Horror

All posts in the Horror category

The Magnificent Jan Broberg!

Published August 15, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Determined, resilient and daily motivated. No, I am not talking about that mad scientist-wart hog hybrid that has been following me on a daily basis!

I am referring to magnificent actress Jan Broberg (Everwood). Broberg has recently completed a major role in the Maniac remake – and skilled filmmaker Michael Stever has created a small masterpiece/mini-documentary highlighting Broberg’s own violent past and her focused resolve to overcome her history and succeed in the difficult world of entertainment.

Now that you are feeling inspired, be sure to check out Big Gay Horror Fan at http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan —

And until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE!!!

Review: The Vampire’s Witch

Published August 13, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Imagine!! I made a grand discovery about myself while reading Damian Serbu’s richly romantic The Vampire’s Witch. If I ever write a gay horror novel, the title character will be a bike messenger sporting skinned knees and a tattoo of Iggy Pop’s penis on his chest. He’ll follow around a group of feminist punk rockers, led by a snarling Lynn Breedlove type, who would double as supernatural assassins during their off hours.

So, ultimately, I am probably not the best one to judge Serbu’s latest entry into the mythic worlds of the very attractive undead. For The Vampire’s Witch ‘s plotline revolves around a Mika loving, history worshipping twink, propelled into the world of several impossibly beautiful (occasionally murderous) male vampires.

Yet, despite this fact, I gleaned plenty of (heavily panting) enjoyment from Serbu’s very lush world of nocturnal sex and deeply felt otherworldly connections.

After an attack is made upon his life, young witch Jaret Bachmann finds himself drawn into the life of his mysterious and very handsome savior, Anthony. Even the discovery that Anthony is a vampire doesn’t repel Jaret, who is used to the ways of the mysterious magical, and he soon bonds with Anthony and his fellow Vampire Council members. Of course, Jaret and Anthony soon fall in love. Anthony, though, is concerned about converting someone with Jaret’s mystical powers. Even the reassurances of his century old companions do nothing to reassure him and when Jaret needs him most (due to an obsessive ex-boyfriend and the release of a vengeful ghost); Anthony is nowhere to be found.

Importantly, Serbu grants easy access into the world of his characters. The Vampire’s Witch is not only the sequel to his novel Secrets in the Attic but also the latest effort in his popular series called The Vampire’s Angel. But, one need not read any of these previous works to gain full entrance into the goings-on here, a noble feat. Serbu, also, obviously loves his characters and that shows. Even supporting characters like the jolly Brady, Jaret’s best friend, and Darth, Jaret’s beloved dog, emerge with joy and vigor.

Granted, vigilant horror fans will be disappointed that much of the novel’s bloodshed occurs off-page. Still, those who admire the Twilight universe and the work of Anne Rice will rejoice in that fact that Serbu has created a very sexual, totally gay adventure here.

Be sure to find out more about Serbu and The Vampire’s Witch at http://www.damianserbu.com.

Purchase details, exist here, as well: http://www.amazon.com/Vampires-Witch-Book-Angel-ebook/dp/B00DU17V3K/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376418356&sr=1-5&keywords=damian+serbu

Big Gay Horror Fan, meanwhile, is always welcoming fang baring pursuers at http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan!

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

Flashback Weekend Spotlight: Betsy Russell, “Out of Control”

Published August 8, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Big Gay Horror Fan well remembers the thrills and chills of getting trapped on that Ferris Wheel, overlooking the city of Chicago, with his follow Novices of Bloodlust and Pink Leather. I look back, fondly, on those many games of corseted Truth or Dare and hours of Slurpee dunking that we partook in while waiting for our rescue.

Similarly, in the 1984 lensed/1985 released Out of Control, horror seductress Betsy Russell (the Saw series, Cheerleader Camp, Camp Fear) and her friends (played by such pop culture and genre regulars as Sherilyn Fenn, Claudia Udy, Martin Hewitt and Jim Youngs) deal with their boredom, while marooned on a deserted island, by slamming back illegal bottles of vodka and playing strip spin the bottle! Soon, though, a bunch of unshaven bandits descend upon them, effectively ending our teens’ free-for-all fun and sending them down the path of Straw Dogs style vengeance making.

Highlighted by goofy MTV style (New Wave pulsing) video shenanigans and Scooby Doo inspired chase scenes, this silly romp mixes things up by incorporating some pretty intense rape imagery (with homosexual overtones – as the film’s male comic relief character is tied up and threatened with sexual savagery, as well). Russell’s character, meanwhile, is also given a bit more depth than a regular terror film heroine.

Her Chrissie Barret has long been involved with the most popular (and richest) kid at the school. Yet, Barret is not content, as she flirts with other guys and, slowly, begins the process of finding herself. Even as the kids make their escape at the film’s ending, you can tell that Barret is reaching far beyond her previous realms and Russell’s often sad, powerfully confused portrayal adds layers to this (crazily fun) action-teen adventure-revenge film mish-mash.

If you are in the Midwest on August 9th, 10th and 11th (2013), be sure to plan a visit with the always glorious Russell at Chicago’s own terror convention, Flashback Weekend! http://www.flashbackweekend.com

Big Gay Horror Fan, meanwhile, is always escaping from mad pirates at http://www.biggayhorrorfan.com, as well!

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

Official Trailer: Unearthed and Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary!

Published August 7, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

I regret burying my Donny Osmond doll after he become psychotic, as a kid. He came back worse than ever. Even his purple socks had an evil glow.

Of course, this scenario is familiar to all participants and viewers of 1988’s Pet Sematary, that modern cinematic classic based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. Now, rabid fans of this exercise in earthy terror can rejoice with the unveiling of the trailer to Ocean’s Light Production’s documentary on the filming – Unearthed and Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary.

Be sure to keep up with the film’s scalpel wielding progress at https://www.facebook.com/UnearthedandUntold, as well.

Meanwhile, Big Gay Horror Fan is continually donning Denise Crosby drag at http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan, too.

AND — All those in IL and the surrounding areas should stop by Flashback Weekend on August 9, 10 and 11, 2013 for the Pet Sematary reunion featuring Crosby, Mary Lambert, Dale Midkiff, Brad Greenquist and others – http://www.flashbackweekend.com.

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE!!!

Countdown to Carrie: Meg Foster – “Immortal Combat”, “Hidden Fears”!

Published August 6, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

(The Carrie remake will be upon us on October – thus we celebrate the strong women in horror, science fiction and exploitation with Countdown to Carrie!)

Quinn: (Quietly shuddering) God, he was ugly!
Stan: How can you stand it?
Quinn: (Coldly) When I close my eyes…all men are the same. – Immortal Combat

The generously eclectic Meg Foster may be best known to genre fans for her diverse roles in such projects as They Live, Masters of the Universe and Stepfather II – but multiple (often more obscure) projects have benefited from her quiet authority, as well.

In 1993, Foster reunited with (her They Live co-star) Roddy Piper in the karate-action–science fiction-horror-buddy film (are you dizzy yet???!!!) hybrid Immortal Combat (released in 1994). Using soft undercurrents, Foster imbues her evil Quinn will nerve chilling monstrousness. Proving that underplaying is the skilled performer’s greatest asset, she emerges as the prime force, here, despite plenty of gloriously sock-em displays of back flipping, masculine martial arts mayhem.

The same year, Foster proved her amazing versatility by playing a grieving wife and mother in the domestic thriller Hidden Fears. Years after the murder of her husband in a parking lot by two redneck hoods, Foster’s Maureen Dietz learns the identities of his killers. Publically exposing them brings her family and friends into jeopardy’s way, though. As the bodies begin to pile up, Foster-Dietz begins to realize the true source of danger may reside closer to home than she ever could have imagined. Once again, it is the quieter tones that Foster applies here that sparkle with ingenuity (in an often standard script). Her natural connections with skilled co-stars such as Frederic Forrest and Bever-Leigh Banfield are what help make this project rise above the ordinary.

Midwest dwellers can revel in the presence of the delicious Foster on August 9, 10, 11, 2013 at Flashback Weekend, Illinois’ homegrown horror convention!: http://www.flashbackweekend.com.

Big Gay Horror Fan, meanwhile, is always evading the dangerous pursuers of his past at http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan!

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE!!!!

Music to Make Horror Movies By: Julie Brown, “Trapped in the Body of a White Girl”

Published August 4, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

If I had to pick between having a Bloody Birthday or being Trapped in the Body of a White Girl – I think I would definitely pick the former. Murderous tots are so always, no?!?!

Lucky Julie Brown, performer extraordinaire, didn’t have to make that choice. One her of first movie roles was in beloved 1981 slasher Bloody Birthday (see photo above) and Trapped in the Body of a White Girl, her humorous song and the title track on her major label 1987 album, received a bit of airplay on MTV during it’s heyday.

Trapped features plenty of goofy horror and sci-fi imagery, proving once and for all, that Ms. Brown is a girl whom should have a place in every sensitive terror geek’s heart.

Be sure to keep up with all of Brown’s grin worthy activities at http://www.juliebrown.com while Big Gay Horror Fan is consistently fighting off Homecoming Queens with Guns at http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan, as well!

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

Review: An American Ghost Story

Published August 2, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Taking a different tact than recent haunted house epics like The Conjuring, Paranormal Activity and Sinister, the lead character in An American Ghost Story actually knows that there is something going on in the house he moves into. In fact, that is his exact reason for wanting to reside there.

Feeling unfulfilled in his life, wannabe writer Paul Anderson is determined to chronicle his adventures living in a haunted house. So when strange occurrences do start to happen in his new dwelling, he is pleased. His no nonsense girlfriend Stella (a solid, very personable Liesl Kopp) is less than thrilled, though. She becomes even less delighted when Paul quickly grows tired of the mild poltergeist style activities that the two are experiencing and becomes obsessed with meeting the murderous entity that supposedly skitters throughout the rooms of his current abode.

Working with a slow boil from Stephen Twardokus’ very simple yet natural script, director Derek Cole builds some believable tension here. Cole seems to empathize with the character of Anderson, played with effortless understanding by Twardokus, and builds his descent into frustrated ambition with ease. Therefore, those looking for a quieter character study with scare elements, more than an out and out horror film, should find much to enjoy with this work.

Cole does deliver on the fright front, though, skillfully managing to turn a simple bed sheet into an object of deadly menace on more than one occasion – a considerable feat. Even the predictable shock ending, reminiscent (in effect if not execution) of everything from the final moments of I Know What You Did Last Summer to John Carpenter’s The Ward, doesn’t leave a cinematic smudge on what has occurred before it.

An American Ghost Story will be released on DVD on August 20th (2013) from Breaking Glass Pictures.

More information on the project can be gained from http://www.breakingglasspictures.com and http://www.facebook.com/breakingglasspictures.

Big Gay Horror Fan, meanwhile, is decidedly avoiding all unworldly entities in his apartment complex at http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan!

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

Corinne Halbert and Hate Baby!

Published July 30, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Aggressively original, pushing the creative envelope to its limit, eye shockingly fun…No, I am not describing the trio of zombie prostitutes who raised me! Those joyous descriptors pertain to the art of Corinne Halbert.

Therefore, if you haven’t heard of this sexy beast (with a stabbingly unique vision) then Big Gay Horror Fan is putting you on notice! The evocative Halbert recently released her third book in her horror influenced Hate Baby series and it is filled to the brim with sexual mayhem, total un-correct correctness and taboo stretching antics.

Be sure to take a peek at all this trailblazer has to offer at http://www.corinnehalbert.com

Meanwhile, Big Gay Horror Fan – whom always maintains that the only good baby is a hate baby – is forever rocking it at http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan!

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE!!!!

Countdown to Carrie: Tuesday Weld in Pretty Poison!

Published July 30, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

I’m actually pretty leery about a lot of things – for instance, that day old meat-loaf floating around the hallway of my building – or my “friends”, those budding sister-musicians who alternate between their flat and sharp notes with alarming accuracy and… that Carrie re-imagining that is hitting the theaters this October 18th. I am pretty leery of that.

But – if you go with the thought that a blood-shot cinematic adventure with a strong female lead is always good cause for celebration then, in anticipation of this fall’s opening of Kimberly Pierce’s re-imagining, the new BGHF feature “Countdown to Carrie” will focus on strong woman in horror and exploitation films. Let’s begin with the underrated Tuesday Weld!

She was one of the most photogenic lasses of the late 50’s and 60’s and while her life was full of pout worthy conflict and critical acclaim (including a 1978 Oscar nomination for Looking for Mr. Goodbar), the divine Weld never quite made it to the cinematic majors. This may have been due to her own reported reluctance to success or just the fickle nature of Hollywood but – as Sue Ann in 1968’s Pretty Poison, Weld gives a performance that simply shimmers with evil and delightful malice. It’s a masterwork of psychological horror and all the more impressive considering that her co-star is Norman Bates, himself, Mr. Anthony Perkins.

In fact, director Noel Black wisely plays on the assumption that audiences are going to predict that it is Perkins, playing a socially awkward arsonist who develops a fascination with Weld’s small town girl, whom is the primary antagonist here. But midway through the film, viewers realize without a doubt that it is Weld’s pretty Sue Ann whom is the true demon in disguise. Weld’s work is brilliantly go-for-broke and the fact that her Sue Ann is not recognized as one of cinema’s most significant villainesses is a true mystery.

Be sure to take a look at some of the finest of Weld’s cheesecake ridden starlet poses here, as well:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/leonoraepstein/19-dreamy-photos-of-forgotten-style-icon-tuesday-weld

Be sure to check me out at www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan, too, and to check back for more female horror awesomeness, here, as we Countdown to Carrie!

Music to Make Horror Films By: Janelle Monae’s Dance Apocalyptic!

Published July 28, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Ignore the zombie werewolf. Don’t take the razor blade cocktail from that mysterious stranger in the dilapidated bar. All of those are little (often helpful) chunklets of advice Big Gay Horror Fan has received over the years. But to dance in the face of utter destruction as recommended by uncommonly brilliant performer Janelle Monáe– well that border lines on the cusp of pure brilliance!

Monáe’s old school girl group celebration, Dance Apocalyptic, features locusts, zombies and leather clad-motor cycling doom mongers. So, what are you waiting for? Check it out, here:

Then be sure to keep up with all of this eclectic singer’s activities at www.jmonae.com.

You can keep it undeadly ‘n’ funky at www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan.com, as well.

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