Zombos' Closet

CBS' Most Valuable New York Blogger Finalist

From CBS: 

You have been named as a Finalist for this year’s CBS New York Most Valuable Blogger award in the Everything Else category, and of course, we heartily congratulate you!

The URL to which the badge links will be de-activated immediately when voting ends on September 9^th, 2011.

Yes, this is so vain of me, I know. So what the hell! Vote for me or any of the other finalists (yeah, right, hurt my feelings) as your pick for Most Valuable New York Blogger. I must admit I love the Everything Else category. That's so Me.

Gullibles Travels Or, Been There And Back Again

With the Rapture soon upon us--not, I take comfort in reading the many books on the folly of crowds, parade of madness-spouting end-of-dayers, and unfathomable stupidity of endlessly gullible followers who apparently have no day job to keep them busy. And yes, I believe in God, but not the religions that have sprung up like weeds, so intent on constantly interpreting the Word. Neither do I suffer the doomsday prognostications of silly interpreters who--seriously--need to brush up on their spiritual language skills. And since God's busy running the Universe, he leaves us alone to make our own decisions, no strings attached. The only strings are the ones we pull, and boy, there are a lot of puppets doing crazy dances out there.

Me, I'm going to IHOP tomorrow and getting a big honking stack of pancakes to celebrate another doomsday missed, but not forgotten. Any of you Rapture folk want to join me, I'm buying.  Besides, it's not even 2012 yet!

• Extraordinary Delusions and the Madness of Crowds by Charles MacKay -- now available for 99 cents as a Kindle ebook. Like a circus sideshow, you will be amazed and amused, but here it's how dumb people can be enraptured in the ballyhoo of the masses.
• The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind by Gustave Le Bon -- written in the 1800s so language and discussion is based on the time period and its events. Still contains valuable insights on "crowd contol."
• How to Be a Charlatan and Make Millions by Jim Williams -- ten lessons in cheating, lying, and taking advantage of the gullible to reach the top of the heap.
• Mystics and Messiahs: Cults and New Religions in American History by Philip Jenkins -- yeah, what's new is old is new again.

For those disapppointed the world is still here come May 22, you can watch one of these: Top 10 End of the World Movies. 

New Kid On the Block: Digital Macabre

A new forum has joined the horror fray: Digital Macabre. Go kick the tires and say hi. If you've got a blog or website, make sure to leave your link, too.

"Are you tired of the constant remakes and worthless films like The Human Centipede? Looking for a good Horror film but not sure what to watch? Digital Macabre will open your eyes to an era long forgotten. My mission is to help introduce the digital age to a world of Gods and Monsters."

Three Stooges Outdone by Congress Knuckleheads

Actually, I think the Three Stooges would do a better job of handling the budget than Congress. 

"Fiscal hawk Bob Bixby invoked Larry, Moe and Curly in describing the fight over the 2011 budget." CNN Money

Horrors at Tribeca Film Festival 2011

"Tribeca Film Festival’s 10^th edition takes place April 20 to May 1 this year and has never been scarier. We have five additional horror/thriller titles in our Main Slate to add to the eight exciting and eclectic films in CINEMANIA section, which push the boundaries of creativity and genre."

Here are the ones I find most promising...

Beyond the Black Rainbow Directed and written by Panos Cosmatos

Panos Cosmatos brings his bold, Kubrickian vision to the screen in stunning detail in this sci-fi fable of a young woman imprisoned in an experimental laboratory facility and the mysterious scientist who is her captor. At once creatively futuristic and hypnotically retro, Beyond the Black Rainbow will absorb viewers in its unique dystopian futurescape. (Canada, Italy – 109 minutes)

The Bleeding House Directed and written by Philip Gelatt

Meet the Smiths—a family full of secrets who keep to themselves on a back road outside a small Midwestern town. In this visceral, tightly wound horror/thriller, their lives are shaken when a sweet-talking Texan arrives on their doorstep on a mission for retribution. Will he succeed in his goal to bleed them of their sins, or will the family’s haunted past prove to be even more deadly than he bargained for? A Tribeca Film release (USA – 86 minutes)

Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (Di Renjie) Directed by Tsui Hark

In a fantastical steampunk version of ancient China, legendary sleuth Detective Dee returns from exile to help solve a series of suspicious murders on the eve of the coronation of the country’s first empress. A period epic from genre master Tsui Hark, Detective Dee is an action-packed, visually breathtaking Sherlock Holmes-style mystery featuring stars Andy Lau, Li Bingbing, Carina Lau, and Tony Leung Ka-fai. In Mandarin with English subtitles. An Indomina Releasing release. (Hong Kong, China – 122 minutes)

Grave Encounters Directed and written by The Vicious Brothers.

The crew of ghost-hunting reality TV show Grave Encounters decides to shoot an episode inside an abandoned psychiatric hospital with a dark past. All in the name of good television, they voluntarily lock themselves inside the building for the night to begin a paranormal investigation, capturing everything on camera. They quickly realize that the building is more than just haunted—it is alive, and has no intention of ever letting them go. A Tribeca Film release (USA – 92 minutes)

Rabies (Kalevet) ;Directed and written by Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado

A psychotic serial killer on the loose in the woods crosses paths with a group of unsuspecting teenagers. Soon people are dying one by one… but the bad guy isn’t who you think. Turning genre conventions on their head with a smart script and plenty of unexpected scares, Rabies is a surprising debut worthy of its mantle as Israel's first-ever slasher horror film. In Hebrew with English subtitles (Israel – 90 minutes)

Saint (Sint) Directed and written by Dick Maas

An original and delightfully gruesome slasher film, Saint reimagines jolly old Saint Nick as a murderous bishop fulfilling a grisly prophecy under the December 5 full moon. Full of creative yuletide horror, Saint is a fun chiller that follows local teen Frank as he sets out on a bloody, high-energy battle to save Amsterdam from the wrathful “Sinterklaas” and his minions. In Dutch with English subtitles (Netherlands – 88 minutes)

Trollhunter (Trolljegeren) Directed and written by André Ųvredal

In the wintry Norwegian countryside, a series of supposed bear poaching incidents leads a group of plucky film students to the mysterious hunter Hans: the one man charged with keeping the country’s entire troll population in check. This genre treat seamlessly blends stunning visual effects with its found footage aesthetic to deliver truly fantastic images of giant trolls wreaking havoc, all with darkly funny adherence to the original folklore. In Norwegian with English subtitles. A Magnet Releasing release. (Norway – 103 minutes)

Pomona Fox Souvenir Program Dracula and Frankenstein

Thanks to Scott Essman, here's the souvenir program just in case you can't make it to the showing (in pdf, so may take a few moments to download).

Friends of the Pomona Fox presents An 80th Anniversary Tribute To Two of Universal Studios’ Greatest Monster Films,
Dracula & Frankenstein

"Both films were released in the same year that the Pomona Fox Theater was opened to the public (1931), and it seems fitting that this 80-year-old theater play host to two 80 year-old classic films.

"This program is made possible through the generous assistance of our program sponsors.

"Special thanks to Scott Essman for putting together this program and to all of our volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure a quality program. Also thank you to Universal Pictures for donating copies of the two films for our raffle and to Art In Clay Sculpture Studio, Famous Monsters of Filmland, and Creature Feature for bringing in the lobby displays."

No Joke This Time: Total Film's 2011 Best Fan Blog Award

What I said in 2010:

I am dumbfounded and annoyed by Total Film's 2010 Best Horror Blog Award. Out of the dozens of devoted and talented horror bloggers who contribute more to the horror genre than newsy tidbits and fluff reviews, Total Film can only come up with 5 blog nominations?  This award is a joke.

What I now say:

I am dumbfounded that I was nominated for the Total Film's 2011 Best Fan Blog Award. I'm also happy, aside from that, there are more categories and more blog nominees for this year's awards. That's a positive move on Total Film's part and I applaud it.

Don't forget to vote for your favorite blog in Best Fan Blog and each of the other categories, too.

Face-Off: SFX Artist Competition on Syfy

Syfy's reality television shows, other than Ghost Hunters and Ghost Hunters International, haven't grabbed my attention much. Mad Mad House almost did and Scare Tactics came close, but they couldn't hold it beyond the first few episodes.

Now comes Face-Off, pitting makeup artist against makeup artist in a full-body, fantastic makeover knockdown. Special effects makeup is what I'd be doing full-time if I weren't all thumbs and had a tin eye to boot. Sigh.

Making a contest out of it, where twelve aspiring makeup artists compete for 100,000 dollars in prize money and a year's worth of makeup supplies sounds promising. Add guest judges like Sean Cunningham (Friday the 13^th), revolutionary body painter Filippo Ioco, Greg Nicotero (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) and Michael Westmore (Star Trek: The Next Generation) on top of the regular judges, Ve Neill (Pirates of the Caribbean, Edward Scissorhands), Glenn Hetrick (Heroes, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The X-Files), and Patrick Tatopoulos (Underworld, Independence Day, Resident Evil: Extinction), well then, you've grabbed my full attention.

Face-Off airs January 26th on Syfy. Meet the makeup artists at http://www.syfy.com/faceoff.

For their first spotlight elimination challenge, the contestants are tasked to imagine an entirely new species, a human/animal hybrid, based on one of three exotic animals that are brought into their workspace lab--a beetle, an ostrich or an elephant. The contestants must work in teams of two to execute their creative visions, utilizing specialized skills including molding, sculpting, prosthetics and an involved application process on live models. Future elimination challenges include application of full body make-up to nude subjects, conceptualizing a creature that would inhabit a newly discovered planet, creating an original horror villain, and transforming a “bride” into a “groom” and a “groom” into a “bride.”

Chiller 13: Decade's Scariest Movie Moments

ZC Rating 4 of 7: Very Good

Chiller TV's Chiller 13: The Decade's Scariest Movie Moments is a breezy selection of scenes and commentary showcasing Chiller's top picks for the past ten year's worth of notable horror movies. You would be hard-pressed to disagree with this selection, though you may wish to add to it: these thirteen movies provide some of the scariest and queasiness-inducing moments to be found, whether they are your preferred cup of terror grue or not. Drag Me to Hell, The Descent, and Hostel are some of the movies highlighted.

The commentary is lightweight but lively, sometimes insightful in its simplicity, often humorous in its observations. The man-scream embellishment from Those Two Warm Up Guys – Ezra Weisz and Darrin Butters, in response to Thomas Jane's unexpected jolt of reality in The Mist, is hilarious. So true, so true. The wide range of commentators includes Kyle Massey (Dancing With the Stars), Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Betsy Russell (Saw), and Tony Todd (Final Destination).

One caveat: spoilers abound and endings are revealed. It airs Friday, December 17th.

(Update Note: Thanks to David Stephan, Chiller 13's producer, for pointing out the correct man-scream culprits. I mistakenly pinned the blame on Dan Gurewitch and David Young. They're funny, too.)

 

 

Java's Cosmic Halloween Special Triple Treat

The ever cool and evervescent Johnn C trips the vibes
for another Octoberfest of tunes.

"Ever notice how everything peculiar comes in 3’s…?Like a Martian’s three eyes… Like a Morlock’s three fingers…Like–- well…, you know…And this Hallow’s Eve, even those odd-ball folks out there who only have two ears to listen with, are sure to get triple the monstrous fun out of this ‘spine-tickling’ Trilogy of Java’s Cosmic Halloween Specials!

"Tell all the Kool Kats, Killer Kittens,and other like-minded Trick-or-Treaters in your neck of the Haunted Woods, to tune-in to this ‘Pointy-Taled Trio'-- for a triple-shot of bonfirelicious Radio Fun…!

Hey, they may come for you with the torches and pitchforks anyway…but at least they’ll be laughing…!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, from Java’s Bachelor Pad and Curtis Amusements!"

Famous Monsters of Filmland Forum Not So Engaging So Far

I was surprised to find I couldn't leave a comment on the Drunken Severed Head's Famous Monsters of Filmland Online posts. You have to register for the FM Forum instead, which is actually not a bad idea, just a little vexing to accomplish.

My initial registration disappeared into the void. Editor Jessie Lilley kindly offered to check into it. I didn't realize she meant a background check. I received this automated reply after re-registering.

Zombos Closet,

Regrettably, your application to join Famous Monsters of Filmland Forum has been rejected.

Regards,
The Famous Monsters of Filmland Forum Team.

Well that's a fine how do you do. I've never been rejected by a forum before. It cuts me to the quick. I hope Rue Morgue still loves me. Should you get in, please say a kind word for me.

Of course I'm just joking about the background check. Had they actually done one I'd be in handcuffs already.

Update! My registration has been approved. Seems a software glitch was causing the problem. FM forums, here I come!

 

It's Not Halloween Yet But It Will Do Anyway 3rd Annual Halloween Contest Part 2!!

Amazon, in a fortuitously bizarre sense of twisted fate, sent me an extra DVD set of Thriller: The Complete Series. At first I was startled (like she was, but without those messy cobwebs getting in my face). But then I thought, Hell's Bells! why not have another It's Not Halloween Yet But It Will Do Anyway Contest!

I say if you're going to spend money, spend it well and help out our horrible economy by sharing more good and positive horror.

To enter, just leave a comment: it could be about your favorite Thriller episode; or your favorite movie to watch on Halloween night; or your favorite candy to eat on Halloween; or your favorite DVD horror picks.

Contest ends October 15th, so don't dawdle or you'll be just as surprised as her and be left with cobwebs all over your face instead of a chance to win Boris Karloff's Thriller.

 

It's Not Halloween Yet But It Will Do Anyway 3rd Annual Halloween Contest!

Foaming at the mouth in anticipation of next month's festivities? Already chowing down on candy like it's Halloween Night in preparation for the big event? Restless like a zombie because you're just dying to wear that costume you've been eying in your closet all year long? Then I've got a contest for you!

Thanks be to the Big Honkin' Promotion God (that would be Sylvia at Big Honcho Media), two lucky people (that could be you, and maybe you, too--yes,  you, the one stuffing Cheetos up her nose for YouTube.)

Just email me with your mailing address and I'll enter you to win The Evil Dead and Hatchet on Blu-ray! So don't just die of boredom waiting for Halloween; now you can die of anticipation! (Did you catch my mention of BLU-RAY!)

Hurry! Contest ends September 7th.

2 Winners will each receive:

• The Evil Dead on Blu-ray
• Hatchet on Blu-ray

EVIL DEAD Blu-ray available on the shelves August 31

Two brand-new hi-def transfers personally supervised and approved by Sam Raimi and an all-new audio commentary featuring Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert and Bruce Campbell.  Includes Limited Edition DVD packed with 3 hours of original bonus features!

Special features include:

• On the Blu-ray:
  • All-new audio commentary with writer/director Sam Raimi, producer Robert Tapert and star Bruce Campbell
• On the special-features DVD:
  • One By One We Will Take You: The Untold Saga of The Evil Dead
  • The EvilDead: Treasures from the Cutting Room Floor
  • The Ladies Of The Evil Dead Meet Bruce Campbell
  • Book of The Dead: The Other Pages
  • Discovering The Evil Dead
  • Unconventional
  • At The Drive-In

HATCHET Blu-ray available on the shelves September 7

Unrated director's cut, features an all-new audio commentary with writer/director ADAM GREEN and Victor Crowley himself - KANE HODDER!

Special features include:

• Audio commentaries:
  • Co-producer/writer/director Adam Green and Star Kane Hodder (new)
  • Adam Green, co-producer/cinematographer Will Barratt and actors Tamara Feldman, Joel David Moore and Deon Richmond
• The Making of Hatchet
• Meeting Victor Crowley: An in-depth look at the creation of a new horror icon
• Guts & Gore: Go behind the scenes of Hatchet's special makeup and prosthetic effects
• Anatomy of a Kill: Witness the "jaw-breaking" birth, design and execution of a death scene
• A Twisted Tale: Writer/Director Adam Green recounts his decades-long friendship with "Twisted Sister" front man Dee Snider
• Gag reel
• Theatrical trailer

Blogging Around: Lovecraft

HPL eternal lies, but always roams, and never dies...

Larry Latham investigates why Lovecraft is Missing. Clues can be found in his webcomic, along with tentacled monsters and more...

Chris Perridas explores H. P. Lovecraft and His Legacy. 1908: Not a good year for Lovecraft. 1907 had started off terrific - he met Percival Lowell! - and then as he was heading for 18, he derailed somewhere along the way. No college. No career. Just sadness for a long time.

David Kidd asks What's Mouldy and Shadowy and Full of Dim Rumours? The H.P. Lovecraft news wire. Here, you'll find an aggregation of news and bits and pieces about, or derived from, his works and legacy, including fiction, art, interviews, film, comics, games, and more.

An antiquarian of questionable pursuits leans precariously over the edge to catch Papers Falling From An Attic Window. I’m a librarian and the author of the Cthulhu Mythos Encyclopedia and, with John Wisdom Gonce III, The Necronomicon Files.

Justin Woodman listens to sibilant Whispers From the Ghooric Zone. Whilst the thick, gloopy strands of Azathothian entropy have entangled us further and drawn us deeper into the unreflective depths of cosmic ennui, we at Ghooric Zone are still making the occasional attempt - as the mood takes us - to pass on our reflections on Lovecraftian popular culture.

Even Yog-Sothoth will have His say. Yog-Sothoth is devoted to Lovecraftian games and media, as well as the works of Jazz Age author, H.P. Lovecraft and those he inspired.

Wrap your Tentaclii around HPL. An occasion literary and visual arts blog on the famous author.

 

American Vampire Contest Winners

Okay, I'm back...time to announce the American Vampire Issue One, signed by Scott Snyder, contest winners!

And the winners are:

Rhonny Kachur in Ohio, William Agy in Maryland, Tracey Dent in Maryland (that's two for MD!), and Jeanette Jackson in Canada.

Congratulations! Your issues are on the way!