When I tell some of my non-horror friends that I am going to a 24-hour horror movie marathon, a few might be slightly intrigued, while most give me that strange look of “why in the hell would you want to do that?” If you are a horror fan, then you know exactly why we’d do it. If you’re not, then I’m not sure I could explain it. It is something that each year I tell myself I’m getting too old to do them, but then the next year, I’m right back there for more madness.
Just how big of a horror fan are you? One that can withstand 24 hours of terror? Then you need to come to the Music Box of Horrors this Saturday at Chicago’s own Music Box Theatre! The onslaught of fright flicks starts at noon, with 12 features playing through the day and night and into the morning. Check out the full lineup below, so you can start making your plans of which features you want to make sure you’re awake for.They will also have directors Gary Sherman, who gave us Dead and Buried and Raw Meat, and Jim Muro, the man who directed the cult classic Street Trash!
But how would you like to win a free ticket to this event? Just read on.
One of the great things I loved about Monster Bash is the presence of not only books but authors as well. Last year, I got over dozen books signed by a few different authors that were there. And it didn’t cost a penny! It would have been a lot more books but author Tom Weaver wasn’t able to make it to the show. But this year he was, and I was prepared for his return to the Bash, bringing well over a dozen of his books alone for him to sign. Weaver is a deity when it comes to horror history, spending his time seeking out and interviewing stars of the movies we love, both bigger names and not-so-bigger names, and getting their stories and memories down in print for us monster fans to read and learn even more about them.
Not sure what happend to make me get this report posted, but here it is, better late than never. In was in May of last year when we started to have our 2nd Turkey Day event, appropriately called Turkey Day in May. Basically we realized that there was just too much turkey for a single event. So Turkey Day in May began. And this last May, we continue that tradition, with a fine gathering of like-minded (sometimes called crazy) film enthusiasts to test our will and spirits against some of cinemas lesser quality films. But, while some of these films might not rate high on anybody’s grading system, we were all entertained by these titles. So while some of these might not be too high on anyone’s grading scale, we had a lot of fun with it.
Last year at a different show, a group of the usual suspects that I hang around with during the afterhours, we’re having our usual meeting on solving the whole cold fusion problem, as well as a couple of other world issues, when we were joined by another gentleman who asked if he could join our little assemblage. We welcomed this stranger into our discussions and quickly realized this guy knew his shit and we became good friends after that evening. Over the next 18 hours, Scott Bradley, our newest soldier, was told by several people that he should really plan on making it out to Cinema Wasteland, since that was THE show for diehard fans. And so he did, making his first (of I’m sure to be many) appearance this last April. And he was not disappointed.
Are you a fan of the Italian giallo films, in particular the ones of the ’60s and ’70s? I don’t know anybody more obsessed with this genre than my good friend Bryan Martinez. Last year, he gave us a great short film inspired by this sub-genre, called Gelato Giallo which you can still see on YouTube, or just take a look below.
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.
But 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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