B Movie Nation

The 2010 Golden Cobs Announced

admin — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 16:02:14 +0000

The Golden Cob Awards celebrate excellence in independent cinema, and are awarded by the B Movie Celbration in Franklin, Indiana. This year, the 3rd Annual B Movie Celebration runs from September 25th - 27th. The awards are voted on by the public, so cast yours here.

This year’s nominees:

BEST SCREAM QUEEN:

Debbie Rochon - Slime City Massacre
Victoria Maurette - Bulletface
Kristina Klebe - Zone of The Dead
April Monique Burrill - Chainsaw Sally
Brooke Lewis - Slime City Massacre

BEST LEADING ACTOR IN B MOVIES:

Jim O’Rear - The Dead Matter
Brian Krause - War Birds
Ken Foree - Zone of The Dead
Jeffrey Combs - Dark House
Bill Moseley - Repo The Genetic Opera

BEST B MOVIE SOUNDTRACK:

Chuck Cirino - Bone Eater
Moon-Rays - The Ghastly Love of Johnny X
Steven Gutheinz - Infestation
Terrance Z??(TM)dunich - Repo: The Genetic Opera
Tony Riparetti - Bulletface

BEST B MOVIE SPECIAL EFFECTS AWARD:

Joelle Troisi - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead
Switch VFX - Repo The Genetic Opera
Fred Aldeschulte- War Birds
Kristin Hellebust - Dead Snow
Jerry Constantine - Infestation

BEST B MOVIE DIRECTOR:

Tommy Wirkola - Dead Snow
Ivan Zuccor - Colour from the Dark
Darren Lynn Bousman - Repo The Genetic Opera
Kyle Rankin - Infestation
Albert Pyun - Bulletface

BEST B MOVIE RELEASE:

INFESTATION
WARBIRDS
REPO: THE GENETIC OPERA
DEAD SNOW
MEGA SHARK VS. GIANT OCTOPUS

LIFETIME ACHEIVEMENT AWARD:

Herschell Gordon Lewis
Fred Olen Ray
Ted V. Mikels
Charles Band
Tom Holland

SUPERFAN AWARD:

Avery Guerra - undead brainspasm/Monster Guru
John Bender - Silver Age Soundtrack Guru
Duane L. Martin - Rogue Cinema
Vince Rotolo - Host of the B-Movie Cast
Dan Roebuck - House of Horror

BEST EMERGING B FILMMAKER:

Stuart Simpson - Demonsamongus
Alan Rowe Kelly - The Blood Shed
Elisabeth Fies - The Commune
Neil Marshall - Doomsday
Darin Wood - Monster From Bikini Beach

BEST HORROR HOST:

Wolfman Mac
Svengoolie
Penny Dreadful
Dr. Shocker
Joe Bob Briggs

RISING B MOVIE ACTRESS:

Kayla Gill - Monster Cruise
Jessica Cameron - Absolution
Pollyanna McIntosh - Offspring
Americo Olivio - Bitch Slap
Brooke Lewis - Slime City Massacre

RISING B MOVIE ACTOR:

Chris Massoglia - The Vampire’s Assistant
Johnny Simmons - Jennifer’s Body
Shay Baker - Monster Cruise
Paul Wallace - Monster Cruise
Corey Landis - DinoCroc Vs Supergator

THE B MOVIE HALL OF FAME:

Jacques Torneur
Dick Miller
William Girdler
Kroger Babb
F. Gordon Murray
Earl Owensby
Ed Wood
Janet Leigh
William Castle
Larry Cohen

BEST DOCUMENTARY ABOUT B MOVIES:

Daniel Griffith - The Wonder World of K. Gordon Murray
Clay Westervelt - Popatopalis
Michael Kallio - Heart of Dorkness: Behind the Scenes of ‘My Name Is Bruce’
John Paul Kinhart - Blood, Boobs & Beast
Andrew Deemer / Jason Foulke - Poultry in Motion: Truth Is Stranger Than Chicken

please vote here http://www.goldencobawards.com/index.php?sid=47479&lang=en

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Nikki Kreux: Actress, Model, Paranormal Investigator & More!

Bmovieman — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:06:17 +0000

Nikki Kreux

-Interview by Nic Brown-

What can you say about someone whose list of interests include: horror movies, anime, video games, guns and bows, serial killers, and kung fu movies? Well if you’re talking about Nikki Kreux, you can say that you’re just scratching the surface of this actress, model, musician, paranormal investigator and artistic Jill-of-all-trades! In fact if you visit her website, www.nikkihomicidek.ws, you’ll find a page for just about every aspect of the entertainment industry. Somehow Nikki still manages to find time for fun and when she does you may find her doing anything from shooting a crossbow to playing Grand Theft Auto. Of course with multiple film projects, a new album coming out soon and a paranormal investigation show just waiting to take off, you won’t find her relaxing much. Fortunately, B Movie Man Nic Brown managed to pin down this creative tornado long enough to get her to answer a few questions about her work in film, how she got her start, and why you might catch her out shopping covered in Karo syrup blood splatter!

Nic- So Nikki, how did you get started in acting?

Nikki- This is always an interesting question…Often times I think I should answer it like The Dark Knight version of Joker and give a different rendition for every circumstance, but not today. If you go as far back as I can remember? I started acting at 8, maybe 9? I would put on silly little plays for my parents using soundtracks from great movies on a blanket and bed sheet stage in our basement. I wrote, directed, and acted in each one though I can barely remember the subject matter of any of them. My first real on stage experience was in 6th grade, I was cast in the role of Dracula in a play titled Hollywood Hotel that was shown before both the entire school and our parents. That night was the first indication of a future on the stage, my scene partner (I can’t quite remember her name) bailed on me just minutes before our scene she hid herself in the dressing room crying over some boy?! So here I was with two roles and no partner, so on instinct I quickly reworked the roles in my head and took to the stage as a single entity… I didn’t miss a beat… and I was only 12. In addition to 7 years of competitive dance training my entire childhood was spend on stage so it was only natural to come back to it one day.

Nic- As an actress, what is your biggest challenge when you take on a new role?

Nikki- Finding the character. I often spend much of the time I am reading the lines… not learning them. Weird right? But if I learn the lines they are only lines and have no depth or value, I need to feel the part like a child feels his/her imaginary friend. The words come later. In a way, you place yourself into that character, you breath through their lips and if you’ve done it right you become them. Now of course this is difficult when the role is cheesy… I’ve been told I don’t play the ditz very well!!! I suppose I’m just a glutton for hard won roles, those that require personality and difficulty. So really? My biggest challenge is hiding myself.

Nic- Is it true you’re not just an actress and model but also a comic book hero?

Nikki- LOL. I suppose you could say that!! I spent much of my teenage years in a self conscious shell, so when the opportunity to force myself to do something so against my nature arose I fought my instinct to run. Forty some photographers later? I still hate taking pictures, but I’ve gained so much in self realization, inner strength, and personal acceptance that it was all worth while. That said, it’s rare to find me watching my own movies or stock piling photo shoots because I have a vanity count of -20. I love doing it, but I don’t dig seeing the result. Sad huh? Although… I do make one stellar comic book hero!! I did a photo shoot with Twin City who creates live action comic books, with all of the heroes they’ve created it was an all out consensus that I was one of the best!! That certainly made me feel pretty cool, if only just briefly.

Nic- Movies, TV, comics, modeling, the next thing you’ll tell me is that you’re a musician have an album coming out soon too.

Nikki- Well, I’m not a musician at all… I’ve dabbled in music just for fun!! I love to sing, though I’m not real great at it, I recorded a track called Serial Killer with Black Light Productions last year. it was amazing fun but not a career for me in the least. I want everything I do to be focused in film, but having the ability to be a triple threat doesn’t hurt right? I may go back in the studio eventually, my company TRIWAR Pictures has just launched a music division titled ADD Entertainment headed by Grammy nominee track artist Shawn J and Minneapolis socialite and TRIWAR Vice President Shannon O. So who knows what I may do down the line?

Nic- Which would you rather play: the kick-ass hero or the bad-ass villain, and why?

Nikki- Villain! Villain! Villain! I’ve been the hero so many times… IN LUST, FUNLAND, OVERFLOW, AFTER, etc, etc…. Always the hero! I did get a chance to play the devil last year in a short called THE PACT it was more fun then almost any role I’ve played yet!! But I’ve met my match in a character named Quintana in the yet to be filmed ZEN: HUNTER, she has the ability to provide me the breakout role I’ve been desperately seeking she is fierce, unrelenting, sensual, sexual, and no pun intended…. biting. A Spanish aristocrat vampire in a modern day setting, I’m yearning for day one of filming!!! I’m certain it will be soon and I’m counting the days.

Nic- Who are some of the actresses you admire and do they influence your work?

Nikki- Inspirational actresses, I don’t get this question asked enough!!! I adore Meryl Streep, Cathrine O’Hara, Audrey Hepburn, Cate Blanchett, Zooey Deschanel, Famke Jannsen, Angelina Jolie (more for her strength and sexual charisma then her acting) and believe it or not Dakota Fanning. As for them influencing my work? Hell yeah!! They not only influence it, they are the very reason I do what I do. I want to one day grace that giant screen and give back all of the various emotions these actresses have given me…. Hopefully even inspire someone else to travel the same path.

Nic- What are your thoughts on the portrayal of women in horror films?

Nikki- The roles of women are constantly changing. Women are directing, producing, and writing film as much as they are heroes and villains in film. I don’t think they will ever not be the entity that brings the sex but they will continue to build a stronger more memorable presence as the years pass. We’ve yet to see a female equal to the kingdoms of the acting gods like Robert Downey Jr, Jack Nicholson or Johnny Depp. Until recently there was less expectation for women in relation to the kind of wit and strength male led roles have given the world, but the victim card has been played out and the girls are stepping up the game.

Nic- Speaking of writing, producing and directing, are those things that you’d be interested in doing yourself or do you want to stay in front of the camera?

Nikki- LOL… Already in the process!! I have two films and one television show on the slate for my company TRIWAR Pictures right now!! In the EYES OF SILENCE (written by Joshua LeSuer, C.A. Bryers and myself) and THE STORY OF ANNIE KELLISTER (written by me) are two feature length films I’m looking to direct and produce in the next twelve months along side the paranormal investigation show DEAD RECKONING. We also have several more films on the slate in concept state ready for development! So i guess you could say that, “Sure, I’m interested…”

Nic- What about the title Scream Queen, would you like to be known as one or do you think that would limit your options?

Nikki- I guess that depends on who you talk to. Right now, it’s just good solid fun, but I’m not really honest to goodness ‘Scream Queen’ material. I was once told by a production manager for Steven Spielberg, “You can have a great future in film but you have to do a few things first, get out to Hollywood… train like mad… and stop doing that B horror crap…” But the problem is? Tripping during an antagonist chase or not, I LOVE IT! There is nothing like hitting the store on the way home from a great shoot covered in Karo blood splatter. One day I’m sure I will move on…. There is a lot more in me then anyone has seen and it will just take the right catalyst to get me there, but for now? Bring on the killer clowns!

Nic- You mentioned your work on the paranormal investigation show DEAD RECKONING. Can you tell us a little about the show and your role in it?

Nikki- Of course!! I’m not 100% sure what the future of that will be? Things are constantly changing and I don’t want to try and solidify it’s current state publicly when the whole show is up in the air BUT what I can say is that Scotty Roberts (the Executive Producer and head of the show) is an amazing paranormal celebrity that will one day be as popular as Jason and Grant of the Ghost Hunters and sooner or later he will find the spring board he deserves. I’ll just be happy to have even the tiniest part of the ‘explosion’.

Nic- How do you think technology is changing the movie business both in production and distribution?

Nikki- Well, celluloid will one day be obsolete no doubt. Going digital eliminates error in a lot of cases, BUT it also makes us lazy. The great SFX of the past (ie. animatronic dinosaurs in JURASSIC PARK) are slowly being replaced by lazy digital recreations, and this isn’t always a good thing (see ULTRA VIOLET or CHILL).

I do think technology can improve the industry, but I also think it can hinder it if not used in moderation and by the right people. Technology has opened the industry to every Tom, Dick, and Harry and the problem is Dick and Harry have no business holding a camera and are using this new found technology to produce less then stellar results that eventually ruin the financial industry on funding Tom… it’s a growing epidemic like the viral spread of the internet, everyone wants that 15 mins but not everyone should be seeking it. I don’t wish to discourage anyone from reaching for the stars!! But always make sure you are honest with yourself as to the value of the product at hand.

On a positive note… technology is providing the indie world the means to save us from the formulaic remake dribble Hollywood is guilty of peddling (ie the PROM NIGHT remake?!) So I guess it’s a 50/50 advantage?

Nic- We’ve talked about making movies a lot, but when you get to sit down and watch a movie, what are some of your favorites?

Nikki- Alright!!! My tastes span a variety of genres… from the action packed genius that is Guy Ritchie’s SNATCH to the feminine atmosphere of the period piece VANITY FAIR, it all depends on my mood, but my top 10 in all Genres?

10. ZOOLANDER!! (lol)

9. KICKING AND SCREAMING (1995)

8. NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET

7. CLUELESS

6. QUILLS

5. THIS IS SPINAL TAP

4. TRAINSPOTTING

3. THE SHINING

2. 28 DAYS LATER

1. SNATCH

Nic- You’re a gamer. What is your favorite game system and which game do you play the most?
Nikki- Play Station 2 hands down… Though I have yet to get part three to this amazing system The Playstation industry has had me since ‘Hello’. I will always love my original NES and SNES had an unbeatable collection of brilliant games. Nintendo 64 was a novelty but couldn’t hold a candle to SNES, and the Game Cube? Well, I have one it’s never made it out of the box… I DO however have the Virtual boy and played that frequently during high school (despite the seizure warnings). Sega was only cool for Altered Beast and the Dreamcast was a waste of time. I only have the X-Box for Dance Dance Revolution and we just recently purchased a Wii (yet, I only play Game Cube games on it, go figure?) ..I guess I should also mention that I have a Game Gear, Nintendo DS, and Playstation PSP as well. I never did get around to buying Sega CD… ewe, or an Xbox 360 (don’t use the first gen enough to justify the purchase), the PS3 is still far too pricey but I’ll crack soon enough, and the Game Boy Advance that was… isn’t, but will be once again!!

As for games? That’s an evil question, so I will list my top ten for today: Final Fantasy 7, Katamari Damacy, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Castlevania, ICO, Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Shadowgate, Starfox, Star Wars Pod Racer, Warcraft 2 (Oh yeah, the old school computer version too!! I keep an old 60 gig Toshiba satellite with Windows 3.1 just so I can play Warcraft 2).

Nic- To listen to that list someone could think you spend all of your time playing video games. However, I understand that you have a few outdoor hobbies as well. Can you tell us a little about that part of your life?

Nikki- Well, I did say I love video games, but I didn’t say I’ve had time to play them, which makes me sad. I usually pick one or two days a month to hard core geek, the rest of the time I’m working. Now for outdoor activities, I’ve never purposely killed an animal in my life, but I do like shooting the crossbow and recently was given the opportunity to shoot my first 22! Other then that I love downhill skiing, horseback riding, ATV racing, rollerblading, and if I lived on the coast I’d probably love to surf!

Links:
www.nikkihomicidek.ws

www.triwarpictures.com

www.alloverthaplace.com

Social sites:
www.myspace/sanctusdei

www.facebook.com/people/Nicole-Kruex/1115198075

www.twitter.com/NicoleKruex

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Melanie Robel: An Indie Actress talks Zen, Bikinis and Post Mortem America

Bmovieman — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 11:58:46 +0000

Melanie Robel

-Interview by Nic Brown-

Actress and model Melanie Robel is a self-described, modern day gypsy. Her affinity for travel has served her well, allowing her to take advantage of acting roles where ever the opportunity arises. What kind of roles? She’s played a post-apocalyptic assassin, a monster in a bikini, and an even worse kind of monster: a bitchy, wannabe model! One thing Melanie doesn’t play at though is her career. She’s not afraid to try challenging new roles. That’s how this young actress has amassed an impressive list of credits in just a few short years! Melanie took a short break from her work to talk to B Movie Man Nic Brown about making movies, her secret vice, and why we might think she’s nerdy, but dedicated to the art of acting!

Nic - Melanie, how did you get your start acting?

Melanie - When I was very young we discovered that I was able to memorize movie dialogs by listening, and then I would do one man shows. Complete with voice and expression changes. I remember my sisters and I would reenact the songs in Annie. My dog Bear played Sandy. It was all in fun, so I never really pursued it. Instead I was a musician, a ranking bassoon player. After a hand injury I couldn’t play anymore and we moved to Florida. Hoping that my injury had healed, I tried it again. It wasn’t, I couldn’t, so I was really depressed. This one kid, a redhead, kept picking on me so I punched him. Between that and making the Band Director cry, I was sent to the office. They called my mum and were going to expel me. My mum said that’s what I wanted, so it wouldn’t be a punishment. So they put me in drama. That’s how it all began. I also was in training to be a classical ballerina. During a performance I was dropped and that was that. What a lot of people don’t realize is that this is my second time at acting. I went to Cali, but at the time I was marketed all wrong and couldn’t get an agent. I decided to take a break from it all.

What got me started again was meeting Jason Liquori, from Hocus Focus Productions, while I was on set for a short I was doing. He took pictures of me and people started to notice me. He also cast me in his movie STOPPED DEAD, as a cheerleader, which was a lot of fun. Then I was cast for INTO THE BASEMENT, which is directed by J.L Botehelo. Then for ZEN HUNTER, directed by Jim DeVault. I also feel that Joel and Cathy Wynkoop have helped me a lot and we have become good friends. I met them on the set of FOR NICOLE’S SAKE, by Dustin Hubbard. The Wynkoops have supported and helped me and have introduced me to others. I can’t list everyone, but you know who you are and as always, thank you.

Nic - You are involved with a number of projects right now including POST MORTEM AMERICA 2021 which features Linnea Quigley. Can you tell us a little about that film and your role in it?

Melanie Robel meets Scream Queen Linnea Quigley in POST MORTEM AMERICA 2021

Melanie - Where to begin? This is my first full length movie. POST MORTEM AMERICA 2021 is what I would call a spaghetti western meets zombies movie. There are twists and turns that no one is going to expect. It’s a wonderful story about revenge and I think people are going to be able to relate to it.

My character is Rattlesnake Sally, an assassin who is religious. The disturbing thing is that she is still only a teenager. It was a lot of fun because I got to run around in the woods, was thrown up against a fort, wrestle with zombies and play with guns. What more can a girl want?

Working with Linnea Quigley was amazing. She is my new hero. I got to do scenes with the original Scream Queen in my first movie. I am still pinching myself. She is such a nice person and a great actress. We had fun and I feel I learned quite a lot from her. I hope I get to work with her again.

Nic - Rattlesnake Sally sounds like an interesting character. What’s been your biggest challenge with that role?

Melanie- Yeah, Rattlesnake Sally is a very interesting character and it was fun to do. The biggest challenge was tapping into her religious side and her conscience. For example, one of the scenes with Joel Wynkoop has a lot of yelling in it and I wasn’t brought up that way. I mean with a family of six, we were very vocal but didn’t do a lot of yelling. So it took a lot not to react. Also the part where I had to torture someone was hard. Sally believes in God and she cares, but she tortures and kills people?

I portrayed her in a way that this was something she has to do. Every time she points the gun and kills someone, a part of her dies too. A lot of it was reaction shots, walking around, having to show how she is, physically and by her presence.

Nic - Of course POST MORTEM AMERICA 2021 isn’t your only film project right now. Tell us about some of the others like ZEN HUNTER, INTO THE BASEMENT, THE PERFECT SERIAL KILLER and the feature with my favorite title: BIKINI MONSTERS.

Melanie - THE PERFECT SERIAL KILLER is a project that I think it’s amazing that I am a part of. I mean, have you seen the cast list? Courtney Gains, Erin Moran, Tony Todd, Camden Toy, Larry Laverty and DeeDee Bigelow to name a few. Wow! It’s about two detectives who are faced with the challenge of figuring out who could be THE PERFECT SERIAL KILLER. When you think about it, it really gets your mind going in circles. I am Mary Crawford and I am the only one with movie parents. When you look at the character list, you see a lot of Marys and a lot of blondes. Could there be a pattern here? Guess you will have to watch the movie and see.

ZEN HUNTER is directed and written by Jim DeVault, who describes the film as “a sexy vampire tale set in modern day America. Zen, the title character, is captured by centuries-old vampire Quintana, a descendent of Spanish nobility, to serve as both obedient servant and (if she has her way) Zen’s eternal lover. As Zen becomes accustomed to her new life, a battle of wills rages between her and Quintana that can have only one victor! As they clash, Zen’s best friend Joni, and her boyfriend Brent, follow a trail of murders to Zen and Quintana. For Joni, what she finds at the end of the trail will be the ultimate test of friendship.” I am Joni. There is Nicole Kruex, Elissa Dowling, Tim Taylor, Sarah Virgina Brock, Larry Laverty and Thomas Daniel who is Brent. Lucky me.

BIKINI MONSTERS is directed by Terrence Muncy. Picture this….”In a laboratory somewhere along the coast of Florida, a scientist is working feverishly on a grisly experiment. Known by the local transients only as the “Beach Bum” he is trying to create his vision of ultimate beauty, a mermaid. But test after test end up in failure, leaving behind a series of mutated abominations. Still, the experiment continues.” I am Rose who becomes a BIKINI MONSTER. This movie was a blast to do. We got airbrushed, played in the sand and ran around in Bikini’s the whole time. Some of the actors are Sara Maas, Brad Guerrie, Ray Martinez, Jamie Lea, who looked scary as hell airbrushed green, and Mike Christopher, who we all know from DAWN OF THE DEAD.

INTO THE BASEMENT is written by Norm Applegate and Nichola Grabowsky. It’s based on the novel by Norm Applegate. Women are disappearing, hunted by a sadistic killer and the Police Department call in an unlikely hero to stop the madness. I am Susie Smallwood, a very young “entertainer”. In the project also are Courtney Gaines, Naama Kates, David Fine, DeeDee Bigalow, Larry Laverty and Jonathan Breck, from JEEPERS CREEPERS. Between these projects and a couple of internet shows, I’m having a lot of fun.

Melani Robel is a BIKINI MONSTER!

Nic - In addition to your work in film, you’ve also done some theatre work as well. Which do you find to be more challenging to you as an actress and which do you enjoy more?

Melanie - I think film is more of a challenge than theatre. In theatre you meet your partners and get to work with them for an extended period of time. You have everything planned out to a T. You have rehearsals and move from point A, to be point B and then C. However you only get that one chance and if you mess up there are no do-overs. You also get told what your character is and how they are feeling.

In film, a lot of times you don’t get a deep character breakdown. So I get to decide who they are, what they want in life and where they came from. I take “me” out of the character. You should know your script because it’s not filmed from A-C. You might be shooting C, which is dark and sad and then you’re doing B, which is cute and happy, like petting a puppy. You have to know when to bring it “up” and when to tone it “down”. You have to be “in the moment” so you can forget the camera is there and that everyone is watching. It’s a wonderful feeling when you get there, but you have to make it seem natural. If you overact then you look like a bad actor and if you move too much you’re out of the frame. Then you have to do it the same way as before. It’s hard work and we make it look so easy. That’s why we are actors.

Would I do theatre again? Not right now. Maybe later, down the road is more likely. It’s fun and stage performance is my roots, but film is my love. It’s what I want to do now.

Nic - You grew up in a military family. How do you think that has influenced your career as an actress?

Melanie - I think because I grew up in the military, I kept leaning toward careers where you can travel. Being a musician, a dancer, a hair dresser and an actress… in these fields you can travel and see the world, a modern gypsy like life style.

With moving around a lot, you become more independent. You don’t rely on others to get things done for you and you have to have a mind of your own. I truly believe this. When you’re the new kid all the time and you walk into the cafeteria you’re being judged based on your appearance and attitude. If you’re reading this and say you never did that, then you’re lying and shame on you. We all do it. In 12 years of school, I walked into 9 new cafeterias.

Also growing up overseas and with having a foreign mum, I sometimes feel I don’t have a normal American outlook on life. I get some culture-clashes. It’s not a bad thing but sometimes I have to remember to keep my mouth shut. Moving around a lot teaches you to pick up your things and leave. It’s easier to move on and adapt to new situations.

Nic - Do you have any desire to step behind the camera and write or direct your own features?

Melanie - I been asked this question before and for right now, NO thank you. Maybe some day, but not in the near future. If I were to write, it would have to be with a co-writer. To tell you the truth, I hate writing. I have an awesome idea for a full length film, but right now I am not ready to write it. One day I think it might be a possibility. Of course, if you sent me to a stocked cabin in Norway, then yeah. Maybe. I don’t think I will be in front of the camera my whole life. If I was going to go behind the scenes, I would love to be a casting director, or learn how to become a promoter, maybe even do hair again. I’m young and have lots of time and choices. There are so many things you can do in this industry, but I don’t want to think about it right now…. I want to act.

Ni c- What are your thoughts on the portrayal of women in horror films?

Melanie - I agree with Pamela Anderson’s quote, “Playboy doesn’t exploit women, women exploit Playboy.” I pretty much feel the same way about women in horror. When you audition for a part in a horror movie, you know what you are getting into. You get a breakdown, a partial or whole script and until you sign a contract, you can always say, no.

I do feel it has gotten better though. There are strong women in horror now and I feel it isn’t a “career” killer for those of us who want to try other venues. Of course there are also women who only want to do horror and that is great too and they are changing the industry.

Do I feel all horror movies should be rated NC-17 or R? Yes, I strongly believe that. I feel kids don’t need to see a lot of the horror movies out there. They don’t need to be exposed to the shock of violence and blood, don’t need to be so desensitized. For example when my dad was in Desert Storm, the younger soldiers kept saying that,”this is so not like the video games.”

Nic - So what do you think is the reason that horror is such a popular genre?

Melanie - Well, back in the day if you liked horror you were considered very weird. I think it became popular because it was sort of taboo-ish. It seemed to be that horror was intense men, submissive women, hacking deaths and lots of blood and scary stuff. How many teenaged boys take their girls to a horror movie hoping they have to “protect” them from the stuff in the shadows? Or you yell at the movie screen,” You stupid blonde! Don’t go up the stairs!”

It has gotten more popular because people love getting scared and making fun of people who are scared. Today, it’s more about which director can push the boundaries and when you think about it, there are some truths in these horror films. Some are based on true events, but taken to the most extreme level without getting an X rating. That’s why haunted houses are also popular and Halloween will never go out of style. They are safe ways to push the limits of your deepest and darkest fears without being judged. The funny thing is that women are into horror more than men now, which I think is awesome and proves how much times have changed.

Nic - What would your dream role be?

Melanie - Wow, what a question and it always makes me a bit sad. I don’t see my dream role happening, because it’s not my character type. I really want to be the lead in a Jane Austin style, period piece, romantic movie. I know… most people would never expect that. I love period movies, the clothes, the passing looks, the dialog and it isn’t always “Disney” endings. If not that, then I would love to be in a WWII movie. My great grandfather fought with the Norwegian Resistance and had to go into hiding in Sweden for three years. That would be a very meaningful and challenging experience. So, if this gets “someone” thinking about a future “role”… keep me in mind. My dream role right now, would be playing a teen runway who is an addict, in a movie or television show. I think that would be a challenge and fun.

Nic - You’re also involved in a web series called FLEUR DE MAI. Can you tell us a little about that series and your part in it?

Melanie - FLUER DE MAI is very south-east coast, edgy and hip, fashion forward, very controversial and informative. If you like the shows The L Word, the BBC show Skins or Gossip Girls, then you are going to love this show. The twists and turns, ups and downs of the characters and their situations will definitely keep you very interested. For example, it caught your interest enough to ask me about it and it isn’t even horror…. I am very happy to be a part of this web-series. My character is Tiffany Geary. I am a bitchy, wannabe model and retail shop worker, but I do know that Tiffany is still “growing and developing”, so who knows? It will be out in spring 2010.

Nic - As a web series, FLEUR DE MAI is a perfect example of the way the internet is changing the entertainment industry. What are your thoughts on how the web is affecting the way films and television are not only made, but shown?

Melanie - I feel the internet is the greatest marketing and entertainment venue ever. Let’s take Fleur de Mai for example. A show like this you would not be able to see on mainstream television. The subject matter is too out there and edgy. Something like this would have to be on LOGO, SHOWTIME or HBO. But if you don’t have the right connections it’s too hard to get there. So, you post it on the internet. You get an amazing audience and following. It could be picked up and get aired overseas, you never know.

Then there is the fact that hipsters like myself, NEVER go anywhere without their ipods and cellphones. I would rather download my music than go to a store and buy the cd. I think that really soon we will go to stores and buy the downloads to our ipod and iphones directly. The same will also happen with the movie industry. Think about it from a business view point. As a producer, would you rather have $4.50 of a $9.00 movie ticket go to the movie theatre, or go directly into your pocket the possibilities of the internet can do.

There already are well known SAG actors doing internet shows. Hopefully we are going to be able to become SAG eligible with the internet soon. I think it’s great! Also, I really don’t understand why some actors are freaking out about internet. It all goes back to reading your contracts and making sure you get your residuals from internet sales. I think part of the problem is that some people are scared of the internet because they don’t understand it or see how good it can be. There are people who have an anti-technology attitude. I totally respect it, but you can’t live in society now and not have a cellphone, pda, computer, or lap top. I think those people need to get out of the eighties. We are very dependent on it and it’s not going to change.

The next thing you know, the major network televisions channels are going to have internet shows that you pay to see. However, I don’t agree with free downloads because that takes money out of our pockets and we deserve it.

Nic - We’ve talked a lot about you acting and making movies, but what kind of films do you like to watch?

Melanie - Oh my, my image is going to be ruined after this question! As I said, I love period romantic movies. Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Quills, Hamlet, and Pride and Prejudice. I love any movie with Clint Eastwood, as an actor and as a director. Bollywood and Musicals. Call me a nerd, but my favorite movie of all time is Lady and the Tramp. I am such a softie that I can’t watch movies where animals die. I was never allowed to watch Old Yeller and yes… I know… Yeller dies, but I still haven’t seen it! I love the old classic films and grew up with war movies. My two favorites are Memphis Belle and Saving Private Ryan. There are way too many to list.

I know more about films than television because I also grew up in places where we couldn’t always get television reception. Buying dvds is my secret vice.

Nic - So Melanie, what do you do for fun when you aren’t making or watching movies?

Melanie - You are going to think that I’m really nerdy. I go to my coaching sessions when my coach is in town. Right now I’m looking for a challenging and fun scene class. Believe it or not I surf. At least I do a really good imitation of surfing, but it’s getting there. I have two boards and a spring suit, so I am semi-serious. I punch a boxing bag, especially after studying my scripts and class. Just kidding, it’s great exercise and helps me focus. I also take care of my two cats, Mindy and Kitten. Other than that… I really am a homebody. Remember when I said my secret addiction was buying DVDs? Well, I have to watch them sometime you know.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3093027/

www.myspace.com/fubas42

www.myspace.com/fdmai

www.myspace.com/zen_hunter

http://thezenmovies.com/zenhunter/story.html

http://pskthemovie.com/

www.myspace.com/postmortemamerica2021

www.myspace.com/bikinimonsters

www.myspace.com/intothebasement

www.myspace.com/thenightmarecollection

www.myspace.com/feedmovie

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West Coast Premieres of “Mil Mascaras vs. the Aztec Mummy” & “Stomp! Shout! Scream!” Sept. ‘09

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:15:46 +0000

Poster by Strephon Taylor

Monogram Releasing publicist/B Movie Nation co-administrator Will “the Thrill’ Viharo is taking his “Thrillville” cult movie cabaret on the road this Fall with the West Coast premieres of two Monogram releases, the all new Mexican monster mash Mil Mascaras vs. the Aztec Mummy doubled-billed with Jay Ward Edwards’ all new beach party monster movie romp, Stomp! Shout! Scream!.

Mil Mascaras vs the Aztec Mummy stars the original wrestling legend “Mil the Thrill” (looking great at 66!) plus a host of special guests like El Hijo del Santo and Blue Demon Jr. facing off against the Aztec Mummy, who in this incarnation is more like a loquacious super-villain than a shambling ghoul. Stomp! Shout! Scream! is an amazingly authentic throwback to 1960 beach party flicks with a “skunk ape” thrown in for good measure, featuring an original smokin’ surf/garage music soundtrack, shot in Georgia with cool animated credited sequences designed by Derek Yaniger. Monogram is the American International Pictures of the 21st Century, and The Thrill is proud to be presenting these future cult classics.

This is the first of many collaborations between Thrillville, Monogram and the B Movie Nation. Will the Thrill will once again co-host the B Movie Celebration in Franklin and Shelbyville, Indiana this September 25-27.

“Thrillville’s Lucha Beach Party” will show at the Balboa Theater in San Francisco on Thursday, September 10, 7:30, with special musical guests Pollo Del Mar, and at the Camera 3 Cinema in San Jose on Thursday, September 17, 7:30, with special musical guests Aardvark.

Thrillville, a vintage Vegas-style, tiki-tinged burlesque act showcasing the best (and worst) in cult movie cinema for over 12 years, is co-hosted by Will’s wife, lovely assistant and best friend, Monica Tiki Goddess. Will was recently voted “Best B Movie Survivor” by the San Francisco Bay Gaurdian, after the closures of Speakeasy Theaters, his former Bay Area home base. Since then Will has booked his show in other Bay Area Theaters, dubbing them “Road Thrill.”

Will also wrote this post in the third person, which is kind of weird.

Cowabunga & Salud!

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Five Easy Questions: Amazing author/historic horror host JOHN STANLEY

admin — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 03:43:53 +0000

JOHN STANLEY is the legendary author of numerous articles, novels and books on the subject of fantasy cinema, and perhaps most famously hosted the popular Creature Features program in the Bay Area circa the early ‘80s. He is additionally a filmmaker in his own right, as well as a good a friend and an all-around fantastic human being. The B Movie Nation is very proud to have him among our ranks. Here is John in his own wise and eloquent words:

Will the Thrill: Tell us a bit about your celebrated tenure as host of the Bay Area’s legendary TV program, “Creature Features.”

JS: Creature Features was a six-year period (1979-84) of great creativity and challenge as I had to take over a tremendously popular TV series that had already been on the air for eight years (1971-78) and I had to do it without any prior experience in the field of television. I had worked most of my professional life before this role as an entertainment writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. Specifically, I had cover movies, television and night clubs for the Sunday Datebook, for which I was an editor and writer for many years. I came to specialize in celebrity interviews and had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing such show biz icons as Mae West, Jimmy Stewart, Fred MacMurray, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Vincent Price, just to name a mere handful. (my website www.stanleybooks.net carries a list of almost all the people I interviewed for the Chronicle over a 33-year-period.) I also specialized in reviewing movies on occasion, and writing book reviews. I remember being the first to interview Jim Nabors when he appeared at the Purple Onion in San Francisco. There were so many personalities and stories . . . when I reflect back on this period, I am amazed that anyone would have dealt with such a quantity of material.
All of this background came into play handily when I became the host of Creature Features. I had access to contact names at the TV networks and movie studios so I could request various personalities when I needed them. Thus, an array of famous individuals appeared with me on my show. Among them were movie directors, such as Ridley Scott, and writers such as Ray Bradbury, Robert Bloch and special effects artists the caliber of Ray Harryhausen and Ken Ralston. Whoopi Goldberg was a visitor just prior to her career taking off in Hollywood.
While my predecessor Bob Wilkins had not known all that much about horror and sci-fi culture, and took a purely tongue in cheek attitude toward the movies and the guests, I had been amassing my own collection of genre material from the time I was 11 years old when I discovered the E.C. comic books of publisher Bill Gaine s. Reading Tales From the Crypt, Frontline Combat, and Shock SuspenStories contributed greatly to my love and respect for material from all branches of American pop culture. I also read pulp magazines (Planet Stories, Thrilling Wonder Stories, Amazing Stories) and became a reader of August Derleth’s Arkham books. Although I had begun seeing movies at 6, and became enchanted with Westerns, musicals, action films and mysteries, it wasn’t until 1951, when I was 11, that I became fascinated with horror. It was Howard Hawks’ The Thing From Another World that opened my eyes to the wonderment of film car rying one away into a fantasy realm. For the rest of the summer I was afraid to walk down a hallway alone, fearful The Thing was going to jump out and grab me. That fall The Day the Earth Stood Still fascinated me in a similar way, and I was hooked for life.
Prior to taking over Creature Features I had made several 16 mm short subject films as well as one full-length feature, Nightmare in Blood (1978), which was a vampire horror film with satiric overtones (or so I had intended during production). This film-making background became important during the Creature Features era of my life because I began producing “minimovies” — short pastiches of feature films. Among them were Return to Casablanca (a takeoff on Bogart’s movie shot at a Middle East restaurant in Daly City), The Mummy Rises, Nightmare in the Chamber of Horrors (both shot at the San Francisco Wax Museum) and Attack of the Incredible Killer Scarecrow (shot at a pumpkin contest event during Halloween). These novelty items proved to be effective in building an audience, and were a key element in my keeping the show alive and living for an additional six years.
During this period I self-published my first book, The Creature Features Movie Guide, which sold all over the world and established the beginning of my first spin-off from the Creature Features show. It would be followed over the years by five other editions, each building off the previous one. I was seeing as many as eight or ten movies a week during the years that I continued writing the series. The last book was in 2000 and I’m not sure there will be others. It is one of those issues that I am constantly debating with myself. In 2007 I self-published I Was A TV Horror Host, which recounts my experiences at KTVU Channel 2 and features interviews with some of the leading sci-fi and horror icons I met during those years, including Roger Corman, William Castle, Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner and even Lucille Ball, the one person responsible for Star Trek reaching the airwaves in 1966.
Creature Features was cancelled in 1984 and I returned to being a full-time journalist, continuing to write celebrity interviews, movie reviews, book reviews and other feature material for the Chronicle through 1993.
The TV experience will always remain a highlight of my career. I truly enjoyed putting together a new show each week. It was a challenge I thrived on, coming up with new guests, new mini-movie ideas, comedy sketches designed to open the program and highlight a guest or a special theme. It was a low-budget adventure so one had to be thoroughly prepared and ready for any surprises. I actually went into a funk during the last few weeks of the series, but I came out of it after the last show and gleefully jumped back into my newspaper work fulltime.
Bob Wilkins, whom I had known several years before I took over his job, was helpful to me in the beginning and really did want me to succeed in my own way. We were different in our styles and yet we each appealed to our audience in a unique way that made the show workable for all those years.

John onstage at the Parkway Theater, Oakland CA with Will the Thrill and Monica Tiki Goddess

Thrill: You are a famous, respected movie journalist with a wide range of interests and focus. How did you get to be a renowned expert on the horror/sci-fi genre specifically?

JS: I have never felt I was a renowned expert on anything. I have only pursued those passions which first afflicted me when I was a late adolescent - early teenager. I saw my first film at 6. It was a Cisco Kid flick at a small theater next door to the old Telenews Theater near Fifth and Market in San Francisco. This love for movies continued in Napa Valley that same year when we resettled there from Oakland. The Uptown Theater, now owned by Francis Ford Coppola, is where I saw movies for the next 13 years. Discovering all the genres — Westerns, romances, musicals, war movies especially. I was well grounded in horror and war comics from the age of 10, I read Planet Stories faithfully each month, and started tracking H. P. Lovecraft and other classic horror authors in my late teens early 20s.
I’ve always considered Creature Features an anomaly in my career, and the fact that I knew much about sci-fi and horror certainly helped me. But it had never been planned that way. I suppose the fact I have authored six Creature Features Movie Guides could have something to do with “renowned expert.” I saw a lot of movies over the years with the first book coming out during my tenure on TV, in 1981. The second book, from Warner Books of New York, was published at the time the show folded, ironically. However, I decided to do a third edition and it came out in 1989 and was a resounding success for a self-published book. The fourth edition in 1994 was to make up for the fact I had left the Chronicle and had nothing better to do for a couple of years. It’s my personal favorite with the best photographs and writing. The fifth and sixth editions were done by a New York publisher and I never considered them as good. They were limited in scope and size, unlike the earlier two editions.
Did I mention I also wrote a popular war fantasy novel in 1976? My title was Napalm Sunday but Avon Books changed it to World War III. Bad title, but the book did well not only here but in England where an edition with a different cover was printed. I also co-authored two other books: Bogart ‘48 (1980), a “noirish” thriller set in 1948 with Bogart and Peter Lorre involved in a mystery surrounding the Academy Award show of that year. Kenn Davis, a colleague at the San Francisco Chronicle, and I also wrote The Dark Side, a 1976-published private eye novel set in San Francisco that was nominated for the Edgar award. World War III and Bogart ‘48 were heavily steeped in movie lore and hence are a result of all that “learnin’” I did as a kid.

Thrill: What are some of your favorite films, in any genre?

JS: At the Uptown Theater I discovered war films with my dad. He was a shot-up veteran of the Pacific war and wanted to see anything about warfare no matter what. I remember seeing The Sands of Iwo Jima on Sunday night and Twelve O’Clock High on Monday night back to back. One of my personal favorites was Samuel Fuller’s The Steel Helmet (1951), which opened my eyes up to the individuals making the movies. I started looking for other Fuller movies and was especially enlightened by his 1957 western Run of the Arrow, still one of my favorites. In fact, during my years at the Chronicle I got to know Sam Fuller and spent three days on the set of his feature film The Naked Kiss, watching production and meeting many of the actors. In 1980 when Sam returned to Hollywood after living in Paris for many years, I tried to get him on my TV show but he was too busy shooting White Dog to get away. My intention was for us to do a mini-movie called Son of the Steel Helmet. One of those lost opportunities.
In addition to The Thing From Another World and The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) as favorite sci-fi films, I greatly respect Alien for setting new trends and shaking up audiences when it was first released. I will always remember the opening day of Star Wars, although I don’t feel it has held up as strongly as some of the others I have mentioned. I still try to see at least one movie a day, sometimes an old one I have never seen before, sometimes a favorite. I enjoy Roy Rogers and Gene Autry movies–despite their age they still hold a certain entertainment value. I’m very enamored of film noir and think Brute Force, Criss Cross, The Killers, The Killing and The Naked City are among the great ones. Not to mention The Asphalt Jungle and Pickup on South Street, the latter another classic Fuller delivery. Whatever genre it is, I will sit in front of the TV and watch it.

Thrill: What’s your take on the state of B Movies, and exploitation/genre films in general, in the 21st Century?

JS: I love watching old B movies of the past. Sometimes these lower berth features are now better than the main features. As for modern movies, the B movies of today are those that don’t make it into theatrical distribution but go directly to DVD and hence I see only a few. As for exploitation movies, I have never been a great fan of bloody, gory and overly violent films, although I will still sit through them to absorb everything about them. I feel that Saw and other exploitaitoners carry the viewer into a fantasy region most of us never intended to be taken into. We enjoy movies because they are vicarious. If we slip away into a deep, dark, ugly corridor of life, where there is not a glimmer of hope or a way to escape, then the enjoyment of being in a place we would never otherwise go into is totally lost. We are submerged into the darkest psyche of man, with no cavalry unit coming to our rescue, or jawboned athletic heroes about to save us at the last minute. We sink away into the pit of death and despair and who wants to pay $10 to do that?

John with Mr Lobo at a recent Thrillville tribute to Creature Features in San Jose, CA

Thrill: What’s next for you and your storied career?

JS: I am at a crossroads in my life. I continue to make appearances as an aging long-retired TV horror host selling movie guides, my autobiography and a new set of documentary DVDs, one of which I wrote-produced myself, but I would like to return to more creative projects. So, I am now involved in the writing of two scripts, one a low-budget film noir feature, the other the pilot for a potential TV series (involving, oddly enough, a TV horror host). I have no idea if either one will make the grade as I am collaborating with others and one never knows how it’s going to turn out. I also would like to write other movie-related books based on the many interviews I did over the years. The Gang That Shot Up Hollywood is in outline stage. I continue to work for a San Francisco-based Elderhostel as an entertainment-world expert although that has begun to slow down for the first time in 15 years. I guess you could conclude that at 69 I have no intentions of slowing down. It just seems to be harder to do things that were once much easier. However, what I do or don’t do in the coming years that are left, I can assure you that there will be only one inscription on the tombstone when the time comes: Here lies a former TV horror host. Nothing else I have done tops that and probably never will.

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Five Easy Questions: B MOVIE NATION’S EAST COAST REP AND HOLLYWOOD THEATER MOGUL BRUCE LENTZ, AKA MR. SCHLOCK

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:04:49 +0000

BRUCE LENTZ, AKA “MR. SCHLOCK”, is about to take the reins of the B Movie Nation’s latest acquisition, the classic Hollywood Theater in the Pittsburgh suburb of Dormont, PA. Bruce was already a local legend due to his zany horror host alter ego as well as the world famous Incredibly Strange Video Store, which he founded. Bruce Wayne Lentz - yes, that’s his full name - gave us the lowdown on his past, present and future…

Will the Thrill: Please tell us about your horror host identity, Mr. Schlock - how it came to be, etc.

BL: Back in 1997 I was in the second year of running my video store, Incredibly Strange Video I came across a customer who was at the time in charge of the public access channel for a borough outside Pittsburgh called Bethel Park. This guy was a huge fan of the store and always got a kick out of my monologues about b movies, horror and life in general. One day he said to me, “You should have your own T.V. show” and being the ham that I am I agreed. Since 1979 I had been singing in rock and roll bands and was missing the chance to perform since all my energies were poured into my business. I thought a horror show host would be the perfect outlet for all my pent up ham.

The character of Mr. Schlock (my wife came up with the name) was to be a video store owner (The Schlock Shop) who had no clue that there was a world of film outside of the 50’s and 60’s B movies that he loved so much. And that was difference between Mr. Schlock and other horror hosts…Schlock never bad mouthed the movies he showed, in fact he would praise them like they were the most important films in the world. For example, when a phone call to the Schlock Shop inquired about The Godfather, Schlock would say he never heard of it. But when the caller would tell him the directors name, he got excited and said “Yeah, yeah, I know him! He’s the director of Dementia 13…he hasn’t done anything since then, has he?”

Clueless to the modern world and dressed like a greasy used car salesman, Mr. Schlock would feature condensed versions of such classics as Rat Pfink A Boo Boo and The Killer Shrews. The last few shows featured full length films. The best shows however, were the ones were where Schlock would go to horror conventions and annoy the old B movie stars that he so admired.

The show was popular enough to be picked up by other public access channels including the one in the city of Pittsburgh. The show ran from 1997 to 2000 and there are 13 episodes. I gave up the Schlock because the opportunity to start a new band came a knocking and that is what I really like to do. So between rehearsals, running a business and having a social life, there just wasn’t enough time. Plus with Mr. Schlock’s high pitched voice and spastic mannerisms that are so different from my own personality, it became a chore to be him for long periods of time.

Thrill: What are some of your own favorite B Movies?

BL: Wow…way too many to list here! Let ‘s just say that I am huge fan of the works of the following B movie icons….HG Lewis, Ray Dennis Steckler, Roger Corman, William Castle, Mario Bava, Vincent Price, Ed Wood and of course whatshisname, you know, the guy that directed Dementia 13.

Thrill: You’ve recently been tapped to manage the Hollywood Theater in the Pittsburgh suburb of Dormant (thanks to Motion Picture Heritage). This will become a major center for the B Movie Nation. What do you envision for this classic theater’s revival in the 21st Century?

BL: I would love to see the theater become a destination place for people who truly love movies and believe that there is more to film than the 80 billion dollar blockbusters out there playing at the big box multiplexes. I also hope to provide an atmosphere that is fun and exciting, showing some of the younger people out there what going to the movies was like when I was a kid growing up in the 60’s and 70’s. The movie going experience has really been tainted by big business and it’s time to take it back to its roots. Entertainment and showmanship over the get them in, gouge them, and then get them out mentality.

Thrill: Pittsburgh is widely viewed as a horror film Mecca. Outside of George Romero, what’s the reason for this?

BL: Well it is the zombie capital of the world as our world record zombie walks at the Monroeville Mall prove. We hold the record for most zombies in one place every year hands down. Romero may have started it, but it’s the fans who keep it alive and there are a lot of horror fans here in the burgh. During the 13 years of owning Incredibly Strange Video I met hundreds of passionate fans and buffs who were willing to do whatever took to get their horror fix. Hopefully now with the rebirth of the Hollywood, there will be a new place for them to call “home”.

Thrill: What is the future of Mr. Schlock and B Movies in general?

BL: I have been asked by my partners to bring Schlock back to host some events at the Hollywood and aside from having longer hair and having to buy a new loud sports jacket…I think that I’m up for resurrecting the annoying, yet lovable guy. But it has to be something that Schlock would really like to see. Maybe a double bill of The Thrill Killers and The Sadist would make him take the stage again.

As far as the future of the B movie, I feel that as long as the fans crave it, there will always be a place for low budget, creative films to stand along side their more expensive and less creative counterparts. And with the reemergence of venues such as the Hollywood, I have high hopes that the B movie and the culture that surrounds it will thrive until the world is destroyed by bug eyed monsters from outer space.

More on the grand reopening of the Hollywood Theater, August 1, 2009

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Five Easy Questions: “CINEMA INSOMNIA” LEGEND MR. LOBO

admin — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:24:24 +0000

MR. LOBO is the world’s leading TV horror host, at least of the New Generation. His nationally syndicated TV show Cinema Insomnia has a rabid fan base and has been seen by dozens of people coast to coast. Just kidding. Mr. Lobo is a humble icon. His fame and following are both well-deserved and well-earned. He is multi-talented - not only does he write, produce and direct his own shows, but he contributes articles to many blogs and publications, appears in B movies, and is an aspiring filmmaker himself. He is above all a good guy and a great friend, both to me personally and the B Movie Nation in general. Here is the amusing and amazing Mr. Lobo in his own words…

Will the Thrill: Tell us how Cinema Insomnia came to be.
Lobo: Well, Will, the steps of my career have been so gradual and in so many varied parallel fields that it is difficult to define a starting point of what has become more than just a TV show that presents “Misunderstood Movies”. It’s a lifestyle. I was born a film and pop culture fanatic, a shy indoor kid and who’s put thousands of hours into Movie and TV watching. We went to the Drive-in once a week and my first job was an usher in a gorgeous rival theater in Sacramento called The Crest. They showed serials, cartoons, newsreels, trailers and then manager Matius Bombal would come out and present the feature in a tux! I showed creative talent at an early age and was always doing projects, comic books, trading cards, radio plays, live comedy shows, short comedic films and videos—mostly parodies, and other cries for help. My friends and I experimented on weekends and tried to develop some kind of show or vehicle for comedic bits…we meandered for years—nothing ever really stuck. In the 90’s I was head writer for a local comedy stage show called The Moe Betterman Show at a local night club called Old Ironsides. One of the comics from the show was supposed to host a bunch of kitchy retro films in that same nightclub on an off night. He got sick and I stepped in and hosted it as “Commander X”. The projectionist and collector of the films was Scott Moon–a person whom I wanted to meet since we both were publishers of magazines.

Scott published a pop culture magazine called Planet X. They had interviewed my favorite TV horror movie host form my childhood Bob Wilkins! I began writing and doing art design for the mag. Planet-X held a Live Creature Features revival film show at Harlow’s, a posh, retro, dinner theater, in 1998 as a launch for the new issue of the magazine and Bob hosted it. The publisher asked me to write some material with Bob and help direct the show. I was terrified. I learned Bob was much more motivated by presenting the films and doing material than the films themselves. Bob loved my material and encouraged me to be a movie host. I first was flabbergasted and overwhelmed. But I never forgot Bob’s confidence in me—Bob wouldn’t let me forget, either. He mailed postcards and audio tapes telling me to keep going and gave me advice. The real opportunity to do a show didn’t come until 2001, when I was working at KXTV NEWS 10 in TV production they had a 3AM movie that ran 20 minutes short every week. My friend Mike Strange, who also worked at the TV station, and I, walked into the General Managers office and asked if we could fill that 15 minutes. I had done some amateur video tests for something called Insomniac Theater as early as 1995 and we thought it might be time to flesh that hosted show project out.
The show Insomniac with Dave Atell was premiering on Comedy Central and we had heard rumblings that some overnight stations in other markets called their un-hosted late movie Insomniac Theater…a name change seemed prudent. On a piece of binder paper I wrote every alternate title I could think of. Both Mike and I liked “Cinema Insomnia” because it had a rhyming quality like Creature Features. I was too nervous and self conscious to just be a regular guy like Bob did—not that I knew what normal was anyway. By creating an amplified version of myself, “Mr. Lobo”, it allowed me to be free and actually be more honest…I didn’t care if I looked stupid and I felt I could say things as “Mr. Lobo” that “Erik” never could. We did 22 shows for them and the management never “got it” and it was eventually put on permanent hiatus while the “decided” what they wanted to do with this show that was now bringing ratings, letters and phone calls—but not from the demographic they’re after. Bob even wrote the station and told them to keep me on the air. After a few months while the show was in limbo, Mike had left the station for a better job. I asked the station if I could keep producing new shows on my own and distributing them to other stations. They were allowed me to branch out as long as I didn’t us News 10 films or resources. We had no contract. Scott Moon who was an avid 16mm film collector had an awesome archive and awesome friends (like Bob Ekman and Paul Etcheverry) with awesome archives and I began to build shows around this material and creating the current format of the show with lots of random film clips. I started doing more conventions and live revivals and got to talk with fans who helped me fine tune the show. Bob offered much guidance until he was too ill to do so.

The show was picked up on more and more stations coast to coast including KTEH in the SF Bay Area for 3 years…Creature Features’ old market!

Every director and collaborator (Ken Waller, Todd Thomas, Scott Waters, Aaron Kinney, Robert Neep, Chris Grill, Stan Fong, Larry Scholl, Jay Patrick, Jonathan Morken, Ernie Fosselius, John Stanley, Sara Dunn, Mike Nieder and so many more) we had over the past 9 years left and impression on the show shaped it into what it is today…and it’s still evolving. What was the question again?

Lobo giving the “Cinema Insomnia” oath live on stage in Thrillville
Lobo (who needs to take his own “stay awake” oath), Thrill, Bob Wilkins, Parkway Theater, Oakland CA

Thrill: Your main influence is the late Bob Wilkins. Why did Bob have such an impact on you?
Lobo: Rod Serling, William Castle, Alfred Hitchcock, The Phantom Stranger, Orson Welles, were all influences—but Bob is my main influence because I had a deeper connection with him.

Some of my earliest memories were of me watching Bob on TV. I was so terrified by those movies! I was the kind of kid who ran in the other room when The Skipper would yell at Gilligan—so Hammer Horror was pure torture! I wanted to be close to my dad who was asleep in the recliner. But it was Bob who was calming me down and talking to me between fits of fright-Not Dad. He was a calming presence and as an emerging odd-ball who didn’t fit in–he was a person who seemed very comfortable being square. He didn’t care how he came off, so he came off as cool. He was the geek he wanted to be.
As a fan I know the kind of impact a host can have…and it’s an impact I strive for.

Meeting him as an adult changed my life. He was so unassuming and enormously supportive of everyone he came in contact with. He would encourage you to pursue your dreams and if he thought you were particularly gifted—he’d open a door and kick you in the pants. When he was on my October 2002 Halloween special and we improvised the whole episode together. Ernie Fosselius had a similar experience-we got a lesson from the master. I learned that your connection to your audience is the most important part of the show—even more important than the cleverness your material. As I said before, he actively advised me until he was to ill to do so…I continue to take inspiration from Bob’s life–he helped people. He made the world a better place not because he showed “cheesy” movies but because he was a funny caring and brilliant that man you wanted to hang out with on a Saturday night. I said this at his memorial but I will say it here…I used to think Bob Wilkins was the kind of Horror Host I wanted to be. I’ve since learned that Bob Wilkins is the kind of Man I want to be…

Illustration by Mr. Lobo in honor of his idol, Bob Wilkins

Lobo, Thrill and B movie maven Jim Wynorski, B Movie Celebration, Artcraft Theater, Franklin IN 9/08

Thrill: Tell us about your pioneering work for the B Movie Nation and B Movie Celebration.

Lobo: Well, I’d like to think of my self a more of a frontiersman than pioneer. Bill Dever is a B-Movie Nation pioneer. I didn’t build any log cabins but I’m dedicated these films and always trying to find new ways to advance B-Movie genres. I believe B-movies are “movies of the people”. They are leaner and meaner and have no pretensions of winning awards or breaking box office records. They deliver entertainment and are cheaper and more available that bloated A-movies, they are programmed in small revival houses, the precious few remaining Drive-Ins, and on late night TV shows like mine. That’s why we say on Cinema Insomnia, “They’re not bad movies just misunderstood.” That’s a turn around from the post Golden Turkey/Mystery Science Theater approach of “let’s bring the ugliest girl to the dance—and make fun of her.” The reality is you validate these films by presenting them.

B-Movies are thought of by critics as trash or exploitation and somehow less valid than star driven multi-million dollar epics from a major studio. People think “B” stands for bad. To me B stands for Alternative. B-Movies are the underdog and don’t have the option of throwing millions at a movie to bamboozle audiences. B-Movies are like an off broadway play. I think it’s funny that people would accept two people sitting on chairs in front of a curtain as being on an airplane in a stage play but mock it in a B-Movie. In Japan they understand visual cues standing in for real objects that the viewer completes and brings to life. They know that a guy in a rubber suit with a toy boat is standing in for a real monster and a real boat and they accept it as such. But on another level I like seeing the strings and wires and the rubber monster suits…there’s some real ingenuity and craftsman ship there. Also, because the financial stakes are lower, more risks are taken and you see things you’d never see in an A-Movie. It’s an acquired taste to appreciate misunderstood movies…but there are a lot of fun and great ideas there in both the treasures and the train-wrecks.

I try to insert what I feel is the B-Movie Nation philosophy into the TV show, live shows, published articles, and many, many projects I’ve been involved with. I’ve done many live Creature Features tributes and memorials and raised money for Bob’s care and to fight Alzheimer’s. I helped re-activate some semi-retired indie film heroes like Ernie ”Hardware Wars” Fosselius. The Queen and I did a B-Movie art show at a gallery and had auction to raise money for flood aid in Franklin, Indiana, the birthplace of the B-Movie Nation and The B-Movie Celebration. We’ve re-created William Castle style film shows and presented Psychotronix shows. I’ve sat on Horror Host panel discussions with Bob Wilkins, John Stanley, and Elvira, I’ve helped distribute of find screenings for obscure or low budget films on DVD–and on the big and small screen. We showed our Wasp Woman episode in an online virtual worlds screening room called the Cinema Insomnia “Screaming Room” with live Q and A with fans all over the world. I’ve written obits for our heroes. I researched and was interviewed for the documentary American Scary and was involved with Watch Horror Films—Keep America Strong, restored lobby cards and posters, I lent my talents to projects at low or no cost, if I felt it helped promote the cause. I’ve worked on thousands of things–It’s up to history to decide whether these things are pioneering or not.

I am invited to host and attend dozens of film shows each year. There are many film fests and conventions that show B-movies but usually just the 50’s and 60’s horror and sci-fi genres. Chicago and New York have pretty big ones with a B-Movie theme. In Northern California where I live, we have several ongoing shows that usually feature a B-Movie or two. B-Movie Celebration was very attractive to me because it wasn’t a “one day” event or a vanity project for hack filmmakers or fans like some of these tend to be. There seemed to be a focus on the entirety of low budget genre film making including Westerns, Action, Comedy and more, honoring past and current masters as well as looking toward the future. I’ve been involved with the B-Movie celebration since the first year. Last year I hosted many of the films, moderated a panel of top B-directors, and designed the now famous, and often imitated 50ft Woman poster for the Celebration. I am proud to host it this year, along side The Queen of Trash and you and Monica, of course.

Lobo’s poster for last year’s B Movie Celebration

Lobo, Queen of Trash, Gorilla X at the now defunct Cerrito Speakeasy, El Cerrito CA

Thrill: What are some of your favorite movies, and why?

The short but unsatisfying answer is all of them and none of them. I go through periods of loving and hating films–sometimes at the same time. My focus has changed since I’ve become a horror host. I’m not really a critic…I’m a host—it’s like trying to pick a favorite guest to your party—it’s counter productive. I just like the party. As Mr. Lobo moves forward it seems all the movies blur together—like there really is really only one movie and we all take turns working on it or viewing parts of it.

That said here are some “faves”:

The Brain That Wouldn’t Die - I’m fascinated by it’s quiet Lovecraft-like quality that is genuinely creepy and it has a wonderful straight-exploitive sleazy side as well.

Brazil is pure brilliance I love Terry Gilliam’s visuals and social satire. I’ve seen it 40 times. It’s how I imagine George Orwell’s 1984.

Destroy All Monsters -It’s a Godzilla Battle Royal…every damned monster on the planet Vs. Ghidora The Space Monster. The astronauts make platex gloves look cool! I love all Godzilla movies as a rule…especially if it’s a guy in a suit!

Return Of The Living Dead -Satire, Humor, horror, sci-fi, sexy—it has it all! I love Dan O’Bannon’s writing. Also, the original Romero’s home grown classic “Night of The Living Dead”. It’s just perfect.

Universal Classics: The Invisible Man - Claude Reins voice could do anything—love the story. I’m a big HG Wells fan! Son Of Frankenstein is my favorite of the Karloff Frankenstein films-classic and of course The Creature From The Black Lagoon.

Hardware Wars - It’s Mad Magazine come to life and fueled me creatively as a kid. Every flat iron or toaster was a space ship! Of course I loved Star Wars, too.

Plan 9 From Outer Space -It’s always feels like 3 in the morning when I watch this movie—and that’s my favorite feeling. Ed Wood also symbolizes the struggle of the B-Filmmaker.

Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed Up Zombies and Rat Pfink a Boo Boo…Ray Dennis Steckler could make a fun movie out of a 16mm camera and a couple a half full garbage cans and he did.

Escape From New York - John Carpenter is the man! You can also include Halloween, The Thing, The Fog, and Big Trouble In Little China among my faves. They just deliver…and have no pretentions.

Creepshow - I’m a sucker for anthologies and Romero’s comic book style directing is wonderful! Great performances by Adrienne Barbau, Hal Holbrook, Leslie Nielsen, etc.

Phantom of The Paradise, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Shock Treatment and Forbidden Zone - These films represent what Midnight Movies are all about. Great songs and great satire.

Night Of The Creeps—It’s a guilty pleasure. Teenagers, Zombies and Aliens!

The Room - It’s a modern camp classic. It’s just mind bogglingly bad and sucks you in.

Thrill: Tell us about your new deal for the syndication of “Cinema Insomnia.”

Cinema Insomnia with Mr. Lobo is now seen in cities across the country on AMGTV digital broadcast network. We hope it will reactivate a lot of fans that have been missing the show.

Our current distributor, Apprehensive Films’ deal with AMGTV immediately covers all full-time affiliates. Episodes are available weekly to roughly 75 stations as well as hundreds of cable systems and networks served by the network, with a potential Clearance of 35 Million Households and six out of the Top 10 Markets.

Basically, AMGTV delivers digital programming via satellite to small local commercial broadcast stations across the country kind of like the old America One network.

We share the advertising spot time. My distributor Apprehensive Films is keeping most of our advertising time in the show to promote Cinema Insomnia’s popular DVD line and other products for the cult/B-Movie DVD market. There will be New shows in the Fall 2009 and an all new Halloween Special featuring licensed “indie” film and we will also being doing some cable specials independent of this deal.

Cinema Insomnia is expected by AMGTV to be a success in primetime 2009-2010 rankings. Bob’s show Creature Features in the San Francisco area proved that this kind of programming can thrive in prime time. Like it’s famous predecessor Creature Features, Cinema Insomnia has dual female and male appeal and is big in households with viewers 14-54. The series has grown in popularity each of its nine seasons.

Jonathan Morken of Apprehensive Films expects that it to be a hit in primetime and overnights and will be enjoying substantial momentum from the show’s upcoming 10 year anniversary. We think its value to stations across the country should be exceptional.

So, pop some popcorn, get in your jammies, and prepare to fully enjoy this slumber party celebration of fun late night TV with your host Mr. Lobo, in it’s regular slot, Saturday Nights 9PM PST, Midnight EST on the AMGTV network.

We Start With…
7/03/09 Late Friday, Early Sat 1AM EST “Frankenstein Vs. The Creature”
7/13/09 Saturday, Midnight EST, “Last Man On Earth”

A partial list of AMGTV stations airing Cinema Insomnia

Dallas, Texas KHPK DMA 5

Seattle, Washington KHCV DMA 14

Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, FLorida WCJ / WCQ DMA 16

Denver, Colorado KQCK DMA 18

Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne, Florida WSCF-LP 19

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania WBGN DMA 22

Salt Lake City, Utah KCBU DMA 35

Las Vegas, Nevada KEGS DMA 43

Louisville, Kentucky WVHF-CA/WBKI-DT/WNDA/WCYS DMA 48

Fresno, California KEGF/ KSBI DMA 55

Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas KKYK DMA 56

Gainesville, Florida WGFL

Victoria, Texas KXTS

Raleigh, North Carolina WAUG/WARZ

Wichita, Kansas KCTU DMA 69

Spokane, Washington KQUP, KIDQ DMA 75

Syracuse, New York WNDR DMA 81

Cedar Rapids, Wyoming KWWF DMA 88

Monroe, Louisiana KEJB

Portland, Oregon KTVC
More at http://www.AMGTV.TV

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Announcing the 2nd Annual Golden Cob Awards!

admin — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:54:20 +0000

For the second year, The B Movie Celebration will be hosting the coveted Golden Cob Awards for Excellence in B Movies.

This year The B Movie Celebration is asking your help in determining who gets the Cob.
Help us nominate deserving B Movie professionals for The Golden Cob Award, for Excellence in B Movies

To nominate someone please go here
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=zxWXnI5_2bgtYqr0yt4vnnfA_3d_3d

We look forward to your input

Also announcing: the first annual BOB WILKINS AWARD

The B Movie Celebration is pleased to announce the creation of an award for excellence in “Horror Hosts”. The Bob Wilkins Award, named in honor of the Legendary Bay Area Horror Host will be awarded during the GOLDEN COB AWARDS, the award ceremony dedicated to excellence in B Filmmaking

About Bob Wilkins

For a generation of science fiction and B-movie enthusiasts, Mr. Wilkins was the bespectacled TV host who drolly introduced underground flicks with titles such as “Attack of the Mushroom People.” Smoking his trademark cigar and making dry jokes about the questionable quality of the movies, Wilkins became a late-night horror institution in the Bay Area in large part because of his deadpan humor, quick wit and unpretentious attitude. Though he entered into the business with little knowledge about horror and science fiction — frequently deferring to the expertise of staff and special guests on the show — Wilkins got the opportunity to interview genre icons such as Christopher Lee and Boris Karloff.

The B Movie Celebration September 25th-27th in Franklin and Shelbyville Indiana

Tickets for the Celebration can be purchased at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/4597

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Five Easy Questions: THE CZAR OF NOIR, EDDIE MULLER

admin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:14:08 +0000

EDDIE MULLER, author, bon vivant, cultural archeologist and founder of both the Noir City Festival and the Film Noir Foundation, is indeed the Czar of Noir. You couldn’t find a nicer guy for such a dirty job, either. His many books on the topic include such definitive tomes as Dark City: the Lost World of Film Noir, Dark City Dames, The Art of Noir and a pair of highly literary pugilistic pulp novels, The Distance and Shadow Boxer He is also a filmmaker in his right, having recently debuted his short film The Grand Inquisitor. Recently Da Mayor of Dark City sat still long enough for a little hard-boiled grilling:

Will the Thrill: Tell us a little bit about the history of your hugely successful festival series, Noir City, including how it relates directly to the Film Noir Foundation.

EM: I started programming film noir festivals more than 10 years ago, after the release of my first book on the subject, Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir. The first was in Los Angeles, at the Egyptian Theatre, and things have built steadily from there. But the “Lost” part of the book’s title wasn’t just for the sake of drama: I really thought that some of these films might actually be lost. So trying to book them for festivals was a great way of determining their status. And I created the Film Noir Foundation as non-profit corporation dedicated to the preservation of these films. That way I could gain access to other non-profit archives around the world, to help determine what was actually out there. It’s a very grassroots approach to preservation … we screen films, people pay to see them, and we use the profits to find and preserve films that would otherwise be allowed to deteriorate. That is most likely to happen with independently produced films that were distributed by major studios but not produced by them. Like The Prowler, which we restored in association with the UCLA Film & Television Archive last year. This year we’re restoring the terrific 1951 film Cry Danger. No one will touch it because Warner Bros. had the film elements but not the rights. Paramount had the rights, but no film. So neither has an incentive to save it. We step in and provide the incentive, and the funding.

Thrill: How do you explain Noir’s relevance to, and acceptance by, today’s movie-going public?

EM: Well, it’s a very narrow, albeit smart and sophisticated sliver of the movie-going public that supports film noir from the classic era. The general public doesn’t care. We live in a culture that has little regard for art, tradition, or posterity. So it is incumbent on that narrow margin of the public who does care to be involved in the rescue of cultural artifacts that the mainstream will let slip right through the cracks. I don’t think that much of what we love about old noir films—the dialogue, the clothes, the style—needs to be recreated for a modern audience. I prefer to see the themes of the original books and films extended and adapted for contemporary audiences, which you see in things like No Country for Old Men, Mulholland Drive, Michael Clayton, and many more. But that doesn’t mean the old films should be allowed to vanish. It would be a mistake for people to assume that the digital revolution automatically means everything made 50-60 years ago will be put on DVD and made available. It’s simply not true. Many of the films that will disappear are “B” movies that were made outside the major studios. They have no advocate for their survival—except us. We’re their lobbying group. (Interviewer’s note: for more neo-noir, see also Jack Says from Monogram Releasing - that would be the new Monogram…)

Thrill: Can you identity and briefly describe a few of your favorite low budget, lesser known noir films?

EM: Oh, there’s lots of them. Recently I’ve taken a shine to The Hunted, which was made by Monogram in 1948 and starred Preston Foster and Belita, the “Ice Queen of Film Noir.” It was written by the redoubtable Steve Fisher and directed by Jack Bernhard, who made another weird little gem, Decoy. The Hunted is now owned by Warner Bros., but it doesn’t have a print of the film. It may have the original negative and sound tracks, so that a new print could be made, but unless there is an economic incentive, that probably won’t happen. But we keep at it nonetheless. In fact, I just posted an article about Belita on the Foundation’s website, hoping it might spur interest in her films, none of which are available on commercial DVD. Decoy would never have reemerged on DVD from the bowels of the Warner vaults unless we had ignited new interest in it by playing it on the festival circuit.

Thrill: Is the upcoming Chicago premiere of Noir City (July 31-August 6) tailored specifically for that market, and if so, how so?

EM: We initially offered to program a full series of noir films set in Chicago, but the Music Box felt it was more viable to start with a combination of well-known and rare titles . I can’t argue; that’s probably a sound strategy. I know many of the noir aficionados in the area were hoping to see a full slate of rarities, since they’ve probably got a extensive library of noir DVDs already. But what they need to understand is that these days theaters must program with an eye toward drawing the broadest possible crowd. The hardcore may come to see our restored print of The Prowler with Van Heflin and Evelyn Keyes, but the mainstream viewer would probably skip it—unless it was booked on a bill with Double Indemnity. We always keep reminding ourselves that we’re really doing this for the young people who haven’t seen film noir on a big screen. We’re not here to preach to the choir, we’re here to make converts. We do have one show that features movies set in Chicago (Call Northside 777 and Chicago Syndicate). I’ve learned that folks who live in great cities love to see the city as it was in the mid-20th century. The film doesn’t even have to be exceptional; you just don’t have many opportunities anymore to see America the way it used to be, in glorious black & white, and a huge movie screen. That’s just one more service we provide.

Thrill: How do you see the future of Noir in ever-evolving (i.e. amnesiac) Hollywood - is it here to stay?

EM: In some form or another, yes. It all depends or whether you consider noir to be thematically-based or style-based. If you think it’s all about the style, then I have to declare that it’s over. Unless you are telling a truly superlative story, dressing it in 1940s period garb is going to hurt more than help. People assume its a parody, right off the bat. But as I mentioned before, if you take the thematic thrust of noir—making the audience identify with a morally-compromised protagonist who may or may not survive the story—there are lots of ways to make noir relevant to a contemporary audience. If somebody today made a film about a group of disillusioned Iraq war vets who return to their impoverished town and hatch a plot to rob the town’s Bernie Madoff-style business magnate—I’d call that a contemporary film noir. Of course, in Hollywood today they’d bankroll that film only if it had a contrived “victorious” ending, so the audience can leave the theater feeling good about themselves, and good about paying $11 for the film. Back when you paid 25¢ for a double feature, people could handle a downer every once in a while. We’re not that mature now. If we pay a nickel for something, it’d better make us feel better about ourselves. Or at least over-stimulated.

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Michelle Tomlinson On Her Films BRAIN DEAD & THE CELLAR DOOR

Bmovieman — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:00:29 +0000

Actress Michelle Tomlinson

They say that a person’s eyes are the windows to their soul; when you see Michelle Tomlinson on the screen you might just believe that is true. In THE CELLAR DOOR, her piercing dark eyes show the fire in her soul as she yearns to escape from her captor. When you finally tear yourself away from staring at the eyes, you can quickly see that they are just one aspect of this actress’s appeal. Aside from her beauty, Michelle also brings a wide range of talents to the table ranging from martial arts to yo-yo and pogo stick proficiency! Although she is preparing to start work on her newest feature, GEORGE’S INTERVENTION, the ever energetic Tomlinson was willing to take some time to talk with B-Movie Man Nic Brown about her films, her five year plan and explain to me what on Earth it means to speak Erdega!

Nic - Michelle, how did you get your start in acting?

Michelle- I grew up in a small town in Northern New Mexico. Acting wasn’t a big thing in my town, but when I was a kid, the Missoula Children’s Theatre came every summer to cast local kids and put up shows. I think when I was 6, I was a dancing tree in some theatre production they brought, BUT what I loved, even from age 6, was just being on stage. I did do various other little productions here and there… and then found my love for Video Productions in High School and learned a ton of technical stuff for the other side of the camera. Enter College where I took a Beginning Acting Class for a fun credit and… the acting bug bit me right in the butt in a big way! I wound up pursuing it and receiving my BFA in Theatre Performance at Eastern New Mexico University.

Nic -You star in the film THE CELLAR DOOR. Can you tell us a little about the film and your role in it?

Michelle- It’s so funny. My costar James DuMont and I always say, “It’s a family film, really.” Some people have put it in the category of “Torture Porn.” I am still trying to figure out where they get the ‘porn’ aspect for it, but I get the torture part.

The film is very cat and mouse. It’s set up from the beginning that Herman

(James DuMont) is your average ‘guy next door’ who happens to be a serial killer and locks women up in his basement and tortures them. After we see what happens to the victim who opens the film, Herman then sets his sights on my character, Rudy. Once he has her in the “cage,” it becomes a battle of the wits and will of whether or not Rudy can get Herman to let her out or if she’s going to have to die trying to escape. There are other twists….

Rudy is your typical average girl. She likes to hang out, party and have fun. She loves her life. She’s sassy and strong and smart. That’s what I think I loved most about her. Rudy wasn’t some damsel in distress waiting for her knight in shining armor; she was very proactive in trying to figure her way out of the terrifying situation she woke up immersed in.

It was several days of being inside a teensy little box and shooting. The DP, Skye Borgman, and I would be squished in there together sometimes, and it was a BLAST!! I loved the whole process, truth be told.

Nic - Rudy was an interesting character to watch on screen because even though she was trapped and at times helpless, she always gave the impression of being ready to strike back the moment Herman made a mistake. What do you do to get into character for something like that?

Michelle Tomlinson in THE CELLAR DOOR

Michelle- I utilize music in my work and do my best to saturate myself in the circumstances of the character. In my opinion, music can be like an umbilical cord to emotions. Then you have the story and what’s going on driving the rhythm of each scene. I like finding songs that fit the rhythm and tone of each scene, do the breakdown homework of an actor and go from there. (i.e.-I used Coldplay’s “Help Is Around The Corner” when Christa showed up in the basement….) It’s extremely difficult to go into those “ugly” places in your psyche where fear and vulnerability live, but it’s also exciting. The biggest thing I hooked into for Rudy was her inner strength and smartness. She had to have those going on as much as possible, even if in varying degrees. Bottom line, she wanted the hell out of that cage and was just waiting for the right moment!

Nic - What do you think was the most challenging part of your role in CELLAR DOOR?

Michelle- We shot solid 12 hour days. And that’s a short day, in comparison to other films I’ve shot and heard about. But 12 hours is respectable. In one day, the script would call for me to go from one emotional bracket/range to the extreme opposite and then fling into a whole new direction. Now while I say this was a challenge, it was also an amazing time. It’s really difficult to go from being vulnerable and freaked out and stay there for several takes and angles, then go into eating chocolate cake with my captor trying to lure him into letting me go and letting him lick my fingers! But sooooo much fun at the same time.

Nic - You also have a leading role in Kevin S. Tenney’s BRAIN DEAD. That’s a very different type of horror from CELLAR DOOR. Can you tell us about that role and what was it like working with the man who made the 80’s classic NIGHT OF THE DEMONS?

Michelle- Oh, Brain Dead is definitely a different flick from The Cellar Door! Brain Dead was a blast to work on! My character (Claudia Bush) was SO sassy, skeptical and smart. She just didn’t take anyone’s shit. Claudia would have never ended up in someone’s cellar in a cage, ya know?

Brain Dead was cool for a plethora of reasons. It was fascinating to learn more about the Special FX that are done in gory zombie flicks while on set. You always see those types of clips and stuff in DVD extras, but it was much more fun to be RIGHT there.

Michelle Tomlinson in BRAIN DEAD

Kevin Tenney rocks the house. I have nothing but a great deal of respect for him. He’s an incredibly level headed director, even under a tremendous amount of pressure. We shot that film during record high heat, out in the middle of nowhere in a tented cabin. So the tent surrounding the cabin added about a zillion degrees of heat to the inside, as you can imagine! Kevin kept his cool, though. Besides the heat, we had some extraordinarily long days. Kevin never lost his temper, vision or sense of humor. That alone made the shoot incredible during that wicked heat wave.

A funny and little known fact of Brain Dead is that Josh Benton, who plays Clarence, and I had been dating for almost a year when we both randomly auditioned and booked the film. So we had a blast.

Nic - I’ve heard from a number of actors that it is sometimes difficult to work with someone you’re involved with outside of the set. Was that a problem for you and Josh?

Michelle- As with anything, it has its pros and cons. But as the old saying goes, you don’t really know someone until you work with them or live with them! We’re still together, so that definitely says something. I advise everyone to work with their other half at least once; it’s a very quality learning experience!

Nic - I understand that you have a new project that you’re getting ready to start on is that true?

Michelle- True! It’s what I call a Horr-omedy. A Horror/Comedy called George’s Intervention. I’ve been dying to work with JT Seaton since I read one of his other scripts Inner Demons. Long story condensed to Reader’s Digest, he contacted me to audition for one of the leads in George’s Intervention. He and his Business/Writing Partner, Brad C. Hodson, wrote George’s in the style of Arrested Development, Shaun of the Dead and Death At a Funeral. A lot of the comedy is smartly written under the text and fed by fabulous circumstances. There’s plenty of gore to please the hardcore horror fans, of course!

The tease is that George’s friends have gathered for an intervention for George. The twist is that George is a zombie who’s addicted to eating people. Gnarley, right? Who knows where those people have been? It’s really not a healthy way to live….J Mayhem ensues from there!

Michelle gets into her work on the set of BRAIN DEAD

It’s going to be a fun ride and is filled with extremely talented people I’m excited to work with: Lynn Lowry, Carlos Larkin, Peter Stickles, Shannon Neil, Eric Dean, Vince Cusimano, Adam Fox, Brian Nolen and Matthew Herrick.

Nic - Your resume is very impressive, not just for the roles you’ve had but also for the many skills you list. Among those listed that caught my eye was Kung Fu. Is that something you do outside of your acting career?

Michelle- I did train for about a year and a half. I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus and am about to pick up training again. What I did study is called Kwan Mu Do. It mixes Hand Techniques with Foot Techniques and Weapons. It’s absolutely a blast. I’ve never tested for a belt-that’s not where it’s at for me. I’m interested in the challenge of combinations, kicks and blocks and whether or not I can execute them. I am thinking about training another style called Moto Bu Ryu. I don’t know enough about it, but I believe it mixes Tae Kwan Do with Aikido and perhaps one other style…. I’m intrigued though, and intend to check it out. But I love, love, love it!

Nic - I also have to ask about the “speak Erdega” skill. What’s that?

Michelle- Erdega. It’s a really silly language. I was SHOCKED when I watched the flick “Thirteen,” they actually use a version of Erdega in there and I didn’t know people outside of New Mexico had even heard of it! It can kind of be compared to Pig Latin. You put the word “Erdega” in between syllables and sometimes at the start of words, if the word starts with a vowel. Like your name: Nerdegic Brerdegown. My friends and I used to speak it from Middle School on and I’m just one of the dorks that never forgot how to speak it!

Nic - Many actresses want to move beyond their roles in front of the camera and take a turn at writing, directing or both. Do you have any desire to take your career in that direction?

Michelle- ABSOLUTELY! I’m not ready for those added responsibilities though, I have to admit. My friend Brooke Lewis inspires me to produce, and my friends Alexis Adkins and Kimberly Amato really inspire me to write. I just recently had a powerful vision for a Feature Film I’d like to write and produce from the ground up. I’m too young to play the character in mind, but it certainly gives me some time to put my ducks in a row to set out and accomplish the vision. It’s a drama that intertwines several aspects of a life and how they meet together to complete the whole. Now that I’ve been extremely ambiguous, I will end by saying YES! The desire is in me. It’s in my new 5-Year Plan. J

Nic - When you’re considering a role, what do you look for?Michelle- Honestly? Solid writing. I know that sounds horribly judgmental, but when you have quality writing, it’s a great journey to embark on. You know your director has a clear vision. The story is the nucleus of EVERYTHING. If the story is weak or hard to follow, it’s hard to figure out where your character really fits. I like characters that I can sink my teeth into and have a good time. Especially if it’s brutally challenging and stretches me as an actor, I enjoy every second.

Nic - What are some of your favorite films to watch?

Michelle- That’s a massive range! I’m a huge fan of the Harry Potter series. Love the books. Love the flicks. I also grew up watching all the Nightmare On Elm Streets, Friday the 13^ths, Halloweens, etc. with my Dad. Eli Roth’s Cabin Fever rocked and so did Hostel. I love Vietnam War Flicks-but I’m pretty picky with those. I think 84 Charlie Mopic is my favorite in that genre. The Indiana Jones series is a blast and so is the Matrix series. And then I love the Kill Bill flicks…. What Dreams May Come with Robin Williams is amazing, as is High Art and Gia. I love anything Jason Statham’s in; he’s incredible to watch and I absolutely want to work with him one of these days!

Nic - How does Michelle Tomlinson spend her free time?

Michelle- Free time…. Those words are like a golden harp to my ears. I’m usually pretty hard pressed for free time, but I do enjoy a lot of things…. I like hiking, rollerblading in Venice, playing air hockey, crocheting, (It’s true! I’m working on a huge baby blanket right now!) taking trips back to New Mexico when I can and reading… I love to read.

THE CELLAR DOOR shows Michelle is more than just another pretty face!

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