Verbal Diorama - Episode 103 - The Frighteners - Verbal Diorama

Episode 103

The Frighteners

Published on: 15th July, 2021

The Frighteners is more important than you realise.

Not only was it a landmark of visual effects in 1996, it also starred one of the biggest Hollywood stars of the 80s/90s in his last live-action leading role: Michael J. Fox.

Directed by Peter Jackson, The Frighteners languishes nowadays in some sort of film-based purgatory. Not cult classic enough to be deemed one, not good enough to be seen as a classic horror comedy and not bad enough to be "so bad it's good". Honestly, it seems mostly forgotten.

Verbal Diorama is here to change that. The Frighteners literally changed the face of cinema. It gave us the birth of Peter Jackson as an auteur. It cemented the fledgling New Zealand film industry as a serious competitor to the US. It showed what a small Kiwi visual effects company like Weta Digital could achieve. All of which have gone on to huge success via a certain trilogy of movies that follow this one.

Not to mention, it's a really spooky, fun movie!

Death might be no way to make a living, but we should all give The Frighteners the respect it deserves.

I would love to hear your thoughts on The Frighteners!

GET IN TOUCH....

SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....

Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser

Join the Patreon: https://verbaldiorama.com/patreon

Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Scott, Mark, Brendan, Ian, Lisa, Dan and Sam!

Buy Merch! https://verbaldiorama.com/merch

Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available!

EPISODE THANKS TO....

Most excellent patrons:

Andy from Geek Salad for his Patron thoughts. You can find Geek Salad @geeksaladradio on Twitter.

Sam from Movie Reviews in 20 Q's for his Patron thoughts. You can find Movie Reviews in 20 Q's @MovieReviewsIn on Twitter.

Scott from Monkey See Monkey Review for his Patron thoughts. You can find Monkey See Monkey Review @MSMRpod on Twitter.

And to Dan and Brendan too, for their Patron thoughts!

Subscribe, follow and listen to Geek Salad, Movie Reviews in 20 Q's and Monkey See Monkey Review in your podcast app of choice!

Twitter peeps

  • @Oral_mfc
  • @StephenPress3
  • @holmesmoviespod
  • @chancewhitmore5
  • @ihateyourtaste

Instagram folk

  • @thepodcastnobodyaskedfor
  • @nikoliskitchen
  • @itgoesdowninthepm
  • @sassylassy76

Facebook chums

  • None this time

Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song

Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook

Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)

Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios.



This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Get in touch!

Comments? Suggestions? Questions? Fill in the simple form below to get in touch with Verbal Diorama.

Support Verbal Diorama

Do you love Verbal Diorama? Did you learn something awesome from my podcast? Do you just want to buy me a coffee (or Evie & Peggy some Lick-e-lix)? If you'd like to leave me a tip, that would be amazing, and all funds go directly back into making Verbal Diorama even better!
Tip Verbal Diorama
J
JAILLUD £20
Working my way through your content, every episode offers amazing insight, keep up the good work! JAILLUD on Letterboxd
A
Adam Bell £10
Happy Birthday Tip! Great Prey ep. Not seen it before. I liked how by putting her tomahawk on a rope Naru no longer had to ‘get to the choppah!’
A
Adam Bell £20
Really enjoyed Bourne Identity and Edge Of Tomorrow episodes last night. I’ve had a crap few weeks recently and these brightened the day!
E
EdamBall £10
Thanks for the Star Trek podcast! As for Khan, +1 for that. Logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

Listen for free

Show artwork for Verbal Diorama

About the Podcast

Verbal Diorama
The podcast on the history and legacy of movies you know, and movies you don't.
Are you interested in how movies are made? Do you wonder how a film went from conception to completion? If so, Verbal Diorama, hosted by Em, is the award-winning(!) podcast for you!

Movies are tough to make, and Verbal Diorama is here to celebrate the coming together of teams of extraordinary cast and crew, bringing us movies that inspire us, delight us, make us laugh, make us cry and frighten us. This podcast discovers the stories behind the scenes, and proves how amazing it is that movies actually exist!

Welcome to Verbal Diorama. The podcast all about the history and legacy of movies you know, and movies you don't! Subscribe on your favourite podcast app, and enjoy new episodes every week. Winner of the 2024 Ear Worthy Independent Podcast Awards for Best Movie Podcast.
Support This Show

About your host

Profile picture for Em .

Em .

Hi! I'm Em. I created Verbal Diorama in 2018, and launched the podcast in February 2019 to rapturous applause and acclaim.... from my cat Jess.

The modus operandi of Verbal Diorama is simple: movies are tough to make! The coming together of a team of people from all walks of life to make something to entertain, delight and educate us for 90+ mins is not an easy task, and yet so many succeed at it. That must be something to celebrate.

I'm here to do just that - to celebrate movies. Their history and legacy, and why they remain so special to so many of us.

Episodes are audibly book ended by Jess. She sadly passed away in March 2022, aged almost 18. She featured in many episodes of the podcast, and that's why you can hear her at the end of every episode. The role of official feline producer is now held by the comparatively quieter Evie and Peggy.

I love podcasts, and listen to many, but never my own.

I unashamedly love The Mummy (1999) and Grease 2. I'm still looking for a cool rider.