Michael Rancic
therewasnosound.bsky.social
Michael Rancic
@therewasnosound.bsky.social
arts & culture journalist
co-founder @newfeelingcoop
writing a book about the history of electronic music in so-called canada for @invisibooks
accidentally made myself mad this morning
November 7, 2025 at 4:17 PM
got my @planetarcanapod.bsky.social A Fools Errand book in the mail today, can't wait to dig in.
October 28, 2025 at 6:10 PM
it's still summer somewhere
October 21, 2025 at 6:35 PM
FRANKENHOOKER (1990): aside from spending too much time with the mad scientist instead of his street walking creation, this is a lot of fun and very dumb, two qualities I love in a horror film. patty mullen is so great, I wish she'd been in more.

www.kanopy.com/en/torontopl...
October 18, 2025 at 3:29 PM
BRAIN DAMAGE (1988): henenlotter is best known for BASKETCASE but i think this very queer coded coming of age film is his best work.
www.kanopy.com/en/torontopl...
October 18, 2025 at 3:23 PM
THE DESCENT (2005): a caving expedition among friends quickly unravels, exposing much more beneath the surface than anyone bargained for. truly one of my favourite modern horror films.

www.hoopladigital.com/title/12024927
October 17, 2025 at 3:03 PM
KNIFE+HEART (2018): where Giallo often exploits queer lives, this French entry embraces them through love, lust, and messy motives, making the porn-set murders cut even deeper.

www.kanopy.com/en/torontopl...
October 16, 2025 at 12:53 PM
and finally, SHORT #4:

MESHES OF THE AFTERNOON (1943): before david lynch, there was maya deren. caught in a looping dream, or is it reality? take a trip into the subconscious with this surreal film.

www.kanopy.com/en/torontopl...
October 15, 2025 at 8:48 PM
SHORT #3:

KITCHEN SINK (1989): dark and weird, with a wicked sense of humour. everything really want from a short horror film! this one kinda blew my mind. maybe not for those with trichophobia!

www.kanopy.com/en/torontopl...
October 15, 2025 at 8:39 PM
SHORT #2:

A NIGHT ON BALD MOUNTAIN (1933): a really uncanny animation. strange transformations rendered in a fluid, dreamlike way.

www.kanopy.com/en/torontopl...
October 15, 2025 at 8:33 PM
SHORT #1:

SPOOK SPORT (1939) pre-NFB norman mclaren animates a "film ballet" of ghosts and ghouls taking over the night sky. he stripped a film reel of its emulsion and painted the animation BY HAND

www.kanopy.com/en/torontopl...
October 15, 2025 at 8:23 PM
DEMONS (1985): one of my absolute faves. not exactly spooky but it is a riot, and feels rife with a lot of ideas that set it apart from any other horror fare while also making it the *most* 80s horror film.

hoopladigital.com/title/15310570
October 14, 2025 at 3:36 PM
MAD GOD (2021): just a stunning technical and visual achievement from director and animator Phil Tippett. hell-diving into an apocalyptic nightmare that really doesn't show all of its cards at once.

www.hoopladigital.com/title/16327907
October 14, 2025 at 3:34 PM
THE FOG (1980): more dark secrets here, but this time they're less Lovecraftian and unfolding in a sleepy coastal town. aside from THE THING i think this is the best Carpenter's films have ever looked.

www.kanopy.com/en/torontopl...
October 14, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Weekends are double feature time so I planned a John Carpenter two-fer. IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS (1994) is worth is for the Toronto-based locations alone! and the city looks so imposing and claustrophobic in this tale of chaos.

www.hoopladigital.com/title/10764776
October 14, 2025 at 3:28 PM
AUDITION (1999): deceptively restrained for a Takashi Miike film, while also managing to be incredibly dreamlike and horrific. what begins as a widower's search for a new wife unravels into a violent indictment of patriarchy and objectification.

www.kanopy.com/en/torontopl...
October 10, 2025 at 12:27 PM
POSSESSION (1981): i love over the top everything in my horror and Żuławski delivers wonderfully in this feverish blend of horror, grief, and obsession.

on Hoopla and Kanopy:
www.hoopladigital.com/title/16959287
www.kanopy.com/en/torontopl...
October 10, 2025 at 12:11 PM
in awe of @kostiukwilliams.bsky.social's skills and vision.

come to our show next month!!! @newfeelingcoop.bsky.social

dice.fm/partner/ndy-...
October 9, 2025 at 3:55 PM
CARNIVAL OF SOULS (1962): a great study of mood and tension. mary knows something is just... off, but no one will listen or understand. great acting, shot composition, and score. an underrated nightmare!

www.hoopladigital.com/title/11927936
October 8, 2025 at 2:56 PM
WHITE OF THE EYE (1987): part southern gothic horror, part American take on the super stylistic giallo. really weird and thrilling, and hits on the disorienting violence of domestic masculinity that's as satisfying as THE SHINING. also on Tubi/Plex.

www.hoopladigital.com/title/11478025
October 7, 2025 at 7:02 PM
WHEN A STRANGER CALLS (1979): this one gets a bad rap! the film is bookended by suspenseful horror, while the meaty middle is more police procedural. a fun tonal shift grounded by excellent performances.

on both hoopla AND kanopy:
www.hoopladigital.com/title/13580813
www.kanopy.com/en/torontopl...
October 6, 2025 at 12:36 PM
sunday's pick is FROM BEYOND (1986), which is more of a sexy, cosmic horror, akin to HELLRAISER. very goopy and practical-effects heavy, so maybe wear some goggles.

www.kanopy.com/en/torontopl...
October 4, 2025 at 2:09 PM
it's the weekend so i'm posting both saturday and sunday's picks today as a stuart gordon double feature.

first up is RE-ANIMATOR (1985): a fantastic, lovecraftian "mad scientist" film.

www.hoopladigital.com/title/18462039
October 4, 2025 at 2:07 PM
BLACK CHRISTMAS (1974): a halloween staple of mine and a toronto classic! incredible slasher with a great sense of humour and gender politics.

www.kanopy.com/en/torontopl...
October 3, 2025 at 1:39 PM
EVIL DEAD II (1987): one of my all time faves. more of a second iteration than a "sequel," this really finds the sweet spot where "over-the-top" in comedy and horror intersect, and does it w/ incredible style, shot composition, and movement!

www.kanopy.com/en/torontopl...
October 2, 2025 at 12:40 PM