Genre Exposure: A Film Podcast

In this episode, we wrap up our exploration of Nikkatsu's legendary Roman Porno series for the time being. For our last pick, Jason has selected a surprisingly relevant film blending together elements we examined in the prior two episodes. So join us as we check out Norifumi Suzuki's wild Star of David: Beautiful Girl Hunter from 1979. Dustin tries to weave the connected elements between all three films for this block while marveli...

In this episode, we continue our exploration of Nikkatsu's legendary Roman Porno series. For our next pick, we checked out one of the most well-known and iconic films from the entire run. It helped spawn their own S&M focused sub-series, numerous sequels, arguably kept the company running financially, and skyrocketed Naomi Tani to eternal stardom among fans of the genre. So join us as we check out Masaru Konuma's Flower and Sna...

In this episode, we triumphantly return to the world of pink films and related media by casting some focus on Nikkatsu's legendary Roman Porno series that carried the company to greatness throughout the 70s and 80s. We kick things off with Dustin's pick Zoom Up: Murder Site directed by Koyu Ohara in 1979. Dustin lays down the history of Nikkatsu and the whirlwind rise and fall of their Roman Porno series. Between the swift runtime ...

In this episode, a listener suggestion sends us into overtime on the sci-fi genre as we look at a film that approaches some concepts we've dug in on with past episodes, but using its own unique approach. So join us as we check out Alejandro Amenábar's Open Your Eyes from 1997. Dustin lays down some connections with other beloved mind-bending flicks; some of which we've covered for prior episodes. Jason throws some shade at the film...

In this episode, we wrap up our series on non-horror Science-Fiction by examining another staple concept of the genre: virtual reality. Join us as we check out Dustin's pick Avalon from 2001, a Japanese-Polish coproduction directed by Mamoru Oshii. Dustin heaps praise upon the film while also giving a detailed account of both Oshii's history and his directorial style. Meanwhile, Jason offers a powerfully contrasting viewpoint after...

In this episode, Michael rejoined us so the original trio can dig deep into some more high concept sci-fi. Join us as we check out his pick Moon from 2009 directed by Duncan Jones. Michael details how important Sam Rockwell's performance is to the film. Dustin runs down some info on some follow-up projects that expand, for good or ill, the universe the film takes place in. Jason highlights Moon's place in the pantheon of classic sc...

In this episode, we begin a new block focused on Science-Fiction cinema with a particular exclusion for Sci-Fi Horror just to mix things up. Sci-fi can be pretty broad, so we definitely can't hit it all in one go. It all kicks off with Jason's pick giving us a time honored tradition of musing about what the end of humanity might be like. Join us as we check out Geoff Murphy's The Quiet Earth from 1985. Jason sorts out his feelings ...

In this episode, another listener suggestion sends us kicking and screaming back into the world of Indian cinema. Join us as we dig into the many twists and turns of Vasan Bala's genre blending escapade Monica, O My Darling from 2022. Jason finds his apprehension in the wake of 13B utterly destroyed against the film's charm. Dustin finds an excuse to rant about Keigo Higashino and then puts in some extra credit by checking out a Ja...

In this episode, after spending two films nostalgically looking back to the golden age of slashers Jason has decided to take us back to the heart of that era with his pick. Amid a flood of slasher sequels and imitators, join us as we check out Edward Hunt's Bloody Birthday from 1981. Dustin weighs the effectiveness of the scenes with children committing murder contrasted to the film's lack of gore. Jason champions the film for its ...

In this episode, we are joined by our first ever special guest: Chris the 4k Outlaw. Together we sit down to gush over our shared love of slasher films and dig in with his selection for this episode: The Final Girls from 2015. Jason weighs the film's PG-13 rating against the surprisingly emotional heart the film has while wondering what could have been. Dustin lays down some research on the enduring trope of the final girl. And whi...

In this episode, we launch off a new block taking a look at a beloved subgenre for us: Slashers. To keep things interesting we're setting a ban for ourselves from selecting any films that hail from the big name slasher franchises. Join us as we kick things off with Dustin's controversial pick Muck (2015) directed by Steve Wolsh. Is this a loving nostalgic throwback to the golden age of the slasher film? Or a dud worthy of its own t...

In this episode, we hit up another listener suggestion returning us to the world of Hong Kong Westerns. So join us as we check out The Millionaires' Express directed by the legendary Sammo Hung. Jason lays down some interesting context with notes about the history of those involved in the film's production. Dustin charts out the differences between the many different cuts of the film. But before all that, we round off the medieval ...

In this episode, we wrap up our series on somewhat medieval themed Fantasy flicks. There's no other way to go out with a bang than a short trip into the surreal world of Lucio Fulci. So join us as we visit a land beyond time and delve into his one forray into the fantasy genre with 1983's Conquest. Jason tries to orient the film in the pantheon of Fulci's movies and its place among his masterpieces and decline. Dustin begins and en...

In this episode, we continue our medieval styled Fantasy soujourn. Though some technical difficulties prevented him from joining us, Michael has left us with his pick for this block leading us to check out M. J. Bassett's Solomon Kane from 2009. There's a lot to love here, but Jason lays down some fair criticism on where the film perhaps fell short of greatness. Dustin gushes his heart out over this one championing it as an underse...

In this episode, we launch into our first theme block of the year placing our focus onto Fantasy films. Which, as Jason is keen to add, includes a bit of specific focus on medieval style fantasy. It all kicks off with Jason's pick as we check out the influential Dragonslayer from 1981. Dustin struggles to overcome his bias for Peter MacNicol as Janosz in Ghostbusters II. Jason plants his flag on the hill declaring Vermithrax Perjor...

In this episode, we dive back in for another listener episode to round out our freestyle block with an all time great for Extreme Horror. Join us as we check out Ruggero Deodato's legendary and controversial classic Cannibal Holocaust. Jason chronicles the film's influential legacy and importance. Dustin details his suffering enduring the uncut version of the flick and tries to weigh the animal cruelty against the film's impact. Al...

In this episode, we continue our series of freestyle picks to start off the new year with Dustin's selection. We check out his favorite feature from Fantasia 2021, Ultrasound directed by Rob Schroeder. Join us as we navigate the strange surreal mindbending corridors of the film's narrative. Dustin goes up to bat for the film decrying it as underseen and underloved. Jason shares his appreciation for the way in which the story is tol...

In this episode, we tackle our first listener episode of the year. After holding this one in our back pocket for far too long, we finally get a chance to check it out by way of Screambox. So join us as we check out Cristian Ponce's History of the Occult from 2020. Dustin celebrates the film's genre mashup of surreal brainteaser mixed with a political thriller. Jason struggles to define the particular qualities he found lacking in t...

In this episode, we kick off the new year with a series of freestyle picks. We still need a bit of time to chart our course without Michael on board and so we've decided to hit some films we have wanted to discuss but have never quite had the chance to place them in any prior topics. First up, Jason takes us back to the 80s for Steve De Jarnatt's apocalyptic Miracle Mile from 1988. Dustin finds himself impressed with the level of c...