Category Archives: Misc. Ramblings

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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Scream Factory Announces Blood and Lace

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blood&lacehalfsheetScream Factory has recently announced a slew of new titles they will be releasing, some of them making their debut on blu-ray, while some have already had a blu-ray release, and some that are in much neeed a special edition. Granted, we don’t know of any details as far as extras for any of them, but are very anxious on a few of them. Here’s the list of what they’ve announced:

  • Women’s Prison Massacre (1983)
  • Blood and Lace (1971)
  • Troll (1986) & Troll 2 (1990) double feature
  • Ghost Story (1981)
  • The Guardian (1990)
  • The Car (1977)
  • Nightmares (1983)
  • Death Becomes Her (1992)
  • Garbage Pail Kids: The Movie (1987)
  • Return of the Living Dead (1985)

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The Art of Don England

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IBlind Dead - Charcoal‘ve known Don England for many years, first meeting him at one of the early Cinema Wasteland shows. We’ve become good friends since then and see each other several times a year at different conventions. He is one incredibly talented artist, and one that still does it the old fashion way…with his hand. Sure, using the computer to do your coloring and all that can look pretty impressive, and nothing against it, but honestly, for me personally, there is something special about a good old fashion pen and ink drawing. But lately Don has been doing some work with charcoal that has once again impressed the hell out of me. One of the first ones that he did recently was a Blind Dead one, which I immediately knew I had to have for my collection and purchased it right away. Since then, he has continued to crank out these little masterpieces and always make me envious of his talent.

So when you get a chance, head over to his website (HERE) and check out some of his artwork. Who knows, maybe you’ll be adding an original piece to your own collection as well. Remember, supporting people like Don shows that what they are doing is still important and appreciated!

Phibes - Charcoal pinhead-charcoal American Werewolf - Charcoal

Nightmare Castle Comes to Blu-ray!

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nightmare-castleAs horror fans, we all know that Barbara Steele made a few gothic horror flicks in her day. Some of the plots might even sound a bit similar….I mean, how many films can you make about ghosts coming back from the dead for revenge? Well…quite a few it seems. But the difference with these films is that they were made by talented filmmakers! So it didn’t matter if the plot had been used several times before, it was still a great movie. A prime example of that is Nightmare Castle

Sure, we all know and love Mario Bava’s Black Sunday, which was the film to catapult Steele into her path towards being a Queen of gothic horror, but I have to say that Nightmare Castle is one of my favorites of hers. The tale is about a deceitful wife and her lover who are tortured to death by her sadistic husband. But the story doesn’t end there, when they come back to haunt the husband and his new wife. With some incredible music by Ennio Morricone, and co-starring Paul Muller and the beautiful Helga Liné, I couldn’t recommend this film enough.

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