All roads lead to Ray Harryhausen…
When I was growing up, our town (like many at the time) had it’s own local theater. It wasn’t one of those big multiplexes you see today but rather a one screen wonder offering standard-sized viewing and a small popcorn machine/soda fountain serving as concessions. I remember the lobby having a musty odor and being adorn in red velvet; the theater seats so old you’d invariably be sitting at an angle. I also recall my grade school friends and I snickering at nude, Greek statues (missing their heads) that stood at opposite sides of the entrance.
The Homewood Theater was already in it’s decline when I was a kid back in the ’70s but, one Saturday during summer months, would provide throwback experiences once commonplace during my parent’s youth. On these occasions, they’d offer affordable “all day” movie experiences featuring family friendly films along with cartoons, Three Stooges shorts, and old serials in between.
2013 Horrorhound Weekend Pt 10: Marilyn Munster and Killer Car Christine!
It was 7:30am when the alarm went off and the final day of Horrorhound Weekend began. In lieu of the previous night, it was a minor miracle I didn’t have a hang-over though this should not suggest I was feeling anywhere near 100%. The non-stop activity, coupled with lack of sleep, had begun taking its toll and I quickly dressed before heading to the hotel lobby in pursuit of free coffee.
2013 Horrorhound Weekend Pt. 9: Horrorhound Girls Gone Wild!
After a long and busy Saturday at Horrorhound Weekend, Brian and I relaxed and ordered dinner in our room. While it’s rarely a positive experience for any Chicagoan to order pizza outside of city limits, this was the perfect food choice when one planned on following it up with copious amounts of alcohol. Saturday nights at Horrorhound were notorious for their raucous all night gatherings…and this year I was determined to join their party! Afterwards, I headed outside for some air and met a guy in the lobby who pulled out a mason jar that looked as if it were half full of motor oil. “Want some moonshine?” he asked.
I smiled but hesitated. It had only been the week before on St. Patrick’s Day when I’d indulged in another home-made concoction with my fellow pod-caster, Jason, resulting in a drunken argument between us. I’m batting a 1,000 with friends these days, folks! Please check out the “Podcast” link at the top of this page to hear our first (and possibly final) eight episodes of Terror on Tequila!
2013 Horrorhound Weekend Pt. 8: Tom Savini cracks a smile…
I met Tom Savini for the first time twice during my first Horrorhound Weekend back in 2010. Although it would be my last pre-Terror Dave event, I walked in harboring lots of goals concerning the horror hosts and the celebrities that were attending. Of course the main plan was to have a great time and I was joined by my friend, Jason. I remember us being particularly excited about having the opportunity to meet some of the folks behind one of our favorite zombie films; Dawn of the Dead. Tom Savini, Ken Foree, and the godfather of zombies himself, George Romero, would all be there and we couldn’t wait.
THE EVIL DEAD thrill the Living!
I’m interrupting my Horrorhound Weekend diaries with a review of what has to be the most anticipated horror film of 2013 thus far! Yes, I’m referring to none other than…The Evil Dead remake! Throughout this past week one could hardly navigate their Facebook feeds without being inundated with numerous posts and poster shots of this long-awaited film (or maybe I just “friended” one too many horror fans)! This naturally begs the question; was it worth all of the hype or yet another source of horror fan frustration?
2013 Horrorhound Weekend Pt. 6: Why you should never try and sell Michael Madsen a pair of Sunglasses!
The big celebrity draw at this year’s Horrorhound Weekend were cast members of AMC’s hit show, The Walking Dead. As this program is currently a hot topic for both traditional and non-traditional horror fans alike, it was no wonder the convention had such a gigantic turn-out. It also explained why a lot of guests wore vests with angel wings (showing their support for Norman Reedus’ Daryl Dixon) as well as a few less rebellious fans opting for the sheriff’s deputy uniform of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln).
2013 Horrorhound Weekend Pt. 5: Rock n’ Roll all Nite with the KISS Gals!
Still reeling from The Horror Host Hall of Fame, I went across the street with my friend, Russ Wrangler, to that gawd-awful Crown Plaza restaurant I mentioned earlier. It was Saturday and Horrorhound Weekend was now in full swing, though the lines seemed to be moving quicker (not quick, just quicker). We ate lunch while watching Dr. Destruction storm out again due to the service (for some reason that never got old) before Russ and I returned to the convention to do another walk through.
2013 Horrorhound Weekend Part 3: The Costume Contest!
It was after 8pm when I walked out of Horrorhound Weekend’s main convention hall during its opening Friday night. While maneuvering past the immense line of patrons (still looking to gain access) I walked across the street to The Crown Plaza hoping to catch a screening of The Profane Exhibit. It’s a new Italian film written and directed by Ruggero Deodato whom I’d met a couple of years back in Massachusetts. As the previous film was still playing, I took a seat in a comfy, lounge chair located outside the room. I was in the process of checking my phone messages when I heard a familiar voice call, “Hey Dave!”
2013 Horrorhound Weekend Part 2: The Costumes!
There was no doubt that the fan costumes (many of which seemed to mix gore with sex appeal) kicked things up to whole new levels at Horrorhound Weekend! Check em’ out!
Inside the Dungeon of COUNT GORE DE VOL!
Our next Brian Maze photo shoot features someone who’s no stranger to this site…Count Gore De Vol! Brian was recently invited to the Count’s Dungeon while hosting THE APE! Joining him for this sinister spread is the sexy, Tiffany Jordan!
What’s your Point of View on POV Horror Films Podcast: Featuring PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, CLOVERFIELD…and much more!
Ever since THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, films featuring “lost footage” have been inundating audiences faster than you can say PARANORMAL ACTIVITY! Is this an effective horror genre or yet another example of Hollywood beating a dead horse? Find out in our next Terror on Tequila podcast dedicated to shedding light on the realities of “reality” films!
DARK SKIES brightens the Theater!
I have to admit that it’s been a while since I really enjoyed seeing a movie on the big screen. Oh sure, I’ve seen plenty of films that were “okay” and it’s always nice getting out with friends, but there have been few where I felt drawn in to the story or any type of reaction for that matter. Last Friday, I headed out to see DARK SKIES. I didn’t know much about the film except that it dealt with alien visitors and, ironically, I have been in a UFO kind of mood these days. I decided to give it and, must say, I was pleasantly surprised!
The Big ’80′s Supernatural Podcast: Featuring DREAMANIAC, WITCHBOAD, and NIGHT OF THE DEMONS!
It’s another Terror on Tequila pod-cast show featuring Terror Dave and Jason! Today we’ll be taking a totally awesome trip back in time to the 1980′s; a vanguard decade for horror movies! Looking back at old pictures with hair that defied gravity along with the over the top accessories and spandex, folks looked anything but natural! So please join us today as we explore the “out of this world” side of this period during our Big ’80s Supernatural Show!
WARM BODIES: Zombie “Chick Flick” Inevitable!
Well, it was bound to happen…
Unearthed and Untold: The Path to PET SEMATARY!
I remember back in the ’80s, when I was in my mid-teens and horror novelist, Stephen King was at the height of his popularity. After reading his amazing book, IT, I became an immediate fan and had no sooner finished it before heading out to the book store intent on grabbing all of his previous works. While I enjoyed them all (and in many cases, re-read and enjoyed them again) I was particularly enamored with PET SEMATARY.
HANSEL AND GRETEL…Tasted Like Crap!
I just returned from a screening of HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS which I thought at first were code names for an elite duo of monster hunters. You know, sort of like a co-ed version of “Supernatural?” Well, I was dead wrong as it turned out to be the actual Hansel & Gretel from the popular story; complete with an intro for those less savvy on Fairy Tales. Apparently, the excitement didn’t end there as this brother/sister team remained as close as “The Carpenters” while becoming professional bounty hunters with a penchant for murdering witches. And when I say “witches” I’m not talking about the Mother Earth loving herbalists we see today. No, these are the less PC veiny/scaly variety complete with broomsticks!
TERROR ON TEQUILA Podcast: Massacre Movies & Maragritas!
Twenty years before I met the other Terror Dave (David Albaugh), I became friends with a charismatic guy named Jason Lucas. We worked together at a local grocery store back when we were teens and I remember stocking the shelves, him strolling past me with a flop mop as we’d discuss Halloween‘s Michael Myers. It was 1988 and the franchise was returning to its Myers roots after his absence in the previous installment, Halloween III: Season of the Witch. We were excited by both this news as well as the realization that we were now old enough to bypass our conservative parents and see him on the big screen.
HITCHCOCK vs. THE GIRL!
Two recently released movies (one on cable and another on the big screen) attempt to give viewers a behind the scenes glimpse of Alfred Hitchcock! While we can never gauge the accuracy of biography films, they do share some similarities. So how do these two stack up against each other in deconstructing The Master of Suspense?
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 3D: New Faces that seem awfully Familiar!
I just returned from seeing 2013′s first theatrical offering THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 3D! Many horror fans will site the original as a masterpiece and Bubba a.k.a. Leatherface remains a fan favorite. It’s understandable and there is NO question that the 1974 original was a disconcerting masterpiece with the chainsaw wielding, Leatherface, one of cinema’s most gruesome and iconic killers!
SILENT NIGHT: Killer Santa brings back that old Christmas (Slasher) Spirit!
For the past couple of years, it’s been a Terror Dave holiday tradition posting a summary of horror films that have a Christmas theme (you can see last year’s by clicking HERE). This year we have a new addition to that list via Silent Night which, after a VERY brief run at select theaters, is now available on DVD/Blu-ray. So how does this one stack up against previous Yule-tide Terrors?
Days Of The Dead FRIGHT NIGHT PANEL!
A Crazy Night at DAYS OF THE DEAD!
It was Friday night and I headed up to Schaumburg, Illinois for Chicago’s first Days of the Dead convention. I’d been to the first of these events last year in Indianapolis but there’s been several more since. It’s always a good sign when you see many of the same ghoulish faces return again, indicative of satisfied fans. That works out well for me because I personally feel that the fans often make the event. Their costumes add something extra by highlighting their zeal while providing lots of great photo ops for less bold conventioneers.
“JAWS: MEMORIES FROM MARTHA’S VINEYARD” has BITE!
The legendary JAWS, is one film that many of us horror (and non-horror) fans can watch over and over again. It’s the original Hollywood “blockbuster” as well as the very root of our fear of the ocean and its most infamous predator, the great white shark. JAWS not only dredged up our anxieties of the man-eating fish but inadvertently created a legion of conservationists (whose fear turned to fascination) in its turbulent wake. Even in today’s CGI world, with new killer shark films being released almost monthly, JAWS not only stands the test of time but remains the undisputed champion. The film has seen many successful releases & upgrades on home video over the years, along with some fantastic documentaries detailing the arduous journey a young Steven Spielberg made while creating this film. But if you’ve only seen Hollywood’s version of what was taking place beyond the cameras, then you’ve only heard half the story…
Terror from Beyond the Daves is pleased to announce the re-release (and expansion) of the ULTIMATE behind the scenes book, “Jaws: Memories from Martha’s Vineyard” (Titan Books).
V/H/S…OMG!
Like most movie-goers, I enjoy watching trailers for upcoming films. How else can you make a two-minute decision on whether a movie is worthy of a trip to the theater, a wait for home video, or an all around SKIP? Yes, movie previews/trailers can be a mixed blessing. Like the ones that don’t just feel the need to tell us what a movie is about, but also feel the need to give away key scenes and plot points (which I promise I won’t do in this review).
