Welcome to PART TWO of our dive into Hong Kong CAT III films, the classification of the most outrageous, transgressive, explicit, and violent films. These films, made by a group of wild and unpredictable filmmakers, thrived from 1988 until the British Handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997.

Hong Kong audiences loved these extremely unhinged movies, and their reputation spread across the globe!

Join my guest Ryan Smith of legendary Dreamhaven Books in Minneapolis, Minnesota, one of the premiere experts on CAT III films, for this look at some of the heavy hitters of CAT III!

I hope you enjoy the show!

Movies Discussed:

BROTHER OF DARKNESS (1994)

UNDERGROUND BANKER (1994)

NAKED KILLER (1992)

SEX AND ZEN (1991)

THE ETERNAL EVIL OF ASIA (1995)

The UK created the Video Nasties list. 

The MPAA created NC-17. 

And Hong Kong had CATEGORY III films.

It is probably the least widely known classification of outrageous, transgressive, explicit, and violent films. From 1988 to the British Handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997, the government tried to tame a group of wild and unpredictable filmmakers. 

Instead of killing business, the new rating created a thriving industry for extremely popular and extremely unhinged movies!

Join my guest Ryan Smith of legendary Dreamhaven Books in Minneapolis, Minnesota, one of the premiere experts on CAT III films, for this two-part dive into the heavy hitters of CAT III!

I hope you enjoy the show!

Movies Discussed:

Men Behind the Sun (1988)

The Untold Story (1993)

Taxi Hunter (1993)

Ebola Syndrome (1996)

Dr. Lamb (1992)

Run and Kill (1993)

Red to Kill (1994)

Happy Halloween!

Hellbent for Horror returns from the dead (and grateful to be here) to start more conversations. I’ve missed you all!

The best-kept secret of long-term horror fans may be that we don’t necessarily watch merely to be scared. What captivates us is the element of surprise. If you can't scare us, surprise us.

How do you surprise horror fans who have seen it all?

Join me as I give my opinion on how filmmakers and studios can meet horror fans’ expectations and make movies they will love!

Enter the” three doors of death” if you dare!

I hope you enjoy the show!

Movies and stories covered:

Snakes on a Plane (2006)

Talk To Me (2022)

The Séance- Short story by Ronal Kayser (1936)

I Walked With a Zombie (1943)

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

28 Days Later (2002)

Dawn of the  Dead (2004)

Near Dark (1987)

The Lost Boys (1987)

Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

And Then There Were None-novel by Agatha Christie (1939)

Twitch of the Death Nerve (1971)

Black Sunday (1960)

Blood and Black Lace (1964)

Halloween (1978)

Friday the 13th (1980)

Going To Pieces: The Rise And Fall of The Slasher Film (2006)

Graduation Day (1981)

Un Chien Andalou (1929)

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Scream (1995)

The Last Broadcast (1998)

Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

David Holzman’s Diary (1967)

Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

Skinamarink (2022)

The Yellow Wallpaper short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1892)

Like it or not, failure is a part of creation, invention, and art. Sometimes, failure forces improvisation, creating something amazing; other times, not so much.

So, I wanted to look at failure in horror: how some filmmakers overcame major setbacks and Acts of God, but also look at the movies centered around human error, where one mistake creates a chain reaction that leads to death, dismemberment, and even doomsday!

I hope you enjoy the show!

Movies discussed:

Return of the Living Dead (1985)

The Fly (1986)

Open Water (2003)

28 Days Later (2003)

Fearless Vampire Killers (1967)

Gerald’s Game (2017)

The Descent (2006)

The Coffee Table (2022)

Join me as I talk with Del Howison, the co-owner of Dark Delicacies, the world-renowned book and collectibles store in Burbank dedicated to horror and fantasy that celebrates 30 years as America's home of horror (and is the oldest horror bookstore in Los Angeles.)

Del discusses his career as an author, actor, and bookseller and how a horror superfan grew up to create an oasis for fellow horror fans and bookworms alike, a place that's become an institution that draws authors and filmmakers as well.

Over a thousand authors and filmmakers have given readings and signed books over the past thirty years, and we discuss some of the highlights and what the future holds for Dark Delicacies.

I hope you enjoy the show!

Movies, books, people discussed:

Curse of the Faceless Man (1958)

The Seven Faces of Dr. Lau (1964)

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958)

Forrest Ackerman

Ray Harryhausen

Salem's Lot (book) (1975)

Carrie (book) (1974)

The Omen (1976)

The Omen II (1978)

The Omen (2006)

Joe Lansdale

Sarah Karloff

For the last 25 years, Cinema Wasteland has been a Mecca for horror movie maniacs. The legendary convention draws cineastes in and turns them into repeat visitors, "Wastelanders."

As CW reaches its Silver Anniversary, many Wastelanders ask," How long will this go on?"

Join me as I discuss Cinema Wasteland's ongoing saga and interview veterans and newcomers, trying to define what makes this show the last great fan convention standing.

The 96th Academy Awards Ceremony is upon us, but we fans know that the only award that matters is if you recommend a horror movie to your friends and they love it!

In reality, 2023 was such a good year for horror movies that I needed two episodes to cover my favorites!

Join me as we celebrate PART TWO of the "Killer Elite," a list of horror movies that surprised me and that I recommend to horror fans!

I hope you enjoy the show!

Movies Covered:

The Sacrifice Game(2023)

In My Mother’s Skin (2023)

Huesera: The Bone Woman (2023)

Birth/Rebirth (2023)

The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster (2023)

No One Will Save You (2023)

Godzilla Minus One (2023)

When Evil Lurks (2023)

Talk to Me (2023)

Against the Grain (documentary) (2023)

The 96th Academy Awards Ceremony is in a few weeks, but the annual outrage over the lack of horror movie nominations is in full swing. We fans know that the only award that matters is if you recommend a horror movie to your friends.

In reality, 2023 was a damn good year for horror movies, with diverse styles and subgenres to satisfy any horror fan's tastes, and I have so many recommendations I needed two episodes to cover them!

Join me as I celebrate the "Killer Elite," a list of horror movies that surprised me and I recommend them to horror fans!

I hope you enjoy the show!

Movies covered:

Cobweb (2023)

The Outwaters (2023)

We Might Hurt Each Other (2023)

Suitable Flesh (2023)

Thanksgiving (2023)

Destroy All Neighbors (2023)

It's Time for our annual Christmas Ghost Story!

We return to the Grandfather of the modern ghost story, M.R. James.

Join me as I read his classic short story, A View From a Hill, and find out what a "Borgia Box" is!

Happy Holidays to everyone!

I hope you enjoy the show!

Story: A View From a Hill from the collection A Warning to the Curious and Other Ghost Stories (1925)

Horror movie collectors live to find those rare movies that eluded us. These are the movies that are so obscure and bizarre that it becomes a quest to see them and pass them on to other fans.

Join our guest, Roxanne Guarino (Cinema Insomnia with Mr. Lobo), author of the new zine The Craziest Movies You NeverSaw, as we discuss the growing lost media culture, legendary "Holy Grails" of horror and cult, and our own favorite cinematic lost causes.

Follow Roxanne on Instagram: @basement_mind_meds

Dare to go down the lost media rabbit hole of the Lost Media Wiki: https://lostmediawiki.com/Home

I hope you enjoy the show!

Movies, Books, and TV Shows Discussed:

The Story of Vampires by Thomas G. Aylesworth (1977 Children's book)

Big Bad Beetleborgs (TV Series, 1996-1998)

Mad Monster Party? (1967)

Short Films by Short People, “Attack of the Giant Vulture” (TV-Nickelodeon, 1995)

Cuckoo Clocks of Hell (1973) aka Last House on Dead End Street (1977)

Sesame Street Episode 847- with Margaret Hamilton (TV-1976)

Sesame Street Short- “Cracks (aka Crack Master)” (TV-1975)

Rock Odyssey (1987)

Heidi’s Song (1982)

Mean Parents Suck/aka For Parents Only (1991)

Plan 10 From Outer Space (1995)

London After Midnight (1927)

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood (Anime-2007)

Freaks: Deleted Scenes (1932)

Nighty-Night: Midnight Nightmares (1986)

Happy Mother’s Day, Love George/ aka Run, Stranger, Run (1973)

Twice Upon a Time (1983)

Welcome to "Tape Two" of S.O.V. (shot on video) movies that prove that Horror is the Punk Rock of Cinema!

For decades, fans made movies without Hollywood, money, or distribution deals. Following the DIY ethos, regional horror movies sprung up everywhere and told crazy, original, and personal stories and created a subculture.

Just like punk rock did!

Join me as I curate a list of movies that show the diversity of SOV movies, how filmmakers worked out personal traumas by creating, and how SOV gave a legendary director one last chance to be heard!

I hope you enjoy the show!

Movies Discussed:

SAVAGE HARVEST (1994) Dir. Eric Stanze

SCRAPBOOK (2000) Dir. Eric Stanze

THE BURNING MOON (1992) Olaf Ittenbach

HALLUCINATIONS (1986) Dirs. John Polonia | Mark Polonia | Todd Michael Smith

SPLATTER FARM (1987) Dirs. John Polonia | Mark Polonia | Todd Michael Smith

TWISTED ISSUES (1988) Dir. Charles Pinion

POSSIBLY IN MICHIGAN (1983) Dir. Cecelia Condit

BENEATH THE SKIN (1981) Dir. Cecelia Condit

EACH TIME I KILL (2007) Dir. Doris Wishman

LIMBO (1999) Dir. Tina Krause

Horror is the Punk Rock of Cinema, and S.O.V. (shot on video) movies prove it!

For decades, fans made movies without Hollywood, money, or distribution deals. Following the DIY ethos, regional horror movies sprung up everywhere and told crazy, original, and personal stories and created a subculture.

Just like punk rock did!

Join me on "Tape One," where I discuss the long history of renegade moviemaking outside the system, some of my favorite SOV movies, and make a confession about my own SOV film from 1993!

("Tape Two," a discussion of ten more SOV movies, will drop on Black Friday!)

I hope you enjoy the show!

Movies Discussed:

LET'S GET DEAD (1993) Dir. Scott Bradley

SLEDGEHAMMER (1983) Dir. David A. Prior

BOARDINGHOUSE (1982) Dir. John Wintergate

DARKNESS (1993) Dir. Leif Jonker

SHATTER DEAD (1994) Dir. Scooter McCrae

SIXTEEN TONGUES (1999-released 2005) Dir. Scooter McCrae

WEASELS RIP MY FLESH (1979) Dir. Nathan Schiff

KILLING SPREE (1987) Dir. Tim Ritter

THE PACT (1995) Dir. Brad Sykes

LIST OF EARLY REGIONAL INDIE MOVIE MAVERICKS DISCUSSED:

William Grefe in Florida (MAKO: THE JAWS OF DEATH, STANLEY)

Larry Buchanan in Texas (THE EYE CREATURES, MARS NEEDS WOMEN)

Bill Rebane in Wisconsin (THE GIANT SPIDER INVASION)

Long Islander Andy Milligan (THE GHASTLY ONES)

Martin Folse in Louisiana (TERROR IN THE SWAMP)

J.R. Bookwalter in Ohio (THE DEAD NEXT DOOR)

Herschell Gordon Lewis in Florida (BLOOD FEAST, TWO THOUSAND MANIACS!)

Happy Halloween!

Join me as I talk about all of the little annual "rituals" I do around Halloween, including books, movies, decorations, old memories of Samhains gone by, and new "ritual bits" added this year!

I hope you enjoy the show!

Books Discussed:

Ghost Story -Peter Straub

Books of Blood- Clive Barker

The Year’s Best Hardcore Horror- Edited by Randy Chandler and Cheryl Mullenax

Chain Saw Confidential – Gunnar Hansen

Shock Value – Jason Zinoman

True Indie- Don Coscarelli

Movies and TV Shows Discussed:

John Carpenter's Suburban Screams (2023)

Talk to Me (2023)

Curse of the Demon (1957)

The Innocents (2021)

The Witch in the Window (2018)

Cobweb (2023)

The Outwaters (2022)

Skinamarink (2022)

Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

Penda’s Fen (1973)

When Evil Lurks (2023)

Fat Albert Halloween Special (1977)

Brady Bunch Halloween Episode, "Fright Night" (1972)

Legendary Filmmaker William Friedkin died on August 7th, 2023, a few months before the 50th Anniversary of THE EXORCIST.

As his legend would dictate, Friedkin was a bit of a demon himself to those who worked with him and opposed him. "Hurricane Billy" would do anything for a shot, even at the risk of life and limb.

Join me as I take a personal look at my utter fascination with the director, whose work captivated me at an early age, and how his persona left me conflicted. Love him or hate him, Friedkin made you take notice.

I hope you enjoy the show!

Movies Discussed:

THE PEOPLE VS. PAUL CRUMP (1962)

GOOD TIMES (1967)

THE NIGHT THEY RAIDED MINSKY'S (1968)

THE BIRTHDAY PARTY (1968)

THE FRENCH CONNECTION (1971)

THE EXORCIST (1973)

SORCERER (1977)

DEAL OF THE CENTURY(1983)

TO LIVE AND DIE IN LA (1985)

KILLER JOE (2011)

Three years of the pandemic is enough. We stared into the abyss, and it changed us. And horror movies got us through.

Horror movies also told us the scary and ugly truth about how monstrous we were. As we spent our Seasons in the Abyss, here are some trends I noticed... and NO ZOMBIE MOVIES INCLUDED!

PART ONE OF TWO.

Movies Discussed: 

SYNCHRONIC (2020)

ST. MAUD (2021)

DEMENTER (2021)

THE VIGIL (2021)

RELIC (2022)

HIS HOUSE (2020)

HOST (2020)

DASHCAM (2022)

Here's my Postmortem on the 2022 Christmas Holiday Season, where I discuss Killer Santas, Trolls, and Yule Logs, and the death of "The War on Christmas!"

Movies Discussed:

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)

A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983)

TROLL (2022)

CHRISTMAS, BLOODY CHRISTMAS (2022)

THE MEAN ONE (2022)

VIOLENT NIGHT (2022)

ADULT SWIM'S YULE LOG (2022)