Tag Archives: vampires

1000 Vampires on Screen

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Since vampires are still one of the most popular monsters in film and television history, it is only natural for more books to continue to come out about them. But this new 2-volume set from BearManor Media, 100 Vampires on Screen by Simon Bacon, it seems a bit different than your average reference book. As it states in the book’s description, it “covers the history of vampires on film and television”, but here is where it gets different. It seems that it is told from the vampire’s perspective, which honestly sounds like it could be interesting, but is this just a fictional perspective from the author based on the character info from the film? I have to say, I am curious about this. And the fact that I’m a slightly obsessive horror reference book collector.

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Vampire Cinema: The First Hundred Years

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Back in 2017, author and historian Christopher Frayling gave us Frankenstein: The First Two Hundred Years, giving us an amazing history lesson, filled with a ton of amazing photos and illustrations, on the story of Frankenstein. Now, Frayling is back to give us a look at the other classic monster, the vampire, in Vampire Cinema: The First Hundred Years, recently published by Reel Art Press back in October. Not sure how I missed this coming out, but better late than never, right?

With close to 300 pages, Frayling gives goes through the cinematic history of the vampire, starting with the one that started it all, F. W. Murnau’s Nosferatu, released in 1922. Filled with a ton of stills, posters, artworks, and pressbooks, this is another essential volume for fans of horror films, and especially fans of the vampire sub-genre. The price is $45, which may seem a little steep, but if this is anything like the Frankenstein volume, it is more than worth it since that is a beautiful coffee table book that will give you more than a few hours of fun paging through it, not to mention maybe even learning a thing or two about this popular sub-genre.

Terror Tuesdays at the Chicago Public Library

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In the past, my partner-in-horror Aaron Christensen (aka Horror 101 with Dr. AC) and I have given some little seminars at the Sulzer branch of the Chicago Public Library, giving an overview of the horror genre. This year, however, not only did they ask us back, but they wanted MORE! So now, we’re taking over every Tuesday in October with TERROR TUESDAYS!

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Frightfest Guide – Vampire Movies!

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FAB Press has announced their latest edition to their Frightfest Guide, this time tackling one of the oldest monsters around: Vampires! Written by Nathaniel Thompson, this will follow the same style as their previous titles in the Frightfest series, which I have to say are all amazing. Beautifully laid out, with plenty of photos and information about each of the particular sub-genre they cover. I know, because I have all the previous editions!

They are taking pre-orders for the limited hardcover edition, that you can even get with a signed bookplate. The price works out to about $35 but it will cost you a bit more with the postage. Damn airmail freight! They do become available over here in paperback editions so you could always wait. But no matter which edition you get, I would highly recommend checking it, and the rest in the series out. They’ve covered ghosts, monsters, werewolves, exploitation, and grindhouse, which you can get most of them on Amazon for under $20. Such a deal. If you want to pre-order the hardcover edition, head over to FAB Press’ website HERE.

Movie Review: Boys from County Hell (2020)

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Directed by Chris Baugh
Starring Jack Rowan, Nigel O’Neill, Louisa Harland, Michael Hough, John Lynch, Fra Fee, Morgan C. Jones, Robert Nairne, Lalor Roddy

Creating a vampire movie these days is extremely difficult without treading on the footsteps of the countless titles already in this done-to-death sub-genre. When a filmmaker not only does that, but creates a very entertaining, humorous and still an effective picture, he, along with the cast and crew, need to be applauded. Because of that, I felt I needed to post a review, hoping to draw more people to it.

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Book Review: Assault on the System – The Nonconformist Cinema of John Carpenter

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Assault on the System: The Nonconformist Cinema of John Carpenter
Published by WK Books, 2020. 460 pages.
By Troy Howarth

The latest volume from our buddy Troy Howarth is on one of my favorite directors. Next to Romero, you’d find at least two John Carpenter’s films in my top 15 films of all time. So how could I not dive into this once I got it? Yes, Mr. Howarth is a friend of mine, full disclosure here, but I think you know me by now not to pull any punches, no matter what I’m reviewing. But honestly, I never have to worry about that with his books because they are always so enjoyable to read, always feeling like a conversation with an old friend. Filled with wonderful stories, great information, and just an easy-going way of telling us this information that it just sinks in.

After a couple of chapters introducing us to Carpenter, giving us his upbringing and background (which really shows the impact on his later life, with his love of film and music), we start to go over his film career. Starting off when he is in film school in California, we do get a lot of information about each of the projects, while Howarth throws in other information about other things that are going on at the same time. It doesn’t just cover the films he directed but the scripts that he wrote, as well as the films he almost made or was even the slightest involved with. It really does show the range that Carpenter had in the different projects that “could have been”. Continue reading →

Like Vampire Movies?

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Strange BloodIf you’re a fan of those bloodsuckers of cinema, then you may want to add this upcoming book to your list of titles to buy. With Strange Blood, editor Vanessa Morgan has collected another amazing array of authors (yours truly included!) covering “offbeat and underrated” fang flicks, which are discussed in 70 different essays.

Morgan’s previous book, When Animals Attack, covered a different breed of beasties. Now we get to take a look at the more human type of animal, the vampire. This book should be out in April, but we will definitely pass that information on when it becomes available. In the meantime, check out the amazing cover by Gilles Vranckx.

Movie Review: Let the Right One In

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Let the Right One In (2008)
Directed by Tomas Alfredson
Starring Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar, Henrik Dahl, Karin Bergguist, Peter Carlberg, Ika Nord, Mikael Ralm, Karl-Robert Lindgren, Anders T. Peedu, Pale Olofsson, Patrik Rydmark

This film was making noise here in the states way before it finally reached our shores. It was getting praise from around the world, being a new take on a very old theme. So once I finally got the chance to see it, how could it live up to this tidal wave of a reputation? Like everyone else, I was consumed by this incredible tale of loneliness, revenge, and that hope of finding a true friend.

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Larry Fessenden’s Habit Comes to Blu-ray

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habitposterScream Factory announced that they would be putting out the Larry Fessenden Collection later this year. The films include No Telling, Wendigo, The Last Winter, and lastly, his film Habit, which I personally think is one of the best low budget and realistic modern-day vampire films out there. This was the first film I had seen of Fessenden and have become a fan of his work ever since. I’m also excited about getting to see No Telling, which is the only one of these titles that I haven’t seen yet.

There’s no release date yet, or what extras are going to be on here, other than the promise of a lot of them. No matter what they are, I know I’ll be picking this up when it hits the streets. Fessenden is an extremely talented man and I’ve pretty much loved most of the stuff he is involved with, whether as an actor, director, or producer.

My good friend Aaron Christensen not only is responsible for pointing this film in my direction, but also chose to write about it in the book Hidden Horror.

I urge everyone out there to check these out…especially Habit, and even more so if you’re one of these that is tired of the vampire genre. This one just might change your mind.

Cinematic Crossroads – Battle # 2: From Dusk Till Dawn

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Some of you might not know or remember when we started doing these group discussions, which I called Cinematic Crossroads. It is basically 4 dedicated horror fans and one guest star, discussing a film that is divided between when it comes to their opinion. This is our first one that was posted some time ago, but I am bringing them over from the old site to here. So if you haven’t seen this before, please read and enjoy!

Our panel consist of myself, Aaron Christensen (Horror 101 with Dr. AC), Dave Kosanke (Liquid Cheese fanzine), and Brian Kirst (Big Gay Horror Fan).

Special Guest Star: Adam Rockoff – In the past year, Adam Rockoff has written the remake of I Spit on Your Grave (under his pseudonym, Stuart Morse), as well as the Hallmark Channel made-for-TV-movie, Dad’s Home.  In one of them, a single father is heartbroken because he may be forced to uproot his family and move to another city.  In the other, a rapist has his eyelids pulled back by fishhooks while crows peck out his eyeballs.  You figure out which is which. 

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