An odd inventor stumbled into an antiquities shop in Chinatown. He paid $200 & left with a Mogwai. However, three rules came with ownership. They went as follows: Don’t Let It Get Wet, Don’t Expose It To Direct Sunlight & Don’t Feed It After Midnight. The creature was a Christmas gift for his son. They named him Gizmo. What happened if he got wet or ate after midnight?
Gremlins was directed by Joe Dante (The Howling), written by Chris Columbus (The Goonies) & executive produced by Steven Spielberg. The film worked as a dark, sci-fi/horror comedy and morality play. It showcased man’s desire to change nature. This theme would later be explored in Jurassic Park (based on Michael Crichton’s novel and directed by Steven Spielberg). In 2014, Jurassic World would take place during Christmas as well. Yet, it didn’t play up the holiday vibes the same way. 35 Years Later, we still love Gremlins & Mogwais almost as much as T-Rexs and Velociraptors.
When in doubt, don’t feed your pets after midnight. Unless, you live in Las Vegas or Tokyo. It’s difficult to find clocks there.
Zombieland: Double Tap picks up many years after the first film. Tallahassee, Columbus, Little Rock and Columbus are still a dysfunctional, nuclear family. They make The Bundys look like The Cleavers. It’s getting harder to find decent accommodations but resources are still scattered. However, the zombies are beginning to evolve in speed, intelligence and stupidity. Yes, it’s no different than our American society now. Yet, our favorite post-apocalyptic clan hits a snag when Little Rock finds a love in Berkeley (no, not the city but a guy). Would our ragtag misfits stay together, grow apart or become zombie chow.
Double Tap works thanks to the returning leads: Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg and Abigail Breslin. Harrelson eats the scenery and even sings a bit. It’s packed with many surprises, laughs and heart just like the original. Oh, don’t leave during the closing credits. It’s One of 2019’s Best Comedies, Best Films and Best Sci-Fi Films.
So, pack your rations, munitions and pack to see this film. Looking forward to a second screening of this one again.
An Oriental man in a Middle Eastern bazaar asked Frank Cotton, “What is your pleasure?” He said, “The box.” Then, he paid the man and exited the shop. After the trip, he returned home and began to act stranger than usual. He started to worship this antiquity and pushed the center of the puzzle box. Then, it opened into a realm of infinite horror. However, the pleasure cost him dearly. The price was his soul but part of him remained in the world of the living.
Larry returned to the residence with Julia, his wife. It was where his mother resided for decades prior to her death. The abandoned house had Frank’s clothes, mattress and oddities. Yet, he ghosted (as usual) in the mind of his brother. The happy couple decided to clean up the mess and make a happy family. Unbeknownst to him, she was hiding a deep, dark secret. Her true love was his brother and not him. She shared the type of carnal lust with him that resided in tent revivals and trashy romance novels.
Kirsty was given an opportunity to live there after the restoration by her father and stepmother. She decided to get her flat. This would benefit her in more ways than she would ever comprehend.
Larry decided to continue work but something aroused Julia’s mind upstairs. She decided to look in an unoccupied room. Then, a soothing voice greeted her but the body was a talking skeleton. It was her secret lover, Frank?
What happened to him? Where had he journeyed to? Could she have a second chance? Who were the people that he had fled from?
One thing was obvious. No matter the reason, there would be HELL to pay.
Hellraiser was written and directed by Clive Barker. He gave a glimpse into the twisted things that we’ll do for love. The film provided a claustrophobic feel with equal parts Psycho and H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Dreams in the Witch House”. Julia and Frank were equal parts Norman Bates and his dear old mother. Ashley Laurence (in her film debut) was beautiful and brave as Kirsty. She provided an unlikely nemesis to Clare Higgin’s Julia and Shawn Chapman’s/Oliver Smith’s Frank. Yes, two actors played Frank. Chapman was prior to the dark side but Smith was after escaping that realm.
Yet, the film’s unlikely breakout role was the Lead Cenobite. No, he wasn’t referred to as Pinhead. However, Doug Bradley would be duly noted as a new face of horror. His supporting role was diabolically understated, sadistic and sexual simultaneously.
Hellraiser is still a must see for fans of Clive Barker, horror and H.P. Lovecraft. It cemented his status as a visionary of horror. Stephen King said, “I have seen the future of horror. And his name is Clive Barker.”
In April 2014, I had the privilege of Kickstarter funding the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival and Cthulhu-Con with 313 other individuals. The highlight of the festival was a Saturday afternoon screening of this film. It was followed by a Q&A with Doug Bradley. He revealed that originally Julia was supposed to only bed Englishmen but Clive had her seduce all men. Also, he shared the difference between his walk with and without costume. Of Bob and Harvey Weinstein, he said “That is a lot of assage.”
Prior to the Q&A, an audience member shouted “Jesus!” when the statue fell out of the Chifferobe during the climatic finale. We all laughed through one of the biggest scares of the film. This was the first celebrity Q&A that I was fortunate enough to attend. Viewers should seek out this film festival each October for great independent horror along with cult classics.
Helen Lyle was married to a University of Illinois professor. They shared an affinity for urban legends. She was writing her thesis about this subject but was focused on local serial killings. One name kept appearing all over town for decades. The name was Candyman. Was he real or just a ghost story? How far would she go to find out?
Candyman was based on Clive Barker’s short story,“The Forbidden”. Bernard Rose carefully directed and adapted this into film. His pot-boiling suspense and blood splatter was accented by Philip Glass’ organ rich score. Virginia Madsen was beautiful and inquisitive as Helen. She captured brilliantly how curiosity could cause an unexpected decent into madness. However, one can’t have Beauty without a Beast. Tony Todd was mesmerizing and seductive as Candyman. His stature and unexpected charisma brought an extra dimension of terror to this morality play.
Twenty five years later, viewers will still be left in shock and awe. It proves that some mysteries are best left unsolved. Before, we feared speaking Bloody Mary three times into a mirror. After this release, we’ve added Candyman just in case. Be mindful of a mysterious hooked man in the shadows. If one doesn’t now him, don’t dare speak that name…CANDYMAN!
Seymour Krelborn resided in Skid Row and worked at Mushnik’s. The flower shop was on thin ice. Yet, a mysterious plant from Chang’s was purchased by him. It was appeared unexpectedly during a total eclipse of the sun. Then, he showed it to Mr. Mushnik and it became window dressing. Business became red hot but the plant needed a name. Audrey was Seymour’s crush. Thus, the plant was dubbed Audrey II.
Audrey II defied logic and any horticultural text that Seymour encountered. What was she really? What would make this plant thrive? What did Audrey see in Orin Scrivello, D.D.S?
Little Shop of Horrors was directed by Frank Oz (yes, Yoda and Miss Piggy’s alter ego). The film was based on the Off Broadway musical written by Howard Ashman (book and lyrics) and Alan Menken (music). The cult classic (Off Broadway) was based on Roger Corman’s 1960 film that starred Jack Nicholson.
Rick Moranis (yes from SCTV) relished in the role of Seymour and showed that he was more than Bob Mckenzie. He was given a great advisory in Steve Martin. Martin ate the scenery as Orin Scrivello, a sadomasochistic dentist. They both yearned for the lovely Ellen Greene. She played the naive Audrey to a key and had the signature ballad of “Somewhere That’s Green”.
However, the real star of the film was the late Levi Stubbs as Audrey II. He belted out the Oscar-nominated “Mean Green Mother from Outer Space” and other songs including “Suppertime” & “Feed Me (Get It)”.
The film was the perfect marriage of camp, horror and musical gold. Menken and Ashman would receive their first Oscar nomination for “Mean Green Mother from Outer Space”. They lost to “Take My Breath Away” from Top Gun. Audrey II should’ve ate that flight instructor and Maverick just so Goose could live. Yet, Menken and Ashman would gain Oscar gold for Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast”.
This film marked an atypical collaboration between SCTV (Second City TV) and Saturday Night Live. The hilarious players from both comedy troupes included Bill Murray, John Candy and Christopher Guest.
However, the most strangest aspect of this film was the ending. Frank Oz spent $8 million of the $25 million budget for “Don’t Feed The Plants”. The musical number was a sad ending that test audiences hated. Viewers wanted the Hollywood ending. Yet, film fans got their wish when a Director’s Cut was released in 2013.
On August 21, 2017, the United States experienced its first total eclipse in 99 years. The path of totality was 70 miles wide and stretched from the Pacific to the Atlantic Coast. It was a phenomena like no other this century in America. For the love of all humanity, let’s hope that no plants were purchased on this day.
Alice Zander was a widow and fortune teller in 1960’s Los Angeles. She used parlor tricks to give clients closure with the hereafter. Lina & Doris, her daughters, assisted with the near death business. However, they were on the verge of eviction. Yet, things were looking up with a new edition. Ouija was a new party game and swept the U.S. like ghouls on Halloween. It was the ticket that would save her business.
Would it be her salvation or something else altogether?
Ouija: Origin of Evil is classic horror. Lulu Wilson is wickedly haunting as Doris Zander. Wilson gives a performance that would give Linda Blair nightmares.
Mike Flanagan has directed & co-written this taut, jump laden film. It’s awesome to see scares that rely on cinematography, pacing, & composition than sheer gore.
Remember three things:
Don’t play alone.
Never ever play in a graveyard.
Always Say Goodbye.
Olive Crown, a marine biologist, was on an expedition with Dr. Fletcher. She was assisting in his research on an experimental dive suit. All was going well in the decent but that changed at 1500 ft. Suddenly, a giant squid-like creature grabbed her and both dropped into the darkness. Then, Olive woke up from a blackout surrounded by Dr. & crew. He wanted answers because his suit was destroyed. He dismissed her from the project for not remembering.
She returned home to great fanfare from her dad and Matt, her boyfriend. Unannounced to them, she smuggled something from the ship and her near-death experience. It was an egg that was lodged into air tank. What was this? Would it unlock the lost memories of that tragedy? Could she keep this discovery a secret?
The Creature Below was directed and co-written by Stewart Sparke. His debut feature was equal parts Alien, The Abyss, Little Shop of Horrors, & The Call of Cthulhu. Anna Dawson portrayed Olive Crown as a sexy hybrid of Ellen Ripley & Seymour Krelborn with just a twist of Dr. Herbert West.
The film was released on August 27, 2016 in the U.K. However, it made a regional premiere at the 21st Annual H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival & Cthulhucon in Portland, OR on October 7, 2016.
Seek out this Lovecraft film and enjoy a dark expedition into the unknown. The twist and ending will leave viewers talking long after the credits role.
Dr. Edward Pretorius and Crawford Tillinghast, his assistant, are developing a Resonator at The Pretorius Foundation on 666 Benevolent St. The Resonator would allow users to go outside of our known galaxy. Yet, it has an unexpected side effect in stimulating the pineal gland. In the case of Pretorius and Tillingham, they are able to view alien creatures. The research was going well until one night when the Resonator brought through an unseen, foreboding creature. It murdered Pretorius and the energy field destroyed the Resonator.
The police were called to investigate. When they arrived, Tillinghast was still physically intact but emotionally detached. So, they arrested him for murder and sent him to a psych ward. He kept trying to explain the details but the doctors just sedated him. Yet, Dr. Katherine McMichaels, a rogue psychiatrist, took him for a CAT scan and found the pineal gland was still growing. She convinced to staff to release him into her custody. However, she has her own ulterior motives and wants to use the Resonator for mental health treatment. She takes him along with Detective Bubba Brownlee back to the Foundation.
Will Dr. McMichaels make the machine plausible for mental health purposes? Will Tillinghast ever become sane again? What in the hell happened to Pretorius?
The answers would be come From Beyond.
From Beyond was based on the H.P. Lovecraft short story. It was brilliantly directed and co-adapted by Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator). Jeffrey Combs followed up Re-Animator with a brilliantly, subtle performance as Tillinghast. Ted Sorel went above and beyond with his playful & sadistic role as Dr. Pretorius. Barbara Cramden was beauty and brains as Dr. McMicheals.
I had the privilege of attending the 21st Annual H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival & Cthulhucon in Portland, OR from Oct. 7-9, 2016. The festivities included shorts, feature films, and Q&A with filmmakers. Stuart Gordon was in attendance as the Guest of Honor. He introduced From Beyond and held a Q&A with the audience afterwards.
The interesting facts about this film are as follows:
The entire short story was only six pages and told in the opening credits.
Gordon borrowed from other Lovecraft fiction to fill the remainder including “At the Mountains of Madness”.
After criticism of the blood splatter in Re-Animator, he decided to use slime instead. His wife said, “The slime is even worse than the blood was.”
The most challenging visual effect aspect was Ted Sorel’s makeup. It took six hours for him to prep. He decided to film as much as possible with Stuart’s agreement. However, Gordon began to notice that Ted was forgetting his lines after several hours of shooting. He noted that Ted was very intelligent and this was atypical of him. The makeup had constricted blood flow to Sorel’s arm and impaired it to other areas of the body as well.
Gordon and other film crew members had an ongoing joke about how many visual penis gags that they could squeeze in. The first one is the “Don’t Tread of Me” flag with the snake. He recommended lightly to make this into a drinking game.
He notes that his adaptations of Lovecraft are funny and sexual to an extent. Also, Lovecraft captured this aspect in various parts of his stories and novellas. Viewers will notice Pretorius Foundation is located on Benevolent Street. Also, the house number was 666.
The house featured in the film was modeled after the Salem Witch House. Also, Stuart Gordon jokingly noted that the scale miniature was the same size as the actual Salem Witch House.
From Beyond was and still is a great follow up to Re-Animator. It was equal parts humor, slime, sex, & Lovecraft. So, be aware of purple lights and bolts from the neighbor’s house. Just, be forewarned that you’ll be wishing for Frankenstein’s monster. It hails in comparison to what lies from beyond…
Also, I had the privilege of attending a VIP reception at Lan Su Chinese Garden as part of the festivities along with a few other festival attendees. Stuart Gordon was very nice and answered questions from a few other party goers (myself included) as well.
He was kind enough to pose for a picture when I asked at the end of the evening on Oct. 6, 2016. Thank you, Stuart Gordon for the photo op. It is great when you meet someone that you admire and they exceed your expectations. He is a modest, humble man who has conceived & continues to create works for stage, cinema, television, and radio/digital podcasts.
Tony Germaine has just returned from exploring the Nazca Lines on October 18, 2015. He’s greeted by his girlfriend, Stacie. She was glad to see that he’s back from Peru. However, Tony’s psyched about the potential of discovering a new language in some unknown part of the lines. She is distraught because he forgot their anniversary. Yet, he’s already begun a new journey despite being home. The alien lines have begun to be his new love/obsession. She saw him alive this day for the last time. Two weeks later, he was dead.
Stacie headed back to Tony’s apartment to box his belongings. However, she was unexpectedly frightened. A familiar face greeted her in the apartment but it wasn’t him. Tony had a twin and his name is Travis. She’s perplexed because his twin brother was never mentioned. Also, the study contained encrypted zip drives and other research material.
Who is Travis? What’s on the zip drives? What drove Tony to an early grave?
Dead Tongues was inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s short story, “Facts Concerning the Late Arthur Jermyn and His Family”. The film was co-directed by Roberto Drilea & Brianna Dorn.
Tongues slithered stealthfully due to the dual role played by Robert Justin Dresner. Dresner portrayed Tony & Travis without missing a beat. He found the right nuances to make each brother chill and thrill. Phoebe Fox was mesmerizing as Stacy. She had the innocence and strength that comparable with Ashley Laurence’s Kirsty in Hellraiser.
Drilea and Dorn have directed a debut film that is on par with Hellraiser and Psycho. The film is nonstop thrills and chills with twists that will leave audiences mesmerized. Also, this is a micro-budget independent film and cost only $2,000 to make. The film was the 2015-16 Applause for the Cause feature film project by Northwestern University.
On October 9, 2016, Dead Tongues was awarded Best Feature at the 21st Annual H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival in Portland, Oregon. It deserves this honor and is worth seeking out.
Dead Tongues is one of 2016’s Best Films and will be making the rounds of horror film festivals for many years to come.
Nicolas Winding Refn’s The Neon Demon is a modeling film that rewrites the genre. The best way to describe Demon is a David mash up.
Huh? Let me explain that. Take equal parts David Lynch, David Cronenberg, & David Fincher blend briskly with libation & drugs of your choosing.
Elle Fanning mesmerizes as Jessie. She’s got the look those other stick figures hate. The natural beauty can drive the competition to extremes.
Jena Malone puzzles us as Ruby. She’s a makeup artist in more ways than one.
However, the film’s best supporting role is by Keanu Reeves. He is out of his comfort zone as a sadistic, night manager.
The Neon Demon makes The Lobster look like Finding Dory. Viewers might also find similarities between it and Black Swan. However, Swan succeeded by melding Fight Club with Swan Lake. Yet, Demon feels more like an homage to 1980’s horror films with too much Karo Corn Syrup. It is destined to become a cult classic of 2016 and for years to come.
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