#29RoomsDC – an immersive, enlightening, awesome experience

I had the opportunity to hit the VIP launch of 29Rooms DC Friday night. What’s that? Well, I talked about 29Rooms briefly last month, but nothing prepared me for the experience. I walked in, and it’s a LOT. There’s a whole lot going on, and I was immersed in colors and sound the moment I stepped in. The DJs spun an incredible mix of old school R&B and new indie grooves, which kept the mood light – and I even saw folks dancing in and around the rooms. It was a wonderful vibe.  Continue reading

Posted in DC News, Festival News | Tagged , | Leave a comment

#31in31 2019 – “Why Horror?”

“Why are you laughing? I’m not looking, it’s scary!”

Trick or Treat?: This is a great documentary about the horror genre, and why horrorhounds like me love it.

Tal Zimerman, Canadian journalist and horror junkie, dig into the why of its all, interviewing greats in the horror industry, critics, and educators. He also looks at his own start as a horror fan, talking to his family, and about his experiences growing up gory.
Continue reading

Posted in 31 in 31, In Horror, Movie Reviews | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

#31in31 2019 – “Ghost Story” (1981)

“I’ve come for you.”

Story: Four dapper old friends get together regularly to swap scary stories as “The Chowder Society”. But the scariest tale happened to them fifty years ago… And isn’t through with them yet.

Scares: Of the creepy ghost variety.

Splat factor: Barely any, though the climax gets gruesome.

Closing scene “shocker”?: Nup!

Continue reading

Posted in 31 in 31, In Horror, Movie Reviews | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

#31in31 2019 – “Party Hard Die Young”

“Sheisse!”

Story: Graduated from high school! Woohoo! Let’s all go to that crazy cool EDM festival for recently graduated seniors, and par-TAY! Wait, where’s my BFF? Your BFF is missing too? Who’s that guy in the mask…?

Scares: Fun suspense.

Splat factor: Mild, but effective. Continue reading

Posted in 31 in 31, In Horror, Movie Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

#31in31 2019 – “Grizzly”

“If you ain’t a big bag o’ grits!”

Story: A big ol’ grizzly terrorizes a section of wilderness. A park ranger is ready to kill that thing dead. But first, that grizzly is gonna mess up some campers but good.

Scares: 70s cheesy animal-horror = scares only for n00bs.

Splat factor: Meh. Some blood and Grizzly-POV “gore”.

Closing scene “shocker”?: Nup. Continue reading

Posted in 31 in 31 | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

#31in31 2019 – “Johnny Frank Garrett’s Last Word”

“KISS MY EVERLOVING ASS!”

Story: Seventeen-year-old Johnny Frank Garrett is convicted for the rape and murder of a nun. But he swears to his dying day – the day of his execution – he was innocent, and curses all involved. After his death, people who had a hand in his death begin dying…

Scares: Lots of chills, and a few shocks.

Splat factor: Some blood, and strange mutilations seen in dream sequences and hallucinations. Continue reading

Posted in 31 in 31, In Horror, Movie Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Columbia Screening Pass-palooza: “Jojo Rabbit”!

Oh man, I can’t wait to see this one. Waititi taking a stab at WWII satire? Sign me up. Synopsis!

Writer director Taika Waititi (THOR: RAGNAROK, HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE), brings his signature style of humor and pathos to his latest film, JOJO RABBIT, a World War II satire that follows a lonely German boy (Roman Griffin Davis as JoJo) whose world view is turned upside down when he discovers his single mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a young Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie) in their attic. Aided only by his idiotic imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler (Taika Waititi), Jojo must confront his blind nationalism.

Ready? Let’s go!

Continue reading

Posted in Free Screenings | Tagged , | Leave a comment

#31in31 2019 – Now You See It’s “The Power of the Vampire Myth”

Ready to get to learnin’? Ready to have fuuuuuun? Well then, you’ve come to the right post, because NYSI has a fantastic vid on vampire myth and you should watch it immediately. A great look at how the myth shifts over time, and the themes and images and subtexts from classic vamp movies to today.

It’s a fifteen minute vid, a length that’s perfect for a quick watch that also gives you lots to find out. That they open their vid with a clip from What We Do In The Shadows? Icing.

Posted in 31 in 31, In Horror, The YouTubes | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“Where’s My Roy Cohn” – a relevant documentary about a hated man

“It’s undeniable his impact on politics lives on.”

411: A documentary about the real-life “most hated man in the US”, Roy Cohn.

Gotta say: I’ve only every known Cohn from films like Angels in America and Citizen Cohn. I knew he’d been an unmitigated bastard to anyone outside his personal circle, and had used the law to gain power and influence…until he was disbarred for ethics violations. And though being staunchly anti-gay in public – helming the “Lavender Scare” with Senator Joe McCarthy –  died from AIDS related complications in 1986, Cohn denying that he had the disease to his last breath. Continue reading

Posted in Movie Reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment

#31in31 2019 – “Hells” (aka Hells Angels)

“What is going on here?”

Story: Amagane Rinne is always late for school. But one morning as she’s booking it before the bell, she stops to save a kitty from being hit by a car… And ends up in Hell? Why? Who are these monsters she’s in Hell Class with? And why is she still bleeding?

Scares: Lots of fun demons and monsters, but otherwise nothing. Nothingness.

Splat factor: Anime destruction, naturally. Continue reading

Posted in 31 in 31, Anime, Movie Reviews | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment