What a year... but it's finally over! 2020 played host to real scenarios much more frightening to regular people than any ghouls or goblins in horror cinema, but the genre persisted and delivered plenty of quality films to enjoy in the comfort of our homes. Despite the blockbuster delays, the halted productions, and the exorbitant "theater at home" rental costs, horror was as productive as ever this year, especially in the realm of indie content, which saw an incredible boom–as such, there's no shortage of films to craft a top 10 list from. Your terrifying twosome, Barnabas and Samael, take to their final episode of a tumultuous year to discuss their personal top 10 lists, as well as some other exciting topics concerning 2020 horror.

Grave Discussions

Episode 98 - 2020: The Best of a Bad Year

They're baaaaack! Even a pandemic won't stop horror hosts Barnabas and Samael from celebrating the greatest holiday of the year with this special Halloween episode. Despite 2020 being a rollercoaster of a year - a rollercoaster that has gone off the rails and exploded in mid-air, for that matter - there have been several fantastic horror movies released so far. Three of these, in particular, have the potential to become Halloween season mainstays, and your ghoulish (g)hosts will discuss why! Stick around until the end for some honorable mentions to fill out your spooky watchlist, and most importantly, have a Happy Halloween, gravers!!!

Episode 97 - A Haunted Hullabaloo

There has been no shortage of original and adapted works in the horror genre capitalizing on the #MeToo movement, but Leigh Whannell's interpretation of "The Invisible Man" may end up being one of the defining entries. Altering the formula of the original film, this Universal Monster takes the form of a controlling, abusive boyfriend who finds a way to go invisible - and uses it to torment his former flame. Though it is a departure, this fresh take on the property has been getting critical acclaim, and in this episode, Barnabas and Samael reveal their true colors and submit an exclusive review. Does "The Invisible Man" hide behind its star power and lavish production value, or will it show up and become a modern horror classic? Don't be afraid... tune in now to find out!

Episode 96 - In Control

What would you sacrifice to have your greatest wish fulfilled? Money? How about your own life? In the late 70s, "Fantasy Island" premiered on television and featured dozens of unique tales across seven years on the air, led by the enigmatic Mr. Roarke and his sidekick, Tattoo. Now, Blumhouse has resurrected the series in the form of Jeff Wadlow's film of the same name, but with an emphasis on horror! Will Barnabas and Samael's desires for a quality adaptation be met or suffer a cruel twist of fate, such as what awaits those who venture to Fantasy Island? Listen now to find out.

Episode 95 - Your Deepest Desires

Stories tend to live on. Since the advent of cinema, novels and shorter-form stories have been adapted to the silver screen and altered in various ways. Famous tales like "Hansel and Gretel" and "The Turn of the Screw" have seen more cinematic adaptations than a person could count on one hand, but the more diluted and frequent the movies become, the more people appear to lose interest - and the higher their standards. In light of recent failures at the box office, like The Turning, Barnabas and Samael examine the phenomenon of revitalizing these all-too-familiar narratives for the modern age, and whether or not it's time to simply hang them up and look for new stories to tell.

Episode 94 - Too Much of a Good Thing

Turn on the resonator, tune your pineal gland, and get the sex dungeon ready... Barnabas and Samael go where no mortal dares to discuss Stuart Gordon's "From Beyond"! Following the success of "Color Out of Space," a modern Lovecraft adaptation with a similar pinkish palette, your ghoulish (g)hosts use this special rendition of the Cult Corner to explore the strange spiritual precursor that often gets overshadowed by Gordon's other work. Topics may include mutated body parts, pink slime, and Barbara Crampton as every teenage boy's BDSM fantasy, along with dissecting how "From Beyond" paved the way for other weird sci-fi/horror films! Transcend the material realm and tune in now.

Episode 93 - Such Easy Prey

After more than 20 years, Richard Stanley returns to the horror director's seat with "Color Out of Space," the phantasmagoric adaptation of a classic H.P. Lovecraft story! Led by a gonzo Nicolas Cage, Stanley's comeback feature challenges our perception of reality, time, and... alpacas? You read that correctly. Following a successful limited release, Barnabas and Samael break down the sci-fi horror offering and try and keep their own sanity while discussing strange alien meteorites and colors that aren't mean to be recognized by the human eye. Does "Color Out of Space" amaze or simply belong at the bottom of the Gardener well? Tune in now to find out!

Episode 92 - It Was Just a Color

Ahead of Richard Stanley's comeback with "Color Out of Space", the new Lovecraft-inspired sci-fi/horror film set at a farmhouse on Earth, Barnabas and Samael instead travel out to the great void - and another dimension - to examine "Event Horizon"! Paul W.S. Anderson's trippy and hellish foray into science fiction has garnered something of a cult following after a relatively abysmal debut in 1997, and your grave hosts see it fitting to provide a deeper analysis of the themes, performances, production design, and more. You may not need ears to listen to this episode where we're going, but we suggest that you join us and pay attention anyway, lest Sam Neill comes for you next!

Episode 91 - Save Yourselves from Hell

Pack away the glitter and put on your flippers, Kristen Stewart returns to the horror spotlight in the new aquatic creature feature "Underwater"! After their subterranean laboratory suffers tectonic damage, a group of researchers discovers more than they bargained for on the ocean floor. With hints of "The Descent" and "Deep Star Six", can the next blockbuster horror film of 2020 go wrong, or will it simply sink to the bottom of the bargain pile? In this new episode, Barnabas and Samael review the newest effort by director William Eubank, all the while trying to stay afloat. Tune in now, or risk more water puns flooding your conscience!

Episode 90 - Hold Your Breath

Another decade of horror has passed and a delectable new year promises a whole new slew of fear... enter the Terrifying 20s! With their annual ritual complete - thanks to you gore-geous gravers - Barnabas and Samael arise to cover the year in earnest, beginning with a review of a familiar old face: "The Grudge." Not quite a reboot or a sequel, all eyes are on Nicolas Pesce to begin a new age of horror with more wet hair, Lin Shaye, and supernatural groaning than anyone knows what to do with! Following the review, the undead ushers guide you through horror in 2020, including their most anticipated films, expected trends, and other scary projects. So don't go anywhere - much like the grudge, we'll never let you.

Episode 89 - It'll Never Let You Go

What a year it's been! The world of horror has seen an uptick in critic and fan approval with some fantastic and disturbing fare, from Jordan Peele's socially conscious "Us" to Ari Aster's mind-bending "Midsommar", but what terror-filled tale stands above the rest? In such an approachable and creative genre, many filmmakers vie to create something truly horrifying and thought-provoking, and Barnabas and Samael have ingested their fill to the point of creating respective top 10 lists! Will your favorite movie make it in or leave 2019 a distant memory? Tune in now to find out, and have a Happy New Fear!

Episode 88 - 2019: The Year's Best Fears

Now a holiday classic, the 1974 cult stalker-slasher "Black Christmas" gave the horror world Billy, a sorority sister killer whose frantic voice disturbed audiences. Sophia Takal's innovative PG-13 re-imagining bears the same name but subverts the typically vague, moody atmosphere of the original with a direct examination of male privilege and female empowerment. Is Takal's "Black Christmas" a vital product of its time or simply a brash attempt at using a famous name for relevance? Though it likely won't escape 2019 without being swathed with controversy, Barnabas and Samael use the penultimate episode of the year to break down the film and determine if it is, in fact, naughty or nice!

Episode 87 - Ho Ho Ho, She Didn't Know

Jingle hell, jingle hell, jingle all the slay!! 2006 saw the return of Billy in Glen Morgan's "Black Christmas" remake, a considerably more brutal take on Bob Clark's original holiday slasher. With another adaptation hitting theaters this holiday season, Barnabas and Samael look back on the controversial film with fresh, squirming eyes. Does "Black Christmas" hold up despite near-universal criticism, and what kind of precedent does it set in the face of Sophia Takal's female-focused effort? These presents and more are just waiting to be unwrapped in the newest episode! Join us in the attic, take a look out of the window, and don't forget to breathe.

Episode 86 - A Present from Billy

The horrordays are upon us and Barnabas and Samael are filled with glee! They've put up their ornaments and placed a black star on top of their tree. Now sit back, grab a Christmas cookie, and listen to this all-new episode for free! The grievously grinchy group open their hearts this merry season and explore more festive, bloody holiday horror by highlighting two underrated Christmas gems in "Better Watch Out" and "Rare Exports"! These subversive films are quite the unique treat in a snow-laden horror landscape, best partaken by only the naughtiest gravers around... if only the elves don't get to you first! Happy Ho-Ho-Horrordays.

Episode 85 - Be of Good Fear

Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to get together and appreciate the good that warms their lives, so per usual in the horror genre, somebody has to mess it all up! In this episode, Barnabas and Samael invite Turkie to their deliciously dreadful dinner table and examine perhaps the most prominent Thanksgiving-themed horror film of all time, "Thankskilling"! The raunchy, ultra-low-budget slasher and its "fowl"-mouthed star quickly became a cult favorite and could be one of yours too, so fill up your plate and then stick around for a few other recommendations to get you in the Thanksgiving mood. Just consider avoiding the dark meat... it may be a little spoiled. * Correction: We made an error while discussing the first article about "Brand New Cherry Flavor"; the author is Todd Grimson, not Todd Grisham. Our apologies!

Episode 84 - Get Stuffed!

Grave Discussions is a podcast that has everything to sate your nightmarish desires: reviews, general topics, deep analyses, and so much more about the latest and greatest in horror cinema. All from beyond the grave!

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