Fangoria Returns to Forbidden Planet NY!

On January 17, 2019, the second issue of the reborn Fangoria  was being signed at New York City's Forbidden Planet by a variety of people who worked on the issue, much like had been done for the premiere issue back in October of last year. And, like last time, I was on-hand to pick up the issue and get it autographed. I should mention that the cover is super fucking cool and features one of my heroes, Joe Bob Briggs on it!

On hand this time around to sign the issue were:
Phil Nobile Jr.- Editor in Chief
Michael Gingold- Former EIC
Tony Timpone- Former EIC
Ben Kissel- Last Podcast on the Left
Marcus Parks- Last Podcast on the Left
Rich Russell- Cover Effects Artist, Gotham FX
Meredith Graves- MTV, Lead Signer of Punk Band Perfect Pussy
Roman Chimienti- Director of Scream, Queen: My Nightmare on Elm Street
Tyler Jensen- Director of Scream, Queen: My Nightmare on Elm Street
Daniel Robbins- Director of Pledge
Zack Weiner- Screenwriter/ Actor, Pledge
Zachery Byrd- Actor Pledge

I was really happy to see just how long the line was, as many horror fans showed up to support Fango. It was also great to catch up with people I already knew and introduce myself to others. I hope Forbidden Planet keep doing this for every issue of Fango, cause I will keep coming out for all of them! I should also mention that this issue maybe even better than the first one, which is saying a lot!

Below you can see my autographed issue:

Read More

Deep Red Magazine Launch Party at Forbidden Planet NYC

On July, Friday the 13th, 2018, Forbidden Planet NYC celebrated the relaunch of the classic horror magazine, Deep Red! This classic horror magazine was the creation of one Chas. Balun, a legend in the horror community. One of the most beloved writers to ever deal with the genre, Balun knew and loved horror and splatter very deeply. The man knew his gore films and was never afraid to speak his mind, even if the movie he was referring to sucked ass. He was my hero, my biggest influence, both in my love for horror, especially of the extreme variety, and my writing. Without his influence my life, and career, quite frankly would be very different. As such, this relaunch was one of the most exciting things I knew were happening the entire summer! I had to be there and attend.

There was a big list of those that worked on the magazine that were present. They signed copies of the magazine and talked to fans. They were all so so gracious and awesome! After all, they are fans like all of us are and live for and love the same bloody and scary things that we do. 

Those present were: 
Tom Skulan (Publisher)
John Szpunar (Editor-in-chief)
Raz Sanchez (Managing editor and copy writer)
Contributing Writers: Chris Poggiali, Dennis Daniel, Nick Casto, Mike Hunchback, and Art Ettinger
Contributing Artists: Matt Putrid Carr and Eric Rott
Some of them worked on the original Deep Red, others were new blood to the mag. All were cool as fuck!

I got to talk to them about my love and the influence of Chas. I learned that many were influenced by the man, themselves (how can you be a writer into bloody horror movies and not be?!), and of course, some knew the man and had been friends with him. The fact that they liked my Friday the 13th Victims and Survivors tee from Fright-Rags, that I was wearing on that day, was so humbling!

I got the issue signed by all. Simply looking at the glorious cover (which has images inspired by Slugs, Videodrome, and Tenebrae, as well Chas., himself) was enough to make me go all fanboy! The inside is great and having started reading it, I can tell you that it is awesome. It definitely keeps the legend and spirit of Chas. Balun alive!

There is also a glorious hardcover version, that they had on their table and were preparing signed copies of!

This was without a doubt the highlight of my summer, so far. If you are a fan of gory horror, you need to buy and read Deep Red! Here is to its return and the memory of Chas. Balun. And, I am keeping crossing my fingers and hoping that one day, I may have the honor of writing for them.

Read More

MODEL HUNGER Signing at Forbidden Planet NYC 7/13/16

Yesterday, July 13, 2016, there was a signing for the DVD of the just released indie-horror flick Model Hunger at Forbidden Planet in NYC. The movie marks the directorial debut of scream queen legend, the lovely Debbie Rochon.

Among those present for the signing were: Aurelio Voltaire, Carmine Capobianco, Adam Torkel, James Morgart (the movie's writer and producer), Suzi Lorraine, Kaylee Williams, and, of course, Debbie, herself.  

 

It had been a while since I last saw Debbie, which coincidentally was at a signing in the same store (the one for the Fangoria book) a little over a year ago. But, it had been much longer since I last saw Suzi. That was way back at Saturday Nightmares in 2011 (!), where I actually got to do a little interview with her and Debbie, actually.

 

Anyway, I had a blast at the signing and look forward to seeing the movie, finally. I been meaning to do just that ever since I first heard about it. The movie also stars other legendary horror actresses in the form of Lynn Lowry and Tiffany Shepis. I'll review/ share my thoughts on it when I do. Below you will see my signed copy of it, as well as a signed copy of Delirium magazine (bought said mag online,via Full Moon's website, by the way). The issue features on article on this very movie, and Debbie signed it for me. This is an EXCELLENT mag, bought to you by Charles Band and has guys from Fango like Chris Alexander and Michael Gingold working on it.

 

Read More

The 30 Greatest Fangoria Covers of all Time Pt. 1, 30 - 21

The recently released Fangoria Cover to Cover book (the signing of which I attended on Thurs) has made me think about the best covers Fango has had. This three part series has me picking out the very best covers this world renown horror mag has had. The movies or TV shows featured on the cover may range in quality, but the eye catch ability of all of them is why they are here. These are some of the coolest, bloodiest, most beautiful, and, in some cases, even sexy covers the mag has had in its' 35 year run. Let know what you think about my picks! Anyway, let's get this countdown started already!

30. Fangoria #84- Tales from the Crypt- HBO's groundbreaking horror anthology series pops on the cover as the killer Santa takes center stage. This is one of the earliest issues that I ever bought. I think I recall the cover causing some controversy, too. The Ghostbusters II insignia being on the corner is an added bonus, even if the movie itself isn't all that...

29. Fangoria #83- Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th Pt. VII: The New Blood- The best looking Jason Voorhees (the first time the real Jason appeared on the cover, by the way) gets the cover here. This issue which interviewed the first half of the final girls of the slasher franchise is when I started to collect the mag and read it religiously. The combo of their sexy presence and Jason being on the cover made me decide that I NEED to own it!

28. Fangoria #88- Halloween 5:The Revenge of Michael Myers- Yeah, this era of Fango covers was really special to me, cause I was so into reading and collecting it,at this point. This is the best cover featuring Michael Myers by and far, I think. Even if the sequel itself is just OK and the Myers mask is actually one of the worst ones in the series. That fellow slasher icons Freddy and Leatherface are in the side filmstrip are icing on the bloody cake.






27. Fangoria #19- Poltergeist- Tobe Hooper's Steven Spielberg produced classic is featured. That the corpses are said to be real only adds a certain morbid coolness to it.

26. Fangoria #299- Black Swan- A beautiful and eye-catching cover has the psychological horror flick take the main place. I remember that I would stare at this cover every time I saw it for sale at a comic shop or bookstore. 

25. Fangoria #153- The Craft- I remember getting this cover in the mail (I was subcribed back then) and drooling over the girls on it. Especially Fairuza Balk, who I was totally in love with when I was in college. You can say this cover put a spell on me! To paraphrase ZZ Top, they got legs and know how to use them!

24. Fangoria #25- Videodrome- The first gore cover to make this list is from one of the David Cronenberg's finest movies, as a TV barfs some intestines. A cover with guts! Literally!

23. Fangoria #89- Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III- A touching and heartwarming picture of Leatherface and his family adorns this one. You know this proves it. Leatherface is a wonderful uncle!

21. Fangoria #127- The Beyond- Instead of featuring a current a movie, a trend the magazine had kinda slumped in at this point, it goes retro and features Fulci's finest movie. It was being re-released by Tarantino, at the time. The image is of the little zombie girl who gets her brains blown out thanks to a gunshot blast. It's a gore highlight in an ubber-gory classick and as such really stands out amongst Fango covers.

Read More

Rue Morgue #123

 

Much like Fangoria #314, this month's Rue Morgue #123 has the same ad wherein I and several others are quoted for our review of the ass kicking Dear God No!. Being in my all time favorite magazine, horror or otherwise, is fucking awesome!! And, hopefully someday, I'll have an article in this magnificent mag, as well.

As always this issue of Rue Morgue is filled with some truly awesome shit!! First off, the cover, is always the case with them, is cool as hell. The film featured on the cover, The Loved Ones, has been getting a lot of great word of mouth and looks to be a great, sick flick from the land Down Under. 

Also, covered in this issue are:

The Mar Attacks cards (who are coming back a;long with a comic book)- it's really cool to hear one of the people involved with the original, gory, classic card set and his disappointment with the Tim Burton flick based on them. Can't blame him. I always hated that film and wished it was the gorefest it was meant to be!

Lollipop Chainsaw, which happens to be one of my most anticipated games. I hope it's worth all the hype. It certianly is made with the right kind of love, as the cheerleader's outfit says San Romero's Knights. And, it's written by James (Slither) Gunn. Coincidentally, there was a cutie cosplaying as the lead character from the game at Anime Next, a con I went to this Saturday in New Jersey. A pic of her can be found below this:

Plus interviews with Marduk, whose new album The Serpent Sermon is one of the best, if not the best black metal album, I heard this year, so far. And, Garbage Pail Kids style art provided by GPK artist Tom Bunk for the promotional art for grandgore band Cattle Decapitation. Their newest album, Monolith of Inhumanity, is pure brutality!! And, GPK fucking rules so, it's a match made in heaven. Or hell, depending on how you look at it. 

Plus, there's tons more cool articles, reviews, and features in it. So, be sure to pick it up!

Read More

Dear God No! DVD News, Debbie Rochon, and Fangoria #314

 

This weekend I discovered a truly kick ass thing. A quote from my review of the truly awesome Dear God No! is on the ad for the DVD in the current June 2012 issue of Fangoria #314! Other fellow horror bloggers are also quoted. I have to say this made my day. I've had two letter printed in Fango when I was younger, I've had an interview printed in it, and now this! Who knows what's next! 

From the official press release:

ATLANTA – May 17, 2012 – Independent genre label Big World Pictures has announced their first release will be the award winning 70s drive-in tribute DEAR GOD NO! arriving on DVD June 5th, with an arsenal of bonus features that include:

·    Anamorphic 16:9 transfer from Super 16mm Negative

·    Theatrical Trailer

·    Behind the Scenes

·    Zombie Apocalypse Canadian Theatrical Promo

·    Torture Porn Parody Promo for The South Alabama Film Festival

·      Commentary with writer/director James Bickert & composer Richard Davis

·    Commentary with actors Jett Bryant, Madeline Brumby and Shane Morton

·    Still gallery & poster art slideshow from the set, theatrical screenings and film festivals

·    Six hidden Easter eggs

Hailed as an “unapologetic homage to classic grindhouse cinema” by DailyGrindHouse.com, DEAR GOD NO! was shot on Super 16MM film, using equipment from the era, to ensure an authentic throwback to 70’s exploitation films. The film follows outlaw motorcycle gang The Impalers through a murder spree that ends in a home invasion gone terribly wrong when they attack two graduate students, a disgraced Anthropologist and his teenage daughter.  A demonic creature in the woods, a deadly secret in the basement, rivers of blood and abundant nudity add to the surprises that are sure to thrill genre fans. Dear God No! features original music by The 45's, The Biters, The Booze and poster/DVD artwork by The Dude Designs.

DEAR GOD NO! was released theatrically in 2011 to rave reviews from horror enthusiasts and critics as well as festivals, taking home honors that include:

-      Winner Best Exploitation Film – Arizona Underground Film Festival 2011, Tucson, Ariz.

-      Winner Best Exploitation Film – Pollygrind 2011, Las Vegas, Nev.

-      Winner Audience Award Best Feature Film – Pollygrind 2011, Las Vegas, Nev.

-      Winner Audience Award Best Feature Film – Corpsedance International Horror Film Festival 2011, Raleigh, N.C.

-      Winner Audience Award Best Feature Film  – Zinema Zombiefest 2011, Bogota, Colombia

DEAR GOD NO! is Big World Pictures’ signature launching title for a series of films currently  in pre-production appealing to nostalgic collectors yearning to see fun genre trash shot on film.

“We’re looking to produce, unearth and distribute a specific type of film that reminds us of the wonderful American drive-ins of the 70s and 80s. DEAR GOD NO! is the perfect piece of cinema to kick start this venture and usher in a wave of throwback films reminiscent of those we would have seen in a triple feature under the stars with our best girl on a hot summer night,” says Founder James Bickert.

Big World Pictures is currently in pre-production for the forthcoming FRANKENSTEIN CREATED BIKERS and REBEL HELL. The company plans to continue shooting on film with vintage cameras and providing the outrageous entertainment audiences loved from DEAR GOD NO!

“We’re trying to avoid the zombie and paranormal craze and offer audiences an alternative reel of fun retro flicks. We call it suds cinema that leads to a party breaking out with your friends. We’ll be diving into Hicksploitation, Girl Gangs and bringing back the monster suit. Our mission is to make the films we always wanted to see with no compromises and hope they find an audience.”

Preorder the DEAR GOD NO! DVD today on Amazon.com and visit www.deargodnomovie.com for film reviews and additional details.

Getting back to the aforementioned issue of Fango my long time friend, one of the sweetest people in the world, and one of the horror genre's greatest actresses is on the cover: Debbie Rochon!!! I am so happy to see her on it. She deserves all the success she's got. Aside from her good heart and devotion to the genre, she's been through a lot and Lord knows she busts her ass. 

Cheers to you Debbie, my dear friend! 

So, do me, and even more so her, a solid and go pick up this awesome issue, please!

Read More

My First Published Article- Fangoria #307

The new issue of horror magazine Fangoria (#307) features my first ever published article. While, I have been featured on various websites, I have never actually been published. So, this is a very exciting occurrence for me. When, I opened up the issue and saw my name in it, I felt very proud of myself. I grew up reading Fango. It was a major influence on me, and started to develop my love for film and deepened my love for horror movies. So, to be in it is a childhood dream come true. That the cover has Alice Cooper, a man I greatly admire and see as a hero, on one cover, while The Howling (my eleventh favorite movie ever, and my fav werewolf film of all time) is on the other cover, are the icing on the bloody cake.

This article is an interview that I conducted with the beautiful Angelina Armani. It was a pleasure to interview her, as it always is. In the interview she discusses her career, her love of horror movies, and, of course, the horror movie that she is in, the recently released, Chromeskull: Laid to Rest II.

The rest of the issue has more great articles including some must read interviews with Jessica (Suspiria) Harper, Jenny (Near Dark) Wright, Christina (Thriller) Lindberg, Alice Cooper, stuff on The Howling and so much more. This is really an awesome issue! And, I am not just saying that cause I am in it. Trust me, on this!

I hope you guys pick up a copy, and be sure to let me know what you think. You're ideas and words mean a lot to me. And, to those of you who do or did, thank you, so much. Your support means the world to me.

Read More

Happy 100th Issue Rue Morgue!

First and foremost, I realize that Rue Morgue hit 100 issues a month ago, but I only just got pick to pick up the issue this week. So, this is why this blogt is happening now.

I bought my first issue of Rue Morgue back in the 90s. It was their sex and violence issue (I'm sure it so no shock to my readers that I began with that one) with the Toxic Avenger and two hotties on the cover. I really liked it from the get go. I had seen many a magazine try and compete with Fangoria with various degrees of success. But, as I read more and more issues, this mag soon became better than Fango. In fact, Fango would become a bigger and bigger pile of shit. Rue Morgue, on the other hand, became, to me and many others, the number one horror magazine.

It really went and covered all aspects of the genre, and not just upcoming movies (truly sticking to their motto of horror in culture and entertainment). As evident by the fact that video games, cartoons, music, comics, and just about anything else horror related is talked about and covered. The mag is always full of excellent reviews, as well. Fangoria, on the other hand, wallowed in crap, covering any and all films. Shit, it is even guilty of putting crap like New Moon on the fucking cover! And, worst of all, the mag never changed it's look. There is a new editor in charge now, though, so the future does seem brighter for it.

So while, Fangoria looks like shit (get some new graphic designers for chrissakes!) Rue Morgue looks gorgeous! They have some of the best covers of all mags. And, the inside of the magazine also looks stunning. They are infinitely more mature and are even willing to cover horror porn, something Fangoria lacks the fucking balls to do.

Anyway, their 100th issue is a masterpiece! I only started reading this Tuesday (which is when I bought it), and already I love it! It ranks as one of their best. I really like the all black cover. Right now, I am enjoying their look at the last 13 years (the age of the magazine), and they have provided us with in depth essays on video games, the roles of women in horror, the future of DVD (a must read for those wondering about the whole DVD, blu-ray, 3D blu-ray thing), J-horror, and so much more.

There is also an interview with Christopher Lee, articles on the new Hammer, and shitload more, including, of course, all those excellent reviews that I so love.

And, so I am very happy that they have now hit 100 (by the way, issue 101 is available in some places now, with Glenn Danzig on the cover!). Happy 100th Rue Morgue! And, here is to 100 more of THE best horror magazine in the whole fucking world!

----------------
Now playing: Chthonic - Decomposition of the Mother Isle (Aboriginal Gods Enthroned)
via FoxyTunes

Read More