Book of the Week: "Horror Cinema (Bibliotheca Universalis)" by Jonathan Penner, Steven Jay Schneider, et al.

 

How many of you demanded to see the pictures in the storybooks when your parents or teachers read them to you? I'm going to be frank here, even when I have been a grown-up and responsibly poured through mountains of novels or academic papers, the lack of pretty pictures sometimes breaks my heart. Do not worry, my friends and fiends, for not only does Horror Cinema have loads of awesome pictures, but it's nowhere near as long and wide as a thirty pound coffee table book most of us just keep for decoration.

I stumbled on this book at a famous Austin book store I can't quite place (they've got quite a few) and it was simply one I couldn't walk out without buying. Your typical list book or encyclopedia of films will give you thousands of pages, plenty of pictures, but only short paragraphs recommending a film before moving on to the next. This one not only provides several photos for each film, but entire essays about the influence and style and exactly why you need to watch it. I've never had such a fantastic and comprehensive encyclopedia of film, and I think all horror lovers need to add this to their collection.

Vintage Magazine: Famous Monsters of Filmland, Vol. 1, No. 1 (50 - 63)

Not much to say this issue except - I wonder how that voodoo snake ring works? It's gotta be a good deal at only $1...unless they cut off right before '+ shipping and soul handling'.

Horror Flick of the Week: The Stranger Beside Me (2003)

Many of us in the last year are so have found ourselves gruesomely fascinated with serial killers. Just look at how many podcasts are thriving out there based solely on the subject. This isn't a new phenomenon. It comes and goes from time to time, but 'Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile' seemed to revive interest in not only Ted Bundy, but serious concern with the celebrity of murderers. Frankly, I found the film a bit disappointing. I'd been incredibly excited to see it, but the structure just didn't work for me. Anyone who thinks it sensationalized and idolized Bundy just because Zac Efron is pretty probably didn't see it.

But I'm not here to tear apart a Netflix film that just didn't work for me, I'm here to actually recommend another Bundy film based on a book by Ann Rule, who one might say was almost a friend of Ted's. The Stranger Beside me is two stories, the side of Ann as she learns and comes to terms of Bundy's monstrosity, and a montage of Ted's more infamous killings that eventually led to his capture and ultimate demise. I really loved Billy Campbell's performance in this, because he straddled the line of Bundy's personality so well. On one side, this polished performer who could charm just about anyone with only a few words, and on the other side a seriously disturbed person compelled to commit horrible acts with overwhelming arrogance and belief that no matter what he'll always get away with it.

It's a tv movie that doesn't really need the big budget flair you'd expect from such a 'celebrity' in the world of serial killers, and somehow it just really worked as a solid film despite this, or maybe even because of it.

A Short Video: Purgation

I did not produce this one, nor did I write it. In fact, I wasn't even a member of this group in film directing, because mine was a crazier project I've already shared here, but...I did play a minor role in this one as the aunt. Though it does take a few viewings to catch the whole story, the director (Jason Litman) is incredibly talented. His videos were always some of the best in that class, so I thought it would be a good idea to share this one with my readers. 

A young girl visits her aunt, and goes into the basement, then reads a book that causes strange things to happen. Is it a dream, or is it reality?

A Short Video: E-Trade Devil Commercial

So this was one of my earlier projects in a film directing class, and I figured 'what the heck', I might as well share it today, since it's definitely got a Halloween vibe.

Fun fact, that guy playing the devil? He's a fantastic playwright.