This week on The Rotten Horror Picture Show Podcast, Clay and Amanda are tackling a film that might just be the most confusing sequel in horror history: Mike Flanagan’s Doctor Sleep (2019). Now, don’t get me wrong — it’s a solid, spooky ride with Ewan McGregor as an older Danny Torrance, still haunted by the Overlook and trying to cope with his powers. But here’s the thing: is this a sequel to *The Shining* the book? Or *The Shining* the movie? Or some strange in-between hybrid stitched together with ghostly typewriters and whiskey breath? Because I swear, every time I try to explain it to someone, I feel like I need a chalkboard, some red string, and a shot of bourbon.

On the one hand, Doctor Sleep is based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name, which itself was written as a direct sequel to his original Shining book. That means we’re supposed to be following King’s continuity — the one where the Overlook Hotel burned to the ground at the end. But on the other hand, Flanagan clearly loves Kubrick’s *film*, and he goes out of his way to make *Doctor Sleep* visually and tonally connect to that version. Which means the Overlook is still standing, the carpet patterns are back, and suddenly it feels like we’re living in a cinematic multiverse before Marvel made it cool.

Clay and Amanda dive into all this messy, fascinating crossover territory — breaking down how Flanagan managed to honor both King and Kubrick, while still creating something that stands on its own. They’ll also talk about Rebecca Ferguson’s terrifyingly charismatic performance as Rose the Hat, creepy steam-slurping cults, and what happens when childhood trauma grows up with you.

Me? I’m still stuck asking: so wait… which Shining is this shining shining from?

And don't forget to head over to patreon.com/thepenskyfile to follow Clay and Amanda down the muddy path of remakes and reboots too!

This week on The Rotten Horror Picture Show Podcast, things are going to sound a little different. Amanda’s not here, which means Clay is flying solo — and that alone has me feeling… well, a little nervous. Don’t get me wrong, Clay knows his horror inside and out. He’s got the knowledge, the wit, and the enthusiasm to carry a show, no doubt about it. But Amanda’s the one who keeps things balanced. She’s the counterpoint, the voice of reason, the one who’ll call Clay out when he gets too deep into some cinematic rabbit hole about killer dolls or obscure slashers from the ‘70s. Without her? I just don’t know how this is going to feel. Like eating peanut butter without jelly. Or watching Jaws without the shark.

That said, Clay’s not just rambling into the void. He’s using this opportunity to do something special: take listener questions and give a quick rundown of some horror movies he’s been watching lately. That means you’re going to get Clay’s raw, unfiltered opinions on a whole stack of films — the good, the bad, and the so-bizarre-it ’s-worth-watching-anyway. He’ll dig into what’s been keeping him up at night, what deserves a spot on your watchlist, and maybe even what deserves to be avoided at all costs. Listener questions give him a chance to dive into topics that don’t always make it into regular episodes, which is pretty fun.

Still, I can’t help but feel like Amanda’s absence is looming large. Her takes, her insights, her way of steering the conversation in unexpected directions — that’s what makes the show click. So while Clay’s holding it down this week, I’ll just be sitting here, missing Amanda’s voice, waiting for the dynamic duo to reunite next time.

And don't forget to head over to patreon.com/thepenskyfile to follow Clay and Amanda down the muddy path of remakes and reboots, too!

Clay and Amanda are back with a brand-new episode of The Rotten Horror Picture Show Podcast, and this time they’re diving into Candyman (2021), the haunting remake-slash-sequel directed by Nia DaCosta. This isn’t just a rehash of the original 1992 horror classic — it’s a smart, visually stunning continuation that weaves in the legend of Candyman with new layers of social commentary about art, trauma, race, and gentrification. Featuring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in a chilling lead performance, some inventive shadow-puppet storytelling, and a tone that’s equal parts eerie and poetic, it’s a film that honors its roots while creating something wholly its own. Of course, it also brings back one other key ingredient from the original: bees. Lots and lots of bees.

And that’s where things get… complicated for me. See, I’ve got a bit of a history with bees — one bee in particular. His name was Barry. And Barry the Bee? He ran away with my wife. I know, I know, it sounds ridiculous. But it happened. One day she’s talking about how “cute” and “funny” he is, and the next, she’s gone. Off to some flower-filled meadow in the countryside, I assume. Ever since, I can’t look at bees without feeling a mix of fear, rage, and heartbreak. So when this movie started throwing bees at me left and right, all I could think was, “Here we go again. First my wife, now my peace of mind.”

Still, Clay and Amanda make it worth pushing through my insect-related PTSD. Their discussion breaks down how the film connects to the original, why its horror feels so timely, and how Nia DaCosta’s direction elevates the material. I just wish they’d warn me when the next bee movie is coming. Barry’s still out there. I can feel it.

And don't forget to head over to patreon.com/thepenskyfile to follow Clay and Amanda down the muddy path of remakes and reboots too!

Oh sure, “Men,” they said. “It’s called Men,” they said. So naturally, I thought, great! A big ol’ movie full of guys! Dudes being dudes, maybe grilling something, maybe building a shed, emotionally repressing themselves — you know, men things. But no. Turns out “Men,” the 2022 psychological folk horror film from Alex Garland, doesn’t mean *many* men, it means *one* man... **many times.** And that man is Rory Kinnear. Rory at the pub. Rory as the vicar. Rory as a naked forest sprite with a leaf stuck in his nether region. Honestly, at one point I started to feel like *I* was Rory Kinnear. It’s less *Men* and more *Manifold Rorys: A Nightmare Journal.*

But hey — it’s all part of the unsettling brilliance of Garland’s creepfest, and Clay and Amanda are back on The Rotten Horror Picture Show Podcast to dive into the deep, uncanny woods of it all. From its eerie rural English setting to the emotional trauma anchoring the horror, they dig into the meaning and menace behind the multiplicity of men, the strange forces at play, and whether or not you should ever trust a man who shows up in the middle of the night and just stares through your mail slot. (Spoiler: you should not.)

It’s a tale of grief, guilt, body horror, and mythological rebirth — but not, unfortunately, of a barbershop quartet of fellas named Steve, Greg, Carl, and Doug trying to fix a cursed weed whacker. So, if you’re tuning in for a sausage fest, maybe look elsewhere. But if you want psychological dread, a deeply committed performance from Jessie Buckley, and enough Rory to fill an entire season of *Doctor Who,* this one’s for you.

Now if you'll excuse me, I’m going to go file a false advertising complaint.

And don't forget to head over to patreon.com/thepenskyfile to follow Clay and Amanda down the muddy path of remakes and reboots too!

This week on *The Rotten Horror Picture Show Podcast*, Clay and Amanda venture into the shimmer—no, not a drag revue (though that would also be excellent)—but the terrifying alien zone at the center of Alex Garland’s 2018 sci-fi horror epic, *Annihilation*. They unpack the film’s eerie, mind-bending blend of science fiction and psychological terror, its themes of identity and self-destruction, and how grief mutates not just the body, but the mind. With a cast led by Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson, and Oscar Isaac (sort of), and unforgettable sequences involving crystal trees, creepy doubles, and *that bear*, *Annihilation* isn’t just a movie—it’s an existential gut-punch wrapped in plant DNA. Clay and Amanda are here to guide you through it like a pair of academic ghost hunters armed with field notes and strong opinions.

Meanwhile, I’m just trying to keep it together. I don’t *do* plants. Never have, never will. They’re sneaky. Too quiet. One minute they’re peacefully photosynthesizing, and the next they’re sprouting human teeth and absorbing your memories. I watched *Annihilation* on a dare, and now every time I pass a hedge I flinch. The ivy on my neighbor’s fence? Suspicious. The succulent on my desk? I swear it moved. So yeah, it’s safe to say this movie wasn’t exactly a comfort watch. If you’re like me—someone who’s suspicious of anything green and doesn’t have a spine—you might want to listen to this one with the lights on and a can of weed killer within arm’s reach. But hey, at least Clay and Amanda are brave enough to face the shimmer so I don’t have to. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to check if my fern is whispering my name again.

And don't forget to head over to patreon.com/thepenskyfile to follow Clay and Amanda down the muddy path of remakes and reboots too!

This week on *The Rotten Horror Picture Show Podcast*, Clay and Amanda sink their teeth into Neil Marshall’s cult classic *Dog Soldiers*—a gnarly, fast-paced werewolf flick that delivers equal parts horror, action, and black comedy. They’re talking about everything from the practical effects that bring those towering werewolves to life, to the surprisingly heartfelt camaraderie between the doomed soldiers, to how this little low-budget movie became a cult favorite. It’s all set in the Scottish Highlands, where the fog is thick, the wolves are huge, and nobody’s throwing a tennis ball.

I’ve been saying it for *years*, and nobody listens: dogs should be the *only* soldiers. Think about it—who in their right mind is gonna shoot at a dog? No one. You roll up to the battlefield with a battalion of good boys, all wagging their tails and looking adorable in tiny camo vests, and bam—war’s over before it starts. The enemy would lay down their weapons, scratch some ears, and everyone would go home happy. But nooo, instead we get *Dog Soldiers*, and wouldn’t you know it, turns out these “dog soldiers” aren’t sweet pups with little helmets, but massive, terrifying werewolves that tear through a squad of unlucky British soldiers like a chew toy at a daycare.

So if you’re ready for a deep dive into one of the best modern werewolf films out there, this is the episode for you. But I’ll say it again: next time, let’s skip the werewolves and just send in a golden retriever with a bandana. No one would even *think* of pulling the trigger. Problem solved. World peace achieved. Now, who’s a good boy? It’s Clay and Amanda, that’s who.

And be sure to hit up patreon.com/thepenskyfile to hear all the coverage of remakes and reboots this year!

You ever just miss video stores? Like really miss them? The smell of plastic cases, the hum of fluorescent lights, that little “thunk” sound when you dropped your tape in the return slot. I used to go every Friday night, no matter what. And there was this one movie I used to rent all the time — had monsters, dirt flying everywhere, maybe Kevin Bacon? It was funny, and scary, and it had these giant worm things under the ground… and—wait. Hang on. That’s it. That’s the one! It was Tremors! Oh my god. I loved that movie. And this week on The Rotten Horror Picture Show Podcast, Clay and Amanda are talking about exactly that dusty, dusty gem: the 1990 cult classic Tremors.

They’re diving deep into the creature-feature madness, celebrating the perfect blend of monster horror, comedy, and small-town weirdness. Clay and Amanda chat about the unlikely hero duo of Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward, the pure '90s charm of practical effects, and of course, the lovable, heavily-armed survivalists played by Michael Gross and Reba McEntire. It’s a B-movie with A+ energy, and honestly, one of the best times you’ll ever have being afraid to touch the ground.

So if you’ve ever wandered the horror aisle and picked up a tape because of the cool monster on the cover, or if you’re still trying to remember the name of that one VHS you rented every summer — this episode is for you. Clay and Amanda are bringing it all back with their latest installment of horror nostalgia. Now if I could just find that other movie with the killer snowman… or was it a vampire dog? Nevermind. Tremors it is.

And be sure to hit up patreon.com/thepenskyfile to hear all the coverage of remakes and reboots this year!

Right, so I sat down all cozy, cup of tea in hand, ready for the new episode of *The Rotten Horror Picture Show Podcast*, where Clay and Amanda are diving into the *original* 1973 classic of British folk horror, *The Wicker Man* — and I’m thinking, “Alright, here we go. The bees. Where are the bees?” But then the movie ends, and guess what? *No bees.* Not a single bee. No buzzing, no screaming, no Nicolas Cage in a cage yelling “NOT THE BEES.” Just Christopher Lee in a big ol’ wig and a bunch of cheerful pagans singing folk tunes about corn. And it hits me… ohhh. *This* is the *good* one.

This episode is a deep, respectful, and slightly unnerving look into Robin Hardy’s weird, wild, and wonderfully pagan film that helped define the folk horror genre. Clay and Amanda talk about Sergeant Howie’s journey to the secluded Summerisle, where the people are a bit too happy, the kids sing very inappropriate songs, and every path leads him toward a very *flammable* fate. It’s got sexual tension, religious paranoia, and a musical number about a landlord’s daughter. And absolutely no bees.

But if you *do* want bees — or just want to hear about the gloriously unhinged 2006 remake starring Nic Cage — well, *that’s* over on their Patreon feed. You’re welcome.

So light your May Day bonfire, grab your closest animal costume, and join Clay and Amanda as they explore one of horror’s most haunting finales. Because sometimes the real horror… is realizing you’ve been thinking of the wrong Wicker Man for 17 years.

And be sure to hit up patreon.com/thepenskyfile to hear all the coverage of remakes and reboots this year!