Wednesday, September 30, 2009

New Header Contest Winner

Time to pick the new header.

From the seven entries I received, I chose:

Blog1

This entry came from Ravyn.

Just loved it the best out of the bunch. Hits on my taste for the macabre and my love of coffee. Sweet!

Thank you & congrats!

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Also received these:

From Super Blogliness!:

Nik1

Also very cool, and includes a few things I like, including Aquaman (the letter A's), a Jack-O-Lantern, Achmed, coffee and more. Very cool, thanks Nik!

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From My Power Is Beyond Your Understanding:

Photobucket

and

Dav2

and

Dav1

Wow - THREE entries!

The first is nice and simple. Sweet! The second is more intense, with Aquaman, V-tek, Halloween, Jason Voorhees, coffee. Wow! And the third is simple, again. All very nice! Thanks Dave!

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From Zacery Nova:

Zac2

and

Zac1

Both very nice and simple. Zac thought the first might be too gory, but I like it. The second was inspired by the film "Arsenic and Old Lace".

Like them both. Thanks, Zac!

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Thanks to all who sent me an entry!

The new header will be in place for tomorrow - the start of HALLOWEEN MONTH!

Here is the Countdown to Halloween kick-off video, from their site:



Hope you enjoy it & check out the Countdown to Halloween site for more blogs filled with Halloween goodness!

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Tuesday, September 29, 2009

A Nightmare on Elm Street remake trailer

So, this hit the web with a bang yesterday:

A Nightmare on Elm Street in HD


Looks good, I suppose. Lots of nods to the original film.

I think Jackie Earle Haley is a great choice for Freddy Krueger. He needs to be different that Robert Englund's Freddy, and it appears he has achieved that.

A Nightmare on Elm Street is due in theaters April 30, 2010.

(via TheHorrorGeek.com and Freddy in Space)

Monday, September 28, 2009

Movie Monday - A Cinematic Potpourri

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Grey Gardens (2009)

[Jessica Lange; Drew Barrymore; Justin Louis; Arye Gross; Ken Howard]

Based on the lives that inspired the Maysles Brothers' classic documentary, this HBO Films drama tells the story of "Big Edie" Beale (Jessica Lange) and her daughter "Little Edie" (Drew Barrymore), who forged a unique bond while living in a ramshackle East Hampton mansion.

Wow. Great film. Lange and Barrymore are superb as Big and Little Edie. And such a bizarre life those two women led.

Great film, recommended indeed!



Official HBO Site for Grey Gardens

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Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins (2009)

[Hayley Kiyoko; Robbie Amell; Kate Melton; Nick Palatas; Frank Welker]

This was a straight-to-TV prequel for the flicks, but with a whole new bunch of actors playing the roles of the Scooby gang. This film shows how the characters all met in high school, how they came to be friends with Scooby and solve mysteries together.

The mystery itself isn't too tough to figure out, plays like a live action version of a Scooby cartoon, really. But it's all in good fun and the actors get really into their roles. Helps make it an enjoyable experience.

Two things, however - One: Scooby here looks a little more cartoon-y than in the previous Scooby live-action movies. The smaller budget must be the reason.

Two: WHY the heck does Fred have DARK hair? Would it have been that hard to pay attention to that little fact? If they really liked the actor chosen for the role, dye his hair! Even light brown would have been closer than black. Even Freddie Prinze, Jr. went blonde in the previous flicks. Nitpicking, but really - they got so many other little details right, why not this one?



Official Site for Scooby Doo! The Mystery Begins

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Clive Barker's The Plague (2006)

[James Van Der Beek; Ivana Milicevic; Brad Hunt; Joshua Close; Dee Wallace]

A strange plague infects all the children of the world, sending them into a ten-year-long comatose state. Suddenly, they all wake up at the same time and are intent on killing everyone alive.

This was a great, creepy flick that ended on a very odd, confusing note. I really don't get what the actual plague itself was all about. Maybe that is the intention, leaving us unsure and unsettled. But, seeing as how this involves Clive Barker, I shouldn't be surprised I am left scratching my head!

Recommended for fans of Barker or of Zombie flicks. Not sure if non-horror fans would dig it.



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Sunday, September 27, 2009

Sunday Funny - Non Sequitur

This week's funny is Non Sequitur by Wiley Miller

Here is a recent strip:


click to enlarge

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Non Sequitur is a strip that offers quite a variety: Sometimes, it is a just a one-off panel, as in the one above. Other times it features the lives of the characters living in Whatchacallit, Maine, including The Pyles (Joe, his daughters Danae and Kate, his mother, waitress Flo and his brother Bob, an attorney), Captain Eddie and Danae's pet horse, Lucy.

Other times the strip highlights the superhero Obviousman; young adventurer Ordinary Basil; Homer, who has been reincarnated over and over again; the French-Canadian Pierre of the North and many more.

An Addams Family-like clan called The Graevsytes will be spotlighted here next week, as part of Halloween Month.

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At the Uclick GoComics Non Sequitur site you can view past strips or contact Wiley Miller about purchasing artwork. To read the bio for Wiley Miller, go to Universal Press Syndicate. To learn more about the strip and its history, view the Wikipedia entry.

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Thursday, September 24, 2009

Theme Thursday - Wild

Wanted to write something creative, but drew a blank.

However, I had my post when I stumbled across this video. All I could think was "WILD!"



How strange and amazing is that? Wild.

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This creation is from Boston Dynamics and is called BigDog.

Here is what they say about it:

BigDog is the alpha male of the Boston Dynamics robots. It is a rough-terrain robot that walks, runs, climbs and carries heavy loads. BigDog is powered by an engine that drives a hydraulic actuation system. BigDog has four legs that are articulated like an animal’s, with compliant elements to absorb shock and recycle energy from one step to the next. BigDog is the size of a large dog or small mule; about 3 feet long, 2.5 feet tall and weighs 240 lbs.

BigDog's on-board computer controls locomotion, servos the legs and handles a variety of sensors. BigDog’s control system keeps it balanced, navigates, and regulates its energetics as conditions vary. Sensors for locomotion include joint position, joint force, ground contact, ground load, a gyroscope, LIDAR and a stereo vision system. Other sensors focus on the internal state of BigDog, monitoring the hydraulic pressure, oil temperature, engine functions, battery charge and others.

In separate tests BigDog runs at 4 mph, climbs slopes up to 35 degrees, walks across rubble, climbs a muddy hiking trail, walks in snow and water, and carries a 340 lb load. BigDog set a world's record for legged vehicles by traveling 12.8 miles without stopping or refueling.

The ultimate goal for BigDog is to develop a robot that can go anywhere people and animals can go. The program is funded by the Tactical Technology Office at DARPA.


I know it's just a robot, but the lack of a head is unnerving to me!

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From Telegraph.co.uk

More Theme Thursday here.

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Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Friday the 13th: The Series Season 3 DVD

Yesterday saw the release of the first-ever DVD set of Friday the 13th: The Series - The Final Season (aka Season 3).



This has been a LONG time coming, since Season 3 premiered 20 years ago next month! For awhile there, I was afraid we weren't going to see this final season released. Just so happy to (almost) have all the episodes of this show on DVD!

I am waiting for my pre-ordered copy to arrive in the mail. Somehow, that isn't right. Shouldn't a PRE-ordered copy arrive AT LEAST on time? Oh well.

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Season 3

If you are looking for some good, late 80s, TV horror fun, pick up your own copy of Season 3. And while you're at it, get Seasons 1 & 2 as well. Heck, there is even a Box Set containing ALL 3 Seasons!

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Dinner With Max Jenke: Epitaph For A Third Season: An Appreciation of Friday the 13th: The Series' Final Year

A review of the Season 3 set.

Check out Curious Goods for all things "Friday the 13th: The Series"

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REMINDER: One week left for my Blog Header Contest! Enter NOW!

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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

"Live this day as if it will be your last."

On a previous post at her blog, Rhonda posted the following quote:

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“Live this day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find tomorrow on the calendars of fools. Forget yesterday's defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow. This is it. Doomsday. All you have. Make it the best day of your year. The saddest words you can ever utter are, 'If I had my life to live over again.' Take the baton, now. Run with it! This is your day! Beginning today, treat everyone you meet, friend or foe, loved one or stranger, as if they were going to be dead at midnight. Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.”

Og Mandino (American Essayist and Psychologist, 1923-1996)

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Wow. I just love that. So many times you can read something and feel inspired to make a change. And it isn't always easy to do that. I just feel like this quote says so much. It speaks to me, I guess, or to that Pollyanna inside me.

Anyway, I love it.

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Monday, September 21, 2009

Movie Monday - Four Variations on Transplants

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In an attempt to tie all four films together for a cool title, the best I could come up with is "transplants". Humor me.

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Awake (2007)

[Hayden Christensen; Jessica Alba; Terrence Howard; Lena Olin]

A rich, young man needs a heart transplant. When a heart is found, he goes into surgery. But where the anesthesia should have rendered him unconscious, he is alert, aware. Awake. And what he hears will change his life forever.

I had a different idea of what this film was going to be. I think I liked it better than I thought I was going to, but I also had some... issues with it, as well. It is hard to explain without giving too much of the film's plot away.

Olin and Alba give good performances, Christensen is too young for the role, however. Would have played better with a more mature leading man.

If you like thriller/mystery type movies, then you might like this one.



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The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)

[Gene Tierney; Rex Harrison; George Sanders; Edna Best; Natalie Wood; Anna Lee]

A widow with a young daughter transplants their life from her in-laws' home to the enchanting, seaside Gull Cottage. Soon enough, she is haunted by the ghost of the previous owner, Captain Gregg. Her life, and his after-life, will never be the same.

I have mentioned this movie before (here), but I watched it again recently, this time with my daughter. She enjoyed it, and I am glad, cause I love it.

The movie is just wonderful, a romantic, atmospheric charmer. Both Tierney and Harrison are superb in their roles, showing strength when needed, and subtle tenderness. They remain true to their characters.

Always recommended.



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MST3K: The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1993)
The Brain That Wouldn't Die (Original Film - 1962)

[Jason Evers; Virginia Leith; Leslie Daniels; Doris Powell]

Another MST3K classic, this is Mike's first episode as the new human on the satellite.

The movie itself is a bizarre sci-fi flick about a doctor who wants to perfect organ and limb transplants. After he is in a car wreck with his fiance, things go downhill. For him, for her and for us.

With the MST3K humor, the experience is hilarious. A great way to spend some time. And possibly the ONLY want to watch this movie without being completely bored.

Recommended for fans of cheesy, B-movies and fans of MST3K!



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The Killing Floor (2007)

[Marc Blucas; Joel Leffert; Shiri Appleby; Jeffrey Carlson; Reiko Aylesworth]

A rich, young literary agent buys a huge a huge, loft-style apartment and transplants his life there. Soon, he feels he is being watched, stalked. He is threatened by a man claiming to be the rightful owner of the place. Soon, his life is spinning out of control. What is going on and who is pulling the strings?

This was a thriller/mystery type flick. Interesting as the premise is, it got a bit confusing. Maybe it was just me, but I felt lost. Sort of like it took one turn too many, maybe. I don't know.

Recommended, if you like puzzling movies, I guess. But you may be left scratching your head, as well.



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Sunday, September 20, 2009

Sunday Funny - Dean's Comic Booth

This week I am featuring a different site: Dean's Comic Booth.

At this site, a comic strip or panel is take and altered, usually in a 'not-safe-for-work' way. I have been searching the site for a few weeks to find one that was remotely re-postable for this blog.

I finally found one that is okay. Creepy and strange, but safe enough.

Here is the original, a Dennis the Menace panel:



Here is the Dean's Comic Booth altered version:



See? Dark and creepy, but I enjoy it.

Never a boring day at Dean's Comic Booth!

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Here is the disclaimer from the site:

This site parodies the comics. All rights are retained by their respective owners. The comics bring great joy to hundreds of people every day, and by making fun of them I hope to increase that joy.

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At the official site you can view the archive, check out Dean's Store or view the Dean's Comic Book Facebook Fan Page.

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Saturday, September 19, 2009

Kristin Chenoweth

Kristin

Kristin Chenoweth first came to my attention on the late, lamented Pushing Daisies. She was a stand-out on that show, and I am amazed that no other show or network has signed her to a starring role of her own. (Although a recurring part on Glee seems like a good start).

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I am not a fan of musicals or Broadway shows, but this performance by Kristin is something amazing. It is almost like she is performing three parts in one.



Just incredible talent there, all in one cute little package.

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My wife always jokes that her "freebie" is the actor Wentworth Miller (Michael Scofield from Prison Break). I think my new "freebie" is Miss Chenoweth.

Happy Saturday!

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Thursday, September 17, 2009

Over the Hill

The old man woke early, as usual. He slowly pulled his heavy frame out of bed and stood upright. He sighed.

Spring was beginning to give way to Summer, he could feel the warmth in the morning air. Work, his life's work, would begin again as well.

He lumbered across the shack he called home. The place was disgusting, but it had always been so. He paid no mind to such things and wasn't about to start this late in the game.

Out the door he went, unsure whether the creaking sound came from the rotting wood or from his weary bones, and not caring.

He stood silent, listening, inhaling and feeling the air. His work wasn't really work, in the basic sense. It was more who he was, why he was. It was instinct. It was his life.

They were coming, and he needed to prepare. Yet, for the first time his simple mind could recall, the journey was daunting. His legs felt huge and heavy. He looked off, past the trees. So far away.

He wanted to be the man his mother always said he was, to live up to her expectations. But he was tired.

The work never ended. No matter how much of himself he put into it, there was always more. More people, more work, more exhaustion.

He plodded, dragging his feet through leaves, slowly making his way forward. It was all he knew.

In his simple way, he thought about how easy it had all become. He had been successful in his work, year after year after year. No one had bested him for so long, he had nearly forgotten what it was like to lose.

Loss. The thought ignited a spark in his small brain.

When he was younger, he had lost, occasionally. Had been out-smarted or out-witted by a few. And the defeats had been tough, demeaning.

But, when he returned from those losses, he always came back stronger, better.

As he ambled up and over the small hill towards the campground, his mother's voice once again rose in his mind: "My special, special boy. You have a gift."

He knew, as much as he knew anything, that what he needed now was not to succeed, but to fail.

It would be painful and he hated the thought of letting them win. But, inevitably, he would be back. Stronger, healthier.

The old man he had become would be gone. Jason Voorhees would rise again.

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I was quite stumped by Theme Thursday this week, until I thought of "over the hill" being sort of the opposite of a previous topic, "beginning". The idea of doing a companion piece for my post on that topic was born.

Check out the other TT participants here.

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Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Tenth Daughter of Memory: DISTANCE

Earlier this month, I wrote about a new blog/project I am part of: The Tenth Daughter of Memory.

The first topic chosen was "And so it begins...", and lo and behold, my post won!

Cool! Thanks to those who voted.

My post was: The Beginning

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The new topic has to be picked by the winner, and I chose:

"Distance"


Painting by Roman Gumanyuk

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To participate, check out The Tenth Daughter of Memory!

It will be more fun with more bloggers joining in. And remember, it doesn't have to be writing, it can be whatever you want it to be!

C'mon... You know you want to!

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Monday, September 14, 2009

Movie Monday - Four Drastically Different Films!

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Phone Booth (2002)

[Colin Farrell; Kiefer Sutherland; Forest Whitaker; Radha Mitchell; Katie Holmes]

Stu answers a phone booth phone call and soon finds his life, and the lives of those around him, are all in danger.

This movie was better than I expected. The premise is a bit 'out there', but hey, it's fiction, right? It was interesting to see how Stu reacted to what was happening to him. And it was cool to see the cop slowly figure out what was going on.

Farrell and Whitaker are great, as usual. And Sutherland was great as the caller. His voice here reminded me somewhat of the actor Ray Wise.

Good flick, recommended if you like tense thriller type films.



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Homicidal (1961)

[Glenn Corbett; Patricia Breslin; Eugenie Leontovich; Alan Bunce; Richard Rust]

A strange young woman, Emily, wants to marry a stranger and then annul the marriage. Soon enough, murder is always on the agenda. Another young woman is happy her brother Warren and their old childhood nanny have come home from an extended stay in Europe. But Emily is also among them, as a companion for the old woman. Just what strange family secrets will be uncovered when all is said and done?

An interesting flick directed by William Castle, this one is unsettling and creepy at times. And that is good for a scary flick! Towards the end of the film, there is a "Fright Break", to give the audience time to prepare for the intense scares ahead. Funny now, but must have been kinda cool back then!

Recommended for fans of older, Psycho-era horror films.

Jump to 6:07 in the video below for "Homicidal"



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Stardust (2007)

[Claire Danes; Charlie Cox; Ian McKellen; Michelle Pfeiffer; Robert De Niro; Sienna Miller]

A young man, with a mysterious heritage he is unaware of, goes on a quest for a fallen star, believing it will prove to the girl he wants that he is worthy. What he finds upon reaching the star, and the adventure that follows, is beyond anything he could have imagined.

This film was recommended to me by a friend, who said that anyone who liked "The Princess Bride" would love this, as well. He was correct. This is a great fantasy tale, but with a wry sense of humor. Fun, exciting - just amazingly wonderful.

The performances are all superb, as is the writing and directing. The effects work well to enhance the story, and not overwhelm it. That is a big plus.

I knew this was written by Neil Gaiman, but I had never read it. I requested a copy from PaperBackSwap, can't wait to read it now.

Highly recommended, for fantasy, fairy tale fans, or just someone looking for a great film.



Neil Gaiman's Official Site - Stardust

Stardust the Movie Official Site

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Kraken: Tentacles of the Deep (2006)

[Charlie O'Connell; Victoria Pratt; Jack Scalia; Kristi Angus; Cory Monteith]

A boy witnesses his parents death by some undersea monster. Flash forward, he is now on a mission to get revenge on their deaths and hooks up with an archaeologist and her crew to find a legendary artifact. Complicating matters is a ruthless millionaire crime boss who also wants the artifact.

Sounds interesting, yes? Wish it played out that way. Seems like these movies are, more and more, following a cookie cutter plot. I picked who was going to die in the beginning of the flick and was proved right. Not much else in the way of surprises or worthwhile plot to speak of.

Ah well, guess they can't all be winners, right Cal? Would take the fun out of it all, I guess.

Recommended for other masochistic monster movie fans only.

Trivia: Kristi Angus, who plays Jenny here, played Adrienne in "Jason X" - she was the one who had her head smashed after Jason dunked it in a vat of liquid nitrogen.



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Sunday, September 13, 2009

Sunday Funny - Zits

This week's strip is Zits, which is written by Jerry Scott and illustrated by Jim Borgman.

Zits revolves around the life of 16-year-old Jeremy Duncan and his family and friends. Teenage life is the main focus of the strip, whether it is how Jeremy views the world or how the world views him and his friends.


click to enlarge

The strip is usually good for a chuckle and, more often than not, has people seeing someone they know (or themselves) in the characters and their exaggerated actions.

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At the official Zits site you can read about the creators, visit the official store or buy books collecting the strips.

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Saturday, September 12, 2009

First Ever 'Caffeinated Joe' Contest!

Okay - here's the low-down:

I want a cool, new header for "Caffeinated Joe" and from what you can see above, my artistic talent is best when kept really simple.

So I am putting this out there for all of you who are artistic. Make one I love and I will use it as the new header for this site.

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As a prize, I will send the winner their choice of:

"Friday the 13th - Uncut - Deluxe Edition" - New and unopened!

-OR-

"Friday the 13th: Part 3 in 3-D - Deluxe Edition" - New and unopened!

-OR-

"Castaways" by Brian Keene - A paperback book, read once, but in almost-new condition!

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Details:

What to use? I want it to say "Caffeinated Joe", somewhere - what else you add is up to you, but I also LOVE coffee (obviously), horror flicks, Halloween, pop culture - Heck, just look through some of my old posts if you need inspiration!

Make sure it fits the size above, more or less. I don't want something that takes up half the screen!

Send me as many entries as you want, but the one I actually use will have to be tasteful, as in no blatant nudity or outrageous gore.

Email it to me HERE by September 30th, 2009.

Make sure to let me know who it is from, with a name or nickname and a link to your site.

I will post the winning header, along with all the entries, on October 1st, the beginning of the month of all things Halloween & horror!

If I don't like ANY, I will stick with my simple stuff. But I will still choose a 'winner', the one I like the best out all submissions. So, SOMEONE will win, whether I use it or not.

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Thanks for reading and thanks to all who participate.

Good luck!

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Friday, September 11, 2009

Trick 'r Treat trailer

Thought about saving this for October, but by then the trailer will be old news. And I really wanted to share it now, anyway.

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Yesterday, Horror Movies and The Horror Geek posted the trailer for the MUCH anticipated DVD release of Trick 'r Treat, a film that has been waiting for a release for two years. Despite this delay, those who have viewed the flick have been very vocal about their love for it. It has even won some awards.

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The synopsis from the official site:

Trick 'r Treat is a collection of creepy stories that mixes fun with fear, candy with poison, and laughter with screams.

In the tradition of Creepshow and Tales from the Crypt comes four interwoven tales set on Halloween night: A high-school principal who moonlights as a vicious serial killer, a young virgin whose quest for that special someone takes a gruesome turn, a group of teens who carries out a cruel prank with disastrous consequences, and a cantankerous old man who battles a mischievous trick-or-treating demon.


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The trailer:



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Okay, I don't know about you, but I think it looks freakin' awesome!

A new classic is just waiting to be discovered and then rewatched, year after year.

I can't wait to get my hands on it!

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The DVD is set to be released on October 6th.

You can pre-order the DVD on Amazon here.

This is the official site for Trick 'r Treat.

Follow Trick 'r Treat on Facebook or Twitter.

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Thursday, September 10, 2009

Theme Thursday - Rhythm

Rhythm

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When it comes to rhythm, me and my bud Fozzie Bear are in the same boat.



A sinking boat.

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Sarah Vaughan shows Fozzie B. and me some real rhythm.



That's class.

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Snap! wants to school us too, even if we almost forgot their song.



We remember it now! Snap!

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Damn! Even freakin' DeBarge has rhythm!



Fozz and I have better hair, though.

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The Jacksons trademarked rhythm, as Janet proves. I am no Jackson.



Not sure about Fozzie.

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Now Gloria is saying the rhythm is pissed and out to get us!



Run, Fozzie, Run!!!

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Wait, Fogelberg wants us to stop and listen to his tune.



Whew... Thanks, Dan. We needed this mellow moment to chillax.

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The Judds are happy to share their rhythm with us.



Fun music from some great pipes!

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Fozzie says this is just worth watching. Okay, Fozz, you humored me, so I shall watch.



Heh! I like it!

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Johnny says he's got rhythm, and he wants us to Get Rhythm, too.



After all those videos, we got rhythm, we got music.

Who can ask for anything more?

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If you DO want more, go to Theme Thursday.

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Fozzie
~~~~~~~ Peace out! ~~~~~~~

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Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Plan 9 from Outer Space & Plan 9 remake

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BloodyDisgusting.com has posted about Plan 9, the proposed Plan 9 from Outer Space remake.

This film was supposed to be released this year, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the original. But monetary issues, I believe, have kept that from happening.

Now set to start filming in April of 2010, the company behind the remake wanted to do something to mark the anniversary this year. So, last night they released what they are calling a 'teaser trailer':

Plan 9 Teaser Trailer from Darkstone Entertainment on Vimeo.



Wow. Honestly... viewing what is in this trailer, I can't say I am excited to see this. Hopefully things will improve when they actually start filming the movie. Damn.

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Darkstone Entertainment, the company in charge of the remake, has Vimeo links up. One of the videos is the original "Plan 9 from Outer Space", and you can watch the whole Ed Wood extravaganza below!

Plan 9 From Outer Space from Darkstone Entertainment on Vimeo.



As a side note, RiffTrax is going to have an encore presentation of their in-theaters riff on "Plan 9 from Outer Space" on October 8th.

If you want a good laugh, GO SEE IT!!! We loved it!


Click here to get more RiffTrax - Plan 9 info.

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Official Plan 9 remake site

Plan 9 remake news

Follow Plan 9 on Twitter, MySpace or Facebook

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And just to be totally geeky:

I set this Plan 9 post to publish at 9:09 AM. On 9/9/09.

Told ya it was geeky.

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Monday, September 7, 2009

Movie Monday - Infestation, The Final Destination & Joan Crawford!

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Infestation (2009)

[Linda Park; Chris Marquette; Brooke Nevin; Ray Wise; E. Quincy Sloan]

A young man, Cooper, is at work, having a not so good day. Suddenly, he wakes up covered in cocoon-like material. Everyone in the office is the same way. Before he can get his wits about him, he is battling a bug that is bigger than most dogs!

With a small group of other survivors, Cooper tries to fight off the bugs while coming up with a way to stop the infestation and invasion of the planet.

This is one of the few new "big, monster, mutant" movies that I liked! It was creepy and had good effects, but didn't take itself super-seriously. The acting from the main leads was good and the characters were real and fun to watch.

I just liked it. Recommended if you like scary, big bug movies.



Infestation Official Site

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The Final Destination (2009)

[Bobby Campo, Shantel VanSanten, Nick Zano, Halye Webb, Mykelti Williamson]

This is the fourth film in the "Final Destination" series, and the first in 3D.

The plot, in a nutshell: A young man has a premonition of a horrible accident at a race track, which results in the deaths of many, including him and his friends. He is able to get a few of the doomed out of the track before the accident does really occur. But death won't give up so easily.

While this one has been doing great at the box office, I don't think it is the best in the franchise. I still prefer the first and second films over this one, even though this film is in 3D. Sure, some of the deaths were wince-inducing, to say the least. But the characters were flat, the actors just dull. Blah. And that can sometimes make all the difference.

Overall, it did what it set out to do, but it could have been much better. I also have to note the run time, 82 minutes. The previews started at 7:00 and by 8:30, the flick itself was over. That is really quick. Can't we get 90+ minutes, at least, for a theatrical movie?

Recommended, if you like the "Final Destination" films.



The Final Destination Official Site

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I Saw What You Did (1965)

[Andi Garrett, Sarah Lane, Sharyl Locke, Joan Crawford]

Three girls, home alone, play phone pranks on random phone numbers. When they inadvertently call a man who has committed a crime, their innocent fun suddenly takes a lethal turn!

This is a pre-slasher scary movie, and an odd one, at that! Directed by William Castle, this has a sort-of Hitchcock vibe. I think it would have been scarier with a less comical-sounding soundtrack. Sometimes the goofy music just does NOT fit the scene.

That said, it's fun and quirky, and even tense occasionally. And you get to see Joan Crawford herself as a really, REALLY desperate-for-a-man woman. Good stuff!

Recommended for classic horror or scary movie fans, even if it is just to see what they were like "back in the day".



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Sunday, September 6, 2009

Sunday Funny - Red and Rover

This week's funny is a syndicated comic called Red and Rover, by Brian Basset.
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Red is a 10-year-old boy whose best friend is his dog, Rover. The two can understand what each other is saying or thinking.

The strip mainly deals with life as it affects these two.

Here is an example:


click to enlarge

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Occasionally seen in the strip is Red's family (his older brother Martin and their parents Carol and Charlie) and Red's friends and neighbors.

Set in the late 60s/early 70s, Red and Rover is a fun, retro, family strip about a simpler time in life.

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The official site is located at Comics.com. Brian Basset also has a blog. There is a Red and Rover Collection for sale. And Basset is also the creator of the comic strip Adam@Home.

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Saturday, September 5, 2009

Good Knight: Clap

Had to share this, which I found via Neatorama, which has partnered with VeryFunnyAds.com, by TBS, to do weekly round ups of odd ads.

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HAH! I love it!

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Friday, September 4, 2009

Theoretical Bull...

Theoretical Bullshit is a YouTube Channel where Scott Clifton posts videos and, in his words, "Thoughts on Religion, Atheism, Philosophy, Morality, and Skepticism."

He is well-spoken and intelligent and gets his point across. I love watching his stuff, mainly because he eloquently says what I am thinking myself.

Here is his latest:



Love it.

Click here to subscribe to Theoretical Bullshit

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Thursday, September 3, 2009

The Beginning

Enough is enough, Pam thought.

She had obeyed her husband's wishes for four long years.

Part of her knew he was right, at least in the beginning. She had been so afraid of anything happening to her precious new baby boy that she had willingly gone along with her husband's very strict, unwavering rule: Never leave the house. She had kept her son inside, always away from prying eyes and gossiping mouths.

They had been four long years. But never lonely. She had her amazing son to fuss over and focus on.

Her husband wasn't really interested in her anymore anyway, nor she in him. He insisted her singular obsession with their boy had ruined their love for one another. But in reality, it was his barely concealed hate of the child that had made her grow to despise the man she had once adored. Their only moments of intimacy came when he was drunk and demanding.

That had resulted in their new baby daughter, who needed attention that Pam just couldn't spare. She knew she had begun to neglect the infant, but the boy just need more love, more time, more patience.

Her husband didn't understand. He said she preferred the boy over everyone else, that she didn't even care about the little girl.

Well, so what? Pam had spat back. Her son had no one else. Certainly not his father, that was for damn sure. So she had to compensate. She had to be not only his mother, but also his father, his friend, his playmate. The truth was, she was his life, and he was hers.

The boy had witnessed this fight between his parents and reacted as he usually did, crying and screaming.

When her husband raised his hand to strike her beautiful boy for the very first time in his life, she snapped. The woman she became in that moment was strong as steel and willing to do whatever it took to defend her helpless little boy.

Her husband's eyes said it all. There was fear there that he had never possessed before. Within an hour, him and their daughter were gone. It was just her and her boy now. The way it should have always been.

To be honest, Pam was relieved. Now she didn't have to worry about the crying baby or her drunk husband demanding any of her time. She could focus solely on her son. Her beautiful boy.

But last night was the past. Today was the future. And she would hide no more.
The walk to the park was uneventful. The few people they passed stared at her child. He was beautiful, she had to admit. A special boy.

At the park, she sat on a bench, like all the other mothers, while her child ran off to play like all the other children. Soon though, there were cries. One by one, the mothers took their children left the park. Odd she thought.

He had climbed up into a swing and was trying to gain momentum. Pam got up from her bench and walked over to push her boy.

He was smiling and happy. This has gone well, she thought, oblivious to the fact that the park was now deserted, save the two of them.

Her mind raced ahead. School, she thought. She would need to sign him up for Kindergarten. She could volunteer to help the teacher, just in case he needed her during the day.

And baseball, too, that would be good for him and his energy. She could help there, too, maybe even coach. She didn't care what the other mothers thought of that.

And then in a year or two, summer camp. She could work there, as well. Anything to make sure her boy was well taken care of.

"Yes, Jason. Mommy wants you to have such a wonderful life. Just like any other little boy."

Pamela Voorhess pushed her son on the swing, and he squealed with delight.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

The Tenth Daughter of Memory

Today I want to highlight a new blog/project I am a part of.

The Tenth Daughter of Memory is a new blog that aims to generate creativity among bloggers, writers and creators of all kinds.

Twice a month, a topic will be posted. Anyone who wishes can then do a post on their own blog using the topic in some way. No rules on what you create, you have total freedom. Writing, pictures, memories, drawings, musings, videos - WHATEVER. Just have it connect with the topic in some way.

There will be a deadline for each topic, and once that deadline is reached, no further submissions will be allowed. Then, all those who want to can read all the posts. But the catch is you have to vote for the blog you like the best out of the lot.

The winner of each topic gets the 'honor' of posting the next topic. And it all begins again.

Hopefully, it will all be fun, creative and interesting.

The first topic went up yesterday, so head on over to The Tenth Daughter of Memory if you want to take part. We look forward to seeing you there!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Spider - A Short Film

My wife and I caught this very short film on FUSE TV the other night, right before watching 1978's "Halloween" again.

It freaked my wife out, but I loved it! Unexpected and shocking, yet well done. It hits just the right notes and wastes no time getting there, coming in under 10 minutes long!

CAUTION: This is not going to be for everyone! If you don't like unnerving, unsettling or shocking movies, this little one might not be for you.

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Remember... You have been warned!



Wasn't that just freakin' great?

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Spider is from 2007 and was written by Nash Edgerton and David Michôd, and directed by Edgerton, who stars as Jack, with Mirrah Foulkes as Jill. It has won a lot of awards, which are well deserved, in my opinion.

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