Communicating Fears in Film: Eastern Othering, Part 3 - Gremlins (1984)

Send us Fan MailIt is the end of the road for the Eastern Othering focus, as well as the course-centered discussion series in this Communicating Fears in Film season of Special Topics in Media. Coinciding with the cult cinema 80s emphasis on Eastern Othering, cohosts Garret Castleberry and Scott McMurry investigate the ways in which director Joe Dante's 1984 feature film Gremlins mixes and mingles between comedy and horror, benefits from the Spielbergian rub, and anticipates future anti-Christmas movies while unmistakably celebrating the season just as it critiques the monstrous side of consumer capitalism. As with their Red Dawn coverage, the dialogic duo remain split in their appreciation for Gremlins, demonstrating how too much tonal experimentation can alienate audience expectations--just as this popular genre movie stirred up initial controversy with its thematically dark material despite earning a "PG" rating from the MPAA. Ultimately, understanding the social reaction to and cultural impact of Gremlins is paramount to recognizing the ways in which Dante collaboratively communicates fear through the medium of film.  Hosts: Garret Castleberry, Scott McMurryProducers: Garret Castleberry, Will McMurry (Audio Engineer), Alli Garner (Cover Art), Austin Foster (Music)Recommended readings paired with Season Seven "Communicating Fears in Film":Kendall Phillips. Projected Fears: Horror Films and American Culture. Praeger, 2006.Stephen Prince. Apocalypse Cinema. Rutgers University Press, 2021.Murray Leeder. Horror Film: A Critical Introduction. Bloomsbury Academic Press, 2018.Joe Dante (Director). Christopher Columbus (Writer). Gremlins. Universal City, California, USA: Warner Brothers/Amblin Entertainment, 1984.Ways to Connect with us online:Follow and engage with Special Topics in Media on Twitter at @podcast_topics."Like" to follow our Special Topics in Media Page on Facebook (search Special Topics in Media).Join the Special Topics in Media Facebook Group and share your reviews of the film or this episode.Subscribe to Dr. Castleberry's academic YouTube Channel.Garret's academic website is available at https://garretcastleberry.academia.edu/.  Support the show