Horror Movie Survival Guide
554 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 days ago - ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsHorror Movie Survival Guide is a weekly podcast where two long time chums (and unlikely gorehounds) watch and talk about horror films from a survival point of view. We ask the question - how can *we* end up as the final girl? Join Julia Marchese and Teri Gamble as we take a deep dive into everything from OG horror to newly released films (but preferably classics on VHS). We'll talk about obscure details that no one else notices, spin off into alternate casting universes, crush on some foxy, dodgy fellows (and creepy uncles), and arm ourselves with the knowledge necessary to become The Final Girl!
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Episodes
Event Horizon "This place is a tomb."
May 06, 2019 19:00 - 31 minutes - 14.7 MBEvent Horizon has got a commendable cast (Sam Neill AND Laurence Fishburne!), fabulous set design, a fun high concept and incredible gory special effects to make it a sci-fi/horror classic. Support the Show.
The Thing "Chariots of the gods."
April 29, 2019 20:00 - 36 minutes - 17 MBJohn Carpenter's remake of Howard Hawks' 1951 film The Thing From Another World didn't do well initially on release, but now is thought of as an absolute sci-fi/horror classic. With a solid cast and some of the best horror special effects ever put on screen (yass Rob Bottin) this film is stupendous from start to finish. Support the Show.
Fire in the Sky "You left me there?"
April 22, 2019 22:00 - 40 minutes - 18.8 MBBased on the "true story" of Travis Walton, who was abducted by aliens for 5 days in 1975 in Arizona. The film boasts an impressive cast including James Garner, Robert Patrick and DB Sweeney, and one of the most truly terrifying alien abduction scenes ever put to screen. Support the Show.
Alien "Space Kitty"
April 15, 2019 23:00 - 35 minutes - 16.1 MBRidley Scott's 1979 is considered a classic for a reason - the camerawork and design is awe inspiring, the special effects still look incredible, and the acting is top notch. A perfect blend of science fiction and horror that plays just as well today as it did 40 years ago. Support the Show.
Let the Right One In "Squeal Piggy"
April 08, 2019 04:00 - 38 minutes - 17.8 MBThis Swedish vampire film blew horror fans away upon it's release - it dreary Scandnavian setting is so unique, and it features angel faced psychotic boy for a hero and a vampire who's been 12 for a very long time for our heroine, this film is marching to the beat of its own sad drum, and we love it! Support the Show.
Sleepwalkers "Cop Kabob"
April 02, 2019 04:00 - 35 minutes - 16.4 MBStephen King wrote this flick especially for the big screen, and his good buddy Mick Garris directs. It follows a pair of supernatural, immortal, incestuous sleepwalkers as they search for a female virgin to suck the life force out of - and find such a girl in the form of the luminous Madchen Amick, hot of the set of Twin Peaks. Support the Show.
Ju-On "The Three of Them Look In."
March 25, 2019 04:00 - 45 minutes - 20.9 MBComing in the wave of J-Horror, this film is scary as all get out and is even scarier because it is based on actual Japanese legends. Both Julia and Teri are terrified of this one - which is saying a lot. Gore, ghosts, grudges ahoy! Support the Show.
Martin "I am Always Careful with Needles."
March 18, 2019 04:00 - 32 minutes - 15.1 MBThis week Julia corrupts Teri by watching George A. Romero's Martin. They gush over how into Martin they are. What's your verdict, hot or not? Support the Show.
Oculus "Hello again. You must be hungry"
March 11, 2019 04:00 - 39 minutes - 18.1 MBJulia loves this film and is thrilled to be able to talk about it - Mike Flanagan directs and Karen Gillan stars in this little seen, but extremely excellent film surrounding the Lasser Glass, a murderous mirror that distorts reality. Smart, scary and original! Support the Show.
The Stay Awake "I am the angel of darkness"
March 04, 2019 05:00 - 28 minutes - 13 MBAn official Horror Movie Notebook Selection - this film centers on a group of schoolgirls staying up all night to raise money for their school, but the spirit of a serial killer is stalking them as well. It's...very...wandery. Support the Show.
Happy Death Day "What is breakfast, Becky?"
February 25, 2019 05:00 - 31 minutes - 14.6 MBHorror Movie Survival Guide leaps into modern horror with 2017's Happy Death Day, a super fun horror movie take on Groundhog's Day - when Tree is murdered, but wakes up again in the same day - she realizes she has unlimited chances to solve her own death. Support the Show.
The Shining "You've Always Been the Caretaker."
February 18, 2019 05:00 - 37 minutes - 17.2 MBOn this episode we welcome a new horror survival protegé, Teri Gamble, into the Horror Movie Survival Guide fold. Julia and Teri dive into the classic, Stanley Kubrick's, The Shining. Surprisingly, Teri had never seen this film and it wasn't in Julia's horror movie notebook. Kubrick's masterpiece in madness follows the Torrance family as they become the winter caretakers of the Overlook Hotel, a haunted house if there ever was one. Stephen King's story give rich material for Kubrick to pla...
Freaks "The code of the freaks"
February 11, 2019 05:00 - 41 minutes - 19 MBTod Browning's follow up to Dracula is a film that feels as fresh, modern and horrifying today as it did in 1932. Following the loves and losses of circus folk backstage, this movie reels you in and doesn't let go until the ghastly finale. We also say goodbye to our lovely Marion as she moves on from Horror Movie Survival Guide. But, this does enable Julia to corrupt another victim into her den of horrors. Bwhaahaahaahaahaaaaaa. Support the Show.
The Haunting "Whose hand was I holding?"
February 04, 2019 05:00 - 39 minutes - 18.1 MBPerhaps the perfect haunted house movie, this black and white stunner from Robert Wise sets the bar for how to film a ghost hunt. Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Russ Tamblyn and Richard Johnson star as a quartet determined to find out if Hill House is, indeed, haunted. Is it? Go on, guess... Support the Show.
Poltergeist 2: The Other Side "I cahoot with no one"
January 28, 2019 05:00 - 34 minutes - 15.9 MBThe freaky Freeling family is back in this sequel to the smash hit, plagued again by ghosts trapped between dimensions who desperately want the light of that little cutie Carol Anne. Spectacular practical effects ahoy! Support the Show.
C.H.U.D. "It still doesn't wash, Bosch"
January 21, 2019 05:00 - 43 minutes - 20 MBA low budget horror film that feels like a higher budget film solely on the quality of the actors involved - John Heard, Kim Griest, a bombastic Daniel Stern, and even a cameo by a baby faced John Goodman! This film puts the grit in gritty 80's New York City, oh and did I mention there are cannibalistic humanoid underground dwellers involved? Support the Show.
The Dead Zone "The ice is gonna break!"
January 14, 2019 05:00 - 39 minutes - 18 MBIt's a Stephen King/David Cronenberg mash up! Throw a little Christopher Walken in the mix and you are headed towards The Dead Zone! Walken's Johnny wakes up from a coma with mysterious psychometry powers and must decide how to use them for good. Or stopping evil. Support the Show.
Fade to Black "Bet you didn't know that!"
January 07, 2019 05:00 - 39 minutes - 18.3 MBMarion and Julia are so happy to finally get to cover Fade to Black, one of their very favorite, under seen horror films. Dennis Christopher slays the role of Eric Binford, a lonely film fanatic whose line between reality and fantasy snaps as he begins dressing as film characters and murdering those who have wronged him. A fabulous concept, and fun execution! Highly recommended! Support the Show.
Horror Movie Survival Guide Happy New Year 2019
December 31, 2018 17:00 - 9 minutes - 4.28 MBJulia, Marion, and producer Teri wish all you horror movie survivalists a happy 2019! Thanks for listening and we will keep bringing you horror movie survival tips and trivia in the new year! Support the Show.
Day of the Dead "Choke on Them"
December 24, 2018 20:00 - 35 minutes - 16.5 MBGeorge Romero's final film in his "Dead" trilogy, following Night and Dawn, this film is a perfect continuation of the zombie apocalypse and where humanity winds up. We love that Romero is more concerned with the ramifications of a zombie takeover on the humans than on the creatures themselves. A fantastic film. Support the Show.
Fright Night "Oh, you're so cool, Brewster!"
December 18, 2018 00:00 - 42 minutes - 19.6 MBOne of Marion and Julia's VERY favorite vampire films, written and directed by Tom Holland, this films hits all of the right comedy/horror notes - with terrific makeup effects, a great soundtrack and lovable characters, this films has it all. If you haven't seen it, what are you waiting for? Support the Show.
The Dark Half "The sparrows are flying again"
December 11, 2018 00:00 - 41 minutes - 19.2 MBGeorge Romero and Stephen King team up again for 1993's The Dark Half, in which Timothy Hutton plays Thad Beaumont, a writer who has to kill off his author alter ego, George Stark, once his identity has been found out. But George isn't too happy about it. Superb performances and a super cool concept. Plus it's Stephen King, so you know Julia is happy! Support the Show.
Strange Invaders "The lady said no, fella."
December 04, 2018 02:00 - 32 minutes - 14.9 MB1983's Strange Invaders has an all star cast, including Nancy Allen, Louise Fletcher, Wallace Shawn and Michael Lerner, but never quite hits its mark. Aliens in a small town are involved, as well as some excellent special make up effects. A fun view, but slightly puzzling. Support the Show.
The Amityville Horror "Get Out!"
November 26, 2018 22:00 - 38 minutes - 17.7 MBThe infamous Amityville murder house gets it's big screen due in this 1979 blockbuster, starring Margot Kidder and James Brolin. A wonderful addition to the haunted house genre, and a film full of scares and imaginary pigs named Jody! Support the Show.
The Dorm that Dripped Blood "Gosh That Thing Stinks"
November 20, 2018 00:00 - 30 minutes - 14 MBJulia and Marion discuss The Dorm That Dripped Blood. Don't you think everything you need to know about this movie is in the title? Listen to find out. Support the Show.
Shocker "Jesus, that chair really kicks ass."
November 13, 2018 05:00 - 36 minutes - 16.7 MB1989's Shocker is a teenage boy pleaser, with its heavy metal soundtrack and bad ass baddie, Horace Pinker. A lot of Wes Craven trademarks in this film, and parallels to A Nightmare on Elm Street, with Peter Berg picking up the lead role as Jonathan Parker, a young man whose dreams might just be the key to finding the killer. Support the Show.
Deadly Friend "BB!"
November 05, 2018 05:00 - 27 minutes - 12.8 MBKristy Swanston stars in Wes Craven's 1986 film Deadly Friend as Samantha, a teen killed by her father and brought back to life with a microchip in her brain by the kid genius next door - this film is a little all over the place, but if you've ever dreamed of Kristy Swanson doing robotic mime moves, this movie is for you. Support the Show.
Halloween Special Episode - Movie Night with Marion and Julia - New Nightmare
November 01, 2018 04:00 - 1 hour - 48.8 MBHappy Halloween everyone! Today we are releasing a special episode. We love horror movies and want to watch them with all our fans. This is the next best thing. We recorded commentary to Wes Craven's New Nightmare. You can play this episode while watching the movie and it will be like we are right there beside you with Marion covering her eyes. Hope you enjoy it. Let us know what you think. And remember the lessons to becoming the Final Girl! Support the Show.
The Hills Have Eyes "Stay on the main road."
October 29, 2018 04:00 - 34 minutes - 16.1 MBIn the 1970's, Wes Craven was brutal and this film is no exception. An unflinching look at the lengths a family will go to survive, this film is bleak and primal, only mere cinematic steps away from Last House on the Left. Plus, cannibals! Support the Show.
Last House on the Left "Same old stuff. Murder and Mayhem"
October 22, 2018 04:00 - 32 minutes - 14.8 MBWe start our series of Wes Craven films with the master's very first film, and his most savage, 1972' Last House on the Left, a super sleazy sexploitation rape revenge remake of Ingmar Bergman's 1960 film,The Virgin Spring. Horror at its most extreme. Support the Show.
The Believers "Smoke Attracts the Gods"
October 15, 2018 04:00 - 43 minutes - 19.9 MBMarion and Julia discuss 1987's little seen, The Believers. Directed by John Schlesinger and starring Martin Sheen and Helen Shaver. Support the Show.
Christine "God, I hate Rock and Roll"
October 08, 2018 04:00 - 37 minutes - 17.2 MBJohn Carpenter and Stephen King team up in 1983's Christine, all about a car with a very jealous, murderous nature. Fun chills and thrills and the adorable Keith Gordon as a cherry on top! Support the Show.
The Uninvited "They Call Them the Haunted Shores"
October 01, 2018 04:00 - 29 minutes - 13.8 MBMarion and Julia delve into the 1944 ghost story, The Uninvited. Support the Show.
Dawn of the Dead "Wake Up Sucker!"
September 23, 2018 04:00 - 43 minutes - 20.2 MBJulia and Marion discuss George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead. It is a zombie classic. Support the Show.
The Bride "Nuts and Cake"
September 17, 2018 04:00 - 33 minutes - 62.3 MBIf you have ever fantasized about Sting as Dr. Frankenstein and Jennifer Beals as the Bride, then this movie is for you! And it's like two movies in one, because we ALSO get Clancy Brown as Viktor "The Monster" Frankenstein and Time Bandit's David Rappaport on a side mission to join the circus! It doesn't quite work, but there's a lot to chew on! Support the Show.
The Bride "Nuts and Cake"
September 17, 2018 04:00 - 33 minutes - 62.3 MBIf you have ever fantasized about Sting as Dr. Frankenstein and Jennifer Beals as the Bride, then this movie is for you! And it's like two movies in one, because we ALSO get Clancy Brown as Viktor "The Monster" Frankenstein and Time Bandit's David Rappaport on a side mission to join the circus! It doesn't quite work, but there's a lot to chew on!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/HorrorMovieSurvivalGuide)
He Knows You're Alone "Want a Goober?"
September 10, 2018 04:00 - 28 minutes - 53.8 MBTom Hanks makes his illustrious film debut in this little seen Halloween knock off. Ostensibly about a killer who goes after brides, this flick has some enjoyable characters, a few scares and an adorable mortician - what more do you need? Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/HorrorMovieSurvivalGuide)
He Knows You're Alone "Want a Goober?"
September 10, 2018 04:00 - 28 minutes - 53.8 MBTom Hanks makes his illustrious film debut in this little seen Halloween knock off. Ostensibly about a killer who goes after brides, this flick has some enjoyable characters, a few scares and an adorable mortician - what more do you need? Support the Show.
The Blob "Ribbed"
September 03, 2018 04:00 - 35 minutes - 16.2 MBChuck Russell's super fun remake of The Blob has lots of superb gory effects and rockin' characters too! Shawnee Smith, Kevin Dillon and - Julia's favorite- Donovan Leitch star. A rad romp! Support the Show.
Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles "What if all I have is my suffering?"
August 27, 2018 04:00 - 43 minutes - 81.8 MBAnne Rice's modern take on the vampire comes to life with Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt tearing up the scenery and each other's hearts. With a sweeping score, gorgeous cinematography and extraordinary makeup, this is what happens when vampires have a big budget! Support the show
Interview with the Vampire - "What if all I have is my suffering?"
August 27, 2018 04:00 - 43 minutes - 81.7 MBAnne Rice's modern take on the vampire comes to life with Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt tearing up the scenery and each other's hearts. With a sweeping score, gorgeous cinematography and extraordinary makeup, this is what happens when vampires have a big budget! Support the Show.
Firestarter "Burn it all down, baby."
August 20, 2018 04:00 - 36 minutes - 16.9 MBFinishing up our killer kids round is the awesome film adaptation of Stephen King's Firestarter, with an all star cast led by little yet ferocious Drew Barrymore as Charlie, who must go on the lam when the government comes after her and her father to experiment on their special powers - including setting things on fire with a single look. The government's got some toasty work ahead of them! Support the Show.
It's Alive "What's wrong with my baby?"
August 13, 2018 04:00 - 29 minutes - 13.5 MBWith a score by Bernard Herrmann and makeup effects by Rick Baker, this film should knock it out of the park, and yet...It's Alive is as low budget as it gets (though is spawned 2 sequels!) and takes on the killer kid theme to a new height - killer babies! Larry Cohen's grindhouse schlockfest could use some serious trimming, but it's got a blood thirsty infant at the center of it, so there's that! Support the Show.
Bloody Birthday "All her brains are in her bra."
August 06, 2018 04:00 - 32 minutes - 14.9 MBOur killer kid theme continues with this 1981 film about three psychotic, voyeuristic astrologically linked 10 year olds who go on a killing spree to punish everyone who has done them wrong. A plucky final girl, lots of gratuitous nudity and a bow and arrow death - what more can you ask for in a film? Support the Show.
Children of the Corn "He who walks behind the rows"
July 30, 2018 04:00 - 33 minutes - 62.8 MBChildren of the Corn, based on Stephen King's short story about a Nebraska town overrun by murderous teen and child religious cult members spawned 8 sequels as of this date and may still be chugging along as a series. Linda Hamilton and Peter Horton star as the hapless couple who stumble upon the town's evil and get dragged further into its clutches than they ever imagined. Support the Show.
The Serpent and the Rainbow "Don't let them bury me! I'm not dead!"
July 23, 2018 04:00 - 43 minutes - 19.9 MBWes Craven travels south to Haiti to join Bill Pullman's Harvard anthropologist Dennis Alan in his quest for a powder that can kill any human - then bring them back to life as a zombie - because somehow this will be helpful back at Harvard to create a new kind of anesthetic? Anyway, many voodoo frights await him in this moodily directed, surprisingly political horror flick. Support the Show.
Hell Night "These quaaludes are murder on my skin"
July 16, 2018 04:00 - 37 minutes - 17.2 MBIt starts out as just a good old fashioned sorority & fraternity hazing ritual of spending the night inside the infamous Garth Manor where hideous murders occurred and where some of the "gorked out" survivors maybe still live - and it's only going downhill from there. Linda Blair shines as Marti, who is going to go through the wringer tonight along with three other pledges, when unexpected visitors turn this seemingly innocuous Halloween prank into Hell Night! Support the Show.
Dead Calm "Try to stay calm"
July 09, 2018 04:00 - 37 minutes - 17.1 MBWhen your film has only three characters, you know that those three actors are going to be giving some intense performances, and Dead Calm doesn't disappoint. Sam Neill, Nicole Kidman and Billy Zane play to the rafters and do some really impressive stunts - including under water work, fight and sex scenes AND Nicole Kidman actually steering a yacht in a storm. Support the Show.
Hellraiser "Jesus wept"
July 03, 2018 04:00 - 35 minutes - 16.1 MBClive Barker's feature film debut has "Clive Barker" written all over it, and that's why Hellraiser works so well - it's one man's vision to marry gore and sex, repulsion and glamour. The story is fresh and unashamed of its perversity, Ashely Laurence shines in her first movie role as Kirsty, a bad ass Final Girl up there in the ranks - I mean, she's fighting demons (or angels?) from hell and she holds her own. An all around top score of 5's from us means that this film ROCKS. Support the Show.
Arachnophobia "Not the chateau!"
June 25, 2018 04:00 - 42 minutes - 19.7 MBFrank Marshall's directorial debut is a big budget ode to low budget monster movies and is a thrill ride for spider haters everywhere. Terrific performances by Jeff Daniels and John Goodman, plus more spider jump scares than you can shake a stick at, this film is fun for everyone! Support the Show.