ECL: The Host (2006)

For this Halloween special, the trio of Jefferson, Josh and Tyler reunite to discuss the long-running Sci-fi/Horror/Thriller series "The X-Files". We analyze Sculder and Mully as two sides of the American archetype, the changing face of Horror from the 90s to now, the fading appeal of the X files to demographics and the explosion of populist sentiment (with the concomitant 'omnipresence' of conspiracy thinking) in America, the presence of the frontier in the American mindset with the show's unique dwelling on local monsters, the aspects of the show that could not be made today, the virtues of the Syndicate, and finally, how the X-Files is the ultimate expression of American Mythology in a time of De-mythologization. If the primary neurosis of Western Culture today is the false elevation of individual self-knowledge and assertion, it is a crucial reminder that "the Truth is out there".

Tyler and Last Things discuss the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) sequel, a follow-up to the original film that ignores any of the myriad of sequels, prequels and reboots. While the film is both mediocre with lots of missed potential, we explore the film's strong Reactionary themes.

Tyler is joined by special guest Last Things to discuss Bong Joon-ho's 2006 genre bending Monster film "The Host". We discuss the politics of manufactured social division, the presence and impact of American forces in Korea, the family dynamics of the lower and middle class, and the very obvious thematic connections in the film to the current COVID hysteria in the West.

Our special guest Kate Whitaker joins me to discuss social commentary in Horror cinema, both conscious and unconscious, from the 50s to now. We also have some light conversation about movies in general. Sit back, relax and enjoy the cozy movie talk!

Fashy Zizek, Jerome and Josh discuss the 2016 film Elle directed by Paul Verhoeven.

Dorus and Tyler take a critical look at themes in the 2020 body horror film "Possessor". They discuss embodiment vs. varieties of cartesianism, corporate technocrats, and identity theory through the lens of a gory yet artistic horror romp.

Fashy Zizek, Jerome Schmitt and Tyler Hamilton continue their examination of J-Horror cinema, turning to the technological epidemic of world-ending loneliness with Kairo, the estrangement of mother to daughter in Dark Water, and the inescapable curse of Ju-On: The Grudge.

FZ, Jerome and Tyler continue into their series on J-Horror, taking a look at the phenomenon of the Ring films. Based on the novel by Koji Suzuki, first adapted as a TV film in 1995 then famously in 1998 for theaters by Hideo Nakata, Ringu set off a series of remakes and clones. The crew investigates the cultural legacy of the series. ECL J-Horror theme by: soundcloud.com/synthicidemusic

Tyler, FZ and Jerome convene for the first part of our series on J-Horror. We discuss the grimy and grainy splatter classic Evil Dead Trap (1988), the bleak and nihilistic psychological thriller Cure (1997), and the femme fatale shocker Audition (1999).

Jerome, FZ and Tyler discuss Ruben Östlund's "Force Majeure" (2014), the story of a fathers identity put into a question by a snap decision made during a potential emergency. The father's decision and the resulting tension risks breaking the family apart.