Top 10 movies of 2015

 Top 10 movies of 2015

2015 is slowly coming to a close. With that I've begun a tradition of making a post right before New Years to post a list of films both old and new that I saw, or down right adored that I feel summed up the passing year. Here is my list for 2015.

10) Cooties

- This was a blind buy of mine that I actually really loved. As somebody who works in education as well as loves horror I round this movie a complete riot. I was laughing the entire time, and loved the overall idea as well as the gore. Plus Leigh Whanell yet again steals the show.

9) In Her Skin

- This was a Netflix find I randomly found last winter. This beautifully filmed movie is like a piece of art, and has a haunting and true story. Not the happiest of movies, but some scenes leave you in complete and utter awe.

8) It Follows

- Even if I feel The Green Inferno was this year's best horror release, I really gotta hand it to this movie for really making a huge comeback for original and amazing ideas. This is a great first time watch for anyone. I seriously don't think I've ever been so nervous before while watching a movie. First off, great original plot, second completely beautiful about everything about it, and lastly of course the amazing killer score.

7) Assault On Precinct 13

- I love that I was able to discover for the first time a brand new classic from one of my all time favorite directors. This 70's classic is a must for anyone to see. In fact it's in my top 5 of films I would show somebody to understand my taste of favorite movies. Everything about this movie down to the awesome soundtrack/score by Carpenter, the awesome leads, and the ending is amazing. This past spring I did nothing but watch Carpenter movies and loved every second of it. Safe to say I'll never look at Kim Richards or ice cream the same way again!

6) The Hills Have Eyes

- Another classic I watched over and over again over this year. A classic from the late Wes Craven, I have always been a fan of this movie and even enjoyed watching the sequel (which I feel I may be the only person on the planet that enjoys) I love this movie so much this year I even ordered a mondo print of it!

5) Dawn Of The Dead

- If it wasn't for this movie I honestly don't think I would have gotten through this past winter. For some very strange reason I re-watched this movie over and over and over again while being snowed in for almost three weeks. I have always adored this movie (as well as the remake) but it truly woke up watching it over and over again. Some day it's depressing, I say it's a colorful action packed comic book ride. Flyboy will forever and always be my favorite zombie.

4) Jurassic World

- This movie was the reason my inner love of the original came to life this year. This movie in my eyes was the "true" sequel to the original. This movie was filled with tons of action, and moments that sent nothing but chills down my spine. Besides all the CGI this movie was epic. Only thing missing was Muldoon's character seeking revenge for his father!

3) Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens

- HUGE and I mean HUGE fan of the Star Wars movies. For years I have adored this series and now I feel I have a brand new favorite. This latest installment was everything I wanted as a fan. Taken over by the maker of Lost, the torch was passed down and done in utter and complete perfection. With huge twists, tons of breathtaking on set locations, puppets, great actions, wonderful characters, and practical effects, The Force Awakens was everything I loved about going to the movies and I'm legit ready to go see it again. I can't wait. Bring on the next two!

2) The Green Inferno

- My favorite movie released in theaters by far. This massive comeback by Eli Roth was everything I wanted and then some. Now I know not everyone was a fan of this movie, but I loved it and saw it 5 times when it was released. Filled with a well written storyline, likable characters, and amazing KNB gore The Green Inferno by far was one of my favorite movies this year. Now mind you I'm writing this post a little early but fingers crossed I'll be getting a tattoo based off this movie Thursday. Wooooo!

1) Jurassic Park

- I don't think this is a surprise that this made #1. I revisited my massive love to one of my childhood favorites around the time Jurassic World was released. This past summer I can't even count how many times I watched this movie. By far one of my best feel good movies. It brings me back to such a simple time, filled with great memories. This was classic that I loved so much I showed my massive love for one of my all time favorite characters by getting Robert Muldoon (the late Bob Peck) tattooed on me. Whenever I think of Jurassic Park, I will remember 2015 and how I celebrated 1993 style.

Artist spotlight - Shane Murphy

 Artist spotlight - Shane Murphy 

As I sit here watching Silent Night Deadly Night, I decided to spotlight not only an amazing artist, but a friend of mine. A guy who I'm proud to have his work permanently tattooed on me. This of course being Mr. Shane Murphy.

I first heard of Shane through a mutual friend who also shares the same love of horror, slashers, and gore as Shane and myself do. I had was bitching that I needed a good tattoo artist who loved horror and movies as much as I did and could knock my ideas out of the park. A few months later I connected with Shane and he did an amazing job doing a coverup tattoo for me of Church from Pet Sematary, from one of my all time favorite Stephen King novels/films. 

So far I have gotten 6 pieces from Shane, and soon to be seven. Shane is one of the most easy going laid back guys I know, who has such a passion for creating stunning artwork it's completely breathtaking. He's a master of his craft, and strives for perfection. He'll break down a tattoo for you, allow you to toss ideas around, and work above and beyond to make it look as realistic as possible. When your being tattooed by him, it doesn't feel like your being tattooed at all. Shane makes the entire process very enjoyable, and will bullshit with you about movies taking your mind off things.

I've gotten Sam Raimi from Intruder tattooed on me, Zach Galligan from his episode in Tales From The Crypt, (Zach Galligan himself has seen this tattoo, tweeted about it, and told me how blow away by how realistic it looks.) a Twin Peaks tribute tattoo, Peloquin from Nightbreed, and my personal favorite Robert Muldoon (the late Bob Peck) from Jurassic Park. Next week Shane is tackling a Green Inferno tattoo for me since let's face facts, I think I'm the only person on the planet that loved this movie.

Shane not only does amazing tattoo work, he's also started his own company called Theater Of Creeps, where he sells beyond awesome prints, pins, ect of his killer artwork. I own several pieces of his, and they are by far the coolest in my collection! 

So if you are ever in MA and want to get tattooed, check out Shane at the shop he works at Crown Of Thorns. 

https://www.facebook.com/CrownOfThornsTattooFanpage/?pnref=lhc

Friend him on Facebook, and see where he's guest tattooing at, or touring his work at conventions!

https://www.facebook.com/shanemurphytattoo?fref=ts

Also check out his amazing shop!

http://theaterofcreeps.storenvy.com

Night Of The Comet drinking game!

 Night Of The Comet drinking game!

It's just a few more days until Christmas, which means Stacy has legit been watching every holiday themed movie possible and drinking large amounts of booze and egg nog. One of my favorite non-tridational Christmas movie comes in the splashy colorful 80's gem Night Of The Comet. I decided this year while watching my Scream Factory blu-ray to think of a zany little drinking game to play while watching. If you are in the mood to celebrate 80's style, here are the rules!

Drink when…

Somebody says comet.

A song is playing.

A gun is fired.

Somebody is killed.

Orange dust is shown.

Someone swears.

The name Larry is said.

A video game is being played.

Take a shot when…

A Christmas song is heard.

The letters DMK is shown.

Someone gets punched.

Someone has a nightmare.

Waterfall when…

The girls just wanna have fun montage happens.

Happy holidays all you teenage comet zombies!

Top 10 moments from the Silent Night Deadly Night series.

 Top 10 moments from the Silent Night Deadly Night series.

There are certain movies you just have to watch around different times of the year. For me I have a list of holiday themed films that I need to watch before Christmas. On this list there are movies such as Black Christmas, Black Xmas, Night Of The Comet, Lethal Weapon, Home Alone, Gremlins, and yes the Silent Night Deadly Night movies. The first three tell the story of brothers Billy and Ricky, two poor young boys who are traumatized after both of their parents are brutally murdered on Christmas Eve by a man dressed as Santa Clause. Due to a tragic series of events, it all builds up to both brothers snapping and going on beyond over the top massacres. The series strayed away from this storyline, and went with Brian Yuzna with this strange and surreal storyline of a cult in LA. The 5th and final film from the original series went even stranger telling the tale of a crazed toy maker and his "son" making Christmas presents that are actually dangerous killing tools. This film series is best known for being beyond cheesy, crazy, gory, and featuring some of the best kills and one liners ever to be featured in a slasher/horror movie. Here is my top 10 list of the best moments from the original 5 films.

10) "I love you mommy!" - SNDN 5

9) Rollerblades from Hell! - SNDN 5

8) Finger twisting - SNDN 4

7) Clint Howard sex "Yikes!" - SNDN 4

6) Ricky and Laura's showdown - SNDN 3

5) Laura's dream - SNDN 3

4) "Garbage day!" - SNDN 2

3) "Thank you…" - SNDN 2

2) Scariest night of the year. - SNDN 

1) Linnea in all her glory - SNDN

Blood Rage - Arrow Video

 Blood Rage  - Arrow Video

PLOT - Back in the 1970's a single woman brings her two twin boys Terry and Todd with her on a date. Believing that the children are asleep in the back seat, she begins to fool around with her boyfriend. Waking, the two boys sneak out of the back of the car where Terry finds a young couple having sex in the back of a car a few yards away. Grabbing an axe, Terry violently attacks the teenagers and murders one in cold blood. Todd watches, going into shock where Terry smears the blood on his brother's face, placing the murder weapon in his hand. Once people run over hearing the screams, Terry thinks fast blaming his twin, now unable to speak after witnessing the violent crime on what happened. Ten years later, Todd is slowly coming out of it from his mental hospital, trying to convince his doctors that he was framed for the murder that happened years ago. Escaping on Thanksgiving night, Todd makes his way to the condo complex where his mother and brother live. After receiving word that his brother escaped, Terry snaps, going on a blood thirty rampage killing anyone who gets in his way.

LOWDOWN - I first discovered Blood Rage when my friend Nate brought over this highly underrated slasher on VHS to watch one night a few years ago. This same night we watched Rejevantor, and The Nest, before ending the evening filled with old school 80's gore with in my eyes one of the greatest most underrated slashers ever. This of course being Blood Rage. 

Blood Rage was originally filmed in 1983, and rereleased again in 1987 under the title of Nightmare At Shadow Woods. This movie sadly flew under the radar during the slasher boom, and didn't gain an audience until years later becoming a cult classic that was out of print for years.

I still remember being completely blown away when I first watched this movie. Mind you I was three sheets to the wind, but I clearly remember being floored over how awesome this movie was. It held the gritty 1980's look and feel, had an amazing score, tons of colorful bloody practical effects gore by Ed French, and a very decent well written script which you typically wouldn't see in a film like this. I feel this was a huge reason why this movie stands out for me. In fact if I had to count on one hand my top five favorite Slashers, this would be very close to taking the #1 spot.

I found a big reason why I loved this movie was the setting of the condos. Setting is always key for me on how a film works, and certain elements in this movie makes it sit on a different level completely than so many others. Between the setting of the Florida condos, AND the fact this is one of the few movies that takes place on Thanksgiving. There are clearly not a lot of thrillers/horror movies that take place on this holiday, and Blood Rage by far is the best one around and now a tradition to watch every November. Eli Roth, if you ever make Thanksgiving, take notes from this movie.

Between a likable cast, the crazy Louise Lasser (who really knocks it out of the park as the mother. Loved the little touches of her character not completely being there. Acting like a little girl, being a lush, being strangely attached to her son Terry, her crazy ramblings, and being so dependent on any male in her life. Her complex with her sons is really the backbone of the film. Mark Soper who plays the twins Terry and Todd really steals the show. For playing two different characters, he does a great job, making you feel horrible for Todd, and down right terrerfied of Terry the crazed twin. His handsome good looks, huge smile, and scene stealing moments is what makes him now one of my favorite killers in a slasher film ever. So happy with the re-release for Arrow Video they put him on the cover.

This new rerelease of Blood Rage proves yet again that Arrow video is one of the best companies around. So far I only own Society from them, but I'm praying they release some of their past titles such as Dawn Of The Dead and Pieces that were only available in the UK.

The transfer is crystal clear, which is awesome since my bootleg taken from a VHS was very dark, and sadly cut. Some of the scenes are so clear you could swear they were filmed in present day. It was awesome seeing all of the pool scenes bright and clear once and for all. With interviews from the cast and crew, a commentary, deleted scenes, behind the scene photos, the VHS opening titles, as well as showing the locations today, the special features are beyond amazing, as is the new eye catching art work. I loved hearing Ed French's thoughts of his work in this movie, which was amazing to see uncut in all it's bloody glory.

I so far have watched both Blood Rage and Nightmare At Shadow Woods, as well as the film with the commentary. This is strangely a feel good horror movie, and one I can't wait to show to friends. Blood Rage has finally gotten the release it deserves, and was given it's chance to shine once and for all. So for anyone who loves horror movies, slashers, or 1980's gore, check out Blood Rage! It will quickly become your new favorite Thanksgiving Day horror film!

Way to go Arrow Video can't wait for The Mutilator!

5 stars!

Holiday Horror - TV's best horror themed Christmas episodes.

 Holiday Horror - TV's best horror themed Christmas episodes.

As the holidays get closer and closer one finds themselves curling up with a glass of egg nog, and watching anything holiday themed. Even horror fans. Since I've started my vacation I've been kicking back and enjoying some of my favorite TV episodes that show a darker side of holiday cheer.

1) Tales From The Darkside - Seasons Of Belief.

- My favorite on the list. This highly underrated episode tells the story of one of the scariest/creepiest creatures ever. The Grither. This episode packs one Hell of a punch at the end, and honestly makes me still wish to this day they had made a whole movie about this monster.

2) Tales From The Crypt - And All Through The House

- The most famous episode on this list is a remade from the original 1970's Tales From The Crypt movie. This amazing episode aired during the first season and is a must to watch around this this time of  year!

3) Monsters - Glim, Glim

- I discovered this episode by accident a few years ago when I bought all three seasons of Monsters. This episode tells a really great story, but features one of the most depressing episodes ever. I was lucky enough to write my first Shitmas post a few years ago about Seasons Of Belief, and this one. You'll never look at strange aliens the same again. "Sigh…"

4) A Very Supernatural Christmas - Supernatural

- This episode was featured in the third season of Supernatural and as far as I know so far is the only Christmas episode so far in this long running show. Back when this show was truly awesome (long before all the confusing angel stuff) They had the boys hunting down a new monster every week. This story is packed full of laughs, and pretty gory kills. Remember to enjoy the eye candy and say "fudge" whenever you need to swear...

5) Wedding In Black - Friday the 13th the series.

- Not exactly a Christmas episode, I always think of the holidays whenever I watch this episode from my all time favorite show. This episode has a cruised snow globe which the main characters become trapped in. Telling a pretty awesome story with people from the leads' pasts, this episode has one of the coolest endings ever when the characters attempt to escape and get out of the globe. Fake snow for everyone!

6) American Horror Story Asylum - Unholy Night

- The darkest episode of this entire list features one of the scariest characters ever as well as some serious heavy subject matter. Nothing says the holidays more than the holidays!

- Side note - I know there are episodes that are Christmas themed for such shows as Buffy and The X-Files, but I decided to be fair and only list the ones I've seen.

Killer Stocking Stuffers 2015!

 Killer Stocking Stuffers 2015!

As the holidays creep closer, and closer, and CLOSER! There is only one thing to truly do. Drink egg nog, get drunk, and shop. I guess that's really three…maybe I can check off the second one on the list…

Any-who, if you are seeking some truly awesome one of a kind unique gifts for friends and families, check out these amazing businesses below!

1) London 1888

London1888

2) VHSPS

http://www.vhsps.com

3) Don't Eat The Gum

https://www.facebook.com/DontEatTheGum/?fref=ts

3) Electric Zombie

http://theelectriczombie.com

4) Pink Pandemonium

https://www.etsy.com/shop/PinkPandemonium

5) Theater Of Creeps

http://theaterofcreeps.storenvy.com