Director John Carpenter’s “The Fog” prides itself in being steeped in folklore, and takes on many of the classic traits we know as urban legends. Every urban legend has some source of truth to it and harbors a moral for its audience. “The Fog” creates a new urban legend from a horrific act of betrayal and human greed. Hence why the opening of the film begins with an old seaman regaling local citizens of Antonio Bay with the tale of the spirits on the sea.
Author Archives: Felix Vasquez
Only God Forgives (2013)
Director Nicholas Winding Refn completely blew me away with his 2011 crime thriller “Drive.” It was a cerebral and stylish picture about redemption and atoning for our sins. “Only God Forgives” is that perfect film for cinematic enthusiasts looking for the right experimental movie to dip their toes in to. While Nicholas Winding Refn had every reason to follow “Drive” up with something equally mainstream, “Only God Forgives” goes beyond expectations.
Director Steven C. Miller Ventures "Under The Bed"
If you’ve been following Director Steven C. Miller since “Automaton Transfusion” like we have, it’s been a treat to see him become one of the best genre directors working today. He offered up one of the most entertaining slashers of 2012 the remake of “Silent Night, Deadly Night” entitled “Silent Night” and directed one of our top 10 of 2012 “The Aggression Scale.” In 2013, Mr. Miller is still bringing in his horror movies the way he wants with his latest “Under the Bed.” Director Miller was kind enough to spare some time for an interview.
Monday Movie Pause: Birthday at "Pizza Hut"
This is a very memorable commercial that played before features on many VHS tapes in the early nineties. Did “Pizza Hut” ever really have raucous children’s parties like this? I wouldn’t know, I’ve never really seen an actual “Pizza Hut” before. But, like the city of Atlantis, I’ve heard it exists. Somewhere. Who uses Silverware while eating pizza?
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpheJlC7HQQ]
Teen Beach Movie (2013)
Deep down, “Teen Beach Movie” feels like a loving and affectionate tribute to Ex-Mouseketeer, the late great Annette Funicello (to which the film is dedicated to). The gorgeous and talented actress spent her early years on the Mickey Mouse Club winning over the hearts of young boys, and then moved in to some of the most pulpy and celebrated surf movies. Those movies like “Beach Blanket Bingo,” and “Muscle Beach Party” featured a lot of music, simple plots, and were a celebration of surfing. With Frankie Avalon, Funicello gained immortality. What’s even more surprising is in many respects, Maia Mitchell resembles Annette Funicello. When she begins puffing her hair with her pigtails, and transforming in to the movie, she’s almost a living embodiment of the lovely young Funicello. The movie was being filmed before Funicello passed away, so perhaps it’s just all one big coincidence. Or perhaps it’s just serendipity.
Saturday Morning Massacre (2013)
Only many, many years later did Hanna Barbera begin presenting the Mystery Machine gang with actual supernatural threats once their audience matured. But even when facing actual zombies, and demons they were never really in actual danger. Director Spencer Parsons completely dodges copyright infringement while cleverly spoofing the iconic cartoon show with his own version of Scooby Doo. This time he offers up a more realistic group of crime solvers in a world where crime is very dangerous, and the police kindly ask them to “fuck off” whenever they solve a case on their own.
The Comic Bucket List #2: Battle Chasers
“The Comic Bucket List” is a limited column where we review 25 comic books and graphic novels we’ve been meaning to read for years. We discover if they were worth waiting for, or if they never quite lived up to the hype they promised.
BATTLE CHASERS
1998
Joe Madureira, Munier Sharrieff, Adam Warren