Monster Party

MONSTER PARTY TRICKS YOU INTO TREATING YOURSELF!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, don their audio costumes and virtually visit your homes to inflict excitement, consternation, and mayhem! It's the time of year for our favorite holiday, and that's why we're throwing... THE MONSTER PARTY HALLOWEEN HOOTENANNY!

Join for this shivering shindig, as we sort through the mixed bag of elements that contribute to a truly memorable ALL HALLOW'S EVE. That includes crappy vintage costumes (Ben Cooper, what you were thinking?), great and not so great candy, alternative "treats," dangerous interactive mazes (tasers anyone?), essential Halloween films, scary decorations (do we really need to decorate the outside of our homes?), and more! Of course, all of this is served with the usual dollop of MONSTER PARTY bickering.

Making the scene for this fiesty festival of frights, is a return guest who is no stranger to Halloween hyjinks. He's an acclaimed filmmaker who has lent his talents to such chilling classics as THE GRAVEDANCERS, BIG ASS SPIDER, TALES OF HALLOWEEN, and the upcoming, SATANIC HISPANICS! Please welcome back our good friend and fellow monster kid... MIKE MENDEZ!

TRICK OR TREAT, SMELL OUR FEET, GIVE US SOMETHING GOOD TO EAT! Or, we'll keep our shoes on and you can send us a gift card.

Direct download: Monster_Party_Halloween_Hootenanny_Mike_Mendez.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:10pm PDT

MONSTER PARTY GETS FLOORED!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, take on a topic that literally puts a "lift" in their spirits. Push the button for terror, as MONSTER PARTY asks the question, "Is it an... ELEVATOR OR HELLAVATOR?!!!"

The elevator is one of the most signifcant inventions of the modern age. But everytime you get on board a car, isn't there always a little voice in the back of your mind that says, "I don't trust this thing." Well, when it comes to a certain sub-genre of genre films, your fears are more than justified.

In this episode, we'll discuss the many flavors of horror that the elevator has provided us in film and tevelsion. From satanic scenarios in films like, DEVIL, THE OMEN II, and VAULT OF HORROR, classic moments from THE SHINING, DAWN OF THE DEAD, and BLADE RUNNER, to offbeat entries like WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, THE LIFT and DR. TERRIBLE'S HOUSE OF HORRIBLE, there seems to be no shortage of ominous "Otis" inspired thrills. 

We also take a look at real life elevator horror story with connections to the film DARK WATER and the urban legend/creepypasta inspired pastime called, THE ELEVATOR GAME. Uggh! It's enough to make you take the stairs. In fact, for God's sake... TAKE THE STAIRS!

 

 

 

Direct download: Monster_Party_Elevator_or_Hellavator.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:44pm PDT

MONSTER PARTY WELCOMES BACK AN OLD PLASTIC FRIEND!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, revisit a favorite topic that is all topics! And if that were not enough, a vital element has returned to the show that was sorely missed. Brace yourself, listeners, for... TOPIC FREE-FOR-ALL: THE SKULL IS BACK!!!

Long-time listeners will know that TOPIC FREE-FOR-ALL is like getting a dozen shows in one go. Traditionally, it worked like this: The MONSTER PARTY gang and their guests write down various mini-topics on a slip of paper and place them in Larry's plastic skull with the light-up eyes. The skull is shaken up, each person randomly pulls out a topic, and said topic is briefly discussed. But, the last time we did TOPIC FREE-FOR-ALL, something went horribly wrong!

Larry happened to be out of town, and had left the skull back in his palatial Van Nuys apartment. But MONSTER PARTY is not a podcast to let adversity stop a show, and with some slight alterations, we managed to do the episode... skull-less.

Now, the skull has been returned to Larry Strothe's rightful control, and we can finally do the TOPIC FREE-FOR-ALL the way MONSTER PARTY intended. Complete with water-damaged paper topic slips from episodes gone by. Yes... THE MOLD IS BACK AS WELL!

Joining us for this potpourri of petrifying possibilities is a long-time friend of MONSTER PARTY, as well as an ultra-talented comedian, actor, writer, and cartoonist! He's the genius behind MATTA NAPKIN (the daily series of hilarious cartoons, all drawn on cocktail napkins), as well as co-writing two episodes of BEWARE THE BATMAN with some guy named MATT WEINHOLD. Please welcome back the man, the legend... JOHN MATTA! (THE EPIC TALES OF CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS, BE COOL SCOOBY DOO, GRAND MARQUEE, DUCK DODGERS, STEVE HARVEY'S BIG TIME CHALLENGE, THE MARTIN SHORT SHOW)

THE SKULL IS BACK! DEAL WITH IT!

Direct download: Monster_Party_Topic_Free-For-All_The_Skull_Returns_John_Matta.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:07pm PDT

MONSTER PARTY GOES ON A TACTILE TIRADE!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, make their case for what is clearly the most reliable way to get, and keep, your favorite movies and TV shows! When it comes to media, MONSTER PARTY says... LET'S GET PHYSICAL!!!

In this episode, MONSTER PARTY salutes physical media in all its forms. We're look at the early days of 8mm, Super 8 films, and 16mm films, the Betamax vs. VHS war, the birthof bonus supplements with the introduction of the laserdisc, the incredibly brief run of the stylus based videodisc, the DVD and Blu-ray revolution, the selective appeal of home 3-D, and try to answer the question, "To 4K or not to 4K?" And if that were not enough white-hot format talk for you, we even sing the praises of the Viewmaster, and it's predecessors, the Stereoscope and Stereoopticon!

Joining us for this audio innoculation for "streamingitis" is not only an expert on the subject of phsical media, but a man who is nothing short of showbiz nobility. He's a comedy club trailblazer who owned and operated the legendary, Cobb's Comedy Club (featured in the award-winning documentary, The Comedy Club) and helped guide the careers of many of a comedy star. If that were not enough, he's also a quite talented voice artist, actor, and improviser, as well. Making his MONSTER PARTY debut, please welcome... TOM SAWYER!

IF YOU'RE LIKE US AND WANT TO BE BURIED IN VHS CLAMSHELL-SHAPED COFFIN, THIS IS AN EPISODE YOU CANNOT MISS!

 

 

Direct download: Monster_Party_Lets_Get_Physical_Tom_Sawyer.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:14pm PDT

MONSTER PARTY TAKES A TANTALIZING TOUR OF TOKUSATSU TREMENDOUSNESS!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, join together to form a Voltron-esque robot of fun, as we storm the halls of THE BURBANK AIRPORT MARRIOT.  Accompany us on a Far East adventure in tropical stormy LA, as we bring you the...  JAPAN WORLD HEROES EXPO 2023!!!

While interviewing super-talented artist, toy painter, mega-collector, and convention mogul, SCOTT ZILNER at MONSTERPALOOZA 2023, he offered us a booth at his upcoming JAPAN WORLD HEROES EXPO. This event celebrates the things MONSTER PARTY loves: Ultraman, Kamen Rider, super sentai, kaiju, celebrities, toys, art, collectibles, and all thing Japan-cool! The show is held only once every two years, and needless to say, we immediately accepted Scott's gracious offer.

Cut to the convention: All our dreams are being realized! We're meeting fans and cosplayers, swimming in sea of rare/exclusive collectibles, hosting our own panel, and spending WAY too much money!

If that were not joy enough, we also got to hob-nob with such celebrities like KURT CARLEY (GODZILLA, UNDERWORLD), TOHORU MASAMUNE (TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.), ALEXIS RHEE (BLADERUNNER, BLACK PANTHER), and MORE!

And of course, expect the usual delightful banter and personal attacks you've come to expect from the MONSTER PARTY gang!

ATTENTION: Definitely stick around after the end music for even more great inteviews, as well as an enlightening/infuriating discussion between Matt and James. It'll make you wanna yell... HENSHIN! And maybe some other things.

 

Direct download: Monster_Party_Japan_World_Heroes_Expo.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:07pm PDT

MONSTER PARTY SERVES UP A STREAMING PILE OF FUN!
 
JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, play catch up with some of Hollywood's latest offerings, as well as unearth a treasure from the past. It's time for another round of film criticism with a healthy dose of adolescent bickering, as we bring you.... WHAT WE'RE WATCHING VOL. 4!!!
 
First we address the elephant... well, more like alien whale in the room... AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER. With Matt finally seeing this box office-breaking blockbuster, the gang wages what can only be described as all-out movie bashing warfare.
 
Then, we move on to some divided and often volatile opinions on GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3, BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER, SECRET INVASION, THE FLASH, BEAU IS AFRAID, OPPENHEIMER, BARBIE, and ALIEN 3, not to mention some other surprises.
And finally, the boys discuss the1967 Korean kaiju classic... SPACE MONSTER WANGMAGWI. Thought to be a lost film, a print was recently located and is now available on Bluray by SRS CINEMA. Believe us folks, this film has to be seen to be believed!
 
Joining us for this scintillating session of cinematic skewering, is someone who is a true master of his field! He's an award-winning writer and artist, who has brought us such comic classics as BLACK TERROR, BATMAN: THRILLKILLER, SUPERMAN AND BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD’S FINEST, JLA: SEVEN CASKETS, as well as his own groundbreaking series, THE NOCTURNALS. He's also done some amazing album art for numerous bands including, TOTO, FIREBALL MINISTRY, GHOULTOWN, and ROB ZOMBIE’S HELLBILLY DELUXE. Please welcome back, friend of the show... DAN BRERETON!
 
WARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS MANY SPOILERS, SO PLEASE WATCH EVERY FILM EVER MADE BEFORE LISTENING!
Direct download: Monster_Party_What_Were_Watching_Dan_Brereton.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:52pm PDT

MONSTER PARTY RETURNS TO COMIC CON! YEAH, WE DO A LOT OF NICE THINGS.

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, brave the halls of the San Diego Convention Center once again, to bathe in a veritable sea of fellow nerds. Join us post con, as we dissect the peculiar set of circumstances that was... COMIC CON 2023!!!

I'm sure most of you know by now that Monster Party's origins can be traced back to the days of Comic Cons past. After the exhibit hall would shut down, we'd all go back to one of our hotel rooms for cocktails followed by impassioned nerd debates. It's been over a decade since those pre-Monster Party days, but some things never change.

Join us as we discuss some of the unique aspects about COMIC COMIC 2023, including the strike induced lack of studio presence, the various treasures to be found at this year's show, some beloved children's show celebrities, the awesome cosplay team of James and Larry, the usual griping about Star Trek, and oh so much more!

We also are graced by some special guests including game expert STEPHANIE BOURDO, MONSTER PARTY super-fan and paper artist extraordinaire JIMM JENKINS, and THE LEGAL GEEKS own JOSH GILLILAND!

COMIC CON MAY BE OVER, BUT THE STRIKES CONTINUE! STAY STRONG EVERYBODY!

 

Direct download: Monster_Party_Comic_Con_2023.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:36pm PDT

MONSTER PARTY WHIPS IT GOOD!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, pay tribute to an iconic character whose adventures have spanned over 30 years. He's everyone's favorite whip-wielding archeologist, which kind of narrows it down. Cue exhilarating John Williams music as we present an episode that could only be titled... INDIANA JONES!!!

From that first screening of RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK back in 1981, we all were unexpectedly awed by the epic heroism of Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. Sure, the following films and TV shows have been a mixed bag, but through better or worse, it's safe to say that Indy has always been a hero we've been rooting for. 

In this episode, we dissect the Indiana Jones phenomenon in detail. Is Raiders a truly perfect film? Is Temple of Doom too violent and just not Indy enough? Does Last Crusade have too many gags? Is Crystal Skull way too Shia LaBeoufy? Who was The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles actually intended for? Did Dial of Destiny redeem the series? What are the best Indiana Jones collectibles? And how do you explain to your in-laws why you have all those whips?

Charging at us like a giant rolling ball of talent, information, and charisma, is a return guest and long time MONSTER PARTY benefactor. He's a renowned artist, foam fabricator, creature creator, puppet builder, monster maker, SFX makeup wizard, and film industry professional, not to mention an all-around fantastic person. And hey, he even worked on an Indiana jones movie! Please welcome back, the great... TED HAINES! (INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL, I'M A VIRGO, THE AVATAR FILM SERIES, THE CAT IN THE HAT, THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, BLADE II, WISHMASTER, SCREAM, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN, THE JUNGLE BOOK, PULP FICTION, THE TICK)

WARNING: THERE ARE A LOT OF SPOILERS IN THIS EPISODE, SO PLEASE LISTEN RESPONSIBLY.

NOW HAVE A LISTEN! IT'S MORE FUN THAN HAVING YOUR FACE MELTED OFF!

 

 

 

Direct download: Monster_Party_Indiana_Jones_Ted_Haines.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:46pm PDT

MONSTER PARTY CELEBRATES ANOTHER AUDACIOUS ANNIVERSARY!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, have defied the neysayers once again, and reached a monstrous milestone! Can your fragile minds fully comprehend the cataclysmic consequences of MONSTER PARTY finally reaching... THE 250TH EPISODE!!!?

When MONSTER PARTY dropped it's first episode back in 2013, little did we know that nearly ten years later, we'd still be bickering about science fiction, horror, fantasy, comic books, toy collecting, and all the other odd offshoots of genre entertainment. But here we are, 250 friggin' episodes in, and not only are we as monster kid obsessed as ever... but we're still talking to each other! Well, yelling.

In all seriousness, doing MONSTER PARTY has done much to enrich our lives. It's deepened our friendships, helped us weather a global pandemic, got us in both FANGORIA and  FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND magazines, got us all to JAPAN, introduced us to the world of Blu-ray commentary, nabbed us two RONDO AWARD HONORABLE MENTIONS, and provided us with an ever-growing family of beloved guests and fans. 

Speaking of fans, we could not have gotten this far without the kindness and support of our listeners, and we treasure you all like a vintage MIP MEGO figure with a bouquet of 70's air. We thank you, we love you, and we promise to make our next 250 episodes an even more epic adventure!

LONG LIVE MONSTER PARTY! AND DEFINITELY STICK AROUND AFTER THE END MUSIC FOR A SPECIAL "DOES JAMES HATE SCIENCE FICTION?" DEBATE, SORTA LIVE FROM MONSTERPALOOZA 2023! WITH SPECIAL GUEST, JIM MOORE, OF "MOORE MONSTERS."

 

Direct download: Monster_Party_Monster_Party_The_250th_Episode.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:12pm PDT

MORE MONSTER PARTY FUN FROM HORROR'S MOST UNCONVENTIONAL CONVENTION!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, stalk the halls of the Pasadena Convention Center, searching for more audio prey. Shine up your Phantasm orb and start sewing up your human centipede for this celebration of scares we appropriately call... MONSTERPALOOZA 2023 PT. 2!!!

In MONSTERPALOOZA 2023 PT. 1, the MONSTER PARTY gang manned their convention booth and interviewed a variety of fans, new friends, cosplayers, artists, and industry professionals who attended the show on Friday night. The evening went went so well that we decided to do it again on Saturday, resulting in yet another excitement packed episode! If you've never had the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to this epic event, here's a chance to experience it through us!

AND IF YOU WANT MORE, BECOME A MONSTER PARTY PATREON PATRON, AND EXPERIENCE MONSTERPALOOZA 2023 PT. 3!!!

 

Direct download: Monster_Party_Monsterpalooza_2023_PT_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:55pm PDT