This week, we're going way back to the silent film era for an absolute classic of early horror filmmaking. The iconic scene where Christine rips away the mask from the distorted face of Lon Chaney in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA from 1925 has been played countless times. But the film itself is woefully underappreciated. We're joined this week by co-hosts of the review podcast Horror, Sci-Fi, and Beyond (Drew Pasanen and Eric White) to discuss the relevance of its themes, the value of restoring and preserving classic films, and the unique power this particular classic holds.

We hope you enjoy our conversation and we want to encourage you to check out some silent films (especially The Phantom of the Opera) for yourself with fresh eyes.

2:43 - Getting to Know Drew Pasanen and Eric White

11:27 - Horror, Sci-Fi, and Beyond Podcast

26:23 - THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

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We have another special treat for you today. We had the opportunity to sit down with writer/director Nicholas Tomnay about his upcoming thriller: WHAT YOU WISH FOR. The film is a psychological nail-biter with darkly comedic elements and we really think you're gonna enjoy it.0

In the film, Ryan (Nick Stahl) is a talented chef with crushing gambling problems. Circumstances being what they are, he leaves town in a hurry for the safe haven of an unnamed Latin American country where his friend Jack (Brian Groh), a more prestigious chef with his own unique troubles, welcomes him into his home. Ryan has no idea how Jack’s able to afford his extravagant lifestyle, and he doesn’t want to feel envious, but he knows that he wants it for himself. Soon, a grim twist of fate will give that to him. And just as soon, Ryan discovers what Jack’s been doing to maintain the lifestyle he so desperately craved.

We have a really fun discussion tracking this film's development, its outstanding cast, its subversive and provocative twists, and the ways its deeper themes spark thoughtful examinations about contentment and aspiration. Tomnay's excellent new film is in limited theatrical run and on video on demand as of May 31st. Check it out and we hope you enjoy the interview!

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We have something a little different for you this week FoGers. We're taking a look at the "found footage" subgenre with a series of films all about a haunted hotel and its extended mythology. In 2015, writer/director Stephen Cognetti gave us HELL HOUSE LLC, a pseudo-documentary about 5 individuals seeking to renovate a supposedly haunted hotel in Abaddon, NY and turn it into a tourist haunt. Over the course of three sequels, Cognetti would explore an ever-widening mythology that was -- at times -- very refined and intimate and -- at other times -- went almost cosmic with its spiritual warfare elements.

Joined by friends of the show Andrew Nelson and Matt Ruff, we survey these unique and fascinating films for all they're worth: including where they sit in the trends and tropes of found-footage horror and the psychological depths they sometimes brush up against. Not to mention the scary AF clowns!

The conversation is a bit more free-wheelin' this week and we really hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed having it!

(Be sure to check out Andrew's recently released album - Love at the End of the Earth and Matt's most recent novel - The Destroyer of Worlds: A Return to Lovecraft Country)

3:35 - Catching up with Andrew Nelson and Matt Ruff

13:16 - HELL HOUSE LLC Franchise

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