Episode 248: Origins of Horror: 'Leprechaun: Origins' (2014)/'Hell House LLC: The Carmichael Manor' (2023)

It’s something of a throwback episode for Look Before Your Leap week. We review two nonsensical movies: one is a release from The Asylum and the other is a Portuguese import. Both are fun in their own way, but one is horrible while the other has to be seen.Adventures in Movies! is a part of the Morbidly Beautiful Podcast Network. Morbidly Beautiful is your one stop shop for all your horror needs. From the latest news and reviews to interviews and old favorites, it can be found at Morbidly Beautiful. Adventures in Movies! is hosted by Nathaniel and Blake. You can find Nathaniel on Instagram at nathaninpoortaste. Blake can be found on Twitter @foureyedhorror and on Instagram at foureyedhorror. You can reach us personally or on Twitter @AdventuresinMo1. Music in the background from https://www.FesliyanStudios.com

We may give our opinions on a few movies each week, but it is rare that we go back and remind the audience that they have to go out and watch something. Lovely, Dark, and Deep is the rare exception. We have absolutely gushed about it since we first saw it last year and are glad to see it has finally been released in theaters. There are a lot of options on what to spend your theater bucks on, but this is an absolute must-see.

True Detective: Night Country was over before it began and we have a lot to talk about. We also discuss just how close the world came to getting a Truth or Dare 2 (not the Madonna version). But the strangest news of the week just may have been who has been attached the the Bee Gees biopic.

Night of the Cobra Woman is a strange movie. The story of a woman who is bit by a cobra who apparently has to sleep with men to remain young never really materializes. A person's first appearance sees assault then kill a woman while his last scene is him saving the day. People realize their significant others are in danger and just leave. Nothing makes sense and it looks like everyone involved had no idea what they were doing. At least the make up effects were good.

Stopmotion is the exact opposite. The story of a talented artist who becomes obsessed with their work is not new to horror. But the performances, effects, and storytelling in the film are fantastic. Though this is live action, it also includes some great animated moments. The horror is expertly done and there is something for all genre fans to enjoy.

Adventures in Movies! is a part of the Morbidly Beautiful Podcast Network. Morbidly Beautiful is your one stop shop for all your horror needs. From the latest news and reviews to interviews and old favorites, it can be found at Morbidly Beautiful.

Adventures in Movies! is hosted by Nathaniel and Blake. You can find Nathaniel on Instagram at nathaninpoortaste. Blake can be found on Twitter @foureyedhorror and on Instagram at foureyedhorror. You can reach us personally or on Twitter @AdventuresinMo1.

Music in the background from https://www.FesliyanStudios.com

 

When over 100 million people watch something, there is no way we can avoid talking about it. We discuss our favorite trailers from this year's Super Bowl. And yes we chose to talk about Knuckles instead of Wicked. And was there a commercial for Scientology during the big game or are people just messing with us?

Bram Stoker is a horror icon, but not in the same way as other creators like Stephen King or John Carpenter. Stoker is known for Dracula and nothing else. It is the rare case where the work has completely overshadowed the author. Still, "Bram Stoker's Dracula' still carries a lot of weight to many more than just horror audiences.

But when you ask people to name any of Stoker's other works, the question will probably be met with a blank stare. in 1988, director Ken Russell gifted the world with his take on The Lair of the White Worm. Sexy, sensual, frightening, and an assault on the senses, the film is an underrated gem that we could not say enough good things about as hard as we tried.

After school specials went away a long time ago, but those who are old enough, remember them fondly. Though it was a Lifetime movie, 1996's No One Would Tell definitely fits in the category. Its story of a high school girl being abused by her boyfriend is a powerful one that remained with anyone who saw it.

But how well does it work in 2024? Putting aside how strange it is to see Fred Savage and Candance Cameron star in a movie about respecting women, it is a very effective movie. There are some poor writing decisions that are impossible to ignore, but the tension, pacing, and overall tone make for an impactful watch.

Adventures in Movies! is a part of the Morbidly Beautiful Podcast Network. Morbidly Beautiful is your one stop shop for all your horror needs. From the latest news and reviews to interviews and old favorites, it can be found at Morbidly Beautiful.

Adventures in Movies! is hosted by Nathaniel and Blake. You can find Nathaniel on Instagram at nathaninpoortaste. Blake can be found on Twitter @foureyedhorror and on Instagram at foureyedhorror. You can reach us personally or on Twitter @AdventuresinMo1.

Music in the background from https://www.FesliyanStudios.com

 

It seems like cult movies are a thing of the past. Sure, there are ones that find a big following on streaming networks, but it is not the same as the little films with the outrageous box art that was always rented out. They were the movies whose titles would spring up constantly even though they never played at a theater. Those day are definitely long gone, but one indie film is making noise in the United Kingdom.

We have talked a lot about the inglorious fall of the Alien franchise. We have also discussed how Fede Alvarez constantly disappoints us. Now that the two are together, is there any hope for either?

Gods of the Deep does not mess around. This means there is no character development and little in the story way of plot. But there is lots of Lovecraft. And the special effects are some of the best to be found in indie cinema. It is a brave decision to forgo pretty much everything that is supposed to make a movie worth watching. Does Gods of the Deep pull it off?

Even braver is writing a movie with a made up language and setting it 45,000 years ago. Out of Darkness does just that and gives it a horror twist. We talk about the surprising depth, how scary it managed to be, and whether it was still too pretentious.

Adventures in Movies! is a part of the Morbidly Beautiful Podcast Network. Morbidly Beautiful is your one stop shop for all your horror needs. From the latest news and reviews to interviews and old favorites, it can be found at Morbidly Beautiful.

Adventures in Movies! is hosted by Nathaniel and Blake. You can find Nathaniel on Instagram at nathaninpoortaste. Blake can be found on Twitter @foureyedhorror and on Instagram at foureyedhorror. You can reach us personally or on Twitter @AdventuresinMo1.

Music in the background from https://www.FesliyanStudios.com

 

There are not enough haunted attractions. There are haunts set up all over the country during October. And most cities have some type of ghost tour, but there are very few year round places that are devoted to horror. Blumhouse is doing something to fill that void. But can the studio responsible for The Exorcist: Believer and Truth or Dare really give horror audiences what they want?

There are so many zombie movies to choose from that even the good ones tend to be forgotten. 28 Days Later is one of the strongest entries in the genre and its sequel is not too bad. For years there has been talk of a third entry. We talk about the latest news concerning the movie and whether we want to see it.

There have been occasional resurgences, but teen slashers saw their greatest output during the 80s. The genre became so popular that it was even able to break into the mainstream. The decade also saw a number of knock offs that ended up becoming cult classics and fan favorites.

Maybe we are too old for Departing Seniors. A familiar premise with a modern perspective, the film had us wondering what today’s youth are really like. We are not sure if all of today’s high school students are pieces of crap or if it is just a case of poor writing? Where do you draw the line between bravery and cowardice?

One thing is for certain, the 2024 film is a great entry point for younger audiences looking to try out teen slashers. It does not have the cringier elements found in older movies while dealing with topical issues. It is also well acted and has a fun little story. There are some flaws along the way, but it is definitely worth checking out. If you ever wanted to see what would happen when Karate Kid III and Saved by the Bell met, then this is the show for you.

Adventures in Movies! is a part of the Morbidly Beautiful Podcast Network. Morbidly Beautiful is your one stop shop for all your horror needs. From the latest news and reviews to interviews and old favorites, it can be found at Morbidly Beautiful.

Adventures in Movies! is hosted by Nathaniel and Blake. You can find Nathaniel on Instagram at nathaninpoortaste. Blake can be found on Twitter @foureyedhorror and on Instagram at foureyedhorror. You can reach us personally or on Twitter @AdventuresinMo1.

Music in the background from https://www.FesliyanStudios.com

 

We began the year by talking about the movies we liked the least and most from 2023. Unsurprisingly, we had little crossover with the Academy Awards but the Razzies did have some of our picks, but is that a good thing?

Oppenheimer was one of the biggest movies of the year. So why did it take so long to get a Japanese release date? The answer might surprise you. We also talk about the Chinese box office and how it can affect our show in the future.

The Death Tour is probably not about what you think. Screening at the Slamdance Film Festival, the documentary is about a pro wrestling tour that takes place in the Northern Territories. When it comes to wrestling, it is fairly simple to deliver a compelling product. All it takes are engaging stories and a storyline.

This film definitely has interesting personalities. It has the normal tales of self-doubt and redemption found in these types of documentaries, but it also brings different stories and themes that would set it apart. Regrettably, The Death Tour makes decisions that would make it a difficult watch for even fans of the sport.

Realm of Satan is already getting a lot of flack. Made in collaboration with members of the Church of Satan, the documentary is not an exploration of the inner workings of the organization. Instead, it is an experimental film that seems to be about people. It is certainly not for everyone.

Due to its structure, it managed to be both entertaining and plodding. The moments that were the stereotypical view of what a Satanist is impressed us the least while the scenes that were more grounded were way more interesting. Shocking and silly, Realm of Satan is one of the most unique looks at Satanism you will ever see.

Adventures in Movies! is a part of the Morbidly Beautiful Podcast Network. Morbidly Beautiful is your one stop shop for all your horror needs. From the latest news and reviews to interviews and old favorites, it can be found at Morbidly Beautiful.

Adventures in Movies! is hosted by Nathaniel and Blake. You can find Nathaniel on Instagram at nathaninpoortaste. Blake can be found on Twitter @foureyedhorror and on Instagram at foureyedhorror. You can reach us personally or on Twitter @AdventuresinMo1.

Music in the background from https://www.FesliyanStudios.com

 

Dune: Part 2 is slated to be one of the biggest releases of this year. What better way to commemorate its release than to revisit David Lynch’s version of the Frank Herbert classic? Forty years after its controversial initial release, Lynch’s Dune will see a limited release in theaters.

Is there anything more that we need to say about The Exorcist: Believer? We have made it clear since watching it that we absolutely detested the sequel to one of the most important horror movies of all time. The latest news of the project - and its planned future - have us both thinking about the future and past.

When we first discussed the trailer for Netflix’s A Vampire in the Family, we were pleasantly surprised. It looked like good old fashioned goofy fun. Little did we know that we would be introduced to what has to be one of Brazil’s most cherished comedic treasures.

We have covered a lot of strange films on our humble little podcast. None have straight up confused us like 2024’s Sunrise. The story somehow becomes more confusing if you pay more attention to it. The fact that it is a vampire movie without an actual vampire is strange enough, but add flashbacks that make no sense, characters that do things without reason, and a backstory that brings nothing, the film left us speechless.

Adventures in Movies! is a part of the Morbidly Beautiful Podcast Network. Morbidly Beautiful is your one stop shop for all your horror needs. From the latest news and reviews to interviews and old favorites, it can be found at Morbidly Beautiful.

Adventures in Movies! is hosted by Nathaniel and Blake. You can find Nathaniel on Instagram at nathaninpoortaste. Blake can be found on Twitter @foureyedhorror and on Instagram at foureyedhorror. You can reach us personally or on Twitter @AdventuresinMo1.

Music in the background from https://www.FesliyanStudios.com

 

Before we gush about 2023, we talk about one of the most underrated remakes of all time. Largely ignored at the time of its 1988 release, The Blob is an excellent remake of a sci-fi classic. With the news that David Bruckner is attached to the next iteration of the film, we talk about what excites us - and why Bruckner has his work cut out for him.

A lot of big news came out of Hollywood this past year. From strikes to a billion dollar phenomenon, the movies were constantly in the news. So much so that many films were overshadowed by it all. That being said, it was a great year for genre cinema. From January all the way through December, we kept seeing awesome movies.

But which ones did we like best? Naturally, there is horror talk, including two of the biggest releases (at least for horror fans) of the year. But we also talk about lost sub-genres, the direction true crime can take, and The Booty Boys. It is a eclectic episode this week.

Adventures in Movies! is a part of the Morbidly Beautiful Podcast Network. Morbidly Beautiful is your one stop shop for all your horror needs. From the latest news and reviews to interviews and old favorites, it can be found at Morbidly Beautiful.

Adventures in Movies! is hosted by Nathaniel and Blake. You can find Nathaniel on Instagram at nathaninpoortaste. Blake can be found on Twitter @foureyedhorror and on Instagram at foureyedhorror. You can reach us personally or on Twitter @AdventuresinMo1.

Music in the background from https://www.FesliyanStudios.com

 

Before we get down to business, we talk some movie news. Mickey Mouse has entered the public domain - sorta - and on cue a pair of horror movies and video game were announced. When the same thing happened with Winnie the Pooh, people were amused. This announcement has been met with widespread anger and we cannot figure out why.

The news of a new horror prequel arriving in 2024 is no big surprise. Still, it is hard not to get excited after seeing the trailer for The First Omen. Great music and the use of reverse footage looks fantastic. The Omen is an excellent movie that often gets overlooked, and we are looking forward to seeing what the new movie will do.

An episode like this one requires a disclaimer. This week’s show is all about our least favorite movies of 2023, and while we may use the word “worst” interchangeably, it is not our intent to insult that work that was done by the cast or crew of any of these films. Each one is discussed in a vacuum and we understand that everyone involved has and can do great work.

That being said, these movies sucked.

From big budget mainstream theater releases to smaller indie films making their festival run, we talk about the movies that we enjoyed the least. It is a varied list that sees us talk about Dracula, true crime, and one of the greatest horror movies of all time. And for the first time ever, we drastically disagree about one of the worst picks.

Adventures in Movies! is a part of the Morbidly Beautiful Podcast Network. Morbidly Beautiful is your one stop shop for all your horror needs. From the latest news and reviews to interviews and old favorites, it can be found at Morbidly Beautiful.

Adventures in Movies! is hosted by Nathaniel and Blake. You can find Nathaniel on Instagram at nathaninpoortaste. Blake can be found on Twitter @foureyedhorror and on Instagram at foureyedhorror. You can reach us personally or on Twitter @AdventuresinMo1.

Music in the background from https://www.FesliyanStudios.com

 

It has been a tumultuous few weeks for Scream VII. After losing its two leads, the movie was rocked with the news that its director had quit. There will still be a future for the popular franchise, but should there be? American television is a strange thing. Shows either go on for too long or are canceled before their time. It is rare to see a series come to a satisfactory end. But it looks like that is exactly what is going to happen with What We Do In the Shadows.

When we spoke about the trailer for Angel Baby a few weeks ago, we both agreed it looked like generic fun. Well, we were half right. Filled with familiar tropes, the film is perfect for Escape to the Woods subgenre. It is its attempt to do something different where things fall apart. Filled with interesting ideas but little else, it ends up being a huge disappointment.

We love found footage movies. Even the flaws that come with them are easy to look over - even if they can be annoying. The origins of the genre are murky. While there is no doubting The Blair Witch Project brought it to the mainstream, it certainly was not the first. What people choose to count as found footage is where the confusion comes in.

One thing there is no debating is that Blackwood Evil is the first found footage movie to attempt to capitalize on the success of Blair Witch. (Well, if nothing else, it is one of the first.) There is a reason most people have not heard of it. The production is awful; some scenes cannot be seen, while others are impossible to hear. The acting is atrocious and there is not a hint of anything scary until over an hour has passed.

So, why did we like it so much? This is definitely a movie you have to grade on a curve. It was released over two decades ago when there was not much of a template to follow. The characters may be the most realistic ever seen in found footage and the lack of polish actually works to its benefit. It would not be accurate to say that Blackwood Evil is a good movie, but it is one that should be seen.

Adventures in Movies! is a part of the Morbidly Beautiful Podcast Network. Morbidly Beautiful is your one stop shop for all your horror needs. From the latest news and reviews to interviews and old favorites, it can be found at Morbidly Beautiful.

Adventures in Movies! is hosted by Nathaniel and Blake. You can find Nathaniel on Instagram at nathaninpoortaste. Blake can be found on Twitter @foureyedhorror and on Instagram at foureyedhorror. You can reach us personally or on Twitter @AdventuresinMo1.

Music in the background from https://www.FesliyanStudios.com