Film

All posts in the Film category

Tonjia Atomic’s 333: Illuminaughty

Published March 14, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

333

Versatile director-writer-actress Tonjia Atomic is at it again! After helming the wildly anticipated Manos Returns, this multi-hyphenate has co-created 333: Illuminaughty, a short made for the Women in Horror Month 2019 Massive Blood Drive PSA through Horrors of the PNW & Horrors of the PNW VI.

Besides a catchy title and Atomic’s input, this film is notable for the inclusion of Debra Lamb. Late night cable lovers will remember Lamb (Stripped to Kill 2, Evil Spirits, Invisible Maniac) as one of the prime forces of the Scream Queen era. An exotic beauty with a soulful acting style, Lamb has thankfully racked up a number of new credits in the last few years and it is great to see her in action in a project with a strong feminist origin.

You can keep updated about 333 at https://www.facebook.com/333-Illuminaughty-1139324986250064/, as well.

Debra Lamb

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Music to Make Horror Movies By: Ginger Rogers

Published March 10, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

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I don’t know about you, but I believe that everything is just a little bit better with a bit of Ginger sprinkled on it. Of course, in this case, I refer to the glorious Ginger Rogers. This Academy Award winning actress is probably best known for the multiple dance epics that she made with the elegant Fred Astaire. But, ever filled with an eclectic energy, this perky powerhouse actually began her career appearing in a couple of Gothic mystery-thrillers.

thirteenth_guestThe Thirteenth Guest and A Shriek in the Night feature the typical, gutsy work that was the Rogers’ trademark, but as she croons below, follow-up appearances in the terror genre were obviously just not for her!

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Dagger Cast

Published March 8, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

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Stevie Nicks may have celebrated the Edge of Seventeen, but as I stand on the verge of 51, I have to laud Dagger Cast! Initiated by Jared Olsen, one half of edgy production company nite smoke, this podcast looks at horror from the sense of the other. By the celebrating the LGBTQ, Black, Latinx and female (etc. etc…) viewpoint of horror, this podcast aims to reach into the hidden depths of the horror community, gazing far past the straight white gaze that has dominated it for so many years. DC Logo

As my co-host, the dynamic Lindsey Charles (lead singer of The Cell Phones), has often asked of our guests, we want to find out what you, that special and unique force in society, needs from this genre – a genre that can so beautiful express the hopes and fears of outsiders everywhere. Of course, we aim to do this with a sense of fun and irreverent punk rock spirit, as well!

To determine if we’ve succeeded, you can check out our first few episodes at https://soundcloud.com/daggercast.

Meanwhile, more information is available at https://www.facebook.com/daggercast/, as well.

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Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Music to Make Horror Movies By: Nina Mae McKinney

Published March 3, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

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Best known to old school horror and jungle movie fans for playing the revenge fueled Isabelle in 1939’s The Devil’s Daughter, the glorious Nina Mae McKinney was originally supposed to be MGM’s first black female superstar. Despite a glorious debut in King Vidor’s Hallelujah, the prejudice of the time cancelled out McKinney’s obvious appeal. The five year contract with Hollywood’s glossiest studio only led to a few loan out roles and an opportunity to provide the singing voice for Jean Harlow in the musical melodrama Reckless. Nina Devils Daughter 1

 

Thankfully, McKinney’s contribution to that picture is not lost to time.

 

McKinney, who died of a heart attack at the age of 54 in 1967, has been, thankfully, regaled by cinematic historians like Donald Bogle. But one still wishes that her potential could have truly been met. A role playing Harlow’s rival, instead of one behind the scenes, would have truly been a breathtaking addition to her legacy.

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Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Unsung Heroines of Horror: Nina Mae McKinney

Published March 1, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

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She was known as The Black Garbo, but Hollywood in the 1930s wasn’t ready to turn Nina Mae McKinney into a sex symbol. Instead, after a triumphant debut in MGM’s Hallelujah, she was relegated to traditional maid roles and leads in race pictures.

Nina Devil's Daughter 3Nicely for genre fans, those films include the fun, Jamaica produced The Devil’s Daughter and the friskily paced Gun Moll (AKA Gang Busters), in which McKinney displayed her multiple talents as a cabaret singing undercover policewoman.

Meanwhile, as the ruthless Isabelle in TDD, McKinney truly controls the screen with a sense of barely contained fury. Determined to make her half-sister pay for inheriting the property that she has called her own for years, this unjustly neglected performer truly dominates the proceedings.Nina Devil's Daughter 2

Even as the ending of this black and white horror film veers into the safer streams of Mark of the Vampire style red herring mystery, McKinney’s villainess still resonates with real power. A further supporting role in the (Merle Oberon starring) heiress horror Dark Waters may have not given her as much to do, but it does supply an extra layer of shine to her terror strewn crown – proving, without a doubt, that Nina Mae McKinney is one of the major Unsung Heroines of Horror!

Nina Mae McKinney Gun Moll

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Music to Make Horror Movies By: Carole Davis

Published February 24, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

 

Carole Davis Piranha Montage

Supernaturally gorgeous and full of talent, Carole Davis has collaborated with such esteemed musicians as Prince and Nile Rogers. In fact, her work with Rogers culminated in a fun album, Heart of Gold, and a single that was a staple at gay clubs and hip bars across the continents.

Of course, horror fans know this actress-author-musician best as the doomed Jai in James Cameron’s toothy Piranha II: The Spawning. But she also counts the moody apocalyptic drama The Rapture and the Kane Hodder monster fest Project: Metalbeast among her many credits. For those who love the world of terror, that indeed makes us count the divine Ms. Davis as one of those who possess serious money!

Carole Davis album

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Holiday Horror History (Valentines Day) : Dead Men Walk

Published February 15, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

31BEF7EC-BD66-4D7F-8228-EBCFC8ACEF66.jpegDead Men Walk was released on Valentine’s Day in 1943. It features a skilled dual performance from refined terror legend George Zucco. Other significant participants include Frankenstein’s Dwight Frye and under appreciated character actress Fern Emmett, who turned up in many minor roles in the classic Universal horrors. For a poverty row production, there is plenty of misty moodiness and fun vampiric action here. Thus, this easily accessible public domain title is well worth checking out.

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Review: Black Button Eyes’ Evil Dead the Musical

Published February 8, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

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Cheryl Williams is the specter that forever haunts my friend Kirsten. The classic image of that Evil Dead character’s zombiefied face peeking through a crack in the cellar door endlessly chills her. Thus, we have a proud woman of horror being successfully thrilled by another proud woman in horror.

This cycle continues with Black Button Eyes Productions current mounting of Evil Dead the Musical. Enacted by an incredibly talented ensemble of eight, this Midwest event is proudly presided over by actress Caitlin Jackson’s often ecstatic take on Cheryl. Her energy and skill, coincidentally, make this role a true celebration of one of my favorite yearly events, February’s Woman in Horror Month. Jackson’s ability to present multiple shades of one individual in a comedic terror piece proves that the eclecticism and uniqueness of the macabre arts are often most truly presented in a feminine form. Indeed, suffering and the humor needed to overcome certain tragedies are an essential part of her take on this shy, often abused wallflower who finally finds the devilish power within. Cheryl_Possessed_by_the_Demons

Of course, this is a rather heady take on a show that promotes goofy, blood stained shenanigans. Combining plot points from Sam Raimi’s first two Evil Dead films, EDTM finds proud S-Mart employee Ash Williams breaking into a woods strewn cottage with his closest family and friends. The discovery and subsequent reading of a skin stained, rustic book soon finds him surrounded by possessed, tune humming demons. Therefore, even with the help of an accomplished, talkative scholar, Ash may soon find himself dead before dawn!

Nicely, by hiring a diverse ensemble and toning down some of the more obvious frat boy antics of the original material, director Ed Rutherford presents one of the more balanced productions of this beloved and zany show. Jon Beal’s fight choreography presents all sexes in a strong light and the live band, led by Oliver Townsend, gives audience members an immediate, joyful feel for the limb flinging proceedings.

Evil Dead Jordan

But this would all be for naught, perhaps, without the proper take on Ash, a character adored by scare fiends, far and wide. Fortunately, the handsome and charismatic Jordan Dell Harris nails it here. Coming off like Bruce Campbell’s younger doppelganger, Harris sings and dances with charming aplomb. Nicely, he intuitively adds an uncomplicated honesty and heart to Ash’s often over-the-top bravado, succeeding in winning the crowds of people, whom have been rightly flocking to this show, over entirely.

Evil Dead the Musical runs through February 16th at The Pride Arts Center in Chicago. Further information is available at https://www.facebook.com/blackbuttoneyesproductions/.  Tell ‘em Kirsten and Cheryl sent ya!

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Music to Make Horror Movies By: Diahann Carroll

Published January 27, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

diahann carroll

She supported the beleaguered Lindsay Wagner as a supernatural force hunted her in the fun From the Dead of Night. The magnificent Diahann Carroll also excelled as mysterious neighborhood woman in the excellent, haunting Eve’s Bayou, as well.

Thus, it can’t be any surprise then that this consummate performer beguiled talents like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra with her powerful witchcraft.

Those looking for further evidence of her compelling power can find it at the fan run www.diahann-carroll.com, as well.

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Review: Camp Death III in 2D

Published January 24, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

 

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The summer between my freshman and sophomore year of high school, Friday the 13th Part 3 played on HBO on heavy repeat. I watched it every time I could, cementing my love not only for horror but making the slasher film my genre of choice. That Matt Frame’s frequently ridiculous yet often inventive Camp Death III in 2D plays specific homage to that sequel does my slowly rotting heart well.

After convincing his foul mouthed, extremely abrasive uncle to reopen his beleaguered campground as a summer oasis for the physically and mentally handicapped, the eager Todd Boogjumper soon finds his livelihood in jeopardy. Both staff and guests begin meeting their ends in sadistic ways and even his traumatized yet supportive girlfriend Rachel may not be able to help him survive.

Of course, the plot points here play out with sophomoric and excessive humor which is met enthusiastically by Frame’s truly talented cast. The characters do begin to slightly wear out their welcome, consisting more of tics and over the top comedic notions than depth (much like the participants in the Scary Movie series and their ilk), but Frame does surprise with creative chase scenes, unexpected denouements and a sense of professionalism and skill that many independent, low budget horror films lack.camp death 1

Of the cast, Darren Andrichuk belligerently attacks Mel, the aforementioned crusty patriarch, with something bordering on compulsive charm. His foul mouthed tirades such as “Fork fuck my ruby red asshole” are almost astounding in their frequency and originality, providing some of the film’s happiest moments. Meanwhile, Angela Galanopoulos and Dave Peniuk utilize an energetic charm to enliven Rachel and Todd. But it is Chris Allen as Barry, the often bombarded wheelchair bound counselor, who is sure to steal most viewers’ hearts with his honest enthusiasm and refusal to be anything but perky even when Andrichuk’s Mel becomes physically abusive with him. Caroe Sandoval as Mel’s frustrated wife and Katharine Alpa as the most spastically animated of the campers also steal the screen whenever they appear and one wishes, especially in Alpa’s case, that their characters had commanded more plot time.

Naturally, Frame throws in many references to Friday 3 with Rachel’s frequent mentions of a past trauma nicely mirroring the ordeal that Dana Kimmell’s Chris anguishes over in the original. Thoughts of Sleepaway Camp and (even) Scream may enter into the audience’s terror worshipping minds, as well.

Of course, the forthright Mel would have obliterated any of this reviewer’s points with a loud “Fuck your sharing, you fuck-nut asshole!” So, it may be best for you to decide for yourself at https://www.facebook.com/campdeath/.

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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