So... True Blood. I've had a love-hate relationship with the show since day one. I thought last season was great, but wasn't really feeling season 2. And I have to say, last week's season premiere left me significantly less than thrilled. I hear that the second episode was a major improvement... I haven't seen it yet, and I will report back when I do. I'll be patient with it, since I've invested so much time in it. But it better win me back soon...
I'm anxiously anticipated the remake of my favorite horror TV movie ever, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark. It's set to be released at the end of the summer, and I have to say, it looks like it will be pretty damn good. Sorry to see that Guillermo del Toro bowed out as director (as he did with The Hobbit, damn it...), but at least he's still very much involved with the project. Those little buggers in the fireplace freaked me out as a kid--I can only imagine what they will be like this time.
I'd like to recommend an especially amazing anthology I acquired a while back. It's Vintage Crime's The Vampire Archives: The Most Complete Volume of Vampire Tales Ever Published. Boy, does this tome ever live up to its name, with stories ranging from the pre-Dracula days all the way up to the present, by everyone from Bram Stoker, D.H. Lawrence and H.P. Lovecraft to Anne Rice, Ray Bradbury and Stephen King. Oh yeah, and there's a preface by Neil Gaiman and foreword by Kim Newman. It's pretty impressive, and is also inspiring me to pick up Vintage Crime's Big Book of Adventure Stories, featuring some damn fine pulp reprints.
Is it too early to start thinking about Halloween? I know for me it isn't. I'm already contemplating what I'm going to be this year (I may finally be dusting off that Rocky Balboa robe and trunks I've been sitting on for a few years now.) I can tell you that Zombelina and Skeleton Jack will be taking on traditional colonial garb this year. And of course, Captain Cruella will be Captain Cruella, just in time for the second annual Village Invasion. What costume plans do you have?
Let's jump from Halloween to Christmas, shall we? Wondering what might be on the Vault Keeper's list to Santa? Well, there are quite a few horror-related items I've had my eye on for some time now, including: John Carpenter's The Thing on DVD (no, I don't own it), Universal's Wolf Man Legacy DVD set, the recent deluxe release of Psycho, Season 1 of The Walking Dead of course, and the Karloff/Lugosi Legends of Horror collection, just to name a few movie selections. And for my bookshelf? The Stoker Award-winning Final Exits, The Zen of Zombie, my pal Paul Bibeau's acclaimed book Sundays with Vlad, and the most excellent recent book on the Return of the Living Dead series, just to name a few...
My recent encounters with restless spirits at the apparently haunted Sterling Opera House in Derby, CT has got me thinking... How many of you really and truly believe in ghosts? Do you think I'm wacked after reading the first part of my report from the scene? How do you explain such phenomena? The intersection between horror and the paranormal has long fascinated me, and I'd like to get your take on the subject.
If you could add another monster cereal to General Mills' classic collection, what would it be? Honey Hunchbacks? Zombie Bites? Kong Crunch, perhaps?
I'm very pleased to announce that last year's post on Catholic themes in Italian zombie cinema has been accepted for publication in an academic volume on the subject of theology and the undead. I'll have more information on this as it progresses, as I'll need to rework and expand the piece before it can be included. But I'm excited and honored that my work will be spotlighted in this way, as that particular post is one of which I am especially proud.
You can call it Kevin Geeks Out About Evil Children. This coming Thursday, starting at 8pm at 92YTribeca in NYC, Friend of the Vault Kevin Maher will be presenting a double-feature of Don't Go to Sleep and The Children, two classics of the "scary kid" subgenre. The Captain and I would love to be a part of that, as we support all that Mr. Maher does...but alas, we will be elsewhere that evening...
Where we'll be is the Avon Theatre in Stamford, CT--and if you're unable to make it to 92YTribeca, then by all means come down to that historic little theater for a screening of the awesome '70s nature-gone-amuck flick, Alligator! As always, we'll be doing trivia giveaways, and introducing the film. It should be a blast, and we're looking forward to hopefully seeing some of you Vault dwellers there.
I think Don't Be Afraid of the Dark looks good, too. Hoping it is hard horror and not lightened up for the masses.
The Vampire Archives: The Most Complete Volume of Vampire Tales Ever Published looks amazing! Might have to check this one out, seems quite comprehensive!
Never too early to think about Halloween! Heck, it is usually a whole month of goodness and that month is less than three away now! WOOT!
As for Christmas, I just add stuff to Amazon and hope for the best. Usually I get a few things from my wish list, but mostly it is my wife who shops there. Others seems to just get what they think I want. Ah well, the thought that counts and all that jazz.
Don't believe in ghosts, myself. :)
I think a Zombie Monster Cereal would be a good sell in these days. Zombies are popular, after all.
Were I to add a MONSTER CEREAL, I would lobby for "CREATURE CRISPS" or "CREATURE CRUNCH" -- featuring a "Gil-Man"/Creature from the Black Lagoon style spokes-monster. It makes the cereal bowl itself an interactive part of mythology, what with floating little victims being devoured by YOU.
As far as the ghost thing,I know they exist.I've had things happen here in the home that I and my father both grew up in that just cannot be explained.An overpowering smell of gunpowder for a few moments in a room that hasn't had firearms nor ammo in it in over 40+ years,a shadow figure observed by my parents and 5 year old cousin running into our dining room from the kitchen then going back into the kitchen,though not seen,I felt something lay beside me in my bed,stretch it's arm across and hug me,then whisper my name and say "I love you".So you are not whacked at all,and to all the skeptics and non-believers out there I say this,until it happened to me I too was skeptical,but afterward there was no doubt in my mind that spirits/ghosts truly exist and now I follow a phrase that Shakespeare himself wrote in "Hamlet" that sums up my take on it now,"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy".
Dod, Shaun would be a great costume idea. Might just have to steal that. Hmmm... I like the zombie cereal idea, but somehow I think the Creature Crunch might work better considering GM seems to have built their cereals on a Universal theme. Bagman, I couldn't agree more, and I now have the personal proof! And Emily, I'm really hoping to see you again soon at one of Kevin's events.
So... True Blood. I've had a love-hate relationship with the show since day one. I thought last season was great, but wasn't really feeling season 2. And I have to say, last week's season premiere left me significantly less than thrilled. I hear that the second episode was a major improvement... I haven't seen it yet, and I will report back when I do. I'll be patient with it, since I've invested so much time in it. But it better win me back soon...
I'd like to recommend an especially amazing anthology I acquired a while back. It's Vintage Crime's The Vampire Archives: The Most Complete Volume of Vampire Tales Ever Published. Boy, does this tome ever live up to its name, with stories ranging from the pre-Dracula days all the way up to the present, by everyone from Bram Stoker, D.H. Lawrence and H.P. Lovecraft to Anne Rice, Ray Bradbury and Stephen King. Oh yeah, and there's a preface by Neil Gaiman and foreword by Kim Newman. It's pretty impressive, and is also inspiring me to pick up Vintage Crime's Big Book of Adventure Stories, featuring some damn fine pulp reprints.
My recent encounters with restless spirits at the apparently haunted Sterling Opera House in Derby, CT has got me thinking... How many of you really and truly believe in ghosts? Do you think I'm wacked after reading the first part of my report from the scene? How do you explain such phenomena? The intersection between horror and the paranormal has long fascinated me, and I'd like to get your take on the subject.
You can call it Kevin Geeks Out About Evil Children. This coming Thursday, starting at 8pm at 92YTribeca in NYC, Friend of the Vault Kevin Maher will be presenting a double-feature of Don't Go to Sleep and The Children, two classics of the "scary kid" subgenre. The Captain and I would love to be a part of that, as we support all that Mr. Maher does...but alas, we will be elsewhere that evening...
It's never too early to think about Halloween.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to go as Shaun - cricket bat and all - for some time now.
I think Don't Be Afraid of the Dark looks good, too. Hoping it is hard horror and not lightened up for the masses.
ReplyDeleteThe Vampire Archives: The Most Complete Volume of Vampire Tales Ever Published looks amazing! Might have to check this one out, seems quite comprehensive!
Never too early to think about Halloween! Heck, it is usually a whole month of goodness and that month is less than three away now! WOOT!
As for Christmas, I just add stuff to Amazon and hope for the best. Usually I get a few things from my wish list, but mostly it is my wife who shops there. Others seems to just get what they think I want. Ah well, the thought that counts and all that jazz.
Don't believe in ghosts, myself. :)
I think a Zombie Monster Cereal would be a good sell in these days. Zombies are popular, after all.
Kudos on getting published! Awesome news!
Have a great 4th!
Were I to add a MONSTER CEREAL, I would lobby for "CREATURE CRISPS" or "CREATURE CRUNCH" -- featuring a "Gil-Man"/Creature from the Black Lagoon style spokes-monster. It makes the cereal bowl itself an interactive part of mythology, what with floating little victims being devoured by YOU.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the ghost thing,I know they exist.I've had things happen here in the home that I and my father both grew up in that just cannot be explained.An overpowering smell of gunpowder for a few moments in a room that hasn't had firearms nor ammo in it in over 40+ years,a shadow figure observed by my parents and 5 year old cousin running into our dining room from the kitchen then going back into the kitchen,though not seen,I felt something lay beside me in my bed,stretch it's arm across and hug me,then whisper my name and say "I love you".So you are not whacked at all,and to all the skeptics and non-believers out there I say this,until it happened to me I too was skeptical,but afterward there was no doubt in my mind that spirits/ghosts truly exist and now I follow a phrase that Shakespeare himself wrote in "Hamlet" that sums up my take on it now,"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy".
ReplyDeleteMan, I'd LOVE to go see The CHildren with an audience, but a Thursday night show is a toughie. Though it's even tougher to resist-ie. DECISIONS!
ReplyDeleteDod, Shaun would be a great costume idea. Might just have to steal that. Hmmm... I like the zombie cereal idea, but somehow I think the Creature Crunch might work better considering GM seems to have built their cereals on a Universal theme. Bagman, I couldn't agree more, and I now have the personal proof! And Emily, I'm really hoping to see you again soon at one of Kevin's events.
ReplyDelete