What I Watched in August 2025

The small town in which WEAPONS (2025) takes place seems easily recognizable as a typical American place. The streets, buildings and people all seem exactly like what we see every day from our front yards or sitting next to us in traffic. So, when the majority of a classroom of students disappears one night the panicked reactions and insane accusations slung about seem typically American as well. I’m old enough to remember the Satanic Panic of the 1980’s in this country when madder and madder ideas of hidden child abducting cults grabbing vulnerable kids off the streets became a cartoonish obsession. This film’s small town, confronted with missing children, turns on the teacher and the school lashing out ignorantly but in exactly the ways expected. Frustrated fear becomes anger directed at any target available and lives are ruined accordingly. In this case, some of the parent’s darkest fears are reality but the danger stems from a nesting evil that presents in a disarming fashion. The film is a brilliantly done, chilling look at dangers from within and how dark actions are always for the right trigger. I can even see it making a sly commentary on the older generation leeching the youth to extend its own reach.

 

Weeks after seeing WEAPONS I can still not shake images from it. The Ring doorbell camera footage of children running away from home into the night; the look of anger on Josh Brolin’s face as he wrestles with the mystery; the shadow creeping up behind a sleeping Julia Garner to snip a lock of hair; the flashlight illuminated basement that holds some of the answers. Rarely has a modern horror film drawn me into its story so effectively and haunted my thoughts for so long after I left the theater. Writer/director Zach Cregger knows how to work his way under our skins and presents a vision of America trying to fight off evil it can’t understand. How very modern. 

The List

MURDER IN THE BLUE ROOM (1944) – 6 (rewatch) 

QUEEN OF BLACK MAGIC (1981) – 7 (Indonesian supernatural classic)

OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE (2023) – 8 (fun Guy Ritchie espionage)

THE WALKING DEAD (1936) – 8 (rewatch on Blu) 

ELI (2019) – 7 (that took an interesting turn) 

SWEATER GIRL (1942) – 6 (murder mystery musical) 

THE MONKEY (2025) – 9 

REDNECK MILLER (1976) – 6 (small regionally-made crime film)

WEAPONS (2025) – 9 

HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS (2022) – 8 (hilarious live-action cartoon)

ZENABEL (1969) – 4 (dull period soft-core comedy)

OPUS (2025) – 8 

ALLEY CAT (1984) – 4 (sloppy, low-budget revenge film)

GRAVEYARD DISTURBANCE (1987) – 7 (Lamberto Bava horror) 

LONGLEGS (2024) – 8 (rewatch)

THE MONKEY (2025) – 8 (rewatch)

MORBUS (1983) – 3 (Spanish mess with zombies, nudity galore and Victor Isreal!) 

DEATH OF A UNICORN (2025) – 5 (waste of a great cast) 

RELAY (2025) – 7 (well done thriller) 

ZORRO IN THE COURT OF ENGLAND (1969) – 6 (solid adventure - could have used more action)

THE OGRE (1989) – 6 (Lamberto Bava horror) (rewatch on Blu)

LUZ (2018) – 6 (interesting take on possession and desire) 

THE CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE (1944) – 7 (rewatch on Blu) 

The Bloody Pit #220 - REPTILICUS (1961)

Mark Maddox returns to discuss a giant monster movie from Denmark! Yes – REPTILICUS (1961) is either the shame or pride of Danish cinema depending on who you ask. Much like THE GIANT CLAW (1957) it asks a lot of the audience whenever the titular creature is onscreen. For many fans of genre film, the willing suspension of disbelief is too heavy a lift even though the first act setup involves an intriguing premise. So what do Mark and I think of it? Hang on tight!

We discuss the origin of the project and the various creators who brought this movie to the world. Sidney Pink and Ib Melchior get the biggest share of our attention as they were the writers and director of the project. We quote American International Pictures’ Sam Arkoff about his discovery of the major mistake in the English dialog that had to be corrected by looping the entire film. The monster special effects go under the microscope with both of us relating the style and form to the Gerry Anderson TV shows that were gaining popularity in the early 1960’s. The differences between the AIP English version and the version made for Danish consumption are touched on with special mention of the added musical number that drives Mark nearly insane. (Yes, I included it in the show.) Topping things off is my co-host’s reoccurring Swedish Chef impression which is either cultural appropriation, an insulting caricature or a confused cry for help. Or all three. And this entire affair goes on for two hours! That is clearly too long, but take heart in the knowledge that this is the edited version of our conversation.

 

If you have any comments about REPTILICUS or any of the other things we’ve covered on the show thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to send them. Thank you for listening and we’ll be back soon.  

THE NIGHT THE WORLD EXPLODED (1957) Poster Art and Lobby Cards

 

Wild, Wild Podcast - Ranking the Rapiers and Ruffles Films

Join Rod and Adrian as they agonize over how to rank the films from the Rapiers and Ruffles season. Will they agree, or will there be rapiers at dawn? Or perhaps will there be some witty repartee? Hope springs eternal!

 If you have been watching along throughout the season, do contact us and let us know which have been your favorites. The podcast is also open to suggestions for future seasons!

 You can get in touch with us, follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our LINKTREE.

Gallery of Fantasy Art by Sanjulián

 

Savage Sword of Conan Cover Gallery (modern version)

 

Savage Sword of Conan Cover Gallery (classic version)

These covers always screamed from the magazine stand and demanded my money!

 

Trailers From Hell - THE LEECH WOMAN (1960)

Glad to see that I'm not the only person that thinks highly of this little film!

CONTAMINATION (1980) Poster Art

Why do I enjoy this mad film so much?

 

1980's Sword and Sandal Movie Poster Art