Faculty of Horror | Podcasting from the Horrored Halls of Academia

Oct 30 2024

Episode 133. Missionary Position: The Conjuring (2013)

James Wan’s blockbuster horror offering The Conjuring thrilled audiences and created a cinematic universe but for Andrea and Alex it left an icky feeling that has nothing to do with demonic possession. By investigating the politics, means and ideology behind the film, they’ll uncover the true villains behind this narrative.

Check out our Class of 2024 merch! Artwork by the incredible Candice Purwin.

REQUIRED READING

The Conjuring. Dir. James Wan, 2013.

EXTRA CREDIT

War Over ‘The Conjuring’: The Disturbing Claims Behind a Billion-Dollar Franchise. Hollywood Reporter’s Investigation into the claims made about the real-life Warrens.

Scared Sacred: Idolatry, Religion and Worship in the Horror Film. The essay collection featuring Alex’s chapter on The Conjuring and The Conjuring 2.

Screenwriters Chad and Carey Hayes, interviewed by The Christian Broadcasting Network.

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Tagged James Wan, The Conjuring

Sep 19 2024

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Episode 132. Mother May I?: Suspiria (2018) with Stacie Ponder

For this very special back-to-school episode, Andrea and Alex are joined by the one and only Stacie Ponder to dig into the depths of Luca Guadagnino’s remake of Dario Argento’s classic. From the dance of politics to the dance of sexuality, there’s more under the floorboards of the Markos Dance Academy than meets the eye.

For more Stacie, check out her blog Final Girl, her column Devil’s in the Details in Rue Morgue, and her Twin Peaks recap podcast series with Mike Muncer, The Detective and the Log Lady.

Check out our Class of 2024 merch! Artwork by the incredible Candice Purwin.

REQUIRED READING

Suspiria. Dir. Luca Guadagnino, 2018.

EXTRA CREDIT

40 Years of German Autumn. An overview of the left-wing terrorist attacks that rocked the nation.

Gaylords of Darkness podcast – ep 82

Hannah Arendt’s challenge to Adolf Eichmann. The banality of evil, in context.

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Tagged Luca Guadagnino, stacie ponder, Suspiria

Jul 30 2024

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Episode 131. Clever Girl: Island of Lost Souls (1932) and Jurassic Park (1993)

Pack your bags and leave your conception of the social fabric that binds us behind because we’re going to two private islands in this episode! From the darkness of Dr. Moreau’s experiments to John Hammond’s capitalist enterprise, these journeys into the human desire for control rarely end well for anyone involved.

REQUIRED READING

Island of Lost Souls. Dir. Erle C. Kenton, 1932.

Jurassic Park. Dir Steven Spielberg, 1993.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Man Who Hated Moms: Looking Back on Philip Wylie’s “Generation of Vipers” – Island of Lost Souls‘ co-writer has some serious mommy issues.

Dinosaurs as a Cultural Phenomenon – Why have dinosaurs gained such a hold on the public’s imagination?

Of Fossils and Androids: (Re)Producing Sexual Identity in “Jurassic Park” and “Blade Runner” – An essay on how sexual identity anxiety is explored in sci-fi.

The Devil in Our DNA: A Brief History of Eugenics in Science Fiction Films. David A. Kirby’s deep dive into how one of the darkest chapters in modern science was utilized on the big screen.

Kathleen Burke Wins Nationwide Contest! The Road to Panther Woman in Island of Lost Souls. An overview of promotional materials for the Panther Woman contest.

Marx for Cats. The history of cats big and small as viewed through a Marxist lens.

The story of amusement parks is the story of America. A look at how the history of amusement/theme parks reflects America.

Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers. Jude Doyle’s excellent book about female power and monstrosity.

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Tagged Erle C. Kenton, Island of Lost Souls, Jurassic Park, Steven Spielberg

Jun 25 2024

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Episode 130. Nature Calls: Eden Lake (2008) and Backcountry (2014)

Pack your bags and your partner because this episode leaves the comforts of civilized society far behind. In this episode we unpack the need for serenity, the heritage of toxic masculinity, and why a bear might actually make a great boyfriend.

REQUIRED READING

Eden Lake. Dir. James Watkins, 2008.

Backcountry. Dir. Adam MacDonald, 2014.

EXTRA CREDIT

Overall Crime Down 44% Since 1995. The Guardian article that pushes back against conservative narratives.

Gangs and Children. A study on the impetus for youth to join gangs and why.

The Gated Community Mentality. Rich Benjamin’s piece on the groupthink that emerges from the gated community lifestyle.

Imagining Nature and Erasing Class and Race – Carleton Watkins, John Muir, and the Construction of Wilderness. Even nature is a socially constructed concept!

David Mech’s website – the author of incel bible The Wolf: Ecology and Behavior of an Endangered Species addresses the widespread misuse of the term “Alpha.”

From the “Cosmo Quiz” to Quizilla to Buzzfeed… what’s next?. The Smithsonian Magazine looks back at the history of quizzes.