THE EAST IS RED #8 – I’m Sorry, But Japan is Just Messed Up

by Lisa Morton

I must confess to a longstanding love/hate relationship with Japanese culture and film. It’s always perplexed me that the same country that could produce a genius like Hayao Miyazaki – who makes glorious animated epics usually centering around a smart, courageous girl – could also give us the grotesque, rabid cartoon rape of UROTSUKIDOJI. Near-future dystopian nightmares like BATTLE ROYALE suggest that the Japanese are terrified of the future, while frantic horror/scifi crossovers like TETSUO: THE IRON MAN also imply a profound discomfort with their own bodies.
And along comes 2008’s TOKYO GORE POLICE, which rolls all those contradictions and dreads into one package…and that’s why I like it so much.
Directed with surprising style by Yoshihiro Nishimura, TOKYO GORE POLICE’s marketing, reputation and of course title would lead most viewers to expect little more than a gorefest, but it’s really much more interesting…but before we go any further, I will say this: I won’t be at all surprised by anyone who can’t see past the gore (as seems to have been the case with a few reviewers), because it really is beyond excessive. The Japanese love their blood – heck, we’ve all seen the ‘70s Samurai movies in which severed limbs spout high-pressure streams into the air – and modern film technology has allowed all of their body dysmorphic disease-addled dreams to be played out to their ultimate extremes. TOKYO GORE POLICE really is a non-stop panoply of beheadings, disembowelments, transformations, and even a good old-fashioned quartering, so let’s just say right now that it’s not for the squeamish.



But beneath that blood-drenched exterior (which is frequently so over-the-top that it becomes surreal and/or comic, thus easing the ability to take it all in) is a surprisingly interesting little film about a people wrestling with issues of gender, crime, and politics. Our lead character Ruka (played with wonderful , bubbling-just-under-the-surface rage by AUDITION’s Eihi Shiina) is a cop in a near-future Japan, when the police force has been privatized, perversity is the norm, and self-mutilation has become commercialized (young girls are encouraged to buy “cute” knives to cut themselves with). The corporate police force has their hands full dealing with a new breed of criminals called “Engineers” – these are hyperkinetic maniacs who can regrow severed limbs and turn wounds into weapons. Ruka is a member of the elite “Engineer Hunter” squad, and is herself the daughter of a cop, who she saw shot to death as a child. Ruka, who was raised by the head of the new corporate police force, has dedicated herself to solving the mystery of the origin of the Engineers, even while exterminating them wherever they wreak havoc.





TOKYO GORE POLICE lifts more than a few times from Ridley Scott’s BLADE RUNNER, but this is BLADE RUNNER filtered through layers of Asian polymorphous perversity. Remember the scene when Deckard tracked down the snake-dancing replicant Zhora at a freaky night club? Well, TOKYO GORE POLICE has that scene…except this night club is really freaky, featuring surgically altered women who can be rented for the night. After displaying a woman with a penis nose, one with sutured breasts, and one apparently combined with a snail, the scene climaxes with the revelation of a human body transformed into nothing but a chair that proceeds to spray the ecstatic onlookers with urine. Certainly the disgust level is pretty high here, but there’s more going on in the scene as well. Surely there’s a knowing reference to the famous Edogawa Rampo short story “The Human Chair”, and I’m betting the snail girl may be partly inspired by yokai, or nature spirits, in Japanese mythology. In fact, those references to revered objects in Japanese culture, from the Samurai helmets of the private police to the montage that riffs on a traditional Japanese storytelling method involving shifted pages, is all part of what makes TOKYO GORE POLICE so much more than just another wild gore ride.
TOKYO GORE POLICE also riffs on Japanese gender wrestlings. One of my pet peeves in Japanese movies (and, for that matter, manga) is how often they’ll look for any possible way to work in a peek at the white panties beneath a schoolgirl’s prim skirt…and yet this is the same country that gave us the statuesque and strong swordswomen in movies like LADY SNOWBLOOD and SEX AND FURY. TOKYO GORE POLICE actually mashes both of those takes on femininity into one witty scene, as an Engineer schoolgirl goes tete-a-tete (or is that tit-a-tit?) with a female cop wielding a traditional naginata, a spear-like weapon with a blade on the end. The fight ends when Engineer Schoolgirl, sliced across the chest, suddenly sprouts boobs that spray Amazon Cop Lady with green acid that eats her away in seconds. TOKYO GORE POLICE is telling us that more lurks beneath the school uniform than just white panties. As if that wasn’t enough, the film also features a scene in which Ruka, disguised as a prostitute to bait an Engineer, gets groped in a crowded subway train and retaliates by dragging the groper outside and chopping off his hands, then popping open her umbrella and strolling away languorously beneath the rain of blood from the screaming man’s stumps. A stern warning to Japanese men is herewith issued.

















Also like Deckard in BLADE RUNNER, these cops are in it for the money…but unlike BLADE RUNNER, TOKYO GORE POLICE presents one of the most vicious looks at a privatized police force imaginable. We learn that Ruka’s father was killed because he opposed the privatization, and by the film’s end the police force has given itself complete immunity and is running rampant and unchecked across Tokyo, all while goaded on by their blonde bombshell dispatcher. For me the most horrific image in TOKYO GORE POLICE is not one of wild bodily warping or gallons of blood spraying, but a shot of one of the cops sitting in a street laughing while surrounded by the bodies of civilians he’s just murdered.
Unfortunately that scene is followed by the film’s one big clunker: As Ruka speeds across town to reach her final showdown, the film stops for a clumsy, so-called comic scene involving a Chinese man and a…well, I’m not sure what the other guy is supposed to be, but he looks like an African American with a pinhead. The scene is certainly not funny (these two doofuses are digging through a mound of body parts, apparently looking for pieces to eat), but does shine a particularly nasty light on Japanese nationalism, especially given their treatment of the Chinese in World War II. Perhaps the scene is trying to suggest that this is how the Japanese regard anyone outside their culture, but unfortunately it also wants you to cheer on Ruka when she runs the pair down.
But that’s a small stumble in what’s otherwise a genuinely intriguing and challenging film. TOKYO GORE POLICE also benefits from Nishimura’s superbly stylized direction, which paints frames in vivid colors and renders them with simple backgrounds that focus the viewer’s attention on the foreground, much like a comic book. The film is also aided by a score that ranges from J-punk to a solid main theme composed by Koh Nakagawa. And then, of course, there are all those gore effects, most of which look just real enough to be revolting but not so real as to be unwatchable.
If you’re willing to put up with the bloodletting, I highly recommend TOKYO GORE POLICE, which could alternatively have been titled A TEXTBOOK ON JUST HOW EFFED-UP THE JAPANESE PEOPLE REALLY ARE. Pour yourself a nice sake and enjoy.

TRAILER:

--Lisa Morton

Hidden Horrors The Five Most Lovecraftian Movies (that you might not think are, or that you might not have heard about)

By Brian M. Sammons

I love the stories of H.P. Lovecraft. I love horror films. But unlike chocolate and peanut butter, these seem to be two great tastes that only seldom, if ever go great together. Now while fans of both films and Lovecraft continually lament this fact and pray for the day when director Guillermo Del Toro finally makes his much anticipated AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS film, I wanted to comfort my fellow Cthulhu-loving cultists out there. While it is true that most movies beginning with “H.P. Lovecraft’s” stink on ice stronger than Dr. Munoz (only a true HPL fan will get that one), there are a few good films that owe a major debt to the writings and vision of Howard Phillips Lovecraft. So here you will find five films listed in chronological order that best capture various aspects of Lovecraft’s ideas. While there could be other films with a connection to Lovecraft that are perfectly good (one of my all time favorite flicks is RE-ANIMATOR) they are about as Lovecraftian as THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and therefore not on this list.

I guess at this point a definition of what “Lovecraftian” means to me should be codified. While others may have their own classification, to me something is in the Lovecraft spirit if it concerns its self with cosmic horrors, secrets man was never meant to know, a nihilistic view of the universe and mankind’s role in it, ancient alien races long forgotten, moldy books containing blasphemous, soul-shattering, and sanity-smashing knowledge, science squaring off with the unknown, proper New English gentleman going mad at the sight of cyclopean horrors, oh and tentacles. One mustn’t forget the tentacles. Now there are doubtless other elements to Lovecraft’s famous tales, but the above is what I think of when I think of the term; Lovecraftian. Now if you are not yet acquainted with the works of HPL, I recommend that you do so at once. There are reasons he’s considered a giant in the world of horror. But all that is a discussion for another time, or for the books of noted Lovecraft historian S.T. Joshi. Let us jump right into the list with…




QUATERMASS AND THE PIT (aka: FIVE MILLION YEARS TO EARTH) (1968).

I can hear you now; “A 60’s sci-fi flick from Hammer (we love Dracula) studios is one of the most Lovecraftian movies ever?” Yes, dear reader, it is. While there is no mention of the Great Old Ones, evil tomes, cults, or breeding gone wrong in this movie it does cover other key Lovecraft concepts in spades. This movie has ancient secrets, the true origins of man, super science, technological explanations for the supernatural, the truth behind local legends, and truly strange aliens that have had a hand (or a claw in this case) in the evolution of mankind. With all this going for it, H.P.L. would have loved this film.

In fact, this movie has so many great ideas in it that trying to write a short synopsis for it will be difficult, but I will try. While digging a new tunnel for London’s Underground rail system workers find the ancient, caveman-like remains of humanity’s ancestors. More shockingly, right next to those bones an “almost metal but not” spaceship is also unearthed. Inside the craft insect-like aliens are discovered and in doing so, something is awakened in not only the ship, but in the more sensitive human minds nearby. What follows are thought provoking explanations of mankind’s origins on Earth, racial memory, local ghost stories, psychic powers, and perhaps the very nature of the evil that lives inside all men. And all that is only the tip of the Titanic sinker. If you want to watch a truly smart science fiction film that draws heavily from Lovecraft’s ideas on the nature of man and the cosmos then QUARTERMASS AND THE PIT is the movie for you.





ALIEN (1979).

Here’s another sci-fi movie that owes a big debt to Lovecraft. Or is it a sci-fi move at all? This film has often been called a haunted house movie in space and for good reason; it is more akin to horror than to sci-fi. Taking an overused and outdated idea such as the haunted house story and breathing new life into it is a lesson every good author or filmmaker should learn, and something all horror fans should love, and if that’s all this movie offered then that would be fine, but Alien has so much more going for it.

First, forget everything you think you know about the famous alien because when this movie came out, it was all new. There was not four films’ worth of familiarity to fall back on, no plastic toys to play with, and no Predators for the titular star to face off against in two poorly done battle royals. That means that in addition to the elements of hopelessness, fear and claustrophobia that this movie evokes so well, there is also a great air of mystery and the unknown throughout. Where does the alien come from? Who were the other aliens that seemed to be masters of the alien? Now try to remember the first time you saw the now familiar spidery face hugger and the snake-like chest-buster, not to mention the grandeur of the alien’s final form, an unholy yet grotesquely sleek and beautiful amalgamation of man, beast and organic machinery. Talk about something truly beyond the wildest imaginations of man…unless you are a sick puppy like artist H.R. Geiger.

This alien was no little green man with a raygun. It was far superior to humans physically and at least equal to us in intellect. It was remorseless, something you couldn’t reason with as its reasoning was totally…well alien. Most movie monsters this powerful and unstoppable are slow and lumbering in order to give the victims in the film a bit of a chance, not this monster, it was lightning-quick and sneaky to boot. Most powerful monsters in fiction will always have an exploitable weakness; an example of this would be supernatural powerhouses like vampires and demons being week against holy items. The creature in ALIEN had no weakness. In the words of Ash, the good android gone bad, the alien was “perfect”. And if all that wasn’t enough, its very blood is acid so even if you are lucky and manage to hurt it, you’ll pay the price. Could Lovecraft himself have dreamt of a more bizarre critter?





THE THING (1982).

The John Carpenter’s reinterpretation (not remake) of Howard Hawks’ 1951 alien invader classic is truer to John W. Campbell’s original story “Who Goes There?” then Hawks picture. In addition, the Campbell story appears to be heavily influenced by Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness. Confused yet? Don’t worry, just remember this; Carpenter’s THE THING is perhaps the most Lovecraftian movie ever made. It has all of the central themes important to HPL except his distaste for seafood, and if you look hard enough I’m sure you can find that in there somewhere. Just read the premises behind The Thing and tell me it’s not in homage to the Grand Old Gent.

Many years ago something came down from the stars to earth. This ageless thing has traveled the universe for countless years and has destroyed and consumed an untold number of life forms before coming to our world. Luckily for us something went wrong (the stars were not right) and the thing was forced into a death-like slumber, thus sparing us all…at least for a little while. However, the thing is not dead and now that man has unwittingly awakened it the whole world is in peril. The beast is far stronger and smarter than any human. It has unimaginable powers, is nearly impossible to kill, and can corrupt anyone who comes into contact with it. If the thing ever fully awakens (read as: gets to a heavily populated area) the world as we know it will end. The only way to stop the creature is through the sacrifice of yourself and even then, with you last dying breath in your throat, you won’t be sure if you have saved the day or not.

Add to that mix amorphous, multi-tentacled creatures, a heavy dose of paranoia and nihilism, and the fact that despite a few great one-liners this movie is very grim and deadly serious, and you can almost envision Lovecraft sitting in the director’s chair. THE THING is a modern day classic. It is a great film enjoyed by Lovecraft fans and by people who haven’t the slightest idea who HPL was. I can not recommend this movie enough.





PRINCE OF DARKNESS (1987).

This movie is a very underrated gem. While it’s not a classic piece of cinema it is a fun, creepy and smart movie. More importantly it is a very Lovecraftian movie. Don’t let the title fool you, this movie not another “evil antichrist tries to win” flick, although it wants you to think that it is in the beginning. Directed by John Carpenter, the man who brought you 1982’s THE THING, this film takes on many Lovecraftian ideas, although it may not seem so at first.

This movie is filled with secrets man was not meant to know. Strange theories on the nature of the universe and the very nature of good and evil are wildly thrown around while theoretical scientific ideas are proved to be factual, at least in the context of the film. The truth behind one of mankind’s major religions is laid bare and for once scientist in a film actually behave (for the most part) like real scientist instead of nerdy characters they so often play in most movies. The possibilities of time travel are debated and sacrilegious books filled with damnable information are uncovered. Finally there’s a faceless and mindless mass of filthy rift-raft that are at the beck and call of an unseen evil presence. While they are not inbred country folk or the foreign horde of Red Hook, they would fit in nicely into any number of Lovecraft’s stories.

While HPL loved weird theories, secret and ancient truths, and strange new science, his favorite emotion to play with was hopelessness. After all, in his mythos the Great Old Ones will rise again and humanity will be destroyed and it’s only a matter of time. The same is true for PRINCE OF DARKNESS because almost right the start the characters start having dreams of the coming apocalypse, only these turn out not to be dreams, but something else entirely. Something far worse. The best the heroes in this film can do is to postpone the inevitable end, but to even do that they will have to sacrifice much. And when it is all said and done, what victory have they really won? How much more Lovecraftian can you get than that?





THE RESURRECTED (1992).

At long last a film actually based off of a Lovecraft story makes the list. In this case, the story, “The Case of Charles Dexter Ward” and director Dan O’Bannon stays amazingly faithful to Lovecraft’s original words, ideas and overall mood. A few minor changes have been made to modernize the story and make it better fit a movie’s format, but unlike other Lovecraft adaptations, when you see this film you can still get a sense of what HPL was originally trying to convey.

The story is told from the clichéd point of view of a tough private eye, but we can forgive the film that little indulgence. The hero and his fellow investigators are hired by Ward’s wife because poor Charles is acting pretty damn peculiar. After a suitably strange back story the investigators follow different lines of inquiry gaining small bits of information along the way, including the ever popular old journal o’ evil. There’s the occasional discovery of a grisly corpse or a frightening nightmare to keep the characters on their toes and remind them that they are dealing with something odd. Finally the group puts all the pieces together and plans their method of attack but like so many Lovecraft protagonists, these doomed souls don’t really know the full story yet and when they go to implement their plan they are woefully under equipped and unprepared for the horrors they must face. What follows is a dark, frightening, and gruesome journey of discovery in the tunnels beneath Ward’s ancestral home. When it is over, the investigators will have faced nameless horrors, unearthed unimaginable truths, had their grasp on reality shaken to the core, and some will have paid the ultimate price for fighting the forces of the Cthulhu Mythos.

THE RESURRECTED is not a great film but it is a good one. It is a fun movie to watch, something I would classify as a popcorn-muncher, but it is the most faithful transfer of a Lovecraft story to the big screen and it shows that yes boys and ghouls it can be done!

So there you go, five frightful flicks for fans of the Gentleman from Providence. Now go and watch these films, perhaps for the first time, or the twentieth, and maybe you will fall in love with Lovecraftian cinema.

--Brian M. Sammons

Graphic Horror: Game Reviews

By Brian M. Sammons






LEFT 4 DEAD 2, by Valve; 2009; Rated M; PC, Xbox360

Last year game developer Valve released on PC and the Xbox 360 an amazing, cooperative, multiplayer, first-person shooter with zombies. The story was simple and straightforward; play as one of four survivors stuck in a zombie apocalypse and try to make it through different settings to the rescue point so you could make good your escape. Along the way you’ll have to blast through hordes of fast moving zombies (a la the DAWN OF THE DEAD remake) and a number of “special infected”, such as the fat, bile-spewing boomer or the sneaky, leaping hunter. However what really made the game was the multiplayer where eight people, divided into two teams of four, would play as both the survivors and the special zombies in alternating turns, one side trying to survive and the other trying to kill the survivors. These games were fast, fun, and hilariously brutal. I would be hard pressed to name a better multiplayer experience for 2008.
But then word came that Valve was making a sequel to their smash hit and the big surprise was that it would come out almost one year to the day from the original game’s release. And thus began the drama.
“A sequel just a year after the original is too soon,” some people cried, and I could never understand that argument. I mean, if you have something good and would like more of it, getting it sooner than later should be a good thing, right? Now I guess the fans might have been worrying about the quality of such a “rushed” game, and they had a right to be, but some were condemning the game long before anyone had the faintest glimpse of it. In any event their fears were all for naught because the gameplay in part two is every bit as solid as the original. The core mechanics have remained virtually unchanged and the other bits, such as graphics, sound, set design, and so on, have also either remained the same or have been improved.
“This shouldn’t be its own game, it should just be extra content for the first game,” and “This game won’t be a real sequel.” Were two more arguments that went hand in hand and they may have had merit if LEFT 4 DEAD 2 was just a few more levels, but L4D2 is in every way a true and worthy sequel. Whereas the first game had four lengthy chapters, part two has five. Moreover, they feel more connected as they appear in chronological order, the first beginning in the afternoon and the others running throughout the dusk, night and finally back to morning. Additionally the game is set in the American south, a location often overlooked as a setting, and the levels are very different from one another so each offers unique challenges and gameplay. There’s the classic “zombies in a shopping mall”, the wet and dirty “zombies in a swamp”, and even “zombies in a hurricane” to really keep you jumping. Oh and did I mention zombie clowns can be found in the Dark Carnival chapter? Yes, zombie-freaking-clowns!








In addition to more, varied levels there are new special infected, like the hard hitting charger and my favorite, the crazy, tiny jockey that pounces on people and steers them into hazards and other packs of zombies. There are also new weapons, so you’ll now have a choice between which assault rifle to take, or if you want to stay with two 9mm pistols for rapid fire, or switch to a massive automag for a slower, but much harder hitting pistol. Also for the first time there are weapon mods like laser sights and exploding ammo, not to mention new equipment options such as switching out your first aid kit for a portable electric defib paddles to bring fallen friends back to life. Then there’s the best addition to your zombie fighting arsenal; the melee weapons. While they are a simple enough idea they are utilized very well in the game. Yes there’s the fan favorite chainsaw, but I prefer the machete, or even the frying pan. There’s nothing quite like the deep “bong” sound the pan makes when you smack it upside a zombie’s head.
Lastly there’s what made the first game so great, the multiplayer. So how does that fare in the sequel? Simply put, it’s better than ever. The new weapons, equipment, and zombie types add new challenges and opens up new tactics for both the human survivors and the undead infected. There is even an exciting and fast paced new mode where the survivors must gather gas cans to keep a generator running and the infected are out to stop them and kill the generator at all costs. This, combined with the countless hours of fun you can have with the normal four against four multiplayer and the five story chapters that you can do alone, or better yet with up to three friends, should kill all the arguments that L4D2 wasn’t a worthy sequel. It is that by far and so much more. If you loved the first game, you’ll love this. If you missed the first one, this is a great place to start. Basically if you love shooting zombies then this is the game for you, as no other game out there does zombie shooting better.
I give LEFT 4 DEAD 2 5 zombies eating my brains out of 5.





RESIDENT EVIL: THE DARKSIDE CHRONICLES, by Capcom; 2009; Rated M; Wii

If the Wii does one thing well, it does rail shooters well. Except now they don’t like being called rail shooters, they are “guided” shooters. Whatever they’re called, they are the games where you can’t control the movement of your character, you’re seeing everything through the first person perspective, and all you do control is the floating sights of your gun that you must use to blast nasty things repeatedly. The reason the Wii does these games so well is because of its wireless Wii remote that substitutes for the traditional light gun so well. So the mechanics for these types of games are well established for this system, but is this game any good? Let’s find out.
First let’s start with the good. In this game you shoot zombies in the face, and as I’ve said in past reviews doing that is always fun. Moreover you also have to tangle with some genetically altered beasts of various types including some fun Big Boss Battles from time to time. Story wise, DARKSIDE reunites two old favorites from the Resident Evil universe; Leon S. Kennedy and Jack Krauser and the game gives some new background for both. Additionally the action is set largely around two other RE games from yesteryear; RESIDENT EVIL 2 and RESIDENT EVIL: CODE VERONICA. If you’ve played those games before then you’ll recognize some of the areas and set pieces. If you’ve never played those earlier titles then you won’t lose much as Leon, the man character of the game, usually gives a brief recap of Resident Evil history as you go along. As for game play, you and your partner wander through spooky environments, blasting baddies with unlimited ammo pistols, occasionally collecting more powerful weapons like shotguns and machineguns, and as a nice bit of character progression, collecting gold bars so you can upgrade your weapons in between chapters.
Now your partner, unfortunately he’s pretty hit or miss. If you play the game with a real live buddy the fun factor is increased, as is usually the case. A good co-op mode can make any game better. However if you are a poor friendless soul and have to rely on the game’s AI partner then you are in for a world of frustration as the computer-controlled partner is all but useless. Worse yet, you have to continually babysit the second character because he is stupid and likes to let zombies chew on him, and if he dies from his own ignorance then the game is over for you too. Hmm, can you sense that we are coming up to the bad parts of this game? Ok, let’s do it.
First and foremost, the worst thing about this game is the “shaky-cam” video style. While DARKSIDE gets points for going with a unique look, that of an old, VHS camcorder and a first person experience much like THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT or CLOVERFIELD, it makes aiming a real chore, especially for the headshots needed to quickly drop zombies. Then there are the zombies and how they are utilized in the game. If DARKSIDE CHROLICLES misses a chance to pull off a light-gun-shooter cliché then I’m a brain eating ghoul. If, while on your adventures, you see a pile of dead bodies, you know that within seconds they’ll be up and capering towards your yummy bits. If you come to an empty room, you’ll character will look over his should for a quick second at some noise, and when you turn back around the room will now be magically packed full ‘o zombies, with at least one hungry undead guy teleported directly in front of you, reaching for your face. While all the well worn shock moments don’t necessarily make the game bad, they do keep it from being really good as they fast become repetitive, unintentionally funny, and worst of all, boring.
RE:TDC is a competent shooter. If you are a fan of the Resident Evil games then you’ll like it more that most just for the amount of fan service paid. If you just want to spend a couple of fun hours shooting dead things in the face, then this game will do that for you. However it offers nothing new outside of filling in some holes in the established RE fiction and trying to aim precisely is an exercise in futility.
I give RESIDENT EVIL: THE DARKSIDE CHRONICLES 3 chunks o’ meat out of 5.





SILENT HILL: SHATTERED MEMORIES, by Konami and Climax Studios; 2009; Rated M; Wii, PlayStation 2

I love the Silent Hill series. No other games are continually as creepy, atmospheric, and nightmarish. Even the last game, HOMECOMING, which got a lot of flak for being way too combat oriented, was still a fun, spooky romp. But yes, even as much of a Silent Hill fanboy that I am I have to admit that combat is the last thing that makes horror games good. Oddly enough the folks over at Climax Studios must agree with that because in SHATTERED MEMORIES there is no combat. That’s right, no guns, knives, hell not even a stick to whack the monsters with. All you can do is run, hide, and hope the nightmarish freaks chasing you don’t catch up or find you. Are you scared yet? Well you should be.
SHATTERED MEMORIES is a remake, or in today’s Hollywood-ese, a “reimagining” of the very first game, but with enough new things (like a completely different story) added to make old fans of the original sit up and take notice. First there are the technical updates, such as improved graphics, and thankfully some better voiceover work, but that’s to be expected. What wasn’t expected is just how well the designers of this game made it fit the quirky controls of Nintendo’s Wii. The game is largely set in the third person perspective and with one hand you control a flashlight, often your only source of illumination, and the other you use to walk around and interact with the world. And that trademark Wii interaction is perhaps handled better in this game than in any other Wii title before it. Unlocking doors, picking up beer cans, and finding clues just feel right. The only minor complaint I had was that sometimes when running from the monsters were just a tad off, but even then the controls were tighter than most games I’ve played on the Wii. All in all the game handles very well.
Before I get to the best part of this game, let me hit the few down points SH:SM has. First it’s really short, but it also has tons of replay value (more on that in a moment) so that’s a wash. Perhaps my biggest gripes with this game come from the “other world”. In previous SILENT HILL games from time to time your character would leave the “normal” scary world of the small town of Silent Hill and enter a nightmarish, filthy, dark, rusted, and diseased world where the real horrors lurked. This other world was captivating in its disgusting horribleness and gave the SH games a signature look and feel. In SHATTERED MEMORIES, the other world is represented by extreme cold. Everything just gets covered in ice and snow. While this game should get credit for trying something new, I have to say it wasn’t very effectively implemented. Making everything look like a winter wonderland on steroids does impart a lonely, isolated feel, but it’s far from freaky or creepy. Then there are the monsters, or serious lack of them. Now this game is not a combat game, and that’s great, but after just a short time playing you’ll come to realize that the critters only ever appear when you are in the frozen other world. The effect of that is that it lessens the fear factor of the game considerably whenever you’re not in ice world. In the other SH games, while the other world was seriously creepy and dangerous, even the “real” world had threats and that put you on edge because you never knew when bad things would happen to you. That is sadly missing this time out. But really, are minor quibbles at best. If those are the worst things I can come up with then the rest of the game has to be pretty good, right?


















Oh yeah it is, and that’s largely due to the mind games. Let me explain. Right from the start you see a bright red warning screen that tells you that as you play this game it is also playing you. Before you can think too deeply about that, you are dropped into a first person viewpoint and sitting before a psychologist. He’s here to help you and as you continue through the game you’ll keep coming back to this guy for “evaluation”. The first test you must pass is a true or false quiz, asking such personal questions as, “I make friends easily,” “I enjoy role-play during sex”, and “I have never cheated on a partner.” This odd test is but one part of a unique game mechanic where the game will alter its self depending upon your answers and your actions while playing it. Whether you explore a room thoroughly or just rush through it, if you search the women’s restroom before searching the men’s, and how you react to threats and strangers all go into creating a game experience that will be very different from one play through to the next. Characters, monsters, even the geography of Silent Hill will all change based on your actions. For example in one game you might encounter a nice, comforting cop in a diner, but the next time you play the diner may be frozen solid and you’ll encounter the same cop at the local bar, but this time she’ll be dressed completely different and be cold, if not downright hostile towards you. This ever changing and evolving game play is easily the best thing about the new SILENT HILL game. It is a trick I’d like to see more games utilize.
I give SILENT HILL: SHATTERED MEMORIES 4 frozen, faceless critters out of 5.


THE TERROR THROWBACK

This new part of Graphic Horrors will be a trip down memory lane for some, but I hope it’s also a spotlight for others that might have missed these classics the first time around, or for the younger horror game fans that might have been way too young to play them when they came out. If this is the case for you, and the games I highlight interest you, then by all means seek them out. Sure some may be hard to find, they are pretty damn old after all, but eBay and other sites like it will be your best friend in your search. Additionally some of these games, ok most of them, won’t play on modern computer operating systems. To overcome that hurdle I recommend a free little program called Dosbox (http://www.dosbox.com/) that will allow you to play the old games on most modern PCs. Lastly, if all that just seems like too much work, but you’re still interest in these Throwback games, then I suggest you try looking the titles up on YouTube. Many of these games have videos of people playing through them, so if you can’t play these games yourself, at least you can watch someone else do so.

Ok, enough with the preamble, let’s get started and let’s get crazy with…




SANITARIUM, by SC Games; 1998; Rated M; PC.

This game was amazing. And fun. And amazingly fun! The old chestnut “they don’t make them like this anymore” would apply to this game. This is a third person, isometric view adventure game (if you ever played BALDUR’S GATE or DIABLO then you’ll know what I mean) that drips with atmosphere and focuses squarely on substance over style. Sadly, for many of today’s twitchy, A.D.D. afflicted, “hardcore” gamers, I would bet this game would come off as boring and thus why this great subgenre has largely died off. But if you like freaky, weird, disturbing games with a great story, then SANITARIUM would be your drug of choice. Let’s explore…
Things start off with a bang, or in this case, with a violent car crash. You wake up in a bedlam for the damned with your face wrapped in bandages and no memory of who you are or how you came to be there. Therefore you must explore this gothic madhouse filled with the insane and dangerous. You would like to escape this snake pit and discover your memories, but in order to do that you must face eight shifting worlds dreamt up by your crazy unconscious. Each of these alternate worlds usually anchor around a central theme and are populated by bizarre denizens. One psychosis-induced world may be set in the ancient Aztec time, another in a dark circus of the damned, and yet another will play out like Stephen King’s CHILDREN OF THE CORN on acid. To make matters freakier your persona in each world will change to fit the surroundings, and to no doubt disturb you. You might be a for-armed monster in one fevered dream, and a sweet little girl in another. This delirium jumping, character changing narrative will have your poor faceless, amnesiac wondering what is real and will keep you guessing until the very end of this wonderfully creative and dark game.
The mechanics of SANITARIUM are simple and effective. It has mouse driven movement, beautiful graphics that still hold up pretty well today, and voice acting that ranges from delightfully cheesy to well done. Speaking of the ears, the game’s soundtrack is expressive and lively, with each world and the asylum you are trapped in having distinct themes. Like many games in the adventure genre, this one is populated with people to talk to and to help, usually in off the wall ways. The game’s puzzles are largely related to things in your ever expanding inventory. That means you’ll spend lots of time collecting odd items like oil cans and rubbing alcohol for later use. Every so often there is the odd action sequence to liven things up, and while they are not too difficult you can die in them. But fear not, like all good nightmares death is never really the end.
I really love this game and was recently lucky to find a copy for cheap on eBay. Admittedly it was a bit of a pain to get it to play on my PC, but the aforementioned free program Dosbox helped with that. If you can’t find your own copy to play then I truly weep for you. This game really needs to be experienced firsthand. But if that’s just not possible then I know there’s at least one video of a complete playthrough on YouTube. Just search for “Sanitarium Game” and you’ll find it. If you simply can’t get this title any other way then watching these videos will at least give you some idea of this great, hidden gem. I can’t recommend SANITARIUM high enough.















--Brian M. Sammons

It Came From the Discard Bin! #5: Legion of Monsters

It Came From The Back Issue Bins … The Legion of Monsters
by Jason Shayer





With a title like The Legion of Monsters, it doesn’t take much of an imagination to pull together a grouping monsters, like Morbius, Werewolf by Night, and the Man-Thing. The Legion of Monsters #1 black and white magazine hit the newsstands in early 1975. The title of this series, as well as this concept, proved to be terribly misleading. This issue featured a beautiful Neal Adams cover painting featuring Stoker’s Dracula commanding Frankenstein’s Monster and the Manphibian. The Manphibian? Who could forget the Manphibian? What? You did? Never heard of him? He’s the Marvel knockoff of the Creature From The Black Lagoon.

The disappointing The Legion of Monsters #1 didn’t feature the promised monster team-up and contained individual stories, none of which were even remotely connected. And to add insult to injury, these stories were unused pieces from Marvel’s other black and white magazines, like the Dracula Lives! and Monsters Unleashed.

And about the idea of this being an ongoing series. The Legion of Monsters #1 turned out to be a one-shot despite the editorial, as well as in-house ads and subscription forms, indicating that it would be an ongoing publication.




However, like all good monsters, the idea didn’t stay dead for long. A few months later, the Legion of Monsters made their very first appearance in the pages of Marvel Premiere #28. Now this was more like it, right? I really wanted this to be something special, but it wasn’t. In fact, it was terrible.

As a monster fan, I can appreciate how difficult it is to get all of the monsters together, but getting them together almost took half the comic book! This issue teamed up Man-Thing, Werewolf by Night, Ghost Rider, and Morbius to face the fearsome threat of the being known as Starseed. What? Never heard of him either? There’s a reason. Fortunately, we haven’t heard of Starseed since either. Might tell you something.

Monster comics didn’t survive long after the 1970s. The most successful attempt at bringing together monsters again was in the 1990s under the banner of the Midnight Sons. This banner pulled together supernatural heroes like Blade, Ghost Rider, Morbius, and Doctor Strange.

More recently, in 2005, Marvel tried to revive this franchise with Nick Fury’s Howling Commandos (2005) which was kind of a Hellboy/BPRD rip-off as S.H.I.E.L.D. employed various monsters, like the Werewolf by Night and the Living Mummy, to tackle supernatural threats. It died a merciful death.

In 2008, Marvel returned to its traditional monster roots by publishing four one-shots that featured Morbius, Man-Thing, Werewolf by Night, and Satana. Sticking to the original formula, these one shots were self-contained and didn’t have any of the monsters teaming up. These issues were nicely repackaged in a hardcover collection that you can probably find at most comic book stores.




Late this year, Marvel tried once again to reboot the Legion of Monsters. This time in hopes of ensuring its success, they decided to recruit its favorite vigilante. Frank Castle is no stranger to the supernatural; being in and out of prisons and mental institutes, hunted and praised by law enforcement, killed and raised from the dead by angels, and left a bloody trail of mobsters in his wake.

This reboot of the Legion of Monsters is tied into the latest version of the Punisher franchise. This version had returned to the basics that made the Punisher a success in the 1980s. Solid, no holds barred story-telling, a deadly, single-minded Frank Castle, and a gritty realistic approach to the series all make The Punisher a comic worth checking out, even before the monster slant.

Okay, okay, you’ve hung on this far waiting to see what the hell all of this has to do with the Legion of Monsters. Here’s the payoff. The previous story arc concluded with the Punisher’s death, leaving him a dismembered corpse. In Punisher #11, Frank is put back together by Dr. Michael Morbius, with a tip of the hat to Frankenstein’s Monster, and joins the others monsters as the newly rebranded Legion of Monsters. Together they head off to take on a deadly organization that threatens to purge the Marvel Universe of monsters.

Don’t miss this ride, it’s just getting underway. Don’t make me say I told you so.

--Jason Shayer

Dark Suites Music Reviews

Mudvayne: Self titled album
Review written by Steven M Duarte

Mudvayne graces us with another album after releasing “The New Game,” in November of 08. Word is they created the tracks for this album alongside The New Game recording session. While the songs may have been recorded during the same session, “Mudvayne,” is definitely a darker heavier album. While many of the tracks contained on “The New Game are more upbeat, “Mudvayne contains dark eerie intros that play into heavy down tuned riffs.
The first song “Beautiful and Strange,” is an example of the darker sound. The song starts off with very industrial sounding effects that would make even David Lynch envious. The rest of the song is pure mudvayne with lead singer Chad Grays signature growl. One thing that flows throughout this album are catchy hooks which are found in almost every song. Other standouts on the album include “Scream with Me,” and the industrial sounding “Closer,” which is reminiscent of a Rammstein song. When we get to the middle of the album, we are treated to yet another haunting music score which acts as the intro to “Heard it All Before.” I’m not sure if Mudvayne included these intros for the sole purpose of making the album darker or if they had alternative motives for it. Either way I enjoy horror scores and dark sounding music so I found it as a welcome addition.
We get to hear a little bit of bass work from bassist Ryan Martinie on “Beyond the Pale,” which is always a welcome addition in my book. The last song on the album “Dead Inside,” is much more country sounding ballad reminiscent of some of the work Chad Gray did with HellYeah. This album is more L.D 50 than say Lost and Found which is definitely a good thing. One cool thing that Mudvayne did with the packaging of the album is they had world known horror tattoo artists Paul Booth create custom artwork for the album cover. The cover can only be seen under a black light and appears to be a blank white cover to the naked eye. This is a very awesome idea which gives people incentive to purchase the album.

Track List
1. "Beautiful and Strange"
2. "1000 Mile Journey"
3. "Scream With Me"
4. "Closer"
5. "Heard It All Before"
6. "I Can't Wait"
7. "Beyond the Pale"
8. "All Talk"
9. "Out to Pasture"
10. "Burn the Bridge"
11. "Dead Inside"
--Steven M Duarte

The Horror Playlist: Phillip Cook

As most of you know, I am a HUGE music fan, even been known to play a little now and then. And the first person to share my love for both listening and playing music was my little bro, this month’s pick for the Horror Playlist.
Below follows his picks and they’re some fine ones, indeed. If you don’t own these albums, get ‘em and soon. He knows what he’s talking about. He's definitely aimed me in the right direction with some albums and artists I might never have tried without his guidance. And for that I will always owe him my deepest gratitude.




Sanctuary/Refuge Denied

I remember buying this album on cassette when I was in my early teens. I thought I was actually buying someone else, a band I’d seen on Headbanger's Ball (when MTV was still remotely related to MUSIC TELEVISION). I still can't remember who I thought it was supposed to be, but when I got home and put the cassette in my player, I was like ‘who the fuck is this?’ But after the music started playing, and the guy started singing, I was like "WHOA" this is fucking raw. I’m glad I screwed up and stumbled upon this masterpiece. If you really like the older classic metal, and high range vocals of the likes of, say, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, or King Diamond, this is the one for you. Backed by illusive guitar and chest pounding drums this album will ALWAYS be around in my stack of most played albums.

Track 1
Battle Angels
An intense build up of ear piercing guitar and pulsating snare gear up for a powerful and musically demanding song.

Track 2
Termination Force
A song about government and the anarchy that follows with Martial Law. And the termination of those who oppose it. A glimpse into the future, my friends.

Track 3
Die For My Sins
I love the vocals on this one. This guy’s range amazes me even today.

Track 4
Soldiers of Steel
I could swear this guy must have been Geoff Tate's dad. He sounds like him in a few of the verses in this song. Also the drummer really pounds on the skins in this one.

Track 5
Sanctuary
A defiant performance in this song. A song to build your self esteem for battle, I suppose.

Track 6
White Rabbit
A remake of the song by Jefferson Airplane. One word for this song: genius. They so easily turn this song into a metal classic.

Track 7
Ascension to Destiny
Another true metal classic. Power in every riff and every high pitched vocal makes this one of the true metal songs of its time.

Track 8
The Third War
A bit slower. Of course this song is talking about the end. The Apocalypse. How the third war will be the final blow to us all.

Track 9
Veil of Disguise
Oh, how the devil come in so many fashions and forms. And he explains all of this in this song.

This is really a great album for all of you older metal heads out there. You know who you are. I don't know why these guys never got more popular than they were, but this one of my favorite albums of ALL times.





Metallica/Master of Puppets

Okay so yeah, I have Metallica in my review. Lots of people have their own opinion about Metallica. Metallica USED to be one of my very favorite bands, and, yes, I'll admit their stardom didn't really grow on me like every one else. Lots have said that they sold out after they released the "Black" album and went to the more pop type sound. All because of one slow song. Well, I still happen to like Metallica today I just have more favorite songs off of their old material more than the new. Not because they so called "changed", but because it just appealed to me more. When I hear someone say Metallica, I think more "Kill ‘Em All”, “Ride The Lightning” or “Garage days: Revisited”…or my pick, “Master of Puppets".
Utterly the best Metallica album, ever. This album has power and aggression and so much musical talent from the four original guys from Los Angeles, CA., it can't be displaced by any other. But don't get me wrong, Metallica is still a great band, despite all the bullshit.

Track 1
Battery
Starting out with classical guitar, almost eerie sounding, and then just smashing into oblivion, this song truly shows how Metallica opened many doors for thrash metal artists.

Track 2
Master of Puppets
Each time I hear this song I can remember trying to learn how to play it on the drums when I played music. Very, very hard to get this one. Lots of offbeat drum work, guitar work and bass guitar. Lots of timing changes. Just an awesome song all the way through. Master!!Master!!

Track 3
The Thing That Should Not Be
Like a story being told, this song mesmerizes me each time I hear it. Almost in a sense of some mythical being rising from the sea, as James Hetfield growls out the lyrics. I also like the way Cliff Burton (bass guitar) puts his 2 cents worth in after each verse. Really bad ass song.

Track 4
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
I saw Metallica in concert on the "And Justice For All" tour and when they played this song it really felt like the place was going to fall in. Kirk Hammett and James Hetfeild really know their instruments to be able to hold things together on playing a song like this live. One of my favorites from this album also.

Track 5
Disposable Heroes
8* minutes of pure fury from start to finish. My very favorite from the whole album. I think Lars Ulrich (drummer) has to use an oxygen machine while playing on stage due to such songs as this.

Track 6
Leper Messiah
Another favorite. This song pretty much tells you how some Evangelists, or whatever you want to call them, go around this great country of ours, preaching the word of God to some poor ass community, while trying to take every red cent they have for God, when really they are stopping at the local bar in the next town to drink it all up or buy some whore that they fancy. Or both.

Track 7
Orion
Indisputably, one of the best instrumentals rock music has ever had in its vocabulary.
Bassist Cliff Burton overwhelms the song with a stupendous bit of solo in the middle of the song. Of course Cliff is no longer with us due to an accident in Europe. Around dawn near Dörarp, Sweden, the bus driver lost control and skidded, which caused the bus to flip several times. Ulrich, Hammett, and Hetfield sustained no serious injuries; however, bassist Burton was pinned under the bus and was killed.
R.I.P Cliff.

Track 8
Damage Inc.
Truly a devastating song. I saw them do this one live also and it looked like people’s heads were going to dismember themselves from their bodies from head banging. Not me though. I just watched in amazement, thinking to myself, "how the fuck are they playing that and making it sound good?"

Truly this whole album still amazes me to this day. It will always have a place in my music library.





God Lives Underwater/Empty

This album has lingered around in my library for several years. As a matter of fact, I think since I first purchased the album in a music store called "Turtles" in Jax, Florida. A very whimsical sound, full of synthesizers and richly enhanced drums and guitar effects. The band was mainly influenced by the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Cabaret Voltaire, KMFDM, and Ministry. Their music is gloomy, aggressive, and yearning mood music

Track 1
Still
A sort of panic song. You can't seem to make up your mind. Lyrically challenging the thought that maybe this guy has been stuck inside too long, dwelling on a lost love. Maybe he can't seem to get that lump out of his gut that we all have felt in our life sometime or another.

Track 2
All Wrong
Basically their biggest hit. I remember first hearing this on Planet Radio in Jax, Florida. They, of course, like many other stations burned my brains out on it. But, still, a great song nonetheless.

Track 3
Fool
Like the drums on this one and all of the somewhat ever changing effects.

Track 5
Empty
A song of pure pouring your heart out to someone. How expecting too much can leave you careless and "empty"

Track 6
Don't know How to Be
You might think Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails was singing or even wrote this song. A lot more back bone in this song. Sounds a bit more rock than some.

Track 7
No More Love
Well to be a bit honest I was still experimenting with the drugs when this song became popular. I happened to be playing in a band at the time and we were very influenced by this song. So we put this album on one night and decided to drop some acid. We were "peaking " when it began and I think we must have listened to it 20 or so times over and over again. So without a doubt some pretty irreversible memories come from this song.

Track 8
23
Another song we attempted to play as a band, but never really could quite get it down until one night when we played live in front of a beach bar full of people. I must say with bragging rights, we actually pulled it off. Great song, but even so...very boring to play on drums. HA!

Track 9
We Were Wrong
The title to this song tells pretty much what this song is about lyrically. Great rhythm and a drop down of plastering guitar riffs.

Track 10
Weaken
My very favorite one from this album. I like the sort of gloomy feeling to it. It is almost like the guitar has air coming through it. Another solid effect that makes this whole album fantastic.

Track 11
Tortoise
A pandemonium blur of rhythms and off brand beats charmed with percussive vocals.

Track 12
Scared
Only guitar and singing a slight drum here and there. But overall a good song.






Ministry/In Case You Didn’t Feel Like Showing Up (live)

Ministry was formed in 1981 by front man and founder Al Jourgenson as a synth-pop outfit. They changed their style in the '80's to industrial metal. Not to put a stereotype on the music because TO ME it is ALL music no matter how it sounds. I feel like Ministry opened new doors for bands such as Gravity Kills, Stabbing Westward, God Lives Underwater and other bands with that appeal. At any rate, this album of only 6 songs has been in my library it seems like forever. I saw these guys on the second Lollapalooza tour ever in Orlando, Florida, during the night that Hurricane Andrew hit in Miami, Florida it was a total high for me personally. If you ever have a chance to see these guys perform it is well worth the cash.

Track 1
The Missing
Devastating blows to the drums and fierce riffs on the guitar makes this song jump right out at you.

Track 2
Deity
If you happen to be the type person that hears a heavy song and feels the urge to bang your head to the beat of a song, you might want to be careful with this one. You could probably end up with whiplash or your eyes may jiggle out of the sockets. The rapid fire beat is sustained for the whole song, leaving no room for breaks or silence. Excellent song.

Track 3
So What!
Offbeat and full of "telling the world off" lyrics. What can I say? Probably my favorite song from Ministry. And it just so happens this version also. A very mind blowing experience specifically live in person. I saw them do this version in Orlando and when they started it I was hoping they’d do it like on this album and, sure enough, they did. It was overwhelming to see all of those people throwing themselves across one another and off the stage. A very exciting time in my life.

Track 4
Burning Inside
Well long story short, this song is about being pissed off. And if you listen to it pissed off, you'll get even more pissed off. As a matter of fact, I am getting pissed off right fucking NOW!!!!

Track 5
Thieves
Maybe I am wrong but this song is about our brainwashing government and fascist scum that are still allowed to make all of the decisions for us. The ones that WE vote for. Anarchy forever! Rock on Ministry.

Track 6
Stigmata
When people are around while I play this song they are often upset by the lyrics “fuck Jesus". But apparently they aren’t listening to the rest of the song cause it says "fuck you" also. Another angry song. Take it like you want. I love it myself.





Moby/GO: The best of Moby

My next choice is a bit off the wall from the rest, but to me a musical experience beyond belief. Moby was 9 years old when he began playing music. He writes his own music, despite a few collaborations here and there. I really enjoy his virtuoso of variety from blues sounds to a total ambient sound. A far step from any of my other choices, but I enjoy all types of music. It just so happens that most of it is a bit strange or way too aggressive for the normal human being.

Track 1
First Cool Hive
This song has a very sleek and sultry sound to it. Almost as if you were on a flight with no turbulence. A mystifying lady’s voice that calms the soul and reaches out to touch you in all your inner places.

Track 2
Go
With a more upbeat tempo this one gives me the general feeling as if I were in a club having a good stiff drink, watching all the people dance. I myself don't dance…but if I did I would try my moves at this one.

Track 3
Into the Blue
An excellent song. It is what it is. You could have your own thoughts on this song, but for me, it makes me want to be on one of those big luxurious boats out on the midst of the oceans graceful beauty with the one that I love.

Track 4
Now I let It Go
This song actually has made me cry a few times. The sound of the violin gives me chills each time I hear it. Very sad. But at the same time very relaxing.

Track 5
Move (You make me feel so good)
The woman singing in this song makes me feel good just the way she sings. It may repeat over and over, but it sticks in my head like a wonderful dream.

Track 6
I Like to Score
Sort of reminds me of an old Jimi Hendrix album I had. I can't remember the name of it, but it was before the resurgence in his popularity came about. One of the songs was called "Go Go Shoes." The guitar work on the effects reminds me a lot of the songs that was on that album. A kind of 70s sound.

Track 7
Anthem
Another more upbeat tempo on this one. Lots of synthesizer and orchestra-driven harmony.

Track 8
Hymn
I don't think I could keep my fingers moving for that amount of time as Moby does on the piano on this one. To me it is amazing how he can actually make a song without any drums or singing and it still sticks in your head. I guess a song like that would be made to whistle.

Track 9
Feeling So Real
Now....is this a drug induced song? I think so. Ha! I read that Moby does some experimenting in his biography. This one…well…let's just say he was "feeling so real."

Track 10
God Moving Over the Face of the Waters
I have to be careful when I listen to this song. It makes want burst out of my own skin.

Track 11
Alone
10 minutes and 47 seconds of ambience and bliss.

Track 12
Novio
Low keyed synthesizer with harmonics and chants to boot. Another ambient relaxing couple minutes of ear candy.

Track 13
The Rain Falls and the Sky Shudders
One of my very favorites. Another song that has no drums or rhythm but a decisive point of beautiful piano playing and a radiant sound of trickling rain that makes it pure serenity.

Track 14
When It's Cold I'd Like To Die
This is my favorite song ever by Moby. I have actually thought that maybe I should get this song played at my funeral. About the most I can say about it is it reminds me of being in my hometown where I grew up staring out over the waters.

Track 15
Living
Another round of ambience and pure essence. The guitar work in this song shows how musically inclined Moby really is.

Track 16
Grace
This song is a reminder of how proud we should all be to see the sun rise every morning. That is how it sounds to me as if there should be a great big orange sun off in the distance slowly pulling its way up to the heavens.





Placebo/Without You I’m Nothing

Considered an alternative rock band, Placebo stands out with me as one of the best. Falling into a stream with bands like Radiohead, a fulfilling mix of heavy punkish and melodic sound rears its ugly head. Formed in London, England in 1994, they have gained a considerable amount of worldwide recognition. I've heard a couple of their albums, but "Without You I'm Nothing" is in the first pages of my CD case of favorites.

Track 1
Pure Morning
Hammering the snare and distorting the bass guitar pan this song out to be an alternative classic in our music world. Being one of their biggest hits it, holds a special place for me.

Track 2
Brick Shithouse
A very fast paced gallop of distortion and raunchy lyrics.

Track 3
You Don't Care About Us
A really rhythmic, sultry and truthful song in some peoples’ cases. I like the changes in the sound of the guitar, turning from subtle to a heavy distortion, and I most like the lyric where he says "Mental Masturbation". How original is that? HA!

Track 4
Ask For Answers
Smooth sounding song. A very lyrically enhanced song. Love this song.

Track 5
Without You I'm Nothing
Praise to your lover. Telling someone how you feel about them. A song about love and loss of love.

Track 6
Allergic (Thoughts of Mother Earth)
This song makes me think maybe the guy from Radiohead is playing the guitar. Not to stereotype, but the sound of the guitar reminds me of few Radiohead songs. I really like this song. Another lyrically enhancing song.

Track 7
The Crawl
I think this song is about the pressures of love. How you have to worry about losing the one you love. The stress of life and love. How everything could end at any moment.

Track 8
Every You Every Me
A more punk, alternative or whatever you want to call it. Nonetheless, a really cool song. I'll say again a lyrical song. Placebo definitely does not have any lyrical challenges. Very original.

Track 9
My Sweet Prince
My MOST definite favorite on this album. Very dark and whimsical. Heroin addiction. You could take this song however you want, but I believe it is about heroin addiction.

Track 10
Summer's Gone
A relaxing song about growing older and trying to make the right decisions.

Track 11
Scared of Girls
I like the offbeat drums on this one. A heaving guitar and bass rhythm pull off a glimmering glow of stammering energy crammed into 3 minutes.

Track 12
Burger Queen
I really don't know what in the hell he is singing about but I really like this song. I would say maybe my 2nd favorite off of this album. It runs on for a little over 6 minutes and then into a secret song on the CD. An instrumental that really shows the punk side of Placebo.





Mad Season/Above

Consisting of members Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), Layne Staley (Alice in Chains), John Baker Saunders (The Lamont Cranston Band), and Barrett Martin (The Screaming Trees), Mad Season has became an imperative part of my music library since their album "Above " was released on March 15,1995. Recorded in Bad Animals Studios, owned by Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, it took only 7 days for the music and just a few more days to lay down Staley's vocals, it is an ultimate classic in my book. Bearing powerful blues and mesmerizing guitar work, it hammers into the air. One of my very favorite albums of all times, "Above" sends chills down my spine each time I hear it.

Track 1
Wake Up
Very subtle and relaxing. Apparently the lyrics are speaking of drug abuse. Problems that a couple of the members had in this collaboration. A very genuine song. None other like it that I have ever heard. Layne really lets his own heart bleed out in this one. The change coordination really enhances its beauty.

Track 2
X-Ray Mind
Not just because of the vocals, but the sound of the music, someone would say, "Hey is that the new Alice in Chains?" I've had this happen.

Track 3
River of Deceit
A comforting song that reminds me of growing up at home. All of the childish things I did as a teen and the family troubles. Fights, alcohol, drugs and time to kill. Very much reminds me of my youth.

Track 4
I'm Above
A song about self preservation. Implicating that there are no worries and no problems stronger than what you hold in your pride's possession.

Track 5
Artificial Red
Very Bluesy. "Smoke poison consumed." Hmmm? I wonder what he’s talking about? HA! In the House of Ill Repute. I have actually been to a place in Jax, FL. called the House of Ill Repute. I saw some band that night that was just whack (I think it was Fishbone) but, anyway, very hard blues song.

Track 6
Lifeless Dead
I believe this song is referring to a love gone bad. It must have put the guy in a zombie like trance when this love went south. All because of the "he said/she said".

Track 7
I Don't Know Anything
Just play dumb. There is no peace in the world and never will be. Can't seem to figure it out. Lots of heavy guitar in this song. A very "sounds like Alice in Chains" song. Which is funny because in the movie "Singles" it shows a short clip of Alice In Chains playing a bit of this song.

Track 8
Long Gone Day
Soft bongos, light guitar, and a saxophone make for a very different and unique sounding song. One of my favs off this album.

Track 9
November Hotel
Another of my favs. You should sit back in a room with low lights and a bottle of Nyquil and let this song pull you under. Just joking. A very trance like beginning that leads into a powering drum break out on the cymbals and pulls on the tremolo of the guitar that writhe through each pour of your skin. Bringing this song into a 7 minute and 10 second journey into musicianship.

Track 10
All Alone
Very dark and depressing. I love it. My 3rd favorite.





A Dark Halo/Catalyst

Out of Phoenix, Arizona, A DARKHALO has become one of my most played CDs in the past few months. I had never even heard of these guys until just a few months ago. With bone crushing drum slams and eerie sounding synths, exploding vocals and guitar streaming throughout each song, you have to find a spot in collection for this powerful CD. It was released November 7, 2006 on Heavy Armor Records and has a really astounding production of sound. Candy for your ears.

Track 1
Burn it all
Synthesizers in heavy metal haven't been lost. The beginning of the song sends a chill of cold wind through your bones with hurricane force. The melody, and at the same time the growling screeches of the vocalist, burn through the air. You need to have good speakers with this song or you may be replacing them. I know I have several times.

Track 2
Beyond Recall
Just my opinion, but I think this song may be about drug abuse. Reasons being in the lyrics. The sound almost has a Fear Factory sound. Not to compare these guys to Fear Factory ,which I ever so like myself, but the sound reminds me let's just say.

Track 3
Dust and Ashes
I think the drummer may have to change out his splash and crash cymbals after each set of this song in a live performance. He just creams them with each beat. A very powerful song with plenty of guitar and bass work for any musician. Vocal effects in between every bridge gives it a definite potential for a classic in my book.

Track 4
Silence
Avery dark sounding song. I guess that’s what makes it my favorite from this album. I really like the slow and eeriness of the beginning pounding into a growl of vocals and as it goes on a story of regret pulse from the lyrics. It breaks into the middle of the song with a pour of effects from the guitar for a short time bringing it to one last chorus and a really quick end. That was my only disappointment is that it wasn't long enough.

Track 5
Formatting...
1:22 seconds of synthesized piano that is slightly depressing ,yet adds a bit more mystery of what's next.

Track 6
Nucleus
This song comes running like a pissed off bull out of the previous track "Formatting". It talks about evolution. Sheering off a blast of rumbling guitars and a galloping drum fill my ears with true delight. Lots of synthesizer in this song which gives it it's character.

Track 7
Apex Realized
Lots of heavy bass guitar in this. Another song that the synthesizer brings an ultimate character to fall into its grace. This song pours out a lot of thoughts that go through my mind each day. All of the scars of life can be healed if you just give it a listen. HA!

Track 8
Unbreakable
This is my very favorite off this album. I have heard it somewhere before, but can't remember where. The first song I had ever heard from these guys. It is about strength and fighting for what you believe in. Whatever it may be.





White Zombie/La Sexorsisto: Devil Music Volume 1

White Zombie was founded by writer, vocalist, and graphic artist Rob Zombie in 1985.
They released 3 EPs between this time and 1987. That same year they released their first full length album, "SoulCrusher", while signed with Caroline records. A few labels and band members later they signed with Geffen records (after Rob Zombie pushed for it). Then, in 1992, they released La Sexorsisto: Devil Music Vol.1, the album which launched them into mainstream recognition. White Zombie began a two-and-a-half-year-long tour for the album soon after its release, during which time the band gained a large cult following. Rob Zombie is now on his own making movies and music, but La Sexorsisto (to me) will be a long standing favorite of mine. I feel it was his (and the band he had at the time) best work to date. A horror work all its own.

Track 1
Welcome to Planet Motherfucker/Psycoholic Slag

Sounding like the beginning of an old dusty record and exploding into a born to kill groove this song brings a whole new meaning to the word slam. Rob's gruff voice bends through the universe of this space trip into the galaxy. If you can hold your head still through this song than you must truly be a boring person. Mine is bobbling right now.

Track 2
Thunderkiss '65
I LIKE this song but, it seems like the radio stations in America think this is the only fucking song on this album. Great song but very burned out. I usually skip this song 90 % of the time now because of it.

Track 3
Black Sunshine
Great driving song. This song makes you want to get in your car and drive all night. Hence "Black Sunshine". Even if you have a 4 cylinder, as I do, it'll make you want to see just how far the gas pedal will get to the floor and drive to "the edge of nothing."

Track 4
Soul-Crusher
I just like the way Rob says "Well, C'mon!" Ha! One of the songs that really stands out as more of the 90's metal sound. Each artist playing their instrument knows exactly when to change timing and make their instrument really do its job.

Track 5
Cosmic Monsters Inc.
"Meanwhile, behind the facade of this innocent looking book store"…Another song you have to move your head to. Another one of my very favs off this album. It is crazy how the lyrics actually make no sense, but it brings lots of thoughts to your imagination. Like"supersky", "a trick of light", and "west of the moon". Okay. Really a great song. I really like the drums on this one.

Track 6
Spiderbaby (yeah,yeah,yeah)
Rob Zombie really howls like a banshee on this one. A very good song for maybe a Halloween party…or a killing. Ha! It has a sort of spooky groove to it. Like maybe something's about to happen feeling.

Track 7
I am Legend
I think this song is about jealousy and how it can be a murderer. Meaning how people can lose their mind over their lover cheating on them. Seems like someone always gets hurt in the end…or dead. Rob wails out his lyrics as the band sheer off some powerful chords and severing drum licks.

Track 8
Thrust!
Another more heavy metal sounding song. Killer riffs and hellacious drum beats. I don't know what the guy says at the start of the song but it fits it just right. Another great song for driving. I guess just because of the lyrics. With clips from "Night of the living Dead" which gives it another great appeal.

Track 9
Grindhouse(A Go Go)
Great changes musically throughout the whole song.

Track 10
Starface
Awesome beginning with the drums. Rob really pours it out on this one. Flawless it drives out a heavy mix of grooves and sporadic changes out on the drumbeats. One of another of my favs from this one.

Track 11
What better way to end close to an hour of the zombie hell than this elusive grind of growling and grooving.





Iron Maiden/Somewhere In Time

Hard to believe that these troopers started out as a punk/heavy metal band back in 1975 and are still out touring today. These metal pioneers have released a total of 30 albums to date (14 studio, 7 live, 4 EPs and 4 compilations). I own several of their albums and love their sound. In 1980, after the guys dismissed the vocalist Paul Di'Anno for self destructive drug abuse, they auditioned Bruce Dickinson, previously of Samson. And thus forth plunged into major success with members Bruce Dickinson/vocals, Adrian Smith/guitars, Dave Murray/guitars, Steve Harris/bass guitar and drummer, Clive Burr. Clive Burr departed shortly after ‘The Number of The Beast’ album and in came Nicko McBrain from the French band Trust. Then, later, in came Janick Gers, adding even more guitar to their sound. Who can argue with 3 guitars ripping through the sound waves?
At any rate, 1986's Somewhere in Time album is my fav. I saw them on tour for this album in Jacksonville, FL. Truly an amazing concert. Probably the best I have seen. 114,000 watts of mind blowing explosions and energetic sounds crumbling the very air.

Track 1
Caught Somewhere In Time
7 minutes and 24 seconds of melodic guitars and encrypting vocals. After I hear this CD, if I am going to work or wherever, I keep humming or singing the chorus to myself. If I am not mistaken, I think this song is talking about taking risks and how sometimes the consequences of your choices may come up to bite you in the ass.

Track 2
Wasted Years
This song reminds me of back in the days when I played music myself with a few of my friends. I like the beginning with the fretting of Adrian and the power chords of Dave with the bass and drums slowly creeping in behind to make a destructive entrance when Bruce sings "From the coast of gold, across the seven seas." Very much a powerful song. It actually hits down to my soul with this song because I feel I have "Wasted Years" because I should have stuck to my music playing and tried a bit harder to stay out of trouble as a teen. But, hey, we all have regrets, some wasted years.

Track 3
Sea of Madness
Well, let's see, I feel like this song is referring to "the sea" as the world and "the madness" is how crazy the world has gotten. All of the lunacy of technology and the selfishness of the people of the world. I think that even in the mid 80's Bruce and the guys could see into the future and it wasn't going to get any better for the world.

Track 4
Heaven Can Wait
Short, but sweet, this song is about dying and not wanting to.

Track 5
The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner
Well it really explains itself. Maybe a guy is running a decathlon race or something and is trying to keep his strength. Maybe ,for sure it is about not giving up and being one with yourself. A very instrumentally talented song in between bridges and chorus. Another very melodic sound.

Track 6
Stranger in a Strange Land
Definitely, without a doubt, my very favorite song from this album. Almost a beautiful sound in my ears. This song reminds me of myself as younger man, looking out over the beach in Fernandina Beach, my hometown, and seeing the boats heading out in the distance going to sea. And the sound of the light wind in the summer and the stars twinkling every ounce of light into the sky. The faint sound of a low tide pushing barely a wave onto the shore, while I just sit there and stare. Hmmm…Maybe I am weird (hopefully) but that is how it makes me feel.


Track 7
Deja Vu
I believe all of us have had them. I KNOW I have. A very strange feeling, indeed. Each time I have one I hum this song "Feel like I have been here before, DE JA VU!" A very cool and upbeat song. It pretty much is self explanatory.

Track 8
Alexander the Great
He was a king of Macedon who created one of the largest empires in ancient history. And this song tells the whole story of his life and eventual assassination. Almost in the same sense as Powerslave's "Rime Of The Ancient Mariner". A song about a classical/metaphorical/historical figure put to a pulsing drumbeat and story telling guitar leads and writhing lyrics. Great song.

--Phillip Cook

(The Black Glove wishes to thank Phillip Cook for his time and efforts. It was a great list, little bro! Keep on finding the treasures and we’ll keep on sharing them, man)

Top 13: The Best of 2009

THE TOP 13: Best of 2009
by Brian M. Sammons

First I must say that I’m honored to have been asked to compile this end of the year best of list. Second, these are my choices and may not reflect the opinions of anyone else here at The Black Glove. So if you think I’m totally wrong about something, if I missed one of your favorites from the year, or even if you think I got things right, feel free to leave a comment at the end of this recap (that’s why we’ve got a comment box after all) and let me know. Now that the disclaimer has been dealt with, let’s move on.
2009 was a great year for speculative cinema; that is if you knew where to look. While this list is not arraigned in numerical order counting down to my #1 movie of the year (just whittling down the list to thirteen was tough enough) it is arranged with some method to its madness. The first six films on the list came out in the North America this year and were big enough to have wide theatrical runs and thus were easy to find and watch. The next four were not so lucky. While technically some of these movies may have had small releases, or perhaps just toured on the film festival, sometime in 2008, it wasn’t until their DVD release this year that they really became available to the public and that it why they are on this list. The last three are foreign films and like the previous four, they might have come out in 2008 in their native lands but they didn’t hit North America until this year and since that’s where I live, and when I had c chance to see them, that is why they are on this list. Any questions?
Now before I get to the list proper let me run down some of the movies that just missed it and why they didn’t make the cut. Naturally the big blue elephant in the room has to be AVATAR and why it did not make my cut. While I think it was a fun movie and an experience I enjoyed at the theater, I think most of that was due to the dazzling special effects and the amazing 3D I was lucky enough to see it in. Take that away and what you’ve got is a perfectly serviceable movie with not enough left in it to make it one of the thirteen best. The same can be said for the STAR TREK remake, reboot, re-whatever. Once again a fine, fun film, but just a tad not good enough to crack this list. Since we are talking about remakes, let’s talk about two more; LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT and MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D. Now of those two movies, I’d have to give the nudge to LAST HOUSE as it actually far surpassed my expectations, which were admittedly low. However I also really enjoyed the bloody, slasher-romp, VALENTINE. But just like AVATAR, I think a large part of that might have been due to the 3D effects. There’s nothing like a ripped off lower jaw flying off the screen at your face to make you giggle. However since both were remakes, and neither surpassed the originals they were based on, they didn’t make the cut. Lastly there were two lesser known films that I would like to suggest for horror fans that also just missed being on this list. The first is LAID TO REST a fun slasher flick with a cool killer, a solid story, and some great gore effects. The other would be PANDORUM, a sci-fi horror movie that while not great was fun and entertaining. Both of these are easily worth a watch.
Ok, with all that being said, let’s start the show with a surprise smash hit.





13 – PARANORMAL ACTIVITY - Or as I like to call it, the little movie that could. This film came out of nowhere and smacked everyone upside the head with the fear stick. It showed, just like the movie it was inevitably compared to; THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, how a minimalist approach to movies can be well done. And talk about minimal: two people, one house, one very nasty entity, and that’s all there it so it. In this day of overblown budgets and overdone special effects, having a film succeed solely on its story, acting, and direction is refreshing.







12- DISTRICT 9 – However just because a movie has loads of eye-melting special effects doesn’t mean it can’t be great as long as it has other things going for it. In this case the film had an engaging story about aliens segregated and controlled by the government of South Africa. You don’t have to be a political science major to catch the real world connections with that premise. So it’s smart sci-fi that just happens to have mind blowing visual effects, some kick-ass action and a good dose of black humor? Please sir, may I have some more?







11 – ZOMBIELAND – I love zombies, I love comedy, and I loved SHAUN OF THE DEAD, but until Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright decide to make a sequel I have to be thankful for this fantastically fun flick. In all seriousness, ZOMBIELAND is a great movie in its own right and every bit the equal of the Pegg/Wright modern day classic. Equal parts gory and goofy; this film has a group of four, led by Woody Harrelson in one of his funniest roles, on a road trip across zombie infested America. Along the way there’s love, laughs, Bill Murray, Twinkies, roller coasters, and lots of zombie butts to kick. What’s not to love?







10 – WATCHMEN – The biggest movie on this list, in terms of budget, hype, and anticipation, is also one of the ones that I loved best. And before you ask, yes I read the graphic novel, yes I love it, yes I know the movie changed things, and no I don’t care. Books and movies are too different forms of media and one will never be able to completely replicate the experience of other, nor should they try. I like comic books for many reasons that are different than the reasons I like movies. That being said, this film was perhaps the most faithful adaptation of any graphic novel to date, a visually stunning movie, and a superhero film like no other. If you want to watch a movie about guys in masks that will make you think, then this flick is for you. For all those reasons WATCHMEN easily earns a place on this list.







9 – 9 –The only movie here that could be considered to be “child safe”, 9 is by no means a kiddy flick. In a post apocalyptic world a war machine has wiped out all of mankind. Tiny, inquisitive dolls made of wire and burlap survive as the last children of humanity and they are hunted by murderous machines that combine bone and metal to create ghastly automatons. Perhaps the best thing about this amazing film was the look of it. Its steampunk meets TERMINATOR set in a destroyed world where World War I signaled the end of man. Filled with originality, great animation, and fine voice acting, 9 is one animated film that really needs to be seen by all.






8 – DRAG ME TO HELL – And speaking of family friendly spookiness…ok DRAG isn’t as bad as all that, but it was a more watered down experience than what I was expecting and hoping for director Sam Raimi’s triumphant return to horror. However while Raimi’s splatter silliness was toned downed a little bit it wasn’t altogether absent. Luckily his trademark slapstick approach to horror, his always innovated use of the camera, and his love for good old fright fun has never been clearer. The story, involving gross old gypsy ladies, curses, demons, the sacrifice of cute fuzzy animals, truly diabolical flies, and a hell of a goat, grabs you quickly and holds on tight even when the movie switches from scary to ridiculous and back again at breakneck speeds. I said it before but it bears repeating, this is a fun horror film and that is not only a good thing, but a great thing.







7 – GRACE – While any movie about a dead baby can’t really be called ‘fun’, it can be called great if it is as well made as this one was. This film about a woman who loses her unborn child but is determined to deliver it anyway is creepy, atmospheric, sometimes sickening, but always hard to look away from. The movie is expertly filmed and doesn’t reveal too much about poor baby Grace for a good long time, leaving it up to the audience to decide if the unbelievable horrors they are witnessing are real or just the figments of a grief stricken, but deranged mother. While the end of the film eliminates all doubt, one of the few things about GRACE that I didn’t care for, the movie as a whole is superb and should be seen by anyone looking for a different type of horror film.







6 – THE BURROWERS – I love this movie for many reasons. First it’s a western horror movie, a rare subgenre that is hardly ever utilized. Second the cinematography is beautiful. Third it’s very well acted, with an amazing performance by Clancy Brown stealing the show whenever he’s on the screen. Forth it’s original. Fifth it has great monsters in it; the “burrowers” from the title. These dog, gopher, crab-walking, critters don’t just kill and eat you. That would be far too nice. No, the fate for anyone unlucky enough to be grabbed by these beasts is truly horrifying. This movie wins on all counts and I would highly recommend it to anyone…unless you hate westerns, in which case I have nothing more to say to you, so let’s move on.







5 - DEADGIRL - This indie darling hit DVD shelves in September and is easily the most off kilter movie on this list. The story involves two high school friends who are outsiders in many ways. One bored day they investigate an abandoned hospital/asylum and find a pretty naked girl chained to a bed in one dusty, forgotten room. She doesn’t talk, doesn’t mind them ogling or touching her, oh and she doesn’t have a pulse. So with a sexy, naked girl that doesn’t feel pain all chained up for them what do you think two disillusioned malcontents would do with her for fun? Yeah, this film isn’t for the kiddies, but it is hilarious, horrifying, and sometimes oddly touching.






4 – SPLINTER – Debuting on Halloween of 2008 for a small run, this monster movie came to DVD April. It is about a new kind of monster that gets big points for being both original and very creepy. The critter is a mold, or virus, that once it infects a person it grows from the inside out and soon completely takes over the host body, making them shamble and contort in very unnatural ways. A young couple on vacation and another couple on the run from the law meet up and have to survive the horrifying onslaught in a deserted gas station. The film really is as simple as that, but the wonderful, innovated monster is what makes this movie work.







3- LET THE RIGHT ONE IN – A Swedish film that came out in its homeland in January 2008. While it had a small theatrical run in North America, it wasn’t until it came out on DVD in March of 2009 that most people saw it. This is a great movie, simple as that. The direction, acting, look, story, and effects are all superb. The story revolves around a young boy always beset by bullies making a new friend in a strange little girl…a girl who just so happens to be very pale, only comes out at night, and can’t enter his home unless invited in first. Yes she’s a vampire, but in this age of overly romanticized bloodsuckers, this little undead tyke is a great change of pace. The relationship between the two kids, even though one has been a “kid” for a long time, is perhaps the best thing about this movie. It seems real and believable and just watching two such young actors pull it off was amazing. I really can’t say enough good things about this film. If you haven’t seen it by now you’re really missing out.







2- MARTYRS – First let me warn you that if horrible graphic violence and torture offends you then do not see this movie. I cannot stress that enough. While a lot of movies want to be called “brutal” but this one really is. However, despite its graphic nature it’s not just another Torture Porn flick. There’s actually a great story, wonderful acting, and an ending that makes you think to be found here, not just blood and guts. Trying to discuss this film without giving any of its secrets away is hard, so I’ll just say that it’s about two girls. One of the girls escaped unimaginable torture as a child and the other young woman is trying her best to help her get past the trauma. The rest I leave for you to discover. This fantastic French film has been available on DVD since April and I highly recommend it, but again only to those with strong stomachs.







1 - DEAD SNOW – I was lucky enough to see this Norwegian import at a film festival and while it’s not out on DVD yet (it comes out on February 23, 2010) and therefore breaks the rules of this list, I do so only to give you all the heads up on this is a great little film. A group of friends go to a isolated cabin (when is that idea ever a good one in any movie?) for some winter fun but soon end up facing frozen Nazi zombies. Yes, I said Nazi Zombies! Nazis and zombies always go good together and this film is just bloody good fun, and often very funny, from start to finish. When DEAD SNOW comes out on disc do yourself a favor and pick it up.



--Brian M. Sammons