Food and Frightening Film Fanatics Podcast

The "Hitcher" Franchise And West Texas Asado

This week we cover a group of lesser known movies. The "Hitcher" franchise has three films total. The first (starring Rutger Hauer, C Thomas Howell and Jennifer Jason Leigh) premiered in 1986. It was followed by "Hitcher 2" in 2003 and a remake of the first movie in 2007. If you like car chase movies, explosions, and severed limbs check them out. There are some great scenes.  

 

Since the hitcher knocks off victims on isolated roads in West Texas, I thought it might be appropriate to highlight a recipe from the region. West Texas Asado is pork slow cooked in pork slow cooked in red chile sauce. It’s similar to New Mexico’s carne adovada, except adovada is made with New Mexican red chiles and asado is made with anchos. Cook time is 4 hours. You might also try making your own traditional disc (also called a Mexican wok or cowboy wok) or cook in a Dutch oven or skillet. See the recipe from HomeSickTexan.com here 

 

Photo Credit: Here

The "Urban Legends" Franchise And An Expensive Cookie Recipe

This week we're discussing the "Urban Legends" franchise. There are three movies total. While i can't say the movies knocked my soaks off, they may be the first introduction to urban legends for many people. Common entries include: the killer in the back seat of the car, calls coming from inside the house, the kidney heist, etc. Interested in learning more? Check out the two urban legends TV series as well as the Snopes website. 

In keeping with today's theme, we have a very expensive cookie recipe here that's been attributed to different companies from Neiman Marcus to Mrs Fields for some 70 years. 

Music Credits: Here and Here

Photo Credit: Here 

The "Wishmaster" Franchise And Genie In A Bottle Cocktail

This week we cover one of the lesser know franchises. It's the four movies of "Wishmaster". Wes Craven executive produced the first film. The Wishmaster is an evil djinn who has to grant the person that awakens him three wishes. It sounds like a good deal but he grants them in the worst way possible. Example: A woman wants to live forever-- so he turns her into a mannequin. The djinn wants to hurry the wishing along since after that's done his fellow djinn will then take over the world. 

 

"Wishmaster" has a few good things going for it-- novel horror idea, interesting mythology, Andrew Divoff as the djinn, fun special effects and kills, etc. Unfortunately the story really drags the series down. There's nothing new between the first and forth movies. I would like to see a reboot with a better script. Am I going to wish for it? Nope, lesson learned.  

 

And for this weeks recipe we kept with the genie theme. See here for a quick genie in a bottle cocktail recipe from the Food Network. 

 

Music Credits: Here

Photo Credits: Here 

The "Jeepers Creepers" Franchise And Favorite Florida Recipes

This week we cover the three films of the "Jeepers Creeper" franchise. All were written and directed by Victor Salva*. All take place in a short time frame. The second movie occurs four days after the first. The third movie occurs between the first and second. 

I think the Creeper is one of the best horror creatures out there. He likes to wear a trench coat and stetson hat. Sometimes he dons a red sweater. He has bat like wings and can fly. He likes to scare people to determine if they have body parts he's interested in. So far he's needed eyes, a new head, a foot, a hand, etc. He drives a sentient truck and is partial to the song "Jeepers Creepers" for some reason. 

Since the action in these movies takes place in Florida, I went with a few Florida recipes. From OnlyInYourState.com we have key lime pie, mojitos, cuban midnight sandwiches, coconut bars,  grits, lemon orange chicken, cajun grits and kumquat ice cream. Check out TasteOfHome.com as well for more fun recipes. 

*CONTROVERSY: There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding Victor Salva's films.  Per Wikipedia, he was "convicted in 1988 for sexually abusing a 12-year-old actor who starred in his feature film debut "Clownhouse" (1989), as well as possessing child pornography. This controversy has led to protests against his films, including a boycott of "Powder" organized by his victim." I include this information so you can make an informed decision about whether or not you want to any of Salva's movies.    

Photo Credit: Here

Music Credits: Here and Here 

The "Hills Have Eyes" Franchise And Prickly Pear Cactus Recipes

This week we're discussing the "Hills Have Eyes" franchise. There are four movies total in the series. They were written/directed/produced by Wes Craven (who also did the "Nightmare On Elm Street" and "Scream" franchises). The numbering is a bit confusing. There's the 1977 film, then a "part 2", then a remake (with the same name as the original), then a "2" (which is a sequel to the remake). The original is considered a classic (though the pacing is a little slow for my taste). The remake is one of those rare films that might be even better than the original 

For recipes this week I went with a desert theme. The prickly pear cactus has been used for thousands of years in Mexican dishes. You can have a prickly pear cactus smoothie, sorbet, or syrup. It can even be used in place of potatoes in French fries. For more info check Healthline.com here 

Photo Credit: Here

Music Credit: Here

The "Jaws" Franchise And NOT Shark Fin Soup

This week we cover the first summer blockbuster movie-- "Jaws" and it's 3 sequels. "Jaws" put director Stephen Steven Spielberg on the map and won 3 Academy awards-- Best Original Score (for composer John Williams), Best Sound and Best Film Editing. It was also nominated for Best Picture. The movie holds up surprisingly well for being 45 years old. 

And for this week's recipe, you might think I'd go with shark fin soup. That'd be a BIG nope. Sharks have been hunted almost to extinction with one of the main reasons being for their fins. See this article on EcoWatch that reviews recent US legislation to prohibit the sale/use of shark fins. 

 

Instead I'm going with a recipe from the Martha Vineyards Magazine for tasty scampi with calamari. See details Here  

 

Music Credit: Here

Photo Credit: Here

 

The "I Know What You Did Last Summer" Franchise And New England Clam Bake

This week we discuss the "I Know What You Did Last Summer" franchise. This first movie was written by Kevin Williamson (who also wrote "Scream"). Both this movie and "Scream" are credited with reinvigorating the 90s slasher genre. 

"I Know" stars several (then) up and coming actors including: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Freddy Prinze Jr. There are 3 movies total in the franchise. The plot is essentially the same in all.

And in honor of fishermen everywhere, we have a clam bake. Details courtesy of VisitNewEngland.com here 

 

Photo Credit: Here

The "Hatchet" Franchise And Popular New Orleans Foods

This week we review an often overlooked franchise. It's "Hatchet". There are four movies total in the series. All were written and directed by Adam Green (except for "Hatchet 3" which was directed by BJ McDonnell). The movies follow the Bayou Butcher Victor Crowley as he terrorizes anyone stupid enough to go into the swamp. It's over the top campy gory fun. And a number of horror icons make appearances here including: Danielle Harris "Halloween", Tony Todd "Candyman", Robert Englund "Nightmare On Elm Street", Kane Hodder "Friday The 13th", and Felissa Rose "Sleepaway Camp" (just to name a few).   

And when visiting New Orleans, the Food Network has a few local dishes you must try here. They include: gumbo, crayfish, oysters on the half shell and beignets. 

Photo Credit: Here

The "Friday The 13th" Franchise And A Campfire Treat

This week we review one of the largest franchises in horror history. Spanning some 30 years, "Friday The 13th" consists of 12 films and a TV series (which ran for 3 seasons). When people hear 'slasher" they usually think of the unstoppable hockey masked, machete wielding Jason Vorhees. Just dont expect much in the way of plot from these movies. It's just Jason killing horny teenagers in a variety of gruesome and creative ways.   

And to celebrate Camp Crystal Lake, we have an adult cocoa and smores from 2GeeksWhoEat  

here

Music Credit: Here

Photo Credit: Here

The "30 Days Of Night" Franchise And Eskimo Ice Cream

This week we discuss an under appreciated franchise. It's "30 Days Of Night". What makes these movies so great are the vampires. These arent your sparkly emo vampires. They are feral creatures who screech, have shark like teeth and are super strong. Their sole goal is to have you for dinner. They are right up there on my list of favorite vampires of all time. I just wish there were more movies to explore their history.   

And in honor of the hardy souls of Barrow, Alaska here's some info on Akutaq or Eskimo Ice Cream here 

Photo: Here