Shocktober 2016 Serves Up “The Bed That Eats!”

The 22nd day of “Shocktober 2016” asks you to lie down and relax in this bizarre “Death Bed!”

Yes, it is time to discover the wonder of “Death Bed!” First, let’s see a few choice moments thanks to “Saibot216” on youtube….

It is referred to as the “worst film ever made!” But c’mon, if you’ve see “The Room” or “Birdemic”, you know that’s not possible…and now, thanks to the great home video distributor CultEpics, there is a new blu-ray that gives YOU the chance to decide for yourself!

Let’s look at the extremely intricate plot:

A demonic bed eats anyone who lies in it. Done!

Which leads me to suspect that this young lady has a bad dream ahead…

Yep, I WAS RIGHT!

So, this is a film with a title – and premise – that doesn’t mess around! And thanks to the wonders of blu-ray, you just have to grab onto your remote with both hands and let this film take you on a wild, wild ride!

The Wacky World Of Cult Movies!

One reason movies are so much fun is because you never know when you will run into a film like this: a Director’s unique vision that may remain in obscurity for years before a brave company brings it back for all of us to enjoy! You know, scenes like THIS:

Thanks to the great website IMDB, we have some fun “Death Bed” trivia!

Director George Barry’s inspiration for “Death Bed” came in a dream, which explains the film’s bizarre surreal feel…

A Cult Legend Is Born – Or Bedded!

Until its official DVD release in 2003, “Death Bed” had been circulated via pirated bootlegs, and unbeknown to George Barry, the film had gained an underground fan base. VHS helped keep the mystique alive…

Director Barry said he discovered people discussing it on the internet one evening and decided to put an official video release of the film into works.

Patton Oswalt’s Obsession!

Comedian Patton Oswalt mentions the movie on his 2007 CD “Werewolves and Lollipops”, where he does a stand-up routine on it (mistakenly referring to it as “Death Bed: The Bed That Eats People”). He even specifically tells people to look up the movie on the IMDb to verify that he wasn’t joking about its existence! Here is that rant:

So thanks to Patton Oswalt for keeping the cult alive, and thanks again to Cult Epics for bringing “Death Bed” back to life for future generations to enjoy!

If you want to make it a double bill of terror, why not try this movie as well?

Yes, it may well be the worst horror film of all time, but why not give it a shot – it’s “Birdemic!”

See the hilariously awful trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/08/15/birdemic-brilliant-shocker-or-worst-movie-ever-who-will-survive-watching-it/

I also recently took a bloody good ride on the “Terror Train”:

This early 80’s classic stars scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis – check out the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/16/shocktober-day-16-rides-a-bloody-terror-train-scream-queen-jamie-lee-curtis-slices-the-rails/

Here’s a different kind of scream queen – a naked one with a tail!

This dark norwegian horror film is a gem – see the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/17/shocktober-horrific-day-17-with-a-tail-shocking-thale-and-bonus-troll-hunter/

Also, a big contest this Halloween season – want to spend Halloween night in Dracula’s castle?

Fill up these caskets, thanks to a great AirBNB contest to stay overnight in Vlad the Impaler’s castle! Read all about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/18/win-the-chance-to-sleep-in-count-draculas-castle-countess-dracula-bites-on-shocktober-day-18/

If you missed any of the first ten days of Shocktober, then see the list here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/12/the-first-ten-days-of-shocktober-chainsaws-naked-vampires-scream-queens-clowns-galore/

Enjoy your “Death Bed” with a side of “Birdemic!”

Shocktober Day #23 Comes With Many Bloody Names!

I love this film – I love sharing it on this day #23 of Shocktober – it’s a perfect bloody thriller for Halloween – and I love that it has THREE different titles! Check out these three posters for one single film:

Haute Tension / High Tension / Switchblade Romance!

Yes, it’s a great film with a split personality, thanks to multiple title changes for the US market!

The very bloody red poster for the rest of the world was changed for the US, and the title was changed as well…but no matter what you call it, this is one scary thriller! Check out the trailer!

The bloody horror film was originally rated NC-17 in the U.S. for strong graphic violence, but a few graphic shots were cut from the final version of the U.S. release to get it down to the R rating. However, the original cut (referred to as an unrated version) is available on Blu-ray and DVD – and you want to see this one uncut!

Of course, this French language film doesn’t begin so bloody…it all starts out so nice…Alexia travels with her friend Marie to spend a couple of days with her family in their farm in the country. They arrive late and they are welcomed by Alexia’s father.

Late in the night, a sadistic and sick killer breaks into the farmhouse, slaughters Alexia’s family–including their dog–and kidnaps Alexia. Marie hides from the criminal and tries to help the hysterical and frightened Alexia, chase the maniac, and disclose his identity in the end.

That’s right, Marie trails the killer and his conquest, trying to find the best time to save her best friend from the maniac…

That’s all you need to know…this is a bloody, twisted thriller that has a lot of great scares and unrelenting suspense!

[repeated line]
Marie: I won’t let anyone come between us any more.

Director Alexandre Aja and screenwriter Grégory Levasseur are childhood friends and made this film as a homage to the old-school horror films of the 70’s and 80’s that the two would watch together growing up.

Here is some great bloody trivia:

The camera used during the car-attack scene got so much fake blood on it during shooting that when it was being used on another film later on fake blood oozed from it during the focusing of a shot. How can you miss a movie that has THAT going for it!

Whatever you call this movie, make sure to celebrate “Shocktober” by watching it!

I also recently took a bloody good ride on the “Terror Train”:

This early 80’s classic stars scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis – check out the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/16/shocktober-day-16-rides-a-bloody-terror-train-scream-queen-jamie-lee-curtis-slices-the-rails/

Here’s a different kind of scream queen – a naked one with a tail!

This dark norwegian horror film is a gem – see the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/17/shocktober-horrific-day-17-with-a-tail-shocking-thale-and-bonus-troll-hunter/

Also, a big contest this Halloween season – want to spend Halloween night in Dracula’s castle?

Fill up these caskets, thanks to a great AirBNB contest to stay overnight in Vlad the Impaler’s castle! Read all about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/18/win-the-chance-to-sleep-in-count-draculas-castle-countess-dracula-bites-on-shocktober-day-18/

If you missed any of the first ten days of Shocktober, then see the list here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/12/the-first-ten-days-of-shocktober-chainsaws-naked-vampires-scream-queens-clowns-galore/

Enjoy your Halloween!

Here is the new look of horror – and a great way to celebrate “Shocktober 2016!”

All Hail New Horror Master Ben Wheatley!

If you don’t know Director Ben Wheatley, you need to in a hurry! His fourth film just won a special jury prize, and it’s a new way to make an unsettling horror film!

First, a bit about the Director:

British Director Ben Wheatley got his start doing commercials and music videos, then made several acclaimed viral videos for the web. That led to him getting the opportunity to direct features. He is a bold new talent emerging from the UK, with a distinctive style, and a twisted sense of humor!

Let’s look at his first three films quickly – all are largely overlooked here in the US, but were critical hits in England: In May 2009 he directed the feature film “Down Terrace” in eight days; it won the Next Wave prize at Fantastic Fest in Austin and Best UK Feature at Raindance in London.

Here’s the trailer:

The plot is very straightforward: A crime family looks to unmask the police informant in their midst who threatens to take down their business. It’s to Wheatley’s credit that he created a critically-acclaimed film with no time or money…

Next up is a very dark and twisted tale of revenge, murder and madness!

Kill List

“I fucking hate dirty soap.”

Nearly a year after a botched job, a hit man takes a new assignment with the promise of a big payoff for three killings. What starts off as an easy task soon unravels, sending the killer into the heart of darkness.

Here’s the trailer!

This film was released “unrated” for a reason – it’s a violent, dark and twisted thriller that doesn’t pull a punch!

It is also a horror movie of incredible intensity – see more about the film here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/08/19/kill-list-director-ben-wheatleys-shocking-thriller-brilliant-hit-man-horror/

And speaking of not pulling punches:

Sightseers

“Police are pursuing a ginger-faced man and an angry woman…”

Boy, are they ever! Check out the trailer!

His next movie was a perverse black comedy about two lovers who travel the British countryside, killing anyone who gets in their way…as you can see by the trailer, it’s a British “Badlands meets Natural Born Killers!”

All of this led to his next film = a low budget, black-and-white meditation on horror:

A Field In England!

Friend: You think about a thing before you touch it, am I right?
Whitehead: Is that not usual?
Friend: Not in Essex.

Check out the trailer!

Here’s the plot: fleeing for their lives, a small party abandon their Civil War confederates and escape through an overgrown field. Thinking only of what lay behind, they are ambushed by two dangerous men and made to search the field.

Psychedelia, madness and chaotic forces slowly overtake the group as they question what treasure lies within the malignant field.

Wheatley’s latest movie was the terrific “High Rise” – which is currently available on demand and Blu-ray – another terrific thriller.

if you are in the mood for more classic horror, then nothing beats this:

Yes, the film that made Frank Sinatra divorce Mia Farrow! Check out the story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/08/shocktober-day-8-satans-spawn-rosemarys-baby-shocks-mia-farrows-marriage/

It’s been a full “Shocktober 2016” already, and if you missed any, head to my home page to find all of them, like this subtle shocker:

Yes, one of the cinema’s most shocking films – with very little blood! Read the behind-the-scenes stories of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/01/shocktober-is-here-31-days-of-horror-day-1-slices-up-the-texas-chainsaw-massacre/

There are more subtle films as well, still effective horror films, like this one:

Legendary Actor George C. Scott brings gravitas to this great horror film, see the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/02/shocktober-2016-haunted-house-the-changeling-spooks-day-2/

If you want something more shocking, I’ve got a good for you as well:

Try this great modern horror film, “High Tension”, by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/23/shoctober-day-23-stabs-you-with-high-tension-and-a-switchblade-romance/

Lots of great horror for Halloween, including many from Ben Wheatley!

So check out this “Field In England” and get your experimental Shocktober going!

Having A Good Shocktober 2016?

As you can see, Ernest Borgnine doesn’t like rats, but he’s just frightened by how much fun this Halloween season has been so far!

Shocktober 2016 is counting down to Halloween night, and here is a look at some of this month’s movies:

“Godzilla” Is Back!

Yep, the new “Godzilla: Resurgence” film is out, so you can see the big guy on the big screen! Check out the new trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/11/shocktober-day-11-godzilla-is-back-with-a-resurgence-new-monster-go-go-godzilla/

If you want to see some classic cult horror, then gnaw on this film:

Not only was “Willard” a big hit, but Michael Jackson sang the theme song for the sequel “Ben!”

See Jackson’s live performance on the Academy Awards by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/12/willard-shocktober-day-12-smells-a-rat-ben-gnaws-at-your-horror-bone/

On the 13th day of Shocktober, I naturally focused on the most famous “13” of all:

See the trailer for the first “Friday the 13th” film – with a very young Kevin Bacon, by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/13/friday-the-13th-shocktober-day-13-goes-to-bloody-crystal-lake-friday-the-13th-monster-jason-voorhees/

On the 14th day of Shocktober, I took you overseas for some bloody Italian “gallo” films:

These slasher films are bloody good fun for Halloween – here are a bunch of options:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/14/shocktober-day-14-is-a-locked-room-of-slashing-giallo/

I also stopped by France to share with you a moody, nudity-drenched horror film:

French Director Jean Rollin made some great horror films, see them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/15/living-dead-girl-shocktober-day-15-swings-a-bloody-scythe-a-shocking-fascination/

Back in the US, I took a bloody good ride on the “Terror Train”:

This early 80’s classic stars scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis – check out the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/16/shocktober-day-16-rides-a-bloody-terror-train-scream-queen-jamie-lee-curtis-slices-the-rails/

Here’s a different kind of scream queen – a naked one with a tail!

This dark norwegian horror film is a gem – see the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/17/shocktober-horrific-day-17-with-a-tail-shocking-thale-and-bonus-troll-hunter/

Also, a big contest this Halloween season – want to spend Halloween night in Dracula’s castle?

Fill up these caskets, thanks to a great AirBNB contest to stay overnight in Vlad the Impaler’s castle! Read all about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/18/win-the-chance-to-sleep-in-count-draculas-castle-countess-dracula-bites-on-shocktober-day-18/

If creepy accommodations are your thing, then you’ll want to hang out with Jessica, who has some “wet” friends coming over to visit her:

See the creepy “Let’s Scare Jessica To Death” trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/19/shocktober-day-19-scares-jessica-to-death-eerie-psychological-horror/

Now, from the sublime to the raucous!

Checkout Linnea Quigley and “Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers!”

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/20/shocktober-20th-linnea-quigleys-naked-living-dead-dance-plus-chainsaw-hookers/

If you missed any of the first ten days of Shocktober, then see the list here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/12/the-first-ten-days-of-shocktober-chainsaws-naked-vampires-scream-queens-clowns-galore/

Happy Halloween!

A Bloody “Giallo” For Shocktober 2016!

Yes, it’s time to celebrate Italy’s lurid “giallo” genre once again, as “Shocktober” day #25 slithers into Italy!

Some of the most inventive thrillers ever made came from Italy, during a time when the “giallo” film was at its height – welcome to the bloody world of the Italian sex shocker!

Let’s begin with a film that was so controversial it landed the Director in court, facing prison time! It’s all because of this:

“In the annals of the abnormal there is no more erotic nightmare than the strange lusts of…

A Lizard In A Woman’s Skin!”

One of the most legendary Italian sex shockers is also one of the most controversial! Here is the plot: Florinda Bolkan plays the daughter of a prominant English politician who keeps having recurring “nightmares” in which she makes love to a bisexual nympho who lives downstairs and conducts all-night LSD orgies!

That’s Right: ALL-NIGHT LSD ORGIES!

Anyone who has nightmares involving a bisexual nymph is just looking for trouble! FYI, the film was released in the US as “Schizoid”, which she certainly was! When the nocturnal wet dreams become murderous, the neighbor turns up dead, and Florinda is the main suspect. Did she actually commit the murder she dreamt about?

And Who Is This “Giallo?”

“Giallo” is a 20th-century Italian genre of literature and film. In Italy, the term denotes thrillers, typically of the crime fiction, mystery, and horror categories. “Giallo” refers to a style of murder mystery film which includes lots of horror, eroticism and sex! Here is what one of the books looks like:

As you can see, it’s a lurid “come-on” to the reader, or in this case, to the moviegoer…and “Lizard In A Woman’s Skin” is a perfect fit as well, as it’s a sex shocker with a title as lurid as the style of filmmaking…

The Master! Director Lucio Fulci!

The Director of the movie was Lucio Fulci, one of Italy’s great horror filmmakers.

Among his films was this classic of the genre:

The Director was such a master of shock that a judge threatened to throw him in jail!

One such shocking scene in “Lizard’s Skin” involves a room full of disemboweled dogs. Director Fulci was nearly sent to prison because it was believed that the dogs were real and Fulci had allowed animal cruelty on the film! Crew members had to testify in court that the “dogs” were indeed fake and no animals had ever been harmed. Special effects artist Carlo Rambaldi even presented the dog props in court to convince the jury. This was the first time that an effects artist had to testify in court that their work was fake!

Thanks to the great movie company Mondo Macabro, a great new blu-ray release is here!

You can read more about the film, along with a look at the blu-ray release’s extended features, by clicking on this great website, “Mondo Digital”:

http://www.mondo-digital.com/lizard.html

And you can read more about the genre of italian giallo, with films like this:

One of Italy’s greatest Giallo Directors was Dario Argento, read all about him here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/10/09/halloween-giallo-masters-agentos-animal-trilogy-fulcis-tortured-ducklings-italian-pulp-fiction/

So now you are getting warmed up to this incredibly entertaining film genre…and want to take it to a whole new level:

Yes, as the 70’s progressed, the genre got even more shocking – you can read all about this classic of the genre by clicking on my story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/07/09/time-to-strip-nude-four-flies-and-baba-yaga-to-you-yes-its-classic-italian-giallo/

There are so many more…here are some great posters that capture the energy of the genre:

And the 70’s were a great time for another Italian film genre as well:

Yes, the Italian crime drama thrived in the 70’s and here is a great documentary that looks at the classic films of the 70’s:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/01/19/italian-mobsters-sex-kittens-euro-crime-the-italian-dirty-harry-classic-70s-euro-crime/

So day #25 of “Shocktober” celebrates some of the wildest Italian sex shockers of all time.

Yesterday, I introduced you to THIS FELLOW:

Yes, he seems a bit “mad” as they say – it’s just another great movie from Director Ben Wheatley, who makes eerie and gory horror films – check them out here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/24/shocktober-24-has-a-bloody-kill-list-in-a-creepy-field-in-england/

And, if you want to see the crazy killer clowns, naked scream queens and bloody chainsaws from the first ten days of Shocktober, click here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/12/the-first-ten-days-of-shocktober-chainsaws-naked-vampires-scream-queens-clowns-galore/

Let me know how many of these classic shockers you’ve seen!

“Man Is The Warmest Place To Hide.”

With those words, Shocktober day #26 celebrates one of the greatest horror films ever: John Carpenter’s classic “The Thing!”

This iconic image reminds me of what a classic, creepy and shocking film this is – Director John Carpenter is allredy on my life for “Shocktober” – his “Halloween” is one of horror’s greatest achievements as well.

Let’s begin with the trailer for this classic film:

Scientists are housed in Antartica. It’s the first week of winter in 1982. An American Research Base is greeted by an alien force, which is able to assimilate by hiding inside anything it touches.

Kurt Russell stars in the film, along with a number of great character Actors. Remember that Russell had just done “Escape From New York” with Carpenter.

As it becomes clear that something is very, very wrong – the crew begin to turn on each other, fearful that at any moment someone could end up doing this!

It’s up to the members to stay alive, and uncover who has become “the Thing.” As the great tagline says:

“Man Is The Warmest Place To Hide.”

There are many types of horror – the slow, creeping dread that settles over a film – and those movies that use big shocks and special effects….”The Thing” is a perfect combination of both – unsetttling dread as dark as the Antartic winter, and shocking special effects unlike any seen before – like this scene, where a man’s head becomes a spider!

According to IMDB, John Carpenter said that Wilford Brimley was the only cast member not initially grossed out by the autopsy scene where they used real animal organs!

Brimley had been a real-life cowboy and hunter, so gutting animals and removing organs was a normal experience for him!

“The Thing” wasn’t a box office success when released in 1982 – it was, perhaps, too dark and unsettling – but its stature over the years has grown, and it is now considered a modern horror classic, and has become part of the culture in Antarctica. It is a long standing tradition in all British Antarctic research stations to watch the movie as part of their Midwinter feast and celebration held every June 21!

As I said, Director John Carpenter is already on my “Shocktober” list for another of the greatest horror films ever made:

What a classic! It also introduced America to the iconic “scream queen”, Jamie Lee Curtis – see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/03/shocktober-day-3-screams-halloween-scream-queen-jamie-lee-curtis/

“Halloween” is just one of the many films I have profiled this Halloween season – like this one, a modern horror classic:

“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” started off the month of a horrific note – here are the others from he first ten days of Shocktober 2016:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/12/the-first-ten-days-of-shocktober-chainsaws-naked-vampires-scream-queens-clowns-galore/

The next ten days also included chainsaws, although these were a big more “naked!”

“Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers” is as over-the-top fun as you can imagine, and you can see the trailer for this movie here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/24/shocktober-2016-ten-more-horror-classics-for-halloween/

Finally, if you haven’t experienced the greatness of Italian Giallo horror, here is a great place to start:

Click here to see what the fuss is all about in the world of Italian sex shockers:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/25/shocktober-day-25-slithers-like-a-lizard-in-a-womans-skin-shocking-halloween-horror/

Make sure to enjoy all of these great Halloween horror classics this month!

Goodbye Uwe!

Uwe Boll, the legendary Director behind several video game-to-film adaptations – like “Alone in the Dark”, “Postal” and “BloodRayne” – has shocked the movie world by announcing that he’s retiring from filmmaking!

Umm….that’s right, Boll left the Director’s chair with a one-fingered salute to the movie business!

Boll is a true renegade – a feisty filmmaker who has battled critics and fans over the years – for what many say are among the worst movies ever made.

And when I say “battled”:

Yes, the Director actually challenged Critics to a boxing match to settle their differences, and ended up knocking out four of them! He’s a guy who likes to fight back, as evidenced by his last film:

Rampage: President Down!

According to Metro News, Boll’s last film will be “Rampage: President Down”, with the director saying his politically-minded films just aren’t making an impact.

“Rampage 3 will be watched on Netflix, DVD or iTunes or whatever,” he said.

Check out the trailer:

Toronto’s Metro News also reports:

“Boll went so far as to say the “market is dead,” noting that “with streaming everywhere there is just a big wave of movies flooding around and you have no impact.” He also highlighted the drastic decline in DVD and Blu-ray sales over the past few years as “the real reason” he’s retiring, adding, “I just cannot afford to make movies.”

The director also addressed how he has been self-financing for over a decade now, saying “I never had people giving me money.” Last year Boll launched his third crowdfunding campaign, which failed to get the support he was seeking.”

The Human ATM!

The Toronto Metro goes on to report that the Director was funding all his movies!

“I’ve been using my money since 2005 and if I hadn’t made the stupid video game based movies I would never have amalgamated the capital so I could say, ‘Let’s make the Darfur movie,'” he added. “I don’t need a Ferrari, I don’t need a yacht. I invested in my own movies and I lost money.”

Boll said he hopes more people will discover and watch his prior films, which he believes “made sense and said a point about things” and “deserve to be discussed bigger than they were.”

With that in mind, time to discover THIS Uwe Boll film:

Bloodrayne!

Boll had a good run by adapting vieogames into awful films….check out the trailer:

Boll continued his streak with the horrific adaptation of “Alone In The Dark:”

Alone In The Dark

As you can see, Boll had movie stars in his films, and many of them were successful…check out the trailer:

Unfortunately, many Critics called these among the worst films of all time.

If you really want to see the full scope of Uwe Boll’s work, then this is the film you must see:

Blubberella!

Um….look at the trailer:

Well then….

As you can see, Boll is an aggressive, “in your face” Filmmaker who isn’t afraid to offend. So, are his films as bad as many have said?

Sure, but he directed dozens of movies, some of which got some good reviews, and he just kept rolling film on dozens of films, so let’s give him credit.

His independent filmmaking will be missed!

We should celebrate those renegade moviemakers who bring their passion projects to life – like this!

The Legendary Andy Milligan!

Sure, this Director was behind the classic “Fleshpot On 42nd Street” – and this classic as well:

These are films that MUST BE EXPERIENCED! Check them all out here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/02/13/fleshpots-rats-cranium-cleaving-color-meet-andy-milligan-sexploitations-ed-wood/

Was Milligan the worst film Director of all time? Well, the maker of this film would choose to differ:

“Hands! The Hands Of Fate!”

What? Well, “Manos” means “hands”, so the film is indeed titled…well, you get it. A truly awful film that you can see here:

“Manos: Hands Of Fate” Is Here! Celebrate The Worst Of The Worst Films!

Finally, another film was released recently that also laid claim to “worst of all time”:

The amazing “Birdemic” is also “worst film of all time”contender, and you can see it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/08/15/birdemic-brilliant-shocker-or-worst-movie-ever-who-will-survive-watching-it/

And even some great people get involved in really bad films – say for example, Steve Martin:

No matter how much he yells, Martin can never erase that he was in this movie:

Ouch! The Beatles were not honored by this film! See it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/05/03/from-the-beatles-to-flying-severed-heads-five-mesmerizingly-bad-films/

Let me know your favorite Uwe Boll movie!

“IF THIS PICTURE DOESN’T MAKE YOUR SKIN CRAWL – IT’S ON TOO TIGHT!”

On this 28th day of “Shocktober”, time to share one of the most shocking horror classics of the 70’s – and yes, your skin will crawl!

A classic 70’s horror film that has been rediscovered thanks to home video, “Black Christmas” is a tight, vicious thriller that is one of my top five horror films of all time!

Let’s look at the original trailer, which is not only lengthy at four minutes, but scary as hell as well:

The plot is straightforward: It’s time for Christmas break, and a group of sorority sisters make plans for the holiday – but then the horrifying anonymous phone calls begin. Olivia Hussey stars in the film…

Hussey starred in “Romeo & Juliet”, but this is no love story…one of the reasons the film works so well is that her performance is so grounded in reality – she is very much like Jamie Lee Curtis in “Halloween” – a “real” person who makes the horror all the more real…

Margot Kidder also stars as one of Olivia’s sorority sisters, and she’s got a wicked sense of humor and an acid tongue…this was just prior to her breakout role as Lois Lane in “Superman”…

Kidder really elevates the film with her caustic wit…and the film is full of familiar faces…

What A Cast!

Kier Dullea also stars in the movie – Dullea of course was in Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece, “2001: A Space Odyssey…”

Great character Actor John Saxon also stars – and action movie fans will always remember him showcasing his kung fu moves in the Bruce Lee classic “Enter The Dragon.”

Since this was a low budget film, Keir Dullea worked only for a week, and never met Margot Kidder! He barely met John Saxon either, but the film is edited in such a way that he appears to be present throughout the film…

“Black Christmas” Fan Steve Martin!

Around 1986, Olivia Hussey met Steve Martin for a role in “Roxanne”, and Martin said “Oh my God Olivia, you were in one of my all time favorite films”. Hussey assumed it was her role in “Romeo and Juliet” – but she was surprised to find out it was “Black Christmas!” Martin claimed he had seen it over 20 times!

What’s amazing is that the Director, Bob Clark, also made one of the holiday’s greatest films – a beloved comedy!

That’s right, Clark also directed this classic – oh, and “Porky’s” as well! Read all about this under-appreciated Director here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/08/08/porkys-peepholes-christmas-horror-fra-gee-lay-director-bob-clarks-enduring-legacy/

It’s been a horrific Shocktober 2016 so far – yesterday, I shared what many feel is one of the greatest Directors tackling one of the most intense Halloween movies:

Yes, these two want to welcome you to the Overlook Hotel, where Jack Nicholson and Stanley Kubrick hung out for a few months and created “The Shining”:

See the iconic trailer – an elevator full of blood – by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/27/the-shining-lights-up-shocktober-day-27-heres-johnny-kubricks-creepy-masterpiece/

Another classic horror film is from the great John Carpenter – yes, the Director of “Halloween” took it one step further in the 80’s with this horror classic:

See some amazing special effects by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/26/the-thing-shocks-halloween-horror-day-26-man-is-the-warmest-place-to-hide/

If you missed some of my Shocktober countdown, well you missed some neglected classics like this:

Here is a list of ten great scary movies to enjoy this weekend:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/24/shocktober-2016-ten-more-horror-classics-for-halloween/

And bravo to “Black Christmas”, #4 on my list of greatest Halloween shockers of all!

As these folks wander aimlessly toward a bloody end to “Shocktober 2016”, I am counting down my five favorite horror films…and on day #29, we reach #3 on my list – one of the most iconic horror films of all time!

The Iconic “Night Of The Living Dead!”

Take a moment to bow down to the great Director George Romero, who ushered in a new era of horror – with a film that has become one of the most beloved horror films of all time!

“Night Of The Living Dead” has grown more famous over the years, but almost never got made at all! It is a testament to the tenacity and ingenuity of Romero that he managed to get this film made! It was completed on a $114,000 budget and premiered October 1, 1968.

Here is the classic trailer:

The plot is straightforward: A shocking phenomenon has occurred: throughout the country, the dead have suddenly come back to life. A small group barricade themselves in an old farmhouse in an attempt the remain safe from these “walking dead.”

“Night of the Living Dead” is a master class in low budget filming. The script is razor sharp, the characters become clearly defined over the course of the movie, and the gore – well, let’s just say it was heavily criticized when it came out, because it was presented in a “reality” style that was shocking for its time!

The film has grown in critical stature over the years, and was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry, as a film deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.

The lead role of Ben was played by Duane Jones. He was an unknown stage actor. It was a major gamble for Romero to cast a Black Actor in the lead; in fact, one Reviewer said that the performance depicted Ben as a “comparatively calm and resourceful Negro”!

Here’s another interesting fact: the word “zombie” is never used in the film. According to IMDB, the most common euphemism used to describe the living dead is “those things,” or “ghouls.”

Can you imagine “The Walking Dead” existing if it wasn’t for this film?

According to the George A. Romero commentary track on one of the many special edition DVDs of the film, the original working print and working elements and materials for the film no longer exist – they were destroyed as a result of a flood that filled the basement where the materials were stored (which was the same basement used in the movie).

The sequels are also great in their own way, and Robero has gone on to make many other films as well – but this was a revelation in low-budget horror, and it will live forever as one of the greatest Halloween films ever released!

Here is another low-budget cult film that hanged horror forever – because “Black Christmas” created the eerie POV camera shot of the killer that was knocked off by every horror film since!

“Black Christmas” is a classic horror film – see the creepy movie trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/28/shocktober-day-28-the-classic-sorority-horror-of-black-christmas/

It’s been a horrific Shocktober 2016 so far – any month that brings Stanley Kubrick and Jack Nicholson together is perfect tin my book!

Yes, these two want to welcome you to the Overlook Hotel, where Jack Nicholson and Stanley Kubrick hung out for a few months and created “The Shining”:

See the iconic trailer – an elevator full of blood – by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/27/the-shining-lights-up-shocktober-day-27-heres-johnny-kubricks-creepy-masterpiece/

Another classic horror film is from the great John Carpenter – yes, the Director of “Halloween” took it one step further in the 80’s with this horror classic:

See some amazing special effects by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/26/the-thing-shocks-halloween-horror-day-26-man-is-the-warmest-place-to-hide/

If you missed some of my Shocktober countdown, well you missed some neglected classics like this:

Here is a list of ten great scary movies to enjoy this weekend:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/24/shocktober-2016-ten-more-horror-classics-for-halloween/

Enjoy Shocktober!

Time For A Halloween Horror Classic!

On this 30th day of “Shocktober 2016”, I want to share the second greatest horror film ever made.

One of the greatest films of all time began as a Stephen King novel – his first novel in fact, and still the greatest film ever made from one of his books!

Classic “Carrie!”

In 1976, Director Brian DePalma took a very young cast – including Sissy Spacek, John Travolta and Nancy Allen – and made a classic film that will stand the test of time:

It’s not just a great horror film – it’s a great movie – classic cinema from a master filmmaker – let’s look first at the trailer for “Carrie”:

“Carrie” is a master class in filmmaking. I mean, how can you top this opening credits sequence, when Carrie takes a shower after gym class and discovers an unknown horror…

After her class mates taunt her about her horrified reaction to her totally unexpected first period, the story takes a dual path: both “good” and “bad” girls at school have plans for Carrie, while she discovers that she is “gifted”, and you really don’t want to get her angry.

Casting “Carrie” – AND Princess Leia!

Here’s great trivia: George Lucas and Brian De Palma held a joint audition for “Carrie” and “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”. There is a long-standing rumor that originally, Sissy Spacek was cast as Princess Leia, and Carrie Fisher as Carrie, but when Fisher refused to appear in nude scenes and Spacek was willing to do them, they switched parts.

Princess Leia Says “NOT TRUE!”

However, Fisher refuted this story in a Premiere magazine article called “The Force Wasn’t With Them,” about actors who auditioned unsuccessfully for “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.” That article got into the “switched roles” legend, and quoted Fisher as saying:

“Not only do I love being nude, I would’ve been nude then… But anyway, it’s total bullshit that Fisher refused to play Carrie.”

Spielberg’s Set Visits!

In a 2010 interview with “The A.V. Club”, Actress P.J. Soles said that Steven Spielberg often came to the set at Brian De Palma’s invitation – because DePalma told him that there were “a lot of cute girls down here.”

Soles said that Spielberg asked out most of the women on the set, Soles included, and Amy Irving was the only one who accepted. Irving and Spielberg were married from 1985-1989 and had one son together.

Travolta’s Smarmy Supporting Role!

John Travolta broke out big in as small role as Billy Nolen, a punk who just wants to make his girlfriend, Chris Hargenson, happy. Chris is played by DePalma favorite Nancy Allen. Their big dramatic scene takes place underneath the stage where Carrie White is about to be crowned homecoming queen:

Billy Nolen: “Keep the light straight!
Chris Hargenson: [blood drops onto the flashlight] Watch it, you stupid shit, you’re getting blood all over the place!
Billy Nolen: [starts laughing] Who are you calling a stupid shit? I mean you can’t even keep that fuckin’ light straight
Chris Hargenson: [whines] Just hurry up, I wanna go home!
Billy Nolen: [drawls] Yes, Ma’am! We’re doing the BEST we can, we sure are!
Billy Nolen: Just keep your tits on, and I’ll let you pull the rope!
Chris Hargenson: I intend to!
Billy Nolen: I know…”

Piper Laurie was Oscar-noiminated as Carrie’s crazy, religious Mom…in a virtuoso performance that was central to the film’s success…

“Carrie” is a masterpiece, and brilliantly directed by a master filmmaker – check out all of the special editions DVD’s and Blu-rays that delve into much more great behind-the-scenes trivia about the making of the film…

Here is another low-budget cult film that changed horror forever – because “Black Christmas” created the eerie POV camera shot of the killer that was knocked off by every horror film since!

“Black Christmas” is a classic horror film – see the creepy movie trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/28/shocktober-day-28-the-classic-sorority-horror-of-black-christmas/

One of the most revelatory horror films ever released was an ultra-low budget black’n’white shocker from 1968:

There would be no “Walking Dead” if it wasn’t for Director George Romero’s classic shock fest, which came at a time of huge changes in our culture – and in the level of gore allowed in film. Read all about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/29/shocktober-day-29-the-revelatory-horror-of-night-of-the-living-dead/

It’s been a horrific Shocktober 2016 so far – any month that brings Stanley Kubrick and Jack Nicholson together is perfect in my book!

Yes, these two want to welcome you to the Overlook Hotel, where Jack Nicholson and Stanley Kubrick hung out for a few months and created “The Shining”:

See the iconic trailer – an elevator full of blood – by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/27/the-shining-lights-up-shocktober-day-27-heres-johnny-kubricks-creepy-masterpiece/

Another classic horror film is from the great John Carpenter – yes, the Director of “Halloween” took it one step further in the 80’s with this horror classic:

See some amazing special effects by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/26/the-thing-shocks-halloween-horror-day-26-man-is-the-warmest-place-to-hide/

If you missed some of my Shocktober countdown, well you missed some neglected classics like this:

Here is a list of ten great scary movies to enjoy this weekend:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/24/shocktober-2016-ten-more-horror-classics-for-halloween/

I plan to watch “Carrie” again this Shocktober, hope you do too!

The Exorcist!

Shocktober 2016 ends on a horrific high note: simply put, one of the greatest achievements in cinema, thanks to brilliant Director William Friedkin, one of the most shocking films ever made!

For those who are too young to remember, this film was a cultural phenomenon when it was released.

In 1973, “The Exorcist” shocked American moviegoers with its intense horror. Based on the bestselling novel, the film tells the story of 12-year old Regan, a quiet girl who begins to show some strange symptoms. The film creates a sense of dread that turns shocking – then never lets up!

Director William Friedkin made this two years after he won the Oscar for Best Picture for “The French Connection”…a Director at the top of his game, and a film that actually caused audience members to faint – that’s right, the media was having a field day with stories of audience members fainting or running out of the theater in shock!

“The Exorcist” was nominated for Best Picture of 1973 – and was a box office sensation. Ellyn Burstyn and Max Von Sydow star in the film, but the real star was a young girl who made a stunning movie debut:

Introducing Linda Blair!

Linda Blair was perfect as the young, angelic Regan – a quiet girl who begins to act strangely – her innocence in the early scenes is what makes what happens next in the film all the more shocking:

A Special Effects Roller Coaster!

“The Exorcist” included some of the most unique special effects ever seen. After some early scenes, things quickly spiral out of control:

Regan MacNeil: “My bed was shaking. I can’t get to sleep.”

That leads to the arrival of Father Damien, who has a talk with his evil adversary:

Demon: What an excellent day for an exorcism.
Father Damien Karras: You would like that?
Demon: Intensely.
Father Damien Karras: But wouldn’t that drive you out of Regan?
Demon: It would bring us together.
Father Damien Karras: You and Regan?
Demon: You and us.

A Cold, Cold Set!

Here is some great trivia about the making of the film. The refrigerated bedroom set was cooled with four air conditioners and temperatures would plunge to around 30 to 40 below zero. It was so cold that perspiration would freeze on some of the cast and crew. On one occasion the air was saturated with moisture resulting in a thin layer of snow falling on the set before the crew arrived for filming.

“The Exorcist’s” Iconic Dialogue!

The film is filled with legendary shocking moments, like when Regan “turns” to greet Father Karras:

This is one of the classic visual images from the film, which also has some iconic movie dialogue, like this:

Demon: “Your mother sucks cocks in Hell, Karras, you faithless slime!”

This film is so intense and scary that the original teaser trailer, which consisted of nothing but images of the white-faced demon quickly flashing in and out of darkness, was banned in many theaters, as it was deemed “too frightening”.

Cue The “Pea Soup!”

And then of course, there is the projectile vomiting scene!

The substance that the possessed Regan (Linda Blair) hurls at Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller) is thick pea soup. Specifically, it’s Andersen’s brand pea soup. The crew tried Campbell’s but didn’t like the “effect.”

Tons of great stories and commentaries on the special edition blu-ray….check it out and relive a classic!

By the way, the star of the film, Linda Blair, went on to make a number of provocative movies – and a few photo shoots as well!

Yes, Linda grew up, alright! See some of her movies and photos here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/06/16/linda-blairs-head-spinning-photo-shoots-from-exorcist-to-explicit-tv-movie-born-yesterday/

For me, “The Exorcist” is the most intense, horrific film ever made, but here is my second favorite Halloween film:

Director Brian DePalma’s “Carrie” is shocking, but also a great character study with incredible performances by Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, John Travolta, Nancy Allen and Amy Irving – and of course, PJ Soles as well!

Here is a look at this classic film, with some great “Star Wars” trivia as well!

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/30/shocktober-day-30-brilliant-carrie-brian-depalmas-horror-classics-star-wars-connection/

So it’s been an incredible month of shocks, like this black’n’white classic from 1968 that changed the way we looked at Zombies forever:

There would be no “Walking Dead” without this masterpiece of horror from Director George Romero. Check out some great trivia here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/29/shocktober-day-29-the-revelatory-horror-of-night-of-the-living-dead/

Another low budget horror film created the POV killer film technique:

This shocking classic from 1976 is a must-see for horror fans, see the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/28/shocktober-day-28-the-classic-sorority-horror-of-black-christmas/

One of the greatest special effects horror shows ever was this classic:

Kurt Russell stars in John Carpenter’s shock fest – see the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/26/the-thing-shocks-halloween-horror-day-26-man-is-the-warmest-place-to-hide/

If you missed some of my Shocktober countdown, well you missed some neglected classics like this:

Here is a list of ten great scary movies to enjoy this weekend:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/24/shocktober-2016-ten-more-horror-classics-for-halloween/

If those aren’t enough for you, well I have you covered with even more great horror, like a night with this guy:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/12/the-first-ten-days-of-shocktober-chainsaws-naked-vampires-scream-queens-clowns-galore/

A big month for classic horror, ending on the shocking – head-turning – high note of “The Exorcist!”

Paul McCartney’s One Time Only Supergroup – Macca’s “Rockestra!”

The great “Rockestra Theme” is one of Paul McCartney’s great instrumentals – and the last song ever performed with Wings! It’s also a Grammy winning song that started a whole new category for those awards…time to celebrate this song – performed by an all-star band!

“Rockestra” Visits Abbey Road!

The song “Rockestra Theme” is the last song on the “Back To The Egg” album, and was recorded on October 3 1978 at Abbey Road Studios by an all-star collection of musicians dubbed “Rockestra”!

The studio was full of big name musicians taking part – take a look at the music video – you will see a number of familiar faces!

The All-Star Band!

A lot of friends were there that day playing on the record. Among the Musicians who performed on this song:

David Gilmour from Pink Floyd, The Who’s Pete Townshend, and legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, along with Zeppelin bandmate John Paul Jones!

Thanks to youtube, here is a vintage ten minute promotional reel of the recording session for the song – wth lots of guest appearances and fun behind-the-scenes moments!

In a 2001 interview on VH1, McCartney said Keith Moon was to have taken part in “Rockestra” but died one month before the recording sessions took place.

The Concerts For The People Of Kampuchea!

The “Rockestra Theme” was a great collaboration from a number of great Musicians.

The song was performed one more time – live this time, at an amazing charity event. “The Concerts for the People of Kampuchea” was a huge fundraising concert that featured Queen, The Clash, The Pretenders, The Who, Elvis Costello, Wings, Robert Plant and many more artists – it took place at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, England in December 1979 to raise money for the victims of war-torn Cambodia.

Here is a look at the tracks that are on the live double album – which I own:

The event was organized by McCartney and Kurt Waldheim, and it raised a ton of money – and more importantly awareness – for the war-town country.

One Whole Side Of Wings”

The double album included a whole side of Wings music – along with some Beatles AND a new McCartney solo song, “Coming Up!” – check it out!

These concerts helped raise money for a great cause, and the concert and album was a great success. It was however, the last time that Wings would perform live…

Time To “Rockestra” Live!

The huge finale was the live performance of the “Rockestra Theme”, with an all-star cast onstage.

Here is that amazing live performance, with a stage full of guitarists, led by Pete Townsend:

Polish That “Silver Wear”!

Most of the Rockestra wore silver suits for this performance – except for Pete Townsend, who decided not to – you can see him standing out on the live performance – because he’s the one without the Silver Coat!

The Song Gets Grammy Gold!

The live version of “Rockestra Theme” is terrific, and it is always great to see musicians taking part in good causes like this. Even though the song wasn’t a hit, “Rockestra Theme” won the first Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.

In fact, the album wasn’t a hit as well…”Back To The Egg” didn’t perform like the band’s previous work – music had changed and the songs seemed out of touch with the times…it is, however, another brilliant album by the group.

Here is an in depth look at the “Back To The Egg” album, the last from Wings.

https://johnrieber.com/2015/09/30/paul-mccartneys-cracked-back-to-the-egg-the-all-star-rockestra-band-a-musical-farewell-to-wings/

Wings lasted about the same amount of time as The Beatles did, and they had massive hits like these:

Read all about the chaotic events that led to this masterpiece here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/05/01/band-on-the-run-paul-mccartneys-triumph-over-adversity-classic-chaos-creation/

Wings were a huge band throughout the 70’s, including the classic “Venus And Mar” – see the music videos here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/06/07/venus-and-mars-paul-mccarneys-classic-rock-show-an-almost-lennon-mccartney-reunion/

The second Wings album is one of my favorites, the great “Red Rose Speedway”…see some great music videos here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/08/21/paul-mccartneys-brilliant-ram-2-wings-soar-with-red-rose-speedway/

Of course, the band had a rough start – the first Wings album was a critical and commercial disaster!

You can see videos from this first Wings album, and read some great trivia as well here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/02/13/paul-mccartneys-wild-life-the-disastrous-debut-of-wings-mccartneys-plea-to-john-lennon/

As I said, Wings performed “Coming Up” at the concert, but it was actually Paul’s next single from his solo album:

“McCartney II” was very experimental, and has grown in stature in time – it is another one of his brilliant albums – see the music videos here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/11/28/mccartney-ii-paul-mccartneys-experimental-masterpiece-the-secret-stories-of-mccartney-ii/

Let me know if you own the “Concert For Kampuchea!”

Two Legendary Actors Bite Into A Crime!

Here is a great new movie to share: two incredible actors working for one of the most eclectic Writer/Directors in film…and of course, it comes with a bit of controversy!

Talk About “Dog Eat Dog!”

Nicolas Cage and Willem Dafoe star in “Dog Eat Dog” for Director Paul Schrader.

Schrader is no stranger to controversy in his career, but here is a social media post he shared discussing what happened with his 2014 collaboration with Nicolas Cage:

“The Angel Dust Of Crime Fiction!”

Talk about saying it like it is! It’s well known that the film was taken away from Schrader, and he disavowed the final release. He also reached out to Nicolas Cage to ask him for another collaboration, this time to “get it right!”

The result of that call is “Dog Eat Dog”, based on the 1995 novel of same name by Edward Bunker, the late great Writer – and “Mr. Blue” in Quentin Tarantino’s classic crime drama “Reservoir Dogs!”

So Schrader had great material to work with, and two great Actors that he’s collaborated with before. Here is the trailer….

The plot is simple: A crew of ex-cons are hired by a Cleveland mafioso to kidnap the baby of a rival mobster. From there, things spin quickly out of control.

This is Schrader’s third collaboration with Nicolas Cage – Schrader previously wrote Scorsese’s “Bringing Out the Dead” as well as the controversial “Dying of the Light”.

This is the 7th collaboration between Paul Schrader and Willem Dafoe!

Schrader’s Movie Debut!

Here is great trivia from IMDB:

“Paul Schrader said he approached Michael Wincott, Michael Douglas, Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, Nick Nolte, Christopher Walken, Jeff Goldblum and Rupert Everett for the role of Greco the Greek, but it didn’t work out with any of them. In the end, to avoid going over budget, he played the role himself in what will be his acting debut!”

Director Paul Schrader has an incredible career: getting off to an iconic start when he wrote this screenplay:

Taxi Driver!

One of the greatest films ever was full of great dialogue and powerfully violent scenes…see how they celebrated the 40th anniversary of Travis Bickle here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/04/21/travis-bickle-turns-40-taxi-driver-tribeca-screening-3-reasons-to-love-him-one-big-reason-to-hate/

Schrader also wrote and directed a powerful film in the 70’s that showcased Richard Pryor in a terrific performance:

Blue Collar!

This is one of Pryor’s best performances..see more about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/05/28/richard-pryor-brilliantly-funny-violently-dramatic-his-most-incendiary-work/

Of course, Schrader directed one of the most controversial films of the 70’s as well:

Hardcore

This movie was filmed in actual XXX-rated shops in LA and San Francisco, as a midwest Businessman goes looking for his missing daughter…see the powerful trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/09/28/hardcore-a-journey-into-70s-porn-hell-classic-george-c-scott-performance/

Schrader also directed “American Gigolo” with Richard Here, and the intense “Cat People” remake in the mid-80’s…he also directed one of the first stars I ever worked with:

“Auto Focus”

Paul Schrader told the sordid story of Actor Bob Crane, whose obsession with porn – and women – was his downfall. Willem Dafoe is amazing in this film, as is Greg Kinnear, who I worked with when he hosted “Talk Soup” on E!

Here is a look at this great film, one of three neglected movies you should check out:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/03/30/sex-crazed-stars-tabloid-wars-and-tough-guys-too-little-seen-movie-gems/

Schrader never shied away from controversial subject matter, which is why this film got so much attention upon release a few years ago:

“The Canyons” was Lindsay Lohan’s comeback attempt, and another controversial film from Schrader. See the trailer and find out why the casting of this film was so controversial:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/07/15/lindsay-lohan-from-mean-girl-to-the-canyons/

Finally, if you want to read a great interview with the Director about all of his work, including “Dog Eat Dog”, click on this story from Indiewire:

http://www.indiewire.com/2016/11/paul-schrader-dog-eat-dog-the-canyons-1201743496/

I can’t wait to see “Dog Eat Dog”!

Time To Grab A Book And Read!

I spent the entire month of October highlighting horror films, so let’s get into November with some great Writers who deserve to get some attention as well!

Time For Great “Nordic Noir!”

Norwegian Author Jo Nesbo has published a number of best-selling novels, but his series of Harry Hole Detective novels are classic “Nordic Noir”: dark, moody thrillers with a flawed Protagonist…Harry Hole is his version of “Dirty Harry.”

Here is a look at all of Nesbo’s great work:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/10/16/jo-nesbo-police-brilliant-new-nordic-noir-harry-hole-novels-in-order/

Jussi Adler-Olsen is a terrific Danish Writer, who created a series of great crime novels around “Department Q”:

These novels are terrific – with lots of interesting political insight into that part of the world…take a look at his Department Q thrillers here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/06/21/classic-nordic-noir-terrific-crime-fiction-from-department-q-jo-nesbos-harry-hole-novels-rock/

Time to share my favorite Author of all time – the mad Hippie of the 60’s who delivered decades of wonderful books like this:

“Trout Fishing In America” is Richard Brautigan’s masterpiece, but he did so much more…here is a look at some of his greatest work:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/02/22/watermelons-babylon-and-trout-fishing-in-america-the-brilliant-richard-brautigan/

Another legendary Writer is the iconic Charles Bukowski, who used his real life as a postal worker – and notorious drinker – to his advantage:

Bukowski’s book are profane, angry, and brilliant….see them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/12/09/barfly-tales-of-sex-alcohol-the-post-office-brilliant-writer-charles-bukowski/

Oh, and speaking of profane and brilliant:

Yes, the master of them all: the late Hunter S. Thompson! He not only wrote the seminal “Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas”, he lived the wildest life a Writer could hope for – oh, and he interviewed fellow wild man Keith Richards!

Thanks to the internet, this mad exchange exists to watch! Check out the whole story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/02/08/amazing-gonzo-tv-the-legendary-hunter-s-thompson-keith-richards-interview/

There you go, now READ!

Princess Leia Unloads!

Carrie Fisher has an explosive new book about her “Star Wars” adventures coming out, and it includes some revelations about her and Han Solo!

Here’s how Google describes the book:

“When Carrie Fisher recently discovered the journals she kept during the filming of the first Star Wars movie, she was astonished to see what they had preserved-plaintive love poems, unbridled musings with youthful naivet , and a vulnerability that she barely recognized. Today, her fame as an author, actress, and pop-culture icon is indisputable, but in 1977, Carrie Fisher was just a (sort-of) regular teenager.”

Princess Leia’s Affair With Han Solo!

It seems that Fisher is going to share a LOT of behind-the-scenes revelations!

According to The Daily Beast:

“Carrie Fisher unveiled details of a secret relationship with her Star Wars co-star Harrison Ford in her forthcoming book, The Princess Diarist. Fisher, now 60, said the two began sleeping together one night in 1976 when Ford, then 32, offered to drive her, then 19, home while filming the beloved film franchise’s first installation. The affair lasted three months, she said, and she “relentlessly” wanted him to love her, often fantasizing, she recalled, that he would ask her to marry him with a “gold band with diamonds (inscribed) ‘Carrison.”’

According to the article:

“at the end of filming Star Wars, Ford returned to his wife Mary and two children (he and Mary divorced in 1979). Fisher has been rather open about off-screen life during the Star Wars filming, telling The Daily Beast last year that she and Ford partied with the Rolling Stones and members of the Monty Python troupe.”

Carrie Fisher is already a best-selling Author of books like “Postcards From The Edge”, and I cannot wait to read her latest memoir!

Of course, there was a more modern “Princess Leia” I shared with you:

Yes, I worked with Olivia Munn at G4, and her “Slave Leia” outfit turned a lot of head at our Star Wars convention coverage! See more pics here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/10/19/the-force-awakens-final-trailer-is-here-amazing-star-wars-cup-clingers-darth-vader-cmas-tree-olivia-munn-is-sexy-princess-leia-darth-vader-on-violin/

I also shared some great “Star Wars” news for fans of Disneyland – the first sketches of the new “Star Wars” land being built there:

See more pics here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/07/12/new-star-wars-disneyland-images-are-here-the-force-is-with-this-new-disney-theme-park-area/

Can’t wait for this book!

Looking for some over-the-top camp 80’s classics? Starring these three?

Have Some Fun With Quigley, Stevens & Bauer!

It would be the most popular law firm EVER: 80’s sex kittens Linnea Quigley, Brinke Stevens and Michael Bauer teamed up on a few of the best 80’s cult horror movies of all – including this film, which was done on a dare!

Meet The “Nightmare Sisters!”

Here is a movie that was made in the most unique way ever – a creative team dared to make use of some extra leftover film!

Here is how the movie is described by the great website Mondo Digital:

“Shot over a long weekend, this self-proclaimed “4 Day Wonder” began as a dare to director David DeCoteau to throw together a single-location shoot using 35mm short ends after the completion of his successful Full Moon feature, ‘Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-a-Rama’.”

The website adds:

“Three of his leading ladies (who would remain with him for years in a variety of other scream queen projects) — Linnea Quigley, Michelle Bauer, and Brinke Stevens — gladly jumped at the chance to star in a T&A comic horror fantasy while getting to stretch a bit by playing both sorority nerds and demonic temptresses.”

And cult movie fans are happy they wanted to have some fun!

So here are three of the 80’s most popular cult movie queens – Quigley, Bauer and Stevens as nerds – clearly having fun playing goofy…and then of course, here they are as demonic temptresses:

Where’s The Skin?

While the movie that was released on blu-ray is chock full of nudity, an alternative cut was created for television…as Mondo Digital reports:

“An alternate TV version clocks in at almost the exact same running time but replaces the nude scenes (especially the very, very long one in the middle of the film) with different takes involving the actresses in lingerie and some different scenes (shot much later) with them bouncing around on a bed instead of frolicking in the bathtub!”

There is PLENTY of skin on display, as any good 80’s camp horror film would have…Mondo Digital also goes into the extensive extra content included in the blu-ray release, including some great audio commentary by the cast and crew….see the whole story here:

http://www.mondo-digital.com/nightmaresisters.html

And of course, major kudos once again to “Vinegar Syndrome”, and mazing home video company working to keep movies like this alive!

Vinegar Syndrome is remastering and releasing these gems with tons of great extras, uncut editions, etc. I have posted about them before, for work on classic underground films like these!

“The Telephone Book” is a crazy, obscure film from the 70’s the Vinegar Syndrome brought back to life…see some crazy material from it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/02/25/the-telephone-book-a-legendary-mind-blowing-obscure-cult-classic/

Vinegar also gave us such classics as this:

Yes, Vinegar Syndrome is the place to go for great cult films…see more of them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/03/28/a-saint-a-woman-a-devil-classic-vinegar-from-a-syndrome-you-need-to-control/

This is the kind of “anything goes” attitude from cinema that is missing in film today…and the three Actresses in “Nightmare Sisters” have a ton of great camp films to enjoy…right Linnea?

Yes, Linnea Quigley became known as one of Hollywood’s legendary Scream Queens, and she continues to work today, as well as tour the country – making personal appearances at cult movie festivals:

She also wrote her autobiography…see so much more from Linnea here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/10/28/scream-queen-linnea-quigley-naked-graveyard-dancing-horror-demons-too/

Let me know your favorite 80’s horror gems!

It’s “Rush Hour” Meets “Midnight Run!”

If you ever wanted to see those classic “buddy comedy” films mashed together, well here you go! Jackie Chan and Johnny Knoxville star in “Skiptrace”, which does indeed sound like a “Rush Hour Midnight Run” mashup!

Here’s the plot: a detective from Hong Kong teams up with an American gambler to battle against a notorious Chinese criminal.

Well, that’s got “Rush Hour” and “Midnight Run” written all over it!

First, check out the trailer:

“Skiptrace” Skips Traditional Release!

First of all, “Skiptrace” looks like a lot of fun – both Actors seem to be having a blast, and Director Renny Harlin, best known for “Cliffhanger”, knows how to put together great action sequences.

This buddy comedy was made this year, but it bypassed theatrical release in the US and went straight to on demand…something we see a lot of these days…remember this?

Keanu Reeves made a terrific kung fu action film, but it was never released in movie theaters! It’s just one of many “direct to ondemand” films starring everyone from John Travolta to James Franco and more…see a list of some of the best of them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/10/07/james-franco-keanu-reeves-ondemand-the-new-future-of-film/

That was the fate of “Skiptrace” as well, although it was a massive hit overseas!

The film was shot in China, Russia and Mongolia, as well as the territories of Macau, Hong Kong and Inner Mongolia!

China’s Box Office Bonanza!

While you can see the film right now on demand in the US, the film was number-one on its opening in China, grossing $60 million + so far just in that one country!

That’s the way movies are sold these days – the idea of finding them in your local multiplex isn’t assured, even if they are huge hits elsewhere!

Here is some fun trivia from IMDB:

“the Mandarin/Chinese song that Johnny Knoxville sings in the movie, and that can be seen in the trailer is actually Jackie Chan’s song ‘Ming Ming Bai Bai Wo De Xin” (Please Understand My Heart). Back in Hong Kong, beside known as an actor Jackie Chan has released several albums as a singer and he’s a good singer as well!”

So Jackie Chan is a hugely successful singer in Asia, and he and Johnny Knoxville made a frat-looking buddy action comedy!

Well, I will give this film a shot, since it looks like a lot of fun! Speaking of which, you must also check out the “Godfather of buddy movies”:

“Midnight Run” is hilarious, action-packed, and full of great characters and even better one-liners:

“Hey dummy number two, put dummy number one back on the line.”

See more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/11/28/fistophobia-the-brilliant-but-neglected-buddy-action-comedy-midnight-run/

Let me know if you take a chance on “Skiptrace!”

“Six bucks and my right nut says we’re not landing in Chicago.”

Where shall we begin? Oh, how about this way:

“Planes, Trains & Automobiles”

This is the late John Hughes’s masterpiece, and the single best film ever made about Thanksgiving. Steve Martin is terrific…and most importantly, it is John Candy’s greatest performance ever…the simple story of a man who just wants to get home in time to spend Thanksgiving with his family…

Check out the trailer:

Steve Martin plays Neal Page – who just wants to get this flight from New York to Chicago for Thanksgiving. What happens first? He gets sat next to Del Griffith…first of all, look at the book Del’s reading!

Del Griffith, Shower Curtain Ring Salesman and all-around blabbermouth, is never short of advice, conversation, bad jokes, or company. So the first thing Page does is try to shut him down…

Neal: “Eh, look, I don’t want to be rude, but I’m not much of a conversationalist, and I really want to finish this article, a friend of mine wrote it, so…”
Del: “Don’t let me stand in your way, please don’t let me stand in your way. The last thing I want to be remembered as is an annoying blabbermouth… You know, nothing grinds my gears worse than some chowderhead that doesn’t know when to keep his big trap shut… If you catch me running off with my mouth, just give me a poke on the chubbs…”

Then Del sums up their flight quite succinctly:

Del: “Six bucks and my right nut says we’re not landing in Chicago.”

They are diverted to Wichita…and the comedy never lets up as the unlikely duo use trains, cars and a lot of fighting to try and get home…which lead to the classic moment when they are forced to share a room in a snowstorm…

Neal: Del… Why did you kiss my ear?
Del: Why are you holding my hand?
Neal: [frowns] Where’s your other hand?
Del: Between two pillows…
Neal: Those aren’t pillows!”

There are so many great moments in this film, and so many repeatable lines – like when a car full of people scream to Del that “you’re going the wrong way!” Yes, as he’s driving the wrong way on the highway. What does Del say?

“Going the wrong way? How do they know where we’re going?”

John Candy has never been better: Del Griffith is a buffoon, but he’s also a truly warm and generous person – something that Steve Martin comes to realize in the course of their journey home for Thanksgiving.

This is a great movie – funny, touching, and uplifting…a great way to celebrate John Candy, and another example of Martin’s comedy genius…like this scene at the rental car counter:

Steve Martin’s great comedies run the gamut from “The Jerk” to the classic “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”:

Here are some more Steve Martin classics now available on blu-ray, including some of his best TV moments:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/09/24/steve-martins-tv-years-plus-scoundrels-jerks-and-del-griffith-too-the-brilliance-of-steve-martin/

Let me know if you want to hang out for Thanksgiving with Del!

Happy Birthday Bruce Lee!

Today would have been Bruce Lee’s 77th birthday – the greatest action movie star of all time….and here is the proof!

Yes, he battles Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – and he took on “tough guy” Check Norris as well – in fact, he was the greatest on-screen fighter we’ve ever seen…

However, his physical prowess wasn’t just proven on the movie screen – you see, Lee was just as amazing as you saw in the movies in real life as well!

First, Shout Factory has the great Bruce Lee film “Game Of Death” – check out this Nunchuck fight scene:

Nunchuck Ping Pong!

Here is another example of just how amazing an athlete Bruce Lee was. Early in his career, to promote a cell phone from Nokia, Bruce Lee was sponsored by Nokia in a Ping Pong tournament. But as a twist:

Bruce Lee Plays Ping Pong With Nunchucks!

Check out this amazing video!

DJ Bruce Lee!

Bruce Lee died tragically in the early 70’s, just as he was achieving super stardom. He has become an iconic figure – and apparently the hippest DJ of all time as well!

Here are some pictures of Robert Downey Jr, when he was promoting the last “Avenger” film…you can see who his inspiration is…

Yep, “Iron Man” is sporting a “DJ Bruce Lee” T-shirt – and I love it! Lee is an iconic action figure, and his work will last forever…oh yes, and you can buy one of these as well!

So kudos to Robert Downey Jr. for his good taste, and let me take a moment to remind you of just why Bruce Lee was so cool …

“Remember: the enemy has only images and illusions behind which he hides his true motives. Destroy the image and you will break the enemy.”

This philosophy may be from the classic action film “Enter The Dragon”, but it speaks to the life of Bruce Lee, one of the most iconic figures of all time.

Bruce Lee was the founder of Jeet Kune Do, and is widely considered to be the most influential martial artist of all time.

Lee was born in San Francisco to parents from Hong Kong – and was raised in Kowloon, just outside of Hong Kong, with his family until his late teens. Lee moved to the United States at the age of 18 to receive his higher education, and it was during this time that he began teaching martial arts. He trained many celebrities, including James Coburn, and it helped him break into films with this mesmerizing scene from “Marlowe.”

What a movie entrance! Bruce Lee also starred in the TV series “The Green Hornet” as Kato, and then went back to Hong Kong to star in an action movie that would propel him to stardom. “The Big Boss” elevated the traditional Hong Kong martial arts film to a new level of popularity and acclaim, leading to his masterpiece…

“Enter The Dragon” is the greatest martial arts movie ever made – and it made Lee a superstar. Lee starred in five movies: The Big Boss (1971), Fist of Fury (1972) and Way of the Dragon (1972), directed and written by Lee – this is the film in which he fights Chuck Norris in the Rome Coliseum!

Enter The Dragon Trailer!

Here’s the trailer for the film that made Bruce Lee a super star:

In “Enter the Dragon”, Bruce played an undercover agent who enters a martial arts tournament in order to infiltrate a drug smuggler’s operation. Character Actor and martial arts afficianado John Saxon also starred and showed off his moves, along with the very under-rated action star Jim Kelly.

Jim Kelly went on to star in such grindhouse classics as “Black Belt Jones” – he was a kick-ass action star who never really broke out big…

And then came tragedy. Bruce Lee died in Hong Kong three weeks before the film’s premiere in 1973. He had already finished filming his next movie, called “Game Of Death” before he died of a brain aneurism. The movie, which was completed after his death, includes footage from Lee’s real-life funeral.

Bruce Lee Vs. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar!

“Game of Death” included an amazing fight between Lee and basketball super star Kareen Abdul-Jabbar…here it is:

Bruce Lee was an amazing Athlete, talented Actor and Director, and an iconic figure…so much so that he lives on today like this!

And as I mentioned before, Jim Kelly co-starred with Bruce Lee in “Enter The Dragon” – he was a great star in the world of 70’s blaxploitation action film – here is a look at his great career:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/06/30/rip-jim-kelly-bruce-lees-kung-fu-partner-blaxploitation-master/

The other co-star in “Enter The Dragon” was the great character actor John Saxon…

You can read all about this terrific actor here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/04/06/john-saxon-kicks-bruce-lees-ass-classic-kung-fu-action-euro-crime-master/

So it’s time to get the special edition blu-ray of “Enter The Dragon” – and go out and get some DJ Bruce Lee too!

Happy 74th Birthday Jimi Hendrix!

November 27 is the birthday of one of rock’s most iconic figures – the legendary Jimi Hendrix!

There is a new documentary out that shows you, in a rarely seen live performance – just how incredible Jimi Hendrix was!

Playing Guitar – With His Teeth!

Yes, Jimi plays the guitar with his teeth during the performance – but what is so incredible about this documentary is that it was shot just a few months before Hendrix died…and includes material that has never been seen before!

Key Art for the SHOWTIME documentary Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church. PHOTO: Courtesy of SHOWTIME

Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church!

Showtime premiered this incredible documentary, that captured Jimi’s performance at the Atlanta International Pop Festival in 1970, where hundreds of thousands of people gathered to hear him play at the so-called “southern Woodstock.”

Here is the trailer:

What’s amazing is that the festival footage was shot by “Can’t Buy Me Love” director Steve Rash, and it went unreleased after a deal to turn it into a documentary back in the ’70s fell through – so it sat undeveloped in his garage for decades!

The film is also a fascinating historical document, as it shows the racial unrest in the south leading up to the show – and how the “hippies” took over a small southern town with only one police officer!

An Iconic Jimi Hendrix Performance!

Jimi Hendrix performs for a half hour, and it’s a “greatest hits” of all of his best songs, performed with effortless brilliance by Jimi…this is a great historical record of an amazing performer at the prime of his career…

And yes, HE PLAYS WITH HIS TEETH!

Since this show was on July 4th, Hendrix does his electric version of “The Star Spangled Banner”, but he also performed that at another big show:

Woodstock was the “Godfather” of festival shows, but Atlanta’s was just as big!

If you want to see more about Woodstock, you can read by story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/11/01/celebrating-woodstock-3-days-of-pop-culture-magic-the-music-the-nudity-the-brown-acid/

There are a ton of great stories about the Artists who performed at Woodstock, especially about this incredibly talented singer, shown here reclining for Photographer Jim Hendrix:

That’s legendary singer Janis Joplin posing for Hendrix – she was another legend who died way too early….

Janis Joplin at Woodstock
no publication after December 31, 2009

Janis Joplin died the same year as Hendrix, and if you want to find out more about her, there is an incredible new documentary out right now as well!

You can read all about it by clicking on my story here:

Janis Joplin! “Little Girl Blue” Documentary! Rock’s Greatest Voice!

For those who don’t know her, Laura Nyro was also an amazingly talented singer/songwriter, who has a fascinating story that involves Joplin:

According to Music Mogul Clive Davis, shown here with his client Janis Joplin, Janis was jealous of the attention that David gave to Nyro….you can read all about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/06/03/laura-nyros-legendary-audition-for-music-mogul-clive-davis-janis-joplins-jealousy/

Happy birthday to Jimi Hendrix, and as you can see, there are so many ties between Artist. November 27th is also the birthday of the legendary Bruce Lee, who also died far too early:

He had an incredible movie career, and was an amazing Athlete as well – here is a look at him playing a Ping Pong game against two of the best players in the world – and Lee is only using his nunchucks!

https://johnrieber.com/2016/11/27/happy-birthday-bruce-lee-lees-amazing-nunchuck-ping-pong-his-brilliant-movie-career/

Happy Birthday Jimi and Bruce!