News

Famous Monsters of Filmland is paying tribute to the horror genre's past while also celebrating the present at this year's San Diego Comic-Con:

Press Release: "Famous Monsters has come to San Diego Comic-Con once again, and we've scheduled several panels featuring special guests and announcements!

Famous Monsters Stake of the Union 2017

Friday July 21, 2017 5:30pm - 6:30pm

Room 26Ab

Famous Monsters of Filmland has spanned nearly 60 years with its game-changing genre magazine, groundbreaking cover art, record-setting fan events, original comic books, and more. And 2017 promises to be the most exciting year yet as FM expands into new forms of media, including syndicated television! Publisher Philip Kim, editor Holly Interlandi, and associate editor Joe Moe will welcome special panelists to tease future projects, give exclusive art reveals, and maybe wax a little philosophical on Frankenstein.

From Comics to Virtual Reality with American Gothic Press

Saturday July 22, 2017 7:00pm - 8:...

In today's Horror Highlights, we have a Q&A with The Gracefield Incident at Mathieu Ratthe, new stills from Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories, and details on Famous Monsters of Filmland's presence at this year's San Diego Comic-Con.

Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions for us, Mathieu. How and when did you first come up with the idea for The Gracefield Incident?

Mathieu Ratthe: First of all, thank you, Derek, for your interest in our film. I wanted to create a suspenseful story that scared the crap out of the audience, but also made them emotionally involved, which is really tough to do in this kind of movie, but I think we achieved it pretty well in our film.

The conceptual idea (or I liked to call it the “technique”) came after I realized how many days I was given to shoot our film with the budget that I had.

To celebrate the success of a variety of Game of Thrones merchandise, HBO is hosting a scavenger hunt for fans at Comic-Con starting on Wednesday, July 20th at 6:00pm! Also: Famous Monsters at Sdcc 2016, Tales of Poe DVD and Digital HD release details, and info on Spell on Wheels‘ first issue debut.

Game of Thrones Sdcc 2016 Scavenger Hunt Details: Press Release: “Wednesday, July 13, 2016 — HBO Global Licensing is excited to debut a wide array of new Game of Thrones products and convention exclusives at this year’s San Diego Comic Con, and to highlight some of its bestselling products released throughout the series’ run. To help celebrate, HBO is inviting fans to participate in a Comic-Con Scavenger Hunt, sending them on a quest to find some of the coolest Game of Thrones products available on the Comic-Con floor.

Starting Wednesday, July 20th, at 6 p.m. Pt when the convention floor opens for Preview Night,...

Tom Riordan, Philip Kim, Holly Interlandi, and Cameron Hatheway at the WonderCon 2016 panel

Miss WonderCon? No worries! Here’s our comic imprint’s WonderCon panel wrap up! At their first ever WonderCon panel, American Gothic Press was excited to take the stage and talk about the monumental first year they’ve had with their titles Gunsuits, Broken Moon, Project Nemesis, Monster World, and the more recent success in Irwin Allen’S Lost In Space: The Lost Adventures.

The discussion then focused on the upcoming action title Killbox, with writer Tom Riordan and artist Nathan Gooden on hand to talk about the process and the decision to keep the comic in black and white. They then revealed the cover of the upcoming third issue (see below). The comic drops April 27, 2016.

After Killbox, the conversation switched to Lost In Space, with discussion of both the current story arc “The Curious Galactics...

On April 1st on the El Rey Network, April Fool’s Day will be April Ghouls Day. El Rey’s “April Ghouls” marathon will feature Critters 1–4, Ghouls, and Ghoulies 1 & 2. Also in this round-up: a new Hellraiser III Pinhead figure from Mezco Toyz, cover art and preview pages for She Wolf #1, and highlights from American Gothic Press’ panel at WonderCon 2016.

April Ghouls Marathon: Press Release: “April will be creeping up on you with El Rey Network’s “April Ghouls” marathon!

This marathon is no joke – El Rey Network will be crawling under your skin this April Fool’s Day with the classic Critters and Ghoulies series, as well as the recent release Ghouls. The marathon of mini-monsters will begin on Friday, April 1st at 4:00 Pm Et/Pt, and will nibble at your soul throughout the weekend until it ends on April 3rd.

You know what they say… April growlers bring May blood showers.

It’s an honor just to be nominated … But who are we kidding? We also want to win! We’re quite gracious winners. Just help us win and you’ll see! And you Can help us win now that we’ve been nominated for Seven Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards! (That’s as many as Rick Baker has won Oscars! Coincidence? I think not.)

We’ve been recognized for:

• Best Magazine of 2015

• Best Article for “What Bride Of Frankenstein Can Teach Today’s Filmmakers” by Peter Martin from issue #281

• Best Interview for Mel Brooks on Young Frankenstein, interviewed by our own illustrious editor, David Weiner, for issue #277

• Best Interview for John Logan, creator of Penny Dreadful, interviewed by Joe Moe for issue #279

• Best Magazine Cover for our image of Bride Of Frankenstein by the aforementioned seven-time Oscar winner Rick Baker, fronting issue #281

• Best Fan Event for our Tremors 25th Anniversary reunion,...

The votes are in on this year’s 13th Annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards and Famous Monsters of Filmland made a big splash! Thank you to all of our fans and readers who honored us with Best Classic Magazine of 2015! Congratulations to August Ragone for Best Article (‘The Complete Godzilla Chronology, 1954-2004’, FM #275) and to our cover artist Bob Eggleton for winning Best Artist Of The Year!

We also received Honorable Mentions in the categories of Best Interview for Joe Moe‘s interview with John Logan (FM #276), Best Overall Issue for Famous Monsters #272 (Richard Matheson), and Best Cover for Famous Monsters #272 by Simon Thorpe.

See the full list of winners here!

Arlington, Va. – The long-awaited release of Clive Barker’s extended version of Nightbreed and a pair of books celebrating science fiction classics were among top winners in the 13th Annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards, announced Wednesday after...

We are happy to announce the return of the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards for their thirteenth year! Famous Monsters has been honored with six nominations, including Best Magazine, Best Article (for ‘The Complete Godzilla Chronology, 1954-2004’ by August Ragone), and more!

Vote for Famous Monsters in 3 easy steps!

1. Open a new email to taraco@aol.com and make sure your name is on it.

2. Copy and paste the list below into the e-mail.

3. Press send.

We appreciate your support, and don’t forget to spread the word!

See the full ballot at the official Rondo Hatton Awards Website.

Voting ends Sunday, April 19th at midnight!

–Start Copying–

Best Magazine Of 2014

Famous Monsters of Filmland

Best Article

– ‘The Complete Godzilla Chronology,1954-2004,’ by August Ragone. Famous Monsters Of Filmland #274.

Best Interview (Award goes to interviewer)

– Joe Moe, interview with creator John Logan about Showtime’s Penny Dreadful. Famous Monsters Of...

Exclusive Nightbreed: The Cabal Cut Interview - The Scream Factory Comic-Con panel dropped huge news for Clive Barker fans last week when it was announced that they’d be releasing Nightbreed: The Cabal Cut on Blu-ray. In an exclusive interview with Daily Dead, Russell Cherrington, Mark Miller, and Michael Plumides discuss their work on The Cabal Cut, teaming up with Scream Factory, bonus features, and where you can catch a screening of the movie later this week:

Congratulations on getting The Cabal Cut on Blu-ray.

Mark Miller: First let me say, this is an incredible time for Seraphim Films. We have worked closely with Morgan Creek on bringing the Cabal Cut to the world, and upon hearing the news that a deal had been struck with Shout Factory, we were overjoyed. The fruits of our labors have finally paid off. We eagerly await the next chapter in this saga.

One of the real exciting announcements to come out of this year's San Diego Comic-Con is the fact that Nightbreed: The Cabal Cut (review) is finally making its way to video. Michael Plumides is a filmmaker who was instrumental in making this happen.

Plumides recently sat down with Dread Central and talked about his experiences helping Nightbreed: The Cabal Cut finally see the light of day.

Dread Central: What was your role in this venture?

Michael Plumides: Well, I live in Charlotte, North Carolina. Although I've lived in Georgia and South Carolina I was born and raised here. And though my 4808 Club was shut down by the city after the infamous Gwar show of 1990, I still consider this my home - even if they tried to run me out on a rail. I wrote a book about it entitled, Kill the Music that someday I hoped to turn into a film.

7:35 Pm: Editor in Chief Ed Blair is introducing the Famous Monsters panel, starring the 2012 Comic Con All-Star Team!

7:45 Pm: What is Famous Monsters doing at Comic Con? We’ve just introduced issue #263, featuring 2 stunning and collectible covers: 100 Years of Universal Pictures (complete with out favorite Golden Age monsters), as well as 30 years of John Carpentar’s The Thing! 30 copies of the special Comic Con edition of The Thing cover are running out fast!

7:46 Pm: We are giving out a custom gaming computer commemorating the life and works of Ray Bradbury. See the Famous Monsters Facebook page for information on how to enter and win the limited and very special edition!

7:48 Pm: Dan Herman of Hermes Press describes the plan to go back and digital reconstruct each and every issue of Famous Monsters of Filmland. They will reproduce the magazines in hardback, archival editions that generation after generation can enjoy.

Deep from the crypt, well past the Ack-ives and hidden amongst things long forgotten, FM is proud to bring you another of the "missing" issues: Famous Monsters Of Filmland #192. This time, we trek back to February of 1983 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of FM. With Kongtributors like Forry faves Joe Moe, David Colton, Dennis Billows, Max "The Drunken Severed Head" Cheney, and many more, this issue is sure to delight monster fans in search of th…...

Submitted by FM Gore-espondent Joe Moe:

The latest version of The Thing hatched, metamorphosed, and oozed out last night at the red carpet sneak preview at Universal Studios’ City Walk.

When Universal announced production last year, the news was met by now common cynicism whenever the word “remake” is remarked. But fear not – well, actually, fear lots! In the best tradition of favorite reimaginings, sequels or prequels – Bride Of Frankenstein (35), Zack Snyder’s Dawn Of The Dead (04) – this new The Thing “shriekquel” delivers the best bits of its predecessor, pays respect to its originators, and innovates story and imagery to surprise and delight with fresh, mucousy fright.

I am an avowed John Carpenter’s The Thing (82) fan. My companions actually prefer the 1951 version starring recently departed James Arness. But we were all willing to give this new version a biting chance. I was grateful to be there as this...

Book publisher Pill Hill Press,is pleased to announce an official scheduled release for “Monstermatt’s Bad Monster Jokes Vol.1“,written by Monstermatt Patterson, illustrated by Kyle Kaczmarczyk,with an introduction by Joe Moe and an afterword by Pat Tantalo,for their non-fiction imprint, WestNeb Books. WestNebBooks acquired the book from it’s previous publisher,during a brief and successful run, with both critics and readers alike.Some changes have been made to the book,including some added content.

“Monstermatt’s Bad Monster Jokes Vol.1″ Isbn 978-1617060946 is a self described collection of over 400 badjokes, rancid rhymes, putrid puns, and sophomoric song parodies,with illustrations,focused on horror films,monsters,sci-fi,superheroes, and some… More...

Friday afternoon at Comic-Con was spent in a panel room for FM, which featured very special guest Rick Baker, Jason Edmiston, Joe Moe, August Ragone, Mark Dooley, and FM’s own Philip Kim and Ed Blair. Sean Fernald moderated.

The panel, ‘Stake of the Union,’ gave an overview of FM’s relaunch up to the present day and revealed several pieces of news for the magazine.

Follow the success of the Annotated #1, more collections of Forrest J Ackerman’s personal manuscripts for FM’s early issues are slated to be released alongside refurbished photographs and exclusive documents.

Future cover paintings are to include Ken Kelly’s tribute to Army Of Darkness and Jason Edmiston’s Planet Of The Apes.

Finally, Rick Baker also expressed interest in painting more FM covers! The special edition of the current issue, 257, features his rendering of Frankenstein, and is rapidly selling out.

Uncle Forry has been very active this month. In a New Yorker Magazine article by Daniel Zalewski, Monster-kid and maestro Guillermo Del Toro evokes Forry’s spirit and credits him as a big influence for him and other genre filmmakers. The Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy director has amassed a remarkable memorabilia collection of his own.

Make sure to follow this link to the article: Show The Monster – Guillermo del Toro’s Quest to get Amazing Monsters Onscreen. I thanked Gdt for bringing Forry back to us for a time in the article. His one-word e-mail response? “Yeah!” That says it all. Yeah!

"Tor Johnson, Forry Ackerman and Verne Langdon way back when ... "

Note: A big, “Hope You’re All Better” to Peter Jackson who reportedly had a recent hospital stay for stomach issues. We’re all wishing you’re 100% better by now. A fond farewell to two of Forry’s favorite femmes,...

 

Stephanie Powers starred as The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.

Cinema Retro has received the following press release from Larry Edmunds Bookshop in Hollywood:

Hello one and all,

.

It's time to tell you about our 2 upcoming events here in February. First off, on Saturday Feb. 19th, is a salute to Forrest J Ackerman with author Deborah Painter and the book "Forry". Special guest and Forry friend Joe Moe will be here to share stories and bring some items for viewing as well. This event will be at a special 5:00 pm time, so that those who want to head down to the Egyptian Theater afterwards can go see Mothra & some Giant Monster Friends on the big screen. A horror-ible night for one and all!

Then on Thursday, Feb. 24th @ 7:00 pm, we welcome the beautiful, talented Stefanie Powers, signing her autobiography, "One From the Hart". Ms. Powers will only be signing the book,...

Hello Forry fans! Long time no scream! It’s me, your monster cuz Joe Moe just checking in to update you on the latest in Forrest J Acker-tivity!

First off, there are a number of Forry-related products making the rounds in this final quarter of 2010. Currently on the bookstore shelves is Jim Green and Al Astrella’s photo-packed picture book of the Ackermuseum: A Forbidden Look Inside The Ackermansion. This full-color trade paperback is published by genre veterans Gary and Sue Svelha at Midnight Maquee Press.

Astrella and Greene’s book is a comprehensive graphic tour of the Akermansion in its’ hey day as well as some material on Forry’s final nesting place - The Acker-mini-mansion. John Landis writes a gracious Forryword for this edition and I am proud to have contributed the afterword to this tribute. Both Al and Jim are “fans-fans” and the book is composed primarily...

Book Announcement Book publisher Pill Hill Press has acquired “Monstermatt’s Bad Monster Jokes Vol.1“, written by Monstermatt Patterson, illustrated by Kyle Kaczmarczyk, with a forward by Joe Moe, for their non-fiction imprint WestNeb Books.

After a brief and successful run with a previous publisher, author Monstermatt Patterson and illustrator Kyle Kaczmarczyk left in hopes of finding a firm to move the book forward.

It wasn’t long before the duo found a suitor in Pill Hill Press/West Neb Books. According to Monstermatt “They were still interested,even after reading the book! Now,that’s scary!”

The book is a self described collection of over 400 bad jokes, rancid rhymes,putrid puns,and sophomoric song parodies, with illustrations, focused on horror films,monsters,sci-fi, superheroes and some pop culture for good measure.

Monstermatt says “With WestNebBooks taking over, we can get back to reaching our growing audience, one badjoke at a time.

Book publisher Pill Hill Press, has acquired “Monstermatt’s Bad Monster Jokes Vol.1″,written by Monstermatt Patterson, illustrated by Kyle Kaczmarczyk,with a forward by Joe Moe, for their non-fiction imprint, WestNeb Books. After a brief and successful run with a previous publisher, author Monstermatt Patterson,and illustrator Kyle Kaczmarczyk left, in hopes of finding a firm to move the book forward. It wasn’t long, before the duo found a suitor in Pill Hill Press/West Neb Books. According to Monstermatt,”They were still interested, even after reading the book! Now,that’s scary!” The book is a self described collection of over 400 badjokes, rancid rhymes, putrid puns, and sophomoric song parodies, with illustrations, focused on horror films, monsters, sci-fi, superheroes, and some popculture, for good measure. Monstermatt says”With WestNebBooks taking over, we can get back to reaching our growing audience,one badjoke at a time.” “It’s what I love doing,...

Forry: The Life of Forrest J Ackerman by Deborah Painter

Foreword by Joe Moe

I don’t think I need to tell anyone visiting this site exactly who Forrest J Ackerman was. If you don’t know I’ll keep it simple. Forry was the original and ultimate fanboy. He was in his time (and will always be) what Harry Knowles is today. In his time he collected thousands of props and memorabilia, so much that wherever he lived, his home was a museum, open to fans of all ages. He was not only tolerated by the people he admired, but was respected as a fellow colleague. He was a publisher whose goal was to introduce the fantastic worlds he loved to the populace. He was a mentor to young writers, such as Ray Bradbury. He showed us the wizardry behind the curtain and the magic of the imagination.

So much for keeping it simple.

by Mark Redfield

The 2010 edition of the San Diego Comic Con International exploded on the scene July 22nd, as colorful and spectacular as the nightly fireworks display over the city’s Sea World park, threatening to burst the fortress-like walls of the San Diego convention center as over 126,000 fans packed the building and Famous Monsters of Filmland was there in the heat of the action!

Little could Comic Con founder Shel Dorf have imagined that the convention would grow to such monstrous proportions when he organized “The Golden State Comic Con” in the basement of the U.S. Grant Hotel back in 1970. Comic books are still the heart and soul of Comic Con, but over the years as the convention has grown, it has embraced related media like magazines, toys and Hollywood, itself, where the studios roll out news about their big, upcoming titles. And the late, founding Editor of...

In the classic-horror world that Forry Ackerman left behind for us, some consider the Triple Crown of fan events to be: Monster Bash, Comic-Con and WonderFest.

The Bash is an easy, intimate gathering – like a down-home family picnic. Comic-Con is a juggernaut of bone crushing intensity – like the NY Stock Exchange of Cons. Ah, Wonderfest! - an oasis of camaraderie and something-for-everyone programming – the 2-day cruise ship of horror cons. For those of us happily cursed to be a part of the horror community, Wonderfest is The Mecca of classic monster-fan's cream of the crop.

Genre literati, artists, craftspeople and their admirers all gather to share secrets, ogle the latest creatures (in model form) and to catch up on general comings and goings. If you prefer dude-ish sports analogies, let’s just say WonderFest could be considered the Nascar(E) of Horror events! The Kentucky Dirge(by)! The Spooker Bowl!

This being Famous Monsters of Filmland, one assumes that you, dear reader, are a classic horror fan. If that is indeed the case, then certainly you’ve heard of The Drunken Severed Head. One of the most entertaining, dedicated and spirited blogs out there (and there’s more than a few!), Tdsh – as it’s affectionately known – provides daily thoughts (from random observations to wonderfully insightful analysis), original content and commentary about everything classic horror, and was honored this month with a coveted Rondo Hatton Award for Best Blog of 2009.

Famous Monsters was lucky enough to chat with the creator and writer of The Drunken Severed Head, Max Cheney, to gather some insight into the origins and workings of Tdsh, as well as what motivates a fan to contribute to the classic horror community at large.

FM: Obviously, you’re very affected and influenced by your love of horror films,...

In Dread Central's effort to promote independent horror, have we got the goods on a great horror film festival in Las Vegas! From May 12-16th Sci-Fi Center at 2520 State Street, Las Vegas, Nv 89109, will be hosting The Polly Staffle Grindhouse Fest (aka PollyGrind), which includes 30 different films with five world premieres, seven Las Vegas premieres, and one U.S. premiere. There will also be a ton of music videos and trailers and more horror-related goods for you to feast your eyes on.

Read on for the full line-up, and look for more from Dread Central on PollyGrind (click here for the official site) soon!

Wednesday, May 12

Post-apocalyptic Nightmares (Double Feature)

Hosted By Heather Wixson Of Dreadcentral.Com

5:30 p.m.

Vendor tables open

7 p.m.

Trailer - Michael Ramova’s Soldier Killer (30 seconds) (World Premiere)

Trailer - Michael Ramova’s The Texas Chainsaw Champion (1:23 minutes) (World Premiere)

Trailer...

The eighth annual Rondo Hatton Awards have come to pass, and we have all the results for you, including one winner who we're kind of shocked about ... us!

That's right, kids, your love has carried us over once again, and we're both proud and humbled to announce that Dread Central has won the Rondo Award for "Best Website". Honestly? We were honored just to have been nominated. Being up against twenty-nine other quality sites, we never thought we'd win. You guys have no idea how much this means to us as we've always considered the Rondos to be reserved only for the very best in our genre. To be revered as one of "those" for even just a fleeting moment is something we consider to be prestigious in the highest regard.

But make no mistake ... even though technically we are the actual recipients of it, this award belongs very much...

We here at Famous Monsters love the Rondos, and who wouldn’t?

Begun in 2002 by David Colton and Kerry Gammill over at the scare-tastic Classic Horror Film Board, the Rondo Awards are dedicated to honoring achievements in classic horror, recognizing everything from “Best Movie,” to ”Best DVD Commentary” to “Best Horror Host.” Lucky winners receive a beautifully sculpted bust in the likeness of famed horror star Rando Hatton (The Pearl of Death, House of Horrors), for whom the award is named. And now, every year, the cool ghouls of the internet come together to celebrate the best and brightest in the world of classic horror, science fiction and cult films.

The best part is that anyone can vote. Your voice matters! As a fan of all that is classic horror (and surely that is you, fair reader, for who else would frequent the abode of the Ackermonster?), it is your...

Horror fanatics are still buzzing like chainsaws over the Academy Awards’ genre montage. Anywhere there could be a conversation about it online, there was one. Many were upset over the Twilight ‘tweens’ participation, as if their mere presence sent a message about the state of scary in Hollyweird, USA.

A few seemed happy, though, to just get a glimpse of their beloved Evil Dead and Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 if only for a few seconds. But many called the selections generic and thoughtless, demanding the likes of Demons and TerrorVision instead (well, maybe not TerrorVision; that was just me).

How about Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer? Re-Animator? It’s Alive? Tombs of the Blind Dead? Coffin Joe? No list is perfect, but with a bit more care and a phone call to any one of us, the Oscars could have elevated that section into a real scream. Or maybe they...

Picking up where I previously left off, one of the highlights of the trip to Comic Con 2008 was the news of Benicio Del Toro wishing to meet with Forry in his hotel room.

This announcement came to us very unexpectedly, the very morning before Del Toro was due to fly out of San Diego. The private visit with Fja would be squeezed in as his final act before leaving for the airport. All of us in the room attached to Forry’s eagerly prepared for this historic event. Forry himself sat quietly on his side of the wall, with Dolly in attendance until word came that Del Toro was ready to come up. Dolly then joined us, as it was understood that the meeting between Benicio and Forry would be private.

Forry signs autographs at the 2008 Comic Con with Verne Langdon and James Warren.

At this point I still hadn...

We're exactly two months away from the second annual Monsterpalooza, which is returning to the Marriott Burbank Convention Center April 9-11, 2010. To help get people fired up for the event, which features special effects artists from the horror industry along with their many works, the promoters have revealed the expanded guest list along with a slew of presentations and demos that will be taking place over the weekend.

Confirmed guests so far include:

Verne Langdon - Monster Of Ceremonies

Michael Westmore - Academy Award Winning Makeup Artist - Mask, Star Trek, Raging Bull

Tom Burman - Award Winning Makeup Artist - Island Of Dr. Moreau, The Goonies, Nip/Tuck

Barney Burman - Proteus F/X - Dawn Of The Dead, Matrix Reloaded, Star Trek 09

Rob Burman - The Fly, The Thing, Star Trek 09

Amalgamated Dynamics - Academy Award Winners Tom Woodruff & Alec Gillis - Starship Troopers, Avp

Knb - Academy...

Last time I spoke a bit about Dave Marchant and the circumstances under which I first met him. Today I’ll go forward from that and talk a bit about Comic Con 2008 and my experiences there, one of which would involve my biggest celebrity introduction to date.

Upon arriving at the hotel in San Diego, Dave, Dolly and I took turns pushing Forry in the wheelchair down the hallway and into the elevator. We passed Stan Lee along the way; the grand old man of Marvel Comics was sitting with several friends in the foyer, holding court. Only a few seconds into the hotel and I was having a close encounter with someone honest-to-God famous! Our room was several floors up. Remember too, I had only left Kentucky a few weeks before…Comic Con, San Diego, the lavish accommodations and the promise of bona fide celebrities in the proximity were all really heady concepts.

This piece is written in honor of a true Forry fan and friend: David J. Marchant.

I first encountered Dave during the lead-up to the 2008 edition of Comic Con, which Forry was due to attend in San Diego. At that point I’d been living with him for only a few weeks and barely had time to settle into my new home, the Acker-mini-mansion. I did not have a car and couldn’t even drive. Neither could Dolly, Forry’s caretaker who’d also be along for the trip. Joe Moe had left La early to prepare his Red Velvet exhibit at the Con but made arrangements for a man named Dave Marchant, who to that point I’d never met, to drive Forry, Dolly and myself down to the event.

When the long-anticipated morning finally arrived, Dolly and I faced the arduous task of preparing Forry for his long car ride.

The first of Forry’s birthday celebrations I attended coincided with my very first trip to Los Angeles. This would’ve been his 90th in November, 2006. Prior to that time, the only long-distance trip I’d taken was the one to see Forry in Pennsylvania earlier that year. All these firsts filled me with both anticipation and trepidation.

As I boarded the airplane, again for the very first time, at the Cincinnati airport that would take me to La, I mused at what I might find there. My mother seemed to have preset conceptions of the “big city” being full of rot and depravity, akin to the backdrop of a Charles Bronson Death Wish movie. This didn’t inspire much confidence in me, but nonetheless I was determined to make the journey and prove something to myself.

I adjusted to the newfound rigors of air travel surprisingly well and found...

As someone who rarely dreams and who essentially enters into an ebon oblivion each night, the idea of writing whole book chapters and crafting elaborate dreamscapes in one’s sleep is fascinating to me. Forrest J Ackerman could do these things.

Almost invariably, just after awakening from a nap and removing the cloth covering his brow, he would call out, in his wavering but ever-so-iconic singsong voice, “Eaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrlll!” This would be my cue to come into the living room. Once there he’d tell me he was ready to dictate a statement, letter or list of some sort and proceed to do just that, uninterruptedly, for the duration of the task. All the work had somehow, someway been done in that marvelous brain of his while sleeping.

Forry dreamt often and vividly. He was prone to take several minutes to describe a dream in detail before even getting out of bed in the morning.

It's hard to believe another year is in the can and we're going stronger than ever. We have a ton of stuff to be thankful for so allow us to indulge ourselves for a moment ...

Speaking for myself and, I'm sure, Jon Condit and Kw Low, my partners and fellow founding fathers of this asylum we all call home, we're thankful for all of our friends in the industry -- from press and PR to talent -- who have embraced us and let us become part of their projects to help out any way that we can.

We're thankful for our badass motherfuckin' staff, both old and new. We're thankful for the old-schoolers like Scott and Tabby Johnson, who always go above and beyond. For Nomad, who always goes the extra mile to make sure everyone's covered with the latest and taken care of at live events. For Buz and Andrew,...

Sometime around 2002 I gained a home internet connection and it would change my life forever. At first I was very sheepish about contributing to chat rooms or message boards, but soon I found courage enough to post in minor ways on IMDb, and later Scarlet Street. The latter was operated by Richard Valley, publisher of the eponymous magazine. Though I only met him once in person, I found Richard to be an intelligent and witty, if at times vitriolic, expert on the subjects of classic horror and his beloved Sherlock Holmes.

I would make the acquaintance of a number of other intriguing individuals on this same board, including one who went under the name Moetown. Though I was completely ignorant of the fact at first, this was Joe Moe of Hollywood, Forrest J Ackerman’s caretaker. His online demeanor was as warm and supportive as his personal one, as I’d eventually discover.

I can tell that Red Velvet director Bruce Dickson has a future ahead of him. His debut is a rather impeccably designed slasher tribute, headlined by some gorgeous cinematography and dynamic color scheming. And Henry Thomas (Yeah, the E.T. Henry Thomas). Thomas makes a lot of his character, but can’t quite fuel the movie on his own. Unfortunately, his costar, Kelli Garner, isn’t a dramatic equal and so their many, many scenes of discussion together often fall flat. Those sequences take up about half of the film, the other consisting of some of the most innovative and fun-loving slasher ingenuity I’ve had the pleasure of viewing. It’s this sort of 50/50 deal that makes the movie very highly recommended for aspiring filmmakers. Technically and, for the most part, artistically, Red Velvet deserves its rather impressive success and critical reception; but half of the film is bogged down...

Chicago – Time to catch up with the DVD Round-Up, a collection of titles that may have slipped under your radar while you were busy blogging about Inglourious Basterds” or programming your DVR for the new Fall TV season.

This week’s titles are a motley crew of horror, drama, action, and a couple of films clearly tied to bigger theatrical releases. “Like Mila Kunis in “Extract”? Why not check her out in “Boot Camp”?” “Like Kelli Garner in “Taking Woodstock”? Take a look at “Red Velvet””

Plot synopsis, cast, and special features information - what you really want to know - for a half-dozen titles follow. At least one should make your Netflix queue.

“Dark Rising” and “London to Brighton” were released on August 11th, 2009.

“Boot Camp” and “Red Velvet” were released on August 25th, 2009.

“Homeboy” was released on September 1st, 2009.

“Boot Camp”

Photo credit: Fox Synopsis: “Sophie Bauer’s...

One sequel we're gleefully anticipating around the Dread Central offices is Tim Sullivan's follow-up to his remake of the "classic" Herschell Gordon Lewis flick 2000 Maniacs, entitled 2001 Maniacs: Beverly Hellbillys! Why? Because Sullivan is a madman and gets what it is that he's making ... a no holds barred non-stop gore-laden freak-out with its tongue planted firmly in its cheek.

The film has wrapped, and if you visit the official 2001 Maniacs: Beverly Hellbillys Facebook page, you can sign up for updates and be privy to some pretty cool stuff including the teaser art you see below.

Look for our upcoming extensive coverage, including a report from the set from our own Joe Moe, really soon!

Synopsis

After the sheriff refuses to cover up any further for the maniacs causing all the missing persons in the area, they're forced to hit the road in what's dubbed the "Pleasant Valley Traveling Road Show," where...

Finally, we take a breath, clear the cobwebs of mourning and peek out from beneath the shadows to find out how the late Forrest J Ackerman continues to do us good. At genre conventions from coast to coast, fans and friends pay tribute to the grand old man who made us monsters!

Ken-tucky? Yep, they Ken!

Any horror fan, young or old, who’s in it for the scare-making arts, crafts and monster makers, Must experience Wonderfest. I flew over the cool greenery and picturesque graveyards of Louisville, Kentucky to attend the first Con I’ve been to without Uncle Forry by my side. While most travelers rushed to the baggage claim to pick up luggage and trot off to watch horses run some derby, I was there for the monsters!

In its 20th year, Wonderfest is a gathering place for modelers. Make that “Super-modelers.” Builders, sculptors, painters, collectors, you name it!

IFC Films gave Fango an update on when a quartet of its horror titles will debut as Blockbuster exclusives and then become available for retail via Mpi. Look for The Objective (at Blockbuster July 14) to retail on October 27; Pontypool (Blockbuster Oct. 13) to retail February 10, 2010; Dead Snow (Blockbuster Oct. 20) to retail January 26, 2010; and Dark Mirror (no Blockbuster date as of yet) to retail March 2010.

Meanwhile, the two Blu-ray set of the complete theatrical cut of the Weinstein Company’s Grindhouse (which we previously reported on here) has now been shifted to a street date of December 31 by Wal-Mart, which appears to be the only retailer offering it at the moment. That’s the slot the company has also set for a three-dvd Grindhouse edition—but since that’s a Thursday, and discs usually street on Tuesdays, could that just be a default date? (A few years back, the Weinsteins announced a...

Driving past the recently “Ex” Ackerminimansion onto the ever-congested Hollywood freeway, I had the feeling you get at the beginning of a nasty flu or on the morning of a newly minted depression. I felt like I was standing over my own shoulder, shaking my head at myself. No matter the spin I put on it, I was motoring toward the final nail in the coffin of an era. A nail called: the Forrest J Ackerman Estate Auction. The era that was ending had practically built me. Maybe you too?

In the 45 minutes it took to clear Hollywood and touch the far edge of the San Fernando Valley, I thought a lot about Forry and how he might be feeling if he were sitting next to me on this trip …

4E: Well, pal. Woulda’ liked for the collection to have ended up in a museum. I’ll never understand how...

For the first time in over half a century there is no Ackermuseum of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Forrest J Ackerman (1916-2008), genre-giant and the heart and soul of the largest collection of memorabilia ever assembled, has left the building. Now the building is leaving us. Without question, the end of an era. But not necessarily the end of Forry’s dream. Even as we face the depressing barren walls left by Uncle Forry’s absence, we’ll also consider how the recent auction of his memorabilia may offer a glimmer of hope for classic genre fandom and a new generation of Monster Kids.

Part 1: The Dark Before the Dawn

Forry’s collection began at his boyhood home on Sherborne Avenue, grew to mythical proportions at the 18-room Glendower Ave. Ackermansion and was ultimately downsized to fit in the 5-room “Horrorwood, Karloffornia” house pictured above. This was the final...

Joe Moe's back with another Acker-Quiz for all of Forry's little Nieces and Nephews out there. The prize at stake this time? You can win yourself a copy of the Official Profiles in History Forrest J Ackerman Auction Catalog!

For a sample of what's included in these pages click here!

To win one of these limited edition single print items, you're gonna have to earn it by taking Joe's Acker-Quiz below. Think you've got what it takes? Send us your answers by E-mailing here. Please include Your Full Name And Mailing Address.

1) How many objects did Forry claim he’d collected?

a) 1 million

b) Over 20,000

c) At least dozens

d) Over 300,000

e) Lost count in 1972!

2) Name all 11 rogues in this gallery:

3) Where is the Museum of Science Fiction (permanent home to some of Forry’s collection) located?

a) Michigan

b) Seattle

c) Pomona

d) New York

e) San Diego...

When I began contributing to Dread Central, I was eager to reminisce about the never to be forgotten, Forrest J Ackerman and his astounding legacy. But who has time to look backwards when Ack keeps going “forry-ward” in the here and now? Case in point? In a matter of weeks Profiles In History will hold the greatest genre auction in history, offering prized objects from the collection of the Grand-daddy of all collectors. Gosh! Wow! (Dang)! It’s the Forrest J Ackerman Estate Auction!

Over the years, hardcore collectors have snatched up every existing morsel, crumb and Blob of memorabilia associated with our classic genre heritage. Sure, there’s no shortage of Terrorific collectibles in the form of model kits, prop-copies and photos. But just try and find anything “original” from the golden, silver or, hell - even aluminum-foil era of Imagi-movies? Try finding it for less than a Kong’s ransom!

The votes are in (2,933 of them in fact), and the winners of the 7th annual Rondo Hatton Awards have been announced. Apparently the big upset this year came in the Best Model, Toy, or Collectible category, where "The Birds Barbie" beat out her competition. No surprise to me; she's been kicking butts and taking names since she first got into town! I certainly ordered mine the first chance I had.

And she's not the only member of her gender who stood out this year: Congrats to Jovanka Vuckovic and her co-writer Scott Gabbey of Rue Morgue, who were awarded Best Article for "Coffin Joe Resurrected," a look at the legendary Brazilian filmmaker Jose Mojica Marins. Editor-in-Chief Vuckovic has even more to be proud about as Rue also won for Best Magazine overall, Best Magazine Cover (#83, a portrait of Forrest J Ackerman by longtime Famous Monsters artist Basil Gogos), and Best...

Hey Acker-monsters! We have got your chance to get your hands on something truly special this week. Something that is guaranteed to be near impossible to find in the near future!

Dread Central, in association with Joe Moe, who wrote us the best bit of coverage on The Forrest J Ackerman Tribute to be found Anywhere on the Net, is giving away four (4) of the Tribute Invite Postcards sent out to the friends and industry folk who gathered to pay the man the respect he deserves! Dig it below!

To win one of these cards, you're gonna have to earn it by taking Joe's Acker-Quiz below. Think you've got what it takes? Send us your answers by E-mailing here. Please include Your Full Name And Mailing Address.

We'll announce the winners next Monday!

The Acker-Quiz

Forry was awarded:

a) The 1st Hugo Award (World Science Fiction Con)

b) The 1st...

Fangoria was bummed that we couldn’t attend the American Cinematheque’s tribute to late Famous Monsters of Filmland editor Forrest J Ackerman on March 8 (we were swamped at our Chicago con). But we felt like we were there reading Dread Central’s wonderful recap of the evening.

The piece, written by longtime Ackerman caretaker Joe Moe, chronicles the night in loving detail and includes the Ackermonster’s farewell videotaped message (screened at the Cinematheque) to his fans. You can see everything here. For Fango’s own tribute to Forry, click here and see Fango #280. Special thanks to the evening’s host, 2001 Maniacs director Tim Sullivan, for namechecking us at the event.

Fans and friends lined Hollywood Boulevard last week awaiting entry into the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, CA to honor genre legend Forrest J. Ackerman after his death in December 2008. DreadCentral.com has posted an account of the event from Forry's friend and co-organizer of the tribute, Joe Moe in which he includes almost an entire retelling of the fitting tribute for a genre hero. Hosted by co-organizer Tim Sullivan, the line-up included speakers from Rick Baker and Ray Bradbury to Guillermo del Toro and John Landis who read letters, teared up and laughed about the life of their freind and comrade, Ackerman. Also included in the post is something for fans who were fortunate enough to attend the tribute as well as...

Roughly a week ago, friends and family of Forrest J Ackerman ("Famous Monsters Magazine") gathered at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood for a special farewell. As it turned out, Forry had one of his own, as well. Below you'll find a special video message from the Ackermonster before he left us in December. Remember, you can check out our hi-res photo gallery from the tribute. And for a write-up of the event from Forry's close friend, Joe Moe, click here . Forry Farewell by dreadcentral...