HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Trailer Drop: THE LAST BOY ON EARTH Arrives Nov. 7 on Deadgital and VOD

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What is the Scariest Edge of Your Seat Horror Thriller You've Probably Never Seen?

SPLINTER Turns 15 Today

It swept film festival award categories, astounding audiences and revving up for one hell of a U.S. release.

But nobody famous made it, was in it, or took it under their wing.

So Magnet distributing, which has a solid overall track record in finding the best in indie Horror Thriller movies, took Director Toby Wilkins masterpiece into their VOD model where all movies go to die and disappear.

It is available on disc, but this is one you'll have to hunt for, and this is why you should: SPLINTER.

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HAPPY HORROR BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer, Director, Producer, Peter Jackson (BAD TASTE, MEET THE FEEBLES, BRAIN DEAD / DEAD-ALIVE, HEAVENLY CREATURES, THE FRIGHTENERS, THE LORD OF THE RINGS [all], KING KONG, DISTRICT 9, THE LOVELY BONES, THE HOBBIT, MORTAL ENGINES) is 62.
Actor Stephen Rea (CRY OF THE BANSHEE, THE COMPANY OF WOLVES, THE DOCTOR AND THE DEVILS, INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, HACKS, IN DREAMS, FEAR DOTCOM, THE I INSIDE, CONTROL, V FOR VENDETTA, SISTERS, THE REAPING, STUCK, THE DEVIL'S MERCY, THE HEAVY, ROADKILL, THE SHADOW LINE [TV], UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING, WEREWOLF: THE BEAST AMONG US, UTOPIA [TV], COUNTERPART [TV], THANKSGIVING [TV], GRETA, CYPRESS AVENUE, THE STRANGER [TV], FLESH AND BLOOD [TV], NIGHTRIDE) is 77.
Look for Stephen in the 2024 Horror, VISITATION.

It's HALLOWEEN EVE!

Trailer Drop: SCREWDRIVER, Nov. 10 on Deadgital and VOD

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HALLOWEEN II Is 42

John Carpenter hated the pointless retread of a HALLOWEEN II, calling it "An abomination". Yet contractual obligations being what they were, he had to write and release another in at least the capacity of Producer, along with his co-writer and producer, Debra Hill.

This was the result and response in 1981 to HALLOWEEN II.

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John Carpenter's VAMPIRES is 25

If you saw this movie long after its 1998, you may among those who like / love it more than audiences did on its theatrical release. Through no fault of John, things were going on in the news cycle that put a definite slant on U.S. audiences being able to leave their cares at the door and enjoy John Carpenter's VAMPIRES.

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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Sarah Carter (MINDSTORM, TRAPPED, WISHMASTER 3, FINAL DESTINATION 2, SKINWALKERS, DOA: DEAD OR ALIVE, KILLING ZELDA SPARKS, FREAK DOG aka RED MIST, THE TOYMAN KILLER, GUARDIAN [2014], FALLING SKIES [TV], FALLING SKIES: THE ENEMY WITHIN [TV], ROGUE [TV], THE GURU AND THE GYPSY) is 43.
Look for Sarah in the upcoming 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Horror Thriller NOSFERATU.
Sarah shares a birthday with her FINAL DESTINATION 2 alumni,
Actor Shaun Sipos (FINAL DESTINATION 2, THE SKULLS III, THE GRUDGE 2, SHARK [TV], LOST BOYS: THE TRIBE, RAMPAGE [2009], ENTER NOWHERE, TEXAS CHAINSAW 3D, A MOTHER'S RAGE, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES [TV], THE REMAINING, DARK MATTER [2015-2017 TV], THE SANDMAN [2017], INSOMNIA [TV], KRYPTON [TV], NIGHT RAIDERS, OUTER RANGE) is 42.
Look for Shaun in the upcoming 2023, 2024 Thriller, BLACK DIAMOND.

HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL Turns 24

SFX Artist and Director William Malone saw the Release of his Magnum Opus on this day. WIth a script largely by Dick Beebe (THE LAZARUS MAN) and careful Producing by Roger Zemekis (TALES FROM THE CRYPT: DEMON KNIGHT), it was better than the original in every way (barring the abscence of Vincent Price, of corpse). This review by Bram Stoker award winning writer, Mike Oliveri, explains why we love HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL.

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How Old Are You? SAW is 19

As so often happens, a low budget indie out of nowhere kicked all studio pretenders into the ditch and become legendary. This is exactly what happened with Leigh Whannell and James Wan's SAW.

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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor India Eisley (HEADSPACE, UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING, NANNY CAM, SOCIAL SUICIDE, THE CURSE OF SLEEPING BEAUTY, CLINICAL, LOOK AWAY, I AM THE NIGHT [TV], DEAD RECKONING, EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE) is 29.
Actor Winona Ryder (BEETLEJUICE, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, DRACULA [1992], THE CRUCIBLE, ALIEN: RESURRECTION, GIRL, INTERRUPTED, LOST SOULS, A SCANNER DARKLY, STAR TREK, BLACK SWAN, THE ICEMAN, THE LETTER, FRANKENWEENIE, HOMEFRONT, STRANGER THINGS [TV]) is 51.
Look for Winona in the 2022 Mystery Thriller, THE COW.
Actor Rufus Sewell (HAMLET [1996], DARK CITY, BLESS THE CHILD, SHE CREATURE, THE ILLUSIONIST, DOWNLOADING NANCY, VINYAN, ELEVENTH HOUR [TV], THE TOURIST, ZEN [TV], ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER, RESTLESS [TV], I'LL FOLLOW YOU DOWN, OCCULT, THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE [TV], THE PALE HORSE [TV], OLD) is 46.
Writer, Producer, Actor Sue Stevens (THE WRONG HOUSE) is 54.
Writer, Director Dante Tomaselli (DESECRATION, HORROR, SATAN'S PLAYGROUND, TORTURE CHAMBER) is 53.
Horror Writer L.L. Soares (IN SICKNESS [w/Laura Cooney], LIFE RAGE, ROCK 'N' ROLL, HARD) is 58.

SAW II is Old Enough To Vote

Two different Writers and two different directors had an idea for a movie that had so much in common, that the production company who wanted to fund them said something to the effect, to the second person who approached, "If this first movie does we'd like to do your movie as a sequel. Would you be cool with that?"

Apparently Darren Lynn Bouseman said yes, and forever became a key figure in the SAW franchise when he directed the second box office hit to the first, SAW II.

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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Horror writer Rain Graves (BLOOD OF A BLACKBIRD) is 49.
Writer Joe Lansdale (Books: THE TWO-BEAR MAMBO, MUCHO MOJO, COLD IN JULY, THE MAGIC WAGON, SUNSET AND SAWDUST, CAPTAINS OUTRAGEOUS, THE DRIVE-IN. Movies: BUBBA HO-TEP, INCIDENT ON AND OFF A MOUNTAIN ROAD, CHRISTMAS WITH THE DEAD, COLD JULY, SON OF BATMAN, CREEPERS, HAP AND LEONARD [TV], LOVE DEATH AND ROBOTS [TV]) is 72.
Actor Devon Murray (HARRY POTTER AND THE "X" [all]) is 36.
Actor Joaquin Phoenix (TO DIE FOR, U-TURN, RETURN TO PARADISE, 8MM, QUILLS, SIGNS, THE VILLAGE, RESERVATION ROAD, THE MASTER, DARK BLOOD, YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE, JOKER, BEAU IS AFRAID) is 49.
Look for Joaquin in the 2024 Horror, POLARIS.
Actor Matt Smith (THE SHADOW IN THE NORTH, DOCTOR WHO [TV - 24th Doctor of Cinema and Television], MOSES JONES, WOMB, LOST RIVER, TERMINATOR GENISYS, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES, PATIENT ZERO [2018], HIS HOUSE, LAST NIGHT IN SOHO, MORBIUS, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON [TV], STARVE ACRE) is 41.

58 Years Ago Today...

This is the Mario Bava movie with a production design and concept that started it all: STAR TREK, ALIEN, and perhaps even John Carpenter's THE THING. You will be Amazed! Stunned! Stupified beyond belief! When you read my review of Mario Bava and Ib Melchior's PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES!

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7 Years later, Mario Bava returned to U.S. shores with a same release day of...

BARON BLOOD.

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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Director Emily Hagins (PATHOGEN, THE RETELLING, MY SUCKY TEEN ROMANCE, CHILLING VISIONS, SCARE PACKAGE, SORRY ABOUT THE DEMON) is 30.
Actor Robert Picardo (THE HOWLING, LEGEND, MUNCHIES, BATES MOTEL [TV], 976-EVIL, TOTAL RECALL, GREMLINS 2, STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT, MENNO'S MIND, Masters of Horror HOMECOMING [TV], SENSORED, THE AWAKENED, MEGA-SHARK vs CROCOSAURUS, MONSTERWOLF, THE CANDIDATE, MORLOCKS, END OF THE ROAD, LEGENDS OF NETHIAH, TRAIL OF BLOOD, MANSION OF BLOOD, LAST STOP, ATLAS SHRUGGED II, THE INFILTRATORS, DON'T BLINK, MORGANVILLE: THE SERIES [TV], MANSION OF BLOOD, OCCUPANTS, UBELIEVABLE!!!!!, DISCONTINUED, TO MEET THE FACES YOU MEET MEAD) is 65.
Look for Robert in the upcoming 2023, 2024 Horror Thriller release, WEREWOLF GAME. Also in 2024, CRIMSON SHADOWS.

THE TERMINATOR Turns 39

The creative 1980s action and fury wasn't created by everyone, but a few select people, outsiders to the Hollywood system, like when James Cameron co-wrote and directed THE TERMINATOR.

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DONNIE DARKO is 22

Released too close to 9/11, and with all of the confusion around how to sell such a movie that starts with a mysterious jet engine falling out of the sky, this movie crashed and burned in theaters, but made a rousing comeback in home video. Who saw the theatrical release of DONNIE DARKO? There you were! 22 with your whole life ahead of you and close enough to Highschool to identify with all of that angst.

Well now yer 44! Yer Old! OLD!

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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Cary Elwes (THE BRIDE, DRACULA [1992], THE CRUSH, TWISTER, KISS THE GIRLS, SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE, THE X-FILES [TV], SAW, THE RIVERMAN, THE ALPHABET KILLER, TOYS IN THE ATTIC, AS GOOD AS DEAD, PSYCHE:9, SAW: THE FINAL CHAPTER, GHOST OF NEW ORLEANS, HELLGATE, HANSEL AND GRETEL GET BAKED, HORIZON, PSYCHE [TV], A BIT OF BAD LUCK, TEEN LUST, A HAUNTING IN CAWDOR, SUGAR MOUNTAIN, WE DON'T BELONG HERE, DON'T SLEEP, GHOST LIGHT, STRANGER THINGS [TV], BLACK CHRISTMAS [2019], THE UNHOLY [2021], OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE) is 61.
Look for Cary in the upcoming 2023 Thriller, Zack Snyder's REBEL MOON.
Actor Robert Maillet (300, SHERLOCK HOLMES [2009], THE BIG BANG, MONSTER BRAWL, IMMORTALS, A LITTLE BIT ZOMBIE, PACIFIC RIM, PERCY JACKSON AND THE SEA MONSTERS, THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES, SEPTIC MAN, THE STRAIN [TV], HAVEN [TV], KILLER WAVES, DEAD POOL 2, BECKY, VICIOUS FUN) is 54.
Actor Jon McLaren (THE CONVENANT, A WOMAN'S RAGE, MY NANNY'S SECRET, THE STEPSON, ANOTHER MAN'S WIFE, THE PERFECT ROOMMATE, METAL TORNADO, EDDIE, HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET, CROOK, THE GIRL HE MET ONLINE, TRUST NO ONE, BOTTOM OF THE WORLD, DARKEN, THE EVIL TWIN) is 39.
Look for Jon in the upcoming 2023, 2024 Thrillers, GUTSHOT and WALKING SUPPLY.
Actor Trevor White (MILLENNIUM [TV], EPICENTER, DEATH TRAIN TO THE PACIFIC, STRANGE FREQUENCY, HELLRAISER: HELLSEEKER, MINDHUNTERS, A SUMMER IN GENOVA, ECHELON CONSPIRACY, GODFORSAKEN, SUPER ERUPTION, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, ASTRAL, TORNARE) is 53.

HALLOWEEN Was Released On This Day In 1978

Want to make the case that John Carpenter's HALLOWEEN is passe? Not scary? Not relatable? Obsolete?

You're going to lose that argument and this is why: Because it's 2023 and we're STILL discussing HALLOWEEN!

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21 Years of GHOST SHIP

The late 1990s saw an outpouring of William Castle remakes under the Dark Castle Entertainment banner, but for me, the one that stood out was the only non-remake. We had the theatrical experience of GHOST SHIP.

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11 Years of FEAR THE REAPER

In 2011, if memory serves me correctly, I submitted my short story, CEDO LOOKED LIKE PEOPLE to Joe Mynhardt at Crystal Lake Publishing for his anthology, FEAR THE REAPER. On this day in 2012, the book was released and I was soon pleased to see that so many reviewers found favor with it.

"Cedo Looked Like People was an odd but captivating tale."
- Carl Alves

"Some stories blur the line between fantasy and horror, like the fascinating "Cedo Looked Like People" by E.C. McMullen, Jr. with an innovative, character driven and surreal glimpse into identity and loss."
- E.F. Schraeder

"Cedo Looked Like People" - E.C. McMullen Jr.: A boy's strange next door night - and day-divided neighbors make for equally strange - and later disturbing - friendships. This Ray Bradbury-esque is one of the most memorable and one of the more original stories I've read in a long time."
-Steve Isaak

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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Mia Goth (THE SURVIVALIST, A CURE FOR WELLNESS, MARROWBONE, SUSPIRIA [2018], HIGH LIFE, MAYDAY, THE HOUSE, X, PEARL) is 30.
Look for Mia in the upcoming 2023 Horror movies, INFINITY POOL and MAXXXINE.
Producer Gale Anne Hurd (THE TERMINATOR [all], ALIENS, BAD DREAMS, ALIEN NATION, THE ABYSS, TREMORS, CAST A DEADLY SPELL, RAISING CAIN, NO ESCAPE, THE GHOST AND THE DARKNESS, THE RELIC, DANTE'S PEAK, DEAD MAN ON CAMPUS, VIRUS [1999], HULK, THE PUNISHER [2004], THE COVEN [2004], ÆON FLUX, THE INCREDIBLE HULK, PUNISHER: WARZONE, THE WALKING DEAD [TV], THE TALKING DEAD [TV], HORIZON [TV], FEAR THE WALKING DEAD [TV], FALLING WATER [TV], LORE [TV], HELLFEST, THE WALKING DEAD: WORLD BEYOND [TV]) is 67.
Gale shares an October birthday month with THE WALKING DEAD alumni, Emily Probst.
Actor Mia Wasikowska (SUBURBAN MAYHEM, ROGUE, ALICE IN WONDERLAND [2010], STOKER, ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE, THE DOUBLE, CRIMSON PEAK, ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS, THE DEVIL ALL THE TIME) is 34.
Look for Mia in the 2023 Thriller, CLUB ZERO.

MOTEL HELL Turns 44

Corny and knuckle-headed, with the common theme of backwoods murderous yokels, this dark Horror comedy still reaches across the decades with its redneck charm. Where did such a cheap one-off go right? I break down MOTEL HELL.

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FROM BEYOND Turns 37

Stuart Gordon's gory 1986 body horror, loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft's short story, got a criminally limited theatrical release yet found its audience on home video. This was an era where audiences sat in the comfort of their homes and had their wits scared out of them. FROM BEYOND.

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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor, Stunt, Emily Brobst (BELL WITCH: THE MOVIE, VAMPIRES SUCK, DON'T KILL IT, LET ME IN [2010], PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3, SINISTER, GHOUL [2012], LOOPER, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4, IRON MAN 3, INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2, DHOOM 3, SPACE STATION 76, A HAUNTED HOUSE 2, GODZILLA [2014], GRIMM [TV], TERMINATOR GENYSIS, POLTERGEIST [2015], DARK PLACES, SALEM [TV], SINISTER 2, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: THE GHOST DIMENSION, THE 5TH WAVE, THE CONJURING 2, OUIJA: ORIGIN OF EVIL, ANNABELLE: CREATION, INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY, THE WALKING DEAD [TV], FUTURE WORLD, THE DARKEST MINDS, THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS, US, X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX, ANNABELLE COMES HOME, DOOM PATROL [TV], FEAR STREET 1994; 1978; 1666) is 39.
Actor John Kassir (TALES FROM THE CRYPT [TV], TALES FROM THE CRYPT: DEMON KNIGHT, TALES FROM THE CRYPT: BORDELLO OF BLOOD [he's the Cryptkeeper, yall!], CASPER, MONSTER MASH: THE MOVIE, EARTHWORM JIM, EEK! THE CAT, TALES FROM THE CRYPT: RITUAL, DR. RAGE, DONNER PASS, GUNNER KANE, HELLBLAZERS) is 66.
Look for John's upcoming 2023 Horror Thriller, SLICE!
Writer Jon F. Merz (THE INVOKER, THE FIXER, THE DESTRUCTOR, THE SYNDICATE, DANGER-CLOSE) is 54.
Composer Bill Wyman (PHENOMENA, DARIO ARGENTO'S WORLD OF HORROR, OPERA) is 87.

Today is the First Annual National Horror Movie Day!

It is? Okay, sure! Why not? I'll take it!

Yeah, it's probably a gimmick to draw visitors, but isn't that how Talk Like A Pirate Day (September 19) started out? Still, why October 23? Find out why at National Day Calendar.

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John Carpenter's PRINCE OF DARKNESS Turns 35

HALLOWEEN be damned but as a Director, John Carpenter is not the kind of person who repeats himself. His every movie tried something new, something different. But that said, one of his most experimental is PRINCE OF DARKNESS.

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A CHRISTMAS HORROR STORY Turns 8

For a moment, an era, it seemed as if every low budget indie producer wanted a Krampus they could call their own. And if the title is taken? No matter, like Santa himself, his shadow belongs to everyone. And everyone belongs to Krampus, especially in A CHRISTMAS HORROR STORY.

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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Jon Huertas (EXECUTIVE DECISION, BUDDY BOY, COLD HEARTS, AUGGIE ROSE, BORDERLINE, THE INSATIABLE, BELIEVERS, THE OBJECTIVE, REPARATION, ALTERED PERCEPTION, INITIATION) is 54.
Writer, Director, Producer Olatunde Osunsanmi (THE CAVERN, THE FOURTH KIND, EVIDENCE, FALLING SKIES [TV], MINORITY REPORT [TV], SLEEPY HOLLOW [TV], BATES MOTEL [TV]) is 46.
Director, Producer Sam Raimi (THE EVIL DEAD, EVIL DEAD II, ARMY OF DARKNESS, DARKMAN [all], AMERICAN GOTHIC [TV], M.A.N.T.I.S. [TV], THE GIFT, SPIDER-MAN [2002], THE GRUDGE, SPIDER-MAN 2 [2004], THE GRUDGE 2, THE MESSENGERS, RISE: BLOOD HUNTER, 30 DAYS OF NIGHT, SPIDER-MAN 3 [2007], 13: FEAR IS REAL [TV], DRAG ME TO HELL, THE POSSESSION, ZOMBIE ROADKILL [TV], EVIL DEAD [2013], POLTERGEIST [2014], DON'T BREATHE [all], ASH VS. EVIL DEAD [TV], CRAWL, THE GRUDGE [2020], THE UNHOLY [2021], UMMA, DON'T BREATHE 2, DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS, NIGHTBOOKS, EVIL DEAD RISE, 65, BOY KILLS WORLD) is 64.
Look for Sam's upcoming 2024 Horror release of DON'T MOVE.
Actor Ryan Reynolds (THE OUTER LIMITS [TV], BIG MONSTER ON CAMPUS, FINDER'S FEE, BLADE: TRINITY, THE AMITYVILLE HORROR [2005], THE NINES, X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, BURIED, GREEN LANTERN, SAFE HOUSE, R.I.P.D., THE CAPTIVE, SELF/LESS, DEADPOOL [all], LIFE, 6 UNDERGROUND, FREE GUY, THE ADAM PROJECT) is 45.
Actor Jessica Stroup (VAMPIRE BATS, PRAY FOR MORNING, LEFT IN DARKNESS, BROKEN [2006], THE HILLS HAVE EYES II, REAPER [TV], PROM NIGHT [2008], THE INFORMERS, HOMECOMING [2009], THE FOLLOWING [TV], IRON FIST [TV]) is 37.
Musician Robert Trujillo (SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, GLENN TIPTON, OZZY OSBOURNE, METALLICA) is 59.

HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH Opened 41 Years Ago Today

It's 2023 and people who weren't even alive then - whose parents weren't even alive then - still debate the merits of this second sequel. HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH.

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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Jeff Goldblum (THE SENTINEL, INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS [1978], REMEMBER MY NAME, THRESHOLD, THE ADVENTURES OF BUCKAROO BONZAI, TRANSYLVANIA 6-5000, THE FLY [1986], VIBES, TWISTED OBSESSION, MISTER FROST, DEEP COVER, SHOOTING ELIZABETH, JURASSIC PARK, HIDEAWAY, POWDER, THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK, AUGGIE ROSE, FAY GRIM, RAINES [TV], THOR: RAGNAROK, JURASSIC PARK: FALLEN KINGDOM, HOTEL ARTEMIS, JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION) is 71.
Actor Christopher Lloyd (SCHIZOID, STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK, CLUE, TRACK 29, WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES, QUICKSILVER HIGHWAY, DEADLY GAMES [TV], CONVERGENCE, TREMORS [TV], BAD GIRLS FROM VALLEY HIGH, Masters of Horror: VALERIE ON THE STAIRS, PIRANHA 3D, PIRANHA 3DD, DEAD BEFORE DAWN 3D, SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR, BLOOD LAKE: ATTACK OF THE LAMPREYS, 88, I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER, COLD MOON, THE SOUND, MUSE, 12 MONKEYS [TV], ONE BY ONE, NOBODY, SPIRIT HALLOWEEN) is 85.
Look for Christopher in the 2023 Thriller, TIME THE FOURTH DIMENSION. Also in 2023, MAN & WITCH.
Actor Suzanne Snyder (WEIRD SCIENCE, REMO WILLIAMS: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS, NIGHT OF THE CREEPS, TOMORROW'S A KILLER, RETRIBUTION, RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD PART II, KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE, FEMME FATALE) is 62.

HALLOWEEN 4: THE RETURN OF MICHAEL MEYERS is 35

The reason certain franchises can endure is that there are always those people who like or love a generally bad sequel. Some people like HALLOWEEN 2 and 3, and even John Carpenter doesn't like those (then again, there's plenty that John Carpenter doesn't like, although he personally assured me that it's "Okay to like the French." I assume he means in a general way, as he didn't mention any names).

Screenwriter Ken King loves HALLOWEEN 4: THE RETURN OF MICHAEL MEYERS. If it really eats you up to read that someone does, click on the link to get his view on it, and settle down.

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THE PUPPET MASTERS Turns 29

Curiously, actors Donald Sutherland and Keith David have starred in an unusual number of movies like THE PUPPET MASTERS.

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DOOM the Movie is Old Enough to Vote

It had Dwayne Johnson, Karl Urban, Richard Brake, and Rosamund Pike, but was that enough to make a hit out of DOOM?

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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Helene Joy (DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE [2000], FEED, MURDER IN THE HAMPTONS, ReGENESIS [TV], MURDOCH MYSTERIES [TV], MURDOCH MYSTERIES: THE CURSE OF THE LOST PHAROAHS [TV], MURDOCH MYSTERIES: THE MURDOCH EFFECT [TV], MURDOCH MYSTERIES: NIGHTMARE ON QUEEN STREET [TV], SADIE'S LAST DAYS) is 45.
Actor Everett McGill (UNION CITY, QUEST FOR FIRE, DUNE [1984], SILVER BULLET, IGUANA, JEZEBEL'S KISS, TWIN PEAKS [TV], THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS, JEKYLL ISLAND, TWIN PEAKS: THE MISSING PIECES) is 78.
Actor Sasha Roiz (THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW, LAND OF THE DEAD, UNTHINKABLE, CAPRICA [TV], WAREHOUSE 13 [TV], EXTRACTED, GRIMM [TV], SALVATION [TV], DEPARTURE [TV]) is 49.
Writer, Director, Producer, Actor Tammi Sutton (THE DEAD HATE THE LIVING!, THE VAULT, WITCHOUSE 3, KILLJOY 2, DEAD AND ROTTING, HELL ASYLUM, GROOM LAKE, SPECK, RED SERPENT, SUTURES, ISLE OF DOGS, WHISPERS) is 52.

OLD DARK HOUSE Turns 91

It's got Gloria Stuart at her height! It's got Boris Karloff in all his might! It even has Melvin Douglas who would eventually appear in GHOST STORY.

Is it any good? Oh yeah! But do you really want to watch a black and white movie from 1932? Well, would you refuse to see any movie that takes place in the past? Do you refuse to see movies that are based on books more than a century old like FRANKENSTEIN, DRACULA, THE MUMMY? Is a modern movie like a KING KONG rebootin' sequel or anything based on H.P. Lovecraft too old for you?

Hoo bee do if you said true, you ageist creep! For everyone else looking for fun and entertainment, this is why the heavily influential OLD DARK HOUSE is still copied by the latest movies to this day.

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MULHOLLAND DR. Turns 22

Speaking of movies that borrowed from OLD DARK HOUSE.

Even die-hard David Lynch fans are a critical lot, ready to discuss and differentiate his best movies from his worst. The problem that always arises in the conversations is, where those boundaries go. Every fan has a different opinion of where Lynch was on track and where he went off the rails.

That includes my reviewer, Nick Kauffman, a David Lynch fan who has his own view of MULHOLLAND DR. (or MULHOLLAND DRIVE outside of the U.S.A. In other countries, American abbreviations get so weird when Dr. can mean both Drive and Doctor. This is definitely not a movie about a Doctor living in Mulholland.).

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THE PRESTIGE Turns 17

Not everyone is a Christopher Nolan fan, but if you are just discovering this director, this is why you should see, THE PRESTIGE.

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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Katie Featherston (MUTATION, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY [all], PSYCHIC EXPERIMENT, THE RIVER [TV]) is 41.
Actor Viggo Mortensen (THE CREW, CRIMSON TIDE, THE PROPHECY, A PERFECT MURDER, PSYCHO [1998], THE LORD OF THE RINGS [all], A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, EASTERN PROMISES, THE ROAD, A DANGEROUS METHOD, THE TWO FACES OF JANUARY, JAUJA, CRIMES OF THE FUTURE, THIRTEEN LIVES) who is 65.
Actor Sam Witwer (BATTLESTAR GALACTICA [TV], DEXTER [TV], THE MIST, PATHOLOGY, GAMER, BEING HUMAN [TV], ONCE UPON A TIME [TV], OFFICER DOWNE, RIVERDALE [TV]) is 45.

16 Years Ago We Had 30 DAYS OF NIGHT

What is it about this movie, based on the popular comic book, that made me come unglued?

Read my original review, straight from the giant theater screen experience of 30 DAYS OF NIGHT.

And -

HALLOWEEN From 2018 Turns 5

It was promoted as an apology for all of the decades of HALLOWEEN sequel garbage released across 40 plus years. Jamie Lee Curtis promoted it by asking for forgiveness for her appearing in some of the worst sequels and promising that this would be better. John Carpenter was onboard and providing the soundtrack with his band.

Original Producer, Moustapha Akkad, was murdered by terrorists in Amman, Jordan, along with his daughter Rami in 2005. His son, Malek, who was only a child when it all started, took the reigns and was onboard with the retconning out of all the sequels and making this HALLOWEEN the canon that picks up where the original left off.

Everybody repeated the same story. This would be the fan wish-list legacy that ends the franchise.

So how did they do with HALLOWEEN 2018?

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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Roger Cross (THE MAN WHO WOULDN'T DIE, BEYOND SUSPICION, DON'T TALK TO STRANGERS, THE DISAPPEARANCE OF VONNIE, HIDEAWAY [1995], SUSPICIOUS AGENDA, THE SURROGATE [1995], THE LIMBIC REGION, DOOMSDAY ROCK, CLONED, NICK FURY: AGENT OF SHIELD [1998], VOYAGE OF TERROR, DOUBLE JEOPARDY, AFTERSHOCK: EARTHQUAKE NEW YORK, SOLE SURVIVOR [2000], FIRST WAVE, THE OUTER LIMITS [TV 1995 - 2002], THE VOID [2001], DEADLY LITTLE SECRETS, INTERCEPTER FORCE 2, TAKEN [TV], X2: X-MEN UNITED, THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK, 24 [TV], THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL [2008], POLAR STORM, THE GATES [TV], GHOST RECON: FUTURE SOLDIER [VG], EUReKA [TV], INFEX [VG], ABDUCTED: THE CARLINA WHITE STORY, TASMANIAN DEVILS, BIOSHOCK INFINITE [VG], BIOSHOCK INFINITE: BURIAL AT SEA, ARROW [TV], MOTIVE [TV], THE RETURNED [TV], THE STRAIN [TV], CONTINUUM [TV], RE-KILL, WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES, DARK MATTER [TV 2015 - 2017], THE X-FILES [TV 2016 - 2018], CORONER [TV], C.O.R.N., MURDOCK MYSTERIES [TV]) is 53.
Roger shares a birthday month with EUReKA alumni Joe Morton.
Actor Anna Galvin (THE SENTINEL [TV], LOST IN OZ, VEILED TRUTH, Masters Of Horror: RIGHT TO DIE, TIN MAN [TV], VICE, THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN [TV], THE BOY WHO CRIED WEREWOLF, MESSAGES DELETED, STARGATE UNIVERSE [TV], POSSESSING PIPER ROSE, A KILLER AMONG US, GIRL VS. MONSTER, WAY OF THE WICKED, MOTHER OF ALL LIES, WARCRAFT, RUBY HERRING MYSTERIES: SILENT WITNESS, VAN HELSING [TV]) is 53.
Actor Samantha Robinson (MISOGYNIST, SUGAR DADDIES, THE LOVE WITCH, DOOMSDAY DEVICE, CAM, TOPOLOGY OF SIRENS, DARWIN FICK) is 31.

RE-ANIMATOR Turns 38

37 years later, can you believe it? And the mind-boggling visual imagery from RE-ANIMATOR remains one of the hottest memes in social media even to the point of becoming a musical.

Reviewer Kelly Parks (UNIVERSAL DEAD) reveals why RE-ANIMATOR remains a hot ticket nearly 4 decades later.

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THE RING is Old Enough to Legally Drink

It was the International Horror movie phenomenon of the turn of the Century and Millennium as one country after the next remade or contributed (for better or worse) to author Kôji Suzuki's original novel or Hiroshi Takahashi's original screenplay adaptation. This is the movie that launched Gore Verbinski's career into making PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN.

I was there at the theatrical opening weekend to see THE RING.

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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer/Reviewer, and feoamante.com alumni, Mike Bracken (Various movie reviews including: THE BEYOND, BRIDE OF CHUCKY, THE CHURCH, INFERNO, NEKROMANTIK, TERROR AT THE OPERA, and ZOMBIE. Horror Geek on the TV Game Show, Beat The Geeks) is 51.
Actor Tyler Posey (INSIDE OUT [2005], TEEN WOLF [TV], SCARY MOVIE V, TRUTH OR DARE [2018], NOW APOCALYPSE [TV], UNDONE [TV], ALONE) is 32.
Look for Tyler in the upcoming 2022 Thriller, BRUT FORCE.
Actor Joe Morton (THE CLAIRVOYANT, THE BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET, CROSSROADS, STRANDED [1987], THE LOST PLATOON, TERMINATOR 2, IN THE SHADOW OF EVIL, LONE STAR, APT PUPIL, THE ASTRONAUT'S WIFE, WHAT LIES BENEATH, DRAGONFLY, PAYCHECK, BREAKING DAWN [2004], THE NIGHT LISTENER, EUReKA [TV], COMA [TV], JUSTICE LEAGUE, SCANDAL [TV], GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS, ZACK SNYDER'S JUSTICE LEAGUE) is 75.
Composer Howard Shore (THE BROOD, SCANNERS, VIDEODROME, NOTHING LASTS FOREVER, THE FLY [1986], DEAD RINGERS, THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, A KISS BEFORE DYING, NAKED LUNCH, SINGLE WHITE FEMALE, SLIVER, GUILTY AS SIN, THE CLIENT, ED WOOD, SE7EN, BEFORE AND AFTER, COP LAND, THE GAME, GLORIA, eXistenZ, DOGMA, THE CELL, THE LORD OF THE RINGS [all], PANIC ROOM, SPIDER, A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, EASTERN PROMISES, EDGE OF DARKNESS, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY, THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG, THE HOBBIT: THERE AND BACK AGAIN) is 76.
Look for Howard's 2022 Horror movie with longtime collaborator, Director David Cronenberg, CRIMES OF THE FUTURE.
Writer/Director David Twohy (CRITTERS 2, WARLOCK [all], GRAND TOUR: DISASTER IN TIME, TERMINAL VELOCITY, WATERWORLD, THE ARRIVAL, PITCH BLACK, IMPOSTOR, BELOW, THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK [all], A PERFECT GETAWAY) is 68.

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor/Writer/Producer Mark Gatiss (P.R.O.B.E.: THE DEVIL OF WINTERBORNE [TV], P.R.O.B.E.: UNNATURAL SELECTION [TV], THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN [TV], SHAUN OF THE DEAD, MARPLE: THE MURDER AT THE VICARAGE [2004], THE QUATERMASS EXPERIMENT [2005], WALLACE & GROMIT IN THE CURSE OF THE WERERABBIT, CLONE [TV],CROOKED HOUSE [TV], DOCTOR WHO [TV], SHERLOCK [TV], GAME OF THRONES [TV], THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN [TV], GOOD OMENS [TV], DRACULA [TV - 2020], THE AMAZING MR. BLUNDEN, THE MEZZOTINT) is 57.
Writer/Director/Producer Kenneth J. Hall (THE TOMB, CRITTERS, BLOODY MOVIE, NIGHTMARE SISTERS, EVIL SPAWN, PUPPET MASTER, LINNEA QUIGLEY'S HORROR WORKOUT, DIE WATCHING, BLONDE HEAVEN, JACK FROST, THE CLOWN AT MIDNIGHT, KRAA! THE SEA MONSTER, HALFWAY HOUSE, HOLLA II, WILLY'S WONDERLAND, PRETTY BOY, THE AMITYVILLE MOON) is 65.
Actor Max Irons (DORIAN GRAY, RED RIDING HOOD, THE HOST, THE WHITE QUEEN [TV], POSH, THE RIOT CLUB, CROOKED HOUSE, TERMINAL, CONDOR [TV], FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC: THE ORIGIN [TV]) is 37.
Actor Tiffany Lyndall-Knight (BATTLESTAR GALATICA, I, ROBOT, Da VINCI'S CITY HALL, BLADE: THE SERIES, FIDO, CHLOE, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE PLAN, THE BABADOOK) is 46.

CANDYMAN Turns 30

Few genre actors have as large a cult following that's as strong as Tony Todd. The man accomplished this with powerful performances in both Horror (THE CROW, FINAL DESTINATION) as well as Science Fiction (Star Trek [TV]). The fact that he walked away from the CANDYMAN franchise instead of ride it to the bitter end only garners him greater respect from the fans.

This is how the legend began - CANDYMAN.

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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Kellie Martin (HER HIDDEN TRUTH, HIDDEN IN SILENCE, MYSTERY WOMAN [TV], NO BROTHER OF MINE, HAILY DEAN MYSTERIES [all]) is 48.
Actor Erin Brown (aka Misty Mundae: TITANIC 2000, VAMPIRE STRANGLER, INTERNATIONAL NECKTIE STRANGLER, WITCHBABE: EROTICWITCH PROJECT 3, MY VAMPIRE LOVER, AN EROTIC VAMPIRE IN PARIS, SILK STOCKING STRANGLER, VAMPIRE VIXENS, LUST FOR DRACULA, THE LOST, Masters of Horror: SICK GIRL, SCULPTURE, MOTHER NOOSE PRESENTS: ONCE UPON A NIGHTMARE, MIDNIGHT MASSACRE, DEAD BY MIDNIGHT (Y2KILL), THRUST, SPOOKT, and more) is 45.
Stuntman Harry Wowchuck (DEATH RACE 2000, DEATHSPORT, ALLIGATOR, THE ENTITY, PARASITE, GHOST WARRIOR, ROBOCOP, SISTER SISTER, PHANTASM II, ALIEN NATION, ROBOCOP 2, FEAR, PHANTASM III, BLACK SCORPION, VOLCANO, THE END OF VIOLENCE, CONSPIRACY THEORY, HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN, THE GINGERBREAD MAN, VIRTUAL OBSESSION, FRAILTY, RED DRAGON, STAR TREK: NEMESIS, THE GHOST WHISPERER [TV], INCEPTION, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, and way more) is 75 and still at it!
Look for Harry's work in the 2024 Thriller, DARKNESS OF MAN.

50 Years Of Stunts!

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Grace Van Dien (THE LAST BID, PATIENT SEVEN, THE BAD TWIN, ESCAPING DAD, AWAKEN THE SHADOWMAN, V FOR VENGEANCE, STRANGER THINGS [TV]) is 27.
Look for Grace in the upcoming 2023 Thriller, THE FIX. Also in 2023, ALASKA and AAAH! ROACH!
Actor Lynn Lowry (SUGAR COOKIES, THE CRAZIES [1973], SHIVERS aka THEY CAME FROM WITHIN [1974], CAT PEOPLE [1982], COMPELLING EVIDENCE, SPLATTER DISCO, BEYOND THE DUNWICH HORROR, DEAD THINGS, SCHISM, THE CRAZIES [2010], SPIRIT [2010], NEXT DOOR, THE THEATER BIZARRE, HACK JOB, I SPILL YOUR GUTS, THE HAUNTING OF WHALEY HOUSE, THE TROUBLE WITH BARRY, MONDO SACRAMENTO, OMBIS: ALIEN INVASION, TRASHTASTIC, OVULATION, TORTURE CHAMBER, MY STEPBROTHER IS A VAMPIRE?!?, THE LEGEND OF SIX FINGERS, MOSTLY DEAD, DYS-, A GRIM BECOMING, DEAD GIRLS, BLOOD BROTHERS, WHISPERS, PRETTY FINE THINGS, TERROR TALES, MODEL HUNGER, DITCH DAY MASSACRE, TRINITY [2016], ODISSEA DELLA MORTE, HELL'S KITTY, EXPOSURE, LAST AMERICAN HORROR SHOW, CYNTHIA, THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS ZOMBIES, LIKE A SHADOW, THOSE WHO DESERVE TO DIE, RABID [2019], NECROPOLIS: LEGION, HEMATIC WEB, SKY SHARKS, SEASONS and way more!) is 75.
Look for Lynn in the 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 Horror movies, THE GHOST IS A LIE, THE LEGEND OF GRASSMAN, SPIRIT RISER, HOUSE OF TERROR, and ESSENCE.

Wes Craven's NEW NIGHTMARE is 29

Most Directors are never given the opportunity to return to the final movie of a franchise they started and create a sort of bookend grand finale.

Of course, most directors don't care. Spielberg never craved a final picture for any of his franchises, and he's had many. John Carpenter was basically two and done with HALLOWEEN. Sean S. Cunningham released the director reigns of FRIDAY THE 13th, letting it wander where it may so long as it went into theaters first, and Joe Dante set THE HOWLING free to direct GREMLINS 2.

But while many of these folks remained in some kind of Producer capacity, other directors have strong feelings toward their creations. Wes Craven had such feelings toward his NIghtmare franchise and got the hard-earned opportunity to direct the final one, NEW NIGHTMARE.

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Gregg Bishop's DANCE OF THE DEAD Isn't Old Enough For the Prom

Zombies at the Prom? It's nearly a sub-genre in itself. So far they are all comedies and Gregg Bishop's DANCE OF THE DEAD is probably the best one yet!

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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Horror Writer Richard Christian Matheson (Books: SCARS, ZOOPRAXIS, THE RITUAL OF ILLUSION, CREATED BY, SCARS, DYSTOPIA.
Movies: TALES FROM THE CRYPT: Split Second [TV], SOLE SURVIVOR [TV], IT WAITS, NIGHTMARES AND DREAMSCAPES: From the Stories of Stephen King - Battleground, Mick Garris' Masters Of Horror: DANCE OF THE DEAD, THE DAMNED THING [TV], SPLATTER [TV], CHEMISTRY [TV], BIG DRIVER, NIGHTMARE CINEMA) is 69.
Actor Udo Kier ("BURN, WITCH, BURN", FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN, BLOOD FOR DRACULA, SOME FRIES FOR WOLFMAN, SPERMULA, SUSPIRIA, DOCTEUR JEKYLL ET LES FEMMES, BLADE, END OF DAYS, MEGIDDO, FEAR DOT COM, LOVE OBJECT, DOGVILLE, DRACULA 3000, GRINDHOUSE, Rob Zombie's HALLOWEEN, METROPIA, MELANCHOLIA, IRON SKY [all], NIGHT OF THE TEMPLAR, LORDS OF SALEM, SCOOBY-DOO! MYSTERY INCORPORATED [TV], THE EDITOR, PUPPETMASTER: THE LITTLEST REICH, BACURAU, LAST MOMENT OF CLARITY, HUNTERS [TV], THE BLAZING WORLD, and a whole lot more) is 79.
Look for Udo in the 2022, 2023 Horror Thriller, THE ARK: AN IRON SKY STORY and MY NEIGHBOR ADOLF. Also in 2023, SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET.
Actor Max Thieriot (NANCY DREW [2007], JUMPER, CHLOE, MY SOUL TO TAKE, DISCONNECT, HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET, BATES MOTEL [TV]) is 34.

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer / Director Chris Carter (THE X-FILES [TV: 1995 - 2002], MILLENIUM [TV], HARSH REALM [TV], THE LONE GUNMEN [TV], THE X-FILES: FIGHT THE FUTURE, THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE, THE AFTER, THE X-FILES [TV: 2016 - 2018) who is 67.
Actor Christopher Judge (STARGATE SG-1 [TV], X-MEN: EVOLUTION [TV], ANDROMEDA [TV], MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE VS THE SNAKE MEN [TV], PERSONAL EFFECTS, STARGATE: THE ARK OF TRUTH, PARADOX, DEAD SPACE: AFTERMATH, REHAB, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, KNOCK 'EM DEAD, MEGA SHARK VS MECHA SHARK, REAPER, MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT) is 58.
Actor Bailey Noble (TRUE BLOOD [TV], MARTYRS [2015], THE GOOD NEIGHBOR, THE ARCHER, THEM [TV]) is 33.
Look for Bailey in the 2022, 2023 Horror Thriller, APOPHENIA.
Actor Kiele Sanchez (MIGRATING FORMS, LOST [TV], INSANITARIUM, A PERFECT GETAWAY, 30 DAYS OF NIGHT: DARK DAYS, THE GLADES [TV], THE GLADES [TV], THE PURGE: ANARCHY) is 46.
Actor Katia Winter (NIGHT JUNKIES, THE SEER, ARENA, LOVE SICK LOVE, DEXTER [TV], FEDZ, THE STRANGER WITHIN, SLEEPY HOLLOW [TV], NEGATIVE, THE WAVE, YOU'RE NOT ALONE, AGENT HAMILTON [TV], THE BOYS) is 40.

SINISTER Turns 11

Fear, like taste, is subjective. Some folks are afraid of heights, some don't even know they are afraid of water until they first stand before an ocean and only then truly consider its expanse, power, and depth.

Slasher movies are made for teens and 20-somethings. Steven Spielberg movies like JAWS and POLTERGIEST cover the range of teens to fogies. While still others are meant to scare 30-something and over adults (ALTERED STATES, JACOB'S LADDER).

Whatever audience director Scott Derrickson was looking for when he made SINISTER, he found it in reviewer Ken King.

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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Carlos Bernard (THE KILLING JAR, 10.5 APOCALYPSE, ALIEN RAIDERS, GHOST STORM, CSI: MIAMI, LAVANTULA, 24: LEGACY [TV]) is 61.
Actor Deborah Foreman (3:15 THE MOMENT OF TRUTH, APRIL FOOL'S DAY, DESTROYER, WAXWORK, LOBSTER MAN FROM MARS, SUNDOWN: THE VAMPIRE IN RETREAT, LUNATICS: A LOVE STORY, GRIZZLY II: THE REVENGE) is 61.
Look for Deborah in the 2023 Horror Thriller, THE DEMONS WITHIN.
Actor Hugh Jackman (Halifax f.p.: AFRAID OF THE DARK, X-MEN [all], SWORDFISH, VAN HELSING, THE PRESTIGE, DECEPTION, XMEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, REAL STEEL, THE WOLVERINE, PRISONERS X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, LOGAN, REMINISCENCE) is 54.
Artist Eric Pigors (TOXIC TOONS, UNCLE PIGORS CRYPTIC ART) is probably 63 or something. I'm not sure, as he's as touchy about his age as a divorced Cougar. Visit him at ToxicToons.
Writer Steven Saville (INHERITANCE, DOMINION) is 54.
Actor Lin Shaye (A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, CRITTERS, NEW NIGHTMARE, 2001 MANIACS, HOOD OF HORROR, SNAKES ON A PLANE, INSIDEOUS [all], CHILLERAMA, ROSEWOOD LANE, BIG ASS SPIDER, LOST TIME, THE SIGNAL [2014], BAYOU TALES, GRACE [2014], OUIJA [all], THE VOICES, ROOM FOR RENT, GET GONE, GOTHIC HARVEST, THE GRUDGE [2019], DARKNESS FALLS [2020], DREAMKATCHER, THE VOICES, MAX RELOAD AND THE NETHER BLASTERS, PENNY DREADFUL: CITY OF ANGELS [TV], THE CALL [2020], PINES, FRANK AND PENELOPE) is 80.
Look for Lin in the upcoming Mystery Thriller for 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 JACKSON'S HOLE. Also in 2024, SCARED TO DEATH and HOUSE OF ABRAHAM.

Today's October Ride Through Feo Amante's Theater

THE BACKWATER GOSPEL

There's a town where everybody says they're good but knows they're evil. So they look for the worst among them to sacrifice to the Undertaker. For if the Undertaker is appeased, the Angel of Death will pass them by.

They can't afford to be fooled. They must sacrifice the worst among them in THE BACKWATER GOSPEL. Today's short Horror movie at Feo Amante Theater.

And -

THE ADDAMS FAMILY Turns an Animated 4

The original THE ADDAMS FAMILY TV show came directly from the source material, as Charles Addams himself was the "Showrunner" and co-wrote most of the episodes, laying the groundwork for all of those shows he didn't write.

When Barry Sonnenfeld's delightful, THE ADDAMS FAMILY came to the theater screen, writers Caroline Thompson (EDWARD SCISSORHANDS) and Larry Wilson (BEETLEJUICE), with their Tim Burton pedigrees, took greater creative liberties. After all, they had to walk a tightrope between what the fans expected and how the characters had grown in their imaginations. Further, young actor Cristina Ricci brought an energy to her character that Wednesday never had before and it was worth exploring.

The animated movie didn't base itself on the source material, it based itself on Sonnenberg's movie. Then screenwriter Matt Lieberman (SCOOB) made the odd decision of robbing Wednesday of her self-assured confidence and making her a weak, whiney narcissitic Hollywood goth kid, surrounded by love and despising every second of it to support her dramatic Tragedienne fantasy. This is how that choice worked out for 2019's THE ADDAMS FAMILY and how it crippled what could have been a great franchise.

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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Claudia Black (PITCH BLACK, QUEEN OF THE DAMNED, STOLEN LIFE, MASS EFFECT 2 [VG], WAR GAMES: THE DEAD CODE, RAGE [VG], THE ORIGINALS [TV], JUSTICE LEAGUE: DOOM [TV], MASS EFFECT 3 [VG], DIABLO III [VG], KILLING FLOOR II [VG], WOLFENSTEIN II [VG - 2017], ROSWELL NEW MEXICO [TV], TIME NOW, DEUS) is 50.
Actor Matt Bomer (TRU CALLING [TV], FLIGHTPLAN, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE BEGINNING, TRAVELER [TV], SUPERMAN UNBOUND, SPACE STATION 76, AMERICAN HORROR STORY [TV], JONATHAN, DOOM PATROL [TV], ECHOES [TV]) is 45.
Actor Sean Patrick Flanery (THE YOUNG INDIANA JONES CHRONICLES [TV], RAGING ANGELS, POWDER, PALE SAINTS, SUICIDE KINGS, THE BOONDOCK SAINTS, ACCEPTABLE RISK, EYE SEE YOU, BORDERLINE, DEAD LAWYERS, THE STORYTELLER, DEMON HUNTER, Masters of Horror: THE DAMNED THING, KAW, THE INSATIABLE, SAVAGE PLANET, Stephen King's DEAD ZONE [TV], MONGOLIAN DEATH WORM, SAW 3D, InSight, THE DEVIL'S CARNIVAL, BLACKOUT [TV], COLD SPRING, PHANTOM [2013], SCAVENGERS, DARK POWER, HIDDEN AWAY, DEXTER [TV], THE EVIL WITHIN, FLASHBURN, AGENDA: PAYBACK, HOWLERS, HUNTER'S MOON, INSIGHT, LOVE HURTS, FRANK AND PENELOPE) is 58.
Look for Sean in the upcoming 2023 Horror Thriller, NEFARIOUS.
Actor Stephen Moyer (QUILLS, TRINITY, MENACE, DEADLINES, 88 MINUTES, RESTRAINT, OPEN HOUSE, TRUE BLOOD [TV], THE CALLER, ICE, THE DOUBLE, PRIEST, THE BARRENS, EVIDENCE, DEVIL'S KNOT, DETOUR [2017], THE GIFTED [TV], G-LOC,LAST SURVIVORS, CONFESSION) is 53.

KILL BILL Turns 20

Quentin Tarantino had an idea for one long movie. Miramax didn't want to say no, but ,a three hour movie, like that Bonnie Tyler song, it's a butt-ache - no matter how you look at it. Quentin finally cut a deal and made his one movie into two. This is what we got for his trouble. Jump back to 2003 when reviewer E.C. McMullen Jr. saw KILL BILL Vol. 1 on the giant silver screen!

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QUARANTINE Turns 15

Can a Hollywood remake be better than the original? Screenwriter, Ken King tells you why the REC remake rocks in his review of QUARANTINE.

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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Charles Dance (TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED [1979], HIDDEN CITY, OUT OF THE SHADOWS, THIS LIGHTNING ALWAYS STRIKES TWICE, GOLDENEYE [1989], FIRST BORN [1988], THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA [1990], ALIEN3, CHINA MOON, DESOVÍO AL PARAÍSO, THE SURGEON, UNDERTOW, MICHAEL COLLIINS, REBECCA [1997], FOR YOUR EYES ONLY, GOSFORD PARK, CITY AND CRIMES, SWIMMING POOL, LAST RIGHTS [2005], BLEAK HOUSE, AGATHA CHRISTIE MARPLE: BY THE PRICKING OF MY THUMBS, SCOOP, FALLEN ANGEL [TV], STRIKE BACK [TV], PARIS CONNECTIONS, NEVERLAND [TV - 2011], GAME OF THRONES [TV], UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING, ST. GEORGE'S DAY, SECRET STATE [2012], THE IMITATION, DRACULA UNTOLD, VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES, GHOSTBUSTERS [2016], UNDERWORLD: BLOODWARS, GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS, THE BOOK OF VISION, THE KING'S MAN) is 76.
Actor Jessica Harper (PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE, SUSPIRIA, THE EVICTORS, SHOCK TREATMENT, THE IMAGEMAKER, THE BLUE IGUANA, MINORITY REPORT, SUSPIRIA [2018], SEE [TV], BONES & ALL) is 74.

Lovecraftian Cosmic Horrors, Oh My!

You won't be short changed by this award winning animated short movie, embedded at Feo Amante Theater, CRUISE PATROL.

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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer, Producer, Director Guillermo del Toro (CRONOS, MIMIC, THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE, BLADE II, HELLBOY, CRONICAS, PAN'S LABYRINTH, HELLBOY: ANIMATED [all], THE ORPHANAGE, HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY, SPLICE, DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK, LOS OJOS DE JULIA, THE HOBBIT [all], PACIFIC RIM, THE BOOK OF LIFE, MAMA, CRIMSON PEAK, THE SHAPE OF WATER, THE STRAIN [TV], SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK, THE WITCHES, ANTLERS, GUILLERMO del TORO'S CABINET OF CURIOSITIES [TV]) is 59.
Look for Guillermo's upcoming Horror Thriller in 2023, HAUNTED MANSION.

OMG! 55 Years Ago Mario Bava Hit U.S. Theaters With KILL BABY KILL

Mario Bava died 43 years ago. His films were distributed throughout the U.S. in small towns, big city arthouse cinemas, and rarely saw wide release. Yet a fandom of collectors, many whose own parents weren't old enough to see Mario Bava movies in first run theaters, keep this director's work at premium prices to this day.

What's more, any major fans of movie franchises as disparate as STAR TREK, ALIEN, and FRIDAY THE 13th, find their way back to the conceptual, visual and story source of those movies, all of which converge on Mario Bava.

Reviewer Nicholas Kaufman revels in their evergreen legacy that is Mario Bava in his review of KILL BABY KILL.

And -

OMEGA! 45 Years Ago On This Day John De Bello Foisted Upon the Earth...
ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES!

Actor John Astin (THE ADDAMS FAMILY [TV], THE SPIRIT IS WILLING, SKYWAY TO DEATH, NIGHT GALLERY, HALLOWEEN WITH THE NEW ADDAMS FAMILY, RETURN OF THE KILLER TOMATOES, NIGHT LIFE, STEP MONSTER, GREMLINS 2: THE NEW BATCH, KILLER TOMATOES STRIKE BACK!, ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES [TV], KILLER TOMATOES EAT FRANCE!, THE FRIGHTENERS) revived his career in the sequels, But of course, nothing compares to the original movie that was so cheap its budget nearly killed its Star!

Find out how in E.C. McMullen Jr.'s retro review of ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES.

Also -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer R.L. Stine (GARBAGE PAIL KIDS series, GOOSEBUMPS series, FEAT STREET series, FIRST EVIL series, POINT HORROR series, NIGHTMARE HOUR, IT CAME FROM OHIO!: My Life As A Writer, and way more) is 80.

The most kick-ass movie heroine ever!
Actor Sigourney Weaver (ALIEN, EYEWITNESS, GHOSTBUSTERS, ALIENS, HALF MOON STREET, GHOSTBUSTERS II, ALIEN 3, DEATH AND THE MAIDEN, COPYCAT, ALIEN: RESURRECTION, GALAXY QUEST, THE VILLAGE, AVATAR, ABDUCTION, THE CABIN IN THE WOODS, RED LIGHTS, VAMPS, GHOSTBUSTERS [2016], A MONSTER CALLS, THE DEFENDERS [TV], GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE, AVATAR 2) is 73 today.
Look for Sigourney in the upcoming 2024, AVATAR 3.
*FeoNote for the purists: This title could have gone to Jamie Lee Curtis for HALLOWEEN in 1978 - but despite her gunplay on Michael Meyers (and his subsequent immolation and beheading to name a few) he never dies! Throughout the sequels, Curtis' character of Laurie Strode remains a victim of the same antagonist while Weaver's Ripley or "Ripley" destroys all who threaten her - even in hand to hand combat!

64 Years of the 4D MAN

It's rare, bordering on unique, that a Science Fiction Horror movie isn't obsolete after 64 years, but that's how good the writing, acting, and direction was for 4D MAN. In fact, a lot of SF fans would likely hold it in higher esteem if it wasn't for just one thing...

Leap back to 1959 with E.C. McMullen's review of 4D MAN.

And -

35 Years of ALIEN NATION

Time has made this movie an alt-history or maybe a multiverse movie, in that its touchstones, modern for their time, are all obsolete. In fact, it was outdated by the time it hit video stores a year after its theatrical release. Somebody at 20th Century Fox must have realized this wasn't the fault of the movie, but of the suits, because despite mediocre theater performance, this movie found enough rent and sales in home video to warrant a successful TV show.

Through no fault of the writer, actors, or directors, or really anyone on the crew, boardroom decisions were made that doomed the little SciFi Horror movie that almost could, only to find redemption on television.

For the next wave of filmmakers, this is the cautionary history of ALIEN NATION.

Plus -

18 Years Since THE CALL OF CTHULHU

Here is a microbudget Indie that got more attention than most Horror movies of this scale, all because the title was well-known and so is the author. Yet with that said, it's developed its cult because it's genuinely good. Reviewer Kelly Parks tells us why it's worth watching THE CALL OF CTHULHU.

Also -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Shawn Ashmore (THE X-MEN [all], BLOOD MOON, THE QUIET, SOLTICE, THE RUINS, FROZEN, MOTHER'S DAY, THE DAY, BREAKING THE GIRL, DARKNESS FALLS, THE BOYS [TV], AFTERMATH, THE FREE FALL) is 44.
Actor Dylan Baker (RADIOLAND MURDERS, DISCLOSURE, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM, THE CELL, THE TAILOR OF PANAMA, ALONG CAME A SPIDER, CHANGING LANES, SPIDER-MAN 2, THE MATADOR, HIDE AND SEEK, FIDO, SPIDER-MAN 3, TRICK 'R TREAT, DAMAGES [TV], IMMORTAL [2019], BLINDSPOT [TV], THE HOT ZONE: ANTHRAX [TV], THE RESORT [TV], INSIDE MAN [TV], OUTPOST [2022], MARVEL'S WASTELANDERS: DOOM [TV]) is 64.
Look for Dylan in the 2023 Mystery, Suspense comedy, DREAM SCENARIO, starring Nicholas Cage (8MM, MANDY, THE COLOR OUT OF SPACE).
Composer Marco Beltrami (INHUMANOID, SCREAM [all], MIMIC, THE FACULTY, DRACULA 2000, RESIDENT EVIL, BLADE II, TERMINATOR 3, HELLBOY, I, ROBOT, CURSED, RED EYE, UNDERWORLD: EVOLUTION, THE OMEN [2006], CAPTIVITY, THE INVISIBLE, VIKAREN, THE EYE, AMUSEMENT, IN THE ELECTRIC MIST, KNOWING, THE HURT LOCKER, REPO MEN, DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK, THE THING [2011], STAB 6: GHOSTFACE RETURNS, SNOWPIERCER, WARM BODIES, CARRIE, WORLD WAR Z, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, THE WOLVERINE, THE TWILIGHT ZONE [TV 2019-], UNDERWATER, A QUIET PLACE II, R.L. Stein's FEAR STREET [TV], THE TWILIGHT ZONE [TV 2019-2020], LOVE AND MONSTERS, CHAOS WALKING, NINE PERFECT STRANGERS [TV], VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE, NO EXIT, DEEP WATER, PANTHEON [TV]) is 57.
Make-up & SFX artist Screaming Mad George (POLTERGIEST II: THE OTHER SIDE, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3, PREDATOR, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4, THE ABYSS, SOCIETY, BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR, CHILDREN OF THE CORN III, JACK FROST, FAUST, PROGENY, BEYOND RE-ANIMATOR) is 68.

David Lynch's MULHOLLAND DR. is 22

Like all of David Lynch's work, this one falls into the camps of Love It or Dismiss It.

I can't think of a single movie David has made where such lines have not been drawn and sometimes by his biggest fans who Love This and Hate That.

David Lynch fan and reviewer David Kauffman explains where he feels MULHOLLAND DR. falls on his Lynchometer.

And -

TRICK 'r TREAT Turns 14

Our review of 2009's Direct to Video release of Warner Bros. TRICK 'r TREAT.

Plus -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Producer Al Bravo (LA LLARONA [THE WAILER], GURDIAN, LA LLARONA 2 [THE WAILER 2], PRIMITIVE RECALL, GURDIAN, REALITY TERROR NIGHT, 2 BEDROOM 1 BATH, APARTMENT 213 PROJECT LEGION) is 47.
(E.C.McMullen Jr. did the Special Make-up Effects on PRIMITIVE RECALL).
Look for Al's upcoming 2023 Horror Thriller, AMITYVILLE: WHERE THE ECHO LIVES.
Actor Scarlett Hefner (HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS [Part 1 and 2], LAKE PLACID: THE FINAL CHAPTER, SORORITY MURDER, FALLING SKIES [TV], THE VAMPIRE DIARIES [TV], RUNAWAYS [TV]) is 33.
Mystery Writer Betty Sullivan La Pierre (THE HAWKMAN series, DEADLY THORN, MURDER.COM, IN FOR THE KILL) is so old that she keeps her age a secret.
Actor Wendy Robie (TWIN PEAKS [TV], THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS, VAMPIRE IN BROOKLYN, DEVIL IN THE FLESH, THE DENTIST 2, THE ATTIC EXPEDITIONS, LOST VOYAGE, TWIN PEAKS: THE MISSING PIECES, TWIN PEAKS: THE RETURN [TV], DREAMING GRAND AVENUE) is 70.
Actor Jeremy Sisto (THE CREW, HIDEAWAY, OAKLAND UNDERGROUND, SUICIDE KINGS, ANGEL EYES, MAY, WRONG TURN, ONE POINT O, METHOD, DEAD & BREAKFAST, POPULATION 436, THE THIRST, UNKNOWN, BROKEN, ROSENKRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE UNDEAD, HANGMAN, THE RETURNED [TV], H8RZ, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR) is 49.
Look for Jeremy in the 2021, 2022, 2023 CAPTAIN TSUNAMI'S ARMY. And look for his 2024 Horror Thriller, LAST STRAW.

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Daniel Baldwin (KNIGHT MOVES, DEAD ON SIGHT, BODILY HARM, THE INVADER, THE PANDORA PROJECT, FALLOUT, STEALING CANDY, KING OF THE ANTS, PAPARAZZI, VEGAS VAMPIRES, BORN OF EARTH, THE DEVIL'S DOMINOS, LITTLE RED DEVIL, A DARKER REALITY, NINE DEAD, THE TRUTH, DEATH AND CREMATION, STRIPPERLAND, AFTER EFFECT, CELL COUNT, THE UNBROKEN, LADY PSYCHO KILLER, SICILIAN VAMPIRE, THE GUEST HOUSE, DEADLY SANCTUARY, ANABOLIC LIFE, TWO FACED, CROSSBREED, ATTACK OF THE 50 FT. WOMAN, CHRISANDER, ENCHANTRESS) is 63.
Look for Daniel in the upcoming 2023 Horror Thriller, DEVIL'S KNIGHT.
Writer, Director, and Artist Clive Barker (THE BOOKS OF BLOOD, WEAVEWORLD, IMAGICA, HELLRAISER, NIGHTBREED, CANDYMAN, HELLBOUND: HELLRAISER II, THE THIEF OF ALWAYS, COLD HEART CANYON, ABARAT, HELLRAISER: BLOODLINE, VALERIE ON THE STAIRS, THE MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN, DREAD, ABARAT: ABSOLUTE MIDNIGHT, INCARNATE [TV], HELLRAISER: JUDGEMENT, CANDYMAN [2021]) who is 71.
Look for the 2022 reboot of Clive's HELLRAISER, coming to Hulu this week.
Short story Horror writer Jack "Jackula" Haringa is of unknown age. But it's still his birthday.
Singer Brian Johnson (BACK IN BLACK, FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK, WHO MADE WHO, STIFF UPPER LIP, FLICK OF THE SWITCH, FLY ON THE WALL, POWER UP) is 75.
Actor Guy Pearce (L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, RAVENOUS, MEMENTO, THE TIME MACHINE, FIRST SNOW, THE HURT LOCKER, IN HER SKIN, THE ROAD, DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK, PROMETHEUS, LOCK OUT, IRON MAN 3, EQUALS, BRIMSTONE, SPINNING MAN, THE INOCENTS [TV], A CHRISTMAS CAROL [TV 2019], BLOODSHOT, THE SEVENTH DAY, ZONE 414, THE INFERNAL MACHINE) is 55.
Writer, Director Ti West (THE ROOST, TRIGGER MAN, THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL, CABIN FEVER 2, THE INNKEEPERS, V/H/S [segment], THE ABCs OF DEATH [segment], THE SACRAMENT, IN A VALLEY OF VIOLENCE, X, PEARL) is 43.

Today's Scary October Ride is in, DISGUISE

Find out more about Writer, Director, and Producer Tyler Czajkowski and his 2023 short movie DISGUISE.

And -

55 Years of the Dead

To his grave George Romero groused over "fast zombies" like the kind we saw in RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD and DAWN OF THE DEAD (2004).

"Zombies cannot run, I say this definitively, as the grandfather of zombies."
George A. Romero, Vice Films

But the facts are, Zombie movies throughout the world as well as the U.S., existed way before Romero. He tried many times to re-invent his legacy (which is why his version of events changes in interview after interview throughout the decades), and why the only folks who took his side on this matter were those who never watched his original more than once, if at all.

He began with various undead, slow and fast, and nobody who knows the movie would honestly ever argue any different. But there's more than that to be found in Bram Stoker winning Horror writer Brian Keene's retro review of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.

Plus -

RED DRAGON is Old Enough to Drink

In 1991, THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS was a huge hit for Orion. It did boffo box office and a treasure trove of awards. Only problem was, Orion was so busy filing for bankruptcy (you would not believe the cavalcade of crap movies they greenlit back then!), and trying to remain solvent, there was little to nothing they could do with their potential cash cow.

In 1997 - 1999 the revitalized MGM finally, mercifully, bought them out, laid off all but 25 workers, and put HANNIBAL on the fast track. They had to. Anthony Hopkins turned 60 in 1997 and at that age, the human body starts its own fast tracking in aging. The ten years from 50 to 60 are a lot more remarkable than the "slow aging" of 40 to 50.

New problem? Hannibal Lector was the villain but Clarice Starling was the hero and star. That's Jodie Foster's face on the poster and Jodie Foster refused to return to the role that put her on the map. If for no other reason but that she didn't want to be part of the cheaper faster diminishing returns of a Horror movie franchise (which is how big studios treated their cash cows back then).

Despite their new Clarice, HANNIBAL was a hit.

Rock on! Let's finish this trilogy! Wait! What? Another problem? Can't anything go right?

See, the trilogy of books didn't begin with THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, it began with Red Dragon. In that novel there was no Clarice, the movie starts with Hannibal Lector, and it was already made and called MANHUNTER, and with another actor in the role.

Worse, MGM had the rights to Thomas Harris's novel but no rights to the movie MANHUNTER. It was immediately decided that they had to round off their trilogy with the prequel that starts the whole thing. Except Hannibal Lector had to look 20 years younger than Anthony Hopkins and he was looking 20 years older than when he started this.

Okay, we can do this! We'll just get a little make-up, the right lighting, and - Oh, I know! We'll get some music video guy to direct it!
Brilliant, they're the cheapest and you can't go wrong with cheap!
Hey! Brett Ratner directs music videos and he's available!

This then, is how it all played out in 2002's RED DRAGON.

Also -

BEYOND RE-ANIMATOR Turns 20

Three movies deep! Brian Yuzna had his trilogy and he never let us down! This is one of the rare movie trilogies that is great from start to finish and this is how Brian Yuzna won the day with BEYOND RE-ANIMATOR.

Wassmor -

Finale -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Christopher Fairbank (THE AWAKENING, MURDER WITH MIRRORS, BATMAN [1989], ALIEN³, THE FIFTH ELEMENT, INVASION: EARTH [TV], THE BUNKER [2001], BELOW, WALLACE & GROMIT: THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT, CARGO [2006], HELLGATE: LONDON [VG], MINDFLESH, DEMON'S SOULS [VG], LITTLE DEATHS, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, WRITER'S RETREAT, THE SHOW, ALL MY FRIENDS HATE ME) is 69.
Writer Brian Hodge (THE DARKER SAINTS, PROTOTYPE, WORLD OF HURT, DEATHGRIP, I'LL BRING YOU THE BIRDS FROM OUT OF THE SKY, DARK ADVENT, SKIDDING INTO OBLIVION, OASIS, DEATH GRIP, NIGHT LIFE, LIES & UGLINESS, PICKING THE BONES, FALLING IDOLS) is 62.
Visit him at BrianHodge.net.
Goth Model/Actor Heidi Van Horne (CLEAN, ANGELS DIE SLOWLY) is 45.
Visit her at Heidi Van Horne.
Actor Liev Schreiber (SCREAM [all], PHANTOMS, SPHERE, TWILIGHT [1998], HAMLET, THE SUM OF ALL FEARS, THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE [2004], THE OMEN [2006], X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, SALT, REPO MEN, THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST, THE LAST DAYS ON MARS, THE 5TH WAVE, SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE, DON'T LOOK UP) is 55.
Liev shares an October birthday with fellow SCREAM alumni, Neve Campbell.

Your Scary October Ride continues with the 2014 short movie, THRESHER

I guess I'm not the only one who has woke up to see a strange naked black man smiling at me from the corner of my room. Yeah, it's always awkward, and This short movie is always THRESHER.

And -

TERROR TRAIN Turns 43

It was 1980 and Jamie Lee Curtis had a great Horror movie run with 1978's surprise hit, John Carpenter's HALLOWEEN. There she play innocent and naive Laurie who, since she didn't have pre-marital sex, substantially increased her odds of survival. But that became the only script she was offered. In 1980 Jamie was in three different Slasher movies at the age of 22 and it was time to stop playing an under-age naif. You know, like she did in John Carpenter's THE FOG. So when Canadian producers came around Jamie Lee decided it was time to show some cleavage. For the rest of the 1980s Jamie was going to be sexy and desirable, like Kimberly in PROM NIGHT and Alana in TERROR TRAIN.

Plus -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Neve Campbell (THE DARK, THE CANTERVILLE GHOST, THE CRAFT, SCREAM [all], WILD THINGS, BLIND HORIZON, THE GLASS MAN, AN AMISH MURDER, SCREAM [2022]) is 49.
Look for Neve in the 2023 Thriller, TWISTED METAL [TV].
Actor Seth Gabel (THE Da VINCI CODE, FRINGE [TV], JONAH HEX, ALLEGIANCE [2012], ARROW [TV], GOTHICA [2013], AMERICAN HORROR STORY [TV], SALEM [TV], BIG SKY) is 41.
Actor Lena Headey (WATERLAND, GOSSIP, RIPLEY'S GAME, THE BROTHERS GRIMM, THE CAVE, 300, THE BROKEN, LAID TO REST, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, GAME OF THRONES, DREDD, THE PURGE, THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS, 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES, THE DARK CRYSTAL: AGE OF RESISTANCE [TV], RISE OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES [TV], INFINITY TRAIN [TV], GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE, MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: REVELATION [TV], 9 BULLETS) is 50.
Look for Lena in the upcoming 2023 Mystery Thriller, BEACON [TV]
Actor Clive Owen (PRIVATEER 2: THE DARKENING [VG], SECOND SIGHT, THE BOURNE IDENTITY, I'LL SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD, SIN CITY, DERAILED, INSIDE MAN, CHILDREN OF MEN, THE INTERNATIONAL, DUPLICITY, TRUST, INTRUDERS, SHADOW DANCER, VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS, GEMINI MAN, LISEY'S STORY [TV], RETREAT [TV]) is 59.
Actor Noah Schnapp (STRANGER THINGS [TV], LEGEND OF HALLOWAIIAN, HUBIE HALLOWEEN, THE TUTOR) is 19.
Actor Tessa Thompson (WHEN A STRANGER CALLS, VERONICA MARS [TV], THE INITIATION OF SARAH, HIDDEN PALMS, EXQUISITE CORPSE, RED AND BLUE MARBLES, MURDER ON THE 13TH FLOOR, 666 PARK AVENUE, THOR: RAGNAROK, ANNIHILATION, WESTWORLD [TV], AVENGERS: ENDGAME, MEN IN BLACK: INTERNATIONAL, THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER) is 39.
Director Denis Villeneuve (INCENDIES, PRISONERS, ENEMY, ARRIVAL, BLADE RUNNER 2049DUNE [2022]) is 56.
Look for the 2023 release of Denis' DUNE 2.

Thomas Sipos: HALLOWEEN CANDY

If you've never tried a taste of this HALLOWEEN CANDY, it may become your favorite.

The decades of struggles, near misses, close calls, award winners, and brushes with publishing or Production success that so often came to the edge only to elude the real life Thomas Sipos. His work was praised by various publishers and movie people from Jonathan Frid (DARK SHADOWS) to the American Film Institute to Producer and Director Robert Wise (THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN), yet you've probably never heard of him.

If you're a creator who has busted ass forever yet can't seem to get a break, you'll recognize yourself in the hardworking Thomas Sipos' HALLOWEEN CANDY. If there's one thing he's learned from all of this, it's never to repeat the same mistake twice.

Yet there are so many mistakes left to be made!

And -

FLIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD Turns 16

Every so often you see a big budget movie with an actor or three who have made their mark in some of the worst, dullest low-budget garbage you wasted valuable minutes of your life watching.

Big Budget Directors from Robert Rodriguez to Quentin Tarantino to Christopher Nolan are well-known for recognizing solid dependable actors who can deliver despite their track record of crap.

What is rare though, is when a low-budget Horror indie fills its call sheet with such actors and actually makes a fun and enjoyable movie. Yet in 2006, that's exactly what Co-Writer, Producer, and Director Scott Thomas did with FLIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.

Plus -

ZOMBIELAND Turns 14

I had a friend who used to love Zombie Horror movies. Then came the onscreen "fast Zombies" of Zack Snyder and James Gunn's DAWN OF THE DEAD 2004. He loved that too. He doesn't like ZOMBIELAND, though. ZOMBIELAND took fast zombies to their logical conclusion regarding survivability (Survival Rule #1: CARDIO). If you were out of shape and didn't get in shape real quick, you were on the menu.

Well, the beeg boi didn't like that. He felt he was smart enough to outwit any brain dead zombie. And yah, in the movies pretty much everyone is smart enough to outwit a zombie. But sooner or later you're going to wind up in a situation that requires physical exertion, not sitting in a La-Z-Boy and firing a gun at whatever revenant busts down your door and interrupts Minecraft. My old friend found exercise boring. That's puzzling to me, as a writer, because I can really get into the Movie-In-My-Head experience of the story I'm formulating whenever I'm exercising. It's one of the few times in urban life when people will leave you TFA.

Soon THE WALKING DEAD came along and, once again he loved it. Right up until the moment the show made it clear that obesity wasn't a survival skill in a Zombie Apocalypse: And this came from showrunner Robert Kirkman, who is quite the teddy bear himself!

His loss. Personally I have a great time with ZOMBIELAND ever since the first day I saw it on the huge theater screen.

Also -

SAVE YOURSELVES! Turns 3

Awww! An adorable little 3 years old for an adorable little movie. And you can tell a movie doesn't take itself too seriously when the title ends with an exclamation mark. This comedy would be too cute to be mentioned here if not for, tucked warmly away in all of the sweetness, there were showstopping Holy Shit moments of Horror and Terror. Yes, made all the more WTF being so out of place to the tone of the movie while being so necessary to the story.

Heh! Heh! Heh!

It's a shame it went DtV in the U.S., but I'm here to tell you about the creepy cuddly charm of SAVE YOURSELVES!

Finale -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.

Actor, Director Camilla Belle (DECONSTRUCTING SARAH, POISON IVY II, THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK, THE QUIET, WHEN A STRANGER CALLS, PUSH, THE AMERICAN SIDE, THE MAD WHALE, PHOBIAS) is 37.
Actor Krisondra Daigneault (SILENT NIGHT, ZOMBIE NIGHT, HORRORWEEN, THE OATMEAL MAN) is 28.
Actor Lew Temple (SIN: THE MOVIE, PARASITE DOLLS, THE DEVIL'S REJECTS, THE VISITATION, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE BEGINNING, DEJA VU, Rob Zombie's HALLOWEEN, HOUSE [2008], TRAILER PARK OF TERROR, NO MAN'S LAND: THE RISE OF REEKER, SOMEONE'S KNOCKING AT THE DOOR, SILENT NIGHT, ZOMBIE NIGHT, THE KILLING JAR, UNSTOPPABLE, THE WALKING DEAD [TV], MoniKa, HOUSE OF FORBIDDEN SECRETS, ZOMBEX, WICKED BLOOD, DESIERTO, WICKED CITY [TV], HOME, 31, THE ENDLESS, FERAL, SELLING ISOBEL, BEHIND THE WALLS, LIMBO, BETWEEN THE DARKNESS, SAME DIFFERENCE, BECOMING, THE STEP DADDY, HACKED, NIGHT CALLER, SHADOWMARSH, MONSTROUS, THE THIRD SATURDAY IN OCTOBER, IMPURATUS, PIG KILLER) is 56.
Look for Lew's upcoming 2021, 2022, 2023 Horror Thriller, LIFELINES. Also in 2023(?) John Gulager's SEVEN CEMETERIES.
Actor Maribel Verdú (LA ESTANQUERAS DE VALLECAS, EL BESO DEL SUEÑO, TUNO NEGRO, TIEMPO DE TORMENTA, JERICHO MANSIONS, EL LABERINTO DEL FAUNO, EL NIÑO DE BARRO, LA ZONA, TETRO, FIN, BLANCANIEVES, THE YEAR OF FURY, ANA TRAMEL. EL JUEGO [TV], UNA PARA MORIR DEATH'S ROULETTE) is 53.

SUNDAY -
Actor Michelle Bauer (aka Pia Snow aka Kim Bittner aka Michelle McClellan in THE TOMB [1986], ROLLER BLADE [1986], ARMED RESPONSE, TERROR NIGHT, BEVERLY HILLS VAMP, JIGSAW MURDERS, NIGHT OF THE LIVING BABES, OVERKILL, WARLORDS, SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-O-RAMA, DEATH ROW DINER, HOLLYWOOD CHAINSAW HOOKERS, DEMONWARP, NIGHTMARE SISTERS, THE PHANTOM EMPIRE, CAMP FEAR, PUPPET MASTER III: TOULON'S REVENGE, THE SUMMONED, HELLROLLER, EVIL TOONS, THE FLESH MERCHANT, THE DWELLING, DEMENTED, VAMPIRE VIXENS FROM VENUS, RED LIPS, WITCH ACADEMY, BLONDE HEAVEN, MARI-COOKIIE AND THE KILLER TARANTULA, LUST FOR FRANKENSTEIN, TIMEGATE: TALES OF THE SADDLETRAMPS, DR. ALIEN, TOMB OF THE WEREWOLF, THE NAKED MONSTER, WHISPERS FROM A SHALLOW GRAVE, GINGERDEAD MAN 2, VOODOO DOLLZ, 1313: WICKED STEPBROTHER, THE TROUBLE WITH BARRY, and more) is 65.
Actor Danielle Bisutti (AUTOMATIC, TROPIX, VENICE UNDERGROUND, CURSE OF CHUCKY, INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2, INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY, NANNY KILLER, GREENLIGHT, DWIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR [TV], GOD OF WAR: RAGNAROK [VG], THE BLUE ROSE) is 47.
Actor Holly Elissa (SPOOK, ALIEN INCURSION, WHISTLER [TV], POLAR STORM, SOMETHING EVIL COMES, ICE QUAKE, COLLISION EARTH, THE 12 DISASTERS OF CHRISTMAS, VAN HELSING [TV]) is 44.
Writer Gary Frank (FOREVER WILL YOU SUFFER, INSTITUTIONAL MEMORY, THE THING IN THE WOODS) is 59.
I knew Gary before I knew MySpace and you can visit him at AuthorGaryFrank.

It's SUNDAY! October 1!

Start your scary ride with the animated short film, THE PASSENGER

I don't know about you, but I like animals and they all seem to like me.

Don't get me wrong, I don't push my luck with it. I don't jump into someone's backyard to pet their Doberman or go out in the wild to tickle Grizzlies. But generally I get along with animals.

Still, just as there are those days when you can't seem to please anyone, there are those days when every animal you meet has a problem with you. This kid in Chris Jones' THE PASSENGER has a fun solution.

What else happened on October 1?

THE BRAIN FROM PLANET AROUS Is Ready For Social Security

You fans of cheesy SciFi Horror movies know exactly who you are and you may even know that actor John Agar threw himself into these movies with gusto. And who can blame him? The 1950s Hollywood money machine churned out daily gangster & shitkicker movies all considered high-falutin' by the major and poverty row studios. While, at the same time, looking down their noses at Science Fiction and Horror creature feature audiences with unbridled contempt.

Yeah? And who's watching those dusty old Shoot-em-Ups now, see? Nyah! It's all looking to the future now, see? Nyah! And if that 1950s future never happened, why, that's just an alternate history! Yeah! Or maybe a multi-universe! So in 1957 the alien brain, Gor, was a hyper-sexualized futuristic threat in THE BRAIN FROM PLANET AROUS.

SATURDAY -
Actor Greyston Holt (THE SISTERHOOD, KILLER BASH, NIGHTMARE AT THE END OF THE HALL, LOST BOYS: THE TRIBE, SEE NO EVIL 2, DEEPER: THE RETRIBUTION OF BETH, BITTEN [TV], SOMEWHERE BETWEEN [TV], BATWOMAN [TV], 50 STATES OF FRIGHT [TV], RIVERDALE [TV], HOUSE OF CHAINS) is 37.

DONOVAN'S BRAIN is 70.

The prolific Mathematician, Science Fiction Writer, and Hugo Award winning screenwriter, Curt Siodmak, practically created the modern Werewolf or Wolf man mythos out of whole cloth with his screenplay for Universal Pictures, THE WOLF MAN. From full moons to silver bullets, it was Curt who laid down the strengths and weaknesses of lycanthropy that nearly all have followed and modified ever since.

However, Curt was an admirer of Harry Houdini and scoffed at the idea of the supernatural. Like Universal's WEREWOLF OF LONDON from 6 years earlier, he made it clear that while the irrational people around Lawrence Talbot thought of magic and spells, his affliction was infection, not hokum.

In his wildly successful 1942 novel, DONOVAN'S BRAIN, Telepathy was still a more likely candidate for science than superstition, and in 1944's tepid THE LADY AND THE MONSTER, Siodmak had people believing: Except Curt didn't like the movie. After a successful radio show re-enactment by Orson Wells a few years later, Curt was given more creative control over his story (and nearly directed, except for the fact that Producer Tom Gries despised the fact that Siodmak, a mere writer, was more famouse and successful than him, and so torpoedoed Curt) the remake, titled after the novel, DONOVAN'S BRAIN.

SERENITY is Old Enough to Vote

Remember when you were 18 and the beloved TV show of your childhood, FIREFLY, found its end and wrap up in a feature film and on theater screens?

Well now you're 36 and only four steps from 40! What have you done with your life, huh? You do anything that measures up to a Browncoat? Huh?

Anywho, let's recapture the romanticized magic of the Thrilling, Suspenseful Mystery that is SERENITY.