Chopping It Up
A podcast discussing horror movies both new and old. Each episode compares and contrasts two horror films, connecting them via themes, tropes, motifs, actors, and subgenres. The goal is to explore the evolution of the horror genre and how these films interact with each other within the cinematic landscape. Coverage includes remakes, sequels, reimaginings, and reboots of classic films, spanning slashers, vampire movies, zombie movies, Lovecraftian films, monster movies, psychological horror, and more.
Episodes
Friday the 13th Parts III & VIII — Birth of a Legend, End of an Era
Slasher Season is back, and we're going all the way in on the greatest horror franchise of all time — no, Joel, you don't get a say in that. Jesse pairs Friday the 13th Part III and Jason Takes Manhattan as the alpha and omega of the franchise: the movie that gave Jason his hockey mask, and the movie that sent him packing to the Big Apple. Jeannie watched both for the first time and would like her
Did You Know Oliver Stone Made a Horror Movie?
This week on Prime Cuts, the crew watches a forgotten slice of early Oliver Stone — The Hand (1981), starring a very committed Michael Caine as a comic strip artist who loses his hand in a car accident and slowly loses everything else. His marriage, his sanity, and apparently several people in his vicinity.
Jesse, Jeannie, Joel, and a special guest who definitely watched Conan the Barbarian instea
Siege Horror, Satan in a Jar, and Reshoots: Prince of Darkness with guest, ActorThom Bray
This week we're chopping up the second entry in Carpenter's Apocalypse Trilogy — and we brought backup. Actor Thom Bray joins us to talk about landing the most memorable kill in the film, what it was actually like to get impaled by a bicycle with Alice Cooper, and why Carpenter told him to dial it back on the blood. We also get into the theology, the theoretical physics, the goo, and whether Princ
Jesse's 70s Art House Obsession Strikes Again: Let's Scare Jessica to Death
What does it look like to live deliciously on the wrong side of sanity? Jesse brings the crew to 1971 Connecticut for John D. Hancock's haunting folk horror gem. Part psychological thriller, part vampire mythology, part counterculture eulogy — Let's Scare Jessica to Death is the kind of movie that asks you to do the work, and rewards you for it. The CIU crew unpacks Charon and the underworld, the
He Just Moved Boroughs: Blacula and Vampire in Brooklyn
We recorded this one back in February to close out Sled dSeason, and we've been sitting on it — but good things are worth the wait. A Black History Month double feature that earns its place: both films follow the same blueprint — a Black vampire dropped into a modern urban landscape, chasing a reincarnated love and dragging a Renfield-type ghoul behind him. The parallels are undeniable.
Blacula is
Blair Witch Put Germantown on the Map, Babies: Blair Witch Project and Hell House
In this episode of Chopping It Up, the crew dives into the origins of found footage horror with The Blair Witch Project and Hell House LLC—and this one hits especially close to home. Literally. Jesse, Joel, and Jeannie all grew up in the Maryland area where Blair Witch was filmed, adding a personal layer to the conversation as they reflect on seeing the film during its original release and the ver
The Investors Spent the Budget on Their Roofs: Messiah of Evil (with Final Girls)
The Chopping It Up crew teams up once again with Kellie and Sarah from The Final Girls to dig into the dreamy, unsettling cult oddity Messiah of Evil (1973). What starts as a missing-father mystery in a creepy coastal town quickly turns into a discussion about art-house horror, eerie atmosphere, and some truly unforgettable scenes (looking at you, supermarket). Along the way we debate whether this
Puss in Boots Gave Rimmick His Eyes: Sinners
In this Prime Cuts episode, we sink our teeth into Ryan Coogler’s Sinners (2025) — a Southern gothic vampire tale set in 1932 Mississippi. When twin brothers return home to open a juke joint, the night spirals into bloodshed, forcing us to ask: is this elevated horror with bite, or a beautiful mess?
We debate the film’s themes of race, religion, and cultural theft, argue about its pacing and vampi
The Throuple Made Them Do It: Heart Eyes
This week on Prime Cuts, we’re talking Heart Eyes (2025) — a Valentine’s Day slasher that mixes rom-com charm with masked-killer chaos. When the “Heart Eyes Killer” targets couples in Seattle, marketing exec Ally and her suspiciously charming coworker Jay find themselves fighting for their lives… and maybe catching feelings along the way.
It’s self-aware, fast-paced, and packed with holiday-themed
Saturday Afternoon Movies: Big Trouble in Little China and The Golden Child
This week on Chopping It Up, the crew revisits two ’80s cult favorites with shared DNA but very different execution: Big Trouble in Little China and The Golden Child.
The discussion explores why Big Trouble thrives as a confident genre mash-up—subverting the action hero, embracing mythological chaos, and fully committing to its weirdness—while The Golden Child often feels held back by studio expec
Prime Cuts 23 - Welcome to Derry
n this Prime Cuts episode, the crew heads back to Derry, Maine to slice into Welcome to Derry, the newest dip into Stephen King’s ever-expanding IT universe—minus Jesse, who we’re told was “busy,” but we assume was avoiding homework and timelines.
The gang breaks down how the show smartly uses Derry’s long history of trauma, structuring the story around past atrocities while keeping the “every 27
Prime Cuts 22 - Bloodbeat
This week on Prime Cuts, we tackle Blood Beat—a holiday-adjacent regional horror oddity that defies explanation. Featuring telekinetic samurai armor, psychic trauma, wooden performances, and vibes that feel more manifested than written, this film exists in a category entirely its own.
We break down what Blood Beat is (and definitely isn’t), why it barely functions as a slasher, and how its surreal
Episode 27 - Hellraiser and Nightbreed
In this episode, the CIU crew plunges into the dark, deliciously deranged imagination of Clive Barker as we pair two of his most iconic cult classics: Hellraiser and Nightbreed. We break down Barker’s singular ability to fuse beauty with brutality, the way his creatures blur the line between monster and misunderstood outcast, and why his worlds feel like nightmares you want to keep dreaming.
From
Prime Cuts 21 - The VVitch
On this Prime Cuts mini-episode, the Chopping It Up crew dives beak-first into Robert Eggers’s 2015 Puritan-nightmare masterpiece, The VVitch. The team revisits the bleak New England homestead, unpacking the film’s slow-burn tension, its suffocating dread, and the brutal unraveling of a family exiled for being too devout for the Puritans themselves.
From baby-paste broomstick lore and “wet” witchc
Episode 26 - 28 Days Later and 28 Years Later
We’re back with a full episode and a double dose of rage. This time, it’s Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later and the long-awaited 28 Years Later. From fast zombies to slow burns, we dig into the fear, the filmmaking, and the very British end of the world.
Prime Cuts 20 - Hack-O-Lantern
This Halloween, the Chopping It Up Horror crew—Jesse, Jeannie, Joel, Jay, and Sledd—dives pitchfork-first into Hack-O-Lantern (1988), the gloriously incoherent satanic slasher from Jag Mundra. Part hair-metal fever dream, part small-town cult drama, this movie has everything: incest, flannel-robed devil worshippers, a mid-movie stand-up routine no one asked for, and High Pike giving the most unhin
Prime Cuts 19 - Night KIller
In the final installment of our Chopping It Up: Prime Cuts schlock horror series, we tackle Claudio Fragasso’s 1990 insanity Night Killer. From Freddy Krueger knockoff masks and Spirit Halloween props to fried-chicken-fueled assaults, amnesia plots, and one of the wildest twist endings ever, we break down why this movie is equal parts trash, treasure, and total fever dream.
Prime Cuts 18 - Amsterdamned
In this Prime Cuts installment of Chopping It Up, we wade into Dick Maas’s 1988 Dutch cult classic Amsterdamned. Join us as we follow Detective Eric Visser on the trail of a scuba-diving serial killer terrorizing Amsterdam’s canals. From outrageous chase scenes and giallo vibes to Members Only jackets, killer stunts, and a banger of a theme song, we dive deep into one of the most stylishly bonkers
Prime Cuts 17 - Humanoids from the Deep
In this episode of Prime Cuts, the crew dives into Roger Corman’s 1980 cult oddity Humanoids from the Deep. From fish-monster mayhem and behind-the-scenes studio meddling to ventriloquist seductions, exploding boats, and themes of exploitation, we unpack the messy legacy of this notorious creature feature. Part film history, part irreverent commentary—this one’s equal parts laughs and disbelief.
Prime Cuts 16 - Slugs
In this Prime Cuts marathon kickoff, the crew dives into Juan Piquer Simón’s Slugs (1988)—a schlocky eco-horror gem where toxic-waste-mutated slugs terrorize a small town. From wooden acting and bizarre subplots to surprisingly gnarly practical effects (yes, exploding heads and slug salad), the team slices through the absurdity, environmental themes, and unintentional comedy that make this cult cl
Prime Cuts 15 - Revival
In this Prime Cuts mini-episode, we dig into the premiere of Revival, Peacock’s new supernatural horror series adapted from the Tim Seeley/Mike Norton comic. Set in small-town Wisconsin, the story follows Deputy Dana Cypress as she grapples with townsfolk mysteriously dying and returning as “revivers.” The hosts weigh in on the familiar cop-show tropes, Dana’s uneven likability, and the more compe
Episode 25 - The Hills Have Eyes (1977) and The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
In this episode of Chopping It Up, the crew heads into the desert to tackle Wes Craven’s 1977 The Hills Have Eyes and Alexandre Aja’s 2006 remake. They swap meat cleaver ratings, with most agreeing the gritty, low-budget original nails its social commentary and unsettling atmosphere, while the remake delivers competent gore but misses the nuance. Discussion ranges from themes of American exception
Episode 24 - Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer
In this episode of Chopping It Up, the boys go fully unsupervised and dive deep into the 90s slasher boom by pairing up Scream (1996) with I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997). They dissect the origins of meta-horror, trade meat cleaver ratings, bicker about runtime and sweaters in July, and spiral into an unexpected Maryland blue crab tangent. With no oversight and plenty of hot takes, it's a n
Prime Cuts 14 - Tales from the Hood
This week, we’re slicing into Tales from the Hood, a cult classic where social commentary meets supernatural terror. From killer dolls to corrupt cops, this horror anthology delivers sharp scares and sharper truths. Join us as we unpack the eerie elegance of Mr. Simms’ funeral home, discuss the film’s unforgettable segments, and honor how this ’90s gem used horror to hold up a mirror to real-world
Episode 23 - Piranha and Jaws
Summer is officially here—and that means it's time to kick off pool season with two aquatic horror heavyweights: Jaws and Piranha. In this supersized episode, we wade into the deep waters of Spielberg’s blockbuster classic and Joe Dante’s schlocky, subversive B-movie to ask: What really lurks beneath the surface?
From the birth of the summer blockbuster to genre-blending brilliance, we break down
Episode 22 - Aliens and Predator
This week, we’re strapping on our pulse rifles and heat vision as we dive into two of sci-fi horror’s most iconic franchises: Aliens (1986) and Predator (1987). We break down what makes Ripley and Dutch the ultimate survivors, compare Xenomorph terror to Predator stealth, and ask the ultimate question—who’s the real apex hunter? It’s acid blood vs. thermal vision in a showdown for the ages.
Prime Cuts 13 - The Wicker Man
This week on Prime Cuts, we take a trip to Summerisle for a deep dive into the sun-drenched dread of The Wicker Man (1973). From rigid righteousness to ritual sacrifice, we explore how Sergeant Howie’s doomed investigation unfolds amidst maypoles, masks, and eerily cheerful folk songs. We’re talking pagan pageantry, sexual tension in graveyards, and yes—corn rigs and barley rigs aplenty. It’s a sl
Episode 21 - Barbarian
This week on Chopping It Up Horror, we’re teaming up with the badass hosts of Final Girls for a deep, no-holds-barred dive into one of the most talked-about modern horror films: Barbarian.
We dissect the film’s bold structure, unpredictable twists, and subversive use of horror tropes—from Airbnb anxieties to monstrous motherhood. Alongside the Final Girls crew, we explore the film’s layered themes
Episode 20 - The Omen and Rosemary's Baby
In this chilling double feature, we’re diving headfirst into two iconic tales of satanic suspense: The Omen (1976) and Rosemary’s Baby (1968). From creepy kids and cryptic prophecies to gaslighting husbands and sinister cults, these films set the gold standard for demonic dread.
We unpack the themes, explore the cultural fears that fueled their popularity, and ask the real questions—like who’s wor
Prime Cuts 12 - April Fool's Day
Is it horror, is it comedy… or is it just one big prank? In thisPrime Cuts episode, we dive into the cult classic April Fool’s Day, where a weekend getaway turns into a twisted game with a killer punchline. Grab your party hats and trust issues—this one’s got more fake-outs than a bad magic show. 🃏🔪
Prime Cuts 11 - Little Monsters
In this Prime Cuts episode, we revisit Little Monsters (1989), the wild mix of adventure, gross-out humor, and nightmare fuel starring Fred Savage and Howie Mandel. From Maurice’s mischievous antics to the eerie underworld beneath the bed, we break down what makes this cult classic memorable—whether for better or weirder. Does it still hold up? Tune in to find out!
Episode 19 - Maximum Overdrive vs. Trucks
In this episode of Chopping It Up, we dive into the world of killer vehicles with a double feature review of Maximum Overdrive (1986) and its lesser-known Canadian counterpart, Trucks (1997). Stephen King’s only directorial effort delivers camp, chaos, and a killer AC/DC soundtrack, while Trucks takes a more serious (and significantly tamer) approach to the same story. Which version delivers the m
Prime Cuts 10 - My Bloody Valentine
Roses are red, violets are blue… and if you head back to the mines, Harry Warden will come for you! This Prime Cuts episode of Chopping It Up Horror goes deep into the 1981 slasher classic My Bloody Valentine. Grab your heart-shaped box (but maybe don’t open it) and join us for a love letter to one of the bloodiest Valentine’s Day flicks ever made!
Sweets to the Sweet: The Candyman Legacy-1992 and 2021
Say his name… if you dare. In this episode of Chopping It Up, we dive into the horror classic Candyman (1992) and its chilling 2021 reimagining. From the haunting atmosphere of Cabrini-Green to the deeper themes of racial trauma, gentrification, and urban legends, we break down what makes both films terrifying, thought-provoking, and relevant. How does the original’s gothic horror compare to Nia D
Prime Cuts 9 - Cabinet of Curiosities S1E7 - The Viewing
We explore Panos Cosmatos' trippy cosmic horror "The Viewing" from Netflix's Cabinet of Curiosities S1E7.
Episode 17 - The Thing and The Blob
We are lining up a couple of precarious weather classics in John Carpenter's 1982 sci-fi classic, The Thing, and we're pairing that up with Chuck Russell's 1988 remake of The Blob.
Episode 16 - Black Christmas and Silent Night Deadly Night
On our Christmas spectacular we cover Bob Clark's seminal 1974 film, Black Christmas, and match it up with Charles Sellier Jr.'s 1984 movie, Silent Night Deadly Night.
Prime Cuts 8 - Ash vs. Evil Dead S1E1
This week we're covering episode one titled El Jefe of season one of Ash vs. Evil Dead.
Episode 15 - Thanksgiving and Blood Rage
This week we have Eli Roth's contemporary take on the classic classic slasher subgenre 2023 hit, Thanksgiving. We pair that with another turkey day slasher the absolutely, bat shit bonkers crazy Blood Rage from 1987.
Episode 14 - A Nightmare on Elm Street and A Nightmare on Elm Street: Dream Warriors
Today we do continue our streak of classic slasher films as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Wes Craven's unsettling 1984 masterpiece, Nightmare on Elm Street. We pair that with the third installment in the franchise, A Nightmare Elm Street 3, Dream Warriors from 1987.
Prime Cuts 7 - Uzumaki Ep1
This week we are covering episode one of the horror anime Uzumaki.
Episode 13 - Halloween 1978 vs Rob Zombie's Halloween
In the spirit of all Hallows Eve, we have the OG 1978 John Carpenter Halloween on the docket for episode 13 of Chopping It Up. We're pairing that with the 2007 Rob Zombie remake by the same name.
Prime Cuts 6 - Midnight Mass Acts of the Apostles (e6)
Welcome to our sixth episode of Prime Cuts, the bite-size series from Chopping It Up Horror, where we carve out the juiciest bits of terror in a fraction of the time. Whether you’re here for a quick scare or a taste of horror’s most haunting moments, you’re in the right place.
This week we're covering episode six, titled Book Six: Acts of the Apostles from the 2021 Gothic supernatural horror mini
Episode 12 - Killer Workout and Death Spa
In the spirit of pumping iron and staying in shape year round, we're covering one of the little known horror sub genres, slashercise or slasher sweat. Today's episode features two bizarre 1980s films, Killer Workout and Death Spa. Production values are low, but kill counts are high, and these movies place themselves squarely in the slasher genre of horror.
Grab your legwarmers and your dumbbells,
Episode 11 - Re-Animator and The Fly
This week we are covering some sci -fi horror as we delve into the David Cronenberg classic, The Fly, and the wild 1985 film, Re-Animator.
Prime Cuts 5 - From S1E1
We examine the first episode of the science fiction horror series "From"
Episode 10 - Friday the 13th Parts 4 and 6
Slasher season is back, baby. Welcome to episode 10 of chopping it up. The gang's all here today as we immerse ourselves in one of the most famous horror franchises on film, Friday the 13th. The episodes we chose to compare today are part four, the final chapter, and part six, Jason Lives.
Prime Cuts 4 - Creepshow 2
This week, we're covering the classic horror anthology series Creepshow, specifically the 1987 movie version Creepshow 2, which was directed by Michael Gornick and written by horror masters Stephen King and George A. Romero.
Episode 9 - The Lost Boys vs The Craft
This week we take on the classic 1980s vampire movie, The Lost Boys and pair that with the 1996 hit The Craft.
Prime Cuts 3 - Zomboat! S1E1
This week we are covering the first episode of the short -lived series Zomboat by director Adam Miller and writer Will Hartley. You can find this on Hulu for free if you would like to give it a watch.
Episode 8 - Fresh and Microwave Massacre
This week we have what is no doubt going to be a controversial episode as both films elicit strong opinions. We discuss the obscure 1983 flick Microwave Massacre and paired that with the slick 2022 film, Fresh.
Prime Cuts 2 - Black Summer S1E1
Welcome to our second edition of this feature as we engage in a discussion about the first episode of the first season of Black Summer, a Netflix series that debuted in 2019.
Episode 7 - The Exorcist and Poltergeist
This week we are going in heavy as we break down two absolute cinematic juggernauts in the occult classic, The Exorcist, as we compare that with the supernatural themes present in Toby Hooper's Poltergeist.
Prime Cuts 1 - In A Violent Nature
Welcome to Prime Cuts, a mini episode segment where the Chopping It Up boys engage in a free form conversation discussing a range of horror mediums, including TV series, theatrical movie releases, horror anthologies, graphic novels, and horror miniseries, among others.
For our first edition, we're going to riff on the Sundance Film Festival's subversive new slasher film, In a Violent Nature.
Episode 6 - Silver Bullet and The Howling
Today in episode six, we explore two lycanthropic classics. That's right, it's all werewolves all the time as we take a look at Stephen King's 1985 film, Silver Bullet, along with the 1981 werewolf vehicle, The Howling.
Episode 5 - Sleepaway Camp and The Burning
We review the cult classic slashers Sleepaway Camp and The Burning.
Episode 4 - Event Horizon vs In The Mouth of Madness
We do a deep dive into cosmic horror, specifically HP Lovecraft, as we look at the Paul W.S. Anderson cult classic Event Horizon, paired with John Carpenter's In the Mouth of Madness.
Episode 3 - Jacob's Ladder vs Daniel Isn't Real
This week we’re looking at the haunting 1990 vehicle Jacob’s ladder and comparing it to 2019’s Daniel Isn’t Real.
Episode 2 - Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Original and Part 2
We review Tobe Hooper's groundbreaking 1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Hooper's sequel nearly a decade later, the 1986 film, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part Two.
Episode 1 - Dawn of the Dead, Original vs. Remake
We review George A. Romero's seminal 1978 film Dawn of the Dead and Zack Snyder's 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead.
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