These Foolish Games...Are Tearing Us Apart

Grab your wedding dress, load up the crossbow, gather round the puzzle box and make sure the servants aren't in the line of fire! 

This week on Midnight Cinema, we're crashing the blood-soaked family game night of Ready or Not - a wickedly fun blend of horror, dark comedy, and class warfare where the in-laws play for keeps!

When Grace says "I do," she's not just joining a family—she's entering a ritualistic game of survival that spirals into chaos, carnage, and some of the most satisfying comeuppance in modern horror.

Art and Erik dive deep into one of the standout horror hits of the late 2010s, breaking down its sharp satire, killer pacing, and why this movie hits that rare sweet spot between brutal and hilarious.

We're digging into:

• Samara Weaving's absolute star-making performance—and that iconic scream
• The filmmaking team Radio Silence Productions and their knack for balancing chaos with comedy
• How the film skewers wealth, privilege, and old money traditions
• An ensemble cast that keeps you entertained at every twist and turn 
• Practical effects, over-the-top gore, and why it all works
• That ending… and why it lands so perfectly

Whether you're here for the horror, the humor, or just to watch rich people get what's coming to them, Ready or Not delivers—and we're here for every twisted minute of it.

If you survive the night without getting hunted through a candlelit mansion, crushed by a dumbwaiter, or sacrificed at dawn, come hang with us for more late-night deep dives into cult favorites, horror hits, and beautifully unhinged cinema at midnightcinemapod.com.

Be sure to follow and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify , or wherever you listen to your podcasts! We promise, no games required (probably).

And come hang with us on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube  for clips, chaos, behind-the-scenes shenanigans, and the occasional family tradition you'll be glad you're not part of.

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Behind your seat might be a Vurdalak-ack-ack-ack-ack-ack…

Don't steal rings from dead mediums.
Don't answer the phone when your dead friend keeps calling.
And if Boris Karloff tells you not to let him in after the bell strikes ten—because he might be an undead Vurdalak—for Pietro's sake… DON'T LET HIM IN.

In Black Sabbath, Mario Bava's stylish 1963 anthology horror classic, these are the lessons Art and Erik learn the chilling way.

This week on Midnight Cinema, we ride through the fog-drenched Russian countryside, creep through crumbling mansions, and drift into the sleek and shadowy apartments of a Technicolor nightmare that left a permanent mark on Erik's childhood—and might just still be able to get under his skin all over again.

A co-production between American International Pictures and Italian studios, this trio of tales delivers everything from corpse-faced apparitions to undead children scratching at the door. And in its bold color design and visual flair, you can see the DNA of films like Suspiria lurking just beneath the surface.

Art and Erik are here to unpack it all—story by story, scare by scare.

We're diving into:

• Boris Karloff as a delightful host and creeperific Russian patriarch!
• The WTF logic of  "The Telephone"
• 1800's dread and 1960's hair styles combine in "The Wurdalak"
• Why Erik might want a remake of "The Drop of Water", right now! 
• How it shaped horror films to come! 

And if you make it through the night without answering that cursed telephone, pocketing jewelry from the wrong corpse, or letting Boris Karloff in after the bell tolls ten… come hang with us for more late-night deep dives into cult classics, gothic nightmares, and all the wonderfully unhinged cinema we adore at midnightcinemapod.com.

Be sure to follow and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen! We promise, there's no undead Vurdalak waiting just outside your door.

And come hang with us on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube  for clips, chaos, behind-the-scenes shenanigans, and the occasional message… quietly delivered in the dead of night… from someone who really, really wants their ring back.

Bring your shotguns, pack your tightest shorts, and dammit—stay away from the beaver lodge!

Art and Erik chomp into the outrageous 2015 horror-comedy Zombeavers, the movie that bravely asks the question no one needed answered: What if a zombie apocalypse… but beavers?

A weekend girls' getaway for three sorority sisters turns into a gnawing nightmare when toxic waste transforms a family of cute, industrious beavers into an army of undead furballs with an unstoppable appetite for flesh, limbs, and very unfortunate college students.

We're diving teeth-first into:

• Zombie beavers with glowing eyes, razor teeth, and zero respect for personal space
• Cabin-in-the-woods chaos dialed up to "did they really just do that?"
• Practical effects that are way better (and wetter) than they have any right to be
• A grizzled beaver hunter who has big Quint-from-Jaws energy and has absolutely seen some things
• Horny twenty-somethings making spectacularly bad survival decisions

Is it dumb? Absolutely.

Is it self-aware? Completely.

Is it secretly kind of impressive? … find out what we think!

From dams to dismemberment, we break down why Zombeavers belongs in the proud tradition of creature features that understand the most important rule of horror comedy: if you're going to be ridiculous, go all in.

If you survive the night without getting gnawed in half by a radioactive rodent or dragged screaming into a moonlit lake, come hang with us for more late-night deep dives into cult classics, creature features, and wonderfully unhinged cinema at midnightcinemapod.com

Be sure to follow and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! 

And come hang with us on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for clips, chaos, behind-the-scenes shenanigans, and and the occasional warning about suspiciously aggressive wildlife.

Welcome to Potter's Bluff!

Don't stop at the diner.

Don't get gas.

And whatever you do...stay far away from the mortuary.

Art and Erik are digging into Dead & Buried, the sun-bleached seaside nightmare that proves nothing good ever comes from a quiet coastal town. We're leaving no headstone unturned as we follow Sheriff Dan's investigation into a truly alarming number of murders, all committed with smiles, pitchforks, and an unsettling love of photography.

With eerie coastal vibes, gnarly practical effects by Stan Winston, and a story cooked up by the writers of Alien, this 1981 oddity is prime Midnight Cinema material.

We're covering it all, including:

• Jack Albertson as the world's most overly devoted small-town mortician
• Melody Anderson as Sheriff Dan's wife, whose hobbies include aggressive dusting, polishing silver, reading up on voodoo, and casually collecting ceremonial daggers.
• Killer mobs who somehow have time for murder and photography.
• WTF twists, turns, and revelations that go places you absolutely do not expect.
• A finale that leaves you questioning literally everyone in town.

From beach to boatyard, we'll steer you through this weird little village where the locals are friendly, the tourists don't last long, and the dead never seem to stay that way for long.

And if you make it out of Potter's Bluff without being impaled by a farm tool, immortalized on film by a smiling local, or politely ushered into the mortuary after sunset, come hang with us for more late-night deep dives into cult classics, forgotten oddities, and all the beautifully unhinged cinema we adore at midnightcinemapod.com

Be sure to follow and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! No coastal road trips required.

And come hang with us on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for clips, chaos, behind-the-scenes shenanigans, and and the occasional warning about towns that look a little too friendly.

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MAKE SURE YOU PUT THE GLASSES ON!

This week on Midnight Cinema, we're tuning in to John Carpenter's They Live. It's the alien-invasion, anti-consumerist, pro–back-alley-fistfight classic that proves the real monsters were inside the boardroom all along.

Roddy Piper stars as Nada, a drifter who stumbles upon the single most powerful accessory in movie history: a pair of sunglasses that reveal the ugly truth beneath our shiny, ad-soaked reality. Billboards bark commands. Newscasters rot from the inside out. Capitalism is literally not human. And the only way to wake people up… is to beat the living hell out of your best friend in an alley for six uninterrupted minutes.

We dig into Carpenter's simmering Reagan-era rage, the film's journey from cult oddity to internet scripture, and why They Live somehow feels more relevant now than it did in 1988. We talk alien yuppies, pirate TV resistance, iconic one-liners, and the sheer confidence of a movie that says, "No, the fight should be longer."

Put on the glasses. Question authority. Trust no billboard.

And remember: we have come here to chew bubblegum and talk cult cinema… and we're all out of bubblegum. 

And if you make it through the night without being hypnotized by a TV signal, exposed as an alien, or dragged into a six-minute alley brawl, come hang with us for more late-night deep dives into cult classics, conspiracy cinema, and all the wonderfully unhinged movies we adore at
midnightcinemapod.com

Be sure to follow and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! No subliminal messaging.  We promise! 

And come hang with us on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for clips, chaos, behind-the-scenes shenanigans, and don't forget to CONSUME. 

Don't get them wet. Don't feed them after midnight. And whatever you do… don't press play alone.

This week on Midnight Cinema, Art and Erik head to Kingston Falls to unwrap one of the most chaotic holiday gifts ever committed to film: Gremlins.

What starts as a sweet 1984-era Christmas fantasy quickly mutates into a punk-rock creature feature stuffed with anarchic humor, broken rules, and homicidal puppets in Santa hats. Directed by Joe Dante and produced by Steven Spielberg, Gremlins somehow manages to be heartwarming, horrifying, and completely unhinged often in the same scene.

We dig into:

• Gizmo: how Spielberg saved our little furry hero

• The gremlin rulebook (Erik breaks down timezones and liquids.)

• That infamous chimney/Santa monologue and how it traumatized a generation

• Why Gremlins helped create the PG-13 rating

• Small-town Americana vs. full-scale creature chaos

• And how this movie still feels dangerous in a way modern studio films rarely do

From barroom mayhem to movie-theater mania, Gremlins is a Christmas movie that actively wants to ruin Christmas, and we love it for that.

So pour some eggnog, lock up your mogwai, and join us as we celebrate the holiday classic that proved the '80s were absolutely feral.

Happy Holidays from Midnight Cinema! And remember, follow the rules! 

And if you make it out of Dotty's bare without getting your mogwai wet come hang with us for more late-night deep dives into cult classics, holiday oddities, and all the wonderfully unhinged cinema we adore at midnightcinemapod.com

Be sure to follow and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! 

And come hang with us on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for clips, chaos, behind-the-scenes shenanigans, and the occasional message scrawled in green goo by someone who definitely broke the rules. and the occasional message scrawled in green goo by someone who definitely broke the rules.

Gas up the snowmobiles, staple your Advent calendar shut, grab the gingerbread cookies and please study the safety instructions! We're heading to Finland.

This week on Midnight Cinema, Art and Erik travel deep into the frozen wilderness to unwrap one of the most wickedly original Christmas movies ever made: Jalmari Helander's Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale.

Forget everything you think you know about Santa Claus. This isn't a jolly old man squeezing down chimneys — this is ancient folklore, buried alive beneath the Arctic ice, waiting to be unearthed by corporate greed, dynamite, and very bad decisions. Naughty lists are enforced. Elves are feral old men. And Christmas cheer comes with a body count. Even the reindeer aren't safe.

Set in a remote Finnish village near the mythical Korvatunturi mountains, Rare Exports blends dark comedy, creature-feature thrills, and icy suspense into a holiday horror experience unlike anything else. It's equal parts mythological nightmare, pitch-black satire, and winter survival film. And somehow still finds room for warmth, wonder, and a surprisingly heartfelt coming-of-age story.

In this episode, we dig into:

• Santa Claus as ancient monster, capitalist commodity, and cultural myth

• Why Rare Exports works as horror, comedy, and Christmas movie

• The film's immaculate tone: deadpan humor, dread, and escalating chaos

• Does this film have a place as a modern holiday cult classic

So zip up your parka, mind your manners, and keep your children close. Because in Rare Exports, Santa is watching and his elves are everywhere! 

Merry Christmas from Midnight Cinema! And remember: behave! 

And if you make it through the long Finnish night without being dragged into the tundra by feral elves, audited by an ancient Santa, or sealed in a crate marked "Rare Exports," come hang with us for more late-night deep dives into cult classics, holiday oddities, and all the wonderfully unhinged cinema we adore at midnightcinemapod.com

Be sure to follow and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! We promise, there's no Arctic survival gear required.

And come hang with us on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for clips, chaos, behind-the-scenes shenanigans, and the occasional message quietly slipped under the door by someone who knows whether you've been naughty or nice.

Ho-ho-hold onto your helmets! This week, Art and Erik blast off into one of the most delightfully bizarre holiday oddities ever projected onto a screen: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians—the children's matinee fever dream that boldly asked, "What if Mars just really needed Santa?"

This 1964 movie answers crucial questions like:

• What if Martian kids binge-watched too much Earth TV and got sad?
• What if Mars solved its depression problem by… kidnapping Santa?
• What is this terrifying creature called Torg?
• How cute can a polar bear attack actually get?
• And how many puns can one movie jam into a toy workshop before OSHA steps in?

We break down:

Santa & Mrs. Claus — Where do they rank in the cinematic Christmas Pantheon?

Martian culture: Sleep Spray for the children, cattle prods for the adults and food pills for everybody!

ChoChem:  The ancient sage who is performing like his life depended on it!

Torg:  Villain? Pet? Misunderstood gentle giant? Cardboard?

Voldar  The only guy taking this plot seriously, and his mustache is with him every step of the way!

1960s sci-fi ambition  Shot with the confidence of a blockbuster and the budget of a PTA bake sale.

Plus: Set Designs from community theater, Pia Zadora before she was known as Pia Zadora, how to stage a climactic action scene with 25 cents left in the budget, and actors doing their best to save film by saving mistakes in the moment!

It's a wild ride, so join us on Spaceship One! Kimar and Droppo are waiting!

If you make it back from Mars without being bonked by Torg, zapped by a malfunctioning Martian headpiece, or force-fed space vitamins by Momar, come hang with us for more late-night deep dives into cult classics, holiday oddities, and all the wonderfully wobbly cinema we adore at

midnightcinemapod.com

Be sure to follow and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! No interplanetary travel required.

And come hang with us on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for clips, chaos and  for clips, chaos, behind-the-scenes shenanigans, and the occasional message beamed directly from Santa's workshop on Mars. 

Robots and Angels and Bears, Oh My! 

Get the Christmas cookies in the oven, finish your letter to Santa, and whatever you do, don't let the fire go out! Hop in the Hummer because Midnight Cinema is celebrating the holidays with the Engel family! And you're invited! 

Art and Erik are facing down the shadow of Saint Nicholas as they lead you through the snowbound fun that is Michael Dougherty's 2015 holiday horror comedy Krampus! 

We're opening every present and examining every demonic toy of this Christmas-set modern classic. 

• The spectacular opening scene skewering holiday consumerism

• Adam Scott and Toni Collette and the great cast.

• The terrifying (and somehow adorable?) Gingerbread Men with nail guns

• Killer toys: the Jack-in-the-Box from hell, the Angel creature, the teddy bear attack and the stabby robot.

• Erik and a special guest fill us in on Austrian holiday cookies! 

• Aunt Dorothy's one-liners and why she's the MVP of the movie

• The lore behind the real European Krampus and how Dougherty updates it

• That unforgettable, bleak, twisty ending—interpretation theories included

• Snowmen, Evil Elves, WTF Reindeer and what is under the the snow?

By the end, Art and Erik decide whether Krampus is a lump of coal… or a perfect spiked-egg-nog of festive fright.

Spoiler: We're keeping the fire stoked.

If you survive Krampus' naughty-list inspection, come have some hot chocolate and hange out with us with us for more late-night deep dives into cult classics, horror oddities, and the cinematic weirdness we love at midnightcinemapod.com

Be sure to follow and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen!

And come hang with us on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for clips, updates, chaos, and questionable Christmas behavior.

Grab your baby monitor, oil up the chainsaw, and for the love of all that is holy stay away from the tree line because this week Art and Erik are diving head-first into William Friedkin's The Guardian, the 1990 "Wait… Friedkin made THIS?" supernatural horror oddity.

That's right: the director of The Exorcist, The French Connection, Sorcerer, and To Live and Die in L.A. decided to go full druid-nanny-tree-monster—and we're here to lovingly pick through every branch, twig, and inexplicable creative decision.

From mystical kidnappings to nature-worshipping erotica to questionable Nanny Agency advertisements. 

We get into the production history and how Friedkin - Oscar-winning, stone-cold legend -ended up making a druid-tree-monster movie that somehow feels like both an expensive studio horror film and a fever dream from a forgotten VHS rental shelf.

 If you escape the enchanted forest with all your limbs intact, come hang with us for more late-night deep dives into cult classics, horror oddities, and the cinematic weirdness we love at midnightcinemapod.com

Be sure to follow and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen!

And come hang with us on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for clips, chaos, and behind-the-scenes fun.

Wrangle your mongoose, tune up the bagpipes, and pack your snakebite kit because we're heading deep into the D'Ampton countryside for some good old-fashioned worm hunting!

This week, Art and Erik are slithering their way into Ken Russell's deliriously unhinged 1988 cult classic The Lair of the White Worm, a film that somehow crams Hugh Grant, Peter Capaldi (yes, The Doctor himself), Catherine Oxenberg, Bram Stoker, pagan lore, ancient nuns, acid-trip hallucinations, and a 60-foot murder serpent into 90 glorious minutes.

Is this a forgotten fever dream? A cheeky satire of English manners? A genre mashup wrapped in WTF visions of snake deities? Or is it simply Ken Russell doing what Ken Russell does best: absolutely everything, all at once?

Either way, we're diving into every caverns, cult legends, dancing Scotsman, and Amanda Donohoe power-outfit the movie throws at us.

If you make it out of the D'Ampton caverns alive, slither on over to midnightcinemapod.com for more cult classics, deep dives, and late-night movie madness.

Be sure to follow and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen!

And come hang with us on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for clips, chaos, and behind-the-scenes fun.

Grab your police badge, pack your Epi-pen, and strap on your bear slippers! 🐻
We're heading back to Summersisle with Nicolas Cage, Ellen Burstyn, and an entire island of buzz-worthy weirdness!

Art and Erik are scouring the beehives and the burning wicker for answers as they investigate the 2006 remake of The Wicker Man. It's the film that gave us one of the most meme-able Nic Cage performances ever.

We'll cover it all:

• The journey from Robin Hardy's 1973 folk-horror classic to Neil LaBute's reimagining

• How does the band The Ramones fit into all of this? 

• Soooo many semi-truck impacts! 

• We'll bee covering that famous deleted scene! 

• Why this movie somehow became a cult comedy rather than a terrifying thriller

By the time the ceremony ends, you'll know exactly "how it got burned!"

If you survive the sacrifice, come hang with us at midnightcinemapod.com for more cult classics, deep dives, and late-night horror fun.

Step away from the bike and follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts! 

Listen to our episode on the original 1973 film The Wicker Man! 

She's Always Inhuman To Me

Pack your black gloves, practice your maniacal laugh, bring lots of bread and cigars and keep an eye on the leeeever because this week, Midnight Cinema is resurrecting one of the most iconic horror sequels of all time: The Bride of Frankenstein.

Art and Erik dive into the gothic world of Universal Monsters where the hair is electrified, the emotions run surprisingly deep, and the line between monster and man gets blurrier than ever.

Directed by James Whale, this 1935 follow-up takes everything from the original Frankenstein and cranks it up with bigger performances, stranger humor, and a whole lot more heart.

We're leaving no boulder unturned! 

• Boris Karloff's Monster finds his voice
  And somehow becomes even more tragic (and poetic?) than before.

• Dr. Pretorius: The real mad scientist?
  Campy, sinister, and possibly the most fun character in the Universal lineup.

• That Bride reveal
  One of the most iconic moments in horror history… for a character with very limited screen time.

• The surprising humor
  This movie is way funnier than you remember—and it somehow works.

• Mini people in jars??
  Yes. We talk about it.

• The loneliness at the heart of it all
  Beneath the camp and chaos is a story about connection, rejection, and what it means to belong.

Is this better than the original Frankenstein? 

If you've managed to escape the lab before the lightning struck, we'd love to hear from you! Let us know you're among the living by visiting us at midnightcinemapod.com.

Subscribe and follow wherever you listen - Apple Podcasts, Spotify - for more late-night dives into cult classics, cinematic disasters, and helpful tips in case a mad scientist ever decides you'd make the perfect companion.

And come hang with us on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for clips, chaos, behind-the-scenes nonsense, and a whole lot of sleepless nights!

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Grab your May Day masks, polish up your pagan hymns, and for the love of Summerisle, stay away from the serpents!

This week, Art and Erik sail into one of the strangest and most hypnotic corners of British horror — The Wicker Man (1973). Part musical, part mystery, part folk fever dream, this film follows puritanical Sergeant Neil Howie (Edward Woodward) as he investigates a missing girl on a remote Scottish island… only to find himself surrounded by singing villagers, nude pagan rituals, and Christopher Lee's most charmingly sinister performance.

We're diving deep into the burning heart of this cult classic — where belief, repression, and sacrifice collide.

If you survive the flames, come join us at midnightcinemapod.com for more cult classics, deep dives, and late-night horror fun.Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you sacrifice your time to the gods of cinema.

Clips and chaos await on TikTok and YouTube 🎬

Things talked about in this episode

Anthony Schaeffer's play and movie Sleuth

James Bond movie with Britt Eklund and Christopher Lee - The Man With the Golden Gun

Folk Horror movies:

• Midsommar
• The Witch
• Hereditary

 80's TV Show with Edward Woodward  - The Equalizer

Make sure you take the salt, bring along the talking cat, pack the spell book, and don't let any virgins near the Black Flame Candle! We're on our way to Erik's hometown of Salem, MA!

This episode, Art and Erik are taking you on a haunted tour of Disney's cult classic Hocus Pocus (1993) — the wickedly funny tale of three resurrected witches wreaking havoc on modern-day Salem in their quest for eternal youth. (Yes, it's a family film about stealing children's souls!)

Art and Erik are leaving no stone wall unturned as they lead you through Salem's back alleys, schools, neighborhoods, and cemeteries. Along the way, Erik gives us the scoop on filming locations, behind-the-scenes lore, and some real Salem secrets.

So grab your broom, your vacuum, or your mop — and join us for a nostalgic, witchy romp through the Witch City!

After the witches are dust and the candle's out…

Don't fly off just yet! 

Come hang with us at midnightcinemapod.com for more cult classics, deep dives, and late-night horror fun.

Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you conjure your shows.

Like and follow us on Facebook for episode drops and behind-the-scenes mischief.

And catch our video clips rising from the cauldron on TikTok and YouTube.

Because at Midnight Cinema… we put a spell on you.

Grab your pillowcase, don your sexy costumes, only take one candy at Principal Wilkins' house, avoid any invitations to Sheep's Meadow, and whatever you do… don't let the Jack-o'-lantern go out!

Now hop in, because we're heading to Warren Valley, Ohio — the Halloweeniest town in the Midwest!

Art and Erik are prowling through all the bustling streets, spooky alleyways, and even the old quarry as they deep dive into Trick 'r Treat, Michael Dougherty's now-beloved horror anthology that celebrates (and enforces) every Halloween rule in the book.

Originally set for an October 2007 theatrical release, Trick 'r Treat was abruptly shelved by the studio and later found new life on home video — where it quickly became a cult favorite and a must-watch for horror fans every October.

We're covering it all, including:

• The tangled web of intersecting Halloween night stories

• The rise of Sam — horror's cutest (and deadliest) holiday enforcer

• Dylan Baker's delightfully dark turn as everyone's favorite "educator"

• Anna Paquin's full-moon surprise and Brian Cox's showdown with tradition itself

• Werewolves, revenge, and one very unlucky school bus

• The traditions, the atmosphere, and why this movie feels like Halloween itself

• How it went from a shelved studio release to a modern cult classic

So light your pumpkins, grab your candy, and join us as we celebrate a film that proves:
Always respect the traditions.

Listen now at midnightcinemapod.com — or find Midnight Cinema with Art & Erik on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your horror fix.

And remember… if you hear giggling outside your window tonight — it's probably just Sam checking on your pumpkin. 🎃

Things talked about in this episode:

Watch Director Mike Daughetry's original animated short Seasons Greetings

Salem Massachusetts Haunted Happenings.

Tod Solondz's Happiness

Photographer Diane Arbus

Throw your Silver Shamrock mask into your little overnight bag because we're heading to Santa Mira with Dr. Dan! Don't worry, we'll have you back in time for the big giveway! 

This week Art and Erik take you on a VIP tour into the inner factory workings of Halloween III: Season of the Witch! This 1983 horror cult classic was meant to be a departure from the Laurie Strode/Michael Myers story of the first two Halloween movies, and at the time, it may have confused audiences and critics.

But it has gained a following and we're here to take you through every twist and turn of the production and the plot of this eerie mystery that mixes corporate conspiracies, Celtic rituals, and killer commercials. 

If you survive the big giveaway, come hang with us at midnightcinemapod.com for more cult classics, deep dives, and late-night horror fun.

Follow us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Like and follow us at Facebook

Video clips at TikTok and Youtube 

Grab the sheriff, find Dr. Loomis, and pile into the ambulance — we're checking into Haddonfield Memorial Hospital!

This week, Art and Erik explore every dark corridor of one of horror cinema's most understaffed healthcare facilities as they break down Halloween II (1981) — the bloody, immediate follow-up to one of the most successful and influential horror films of all time.

Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasance return to pick up literally minutes after the events of the original, as Michael Myers continues his relentless rampage through Haddonfield. We'll talk hospital hijinks, Carpenter's reluctant return, Rick Rosenthal's direction, wig-watching with Laurie Strode, and how this sequel cranks up the gore for the slasher-craze era.

So lock the doors, dim the lights, and keep an eye on that heart monitor — Evil is still alive… and we're going scene by scene through every surgical scare and shadowy hallway.

Listen to our podcast on John Carpenter's original Halloween! 

Visit us at midnightcinemapod.com.

Follow us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Like and follow us at Facebook

Video clips at TikTok and Youtube 

Get out your popcorn and jack-o'-lanterns, turn on Dr. Dementia, and don't go near the Myers' house! Laurie Strode is coming over to babysit, so we must be heading to Haddonfield, Illinois!

This episode, Art and Erik hitch a ride with Dr. Loomis and face the evil that is John Carpenter's iconic Halloween!

This little indie horror released in 1978 set box office records and went on to change the landscape of cinematic horror, making a star of its lead actress Jamie Lee Curtis and spawning decades of sequels, remakes, and reboots. From Carpenter's masterful use of widescreen tension to his unforgettable, nerve-jangling score, we'll talk about how this film reshaped what it meant to be scared in the suburbs.

Along the way we'll discuss:

• The shoestring budget that still delivered maximum terror

• Donald Pleasence's intense turn as the ever-worried Dr. Loomis

• Michael Myers as pure, unstoppable evil — and how the blank mask became cinema's most chilling face

• Plus behind-the-scenes trivia, early reactions, and how Halloween carved its place in horror history

So lock your doors, check the closet, and join us as we revisit the night he came home.

Visit us at midnightcinemapod.com.

Follow us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Like and follow us at Facebook

Video clips at TikTok and Youtube 

Watch the dirt, limber up your pole vaulting skills, and for the love of Walter Chang's convenience store - stay off the ground! We're headed straight into Perfection, Nevada, population: snack-sized.

Art and Erik are tunneling deep into the 1990 horror-comedy masterpiece Tremors! So fire up the four-wheel drive because the Graboids are hungry, and your best bet is climbing a boulder and praying your boots don't slip.

We'll talk about the glorious creature design, the wide-open desert cinematography that somehow makes you feel even more trapped, and the greatest small-town ensemble this side of a disaster movie—Kevin Bacon in tight jeans and gorgeous hair, Fred Ward grumbling like a pro, Michael Gross armed to the teeth, and Reba McEntire proving country really does know how to shoot.

Sure, Tremors belly-flopped at the box office, but like any good monster, it just wouldn't stay buried. Thanks to home video, it spawned a heck of a lot of sequels and even a TV series nobody asked for. We'll dig into the movie's magic cocktail of action, horror, and comedy, plus the absolute nightmare of filming in the middle of nowhere while your movie is literally about being stuck in the middle of nowhere.

So grab your elephant gun, play rock paper scissors over who is running to save the girl on the pogo stick, and join us as we celebrate the wiggly desert death-worms that could—and did—become one of the most beloved cult monster movies of the '90s.

You can dig up more episodes (no jackhammers required) at midnightcinemapodcast.com.

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Wake up, hypersleepy head! We're heading down to LV-426. So grab your motion detector, set the self-destruct for ten minutes and make sure you have the cat! 

This week Art and Erik heed the mysterious transmission and explore Ridley Scott's 1979 masterpiece of sci-fi horror, Alien!  This is a deep dive into strange ships, even stranger organisms and enough metaphors to fill a deep space mining vessel. 

Facehuggers, chestbursters and xenomorphs, oh my! 

Along the way, we'll talk creature design, corporate greed, and why space truckers might be the most relatable workplace ensemble in cinema. We'll break down Sigourney Weaver's star-making turn as Ripley, Ash's unnerving android agenda, and how sound, silence, and one very cranky cat all conspire to keep you on edge. H.R. Giger's nightmares, practical effects that still hold up, and that oh-so-claustrophobic atmosphere. This film's got it all.

So fire up the Nostromo's big ass engines, take a seat at the dinner table, and unpack the legacy of Alien with us! 

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Get your knitting needles ready, break out the ceremonial daggers and make sure your angel wings are on straight - we're on the hunt for a demon hand! 

This week, Art and Erik dig deep into Idle Hands (1999), the stoner horror comedy where a lazy teen's possessed hand goes on a murder spree. Expect wild practical effects, over-the-top kills, and a late-90s time capsule of music, style, and humor. We talk about Devon Sawa's physical comedy, Seth Green and Elden Henson's undead buddy act, and Jessica Alba's early star power. 

And it's all wrapped up in a horror-comedy that leans heavy on both the "horror" and the "stoner."

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and please rate or review us!

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Links:

Original Ending for Idle Hands 

Films Referenced in this Episode:

Director Rodman Flender's Films

Conan O'Brien Can't Stop

Eat, Brains, Love

Other Films

Pineapple Express

Beetlejuice

The Faculty

She's All That

Break out "Old Painless", oil up your biceps and get to the choppa! 

Art and Erik are trekking into the jungle to confront the 1987 horror sci-fi classic, Predator. Directed by John McTiernan and starring Arnold Schwarzenneger, this summer blockbuster gathered together a pumped-up crew of manly superstars including Carl Weather and Jesse the Body Ventura! 

Follow along as we discuss the seamless way Predator morphs from 80's action overdrive, to slasher film, to sci-fi fantasy showdown! 

So fire up your Predator-vision, follow the glowing green blood and join us for a roll in the mud with Arnold and the boys! 

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and please rate or review us!

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The Kids Are All Fright

Turn off the lights. Pull the covers up. Stay absolutely still. And whatever you do, don't answer the phone.

This week on Midnight Cinema, Art and Erik take a trip back to the shadowy corners of childhood to revisit the horror movies that absolutely terrified them when they were kids.

You know the ones.

The movies you stumbled across on late-night TV.
The VHS tapes with the covers that scared you before you even pressed play.
The scenes that burned into your brain and you couldn't stop thinking about until well after midnight! 

From Italian nightmare logic to haunted houses to killer animals, satanic cults, and one very unsettling ventriloquist dummy - these are the films that left permanent scars on our young horror-loving brains.

So grab a flashlight, and join us as we check under the bed to reveal theis nightmare gallery of flicks that fueled out nightmares as kids, and still give us goosebumps today! 

• Suspiria (1977) – Dario Argento's neon nightmare of witches, murder, and Goblin's pounding score.

• Salem's Lot (1979) – The TV vampire epic that traumatized a generation, especially that iconic encounter at the window! 

• Dawn of the Dead (1978) – Romero's mall-set zombie apocalypse that proved the undead could be funny and horrifying.

• Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959) – Drive-in creature feature nightmare fuel lurking in the swamp.

• The Killer Shrews (1959) – Tiny terrors in oversized suits. Childhood imagination did the rest.

• The Sentinel (1977) – One of the strangest and most disturbing supernatural films of the '70s.

• Black Sabbath (1963) – Mario Bava's gothic anthology with one story in particular that still creeps Erik out.

• Ruby (1977) – Mobsters, ghosts, and drive-in revenge.

• Burnt Offerings (1976) – The creepiest chauffer in movie history? 

Art's Childhood Terrors

• I Was a Teenage Frankenstein (1957) – Mad science and stitched-together monsters straight from the late-night creature feature era and chute in the laboratory that kept Art awake at night! 

• When a Stranger Calls (1979) – An urban legend turned into a terrifying opening sequence that kids should never watch! 

• The Changeling (1980) – A ghost story with a bouncing ball AND a creepy wheelchair! 

• The Pack (1977) – Because sometimes the scariest monsters… are dogs.

• Race with the Devil (1979) – Satanic cults and paranoia on the open road.

• Magic (1978) – Anthony Hopkins is an insane venitriloquist, but the dummy keeps you up at night! 

• Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971) – Quiet, eerie, and deeply unsettling '70s folk horror vibes. 

• Phase IV (1974) – Ants. Intelligent ants. They don't stop. That's enough.

• The Amityville Horror (1979) – The haunted house movie that made every creak in the house sound sinister and a set of glowing eyes that still makes Art jump! 

Along the way, we compare notes, make hysterical observtions and shout out childhood horror memories from our listeners! 

If you've finally cleared your closet of monsters, we'd love to hear from you! Let us know you're getting some sleep again by visiting us at midnightcinemapod.com.

Subscribe and follow wherever you listen—Apple Podcasts, Spotify—for more late-night dives into cult classics, cinematic disasters, and tips on how to deal with that dark shape in the corner of the room!

And come hang with us on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for clips, chaos, behind-the-scenes nonsense, and a whole lot of sleepless nights! 

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We've been through a lot the last 25 episodes: alien invasions, headless horsemen, poltergeists, zombies, American werewolves, killer ballet instruction and flying spheres of death.

To celebrate hitting 25 episodes of Midnight Cinema, Art and Erik each count down their Top 5 favorite horror and cult classics we've covered so far. From practical effects mayhem to supernatural showdowns, this episode revisits some of the strangest, scariest, and most surprising movies we've discussed.

Expect plenty of laughs, a few arguments, and maybe a shocking pick or two. Whether you're new to the show or have been with us since the beginning, this is the perfect recap of where we've been—and a teaser of where we're going next.

🎧 Listen in and let us know your Top 5 from our first 25!
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If you like what you hear, please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform—it helps other horror fans find the show!

Everybody hop in the ice cream truck and watch out for the Tall Man! We're heading to Morningside Cemetery to cover the trippy, dream-like horror film Phantasm. 

In 1979, indie director Don Coscarelli pulled together an amazingly eerie meditation on death, loss and sex - all on a shoestring. It became a big hit and spawned no less than four sequels. And Art and Erik are ready to go deep into the mausoleum to cover this cult classic for you! 

From the mysterious Lady in Lavender, to those tenacious little hooded creatures, to those amazing spheres of death, you'll want to hear us break down all the dream logic of this indelible masterpiece of 70's horror. 

Be sure to subscibe, rate and review on your favorite podcast apps. 

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Don't take the chain off your Zuni Hunting Doll until after you've listened to this week's Midnight Cinema Episode! 

It's a Karen Black three-for-all as Art and Erik dive into the probably the strangest iconic horror classic of a certain generation. We're talking about the 1975 made-for-television horror flick Trilogy of Terror. 

Everybody knows the horrifying images of the final sequence - a woman being terrorized by a superstitious little entity in her city apartment.  But almost nobody remembers the other two segments in this trilogy. 

Don't fear, the guys are covering those forgotten first two in their usual comedic way. 

Weird fiction master Richard Matheson wrote the original stories this tryptych was based on, and Dan Curtis (Dark Shadows and The Night Stalker) directed. 

We're covering it all:

• Karen Black's multiple characters
• A very strange set of demonic books
• 70's furniture, clothing and hairstyles. 
• How to make a 7 inch tall puppet scary as hell

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Movies and TV talked about in this episode:

Karen Black Movies:

Easy Rider

Five Easy Pieces

Burnt Offerings

Come Back the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean

Richard Matheson Adaptations:

I Am Legend 

Duel

Twilight Zone Episode: Nightmare at 20,000 Feet

What Dreams May Come

Dan Curtis Productions:

Dark Shadows

The Night Stalker

The Winds of War

Other Midnight Cinema Episodes Mentioned:

An American Werewolf in London

Demon Knight

Welcome, boils and ghouls... to the sleaziest siege movie ever blessed by the Crypt Keeper.

This week on Midnight Cinema, Art Hennessey and Erik Rodenhiser are heading to Wormwood, New Mexico to check into the world's creepiest halfway house for a deep dive into Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995)—a film where evil oozes, holy relics leak all over the place, and Billy Zane throws the ultimate temper tantrum.

We discuss:

• Demon lore, the seven stars, and the fate of the blood-filled key

• Billy Zane's delicious descent into demonic diva mode

• Jada Pinkett's journey to buff demon slayer

• The nightclub design of old southwestern missions

• An amazing array of "where have I seen them before?" actors

• Flashbacks, mythologies, attic secrets, and tunnels full of trouble

We also explore the film's long road to production, its connections to the Tales from the Crypt series, and whether the Crypt Keeper should have hosted more B-movie bloodbaths.

From practical effects and gross-out gags to supernatural showdowns and EC Comics-style humor, Demon Knight is a 90s cult relic that deserves another look—preferably before the sun comes up.

So take a shot of Jesus juice, seal the doors, aim for the eyes, and join us for a night of monsters, mayhem, and morally ambiguous motel guests.

Subscribe and follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your spooky fix.💥 Rate and review us—it helps more Demon Knights find the pod!

Got thoughts or undead trivia? Email us: midnightcinemapod@gmail.com

Look for more  horror and hilarity at: https://www.midnightcinemapod.com

Midnight Cinema Episodes referenced:

An American Werewolf In London

The Shining

Humanoids from the Deep

Movies and Television Shows Referenced in this Epidode

The Three Musketeers

Man's Best Friend

Tales from the Darkside: The Movie

Creepshow

Child's Play

Fatal Beauty 

Pumpkinhead

Pet Sematary

Pet Sematary II

Do the Right Thing

Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey

The Shawshank Redemption

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Small Soldiers

Little Shop of Horrors (1960)

Sideways

Wings

The Phantom

Titanic

Anchorman

Beetlejuice

Tales from the Crypt Presents: Bordello of Blood

Planet Terror

Stick to the road, stay off the Moors and most of all... beware the moon!  We're headed to the Slaughtered Lamb pub in East Proctor, England! 

Art Hennessey and Erik Rodenhiser make a meat loaf out John Landis's classic 1981 horror comedy, An American Werewolf in London. 

We dive into:

• The werewolf transformation that changed movie makeup forever
• The terrifying dream sequence with Muppets
• Griffin Dunne in one of horror's most memorable supporting roles 
• A romance that's sweet, doomed, and somehow involves waking up in a zoo
• The most unwelcoming pub in cinema history
• And a discussion of the the plot intricacies of See You Next Wednesday. 

Along the way, we tip our hats to Frank Oz's surprise cameo, talk about Landis's filmography, and unpack how this film up the game for werewolves for a new generation. With its perfect balance of horror, comedy, and tragedy—plus some stellar practical effects—this one still bites.

So grab a pint and join us for a Midnight Cinema tour of England,  from in the fog-drenched moors to the London Tube to Picadilly Circus. 

Before you transform, make sure to subscribe or follow us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. 

Don't forget to rate and review us!

Want to reach out?  You can email us at midnightcinemapod@gmail.com

For more info: http://www.midnightcinemapod.com 

Films referenced in this episode:

John Landis Films:

Schlock

Kentucky Fried Movie

The Blues Brothers

Werewolf Films:

The Howling (1981)

Wolfen (1981)

The Wolf Man (1941)

I Was A Teenage Werewolf (1957)

The Curse of the Werewolf (1961)

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)

Jenny Agutter Films

Equus (1977)

Logan's Run (1976)

Midnight Cinema Covered Films

WaxWork

At The Earth's Core 

Slug trails, tentacles, hive minds, humor and way too much meat - we're heading to to Wheelsy! 🐛💥

This week on Midnight Cinema, Art and Erik get good and gooey with James Gunn's 2006 cult classic Slither. It's got everything: alien parasites, grotesque body horror, weirdly touching love stories, and enough practical effects to make you flinch with joy. The guys dig into Gunn's early career, long before he was wrangling talking raccoons, and explore how Slither blends horror and comedy into a slick, slimy, genre cocktail.

They break down the small-town chaos of Wheelsy, the emotional rollercoaster of Starla and Grant's deeply cursed marriage, and the unforgettable transformation of poor Brenda into a human balloon full of squirming surprises. From the deer cheer hoedown to the final farmhouse showdown, Slither is a messy, heartfelt, and hilariously disgusting ride.

Come for the tentacles, stay for the trauma, and discover why this overlooked box office flop became a beloved horror-comedy gem. Just… maybe don't eat spaghetti while listening.

Got a favorite alien parasite movie? Ever found a weird slug in your bathtub? Tell us about it at midnightcinemapod@gmail.com

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Bring your Thunderbolt rocket, pack your Sacrifyx records, and meet us at the hole in the backyard—because Midnight Cinema is unlocking The Gate!

In this episode, Art and Erik dive headfirst into the swirling vortex of suburban horror that is The Gate (1987). We're talking demonic geodes, stop-motion creatures, contractors in walls, and the dangers of heavy metal played backwards.

Join us as we ask the important questions: What the heck do these demons want?  What are the employment opportunities for minions? Can a 15 year-old be a good babysitter?   

So grab your rocket, chant the incantation, and step through—just don't forget to close the gate behind you! 

Let us know your favorite backmask album or what your favorite rocket is to kill a demon!

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Grab your jack o'lantern, your rusty axe, and your 18th-century trauma—Midnight Cinema is heading to Sleepy Hollow!

This week, Art and Erik gallop into Tim Burton's gloriously gothic 1999 film Sleepy Hollow, where heads roll, conspiracies twist, and Johnny Depp faints… a lot. They dissect the fog-drenched aesthetic, the "science vs. superstition" debate, and why everyone in town seems to be either whispering, plotting, or.... dying. 

We keep a running count of the craniums and try to untangle the knots of relationships in this sleepy Dutch community. And how exactly do you lose that many heads and still keep a functioning township? 

From Johnny Depps offbeat perfornance to Christopher Walken's filed down teeth, we're asking the question: Is this Tim Burton's most metal movie? 

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Grab your 7 Demon Bag, rally the Chang Sing, and hop on the Pork Chop Express—because we're heading straight into the neon-lit chaos of Chinatown!

This week, Art and Erik throw on their tank tops and dive fists-first into John Carpenter's 1986 cult classic Big Trouble in Little China. It's got everything: sorcery, sewer monsters, kung fu battles, dudes who ride lightning bolts, and one very confused truck driver named Jack Burton!

They dig into Jack's lovable energy, Wang's bad ass fighting skills, the green-eyed girl prophecy, and the bonkers Burning Blade ceremony that somehow makes perfect sense in a movie like this.

Plus, they talk supernatural shenanigans, epic martial arts showdowns, and Carpenter's delicious genre-blending madness.

Join us and learn how the film tries to tackle stereotypes and manages to celebrate Chinese mythology while being a total blast.

Basically, it's action, comedy, monsters, magic, and one-liners galore. If you've ever screamed "It's all in the reflexes," this episode is for you.

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Grab your driftwood, light the campfire and keep your radio tuned to 1340 WKAB because Midnight Cinema is rolling into Antonio Bay!

This week, Art and Erik sail straight into John Carpenter's ghostly chiller The Fog (1980) It's a tale of seaside curses, ancestral conspirators, and some of the best spooky atmosphere ever committed to celluloid.

Inside this haunted broadcast, we cover:

• Glowing fog
• Adrienne Barbeau's iconic DJ-in-a-lighthouse vibes
• Seafaring ghosts with a bone to pick (and hooks to swing)
• Carpenter's minimalist score that chills to the bone
  
  

We're talking fog machines on overdrive, and why this might be one of Carpenter's most quietly terrifying films and one of his last acting performances! 

So, man the lighthouse and drop the needle on your jazz records because we're riding with the crew of the Elizabeth Dane!

Listen now at midnightcinemapod.com

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Questions, comments, or foghorn confessions? Email us at midnightcinemapod@gmail.com

It's not easy fighting green... 

Buckle up patrons and check your radiation levels, because we're heading to Gamma 3!

Zero your laser rifle, don your space helmet, and whatever you do, don't touch the foam!

Our destination is The Green Slime, the 1968 psychedelic space-monster flick that proves even an asteroid mission can be ruined by a little intergalactic mold. It's a groovy, neon-soaked co-production between MGM and Toei where the science is questionable, the miniatures are magnificent, and the monsters look like high-voltage vegatables with a grudge!

This week on Midnight Cinema, Art and Erik blast off into a movie that feels like a Saturday morning cartoon directed by someone with a serious fever dream-a flick that sits right at the intersection of Japanese Kaiju soul and American B-movie grit.

We're digging into:

• The Alpha-Male Stand-off: The simmering, sweat-drenched rivalry between Robert Horton and Richard Jaeckel. Who knew saving the world required this much testosterone?

• The Slime Itself: How a few glowing bubbles turned into one of the most iconic (and screechy) creature designs in cult cinema.

• The Theme Song: Yes, that theme song. We're breaking down the garage-rock banger that has no business being this catchy.

• Director Kinji Fukasaku: Seeing the early fingerprints of the man who would later give us Battle Royale.

• Practical Effects Paradise: Appreciating the charm of those chunky models, spark-filled explosions, and the relentless use of a fog machine.

If you manage to scrub the spores off your spacesuit before the airlock opens, we'd love to hear from you! You can reach out via subspace transmission or by visiting us at midnightcinemapod.com.

Subscribe and follow wherever you listen—Apple Podcasts, Spotify—for more late-night dives into cult classics, cinematic disasters, and tips on how to handle an orbital infestation!

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Please rate and review us!

Lace up those ballet slippers and keep one eye on the irises—Midnight Cinema is pirouetting straight into the Magic Triangle. 

This week, Art Hennessey and Erik Rodenhiser enroll at the mysterious and blood-soaked Helena Markos Dance Academy to unravel the dreamlike terror of Dario Argento's Suspiria (1977). It's part Grimm's Fairy Tale, part technicolor slasher, and all witchy madness.

We're talking

• Bold colors 
• Questionable dubbing
• Innovative camera work 
• One of the most watchable leads in a horror movie ever! 

From personal memories to psychological tension, Erik and Art explore how Suspiria's setting, sound design, and eerie sense of unreality have secured its legacy as a horror masterpiece. It's a deep dive into mystery, madness, and the strange beauty of fear.

So crank up the Goblin, ignore those yellow eyes in the window… and whatever you do, don't turn the blue iris! 

Visit us at: https://midnightcinemapod.com/

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Fire up the Iron Mole and hold onto your umbrellas because we're heading to the center of the Earth, baby!

This week, Art and Erik descend into the molten madness of At the Earth's Core (1976), where Victorian adventurers drill their way into a lava-lit land of psychic bird overlords, and enslaved mole people. It's a pulp sci-fi fever dream full of sweaty heroics, rubber-suit monsters, and Peter Cushing acting acting up a storm!

We're talking flamethrower frogs, suggestive plants, and Erik's theory about the influence of this film on a certain, well-known director! 

Along the way, we dig into creature design, 70s sci-fi andcomplicated Pellucidorian mating rituals!  

And one actor wins one of our coveted awards! 

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💀 Rate, review, and beware the glowing eyes of the Mayhas…

You're cordially invited to a midnight showing at the Waxwork! Just don't step over the rope… and watch out for that evil baby.

This week on Midnight Cinema, Art and Erik risk waxy death to revisit Waxwork (1988), the horror-comedy where walking into a museum exhibit means walking straight into your own B-movie demise. They dig into the film's gloriously bonkers blend of monsters, mayhem, college sex comedy and mid-budget madness, with horny vampires, bargain-basement mummies, and a ray guns that shoot bullets? It's a movie that asks, "What if your nightmares had budget troubles?" 

From jaw-dropping production values and sometimes head-scratching effects to surprise appearances by legit actors who are giving it their all, our hosts break down what makes Waxwork such an unforgettable cult classic. There's blood, jokes, weird sexual tension, and lots of dictator talk. Whether you love it, hate it, or forgot it existed, we've got takes: hot, cold, and dipped in wax.

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REDRUM! It's time for a trip to The Overlook.

In this chilling episode of Midnight Cinema, Art and Erik check in to Stanley Kubrick's icy nightmare hotel. That's right, it's our deep dive into Kubrick's adaptation of Stephen King's The Shining.

They explore Jack Nicholson's descent into madness, haunted bathtubs, Wendy's stress levels, and what exactly is going on in Room 237.

From hedge mazes to haunted bartenders, isolation to icy stares, the hosts dive into the film's symbolism, sound design, and its unique place in horror history. Bonus: they attempt to decode what Kubrick was trying to tell us or if he was just messing with everyone.

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🎧 Subscribe, rate & review on Apple , Spotify, or iHeartRadio – or Jack will NOT be a dull boy.

Throw your jacket over the clown and tune your TV to the right channel—it's time to talk Poltergeist.

This week, Art Hennessey and Erik Rodenhiser dive headfirst into the haunted heart of suburbia with the 1982 classic that made us all afraid of static, closets, and backyard swimming pools.

Was it Spielberg? Was it Hooper? Was it ancient spirits angry about real estate? The guys dig into the long-running director debate, while also revisiting that face-ripping scene, a very aggressive tree, and the world's most awesome ghost medium.

They explore the film's emotional depth, its groundbreaking practical effects, and why this movie still holds up like a stack of chairs.

Come for the horror history—stay for Erik's spiritual connection to Tangina and our fear of clown dolls.

Warning: This episode may cause sudden urges to move out of your house immediately.

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Let us know your favorite Poltergeist moment—or just send us haunted house stories. We're listening (probably from inside the TV).

Get your fishing gear, and get in losers — we're heading to Noyo!

This week on Midnight Cinema, Art and Erik wade waist-deep into the gooey, gory madness of Humanoids from the Deep (1980). It's mutant fish monsters meets small-town sleaze, with Roger Corman pulling the strings and a whole lot of practical effects chaos.

We're talking creature suits, explosions, and the ethical murkiness of grindhouse monster mayhem — plus the infamous behind-the-scenes drama that made this flick even weirder.

Grab a net, crack a beer, and join us as we reel in this cult classic from the slimy depths of B-movie history.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your low-budget creature feature breakdowns.

💀 New episodes every week—leave a review, tell your horror-loving weirdos, and remember: never trust a fish-man with a six-pack and bad intentions.

🌐 midnightcinemapod.com

📬 Got a deep-sea disasterpiece we need to cover? Email us at midnightcinemapod@gmail.com

Get your massive Stetson Hat on! We're heading to Snowfield Colorado with Lawrence of Arabia! 

This week on Midnight Cinema, Art and Erik dissect Dean R. Koontz's Phantoms, the 1998 sci-fi-horror-thriller-mystery-goo-creature-feature where Ben Affleck plays a sheriff (?!), Peter O'Toole delivers deep lore like he's in Hamlet, and the villain is... a sentient oil slick with a library card.

They unpack the film's baffling character choices, weirdly calm victims, and Liev Schreiber as the weirdest deputy sheriff in Colorado, even before he encounters the creatures! From spastic cinematography to on-the nose dialogue, they ask the big questions: How did this happen? Why did this happen? And who looked at Ben Affleck in 1998 and said, "Yes. Him. He should lead us against the ancient evil."

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We're heading back to the mall, everybody! 

This week on Midnight Cinema, Art and Erik rip into Zack Snyder's Dawn of the Dead (2004)—the zombie flick with sprinting corpses, mall carnage, chainsaws madness and, yes… a zombie baby. Plus, indie queen Sarah Polley somehow finds herself in the middle of it all!

They dig into why this remake still rips, how it holds up to the 1978 orginal and how it has influenced the genre! 

🎧 New episodes every week—subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you summon your nightmares.

💀 Got thoughts, film recs, or zombie survival tips? Email us at midnightcinemapod@gmail.com

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Grab Your Shopping Carts!

Art and Erik are shambling their way through George Romero's Dawn of the Dead, where the dead walk, the living bicker, and the mall is somehow both sanctuary and nightmare.

They chat all things zombie: from wild gore and weirder decisions to the surprisingly deep social satire hiding behind the blood splatter. The hosts unpack multiple cuts of the film (because of course there are like, seven), debate whether mall life is post-apocalyptic heaven or hell, and wonder why biker gangs always ruin everything.

And Erik keeps checking his room as it gets dark! 

It's a love letter to horror, a roast of late-stage capitalism, and a celebration of practical effects and poor planning—all in one juicy, undead-packed episode.

💀 Got thoughts, film recs, or zombie survival tips? Email us at midnightcinemapod@gmail.com
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🌕 And if you enjoy the show, leave us a review! It helps more weird movie lovers find us in the algorithm wasteland.

Sometimes a mass ritual sacrifice is necessary to keep up office morale! 

In this episode of Midnight Cinema, Art Hennessey and Erik Rodenhiser head into Cabin in the Woods—where the monsters are terrifying, but middle management might be worse. 

We're talking zombie redneck torture families, Latin no one should be reading, and a betting pool more intense than your March Madness bracket. From harbingers who don't get enough respect to control room chaos, we unpack all the glorious genre-bending madness and why Marty might just be the stoner messiah we deserve.

Oh, and if you think this movie is just another slasher flick? Just....keep watching.

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⭐ Like what you hear? Rate and review us—or the Ancient Ones might be displeased.

We're going on a road trip! So pack your tube tops, put the creepy mannequins in the trunk and grab your tiniest top hat!  Oh, and we just need to stop at this charming little roadside attraction called Slausen's Lost Oasis....

Our destination is Tourist Trap, an off-road nightmare from producer Charles Band and director David Schmoeller where flat tires lead to psychic chaos, mannequins scream like humans, and hospitality comes with an aw shucks smile and a creepy "brother" who prefers his guests permanently displayed! 

This week on Midnight Cinema, Art and Erik wander into one of the strangest backroads in '70s horror — a movie that feels like Texas Chainsaw Massacre by way of a department store mannequin closet.

We're digging into:

• The wonderfully unhinged performance by Chuck Connors as Mr. Slausen - part kindly host, part lonely widower, part… something else entirely.

• How this movie traumatized a generation because of its baffling MPAA rating! 

• The masks. The voices. The wigs. The vibes.

• Tayna Roberts in her first feature film! 

• The score that allegedly led producer Irwin Yablans to never speak to the Director again! 

Is it a slasher?
Is it supernatural?
Is it about loneliness?
Is it about consumerism?
Is it about hats?

If you make it out of the Lost Oasis with your face intact, we'd love to hear from you! You can reach out to us by telekenis or by checking us out at midnightcinemapod.com

Subscribe and follow wherever you listen - Apple Podcasts, Spotify  -   for more late-night dives into cult classics, cinematic disasters, and directions for your next road trip! 

And come hang with us on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for clips, chaos, behind-the-scenes nonsense, and possibly a mannequin or two... or three.

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Get ready to grab this fantastic beast by the horn!   

This week on Midnight Cinema, Art and Erik saddle up for a wild ride through the 2025 horror-comedy Death of a Unicorn starring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega.

We dive deep into its crazy mix of family drama, greed, gore and mythical creatures. 

Is it a cautionary tale wrapped in sparkles and gore—or just a unicorn-fueled fever dream? From practical effects vs. CGI to the movie's wild ending, the guys cover it all with their signature blend of insight and irreverence. 

Tune in for big laughs, hot takes, and maybe a few hooves to the heart.

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Was that a meteor that just landed? Break out your flash powder and Halloween masks! In this episode of Midnight Cinema, Art Hennessey and Erik Rodenhiser take a spoiler-filled deep dive (or maybe a panicked stumble) into the slimy, tentacle-filled world of The Deadly Spawn! This 1983 indie horror gem proves that all you need to make a cult classic is a basement, a few buckets of monster goop, a LOT of blood and absolutely zero regard for vegetarian dinner parties.

We break down the film's gooey special effects, the sheer audacity of its low-budget brilliance, and the bizarre family dynamics and weird love triangles buried under all that carnage. From basement massacres to lentil and tomato soup with green sauce, we revel in the nostalgia, the chaos, and the undeniable charm of a movie that asks, "What if aliens crashed on Earth and immediately developed an appetite for everyone?"

Join us as we celebrate The Deadly Spawn—because sometimes, the best horror is the kind that sneaks up on you while you're just trying to enjoy a nice meal.

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Check on your babies, gas up your dune buggies and get ready for a wild ride as Midnight Cinema dives into the bizarre, hilarious, and surprisingly action-packed world of Rumpelstiltskin (1995)! Hosts Art Hennessey and Erik Rodenhiser break down this horror-comedy gem, tackling its creepy moments, unhinged action, and just how much menace a tiny, rhyming goblin can really bring.

From budget constraints to bonkers police chases, from fairy tale roots to ridiculous one-liners, they leave no stone unturned. Does Rumpelstiltskin deliver genuine scares, or is it just a fever dream of 90s weirdness? Tune in for a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud deep dive into a film that might just be a little more fun than it has any right to be!

Let us know movies you'd like us to talk about!

Visit our website: Midnight Cinema with Art & Erik

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We're goin' to Vegas, baby! But bring your garlic and holy water. Fright Night 2011 brings us Colin Farrell as a sexy, but suspect, vampire himbo terrorizing the Nevada tract housing neighborhood of Anton Yelchin's Charlie. Who can help Charlie save the day? Could it be.... Dr. Who?  David Tennant takes on the role of Peter Vincent (Vampire... magician?) in this remake of the 1985 classic horror film  

Hosts Art Hennessey and Erik Rodenhiser dig into the reimaging of the characters, the tonal differences between the remake and the original, and CGI versus practical effects. 

Expect deep dives into Peter Vincent's evolution, Evil Ed's tragic arc, and the role of women and sex in the Fright Night franchise. 

Let us know movies you'd like us to talk about!

Visit our website: Midnight Cinema with Art & Erik

Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts