tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53238114071127170722024-03-12T23:41:06.331-07:00Scare FactorFor Lovers of Horror—Big or SmallAuthorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-33248248806428048752017-09-21T20:29:00.000-07:002017-09-21T20:47:59.313-07:00‘PAPERBACKS FROM HELL’ BY GRADY HENDRIX<br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">I knew if I ventured into Grady Hendrix’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PAPERBACKS FROM HELL </b>(2017, Quirk
Books) two things would eventually happen: I would end up loving it to pieces,
and then, once the list made up, I would try to get a hold of as many of the schlocky
novels discussed in this nonfiction event of the season. I swear, if you’re
over 40 and yearn to reconnect with much loved titles from yesteryear or are
simply a vintage horror paperback collector you need to get this book ASAP. You’ll
definitely thank me later.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The premise is rather ingenious. The author has
gathered tons of scarcely known paperback covers for your eyes to linger on before,
during and after the horror boom of the early ‘80s. Each chapter is dedicated
to a specific era with images of the novels in question and plot summaries,
author profiles and publishers info. Grady Hendrix is indeed an encyclopedia of
knowledge as he examines with a fine tooth comb every little known gems in
existence including the ones that were popular at the time but now seem to have
been completely forgotten, like Ken Eulo’s THE BROWNSTONES trilogy or the
erotic paperbacks of Russ Martin. Every page is a delightful homage to sub-themes
(demonic possession, ghostly intrusion, homicidal crabs or vegetation…) that
ultimately become a feast to the eyes and mind.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Moreover, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PAPERBACKS
FROM HELL</b> is complete with an Afterword by none other than Mr. Knowledge himself,
Will Errickson. Those of you who have been following his amazing blog <a href="http://toomuchhorrorfiction.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Too Much Horror Fiction</a> will recognized many titles that he’s come to love or shun over
the years. Like his dedicated entries he gives you a clear line as to what is really
worth your time, because, truth be told, some of those featured titles are far
from being compelling. One thing’s for sure, however, all have their devoted
fans—not to mention fetching covers, mostly created by unsung artists who are graciously
spotlighted by Hendrix. So impressed am I with the overall result of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PAPERBACKS FROM HELL</b> that I will move
on from owning a digital ARC (thanks to the publishers and NetGalley) to purchasing
a paperback copy just so I can truly savor the merits of this wonderful coffee
table of a book. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Until next post—Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-63464449816541223702017-06-13T20:18:00.001-07:002017-06-13T20:20:30.913-07:00‘JUST ADD WATER’ BY HUNTER SHEA<br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Like many of you, I came across author Hunter Shea
while surfing the many titles on Amazon. I had just gotten myself an e-reader
and I couldn’t wait to use it. One of Shea’s novels was a freebie, so I did
what any healthy horror geek would: I clicked on the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Buy now with 1-Click</i> button and took it from there. Suffice to say
that I had a ball reading this thing. It reminded me of Laymon and you know how
I feel about him: any friend of Laymon is a friend of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When I realized that the latest Shea was available on
NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, well, I just couldn’t pass it
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So here I am about to discuss <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">JUST ADD WATER</b> and the only thing that comes
to mind is this: add more pages to it. Indeed, I would have preferred another
100 pages or so, just enough to make it all seem less rushed. Of course, this
reads like a vintage paperback horror novel from the ‘80s. You know the kind,
those that focus on action sequences and little else. Still, a tad more emphasis
on characterization would have been just great. Don’t get me wrong now, I did
enjoy this novelette (the fun starts pretty early and never lets up). No, the
problem I had is that, at times, I could barely decipher one character from the
next—especially when it involved the main ones whom I kept mixing up despite a
clear line in the narrative. </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The plot involves two pre-teen boys and their
Frankenstein-made little sea monsters that keep growing and growing to the
point of scaring the bejesus out of an entire town. It’s up to their creators
to put a stop to them and their ravenous streak before it becomes too late—or is
it too late already?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">JUST ADD WATER</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> is fun, silly, gory, but most importantly a must if
you’re into B-grade-like efforts. It is the perfect antidote for all those
ambitious horror books considered mandatory by the well-read crowd. OPTICAL
DELUSION is the next installment and comes out in August. Can’t wait.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Until next post—Martin </span></div>
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Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-14708404748180917192017-05-29T22:47:00.002-07:002017-05-29T23:16:42.235-07:00‘FESTIVAL’ BY AARON J. FRENCH<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTFD_fFgcAv7o4xxDadszpNlYgScAi_v_9rjEPJsugl4ZRww1m-2w6hoHiGHgWGaYUf5lRaMa-6c3wQEryWsUKt34IhqkWQseccdWst401-WlVzNwn1fgKU_YTcvPc-NoRiro94p4StM/s1600/34851981+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="294" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTFD_fFgcAv7o4xxDadszpNlYgScAi_v_9rjEPJsugl4ZRww1m-2w6hoHiGHgWGaYUf5lRaMa-6c3wQEryWsUKt34IhqkWQseccdWst401-WlVzNwn1fgKU_YTcvPc-NoRiro94p4StM/s400/34851981+%25282%2529.jpg" width="247" /></a><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When I agreed to review this title for Unnerving I obviously
had no idea what I was getting myself into. Here I was thinking that this read
was going to be a Jack Ketchum-like tale with lots of violence and gore in
between straight-shooting narrative when in reality it was far from that. Well,
not exactly. The novelette does have its gruesome moments, especially towards
the end, but this well-written piece about a young couple who unknowingly enters
the realm of a primitive rite when they decide to stay at a hot springs resort
is more R-rated than NC17. </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mind you, some sexually-charged sequences can easily
attract some interest, especially those involving female on female action, but
the overall feeling I got from reading <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">FESTIVAL</b>
is that gratuitous scenes like this one doesn’t make more involving a novel. Before
some of you guys get miffed, let me reiterate that this effort was FAR from
being what I expected. So if anyone has to go down it must be little <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">moi</i> for maintaining a less than
impressed state of mind. Because, to be frank with you, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">FESTIVAL</b> is still highly readable with its well-drawn main characters
and interestingly-enough plot. Author Aaron J. French tries his best to deliver
the goods and even succeeds at times. His build-up takes a little while but
once out there the blood sure does flow, and that despite some misogynistic approach
(all the women in this story are evil) that may end up rubbing some people the
wrong way. </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I wish I could have enjoyed more <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">FESTIVAL</b>. But you know the old saying: what I dislike about a book
may turn out to be just what the doctor ordered for somebody else. So who
knows, maybe you’ll dig the heck out of this title. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You can order <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">FESTIVAL
</b>at the Unnerving Magazine <a href="http://www.unnervingmagazine.com/product-page/festival-by-aaron-j-french-digital" target="_blank">website</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Until next post—Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-32606908959632773432017-05-07T13:40:00.000-07:002017-05-07T14:30:54.306-07:00‘ARARAT’ BY CHRISTOPHER GOLDEN<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWWMgMBkbXGYRzk4MFFzHULGKiMaRpVRyaFGx2OiiX1KHvtuFQIpSAiii0gbi63h07hMG1QC6MyTMYis9hwpj1sYtjIgZjYSBA1BLPCeBV2BK7GU2mvN6qJ10UxCaHkOWRZQuzbdqGLU/s1600/513ehP9l4VL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWWMgMBkbXGYRzk4MFFzHULGKiMaRpVRyaFGx2OiiX1KHvtuFQIpSAiii0gbi63h07hMG1QC6MyTMYis9hwpj1sYtjIgZjYSBA1BLPCeBV2BK7GU2mvN6qJ10UxCaHkOWRZQuzbdqGLU/s400/513ehP9l4VL.jpg" width="261" /></a><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I went into <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ARARAT
</b>(Headline) knowing full well that the tale was going to rock. I just had a
hunch. That the author is an established one definitely helped but the topic is
what really drew me in. How could not it be when eventually it’s all about a
bunch of doomed individuals stuck in a haunted cave inside Mount Ararat while a
blizzard rages? Mind you, I always had a thing for evil spirits roaming dark
places but when the entity is an unearthed malevolent force that can infiltrate
anyone of these survivors I’m more than sold. I’m salivating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At about 300 pages, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ARARAT </b>takes its time before getting to the violence and gore. But once
reached (in the last third or so) the reader is left with jaw-dropping moments
and an adrenaline stance to still keep turning the pages. The novel, however,
is blessed with more than just action sequences. There are real people in this,
not just cardboard copies of what they’re supposed to be. All thanks to Golden’s
savoir-faire which makes them come alive with their flawed attributes and
introspective ways (a conflict of spiritual beliefs, for example). Yes, some
are better developed than others but as a whole most leave you feeling like you
know them quite a bit. So when evil surfaces, and believe me it does in a big
way, these characters are more than just a body count. I literarily was rooting
for any of them to make it in the end. And the plot is very well-handled. I
never felt like the story dragged on. In fact, I could even have welcomed a few
more chapters just so I could take a longer breather in between killings.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Suffice to say, I highly recommend <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ARARAT</b>,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>especially to anyone who<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>loves<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>adventure mixed with horror. Though, to
me, it feels more like the other way around. No other adventure novel has ever
left me looking over my shoulder like <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ARARAT</b>
did. I still get goosebumps just thinking about it. I’m sure others will feel
the same way once they start reading.</span></div>
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<span class="readable"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thanks
to the publisher and </span></i></span><span class="readable"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">NetGalley<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> for
the chance to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.</i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Until next post—Martin </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcT8vhUjrZMotY2i2zji-YuDmOKXV9MknAI_UrK6f0VYOoAMpyhyAqUjtY6NSKpWpmZnS1QkkqUj1gljTDKQDhb7AIBbmokOStqtDJ7Ozu91jH6aLEHg2mXr2K-rs9cdOSmSnGOpcT6E/s1600/51d2c7Ew2PL.SX316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcT8vhUjrZMotY2i2zji-YuDmOKXV9MknAI_UrK6f0VYOoAMpyhyAqUjtY6NSKpWpmZnS1QkkqUj1gljTDKQDhb7AIBbmokOStqtDJ7Ozu91jH6aLEHg2mXr2K-rs9cdOSmSnGOpcT6E/s200/51d2c7Ew2PL.SX316.jpg" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">US edition</td></tr>
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Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-55443140039877852422013-08-14T20:48:00.000-07:002013-08-14T21:04:59.499-07:00‘80s TREAT: PROM NIGHT, HOSPITAL MASSACRE, SCHIZOID, THE GODSEND… + AUTHORS DOUGLAS CLEGG & BRYAN SMITH<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0OU9ysv-L3kOlE7rEGSNDDGBfGU4-U-ikXSzs1prqTklLRoKrDbC_eA6IW5iMRcvW6r_6ADePqjMGhMo5kmKmCKwuz5fXxtRmAqLi-lRDP4LsjE48DpaBw-9mX0JuIhoAHie7viEQPQ/s1600/prom+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ksa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0OU9ysv-L3kOlE7rEGSNDDGBfGU4-U-ikXSzs1prqTklLRoKrDbC_eA6IW5iMRcvW6r_6ADePqjMGhMo5kmKmCKwuz5fXxtRmAqLi-lRDP4LsjE48DpaBw-9mX0JuIhoAHie7viEQPQ/s320/prom+night.jpg" width="209" /></a>As if delivering CURTAINS (1983) on Blu-ray and DVD isn’t big enough news, now it seems that Synapse Films has also gotten the rights to 1980 PROM NIGHT. Yes, kiddies, the Jaime Lee Curtis classic about disco dancing and the madman who invades a prom will get the same DVD/Blu-ray treatment. No words as to when it’ll see the light of day or what sort of extra features the discs will hold, but you can count on Scare Factor to let you know the minute we hear of anything.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVE1VaIp39ruhb_ygRj4SexFBNj_HMzRNDsHPwGYyKn0jWEsI0KZ0aXM32fBIPehccTKhsmZnFL_S_jwg1z-iwBA0iSJ9dWfhLI3dK-xXT8Pt4tMGTzf2jsrRfTmgpWDJpxm9J7JQTLJM/s1600/Schizioid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ksa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVE1VaIp39ruhb_ygRj4SexFBNj_HMzRNDsHPwGYyKn0jWEsI0KZ0aXM32fBIPehccTKhsmZnFL_S_jwg1z-iwBA0iSJ9dWfhLI3dK-xXT8Pt4tMGTzf2jsrRfTmgpWDJpxm9J7JQTLJM/s200/Schizioid.jpg" width="158" /></a>August 20th 2013 is the sreet date for the release of the double bill 1982 HOSPITAL MASSACRE (aka X-RAY) and SCHIZOID (1981). Both films have never been digitally re-mastered and will be part of a Blu-ray/DVD combo by Scream Factory. HOSPITAL MASSACRE, starring former Playboy bunny Barbi Benton is a well-made slasher whose major flaw is being poorly lit. I’m sure Scream Factory has carefully remedied the situation. As for SCHIZOID, starring the legendary Klaus Kinski and JAWS 2 Donna Wilkes, Scare Factor has yet to see it and is looking forward to it since it has been on its must-see list for years and years.</div>
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On the same day, Scream Factory is also releasing ALL NIGHT HORROR MARATHON, four long lost horror treasures on DVD, starting with THE GODSEND, the 1980 killer toddler from the UK. Scare Factor has enjoyed the Bernard Taylor novel from which it is adapted and is eager to see the film. 1987 THE OUTING centers around teens and an escaped genie from a lamp. Saw this one back in the day and remember nothing of it. It’ll be interesting to see it again. The third flick is 1987 THE VAGRANT starring Bill Paxton of MORTUARY (1983) fame. Supposed to be a horror/comedy about (what else) a vagrant invasion in Baxton’s newly acquired home. Not too inspiring but we’ll see… And lastly, 1971 SCHIZOID, focusing on a woman killer and her dream sequences. No idea as to where on earth that one comes from, but we will definitely check it out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTvVu-7K_dcfuzikpmG5MBFAuHjWbMEUhCReJ1yBKiwh_PB9QUCr_r4v4eXLlUXtoVT8BydU6h-T3hWsUdFE8cUJh88w7C8k-pFfme4H-JrIsrM3-NfAFnhL5o11LlxdB9W1iS0GsxC8/s1600/children%2527s+hour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ksa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTvVu-7K_dcfuzikpmG5MBFAuHjWbMEUhCReJ1yBKiwh_PB9QUCr_r4v4eXLlUXtoVT8BydU6h-T3hWsUdFE8cUJh88w7C8k-pFfme4H-JrIsrM3-NfAFnhL5o11LlxdB9W1iS0GsxC8/s1600/children%2527s+hour.jpg" /></a>Douglas Clegg’s vampire tale THE CHILDREN’S HOUR is now available in e-book form at the low price of 99 cents for a limited time. I, like many horror buffs, had the pleasure of reading this novel in the mid-nineties when the Dell Abyss paperback line was trying to stay afloat. The horror genre was on its last legs and strong authors like Clegg, here, kept it alive despite the plague, and with good reasons. CHILDREN’S HOUR is a fun and scary, not to mention narratively impressive, read. If you have yet to venture into the author’s work, this title is certainly a fine place to start.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw98wXx0-8hXgrhKNDSPtN6q1eWRlsV1PLw9-x1AAR0x5GV9BTjSI2lm29yFmM2rQixHmXG-qKcms0MOoFE6S2bxIEm2ukHQ_-hBwHI4qifHxQ_vG0NwsvAU6MlESxP9p6DFzSOIWlYIQ/s1600/68kill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ksa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw98wXx0-8hXgrhKNDSPtN6q1eWRlsV1PLw9-x1AAR0x5GV9BTjSI2lm29yFmM2rQixHmXG-qKcms0MOoFE6S2bxIEm2ukHQ_-hBwHI4qifHxQ_vG0NwsvAU6MlESxP9p6DFzSOIWlYIQ/s320/68kill.jpg" width="203" /></a>One of my fave novels is Bryan Smith’s DEPRAVED. Reading it is like watching a super great grade-B movie you just can’t live without; sort of like FRIDAY THE 13th but with 10 times the shock value. Well, it looks like Mr. Smith is at it again with 68 KILL, his latest from Bitter Ale Press. The plot, about stolen cash and the people you thought you knew but don’t, is supposedly one heck of a ride. SCARE FACTOR is on it of course —just as it is on the lookout for Smith’s forthcoming offering GO KILL CRAZY, out February 4th 2014 from Samhain Publishing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkV0XbbX5ntyQP_TKpH1OZ9ArPy1FP2g5FFIVUOKnBDS_SHZtSIZx1TsVAXjeZQnriOVbo2kIWEHLUu07N4VBst3BP_5G1ywymae_KUgReJTd08TSLr-D34NxwUAkdJT-YsLtsIo3Mlg/s1600/allnight2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" height="200" ksa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkV0XbbX5ntyQP_TKpH1OZ9ArPy1FP2g5FFIVUOKnBDS_SHZtSIZx1TsVAXjeZQnriOVbo2kIWEHLUu07N4VBst3BP_5G1ywymae_KUgReJTd08TSLr-D34NxwUAkdJT-YsLtsIo3Mlg/s200/allnight2.jpg" width="141" /></strong></a>UPDATE: Scream Factory’s ALL NIGHT HORROR MARATHON featuring 1980 THE GODSEND and three other horror titles from yesteryear is postponed to early October 2013. Seems that one of the four films, 1971 SCHIZOID, (not to be confused with the Klaus Kinski slasher) is pulled from the lineup (a copyright thing?). It is officially replaced by WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH HELEN, the 1971 Grand Guignol-style horror fare featuring veteran leading ladies Shelley Winters and Debbie Reynolds.</div>
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Until next post--Martin</div>
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Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-39010751915599714332013-07-20T00:16:00.000-07:002013-07-20T00:16:15.675-07:00TAKE A BOW, 1983 “CURTAINS”<br />
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Listen up slasher fans. CURTAINS, the much underrated cult classic of six wannabe actresses being stalked by a masked killer during a wintry stay at an isolated mansion will finally have a proper digital release. Indeed, <a href="http://synapse-films.com/" target="_blank">Synapse Films</a> has obtained the rights to this gem and is on the planning stage of putting it all together—as part of a Blu-ray/DVD combo, we are told. I, like many of you, purchased the rough-looking VHS transfer to DVD from <a href="https://www.echobridgeentertainment.com/dvd/The_Midnight_Horror_Collection_Bloody_Slashers_96979" target="_blank">Echo Bridge</a> a few years back. Though a big disappointment overall, it did satisfy one’s needs of owning this title. But now that Synapse has taken over… well, it just makes me want to stomp on my disc and say so long, sucker.</div>
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<em><span style="background-color: #f9cb9c;">Today is the kind of day I both loath and love about this business. We have, in our hands, the only existing vault materials for a horror film that many love and have wanted for years to be done right on home video. I'm assigned to the task. The excitement is overwhelming just to SEE the film and find out what is in the cans. The "loath" part is usually the bad news where we find out it was improperly stored, torn, shredded, faded or whatever... But, we'll find out. Synapse will MAKE THIS WORK! 2K scan work commence!</span></em></div>
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So so cool. Let’s hope a ton of extra features follow as well.<br />
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I first got a hold of CURTAINS in the late ‘80s when VHSs ruled the world. I remembered thinking, while popping the tape into my player, how ecstatic it would be to dig this film. I had been the victim of so much horror turkeys in my days that I was afraid of discovering yet another one. Not so, as it turns out. CURTAINS is fun, scary and most importantly, low-budget. And you all know how I feel about that last part. There’s nothing like a well-made inexpensive slick-looking horror film to satisfy my every needs.</div>
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OK, now that everything’s said and done on my part, there’s only one thing left to do: cross our fingers in the hopes that everything goes on as planned with this release. Because we all know how easily one can be fooled by a distributor’s announcement. Isn’t so, <a href="http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/coderedbbnm/" target="_blank">Code Red</a>?</div>
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Until next post—Martin</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"></span>Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-7563433338876479582013-04-02T20:53:00.000-07:002013-04-05T09:20:32.196-07:00SCOTT NICHOLSON AND HIS “AFTER: THE ECHO”<span lang="EN"><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
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Yes, dear friends, I finally got myself an e-reader. It has been a long time coming, but I finally succumbed to it about two weeks ago. Why now? Simple: I just couldn’t go on without reading the work of some of my fave authors, like this spotlighted <a href="http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/" target="_blank">fellow</a> who’s been at it for quite some time now. Ever since I entered his world via his first mainstream published work, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219766.The_Red_Church" target="_blank">THE RED CHURCH</a> (from Pinnacle), I’ve been following his career. Six mass market paperbacks later, a big twist occurs: the guy changes gears by self-publishing. A bold move, but one that ultimately pays off. However, for the old school readers like myself this does not sit well. Gone are the affordable soft-covers with his name on them. Now it’s the e-book way or no way. Not really, but the only other avenue is the trade paperback editions, and those cost more. Hence my newly purchased e-reader which finally enables me to enjoy his many books at a cheaper price.</div>
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AFTER: THE ECHO is his latest self-published baby (available wherever e-books are sold). It is the continuing story of survivors amid a massive solar disruption that turns most people into killing machines. They are called Zapheads, and with good reasons: they act as though any common sense had been totally wiped out of their minds. Although in this second installment, Nicholson implies that all is not what it seems. Are they really the enemy? Or are they just a new and improved bunch out to surpass what is left of the human civilization? Only the author knows, but since part three will only be available next fall (but rejoice, a prequel will be up and about this spring) one can’t help but speculate.</div>
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In the meantime, I hope this teaser makes you want to get involved, for it is a worthy read. Once again, the author succeeds in enticing you with his well-defined characters and plot, making AFTER: THE ECHO a finely-tuned yarn despite its short stance (about 160 pages on my e-reader). And if you’re a <a href="https://twitter.com/eScottNicholson" target="_blank">Nicholson</a> fan you already know that there’ll be a recurrent religion theme of good against evil, though the author clearly holds back in this one. But it’s interesting to note that the involvement factor is just as strong whether you agree with his views or not. Just as long as the tale leaves you feeling satiated, and judging by this Scott Nicholson’s latest, it probably will. So go on, indulge, and see what the fuss is all about.</div>
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<br />Until next post—<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Martin</span><br /><br /> </span>
Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-72668290666205300812013-02-05T20:29:00.000-08:002013-02-11T00:09:21.956-08:00TAMARA THORNE’S “HAUNTED”<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">G</span>od knows how many novels about ghosts have been written in the past century alone. Enough to last an eternity I bet. Fool of me to even try to enumerate some of them. You all have a favorite. Mine this time around is HAUNTED by <a href="http://www.tamarathorne.com/" target="_blank">Tamara Thorne</a>, out now from <a href="http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/20981" target="_blank">Kensington</a> (pic below). The plot, no need to elaborate too much really. We’ve all seen it before. But contrary to many sub-par offerings, this one works. Why? Simple enough: Thorne gives a new twist to an old genre. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A</span> cross between Shirley Jackson’s THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE and FIFTY SHADES OF GREY by E. L. James, HAUNTED titillates with its offbeat horror, humor and sexual approach. Forget about things that bump solely into the night. In this novel the specter goes at it whenever it pleases her; whether directly for the jugular or for the crotch; but mostly the crotch. Because she’s a horny little thing, you see, and can’t get enough of our male protagonist, a best-selling horror writer who wants to test the doings of this supposedly haunted Victorian Mansion. Along with his wise-cracking teen daughter and his opportunistic lady realtor, not to mention his cool ex-wife whom he still has the hots for, they will experience what we call paranormal activities. And not any kind of activities, mind you, but those that leave heavy traces on the body <i>and</i> psyche.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">L</span>et it be said that I scarcely got the heebie-jeebies while reading this fine novel (I don’t scare easily), but I did get caught up in the whole thing. Thorne’s plot of let’s get rid of the mean old ghost who keeps lost souls in vintage dolls, works on every level (horror, humor and sex, remember?). You don’t have to hold onto one theme for a novel to shine, as long as your sense of savoir faire is as keen as Tamara Thorne’s in HAUNTED. She brings it all to a slang bang conclusion that may even make you go <i>awww</i> once the dust settles. Not me, however. I’m a guy. I don’t have any feelings.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I</span> have kissed a lot of frogs disguised as horror novels in my lifetime but Tamara’s HAUNTED is not one of them. It delivers what it sets out to do, give its readers a great old time, and to me that’s more than enough. So who cares if it’s not on the same level as THE SHINING or GHOST STORY? Just as long as the author does her thing in bringing back the dead. So here’s to you Tamara Thorne. Looking forward to review many other titles with your name on it.</div>
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</span>Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-91830675043070531482013-01-20T14:28:00.000-08:002013-01-20T14:28:10.355-08:00RICK HAUTALA’S “INDIAN SUMMER”<span style="font-size: medium;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I</span> was way into <a href="http://www.rickhautala.com/" target="_blank">Rick Hautala</a>’s latest effort INDIAN SUMMER, now out from <a href="http://www.cemeterydance.com/page/CDP/PROD/hautala06" target="_blank">Cemetery Dance Publications</a>, before realizing that it was a prequel of sort to his popular <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AGXSAIK/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=1278548962&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0821740202&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=19FJV7EX8HTVQ9PHS6E6" target="_blank">LITTLE BROTHERS</a>. Now, of all the Hautala’s books, LITTLE BROTHERS is the one that has always managed to escape me. Why? Not a single clue to tell you the truth, since I make sure to read everything this author puts out. Ask me anything about his work and I’ll probably surprise you. That’s how much I know about this fellow from Maine. So imagine my luck when I got my hands on his novella INDIAN SUMMER. It was my first horror piece of the year and, frankly, this couldn’t get any cooler. And did Hautala deliver again? You freaking bet he did.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">T</span>he story revolves around this Billy the kid who at twelve in the fall of 1961 just wants to have fun—until he discovers the reality of life in the form of little creatures with sharp claws. Yes, INDIAN SUMMER is one of those coming of age tale that pack a punch, and believe me, you’ll need all the hold you can get once these famished buggers are unleashed. Like in any Hautala story, the action sequences are built up by a good character development, which in this case is mostly about Billy. A likable lad, he’s as normal a pre-teen can ever be (likes superheroes; hates his older brother). But it’s his chance meeting with a troubled lady that’ll seal the deal on his fate. Indeed, it’s because of her that Billy will go through his real-life nightmare, one that will leave no stones unturned. Loaded with effective scenes and heartfelt moments, not to mention stunning illustrations (including the dust jacket) by renowned artist Glenn Chadbourne, Hautala works his magic again to create one heck of a fine read. He goes deeper than meets the eye and the effort is greatly rewarded. Don’t be surprised if you come of this with a feeling of dread <i>and</i> lost, for that’s how engaging INDIAN SUMMER turns out to be. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">W</span>hat a thrill it is to have yet to venture into LITTLE BROTHERS after all. It’ll give me another good reason to quench my thirst for more of these scary little beasts I find mostly attractive. I’m sure the author will again delve into their wicked ways one of these days. At least, we hope he does.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I</span>n the meantime, pick up INDIAN SUMMER and discover how much fun it is to be in their company—writer, artist and creatures alike.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">U</span>ntil next post—<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Martin</span><br />
</span>Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-57102368337912911172012-10-30T21:45:00.001-07:002017-05-05T15:44:18.897-07:00THE ORIGINAL “CARNIVAL OF SOULS”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was introduced to <strong>CARNIVAL OF SOULS</strong> (1962) some twenty years ago by a buddy of mine. I had never heard of the film before, and since it has always been my friend’s favorite film he was more than happy to lend me his </span><a href="http://serialkillercalendar.com/VHSWASTELAND/HIGH-RES-VHS-COVERS/CARNIVAL-OF-SOULS.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">VHS</span></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> copy. All I can say after sitting through this tale of afterlife and the ghouls that chase us is that I totally get why he loved it so. Fast forward to 2012 where I get the chance to see it all over again. And is it as worthy? Two words to that: Like Duh.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDCompare5/carnivalofsouls/candace.JPG" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Candace Hilligoss</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is an organ player who, after cheating death, starts seeing dead people. They’re everywhere she goes: in the reflection of her car window, at her rooming house; at the carnival… Moreover, as if in a trance, she suddenly becomes invisible to her entourage, but only for a short period of time. Enough to become even more scared and confused. All of this is told from her point of view, with some </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E63Za3sw2PM" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">organ music</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and shadowy corners to spare, and it works aplenty. Yes, the script and the performance may not always be up to par but the overall effect is quite stifling, if not chilling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Director </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herk_Harvey" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Herk Harvey</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> works well with a meager budget and even manages to gloss everything up. Indeed, every frame looks fine and dandy. Impressive even comes to mind. Of course, the film has a few flaws, like being monotonous once in awhile. But those are few and far between. And, to tell you the truth, all is saved by the big revelation near the end. A big cliffhanger that makes you go over the film again either in your head or at the click of a DVD button.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, <strong>CARNIVAL OF SOULS</strong> deserves proudly his classic status. It is cult horror at its best. Probably, because most viewers will find it fun and exciting. Now, I’ve heard little about the </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPEJI1a4ec8" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">colorized version</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Is it worth it? I probably guess so, since it’s presented in all its glory. But to tell you the truth, I much rather remember this film as it is. Clearly one of the best low-budget quickie to ever grace our screens.</span></div>
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</span><br />Until next post—Martin</span>
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Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-27626060371459035112012-08-26T23:49:00.000-07:002019-06-15T03:45:36.499-07:00MORTUARY (1983)<span lang="EN"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMe2sm4hzFgIv6Jco7L7toY4Pmk3qC57GzkeNNu3R3o1fTvE87Hke5prSiC-3IuC2-KCsczcVEl6Ra_M2HTyYBPQyDJkDkBgypyt3XnzI_Hx8O-joQd7K4WywaCx0wdV_gLQNghNY6JRs/s1600/mortuarycover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMe2sm4hzFgIv6Jco7L7toY4Pmk3qC57GzkeNNu3R3o1fTvE87Hke5prSiC-3IuC2-KCsczcVEl6Ra_M2HTyYBPQyDJkDkBgypyt3XnzI_Hx8O-joQd7K4WywaCx0wdV_gLQNghNY6JRs/s320/mortuarycover.jpg" width="227" yda="true" /></a><br /><span lang="EN"></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">I</span> admit, the main reason I chose to see this flick was because of <a href="http://www.marymcdonough.com/" target="_blank">Mary McDonough</a>. The ex-<a href="http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/thewaltons" target="_blank">WALTONS</a> star plays Christie, a rather troubled teen who’s convinced her deceased dad have been murdered. Her mom, Linda Day George of <a href="http://www.diabolikdvd.com/photobig/photobig.php?photofile=/imgproduct/03271ccf099b3ff66fb6ec3ad8c07f37.jpg" target="_blank">PIECES</a> fame ("<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgLICoFgb2s" target="_blank">Bastaaard</a>!"), is not that easily persuaded. That is until she meets the grim reaper himself in the form of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Paxton" target="_blank">Bill Paxton</a>. He plays the mortuary son and he’s a little cuckoo if not heavily enamoured with McDonough. When he kidnaps the latter and plans to embalm her so they can be together forever (huh?), it’s up to McDonough’s boyfriend (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Wallace_(actor)" target="_blank">David Wallace</a> from the delectable <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-Pxmat3b1E" target="_blank">HUMONGOUS</a>) to save the day. But does he really?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">T</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">he last time I saw </span><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">MORTUARY</strong><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> was about 25 years ago. It played on late night TV one summer. I taped it, enjoyed it to a certain degree, and forgot about it—until it got resurrected in 2012 on DVD via </span><a href="http://scorpionreleasing.com/katarina/product.php?id=26" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">Scorpion Releasing</a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">. Of course I had to get myself a copy. The film, in a brand new 16X9 HD master from the original InterNegative, comes with an extra featurette focusing on score composer </span><a href="http://www.johncacavas.com/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">John Cacavas</a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">. It isn’t much but I’m willing to take anything regarding long lost treasures such as this one.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaPHkXHgrthRb3QOe2zlimjeMex_huotIyuHfoZlB6Lo0bgu66ckN6_Wh_5sI1IesdCZKbMsLBwnXA5Z7R203XP9nOjA6pA7u6MgAfW-6v_LnnQwmvR8fIt_TdYgd-6k7IjJBLO43qUk/s1600/mortuary2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaPHkXHgrthRb3QOe2zlimjeMex_huotIyuHfoZlB6Lo0bgu66ckN6_Wh_5sI1IesdCZKbMsLBwnXA5Z7R203XP9nOjA6pA7u6MgAfW-6v_LnnQwmvR8fIt_TdYgd-6k7IjJBLO43qUk/s1600/mortuary2.jpg" yda="true" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">As much as I dig MORTUARY, t</span>he film is far from being perfect, starting with the misleading but effective movie trailer which focuses on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Berryman" target="_blank">Michael Berryman</a> (one of the baddies in the original <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTKfD6KA1x8" target="_blank">THE HILLS HAVE EYES</a>) digging a grave. Trouble is, his involvement with the project stops right there. Yes, boys and girls, his presence is nowhere to be found in the feature. What we get instead is a lot of McDonough stalking and nothing of roaring creatures living underneath the cemetery ground. Would <strong>MORTUARY</strong> have been better had it been a creature feature flick? Perhaps. But you still have to give the film credits for delivering the goods in a Z-grade way. My favorite over the top moment has got to be when just-been-stalked-in-her-home Christie goes from hysterical to happy in a blink of an eye. She even toasts with her mom to their new-found relationship. I guess cheating death doesn’t hold a candle to the love a mother and daughter share.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">M</span>oreover, the whole hidden identity of the white paint faced killer is totally ludicrous. Mr. Paxton doesn’t fool us one bit. Even though the director tries hard to hide the star’s identity with mostly long shot scenes of him in action, it doesn’t take Einstein to figure Paxton out. And when we do, all we have left is to laugh at <i>and</i> with the film. Because, truth be told, it is a joy to follow those onscreen kids around during the early ‘80s when roller skating and pulling pranks ruled. Of course, female nudity is required—but not too much! Just as long as it involves a body double, as star McDonough can surely <a href="http://www.hysteria-lives.co.uk/hysterialives/Hysteria/loose_talk_loses_lives_28.htm" target="_blank">attest</a> using. And all in all, if "taken with a grain of salt" is what best describes this low-budget flick, then more power to it I say. For it has only one purpose: to hold our interest till the very end, and that’s what <strong>MORTUARY</strong> achieves doing without a doubt.</div>
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Until next post—<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Martin</span><br />
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<br />Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-28955702090403461802012-08-07T21:14:00.003-07:002012-11-02T10:45:18.831-07:00“HORROR HIGH”, AKA “TWISTED BRAIN”<span lang="EN"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">C</span>heeky horror films of the ‘70s are most fun to watch when they don’t take themselves too seriously. Take <strong>HORROR HIGH</strong> (1974) for example. Child star now grown up <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0136424/" target="_blank">Pat Cardi</a> plays Vernon, a high-school misfit who, forced to swallow some chemical concoction by a pissed janitor (something to do about his lost cat found dead in the lab department), becomes <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv1aRO4nnM8" target="_blank">THE INCREDIBLE HULK</a> but without the rippling muscles and the green pigmentation. Indeed, little Vernon is so fed up being the scapegoat that he finally takes the bull by the horns revenge-style. From the doomed janitor to the prissy English teacher, not to mention the dumb jock who’s been bullying him all year long, they all end up regretting having laid a finger on him. And to make matters worse, no one can stop him. Not even the police officer who’s assigned to the case, nor the jock’s girl who’s been eyeing Vernon… He is indestructible and will forever be—or so he thinks.</span><br /><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">H</span>ORROR HIGH</strong> plays like a bad after-school special. Everything in it is borderline lame, from the bland direction to the amateurish performances; but contrary to many films in the genre this one manages to be quite endearing despite its faults. Thanks mostly to its true to form grade-Z agenda that keeps getting wilder as the movie progresses. Filmmaker<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0832823/" target="_blank"> Larry N. Stouffer</a> seems to have vanished after that film (except for a brief return in 2006 as one of the screenwriters for some comedy called <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0310334/" target="_blank">WAITIN' TO LIVE</a>) and it’s truly a shame since he does have the making of another <a href="http://edwoodiscool2.wix.com/edwoodiscool" target="_blank">Edward D. Wood </a>but with a better refinement, if that’s possible. I know, this sounds awfully disrespectful, but believe me it is said with the deepest love. I breathe, sleep and eat in grade-Z poop.<br />
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0270565/" target="_blank">J.D. Felgelson</a>, the screenwriter, is best known for having penned the excellent <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWCt9QKWtLU" target="_blank">DARK NIGHT OF THE SCARECROW</a> (1981) But he also wrote some other clunkers, like the TV movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083772/" target="_blank">CRY FOR THE STRANGERS</a><em> (</em>1982) based on the <a href="http://johnsaul.com/" target="_blank">John Saul</a> novel of the same name, and more recently the shark-infested river of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0V35RtSrOE" target="_blank">RED WATER</a> starring <a href="http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Diamond_Phillips" target="_blank">Lou Diamond Phillips</a>. Surely, this guy is my new best friend. I mean, how can you not love him. He certainly knows a thing or two about cheesy flicks, and anyone who has managed to prosper in these troubling waters for as long as he did deserves my sole devotion. That is, until the next over the top flick from another scriptwriter comes along. In the meanwhile, watch <strong>HORROR HIGH</strong> and see for yourself how much fun it really is to be bad.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">T</span>his DVD review is based solely on the public domain version going around. But since I’ve enjoyed the film so much, I’m seriously thinking of purchasing the <a href="http://www.codereddvd.com/product.php?id=24" target="_blank"> Code Red Special Edition</a> format, the one uncut with tons of extras and the brand new 16X9 (1.85:1) transfer mastered in high definition from original negatives. I’m sure that, just like the flick itself, it’s definitely worth owning.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">U</span>ntil next post—<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Martin</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br />
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<br />Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-89728490028916135292012-07-17T08:58:00.000-07:002012-08-12T08:17:57.937-07:00"BEYOND THE SHROUD" AND RICK HAUTALA<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">B</span>EYOND THE SHROUD</strong> by the legendary <a href="http://www.rickhautala.com/" target="_blank">Rick Hautala</a>—you know, the <em>other</em> Maine prolific author whose scary tales during the ‘80s horror boom and beyond have gathered a faithful following—is definitely worth the time spent. His protagonist is a dead man. Literally. There is no surprise revelation here, since the novel makes you understand the whole situation right from the start. Caught between two worlds, what the author calls the Shadowlands, he meets all kind of strange creatures, one of which is his already deceased daughter (of a skiing accident) who may or may not be who she says she is. At the same time on planet earth mourns his ex-wife (and mother of the deceased child in question) who’s involved herself with a lunatic Brad Pitt type who digs knives. Anyway, to make a long story short, big screen <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_(film)" target="_blank">GHOST</a> this ain’t (trust me), but it sure makes you want to think it is at first glance.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">J</span>ust like the film, Hautala plays with the ethereal and the real world shtick quite convincingly, mixing both in great doze to create a super-charged tale beyond the grave for the quiet horror in you. Because let’s not mince words, <strong>BEYOND THE SHROUD</strong> is scarcely a no holds barred type of a novel that will make you cringe on the edge of your seat. It will make you cringe all right but in a more subtle way, as mood supersedes any action sequences. Scenes of gloomy atmosphere fill the pages, as well as an impressive rich narrative. But what I remember most about this book is the way Hautala narrates his tale sparingly, taking his time to develop characterization and sceneries up to a point where the reader feels as uncomfortable with dread emanating from the words than from the story itself. And to me that is horror.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">M</span>ind you, the plot does tend to verge on predictability, but the overall intake is of pure beauty. I have read a few Hautala titles in my time, and none have disappointed me. Which is a treat, really, when considering the many horror authors one can choose from. My favorite of his still has got to be <a href="http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/h/rick-hautala/winter-wake.htm" target="_blank">WINTER WAKE</a> and I urge any publishers to re-release it as an e-book. It is as perfect as… well… an evil-looking winter wonderland. <strong>BEYOND THE SHROUD</strong> may not reach that same perfection plateau, but it sure deserves the same fate. In an era of blood-drenched narrative, subtlety is more than welcome in horror novels. Well, at least it is in this camp.<br />
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<strong>UPDATE: </strong>Well, it looks like the news just passed me by, for it seems that <a href="http://neconebooks.com/winterwake.htm" target="_blank">WINTER WAKE</a> and a few other titles like <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/13151" target="_blank">LITTLE BROTHERS</a> and <a href="http://www.rickhautala.com/" target="_blank">NIGHTSTONE</a> are already—or soon will be—published in digital form. Go check them out. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">U</span>ntil next post—<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Martin</span><br />
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<br />Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-46305946155948729072012-06-19T21:36:00.002-07:002012-06-19T21:36:50.617-07:00IT'S ALL OWEN WEST'S FAULT<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZH2ae4GanuyEVkivlypelDOSDL94bX5N1APFY5v5NeYj1pdNOjCQP8XBZZWoNS3PxhjtXmDKXgP8PyKsvSiov-au4EzIQ_6r8QIzR4SdYlkkBBZtPNPAgcl72lOKfxgMqfXzRyfRvjk/s1600/funhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZH2ae4GanuyEVkivlypelDOSDL94bX5N1APFY5v5NeYj1pdNOjCQP8XBZZWoNS3PxhjtXmDKXgP8PyKsvSiov-au4EzIQ_6r8QIzR4SdYlkkBBZtPNPAgcl72lOKfxgMqfXzRyfRvjk/s320/funhouse.jpg" width="188" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">I</span><span style="font-size: small;">n the fall of 1980 I hooked up with a guy who would change the course of my life for the better. His name was Owen West. Now, if you think this post is about to take a turn into smutville, think again. Because Owen West is an author who, thanks to his knack for effective writing, awakened my sense of reading in English. Yeah, you’ve read right. If it hadn’t been for him, I may have never stepped as freely into the horror genre, as it was becoming very hip back then with the upswing of both films and print. Indeed, ever since the success of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PuIBNLOeEU" target="_blank">THE OMEN</a> and </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljchb1tsLfs" target="_blank">HALLOWEEN</a><em>,</em> people were into horror like you wouldn’t believe. So, naturally, in came scads of horror paperback originals that included novelization of upcoming films, like 1981 <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFnDIpEKDZ4" target="_blank"><strong>THE FUNHOUSE</strong></a> onto which this Owen West fellow had based his first novel.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A</span>s you can imagine, I was already considered a horror buff back then, having seen as many films as I could, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjZf77O3w8Q" target="_blank">TOURIST TRAP</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKRp1FXQSgc" target="_blank">SILENT SCREAM</a>, the John Carpenter classic, a lot of Hammer flicks… All were part of my yearly big or small screen routine. It took the arrival of super great <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjvhMNDoSUI" target="_blank">FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2</a> a year or so later to really cement my love for the genre, but, yeah, even by that time I was in the zone. So to me, reading horror was the next logical step. Easier said than done, believe me. Let me explain. Being a French Canadian teen with a limited knowledge of the English words made things a little difficult. Moreover, as we didn’t have many horror books in French (or so I thought) and the ones I fancied were all in English, I felt even more stuck as a reader. That is, until I decided to give it a go anyway and pick up an English novel with a cool cover at the five and dime store. The one I chose had lurid eyes that said open if you dare, so I did.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I</span>t did take me a long while to get through this fine and spooky tale of carnival people and the visitors who fell prey to them but I eventually made it through, with an English/French dictionary in tow. Sure, I didn’t understand most of it but I still managed to get an inkling of what the plot and dialogue were about, and to me that was more than enough. Besides, just knowing that I could continue delving into English modern horror fiction was the best sentiment ever. I felt protected. Understood. Being an unpopular kid at the time, this knowledge made me feel less alone, made life a little better.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I</span>t took a year before <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mask-Owen-West/dp/0515056952/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1309754359&sr=8-1" target="_blank">another Owen West novel</a> hit the stand. By that time I was already a real pro with the English tongue. Oh, many other books have followed <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZcDJhPInU0" target="_blank"><strong>THE FUNHOUSE</strong></a>, but never have I been more proud of myself than that faithful day. I’m sure I won’t surprise anyone when I reveal that Owen West is really <a href="http://www.deankoontz.com/the-funhouse/" target="_blank">Dean Koontz</a>. Being prolific, he used many pseudonyms during that period of time. And though I have dipped into Koontz’s world often enough, it is Owen West to whom I must dedicate this blog entry, for without him and his scary words I may never have had the guts to step outside of the French box, and in return would never have started this blog some 30 years later. So thanks a million, Owen. I definitely owe you one.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">U</span>ntil next post—<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Martin</span></div>
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<br /></div>Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-33270315083562015492012-04-30T09:54:00.000-07:002012-04-30T10:05:23.167-07:00Alan Ryan and "THE KILL"<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I</span> don’t know squat about horror author Alan Ryan except for the fact that he recently passed away from pancreatic cancer. Still, this saddens me. Probably because like most of you, I’m very sensitive to people suffering. I mean, yes, I dig horror on screen and in books, but when it comes to real life, I’m a true softie. The other reason this gets to me is probably because I also feel a connection with the author, owning four of his published novels. Whatever the case may be, his untimely death shook me a little and made me want to pick up one of his titles to read right away. I chose his 1982 <strong>THE KILL</strong> from Tor Books. It’s all about the woods, country life, an this evil presence that roams the area. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I</span> was already aware of <strong>THE KILL</strong>, having seen it as a new release way back when. I remember having been attracted by the cover art which reminded me of John Saul’s. Not just by coincidence, I’m sure. My guess is that the publishers were hoping to lure the same wide audience to purchase this book. Wrong move, if you ask me. <strong>THE KILL</strong> is nothing like the work of John Saul, except that both authors have the same clear line attitude when building up a story; Mr. Ryan even more so with his direct approach and unwordy stance.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">T</span>HE KILL</strong> is about a young unmarried couple from New York who decide that the simple life is the way to go. So they pack up their bags and move to a fictitious rural town not far away called Deacons Kill where they hope to settle in permanently and make new friends. Which they do but at a price. You see, something strange is going on at Deacons Kill. People seem to disappear without a trace or just drop dead for no reason at all, and the sheriff, aware of the whole situation, barely lifts a finger to do something about it. That is, until the newly arrived couple gets mixed up in the mess.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">T</span>here is a lot more going on in this novel, like how the couple ended up in Deacon Kills in the first place, and who the heck is responsible for the two brutal killings taking place before the high-energized climax. We get to meet a lot of folks in <strong>THE KILL</strong>, some even from another time. All are relatively well-drawn despite limited characterization. The two main protagonists are the most defined of the bunch. But nearly all have a realistic flair to them which moves the story at a swell pace. The only true downside to <strong>THE KILL</strong> would be the lack of any real gritty action sequences. It takes a while before some blood does start heading our way. You could blame this on the author’s atmospheric handling which works aplenty but sort of runs out of steam before the big finale. Still,<strong> THE KILL</strong> is worth your time, especially if you like your horror quiet. All you need is a little patience and a new way of looking at things. Follow these simple rules and I promise you, you’ll have another new author to root for—despite his unfortunate passing.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">T</span>HE KILL</strong> is now available at <a href="http://neconebooks.com/thekill.htm" target="_blank">Necon E-Books</a>; 330 KB pages; 2.99 US</div>
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<span lang="FR-CA"><span style="font-size: large;">U</span>ntil next post—<span lang="FR-CA"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Martin</span></span></span></div>
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</div>Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-76041752971388037432012-03-21T21:01:00.000-07:002017-05-05T15:55:58.926-07:00NOSFERATU & THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’ve never been a big fan of Dracula movies. I enjoy them like the next guy but to a certain limit. That is until <strong>NOSFERATU</strong> (1921) came my way</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Indeed, this German horror film made me re-think of the whole vampire sub-genre. Finally it isn’t always about sexy bloodsuckers. Sometimes it’s just about ugly creatures with fangs who can turn a whole town upside down just by their sheer presence. Yes, this <strong>NOSFERATU</strong> film has one scary dude to its advantage, but the flick is so much more than that. It’s also about gloomy atmosphere, it’s about impressive camera shots, lyrical pacing, solid story telling (even if it’s a </span><a href="http://www.plagiarismtoday.com/2011/10/17/dracula-vs-nosferatu-a-true-copyright-horror-story/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">stolen piece</span></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> from the Bram Stoker classic, mind you), and no dialogue, because to those unaware of the fact (and there are some, trust me), the film is silent; and in black and white. But these last two details shouldn’t keep you away from seeing <strong>NOSFERATU</strong>, for it is certainly an experience in itself. One that even I, an expert in horror—or so they say—had carelessly overlooked for so many years. So indulge ASAP. You won’t regret it.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The second feature, <strong>THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA</strong> is another one I had the chance to discover. Like many of you, I already had heard of the </span><a href="http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">musical</span></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> based on the movie but I had never been tempted to see it—until now, that is. After watching this 1925 silent film I’m very curious to see what Broadway has done to it, especially of the big chandelier dropping scene which I imagine is part of the show. Anyway, to get back to the film, everything in <strong>THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA</strong> is grand, from the melodramatic on-screen performances to the panoramic handling by both </span><a href="http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/36162%7C0/The-Phantom-of-the-Opera.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">director(s)</span></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and cinematographer. Very pleasing to the eye, I must admit. The only downside is that the investment isn’t as rewarding as the opposite film <strong>NOSFERATU</strong>. Oh, you do get caught up into this story of lost romance and revenge but the film feels more like a love story than anything else. As much fun as it is watching the Phantom losing it, nothing compares to the wrongdoings of the night creature in <strong>NOSFERATU</strong>. That’s the main reason why I don’t think I’ll be revisiting <strong>THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA </strong>anytime soon. But if you have yet to catch it, please do, if only for the visual gratification.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Until next post—Martin</span> <br />
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Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-37655766487645937722012-03-08T23:54:00.002-08:002017-05-05T15:40:01.493-07:00"THE DEVIL BAT": A BATTY FLICK<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fictitious village of Heathville (Deathville/Heathville, get it?) in the 1940 <strong>THE DEVIL BAT</strong> from </span><a href="http://www.oldies.com/product-view/3211D.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alpha Video</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> may be in turmoil over killer bats but has nothing to worry about visually: the film will always be considered grade-Z-looking no matter who gets bitten, and that’s a good thing. Well, it is if you dig this sort of trash cinema, and trust me, if you do, this one’s up your alley.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>THE DEVIL BAT</strong> is definitely no lost cause once you get past the silly plot and FX. Oh it’s far from being the best awful flick out there (that would be </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RV1JHn7hYY" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">TROLL 2</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, or better yet: THE LONELY LADY, reminisced on </span><a href="http://sleaze-factor.blogspot.com/2011/05/lonely-lady.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my other blog</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">), but it’s clumsy enough to have a go at it either with a warp sense of humor or with a completely baked mind.</span><br />
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<br /><br /><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until next post—Martin</span><br /><br />
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Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-70935636796592276582012-02-26T09:38:00.000-08:002012-11-02T10:49:42.377-07:00“COUNT DRACULA AND HIS VAMPIRE BRIDE” OR THE PATSY STONE SHOW<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I</span>’ll say it again: they sure don’t make them like this 1974 <a href="http://hammerfilms.com/" target="_blank">Hammer production</a> anymore. On second thought, have you seen Hammer 2012 <a href="http://www.hammerfilms.com/productions/film/filmid/24/the-woman-in-black" target="_blank">THE WOMAN IN BLACK</a>? You should. This time around, <a href="http://christopherleeweb.com/" target="_blank">Christopher Lee</a>’s more than ready to rule the earth as the ever-impressive count Dracula; with the help of some prominent men and a virulent mutant strain that recalls the death plague. Why does he want to get rid of the entire population? So he can play <a href="http://www.titanicmovie.com/#/home" target="_blank">TITANIC</a> <a href="http://leonardodicaprio.com/" target="_blank">Leonardo DiCaprio</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-W76OXqAgc" target="_blank">be king of the world</a>!… with his vampire bride at his side—TV’s <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL3pPQ7u_Wc" target="_blank">ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joanna_Lumley's_Nile" target="_blank">Joanna Lumley</a> taking over <a href="http://www.stephaniebeacham.net/" target="_blank">Stephanie Beachman</a> as Jessica Van Hessling. But before he can achieve that, he’ll have to fight the ever-creepy looking <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Cushing" target="_blank">Peter Crushing</a> who has yet to kill him once and for all. Not an easy task if based on Crushing’s failed exploits in past films.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">C</span>OUNT DRACULA AND HIS VAMPIRE BRIDE</strong> (aka UK THE SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA) is the next to last in the film series. Little was I aware of that when I watched it. And to tell you the truth, I’m glad, for, as a stand alone piece, it works aplenty. You’ve got fangs, skin, blood; the works. Want more? Add a satanic ritual (so ‘70s), a loooong one, to the mix before the real action kicks in.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQvra1vICNevCqasPQoqJde6O-HnjY8aD6d-2jDyoAVQY_4viRGNE5OVSkShHGYfmL6mKck1aQc-ftIoYYglAJTx3PcBDLDVIRFGlKdekeLKj64YUcIS9OZAEOIzOFhV5h5focBaRqSU/s1600/dracula2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQvra1vICNevCqasPQoqJde6O-HnjY8aD6d-2jDyoAVQY_4viRGNE5OVSkShHGYfmL6mKck1aQc-ftIoYYglAJTx3PcBDLDVIRFGlKdekeLKj64YUcIS9OZAEOIzOFhV5h5focBaRqSU/s1600/dracula2.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">A</span>s expected, women are the main target in this London-based flick, and thank goodness for that, for it sure wouldn’t be the same without them. Brunettes, blondes, redheads… all ripe and veined-ready to be Dracula’s next meal. Speaking of redheads, the film greatest moment has got to go to Patsy’s… huh…Joanna Lumley’s encounter with the vampire babes in the mansion cellar. One is chained to the wall, wearing little as possible, while others are emerging from their respective coffins. They all want a piece of La Lumley (and with good reasons; she’s a babe after all) but she’s soon saved by her grand papa Crushing and his associates… Four words to that: damn them to hell! But seriously, behind all of this would-be girl-on-girl action sequence exists an apparent feeling of dread, one that can only be captured by the keen eye of the director himself. If only there had been more of the same during the film almost 90 minute run…<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQZScdJaoh6tSfwkxSAkE_dNqlWeZ4OIBmSfJPNfaVCMeOh771AfdYiGuif8SDWAsdzgNqS69i7TMoiNYN8-VBeiv6h8dj6qoBKT5s_vECNEpyY2pt0SMBoH3Nj-JDLL0w3CzV_F_LBs/s1600/dracula1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQZScdJaoh6tSfwkxSAkE_dNqlWeZ4OIBmSfJPNfaVCMeOh771AfdYiGuif8SDWAsdzgNqS69i7TMoiNYN8-VBeiv6h8dj6qoBKT5s_vECNEpyY2pt0SMBoH3Nj-JDLL0w3CzV_F_LBs/s1600/dracula1.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">O</span>f course it all comes down to a big battle of the fittest between our two main stars while unconscious Lumley just lie there hoping to get saved once again. Will she ever be? Let’s just say that, supposedly, her character is absent in the next film. Perhaps she’s undead, perhaps she’s still alive. One thing’s for sure, though: the film would not have been the same without her pre AB FAB participation. And for that, a simple <i>Right</i>, <i>cheers, thanks a lot </i>is in order.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Y</span>ou can get a hold of <strong>COUNT DRACULA AND HIS VAMPIRE BRIDE</strong> by purchasing <a href="http://www.millcreekent.com/" target="_blank">Mill Creek Entertainment</a> movie sets.</div>
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Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-24007074321951947592012-02-19T16:15:00.000-08:002012-02-21T22:30:39.474-08:00BARBARA STEELE DOUBLE BILL: “NIGHTMARE CASTLE” AND “THE GHOST”<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">O</span>h those bad people in vintage horror films, always trying to con their spouses. In the 1965 low-budget <strong>NIGHTMARE CASTLE</strong> (the first of two DVD titles from <a href="http://eastwestdvd.com/" target="_blank">EastWest Entertainment</a>), money is the main reason. And to attain it, <a href="http://www.flixster.com/celebrity/paul-muller/" target="_blank">Paul Muller</a> has to get rid off <a href="http://www.horrorhotties.com/actresses/barbara_steele/" target="_blank">Barbara Steele</a>—until the dashing doctor in her care (she is fragile, don’t you know) tries to come to her rescue. That’s about the premise of this gothic black and white period piece that is a fine time waster with lots of atmospheric shots and eerie music. The girl trap in a haunted mansion gimmick does work to its advantage and there are some scenes of genuine creepiness, but as a whole things tend to be a tad repetitive. Still, all is well with the actors and the direction, so you may find yourself enjoying it more than I did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>hen in the 1963 <strong>THE GHOST</strong> (another period piece), Barbara Steele is at it again, this time playing the vilainess who wants to off her invalid husband for his fortune; and in living colors, no less. With he help of her lover <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0049975/" target="_blank">Peter Baldwin</a>—her hubby’s doctor—she sets the wheels in motion and ultimately lives to regret it. What’s good about this film, when overlooking its similar plotline, is the way all is played out: From the multiple ghostly apparitions to the creepy sound of one’s music box, everything is old school horror. But what stands out most is how more effective the direction in this one is. Style and scares have never been this much fun, I’m telling you. You may even catch yourself re-playing Steele’s on-screen big emotional breakdown à la <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psycho_(1960_film)" target="_blank">PSYCHO</a> (with the brutal swerving of a razor blade and everything). Definitely the strongest of the two films.</span></div>
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</div>Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-30334073134885401592012-02-12T11:04:00.000-08:002017-05-05T15:27:39.714-07:00GOOD AGAINST EVIL & THE SEVERED ARM<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being a B-movie fanatic, you can imagine I’ve seen my dose of shlocks. Some were indeed dreadful, but some were well worth the effort, like this two 'barely know70s flicks</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. First up is the supernatural TV movie of the week <strong>GOOD AGAINST EVIL</strong> (1977) starring the late </span><a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=6196" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dack Rambo</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and a slew of well-known faces from the big or the small screen (</span><a href="http://kim-cattrall.net/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kim Cattrall</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0528433/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Richard Lynch</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">…). To say this one is compelling would be a lie. Unintentionally funny is more like it. From first reel to last, Rambo and co. serve up the high jinx with all sorts of stupid moves, lame brain decisions in improbable, jaw-dropping situations. The story (if there is one) is simple enough. It revolves around the child of a devil worshipper, who, now grown up and working in a San Francisco dress shop (where there are no gay co-workers in sight !), just can’t seem to keep a good man down. Two words for that problem: San Francisco. Anyway. Unbeknownst to her, she is being offered to Satan who has a thing or two up his horns. While you don’t ever see The Beast in person you do see a ton of so bad it’s so good moments that the film becomes in a way almost as lovable as our next feature.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Produced in 1973, <strong>THE SEVERED ARM</strong> is the strongest of the two. It stars a bunch of unknowns (TVs </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52z2HMSZJ3A" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THE WALTONS</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://kterrl.wordpress.com/2010/12/11/john-crawford-american-actor-the-poseidon-adventure-the-towering-inferno-the-waltons-died-from-a-stroke-he-was-90/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John Crawford</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and</span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoDlkYPVNic" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ALICE</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_Kaplan" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marvin Kaplan</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> being the most recognizable faces) who, after being saved from a collapsed mine and having almost come to eating one of their own (hence the title), start being knocked off one by one à la </span><a href="http://thescarefactor.blogspot.com/2012/01/friday-13th-part-2-my-first.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FRIDAY THE 13TH</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. This one does not play for laughs and is relatively well-made, even though some of the kills could have been better-handled (I’m thinking of the elevator scene, mostly), but in general the outcome is rather fetching. And the climax regarding the identity of the killer, though clearly evident, is still chillingly effective. We’re dealing with pros, and it shows. Why didn’t writer director Thomas S. Alderman ever continue on making films is a mystery. But I urge you to see his flick if you dig low-budget, unknown little Grindhouse gems.</span></div>
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Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-28098052470688862142012-01-22T22:08:00.000-08:002012-01-22T22:41:46.497-08:00THE WOMAN: The Film AND The Book<span lang="EN"><br /> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjf-21Hh1Qhk9jt-D-BJ8Knfs3f2t1kCdLpnr2s4XRKtDbMzuPNNtaQIzCdeEublx83YdBOqMSMVgolLTYJMNvmjK0t2QeJbK4nCb1P_5o3LqAbIkycJ6VJjCuXuvFuEbZKrFFQqn0UE/s1600/The_Womancover" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjf-21Hh1Qhk9jt-D-BJ8Knfs3f2t1kCdLpnr2s4XRKtDbMzuPNNtaQIzCdeEublx83YdBOqMSMVgolLTYJMNvmjK0t2QeJbK4nCb1P_5o3LqAbIkycJ6VJjCuXuvFuEbZKrFFQqn0UE/s320/The_Womancover" width="223" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">L</span>ast summer, during the annual <a href="http://fantasiafestival.com/pre2012/en/film_market/" target="_blank">Fantasia Film Festival</a> craze here in Montreal, I missed the opportunity of seeing <a href="http://www.jackketchum.net/" target="_blank">Jack Ketchum</a> and <a href="http://luckymckee.com/Site/www.luckymckee.com.html" target="_blank">Lucky McKee</a>’s highly controversial movie <a href="http://www.thewomanmovie.com/" target="_blank"><strong>THE WOMAN</strong></a>. Like everyone else, I had witnessed the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3lUAZLB4JY" target="_blank">infamous video</a> featuring one man’s rant over the film content during Sundance, and to tell you the truth, nothing about it surprised me. Anyone who has ever read Ketchum knows what he or she is in for. Obviously, this man had never heard of him, for he would have chosen not to make a fool out of himself like he did. As for I, missing this highly sought-after film event was really a bummer, but work schedule interfered and, try as I did, I couldn’t get out of it. And, besides, it wasn’t like I would never see the film again. I could always catch it on DVD, or better yet, wait for the film wide theatrical release. For surely it would grace our big screens very soon, wouldn’t it? Wouldn’t it?!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">W</span>ell, as it turned out, the outcome was far from what I expected. It took me the longest time to finally get the chance to see the film. And the reason? Simple: I live in Canada. Indeed, my own hometown—which had so prided itself for showing <strong>THE WOMAN</strong> before many others just last August—failed to be selected for the film’s limited release this time around. I was floored. Literary floored. Couldn’t walk for days. No, just kidding. Let just say I was miffed. But being the trooper that I am, I took the time instead to read the novel upon which the film is based. I love doing that; you know, comparing the written words to the actual movie adaptation. Since Ketchum did both jobs on <strong>THE WOMAN</strong> (along with McKee, who, as you all know, also directs the film), I was even more intrigued.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">B</span>efore getting to the movie, let me just say that <strong>THE WOMAN</strong> ended up being at the top of my list for the best reads of 2011. How’s that for a little book that could (barely over 200 pages), huh?! Yes, I concur, it might have been a slow year for horror in print (at least for me), but <strong>THE WOMAN</strong> definitely put the genre back on <i>my</i> map. The way both authors succeeded in fleshing out their characters while mixing dread with violence made my nerves stand on end. Being the second sequel after OFF SEASON and OFFSPRING you’d think Ketchum would run out of steam. No siree. <strong>THE WOMAN</strong> is fresh, disturbing, and very well-written, I might add. Yes, the story could have done without the unnecessary epilogue, and the overall presentation sometimes do feel like a written script. But as a whole <strong>THE WOMAN</strong> sure kicks ass, I’m telling ya.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A</span>nd the movie adaptation? Even better. From first reel to last I was caught up again into the story of a troubled family man capturing a cannibal woman from the wilderness to tame her and make her his own, even though I already knew more or less of the outcome. But seeing it all, moving and shaking up there with all those great actors was definitely icing on the cake. It made me realize yet again how much I dig this type of horror. You know, those films or books that send shivers down your spine while making you think about important stuff like human behavior and how screwed up the world really is underneath its cookie-cutter facade. Pure gold, dear readers, pure gold.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A</span>nd now the big question: does <strong>THE WOMAN</strong> really carry a misogynistic message? At face value, it probably does, but when you scratch the surface a little, you soon realize that the problem goes way deeper than that, to the beginning of civilization perhaps. Whether you agree or not with this is up to you. But one thing’s for sure, <strong>THE WOMAN</strong> is one hot commodity. I urge you to see it. Heck, read the novel first if you prefer. But just do it. You’ll thank me again later, I promise.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">T</span>HE WOMAN</strong> <i>movie has moved on to the DVD market from <a href="http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/selects/releases/the-woman/" target="_blank">The Collective</a> (with Bloody Disgusting Selects); while you can catch the novel wherever books are sold.</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">U</span>ntil next post—<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Martin</span> </div>
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<br /></div>Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-27540003530111053752012-01-09T10:47:00.000-08:002012-11-02T11:00:20.816-07:00FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2: MY FIRST<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">A</span>side from the many glittery, not to mention very sleazy, films I dissect with love every week on my other <a href="http://sleaze-factor.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>, I also have the strongest view regarding horror movies. I fancy every type of horror but mostly the slasher genre. It all started with a little film called <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9dw92304-I&feature=related" target="_blank"><strong>FRIDAY THE 13th PART 2 </strong></a>which I saw at the young age of 15 in a darkened movie theater in the spring of 1981. Yes, the film was rated R, meaning no one under 17 was allowed, but I had managed to sneak in, to the delight of my best friend at the time who also desperately wanted to see the flick (with whom I also went to see X-rated movies sporadically, but that’s a whole different topic in itself). Suffice to say, my life as a horror enthusiast really began that faithful day. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">N</span>ow, I sure as heck don’t need to recapitulate the film since the entire world knows all about Jason and the fate of the many camp counselors who have crossed his path. The only thing I’m going to say about the plot of <strong>FRIDAY THE 13th PART 2</strong> is that, although very cliched even back then, it was all new to this teenager innocent eyes. Indeed, for the first time there I was, thanks to the keen direction of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0591171/" target="_blank">Steve Miner</a>, at camp Crystal Lake with an axe murderer at my heels (because even then I could put myself in the characters’ shoes) and I was digging it like you wouldn’t believe. And not any axe murderer, mind you, but the one that would later become the baddest of them all, Jason Voorhees. Remember, it took another sequel for him to don the hockey-mask and become the anti-hero he is known to be today. So in this one, he was just a one-eyed burlap sack wearer Mongoloid who was avenging his cuckoo mom for her untimely death by offing the same people who had killed him.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXrcHnMgzJlYZ_3Jej9E5OsfyPuRjMm5s6owMILYoHSNjAs2fEwSg08uiwZHeFGQkRRwIm3QIc3VveZihOMRvBKGdM-MZbHLBv5LoNfgVO5BUIyqSDmC5HyL1qVKQPoO7bm86Hhi0nN8/s1600/friday6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><em><img border="0" i="i" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXrcHnMgzJlYZ_3Jej9E5OsfyPuRjMm5s6owMILYoHSNjAs2fEwSg08uiwZHeFGQkRRwIm3QIc3VveZihOMRvBKGdM-MZbHLBv5LoNfgVO5BUIyqSDmC5HyL1qVKQPoO7bm86Hhi0nN8/s1600/friday6.jpg" true="true" /></em></a><em><span style="font-size: large;">W</span>hat?!! Come again?!!! The same people who had killed him?!</em> In a way, yes. Think about it: Pamela Voorhees was slaughtering camp counselors in the original film because years ago some other counselors had not taken proper care of her sick child who had accidentally drowned in the lake (in other words they were having sex while the kid was going under). After slicing and dicing horny teenagers, she ended up being beheaded herself by the strongest and purest teen of them all, <a href="http://adrienneking.com/" target="_blank">Alice</a>. Then, five years later, supposedly dead Jason takes over his mom’s workload (for part 2) by first, killing our sweet Alice who, frankly, was still lost in wonderland after the brutal attacks, then by continuing the bloody rampage just for the vengeance sake of it; a mother and son behavioral pattern passed on from one generation to the next.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A</span>fter spending an hour and a half enjoying some gruesome killings while being scared out of my wits, I desperately wanted to check out the original movie on which this sequel was based, but remember, DVD players were nonexistent in those days, as were VHS recorders. Well, not exactly; we, the population, knew of them but barely could afford one since a single machine cost around 700 to 1000 dollars in Canadian money. But a streak of luck came my way during the summer of that same year. I was hired at Canada Post as a letter handler (putting envelopes into the right zip code box) and made enough money to purchase a <a href="http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.soledadmiranda.net/asunto/Equipment/Sony_SL-C5_Beta_Recorder.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.soledadmiranda.net/asunto/Equipment/&h=1536&w=2048&sz=909&tbnid=_xNvobUyiiyurM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbeta%2Brecorder%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=beta+recorder&hl=fr&usg=__wN0TrgAcLbZsoRH-hAdg3v2Icvo=&sa=X&ei=suT-Td-ANaPW0QHej7HJAw&ved=0CG4Q9QEwCA" target="_blank">Beta VCR system</a>, the black sheep answer to the VHS player. Naturally, I was ecstatic as you can be, as well as being the neighborhood star for owning the first video cassette deck. Needless to say, I was not alone when I rented and watched the original <a href="http://www.horrorlair.com/scripts/Friday1.txt" target="_blank">FRIDAY THE 13<sup>TH</sup></a>. But sadly, as my friends could still attest, I came away rather disappointed by the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0192446/" target="_blank">Sean S. Cunningham</a> film. To me, it didn’t hold a candle to the kick ass sequel.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiVRLTqHWh6PQEYIdLXVMFMEdrtIS0uy6YeyBzKZqkJbnoaqwqT3tE8DXh3uWT3-14m9foIY0jUYlenGhtkDOXB17JiLEyVCSYJXH_u60QKsXvaDqu8KbzMv0n5QyU3N7RpT8BoeCR9k/s1600/friday7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" i="i" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiVRLTqHWh6PQEYIdLXVMFMEdrtIS0uy6YeyBzKZqkJbnoaqwqT3tE8DXh3uWT3-14m9foIY0jUYlenGhtkDOXB17JiLEyVCSYJXH_u60QKsXvaDqu8KbzMv0n5QyU3N7RpT8BoeCR9k/s1600/friday7.jpg" true="true" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">O</span>f course, that was way before <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCxuownGif0" target="_blank">FRIDAY THE 13TH</a> began to grow on me, years before I came to put it up there with the best of them. You could say that maturity has something to do with it, as well as my love for anything grade-B of the late ‘70s early ‘80s. But back then I did think the pacing and the acting were a little off compared to its sequel. And to tell you the truth, I still think the same today. But I also know that however amateurish it appears to be sometimes, the overall effect is quite impressive. Because, yes, with all its apparent faux pas, FRIDAY THE 13TH still manages to sparkle due to its effective on-screen dread and overall special FX. And, because of those, every year like clockwork I pop in my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Friday-Uncut-Deluxe-Betsy-Palmer/dp/B001K9OXDU/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1308552258&sr=1-1" target="_blank">DVD disc</a> and enjoy the film for what it is and not for what it should be.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQazlojvBnbCfYua1AWNONI2MwMKAEEiueQ7mSR9tRvwWDrAiGJVklqmiBNzXXsZOO9EumomFhR7vM_NgCFRnhxIl5oQi41JJlzOyrIs4hyphenhyphenCNbGs5C3qCG6ERoO2KuCKTS6I6dKM1LRWg/s1600/friday8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i="i" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQazlojvBnbCfYua1AWNONI2MwMKAEEiueQ7mSR9tRvwWDrAiGJVklqmiBNzXXsZOO9EumomFhR7vM_NgCFRnhxIl5oQi41JJlzOyrIs4hyphenhyphenCNbGs5C3qCG6ERoO2KuCKTS6I6dKM1LRWg/s1600/friday8.jpg" true="true" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">L</span>ike I said in an <a href="http://sleaze-factor.blogspot.com/2011_05_29_archive.html" target="_blank">earlier post</a> regarding one cinematic production, they sure don’t make them like that anymore, and it’s a shame. Oh, many have tried, but no one achieved the apogee of success and likability as Cunningham did with FRIDAY THE 13TH. And even if <strong>FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2</strong> is a lot better in the look, acting and pacing departments, both films are major influences in what would later be known as the heydays of the slasher genre, a genre that will forever stay dear to my heart, as it made me what I am today; and for that I will eternally be grateful. So here’s to you, Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Miner for introducing me to the Voorhees clan and their sickening ways.<br />
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">U</span>ntil next post—<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Martin</span> </span></div>
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Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5323811407112717072.post-70060411295651475692011-12-17T09:48:00.000-08:002012-01-14T00:02:09.648-08:00YOU SAY "SOULTAKER" I SAY SOUL SEARCHING<span lang="EN"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">T</span>he recent Twitter announcement from author <a href="http://thehorrorofbryansmith.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bryan Smith</a> on his decision to abandon hardcore horror with his forthcoming book <a href="http://thehorrorofbryansmith.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">KAYLA AND THE DEVIL</a> couldn’t come at a better time. I was just telling myself last week how tiresome the genre was fast becoming. Especially after sitting through the very explicit <strong>SOULTAKER</strong> by Smith, no less. Written in 2009 this fifth offering for Leisure was a turn of events in itself since Smith, then-known for choosing action over substance, took a different approach by focusing as much on his characterization than on his action sequences. And it paid off, for on his next venture, a little book called <a href="http://thehorrorofbryansmith.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-06-28T21:11:00-07:00&max-results=7" target="_blank">DEPRAVED</a>, he went all out and delivered his best written novel to date. If you have yet to try a hardcore novel by him, I suggest you pick this one first. You’ll thank me later, trust me.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">B</span>ut back to <strong>SOULTAKER</strong>. I was looking forward to reconnect with this author since it had been a while since I had read anything by him. With all the <a href="http://www.briankeene.com/?p=4544" target="_blank">hoopla</a> made last year over <a href="http://www.dorchesterpub.com/store/category.aspx?CategoryID=6" target="_blank">Leisure </a>ending their paperback horror line, I was still reticent in choosing any titles associated with this publishing company. Anyway, to make a long story short, I was happy to finally be over this boycotting thing and plunged right into this tale of female devil worshippers and the men who are their prey. I wanted to love this book; in fact, I was more than ready to be mesmerized by it, but, alas, as much as I tried, it just wasn’t going to happen. Blame it on the author’s then-new style of approach; blame it on my already boiling decision of abandoning hardcore horror; heck, blame it on my advancing years if you want. Bottom line is I was over <strong>SOULTAKER</strong> very quickly.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A</span>fter turning the last page I realized how much time I had wasted reading this book. Now, before anyone looses it big time and starts sending me hate mail, let me say that Bryan Smith <strong>SOULTAKER </strong>is a very well-constructed hardcore horror novel. Probably one of the best in the genre, even. It just isn’t for me anymore. I’m clearly over and done with this type of horror. Like the author, I’m ready to move on to bigger and better things. So, naturally, it thrills me to find out that Smith has decided to change his tune as well. He <i>is</i> a fine writer, and I would hate to see him left at the curb while new horizons await me.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">U</span>ntil next post—<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Martin</span>Authorfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626566458666454127noreply@blogger.com