Critters. Yes, I said Critters.

Ok, depending on how old you are you may remember this little gem from the mid 80's. I decided that we should re-visit some of these old 80's films that time may have forgotten, but alas I have not. I picked Critters because of a little 9 year old, she saw the box art on netflix and said "awww, aren't they cute!". So the story follows a boy named Brad played by a young Scott Grimes, who now plays the voice of Steve Smith on American Dad (enjoy the useless trivia). Or maybe it follows a handyman named Charlie who, oh, never mind. The real star of this little gem are the critters, those adorable little hairballs that roll all over the place eating everything in site. They break loose and land on earth with a pair of bounty hunters, one named Ug and the other named Lee, fast on thier trail. You know what, that's all I'm going to say about Critters besides go watch it again with the kids. Or for the first time, it's not a hack and slash gore-a-thon but I sure thought it was fun. That adorable little 9 year old that thought the Critters looked all cute really enjoyed this movie and I think you will too. I'm going to have some more oldies on the way as well because they just don't make 'em like they used to, and we may just find some that you'll be happy that you found.

The Day the World Went Away - Short Film

The Day The World Went Away

Weekend of Horrors

October 15-17 in Burbank California was a horror fest called Weekend of Horrors, sponsored by Creation Entertainment. It was a small venue compared to others, and because of that I was fortunate enough to go and mingle with some of the biggest names in horror over the last 30 years.
On Friday I landed at the Burbank airport and walked to the Marriott Burbank Hotel. It was that close, and a lot of the guests were also staying there. I checked in at 9:00am and the front desk person was kind enough to let me into a room right away! I put my close away and decided to lay down for a bit.
After I woke up I looked around the hotel and found where Weekend of Horrors was being held. I decided to check it out. I walked in the front door and the woman who took my money was extremely kind and explained what was going on where.
I looked from my right to my left and there were booths with items to buy everywhere! There were thousands of DVDs, clothing, art, books and actors with photo's they would sign for you.
I was in heaven but did not know where to start. I was a bit nervous too as I was there to promote myself in the film business and learn the do's and do not's of independent film making as well as special effects makeup.
I made my way around the booths in the outer area of the hotel. All the guests were extremely nice and talked to me like I was one of them. I went into the middle of the hotel to a medium sized room where I saw Sean Patrick Flannery, Norman Reedus (who will be in The Walking Dead, so jealous) and David Della Rocco from Boondock Saints. There was so many people at that booth I walked around the other way where I saw John Kassir (The cryptkeeper), Fred Williamson ( Athlete and movie actor), Sid Haig (Rob Zombie movies and many years of acting work since the late 1950's), a ton of others and my favorite, Joe Bob Briggs.
I got to hang out with Fred Williamson and Joe Bob Briggs a bit. There were two presentations I wanted to catch so I went into the main ballroom to listen. The first was on Independent filmmakers. The panel consisted of David Sterling of Brain Damage Films, The Lewis Brothers (Black Devil Doll), Jesse Kozel (Candy), Jason Rudy of Desperate Visions, and Jack Ulrich and Geza Deczy (Alluvial).
These guys talked about the fact that you can do so much more if you don't have a big production crew. They stated that is where the money goes instead of making the actual film. Some of them stated in order to get people to help you, you already have to have the money available to pay up front or in this day and age, no one will help you. All were on the same page as far as the setbacks of being the writer, editor, director and actor in making a film. In listening to the next guest, Joe Bob Briggs, He also stated it is too hard to do everything yourself, and that if a filmmaker does, it can take the focus off of each job and in turn hurt the movie. In essence, each job is very important and needs attention. When you are doing everything it is hard to focus specifically on one thing to make it great.
Joe Bob Briggs was an excellent speaker and handled the crowd wonderfully answering every question and bringing in stories to keep the attention of the crowd. He is writing a book and apparently producing a movie soon. It will be interesting what he has up his sleeve. He is very knowledgeable about film in general, not just the horror genre which of course is his specialty. He is very down to earth and will talk with anyone that wants to talk with him. He doesn't make you feel like your talking to an icon. I liked that. I am sure others did as well. He is passionate about his fans ensures they get what they are there for. He had a busy weekend moderating panels and as well as meeting fans.
Friday night I decided to go down to the bar to eat. There I met Joe Pilato (Day of the Dead). I had dinner with him and found he is going to be in a new 3D version of Night of the Living Dead, Origins. He was very interesting to talk to. Director Zebediah De Soto, Director of the movie was also there and he was intriguing. I get the feeling he won't be going away anytime soon. He has that dark artistic vibe about him. I could have listened to him all night. Instead I went to bed.
Saturday morning I woke up and went downstairs to have a little breakfast. I met up with David Della Rocco who I had talked to a bit the night before and the rest of the weekend as well. He was very down to earth. It didn't even feel like I was talking to someone who has been in two big movies. I was done eating so I sat watching people in the lounge.
I had put in my zombie contacts for the day and had on a cute little outfit. I did not go all out like some people did at the venue. There were people dressed as zombies, werewolves, vampires, and all kinds in between. It was fun to watch. I brought my pictures with me instead. I wanted to make sure everyone remembered who I was. With zombie makeup on, no one would have.
I met up with a friend of mine and we mingled with fans and guests all day long and looked for strange DVDs we could buy. We watched the old movie Demons and listened to a forum from the cast of the new Night of the Demons film. Another friend came after that and it was time for the big event!
Bruce Campbell graced us with his presence. I was able to get a picture with him and listen to his presentation in the hotel. He discussed the fact that there are too many people remaking great films and making them bad. He stated there was not as much creativity now as it seems too many movies are remakes. He also stated if your going to remake a film, pick a bad one and make it good. I would have to agree. One of the friends I was with asked about Bruce's scar and he let her come up to the stage to touch it. She even got into a magazine for doing that. Bruce was asked some very off the wall questions including a statement from a guy stating he was from the Netherlands and there is racism against Muslims. He started to go off and Bruce handled it very well. I had been upset because he did not allow people to come up to talk to him, but after all the strange questions and statements as well as seeing some people appear like stalkers, I understood. After we were done with that, they left and I mingled with John Carl Buechler as well until I went to bed.
When I woke up the next morning I knew I would treasure this weekend. It was my closest claim to fame I have had. Most of the guests remembered who I was, even my name. I handed out my cards and am hopeful some will contact me. If not for work, just to chat as I really enjoyed talking to them. If you get a chance to go to one of these events, you will not regret it.

Chimera - Short Film

Machete

I am biased, I love Robert Rodriguez movies. Robert was born June, 20, 1968, which, by the way, makes him older than me!" Robert is an American film director, screewriter, producer, cinematographer, editor among other talents. He has made many films including ones most have probably never heard of. Here are a few movies not so known to the very well known.
Bedhead, El Mariachi, Desperado, Four Films, From Dusk Till Dawn, Spy Kids, Sin City, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl, and wrote a book in 1995. Of course we are not here because of his book.

Rodriguez has a spin on his movies I cannot get enough of. He gives you a scare or makes you sad and then laugh all in one breath. He is able to make you cringe while providing comic relief that I have never seen. He takes horror and comedy and blends them to fit his vision and the actors eat it up. Now onto why I am here, Machete.

Machete was brilliant. The cast and crew could not have been better except for Jessica Alba. She almost appeared to me as a background to be admired. Other than that, this movie was worth seeing!

Machete was released September 3, 2010. ( Yes I am a little late getting this out.) The movie starred Danny Trejo (Machete Cortez), Robert De Niro (Senator John McLaughlin), Jessica Alba (Sartana Rivera), Steven Seagal (Torrez), Michelle Rodriguez (Luz) and my favorite Tom Savini (Osiris Amanpour) among other well known actors that made this movie the hit it was.

I also need to give a shout out to the makeup and special effects people. Susan Benson, Doug Field, Meredith Johns, Missy Lisenby, Heather Olson, Ermahn Ospina and Nancy Rankin. Without these people, the movie would not exist in my opinion. Also remember Ethan Maniquis worked in tandem with Robert.

Machete (Danny Trejo) is a man of the law in Mexico. He wants law and order. Torrez (Steven Seagal) sees it differently. He Kills Machete's family. Machete then finds himself in the US illigally doing odd jobs for money and tries to keep a low profile. He is enticed to take $150,000 to assassinate Senator John McLaughlin ( De Niro). Machete gives the money to Luz (Michelle Rodriguez) to allow her to fund her cause, helping Latino's get to the US so they can have a better life for themselves and their families. INS agent Sartana Rivera (Jessica Alba) gets involved and an emotional yet funny journey ensues to clear Machete's name and get rid of crooked politicians.

I refuse to give anymore information on this movie. You must see it yourself! If you are a republican or do not have a great sense of humor however, this movie is not for you! Long live Rodriguez movies!!