Episode 110- The Director That Ate Pittsburgh- A Visit to the George A. Romero Archives
Release Date: 08/18/2022
Episode 132: Rise From the Ashes- Izzy Lee and Her 'House of Ashes'
Hellbent For Horror
Izzy Lee is a take-no-prisoners indie filmmaker whose 20-plus genre short films garnered praise from Fangoria, Dread Central, the A.V. Club, and EW.com. And then came the pandemic. However Izzy Lee rose from the ashes and came back tougher than ever, with her first published novella (I Can See Your Lies) and her feature-length film directorial debut, HOUSE OF ASHES. Join me as Izzy talks about creative influences, the art of the short film, making friends while making art, and the mission statement for genre films during uncertain times, where fact is scarier than fiction. I hope...
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Episode 131: Twenty-Five from 2024- The Year in Horror
Hellbent For Horror
Although 2024 has passed, so many horror films were released that I am still playing catch-up to see them all! You might have loved some and hated others, but there's no denying that the horror genre flourished in 2024 and continues to be one of our most diverse storytelling styles. From traditional Gothic stories to deconstructed slashers to experimental monster movies to international versions of demons, there was something for every type of horror fan! Join me as I examine twenty-five horror films to give my view of the "state of the horror union" for 2024. I'll discuss some of my...
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Episode 130: All the Haunted Seasons Be Ours: Folk Horror and Ghost Stories with Kier-La Janisse and Sean Hogan
Hellbent For Horror
It's time for more Horror for the Holidays, and this year, we have double the chills and thrills to celebrate! First, the tradition of telling ghost stories for Christmas gets a new annual series from Severin Films called The Haunted Season, and the first episode streams on Shudder through December, with a new film every Christmas season! My guests are acclaimed author, producer, and filmmaker Kier-La Janisse (Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror, House of Psychotic Women), the show's creator and executive producer, and director Sean Hogan (The Devil’s...
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Episode 129: Hellbent for Hong Kong: CAT III films with Ryan Smith- PART TWO
Hellbent For Horror
Welcome to PART TWO of our dive into Hong Kong CAT III films, the classification of the most outrageous, transgressive, explicit, and violent films. These films, made by a group of wild and unpredictable filmmakers, thrived from 1988 until the British Handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997. Hong Kong audiences loved these extremely unhinged movies, and their reputation spread across the globe! Join my guest Ryan Smith of legendary Dreamhaven Books in Minneapolis, Minnesota, one of the premiere experts on CAT III films, for this look at some of the heavy hitters of CAT III! I hope you...
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Episode 128: Hellbent for Hong Kong: CAT III films with Ryan Smith- PART ONE
Hellbent For Horror
The UK created the Video Nasties list. The MPAA created NC-17. And Hong Kong had CATEGORY III films. It is probably the least widely known classification of outrageous, transgressive, explicit, and violent films. From 1988 to the British Handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997, the government tried to tame a group of wild and unpredictable filmmakers. Instead of killing business, the new rating created a thriving industry for extremely popular and extremely unhinged movies! Join my guest Ryan Smith of legendary Dreamhaven Books in Minneapolis, Minnesota, one of the premiere...
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Episode 127: The Three Doors of Death (How to Surprise Horror Fans Who've Seen It All)
Hellbent For Horror
Happy Halloween! Hellbent for Horror returns from the dead (and grateful to be here) to start more conversations. I’ve missed you all! The best-kept secret of long-term horror fans may be that we don’t necessarily watch merely to be scared. What captivates us is the element of surprise. If you can't scare us, surprise us. How do you surprise horror fans who have seen it all? Join me as I give my opinion on how filmmakers and studios can meet horror fans’ expectations and make movies they will love! Enter the” three doors of death” if you dare! I hope you enjoy the show! ...
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Episode 126: A Brief History of Failure
Hellbent For Horror
Like it or not, failure is a part of creation, invention, and art. Sometimes, failure forces improvisation that creates something amazing; other times, not so much. So, I wanted to look at failure in horror: how some filmmakers overcame major setbacks and Acts of God, but also look at the movies centered around human error, where one mistake creates a chain reaction that leads to death, dismemberment, and even doomsday! I hope you enjoy the show! Movies discussed: Return of the Living Dead (1985) The Fly (1986) Open Water (2003) 28 Days Later (2003) Fearless Vampire Killers...
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Episode 125: Embracing the Darkness: Del Howison and Dark Delicacies
Hellbent For Horror
Join me as I talk with Del Howison, the co-owner of Dark Delicacies, the world-renowned book and collectibles store in Burbank dedicated to horror and fantasy that celebrates 30 years as America's home of horror (and is the oldest horror bookstore in Los Angeles.) Del discusses his career as an author, actor, and bookseller and how a horror superfan grew up to create an oasis for fellow horror fans and bookworms alike, a place that's become an institution that draws authors and filmmakers as well. Over a thousand authors and filmmakers have given readings and signed books over...
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Episode 124-We’re All Wasted: The Ongoing Saga of Cinema Wasteland
Hellbent For Horror
For the last 25 years, Cinema Wasteland has been a Mecca for horror movie maniacs. The legendary convention draws cineastes in and turns them into repeat visitors, "Wastelanders." As CW reaches its Silver Anniversary, many Wastelanders ask," How long will this go on?" Join me as I discuss Cinema Wasteland's ongoing saga and interview veterans and newcomers, trying to define what makes this show the last great fan convention standing. I hope you enjoy the show!
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Episode 123: The Killer Elite- Part Two
Hellbent For Horror
The 96th Academy Awards Ceremony is upon us, but we fans know that the only award that matters is if you recommend a horror movie to your friends and they love it! In reality, 2023 was such a good year for horror movies that I needed two episodes to cover my favorites! Join me as we celebrate PART TWO of the "Killer Elite," a list of horror movies that surprised me and that I recommend to horror fans! I hope you enjoy the show! Movies Covered: The Sacrifice Game(2023) In My Mother’s Skin (2023) Huesera: The Bone Woman (2023) Birth/Rebirth (2023) The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster (2023) No...
info_outlineEvery town has ghosts and the late George Romero is Pittsburgh's beloved boogeyman!
Romero still looms large there, and I was honored to visit the George A. Romero Archival Collection (1962-2017) at the Hillman Library at the University of Pittsburgh.
Horror Studies Collection Coordinator Ben Rubin sat for an interview and gave me a tour of the vast collection that documents his career through the ups and downs and how Pittsburgh became "the Zombie Capitol of the World."
I hope you like the show!
Special thanks to Ben Rubin and the Hillman Library at the University of Pittsburgh for their kind cooperation.
Movies Discussed:
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
The Amusement Park (1975)
Martin (1977)
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Creepshow (1982)
Day of the Dead (1985)
Monkey Shines (1988)
Tales From the Darkside (1990)
Two Evil Eyes (1990)
Night of the Living Dead (1990)
The Dark Half (1993)
Jacaranda Joe (short film) (1994)
Bruiser (2000)
Land of the Dead (2005)