The Year of Cemetery Dance 2018

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Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
61. FANGORIA: Cover to Cover

Edited by Anthony Timpone

About the Book:

"Since 1979, Fangoria magazine has been the bible for horror fans worldwide. Combining first-rate writing, reporting with unparalleled expertise on the fright-film genre, and eye-popping color photos, Fango has set a standard and become a name recognized by anyone who knows and loves scary cinema. One of the signature elements of the magazine has always been the eye-catching and controversial covers that have grabbed the attention of readers everywhere for the past three decades.

Fangoria: Cover to Cover is a lavish, oversized, and full color hardcover book that celebrates the magazine's long history and the genre it reports on, reproducing every one of those terrifying covers in stunning full color and providing a history of modern horror cinema that has been thirty years in the making. This special edition volume collects a wealth of information, trivia, frightening photos, and every legendary cover of this acclaimed magazine, serving as a celebration of horror and a "coffee table" book that readers will turn to time and time again.

A Cemetery Dance Publications exclusive hardcover edition, there are no other editions planned anywhere in the world at this time!"

timpone01LMTDlarge_2_417x540.jpg


Desert Island Design gives us this cover. I'm going to assume they did all the covers for these editions. I have two. One I ordered and is signed. One I got in a grab bag. Subtle difference from cover to cover of my two books. The one I read was the unsigned version and is black with red blood splotches and the trademark FANGORIA front and center. Basic cover, but it works. Because....all the excitement is on the inside!

I loved this book. I loved it. If anyone is following my reviews, it has been important to me to give credit to visual creators -- the art of a book. These FANGORIA covers are pieces of art from day one till...is this still being published?

I watched the cover evolve over the years. At times, I loved the changes and others times, they lost something. But, they had some smart people working this magic, because they would always quickly recalculate their design.

So much fun information. So many movies talked about -- and I've seen most of them. So many books. Scar Search. Pretty in Pus. Clever little teasers.

What I found really exciting was the fact that the horror people -- the talent whether that be writers, designers, actors, make up artists, critics, fans, directors, producers, visual artists --- that list can go on forever -- everyone in the industry seemed to be willing to step up and talk the talk.

What I found particularly interesting and made me a bit sad and nostalgic, Stephen King was very approachable and accessible for interviews on all sorts of topics. Issue after issue after issue.

What happened? That boy-in-the-bubble thing he has going for him now is understandable, but breaks my heart.

Just some random thoughts and questions:

1983 -- issue #25 -- What happened at Famous Monsters that they refused to print Forry Ackerman's work?

1984 -- issue # 36 -- What was the Oscar make-up controversy?

1982 -- issue #23 -- Tobe Hooper, who really directed Poltergeist?

1985 -- issue #41 -- Has James Cameron done the ultimate science fiction film?

1985 -- issue #49 -- Okay, who won the bloody head of Reanimator's Dr. Hill? Step forward and speak!

197? -- issue #64 -- Who won Freddie's sweater? Fess up you Canadian!

1989 -- issue #83 -- Stepfather II tagline: "He ain't Cosby." And I say, thank God for that. The Stepfather just butchered people, right? He didn't puddin' pop them, right?

1989 -- Fango's Editor was on the Morton Downey Jr. show. I NEED to see this. Youtube, don't fail me now.

Al Admason --schlockmeiser, was killed by his contractor and buried in the foundation. Must. Read. More.

and finally:

1992 -- issue #113 -- Stephen King says on potential Dark Tower Movies: "There isn't going to be any film of the Dark Tower books in my lifetime."

Many of you are wishing that were true.

This was a terrific, fun book. Loved it. Loved it. Try to find a copy and read every single cover.

For you people out there who own even one of these issues, SCORE! I am super jealous.
Oh my goddddddd! I found it.

 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
61. FANGORIA: Cover to Cover

Edited by Anthony Timpone

About the Book:

"Since 1979, Fangoria magazine has been the bible for horror fans worldwide. Combining first-rate writing, reporting with unparalleled expertise on the fright-film genre, and eye-popping color photos, Fango has set a standard and become a name recognized by anyone who knows and loves scary cinema. One of the signature elements of the magazine has always been the eye-catching and controversial covers that have grabbed the attention of readers everywhere for the past three decades.

Fangoria: Cover to Cover is a lavish, oversized, and full color hardcover book that celebrates the magazine's long history and the genre it reports on, reproducing every one of those terrifying covers in stunning full color and providing a history of modern horror cinema that has been thirty years in the making. This special edition volume collects a wealth of information, trivia, frightening photos, and every legendary cover of this acclaimed magazine, serving as a celebration of horror and a "coffee table" book that readers will turn to time and time again.

A Cemetery Dance Publications exclusive hardcover edition, there are no other editions planned anywhere in the world at this time!"

timpone01LMTDlarge_2_417x540.jpg


Desert Island Design gives us this cover. I'm going to assume they did all the covers for these editions. I have two. One I ordered and is signed. One I got in a grab bag. Subtle difference from cover to cover of my two books. The one I read was the unsigned version and is black with red blood splotches and the trademark FANGORIA front and center. Basic cover, but it works. Because....all the excitement is on the inside!

I loved this book. I loved it. If anyone is following my reviews, it has been important to me to give credit to visual creators -- the art of a book. These FANGORIA covers are pieces of art from day one till...is this still being published?

I watched the cover evolve over the years. At times, I loved the changes and others times, they lost something. But, they had some smart people working this magic, because they would always quickly recalculate their design.

So much fun information. So many movies talked about -- and I've seen most of them. So many books. Scar Search. Pretty in Pus. Clever little teasers.

What I found really exciting was the fact that the horror people -- the talent whether that be writers, designers, actors, make up artists, critics, fans, directors, producers, visual artists --- that list can go on forever -- everyone in the industry seemed to be willing to step up and talk the talk.

What I found particularly interesting and made me a bit sad and nostalgic, Stephen King was very approachable and accessible for interviews on all sorts of topics. Issue after issue after issue.

What happened? That boy-in-the-bubble thing he has going for him now is understandable, but breaks my heart.

Just some random thoughts and questions:

1983 -- issue #25 -- What happened at Famous Monsters that they refused to print Forry Ackerman's work?

1984 -- issue # 36 -- What was the Oscar make-up controversy?

1982 -- issue #23 -- Tobe Hooper, who really directed Poltergeist?

1985 -- issue #41 -- Has James Cameron done the ultimate science fiction film?

1985 -- issue #49 -- Okay, who won the bloody head of Reanimator's Dr. Hill? Step forward and speak!

197? -- issue #64 -- Who won Freddie's sweater? Fess up you Canadian!

1989 -- issue #83 -- Stepfather II tagline: "He ain't Cosby." And I say, thank God for that. The Stepfather just butchered people, right? He didn't puddin' pop them, right?

1989 -- Fango's Editor was on the Morton Downey Jr. show. I NEED to see this. Youtube, don't fail me now.

Al Adamson --schlockmeiser, was killed by his contractor and buried in the foundation. Must. Read. More.

and finally:

1992 -- issue #113 -- Stephen King says on potential Dark Tower Movies: "There isn't going to be any film of the Dark Tower books in my lifetime."

Many of you are wishing that were true.

This was a terrific, fun book. Loved it. Loved it. Try to find a copy and read every single cover.

For you people out there who own even one of these issues, SCORE! I am super jealous.
And another question --

Horror Film Director Found Slain, Buried Under Floor
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
62. The Century's Best Horror Fiction: Volume 2

edited by John Pelan

About the Books:

"Cemetery Dance Publications commissioned a spectacular two-volume anthology project under the editorship of noted author and historian of the horror genre, John Pelan.

John selected one story published during each year of the 20th Century (1901-2000) as the most notable story of that year — all 100 stories were then collected in this amazing two volume set to be published as The Century's Best Horror Fiction.

The ground rules were simple: Only one selection per author. Only one selection per year.

Two huge volumes, one hundred authors, one hundred classic stories, more than 700,000 words of fiction — history in the making!"

pelan01-01_2_375x540.jpg


My Thoughts:

As he did with Volume One, Alan M. Clark gives this volume a beautiful cover.

And again, just like the first Volume, this group of stories delivers. Obviously as we approached the 2000s, I was more aware of the authors and had sampled many of their stories. I will say, most of the stories in this volume were new to me.

And I learned something while progressing through the years. Somewhere along the way, I felt the newer horror stories were better. The language better. The scares better. I couldn't have been more wrong. Having all these years grouped together and reading the evolution of all things scary, I became very aware that the older authors and their stories are far superior.

And while Stephen King was talking about the passive voice in On Writing when he said this, "Oh, man—who farted, right?" I am going to homologize the sentiment to some of the stories approaching the 2000s -- horrible stories!

Skilled writing, though. Mechanics spectacular. Authors who knew how to use a thesaurus and dictionary. But the finished product? Bloated, pretentious farts.

The closer I got to modern day, the more disappointed I became. Not on all the stories, just some. But I thank John Pelan for picking these stories because he really did school me on the brilliance of those ground-breaking early years of story telling in Volume One.

Continued respect for Mr. Pelan and the amount of time involved in putting this together. Beautiful book, beautiful series.
 
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Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
63. The Mailman

by Bentley Little

About the Book:

"Once upon a time, waiting for the mail was filled with warm anticipation, but the suicide of the local mailman has left the residents of this tiny Arizona town shell-shocked. Nothing this bad has ever happened here. But now it has and more bad things are on the way.

Soon there's a new mail carrier in town, one who's delivering lethal letters stuffed with icy fear. He's bringing bad news and before too long the killing will begin.

Nothing — not even the most upstanding citizens or the most secret weaknesses — will be safe from The Mailman's sinister power..."


little05LMTDlarge_360x540.jpg


My Thoughts:

Elder Lemon Design, which we now know is Kealan Patrick Burke, provides a perfect cover for this Little tale.

"Please, Mister Postman, look and see
If there's a letter, a letter for me
I been standing here waiting, Mister Postman
So patiently
For just a card or just a letter...."


While I had to suspend a lot of disbelief as this story unfolded, it hooked me honestly from the beginning. Something so every day mundane becoming something anxiety producing was done with great writing imagination.

I get the feeling that Mr. Little's world-building creations are a whole lot of surreal from simple ideas. I enjoyed this one.
 

fljoe0

Cantre Member
Apr 5, 2008
15,859
71,642
62
120 miles S of the Pancake/Waffle line
63. The Mailman

by Bentley Little

About the Book:

"Once upon a time, waiting for the mail was filled with warm anticipation, but the suicide of the local mailman has left the residents of this tiny Arizona town shell-shocked. Nothing this bad has ever happened here. But now it has and more bad things are on the way.

Soon there's a new mail carrier in town, one who's delivering lethal letters stuffed with icy fear. He's bringing bad news and before too long the killing will begin.

Nothing — not even the most upstanding citizens or the most secret weaknesses — will be safe from The Mailman's sinister power..."

little05LMTDlarge_360x540.jpg


My Thoughts:

Elder Lemon Design, which we now know is Kealan Patrick Burke, provides a perfect cover for this Little tale.

"Please, Mister Postman, look and see
If there's a letter, a letter for me
I been standing here waiting, Mister Postman
So patiently
For just a card or just a letter...."


While I had to suspend a lot of disbelief as this story unfolded, it hooked me honestly from the beginning. Something so every day mundane becoming something anxiety producing was done with great writing imagination.

I get the feeling that Mr. Little's world-building creations are a whole lot of surreal from simple ideas. I enjoyed this one.

I liked this one and thought the story had similarities to Needful Things. The similarities are really weird because both books were published the same year.
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
64. Studies in the Horror Film: Tobe Hooper's SALEM'S LOT

edited by Tony Earnshaw

About the Book:

"Few horror films in the history of television can boast the deadly seriousness, inspired casting, indelible images and lingering impact of Salem’s Lot. Tobe Hooper’s adaptation of Stephen King’s 1975 novel about vampires that infest a small Maine town was first broadcast in November 1979.

The three-hour film featured unforgettable performances by an array of stars — James Mason, David Soul, Lew Ayres, Bonnie Bedelia — along with one of the most truly terrifying monsters in the history of movies: the feral vampire Mr Barlow played by Reggie Nalder.

This book documents the gestation and production of the film. There are reminiscences from cast and crew, including new and exclusive interviews with Tobe Hooper, David Soul, cinematographer Jules Brenner and producer Richard Kobritz; dozens of images, including many never before published behind-the-scenes production stills; deleted scenes from the original teleplay; foreign posters and artwork inspired by the film; photographs of Ferndale, California, where the exteriors ofSalem’s Lot were filmed; and much, much more."


tobehooperssalemslot.gif


My Thoughts:

I'm not sure who to give credit to for the cover photo as it is a still from the movie. The Glick kid at the window would've been a better choice for me, but this is pretty darn good.

This is a seriously interesting book. Photos behind the scenes. Personal photos. Stills from the movie. Movie poster art. interviews, insights, thoughts, modern day photos, working script parts....so much packed in these pages. Fascinating.

So much I could focus on to talk about but I will choose one actor to speak at any length about: Reggie Nalder.

This guy is interesting. His upbringing in Germany and just the brief mentions of his personal life and stage choices had me bug eyed and curious. While the book does not discuss the accident that caused his facial burns, we all know he was scarred by a fire. And here was where my huge disappointment in people came into play.

Almost everyone in this book who is interviewed is asked about Reggie Nalder as Mr. Barlow. And almost everyone just casually threw out the word ugly. Oh, they go on to say he did a fantastic job in the movie. They give him great kudos when it comes to his screen presence in Salem's Lot as well as his other performances in other movies, as they should. But, does that make the other acceptable?

Okay, this is Hollywood. And they send out casting calls: We need a fat girl. We need a little person. We need a one-armed child. Everyone knows when they answer that call that they are fat, short, missing an arm -- ugly....

BUT, to have people reduce you to that one thing and that alone when they talk about you as a person -- as an actor filling a part -- in an interview. Shame on you.

These people are human beings and making the best of what they have. But they don't want everyone walking around, "Holy friggin' cow! Did you see that fat broad? She's the biggest fattest thing in Hollywood!"

And this is what the interviewees basically did when talking about Reggie Nalder. (Attention Interviewees: If this does not apply to you, great. But if it does, you know who you are.)

David Del Valle (a friend of Reggie's and also the person who provides an interview for the book with Reggie and personal photographs) talks about this a bit. He doesn't call people out, but he hints to the fact that being called ugly hurt Reggie. Very much. And while Del Valle said that Reggie had made peace with his looks and chose to make a living with them, he was shy and sensitive too. He knew he wasn't the leading man, but he didn't expect people to so casually and callously throw out the "ugly" word.

David Del Valle tells how there was a banquet and Reggie attended. He was proud to be there.

At the entrance to the event, they were given copies of Cinefantasque magazine where Tobe Hopper gave an interview that "he was looking for the ugliest man in Hollywood and that man without a doubt was Reggie Nalder."

Del Valle and Producer of Salem's Lot, Richard Kobritz, were so upset by these words that they took the time to remove every single page that said that from every copy to protect Reggie Nalder's feelings. Good for them! People are so cruel, clueless and disappointing sometimes.

If you can get a copy of this, do so. Informationpalooza!
 
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Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
I loved this. I thought it was well done. The casting was great. The sets and scenery were so creative. I just went for the ride and didn't try to overthink any of it. I didn't waste my time searching for Easter Eggs. I noted the ones that were obvious, but I didn't hang my brain on them.

The Henry Deever episode challenged us and tested our faith. Our truths. How strong is our belief in something and how easily can it be swayed?

I can't wait for season II.

I had trouble hearing Sissy sometimes and it took me clear till episode 10 to figure out how to turn on closed captioning. duh.

And a side tidbit. The man who plays the deaf guy Odin, is a deaf guy. CJ Jones. I have watched a couple documentaries on the deaf community and deaf culture where he is prominently featured. I highly recommend them.

See What I'm Saying

Through Deaf Eyes.
 

S.R. Wittmann

Active Member
Feb 22, 2017
34
156
63
Florida, USA
Hello Everyone, I’ve been away for a while working on my next book. I found a place to take a break for a while, and decided to catch up on stuff I’d been missing. So, over the past few weeks, I’ve been watching season one of Castle Rock. I just finished episode eight. I have to say, I’m impressed. This show catches the feeling I get from SK’s novels like no other adaptation I’ve seen. So far, I think they’re doing a great job. Also, I’ve been noticing little character quirks that remind me of novel characters. For example, Sissy Spacek’s character Ruth Deaver is seen hiding carved figurines around the house. This reminds me of Elizabeth Eastlake from Duma Key who hides her porcelain dolls around the house. Then there’s Bill Skarsgård’s character, The Kid. He reminds me of Leland Gaunt from Needful Things. He seems to amuse himself as he watches everyone around him loose themselves to their passions. Then there’s the scene with the woods where there’s a strange sound and men building unique contraptions. That’s right out of The Tommyknockers where Bobbi Anderson uses green alien power to build all sorts of contraptions. I’m sure I’ll catch more references as I work my way through the episodes. What do you think? Has anyone else recognized novel characters in Castle Rock?
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
Not that any of you have been waiting with bated breath, (maybe baited breath) but my time this last month was spent watching Halloween movies for the marathon so my reading suffered.

I will get back on these CD books as I still have so many books and so little time to get them in before the year of CD 2018 is done.