Monster Mania 12

That's right, it's been about 6 months, and you know what that means-- Monster Mania is just around the corner. This convention is one of my ultimate guilty pleasures, and I'd be excited for it in any case, but this time I'm particularly excited. As far as I know, the next issue of Monster Mania Magazine will be available at the show. This is the issue that will include my retrospective article detailing the history of the "Friday the 13th" series. After it's published, I'll post it here for all to read. Until then-- buy your own copy!

This time around the focus of the convention is (obviously) on Friday the 13th. With the reboot film coming out in a few weeks, I suppose they're trying to wedge themselves back into the public consciousness in any way possible. I'm all for it-- I'm excited for the new film (even though, a true reboot would not include Jason in the first film, but I digress...) And, yes, I still love the old "Fridays", as well-- all 8 or 9 or 15 of 'em.

In addition to "Friday" guests, other appearances will include Tobe Hooper ("Texas Chainsaw Massacre"), Alice Cooper (Heavy Metal Legend and, of course, John Carpenter's "Prince of Darkness"), Caroline Williams (Stretch from one of my faves, "Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2") and even... Fairuza Balk... of, uh... "The Craft."

But, anyway...

The convention is at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill, New Jersey over the weekend of March 13-15. It's always a good time, and who knows... you may run into me on Saturday. I'll be the one in the full Freddy Kreuger make-up.

Kidding.

Check out more about Monster Mania here.

"I thought you'd be taller."

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a special place in my heart for Snake Plissken. So, when I came across this picture, I just knew I would have to share it.

Now that, my friends, is one badass fin.

Song of the Week: "Heroes" by David Bowie

This week's song is definitely in my personal top 5 of all time.  There's not much to say, other than Bowie is-- without dispute-- the man. "Heroes" is just one of his many incredible songs. Basically, if you aren't into Bowie, I couldn't imagine why. If you're a fan of music, you should be a fan of Bowie, end of story. A good place to start is The Best of Bowie. Trust me, you delve deeper after listening to that one. 

And just for good measure, check out his appearance on "Extras" posted below. It's my favorite part of one of my favorite shows. Brilliant.

Gump Redux

If "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" wins the Oscar for best picture, it will be like Gump winning twice. And whether or not you think Gump even deserved the first one (I personally do) is beyond the point-- it doesn't deserve a second. And If Pitt wins for Best Actor, well... I just won't go there. I don't know... should you get an Oscar for a CG effect?

Anyhow-- watch the video below. 

Edit: The video was removed. Damn it.

Song of the Week: "John Wayne Gacy Jr." by Sufjan Stevens

This week's selection comes from the "extraordinarily depressing" collection. It's "John Wayne Gacy Jr." by a very cool experimental, folky rock singer/songwriter named Sufjan Stevens. If you don’t already know him, I highly recommend checking him out. 

And, yes, as the title suggests, the song is about the infamous clown/child murderer, John Wayne Gacy Jr. It's still an amazing song. I find I have a strange affinity for extremely depressing songs, and I actually have a sort of depression collection... 

So, if you're feeling particularly morose this week, give this one a listen-- just stay away from the clown make-up, people may get the wrong idea.

Not that I'm speaking from experience, or anything...

Enjoy.

Barnes & Ignoble

This morning, I visited a recently opened Barnes and Noble in my area. I've been waiting for a decent bookstore to open nearby for some time now. And, while saying that this store is both decent and nearby may be stretching the truth a bit, I'll take what I can get. Unfortunately,  I forgot that what I get with Barnes and Noble ain't all that much.

I've been spending a lot of mornings split between other over-priced, faux coffeeshop type places for a while now. Sometimes it's the bagel shop Panera, other times it may be this new place, Saxby's. But wherever it was, all of the places seemed to have a few things in common-- high prices, bad coffee, no fewer than two truly creepy people hanging around, and finally-- free wireless internet service. And no, I was not one of the creepy people. At least I don't think I was.

Anyhow-- I packed up my bag, and drove up to the brand-spankin' new B&N this morning and this is what I found:

High prices: Obviously. It is Barnes and Noble. But that's okay-- I'm not buying anything.

Bad Coffee: That is subjective. I like it, but most people seem to dislike it.

Creepy people: Yes. And that's saying a lot, since the only people there were the employees.
Free Wireless Internet: Sadly, pathetically, No.

That's right. In this day and age, a solid 15 years after the dawn of the information superhighway, B&N expects me to plunk down $3.95 for a measly 2 hours of internet service. When reached for a comment, a spokesperson for B&N had this to say, "Internet? What the fuck is the internet?"

So, there I sat, stewing over the fact that I couldn't flit compulsively between checking my gmail and facebook accounts. What do they expect me to do, actually write? And it was at this time that something else dawned on me about B&N, and more specifically, their coffee.

It seems that, in conjunction with the tree bark-like fiber cereal that I usually eat, their coffee was just the free radical necessary to create something of a gastrointestinal perfect storm. I became acutely aware that my toukis was now a powder keg, apt to be set off by even the slightest upsetment. Which brings me to my next, and final, gripe. The store has one-- count 'em-- one bathroom stall. Sure, they have plenty of urinals, but that was of little consolation to me and my spasming stomach. So, then I had to... you know-- I'll stop there. I think you get the idea.

Anyhow, I suppose I am happy to have a book store relatively close. After all, I was beginning to suspect that the people of Northeast Philadelphia had given up on books completely without telling me. And as for the coffee, I don't mind it. Sure, I'd rather have a cozy, personal coffee shop, but with a Dunkin' Donuts now on every corner-- not to mention Wawa-- a real coffee shop is just a pipe dream.

So, my friends, if you find yourself headed to a B&N anytime soon, try to keep in mind what I've tried to pass on today-- Prices high, Coffee strong, People weird, Internet MIA and Toilets few. So, y'know... Immodium recommended.

Cheers.

R.I.P. Ricardo Montalban 1920-2009

Khaaaan !!

Song of the Week: Fear of Pop - "In Love"

Ben Folds is by far my favorite musician, so it stands to reason that he'd eventually find his way into one of my "Song of the Week" posts. In fact, he'll probably be on my list more than a few times. However, for my first Ben Folds selection, I chose a rather off-beat track entitled "In Love" from his 1998 side project, "Fear of Pop."


Now, before you listen, let me tell you that this particular track is a collaboration with the one and only William Shatner. Whatever that means to you, whether good or bad, should be kept in check until you actually listen to the song. It took me several spins for this one to grow on me-- but grow on me it has.

If you know anything about the Shat, you know he has a thing for kitschy poetry ("Rocket Man", anyone? Go on and YouTube that sumbitch'). And "In Love" is pretty much just a simple poem, accompanied by my man Ben Folds tickling the ivories.

So, there you have it-- my second song of the week selection. I hope you enjoy it.


P.S.-- if you like this, be sure to check out Shatner's cover of the Pulp song "Common People."

P.P.S. -- Blogger's spell checker did not try to correct my use of the word "Shat." Nice.

Residency Livin'...

Another residency,

Baguettes freezing,

In Wilkes Barre

Missing home,

Miss my girls.

You know, they worry

Tattooed, hungry and tired

But must admit--

I'm real inspired

What is this shit, I'm not a poet

Jon writes for the screen

And we all know it

I'll post some stuff 

Soon as I'm back

Until then

Check this trailer... Jack

(Told you I wasn't a poet.)

The film is a documentary called "Anvil." It looks terrific, and I found it thanks to FilmJunk.

Trailer: "9"

This trailer has me very, very excited. I've never even heard of the film, or it's director Shane Acker-- but the film does have two heavy hitting producers behind it in Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov. There are no signs of a rating for this one yet, but it's not due out until September 9th (get it... 09/09/09.) I'm still holding out hope for at least a PG-13 rating. No matter the rating though, this film is the early favorite to be my most anticipated film of the new year. 

P.S. -- You can watch the trailer in glorious HD here.

Enjoy.