Gut Reactions Podcast
Gut Reactions is a podcast hosted by Eric Skwarczynski that discusses all-things horror!
Episodes
July 18, 2018 • 34 mins
The famous opening monologue for Star Trek referred to outer space as “the final frontier.” It would seem horror screenwriters truly believe space to be the final frontier as well. When franchises run long and ideas run out – slashers, final girls, and machetes, oh my, are catapulted into the vast and endless universe.The Critters franchise was the first to make this intergalactic pilgrimage back in 1992. A logical step for a...
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July 12, 2018 • 36 mins
Welcome back to Gut Reactions! Eric Skwarczynski (host) and special guest Marbeth Skwarczynski (history teacher/literature teacher/Eric's mom) are launching into episode #018 with MORE biting commentary about the Jaws franchise. This time, they're sinking their teeth into Jaws 2.
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July 4, 2018 • 36 mins
Happy Fourth of July! We're talking about the ultimate summer blockbuster – Jaws!!!Sorry... but this episode REALLY bites.
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June 27, 2018 • 21 mins
They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Well, if this is the case, the team behind Friday the 13th should feel immensely flattered – because the amount of imitation that ensued the original 1980 film is almost immeasurable.Pieces, April Fool’s Day, The Prowler, Maniac Cop, Happy Birthday to Me and countless other slashers imitated the formula with varying degrees of success.One of the most successful film se...
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June 13, 2018 • 20 mins
In 1996, Wes Craven’s Scream debuted in theaters, revitalizing the horror genre – one that had had become stagnant with formulaic slashers, tired cliches, and sequel after unoriginal sequel. Craven’s revolutionary film wasn’t afraid to poke fun at the genre stereotypes audiences had come to know so well, while never delving into pure parody. It was a respectful and analytical reflection on a genre that had gripped the 80’s so stron...
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June 6, 2018 • 20 mins
Few directors in film history slashed their way onto the scene like Wes Craven. His early films were not critically acclaimed red carpet fare. They, instead, were met with a fanfare of screams and moral outcry. Wes Craven launched his directing career with the controversial rape/revenge film entitled, Last House on the Left. A film that New York Times reporter, Howard Thompson called “sickening tripe” filled with “repulsive people ...
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June 5, 2018 • 5 mins
In this short bonus episode Eric Skwarczynski, the host of the Gut Reactions podcast, provides a short review of Leigh Whannell's incredible sci-fi/action film UPGRADE.
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May 30, 2018 • 27 mins
This summer, Eric will be talking about horror movies that evoke the feelings of summer. Camping trips, beach days, broken down RV’s that leave families stranded in the desert defenseless against cannibalistic mutants... you know, all that fun stuff we know and love.Call 805-930-9594 to leave a message talking about YOUR favorite summer horror movie.Requirements for movies that will be discussed this series:✅ The sunnier the b...
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May 23, 2018 • 30 mins
There seems to be a real stigma around PG-13 horror movies. Spend enough time around horror fans online or off, and the ability of a PG-13 movie to be scary, or even good, will be called into question. The common mindset appears to be that blood, boobs, and bad words are integral components of a great horror film. If PG-13 is limited in these areas, can great, let alone good, horror exist in that space?
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May 16, 2018 • 41 mins
On this special two-part installment of Gut Reactions, Eric will be talking about a true crime story that has captured interest like few others – leading to countless film interpretations including The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Psycho, and Silence of the Lambs.But he is not alone. He is joined by two hosts from Everything Trying to Kill You: Mary Kay McBrayer and Maegan Brooks. For this first episode, he wil...
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On this special two-part installment of Gut Reactions, Eric will be talking about a true crime story that has captured interest like few others – leading to countless film interpretations including The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Psycho, and Silence of the Lambs.But he is not alone. He is joined by two hosts from Everything Trying to Kill You: Mary Kay McBrayer and Maegan Brooks. For this first episode, he will be laying the grou...
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May 2, 2018 • 22 mins
Perhaps no sub-genre has experienced as much rapid success nor suffered as much criticism and vitriol as the found footage sub-genre. Though many cite 1999’s The Blair Witch Project as the first introduction into this unique cinematic form of storytelling, it was actually Ruggero Deodato’s 1980 Italian film, Cannibal Holocaust, that first introduced this type of narrative. Cannibal Holocaust was so convincing to audiences that, aft...
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April 18, 2018 • 35 mins
On Sunday, April 15, we lost a legend with the passing of R. Lee Ermey.He is most remembered for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece, Full Metal Jacket.For many horror fans like myself, he will also forever be remembered as Sheriff Hoyt in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003). The TCM remake was one of my earliest introductions to the world of horror, and to this day, Ermey's Sheriff has re...
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April 13, 2018 • 88 mins
Happy Friday the 13th! Queue up your copy of Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives, because Eric is about to be a total fan girl for the ENTIRE 85 minute run-time. The commentary may not be meaningful, insightful, or interesting in the slightest, but man, is it loving!Enjoy this special bonus episode and be sure to continue the discussion with us online on Facebook and Instagram.
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April 11, 2018 • 31 mins
Music is an integral part of any horror film. For decades, horror soundtracks have made audiences hair stand on end. Whether alerting us to a dangerous killer, filling us with a sense of excitement and adventure, or simply scaring the pants off of us, there are few things as potent as an effective score. On this episode, I want to talk about the pieces of music that few people talk about, but that everyone should. I hope you’ll enj...
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April 5, 2018 • 105 mins
It's our longest podcast episode yet! On episode #006, Eric is joined by special guests James Hamrick and Gabriel Green, hosts of the Franchise Fatigue Podcast!!!!On this beast of an episode, we talk Scream, we talk Friday the 13th, we talk movies that deserve sequels (like Wes Craven’s underrated gem, Shocker), we beat each other to death arguing about Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Child – and SO MUCH MORE. This episode ...
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March 21, 2018 • 69 mins
There are many Masters of Horror... but only one is KING.On episode #005 of Gut Reactions, Eric discusses legendary horror author, Stephen King. Joining him for this discussion is Marbeth Skwarczynski, literature teacher and... Eric's mom! Together they explore the themes, tropes, and storytelling techniques that make a Stephen King movie a Stephen King movie.Films/TV shows mentioned on the episode:The Thing: http://amzn.to/2FNDwjx...
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March 8, 2018 • 38 mins
In episode #004 of Gut Reactions, Eric remembers Tobe Hooper's influential horror classic Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and its sequel, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. Movies mentioned in the episode: Don't Breathe: http://amzn.to/2G4pIOx Halloween: http://amzn.to/2p2y8xZ Little Shop of Horrors: http://amzn.to/2FooXi7 Rear Window: http://amzn.to/2oXU2SU Channel Zero: http://amzn.to/2G6PiSQ Devil's Candy: http://amzn.to/2D8QAd8 The Texas Chai...
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March 1, 2018 • 29 mins
On episode #003, Eric plays a horror version of "Would You Rather" – because apparently, he's a 14-year-old girl at a slumber party.
Want to play for yourself? Here's a link to the article responsible for this episode: https://thoughtcatalog.com/erin-cossetta/2017/10/50-would-you-rather-questions-that-will-drive-horror-fans-crazy/
Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave feedback and a rating on iTunes, Stitcher, Soundcloud or w...
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February 22, 2018 • 33 mins
In Episode #002 of Gut Reactions, Eric Skwarczynski analyzes Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 masterpiece, Psycho, and its underrated sequels.
Warning, there WILL be spoilers!
Once you finish this episode, be sure to check out the previous episode here: http://bit.ly/2C5q1cO
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