The Intersection: Dear Horror Genre, Let’s Talk
Dearest Reader, I hope you don’t mind taking a side-quest into Horror today. Horror, as I see it, is related to Science Fiction and Fantasy. Yes, it’s its own entity, but it’s related via Surrealism. Sometimes they’re so closely related that it’s difficult to separate one from the other. (See Alien, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Attack the Block, Pitch Black, and Event Horizon to name a few.) I used to consume a great deal of Horror[1], but at a certain point I no longer felt safe or welcome — even as a viewer. So, I left it behind, but I think I may be wandering back in thanks to a number of new releases and well, a certain podcast that I’d also like to recommend. (Women in Caskets, I’m looking at you. :)) WiCs reminded me of how much I miss Horror, and of how much I’ve missed. Understand that I say the following out of love. I believe it’s entirely possible to love something and criticize it at the same time. In fact, I feel taking a more nuanced position regarding the subject of one’s fandom is being a responsible fan. That’s a notion you’re going to see addressed over and over in this column. Get used to it. And yes, I am a fan. Writers are some of the biggest fans out there. Also, understand that I am, in part, speaking to myself as a writer. Due to my resolution to weed systemic oppression out of my work, I’ve come to know that I’ve internalized an impossible amount of misogyny, racism, and other forms of oppression. It’s hard work, ridding my creative garden of all those awful weeds. The roots go deep. This, from someone who is actively working on it. I don’t expect perfection. As I’ve said before, human beings aren’t capable of being perfect. However, being a better human, a better writer, and a better fan is one of my main goals in life. So, here goes.
Torture Cinema Poll: March Madness!
We truly do HATE to disappoint you, but this has literally nothing to do with college basketball. We just felt like torturing you. HOW DO YOU LIKE US NOW?! Just kidding. Sort of. Really, it’s just time to pick our next Torture Cinema of 2017! We have a wide variety of total crap for you to choose from. So choose wisely!!
310. The Haunting (1999) — A Torture Cinema "Adventure"
http://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/SandFEpisode310TortureCinemaMeetsTheHaunting/Sandf–Episode310–TortureCinemaMeetsTheHaunting.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSCreepy statue babies, bad psychology, and evil old dudes, oh my! In this special edition of Torture Cinema, the crew punishes themselves by watching 1999’s sleeperfest, The Haunting. You voted for it, so we watched it! We hope you enjoy the episode! Note: If you have iTunes and like this show, please give us a review on our iTunes page, or feel free to email us with your thoughts about the show! Here’s the episode (show notes are below):
Torture Cinema Poll: October Doubleheader (VOTE!)
It’s that time of year again. Halloween is upon us, and that means we need to get ready for our Halloween special. But we also haven’t recorded an episode of Torture Cinema in a while, so that means we’re going to do two in October to make things extra fun. There are two polls: one for early October and one for Halloween. So, vote away! (Note: the Halloween Special poll will remain open until Monday 10/10!)
The Disquieting Guest — Universal Monsters and the Passing of the Gothic
Another week, another story on the attempt by Universal Studios to create a “Monsterverse,” leading to another bit of fretting on my part. I agree with the points in this piece, and I’ve already written about why I think the approach is misguided (at best), but after some online conversation with some friends, I am increasingly of the opinion that Universal’s project would be doomed no matter what the approach. Much as it pains me to admit it, we may be past the era in which any revival of these characters would stand a chance.
Episode 3. It Follows (2014): Teenage Body Horror, Modern Decay, and It
http://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/TotallyPretentiousEpisode003ItFollows/TotallyPretentiousEpisode003–ItFollows.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSTeenage Body Horror, Modern Decay, and It! Our third episode is a special one! We jump outside of our normal programming schedule to host an impromptu discussion of David Robert Mitchell’s acclaimed new horror film, It Follows. Special guest Rachael Acks joins us as we explore the film’s underlying sexual mythologies, its treatment of capital, and its remarkable ability to produce dread. Enjoy!
