Movie review
William Castle’s Shanks
I visited the Paramount Vault on Youtube for a free movie last night and found Shanks. If you have an evening to kill, this movie would be worth it. While the story is campy and wandering, it’s a thrill to watch the dead corpses animated by a puppeteer. The violence is timid enough that I could imagine it playing on late-night tv in the 80s. A total throwback!
Castle, William. Shanks, Paramount Pictures, 1974.
Movie review
Kevin Connor’s Motel Hell
I discovered Motel Hell yesterday. I went into it with no expectations, but I figured I’d like it because it was ultimate 80s—which was surprising since it was made at the very start of the decade. It turned out to be completely weird and awesome!
Connor, Kevin. Motel Hell, United Artists, 1980.
I’ve been feeling sentimental lately about being Irish, so I looked up a famous Irish witch. I found a lyrical article about Biddy Early, an 18th-century seer and healer. She was exactly the kind of witch I’d be: resourceful, generous and wise. Her magic came from her relationship with the fairies, which is also quite appropriate for me, being a fairy myself. Wink, wink.
I have to admit that it is easy to forget one’s magic when caught up in a world largely made up of unfeeling narcissists. I’m fortunate to have many close, wise and magical friends, but dealing with the day-to-day corporate drones can wear away at one’s soul. Reading up on Biddy Early reminded me that me being Irish means that my blood is full of magic passed down to me from generations of Celts.
Read up on Irish fairy lore and the story of Biddy Early in the article The Story of Biddy Early: Ireland’s Most Famous Witch and Faery Friend.
This melting corpse fountain by Locked in the Cellar was a highlight of the Dark Carnival!
One of my favourite exhibitors at the Dark Carnival was the Devils Latex [sic]. They had a great selection of latex masks and awesome large figurines. I’m going to have to begin a savings fund so I can pick up a Slimer and a Cryptkeeper!
This past weekend, I was at the Rue Morgue Dark Carnival in Hamilton, Ontario. The expo was great overall, and I will be posting photos all week. The highlight of the expo, for me, was seeing Dave Alexander, Editor-in-chief of Rue Morgue Magazine, interview Mitch Markowitz, Associate Producer of the Saturday morning classic television programme the Hilarious House of Frightenstein who is also known for his role as Super Hippy alongside Vincent Price in the show. Dave moderated the talk and audience questions really well, and Mitch told some one-of-a-kind stories about Billy Van, Vincent Price and the making of the show.
The Devil's Muse 