Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 

Don't drink too much!

BLACK CHRISTMAS (1974) Poster Art

 

Audio - Fear on 4: Gobble Gobble by Paul Burns

"The fourth series of Fear on 4 began with this very Christmassy - and rather bleak - tale of one man's attempt to buy a turkey from a depressed farmer on Christmas Eve. 

Broadcast on Christmas Eve in 1992, this episode was repeated two years later on New Year's Eve, in deference to its particularly seasonal plotline." 

The Bloody Pit #186 - A CHRISTMAS HORROR STORY (2015)

December brings our annual Holiday Horror episode! John Hudson and Troy Guinn join me to discuss the anthology film A CHRISTMAS HORROR STORY (2015).

We keep the conversation almost completely spoiler free with only a few third act details being alluded to as we go along. We talk about the possibility that Shatner might have ad-libbed some of his dialog as DJ Dangerous Dan and marvel at his ability to bend a syllable. Each of us picks our favorite of the stories presented and Troy points to some paths he thought the narrative might take that were skipped past. The darkly humorous nature of elements of the film are discussed with attention to how the laughs add to the entertainment level. We also bring up a couple of other recently seen Christmas horror movies as examples of our annual desire to see more of this subgenre. Toshi the cat visits us to rub up against the microphone and disrupt our trains of thought, such as they are. And the show ends with a brief tale about Mr. Hudson having been recognized as a recently published Cinema Sewer interviewer. Cool stuff!

We hope everyone has a Happy Holiday season and if you have any comments about the show thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to send them. Stay safe and hug your loved ones. Thank you for listening.

The Bloody Pit #162 - THE CHILDREN (2008)

This year’s Holiday Horror episode arrives! 2022 was Troy’s pick and he has chosen a British creeper set in the week between Christmas and New Years Eve called THE CHILDREN (2008). It is an underseen horror tale that uses the season effectively even if we question whether the story needed the holiday setting to accomplish its goal. Still, there are fewer locations that cry out ‘Christmas’ as well as a secluded, snow-bound country house so it earns its place here easily. We try not to spoil the movie so we stay clear of deep discussion of the third act.

John Hudson and I join Troy for this trek down Evil Child Lane. We take note of the subtle ways the threat is communicated before the mayhem explodes. We heap much praise on the film’s smart dialog and understanding of family dynamics that make the entire scenario feel like a slice of increasingly tense reality. Truly, by being specific in its details this movie hits some terrifying universal notes about the ties that bind. We discuss the fact that film never spells out the reason for the children’s violence with understated hints as our only clues. I bring up a wonderful essay by Andrea Subissati about the film and it’s comments on the destructive nature of the lies we tell our kids and how they can infect other parts of our life. And I can’t stay away from talking about the story’s thread of financial concerns that surface at the film’s intense dinner scene. There’s a lot going on in this short, violent tale and we recommend it. Luckily it is currently streaming on Tubi for free!

Questions, comments or Holiday messages can be directed to thebloodypit@gmail.com where we’ll be jingle jangled to hear from you. All three of us hope you have a fantastic Holiday season and a Happy New Year. Santa knows we all need one. Thanks for listening and sorry for the Bonanza sidetrack. I can’t help myself.

Happy New Year!

Have a happy and safe celebration of the coming of the new year!

2022 will bring changes and new adventures so let's get on with it!

'Handmade Horror' Prints for Christmas!

All I'm going to do it point curious gift buyers to this online store so that you can see the astonishing mash-up of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and John Carpenter's THE THING (1982). Someone you know will love and appreciate these mad but funny images. 

Perfect for the holidays!

 

Check it out!

Happy July 4th!

Although I could do with a little less of the boom and bang of fireworks for an entire damned week around my town, I do celebrate. 

With Captain America.