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Andrea and Alex deep dive into humanity’s literal fear of wolves, metaphorical fear of the beast within and the differences between British and French werewolves. Hint: it’s not just the accent. Tickets for our first-ever live show in Salem, MA are available now: buy them here! Don’t forget to enter our contest to win an autographed copy of Rue Morgue Library’s Women With Guts! REQUIRED READING An American Werewolf in London. Dir John Landis, 1981. Brotherhood of the Wolf. Dir Christophe Gans, 2001. EXTRA CREDIT Legends of the Werewolves – A slightly cheesy History channel documentary with lots of great information about the history of lycanthropy. Why I Love… An American Werewolf in London – Part of the BFI’s personal history essays, this one delves into the cross section of growing up in the Jewish faith and watching American Werewolf in London. The Werewolf of Hull! One of the recent reports of wolf sightings in the Northern city. Solving the Mystery of the 18th-Century Killer “Beast of Gévaudan” – A summary of the history that Brotherhood of the Wolf was based on. LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.

Takashi Miike created one of the most infamous, beloved and decisive films when he made Audition: a story of people looking for love in all the wrong places that has influenced a generation of filmmakers and terrified audiences all over the world. Andrea and Alex take a deep dive into the international and seemingly universal fears of love, intimacy and what it means to be a “good girl.” REQUIRED READING Audition. Dir. Takashi Miike, 1999. EXTRA CREDIT Holding Back Half the Nation – The Economist’s examination of Japanese women in the work place. “Nice Girl”: Social Control of Women Through a Value Construct – Greer Litton Fox’s paper on the taming of women through perceived goodness. Salem Horror Fest – We’ll be there October 7th and 8th! Tickets are available now. LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.

Andrea and Alex combine their powers and enter all the cheat codes to analyze two of the most iconic survival horror games that were re-imagined as movies. With a look at how narratives transition across mediums and the rise in popularity of video game and nerd culture, their two-player co-op campaign attempts to unlock the mysteries of both films. REQUIRED READING Resident Evil. Dir. Paul W.S. Anderson, 2002. Silent Hill. Dir. Christophe Gans, 2006. EXTRA CREDIT  The Town That Was – A documentary on the history and lineage of the town of Centralia, Pennsylvania, upon which Silent Hill was based. Tropes vs Women in Video Games. The first season of Anita Sarkeesian’s webseries. Alice in Wonderland; The Psychoanalytic Approach – One of the many, many analyses of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland which identifies Alice’s search for identity. Down and Dirty Pictures: Miramax, Sundance and the Rise of Independent Film by Peter Biskind. LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.

The discussion of rape and sexual violence has never been in our cultural conversation as much as it is now. In this episode, Andrea and Alex look at an exploitation classic and a contemporary award-winner to parse out how rape is depicted and how revenge is achieved, if at all. REQUIRED READING I Spit On Your Grave. Dir. Meir Zarchi, 1978. Elle. Dir. Paul Verhoeven, 2016. EXTRA CREDIT Support: Anti-Violence Centres in Canada, Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network hotline: 1-800-656-4673. Roger Ebert’s contentious review of I Spit On Your Grave. Social Dominance and Forceful Submission Fantasies: Feminine Pathology or Power? A 2009 article by Patricia h. Hawley and William A. Hensley from the Journal of Sex Research. Andrea’s appearance on the Rue Morgue Podcast discussing I Spit on Your Grave. LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.

Andrea and Alex take a deep dive into Neil Marshall’s 2005 contemporary horror classic, examining the intersections of intimacy, adventure, trust and truth. Who will survive, what will be left of them and which ending will they go with? REQUIRED READING The Descent. Dir. Neil Marshall, 2005. EXTRA CREDIT Cave Ecosystems: Bones and Baskets – A concise exploration of caves and humanities on going use of them. Ruthless Reviews – The Descent. A oppositional spin on the film’s depiction of women. Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema by Laura Mulvey – a seminal text for film analysis that introduced the concept of the male gaze. LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.

What were our favourite movies of 2016? What are your FAQs? And most importantly – is Alex or Andrea the better friend?? EXTRA CREDIT In Praise of Paul Feig’s Beautiful Male Idiot – Sam Adams article on Paul Feig’s cinematic trope. Emily Shoichet, Tattoo Artist – Follow the amazing artist and friend of the Faculty through her social channels listed on her website. Marxism and Literature by Raymond Williams. Andrea erroneously called it “Marxism and Culture” in the episode, but here’s a nice synopsis. Reel to Real: Race, Sex and Class at the Movies –  bell hooks’ classic collection of essays on film and the importance of representation. Danse Macabre – Stephen King’s treatise on classic and contemporary horror. Fast Cars, Clean Bodies – Kristin Ross’ book on post-colonial France. Generation Multiplex: The Image of Youth in Contemporary American Cinema – Timothy Shary’s analysis on the changing face of film consumption and its impact on the youth who consume it. LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.

‘Tis the season to be scary! Andrea and Alex unpack all the rules that come with Gizmo and the Mogwai and what they mean to small-town America at Christmastime. Don’t get your values wet or feed them after midnight! REQUIRED READING Gremlins. Dir. Joe Dante, 1984. Gremlins 2: The New Batch. Dir Joe Dante, 1990. EXTRA CREDIT Orientalism by Edward Said. A book that has only gotten more relevant since its publication 30 years ago. Key & Peele’s hilarious full sketch on the writing process for Gremlins 2. The Faculty of Horror Spotify playlist! Have yourself a scary little Christmas with the Faculty of Horror playlist on Spotify. LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.

Andrea and Alex examine two cult classic films which explore the notions of time, childhood and misplaced nostalgia. Both films explore history’s dark secrets and the frailty of humanity but do either of them offer a truly happy ending? REQUIRED READING The Night of the Hunter. Dir. Charles Laughton, 1955. The Innocents. Dir. Jack Clayton, 1961. EXTRA CREDIT The Great Depression – a history and overview. Freddie Francis on The Innocents – The film’s cinematographer reflects on his work. The Batcave’s 1,000 Subscriber Announcement – Got a question? Ask us! And don’t forget to subscribe to Andrea’s YouTube channel while you’re there. COURSE NOTES  Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher. LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to a good scare. The horror anthology is a rarity in the genre but when executed successfully they are beloved. Andrea and Alex do a deep dive into two infamous cult classics which deal in a variety of stories taking place around everyone’s favourite holiday. REQUIRED READING Creepshow. Dir George A Romero, 1982. Trick ‘r Treat. Dir Michael Dougherty, 2007. EXTRA CREDIT Trick ‘r Treat: Season’s Greetings – The short that started it all. History of Halloween. An extensive overview on how the holiday came to be. Faculty of Horror’s 31 Days of Halloween – Take a look at Alex and Andrea‘s list of horror movies to watch in the spookiest month. Stephen King’s Reign of Terror. We team up with our friends at Movies Ruined My Life for a three hour episode all about King. COURSE NOTES  Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher. LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.

Diving into the depths of France and Belgium, Alex and Andrea examine the politics and borders of New French Extremity. Confronting the complex historical narrative that France has created for itself, all is not as it appears as these films bring the repressed to light. REQUIRED READING Calvaire. Dir Fabrice Du Welz, 2004. Martyrs. Dir Pascal Laugier, 2008. EXTRA CREDIT Films of the New French Extremity: Visceral Horror and National Identity – Alex’s book on things French, filmic and extreme. Saint Joan of Arc’s Trials – a fascinating morbid legal procedural. Flash sale – Get your limited edition Faculty of Horror “Class of 2016” t-shirts! Available for pre-order until September 30th, 2016. COURSE NOTES  Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher. LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.

After some spectacular “pre-lash” (preemptive backlash) from the online community, Paul Feig’s all-women Ghostbusters has finally hit the screens. Alex and Andrea take a break from their summer sabbaticals to reflect on their love of the original films, what this reboot means to them in terms of representation and why safety lights are for dudes. REQUIRED READING Ghostbusters. Dir. Paul Feig, 2016. Ghostbusters. Dir. Ivan Reitman, 1984. Ghostbusters II. Dir. Ivan Reitman, 1989. EXTRA CREDIT Reminders That Representation Really Is Important – A handy, dandy visual guide to the argument for representation. Was ‘Ghostbusters‘ Too Expensive to Launch a New Franchise? Variety’s article on Ghostbusters‘ budget. Why Being Honest about Ghostbusters is Important – Comic Book Girl 19‘s theory on Sony’s strategic marketing of the film. Your Face is Tanking – An examination of the reporting of Ghostbusters box office numbers versus other tentpole offerings. COURSE NOTES  Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher. LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.

In the 1980s, vampires left their castles and European hideaways for American suburbs and small towns. In this episode, Andrea and Alex examine what happens when the monster you fear is part of your community and discuss what is to be done when they want to borrow more than just sugar…. REQUIRED READING Fright Night. Dir. Tom Holland, 1985. The Lost Boys. Dir. Joel Schumacher, 1987. EXTRA CREDIT The Growth of the Suburbs. An overview of the suburban expansion following WWII. The Films of the Eighties: A Social History by William J. Palmer – A look at sequels and nostalgia in the 1980s. Check out Alex and Andrea‘s guest spots on The People’s History of Film for some more of our favorite nostalgic movies over at GoodTrash Media. COURSE NOTES  Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher. LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.

The ’90s are alive in space with the sequels which have been derided and praised in equal measure. Drawing from the complex production histories of both movies, Andrea and Alex seek to understand the competing visions of the filmmakers and themes that underpin them. REQUIRED READING Alien 3. Dir David Fincher, 1992. Alien: Resurrection. Dir Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 1997. EXTRA CREDIT Intertextuality: Hollywood’s New Currency – A video examination of Hollywood’s use of nostalgia as a tool of manipulation. The Origins of Farce – A history of the farce theatrical movement and France’s particular take on it. Image of the original newborn alien (NSFW). COURSE NOTES  Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher. LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.

Catch Jonesie the cat and keep the work loader handy because Alex and Andrea are on an express elevator to LV-426 discussing feminism, mothering, special effects and the enduring influence of classic science fiction in the Alien franchise. Stay tuned for Part 2 in June! REQUIRED READING Alien. Dir Ridley Scott, 1979. Aliens. Dir James Cameron, 1986. EXTRA CREDIT Strange Shapes – a blog dedicated to everything Alien. Reel Terror: The Scary, Bloody, Gory, Hundred-Year History of Classic Horror Films by David Konow. H.R. Giger – Giger’s Necronomicon and the making of Alien – A documentary on HR Giger, the artist behind some of the arresting imagery in the movies. Alien Behind the Scenes – The extensive making-of doc taking a look at all that went into Alien. The Making of Aliens – The equally-extensive featurette about the second film, featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. Get That Life: How I Co-Founded Bitch Media – A history of the evolution and influence of Bitch Magazine. COURSE NOTES  Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher. LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.

Hollywood is currently enamored with the comic book superheroes who have dominated the film landscape for the last several years. In this episode, Andrea and Alex go back to the earlier origins of graphic novel adaptations examining the cult followings earned by horror films based on beloved source materials (as selected by you, our listeners). REQUIRED READING The Crow. Dir Alex Proyas, 1994. 30 Days of Night. Dir David Slade, 2007. EXTRA CREDIT The Crow, written and illustrated by James O’Barr. 30 Days of Night – written by Steve Niles, illustrated by Ben Templesmith. Super Heroes: A Modern Mythology. Richard Reynolds’ academic study traces the superhero’s trajectory in popular consciousness since the late 1930’s. John Kenneth Muir’s review of 30 Days of Night. You Must Remember This: The Short Lives of Bruce and Brandon Lee – Karina Longworth’s excellent examination of the shadows casts by the influential father and son. Rewatchability: The Batman Superman Movie – Alex was a guest on Rewatchability to discuss why or if two superheroes fighting matters. The People’s History of Film – Check out the new podcast by our friends at Good Trash Media. Alex and Andrea were both guests on recent episodes discussing their love of all things film. COURSE NOTES  Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher. LISTEN Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.