Podcasts
The Sexual Politics of Ken Russell’s Controversial ‘Crimes of Passion’ [Horror Queers Podcast]
After kicking off July with discussions of queer director Roland Emmerich’s summer tentpole Independence Day (listen) and Joe Dante’s seminal werewolf film The Howling (listen), we’re tackling our very first Ken Russell film in his controversial 1984 erotic thriller Crimes of Passion!
Crimes of Passion sees successful fashion designer Joanna Crane (Kathleen Turner, Serial Mom) moonlight as a sex worker named China Blue. Complications arise when she is targeted by two men: one a lonely, married electronics store owner (John Laughlin) who falls in love with her while spying on her, and the other a psychotic, predatory preacher (Anthony Perkins, Psycho) who seeks to “save” her using a bladed vibrator name “Superman.”
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Episode 395: Crimes of Passion (1984)
Huff those poppers and wield that bladed stake vibrator thing you stupid douchebag, because we’re talking our very first Ken Russell film in his messy-but-fascinating erotic thriller Crimes of Passion (1984)!
Join us as we do a deep dive into what Joe describes as a John Waters fever dream. It’s a film that boasts fantastic performances from Kathleen Turner and Anthony Perkins (in a role we would deem “brave” for the actor), who electrify the screen when its not focused on the torturous mundane existence that is heterosexual marriage.
Plus, X-rated MPAA woes, that “magic” trick, silhouette sex, debating the mixed messaging of the ending, and genuinely wondering when the hell Joanna sleeps!
Cross out Crimes of Passion
Coming Up Next: We’re tackling one of Stephen King’s worst adaptations in Lawence Kasdan’s baffling 2003 misfire Dreamcatcher.
P.S. Subscribe to our Patreon for over 512 hours of Patreon content including this month’s new episodes on Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Forbidden Fruits, Saccharine, Evil Dead Burn, an audio commentary on Howling II: Your Sister is a Werewolf (aka Howling II: Stirba – Werewolf Bitch), and the conclusion of our coverage of AMC’s The Vampire Lestat on the Requel Tier.
Here at Halloweenies, we love practical effects—there’s a reason why one of our categories is called “Great Graphics.” Well, consider this a full-length “Great Graphics” episode, where we talk to the effects team behind the titular puppet of Pinocchio Unstrung, in theaters this Friday. As the latest installment in the Twisted Childhood Universe, Pinocchio ups the franchise’s game by featuring a villain that’s entirely practical, created with a stunning mix of animatronics and, of course, puppetry.
So, take a seat at the workbench for a spirited interview between Halloweenie co-host Dan Caffrey and MASTERS FX President and Founder (and special effects legend in his own right) Todd Masters, Pinnochio Lead artist and Designer Kiana Larson, and Lead Animatronics Joshua Raymond. Learn how they pulled off such a dazzling and terrifying puppet, where they think the effects industry is headed, the movies that made them want to be FX artists, a few tidbits of Nightmare On Elm Street history, and more.
Pinocchio himself might even pop by for an appearance.
Stream the episode below and get tickets now for Pinocchio Unstrung. New to the Halloweenies? Catch up with the gang by revisiting their essential episodes on past franchises such as Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Scream, The Evil Dead, Chucky, Alien, and Universal Monsters. This year? Hellraiser AND The Omen.
You can also become a member of their Patreon, The Rewind, for hilariously irreverent commentaries (e.g. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Gremlins, Child’s Play) and one-off deep dives on your favorite rentals (e.g. Saw, 28 Days Later, Manhunter, Near Dark). Each month promises something new and unexpected from the wildest corners of the genre.
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