Dark Discussions Podcast

With a title like MIDNIGHT PEEPSHOW (2024), this latest film from England would spell out grindhouse or midnight movie. Also, once one takes a look, you find out it is actually a horror anthology that has a wraparound story that puts it together. With limited yet positive reviews, does the film live up to its name and its genre or is it a mixed bag like many horror anthologies seem to be.

In a back alley of the London streets there is a mysterious peepshow that caters to a certain group of people. But beyond that, a mysterious website reaches out to the more adventurous type hoping to get them to join, both as the entertainer and the customer. But once one travels down this rabbit hole, will they ever get to change their mind, rethink their choices, or are they doomed to a new life that wasn’t what they expected.

Recently released to VOD, the movie has received six official reviews on Rottentomatoes with all giving it a positive review. Yet audiences have been more mixed with a score at 60%, still positive but not the 100% that the critics have given it. Your co-hosts take a look at the film and give their thoughts. Does it live up to the exploitation title, the horror elements it suggests, and the fact that it is an anthology?

If you haven’t heard of her yet, Syndney Sweeney is possibly the most sought after actress in Hollywood. She had starring roles in shows like EUPHORIA and THE WHITE LOTUS which suddenly made her a big star. With sex appeal and acting chops, and creating her own production company, she’s been able to star in a number of surprise hits such as 2023’s ANYONE BUT YOU. Then with her appearance on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, her hosting gig made her become a meme. Not surprisingly her latest film, IMMACULATE (2024), has arrived in theaters with a bit of a buzz following it.

Cecilia (Sydney Sweeney) heads to Italy to join a nunnery that takes care of those near the end of their life after spending their younger years taking care of the poor and sick. As a Sister, Cecilia learns the ropes and daily routine. One morning, a mysterious happening occurs that causes Cecilia to become the focus of attention to the leadership of the convent. However the strictness and rules of the convent contradict typical healthcare and her own wellbeing causing Cecilia to become concerned.  Her unease makes her begin to question if things aren’t what they appear to be.

IMMACULATE may look to be somewhat of a throwback to the nunsploitation of the grindhouse days, but it may actually be more aligned with the French Exteme Horror films of the early 2010’s. Fifty-Five Films, Sweeney’s production company, bought the rights to Andrew Lobel’s screenplay and brought on director Michael Mohan to direct, who she worked with on the film THE VOYEURS (2021). Receiving fairly favorable reviews, your co-hosts take a look at this theatrical release and give their thoughts.

Welcome to Cortana’s Communiques – A weekly discussion of the Paramount+ television series HALO based on the video game series and the universe created by XBox. Starring Pablo Schreiber and Natascha McElhone.

Series synopsis:

Aliens threaten human existence in an epic 26th-century showdown. TV series based on the video game ‘Halo’.

Once again, after a long break, I am back to discuss all things esoteric and from the bizarre. This time it is I focus upon science and film and the new gigantic box office sensation DUNE PART TWO (2024).

As stated many times on this podcast, the Greys, the white and hairless aliens, are one of the monsters in the horror and science fiction genre that seem not to get enough screen time in film.  In 2022, the Paramount film SIGNIFICANT OTHER alluded to space invaders or some sort of being that may play a prominent role in the movie’s story.

Ruth (Maika Monroe (IT FOLLOWS)) and Harry (Jake Lacy (THE WHITE LOTUS)) head out for a camping trip in the woods of the Northwestern United States.  It was supposed to be a romantic time, with Harry even planning something special at an overlook of the Pacific Ocean that means a lot to him.  However, the two find the dead body of a deer that is covered with a black substance that doesn’t seem like any type of moss they’ve ever seen.

The film was co-directed and co-written by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen.  The film received buzz with it starring screamqueen Maika Monroe.  As for reviews, the movie has a fair score of 71% by the Rotten Tomatoes meter.  With its interesting twist in the middle of the film, and an unexpected ending that oddly works, your co-hosts take a look at the structure of the movie and give their thoughts on the film as a whole.

Welcome to Cortana’s Communiques – A weekly discussion of the Paramount+ television series HALO based on the video game series and the universe created by XBox. Starring Pablo Schreiber and Natascha McElhone.

Series synopsis:

Aliens threaten human existence in an epic 26th-century showdown. TV series based on the video game ‘Halo’.

The recently released film, MONOLITH (2024), is technically older as it was shown back in 2022.  An Australian film, the movie took a slow path before eventually getting a full release.  It went from festival to festival before arriving to VOD in January 2024 with a Blu-ray release set for April 2024.

A failed and questionable journalist (Lily Sullivan) has started a podcast to try to rebuild her career.  Unlike her prior calling, she has instead focused on the bizarre and unknown to try to get acknowledgment.  When an anonymous email is sent to her telling her to get in contact with a woman named Floramae (Ling Cooper Tang), the podcaster heads down a rabbit hole that may lead to a mystery that she may want to investigate.

The movie was written by Lucy Campbell and directed by Matt Vesely.  With only Lily Sullivan (EVIL DEAD RISE (2023)) on screen, the movie follows her as she calls and talks to various other characters throughout the world as the puzzling mystery unfolds in front of her.  Your co-hosts take a look at this new movie and give their thoughts.

Welcome to Cortana’s Communiques – A weekly discussion of the Paramount+ television series HALO based on the video game series and the universe created by XBox. Starring Pablo Schreiber and Natascha McElhone.

Series synopsis:

Aliens threaten human existence in an epic 26th-century showdown. TV series based on the video game ‘Halo’.

The old German legend, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, was an old scary tale told to many of us as children, or it was part of a collection of fairy tales that we read.  The South Korean film, THE PIPER (2015), takes the premise of the legend and brings it to the post Korean War era in 1953 as a setup to the movie. 

When a father and his young son head to Seoul to find a doctor that will be able to help with the child’s tuberculosis, they stop in a remote rural village for some food and shelter before they continue on their way.  When the town’s leader mentions that the village has a rat problem, the father offers to help.  He is a piper and says he can get rid of the animals.  Offered payment without even asking, the father begins the process, yet while doing so, the piper changes the dynamics of the village and becomes a threat to the town’s leader.

The film was written and directed by Gwang-tae Kim and has received little notice in North America.  However, the movie was chosen as a Patreon pick by one of our listeners, and we found it readily available on VOD.  Your co-hosts take a look at this interesting film.  Is it a hidden gem?  Take a listen and find out.

Welcome to Cortana’s Communiques – A weekly discussion of the Paramount+ television series HALO based on the video game series and the universe created by XBox. Starring Pablo Schreiber and Natascha McElhone.

Series synopsis:

Aliens threaten human existence in an epic 26th-century showdown. TV series based on the video game ‘Halo’.