Friday, July 31, 2009

Prepare Yourself...Horror Dolls Yall!


Weeee. Those of you that know me are well aware of my love for fashion dolls. Much to poor Brian's chagrin, our apartment is filled with them. My favorite company, Tonner Doll, just came out with their Fall 2009 Collection...and holy crap it rules. Now why, you ask, are you telling us, lovers of horror, about dolls? Do they kill people? Do they chase Karen Black about an apartment? Well, yes and no. This year Tonner has surprised us all with a truly fabulous line of dark characters, the Sinister Circus! The storyline for these dolls sort of cribs from Carnivale...but it's most definitely dark and these characters would fit in nicely in your horror collections.

First thing...these ain't barbies folks. These are very detailed, articulated little works of art. Creepy little works of art too...

Now where to buy these? If you are in Chicago, you can order them through the local store Gigi and Sherry's Dolls. They are super sweet and you can save on shipping by picking them up. I also recommend Cherished Friends online.

Brew & View: Drag me to Hell & Ghostbusters


Dude...this sounds like an awesome night to me...

Yes, Michigan....the horrors!


I just returned from Lakeside Shakespeare's latest Michigan endeavor where myself, Brian Amidei, and one Charley Sherman did some seriously awesome damage to the Bard. Sadly, there was little to no gore or horror to be had on stage (unless you count the ridiculous fake nose on one Brian Amidei and the assortment of outfits worn by one Steve Hirson). It was a veritable Wildclaw greatest hits show up there with the three company members involved and cast and crew from several past shows: Lily, Tom, Michaela, and Steve from Great God Pan...Misha Fiksel from Revenants...etc. Great great fun. But by far the scariest thing...was seeing a certain British Artistic Director's legs in shorts. Photos of the shows can be found at Lakeside's Facebook page. Check out the pics and, better yet, the shows if you can!

Oh, and another scary thing found in Michigan: Felch Street. No lie.

Fear Itself on DVD



Fear Itself never got its day in court. The Mick Garris-created series went on hiatus just before the Beijing Olympics in 2008, leaving 5 episodes unaired. These episodes were supposed to air, finally, in January of this year, but they never did. Now, the first season of Fear Itself is on DVD, complete with those unaired episodes. As you might expect from any primetime network attempt at horror, the quality of the episodes varies. But several installments were quite good (particularly "Eater," "The Sacrifice," "New Year's Day," and "Skin and Bones"). Thinking back on it, considering they only aired 8 episodes and 4 of those were pretty damn good, that's really not a bad track record for an anthology series.

The DVD set of the first and only season of Fear Itself is scheduled to hit shelves September 15. It appears Netflix will be stocking it as well.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

FOOL'S VIEWS: Lovin' that Lovecraft

Dr. AC spends a little time with HPL, or at least the screen adaptations of several of his stories from a variety of different quarters. Stuart Gordon's Re-Animator (1985) and From Beyond (1986) are probably common knowledge to most card-carrying genre fans, so we'll skip past those for a triple feature of lesser-known fare:

Curse of the Crimson Altar (aka The Crimson Cult) (1968)


One of Boris Karloff’s final films, this is a (very) loose adaptation of one of Lovecraft’s lesser tales, “The Dreams in the Witch House.” Mark Eden stars as an antique dealer who ventures to the rustic town of Greymarsh in search of his disappeared brother, encountering cool and charming Christopher Lee as his host, as well as a green body-painted Barbara Steele within his nightmares. As a learned expert in witchcraft, Karloff lends admirable support alongside Michael Gough as a mumbling servant, but the muddled plot (something about a witch’s descendant who has formed a new cult, which also requires new blood sacrifices) and bungled climax leave much to be desired. Exec-produced by Tony Tenser.

Dagon (2001)


Re-Animator director Stuart Gordon takes on Lovecraft again with mixed results. Based on "The Shadow over Innsmouth," two couples are shipwrecked off the coast of Spain, and discover the locals are amphibian mutants with a dark secret. Though imaginatively directed with loads of dark and stormy atmosphere, the biggest problem lies in lead actor Ezra Godden’s performance, who plays his character as an annoying nerd never fully invested in the increasingly bizarre situation at hand. While the rest of the cast (which includes stunning beauties Raquel Merono and Macarena Gomez) plays it straight, Godden’s frantic joking approach (presumedly at the behest of Gordon) robs the movie of any real suspense or fear. Thankfully, veteran Spanish actor Francisco Rabal grounds his scenes with the necessary gravitas to carry the film to its final act, where everyone stops messing around and the movie takes off. There is a shocking torture sequence that will please any gore hound (though one could argue its gratuitous nature), and the frenzied special-effects climax pays off surprisingly well. If only it wasn’t such a slog getting there, though Gomez’s frequent topless appearances make the trip easier going.
Haunted Palace, The (1963)

Solid diversion from producer/director Roger Corman and star Vincent Price in the midst of their AIPoe glory. Despite being renamed with an Edgar Allan Poe poem title, the plot is actually derived from Lovecraft’s novella, “The Case of Charles Dexter Ward,” with the end results certainly satisfying enough to keep grumbling over false advertising to a minimum. Charles Beaumont’s script describes a warlock (Price) who possesses a descendant to wreak revenge against the townspeople who burned him at the stake. Debra Paget is lovely in support as Price’s spouse, confused by her husband’s violent personality shifts, and Lon Chaney, Jr. (deep in the bottle at this point) acquits himself ably as the warlock’s ancient servant.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

TERROR IN THE AISLES 2 - August 15th!!!

(This is turning out to be the horror event of the summer. Mark your calendars and buy your tickets now, folks.)

MOVIESIDE PRESENTS: TERROR IN THE AISLES 2

A Night of Ultimate Horror!

AUGUST 15, 2009 - 7PM

PORTAGE THEATER
4050 N. MILWAUKEE AVE.
CHICAGO, IL
1.773.736.4050

$12 (yep, you read that right. $12.00 for a full night of flicks!)

TRICK 'R TREAT (2008)
The Midwest premiere of the most talked-about horror flick of the year! This highly anticipated anthology film stars Brian Cox, Anna Paquin, and Dylan Baker.

THE EVIL DEAD (1981)
(with Evil Dead make up master Tom Sullivan in person with his traveling Evil Dead Museum!)

MY BLOODY VALENTINE (1981)
Original director's cut! (with director George Mihalka in person)

ALSO - SHORT FILMS:
GAY BY DAWN - The cult classic!
HELLCAT AND TALA - Chicago premiere!

and

BLUE MATERIAL - A VERY SEXY SIDESHOW!!!

Plus vintage trailers, dealer tables, prizes, surprises, a live charity auction for Vital Bridges and more!

Pre-Sale tickets available at www.brownpapertickets.com

For more info: www.myspace.com/moviesidefilmfestival

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Kitley's Krypt - MYSTERY PHOTO #11

Another week, another MYSTERY PHOTO!

Jon Kitley, pillar of the Chicago Horror Community and head honcho over at KITLEY'S KRYPT, wants to challenge your horror knowledge. Week in, week out, he posts a Mystery Photo - sometimes from an obscure horror title, sometimes just an unusual shot from a well-known classic. We figured our faithful Claw readers would enjoy the challenge!

Last week's MP was a 1962 film that goes by two different names, depending on which side of the pond you're on. The original UK title is NIGHT OF THE EAGLE, but here in the States, it was released as BURN WITCH BURN. The fact that this film hasn't gotten a DVD release yet is a crime, plain and simple, as it's a terrific flick. Years ago it rec'd a laserdisc release, and there were rumors of it coming out on DVD, but it still hasn't happened. Maybe someday we'll get the good news - believe us, you'll hear us shouting with glee when it does.


Let's see how well you fare with this week's offering:



Send your guesses to: jon@kitleyskrypt.com

If you provide the correct answer, your name will be announced next week on the Kitley's Krypt website (http://www.kitleyskrypt.com), along with a new photo. Even if you don't know the answer, we welcome any sorta-kinda educated guess! So, send in your emails today and good luck!

More Free Tix - THE COLLECTOR this Thursday!

WildClaw has free passes to this week's screening of the new horror thriller from Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan, the screenwriters of SAW VI, V and VI, THE COLLECTOR, on Thursday, July 30 at 7:30pm 600 N. Michigan, Chicago!

Each pass admits two (2) people. If you are interested in attending, email us at drac@wildclawtheatre.com. First come, first served.



Synopsis: Desperate to repay his debt to his ex-wife, an ex-con plots a heist at his new employer's country home, unaware that a second criminal has also targeted the property, and rigged it with a series of deadly traps.

Please note: You need to be in the theater lobby at least one (1) hour before the screening in order for a WildClaw rep to give you your pass. Seriously. After all, we want to see the movie too! So, if you indicate that you are coming, be there. Or we will send the Collector after you.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Free Tix for A PERFECT GETAWAY this Wed!!

WildClaw has free passes to this week's screening of A PERFECT GETAWAY on Wed, July 29 at 7pm AMC River East, 322 E. Illinois, Chicago!

Each pass admits two (2) people. If you are interested in attending, email us at drac@wildclawtheatre.com. First come, first served.

Please note: You need to be in the theater lobby at least one (1) hour before the screening in order for a WildClaw rep to give you your pass. Seriously. At 6pm, tickets go up in the air.


Synopsis: Cliff and Cydney (Steve Zahn and Milla Jovovich) are an adventurous young couple celebrating their honeymoon by backpacking to one of the most beautiful, and remote, beaches in Hawaii. Hiking the wild, secluded trails, they believe they’ve found paradise. But when the pair comes across a group of frightened hikers discussing the horrifying murder of another newlywed couple on the islands, they begin to question whether they should turn back.

Unsure whether to stay or flee, Cliff and Cydney join up with two other couples, and things begin to go terrifyingly wrong. Far from civilization or rescue, everyone begins to look like a threat and nobody knows whom to trust. Paradise becomes hell on earth as a brutal battle for survival begins…

Visit http://www.iamrogue.com/aperfectgetaway/ for more info

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Family Is Forever


Michael Myers is back! Halloween 2

Tyler Mane is taking the role of Michael Meyers again in Rob Zombie's Halloween 2. The film is set to release on August 28th, 2009.

Summary:
Michael Myers is still at large and no less dangerous than ever. After a failed reunion to reach his baby sister at their old home, Laurie Strode is immediately taken to a hospital to be treated by the wounds that had been afflicted by her brother a few hours ago. However, Michael isn't too far off and will continue his murdering 'Halloween' rampage until he gets his sister all to himself.

Check out the official out the official site!

http://www.halloween2-movie.com/



Friday, July 24, 2009

New BBC Horror Fare: Being Human

So...I am psyched for this new show from BBC America...werewolf, ghost, and vamp as flat mates. Sold. It starts on saturday...watch it and let us know what you think.


Here's the scoop from the source:

About Being Human

Being Human, a BBC AMERICA co-production, is a witty and extraordinary look into the lives of three twenty-somethings and their secret double-lives - as a werewolf, a vampire and a ghost. They struggle to live normal lives, despite their strange and dark secrets.

George (Russell Tovey) and Mitchell (Aidan Turner) work in anonymous drudgery as hospital porters in Bristol, England. They lead lives of quiet desperation under the burden of a terrible secret - Mitchell's a vampire and George a werewolf. Deciding to start life afresh and leave behind the dark side, they move into a house, only to find that Annie (Lenora Crichlow), the ghost of a woman killed in mysterious circumstances, haunts it. As the monster threesome deal with the challenges of their new life together, they're united in their desire to blend in with their human neighbors.

But with unwelcome intruders into their world, a threatened revolution from the vampire underworld, constant threats of exposure, and the day-to-day issues faced by young people - the only thing they may be able to rely on is each other.

NOTE: Saturday premieres of Being Human will air in 75-minute blocks.

Ah, the good ol' days...

A blog called RetroComedy has a rundown of the 15 creepiest vintage ads they could find. Start your weekend off right with the finest products misogyny, demon children, and murder can market. They just don't make 'em like this anymore, kids.




Wednesday, July 22, 2009

DEADGIRL screening this weekend at Music Box!


DEADGIRL
Showtimes Friday, July 24 midnight / Saturday, July 25 midnight



Two high school misfits cut school to explore an abandoned hospital, where they discover a naked woman chained to a table. She’s abandoned, beautiful and dead – or is she? From the producer of HELLRAISER and HEATHERS comes this depraved and genre-busing new indie classic. You may scream in terror, gasp with disgust, or debate it for days, but one thing is for certain: You will never forget DEADGIRL.


Here's Dr. AC's two cents' worth:

Deadgirl (2008)
Two high school lads (Shiloh Fernandez, Noah Segan) find a mostly deceased young woman (Jenny Spain) strapped to a table in the basement of an abandoned asylum. This already disturbing scenario takes an even darker turn when Segan decides, against Fernandez’s protests, that he would like to keep her tied up to use as his personal sex slave…and maybe even invite others to enjoy the “fun.”

What with screenwriter Trent Haaga being a graduate from the Troma stable and the concept potentially lending itself to thoroughly juvenile grotesqueries, ultimately the most intriguing and challenging (in the best possible way) aspect of the film is how seriously it handles its given circumstances. Everyone on hand invests themselves fully in their roles, with nary a wink, blink or pratfall to lighten the ever-darkening mood. Applause must be given to all involved for tackling such squirrelly material in a straightforward fashion, as the approach pays off in spades, refusing to let audiences off the hook – instead we are forced to wonder how we would handle the situation ourselves.

A terrific story of friendship, romance, shifting alliances and coming-of-age, all seen through a twisted supernatural lens. While certainly not for all tastes, Haaga – along with directors Marcel Sarmiento and Gadi Harel – has created an original, uncompromising indie horror flick that cannot be forgotten nor easily dismissed.


Music Box Theatre | 3733 N. Southport Ave. | Chicago, IL 60613 | 773-871-6604

Actress Jenny Spain (aka The Dead Girl) will be at the Music Box for a Q&A session for both screenings. Don't miss it!!

SAW VI Motion Poster







New "Motion Poster" for SAW VI. Pretty freakin' cool.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

San Diego Comic-Con 2009

Come by Booth 4401-4500 in the Illustrators Section to see Dave Dorman, Chris Moeller, John Van Fleet, Scott Hampton, Durwin Talon and The Devil's Candy Store (Charlie Athanas and Denise Dorman). There will be lots of great art for sale and big plans are afoot for the next year. Can't wait to see you there.

Other Devils in the Illustrators Section:
Donato Giancola: Booth #4503
Craig Elliott: Booth #4812

Other Devils are in Artists Alley:
Kevin J Anderson: AA-18
Tom Baxa: CC-14
Jason Felix: CC-13

Plus some folks we just like:
Tom Carroll: HH-19
Bill Reinhold: FF-08
Hilary Barta: FF-06

FOOL'S VIEWS: Jack Ketchum Triple Feature

It appears that for author Jack Ketchum, there are few things scarier in this world than bored, disenfranchised youths from small town America. Based on these three extremely effective, low-budget screen adaptations of his novels, a good case could be made for that viewpoint:


Girl Next Door, The (2007) (1st viewing)
Inspired by the real-life 1965 slaying of Indiana teenager Sylvia Likens, dour suburban divorcee Blanche Baker gains popularity with the neighborhood adolescents by handing out beers and letting them watch TV all day long. But the hijinks take a significantly darker turn when she offers up her 14-year-old adopted niece (Blythe Auffarth) to the youths as a plaything for every imaginable abuse. Peeking beneath the 1950’s seemingly placid exterior of Ozzie and Harriet normalcy, director Gregory Wilson and screenwriters Daniel Farrands and Philip Nutman tackle the unenviable task of creating a film with torture-porn tendencies while refusing to turn it into just another exploitation programmer. The result is an uneasy mix of moralizing and terrorizing, akin to a TV movie with intense subject matter and implied violence, where it is the viewer’s own moral compass providing the chills as opposed to a director’s vision. More disappointing is the choice to eliminate the internal conflict felt by our lead character David, played Daniel Manche – rather than being equally fascinated and horrified by the events in the basement next door (as he is in the novel), David merely struggles with the impotence and insecurity of youth. This approach works, but there is certainly more ore to be mined in the former, and it seems like a missed opportunity to address the very core of the horror genre and its fans. Even so, it is a worthy effort and the extraordinary performances by Baker (who played Molly Ringwald’s sister in 1984’s Sixteen Candles!) and Auffarth carry the day.


Lost, The (2005) (1st viewing)
Written/directed by Chris Sivertson, The Lost opens with an onscreen invocation that conjures a dark fairy tale, “Once upon a time, a boy named Ray Pye put crushed beer cans in his boots to make himself taller.” As Pye, Marc Senter leads an extraordinary cast of fresh faces and well-schooled veterans, fully inhabiting his loathsome, murderous character with a combination of electrifying instability and cloaked insecurity. The two-hour running time, born of Sivertson’s desire to preserve Ketchum’s subplots, might test the patience of some, but the gamble pays off big-time when the explosive, bloody climax inevitably arrives – In terms of emotional involvement, the viewer actually has something to lose.


Red (2008) (1st viewing)
A similar ethic accompanies Red, which follows the escalating levels of violence following the senseless thrill-killing of an older man’s faithful canine companion. Brian Cox anchors the picture with an unmannered portrait of a man looking for justice in a corrupt world, where money and power breed contempt for one’s fellow man. Well acted by a capable ensemble, Red succeeds mightily as a dramatic showcase boasting solid performances (though it could have lost its too-pat ending and been a better film for it).

Monday, July 20, 2009

"Just when you thought it was safe … giant squid terrorise Californian coast"

From The Guardian:
"Jumbo flying squid have invaded the shallow waters off San Diego, California, spooking scuba divers and beachgoers after washing up dead on the beaches.
The carnivorous cephalopods, which weigh up to 45kg (100lb), came up from the depths last week, with swarms of them roughing up unsuspecting divers. Some reported tentacles enveloping their masks and yanking at their cameras and gear.
Stories of close encounters with the squid have chased many divers out of the water and created a whirlwind of excitement among those torn between their personal safety and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to swim with the deep-sea giants.
The so-called Humboldt squid, named after the current in the eastern Pacific, have been known to attack humans and are nicknamed "red devils" for their rust-red colouring and mean streak. Divers wanting to observe the creatures often bait the water, use a metal viewing cage or wear chainmail to avoid being lashed by the creature's tentacles.
The squid, which is most commonly found in deep water from California to the bottom of south America, hunts in schools of up to 1,200 individuals, can swim up to 15 mph and can skim over the water to escape predators.
"I wouldn't go into the water with them for the same reason I wouldn't walk into a pride of lions on the Serengeti," said Mike Bear, a local diver. "For all I know, I'm missing the experience of a lifetime."
The squid are too deep to bother swimmers and surfers, but many experienced divers say they are staying out of the surf until the sea creatures move on.
Roger Uzun, a veteran scuba diver and amateur underwater videographer, swam with a swarm of the creatures for about 20 minutes and said they appeared more curious than aggressive. The animals taste with their tentacles, he said, and seemed to be touching him and his wet suit to determine if he was edible."

Kitley's Krypt - MYSTERY PHOTO #11

Another week, another MYSTERY PHOTO!

Jon Kitley, pillar of the Chicago Horror Community and head honcho over at KITLEY'S KRYPT, wants to challenge your horror knowledge. Week in, week out, he posts a Mystery Photo - sometimes from an obscure horror title, sometimes just an unusual shot from a well-known classic. We figured our faithful Claw readers would enjoy the challenge!

Last week's MP was from the Hammer film VAMPIRE CIRCUS(1971), showing David (Darth Vader) Prowse getting his back blown out, an effect that always amazes for a film made in the early '70s. Prowse also appeared in two other Hammer efforts, both times as creations of a certain infamous mad scientist: HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN (1970) and FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL (1974).


Let's see how well you fare with this week's offering:


Send your guesses to: jon@kitleyskrypt.com

If you provide the correct answer, your name will be announced next week on the Kitley's Krypt website (http://www.kitleyskrypt.com), along with a new photo. Even if you don't know the answer, we welcome any sorta-kinda educated guess! So, send in your emails today and good luck!

Friday, July 17, 2009

Vampires get lonely too...

Now that last year's fantastic "Let the Right One In" is available on DVD, might I suggest a companion piece to make a sweet vampire double header: "The Hunger."



Yup, you remember "The Hunger." 1983 Tony Scott movie. Elegant, atmospheric, barely plotted. Bauhaus' Peter Murphy prancing and droning "Bela Legosi's Dead" over the opening credits. David Bowie in that awesome makeup. And Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon... y'know... doing it.



Alright, you probably only remember the last bit. And frankly, that bit was why I happily decided to drop all of a buck fifty on a VHS copy a week or two ago. But it's a groovy, stylie film -- not terribly horrific, and certainly not action-packed. But it's got a great, dreamy vibe to it.

And it's about a vampire. A female vampire who's latest mortal companion is dying. And we get to watch her hunt down and seduce her choice of replacement. In "Let the Right One In," it's the achingly familiar seduction of puppy love. In "The Hunger," it's girl-on-girl action with opera, rather than "brown chicken brown cow" porno funk as a soundtrack.

Good stuff. A little high-brow, a little low-brow, a little sideways-brow... Get these films in your Netflix queue toot sweet, y'all.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Greatest Zombie Shirt Ever

Everyone loves swag. Everyone really loves San Diego Comic-Con swag. This year Cap-Com is giving away a zombie shirt to die for to promote their Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles game.





David Lynch Coffee

That's right. You heard me. David Lynch coffee.

EATR: Corpse Eating Robots

No shit, a Maryland contractor is working with the U.S. military to develop corpse eating robots.

Patient Zero Prequel Story

Over at MacMillan, they have the story Countdown by Jonathan Maberry online. It is a prequel story to the zombie terrorism novel, Patient Zero.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters

From Quirk Publishing, who brought you Pride and Prejudice and Zombies:



Ah, tentacle goodness and disembodiment.

Harry Potter goes dark

I'm a Harry Potter fan, and I'm especially excited for this installment because this one has zombies. Or something closely resembling zombies. Well, they're humanoid ghoulish creepies anyway (the "Inferi" for anyone who hasn't read the books):


These movies, like the books, have gotten increasingly dark and more complex, and this pleases me, as I believe that everything should always get darker and more complex. And of the seven books, I thought this one would be the easiest to screw up, but apparently it's quite good. The report from Rotten Tomatoes bodes well, anyway. I guess I shouldn't have worried, after all, this is the story where Snape really comes into his own, and that means more Alan Rickman.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Two weeks and a day...


Two weeks and a day left to submit your Ten Minute Horror Radio Play to DEATHSCRIBE.

Two weeks is enough time to write a brand new one.

Get to it. Submit.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Happy Birtthday Harrison Ford...


66 years old. Star Wars, Blade Runner, Raiders, The Fugitive, your resume speaks for itself.

Happy Birthday.


You are still not forgiven for Raiders 4, the Crystal Turd.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

See No Evil



If you want to understand how horror film fans in Britain in the 1980's were denied, deprived and told what not to see by the various powers that be, this book details it all. In other words, it's about the so called "video nasties".

It's more than just that though. From its back cover: "SEE NO EVIL chronicles the phenomenal rise of video culture and examines its alleged associations with criminal activity. Containing inteviews with the "video underground", insightful commentary on contentious movies, analysis of anti-film propaganda and studies of murder cases supposedly influenced by films, SEE NO EVIL is an exhaustive and startling overview of Britain's "video nasty" culture."

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Horrorama At Red Bubble


"Hunger Pains" © cammiecakes

Over at Red Bubble they have a horror art section called Horrorama. In the section of the website artists sell their images in various forms. For example, the image above is by the artist, cammiecakes, and she sells it on cards for a reasonable price. Check it out.

Teach The Controversy

Love the t-shirts over at Teach The Controversy. Especially their Cthulhu model.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Just your friendly, neighborhood psycho baker



A nice option for vegetarian zombies from Thai Artist/Baker Kittiwat Unarrom.

Says the man himself: "I think this could be an excellent idea for restaurants. They could use one of these heads as a bread bowl and serve spaghetti in it. It would kind of be like eating brains, don't you think?"

Chicago Horror TV: Fuzzy Memories

I heard about this site on NPR the other day, Fuzzy Memories, dedicated to old timey local Chicago TV. It's a great nostalgic trip. It's also especially fun for horror fans to revisit all those Saturdays and late nights spent watching Son of Svengoolie and Fright Night. Check it out and let's us know your favorite local horror tv moment!

LOLTHULHU



Check out LOLTHULHU for tentacles and laughs.

RE-ANIMATOR team reunites to bring Poe onstage...


From the good folks at iF Magazine:

"When it comes to putting new blood into a horror author of yore, few director-actor collaborators have made terrifying words cinematically relevant for a new generation of fear fans like Jeffrey Combs and Stuart Gordon. Indeed, H.P. Lovecraft would probably send salutations from his eldritch realm for the gorily stylish energy they injected into such adaptations of his work as RE-ANIMATOR, FROM BEYOND and CASTLE FREAK- films that created a new legion of Lovecraft admirers to hungrily seek out his printed work anew. Gordon, who got his start in avant-garde theater productions replete with nude Peter Pans and onstage torture, directed the wiry Combs to new realms of psychotic brilliance in these films, establishing the actor as an icon of mad science.

"But Gordon and Combs didn’t stop at Lovecraft, as the actor’s supporting role in his Poe-inspired PIT AND THE PENDULUM would ultimately lead to Combs playing the author himself for Gordon in “The Black Cat,” a MASTERS OF HORROR episode that twisted Poe’s real-life insanity into one of his most notorious stories. It’s no wonder that with their help, Poe has continued to conjure images of shackled corpses, ever-lowering blades and quothing ravens. Yet even Poe’s own fiction could hardly match the horrific travails of his own self-destructive life, where tragedy upon tragedy led the legendary author / poet / detective / critic to a grim fate.

"Now with a book by RE-ANIMATOR co-author Dennis Paoli, Jeffrey Combs and Stuart Gordon are summing up Poe’s brilliant madness into a one-man stage play called NEVERMORE: AN EVENING WITH EDGAR ALLEN POE that is anything but a typically genteel “evening with.” For what starts out as Poe reciting his poetry and fictional stories ends up in a painful, near-psychotic breakdown that reveals the madness and sorrowful humanity within an author few really know beyond a rep full of lies. And for Combs/Gordon fans who’ve thrilled to their notorious screen collaborations, it’s a rare chance to experience the same chills, and powerhouse performance in the flesh- an evening that both men have determined their audience won’t forget at the outré Steve Allen theater in Los Angeles..."

Check out If's exclusive interview with the two horror titans ... and more information about the play HERE.

On this day in 1981...

On this day, July 10th, in 1981, the world was introduced to Snake Plissken.


Immediately following on his box office success The Fog, Carpenter gave the world Escape From New York. For the lead role, he cast young actor he had recently met while directing the TV movie Elvis. That actor's name was Kurt Russel, and the rest is glorious, wonderful history.



Some random facts about one of my favorite movies:
-After searching the country "looking for the worst city in America", they settled on East St. Louis for the majority of location shooting.
-In New York itself, they were the first ever film crew to film on Liberty Island at night.
-Certain matte paintings were rendered by James Cameron who was at the time a special effects artist with Roger Corman's New World Pictures.

"We were buddies, Harold. You, me, and Fresno Bob. You know what they did to Bob, huh?"

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Zombieland Interview with Emma Stone


Emma Stone in Zombieland

Over at Collider they have a fun interview with Emma Stone ("Superbad") about the upcoming zombie comedy, Zombieland, which also stars Woody Harrelson ("Natural Born Killers"), Jesse Eisenberg ("The Squid and the Whale"), and Abigail Breslin ("Little Miss Sunshine").

Clive Barker's "Crazyface"


Well, it closed a month ago, but Constellation Theatre Company of Washington DC just produced Clive Barker's play "Crazyface".

Bleeding Billboards

DEAD SNOW coming to the Music Box...

Opening July 17th!!!! http://www.musicboxtheatre.com/features/dead-snow/


Dr. AC says:

Dead Snow (2009)
From the unexpected stomping grounds of Norway comes one of the more high spirited, energetic and intelligent zombie flicks in years. When a gang of vacationing friends finds their snow-capped mountain getaway besieged by an undead corps of Nazi soldiers, it’s time for the innards to unravel and the brains to splatter. What sets director/co-writer Tommy Wirkola’s shambler apart is its spry humor and ability to tweak genre conventions, aided by a terrific ensemble of players who play the insane situations straight-faced. Recommended!