Horror Movie Franchises

The "Ju-On/The Grudge" Franchise And Favorite Japanese Foods

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

The "Ju-On/The Grudge" franchise contains 13 films and a NetFlix series. The series is an interesting one. Takashi Shimizu created the franchise, and directed or produced six of the films. Besides the Japanese movies, there are 4 American entries-- "The Grudge", "The Grudge 2", "The Grudge 3" and "The Grudge" (2020). There's also a fun crossover with "The Ring" franchise with "Sadako vs Kayako".

The franchise may be a bit hard for some viewers to follow. The pacing is pretty slow in the earlier entries. The stories are also told in a nonlinear fashion so you're not sure what/when everything happened. Still the series is one of the most prominent examples of J-horror. The death rattling Kayako and the meowing Toshio are iconic characters.   

And for the food this week, i obviously went with Japanese cuisine. Check out the GoWithGuide.com here for some favorites. 

Photo Credits: here

SSS: ”13 Ghosts” And Some Ghostly Party Treats

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

This week we're doing a single serving size episode. That's one which falls below my 3 movie minimum to be considered a franchise. The original "13 Ghost" premiered in 1960. Since it was a William Castle production, you can be there was a gimmick involved. The movie was promoted as having "Illusion-O"-- a pair of glasses that made the on screen ghosts more vivid.

 

The 2001 remake of "13 Ghosts" has some pretty heavy hitters in the acting department. It also has excellent production design and special effects. Too bad the story isn't on the same level. While the ghosts were way cool, I was annoyed by their constantly wondering around the house yelling for each other. 

 

This week's recipe includes some fun suggestions for a ghost themed Halloween party. Check it out here 

 

Photo Credit: Here

Lucio Fulci’s ”Gates Of Hell” Trilogy And Iconic Italian Dishes

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

This week we're talking about one of the top horror directors. Lucio Fulci was prominent in the Italian gialo film movement (from the late 1960's through early 1980's). His three films in the "Gates Of Hell" trilogy are considered some of his best. They include; "City Of The Living Dead" (1980), "The Beyond" (1981), and "The House By The Cemetery" (1981).  I'm saving his other classic "Zombi"/"Zombie 2" for a later date. Hallmarks of Fulci films include: lots of gore, almost always an eye gouging scene, and an often confusing plot. Don't try to understand the specifics of what's going on. Instead view the movie as a dream and you'll enjoy it much better.    

 

And in honor of Fulci's homeland, I've included some iconic Italian dishes. Number 1 is ALWAYS pizza but dont forget about lasagna, polenta, ossobuco, risotto, carbonara, focccia, and gelato. Check them out at WalksOfItaly.com here  

 

Photo Credit: here

The ”Train To Busan” Franchise And Classic Korean Dishes

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

This week we cover the South Korean "Train To Busan" franchise. The second film in the series is the lesser known animated prequel "Seoul Station". The third movie is named "Peninsula".

"Train To Busan" is IMHO one of the best zombie movies EVER. Not only does it have some great zombies, it also has characters you grow to care about. That doesnt happen much in this subgenre. While some have referred to "Peninsula" as "Fast & Furious... with zombies", I enjoyed it as well. Just dont compare "Peninsula" with "Train To Busan". This is about completely different characters and how they dealt with the zombie apocalypse.  

This week we cover some classic Korean dishes. Check out this link to TheSpruceEats.com for more details. Some of the most popular are: kimchi, dumplings and Korean barbecue.  

 

Photo Credit: Here  

The "Leprechaun" Franchise And Traditional Irish Foods

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

This week we cover the "Leprechaun" franchise. There are 8 movies total. They take Lep to Las Vegas, space and twice to the hood. We also get an origin story (that really has nothing to do with Lep). The last entry is a sequel to the first movie (ignoring the rest of the franchise). 

The greedy, wise cracking little dude actually grows on ya after a while. I would suggest watching the first movie, then "Return", then "Leprechaun In The Hood". And if you're looking for more, check out "Leprechaun 3" and "Back To The Hood". 

And in honor of Lep, here's a few tradition Irish foods. Check them out here They include: soda break, Irish stew, boxty, coddle, barmback and black and white pudding.     

Photo Credit: Here

SSS: "The Collector", "The Collection" And Some Bug Recipes

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

In this week's single serving size episode, I'm covering "The Collector" and "The Collection". The third film in the trilogy, "The Collected", was started but never finished. These films are from the writers of several of the "Saw" movies. They are in the home invasion/torture porn genre. So if that's your cup of tea, check them out. Since the Collector, is an entomologist, I have included a link to several recipes featuring insects here Given everything else we eat, not sure why we would be grossed out by a few bugs.  

Photo Credit: Here

The "Cat People" Franchise And Favorite Serbian Dishes

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

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

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

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

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

"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

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". 

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