Monday, September 6, 2010

Random Notes For A Late Monday Evening...

So here we are again with more rambling nonsense from yours truly.

First things first, I now have over 200 followers. That may not seem like much, but to me it's crazy. To imagine that 200 people actually (pretend to) give a shit about what I write - well, that's pretty exciting. After all, I started this blog in March of 2008 as an outlet for myself to write about what I was most passionate about. Not only did I have no clue yet how many blogs about horror were out already there, but I didn't expect anyone but my family and friends to read mine. And lord knows only a select few of them even care about Pirahna 3D or the upcoming fourth Scream installment.

Horrorblips is dead. This does sadden me, not because I believed in their ratings system. It was pretty much crap (even though I did at one point hit number 3). But because many of us bloggers went there on a daily basis to see what was new, to find what our favorites were blogging about at the moment, and to discover new blogs. It is disappointing that one day it's there, the next - kaput. I don't know of any other sites that list individual posts/articles like that one, and if there is one, kindly let me know.
For now, discovering new blogs must be left in the capable hands of the Horror Blogger Alliance.

I've been asked to write for Fangoria.com!
I didn't want to start this post out by saying that, at the risk of being completely pretentious and obnoxious. But there it is. Thanks to my very good friend Kristy Jett (who took it upon herself to hype me) I am lucky enough to now be associated with one of the biggest names in American horror journalism. No, I will not be in the print magazine (that's a dream for another day) but I will be adding my two cents to the Fango Flashback section of the website. Hopefully my first review will be up soon - a nostalgic trip down memory lane to...
Nope, not gonna tell you just yet.

In another fantabulous, awe-inspiring, and certainly shameless self promotion: I've been asked to contribute to an upcoming issue of Paracinema magazine.
Now this one really means a lot to me, because I am so taken with this magazine you can't imagine. It's so well written and has truly unique and interesting articles about cult films, horror, exploitation cinema and much more. There is no way I'm leaking what I'm writing about, so don't ask. I only hope to live up to the talent and brilliance of the other contributors of this fascinating publication.
If you've never read an issue, get off the couch and get your credit card - cause now is the time. Go here and get them before they are gone!

I have actually been to three movies in the last month - at the theater. This is an amazing feat to be sure. I've been working too many hours at my day job (they took my day off away from me, dammit!) and it's been hard to find the time. I hate the movies on the weekends, it just drives me mad to sit with an entire theater full of numbskulls (read: ignorant teenagers) and have to watch their cellphones flashing the entire time or the inappropriate laughter which fully indicates they aren't watching the film, they are getting their rocks off. Ugh.

Anyway, I've been to see Piranha 3D, The Last Exorcism, and my favorite of the three, Machete. I have a review of Machete in the wings, I just can't seem to formulate the right words about it yet. Suffice it to say I think it's been my favorite film so far this year, and it isn't even a horror film. Exploitation to the max, and Danny Trejo kicked major ass!
Oh, and drifting away from relevancy somewhat: Robert Rodriguez is one hot property. Whoa.

Recently The Mike, over at From Midnight, With Love, did a feature on his blog about The Most Essential Cult Films Of The 70's. He actually asked anyone who was interested to send him a list ranking their top five cult films of that decade - and the votes/rankings came pouring in. Being a mostly straight forward horror fan, my list was pretty much all locked into that genre, and you can view it here. There were some great votes out there - and some differing opinions on just what makes a film "cult". But I stand by my list, and in the end, I think the final results speak for themselves. Great job, Mike. Highly entertaining!

Over at Zombo's Closet of Horror, the illustrious John Cozzoli ran a month-long+ feature called "My Halloween", in which he asks five simple questions about the favorite holiday of most of us bloggers out there.
To read my answers, click here. But definitely check out the answers of the vast assemblage of contributors as well, to find out just what makes us love October 31st so much.

Oh dear lord, this Sunday brings a sadness upon me that I only feel once a year. The season finale of True Blood. Despite what others have said about it being an uneven year for the wildly popular vamp & tramp show, I think it's been a whoo-yea type of year, and I'm looking forward to season 4 more than ever.

Unanswered questions abound, like what kind of trouble will this whole "fairy" revelation bring to Sookie's life? Will Lafayette succumb to the voodoo that his boy-toy obviously has him dabbling in? Will Sam ever catch a goddamned break? Have we seen the last of his wayward redneck family? Does Bill's secret ever come out? Will Jessica and Hoyt live happily ever after - or not live, as the case may be? Will Arlene's child be the spawn of Satan? Will Tara ever stop whining? Does Jason turn into a were-panther or simply another pussy? Will Pam get a love interest or just another new pair of Christian Louboutins? What happened to Lettie May? Who will replace the soon-to-be-toast Russell Edgington as the go-to villain? Will Eric finally bed Ms. Stackhouse? How long will it be till Sook sleeps with the hot (literally) werewolf Alcide and realize he is by far the nicest (and most alive) of the bunch?
And my biggest question? Did I really see Godric in the season finale trailer?

And lastly, I have to thank Unkle Lancifer over at Kindertrauma, one of my favorite blogs by the way. Upon his gracious invitation, he and I recently did a two-part post about our favorite (and least favorite) horror homes.
So if you think you might like the house from Let's Scare Jessica to Death as much as the two of us do, or if you get chills just thinking about Cabrini-Green, then follow the links and check out our lists. Go here now: Kindertrauma / Fascination With Fear .

Okay, I'm done rambling for now.

6 comments:

Zach S. said...

congrats on 200 followers and all your endeavors. Your hard work and determination is being properly rewarded. You make a strong case to believe in the good side of karma.

For what it's worth, as a fan, I'm proud of you and eager for more.

Pax Romano said...

Major congrats to you on your upcoming contributions for Fangoria as well as Paracinema . Can the New York Times be far behind?

Machete rocked my effin world when I saw it on Memorial Day - I felt like someone finally recaptured the Drive In movie feel of 70's cinema (as much as I loved the combined efforts of Grindhouse - neither of the films seemed authentic to me).

Christine Hadden said...

Zach - Thanks much for your kind words, they really mean a lot. And it's an honor to be on staff at The Blood Sprayer with someone as talented as yourself! :)

Pax - The NY Times...you're such a funny guy, you know that? Well maybe if they start running a cheesy horror column they'll give me a shot, lol!
And Machete - Oh HELL yeah, Rodriguez got this one totally right. For those of us that actually remember actual grindhouse and exploitation films it is a real treat. Heck, it's a real treat for those who don't, too!

Mr. Gable said...

Congrats on the followers! I know what you mean by that, I've only been blogging a couple weeks and I have EIGHT followers and I'm pumped about it. I have an audience *tear*

And I love the comments. It's awesome.

Rabid Fox said...

Too bad about HorrorBlips as that site put me on track with quite a few blogs that I would have otherwise never discovered.

MissSardonicus said...

ahh congrats Christine! I love your blog and look forward to reading your contributions for Fango and Paracinema!