Horror-Web Site Updates and News

Dark Shadows returns...

2008-07-23T10:56:00.001-07:00

As with so many things in any aspect of life, once you turn your attention to something you see it everywhere. I recently procured copies of an audio series by Big Finish that resumes the story of the Collins family. A story that started as a daily soap opera during the late 60's. In 6 years they managed a measley 1225 episodes and two movies. In the 90's there was a return to the Dark Shadows world with a much darkere and slicker look, but the audience never really took root. So only 12 episodes were made before it got cancelled. Big Finish has made 8 hour long audios so far and there are 4 more coming. But you can find out more about that in the review section as I begin reviewing them. Along the way there were also a number of books and comic books as well. Too many to list here.

But this note is about the return of Dark Shadows. And it is set to return in a big way. Johnny Depp and Tim Burton are working together on a big screen version of the series.

For those who might not know, Dark Shadows tells stories of ghosts, witches, vampires, werewolves and all manner of supernatural elements. The stories center around the Collins family whose patriarch is the venerable Barnabas Collins. Himself a vampire.

The amazing thing about this series was it's longevity on live mainstream tv during the 60's. Yes that is correct. Live tv. Everything they dealt with had to be fully realized for live broadcasts. There were some notable mistakes and bloopers that arose during the show, but the accomplishments far outweigh those minor slights on their record.

Anyone who has any experience with this show will agree with me that the hauntingly eerie music sends chills down your spine and gets the mind salivating in anticipation of seeing Barnabas Collins. If you are not familiar with it, find a way to check it out.

JimmyZ

HORROR NEEDS YOU...

2008-06-20T13:25:00.000-07:00

I had seen this a few different places and then went to the ultimate authority on it. http://www.clivebarker.info Apparently Lionsgate Studio is having second thoughts about Midnight Meat Train. Scheduled for August 1st release, it is head to head with The Mummy 3 as well as some non genre films. They are currently planning to offer it in limited release (100 screens) and then a quick DVD release. There is a strong bdlief though that fan interest can help drive the studio into giving it the full release it deserves. Hell, fans saved Jericho, that proves studios may listen if enough noise is made. Let's make some noise people... (and tell em Horror-Web sent ya! )

Following is the text from the Barker site.

JimmyZ

...It has become apparent that the theatrical distribution of The Midnight Meat Train has been curtailed, with reports that the movie may be seen on only 100 screens across the US. Word has reached us that the substantial excitement surrounding the movie has now developed into an active campaign by movie-lovers for its full theatrical release.

Clive is throwing his support behind the growing movement. He is asking all who would like to see the movie get the wide distribution that many people believe it deserves to add their voice...

"I am very excited about this possibility and I would passionately encourage everybody who cares about my work to use this chance to change the minds of the folks at Lionsgate.

"This is exciting! I really think, this late in the day, that grassroots support for our movie could significantly improve our chances of reaching a much bigger audience theatrically. The picture is worth the effort, I believe."

E-mail message as started at IMDB(or feel free to compose your own):

As a long time Clive Barker fan, I am writing you to express my strong desire to see “The Midnight Meat Train” on the big screen. Rumors are currently circulating that the film will only be released on a limited basis and I am very concerned that I will miss my opportunity to see the most highly anticipated Clive Barker film in over a decade in all of its big screen glory! There are millions of horror fans like myself who have been disappointed by the recent trend towards watered down PG-13 horror movies. Clive’s work represents a return to serious, thought provoking horror movies and with Ryuhei Kitamura at the helm, I am even more excited to experience this collaboration as it was intended: in a packed theater with hundreds of other horror fans like myself! I urge you to please give this film the release it deserves! Many thanks,

Investor relations at Lionsgate: keasterling@lionsgate.com
Lionsgate: general-inquiries@lionsgate.com
Call the main office at (310) 449-9200 and express your desire to see MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN get the release it deserves.

Please be courteous in your requests...

Stan Winston dies of cancer at 62

2008-06-16T18:09:00.001-07:00

Sad news for the FX industry...

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Stan Winston, the Oscar-winning special-effects maestro responsible for bringing the dinosaurs of "Jurassic Park" and other iconic movie creatures to life, has died. He was 62.

Winston died at his home in Malibu surrounded by family on Sunday evening after a seven-year struggle with multiple myeloma, according to a representative from Stan Winston Studio.

Working with such directors as Steven Spielberg, James Cameron and Tim Burton in a career spanning four decades, Winston created some of the most memorable visual effects in cinematic history. He helped bring the dinosaurs from "Jurassic Park," the extraterrestrials from "Aliens, the robots from "Terminator" and even "Edward Scissorhands" to the big screen, and was a pioneer in merging real-world effects with computer imaging.

"The entertainment industry has lost a genius, and I lost one of my best friends with the death Sunday night of Stan Winston," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "Stan's work and four Oscars speak for themselves and will live on forever. What will live forever in my heart is the way that Stan loved everyone and treated each of his friends like they were family."

Winston won visual effects Oscars for 1986's "Aliens," 1992's "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" and 1993's "Jurassic Park." He also won a makeup Oscar for 1992's "Batman Returns."

Winston was nominated for his work on "Heartbeeps," "Predator," "Edward Scissorhands," "Batman Returns," "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" and "A.I."

He last worked with director Jon Favreau on "Iron Man."

"He was experienced and helped guide me while never losing his childlike enthusiasm," Favreau said in a statement. "He was the king of integrating practical effects with CGI, never losing his relevance in an ever changing industry. I am proud to have worked with him and we were looking forward to future collaborations. I knew that he was struggling, but I had no idea that he would be gone so soon. Hollywood has lost a shining star."

At the time of his death, Winston was in the process of transforming his physical makeup and effects studio into the new Winston Effects Group with a team of senior effects supervisors.

Winton's most recent projects included "Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins," "G.I. Joe," "Shutter Island" and Cameron's "Avatar."

"He ran at full throttle, in both work and play, and was a man of kindness, wisdom and great humor," Cameron said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "He was a kid that never grew up, whose dreams were writ large on the screens of the world. I am proud to have been his friend, and I will miss him very deeply."

As a child growing up in Virginia, Winston enjoyed drawing, puppetry and classic horror films. After graduating from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville in 1968, Winston moved to Southern California to become an actor but instead worked behind the scenes and completed a three-year makeup apprenticeship program at Walt Disney Studios in 1972.

Winston is survived by his wife, Karen; a son, daughter, brother and four grandchildren.

Milwaukee County Massacre June 7 - 8

2008-06-04T15:22:00.000-07:00

Horror-Web.com will be attending the Milwaukee County Massacre. I am doing shirts for this convention and will also have Horror-Web items as well. Yeah, yeah, I realize this is all a bit last minute, but that is kinda how the whole thing came about with me doing shirts for it.

Here is a link to their myspace page for more info:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=60499105

Also some well known faces will be there from the small press. John Everson. William Gagliani. David Benton. Joe Knetter. Oh yeah and some lesser known people like Kane Hodder from some Friday the 13th film series as well as Michael Berryman from Hills Have Eyes. Go check out the site for a more complete list of attendees. And make sure to stop by to say hello and get a free Horror-Web keychain.

JimmyZ

p.s. Prepare yourself for the unveiling of a character some may know from years ago. A clue for you . What is cute and furry unnameable?

From the Waning Wench to the Meandering Monkey

2008-05-23T06:26:00.000-07:00

A new dawn is rising for Horror-Web with new ownership and a fresh outlook in the darkness.

As of May 1st Horror-Web.com has new blood behind the scenes. I'm JimmyZ Johnston and many of you may know me from my various hats I wore over the years (and yes, one of them was a starfish hat back in the beginning of the Team Koi days.) Most recently you may know me as the shirt guy from the World Horror Convention. For the past two years I have done that and plan to continue doing so for a long time

However, beginning now with Horror-Web.com I am starting a new phase of my life. One I plan on expanding on and growing with. Things will be changing around here, but in positive ways. I don't plan on canceling anything Horror-Web.com has been doing, rather I plan on building on that and expanding it. Taking the foundation that HorrorWench has built and raising the bar. We have such sights to show you. Stick with us. Buckle in and try to enjoy the ride. The screaming will grow louder but you become accustomed to the sound.

JimmyZ
JimmyZ@Horror-Web.com

Rental Tuesday!!

2008-04-22T05:03:00.000-07:00

Wondering what to rent for tonight? Why not pop on over to hollywood horror and take a gander? And while you're there, enter a contest or two! That's right, we've got a minor update that includes, not one but two, new contests for you. Enter for your chance to win AvP: Requiem or Guillermo Del Toro’s The Orphanage.

Not Dead Yet...

2008-04-21T12:01:00.001-07:00

Just as we were planning to go into hibernation at Horror-Web and await for new ownership, we found it! So rather than tell you why we're not updating, let's do some updates!!

We have 2 new reviews for you to check out... ZombiBrat travels down Brian Keene's "Little Silver Book of Streetwise Stories" and doesn't get mugged. And Goob surfaces from the dead to post a review of Robert Kurtzman’s "The Rage" Soundtrack. There you go: Proof that we're not dead.

It must be Spring!!

2008-03-22T10:53:00.000-07:00

And while we're outside soaking up the first few rays of warm weather, here are some things to keep you busy if you're still inside. Hollywood horror has been updated for the next few months. Whether staying in or going out, we've got films for you to check out.

Wondering if you'll like any of them? Check out the plethora of reviews from Jekyll & Hyde: The Mist, ils [Them], Flight of the Living Dead and Fear of Clowns 2 for starters. Looking for a weekend of horror? Hyde's reviewed the entire HorrorFest '07 lineup: Nightmare Man, Borderland, Unearthed, Tooth & Nail, Mulberry Street, Deaths of Ian Stone, and Crazy Eights

And just in case you're looking for freebies and chewy goodness, we've got two new contests to lure you in... Enter to win a DVD of The Sickhouse, or drag your friends along for the ride with our 'Bring a Body' contest.

Happy Saturday... that should keep you busy for a while!

Spring 1.2 and updates!

2008-03-03T05:34:00.000-08:00

For our cross-promotional review extravaganza, "Spring into Terror," Renfield has posted his thoughts on Thomas Tessier's Nightwalker. And from the gang at Dark Scribe Magazine, we have these new additions: Generation Dead by Dan Waters, Deadly Vision by Rick R. Reed, and Triage by Jack Ketchum, Edward Lee, and Richard Laymon. In case you missed the Spring into Terror, check out the Cesspool thread for more information and a full list of reviews.

Also, to start your week off and put more pressure on your book allowance, Written in Blood has been updated... go ahead, get the Visa and read some horror!!

Spring into Terror!

2008-03-01T16:46:00.000-08:00

"Spring into Terror" is a collaborative effort to give readers of horror fiction insight into some of this year's recent releases. Participating review sites include Horrorworld, Horror-Web, Hellnotes, Dread Central, Fearzone, Horror Drive-in, Monster Librarian, and Dark Scribe Magazine. Together, as we review this Spring and crosslink to each other, we hope to get rid of your cabin fever and get some new reads into your greedy fists (and bookshelves).

Kicking off on March 1st with the initial batch of Horror-Web reviews we have:
ZombieBrat covers Michael Laimo's "Fires Rising"
9Fingers takes a smack at Brett Savory's "In and Down"
and HorrorWench reviews Michael Arnzen's "The Bitchfight"

From the other sites, we direct you to:
Jeff Strand's "Gleefully Macabre Tales" from FearZone
James A Moore's "Deeper" from Horrorworld
Stephen King's "Duma Key" from Hellnotes
And from MonsterLibrarian "The Unwanted" by Diablo, Mark Michaels, Juan Romera & Jadon Arthur
"Horrors Beyond 2: Stories of Strange Creations" edited by William Jones
"The Man on the Ceiling" by Melanie Tem and Steve Rasnic Tem
"The Monsters of Templeton" by Lauren Groff.

Now then, if that's not enough reviews to get you in the mood... well, there's not much we can do for you. So go now, read the reviews and start shopping. After all, Spring is in the air--don't you feel like a little bloodshed?

Not dead yet...

2008-02-18T21:43:00.000-08:00

Nope. We're still here. Still for sale and making some changes, but more on that in a later post. This post is about what's still alive--reviews!!

We've got two new ones in Hollywood for you. Courtesy of Hyde, we have candid thoughts on yet another j-horror remake, The Eye. And Trollking takes a gander at a classic bundling in modern packaging, The Lost World, limited edition: 2 disc set of the 1925 and 1960 versions of this film.

And while the book reviewers are being lazy, er catching up on their piles, check out what's going on in the WIB section of the Cesspool... after all, the Stoker's are coming up and everyone could use a boost to their bookstore shopping lists!

Swallowed Whole...

2008-02-05T19:57:00.000-08:00

Something happened to our last update--and yes, we're blaming the internet goblins for swallowing it whole! What you've missed?

ZombieBrat has reviewed Dennis Latham's Michael in Hell and 9fingers tackled Austin Williams' Crimson Orgy. Over in the video section, Hyde's reviews for AvP: Requiem and Saw IV have both been posted for over two weeks!

You have some catching up to do... meanwhile, we're off to hunt goblins!

A plethora of reviewing goodness and more!

2008-01-13T10:02:00.000-08:00

What a start to a new year!! First the general updates. The Convention Crypt has been updated for 2008--start planning your trips. And if we've missed any or you know of one that should be listed, just buzz us and let us know! Serial Killers and Deaditorals have both been updated to reflect our holiday insanity that hit the Cesspool first--in case you missed those. And the links page has been updated to include all those people that came clamoring during the holidays--are you on there?

And in reviews? Poking her head out of the sand, Wench offers up Tim Lebbon to the review alter with thoughts on A Whisper of Southern Lights. And then she's completely overshadowed by the eager beavers in the movie reviews...

Jekyll starts with a rebuttal of Hyde's Sweeney Todd review. Then Hyde hits One Missed Call and Boogeyman 2. Finally, Hyde takes a crack at White Noise 2: The Light, only to have Jekyll show up again with a rebuttal. You'd almost think they acted like this on purpose with the whole teamwork, piggy-back thing. Don't let their work go to waste...

Go now... check out the new reviews and other updates, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!!

Happy New Year!!!

2008-01-01T07:41:00.000-08:00

Out with the old, in with the new! Did you have fun? Was 2007 everything you thought it would be? Got plans and hopes for 2008? We do! More changes are coming--new year, new Horror-Web... stay tuned.

Meanwhile, we've got two reviews for the movie lovers out there. Jekyll offers up both a fresh review, giving Sweeney Todd a serious thumbs up, as well as a rebuttal, as she slaps Hyde for his thoughts on I Am Legend.

Congrats to our Holiday Stocking Stuffer contest winners: Kassandre, Robert, Justin & Robert. Thanks for the holiday giggles!!

And with that mini update, we leave you and your hangovers alone to contemplate the resolutions you made under peer pressure and the influence of whatever that punch was spiked with... Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

2007-12-20T17:05:00.000-08:00

One last update before the holiday weekend, and Horror-Web turns into a virtual ghost town. Hyde sends us towards our eggnog and cookies with several reviews: a response to Jekyll's comments on Hatchet, thoughts on indie flick Boy Eats Girl, a little gushing over I Am Legend, and well, he couldn't help himself, so he revisited Halloween [the director's cut].

Also, don't forget about our stocking stuffer contest on Horror-Web. It might be a ghost-town concerning some of the louder staff being gone--but we're still there, we're still checking our lists and seeing who's naughty and nice... get on the list!

Mid-Week Wake Up

2007-12-19T06:19:00.000-08:00

Hollywood Horror has been updated, just in time for Christmas! Not sure what to watch this holiday season? Look at the movie calendar on the side, or pick one of the highlighted movies from the page itself. Nothing says Christmas like a little terror... and to liven up the crime scene, enter the Hatchet contest while you're there!

Written in Blood has also been updated for the holidays. Not done shopping yet? We've got the perfect suggestions for the readers in your life. Stuff those stockings!!

Speaking of stockings, we've got a quick and dirty holiday contest on the Cesspool! Stuff your own stocking with one of several goodies from Horror-Web, and in the spirit of the season, give thanks to those sorry winners that never responded to pick these up!!

Run along now... you've got places to go and things to win.

Big screen, little screen...

2007-12-17T09:31:00.000-08:00

Let's kick the week of with a one-two punch! Jekyll offers up a lovely review of the freshly buried Hatchet DVD and as soon as our Hollywood page updates are finished, you'll find a contest to go with that. Go ahead, stalk us, we don't mind... and enter for your chance to win the Unrated DVD!

The second swing today comes from the Trollking. Much like we're revamping Serial Killers and posting them to the Cesspool so that you can comment on them, we've rearranged the office and put the Dead-itor's Desk over there as well. Just in time for the season, Troll gets a visit from the ghosts of Christmas past and goes off on the State of Television today. Yes, he's a little bitter, but isn't that what makes rants fun? Go ahead, check it out, and see if you don't agree with him... just a little!

Coming soon to a Horror-Web near you: Written in Blood updates, Games and if you're really lucky, something special for your stocking!!

TGIF...

2007-12-14T10:14:00.000-08:00

And to send you into your weekend, we offer up a few goodies to check out!
~ 9fingers prove that I have not fired all the other reviewers [except Jekyll] by posting his thoughts on Masques V.
~ Absinthe gives us a timely look at Sweeney Todd [Demon Barber of Fleet Street] in our Serial Killers, with tie-ins to the upcoming movie.

I said a few... check them out and then get your butts shopping! You've only got 11 Days left!

All work, no play...

2007-12-13T07:40:00.000-08:00

Jekyll & HorrorWench are making the rest of the reviewers look like slackers! It must be almost Christmas...

Jekyll offers a 'meh' review of Undead or Alive, while HorrorWench braces for reaction to her thoughts on Steven Savile's The Hollow Earth. Remember, if you'd like to comment on any of our reviews, the new & improved Cesspool offers review areas in both Hollywood and Written in Blood now... come on in and let us have it!

Two reviews and a funeral!

2007-12-12T09:01:00.000-08:00

Duckies and Bunnies galore! We've got two new reviews for you to peruse, regarding things that we actually enjoyed: Jekyll covers the film version of Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door, while HorrorWench gushes over John Little's Placeholders. Don't panic though--we have a not so fluffy review coming very soon in WIB... I'll apologize now.

R.I.P. Horror-Web's Art Section -- It was fun while it lasted, but its time has come and gone. We thank everyone that has ever been a part of this section and invite the rest of you to check out those that were listed in the links on that page.

Of course, if you haven't been paying attention, this is the second in a list of changes/adjustments we're making to Horror-Web. Check out the newly redesigned Cesspool and pay attention... we've got lots of things up our sleeves, on the table, and getting ready to be tweaked, twisted or tortured!! Stay tuned!

Jack of all Reviews...

2007-12-06T04:36:00.000-08:00

Many reviewers, in several categories--no review material has gone untouched this week! In the written world we have Zombiebrat's take on Kim Paffenroth's novel Gospel of the Living Dead and HorrorWench's impression of Elizabeth Massie's new chapbook Brazen Bull. Trollking tackles The Nightmare Factory, a graphic novel inked/adapted by Stuart Moore, Joe Harris, Colleen Doran, Ben Templesmith, Ted McKeever, Michael Gaydos, and based on Thomas Ligotti stories.And Minion returns from the dead with a Wii review of Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles.Gee, a movie review would have hit all areas! Ah well, still plenty for you to check out... grab your coffee and go!

More chewy goodness!

2007-11-08T08:59:00.000-08:00

Renfield's got another new review! Yeah, I know--you thought he'd quit Horror-Web for a lucrative career as an e-lawyer, didn't you? And maybe that last review was a fluke--one last hurrah. Nope--he just got buried in a TBR pile and is finally coming up for air. Check out his thoughts on Kim Paffenroth's Dying to Live...

And while we're in here, congrats to our latest round of winners!! [Why did we stop posting these? Is there someone we can blame? Ah well--let's start doing it again!] The following are DVD winners in Hollywood Horror contests:

Blade: Season 1 - Bob, Daniel, Joseph, Cliff & Tim. And for Flight of the Living Dead - Christine, Jason, Joe & Jennifer. Drawn and notified today: Plasterhead & Murder Game... check your emails and get me those addresses so I can ship these DVDs out!!

In our Written in Blood monthly Leisure Book Club drawing, congrats to Gregory!!

And HEY!! If you won one of our Halloween contests and haven't replied to your notification email, you're running out of time... Check the Cesspool and/or your email, and get that info in or risk handing your prizes off to someone else!!

Post Halloween Sugar Rush

2007-11-06T05:33:00.000-08:00

Now that the trick-or-treat candy bowl has been emptied...

First, we've got a few new reviews for you--Renfield critiques Mary Sangiovanni's debut novel, The Hollower and Jekyll posts a rebuttal to Hyde's Perfume: Story of a Murderer review.

And with that out of the way--Congrats to all our Hallo-theme Winners!! Winners of our 31 Days of Hallo-Theme Trivia, created and controlled by the now insane 9fingers, were Mark Huddler [1st], Meghan Fatras [2nd] and Alfred Guy [3rd]. These winners will be receiving goodie bags that include everything from books to movie to Halloween chewy goodness! The winners of our Troll-created Comic Madness were Adam Hauser [Horror Hosts, prize: Asylum Press' "Satan's 3-Ring Circus from Hell"] and Marcus Slaughter [Secret Identities, prize: Clive Barker's "Tapping the Vein"]. Congrats to all our winners, and thank you to everyone that played along.

Now then... The Halloween page itself will remain, for reference, until the 15th--so if you wanted to check something out one more time, go for it [I've also put the correct answers on the comics quizzes there]. The 31 Days of Hallo-Theme Quiz answers will be posted soon. And, well, we don't know about you but we've already started planning for next year!! Happy Halloween!!

From ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties...

2007-10-22T14:07:00.000-07:00

The days are ticking away until Halloween arrives but we're still keeping busy with new items on the site.
Head on over to the Written in Blood section for all of the gooey goodness of what's hot and what's not or go climb a tree and throw peeps at those that pass by with the new Treehouse of Horror Quiz

Jekyll is still going strong with her 31 Days of Hallo-theme movies and to add a bit of incentive for folks
to join in the madness, she's on a Blood Driveto get those involved with the movies she is watching. You can also head over to the Cesspool to see which of the 31 Worst Horror Sequels Hyde is currently on and don't
forget to check out our Halloween Page for all the goodies we have this month!

Jekyll's Blood Drive

2007-10-19T06:42:00.000-07:00

That's right folks, you heard it correctly - Jekyll is out for blood! Well, probably not exactly what you are thinking, but she is looking for some warm bodies to join her in the Hollywierd Section of the Cesspool and in the holiday spirit and wanting to give away some DVDs! So come on over, jump in, tell us what you think of Hyde's countdown of the 31 Worst Sequels and join Jekyll in her madness as she works her way through our 31 Days of Hallo-theme!