After a quick mid-season break, the Bear Cave of Terror is back with another episode that has two guest hosts, Comic Book Bears' Caleb Alexander-McKinzie and wig, makeup, and costuming expert, Jason Estrada (who also happens to be Steve's husband)! The three of us tackle one of our collective favorite horror films, Clive Barker's 1990 film, Nightbreed. The film, originally released in theaters with a studio-led cut that ignored Barker's direction, was eventually re-released in a few different director's cut versions, and the fan-forward Cabal Cut that presents it as closely to the original intention as possible. Different endings and viewpoints aside, this hybrid fantasy and horror film is known for the incredible practical makeup designs that defined the Nightbreed creatures and characters, as well as cleverly presenting Barker's political vision of a community of diverse deviants besieged by the real monsters, the people of "normal' society. With fellow director David Cronenberg also appearing as a psychiatrist with a vicious and bloody secret, the main plot of outsider Boone seeking out the haven of Midian, and his loyal girlfriend following to save and/or join him, only to see the bastion of safety destroyed by marauding townspeople, is one that speaks to a growing cult audience. But even more, the creativity and freedom that went into bringing the Nightbreed to life is a vision rarely realized, especially in the pre-CGI era.

Additional Resources for the episode:

Tribes of the Moon:Making Nightbreed (2014) produced by Shout! Factory

Men, Makeup, and Monsters: Hollywood's Masters of Illusion and FX by Anthony Timpone, 1996, St Martin's Griffin, New York, NY, pp 163-181

Clive Barker's Nightbreed, Vol 1 (1990-93) by Alan Grant, Jim Wagner, Jim Baikie, et al, published by Epic Comics.

Nightbreed (2014-15) by Clive Barker and Mark Andreyko, art by Piotr Kowalski et al, published by Boom! Studios

On this packed episode of the Bear Cave of Terror, we have another tag-team of guest hosts - returning favorite Bill Zanowitz of the Comic Book Bears, and first-time guest host, Vince Tinebra - to tackle the seminal scifi-horror classic and first chapter in the 45-year franchise, Alien, directed by Ridley Scott and released in 1979! The bears discuss several aspects of what makes this film a favorite - such as the lived-in realism of the full-detailed world of the Nostromo's crew and the practical effects, Sigourney Weaver's groundbreaking and riveting character of Ripley that mixes the "final girl" trope with a badass action hero, the uncomfortable and stunning art/design of HR Giger (you could say it was very "Gigersexual"), and more! Plus, keep an eye out on the Comic Book Bears YouTube channel for another merch-centric Bear Cave of Terror mini-episode, looking at the tie-in toys and games released in '79 to sell this terrifying horror movie to...kids? (And adult collectors, of course!)

Additional sources for this episode:

"Interview with Bolaji Badejo, 1979" by Frederick S. Clarke and Alan Jones, Cinefantastique vol 9, no. 1, Autumn, 1979

The Beats Within: The Making of Alien (2003) directed by Charles de Lauzirika, produced by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Memory: The Origins of Alien (2019) directed by Alexandre O. Phillipe, produced by Exhibit A Pictures, et al

"The Hidden Language of ALIEN: Semiotics" by Creative Briefs and Alien Verses / @AlienVerses Sep 30, 2025 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzSLV2wrjrI

On this week's episode of the Bear Cave of Terror, Hauntcub himself, Mr Jay Yospa is back to talk to us about the scifi/cosmic horror classic, Event Horizon, from director Paul W.S. Anderson. Having just celebrated its 25 year anniversary a few years ago, the film has experienced a bit of a resurgence as a cult classic, garnering more fans after its poor showing in cinemas at the 1997 release. Coming at an awkward time for home video, right on the cusp before the DVD revolution, the film didn't get the same comprehensive behind-the-scenes treatment, including archives of cut and deleted scenes or special effects segments that other films got as a matter of course just a year or two after the initial release. Because of that, the fabled "director's cut" footage, or even the extended test screening version, sadly will never be seen. However, the good news is that this film remains a wonderful example of practical effects sequences, incredible set design, intelligently-portrayed characters, and a creeping, oppressive sense of cosmic dread that continues to delight and frighten new and old fans of the genre. So, polish up on your infernal Latin, avoid the eyeless ghost of your deceased wife, and definitely don't piss off the ship, and head on into the cave to hear about 1997's Event Horizon!

Additional sources for this episode:

"The Oral History of Event Horizon..." by Ralph Jones, inverse.com 8/15/22

"Paul WS Anderson puts an end to Resident Evil" by Scott Marks, San Diego Reader, 1/25/17

"Jason Isaacs says Event Horizon's deleted scenes would be 'definitely illegal' to film now" by Ray Simons, Yahoo Entertainment, 12/8/23

The Making of Event Horizon (2006), directed by Lancelot Narayan, produced by Lipsync Productions and Paramount Home Entertainment.