Food and Frightening Film Fanatics Podcast

The "Cat People" Franchise And Favorite Serbian Dishes

This week we cover some lesser known films It's the three movies of the "Cat People" franchise. The first two movies are from the 1940s and by producer Val Lewton (head of the horror unit at RKO). The first movie has become a cult classic and does a lot with a very small budget. Check out several of Lewton's most popular movies on Shudder. 

 

The 1982 "Cat People' takes the series in a different direction. Malcolm McDowell and Nastassja Kinski star as brother and sister cat people. While the first "Cat People" relied on shadows and jump scares, this movie shows the transformation. The show is much sexier than the original. Poor Nastassja sent half of the movie in the nude. David Bowie also contributed the theme song known as "Putting Out Fire". 

 

In honor of the first cat person Irena Dubrovna, I included some favorite Serbian dishes. Check out the full list at here

 

Photo Credit: Here

Music Credit: Here  

The "Piranha" Franchise And You Guessed It... Piranha Soup

This week we cover a creature feature. It's "Piranha". The original feature was created by King Of The B-Movies Roger Corman as a "Jaws" knockoff. It went on to have four more films in the franchise (with one being a remake). My suggestion is check our the fourth entry-- horror comedy "Piranha 3D". It's a lot of fun. There's tons of famous actors and the piranha are big and ferocious. Avoid "Piranha II: The Spawning" at all costs. The dialogue and acting are painful to view... and I've seen a lot of garbage.  

It should come as no surprise that this week I went with a recipe for piranha soup. While you and I will probably never be able to make the dish, piranha soup is a stable during the rainy season in the Amazon basin for many locals. Check out the recipe at flavorsofbrazil.blogspot.com here

Photo Credit: Here 

SSS: "Diabloque" And Popular French Foods

"Diabloque" may be the best horror movie you've never heard of. The first was released in 1955 and had a great influence on Hitchcock's "Psycho". It was also one of the first movies to ask audiences NOT to reveal the surprise ending. 

 

It was followed by two TV movies. "Diabloque" was remade in 1996 with some big name actors-- Sharon Stone, Kathy Bates and Chazz Plminteri. Although panned by critics and audiences, it's still interesting to contrast it to the first.  

 

It should come as no surprise that I went with French foods this week. Check out Expatica.com here for some of the most popular. They include: coq au vin, cassoulet, bouef bourguignon, chocolate souffle, etc. 

 

Photo Credit: Here  

The "Exorcist" Franchise And Split Pea Soup

This week we discuss a franchise that contains as one of it's entries arguably the best horror film ever made. That's right-- it's the "Exorcist" (1973). Most of us know every detail of the first film. But did you know there are 4 other movies (including 2 prequels) and 2 seasons of a TV series?

And in honor of the excellent practical effects (which still hold up surprisingly well today), here's a recipe from Ina Garten for split pea soup here 

Photo Credit:  Here

SSS: "My Bloody Valentine" And A Bloody Cocktail

This week we focus on the Canadian slasher "My Bloody Valentine" (1981) and it's 2009 remake. No, the movies dont really have anything to do with Valentine's Day. Yes, the first film is a bit dated and the acting leaves something to be desired. The practical effects are still enjoyable though. And the RealD technology used in the second film make it a hoot. If you have a few hours to blow, check out this possibly supernatural miner with a pickax and a bad attitude. 

See also the honestlyyum.com My Bloody Valentine cocktail here. It's made with blood oranges. 

Photo Credit:  Here

The "Maniac Cop" Franchise And Famous New York City Foods

This week we cover another lesser known horror franchise. It's "Maniac Cop". There are three films total in the series. Check out these movies if you like Bruce Campbell (most famous for the 'Evil Dead" franchise) and/or Tom Atkins ("Halloween III", "Creepshow", "The Fog", etc). Otherwise, I'd say skip it and watch last week's horror comedy "WolfCop" instead. "Maniac Cop" has some great fire scenes but there's not a lot else going for it.  

"Maniac Cop" takes place in New York City. I've included a few links to famous NYC foods and places to find them at TheCultureTrip.com and NY.eater.com

 

Photo Credit: Here

SSS: "Wolf Cop" And Chicken Milk

This week we explore a lesser known Canadian horror/comedy offering. It's "Wolf Cop" and the sequel "Another Wolf Cop". If you're intrigued by a drunk werewolf dispensing justice, these might be the movies for you. The use of practice effects (vs CGI) is also a big selling point for me.

 

And in horror of Chicken Milk Beer, CookingChannelTV.com has a chicken milk drink here Not sure why it's called that. There's no such thing as chicken milk-- since chickens are birds and not mammals. It's still a fun thing to spring on those who dont know any better. Check out several videos on YouTube which illustrate how to milk chickens.    

 

Photo Credit: Here 

The "Night Of The Demons" Franchise And A Themed Cocktail

This week we cover a lesser know franchise. It's "Night Of The Demons". There are four movies total in the series (including one remake). It follows a group of teens/young adults who party where they shouldn't. Considered a horror comedy, I found it surprising fun. Definitely check out the first and second movies. 

Also check of a "Night Of The Demons" themed drink from GoodCocktails.com here The blue color depicts the tons of blue smoke they used in the movies. 

Photo Credit: Here

The Top 10 Horror Movies of 2020

This week, instead of reviewing a franchise, I'm covering my picks for the top 10 horror movies of 2020. There is lots of scary goodness to chose from this year-- be it psychological horror, body horror, zombies, anthologies, haunted houses, demon possession, you name it. 

 

Shudder and NetFlix continue to delight viewers with movies we might not have access to otherwise. 

 

International offerings were very strong this year. They include: Impetigore (Indonesia), #Alive (South Korea), Bulbbul (India), Blood Quantum (Canada), Extra Ordinary (Ireland), Sputnik (Russia), Yummy (Belgium), Get Duked (UK), The Pool (Thailand), May The Devil Take You Too (Indonesia) to name a few. 

 

Honorable Mentions include: Anything For Jackson, The Cleansing Hour, Bad Hair, Spontaneous, Spiral and The Haunting of Bly Manor (yes, this is a series and not a movie). 

 

My Top 10 Horror Movies of 2020:

1. Relic- Amazon- Australia
2. La Llorona- Shudder- Guatamala
3. His House- NetFlix- UK
4. Color Out Of Space- Shudder
5. The Mortuary Collection- Shudder
6. The Platform- NetFlix- Spain
7. Host- Shudder- Australia
8. Scare Package- Shudder
9. The Lodge- Hulu
10. Rent-A-Pal- Hulu

 

Photo Credit: Here

 

The "Scanners" Franchise And Some Unique Canadian Foods

Most people have heard of "Scanners" from 1981. It's most famous for it's head explosions. The practical effects still hold up after all these years. But did you know there were four more films in the franchise? I didnt. Only the original had David Cronenberg's involvement. The rest are direct to video and have basically the same plot. The villains are pretty good though. 

 

In honor of this Canadian franchise, i also includes some unique foods from a Foodnetwork.ca article here Definitely check out the barnacles, fiddleheads, dulce (red seawood) and Cod tongue. 

 

Photo Credit: Here