Comic Con Survival Guide!

“Hold On To Your Butts!!!”

While preparing for CoastCon back in 2015, I blogged about essential items that every good geek and nerd would need in order to survive a weekend at a comic or pop culture convention. A few years and a few conventions later, I’ve decided to update that list. Sure, most of the items on here are the same as on my old list, but I’ve added a few more items and wanted folks to have a fresher list to seek out instead of my ancient post from 2015. I now have over fifteen years of experience in attending conventions of all sizes (except the big ones like San Diego Comic Con, which my introverted heart has no desire to attend), have made a few feeble attempts at cosplay, presented panels, been a featured guest, and even got suckered back into running events with a good friend of mine after a disastrous experience over a decade ago. I’m no expert, but I’ve got a decent amount of knowledge about the convention scene and I’m happy to share some of it here. I hope you enjoy this list!

1. Money

Yep, cold, hard cash is king at conventions. You’ll need a lot of it if you plan on buying anything from merchants (you really should), snagging awesome art from cool creators (again, you really should), getting autographs, buying food and drinks, or donating to charities at conventions. Most conventions allow you to purchase tickets, photo-ops, autographs, and other items online in advance these days. Many let you purchase things with a credit card on site, as do many vendors. The only problem with this is that some of the venues that host events have poor Wi-Fi and credit card machines just won’t work. That’s why I highly recommend bringing plenty of cash money in your pockets to events.

2. Comfortable Shoes

Be sure to bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes! You’ll be walking long distances and standing in long lines, so protect your feet. Even at smaller events, walking is a necessity and if you use a tracker to see how many steps you take or the distance you travel, you might be shocked by the results!

3. Backpack

Backpacks or messenger bags are essential to any convention survival kit. You can use them to carry all of the cool things that you’ll be purchasing and the free swag that you grab as well. As a rule, I always make sure that I have a backpack that can I can fit a binder in that will protect autographs and prints from damage. Since I’ve been doing presentations at events for a few years now, my pack also needs to be able to carry my laptop and a power supply as well. It’s also cool if it comes with a water bottle holder because the next thing that you need for a convention is…..

4. Water

Hot guy photo for the ladies? Check. Don’t worry guys, I’ll get you later in this post.

Water is a necessity at any convention. With all of the walking, standing, talking, playing, goofing off, and general tomfoolery that you’ll be getting into, you’re gonna sweat…..a lot. If water isn’t your thing, be sure to bring some Gatorade, energy drinks, or something to hydrate your body. Most events do not allow outside drinks but will have them on hand for purchase. That said, if you bring a backpack, many checkpoint officers will ignore one bottle of water. Oh, and speaking of sweat…..

5. Personal Hygiene Products

Nope, Spidey. Your spider-sense isn’t tingling. That dude in front of you just stinks!

It’s pretty sad that I even have to mention this, but folks need to wash their bodies the night before or the morning of an event. You should also toss some deodorant or body spray into your bag before heading out as well. Why? Because people are nasty! Every single event that I’ve attended has folks that arrive at the opening of the convention who smell like they’ve just completed the Boston marathon. That’s not cool! If you’re a cosplayer in a heavy suit, I expect you to be a tad funky, but if you’re just some random dude in jorts and a Dragon Ball Z tee shirt, you better smell decent. Some people aren’t fans of body spray but I’d much rather smell that than a heaping helping of swamp ass!

6. Camera

Since most folks already have a camera on their phone, this item might seem like a no-brainer and it really is. However, some folks like to take professional photos at events and they’ll be slugging around a camera, a camera bag, and most likely a tripod or something else to prop their camera with throughout the day.

7. Fandom tees, caps, socks, etc.

Want to make a few new friends at a convention? The fastest way to do that is to slap on your favorite Phantom t-shirt or that old Batman cap that you’ve worn to conventions for years. No matter what your fandom(s) might be, if someone sees you wearing your fandom on a shirt or other item, they’ll probably want to talk to you. It’s the easiest conversation starter in the world and it will almost always work.

8. Food

See, guys???? I told ya that I’d take care of you after you saw that Jason Momoa photo.

Almost all conventions prohibit outside food. That’s just a fact of life. Plus, many of them offer some pretty amazing food choices at their events. What I’m talking about here is food that you can tuck in your pocket like a candy bar, a small bag of peanuts, protein bars, or other items that will help get you through the day. Also, if you’re staying at the host hotel, bring stuff to make sandwiches or whatever your favorite quick meal is and keep it in your room. You’ll be able to use the money you would have burned at a restaurant on vendor items at the convention!

9. Portable Power Bank

Here’s an item that wasn’t on my old list. A portable power bank is essential for any person that takes a lot of photos, chats, surfs the web, or relies on their smart phone a lot. Many conventions now have an app with programming and other information that you may need to access throughout the day as well. While your phone’s battery may not run out, you might want to give it a boost about halfway through each day of an event. Charge up your power bank before the event and toss it into your backpack. A solar charging power bank is best, since you can recharge it throughout the day without the necessity of a power receptacle.

10. Sharpies

Yes, comic artists, celebrities, and other folks at events will probably have a few Sharpies at their disposal, but what if you’re hanging out at the host hotel’s bar and strike up a conversation with that guy or girl from that series that you love so much? Perhaps you buy them a drink and become fast and decide that you want on autograph. What’s a guy to do? Whip out that Sharpie in your pocket and ask them to politely sign whatever it is you have handy. Some celebrities will happily sign items for you, but others may tell you to wait until you see them at their table. In either case, respect their wishes. It’s still cool to keep that Sharpie nearby in case you do get the chance to snag a signature!

11. A Lanyard With Your Name On It

Another item that wasn’t on my first list but that I’ve learned to be helpful is a lanyard with your name on it. Why would you need this, you ask? Well, when it’s time to get that personalized autograph from your favorite sci-fi actor, all you have to do is flash your name tag at them and they don’t have to worry about misspelling your name! Simple and cool, and folks will appreciate you for making their job easier!

12. Extra Clothes

This one goes hand in hand with the personal hygiene products. If you get funky, use your body spray or deodorant and change your shirt! If you’re staying at the host hotel, you can easily slip up to your room and change your entire outfit.

13. Stickers

Stickers are cheap and can be purchased in bulk. They also don’t take up a lot of room. If you have a blog, event, or just really love a certain fandom, you can have custom stickers created for a nominal fee. But why do you need stickers? Simply put, they are a great way to promote your event, YouTube channel, or social media pages and they can be used to strike up conversations with new people. Also, if you hand out free stickers to folks, they’ll think that you’re pretty cool.

14. Cosplay Repair Kit

Cosplayers put a lot of work into their costumes. Many of their projects are intricate and require hours and hours to get just right. Cosplayers also rip their costumes, have pieces fall completely off of their costumes, and sometimes break their props. What’s a cosplayer to do in such an emergency at a convention? Well, if you’re a nice person, you bring a cosplay repair kit with basic items such as glue, tape, needles, thread, scissors, and other things that will either repair a cosplayer’s costume or at least fix it temporarily until they can permanently repair them later. They will appreciate your help and if you make a habit of bringing a repair kit with your to events, they will remember you as well.

15. A Costume

Beku Cos as Catwoman. Photo by Vodka Photos.

Some fans take their fandom to another level. Many will combine their love of crafting or tailoring with their fandom and make amazing costumes. Others have zero skills when it comes to creating things but put in the work to make a costume that they are proud to show off at events. Other folks buy a costume off of the rack and call it a day. No matter what type of cosplayer you are, if you love a certain series, cartoon, etc., show off your love in a costume. Oh, and if you see Beku Cos (above) at an event, tell her hello. She’s really cool!

16. A Kind Heart

Lastly, the greatest thing that you can bring to a convention is a kind heart. No, I’m not saying that you need to be the creepy guy offering free hugs to all of the cute cosplayers, I’m simply saying that you need to be nice. Yes, lines will aggravate you. You’ll get tired. You might miss out on meeting your favorite comic artist. Don’t let that stuff bother you. Instead, enjoy yourself. Smile at people. Tell them hello. Offer help to someone if it look like they may need it. Some of the friendliest people in the world attend comic conventions. Be one of those people!

I hope that you’ve enjoyed this list! I always have free goodies for folks with me when I attend conventions. Don’t hesitate to approach me if you’d like to talk. I promise that I’ll be nice!

Cult Classic: The Brain That Wouldn’t Die (1962)

“Let me die…..let me DIE!”

Equal parts campy, exploitative, and just plain dumb, 1962’s The Brain That Wouldn’t Die has its moments of brilliance, but they get lost in a sea of silliness that made this film a cult classic. The film stars Jason Evers as Dr. Bill Cortner and Virginia Leith as his fiancee, Jan Compton. Cortner is a surgeon alongside his father, who doesn’t agree with Bill’s unethical practice of experimenting on humans. While inexplicably driving at a high rate of speed to get to his secret lab at his family’s country estate, Bill flies off of the road in a one car accident. Sadly, Jan is decapitated. Hoping to save her, Bill takes her head to his lab where he and his assistant, Kurt (Anthony La Penna), manage to revive Jan’s head and keep it alive. Amazingly, Jan can breathe and talk without lungs and receives sustenance from Bill’s “andreno serum.” Bill believes that he can sustain Jan in this state long enough to procure the right body for her. He goes on the hunt for the perfect body while Jan realizes that she has acquired telepathic powers thanks to the andreno serum. She soon learns how to control one of Bill’s failed experiments and plans on using it to put herself-and anybody that gets in the way-out of her misery. Does Jan get ahead of Bill? Does Bill find the perfect body for Jan? Watch The Brain That Wouldn’t Die to find out!

Despite being filmed and completed in 1959, the movie didn’t find a distributor until 1962. American International Pictures released the film on a double bill with Invasion Of The Star Creatures. The film was heavily edited for theaters, with most of the gore, an exploitative cat fight between strippers, and a nude scene cut from the release. The European version of the film kept all of these elements. It was directed by Joseph Green and co-written by him along with Rex Carlton.

Along with Evers, Leith, and La Penna, the film starred Bruce Brighton as Bill’s father, Eddie Carmel as the monster controlled by Jan, and a number of attractive women that Bill preys upon in order to find the perfect body type. The women that Bill attempted to lure back to his lab were portrayed by Bonnie Sharie, Lola Mason, and Playboy Centerfold Marilyn Hanold. The Web, a very groovy, sexy theme played each time that Bill goes on the hunt, actually received a cast credit in the film as well. Adele Lamont portrayed Doris, Bill’s ultimate victim in the film.

Each time that Bill approached women, he would attempt to avoid others that might see him with them. Unfortunately for Bill, someone almost always showed up to unknowingly save his potential victims. Every “hunt” sequence was creepy. No, not in the “there’s something out to get me” way, but more like a “pervy dude gawking at women” way. There’s an extended driving sequence in which Bill looks at women walking down a street. The camera focuses on the women for very long periods of time. When Bill goes to a strip joint, the camera cuts between looks of seduction from the strippers to looks of disgust from the “average” women that happen to be there with their boyfriends or husbands. Then we get to see a seductive dance by a scantily clad Bonnie Sharie and then a gratuitous cat fight between Sharie and Paula Maurice that, while having no nudity, just feels dirty to watch. We then see Bill attend a beauty contest just in time for the swimwear competition. When he’s tipped off about an old college friend, Doris, who is now an artist’s model, Bill walks into one of her sessions where a group of men are quickly snapping photos of her with hungry looks in their eyes. If you see the American theatrical version, you’ll get to see Adele Lamont in a bikini. If you see the European version, you’ll see Lamont posing in the nude. Much like with the stripper fight and the swimwear competition, this scene is creepy and exploitative. There’s nothing sexy about it all.

The Doris Powell (Adele Lamont) photo shoot scenes in the American (L) and European (R) versions of the film. This is the safest screen cap that I could find of the European version.

Despite the very pervy and exploitative feel of the film overall, there are some flashes of brilliance. The cinematography and music built up frantic and creepy moments in the film. I was particularly fond of the high speed drive that ended with the decapitation of Jan. Much of the sequence was shown from the viewpoint of the tires on the vehicle. I also loved how random closeups of highway signs would flash during the sequence. The frantic music only added to the chaos. I also liked the special effects in the film.

The main things that made me dislike this film were the extended exploitation scenes and the long sequences, with little to no dialogue, that often took place. Bill runs like crazy to get to his lab in order to save the head of Jan, but he seems to meander, fall over, and look away in anguish for far too long. There are also extended scenes without music that pull you out of the film for a bit.

The Brain That Wouldn’t Die is by no means a masterpiece. In fact, it’s more garbage than greatness. That said, it’s worth watching at least one time. Just be ready to wash your hands after viewing this cult classic.

Thanks for checking out my post. See you again real soon.

YouTube Wednesday: NECA Sci-Fi And Horror Blind Bag

A Blind Dive Into Horror and Science Fiction!

Welcome to another installment of YouTube Wednesday! I’ll be taking a look at one of NECA’s Sci-Fi and Horror Blind Bags. Each bag supposedly contains twenty-five dollars worth of sci-fi and horror goodness. Yours truly decided to take a chance and, well, it’s just okay. Check out the video and let me know what you think!

The bag isn’t terrible, but it was a bit underwhelming. I really love the Fly pin, but everything else will most likely go to friends, family, and strangers. If you see me at a convention, lemme know what you want and I’ll give you the Zonko’s shoelaces, the anime carabiner, or the zombie magnet. Oh, and Zonko’s is the joke store in the Harry Potter books and films. I don’t know why I didn’t catch that.

Thanks for watching my video. There’s a ton of awesome things coming in the near future!

The Resort (2021)

You Can Check In…..

Lex is a horror fiction writer looking to add depth to her latest book. Her friends, hoping to inspire her, surprise her with a trip to Hawaii and an abandoned resort that is supposedly haunted by the sinister Half-Faced Girl. When they arrive at the island resort, things quickly go south. Is The Resort truly haunted or is it all in Lex’ head?

The Resort is very aggravating to watch. It’s actually a very solid horror film until our fearless foursome arrive at the resort. The story plays out from the point of view of Lex, who is being interviewed by a detective. She recounts the horrible things that happen to her and her friends at the resort and the story, written and directed by Taylor Chien, does an amazing job of pulling in the viewer and setting up the group’s arrival at the abandoned resort. When things get spooky, sadly, the film falls into a by-the-numbers, low-budget rhythm that makes you wonder if Chien was facing production issues, lost interest in completing the movie, or adopted a “let’s phone in the finale” mindset. It actually made me angry that the film was so well executed at the beginning but completely unraveled at the moment that it was supposed to get good.

I can’t fault the actors in this film. Bianca Haase plays Lex quite well. Sure, she’s a bit of a basic girl who doesn’t really give off a “horror writer” vibe, but she’s believable enough. Michelle Randolph does a fine job as Bree, Lex’ friend who repeatedly suggests leaving the resort but is pretty much ignored the whole time. Michael Vlamis is perfect as the intentionally unlikable Sam. He’s the goof-off who easily finds trouble and is a thorn in the side of Chris (Brock O’Hurn), who is a stereotypical good guy with muscles and great hair who happens to have a thing for Lex. There aren’t many other people in the cast, save for a couple of security guards, a helicopter pilot, hospital staff, a few ghosts, the Half-Faced Girl (Nayeli Morales), and the detective (David Sheridan) who is questioning Lex throughout the film. They do their best in the film as well, but they can’t save the film from its nosedive ending.

The makeup effects are very well done and the location is simply amazing. The resort in the film was actually the Makena Beach & Golf Resort located in Maui, Hawaii. It was shut down in 2016. The property owner wanted to convert the resort into condominiums. The resort was demolished in 2018 and the property is now a members-only residential community. The cinematography was executed quite well.

Unfortunately for The Resort, you need more than a beautiful location, good effects, and an easy-on-the-eyes cast to make a decent film. This movie should have been so much better than it was, but it falls apart at the most important moment and never recovers. Give it a shot if you’d like, but I won’t blame you if you pass on this flick.

Thanks for checking out my post. See you again real soon!

Calcasieu Serialfest 2023!

Chapter 9!

Calcasieu Serialfest returned to the Brimstone Museum Annex for its ninth year on July 29th! This year’s theme was science fiction and the robots, mad scientists, and space invaders were in full force! Flash Gordon was front and center, having two chapters from Flash Gordon’s Trip To Mars (1938) and one colorized chapter of Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe (1940) presented to the audience. Buster Crabbe starred as Flash and he also appeared in as Buck Rogers in a chapter of the 1939 serial entitled Buck Rogers. A free lobby card reprint was given to all attendees featuring Crabbe as Flash Gordon and visitors also got to pick up an 8 x 10 of Crabbe and Jean Rogers as Dale Arden. There was also a Flash Gordon’s Trip To Mars poster given out to fans as well. Exclusive trading cards, a sticker, a Ming The Merciless button, and a decoder dial were also available for anybody that wanted them.

Other serials showcased at the event included chapters from The Crimson Ghost (1946), The Lost Planet (1953), Captain Video (1951), The Phantom Empire (1935), The Mysterious Doctor Satan (1940), and King Of The Rocket Men (1949). A classic Max Fleischer Superman cartoon, The Mechanical Monsters (1941), was also shown to the audience. Don O’Malley wowed the crowd via Zoom as he spoke about his serial, Hop Hopkins, and discussed other serial-centric things with our fearless leader, Patrick Bennett. Yours truly presented a panel on the connection between The Crimson Ghost and the Fiend mascot of The Misfits horror punk band. Cosplayer Daniel O’Neill showed off his Commando Cody suit complete with helmet, rocket pack, and gun! The mysterious Crimson Ghost made an appearance for my panel as well! Fans got to take photos with both cosplayers and appeared to have a fun time at the event.

Next year is the tenth anniversary and the Tenth Chapter of Calcasieu Serialfest! The theme will be superheroes, so get ready to watch amazing chapters of some of your favorite comic book and pulp novel adaptations. As soon as the date of the event is released, I’ll share it here on my blog. We plan on having more cosplayers as your favorite heroes. Are there any heroes in particular that you’d love to see at the event? Let me know in the comments section!

Thanks for checking out my post! The Houston Horror Film Festival is coming up in less than two weeks! I’ll be there and I’ll be posting over the three day event! Stay tuned, true believers!

Based On A True Story (2023)

“It’s really hard being good at something and no one knows it.”

On June 8th of this year, NBC’s streaming service, Peacock, released an original series entitled Based On A True Story. The dark, satirical comedy stars Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina as Ava and Nathan Bartlett, a financially strapped couple that is about to welcome their first child into the world. When plumbing issues force them to call a professional, they are unable to pay him. The plumber, Matt Pierce, agrees to do the work on the side in exchange for free tennis lessons from Nathan, a former professional tennis player who had his career cut short by injuries. Matt and Nathan become fast friends. When a young woman is brutally murdered in the neighborhood, Ava, a true crime podcast fan, deduces that Matt is the infamous Westside Ripper. She tells Nathan that if they make their own podcast featuring interviews with the real Westside Ripper, they can make a ton of money and end their financial woes. The series follows the trio’s journey through the crazy world of true crime podcasts, fans of true crime, and the mentality of a serial killer.

Granted, the premise of the series is absolutely ridiculous, but it somehow works. Ava and Nathan believe that they can blackmail Matt with the constant threat of turning him in to the authorities, but Matt actually begins to manipulate them instead. He enjoys the podcast and has his own ideas about how each episode should work. Ava and Nathan love one another, but their marriage is strained. Ava fantasizes about one of her real estate clients. Nathan fantasizes about Ava’s best friend, Ruby, a socialite who is having marital issues of her own. Living with Ava and Nathan is Tory, Ava’s younger, attractive sister who seems to be nothing more than a side character at first, but there are hints in later episodes that she’ll be a much bigger player in the second season if there is one.

Other characters come in and out of episodes. Some of them, despite Ava and Nathan’s “no murder” rule, end up dead. Does Matt actually kill them? You’ll have to watch the series to find out. Some of the standouts include Simon, Ruby’s somewhat unhinged husband, and Ruby’s lover, Carlos, as well as the opportunistic Dahlia Stone, who claims to be the only woman that ever survived an attack by the Westside Ripper, and the Lipinski Sisters, a duo of true crime podcasters that co-host the wildly popular Sisters In Crime podcast.

The cast includes Cuoco and Messina, Tom Bateman as Matt Pierce, Priscilla Quintana as Ruby, and Liana Liberato as Tory. It also features Aaron Staton as Simon, Sebastian Quinn as Carlos, and June Diane Raphael and Jessica St. Clair as the Lipinski sisters. Lizze Broadway appears as Dahlia Stone and Natalia Dyer portrays Chloe. All of them do a wonderful job, especially Bateman and Quintana. Bateman portrays Matt as a very likeable guy who snaps at a pin drop when someone offends him or rubs him the wrong way. Quintana is simply hilarious. She does a great job as Ruby. The series was created and written by Craig Rosenberg and executive produced by Cuoco, Rosenberg, Jason Bateman, Michael Costigan, and Alex Buono.

All eight episodes are currently available on Peacock. The season ended with a brilliant setup for a potential second season, but Peacock has said nothing so far about a second season being produced. I really hope that we get a second season. I want to see how these characters develop. I do believe that the series shouldn’t go beyond three seasons, however, as the situations will likely get too ridiculous. It will ultimately need some type of resolution. Whether that’s Matt being turned over to police, Matt murdering the Bartletts, or something else, an endpoint will eventually have to be reached.

I definitely recommend this series. It’s darkly funny and you actually begin to cheer on Matt (at least I did) as the series progresses. Don’t get too attached to some of the characters, however, as many of them won’t live to see the end of the first season.

Thanks for checking out my post! I’ll be attending Calcasieu Serialfest this weekend and there are a couple of other events that I’ll be attending later this year. Be sure to like and share my Facebook page and my Instagram page as well!

Throwback Thursday: Captain America (1990)

“Kirk…Mr. Lolley…He’s So Demanding!”

Yes, I’m absolutely aware that the above quote is from 1985’s Teen Wolf. I’m also aware of the fact that some of you are probably scratching your heads as to why I’m quoting that film and not Captain America (1990), the film that is the subject of this post. Well, I have a very good reason: Kirk…Mr. Lolley…the theater teacher from Teen Wolf, is portrayed by Scott Paulin who, in Captain America, portrays the sinister Red Skull. When I realized this at the beginning of the film, I began laughing because I that I heard in my head was Mr. Lolley yelling, “I said MAUVE, not TURQUOISE!”

Captain America (Matt Salinger) and Mr. Loll…um…Red Skull (Scott Paulin).

Long before Chris Evans donned the red, white, and blue suit of the Super Soldier-infused Steve Rogers, Matt Salinger somehow slid into a fairly comic-accurate rubber suit as Ol’ Cap for a film that 21st Century Film Corporation and Marvel Entertainment hoped would draw in massive audiences like Warner Bros. and DC Comics’ Batman film did in 1989. Things didn’t turn out so well for Marvel and 21st Century, however, as the film was ready for release in August of 1990 but remained in limbo until 1992. It was in that year that the film was released direct-to-video and it pretty much fizzled into obscurity.

In the film, we see the Italian government murder a family and take their son. The son, Tadzio De Santis, will eventually become the Red Skull after the government uses a Super Soldier serum on him. The doctor that created the serum has a change of heart and escapes to the United States where she injects the serum into Steve Rogers, a man suffering from polio. The doctor successfully heals Rogers and gives him super strength, agility, stamina, and quick recovery from injuries. Rogers eventually squares off against Red Skull and he is strapped to a missile that’s headed for the White House. Using his strength, Captain America diverts the missile and he crashes somewhere in Alaska. He remains frozen until years later where he is discovered in the ice. A lot of other stuff happens involving Cap’s old flame and her equally beautiful daughter and Red Skull is now an elite member of the mob who uses his daughter to do the family’s dirty work. Eventually he captures the president of the United States, attempts to brainwash him, and Captain America has to try and save him. Oh, and he has to stop a nuclear bomb as well. Why? Cuz nuclear bomb, that’s why! Does Cap prove to be true to the red, white, and blue? Watch Captain America to find out!

This major motion picture feels more like one of Marvel’s campy Incredible Hulk made-for-television movies. The special effects are only slightly above made-for-TV levels. The story is convoluted and ends with a dull thud. I like Cap’s suit overall. It’s lacking the fish scale armor that Captain America wears in the comics, but the rest of the suit is accurate. My biggest complaint with the suit is the fact that it has rubber ears on the side instead of Matt Salinger’s actual ears poking out from under the mask. Why? Seriously, why? Also, the Red Skull’s initial look is actually kind of decent, but when we jump ahead to the 1990s, it appears that he’s had extensive plastic surgery to cover his skull face. He reminded me of Jigsaw from the Punisher: War Zone film.

The film even has a pretty decent cast. Ronny Cox and Ned Beatty lend their 1990s star power to the film in decent roles as the president and his best friend, a nosy reporter, respectively. Francesca Neri hams it up a bit as Red Skull’s daughter, Valentina. Kim Gillingham does double duty as Steve Rogers’ 1940s girlfriend and her 1990s daughter. There’s also some pretty cool ties to A Christmas Story and Lost In Space. Darren McGavin has a substantial role as the devious General Fleming. Bill Mumy portrays young Lt. Fleming at the beginning of the film. Mumy is best known for his work in Lost In Space. Melinda Dillon has a small role as Steve Rogers’ mother early in the film. She and McGavin played the parents of Ralphie in A Christmas Story.

Surprisingly, Matt Salinger turned in one of the weakest performances in the film. Sure, he had the overall look of a superhero, but his charisma was dead in the water. In a bit of a twist, Kirk….Mr. Lolley….uh….err, Scott Paulin turned in what I would consider to be one of the best performances in the movie as Red Skull.

The film tries very hard to be more than mediocre, but it fails. It’s not a bad movie. It’s just a dull flick that really did deserve to be released direct-to-video. It’s currently available to watch on Amazon Prime and has been released on home media multiple times over the years. It’s worth checking out at least once just to see how far Marvel has come since that time. Heck, just a few years later in 1998, Blade showed the world just how well done a Marvel superhero film could be if its cast and crew really cared about the subject matter.

Thanks for taking a trip back in time with me today. Marvel definitely improved in later years, but their recent crop of films has shown that the MCU is starting to unravel. Maybe I’ll post about that one day. Let me know in the comments section.

Calcasieu Serialfest Is This Weekend!

“Do you crave fortune and glory?”

On Saturday, July 29th, the Brimstone Museum Annex will be home to the 9th Annual Calcasieu Serialfest! Join myself and other classic serial fans as we travel back to the days of the cliffhanger, cinematic serials that typically feature between twelve and fifteen chapters, each ending in a suspenseful moment until the final chapter. These films were the first big screen home of superheroes, jungle adventures, and pulp novel adaptations.

This year’s event will focus on science fiction serials and will include chapters from serials such as The Lost Planet (1953), The Phantom Empire (1935), King of the Rocket Men (1949), and more! Witness the amazing skill and daring of Buster Crabbe as Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers! Stare in wonder as the Copperhead (Robert Wilcox) battles the insane Doctor Satan (Eduardo Cianelli)! You’ll be given a whole seat……but you’ll only need the edge!

In addition to serial chapters, this year’s event will include a Zoom interview with Don O’Malley, host of Don’s Breakfast Serial, and a panel hosted by yours truly covering the massive influence of The Crimson Ghost on the band The Misfits! If you are able, be sure to visit the event. It’s absolutely free and will feature free popcorn, drinks, and pizza for lunch!

The fun begins at 10 AM with a welcome from the event’s host, Patrick Bennett, of Pop Ninja! The first block of serial chapters begins at 10:15 AM with short breaks between each block. Lunch will be served at 1 PM and Don O’Malley’s interview will begin at 1:30 PM. More serial blocks will follow with my panel taking place at 3:10 PM. Rumor has it that the Crimson Ghost himself will make an appearance! That will be followed by another block of serial chapters and the grand finale will be a colorized version of the first chapter of Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe! I hope to see you there!

Thanks for checking out my post. If you do attend the festival, I’ll have free stickers to hand out. Just look for them on one of the event tables or ask me for one. There will also be tons of other goodies handed out by the event, so get there early to make sure you get some swag!

Classic Horror: Fade To Black (1980)

“You’ll be sorry, Big Ed!”

1980’s Fade To Black, starring Dennis Christopher, Tim Thomerson, Linda Kerridge, and Gwynne Gilford, tells the story of Eric Binford (Christopher), a bullied, mistreated, and socially awkward young man who loves two things in this world: classic movies and Marilyn Monroe. When he meets Marilyn O’Connor (Kerridge), a skating rink worker who looks like Marilyn Monroe, he convinces her to go on a date with him. When she unintentionally doesn’t meet him for their date, Binford begins to snap. The years of verbal, emotional, and physical abuse finally push him to the edge. He starts dressing up like his favorite film characters and reenacts murderous scenes with the tormentors in his life. His killing spree leads him to the top of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre where he, along with his Marilyn, plans on acting out one last scene.

Written and directed by Vernon Zimmerman, the film is much more than a standard slasher flick. It also fits in well with the contemporary issue of bullying and the sometimes violent and fatal retaliation of the victims on their tormentors. Eric couldn’t take the pain of rejection and the constant abuse from his aunt and his co-workers and finally snapped. Yes, Eric was wrong for what he did, but it’s easy to see how quickly he would be driven to murder to get revenge.

As excellent as the plot is, however, it’s executed in an uneven way. Marilyn comes off as entirely too gullible and quickly falls under the spell of Eric. The psychologist that is trying to stop Eric, Dr. Moriarty (Thomerson), is a cocaine snorting hack who teams up with a beautiful police officer, Anne Oshenbull (Gilford), who enjoys a little coke herself. They also find time to bed one another while Eric is on his killing spree. The performances of most of the actors is a tad weak and uninspired. The movie drags at times as well.

Despite all of these shortcomings, the film is definitely worth a look if you’re a fan of classic horror or classic cinema in general. The story is good but poorly executed. Oh, and you also get to see a young Mickey Rourke and Peter Horton in small, early roles. Another little bit of trivia is the fact that Gilford was pregnant during the shooting of the film. Her child? None other than current film star Chris Pine.

Fade To Black could have been a lot better than it was, but in the end, it’s still a decent film. Check it out and let me know what you think of it.

Thanks for checking out my post. See you again real soon!

The Last Matinee (2020)

Montevideo on a rainy night, 1993

Imagine yourself in Montevideo, Uruguay way back in 1993. Heavy rain is falling and you want nothing more than to find your way into an old, rundown theater showing a lame horror flick so that you dry off for a bit and possibly enjoy the movie. Then, without warning, a slasher begins to systematically murder everyone in the theater. Oh, and he’s locked the place up, so one of you isn’t going to make it to the end of the film. Sound interesting? Well, that’s exactly what happens in 2020’s The Last Matinee.

The film is a joint venture from production companies based in Argentina, Uruguay, and Mexico. It’s a Spanish language horror flick directed by Maximiliano Contenti and it stars Luciana Grasso, Ricardo Islas, Julieta Spinelli, and Franco Duran. Contenti wished to pay homage to American slashers and the Italian giallo genre. Since these two genres have multiple similarities, it’s easy to see how Contenti pays tribute to both of them. The film features a faceless (at least for most of the film) stalker with no real motive for selecting his victims, tons of gore and brutal deaths, amazing sound production (seriously, the sound is more painful to hear than the murders are to watch), and a limited set (in this case, a 1993 projection house theater). The film also features some amazing shots, utilizing all sorts of angles to manipulate the viewer.

The film also has a decent amount of humor despite its limited cast of characters and quick runtime. Mauricio (Pedro Duarte) provides most of the funny moments even though his role isn’t that big in the film. He’s a really neat character. The heroine of the flick, Ana (Luciana Grasso), is fairly oblivious to what is going on in the theater since she’s in the projector booth, studying for an engineering final. When she finally realizes what is happening, most of the other characters have been offed by our murderer.

Speaking of the characters, we have a young couple, three loud and obnoxious teenagers, an older gentleman who is by himself, a lone teenage girl who was stood up by her date, and a young boy who managed to sneak into the showing of Frankenstein: Day Of The Beast (more on that movie later). Then there’s the killer. While he doesn’t have a motive for selecting his victims, he does have a taste for a certain body part of each of them. I won’t ruin what body part he favors, but you’ll catch on to what it is early in the film.

This movie isn’t perfect by a long shot, but it is very fun to watch. The kills are gruesome and the killer is played by the director of the film, Frankenstein: Day Of The Beast, that’s being played in the theater. It’s supposed to take place in 1993, but Frankenstein: Day Of The Beast was actually released in 2011. It’s meant to be a joke in the film and it works once you realize that Ricardo Islas is murdering people that are watching his movie.

Be sure to check out The Last Matinee. It’s a really enjoyable slasher flick with some great nostalgic vibes. It makes me want to check out more of Contenti’s work and also check out Islas’ Frankenstein: Day Of The Beast.

Thanks for checking out my review. Be sure to watch The Last Matinee on a rainy day to have an even creepier film experience!