This radio play, based on author H.G. Wells’ “War of the Worlds” novel, has stood the test of time. We are presented with a gripping tale of alien invasion by a seemingly unstoppable force that brings the Earth to its knees but not before a wholly unexpected ally assists us in eluding planetwide destruction. Based loosely on Wells’ classic science fiction novel, upstart talent, Orson Welles and his Mercury Theater production cast of radio and ultimately theater and film performers, craft a masterful adaptation of the story. America is the spot of a succession of meteorite impacts across the country [More]
Legendary drummer/percussionist, Jamie Muir, has died. Muir performed on one album, “Lark’s Tongue in Aspic” (1972) with King Crimson and accompanied them on the road before pulling up his stakes and heading for a more spiritual existence. After joining a monastery, he would retire from music but reappear to play and perform again in the 1980’s. It was while supporting Crimson that Muir created his unique image as a prowling, stage stalking percussionist and drummer alongside Bill Bruford. Muir utilized bird whistles, gongs, slabs of metal and bells to accentuate King Crimson’s sound. Muir would climb up amp stacks and [More]
This is a very well done drama enacted on the old “Escape” radio program. William Conrad plays an adventurer who with his two partners are in pursuit of the capture of the elusive yeti, or as it is referred to in this yarn, “the abominable snowman”. Matters get out of hand as the climbing party experience one misfortune after another including bone chilling cold, raging winds, high elevations and several run ins with the title character. William Conrad is very effective in his part ranging from bravado to severe humbling after the expedition crumbles around him. Cool soundtrack and sound [More]
A very low budgeted entry here, reportedly costing $3,500.00 back in the early 1970’s, this is an ambitious if very flawed work but enough about that. There are three aliens on display terrorizing the countryside and a lot of interesting special effects work including stop motion animated creatures and pulsing prisms of color that are kind of cool. Another gnarly attraction is the appearance of a rock power trio named “Atlantis” playing a tune in a bar. An awesome moment! I also am a fan of the grating electronic soundtrack for this flick. Check it out. You can get a [More]
Actor/director/photographer/art collector Dennis Hopper was pretty much down on his luck in 1983 and decided to stage an old stuntman’s ploy of “blowing yourself up”. I am sure there is some danger associated with this act like what if the protective blast resistant backing you’re nestled against gives way or the powder used in the explosive detonation burns you a bit. Anyway, Hopper chose to go through this publicity stunt to drum up some attention to a career that was faltering badly due to excessive drug use and drinking. Hopper makes it out alive and probably needed a drink or [More]
Andy Warhol was famously known as a leading practitioner of the Pop Art movement in the 60’s and as a constant admirer and pursuer of Celebrity/celebrities through the course of his life up until his death. Warhol was also interested in all kinds of art, namely, sculpture, painting, filmmaking and music. All of these art forms were utilized by Warhol in an idea he had for a mixed media freakout event. Films would be projected onto walls, dancers and Warhol film actors and pulsating, colored lights and strobes would illuminate a performance space that was sonically assaulted by the cacophonic [More]
George Romero continued the tale of the decimation of society by a zombie outbreak with this follow up to “Night of the Living Dead”. Romero angled for social commentary more heavily this time showing a horde of zombies inhabiting a shopping mall and lumbering about all the trinkets and merchandise available in a multi store shopping mall. There are comments from the still human cast about how the undead have returned to a place of comfort where they wiled away hours, buying and looking at products and shit, when they were still counted among the living. Consumerism is criticized but [More]
This is a really short movie. A “quicky” if ever there were one. Not necessarily a bad thing is this case but if you can tolerate this mish mash, then you have earned a symbolic badge of honor for witnessing one of the worst films ever made! Tor Johnson is a defecting Soviet scientist who relocates to the Southwestern Nevada region of Yucca Flat (s). The professor apparently is carrying secret documents that contain highly confidential information regarding Russia’s space plans for The Moon. Russian agents are sent to intercept Johnson and get the classified information back. A chase ensues [More]
Songwriter, lyricist, Pete Sinfield has passed. Sinfield had an early involvement with progressive rock band King Crimson. Sinfield wore many hats in his years working with Crimson. He wrote song lyrics, helped out with the band’s stage rigging, made suggestions about Crimson’s branding, acted as the resident hipster, providing the other members with ideas about what to wear to fit the image of the times, and even contributed bits of playing EMS VCS 3 synthesizer to the group’s sound. Eventually, he wore out his welcome with the band and went on to work with Emerson, Lake and Palmer providing more lyrics to [More]
In celebration of the November 13th birthday of Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of classic “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”, we look at a derivation of that work with the shake and bake Hammer picture, “Doctor Jekyll and Sister Hyde”. Stevenson wrote the tale about Dr. Jekyll who developed a serum that would transform himself into a more self-assured, sinister, promiscuous version of himself so that he might more easily pursue some of his “unstated vices and not deal with the shame”. Thus, Mr. Hyde was born. Hyde is variously represented as a savage, violent, night reveler. [More]
Tony Todd was recognized for his roles in the horror franchises “Candyman” and “Final Destination” and my personal favorite “Night of the Living Dead” (1990). Tony has recently passed away. Tood gave a strong performance as Ben in the 1990 “Dead” remake. Thrust into a nightmare scenario, Ben attempts to figure out how the dead have suddenly reanimated and why they are trying to eat the living. Pretty grim stuff. Ben and Barbara occupy a remote farmhouse and attempt to zombie proof the place and ensure their survival. Todd is very good in the part. R.I.P., Mr. Todd.
A chilling compilation of creepy videos showcasing the Great Outdoors. What could be lurking out there just out of view is disturbing! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!
Fairly lively horror whodunit which follows a familiar refrain: a talented artist is victimized by his shady business partner who sets their waxwork museum on fire. The artist miraculously survives albeit horribly scarred and then plots his murderous revenge in the shadows of society. “Phantom of the Opera” used a similar story line but had a musical composer who covertly got even with his enemies. Vincent Price is fine as the unfortunate sculptor who opens a new waxworks emporium that now concentrates on sensationalism and horror to draw in the crowds. To get the enterprise up and running in a [More]
Our three favorite saps are schlepping this time as detectives and get a client who wants them to find his missing daughter. The boys take the job and go “undercover” dressed as pie salesmen (guess what’s coming? lol) to the area where the girl was last seen. It turns out that the dilapidated house they stumble into actually conceals a secret laboratory of a mad scientist who is intending to use the lost girl’s noggin as a brain transplant for his gigantic, bi-pedal, caged gorilla! Dr. Frankenstein is spinning in his grave! This episode adopted the Fifties fad of the [More]