Salem Horror Fest 2025

In this special episode, Salem Horror Fest returns from the grave for its eighth outing as Tim discusses some of the events, short films, and features shown at SHF 2025.

Films discussed include:

• Humanzee
• The Halloween Party
• The Guest on Topsfield Road
• Day Dreams
• Forever War
• Indicator
• Mordrake
• Bill Came Back
• Katie's Skin
• Paper Dolls
• Session 9
• Bedlamer
• Hellbound: Hellraiser II
• RAT!
• The Rebrand
• Pater Noster and the Mission of Light
• Scrumptious
• Dry January
• Be Bad
• Her House
• Safe
• Feedback
• The Baby
• Pocket Princess
• Nervous Ellie
• Find You Here
• 3 Easy Steps
• Turn It Off
• Bush
• Les Bêtes
• How to Stay Awake
• Out of Body
• A Drive at Dawn
• So Fades the Light
• House of Ashes
• The Conduit
• The Dæmon
• Catch a Killer
• Pumpkin Guts
• Spoons
• Doppelgänger
• If Martin Clunes Wore Lip Gloss
• My Child
• The Last Thing She Saw
• Sweaty Larry
• Girls
• VHX
• Cruelty
• Voyager
• Wake
• It Draws Closer
• The Seance
• Full Moon Glory Hole
• Chain Reactions
• Re-Animator

Check out Salem Horror Fest at www.salemhorror.com

Salem Horror Fest art by David Dembowski.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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Are you attending Salem Horror Fest this year? Any selections you think we should have checked out? Want to give us tips on escaping creepy cults? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Salem Horror Fest 2024 - Weekend 1

In this special episode, Salem Horror Fest returns to haunt the show as as Tim discusses some of the various events, short films, and features presented at SHF 7 including: 

• It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This
• Livescreamers
• Sacrificio
• Slip
• Free Bench Must Pick Up Today
• Kombucha!
• Giallo
• Overnights
• Valley of Souls
• Scam
• Three Baths
• Inner Demons
• Pest
• The Management
• Who's There?
• The Bounce House
• The Power of the Strike
• Lady Parts
• Scratch
• The Thaw
• The Basement
• Cold
• Young Blondes Stalked and Murdered
• Faceless After Dark
• Red Gloves
• The Perfect Place to Cry
• The Gourd, the Brad, and the Ghostly
• The Haunted Baby Carriage From Hell
• Pontianak
• The Lure
• My Scary Indian Wedding
• I Know What You Need
• All That You Love Will Be Carried Away
• One for the Road
• The Monkey

Check out Salem Horror Fest at www.salemhorror.com

Salem Horror Fest art by David Dembowski.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

Subscribe to our podcast here.

Listen to us on Stitcher here.

Were you at Salem Horror Fest this year? Thinking of summoning a demon or other supernatural entity to solve your personal problems? Have a cursed object you can't get rid of? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

To truly appreciate this episode, you must become Caligari! We're going back to the origins of horror as we delve into the madness of Robert Wiene's 1920 thriller Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari AKA The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari! Listen as we discuss the disputed origins of the film's story and style, Agatha attempts to explain the nuances of the Expressionism movement that provided the film's unorthodox visual style, and Tim accuses the main character of murder. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a lot of handy strait-jackets.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

CinemaSpection is now part of the Fireside Alliance. Check out the many awesome shows available through the network here. 

Subscribe to our podcast here.

Interested in getting more from this episode? Check out supplemental material for this episode here.

Have trouble sleeping... or waking up? What level of reality do you interpret the film as inhabiting? Want to debate whether a piece of art qualifies as expressionist? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

First Run - Sweet Relief

In this quick First Run review, Tim takes on the newest and creepiest internet challenge to review Sweet Relief, the second film from Nick Verdi, director of Cockazoid.

Check out The Barrens Hideout Podcast, who held the screening of the film discussed in this episode and recorded a Q&A with the filmmakers: https://linktr.ee/TheBarrenshideout

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

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Whether you agree or disagree, if you have an opinion on this movie, leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Salem Horror Fest 2023 - Weekend 1

In this special episode, Salem Horror Fest is back! Listen as Tim discusses some of the various events, short films, and features presented at SHF 6 including: 

• Candyman
• Witch Hunt
• Satan Wants You
• Demon Box
• Wolves
• John Carpenter's The Fog
• The Blood on Satan's Claw
• No More Time
• The Ones You Didn't Burn
• Pendulum
• Stag
• Bury the Bride
• Demons

Check out Salem Horror Fest at www.salemhorror.com

Salem Horror Fest art by David Dembowski.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

CinemaSpection is now part of the Fireside Alliance. Check out the many awesome shows available through the network here. 

Subscribe to our podcast here.

Listen to us on Stitcher here.

Are you attending Salem Horror Fest this year? Do you enjoy the folk horror subgenre? Have you attended a bachelorette party that went horribly wrong? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

The Best of 2022

 

We're back to run down our list of the best movies released during 2022. Listen in as we discuss how the accessibility of movies led us toward some off-beat films, the surge of great horror movies this year, and the value of rewatchability. Our favorite flicks include desperate quests for fame, risk-taking animated films, harrowing looks at the culinary world, and forays into strange performance art. Warning: Contains explicit language, mild spoilers, and praise for the great James Hong.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

CinemaSpection is now part of the Fireside Alliance. Check out the many awesome shows available through the network here. 

Subscribe to our podcast here.

Listen to us on Stitcher here.

Interested in getting more from this episode? Check out supplemental material for this episode here.

Any films you think we should have included in our lists? Would you want to work in a kitchen after seeing some of this year's movies? What criteria do you use to determine your favorite movies? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Black Christmas

Before everyone goes on holiday break, we're inviting film critic Jessica Scott onto the show to help us answer some disturbing phone calls and celebrate the yuletide season with Bob Clark's superior slasher film Black Christmas from 1974. Listen as we discuss the effectiveness of the film's restraint and ambiguity, explore the story's themes of patriarchy and found families, and explain why Barb may be the best slasher movie character of all time. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and symbolic sweaters and fur coats.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

CinemaSpection is now part of the Fireside Alliance. Check out the many awesome shows available through the network here. 

Subscribe to our podcast here.

Listen to us on Stitcher here.

Interested in getting more from this episode? Check out supplemental material for this episode here.

Do you have any ideas on Billy's true identity? What's your take on the film's various remakes? What we really need to know is... what have you done with the baby? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Night of the Living Dead (Commentary)

We continue to celebrate horror for October by talking about one of Tim's favorite films and one of the most influential horror movies ever made. We're sitting sit down for a commentary track for the original Night of the Living Dead. Listen as we praise director George Romero's low-budget innovations, explore the various social and racial messages of the film, and comment on its stylistic tweaking of horror conventions. Listen for our countdown on when to start your copy of the movie so it syncs with the commentary. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and it's dead... it's all messed up.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

CinemaSpection is now part of the Fireside Alliance. Check out the many awesome shows available through the network here. 

Subscribe to our podcast here.

Listen to us on Stitcher here.

Interested in getting more from this episode? Check out supplemental material for this episode here.

Do you have a zombie apocalypse plan? Are you currently on your way to a local rescue station? Are you Team Ben or Team Harry? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Phantom of the Paradise (Commentary)

  

We're celebrating Halloween season with a commentary track for one of Agatha's favorite movies, Brian De Palma's 1974 cult horror musical Phantom of the Paradise! Listen as we praise the amazing songwriting of Paul Williams, identify De Palma's various references to classic films, and marvel at Jessica Harper's dancing. Listen for our countdown to start your copy of the movie. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and awkward traveling mattes.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

CinemaSpection is now part of the Fireside Alliance. Check out the many awesome shows available through the network here. 

Subscribe to our podcast here.

Listen to us on Stitcher here.

Interested in getting more from this episode? Check out supplemental material for this episode here.

Do you want to be Phantom friends with Agatha? Can you tell the difference between drug-real and real-real? Want to play some of your cantata for us? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Salem Horror Fest 2021 - Weekend 2

 

In this special episode, we're discussing the second weekend of Salem Horror Fest Part 5. Listen as Tim reviews thirteen more films screened at the festival: 

• Dawn Breaks Behind the Eyes
• Take Back the Night
• Apps
• Hideout
• Deathcast
• So Vam
• Val
• Bad Girls
• Seeds
• Caprice
• Brain Death
• Snapper
• Cockazoid

Check out Salem Horror Fest at www.salemhorror.com

Salem Horror Fest art by David Dembowski.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

CinemaSpection is now part of the Fireside Alliance. Check out the many awesome shows available through the network here. 

Subscribe to our podcast here.

Listen to us on Stitcher here.

Had a favorite film from the Salem Horror Fest this year? Have some independent horror recommendations for spooky viewing? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Interview - Heather Wixson (Monsters, Make-Up and Effects, Vol. 1)

In this special interview episode, we talk to horror journalist/historian Heather Wixson about her amazing new book Monsters, Make-Up and Effects, Vol. 1, which chronicles the history of the make-up effects industry. Listen as we share formative childhood experiences watching horror movies, examine the politics behind the selection process for make-up Academy Awards, and comment on the divide between practical and computer-generated effects in modern cinema. Warning: Contains explicit language and a Rob Bottin sighting in the wild.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

The book is available through AM Ink's imprint Dark Ink at https://aminkpublishing.com/monsters-makeup-%26-effects.

CinemaSpection is now part of the Fireside Alliance. Check out the many awesome shows available through the network here. 

Subscribe to our podcast here.

Listen to us on Stitcher here.

Do you have an anecdote about your first exposure to horror? What movie make-up effect really impressed you on first viewing? Any ideas on how we can convince Heather to move to Salem? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

This episode we're discussing one of the most bizarre films in the annals of American horror film history as Peter Horne joins us to slice up The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Listen as we suggest some of the political and religious subtexts under the skin of Tobe Hooper's iconic 1974 classic, take note of the various injuries (both physical and psychological) inflicted on the movie's cast and crew during shooting, and sort through the strange continuity of the sequels in the franchise. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and scategoaps... scapegoats.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

CinemaSpection is now part of the Fireside Alliance. Check out the many awesome shows available through the network here. 

Subscribe to our podcast here.

Listen to us on Stitcher here.

Interested in getting more from this episode? Check out supplemental material for this episode here.

Do you have a good recipe for headcheese? Are you certain you know the really and absolutely true facts of the case this movie was based on? Are you excited for the next installment in the Texas Chainsaw franchise? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Salem Horror Fest 2021 - Weekend 1

In this special episode, we're discussing the first weekend of Salem Horror Fest Part 5. Listen as Tim reviews over a dozen feature films screened at the festival: 

• Miracle Valley
• Two Witches
• What Happens Next Will Scare You
• Parallel Minds
• Hall
• Keeping Company
• Landlocked
• Wicked Games
• I Need You Dead
• Sam and Mattie Make a Zombie Movie
• 6:45
• The Free Fall
• Origin Unknown

Check out Salem Horror Fest at www.salemhorror.com

Salem Horror Fest art by David Dembowski.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

CinemaSpection is now part of the Fireside Alliance. Check out the many awesome shows available through the network here. 

Subscribe to our podcast here.

Listen to us on Stitcher here.

Are you attending Salem Horror Fest this year? Want to gush about how amazing Landlocked is? Visiting Salem in October? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

First Run - 5/31/2021

In the latest installment of Cinemaspection: First Run, we spy on our neighbors with The Woman in the Window, battle the dead for dollars with Army of the Dead, and fall into a vortex of franchise fatigue with the Saw reboot Spiral. Warning: Contains explicit language and mild spoilers.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

Subscribe to our podcast here.

Listen to us on Stitcher here.

Whether you agree or disagree, if you have an opinion on these recent releases, leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

The Babadook

By listener request, we're answering that knock at the door and letting in The Babadook from 2014. Listen as we discuss the film's roots in fairy tales and silent horror films, examine director Jennifer Kent's meticulous visual style, and comment on the title monster's unlikely role as an LGBTQ pride icon. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and demonic pop-up books.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. 

Subscribe to our podcast here.

Listen to us on Stitcher here.

Interested in getting more from this episode? Check out supplemental material for this episode here.

Have you spotted the Babadook under your bed at night? How do you deal with chronic insomnia? Want to share any funny anecdotes involving kids and catapults? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Family-Friendly Horror - Supplement

While we try to cover as much as we can in our episodes, there's always more to see, hear, and read about a movie that can enhance your viewing experience. If you enjoyed our episode on Family-Friendly Horror, here's a few extra bits you might find interesting...

Episode 104: Family-Friendly Horror

It's October again and time for some serious horror movie watching! But what if you have little ones and are looking for some gentler scares for the kids? Worry not because we've brought back Chris and Sarah, hosts of the Creating Geeks parenting podcast, to help us select some perfect movies to share with the family for the Halloween season. Listen as we discuss traumatic childhood cinematic experiences, the edginess of family films from the 1980s, and ways to get your children into the classic Universal monster movies. Warning: Contains explicit language, mild spoilers, and memories of terrifying TV show themes.

Subscribe to our podcast here.

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Interested in getting more from this episode? Check out supplemental material for this episode here.

Who doesn't love kids' horror movies? What films would you recommend showing kids for Halloween? Were you traumatized by scary movies as a child? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Episode 100: The Shining (Commentary)

We've reached episode 100 and what better way to celebrate than to offer our views on one of the most debated motion pictures of all time? We're getting lost in the hedge maze of Stanley Kubrick's iconic horror film The Shining, and to up the ante, we're making this our first audio commentary. Watch the movie with us as we identify differences between Stephen King's novel and Kubrick's adaptation, ponder the film's apparent discrepancies and continuity errors, and debate the morality of Kubrick's directing methodology. Cue up your copy of the movie and listen for our countdown to start. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers (obviously), and all work and no play.

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Interested in getting more from this episode? Check out supplemental material for this episode here.

Would you like to hear us do more film commentaries? Do you have your own theories on the nature of the Overlook Hotel? Have a premonition about what our next episode will be? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Deep Cuts - Supplement

While we try to cover as much as we can in our episodes, there's always more to see, hear, and read about a movie that can enhance your viewing experience. If you enjoyed our episode on deep cut horror flicks, here's a few extra bits you might find interesting...

Episode 91: Deep Cuts

Having trouble coming up with something new and different to watch in the lead-up to Halloween? We can help! Bob Chipman joins us once again as we offer up 30 suggestions for lesser-known and lesser-appreciated horror flicks to enhance your October viewing, featuring movies from a variety of countries, time periods, and subgenres. Whether you're looking for killer babies, killer snowmen, demented rock operas, or creepy dream houses, we have you covered. Warning: Contains explicit language, mild spoilers, and some heavy-handed 1980s social commentary.



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Interested in getting more from this episode? Check out supplemental material for this episode here.

Do you have any obscure horror movie picks you'd like to share? Where do you stream your scary flicks? What are your traditional Halloween viewing choices? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.