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Author: Headless Bob

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Emily Events Theme Parks

Scream Break 2023

Scream Break 2023

Do you ever wonder what monsters do in the off-season? This year Six Flags Magic Mountain showed us how their terrifying Fright Fest monsters celebrate Spring Break with Scream Break 2023. Fridays – Sundays, March 18th – April 16th, park guests could add some vitamin SCREAM to their visit during this special, separately ticketed after-hours event. The event included two haunts, three scare zones, specialty food & beverages, and more. 

Scream Break with the Haunted Attraction Network

I was beyond excited to get to experience this event myself as part of the  Haunted Attraction Network. Philip let me out of my newsletter writing-only cage to get a little monster R&RIP at Scream Break 2023. 

I started the evening with some delicious BBQ Brisket Mac & Cheese. To drink, I had the event’s signature cocktail, “Skulls on the Beach” (but as a mocktail version for me). Then it was out into the night for mazes & scarezones!

We first walked through “Vault 666: The Initiation”. Through some clever negotiations on my part, we made it out alive and successfully joined Sigma Phi Mu Mu (Six Flags Magic Mountain). Then we were off to one hell of a frat party at “Condemned: House Party”. Afterwards we mixed and mingled with the spring break monsters. 

Next, we walked through a sinister soiree at Bloodborne Hollow. The area’s denizens were half-human, half-animal – but all terrifying! The chandeliers along the pathway indicated that we had made our way over to the  classy area of town. Much nicer than the dilapitated old house of the frat area.

Finally, we ended the evening with a [G]RAVE at the Dead Man’s Party area in the DC Universe. I had a blast busting out my best dance moves to the DJ’s rocking beats. Not too shabby of a night out for this ghoul!

Scream Break was a great twist on some classic Fright Fest attractions. It certainly satisfied my need for Halloween halfway through the year. I look forward to seeing how this event grows in future years.

Watch the Video

Thank you to Philp and the Haunted Attraction Network for the opportunity to experience this awesome event!

Want to see more of my haunt walkthroughs? Check out these links:

Scream Break with Sharp Productions

The Darkness Animatronics-Only Walkthrough

2024 Halloween Shopping

September 4, 2024 No Comments

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

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57 Ghosts

February 16, 2024 No Comments

Take part in a spirited séance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

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Categories
Emily Events Theme Parks

Scream Break 2023 with Sharp Productions

Scream Break 2023 with Sharp Productions

14 select nights March 9th – April 16th, Six Flags Magic Mountain presents “Scream Break”. The after-hours event features two haunts, three scare zones, frightfully delicious treats, and more. The weekend of March 25th, I experienced Scream Break 2023 with Sharp Productions.

We started the evening with a haunted cocktail hour and the event’s signature cocktail/mocktail, “Skulls on the Beach”. Then it was ghouls gone wild as Elsie and I survived some monster hazing with “Vault 666: Initiation”. Next we made our way to one hell of a frat party with “Condemned: House Party”. We met quite a few frighteningly friendly monsters in the scare zones, and danced the night away at Dead Man’s Party.  Plus, I scored some devilishly handsome light-up devil horns! It was a fantastic evening!

It was so fun to celebrate spring break with haunts and a mini version of the larger October Fright Fest event. I loved how committed and enthusiastic the scareacters were, and the theming was cohesive throughout. Each haunt and scare zone had a uniquely Spring Break feel. I can’t wait to return in the Fall for the main event!

Learn more about Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Scream Break on the event’s official website. 

Watch the Full Video

Thank you very much to the Sharp Productions team for letting me tag along to Scream Break 2023! See more of their amazing haunt walkthrough and ride videos on their Youtube Page. Follow them on Facebook & Instagram.

Want to see more Emily & more haunts? Check out my past walkthrough of The Darkness Haunted House in St. Louis, MO. 

2024 Halloween Shopping

September 4, 2024 No Comments

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

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57 Ghosts

February 16, 2024 No Comments

Take part in a spirited séance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

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Categories
Movies News

Evil Dead Rise

Evil Dead Rise

From the visionary producers of the original classic comes EVIL DEAD RISE, a return to the iconic horror franchise that started with 1981’s THE EVIL DEAD. Moving the action from a cabin in the woods into the city, EVIL DEAD RISE tells the tale of two sisters, whose reunion is cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons. When are people going to learn you never want to read anything out loud from the Book of the Dead? EVIL DEAD RISE hits theaters nationwide on April 21, distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures. 

Watch the green band trailer below (or watch the red band trailer on Youtube):

Win Tickets to an Advanced Screening

Want to win tickets to an advanced screening of EVIL DEAD RISE at Regal Atlantic Station on Monday, April 10th, 2023? Enter my contest on my Instagram for a chance to win. 

Entering is easy:

  1. Follow my Instagram page
  2. Like the contest post
  3. Comment with your favorite iteration of the Evil Dead franchise so far – Is it The Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, Army of Darkness, Ash vs. Evil Dead, Evil Dead the Musical, or one of the other amazing spin-offs, reboots, games, etc.

I will pick the winner on Thursday, April 6th. The winner will receive (2) tickets to the advanced screening at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 10th at the Regal Atlanta Station in Atlanta, GA. Please arrive early as seating is first come, first serve.

Follow Evil Dead Rise

Stay up-to-date with all the EVIL DEAD RISE news on their official website & social media accounts:

 

2024 Halloween Shopping

September 4, 2024 No Comments

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »

57 Ghosts

February 16, 2024 No Comments

Take part in a spirited séance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

Read More »
Categories
Attractions Destinations

The Darkness Walkthrough: Animatronics-Only

The Darkness Walkthrough: Animatronics-Only

Get ready to come along with me on a walkthrough of The Darkness with animatronics-only (no actors)!

Located in St. Louis, Missouri, The Darkness Haunted House is one of the major players in the U.S. for a traditional walkthrough haunt. I remember first learning about it one summer when I was in junior high school. I saved all my money from my summer job to buy the entire HauntWorld DVD set and proceeded to spend hours upon hours watching and re-watching the series’ haunter tips, location walkthroughs, and hilarious skits from Dr. & Laura Lady of the Horror Hotel in Chatfield, Ohio. The videos were made by The Darkness owner Larry Kirschner and I vowed that I would one day travel to Missouri to see his creation first-hand. 

It took me a little over ten years, but when I finally made it out to TransWorld’s Halloween & Attraction Show, I immediately signed up to go on the behind-the-scenes tour – and boy did it live up to the hype! The team of haunters that create each room have top-notch skills in fabrication and design. They take guests from the deepest regions of the jungle to a yeti’s ice lair, from a cannibal’s kitchen to a sinister circus. I love going back every year to revisit my favorite areas and check out what’s new. (Maybe one year they will finally replace that horrifying spider room. A girl can dream!)

This year I had the opportunity to accompany Sharp Productions & The Haunted Attraction Network on a private walkthrough with full show lighting and animatronics. Of course, I jumped at the chance – and then jumped quite a few times from the scares within the haunt!

 

The Darkness Walkthrough Video

For those who do not have the full half-hour to marvel at the superb detail in this haunt, here are a few of my favorite moments:

  •  That Terrifying Spider Room (0:03:47)
  •  The Cthulhu Creature and his Crocodile Friend (0:05:30)
  • The Laser Swamp Room (0:08:25)
  • The 3 Jack o’ Lantern Rooms (0:10:47 – 0:11:50)
  • The Library (0:13:25) – NO TALKING IN THE LIBRARY!
  • The Corpse Ceiling (0:14:14)
  • Sheet Ghost Room (0:14:47)
  • The Doll Room (0:15:53)
  • The Man-Eating Plant (0:17:09) – Don’t worry, as a woman, I was safe
  • The Man-Eating Plant II (0:18:21) – This time with more carnivorous plant friends
  • Giant 3-D Clown (0:21:33) – With some high-brow audio humor

I want to hear from you! What where your favorite parts of the haunt? Let me know on Facebook or Instagram! 

Thank you to Philip of The Haunted Attraction Network and the Sharp Productions team for letting me be a part of this walkthrough! Thank you to Larry Kirschner and The Darkness team for letting us tour the haunt!

2024 Halloween Shopping

September 4, 2024 No Comments

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »

57 Ghosts

February 16, 2024 No Comments

Take part in a spirited séance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

Read More »
Categories
Events News

Screamfest Fears & Beers: My Bloody Valentine 3D

Screamfest Fears & Beers: My Bloody Valentine 3D

Get ready for a deadly date night with your sweetheart! At 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14th, 2023 the Screamfest Fears & Beers: My Bloody Valentine 3D Screening will take place at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres. My Bloody Valentine 3D is the 2009 remake of the classic 80’s Valentine’s Day slasher flick of the same name (minus the “3D”). The film is directed by Patrick Lussier and stars Jensen Ackles, Jaime King, Kerr Smith, and Betsy Rue.

The screening will include a Q&A with wdirector Patrick Lussier and other TBA cast members. Brush up on your My Bloody Valentine & horror trivia to win great  prizes. Attendees 21+ will also receive one complimentary beer per ticket. 

My Bloody Valentine 3D tickets are $16.00 each and can be purchased on Eventbrite. Purchased tickets will be available at the Screamfest will-call table in the theater’s lobby starting at 6:30 p.m. (NO EARLY ENTRY). Please bring your Eventbrite email confirmation.

My Bloody Valentine 3D

Tom returns to his hometown on the tenth anniversary of the Valentine’s night massacre that claimed the lives of 22 people. Instead of a homecoming, Tom finds himself suspected of committing the murders, and it seems like his old flame is the only one that believes he’s innocent.

Cast: Jensen Ackles, Jaime King, Kerr Smith, Betsy Rue

After the film, there will be a Q&A with cast & crew. Be sure to check the Screamfest website for participant announcements.

Get Your Screamfest Fears & Beers Tickets Today!

Spaces are limited for this screening and Q&A event. Get your ticket early to ensure your spot.

The TCL Chinese 6 Theatres is located at Ovation Hollywood, 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

Have a meal at one of the nearby restaurants and grab some popcorn from the theater’s concessions stand. This Screamfest screening is sure to get your heart pumping this Valentine’s Day. 

Past Screamfest Fears & Beers events include:

My Bloody Valentine 3D (2022)

Screamfest Ho Ho Horror Drive-In Screenings

2024 Halloween Shopping

September 4, 2024 No Comments

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »

57 Ghosts

February 16, 2024 No Comments

Take part in a spirited séance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

Read More »
Categories
Movies

Naked Zombie Girl is Back

Naked Zombie Girl is Back

The Original - "Naked Zombie Girl"

Sometimes a film delivers on everything it promises. Rickey Bird’s 2014 short Naked Zombie Girl  is one such film. It has copious amounts of both zombies and naked girl – staples of the grindhouse zombie horror movie genre.  

I first came across this film at Screamfest Horror Film Festival in 2014. The filmmakers had brought in a large cardboard cutout of the film’s title character and I remember the snickers from the dozens upon dozens of attendees as they posed with it on Screamfest’s iconic “black carpet” – marketing genius right there. 

The film went on to rake in over thirty awards from various festivals.

The movie’s premise  is simple: three ill-fated survivors flee the city amidst a zombie apocalypse. Barabara (Meghan Chadeayne) loses not only her companions but also her dress as the zombie hoard descends upon them. With only her boots and a trusty chainsaw, the Naked Zombie girl must fight her way to survival. There is no place for modesty in the zombie apocalypse.

You can watch the original short on Youtube: 

The New Film - "Naked Zombie Girl is Back"

Watch the trailer below:

Eight years after the original film graced the film festival circuit, audiences and teenage boys everywhere rejoiced when we received a new installment of this grindhouse classic – Naked Zombie Girl is Back. The film is not really a sequel – it is more of a re-telling of the original with additional story elements, higher quality visuals, and more elaborate special effects and gore. 

Once again Barbara and her companions are on the run during a zombie apocalypse – this time with a bag of cash and being chased by a mysterious man with a gun. As Barbara loses her cohorts and her dress, she must fight off the zombie hordes and her pursuer to survive the night. 

At only twelve minutes and forty-two seconds, this short keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. The on-screen kills are fun and utilize wonderful practical effects. I particularly love one scene where Barbara squishes a zombie with a car rim. Watching the zombie’s eye pop out is a nice little gory touch. 

Nicole Cinaglia shines as Barbara. She appears just as comfortable sawing a zombie in half with a chainsaw as she does running through the apocalyptic landscape in the nude. Although there is little in the way of dialogue in the film (what is really worth saying to a horde of the undead?), Cinaglia conveys Barbara’s strength and determination through her body language and facial expressions. With the basic premise of a naked woman killing zombies, it could have been played as pure schlock and exploitation, but Cinaglia adds depth to the character and exudes strength and confidence, bringing female empowerment to the role.

Naked Zombie Girl is Back premiered at Screamfest Horror Film Festival on October 16th 2022. The cast and crew all came out to support the film. Be sure to check out their Facebook page for some great pictures from the event. The audience had a blast at the screening. 

Overall, I highly recommend this fun grindhouse short. The company behind the film, Hectic Films, hopes that the short will attract producers and investors so they can create a feature-length film or episodic series. I would certainly love to see more of Barbara’s adventures – especially with Cinaglia in the leading role. 

Learn More About "Naked Zombie Girl Is Back"

Learn more about Naked Zombie Girl is Back on their official pages:

Website: https://nakedzombiegirlmovie.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ngzmovie

Hectic Films Website: https://hecticfilms.com/home

2024 Halloween Shopping

September 4, 2024 No Comments

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »

57 Ghosts

February 16, 2024 No Comments

Take part in a spirited séance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

Read More »
Categories
Entertainment Movies News

Now Streaming: 9 Ways to Hell

Now Streaming: 9 Ways to Hell

It has been quite the wait, but my film – 9 Ways to Hell – is now streaming on multiple platforms! After our successful festival run, the whole team is excited to share our film with a wider audience around the country. So venture into Hell with us and experience the horror, the comedy, and the creative talent of nine amazing directors. 

Where to Stream "9 Ways to Hell"

So far there are three services where  9 Ways to Hell is now streaming – with more to come!

Typhoon – Subscribe to watch some amazing films, including 9 Ways to Hell! Watch online or via their Roku or Amazon Fire app.

Tubi – Watch for free online or on your TC with Roku or AmazonFire. 

Plex.tv – Watch for free via the computer, get the app on your phone, or on your TV with Roku or AmazonFire. 

Synopsis

A descent down the 9 Circles of Dante’s Inferno. Limbo: A criminal on the run reaches the end of the road in a dark and disturbing place. Lust: A twisted love triangle between a ditzy hooker, a crazy dark angel, and drug addicted schnook. Gluttony: A gold-digger’s appetites leads to messy comeuppance. Greed: A young girl’s obsession opens the door to unspeakable evil. Wrath: A racist cop learns the true nature of justice. Heresy: A teen’s religious compulsion becomes a family’s nightmare. Violence: A woman assassin fights to redeem her mother’s soul. Fraud: An actress can’t understand why her family doesn’t recognize her. Betrayal: A woman is forced to confront the truth of her depressing life.

Writing, directing, and acting in the “Gluttony” segment was a dream come true. I loved working alongside so many talented individuals to create a feature-length film. Learn more about my creative process and some behind-the-scenes stories in my interview with Don’s World of Horror from 2021. 

Categories
News

Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards 2022

Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards 2022

Since 2002, the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards have been fandom’s only classic horror awards – decided by fans, for fans. 2022 marks the 20th anniversary of these awards! Every nominee is recognized for significant achievements in horror for 2021. 

There are many amazing films, DVDs, books, and more represented this year. I was excited to see the Screamfest alumn, “Good Head” nominated! I wish the best for all the nominees and know that whomever wins each category is certainly worthy of the honor.

How to Vote

Voting is by email only. Send an email to David Colton, at taraco@aol.com by Sunday night at midnight, April 17, 2022. Simply include in the subject: “Rondo Awards!” In the body of the message indicate your votes for this year’s awards.You do not need to submit a vote in each category. Write in as many selections as you would like.  Include your name and that’s it!
 
One vote per person, please. Every email must include your name to be counted. All votes are kept strictly confidential. The Rondo Awards promises no emails nor personal information will ever be shared with anyone.
 
See the complete ballot list below:

Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards 2022 Nominees

1) Best Film of 2021

Due to the pandemic, includes wide release, video-on-demand and streaming

  • ANTLERS
  • CANDYMAN
  • THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT
  • DON’T LOOK UP
  • DUNE
  • FREE GUY
  • GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE
  • GODZILLA VS KONG
  • HALLOWEEN KILLS
  • LAST NIGHT IN SOHO
  • MALIGNANT
  • NIGHT HOUSE
  • NIGHTMARE ALLEY
  • OLD
  • A QUIET PLACE, Part Two
  • SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME
  • ZACH SNYDER’S JUSTICE LEAGUE
  •  Or write in another choice:

2) Best TV Presentation

  • CHUCKY, Bravo. The deadly doll is back. ‘We’re gonna party like it’s 1999.’
  • CREEPSHOW, Shudder. Episodes in the EC vein.  ‘Naperville Ripper Still at Large’
  • DOCTOR WHO, BBC America. The Thirteenth Doctor battles enemies old and new. ‘Don’t blink!’
  • EVIL, CBS. Mysteries with a supernatural twist. ‘If one word is spoken within the monastery walls, the demon will be out.’
  • FEAR STREET,  Netflix. Teenagers battle a town curse in three eras. ‘Would you say he was more Dawn of the Dead, or Night of the Living Dead?’
  • SERVANT, Apple TV+. M. Night Shyamalan’s look at a family’s odd nanny.  ‘She’s not the sweet child you think she is.’
  • MIDNIGHT MASS, Netflix. A priest shakes a village’s faith. ‘God still has a plan, and death isn’t part of it anymore.’
  • THE SQUID GAME, Netflix. Players must choose self-preservation to survive. ‘You have a reason to leave this place, but I don’t.’
  • THE WALKING DEAD, AMC. Negan’s former life is tragically revealed. ‘I am starting to think that I am capable of damn near anything.’
  • WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS, FX. The vampires say farewell to one of their own. ‘How am I gonna eat if I don’t prey on people, dummy?’
  • YELLOWJACKETS, Showtime. Teen terror on an island lasts generations. ‘Hiding in the tree, she watches me at night.’
  • Or write-in another choice:

3) Best Blu-Ray OF 2021

  • THE AMAZING MR. X (1948; Film Detective)
  • AN ANGEL FOR SATAN (1966; Severin)
  • DEAD AND BURIED (1981; Blue Underground)
  • DEAD ZONE (1983; Shout!)
  • DOCTOR X (1932 Technicolor; Warners Archive)
  • FRANKENSTEIN’S DAUGHTER (1958; Film Detective)
  • THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN (1957; Criterion)
  • ISLE OF THE DEAD (1945; Warners Archive
  • KING KONG (1976; Shout!)
  • MILL OF THE STONE WOMEN (1960; Arrow)
  • MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD (1935; Kino)
  • THE POSSESSION OF JOEL DELANEY (1972; Imprint)
  • SECRET OF THE BLUE ROOM (1933; Kino)
  • TOMB OF LIGEIA (1964; Kino)
  • THE VAMPIRE LOVERS (1970; Shout)
  • Or write in another choice:

4) Best Blu-Ray Collection

  • ALL THE HAUNTS BE OURS: A Compendium of Folk Horror (15 discs, Severin). 20-film collection includes numerous rarities, companion material and video extras.
  • THE DUNGEON OF ANDY MILLIGAN 1967-1982 (8 discs plus CD, Severin). 14 films, some restored for first time; numerous shorts and special features.
  • THE EUROCRYPT OF CHRISTOPHER LEE 1962-1971 (9 discs, Severin) 6 films highlighting Lee’s European horror films; numerous extras.
  • HAMMER HORROR: Four Gothic Horrors (Imprint) Countess Dracula, Twins of Evil, Hands of the Ripper, Vampire Circus.
  • HAMMER VOLUME SIX: Night Shadows (Indicator). Includes Captain Clegg, Phantom of the Opera, Nightmare, Shadow of the Cat.
  • KOLCHAK: THE NIGHSTALKER: The Complete Series (1974-1975; Kino). Twenty episodes remastered, along with 21 commentaries.
  • THE MONSTER COLLECTION (Music Box Films). Two special effects documentaries, The Frankenstein Complex, and Phil Tippett: Mad Dreams and Monsters; plus bonus disc.
  • NIGHT GALLERY: Season One (Kino) All seven episodes with commentaries.
  • SILVER SCREAMS CINEMA (Imprint) Phantom Speaks, Return of Ape Man, She Devil, Unknown Terror, Vampire’s Ghost, Valley of the Zombies
  • THE SHERLOCK HOLMES VAULT COLLECTION (1931-37; Film Detective). Fatal Hour, Triumph of Sherlock Holmes, Silver Blaze, Study in Scarlet
  • UNIVERSAL CLASSIC MONSTERS: Icons of Horror Collection in 4K: Dracula, Frankenstein, Wolf Man, Invisible Man offered in 4K.
  • Or write in another choice:

5) Best Restoration or Upgrade

  • AN ANGEL FOR SATAN (1966; Severin) First official release, including restored audio.
  • DARK EYES OF LONDON (1939; Network) Remaster from original elements.
  • DEAD & BURIED (1981; Blue Underground). 4K upgrade.
  • DEMENTIA 13 (1963; Vestron) Francis Ford Coppola’s director’s cut.
  • DOCTOR X (1932; Warner Archives) Technicolor restoration, along with B/W version.
  • ELVIRA’S HAUNTED HILLS (2001; Shout!) 4K scan from original negative.
  • EYES OF FIRE/CRYING BLUE SKY (1983; Severin) First release along with longer alternate version.
  • THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER (1928) Restoration of silent by Richard Moses, music by Jay Woelfel; streamed on Silent Film Channel.
  • FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN (Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein; 1973; Vinegar Syndrome). Freshly scanned and 4K; colors brighter; 3-D version included.
  • THE INVISIBLE MAN APPEARS (1949, Arrow). First U.S. release of Japanese sci-fi.
  • THE KINDRED (1987; Synapse) Restored and uncut from original negative.
  • KING KONG (1976; Shout!). Includes complete expanded TV version.
  • KRAMPUS: The Naughty Cut (2015; Shout) Restored scenes and adult language.
  • MILL OF THE STONE WOMEN (1960, Arrow). Italian, American and French cuts included.
  • NIGHT GALLERY (1969; Kino) Restored two-hour pilot episode.
  • SANTA SANGRE (1990; Severin). 4K restoration of Alejandro Jodorowsky classic.
  • SKINNED DEEP (2004; Severin) Reassembled scenes from uncut negatives.
  • TIH-MINH (1919; Gaumont) Six-hour crime serial reconstructed and restored.
  • Or write in another choice:

6) Best DVD Extras

  • THE ATTIC EXPEDITIONS (2001, Severin). Online reunion with cast including Jeffrey Combs, Wendy Robie, Alice Cooper.
  • DARK EYES OF LONDON (1939; Network). Kim Newman, Stephen Jones discuss Lugosi’s UK work.
  • DOCTOR X (1932; Warner Archives): ‘Monsters and Mystery: The Horror Films of Michael Curtiz,’ directed by Constantine Nasr.
  • F.P.1. DOESN’T ANSWER (Kino): Includes U.S. version with Conrad Veidt.
  • FRANKENSTEIN’S DAUGHTER (1958; Kino) ‘Richard E. Cunha: Filmmaker of the Unknown,’ resurrects unseen film bio Cunha sent to Tom Weaver.
  • GRIZZLY (1976; Severin). Nightmare USA author Stephen Thrower documentary on director William Girdler.
  • HAMMER HORROR: Four Gothic Horror Films (Imprint): Three visual essays by Kat Ellinger among numerous features.
  • INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN (1957; Criterion) ‘Auteur on Campus: Jack Arnold at Universal’ documentary directed by Daniel Griffith.
  • THE KINDRED (1987; Synapse). ‘Inhuman Experiments: The Making of The Kindred.’
  • THE MEDUSA TOUCH (1978; Imprint). Visual essay by Ian McAnally on ‘Welsh Wizard’ Richard Burton.
  • NOSFERATU IN VENICE (1988; Severin) ‘Creation is Violent – Anecdotes From Kinski’s Final Years’ directed by Josh Johnson.
  • SHE FREAK (1967; AGFA/Something Weird) Compilation of David Friedman trailers.
  • THE VAMPIRE LOVERS (1970; Shout). New commentaries video features.
  • Or write in another choice:

 7) Favorite Commentator of 2021 

  • Craig Beam (Night Gallery)
  • Paul Castiglia (Haunted House episode, Abbott & Costello Show)
  • Travis Crawford (Demons 2)
  • David DelValle (Trog, Mystery of Edwin Drood)
  • Samm Deighan (Switchblade Sisters)
  • Kat Ellinger (The Seventh Seal, An Angel for Satan)
  • Lee Gambin (Day of the Animals; Possession of Joel Delaney)
  •  Gary Gerani (Night Gallery pilot; Dark Intruder)
  • Michael Gingold (Dead Zone)
  • Troy Guinn, Rod Barnett (Black Candles)
  • Steve Haberman (Isle of the Dead, Mad Love)
  • Bruce G. Hallenbeck (Capt. Kronos, Vampire Hunter)
  • Justin Humphreys (Flight to Mars)
  • Troy Howarth (Dead & Buried)
  • Tim Lucas (Night Gallery; Mill of the Stone Women)
  • Constantine Nasr (The Vampire Lovers; Night Gallery)
  • Kim Newman, Stephen Jones (Vampire Circus; Twins of Evil)
  • Amanda Reyes (Night Gallery; Phantom of the Mall)
  • Kelly Robinson (Ingagi)
  • Jonathan Rigby & Kevin Lyons (Hands of the Ripper, Countess Dracula)
  • Alan K. Rode (Doctor X)
  • David Schecter (various soundtrack commentaries)
  • Michael Schlesinger (Secret of the Blue Room)
  • Nathaniel Thompson (Dead & Buried)
  • Richard Harland Smith (Last Man on Earth; Prophecy)
  • Tom Weaver (Incredible Shrinking Man; Frankenstein’s Daughter)
  • Emma Westwood (Prophecy)
  • Taylor White (Night Gallery)
  • Or write in another choice:

8) Best Independent Film of 2021

Includes festivals and streaming channels.
 
  • THE ADVENT CALENDAR, directed by Patrick Ridgemont. Monstrous menaces intensify, day by day. See trailer here
  • BRAIN FREEZE, directed by Julien Knafo. Horror comedy from Canada, fertilizer zombies plague a gated community. See trailer here
  • CENSOR, directed by Prano Bailey-Bond. A film censor hunts down the source of a film, with shocking results. See trailer here
  • THE CHANGED, directed by Michael Mongillo. Neighborhood finds imposters taking their place. See trailer here
  • COME TRUE, directed by Anthony Scott Burns. Sleep study goes deeper than expected. See trailer here
  • CRAWLER, directed by Joe Ripple. The late Don Dohler’s last independent film. See trailer here.
  • FRIED BARRY, directed by Ryan Kruger. Aliens take control of hard-to-control loser. See trailer here
  • HORROR NOIRE, anthology of six tales from black directors. See trailer here
  • HOWL FROM BEYOND THE FOG, directed by Daisuke Sato. From Japan, monsters battle land grabbers. See trailer here
  • IT KNOWS YOU’RE ALONE, directed by Chris Alexander. An old phone washes up on shore. See trailer here
  • JAKOB’S WIFE, directed by Travis Stevens. Starring Barbara Crampton, vampiric happenings in a small town. See trailer here
  • KANDISHA, directed by Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury. A changeling demon stalks an abusive boyfriend. See trailer here
  • THE LOCKDOWN HAUNTINGS, directed by Howard J. Ford. Tony Todd stars as pandemic has its own special horrors. See trailer here
  • THE PHANTOM LAKE KIDS IN THE BEAST WALKS AMONG US, directed by Christopher Mihm. Neighborhood kids fight a hideous creature. See trailer here
  • RED SNOW, directed by Sean Nichols Lynch. An injured vampire offers a chance for fame to a frustrated horror writer. See trailer here
  • THE SADNESS, directed by Rob Jabbaz. A couple must escape a city filled with sadistic plague victims. See trailer here.
  • THE STYLIST, directed by Jill Gevargizian. A lonely hairdresser does more than cut hair. See trailer here
  • SAVE YOURSELVES! Directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson. Young couple shelter in the woods amidst an alien invasion. See trailer here
  • TITANE, directed by Julia Ducournau. A woman’s head injury could be linked to brutal crimes. See trailer here
  • WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING, directed by Sean King O’Grady. Family trapped by a tornado finds its own horrors. See trailer here
  • Or write in another choice:

 9) Best Short Film

  • THE BALLERINA, directed by Aaron Fradkin (8 mins). A dancer is haunted by her reflection. See film here
  • BRACKISH, directed by Christa Boarini (8 mins). A menacing spirit from the mangroves in this folktale of the Americas.  See film here
  • DAWN OF THE ATOMIC BEAST, directed by William Turner  (11 mins). Send up of 1950s 3-D, bubbles included. See film here
  • GOOD HEAD, directed by Matt Servitto (29 mins) Getting fitted for a prop movie head goes horribly wrong. See trailer here
  • THE GUEST: A Lockdown Story, directed by Andrea Lombardo (33 mins). A man finds an intruder in his house during Covid-19. See film here
  • HUNGRY JOE, directed by Paul Holbrook and Sam Dawe. About a boy who just can’t stop eating. See film here
  • KOREATOWN GHOST STORY, directed by Minsun Park, Teddy Tenenbaum (15 mins). Margaret Cho stars in tale of macabre marriage rituals. See film here
  • THE MOST HAUNTED HOUSE IN VENICE BEACH, directed by Ansel Faraj (17 mins). A haunting memory of L.A. Venice Beach. See film here
  • A NIGHTMARE IN THE SHOWER, directed by Shane and Aylward (19 mins). A disability doesn’t stop battling a radioactive menace. See film here
  • THE THREE MEN YOU MEET AT NIGHT, directed by Beck Kitsis (13 mins). A woman walks home and must decide among three different men. See film here
  • WHO GOES THERE? Directed by Astrid Thorvaldsen (23 mins). A stranger promises help, but with a price. See trailer here
  • Or write in another choice:

10) Best Documentary

  • BORIS KARLOFF: The Man Behind the Monster, directed by Thomas Hamilton. Actor’s biography includes numerous interviews, rare audio and vintage footage beyond Frankenstein. See trailer here
  • CARL LAEMMLE, directed by James L. Freedman. Exploring the founder of Universal films and his work with Jewish refugees before WW2. See trailer here
  • DARK SHADOWS AND BEYOND: The Jonathan Frid Story, directed by Mary O’Leary. Interviews and personal letters trace the story of television’s favorite vampire. See trailer here
  • PENNYWISE: The Story of IT, directed by John Campopiano, Chris Griffiths. Examining the original Tim Curry adaptation of the Stephen King novel. See trailer here
  • THE SLEEPER MUST AWAKEN: Making Dune, directed by Daniel Griffith. Tracking various attempts and the creation of David Lynch’s 1984 version. Available on Arrow Player
  • UNITED STATES OF INSANITY, directed by Tom Putnam, Brenna Sanchez. The story of horror rappers Insane Clown Posse. See trailer here
  • WOODLANDS DARK AND DAYS BEWITCHED, directed by Kier-La Janisse. (Severin) More than three hours and 50 interviews exploring the special world of folk horror. See trailer here
  • Or write in another choice:

11) Book of the Year (non-fiction)

  • ALWAYS THE BRIDE: A Biography of Elsa Lanchester, by Victoria Worsley (BearManor Media, hardcover, 276 pages, $35). Owning a nightclub, marriage to Charles Laughton and, of course, screen immortality.
  • BECOMING DRACULA: The Early Years of Bela Lugosi, Vols. 1 and 2, by Gary D. Rhodes and Bill Kaffenberger (BearManor Media, softcover, 447/436 pages, $38/$36) New revelations about Lugosi’s challenging journey to what became his signature role.
  • BEHIND THE KAIJU CURTAIN, A Journey Onto Japan’s Biggest Film Sets, by Norman England (Aiwa Books, softcover, 250 pages, $27.99). A look at the Japanese movie industry, including the sets of Godzilla and Gamera.
  • THE BODY SNATCHER: Cold-Blooded Murder, Robert Louis Stevenson, and the Making of a Horror Film Classic, by Scott Allen Nollen with Gregory William Mank (BearManor Media, softcover, 252 pages, $25). From Burke and Hare to Karloff/Lugosi.
  • BORIS KARLOFF: The Man Remembered, by Gordon B. Shriver (BearManor Media, hardcover, 234 pages, $35) Revised and expanded biography includes numerous interviews with Karloff co-stars.
  • THE BUCKEROO BANZAI COLLECTORS’ COMPENDIUM, by DeWayne Todd (Independent, softcover, 162 pages, $30). All about the marketing and promotional items surrounding the 1984 cult classic.
  • THE CAREER THAT DRIPPED WITH HORROR, by John Stanley (Independent, softcover, 254 pages, $23.99). Hundreds of photos, interviews (Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, Carrie Fisher, others), and remembrances from West Coast’s second Creature Features host.
  • CHANEY’S BABY: Lon Jr., The Wolf Man, 1948, and the End of a Dream, by Bill Fleck (Independent, softcover, 226 pages, $9.99). Triumphs, tragedy and report of a suicide attempt.
  • CREEPY BITCHES: Essays on Horror from Women in Horror, by Alyse Wax and Rebekah McKendry (BearManor Media, softcover, 204 pages, $25). Actresses, scholars and writers explore the world of the feminine fantastique.
  • DAMN DIRTY GEEKS: Talk Among Us (Independent, softcover, 264 pages, $33). Podcast veterans Jack Bennett, Frank Dietz, Rob Maynard, Scott Weitz and Frank Woodward on films that inspired them.
  • THE DARK SHADOWS DAYBOOK, by Patrick McCray (Independent, softcover, 252 pages, $12.99). A fresh tour of the key moments in the eternal saga of the Collins Family.
  • ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK: The Official Story of the Film, by John Walsh (Titan, hardcover, 160 pages, $47.99) Retrospective of 1981 film includes unseen artwork.
  • FROM THE INNER MIND … TO THE OUTER LIMITS: Scripts of Joseph Stefano, Volume 1, edited by Dave Rash (Gauntlet Press, hardcover, 529 pages, $60) Scripts for six teleplays, plus two never produced episodes.
  • THE GIALLO CANVAS: Art, Excess and Horror Cinema, by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas (McFarland, paperback, 258 pages, $45) How art and artists energize a murderous genre.
  • GLAMOUR GHOUL: The Passions and Pain of the Real Vampira, Maila Nurmi, by Sandra Niemi (Feral House, softcover, 400 pages, $21.95). A photo-filled biography by Vampira’s niece.
  • THE GREAT WAR and the Golden Age of Hollywood Horror, by R. Bruce Crelin (Midnight Marquee, softcover, 324 pages, $30). How WWI shaped the careers of James Whale, R.C. Sherriff, and J.B. Priestley and early horror cinema.
  • HERE THERE BE MONSTERS, by Bryan Senn (BearManor Media, softcover, 476 pages, $47). Interviews and essays from Universal to Hammer and beyond.
  • HOSTED HORROR ON TELEVISION: The Films and Faces of Shock Theater, Creature Features and Chiller Theater, by Bruce Markusen (McFarland, softcover, 251 pages, $39.95).Tracing the rise of late night ghoulish comforts.
  • LANDIS: The Story of a Real Man on 42nd Street, by Preston Fassel (Encyclopocalyp[se Publications, softcover, 148 pages, $9.99). The life and tragic legacy of the founder of Sleazoid Express.
  • SCRIPTS FROM THE CRYPT Vol. 11: Mr. Sardonicus, edited by Tom Weaver (BearManor Media, softcover, 290 pages, $30). Close-up look at the Ray Russell/William Castle classic.
  • SMOKE AND MIRRORS: Special Visual Effects B.C. (Before Computers), by Mark D. Wolf (BearManor Media, softcover, 272 pages, $43). A behind-the-scenes look at how movies made you believe before the days of CGI.
  • TERENCE FISHER: Master of Gothic Cinema, by Tony Dalton (Fab Press, softcover, 504 pages, $34.95). An authorized biography of the Hammer director who sparked the second wave of classic horror.
  • UNHOLY COMMUNION: Alice, Sweet Alice, From Script to Screen, by Troy Howarth (BearManor Media, hardcover, 304 pages, $39.95). The making of Brooke Shields’1976 debut.
  • UNIVERSAL ‘40s MONSTERS: A Critical Commentary, by John T. Soister (BearManor Media, hardcover, 798 pages, $52) A huge exploration of the studio’s sometimes overlooked 1940s horrors.
  • UNTOLD HORROR, by Dave Alexander (Dark Horse, hardcover, 152 pages, $39.99). Interviews with top directors about horror films that were never made.
  • WARPED & FADED: Weird Wednesday and the Birth of the American Genre Film Archive, by Lars Nilsen, edited by Kier-La Janisse (Mondo, softcover, 416 pages. $35). How Austin’s Alamo Drafthouse sparked a two-decade restoration effort of near-forgotten films.:
  • WHEN DRACULA MET FRANKENSTEIN: My Years Making Drive-In Movies with Al Adamson, by Sam Sherman (Independent, softcover, 378 pages, $29.95). Tales from the bargain side of filmmaking.
  • YOURS CRUELLY, ELVIRA Memories of the Mistress of the Dark, by Cassandra Peterson (Hachette Books, hardcover, 304 pages, $29). Horror host’s personal and newsmaking autobiography.
  • Or write in another choice:

12) Best Classic Horror Fiction (Fiction that uses horror icons as jumping off points)

  • ATTACK FROM THE ‘80s, edited by Eugene Johnson (Raw Dog Screaming Press, hardcover, 266 pages, $39.95). More than 20 gnarly tales of video monsters and more.
  • BELA LUGOSI’S DEAD, by Robert Guffey (Macabre Ink, softcover, 264 pages, $17.99). A search for the lost Lugosi test footage from Frankenstein leads to an impossible choice.
  • THE CLASSIFIED DOSSIER: SHERLOCK HOLMES & COUNT DRACULA, by Christian Klaver (Titan Books, hardcover, 432 pages, $19.99) The endless vampire and the Great Detective must join forces to defeat a fierce enemy.
  • DRACULA NEVER DIES: The Revenge of Bela Vorlock, by Christopher R. Gauthier (Independent, softcover, 297 pages, $15). Alternate take on the life of a horror star from the 1930s to the 1950s.
  • DRACULA OF TRANSYLVANIA, by Ricardo Delgado (Clover Press, hardcover, 560 pages, $45). An expansive retelling of the Bram Stoker classic, with illustrations.
  • THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP, by Grady Hendrix (Berkley, hardcover, 352 pages, $26). A secret group of survivors must fight yet again.
  • HORSEMAN: A Tale of Sleepy Hollow, by Christina Henry (Berkley, hardcover, 315 pages, $17). Villagers wave off the legend of a headless horseman as a myth. But then …
  • THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF FOLK HORROR, edited by Stephen Jones (Skyhorse, softcover, 552 pages, $16.99). Anthology of old and new tales of what lurks in the darkness.
  • MY HEART IS A CHAINSAW, by Stephen Graham Jones (Gallery/Saga Press. Hardcover, 416 pages, $26.99). A woman’s reverence for horror films becomes so intense that she hopes a slasher will come to town.
  • THE PASSION OF THE MUMMY, by Frank J. Dello Stritto (Cult Movies Press, hardcover, 503 pages, $31). A fictional wrapping of the Mummy’s various incarnations, from Universal’s ancient Egypt to Hammer’s modern times.
  • THIS THING OF DARKNESS, by K.V. Turley and Fiorella De Maria (Ignatius, softcover, 260 pages, $16.95). A fanciful interview with Bela Lugosi in 1956 leads a reporter to dark places.
  • TURNING THE TIED, edited by Jean Rabe, Robert Greenberger (International Association Media Tie-in Writers, softcover, 453 pages, $19.99). Sherlock, Dracula, Frankenstein all figure in collection of stories by Max Allan Collins, Jonathan Maberry, Stephen D. Sullivan and others.
  • Or write in another choice:

13) Best Magazine of 2021

  • Bare*Bones
  • Cinema Retro (UK)
  • Classic Monsters of the Movies (UK)
  • The Dark Side (UK)
  • Delirium
  • Fangoria
  • Filmfax
  • Freaky Monsters
  • G-Fan
  • HorrorHound
  • Horror Scholar Journal
  • Infinity (UK)
  • Little Shoppe of Horrors
  • Monster Bash
  • Retro Fan
  • Rue Morgue
  • Scary Monsters
  • Scream (UK)
  • Screem
  • Shock Cinema
  • We Belong Dead (UK)
  • Or write in another choice:

14) Best Article (Please select two; one will win)

  • ‘Child of Dark Shadows,’ by Kathryn Leigh Scott, FANGORIA #11. The disappearance and return of her soap opera co-star.
  • ‘Christopher Lee’s Euro-Horrors,’ by John Martin, THE DARK SIDE #221. How the actor’s European projects helped define him as a horror icon.
  • ‘Dario’s Deep Designer Deaths,’ by Ian Taylor, WE BELONG DEAD #29. Argento’s murders were always in the most elegant settings.
  • ‘A Dinosaur in New York,’ by Mike Hankin, INFINITY #36. Harryhausen expert on the making of Beast From 20,000 Fathoms.
  • ‘Dracula’s House of Science,’ by Mark C. Glassy, SCARY MONSTERS #122-123. Was curing the monsters medical science or Universal quackery
  • ‘The Ferrymen (and Women) of Fright,’ by David Dastmalchian. FANGORIA #11. Why horror hosts matter.
  • ‘Filming Nemo,’ by Gregory Kulon, INFINITY #39. A deep dive into the earliest versions of Mysterious Island and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
  • ‘Haunted Houses for Dummies,’ by George Humenik, SCARY MONSTERS #123. What makes an effective cinema haunted house.
  • ‘Horror Business,’ by Rodrigo Gudino and Andrea Subissati, RUE MORGUE #200. Retracing the history of horror journalism and Canada’s long-running magazine.
  • ‘Horror Heads: The Men Who Ran Hammer,’ by Denis Meikle, THE DARK SIDE #216-218. Profile of James Carreras, Anthony Hinds and others.
  • ‘In Search of the Elusive Monsters of Denis Gifford,’ by Alan Tromp, WE BELONG DEAD #28. A young man’s quest to see films mentioned in Gifford’s Pictorial History guide.
  • ‘I Was a Middle-Aged Werewolf,’ by Paul Davis, FANGORIA #12. Up close with the transformation in An American Werewolf in London.
  • ‘Karloff’s Monster or Lee’s Creature,’ by Nige Burton, CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES ANNUAL 2021. Comparing the two classic portrayals of Mary Shelley’s creation.
  • ‘Kong ’76 at 45,’ by John Hovey, G-FAN #132. Reassessing the controversial remake.
  • ‘Legend of a Blood Countess: The Legacy of Daughters of Darkness,’ by Kat Ellinger, SCREAM #69. How The Vampire Lovers proved not only Dracula can rule the night.
  • ‘London After … No, the Remake,’ by Matthew E. Banks, WE BELONG DEAD #30. Re-examining Tod Browning’s Mark of the Vampire.
  • ‘Lugosi’s Awful Doctor Orloff,’ by Brian J. Robb, THE DARK SIDE #223. Censors just one of the challenges in the making of The Dark Eyes of London.
  • ‘Monsters on Parade,’ by Martin Arlt, MAD SCIENTIST #34. All about Toho’s kaiju celebration, Destroy All Monsters.
  • ‘More Than a Normal Person Can Endure,’ by Jon Towlson, THE DARK SIDE #222. The makings and restorations of Doctor X and Mystery of the Wax Museum.
  • ‘Of Monsters and Magic,’ by Michael Mezmer, SCARY MONSTERS #121-122. Magicians and charlatans in the horror films.
  • ‘The Overlooked Library,’ by Don D’Ammassa, bare*bones #6. Unearthing the Hammer ‘Omnibus’ collections which adapted the studio’s horror classics.
  • ‘Reflections of Fear: The Making of The Gorgon,’ by Joshua Kennedy, LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #47.
  • ‘Michael Ripper: Hammer’s Most Prolific Star,’ by Alex Hopkins, CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES #24. Career-spanning look at Hammer’s versatile actor.
  • ‘No Death, Only Change,’ by Frank Dello Stritto, SCARY MONSTERS #121. Reincarnation in film goes far beyond the mummy films.
  • ‘Repairing Lon Chaney Jr.’s Legacy,’ by David Rosler, filmsinreview.com A director questions the drunk-on-set reputation of the horror star.
  • ‘Sam Katzman’s Cold War Creatures,’ by Stephen Bissette, SCREEM #39, An examination of the  paranoia and memorable images in Katzman’s 1950s sci-fi thrillers.
  • ‘Say Her Name,’ Natalie Erika James, FANGORIA #12. How director Nia Dacosta guided Candyman through the pandemic.
  • ‘The Secret History of Godzilla vs. Kong,’ by John LeMay, G-FAN #133. The legal and production hurdles faced by the 2021 epic.
  • ‘Storm Clouds Over Collinwood,’ by Rod Labbe, THE DARK SIDE #219. A fan’s personal encounters with the Dark Shadows phenomenon.
  • ‘Suspiria Retrospective,’ by Aaron AuBuchon, HORRORHOUND #90. Both versions of the giallo classic.
  • ‘Twisted Roots of Folk Horror,’ by Andrea Subissati, RUE MORGUE #202. Examining the enduring power of folk legends in Severin’s major box set.
  • ‘A Weekend with Barbara: A Tribute to Barbara Shelley,’ by Stephen Laws, LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #46. Recalling a 25-year friendship with  late horror queen.
  • ‘Who Will Be His Bride Tonight: The Making of Horror of Dracula,’ by Bruce G. Hallenbeck, LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #46. Extensive look behind the scenes of one of horror’s most important films (including more than a dozen artist interpretations).
  • ‘Willis O’Brien: Triumph, Tragedy, and the Son of Kong, Parts 1-3’ by Greg Kulon, FILMFAX #157-159. Family nightmare that haunted O’Brien and production.
  • ‘Woman Without a Soul: The Scandalous Second Life of 1914’s Lola,’ by Kelly Robinson, SCARY MONSTERS #122. One of the first film’s about a life restored.
  • Or write in another choice:

15) Best Interview

  • Axelle Carolyn (director, The Manor), by Chris Alexander. DELIRIUM #29.
  • Elvira (Cassandra Peterson), by Sam Irvin, THE DARK SIDE #222.
  • William Friedkin (The Exorcist), by Tony Earnshaw, THE DARK SIDE #223.
  • Halloween Kills (cast and crew), by Jessica Dwyer, HORRORHOUND #91
  • Brett Halsey (actor), by Paul Amundsen (FILMFAX #159-160)
  • Kier-La Janisse (director, Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched), by Jay Kay. HORROR HOUND #91.
  • Jared Krichensky (designer of latest MegaGodzilla) by Colin McMahon, G-FAN #132/
  • Lynne Lugosi Sparks (Lugosi’s granddaughter), by Don Smeraldi, SCARY MONSTERS #120.
  • Ve Neill (makeup artist), by Meredith Borders, FANGORIA #10
  • Ron Oliver (director of Prom II and III), by Michael Varrati, FANGORIA #10
  • Lara Parker (actress on Dark Shadows), by Rod Labbe, RETROFAN #17.
  • Daniel Roebuck (about The Munsters), by William Wright, ruemorgue.com
  • Martin Stephens (child in Village of Damned), by Calum Waddell,  DARK SIDE #220.
  • Oliver Stone (about his horror influences), by Michael Doyle, RUE MORGUE #200.
  • Or write in another choice:

16) Best Column

  • Asylum for the Psychotronic, by Ansel Faraj in WE BELONG DEAD
  • Emma Dark’s Dark Corner, WE BELONG DEAD
  • Deep Focus, by John-Paul Checkett, SCREEM
  • Devil’s in the Details, by Stacey Ponder, RUE MORGUE
  • Exordium, by Michael Gingold, FANGORIA
  • Files from the Black Museum, by Paul Corupe, RUE MORGUE
  • Grey Matters, by Richard J. Schellbach, Mondo Cult Online
  • It Came from Bowen’s Basement, John Bowen, RUE MORGUE
  • Kaiju Korner, by Mike Bogue, SCARY MONSTERS
  • The Nasty Files by Iain Todd, SCREAM
  • Kim Newman’s Dungeon, THE DARK SIDE
  • Overlooked in Hollywood by Laura Wagner, FILMS OF THE GOLDEN AGE
  • Ralph’s One & Only Traveling Reviews, by Richard Klemensen, LITTLE SHOPPE OF      HORRORS
  • R&D, David J. Schow, BARE*BONES
  • Rondo Remembers, by Ron Adams, MONSTER BASH
  • Scene Queen, by Barbara Crampton, FANGORIA
  • Strange Days by Jason Strangis, SCARY MONSTERS
  • Trilogy of Terror by Jim Ivers, SCARY MONSTERS
  • They Came from the Krypt, by Jon Kitley, HORRORHOUND
  • Or write in another choice:
17) Best Magazine Cover
bare*bones #6 Design by John Scoleri
Classic Monsters of the Movies #25 by Daniel Horne
The Dark Side #222 by Rick Melton
Delirium #27 by Ryan Brookhart
Fangoria #13 Design by Jason Kauzlarich
Fantastique Vintage Vol. 1 by John Capone
Filmfax #158 by Alex Schomburg in 1947
G-Fan #131 by Todd Tennant
HorrorHound #90 by Nathan Hanneman and Joel Robinson
Little Shoppe of Horrors #46 by Mark Madox
Mad Scientist #34 by Jeff Zonow
Scary Monsters #124 by Scott Jackson
Monster Bash #43 by Daniel HOrne
Rue Morgue #202 by John Pearson
Scream #64 Design by Imran Kelly
Screem #39 by Mark Maddox
We Belong Dead #30 by Brux

18) Best Website of 2021

19) Best Podcast

20) Best Events of 2021

  • AFTERNOON OF LIVING DEAD: Despite Covid and bomb scare, cast members from Night of the Living Dead appear at first CHILLER EXPO in two years.
  • AX WOUND VIRTUAL FILM FESTIVAL: Nine days of panels, short films and audience participation.
  • BOND CARS IN ATLANTA: Full-size replicas of James Bond cars on display at MONSTERAMA’s SpyCon2
  • CREEPSHOW CREATORS: The Walking Dead’s executive producer Greg Nicotero and writer Frank Dietz preview Creepshow at WONDERFEST.
  • A DARK SHADOWS CHRISTMAS CAROL: Collinsport Theatre of the Airwaves streams a reading by original cast members, including Lara Parker, Kathryn Leigh Scott, David Selby.
  • HEATHER BUCKLEY HONORED: Film producer, writer and preservationist named ‘Patron of the Cinema’ by New York City’s Winter Film Awards.
  • LIVE AT THE BASH: Authors Greg Mank (Werewolf of London), Frank Dello Stritto (Wizard of Oz), lecture at the Monster Bash.
  • MICHAEL ROOKER in Hawaiian shirt takes charge during Q&A at HORRORHOUND WEEKEND in Cincinnati.
  • MISKATONIC INSTITUTE OF HORROR STUDIES: Online studies of Hammer, voodoo, makeup and more from New York, Los Angeles and London.
  • NIGHTMARE IN HUNT VALLEY: Robert Englund heads up Nightmare on Elm Street panel at MONSTER MANIA.
  • PLAN 9 TABLE READ: SF Sketchfest/TCM present online reading with Bob Odenkirk, Bobcat Goldthwait, Dana Gould (as Criswell), Laraine Newman, David Koechner, others.
  • RAISING THE DEAD: Virtual talk from University of Pittsburgh exploring George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead archives.
  • SERLINGFEST: Daughter Anne Serling, expert Marc Zicree and others at Twilight Zone celebration in Binghamton, NY, Rod Serling’s home town.
  • TALKING KONG: Expert Steve Vertlieb appears on Classic Movies with Ron McCloskey to discuss King Kong and gorillas in cinema.
  • THE TRANSGRESSIVE URGE: Horror and Taboo in the 21st Century. An online panel from FANTASIA 2021, hosted by Heather Buckley, with Doug Winer, David J. Schow, Stephen Bissette, Christina Ward, David Kerekes and John Skipp.
  • UNIVERSAL MONSTER PARTY: Scholar David J. Skal, horror host John Stanley celebrate Dracula’s 90th anniversary at Orinda Theatre in California.
  • THE WHISPERER IN DARKNESS: Live/virtual show off-Broadway by RadiotheatreNYC.
  • WOMEN IN HORROR: Female Perspective. Online panel at Beyond Fest hosted by Clarke Wolfe, with Gigi Saul Guerrero, Axelle Carolyn, Marcella Ochoa, Lisa Bruce, Maritte Lee.
  • Or write in another choice:

21) Favorite Horror Host of 2021

  • Al Omega (Creature Features)
  • Arachna of the Spider People (Beware Theatre)
  • Baron Mondo, El Sapo and Mittens (Nightmare Theatre)
  • Big Chuck and Lil John (Cleveland)
  • Bobby Gammonster (MonsterMovieNight)
  • Bone Jangler and Nocturna (The Monster Show)
  • Count Gore DeVol (Creature Feature)
  • Deadwest (Screaming Soup)
  • Drac and Countess Carita (Transylvania Tonight)
  • Dr. Dread (John Murray)
  • Dr. Fearless (David Dastmalchian)
  • Dr. Gangrene (Cinetarium)
  • Elvira (40th Anniversary on Shudder)
  • Gruesome Graves (Haunted Hotel)
  • Halloween Jack (Haunted Theatre)
  • Igorro (The Igorro Show)
  • Ivonna Cadaver (Macabre Theatre)
  • Joe Bob Briggs and Darcy the Mail Girl (Last Drive-In on Shudder)
  • Karlos Borloff (Monster Madhouse)
  • Lamia, Queen of the Dark (Horror Hotel)
  • Lilith Von Bloodworth (Mondo Creepy TV)
  • Lord Blood-Rah (Nerve Wrackin’ Theatre)
  • Marlena Midnight (Midnight Mausoleum)
  • Miss Misery (Movie Massacre)
  • Mr. Lobo (Cinema Insomnia)
  • Penny Dreadful (Shilling Shockers)
  • The Mummy and the Monkey (Hairy Scary Hangout)
  • Ritch & Triv (The Midnight Movie)
  • Son of Ghoul (Ohio)
  • Svengoolie (Me-TV)
  • Vincent Van Dahl (Creature Features)
  • Zelda, Bird & Theo (Off-Beat Cinema)
  • Or write in another choice:

22) Best Graphic Novels/Collections of 2021

  • THE ART OF ENRIC (FPG). Collection of Enric Torres-Prat’s work in comics, paperbacks, and magazines.
  • THE AUTUMNAL: The Complete Series, by Daniel Krause and Chris Shehan (Vault). A daughter returns to the horrors of home.
  • CLAN OF THE DEVIL: The Sawney Beane Saga, by Maurice Devereaux, and various artists. (clanofthedevil.com). Scotland’s secret cannibal cabal.
  • THE COVERS OF EERIE PUBLICATION (Gwandanaland) The grisly covers of the company’s black-and-white horror magazines of the 1960s and beyond.
  • CULT OF DRACULA Collected Edition, by Rich Davis (Source Point Press). A modern take on a timeless legend.
  • DAMNED, CURSED, CHILDREN Vol. 1, by Howard Wong, Josh Stafford, Robin Simon Ng (Source Point). An unthinkable dilemma: Children on a murderous rampage.
  • A DISGUSTING SUPERMARKET OF DEATH, by James C. Harberson III (Margosia). Collected stories of comedy, horror and madness.
  • THE EPIC ART OF JOE SMITH, by Gary Gerani (Dreams and Visions). Poster artist who ranged from Dinsey to Gorgo concepts.
  • THE ICE CREAM MAN, Vol. 6: Just Desserts, by W. Maxwell Prince, Martin Morazzo (Image) A ringing bell signals tales of the bizarre and bitter sweet.
  • JOHN CARPENTER’S TALES FOR A HALLOWEEN NIGHT, VOL. 7, edited by Sandy King. (Storm King, softcover). Variety of creators offer chilling stories.
  • LUGOSI: The Rise and Fall of Hollywood’s Dracula, by Koren Shadmi (Life Drawn). Fact-based graphic novel interpolation of Lugosi’s life and challenges.
  • LUX ET UMBRA: The Monster Sketch Art of Frederick Cooper (Nitt & JibJib, softcover, 100 pages, $24.95). Black and white renditions of classic monsters, introduction by Joe Jusko.
  • MARK SPEARS MONSTER TRADING CARDS (Spears Art) Painted cards feature 72 monsters.
  • MONSTERS, by Barry Windsor-Smith (Fantagraphics). A collection of horror and grotesques, but family, too.
  • NORSE MYTHOLOGY, Vol. 1, by Neil Gaiman and P. Craig Russell, Mike Mignola, Jill Thompson, Jerry Ordway (Dark Horse). Legends of northern gods brought to life.
  • AN OLD SCHOOL HALLOWEEN, by Jason Young (Oldtimes). History of Halloween costumes, toys and art.
  • SHUDDER (Warrant). The renamed Creeps magazine carries on the tradition of EC and Warren horror.
  • SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN, Vol. 3, by James Tynion IV, Werther Delledera (Boom!) Some monsters hide in plain sight.
  • THOUGHTFUL CREATURES, by Steve Bissette. A 120-page sketchbook from the artist of Swamp Thing and others.
  • Or write in another choice:

Write-In Categories

23) Writer of the Year (Whose work stood out in 2021?)

24) Best Artist of 2021

25) Best Fan Artist of 2021 (The Linda Miller Award)

SPECIAL CATEGORIES: Your votes will help determine who receives these special awards:
 

26) Monster Kid of the Year

This is Rondo’s highest honor: Who did the most in 2021 to advance the cause of classic horror scholarship, film preservation or genre creativity?
 

27) Special Recognition

Who deserves recognition for achievements that may have been overlooked or don’t fit into other categories?
 

28) The Monster Kid Hall of Fame

Name as many as six fans, pros, writers, artists, researchers, horror hosts or others who over the years have made a permanent mark on the world of classic horror appreciation.
 

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Categories
Events Movies News

Screamfest Fears & Beers: My Bloody Valentine 3D

Screamfest Fears & Beers: My Bloody Valentine 3D

Get ready for a deadly date night with your sweetheart! At 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 10th, 2022 Regency Theatres Van Nuys Plant 16 will be home to the Screamfest Fears & Beers: My Bloody Valentine 3D Screening. My Bloody Valentine 3D is the 2009 remake of the classic 80’s Valentine’s Day slasher flick of the same name (minus the “3D”). The film is directed by Patrick Lussier and stars Jensen Ackles, Jaime King, Kerr Smith, and Betsy Rue.

The screening will include a Q&A with writer Todd Farmer, director Patrick Lussier, and other TBA cast members moderated by Brian Collins. Attendees 21+ will also receive one complimentary beer per ticket. 

My Bloody Valentine 3D tickets are $16.00 each and can be purchased on Eventbrite. Purchased tickets will be available at the Screamfest will-call table in the theater’s lobby starting at 7:00 p.m. (NO EARLY ENTRY). Please bring your Eventbrite email confirmation.

COVID Policy:

All attendees will be required to show proof of full vaccination and matching photo ID.

You can access your digital vaccine record at https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov

For more info visit SafePassLa.org

Regency Theatres COVID Guidelines

My Bloody Valentine 3D

Tom returns to his hometown on the tenth anniversary of the Valentine’s night massacre that claimed the lives of 22 people. Instead of a homecoming, Tom finds himself suspected of committing the murders, and it seems like his old flame is the only one that believes he’s innocent.

Cast: Jensen Ackles, Jaime King, Kerr Smith, Betsy Rue

After the film, there will be a Q&A with cast & crew. Be sure to check the Screamfest website for participant announcements.

Get Your Screamfest Fears & Beers Tickets Today!

Spaces are limited for this screening and Q&A event. Get your ticket early to ensure your spot.

Regency Theatres Van Nuys Plant 16 is located in a shopping center in Van Nuys. The address is: 7876 Van Nuys Blvd Van Nuys, CA 91402.

Have a meal at one of the nearby restaurants and grab some popcorn from the theater’s concessions stand. This Screamfest screening is sure to be a frighteningly fun event!

Past Screamfest Events Include:

Screamfest Ho Ho Horror Drive-In Screenings

Bloodvember Double-Feature

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Categories
Music

Howl at the Moon Playlist

Howl at the Moon Playlist

No full moon is quite as titillating as a full moon in October.  Its bright glow illuminates all the ghosts and goblins roaming the night – and it entices even the shyest of werewolves to join the autumnal festivities. This Howl at the Moon Playlist is my love letter to this October moon – and the perfect way to add some spooky spirit to any full moon throughout the year!

The Song List

Werewolves are my favorite monsters. They represent duality of the soul – calm and collected by day and a wild release by the light of the moon. Give me the passion of a wolf over the calm and brooding demeanor of a vampire any day!

Ever since high school I have had quite the collection of wolf-related songs. My senior year I directed my high school’s fall play, The Werewolf’s Curse – or Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow. It told the tale of Harry Pate, an American student in Romania who is bitten by a werewolf cub. During the full moon, Harry sprouts hair and craves rare roast beef, much to the dismay of his vegetarian fiancée. So it’s off to Dr. Frank Einstein’s castle to consult Madam Clara Voyant, where the doctor decides to make Harry a full fledged werewolf. To set the mood before the show and to use during bows, I created a curated soundtrack using only songs featuring lycanthrope lyrics. 

This Howl at the Moon playlist is an updated version with some new music to delight more modern audiences. 

Playlist Song Explanations

1. Bad Moon Rising - Mourning Ritual (Featuring Peter Dreimanis)

Let’s get this playlist started with a dark and edgy cover of the classic Creedence Clearwater Revival song. While the original has a fun and upbeat style, this version has a more goth edge. Singer Peter Dreimanis (of the band July Talk) lends a gritty, almost growling vocal tone to the piece. He sounds like quite a proper werewolf!

2. Wolfsbane - Gein & The Graverobbers

Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright.

The Wolf Man (1941)

Gein and the Graverobbers’ Songs in the Key of Evil was my first experience with modern horror surfer rock, having picked up the CD at a record store solely based on the cover and band name. Their songs from this album all feature audio or riffs from classic horror movies and television. Wolfsbane features audio from 1941’s Universal Monster classic, The Wolf Man. Poor Larry Talbot could not escape the curse of the werewolf – might we meet a similar fate?

3. I Was a Teenage Werewolf - The Cramps

As mentioned earlier. Werewolves embody unbridled passion. I was a Teenage Werewolf by The Cramps captures that sexy desire through pulsing drums, a sharp electric guitar riff, and howling vocals. One can’t help but to feel empowered by this classic punk rock anthem. It is my go-to song when I want to feel sexy and confident. 

4. Wolf & I - Oh Land

Wolves are not just horror icons, they are also featured in some of the earliest fairy tales. Oh Land’s Wolf & I embodies this fantastic side of wolf tales with the fairy-tale like lyrics and melody. The catchy refrain will stick in your head long after the moon disappears beyond the horizon.

5. Wolves on Parade - Mr. Moonshine

Continuing a sultry vibe is Wolves on Parade by Mr. Moonshine. The lyrics invoke a feeling of a tortured soul:

“I need you to leave,
I want you to stay,
I won’t chase you,
Anymore, anymore, anymore”

Let’s also take a moment to appreciate the fantastic music video by artist Michelle Prebich. Her red robed plague doctors, wolves, and ravens are beautiful horror figures and the forest background is a haunting setting. Be sure to check out her Etsy shop, Bat in Your Belfry, to purchase a print or two for your horror art collection.

6. Love Bites - Ice Nine Kills (Featuring Chelsea Talmadge)

Ice Nine Kills takes inspiration from horror classics for the lyrics to their rock songs. Love Bites is their love letter to An American Werewolf in London. This is a touching duet for horror-loving lovers. Sing along and howl at the moon.

7. Wolves & Werewolves - The Pack A.D.

My Honey-bunny has been my own personal werewolf ever since he starred in my high school play (The Werewolf’s Curse – Or Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow). Therefore, I let him pick one song on this Howl at the Moon Playlist. Wolves & Werewolves is his contribution. He likes this Canadian garage rock duo’s blend of rock and blues. 

8. Werewolves of London - Warren Zevon

This silly Halloween classic was based on an old horror movie of the same name. Phil Everly (of the Everly Brothers) joked with Warren Zevon that they should adapt the title into a song & dance craze. Zevon, Everly, and Waddy Wachtel wrote the lyrics in about 15 minutes and didn’t take the song very seriously. After a few other musicians heard the song and played it live for their own concerts, Zevon finally recorded his own version – which went on to be a top 40 hit for over a month and lives on via Halloween playlists to this day!

9. Clap for the Wolfman - The Guess Who

Never one for subtlety and an affinity for literal translations, there was no better song for the curtain call of my fall play than Clap for the Wolfman. 

This song is an homage to on-air radio disc-jockey Wolfman Jack, who can be heard several times on this classic hit. 

10. Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran

Finishing out this trio of classic wolf-themed songs, is Hungry Like the Wolf. You’ll be dancing in the moonlight to this 1980’s hit. The bridge is the perfect soundtrack to a werewolf transformation. The heavy breathing and building background music can easily make one image the full moon appearing from behind the clouds and a cursed soul turning from man into  musical monster.

11. Me and Mr. Wolf - The Real Tuesday Weld

Me or you, one of us is going to need to die

The Real Tuesday Weld

Me and Mr. Wolf showcases The Real Tuesday Weld’s signature jazzy and upbeat style. Mr. Wolf seems to have met his match in this swinging duet. 

This is another fantastic animated music video. Artist George Fort’s animated noir masterpiece takes inspiration Fleischer Studios cartoons (such as Betty Boop, Popeye, etc.).

12. Li'l Red Riding Hood - Bowling for Soup

Although the original Li’l Red Riding Hood by Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs is a classic, I enjoy this modern take. I first heard it on the surprisingly awesome Cursed soundtrack. Wag your tails and howl along with this rockin’ hit!

13. Full Moon Tonight - Silvastone (Featuring Bellsaint)

Full Moon Tonight serves as a fitting finale to our full moon-themed playlist. It celebrates not only werewolves but all the ghosts, goblins, and creatures of the night that revel in the full moon’s glow. Keep this energy and playful spirit with you the entire night!

Bonus: Full Moon - Elvira

As with any good horror movie, there is always one last post-credits scene, so here is one bonus song for our playlist. This rare Elvira track was my favorite song growing up (although I didn’t fully understand the lyrics until I was nearly a teenager). Elvira schools us on the roots of the word moon and all the lunar hazards one may face as the full moon rises in the night sky – all with her iconic brand of sexy humor:

“Could it be the story of.. oh! Or just my time of the month? I don’t know!”

And with that, it is really time to say “pleasant nightmares” boys and ghouls. 

And That's the Howl at the Moon Playlist!

Did you like it? What is on your full moon soundtrack? Let me know on Instagram and Twitter @EmilyIsHorror

Want more terrifying tunes for keep your spooky groove going?  Check out more music and playlists here.

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