Horror Crush: JJ North

It's time for another inductee into the hallowed walls of this site's Horror Crush section. And, this time around we have 90s scream queen bombshell: JJ North!

Also known as Janey Jaye North, JJ North was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was raised in New Jersey and got her Bachelor's degree in Motel Management/ Tourism in Montclair State College (nowadays known as Montclair State University). Post winning a beauty contest she made her acting debut in Beauty School (1993), which starred softcore legend Sylvia Kristel. 

She very soon began to appear in exploitation and low budget horror movies. Wherein, North soon made a name for herself amongst genre fans who liked cheap-o horror filled with hot and usually nude babes. I, myself, really knew her best from her appearances in magazines like the legendary Femme Fatales (genuinely one of my favorite magazines of the 90s) and meeting her at Chiller Theatre con (more on that later). So, despite the fact it would take me a good twenty years or so to watch a film of hers, I already had a huge crush on her and considered myself a fan. At the very least, any time she was featured on the cover of the aforementioned rag, I would totally buy a copy.

The first notable project that she worked on, had a major role in, and the first one that really got her major exposure would be Attack of the 60 Foot Centerfold. This sci-fi comedy is a parody of the 1950s sci-fi/ horror comedy Attack of the 50 Foot Woman. In that movie the giantess was played by the gorgeous Allison Hayes. 

JJ plays the title in this one. In it she is a model for skin mags, as the title suggests. Beauty enhancement drugs mutate her and makes her grow, to well, giant sized. Directed by Fred (Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers) Olen Ray it also starred B-movie and adult flick goddess Tammy Parks. And, unlike the original, this flick is said to have nudity a plenty! 

That same year, she appeared in another parody with a quirky title: Vampire Vixens from Venus. This sci-fi/ horror/ comedy has three aliens disguise themselves as hot, human, women to drain the lifeforce off of guys. Like the aforementioned movie, I never saw this one, but I do remember it getting a lot of publicity at conventions and the B-horror movie world in general. 

  

1997 saw her appear in the sci-fi/ horror movie Hybrid. This one takes place after an alien attack in a post apocalyptic world. A group of commandos, both male and female, find shelter in some abdonanded research facility. It is here that they are hunted by some alien/ human hybrid.

Unlike the two aforementioned movies, I never heard about this one. But, I don't think I'm making much of a stretch to guess that this one is heavy, err, influenced by Alien/ Aliens... But, still it has JJ! 

The following year, in 98, saw her appear in one of her most popular movies: Psycho Sisters. A remake of his own movie of the same title, Pete Jacelone's flick once again tells the tale of two gorgeous but psycho sisters (well, I mean it is in the fucking title!), played by JJ North and Theresa Lynn (a scream queen in her own right, at the time), are released from a mental institution. You see before this they were raped and beaten and their sister raped and killed by a group of scumbag guys. Now, free, they kill men who cross their paths always chopping their dicks off. 

While, I enjoyed both movies I think this is the better movie. It improves on the original's pacing. It also tells the story in a more satisfactory manner. It does eliminate the dirtier and more kinky feel of that flick, but I don't thank that is necessarily a bad thing. The black and sometimes campy humor adds to the fun, as does the metal music soundtrack. And, the wild climax kicks a lot of ass. In all, it's a good hybrid of the slasher, rape-revenge, and horror/ comedy sub-genres.

Needless to say, the women are gorgeous! I mean it does have North and Lynn in it, after all. We also get cameos by two other top favorite B-movie babes of mine in Sasha Graham (who nowadays is an author) and Tina Krause (who also starred in the original). There is some topless nudity, of course (the boobs below belong to Ms. North).

I met both North and Lynn at Chiller promoting this movie back in the day. But, I wouldn't actually see it till I bought the Blu-Ray this year. Anyway, this is the only movie of hers that I've seen. But, thanks to con and magazine appearances I was a long time fan, and, as I said earlier, had a crush on her back in the day, Watching this movie reminded me of that and is why this induction happened. 

Her final movie came out in 1999, where she teamed up with one of the greatest scream queens ever, and friend to this website, Debbie Rochon. I've heard about this one but never seen it. Seems like North's role is small in it. Though, having not seen it, I can't really confirm. If you saw it, let me know in the comments section below how she is in it, and how the movie itself is.

And, that's it, as far as her acting career goes really. I have no clue, what she is up to these days. And, since she isn't on the extra features of Psycho Sisters, I'm guessing she wants to stay out of the limelight. Whatever, she is doing, I hope she is happy and well.

JJ North was a popular scream queen for B-horror film buffs in the 90s. Thanks to her roles, scream queen magazine spreads and interviews, and her con appearances, this breathtaking stunner will forever be loved by her fans. It is with great honor that she is an official inductee to Horror Crushes!

Read More

In Memory of Texas Chainsaw's Marilyn Burns and Astarte's Tristessa

This week marked the passing of two very different but nonetheless beautiful and talented blonde ladies: legendary scream queen Marilyn Burns and black metal signer Tristessa. Both, made me unbelievably sad. I will honor then both here.

The lovely Marilyn Burns was born on May 7, 1949 in Erie, Penn. She made her acting debut in her most famous and beloved role that of Sally Hardesty in Tobe Hooper's classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. In that film, she proved to be, along with the original King Kong's Fay Wray, the greatest screamer in the history of horror. Her realistic portrayal of her character in what, to me, is the scariest movie ever made, raised her to icon status.

Other memorable roles she played include playing Linda Kasabian in TV mini-series Helter Skelter, a role in the mediocre sci-fi horror film Future Kill (where is was reunited with fellow TCM cast member Edwin Neil), and cameos in both the awful The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation  and Texas Chainsaw 3D.

She passed away this Tues at age 65 at her home in Houston, Texas. I read this sad news while I was at a live taping of TNA/ Impact wrestling in NYC. I was in state in disbelief. I never had the pleasure of meeting her, but she will forever live my heart and memories, as well as those of all other horror fans, for TCM.

Maria "Tristessa" Kolokouri was the vocalist of Greek black metal band Astarte. She just passed away today due to complications from leukemia. She had been battling it for a very long and difficult time. I, myself, only heard about her condition several months ago. I was deeply saddened to know this. Though, I hoped she would pull through it. When, I got the news this morning via someone commenting me back in response to my hopeful comment on YouTube, I was devastated. I almost cried, quiet frankly.

After all, I was a huge fan of the band. I got into them around 2007 when they released what would be their fifth and final album the awesome Demonized (which I ranked in my on-going best album covers of all time). They were to enter the studio in 2013 to work on their next album Blackdemonuim.

The band's name is named after the goddess of fertility, beauty, and war. I was a huge fan of theirs and really always felt that they were criminally underrated. They had a very unique sound within the black metal world. To me, Tristessa (which means sadness in Spanish) was a black metal goddess; a stunning beauty with a multi-instrutment talent and breathtaking beauty. I absolutely loved her vocals. Even as I write this I am so very sad. I had the picture to the left on my MySpace, back in the day.

Her husband Nick Maiis has released the following statement regarding her passing:

"Maria, she's left from this world.
"You are leaving a lot behind and my soul is in pain.
"You are a special person, you are my wife. I will always adore you, our son and everybody that they love you. I will always honor you and you will never be forgotten.
"Until we meet again, my love, I will kiss you from inside of my soul."

I've had Demonized  one since I turned on my laptop. Here are some choice songs of theirs:

The following song is one of the most beautiful in the history of black metal:

Here Shagrath of Dimmu Borgir joins them for an amazing track off of Sirens:

Here is a KILLER cover of my all time favorite Accept song:

May both these amazing women RIP. They are already so very deeply missed already.

Read More