Horror Movie Franchises

In this episode we explore "The Creature from the Black Lagoon" trilogy: production details, plot summaries, critical reception, and the actors and designers behind Gillman. The original 1954 movie holds up surprisingly well (even if we cant see it in 3D). The straightforward plot allows little time for filler (and that's where most movies lose me). The underwater photography is beautiful. I highly recommend a watch. The same can't be said for other two movies. They are a retread of the first, the plot is uninspired and the creature designs are ugly.  There have been numerous sequel/remake attempts over the years. Unfortunately, none were successful. Let's hope James Wan (best known for "Saw", "The Conjuring" and "Insidious") can get a movie over the finish line. I love everything he does so I have high hopes. We definitely need more Gillman in our lives.    Photo Credit: Here

This episode covers the "Silent Night, Deadly Night" franchise. From it's 1984 start (apparently Killer Santas were controversial back in the day). through four stand alone movies (most of which have very little to do with Christmas) to two reboots. And dont forget the second entry--which is often touted as one of the worst movies ever. Besides it's horrible over the top acting, it's "Garbage Day" meme has a life of it's own.  Did you enjoy any/all of these movies? Please let me know in the comments. I'm especially interested in your feedback about the 2025 reboot. Did I miss the mark?    Photo Credit: Here

This week we're covering the obscure "Carnosaur" franchise. It consists of a trilogy and 2 spinoffs. These movies that were produced by Roger Corman (known as "The King of B Movies"). Due to budget constraints, they kept using the same two dinos and the same scenes from the first movie over and over again.  The plots are all over the place and dont make any sense. The first movie has a geneticist (Diane Ladd) creating dinosaurs from chickens so she can wipe out the human race. She also devises a virus that makes women give birth to dinosaurs-- thus eventually killing all humans. Say what? The second movie is a straight up rip off of "Aliens"-- just with dinosaurs. The third movie has dinos in a warehouse and then on a ship for some reason. Now they must be saved because they contain human DNA and hold the secret to curing diseases. And the last two movies, I wont even bother to try to explain the story lines.  Despite these being hokey movies, Corman gets a surprising number of prominent actors to appear-- Diane Ladd, Clint Howard, John Savage, Eric Roberts, Corbin Bernsen, Tony Todd and Dee Wallace (to name a few).  I can't say I recommend these movies but if you want a good laugh, check them out. With the Rifftrax/MST3000 treatment, they would be much more interesting.  Did I miss the mark? Do you love these movies? Let me know in the comments section.    Photo Credit: Here

It's that time again. 2025 marks a pivotal year for horror. Horror movies made some $1.2 billion in domestic box office (passing the previous record in 2017). "The Conjuring: Last Rites" has made $494 million thus far. The "Conjuring" universe is the highest grossing franchise EVER (raking in $2.3 billion globally). "Sinners" is in second place with $367 million. "Final Destination: Bloodlines" is close behind at $315 million.  We also have two horror movies up for major awards at both the Golden Globes and Academy Awards. Will they come close to 1991's "The Silence Of The Lambs"? It is the only horror movie to ever win the "Big 5" Oscars-- Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay. Last year "The Substance" was nominated for five Academy Awards but did not win for Best Picture, Best Director or Best Actress. Demi Moore did however win a Best Actress Golden Globe and SAG award.  After watching more than 100 new movies in 2025, here are my favorites. Please let me know yours in the comments: Sinners Frankenstein Weapons The Long Walk Final Destination: Bloodlines Bring Her Back The Rule of Jenny Pen Companion Best Wishes To All Good Boy   Photo Credit: Here  

This episode dives into the obscure "Boggy Creek" franchise. The 1972 low budget faux documentary "The Legend Of Boggy Creek" and 1985's "Boggy Creek 2: The Legend Continues" are the only two films by Charles B Pierce Sr. The other three movies by this name are unrelated. The "Legend Of Boggy Creek" is considered the grandaddy of the found footage horror subgenre. The movie's title card says its a "true" story. It came out before "Cannibal Holocaust" which in turn is considered the inspiration for "Blair Witch Trial".  If you like Bigfoot movies, check out the original and the 2016 documentary "The Boggy Creek Monster". A number of locals are interviewed about the 1972 film. They give their opinions of what's true and what's not regarding the Fouke Monster. Is this Bigfoot's cousin? Decide for yourself.    Photo Credit: Here

In this episode we delve into the "Toxic Avenger" franchise. There are five movies-- including this year's reboot starring Peter Dinklage ("Game of Thrones"), Kevin Bacon, Elijah Woods and a host of other famous faces.  Toxic Avenger (affectionately known as "Toxie") is the brain child of Lloyd Kaufman. His company, Troma Entertainment, is the longest running independent film studio in existence. Besides "Toxic Avenger", the studio is most famous for "Sargent Kubikiman NYPD", "Class of Nuke Em High" and their various sequels.  "Toxic Avenger" was not a success when it was first released in 1984. However midnight showings at Blecker Street Cinemas and word of mouth soon turned it into a cult classic. Toxie is a satirical take on superhero movies. He battles bad guys and protects the innocent in Tromaville, NJ (the toxic chemical capital of the world). These movies are not for everyone. All were made on a shoe string budget and are ultra violent, very un-PC and feature excessive nudity, Their target demographic seems to be 13 year old boys. I would suggest watching the first movie and the reboot. I would like to see more of this version of Toxie. Hopefully it will do well enough at the box office to justify a sequel. Forget the rest of the movies unless you're a die hard fan. Just a word of caution. The 80s (when the original came out) were different times so there is much here to offend younger viewers if you go in blind.    Photo Credit: Here

This episode of Horror Movie Franchises takes a deep dive into the "Witchboard" series — from the 1986 original, through two sequels, to the recent reboot. Movie plots, trivia, and how each film handles spirit boards and possession are covered.  If you watch just one movie, make it the original. It has since become a cult classic largely due to Twaney Katean (as Linda) and the bromance between Jim and Brandon. Sadly, the rest (including this year's reboot) aren't that good. One reviewer refers to the franchise as "Witch Bored". That is both a funny and accurate description.    Photo Credit: Here

Ty West's "X" trilogy includes "X", it's prequel "Pearl", and it's sequel "MaXXXine". Each movie follows a different cinematic style: X is a tribute to 1970's slashers such as "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" Pearl is a Technicolor extravaganza. Such films were popular in the 1930s thru 50s. Think "The Wizard of Oz". These movies had big sets, big scores and were filled with vibrant colors. MaXXXine is a tribute to Italian giallos. They were very stylized and were controversial due to excess sex and violence. Throw in a sleazy 1980s LA backdrop, a real killer that was on the prowl (the Nightstalker) and the Satantic Panic that was frightening the country at the time.  Mia Goth is the standout of the series. I'll admit I didnt know much her before this. I had only seen her in the remake of "Suspiria". I really enjoyed her performance (especially in "Pearl"). It's a shame she didnt at least receive an Academy Award nomination for this character study. I look forward to seeing much more of her in future movies.  Will there be other "X" movies? Ty West said he had an idea for a fourth but has since said he liked where the series ended. While I would like to see where else they could go, I'd glad someone in Hollywood knows when to end a story (vs beating a dead horse).  Photo Credit: here

This episode covers the little known "The Prophecy" franchise. It's a five film series about a millennia-long war among angels. The first three movies star Christopher Walken. The last two were filmed back to back in Romania (and are really the same story).  The first film was released theatrically in 1995 and has since become a cult classic. The other four were direct to video and have, for the most part, fallen out of the public conscience.  If you like angel movies (such as "Legion", "Fallen", "Constantine", "Angel Heart" or "Warlock") give these a try. I would suggest the first (and possibly second) movies. The rest are not horrible but dont add much to the mythology. Photo Credit: Here

This episode surveys the vast screen history of Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novella "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". There are some 120+ films ranging from the silent era through present day. Recurring themes include: the duality of man, the struggle between good and evil, civilized vs primitive, sexual repression, the constraints of society, etc.  These films are hard to distinguish from one another since many have the same title-- "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde".  The landmark versions are considered the 1920 silent movie (starring John Barrymore) and the 1931 black and white film (starring Frederic March). The role won March an Academy Award for Best Actor. This is highly unusual for a horror film. The only other actor to win an Oscar for Best Actor in a horror movie is Anthony Hopkins for "Silence Of The Lambs".  There's also a 1941 remake of the 1931 movie starring Spencer Tracy, Ingrid Bergman and Lana Turner. It definitely has a powerhouse cast but it just didnt have the depth of the earlier movie IMHO.  Other notable interpretations include: 1968's "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" (a TV movie starring Jack Palance), 1971's "Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde", 1971's "I, Monster" (starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing), 1990's "Jekyll and Hyde" (a TV movie starring Michael Caine and Cheryl Ladd), a 2007 BBC miniseries called "Jekyll" (starring James Nesbitt) and 2023's "Doctor Jekyll" (starring Eddie Izzard). We've got comedies, musicals, cartoons, parodies, versions where Dr Jekyll turns into a woman--you name it. And I didnt even include the shows where Jekyll/Hyde appear as ensemble characters such as "The League of Extraordinary Gentleman". We also have modern interpretations of this story that, while they dont feature Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, they're the same basic premise such as "The Nutty Professor" (both Jerry Lewis and Eddie Murphy adaptations), "The Hulk", etc. I'm sure Stevenson had no idea how many different forms his story about a man struggling with his inner demons would take.  Photo Credit: Here  

This week we're doing something slightly different. We're talking about "wax museum" movies. "Wax museum" films are an interesting subgenre of horror. If you're like me, you have a hard time keeping track of which movie is which due to all the similar plots and titles. This is my attempt at sorting them out.  The first such movie is the 1914 French silent film "The Man with the Wax Faces". Next is 1924 German silent anthology "Waxworks". Then the first entry in the "House of Wax" trilogy-- 1933's "Mystery of the Wax Museum". It was remade 20 years later as "House of Wax"-- starring Vincent Price. The 3rd entry is a slasher by the same name. It features Paris Hilton in her film debut. And lastly is an unofficial Italian giallo entry from 1996 called "Wax Mask". The story is by Dario Argento and screenplay by Lucio Fulci. He began as director but unfortunately passed away before the film's completion.  There are a number of other "wax museum" movies besides these. Most are standalones. These movies typically follow one of three horror tropes: 1. Someone bets someone they wont stay overnight alone in a wax museum; 2. Some crazy sculptor/artist is killing people and turning them into wax figures; or 3. Wax statues are coming to life and attacking people.  Is there a future for wax museum movies or are they part of a bygone era? None have been released recently. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments. Also check out @VintageHorrorMovies here for a more in-depth review of the earliest wax museum movies.  Photo Credit: Here

This episode (which originally aired in 10/19) has been re-recorded. The newest movie has been added and it has been edited for time (including removing some of the trivia and the recipe).  This week we take a look at one of the largest but somewhat lesser known franchises. "HellRaiser" has 11 movies total as well and a number of related books, comic books, documentaries, short stories, etc. When the first "HellRaiser" movie was released back in 1986, there wasnt anything like it. S&M demons from Hell, lead by the iconic Pinhead, torture anyone who opens a mysterious puzzle box. I wanted to learn more. Despite the decline in quality of later movies (5-10 were released direct to home video) the franchise still has lots to offer.  Due to the success of the series reboot (in 2022) a sequel is supposedly in the works. I hope so. I think there's a lot more they can do with this franchise (as long as Clive Barker is involved). We need to learn more about Levithan and the other Cenobites (as well as all the people they've tortured through the centuries).  Photo Credit: Here

This episode originally aired way back in 8/19. I have re-recorded to add the newest film entry as well as editing for time (including removing some trivia and the recipe).  This week we review the "Omen" franchise. There are five original films (the latest is 2024's "The First Omen"), a 2006 remake, a failed TV pilot and a TV series that ran for one season on A&E. The original "Omen" from 1976 holds up surprisingly well after some 45 years. Just dont expect jump scares every five minutes. This movie focuses more on story telling but still has some excellent special effects.   Photo Credit: Here

Last week we talked about the Spanish "Blind Dead" zombie franchise. This time we're diving into the Italian franchise "Zombi". This franchise is one of the most confusing due to it's differing titles. Back in the day some marketers, film studios, etc would title movies a sequel to a more popular film (in order to cash in on it's popularity). Also, to make it even more confusing, movies might be released under different names in each country. Thus is the case with this franchise.  George A Romero's "Dawn Of The Dead" was released as just "Zombi" in Europe. Lucio Fulci's zombie movie was then released as "Zombi 2". Fulci has said himself that his movie is not a sequel to anything. Then the next movie (which Fulci had to bow out of due to health reasons) was released as "Zombi 3".  In the US "Zombi 2" was released as just "Zombie". Then the next film is "Zombi 3". In the UK the films were released as "Zombi Flesh Eaters" and additional unrelated films were added. In Australia there were 8+ unrelated films in the franchise (including one of the "Blind Dead" movies we talked about last week). Way too confusing! Fulci's zombies are different in that they arise from the voodoo traditions of Haiti and the Caribbean. The zombie look here is possibly some of the best in the business (thanks to makeup artist Giannetti De Rossi). The rise of the 400 year old Spanish conquistador (complete with worms in his eye socket) is a standout.   Other famous scenes include: 1. The eye gouging scene (definitely cringe inducing); 2. the zombie vs shark fight (yes it's real shark). While "Zombi 2" is a classic, "Zombi 3" is really, really boring. Feel free to skip that one. Too bad we'll never know what it would have looked like had Fulci been able to complete it himself.  Photo Credit: Here

In this episode we're reviewing a lesser known Spanish zombie franchise. It's the four moves of the "Blind Dead". They were all written and directed by Amando del Ossorio. Each was released under several different titles so it's a bit of a challenge to find them.  None of the stories are related except that each follows a group of zombies (Templar Knights that were killed for their devil worship and human sacrifices) as they terrorize the neighborhood. These are not your typical zombies. They're more like a zombie/vampire hybrid. They rise each night from their graves to kill people and drink their blood. They look more like skeletal mummies in dirty monk robes. They like to hit people with their swords. They also really, really like to ride zombie horses (which always travel is SLOW MOTION). It's a good thing they have those horses. The zombies themselves are so slow, they'd never sneak up on anyone otherwise.  Photo Credit: Here

In this week's episode of "Horror Movie Franchises", we delve into a lesser known franchise. "Warlock" has three movies total. They are considered horror/fantasy. If you're looking for scary movies, check elsewhere. These movies are each standalone stories. Their only common denominator is each features a warlock. Julian Sands stars in the first two. He has an excellent screen presence and really sells his roles.   My personal recommendation is to watch the first movie and skip the rest. It's not that the other two are bad. I've seen much worse. Their stories just dont interest me much that much. A few people say they like "Warlock 2" better than the first movie-- so your mileage may vary.  There are no plans for a continuation of the franchise. If there were. they'd need to find a new warlock. Julian Sands tragically died while hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains in California in 2023.  Photo Credit: Here

Welcome to the 124th episode of Horror Movie Franchises, formerly known as Food and Frightening Film Fanatics, where we provide commentary, analysis and critiques of horror movies.  In this episode, we explore the "Mimic" franchise. It consists of three films. The first was Guillermo del Toro's U.S. directorial debut. The other two movies went straight to home video. del Toro was not able to make the film he intended due to studio interference (from Miramax and the Weinsteins). He disowned the theatrical release and later created a director's cut that was closer to his vision.  "Mimic" joins a long line of killer bug movies where insects threaten to dethrone humans from the top of the food chain. They include: "Them!", "Empire of the Ants", and "Kingdom of the Spiders" (just to name a few).  Photo Credit: Here  

Welcome to the newly renamed podcast - Horror Movie Franchises! This fresh identity aligns perfectly with our core mission: To provide commentary, analysis and critiques of horror franchises.  While some older episodes may retain our former title, Food and Frightening Film Fanatics, we're excited to embark on this new chapter. Join us as we explore the depths of horror movies, sharing insights and thoughts on various franchises (from the most famous to some you've probably never heard of). We encourage listeners to share their views and engage with us in the comments section. Thanks for your continued support, and stay tuned for thrilling content ahead!

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  In this episode we're covering a lesser known franchise called "Trancers". It's a low budget sci-fi series about a grizzled retired cop who travels through time-- by jumping into his ancestor's bodies. He's in search of trancers (they're kinda like zombies who do their master's bidding).  There are six movies total. The first was theatrically released. The rest were direct to video. Tim Thomerson stars as Jack Deth. He's in all the entries except the last one. Helen Hunt is his girlfriend/wife Lena. She's in 1-2 and makes a cameo in 3.  If you're looking for some 80s nostalgia, check out the first movie. Then if you like that, try the third as well. Forget about the rest (unless you're a hard core fan).  I must say I was a bit disappointed by the series. All the main actors are good (and have been in tons of other movies/TV shows). I can even look past the low budget. But without a good plot, there's nowhere to go. If they had just made the story more interesting I could have been all in. I do know some people really like this show. If so, more power to them. It's just not for me.  And in honor of my favorite Jack catchphrase "Dry hair's for squids" we'll talk about some popular squid dishes. Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we delve into the “Feast” franchise, a lesser-known series of horror comedies that are sure to leave a lasting impression. Winning Project Greenlight's third season, the first movie was backed by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. This franchise is a family affair with John Gulager as director, his father as Bartender, John’s wife as Harley Mom/ Biker Queen and his brother Tom as Greg.  In the first movie, a group of strangers find themselves trapped in a Nevada desert bar, facing off against bloodthirsty monsters. The narrative continues with “Feast 2: Sloppy Seconds” (2008) and “Feast 3: The Happy Finish” (2009). If you like B movies with tons of gory practical effects, this might be the franchise for you.  For the recipe we have an app that guaranteed to give you new ideas. It's the "Guardian Feast App" from Guardian Media. You can sort by cuisine (Italian, Mexican, Indian etc) or you can look for meat free, gluten free or dairy free options. The app is extremely customizable. Check it out on the iphone app store or Google Play.  Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  In this episode we'll delve into the "Carrie" franchise. The 1976 movie is most famous for two scenes: The shower scene and the prom scene. Odds are even if you havent seen the movie, you know about them. The movie garnered two Oscar nominations-- Best Actress for Sissy Spacek as Carrie and Best Supporting Actress for Piper Laurie as Margaret (Carrie's mother). There are 3 other movies in the franchise: The Rage: Carrie 2- 1999 Carrie- 2002- MADE FOR TV MOVIE Carrier- 2013 These are really the same basic story. I would say stick with the first movie. It's a classic. If you'd like to see more, check out 2002's Carrie. It is the closest of the four movies to Stephen King's novel. Incidentally, "Carrie" was the first novel King published...and the rest is history.  And for the recipe this week, we have a twist on the Bloody Mary cocktail. It's the Bloody Carrie. Not for the faint of heart, it has hot sauce and wasaba paste. Guaranteed to drop kick your taste buds. Check out Barbot for more details. Photo Credit: Here  

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we're doing something slightly different. We're covering the longest running franchises in horror history. Sure everyone knows about "Halloween", "Friday The 13th" and "Children of the Corn" but there actually a # of horror franchises with MANY MORE entries. And, if you're like me, there are several here that you've never heard of.   Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we're talking about "The Bad Seed". There's the original 1956 movie, 2 made for TV movies (one from 1985 and one from 2018) and a sequel to the 2018 movie.  The original movie was nominated for 4 Oscars (for Nancy Kelly, Patty McCormack, Eileen Heckart and Best Cinematography). Eileen won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Hortense. Nancy Kelly won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Christine in the play.  The 1956 movie is considered a classic. I highly recommend it. It's the best portrayal by a child actor I've ever seen. Check out the 2018 version as well. McKenna Grace does an excellent job as Emma. It's just impossible to do a better job than Patty McCormack did as Rhoda.  And it should come as no surprise that my recipe this week involves seeds. Check out how they can be a great addition to salads, proteins, breads, baked goods, etc Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we're discussing the "Nosferatu" franchise. It's a bit confusing because first time viewers are like "Isn't this Dracula?". And the answer is sorta. This vampire is a rat like creature who never blinks. He has long spindly fingers and two big teeth in the front of his mouth. He is the harbinger of death and bringer of the plague. This is not your sexy Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, Jack Palance, Gary Oldman vampire. And this vampire is definitely not sparkly. Women are NOT lining up to be seduced by him.  The creators of the 1922 movie used the Dracula story but changed all the names and locations. It didnt work though. Bram Stoker's widow sued for copyright infringement. This bankrupted the studio and all copies of the film were supposed to be destroyed. Luckily for us, some survived. "Nosferatu" is now considered one of the best silent movies of all times. This movie shaped much of what we think of as vampire folklore (such as sunlight killing them).  There are four "Nosferatu" films (the 1922 original, the 1979 version with Klaus Kinski, a shot by shot remake in 2023, and the last year's Robert Egger's movie). There are also a number of other versions of the original with different scores.  And in honor of this vampire, we have several Nosferatu inspired drinks. They include bourbon, vodka and gin cocktails. There's even an IPA called "Nosferatu".  Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week I'm doing something slightly different. This is an ADDENDUM episode. I'm covering new entries to previously reviewed franchises. With so many new horror movies coming out each year, it's a challenge to keep up. In just the last year we had five new entries to existing horror franchises-- "Alien", "Creep", "Terrifier", "Omen", and "VHS".  CORRECTION: The "Cube" remake is from Japan. For some reason I incorrectly said China.  Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  Welcome to the 115th episode of Food and Frightening Film Fanatics. This week we're reviewing the "Rosemary's Baby" franchise. Most people only know about the first film but there are actually four total. The original is some 50 years old but is still considered one of the best horror movies of all time.  We discuss the roles of iconic actors, the influence of esteemed author Ira Levin, the controversies surrounding director Roman Polanski, and the curse of "Rosemary's Baby". Also check out the movie trivia. Did you know a future cult leader makes a 2 second appear in the first film?  And it should come as no surprise that I went with the herb rosemary this week. It enhances the flavor of a number of dishes. Check out some of them at Masterclass.com here   It's also used in aromatherapy, in soaps and shampoos and as a traditional medicine.  Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we explore the lesser-known "Species" franchise. It should not be confused with the "Subspecies" franchise (which we reviewed last week). "Species" is a sci-fi series about alien/human hybrids while "Subspecies" is about vampires.  The "Species" franchise consists of four movies. My advise is just watch the first movie unless you're a die hard fan. This was Natasha Henstridge's first film role. She does a great job. There is also a surprisingly star studded cast including: Sir Ben Kingsley, Marg Helgenberger, Forest Whitaker, Michael Mardsen and Alfred Molina. It is often hard to come up with a recipe tie-in for the franchise I'm reviewing. It was especially difficult this time around. The only thing I could find was Seven Species Salad. See details here at Kosher.com Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  In this episode, we delve into an often overlooked horror franchise. "Subspecies" has six direct-to-video films. All were written and directed by Ted Nicolaou. Produced by Full Moon Pictures the franchise delivers schlocky story lines and is somewhat of an "acquired" taste.  Positives about the series include the shooting locations. Castle ruins add an authentic feel. The vampires in "Subspecies" turn into shadows instead of bats. That makes for some cool visuals. Anders Hove and Denice Duff star as Radu and Michelle throughout the movies--giving the series a consistent feel. Negatives include cheap special effects and soap opera-y story lines. I could have also done without the "subspecies". They dont have much air time and dont even appear after movie three. I'm not sure what their purpose was supposed to be.  Given that the series was the first to shoot in Romania after the collapse in the USSR, it should be no surprise that I'm covering traditional Romain foods in this episode. Romanian foods are known for being hearty and flavorful. The national food of Romania is Sarmale. Sarmale is cabbage rolled with minced meat and herbs. It is served at every holiday and gathering. See TheRomanianCookbook.com for a Sarmale recipe and details on other popular Romanian foods. Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  Welcome to the 112th episode of Food and Frightening Film Fanatics. This week we delve into the best horror cinema of the year. 2024 was one of the best in recent memory. With a blend of major studio hits, standout indie films and films made on shoestring budgets, there is something for everyone. From spine-tingling sequels and prequels to groundbreaking original releases, the horror landscape has never been more diverse or exciting. Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  The "House" franchise is sometimes considered the weirdest because the 4 movies have nothing to do with each other. Some people will remember the first "House" movie from it's interesting cover art. I'm sure that's why many (including myself) picked it up at the video store back in the day. Most would be hard pressed to remember the other three movies.  A fifth "House" movie is supposedly in the works but I cant' find anything else about it. I am interested to see how the movie will adjusted for a contemporary audience.  And since I had to find something with the word "house" in it, check out the recipe for delicious Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies at verybestbaking.com   Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week I'm reviewing my favorite horror movies of last year. 2023 was known as the year of the "possession" movie. My list includes several possession movies as well as slashers, aliens, folklore, and a Frankenstein adaptation. Do your favorites match mine? Let me know in the comments below.   Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we're talking about another obscure franchise. It's "Basketcase". There are 3 movies total. The first movie was created on a shoestring budget and was never actually meant to be released to the public. Frank Hinnenlotter just wanted to make a movie. Who could have imagined that it would become a cult classic? The other two film in the series showcase a variety of "unique" people such as Rat Man, Frog Boy, Toothy, etc.  This week's dish was the most popular of 1982 (the year the first "Basketcase" was released). It was introduced at La Cirque in New York City and is now a restaurant staple. .  Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we're talking about a lesser known franchise-- it's "Poltergeist". There are 3 movies in the trilogy and a remake. The original 1982 movie was written by Steven Spielberg with Tobe Hooper ("Texas Chainsaw Massacre") directing. Despite it's age, the first movie holds up surprisingly well. Sure, tech has improved but the special effects are still fun (and all the corpses popping up are truly creepy). A number of catch phrases from the movie have also entered popular culture. Examples include: "They're here" and "Stay away from the light children". Everyone now knows it's a REALLY bad idea to build anything on top of an old cemetery. Clowns should also not be trusted-- especially those that drag you under your bed and try to strangle you.   And since the poltergeists/ghosts/whatever they are enter our dimension through the TV, I thought it would be fun to look at the origins of the TV dinner. They're still around today-- although we don't call them by that name. Today they're frozen dinners, ready made meals, etc,  I have a few in my freezer right now.  Photo Credit: here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week I review my top 20 list for 2022. It started out as a top 10 list but, thanks to all the great movies this year, I ended up with 20. There was a little something for everyone in 2022-- found footage, slashers, folk horror, Lovecraftian horror, body horror, aliens, psychological horror, vampires, ghosts, demons, werewolves, etc. It's best to go into many of these movies knowing as little as possible. Let me know if your favorites match mine and where they differ.  Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we're covering a lesser known series. There are 4 movies in the "Pumpkinhead" franchise. Take my advice and stick with just the first one. It's an excellent example of how to make a good movie on a low budget and features the creature designs of Stan Winston. He also directed the first movie.  And if you need ideas on how to dispose of leftover pumpkins, check here  Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  After an extended absence, I'm back. This week's topic is the "Blair Witch" franchise. Few people know there are actually THREE Blair witch movies plus a number of supporting videos, books, comics, and video games that cover the Blair Witch mythology. The original "Blair Witch" movie is credited as being the first found footage movie. Technically, it was "Cannibal Holocaust"-- but "Blair Witch" was the first commercial success. Back in the pre-Internet days people werent sure if these three kids were really dead or not. Obvs that couldnt happen so easily today... but it was tons of fun back then. Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  I dare say 95% of the public has not heard of the "Killjoy" franchise. From Charles Band's Full Moon Features, this is bottom of the barrel entertainment. While the series starts out as horror, it switches to horror-comedy by the third movie. The best film in the bunch is the fifth-- "Killjoy's Psycho Circus". Dont expect these movies to make any sense. Just enjoy the over the top performances of Trent Haaga (as Killjoy) and Victoria de Mare (as Betty Boop).  And for the food/drink tie in, Killjoy Drinks provides a wide selection of non alcoholic beverages in every category: wine, beer/ale, liquors, mixes, etc. Check them out at killjoydrinks.com Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week I cover new additions to previously reviewed franchises. The past year has seen a number of new entries including: Texas Chainsaw Massacre Scream Wrong Turn CandyMan VHS94 Spiral: From The Book Of Saw Slumber Party Massacre Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City The Forever Purge Halloween Kills The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It Cube- released only in Japan Paranormal Activity: Next Of Kin And WAY too many Amityville Horror movies Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  The week we're reviewing one of the big 3 of horror. It's Freddie Kruger and "A Nightmare On Elm Street". There are 9 movies and 2 seasons of a TV series. This killer is different from others in that Freddie haunts you in your sleep---- and everybody has to sleep at some point. Over the course of his run, Freddy has developed into a wise cracking trickster. Sure Jason and Michael will kill ya-- but Freddy will talk smack about ya before he does.    And 2 Geeks Who Eat have a "Nightmare" pairing here It, of course, contains lots of caffeine.   Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  The week we cover the somewhat lesser known "Tremors" franchise. This horror comedy is a throwback to the creature features of the 1950s. There are seven movie and one season of a TV series. Burt Gummer (played by Michael Gross) becomes the franchise's lead character by movie three. He's paranoid gun toting conspiracy theorist who I just love. Be forewarned though-- the movies are a bit redundant. If you want to get a flavor of the franchise, check out the first movie, the third movie and the last movie (Shreiker Island).  And in honor of graboids everywhere, we have a recipe for cool edible worms from AshleeMarie.com here They would be a fun addition at Halloween or horror themed party.  Photo Credit: Here 

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  After viewing some 130+ horror films released in 2021, I FINALLY have my top 10 list. Included are a few honorable mentions as well as movies by country of origin, studio, etc. Let me know if you're favorites match mine.  Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we cover a lesser known franchise. It's the seven movies of "Wrong Turn". I cant say they are great but if you like inbred hillbilly cannibals, this might be the series for you.  Also we cover a lesser known Appalachian food. It's ramps-- also known as wild leeks, spring onions or by several other names. Check out the link here for recipes that include this pungent and wild growing vegetable.  Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we cover a lesser known anthology franchise. It's "VHS". There are four films total plus a spinoff. "Siren" is based on "Amateur Night" from the first movie. There's also a series of Snapchat shorts. The great thing about anthologies is if you don't like something, it will be over soon and you're on to something new.  And in honor of "VHS 94", we have the most popular food of that year. It's the Caesar salad. See this 1994 St Louis Dispatch article here for the origins of the dish and the recipe.   Photo Credit:  Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we cove one of the icons of horror-- the chainsaw- wielding Leatherface. The "TCM" franchise is one of the strangest in terms of chronology. There are at least three different timelines with reboots, sequels and prequels. The original 1974 movie is considered a horror masterpiece. It is credited with starting the slasher craze and developed many of the common horror tropes we see today-- the final girl, an isolated location, an unstopable and nonverbal killer, etc. My suggestion is watch the original, the 2003 remake, and one of other films that contains Sheriff Hoyt and family. They are well worth a watch. Also if want something fun, check out the black commedy "TCM 2".  This week we also cover a few dishes popular in Texas. See Tasteofhome.com here for recipes (including many with a Tex Mex inspiration). Photo Credit:  Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  "American Psycho" with Christian Bale as iconic serial killer Patrick Bateman was released in 2000. It's based on a novel by Brett Easton Ellis. Most people are familiar with the movie due to it's over the top violence (which was pared down to get the movie an R rating instead of NC-17). Bateman is an unlikeable character (and possibly an unreliable narrator). The movie is a great depiction of the narcissistic, greed fueled 1980's. But did you know there is a second "American Psycho" movie? It's the direct to video "American Psycho 2: All American Girl" starring Mila Kunis (from "That 70's Show"). Feel free to skip this studio cash grab. It's a sequel in name only and has been denounced by everyone involved.  In honor of the original film, I've included a link to 25 classic 80's foods from EatThis.com here Does anyone remember Funny Feet Ice Cream? How about Dixie's Snack Crackers or Dr Pepper Gum? And I'm still eating some items on this list including Lunchables, Lean Cuisines, and my favorite Tostino Pizza Rolls.  Photo Credit: here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we cover the five movies of the "Underworld" franchise. All star Kate Beckinsale as the skin-tight-leather-clad-vampire-assassin named Selene. Vampires are in a centuries old battle with lycans (ie werewolves). Humans are non the wiser about either species until later in the franchise. I would suggest checking out the first movie and possibly the second ("Underworld: Evolution"). Later entries unfortunately are really more of the same.  And in keeping with the theme, The-Girl-Who-Ate-Everything.com has a recipe for edible fake blood. It's super easy and good for any Halloween/horror themed party. Check it out here Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  The "Ju-On/The Grudge" franchise contains 13 films and a NetFlix series. The series is an interesting one. Takashi Shimizu created the franchise, and directed or produced six of the films. Besides the Japanese movies, there are 4 American entries-- "The Grudge", "The Grudge 2", "The Grudge 3" and "The Grudge" (2020). There's also a fun crossover with "The Ring" franchise with "Sadako vs Kayako". The franchise may be a bit hard for some viewers to follow. The pacing is pretty slow in the earlier entries. The stories are also told in a nonlinear fashion so you're not sure what/when everything happened. Still the series is one of the most prominent examples of J-horror. The death rattling Kayako and the meowing Toshio are iconic characters.    And for the food this week, i obviously went with Japanese cuisine. Check out the GoWithGuide.com here for some favorites.  Photo Credits: here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we're doing a single serving size episode. That's one which falls below my 3 movie minimum to be considered a franchise. The original "13 Ghost" premiered in 1960. Since it was a William Castle production, you can be there was a gimmick involved. The movie was promoted as having "Illusion-O"-- a pair of glasses that made the on screen ghosts more vivid. The 2001 remake of "13 Ghosts" has some pretty heavy hitters in the acting department. It also has excellent production design and special effects. Too bad the story isn't on the same level. While the ghosts were way cool, I was annoyed by their constantly wondering around the house yelling for each other.  This week's recipe includes some fun suggestions for a ghost themed Halloween party. Check it out here  Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we're talking about one of the top horror directors. Lucio Fulci was prominent in the Italian gialo film movement (from the late 1960's through early 1980's). His three films in the "Gates Of Hell" trilogy are considered some of his best. They include; "City Of The Living Dead" (1980), "The Beyond" (1981), and "The House By The Cemetery" (1981).  I'm saving his other classic "Zombi"/"Zombie 2" for a later date. Hallmarks of Fulci films include: lots of gore, almost always an eye gouging scene, and an often confusing plot. Don't try to understand the specifics of what's going on. Instead view the movie as a dream and you'll enjoy it much better.     And in honor of Fulci's homeland, I've included some iconic Italian dishes. Number 1 is ALWAYS pizza but dont forget about lasagna, polenta, ossobuco, risotto, carbonara, focccia, and gelato. Check them out at WalksOfItaly.com here   Photo Credit: here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we cover the South Korean "Train To Busan" franchise. The second film in the series is the lesser known animated prequel "Seoul Station". The third movie is named "Peninsula". "Train To Busan" is IMHO one of the best zombie movies EVER. Not only does it have some great zombies, it also has characters you grow to care about. That doesnt happen much in this subgenre. While some have referred to "Peninsula" as "Fast & Furious... with zombies", I enjoyed it as well. Just dont compare "Peninsula" with "Train To Busan". This is about completely different characters and how they dealt with the zombie apocalypse.   This week we cover some classic Korean dishes. Check out this link to TheSpruceEats.com for more details. Some of the most popular are: kimchi, dumplings and Korean barbecue.   Photo Credit: Here