"We Are Going to Eat You!" ZOMBI 2 DVD Commentary from B-Sol & Capt. Cruella!

For those of you living in the Outer Rim territories, the outstanding horror site Brutal as Hell just unleashed Zombie Jesus Weekend in recognition of Easter, and it sure was a lot of unwholesome, sacrilegious fun. And Captain Cruella and I were tickled pink when BAH impresario Marc Patterson invited us to be a part of it! Marc gave us carte blanche, and so we came up with the delightful idea of providing our very own "DVD commentary" for one of the most heinous grindhouse zombie movies of all time, Lucio Fulci's Zombi 2.

This ran on Brutal as Hell over the weekend, but I couldn't resist reposting it here for all you Vault dwellers, and so with Mr. Patterson's blessing--here it is! For those unfamiliar, the way it works is simple: sync up the audio of our commentary with your DVD of Zombi 2, starting both simultaneously so that our track plays over the movie. And just like that, it's like you're watching it with us... This was tremendously enjoyable to record, and I hope you get even half the kick out of it that we did.

Listen on the embedded player below, or download it for later use!


And while you're listening, take the experience to the next level (courtesy of Cruella's Concoctions) by enjoying a Caipirinha, a fine cocktail that fits right in with the tropical theme of Fulci's flick!

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VAULTCAST! Conversations in the Dark: Tenebrous Kate

This is one I've been anticipating for a long time... For as long as I've been doing Conversations in the Dark, actually. Tenebrous Kate is probably my closest real-life, real-world pal out of the entire horror blogosphere, and I respect the living hell out of her. She's got style, she's got talent, and she's also got the coolest taste in flicks of almost anyone I know.

I had a chance to hear her give an amazing presentation on Enzo Castellari's The New Barbarians at a special Post-Apocalypse edition of Kevin Geeks Out! some time ago, and to say it left an impression on me would be a major understatement--hell, I became a full-on convert to one of exploitation cinema's most fascinating subgenres! So, when the time came to finally have the esteemed Kate on my Vaultcast, there was no question at all as to what we would be chatting about...

I hope you enjoy our giddy discussion on the end of the world... Feel free to listen in on the embedded player below, or proceed to the Vaultcast page and download it for listening at your leisure!



Love Train for the Tenebrous Empire: http://tenebrouskate.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tenebrouskate
Tumblr: http://tenebrouskate.tumblr.com

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VAULT VLOG: Talkin' Zombie Music Videos and the Lance Henriksen Blogathon!

Official site of the Lance Henriksen autobiography: NotBadforaHuman.com
John Kenneth Muir's Reflections on Film/TV
Back to Frank Black

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The Many Faces of Tom Savini

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The Tuesday Top 10: Favorite Vincent Price Roles

Perhaps no other genre of film has been as dominated and epitomized by a single actor the way that horror has been by Vincent Price. The gloriously histrionic Price has attained a position unlike anyone else in the history of terror cinema, and with a mere glance over his resume, it's quite simple to see why. When looking back on such a deeply enjoyable body of work, it is almost impossible to select just a handful of favorite roles out of a career built with one unforgettably iconic turn after another.

So you'll gave to excuse me if I left out any of your favorites. Being the died-in-the-wool Vincent fanatic that I am, I agonized over what to include, but in the end I think I managed to put together a fitting collection of some of the performances that have forever etched him into the minds and hearts of fright fans worldwide. Enjoy!

10. Professor Hubert Whitehead
Yes, the two-part Brady Bunch tiki episode rears its perm-covered head. For baby boomers and genXers alike, Price's guest spot alongside America's whitest family in 1972 is a pop culture flavor explosion that still resonates.

9. Fortunato Luchresi
In perhaps the most memorable portion of 1962's Poe anthology Tales of Terror, Price plays the proud and doomed Fortunato of The Cask of Amontillado, alongside a decidedly over-the-hill Peter Lorre. To this day, this remains the definitive adaptation of Poe's chilling tale of revenge.

8. The Inventor
In one of his final roles, Price takes to the screen in 1990 with his young admirer, Tim Burton, directing behind the lens. And although a small part, the aging legend injects so much pathos into it that it becomes one of the most powerful elements of the entire film. The master reminds us one last time that there will never be another.

7. Dr. Warren Chapin
Price played a lot of men of science, and without doubt his character in William Castle's gimmicky 1959 masterpiece, The Tingler, is one of the finest of these. Dr. Chapin is a scientist delving into the nature of fear itself, and unleashing a hideous creature in the process.

6. Matthew Hopkins
Despicable, debauched and devious, Price is at his villainous peak here, playing a cynical and unscrupulous witch hunter in the 1968 British film Witchfinder General. Reportedly, director Michael Reeves instructed Price to reign in his trademark hamminess in exchange for more subtle realism, and in this case it paid off with one of the actor's most chillingly realistic roles.

5. Frederick Loren
And here we have another classic Vincent Price role brought to us by William Castle. In 1959's House on Haunted Hill, Price is both chilling and wryly humorous as the sardonic, scheming Loren. If you're looking for Price at his classy, sophisticated and self-satisfied best, then look no further.

4. Dr. Robert Morgan
In one of his most influential turns, Price once again plays the part of a scientist--only this time, one whose experiments are for the purpose of saving humanity. In The Last Man on Earth (1964), the first of three screen adaptations of Richard Matheson's I Am Legend, Price exudes a Larry Talbot-esque blend of regret, guilt and outrage as the last human holding down the fort against an army of vampire/zombies out for his blood.

3. Edward Lionheart
Here we have one that is truly dear to my heart, from 1973's Theater of Blood. Price is quite literally priceless here, playing a self-deprecating role that is clearly a spoof of himself. Ever the sport, Price attacks the part with relish, delivering one Shakespearean soliloquy after another as he dispatches his critics with violent aplomb.

2. Prof. Henry Jarrod
The part that put Price on the map, and skyrocketed him into the horror pantheon for all-time. A 3-D extravaganza from 1953, House of Wax gives us Price as the deranged and disfigured Jarrod, transforming unsuspecting victims into museum exhibits. This role would literally set the tone for much of the rest of Price's career.

1. Dr. Anton Phibes
Not only my favorite Vincent Price role, but very easily one of my favorite roles in any horror movie, period. It gets no better than The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971), and in this role, Vincent is given his greatest palette ever. The ease with which he commands each scene--without ever even moving his lips, no less--is awe-inspiring. To watch Vincent Price as Dr. Phibes is to watch an inspired god of genre cinema at his over-the-top best, managing to be both sublime and ridiculous simultaneously.

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Three Decades of David: The Music of An American Werewolf in London

It's hard to believe that it's been 30 long years since John Landis' comic horror masterpiece, An American Werewolf in London, was first released to theaters in the summer of 1981. There can be no doubt that this film is one of the all-time greats of modern horror--or of all horror cinema, for that matter. And it deserves recognition during this lofty anniversary. Therefore, in the grand tradition of previous efforts here in the Vault, such as A Quarter-Century of Krueger and Psycho Semi-Centennial, I bring you Three Decades of David--a celebration of all things AWIL that will continue throughout the remainder of the year.

For this, the first installment of Three Decades of David, I'm taking a look at one of the most integral and memorable elements of An American Werewolf in London: The music. Short as it may be, the soundtrack to this film is one of the main reasons why it is so beloved to this day, and stands as one of the most definitive touches brought by Landis to the picture.

Carrying over a popular '70s device (arguably first introduced by Martin Scorsese in Mean Streets) Landis achieved a true masterstroke by introducing familiar 1960s pop tunes into his movie, dropping them into a scenario in which they would seem to have no business being, thus benefiting the film by their very juxtaposition. And yet as "out of place" as these tunes may seem to be, we all know the very simple, clever reason they were all incorporated: All the songs have one thing in common, the word "moon" in the title. And we all know the connection between werewolves and the moon, right? A very simple conceit, there can be no doubt. Perhaps too simple. But who can argue with the results?

Let's take a look at the five "moon" songs included in the film:

1. "Blue Moon" by Bobby Vinton
Played over the opening credits and shots of the ominous English moors during the daytime, this recording was made in 1963 by Polish-American crooner Bobby Vinton. It was already by that time a very well-known pop standard by the team of Rodgers & Hart, and the first of three versions of the song included in the movie. The beautiful melody and vocals would stand in jarring contrast to the shocking content soon to follow.

2. "Blue Moon" by Sam Cooke
The second of the three versions of Rodgers & Hart's 1934 classic to be included, this one is performed by the soulful Sam Cooke, and was recorded in 1960. I'll admit, I would have liked to have seen more varied "moon" songs included, rather than have the same one repeated thrice--"Moonglow", anyone? "I Wished on the Moon", perhaps? "Moonlight Becomes You"? Oh well...

3. "Moondance" by Van Morrison
The title song to Morrison's 1970 album of the same name, this very sexy recording is very suitably used to further dramatize the burgeoning romance between David and his nurse-turned-girlfriend Alex.

4. "Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Perhaps the most fondly remembered of all the recordings used in the film, this was arguably Creedence's most well-known tune (a #2 hit from their 1969 album Green River), used to lead into the breathtaking Rick Baker werewolf transformation scene. The light-hearted tone of the music, mixed with the ominous message of the lyrics, perfectly sum up the effect of the movie itself.

5. "Blue Moon" by The Marcels
And finally, we have the third and last rendition of "Blue Moon", the boldly reinterpreted 1961 doo-wop version by The Marcels, used by Landis over the closing credits. It kicks in just as we see David shot dead in the street by the woman he loves. Used in this way, the brash, buoyant (standard traditionalists might even say abrasive) vocals are utterly striking.

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TRAILER TRASH! Nunsploitation Edition!

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Congrats to the Winners of the 9th Annual Rondos!

Over the course of the past decade, the Rondo Hatton Awards have really become something special online. There's a reason they've been endorsed by the likes of Harry Knowles and Benicio Del Toro--they represent the coming together of fans of classic horror (and let's be honest, of all horror) in an online forum. Fans and media alike, casting their votes for their favorites in virtually every category of art and entertainment. I'm proud to vote each and every year, and also excited that this year's winners have officially been announced!

First of all, I'd be remiss if I didn't state how thrilled I am that Frankensteinia, the blog I endorsed for the Best Blog award, actually took home the Hatton bust in that category! Way to go, Pierre, and I hope this accolade brings even more visitors to your amazing corner of the horror blogosphere.

Best Film and Best TV Presentation went to Black Swan and the pilot of The Walking Dead, respectively, and I most certainly agree with both of those. I'd have to say the same for Best Classic DVD and Best Restoration, both of which went to the amazing Complete Metropolis set that just came out, featuring legendary footage that hadn't been seen in decades.

Book of the Year went to the outstanding new coffee table book, The Art of Hammer--a collection of tons of gorgeous movie posters covering the entire span of that British studio's iconic run. This is a book I happen to own, and am looking very much forward to reviewing here in The Vault in the coming weeks, so it was gratifying to see it getting this kind of recognition. A truly impressive tome, if I do say so myself (and I do.)

Rue Morgue very rightfully took home Best Magazine, but I was a little disappointed to see that their Psycho 50th anniversary cover did not win Best Cover. Still, you really can't go wrong with Basil Gogos, so I'm not going to complain too loudly about the Bela Lugosi Famous Monsters of Filmland cover that did win.

My all-time favorite con, Chiller Theatre, much to my chagrin came up short once again for Best Convention, losing to Horror Hound Weekend. The Captain and I are most certainly going to have to get out there next time and see what all the hubbub is about. I will say I was quite stoked to see that Best Fan Event went to Women in Horror Month--the brainchild of Ax Wound Magazine's Hannah Neurotica that has really taken on a life of its own. Hannah, you should be very proud of your creation!

And finally--will someone get the hint already and release Island of Lost Souls to DVD?? Every single year, it seems to win "Film Most in Need of DVD Release or Restoration". I know I vote for it each and every time. Still cannot believe this film is unavailable--and now that I think about it, The Uninvited (1944) falls into that category as well.

Anyway, enough ranting and opinionizing! If you want to check out the complete roster of winners, as well as the official Rondo press release, go here. Congratulations to all the winners, and a major thank you to the folks at the Classic Horror Film Board, for putting these awards together every year! Good show, people!

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Visceral Visionaries: Joshua Aden

A rare and unique, upcoming talent in the horror art world, Joshua Aden has taken the acrylic medium and turned it into something with which to express the stuff of his personal nightmares. And yet, as his most recent portrait of Captain Cruella in sugar skull getup will indicate, he is also more than capable of branching out beyond the gruesome and grotesque. It was that portrait that recently brought him to my attention, and I was honored that this promising young painter would consent to discuss his work and inspiration with me...

Tell me a little about how you got interested in art in the first place.
I believe that I was born into it. My father was a brilliant artist who completely wasted away his talent to alcoholism. Damn shame. If I learned anything at all, it was to never let it go to waste.

Who are some of your influences?
Ninety percent of all my influence comes from film. Masters like Tom Savini, Greg Nicotero and Rick Baker. Seeing what these people can accomplish on screen always makes me push myself to new levels in art. I still keep my fingers crossed that I can break into special effects one day.

Why this subject matter?
People always say "do what you love" and that’s what I'm doing. I love this genre! I live and breathe horror.

What attracts you to it?
I grew up to horror-loving parents, and never had those barriers that most kids had. Most kids had He-Man and Thundercats. I had C.H.U.D., Aliens and Phantasm. My parents never had a “rating” system, and for that, I thank them.

A lot of your work is specifically zombie related. Why is that?
Some of the first drawings/paintings I had ever done as a child were of nightmares of mine that were brought on by staying up way too late watching Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead. Rather than terrifying me, I was enthralled by it.

What is it about zombies?
It’s just a hell of a lot of fun. Best I can imagine is that zombie movies in general immerse you into a role of kill or be killed, fight to survive or become one of the horde. Have to ask, what type are you? Something’s very appealing about both sides, ultimately who wants to be the last man on earth? Personally, I’d rather eat the flesh of the living.

What work are you the most proud of?
Without a doubt, the portrait of George A. Romero. The man himself called me a Rembrandt, and that he admires my work. I still have a smile on my face to this day from his unbelievably kind words. That painting has found a great home, but that will continue to be the highlight of my painting career.

How has the reaction of the public generally been to your work?
It has been overwhelmingly positive. The general concensus is that most would love to display one of my paintings right in the middle of their living room. However, they are afraid of offending friends, family, or children. It's not for everyone, that's for sure. Just the really awesome ones!

What do you find to be the most effective ways to promote what you do?
So far, social networking has yielded some success. My girlfriend, Jenn, handles most of the promoting, using Etsy, Twitter, Facebook and whatever other sites she feels appropriate. But I never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth.

How has it been trying to make a living of it?
Difficult, to say the least. But I must say, every time a painting sells, it revives me and it assures me that there's still someone out there that understands, and that we still have people that love this stuff as much as I do.

What's the secret to success in that department?
I assume it will be hard work and persistence. You have to show your clients that you are 100% passionate about every aspect of what you do and let it show in every brush stroke.

Tell me about the Captain Cruella portrait you recently did.
One hell of a fun project! Unbelievable support was given to me from everyone. I cant begin to express how much it means to me. You couldn’t ask for better subject matter.

Why did you choose her, and why that photo?
I have always been very attracted to the "day of the dead" imagery. I came across the image on Facebook, and was immediately blown away by the brilliant use of color, the "out of focus" nature of the flowers and most of all, Cruella is simply stunning in the makeup. It was a nice change of pace from the gore and zombies to do something beautiful.

What does the future hold for you?
Time will tell. I hope to hone my craft as much as humanly possible. My ultimate goal is to continue to do what I love, do awesome work and make people happy through the joy of gore!

Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/ReverendMacabre
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Akrylic-Macabre/204613729551052
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/AkrylicMacabre

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VAULT VLOG: Zombelina & Skeleton Jack at the Monster Truck Rally of DOOM

Never let it be said that my progeny are not exposed to the finest in culture--popular culture, that is. And this time, they were treated to an epic monster truck battle which left them flabbergasted, awestruck, and most importantly, ready to vlog. Why vlog, you ask? Well, because these were monster trucks of course, and that certainly makes the whole experience most relevant to The Vault of Horror, wouldn't you say? (Just go with it, trust me.)

And so, without further ado, I give you the return of Zombelina and Skeleton Jack, recounting their experience earlier this month at the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam in Bridgeport, CT...

BEHOLD THE GRAVEDIGGER! (the miniature foam version, anyway...)

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