Understanding the Appeal of the Fantastic: Escape from the Habitus to Promised Lands
One of my continuing research projects involves an exploration as to why so many people enjoy the realm of the fantastic in popular culture. To be sure, many people enjoy these things for little more than entertainment, but for many others I believe it goes much further. My thinking on this matter has been informed […]
Eric Nuzum: THE DEAD TRAVEL FAST: Stalking Vampires from Nosferatu to Count Chocula
Back in October in one of my many wanderings through Barnes & Noble for my latest literary fix a book in the Culture section caught my eye. Eric Nuzum’s THE DEAD TRAVEL FAST: Stalking Vampires from Nosferatu to Count Chocula (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2008) described itself as a “far-reaching look at vampires in pop culture, from Bram […]
Interview with Scott Derrickson: The Day the Earth Stood Still
One of the classics of science fiction is The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). In this film the alien Klaatu comes to earthwith the warning that humanity must decide to live in peace or face global annihilation brought about through a race of robots such as Gort, Klaatu’s intergalactic traveling companion. This classic has been […]
AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits, Volume 1
I recently received a copy of the DVD AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits, Volume 1 from my friend Miguel Gallego of Crypt Club Productions, Inc. The DVD is promoted with the idea of “All killer – no filler,” and it delivers through seven short films of independent horror, all festival award winners. A preview trailer for […]
Forrest J. Ackerman: Horror Fandom Icon Passes Away
The horror subculture and decades of monster kids mourn as news of the passing of Forrest J. Ackerman circulates in the media. As his legion of fans, old and young, are keenly aware, Forry was extremely influential in the rise of the horror subculture, and in the production of specialized magazines devoted to it, through […]
Top Horror Films Controversy: Definitions, Biases, and Criteria
Ask a group of people what the “best of” may be in any given category and you’re likely to get a diversity of answers. Along with that may come a good deal of disagreement, and possibly controversy, especially if the answers are shared in a public forum. This is exactly the scenario that has taken place in […]
Bluewater Productions Gets Graphic with Ray Harryhausen Presents: THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM
I recently received a press release from my talented filmmaking friend Marc Lougee that describes his latest project with another group of friends, the good folks at Bluewater Productions. Congratulations to them both with this new project: BELLINGHAM, WASH. (NOVEMBER 25, 2008) – The success of Ray Harryhausen Presents; The Pit and the Pendulum, a short stop motion animated film produced […]
Dark Scribe Magazine: Dark Genre Roundtable
I was asked by Vince Liaguno of Dark Scribe Magazine to be part of a discussion with a few fellow League of Tana Tea Drinkers (LOTTD) horror bloggers. The result is the “Dark Genre Roundtable” which can be found here. My thanks go to Vince and Dark Scribe for the interview and where I can […]
Mechademia: Anime, Manga and the Posthuman Future
Mechademia 3 Limits of the Human Frenchy Lunning, editor University of Minnesota Press | 288 pages | 61 b&w photos | 2008 ISBN 978-0-8166-5482-6 | paperback | $19.95 Mechademia Series, volume 3 Exploring the possibilities and perils of a posthuman future through visionary works of Japanese anime and manga Dramatic advances in genetics, cloning, robotics, […]
Twilight: Literary Phenomenon Becomes Cinema Sensation
It’s that time of year again: Hollywood has begun to release its winter films that it hopes will be blockbusters, or at least do well in box office returns in connection with the holiday movie viewing habits of consumers. The latest fantasy film involving youth and the supernatural (or supranormal) is doing very well in […]
