Kevin Geeks Out About... Rip-off Cinema! - 92YTribeca - New York, NY
Click on the above link to learn all about the upcoming Kevin Geeks Out event on Thursday, September 15--in which I'll be one of the presenters. This is very exciting for me, as I've been a big fan of Kevin Maher for quite a while now, and followed his KGO series at 92YTribeca for some time. To have the opportunity to take part will definitely be one of the highlights of this little blogging adventure I kicked off nearly four years ago (can't believe it!).
The event is built around the concept of movies that ripped off previous hit films in a blatant attempt to cash in on their success. For those curious--and too lazy to click the link--I'll be presenting a little retrospective on the multitude of Halloween knock-offs that followed in the wake of John Carpenter's slasher classic. For those who remember, there was a time in the horror genre, after the booming success of Halloween, when everyone was scrambling for a special holiday/ritual event around which to theme a horror film--most memorably Friday the 13th, but there were so many others. Well, I'll be looking back at the best and worst of them in just a little over two weeks, so be there, or be square, Vault dwellers!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Random Ramblings from the Vault...
So Frank Darabont has walked out on The Walking Dead. After six episodes. Forgive me if I've been scarred, but didn't original Walking Dead artist Tony Moore walk away from the comic book after just six issues? And, in my opinion, the book was never the same again. I'm sincerely hoping the same thing isn't going to happen to the show, but I'm finding it very hard to be optimistic...
- At long last, after years of pining under the yoke of Optimum, I have switched to Comcast cable, which means that I now have FearNet. It may not be as glorious as my beloved Monsters HD, but it's still very enjoyable, and I've already managed to take in Fright Night for the first time in years. Actually, I've watched it twice in the past few days. Plus a really boring ghost movie starring Mia Farrow called The Haunting of Julia. Never heard of it before, and I can see why.
Speaking of Fright Night, how odd is it that the movie starred Amanda Bearse and William Ragsdale--who, just a couple of years later, would both find themselves starring in separate sitcoms on the fledgling Fox Network? Ragsdale was the star of the nearly forgotten Herman's Head, while Bearse would of course play the notorious Marcy Darcy on Married with Children. Always found that to be an amusing coincidence...
- Took in Rabid at the Avon Theatre last week, and it still amazes me how far David Cronenberg has come in his directorial career. Some people may call him a sellout for going from fare like Rabid and The Brood to movies like Eastern Promises. I simply call it the mark of a great director.
Caught my son trying to bite my daughter on the neck today. They were trying to find out if it would hurt. I tried to explain that it was very different without sharp fangs involved. Oh well...at least they're learning all the important stuff.
- OK, Star Wars fanatics--and I'm one, don't get me wrong--explain this to me: What's so awful about being slowly digested in the belly of the Sarlacc over a thousand years, when you'd surely suffocate and die within a matter of minutes anyway? Been wondering about that one since 1983.
- True to my word, I've stuck with True Blood after that god-awful Season 4 opener, and I have to say that it has improved. Not quite back to the heights of last season, but it's holding my attention. There are simply too many supernatural creatures running around, and the less said about the fairies, the better. Still, I'm digging the witch storyline, and the Bill/Eric switcheroo is an interesting twist. My love-hate relationship with the series continues.
It just so happens that I currently find myself working for a company whose late founder was the brother of a well-known genre filmmaker. Without naming any names--that ol' Google search can be a real S.O.B.--he was the director behind such pictures as Attack of the 50-Foot Woman and The 7th Voyage of Sinbad. In fact, I suspect The Vault may have even helped me land the job, but you didn't hear that from me. Small world, is it not?
I recently landed an interview with legendary horror host Zacherley, which I've been sitting on for some weeks now, just waiting for the right moment to spring it on you, dear Vault dwellers. The one and only Cool Ghoul went in-depth on his storied career, and his opinions of horror past and present. It's a great listen, trust me on that--so keep a lookout for it in the days to come.
- Less than two days remaining until the long-awaited screening of Troll 2 at the Avon. This is promising to be a big one, and I'll even have my own oft-discussed progeny, Zombelina & Skeleton Jack, on-hand to help give away trivia prizes. Do try to join us, as Captain Cruella is even now in the midst of crafting a special Troll 2 goblin replica as a giveaway...
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Horror Double-Header at the Avon Theatre!
David Cronenberg's Rabid. Troll 2, the "best worst movie." Just hosting one of these films would be a hoot and a half. But I'm proud to say that Captain Cruella and I will be hosting both of them in the days to come at Stamford's historic Avon Theatre. We've been party to a lot of cool stuff over there, but this just may take the cake.Sure, meeting William Lustig was great. And last year's zombie double feature was a blast. As was Carpenter's Halloween, with my parents on hand. But this time, I'm bubbling over with more excitement than ever. Firstly, I've never seen either of these films on a big screen before. Secondly, for the screening of Troll 2, we will also have VoH junior team members Zombelina and Skeleton Jack in tow for a rare public appearance...
There are many who have called Rabid Cronenberg's underrated masterpiece. I'm a huge fan of the man's entire body of work, so it's hard to say, but it's definitely up there. Not to mention that it has Connecticut's own Marilyn Chambers as the star. And while I'm not thrilled that it will no longer be a double feature with that other movie she made, Behind the Green Door, I'm still incredibly psyched to be there to introduce such a psychological body horror masterpiece.
As for Troll 2, what really needs to be said that hasn't already been? In the pantheon of movies that are "so bad, they're good," this one may be king. Hell, there was an entire documentary made about it and its bizarre fan following. The Captain and I are so overjoyed to be hosting this one that Cru has vowed to craft a custom-made goblin replica to be given away during the pre-show trivia contest! And if you're lucky, it may just be delivered to you by one of your pint-sized associates...So join us this coming Thursday night, August 4, and the following Thursday night, August 11, for a night of horror goodness, vintage trailers and fun giveaways. Visit the Avon website for more details, or follow them on Facebook and Twitter!