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EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC (1977) – Episode 151 – Decades of Horror 1970s

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

Release Date: 11/08/2021

I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN (1957) - Episode 238 - Decades of Horror The Classic Era show art I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN (1957) - Episode 238 - Decades of Horror The Classic Era

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN (1957) is B-Movie gold, perfect for 1950s drive-in nonsense. The Grue-Crew discuss the film's goofy yet gory monster, the mastery of tempered scene chewing that is Whit Bissell, and the extreme lack of teenagers in this teenage monster movie. Is it a good movie? Nah, not really. But that doesn't mean it isn't a brilliantly fun movie of its time. There's plenty to enjoy. And, as Bill noted, somehow when viewing I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN now, it is both better and worse than remembered. Check this review out and enjoy. I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN (1957) Episode...

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Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

For episode 276, Bill picks the early '70s ABC Movie of the Week, THE CAT CREATURE (1973). The TV Horror Movie is directed by Curtis Harrington and features Meredith Baxter, David Hedison, Gale Sondergaard, John Caradine, Stuart Whitman, Keye Luke, and Kent Smith. Written by Robert Bloch, the plot involves a stolen amulet removed from an Egyptian mummy, a deadly black cat, and 40s horror movie homages. What will the Grue-Crew think of this 1970s supernatural throwback? Ah! Check out the podcast to find out. Enjoy! THE CAT CREATURE (1973) Episode 276 - Decades of Horror 1970s Quote: "One thing...

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Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

The Grue-Crew go mythical to revisit and review JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (1963) battling bronze giants, harrowing harpies, a horrifying hydra, and an army of skeletons. He who loves all things stop-motion, Bill Mulligan, steps up with his selection and results are amazing. The film still delivers awe and action all these years later and Ray Harryhausen’s mastery is in top form. As you can imagine, the discussion goes extra long diving into the cast of characters, the creatures, the stop-motion, and Greek legend. Join us for this episode, it is worth every minute. Thank you, Bill, great...

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Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

For this episode of DOH80s, Doc has chosen THE LAST SHARK (1981, L’ultimo squalo) which is also known as GREAT WHITE and THE LAST JAWS. Yeah, if the last name there makes you wonder how Universal let that slide. Well, they didn’t! This is one of the most notorious accounts of cinematic plagiarism in film history. Universal Studios did sue and won which resulted in THE LAST SHARK being immediately removed from theaters and becoming unavailable in the States for decades. Is the film any good? Hell no, it’s a mess. However, it is so bad it’s good. James Franciscus and Vic Morrow lead the...

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Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

The Grue-Crew head to France (actually Spain) to meet up with Waldemar Daninsky and Countess Wandesa to revisit THE WEREWOLF VS THE VAMPIRE WOMAN (1971, La Noche de Walpurgis). After decades of watching this classic Spanish wolfman film, seeing the restored 4k version is a revelation. Sure, it's a B-Movie, but it's a fantastic B-Movie. Now it is easy to see why this is Paul Naschy's most successful film, it clearly deserves that honor. If you've never seen THE WEREWOLF VS THE VAMPIRE WOMAN, seek out a 4K version or a streaming version of it online, stay away from the graining, overly dark...

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Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

The Grue-Crew follow H.G. Wells and THING TO COME (1936) 90 years into the past to predict 10 years into the future. This film is fully politically charged but incredibly fascinating. While it slogs from time to time compared to modern films, it manages to deliver as a movie by the end. The film spans over four distinct dates: 1940, 1966, 1970, and 2036 encompassing a decades long war and the reformation of civilization afterwards. The main character that we follow is John Cabal as he goes from a cynical visionary to a liberator from the skies as part of the Wings Over the World; for the 2036...

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Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

The Decades of Horror Grue Crews stick with the folk horror subgenre and bring in Scott Wells to help explain some of the details. This time, the film is A CHINESE GHOST STORY (1987), from Hong Kong producer Tsui Hark and director Siu-Tung Ching. The great Leslie Cheung and Joey Wang create the chemistry necessary to believe this “ghost meets innocent, naive tax collector” love story. Of course, they need the help of Wu Ma’s Monk/Swordsman to overcome the hold the Old Dame has over the two lovebirds. Much wire-work, special makeup effects, stop-motion animation, and mystical shenanigans...

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Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

This exercise in lycanthropic folk horror from Argentina catches the Grue Crew by surprise. Lulled to sleep by the slow, freezer-burn pace of the first twenty minutes, they immediately perk up when the Devil shows his face. There are several reasons to watch this film: brilliant cinematography, an excellent performance from Alfredo Alcón, entertaining supporting characters, fascinating folk horror, and a WEREWOLF! Bill and Jeff are joined by Scott Wells, who adds his folklore expertise, and Gregory Crosby, who contributes his usual insightful analysis. Enjoy! NAZARENO CRUZ AND THE WOLF (1975)...

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Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

Jeff picks an obscure Japanese horror film, THE LIVING SKELETON (1968 - Kyūketsu Dokurosen), for episode 235 of Decades of Horror The Classic Era. This black and white novelty was featured in Criterion's When Horror Came to Shochiku along with The X from Outer Space, Genocide, and Goke, Body Snatcher from Hell. While skeletons are featured in the film, the rumors of their being "living" are greatly exaggerated. Instead, and perhaps for the better, director Hiroshi Matsuno plays out a ghostly revenge tale featuring bats, haunted ships, and mad scientists. Still, sadly, no living skeletons. Oh,...

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Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

“Don’t you stare at me like that, you puppet!” Sheesh! It’s the only way I’m capable of staring. After all, I am a puppet. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Crystal Cleveland, Bill Mulligan, Doc Rotten, and Jeff Mohr – as they discuss the low-budget, British portmanteau,  (1983). Decades of Horror 1980s Episode 317 – Screamtime (1983) Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! Click the alert to get notified of new content! ANNOUNCEMENT Decades of Horror is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL Which now include video...

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“You realize what you're up against, don't you? Evil.” What? A horror movie with evil? Go figure. Join your faithful Grue Crew - Doc Rotten, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they somewhat hesitantly approach Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977).

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 151 – Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)

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A teenage girl once possessed by a demon finds that it still lurks within her. Meanwhile, a priest investigates the death of the girl's exorcist.

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Exorcist II: The Heretic is Chad’s pick and he’s really not sure what to think of it. He sees it as a confusing but intimate story about a man seeking redemption and trying to find his faith again. Even though it tries to be this epic story with a great cast, he is dumbfounded by where they took it. Bill went in with a negative attitude but does find some nuggets of gold. Good vs. evil where evil seeks out exceptional good is a nice idea, but it subverts the theme of The Exorcist (1973), according to Bill. He just plain dislikes this film. After hearing overwhelmingly negative reviews, Jeff managed to avoid it all these years. He tried to go in with an open mind but the filmmakers lost him early on with the weird synchronizing machine concept and never got him back. Exorcist II: The Heretic was very confusing and left a bad taste in Doc’s mouth. It seems to him that this film is the opposite of what The Exorcist is and what audiences wanted in a sequel. This time around, however, it’s not as bad as he remembers.  

Despite the 1970s Grue-Crew’s generally negative take, Exorcist II: The Heretic definitely has its legion of fans. If you’re one of them. Let them know what they got wrong. In the meantime, Exorcist II: The Heretic is currently available to stream from HBOmax and various PPV services as well as on a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray disc from Scream Factory!

Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next episode in their very flexible schedule will be Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972), chosen by Doc. Welcome back Hammer Films, Peter Cushing, and Christopher Lee!

We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans:  leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com.