Such a Nightmare: Conversations about Horror

• Horror Movie: A Novel (2024 novel by Paul Tremblay) | Episode #100

  It's our 100th episode!!!! Hosts Katherine Troyer and Toni Tresca celebrate a podcast and friendship while discussing the 2024 Horror Movie: A Novel by Paul Tremblay.  Episode Highlights: We appreciated the opportunity--for our 100th episode--to return to a favorite writer: Paul Tremblay! We frame our conversation through the lens that we are Tremblay fans; he's written some of our favorite horror novels. We examine the places where we felt the novel shined, particularly in the ways that Tremblay--once again--plays with the relationship between content and form. Yet, while we wanted to love this book, we examine why we ultimately struggled with Horror Movie. In particular, we share why this book, strangely, did not feel like a horror novel to us and how the unreliable narrator and the final moments of the story proved challenging.  A Special Thank You: We are so grateful to you, our listeners. Whether you are a new to our podcast or have been listening since the beginning...thank you for listening to our nightmares! (And have a spooktacular day!) This podcast episode first aired on October 25, 2024. Thank you Jackson O'Brien for editing our podcasts, and for always sharing when you especially enjoy one of our episodes!  ALL LINKS  Twitter/Instagram: @NightmarePod1; YouTube: Such a Nightmare;  Email: [email protected]; Website: suchanightmare.com

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• Leprechaun 3 (1995) | Episode #99

  In this episode of the Such a Nightmare podcast, hosts Katherine Troyer and Toni Tresca explore the magic and horror of Vegas as they discuss the 1995 horror comedy film Leprechaun 3. Episode Highlights: We frame our discussion of the film by considering how it serves as the third installment in the franchise. We appreciate how the film provides some wacky fun and weird kills that complements the first two Leprechaun films. And, of course, we are always here for Warwick Davis! On the other hand, we also talk about areas where we felt the film fell short. In particular, we thought the liminal and uncanny space that is Las Vegas was under-utilized. It's a perfect location for a Leprechaun film; however, we had hoped for more over-the-top-ness, not to mention more magic...of the staged and leprechaun variety.  A Dose of Scholarship: There really isn't much in the way of scholarship on the Leprechaun franchise....so if this franchise is your jam, start writing! This podcast episode first aired on October 2, 2024. Thank you Jackson O'Brien--you rock! ALL LINKS  Twitter/Instagram: @NightmarePod1; YouTube: Such a Nightmare;  Email: [email protected]; Website: suchanightmare.com

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• Late Night with the Devil (2023) | Episode #98

  In this episode of the Such a Nightmare podcast, hosts Katherine Troyer and Toni Tresca discuss the 2023 horror film Late Night with the Devil. Episode Highlights: We begin by addressing the monster in the room: the film's use of AI and the subsequent backlash this film faced as a result. Ultimately though, we argue that it is unfair that most folks only want to talk about the AI issue, because this film deserves to be discussed on its own merits...for both its accomplishments and its misses. We explore what we see as the the film's successes in terms of concept, cinematography, and acting. We also examine how, in our opinion, the film's final act falls flat and what we would have rather seen in those last minutes.  A Dose of Scholarship: While there isn't too much written about Late Night with the Devil (at least that doesn't near-exclusively focus on the AI use), we do reference some interesting articles in this episode. For a nuanced examination of AI, check out this Harvard Business Review piece on AI augmenting, rather than replacing human intelligence. Sarah Hughes' 2017 article in Journal of American Studies "American Monsters: Tabloid Media and the Satanic Panic, 1970-2000" offers a great examination of how media shapes our cultural anxieties and fears. This podcast episode first aired on September 13, 2024. As always--a big shout out to Jackson O'Brien--editor extraordinaire! ALL LINKS  Twitter/Instagram: @NightmarePod1; YouTube: Such a Nightmare;  Email: [email protected]; Website: suchanightmare.com

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• Leprechaun 2 (1994) | Episode #97

  In this episode of the Such a Nightmare podcast, hosts Katherine Troyer and Toni Tresca discuss the 1994 horror comedy film Leprechaun 2. Episode Highlights: We explore how the sequel compares with the original 1993 film and argue that, particularly in terms of cinematography, Leprechaun 2 feels richer and more vibrant. As evidence, we turn to the cold opening scene and its use of cinematography to help communicate not just what is happening in the film, but how we are supposed to feel. It's hard to not talk about some of the wonderful (and horrible) death scenes in this film, so we mention some of our favorites. And we examine how this film presents as an ultimately affirmative horror film, which seems fitting considering that Leprechaun 2--much more than the original film--reads as a fairy tale complete with extensive backstory and lore. A Dose of Scholarship: There really isn't much in the way of scholarship on the Leprechaun franchise....so if this franchise is your jam, start writing! This podcast episode first aired on August 30, 2024. Jackson O'Brien--your edits make us better podcasters...thank you! ALL LINKS  Twitter/Instagram: @NightmarePod1; YouTube: Such a Nightmare;  Email: [email protected]; Website: suchanightmare.com

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• Misery (1990) | Episode #96

  In this episode of the Such a Nightmare podcast, hosts Katherine Troyer and Toni Tresca discuss the awesomeness that is Misery. Although we focus primarily on the 1990 film staring Kathy Bates and James Caan, we cannot help but also talk about Stephen King's original novel and Toni shares their experience seeing William Goldman's theatrical stage adaptation. Episode Highlights: We explore the internal/interior nature of King's book (with so much happening in Paul's head) and how well we feel this translates (or not) onto the screen/stage. Toni shares how the production they saw in Colorado Springs in 2023 played with the spaces of and characters in Misery. Katherine shares her sadness at losing her beloved novel-within-a-novel framework in the film. We discuss how these different texts play with important themes of Misery, including addiction and pain. And, as we praise the masterful Kathy Bates, we also look at how these three texts portray and construct the idea of female monstrosity.   A Dose of Scholarship: We referenced Harriet Stilley's article "Operation Hobble: Masculine Fear Versus Female Monstrosity in Misery" from Horror Homeroom.  This podcast episode first aired on July 26, 2024. Jackson O'Brien...a hero amongst editors!  ALL LINKS  Twitter/Instagram: @NightmarePod1; YouTube: Such a Nightmare;  Email: [email protected]; Website: suchanightmare.com

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