In other news KMM is now part of the Horror Blogger Alliance. Check out their website for other great blogs. Just click the banner below:
Until next time Friends!
-Kdaver
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Update: April
If you haven't noticed, Kdaver's Movie Morgue is now on Facebook. If you don't have a google account or you are not checking it as much you can "like" us on Facebook. I'll be doing some exclusive content just for the Facebook page when we get some more likes there.
In other news KMM is now part of the Horror Blogger Alliance. Check out their website for other great blogs. Just click the banner below:
Until next time Friends!
-Kdaver
In other news KMM is now part of the Horror Blogger Alliance. Check out their website for other great blogs. Just click the banner below:
Until next time Friends!
-Kdaver
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Terror In The Aisles
Hello everyone! Sorry it's been a little while, things have been crazy lately. Last weekend was Cinema Wasteland and I dropped quite a bit of money on movies, so there should be a nice amount of reviews coming up. The first movie I looked at was one that has been eating away at me to watch. Thankfully, I found a bootleg of Terror In The Aisles (1984). I talked to quite a few people about it over the weekend and I really feel like I missed out watching this one when I was a kid. Everyone had such fond memories of it and it seemed like the kind of movie you grow up with being a horror fan.
Anyhow, Terror In The Aisles is sort of a documentary. It doesn't really give you any insight into the genre, which is what I was hoping for. The back of the VHS has a whole list of celebrities that are in it. They were just referencing the movie clips compiled. The only two celebrities that actually talked were Donald Pleasence (Halloween) and Nancy Allen (Dressed To Kill, Robocop). There was an interesting clip from Alfred Hitchcock: Men Who Made The Movies that featured Hitchcock discussing how to create suspense in a scene.
The entirety of the movie was made up of Pleasence and Allen amongst a crowd of people in a movie theater. They would introduce themes like the Devil, sex, killers and then proceed to show clips from dozens of recognizable movies. Eventually it would relate back to them in the theater repeating the infamous mantra, "it's only a movie... it's only a movie."
If you are looking for some mindless viewing or a nice classic horror compilation this one will do it for you. Like I said earlier, don't expect to take much out of this. There is not much on the obscure front since all of the movies they draw from are pretty well known. Despite the movie's shortcomings, it is definitely a fun movie. Terror In The Aisles is one of those movies that every horror fan should have on their shelf.
Anyhow, Terror In The Aisles is sort of a documentary. It doesn't really give you any insight into the genre, which is what I was hoping for. The back of the VHS has a whole list of celebrities that are in it. They were just referencing the movie clips compiled. The only two celebrities that actually talked were Donald Pleasence (Halloween) and Nancy Allen (Dressed To Kill, Robocop). There was an interesting clip from Alfred Hitchcock: Men Who Made The Movies that featured Hitchcock discussing how to create suspense in a scene.
The entirety of the movie was made up of Pleasence and Allen amongst a crowd of people in a movie theater. They would introduce themes like the Devil, sex, killers and then proceed to show clips from dozens of recognizable movies. Eventually it would relate back to them in the theater repeating the infamous mantra, "it's only a movie... it's only a movie."
If you are looking for some mindless viewing or a nice classic horror compilation this one will do it for you. Like I said earlier, don't expect to take much out of this. There is not much on the obscure front since all of the movies they draw from are pretty well known. Despite the movie's shortcomings, it is definitely a fun movie. Terror In The Aisles is one of those movies that every horror fan should have on their shelf.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Street Law
A few months ago I reviewed Vigilante and said I may follow up with a review of its Italian counterpart. Well, here it is:
This film tells the story of a righteous Italian citizen, Carlo Antonelli (played by the legendary Franco Nero), and his quest for justice. Antonelli is caught in the middle of a bank robbery and later kidnapped and beaten. He goes to the police and finds that they are incapable of providing any means of justice or assistance. He then enlists the help of a criminal, Tommy (Giancarlo Prete), to set up his revenge plot. Much to his girlfriend's (Barbara Bach) dismay, Antonelli creates a scenario that springs police into action and criminals into hiding.
I thought everything was spot on in this film. Franco Nero played his part with an incredible amount of passion. You could see the pain in his face during every shot and every scene. It also helped immensely that Nero performed all of his stunts. The director, Enzo Castellari had worked with Nero quite a bit during their careers and I think it comes out strong in this movie. Castellari knew Nero's strengths and ran with them.
Castellari did some unique things in this film compared to most in the revenge genre. All of the crimes during the beginning credits were based off of actual news and police reports. He wanted the plot to really reflect the mentality of citizens in the city. I also enjoyed how immersed into the criminal world Antonelli was. As most revenge films do, Street Law looks how someone can fight violence with violence and not become what they are fighting against. Even Antonelli's growing friendship with the criminal Tommy shows the similarities between the two characters.
Besides being incredibly well done, there was a lot of interesting facts surrounding film. First of all, tell me how this is a sequel when Street Law was released in 1975 and Vigilante was released in 1985. Even William Lustig credited this as being an inspiration for Vigilante. Also, Enzo Castellari was fairly infamous in Italian cinema for inventing the Italian police thriller genre. He worked with Franco Nero on an earlier film called High Crime and this was the first time Italian audiences had seen a film like this that wasn't from the States. Both films were great successes and sparked hundreds of other similar Italian films to be made.
This film tells the story of a righteous Italian citizen, Carlo Antonelli (played by the legendary Franco Nero), and his quest for justice. Antonelli is caught in the middle of a bank robbery and later kidnapped and beaten. He goes to the police and finds that they are incapable of providing any means of justice or assistance. He then enlists the help of a criminal, Tommy (Giancarlo Prete), to set up his revenge plot. Much to his girlfriend's (Barbara Bach) dismay, Antonelli creates a scenario that springs police into action and criminals into hiding.
I thought everything was spot on in this film. Franco Nero played his part with an incredible amount of passion. You could see the pain in his face during every shot and every scene. It also helped immensely that Nero performed all of his stunts. The director, Enzo Castellari had worked with Nero quite a bit during their careers and I think it comes out strong in this movie. Castellari knew Nero's strengths and ran with them.
Castellari did some unique things in this film compared to most in the revenge genre. All of the crimes during the beginning credits were based off of actual news and police reports. He wanted the plot to really reflect the mentality of citizens in the city. I also enjoyed how immersed into the criminal world Antonelli was. As most revenge films do, Street Law looks how someone can fight violence with violence and not become what they are fighting against. Even Antonelli's growing friendship with the criminal Tommy shows the similarities between the two characters.
Besides being incredibly well done, there was a lot of interesting facts surrounding film. First of all, tell me how this is a sequel when Street Law was released in 1975 and Vigilante was released in 1985. Even William Lustig credited this as being an inspiration for Vigilante. Also, Enzo Castellari was fairly infamous in Italian cinema for inventing the Italian police thriller genre. He worked with Franco Nero on an earlier film called High Crime and this was the first time Italian audiences had seen a film like this that wasn't from the States. Both films were great successes and sparked hundreds of other similar Italian films to be made.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Profile: Gary Pullin
Ghoulish Gary Pullin is Rue Morgue Magazine's art director and one of the most successful artists in horror culture today. You may not know him by name but I'm sure that you have come across his work. Whether it's the latest cover of Rue Morgue or your favorite bands new artwork, it's always awe-inspiring.
I asked Gary a few questions about his artwork and how this all came to be. Check it out in the first installment of Kdaver's Movie Morgue artist profiles!
GP: Around 98, I was at a Fantasia Film Fest screening for Lucio Fulci's The Beyond here in Toronto. It was a sold out screening and founder Rodrigo Gudino was there selling the first few issues of the magazine. I had seen a copy once before and was really impressed with it. I gave him my card expressing how I'd love to do some artwork for the magazine. Rod called the following week and we arranged a meeting. I showed him my portfolio and we talked at length about horror and the vision for the magazine. Before I knew it, I became fast friends with everyone there and worked on everything and anything they could send my way. I was holding down a full time job at a commercial design firm and moonlighting for RM on evenings and weekends. By this time, I had already designed the Rue Morgue logo, illustrated covers, columns and was contributing on every issue. Knowing I was ready for something new, Rod asked that I hold off on any other job offers and the next year, he hired me officially full time in 2001. It was a pretty exciting time for me. I was that young kid who used to hunt for horror magazine's and now I had the opportunity to help make one.
KMM: What does the future hold for Gary Pullin?
I asked Gary a few questions about his artwork and how this all came to be. Check it out in the first installment of Kdaver's Movie Morgue artist profiles!
KMM: How did you come to work for Rue Morgue?
GP: Around 98, I was at a Fantasia Film Fest screening for Lucio Fulci's The Beyond here in Toronto. It was a sold out screening and founder Rodrigo Gudino was there selling the first few issues of the magazine. I had seen a copy once before and was really impressed with it. I gave him my card expressing how I'd love to do some artwork for the magazine. Rod called the following week and we arranged a meeting. I showed him my portfolio and we talked at length about horror and the vision for the magazine. Before I knew it, I became fast friends with everyone there and worked on everything and anything they could send my way. I was holding down a full time job at a commercial design firm and moonlighting for RM on evenings and weekends. By this time, I had already designed the Rue Morgue logo, illustrated covers, columns and was contributing on every issue. Knowing I was ready for something new, Rod asked that I hold off on any other job offers and the next year, he hired me officially full time in 2001. It was a pretty exciting time for me. I was that young kid who used to hunt for horror magazine's and now I had the opportunity to help make one.
KMM: Your illustrations have a very distinct look to them. Are there any artists that have influenced your unique style?
GP: I have a lot of art heroes and am inspired by a new one on a monthly basis. Charles Burns, Basil Gogos, Bernie Wrightson, Todd Schorr, Robert Crumb and Joe Coleman have all had an impact on me. I love the Tales from the Crypt artists like Ghastly Graham Ingles and Jack Davis. I love the classic movie poster artists like Saul Bass, Reynold Brown and Norman Sanders… the list goes on and on and on…
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| Artwork © Gary Pullin 2011. Pictures posted with permission. |
KMM: What does the future hold for Gary Pullin?
GP: I'm not really sure. I'm always pushing and doing different things to see where my art will take me. I have a bucket list. I'd love to publish a coffee table art book. I'd love to do an animated short one day. Right now I'm having a great time working with the talented kids at the magazine and with industry folks in the genre I love.
KMM: What is your all-time favorite horror film? If you can pick one!
GP: You had to ask! It's too hard to pick one. Even if you try to narrow it down to a top five, it's almost impossible. I love classic horror. The Creature from the Black Lagoon remains' the most wonderfully shot and designed "guy in a suit" monster flick. I love the music score, the time of day when I first saw it... I mean, there's so many reason's why we love a certain film. But if I had to say one, Creature could be it. Tobe Hooper's Texas Chainsaw Massacre is also one of my favourite films because how utterly terrified I was after I had seen it. It was the first movie I watched that had that documentary feel to it, no goofy music or elaborate, theatrical set pieces. It felt as though I was watching something in real time and it blew me away. I also love The Thing, Fulci's The Beyond, The Changeling, Day of the Dead...
KMM: Lastly, is there anything you want to plug going on right now?
People can follow me on twitter: @ghoulishgary. Please check out all things horror at: http://www.rue-morgue.com/, ghoulishgary.com, talesfrombeyondthepale.com and in my Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/GhoulishGary
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| Artwork © Gary Pullin 2011. Pictures posted with permission. |
Update: February
Sorry it's been a while... I've been busy setting up some exciting new ventures for the blog.
I am starting a new segment called profiles. In the next couple weeks I will be catching up with some of my favorite artists in the horror genre. We'll take a look at a little bit of their artwork and find out what is behind the madness.
In addition to the profiles, I will be producing some upcoming video posts. The weather is getting nicer and that means horror conventions and traveling!
So stay tuned fellow horror fans!
I am starting a new segment called profiles. In the next couple weeks I will be catching up with some of my favorite artists in the horror genre. We'll take a look at a little bit of their artwork and find out what is behind the madness.
In addition to the profiles, I will be producing some upcoming video posts. The weather is getting nicer and that means horror conventions and traveling!
So stay tuned fellow horror fans!
Monday, February 7, 2011
The Unnamable
It's a difficult feat to translate an H.P. Lovecraft story to film. I still think Stuart Gordon is the best we've seen thus far with Re-Animator and the far less acclaimed From Beyond. Although, The Unnamable (1988) was quite enjoyable despite the previous statement.
This movie follows two groups of delinquent Miskatonic University students following up on a local legend of a monster who was born and hidden away in the attic of an old house in the woods. It has you're typical teen slasher set up with two groups of guys, the nerds and the jocks, trying to impress the unlikely female companions and getting picked off one by one.
The performances were all kind of campy except for Katrin Alexandre, who played the abandoned monster Alyda. Her movements in costume looked incredibly inhuman and extremely creepy. You have to give her credit for how they pulled the monster off, considering the description given in the short story was "a thousand shapes of horror." That's Lovecraft for you. Mark Kinsey Stephonson also put forth a valiant effort playing the knowledgeable Randolph Carter but ended up looking like he was unsuccessfully channeling Jeffrey Combs.
The Unnamable is a lost classic of the 1980's in it's own right. You may remember seeing this title gracing the shelves of your grimiest video store. If you happened to get your greasy hands on a copy of the VHS or the recent and short lived Anchor Bay release consider yourself lucky... sort of.
P.S. Read Lovecraft.
This movie follows two groups of delinquent Miskatonic University students following up on a local legend of a monster who was born and hidden away in the attic of an old house in the woods. It has you're typical teen slasher set up with two groups of guys, the nerds and the jocks, trying to impress the unlikely female companions and getting picked off one by one.
The performances were all kind of campy except for Katrin Alexandre, who played the abandoned monster Alyda. Her movements in costume looked incredibly inhuman and extremely creepy. You have to give her credit for how they pulled the monster off, considering the description given in the short story was "a thousand shapes of horror." That's Lovecraft for you. Mark Kinsey Stephonson also put forth a valiant effort playing the knowledgeable Randolph Carter but ended up looking like he was unsuccessfully channeling Jeffrey Combs.
The Unnamable is a lost classic of the 1980's in it's own right. You may remember seeing this title gracing the shelves of your grimiest video store. If you happened to get your greasy hands on a copy of the VHS or the recent and short lived Anchor Bay release consider yourself lucky... sort of.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Demon Wind
Since the temperature outside in Cleveland was hitting single digits, I decided that tonight was the perfect night to sit down with a movie that has been on my checklist for a long time. Demon Wind came in the mail on VHS this afternoon and I was more than pleased. My room was glowing blue from the VCR as I cracked open a beer and sat down with some pizza to warm up. I pressed play and never looked back.
Demon Wind tells the story of a troubled young adult named Cory (Eric Larson) and his quest to discover his families dark past at an old farm in the middle of nowhere. Cory drags his hapless girlfriend and arsenal of friends, including two random magicians, to their own personal hell.
First off, the writing was terrible. Nothing really had much of a reason or an explanation. "Main" characters were being brought into the story thirty minutes into the movie. I still enjoyed the storyline for the main reason it had that 1980's goal oriented plot. Most of the movie it felt like I was watching a video game unfold. Again, that is not particularly a bad thing in my mind. Next we have the acting... or lack of acting. Each character seemed to sink lower and lower to a new level of incompetence. My favorite is when the first victim is taken. She is turned into a bloody doll by a nasty little demon girl and nobody seems to care. The story literally takes a five second halt before continuing on like it never happened.
All of this aside, I will be damned if this isn't a delightful romp through the hills of hell. The makeup was disgusting, the gore was plentiful, the audio work was reminiscent of Evil Dead, and there was the perfect amount of gropage. If you are a fan of Night Of The Demons, Demons or Evil Dead, you will enjoy this movie.
This movie has not yet hit DVD and I don't know if it ever will officially but the VHS is available on amazon.com and bootleg DVDs have been spotted on ioffer.com. I will leave you with the amazing artwork from the VHS case and the poster.
Demon Wind tells the story of a troubled young adult named Cory (Eric Larson) and his quest to discover his families dark past at an old farm in the middle of nowhere. Cory drags his hapless girlfriend and arsenal of friends, including two random magicians, to their own personal hell.
First off, the writing was terrible. Nothing really had much of a reason or an explanation. "Main" characters were being brought into the story thirty minutes into the movie. I still enjoyed the storyline for the main reason it had that 1980's goal oriented plot. Most of the movie it felt like I was watching a video game unfold. Again, that is not particularly a bad thing in my mind. Next we have the acting... or lack of acting. Each character seemed to sink lower and lower to a new level of incompetence. My favorite is when the first victim is taken. She is turned into a bloody doll by a nasty little demon girl and nobody seems to care. The story literally takes a five second halt before continuing on like it never happened.
All of this aside, I will be damned if this isn't a delightful romp through the hills of hell. The makeup was disgusting, the gore was plentiful, the audio work was reminiscent of Evil Dead, and there was the perfect amount of gropage. If you are a fan of Night Of The Demons, Demons or Evil Dead, you will enjoy this movie.
This movie has not yet hit DVD and I don't know if it ever will officially but the VHS is available on amazon.com and bootleg DVDs have been spotted on ioffer.com. I will leave you with the amazing artwork from the VHS case and the poster.
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