Tracks Of The Damned
Bonus - Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)
Well it took us several weeks but we're finally here. We've had decapitations and double impalements and 3D yo-yos and now we've reached the thrilling conclusion of the Friday the 13th series and, with it, our commentary tracks. (Wait, they made HOW many more after this? Oh geez.) Yes, on this episode of Tracks of the Damned, the horror film commentary track podcast, we take a look at the least accurately titled slasher movie since Jason took Vancouver. But even if it wasn't the end of the series it was probably the series' peak, a perfect cocktail of sleaze, outlandish special effects and bombast, the kind that tastes great and fucks up your liver.
Bonus - Frogs (1972) w/ beer
Look there's nothing wrong with an overgrown octopus pulling down the Golden Gate Bridge, there's nothing wrong with adorable giant bunnies gobbling up the townsfolk, but what if you got something more? What if you saw a killer animal movie that really got under your skin? An early 70's AIP cheapie directed by someone mostly known for TV work seems like an unlikely candidate, but sometimes life surprises you. On this episode of Tracks of the Damned, the horror film commentary track podcast, Patrick revisits a track he recorded back in the halcyon days of 2017. Christ, you ever thought you'd be nostalgic for that first Trump year?
Bonus - Friday the 13th: Part 3 (1982) w/ Regina Linn of Consistent Panda Bear Shape
Once, twice, three times a dopey slasher series but how are you gonna get the kids coming back to pay to see the same movie they already paid to twice before? The real answer is "Twice? Wait til you realize we can do this 8 more times!" but it's 1982, they don't know what they're sitting on yet. Instead they find a solution fitting their respect for the franchise: stick a bunch of goofy 3D gimmick shit in it! Yes, it's time to talk about Friday the 13th: Part 3, the film that launched the series into what it would become. This is where they get the mask, this is where they up the body count, this is where they looked at all the critics complaining about the depraved violence in the first two films and decided to produce something that no one could possibly take seriously.
Bonus - Halloween (Director's Cut) (2007)
It's an age-old question. Why do we keep pushing on that bruise, tonguing that sore, why do we watch movies we know we hate, movies we know hate us? We don't know, but there are few more mainstream horror films more hateful than Rob Zombie's Halloween. Yes, kids, it's time to gaze into the abyss. Patrick may not like Rob Zombie's divisive 2007 remake of the Carpenter classic, but that hasn't stopped him from trying to figure it out, like some kind of Film Crit Sam Loomis trying to see what lurks behind the blackest eyes, the devil's eyes. So back in 2017, armed with a six pack of beer, he decided to dive deep in and ask really hard questions.
Bonus - Friday the 13th: Part 2 (1981)
It's slower than we'd like but the days are finally getting warmer, the clouds are beginning to part and that first lonesome call of the loon cracking across the valley indicates the summer must soon be here. Time for camp! Yes Tracks of the Damned, the horror film commentary track podcast, is returning with this bonus episode recorded in 2019 that goes deep into the heart of New Jersey to Camp Crystal Lake with the indelible Friday the 13th: Part 2.
S.2 E.8 - Martin (1978) w/ Gabe Powers of Genre Grinder
Well regardless, if we're all gonna be stuck in front of our TVs for the next two months than we might as well watch some movies together. So the plan right now is to go back into the crypt and dig up some old unreleased episodes and other archival material to release on a weekly basis. And to start off, a real doozy: Martin! In this episode, originally recorded in 2017, Patrick is joined by Gabe Powers of Genre Grinder to talk about the little-seen but oft-revered vampire flick by Pittsburgh's own George Romero. We talk about everything from the film's small-town Pennsylvania locale to Romero's work as an industrial filmmaker to whether or not this film was made prior to Tom Savini's nosejob!
Halloween Mixtape 2019 - Sweet Treats and Rotten Tricks
Hey all, Jim here. I wish I could explain what you're about to hear, but I really can't. But Patrick is recovering in the hospital after 40% of his body was eaten away by insects, so all I can do is direct you to this sound file, which captures his final moments before he succumbed to a demonic force. So listen, but listen with caution, lest the same happen to you...
Halloween Mixtape 2018
I've spent the past 2 weeks making this special Halloween mix for you all to enjoy. Novelty songs, soundtrack cuts, horrorcore, horror-punk, horror surf, trailers, and other assorted bits and bobs. A creeptastic spooktacular!
S.2 E.7 - Alice Sweet Alice (1976) w/Bill Ackerman of the Supporting Characters Podcast
Two lapsed Catholics from New Jersey (host Patrick Ripoll and Bill Ackerman of the Supporting Characters podcast) try to tackle what makes this film so deep, satisfying and scary. In addition to the commentary Bill Ackerman brings with him an exclusive interview he did with Alice, Sweet Alice director Alfred Sole, getting into his career, the joys and pains of low-budget film-making, and what the hold up is on Alice, Sweet Alice coming out on blu-ray. Even if you know the story of Alice, Sweet Alice, this is not one to miss!
S.2 E.6 - Horror of Dracula (1958) with Robert Reineke
On this episode Patrick is joined by Robert Reineke of Still Watching the Skies and Where The Long Tail Ends and in addition to talking about the classic adventure horror film they discuss Hammer studios, the profile of Christopher Lee, and the cultural importance of 1950's cleavage. They assure me the latter is very important indeed. They also talk about the wide pantheon of Hammer's legendary genre films, and which Dracula movies are the worst.