2019 Year End Review: Part 1 – A Look Back

End of another year. Another decade. I know one thing for sure that this last decade will not be remembered as one that didn’t produce any good horror movies! Just look at 2014 and you’ll find a ton of amazing films, from here in the US to around the world. As a horror fan, I feel pretty blessed with these last ten years of terror. Let’s hope the ’20s bring us another long list of great cinema.

I had thought that this would be a personal low when it came to films watched, only because it didn’t feel like I had watched that many. In fact, there were a couple of months were I only got to a handful of films. With my book coming out, doing another retrospective for HorrorHound, and the usual holidays, it takes time away from being able to sit and watch movies. But once the tally was done, it turns out that I had watched more in 2019 than I did since 2013! The final number was 236, with almost half of them, a total of 115, being first time viewings. There were a few trips to the drive-ins, some movie marathons, a couple of Turkey Days, and other mini-marathons with friends or just by myself. And I intend to do it all over this year! Really going to try and hit 250 viewings in 2020.

Javier Aguirre – Rest in Peace

Javier Aguirre is not a familiar names with most fans here in the US, mainly because he worked in Spain. But there are a couple of films that he directed that star Paul Naschy that you might be familiar with, Count Dracula’s Great Love and Hunchback of the Morgue, both in 1973. Aguirre has passed away at the age of 84 after a long illness. He was married to actress Esperanza Roy, who Spanish horror fans will remember from the second entry in the Blind Dead films, El ataque de los muertos sin ojos aka Return of the Evil Dead and Una vela para el diablo aka It Happened at Nightmare Inn, also both from 1973.

Being not only a director, but screenwriter, producer and even cinematographer, Aguirre was a true filmmaker. But we still have his work to remember him by, which is the best way to pay tribute to him, as well as the other people that worked on these films, by watching them and still enjoying them today. Gone, but not forgotten. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family.

Interview: Sergio Molina

I normally don’t like to celebrate or make note of the passing of a celebrity because it should be about remembering them and their work, not when they left us. But back in November of 2009, we lost one of the last great horror movie icons: Jacinto Molina, better known as Paul Naschy. People who know me or regulars to this site know of my passion for Naschy’s work, so that loss really hit. He really is one of my horror heroes, and truly is an icon, one that I would put right up there with names like Karloff, Lugosi, Cushing, Price, and Lee. With close to 50 years worth of work in cinema, as a writer, actor, director, he created so many memorable characters, from monsters, villains, heroes, and so much more.

Holiday Shopping Ideas

With Axe-mas right around the corner, I’m sure everyone is starting to compile their own wish list or thinking about what to get others. I’m going to give a few suggestions to help not only find a great gift, but to also help increase the knowledge for the person receiving it, as well as maybe showing support for those out there that are putting their blood, sweat, tears, and talent into their work. We need to show our support for them, to let them know what they are doing is worth it.

For those out there that are looking for the special gift for the horror obsessed fan in their life, or to add it to your own personal list, let me start with a shameless plug and humbly suggest picking up a copy of my book, Discover the Horror? While it is available on Amazon, if you order it directly from me, you’ll get it personally signed to you, or whoever you request. How cool would it be to surprise your special someone with a personalized autograph copy? You can read what some people have thought about it on Amazon or some of the reviews I’ve posted on the link to the right.

But…this isn’t just about my book, but the countless titles out there that would make wonderful gifts to any horror fan. Here are some examples.

Drive-in Super Monster-Rama

Well, they finally announced the complete lineup for the fall Super Monster-Rama and I am doing all I can to try and figure out a way to make it to this one. I mean, how can any self-respecting Paul Naschy fan skip out on seeing not one, not two, but THREE Naschy flicks on the big screen?!?!? Plus, it is a Spanish horror theme for the whole weekend. If a triple dose of Naschy wasn’t enough, then about adding in Blind Dead film? Or Jorge Grau’s amazing zombie flick, Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue! Then you throw in some rare & obscure titles like Graveyard of Horrors and The Dracula Saga, that just makes the cake.

So while I’m still trying to figure out a way, you should start making your plans to head out to this event. It takes place on Friday, Sept. 20th and Saturday, Sept. 21st, at the Riverside Drive-in in Vandergrift, PA.

 

Double Dose of Naschy Blu-Rays!

After 3 1/2 decades after it’s release, you can finally get a legit copy of Paul Naschy’s 1983 epic The Beast and the Magic Sword, all thanks to Mondo Macabro! This is one of those Naschy titles that for some reason never made it to the states in a legitimate release, which is a damn shame since it is a great little flick. I mean, when is the last time you saw a werewolf battling samurais?

Not a lot of info is out about this release, other than it will be a 2K restoration from an original camera negative, and will feature an audio commentary by Rodney Barnett and Troy Guinn from the Naschycast! Those two things, besides that it is a Naschy film, are more than enough reasons to add this to your collection! They are aiming for a Aug/Sept release, with delivery in October.

Then this coming Monday, the 22nd, you will have the chance to order your copy of Naschy’s The Mummy’s Revenge that is coming out from Scorpion Releasing, that will be available through Ronin. Keep in mind, this will only be a limited edition run of 1500 and will not be sold in the usual retail markets, but only through Ronin. So make sure Monday, you are paying attention!

This version will be not only the HD version of the Spanish cut, but also an HD version of the longer Spanish cut as well. They both with have Spanish and English language options and subtitles. There will be an audio commentary by Troy Howarth and liner notes by Mirek Lipinski.

Naschy’s Werewolf Lineage

Naschy fans take note! There is a new illustrated book out that tells the story of Naschy’s The Beast and the Magic Sword (1983), which has our favorite werewolf, Waldemar Daninsky back in feudal Japan!

The book is 40 pages of full color illustrations, under the title The Lineage of the Werewolf. It almost sounds like this could be a series of books, which would be fantastic! I’ve seen other illustrations by artist Javier Trujillo and they look incredible. Just look him up on Facebook to see his work. Even his non-Naschy work is top-notch.

If you’re interested in this book though, you can order it directly from Amazon. Just click HERE.