Monster Party

MONSTER PARTY STARTS THE YEAR OFF WITH A "B"! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, start the year off right with a loving salute to those little movies that could. They may have had low budgets and questionable special effects, but to monster kids of every age, they're classics. MONSTER PARTY proudly invites you to explore... THE B MOVIE LEGACY!!! The original definition of a "B movie" was a film that was the second feature of double bill. These films usually had substantially lower budgets than the "A" movies," but what they lacked in funding, they often made up for with creativity, outrageousness, and style.  These days, the term "B movie" is used to describe any small production that is considered by snooty critics to be schlocky or lowbrow. But any non-jaded lover of genre cinema will tell you that whether it's UNKNOWN ISLAND, ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS, or the much maligned, THE GIANT CLAW, there's way more to these movies than you might expect. Joining us for this B movie bas

MONSTER PARTY ENDS THE YEAR WITH THE KING OF ALL MONSTERS! It's been a banner year for our favorite daikaiju, and we here at MONSTER PARTY couldn't be happier! So, let's take a trip to Monsterland and visit the subject of this epic episode, as we invite you to attend... THE MONSTER PARTY GODZILLA STOMPIN' NEW YEARS BASH!!! For decades, Godzilla has proven to be an unstoppable pop culture force. And with the well-deserved success of GODZILLA MINUS ONE, visionary filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki has shown us that you don't need a bloated budget or a barrage of CGI clutter to give audiences an action-packed giant monster film with intelligence and heart.  So let's pop the champagne corks and give a toast to all things Godzilla, as we ring in 2024 with this city-smashing celebration?! Joining us for this raucous reptilian rager is an atomic breath of fresh air! He's a return guest, and a two-time Rondo award-winning writer, researcher, producer, editor, lecturer, event promoter, and Japanese film expert! And if you're

MONSTER PARTY GOES WALKING IN A WORDPLAY WONDERLAND! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, take the words right out of our favorite genre character's mouths. It's another celebration of sensational sentences that this time we're calling.... QUOTE PARTY 2023!!! What better way to launch yourselves into the holidays than with a fun-filled fan-favorite game?! MONSTER PARTY presents a brand-new batch of quotes from various horror, sci-fi, and fantasy films.... and it's up to YOU to guess which ones they're from! Sounds fun, right? But a word of warning: It may be a bit harder than you might think! Joining us for this melee of monstrous monologues is an award-winning writer and filmmaker, whose quote quotient is high. Making his MONSTER PARTY debut, please welcome.... JAMES COLE! (THE LAST RUNG ON THE LADDER, THE NIGHT BEFORE, HOPE AND MIRACLES: TWO SCREENPLAYS BY FRANK DARABONT, THE CAPE COD CHRONICLE) MONSTER PARTY IS GONNA MAKE THIS THE BEST HOLIDAY SEASON EVER!!! BUT DON'T QUO

'TIS THE SEASON FOR MONSTER KID SHOPPING! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, once again offer hideously helpful hints when it comes to finding the perfect present for that hard-to-shop-for genre enthusiast! Get the gift they won't re-gift by consulting... THE MONSTER PARTY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2023!!! Shopping for your favorite hardcore geek can tough! You often wind up buying something they don't want, or already have. And it's not like you can walk into Nordstrom's and go to the "Stuff From A Movie No One Has Heard Of" department. That's where we can help! In this episode, we'll guide you to the gifts that will make any monster kid put down their garage kit and make merry! Whether it's books, DVDs, cosplay gear, one of a kind art pieces, or limited edition toys, MONSTER PARTY has you covered! Speaking of a one-of-a-kind work of art, our guest is just that! Not only is he a cherished friend and past unpaid MONSTER PARTY intern, but he's also the glue that holds our yearly holiday sh

FEAR! IT'S WHAT'S FOR DINNER! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, prepare for the THANKSGIVING holiday by compiling the gruesome ingredients they'll need for history's most monstrous meal. Come shopping with us, won't you, as we load up on... FEARSOME FOOD!!! Last year, MONSTER PARTY presented you with the topic, DIABOLICAL DINNERS!!!: A celebration of the most uncomfortable and inappropriate gastronomic gatherings ever put on film. But what goes into those sinister soirees? What are the evil ingredients that are sure to send a Top Chef contestant packing their knives for protection? In this episode, expect dastardly dining that includes yucky yogurt, petrifying pies, nauseating number twos, raw rodent, mobile meat, cannibal crackers, Starfleet snacks, fiendish fungus, a carrot kook, and  more! And since it's Thanksgiving, there's also a lot of arguing.  Joining us for this creepy culinary confab is a dear friend of ours, and perennial guest. He's a terrifyingly talented actor, writ

MONSTER PARTY TRICKS YOU INTO TREATING YOURSELF! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, don their audio costumes and virtually visit your homes to inflict excitement, consternation, and mayhem! It's the time of year for our favorite holiday, and that's why we're throwing... THE MONSTER PARTY HALLOWEEN HOOTENANNY! Join for this shivering shindig, as we sort through the mixed bag of elements that contribute to a truly memorable ALL HALLOW'S EVE. That includes crappy vintage costumes (Ben Cooper, what you were thinking?), great and not so great candy, alternative "treats," dangerous interactive mazes (tasers anyone?), essential Halloween films, scary decorations (do we really need to decorate the outside of our homes?), and more! Of course, all of this is served with the usual dollop of MONSTER PARTY bickering. Making the scene for this fiesty festival of frights, is a return guest who is no stranger to Halloween hyjinks. He's an acclaimed filmmaker who has lent his talents to such chi

MONSTER PARTY GETS FLOORED! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, take on a topic that literally puts a "lift" in their spirits. Push the button for terror, as MONSTER PARTY asks the question, "Is it an... ELEVATOR OR HELLAVATOR?!!!" The elevator is one of the most signifcant inventions of the modern age. But everytime you get on board a car, isn't there always a little voice in the back of your mind that says, "I don't trust this thing." Well, when it comes to a certain sub-genre of genre films, your fears are more than justified. In this episode, we'll discuss the many flavors of horror that the elevator has provided us in film and tevelsion. From satanic scenarios in films like, DEVIL, THE OMEN II, and VAULT OF HORROR, classic moments from THE SHINING, DAWN OF THE DEAD, and BLADE RUNNER, to offbeat entries like WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, THE LIFT and DR. TERRIBLE'S HOUSE OF HORRIBLE, there seems to be no shortage of ominous "Otis" inspired thrills.  We also take a loo

MONSTER PARTY WELCOMES BACK AN OLD PLASTIC FRIEND! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, revisit a favorite topic that is all topics! And if that were not enough, a vital element has returned to the show that was sorely missed. Brace yourself, listeners, for... TOPIC FREE-FOR-ALL: THE SKULL IS BACK!!! Long-time listeners will know that TOPIC FREE-FOR-ALL is like getting a dozen shows in one go. Traditionally, it worked like this: The MONSTER PARTY gang and their guests write down various mini-topics on a slip of paper and place them in Larry's plastic skull with the light-up eyes. The skull is shaken up, each person randomly pulls out a topic, and said topic is briefly discussed. But, the last time we did TOPIC FREE-FOR-ALL, something went horribly wrong! Larry happened to be out of town, and had left the skull back in his palatial Van Nuys apartment. But MONSTER PARTY is not a podcast to let adversity stop a show, and with some slight alterations, we managed to do the episode... skul

MONSTER PARTY GOES ON A TACTILE TIRADE! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, make their case for what is clearly the most reliable way to get, and keep, your favorite movies and TV shows! When it comes to media, MONSTER PARTY says... LET'S GET PHYSICAL!!! In this episode, MONSTER PARTY salutes physical media in all its forms. We're look at the early days of 8mm, Super 8 films, and 16mm films, the Betamax vs. VHS war, the birthof bonus supplements with the introduction of the laserdisc, the incredibly brief run of the stylus based videodisc, the DVD and Blu-ray revolution, the selective appeal of home 3-D, and try to answer the question, "To 4K or not to 4K?" And if that were not enough white-hot format talk for you, we even sing the praises of the Viewmaster, and it's predecessors, the Stereoscope and Stereoopticon! Joining us for this audio innoculation for "streamingitis" is not only an expert on the subject of phsical media, but a man who is nothing short of showbiz nobility. He's

MONSTER PARTY TAKES A TANTALIZING TOUR OF TOKUSATSU TREMENDOUSNESS! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, join together to form a Voltron-esque robot of fun, as we storm the halls of THE BURBANK AIRPORT MARRIOT.  Accompany us on a Far East adventure in tropical stormy LA, as we bring you the...  JAPAN WORLD HEROES EXPO 2023!!! While interviewing super-talented artist, toy painter, mega-collector, and convention mogul, SCOTT ZILNER at MONSTERPALOOZA 2023, he offered us a booth at his upcoming JAPAN WORLD HEROES EXPO. This event celebrates the things MONSTER PARTY loves: Ultraman, Kamen Rider, super sentai, kaiju, celebrities, toys, art, collectibles, and all thing Japan-cool! The show is held only once every two years, and needless to say, we immediately accepted Scott's gracious offer. Cut to the convention: All our dreams are being realized! We're meeting fans and cosplayers, swimming in sea of rare/exclusive collectibles, hosting our own panel, and spending WAY too much money! If th

MONSTER PARTY SERVES UP A STREAMING PILE OF FUN!   JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, play catch up with some of Hollywood's latest offerings, as well as unearth a treasure from the past. It's time for another round of film criticism with a healthy dose of adolescent bickering, as we bring you.... WHAT WE'RE WATCHING VOL. 4!!!   First we address the elephant... well, more like alien whale in the room... AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER. With Matt finally seeing this box office-breaking blockbuster, the gang wages what can only be described as all-out movie bashing warfare.   Then, we move on to some divided and often volatile opinions on GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3, BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER, SECRET INVASION, THE FLASH, BEAU IS AFRAID, OPPENHEIMER, BARBIE, and ALIEN 3, not to mention some other surprises. And finally, the boys discuss the1967 Korean kaiju classic... SPACE MONSTER WANGMAGWI. Thought to be a lost film, a print was recently located and is now available on Blu

MONSTER PARTY RETURNS TO COMIC CON! YEAH, WE DO A LOT OF NICE THINGS. JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, brave the halls of the San Diego Convention Center once again, to bathe in a veritable sea of fellow nerds. Join us post con, as we dissect the peculiar set of circumstances that was... COMIC CON 2023!!! I'm sure most of you know by now that Monster Party's origins can be traced back to the days of Comic Cons past. After the exhibit hall would shut down, we'd all go back to one of our hotel rooms for cocktails followed by impassioned nerd debates. It's been over a decade since those pre-Monster Party days, but some things never change. Join us as we discuss some of the unique aspects about COMIC COMIC 2023, including the strike induced lack of studio presence, the various treasures to be found at this year's show, some beloved children's show celebrities, the awesome cosplay team of James and Larry, the usual griping about Star Trek, and oh so much more! We also are graced by so

MONSTER PARTY WHIPS IT GOOD! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, pay tribute to an iconic character whose adventures have spanned over 30 years. He's everyone's favorite whip-wielding archeologist, which kind of narrows it down. Cue exhilarating John Williams music as we present an episode that could only be titled... INDIANA JONES!!! From that first screening of RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK back in 1981, we all were unexpectedly awed by the epic heroism of Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. Sure, the following films and TV shows have been a mixed bag, but through better or worse, it's safe to say that Indy has always been a hero we've been rooting for.  In this episode, we dissect the Indiana Jones phenomenon in detail. Is Raiders a truly perfect film? Is Temple of Doom too violent and just not Indy enough? Does Last Crusade have too many gags? Is Crystal Skull way too Shia LaBeoufy? Who was The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles actually intended for? Did Dial of Destiny redeem the series? Wh

MONSTER PARTY CELEBRATES ANOTHER AUDACIOUS ANNIVERSARY! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, have defied the neysayers once again, and reached a monstrous milestone! Can your fragile minds fully comprehend the cataclysmic consequences of MONSTER PARTY finally reaching... THE 250TH EPISODE!!!? When MONSTER PARTY dropped it's first episode back in 2013, little did we know that nearly ten years later, we'd still be bickering about science fiction, horror, fantasy, comic books, toy collecting, and all the other odd offshoots of genre entertainment. But here we are, 250 friggin' episodes in, and not only are we as monster kid obsessed as ever... but we're still talking to each other! Well, yelling. In all seriousness, doing MONSTER PARTY has done much to enrich our lives. It's deepened our friendships, helped us weather a global pandemic, got us in both FANGORIA and  FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND magazines, got us all to JAPAN, introduced us to the world of Blu-ray commentary, nabbed us two

MORE MONSTER PARTY FUN FROM HORROR'S MOST UNCONVENTIONAL CONVENTION! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, stalk the halls of the Pasadena Convention Center, searching for more audio prey. Shine up your Phantasm orb and start sewing up your human centipede for this celebration of scares we appropriately call... MONSTERPALOOZA 2023 PT. 2!!! In MONSTERPALOOZA 2023 PT. 1, the MONSTER PARTY gang manned their convention booth and interviewed a variety of fans, new friends, cosplayers, artists, and industry professionals who attended the show on Friday night. The evening went went so well that we decided to do it again on Saturday, resulting in yet another excitement packed episode! If you've never had the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to this epic event, here's a chance to experience it through us! AND IF YOU WANT MORE, BECOME A MONSTER PARTY PATREON PATRON, AND EXPERIENCE MONSTERPALOOZA 2023 PT. 3!!!  

MONSTER PARTY RETURNS TO THE REAL HALLS OF HORROR! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, once again fired up the hearse, and headed out to petrifying Pasadena, for the horror convention that reigns over all! Pay a virtual trip to the MONSTER PARTY booth, as we we present... MONSTERPALOOZA 2023: PT 1!!! The action started as every MONSTERPALOOZA does. We spent all day Friday setting up our table and various accoutrements, just in time for when the doors opened to the public. And once that happened... it was pure magic!  In case you were born under a rock (which is quite horrifying in and of itself), MONSTERPALOOZA is the bi-yearly convention that celebrates all aspects of horror entertainment. It's got actors, writers, directors, special FX makeup, masks, artwork, clothing, toys, cosplay, rare treasures, limited collectibles, museum pieces, friendly fans, plus a whole lot more! And to make things extra special this year, Shawn Sheridan managed to take a break from employment, for a rar

MONSTER PARTY TAKES ON THE DANGEROUS MISSION OF DEFUSING SOME BOMBS! In this episode, JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, attempt to save the reputation of some of the genre's most maligned movies. It's a philosophical film challenge of monster kid proportions, that we've cleverly called... BAD MOVIE... OR IS IT?!!! When we consider the ingredients that make a genre movie "bad," we think of things like poor scripts, laughable acting, and questionable special effects. But in certain instances, those elements can result in something quite entertaining. And even films with all the right ingredients can be misundertood and under-appreciated by both critics and audiences. It can simply be a matter of bad timing. We're talkin' to you, Zardoz! Well luckily, the timing was right for booking the guest in this episode. She's a lifelong sci-fi fan and mega-talented writer, who has worked on such fan favorites as MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 and HANGIN' WITH DR. Z. Please welcome, for the first

MONSTER PARTY GETS A FEW THINGS OFF THEIR TOY CHEST! SHAWN SHERIDAN, JAMES GONIS, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, return to a topic that has shaped their lives, and maxed out their credit cards. So gather your Mego figures around your favorite podcast listening device, and brace yourselves for... THE MONSTER PARTY TOY TIRADE!!! It's no secret that the hosts of MONSTER PARTY love toys! Old, new, mint, loose, or custom, collecting toys is a passion that can  border on obsession. And with current world-wide acceptance of nerd culture, this love of so-called childish things shows no signs of stopping. In this frank and often bellicose discussion, MONSTER PARTY addresses the various complexities of having an ever-growing toy collection. How did this all start? How did/does it affect your love life? What are your toy pet peeves? What were the toys that got away? How do we keep up with all the great new stuff coming? And so much more, dear listeneners! Joining us for this riotous rant, is a Rondo award-winning jou

ONCE AGAIN, MONSTER PARTY GOES TOPIC-LESS! WILL IT ALSO FINALLY GO PANTLESS? JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, revisit the topic that is no topic, yet all topics! It's a no holds barred onslaught of off-the-cuff chit-chat that for absolutely no reason, we are calling... ANYTHING GOES: THE OBLITERATION!!! Welcome to a free range exploration of the peculiar mindscapes that occupy the MONSTER PARTY cast! We don't want to spoil anything, but if you like spicy banter about Star Wars, Star Trek, Planet of the Apes, gashapon, movie set archeology, future carpet tech, superhero streets, and sci-fi plumbling, this episode is definitely your jam! Joining us for this conversational cataclysm is a return guest and MONSTER PARTY pal, who never ceases to amaze! He's an ingenious painter, sculptor, graphic artist, and makeup FX wizard, who has lent his talents to such companies as KNB EFX GROUP and DON POST STUDIOS! Please welcome back the incomparable... MARK TAVARES! (LAND OF THE DEAD, SPY KID

MONSTER PARTY WANTS TO HAVE A WORD WITH YOU! This time, JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, take a psychiatric approach to fun! No, it's not getting juiced up on meds and wrestling each other in a padded room. It's... THE MONSTER PARTY WORD ASSOCIATION GAME!!! This game works just the way you think! The members of MONSTER PARTY take turns presenting a word to the others, and must immediately respond with the first horror, sci-fi, or fantasy thing that pops into their heads. It's just that simple... and disturbing! This topic was first stress-tested in a special, PATREON ONLY episode, and was proven to be sound. It also proves that there's nothing better for body and mind than becoming a MONSTER PARTY PATRON! Well, there may be a few things better. Like some med-fueled padded room wrestling! We think you'll enjoy this rare peek inside the collective subconscious of MONSTER PARTY, and hope you'll try this game out with your family and friends. If they can handle it!