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!
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Ghoulies "Toadboy needs sweet meat for his tum"
June 18, 2018 04:00 - 34 minutes - 16 MBLittle monsters indeed. This film is a confusing mess, but hey! At least there's a ghoulie on the VHS cover coming out of a toilet wearing suspenders!* (*no actual ghoulie suspender wearing occurs in this film) Plus - Jack Nance! Support the Show.
The Gate "Demons aren't going to ring the doorbell"
June 11, 2018 04:00 - 35 minutes - 16.3 MBThis flick boasts the film debut of Stephen Dorff, special effects that are outta site, and a bitchin' best friend, Terry, who just loves him some satanic Canadian thrash metal. Lucky he does, because that record album might just come in handy when a demonic hole opens in the backyard... Support the Show.
Critters "We're here for the crites"
June 06, 2018 04:00 - 37 minutes - 17.1 MBStephen Herek's 1986 creature feature is full of silliness, gore, intergalactic bounty hunters and Billy Zane with an earring/ponytail. When the crites hijack a spaceship and hightail it to Earth, they didn't expect to face off against the plucky Scott Grimes and Dee Wallace Stone! Fine little monster fun! Support the Show.
Exorcist 2: The Heretic "Perverted and Perverting"
May 29, 2018 04:00 - 39 minutes - 18.6 MBLinda Blair stars again as Regan, now a teenage girl more interested in tap dancing than demons, gets sucked back into Pazuzu's world of pain through a hypnotic synchronizer, apoplectic Richard Burton and James Earl Jones in a locust costume. Really! Support the show
Exorcist 2: The Heretic "Perverted and Perverting"
May 29, 2018 04:00 - 39 minutes - 18.2 MBLinda Blair stars again as Regan, now a teenage girl more interested in tap dancing than demons, gets sucked back into Pazuzu's world of pain through a hypnotic synchronizer, apoplectic Richard Burton and James Earl Jones in a locust costume. Really! Support the Show.
A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge "You are all my children now"
May 21, 2018 04:00 - 36 minutes - 16.9 MBHot on the heels of 1984's Nightmare on Elm Street, and hot to cash in on this Freddy fellow, Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge follows Jessie, the weirdo boy who just unknowingly moved into Nancy's house and suddenly finds himself face to face with a man with knives for fingers who...wants him to kill for him? This is gonna turn out well, right? Support the Show.
Pet Sematary 2 "Why did you dig up my wife?"
May 14, 2018 04:00 - 42 minutes - 19.7 MBMary Lambert, director of the original Pet Sematary, comes back for more Micmac Burial Ground madness in this 1992 sequel, starring Eddie Furlong and Anthony Edwards as son and father who move to the same tiny town of Ludlow, Maine, and get mixed up in some gnarly undead action. Support the Show.
Halloween 2 "I shot him six times!"
May 07, 2018 04:00 - 43 minutes - 19.8 MBStarting our round of sequels is 1981's Halloween 2, notable for starting the EXACT second the first one ends and finishing up Michael's long, bloody night of carnage candy in an abandoned hospital, with Dr. Loomis hot on his heels, and newcomer (and Horror Movie Survival Guide favorite) Jimmy hot for Laurie - what will happen on the rest of the night he came home? Support the Show.
The Lost Boys "We trashed the one that looks like Twisted Sister"
April 30, 2018 04:00 - 46 minutes - 21.2 MBJoel Schumacher's quintessential 80's vampire movie flipped the script on the undead, turning the villains into heroes, and heroes into...well, weird comic book obsessed vampire hunters. Glamour, glitter, the first team up of the Coreys, Keifer Sutherland on full blast AND Timmy Cappello playing that sax and shaking his hips with all his might! It's fun to be a vampire! Support the Show.
The Lost Boys "We trashed the one that looks like Twisted Sister"
April 30, 2018 04:00 - 46 minutes - 21.7 MBJoel Schumacher's quintessential 80's vampire movie flipped the script on the undead, turning the villains into heroes, and heroes into...well, weird comic book obsessed vampire hunters. Glamour, glitter, the first team up of the Coreys, Keifer Sutherland on full blast AND Timmy Cappello playing that sax and shaking his hips with all his might! It's fun to be a vampire!Support the show
Altered States "You are a Faust freak"
April 24, 2018 04:00 - 39 minutes - 18 MBKen Russell directs 1980's Altered States, based on the novel by Paddy Chayefsky (who also wrote the screenplay - and then took his name off of it). This movie features the film debuts of both William Hurt and Drew Barrymore, and involves hallucinogenic psychedelic drugs, sensory depravation tanks and the eternal search for the "first self". Deep stuff! Support the Show.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein "Raw Materials"
April 16, 2018 04:00 - 42 minutes - 19.9 MB1994 saw Kenneth Branagh giving 110% to starring/directing Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - a thinking man's version of the classic tale, somewhat faithfully adapted from the famous novel. Everything's ramped up to a 12, Robert DeNiro is our monster and Kenny B sports some wicked abs, so you know it's a sight to behold! Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/HorrorMovieSurvivalGuide)
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein "Raw Materials"
April 16, 2018 04:00 - 42 minutes - 19.6 MB1994 saw Kenneth Branagh giving 110% to starring/directing Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - a thinking man's version of the classic tale, somewhat faithfully adapted from the famous novel. Everything's ramped up to a 12, Robert DeNiro is our monster and Kenny B sports some wicked abs, so you know it's a sight to behold! Support the Show.
Suspiria "Do you know anything about witches?"
April 09, 2018 04:00 - 38 minutes - 17.6 MBDario Argento's 1977 cinematic sensory assault Suspiria is a giallo classic for a reason - the iconic score, the instantly recognizable color scheme, the bright red gore - this film is a must see! Jessica Harper is a new ballet student, cringing and sneaking endlessly around the dance academy where something strange is afoot! What could the secret be? Support the Show.
Nightmares "I am the Bishop of Battle"
April 03, 2018 04:00 - 39 minutes - 18.1 MBRounding out our horror anthology series, Nightmares is definitely the least seen of the bunch. It features 4 stories, and features not only a juuust pre Repo Man Emilio Estevez as an arcade junkie, and Lance Henriksen as a priest! Support the Show.
Tales from the Darkside "I loathe Zuni aesthetics"
March 26, 2018 04:00 - 44 minutes - 20.4 MB1990's Tales from the Darkside is a star studded, gory, ghastly and great anthology horror film, with Stephen King being represented again, as well as Arthur Conan Doyle. Julianne Moore makes her big screen debut, and Steve Buscemi, Christian Slater, James Remar and Debbie Harry being some of the other rad actors in the film. Support the Show.
Tales from the Darkside "I loathe Zuni aesthetics"
March 26, 2018 04:00 - 44 minutes - 20.4 MB1990's Tales from the Darkside is a star studded, gory, ghastly and great anthology horror film, with Stephen King being represented again, as well as Arthur Conan Doyle. Julianne Moore makes her big screen debut, and Steve Buscemi, Christian Slater, James Remar and Debbie Harry being some of the other rad actors in the film. Support the show
Cat's Eye "Play it faster!"
March 20, 2018 04:00 - 38 minutes - 17.8 MBA triple dose of Stephen King 1985's Cat's Eye continues our look into the sub-genre of anthology horror, with three grisly tales for the price of one, united by a hitchhiking cat and "our girl" Drew Barrymore! Support the Show.
Creepshow "Call me Billie, everyone does."
March 12, 2018 04:00 - 44 minutes - 20.4 MBWhen George Romero, Tom Savini and Stephen King team up for a horror anthology film, you know you're in for a gory good time! 5 mini movies in one, each with a delicious amount of gore and an amazing cast including Stephen King (!), Leslie Nielsen, Ed Harris, Ted Danson, Adrienne Barbeau and Hal Holbrook, amongst others! PLUS a fun old school, colorful horror comic theme! Ain't no party like a Romero/King/Savini party! Support the Show.
The People Under the Stairs "Run, fool!"
March 06, 2018 05:00 - 29 minutes - 13.8 MBWritten and directed by Wes Craven, this film is an excercise in surface normality hiding a wealth of perversion and violence, brought to you by Everett McGill and Wendy Robie! If you have ever dreamed of seeing Big Ed from Twin Peaks in a gimp suit, this movie is for you! Support the Show.
Jaws "Amity means friendship"
February 26, 2018 05:00 - 38 minutes - 17.8 MBSteven Spielberg changed summer movie going (and ocean swimming) forever with his 1975 blockbuster, starring Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw. A notoriously horrific shoot somehow was transformed into a perfect film. Maybe this Spielberg kid has some talent? Support the Show.
Pumpkinhead (1988) "Nothing can call it off."
February 19, 2018 05:00 - 36 minutes - 16.8 MBStan Winston's directorial debut is a grim fairy tale involving a bitchin' vengeance demon (come on, it's Stan Winston! You KNOW the monster effects will rock) and Lance Henricksen! Support the Show.
Bram Stoker's Dracula "Canapé Dr. Seward?"
February 12, 2018 05:00 - 36 minutes - 17 MBFrancis Ford Coppola uses every camera trick in the director's book for this lush, opulent, sexy version of Dracula - and if Gary Oldman as Dracula doesn't lure you in (and it should!), how about a supporting cast including Winona Ryder, Tom Waits, Cary Elwes and Anthony Hopkins! (Notice Keanu was not mentioned - ahem.) Support the Show.
In The Mouth of Madness "I am not insane!"
February 05, 2018 05:00 - 36 minutes - 16.6 MBJohn Carpenter's little seen 1994 flick In the Mouth of Madness stars everyone's favorite Sam Neill as a insurance agent drawn into a mind melting Lovercraftian horror courtesy of the mind of horror novelist Sutter Cane. Support the Show.
Child's Play "This is the end, friend."
February 01, 2018 05:00 - 34 minutes - 15.7 MBTom Holland's 1988 film is the beginning of another iconic horror franchise - everyone's favorite serial killer possessed Good Guy doll - Chucky! Support the Show.
Psycho "Let's all talk about Marion, shall we?"
January 22, 2018 05:00 - 40 minutes - 18.6 MBPsycho is known as Hitchcock's masterpiece for a reason - the film is flawless. From outstanding opening title sequences to brilliant camerawork, from breath taking performances to iconic shower scenes and mind melting twist endings, this film is genius from soup to nuts. Support the Show.
Friday the 13th "It's got a death curse!"
January 15, 2018 05:00 - 39 minutes - 18.2 MBSean S. Cunningham's horror classic Friday the 13th influence on the horror genre cannot be exaggerated. Often imitated but never duplicated (not even by any of its own sequels), the OG Friday the 13th is a Tom Savini fueled blood spurting camp counselor slashing ball of fun! Support the Show.
House "It's me! The grocery boy!"
January 08, 2018 05:00 - 35 minutes - 16.5 MBMade by horror movie royalty - story by Fred Dekker, produced by Sean S. Cunningham and directed by Steve Miner, this film is a special effects delight, with lots of practical scares, and more William Katt than you can shake a harpoon gun at! Support the Show.
Happy New Year Mini-Sode
January 01, 2018 05:00 - 9 minutes - 4.64 MBMarion and Julia list the horror movies they are most excited to revisit in the coming year. We can tell that there is already some disagreements and some squeamishness on Marion's part.See you next week with House. Support the Show.
Merry Scary Christmas
December 25, 2017 05:00 - 7 minutes - 3.65 MBMerry Christmas from Horror Movie Survival Guide. We made a mini-episode where we talk about Christmas horror flix we love, and some we hate. Thanks for listening and have a happy holiday! Support the Show.
The Frighteners "My body is a roadmap of pain!"
December 18, 2017 05:00 - 40 minutes - 18.4 MBPeter Jackson having fun - and who doesn't love that? Michael J Fox shines as possible con man, definite psychic Frank Bannister, whose talent for seeing dead people gets him in a whole lot of trouble, and he's bringing Trini Alvarado along for the ride. Lots of special effects and scares, plus Jeffrey Combs at his twitchy, psychotic best. Support the Show.
Waxwork "They'll make a movie about anything these days."
December 11, 2017 05:00 - 37 minutes - 17.3 MBA fun romp with a great mid 80's cast - including Zach Galligan, Deborah Foreman, David Warner and John Rhys Davies - this film is like several genre films all tucked neatly inside one horror package - with a little something for everybody. Support the Show.
American Werewolf in London (1981) "See you next Wednesday!"
December 04, 2017 05:00 - 34 minutes - 15.8 MBJohn Landis' 1981 rock em sock em balls out werewolf flick is the standard to which all other werewolf films are set. The perfect blend of horror and comedy, with a pitch perfect script, terrific performances, mind blowing special effects, and a Piccadilly-Circus-in-chaos ending that goes above and beyond - this flick is a must see. Support the Show.
Carrie "Dirty Pillows"
November 27, 2017 05:00 - 41 minutes - 19.1 MBWhere would Stephen King be without Brian De Palma's 1976 tour de force adaptation of his first novel, Carrie? The movie launched King to stardom, along with a few other folks - John Travolta, Nancy Allen and Sissy Spacek among them. Come for the religious insanity, stay for the telekinetic terror! Support the Show.
Silver Bullet "Part human. Part wolf. Total terror."
November 20, 2017 05:00 - 28 minutes - 13.4 MBIf watching Corey Haim chase werewolves in a souped up wheelchair named Silver Bullet doesn't float your boat, how about if we add Gary Busey into the mix as a drunken, Hawaiian shirt wearing, rowdy, good for nothing uncle? There! Thought that might be more your ticket! 1985's Stephen King's Silver Bullet has got both, plus Anne of Green Gables, Big Ed and a whole church full of werewolves! Really! Support the Show.
Salem's Lot "He commands it."
November 13, 2017 05:00 - 30 minutes - 13.9 MBTobe Hooper's adaptation of Stephen King's Salem's Lot was released not in theaters, but on televisions back in 1979. When someone as legendary as James Mason stars as a servant to evil, you know you're in for a good time. Support the Show.
Pet Sematary "Sometimes dead is better."
November 06, 2017 05:00 - 39 minutes - 18.1 MBStephen King adaptations don't get much better than Mary Lambert's 1989 flick, Pet Sematary. Ghastly ghosts, zombie cats, terrifying secret sisters and a toddler doing damage with a scalpel, this flick's got it all. Not to mention truck drivers singing Ramones, Fred Gwynne being rad, and sacred Indian burial grounds... Support the Show.
Halloween "It's Halloween. Everyone is entitled to one good scare."
October 30, 2017 04:00 - 34 minutes - 15.8 MBHalloween - What better movie to watch on Halloween than...Halloween! Yes, a little on the nose, but it just fits so perfectly, how can you not? John Carpenter's 1978 slasher flick introduced killer extraordinaire Michael Myers to the horror world, and made Jamie Lee Curtis into a bonafide scream queen. Support the Show.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre "My family's always been in meat."
October 23, 2017 04:00 - 38 minutes - 17.8 MBTexas Chainsaw Massacre - This is the scariest movie Julia has ever seenTobe Hooper's mind blowing 1974 flick, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, is for the hardcore horror hounds only. Raw, gritty and really messed up, this film takes horror to a whole other level. The first time Marion and Julia watched this film, they came out on the other side completely shell shocked - and with terrible headaches for holding their bodies so tensely for the entire film. Support the Show.
Rosemary's Baby "Witches! All of them witches!"
October 16, 2017 04:00 - 33 minutes - 15.6 MBRosemary's Baby - This is the scariest movie Marion has ever seen.When it comes to an atmosphere of claustrophobia, ain't nobody got nuthin' on Roman Polanski's 1968 horror classic, Rosemary's Baby. Antiquated New York city apartment buildings take on a demonic presence, anybody you know could be in a satanic cult AND Mia Farrow gets to freak the freak out - what's not to love? Support the Show.
Night of the Living Dead "They Are Coming To Get You Barbra"
October 09, 2017 04:00 - 31 minutes - 14.4 MBNight of the Living Dead Horror legend George Romero single handedly kicked off the zombie genre with his 1968's tour de force, Night of the Living Dead. Marion and Julia love them some Romero, and think this flick should be everyone's blueprint when making a people trapped in a house movie. Perfecto.
Night of the Living Dead "They're Coming To Get You, Barbara"
October 09, 2017 04:00 - 31 minutes - 14.4 MBNight of the Living Dead Horror legend George Romero single handedly kicked off the zombie genre with his 1968's tour de force, Night of the Living Dead. Marion and Julia love them some Romero, and think this flick should be everyone's blueprint when making a people trapped in a house movie. Perfecto. Support the Show.
The Changeling "My Medal"
October 02, 2017 04:00 - 27 minutes - 12.6 MBThe ChangelingWhen your main character is someone as tough as George C. Scott, you know your ghost better be bringing his A game. And so he does in this based on a true story, light on gore but heavy on atmosphere flick from 1980. Support the Show.
Evil Dead "Shut It Off"
September 26, 2017 04:00 - 34 minutes - 15.7 MBEvil DeadSam Raimi's 1981 goofy, crazy, inventive horror classic is a joy to watch and talk about. Bruce Campbell being covered in fluids and thrown in shelving, tortuous glass contact lenses and burning furniture to keep warm - this film was horrific to make, but will live on in the horror hound hall of fame as the ultimate DIY horror flick forever. Support the Show.
Lady in White "Did You Ever See A Dream Walking?"
September 18, 2017 04:00 - 29 minutes - 13.6 MBLukas Haas stars in this little seen 1988 ghost story, where a little boy suddenly becomes part of a hunt for a serial killer who only targets children. But who is the mysterious Lady in White who roams the cliffs? Listen to find out! Support the Show.
Poltergeist "Cross Over Children. All Are Welcome."
September 11, 2017 04:00 - 36 minutes - 16.6 MBMarion and Julia discuss Tobe Hooper's 1982 horror classic Poltergeist, in all of its gory, ghostly glory. A PG film in which a man rips his own face off, there's lots to talk about with this flick! Support the Show.
Cutting Class "To Be Or Not To Be. Eat Me Dwight."
September 04, 2017 04:00 - 29 minutes - 13.8 MBDonovan Leitch...and who? Brad Pitt? Nah...Donovan Leitch stars in the little seen teen slasher flick Cutting Class, with Julia and Marion bringing it back into the light. Support the Show.
Candy Man "The Pain will be Exquisite"
August 28, 2017 04:00 - 28 minutes - 13 MBWe dare you to listen to this episode on the urban legend fueled flick Candyman, and if you're a true gorehound like us, we promise sweets to the sweet Support the Show.
Shriek of the Mutilated "White Meat or Dark"
August 21, 2017 04:00 - 27 minutes - 12.7 MBThe superbly titled Shriek of the Mutilated is the subject of this week's episode, with Marion and Julia squeezing every groovy drop out of this shlockfest. Support the Show.
Jacob's Ladder "New York is Hell"
August 14, 2017 04:00 - 28 minutes - 13 MBJulia and Marion chat about Adrian Lyne's 1990 psychological mind buster Jacob's Ladder. Be prepared for much Tim Robbins and Danny Aiello love....and lots of demons. Support the Show.