31 Horror Favs (#28) - Alien {1979}

Alien (director: Ridley Scott)



In 1979 the "Alien" Universe was unleashed upon us. Ridley Scott took a story by Dan O'Bannon and hired H.R. Giger to design a creature. A new standard for the sci fi-horror hybrid was formed.

They synopsis is fairly simple. A spaceship of salvage workers are on a return trip to Earth when they receive an SOS from a nearby planet. They explore and find eggs from an unknown alien species. One of the eggs hatch and a creature wraps itself around a crew member's face. The crew member is rushed back to the ship and goes into a coma. The creature dies and the crew member seems to be fine. However the crew member is actually a host for the alien growing inside, which escapes and starts taking out the rest of the crew.

The film went on to be nominated for several awards and went on to win the 1979 Academy Award for Visual Effects; Saturn Awards for Best Science Fiction Film, Best Direction for Ridley Scott, and Best Supporting Actress for Veronica Cartwright; and a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation. The movie also made almost 105 million dollars upon it's original release. It has spawned several sequels and copy cats since being released.

The movie Alien is a landmark, one of a kind film and has a significant place in movie history.

In addition to all of that, it is one of my all time favorite movies. I love how you get to know to the characters on the ship. Even after the coma incident, everything feels fine until all hell breaks loose. Then the tension and suspense that gets built up until it all climaxes in the final scene with the showdown between Ripley and the alien. It's a perfect movie.




For more HR Giger's artwork, go to the website HR Giger

31 Horror Favs (#29) - Elvira, Mistress of the Dark

Elvira




While growing up in a small town located in North Eastern Indiana, late night Friday and Saturday nights were a great time to watch horror. On Friday, a local station air the classics from 30's-60's. These were great and gave a solid foundation of scares.

But as youngster with raging hormones, Saturday night was the best. Movie Macabre. Elvira time.

She oozed sexy. She was a quirky and funny. And let's face it, her boobs damn near popping out her tight, black dress made it very pleasurable for the eyes. She was the perfect host of a horror show, something of which is seen less and less these days.

Looking back, sure most of the skits were awful. And the movies they played were normally B grade at best. And the show was edited down for TV and packed full of commercials. But again, what else did a twelve year old boy have going on in the Indiana during the late 80's.

The show became must see viewing. Not only for the host and the flicks but to see how long you could stay awake. It's late at night. You're in a your room with the lights out and the TV volume barely audible. You hear a banging outside the window. You're heart beats a little faster. Your imagination races with horrific scenarios. Do you dare take a peak and see what's making the noise?

It may sound silly, but from ages 10-15 this was damn near an every weekend thing. And I make no apologies for it...or the horror icon Elvira Mistress of the Dark.

Thank you Cassandra Peterson.



Check out Elvira at her website Elvira

31 Horror Favs (#30) - Resident Evil video game series

Resident Evil


These days I don't have a lot of time to spend playing long, adventure games. Nor do I own a cool gaming console like a Wi, PS3, or X-Box either. Hell my PC wont evil play many video games. But back in the day, the Resident Evil video game series had me addicted.

I spent countless hours on RE1 as both Chris Renfield and Jill Valentine. I worked my way around the spooky mansion trying to find out answers to way happened to the first STARS team to be sent in. The game was ended up very rewarding and wanted more.

RI2 quickly became one of my all time favorite games. Traveling through Raccon City blowing heads off the undead was just too much damn fun. I played each storyline through, first as Claire Renfield and then as Leon Kennedy. The game blew me away with it's depth of holding two separate, yet connected, storylines, thus making the game playable twice to get the whole story. It took me forever to beat this one.

As my time became less free, I managed to get all the way through RE3. This ended up being the final game in the series I would finish. I took Jill through the city looking for answers and battling the damn near impossible to kill Nemesis. It turned out to be another fun game.

I started Codename: Veronica, but never got very far into the game. It would be the last RE game I would play.


The series has spun off three more lines in the tale (Outbreak series, Survivor series, Umbrella Chronicles), novelizations, feature movies, and animated films. It's a very successful franchise. The series is still going strong as it adapts to different gaming formats and continues telling the story of the Umbrella Company.

Maybe some day I'll be able to pick up playing this survival-horror game series again.


Resident Evil (main series games)
1. Resident Evil
2. Resident Evil 2
3. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
4. Code: Veronica
5. Resident Evil Zero
6. Resident Evil 4


7. Resident Evil 5





Survivor game series
1. Survivor
2. Survivor 2
3. Dead Aim

Outbreak game series
1. Outbreak
2. Outbreak: File #2

Chronicles game series
1. The Umbrella Chronicles


2. The Darkside Chronicles

Under Appreciated Horror Authors #3 - Robert McCammon

NOTE: When discussing the author, I shall only comment on the books I've read.

I was asked why do you think these authors are under appreciated? They are common names among fans of horror fiction. And that's exactly my point. To fans of the horror genre, most of the names I talk about with these posts are not all that obscure. But to mass of people outside the genre, these names are hardly a blip. And that's a shame because their works transcends the genre.



This time we come Robert McCammon. The Alabama born and raised writer who started turning heads in the mid 80's with original horror novels. He gained a good reputation with several novels being critically praised and nominated for awards. He even had a few books on the best seller list.

After much success he took time off from writing. He wanted to spend time with his family. Around ten years later, in 2008, he returned with the first book Speaks the Nightbird in a new series of novels.


The first book I read by McCammon was They Thirst. It's an interesting and unique tale of vampires taking over the world one city at a time. The first city is LA. Lots of gore, action, creepiness, and good characters follow. I love this book.

The next experience was a little of a let down in Mystery Walk. It's about two teens with physic powers. One is good and one is evil. There's nothing wrong with the book. Good characters and nicely written. I just didn't find myself getting into as I had hoped.

I have Swan Song and Mine on my shelf at home, eagerly awaiting to be read.



Notable Horror Books by Robert McCammon (not a complete list)

They Thirst (1981)

Swan Song (1987) - Co-winner of the 1987 Bram Stoker Award and nominated for the 1988 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel



Stinger (1988) - Nominated for the 1988 Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel

The Wolf's Hour (1989) - Nominated for the 1989 Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel



Blue World (1990) – Short Story Collection; Nominated for the 1989 Bram Stoker Award and the 1990 World Fantasy Award for Best Collection



Mine (1990) - Winner of the 1990 Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel



Boy's Life (1991) - Winner of the 1991 Bram Stoker Award and the 1992 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel

Speaks the Nightbird (2002) - Book 1 in the "Matthew Corbett Series"




For more on Robert McCammon visit his website robertmccammon.com

31 Horror Favs (#31) - Rue Morgue Magazine

For the month of October I've decided to list my 31 favorite items in horror entertainment. These items could be movies, books, television, magazines, or - well you get the idea. These are listed in no particular order.


Rue Morgue

I stumbled across Rue Morgue magazine nearly four years ago. From the first issue, number 59, I was hooked and haven't looked back since becoming a loyal subscriber.

This little gem hailing from Canada covers more than just the new movies coming out in horror. Every month the magazine features a section on horror literature, horror games, horror themed music and bands, new DVD releases, DVD re-issues, articles on new movies hitting theaters, television shows with horror, forgotten movies of yesteryear, and more. Plus an in depth feature every month, which could cover just about any topic and often does.

Each month my day brightens when I see the magazine in the mailbox. Like a kid at Christmas I eagerly open it and begin more reading it cover to cover. I consider myself fairly knowledgeable on most horror entertainment, but Rue Morgue never fails to educate me a bit more. And I love them for it!

If you are a fan of horror entertainment, this is a must read magazine. It is at the top of the list. I cant say enough great things about the magazine...or website, which is packed full of goodness itself. Information on current and back issues, podcasts, downloads, blog, and several other items of joy.

For more information, details, or subscription information check out their website Rue Morgue Magazine