One of my favorite topics that we ever covered on Lunatics Radio Hour was the history of Kaiju films. Partially because of how passionate Alan is about the subject. But I also love the energy of Kaiju movies, so many of them straddle the line between camp and social commentary in a way that other genres struggle to execute. Lets talk about the history of Kaiju films. Early Origins and Tokusatsu Films The word Kaiju means “giant monster” in Japanese. Kaiju films are technicall

The dark history of Valentine's Day and the best horror movies to watch in celebration.

Every time I turn on The Wizard of Oz (which is fairly often), I end up in a rabbit hole trying to remind myself how the filmmakers pulled off such a realistic tornado in 1939. Seriously, if you haven’t seen it in a while, pull up a clip on YouTube. The Wizard of Oz was the first film to show a tornado on screen, which ended up being one of the largest expenses of the film’s budget. The studio actually didn’t recoup the cost of the movie until it re-released it a decade afte

It’s uncomfortably hot outside. Which can only mean it's the high season for summer horror blockbusters. Blockbusters are big budget...

I’ll give it to him. Alan was on to something in episode 158 of the Lunatics Radio Hour podcast when he compared Popeye to a superhero. My first reaction was to laugh, but I was quickly convinced that Popeye is indeed a superhero. Or at least his own version of one. He possesses superhuman, spinach-powered strength, stands up for those in need, has a few arch-nemeses, and sports a distinctive costume. Shortly after Alan and I recorded that episode, something strange happened.

Three years before Frankenstein was published, Mary Shelley traveled through Europe. While in Germany, she passed near Frankenstein Castle, which may have influenced her novel. The castle was home to Johann Conrad Dippel, an alchemist who created a tar-like substance called Dippel’s Oil. Folklore about Dippel’s experiments possibly inspired Shelley, though she never mentioned this in her journals.

The novel Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley was published in 1818. Shelley started writing the story when she was...

Late Night with the Devil (2023) transports audiences back to a time when late night talk shows ruled the networks, and demonic...

I love disaster movies. And I especially love Twister (1996). It has become one of those films I put on when I am having a bad day. Twister is a disaster film that stars Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. With Twisters (2024) currently in theaters, I wanted to take a look at the differences and similarities between these two tornado films; let's discuss Twisters (2024) vs Twister (1996). It was directed by Jan de Bont, who directed Speed, Speed 2, and The Ha

Midsommar (2019) and The Wicker Man (1973) are two stunningly bright horror films inspired by the pagan festivals associated with May...

Currently we are exploring the history of Artificial Intelligence represented in horror and science fiction films. Here are a few that we...

Because I am in my Sleep No More era, I have been rewatching many of my favorite Hitchcock films. Rebecca (1940) is based on the novel of...

In June of 1998, Peter Weir’s “The Truman Show” was released. While not technically a horror film, I think most of us would agree that the premise is indeed horrifying. For anyone not familiar, The Truman Show tells the story of Truman, played by Jim Carrey, who was officially adopted by a television studio after an unwanted pregnancy. Truman is the subject of an always on reality program that streams every second of his life to viewers. In the world of the film, the televisi

There is a natural hit when it comes to horror and amusement parks. Some filmmakers focus on the strange dystopian visuals of abandoned parks, while others play on the juxtaposition of what is meant to be a fun experience, with a terrifying reality. Amusement parks generally lend themselves to horror well, especially in the United States but even across the globe, theme parks have a shelf life. Without ongoing investment and upkeep, it’s very typical for parks to fall into d

In 1962 Carnival of Souls was released to audiences. It was not an immediate hit, but has evolved into a cult classic. The film stars...

I had avoided watching Uncut Gems for as long as possible. Mainly because it was described to me over and over again as “the most...

I hadn't watched “It’s A Wonderful Life” (1946) in almost ten years, but it used to be a household staple for my family. It’s no mistake...

Somehow, Bell, Book, and Candle (1958) had totally slipped past my radar until 65 years after its release. This dreamy supernatural...

In the annals of cinematic history, 1978 stands as a significant year for horror fans, marked by the release of John Carpenter's...

The first film I watched this Autumn was Practical Magic. It has an intensity to it that places it somewhere between thriller, romance,...