Monster Party

MONSTER PARTY GOES TOO FAR WITH THE FAR EAST!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, take a tour of the continent that has provided us with a tsunami of fiercely original and delightfully twisted films. It's a yokai guided-tour through the celluloid nightmare known as... ASIA SHOCK CINEMA!!!

ASIA SHOCK covers wide array of films from various countries,  featuring dark and often bizarre plotlines, outrageous and over the top violence, and a heapin' helping of controversy.

Oh, and let's not forget all the revenge! We've got vengeful spirits, vengeful lovers, vengeful prisoners, vengeful fighters, vengeful monsters, vengeful gods, vengeful phones, and even a vengeful toilet. Hope you're not feeling flushed! Hahahaha! sigh

Joining us for the first time on MONSTER PARTY is the man who literally wrote the book about this fascinating sub-genre of movies. He's a celebrated Asian film expert, and author of the sold out book, ASIA SHOCK: HORROR AND DARK CINEMA FROM JAPAN, KOREA, HONG, AND THAILAND.  He's also Matt Weinhold's childhood friend, mentor, and partner in mayhem. Please welcome... PATRICK GALLOWAY! (STRAY DOGS & LONE WOLVES: THE SAMURAI FILM HANDBOOK, WARRING CLANS, FLASHING BLADES: A SAMURAI FILM COMPANION)

HAS THE WORLD GOT YOU DOWN? TRY SOME ASIA SHOCK TREATMENT! SEE, YOU'RE FEELING BETTER ALREADY.

 

 

Direct download: Monster_Party_Asia_Shock_Cinema_Patrick_Galloway.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:22pm PDT

MONSTER PARTY REJOINS THE CULT THAT DEFIES DEPROGRAMMING!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, once again offer sacrifices to the god of offbeat, under-appreciated cinema. It's a return to the raucous, ribald ritual, reverently referred to as... REVENGE OF THE KILLER CULT FILMS!!!

This time, we've got another maniacal menagerie of foreign fantasies, rock' n' roll relics, animation artifacts, comedic cavorting, thoughtful thrillers, un-pc policing, spoofy spy-ploitation, trailblazing troikas, and MORE! Can you handle MORE?!!! We think so.

Joining us for this cinematic salvage operation is a return guest who graced our internet waves for ATTACK OF THE KILLER CULT FILMS. He's a passionate film historian/author/journalist/reviewer, and host of the long-running cable TV show, MEDIA FUNHOUSE! MONSTER PARTY is positively tickled to welcome back... ED GRANT! (THE MOTION PICTURE GUIDE, TV GUIDE, MOVIES ON TV, FILMS IN REVIEW, PSYCHOTRONIC VIDEO, VIDEOSCOPE, THE VIDEO MOVIE GUIDE, GROOVY MOVIES)

JOIN THE MONSTER PARTY CULT, AND EXPERIENCE ECSTASY AND ENLIGHTENMENT!

And don't worry, we wont ask you to give us all your material wealth like those other cults. I mean, unless we're talking vintage Mego figures!

 

Direct download: Monster_Party_Revenge_Of_The_Killer_Cult_Films_Ed_Grant.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:18pm PDT

MONSTER PARTY HAS SEEN THE FUTURE... AND IT DOESN'T WORK!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, offer some quality control for the world of tomorrow. Tighten your skant for a fantastically FUBAR festival of fun called... FUTURE FAILS!!!

So what's a FUTURE FAIL? Well, it's either some sort of technology that the sci-fi genre promised us that we never got, or technology that is sooooo stupid, we should consider ourselves lucky we never got it. We'd love to give you more specifics, but then we'd be a future fail.

Joining us for this consumer cautionary tale, is a returning guest who is a MONSTER PARTY favorite! She's a gifted comedian, writer, producer, director, and E.T. provacateur, who always brings the party to our podcast. Please welcome back.... SUE MURPHY! (CHELSEA LATELY, WANDA AT LARGE, THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW, LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO, EWOKS)

IF ALL THIS WERE NOT ENOUGH, WE'VE GOT A SPECIAL DROP IN FROM OUR OLE PAL DAVID WEINER, AND SOME FABULOUS MONSTER PARTY NEWS!

TAKE THAT THE FUTURE!

Direct download: Monster_Party_Future_Fails_Sue_Murphy.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:11am PDT

YOU CAN DO IT, MONSTER PARTY!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, take a "fantastic journey" with a celebrity who's IMDB credits could circle the Earth. He was always a  welcome presence in our young lives, and it's an honor to have him on our show. Taking time out from his busy schedule up on Witch Mountain, please welcome, the one and only... IKE EISENMANN!!!

Ike has starred in such MONSTER PARTY favorites as ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN, RETURN FROM WITCH MOUNTAIN, THE AMAZING COSMIC AWARENESS OF DUFFY MOON, DEVIL DOG: THE HOUND OF HELL, STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN (He's only SCOTTY'S NEPHEW!), and the short-lived but much-loved 70's sci-fi series, THE FANTASTIC JOURNEY! He's also guest starred in a multitude of classic TV shows that include GUNSMOKE, MANNIX, KUNG FU, EMERGENCY, WONDER WOMAN, FANTASY ISLAND, EIGHT IS ENOUGH, THE JEFFERSONS, T.J. HOOKER, and a ton more!

Aside from his on-screen projects, Ike has lent his vocal talents to such works as NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND, GOBOTS, DINO-RIDERS, POM POKO, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME 2: THE SECRET OF THE BELL, and HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE. I know, it's like music to your ears!

And years after the release of first two WITCH MOUNTAIN films, Ike re-united with his co-star, KIM RICHARDS, in the reboot film, RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN. And all they found was a Rock.

Ike was gracious enough to give us a pretty big chunk of his day to discuss his amazing career, and regale us with some truly fascinating behind-the-scenes tales. I mean, this guy worked with the likes of DONALD PLEASENCE, CHRISTOPHER LEE, RODDY McDOWALL, RAY MILLAND, and BETTE FREAKIN' DAVIS!

Not bad for a kid armed only with talent, determination, and telekinetic powers. 

Direct download: Monster_Party_Ike_Eisenmann.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:23pm PDT

THE SKULL RETURNS! AND THIS TIME...IT'S PISSED!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, bring back another MONSTER PARTY tradition that's a virtual tribulation of trivia. Secure your nerves in their panic room, as we present... TOPIC FREE FOR ALL: THE ANNIHILATION!!!

For those of you who have never experienced a TOPIC FREE FOR ALL, the format goes like this: 1) We stuff pieces of paper with topic ideas into a plastic skull bucket. 2) We each pull one of the pieces of paper out of the skull 3) We read out loud the topic that has be chosen. 4) We discuss and debate. 5) Drink and repeat!

These topics would be better defined as "top-ettes"  Topics that may not be long enough for a full episode, but with enough meat on them for a short, fiery skull sesssion. So expect a catastrophic collection of categories, as we converse about films, TV shows, actors, monsters, animation, secret crushes, and more! 

Joining us once again for more MONSTER PARTY merriment, is an immensly talented author, screenwriter, director, actor, film journalist, and long time friend of the show. And talk about a skull full of information! Please welcome back... C. COURTNEY JOYNER! (NEMO RISING, SHOTGUN, DOCTOR MORDRID, THE LURKING FEAR, PUPPET MASTER III: TOULON'S REVENGE, CLASS OF 1999)

So we called this installment, THE ANNIHILATION, mainly because we wanted it to sound sexy, but also because we're annihilating your expectations! Didn't expect that, did you?

Direct download: Monster_Party_Topic_Free_For_All_The_Annihilation_C_Courtney_Joyner.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:45pm PDT

MONSTER PARTY IS ITCHIN' FOR A FIGHT! JUST NOT ONE INVOLVING US.

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, once again throw the hats of their favorite genre characters into the ring. Or to be more precise, room! Yep, it's the return of a time-honored playground game that this time, we've titled for no apparent reason... WHO WOULD WIN? VOL. 6: THE CONUNDRUM DOMINATION!!!

Most of you know the rules to this game but for any newcomers, here's how it goes: Two characters enter a room, one comes out. Oh, and there's some fighting inbetween. Now, we know you all played this game in your youth with your friends, but isn't it way more fun listening to group of supposedly full-grown men do it? Especially when one of them has OD'd on a box of See's Candy chocolate balls!

Helping us referee these maniacal mashups is a return guest who we consider MONSTER PARTY family! He's an extremely talented comedian, actor, writer, improviser, TV host, and filmmaker, who has dazzled us with his numerous appearances on various incarnations of THE TONIGHT SHOW. Please welcome back...  MARK PITTA! (HOUSESITTER: THE NIGHT THEY SAVED SIEGRIED'S BRAIN, THE COMEDY CLUB, THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JOHNNY CARSON, THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO, MORNINGS ON 2, DR. KATZ, PROFESSIONAL THERAPIST, TOTALLY HIDDEN VIDEO)

WARNING: THIS PODCAST CONTAINS QUITE A FEW MOVIE SPOILERS, SO BEFORE LISTENING, YOU MIGHT WANT TO WATCH EVERY GENRE FILM EVER MADE. C'MON! YOU CAN CAN DO IT!

Direct download: Monster_Party_Who_Would_Win_Vol_6_The_Conundrum_Domination.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:54am PDT

FOR THIS EPISODE, MONSTER PARTY WANTS YOU TO DIG DEEP!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, dish the dirt on one of the most claustrophobic categories of fantastic films. It's a cavalcade of cavernous calamities we've correctly called... CAVES!!!

Yep, we're talkin' about anything that involves a cave! From Bronson to Bat, and everything in between. And by everything, we mean angry ancestors, battling brains, cannibalistic crawlers, dangerous dopplegangers, sinister Sumerians, terrifying time travel, and MORE! To say it plainly, this episode... ROCKS! (sound of crickets)

We decided to break ground on this shiny New Year with episode featuring just the MONSTER PARTY gang. And of course, that means trouble! Prepare to be pummeled by a rockslide of opinions, as we discuss what the difference is between a cave and a tunnel, debate whether Darth Vader was an Imagineer, and discover yet another deep dark secret that James has been hiding from us. No, it's not Star Trek releated

So join us you spelunk-heads, for an experience that's much like being buried alive. But in a good way!

Direct download: Monster_Party_Caves.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:35pm PDT

MONSTER PARTY WANTS YOU TO BREAK THE ICE!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, bundle up in their winter shrouds, and brace themselves for this frigid festival of fright  If you basked in the heat from MONSTER PARTY'S SUMMER SLAY-CATION, you'll get a case of the chills when you experience... MONSTER PARTY'S WINTER SLEIGH-CATION!!!

As you've probably already deduced, this episode revolves around any horror movie or TV show that involves winter, ice, or cold related themes. We've got alarming lodges, repellant research stations, naughty Nazicles, seasonal slashers, abominable abominations, and an avalanche of more icy awesomeness! Oops, better wrap this up! We're running out of cold synoymns.

Joining us for this temperature-challenged tirade, is a long-time friend of the show, and our resident Winter Warlock. He's an acclaimed journalist, magazine editor, blogger, and filmmaker, who's like a hot cup of cocoa for your frozen heart. Please welcome back... DAVID WEINER! (IN SEARCH OF DARKNESS, IN SEARCH OF DARKNESS II, IN SEARCH OF TOMORROW, FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND, IT CAME FROM..., ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT)

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY! FINGERS CROSSED!

NOTE: IF WHEN YOU FIRST DOWNLOADED THIS EPISODE, YOU EXPERIENCED SOME OVERLAPPING AUDIO DURING THE FIRST FEW MINUTES, THAT PROBLEM HAS NOW BEEN FIXED. SORRY FOR THIS INCONVENIENCE. LOVE, THE MANAGEMENT.

Direct download: Monster_Party_Monster_Party_Winter_Sleigh-cation_David_Weiner.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:08pm PDT

MONSTER PARTY HAS AN EPISODE THAT'S RIGHT UP YOUR CHIMNEY! 

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, celebrate what's REALLY important about the holidays... GETTING STUFF! Yes, at heart, we're all still five years old, and can't wait to rip open those presents under the tree. But to avoid getting stuff like a pair of socks, or a savings bond, MONSTER PARTY is providing you holiday shoppers with another slew of gift suggestions for that favorite nerd. Deck the halls with lots of geeky loot, 'cause it time for... THE MONSTER PARTY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2021!!!

Get ready to make a list and check it twice, as we recommend some choice items, fit to fill Krampus' sleigh. We're talkin' books, blurays, model kits, clothes, comics, action figures (of course), art pieces, DIY gifts, and more! Trust us, with gifts like these, you won't need mistletoe.

Returning to his rightful throne as Santa of THE MONSTER PARTY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE, is a guest that we consider family. He's an insanely talented artist, sofubi creator, and retired MONSTER PARTY intern, who sculpted his way into our hearts. Please welcome back, our dear friend... KEVIN SMITH! (SEA DEMON VINYL, AND OTHER SUPER COOL STUFF THAT WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT.)

MONSTER PARTY WISHES ALL OF YOU THE MERRIEST OF HOLIDAY SEASONS! STAY SAFE, AND AGAIN... NO SOCKS!!!

Direct download: Monster_Party_The_Monster_Party_Holiday_Gift_Guide_2021_Kevin_Smith.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:31pm PDT

THIS THANKSGIVING, TRADE IN THAT TURKEY FOR A TINGLER, AND CANDY THOSE YAMS WITH LSD! MONSTER PARTY PRESENTS A FRIGHTFUL FEAST THAT IS SURE TO SCARE YOUR PANTS OFF!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, present an episode that is more fun than throwing pumpkin pies at floating inflatable skeleton! MONSTER PARTY is proud to pay tribute to a maverick director/producer/writer/actor, whose filmography includes such genre classics as THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, THE TINGLER, 13 GHOSTS, HOMICIDAL, and ROSEMARY'S BABY. We're talking about the one and only "Master of Gimmicks"... WILLIAM CASTLE!!!

To us up and coming monster kids, William Castle served as our delighfully scary favorite uncle. Sporting a large cigar and armed with playful sense of gallows humor, Castle came off like a more accessible Alfred Hitchcock.  He often introduced his pictures, and thrilled movie-goers with a vast array of inventive and sometimes silly gimmicks. To make things even more tantalizing, Castle liked to brand these gimmicks with catchy names like, EMERGO, PERCEPTO, and ILLUSION-O, just to name a few. I suppose if he had made an Italian western, it would have been filmed in SPAGHETTI-O! Hahahahaha... sigh.

Joining us for this creepy cavalcade of Castle comaraderie, is an EMMY AWARD winning director/producer/editor, who makes his MONSTER PARTY debut! He's the man who gave us the critically acclaimed documentary, SPINE TINGLER: THE WILLIAM CASTLE STORY, for which we'll forever be in his debt. Please welcome... JEFFREY SCHWARZ! (WRANGLER: ANATOMY OF AN ICON, VITO, I AM DIVINE, TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL, THE FABULOUS ALLEN CARR, BOULEVARD! A HOLLYWOOD STORY, GODDESS: THE FALL AND RISE OF SHOWGIRLS)

LISTEN... IF YOU DARE! OR TAKE THAT LONG WALK TO "COWARD'S CORNER."  BUT IS THAT ANY PLACE TO SPEND THANKSGIVING?

Direct download: Monster_Party_William_Castle_Jeffrey_Schwarz.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:21pm PDT