tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12178625334779517002024-03-04T21:49:51.360-08:00Blog of the Beast"And you will face the Sea of Darkness, and all therein that may be explored"Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-46522402588141734582013-05-08T14:07:00.002-07:002013-05-08T14:07:40.402-07:00RIP Ray Harryhausen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm fortunate to have been born during the era of the 'Monster Kid'...and the work of Ray Harryhausen was a big part of that time. I remember pestering my parents to take my brothers and I to the local drive-in to see <em>The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, </em>and later <em>Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger. </em>I recall watching <em>Mighty Joe Young </em>for the first time, and meeting a cinematic ape I loved even more than Kong...seeing cowboys trying to round-up an allosaurus in <em>The Valley of Gwangi...</em>aliens destroying Washington D.C. in <em>Earth vs The Flying Saucers...</em>the Children of the Hydra's Teeth in <em>Jason and the Argonauts...</em>plus many, many more. Harryhausen was one of the great architects of imagination during that special time. His films have a sense of wonder and adventure that is sadly lacking in today's cinema.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcyox5bTOhdQSgF9Qe3eYpcr89HkVhtmvfaPK8_ujGghhPB0zKDr0ZlfnpzY0IzxOhhvwWdHzFd3l7pI28COmel-IIQaxdMkUc9ZuRy1DjIIO-LVPnDjdBy3VcZW8flunnMFLeNkHK8U/s1600/harryhausen_jason2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcyox5bTOhdQSgF9Qe3eYpcr89HkVhtmvfaPK8_ujGghhPB0zKDr0ZlfnpzY0IzxOhhvwWdHzFd3l7pI28COmel-IIQaxdMkUc9ZuRy1DjIIO-LVPnDjdBy3VcZW8flunnMFLeNkHK8U/s320/harryhausen_jason2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85g44OfUOX9F8KGs4HCpzwzOL3BPsWXrfM20VMyi8Ou0FAPaabsOL97jMnM_PeQuDtyzvd0NTHAcbOthOo8IKfXNXeVZRiwJBIJ-BgP0mAbG4W4NIePDoXx35ErByzakgCMvJ7D5qZjI/s1600/harryhausen-kingkong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85g44OfUOX9F8KGs4HCpzwzOL3BPsWXrfM20VMyi8Ou0FAPaabsOL97jMnM_PeQuDtyzvd0NTHAcbOthOo8IKfXNXeVZRiwJBIJ-BgP0mAbG4W4NIePDoXx35ErByzakgCMvJ7D5qZjI/s320/harryhausen-kingkong.jpg" width="320" /></a> Harryhausen's creations didn't just move across the screen...they came to life. He instilled his stop-motion monsters with character that has yet to be duplicated in the CGI realm(and Gollum from LOTR doesn't count, because that was rotoscoped/motion-capture of Andy Sirkis' performance, not created from thin air, as it were). Check out the title character from <em>Mighty Joe Young, </em>if you don't believe me, or maybe those creepy skeletal Children of the Hydra's Teeth, or the prince-turned-baboon and the Troglodyte from <em>Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger...</em>Harryhausen's body of work has many examples such as these. <br />
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Harryhausen retired from filmmaking years ago, and now he's retired from this mortal world...luckily for us, his films remain, waiting for us whenever we feel like stepping into another world for a while...a world of apes, dinosaurs, monsters, and adventure...thank you, Ray. Rest In Peace. <br />
Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-38883699380337759842013-01-02T15:35:00.000-08:002013-01-02T15:35:07.602-08:00Father's Day <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Chris Fuchman (Mackenzie Murdock), aka The Father's Day Killer, a notorious serial killer/rapist, was thought to have been killed years ago. However, his reign of terror has begun anew, as Twink (Conor Sweeney), a young street hustler finds out when he sees his father burned alive after being raped by Fuchman. Twink teams up with Father John Sullivan ( Matthew Kennedy), a young priest, Chelsea (Amy Groening), a stripper, and her brother Ahab ( Adam Brooks), an eyepatched , vengeance-seeking badass who thought he stopped Fuchman years ago. They all soon learn there's more to Fuchman than meets the eye, and find they're dealing with much more than just a deranged killer...will any of them survive <em>Father's Day</em>? <br />
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<em>Father's Day</em> (2011) is one of my favorites of the films I saw in 2012, and one of my favorite films period. I had the pleasure of seeing it on the big screen at my local Alamo Drafthouse, and later again at Texas Frightmare Weekend last May. Created by the collective known as Astron-6 (Sweeney, Kennedy, Brooks, Jeremy Gillespie, and Steven Kostanski), <em>Father's Day </em>is a wild horror/comedy/exploitation fiim, as well as a love-letter to the genres that spawned it. It's also a tribute to the Age of VHS, as the film is presented to look like you're watching a tape recorded from some TV station, presumably made in the 80s. <br />
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The horror-comedy is a hybrid that doesn't always work, but Astron-6 fairly owns it. The film goes from laughs to genuinely creepy moments, never stumbling inbetween, with scenes like Ahab and Twink escaping police notice in disgiuses (drag, complete with rhinestone eyepatch), to Fuchman terrorizing Chelsea in a scene that could have been lifted from a 'normal' horror picture. Another factor that really works in their favor is the attention to detail. In this day and age, there are tons of films that feature exploitive subject matter, throw in some fake film grain and scratches and say, "Look at me! I'm all Grindhouse and shit!" Astron-6 did their homework, though, and gave us a film with colors and lighting straight out of the 80s Argento handbook, a soundtrack that screams 80s (especially the main theme, which sounds like it was lifted from an Italian horror flick back in the day), and touches like the blind priest Father O'Flynn ( Kevin Anderson), whose eyes have that milk-white look from Fulci's <em>The Beyond </em>. It's details like this that really make the difference between a great homage and half-assing it. To the casual viewer it may not make any difference, but to an Old-School Beast such as myself, it's very cool to see. <br />
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<em> </em>The actors all do a fine job in <em>Father's Day</em>. The Astron-6 crew are multitalented, it seems. Their comic timing is spot-on, and , as I stated above, Murdock's portrayal of Fuchman is creepy and sinister. The effects are well-done, too (as good as one can rightfully expect on a shoestring budget, especially). Like I said earlier, I really enjoyed this film. It made me almost spit my beer several times when I first watched it, and it still pleases with each revisit. Go watch it already...The Beast says so!<br />
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All hail Astron-6! Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-52753507882721224122012-05-16T16:14:00.000-07:002012-05-16T16:14:15.525-07:00Dear God No!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong> The Impalers are the meanest, most dangerous club of bikers in the South, or anywhere, for that matter. During a typical rampage of killing, raping, and beer-guzzling, they end up at a remote house where an elderly doctor lives with his daughter...but just what is the doctor doing out there...and what's he keep locked up in the basement...and just what the Hell is he feeding out in the woods? </strong><br />
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<strong> At this year's Texas Frightmare Weekend, I had the pleasure of attending a Midnight screening of 'Dear God No!', an amazing biker/mad Nazi scientist/Sasquatch movie (yes, you read that right) written and directed by James Bickert, and it was the most fun I've ever had at a </strong><strong>screening. Bickert was in attendance, as were most of the actors (those who portrayed The Impalers wore their colors). Free beer was at hand ( I already had my own, but it was nice to see), as well as some truly cool touches, such as packets of Bigfoot hair from the monster suit in the film, as well as a certificate stating that you survived the screening without contracting any diseases or crabs. These goodies are truly of the Drive-In/B-Movie tradition, recalling when genre flicks would have things like life insurance policies and blood packets to hand out to the patrons. </strong><br />
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<strong> As for the film, I absolutely loved it. 'Dear God No!' is gleefully violent, offensive, and over the top. Filmed in 16mm, it actually has the look and feel of the type of film it pays homage to. And unlike some other films that attempt to emulate the Grindhouse/Drive-In style of exploitation film, this one pulls out all the stops...violence, blood, monsters, and copious amounts of nudity of the female variety are on display here...and frankly, nudity is where most so-called 'Grindhouse' films fall short...if you're gonna do it, do it right, after all...and 'Dear God No!' delivers in all categories. </strong><br />
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<strong> The cast is a perfect match for this film. Jett Byant plays Jett, the president of the Impalers, and does a good job portraying a smart, yet sociopathic guy. Shane Morton as Randal also did effects for the movie. John Collins (Collins), Nik Morgan (Spyder), and Rusty Stache ( Jimbo) round out the Impalers, and all do a fine job. Madeline Brumby also gets special notice for her portrayal of Edna Marco, daughter of Dr. Marco (Paul McComiskey), as does Olivia DeCroix, who plays Evelyn Marco...both ladies are great. Extra special kudos must go out to James Bickert for writing and directing this crazy love-letter to the Drive-In movie in the first place. If you love old-school exploitation/Drive-In flicks, you have to check out 'Dear God No!'...it's Beast tested, Beast approved. if it's showing in your area, go see it already! Go to <a href="http://www.deargodnomovie.com/">www.deargodnomovie.com</a> for details, pre-ordering the DVD, and for cool-ass merchandise. 'Don't be a Todd!' </strong>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-69310005814265453512011-05-03T18:00:00.000-07:002011-05-03T18:20:41.783-07:00Texas Frightmare Weekend 2011<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMiUaAqYMwzgJM_T4jvzXp-SycoYipugN4BVt89V0C_BujFHZZN8H21YeQuhTMwP4fIfjcdI4olia8yoJCzawcHhI3dCmNK_yJLFssGZtDAbNroCOEg4qGz9K8bFOQi_oq3GlEcZGtMMA/s1600/IMG_5649.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602659987410717554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMiUaAqYMwzgJM_T4jvzXp-SycoYipugN4BVt89V0C_BujFHZZN8H21YeQuhTMwP4fIfjcdI4olia8yoJCzawcHhI3dCmNK_yJLFssGZtDAbNroCOEg4qGz9K8bFOQi_oq3GlEcZGtMMA/s320/IMG_5649.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Last weekend the Gates of Hell opened in Dallas, and , of course, I was there...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETaAnDt_pk7mpO6ty_KXCV-SjQUikKMcTC9xWf9jVvVrlbGBq2MxI8wffGOVLNNpq9Isctk3o4yTxSeXCKQBqT6nWVl9VyBDVYwxjn636pYfF3u1UZZDRLp8mwv7YK7YK4gYHepI0-QE/s1600/Texas+Frightmare+025.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602661561810609538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETaAnDt_pk7mpO6ty_KXCV-SjQUikKMcTC9xWf9jVvVrlbGBq2MxI8wffGOVLNNpq9Isctk3o4yTxSeXCKQBqT6nWVl9VyBDVYwxjn636pYfF3u1UZZDRLp8mwv7YK7YK4gYHepI0-QE/s320/Texas+Frightmare+025.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>...Deiter Laser, who portrayed Dr. Heiter in <em>The Human Centipede</em>. He was very nice, and seemed to be having a lot of fun with his American fans. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_JFTvb-s85G05M4iVQ23aYbHAAiychAEqnjZtrtNCiS9a-602gO2RbgZOnyAfFw2HMD5pkR1FjW1unlrDTLjw85Nbxgbn70LcWEU8E1UmL4RpZnizB-NNa-vVIllmG7N21krM4fhq9U/s1600/IMG_5631.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602663590277752178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_JFTvb-s85G05M4iVQ23aYbHAAiychAEqnjZtrtNCiS9a-602gO2RbgZOnyAfFw2HMD5pkR1FjW1unlrDTLjw85Nbxgbn70LcWEU8E1UmL4RpZnizB-NNa-vVIllmG7N21krM4fhq9U/s320/IMG_5631.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br />...with Nick Principe (L<em>aid To Rest , Laid To Rest </em><em>2: Chromeskull, Madison County). </em>A villain onscreen, Nick is one of the coolest guys you'll ever meet in real life.<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br />.....more to come....<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-25376804496386533832011-03-03T15:35:00.000-08:002011-03-03T17:56:18.074-08:00The Beast's DVD Cave: Aliens vs Ninjas<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI08Eu4LvHfB9x_evh8EQs1Z7XmeQ7hVLc79vlKyI0ajf3ZpRhH_6O_h7jbVTXq-rSV7xFbYJ6HKPZkcv-WUKohEeo9kwrq8BzSgzXMeMKfH34gyOPNk2_cFMUBp2p7GgRWvBgAsxhvA4/s1600/AVN-Alien-vs-Ninja-promo-movie-poster-AFM-2009.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 222px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580002497707471842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI08Eu4LvHfB9x_evh8EQs1Z7XmeQ7hVLc79vlKyI0ajf3ZpRhH_6O_h7jbVTXq-rSV7xFbYJ6HKPZkcv-WUKohEeo9kwrq8BzSgzXMeMKfH34gyOPNk2_cFMUBp2p7GgRWvBgAsxhvA4/s320/AVN-Alien-vs-Ninja-promo-movie-poster-AFM-2009.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div> Ninjas (or Shinobi, if you will) from the Iga Clan have just completed a mission , easily taking care of rival Ninjas along the way. On their way back to their village, they see a fireball descending from the sky. They are dispatched to investigate, but what they find is not of this world...they soon find themselves in the fight of their lives, possibly their last. Who will win in <em>Alien vs Ninja ? </em></div><br /><div><em> Alien vs Ninja (2010) </em>is a blast. It hits the ground running, jumping right into the action, with few breaks to catch one's breath. This is a fun film, one that's not overly serious...if you need a break from serious films, or Real Life in general, this will do the trick. </div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /> </div><div> Written, edited, and directed by Seiji Chiba, <em>AvN </em>is like a comic book come to life, and a Japanese comic (or Manga) at that. The action scenes (directed by Yuji Shimamura) are fast and fierce. Though set in Feudal Japan, the look of the Ninjas' armor (designed by Sochi Umezawa) is anything but ancient or traditional. Using leather and metal, their look is more modern, conributing to the overall comic-book feel . The background music is also modern, a Rock and Techno sound. The alien beasts (also designed by Umezawa) are of the latex suit variety, augmented by CG. This Old School-with-a -bit -of-New School approach works for this type of film, and being a fan of actual monster make-up and suits, this made me happy. Honsetly, do most of the CG-spawned monsters you've seen look any more realistic than a guy in a suit anyway? Anyhow, the aliens in question are definately inspired by the monstrosity from the horror classic <em>Alien</em> (1979), but have almost dolphin-like faces and large spines portruding from the backs of their heads. Also, they spawn nasty little larval aliens from holes/pores in their heads. Overall, the beasties look OK... I would have preferred something scarier, but it's a minor quibble.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzVfGM0iea-slW9lAziIFR5VNKOksHEsXjcRd_Mblau_-MYitAhVNi_zEGZ5ZdfBqlkue7rEJaQ-yIOzv0wS3XWqXbd36DgcMjZKGEiZtQynm7feeJFKkTGkUTwpPP6NWjfXbw1sU_B4/s1600/avn6.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 275px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 183px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580011278605449938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzVfGM0iea-slW9lAziIFR5VNKOksHEsXjcRd_Mblau_-MYitAhVNi_zEGZ5ZdfBqlkue7rEJaQ-yIOzv0wS3XWqXbd36DgcMjZKGEiZtQynm7feeJFKkTGkUTwpPP6NWjfXbw1sU_B4/s320/avn6.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div> There's quite a bit of humor in the film, from the antics of the cowardly Nezumi (Donpei Tsuchihira), to the pretty female Ninja Rin (Mika Hijii) giving the finger to a defeated alien that was trying to grope her breasts. Add to this a battle scene where an alien grabs a sword to battle a Ninja, and you have a fairly light-hearted affair...as I said earlier, the film isn't overly serious. </div><br /><div><br /> </div><div> The rest of the cast does a good job, too. Yamata, the main character, played by Masanori Mimoto, is a hot-headed , charge in-type of hero. Shuji Kashiwabara is Jinnai, a cool , somewhat narcissistic buddy to Yamata. There's just enough backstory for the characters to get by, and things don't get very deep or complicated, because this isn't that kind of film. This was meant to be an action fest, and in that, it succeeds.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvL-YunYD_yVCGo6o_6zgKUNzMJdiYiM-mDD6emvduofTMQUwfjSGbZBaD2T-aTisDgYTG9_VQVrABsewnuMUk-W_4eyuV9fCGKRSXEa_iHPS5hMoo6GtxoD4Nr8NYf9ifsvTqFED5yg/s1600/avn5.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 275px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 183px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580031781568802274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvL-YunYD_yVCGo6o_6zgKUNzMJdiYiM-mDD6emvduofTMQUwfjSGbZBaD2T-aTisDgYTG9_VQVrABsewnuMUk-W_4eyuV9fCGKRSXEa_iHPS5hMoo6GtxoD4Nr8NYf9ifsvTqFED5yg/s320/avn5.jpg" /></a><br /> The action does get gory at times. While not a crimson splatterfest like, say, <em>Tokyo Gore Police </em>or <em>Samurai Princess, </em>the gore, both human and alien, does flow pretty freely on occasion. There's also some alien larvae/parasites that possess some of the Ninja later in the film, and they're a bit gross. But, that's to be expected in a movie like this, and again, it keeps with the Manga feel of the whole production.<br /><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbyDQm00tezgNtvZcTYU6gloiDBlROQYrNAf5r9lsEMu_TYLHL9YXUoHh2tpJP-0WXU_WvYlTehyphenhyphenjSDxBpOl-l2tzo1Jka4fhbYrUkTZ4R23mxyfpcj_l3fJARsgskGCFmPMLPlnETMY/s1600/avn3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 275px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 183px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580033603114654962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbyDQm00tezgNtvZcTYU6gloiDBlROQYrNAf5r9lsEMu_TYLHL9YXUoHh2tpJP-0WXU_WvYlTehyphenhyphenjSDxBpOl-l2tzo1Jka4fhbYrUkTZ4R23mxyfpcj_l3fJARsgskGCFmPMLPlnETMY/s320/avn3.jpg" /></a><br /> If you're looking for an Action/Martial Arts/Sci Fi flick that's got heaping helpings of action, gore, comedy, and monsters, <em>Alien vs Ninja </em>is a good bet. Go watch it already.<br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /> </div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBMaQFD3UasicsqW1Dfyy4IS5KbbnCEUaV0zfNPh7jp8F3FtqwVBjYcEuOgXJC6pdbnKheK8ZUB-0iKQqUe3a7b0Ftg4qEShupbl_zHZu2QOveutVwEbowuTZ6IKaeErJVgW4cFOS36I/s1600/avn1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 301px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 167px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580036390318910914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBMaQFD3UasicsqW1Dfyy4IS5KbbnCEUaV0zfNPh7jp8F3FtqwVBjYcEuOgXJC6pdbnKheK8ZUB-0iKQqUe3a7b0Ftg4qEShupbl_zHZu2QOveutVwEbowuTZ6IKaeErJVgW4cFOS36I/s320/avn1.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div> <br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-6474392859638757622011-01-20T15:21:00.000-08:002011-01-20T15:49:43.302-08:00Beast's Beauty Of The Week<div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGtVwzxzJNFqWQzakmrQYFPrbzANhaqVF_ZLCkzdx5_1CjIqJB0e8eGzHRYvgX1iTvDy4SikNSLy3hJunnmtngii7LZyq0gfTJSs8jlqstI7VOV9iHzk2cO-J_btkwRw7GjONNAdg8PQ/s1600/ingridpitt9.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 290px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 174px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564413717936383346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGtVwzxzJNFqWQzakmrQYFPrbzANhaqVF_ZLCkzdx5_1CjIqJB0e8eGzHRYvgX1iTvDy4SikNSLy3hJunnmtngii7LZyq0gfTJSs8jlqstI7VOV9iHzk2cO-J_btkwRw7GjONNAdg8PQ/s320/ingridpitt9.jpg" /></a> </div><div> The Beast is back, with a new weekly feature that spotlights ladies who have done some kind of work in the genre. This week's feature is bittersweet, however, because we recently lost this screen siren. The lovely and talented Ingrid Pitt passed away on November 23rd , 2010, at the age of 73. </div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkW_pihu4xkeJIr0wimNUncyJSpZhDSCjvVqwZB8mlzXTjvdSCXvUQU6PcG1vfRxpDgtJsmnAT8_WAOl5fTEwOhaqAAwE-j-stDOIO0Cpr_UBg6FqtExCjGaTDqGg1XCko14mpYfpfoHQ/s1600/ingridpitt2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 237px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564414000489553154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkW_pihu4xkeJIr0wimNUncyJSpZhDSCjvVqwZB8mlzXTjvdSCXvUQU6PcG1vfRxpDgtJsmnAT8_WAOl5fTEwOhaqAAwE-j-stDOIO0Cpr_UBg6FqtExCjGaTDqGg1XCko14mpYfpfoHQ/s320/ingridpitt2.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div> Ingrid was from Poland, and survived the Nazi camps and managed to escape the Communist police. She went on to become an actress and appear in some pictures in Spain, and eventually went on to star in horror films at the famous Hammer Studios. Films such as <em>The Vampire Lovers </em>and <em>Countess Dracula</em> gained her a following that continues today. Ingrid also appeared in <em>Where Eagles Dare </em>with Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood, as well as the horror classic <em>The Wicker Man </em>with Christopher Lee. By all accounts Ingrid was a class act...in the extras on the Anchor Bay version of <em>The Wicker Man</em> people involved with the film told about another actress behaving like a prima donna while shooting in the brisk Scottish locations, demanding a coat and coffee and such. When someone asked Ingrid if she wanted a coat, she gestured to all the extras and said to the effect, "If they all don't need coats, then I certainly don't need one either!" Even though she was a star, she was a team player. </div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsW7S12wC_8rxb00l_Kx9Iwf6RCb1t_GlBnvr4DujmECxEbNucWYzJv4G_StvqsjBfSj4zuUH6aD78L48NGBlDpGC0v_MQnij3dUBiyK6rN0aFk-OE0DSuKQMxHI1NWHm2RPOwNKfov04/s1600/ingridpitt5.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 293px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 172px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564416666946458306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsW7S12wC_8rxb00l_Kx9Iwf6RCb1t_GlBnvr4DujmECxEbNucWYzJv4G_StvqsjBfSj4zuUH6aD78L48NGBlDpGC0v_MQnij3dUBiyK6rN0aFk-OE0DSuKQMxHI1NWHm2RPOwNKfov04/s320/ingridpitt5.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div> Ingrid went on to write several books, including her autobiography <em>Life's a Scream. </em>She was still active on the convention scene as well. Ingrid possessed a charm, beauty, and class that few actresses have. She was a wonderful part of horror history, and will be missed. RIP. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVdAEThnivZdTboDYcmuM589Wxva_shdXW5emC18KaZZ3QbGAkWpv6U4ji-d6ch93ZOqZNr_06ISE-aT4KrXlLE4xx3QZLZeGNFREzuWbtQ3RlkkjITTMalv2TRPKVcyV1jlPMN3fn-Q/s1600/ingridpitt8.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 241px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 209px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564418303355018946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVdAEThnivZdTboDYcmuM589Wxva_shdXW5emC18KaZZ3QbGAkWpv6U4ji-d6ch93ZOqZNr_06ISE-aT4KrXlLE4xx3QZLZeGNFREzuWbtQ3RlkkjITTMalv2TRPKVcyV1jlPMN3fn-Q/s320/ingridpitt8.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div> Still lovely...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVNflMSBVRBNNEZ5lYCQmrTpDaRV3CxDDdgAjZTqjwZj-ZLxtrGkxW9dehiIr0Ob3rnKfZ9G_eX0V3ytZtMGRHlkWQFtRcbKpiJX5OJpc-tUUgBG_iX4So9Hy0SLovAfPy8kDid7G4g4/s1600/ingridpitt7.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 218px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564418600551508674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVNflMSBVRBNNEZ5lYCQmrTpDaRV3CxDDdgAjZTqjwZj-ZLxtrGkxW9dehiIr0Ob3rnKfZ9G_eX0V3ytZtMGRHlkWQFtRcbKpiJX5OJpc-tUUgBG_iX4So9Hy0SLovAfPy8kDid7G4g4/s320/ingridpitt7.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-51309268242288099872010-12-31T08:42:00.000-08:002010-12-31T08:44:37.284-08:00Happy New Year<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhiONuyOfIF8LaYBYJUV3b3y5Ikyzx3wUtTg2hpS14EpmxhE19bIpoTxNbhI9qxTufPZXFHffZv8oafAEnZhTkDqPQA4-wlKYpYr1oh9yD7lb3kztipVO3sQstXkqgkloB2zNFJfuXrQ/s1600/scottmead1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556888239861446274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhiONuyOfIF8LaYBYJUV3b3y5Ikyzx3wUtTg2hpS14EpmxhE19bIpoTxNbhI9qxTufPZXFHffZv8oafAEnZhTkDqPQA4-wlKYpYr1oh9yD7lb3kztipVO3sQstXkqgkloB2zNFJfuXrQ/s320/scottmead1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Everyone have a fun and safe New Year's Eve and a great and prosperous New Year! Hail! </div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-50861129735449914392010-12-25T16:17:00.000-08:002010-12-25T16:54:44.372-08:00Feast Of The Beast Holiday Edition<div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1lmeRc6gZLjawdtu789w4GwNB4AyQ94tumBnEf4MuebPGz0SCKptY_qCIWZUzsITDziKMdLVlfa1jeu_yZ8MENTdkoJ1MiK2agUqxMUgb9D4ov7ykfy-yWuSJaNVUrkCYXlNjEnSfrs/s1600/Holiday+2010+066.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554779426475864786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1lmeRc6gZLjawdtu789w4GwNB4AyQ94tumBnEf4MuebPGz0SCKptY_qCIWZUzsITDziKMdLVlfa1jeu_yZ8MENTdkoJ1MiK2agUqxMUgb9D4ov7ykfy-yWuSJaNVUrkCYXlNjEnSfrs/s320/Holiday+2010+066.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div> Hail All! I read recently that pork ribs are a traditional holiday food in Norway, so I figured I'd try to cook some up. This is the first time I've ever done ribs (not sure why, just never have), but they turned out pretty damn good, if I do say so myself. </div><br /><br /><div> It was about 39 degrees on this Texas morning when I fired up the coals... </div><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIueXXfvI3XZtoYbXJiw5_JGzxig8ptjTaY_3eM3oX6jLH6fzXKoJrkkyI0n3sydELXSOGaeG8XKcDX0Ur8-Dj3p3w6Z-7iHmQC6E1vesMtVgQfOPgfT0Wlo-8jPOOqQi94xjj0ZlXbI/s1600/Holiday+2010+064.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554779907734905890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIueXXfvI3XZtoYbXJiw5_JGzxig8ptjTaY_3eM3oX6jLH6fzXKoJrkkyI0n3sydELXSOGaeG8XKcDX0Ur8-Dj3p3w6Z-7iHmQC6E1vesMtVgQfOPgfT0Wlo-8jPOOqQi94xjj0ZlXbI/s320/Holiday+2010+064.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><div> Fire good.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiML2TP_qBWdHOIGirE5hmBjIWajZMgfTlmXq9cWr7CQ8ligjezDcm_rOCTmCwSnZWvDZ5On-Ebp1z_oEvC0sUivoSObJZjZZV1ufIY0dijePRRbhYeex_YZnzHD_KiHRGMpWK8t_ABI/s1600/Holiday+2010+067.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554781091547277986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiML2TP_qBWdHOIGirE5hmBjIWajZMgfTlmXq9cWr7CQ8ligjezDcm_rOCTmCwSnZWvDZ5On-Ebp1z_oEvC0sUivoSObJZjZZV1ufIY0dijePRRbhYeex_YZnzHD_KiHRGMpWK8t_ABI/s320/Holiday+2010+067.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div> Pork ribs, with some Stubbs BBQ Rub on them. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVSNUmL020wgZwUH_n_aq0gPPwxlothHsTUGQf88cUn4rbHFowMW5QOOtpiQpJMkddaW0YXAN5TMPdwEk_RJrMxXJknhLUGlneehDvGWPb2t0nFxqMQSnizAGTxDtPdvDjhwz8nJa3rc/s1600/Holiday+2010+069.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554782035154894754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVSNUmL020wgZwUH_n_aq0gPPwxlothHsTUGQf88cUn4rbHFowMW5QOOtpiQpJMkddaW0YXAN5TMPdwEk_RJrMxXJknhLUGlneehDvGWPb2t0nFxqMQSnizAGTxDtPdvDjhwz8nJa3rc/s320/Holiday+2010+069.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div> I put 'em on the outer edges of the fire, so they would cook slowly and not get burned.<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /> </div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAjiTsTUHlecht3iweC4RMy5DqxJU9DRyrDR6uuWvu9pSAvA59xLoyK06vFg5R7PnSfCZZXdxapyK8cAwbw1vdPkMe67cLWhgSXyfSjxb_nkUwm19toVOXSnYMq-GD7gfovKKrJKum6o/s1600/Holiday+2010+070.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554784849529283874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAjiTsTUHlecht3iweC4RMy5DqxJU9DRyrDR6uuWvu9pSAvA59xLoyK06vFg5R7PnSfCZZXdxapyK8cAwbw1vdPkMe67cLWhgSXyfSjxb_nkUwm19toVOXSnYMq-GD7gfovKKrJKum6o/s320/Holiday+2010+070.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div> I let them cook for a while, maybe 20-30 minutes, just enough to get a good grillin' on the outsides. Then, I took them inside, wrapped 'em in foil, and put them in the oven on 225 degrees for about three hours. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUEGFQ0hFChl8XU0Kmhgn2_wUKAemLcXIRnn9iuP8_X8njMAQVr5AIGMRXgqDAuOiWIrVk5tU8bqHV1E3UDD93pRQ9giy7WNfl1IhFI2z6SE9G_zbi6VREUTUH9yeujr9BgKKCh_wSV4/s1600/Holiday+2010+071.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554786423850210626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUEGFQ0hFChl8XU0Kmhgn2_wUKAemLcXIRnn9iuP8_X8njMAQVr5AIGMRXgqDAuOiWIrVk5tU8bqHV1E3UDD93pRQ9giy7WNfl1IhFI2z6SE9G_zbi6VREUTUH9yeujr9BgKKCh_wSV4/s320/Holiday+2010+071.JPG" /></a><br /> The finished product...they were super-tender. I may add some more spices to the rub next time, but otherwise, it was pretty good. Had some Stubbs BBQ Sauce, rolls, potatoes, and veggies on the side. Good eatin'! Hope you all had a good holiday today! Hail!<br /> </div><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-83755351342294917402010-12-23T15:37:00.000-08:002010-12-23T15:41:19.558-08:00Happy Holidays!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBJh1FY2CIr-6nXQIMu0fFmJtC7mK0xKndsRoyCUYiaWopBDQK7VbCxhBzG-LPxxgsjjxRO8kZ6B7NBkd1jcwS2yegER8GLlC_xYMHwhRh0UkZ6ctEEo3b7HR9h2zXcLAxRYIgiAW6dQ/s1600/1920s_krampus-snick1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554026955899151858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBJh1FY2CIr-6nXQIMu0fFmJtC7mK0xKndsRoyCUYiaWopBDQK7VbCxhBzG-LPxxgsjjxRO8kZ6B7NBkd1jcwS2yegER8GLlC_xYMHwhRh0UkZ6ctEEo3b7HR9h2zXcLAxRYIgiAW6dQ/s320/1920s_krampus-snick1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Hello all ! Here's to everyone having a safe and happy holiday season! Hail! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-35411741944497147802010-11-01T18:58:00.000-07:002010-11-01T19:06:16.006-07:00Halloween<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJlLaoH-_PaLILYEVBG1gPVhhwtbyCjnXr9NZf3HS5rRue_cnZe8Wm3APQmfh-OqpqOfgF8b1m3xnWcRupWIzZcAuw3FN7Z4MBDcXFsEgWZ5I3PQnwUCoy1k-LcxUdH1B_lQkjRcuWU8/s1600/Halloween+2010+021.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534766465187051650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJlLaoH-_PaLILYEVBG1gPVhhwtbyCjnXr9NZf3HS5rRue_cnZe8Wm3APQmfh-OqpqOfgF8b1m3xnWcRupWIzZcAuw3FN7Z4MBDcXFsEgWZ5I3PQnwUCoy1k-LcxUdH1B_lQkjRcuWU8/s320/Halloween+2010+021.JPG" /></a><br /><div> Some say that your costume reveals what you want to be; others say it reveals the true self... </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCzLvzff7wEKC8oMwD1B7IIdPB6enzBB4BQvYmOMGffLEZoDs4cP9jWtD-75_Xy0exxHFJzjlidrqBkDtllcfjhaCkSDl8VYeg7zWHX7eLxoQ3fncn2bMFvEw4-lYlOmTqqcZyZSHDdQ/s1600/Halloween+2010+050.JPG"></a> </div><br /><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCzLvzff7wEKC8oMwD1B7IIdPB6enzBB4BQvYmOMGffLEZoDs4cP9jWtD-75_Xy0exxHFJzjlidrqBkDtllcfjhaCkSDl8VYeg7zWHX7eLxoQ3fncn2bMFvEw4-lYlOmTqqcZyZSHDdQ/s1600/Halloween+2010+050.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534766947178562946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCzLvzff7wEKC8oMwD1B7IIdPB6enzBB4BQvYmOMGffLEZoDs4cP9jWtD-75_Xy0exxHFJzjlidrqBkDtllcfjhaCkSDl8VYeg7zWHX7eLxoQ3fncn2bMFvEw4-lYlOmTqqcZyZSHDdQ/s320/Halloween+2010+050.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br />...even Lycanthropes get thirsty...<br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCzLvzff7wEKC8oMwD1B7IIdPB6enzBB4BQvYmOMGffLEZoDs4cP9jWtD-75_Xy0exxHFJzjlidrqBkDtllcfjhaCkSDl8VYeg7zWHX7eLxoQ3fncn2bMFvEw4-lYlOmTqqcZyZSHDdQ/s1600/Halloween+2010+050.JPG"></a> </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCzLvzff7wEKC8oMwD1B7IIdPB6enzBB4BQvYmOMGffLEZoDs4cP9jWtD-75_Xy0exxHFJzjlidrqBkDtllcfjhaCkSDl8VYeg7zWHX7eLxoQ3fncn2bMFvEw4-lYlOmTqqcZyZSHDdQ/s1600/Halloween+2010+050.JPG"></a> </div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoPKXvuyW_YS2w_KGZsDwDswEeghihH3uoQbzrxGzLEEcZ0WSG7lhJ9kweL3WSeuAvz8hN1DI_2vjE7p4GriEdIegCvLcfnN_ElniRrr64VExTvtK5A4UWrBCzKNsk0aJTUTl7IvQxak/s1600/Halloween+2010+057.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534767402497861666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoPKXvuyW_YS2w_KGZsDwDswEeghihH3uoQbzrxGzLEEcZ0WSG7lhJ9kweL3WSeuAvz8hN1DI_2vjE7p4GriEdIegCvLcfnN_ElniRrr64VExTvtK5A4UWrBCzKNsk0aJTUTl7IvQxak/s320/Halloween+2010+057.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>...a beast's best friend is, well, another beast!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-78665090223297773282010-10-10T16:06:00.000-07:002010-10-10T16:26:22.918-07:00Leif Erikson Day 2010<div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BaazUh7L8TDBqxK8KvVxhiqgS49sD3InXKMUfdTJxLl11fKIRWwUsDkbVqwxrdsskTy81TnM3npejCVIyioS0OyXtjQ7YvmqSLvwJTNXgAlYQc84DaZIqrWPhxT8WUVltOLymWl6UB8/s1600/Leif+Erikson+Day+2010+034.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526558354519893090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BaazUh7L8TDBqxK8KvVxhiqgS49sD3InXKMUfdTJxLl11fKIRWwUsDkbVqwxrdsskTy81TnM3npejCVIyioS0OyXtjQ7YvmqSLvwJTNXgAlYQc84DaZIqrWPhxT8WUVltOLymWl6UB8/s320/Leif+Erikson+Day+2010+034.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Friends were gathered; food was eaten; mead, ale, and spirits were drank; horned helmets were worn; and a good time was had by all. Life is good, by Odin!<br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUbMt4MhqF3uhiBVzCofFKrGqyvVyx02rVjpfOAykJ9kt9-xnaE8iq_aYwRpp3nhjq1vG2v7AlbY3a7vuwocSOyGkWenUEegxxpiPotlhXzYfTINdRSaGTnj0OVZi6pIsQQcZUvsmDFw/s1600/Leif+Erikson+Day+2010+008.JPG"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwg5bPi_lhoOWjG38HaVlYkuZO9rf3hxzA-DkM67IRpYwRrKGcT-VXAwqWVT2yQ7-HKaPSUWZFIyO9MrfzN3LkI_S88sX20g533T5_efhunFc6NIy1J8DyzWNCBf0xGW07bXMFT81wIis/s1600/Leif+Erikson+Day+2010+017.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526561447454411138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwg5bPi_lhoOWjG38HaVlYkuZO9rf3hxzA-DkM67IRpYwRrKGcT-VXAwqWVT2yQ7-HKaPSUWZFIyO9MrfzN3LkI_S88sX20g533T5_efhunFc6NIy1J8DyzWNCBf0xGW07bXMFT81wIis/s320/Leif+Erikson+Day+2010+017.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUbMt4MhqF3uhiBVzCofFKrGqyvVyx02rVjpfOAykJ9kt9-xnaE8iq_aYwRpp3nhjq1vG2v7AlbY3a7vuwocSOyGkWenUEegxxpiPotlhXzYfTINdRSaGTnj0OVZi6pIsQQcZUvsmDFw/s1600/Leif+Erikson+Day+2010+008.JPG"></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUbMt4MhqF3uhiBVzCofFKrGqyvVyx02rVjpfOAykJ9kt9-xnaE8iq_aYwRpp3nhjq1vG2v7AlbY3a7vuwocSOyGkWenUEegxxpiPotlhXzYfTINdRSaGTnj0OVZi6pIsQQcZUvsmDFw/s1600/Leif+Erikson+Day+2010+008.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526558677076810322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUbMt4MhqF3uhiBVzCofFKrGqyvVyx02rVjpfOAykJ9kt9-xnaE8iq_aYwRpp3nhjq1vG2v7AlbY3a7vuwocSOyGkWenUEegxxpiPotlhXzYfTINdRSaGTnj0OVZi6pIsQQcZUvsmDFw/s320/Leif+Erikson+Day+2010+008.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUbMt4MhqF3uhiBVzCofFKrGqyvVyx02rVjpfOAykJ9kt9-xnaE8iq_aYwRpp3nhjq1vG2v7AlbY3a7vuwocSOyGkWenUEegxxpiPotlhXzYfTINdRSaGTnj0OVZi6pIsQQcZUvsmDFw/s1600/Leif+Erikson+Day+2010+008.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPArz9K06bGaGm3Dv1nJjM2I9gLg6DAjLD-vUNFJ56npDe4ox6YncBnDKk4-DvUhMKqt0aVgteE1XfVWzRhhHEyaC8_KuHBMfScZFZdVEBc0G6CQNi-KG17zGg7gAadZHmvakn-2REdk/s1600/Leif+Erikson+Day+2010+023.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526561026388488082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPArz9K06bGaGm3Dv1nJjM2I9gLg6DAjLD-vUNFJ56npDe4ox6YncBnDKk4-DvUhMKqt0aVgteE1XfVWzRhhHEyaC8_KuHBMfScZFZdVEBc0G6CQNi-KG17zGg7gAadZHmvakn-2REdk/s320/Leif+Erikson+Day+2010+023.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv547ZtLQaQbT2qG8NxGy6df3Jr8HVmuJqHVFa_Vd0pNSB4IH3f3QqCeb2RHpIrb-ubON-4WcAGv_ODRg3DmKsODbV8kPepyujHcw5c9r9kvdoiUv7WOKlRJxyHFCKItJUCMrvMd7_O0/s1600/Leif+Erikson+Day+2010+036.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526559580718220754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv547ZtLQaQbT2qG8NxGy6df3Jr8HVmuJqHVFa_Vd0pNSB4IH3f3QqCeb2RHpIrb-ubON-4WcAGv_ODRg3DmKsODbV8kPepyujHcw5c9r9kvdoiUv7WOKlRJxyHFCKItJUCMrvMd7_O0/s320/Leif+Erikson+Day+2010+036.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /> </div></div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuw5zlUphH49NshHfeQhw2mFwUw-L3OK3WvAc3yNcE-ymSseovkeXfv54YU_s01eUf4ex1rAVsQbbX32op1NB079zwB2E396BwtIFVBxClWQ1nMZH4h8YiMwzZVHkWpetncbplIPNvCWU/s1600/Leif+Erikson+Day+2010+027.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526560255207295362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuw5zlUphH49NshHfeQhw2mFwUw-L3OK3WvAc3yNcE-ymSseovkeXfv54YU_s01eUf4ex1rAVsQbbX32op1NB079zwB2E396BwtIFVBxClWQ1nMZH4h8YiMwzZVHkWpetncbplIPNvCWU/s320/Leif+Erikson+Day+2010+027.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixh3ThUFCz44scbSynM9zbOWPwcLXmSTQxqiJLxaqz-57If8Y0JzWREI9GOzcC7CPsBhyphenhyphenU8Ko9bVdh0IQAx-HFb2f34fsrrhucD7NjNG2ywFlUG3HXEcvZFsOYip5DpA8IxJ9fXxknZE/s1600/Leif+Erikson+Day+2010+018.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526559111220828114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixh3ThUFCz44scbSynM9zbOWPwcLXmSTQxqiJLxaqz-57If8Y0JzWREI9GOzcC7CPsBhyphenhyphenU8Ko9bVdh0IQAx-HFb2f34fsrrhucD7NjNG2ywFlUG3HXEcvZFsOYip5DpA8IxJ9fXxknZE/s320/Leif+Erikson+Day+2010+018.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGLz_YKcx5gpnSH971fsdbdDmrAwbrpItiLdI1_5OKgbikGZR_CDf7dsy28iT8_0dpwDPZllR9Da2EDmJBcGayveyz88ghEthol2dqrYZ4-riawMpgXo01SAAqqGkMkYDI4aPzb9XmNo/s1600/Leif+Erikson+Day+2010+039.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526561879120730690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGLz_YKcx5gpnSH971fsdbdDmrAwbrpItiLdI1_5OKgbikGZR_CDf7dsy28iT8_0dpwDPZllR9Da2EDmJBcGayveyz88ghEthol2dqrYZ4-riawMpgXo01SAAqqGkMkYDI4aPzb9XmNo/s320/Leif+Erikson+Day+2010+039.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-78520165524545248242010-10-03T10:18:00.000-07:002010-10-03T11:13:23.493-07:00Feast of the Beast<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfriGV5GdUm8pJeSDljgu5LOXMaq6ADSLM-nwAd18GHfEwYoMkFC_wAhAk9GYVicz4znARN0FXZUeQg_ckvzc0VO1nz-W9c9-lqdNNZ4TG1lfoN0rnE7QMtMXjH780n2v_rtkCamW7j8/s1600/Misc+2+017.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523871394946016306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfriGV5GdUm8pJeSDljgu5LOXMaq6ADSLM-nwAd18GHfEwYoMkFC_wAhAk9GYVicz4znARN0FXZUeQg_ckvzc0VO1nz-W9c9-lqdNNZ4TG1lfoN0rnE7QMtMXjH780n2v_rtkCamW7j8/s320/Misc+2+017.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><div> Yesterday (Saturday, that is), it was such a beautiful day outside. Lately I've been suffering from the one-two punch of molds and ragweed, but I figured the best way to treat it would be to inhale smoke , drink copious amounts of hard cider (apples are good for you, right?), and eat vast quantities of red meat. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><em> </em></div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPmshyphenhyphenJbZYWwqxFu3AYamUbr3BrLpU1PsGKZH_e618hHZfvyGEt84CRhxYAjnRiz7jKDXtrIiPL9WHJTk8-Qzoy5DgZPS6poAzAe6DMjwQOOMKf63jxkLx3zRpy4Ekx2UyroQl9O2big/s1600/Misc+2+021.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523873442314015266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPmshyphenhyphenJbZYWwqxFu3AYamUbr3BrLpU1PsGKZH_e618hHZfvyGEt84CRhxYAjnRiz7jKDXtrIiPL9WHJTk8-Qzoy5DgZPS6poAzAe6DMjwQOOMKf63jxkLx3zRpy4Ekx2UyroQl9O2big/s320/Misc+2+021.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> First up on the grill, bratwurst.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh3QHa2HFcq7RtzkmFY1_1drdBPd8kUT_F_i2npFQe1CYr6x7-yZhxwVORf6cEaF8-zUNG8zB-UgaX_Q5RuZN2gBv7rxNQaa0lTWTuYIr88qpw3FAKIU6BEDN9joS9tLx0715eQXRxUQ/s1600/Misc+2+022.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523874591820711426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh3QHa2HFcq7RtzkmFY1_1drdBPd8kUT_F_i2npFQe1CYr6x7-yZhxwVORf6cEaF8-zUNG8zB-UgaX_Q5RuZN2gBv7rxNQaa0lTWTuYIr88qpw3FAKIU6BEDN9joS9tLx0715eQXRxUQ/s320/Misc+2+022.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div> It's important for the grillmaster to keep from getting thirsty while working over a hot open flame. By the way, this Fall Cider is the shite.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijINOD6jTSKXRmkVhit1mE87aF-g3H_D1yzee4qCvK-zNIRKgO_gM6z6oHNCaDijar21sK55NoJ2imdsSx9oz1TL6pmx5xyJI3RqR8maokWeAt3TxFhcSmnxhYhSMPZ8WN7EwFUQGmId8/s1600/Misc+2+023.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523875740465982194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijINOD6jTSKXRmkVhit1mE87aF-g3H_D1yzee4qCvK-zNIRKgO_gM6z6oHNCaDijar21sK55NoJ2imdsSx9oz1TL6pmx5xyJI3RqR8maokWeAt3TxFhcSmnxhYhSMPZ8WN7EwFUQGmId8/s320/Misc+2+023.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div> Next , some mixed vegetables...carrots, zucchini, and potatoes, for those of you keeping score at home. The basket pictured here has a design flaw- there are gaps on the sides where pieces of veg can (and did) fall out when the basket is shaken/flipped. Sharp-eyed viewers will spot pieces of veg scattered on the grill in subsequent pics. Guess I'll cut the pieces bigger next time. </div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPnLMeu2IFn0mIQqQprdT7V5i0E1GZ596670gd_DkAZR4C09JpeSP64SeHFnSA8x6Yfiix1mqh3HPuoWI-8PCksifuGfjG73GzdmlrnjgHHnQXmyTTzCIeC6ERtMQUC066G0Flx_OeyM/s1600/Misc+2+024.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523877836120036466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPnLMeu2IFn0mIQqQprdT7V5i0E1GZ596670gd_DkAZR4C09JpeSP64SeHFnSA8x6Yfiix1mqh3HPuoWI-8PCksifuGfjG73GzdmlrnjgHHnQXmyTTzCIeC6ERtMQUC066G0Flx_OeyM/s320/Misc+2+024.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div> Next on the menu, bison burgers. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIp2_jgMZMdHd03O3aVyIELwBglDXBVWtz5AzLB9IwhaBW28dC_RC9mXsIrwg3vwixUITTqwpzrznwHSXw2qdIyyHrvjIqyofWNBJMcI_R1wgjLitAHIbB9KJyHOkIrZa8SgyA6fQpd6w/s1600/Misc+2+031.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523878725552478386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIp2_jgMZMdHd03O3aVyIELwBglDXBVWtz5AzLB9IwhaBW28dC_RC9mXsIrwg3vwixUITTqwpzrznwHSXw2qdIyyHrvjIqyofWNBJMcI_R1wgjLitAHIbB9KJyHOkIrZa8SgyA6fQpd6w/s320/Misc+2+031.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div> Last, but definately not least, a couple of baco-wrapped filets and a NY strip steak.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpB2LwkxmTTGG6TWnkqQ66R03sJ6dFaG2sdSDrSYb3OBuuppUYRx57Kjxf3Sid6hODiADPz8VnF1gEurdm8UVjbVR-RVYzh3xPuf0KjoR6GzIDaqV5uWljfbJsEXOZ7I6R5XVVWCFkTk/s1600/Misc+2+035.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523880291054319682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpB2LwkxmTTGG6TWnkqQ66R03sJ6dFaG2sdSDrSYb3OBuuppUYRx57Kjxf3Sid6hODiADPz8VnF1gEurdm8UVjbVR-RVYzh3xPuf0KjoR6GzIDaqV5uWljfbJsEXOZ7I6R5XVVWCFkTk/s320/Misc+2+035.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div> Insert 'hot buns' joke here. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMYeCu0yBMLrSPdmTujkz4A8nVcrHKM6Vb3aLJdr7QcI1TjdCFRXAFl5xA9EJV6B83_BU3q8ku_8943tXF09IUVjt-hf0Cmlvx_l5dTtZSIqCkrkxJsGv8gUZeqcgpLA_JHItrqaMtlY/s1600/Misc+2+036.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523881240494082354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMYeCu0yBMLrSPdmTujkz4A8nVcrHKM6Vb3aLJdr7QcI1TjdCFRXAFl5xA9EJV6B83_BU3q8ku_8943tXF09IUVjt-hf0Cmlvx_l5dTtZSIqCkrkxJsGv8gUZeqcgpLA_JHItrqaMtlY/s320/Misc+2+036.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div> Places are set... </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkVeu9sPZvauc3jNjUqAH9TE_md0dNTXFOKL6Dri_QsJjXCgoB_E2b4lWKyZWvgwmnM1JlOoWXFlPtGm8KUBKiy7SeaqS1jgAzDxbdfhR86wyirwLH8kQwi9SfeLCK-rTxs9FitWTlhc/s1600/Misc+2+037.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523882138805389170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkVeu9sPZvauc3jNjUqAH9TE_md0dNTXFOKL6Dri_QsJjXCgoB_E2b4lWKyZWvgwmnM1JlOoWXFlPtGm8KUBKiy7SeaqS1jgAzDxbdfhR86wyirwLH8kQwi9SfeLCK-rTxs9FitWTlhc/s320/Misc+2+037.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div> ...but beware of predators out to poach your meal...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkP-xIAhTbvTZ1noKkwTYR9cDiiMwNKOxzM1jRPDpckM7NvBfrQNVuksQEF1GMZBe6WbgkcjXodBTdnMWJwt3CMQtn5FzqdlcjA8g9qGoyKxrrbe8qcbKuWUR2NFWnOYhbinG3LCzEcP0/s1600/Misc+2+032.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkP-xIAhTbvTZ1noKkwTYR9cDiiMwNKOxzM1jRPDpckM7NvBfrQNVuksQEF1GMZBe6WbgkcjXodBTdnMWJwt3CMQtn5FzqdlcjA8g9qGoyKxrrbe8qcbKuWUR2NFWnOYhbinG3LCzEcP0/s1600/Misc+2+032.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523883303986472562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkP-xIAhTbvTZ1noKkwTYR9cDiiMwNKOxzM1jRPDpckM7NvBfrQNVuksQEF1GMZBe6WbgkcjXodBTdnMWJwt3CMQtn5FzqdlcjA8g9qGoyKxrrbe8qcbKuWUR2NFWnOYhbinG3LCzEcP0/s320/Misc+2+032.JPG" /></a> </div><div> </div><div> ...especially big Yeti-dogs. Hope you all had a great weekend. See ya!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-74351726856425007172010-09-27T21:13:00.000-07:002010-09-27T22:05:57.747-07:00Grading On A Curve, Pt. 1If you haven't figured it out yet, I watch a lot of movies. I've always loved film, since I was a little kid. I mostly watch genre films, but I do take in the occasional mainstream flick ( I saw <em>Up In The Air </em>the other night, for example). Even amongst genre films, there's a wide variety to be found. For example, I did enjoy the two <em>Iron Man </em>movies, and I think the latest two <em>Batman </em>films are pretty damn good, genre or not. Still, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the independent film/ low budget movie, be it a labor of love or the quick exploitation flick.<br /><br /> A while back, I was discussing a movie ( don't remember which one) with a friend, and she , at one point in the conversation, said,"Is it a low-budget movie?", using the same tones one might use when looking at the bottom of their shoe after stepping in something. I'm telling you, just like I told her, low-budget isn't neccessarily a sign of low value.<br /><br /> Consider the average Hollywood movie...it takes millions to make one, once it's all said and done. A big expense is getting a big-name 'Star' to be in your flick. All those digital effects , locations, and everything else add up to a hefty price tag. So, why do most Hollywood movies suck? Well, a lot of these so-called 'Stars' can't act their way out of a paper bag. Maybe it's because I've seen a lot of 'effects ' movies, but most of the CGI I see in movies looks fake to me...maybe I just have too good of an eye for that sort of thing. The money sure as hell isn't being spent on scripts , that's for sure. Need a movie? Let's just do a movie version of an old TV show! Better yet, let's remake a great film from the 70s, or from a different country, but leave out everything that made it special in the first place! As always, there are exceptions, but for the most part, this is Hollywood. <br /><br /> Now, take into consideration the guy who lives somewhere that's not Hollywood, (say, the Midwest) who is shooting his movie on weekends, putting everything he has(which, admittedly, isn't much, at least financially speaking) into his work. OK, maybe the make-up and digital effects aren't the greatest. Maybe the actors aren't name actors, or possibly aren't all that good at acting. But maybe the story is clever, or has some thing unique to it . Maybe a few of the actors are doing a good job. Maybe this little homegrown film has something a bit different that you'll find entertaining, that you won't find at the big cineplexes.<br /><br /> When I decide how much I like a film (or if I even like it at all), there's a few factors that go into it. I do grade on a curve...I cut a lot more slack for the independent filmmaker, the 'Little Guy', if you will. Why? Think about it. How many big-budget Hollywood films have you seen that cost millions of dollars to make, and still sucked? Now, think about the low-budget guy, whose entire production costs don't equal the cost for craft services on the aforementioned Hollywood flick. I can be a bit forgiving if his zombie make-ups aren't top-notch, or if a few actors in his ensemble aren't ready for Shakespeare. But the movie that cost a gazillion dollars? Those fuckers have no excuse, in my book. They could hire better writers, have better effects, and get better actors.<br /><br /><br /> Ultimately, whatever the budget, genre, etc, the main criteria I judge a film on is , did it entertain me? Did I get caught up in it, for whatever reason? To me, whether it's a film, a book, or even a song, if I can get pulled in to the point where I forget everything else while I'm watching/reading/listening to it, then that to me is the mark of a good piece of entertainment. If it also makes me think, or teaches me something, even better. But mostly, did it involve me? Did it make me <em>feel</em> something?<br /><br /> What criteria do you judge a flim by? Do you only see certain types of films? Do you only see the big-name flicks, or do you take a chance on something unheard of, just to check it out? I'm curious.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-30292936440586989692010-09-13T18:34:00.000-07:002010-09-13T19:43:35.685-07:00Attack of the Remakes<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGj_qtAcDs-y9QrYs52wilOAMVZ6eV28Ie6JWvhryGOF5avvdmYV2DjEh_hdOZxszmzzSu5GDC98QOkuXD10dSGCONkSgW8F6kLN7l6n_hIMU2G_rf0VEm2s7vLfgFyfN-6osgpw1Uk5s/s1600/Texas-Chainsaw-Massacre.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516576676997489522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGj_qtAcDs-y9QrYs52wilOAMVZ6eV28Ie6JWvhryGOF5avvdmYV2DjEh_hdOZxszmzzSu5GDC98QOkuXD10dSGCONkSgW8F6kLN7l6n_hIMU2G_rf0VEm2s7vLfgFyfN-6osgpw1Uk5s/s320/Texas-Chainsaw-Massacre.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div> I'm not here today to talk about a particular film, but to address a cinematic phenomenon that's plaguing the Silver Screen lately...I'm talking about the Remake. </div><br /><div> In the past several years, remakes have popped up like weeds in the yard that is Film. It seems like there's more remakes than original productions these days. There are remakes of older films, and even worse, films that are remakes of old TV shows...really, did we need a Dukes of Hazard or an A-Team movie? </div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIcrjJi5RRUXCAwKX8nAM-_I9SoXpalrUPgH8sxIYUi0ilX9gEB2lkxTcaZQELMlvWddlgrjIFTdXHSrF8E5qa7hb7G_eC3TgHQhl4RwXbvldyaQdgySbbaTIiEcApRfDEFKPlRdtd1o/s1600/dawnofthedead2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 215px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516578220081505026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIcrjJi5RRUXCAwKX8nAM-_I9SoXpalrUPgH8sxIYUi0ilX9gEB2lkxTcaZQELMlvWddlgrjIFTdXHSrF8E5qa7hb7G_eC3TgHQhl4RwXbvldyaQdgySbbaTIiEcApRfDEFKPlRdtd1o/s320/dawnofthedead2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div> Many of the films that have been remade were classics from the 70s or early 80s. <em>Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Hills Have Eyes, </em>and <em>Dawn of the Dead </em>are just a few of the films that fall into this category. Besides the fact that most of the people in charge in Hollywood seem to have a definite lack of originality or imagination, I think that name recognition is a main factor in these films being remade. The other is that the main demographic of cinemagoers, that is teens, have probably not seen these films. </div><br /><br /><div> I've only seen one of these remakes, that one being <em>Dawn.</em> At the insistance of a friend, I watched it. Was it terrible? No. Was it a total waste of time? No. Was it as good as the original? No. Was it at least good enough to warrant its existance? I think not. If the filmmakers just made their own zombie film, I probably wouldn't have a problem with it. But to call it by the same title as the original classic, well, that's calling a firecracker a cannon....call it what you will, it just don't measure up. It was just unneccesary. </div><br /><br /><div> I know that some probably prefer the remakes over the originals. I read a book on zombie films recently that went so far as to say the remake of <em>Dawn </em>was better than George Romero's original undead opus. The writer of that book may truly believe that, but I believe that sometimes critics try to make a name for themselves by stirring the pot, and one way to do that is to attack established heroes and innovators of genres...I think they also get some kind of kick out of pissing fans off ( I've seen it in literary circles, too, where authors that have a following are slagged for whatever reason...Robert E. Howard, for example). </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrvDNbttwqB609Syv5W1KSgtQPx3IH6HgaGmAQVI03uCRcmDf3WBPe3wAfqpnMkZMU75rKOu39j31zCdoaO63OntQnF1DIpQ3H23vdHmAFCFigL_CiZI19UFBSNyrr8w3w_y0kEZczJg/s1600/thing2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 264px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 292px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516583901145092642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrvDNbttwqB609Syv5W1KSgtQPx3IH6HgaGmAQVI03uCRcmDf3WBPe3wAfqpnMkZMU75rKOu39j31zCdoaO63OntQnF1DIpQ3H23vdHmAFCFigL_CiZI19UFBSNyrr8w3w_y0kEZczJg/s320/thing2.jpg" /></a><br /><div> You can probably guess where I stand on the issue of remakes...but there are , as with all things (pun intended), exceptions to the rule. Two such exceptions that come to mind are John Carpenter's <em>The Thing </em>and David Cronenberg's <em>The Fly. </em>These were remakes done in the 80s instead of remakes of films from the 80s. Both films took their 50s sci-fi film source material as a mere starting point and made radical departures from the original source material. Carpenter's film was an excercize in paranoia , gore, and shape-shifting horror, and Cronenberg's film was , like most of his work, a tale of body horror . What makes these remakes stand head-and -mutated-shoulders above other remakes? First, they're both very well-done films. They took a films that were, let's face it, not all that great ( James Arness in a hokey monster suit and a guy with a big fly's head) and made masterpieces . The respective filmmakers took the material and put their own distinct spin on it. My problem with the <em>Dawn </em>remake is that the source material wasn't <em>improved </em>on ...unless you think fast-running zombies are the shit, then congrats, I got a movie for you. I suspect the same holds true for the other remakes lurking about. </div><div> </div><div> The other remake trend I need to address here is that of the American Version Of A Great Foriegn Film. Case in point: <em>Let Me In, </em>the completely and totally unnecessary remake of the brilliant Swedish film <em>Let The Right One In. </em>The original, if you haven't seen it, is a wonderful movie...the best vampire film I've probably seen, and a damn good film in general. I think I can pin down the reasons this (and other foriegn films) is being remade instead of being put into wider release. Reason #1- Too much subltety, and dare I say it, artisticality( Is that even a word? Must be the Woodchuck hard cider talking). There are scenes of violence and gore, but they're interspersed with scenes of beauty and quiet, which aren't associated with Big Box Office Bucks here in the U.S. Reason #2-SUBTITLES. Gods forbid if we have to actually read while at the movies...might have an embolism or something. Hollywood makes assumptions on what we, as moviegoers, will watch, or want to watch.</div><div> </div><div> So here's where I want your input, people. What do you think of remakes? What do you like to see in films? Are subtitles a deal-breaker for you? Is Hollywood correct in their take on the great unwashed masses waiting to watch movies? Do you think that your average American moviegoer wants something original, or the same old shit? What do you want? As for me, there's only so many hours in the day, and I'd rather watch some clever low-budget film , a Japanese-made splatterfest with cute girls and ridiculous body weapons , or a Norwegian Nazi Zombie epic ,than yet another remake of a classic (or not so classic) 70s/80s fright film. Talk to me, folks.</div></div></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-51192100642487447962010-08-07T00:06:00.000-07:002010-08-07T00:25:08.533-07:00Museum of the Weird<div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHp0hf7TwKy-1uQxxC3rR-BzCU3plxz6Sp9hPbOEcZZmO2aFib6WEJ8IoUNfCi8_dcWchco7W4N79wenw7elOq3GPfrVYkwmlWiMS43wH_meD7bl3ICMlM8WjXQk07N6OyJAxhaRA8rVQ/s1600/Museum+of+the+Weird+028.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502561854299580034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHp0hf7TwKy-1uQxxC3rR-BzCU3plxz6Sp9hPbOEcZZmO2aFib6WEJ8IoUNfCi8_dcWchco7W4N79wenw7elOq3GPfrVYkwmlWiMS43wH_meD7bl3ICMlM8WjXQk07N6OyJAxhaRA8rVQ/s320/Museum+of+the+Weird+028.JPG" /></a><br /> Yesterday I went to the Museum of the Weird in Austin. How this place stayed under my radar for so long is beyond me, but I finally saw an ad for it and had to check it out. It's small, but very cool. I suggest you check it out if you're ever in the Austin area ( <a href="http://www.museumoftheweird.com/">http://www.museumoftheweird.com/</a> ). </div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-TQIx3q6WxaRs5l-9BghF5LiXyTa8a6j1vLILirWkIyNjJao-BrbYc_rJBMToC1z7L2gBF_QuAdP3VSfX8ndix1_5N0hIT8HmL8ULJS_ijsARBAW-Cd6tU52ZmdyK2aKH5cy-C4o3i8/s1600/Museum+of+the+Weird+009.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502562368845163090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-TQIx3q6WxaRs5l-9BghF5LiXyTa8a6j1vLILirWkIyNjJao-BrbYc_rJBMToC1z7L2gBF_QuAdP3VSfX8ndix1_5N0hIT8HmL8ULJS_ijsARBAW-Cd6tU52ZmdyK2aKH5cy-C4o3i8/s320/Museum+of+the+Weird+009.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div> The gift shop is full of cool and creepy items,too, and if you buy a t-shirt you get a free admission to the Museum. Being a t-shirt conessuir, I had to get one anyway, plus a couple of postcards and a Frankenstein fridge magnet as well...can't have too many Frankie items, you know.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-TQIx3q6WxaRs5l-9BghF5LiXyTa8a6j1vLILirWkIyNjJao-BrbYc_rJBMToC1z7L2gBF_QuAdP3VSfX8ndix1_5N0hIT8HmL8ULJS_ijsARBAW-Cd6tU52ZmdyK2aKH5cy-C4o3i8/s1600/Museum+of+the+Weird+009.JPG"></a></div><div><br /> </div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVW1AHzL4Qcsczyb3PFdPweylOFax6VPknFxihUoCymssP5_TGuD8RM7K-LFfO6-Wn6tK1JiibxQl43ZxozUBOMhFEvWtmA1rXc6omXVG1K7vLOashMOeR77WZdhMu35gMqrViRD22thA/s1600/Museum+of+the+Weird+033.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502562911138976386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVW1AHzL4Qcsczyb3PFdPweylOFax6VPknFxihUoCymssP5_TGuD8RM7K-LFfO6-Wn6tK1JiibxQl43ZxozUBOMhFEvWtmA1rXc6omXVG1K7vLOashMOeR77WZdhMu35gMqrViRD22thA/s320/Museum+of+the+Weird+033.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /> Arrrrrr.....<br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCZlP6DDnk8QuaDgmfDOpoBxsWUOdURV2R-NWjx_HdF0j6d4QzLeun2tXccmsbG2bPQYrIbJba_J__wUzwaJo2h_TCvoYZPxHa_AhaqZ8Eh3RRYZaVa16IYDf5jKRUWhCYUQrGjl5-pA/s1600/Museum+of+the+Weird+029.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502564362833895058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCZlP6DDnk8QuaDgmfDOpoBxsWUOdURV2R-NWjx_HdF0j6d4QzLeun2tXccmsbG2bPQYrIbJba_J__wUzwaJo2h_TCvoYZPxHa_AhaqZ8Eh3RRYZaVa16IYDf5jKRUWhCYUQrGjl5-pA/s320/Museum+of+the+Weird+029.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div> Mummies and monsters abound...<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uP6BdEP7-jQZ7zPP-JIq-Us91LInhikPDazLUVpxm7xyofbXCwzcBNfii_zP9PpWqChLtyOSi32VfpjdYJWk6mIqRNzQSfQQc53Na1uVWXXP_18ODIndhdfb8-UOiimVRtE5vqg71nk/s1600/Museum+of+the+Weird+010.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502564876147854146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uP6BdEP7-jQZ7zPP-JIq-Us91LInhikPDazLUVpxm7xyofbXCwzcBNfii_zP9PpWqChLtyOSi32VfpjdYJWk6mIqRNzQSfQQc53Na1uVWXXP_18ODIndhdfb8-UOiimVRtE5vqg71nk/s320/Museum+of+the+Weird+010.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /> I feel at home here! see you next time!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-TQIx3q6WxaRs5l-9BghF5LiXyTa8a6j1vLILirWkIyNjJao-BrbYc_rJBMToC1z7L2gBF_QuAdP3VSfX8ndix1_5N0hIT8HmL8ULJS_ijsARBAW-Cd6tU52ZmdyK2aKH5cy-C4o3i8/s1600/Museum+of+the+Weird+009.JPG"></a></div></div></div></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-29260267596224412212010-08-04T16:29:00.000-07:002010-08-04T16:48:44.020-07:00Magni<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrAonsj3MxPYRx5lF3pV0a_5wHCqGNWGG7Zl7wi_WxG9UDJXu7utuFZZIKh1blD3tC0BmXP4zXBLZuKW9WpDPYCAXLwYFPvQN-xGawEzp3M4v-cbPQC675CdULzlyBvJNjfWTg7dVd54/s1600/misc+052.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501703879404361730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrAonsj3MxPYRx5lF3pV0a_5wHCqGNWGG7Zl7wi_WxG9UDJXu7utuFZZIKh1blD3tC0BmXP4zXBLZuKW9WpDPYCAXLwYFPvQN-xGawEzp3M4v-cbPQC675CdULzlyBvJNjfWTg7dVd54/s320/misc+052.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div> Hail to all out there in Blogland! Sorry for my abscence of posts; I'll try to be on here more regularly. Here are pictures of one of the reasons I haven't been on too much of late-my pup Magni. He's about a week shy of being 9 months old now. He's a happy pup, and is already a great watchdog. I've been spending a lot of time with him, and I've been taking him to training classes as well. He's almost as tall as me when he stands on his hind legs (I'm about 5'10"). He's put the fear of dog into several salesmen who've rang my doorbell. Anyway, enjoy the pics of my buddy, and I'll be back soon! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRsuW3yEwTgzqgOxHIbxftNvYlZqIEs-zHML7avwurUpa0VlX2TkX3pRdQeixEZoBNQJ8dg8QcSZ2GNNGd_TR0e27O7zDNuj3dCX4xf4npI_R1QAml-ccJHoersPcCzPfa12hMicPDUw/s1600/misc+054.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501703418535442610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRsuW3yEwTgzqgOxHIbxftNvYlZqIEs-zHML7avwurUpa0VlX2TkX3pRdQeixEZoBNQJ8dg8QcSZ2GNNGd_TR0e27O7zDNuj3dCX4xf4npI_R1QAml-ccJHoersPcCzPfa12hMicPDUw/s320/misc+054.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Friend to my friends, foe to my foes.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRsuW3yEwTgzqgOxHIbxftNvYlZqIEs-zHML7avwurUpa0VlX2TkX3pRdQeixEZoBNQJ8dg8QcSZ2GNNGd_TR0e27O7zDNuj3dCX4xf4npI_R1QAml-ccJHoersPcCzPfa12hMicPDUw/s1600/misc+054.JPG"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDts2UANP2cdhWEGl6v4u8yLLghyyOX2I7YgE_1ry474tz3c1fqSRNLcJKL1PB6_4b2uuePSe1vRXmiyohSa2WTUL9F-tgMIdfYVLfgwXNHyg1yrJSXbUnKyc7pCUtWa_RJsrthr0meFc/s1600/Magni+008.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501705335466966402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDts2UANP2cdhWEGl6v4u8yLLghyyOX2I7YgE_1ry474tz3c1fqSRNLcJKL1PB6_4b2uuePSe1vRXmiyohSa2WTUL9F-tgMIdfYVLfgwXNHyg1yrJSXbUnKyc7pCUtWa_RJsrthr0meFc/s320/Magni+008.JPG" /></a><br /><div> Here's a picture from last Winter when I got Magni, in case you haven't seen my earlier pics...that, and it's just so damn cute.</div></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-60484243073725433952010-05-17T18:28:00.000-07:002010-05-17T19:11:53.899-07:00Farewell To Heroes, Pt. 2<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKH18NN7OZk9F0aZYm3TTe7VVZ8Y6r5X4h9E4r-3F7-5YEstID2RZRhJYxUG7AjoJIbDlC3zCdDOwUQLn247nrvaYJEwCESQiwMnqPvWSDnccXOz9TOzwFlpVz-C80WOrErRV2gtoD9w/s1600/Dio-INT.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472416383705105074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKH18NN7OZk9F0aZYm3TTe7VVZ8Y6r5X4h9E4r-3F7-5YEstID2RZRhJYxUG7AjoJIbDlC3zCdDOwUQLn247nrvaYJEwCESQiwMnqPvWSDnccXOz9TOzwFlpVz-C80WOrErRV2gtoD9w/s320/Dio-INT.jpg" /></a><br /><div> Ronnie James Dio passed away this weekend. He was a man short in staure, but with the voice and heart of a giant. He fronted band such as Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and his self-titled band Dio. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div> Dio's voice was amazing. He could sing like an angel one moment, then, on the turn of a dime, change his voice to an evil growl. A friend of mine in college (who was into New Wave,mostly) said Dio's voice scared him. "He sounds like the Devil." </div><br /><div></div><br /><div> Dio's lyrics were often filled with metaphors and symbols. His songs were about Good and Evil, faraway realms and the innermost feelings of one's heart, fantasy and grim reality, and about dreams, and making them come true. His work was a grand mix of Light and Darkness. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div> Dio was also the first to use the famous hand sign known as 'The Horns'. Some PMRC-types swear it was a salute to Satan, but Dio actually got it from his little old Italian grandmother. The 'Maloche' was used both to protect one from the Evil Eye and to inflict it on others. I wonder what Grandma Dio would think about a sea of metalheads using her signature move at a concert. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVteHK1RLhPRYLldexq-qZo_I522Zc0H1MBWpPKFwi2UP_eulO6LQzJ2O6b2Lg-8XrNM79eVhKscI-PKRqT5HK-7i8LUMJVn47hzSAt-JfthbwS6ZIBxLLDGXu8PFcGNatF8FrNbf2RU/s1600/dio2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 307px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472420493699675058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVteHK1RLhPRYLldexq-qZo_I522Zc0H1MBWpPKFwi2UP_eulO6LQzJ2O6b2Lg-8XrNM79eVhKscI-PKRqT5HK-7i8LUMJVn47hzSAt-JfthbwS6ZIBxLLDGXu8PFcGNatF8FrNbf2RU/s320/dio2.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div> Dio, though accused of being evil (like most Metal practitioners during their careers), did good works, including the recording <em>Stars, </em>sort of a Metal response to <em>We Are The World. </em>As mentioned above, for every song Dio wrote about darkness and evil, he had one with a positive message...<em>Wishing Well </em>and <em>Hungry For Heaven </em>come to mind. </div><div> </div><div> Dio's music was a big part of my childhood, and adulthood, actually. I can renember hearing Rainbow's <em>Man on the Silver Mountain </em>on the radio when I was a young beast, and I also recall being very pleased with his work in Black Sabbath when he replaced Ozzy Osborne (I'm one of the few who actually like the Dio years better than the Ozzy years of Sabbath , so let the hate mail begin). I have fond memories of playing pool in my basement, listening to Sabbath's <em>Mob Rules, </em>and, of course, <em>Heaven and Hell</em>, a masterpiece of Metal, in my not-too-humble opinion. I, of course, ran out to get his solo stuff when he left Sabbath...I'm still not tired, 20 years later, of <em>Rainbow In The Dark ( </em>though my favorite cut off that album is <em>Straight Through The Heart</em>). When I took voice lessons in college, I used a music book of Rainbow's <em>Rising </em>during class to sing songs from. I followed him through the years as he rejoined Sabbath, left for solo-land again, and rejoined Sabbath yet again. I felt bad when I heard he had stomach cancer, and was relieved when news got out that he was doing better...then, last Sunday when news got out that he died, it was like a shadow passing overhead. Like Frank Frazetta's passing, it felt like something that has always been around in my life has left...but, I guess, their work, their pictures and songs, will still be with me, and others whom they've touched. The world is diminished, but there's a new skald singing songs in valhalla, and there's a new artist to paint wondrous works on the walls of the mead halls in Asgard. Hail Frazetta; Hail Dio.</div></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-89364925046974983502010-05-16T17:23:00.000-07:002010-05-17T18:27:19.181-07:00Farewell to Heroes Pt. 1<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJD0Q1kj38i6SpTG4qi38Ocqq6y6dpQHChYJtsaqX0hBzTscJ5myzvCgFH_3JMk_2P_beHCX0MADinfgoGLyGiEe_yjxJXzyMJvYhzr0GfaZDOvjGd0NNQKb88Z-l7HNmybLvuAdI09w/s1600/frank_frazetta_thebarbarian.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 238px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472409093965119570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJD0Q1kj38i6SpTG4qi38Ocqq6y6dpQHChYJtsaqX0hBzTscJ5myzvCgFH_3JMk_2P_beHCX0MADinfgoGLyGiEe_yjxJXzyMJvYhzr0GfaZDOvjGd0NNQKb88Z-l7HNmybLvuAdI09w/s320/frank_frazetta_thebarbarian.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><div> This has been a bad week for me concerning celebrity deaths. These things don't usually bother me much, but two that have passed on this week were heroes of mine since I was a kid.<br /></div><p> The first was Frank Frazetta. Frazetta, for those who don't know, was <em>the</em> Heroic Fantasy artist, period. He'es probably best known for his covers for the Conan books of the 70s. His work also appeared on album covers , most famously Molly Hatchet's. The painting to the left, <em>The Barbarian</em>, is my favorite, and a print hangs in my living room. Besides setting the classic scene of victorious warrior with his 'spoils', take a moment to really look at this work. The mound of corpses and the woman are a bit hazy, but as the eye travels upward, the central figure is in sharp focus, commanding attention. also, the hazy sky behind reveals dark images, perhaps of his future, or his past. It is a work of art that fairly hums with power and vitality. </p><br /><div><br /></div><br /><p></p><br /><div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 229px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472411052554070594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bte5Ll4vEGEnmVJkHbEJt9sxnQ_gQgxE8B6S4oIP-5lm41IFcuBJExdXrqefuVM3yserfHuhhu1YxQYGTYFt9xRxgemdF7SzV473d1lLSPpbr1xRyAOALkO2JjD1ttwQ0oyPOdattdc/s320/death_dealer1.jpg" /><br /> Another favorite of mine is <em>The Death Dealer</em>. Instead of the typical Grim Reaper, we have an armored avatar of Death. His axe is scythe-like, and the carrion birds in the sky behind him tell his role. Like <em>The Barbarian,</em> even though the main figure of the piece is still (for now), there is a feeling of power and dynamism to it, as if at a moment's notice he could spring to destructive action, hewing down all in his way. </div><br /><p> As a kid, I was mesmerized by Frazetta's work. I'd stare for what seemed like hours at his works, wishing I was in those worlds. His dangerous warriors, his fearsome beasts, his curvy, sensual women, they all fairly burned with life and power, a feat many other fantasy painters with their stiff, posed paintings could never, ever match. Frazetta's work, much like that of author Robert E. Howard ( who's tales were illustrated by frazetta's paintings, more often than not), was something I came to appreciate more as I grew older. I could better appreciate his masterworks as I began to understand them better. Frazetta suffered a series of strokes in his 70s, and lost use of his right hand. What did he do? He taught himself to paint with his left hand. Left-handed, he could still out-paint , well, damn near anyone. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSThAwCYiXkO-w5o1rFaLToRrnD4K1pYK3wGU_XK4D85BcqGqT3JdmZKcn7BP-iUhm5xRPkd0ir0GvIhB3awmMSJ8wvYiSd-GcGaZL2yR601BRn1PxYac7f0gIgdqQzSiqJ_HTNIFpW50/s1600/frankfrazetta1.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472414875104625826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSThAwCYiXkO-w5o1rFaLToRrnD4K1pYK3wGU_XK4D85BcqGqT3JdmZKcn7BP-iUhm5xRPkd0ir0GvIhB3awmMSJ8wvYiSd-GcGaZL2yR601BRn1PxYac7f0gIgdqQzSiqJ_HTNIFpW50/s320/frankfrazetta1.bmp" /></a></p><br /><div>If anyone is interested, check out the documentary <em>Painting With Fire.</em> Shot a few years ago, it's a great picture of a great artist. </div><br /><div> Frank, you'll be missed.<br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-66601364408905930852010-05-03T18:12:00.001-07:002010-05-03T18:39:23.998-07:00Texas Frightmare Weekend Pt. 2<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlqQdUtwGyi7a9X0FBBnVIe6kk9vG6FkX6-N3ixfV-54n7Xl4GI3OFYuKG36cwt8ms-V8BrF0PQyxeJjuQbT2QoWhJAC_t8NVgqGzbMX6iCqafVePN8gv3v5b_CI9BFr-g_hZuaDYYwg/s1600/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+065.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467217196889828402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlqQdUtwGyi7a9X0FBBnVIe6kk9vG6FkX6-N3ixfV-54n7Xl4GI3OFYuKG36cwt8ms-V8BrF0PQyxeJjuQbT2QoWhJAC_t8NVgqGzbMX6iCqafVePN8gv3v5b_CI9BFr-g_hZuaDYYwg/s320/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+065.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div> Texas Frightmare Weekend was a great time. In addition to the celebrities inside, outside was a hearse and shock rod show. I got to talk to some of the hearse owners, and they were all cool guys. One gave me a frisbee and a bunch of pens with his tattoo shop logo on them (gotta love swag..and check out Ink Pushers Tattoo Emporium if you're ever in the area).</div><br /><div></div><br /><div> Pictured here is the vehicle for a haunted house attraction in Arlington, Zombie Manor.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul7dAehr61uaQD4fORLGvMq2iou45eY6Ym8OgnOlTcVep6pjRaUCK8YQoJR02zDeYPHa7qAtoPsiADXpMGGcArW6Azx0-CPq9JP7KTpQXFPcsE5xAFwur_P0AvI0p-cYoS0caM6bkwqo/s1600/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+048.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467218464247937858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul7dAehr61uaQD4fORLGvMq2iou45eY6Ym8OgnOlTcVep6pjRaUCK8YQoJR02zDeYPHa7qAtoPsiADXpMGGcArW6Azx0-CPq9JP7KTpQXFPcsE5xAFwur_P0AvI0p-cYoS0caM6bkwqo/s320/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+048.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div> The back of the Manor wagon. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToBC9zBnXEjUMxKTMUe9lx2NOYM0JOKHV9LPrXkgTuQ7_L0gAqfbTEiRqiP815mXJcYdfsQGB-jx8ehLr1ytmice1OITxIRkQ60r9W-UJYCK2VSeMOO0Qy_zxZAvMtTt9QcnkdZNitoI/s1600/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+055.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467219209351265250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToBC9zBnXEjUMxKTMUe9lx2NOYM0JOKHV9LPrXkgTuQ7_L0gAqfbTEiRqiP815mXJcYdfsQGB-jx8ehLr1ytmice1OITxIRkQ60r9W-UJYCK2VSeMOO0Qy_zxZAvMtTt9QcnkdZNitoI/s320/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+055.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div> Care to go for a ride? </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9fWjVmylmZmMdcE1CkEsk2et3dXimN6LC_YWvI8HuonO9HwNlblYl2bTcbiCBGXbKbt-hJ8sGWBPKKBBQ6legF7HWHdCOE4s5Z1pNaL-x5dpj5ITrmTZhyphenhyphentU9X4fwXpXMTHBuCiejnk/s1600/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+066.JPG"></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9fWjVmylmZmMdcE1CkEsk2et3dXimN6LC_YWvI8HuonO9HwNlblYl2bTcbiCBGXbKbt-hJ8sGWBPKKBBQ6legF7HWHdCOE4s5Z1pNaL-x5dpj5ITrmTZhyphenhyphentU9X4fwXpXMTHBuCiejnk/s1600/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+066.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 318px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467220220840054546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9fWjVmylmZmMdcE1CkEsk2et3dXimN6LC_YWvI8HuonO9HwNlblYl2bTcbiCBGXbKbt-hJ8sGWBPKKBBQ6legF7HWHdCOE4s5Z1pNaL-x5dpj5ITrmTZhyphenhyphentU9X4fwXpXMTHBuCiejnk/s320/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+066.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9fWjVmylmZmMdcE1CkEsk2et3dXimN6LC_YWvI8HuonO9HwNlblYl2bTcbiCBGXbKbt-hJ8sGWBPKKBBQ6legF7HWHdCOE4s5Z1pNaL-x5dpj5ITrmTZhyphenhyphentU9X4fwXpXMTHBuCiejnk/s1600/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+066.JPG"></a></div><div> The hotel restaraunt had a special menu made up for the event...I, of course, had to have the Frankenstein Burger. </div><div> </div><div> Besides the celebs, hearses, and food, there were dealers selling t-shirts, books, DVDs, jewelry, clothes, CDs, and there was even a tattoo artist present. Among the treasures I took home : a mini-poster of <em>Dawn of the Dead</em>, signed by George Romero, a DVD of <em>Tromeo and Juliet </em>signed by Debbie Rochon, and a t-shirt from the Rue Morgue magazine booth (the best magazine about horror in culture, in my not-so-humble opionion). There were also showings of various films, but since I was only there for the day, I passed on the viewings this time around. Maybe next year! </div><div> </div><div> TFW was fun, and money and time willing, I may just go for the whole weekend next year. I'll definately be back in some way or another. If you're into horror, check oit out next year...so says the Beast.</div></div></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-82532755722983257052010-05-02T18:20:00.001-07:002010-05-02T18:53:33.542-07:00Texas Frightmare Weekend Pt. 1<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQAJuOigp2TAvmTm5x1-rdNlHLP-8amTfe7erktxCFcWbUIWWEXJh4qxvJAp2MfNZqVLYeFiHVwrHUmLIP76TXZk2G_btgtcywx9wndCUs4wC0UNNKjFIZqoiK_FRqmbZiX-r8OhdTqA/s1600/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+022.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466848485298086114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQAJuOigp2TAvmTm5x1-rdNlHLP-8amTfe7erktxCFcWbUIWWEXJh4qxvJAp2MfNZqVLYeFiHVwrHUmLIP76TXZk2G_btgtcywx9wndCUs4wC0UNNKjFIZqoiK_FRqmbZiX-r8OhdTqA/s320/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+022.JPG" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div> Texas Frightmare Weekend was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Dallas this weekend. I went on Saturday. It was the first horror convention (or any kind of convention) I've attended, and it was a blast. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div> Here, the Zombie Walk participants close in on the hotel. </div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejdFvt9AMgaUJ5v4dM9tlgdDo8mcWwAd2HnUSmk9raxlJbEcBl-ZkY6_3enrmV-uBZ8Xt6p4II7l2BRQjAeWt92ziouhoyuVx5dvbYE55Je7u7HvPNuRwSZW1D_51BSIkFWx7lcRXfAk/s1600/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+025.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466849489532272434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejdFvt9AMgaUJ5v4dM9tlgdDo8mcWwAd2HnUSmk9raxlJbEcBl-ZkY6_3enrmV-uBZ8Xt6p4II7l2BRQjAeWt92ziouhoyuVx5dvbYE55Je7u7HvPNuRwSZW1D_51BSIkFWx7lcRXfAk/s320/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+025.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>They're getting closer....</div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTA-4l-1geQ3l0dmHiHjLqf-GD7uS4IpY0lFFZMyYA9KeXY3YnIcG0hk-Hcy6Ug0YosI7lD7xmLXNk-7MDqQHendap8e5PzObirM0pSCsENsn1e3v8hqOrC8EtKAfyfK4gsZXeNqNMRE/s1600/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+068.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466852133571182370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTA-4l-1geQ3l0dmHiHjLqf-GD7uS4IpY0lFFZMyYA9KeXY3YnIcG0hk-Hcy6Ug0YosI7lD7xmLXNk-7MDqQHendap8e5PzObirM0pSCsENsn1e3v8hqOrC8EtKAfyfK4gsZXeNqNMRE/s320/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+068.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div> Kim and I got to meet Elvira (Cassandra Peterson). She was nice, and she still looks great.<br /><br /></div><div><br /> </div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF19Y_S4-zJzML9nR88k1G0abGE2fnnzWePakyaekeVCbN_nRWoRgzxMMa9gbNiMe8r_5v_U9XKs-LKFy1QywvlVMJ_PzWZeMe6XEFrwWkdVAEiG_EhOtrgVYJLQ2RZNGFX5coKh8eQPQ/s1600/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+039.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466850870802117666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF19Y_S4-zJzML9nR88k1G0abGE2fnnzWePakyaekeVCbN_nRWoRgzxMMa9gbNiMe8r_5v_U9XKs-LKFy1QywvlVMJ_PzWZeMe6XEFrwWkdVAEiG_EhOtrgVYJLQ2RZNGFX5coKh8eQPQ/s320/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+039.JPG" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div> George Romero, the man behind <em>Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, Land of the Dead, Creepshow, </em>and many others. Meeting him was a highlight of the show for me.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlNXCnTi5x8f0gR_FK9anDIxPTCIeXCY4KwpjoC6tYx5UQ46XF0dYPS92vZS-dLoENSN6tAWYYoYvfxUHYKIMWOoWSTsvSE6JVJ4pQegYHXKK7k2RxEX-ZUQF2GMFyj41tqOVgN5fIy0/s1600/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+045.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466853528187723314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlNXCnTi5x8f0gR_FK9anDIxPTCIeXCY4KwpjoC6tYx5UQ46XF0dYPS92vZS-dLoENSN6tAWYYoYvfxUHYKIMWOoWSTsvSE6JVJ4pQegYHXKK7k2RxEX-ZUQF2GMFyj41tqOVgN5fIy0/s320/Texas+Frightmare+Weekend+and+misc+045.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div><br /> Me with Debbie Rochon ( <em>Tromeo and Juliet, Terror Firmer, Colour</em><em> From The Dark, The Good </em>S<em>isters, etc.</em>). Debbie is not only a fine actress and a beautiful woman, but she's also a very nice person. Meeting her in person was very cool.<em> </em><br /></div><div></div></div><div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div> More pictures and creepy stuff to come...<br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-13851527114906621302010-04-30T19:52:00.000-07:002010-04-30T19:57:04.786-07:00Yeti Dog Theater<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FFmycVGJpNPmjCTb0KqNCscYO6pUPcNMxJFwD9cUi_JIAjD-vAyfF2pTHhqAeDMz7KE0Cm7FbKT9WB3DU5rZiYBUrdRyqnSoO0DL0Y_hYkCa16SyG02cCayNRusrTVht0a1lLS_nKAo/s1600/Misc+003.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466129459400688578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FFmycVGJpNPmjCTb0KqNCscYO6pUPcNMxJFwD9cUi_JIAjD-vAyfF2pTHhqAeDMz7KE0Cm7FbKT9WB3DU5rZiYBUrdRyqnSoO0DL0Y_hYkCa16SyG02cCayNRusrTVht0a1lLS_nKAo/s320/Misc+003.JPG" /></a><br /><div>This week: Yeti Dog vs Petshop Frog, starring Magni as Yeti Dog. </div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-44057353070312864122010-04-30T19:43:00.000-07:002010-04-30T19:48:40.935-07:00Hey<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcFgg2PNENHgoTzNuG7E4vVgZPHVydWyUWJtCRwaegMzLOGFa0MHJN6gWct0LPlMaacV5BA0113gVzIV13_hKmn-CLa_5n8OHe0rtkQta4hmc-6WYuWfB1fMH_aZUMck_csgqtFwjPcM/s1600/Leif+172.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466127981305770642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcFgg2PNENHgoTzNuG7E4vVgZPHVydWyUWJtCRwaegMzLOGFa0MHJN6gWct0LPlMaacV5BA0113gVzIV13_hKmn-CLa_5n8OHe0rtkQta4hmc-6WYuWfB1fMH_aZUMck_csgqtFwjPcM/s320/Leif+172.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Just wanted to touch base with you all out there in Blogland. I know I haven't been posting much, but I'm going to make an effort to do so more often. Tomorrow I'll be attending the Texas Frightmare Weekend, so I'll most likely have lots of pics to post, if nothing else. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Hope you're all doing well out there. Take care!</div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-11447036130812081002010-03-25T19:42:00.000-07:002010-03-25T20:30:52.897-07:00The Beast's DVD Cave- Lo (2008)<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenpEIeJEjtzNrqWbMcWqPW04-FMfdqtITROYo0IIsWJMdalmyNcf5BO8DEBGoVAYiaJ6ejH_feY-i3qmH4hZ0Nb4Fnuk2n0Ag9hZhiR0o5G2FXbBS4oZO6DH75_jU0Sl_VdlDEBdU0wA/s1600/lo3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452768812954452722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenpEIeJEjtzNrqWbMcWqPW04-FMfdqtITROYo0IIsWJMdalmyNcf5BO8DEBGoVAYiaJ6ejH_feY-i3qmH4hZ0Nb4Fnuk2n0Ag9hZhiR0o5G2FXbBS4oZO6DH75_jU0Sl_VdlDEBdU0wA/s320/lo3.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div> A man sits in a darkened room, painting a pentagram which he sits inside of. He follows instructions from a decidedly evil-looking book (which would fit perfectly next to a copy of the Necronomicon). He also has with him a photo of a pretty woman. He follows the instructions in the book, and summons up a demon from the pits of Hell- the demon Lo ( Jeremiah W. Birkett).</div><div> </div><div> This is the beginning of the movie <em>Lo, </em>directed by Travis Betz. It tells the story of Justin (played by Ward Roberts), the guy in the pentagram. He's summoned Lo because the love of his life, April ( Sarah Lassez), has been taken away by demons, and he wants her back. Things, however, are not as simple as they seem...trying to get a demon to do your bidding is dicey, especially so for a nerdy fellow like Justin, and if he strays from the protecticve circle, he'll be at Lo's mercy. Will Justin get Lo to do his bidding? Will he be able to outsmart the demon's trickery? Will he get his April back? </div><br /><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MuWv8eEoxvGpnpf6ZoFapQWeP9gftShO4yOxR5qywVvD5m-9m7_HMM63vMmBKa6u1S6bCawrFeJC-H_Z-LJMe3nPNj8eVEbrOTPhwo2_l-zBKN8KXB1AwCAlBC36AnhKimCqvN6_3sk/s1600/lo2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452771164278994210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MuWv8eEoxvGpnpf6ZoFapQWeP9gftShO4yOxR5qywVvD5m-9m7_HMM63vMmBKa6u1S6bCawrFeJC-H_Z-LJMe3nPNj8eVEbrOTPhwo2_l-zBKN8KXB1AwCAlBC36AnhKimCqvN6_3sk/s320/lo2.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div> <em>Lo </em>is a great little film, and calling it 'little' is by no means derogatory in this case. It's a good example for filmmakers(and filmgoers) that shows you can make a fine , entertaining movie with a smaller budget. <em>Lo </em>is by turns creepy, funny, sad, and it illustrates the power of love, and what we'll do in its name. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div> One of the film's strong points is its actors. Roberts does a good job in the role of Justin, nerdy but determined to get back his love. Lassez also gets a gold star for her portrayal of April, a strange, naive , yet charming gal. The real show stealer in my opinion, however, is Birkett as the titular demon. Lo is scary, but he's also a smartass, and has most of the film's funniest lines. He, in true demon fashion, tries not to fullfill Justin's wishes, but it turns out that there's more to him than meets the eye... </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihs3hlxbNqtOwFWZj6TJMabJlB6xnMxWtD6y4b4fwYcGeTI7p1bPzjonFPrg8OtQVpouleC2M3EEEzbIDKniBhTlXmKcBkWxMd5Th0OWlj_-ySv72N431E_7gY_53uiv4dvpIOIhuzaE8/s1600/lo4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452775842716908530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihs3hlxbNqtOwFWZj6TJMabJlB6xnMxWtD6y4b4fwYcGeTI7p1bPzjonFPrg8OtQVpouleC2M3EEEzbIDKniBhTlXmKcBkWxMd5Th0OWlj_-ySv72N431E_7gY_53uiv4dvpIOIhuzaE8/s320/lo4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div> In addition to directing <em>Lo,</em> Betz also wrote and edited the film. There's a lot of cool little touches, such as when Lo pulls memories out of Justin's head to get to know he and April's relationship. Instead of the usual flashback scenes, the memories are played out on a stage like a play, complete with people visible in the wings, and audible audience reactions (there's also a pair of living Comedy/Tragedy masks flanking the stage, which are both humorous and creepy at the same time). There's also a musical number , believe it or not, delivered 50s do-wop style. After seeing <em>Lo, </em>it makes me want to track down Betz's other work, and I'm eagerly awaiting his next film as well.<br /></div><br /><div> As I stated earlier, <em>Lo </em>is a great little film. It has more character, creepiness, and charm than just about any big-bugeted film out there...or any size budget, for that matter. If you want to see a film with horror, humor, love, and a dancing rat-demon, look no further. Go track down a copy and check it out (hint: Netflix has it). The Beast gives it his official seal of approval. Go watch it already!<br /></div><br /><div></div></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-59843540397072171312010-03-11T12:45:00.000-08:002010-03-11T13:41:21.325-08:00The Beast's DVD Cave- Dead Snow<div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnsPKWeq8BIJpiBYmw_pQouAqK1jFQvirS4v_zhIB0gp2nDPLxOIWNJSGjVQgh7iwRsZM93O0vYrfVplYBeAWXREM6kaonkqnq7IDQffbbL4ndwojf8bcMPhCyZBFpi9JfhoUG7UuUQU/s1600-h/dead-snow-poster.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447481553953612994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 216px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnsPKWeq8BIJpiBYmw_pQouAqK1jFQvirS4v_zhIB0gp2nDPLxOIWNJSGjVQgh7iwRsZM93O0vYrfVplYBeAWXREM6kaonkqnq7IDQffbbL4ndwojf8bcMPhCyZBFpi9JfhoUG7UuUQU/s320/dead-snow-poster.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><em> Dead Snow (2009)</em> is just what the doctor ordered. Amidst all the CGI-infested flicks that have come out lately, Norwegian writer/director Tommy Wirkola has delivered a good, fun, splattery zombie movie. And not just any zombies, but Nazi zombies. </div><br /><div> The film starts with some one being pursued through the dark, snowy, Norweigian night by...something. She doesn't get far. The next day we see a group of medical students including Vergard (Lasse Vendal), Hanna (Charlotte Frogner), Martin (Vegar Hoel), and Roy (Stig Frode Henriksen), who are on their way to a remote cabin to enjoy some Winter outdoor fun and some indoor partying. A stranger passing by tells them of the evil that remains since the days of WWII; of a group of Nazis and their treasure. The young students of course write the man off as a loony, but when one of their group who was skiing to the cabin doesn't show, a search is made, and discoveries show that the strange man wasn't full of shit, and the group is in danger by the hands of a group of undead Nazi soldiers. </div><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmpPzrLC5Fl7Cpuwzy58EY0Uv9qQM4iPvMZCBKQcswUEWzi5b0yOorlJUZLtaykuIHyRy_WaynAxqARwYeQVJK5tU3DsEluty9lzfp6ylBNp9ryeHXkmfN12g9TLK8Rcjhva9FoGe2Dw/s1600-h/dead_snow_movie_image__6_.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447485044053296658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 210px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmpPzrLC5Fl7Cpuwzy58EY0Uv9qQM4iPvMZCBKQcswUEWzi5b0yOorlJUZLtaykuIHyRy_WaynAxqARwYeQVJK5tU3DsEluty9lzfp6ylBNp9ryeHXkmfN12g9TLK8Rcjhva9FoGe2Dw/s320/dead_snow_movie_image__6_.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><em> Dead Snow </em>is a film that's very aware of its genre. One of the characters is a film buff, and even wears a t-shirt of Peter Jackson's blood-soaked <em>Braindead(aka Dead Alive), </em>and like Jackson's film,there's a good dose of humor along with the horror. There's the usual young folks partying and trying (and even succeeding) to get laid. There's an <em>Evil Dead</em>-esque scene when two of the students go to a tool shed and arm themselves for the inevitable zombie battle. However, <em>Dead Snow</em> isn't just a rip-off, or a simple love-letter to the genre. It stands on it's own, and though it may owe much to those that have gone before it, it has its own feel and style. </div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibujBGj0KkPKHUp9k9bZjukZl6uKZyun7ASkeLohUzVNZDnnTXk8rvtNt5N3FRlaeET9wG_A69zw2_40jP8rEaG9oetC6Op-7g_Zw2lG4r2p1T-aaAvYOaRJXh_Pm0xLUUg4Br-ewRx50/s1600-h/dead-snow.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447485833058516082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 161px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibujBGj0KkPKHUp9k9bZjukZl6uKZyun7ASkeLohUzVNZDnnTXk8rvtNt5N3FRlaeET9wG_A69zw2_40jP8rEaG9oetC6Op-7g_Zw2lG4r2p1T-aaAvYOaRJXh_Pm0xLUUg4Br-ewRx50/s320/dead-snow.jpg" border="0" /></a> One of the elements that sets <em>Dead Snow </em>apart from other zombie films is the setting. There's quite a few shots of the beautiful snow-covered surroundings, which make an interesting counterpoint to the horror lurking just over the sonw-capped hills. It also reminds me of another Norwegian export, that being the musical genre known as Black Metal. Norwegian bands such as Emperor sing songs about the Norwegian night sky and the majesty of it, but the message is delivered in a brutal fashion. Maybe being in such a cold, beautiful place inspires artists in differing media. At any rate , it does make a nice change from the usual urban, pastoral farmhouse. and island settings usually seen in the zombie genre. </div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhlbLLYgZI5V3gNRBeS6Adb28CZkJYEyZzZwlZc_egdCfnG2Eq7edzk37u5QubF48wWnij8k5X2q2v2oB5YrFOixoE62LV_GtAmjVdh2NGSCpDSLtuvJL9RQ0iWrmq4-gqKKw5eA_1WE/s1600-h/dead-snow-20090609055033188_640w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447487668249748626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhlbLLYgZI5V3gNRBeS6Adb28CZkJYEyZzZwlZc_egdCfnG2Eq7edzk37u5QubF48wWnij8k5X2q2v2oB5YrFOixoE62LV_GtAmjVdh2NGSCpDSLtuvJL9RQ0iWrmq4-gqKKw5eA_1WE/s320/dead-snow-20090609055033188_640w.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div> Nazi zombies have lumbered across the screen before <em>Dead Snow. </em>The 1977 film <em>Shock Waves </em>gave us some creepy aquatic Nazi zombies, along with veteran actor Peter Cushing. There was also the 1966 feature <em>The Frozen Dead, </em>which had Nazi scientists keeping parts of soldiers alive for nefarious reasons. The undead soldiers of <em>Dead Snow </em>are appropriatley scary, especially their leader, whom has a great scene towards the end of the film when our heroes think that the laeder is the only remaining zombie(hint: they're very wrong). </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0g4uGhWVHOPsbIjB78-fotYRU_Ty2cshR4j8Vz_VlwjcLJYL0zqJ5EaR-onXlqIYpR2mtYaseGMlw_lLDzrcU05cTYdtP4CRsKCwcMXtcOxy5r75ju7SLV37-Ko6uz_xliNDnk4i0e-k/s1600-h/DEADS.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447492003166810194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0g4uGhWVHOPsbIjB78-fotYRU_Ty2cshR4j8Vz_VlwjcLJYL0zqJ5EaR-onXlqIYpR2mtYaseGMlw_lLDzrcU05cTYdtP4CRsKCwcMXtcOxy5r75ju7SLV37-Ko6uz_xliNDnk4i0e-k/s320/DEADS.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div> Another nice difference is that the protagonists are characters I actually felt for...I cared about their survival, unlike the idiots populating most horror films. I usually find myself rooting for the 'villian'. There is one scene in particular (which I won't divulge) that is tragic, and it happens on the heels of a run of fun, zombie-killing antics, which makes it all the more horrifying, and brings home the fact that these poor folks aren't playing a game; they're fighting for survival, and death is a very real outcome for them all. </div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03UyMbyTwaRDqWTCS4b6rxECioU6XIxGEe7UDOYtke9tsY7_Le8A-j-pS6ipQs8yrJilGeY0rSJBZbJywu2lMBtwwqPOQx90oBciYN6PG04rBsOzEn_C97c9RiEo4i2-Q-8K2G-Ij08A/s1600-h/DeadSnow21.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447492671113734226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03UyMbyTwaRDqWTCS4b6rxECioU6XIxGEe7UDOYtke9tsY7_Le8A-j-pS6ipQs8yrJilGeY0rSJBZbJywu2lMBtwwqPOQx90oBciYN6PG04rBsOzEn_C97c9RiEo4i2-Q-8K2G-Ij08A/s320/DeadSnow21.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /> All in all, <em>Dead Snow </em>is a damn good film. It's referential without ripping off , it's funny , tragic, bloody, and ridiculous at times. Simply put, it's a great little horror film, and it's just what we horror fans need, not more damn remakes. I tell you, the U.S. horror film product is getting its collective ass kicked by our foriegn friends. Go see it, already. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYDN2U45XI7w-J3Ghd1jhmpMibHZ9S8UiiMvf2GyEO_59nvanZAfm0sKrCqY3l7uWhBeoRbaBqmm1gpLn-gc0EFrJTwUVOvuiK_QAyJKNuyqRQYVL8SCa_41OsLRf2V89Rz5V9hw46sQ/s1600-h/dead-snow-nazis.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447493980908928114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 189px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYDN2U45XI7w-J3Ghd1jhmpMibHZ9S8UiiMvf2GyEO_59nvanZAfm0sKrCqY3l7uWhBeoRbaBqmm1gpLn-gc0EFrJTwUVOvuiK_QAyJKNuyqRQYVL8SCa_41OsLRf2V89Rz5V9hw46sQ/s320/dead-snow-nazis.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div> <em>Now's when a chainsaw would come in handy...</em><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217862533477951700.post-27454639917369745472010-02-11T10:42:00.000-08:002010-02-11T13:12:29.373-08:00The Beast's DVD Cave- Inferno (1980)<div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VFFNJ80N5TbCrq_8OHl9eyAYIjiShHfz89do5dDmHHloKy8gewzDyNxBxXsNIM6sw_0KVKuSfDj9Rkqd8SlhnMTraZp729bvsJ9OMGOpBtPURvTvsyvkrYUcL235kGYd2nZrIKGSIy0/s1600-h/inferno1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437061248456535778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 222px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VFFNJ80N5TbCrq_8OHl9eyAYIjiShHfz89do5dDmHHloKy8gewzDyNxBxXsNIM6sw_0KVKuSfDj9Rkqd8SlhnMTraZp729bvsJ9OMGOpBtPURvTvsyvkrYUcL235kGYd2nZrIKGSIy0/s320/inferno1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /> Rose ( Irene Miracle) is living in New York and researching an old book titled 'The Three Mothers'. It tells of the Mothers, powerful and dark witches, and their houses, built for them by an alchemist, one in Rome, one in Germany, and one in New York. Rose wants to discover the secrets hinted at in the book, but someone wants them to remain secret. Rose's brother Mark ( Leigh McCloskey) gets pulled into the web of secrets and magic, and comes to see his sister, who is missing when he arrives. Will Mark find out his sister's fate? Will he escape death at the hands of the killer lurking about? Can he find the answer to the riddle in the old book in time to solve the mystery, or will he become another victim ? </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><em> Inferno </em>is the second film in the Three Mothers Trilogy directed by Italian Horror maestro Dario Argento, coming out a few years after the first entry, <em>Suspiria (</em>1977). Like the first film, <em>Inferno </em>is an atmospheric film with strange and sometimes surreal touches throughout . The use of colors, partiuclarly red and blue, resembles <em>Suspiria. </em>However,this film is less a fairytale gone wrong than its predecessor...it seems more like an urban gothic horror tale, with its scenes taking place in brownstones and buildings, streets and alleyways. Even a trip to a mailbox at night seems frought with menace...nothing actually happens to Rose as she mails the letter to Mark, but it seems as though something bad easily could (and eventually does). </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQV6hoogXFxVDWEdpp9-c2kXa0-QOLN1s5kPX1VDnHOxiGU5SxUyqKt3C2qRYsUtqF65zsQ6ED2Gw6YOHXSV81PBdUChxluRRq8bzSNbIG73MSmLbQ8IRNdKhrLGx6G02F89Vvd3Q7ow/s1600-h/inferno6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437065612385111666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQV6hoogXFxVDWEdpp9-c2kXa0-QOLN1s5kPX1VDnHOxiGU5SxUyqKt3C2qRYsUtqF65zsQ6ED2Gw6YOHXSV81PBdUChxluRRq8bzSNbIG73MSmLbQ8IRNdKhrLGx6G02F89Vvd3Q7ow/s320/inferno6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em> Inferno </em>is fulled with bizarre setpieces and strange and possibly symbolic images,which is appropriate, since alchemy figures into the story(alchemists often avoided actually writing their works in words, instead using images to symbolize their works and discoveries). One such scene has Rose going down some stairs underneath the building she lives in, and finding a hole in the floor which is filled with water. She drops her keychain into the hole, and has to dive into the watery abyss to retrieve them. Once down the 'rabbit hole', as it were, she discovers an ornate room completely submerged in the water...unfortunately for her, there are also some decomposing bodies floating about down there as well. Rose's brother Mark also goes down into his own 'abyss' later in the film, as he goes beneath the floor of Rose's apartment. Another reoccuring motif is bleeding hands. Sara ( Eleonora Giorgio), Mark's classmate in Rome, cuts her hand as leaves a taxi that drops her off at an old library. Rose cuts her hand on a glass doorknob when trying to escape a shadowy figure pursuing her. These bleeding hands serve as a forshadowing of these characters' dark futures, or perhaps sort of a stigmata-like purpose. </div><br /><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0vX4Qk159hhV2d3USwtur1RkaPfEteVDYSY4TDhGnCzQ02JroT-MYeIyuZyZxhePqagx3GZwrGmg-d1ShrWSOAJiD8kVOlBKZYqJLRVHg8xY4lFUBoYSXFliZGc1SYOh0hq3ECMIdaM/s1600-h/inferno3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437079382115835218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 207px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0vX4Qk159hhV2d3USwtur1RkaPfEteVDYSY4TDhGnCzQ02JroT-MYeIyuZyZxhePqagx3GZwrGmg-d1ShrWSOAJiD8kVOlBKZYqJLRVHg8xY4lFUBoYSXFliZGc1SYOh0hq3ECMIdaM/s320/inferno3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /> Animals also serve as symbols of mystery and magic in <em>Inferno</em>. Cats abound in the film, which makes sense, as cats have always represented magic and witchcraft. Rats also turn up, when the antique dealer whose shop is next door to the mysterious building where Rose lives takes a sack full of cats to drown. The shopkeeper is attacked by rats ( and if you ask me, the fucker deserved it), and then finished of by a malevolent deli worker ( I know how weird that sounds, but this is a weird movie, after all). There are also shots of lizards eating moths which add to the overall creepiness factor. Another creepy touch, though non-animal related, is a scene of the killer's black-gloved hands making a chain of paper dolls, then cutting the heads off. One of my favorite scenes ( which would also appeal to all you book fans out there, I'm sure) isn't that scary initially, but it takes lace in the library Sara goes to. It's an old-school library, with shelves and shelves of books...my first thought was 'I'd love to check that place out.' The visit soon turns sinister, though, when Sara discovers an alchemist's lair in the library( I'd stil love to check out that place).</div><br /><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqCwPWsM01jhxXjONn2CErZt11BgHfcNbbUH1M3PO0b8issiczQBG_13VjOY7gWcHtx7BXuzZlcfpOM0d-u7DY1xWO-F-wpVtkkMAdJYVjB7BHwZE4DFyWZKly6I_m9zGRDGaERHB0vc/s1600-h/inferno4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437088498704290018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 174px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqCwPWsM01jhxXjONn2CErZt11BgHfcNbbUH1M3PO0b8issiczQBG_13VjOY7gWcHtx7BXuzZlcfpOM0d-u7DY1xWO-F-wpVtkkMAdJYVjB7BHwZE4DFyWZKly6I_m9zGRDGaERHB0vc/s320/inferno4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div> Another piece of the puzzle that is <em>Inferno </em>is the soundtrack, which was done by Keith Emerson, of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer fame. It's a combination of rock, jazz, and classical (with appearances by Verdi). It's an odd combo, but it works here. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>What doesn't work for me, and really is my only gripe about <em>Inferno </em>, is the main 'actor', McClosky. He's dull and wooden, and seems like we'd be more at home in a men's wear catalog instead of attempting to act. I find it hard to care about his character's survival while watching the movie, honestly. </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div> Actor choices aside, I really like <em>Inferno.</em> It's artful, violent, mysterious, strange, and magical. It's vintage Argento at his artistic prime. It's a classic, and one of my favorites. Go watch it, already.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_F7KR17qjyRE58vdKrymYIoKfDSXmhMm82MCIM5NwmDrXjhtzfYH4mmMFhO8KpQWqjD3ReHSXLhF4r3cumpS2HFoKhoJPZVXgv370WvJCsXf1ZRO7Y_2ZcjER9wmNC3nJ7JR19JnBrmk/s1600-h/inferno2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437095751988682002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_F7KR17qjyRE58vdKrymYIoKfDSXmhMm82MCIM5NwmDrXjhtzfYH4mmMFhO8KpQWqjD3ReHSXLhF4r3cumpS2HFoKhoJPZVXgv370WvJCsXf1ZRO7Y_2ZcjER9wmNC3nJ7JR19JnBrmk/s320/inferno2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> "<em>The only true mystery is that our very lives are governed by dead people."</em></div></div></div></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.com2