Halloweenies: A Horror Franchise Podcast

Our investigation through Woodsboro continues with Randy's Recs, which finds the Halloweenies dissecting a film that has parallels with the Scream franchise. Our next installment goes all the way back to 1981 with Joe Dante’s The Howling. Topics include: the history of werewolves on film (including that Highway to Heaven episode), the #DanteCadre, Roger Corman’s Film School, and much, much more. So, step into the booth and join us now.

Our investigation through Woodsboro continues with Randy's Recs, which finds the Halloweenies dissecting a film that has parallels with the Scream franchise. Our first installment goes all the way back to 1980 with Paul Lynch's Prom Night. Topics include: the inimitable humor of Leslie Nielsen, whether Jamie Lee Curtis' Kim and Laurie would get along, which popular songs the soundtrack's disco anthems rip off, and, of course, why Randy Meeks insist that everyone watch this movie in 1996. So, grab your notebook and get cracking.

With Tricks and Treats, the Halloweenies answer your questions. For the latest episode, Justin, Mac, and Dan discuss whether horror (or film, for that matter) needs awards, the best use of practical effects, the current state of the genre, David Leslie Johnson's un-produced sequel to The Thing, and so much more. Grab your bag and collect your candy.

There’s a curfew in Woodsboro, but fortunately for the Halloweenies, there’s a party outside of town. Hop in the car with Justin Gerber, McKenzie Gerber, Mike Vanderbilt, and special guest Rachel Reeves (Nightmare on Film Street, Rue Morgue) as they head to Stu Macher’s place. Along the way, they’ll discuss Wes Craven’s 1996 game-changing horror blockbuster Scream -- from the origins of Ghostface to how it nearly burned away in development hell to all the saucy soundtrack selections that are forever tied to the film. They truly gut this one from groin to sternum.

The Halloweenies (Dan Caffrey, Mike Vanderbilt, McKenzie Gerber, Michael Roffman, and Justin Gerber) reach Woodsboro High School and find a warm spot near the fountain to share stories from Camp Crystal Lake. As they clear their cell phone data, they share and discuss their respective rankings of the entire Friday the 13th franchise. 

After a slight detour through Hell and space, co-hosts Justin Gerber, Mike Vanderbilt, McKenzie Gerber, and Michael Roffman bring things back down to Earth, hop on dirt bikes, and head back to Camp Crystal Lake. Things are ... a little different. 

Join them as they all grab machetes and hack through 2009's Friday the 13th remake. Together, they discuss what they claim to be the hottest cast in the franchise, the inclusion of Sam Winchester, and why the aughts lacked an identity.

New Line November continues! 

After surviving Hell, co-hosts Justin Gerber and Mike Vanderbilt hit the launchpad to join fellow co-hosts Michael Roffman and McKenzie Gerber for an interstellar debate on the merits of 2002's Jason X. From frozen heads to Vivid Entertainment, nothing is left off the operating table.

So, grab your your space helmet and listen above. 

After Jason Takes Manhattan didn't exactly "take" the box office in the Summer of 1989, Paramount Pictures sold the rights of Jason Voorhees to New Line Cinema. What would follow is arguably the most audacious sequelizing in horror movie history.

Welcome to New Line November.

In our final Halloween treat of the season, Master of Horror Tom Holland joins the podcast to celebrate the 35th anniversary of 1985's Fright Night. Together, we sank our teeth into the film’s rich pre-production history, the queer subtext that has since led to countless reevaluations (including by our pals the Horror Queers), the eternal hunkness of Chris Sarandon, and why we feel the film is so timeless.

In this special boo-boo-bonus episode, Halloweenie Dan Caffrey returns to Haddonfield, Illinois with writer and filmmaker Stefan Hutchinson. Together, they revisit Hutchinson's iconic comics -- specifically, Nightdance, First Death of Laurie Strode, 30 Years of Terror, One Good Scare, and Autopsis -- and his short story Halloween: Sam. For Michael Myers obsessives, consider this one hell of a Halloween treat.

With Tricks and Treats, the Halloweenies answer your questions. For the inaugural episode, Justin, Mac, and Mike discuss a litany of topics, from female slashers to pre-1968 horror films to the greatest horror remakes to even a larger discussion on Nick Antosca's un-produced Friday the 13th screenplay. They also share their five favorite first watches of the month. Not surprisingly, it's a long one.

Toot toot! All aboard the SS Lazarus en route to New York City! Tonight's entertainment revolves around the graduating senior class of Lakeview High School. In celebration, there will be a special invite-only dance party in the disco room.

The chains have been broken, Jason Voorhees has emerged from Crystal Lake, and Tommy Jarvis is nowhere to be found. However, there's another unstoppable force lurking on the shore and in the cabins, one who doesn't wear a mask.

In this special bonus episode, Jason Lives: Friday the 13th, Part VI  writer and director Tommy McLoughlin joins the Halloweenies around the campfire for an all-time great chat. Together, they discuss how Capra was a mentor, being offered Scream, Tarantino's love for A New Beginning, the potential of a new Friday the 13th, and his thoughts on Halloween (2018). And yes, he weighs in on whether or not Jason Lives is better than The Irishman.

He thought it was over. He thought he killed Jason Voorhees. He was right. Unfortunately for Tommy Jarvis, his worst childhood fears will soon manifest into an unbelievable reality as Mother Nature has a date with the notorious masked killer.

It's been five years since the demise of Jason Voorhees, but don't tell Tommy Jarvis. Nightmares still plague the teenager, and he's bringing that terror to Pinehurst Halfway House, where he'll soon learn he's not the only one with horror on the mind.

Along for the ride are Halloweenies co-hosts Justin Gerber, Mike Vanderbilt, and McKenzie Gerber. Together, they discuss the what-ifs, missed opportunities, and pitfalls of this aborted reboot for the Friday the 13th franchise.

Rest assured, nobody has ever spent this much time discussing this cast.

A family, a party of teenagers, and one mysterious hitchhiker have all descended upon Camp Crystal Lake. But there's murder in the headlines, a missing body at the morgue, and reason to believe the masked killer is still on the loose.

Who will survive the night? Join Halloweenies co-hosts Justin Gerber, Mike Vanderbilt, McKenzie Gerber, and Editor-in-Chief Michael Roffman as they celebrate the creme de la creme of Jason Voorhies movies: 1984's Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter.

Together, they discuss the return of Jason Voorhees creator Tom Savini, the what-if career of '80s softboy Crispin Glover, the cultural currency of Corey Feldman, and whether or not this should have really been the final chapter.

A familiar face has returned to Crystal Lake: Shelly Finkelstein.

In this special bonus episode, Friday the 13th Part 3 star Larry Zerner joins the Halloweenies to discuss his role in the film, why every fan needs to track down a 3-D print, and how the franchise has evolved over the decades.

A major entertainment lawyer in Hollywood, Zerner also discusses his spooky past cases and helps clarify the legal mumbo jumbo currently strangling the Friday the 13th franchise. No kidding: Jason Voorhees could head to Capitol Hill.

There's a hockey mask missing down at Camp Crystal Lake, but no one's hitting the ice. Especially not the Halloweenies, who are much too busy living it up over at Higgins Haven.

Join senior writer Justin Gerber, The A.V. Club's Lara Unnerstall, senior writer Dan Caffrey, and Cinepocalypse's Mike Vanderbilt as they revisit 1982's Friday the 13th Part 3.

Together, they discuss Jason's new look, the West Coast sheen over Crystal Lake (Pond?), the ills of not wiping, pan-and-scan video, and the return of My Father the Hero director Steve Miner.

Camp Crystal Lake is about to see its greatest urban legend come to life -- and the Halloweenies are right in the middle of it. Jason Voorhees has arrived on the campgrounds, and he doesn't play well with bunkmates.

Join senior writer Justin Gerber, contributing writer McKenzie Gerber, senior writer Dan Caffrey, and pop culture critic Mike Vanderbilt as they evade this new menace and learn that family traditions die hard in 1981's Friday the 13th Part 2.

Together, they discuss how Jason is at his scariest, the filmmaking motifs (if any) of one Steven Miner, the lack of gore, and arguably the hunkiest character to ever set foot in a cabin in this franchise. That's just the tip of the machete.

The Halloweenies have arrived at Camp Crystal Lake to set up shop. Things are remarkably quiet, though. It's as if something or someone is watching from the woods -- waiting patiently to strike. You know, just like that ol' man warned us of... Join Editor-in-Chief Michael Roffman, senior writer Justin Gerber, contributing writer McKenzie Gerber, and pop culture critic Mike Vanderbilt as they set up camp, find shelter from the storm, and play a few rounds of strip Monopoly. Together, they discuss how the film shares more qualities of the '70s than the '80s the franchise would define, debate over whether it's scarier without Jason Voorhees, and meditate on a potential revelation about one particular camper. 

The three Halloweenies (McKenzie Gerber, Michael Roffman, and Justin Gerber) wake up in Camp Crystal Lake and reflect on their time in Springwood, OH. As they clean their cabins, they share and discuss their respective rankings of the entire A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. What's more, they look ahead at all the horror to come in 2020, which includes the return of a certain Shape. 

Celebrate Halloween with the Halloweenies in Springwood, Ohio as they cover Platinum Dunes' 2010 remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street. Together, they discuss Jackie Earle Haley's portrayal of Freddy Krueger, Rooney Mara's disgust with the role, the influx of talent from The CW, and how the worst fate for a horror movie is to be simply mediocre. Special guests include Horror Queers co-host Trace Thurman and The Horror Virgin co-host Jenn. 

Place your bets, folks. Join the Halloweenies as they head to Camp Crystal Lake for a brawl to end all: 2003's Freddy vs. Jason. Together, they discuss the wild origins of the long-developed production, the stupidity of Freeburg, the not-so-PC dialogue, and, of course, the potential of a Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash sequel. 

The one and only Heather Langenkamp heads back to Springwood and waxes nostalgic with the Halloweenies. Together, they chat about her early start with Francis Ford Coppola, her college days, and, naturally, her performances in the Elm Street franchise. She also discusses the current state of horror, how so much of history tends to be rewritten, and whether she would want to fight Freddy again. Sweet dreams! 

Grab those shades, make some reservations, and book a convertible because we're in Hollywood, baby. Join the Halloweenies as they head to the New Line Cinema offices to discuss the spooky meta horror of 1994's Wes Craven's New Nightmare. Together, they discuss Heather Langenkamp playing Heather Langenkamp, Robert Englund being haunted by Freddy Krueger, and whether Miko Hughes is better in Ludlow or LA. 

Every child and teenager is dead in the town of Springwood, Ohio. However, not the thirtysomethings that makeup our Halloweenies team. Join them as they try to make sense of the Krueger family tree within 1991's Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare. Together, they discuss its bad reputation, the useless 3-D, and whether or not it's truly the final chapter. 

Alice Johnson, everyone's favorite bookworm-turned-dream-master, returns to fight Freddy Krueger again -- and this time, it's as personal as it gets. Join the Halloweenies as they support one of horror's greatest single mothers in 1989's A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child. Together, they discuss the grotesque body horror and how Freddy Krueger is more of a distraction than a villain. 

Legendary director Joe Dante joins Halloweenies for a special mini-episode to discuss his new horror anthology film, Nightmare Cinema. He also digresses on the state of modern horror, why he passed on Halloween III: Season of the Witch, and, of course, Gizmo and those Gremlins. 

Meet Alice Johnson, a lonely bookworm whose fantastical daydreams just may be the only saving grace for the sleep-deprived kids in Springwood, Ohio. Then join the Halloweenies as they make friends while trying to survive 1988's A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master. Together, they debate over MTV Freddy's scare factor, gush over Dramarama's timeless hit, and grab some bug spray for one of the scariest dreams of all time. 

Welcome to Westin Hills Asylum, where all your wildest dreams come true. Take a seat with the Halloweenies as they unite to take down Freddy Krueger in 1987's A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. Together, they argue over the best Dokken song, gasp at Craig Wasson's youthful age, and compare the two screenplays by Wes Craven/Bruce Wagner and Frank Darabont/Chuck Russell. 

Things are getting a little too hot at 1428 Elm Street for the Halloweenies. To keep things cool, they've invited over Joe Lipsett and Trace Thurman, hosts of Bloody Disgusting's Horror Queers Podcast, to slice and dice through 1985's A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge. Together, they discuss the sequel's behind-the-scenes controversies, the metaphorical implications of Freddy Krueger, and the birthdays of both Clu Gulager and Hope Lange. 

Join the Halloweenies as they go deep into the proverbial boiler room of 1984's A Nightmare on Elm Street. Together, they discuss everything within Wes Craven's iconic slasher, from Johnny Depp’s midriff to all the crazy special effects to whether or not the ending truly works. It's the beginning of a new season -- a new nightmare! 

The four Halloweenies (McKenzie Gerber, Michael Roffman, Dan Caffrey, and Justin Gerber) drive out of Haddonfield, Illinois on their way to Springwood, Ohio. On their way, they share and discuss their respective rankings of the entire Halloween franchise. 

Three Halloweenies (McKenzie Gerber, Michael Roffman, and special guest Dominick Suzanne-Mayer of Consequence of Sound and Filmography) ride into Haddonfield, Illinois on white horses for Rob Zombie's 2009 surrealist nightmare Halloween II. 

In celebration of being named Consequence of Sound's Composer of the Year, the Master of Horror John Carpenter returns to the podcast to discuss the evolution of Halloween, why the new film was such a hit, and his love for playing music. 

The four Halloweenies (McKenzie Gerber, Justin Gerber, Michael Roffman, and special guest Rathan Krueger of Daily Grindhouse) head to Haddonfield, Illinois with wrestler Michael Myers for Rob Zombie's remake of Halloween. 

The Halloweenies ring up director Tommy Lee Wallace to talk about the cultural reevaluation of Halloween III: Season of the Witch. 

The Halloweenies return to Haddonfield, Illinois with a 61-year-old Michael Myers for David Gordon Green's Halloween. 

The Master of Horror himself John Carpenter and his bandmate/godson Daniel Davies join the pod for some spirited chats. 

The four Halloweenies return to Haddonfield, Illinois for a little Dangertainment in 2002's Halloween: Resurrection.