Really Awful Movies: Ep 425 – No Exit

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This week on the podcast, one of the more obscure films ever covered on the program: No Exit, AKA, Fatal Combat.

This one is a 1995 Canadian action filmed lensed in the Greater Toronto Area and directed by Damian Lee. It stars the excellent Jeff Wincott, an actor/martial artist perhaps best known for his role in Night Heat.

In No Exit/Fatal Combat, the masses are entertained by…what else? A fight to the death TV show! The movie title refers to the title of the show, whose producer/creator brings death games to the airwaves, all from a remote Arctic studio.

The unlikely breakout (literally) star of the proceedings is of all things, a humble university professor, John Stoneman (Wincott).

But, he’s getting more than he bargained for, as this is one tough hombre.

Really Awful Movies: Ep 424 – The Furies

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This week on the podcast, a 2019 Aussie production titled, The Furies.

This is a survivalist/dystopian horror, occupying Battle Royale / Rollerball territory, but a hell of a lot gorier. Billed as Halloween meets The Hunger Games (wholly inaccurately) this one focuses on women who wake up in strange black coffins, only to find themselves in a fight to the death in a mining town hellscape in NSW, Australia.

There’s a harrowing atmosphere, to be sure, but things unravel toward the end, an unfortunately all too common occurrence in horror.

Tune in, check it out!

 

Really Awful Movies: Ep 423 – Influencer

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Broadly, when it comes to the genre’s modern era, “travel horror” dates back to The Hills Have Eyes and includes the likes of Tourist Trap, Hostel, Turistas, Wrong Turn, The Rental (feel free to check out that podcast) and of course, more recently, the hit film, Midsommar.

Influencer is the latest entry in what could be described as tourist horror, directed by Calgarian Kurtis David Harder, and has a neo-noir-ish feel and a super unique local that really puts it a cut above and definitely makes it worth your time (currently streaming on Shudder).

Set in Thailand, the movie focuses on a bored, titular influencer (Madison, played by Emily Tennant), who is experiencing Lost in Translation ennui while abroad ’cause her boyfriend is too busy to join her. She lolls about in a hotel bar and eventually connects with a mysterious figure, CW, expertly portrayed by Canadian actress, Cassandra Naud, who shows her the ropes.

Tune into this episode of the podcast and subscribe.

Discussion includes:

  • Whether travel really broadens the mind
  • Travel writers like Pico Ayer
  • Alberta, Canada as a focal point for the genre recently, and horror movies including Skinamarink
  • Whether there is anything new to experience abroad given social media’s broad reach
  • Travel influencers like Sarah Funky, Here Be Barr who offer travel trips to those wishing to visit New York, and others
  • Travel proclivities by Americans in Europe
  • Cassandra Naud and the film narrative
  • Inspiration for Influencer and back-backer culture in Thailand