From Splatter to Middle-earth: A Review of Peter Jackson's Dead Alive

Before the epic battles of Middle-earth, there was the ultimate suburban bloodbath. Join us as we explore the early, gloriously gross work of Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson with a review of his 1992 splatter masterpiece, Dead Alive (also known as Braindead).

This is the film that put a new spin on splatstick (splatter + slapstick), setting a world record for the amount of fake blood used in a single scene. We are diving into the bizarre, hilarious, and stomach-churning tale of Lionel Cosgrove (Tim Balme), a mama's boy whose overbearing mother (Elizabeth Moody) is bitten by a Sumatran Rat-Monkey at the zoo, turning her into a rapidly decaying, ravenous zombie—and starting an infection that threatens to ruin his burgeoning romance with Paquita (Diana Peñalver).

What We Cover:

• Unleashing the Gore: An appreciation for the film’s legendary practical effects, including the infamous lawnmower scene, the Kung Fu priest, and the unforgettable zombie baby. This is the ultimate zombie comedy for gorehounds.

• The Director's Journey: We discuss how the mind behind Dead Alive—a hyper-violent, low-budget horror cult classic—managed to transition to helm the universally acclaimed The Fellowship of the Ring and the entire The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

• Family, Romance, and Mayhem: Breaking down the dark comedy themes of the overbearing mother, toxic masculinity, and the sweet, warped love story at the film's gooey center.

• Cast & Crew Highlights: Featuring performances from Ian Watkin and co-writer Fran Walsh (a long-time collaborator of Jackson's).

If you’re a Peter Jackson fan curious about his truly mad early work, a horror comedy aficionado, or just looking for the goriest movie ever made, grab your shears and prepare for an incredibly bloody, cartoonishly violent ride!

Keywords: Dead Alive, Braindead, Peter Jackson, Lord of the Rings, Splatter Film, Horror Comedy, Zombie Movie, Tim Balme, Elizabeth Moody, Cult Classic, 90s Horror, Lawnmower Scene, Gore.

Say His Name: Deconstructing the Original Candyman

Description:

Never say it five times. Never look in the mirror. This week, we plunge the hook deep into the haunting, visceral, and socio-politically charged horror of the 1992 classic, Candyman.

Graduate student Helen Lyle travels to the notorious Cabrini-Green housing projects to research the urban legend of a hook-handed killer. But when her skepticism leads her to dismiss the legend—and the real-world suffering that fuels it—she awakens the vengeful spirit of Daniel Robitaille (Tony Todd), the tragic victim of a brutal, racist lynching in the 19th century.

Join us as we explore the film’s complex layers:

• The Legend and the Legacy: Unpacking the tragic origin of Daniel Robitaille, a Black artist murdered for a forbidden interracial love affair, and his transformation into a boogeyman feared by a forgotten community.

  
  

• White Guilt and Urban Decay: How the film uses Helen's white privilege and academic voyeurism to critique systemic racism, housing inequality, and the intellectual appropriation of Black trauma.

• Be My Victim: Analyzing Tony Todd's mesmerizing, seductive performance and the haunting score by Philip Glass that turn this slasher film into a gothic nightmare about the terrifying power of belief.

Look in the mirror, say his name, and let the legend live. (We promise we'll only say it four times.)

Beyond the Veil: Deconstructing Nicole Kidman's The Others

Description:

Step out of the sun and into the permanent shadows of a remote Jersey manor. This week, we're locking all fifteen doors and pulling back the heavy velvet curtains on Alejandro Amenábar's 2001 gothic masterpiece, The Others.

Nicole Kidman delivers a career-defining performance as Grace Stewart, a devoutly religious mother protecting her two photosensitive children from the deadly threat of sunlight. But when three mysterious servants arrive, Grace's meticulous routine is shattered, and she begins to suspect that her family is not alone—they are being haunted by the very others in their own house.

Join us as we discuss:

• The Power of Atmosphere: How the perpetual darkness and isolation of the manor house serve as both a protective barrier and a psychological prison.

• Grief, Guilt, and God: We analyze the film's profound themes of faith, denial, and a mother's devastating struggle with loss in the wake of World War II.

• The Twist That Changed Everything: Unpacking the jaw-dropping final revelation that forces us to re-examine every chilling sound and flickering candle. Is it a clever plot device, or the ultimate portrait of a soul trapped in its own self-deception?

Don't listen alone. The house may be quiet, but you never know who is listening on the other side of the door.

All aboard the KTX, destination: utter, non-stop zombie chaos!

In this week's episode, we're sprinting through the carriages of the 2016 South Korean horror masterpiece, Train to Busan. It's more than just a zombie movie; it's a claustrophobic, high-speed meditation on humanity's best and worst instincts.

Join us as we discuss:

• The Relentless Pace: How director Yeon Sang-ho maintains heart-pounding tension while confined to a bullet train.

• The Human Heart of Horror: The incredible transformation of cynical fund manager Seok-woo as he desperately tries to protect his daughter, Su-an.

• Heroism vs. Selfishness: We dive into the film's powerful social commentary, contrasting the brutal self-preservation of the CEO with the selfless sacrifice of characters like Sang-hwa, the tough-guy with a pregnant wife.

• The Fast and the Furious Undead: Analyzing the terrifying, hyper-kinetic zombies that redefined the genre.

From the first bite on the platform to the heartbreaking final moments on the tracks, grab your ticket and prepare for the emotional gut-punch that makes Train to Busan one of the greatest zombie films of all time.

Warning: Spoilers ahead. Please secure your valuables and yourself—zombies may be closer than they appear.

Description:

Sam Raimi is back, baby, and he's brought the slime, the scares, and the pitch-black laughs! Join us as we dissect the gloriously gross-out terror of 2009's Drag Me to Hell.

Ambitious loan officer Christine Brown denies an old woman a mortgage extension to get ahead at work—a fatal career move. Cursed by the elderly Sylvia Ganush and haunted by the goat-like demon Lamia, Christine has just three days of escalating, disgusting, and hilarious torment before she’s, well... dragged to Hell.

In this episode, we talk about the film's brilliant blend of Evil Dead style slapstick horror and genuine supernatural dread. We'll debate Christine's culpability, analyze the movie's surprisingly relevant commentary on the subprime mortgage crisis, and, of course, relive all the most stomach-churning, eye-popping, and handkerchief-wielding moments.

Can Christine reverse the curse, or is her soul already on a one-way ticket to eternal damnation? Tune in and find out as we face the Lamia's wrath!

Warning: May contain discussions of flying bodily fluids, aggressive old women, and questionable feline sacrifice.

Episode Title: Friendship (2025): A Birthday Review of Awkward Comedy & Acid-Tripping Frogs

Episode Summary:

In this special episode, the host is joined by guest Alondra to celebrate her 30th birthday and review the 2025 dark comedy, Friendship, starring Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd.

Before diving into the movie, the hosts share their appreciation for Tim Robinson, reminiscing about their favorite skits from his Netflix show I Think You Should Leave. They then break down the plot of Friendship, where a new friendship between neighbors (Rudd and Robinson) sours after Robinson’s character becomes weirdly obsessive, leading to a series of painfully awkward and funny attempts to win his friend back.

Key discussion points include:

• The Tone: The film is described as a "cringe-comedy" filled with anxiety-inducing social situations, dark humor, and a surprisingly sad undertone involving a character's wife who has survived cancer. The hosts compare its awkward vibe to the movie Napoleon Dynamite.

• A Horror-Adjacent Film: They explain why this comedy is included in a 31-day horror movie challenge, noting its unsettling, "not right" psychological elements that create a unique sense of dread.

• Favorite Scene: The hosts highlight a bizarre scene where Tim Robinson's character licks a hallucinogenic frog and has a vision of being at a Subway restaurant where Paul Rudd is his sandwich artist.

The episode ends with two distinct ratings for the film.

Truman and Ben are back, and this week they're trading in their usual topics for glitter, catchy hooks, and supernatural smackdowns as they review the hit animated movie, K-Pop Demon Hunters!

Get ready for an in-depth, spoiler-filled discussion on Netflix's latest obsession, where our hosts break down the best songs, the coolest choreography, and whether this demon-slaying K-pop girl group has what it takes to save the world. Does the film capture the true essence of K-Pop fandom? Are the Saja Boys really the villains? And which HUNTR/X member is their bias?

But wait, there's more! This is a super-special episode because it's Truman's birthday! Tune in as Ben tries (and maybe fails) to keep the review on track while celebrating a very happy day.

Happy Birthday, Truman! We hope you have the most 'Golden' year ever!

Key Words to Search:

• K-Pop Demon Hunters

• Netflix

• Movie Review

• HUNTR/X

• Saja Boys

• K-Pop

• Animation

• Birthday Podcast

• Truman and Ben

• Family Review

Rear Window: The Perfect Play with a Camera (9.6/10 Windows)

Join us as we revisit Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 masterpiece, Rear Window, and examine how the film uses one of the simplest settings in cinematic history to create paralyzing suspense.

We discuss how the Greenwich Village courtyard becomes a live theatre stage, with the neighbors as the unwitting cast, drawing parallels to the brilliant single-location staging of the musical Chicago, directed by Rob Marshall and starring Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Lead actor James Stewart (L.B. "Jeff" Jefferies) gives a masterclass performance, confining the audience to his unique, voyeuristic perspective. We trace the rising conflict—the suspected murder, the missing wife, and the crucial clue of the dog and the garden—wondering right up until the final confrontation with villain Lars Thorwald (played by Raymond Burr) whether Jefferies is truly crazy.

This episode also explores the "Watcher" subgenre, contrasting Hitchcock’s original with the modern homage Disturbia, directed by D. J. Caruso and starring Shia LaBeouf. Plus, we compare Rear Window's use of limited space to other single-setting classics like Sidney Lumet's intense courtroom drama, 12 Angry Men, starring Henry Fonda.

We also touch on the film's surprisingly excellent cinematography for its age, and a quick mention of another favorite Hitchcock work, Rebecca.

Don't miss our final verdict and the highly coveted rating of 9.6/10 Windows!

Keywords/Search Tags: Alfred Hitchcock, Rear Window, James Stewart, Jimmy Stewart, Raymond Burr, Classic Film, Thriller, Suspense, Single Setting, Disturbia, Shia LaBeouf, 12 Angry Men, Henry Fonda, Sidney Lumet, Chicago Musical, Voyeurism, Cinematography, Rebecca.