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One of the stories I must have missed while I was on holidays was a shooting that took place during a screening of Black Christmas on Christmas Day (My guess was that they were trying to shoot themselves to stop the pain). The story came up again a few days ago when the owner of the theater chain where the incident took place decided to halt the release of Stomp The Yard for fear of a reprisal. Just in case you’re not familiar with mainstream releases, Stomp The Yard is a film about rival fraternities at a prominently black college who settle their differences during step competitions. Apparently it’s a very positive movie, with very little in the way of violent or lurid content. Obviously not my cup of tea, but probably not all that appealing to gun-toting gangstas either. Criticism was levelled at the theatre chain owner by numerous groups, including the NAACP, for making this decision based solely on race. The theatre owner denied the accusations, yet a few days later he reversed his decision, citing a belief that the situation was no longer as dire as he originally predicted.

I can understand being unwilling to show a movie with extreme violence, particularly in the crime or gangsta vein. I can even understand a desire to hold off on horror movies considering that it was during one of those when this incident took place. But how can you possibly make the leap from a slasher movie where a bunch of white sorority girls are offed to an inspiring movie about black fraternity members settling their differences through the arts?

Maybe the title Black Christmas confused him.

Movies

Against my better judgement, the faux-trailer I’m most looking forward to for Grindhouse is Rob Zombie’s Werewolf Women of the SS, mostly for the casting of Nicholas Cage as Fu Manchu. Fangoria has a few more casting announcements that puts it right over the edge, including the addition of Udo Kier and Sybil Danning among others.

In other, less positive Zombie news, the director responds to early criticism of his Halloween remake. I’m glad I’ve managed to stay out of the fray, not out of respect or caution, but through the wonderful power of indifference.

The always excellent Popcorn and Sticky Floors issues a report from Trash Compactor editor Hall Kelly on Le Brady, a theatre of the fantastique in Paris circa 1990. Though the theatre still appears to be around, it doesn’t look like it’s showing the same caliber of films. Oh, to visit Paris and see Demons on the big screen. I can dream.

Speaking of Demons, an aspiring filmmaker is shooting his zombie epic in an abandoned movie theatre, because after all, “It’s never been done.”

Horror Roundtable contributors Doug Nagy and Jay C. will be attending the Films 4 Food festival in Hamilton, Ontario on January 20th, an all-day festival of movies, discussion and stand-up comedy with all proceeds devoted to charity. One of the films being shown is Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon, a month before its theatrical release, and as if that weren’t enough, now they’re serving up a bevy of prizes perfect for horror fans, including Anchor Bay DVD prize packs and advance tickets to Blood and Chocolate. If you’re in the area you should definitely pop by.

If you happen to be in Sri Lanka, don’t miss the American embassy’s presentation of Them, the quintessential giant ant movie and a film which obviously best represents the country.

The New York Times has an interesting overview of the history of I Am Legend, both the book and its numerous adaptations.

Kevin Smith continues to discuss his horror movie idea, but doesn’t seem any closer to starting work on it. One thing I wasn’t aware of was that (according to Bloody Disgusting, the source where I first found the link) he doesn’t particularly enjoy the genre, which is a little surprising to me for some reason.

The Eurotrash Pinnacle Project gets off to a great start with lists by The Hungover Gourmet and The Groovy Age of Horror. This is especially great for me, as my Eurotrash knowledge is spotty at best.

Bah. They’re making a Motel Hell remake.

New Hannibal Rising trailer.

Warren of 150 Days of Sodom whips out one of the greatest stills for any movie, horror or not, I have ever seen. Who wouldn’t want to see Blood and Chocolate after witnessing this.

People are crying censorship over the decision by some theatres to not showcase Eli Roth’s Hostel 2 poster, despite the MPAA deciding in its favour. I know I’m probably in the minority here, but I still stand by the idea that individual theatres, and even chains, should be able to reserve the right to deny either a movie or its advertising, and would find that to be preferable to the MPAA dictating the terms of how a movie is released.

DVD

Time to pack away the petitions. Over at The Dead Pit, Horror Roundtable contributor Don May, Jr. spills the beans on one of the most eagerly anticipated releases in horror; The Monster Squad. You should really listen to it, though, if only to hear Uncle Bill and The Creepy Kentuckian sing the news.

Comics

Sam Costello’s monthly horror webcomic continues with its best installment yet, the eerie Not Sleeping Well.

Creature Commandos? Steve-Dave and Walt Flannigan talk up their comic War of the Undead, in which Dracula, the Wolfman and Frankenstein’s Monster team up against the Nazis during the Second World War. I’m not entirely sold, especially since it’s already been done at least once before, but I am liking the idea they have for a sequel.

“A ‘War of the Worlds’ riff where the earth is being invaded by Martians and the only hope the earth has in defeating the aliens is Drac, Frankie and the Werewolf!”

How would you like to own an original piece of comic artwork which depicts Spider-Man biting into the top of Hawkeye’s head? That’s what I thought. Enter for your chance to win just that in a contest being held by Dynamite Entertainment to promote the upcoming Marvel Zombies Vs. Army of Darkness comic.

Not enough to see someone else get eaten by a zombie? Well, here’s another contest for you. Some lucky stiff will be chosen to be eaten by the title character of the comic The Corpse.

Television

Remember back when everyone was wondering if there would ever be a full-fledged television channel dedicated only to horror? I don’t. I’m Canadian and we’ve had one for years, suckers. Anyway, now it looks like the remainder of North America will be spoiled for choice, as NBC/Universal have announced Chiller, their own share of the market.

Gaming

A Dead Rising sequel is go, with Capcom expressing an interest in a long-running franchise.

Misc.

Mondo Schlocko has achieved some strange form of mitosis and has split into two, the regular R-rated version and Classic Mondo Schlocko. You know, for kids.

Not Horror

Radar Magazine takes a stroll down memory lane with a countdown of the 20th Century’s deadliest toys. Props to the crew at The Rue Morturary for the hook-up.

I’m stretching things a little, but Stephen King talks up the first four episodes of the new season of 24 in Entertainment Weekly. I saw them earlier last week, and just like King I tried to ration them out and ended up gobbling the whole lot down in two sittings.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 15th, 2007 at 10:47 am and is filed under Misc.. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.