Horror Movie Franchises

SSS: "My Bloody Valentine" And A Bloody Cocktail

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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   

The "Prom Night" Franchise And A Prom Night Cocktail

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

This week we explore a lesser known horror franchise. It's the five movies in the "Prom Night" series. This includes: "Prom Night" (from 1980), "Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night 2", "Prom Night 3: The Last Kiss", "Prom Night 4: Deliver Us From Evil" and the forgettable 2008 remake (also named "Prom Night").

The entries really have nothing to do with each over and cover the gambit from teen slasher to horror comedy to ghost possession. If you're a Jamie Lee Curtis superfan, you might enjoy the first movie. There's a fun disco number in the middle. Otherwise, for a great prom night revenge story, check out the original "Carrie" instead.

And in keeping with the theme, check out this prom night cocktail from AllRecipes.com here. Who spiked the punch?  

Photo Credit: Here 

ADDENDUM: Two More "Black Christmas" Movies And Jamaican Black Christmas Cake

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

This week we go WAY back to our first episode. We covered 1974's "Black Christmas" in December 2018 (which seems like a million years ago at this point). There are two other remakes. Both are also called "Black Christmas". The one from 2006 is not nearly as bad as some believe. The 2019 version is absolutely horrible. Avoid at all costs.

And to keep with the Christmas theme, why not try making a Jamaican Black Christmas Cake this season? It's a dense rum soaked fruit cake that guaranteed to please. See the details at AfricanBites.com here  

Music Credit: Here

Photo Credit: Here 

The "Halloween" Franchise And A Plethora Of Pumpkin Products

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

This week we discuss arguably the most important franchise in horror history. "Halloween" started the slasher genre and has given us many of the now commonplace horror tropes-- the virginal final girl, the unstoppable killer, the rally at the end, etc. There are 11 "Halloween" movies currently available with two more on the way. "Halloween Kills" is due for release in 2021 and "Halloween Ends" is due out in 2022. There are also five different timelines in the "Halloween" movies. Talk about confusing.

• Timeline 1- Halloween 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
• Timeline 2- Halloween 3 is a standalone move. it was slated to be the start of a yearly anthology series (but that didnt happen). 
• Timeline 3- Rob Zombie's 2 Halloween movies from 2007 and 2009 exist separately from the rest. 
• Timeline 4- Halloween 1, 2, H20 and Resurrection
• Timeline 5- Halloween 1, Halloween 2018, Halloween Kills, Halloween Ends

This week's recipe highlights pumpkins. The pumpkin plays a prominent role in the "Halloween" movies. It's part of the title credits in Halloween 1, 2, 3 (computer generated) and 2018. The past few years have seen an explosion of pumpkin spice products on the market. Check here for a sampling of 2020 offerings.

Photo Credit:  Here 

SSS: The "Descent" Franchise And A Cave In Cocktail

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

This week we cover "The Descent" and "The Descent 2". Six women go on a caving adventure. Things end really, really badly. The first movie is on many "best of" lists. It's great fun. 

In keeping with the theme, we also have a Cave in Cocktail from CocktailBuilder.com here  

 

Photo Credit: Here