Okay, so I’m not reviewing The Black Cat today. Why? Because it’s Black Cat Day, and I need to snuggle me some kitties. Plus, it’s my blog, so I do what I want. *stamps foot like toddler*
But for folks looking for the absolutely wonderful – mini-review, so there – Lugosi and Karloff film The Black Cat? Check out YouTube Movies, or any other streaming service. And enjoy!!! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some lovely onyx beauties that need boops on their noses…
(Originally posted on Green Man Review)
As many people are aware, Peter Beagle, beloved author of “The Last Unicorn”, “A Fine And Private Place”, and “Summerlong”, is suing his former manager and business partner, Connor Cochran. Now Cochran is publicly claiming co-authorship of most, if not all, of Peter’s titles, from the point at which Peter and Cochran first worked together. [Sounds like Cochran is a real dick. – AFan]
Here is Peter’s statement, in his own words, slapping down Cochran’s claims. As usual, Peter says it better than anyone else could. Please read and share.
“Live or die. Make your choice.”
Story: Two guys wake up chained to pipes in a busted old bathroom. (That I’d still kill for, because HUGE.) They see a third guy lying on the floor in a pool of blood, with a gun in his hand. Then the creepiest mixtape ever tells them that they’ve got 60 minutes to get out of there, or it’s asta. Should be a piece of cake. Especially with those two small hacksaws they’ve been given…
Scares: Genuine suspenseful shit going down here, people.
Splat factor: YES. But not as much as future installments, and not as much as you think you see. Continue reading
Nutshell: Jason Hall tells a story about three men returning home from Iraq, and turns it into a rallying cry for better post-service care for our Military. Intense wartime scenes blend with heartbreaking realities after the characters come home, and an absolutely appalling lack of regard from our Government. Grade: A-
What is it: American Sniper‘s screenwriter Jason Hall (that’s right, Devon MacLeish from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) multi-hyphenates as screenwriter/director in this adaptation of David Finkel’s nonfiction book. I heard about this film when Shania Twain’s “Soldier” was made into a video teaser for this film. I figured it’d be a tearjerker, but with a solid undercurrent of pride of country. And this look at three men who tried to put themselves back together after their service in Iraq is an eye-opener for anyone who doesn’t know anyone in the military. Heck, it’s an eye-opener for folks like me who do know amazing men and women who have served. Continue reading
“I hate this. I hate this so much right now.”
Story: Pompous know-it-all outdoor survivalist Doug is headed out to film the next season of his reality TV show! How fun! Especially when he actually has a crew of folks at a base camp ready to help him out if things ever get too rough (and/or edit out those rough parts.) Wait – what happened to his base crew? And why does stuff at his campsite keep moving around? Hello? Is there anybody there? (Maybe he doesn’t want the answer to those questions.)
Scares: An excellent mix of suspense and chills once the opening scenes give way to the spooky. Continue reading
“Seriously, have you ever been awake after she’s fallen asleep?”
Story: 12 year old Cole has a babysitter for the weekend. An impossibly cool and hot babysitter. In fact, Bee’s likely the best babysitter in the history of ever. Except for that whole satanic thing.
Scares: Of the Nickelodeon channel variety.
Splat factor: Of the Friday the 13th variety. Continue reading
So are you looking for something to listen to while you head to your various and sundry Halloween parties? How about something that’ll start off by freaking you the hell out, and then gives you tons of groovy info on a film that’s near and dear to a horrorhound’s heart?
I’m talking “Inside Psycho” an incredible look at what is arguably Hitchcock’s greatest film, and certainly his best known. (Though I also have a soft spot for Suspicion, Rope, Vertigo, Shadow of a Doubt…yeah, you get the idea. The man was a cinematic genius.)
“Inside Psycho” starts off with an in-depth look at the real-life man that Norman Bates was based on; Ed Gein. And I won’t lie, that first episode is a doozy. Maybe don’t eat lunch while listening. But episodes go on to lay out how Robert Bloch came up with the idea of the story, how Hitch optioned the rights, and of course how the film was made, received by audiences, and became a classic. I binged it all in one day, because I couldn’t stop listening. So block off a chunk of your commute and get your podcast on y’all.
Required listening for all horror fans, and fans of film-making in general. BTW, the folks that created this podcast have a new one that I’m currently grooving on right now – “Inside The Exorcist”. Enjoy!
“I have had some experience with sharks.”
Story: Amity Island. Great place. Yeah, that shark thing four years ago, but all’s well now…dammit, another shark.
Scares: More like fun chills than outright scares.
Splat factor: Grody chomped up killer whale, and a few post-death victims providing jump scares. Otherwise it’s just Red In Water. Continue reading
Let’s face it; if you spent your life stealing stuff to make a living, wouldn’t it be tempting to chuck your “career” for a guaranteed gig with a group of save-the-world types? Especially if that group just saved your bacon? If your thought was “sure, why not,” then Danger Girl: The Ultimate Collection could be right up your alley.
In Danger Girl, Abbey Chase is an “adventuress” (read: thief of the Indiana Jones ilk) that has a heist interrupted by oily nemesis Donavin Conrad. Just when Abbey thinks she’s escaped his clutches, she finds herself in big trouble. But she’s rescued by the Danger Girl team, a group of highly trained, highly voluptuous women who save the world from the Bad Guys. Despite Abbey’s worries about fitting in with a team and being on par with the rest of the girls, she joins up. Good thing too, because her expertise in ancient civilizations and languages are exactly what the team needs to succeed in their current case. Think “Raiders of the Lost Ark” with spandex. Continue reading
Gotta take a breather from horror movies right now because IMPORTANT THING. Rotten Tomatoes had done lists that count down horror movie survivors, and horror movie villain body counts. Yes, they did! And they’re great reads.
So? What are you waiting for? C’mon back tomorrow for more horror goodness, but right now you know you’re dying to find out what RT has to say…
Rotten Tomatoes: Horror Movie Survivor Hall of Fame
Rotten Tomatoes: The Killer Body Count Guide
Got a dollar to spare? A quarter?
Atomic Fangirl 