Category Archives: Misc. Ramblings

Come Discover the Horror

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During the last week of this month, Dr. Ac (aka Aaron Christensen) and myself, will be hosting a couple of events of horror lectures/discussions, and if you’re in the Chicagoland area, we’d love to have you come out for it.

The first one is on Monday, October 26th, at the new Santori Branch of the Aurora Public Library (101 S. River St.), starting at 6:30pm and goes to 8pm, or until they kick us out! You can get more information by clicking HERE.

Then the following Wednesday, the 28th, we’ll be heading into Chicago to the Sulzer Regional branch of the Chicago Public Library, located at 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue. For more information about this event, just click HERE.

At each event, we’ll give a little historical trip through the years, talking about what each of the decades offered up to horror fans, really showing the scope and size of the genre.

So if you are a fan (which you most likely are if you’re reading this) and are in the area on those nights, stop by and join in on the fun!

Making a Horror Fan Proud

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NotLD signAs a life-long horror fan, we all know that Halloween is one of the few times when we seem like normal people. Or maybe it is because the ‘normal’ society is celebrating something that we do every day. But when I heard about this recent event that happened in a small town in Pennsylvania, it brought a smile to my face and a little tear to my eye. Evans City, Pennsylvania is the little place where the movie Night of the Living Dead was filmed, almost 50 years ago. Many horror fans have made the trip out to their, especially the cemetery where the famous opening sequence was filmed, myself included.

Now, most of society, at least in my experience, would want to shy away from the exposure their town might have because of some horror movie that was made there. God forbid that it would draw those crazy fans that would loiter around, and destroy and vandalize the area. But it seems that not only does Evans City not have that attitude, they actually embrace the fact their little town is known for this historical film.

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Monster Squad Soundtrack

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monstersquadcdThe fine folks over at La-La Land Records, who have putting out some amazing soundtracks for over 10 years, now have another title that really has ‘nards! That’s right, they have released the score to Fred Dekker’s Monster Squad on CD. This release not only has been remastered from a recently discovered 1/4″ master tape, which not only has the film version of the score, but a ton of extras. Such as additional tracks, alternate cues, source music, as well as the two songs from the film, “Rock Until You Drop” and “Monster Squad Rap”, being released on this edition for the first time.

This also comes with liner notes written by Daniel Schweiger and art designed by Dan Goldwasswer. There is only 3000 units of this release that has a total running time of 78 minutes, for only $19.98.

Head on over to La-La Land Records by clicking HERE to order your copy now.

Tis the Season…

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October is a month long celebration for us devoted fans of the horror genre. From conventions, movie marathons, both at home and in the theater, decorating our homes (those some of us keep them up all year round!), and just celebrating this wonderful time of year. I try to partake in the festivities as much as I can, but this year has been tough. From starting a new job recently, two conventions this month, a 24-hour movie marathon that we’re going to be setting up at, all the while trying to battle some sort of cold/sore throat that seems to be draining my motivation, it has been a struggle for me to really enjoy this month.

LiquidCheese40But if there is one thing that makes me rejoice in this dark path that I have chosen is being part of what I consider my horror family and what they are doing to enjoy this holiday season, though some of it makes me jealous as hell! It gives this grumpy old man a warm and fuzzy feeling, almost making my black heart grow three sizes bigger, knowing you people out there are proudly carrying the torch, and celebrating the horror genre that way we do.

Making me even prouder, are those that take that passion a step further and not only embrace the love of the horror genre, but also strive to inject their infection to other people. Those of you that have Halloween parties, hold your own little movie marathons, the monthly October movie challenge, are not only celebrating the movies that we love, but also sharing your passion with others, which in turn re-enforces the fire within them.

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New Gamera Trailer

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I have to say, even though I always tend to make fun of Gamera because he is just a big freaking turtle, but that doesn’t I don’t enjoy the hell out of his films. And this new trailer…..Damn. Actually gave me goosebumps and made me feel like a kid again. Looking forward to this and the new Godzilla film….the Japanese one, of course.

Feliz Cumpleaños Paul Naschy!

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naschyrememberedbanner“I would write that Paul Naschy had at least done his best and that he cared about what he was doing. I was capable of mistakes – to do it well or to do it poorly – but I assure you is that I did it with feeling and affection. I love the fantastic cinema.”

Pnaschy4aul Naschy on himself

Today would have been Naschy’s 81st birthday, had he not passed away almost six years ago. Kind of hard to believe that we lost him that long ago. But when you think about it, he is still alive and well and continues doing what he strived to do with his career that spanned for more than four decades. Because of his movies that he left us, his memories will not only live on, but he will still be entertaining horror fans for years to come. And to those new to the fantastic cinema of Paul Naschy, they will get to discover him for the first time, and have countless hours of excitement just waiting for them to discover.

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Nox Arcana Returns

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Nox Arcana Gothict’s been two years since the release of an album from Nox Arcana, but the wait is now over. Next month, they will be releasing their latest creation, entitlted simply Gothic. We’ve been enjoying their work ever since they put out their first release, way back in 2003. With each of their releases, they create an amazingly dark and moody soundscape that is just the perfect thing to enhance your exploits of the evening….even if that just sitting at your computer working.

Here is what the band says about their latest effort: Nox Arcana invites you to spend the night in a gothic mansion with a haunted and sinister history. Eerie sounds echo through the cobwebbed halls of Grimstone Manor, beckoning you deeper into the shadows. Venture forth to explore the estate’s hidden realms and discover the dark secrets buried long ago.

It is due out this Halloween. For more information about this one and the band itself, as well as all their other releases, check out their website HERE.

That Guy Dick Miller DVD Signing

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Dick Miller DVDI’m really hoping that eveyone reading this knows not only who Dick Miller is, but how much this man has contributed to movies over the years. Well thanks to director Elijah Drenner, he has created a documentary about this famous character actor, simply called That Guy Dick Miller.

On Sept. 12th, at the Dark Delicacies in California, they will be hosting a DVD signing with the one and only Dick Miller in person! But not only will he be the guest, but also his wife Laninie Miller, regular director Joe Dante, and the director of the documentary, Elijah Drenner will be there as well.

Even if you can’t make it out to the store, you can order a copy of the DVD online to get it signed for only $20 (while supplies last, and you’ll have to pay shipping). We all know what the going rate for autographs are these days, so for those signatures alone is quite a steal, not to mention that you’ll get this DVD as well.

For more information, just click HERE.

The Proof is in the Pus

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Harbinger Down PosterSometimes it’s funny. Even though being a huge horror nerd, there are a lot of times I don’t really pay attention to the news sites or what is coming out or the dozens of rumors always floating around the net. Too easy to get caught up in all that crap, so I just let it pass over me. So I was really surprised to find out about a new film that comes out next week on VOD and a limited released. The film is called Harbinger Down and stars Lance Henriksen. It was written and directed by Alec Gillis and produced (amongst others) by Tom Woodruff Jr., both of which run Amalgamated Dynamics, and how have worked in the effects industry for years. They both worked for Stan Winston for years and worked on countless classic movies throughout their careers, from most of the Alien films, the Tremors flicks, and tons more.

Amalgamated Dynamics were hired to work on the effects in the 2011 film The Thing, but as we all later found out, most of their practical effects work was replaced with CGI for the final cut of the film. Needless to say, like us, they were not too happy with the end results. So they decided to make their own movie, using a Kickstarter fun, and create Harbinger Down, which according to a statement on its IMDB page, “features entirely practical creature effects created through the use of animatronics, prosthetic makeup, stop motion and miniature effects. There are zero computer animated monsters in this film.”

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Those Who Inspire Us….

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AC&meOn this date ten years ago, I was set up at the Flashback Weekend show, selling my usually wares of horror reference books. Some things just don’t change, you know? Well, on this fateful day, a guy stopped by the table and was looking through the books I had on display. I noticed this bad-ass Godzilla shirt that he was wearing that I knew my son would get a kick out of, since he was really getting into the Kai-ju films around then. So I mentioned this to him and asked him where he got the shirt. That led us to talking about Godzilla films and eventually horror reference books. It seems that this gentleman was in the beginning process of starting to write his own film guide book. Of course, I offered my services to him, that I might be able to help him out finding some titles that he hadn’t been able to find. We had a nice conversation, exchanged info, and he walked away. Little did I realize how much this man was going to change my life. In the ten years since that fateful weekend, he has not only become my editor, my soundboard, my Turkey Day co-pilot, a life coach, but also has taught me in more ways in not only appreciating the horror genre, but other fans as well. He has also become one of my best friends. This guy’s name is Aaron Christensen.

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