Chewing The Scenery Horror Movie Podcast

An important member of the CTS family (and dedicated listener) has the most important day of his life coming up. How else would we announce it? Listen and find out... it's short, sweet and to the point!

Episode 50 is another Netflix double-header and somehow turns out to be a good movie up against a bad movie again! Jolyon was out again, finishing up Tales from the Crypt, but he’ll be more than ready for the next one! Will and Richard start off with a brief discussion of Obi Wan Kenobi and his judgmental ways, then go on to question Vikings and their shenanigans. But do you know who your hosts really like? Them witches! As part of the double-header, the guys watched “Witching and Bitching” (2013, Spain) and found it to be an awesome horror comedy with some crazy crime action thrown in for good measure! Where else are you going to see a silver Jesus Christ in a car chase, blasting away with a 12 gauge shotgun while Spongebob is getting mowed down? Is Spain taking our old comedy and serving it back to us? Perhaps, but it’s really fun! The Hollow (2015, U.S.) is a bit... well, hollow. It seems that the writers took the horror movie trope handbook and copied it directly into the script. Richard thinks

Episode 49 is a Netflix double-header! With Jolyon off working on a “Tales from the Crypt” comic, Will and Richard talk about a pair of movies - Night of the Wild (2015) and Hush (2016). With “Night of the Wild”, it seemed at first the movie was executed in a “kinda sincere” way, but the wheels came off of that in short order! Right away we meet a man who acts like a cartoon hillbilly and some fluffy dogs that do some murders, perhaps due to space rabies. ”Coconut” really freaked Will out, with it’s souless black eyes, like a murderous gerbil. It seems the attacks are all gravy-induced, except the ones done by puppets. PSA: you are not outrunning any wolfy dogs. Or even Richard’s chihuahua, with a 50 foot head start! Are there a lot of Northern Exposure references? Just ask Roslyn! Although some dogs could act vicious, most of them were super happy to be shooting a movie! What else does this thing have? Theres a waffle bat! Stunt people with heavy sleeves! Terrible CG cows! So many wagging tails!

Episode 48 whisks you away on a magical journey to the land of Japanese Extreme Cinema. By which we mean shoving you into the deep end of the pool! Our resident expert, Jolyon didn’t make the featured film, so don’t blame him! In fact, he called it “pretty offensive”. Before your hosts get into the particulars of “Entrails of a Beautiful Woman” (no, really - and it translates literally) Jolyon gives us some facts and history of this genre known as “Pink Films”. Have you heard of “Satanic Panic”? Well, some of these movies were so extreme that they sparked “Cannibal Panic”! Will explains that the main attraction "features rape and a cock monster”. He isn’t wrong. Richard notices that all art and technology, from petroglyphs to modern computers, is eventually used for porn. Also not wrong. There is a lot to be mined from the extreme, but your hosts reign it in a bit and suggest some more appealing choices to get started. Are some of these titles chosen by just rolling dice with words on them? Maybe

Episode 47 is a “Live Watch” episode. That’s right, your hosts sit down with some cats at Will’s house and watch a movie whilst recording all the genuine reactions and comments. Why? Because why not! We admit it may not be as cool as partying in a Furniture King, it’s still Sofa King cool! Listen as we learn that sex in the 80’s wasn’t sexy and that character actor Dick Miller is King of the Janitors. Did you know that robot language has over 1000 words for sperm, but not one word for “friend”? You’ll meet characters who have robophobia. You’ll meet characters who have helmet hair. You’ll meet some “Killbots”. You’ll meet the guy that proves that continuously chewing gum can make you look like an A-hole. Do you want a cockfighting starter kit? An exploding head? You can get it all at the Mall! So, get ready to shop ’til you drop, just don’t drop onto the Knife Hut- it won’t break your fall! Oh, and have a nice day! Find us on Instagram, where we are @chewingthescenery or easily find us on Faceb

Episode 46 is the one you thought could never be done. An epic episode about Satan in the 70’s. We ain’t talking’ no Hillbilly Devil either…this is straight-up 70’s movie Satan. In his research, Jolyon discovered that the library didn’t have a room of cursed books hidden from the public. Disappointing, to say the least! Will spent that same time getting started with Netflix’s “Stranger Things”, which he’s pretty sure is an 80’s love letter clip show. Or a clever repackaging of “Firestarter”. Richard finally saw “Blacula”, so check that off the Horror Blaxploitation list! What happens when you slow the podcast to half speed but don’t change the pitch? Is the plural of Doberman really “Dobermen”? And do those dogs deserve little Milkbone™ Oscars™? Did Hammer Studios have a frilly shirt bonfire when they closed their doors once and for all? The answers to these questions and more are in the episode! After some discussion, we think we’re pretty sure it was easier in the 70’s to successfully start a cu

Episode 45 is all about some lesser-known ghost movies! Jolyon reveals that he’s been a guest on another podcast and that pumpernickel actually means “the devil’s fart”. Richard has some news about an upcoming Nosferatu re-make as well as that “Scary Lucy” statue. Will decided not to watch “Ghost Dad” because it would be creepy…you know why! Jolyon drops some knowledge about English writer Noel Coward and the movie “Blithe Spirit”, based on his work. “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken”(1966), “The Devil’s Backbone” (2001), and “Neverlake”(2013) are also discussed. Real-life sound effects spill into the studio! Jolyon grew up without crickets OR Don Knotts! Will lets us know that underwater couches are gross! What more could you ask for, a haunted Arby’s? A floating disembodied head? Another one of Richard’s stories? Okay, we’ll give you all three! By the way, Will doesn’t believe in ghosts, but they scare him all the same. Now it’s time to join your dear hosts on a haunted coach ride through some ghostly

Episode 44 defies expectations by going below them. No, wait- that was Mother of Tears! It gave Jolyon the jitters to be discussing this Argento sequel as the first one one of his films featured on the podcast. We promise to honor some of Dario’s good films soon! You guessed it, we’re talking about unfortunate sequels! But first, your trusty hosts will talk about what Ancient Egyptians looked like, a short called “Mercy, the Mummy Mumbled”, and a certain host being nominated for a Rondo Award. When it just can’t be avoided any longer, "Nightmare on Elm Street 2, Freddy's Revenge” and it’s reputed gay subtext (or just text) is up for scrutiny. Freddy doesn’t make with the puns and one-liners, but he wrecks a pool party and explodes a parakeet. So, there’s that. Never mind creeping around in dreams, Freddy just shows up. Then there’s "Book of Shadows, Blair Witch 2”. No witches, no book, but maybe a few incidental shadows show up. Theres a soundtrack full of 90’s awesomeness and Jerkface is in it!

Episode 43 goes to show you never can tell. Remember that time we talked about Plan 9 From Outer Space and everyone was surprised that Will disliked it? Here we go again! Green Room (2015) was written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier, who was also behind Blue Ruin (2013). Not enough for you? Sir Patrick Stewart, Anton Yelchin, and Imogen Poots were all in it! Okay, maybe it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s certainly done well. And it won’t make you feel old like “Straight Outta Compton” did! Although Green Room was hyped in a way that made it seem like it would reveal vampires or werewolves as the big bad, Nazi skinheads will have to do. Is this an actual horror movie? Listen and find out what we think! Is it filmed in Confuso-Vision and recorded in Mumblecore? Perhaps! Let’s just say it’s no All-Foxy-Grandpa fan edit of Lost Boys. So, don’t just sit there like a robut on a davenport, wondering what a bureau is- download this episode and give it a listen! Find us on Instagram, where we are

Episode 42 started as a listener suggestion. When Richard said a listener suggested the movie “Them”, Will and Jolyon said “Giant ants? Great, we’re in!” But it was a 2006 French movie about a couple experiencing a home invasion. So why not both? Why not, indeed! It turns out that “THEM!” (1954) is the first of the giant bug movies and probably the best. You get a heroic cop, the Thing, Santa Clause and a really swell dame ready to sock those ants right in the kisser! And Mr. Spock gets in on the action as well! All kidding aside, the casting is amazing and the moral of the story is a poignant one. And there’s an Evel Knievel connection! What about “Ils” (2006)? It’s considered one of the "French extreme” movies, and your host will attest that it is well-made, but in the end, kids are dicks. So, grab your fireplace poker or flamethrower (whichever works for you) and lets’s go hunt down some sewer-dwelling ants. Or kids. Whatever. Find us on Instagram, where we are @chewingthescenery or easily fi

Episode 41 won’t threaten to rock your face off, it just will! It’s all about Heavy Metal Horror! Jolyon narrowly escaped the moors and the airport sniffer dogs and has returned from England. He saw a few good movies, one of which had him dreaming of Rome in the 1950’s. Will had all other thoughts and memories erased by a little gem called "Rock n Roll Nightmare”. Will says it’s like Evil Dead in Canada, but with big hair. This movie is such a bomb that Hitchcock would put it under a desk and let the audience worry about it. Should you watch it anyway? It’s so ridiculous that there’s no answer but yes! “Trick or Treat” (1986) is a better choice, offering up backward masking, dead Satanic rock stars, high school bullies, and the kid from “Family Ties”. Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osbourne kinda show up too! Could someone do a fan edit combining “8mm" and "Super 8”? Maybe, but “Stranger Things” will do in the meantime. Or you could watch “Jerkface” (aka “Burn Notice”). If your shoulder isn’t made of ca

Episode 40 takes you on a journey to 10 Cloverfield Lane. While Jolyon is still in England, Will and Richard indulge in a good movie. No, really…. it was actually quite good! John Goodman gets mad props for playing such a creepy, disturbed character. The injured young woman and the bearded dumbass are excellent as well! Did you ever consider that having a toilet in the shower is an excellent idea? This film lets you see that it is! Without the sneaking Army tanks and spinning camerawork of the original Cloverfield, this one is a bit more grounded…. well, undergrounded. Before the aliens swoop down and destroy the ambiguity, check it out and check out this episode! Find us on Instagram, where we are @chewingthescenery or easily find us on Facebook. Also, please rate, review and subscribe- it really does help us.

Episode 39 is about a giant snake movie. There, we said it. Anaconda is a 1997 nature-run-amock movie starring J-Lo, Ice Cube, Jon Voight, Eric Stolz (for a few minutes), Owen Wilson and a few “Red Shirts”. Oh, and don’t forget a giant, shrieking snake! How much weed did certain cast members smoke on set? All of it! Would Ice T do a better job than Ice Cube? Would a sock puppet do a better job than the mechanical snake? Are Jon Voight’s powers drawn from his scowly accent? Did J-Lo’s butt get a producer credit? The answers to these and many more questions are in this episode! Let us axe you sumpthin’….are you ready for the esophagus cam? Are you able to handle a barfed-up bait monkey? Well, put on that sympathy scowl, because Anaconda is coming at you faster than a reverse waterfall! Check us out on Instagram, where we are @chewingthescenery or easily find us on Facebook. Also, please rate, review and subscribe- it really does help us.

Episode 38 is about a 1987 vampire film called Near Dark. Maybe it isn’t a vampire film at all, since they refused to use the word in the dialogue or in promoting the film. Let’s just say the main characters enjoy drinking blood and all happen to have a severe allergy to sunlight. More importantly, it was excellent work from Kathryn Bigelow (director, co-writer) who had a great cast of actors. You might feel you’ve seen some of them together somewhere before. Perhaps in future husband James Cameron’s film Aliens (1986). Since your dear hosts really enjoyed Near Dark, be ready for a little bit of sidetracking. Will talks about how plastic surgery footage seems to blur out the wrong parts and how adorable kids are when they smoke cigarettes. Jolyon explains clotted cream and reveals that he ran across the most racist movie he’s ever seen. It has people blaming earthquakes on the sins of others. Richard admits to people-watching in order to assign them all back stories or figure out their celebrity loo

Episode 37 takes us to deep jungle of Mexico to explore “the Ruins” (2008). Wait, doesn’t that look a little bit like Australia? Well, that’s because it is! There are other secrets to this production, like the fact that big rocks aren’t necessarily the best medical instrument for amputating limbs. And that real Mayan temples have solid steps, not the tread and riser type, duh! Additionally, there are some pesky plants imitating cell phones, young people making bad decisions, bad guys making rash decisions, plants causing rashes, faulty rope hoists and a few other things you might find on Gilligan’s Island. Then we talk about the Santo and Blue Demon movies! This is crazier than a bird trying to steal your tacos! What Hillbilly movie wrestled Will to the ground, forcing his submission? How did Richard end up with foofy blended drink fatigue? What did Jolyon watch that had some mad scientist swapping brains around? Was Richard’s imaginary Mayan movie better than this “real” one? The answers are in th

Episode 36 is an honor for Chewing the Scenery. Judith O'Dea, “Barbara” from the original Night of the Living Dead” sits down with Richard for an interview. She talks about about how she got her start and of course, the 1968 film that changed it all. So, why did Barbara fall apart? Why didn't she take up arms and dispatch those ghouls? Did writer John Russo really know how big this little movie would become? The answers to these questions and more as we get to know this iconic actor and lovely person a little better.

Episode 35 finds your hosts discussing lost films. Considering that only 4% of all films ever made survive today, it’s no surprise that many films are lost for all time. Do some miraculously resurface? Why, yes they do and it’s exciting when it happens. Jolyon fancifully lists his top 5 most desired finds, including missing scenes of King Kong (1933) smashing into a poker game! Will admits to imagining a wild version of Return of the Jedi and warns you to stay off of Frankenstein Island (1981) because it sucks. You know what else sucked? The Six Million Dollar Man action figure. Your hosts harken back to the days when kids could play with explosives as well as dolls. Do Roman Candle fights and bottle rocket wars result in video store fires? You’ll find out in this episode! It’s time to hear the action-packed story of a seamonster with thrills, suspense and whatnot! Check us out on Instagram, where we are @chewingthescenery or easily find us on Facebook. Also, please rate, review and subscribe- it

Episode 34 is about a cult classic you must see. Spider Baby (filmed in 1964, released in 1967) is weird, surreal, creepy, sexual, disturbing and a whole lot of other adjectives. Whereas Interview with the Vampire made Will wonder how they change the lightbulbs in the ceiling of the movie theater, Spider Baby made him wonder how he’d missed seeing this film a long time ago. Richard gets to wondering how much Rob Zombie borrowed from this film (aside from the great Sid Haig). Jolyon reveals the existence of a sub-genre he calls the “Nudie Western”. You’ll hear birthday wishes to a trio of late, great horror actors and a pro tip on how to avoid the trouble of actually slanting the floor of your evil hideout. Who should play Michael Myers in the next Halloween movie? Suggestions fly like bats in the studio! Will the upcoming Misfits reunion tour be called “the Earlybird Special”? You’ll find out! So, put on your Necromancer Pants and get ready for a good time! Check us out on Instagram, where we are @c

Episode 33 brings us an excellent guest. Author and university professor Stephen Graham Jones sits in! Jolyon met Stephen at a signing for his new werewolf book, Mongrels and invited him to join us. The result is a great discussion of all kinds of werewolf books, movies and TV shows. Will Mongrels become a major motion picture? We hope so! How about “Bite Club” or “Surf Werewolves Must Die”? Maybe not so much. Are slashers killing sexually active people as a moral lesson or just because they’re naked and otherwise occupied? Listen and find out! Now, get your gas station comic books and spare jeans and get ready to wolf out! Buy Stephen’s book, Mongrels anywhere books are sold. Check us out on Instagram, where we are @chewingthescenery or easily find us on Facebook. Also, please rate, review and subscribe- it really does help us.

Episode 32 is an honor for Chewing the Scenery. Russ Streiner, “Johnny” from the original Night of the Living Dead” sits down with Richard for an interview packed full of information and insights about the 1968 film that changed it all. In fact, Russ promises that with the 50th anniversary of NOTLD on the horizon, he and the rest of the filmmakers and actors will have some “tricks up their sleeve” to celebrate it. So, why did Johnny have fancy driving gloves for a Pontiac LeMans? Why did Richard pay him 75 cents? What’s the Pittsburgh Film Office? The answers to these questions and more as we get to know this iconic actor/producer a little better. Now, check to see if there’s any of that candy left and let’s start whistling past the graveyard, because he’s coming to get you! Check us out on Instagram, where we are @chewingthescenery or easily find us on Facebook. Also, please rate, review and subscribe- it really does help us.