RIP Marilyn Burns (Sally Hardesty): May 7th, 1949 - August 5th, 2014

Some sad news hit the horror community last week. I was pretty shocked when I heard the news, and have wanted to wait until I could really take the time to sort my thoughts and speak my piece regarding the matter.

Marilyn Burns is oft overlooked in favor of Jamie Lee Curtis when the term Scream Queen is brought up in conversation amongst horror fans and non-fans alike. She was the original surviving lady, the original scream queen and she helped stoked the fire that would eventually become the raging love of horror that I have today.

Her passing is untimely (she was 65 years old), and it's made even sadder by the fact that we are now celebrating the 40^th anniversary of the film that gave her the greatest role that she would ever play, that of Sally Hardesty in Tobe Hooper's seminal The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. She helped create one of the greatest horror archetype's, that of the strong woman who defies the odds and bests the maniac on their trail. Marilyn endured the summer heat, the dangers of the chainsaw and endless bruises, scrapes and injuries that went along with the filming of TCM. Even the fake blood used was a painful endeavor to remove once the cameras stopped rolling.

While the film ended up hurting her career in terms of mainstream success, she starred and co-starred in several other films throughout the years, including Eaten Alive, Kiss Daddy Goodbye, Texas Chainsaw 3D and The Butcher Boys. She also took on the role of Linda Kasabian, real life member of the Manson family, in the 1976 television mini-series Helter Skelter.

While she focused on stage acting in the later years of her life, horror fans the world over would still flock to appearances she made at various horror conventions in order to snap a picture with the iconic scream queen herself.

While it's very sad that we had to lose Marilyn at such a young age, it is important that we take the time to celebrate her life and the monumental impact that she had on the genre that we all love so much. If it weren't for people like her, the horror landscape would be a very different beast than what we have today.

RIP Marilyn Burns, May 7^th, 1949 – August 5^th, 2014

Se7en (1995) - A Review

Long is the way, and hard, that out of hell leads up to light.

 

Seven deadly sins. Seven deadly crimes, each more ghastly than the last. David Fincher’s 1995 film Se7en  is an exercise in the macabre that carries an impact (like a sledgehammer, haha) that can last many years. In my case, it’s been over 10 and the film still rattles me to my core.

Se7en holds a very special place in my heart. It helped to ignite the spark of horror love in my dark little heart, and it was also the first review that I ever wrote which went on to be submitted (and posted) on Bloody-Disgusting, over 8 years ago. On a recent trip to Fry’s, to purchase my copy of You’re Next, I decided to scoop up a copy of the film on blu-ray and on Friday night I treated myself to another viewing of the amazing film.

While I half expected a rather mild viewing of the film I was treated to a wonderful joy ride, yet again, and it was cemented in my mind that this will always be one of my favorite horror films. It’s a work of art that often goes overlooked, so I decided that I would re-review it without having read my old review for BD and take a gander at how they match up. It’s always fun revisiting horror films after a good few years and seeing how your opinions change.

Fun, no?

Drink The Kool-Aid On May 5th! Ti West's THE SACRAMENT Finally Gets Release Date!

If you're a big Ti West fan like I am than this is very happy news! The latest film House of the Devil director, Ti West, is set to hit VOD platforms on May 5th and enter a limited theatrical run on June 6th.

I love West's work; from the minute I watched House of the Devil and The Innkeepers, I knew he was my new favorite and gleaming hope for the horror genre. He's a real fan of the genre, and he doesn't let his ego get in the way of his work either. He makes real horror films for real horror fans. 

What makes this film exciting though is that not only is it directed by West and being produced by none other than the great and fearful Eli Roth (it feels good to be typing his name on here again), it boasts the some of the finest of the Mumblegore crew in the cast list as well. AJ Bowen (who's ramping up to be quite the new horror frontman), Joe Swanberg AND Amy Seimetz all star in the film, along with Kentucker Audley and No Country for Old Men's Gene Jones. 

“The Sacrament follows two Vice media correspondents as they set out to document their friend’s search to find his missing sister. They travel outside of the United States to an undisclosed location where they are welcomed into the world of “Eden Parish,” a self-sustained rural utopia comprised of nearly 200 members. At the centre of this small, religious, socialist community is a mysterious leader known only as “Father.” As their friend reunites with his sister, it becomes apparent to the newcomers that this paradise may not be as it seems. What started as just another documentary shoot soon becomes a race to escape with their lives.“

Let us rejoice, y'all. The new year is amping up to be a great year for us. Keep it spooky!

- Rg Lovecraft

Sam Raimi Confirmed as Director of ARMY OF DARKNESS 2!

Happy Sunday everyone! Seeing as last night was Halloween Party night of the year, I hope that most of you are still alive. I myself had a great night, playing some rock and roll for a party full of tipsy, costumed party goers. Tonight, I'll be seeing The Exorcist on the big screen, and I got to wake up to this wonderful tid bit of news!

It has been confirmed that Sam Raimi will be resuming his position in the directors chair for the return of his iconic Evil Dead franchise. While the news didn't come from Raimi directly, it did come from Fede Alvarez (director of this year's Evil Dead), and seeing as he's pretty much been adopted into the whole ED camp, it's safe to say that this is a reliable source. 

Fede took to Twitter and made the announcement in response to a fan asking if he'll be taking on directorial duties for the much anticipated sequel. His response: "Sam Raimi will!".

Well folks, it looks like this might actually happen.