Werewolves have always been my favorite type of monster, whether they are wolfmen or complete bipedal creatures. Though I am not a fan of the four-legged kind, like in AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, gravitating more to they types seen in THE HOWLING and DOG SOLDIERS, the whole mythology of werewolves has always fascinated me.
Ever since the 1983 movie A CHRISTMAS STORY came out on video, it has been an annual part of my movie viewing tradition each Christmas season. Directed by Bob Clark, who also directed the 1974 film BLACK CHRISTMAS, it is one of those Christmas movies that just make you feel good. The story is about Ralphie, a nine-year-old, who only wants one thing for Christmas, a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle. We have all been there as a child, wanting that one gift more than all others. Though department stores when I was growing up did not have display windows of toys like Higbee’s in the film, for me the excitement started when the Sears Wishbook came in showing every toy you could imagine.
In 2015 director Michael Dougherty released his second holiday film after the success of his Halloween film TRICK ‘R TREAT from 2007. This film was KRAMPUS and starred many well-known actors such as Adam Scott, Toni Collette and David Koechner. This film quickly developed a cult status, much like TRICK ‘R TREAT did so many years earlier. Despite re-writing the entire legend of Krampus for this film, audiences didn’t seem to mind, either because they were unaware of the actual legend or they just didn’t care.
One thing I am very nostalgic about is my youth. One thing that I have very fond memories of was discovering the store The Flaming Cauldron, later called The Troll Shop, in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. I was in awe the first time I went into this store; it was packed with all kinds of weird things; things that I loved!
The surprise book of the year for me came about on a recent visit to Salem, Massachusetts. While there we visited The Halloween Museum and their wonderful gift shop. This book was prominently displayed and though pricey, I soon realized how worth it it is!
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. One of the most iconic horror hosts in the history of horror hosts. So much so in fact that she became a household name even in homes that didn’t have access to her syndicated show Movie Macabre in the 80’s, or even had any interest in the b-movies that she showed week after week.
If you are a regular visitor of this site then you know how much I love Halloween. It is my favorite holiday and I am always looking for ways to make it even better. One of my annual traditions is pulling out my favorite horror and monsters movies to get me in the mood, or Halloween spirit.
Without a doubt, Michael Dougherty’s cult film TRICK ‘R TREAT is one of the greatest Halloween films of all time. There have been talks of a sequel for years, which has yet to manifest. In some ways, what is in this comic collection, can be thought of as a sequel…of sorts.
I really cannot pinpoint when I first started becoming interested in flying saucers and the possibility that we are being visited by aliens from outer space. I remember during elementary school taking every book I could out of both the school library and the public library as well as buying magazines on the subject. It may have also stemmed from the National Enquirer, who, back in the day, did some legitimate reporting on UFOs. Perhaps my interest stemmed from my love of the science fiction movies of the 1950s. I really don’t know.
OK, I have a confession. Prior to reading this book I had never heard of Mack Maloney or that he was a host of a nationally-syndicated radio show called “Mack Maloney’s Military X-Files.” Since I have always been a fan of everything from flying saucers, cryptids and ghosts, this book came up as a recommendation one day on Amazon, based on my search criteria.
Continue reading “THE BASEMENT BOOK SHELF: “Mack Maloney’s Haunted Universe””