03.24.2026 TWISTED BLU-RAY GEMS!!! With ETHAN HULL!

Written By Stephanie Morgan

MONSTER PARTY IS GOING TO DRIVE YOUR BLU-RAY PLAYER MAD!!!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD plunge into the depths of delightful depravity as they seek to dig up the world’s most unusual cinematic treasures. Whether it’s a birthday, Valentine’s Day, or an anniversary, give your loved ones some… TWISTED BLU-RAY GEMS!

In these days of video streaming, many have prematurely predicted the fall of physical media. While mainstream sales of CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays have declined, several niche companies are thriving by offering hard-to-find and sometimes virtually unknown horror, sci-fi, fantasy, martial arts, and exploitation films. This kind of entertainment may not be for everyone, but if, like us, you like your entertainment on the wild side, have we got some movies for you!

In this episode, the gang will be celebrating a selection of films ranging from works by cult film masters to Z-list auteurs, and everything in between. It’s a subgenre where the restrictions of taste, budget, and production actually led to the creation of some truly unique artistic visions. We’ll also get a first-person account of the loving care that goes into preserving these often overlooked celluloid classics. And what classics they are! We’ve got folk horror frights, kung fu-capable combatants, a forty-year-old child, a voting-age infant, a zoom lens with no shame, a sasquatch who smashes a crotch, and so much more!

Joining us for this bacchanal of Blu-rays is a first-time guest and a man perfectly suited for this topic. Aside from being a member of the DJ collective RENDEZVOUS! and founder of the record label EMPIRE OF TOMBS, he is content manager and representative for the company that will fulfill all your twisted Blu-ray dreams, SEVERIN FILMS! MONSTER PARTY is very proud to welcome… ETHAN HULL!

AND A WARNING: IF YOU’RE EVER IN BIGFOOT COUNTRY… HOLD IT!

Guest(s)

Ethan Hull

Follow Ethan: Ethan Hull (@lethalethan616) • Instagram profile | Blog - TWO HEADED DOG| lethalethan‍ ‍

Key Topics Discussed

  • The "Archaeological" Discovery of Cult Cinema: The hosts and guest explore the thrill of tracking down obscure, international, and non-mainstream films that were once only found in the deep corners of video rental stores and are now finding new life through high-quality Blu-ray restorations.

  • The Ethics and Effort of Film Preservation: A deep dive into the technical challenges of finding rare film prints—from estate sales to barns in England—and the painstaking restoration process required to save these finite materials before they rot away.

  • The DIY Spirit of Regional and Low-Budget Filmmaking: The episode highlights how filmmakers from different decades and regions worked beyond their meager budgets to create unique, high-impact aesthetics that digital technology often fails to replicate today.

  • Horror as a Cultural Reflection: An exploration of how international horror, specifically from regions like Indonesia and Japan, utilizes local folklore and societal fears to tell stories that are both unique to their cultures and universally unsettling.

  • The Significance of Physical Media in a Streaming Age: The group discusses the "event" feel of watching a physical disc versus the mental overload and licensing "nightmares" of streaming services, emphasizing how physical media encourages active participation and permanent ownership.

Timestamps

  • 00:02:33 - Introduction of guest Ethan Hull of Severin Films.

  • 00:04:36 - Early monster movie memories and formative horror experiences.

  • 00:10:56 - The "ingenious" DIY spirit of low-budget filmmaking.

  • 00:17:49 - The global hunt for lost film prints and the restoration process.

  • 00:25:32 - The importance of preserving "unfiltered" independent cinema.

  • 00:35:48 - Recommendation: Starting your cult cinema journey with Burial Ground.

  • 00:41:58 - Exploring the cultural impact of Indonesian and Japanese horror.

  • 00:47:56 - The "Hostage Negotiation" of streaming vs. the "Event" of physical media.

  • 00:55:04 - Martial Arts, "Bruceploitation," and regional action cinema.

  • 01:05:52 - The "Basic Bitch" rant: The inability to own the original 1977 Star Wars.

  • 01:11:00 - Commiserating over the "Trauma" and weirdness of the Star Wars Holiday Special.

  • 01:19:12 - The strange case of Student Confidential and filmmaker vanity projects.

  • 01:31:46 - Bigfoot action figures and the "extra mile" of Severin collectibles.

  • 01:40:07 - Listener shout-outs and Rondo Award nominations.

Resources/Links Mentioned

Films

  • Poltergeist – Mentioned regarding the debate over Tobe Hooper and Spielberg's involvement.

  • Life Force – Described as a "space vampire opera" and pure sci-fi pulp.

  • Halloween – Referenced as a cornerstone of 80s slasher discovery.

  • Maniac – Described as being "dragged through the gutters of 42nd Street."

  • Phantasm – Highlighted for its mystery and sense of discovery.

  • Troll 2 – Used as an example of a film that is entertaining because it wasn't trying to be "weird."

  • Torso – Praised for its "amazing" trailer.

  • Starcrash – Cited as a favorite with a legendary trailer.

  • Star Wars – Specifically the original 1977 non-Special Edition version.

  • Blood Feast – Referenced regarding the history of gore cinema.

  • Dead Alive – A Peter Jackson film the guest wishes to see restored.

  • The Pick-Up – A Robert Frost "roughy" described as a heist/drive-in classic.

  • Weapons – Mentioned during Academy Award shout-outs for Amy Madigan.

  • Saint Frankenstein (2015/Short) – Referenced regarding Mike Hill’s Oscar-winning makeup work.

Television

  • Doctor Who – Used as a visual comparison for the Star Wars Holiday Special.

Books & Comic Books

  • Fangoria – Mentioned regarding the Life Force cover in 1985.

Stephanie Morgan
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