Monday, October 5, 2020

Spooky Board Games: Shrieks & Creaks

 


For a while I was a little obsessed with VHS board games some time ago, but aside from video tapes with creepy sorcerers, undertakers, or witches, there were simpler and equally silly horror games with tapes in lieu of the more entertaining visual format. What's even more interesting is that there's no rewinding or scene skipping with this game. You use a plastic player piece and plug it into the game speaker to see whether you get your next move. The speaker is only triggered if you manage to 'open a door', so it's still a game of chance even with a tape playing with a somewhat spooky narrator.


I'll be honest, the mechanics aren't great. It's a very silly game with a very simple goal and frustrating setbacks if you pick the wrong rooms by mistake. Maybe even more frustrating than being knocked back to the beginning of Sorry with your last piece near home. The artwork is cool, though, and for the kitsch factor I'll definitely give Shrieks & Creaks a recommendation.

Sunday, October 4, 2020

Book of the Week: 'Chain Saw Confidential' by Gunnar Hansen

 


For some reason, the film 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' seems to come up a lot in my life. When my mom was in high school, one of her closest friends at the time was the niece of Paul Partain (who played Franklin), one of her many nth degree claims to fame (she also shared chips with one of the Sheens on a set once and during some wardrobe volunteer work picked out earrings for Kathy Bates' costume). When I was about 5, my dad made a bad joke / misguided attempt at creepy humor by convincing me leather face was in our back yard before bedtime. When I wrote one of my final essays on my way to getting my MLIS degree, I made it a point that essential records and films pertaining to Texas history should be archived - - and yes, I made it a point to emphasize how important TCM really was to our film heritage. Tonight, in fact, I'll be going to a drive-in with my boyfriend to see it in New Braunfels, accompanied by some awesome BBQ we'll be taking along with us.

Somehow this blog entry turned into my own personal love letter for TCM, but what it's really supposed to be is a recommendation for another man's connection to it. This is a making-of book from the perspective of Gunnar Hansen, our own beloved Leatherface himself. The audiobook is how I happened to 'read it', and I was delighted to learn about the many issues involved in the whole process. Just ignore the Wall Street Journal's review and enjoy the book on your own. Reputed newspapers always seem to have it out for horror films, and that's a fact that is never going to change.

Saturday, October 3, 2020

Horror Flick of the Week: One Cut of the Dead (2017)

 


I know it's unthinkable. I'm not only recommending a movie made within the last decade and somewhat of a zombie movie as well. This, my friends, is where I pretty much have to stop and let the trailer do most of the talking. Shudder exclusive release, a little found footage in parts, and then the second half is where things really get awesome. Don't look up anything else. Don't ask anyone who has seen this film any more questions. Don't ruin the experience - - just watch it. Immediately. Close this window, call out of work or school, and do it.



Friday, October 2, 2020

Vintage Comics: Beware, Issue #8, Lost Souls, When Witches Summon (Cover - pg. 15)

 Returning with some more long-awaited vintage comics, this year I've got a fun one for you. An evil witch, a ghostly treasure, headless men and undead crusaders. I can't help but wonder why a music professor was so dedicated to his craft that he'd seek out a dead witch party to find a forgotten song.

















Saturday, September 19, 2020

Episode 91 - Alan Came a Smithee


These are dark times. Corey and Maddy have dived into the pits of depravity that horror has to offer, films so heinous that they were callously disowned by the monsters who created them. This week we discuss 'Bloodsucking Pharaohs in Pittsburgh' and 'Raging Angels'


Check out this episode!

Saturday, August 29, 2020

Episode 90 - Sucker for a Sequel


I think we all know sequels are 100% better 100% of the time than the movies before them. Who can forget the groundbreaking cinematography of Nightmare on Elm Street 2, the pathos of LL Cool J in Halloween H2O, or the sheer talent of Tommy Wiseau in the long anticipated follow up to Samurai Cop, Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance? So it only made sense for Maddy and Corey to finally approach the Fright Night 2 and House 2 Legacies, because after all - - they're, um, I guess they're both great.


Check out this episode!