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The Scared Shitless Podcast®

The Scared Shitless Podcast®

by S. Michael Simms

Documentary Film Reviews

Season 2

S2, E23- EVENT HORIZON (RIP SAM NEILL)

SAM NEILL was a Hollywood icon and a gift to the horror genre and cinema in general. This final episode of Season 2 is dedicated to him. EVENT HORIZON (1997) is cosmic horror done right. Join S. Michael, the lovely Erin Dawn and Mr. Slinky Giallo himself who picked this one because it's fucking scary, and that's what we do. Whether you think of it as "Hellraiser in Space" before there was an actual "Hellraiser in Space" or just a relative flop that has a lot of great performances in it that couldn't connect with a genera audience because the trailers pulled an ill-advised bait & switch, it's got the goods for any true horror fan. RIP, Sam Neill: 9/14/1947 - 7/13/2026

S2, E22 - JAWS (1975)

It is the movie that has probably affected more people on a deep, psychological level than any other film in history. Two chords, and you know exactly what is coming. Two chords, and you think about the monster and what it could do to you in the water. Even a glance at the poster sticks with you your whole life—because great white sharks actually exist, and yes, sometimes they eat people. It is almost impossible to do justice to the greatness of a film that spawned three sequels, launched the careers of arguably the greatest movie director and film composer of all time, saturated popular culture with knock-offs and parodies, and single-handedly created the summer blockbuster. Jaws (1975) is one of the greatest movies of all time. But it's also one of the scariest. Not in a supernatural jump-scare way, a knife-wielding maniac way, or a cosmic or existential way like so many of the films we talk about on TSSP... but in the simple, all-too-real way that scares millions of people out of the water to this day. It remains a timeless masterpiece with a terrifyingly simple premise: A shark... a really big shark... is eating people. Not fish. Not seals. People. And none of us are safe in this apex predator's domain. Join Slinky, Erin, and Mike as we sit down to talk about how great this movie is... and why it's still scary over fifty years since it changed movies forever.

S2, E21 - A TALE OF TWO DAWNS

No, not ERIN Dawn, DAWN of the Dead...1978 AND 2004! That's right, it's a double dose of zombie mania with a deep dive into the socially and existentially terrifying hordes of Romero zombies the 1978 classic commingled with the action-packed, perfectly opened, slick, and fun Snyder zombies of the 2004 remake, and boy do we have a lot to unpack from both! So join S. Michael, the lovely Erin Dawn and the man who has forgotten more about Dawn of the Dead than most people will ever know, Slinky Giallo himself as we compare and contrast two of the greatest horror films of all time. Stay Shitless!

S2, E20 - THE SACRAMENT (2014)

People of a certain age may have mixed feelings about this modern, fictionalized version of the Jonestown tragedy. But for those under fifty, The Sacrament (2014) is a stark, important look at the dark themes and terrifying social psychology of a cult. It explores exactly what happens when an evil man, corrupted by his own power and wrapped in a cloak of religious ideology, holds absolute sway over vulnerable, at-risk people. The real-life result was the death of hundreds, leaving an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of Western culture. But what are the results of this modernized retelling for a new generation? Join S. Michael, the lovely Erin Dawn, and Slinky Giallo as we drink the Flavor Aid and dissect this controversial, terrifying film.

S2, E19 - GHOST (1990)

Do you love the movie Ghost from 1990? Ditto! Here's another "existential" pick from Mike, and Erin Dawn & Slinky bring plenty of horror perspective to what might otherwise have wound up as a blubbering mess... but c'mon - who doesn't miss Patrick Swayze? Get Shitless with the TSSP Crew as we revisit the betrayal, the doomed romance, the Subway Ghost, and..."The Other Ones"!

S2 E18 - WE ARE STILL HERE (2015)

Join Slinky Giallo, the lovely Erin Dawn and S. Michael as they brave the freezing New England winter to unpack Ted Geoghan's 2015 haunted house standout We Are Still Here. When a grieving couple moves to an isolated rural home, they quickly discover their new town is hiding a charred, blood-soaked secret and a cellar that demands a sacrifice. With a heavy nod to Lucio Fulci, incredibly creepy locals, and brutal (mostly) practical effects, the crew digs into exactly why this film delivers the scary. Lock your doors, stay out the basement, and get ready to put on your shittin' pants!

S2 E17 - HAPPY HELLIDAYS w/ADAM MARCUS & MICHAEL FELSHER

This episode of TSSP is INSANE. We talked to Adam "Jason Goes to Hell/Secret Santa" Marcus and the director of his new JGTH documentary "Hearts of Darkness: The Making of Jason Goes to Hell", Michael Felsher for nearly two hours, and it was incredible. Not only are these guys incredible filmmakers, but they are both amazing human beings--funny, smart, reflective, compassionate, and beyond knowledgeable about what our show is all about: HORROR. Yes, we actually managed to sus out real terror, horror, and revulsion from both Secret Santa and JGTH, but we also talked about horror itself - all three of SK's levels of fear: Terror, Horror, and Revulsion feature prominently in our discussion. You won't want to miss this one! and as always you can reach us with ideas for the show and feedback on our FB page, in the YouTube comments, or email us at shitlesspodcast@gmail.com

S2 E16 - ANGEL HEART (1987)

Johnny Favorite is missing, and the debt is finally coming due. Join S. Michael, Slinky Giallo, and Erin Dawn as they descend into the voodoo-soaked, humid nightmare of Alan Parker’s Angel Heart (1987). From Mickey Rourke’s career peak to Robert De Niro’s peeling eggs, we’re peeling back the layers of this neo-noir masterpiece. Talk to us: Facebook: The Scared Shitless Podcast Page YouTube: Leave a comment on the video! Email: shitlesspodcast@gmail.com

S2 E15 - THE EMPTY MAN (2020)

On the first day you hear him. On the second day you see him. On the third day, you listen to this episode. Join S. Michael, Slinky Giallo, and Erin Dawn as they cross the bridge into the cosmic abyss of The Empty Man (2020). We’re diving deep into the cult of Pontifex, urban legends, and why David Prior’s misunderstood masterpiece is the ultimate modern slow-burn for some, an exercise in clunkiness for others. Did we love it? Hate it? Find out and let us know how you felt about it! Manifest your thoughts: Facebook: The Scared Shitless Podcast YouTube: Drop a comment on the video! Email: shitlesspodcast@gmail.com

S2 E14 - THE EVIL DEAD (1981)

Join the lovely Erin Dawn, Slinky Giallo, and S. Michael as they go back to the one that started it all: The original Evil Dead from 1981 starring Bruce Campbell and directed by the enigmatic Sam Raimi. This movie launched a hugely successful franchise chock full of sequels, soft reboots, hard reboots, requels, a TV series, board games, tons of comics and other merch and several video games. JOIN US!!!

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