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306 | Vivieno Caldinelli (Scared Shitless)

Posted on September 10, 2024March 1, 2026 By Sammy Younan 1 Comment on 306 | Vivieno Caldinelli (Scared Shitless)

My Summer Lair Chapter #306: Must The Genetically Engineered Bloodthirsty Monster Come Up Through The Toilet?

Director Vivieno Caldinelli joins the classy program to talk about Scared Shitless, his horror feature which screened at Blood in the Snow Film Festival a genre mostly horror film festival here in Toronto.

Wanna know what Scared Shitless is all about? Glad you asked…ready for this?

A plumber must team up with his germaphobic son to battle a genetically engineered bloodthirsty monster that is loose in the plumbing system of an apartment building.

Amazing!

If it sounds funny that’s because  a) Scared Shitless offers goofy goodness and 2) Vivieno has directed comedy notably Baroness von Sketch Show and This Hour Has 22 Minutes on CBC. As you’ll hear: I asked him about that…how horror and comedy are on the same coin; fortunately Scared Shitless offers viewers both.

It’s what makes it an ideal Blood in the Snow movie…this vibe…this style which reveals was inspired by The Blob remake? I did not see that coming…remember the 1988 remake of The Blob co-written by Frank Darabont and directed by Chuck Russell. It’s a remake of the 1958 film of the same name.

(An impressed tangent to appreciate Chuck Russell. Before The Blob remake came out, Chuck directed A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. The best Elm Street movie in the franchise. The Mask with Jim Carrey and Eraser which is a weaker Arnold movie but still better than most of his post-2000s work.)

As for Scared Shitless the creature & special effects for the movie were done by Steven Kostanski who directed the fantastic Psycho Goreman. Also horror and sci-fi and comedy. I’m not surprised these 2 filmmakers are good friends; if you’ve seen Psycho Goreman you’ll dig Scared Shitless.

Steven and Vivieno belong to a movie club where a group of friends gather to watch ’70s movies, horror movies and obscure movies. Vivieno was describing this movie about American cops in Vietnam…I think during the Nam war? Do you have any idea what the name of the movie is? My socials are all My Summer Lair; please reach out.

However, before we detail the connections between horror and comedy and share spoilers for The Blob we gotta get into the San Francisco 49ers and their QB Brock Purdy who is nicknamed Mr. Irrelevant. I assure you all this football talk is relevant to Scared Shitless.

Behold the Scared Shitless trailer:

Which sounds like the levels within levels in Inception. Really, we just turn on the mics and have a good time.

Scared Shitless @ W • T • F

Host Sammy Younan

Recorded: Saturday November 23, 2024 at 10:00 am (EST)

Stress free pop culture tastefully harvested for your divine delight. Once a week a carefully curated edition of My Pal Sammy goes directly to your inbox. Sign up for my newsletter so we can have some fun…like being Scared Shitless (in a funny way, you know?)!

My Summer Lair, Podcast Tags:80s Movies, Blood In The Snow Film Festival, Comedy, Directors, Horror, Movies, Scared Shitless, Vivieno Caldinelli

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