Music to Make Horror Movies By: Judy Garland

Published August 3, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

Besides her famed enactment of Wizard of Oz’s Dorothy, arguably one of cinema’s first final girls, and a one-off episode of the radio show Suspense (in which she played a threatened waitress), performing powerhouse Judy Garland is not known for works of terror.

But her 1961 cut Sweet Danger takes a slightly frightening look at the powers of love. Featuring a menace of background horns, a la John Barry, this number could have fit perfectly in any number of James Bond seduction scenes.

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

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Review: Claudia Qui

Published August 2, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

Reminiscent of such slow burning 70s pictures as John Hancock’s dreamy Let’s Scare Jessica to Death and (even) the Shirley MacLaine supernatural opus The Possession of Joel Delaney, writer-director Tonjia Atomic’s (55 minute) Claudia Qui is an intriguing, music laden adventure.

After discovering an ancient photo among her personal work files, photographer Claudia (a fine Barbara Burgio) soon begins to exhibit weird behavior. These occurrences are mild, at first, but soon begin to take over her life. As her concerned boyfriend (a very natural Don Ayers) fights to hold onto her, Claudia seems ready to dive, completely, into the characteristics of the mysterious persona that has been haunting her.

Filled with Josh Phenicie’s simple yet beautiful cinematography and some fine editing (including Derrick Carey’s opening and closing title sequences), Atomic allows us to amble through Claudia’s dreams (done with nice black and white photography) and somnambulant waking states. This, ultimately, creates an ending that surprises and compels viewers.

Imbued with an intimate knowledge of the arts scene and a meticulous background score of fine tunes, Claudia Qui is not a film for those who enthuse for the quick kill, but for those who like to dive into the psychological crevices of the very impressionable mind.

Be sure to keep up with all of Atomic’s vibrantly eclectic projects at http://www.tonjiaatomic.com.

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

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(Bad) CGI Fridays: Lost Treasure of the Grand Canyon (2008)

Published August 1, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

Lately, in Chicago, you take your life into your hands just walking to the corner store, at midnight, for your weekly supply of banana pudding ice cream.

Losing my head (over this movie)!

Therefore, it is comforting to know that in the early 20th century, with its head hunting tribes and silver strewn monsters, that the Grand Canyon was just as dangerous! Well, at least, according to the 2008 SyFy epic Lost Treasure of Grand Canyon.

Of course, Quetzalcoatl here looks like a (very computer generated) metallic reject from a Terminator film. In fact, a significant portion of the mountainous regions of Arizona look like they were created by a techie’s hand, as well.

But, the ridiculous premise, some head shredding action and the chance to watch the very contemporary, always hell-raising Shannon Doherty play a very determined yet quaint lass (running around in what looks like a night shirt) definitely imbues this project with a certain dusty charm.

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

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Sally Ann Howes: The (Truly Natural) Queen of Horror!

Published July 31, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

As a kid, actress-singer Sally Ann Howes meant my grandparents’ television soundtrack LP of Brigadoon. For many, of course, she was (the awesomely named) Truly Scrumptious from kiddy classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. (Chitty, of course, featured one of the most menacing figures of tiny tot horror, Robert Helpmann’s truly malevolent Child Catcher.)

But Howes has a pretty impressive terror pedigree, as well. Significantly, she played (naturally enough) a girl named Sally in the classic 1945 British anthology feature Dead of Night. Perkily, Howes recounts Sally’s tale of a supernatural encounter at a holiday party at a swanky mansion. But Howes, also, nails her character’s bone deep fright upon discovering the small boy she, innocently, tucked into bed was actually a ghost. The honest emotion that she brings to this story makes it just as significant a contribution to the film as its most famous tale, the story of an overpowering ventriloquist’s dummy featuring the legendary Michael Redgrave.

Years later, Howes brought a sense of true maternal concern to her role of Margaret Mitchell in 1980’s Death Ship. While no Gone with the Wind, Death Ship features plenty of spooky activity (including blood spurting shower heads and skeleton baths) taking place on a mysteriously drifting vessel, innocently boarded by the survivors of an aquatic wreck.

Howes does spend most of her time, here, either nurturing the actors playing her children or reacting in horror to being accosted by co-star Kate Reid’s bubonic prosthetics and/or George Kennedy’s maddened sea captain. But, her extreme naturalness makes all the extraordinary circumstances of this Nazi-tinged, water bound horror ring with truth, as well.

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

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Tales of Poe (Official Trailer)

Published July 31, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

TOP’s Donaldson (Curtains, Funeral Home)

Dine at the Scream Queen Buffet?!? With appearances by (femme horror film regulars) Debbie Rochon, Adrienne King, Amy Steel, Caroline Williams, Lesleh Donaldson, Susan Adrienson, Amy Lynn Best and Zoe Daelman Chlanda that is exactly what Bart Mastronardi and Alan Rowe Kelly’s upcoming Tales of Poe invites you to do!

…and the official trailer makes the whole shrieking affair look like bloody awesome fun, as well!

Now that you’re heeding the raven’s call, be sure to entomb yourself with all this awesome (literary based) project has to offer at the following sites:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tales-of-Poe and

http://www.talesofpoe.com

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

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Music to Make Horror Movies By: Dennis Weaver

Published July 27, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

Battling down a mysterious truck driving stranger in Duel? Count television maverick Dennis Weaver in! Hitting a high note? H-m-m…maybe not so much!

Yet, like 70s boob tube regulars Chad Everett and Telly Savalas, the late Weaver (who, also, co-starred with Valerie Harper in 1982’s truly spooky Don’t Go To Sleep) cut a number of (probably pretty misguided) albums.

Granted, our Stetson sporting buddy infused his recordings with a cheery folksy vibe that makes them a bit easier to take than Savalas’ monotone talk-sing. ‘sides, everybody likes critters, right?!?

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

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Bad CGI Friday’s: Shark Week (2012)

Published July 25, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

While not nearly as hotly electric as her death in Kick-Ass 2, the unstoppable Yancy Butler has lent some charged pizzaz to such low budget animal-horror-oaters like Rage of the Yeti, Wolvesbayne and the Lake Placid series, of late.

Unfortunately, as the demented mistress of a madman who likes “to watch”, she is the most exciting thing about 2012’s Shark Week, The Asylum’s quick attempt to cash in on Shark Night’s mainstream release. Much of this aquanoid terror is spent watching a group of folks wander around an island (often not even in the water) trying to outwit a variety of murderous fin sporting creatures.

Naturally, the numerous attacks are created using bad CGI effects – often distorted by shaking camera work in a seeming attempt to overcome their obvious weaknesses.

Granted, with a super ridiculous shark-on-a-spear effect and a cat-fight between Butler’s Elena and Erin Coker’s victorious journalist, things do escalate a bit as the film heads into its final half hour.

Besides, what else are you going to be doing with your time? Studying Sharks-speare?

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

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Heiress Horror: Formula for a Murder (1985)

Published July 24, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

Ruth: “I almost envy her. What a way to die, making love.”
Craig: “I know a place where you can watch.”

While they might not all enjoy the terror subgenre of Heiress Horror (wherein a sweet moneyed miss is done wrong so others may gain her fortune), The Society of Disgruntled Altar Boys simply has to enjoy the 1985 rarity Formula For A Murder for another reason. Here, two men of the cloth are, alternately, razored and bludgeoned to death with vicious glee by the film’s cash grubbing antagonist. Note: Never take a donation from amnesia stricken cripple, folks!

Yes, our leading lady here, Joanna (a modestly thoughtful Christina Nagy) is confined to a wheelchair due to being viciously attacked, as a child, by a man impersonating a priest. Now, that the money is coming her way, a proposal from a hunky archery (???) coach falls on her lap. Of course, post-marriage, a morbid case of gas-lighting soon ensues.

Here, though, director/co-screenwriter Alberto de Martino (The Tempter, Blood Link, Contraband) lets you know, fairly quickly, that it is indeed the young woman’s new love (a finely outrageous David Warbeck) and her saucy best friend who are planning her undoing. With her noted weak heart, Craig (Warbeck) plans to fuck Joanna to death!

Of course, strange dreams, betrayals and growing affections alter the course here and soon blood is being spilled in all directions. Even fans of strictly classic cinema should get a (minor) kick out of the proceedings due to the appearance of Rossano Brazzi (South Pacific, The Italian Job, Omen III) as Joanna’s concerned mentor.

Still, more than anything, this is a movie to track down for Warbeck’s blazingly frightful work. Those familiar with his heroic antics in Twins of Evil and The Beyond will be delighted by the frenzied passion he brings to this role. With demonic energy pouring from his eyes, he attacks the landscape (and Nagy) with an over brimming psychosis and scenery chewing panache.

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

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Overview: Terror in the Aisles presents Short Cuts

Published July 22, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

Money was raised (for AIDS charity Vital Bridges), chills were induced and laughter resounded throughout the theatre during Terror in the Aisles’ latest movie event Short Cuts. Taking place at the historic Davis Theatre in Chicago, Short Cuts featured the mini-masterpieces of over a dozen Midwestern filmmakers. Introducing the audience to works of humor, homage and serious horror, this one-of-a-kind event, ultimately, offered up a program that I was truly honored to serve as host of.

Introducing the directors!

With many of the artists on hand to celebrate, each abbreviated feature contained true points of interest. Industrious Tony Wash (Its My Party and I’ll Die If I Want To) even utilized the event to promote his anticipated upcoming compiliation World of Death, featuring many of the selections submitted to last fall’s ABC’s of Death competition. John Pata, coming off the high of his critically acclaimed feature Dead Weight, also, choose Short Cuts as the Chicago premiere site of his latest (poetically macabre) effort Pity.

Clark & Pata chatting

Personal favorites included Red Clark’s fun The Pool. Detailing the comeuppance of a bratty sibling, this charming throwback ends with some nifty camera work and a startling monster reveal. Lowcarbcomedy’s hysterical 4th Rule of Gremlins, meanwhile, offers up a very naughty take on what not to do with everybody’s favorite furry monsters. David Schmidt’s mock trailer for House on Nightmare Lane, also, hit the mark. Here, Schmidt combines the atmosphere of such classic flicks as The Haunting with the acting style of such drive-in favorites as Frankenstein’s Daughter. Overall, it’s like opening the (rusting) gates to a real winner!

Keep up with World of Death at https://www.facebook.com/worldofdeathfilm and Pity at https://www.facebook.com/PityFilm . Lowcarbcomedy rules the roost at http://www.lowcarbcomedy.com and Vital Bridges is always keeping up the good work at http://www.heartlandalliance.org/vital.

Meanwhile, you can keep updated with Terror in the Aisles at https://www.facebook.com/terrorintheaisles and me at http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan.

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

Defending Jaws 4: The Revenge!

Published July 19, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

Frequently, I have been referred to as all wet! While this may certainly be true in some cases, it does not apply when considering the fact that I believe the widely reviled Jaws 4: The Revenge is actually a pretty fun, vaguely feminist romp.

Recently, the distinguished gents of Astro Radio Z (including jocular host Derrick Carey) took a moment to examine their favorite films (including such titles as Firewalker, Staying Alive and Megaforce) that, currently, have a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

You can hear all about them and discover why I think Jaws 4: The Revenge is a perfect 50% at the link, below:

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

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