Retro Blood

Join James Kline and J.H. Alison as we dive deeper into 1980s Shark Horror Movie Month—this time with an Italian Jaws rip-off so wild it barely makes sense: Deep Blood (1989)!

🦈 We start with some quick thoughts on the film’s unique mix of ancient Native American sea curses, kids performing blood oaths, and a shark that shows up in stock footage and mechanical head closeups.

🗓 In our weekly History Segment, we revisit what was ha...

Join James Kline and J.H. Alison as Retro Blood continues its dive into 1980s Shark Horror with the final chapter in the Jaws franchise—Jaws: The Revenge (1987).

Often slammed as one of the worst sequels of all time, Jaws: The Revenge gets a second look from the Retro Blood crew, who both kind of defend it! Is it perfect? No. Is it entertaining? Absolutely.

🦈 In this episode:

• Initial thoughts on the movie’s reputation, the s...

James Kline and J.H. Alison kick off a brand-new theme for July 2025: 1980s Shark Horror—and what better way to start than with the wild ride that is Jaws 3D!

This week, the boys take a deep dive into the third entry in the legendary Jaws franchise—a movie packed with floating fish heads, slow-motion shark attacks, awkward 3D effects, and the return of the Brody boys (this time in SeaWorld, of all places).

🦈 In this episode:

🎙 Lights Out: Jaws 2 Join James Kline and J.H. Alison as they step out of the '80s and into deep waters for a no-rules "Lights Out Match" covering the blockbuster sequel Jaws 2 (1978).

In this episode, the boys dive into the troubled production history behind the sequel to Steven Spielberg's 1975 masterpiece. Learn why Spielberg refused to return, why Roy Scheider didn't want to come back (but did anyway), and how behind-...

Join James Kline and J.H. Alison as we close out It Came from Outer Space Month: Part 2 with one of the strangest alien abduction films of the 1980s—Communion starring Christopher Walken. Was James high enough to handle it? Apparently not.

We kick things off with quick thoughts on this surreal and unsettling film based on Whitley Strieber’s bestselling novel. Alison breaks down why adapting the book was no easy task and how the mov...

Join James Kline and J.H. Alison as Retro Blood continues It Came From Outer Space Month: Part 2 with the bizarre sci-fi horror comedy TerrorVision—a movie where an alien monster gets beamed into a swinger family's satellite dish and all hell breaks loose!

The boys kick off with their quick thoughts on the film and a debate on horror comedy—what works, what doesn’t, and why this one’s… something else.

Then it’s time for the Retro B...

🎥 Lights Out: Jaws 50 Year Special 🦈 Join James Kline and J.H. Alison for the very first video edition of the Lights Out podcast as they break the 1980s rulebook and dive deep into one of the most iconic and influential horror-thrillers of all time—Steven Spielberg’s Jaws (1975)—celebrating its 50th anniversary!

In this no-holds-barred conversation, the boys discuss:

• The origins of Jaws, including Peter Benchley’s bestselli...

Retro Blood 192: Creature (1985) James Kline and J.H. Alison return to “It Came From Outer Space Part 2” with another deep dive into '80s sci-fi horror. This week: Creature (1985)—a gooey, gory space shocker often compared to Alien, but with its own slimy charm.

We kick things off with quick thoughts on the film’s alien bug creatures, mind control madness, and space corporation rivalries. Think cold-blooded business deals, explodin...

Join James Kline and J.H. Alison as we continue It Came From Outer Space Part 2—a month dedicated to 1980s sci-fi horror—with the sleazy alien cult classic Evils of the Night! If you love late-night cable sleaze, clueless garage killers, horny college kids, and aliens harvesting blood for eternal youth… this one’s for you.

We kick things off with our quick thoughts on the film's blend of softcore vibes and alien weirdness. Then in ...

James Kline and J.H. Alison kick off It Came from Outer Space: Part 2—a month of 1980s sci-fi horror—with the low-budget cult classic NightBeast!

🛸 Travel with us to Perry Hill, Maryland, where plaid-shirted townsfolk take on a laser-blasting alien menace in one of the most charmingly strange indie films of the early ’80s.

🗓️ History Segment (Nov 30, 1982) 💥 Wrestling: A tribute to wrestling legend Jack Brisco 🎶 Music: Alison d...

James Kline and J.H. Alison close out Blood Month with one of the wildest horror-comedies of the 1980s—Blood Diner!

🧠💀 From brains in jars to veggie burgers made of human meat, this one’s packed with gore, laughs, and total insanity. The crew kicks off with a breakdown of different styles of horror-comedy and where this cult favorite fits in.

🎸 In our History Segment (July 10, 1987):

• Wrestling: We dive into the Great Ameri...

🩸 Retro Blood 188: Blood Lake (1987) 🩸 Join James Kline and J.H. Alison as Blood Month continues with one of the most infamous shot-on-video oddities of the 1980s—Blood Lake!

This week, the boys wade through murky waters to discuss this low-budget VHS cult mess, tackling everything from bad acting and awkward pacing to a killer named Jeff and a very tan kid named Tony. Is it so bad it’s good—or just bad?

🎸 Weekly History Segment...

Retro Blood 187: Blood Tide (1982) James Kline and J.H. Alison are back for more bloody mayhem as Blood Month continues with the deep-sea cult oddity Blood Tide (1982)—starring none other than James Earl Jones (yes, Darth Vader himself) and Karate Kid’s Martin Kove.

We kick things off with our first impressions of this rare oceanic horror flick, complete with cursed Greek islands, ancient monsters, and that infamous wolf painting.

...

Join James Kline and J.H. Alison as we kick off James’ May picks with a month dedicated to 1980s horror films that have Blood in the title—starting with the cult oddity Blood Beach (1981). Special shoutout to the listener who recommended this one!

We dive into:

• First impressions of this beachside creature feature starring Rocky’s Burt Young, a shirted John Saxon, and yes, the screenwriter of Dune.

• Our weekly history segmen...

Join James Kline and J.H. Alison as we wrap up Alison's Picks Month with the chilling and controversial The Entity! Based on true events, this rare 1982 supernatural horror follows a young single mother tormented by a violent poltergeist—in more ways than one.

🩸 We kick off with first thoughts, including why James thinks he might get canceled this episode! 🎸 In our weekly history segment, we dive into February 1983: Superstar Bil...

James Kline and J.H. Alison continue Alison Picks Month with the haunting slow-burn classic The Changeling. An old mansion, a ghostly child, and a haunted wheelchair—what more do you need?

The episode kicks off with quick thoughts on the film’s eerie mood and George C. Scott’s intense performance. Then, in the Weekly History Segment, James covers Jerry Jarrett’s Memphis promotion and explains the chaos of a “concession stand brawl....

Join James Kline and J.H. Alison as we continue Alison’s Picks Month with a ghostly deep cut from the 1980s—Ghost Story (1981). This one’s packed with old-school gothic horror, classic ghost revenge, and a cast of Golden Age Hollywood legends delivering some wonderfully dramatic old-timer performances.

We kick things off with our thoughts on the film’s eerie atmosphere, vintage storytelling, and how it leans into the style of a...

James Kline and J.H. Alison kick off a brand-new theme month—1980s Ghost Movies (Alison’s Picks!)—with the hauntingly atmospheric Lady in White (1988).

The episode begins with quick thoughts on the film’s PG-13 tone, nostalgic vibes, and its surprisingly dark story involving ghosts, childhood trauma, and murder. Alison shares why this movie left such a strong impression on him as a kid—and why it still holds up.

In the Retro Blood ...

James Kline and J.H. Alison wrap up Killer Island Month with one of the strangest films yet—American Gothic! This twisted backwoods horror flick brings old-time religion, creepy man-children, and deadly family values to an isolated island.

The episode kicks off with quick thoughts on the film’s eerie theme, its bizarre portrayal of religious extremism, and its unforgettable cast of characters. Then, in the Retro Blood weekly histor...