The Damn Dirty Geeks take another stab and celebrating and studying the horror film genre with our special guest, producer/director Mike Mendez.
Like two of our previous podcast guests, Andrew Kasch and John Skipp, Mendez also directed a segment of the horror anthology film TALES OF HALLOWEEN released last October. Mike’s segment “Friday the 31st” pits a deranged serial killer against his feminine quarry who turns the tables in a shocking twist of the typical slasher formula. Mendez also discusses BIG ASS SPIDER!, his affectionate horror/humor tribute to the big bug movies of the 1950s, his SyFy movie LAVALANTULA, and working with Dolph Lindgren on his latest film DON’T KILL IT.
Mike Mendez: Big Ass Spiders and Modern Horror
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We revisit films like CARRIE, THE HILLS HAVE EYES and FRIDAY THE 13th that were early influences on Mike’s youth and inspired his eventual career. Mike also jumpstarts a rousing discussion of James Cameron’s genre-mashing sequel ALIENS, arguably Cameron at the top of his directorial form, and how his long-delayed extension of his AVATAR franchise may be too late to remain relevant.
Mike and the DDG also take an enjoyable detour to describe our worst movie-going experiences as fans and audience members, harkening back to the days before online movie ticketing and reserved seats, asking how this electronic line-up experience has changed the fan experience at theaters.
We weave all these subject threads together in a larger examination on the state of current independent horror films and filmmakers, existing and thriving outside the formulaic entries of higher-budget studio franchises or even compete against them at the box office.
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SHOW NOTES:
BIG ASS SPIDER!– purchase Mike Mendez’s big bug horror film via Amazon.com
LAVALANTULA – purchase Mike Mendez’s SyFy movie via Amazon.com
TALES OF HALLOWEEN – stream this fun 2015 horror anthology film co-directed by Mike Mendez via Amazon.com
ZOMBIE NIGHTMARE – stream the cult film co-starring our own Frank Dietz via Amazon.com
ALIENS – purchase the Blu-ray edition of James Cameron’s entry in the ALIEN franchise via Amazon.com
“Damn Dirty Geeks” is © 2014 Sketchy Things Productions. All rights reserved.
You can find further info and episode show notes on our Damn Dirty Geeks Facebook page. Artwork is © 2001 Frank Dietz.