Vampires

This is the one. It was inevitable that the Covid pandemic would leave some kind of lasting imprint on Art, and it has. But this movie, this is the one more than any other that will forever bear the timestamp of the lockdown, capturing on celluloid all the angst, the zeitgeist and ortgeist, the uncertainty…Continue readingMovie Review: HOST

Something that occurred to me while I was recently watching the original CASTLE FREAK: all the greatest monsters are sympathetic. Think about it. CASTLE FREAK has one of the most sympathetic monsters you’re likely to find. Yes, he does some bad things, and attempts to do even more, but how can anyone help but pity…Continue readingSympathy for the Devils

I recall reading reports back a year ago that some guy was going around dressed as a medieval plague doctor. I thought that was hilarious. The guy who was allegedly approaching children outside a school, though, that ain’t cool. There’s a joke, and then there’s the point where the joke stops being funny. Scaring little…Continue readingPlague Doctor Busted

This one really bothers me. Moreso than the mess with Whedon, even. I liked Richard Stanley. I respected him. This was a guy who stepped away from Hollywood out of principle, who made his comeback on his own terms and proved he knew what he was doing. His comeback film, COLOR OUT OF SPACE, was…Continue readingRichard Stanley Accused of Abuse

Before Gale heard the crackling of the grass being consumed by the oncoming flames, before she could smell the smoke being blown towards them by the wind, before she stood to look backward and saw the fire herself, she felt it. As the antelope crossing the savanna can sense the lion, as any wild thing…Continue readingTHE CHOSEN Part Four: A GUIDED TOUR OF THE ABYSS, DISCOUNT PRICED Chapter 10

Traveling this past week, I of course made certain to check with Roadside America to see what all oddities might lie along my planned route, so that I could seek out said oddities. (I honestly don’t comprehend how anyone could not, provided they had the time.) Passing through southeastern Georgia, I simply had to seek…Continue readingThe Blood-Drinkin’ Dog-Eatin’ Tree

Brian looked over and saw Dave staring back at him. Dave without his eyes. “Come, little thing,” the Darkness said. “There is much more to see.” Brian followed as it led him out of the rain (more like freezing piss) and around the last of the cannibals with their pitiful undying victims. The woods grew…Continue readingTHE CHOSEN Part Four: A GUIDED TOUR OF THE ABYSS, DISCOUNT PRICED Chapter 9

Reports that a remake of this Full Moon classic is floating around out there prompted me to give this one another watch recently. Here are some ruminations engendered by this viewing. You know, Full Moon has gifted the world with a lot of great movies. It’s just that most of them are great *bad* movies.…Continue readingRevisiting the Classics: CASTLE FREAK

A bullet whined over Gale’s head, others colliding with the leaves and bark of trees around them. From somewhere close behind came angry voices, cursing and shouting. Looking back, Gale caught a glimpse of dark skin and fatigues moving amidst the trees. “They’ve caught up!” she wheezed, increasing her speed. For Deb’s part, fear and…Continue readingTHE CHOSEN Part Four: A GUIDED TOUR OF THE ABYSS, DISCOUNT PRICED Chapter 8

That’s GROUNDHOG DAY the movie, not the holiday. Although the movie was inspired by the holiday. And turns out it was inspired by vampires, too. I admit that I didn’t see a connection at first either. If I’d stopped to think about it, I would’ve latched on to the whole “immortality” thing. If one lives…Continue readingGROUNDHOG DAY and Vampires

It’s a common piece of Southern folklore. I’m not sure how pervasive it is in other areas, but I expect it’s well known across the board. My grandparents told me when I was a little boy that a cat will “suck out” a baby’s breath and kill it, imbuing felines with a sort of satanic…Continue readingVampire Cats?

“So why aren’t you trying to kill me now?” Brian asked. “You can’t, can you?” “Your flesh lies beyond My reach for the moment,” the Darkness said. “But make no mistake, little thing. It will not always be so.” “You don’t scare me,” Brian said. “Save your lies, little thing. I can taste your fear.…Continue readingTHE CHOSEN Part Four: A GUIDED TOUR OF THE ABYSS, DISCOUNT PRICED Chapter 7