Sci-Fi and Lair of the Minotaur

This Saturday, just before midnight at the Music Box Theatre, the penultimate (that means second-to-ultimate, y'all) event of the Sci-Fi Spectacular is the screening of "Evil Power" by The Lair of the Minotaur. This is notable, not only because Lair of the Minotaur is an incredibly awesome, melt-your-face local metal band and this new tune will be heavier than a neutron star, but also because the video is directed by Friend of WildClaw, and all-around Blood Stud, RYAN OLIVER.



Oliver was the man behind the gruesome biological effects of "The Great God Pan" and the amazingly, disturbingly realistic zombie head shots that crowned last year's production of "The Revenants." Check out the myspace page of his production company, Deathblow, for details on his current project, "She-Bang," a sort-of all-women version of "The Warriors." Seriously. Cool stuff.

THE BROOD at the Music Box

David Cronenberg's THE BROOD (1979) screens tomorrow night at the beautiful Music Box. Friday, October 16 at MIDNIGHT.



Start your weekend off the WildClaw way with mutant kids and quack doctors. Sounds lovely.

"It's Cronenberg's Kramer Vs. Kramer - although Benton's film never featured dwarfish homicidal psychopaths amongst its methods for bridging irreconcilable differences" ~ Movie Gazette

Synopsis from IMDB:

A man's wife is under the care of an eccentric and unconventional psychologist who uses innovative and theatrical techniques to breach the psychological blocks in his patients. When their daughter comes back from a visit with her mother and is covered with bruises and welts, the father attempts to bar his wife from seeing the daughter but faces resistance from the secretive psychologist. Meanwhile, the wife's mother and father are attacked by strangely deformed children, and the man begins to suspect a connection with the psychologist's methods.

ALIEN (1979) and ALIENS (1986) screening at the Music Box!

This week at the Music Box, two of the greatest sci-fi/horror flicks of all time!

ALIEN (1979) - THE DIRECTOR'S CUT

New 35mm Print! DTS Sound!

Director Ridley Scott’s breakthough film, an immensely successful blend of horror and science fiction, is a classic in both genres and spawned a host of sequels and imitators. Starring Sigourney Weaver as warrant officer Ellen Ripley, ALIEN focuses on the crew of the space cargo ship Nostromo, which lands on a moribund planet in response to a faint SOS. Inside a crashed ship, the crew members come upon strange pods, one of which spews forth a repellently fleshy insectile creature that locks on to the face of the unlucky Kane (John Hurt).

Critical Reaction:

“STILL THE BEST SCI-FI ACTION-HORROR FILM EVER MADE! Alien was that rare moment in Hollywood history when artistry and jump-out-of-your-seat thrills collided.” — Flavorpill

“4 STARS! Still vibrates with a dark and frightening intensity.” — Roger Ebert

“Never lost its ability to terrify… DON’T MISS THE CHANCE TO SEE IT ON THE BIG SCREEN!” — New York Magazine

Running Time 116 min

Showtimes:
Friday, September 11 5:00pm · 7:20pm · 9:40pm ·
Saturday, September 12 2:30pm · 5:00pm · 7:20pm · 9:40pm ·
Sunday, September 13 2:30pm · 5:00pm · 7:20pm · 9:40pm ·
Monday, September 14 5:00pm · 7:20pm · 9:40pm ·
Tuesday, September 15 5:00pm · 7:20pm · 9:40pm ·
Wednesday, September 16 5:00pm · 7:20pm · 9:40pm ·
Thursday, September 17 5:00pm · 7:20pm · 9:40pm ·

PLUS

see ALIENS (1986) at midnight on Friday and Saturday, September 11 & 12!!!

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!!

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!