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Greetings, and welcome back to Horror Business. We have one awesome episode in store for you guys. On this episode we’re discussing films by Italian director Lamberto Bava with Demons and Demons 2.
First and foremost we want to give a shoutout to our sponsors over at Lehigh Valley Apparel Creations, the premiere screen-printing company of the Lehigh Valley. Chris Reject and his merry band of miscreants are ready to work with you to bring to life your vision of a t-shirt for your business, band, project, or whatever else it is you need represented by a shirt, sweater, pin, or coozy. Head on over to www.xlvacx.com to check them out. Also, thank you to our Patreon subscribers. Your support means the world to us and we are eternally grateful for that support. Thanks!
We start by talking about what we’ve seen or done lately in the field of horror. We talk about Rocksteady Rush, The Witch In The Window, Castle Rock, The Nun, and a few recent showings we caught at the Mahoning Drive In.
Up first is Demons. We give a basic rough outline of the movie. We discuss how, despite sometimes falling short in the acting, the look of the movie, be the cinematography or the practical effects, give the movie a very dreamlike feel. We then talk about how the movie feels “mired in the ‘70s’” despite at times looking very ‘80s. We talk about the influence of Dario Argento in the film, in that some of the lighting is done strictly for atmosphere and serves no other purpose aside from being visually unsettling.
The depictions of punks and pimps in the film are discussed. The idea of the film being partially about the cinematic viewing experience is discussed, as is the idea of the film as something criticizing and even mocking horror movies that provide stale and clichéd origin stories for their monsters. The complete lack of logic in the movie being a strength is discussed, in that the movie leans so hard into the weirdness of itself that it ends up being stronger for it. The “red headed ticket taker” as an example of the classic giallo red herring is examined.
The more “fantastic” elements of the movie, including the action movie sequences, are discussed, as is how the ending of the movie adds to the non-Lynchian “dreamlike” feel of the movie. The movie as a depiction of an “80s teenaged fantasy” is discussed. The Demons franchise, and the European practice of promoting entirely unrelated films as belonging to a franchise they don’t belong to, is discussed.
Up next is Demons 2. We begin by talking about how the movie is largely just a rehash of the first one, but with less atmosphere. For example, moving the setting from a stylish movie theatre to a modern apartment building takes away from the atmosphere of it.
The lack of clarity as to what movie we are seeing (are we watching a movie within a movie within a movie, or is this a direct sequel to the first movie that takes place in the ruined world of that film?) is examined.
The movies few strengths are examined, but we spend most of the time lamenting how this movie tried to be an unconventional sequel by not carrying on the same storyline of the first film all the while trying to recreate the high points of the first film.
As always thanks to everyone and anyone who donated on Patreon, checked this episode out, or shared a tweet/shared a post on FB/gave us love by recommending us to someone. We love you forever for listening. Any questions, comments, suggestions for movies and guests, or if you yourself want to join us for a movie viewing or even an episode, can be sent to [email protected]. We would love to hear from you! Thanks always to Justin Miller and Doug Tilley for their technical contributions and fliers, Mike Smaczylo for the shirts and fliers (you can check more of his work out at here), and also thanks to Josh Alvarez for the theme song, Chris, Brad, Alexis, and LVAC for the support and buttons (check them out at www.xlvacx.com), and a HUGE thank you to anyone who retweeted us or shared something on Facebook that we posted. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @thehorrorbiz666, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/thehorrorbiz66, and remember to rate, review, and subscribe to us on ITunes. In fact, if you write us a review, email us with your mailing address and we’ll send you some free pins and stickers! Check out www.cinepunx.com for more info on some of our other podcasts, some ultra stylish Cinepunx related merchandise, and how you can donate to our Patreon! Until next time…thanks!
