A Horror Joy Christmas - Black Christmas and The Kit-Bag by Algernon Blackwood
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, we are caught in a mood of anticipation. We anticipate visits from family, a festive meal, and presents to be opened. We also look forward to the celebration of the incarnation of a god in human flesh, whose death brings about one of the greatest ghost stories ever told. Rephrased, the story of Christmas is already a kind of horror narrative.Join us for a chilling exploration of the darker side of Christmas. In this episode of Horror Joy, we'll delve into the unsettling underbelly of holiday cheer.We'll discuss:Algernon Blackwood's "The Kit-Bag": A disturbing tale of anticipation and dread.Black Christmas: This iconic slasher film reimagines the holiday season as a time of terror.The Horror of Consumerism: How the holiday season can become a source of stress and anxiety.Loneliness at the Holidays: How the holiday season increases the chances for loneliness, and how the slasher magnifies this loneliness.So, grab your eggnog and prepare for a frighteningly festive journey. Remember, even Santa Claus has a dark side. Second wave feminismJulia Kristeva AbjectSplit directed by M. Night ShyamalanMichael CiscoBody, Telephone, Voice: Black Christmas (1974) and Monstrous Cinema by Morten Feldtfos ThompsenFoucault and surveillancePsycho directed by HitchcockRosemary’s Baby (1968) Directed by Roman PolanskiThe Holdovers directed by Alexander PayneThe Call of the Eco-Weird in Fiction, Film, and Games edited by Brian Hisao Onishi and Nathan M. Bell
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"The Kit-Bag" by Algernon Blackwood - Read by Brian Onishi
As an anticipation of our episode out on Monday (12/16), Brian reads "The Kit-Bag" by Algernon Blackwood."The Kit-Bag," originally published in 1908 by Pall Mall Magazine, tells the story of Johnson, a young man preparing to go on a Christmas vacation after helping to successfully defend a particularly gruesome murder case.Alone in his apartment, Johnson begins to experience strange noises and visions. Is it his drunk lodger bringing in the mail? Is it another tenant of the building? Or is it a sinister figure invading his home via his borrowed suitcase (the titular kit-bag). Like an perverse telling of Santa Claus, listen to "The Kit-Bag" find out what's haunting Johnson and whether or not he ever makes it to his promised vacation.
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Vampires - Dracula, Salem's Lot, and Midnight Mass *** With Special Guest Chris McAuley of the StokerVerse
Episode Timeline**2:12-40:42 – StokerVerse and Bram Stoker’s Dracula with Chris McAuley **40:42-58:26 – Salem’s Lot **58:27-end – Midnight Mass From the gothic castles of Transylvania to the sleepy towns of Maine, vampires have captivated our imaginations for centuries. In this episode of Horror Joy, we'll explore the evolution of the vampire mythos, from Bram Stoker's iconic Dracula to modern interpretations like Salem's Lot and Midnight Mass.We'll discuss:The Vampire's Enduring Appeal: Why this ancient creature continues to fascinate us.Dracula's Dark Legacy: The cultural impact of Stoker's masterpiece and its influence on subsequent vampire stories.Small-Town Horror: How Salem's Lot reimagines the vampire myth for a suburban American setting.Faith, Fear, and the Undead: The religious undertones of Midnight Mass and its exploration of community and belief.Join us as we explore the creaking coffins of vampiric narratives. Make sure to bring along your best silver and your favorite stake. But keep an eye on the horizon, lest we let the sun go down before we’re done.StokerVerseJacques LacanVirtue EthicsDracula and colonialismThe Dark Tower Series ItStephen KingBram StokerDraculaMidnight Mass
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Alien (1979) - An Uncanny Political Fable
In this episode of Horror Joy, we're venturing into the cold, dark depths of space to explore Ridley Scott's iconic sci-fi horror masterpiece, Alien.We'll delve into the film's terrifying themes, including:The Alien as the Ultimate Other: How the alien creature embodies our fears of the unknown and the uncanny.Body Horror and the Violation of the Human Form: The film's disturbing exploration of birth, death, and the body.Corporate Greed and Existential Threat: The role of capitalism and technology in creating the conditions for the alien's emergence.The Heroine's Journey: Ripley's evolution from a resourceful crew member to a hardened warrior.So, buckle up and prepare for a terrifying journey. Just remember, in space, no one can hear you scream.Elaine Graham Post/HumanRaymond WilliamsFrederick JamesonJulia Kristeva, AbjectionHorror in Space: Critical Essays on a Film Subgenre by edited by Michele Brittany
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Appalachian Folk Horror - The Blair Witch Project and Old Gods of Appalachia
Sometimes, the most terrifying monsters aren't lurking in the shadows, but in the very heart of our world. In this episode of Horror Joy, we delve into the eerie world of folk horror, where ancient myths and environmental fears intertwine.We'll explore:The Appalachian Nightmare: How the exploitation of the Appalachian landscape has given rise to terrifying folklore and real-world consequences.The Blair Witch Project: The unsettling power of place and the psychological terror of the woods.Old Gods of Appalachia: The ancient evil lurking beneath the surface of the Kentucky hills.Join us as we trek through these haunted landscapes and confront the monsters that dwell within. Christian Nationalism 2Old Gods of AppalachiaAmerican Gods by Neil GaimanFolk Horror – New Global Pathways edited by Dawn Keetley and Ruth HeholtCoal Stories by Embedded PodcastFrogmanThe Last BroadcastCannibal Holocaust
UK