9/26/08
Earthquake!
I caught the insane footage of the partial collapse of a church in Italy on History Channel's Shockwave yesterday, mind blowing.
After an earthquake in 1997, the roof falls damaging the thousand year old frescoes, footage here around 1:00. More here. It took 2 years to rebuild. Looks like the end of the world!
9/22/08
The Last Supper
If you are hungry and morbid, here is a unique service for you! The Last Meal Delivery Service will send you a meal identical to the last supper of your favorite death row inmate!9/19/08
9/16/08
Whorror Favorite: Alien and Aliens
Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986)Wow, what more do I have to say? Well, ok... These 2 movies came way before their time—space movies remained a subgenre, not mainstream fare, before the first movie. In fact, Alien only got the greenlight because of the success of Star Wars. Sophistcated and beautiful, with the help of H. R. Giger and old school f/x (pre computer) these movies remain examples of timeless horror and exceptional movie making.
If you haven't seen either since the time of their release, you must watch them again.
Just got the Alien Quadriolgy, loving every minute of it.
Pic of the Day
Ed Gein in his kitchen.
The original boogieman. Sure, there were serial killers before and after him, but no one can compare to this sick animal in the unassuming farm house. His cannibal/installation art career occurred well before the horror movies started pumping out of Hollywood. He thought of all these sick things all on his own! He is a benchmark on how sick and depraved humans can be, and a model for all of the most famous horror movie killers.
Disturbing: The Trial of the West Memphis Three
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills
JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) - A judge has denied a request for a new trial for three men convicted of killing three boys in West Memphis 15 years ago.
Circuit Court Judge David Burnett issued an order Wednesday denying the request. Lawyers for Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley - known by supporters as the "West Memphis Three" - had requested a new trial, arguing that new DNA evidence clears their clients.
Both Baldwin and Misskelley claim their lawyers failed to adequately represent them during their separate trials. Their lawyers also say DNA evidence provided by Echols' defense team shows the men did not kill Steven Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore.
The Arkansas Supreme Court has upheld their convictions.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Circuit Court Judge David Burnett issued an order Wednesday denying the request. Lawyers for Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley - known by supporters as the "West Memphis Three" - had requested a new trial, arguing that new DNA evidence clears their clients.
Both Baldwin and Misskelley claim their lawyers failed to adequately represent them during their separate trials. Their lawyers also say DNA evidence provided by Echols' defense team shows the men did not kill Steven Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore.
The Arkansas Supreme Court has upheld their convictions.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Scares the Hell Out of Me!
I'm sure it's "beautiful" but it makes me think of Alien. Ooh! Or the remake of Dawn of the Dead!
9/15/08
Heads Up! Zombie Lurch 2008
It's almost that time of year again! Washington DC is having it's 3rd Annual Zombie Lurch Nov. 1. Save the date!
Bring out your dead, not to be missed. This is a picture of yours truly from last year. I learned all my zombie faces from Calvin and Hobbes.
It's The Only Explanation
The inability to die, discoloration, blank stares, missing patches of flesh... I agree with A Socialite's Life: I think Amy Winehouse might be a zombie! You can't kill yourself if you are already undead!
9/12/08
102 Minutes That Changed America
I watched the above documentary last night on the History Channel and it was incredible. Entirely and seamlessly comprised of eyewitness footage, it was so powerful, frightful, and haunting. I guess since it's been 7 years, now previously unseen footage, deemed too upsetting before, has been released. The result is 911 as never seen before. The scariest horror movie I've ever seen. Sneak preview here.
9/11/08
Operation Northwoods
After declassification, documents are available that prove that Kennedy's Joint Chiefs of Staff
presented a plan that: "called for innocent people to be shot on American streets; for boats carrying refugees fleeing Cuba to be sunk on the high seas; for a wave of violent terrorism to be launched in Washington, D.C., Miami, and elsewhere. People would be framed for bombings they did not commit; planes would be hijacked.Using phony evidence, all of it would be blamed on Castro, thus giving Lemnitzer and his cabal the excuse, as well as the public and international backing, they needed to launch their war." JFK rejects it. No wonder there are so many 911 conspiracies.
10 Declassified Secrets that might rock your world
Loves it! American Zombie
American Zombie is a ficticious documentary about the zombie community living in America. Turns out, they are just like us in many ways! A hilarious and curious look at the undead subculture. Recommend highly for zombie fans and/or anyone who ever felt like an outsider.
9/10/08
The Case of the Zodiac Killer... Solved?
This bizarro serial killer caused mass terror and numerous scary movies. Turns out the identity of this mysterious letter-writing, cipher-making man is a mystery no longer. Imagine finding a black hood with a zodiac on it!
9/9/08
Creepy Product... the Hand Glove
Complete with fingerprints, cast from a real live human! John Doe could have used these in Seven (a Whorror fav).
9/5/08
The Whorror of Horrors
With all the sexiness of a lower case L, here are the best moments of this hate-spewing scourge, She makes me sad to be a women and thank God I am not a Republican.
9/4/08
The Highway to Hell
The Highway to Hell (The Highway to Death)
At the end of the first Gulf War, Iraqi soldiers were driven out of Kuwait fleeing by the fastest means possible, the single highway leading out. Obviously there was quite a a bit of traffic as many evacuated. Trapped in this mess, Team America sprayed them with bullets, bombs and napalm, even those that ran out of their vehicles, completely exposed, into the desert. "surely one of the most heinous war crimes in contemporary history", USA kept media out as they cleaned up the truly grim aftermath of this massacre of tens of thousands.
9/3/08
Whorror Favorite... Bug
I saw Bug (2006) last night… wow!
Same director as The Exorcist: William Friedkin. I thought it was some silly horror movie with insects in it, but no…It is based on the play Bug, (did not know that and had never heard of it). A psychological thriller and complete trip, it was a provocative and bizarre ode to paranoia and perception. Perhaps it's meth personified. Highly recommend. Incredible script and acting! Harry Connick Jr. is in it and, to my surprise, he blew me away. This film also, apparently, drove a millionaire exec to murder his 2 y.o. daughter, go figure.
9/2/08
Odd Person of Note: Florence Foster Jenkins
Florence Foster Jenkins had been a very wealthy but very sheltered girl but in her later life, after receiving her large inheritance, she finally got a chance to pursue her lifelong dream, to be an opera singer. Only thing, she was absolutely awful, worse than awful. She seemed to not be able to hit one note, chose very vocally challenging songs, and did it with a sincere passion, and lavish costumes! She started having concerts that became very popular—many couldn’t get through a whole performance, rolling in laughter and had to excuse themselves. In 1944 she sold out Carnegie Hall! With some scalpers getting as much as $20 a ticket.
“Some may say that I couldn’t sing, but no one can say I didn’t sing.” —Florence Foster Jenkins
There is a play that has been written, ‘Souvenir’ (Stephen Temperley), hilarious. The Studio Theatre just staged it last season with Nancy Robinette (here in Washington DC).
To hear a legend, click here. This video makes my cats ears go back.
8/28/08
I'm off to the woods for a few days...
guilty pleasure:
Cabin Fever (2002), a personal favorite.
Have a great Labor Day weekend, avoid the tap water.
We will be back next week.
Whorror Favorite: Apocalypto
I took a couple Mayan History classes in college, I was excited to see this one. Now, I know, it’s not really a horror genre movie, but I don’t think anyone who has seen it and it’s 114 body count would argue. It’s gorgeous and thrilling. So exciting to see this empire recreated, living and breathing. On the DVD the special behind the scenes stuff, while well marinated in Mel Gibson, are fascinating if you enjoyed the history or the production design.
100 Things to do before you die... quickly!
8/26/08
Seven Dumpsters and a Corpse...
A Film by Thomas Haemmerli, 2007
After their mother’s death, two Swiss brothers, upon entering her apartment, found out she had become a hoarder. They documented the process of excavating a lifetime of stuff after a family member dies:
"Amidst the chaos of their dead mother’s apartment, two brothers irreverently piece together their family history. It’s a strange but unique saga involving baronesses and counts; stolen lovers and Nazi officers; lawsuits and counter lawsuits and lots and lots of cats. Compelling and darkly hilarious.”
Full documentary here, Seven Dumpsters and a Corpse
This one is dedicated to El Sloganero and my brother.
Historic Relic... Chapman's Double Fantasy
Mark Chapman has been trying to get some cash for the album John Lennon signed hours before his murder for years. This piece of history is currently up for sale at £312,500.
I guess this historic relic is a little classier than the auction of Jeffry Dahmer's refrigerator.
8/25/08
Odd Person of Note: Harry Andrews
Incredibly intelligent Harry Andrews lead an interesting life but, when he retired at 65, he started a building project that would be his legacy. As dementia phased in, his dreams took flight! He spent decades building (nearly single handedly) a massive 16th Century Medieval castle on 1.5 acres outside of Cincinnati, OH. Hauling water in pails from the river and making bricks in milk cartons.
The truly impressive Loveland Castle (Chateau Laroche) and Harry Andrews received a lot of attention over the years from the news and locals. The castle served a greater purpose though... Harry retreated into a more simple time, rejecting the modern world, and founded the Knights of the Golden Trail. Something like Boy Scouts, they did camping, and they emulated the ideals of noble knight of yore.
“What about those Knights, the young men for whom Harry built the castle and to whom it was willed when he died? "Nothing that God ever made on the earth is more awe inspiring and heart warming than the sight of a noble youth just budding into manhood," Harry wrote. "Any man of high ideals who wishes to help save civilization is invited to become a member of the Knights of the Golden Trail."
The Knights still maintain the castle today and welcome tourists. I stopped by on a road trip (took these pictures below).
To learn more about this architect, leader, visionary and possible dirty old man, (including how he cheated death once, but ultimately died of an infection from when he lit his pants on fire on the castle roof while burning trash). Click here! Or here!
8/24/08
Problem Solving: Contingency Cannibalism
Loved it! Contingency Cannibalism: Superhardcore Suvivalism’s Dirty Little Secret (Shiguro Takada) is a humorous telling of the history of survivalist cannibalism. Sure some parts are grisly, but it’s full of stories of the incredible lengths man goes to survive! The author tries to keep it light. Taboo and horrific, cannibalism is a part of the human condition and history.
Makes me think of another great book: Alive
Whorror Favorite... Hostel 1 and 2
Hostel (2005): I know, I know. I’m not usually very fond of torture movies but I thought the concepts were great. Premise: there is a place where you can pay to torture/kill a stranger for entertainment. The movie is full of bursts of slasher movie gore, but after squirming and wincing through the first half of the movie at the monsters who murder for blood lust… by the end of the movie you are yelling for blood and equally brutal payback.
Hostel: Part 2 (2007): In the first movie, most of the victims were male. The sequel tackles the even more terrifying female victim perspective, but pays off in an epic feminist hero conclusion. Also the “customers” and business side of murder are explored.
Both were very scary. However unpopular, I kinda like this director’s movies because the does a fun 1980's combination of teens and disgustingly gory special effects, comedy and horror. On a snootier level: the Hostels movies are about the price of life and blatantly exposes the viewer's own guilt for being entertained by violence and terror.
Psychology and Movie Monsters
Odd Person of Note: The Edies!
The famous Big Edie and Little Edie Beale were wealthy society girls turned delusional hermits. Cousins of Jackie O, all the family girls always married prominent and wealthy. After Big Edie’s divorce, the mother and daughter lived exclusively in their East Hampton estate, Grey Gardens. The two of them, with very little money, didn’t leave and allowed the mansion to deteriorate to a crumbling, hoarders den with 300 cats and raccoons in the attic. When the Health Dept. threatened to tear it down, Jackie and her sister bailed them out and repaired the home.
The classic documentary Grey Gardens (1975, Albert and David Maysles) is the delicious voyeur’s peep into the bizarre world of the Beales. Although it had only been a few years since the refurbishment, the movie shows Grey Gardens is well on its way back to its former state.
Apparently they are making a movie for 2008 about Grey Gardens, Drew Barrymore stars as Little Edie.
"My mother doesn't believe in kitty litter. She prefers boxes and paper. And she's the cat lover. So you can imagine how I suffer." - Little Edie
"Jackie was twelve years younger than I, and although I was never jealous of her, I never liked her. You know what Jackie wanted? She wanted the house. Yes darling, that's the truth, and she did everything she could to get it. Then Jackie sent her sister Lee, who I've always been absolutely terrified of- I think she's a big criminal. Lee and her boyfriend came around and started to tear the house down with axes. Don't go near any of these people for God's sake, they're all insane!" - Little Edie
"Of course the house isn't perfectly normal. The house has to be done over. You know how hard it is to get plumbers in the autumn." - Little Edie
You think it would look sexier with the bra underneath? I think it would. - Little Edie
"What a Wonderful World": a Tool of Terror!
Just like 'Clockwork Orange' and 'Singing in the Rain', movie directors can turn our favorite songs into tools of terror! The juxtaposition of sweet songs and violence is always an unnerving one, making already horrible images or events that much more tragic. I noticed it today while watching 'Good Morning Vietnam'. Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" is laid out over a montage of war in Vietnam with haunting and almost requiem like effect. The same song and contrast is also used in Michael Moore's 'Bowling for Columbine' (great movie) over an incredible history of violent American policy.
8/23/08
The Strangest Disaster of the 20th Century
A man in Cameroon goes to town one day and finds everyone dead! Did he step... into the Twilight Zone? A volatile lake turns out to be the cause of this deadly natural disaster.
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