It has been mentioned many times on this site that John Carpenter’s THE FOG is a favorite movie of both Daves. Unfortunately, up until recently, good quality versions of this film have been non-existent. Even the blu-ray that was available as an import on Amazon for so long was just a blu-ray version of the MGM Special edition that came out many years ago (in other words, it was less than perfect). Once again Shout! Factory has gone to great lengths to provide us with a great release in its best form to date! These guys know what they are doing and know what the fans want!
Nancy Loomis cuts through THE FOG at Flashback Weekend!
When people list their top favorite horror films, they no doubt mention John Carpenter’s Halloween almost immediately. Sure, I like the movie and absolutely consider myself a fan, but let me commit Horror Heresy over here by saying it’s NOT my favorite Carpenter classic. In fact, I’d put it solidly in 3rd Place with THE THING and THE FOG sharing a healthy lead. As I’ve recently delved into my love of the science fiction masterpiece, THE THING, while covering THING-FEST in July (seen HERE), let’s discuss the often overlooked horror film, THE FOG…
MUSIC TO DIE FOR: Digital Download Edition!
Welcome to the latest installment of Music To Die For! This was originally supposed to be a three-part series showcasing the very best CD releases featuring Halloween-themed, novelty songs. After two years I’m ready to bring you a 4th chapter featuring old fashioned Halloween hits available for a modern world! So welcome to my first “Digital Download Edition” concentrating on music collections available for download on both Amazon and iTunes! This is a great way to not only begin building your Halloween music library cheaply, but also see to it that it has titles never before available. If you haven’t checked out the original series part 1 can be seen HERE, part 2 can be seen HERE and part 3 can be seen HERE! Enjoy!
My Lifelong Bromance with Count Chocula!
Ahhh…the crunchy goodness of nostalgia in the morning!
The Halloween season is always my favorite time of year (and I’m guessing if you’re reading this blog, it’s yours too) with the leaves changing, horror movies getting a boost (though this past summer’s box office should illustrate that horror is good for ALL seasons) and happy memories of trick or treating, caramel apples, and staying up late watching monster movies.
The great thing about growing up in the ’70s, however, was that you didn’t require the veil of darkness to enjoy your favorite beasties! In October of 1971 (less than a month after my first birthday) General Mills unleashed their now legendary “monster cereals,” giving kids a comedic dose of The Universal Monsters for breakfast. At the time of their debut there were only two of them; Count Chocula (chocolate flavored and modeled after Dracula) and Franken Berry (a strawberry flavored Frankenstein) with their blueberry inspired ghostly cousin, Boo Berry showing up a couple years later.
Frightful chain of stores finally brings the SPIRIT back in Halloween!
During the Halloween season, I’ve always been partial to the mom and pop costume shops. For one thing, I like to support the little guy but, for another, they also tend to carry less of the mass produced products bigger chains do. Unfortunately those stores are becoming a rarity thanks, in large part, to chains such as Spirit Halloween and Halloween Town.
Heading Back to Flashback Weekend!
With little recovery time after The Fright Night Film Fest it was time to embark on yet another convention…well, technically TWO of them! Flashback Weekend is an annual Chicago horror tradition and by happenstance, Wizard Con (a giant comic convention and yet another yearly feature), was taking place the same weekend and directly across the street. This hurled the town of Rosemont, Illinois into geek gridlock with poor Flashback in danger of getting swallowed up by its much larger neighbor,
Ironically, before this site started, Flashback Weekend was the only horror convention I’d ever go to and yet the only one I didn’t attend after the fact. I’m not sure why that is but I’m thinking the numerous July season of events I started covering rendered me both too tired and broke by the time this August one rolled around. In that regard, the circumstances this year were no different if not more so.





