Stanley Kubrick’s visually stunning interpretation of Stephen King’s novel. I guess the two follow different plot trajectories. I never sat through the entire King tome. A cursed family moves into a rambling hotel to act as its caretakers during the winter. Seems the Overlook Hotel has some dark secrets of its own that start to manifest during the family’s stay. Expect a LOT of unsettling, frightening moments. The movie takes on the tone of a nightmare. Events, circumstances keep building up and piling on the dread factor. Famous Nicholson over the top performance. Amazing use of Stedicam during filming to move things [More]
I used to listen to the CBS Mystery Theater radio program late at night as a kid and, then, in later years tried to relive those happy moments by collecting old cassette recorded copies of similar radio drama programs. I stumbled upon this gem, the 1950’s era Escape show and its feature, “The Abominable Snowman”. The story is presented in an economic style with a handful of characters, emotive music and gobs of sound effects. All the better that there are no visuals involved so that your mind’s eye can more effectively play tricks on you. The imagination can be [More]
A self modulating video synthesizer is demonstrated here. Lots of pretty, shifting color patterns and an interesting audio soundtrack accompaniment follow. Maybe best to absorb in small doses? Noodling can be an intense experience at the time of creation but later playback always begs editing. Deciding what to cut and what to leave in can be an agonizing experience!
On the eve of the grandest viewer spectacle there is, namely, Super Bowl LIII, I would like to share this collection of dubious player performances in football that lead to the player being ejected from the game. I know these athletes are very highly paid and are thought to be role models to youthful fans, and all, but these are very competitive games and in football there is a lot of contact. Let’s face it. Tempers flare, bad manners surface and sportsmanship can go out the window. There is always next week to show people what you’ve got. Anyway, enjoy [More]
We have lost another Great One. We now live in a world now without Lemmy Kilmister and that void will never be filled. Lemmy was a well known, larger than life personality. He played a very distorted, loud, bass guitar with his rock and roll band, Motorhead. He was also a key figure for many years in the space rock outfit, Hawkwind. In the distant past, Lemmy was renowned for his large drug intake. It probably is amazing that he lasted this long! He was outspoken, crude, hilarious. Lemmy was a true believer in the spirit and power of rock and roll. [More]
As that special time of year comes around once again, the Halloween pranksters start to emerge from their drafty crypts and share their enthusiasms. Go to this link to find one such gag fester: http://wjhl.com/2017/09/20/halloween-decor-prompts-911-call-owner-says-its-all-in-fun/ I know the line “Kids don’t try this at home” has been used to death but remember to always proceed with caution when engaging in such shenanigans.
I think I mentioned Tales From The Crypt in an earlier post. I stress this segment from the anthology film from the ’70’s because it features a diabolical madman on the loose who dons a Santa Claus suit to get into the spirit of the Christmas season during which the segment transpires. Seedy Santa leers and creeps outside the residence of an equally seedy sexpot played by Joan Collins. You can question whether there was type casting involved. I have. Anyway, an enjoyable if edgy representation of the jolly fat guy who in this case gets his jollies from stalking [More]
We just lost another great performer. Actor Bill Paxton just recently passed away. I have fond memories of Paxton as the cowardly but ultimately heroic Private Hudson in “Aliens”. There were also noteworthy acting turns in the science fiction and horror genre films “Predator 2” and “Near Dark”. He had another great role as a treasure hunter in “Trespass”. I have heard many good stories of Paxton, the man. He was described as being a very friendly, warm human being. Our sympathies go out to his loved ones.
Nice, likable fable about a race to land the first person on the Moon. The Russians and the Americans are locked in battle again to be the first nation to get a person on the Moon. The Americans opt for a barely space worthy civilian to represent the US in an effort to match a similarly progandistic move dreamed up by the Russians. A last second flurry of preparation sends James Caan rocketing to the Moon with Robert Duval acting as his more experienced coach. The whole thing is drenched in melodrama but don’t let that deter you. You will [More]
With all the recording devices out there capable of capturing video and digital pictures, it may be but a short time before some substantial evidence of something truly weird will be available. Have evidence of Bigfoot, aliens, sea monsters and the like already been obtained? Check out this creepy little compilation of freaky, pixelated pixies of all stripes. So many monsters, so little time.
OK. I am a sucker for this type of flick. Soldiers outgunned, outnumbered and trying to hold off a technologically advanced invading alien army. Plenty of firepower and pyrotechnic displays on hand to liven things up. What could be better? Anyway, the trailer looks promising. Of course, so did the one for “Battle: Los Angeles” and it ended up being only alright in my book. Here’s hoping for the best!
Iconic horror film director Tobe Hopper sadly passed away this year. Looking at his work, you see a good handful of classic horror films! Hopper’s masterpiece, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, personified the Hell of being victimized and threatened by a twisted family of cannibalistic freaks somewhere in Texas. There was the thoroughly enjoyable horror TV two-parter, “Salem’s Lot”, an atmospheric, nightmarish look at a town and its populace destroyed by a vampire plague. “Poltergeist” presented the mounting menace of a ghostly presence invading a suburban home and the dislocation and fear that ensues for the family inhabiting the now haunted [More]
Superb live document of this legendary rock band. Led Zeppelin seemed to be performing near their peak. They had by 1979 been recording and performing together for over a decade. The band sounds strong and tight. But, alas, things don’t always work out for the best, and this would be their last tour. A great sounding set from this great rock band.
Watching “The Mist” again recently got me to thinking about the original source material, Stephen King’s novella, and the faint memories I had of reading it. I watched the movie and then reread the story. The movie is very faithful to the story. But then there is that ending of the movie…. Once of the single most downer conclusions in popular culture storytelling, I would have to say. Granted, the scenario is imagined in the story but not actually executed. That grim prospect is dutifully carried out in the movie. Oh, it is an awful choice to go down that [More]