HORROR NERD OF THE MONTH — Ryan!

The first installment of Horror Nerd of the Month focused on Jerry, a character from the original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and here we are, only a handful of months later, and I’m already revisiting the franchise, this time focusing on someone who makes Jerry look like Paul Newman in comparison: Ryan.

We’re first introduced to Ryan whilst on a road trip through Texas with his soon-to-be ex-girlfriend, Michelle. From the second we meet his character it is immediately clear that Michelle is totally out of his league. It’s revealed that the reason for their split is she’s attending college out of state and doesn’t want to do the long distance relationship thing…but c’mon – we know why she’s really dumping him: he’s a total lame-o.

Even in death, Ryan is humiliated: while he’s hung upside-down by hooks through his ankles and about to be delivered a deathblow via sledgehammer, two members of the Sawyer clan feel the need to point out his colored undies (“California!”), which is met with laughter from the rest of the demented family. As unsettling of a scene as it is, it confirms a long-held belief: nerds just can’t catch a break.

Ryan, we salute you.

SUMMERTIME SCARES! (Joanna Skrabala / Bloody Popcorn)

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Joanna and her husband Johnny (who just celebrated their 10 year anniversary in July – congrats, kids!) run the wonderfully-named site Bloody Popcorn. And from what I can tell via their social media presence, we share a lot of similar interests – including cult movies, nostalgia, and a fondness for punk tunes. I knew they were the goods when they sent me an Xmas card with Jason Voorhees on the front last year. Needless to say, I was thrilled that Joanna wanted to contribute a piece to…whatever this is. And she did not disappoint! Without further ado, here is Joanna with a double feature to die for!

SUMMER LOVE: A tribute to weird kiddie camp movies (and puberty)

Living in rural Virginia as an impressionable youngster in the ‘90s meant the video store was vital to accessing life experience (or the tropes therein). Don’t get me wrong, I had a real life—school, friends, hobbies—but living miles away from civilization without a car (or driver’s license) just called for overly-organized social planning. And more than often, I was content to just exist in my bedroom with my TV, VCR, and hundreds of duped tapes. (Don’t tell the FBI.) Continue reading SUMMERTIME SCARES! (Joanna Skrabala / Bloody Popcorn)

ARTISTS BEHIND THE IMAGE: Bob Larkin

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ARTISTS BEHIND THE IMAGE is intended to put a name (and sometimes face) to the talented men and women who created the most iconic images to adorn horror VHS boxes and posters from ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. Their art is vital; it’s the reason I (and many of you, certainly) fell in love with horror movies in the first place. This is not only intended as a tribute, but also a minor compendium, meant to collect their works in one single spot. Corrections, additions, or other info? Email me.

I know what you’re thinking: Bob Larkin? The Bob Larkin? The same Bob Larkin that played Martin the gravedigger in Friday the 13th VI: Jason Lives? No, this is a different Bob Larkin.

Now I realize I say this every time I do one of these, but I really think Bob Larkin may be the most prolific artist I’ve featured yet. Continue reading ARTISTS BEHIND THE IMAGE: Bob Larkin

SUMMERTIME SCARES! (Gregg Harrington)

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For last year’s Drive-In Double Feature, Anthony Paparo submitted a piece that began with him professing his love for all modern horror remakes – including Zack Snyder’s take on the George Romero zombie classic, Dawn of the Dead. Though, to be fair, he didn’t need to convince me; I love the 2004 remake as much as *cough*ifnotmorethan*cough* the original.

This year, we have another Dawn defender in Gregg Harrington. And if anyone knows what they’re talking about on the subject of Romero’s zombies, it’s Gregg: he’s a Pennsylvania boy who grew up just a hop-skip-and-a-jump from Monroeville! So without further ado, here’s Gregg with his summertime scare, Dawn of the Dead! Continue reading SUMMERTIME SCARES! (Gregg Harrington)

SUMMERTIME SCARES! (Stacy Still / Staystillreviews)

Aloha, mutants! We’re almost two weeks into July and already suffering all the fun things that come along with being smack dab in the middle of summer: blistering heat, back sweat, and frizzy knuckle hair.

Last year around this time I ran a month-long piece, Drive-In Double Feature, where I had readers submit their dream double features if no rules or restrictions applied. I’ll go out on a limb and say it was a minor “hit”, so I’ve decided to do something similar this year: open the doors and allow faithful CV readers to become faithful CV contributors, if only for a month.

Kicking things off is Stacy Still of Staystillreviews with her Top Summer Movies, and boy howdy she really covers all the bases! I’ll quit my rambling now and allow Stacy to take over. Continue reading SUMMERTIME SCARES! (Stacy Still / Staystillreviews)

HORROR NERD OF THE MONTH: Arnie!

When we ‘re first introduced to our bespectacled bore, Arnie Cunningham, he’s frantically running from his house hurrying to catch his ride to school. In the process, he rips open the bag of trash he’s taking out – spilling it all over the driveway and his mother’s feet. She shoos him on, and he waddles off – arms akimbo, glasses sliding off his face – to his friend’s car. It’s the quintessential “Yes, this character is a nerd with a capital N” introduction, something that I’ve covered here before. Continue reading HORROR NERD OF THE MONTH: Arnie!

Horrorstuffs & humor / don't tell yer granny