"Rants & Ravings About Horror" - Week 24: “The Horror of Eli Roth”

Week 24: “The Horror of Eli Roth”

On the eve of such great news that The Green Inferno (2014) is finally getting a theatrical release after being shelved at the last minute last year and the excellent news that he is in pre-production on the long stuck in development hell adaptation of the hugely success novel Meg (novel by Steve Alten), what better time is there than now to take a look at the films of writer/director Eli Roth?

Although he started as an actor (uncredited) in various films like The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996) and The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), it was his debut feature Cabin Fever (2002) which really put him on the map.  He also wrote and acted in the film about four friends who encounter a stranger suffering from a flesh eating virus which not only threatens their own lives but their friendships as well.  The low budget horror film was filled with plenty of gore and sex and ushered in the so-called “torture porn” genre (despite there being more extreme films before it).  It was a huge success especially considering the low budget of the film.

Before going back behind the camera Roth decided to continue on the sidelines as an actor in Tales from the Crapper (2004) and 2001 Maniacs (2005).  Despite elevating to director he also managed to star in Terror Firmer (1999) and Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV (2000), so, you should see, Roth’s passion would remain in front of the camera as well as behind it.  His next film was Hostel (2005) which shocked the industry with its uncompromising violence and its commentary on the world of underground killing for money.  Like his previous film this is a gritty look at two American tourists and their friend who run afoul of a murder syndicate.  This film was unlike anything American audiences had ever seen and it was extremely successful with more mainstream audiences.

Roth quickly followed up the success of Hostel and the good will and popularity of his faux trailer “Thanksgiving” (part of the film Grindhouse) with Hostel: Part II (2007).  This was a much more refined film in terms of screenplay, style, art direction, and execution.  This was the film that would show audiences that Roth was becoming a better director with style and something to say.  Unfortunately, the torture porn cycle of films was quickly dying down and this was a less successful film than its predecessor.

Following Hostel: Part II’s poor performance at the Box Office Roth would turn his talents to producing, writing and acting.  Over the next several years he produced The Last Exorcism (2010), Aftershock (2012) – which he also acted in, The Man with the Iron Fist (2012) – which he also wrote, The Last Exorcism Part II (2013), The Sacrament (2013) and most recently Clown (2014) – which he also acted in.  As an actor he was also in Death Proof (part of the film Grindhouse), Inglourious Basterds (2009), Piranha 3D (2010), and Rock of Ages (2012).  As a writer he also wrote The Green Inferno in addition to The Man with the Iron Fists.  

The Green Inferno would be Roth’s next feature film behind the camera more than five years after the release of his last film.  This would be a return to form for the director who was now tackling the cannibal genre of horror.  Unfortunately, for Roth and audiences the film would be shelved before seeing release in 2014.  This did not deter the visionary director who forged ahead with his next film Knock Knock (2015) which is also scheduled to be released this year.  This film stars Keanu Reeves and is a big departure for Roth whose films usually have character actors or no stars at all.  The film is getting great reviews from early screenings and should propel him to more mainstream films, which is where his latest project Meg comes into play.  Based on the bestselling novel Steve Alten it is believed that Roth will finally get this film out of development hell which is where it has been since the rights were purchased the year the novel was originally published.

Roth’s career is something he redefines at any given moment.  In addition to acting, writing, and producing films he executive produces several television series and he’s also created a horror attraction in Las Vegas, among many other ventures.  The one common element between all of Roth’s many ventures is that he loves horror and as an audience member we can be assured that he will never be predictable and always be innovative.

"Rants & Ravings About Horror" - Week 23: “Horror Magazines”

Week 23: “Horror Magazines”

Horror magazines are part of our culture (us horror fans that is).  Despite all the ready-made websites out there, there is no better place to get the most up to date information on everything horror past or present than a good magazine and I (luckily) still read many of them despite also finding time to visit many horror websites.  

One of the oldest and most successful is Fangoria (www.fangoria.com).  This magazine holds a special place for me as it was the first horror magazine I read growing up.  I remember the cover had the creature from Stephen King’s Sleepwalkers (1992) and that was the whole reason I picked up the magazine.  Fangoria always had fantastic covers that drew you in.  All the rest of the articles were just icing on the cake and the magazine had some of the best written articles I had ever read (which wasn’t saying much since that was the first magazine of its kind that I’d ever read at the time).  I became an instant collector right then and there and never missed an issue since.  Now the magazine has had its ups and downs over the years especially in the years when there were very few quality mainstream and indie horror films but right now it is back in good form focusing on new retrospectives on classic films and influential filmmakers especially in this time when there are fewer and fewer genre specific directors emerging.

My favorite magazine right now is Horror Hound (www.horrorhound.com).  It’s not as old as some of the others that will be mentioned here but they do some of the most thorough articles of all the magazines that I read.  This is a magazine that really focuses on articles for the horror fan and never seems like its repetitive or been done before.  Unfortunately, whereas a lot of other magazines have articles on the exact same subject within the same couple months, this magazine never seems like it follows that trend.  It’s long running series on films stuck in VHS purgatory is of particular interest for horror fans as are there extended retrospectives on entire film series (no other magazine comes close to the quality of these articles).  If you don’t currently read any horror magazines this would be the one to start off with.

Rue Morgue (www.rue-morgue.com) is another one of the longest running horror magazines.  I love the fact that this magazine delves into all facets of the horror genre from movies to books to music to video games.  For someone just wanting to read a little more about everything then this is definitely for you.  My only problem is the fact that the articles are shorter, on the average, but when they do an article with extended coverage that is when it is really worth it.  They also do articles on horror artists including tattoo artists which most magazines never even bother with.  

Famous Monsters of Filmland (www.famousmonsters.com) is a magazine that many of you might remember as being started by Forrest J. Ackerman.  It was cancelled at one point and resurrected and still goes strong to this day.  It works as a magazine in the PG area as it was designed for small children as they grew up into monster lovers.  It covers a lot of older television horror and does a great job in their extensive articles on specific personalities and talent.  The biggest draw for this magazine is the fact that there articles are so thorough and the fact that they highlight current television shows when other magazines do not.  My only problem with the magazine is that many times I don’t really care for the television show they focus on for any given issue and unfortunately that focus can take up more than half of the issue (recent issues that I didn’t care about focused on The Munsters and Supernatural, which I don’t care for).  This is a minor problem (as you can see) as I still remain with the magazine because the quality is still high.

On the more extreme spectrum is the resurrection of Gorezone (www.facebook.com/gorezonemagazine) which is for the hardcore horror fan as it delves into extreme horror films such as The Faces of Death franchise, Cannibal Holocaust, and many more.  It can only be purchased through the Fangoria website and it has a hefty price tag but the quality of the articles is just like that of the parent magazine so it is well worth the price.  There are articles here that you can’t find in the parent magazine nor the website.

Another magazine like this (but not nearly as extreme) is the UK’s Scream (www.screamhorrormag.com) magazine which you can purchase a physical or digital copy of.  The quality of the articles is good but there is too much of a scattered-brained collage of articles in each issue.  They just kind of through a little bit of everything in each issue so you never know what you’re going to get and there are few regular columns in this magazine unlike in Fangoria and Rue Morgue and Horror Hound.  What this magazine has are some of the best collection of photos from the films it highlights. 

Another one of my favorite magazines is Diabolique (www.diaboliquemagazine.com) (which has some of the best articles written among any of the magazines discussed.  Their articles are heavily researched and thorough and very informative and the articles can vary in subject matter (because a lot of the articles are queried based on a particular issue’s topic).  This is probably one of the best designed and put together of the magazines as each issue is topic driven and each article contributes to the whole of the issue.  I’ve never been disappointed by an issue but my biggest issue is the long wait between issues and the fact that not all bookstores and newsstands carry the magazine on a consistent basis.

The last magazine I’m going to mention is the specialized Delirium (www.deliriummagazine.com) magazine which is put out by Full Moon Entertainment and focuses on many of their own films and films they’ve distributed.  Not really a magazine designed for the casual horror fan especially if you don’t like the majority of Full Moon’s films but if you do then this magazine gives you more coverage than any other magazine ever has.  Each issue does highlight a classic horror film (previous issues highlight Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 and Shockwaves) but for the most part this one stays away from modern horror films.

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Now there are plenty more horror magazines that I don’t read such as Screem (www.screemag.com), Scary Monsters (www.scarymonstersmagazine.com), etc. but there is only so many magazines that I can read on a consistent basis. 

I’m a hard core horror fan and even though I now read the digital version of a couple of these magazines nothing will ever replace the feeling of sitting down with a physical copy of Fangoria or Rue Morgue or Horror Hound and letting myself be immersed in a different world…just one filled with monsters and bloodshed.

Graphic Novel Review: HACK/SLASH: SON OF SAMHAIN VOL. 1

It’s been a year since Vlad died and monster hunter Cassie Hack has spent her time as a bounty hunter catching humans rather than monsters.  She’s alienated herself from her friends and family as a means to forget about her past.  This is where the latest graphic novel Hack/Slash: Son of Samhain begins (from Image Comics).  Creator Tim Seeley steps away from this series as writer to allow Michael Moreci and Steve Seeley to take over.

There are new monsters trying to take over the world and resurrect one of the oldest creatures the universe has ever known. and another monster hunter by the name of Delroy decides to help Cassie come out of retirement.  It’s not until they join ranks with a young boy by the name of Ocky, who has his own connections with the slasher Samhain, that a darker conspiracy arises and it will take all three working together to overcome the legion of monsters that are on the verge of taking over the world.

Despite having a new writing team, this is a great way to bridge the gap between the ending of the last era of Hack/Slash and the new era.  New characters are added to the larger scope of the tale and Cassie Hack is back in action (and it’s about time).  Artwork is by Emilio Laiso with colors by K. Michael Russell and letters by Crank!  This is a book with a great look and feel for what will hopefully be many new stories in the series.

This graphic novel also includes the many valiant covers, sketch artwork of the characters and Moreci’s Pitch/Series Outline which is an eye opening look into the creation of this new series.  Fans of the series have long awaited for the return of this killer of slashers and this book does not disappoint.