BREWERBLOB

2010-10-31T21:40:00.004-05:00

HaPpY HaLlOwEeN

Re: Your Brains - A Tribute Video

2009-12-17T21:33:00.001-06:00

Here's a video done by my friend Brittany (lotusfae on YouTube), paying tribute to the song by Jonathan Coultan.

This Week in Horror: December 13 - 19

2009-12-13T00:00:00.001-06:00

December 13
1950 – Wendie Malick (actress in the Tales from the Crypt episode "In the Groove") born

December 14
1955 – Tarantula released theatrically
1965 – Ted Raimi (actor in numerous horror films) born
2002 – Cabin Fever released theatrically
2005 – King Kong (2005) released theatrically

December 15
1974 – Young Frankenstein released theatrically
1981 – Ghost Story released theatrically

December 16
1970 – Night Gallery premieres on television
1983 – The Keep released theatrically

December 17
1976 – King Kong (1976) released theatrically

December 18

December 19
1949 – Nancy Kyes (usually credited as Nancy Loomis, actress in Halloween and The Fog) born
1956 – The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956) released theatrically
1986 – Little Shop of Horrors released theatrically

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: December 6 - 12

2009-12-06T10:30:00.004-06:00

December 6
1942 – Cat People released theatrically

December 7
1945 – House of Dracula released theatrically

December 8
2004 – Blade: Trinity released theatrically

December 9

December 10
1992 – Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in Europe

December 11
1874 – Paul Wegener (director of The Golem: How He Came Into the World) born (d. 1913)

December 12
1941 – The Wolf Man released theatrically
1943 – Phantom of the Opera (1943) released theatrically
1997 – Scream 2 released theatrically

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: Nov 29 - Dec 5

2009-11-29T18:28:00.005-06:00

November 29

November 30
1999 – Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness released on the Nintendo 64 in the United States

December 1
1944 – House of Frankenstein (1944) released theatrically
1985 – Howling II: Stirba - Werewolf Bitch released theatrically

December 2
1924 – - John Herbert Frid (portrayed Barnabas Collins in Dark Shadows) born.

December 3
1927 – London After Midnight released theatrically

December 4
1992 – Tony Todd (actor in Night of the Living Dead (1990), Candyman, and Final Destination) born

December 5

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: November 22 - 28

2009-11-22T00:00:00.000-06:00

November 22
1958 – Jamie Lee Curtis (actress in Halloween, The Fog, Prom Night, etc.) born

November 23
1887 – Boris Karloff born (d. 1969)
1917 – Michael Gough (actor in Hammer horror films) born
2001 – Silent Hill 2 released on the PlayStation, Xbox, and PC in Europe

November 24
1999 – End of Days released theatrically
2006 – Castlevania: Curse of Darkness released on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in Japan

November 25

November 26
1992 – Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge released on the Game Boy in Europe
1997 – Alien: Resurrection released theatrically

November 27
1988 – John Carradine (actor in numerous horror films) dies (b. 1906)
1997 – Castlevania Legends released on the Game Boy in Japan
2003 – Castlevania: Lament of Innocence released on the PlayStation 2 in Japan

November 28
1974 – Let Sleeping Corpses Lie released theatrically

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: November 15 - 21

2009-11-15T00:00:00.000-06:00

November 15

November 16
1880 – Robert Wiene (director of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari) born (d. 1938)
1984 – Night of the Comet released theatrically
1990 – Initiation: Silent Night, Deadly Night 4 released theatrically

November 17
2001 – Frailty released theatrically

November 18
1990 – It premieres on television

November 19

November 20

November 21
1931 – Frankenstein released theatrically
1964 – Onibaba released theatrically in Japan
1990 – Predator 2 released theatrically
2002 – Resident Evil 0 released on the Nintendo GameCube in Japan
2002 – Gothika released theatrically

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: November 8 - 14

2009-11-08T00:00:00.000-06:00

November 8
1847 – Bram Stoker (author of Dracula) born (d. 1912)
1968 – Parker Posey (actress in Scream 3) born
1975 – Tara Reid (actress in A Return to Salem's Lot, Urban Legend (film), Devil's Pond, Alone in the Dark, and The Crow: Wicked Prayer) born

November 9
1984 – A Nightmare on Elm Street released theatrically
1984 – Silent Night, Deadly Night released theatrically
1988 – Child's Play released theatrically
2001 – Castlevania Chronicles released on the PlayStation in the European Union

November 10
1889 – Claude Rains (actor in many horror films) born (d. 1967)

November 11
1951 – Bill Moseley (actor in many horror films) born
1995 – Interview with the Vampire released theatrically
2002 – Resident Evil 0 released on the Nintendo GameCube in North America

November 12
1904 – Jacques Tourneur (director of many horror films) born (d. 1977)
1943 – The Mad Ghoul released theatrically
1999 – Resident Evil 3: Nemesis released for the PlayStation in North America
2004 – Seed of Chucky released theatrically

November 13
1933 – The Invisible Man released theatrically
1991 – Cape Fear (1991) released theatrically
1992 – Bram Stoker's Dracula released theatrically

November 14

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

Friday Night Frights: Willard (1971)

2009-11-06T18:00:00.000-06:00

Where your nightmares end...WILLARD begins.

Welcome to tonight's episode of Friday Night Frights.

Tonight's feature is the 1971 film Willard, directed by Daniel Mann and starring Bruce Davison, Elsa Lanchester, Ernest Borgnine, and Sondra Locke. It was based on the novel "Ratman's Notebooks" by Gilbert Ralston (under the pen name of Stephen Gilbert), who also wrote the screenplay.

A sequel called Ben (after one of the rats in the original) was released in 1972, and a remake of Willard, starring Crispen Glover, was released in 2003.

A social misfit, Willard is made fun of by his co-workers, and squeezed out of the company started by his deceased father. His only friends are a couple of rats he raised at home, Ben and Socrates (and their increasing number of friends). However, when one of them is killed at work, Willard goes on a rampage using his rats to attack those who have been tormenting him.

This is the full movie, from a playlist. It hasn't been released on DVD.

LIFE on Halloween - Photo Gallery

2009-11-01T09:46:00.000-06:00

Hopefully everyone had a night of fun and fright last night!
Halloween is about scaring people and causing mischief. LIFE combed their archives for the best photos of kids doing those things, and just generally having a blast on Halloween.

This Week in Horror: November 1 - 7

2009-11-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

November 1
1985 – A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge released theatrically
1997 – Castlevania: Symphony of the Night released on the PlayStation and Sega Saturn in the European Union
2000 – Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem released on the Nintendo GameCube in the European Union
2002 – 28 Days Later released theatrically in the United Kingdom

November 2
1990 – Jacob's Ladder released theatrically

November 3
1976 – Carrie released theatrically

November 4
1948 – The Snake Pit released theatrically

November 5
1943 – Son of Dracula (1943) released theatrically
2006 – Castlevania: Curse of Darkness released on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in North America

November 6
1931 – Mike Nichols (director of Wolf) born
1972 – Thandie Newton (actress in Interview with the Vampire) born
1972 – Rebecca Romijn (actress in Godsend) born

November 7
1971 – Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde released theatrically
2000 – Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem released on the Nintendo GameCube in Australia

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

2009-10-31T18:00:00.002-05:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Put on your masks! It's time! It's time!

EPILEPSY WARNING: This video contains flashing lights of increasing speed. Some people are susceptible to epileptic seizures or loss of consciousness when exposed to certain flashing lights or light patterns in everyday life. Such people may have a seizure while watching certain monitor images or playing certain video games. This may happen even if the person has no medical history of epilepsy or has never had any epileptic seizures.

Rite of Exorcism

2009-10-31T09:00:00.000-05:00

Today as the veil between the living and the dead grows thin, it may be beneficial, even crucial, to print and keep this handy, along with the knowledge of the location of the nearest priest. And again, Happy Samhain!

(This is the Official Rite for expelling demons from people certified as being possessed by authorized Catholic priests.)

Rite of Exorcism

Boo!

2009-10-31T00:00:00.002-05:00

CSI: NY Season 4 Episode 6
This episode, entitled "Boo", originally aired on Halloween 2007.

Zombie: Dawn of the Dead (1978)

2009-10-31T00:00:00.001-05:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Last Halloween we featured Night of the Living Dead.
Tonight we feature Dawn of the Dead.

Director George A. Romero's epic sequel to his legendary Night of the Living Dead has firmly established itself as the equal of its ground-breaking predecessor. Though shot in 1978 -- ten years after the first films' release -- Dawn's story begins as if the events in Night had happened only a few months before: after shambling armies of the recently-dead take over every major city -- seeking warm human flesh for food -- the U.S. government imposes a state of martial law, sending in special National Guard units to attack and destroy zombie infestation where they find it.

This is the faster-paced European/Italian version edited by overseas distributor Dario Argento. It's the full movie, from a playlist.

Friday Night Frights: Dawn of the Dead (2004)

2009-10-30T18:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to tonight's episode of Friday Night Frights.

Tonight's feature is the 2004 version of Dawn of the Dead, directed by Zack Snyder. The writers are George A. Romero (1978 screenplay) and James Gunn (screenplay).

A nurse, a policeman, a young married couple, a salesman, and other survivors of a worldwide plague that is producing aggressive, flesh-eating zombies, take refuge in a mega Midwestern shopping mall.

WTF is that???

2009-10-30T15:38:00.006-05:00

One of these?

The Real Amityville Horror (2005)

2009-10-30T04:55:00.003-05:00

The Amityville Horror
In December 1975, George and Kathleen Lutz and their three children moved into 112 Ocean Avenue, a large Dutch Colonial house in Amityville, a suburban neighborhood located on the south shore of Long Island, New York. Thirteen months before the Lutzes moved in, Ronald DeFeo, Jr. had shot and killed six members of his family at the house. After 28 days, the Lutzes left the house, claiming to have been terrorized by paranormal phenomena while living there.

Mediums and psychic investigators have claimed that there is a curse on the property, while others believe the gruesome history has been invented as a money-making scheme.

The Real Amityville Horror sets out to discover the truth about one of American folklore's most notorious mysteries and features George Lutz's last on-camera interview before he died in 2006.

Additional information can be found at Amityvillefiles.com.

This is the full documentary, from a playlist.

Disney's Halloween Treat (1982)

2009-10-30T00:00:00.001-05:00

Here's Disney's Halloween Treat, first released on October 30, 1982.

It contains memorable scenes from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Fantasia," "Lady and the Tramp," "Peter Pan," "One Hundred and One Dalmatians," and "The Sword in the Stone."

This is the full movie, from a playlist.

Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998)

2009-10-29T22:31:00.005-05:00

Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island finds Scooby and the gang on Zombie Island, where they are menaced by the ghost of Moonscar the Pirate and the island's most infamous inhabits - Zombies!!

This is the full movie, from a playlist.

Buried Alive

2009-10-29T01:00:00.001-05:00

Buried Alive
Artist: Odd Nerdrum
1996
oil on canvas

The Smiling Spider

2009-10-28T19:42:00.003-05:00

The Smiling Spider
Artist: Odilon Redon (1840-1916)
1881
charcoal on paper
Musee du Louvre, Paris

The Book of Ceremonial Magic

2009-10-28T03:00:00.001-05:00

THE BOOK OF CEREMONIAL MAGIC

The Secret Tradition in Goëtia, including the rites and mysteries of Goëtic theurgy,
sorcery and infernal necromancy.

By ARTHUR EDWARD WAITE

London

[1913]

About the book

This book is the second edition of a work which in its first edition was titled, more provocatively, The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts. This book is an attempt to synthesize the procedures of all of the famous Grimoires. It draws on the Key of Solomon, the Grimorium Verum, the apocryphal Fourth Book of Cornelius Agrippa, and many others, including the famous Black Pullet, or Poulet Noir. While Waite is careful in his analysis of the various Grimoires, he treats the subject matter skeptically. The result is an unparalleled look at the details of ceremonial magic.

About the author

Arthur Edward Waite (1854-1942) was one of the foremost English occultists. A member of the famous magical order, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Waite published a number of important books on esoteric matters. One of his more enduring legacies is the Tarot deck he created.

Read the book online

PDF version

The Halloween Tree (1993)

2009-10-27T02:00:00.001-05:00

Last year I posted an entry about Ray Bradbury's novel "The Halloween Tree", in which eight children learn the origins of Halloween customs while trying to save the life of their friend.

Here's the movie adaptation from 1993. It won Ray Bradbury a Daytime Emmy Award in 1994 for Ouststanding Writing in an Animated Program. This is the full movie, from a playlist.

Vincent (1982)

2009-10-26T03:00:00.001-05:00

Vincent was written and directed by Tim Burton. It was narrated by Vincent Price.

A transcript of the poem can be read here.

When Vincent Price was asked what he thought of the short, he said that it was "the most gratifying thing that ever happened. It was immortality - better than a star on Hollywood Boulevard."

An early form of Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) can be seen in the upper-left corner of the screen at 4:45.

Young Vincent Malloy dreams of being just like Vincent Price and loses himself in macabre daydreams which annoys his mother.

This Week in Horror: October 25 - 31

2009-10-25T00:00:00.001-05:00

October 25
1978 – Halloween released theatrically
1993 – Vincent Price (actor in many horror films) dies (b. 1911)
2000 – Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem released on the Nintendo GameCube in Japan

October 26
1979 – When a Stranger Calls (1979) released theatrically
2001 – Bones released theatrically

October 27
1989 – Shocker released theatrically
1989 – Castlevania: The Adventure released on the Game Boy in Japan
1995 – Vampire in Brooklyn released theatrically
1998 – Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 released theatrically

October 28
1951 – Joe R. Lansdale (winner of six Bram Stoker Awards for horror fiction) born
2005 – Saw II released theatrically
2005 – Masters of Horror premieres on television

October 29
1920 – The Golem: How He Came Into the World released theatrically in Germany
1973 – Return of the Blind Dead released theatrically
1993 – Return of the Living Dead III released on VHS
1993 – Demon Castle Dracula X: Rondo of Blood released on the PC Engine/TurboGrafx 16 in Japan
2004 – Versus released theatrically
2004 – Saw released theatrically

October 30
1938 – The War of the Worlds radio adaptation airs
1981 – Halloween II released theatrically

October 31 - HALLOWEEN
1961 – Peter Jackson (director of Bad Taste and Braindead) born
1974 – Phantom of the Paradise released theatrically
1991 – Castlevania II: Simon's Quest released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in Japan

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

Why Dogs Hate Halloween

2009-10-24T19:49:00.050-05:00

Click on any picture to enlarge

How to See Ghosts

2009-10-24T01:35:00.008-05:00

In the 1970's, Vincent Price recorded a few albums for the Caedmon label, one of which included readings from "A Hornbook for Witches". From that album, here's the Minister of Sinister, Mr. Vincent Price, giving instruction on seeing the incorporeal.

How to See Ghosts or Surely Bring Them to You

Friday Night Frights: Nosferatu (1922)

2009-10-23T18:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to tonight's episode of Friday Night Frights.

Tonight's feature is the silent classic Nosferatu (1922), based on the story "Dracula". It was directed by F.W. Marnau and stars Max Schreck as Count Orlok.

Saw Recap

2009-10-21T19:04:00.012-05:00

Thanks to the Mark H. Harris About.com Guide to Horror and Suspense, we have a recap of all the Saw movies, leading up to Saw VI which opens this weekend. Select theaters around the country will be airing a marathon of all the Saw movies tomorrow, topped off by a midnight screening of Saw VI. Visit fandango.com or movietickets.com for tickets. A list of the theaters can be found here.

If you don't mind some spoilers, here's a recap of the story up 'til now, with the trailers.

Saw (2004)

Adam and Lawrence are chained in a bathroom, victims of Jigsaw, a serial killer who puts people in deadly traps so they can appreciate life. Lawrence is told he must kill Adam by 6 o'clock; he's given a bullet for a gun held by a dead body in the center of the room, the loser of a previous "game." Lawrence's wife and daughter are held captive in their home by Zep, Lawrence's co-worker, who will kill them if the doc fails. Lawrence's family escapes with help from ex-cop David Tapp, but Zep kills Tapp and goes to the bathroom to kill Lawrence, who has sawed off his leg in order to escape. Adam kills Zep before realizing that he's a pawn; the real killer is John Kramer, the body lying in the room, who shuts Adam in the room to die.

Saw II (2005)

Police find Jigsaw, but he holds them at bay with video of eight people -- including Detective Matthews' son Daniel and Amanda, the only escapee from Jigsaw's games -- trapped in a house filled with a deadly gas. The eight try to find an antidote to the gas that's locked away in a safe, most dying from traps in the process. One of the eight, Xavier, stalks Amanda and Daniel when he realizes that numbers to the safe's combination are printed on the backs of their heads, but they manage to kill him. Matthews forces Jigsaw to take him to the house but ends up chained in the Saw bathroom, discovering that the events on the video had happened way earlier and that Amanda is now Jigsaw's protege. She locks him in the bathroom to die.

Saw III (2006)

Six months later, the games continue, but cops Rigg and Hoffman find that the new traps are uncharacteristically inescapable. A sick and dying John/Jigsaw has two people kidnapped: Jeff and Lynn. Jeff's test is to decide whether to save the lives of three people he blames for the death of his son (he doesn't), while Lynn has to keep John alive until Jeff is done (she does). Amanda, disillusioned by John's plan, shoots Lynn (thus failing John's test of compassion) and reveals that she set up the inescapable traps. Jeff, who turns out to be Lynn's husband, shoots Amanda and then kills John (thus failing his test of forgiveness). As the door to the room shuts, he realizes that John is the only person who knows where Jeff's daughter is hidden.

Saw IV (2007)

John and Amanda are dead, but there's a new killer, who kidnaps Hoffman and places him in a trap with Matthews before informing Rigg that his two colleagues will be killed in 90 minutes. However, he warns Rigg to walk away. Rigg's reckless heroism leads him through a series of tests in which he must either help or hurt people trapped in the killer's games. FBI agent Strahm, on Rigg's trail, questions John's ex-wife Jill, who reveals that he was a caring man who became cynical after a robber caused her to miscarry. Strahm tracks Rigg to a factory and encounters Jeff from Saw III, killing him in self-defense. Rigg's arrival triggers Matthews' death, with Rigg shot in the process. Hoffman reveals himself to be the killer as Rigg dies.

Saw V (2008)

Hoffman places Strahm in a trap and rescues Jeff's daughter but is surprised when Strahm is found alive. Hoffman is hailed as a hero, and the police declare the killings over, but Strahm suspects of Hoffman. He discovers that Hoffman killed his sister's murderer and made it look like Jigsaw did it, incurring the wrath of John, who blackmailed him into helping with the games. Hoffman meanwhile plants clues that make Strahm's boss, Erickson, believe that Strahm is Jigsaw's accomplice, while also setting up five new victims in a trap. Strahm tracks Hoffman to a warehouse, where a recording tells him to get into a box, but instead he shoves Hoffman inside, not realizing that the room's walls will close in and crush anyone not inside the box.

Previous post about Saw V can be found here.

Saw VI (2009)

Special Agent Strahm is dead, and Detective Hoffman has emerged as the unchallenged successor to Jigsaw's legacy. However, when the FBI draws closer to Hoffman, he is forced to set a game into motion, and Jigsaw's grand scheme is finally understood.

Previous post about Saw VI can be found here.

If you see Saw VI, please feel free to post a review of it in the comments section of this post to share with others. Thanks!

Halloween Events

2009-10-18T09:06:00.010-05:00

It's that time of year again! Halloween is only 13 days away!

There are some Halloween event links in the EVENTS section to the right, below the TRANSLATE ME flags.

StarTribune.com has an online map of Halloween events in the Twin Cities area, including the surrounding suburbs. Happy Haunt Hunting!

CLICK HERE FOR THE MAP

This Week in Horror: October 18 - 24

2009-10-18T00:00:00.003-05:00

October 18
1976 – Burnt Offerings released theatrically
1980 – Motel Hell released theatrically
1985 – Re-Animator released theatrically
1996 – The Dentist released theatrically
2002 – The Ring released theatrically
2005 – Day of the Dead 2: Contagium released on DVD

October 19
1990 – Night of the Living Dead (1990) released theatrically
2004 – Zombie Planet released theatrically

October 20
1889 – Bela Lugosi born (d. 1956)
1942 – Night Monster released theatrically

October 21
1988 – Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers released theatrically
2003 – Castlevania: Lament of Innocence released on the PlayStation 2 in North America
2005 – Doom released theatrically

October 22
1982 – Halloween III: Season of the Witch released theatrically
1988 – Monsters premieres on television
2004 – The Grudge released theatrically

October 23
1942 – The Mummy's Tomb released theatrically
1959 – Sam Raimi (creator of the Evil Dead series of films) born
1987 – Prince of Darkness released theatrically
1998 – Brimstone premieres on television
2001 – Thir13en Ghosts released theatrically

October 24
1962 – Eyes Without a Face released theatrically in the United States

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

The Wolfman (2010)

2009-10-17T20:37:00.005-05:00

The Wolfman will be released in theaters February 12th.

Set in the late 1880s, the film keeps the plotline of the original, with Lawrence Talbot (Benicio del Toro) reuniting with his estranged father (Anthony Hopkins) following the disappearance of his brother. The film details events during Lawrence's past that led to his conflict with his father; and the setting is changed from the mythical Welsh village of Llanwelly to the English village of Blackmore and the city of London. The official synopsis states Talbot was traumatized by his mother's death as a child, while Gwen Conliffe (Emily Blunt) is his brother's fiancée. Following his brother's disappearance, Talbot hunts a murderer, which turns out to be a werewolf, and the curse is passed on.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)

2009-10-17T20:17:00.007-05:00

New Line Cinema will release their reboot of A Nightmare on Elm Street in theaters on April 16, 2010.

Here's the trailer.

Paranormal Activity

2009-10-16T01:00:00.004-05:00

Paranormal Activity is now playing. Click HERE to see if it's showing in your area.

After a young, middle class couple moves into what seems like a typical suburban "starter" tract house, they become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic, but is certainly most active in the middle of the night. Especially when they sleep. Or try to.

Here's a couple trailers.

Saw VI

2009-10-15T21:00:00.002-05:00

On October 23 Saw VI opens in theaters.

Here's the red band 'Carousel' clip.

Here's the trailer.

Drag Me To Hell

2009-10-13T11:00:00.003-05:00

Drag Me To Hell was released on DVD today.

Director Sam Raimi (Spider-Man and The Evil Dead Trilogy) returns to the horror genre with a vengeance in the film that critics rave is "the most crazy, fun and terrifying horror movie in years!" (Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly).

Here's the trailer.

This Week in Horror: October 11 - 17

2009-10-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

October 11
2002 – Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance released on the Game Boy Advance in the European Union

October 12

October 13
1989 – Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers released theatrically
1998 – Fallen released theatrically
2006 – The Grudge 2 released theatrically

October 14
1944 – Udo Kier (actor in many horror films) born
1994 – Wes Craven's New Nightmare released theatrically
2005 – The Fog (2005) released theatrically

October 15
1981 – The Evil Dead released theatrically

October 16
1987 – Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II released theatrically
1992 – Candyman released theatrically
1998 – Bride of Chucky released theatrically

October 17
2003 – The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) released theatrically

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: October 4 - 10

2009-10-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

October 4
2002 – Red Dragon released theatrically
2004 – Zombie Honeymoon released theatrically
2005 – Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow released on the Nintendo DS in the United States

October 5
1919 – Donald Pleasence (actor in many horror films) born (d. 1995)
1952 – Clive Barker (author, director, and artist) born
1962 – Tod Browning (director of Dracula and Freaks) dies (b. 1880)
1999 – Angel premieres on television
2001 – Joy Ride released theatrically
2005 – Return of the Living Dead: Necropolis and Return of the Living Dead: Rave From the Grave premier on television

October 6
2006 – The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning released theatrically

October 7
1849 – Edgar Allan Poe dies (b. 1809)
1994 – Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation released theatrically

October 8
2001 – Castlevania Chronicles released on the PlayStation in North America

October 9

October 10

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: Sep 27 - Oct 3

2009-09-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

September 27
1985 – The New Twilight Zone premieres on television
2001 – Silent Hill 2 released on the PlayStation, Xbox, and PC in Japan

September 28
1987 – Friday the 13th: The Series premieres on television.
2007 – Moonlight premieres on television.

September 29
1955 – The Night of the Hunter released theatrically
1995 – Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers released theatrically

September 30
1984 – Tales from the Darkside premieres on television
1988 – Elvira, Mistress of the Dark released theatrically
2005 – Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow released on the Nintendo DS in the European Union

October 1
1968 – Night of the Living Dead released theatrically
1974 – The Texas Chain Saw Massacre released theatrically

October 2
1959 – The Twilight Zone (original series) premieres on television
1997 – Castlevania: Symphony of the Night released on the PlayStation and Sega Saturn in the United States
2001 – Tremors 3: Back to Perfection released theatrically

October 3
2002 – Darkness released theatrically

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: September 20 - 26

2009-09-20T01:47:00.003-05:00

September 20
1940 – The Mummy's Hand released theatrically
1975 – Asia Argento (actress in many horror films and daughter of Dario Argento and Daria Nicolodi) born

September 21
1947 – Stephen King born
1984 – The Company of Wolves released theatrically in the United Kingdom

September 22
1986 – Castlevania released for the Nintendo Entertainment System
1995 – Se7en released theatrically
1999 – Resident Evil 3: Nemesis released for the PlayStation in Japan

September 23
1988 – Dead Ringers released theatrically

September 24
2001 – Silent Hill 2 released on the PlayStation, Xbox, and PC in the United States
2002 – Vampires: Los Muertos is released on video in the United States.
2004 – Shaun of the Dead released theatrically in the United States

September 25
1959 – The Mummy (1959) released theatrically
1994 – Alone in the Dark 2 released on PC
1998 – Urban Legend released theatrically

September 26
1962 – Carnival of Souls released theatrically
1970 – Sheri Moon (actress in House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil's Rejects and Toolbox Murders) born

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: September 13 - 19

2009-09-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

September 13
1913 – Paul Wegener (director of The Golem: How He Came Into the World) dies (b. 1874)
1991 – Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare released theatrically
2005 – Supernatural premieres on television

September 14
1960 – The Little Shop of Horrors released theatrically

September 15
1974 – The Ghost Galleon released theatrically

September 16
1963 – The Outer Limits premieres on television
2002 – Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance released on the Game Boy Advance in the United States
2005 – Cry Wolf released theatrically

September 17
2004 – Silent Hill 4: The Room released on the PlayStation, Xbox, and PC in Europe
2004 – Resident Evil Outbreak released on the PlayStation 2 in Europe

September 18
1963 – The Haunting (1963) released theatrically
1998 – The Dentist 2: Brace Yourself released theatrically

September 19

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: September 6 - 12

2009-09-06T22:37:00.005-05:00

September 6
1879 – Max Schreck (actor who portrayed Count Orlok in Nosferatu) born (d. 1936)
1925 – The Phantom of the Opera (1925) released theatrically

September 7
1940 – Dario Argento (director, producer, and screenwriter of horror films) born
1954 – Doug Bradley (the actor who portrays Pinhead in the Hellraiser series of films) born
2004 – Silent Hill 4: The Room released on the PlayStation, Xbox, and PC in North America

September 8
1990 – Bride of Re-Animator released theatrically

September 9
1954 – Jeffrey Combs (actor in many horror films) born
1997 – Cube released theatrically
2004 – Resident Evil Outbreak File #2 released for the PlayStation 2 in Japan
2005 – The Exorcism of Emily Rose released theatrically

September 10
1993 – The X-Files premieres on television
2004 – Resident Evil: Apocalypse released theatrically

September 11
1987 – Hellraiser released theatrically
1992 – Candyman released theatrically

September 12
1958 – The Blob released theatrically
1992 – Anthony Perkins (actor who portrayed Norman Bates in the Psycho films) dies (b. 1932)

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: Aug 30 - Sep 5

2009-08-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

August 30
2000 – Resident Evil: Survivor released on PlayStation

August 31
1983 – Basket Case released theatrically
2007 – Halloween (2007) released theatrically

September 1
1939 – The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) released theatrically

September 2
1923 – The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) released theatrically
1978 – Dawn of the Dead released theatrically

September 3

September 4

September 5
1942 – Werner Herzog (director of Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht and Freaks) born

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: August 23 - 29

2009-08-23T19:21:00.003-05:00

August 23
1974 – Ray Park (stunt double in Sleepy Hollow) born

August 24
1960 – Takashi Miike (director of many horror films) born
1990 – Darkman released theatrically
2001 – Ghosts of Mars released theatrically

August 25
1979 – Zombi 2 released theatrically
2005 – Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow released on the Nintendo DS in Japan

August 26
2005 – Resident Evil Outbreak File #2 released for the PlayStation 2 in Europe

August 27
1992 – Castlevania II: Simon's Quest released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in Europe

August 28
1987 – Castlevania II: Simon's Quest released on the Famicom Disk System in Japan

August 29
1915 – Ingrid Bergman (actress in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941)) born (d. August 29, 1982)
1935 – William Friedkin (director of The Exorcist, Rampage, The Guardian and Bug) born
1939 – Joel Schumacher (director of The Lost Boys) born

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: August 16 - 22

2009-08-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

August 16
1956 – Bela Lugosi dies (b. 1889)

August 17
1943 – Robert De Niro (actor in Cape Fear (1991)) born
1969 – Donnie Wahlberg (actor in The Sixth Sense, Dreamcatcher, and Saw II) born

August 18
1933 – Roman Polanski (director of The Fearless Vampire Killers, Rosemary's Baby, and The Ninth Gate) born
1969 – Edward Norton (actor in Red Dragon) born

August 19
1988 – A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master released theatrically
2005 – Dead & Breakfast released theatrically

August 20
1890 – H. P. Lovecraft born (d. 1937)

August 21
1943 – The Seventh Victim released theatrically
1981 – An American Werewolf in London released theatrically
1998 – Blade released theatrically

August 22
1986 – Night of the Creeps released theatrically
1997 – Mimic released theatrically

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: August 9 - 15

2009-08-09T04:30:00.001-05:00

August 9
2005 – Matthew McGrory (actor in several horror films) dies (b. 1973)

August 10
2005 – Chaos (2005) released theatrically

August 11
1947 – Stuart Gordon (director of Re-Animator and Dagon) born
1980 – City of the Living Dead released theatrically
1989 – A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child released theatrically
1999 – System Shock 2 released on PC

August 12
1941 – Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941) released theatrically
1991 – Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge released on the Game Boy in Japan

August 13
1899 – Alfred Hitchcock born (d. 1980)
1953 – The War of the Worlds (1953) released theatrically
1982 – Friday the 13th Part 3 released theatrically
1993 – Jason Goes To Hell: The Final Friday released theatrically
2004 – Alien vs. Predator released theatrically

August 14
1975 – The Rocky Horror Picture Show released theatrically

August 15
1986 – The Fly (1986) released theatrically
1986 – Manhunter released theatrically
1997 – Event Horizon released theatrically
2003 – Freddy vs. Jason released theatrically

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: August 2 - 8

2009-08-02T14:16:00.001-05:00

August 2
1939 – Wes Craven (director of many horror films) born
1999 – The Sixth Sense released theatrically
2001 – The Others released theatrically
2002 – Signs released theatrically

August 3
1978 – Piranha released theatrically

August 4
1932 – White Zombie released theatrically
1964 – Elizabeth Kostova (author of The Historian) born

August 5
1998 – Halloween H20: 20 Years Later released theatrically

August 6
1970 – M. Night Shyamalan (director of many horror and suspense films) born
2003 – Silent Hill 3 released on the PlayStation and PC in North America

August 7

August 8

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: July 26 - August 1

2009-07-26T00:00:00.000-05:00

July 26
1976 – Night of the Seagulls released theatrically

July 27
1979 – The Amityville Horror (1979) released theatrically

July 28
1989 – Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan released theatrically
1999 – Deep Blue Sea released theatrically

July 29
1987 – Zombi 3 released theatrically
2000 – Cherry Falls released theatrically

July 30
1999 – The Blair Witch Project released theatrically

July 31
1914 – Mario Bava (director of many horror films) born (d. 1980)
1942 – Invisible Agent released theatrically
1951 – Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man released theatrically
1987 – The Lost Boys released theatrically
1992 – the film version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer released theatrically

August 1
1883 – Lon Chaney, Sr. born (d. 1930)
1971 – The Omega Man released theatrically
1986 – Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives released theatrically
1996 – Resident Evil released on the PlayStation in Europe
1999 – Silent Hill released on the PlayStation in Europe

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

That's one small step for (a) man...

2009-07-20T00:00:00.001-05:00

... one giant leap for mankind. As I'm sure everyone knows, 40 years ago today man landed on the moon.

Here's a great site for the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11:
We Choose the Moon
It's DEFINITELY recommended!

The First Men in the Moon (1901) is one of the most dazzling of H.G. Wells's "scientific romances," and the last of the series which began with The Time Machine. Leaving their humdrum lives in Kent, Mr. Bedford and Mr. Cavor invade the moon and are captured by the ant-like Selenites. They are forced to confront their own littleness when viewed in a cosmic perspective, and the result is a highly entertaining satire on imperialism in particular and human frailty in general.

Here's the trailer for the movie:

This Week in Horror: July 19 - 25

2009-07-19T00:00:00.001-05:00

July 19
1961 – Hideo Nakata (director of Ringu, Ringu 2, and Dark Water) born
1996 – Tales from the Crypt ends its run on television
1996 – The Frighteners released theatrically
2001 – The Breed released theatrically

July 20
1968 – The Devil Rides Out released theatrically
1979 – Dracula (1979) released theatrically
1995 – Castlevania: Dracula X released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in North America
1999 – The Haunting (1999) released theatrically
2001 – Jeepers Creepers released theatrically

July 21
1995 – Castlevania: Dracula X released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in Japan

July 22
1889 – James Whale (director of many horror films) born (d. 1957)
1977 – The Hills Have Eyes released theatrically
1977 – Orca released theatrically
1983 – Jaws 3-D released theatrically
2005 – The Devil's Rejects released theatrically

July 23
1993 – Castlevania Chronicles released on the X68000 in Japan

July 24
1942 – Chris Sarandon (actor in Fright Night and Bordello of Blood) born

July 25
1965 – Illeana Douglas (actress in Cape Fear (1991) and Stir of Echoes) born
1973 – Michael C. Williams (actor in The Blair Witch Project) born

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters

2009-07-18T22:04:00.000-05:00

Publisher's Weekly reported that Quirk Books will be following it's international bestseller, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, with Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, to be published September 15. The new book, to be written by Ben H. Winters, will find the Dashwood sisters tossed from their home and sent to an island of man-eating sea creatures.

Thanks to Phillip for the heads up!

This Week in Horror: July 12- 18

2009-07-12T00:20:00.001-05:00

July 12
1880 – Tod Browning (director of Dracula and Freaks) born (d. 1962)
1973 – Lon Chaney, Jr. (actor in numerous horror films) dies (b. 1906)
1978 – Michelle Rodriguez (actress in Resident Evil and The Breed) born
2002 – Halloween: Resurrection released theatrically

July 13
1951 – Stellan Skarsgård (actor in Exorcist: The Beginning and Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist) born

July 14
1939 – Sid Haig (actor in many horror movies) born
2001 – The Chronicle premieres on television

July 15
1941 – Larry Cohen (director of numerous horror films) born
2004 – Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital ends its run on television

July 16
1958 – The Fly (1958) released theatrically

July 17
1987 – Jaws: The Revenge released theatrically
2002 – Eight Legged Freaks released theatrically

July 18
1980 – Prom Night released theatrically
1986 – Aliens released theatrically
1990 – Arachnophobia released theatrically

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: July 5 - 11

2009-07-05T18:53:00.002-05:00

July 5
2003 – Battle Royale II: Requiem released theatrically

July 6
1963 – Blood Feast released theatrically
2005 – The Descent released theatrically

July 7
1944 – The Mummy's Ghost released theatrically
2000 – Scary Movie released theatrically

July 8
1935 – The Raven released theatrically
2005 – Dark Water (2005) released theatrically

July 9
1945 – Dean Koontz born

July 10
1926 – Fred Gwynne (actor in The Munsters and Pet Sematary) born (d. 1993)

July 11
1972 – Michael Rosenbaum (actor in Urban Legend and Cursed) born

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: June 28 - July 4

2009-06-28T00:00:00.001-05:00

June 28
1967 – Gil Bellows (actor in Snow White: A Tale of Terror) born
2006 – Blade: The Series premieres on television.

June 29
2005 – War of the Worlds (2005) released theatrically

June 30
1959 – Vincent D'Onofrio (actor in The Cell and The Thirteenth Floor) born
1971 – Monica Potter (actress in Saw and Along Came a Spider) born

July 1
1942 – Karen Black (actress in many horror films) born

July 2
1997 James Stewart (actor in Rear Window, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and Vertigo) dies (b. 1908)

July 3
1985 – Day of the Dead released theatrically
2003 – Silent Hill 3 released on the PlayStation and PC in Japan

July 4
2001 – Scary Movie 2 released theatrically

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: June 21 - 27

2009-06-21T00:00:00.000-05:00

June 21
1972 – Frenzy released theatrically
1985 – Lifeforce released theatrically

June 22
1958 – Bruce Campbell (actor in The Evil Dead and several other horror films) born

June 23
2001 – Elvira's Haunted Hills released theatrically

June 24
2002 – Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem released on Nintendo GameCube in the United States
2005 – Land of the Dead released theatrically

June 25
1976 – The Omen released theatrically
1982 – The Thing released theatrically

June 26
1904 – Peter Lorre (actor in several horror films) born (d. 1964)

June 27
1966 – Dark Shadows premieres on television
2001 – Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare released on PlayStation and Dreamcast

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: June 14 - 20

2009-06-14T01:29:00.001-05:00

June 14
2005 – The Historian released in hardcover

June 15
1929 – Herschell Gordon Lewis (film maker known for creating the splatter film genre) born
1948 – Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein released theatrically
1990 – Gremlins 2: The New Batch released theatrically

June 16
1938 – Robert Wiene (director of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari) dies (b. 1880)
1960 – Psycho released theatrically
1978 – Jaws 2 released theatrically
2002 – The Dead Zone premieres on television

June 17
1927 – Lucio Fulci (director of several horror films) born (d. 1996)
1977 – Exorcist II: The Heretic released theatrically
2003 – Resident Evil: Dead Aim released on the PlayStation 2
2004 – Silent Hill 4: The Room released on the PlayStation, Xbox, and PC in Japan

June 18
1971 – Willard (1971) released theatrically
2003 – Haute Tension released theatrically in France

June 19
1950 – Daria Nicolodi (actress in several horror films)
1964 – The Twilight Zone (original series) ends its run on television

June 20
1975 – Jaws released theatrically

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: June 7 - 13

2009-06-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

June 7
1997 – Perversions of Science premieres on television
2005 – Hellraiser: Deader released on DVD

June 8
2001 – Castlevania: Circle of the Moon released on the Game Boy Advance in North America
2007 – Hostel: Part II released theatrically

June 9
1978 – Damien: Omen II released theatrically

June 10
1988 – Poltergeist III released theatrically
1989 – Tales from the Crypt premieres on television
2001 – Castlevania: Circle of the Moon released on the Game Boy Advance in Europe

June 11
1905 – Richard A. Loeb (inspiration for the films Rope and Kiss the Girls) born (d. 1936)
1924 – Franz Kafka buried in Prague-Žižkov

June 12
1968 – Rosemary's Baby released theatrically
1987 – Predator released theatrically

June 13
1946 – Fictional mass murderer Jason Voorhees born
1951 – Stellan Skarsgård (actor in Exorcist: The Beginning and Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist) born

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: May 31 - June 6

2009-05-31T12:41:00.000-05:00

May 31
1975 – Sienna Guillory (actress in Resident Evil: Apocalypse) born
1977 – William Castle (director of numerous horror films) dies (b. 1914)

June 1
1979 – Phantasm released theatrically
1980 – Alien Dead released theatrically

June 2
2006 – Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors in Burbank, California

June 3
2006 – Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors in Burbank, California

June 4
1982 – Poltergeist released theatrically
2006 – Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors in Burbank, California

June 5

June 6
1949 – Robert Englund (the actor who portrays Freddy Krueger) born
2002 – Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance released on the Game Boy Advance in Japan
2006 – The Omen (2006) released theatrically

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: May 24 - 30

2009-05-24T12:53:00.000-05:00

May 24
1995 – Tales from the Hood released theatrically

May 25
1967 – Poppy Z. Brite (author of gothic and horror short stories and novels) born
1979 – Alien released theatrically
2001 – World Horror Convention in Seattle, Washington
2007 – Bug released theatrically (US)

May 26
1913 – Peter Cushing (actor known for his portrayals of Abraham Van Helsing) born (d. 1994)
1964 – Caitlin R. Kiernan (horror author) born
1990 – Friday the 13th: The Series ends its run on television
2000 – Resident Evil Code: Veronica released for the Dreamcast in Europe
2001 – World Horror Convention in Seattle, Washington

May 27
1911 – Vincent Price (actor in many horror films) born (d. 1993)
1922 – Christopher Lee (actor known for his numerous portrayals of Dracula) born
1934 – Harlan Ellison (author of numerous novels and short stories) born
1973 – Night Gallery ends its run on television
1988 – Killer Klowns from Outer Space released theatrically
2001 – World Horror Convention in Seattle, Washington

May 28
2001 – World Horror Convention in Seattle, Washington

May 29
1912 – John Gilling (director of many Hammer Films) born
1953 – Danny Elfman (composer of scores for The Frighteners, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, and Tales from the Crypt) born
1957 – James Whale (director of many horror films) dies (b. 1889)

May 30
1943 – Dennis Etchison (author of horror fiction) born
1967 – Claude Rains (actor in many horror films) dies (b. 1889)
2003 – Wrong Turn released theatrically

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

This Week in Horror: May 17 - 23

2009-05-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

May 17
1946 – F. Paul Wilson (author of several stories in the Cthulhu Mythos) born
1973 – Matthew McGrory (actor in several horror films) born (d. 2005)

May 18
1924 – Priscilla Pointer (actress in Carrie, Twilight Zone: The Movie, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, and C.H.U.D. II - Bud the Chud) born
1971 – The Abominable Dr. Phibes released theatrically
2006 – The Breed released theatrically

May 19
1989 – Fright Night II released theatrically
2002 – The X-Files ends its run on television
2004 – Angel ends its run on television

May 20
2003 – Buffy the Vampire Slayer ends its run on television
2005 – Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist released theatrically

May 21
1992 – Carnosaur released theatrically

May 22
1922 – Christopher Lee (actor known for his portrayals of Dracula) born
1992 – Alien³ released theatrically

May 23
1980 – The Shining released theatrically
1986 – Poltergeist II released theatrically
2003 – Silent Hill 3 released on the PlayStation and PC in Europe

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

Friday Night Frights: Battle Royale (2000)

2009-05-15T19:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to tonight's episode of Friday Night Frights.

Tonight's feature, Battle Royale, is a Japanese film based on the book by Koushun Takami. Many members of the Japanese Parliament tried to get the novel banned, but to no avail. When the film was released, they attempted to ban it also. Both efforts resulted in the novel and film becoming even more successful as people bought the book and went to the movie to see what the fuss was all about.

In a future where society is on the verge of collapse, the government takes drastic action against the problem of rebellious teenagers in this violent sci-fi opus from Japan. In the year 2002, Japan's economy has taken a dramatic turn for the worse, and massive unemployment and inflation have thrown most adults into a state of chaos; the nation's youth culture responds with unprecedented violence, delinquency, and truancy. Desperate to restore order, the Japanese parliament responds by creating the Millennial Reform School Act, in which groups of junior high students are selected at random, sent to an isolated island, and forced to play a rigorous war game, in which all but one of their number are killed. Kitano (Beat Takeshi) is an embittered school instructor who guides the 44 students of the Zentsuji Middle School's Class B through the deadly game known as "Battle Royale," as they struggle to survive against the elements and each other. Battle Royale proved to be both successful and highly controversial in Japan, where it set box-office records and prompted political leaders to call for stricter controls on violence in Japanese entertainment; the film was initially rated R-15 (no one under 15 admitted), unusual for violent films in Japan, though director Kinji Fukasaku later prepared a re-edited version that earned a more lenient classification. Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

This Week in Horror: May 10 - 16

2009-05-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

May 10
1947 – Caroline B. Cooney (author of horror directed at teenagers) born
1994 – John Wayne Gacy (serial killer, partial inspiration for the prevalence of evil clown imagery in horror) executed

May 11
1936 – Dracula's Daughter released theatrically
1955 – Revenge of the Creature released theatrically
1984 – Firestarter released theatrically
2001 – Ginger Snaps released theatrically
2006 – World Horror Convention in San Francisco, California

May 12
1930 – Jesús Franco (director of sexually-charged horror films) born
1961 – Lar Park Lincoln (actress in Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood) born
2006 – World Horror Convention in San Francisco, California

May 13
1935 – Werewolf of London released theatrically
1988 – Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood released theatrically
2006 – World Horror Convention in San Francisco, California

May 14
1265 – Dante Alighieri (author of The Divine Comedy) born (d. 1321)
1983 – Amber Tamblyn (actress in The Ring and The Grudge 2)
2006 – World Horror Convention in San Francisco, California

May 15
1961 – Katrin Cartlidge (actress in From Hell) born
2000 – Shadow of the Vampire released theatrically

May 16
1836 – Edgar Allan Poe marries his 13-year-old cousin Virginia
1960 – Peeping Tom released theatrically
2001 – Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare released on PC

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

Friday Night Frights: Burnt Offerings (1976)

2009-05-08T19:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to tonight's episode of Friday Night Frights.

Tonight's feature is a chilling offering from the 70's I made reference to in a previous post about Karen Black.

Burnt Offerings (1976) was directed by Dan Curtis and stars Karen Black and Oliver Reed as summer caretakers moving into a gothic house with their young son. The catch? The house rejuvenates a part of itself with each death that occurs on its premises.

Check out the creepy chauffeur, and beware an ending that will give you nightmares.

Here's the full movie, in a playlist:

This Week in Horror: May 3 - 9

2009-05-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

May 3
1996 – The Craft released theatrically

May 4
1977 – Emily Perkins (actress in the Ginger Snaps series of films) born

May 5
1940 – Lance Henriksen (actor in many horror films) born
1957 – Richard E. Grant (actor in Warlock) born
1965 – Alphaville, a Strange Adventure of Lemmy Caution released theatrically

May 6
1982 – the play version of Little Shop of Horrors premiered on stage
2003 – Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow released on the Game Boy Advance in the United States
2005 – House of Wax released theatrically

May 7
1939 – Ruggero Deodato (director of many horror films) born
1968 – Traci Lords (actress in Blade) born

May 8
1958 – Horror of Dracula (the first Hammer Horror film) released theatrically
1998 – Resident Evil 2 released on the PlayStation in Europe
2003 – Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow released on the Game Boy Advance in Japan

May 9
1980 – Friday the 13th released theatrically
2003 – Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow released on the Game Boy Advance in the European Union

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

House of Wax (1953)

2009-05-01T19:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to tonight's episode of Friday Night Frights.

Tonight's feature is House of Wax (1953), directed by André De Toth and starring Vincent Price as a horribly disfigured sculptor who opens up the House of Wax in New York, using the wax-covered bodies of his victims as his displays. And he's now set his eyes on his Marie Antoinette...

Here's the full movie, in a playlist:

This Week in Horror: April 26 - May 2

2009-04-26T00:00:00.000-05:00

April 26
1956 – The Creature Walks Among Us released theatrically
1991 – Monsters ends its run on television
2002 – Jason X released theatrically
2005 – Resident Evil Outbreak File #2 released for the PlayStation 2 in North America

April 27
1980 – Mario Bava (director of horror films) dies (b. 1914)
1990 – Castlevania II: Simon's Quest released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in Euope

April 28

April 29
1980 – Alfred Hitchcock dies (b. 1899)
1981 – The Beyond released theatrically

April 30
2004 – Godsend released theatrically

May 1
1981 – Friday the 13th Part 2 released theatrically
1987 – Creepshow 2 released theatrically

May 2
1965 – Ari Lehman (actor who portrayed Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th) born
1972 – The Rock (actor in Doom) born
1989 – Society released theatrically
1999 – Oliver Reed (actor in several horror films) dies (b. 1938)

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

Friday Night Frights: House (1986)

2009-04-24T19:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to tonight's episode of Friday Night Frights.

Tonight's feature is House, directed by Steve Miner (the only director to direct more than one film in the Friday the 13th series). The cast includes William Katt, George Wendt, Richard Moll, Kay Lenz, and Mary Stavin.

Roger Cobb (William Katt) is a Vietnam veteran and horror novelist. After his son Jimmy disappears while visiting his aunt, Roger's search for Jimmy ruins his marriage and writing career. After Roger's aunt suddenly dies, Cobb moves into her house to work on a novel based on his experiences in the war. As strange occurrences start happening around him, Roger becomes aware that the house is evil, not to mention ghost-infested, and it resents his presence in it. The ghosts force him to endure a journey into his past, where he ultimately finds Jimmy at the end.

Here's the full movie, in a playlist:

This Week in Horror: April 19 - 25

2009-04-19T00:00:00.001-05:00

April 19
1985 – The Company of Wolves released theatrically in the United States

April 20

April 21
2006 – Silent Hill released theatrically

April 22
1935 – Bride of Frankenstein released theatrically

April 23

April 24
1914 – William Castle (director of numerous horror films) born (d. 1977)
2001 – Bio Zombie released on DVD

April 25
1953 – House of Wax (1953) released theatrically
2002 – Resident Evil released theatrically in Australia

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

Friday Night Frights: Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970)

2009-04-17T19:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to tonight's episode of Friday Night Frights.

Tonight's feature is Colossus: The Forbin Project, directed by Joseph Sargent. The cast includes Eric Braeden, Susan Clark, and Gordon Pinsent.

An artificially intelligent supercomputer is developed and activated, only to reveal that it has a sinister agenda of its own.

Here's the full movie, in a playlist:

Easter Bunnies

2009-04-12T00:02:00.001-05:00

HAPPY EASTER!

This Week in Horror: April 12 - 18

2009-04-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

April 12
1962 – Cape Fear (1962) released theatrically
1985 – Cat's Eye released theatrically

April 13
1984 – Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter released theatrically

April 14
2006 – Scary Movie 4 released theatrically

April 15
1998 – Vampires released theatrically
2005 – The Amityville Horror (2005) released theatrically

April 16

April 17

April 18

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

Friday Night Frights: Theater of Blood (1973)

2009-04-10T19:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to tonight's episode of Friday Night Frights.

Tonight's feature is Theater of Blood, directed by Douglas Hickox and starring Vincent Price as Shakespearean actor Edward Lionheart, who takes poetic revenge on the critics who denied him recognition.

Here's the full movie, in a playlist:

Horror Survival List

2009-04-09T05:09:00.000-05:00

The good folks at MonsterLibrarian.com have posted the Horror Survival List which was developed on the Shocklines forum by various authors.

The list contains 93 items. Seriously, these are not suggestions. Read them. Learn them. Live them.

My favorite?
Number 23: Don’t play with it. Whatever it is, however interesting you find it, just don’t play with it. You have no idea where it’s been or what it’ll do.

So here it is... THE LIST.

You're welcome.

(thanks booklady50 for the tweet - and for possibly saving my life and the lives of countless others who read and heed the words herein)

Harper's Island Premieres Tomorrow Night

2009-04-08T12:14:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow night (April 9 at 10pm ET/PT) CBS will premiere it's new show Harper's Island.

In this 13-episode murder mystery, a group of family and friends travel to a secluded island for a wedding but fall prey to a murderer who kills them one by one. Every episode, someone is killed, and everyone is a suspect.

Mark H. Harris, of About.com, has provided an overview with a cheat sheet of the main characters (there are 25 of them) in preparation for this event.

Here's a promo from CBS:

In fact, you can find a whole page of videos from CBS about the show here.

There's even a Pick the Victim Game you can play weekly. Enjoy!

Let the Right One In

2009-04-05T16:29:00.002-05:00

A fragile, anxious boy, 12-year-old Oskar is regularly bullied by his stronger classmates but never strikes back. The lonely boy's wish for a friend seems to come true when he meets Eli, also 12, who moves in next door to him.

But Eli's arrival coincides with a series of gruesome deaths and attacks. Though Oskar realizes that she's a vampire, his friendship with her is stronger than his fear and he cannot forsake her.

However Eli knows that to continue living, she must keep relocating. But when Oskar faces his darkest hour, Eli returns to defend him the only way she can...

One of the best novels of any genre I've read in the past several years, it's not just a terrifying and gripping vampire story, but a tender tale of friendship between two lonely children as well.

This 2004 novel is the first by Swedish writer John Ajvide Lindqvist. The book was a bestseller in the author's home country of Sweden and has been translated into Danish, German, Russian and English. Lindqvist also wrote the screenplay for a Swedish language film version by the same name, directed by Tomas Alfredson, which was released in 2008 to widespread critical acclaim. An English language remake, to be directed by Matt Reeves, is scheduled for release in 2010.

THE MOVIE

Let the Right One In was directed by Tomas Alfredson and stars Kåre Hedebrant as Oskar and Lina Leandersson as Eli. The highly acclaimed film was awarded 43 wins and 6 nominations.

"A CHILLING FAIRY TALE. As delicate, haunting, and poetic a film as you're ever bound to see." - Guillermo del Toro (director of Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy)

Here's the trailer:

This Week in Horror: April 5 - 11

2009-04-05T00:00:00.001-05:00

April 5
1926 – Roger Corman (director of numerous horror films) born

April 6

April 7

April 8
1955 – Kane Hodder (actor who portrayed Jason Voorhees in several of the Friday the 13th films) born
1977 – Demon Seed released theatrically

April 9
1996 – Tremors 2: Aftershocks released theatrically
2004 – Shaun of the Dead released theatrically in the UK

April 10
1992 – Sleepwalkers released theatrically

April 11
2003 – House of 1000 Corpses released theatrically

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

Friday Night Frights: Prince of Darkness (1987)

2009-04-03T19:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to tonight's episode of Friday Night Frights.

Tonight's feature was written and directed by MOH John Carpenter.

Prince of Darkness features Carpenter favorite Donald Pleasence, Jameson Parker, Victor Wong, Lisa Blount, and yes - that's Alice Cooper as a "Street Schizo"!

Father Loomis (Donald Pleasance) is a priest who discovers a strange object in a church basement -- a canister filled with a swirling and volatile green substance. With the help of Professor Birack (Victor Wong), Loomis discovers the startling truth about his find -- it seems that Satan, who is actually an alien life form, had a son, and the essence of the devil's spawn is trapped inside the canister. The evil spirit has been guarded by a group calling themselves "The Brotherhood of Sleep," but the spirit has the ability to free itself whenever it decides the time is right... and it seems that time is just around the corner. Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Here's the full movie, in a playlist:

Joshua Hoffine, Horror Photographer

2009-03-31T00:45:00.003-05:00

Joshua Hoffine is a horror photographer who has recently been featured in both Rue Morgue magazine and Fangoria. He left a career as a wedding photographer to capture images illuminating the darker side of our psyche, exposing our childhood nightmares and fears.

Hoffline insists that the images be as real as possible, and that includes the children in the photographs. They're actually his real life daughters Anna (12), Shiva (10), Sade (5), and his main model Chloe (7).

The series, called After Dark, My Sweet, is still in progress and can be viewed at his website, where you can also purchase prints.

Come Now, My Child

2009-03-30T03:04:00.004-05:00

Picture poem by Kenneth Patchen

This Week in Horror: March 29 - April 4

2009-03-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

March 29
2000 – Resident Evil Code: Veronica released for the Dreamcast in North America

March 30
1996 – Resident Evil released on the PlayStation in the United States
2000 – The Typing of the Dead released on Sega Dreamcast and PC
2001 – Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare released on Game Boy Color

March 31
2006 – Slither released theatrically

April 1
1883 – Lon Chaney, Sr. born (d. 1930)
2001 – Faust: Love of the Damned released theatrically
2004 – Resident Evil Outbreak released on the PlayStation 2 in North America

April 2
1971 – Dark Shadows ends its run on television
1982 – Cat People (1982) released theatrically

April 3
1961 – Eddie Murphy (actor in Vampire in Brooklyn) born
1962 – Jennifer Rubin (actress in numerous horror films) born

April 4
1932 – Anthony Perkins (actor who portrayed Norman Bates in the Psycho films) born (d. 1992)
1993 – When a Stranger Calls Back premieres on television
2003 – Beyond Re-Animator released theatrically

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

Friday Nights Frights: The Valley of Gwangi (1969)

2009-03-27T19:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to tonight's episode of Friday Night Frights.

Last week we had soldiers and werewolves, this week we have cowboys and dinosaurs!

Tonight's feature is a classic dinosaur movie from 1969, with some great stop-motion special effects by the genius Ray Harryhausen. I remember loving this on TV when I was a kid.

The Valley of Gwangi was directed by Jim O'Connolly; the cast includes James Franciscus, Gila Golan, Richard Carlson, and Laurence Naismith.

Cowboy James Franciscus seeks fame and fortune by capturing an Allosaurus living in the Forbidden Valley and putting it in a Mexican circus. Guess what happens?

Here's the full movie, in a playlist:

Crypticon Minneapolis 2009

2009-03-25T18:45:00.001-05:00

Crypticon returns for Year 4!

November 6, 7, and 8 2009

at the Sheraton Hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota

A new hotel with more space, larger indoor theater, bands and more!

Keep checking the official website for up to date information about events and guests.

The Mysterious Stranger

2009-03-25T17:06:00.001-05:00

The Mysterious Stranger is an unfinished work, and the last novel attempted, by the American author Mark Twain. It was worked on periodically from roughly 1890 up until his death in 1910. The body of work is a serious social commentary by Twain addressing his ideas of the Moral Sense and the "damned human race".

Twain actually wrote multiple versions of this story, each unfinished and each involving the character of "Satan".

Project Gutenberg has an online eBook containing the story.

ANIMATED VERSION
The Mysterious Stranger was adapted to a short scene in the 1985 claymation film The Adventures of Mark Twain, in which the children visit a planetoid and meet an angel named Satan. He claims to be incapable of performing an evil act as he does not understand the concept of wrongdoing. Satan builds a sandcastle and has the children make clay figures which he then brings to life. Two of the clay men bicker over ownership of a cow, and Satan kills them by mashing them with his palm. He then creates a storm and an earthquake to kill the remaining people and destroy the castle, to the horror of the watching children. Thereafter, the kids leave the planetoid as Satan lectures, "Life itself is only a vision, a dream. Nothing exists save empty space and you, and you are but a thought," ultimately disappearing with the planetoid, an illusion he created himself.

Due to the disturbing nature of this scene, it is edited out of the movie when aired on American television.

Here's the scene:

This Week in Horror: March 22 - 28

2009-03-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

March 22
1985 – Friday the 13th: A New Beginning released theatrically
1986 – Chopping Mall released theatrically
1996 – Resident Evil released on the PlayStation in Japan
2002 – Blade II released theatrically
2002 – The Chronicle ends its run on television

March 23
1964 – Peter Lorre (actor in several horror films) dies (b. 1904)

March 24
1939 – The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939) released theatrically
1974 – The Rocky Horror Show premieres at the the Roxy

March 25

March 26
1994 – System Shock released on PC and Mac

March 27
1973 – Sisters released theatrically
1986 – April Fool's Day released theatrically
1991 – Ralph Bates (actor in several Hammer horror films) dies (d. 1940)

March 28
1920 – Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920) released theatrically
1963 – The Birds released theatrically
1979 – Phantasm released theatrically

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

Friday Night Frights: Dog Soldiers (2002)

2009-03-20T19:00:00.000-05:00

Six soldiers. Full moon. No chance.

Welcome to tonight's episode of Friday Night Frights.

Tonight's feature is a great "man movie" (as opposed to a "chick flick")! Soldiers and werewolves! Crack open a beer and enjoy!

Dog Soldiers was written and directed by Neil Marshall; the cast includes Sean Pertwee, Kevin McKidd, Emma Cleasby, and Liam Cunningham.

A routine military exercise turns into a nightmare in the Scotland wilderness.

Here's the full movie, in a playlist:

Leprechaun (1993)

2009-03-17T00:00:00.001-05:00

Sure and it's a Happy St. Patrick's Day I be wishin' ye now!!!

Leprechaun was directed by Mark Jones. The cast includes Warwick Davis (as Leprechaun, and also of Willow and the Harry Potter movies fame), Jennifer Aniston (Her film debut! Begorrah!), Ken Olandt, and Mark Holton.

When Dan O'Grady returns to the U.S. after stealing some Irish leprechaun's pot of gold, he thinks he can settle down and enjoy his newfound wealth. He thought wrong. The leprechaun followed him and O'Grady barely gets away with his life, having locked the little monster in his basement. Ten years later, J.D. and his spoiled daughter Tory move in. By accident, the leprechaun is released and almost immediately the annoying creature starts to look for his gold, not displaying any respect for human life.

Here's the full movie, from a playlist:

Scare Tactics

2009-03-16T22:24:00.004-05:00

Scare Tactics is a reality show on the Sci-Fi Channel, currently hosted by Tracy Morgan.

This hidden camera show puts unsuspecting victims into terrifying situations, usually involving movie-style special effects and makeup that recreates horror movie clichés. The victims are set up by friends/family in tandem with producers.

The unsuspecting victims on the show are usually lured to some location, either invited there by people they know (who were in on the act), or reporting for what they thought was a new job. Soon they would experience some kind of terrifying scene — like a strange monster, a terrible accident, or a violent crime being committed – all of which was staged while the victim was secretly being video recorded.

Bambi Meets Godzilla (1969)

2009-03-16T21:23:00.001-05:00

Bambi Meets Godzilla was written, directed and (as you'll see) everything else by Marv Newland.

This cartoon prefaced Godzilla 1985 on New World Pictures' VHS release, but was omitted when that film was licensed to Starmaker.

For those interested, the background music is "Ranz Des Vaches", from Gioacchino Rossini's William Tell. The loud, elongated piano chord is the final note of "A Day in the Life" from "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by The Beatles.

This Week in Horror: March 15 - 21

2009-03-15T00:00:00.001-05:00

March 15
1943 – David Cronenberg (director of numerous horror films) born
2002 – Resident Evil released theatrically in the United States

March 16
1925 – The Monster released theatrically
1995 – Alone in the Dark 3 released on PC and Mac

March 17
1943 – I Walked with a Zombie released theatrically
1994 – Castlevania: Bloodlines released on the Sega Genesis in North America
2000 – Final Destination released theatrically

March 18
1950 – Brad Dourif (actor who portrays Chucky in the Child's Play films) born
1994 – Castlevania: Bloodlines released on the Sega Mega Drive in Japan
2005 – The Ring Two released theatrically
2005 – Resident Evil 4 released for the Nintendo GameCube in Europe

March 19
2004 – Dawn of the Dead (2004) released theatrically

March 20
1964 – Two Thousand Maniacs! released theatrically
1994 – Castlevania: Bloodlines released on the Sega Genesis in Europe
1997 – Castlevania: Symphony of the Night released on the PlayStation and Sega Saturn in Japan

March 21
2001 – Castlevania: Circle of the Moon released on the Game Boy Advance in Japan
2006 – Stay Alive released theatrically

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

Severance: Stories

2009-03-14T20:35:00.001-05:00

Severance: Stories, by Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Olen Butler, is a book of 62 stories based on two facts: theory has it that consciousness lasts for one and a half minutes after decapitation, and people can utter 160 words per minute when agitated.

Each story consists of 240 words of stream-of-conciousness - the amount of words that could be uttered in one and a half minutes in a state of agitation.

These are the post-mortem thoughts of fictional, historical, mythical, animal and modern day figures who lost their head, but are given a voice for 240 words.

Characters include John the Baptist, Medusa, a chicken, Jayne Mansfield, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Tyler Alkins, the civilian truck driver beheaded in Iraq. The latter stories in the book are more disturbing as Butler moves through history into our present day.

Some of the last thoughts are remembrances of special times, others are a retreat to childhood. This book, while morbid, is quite thought provoking and will stay with you for a long time.

Friday Night Frights: Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956)

2009-03-13T19:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to tonight's episode of Friday Night Frights.

Tonight's feature is the 1956 movie Earth vs. the Flying Saucers.

The movie was directed by Fred F. Sears, and stars Hugh Marlowe and Joan Taylor.

The groundbreaking flying saucer effects were courtesy of the legendary Ray Harryhausen.

Project Skyhook, a U.S. effort to launch a dozen satellites, is visited by a flying saucer. A misunderstanding leads to the aliens being fired on, and they retaliate by destroying the project site, killing everyone except Dr. Russell Marvin and his wife Carol. The sequence of events quickly spirals out of control and leads to a full scale invasion of Earth. Can Dr. and Mrs. Marvin find a way to stop these creatures, or is it the end of the human race?

Here's the full movie, in a playlist:

This Week in Horror: March 8 - 14

2009-03-08T00:00:00.002-06:00

March 8
1972 – Tales from the Crypt released theatrically
2005 – Rings released on DVD

March 9

March 10
1997 – Buffy the Vampire Slayer begins its run
2006 – The Hills Have Eyes (2006) released theatrically

March 11
1931 – F.W. Murnau (director of Nosferatu) dies (b. 1888)
1997 – Castlevania Legends released on the Game Boy in North America
1999 – Castlevania 64 released on the Nintendo 64 in Japan

March 12
1999 – The Rage: Carrie 2 released theatrically

March 13
1942 – The Ghost of Frankenstein released theatrically
1981 – The Howling released theatrically
1987 – Evil Dead II released theatrically
1996 – Lucio Fulci (director of several horror films) dies (b. 1927)

March 14
2003 – Willard (2003) released theatrically

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

Friday Night Frights: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

2009-03-06T19:00:00.001-06:00

Welcome to tonight's episode of Friday Night Frights.

Tonight's feature is the 1956 movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

The movie was directed by Don Seigel; the cast includes Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Larry Gates, King Donovan, and Carolyn Jones. It was based on the novel by Jack Finney.

A small-town doctor learns that the population of his community is being replaced by emotionless alien duplicates.

This movie was remade in 1978 by Philip Kaufman, with Donald Sutherland in the lead role.

Here's the full movie, in a playlist:

Coming Soon - Hunted (House of Night Series #5)

2009-03-03T22:16:00.003-06:00

Zeitghost Media has just provided an exclusive book trailer (released today) as a prelude to the forthcoming March 10 release of the novel Hunted, book #5 of the House of Night series, written by P.C. and Kristin Cast.

The series follows 16-year-old Zoey Redbird, who gets “Marked” by a vampyre tracker and begins to undergo the Change into an actual vampyre.

The New York Times best selling mother-daughter writing team of P.C. and Kristin Cast again prove why they have become a major force in teen fiction. With over 3 million copies of their books in print, a well-publicized film option, an updated interactive website, daily-growing fanbase, and now a first national book tour, the Cast duo will command your attention with every page turn.

What if the hottest guy in the world was hiding a nameless evil, and all he wanted was you? At the start of this heart-pounding new installment of the bestselling House of Night series, Zoey’s friends have her back again and Stevie Rae and the red fledglings aren’t Neferet’s secrets any longer. But an unexpected danger has emerged. Neferet guards her powerful new consort, Kalona, and no one at the House of Night seems to understand the threat he poses. Kalona looks gorgeous, and he has the House of Night under his spell. A past life holds the key to breaking his rapidly spreading influence, but what if this past life shows Zoey secrets she doesn’t want to hear and truths she can’t face?

Special bonus: The book features a full-color poster of Zoey inside the cover!

EXCERPT

Chapter One

The dream began with the sound of wings. In retrospect I realize I should have known that was a bad sign, what with the Raven Mockers being set loose and all, but in my dream it was just background noise, kinda like a fan whirring or the TV turned on to the QVC.

In my dream I was standing in the middle of a beautiful meadow. It was night, but there was an enormous full moon hovering just above the trees that framed the meadow. It cast a silver blue light strong enough to throw shadows and made everything look like it was underwater, an impression that was strengthened by the gentle breeze blowing the soft grasses against my bare legs in sweeps and whirls like waves lapping sweetly against a shore. That same wind was lifting my thick dark hair from my naked shoulders and it felt like silk floating against my skin.

Bare legs? Naked shoulders?

I looked down and let out a little yip of surprise. I was wearing a seriously short buckskin minidress. The top of it was cut in a wide V, front and back, so that it hung off my shoulders, leaving lots of skin visible. The dress itself was amazing. It was white and decorated with fringe, feathers, and shells and seemed to glow in the moonlight. All over it was beaded with intricate designs that were impossibly beautiful.

My imagination is so darn cool!

The dress tickled a memory, but I ignored it. I didn’t want to think too hard— I was dreaming! Instead of pondering déjà vu moments I danced gracefully through the meadow, wondering if Zac Efron or even Johnny Depp was going to suddenly appear and flirt outrageously with me.

I peeked around as I twirled and swayed with the wind and thought I saw the shadows flicker and move oddly within the massive trees. I stopped and was trying to squint so I could get a closer look at what was going on in the darkness. Knowing me and my weird dreams, I’d created bottles of brown pop hanging from the limbs like bizarre fruit, just waiting for me to pick them.

That’s when he appeared.
View Entire Excerpt of Chapter One

Here's the second chapter in audio:

Video trailer for Hunted (House of Night Series #5):

Here are the other books in the House of Night Series:

Marked (House of Night Series #1)
After she is Marked, 16-year-old Zoey Redbird enters the House of Night and learns that she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is mis-using her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny— with a little help from her new vampyre friends.

Betrayed (House of Night Series #2)
Zoey has managed to settle in at the House of Night and come to terms with the vast powers the Goddess Nyx has given her. Just as she finally feels she belongs, the unthinkable happens: human teenagers are being killed, and all evidence points to the House of Night. While danger stalks the humans from Zoey’s old life, she begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she loves.

Chosen (House of Night Series #3)
Dark forces are at work at the House of Night and Zoey Redbird's adventures at the school take a mysterious turn. Her best friend, Stevie Rae, is undead and struggling to maintain a grip on her humanity. Zoey finds herself in the very unexpected and rare situation of having three boyfriends. Mix a little bloodlust into the equation and the situation has the potential to spell social disaster. Just when it seems things couldn't get any tougher, vampyres start turning up dead. Really dead. It looks like the People of Faith are tired of living side-by-side with vampyres. But, as Zoey and her friends so often find out, how things appear rarely affects the truth...

Untamed (House of Night Series #4)
Life sucks when your friends are pissed at you. Just ask Zoey Redbird – she’s become an expert on suckiness. In one week she has gone from having three boyfriends to having none, and from having a close group of friends who trusted and supported her, to being an outcast. Speaking of friends, of the two Zoey has left, one is undead and one is unMarked. And Neferet has declared war on humans, which Zoey knows in her heart is wrong. But will anyone listen to her? Zoey's adventures at vampyre finishing school take a wld and dangerous turn as loyalties are tested, shocking true intentions come to light, and an ancient evil is awakened.

This Week in Horror: March 1 - 7

2009-03-01T00:00:00.002-06:00

March 1
1974 – Blood for Dracula and Flesh for Frankenstein (both directed by Andy Warhol) released theatrically

March 2
1933 – King Kong released theatrically

March 3
2000 – Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness released on the Nintendo 64 in Europe
2004 – Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital premieres on television

March 4
1922 – Nosferatu released theatrically
1965 – Paul W. S. Anderson (director of several horror films) born
1999 – Silent Hill released on the PlayStation in Japan

March 5
1943 – Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man released theatrically
1954 – Creature from the Black Lagoon released theatrically

March 6

March 7
1946 – The Mask of Diijon released theatrically
2003 – Resident Evil 0 released on the Nintendo GameCube in Europe

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

Friday Night Frights: Suspiria (1977)

2009-02-27T19:00:00.001-06:00

Welcome to tonight's episode of Friday Night Frights.

Tonight's feature is Suspiria, directed by Dario Argento.

A newcomer to a fancy ballet academy gradually comes to realize that the staff of the school are actually a coven of witches bent on chaos and destruction.

This Week in Horror: February 22 - 28

2009-02-22T00:00:00.000-06:00

February 22
1996 – Castlevania: Dracula X released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in Europe
2002 – The Queen of the Damned released theatrically

February 23
1996 – Mary Reilly released theatrically

February 24

February 25
2005 – Cursed released theatrically

February 26

February 27
1987 – A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors released theatrically
2004 – Club Dread released theatrically
2006 – House of the Dead 2 released on DVD

February 28
1941 – The Monster and the Girl released theatrically
1965 – Dr. Terror's House of Horrors released theatrically
1986 – House released theatrically
2003 – Resident Evil 0 released on the Nintendo GameCube in Australia

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.

Friday Night Frights: Christine (1983)

2009-02-20T19:00:00.001-06:00

Welcome to tonight's episode of Friday Night Frights.

Tonight's feature is the movie Christine, about a car named Christine, based on the book of the same name by Stephen King.

The movie was directed by John Carpenter; the cast includes Keith Gordon, John Stockwell, Alexandra Paul, Robert Prosky, and Harry Dean Stanton.

A nerdish boy buys a strange car with a evil mind of its own and his nature starts to change to reflect it.

Christine was said to be a 1958 Plymouth Fury, which had similar panels and trim to the 1957 model. When the Fury name was introduced, it was essentially a sport and trim package on the Belvedere - notably two doors, gold anodized trim, gold grille and dual four-barrel carburetors.

Christine, as shown in the movie, could have been any two door Belvedere with a 318 or 350 engine.

Although over 5300 Furys - and far more Belvederes - were built in 1958, they have since become very rare and are now collector's items. There were 13 or 16 (depending on source) Belvederes/Furys smashed in the making of the movie (out of the roughly 25 used during filming), but it is unknown whether they were 1957 or 1958 models, or a combination. In any event, Plymouth enthusiasts were infuriated, although the movie popularized the car and probably saved many of them - in the same way that Back to the Future (1985) did for the DeLorean.

In the original Stephen King book, the car had four doors but this was changed to a two-door model when it was realized that there never was a four-door 1958 Plymouth Fury. Although all 1958 Plymouth Furys had Buckskin Beige exterior paint and gold anodized aluminum side trim and grille, the book mentions that this particular car was custom ordered in Ford red.

Here's the full movie, in a playlist:

This Week in Horror: February 15 - 21

2009-02-15T00:00:00.000-06:00

February 15
1954 – Don Coscarelli (director of the Phantasm series of films) born
2003 – House of the Dead released theatrically

February 16

February 17
1959 – House on Haunted Hill (1959) released theatrically
2006 – Castlevania: Curse of Darkness released on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in Europe

February 18
2000 – Resident Evil 3: Nemesis released for the PlayStation in Europe

February 19
1968 – Hour of the Wolf released theatrically
1970 – The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (L'uccello dalle piume di cristallo) released theatrically in Italy
1993 – Army of Darkness released theatrically

February 20
1932 – Freaks released theatrically
2004 – Castlevania: Lament of Innocence released on the PlayStation 2 in Australia

February 21
1986 – The Hitcher released theatrically

Source: wikipedia Portal:Horror/This day in horror archive

Please leave a comment with any additions/corrections. Thanks.