Faculty of Horror
Podcasting from the Horrored Halls of Academia
Episode 29. Jesus Wept: Hellraiser (1987) and Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)
Andrea and Alex open a puzzlebox to unpack the history, mythology and impact of Clive Barker’s iconic series.
REQUIRED READING
Hellraiser. Dir Clive Barker, 1987.
Hellbound: Hellraiser II. Dir Tony Randel. 1988.
EXTRA CREDIT
The Hellbound Heart – Clive Barker’s novella that spawned the franchise.
“Fire, Brimstone and PVC: Clive Barker’s Cenobites as Agents of Hell” – Andrea’s chapter in The Undead and Theology looks at how the Hellraiser series suggests a modernized depiction of hell, morality and punishment.
The Hellraiser Podcast – They’ll tear your ears apart!
COURSE NOTES
Intro song: Nail Ballet from Nightmare Picture Theatre, courtesy of James Zirco Fisher.
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Episode 28. Horrorwood: The Haunting (1999) and World War Z (2013)
Blockbusters are as much a part of summer as sunburns and mosquitoes. In this episode, Andrea and Alex explore what it means when the billion dollar industry that is Hollywood casts its evil eye on the horror genre during their most profitable time of the year.
REQUIRED READING
The Haunting. Dir Jan De Bont. 1999.
World War Z. Dir Marc Forster, 2013.
EXTRA CREDIT
Brad’s War. Vanity Fair’s in-depth look at the plagued production of World War Z.
Conclusion to Culture and Society by Raymond Williams. The conclusion to the cultural theorist’s book, containing his insights on community, “the masses” and the myth of common culture.
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Episode 27. Bewitched: Witches in Film Part 2, with The Witchfinder General (1968), The Crucible (1996) and Inferno (1980)
We return to the theme of witches with an evil eye to look at them in a broader historical and social context. Who was a witch? Who was a bitch? Who actually deserved what they got?
REQUIRED READING
The Witchfinder General. Dir Michael Reeves. 1968.
Inferno. Dir Dario Argento. 1980.
The Crucible. Dir Nicholas Hytner. 1996.
EXTRA CREDIT
Why I Wrote the Crucible. Arthur Miller’s take on his own play as it’s about the hit the big screen.
The Moral Panic Concept. An overview and analysis of moral panic.
LISTEN
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