I was joined by accelerator physicist and DECAY writer-director Luke Thompson to discuss physics, CERN, and the experience of making a horror film containing one of our generation’s most thrilling scientific achievements. I am very excited to bring you an extra special 100th episode! You can watch DECAY for free here:

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

In other news, my friend Ken J. Hall just released his Horror Workout with legendary scream queen Linnea Quiggley on DVD! In this 80′s horror spoof of workout videos, we get a look at all the fitness activities necessary for the most wild horror and slasher situations! This release includes new commentary from Linnea and director Kenneth J. Hall, as well as brand new cast and crew interviews! Check it out here: www.horrorworkout.com!

Finally, I want to publicly say goodbye to my dear dog Cheswick. May you run, nap, and lick too many palms in doggie heaven.

Here is a link to the original:

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Well, my good friend Ramie Tateishi recorded his own lounge version of that classic tune! You may remember Ramie from my episode dedicated to King Ghidorah. If you haven’t heard that bit of brilliance, check it out here: Monster Island Resort episode 72.

Ramie sent me his Green Slime cover as a suggestion that it be included as entertainment when the Drive-In Mob takes over the, according to a hilariously elaborate plan. I highly recommend you check out the Foolproof Drive-In Mob Plot to Hijack the TCM Cruise!

Now, listen to Ramie Tateishi’s The Green Slime–the lounge version!

This was a hard week. We also lost the genius Spanish visionary Jess Franco,

Muppet Mother Jane Henson,

and brilliant comics artist Carmine Infantino.

They will all live on forever through the joy they brought to the world. RIP.

Music by Mars Homeworld! Photo by Ary Hernandez!

Both the panel and this discussion were rich and insightful–a great example of how horror can lead to intelligent and thoughtful discourse. Tijuana filmmaker Aaron Soto also joins us.

Remember to join the conversation on Twitter! @MonsterResort

Please enjoy!

My friend Aaron Soto is a filmmaker from Tijuana who is currently working on a book all about the home video era of Mexican cinema, as well as programming for numerous film festivals and coordinating the Mexico edition of the mighty Rue Morgue magazine. He programmed the El Mundo Extraño sidebar of extreme films for the SDLFF and organized the horror panel that I will be a part of, along with KPBS Arts and Culture Reporter Beth Accomando and Rue Morgue founder and president Rodrigo Gudiño, who also has a film at the festival. If you are anywhere near San Diego, you should join us at the FREE panel. Check out more information HERE! It’s going to take place at one of the most exciting new venues in San Diego–the Media Arts Center’s Digital Gym Cinema!

Here is a list of some of the things that are discussed in this episode:
Golden Age of Mexican Cinema
Mexican B Movies
Mexican Films that Played the Drive-In Circuit in the US
The Fall of the Mexican Film Industry and the Rise of Mexploitation
Alarmas Films
Sexy Comedias
The Rise of Video Home and 80s-90s Mexploitation

Notable Films:
The Aztec Mummy Trilogy
Caperucita y Pulgarcito Films
El Momias de Guanajuato
Alucarda
Canoa
Intrepidos Punks
Siete en la Mira
Vialador Infernal
Fuerza Maldita
.38 Expansiva
Reloj de la Muerte
Alarma la Pelicula
Masacre en el rio Tula

Notable names:
Emilio El Indio Fernandez
Rafael Portillo
Alfredo Sanchez
Carlos Enrique Taboada
Alejandro Jodorowsky
Juan Lopez Moctezuma
Felipe Cazals
Aurturo Ripstein
Mario and Fernando Almada
Damian Acosta Esparza
Christian Gonzalez
Luis Alcoriza

So today, that is what we are talking about–horror movies featuring small monsters, dolls, toys, trolls, and small children! We talk about a TON of movies in this one, folks! Even so, I know there are so many more out there, so feel free to contact me with your favorite horror films that feature small antagonists!

By the way, Emily is also a colleague of mine from the Mysterious Order of the Skeleton Suit. Check out the rest of the group here! Enjoy the episode!

Because of her work, and particularly her contemplation about the nature of using terror to reach sublimity, as well as her irrefutable contributions to what has become the horror genre, I’ve decided to honor her first for 2013′s Women in Horror Month! In the episode, I read her essay “On the Supernatural in Poetry.” Also mentioned in this episode is the 19th century actress Sarah Siddons, who also gets mentioned as a woman in horror due to her accomplishments in tragedy.

Sarah Siddons

My friends Hannah Neurotica and Ashlee Blackwell have also initiated their Women in Horror Month Podcast! Give it a listen HERE!

Finally, to support Troma’s endeavor to make their documentary about their own view on Cannes, please donate below! Enjoy the episode!

Debbie Rochon to be honored with Ingrid Pitt Award, Recognizing Excellence and Perseverance in the Horror Genre

 The very first Ingrid Pitt Memorial Award represents a tip of the hat to a horror star- and its recipient is Debbie Rochon.  Much like Pitt in the 1970′s with films “Countess Dracula” and “The Vampire Lovers,” the award acknowledges a person that has supported the horror genre and embraced it overcoming many obstacles, breaking barriers and being a leader in its industry.

Pitt starred in over thirty films. She co-starred with Sir Christopher Lee in the cult original “The Wicker Man” (1973) and “The House that Dripped Blood” (1970). She also starred in Hammer’s “Countess Dracula” and, with Horror legend Peter Cushing, in Hammer’s “The Vampire Lovers.”  She passed away too soon in 2011.  The Ingrid Pitt Memorial Award is presented in conjunction with The Estate of Ingrid Pitt, filmmaker / producer Kevin Sean Michaels and event coordinator Stacy Pippi Hammon.

Currently, a long-form documentary film about Ingrid Pitt’s life and career is being produced by Michaels (“Vampira; The Movie,” “The Wild World of Ted V. Mikels”), which will be a combination of live action and animation with contributions from student animators and renowned professional animators all over world. It will be released in installments. The first installment was called, “Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest,” animated by 10-year-old Perry S. Chen, with storyboards by two-time Academy Award nominee Bill Plympton. The short film qualified for an Academy Award nomination last year in its long-list.

Last October, a film festival in the Old Town Quarter of Hastings, England, UK in memory of Pitt was organized by Ingrid’s husband Tony Rudlin, and The Official Ingrid Pitt Fan Club. It was also the official launch of Ingrid’s novel “Dracula Who…?”, published by Avalard. A “Queen of Horror” was announced, Sarah Bones, who will be the ambassador and host for future events, including an event in the spring in New York. The Ingrid Pitt Memorial is in the series of such tributes.

“I spent five years with Ingrid herself discussing her life’s work and legacy. She was an actor’s actor.” said Michaels. “That meant the most to her. She always felt that her work in genre films was not highlighted enough. She wanted to be remembered as an artist. It’s all about taking risks and new ground. This award honors that memory and its spirit.”

“We are presenting to a horror star, as Ingrid was, to celebrate women in the horror movie genre, keep her memory in our hearts, and to aid further projects to come that have that same energy and positivity,” Michaels added.

Rochon is a veteran actress that has appeared in a multitude of films including “Tromeo and Juliet” (1996), “Terror Firmer” (1999), “American Nightmare” (2002), “HP Lovecraft’s Colour from the Dark” (2009), “The Theatre Bizarre” (2011), “Sick Boy” (2012), and “Rudyard Kipling’s Mark of the Beast” (2012).  2013 will see the release of “Exhumed”, “Wrath of the Crows”, “Solid State”, “Edgar Allen Poe’s The Tell Tale Heart”. 

Rochon also co-hosted the Fangoria Radio Show from 2006 to 2010 with Dee Snider and Tony Timpone, covering horror news in a talk show setting.  Her writing credits include her current column in Fangoria Magazine, “Diary of the Deb”.  She is currently in post production on her feature directorial debut, “Model Hunger” starring Lynn Lowry, Tiffany Shepis and Carmine Capobianco.

“I think there is no doubt whatsoever that an award with such qualifications as the Ingrid Pitt Memorial Award represents should be established by honoring the woman whose name is associated with the very definition of the award’s purpose to a T.  Debbie Rochon is that woman”, said Hammon.

“They both experienced incomprehensible hardships during their childhoods and have a shared passion for their work, both acting in the horror genre and writing”, Hammon added.

“Being honored with such a prestigious accolade is a truly humbling experience. I have long admired and respected the contributions Ingrid Pitt has made to the genre and to be a recipient of an award attached to her name is the highest form of recognition for any woman in this field to achieve”, said Rochon.

The Ingrid Pitt Memorial Award will be presented on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at the Cella Art Gallery, 11135 Weddinton Street, Suite 112, North Hollywood, CA 91601.

The Cella Art Gallery is a contemporary fine art gallery centrally located in the NoHo Arts District that loves to support the independent art and horror communities.

Take a look at that beauty!

Anyway, on to the episode! Please enjoy and remember to follow us on Twitter @MonsterResort and @justinbeahm!

ALSO, stay tuned after our conversation for a brand new interview with none other than John Carpenter–conducted by my housemate Beth Accomando from the CINEMA JUNKIE blog!

Other things in this episode from The Mysterious Order of the Skeleton Suit:

Carol Borden of The Cultural Gutter has kaiju noir short stories in the collection WEIRD NOIR!

Tars Tarkas of TarsTarkas.net sent me Christmas presents! Check them out:

Please enjoy and, once again, happy holidays!

Please enjoy and join in the conversation! Fatal Pictures is on Twitter @FatalPictures, and so am I: @MonsterResort!

American Mary’s Katharine Isabelle (left) and Tristan Risk under heavy prosthetic make-up as Beatress Johnson.

Also, I am once again trying to get donations to help keep The Cultural Gutter’s website writing! Please consider donating just a dollar or five!
 

You can subscribe to The Gorepress Gorecast on iTunes or simply go to Gorepress.com and check out all the stuff they have going on there. Thanks, Sarah!

I also mention in this show that fell Mysterious Order of the Skeleton Suit (MOSS) agent The Cultural Gutter have lost their arts council funding, and are appealing to the masses to keep them afloat. They are brilliant writers and provide great insight about disreputable art like comics, b-movies, and more. Check out their writing (and their BOOK)!       The internet would experience a major loss without their presence, so please click the Gutter-A-GoGo link below and give a stinkin dollar, please! Thank you!

I am bringing Zero Killed to San Diego! It will be the first documentary screened at the Horrible Imaginings Film Festival. Please come watch this film, along with over 40 other short and feature films, on Saturday and Sunday, November 10th and 11th! There is also a gallery of dark art, discount food, and more! TICKETS ARE ONLINE NOW! Please pre-order HERE! Thank you!

Also joining me is Annmari Love, a recipient of aid from The Busted Foundation. It is really lovely that she is lending her voice to help others receive the same aid that she herself has benefited from. What a treat to have her on the show!

The Bowling for Boobies event is coming VERY soon on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21ST! It is happening at Jillian’s on Universal City Walk. Check out their website for more information!

Now, on with the show!

Dobrzelecki, who I have come to know because of his writings on The Blood Sprayer and his Tumblr Fat and Bad at Sports, has always impressed me with his love and enthusiasm for genre art. I would be remiss to accuse filmmakers of the lack of passion for their projects, but Mike’s stands out because it also includes undeniable creativity, comic book sensibilities, wild and manic characters, colorful costumes, and a deep and dirty southern atmosphere that I just love. Please check out the trailer below!

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

The video cannot be shown at the moment. Please try again later.

Strange Jason of 6′+ put together a Stephen King-themed music segment, too! As an extra shout-out, please check out my friends at the Gorepress Gorecast–the UK’s horror podcast! ENJOY!

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Yahoo! Movies just revealed an exclusive still from THE COLLECTION to tease fans for the trailer on Wednesday!

http://movies.yahoo.com/photos/the-collection-stills-slideshow/

https://twitter.com/YahooMovies/status/247806404981837824

A sequel to Marcus Dunstan’s 2009 film The Collector, The Collection continues the story of Arkin (Josh Stewart) after escaping from his fate at the end of the first film. This is a teaser image to get you ready for the trailer release tomorrow.

Filmmaker Mae Catt has made many films featuring her own take on serial killers. She joins me this episode to discuss our fascination with them. I am posting her short films here for your enjoyment. If you like them, please consider sharing or helping fund her next project, which is linked below! Enjoy!

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

See her fundraiser video here and donate here (click the little “KS” burst in the lower corner to go to her page):

And here is a bonus for you! Fritz Lang’s M!

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Cockneys Vs. Zombies
Nightbreed: The Cabal Cut
Hidden in the Woods
V/H/S
[REC]3 Genesis
Stitches
Paura 3D
Under the Bed
Tulpa
Sleep Tight
Sinister
American Mary

Enjoy!

You can watch Stand Up To Cancer Friday, September 7th at 8pm ET/PT on both STARZ and ENCORE.

Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) — a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a 501(c)3 charitable organization — raises funds to hasten the pace of groundbreaking translational research that can get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives. For more information, please go to standup2cancer.org.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

The description via YouTube: The film stars Devanny Pinn (#Hold Your Breath), Britt Griffith (SyFy’s Ghosthunters), Noah Dahl (Bad Teacher), Alexis Iacono (The Penny Dreadful Picture Show), Cleve A Hall (SyFy’s Monster Man), Jessica Cameron (Silent Night), Sarah Nicklin (Beg), Daniel Murawka (American Girls), and Brandon Slagle (Patient Zero) who also directed the film.

The film follows a young woman, Holly (Pinn), why flies from New York City to Los Angeles to follow up on the murders of her abusive father and stepmother by her blind since childhood younger brother Tyler (Dahl). She soon encounters the psychiatrist assigned to treat Tyler, Dr. Owen (Griffith), who seems to have a special connection to a spirit Tyler claims speaks to him, Elizabeth Short – known in lore as THE BLACK DAHLIA (Iacono).

Consumed by vengeance, the spirit of the Dahlia has been playing mindgames with individuals who have experienced great pain in their lives, from Tyler, to Malcolm (Slagle) a man who can speak to the dead by touching objects that were of great importance to them, and now to Holly…

Look for the film to hit the festival circuit, including:

9/15: Scare-A-Con (formerly Scare-A-Cuse) in Syracuse, NY

9/29: MISS MISERY’S DAYS OF TERROR in Sacramento, CA

10/5: RAPTURE HORROR EXPO in Mesa, AZ

11/9: Hollywood & Vine Film Festival in Hollywood, CA

NOTE: The track “Back in Shape” as heard in the end montage of this trailer was composed and performed by Luke Daniel Neumann, and was put in public domain for use as long as credit was given.

(Hollywood, CA and Rome, Italy) Hailed by cinephiles for expertly restoring rare films by influential filmmakers and publishing them with compelling extras, Italian Film Boutique RaroVideo announces horror fan favorite NIGHT OF THE DEVILS restored to its original splendor for the first time ever on DVD and Blu-ray September 25, 2012.

“A surreal, erotic and stylish Italian horror film with unforgettable
imagery and electrifying music…”
Chris Alexander, Editor, FANGORIA MAGAZINE

NIGHT OF THE DEVILS (1972) Italian genre film legend Gianni Garko stars in this terrifying masterpiece of the macabre, based on Tolstoy’s story The Wurdulak, itself previously adapted in Mario Bava’s Black Sabbath. A nameless mentally ill man (Garko) is found wandering in the woods, his mind lost in fever dreams of gruesome, sexual imagery. After admitted into a psychiatric hospital, the man flashes back to his nightmarish encounter with a backwoods family whose dynasty holds a centuries old curse. What follows is a night of unrelenting horror. With music by Giorgio Gaslini, composer of scores from films by Dario Argento and Michelangelo Antonioni and special effects by Carlo Rambaldi known for his special effects on E.T. Atmospheric and gory, NIGHT OF THE DEVILS is a Eurohorror classic not to be missed. RELEASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

RAROVIDEO’S 2012 RELEASE SCHEDULE:
FRANCESCO ROSI’S MANY WARS AGO – OCTOBER
ROBERTO ROSILLINI’S GENERAL DELLA ROVERE – NOVEMBER
THE FERNANDO DI LEO BOX SET VOL. 2 – DECEMBER

Antonioni’s The Vanquished, Fellini’s The Clowns, Pasolini’s The Anger, Live Like A Cop, Die Like A Man, Body Puzzle, Come Have Coffee With Us, The Overcoat, Murder Obsession, The Secret of Dorian Gray, Crime of Love, To Be Twenty, Conversation Piece, The Perfume of the Lady in Black, Plot of Fear, Waves of Lust, Ubaldo Terzani Horror Show and The Fernando di Leo Crime Collection are all available now from RaroVideo U.S.

For any additional information regarding RAROVIDEO including film art or interview requests please contact Christoph Buerger at (323) 868-7611 or christoph@davidlynch.com. If you request this title from me please make a choice between DVD and Blu-ray. Thank you.

NIGHT OF THE DEVILS
Price:                                   $19.98 (DVD) $29.98 (Blu-ray)
Street Date:                            September 25, 2012
Pre-Order Date:                 August 28, 2012
Running time:                   95 minutes
Distributor:                    ENTERTAINMENT ONE
DVD UPC:                                1601801045
Blu-ray UPC:                    1601801047
Language:                       English and Italian with English Subtitles
Rating:                                 NR

NIGHT OF THE DEVILS – SPECIAL FEATURES:
New HD Transfer / Original trailer
Video interview with Chris Alexander, Fangoria Magazine
New and improved English subtitle translation
A fully illustrated booklet on genesis and production of the film
A video interview with composer Giorgio Gaslini

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

CAPTAIN SOLOMON KANE is a brutally efficient 16th Century killing machine. Armed with his signature pistols, cutlass and rapier, he and his men unleash their bloodlust as they fight for England in war after war on all continents.

As the story opens, Kane and his band of pillagers are carving a bloody path through hordes of defenders in an exotic city in northern Africa. But, when Kane decides to attack a mysterious nearby castle to plunder its rumored riches, his mission takes a fateful turn. One by one, Kane’s men are picked off by demonic creatures until he alone is left to face the Devil’s own Reaper — dispatched from the depths of Hell to lay claim to his hopelessly corrupt soul. Though Kane at last manages to escape, he knows that he now must redeem himself by renouncing violence and devoting himself wholly to a life of peace and purity.

His newfound spirituality, however, is quickly put to the ultimate test when he begins his journey across an England ravaged by diabolical human Raiders controlled by a terrifying, masked Overlord. After Kane fails to thwart the brutal slaughter of the Crowthorns, a Puritan family that has befriended him, he vows to find and free their enslaved daughter Meredith — even if it means jeopardizing his own soul by re-embracing his murderous talents for a higher cause. His determined search eventually brings him face to face with his family’s own deadly secrets as he attempts to save Meredith and all of England from the forces of evil.

 SOLOMON KANE will be available on VOD August 24^th and in theaters September 28^th

Director: Michael J. Basset

Starring: James Purefoy, Max von Sydow, Mackenzie Crook and Philip Winchester

Rating: R

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Thanks to Liesel Hanson and Marlon Grace for joining me in some ridiculous chair dancing at the Mojito Bar!

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

The Re-Animator the Musical time lapse was done by my housemate Beth Accomando of Cinema Junkie.

As many of you know, I have taken the show to the United Kingdom for the Fringe Fest in Edinburgh, for ghosts wherever I can get them, and for FrightFest in London. I will be documenting this epic journey (hopefully) in a daily video diary. In Day 1, Beth and I fly here on a delayed flight, get lost in the city, finally meet up with our friends from Re-Animator: The Musical for food and shenanigans, before finally retiring back to our quarters where I have been editing ever since. Enjoy our first video diary!

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

The discussion about practical vs. cgi effects was a requested topic, and I’m glad to have two great artists join me to discuss it. First of all, I have Tyler Ham of HamFX, who has been a digital effects artist on such giants as Iron Man, The Pirates of the Carribean films, and Madagascar. Second, I have Tom Spina of Tom Spina Designs, who does prop design, creation, and restoration. Click on those links to check out some EXCELLENT artwork from both of them! We have a fantastic conversation that I can’t wait for you to hear! (Note: the featured image of this episode is a joke from our discussion.)

We also have Strange Jason of 6′+ laying down some FRANKENSTEIN tunes for you after the discussion! Stick around!

This episode is dedicated to the special effects legend Carlo Rambaldi, who passed away today at the age of 86.

Time for another Storytime edition! This will be the first part of three. Three Ghost Stories, that is. The first of Charles Dickens’s famous triptych of ghost stories is The Signal Man.

Monster Island Resort Storytime is especially suited to ghost stories like this one. I hope you are in a dark room, perhaps lit only with a candle, with a comforting beverage in hand, ready to be regaled with this creepy tale!

After the story, Strange Jason returns with some more spooky songs! These ones are all about that ever popular monster, the ZOMBIE. Joining  him in this episode is a teaser for a might interview with the singer of metal band IMPALER, conducted by the monstrous Dr. Gangrene! Enjoy!

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Based on the groundbreaking video game franchise, SILENT HILL: REVELATION 3D is the sequel to the hit film SILENT HILL, which opened to number one at the U.S. box office and took in nearly $100 million at the worldwide box office.  Featuring an unparalleled horror experience, Konami’s Silent Hill franchise has captivated fans for more than a decade and has spawned a hit comic book series, graphic novels, collectible action figures and numerous soundtracks from rock bands.

In SILENT HILL: REVELATION 3D, Heather Mason (Clemens) and her father (Bean) have been on the run, always one step ahead of dangerous forces that she doesn’t fully understand.  On the eve of her 18th birthday, plagued by horrific nightmares and the disappearance of her father, Heather discovers she’s not who she thinks she is.  The revelation leads her deeper into a demonic world that threatens to trap her forever.

 RELEASE DATE: October 26, 2012

DIRECTOR: Michael J. Bassett

STARRING: Sean Bean, Deborah Kara Unger, Radha Mitchell, Adelaide Clemens, Kit Harington, Carrie-Anne Moss, Malcolm Mcdowell

PRODUCED BY: Samuel Hadida, Don Carmody

In this episode, I talk to organizers from The Busted Foundation’s Bowling for Boobies event, as well as this year’s lovely group of Horror Starlets! Run by Dread Central‘s own Sean Decker, Bowling for Boobies raises money to help The Busted Foundation take the burden of hospital bills away from women who are fighting breast cancer. It’s a great cause, a fantastic event, and full of your favorite cult and horror people!

The Horror Starlets post at Jillians

YOU can help them accomplish this task by pledging to Bowling for Boobies HERE!

In this episode, you will hear from (in alphabetical order):

Allison Kyler (Chromeskull: Laid to Rest 2)

Ashlyn Yennie (The Human Centipede)

Brooke Lewis (Ms. Vampy, iMurders)

Carlee Baker (Wiked Lake, The Woman)

Cerina Vincent (Cabin Fever, Not Another Teen Movie)

Kristina Klebe (Halloween, Chillerama)

Natalie Victoria (Dead Heads)

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Song: Sleater-Kinney “Jenny” from Dig Me Out. Get it on iTunes here!

If you are wondering why I am blathering on about something that is of little consequence to anything or anyone, the reason is little more than common procrastination. Today is the one-year anniversary that the hospital’s life support systems keeping my friend Joshua Aaron Medoff breathing were turned off.

I have been indecisive as to whether or not I was going to write this at all. My brain has been over-taxed of late, and that has left it in a weakened state—a state that questions what good writing this can do for me or anyone else. Forgive me if this writing seems broken. My addled brain is to blame for that, as well.

I planned on writing this on July 26^th. That is the date on a Facebook message from Ashlie Kauffman informing me that Josh was in the hospital, not doing well, and to call her right away (at the time, I missed the message and found out about everything the following morning, in a phone call from Carrie Oleynik). It was because of my ridiculous fortune in having such genuine friends that I was able to travel nearly 3,000 miles and see Josh in the hospital while his lungs still drew breath. The point of wanting this writing to have July 26^th attached to it was that Josh was still living.

My indecision, perhaps my fear, made that too fail to happen. Now it is the 28^th. I’ve been thinking about this since the morning; it is now 3:16pm. I am finally making some progress on this (I can almost hear Josh bugging me about finishing up so we can go do something more fun). I was finally able to think slightly more clearly because I got a call from Carrie this morning that lasted over an hour. Oddly enough, we talked mostly about things that were going on in our lives and not much about the significance of this day to us. It was a good call from one of those people I have known through virtually all the little eras of my life.

What really helped make this writing come into being, however, was a package from Josh’s parents. What timing! What divine timing!

Their attached note mentioned remembering Josh positively. The main package was this shirt:

After his passing, parts of Josh were medically donated, and they are now improving the lives of others. Indeed, that is a positive memory, and it ensures that Josh lives on in his own way. For a long time, Josh worked with people who were mentally disabled. He ensured proper medication doses were administered, drove patients on outings in a large white van, cleaned messes, and did many difficult jobs that all helped make the world a little bit better. I know he often felt like he wasn’t doing the world good, but I know that he was wrong about that.

I am surely grateful that Larry and Peggy Medoff, along with his brothers Daniel and Noah, remembered me here all the way across the country enough to include me in this surprise package. It made emerging through the clouds of remembrance possible.

Sincerely,

Miguel Rodriguez

7-28-2012

P.S. My podcast eulogy to Josh, which is now about a year old, remains my most frequently downloaded, listened to, and remarked-upon work. If you haven’t heard it, you can listen to it here.

I explore my two worlds, education and pop culture, by interviewing the people behind GeekEd and Broadcast Thought!

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

I decide to get a perspective on Comic Con from a couple of people representing the small press world:

Sarah Becan, author of ShutEye and The Complete Ouija Interviews

and

Paul Wee, artist and long-time animator for The Simpsons!

Monster Island Resort alumni Jen and Sylvia Soska return for their fourth visit! They had a great panel promoting their new film American Mary!

Check out the trailer:

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

I got to join a press conference about the sequel to Silent Hill. There’s a huge reason this is special to me. Listen to find out what that is!

Left to right: Samuel Hadida, Adelaide Clemens, and Michael Basset

William Shatner talks his new Get A Life documentary.

Roger Corman discusses his new Attack of the 50ft Cheerleader, along with director Kevin O’Neill and actresses Olivia Alexander and Jena Sims!

This year’s line-up:

Among Friends by Danielle Harris

Sibling Rivalry by Tara-Nicole Azarian

Baby Face by Kate Shenton

Barbie Girls by Vinciane Millereau

The Morning After by Jen Moss

The Night Caller by Donna Thorland and Peter Podgursky

Jump! By Louisa Fielden

The Halloween Kid by Axelle Carolyn

Bloodtraffick by Jen Thym

Escape from Hellview by Hadas Brandes

How to Rid Your Lover of a Negative Emotion Caused by You by Nadia Litz

The Third Eye by Caroline du Potet

The Dump by Rebekah McKendry

Nice Guys Finish Last by Kimberly McCollough

I also got to see a dress rehearsal of Spider Baby: the Musical. My thoughts and a conversation with producer Enrique Acosta resides within!

It’s my two-year anniversary episode! I talk about fairy tales and their effects on horror with the brilliant filmmaker (and my dear friend) Karen Lam! Check out her work over at karenlamfilms.com! Her short films Doll Parts and The Stolen are definitely influenced by fairy tales.

She has a lot to say about storytelling, mythology, horror, and the film industry. This is an episode not to be missed!

I want to thank Pia Thrasher for providing the awesome intro in German! Check out her blog here and her artwork here!

Finally, I really wish to thank all of you who donated to my UK fundraiser, including but not limited to: David Raines, Mark Nutter, Bernard de la Cruz, Kevin Walsh, Briana Malmstrom, Lori Bowen, Jim Wilsterman, Valerie Polichar, Vanessa Dinning, Peter Maxwell, Rachel Brotchner, Colleen Carlson, Jess Moviedromedvd, Aled Moviedromedvd, Kim Forsythe, Mike Beattie, Al Fair, Robert Penny, Verena C Rowe, Strange Jason, Raymond McDermott, Ashleigh Nichols, Keith Allison, Todd Stadtman, Rebecca Louise Webb, Yvette Valenzuela, Nadine L’ Esperance, Tonjia Rhen, Michael Bonomo, Clarice Meadows, Karen W Lam, Adam Tufano, Kevin Kornburger, Jon Grunes, Michael McQuiggan, Allyson Long, Tone Milazzo, and Tyler Ham!

Tyler, by the way, claims that he single-handedly sent me to the UK because he donated the amount that crossed the goal line. Funny guy! He’s also a great FX artist–see his work here. You all RULE!

Music and jokes provided by 6′+ and Monstermatt Patterson of Gravediggers Local 16.

You can get Little Red Riding Hood by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs on iTunes.

I have another terrifying classic horror tale for you–this one from the author Ambrose Bierce! Also, though I do mention this in the episode, I will also here give my congratulations to the team behind Take This Lollipop for winning the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding New Approaches in Daytime Entertainment! Click on the link to check out that highly-original project that certainly deserves such an achievement! Also, you can listen to my interview with the star Bill Oberst, Jr on my 44th episode HERE!

Now, get yourself something to drink, pull up a chair, and enjoy today’s horror tale!

But, what’s in a name? You should read 4DK because it’s a brilliant collection of reviews of films from all over the globe that you most likely will not get to hear about anywhere else! In addition to reviewing like mad, Todd also co-hosts the Infernal Brains Podcast, writes for Teleport City, The Lucha Diaries, and more. I shouldn’t divulge too much about the machinations of this esteemed gentleman, however. Just know that he, and the rest of our compatriots in MOSS, provide the democratic media of the internet with a sorely needed mark of quality.

And now, just as I was composing the above missive, I received yet ANOTHER audio birthday message from none other than Carol Borden–another agent of MOSS and comics editor extraordinaire of the Cultural Gutter. Carol has been a co-host here at Monster Island Resort twice now–once to discuss werewolves and once to discuss the director Shindo Kaneto. Both times, she was a worthy and knowledgeable co-host!

I fear I have no choice but to combine the two in one audio file because I feel the need to share such wonderful tidings with the world at large. Listen to the file below!  Thank you, fellow agents. Your wishes are appreciated more than I can write herein.

Sincerely,

Miguel Rodriguez of the Monster Island Resort

Happy (God)Father’s Day!

June 15th was the birthday of the Godfather of Gore himself–Hershall Gordon Lewis! I have always enjoyed myself a good HG Lewis picture, as have many horror fans. He is credited with creating the gore or splatter film–films that, at best, appeal to our morbid curiosities like celluloid Grand Guignols.

Lewis turned 83 this year and, to help me celebrate, I’ve invited author Andrew J. Rausch to help me discuss the career of Mr. Lewis. Rausch has just finished a book on Hershall Gordon Lewis entitled The Godfather of Gore Speaks: Hershall Gordon Lewis Discusses His Films. It should be out later this year or early next year, and I had such a great time talking with Andrew Rausch that I can’t wait to read the book.

You can check out his novel and other books by clicking on the covers here:

You can also pre-order his book Dirty Talk: Conversations with Porn Stars here!

Thanks again to Mike White of The Projection Booth for introducing me to Andrew! Check out his podcast today!

And remember, I am also on another podcast now! Hear me and Matthew Kelly of The Saint Mort Show discuss member-picked horror films on The Reddit Horror Club! We just discussed Dead and Buried and Cannibal Holocaust!

Sensei Tateishi teaches classes on Japanese film, including a college course on Gojira! We have a blast discussing one of Big G’s most intense antagonists.

Find out what happens here!

Strange Jason also serves up a 6′+ on Monster Island Resort with King Ghidorah-themed music, along with some Ghidorah jokes from MonsterMatt Patterson! All kinds of goodies in this episode!

Look out for my second appearance in The Cinementals, where I discuss TCM’s June 15th broadcast of Gojira, Mothra, Rodan, The H-Man, and Hausu.

I am also on another podcast! I discuss member-selected horror movies with Matthew Kelly of Geekscape’s Saint Mort on the Reddit Horror Club!

With this episode, Carol Borden from The Cultural Gutter returns to the resort to help me pay tribute to the incredible Japanese director and writer Shindo Kaneto by discussing his considerable legacy and impact.

Kaneto not only helped shape the filmscape, but he also supplied the horror genre with two successful films that demonstrate how horror can be artistically vital and relevant. We here at the Monster Island Resort salute you, Shindo Kaneto!

Also in this episode, Strange Jason from 6′+ Podcast and Gravediggers Local 16 has joined Monster Island Resort as official DJ! Expect him to join the show to regularly spin spooky sounds from monstrous musicians! We are very excited to have him around!

Also of note, I have radically changed the episode numbers, since Storytime Edition has been absorbed into the show at large. I decided this was less confusing for listeners and for the iTunes list. I hope that doesn’t cause further confusion. NOW ON TO THE SHOW!

A few weeks ago, I saw a 9-minute short that I found very interesting. It starred Bill Oberst, Jr. and took a bit of a risk with it’s talky brand of storytelling. It paid off, though, because it’s a pretty intriguing short. The short is called ASSASSINS, and it was directed by Mike Bonomo.

I decided to talk to Bonomo on the show to discuss the short, as well as movies in general. They are currently fundraising to film a feature-length Assassins film, which I’d very much like to see happen. Check out the short here, and scroll all the way down to enjoy our conversation:

I’m very happy to say that my last episode on werewolves with The Cultural Gutter’s own Carol Borden was one of my most heavily downloaded episodes to date! Big thanks to The Mysterious Order of the Skeleton Suit for putting that assignment in my charge!

Many people have written me asking about the werewolf in history or folklore, and there is a very famous book on the subject by the historian Sabine Baring-Gould called The Book of Were-Wolves. In order to slake some of your curiosity’s thirst, I’ve decided to dedicate this Storytime Edition to reading excerpts from that text. You can find the whole thing over at sacred-texts.com.

Music: Moondance by Van Morrison

Now, on to the show!

Fellow Mysterious Order Agent Carol Borden from The Cultural Gutter joins me to discuss our favorite hairy beast in honor of Hairy Beasts month! What is that hairy beast you may wonder? Listen inside to find out! We have a really excellent conversation all about that beast and its significance in art, literature, and culture!

Also included is a short and appropriate reading from OVID’s Metamorphoses.

Check out Carol’s work at Monstrous Industry.

Also, check out my guest spot discussing Dark Shadows for The Cinementals!

Remember the days when you could count on some pretty horror-friendly late night TV? Well, SV Bell over at Black Flag TV is trying to recapture those days with his fledgling 24-hour online television station dedicated to horror, exploitation, and independent cinema!

Despite an insane schedule, SV Bell was able to join me on the Monster Island Resort all the way from Quebec to discuss his station, horror, film promotion, mature content, and favorite monsters!

Click here to check out the program schedule in Eastern Standard Time! Click the image above to go directly to the station’s feed!

I have another bonus MIR Storytime Edition for all of you. Last week Monday, I had the opportunity to read Edgar Allan Poe’s The Black Cat during a new film series I’m co-presenting at Whistle Stop Bar, along with Beth Accomando of Cinema Junkie and Ian Forbes of The Sobering Conclusion called Shot by Shot. This was part of WriteOutLoud’s Shades of Poe Month, and it was a pleasure to participate! I am, of course, a huge admirer of Poe’s work, and The Black Cat is an especially vicious tale to read in front of a group of people.

I also had the chance to talk about the efforts to save Poe’s House in Baltimore. This historical site is endangerment of losing its funding. Please take the time to sign the petition to save Baltimore’s Poe House! They are still over 5,000 signatures short of goal.

What began as an innocent interview with filmmaker Dave Reda at Monsterpalooza became a crazy round table conversation about random topics with some of my favorite friends in indie horror cinema right now, including Shannon Lark, Tyler Ham, Phil Lorenzo, and Jesse Kozel! It was Saturday night at around 1am, everyone was enjoying several drinks at a Monsterpalooza after party, and everyone was a little extra jolly. I hope you laugh at this one as much as I did!

We talk horror, monsters, women behind the camera, and who would be on the RomCom Convention panels. Join us at the con! To see what my guests are up to, click the links below.

Dave Reda

Shannon Lark

Tyler Ham

Phil Lorenzo

Jesse Kozel

I recently spent a monsterific weekend at MONSTERPALOOZA, my favorite convention. I had plans to interview a great many people there, but, frankly, I was so overwhelmed by love for everything that was going on that I couldn’t help but ignore the microphone in favor of taking in the splendor around me. That said, I did get to talk to some great people. This week, I have my conversation with Raymond McDermott from Film Radar.

We talk about that great group of Los Angeles film lovers, as well as his work for the Joss Whedon-themed charity group Whedonopolis. We also talk about the joys of being surrounded by finely crafted monsters!

Finally, don’t forget to check out Black Flag TV, a Mecca of 24-hour independent and classic horror programming!

Next week, I’ll have more craziness from MONSTERPALOOZA! Until then!

Herbert West: ReAnimator Part 1

Herbert West: ReAnimator Part 2

Herbert West: ReAnimator Part 3

Herbert West: ReAnimator Part 4

 Herbert West: ReAnimator Part 5

I recently had the pleasure of joining director Tammi Sutton in her Los Angeles home to discuss her newest film Isle of Dogs. This brutal thriller was given a surprise sneak screening at my Horrible Imaginings Film Festival in November, and it has attracted enough attention that it will be getting a TBD theatrical release! Joining us is the lead actress in that film, the lovely Barbara Nedeljakova. Horror fans will definitely recognize her as the villainous Natalya in Eli Roth’s Hostel.

We discuss the upcoming feature film, horror, ghostly occurrences on set, and more! Please enjoy and remember to look out for Isle of Dogs, coming to a theater near you!

Song in this episode: Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Purchase it here!

This prompted me to think about horror and video games. It also helped me think about a discussion on horror in comics I wanted to mention. That is appropriate because I went to WonderCon, where I got to interview Locke and Key scribe JOE HILL, which I am also including in this episode! Enjoy!

Herbert West: ReAnimator Part 1

Herbert West: ReAnimator Part 2

Herbert West: ReAnimator Part 3

Herbert West: ReAnimator Part 4

This weekend I am at WonderCon at the Anaheim Convention Center, so how appropriate that today’s episode should feature a conversation with the hilarious and brilliant Rebecca Hicks–creator of the popular web series Little Vampires!

We are joined by her talentless hanger-on James Hicks. We talk comics, conventions, mythology, monsters, horror, Carrie Fischer, and more! She is a seriously hardworking comics artist and geekgirl extraordinaire! Check out her link and get her new book!

I am happy to introduce the director and several actresses of Bold Measures Films‘s upcoming giallo-inspired thriller short Vae Lacrimae! Boasting a cast featuring Asian-American women in key roles, director Phil Lorenzo, who himself plays a key role in bringing The San Diego Asian Film Festival to town, talks about his motivations in giving exposure to an underrepresented segment of the population, scaring audiences, and invigorating the horror genre. Also, JUST WAIT until you hear the stories about Italian Horror comics!

Seriously, monsters, those old Italian comics sound MESSED UP! ENJOY!

If you watched the Oscars last weekend or heard some of the talk among monster fans who did, you may have heard that Brad Pitt identified none other than the wonderful Toho monster bash War of the Gargantuas as the film that influenced his career choice. It was exciting for us to hear one our favorite films mentioned on a venue like the Academy Awards, and since then War of the Gargantuas has been brought up on Slate.com and other  places that wouldn’t necessarily mention it.

So, for this episode, I have decided to first discuss War of the Gargantuas, and then look at a survey of Brad Pitt’s films and contemplate what part War of the Gargantuas played in his role choices and motivations. It was a super fun episode to record, and I hope you will find it as fun to talk about!

The Gargantuas have even informed Pitt’s grooming choices!

I also talk about the Have a Heart for Horror Cookbook, which includes recipes, poetry, and artwork from various women in horror. All proceeds from this cookbook go to benefit     Project Get Safe. Click on the picture to order your own copy!

Until next time!

They are here to talk about their upcoming true crime shocker American Girls, as well as share their thoughts on genre cinema and the value of dark cinema.  

To read more about American Girls, also starring Bai Ling, Tawny Amber Young, and James Duval, check out the IMDB page. Be here next Sunday, when I talk about monsters in periphery pop culture! Until then, stay scared, monsters!

It’s time for another collaboration with that collection of creative minds known as the Mysterious Order of the Skeleton Suit (MOSS)! This month, the oft-ignored, yet highly prolific sub-genre of films known as the muscleman movie will be scrutinized by certain agents. For a list of what the other agents have accomplished in this mission, please visit the Big Muscle Tussle section of the MOSS website.

For my own contribution, I will focus on one muscleman in particular–military man and lifeguard-turned-superstar Gordon Scott. Tarzan was his claim to fame, and mythological figure was his destiny.

My muscles are THIS BIG!

I will also discuss a Gordon Scott film that I think also fits the monsterish theme of this particular podcast: the Italian epic Goliath and the Vampires! I hope you enjoy this wild ride on a titanic wave of testosterone! And forever hail the MYSTERIOUS ORDER OF THE SKELETON SUIT!

It’s been a long time since my last episode. The Resort had been temporarily closed while I organized a Women in Horror Event for my Horrible Imaginings Film Festival here in San Diego. As an aside, that was a very successful event!

Anyway, speaking of Women in Horror, I have a veritable horror spokeswoman on this episode! This is her second time at Monster Island Resort. It’s Canada’s only horror hostess with the mostess–the inimitable Miss.Gory Rae of the The Gory Hole!

This is truly a horror conversation of non-sequiturs, where we discuss pink eye, conventions, movies, and hear a little bit about the origin of Gory! You are truly a fly on the wallpaper for this one! I hope you enjoy!
,

As the highly anticipated FOURTH part of a series of Godzilla talks between The Vault of Horror Blog and Monster Island Resort Podcast, we decided to do a vidcast! The occasion? The inimitable B-Sol and I were able to get together IN PERSON to talk about the millenium series of Godzilla films! Special Thanks to my good friend and housemate Beth Accomando for the job of taping and editing this madness. You can read her superb film criticism over at Cinema Junkie!

Listen to the first three parts for the Showa and Heisei series talks!

Part 1: The Showa Series

Part 2: The Showa Series Continued 

Part 3: The Heisei Series

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

It is the first episode on the first day of the year 2012! I have resolved to write more fiction, and so I offer you my latest story. It’s a Christmas horror tale about everyone’s favorite holiday beast, The Krampus! I hope you all enjoy it!

I want to extend my best wishes to all my listeners for an amazing 2012!

The music in this episode comes from Russian artist Oleg Serkov and French musician Marc Michel Bosche.

The Mysterious Order of the Skeleton Suit (MOSS)
Cinema Junkie
Re-Animator the Musical
The New Beverly Cinema
Terry Castle and William Castle Productions
Dark Delicacies Bookstore
Mando Franco, director of Edgewood Drive
and importantly, Jewel Shepard.

Jewel’s book of B-Movie Girl interviews is a great read, and goes to a great cause!

I talk about this a lot in the episode, but I will say it here, as well. Dark Delicacies is having a fundraiser to help Jewel Shepard with the crippling costs of breast cancer. The health costs are enough to bear without the financial burdens to accompany them. Cult film fans have enjoyed Jewel for years, and this is a real way to show our support. I bought a book and a print this weekend. You can buy them online. Go HERE to check out what is available! Thanks!

What this episode is really about, however, is my response to my Secret Santa gift from fellow Mysterious Order of the Skeleton Suit member Karl Brezdin of The Fist of B-List Blog. He sent me a film to review, the type of film that he tends to write about. The interesting result being that I leave my specialized genre for an episode, turning me today into ACTION ISLAND RESORT! I hope you enjoy my discussion of . . .

AFTERSHOCK

I have a brief six-minute episode for you. It’s part of the Welcome Back Bob Tribute to the return of host Robert Osborne to Turner Classic Movies! Many people have contributed, so go check out great photos, anecdotes, videos at more at the Welcome Back Bob Tumblr!

You might be interested to know about my love for classic film, and how an episode Robert Osborne ties to a monster show–it’s all in here! I kept it short and sweet. The important thing is, I’m thrilled to hear about Mr. Osborne’s return. Welcome back, Bob!

Herbert West: ReAnimator Part 1

Herbert West: ReAnimator Part 2

Herbert West: ReAnimator Part 3

William Castle reads his new post-ressurection book From the Grave: The Prayer to his ghouls!

For this holiday of horrors, I have my most special episode yet–a delightful conversation with none other than Terry Castle, daughter of William Castle! William Castle was, of course, the director and producer who specialized in some of the most fun and memorable horror films ever burned onto celluloid–he has truly reached mythological proportions. He is a real hero of mine, and the chance to talk to Terry Castle and hear some of the stories from the Castle household firsthand was more wonderful than I could have hoped. And now you can hear it, too!

We talk about Terry’s wonderful father and what kind of man he was, as well as his movies. We talk horror. We talk about the re-makes that Terry co-produced (House on Haunted Hill and Thir13en Ghosts). We talk about the darkness that followed the production of Rosemary’s Baby. This is a very frank and honest conversation!

Terry Castle’s new novel! Available now!

The great news is that WILLIAM CASTLE HAS RETURNED FROM THE GRAVE! You can get his post-mortem, post-ressurection young adult novel From the Grave: The Prayer now! Terry Castle also has William Castle Productions up and going again. She has her own novel called FearMaker: Family Matters, which is available now, and a very exciting publication of the House on Haunted Hill Annotated Screamplay–scanned pages of William Castle’s personal copy, complete with handwritten notes and annotations in the margins. I have a copy myself, and it is so awesome!

That’s William Castle’s handwriting! From my copy of the House on Haunted Hill Annotated Screamplay

Over the years, William Castle has always provided a staple of my horror movie diet, and I’m thrilled to give you this episode, and to hear about all the exciting new things coming from William Castle Productions and the return of the man himself! I want to give a very special bit of gratitude to Lynn Tejada from www.greengalactic.com for helping to make this conversation happen. She is a super person, and you should check out the exciting things at the Green Galactic website (including the aforementioned House On Haunted Hill Annotated Screamplay)! Please enjoy this episode!

This is a great episode! My guests include my good friends from two big San Diego Film Festivals who are doing their part to promote the horror genre in San Diego with their own genre film nights. This was a lot of fun to record and I know you will enjoy listening to it!

Michael McQuiggan and Ana Pines join me from FilmOut San Diego to discuss their upcoming Thrill-O-Rama, which is happening NEXT SATURDAY on 10/8 from 12 to 12. It’s a great array of retro horror, including The Fog, Burnt Offerings, The Eyes of Laura Mars, Dressed to Kill, Black Christmas, and Suspiria! Click Here to get discount tickets!

FilmOut San Diego's Thrill-O-Rama on October 8th, 2011 from 12pm - 12am

I am also joined by Phil Lorenzo of the San Diego Asian Film Foundation. Phil talks about programming the Asian Extreme sidebar  of the festival. This year, they will be showing Cold Fish on the evenings of 10/21 and 10/28. They will also be screening Yakuza Weapon on the evening of 10/22.

San Diego's Asian Film Festival Will Include the Asian Extreme Sidebar

Finally, I discuss my own Horrible Imaginings Film Festival, which is happening on November 4th and 5th. I will be reviving Ishiro Honda’s Godzilla® and Georges Franju’s Eyes Without A Face. I will also be screening the features Long Pigs and The Taint, in addition to 29 short films and music videos. There will also be a full art gallery of twisted art work! I hope to see you there! Please donate to my IndieGoGo page!

Art by Monstrous Industry

Listen to Herbert West: Re-Animator Part 1

Listen to Herbert West: Re-Animator Part 2

For this episode, I discuss genre, collective fright mentality, and the challenge of writing different characters with Tone Milazzo, the author of a brand new horror novel called Picking Up the Ghost! Before I go on, the more tech-savvy among you can find out more with your smartphones right now by scanning this:

Let's hear it for the future!

Anyway, Tone was a really fun guy to sit and chat with. I actually ended up heading over to his place and talking for a lot longer with him and his wife Melissa. I am now about two-thirds of the way through Picking Up the Ghost. I am taken in by the characters, location, and–of course–the monsters. Pick up your copy!

I also give some time to my dear friend The Gothic Gourd Girl. Check out her creations over at http://www.gothicgourds.com/

Finally, the fundraiser for Horrible Imaginings Film Festival is in its home stretch! I still need about $1,300 to make my goal. Please consider donating and bringing the scares to sunny San Diego! Thank you!

In the last few years, there’s been a new name in horror who has endeared himself to horror genre fans everywhere. He has been called the modern day answer to the likes of Boris Karloff and Lon Chaney. He is also an incredibly gifted and versatile actor who has delighted audiences on stage in roles ranging from humorist Lewis Grizzard to Jesus of Nazareth.

Yes, I am talking about Bill Oberst, Jr.

Bill Oberst, Jr. gets suitably grimy for his role

When I met up with Bill at his favorite cafe in Hollywood, I was thinking of some of the questions I could ask him. Turns out I got one of the most rewarding conversations for Monster Island Resort yet. Oberst even begins to interview me at a couple of points, but that is because this is less an interview than a genuine conversation between two people. I think you all will really enjoy it!

Now, enough blabbering! On to BILL OBERST, JR!

One thing I’ve realized after watching hundreds of short films that were submitted to my film festival is that I am a sucker for kids who are the protagonists in a fright film. If you have a child who does a solid job acting and is the hero in your monster picture, your chances of getting into my film festival are dramatically increased! Many monster fans call themselves “Monster Kids.” Well, I have a fun (too cute) and brief (under 4 minutes!) special for you today! I got the chance to talk to three-year-old monster lover Autumn Manes the other day, mostly about her monster flower.

Autumn listens to our episode with Monster Flower

Autumn is the daughter of Carl Manes, the mastermind behind horror film reviewing behemoth ILIKEHORRORMOVIES.COM! Check out his site when you get the chance. In the meantime, a little unexpected gem of an episode. ENJOY!

The festival’s organizer Aaron Vanek was kind enough to take an afternoon away from the insanity of putting on the festival in order to visit Monster Island Resort and talk a little bit about the event.

In any case, you should head over to their BROWN PAPER TICKETS event page to get your tickets now! I will be there myself, so don’t forget to say hi!

The Beautiful and Endangered Coliseum Theater in Porthmadog, Wales

Hello Monster Fans!

For movie lovers, there is noting like seeing a film in a classic movie house, surrounded by friends and strangers, taking that trip together. In episode 33, I get a little romantic about the big screen and what it means to me before having a conversation with my good friend Aled Jones in Wales.

Aled is part of a dedicated group of people in his hometown called Friends of the Coliseum who have banded together to save their historic movie house from extinction. It is a worthy cause and I beg all of you to check out their site to learn more. We have a really great conversation about the EXPERIENCE of seeing a film. He says Monster Island Resort in WELSH! AWESOME!

Also, I do want to mention that I am in the middle of a fundraiser for my own HORRIBLE IMAGININGS FILM FESTIVAL in San Diego! Please click the banner below to donate! Many thanks to all my supporters! Now enjoy the show >:D

Some of the horror representatives at Comic Con International!

Hello Monster Fans! After a sad delay for a tribute for my late friend Joshua Medoff, I give you my San Diego Comic Con International horror special! I have here a few conversations about horror and horror at the convention that are worth listening to. Please feel free to share your thoughts!

Many thank yous to Troma Entertainment, Fangoria, The Blood Factory, The San Diego Asian Film Festival, and of course Graham Skipper and Jesse Merlin from Re-Animator: The Musical for lending their esteemed voices to this episode! So much fun!

Also, the dates for my Horrible Imaginings Film Festival have been announced! Friday, November 4th and Saturday, November 5th! Be there or be some uncool shape!

Finally, on a very important note, the link to vote for the talented film maker and Monster Island Resort alum Nicolas Simonin’s short at the Halloween Horror Nights Contest is right HERE! PLEASE cast your vote for ERIC by Nicolas Simonin!

Until next time, monster fans!

Graham Skipper and Jesse Merlin and the greatest mic stand ever!

Josh, George Romero, and myself a few years back.

The music in this episode comes from two of Josh’s former bands:

RedDiedOut and Dirty Little Secret.

SCROLL DOWN TO PLAY EPISODE

Hello monster fans! It’s another Viscera Film Festival Special! Without spending too much time writing a ton, just know the festival was a huge success, the movies were awesome, and everybody had a great time. Congratulations to Heidi Honeycutt and Shannon Lark! Now listen to the episode and here’s a list of film makers to look out for!

Trailers:

American Mary by Jen and Sylvia Soska

Adventure Girls by Dara Moats and Jon Deitcher

Blood on the Flat Track by Lainy Bagwell and Lacey Leavitt

The Blood Shop by Annette Slomka

Women in Horror Month Blood Drive PSA by Jen and Sylvia Soska (they are so great!)

L.A.G.P. by Susan Bell (click to demand LAGP in your town!)

Shorts:

12-15-1996 by Mae Catt

Aftershock by Lori Bowen

Bon Appetit by Kate Shenton

Doll Parts by Karen Lam

Blood Bunny by Molly Madfis

A Fever and a River by Rachael Deacon

Short Lease by Jennifer Eiss and Prano Bailey-Bond

Box by Nikki Wall

The Ghost and Us by Emily Carmichael

The Party’s Over by Gigi Romero

Lump by Faye Jackson

Threnody by Tyrrell Shaffner

Nursery Crimes by Laura Whyte

The Key to Annabel Lee by Staci Layne Wilson

The Many Doors of Albert Whale by Marichelle Daywalt

Daddy’s Girl by Helen Komini Olsen

Also featured in this episode are:

Lia Scott Price

Dave Reda

Drew Daywalt

Gam3rCon Hits San Diego on July 19-24 at Tenth Ave Theatre!

Hello Monster Fans! Yes, it has officially been ONE YEAR since Monster Island Resort went live over the internet’s dark alleys! To celebrate, I am posting this conversation I had with Brian Bielawski and Walter G. Meyer, the creators of Gam3rCon–a five-day convention dedicated to gaming in all of its forms that will hit San Diego later this month! We had a great time talking and I know you will have a good time listening!

Gam3rCon was started last year by two San Diegans, Brian Bielawski and Walter G. Meyer, to promote the stage play they co-wrote GAM3RS. The play started at USD and has toured the country for the past six years from MIT to UCSD with stops in New York, New Jersey, LA, Montana, ASU and elsewhere. Last year’s event was successful enough that people asked if they could be part of it this year, including the first San Diego live performances of the Internet hit musical Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog, produced and directed by Andy Lowe who help started the Asian Rep Theater in San Diego. This year’s Gam3rCon will also feature gaming panels, rooftop parties and gaming tournaments run by the San Diego-based group, The Box Arena. Sunday night we will have a fundraiser concert on the roof to benefit Get Well Gamers, an Orange County group that provides games for sick children to brighten their long hospital stays. The concert will feature local musicians Eben Brooks and Allison Lonsdale.

Click for tickets!

Also, I say that I will link the research of Jane McGonigal on the website. Well, I was too tired after putting all this together, but here is a Huffington Post article she wrote about video games. Enjoy!

Cover Art by Monstrous Industry! Click on the picture to go to her ETSY site!

I’m going to cut to the chase and continue to introduce you to the forbidden cabal acolytes of The Mysterious Order of the Skeleton Suit! Remember to keep these under lock and key!

Today’s introduction:

The Cultural Gutter

The Cultural Gutter has been friend and ally to the Monster Island Resort for several months now. You can even feast your eyes upon the artwork of Gutter columnist Carol Borden for the six-part MIR Storytime readings of Herbert West: Re-Animator!

Click to go to The Cultural Gutter!

In addition to their regular scribes, The Cultural Gutter often employs guest writers from a variety of backgrounds and expertise. This is definitely a site to bookmark in order to look at pop culture, perhaps a little differently.

I present to all of you good friends the unveiling of one of the most esoteric coteries of writers and podcasters who share a passion for the illumination of pop culture artifacts that spend too much time collecting dust on the shelves of obscurity. This illuminati, or “loose confederacy” as it’s been called, won’t rest until ample deserved attention is given to the likes of Cuneyt Arkin, Paul Naschy, Sashi Kapoor, Gary Daniels, Dwayne McDuffie, and Harinam Singh—among others.

The Monster Island Resort is proud to have been offered entrance into this prestigious cadre of cultural archaeology that includes a number of talented and hard-working people from different areas of the globe! And YOU, dear listeners will now have a forbidden peek into this clandestine network. I will give to you an introduction to the members of M.O.S.S. (in alphabetical order), one entry per day. Just remember—if anyone asks where you got this information, it WAS NOT FROM MONSTER ISLAND RESORT! You can keep a secret cantcha?

Today’s revelation is:

Beth Loves Bollywood

Reporting on the largest film industry in the world! Bollywood popularity seems to be growing in hipster appreciation over the last few years, but it has yet to receive the attention and scrutiny that such a huge operation really deserves. The film sensibilities from Bollywood are so different from what many people are used to, but their charm, allure, and entertainment value can’t be denied!

Click to go to Beth Loves Bollywood!

She also can give information on how to find essential watching for the uninitiated!

Greetings to all you Monster Island Resort Podcast listeners and fans!  I’ve got a special request/offer for you.  Part of our Facebook staff–J.M. Perkins– recently finished the 2nd draft of his action horror novel CHEMO and he’s looking for ‘Beta’ readers.

(Image created by Brett Coulstock, courtesy of 19 Nocturne Boulevard, which previously adapted one of the CHEMO chapters into a radio drama.)

The novel is arranged into an episodic structure where individual chapters often work as short stories while still functioning as a narrative whole. Perkins is going for that whole season-of-your-favorite-television-show feel to the book.  If you’re interested, you can read one of the previously published chapters here.  After introducing yourself to his world in that chapter, feel free to check out Mr. Perkins’s website at Struggling Word Guy or email him a request to be added to the list of beta readers at john@strugglingwordguy.com.

Beta readers have the really interesting job of influencing how well an author’s story can turn out. If you decide to help John out, let me know what you think of his work!

Thank you all so much for helping to support creativity in the action horror genre. Here’s to great stories!

Sincerely your host,

Miguel Rodriguez of Monster Island Resort

Those of you who host a podcast or write a blog know how special it was when the first person who wasn’t already a friend, family member, or acquaintance first corresponded in reference to your work. This happened for me, miraculously, right after I posted my first episode last July. The person in question maintains his own blog, as well as an excellent taste in genre cinema, art, literature, and television. He was the first person to offer feedback and has been a regular listener ever since.

Jay Watson: Gentleman and Scholar

Jay Watson is the person I am speaking of. You can get to know him better by heading over to his blog The Roads of Autumn Dusk, where you can read about “Movies, Monsters, Mysteries, and more!” Not only has he been an eager listener and supporter of this humble show, but he has contributed to the discussion about our favorite genre, and, ultimately, perpetuating thoughtful discussion is what the Resort has always been about.

So, Mr. Watson, I thank you for your listenership, your blog, and above all the love you share for the darker side of life! Keep up the great work!

Jay is just the first who will earn his or her way into the halls of fame here at Monster Island Resort. I don’t know how often the announcements will be made, but keep your eyes peeled! You could be next!

Hello again, Monstrous Resorters! What a month this is for people celebrating their 100th birthday! Check out this selection of four greats who entered our world one century ago:

Ishirô Honda (May 7, 1911)

The seminal director who was instrumental in virtually inventing the dai kaiju, or giant monster, genre of films—beginning of course with his Gojira in 1954. Honda was born to a chief Buddhist priest in the Yamagata prefecture of Japan. Although his family had been priests for generations, Honda himself harbored only the desire to make films ever since being dazzled by his first exposure to the great silents.

Although his work would be intermittently interrupted by his drafts into WWII, Honda was able to secure work as an assistant director for Toho Studios before striking gold with Gojira. Of course, the success of Gojira would also seal his fate, locking him into the “tokosatsu,” or scifi/fantasy genre for most of his oeuvre. Although none of his films will have quite the profound resonance of Gojira, Honda always worked hard to tinge his films with human drama and, at times, tragedy. He wanted his monsters to be much more than beasts gone wild, and perhaps that is why their personalities have endured so well.

I have recently discussed Honda at great length with the author of his biographer Peter Brothers on my show. If you haven’t listened, you should check it out in two parts!

Peter Brothers Talks Ishiro Honda Part 1

Peter Brothers Talks Ishiro Honda Part 2

Robert Johnson (May 8, 1911)

The remarkable popularity of bluesman Robert Johnson can perhaps be partially attributed to the mythical story surrounding him. Blues legend Son House famously called Johnson an “embarrassingly bad guitarist.” Johnson later perfected the Delta Blues sound in a way that seemed miraculous—a feat which is likely part of what spurred the legend of him having made a pact with the devil in order to be a master of his craft.

Johnson’s premature death at the very young age of 27 is also surrounded by several myths and legends, many of which lend fire to the pact-with-the-devil myth. Whatever the circumstances surrounding Johnson’s sudden talent and untimely death, one thing can be certain—the world is a better place because he had the chance to commit his songs to record. Like many great artist before him, he never had the chance to enjoy the success and fame that his music would later garner.

Perhaps that is the price for cavorting with Satan . . .

“You may bury my body down by the highway side

So my old evil spirit can catch a Greyhound bus and ride.”

Gardner Fox (May 20, 1911)

Gardner Fox fell in love with early science fiction and fantasy at a young age after reading the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs. That didn’t put him directly onto the path to writing comics and pulp stories, though; he actually practiced law for a couple of years. No, it was the Great Depression which led to him writing for extra money. We can call this one of the Depression’s silver linings, since without Fox we would be without the comics Golden Age’s finest offerings.

Batman would be without his famed utility belt. There would be no Flash—Golden Age Jay Garrick Flash, that is! Some other interesting characters that Fox had a hand in creating were Dr. Fate, Starman, and the Golden Age Sandman. He also created the first DC Superteam: The Justice Society of America. Of his creations, I think my favorite would be Hawkman, a strange character which would include themes of reincarnation, Ancient Egyptian Civilization, and archaeology.

Fox was never one to shy away from filling his stories with facts, real histories, and startlingly decent science. By the 1940s, he was pumping out several stories every month!

Vincent Price (May 27, 1911)

And finally we have the inimitable Vincent Price. Born in St. Louis, MO to a family living off of the wealth earned from his grandfather’s cream of tartar baking powder, Price was able to attend an expensive MO private academy before getting educated in art history at Yale. He enjoyed a handful roles in films, but it was in the 1950s when his voice and line delivery made him the perfect actor to join the ranks of Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, and the Chaneys as a horror film legend. House of Wax, The Fly, The Tingler, and Roger Corman’s 1960s Poe adaptations including The Raven, The Pit and the Pendulum, and House of Usher are just some of the titles that were successful largely because of the draw of Vincent Price. Price maintained his popularity through the 70s with more violent, but campy fare such as The Abominable Dr. Phibes and Theatre of Blood. Considering “Batgirl” Yvonne Craig also has a birthday this month, it is worth noting that Vincent Price’s run as Egghead was her favorite villain from Batman’s rouges gallery.

All of these roles made Price a legend long before his death in 1993. His voice and wild characters can be seen or heard in everything from The Muppet Show to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. He was a lover of art, music, and drama, but he rarely showed pretensions. Like Karloff before him, Price was tickled by his secure place in cinematic history as a master of scares and even of camp. Ultimately, it was lung cancer from lifelong smoking that claimed his life and shortened his role as the benevolent inventor in Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands.

I am so happy to be hosting Vincent Price’s centennial birthday party at San Diego’s Central Library on May 25th. We will be showing Theatre of Blood, which is one of Price’s favorite roles. In it, we get the exemplary Price. He plays a killer, but he plays it with the slightest hint of irony, the most subtle of winks to the audience. You can almost hear him say what he says to Edward Scissorhands seventeen years later: “That’s right. Go ahead. Smile, it’s funny. That’s right.”

Hello to all you children of the night! I just wanted to make the official and exciting announcement that yours ghastly has been approached by none other than the San Diego Public Library to introduce a special screening of the Vincent Price horror classic Theatre of Blood, taking place at the Central Library on Wednesday, May 25th! The occasion is made more special because this screening is commemorating Vincent Price’s ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY!Theatre of Blood is one of my absolute favorite Vincent Price films. In it, he plays an actor who has had it with the critics who denied him recognition—so he kills them in a variety of entertaining ways while quoting Shakespeare! The film also stars the lovely Diana Rigg, who many know as Emma Peel from The Avengers, and was directed by Douglas Hickox, the man who gave giant monster fans The Giant Behemoth!

I’d like to sincerely thank Marc Chery and Alan Bugg, not only for this remarkable privilege, but also for giving classic genre films an official forum that is free to the public. That’s right, folks! In the 3^rd floor auditorium of San Diego’s Central Library at 820 E Street, one can find the aptly named SCHLOCKFEST program on the fourth Wednesday of every month. In the past, they have screened Mothra, The Tingler, Fearless Vampire Killers, Gamera, and more! Again, these screenings are free to the public!

If you are in Southern California, I invite you to spend Wednesday, May 25^th with me at the Central Library to celebrate Vincent Price’s centennial. Monster Island Resort will be providing cake and other prizes. The festivities will begin at 6:30 (after parking downtown goes free) and will end at around 8:30pm. Scare you later!

Click Here for the Official Press Release!

The characters of felt, foam, and other various materials were so brilliantly created that they were absolutely infused with personalities so real it was hard to argue their non-existence. As a sad example, I remember how devastated I was when I saw this on the grocery store magazine racks 21 years ago:

It’s hard to explain the amount of genuine emotion contained within one muppet, but there it is.

So, without further ado I’d like to introduce these new faces to all my boils and ghouls out there in internet land!

Profile: Jane Gutter

Jane, in the guise of her Godlike-protector Kingu Seesar!

For a while now we’ve been pleased to have the assistance of the incomparable Jane Gutter. Jane’s application of intellect to genre art is respectful to the form without abandoning her sense of humor or fun. She has thoughtful conversations about classic monsters, wrestling, and action film—especially action films from Hong Kong.

Profile: J.M. Perkins

This way madness lies.

Also, for the last week or so we’ve had J.M. Perkins posting, commenting and sifting the digital seas for content krill like some kind of Lovecraftian balene whale. J.M. Perkins is a writer with a few short story credits who’s first love is action horror or, as he recently put, it “stories where someone shoots a vampire in the f***ing face.” He writes over at www.strugglingwordguy.com and you can email John at strugglingwordguy@gmail.com.

And of course there’s me, Miguel Rodriguez.

I’m very excited about adding a bit of spice to our horror gumbo because–if you’ll allow me to switch metaphors–behind every great monster (podcast) is usually a couple of great minions (or at least a great makeup artist). We have a lot of great stuff coming (Group commentary for Netflix movies night, new features, guest blogging and contests!) but we can’t do any of that without all of you. So keep listening, keep telling us how we’re doing and we’ll keep sharing our love of movies, monsters and all things horror.

Hello monster fans! Never let it be said that monsters don’t appreciate the women who raise them. It’s Mother’s Day here on the Monster Island Resort, so I’ve decided to compile a list of of the most menacing mothers ever to grace the screen! And speaking of Grace, that brings me to my first maniacal matriarch:

13. Madeline Matheson from Grace.

When Madeline’s baby turns out to be a bloodsucking zombie, we see a mother who will to to any lengths to make sure her darling Grace gets what she needs.

12. Lenore Harker from It’s Alive

Speaking of mother’s who will do anything for their monster babies, here is Lenore with her loving monster baby. Loving because it loves human flesh!

11. Beverly Sutphin from Serial Mom

Beverly seems to be the perfect June Cleaver mother. Don’t mess with her family or break the rules of etiquette, though, or you’ll end up six feet under. Pussywillows.

10. Mother from Mother’s Day

It must be nice when a mother can be proud of her sons, but does that include when they commit horrible and sadistic acts? Look at the glee on her face!

9. Norman Bates’s Mother in Psycho

I argued with myself about putting Mrs. Bates later in this list, but I decided to keep her here because (spoiler!) she’s really in Norman’s head. Still, this has got to be one of the greatest films to watch on Mother’s Day. She wouldn’t even hurt a fly!

8. Morticia Addams from The Addams Family and Lily Munster from The Munsters

I couldn’t really mention one of these wonderful moms without mentioning the other. Lot’s of people argue over which show was better, but I love them both for different reasons and neither of them would be the same without mom.

7. Lucy Harbin from Strait-Jacket

Joan Crawford gave us some great cinematic moments, but as the mentally unhinged Lucy in William Castle’s Strait-Jacket, we get some real crazy mom gold.

6. La Femme from Inside

Oh, what a brutal mommy you are, la femme. It is a bit of a spoiler to include this nameless assailant in this list, but it really wouldn’t be the same without her. Truly one of the most frightening crazy mommies here.

5. Margaret White from Carrie

Oh the domineering, super fanatical mother love of Piper Laurie’s Margaret White. People always remember Carrie’s blood-stained rampage at the prom, but her mother was really the source of the horror.

4. The alien queen from Aliens

She loved her eggs! What more can you say and how can you keep her off the Mother’s Day list? Get away from her, you bitch!

3. Rosemary Woodhouse from Rosemary’s Baby

Rosemary spent so much time trying to escape the plans of her devil worshiping neighbors the Castevets. Even when faced with the Antichrist she gave birth to, her maternal instincts win out.  “You’re trying to get me to be his mother.” “Aren’t you his mother?”

2. Pamela Voorhees in Friday the 13th

Jason Voorhees has become one of the most enduring characters from the slasher genre, but in my opinion Betsy Palmer was a far more interesting killer as his mother in the original Friday the 13th.

1. Vera Cosgrove in Braindead (Dead Alive)

I tried to think of the ultimate deadly mom and I can’t help but settle on Vera Cosgrove in the splatter classic Braindead. She didn’t have to be a zombie to be a killer, and she couldn’t stop at just being a zombie:

Long live MUM!

Tonight–Wednesday, May 4th–sees the release of RAMMBOCK, a zombie flick from Germany that has been getting some pretty decent hype. Hopefully it will inspire an evening of big screen fun. Anyway, the efforts of Bloody Disgusting are to be supported. Look at their BLOODY DISGUSTING SELECTS website to see if the film is playing near you and to get tickets!

Honey Parker, living the life.

Now the news is abuzz about a badly decomposing body was found in Vickers’s home by a neighbor. As of this writing, DNA identification is still pending, but many journalists have already come to the conclusion that the body belongs to Vickers, who lived alone. What adds an extra, devastating dimension to this whole episode is that the remains had lain undiscovered for nearly a year. I am saddened at the image of loneliness this can’t help but to conjure, even though she, by all accounts, had chosen a more reclusive lifestyle.

Whatever the circumstances regarding the discovery at Yvette Vickers’s house, I know that she was loved by genre fans the world over. Wherever you are, break out your DVD of Attack of the 50-Foot Woman and watch it with her commentary as you see her performance on screen. Twice the Vickers!

Cover Art by Monstrous Industry! Click to go to her ETSY site!

It is Easter, which can mean only one thing–ZOMBIES! I mean, that’s what Easter is all about, right? What better way to celebrate than with a conversation with people who run a website dedicated to zombies?

Click to Hug A Zombie!

That’s right, you can listen to my talk with Baron La Croix and Dr. Fischer from HUG A ZOMBIE.COM! We discuss zombies in movies, video games, books, and their sudden proliferation in pop culture! Check out their website for news and reviews about upcoming zombie fun. Also, don’t forget to join the Hug A Zombie Facebook page! Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Don’t let those killer bunnies getcha!