At The Devils Ball

Musical Mayhem concludes with the 1986 musical fantasy LABYRINTH! The guys discuss topics such as coming-of-age themes, sexualization, and how the film is likely the pinnacle of visual effects work, at least in regards to puppetry and animatronics. So put on your codpiece and dance, magic, dance with At The Devils Ball!

Musical Mayhem rolls on with REPO: THE GENETIC OPERA!(!) With guests Jenn and Maggie, we discuss the polarizing cult hit, talking the bizarre (but strong) cast, musical numbers, and dystopias.

Musical Mayhem continues with SUCK, possibly the best vampire-musician-comedy to ever come out of Canada! Possibly!

With special guest Jenn Rich-Hartle, we talk celebrity cameos, vampire mythology, and the late-90s music scene.

Musical Mayhem begins with Brian De Palm's meta acid trip "The Phantom of the Paradise!" The guys delve into the musical bits, nuances in plot and performance, Faust and the creative price of fame, and generally enjoy the madness of the film.

This week, the guys wrap up "Farewell, David Lynch" with Eraserhead, the film that began Lynch's feature film career. With special guest Ryan Rodriguez of One Track Mind, we discuss the surrealism, sensitivity and anxiety at the heart of this singular film and the lasting influence of Lynch in American culture.

The guys continue "Farewell, David Lynch" with 1990's strange love letter to sex, drugs and rock n roll, "Wild At Heart." We discuss the disjointed narrative, the powerful coolness of the characters, and some of the great scenes and sequences.

Also, the echo knob on Nathaniel's microphone was up the whole time, so he sounds awful, so apologies for that, but the conversation is good!

This week, the guys continue their "Farewell, David Lynch" month with 1980's The Elephant Man, with conversations on emotional maturity, social justice allegories, the understated performances, and generally enjoying this beautiful and powerful film.

This week, we begin our memorializing of the late, great David Lynch with a conversation on TWIN PEAKS. Focusing on the pilot episode and part 8 of The Return, we talk strange visuals, the bucking of television conventions, and the decay of the American Dream while celebrating our favorite filmmaker.

Revenge of the Vampire Month concludes with the modernist FRIGHT NIGHT, which features two all time great performances: Chris Sarandon and Roddy McDowall. We discuss those performances, queer coding and the vampire film, underrated special effects, and how this film feels very Amblin despite not being Amblin. Come hear us enthuse about this incredible film!

Revenge of the Vampire Month continues with George A Romero's "Martin," a strange, melancholy little film. Along with special guest Eric Kent of The GARF 247 podcast, we discuss topics like urban decay, sympathy for harmful individuals and, of course, vampires.

Revenge of the Vampire Month continues with the surreal and dreamlike 1979 lesbian vampire film FASCINATION. Joined by special guest Scott Davis, we talk filmmaker Jean Rollin, class issues, and the film's place in the vast mythology of vampire cinema.

Revenge of the Vampire Month begins! Our third month of Vampire shenanigans begins with the moody 1936 sequel to DRACULA: DRACULA'S DAUGHTER, a surprisingly queer-coded film that struggles against the Hayes Code at every opportunity. We discuss that queer-coding, our enjoyment of the characters, and how the "hero" may be the worst psychiatrist ever.

This week, it's Flanamania 3 as we do our tradition of watching a Mike Flanagan miniseries for our New Years special. Along with our regular Flanamania guests (Emily Fabrizio, Maggie S and Jamie Alvey}, we discuss monologues, faith and, of course, vampires in our examination of Midnight Mass!

This week, in our final Happy Holi-Slays episode, we do something a little different: covering a Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode. With special guest Jenn Rich-Hartle, we cover Mike and the Bots covering the 1959 nightmare inducing Santa Claus, and we try to make sense of...everything. Happy Holi-Slays from us!

Another Happy Holi-Slays outing, with the guys discussing the occasionally confounding but gorily whacked out INSIDE, an entry into the french extreme movement and outside-the-box holiday choice. We talk a lot about the purpose of gore, post-modern slasher tropes, and overall narrative choices as we try to understand and appreciate this extremely intense little film.

This week, the guys celebrate the holidays with their first special. Joined by podcasters Maggie S (Insane Troll Logic) and Sarah Sinn (Sinnful Sarah's Horror Menagerie), they talk the strange but effective CHRISTMAS EVIL, focusing on themes of mental health, moral relativism and childhood trauma...and, of course, exploding eyeballs. Happy Holi-Slays from At The Devil's Ball!

This week, the guys tackle Spanish-Italian co-production The Day of the Beast, a wild and wacky apocalypse film that takes place on Christmas Eve. We gush about the greatness of Jose Maria, the film's sense of humor, physical media and whether or not most of the film is just an acid trip. Happy Holi-slays continues!

Happy Holli-Slays kicks off with the oddball french language killer-santa film DEADLY GAMES. The guys discuss the excellent performances, tonal shifts, and have thoughts about capitalism. So grab your elderly grand-dads and come play hide-and-seek with us!

This week, the guys wrap up THE SAW IS FAMILY talking Thanksgiving movies and the generally unpopular fourth installment of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series. We discuss impressionistic performance choices, awkward plot points, and how this film is essentially what would happen if John Waters made a Texas Chainsaw film, all while trying to answer the age-old question: is this film really as bad as it’s reputation suggests? Hint: Yeah, kinda, but also not really. Happy Thanksgiving from At The Devil’s Ball!

We like liver, and onions, and pain, pain, pain this week when we continue THE SAW IS FAMILY month with the third installment of the TCM franchise. We discuss the pros and cons of this hastily made troubled production, talking story padding, out-of-place characters and Viggo Mortensen.

This week, the guys and special guest Scott Davis get depressing as we discuss election results and the passing of Tony Todd before cheering up and discussing the darkly funny Texas Chainsaw Massacre part two. Topics include the films sense of humor, 80's commercialism, Dennis Hopper, and if Stretch is a "final girl."

This week, we begin our coverage of the early installments of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series, beginning with Tober Hooper's original. We talk the intensity of the original film, the line between conventional storytelling and reality, and if the film should be compared with PSYCHO. The Saw is Family!

For this year's annual Halloween special, the guys discuss a All Hallow's Eve tradition: the watching of The Paul Lynde Halloween Special! Along with special guests Jenn Rich-Hartle, Mary Steadman and Leigh of the "Actual Leigh" podcast, we talk puns, witches, and KISS...all the staples of 70's variety show nonsense. Please enjoy and, of course, Happy Halloween!

The last of our Halloween month entries, we discuss the 2009 update of the NIGHT OF THE DEMONS franchise, with topics including problematic stars, halloween parties, and how the film feels weirdly wholesome about being edgy. No costume, No Candy!

Halloween month continues with the visually striking LADY IN WHITE, a combination of A Christmas Story and James Whale Universal films (and a little Giallo), and a Coming-of-Age film. We talk visual motifs, memoir tropes, and gush over quiet american decency. It's a lovely film, go check it out and give us a listen!

Halloween celebrations continue with the 2006 animated film MONSTER HOUSE, a strange combination of uplifting coming-of-age tropes and vaguely mean-spirited cynicism. We discuss the perfect pacing, heartwarming humor and general social ills, all while enjoying this offbeat little film.

We begin our Halloween season offerings with an offbeat choice: Don Coscarelli's early coming-of-age comedy KENNY & COMPANY, featuring cast and crew from horror cult classic PHANTASM. We discuss child safety, mortality, and, of course, Halloween shenanigans.

Guest choice wraps up with special guest Kelly Ahern and her choice CABIN FEVER. With her help, we discuss the way comedy can provide safety against the truly horrific, the nihilistic horror of the film, authority figures in film, and pancakes.

Guest choice month rolls on with DARKNESS, a weird little film chosen by special guest Janice Pratt! With Janice, we try to unravel the film with topics such as strong tropes, assured direction and some constructive views on how the film could have been stronger. So go smash open your living room and monologue at your grand-daughter and enjoy the conversation on DARKNESS!

Guest choice month rolls on with THE DARK TOWER! Jenn Rich-Hartle joins us once again as a last minute substitute guest to discuss the film and it's various ups and downs, with topics ranging from the strong casting of the film, the value of adaptations, and whether or not time has been kind to the generally lukewarm audience response to the film.

This week, the guys begin guest choice/movie only you like month with HOUSE OF WAX (05), chosen by special guest Nastassia. We discuss trendy stunt casting, twin symbolism, and generally have fun with how insane the film is (especially when it's trying to be taken seriously). So come listen to us talk melting houses and 00's celebrity culture!

This week, the guys wrap up Romero's Zombie work with DAY OF THE DEAD! The real one!

With special guest Jeff Baldree, we break down the more philosophical themes at the heart of the film, the decline of civilization, and sympathy for the dead.

The guys celebrate four years as a podcast! Joined by filmmakers Henrique Couto and Michelle Nessk, the guys talk the persistence and popularity of the zombie movie genre and the overall influence and importance of the late George Romero.

The guys roll on with George Romero's Living Dead series with DAWN OF THE DEAD, one of the all-time great zombie films. Topics include the greatness that is Ken Foree, consumerism, and how much the guys don't think much of Flyboy. Anniversary month continues!

The guys begin their anniversary month with NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD(1968), aiming to discuss the films undeniable culture impact. Topics include political authority, racial tension, and how it's Sammaeal's favorite film ever.

Thank you to all of you who have listened to the show for four years!

The guys wrap up a brief transitional interlude into HELLRAISER territory with the spirited yet uneven DEADER. Topics include great scenes, awkward story edits, and an appreciation for director Rick Bota.

The guys continue down the road to hell with the first of the direct-to-video entries of the HELLRAISER franchise with INFERNO, a divisive religious horror/film noir mashup featuring some good ideas and a lot of heart, but no budget and an awkward execution. Come listen Sammaeal and Nathaniel debate this weird little movie!

This week, in a roughly made transitional episode, the guys discuss HELLRAISER 3, a weird transitional movie where underground UK counter-culture artists move into the world of corporate studio filmmaking and generally make a mess of things.

Topics include queer subtext, corporate shenanigans and whether or not the film is somewhat designed as a protest of the mainstream by outsider artists.

For our last "Party Like It's 1999" episode, we cover the groundbreaking film THE MATRIX. Discussion topics include The Hero's Journey, the greatness of Laurence Fishburne, and the film being an encapsulation of 20th century cinema.

This week, the guys are joined by special guest Matt Blazi, author of the book "8 Days in the Woods: The Making of The Blair Witch Project" and founder of the Blair Witch Experience tour, to discuss...you guessed it, THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. We discuss the film, fan tours, and giving back to the community as we continue "Party like it's 1999."

For our 200th(!) episode, we go back to where we started and discuss the original Nightmare, discussing the films socio-political themes, the series as a whole, and the films enduring legacy, while celebrating 200 episodes of recording together. Thank you to those who listen to us, we love you!

We're seeing some dead folks this week in our next "party like it's 1999" offering, discussing the greatness that is Toni Collette, moody and melancholic tones, and trying to unravel the universal mystery that is M Night Shyalaman. So eat your pine scented soup, gather up your religious icons and come listen to us talk spooky!

This week, the guys wear their hats like a shark's fin and discuss DEEP BLUE SEA, quite possibly the best film about genetically engineered giant mako sharks to also feature LL Cool J. Topics include appreciation for Samuel L Jackson, questionable ethical choices, and a dramatic reading of "Deepest, Bluest (My Hat is like a shark's fin)" by poet Ladies Love Cool James.

This week, the guys continue to Party Like It's 1999 with SLEEPY HOLLOW, Tim Burton's goth period piece. Along with special guest Janice, conversation turns to the films strange background, good looking set design and creepy age differences.

This week, the guys are joined by regular guests Jamie Alvey, Emily Fabrizio and Maggie S to discuss THE MUMMY, also known as the "movie that turns you bi!" Come continue to Party like it's 1999 and celebrate this movie turning 25!

We're just getting started partying like it's 1999 and we brought a date to the party: Audition, the feel good romantic comedy of 1999. Also, a harrowing journey through toxic gender politics, grief, and trauma. Also, our other date is Paul Steadman who is arguably less traumatic than Audition.

May the 4th be with you! This week, we cover the second (but also fifth) movie in the Star Wars franchise (because we're hacks) for Star Wars Day, with discussions ranging from the enduring legacy of Star Wars and sympathy for Hayden Christensen.

"Party Like It's 1999" month begins with two very sleepy hosts discussing FIGHT CLUB, the 1999 satire of toxic masculinity, cult mentality and recruitment, and metafiction. So reject your materialism, throw yourself through a coffee table and listen to us attempt to discuss a great film!

Paul Verhoeven month wraps up with a conversation on the erotic thriller "Basic Instinct!" Joined by the hosts of The Skewered Universe Podcast (Jeff Baldree and Leinann Heinrich), the guys discuss thriller tropes, sexual dominance, and the ongoing cultural issues in regards to the female body. So get all sweaty like Wayne Knight with us and enjoy!

This week, the guys continue Verhoeven month with the director's controversial satire STARSHIP TROOPERS. Along with special guest Mark Olszewski of the band NMA, the guys discuss topics like fascism, people who like fascism, people who don't understand satire, and the tragedy of Diz. Come Do Your Part for the Federation! Listening means citizenship!