Michael Varrati
@michaelvarrati.bsky.social
Filmmaker/screenwriter of a bunch of indie horror flicks and some made-for-TV movies your mom likes. Co-host of Midnight Mass.
Look, I don’t think you need a member of the Watchers Council forcing you to do weekly research to know that those nails are there because they’re the only thing keeping the skulls from coming back to life.
January 5, 2026 at 8:24 AM
Look, I don’t think you need a member of the Watchers Council forcing you to do weekly research to know that those nails are there because they’re the only thing keeping the skulls from coming back to life.
I'm always interested in discussing the pop culture impact or influence of something, but anyone who knows me is well aware that I'm far more interested in the movies that effectively make you a "cult of one." If you live and breathe FROSTBITER: WRATH OF THE WENDIGO, then baby, it's a masterpiece.
I'm getting tired of people talking about a movie's "cultural impact" as if it's a measure of quality. Just because people aren't constantly talking about a movie or even at all doesn't mean it's bad. By that logic, a lot of low budget Indies are bad
January 4, 2026 at 11:03 PM
I'm always interested in discussing the pop culture impact or influence of something, but anyone who knows me is well aware that I'm far more interested in the movies that effectively make you a "cult of one." If you live and breathe FROSTBITER: WRATH OF THE WENDIGO, then baby, it's a masterpiece.
I love that era of 70s science fiction cinema that's like, "...yes, we're in space and there's robots, aliens, and stuff...but the real element of the fantastic is your splintering mind in the face of the psychedelic reality of your very existence. Also, here's a vaguely disco-looking jumpsuit."
January 4, 2026 at 9:26 PM
I love that era of 70s science fiction cinema that's like, "...yes, we're in space and there's robots, aliens, and stuff...but the real element of the fantastic is your splintering mind in the face of the psychedelic reality of your very existence. Also, here's a vaguely disco-looking jumpsuit."
"Not great, Bob!"
January 3, 2026 at 11:27 PM
"Not great, Bob!"
Maybe we can also agree that they should kiss. For science. Mad science.
Can we all just agree these two deserve all the awards please 🙏
January 3, 2026 at 2:13 AM
Maybe we can also agree that they should kiss. For science. Mad science.
Benoit Blanc using a store-bought kit to make his country-fried chicken: SHAKE UP BREAD, MAN.
January 3, 2026 at 12:18 AM
Benoit Blanc using a store-bought kit to make his country-fried chicken: SHAKE UP BREAD, MAN.
It absolutely delights me that Hallmark is the first organization listed on the Wiki for Science Fiction Day (today). You know what this means: Big city Space Captain comes to small town planet, where she meets a Robot Farmer who shows her the true meaning of Science Fiction.
I need it, I want it.
I need it, I want it.
![The text in the screencapped image from Wikipedia reads:
"While not a federally-recognized holiday, National Science Fiction Day is recognized by organizations such as the Hallmark Channel[2] and by the Scholastic Corporation.[3] It is also listed in the National Day Calendar.[4]"](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wxymjiblyj74jguq4bwopjn3/bafkreicbqoyzja3sppj2faoy6d7dyevkmi4en74ktx7xokz2zjjtv33sru@jpeg)
January 2, 2026 at 6:35 PM
It absolutely delights me that Hallmark is the first organization listed on the Wiki for Science Fiction Day (today). You know what this means: Big city Space Captain comes to small town planet, where she meets a Robot Farmer who shows her the true meaning of Science Fiction.
I need it, I want it.
I need it, I want it.
Reposted by Michael Varrati
Psst...Velvet Goldmine is back on the Criterion Channel.
January 2, 2026 at 2:59 AM
Psst...Velvet Goldmine is back on the Criterion Channel.
Reposted by Michael Varrati
We have made it to the year 2026, the setting for the Giorgio Moroder version of Metropolis.
January 1, 2026 at 8:14 PM
We have made it to the year 2026, the setting for the Giorgio Moroder version of Metropolis.
"We can't rewind, we've gone too far." I'm still feeling some kind of way about MTV. In 2013, I wrote this piece for HuffPost about the original VJs in the wake of a book they had done. Looking back, much of the sentiment reflected in the article still holds true.
www.huffpost.com/entry/to-vjs...
www.huffpost.com/entry/to-vjs...
To VJs, With Love
The release of the book has allowed, in an easy way, the opportunity for me, and fans the world over, to say thank you to those five VJs. For we, the pop culture inclined, they changed everything.
www.huffpost.com
January 1, 2026 at 8:17 PM
"We can't rewind, we've gone too far." I'm still feeling some kind of way about MTV. In 2013, I wrote this piece for HuffPost about the original VJs in the wake of a book they had done. Looking back, much of the sentiment reflected in the article still holds true.
www.huffpost.com/entry/to-vjs...
www.huffpost.com/entry/to-vjs...
Though its hold on the zeitgeist shifted a while ago, the ultimate loss of MTV still feels heavy. One cannot overstate how absolutely monolithic MTV's presence and place were for so many, for so long. Music videos, yes...but also MTV News, etc. Emblematic of generation(s). I want my MTV.
I’ve spent this morning morbidly watching the MTV channels close down and the final songs played were:
MTV Music - Video Killed the Radio Star (Buggles)
Club MTV - Don’t Stop the Music (Rihanna)
MTV 90s - Goodbye (Spice Girls)
MTV 80s - Together in Electric Dreams (Oakey and Moroder)
MTV Music - Video Killed the Radio Star (Buggles)
Club MTV - Don’t Stop the Music (Rihanna)
MTV 90s - Goodbye (Spice Girls)
MTV 80s - Together in Electric Dreams (Oakey and Moroder)
December 31, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Though its hold on the zeitgeist shifted a while ago, the ultimate loss of MTV still feels heavy. One cannot overstate how absolutely monolithic MTV's presence and place were for so many, for so long. Music videos, yes...but also MTV News, etc. Emblematic of generation(s). I want my MTV.
They chose this release date for the final STRANGER THINGS and didn't even think to call it "New Year's Steve"?
December 31, 2025 at 7:38 PM
They chose this release date for the final STRANGER THINGS and didn't even think to call it "New Year's Steve"?
The thing is, resolutions don't have to be "course corrections" or feel daunting. They can just be commitments to finding a little joy or solace. Last year, I resolved to listen to more music, and I did. It made my year better. It's tough enough out there, you can resolve to find a little happiness.
December 31, 2025 at 12:11 AM
The thing is, resolutions don't have to be "course corrections" or feel daunting. They can just be commitments to finding a little joy or solace. Last year, I resolved to listen to more music, and I did. It made my year better. It's tough enough out there, you can resolve to find a little happiness.
Inside of you are two wolves? Sounds…packed.
December 30, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Inside of you are two wolves? Sounds…packed.
Listen: I LOVED this movie and this discussion brought me such joy.
Can't wait for more? Peaches and Michael just released a Patreon exclusive Mini-Mass New Year's Eve Special celebrating 2024's Y2K! From Chumbawumba to Alicia Silverstone, the millennium nostalgia is REAL! Subscribe and listen: www.patreon.com/posts/mini-m...
December 30, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Listen: I LOVED this movie and this discussion brought me such joy.
You want to talk about an unimpeachable resume? She's acted for Bava, Corman, Cronenberg, Fellini, Malle, Demme, Dante, and Dan Curtis. She's performed the words of Rod Serling and John Sayles and starred alongside Vincent Price and Boris Karloff. All this while being BARBARA STEELE.
Born on this day in 1937, Happy Birthday, BARBARA STEELE! 🎉
December 29, 2025 at 6:43 PM
You want to talk about an unimpeachable resume? She's acted for Bava, Corman, Cronenberg, Fellini, Malle, Demme, Dante, and Dan Curtis. She's performed the words of Rod Serling and John Sayles and starred alongside Vincent Price and Boris Karloff. All this while being BARBARA STEELE.
…wait, do you mean Martin Supreme? Yeah, I think I went to school with him.
December 29, 2025 at 7:15 AM
…wait, do you mean Martin Supreme? Yeah, I think I went to school with him.
PSA: If HEATED RIVALRY has been your introduction to François Arnaud, perhaps it's time for you to discover MIDNIGHT, TEXAS, wherein he plays a man prone to psychic visions living in a town of vampires, witches, and other such goodtime ghoulies. He's the central character!
December 28, 2025 at 11:41 PM
PSA: If HEATED RIVALRY has been your introduction to François Arnaud, perhaps it's time for you to discover MIDNIGHT, TEXAS, wherein he plays a man prone to psychic visions living in a town of vampires, witches, and other such goodtime ghoulies. He's the central character!
Sometimes you feel blue. Sometimes you feel green. Sometimes you feel Pinkerton.
December 28, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Sometimes you feel blue. Sometimes you feel green. Sometimes you feel Pinkerton.
What if the final frame of STRANGER THINGS is Eleven, turning to camera, and saying, “…and that’s what happens if you don’t l’eggo my Eggo.” Hard cut to credits.
December 28, 2025 at 5:56 PM
What if the final frame of STRANGER THINGS is Eleven, turning to camera, and saying, “…and that’s what happens if you don’t l’eggo my Eggo.” Hard cut to credits.
Normalize telling your friends that you *were* bitten by that zombie back there, actually.
December 28, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Normalize telling your friends that you *were* bitten by that zombie back there, actually.
We're in that stretch of days where I'm actively doing my best to manage the number of times I can comfortably bring up just how much I love NEW YEAR'S EVIL.
December 27, 2025 at 6:31 PM
We're in that stretch of days where I'm actively doing my best to manage the number of times I can comfortably bring up just how much I love NEW YEAR'S EVIL.
Reposted by Michael Varrati
Occasionally I get paid to talk abt something I love &this was one of those occasions. The LankerSCREAM Rocky Horror Picture Show symposium as part of the RHPS Holiday Mystery Market. I asked @michaelvarrati.bsky.social @theterigamble.bsky.social to do this deep dive w/me. Coming soon as a podcast
December 26, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Occasionally I get paid to talk abt something I love &this was one of those occasions. The LankerSCREAM Rocky Horror Picture Show symposium as part of the RHPS Holiday Mystery Market. I asked @michaelvarrati.bsky.social @theterigamble.bsky.social to do this deep dive w/me. Coming soon as a podcast
They should have avoided the Noid.
December 26, 2025 at 8:56 PM
They should have avoided the Noid.