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Episode 023 - The State of Vampires Part 2



As the 1990’s begin, the tale of nosferatu, the vampire, follows many different approaches that quite differ from the historical monster known to be the spawn of hell and an enemy of Christianity and the Roman Catholic Church. With Anne Rice’s 1973 novel Interview With the Vampire produced for the big screen, vampires, though still quite violent and horrific, start to take on a new face. Romantic themes permeate the back story as death and loss follow every move of the creatures of the night. Vampires as central characters become the focus of such films.

As protagonists and antiheroes, the vampire becomes an individual that film audiences are more able to feel for but as a result the horror element begins to fade from the mythos. Stories such as Underworld and Blade make the monster almost appear as if they are superheroes. Action and stylized violence brings a rebirth to a tired genre but also makes fans of the traditional monster wish for the bygone days.

While such series as the Twilight Saga bring in a new audience of fans, those searching for the vampire as a monster are offered such films as 30 Days of Night, Stakeland and Let the Right One In bringing hope to the devotee of traditional vampires. Other takes include a scientific approach such as Daybreakers, a gothic return to the Hammer days with Lesbian Vampire Killers, the Korean film Thirst filled with Catholicism essentials, and a coming of age horror tale The Hamiltons.

Dark Discussions continues with their second part of their vampire retrospective. Philip and Mike talk about how the vampire has changed these past few years and what it means to cinema and the history of the monster. From Dusk Till Dawn to 2011’s Fright Night, though the vampire may have changed, their taste for human blood has not. Come listen, faithful listeners, as we all wait for the sun to rise.

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Episode 027 - Halloween Special Top Ten



Horror film fans, welcome to a special edition of Dark Discussions. Horror, horror, and more horror. We drop the science fiction, the techno-thrillers, and the fantasy films for a straight out take on the films that make Samhain and Halloween the time of year we all love. But what makes a great horror film? What keeps us up at night? And most importantly what makes us shift in our seats while we watch a good horror tale at a cinema or on a television?

Who hasn’t done top ten lists? Until now, Dark Discussions has not. Now that we are at the midyear point of our existence and you, listeners, know us through your iPods and computers, we figured it was time to list the films that make us get that little knot of dread in our stomachs when we watch them. Eric, Philip, and Mike present each their top ten lists of horror. You won’t find any films on our lists for historical importance. No Nosferatu, no Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Simply horror and only horror.

For a hint of what we have for you, we each put together our own top ten mostly based on production value, rewatchability, and impact on our fear level. Mike has two directors with two films each represented. Philip has one director with two films on his list, but a different director than the two Mike has listed. And only one film is represented on all three lists. Philip gives his in alphabetical order while Eric and Mike are much more confident in their rankings.

Dark Discussions would like to salute you, faithful listeners, for letting us discuss with you the things which scare us these past six months. So to all of you, a very hardy thank you.