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The Fantastic Story SocietyAuthor: Max Timm & Scott Markus
From true crime to the paranormal, to urban legends and myths and the down-right weird, The Fantastic Story Society finds them, dissects them, and most importantly discusses such stories with an expert in the realm of the fantastic. Join historical researchers, experts on serial killers, ghost tour guides, archaeologists, and more as The Society hosts, Max Timm and Scott Markus, seek out the most bizarre stories you can imagine and try to find the voice behind the fantastic. Genres: History, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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FSS 57: Pat Gonder, "Good Boy," Horror Movies & Pet Ghost Stories
Friday, 31 October, 2025
It's Halloween season, and the Fantastic Story Society is diving deep into the world of horror with Dr. Patrick Gonder — retired professor, horror scholar, and lifelong student of the strange. Together, we discuss the remarkable new film Good Boy, a ghost story told entirely from the perspective of a dog. Patrick shares insights into how the film's unique storytelling perspective shifts horror conventions, why animals make such fascinating protagonists, and how camera work shapes audience emotion. The conversation also spans other standout horror films like Weapons, Longlegs, The Changeling, and Trick 'r Treat, plus personal ghost encounters and spine-tingling folklore from the Philippines. This episode is packed with movie talk, folklore, filmmaking lessons, and genuine chills — the perfect companion for spooky season. We explore: 🐕 What happens when man's best friend becomes the witness to terror 🎞️ The challenges of storytelling through cinematography 💀 Why movies like Weapons, The Changeling, and Trick 'r Treat stay timeless 👻 Real-life ghost stories from Patrick's time living above a funeral home 0:00 – Intro: It's Horror Season at the Fantastic Story Society 2:00 – Introducing Horror Scholar Dr. Patrick Gonder 3:20 – Teaching the Art of Horror & Comic Books 5:20 – Trailer Reaction: Good Boy – A Ghost Story Told by a Dog 8:00 – The Dog's Perspective: Emotion, Loyalty & Limited Dialogue 11:00 – How They Made Good Boy (and Why You Shouldn't Watch the Featurette First) 15:00 – The Visual Language of Horror – Cinematography & Storytelling 17:00 – Recent Standout Horror Films: Weapons, Longlegs, Sinners 20:40 – What Makes a Horror Movie Great? Emotion, Relationships & Atmosphere 23:40 – Revisiting the "Is Silence of the Lambs Horror?" Debate 24:20 – Patrick's Annual Halloween Watchlist 27:00 – Filipino Horror, Monsters, and the Manananggal 31:00 – Zombie Fatigue and Fresh Scares (Last Train to Busan, Slither) 32:30 – Max's Writing & Filmmaking Retreats – Helping Writers Create 37:00 – True Ghost Stories: Dogs, Spirits & Strange House Energy 44:00 – Life Above a Funeral Home – Patrick's Exorcist Experience 48:00 – "The Dog Named No" – A Perfectly Creepy Story
