'13 Movie List

01/02/13-Bones Brigade: An Autobiography*
01/03/13-The Expendables 2*
01/04/13-The Dark Knight Rises (kinda)
01/06/13-Multiplicity
01/09/13-That's My Boy*
01/09/13-Dredd*
01/10/13-The Watch*
01/11/13-Total Recall '12*
01/12/13-Crank*
01/12/13-Crank: High Voltage*  -
01/12/13-Hot Rod*
01/13/13-First Blood*
01/13/13-Rambo: First Blood Part II*
01/13/13-Rambo III*
01/14/13-Rambo*
01/15/13-Lockout*
01/17/13-Howard the Duck*
01/18/13-The Punisher
01/19/13-John Dies at the End*
01/20/13-Johnny Dangerously*   -
01/21/13-Team America: World Police (kinda)
01/22/13-Cobra
01/25/13-The Godfather
01/26/13-Django Unchained
01/26/13-Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning
01/27/13-Men in Black 3
01/29/13-Seven Psychopaths*
01/29/13-Moonrise Kingdom*
01/31/13-Johnny Mnemonic*
02/02/13-Devil's Playground*
02/02/13-Over the Top*
02/03/13-Jurassic Park 3
02/06/13-Django Unchained+
02/07/13-The Union*
02/10/13-Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
02/11/13-Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
02/12/13-The Devil's Advocate
02/12/13-Jaws
02/13/13-Austin Powers in: Goldmember
02/14/13-My Bloody Valentine
02/17/13-Maniac Cop
02/19/13-Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance*
02/19/13-Jaws 2*
02/25/13-Die Hard 2
02/26/13-Die Hard with a Vengeance 

Interview with Star 95's Lee Summers

My buddy Lee Summers is currently taking care of business on Star 95.9 FM, and that business is being funny.  I've always known he was a comedic talent but now through the power of radio tons of other people are getting the chance to find out too.  Check out this new interview I did with him where he talks shop and other things after the jump.

Some of my favorite stuff of 2011

I realize this is probably later then most other "Best of the Year" lists and whatnot, but with the way I keep track of time it's probably as timely as anything is ever likely to be.  Also, because of my inability to realize how much time has passed at any given moment, this isn't only a list of the best things that came out in '11, but also things I discovered that year and got into regardless of when they came into existence.

Blitzkid- Apparitional

You could pretty much call 2011 the year of Blitzkid for me, at least as far as what I was listening to.  I've been a fan for years, but the build-up for the release of their newest album Apparitional sent me over the edge of big fan to full on fanatic.  I couldn't get enough of this band leading up to when this album was finally available in the States, and thankfully, unlike most albums I build up in my head for too long and get disappointed by, this one unquestionably delivers.  A comfortable mix of the somewhat experimental material on my favorite album Five Cellars Below and the classic straight ahead horror punk they are known for, this album is rock solid.  What sets Blitzkid apart, like always is their talent.  They bring experience, excellent song writing, untouchable lyrics, and of course the ability to actually sing to the table which sets them apart from the countless other horror bands that try to get by on gimmick alone.  Unfortunately during the time this album was being produced founding member and song writer T.B. Monstrosity was expecting to leave the band and because of this didn't contribute any vocals to the album.  Goolsby is no slouch, I love his vocals, and he unquestionably brought his A-game, at times almost channeling T.B. where necessary, but it would have been better to hear T.B. sing the songs he wrote  as had become the custom.  Thankfully since the release of the album, T.B. has decided to stay with the band and all is right with the world.  If you've never listened to Blitzkid before, this is as good a place as any to start, though I could say that for almost all of their albums.
My favorite tracks:  Cedar Bluff, Mr. Gore, They're All Dead, Head Over Hills, and Casque of Amontillado.

Tucker and Dale vs Evil 

This movie hit me by complete surprise.  Whenever I finally got it through the mail from Netflix I only had in my mind that it had gotten decent reviews and that it was a new take on the horror comedy, a favorite genre of mine.  As I sat down to watch it, I knew within the first ten minutes that it was going to be hilarious.  It turns all the conventions of the "crazy redneck" horror movie on their head and paints the rednecks as loveable goofs and the cliched college kids in peril as anything from unbelievably stupid to insane.  Time and again both sets of characters find themselves in ridiculous situations that serve to perpetuate both of their wrong first impressions.  The success of the comedy rests on the shoulders of the two title characters, played by Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine.  I know Tudyk from Joss Whedon's cult classic Sci-fi series Firefly and the movie spin-off Serenity and I've always enjoyed him.  Tyler Labine is a new face to me, but he delivers in every way as the main character of the story.  If you enjoy comedy with your horror I can't recommend this movie enough.

Breaking Bad

Most people are probably already aware that this is one of the most well reviewed television shows of all time and I can't possibly say anything about it that hasn't already been said.  I had already seen the first season before last year, but it was in late 2011 that I decided I had to get caught up with what is essentially the best thing of it's kind on television since The Sopranos.  I went through the episodes and seasons as quickly as I could because I wanted to know what happened at the end of almost every episode.  If there is anything I can say about the show that sets it apart from other shows is that it has the ability to leave you on the edge of your seat not just at the end of the season finales, but with practically every episode.  The stakes continue to get higher and higher with every episode and at times you wonder how things got so crazy but in my opinion that is what sets it above and beyond other shows.  Unfortunately there is only one season remaining but that could be a good thing as they will go out on a high note and not out stay their welcome as some shows do.  I can't wait to see where it goes.

Bongripper- Satan Worshiping Doom

This is an album that came out in late 2010 I believe but I didn't get into it until 2011.  It would be hard to sell this to anyone who isn't already a fan of metal (with that band name and that album name they're obviously not aiming for the widest possible audience), particularly stoner and doom but if you are a fan of those genres this is an incredible album.  Clocking in at just over 53 minutes, this is four tracks (Hail, Satan, Worship, Doom) of instrumental doom that will straight up crush you.  Other influences make appearances such as black metal and sludge but the heart of this album is all out doom.   If what I've just described interests you at all, then check out this album because I don't really know how to convey how jamming I think it is and if it's for you you will know it.

The Whole F'n Show

Something that I love that still doesn't get much attention, though it's starting to blow up thanks to celebrities realizing it's easy way to connect with their fans, is podcasts.  My favorite of all time remains Tell 'Em Steve Dave from the Smodcast Network but I'm always willing to try out new ones as they make the insane amount of driving I have to do more enjoyable. TWFS was by far my favorite I discovered in 2011.   I was browsing Youtube for the Wrestlemania fourteen main event (yes I do still enjoy wrestling from time to time, mainly the era I watched on T.V. when I was growing up) when I came across a fan commentary of the said match by a podcast called The Whole F'n Show.  At first I wasn't going to listen to it but I couldn't find the video without commentary and I succumbed.  I'm glad I did because what I discovered wasn't two guys trying their best Jim Ross impression but two guys with incredible chemistry , hilarious bits, and at times interesting things to say about wrestling.  I instantly decided to download an episode of their podcast to see what it was like and I found it even more hilarious.  As I've been listening (keeping up with the new episodes while going back and listening to all the ones I'd missed) the show has evolved into it's own universe with in-jokes, catch phrases, and supporting characters.  The show at times doesn't even have anything to do with wrestling but you don't care because the hosts, Kevin Scampoli and Danny Richardson, work so well together and are so freaking funny.  That said, when they do discuss wrasslin' it's not with the jaded outlook most "smarks" have about the industry, but with the same unadulterated love you had when you were a kid.  This "weekly discussion" will make you want to watch wrestling again.  I wouldn't say it's for everyone, as any idea of political correctness is appropriately ignored, but if you aren't offended by the occasional tirade by a character called "Racist Vince" check it out at THE WHOLE F'N SHOW.

My Top Five '95 Misfits Songs

This will a bit of a sister post to my In Defense of the '95 Misfits post.  Hopefully if you haven't checked this era of the band out before this will give ya a good taste of what the band was about.  I won't list Dig Up Her Bones or Saturday Night because even though they are unquestionably two of my favorites, they are probably the most well known songs of this era and I'd rather give a little love to some of the ones you don't hear as much about.  Also, this won't be in any particular order, just the five songs I am always game to listen to.  Click through to check 'em out.

In Defense of the '95 Misfits

Seeing as how the reformation of The Misfits in 1995 was probably more for financial reasons than anything else, I can understand why some people look at it with skepticism.  It's not exactly a secret that Danzig had far more success after the dissolution of the band than Jerry and Doyle, so it was bound to seem like a cash grab when after so many years it was announced that the band was coming back without Danzig at the helm.  You can't really defend the motives behind the band coming back, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the music they made wasn't worthwhile. It seems to have become hip to not like that era of the band but I can unabashedly say that I love it.

'12 Movie List

01/03/12- Due Date*    001
01/06/12-Sin City+       002
01/11/12-Bridesmaids* 003
01/12/12-Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory* 004
01/13/12-Friday the 13th '09+ 005
01/18/12-Bad Teacher* 006
01/19/12-Mean Girls* 007
01/20/12-30 Minutes or Less* 008
01/27/12-Kinsey* 009
02/03/12-Mallrats 010
02/03/12-Insidious 011
02/04/12-Stranger Than Paradise* 012
02/18/12-Night of the Living Dead+ (in the theater) 013
02/25/12-The Road Warrior 014
02/28/12-Overnight 015
02/29/12-Revenge of the Nerds 016
03/05/12-Lemmy* 017
03/07/12-Attack the Block* 018
03/16/12-Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny 019
03/18/12-Raiders of the Lost Ark 020
03/20/12-Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull 021
03/24/12-Goodfellas 022
03/25/12-The Honeymooners* 023
04/07/12-Trading Places 024
04/13/12-Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter  025
04/15/12-Child's Play 2  026
04/18/12-The Cabin in the Woods*+  027
04/21/12-The Cabin in the Woods 028
05/01/12-The Man Who Souled the World  029
05/07/12-The Avengers*+  030
05/10/12-Resurrect Dead:  The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles*  031
05/12/12-The Avengers  032
05/31/12-Rise of the Planet of the Apes*  033
05/31/12-The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo '11 *  034  
06/02/12-Men in Black 3* (with Dad) 035
06/05/12-Badlands*  036
06/05/12-Ghostbusters 2 037
06/08/12-Prometheus*+  038
06/10/12-Gremlins 2: The New Batch  039
06/11/12-The People Vs. George Lucas* 040
06/13/12-Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope*  041
06/18/12-21 Jump Street* 042
06/20/12-Trancers* 043
06/21/12-Trancers 2* 044
06/21/12-Trancers 3* 045
06/27/12-Eurotrip* 046
06/28/12-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*  047
06/28/12-Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn  048
06/30/12-Silent Night, Deadly Night 2: Deadpit Drunken Commentary LIVE!+  049
07/04/12-The Amazing Spiderman* 050
07/09/12- Easy A 051
07/10/12-Speed 052
07/10/12-More Brains: A Return to the Living Dead 053
07/11/12-Hell Night* 054
07/13/12-Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part 6 055
07/13/12-Friday the 13th Part 2 056
07/13/12-Friday the 13th Part 3 057
07/19/12-The Dark Knight 058
07/20/12-The Dark Knight Rises*+ 059
07/21/12-Pulp Fiction 060
07/24/12-The Dark Knight Rises 061
07/25/12-The Sitter*  062
08/02/12-The Inbetweeners Movie* 063
08/03/12-50/50* 064
08/03/12-Chronicle* 065
08/04/12-Corman's World* 066
08/10/12-Drive* 067
08/12/12-Go* 068
08/16/12-American Reunion* 069
08/16/12-Grosse Point Blank* 070
08/18/12-Our Idiot Brother* 071
08/20/12-The Rocketeer* 072
08/22/12-Sherlock Holmes* 073
08/22/12-Mystery Men 074
08/24/12-Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows* 075
08/26/12-Chaplin* 076
08/26/12-The Fugitive 077
08/27/12-Last Days Here* 078
08/30/12-Clerks: The First Cut 079
09/01/12-The Willies* 080
09/03/12-The Possession* 081
09/08/12-The Departed 082
09/09/12-The Monster Squad 083
09/19/12-The Cabin in the Woods 084
09/25/12-The Avengers 085
09/30/12-Tremors 086
10/03/12-Ghostbusters 087
10/04/12-The Hunger Games* 088
10/04/12-Ghostbusters 2 089
10/06/12-They Live 090
10/07/12-Night of the Creeps 091
10/07/12-Looper* 092
10/08/12-Dawn of the Dead 093
10/11/12-Zombieland 094
10/16/12-Prometheus 095
10/21/12-Terror Train* 096
10/21/12-The House on Sorority Row* 097
10/23/12-Wrong Turn 098
10/25/12-Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers 099
10/26/12-The Avengers 100   -----------Start here on Letterboxd
10/27/12-Pet Sematary101
10/27/12-Halloween 2 102
10/28/12-Halloween 3: Season of the Witch 103
10/30/12-Night of the Demons 104
10/31/12-Halloween 105
11/01/12-Drive Angry* 106
11/03/12-The Karate Kid 107
11/04/12-The Usual Suspects 108
11/04/12-Scarface 109
11/08/12-Big Trouble in Little China 110
11/10/12-Forrest Gump 111
11/11/12-Planet of the Apes* 112
11/18/12-Super Mario Bros. 113
11/21/12-The Mummy (1999) 114
11/21/12-Casino Royale* 115
11/24/12-Argo* 116
11/29/12-I Am Comic* 117
11/29/12-Quantum of Solace*  118
12/01/12-Robocop 119
12/04/12-Hatfields and Mcoys* 120
12/06/12-Fargo 121
12/21/12-Thrashin'* 122
12/23/12-Prometheus 123
12/26/12-Back to the Future 124
12/27/12-Django Unchained* 125
12/28/12-Back to the Future Part 2 126
12/31/12-Alien Resurrection 127


* First Time Viewing
+ Watched with Jessica

Exclusive Interview with Hack Movies Main Man: KEVIN STRANGE

My friend and I first discovered Kevin Strange at the 2009 Scarefest horror convention in Kentucky.  Among the films being shown at that convention were Strange's Stiff Jobs, and if you know me a movie with that title must be checked out.  I'm glad we did.  It was our first exposure to the insane world of Strangeville, a place that any fan of Troma and underground horror comedy should be familiar with. Within the last year, Kevin has turned his attention from film making to short horror fiction but is still the evil genius that thought up all this madness and brought characters like Hogan and Cockhammer to life.  I had the honor to interview him and do a bit of a look back and a look toward what the future has in store for all the Hack minions.  Check out the awesome interview after the jump.