living Dead (2010)

Let us know what you think of this format and if you'd like to see us do more broad-focused episodes celebrating a filmmaker.

Episode 010: Saint Maud (2019)

In this episode, we kick off a special block of episodes exploring the much-discussed and often maligned, but perhaps misunderstood, subgenre of "Elevated" Horror which we've had some fun discussing in the past. 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. To start we are deep diving with Rose Glass' debut feature from 2019: Saint Maud. The gang gets all kinds of serious as we talk religion and put forth the theory that the film has a whole lot more to do with mental illness than its marketing pushed for. And so much more!

What We've Been Watching:
-Jason: Feeding Frenzy (2010)
-Michael: The Reckoning (2020)
-Dustin: Winterbeast (1992)

Show Notes:
-Saint Maud Trailer
-Stream Saint Maud at Amazon Prime via EPIX or Paramount+
-Winterbeast Scene: “What Can The Matter Be?”
-Go check out Vinegar Syndrome
-Related Show: End of the Fucking World
-Related Film: Suspiria (Remake)
-Related Topic: Religious Ecstasy
-Related Topic: Self-Flagellation
-Related  Literature: William Blake
-Related Story: Book of Esther
-Related Film: Crawl
-Related Art: The Ecstasy of Saint Catherine
-Related Film: Hereditary

We spend a lot of the episode talking about Mental Health. While we are far from professionals on the topic, we want to encourage you that if you want more information or would like to speak with someone directly you should check out MentalHealth.gov. If you are thinking about suicide or are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, know that you can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline either at their webpage or by dialing 1-800-273-8255. You can also reach a crisis text line by texting "TALK" to 741741.

Next Time:
The Reflecting Skin (1990)

Episode 009: Promare (2019)

In this episode, Dustin drags the other hosts kicking and screaming into the deep end of the pool to talk about Japanese Animation with Studio Trigger's  2019 hyper-kinetic masterpiece Promare. Matching the zaniness of the film, we get a little goofy in this episode. Jason finds himself unable to answer even basic questions such as "how ya doing?" right out from the starting line. Dustin issues a correction about the pronunciation of the film's title and then proceeds to repeat the mistake later falling into a pit of despair leaving us a valuable lesson about how it's okay to make mistakes. Between being entirely lost about what's going on in the movie, Michael opens up about his issues with getting further into enjoying anime. And so much more!

What We've Been Watching:
-Michael: Mortal Kombat (2021)
-Jason: Forbidden World (1982)
-Dustin: The Day of Destruction (2020)

Show Notes:
-Promare Trailer
-Stream Promare on HBO MAX
-Read Dustin's review on "The Day of Destruction" at Grimoire of Horror
-Related Anime: Kill la Kill
-Related Anime: Little Witch Academia
-Related Anime: SSSS.Gridman
-Related Anime: Neon Genesis Evangelion
-Related Anime: Tetsujin-28/Gigantor
-Related Anime: Mazinger-Z
-Related Anime: Getter Robo
-Related Anime: Mobile Suit Gundam
-Related Anime: Macross/Robotech
-Related Film: Pacific Rim
-Related Anime: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
-Related Anime: Gundam Unicorn
-Related Anime: Gundam Narrative
-Related Anime: Voltron

Next Time:
Saint Maud (2019)

Episode 008: The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007)

In this episode, we tackle the world of Found Footage with John Erick Dowdle's pseudo-documentary The Poughkeepsie Tapes. This is an interesting and notable film if for nothing else than its strange release history and the urban legend spawning notoriety that it gained; which we eagerly dive into. Jason charts the film's reputation of being difficult to handle and where it sits in the pantheon of "extreme" horror cinema among other infamous titles. Michael points out the various true crime connections and possible inspirations on the narrative to be found with other famous serial killers. Meanwhile, Dustin threatens to derail the whole show as he gets way too hung up on the particular events of the story and the characterization of our leading serial killer. And so much more!

What We've Been Watching:
-Jason: The Barbarians (1987)
-Dustin: Teketeke (2009)
-Michael: As Above, So Below (2014)

Show Notes:
-The Poughkeepsie Tapes Trailer
-Stream The Poughkeepsie Tapes on Pluto TV
-Related Show: Unsolved Mysteries
-Related Film: Hostel
-Related Film: Guinea Pig Series
-Related Film: August Underground
-Related Film: Terrifier
-Related Film: The Blair Witch Project
-Related Film: Curse of the Blair Witch
-Related Film: The Town that Dreaded Sundown
-Related Topic: Leonard Lake & Charles Ng
-Related Film: Creep
-Related Film: REC
-Related Show: Waco
-Related Film: Lake Mungo

Next Time:
Promare (2019)

Episode 007: A Dark Song (2016)

In this episode, we get metaphysical while diving into Liam Gavin's 2016 feature: A Dark Song. Michael drills in on the film's nuanced portrayal of grief and the power of film to impart feelings. Jason celebrates the subtlety of the story avoiding a more conventional resolution. Dustin chases down a side path charting the occult references in the film. But before that, the gang takes to task the idea of "Elevated Horror" as a label for these types of films. And so much more!

What We've Been Watching:
-Dustin: Hell Girl (2019)
-Jason: Robot Jox (1989)
-Michael: Stay Out of the Attic (2020) & Peninsula (2020)

Show Notes:
-A Dark Song Trailer
-Rent A Dark Song on Amazon
-Related Reading: The Book of Abramelin
-Related Concept: Magical Thinking
-Related History: Aleister Crowley
-Related Film: Constantine
-Related Film: Hereditary
-Related Film: The Sentinel
-Related Film: Zombie Lake
-Related Film: Dead of Night

Next Time:
The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007)

Episode 006: Inflatable Sex Doll of the Wastelands (1967)

In this episode, we dive into the world of Japanese pink films with Atsushi Yamatoya's Inflatable Sex Doll of the Wastelands. Dustin goes insane with research and delivers a lecture on the history of pinku. Jason opens up about his distaste for freeform jazz. Michael gets lost in the surrealist labyrinth of the film's plot. We also spend a good bit of time discussing Jasper Sharp's essential book covering the genre Behind the Pink Curtain: The Complete History of Japanese Sex Cinema. And so much more!

What We've Been Watching:
-Michael: The Pale Door (2020)
-Dustin: Howling Village (2019)
-Jason: Body Count (1986)

Show Notes:
-Inflatable Sex Doll of the Wastelands Trailer
-Stream Inflatable Sex Doll of the Wastelands on MUBI
-Pick up Behind the Pink Curtain
-Check out Impulse Picture's Nikkatsu Collection
-Check out Pink Eiga inc.
-Related Film: Summer with Monica
-Related Film: Gate of Flesh
-Related Film: Apartment Wife: Affair in the Afternoon
-Related Film: Flower and Snake
-Related Film: Delinquent Girl Boss
-Related Film: Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion
-Related Film: Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs
-Related Show: The Naked Director
-Related Film: Antiporno
-Related Film: Gushing Prayer
-Related Film: The Red Spectacles
-Related Film: Versus
-Related Film: Branded to Kill

Next Time:
A Dark Song (2016)