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XTRO (1982) – Episode 266 – Decades of Horror 1980s

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

Release Date: 09/02/2024

THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM (1961) - Episode 225 - Decades of Horror The Classic Era show art THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM (1961) - Episode 225 - Decades of Horror The Classic Era

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

The Classic Era Grue-Crew tackle another of the Corman-Poe-Price series of horror movies, THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM (1961). Roger Corman hones his talent with this one with a solid, expertly crafted direction. Richard Matheson provide a richly entwined adaptation of Poe. And Vince Price is... well, Vincent Price at his best. His portrayal of Nicolas Medina's decent into madness is an example of what Price does best. Incredible, chef's kiss. And Barbara Steele is flawless. The Crew is joined by Crystal Cleveland from Decades of Horror 1980s, making her Classic Era debut. Enjoy! THE PIT AND THE...

info_outline THE DEAD NEXT DOOR (1989) - Episode 306 - Decades of Horror 1980s show art THE DEAD NEXT DOOR (1989) - Episode 306 - Decades of Horror 1980s

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

Chad picks the direct-to-video Eighties "treasure," THE DEAD NEXT DOOR (1989). The then teenage director, J.R. Bookwalter, truly accomplishes something remarkable given his age and his choice of film stock: Super-8 film. Is the film any good? Well, that's the debate. The practical special effects are quite enjoyable and bloody, quite possibly making the film and the viewing experience what it is. Technically, however, the dialog is cringe, the acting is amateurish, the editing even more so. But, dude, it was filmed on SUPER-8 with mostly local talent and a screenplay with solid ideas for its...

info_outline HORROR OF THE BLOOD MONSTERS (1970) - Episode 262 - Decades of Horror 1970s show art HORROR OF THE BLOOD MONSTERS (1970) - Episode 262 - Decades of Horror 1970s

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

The Grue-Crew travel to outer space on Al Adamson's XB-13 spacecraft in his Seventies shlock fest, HORROR OF THE BLOOD MONSTERS (1970). John Carradine is along for the ride sitting comfortably in lawn furniture space chairs. The alien skies are red, green, blue, and yellow in Spectrum-X color effects. Uh-huh. The groovy opening vampire scenes are quickly replaced with a lack-luster crew of space jockeys as they encounter a beautiful alien looking into the distance at scene cut from a little known Pilipino sci-fi film. The creatures include vampire cavemen, lobster men, bat men, and dinosaurs...

info_outline THE TOMB OF LIGEIA (1964) - Episode 224 - Decades of Horror The Classic Era show art THE TOMB OF LIGEIA (1964) - Episode 224 - Decades of Horror The Classic Era

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

The Grue-Crew continue their Roger Corman - Vincent Price - Edgar Allan Poe adventure with THE TOMB OF LIGEIA (1964). All cats beware! The conversations explore the cast of characters, the director (Roger Corman), the screenwriter (Robert Towne), the cinematographer (Arthur Grant), Vincent Price, Elizabeth Shepherd, and… what's up with Lady Ligeia and Lady Rowena. Enjoy! THE TOMB OF LIGEIA (1964) Episode 224 - Decades of Horror The Classic Era Synopsis: "A man's obsession with his dead wife drives a wedge between him and his new bride." - IMDb Quote: "Christopher, not ten minutes ago...

info_outline PREDATOR (1987) - Episode 305 - Decades of Horror 1980s show art PREDATOR (1987) - Episode 305 - Decades of Horror 1980s

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

The Grue-Crew revisit the Arnold Schwarzenegger action, sci-fi, horror fan favorite, PREDATOR (1987). The direction from John McTieran, the creature design from Stan Winston, the score from Alan Silvesti, the cinematography from Donald McAlpine, and the cast all add up to a marvelous, thrilling cinematic experience that holds up today. And that case, c'mon, in addition to Arnold, the boasts Carl Weathers, Elpidia Carillo, Bill Duke, Jesse Ventura, Sonny Landham, Richard Chaves, R.G. Armstrong, Shane Black, and Kevin Peter Hall as the Predator. And, let's not forget the quotes: "If it bleed, we...

info_outline DAMNATION ALLEY (1977) - Episode 261 - Decades of Horror 1970s show art DAMNATION ALLEY (1977) - Episode 261 - Decades of Horror 1970s

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

For episode 261 of Decades of Horror 1970s, Chad picks the troubled Seventies disaster sci-fi flick, DAMNATION ALLEY (1977), featuring Jan-Michael Vincent and George Peppard. The Grue-Crew somehow find the fun and adventure in this awkward train-wreck dud. The film was doomed from the start: bad special effects, botched adaptation of a popular novel, and a race to the finished line against the film that would change how Sci-Fi movies look and feel forever. That film, of course, was Star Wars. Will the Grue-Crew find any rewarding and memorable moments to discuss? Oh, yeah, but not for the...

info_outline THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH (1964) - Episode 223 - Decades of Horror The Classic Era show art THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH (1964) - Episode 223 - Decades of Horror The Classic Era

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

For this episode, Doc decided it was time to dive into Roger Corman's Edgar Allan Poe films with the lush, chilling classic, THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH (1964). The film's cast includes Vincent Price, Hazel Court, and Jane Asher. The cinematography from Nicolas Roeg is exquisite. Revisiting this film illustrates Roger Corman's talent at its best. A must-see for horror fans, Roger Corman fans, Vincent Price fans, and Edgar Allan Poe fans alike. Enjoy! - The Grue-Crew The Masque of the Red Death (1964) Decades of Horror The Classic Era - Episode 223 Synopsis: "A European prince terrorizes the...

info_outline EXCALIBUR (1981) - Episode 304 - Decades of Horror 1980s show art EXCALIBUR (1981) - Episode 304 - Decades of Horror 1980s

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

The Grue-Crew line up for Bill's pick, EXCALIBUR (1981), a fantasy horror-adjacent epic featuring an amazing cast and stunning visuals. This take on the Arthurian legend is a must watch and deserves attention and discussion. EXCALIBUR (1981) Decades of Horror 1980s - Episode 304 Quote: "A dream to some, a nightmare to others!" - Merlin Synopsis: "Merlin the magician helps Arthur Pendragon unite the Britons around the Round Table of Camelot, even as dark forces conspire to tear it apart." - IMDb Director: John Boorman Writer: John Boorman, Thomas Malory, Rospo Pallenberg Cast: Nigel...

info_outline ARNOLD (1973) - Episode 260 - Decades of Horror 1970s show art ARNOLD (1973) - Episode 260 - Decades of Horror 1970s

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

Horror Comedies from the1970s, Doc selects the often overlooked or outright forgotten horror comedy from the Seventies, ARNOLD (1973), from director Georg Fenady (Terror in the Wax Museum), featuring Stella Stevens and Roddy McDowall. ARNOLD (1973)  Episode 260 - Decades of Horror 1970s The various murders are set up in a way The Abominable Dr. Phibes would relish and in the fashion of an imaginative whodunit or Giallo film. The humor is old-fashioned and more suitable for TV than the cinema. The cast - Stella Stevens, Roddy McDowall, Ella Lanchester - are quite a joy to watch....

info_outline THE MYSTERIANS (1957) – Episode 222 – Decades of Horror The Classic Era show art THE MYSTERIANS (1957) – Episode 222 – Decades of Horror The Classic Era

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

For episode 222, Chad chooses the often overlooked spectacle from Toho and Ishiro Honda, THE MYSTERIANS (1957). The movie begins with an entertaining, albeit goofy-looking, pointy-nosed kaiju Moguera. Somehow this robot giant monster still works in its own way and the Grue-Crew have their fun with all the shenanigans. Then the actual alien race of Mysterians ghost-light the cast as they plan their invasion. Earth is prepared to battle, however. Check out the review of THE MYSTERIANS and share your thoughts. “The tragedy of the Mysterians is a good example for us! Don’t use science in the...

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More Episodes

“Stay in the car. ...  Stay In The Car! ... GET BACK IN THE CAR!!” No one ever follows directions in horror movies. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, Jeff Mohr, and guest Dirk Rogers – as they try to figure out precisely what is going on in Xtro (1982).

Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 266 – Xtro (1982)

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An alien creature impregnates a woman who gives birth to a man who was abducted by aliens three years ago. The man reconnects with his wife and son for a sinister purpose.

Xtro (1982) is one of those movies. Either you love it… or you say, “WTF?” Or maybe both! Luckily, the 80s Grue-Crew are joined by guest host Dirk Rogers, an Xtro fan, to help sort out the mess and to point out why he likes it so much. It took a while for the crew to get the finer points, so you’ll have to check out the episode to see if any of Dirk’s teachings sink in. 

The film depicts an alien impregnating human women with a “plunger” appendage and giving an eleven-year-old boy the power to bring anything he can imagine into reality. How could one expect anything but a five-ring circus?

At the time of this writing, Xtro is available on physical media as an all-region import Blu-ray formatted disc from Second Sight Films. 

Every two weeks, Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1980s podcast will cover another horror film from the 1980s. The next episode’s film, chosen by Bill, will be Death Ship (1980)! Co-written by Jack Hill (Spider Baby or, The Maddest Story Ever Told; 1967) and starring George Kennedy, Richard Crenna, Nick Mancuso, Sally Ann Howes, Kate Reid, and Victoria Burgoyne. Yo, baby!

Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans – so leave them a message or comment on the Gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the Gruesome Magazine website, or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com.