In Search of Darkness: The Authors!

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2018 Year End Review – Part 3: Best Readings!

gromit-reading

I once again went beyond my goal of reading at least book a month this year, devouring a total of 15 titles. I seem to be on a trend because I’ve done that for the last 2 years. Granted, even at this rate, I still won’t get through every title I have, and that’s even if I stopped adding more titles to the library. And we all know that isn’t going to happen! But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to try! Out of those 15 titles, here are the top 5 that I would recommend the most, listed alphabetically, even though I have a little adder at the bottom. If you want to read more detail about these titles, as well as the other ones I read, click on the link for Horror Reference Book Reviews on the menu to the right.

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Still Alive…But a Little Warm

Incredible-Melting-Man1I know it’s been a little while since our last update but we are trying to recover from the last few days at the Flashback Weekend convention. What’s making it harder is the fact that our A/C is on the fritz (thanks Four Seasons!). This is just sucking any motivation I have right out of me. We plan on getting a whole new system, but are trying to wait it out until next year. But then if I have to go through any more 90 degree days, not sure I’ll make it. So whatever deity I need to pray to or make a sacrifice to, to get the temps down to the ’60s any sooner, just let me know!

But Flashback was a blast as always. Kudos to Mike, Mia, and the rest of the Flashback gang as usual, for putting on a great show. There were tons of people wandering the dealer room all three days, which is always a good sign. When you see a pretty decent size line waiting to get in on a Sunday, that really says a lot about the show. We didn’t get to take as many photos as we’d hoped, missing out on the Jason panel, which was the one I wanted to see the most. I really hope during the Q&A, someone asked them about their stunt work instead of just the same old questions of wearing the famous hockey mask. Nothing against those movies, but these guys have decades and decades in the stunt business and probably have stories that would make your bones ache! If you see one of these guys, or any number of these stunt men that have made a name playing a character like Jason, ask them out their stunt career and some of their work. I bet you’ll hear some real good stories.

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Book Review: Monster Squad

Monster Squad BookMonster Squad: Celebrating the Artists Behind Cinema’s Most memorable Creatures
Published by BearManor Media, 2017. 430 pages.
By Heather A. Wixson

In the early ’80s, makeup artists that worked on horror movies were becoming real celebrities, just as if they were the main stars of the films they worked on. Seeing names like Savini, Baker, or Bottin in the credits would get fans to go see a film on their participation alone. So many young fans out there were so inspired by these names, that they dabbled on their own with latex, spirit gum, and greasepaint, some more successful than others. Like a lot of us fans during that time, the movies affected us more than most people watching them. Some wanted to be part of the world that were creating this magic. That passion is what drove them to never stop trying, never stop learning, and just never stopping. That era when rubber monsters and outrageous creatures ruled the genre is over three decades ago, with quite a bit being replaced with CGI. But that hasn’t stopped some of these guys from continuing with their craft, still fueled by that same passion to create magic on the screen.

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Monster Squad Celebrates Monster Makers

Monster Squad Book

Some of the unsung heroes of horror films and monster movies are the guys that are actually creating the creatures! Back in the ’80s, the special effects and makeup artists were just as famous as the actors and directors, but that seems to have faded away. Sure, there are still names like Savini and Baker, but there are still so many talented people, working long and hard hours, to help bring these cinematic terrors to life. Now thanks to Heather A. Wixson, we can hear from several of the guys & gals in the trenches.

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