So WIL and I decided at the last minute possible to show up at the Burbank Fangoria convention. I have never even been to Southern California before and of course I got stuck driving. I have to admit that WIL’s antics in the truck were wildly entertaining as he complained that the “mountains were boring” and that everything on the planet should be paved with asphalt including the ocean. He then went on to tell me how “farmers have no sense of humor” and should try to put up a sign on their land solely for his amusement. And this was just the drive down there guys. It got goofier once we mingled with other people.
HOSTEL II Panel
Eli Roth was joined by Bijou “I Hate Czech Assholes” Phillips and a lovely lady Vera Something Foreign to discuss the HOSTEL II movie. Phillips cooed like a dove and spoke baby talk and ooh and ahhed about nothing in particular. But she looked kinda cute up there. Vera gave away the plot of the film…by accident?
And surprisingly Roth was the least annoying of the bunch. He actually seemed to have something intelligent to say and I didn’t mind listening to him the whole time. Roth mentioned that he “speaks to himself like a homeless person” and Michael Madsen showed up from god knows where to say Hi on stage.
News: About the THANKSGIVING feature- the Weinsteins are “not that eager to do the GRINDHOUSE sequel” and are “focusing on international distribution for the first one now.” But Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez are behind doing the sequel.
Roth was approached to do “Masters of Horror,” but he has been busy with other projects. Right now he is working on the film adaptation of Stephen King’s CELL and TRAILER TRASH, which is a compilation of fake trailers.
As for CABIN FEVER 2, Roth recommended Ti West as the director, but is not involved in the project.
HOSTEL II releases June 8th 2007.
HATCHET Panel ** Molly’s Pick
Director Adam Green is joined by Kane Hodder, Tony Todd, a skinny boy, and a skinny girl to talk about HATCHET. I have to admit that I almost thought about skipping this one, but I’m glad I didn’t. This was my favorite panel and HATCHET officially has my seal of approval as a flick to see in theaters.
The preview of the film was a riot. There is a scene where a man’s head is completely twisted right off. But my favorite part was where Victor Crowley runs towards Richard Riehle and starts whacking him with an ax repeatedly. And it didn’t stop. It just kept going and I am laughing hysterically through this.
Green was proud to announce that his film would get a NC-17 “without rape or torture.” He is going through cuts now, but promises this will be the hardest R we have seen yet.
Things got a teensy bit dumb, like where the skinny girl (I think Tamara Feldman from HAROLD & KUMAR 2) said she met Jamie Lee Curtis and mentally told her “I’m going to be you!” Ahem, excuse me, but… WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?
HATCHET releases September 7th 2007.
HALLOWEEN Panel
So this is the one we have all been waiting for? What a disappointment. Rob Zombie showed up in a foul mood. I can’t blame him for the internet hoopla surrounding this film and some of the dumb questions he was asked. But he seriously was no fun. However, that really is not the reason why I was so completely irritated by this panel.
Zombie and Sherri Moon were joined by that little boy and four girls. The problem arises when Zombie insists the fans ask other people questions. I am all for this considering I would like to hear women talk more on panels anyway. BUT, and there is a large BUT, these girls were terrible. Here is a sample of their interaction:
Girl #1, “I get naked in the film.”
Girl #2, “Oh my god! Me too!”
Girl #3, “I get naked too, which is a good thing for the pervs that wanted to see me naked when I was 10.”
And you would think I made this up…but I didn’t. They really did say this. And it got worse. When a fan asked the lovely young ladies what other projects they were working on, Girl #1 replied, “If I had a job, I wouldn’t be here.” Ouch. I pretty much goes on like this for 20 minutes with one of the girls even admitting she has never watched a HALLOWEEN flick before.
And I am laying it out here right now- I think the film will do well at the box office initially, but the reviews will be so-so. There is no competition when it opens, however HATCHET will follow the week after and steal some moviegoers. And from what I have seen and heard, I believe that HALLOWEEN will take somewhat of a tongue lashing after people see it, which may further kill sales in the end of its run.
HALLOWEEN releases August 31st 2007.
Uwe Boll Panel
Actor Zack Ward was on the panel for Uwe Boll movies. He talked about how he plays Billy the Kid in the upcoming BLOOD RAYNE II, which plays as a vampires and cowboys type of horror films (seriously). The sexy Natassia Malthe (SKINWALKERS) stars as the new Rayne.
We were also treated to a very entertaining clip of the upcoming SEED. Now this strikes me a total departure from Boll’s previous ventures, as it wasn’t based on a video game and…well, it doesn’t look goofy. This is a straight up horror film that looks pretty gory and gets my seal of approval.
Random People we ran into
Supposedly Brad Miska from Bloody Disgusting was banned from Fangoria after arguing with Tony Timpone, which would explain why we never saw him there.
David Hess (LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT) was walking by and I almost didn’t notice him. I decided to approach and I inadvertently propositioned him. And by that I mean I unintentionally harassed a movie rapist with my “WIL and I will tag team you in an interview” speak and the offer of me picking him up to come to SiliCon. At any rate, WIL and I got his cell number and it’s a date!
Mick Garris (“Masters of Horror”) was extremely nice. Say what you will about his movies, but he seemed like a good person. He took time to speak with me. And he had nice hair.
Kenneth J. Hall (PUPPET MASTER) told stories of Charles Band and Full Moon Productions. The EVIL DEAD ladies may or may not be speaking to us now. And psuedo-snuff director Nick Palumbo was standing around.
Clu Gulager (RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD) was hanging out at the bar with his son John (FEAST) wandering around somewhere. Supposedly Reggie Bannister from PHANTASM was the guy buying rounds of Tequila shots for everyone.
We of course spent a lot of time with Mel House, Melanie Donhoo, Tim Wrobel, and Jason Stewart (CLOSET SPACE & WITCHCRAFT 13) as with Gerald Nott and Clint Glenn (THE QUICK AND THE UNDEAD). And I finally met directors Jason Kartalian (DRILLER) and Joe Castro (TERROR TOONS).
And we met up with fellow MySpacers and friends Popcorn Guys/ Mangled Angels crew, Michelle Fatale, Fatally Yours Reviews, Art Ettinger from Ultra Violent magazine, Chick Flick Staci, and the Joe Flynn Show.
MORE FANGORIA NEWS!
Werewolf Women of the SS Movie?
Neil Marshall Doomsday & Descent 2
Hatchet & Kane Hodder BTK Killer
Hostle 2 SPOILERS
- Molly Celaschi
