My First Podcast (The Geek Couch)

Yes! I am pleased to announce that Sean of The Geek Couch invited me to be a guest on his podcast. I was actually a little shocked when he agreed to it because I never would have thought anybody would want me on his or her show. You see, I think I’m a very boring individual. I had a great time and even though I was a little nervous, Sean was pretty patient with me.

Click here to listen to the Podcast.

We talked about new theatrical releases, DVD and BD released like The Town and Despicable Me, and we discussed what movies we were watching and some that we recommend. Oh, and much more than that obviously.

I would like to thank Sean again for allowing me to be on his podcast, it was very fun and I hope to do it again some time. Thanks, man!

The Horror Blogger Meme

Horror Blog friend Pax Romano of Billy Loves Stu has created a very interesting thing over at his site called The First Ever Billy Loves Stu Meme for Horror Bloggers. Now, I have to admit that it looks really fun and I always love answering these kinds of questions so I decided to give it a spin. That way, if the meme ever takes off… I can confidently say that I helped in the process. What exactly is this meme, I’ll let Pax handle that:

“I thought it might be a nifty idea, if I created a Meme for horror bloggers to complete so that the next time someone stumbles across the electronic journal of a burgeoning Pauline Kael, or Stephen King-wanna-be; the reader might get a better idea of where this bloody blogger is coming from.”

1: In Ten Words or Less, Describe Your Blog:
A twisted, pointless, intellectual journey through a horror fan’s mind.

2: During What Cinematic Era Where you Born?
A: The Classic Horror Era (late 30's to 40's)
B: The Atomic Monster/Nuclear Angst Era (the late 40's through 50's)
C: The Psycho Era ( Early 60's)
D: The Rosemary's Baby Era (Mid to Late 60's)
E: The Exorcism Era (Early to mid 70's)
F: The Halloween Era (Late 70's to Early 80's)
G: The Slasher Era (Mid to late 80's)
H: The Self Referential/Post Modern Era (1990 to 1999)
I was born in the Post Modern Era in 1990 although there are times in which I wish I were born in the Slasher Era or even the Halloween Era. The films of the 90s weren’t bad but because a lot of them were so cliché ridden, it paved the way for the Remake Era.

3: The Carrie Compatibility Question:
(gay men and straight women - make your choice from section A)
A: Billy Nolan or Tommy Ross, who would you take to the prom?
(straight guys and lesbians - make your choice from section B)
B: Sue Snell or Chris Hargensen, who would you take to the prom?
This is a very tough question because I would want to take Chris Hargensen just because she is a blonde although, knowing me, I would probably end up with Sue Snell. Which isn’t bad… I guess but I would totally want Chris over Sue. Sue is a bitch.

4: You have been given an ungodly amount of money, and total control of a major motion picture studio - what would your dream Horror project be?
I would hopefully be in control of Universal Pictures but my dream horror project would be to adapt Terror Vision and They Live into a 80s throwback film. It would be sort of a tribute to 80s horror in which the money would go towards creating practical effects and matte paintings. It would be filmed on real film and it would have a message pertaining to the 80s MTV/yuppie culture.

5: What horror film "franchise" that others have embraced, left you cold?
Probably Saw. I loved the first one and I found the second one to be good but the rest left me confused, laughing my ass off and face-palming myself. It’s as if the writers were trying to play Catch Up with their own plot because it got so damn ridiculous.

6: Is Michael Bay the Antichrist?
No. He is a douche and a Hollywood genius. Aside from the remakes, I found all of his films to be very entertaining and very action-packed. But in terms of the remakes, he understands that today’s generation is willing to pay a lot of money to see these shitty remakes so why not dish more of them out. He is comfortable with demons though.

7: Dracula, The Wolf Man, The Frankenstein Monster - which one of these classic villains scares you, and why?
Probably The Wolf Man because as a child, we lived across from a forest preserve that would get pretty foggy at night. I would always imagine some large Wolf Man bolting out of the forest and into my house. It was one of my biggest fear.

8: Tell me about a scene from a NON HORROR Film that scares the crap out of you:
The most vivid memory of a non-horror movie scaring the shit out of me had to have come from Toy Story. It was the scene in which all of Sid’s toys rebel against him and then Woody’s head turns all the way around and talks to him. It was horrifying.

9: Baby Jane Hudson invites you over to her house for lunch. What do you bring?
Probably a dead rat. Although I would prepare my dead rat a little more elegantly then Jane did.

10: So, between you and me, do you have any ulterior motives for blogging? Come, on you can tell me, it will be our little secret, I won't tell a soul.
To be honest, the biggest reason why I blog is because I was bored and I needed something to do. Other than that, I just love writing ever since I can remember… or since Stephen King has pushed me into that direction.

11: What would you have brought to Rosemary Woodhouse's baby shower?
Holy water and probably a mobile consisting of upside down crucifixes, smiling devils and pitchforks.

12: Godzilla vs The Cloverfield Monster, who wins?
As a die-hard Cloverfield fan I have to say that Godzilla would probably win. Not necessarily because of strength or height but because Godzilla has the ability to breath fire. Now, since Clover is just a baby and he’s about the same height as Godzilla, if the match were between Godzilla and Clover’s mother… I’d have to say Clover’s mother.

13: If you found out that Rob Zombie was reading your blog, what would you post in hopes that he read it?
“Rob, you are a decent director who created a name for yourself in the horror industry. Please, please, please, for the love of all things good and holy, go back to making original redneck horror movies and leave the classic films alone. You don’t have the ability to direct a good remake. Your not #1 fan – Rick”

14: What is your favorite NON HORROR FILM, and why?
Titanic. It was the first movie that I pointed at and said, “I want to make movies like that.” Since then, I studied the way films were made and Titanic was sort of my bridge to becoming a filmmaker.

15: If blogging technology did not exist, what would you be doing?
I would probably just end up writing reviews and posting them to forums and IMDb. Also, I would probably just keep a journal of some kind where I would jot down my thoughts.

The Thing Week Coming Soon to Paradise of Horror

If you have been following me on Twitter I’ve been announcing, here and there, a little blogathong that I will be doing that was inspired by several other blogathons (most notably Romero Week at Freddy In Space). This blogathon will be one week long and will focus on my number 1 favorite horror movie of all time… John Carpenter’s epic horror remake The Thing. The event will hopefully take place on June 21st and end on June 27th. During the coarse of the entire week and weekend I will be talking about certain aspects of the film as well as the film in pop culture, and I will end in a post that deals with the horror community and that’s where YOU come into play.

You see, I want the horror community to share with me some of their personal stories while watching The Thing and they can range from how it felt the first time you saw the film, to how it affected you as a child to how it influenced you as a horror fan. The Thing was not a box office success but to us horror fans it’s one of the most important pieces of horror history and especially remake history. So, if you want to help me out… you can send me you stories in written format to the email listed below. Each story should be no more than 200 words and it will go in the concluding post at the end of the week.

If you do not want to participate in contributing to the concluding post you can take part in the event in another way; you can write up a post on your own blog or website about The Thing… that way the event can spread around from blog to blog just like the virus in the film. Also, if you want to contribute a logo for the event you are free to do so, otherwise I’ll just use the one that I created.

So… have at it. I am hoping that this will be a fun little event for me on a personal level and I hope the same for all my readers and all the participants.

Email me at: jamhorner@yahoo.com

Paradise Profiles: Lost Highway

A while ago I did a post on some of the best-designed horror blogs out there and one of them was The Lost Highway. I have been a fan of Lost Highway for about a year now and I had the pleasure to talk to Steve (the owner) via Twitter. Well, about a few weeks ago I asked him if he would like to answer a few questions from me so that I can file him under my Paradise Profiles. Well, next to the Amanda Norman interview I think I came up with a really good questionnaire for Steve and he came back with exactly what I wanted him to say. Hell, the answers he gave me are very quotable and I might have to use them later on in some of my posts.

So, with that said I give you my interview with the Lost Highway (I bet some of you didn’t know that highways can talk):

Why are you attracted to horror movies?
With so many horrifying things in the real world I consider it a sort of escape from the day the day. I personally don't like the torture porn type of stuff or horror that's just so vile that it makes you want to take a shower after watching it. I typically like the fun horror film that doesn't take itself too seriously but can still give me a few good scares. If I thought a guy in a hockey mask was going to actually try to kill me on a camping trip then I probably wouldn't be watching these types of films to begin with and fortunately I'm not prone to skinny dipping or having premarital sex just ask my wife. These are a world of fantasy pure and simple just like science fiction novels and government intelligence.

Considering Halloween 3 was the first horror movie you saw, what is your opinion on it now as you are older?
I remember seeing the film at a friend’s sleepover party when I was 9 years old and watched most of it from the protective cover of my sleeping bag. It scared me enough that I refused to wear a halloween mask that year for fear snakes would come out of the eyeholes. I can't really say it's very scary to me anymore but neither are dark basements, thunderstorms and clowns… ok maybe still clowns but I do consider Halloween 3 a good campy b-movie and I gotta give them credit for trying something different. I guess it was the new Coke of the Halloween series and yes I still check the back of masks for that Shamrock logo just in case.

Why are you drawn to b-movies out of all the horror sub-genres?
b-movies to me really encompass a pretty broad set of genres with traditional horror, sci-fi, campy bad movies, exploitation, and grindhouse falling into the mix. But I think most b-movies don't take themselves too seriously most of the time and it's a type of movie you can have fun with or make fun of with a group of buddies. There's also some sort of pure raw creativity in a lot of these films. They didn't have the budgets or the big studio backings so you'll see a lot of creative ways they handled things. In a lot of ways it was true independent gorilla film making which can often create the best results.

Would you say there is a certain kind of vintage aspect in watching obscure 70s and 80s horror movies? In other words, do those kinds of movies bring you back to your childhood days?
Absolutely. I saw a most of these types of films in my childhood and it takes me back to a time when life wasn't so stressful, not so many responsibilities. Things were simpler and slower back then. *leans back in my rocking chair* "well I remember walking to school uphill both ways and writing on a shovel and we ate dirt and by golly we liked it that way."

How did Mystery Science Theater 3000 mold you into who you are now?
I started watching MST3K since season 1 back when Comedy Central was called the Comedy Channel… you know when cable was actually good? So not only did it expose me to a lot of vintage b-movies but greatly influenced my strange sense of humor. Though I still don't get 90% of the actor references they make though but that's what Google’s for.

What got you started in graphic design?
I started out as an illustrator when I was younger so there was lots of drawing of fast cars, monsters, and boobies… oh the boobies. I was actually going to go to college for biomedical illustration but I got squeamish with the idea of going to see the corpses in the medical lab for extra credit. So yeah failed that class. Funny how I can watch a guy get his head eaten by a zombie but if I see real drop of blood then I pass out like a little girl. Fortunately this whole Internet thing came along so I went with web design and it's been keeping my family fed ever since. I still do illustration work with my b-movie posters and t-shirt designs which has been a lot of fun.

Out of all your website design and logo work, what has to be your best design?
Hmmm‚ that's a tough call. I've never been a big fan of my own design work. I usually look at it a month or so later and I'll be like "what poor blind monkey designed this?" However I think my Halloween poster is probably my best illustration work thus far. Ironically my first b-movie poster I did but I think I just haven't gotten back to that same level yet. I guess I had no expectations when I drew that which gives you a sort of creative freedom when you don't place expectations on what it should looks like. But I love b-movies and drawing so it's the perfect value combo meal.

What made you want to start a blog?
It was mostly to just see if I could write… well anything. Designers make horrible editors we can barely spell or use basic tools. Thankfully we got that whole opposable thumb thing going on for us. It's been a very unique and rewarding creative experience for me to write about my b-movie passion. It's almost like drawing. You have to build your review up just like you build a drawing… oh and there's lots of erasing.

What was the inspiration behind a 'Lost highway' theme?
I never actually heard of the movie with the same title when I had started putting the site together. Call me a Lynch virgin at the time. This was back in the day when the site was more a glorified links page attached to my portfolio website. I just wanted something that would be off the main road of the "information super highway!" yeah I know it was 90's give me a break. Strangely I finally saw the movie a while back for the first time and afterwards was like "oh yeah this movie is soooo lost highway" just add a touch of grindhouse you got what we're all about.

How did you meet Drive-In Dan?
Dan actually hired me to design him a horror logo a few years back. You can still see it in my portfolio its called Goreopolis. We got chatting about what I wanted to do with Lost Highway and turns out he's just as crazy as I am. More importantly he has a passion for b-movies and wants to make Lost Highway awesome-tastic. We get into these fun conversations about movies because our tastes aren't identical in films. Our conversation about the movie Grindhouse will be passed on to generations. Dan is also a great guy and his Rosen's drive-in is really doing well down in North Carolina. I get down there for a double-decker chilidog from the snack shop when I can and help him run ticket sales.

Out of all the b-movies that you've seen, what is you favorite and what is your least favorite?
Favorite movie of all time would easily be "The Warriors." hands down the greatest film ever made. It's one of the few films I can watch over and over again and thoroughly enjoy. I think it just exemplifies what is great in a b-movie; the campiness attitude of 70's films, the great dialog, the grittiness. My 3-year-old daughter even says "Warrior's come out and play." gosh that makes a daddy proud.

Least favorite? Well there are so many b-movies that scrap the bottom of the barrel. Manos: The Hands of Fate is tremendously painful without some good MST3K riffing. I think I'd have to go with Bloodshack though as my pick. It was directed by the same guy that made the Incredibly Strange Creature That Stopped Living and Became A Mixed Up Zombie; The only movie whose title is actually more interesting than the film. I can't give you specifics of the plot of Bloodshack because I don't think there really was one. There's a guy, and a shack, a rodeo, and some stained wallpaper, that's about it. I think the movie really hates humanity.

By any chance, did MST3K influence your comical commentary on snapshots of certain b-movies?
Yes definitely. MST3K is the greatest TV show ever made or will ever be made. Yes even better than "Charles in Charge" or "Manimal." I use to do these comedy sketched on video cassettes in Jr. High where we'd record shows off the TV and add our own commentary track over the audio. It was pre MST3k days so I'm just waiting for my royalties check from Best Brains. I still watch an episode about every night before bed. It's like a comfort food but less fattening.

What was the most rewarding thing that came out of blogging?
Talking to other people who have a similar passion for this b-movie stuff like me: entertaining the unwashed masses, oh and the money… so much money. I just roll around in it at night. Roll, roll, roll.

If Kevin Murphy and Michael Nelson were to read this interview, what would you want to say to them?
"How do you eat and breathe and other science facts?"

How do you relax? Or, what do you do in your spare time?
Between a full time job, 3 kids, and freelance design business my spare time is pretty much what I devote to Lost Highway and b-movie watching. I try to watch at least a couple b-movies a week so at least if one is so horrible I can't bare to speak of it again the other movie will be the film I review by default. It's like Olympic training so I got to pace myself. It’s usually late at night but I find that's the best creative time without a tiny person using me as a jungle gym. I don't watch television now so I get a heck of a lot more done with the little spare time I do have. My wife and I are also big Roller Derby fans so we try to get down to the Detroit Derby Girl bouts as much as we can. My wife is joining a local derby league so she's pretty hardcore. I'm more like Richie Cunnigham from Happy Days so she could kick my ass at any moment.

To visit the Lost Highway, click here
To visit the Retro DC Portfolio, click here
Follow Steve on Twitter
Become a fan of the Lost Highway on Facebook

Vote Paradise of Horror for Mr. Horror Blogosphere!

Hey folks, this is just a quick post reminding all my readers that I am nominated for the Mr. Horror Blogosphere in the contest hosted by Zombie’s Don’t Run. I am up against a lot of really good blogs out there and some of which I haven’t read or heard of until now. Anyway, if you love The Paradise of Horror and you support it, why not go over there and vote for me. It would be very appreciated. Hell, if you get there and you want to vote for somebody else… that’s fine by me. Either way, it’s good for all us blogs out there.

The voting area is at the website linked above and it's at the top right hand corner of the page.

And yes, I know the title of this post seems a little pretentious but it got your attention, which is what I wanted. I can assure you, I am not saying that I am better than all the other blogs out there.

Thanks for you’re continued support,

- Rick

Best Designed Blogs

As many of you know, I find great blogs on a daily basis and I have seen a lot of great blogs out there but some blogs just stand out more than others. I’m not saying that the quality of the work is better than all the rest but I think, in terms of design, these blogs stand out among all the rest. I also want to note that I am not discouraging or making fun of any other horror blogs out there who don’t have the money or the talent to get a good page designer. I just came across these blogs and said, “Wow, those are really well made blogs.” My goal is not to offend people.

With that said, here is the list of blogs that I think have really outdid their blog layout design… in no particular order either.

Kindertrauma
I love this site because on first glance it looks like it’s a nice little blog about the days of growing up and playing outside. It has a lovely pink background, a chalkboard and even little letter bocks for the categories. It looks so innocent until you start reading it and you realize that this site is meant to tap into your deepest childhood fears and provoke them. I have to thank Lance Vaughan for effectively tricking my eye but also for creating a very cool blog layout.

Attack from Planet B
When you first look at this blog you will notice that the name and it’s lettering is very reminiscent of 50s b-movie cinema and low budget sci-fi films. That’s the whole theme of this blog is to capture that essence again. It combines those great serial looking faces with a very unique style of 50s comic book lettering. The colors all seem as though they are washed out and vintage and it just adds to that retro feel. Of course this is yet another blog on Wordpress. Adam Akers did a great job with this setup. I am sure that once the blog starts hitting it big, it will only further it’s appeal.

Lost Highway
Now we get to my personal favorite blog of them all. Steve, like Adam, designed his own webpage. When you first look at Lost Highway you will notice that the background looks dirty, crumpled, raw and grainy and then you realize that this will be a fun read. The theme to this blog is “a detour through b-movies and cult films” so like any good roadmap you’d expect road signs, attractions, maybe a little comic book feel to it and maybe some twists and turns. Well, this blog as all that and more. Each film has it’s own little ‘roadside attraction’ and is dated on nifty little route plaque. You’ll even notice the pictures have their own commentary.

Classic-Horror
Ah yes, much like Lost Highway, this blog really utilizes the older vintage look to its advantage. The blog’s name and letting reflects the earlier age of horror when titles were shown in big bold letters and looked as though they were markered in. The blog is beautifully colored and I really enjoy the paper creases that the banner and the bottom have. It has a great image of a zombie lunging out towards you, which is very reminiscent of Night of the Living Dead.

Again, I want to reiterate on something: these are just the blogs that I think have the best layout and the best theme. I’m not saying they are THE BEST blogs out there, nor am I saying that they are better than anybody else. I am one for website design and I love it when a blog can reflect their theme and I understand there are people out there that don’t have the tools or the money to afford a designer. All blogs are equal in my opinion.

Thank You Brian and the Cyber Horror Awards

A few months ago I contacted Brian Soloman of Vault of Horror asking if I could participate in the Cyber Horror Awards. This was during the beginning stages of my blog so it was a while ago and this was before I really knew about him or his blog. Well, when I got the email I was thrilled that he still remembered (partially because I had forgot about the awards and I asked him if I was one of the voters.) Well, I did my part and I am pleased to have been a part of it because not only did I have a change to state my votes but also because it indirectly led me to some cool horror blogs.

I don’t want to bore you with the winters and nominees because you can find them all online, just follow the links. However, I would like to thank Brian for creating this nifty award ceremony because it gives us bloggers a chance to choose for ourselves who we think deserves an award and why. Though the award is not nearly as big as it probably should be… I am sure that within time this will be and I will support it all the way. Thanks Brian and thank you all for supporting it.

The winners of the 2009 Cyber Horror Awards
The post on The Vault of Horror