PopaHALLics #112 "More Boos for You"
Someone forgot to tell us Halloween was over! We discuss streamers about alien invaders, witches, a co-dependent Dracula, a horror-plagued family, and a novel about a witchhunt. Plus the comedy movie "Quiz Lady" and Poirot and his moustache.
Streaming:
- "The Menu," Hulu. In this horror comedy, a foodie (Nicholas Hoult) and his date (Anya Taylor-Joy) are excited to attend the island restaurant of a celebrity chef (Ralph Fiennes). Let's just say they may not be down with what he's serving up.
- "Invasion," Apple+. When an alien species threatens our existence, five ordinary people across the globe try to deal with the chaos unfolding around them in this series. Steve says the emphasis is on the humans, not those aliens.
- "A Haunting in Venice," Hulu. Kenneth Branagh directs and stars again as Agatha Christie's mustachioed detective Hercule Poirot. This time he's investigating a Halloween seance in a spooky palazzo. With Tina Fey and Michelle Yeoh.
- "Renfield," Prime. What's a guy (Nicholas Hoult) to do when his boss is super-demanding, violent, and oh yeah, Dracula (Nicolas Cage)? Awkwafina also stars in this "action comedy horror film."
- "Quiz Lady," Hulu. Tightly wound Anne (Awkwafina) must deal with her hot mess of a sister (Sandra Oh) to help pay off their mom's gambling debts. With Will Ferrell, Holland Taylor, and a dog named Linguini.
- "The Fall of the House of Usher," Netflix. In this limited series from horrormeister Mike Flanagan ("The Haunting of Hill House"), an unscrupulous family begins to pay for their sins in ways inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's stories and poems. With Bruce Greenwood, Carla Gugino, Mark Hamill, and more.
Books:
- "Daughters of Witching Hill," by Mary Sharratt. Inspired by an infamous witch trial in England in 1612, the novel follows a family of strong women as they try to survive "the hysteria of a witchhunt."
Our special macabre music for this episode is once again by Mike "What's that thing behind you?" Bode. Thanks, Mike!