5k run + obstacle course + zombies... need i say more?

Teaser for Run For Your Lives 5K run


Yes, you read that right! With the help of actual ZOMBIES chasing you through a 5K run with an obstacle course, the folks behind Run For Your Lives are going to see just how well you can survive the zombie apocalypse. Should you survive, there will be a party with live music waiting for you at the finish line. The event is set to take place in a wooded area (yes, you can camp onsite) near Baltimore, Maryland this October, with plans for future sites as well. You can register via their site to be a participant or spectator, or just sign up to be a volunteer. Seems like they are also looking for Vendors and bands, etc.

Do you think you are up for the challenge? Hopefully they will (or won't) invade a city near you?

Terror in the Aisles August 6th, 2011 at the Portage!

August 6, 2011 - Doors Open At 7pm.

7:30pm - Trailer Trash (Vintage Horror Trailers & Short Films)
8pm - Sleepaway Camp (with director Robert Hiltzik in Person!)
10pm - Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (Midwest Theatrical Premiere!)
Midnight - City of the Walking Dead aka Nightmare City (Rare 35mm Screening)

Plus! Free Guest Autographs & Picture Taking, Vendor Tables, Prizes,
Surprises and a charity auction for Vital Bridges (www.vitalbridges.org).

Tickets are $12 at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/184984
For more info: http://www.facebook.com/terrorintheaisles

Voldemort Becomes Baby Doll

Huff Post Weird News David Moye First Posted: 7/26/11 10:30 AM ET Updated: 7/26/11 11:15 AM ET

Thanks to a British artist, he who must not be named is now a doll that must not be played with.

Tracy Ann Lister is an accomplished "reborner" -- a title given to artists who specializes in creating incredibly realistic dolls that look like they just popped out of the womb, complete with mottled skin and adorably smashed-up faces.

Lister has been "reborning" vinyl versions of human babies since 2003, but she is now scaring up more attention than ever thanks to a series of doll sculptures designed to look like the younger versions of the Harry Potter gang.

For instance, the Harry Potter doll has the adorable lightning bolt scar on the forehead, the Dobby the House Elf piece is extra small and the Severus Snape doll has the same permanently peeved expression as the adult version portrayed by Alan Rickman in the films.

All of these one-of-a-kind pieces of art are currently being sold on eBay for upwards of $250, not counting shipping.

But the one scaring up the most attention is the one depicting the "Dark Lord" Voldemort as an infant.

The piece has the same creepy snake eyes, but unlike the adult version of "You know who," the vinyl Voldemort still has a nose (and a cute one at that).

Baby versions of adult characters are nothing new -- think "Muppet Babies" -- but Lister strongly recommends keeping her Potter dolls out of the hands of children because of the the magnets, mohair and glass beads she uses to make them.

Numerous journalists have attempted to talk with Lister about her work, but she has declined all requests.

"Many thanks for your interest, but it's not something I want to do," Lister replied to HuffPost Weird News via email. "I did the Potter babies simply because I'm a huge fan, it was just a bit of fun, but it seems a couple of the links have gone viral and I'm getting masses of hits."

So it seems that if "Voldemort" is not a word that can be spoken in the Harry Potter universe, than "interview" is one that can't be used in Lister's.

James O'Barr Talks 20th Anniversary of The Crow

James O'Barr talks to James A. Keith at the Dallas Observer about his new project and the 20th Anniversary of his classic comic book, The Crow.

He's a dead ringer: Man wakes up in morgue

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

every town should grow some tentacles...

The folks in Muscatine, Iowa know how to do things right. visit the Muscatine River Monster site to find out where the beast will appear next. Plenty of photos and stories and yes, even a t-shirt, are available through the site for your entertainment!

Do you think something like this would be a hit in your town? If so, what kind of beast would it be?

Horror DVD Jukebox: Ultraviolet...No, not the craptacular Milla Jovovich film...

So I picked up the BBC miniseries Ultraviolet.  What's that you say?  Well my gentle blog readers...I had no idea either.  I bought it for several reasons: the fact that it is the BBC (which means the actors are capable of stringing words together in a coherent manner) and that it had Idris Elba and Susannah Harker on the cover (who the hell is that you ask...well, any self-respecting Austenite would know her as Jane Bennett from the BBC Pride and Prejudice mini-series of LEGEND).  Also, the word VAMPIRE was on it.  And it was $4.99.  So how could I lose right?

Since it is like a hell dimension outside, I got home, grabbed the cats and holed up in the a/c cooled bedroom.  I watched two episodes.  It's less horror and more sci-fi...closer to X-files in tone and style.  You've got a detective type, a military type, and the doctor type...also irrelevant girlfriend type who will inevitably be used as bait and/or be killed.  Plus v. handsome partner turned vampire who I was super surprised to find out was a very young and long-haired Stephen Moyer (True Blood's Bill Compton).  Yum.

So, I have taken in two episodes.  Like all BBC drama...it is a bit of a plod-a-long...mostly because they do crazy stuff like plot and character development...shock.  There is some gore every now and again.  I am enjoying what I have seen so far and there are a few interesting new takes on the vampire thing.  You lucky dogs can watch it on ye olde hulu!

The Walking Dead Season Two Poster (Tim Bradstreet!)

The Walking Dead Season Two poster by Tim Bradstreet!

The Walking Dead Season Two Trailer

Happy Birthday, Screaming Jay Hawkins

One scary man. He used rubber snakes and tarantulas, emerged onstage from coffins way before Alice Cooper.



As he says in the opening to his second-most-famous song, "a lot of people record songs about love and heart-ache. being broke." but this here is a song about "REAL PAIN".

NHL GOALIES LOVE HORROR

Goalie masks are scary. We all know this.

And horror fans, in the name of Bruce Campbell, Sam Raimi, and all things unliving, unite this season behind the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets.

And this call to action from a Pittsburgh Penguins fan. Why, you ask? Because of THIS:



Steve Mason, the Jackets' goalie, has unveiled his new "Evil Dead Civil War" mask, which he will be wearing while in the crease next season. A thing of beauty, and the coolest horror-related goalie mask since Curtis Joseph's "CuJo" series.



Mike Smith of Tampa Bay also rolled out a series of "Saw" masks a couple years back, as a co-owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning Oren Koules co-produced the infamous film franchise.



Check out this ESPN gallery of other scary goalie masks.

So...horror fans. Why aren't you watching more hockey?

Little Monsters for your Little Monsters

Though they have been out for quite some time, I noticed this weekend that the Monster High toy collection by Mattel is thriving and expanding -- adding several new characters to their lineup. The toy line is based on series cartoons centered on teen monsters in high school. Products consists mainly of a sort of hybrid between Barbie/Bratz fashion dolls & accessories (Note: some of the joints on the fashion dolls seem pretty fragile.), some hug-able plush versions of more popular characters, as well as home & personal accessories for your child (or your inner child). The Mattel website contains background stories on the characters as well as games and activities.

In addition to the "given" teenage Werewolf and Frankenstein characters, you've got teen versions of mummies, Jekyll & Hyde, a ghost, a Gorgon, a gill girl, and yes, even a teen fashion version of an abominable snowgirl.

Is this something you would have gone Cabbage Patch crazy for as a child, or might need to go crazy for now?

I know what you watched this summer: The Reeds

Caught this on Syfy Channel the other day.  I was expecting the usual cheeseball animal/monster genetic mashup, what I got was something surprisingly spooky.  Granted my expectations were WAY WAY low but I enjoyed the film.  No boobs flying about, characters seem real and the actors can actually act!  Shock!  Though you feel like you have seen a version of this story before, it still has some really creepy moments, decent gore, festive accents, and tickles that water/boat fear nerve that I have.  All that with a dash of Children of the Corn nature as enemy thing.  Let me know what you thought...

Cage goes in the water, you go in the water. Shark's in the water. Our shark. Shark Week is almost here...

Possibly my most favorite time of the year.  I do love me some shark week but I prefer to stay on dry land.  No boat is big enough for me.  Ask my husband about my obsessive water/ocean fears.  The first time I went to the beach in California (actually...my first encounter with the Pacific Ocean ever!) was met with this sign:

 Not the most welcoming and reassuring thing.  Needless to say, I did not get eaten at Stinson beach  but I definitely did not go swimming either.

Farewell and adieu to you, fair Spanish ladies. Farewell and adieu, you ladies of Spain. For we've received orders for to sail back to Boston. And so nevermore shall we see you again.

Short Horror Film Contest...grab a camera and some fake blood...

Universal Studios Hollywood Dares Filmmakers to Submit
Their Most Twisted Horror Short Films As Part of Annual
“Halloween Horror Nights” Short Film Competition
Universal Studios HollywoodSM invites aspiring filmmakers to compete in its annual “Halloween Horror Nights” short film competition, offering budding directors an opportunity to have their most disturbing horror short films judged by a panel of industry insiders, including horror film auteur Eli Roth, Daily Variety senior writer, Marc Graser and “Halloween Horror Nights” Creative Director John Murdy. The winning film will be awarded a premiere showing on Chiller, a posting on Syfy.com, a cash prize of $1,000, and a trip for two to “Halloween Horror Nights’” opening night “Eyegore Awards” at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Contest entries will be accepted from June 27 through August 1, 2011. Prospective filmmakers can submit short films from 90 seconds to three minutes in length on DVD (two copies of each film must be submitted). Films will be judged based on storytelling skill, originality and scare factor. The top 10 horror shorts, as determined by the panel, will be posted online at HalloweenHorrorNights.com from August 22 to September 9, 2011 for public voting. The winning film will be announced on September 12, 2011.
Eyegore Award recipient and horror filmmaker, Eli Roth said: "As a producer I'm always looking for new talent, and happy to help a first time director get their big break. New blood, so to speak, is vital for the continuation and growth of our beloved genre, and programs like this one can help deserving people get noticed. I am excited to see the competing films, and whoever makes me lose the most sleep will win."
Returning film contest judge, Marc Graser, Daily Variety, said: “As a studio known for bringing the horror film genre to life, it’s a thrill to help Universal Studios identify the next generation of filmmakers that will scare audiences. I can’t wait to see who steps forward with their creepy visions this year.”
John Murdy, Creative Director, Universal Studios Hollywood, said: “Just as ’Halloween Horror Nights’ interprets horror filmmakers’ visions into living horror movies for the most ardent fans, our film competition provides a platform for future horror film
directors to showcase their work to an audience of influential entertainment industry professionals.”
Entries must be sent to: “Halloween Horror Nights” Short Film Competition, 100 Universal City Plaza, Building 5511-5, Universal City, CA 91608. Additional information on the contest, including a complete list of rules and regulations, is available online at the Halloween Horror Nights website.
Last year’s “Halloween Horror Nights” Eyegore Award recipient, Eli Roth is a renowned award-winning, horror-genre filmmaker and actor. His credits include “Cabin Fever,” “Hostel,” “Grindhouse,” “The Last Exorcism” and “Inglorious Basterds.” For the past 10 years, Marc Graser has been a reporter at Daily Variety covering the entertainment industry. John Murdy, Universal Studios Hollywood’s Creative Director, oversees the theme park’s attractions, including its very intense annual “Halloween Horror Nights” event.
Universal Studios Hollywood hosts the Eyegore Awards annually on opening night of the theme park’s popular “Halloween Horror Nights” event to honor individuals for their significant contributions to the horror film genre.

NPR Fresh Interview w/ Shock Culture Author Jason Zinoman

Enjoy this great interview with Jason Zinomen and the excerpt from his new book!

Slate on how to fix horror movies...

I found a very interesting piece in today's Slate. And I must say, I find myself agreeing more than disagreeing.

How To Fix Horror

In the golden era, films went for the throat and then worked their way down. Part of the strategy was to tap into potent fears about random urban crime, war, the Manson killings, and the other topical concerns. We have our own phobias today, and if anything they're even more deeply felt in an era when criminals and terrorists are only as far away as the nearest cable news channel, but the horror genre hasn't caught up with the times. Why hasn't a movie made us as petrified of the Internet as Jaws did of the ocean? Where is the great horror movie about Sept. 11? Is that in bad taste? Perhaps. But audiences don't see horror movies for moral improvement. They go to be scared out of their wits.

Thoughts? Opinions? I would like to know.

John Carpenter's The Ward

How bout you? Got your date yet for the July 8th opening of John Carpenter's first feature in TEN FRIGGIN YEARS?



Most filmmakers I could think of would have had to take a decade off after making 2001's smells-faintly-of-despair-and-my-ass Ghosts of Mars. But come on, you're JOHN FRIGGIN CARPENTER.

So the nineties were a little rough in that you didn't make any classics (although Mr. Morlock digs the HELL out In the Mouth of Madness -- no one brings the crazy like Sam "Event Horizon" Neill).

YOU ARE JOHN ROCKSTAR KURT RUSSELL BFF BEST HORROR MOVIE OF ALL TIME CARPENTER. Get your ass in that director chair and gives us goods, pal!