From WXXI news.

This is connections.

I'm your guest host Scott Lucas.

Our connection this hour took place July 30th, 1999, when a super low budget horror movie by the name of The Blair Witch Project was released to the world.

No big stars, no recognizable director, no fancy special effects, a minuscule $60,000 budget.

The Blair Witch Project was a horror film that tapped into a different type of fear before it was released.

A mysterious website dropped, and there was persistent chatter that this was not a fictional story, but instead actual footage found from camcorders left behind by three young filmmakers who disappeared in the Maryland woods in the mid 90s.

Blair Witch is debut at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival.

Listed the cast, who use their real names in the movie as either missing or deceased.

It was a viral marketing campaign that studios dream of constantly, against all odds.

A sequel to Orson Welles famous 1938 radio broadcast of War of the worlds, where listeners were convinced that an alien invasion was happening.

We'll see if the connections team lets me try anything like that in the future.

Blair Witch is.

Word of mouth was so powerful that this tiny film became an instant hit in the 26 years since its release.

The film has reached legendary status in the pantheon of scary movies.

This strategy surely wouldn't work today.

Where Reddit detectives would instantly spot the marketing hoax.

But horror movies have continued to be creative in their approach to selling their films to audiences.

2018 hereditary hooked advanced screening crowd members up to heart rate monitor devices and use that data and those heart rate spikes during, let's say, certain scenes to make their movie a horror hit and something must be working.

Horror is a genre that is, by some measures, the hottest in movies and streaming.

Why do scary movies make such great summer flicks and a world?

In a world full of real life stress.

Why do we still choose to be scared for fun?

We'll talk about all this this hour.

I'd like to welcome my guest, Antonia Byas, digital creator, horror artist and film enthusiast.

Welcome to the show.

Thank you.

We have Lee Rodriguez, artist, horror movie fan, and my coworker at the little theater.

Welcome, Lee.

Hello.

Hello.

And finally, we have Danielle del plateau, Greater Western New York Film Critics Association member and a VHS collector at Danny's Video.

Welcome.

Thanks for having me.

Danielle, I'm starting with you.

Because last time you were on, people e-mailed me asking about Danny's video.

Can you just explain a little bit about this?

Yes.

So Danny's video is a room in my home that is filled with VHS tapes.

So not a real store.

Not a real store.

I would love to make it a real store at some point, but it's currently a room in my apartment.

And a bit of a coincidence this hour, all three of our cast VHS tapes.

This is correct, right?

Yes, yes.

We're going to have to do a show on VHS, but if anyone else collects tapes, give us a call 844295.

Talk is the number we could talk to VHS and horror movies.

We're very flexible this hour.

Okay, so I'm going to start with you here, Antonia.

What makes horror a popular genre?

What draws you to this type of movie?

I think like, the big thing is just, you know, as humans, we, we live very normal lives, you know, 9 to 5 and horror, gives you that, like, dopamine.

It gives you that adrenaline rush that we, like, crave.

So that's why I like it.

With great reason.

Lee, how about you for this one?

Oh, geez.

I'm going to try not to get too philosophical.

I mean, you can if you want.

That's how my brain always goes.

I think I mean, like you, it's very similar to, like.

I think what we crave is something that gives us a form of catharsis, where, people kind of look at it as, like a open diary that somebody else has written for them where they can look at it and relate to it.

And, when life gets really tough, instead of shoving it down, we kind of release it and, sit with it and feel with it.

So I think people look towards it, even if it's a rom com or horror.

There's something that we innately look for emotionally, I guess.

It's like you work at a movie theater.

Oh, I don't know.

Danielle, what draws you to this genre?

I think for me, horror movies, it's like experiencing this really terrible emotion, but in a really safe capacity.

And I think that sort of contradiction is always what drew me to the genre, because, like, I could be scared and like someone could be breaking into a home, but I am cuddled up and cozy and safe.

So it's five cats with you.

You're not like, oh, and so, you know, another thing I'm curious about so, so far, so far, our summer horror movie slate has included bring our pack 28 years later.

Later on, we'll have together weapons.

What makes summer a good time for scary movies?

We usually think of October spooky season.

Like, that's what I'm watching.

The horror movies.

But more films are released during the summer.

So, Danielle, is there a certain reason why summer is a good season for this?

I mean, I think that kind of draws on to franchises a bit, right?

So we're seeing like things like The Conjuring, they're doing their latest installment, we're seeing reboots.

And I think summer is just such a good time for movies in general, because people want to do things, they want to go out, they want to watch something.

They want to be an air conditioning.

So like, you're going to see the bigger horror franchises out in the summer, which I think is great.

But I also think it's just fun to be spooked all year round.

Right?

It's true.

Lee you're nodding.

Do you want to add on to this?

I think it's the unexpected where you in spooky season, you expect to be scared and dark and mysterious.

All the Halloween decorations are up, so it's it's something that you walk into knowing what you're getting into.

But in summertime, everything's bright and colorful and we're having a good time.

We're outside, and then all of a sudden there's this looming essence behind you of, like, a horror movie.

It's the unexpected, the how do I put it?

Expecting the unexpected, but not, I guess I like the idea of them doing that.

Yeah, just ghost in the walls.

Always hovering about you.

You never know.

So one of the biggest horror movies, or one of the biggest movies period of the year is a horror movie, and that is Ryan Coogler's Sinners.

So we're going to talk a little bit about that.

And there's some moment that what we're calling it.

Yeah, we had Nozpheratu Winter and our and center summer T-shirt.

I just love it.

Antonia, do you want to say I take it you're a very big fan of sinners?

Oh, I thought it was phenomenal.

I went to the theater and saw it twice.

Oh, okay.

I thought it was that good.

Do you want to tell us a little bit.

So we're going to try to avoid mostly spoilers, but we could talk a little bit about the plots.

But can you explain a little bit why this film resonated with you?

Well, I've always just been like a vampire film fan.

I love, like, the metaphor of the vampire and like, what they what they can mean and and bring to a story because there's so many different variations that, you know, they can mean.

So I thought that was like, initially really cool.

Oh my gosh, I'm trying to, like, avoid spoilers.

I kind, what was there?

So we talked a little bit before the show started about a certain scene that I think is, which isn't really a scary scene or anything.

It showcases the talents of Myles, Kat and who is a first time person who was just who hadn't been in any movies.

And it just blew me away in this film.

So in the scene, if it's going to be difficult to explain, but it's the one where he first starts playing music.

And if anyone saw an Imax, the aspect ratio starts changing during the scene.

And there's a voiceover talking about how music can affect us and, where it can bring you to different places.

And it's really visually just a treat, which is why it's hard to explain.

We're on radio.

But that specific scene.

Yeah.

What did that mean when you were watching that for the first time or the second time?

Like, what was going through your head?

I just thought it was so magical because it was just this, this true, metaphor for, like, the doorway between, you know, past, present, future life and death and, you know, there.

Oh, my gosh, I don't want to spoil anything.

You know, just like this doorway of, like, people always trying to find a way out.

And then people always try to find a way in.

And it was just everything going through time.

And it was crazy.

So Leigh and Danielle, you both have seen the sinners.

Do we are we in agreement that as sinners summer up to Dallas, that y'all know I feel like I am the black sheep when it comes to sinners?

You're a hot take for us right now.

I do not really like sinners.

I think they tried to say too much and they kind of like I loved the first act.

Don't get me wrong, I love the first act.

Things change a lot.

And then they start to say a lot.

And I'm like, okay, guys, there's a lot going on here.

You did a good job, but it's really hard to talk about this movie without spoiling it.

But I think what we can say is the first act that you mentioned is really all about the characters, and it's a slow build.

And then the second act goes more into the horror, the thriller genre, the action genre, even.

One of my favorite things is, Michael B Jordan, of course, playing twins.

I am a twins.

I'm very excited about that.

The jokes about Michael Jordan a little obvious, but great.

I'm still I'm on board with, Lee.

What were your.

And again, I know it's so hard to talk about this without spoiling anything but your overall thoughts.

You were you a fan of this film?

I was yeah, I, I love it.

I do want to see it again.

I think that there's so much in it that it does deserve a second, third, maybe even fourth watch.

I think it does tackle a lot of, social commentary.

So it's, it's very much the nuances that matter in this.

And I think that's what's really interesting about horror now.

And new horror is that they're really looking at the artistic, side of horror and, looking at the humanity within horror.

So, I mean, I loved it, I loved it for that.

I loved the little as, like a musician's daughter.

I loved the music part of it because there's little tiny things that maybe you didn't notice the first time that the second watch, you're like, oh, the striking of, you know, a match or something like that.

But yeah, it's really hard not to spoil it, but I think, it does deserve its spotlight and to, to give it some grace because it is something that, yeah, maybe is trying to do a lot.

So I don't think it's so good because it just has something for everyone, like this big melting pot of like all these different, like tropes and genres.

And, you know, you have culture, you have music, and you have all these like, different things.

And specifically for like Coogler, like, this was such a heart film for him.

I saw a couple interviews of him and he, like, lost his uncle, who was big from, like the Delta blues.

Like he would listen to that.

And, his his uncle passed away, and he just started, like, researching it.

And they're from Mississippi, the movie set in 1930s Mississippi.

So I just thought that was just so cool that, you know, he poured his heart into this film.

And I feel like anybody that likes any kind of genre can really take something from it, for sure.

I like when there is a personal touch to a movie, I think you can tell, and that makes a big difference.

Yeah, for sure.

Especially Ryan Coogler's other films, which I, I'm a fan of.

But he did like Black Panther.

He did the, Creed movie.

So more franchise stuff.

So yeah.

Yeah, that's what he was saying in some interviews to us.

He was like, I, I've been stuck doing these franchise films.

I want to do something that's like from me.

I want people to see me.

And I think that resonates because it's our summer.

Yeah, we are aware.

So we have a comment from, Heather on YouTube.

She says it's an escape talking about horror movies, from reality and we all face death and horror is an easy way to face fears from the safety of a theater or your own couch.

People are out of school, families are together, and the companies make more money.

In the summer.

We, yeah, know that, actually, something about her comments made me think of Final Destination as well.

So this is.

Oh, okay.

We're good to wrap different reactions.

Oh.

Oh my God, I just hate movie.

So Final Destination is a film that I've always like.

I think the first one came out in 2000 maybe.

And for those who don't know, it's about, someone who has a premonition of death.

And so they avoid this big incident, and then death is out to get them, and death gets death has has a little bit of a bit that it's doing, which is these Rube Goldberg type really gruesome kills.

But in these movies, so it had been probably close to a decade since we had a Final Destination movie and a new one released this summer, Final Destination Bloodlines.

So I think we have two people that like it, and it's what can I say?

I mean, it's hard to really start with with Daniel.

What what were your what were your gripes with this film?

I love Final Destination.

I love it, I eat it up, but this one just felt very different from the others in a way that just didn't sit right with me.

It felt like they were trying to go deeper, and they're trying to like tie in like family ideas and like, family is important.

And it's like, that's not what I'm here for.

I want to see people die in these really gruesome ways.

But they still do.

They do.

There are some really good kills in the new one, don't get me wrong.

I just wanted more like I wanted to see more people die.

You see that quote I saw that I saw, Antonia.

So you were a fan of this one?

Yeah, I, I really liked, I liked how they kind of kept it, feeling like a, like a early 2000 film.

Almost like you didn't see a lot, like, too much like cell phone usage, and, like, everybody was dressed like it was the 2000 that's coming back.

I loved that, And I just loved, like, all the, the tie ins, like, from the beginning.

In the end, without, like, spoiling anything, things tie in together and like, they bring you back to some of the older movies to certain parts of it.

And the marketing for it is cool too.

If you've ever seen the marketing for Final Destination movies, what was the marketing for this one?

I don't know if it was for this one specifically, but for like the franchise in general, they had like the, you know, the semi trucks with the logs, they would have the final destination posters on the back of those really?

Well, they'd have billboards with like a person up there, like looking not great.

I do.

Yeah.

So, so I'm gonna add a little context of the and final destination too.

It hasn't very.

It opens with an infamous scene where there is a logging truck and the logs fall off, and it it causes all this chaos and stuff.

And it has caused an entire generation, myself included, to always change lanes.

I'll never drive by the lock.

No, no, no.

So them to do that in the marketing.

Marketing is sinister.

Yes.

Diabolical.

And and I love that so much I do too.

I think it's so fun.

Lee.

I see a fan of Final Destination and the new one.

Yes, absolutely.

I, I love all of the the first three.

I really like super deep in my heart, I loved them, they did like, it changed my whole brain chemistry.

But I feel like this one, as you said, did a really good job of bringing back like, that early 2000 vibe where they have, like, these typical tropes of each character, where it's like, oh, of course, like you kind of hate this person.

You're like, oh, I can't wait for them to die.

And they do it, which is great.

In very gruesome way.

Terrible ways.

But then I think there's, there's a quote and I won't quarter because I don't want to ruin it, but, from a very specific person, in the movie who was battling, a disease.

And I think there was a very heartfelt moment where they pull you out of the fun, gruesome, let's just watch people die and kind of shocks you a little bit and, like, makes you a little heavy on your seat about life and death and what it means to kind of exist.

And like as I've said, I love the philosophical, emotional human part of it.

And I think that was a really cool dichotomy.

Okay.

You know, that has me thinking.

So I mentioned a little in the intro that there is a lot of heavy stuff happening in the world.

There's a lot of stuff that can cause anxiety or cause us to be a little scared.

So what what about these movies makes us want to turn to this and be scared in the cinema?

Is it is that what you're saying of that human element, or is it more.

Yeah, I think so.

I think kind of going back to what I was just saying about, final the station in that quote, I like a little bit of a reveal.

A death scares the boogies out of me.

It really does.

And I think there's a lot of us that feel the exact same way.

So when you're sitting in a room full of people who may feel the same way and get a little scared, you can kind of hold each other's hands and be like, it's okay.

Like, we all know what's going to happen one day.

But, when I see a character in the movie who feels so, firm in, solace in it, it helps me a little bit, feel like, okay, that person who's battling this feels okay and is ready.

Maybe one day I'll feel like that too.

And Final Destination is very literal with that one, there they are battling.

I get death as a character.

Yeah, I a very diabolical character.

But yeah, it really brings all that to the forefront.

Danielle, what is it about?

Like, when all there's a lot of stuff to be anxious with?

Unfortunately.

So why are these.

Why do these work as comfort movies?

I mean, I think I agree with what Lee said.

It's kind of like I'm terrified of death.

Like I'm thinking about that all the time.

But there's the boogie.

Oh, it's that.

On top of that, I also think, like if they're like Final Destination, they're dying in gruesome ways.

And I'm like, that's a tough time.

That's a tough time.

But that will probably never happen to me.

Right.

So that kind of I find comfort in knowing like I will probably never die like that.

Right?

Once you're not driving behind and.

Right.

Fingers crossed.

Exactly.

But I don't know, there's just something comforting when, like, you're in a time that's so, you know, uncertain to watch people that are in worse scenarios makes you feel kind of a little better.

You know, at least I'm not haunted by this ghost or.

Yes, by death.

This is why I don't have a Ouija board in my house.

You know, you don't watch mysterious VHS tapes.

You know, watch the unlabeled VHS tape.

Don't do it.

Could be, the ring situation, which, of course, is, as I think some viewers may know, is a hot day that just bad things happen when you watch it.

Antonio?

What?

Why are these comfort movies for you?

I'm gonna have a different take.

I don't think I'm that scared of death.

I feel like a lot can come from, like, you know, media that portrays death because there's there's movies like, like, talk to me and and bring her backwards or it's a little more about, like, the veil between life and death and, you know, the grief that comes with it and how to cope with things.

I just feel like you can take a lot of comfort in, like, knowing that, you know, sometimes death isn't the end.

So we have another, comment, on YouTube from Heather, who says loving this podcast.

So kudos to our guest here.

And that says and final Destination movies are awesome, Tony Todd I mean, nuff said.

Oh my God.

So Tony Todd did have a mic drop moment.

And, in Final Destination Bloodlines, which I believe was his final role.

Yeah, that's why it was so eerie.

It was insane that that was his last role he ever played.

And what he said specifically and I you know, I'll start with you and this one, Anthony, it like when a horror movie can make you feel emotions and make you cry like that.

I think a lot of I've talked to a lot of people who teared up during that.

Oh yeah, I like what it's like.

Do you think horror movie do not get enough credit for having depth?

Like they scare people, but they make you feel feelings too, right?

Oh yeah.

All the time.

All of the time.

There's there's so many emotions and feelings that can come from from horror, because there's all these underlying themes that are present in every movie.

So I do want to talk a little bit about we were kind of, chatting about the marketing, which I'm very intrigued by some of the stuff we're going on.

And I one that just popped into my head.

What's, smile is a very recent horror movie, very similar themes to The Ring, where instead of a haunted VHS tape, it's someone smiling and you see them and the the, the curse is passed on.

But their viral marketing, they had one of the actresses who was in the beginning who who did the smile and and a very good job with a creepy smile.

She sat at a baseball game.

I think it might have been a Dodgers game or.

Yeah, she goes in LA and she just sat behind the camera doing the smile, which I maybe I should do for our YouTube audience, maybe later the way you, are there any can we think of any other instances where the marketing really drew you into the movie?

And if you can't think of anyone you could mention when we already chatted about, like, Blair Witch.

Danielle, you remember The Conjuring original marketing, where they were, like many people, have passed out and been hospitalized after seeing this film.

And I was like, I don't know, 17 I'm like, I'm sold.

Like, you don't say anything else to me.

Like I'm seated.

Did you pass out or get hospitalized?

No, but I actually, I watched that movie with my sister, my dad and my dad for, like, weeks after would just bang his head into walls to freak us out.

And I'm like, I am never watching a movie with you with ever again.

I love that that's such a good committed to the bit.

Oh yeah, you've got to appreciate that.

Yeah.

Ten out of ten.

Dad, stop right there.

If any of that pop into your mind that really made you want to see a movie.

Honestly, it's a hashtag paranormal activity.

It's maybe not the best movie, but I think that the marketing was very similar to hereditary, where they have, like, the, night cam in the theater watching people's reaction, and that at that time really wasn't anything that you'd seen before.

So it was very effective.

I was a teenager, and I had loved horror movies.

And so I went with my mom and my best friend Christina, and I think the marketing did work because I was amped up the whole time.

When I'm sitting in the seat, I'm like, well, why is everybody so scared I'm waiting for?

It's the silence that you're sitting with where I'm like, is everybody shaking because of the silence?

And then, you know, everything happens.

But I think that was one revolutionary.

And you see a couple films do that now, two and two like it was effective.

I was young and it worked, I thought was great.

Antonia, do you so you did mention one earlier with the Final Destination.

Mark another one.

Oh.

Please share.

Did anybody see the long legs?

Yes.

So there was a marketing where they, posted a phone number and you call the number and it's long legs and it talks to you.

And I did that, and I was terrified.

And I said, oh, I gotta turn the lights on.

I'm gonna get out of here.

So long.

Legs.

What they did, sir Nick Nicholas Cage plays a very creepy person who's based on Tiny Tim, who was a rocker.

And I did not know this.

A rock musician.

And someone said like, oh, that's based on Tiny Tim.

And I thought it was Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol.

And I was like, oh, I was like, I really like, oh my gosh.

I'm like, that's that's neat.

That's and that's a that's inspiration.

But it was not that tiny Tim.

I love that Tiny Tim.

He's also part of insidious.

Yeah, I was about to say that my horror icon, our generation from SpongeBob to say yes.

Oh man.

But Long Legs I they never revealed Nicolas Cage's character, which I loved, because they also did that for Nosferatu.

And I felt like that Mark also got to do so.

You never saw him until the film came out.

And is that one of the issues when movies give away too much?

Oh, the sinner's trailer we've been avoiding.

Spoilers for that.

That gives away the entire movie.

It does?

Yeah.

Yeah.

So, to longlegs that to that marketing inspire you?

Did you want to go watch it?

Then after that, I definitely.

So it's very 5050 because it was so spooky.

And I was definitely like I felt frightened in the theater.

But at the same time, they, they kind of over marketed it.

And they said it was this modern day silence of the lambs.

I don't feel like that's what it was.

I feel like that gave me too high of like expectations for it.

But I still liked it for what it was like as its own thing.

Okay.

So we're going to take a short break here, but if you're just tuning in, we're talking about horror movies, the state of scary movies.

I'm joined by Antonia Bias, a digital creator, horror artist, film enthusiast.

Lee Rodriguez, one of my coworkers at the Little Theater, an artist and horror movie fan.

And Daniela Plata, member of fire, which is the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.

I do like saying that roles at the time and a VHS collector at Danny's Video.

So we're going to take a quick break and we'll be back with more connections in a moment.

Coming up in our second hour, we broaden the lens beyond horror.

Although one of the summer movie previews M3 gun 2.0, that scary doll eye thing.

Well, it's back, but there's a lot more.

A lot of sequel to this summer.

Scott in the panel talking summer movies next hour.

Support for your public radio station comes from our members and from Bob Johnson, Auto Group.

Proud supporter of connections with Evan Dawson, believing an informed public makes for a stronger community.

Bob Johnson Auto group.com and thanks for listening to connections.

We're back.

We're talking about scary movies this hour.

The state of horror movies.

So we have an interesting, comment on YouTube asking our thoughts on musical horror films.

So Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Little Shop of Horrors, Repo!

The Genetic Opera has, I don't know.

Yeah.

Yeah.

What what are our thoughts on musical horrors?

And I seem to be approving.

Lee, do you want to give your thoughts on that, John?

Right.

I oh, no, some musicals aren't really my thing.

But if it's horror, I can get behind it.

So I think it's a nice gateway for two different sides of, like, entertainment to kind of have a crossover episode.

So things like Sweeney Todd or, the Genetic Opera, I think, I forget about the music part of it and I'm like, oh, this is so cool.

And the songs kind of slap so, so yeah, I'm into it.

I love that.

Antonia, any any thoughts on when we add some music to our heart, which I guess singers does have?

It's definitely musical horror for sure.

I mean, I love music, I love singing, not well, but I can definitely sing along to, like, the entire Sweeney Todd soundtrack and Little Shop of Horrors.

I just think it's fun.

I think it's something so fun.

And like recently they've actually been like putting out like, horror musicals on Broadway, like saw the Musical and City as the musical.

Ash versus Evil Dead, like the musical, which I think is just so fun.

Like, it's just a good time.

And if you sit up front, you can get sprayed with blood, which I think is so of that I want to go.

I've not done that.

Yeah I think isn't there a scream the musical too?

Yes, yes.

Or is that Off-Broadway?

I think I've seen clips on.

I think they just like kind of travel till they kind of travel around.

I don't know if there's that one that's still going on.

I've seen the one I've seen recently is sore still still traveling right now.

But that would have been good if we had fake blood for this.

Yeah.

Spray.

They would not invite you back, but it would be worth it.

Maybe I who's to say, Danielle, do you like it when horror movies kind of mix genres like musical or comedy or something?

Yes, I love it.

I love any sort of genre band.

I think it's, you know, an opportunity for a filmmaker to do something different and anything different.

I am all about it.

I think my favorite genre band would probably be Jennifer's Body, oh my gosh, which is comedy horror.

But I mean, it's also just like, very definitive piece of feminist filmmaking, but, you know.

Yeah.

Okay.

Yeah, I'm glad that we're giving people movie recommendations, too.

I hope someone has their letter box.

Oh, yeah, they're checking it out.

They're they're getting all of these on here.

So are there any movies that you are looking forward to?

Horror movies or ones that just came out like we were talking a little about 28 years later, there's some coming out there.

Summer.

Is there one that's at the top of your mind?

I mean, I just saw the 28 years, and I'm trying really hard not to, like, yap about it and spoil it.

I'm gonna keep that one on my back pocket, but I did just watch ash.

And it's on shudder, and it just came out, I think.

March.

I think it was March 21st.

And that one, if anybody has shudder or can get it, I'm not really sure exactly.

Other than shudder where it's showing.

This is a cosmic horror like, color graded phenomenon that I just I think everybody should watch it.

It's it's beautifully artistic.

The soundtrack.

And we were talking about music in horror.

Like, it gives you this ambiance that you sit with and you're surrounded by it.

Everything is beautifully done.

I mean, every shot could be a photograph.

It really that one, and it's brand new.

So yeah, okay.

That is one I have not.

Wow.

That's amazing.

So I'm getting woo here I do I love it.

I actually do want to talk about 28 years later a little because I have seen that.

So to add a little context, this is a zombie movie.

It's a zombie franchise.

It started with, a really low budget jam, from Danny Boyle.

Who's the director?

Alex Garland was the writer.

Had, Cillian Murphy.

And it was, it had a real gritty look, like it was I, which I saw some people recently complaining about how it looked, but that was part of the appeal to it.

So then they did a sequel 28 weeks later, and now 28 years later, which is not actually 28 years since the release.

But it shows the evolution of this, virus, the rage virus that turns people into these really speedy zombies or now evolves.

They're like really big and muscular.

They're almost like froze.

I call them zombie Rose.

That's a lot.

So I thought really, the way they evolved this movie and the film, the first act has.

So Aaron Taylor-Johnson starts with it and he, so in the movie, the virus is pretty much just contained to, the UK, I believe.

Or is it just England maybe.

So the rest of the world is fine.

It's just them.

So they're, Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

This character goes out with his son to, they're on a separate island, and they're safe, but they like to go out.

I actually didn't really know the purpose of why they went out in the first time.

But they went out to, to get some zombies, and it had some of the most, like, thrilling, suspenseful scenes.

And then it's a film that what we've been talking about had actually an emotional resonance to it.

So if we, if we all see it in 28 years later or not.

Yeah.

Now.

Yeah.

Oh, yeah, I've seen it.

So.

Yeah.

So did you were you a fan or did this not work for you?

This worked for me, actually quite well.

And I think it has to do with Alex Garland rating it, because Alex Garland also wrote the original 28 Days Later.

And I think having him come back to the franchise really made a difference.

Right.

And he's also like a very experienced writer.

But yeah, I think like without Garland's writing, it probably wouldn't.

It works for me, but it's a crazy time.

It truly is.

Yeah, I was I was going to add a comment that was like, there is something there's a visual image that's actually on one of the posters.

So I don't know if it's quite a spoiler.

It involves skulls.

Oh, I see a lot of skulls.

So I don't think it's a similar, lead to you.

I know you said you you maybe didn't want to talk about the.

Would you like to give it a, like, I feel like now I'm the black sheep of the room.

I did not like it.

It's okay to not know.

It's.

It's all right.

I feel bad because I work at the little.

So I'm supposed to like them all, but.

Oh, yeah, I'm this one.

I did not, I think, one of.

I want to give a little shout out to one of our regulars, Chris.

He brought to my attention that and it was a good thing, that maybe I had had a little bit too high of expectations.

I know I was chatting about this earlier, that I'm such a massive fan, and it's so dear to my heart, this, this 28, franchise where I, I think I loved it so much that I went into it expecting so much out of it.

And then I was disappointed, which I think most people are going to get disappointed with.

They have really, really high expectations.

So I think that it did well with first act, kind of, it was a slow burn.

It, it draws you in and then the second act really like it hits a high and it's emotion.

I mean, I cried, I sobbed in the theater.

And then the last act, I think it fell flat on its face.

And I feel like it's a little aggressive, but, I think it was trying to do too many things at once.

And if they had focused.

This is a three parter movie, too.

I don't know how many people know that, but this is a first part of a of three.

So I'm curious to see how they finish it out with the second and the third.

But I just I feel like if they had stuck with one of the plots, especially the second act, it would have really hit hard.

But that's just me.

That's why it's okay to do it like it's fine.

This is a space to talk about that.

And second, if you want to call in and give us your comments 844295 talk or for your local 22639994 you can let us know.

So I do want to talk a little bit more about movies.

We're excited about horror movies that are coming up this summer, although I'm going to go back to marketing because we got a comment, on YouTube that I find a little interesting.

So this is from Heather.

She says, love the marketing comments.

Check out the old scam related to The Exorcist.

Most of it was a scam, but it was effective.

People vomiting, passing out, running out of the theater.

This was before social media, cell phones, everything reported on the news or in the paper.

And then she says, fun times.

And I do enjoy that.

Do we think that that social media has changed how these movies are?

We're going to go back to the marketing type.

So I'm I miss, but do we think like social media or Reddit or, you know, just modern times of change?

Like, what would we be able to do some of that, like at the little if we play a movie like this, can we set up people fake vomiting or or that?

Oh yeah.

We pitch this.

I've seen in so many like TikToks with like, like clown in a cornfield and if anyone saw that one.

But like, they had people dress up like friendo just like sitting in the theater with people and like, I just think that's so fun.

Yeah.

You know, so creepy clown in the field.

Yeah.

You like hanging out a lot, going around, like, give people another reason to be scared, you know?

Like, give it to me.

Yeah.

Do we think so in my, in the intro.

So if those are just tuning in we talked a little bit about 1999 slip Blair Witch Project and that they convince people that this was real, that these actors, they use their real names in the film, that there were actually people that went out with camcorders, were exploring this legend of the Blair Witch and, and disappeared in the woods, never to be seen.

Do we think we could pull anything off like that?

Or people just like, no, that's that's marketing.

We were eyeroll Danielle do you.

Yeah that's I mean okay this is a little off topic but I have been telling my friends for many years.

I'm like, if we could just find someone to kidnap us and bring us to a woods and just watch Blair Witch in that sort of capacity, like the full the experience of Blair Witch, I feel like that'd be great.

But on another note, it's kind of like with social media.

Could we get the Blair Witch experience to happen again?

Because, I mean, Blair Witch actors were completely unknown.

And I feel like with social media, we can't mimic that ever again.

I oh, are we going to just question it immediately?

Right.

Like that's probably I, I do love the watching a movie and it's setting.

So yeah.

Like watching The Blair Witch in a wood.

I don't know about the kidnaping part.

I need to be scared.

You should not do that.

Please don't do that to that.

Well, one movie that I am excited about that's coming.

It opens August 8th of the little is a film called weapons.

Have you ever seen the trailer?

Solutely.

Okay, we're in a moment.

We're going to go to a clip.

We have a clip.

So we the clip will explain a little bit of what it's about.

But to set up a little background, this was, directed by Zach Cregger, whose last film was 2022 barbarian.

Oh, I loved, which was a huge horror hit.

So barbarian, I think, did a good job with its marketing to that.

That was very distinctly in three acts, which I love.

The first act where you don't know it's going to it's almost like a ROM com, and then you're like, but you know, you're watching a horror movie, you're like, something's going to go wrong.

And then the second act takes a cue.

It's like a huge left hand turn, has a new character, has Justin Long is in it.

And then the third act, I thought, got a little off the tracks, and I wasn't a fan of that, as much, but his new film, which we're going to go to the clip here at a moment, has has a very interesting premise.

So let's take a listen.

This is a true story that happened in my town.

So this one Wednesday is like a normal day for the whole school.

But today was different.

Every other class had all their kids.

But Mrs. Candy's room was totally empty.

And you know why?

Because the night before, at 217 in the morning, every kid woke up, got out of bed, walked downstairs and into the dark, and they never came back.

So that was a clip from weapons from Zack Cracker, which opens August 8th at the Little.

And I don't know, can you see why I connected that to the marketing thing?

We're like one of the classroom.

It's like, oh, good.

I don't know this, but I mean, not like actual sinister disappeared.

But like, if they were doing, like, a prank and they disappeared, maybe that would not be good marketing.

Of the radio.

But, it's this one.

So I like a movie that doesn't explain much.

And it gives you that intrigue like, oh, they disappeared.

Only this class.

Why is this?

Does this work on you?

Antonia?

Is this something you're like, I'm in line for?

Oh, yeah.

I would definitely go see.

I feel like I like like you were saying to you, like, I try not to watch too many trailers because sometimes I give too much away.

But that sounds like it gives nothing away.

So I was like, you weren't avoiding that.

I was like, yeah, no, no, I, I definitely wouldn't go see that.

I kind of like, reminds me of, like, you know, just like, it just like with the children.

So spooky.

And I was going to say with mine is like a Pennywise or a creepy clown, but that's the thing.

We don't know.

Yeah, we don't know.

Maybe the clown.

Who's to say I hope not.

That's the are you going to be are you in part for weapons?

Oh, absolutely.

Yeah.

It's it's the classic saying, like, you know, it's not the dark that scares me.

It's what's in it.

So, like, what is this dark?

Why are they going down there?

I appreciate, not giving away too much because that leaves the director in the movie to do it for you while you're watching it, instead of, trying too hard with the trailers.

So I, I saw it actually, when I went to go see 28 years, I saw the trailer for it and I was like, I want to go close my eyes cause it looked good and I'm like, I don't want to ruin it.

But I looked through my fingers and it didn't give anything away, so I really appreciated that.

But I'm I'm on board.

I'm excited.

Danielle, so you were a fan of, of, is that Krieger's first movie?

Barbarian, right?

Are you are you still on board with weapons?

I'm on board with any scary movie.

I will always go see it.

I might not like it, but the actually, the teaser trailer for weapons was even more sort of elusive.

I don't know if I saw that it was just like some black and white footage of children running and it just had like a website that was like, find them.com or something.

It's the viral marketing.

So but like, it didn't really get a lot of steam.

That teaser unfortunately.

Did you go to that website or.

No.

No I, I, you know, I question a website like that there.

So someone go to that website and then call and or email us and let us know, let us know what you find.

So we're running out of time.

There's still a lot I want to talk about, but one of the movie that I'm excited about that's coming out opens.

It's a Wednesday, opening Wednesday, July 30th.

It's coming to the little and it's together.

Oh, I'm so excited for oh, okay.

I'm getting cast.

So I'm going to give a little, little introduction on it.

Then we could talk about it.

So it's it's gotten buzz at film festivals stars Alison Brie and Dave Franco.

Well, I believe are married in real life there together.

In real life, directed by Michael Shanks.

It's from, neon, which has released some really interesting stuff, recently as well.

Quick plot synopsis.

After moving to the countryside, a supernatural encounter starts to transform a couple's love.

Their lives and their flesh.

And the trailer hints at some David Cronenberg like shenanigans, I think, Antonia, are you are you are you seated for this?

Oh, yeah, I, I love gore, I love body horror.

That's probably my favorite subgenre.

So yeah, I definitely like anything like the thing, like anything.

Cronenberg.

Anything.

Just like Lovecraftian.

I'm.

I'm sat for.

Yeah.

Your Instagram handle has gore in it, right?

Oh, yeah.

So I see every time I'm like, I'm like, gore scale ten out of time.

So I'll go to you.

What are you what are your thoughts?

And together is this does this rank high on a film that you're anticipating?

Oh, absolutely.

I'm.

I'm the same way.

I love body horror.

The thing.

Like, I'm also a big practical effects person.

So I'm wondering how they're going to pull this off.

If it's going to be mostly CGI, if it's going to be practical, a mixture of the two.

I mean, the substance really put the bar high.

Oh, so I'm curious to see if this is going to hit that bar, fall below it.

So I'm really excited about it.

I know you're nodding too.

Yeah, I'm so hype.

I think it's going to be really interesting how they land with effects, right?

Because substance set the bar so high.

Like unbelievably high.

So there's a chance that this could just totally crumble.

But I hope not.

I'm so excited.

But we're here for it.

Yeah.

The crumbles or not, we'll be seated.

Right.

And people have seen it.

And I think it's gotten good.

At least I think I've got a high rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Yeah, I think people have been interested sometimes.

You can always trust that.

Yes there is.

Yeah.

Best of all brain where you watch it at a festival with a big crowd and you're like, oh, this is the best.

Dave Franco.

And I like Alison Brie, so I'm ready for that.

And I'm glad that you brought up the substance, cuz I do want to talk about that.

A couple things with that.

First of all, a lot of these movies we have mentioned are directed by men.

These horror movies seems to be a genre that a lot of these men are making films.

But, the substance, which was nominated for multiple Oscars, including best Picture, best actress, Demi Moore, maybe she was robbed.

Who's to say, who's to say And it did win an Oscar as well.

I believe it was makeup, right?

Am I?

Yeah.

So, you know, is there a time where we can expect to see more horror movies from women?

I mean, I feel like the protagonists are women a lot.

The final girl trope, like, how many movies like it works when a woman is leading it?

So you know what?

What do you think it will take to see more women who are writing and directing films and studios are having these films made?

Danielle is there.

Do you have any thoughts?

I know that's that's a lot.

It is a lot.

I do think we are in a time where studios are sort of looking to hire more women behind the camera, and I think actually, 28 years later is near to cost.

I believe in the next installment, we live near the cost of owning other costs.

But listen, so this is great.

Yes.

So, anyway, I do think we're in a time where, you know, horror is such an interesting genre because you can bend it.

You can use it as a Trojan horse to put in some sort of narrative.

And I think when women direct horror films, they typically have such a deep message.

And so I'm hoping that studios will continue to give that platform to them.

But who's to say studios are so unpredictable?

But this is what we want, right, Lee?

This is we want this.

Yeah.

We want we want women behind the camera.

We we really like a, viewpoint from a woman.

So I think, we're looking at the difference between body horror from a man and body horror from a woman.

And you know what it means to be in a body that sometimes rebels against you.

And we're we're seeing a really cool shift between, bodies just to gawk and slice up and bodies to respect.

And, I think look a little deeper at, I guess, I don't know.

And that that is what the substance is.

Absolutely.

The substance was a movie.

I remember I was guffawing the first time I watched it and I'm like, this is wild.

And the second time I watched it, I appreciated it a lot.

I was like, wow, this is actually really good.

I it's funny, I thought it was too long when I first watched it, but the second time I'm like, oh, it actually it flows pretty well.

And I think what it does is it, it does exactly what you just said, Lee.

Where it kind of it, it had it has things to say on those body images and those tropes that we've seen.

And some of the most disgusting parts are men like somebody eating.

There's someone at a urinal cam.

Do you think we'll see more stuff like the substance?

I hope so, I loved the substance.

I love feminist horror.

I think it was it was just so good.

It was so raw.

Especially like, as a woman who has body image issues, I thought it just spoke a lot on that.

And like, just the the way that Hollywood treats women.

And and just the, the bigger the bigger message that, you know, you can't always be young beautiful, perfect whatever they want.

Like you're still worthy at the end of the day.

I just think her message was just told very well with like 30,000 gallons of blood, which I think that was the number.

Right.

Yeah.

Yeah.

But yeah, there's a lot of lot.

And it's one it's a wild film and it won't be for everyone.

But that's okay.

We like movies that take a chance.

And actually so Michael via email, is talking about, horror genre that we didn't even mention, which is monster movies.

He says, they were on Friday afternoons and they were based on, so if you watch monster movies growing up there on Friday afternoons and they're are based on what if question like what if radiation from nuclear test caused horrible mutations.

So he remembers titles like The Beast from 20,000 fathoms, which I haven't heard, but that sounds great.

Them and the original Godzilla.

He said we'd watch them on Friday and be scared all weekend.

That were gigantic ants who ate humans.

Oh, my gosh, what was that?

I love a monster movie.

And that's there's a lot of films like that where it's like some kind of giant bug or creature or animal or something, and it's just like wreaking havoc on people.

So trying to mesh all these things together.

Monster movies, the substance, the substance, as we mentioned, got a bunch of Oscar nominations, won an Oscar.

Horror is a genre where we don't see it get love from awards.

Do we think this could change?

Danielle, would you like to see it change?

I mean, I, I would like to see a change and I think it is changing quite a bit.

I think we are in the era of prestige horror.

So I think, you know, not to keep talking about studios, but I think studios are sort of looking for that next big horror movie that could compete at the Oscars and could compete during awards season, because people like these films, people are going out to see them.

They make money.

So, Lee, what about you?

Oh, yeah, absolutely.

I think, we're we're what it takes to make a horror movie is so much.

There's music, there's there's lighting, there's makeup.

There are all of these things that, it takes to put into a movie.

And, they deserve to have awards because there's so much hard work behind everybody who puts their their whole, whole heart into it.

Okay, real quick, before we go, give us a horror movie recommendation.

Antonia American Psycho.

Love it.

Please give us if you have there's a new one, Wolf by, eaters, that's coming out very soon next year.

Danielle, do you have to go on a Valentine's movie somewhere?

Thank you so much for listening.

Thank you to my guests, Antonio Baez, Lee Rodriguez, Danielle del Plato.

Stay tuned.

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