As I sit here typing, only four hours remain of the year 2013. Feeling a bit nostalgic, I thought it would be fun to take a look back at the year and review some of my favorite posts from the past 12 month!
I'd love to hear your thoughts on Midnight Cinephile's past year.....so feel free to post a comment below, post a comment of Facebook, Twitter or even send me an email. I want to hear the good, the bad and the ugly. What do you like? What do you want more of? What do you want less of? Have suggestions for new additions? Let me know!
Let's get this retro party started!
Review - John Dies At The End
The first review of the year started things out with a bang. John Dies At The End is pure Coscarellian horror and I absolutely loved it. Strange reality bending drugs, meat monsters, bratwurst cell phones....this flick has it all!
Review - Black Books: The Grapes of Wrath
My favorite episode of one of my favorite short lived British shows. The Grapes of Wrath has Bernard and Manny housesitting for a friend. They accidentally drink some insanely expensive wine that was supposed to be given to The Pope and conspire to replace it with a homemade brew.....absolutely hilarious.
Interview With Chris Alexander
Without a doubt the highlight of my year, I was fortunate enough to have an epic chat with Chris Alexander, editor in chief of Fangoria as well as the man responsible for resurrecting my beloved GoreZone magazine. This interview focused on Chris' first film, Blood For Irina (which is an absolute must see) and he is close to completing his second film, Queen of Blood (hopefully we'll get him back for another interview!). Chris is one of the hardest working guys I know and I have nothing but respect and admiration for him. Do yourself a favor and read this interview!
Review - Blood for Irina
After you read the interview, check out the review for Blood For Irina! A quiet, stoic and at time achingly beautiful portrait of a dying vampire.
Review - Rocktober Blood
At long last, I review a film whose cover art haunted me through the 80's, 90's and well into the 00's!
Midnight Cinephile Podcast Episode 1
Quite possibly my proudest moment was the unleashing of The Midnight Cinephile Podcast. I know it's been a couple of months since Episode 1, but fear not....there will be MUCH more to follow!
Hallowmas Has Come and Gone
An academic look at Halloween and the Triduum that is Hallowmas. This is a response to all those short sighted people out there who claim that Halloween is evil and call for it's boycott. Meant to educate.
Review - Blood Beat
Another film that I've been chasing after for more than two decades. At long last I am able to review it!
The Sunshine Award
Finally another very proud moment for me. A big thanks to Warden Stokely who nominated me for this prestigious award!
There you have it: Nine moments from 2013 that I think sum up the year best. I can't wait to see what 2014 is going to bring and I hope that you all will continue to be here for this wild and wonky ride. I want to thank each and every one of you for visiting and for reading Midnight Cinephile. So Happy New Year my friends!
That's a fantastic interview with Chris Alexander, Matt. How'd you land such a great "get"? I'd pretty much lost all interest in Fangoria after discovering Rue Morgue with the From Beyond issue, but Mr. Alexander has my attention again. I always enjoyed Schizoid Cinephile, too, and I actually took a while to warm to Bowen's Basement because it just struck me a bit like the second Darren on Bewitched. I had no idea Chris had a book out, so I'm about to go order a copy of that. lol
ReplyDeleteI also loved John Dies At The End. Adrienne watched it with me and thought it was absolutely useless. I enjoyed it so much that I have difficulty understanding why it seems to be such a polarizing movie. I've not read the book, and I don't think I will. A lot of naysayers seem to be hung up on the differences between book and movie, so I don't want to taint the movie by reading the book. Perverse logic, huh?
I'll be checking out that podcast the next time I'm watching Gunnar all day. Childcare and horror podcasts. It's good for the baby.
That interview was absolutely epic! I've got to tell you that Chris is one of the nicest and most genuine people in the industry I've ever met. I've been a big fan of Chris' ever since his days at Rue Morgue and I was absolutely delighted when he took over for Fangoria because I knew he was going to turn the magazine around. I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for the man and he is absolutely a luminary in the industry and as such inspired me to double down and work even harder on this blog and to dare to dream to make a career out of my horror passion.
ReplyDeleteJohn Bowen and I share a special bond which is a deep love for the 1972 schlock classic Invasion of the Blood Farmers. I had interview John way back in '06 or '07 when I had first attempted a website. Ultimately that website failed and the review never came to light. I've been trying to get Mr. Bowen back on the horn for an all new interview. He's a busy dude, but I'm sure I'll get him one of these days! I'm a big fan of John's work as well. Love me some Bowen's Basement (what can I say...the man has great taste in movies!)
John Dies At The End was absolutely fantastic. I don't understand the polarization that has occurred with it either. I haven't read the book either and I actually don't plan to either. Usually if I see a film that's based on a book first, then I won't touch the book so as not to ruin the film.
I'm looking forward to your thoughts on the podcast!
Until next time......
Stay Spooky!
Matt