Podcasts
The Bombastic Trash of Joel Schumacher’s ‘Phantom of the Opera’ [Horror Queers Podcast]
Full of hot aria.
After kicking off December with a look at the vastly underseen 2019 gem I See You (listen), we’re heading to Paris to check in with a very, very angry Phantom in Joel Schumacher‘s 2004 adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s musical The Phantom of the Opera.
In The Phantom of the Opera, young soprano Christine Daaé (Emmy Rossum) becomes the obsession of a brooding and disfigured Phantom (Gerard Butler) who lives under the Paris Opera House. When Christine falls for her old friend Raoul (Patrick Wilson), the Phantom hatches a plan to ensure that Christine will never leave his side, ready to murder anyone who gets in his way.
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Episode 312: The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
Prepare yourself for bloat and bombast because we’re discussing Joel Schumacher‘s 2004 adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s The Phantom of the Opera for its 20th anniversary! Tagging in for the conversation is queer musician Bartees Strange, who provides some much needed musical insight on the film.
Join us as we try to figure out why this movie doesn’t sing (sorry) the way it should. It’s a constant war of style vs. substance, with a lot of visuals that look great….but mean nothing. Adding insult to injury is the perplexing decision to cast non-singer Gerard Butler as the Phantom, who makes some questionable decisions regarding the villain’s characterization.
Plus: Emmy Rossum’s breakout role, Patrick Wilson’s Lord Farquad haircut, reprise after reprise after reprise, golden arm candelabra holders and a runaway chandelier.
Cross out The Phantom of the Opera!
Coming up on Wednesday: We’re heading back to the world of hagsploitation and psycho biddies in Robert Aldrich’s Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964), starring Bette Davis!
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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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