The Monster Pod - Christmas Horror Week

If you've been following me for the past couple months, you know that I've been watching nightly horror movies since the start of September (well, mostly nightly movies...on the nights that I didn't have time for a movie, I at least watched an episode or two of shows such as Goosebumps and Tales from the Crypt) with themed weeks all leading up to Halloween.  I love Halloween and had an absolute blast watching and discussing horror movies with friends, as well as going to two awesome horror film fests!!

As much as I absolutely love Halloween, I also really love Christmas (for different reasons).  So, with a love of Halloween and Christmas, and with having watched two solid months of horror, 60 Days of Halloween turned into 60+ Days of Halloween and I watched Christmas horror movies to transition from the Halloween season to the Christmas season.

There are some pretty terrible slasher movies out there that just put the killer in a Santa suit (or stories that just so happen to take place around Christmas) and call it a Christmas horror movie.  However, when a Christmas horror movie actually has Christmas as being a central aspect of the horror, I kinda love it!  I've loved every theme that I've done this year and have loved (almost) all of the movies that I've seen for the last two and half months.  But, to me, there is something special about Christmas horror movies.  Maybe it's because I love Christmas and a good Christmas horror movie combines the fun of Halloween with the heart of Christmas.  Maybe it's because I've always loved non-traditional Christmas movies (such as Die Hard and Jurassic World).  Or maybe it's because so many classic Christmas movies (such as Home Alone and A Christmas Carol) have elements of horror.

Whatever the reason, Christmas horror movies can be a LOT of fun when they are done right!  So, join me and Lucas for a special Holiday edition of The Monster Pod as we discuss the movies I watched for Christmas Horror Week (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Krampus, A Christmas Horror Story, Christmas episodes of The Twilight Zone, Santa's Slay, Gremlins, Silent Night Bloody Night, Black Christmas, Jack Frost, and Home Alone), as well as the overall theme of Christmas horror movies!



We hope that you enjoyed our special Holiday episode of The Monster Pod and that you keep coming back for more.
The Monster Pod - horroring it up since 2015!!

If you enjoy movies, horror movies, conventions, comics, games, cartoons, Star Wars, horror, or just about anything geeky...be sure to check back soon for all things geekery!!  In the meantime, follow Lucas on Instagram and follow me here, on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and be sure to subscribe to my podcast on iTunes and/or Google Play for more geek coverage!

music for The Gargyle Podcast by Bensound

The Monster Pod - Evil Dead analysis, part 1

To us here at The Monster Pod, Evil Dead is hands down one of our all time favorite horror movies!  From the heart, to the gore, to the jump scares, to the genuine horror, to the practical effects, to the laughs, to the blood, sweat and tears that they poured into this low-budget indie horror flick...it is absolutely part of why we love horror the way we do!

Lucas and I have mentioned this episode for a while, and Eric (artist E.B. Tolbert, whose art can be found at ebtolbert.com) was finally able to join us to share some of his experiences and love for Evil Dead.  We love these movies so much that we were only able to just scratch the surface on the franchise!  So, join us for part one of our analysis of the Evil Dead franchise!  Also, a giant spider threatens our safety and a Wolverine/Power Ranger mashup fights a T-Rex...

As usual, it should be noted that this is more of an in-depth discussion of the film and not necessarily just a "review."  There are some major spoilers throughout the second section of the podcast.  So, if you have not yet seen any of the movies in the Evil Dead franchise, go watch them first and then come back to get our analysis of them!



We hope that you enjoyed part one of our analysis of the Evil Dead franchise and that you keep coming back for more.
The Monster Pod - horroring it up since 2015!!

If you enjoy movies, conventions, comics, games, cartoons, Star Wars, horror, or just about anything geeky...be sure to check back soon for all things geekery!!  In the meantime, follow Lucas on Instagram and follow me here, on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and be sure to subscribe to my podcast on iTunes and/or Google Play for more geek coverage!

music for The Gargyle Podcast by Bensound

The Monster Pod - Beyond the Gates

"Do you have what it takes to go beyond the gates?!!?"  Wait...what does it even take to go beyond the gates?  I mean, obviously it just takes a vhs board game.  But, it will take much more than that if you are going to make it out alive!!  

On the surface, Beyond the Gates is a fun, indie horror flick about a vhs board game with the amazing Barbara Crampton.  However, if you dig just a little bit deeper, some very realistic psychological horror and some layered depth can be found!! 

As usual, it should be noted that this is more of an in-depth discussion of the film and not necessarily just a "review."  There are some major spoilers throughout the second section of the podcast.  So, if you have not yet seen Beyond the Gates, go watch it first and then come back to get our analysis of it!




We hope that you enjoyed our analysis of Beyond the Gates and that you keep coming back for more.
The Monster Pod - horroring it up since 2015!!

If you enjoy movies, conventions, comics, games, cartoons, Star Wars, horror, or just about anything geeky...be sure to check back soon for all things geekery!!  In the meantime, follow Lucas on Instagram and follow me here, on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and be sure to subscribe to my podcast on iTunes and/or Google Play for more geek coverage!

music for The Gargyle Podcast by Bensound and FreeMusicArchive.org

The Monster Pod - Let Me In

Aaaallll byyy myyy-seeeelf.  Don't wanna be...aaalll byyy myyyself.  Seriously, loneliness sucks.  And while there is a vampire in Let Me In, the real monster is crushing isolation, even amongst family and peers.   So, join me and Lucas as we tear into Let Me In and Let the Right One In like a swarm of cgi cats.  Please...please join us....we don't want to be alone.....

As usual, it should be noted that this is more of an in-depth discussion of the film and not necessarily just a "review."  There are some major spoilers throughout the second section of the podcast.  So, if you have not yet seen Let Me In or Let the Right One In, go watch them first and then come back to get our analysis of them!

We hope that you enjoyed our analysis of Let Me In and Let the Right One In and that you keep coming back for more.
The Monster Pod - horroring it up since 2015!!

If you enjoy movies, conventions, comics, games, cartoons, Star Wars, horror, or just about anything geeky...be sure to check back soon for all things geekery!!  In the meantime, follow Lucas on Instagram and follow me here, on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and be sure to subscribe to my podcast on iTunes and/or Google Play for more geek coverage!

music for The Gargyle Podcast by Bensound and MusOpen.org

The Monster Pod - From Beyond

What do you get when you turn a 7 page H. P. Lovecraft story into an 86 minute movie??  You get From Beyond, an insane slice of 1986 sci-fi horror!!  Starring Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton, the second feature length film from Stuart Gordon might not be as well-known in the mainstream as Re-Animator, but that doesn't mean that it is any less fun to watch in all of horror ridiculousness!!

As usual, it should be noted that this is more of an in-depth discussion of the film and not necessarily just a "review."  There are some major spoilers throughout the second section of the podcast.  So, if you have not yet seen From Beyond, go watch it first and then come back to get our take on it!

We hope that you enjoyed our analysis of From Beyond and that you keep coming back for more.
The Monster Pod - horroring it up since 2015!!

If you enjoy movies, conventions, comics, games, cartoons, Star Wars, horror, or just about anything geeky...be sure to check back soon for all things geekery!!  In the meantime, follow Lucas on Instagram and follow me here, on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and be sure to subscribe to my podcast on iTunes and/or Google Play for more geek coverage!

music for The Gargyle Podcast by Bensound
sound effects from SoundBible

The Monster Pod - Trollhunter

If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise.  If you go down to the woods today, you'd better go in disguise!  For every troll that ever there was will gather for certain, because today's the day the trolls have their picnic - (modification of "Teddy Bear's Picnic" by Anne Murray)


Ok...so, there aren't any picnics.  But, that isn't entirely too far off and I think that it actually kinda works for describing Trollhunter, a Norwegian found-footage movie about a group of college kids that think they are filming a documentary about bear attacks, but end up chasing a much different, and much more threatening, monster.

As usual, it should be noted that this is more of an in-depth discussion of the film and not necessarily just a "review."  There are some major spoilers throughout the second section of the podcast.  So, if you have not yet seen Trollhunter, go watch it first and then come back to get our take on it!





We hope that you enjoyed our analysis of Trollhunter and that you keep coming back for more.
The Monster Pod - horroring it up since 2015!!

If you enjoy movies, conventions, comics, games, cartoons, Star Wars, horror, or just about anything geeky...be sure to check back soon for all things geekery!!  In the meantime, follow Lucas on Instagram and follow me here, on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and be sure to subscribe to my podcast on iTunes and/or Google Play for more geek coverage!




music for The Gargyle Podcast by Bensound

The Monster Pod - Manhunter

Before Anthony Hopkins immortalized the role of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs, and before Ralph Fiennes summoned his inner dragon as Francis Dolarhyde in Red Dragon, there was Brian Cox and Tom Noonan in Manhunter.  

With the stylistic touch of director Michael Mann, this 80s horror classic was more subtle in its approach than the Hannibal films that followed, which lent itself to a realism that intensified the horror of an unknown serial killer.  After all, not all monster movies have to be about creatures, demons, or aliens.  Sometimes, the "monster" hidden just under the surface of someone can be equally as terrifying as any other-worldly creature.  

As usual, it should be noted that this is more of an in-depth dissection of the film and not necessarily just a "review." There are some major spoilers throughout the second section of the podcast. So, if you haven't seen Manhunter, go watch it first and then come back to get our take on it.





We hope that you enjoyed our analysis of Manhunter and that you keep coming back for more.
The Monster Pod - horroring it up since 2015!!

If you enjoy movies, conventions, comics, games, cartoons, Star Wars, horror, or just about anything geeky...be sure to check back soon for all things geekery!!  In the meantime, follow Lucas on Instagram and follow me here, on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and be sure to subscribe to my podcast on iTunes and/or Google Play for more geek coverage!





music for The Gargyle Podcast by Bensound

The Monster Pod - Nosferatu

Tired of watching horror movies that suck?  Then you should start watching horror movies that suck...BLOOD!!!!  If we didn't lose you with the terrible opening pun, then hopefully that means we've driven the stake of interest into your heart!  So, join me and Lucas as we dig our teeth into Nosferatu (1922), Nosferatu (1979), and Shadow of the Vampire (2000)!!


As usual,  it should be noted that this is more of an in-depth dissection of the films and not necessarily just a "review."  There are some major spoilers throughout the section of the podcast.  So, if you haven't seen Nosferatu, Nosferatu, or Shadow of the Vampire, go watch them first and then come back to get our take on them.

We hope that you enjoy our fourth episode and that you keep coming back for more.
The Monster Pod - horroring it up since 2015!

image by Sylent-Anpu-Phantom

If you enjoy movies, conventions, comics, games, cartoons, Star Wars, horror, or just about anything geeky...be sure to check back soon for all things geekery!!  In the meantime, follow me here, on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.  And follow Lucas on Instagram 










Music for The Monster Pod by Bensound

"Bartok's Romanian Dance No. 1" from musopen.org

The Monster Pod ep. 4 - Dead Snow 1 & 2

If you are anything like me and Lucas, you think that there might be an over-saturation of zombies in pop culture right now.  And, unfortunately, many of the zombie movies out there are...like the zombies themselves...lacking brains or heart.  Thankfully, Dead Snow is here to breathe some new life into the genre!  So, join me and Lucas as we tear the movies apart and leave your brains on the floor!



It should be noted that this is more of an in-depth dissection of the films and not necessarily just a "review."  There are major spoilers throughout.  So, if you have not yet seen Dead Snow or Dead Snow:  Red vs. Dead, go watch them first and then come back to get our take on them!

We hope that you enjoy our third episode and that you keep coming back for more.  The Monster Pod - horroring it up since 2015!

image by Sylent-Anpu-Phantom

If you enjoy movies, conventions, comics, games, cartoons, Star Wars, horror, or just about anything geeky...be sure to check back soon for all things geekery!!  In the meantime, follow me here, on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Music for The Monster Pod by Bensound

"Hall of the Mountain King" from musopen.org

The Monster Pod ep. 3 - The Babadook

"If it's in a word or it's in a look, you can't get rid of the Babadook." ... and once you know what the Babadook really is, that statement instantly becomes more terrifying!!

So, join me and Lucas as we take an in-depth look into what the Babadook means and why it really is such a terrifying movie!  It should be noted that this is more of an in-depth dissection of the meaning of the film and not necessarily just a "review."  Once we really get into it, there are some major spoilers.  So, if you haven't seen The Babadook yes, go watch it first and then come back to get our take on it.

image by Sylent-Anpu-Phantom

We hope that you enjoy our third episode and that you keep coming back for more.  The Monster Pod - horroring it up since 2015!

If you enjoy movies, conventions, comics, games, cartoons, Star Wars, horror, or just about anything geeky...be sure to check back soon for all things geekery!!  In the meantime, follow me here, on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Music for The Monster Pod by Bensound

The Monster Pod ep.2 - Freddy vs. Jared

image by Sylent-Anpu-Phantom

Time for another episode of The Monster Pod!  In tonight's episode, we dive into Nightmare on Elm Street, the impact that Wes Craven has had on horror, and the underlying tones of Nightmare on Elm Street 2.  Also, Lucas goes on a bit of a Subway rant...



Warning:  There is adult language/content in the podcast.  Of course, if you watch a lot of horror movies, you are probably ok with occasional swearing and adult content


The Monster Pod is myself, Lucas (of New Monster Project), and Tim (of Mass Listeria).  Joining us tonight is Daniel (also of Mass Listeria).  We hope that you enjoy our second episode and that we keep you coming back for more!  The Monster Pod - horroring it up since 2015.





Music for The Monster Pod by Bensound

The Monster Pod - podcast

image by Sylent-Anpu-Phantom

Along with watching and reviewing horror movies on a (mostly) nightly basis, I also started working on a horror podcast called The Monster Pod with my friends Lucas (of New Monster Project) and Tim (of Mass Listeria).  We have our first episode posted (in which we talk about Halloween, what actually scares us, and some in-depth conversation about the differences between Carpenter's and Zombie's Halloween) and we have plans for plenty more!  If you've been enjoying my reviews, give The Monster Pod a listen.

Warning:  There is adult language in the podcast.  Of course, if you watch a lot of horror movies, you are probably ok with occasional swearing and adult content.


Be sure to check back soon for more reviews in Halloween Movie Month.  And be sure to check back on The Monster Pod at themonsterpod.blogspot.com for more in-depth conversations about horror.



- The Gargyle


Music by Bensound