Phil attends a HORROR TRIPLE FEATURE at the Castro Theatre-September 30, 2013

What a beautiful Saturday morning up in San Francisco. It's the perfect weather to......stay inside the historic Castro Theatre and see classic horror movies!! Yup, this is my definition of the "Perfect Saturday." So the theatre was showing two classics: HOUSE OF WAX and THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, both in eye popping 3D! And as an added bonus, they were going to show a local documentary about the legendary KTVU Channel 2 television show Creature Features! And hosting this night of horror was none other than the host of Creature Features John Stanley!

Around noon John came out and greeted the audience and told them they were for a real treat The theatre screened local filmmaker Tom Wynch's  2008 documentary WATCH HORROR FILMS, KEEP AMERICA STRONG: A JOURNEY INTO CREATURE FEATURES. The documentary chronicles the history one of the greatest local television shows of all time: Creature Features. The show ran from 1971 to 1984 and was Channel KTVU Channel 2's (located in Oakland, California) most popular programs. The show's original host was the late, great Bob Wilkins, who didn't look like your typical horror film host. While most were dressed up like vampires and ghouls and whatnot, Bob was dressed in a suit, wore thick black framed glasses, smoked cigars while sitting in a bright yellow rocking chair. Yup, he certainly looked different! All the while he was attracting fans every week. He hosted the show from 1971 till 1979 when he passed the torch to his good friend John Stanley, who had been appearing on the show since almost the beginning. John hosted the show from 1979 till 1984.

The film contains some really excellent interviews with both Bob and John, as well as with the show's producer Bob Shaw, Bob Wilkin's wife Sally and their son, and local filmmaker Ernie Fosselius, the creator of the hilarious STAR WARS spoof entitled HARDWARE WARS. Combining archival interview footage, new interviews, clips from the show, and behind the scenes footage, the film really captures the magic of the show. I grew up watching this and seeing this extraordinary film, it made feel like a was a kid again. 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended for all Creature Feature fans out there!! You can purchase a copy of the DVD at www.garfieldlaneproductions.com.

Now the other two films screened I had already seen. Now in case you missed it, I saw both HOUSE OF WAX 3D and CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON 3D at the World 3D Expo III at the Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood earlier this month. So I why did I see these films again? Are you kidding me?!? Really?!? Seriously?!? Remember who you are talking to here! I am a serious horror fanatic! I love watching horror movies! And since I was given the opportunity to see these two legendary films again, but this time see them on the HUGE Castro screen, I was not going to pass this up!! And yes, the films looked AWESOME in 3D on the Castro screen!! Yup, this was the perfect way to spend my Saturday!! Both films are available on Blu-ray 3D and can be purchased at your local retailer or on the Amazon website.

And there you have it! A great day of watching two of the greatest horror films of all time! There's a ton of cool films being shown here at the Castro Theatre, so if one day you find yourself in the city by the bay and you're looking for something fun to do, definitely come here and see a movie! It will change your life forever! To view the Castro Theater's film schedule, visit their website at www.castrotheatre.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil attends the Comedy Shorts Night at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum-September 21, 2013

You know, it's been way too long since I visited my friends over at the Edison Theatre, home of the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum. So this past Saturday night, I ventured back out to Downtown Niles to attend their monthly Silent Comedy Night. Joining me on this fun-filled adventure was my good friend Amanda and out best friend's daughter Katie. After having dinner over at Broncho Billy's Pizza Palace, it was off to the movies!

THE IMMIGRANT (1917): Charlie Chaplin stars in this short as an immigrant on a very rocky ship that's sailing for America. He meets a beautiful girl on the boat ride, Edna Purviance. They part ways but meet up again at a eatery with Eddie Campbell as the waiter/bouncer who serves them. And poor Charlie is broke!

This was one of films Chaplin made for the Mutual Film Company, which he signed with in early 1916 after leaving the Essanay Film Manufacturing Film Company. Mutual offered Chaplin a $150,000 signing bonus and his own production company called Lone Star Corporation. This is one of my favorite shorts from the Chaplin/Mutual era. The film was released on June 17, 1917.

NEIGHBORS (1920): Buster Keaton and Virginia Fox play young lovers who live next door to each other, but their fathers despise each other with a passion. With only a wooden fence separating the families, Buster uses it as a prop to perform some hilarious slapstick comedy. But will true love triumph over adversity?

The film was directed by Keaton and his long-time collaborator Edward F. Cline, and was produced by Joseph M. Schenck. Schenck would go on to produce some of Keaton's most beloved classics such as STEAMBOAT BILL JR. and THE GENERAL. NEIGHBORS was released on December 22, 1920.

After a brief intermission, the show continued with...

GET OUT AND GET UNDER (1920): Harold Lloyd accidentally oversleeps and wakes up late for the big amateur play that is happening that afternoon. He takes his brand new car to get their but unfortunately there's a lot of obstacles in his path: his angry neighbor whose plants that Harold ran over, his car keeps stalling and chases it up and down hills, and there's a lot of cops chasing after him. His tardiness compels his girlfriend/leading lady (his future wife Mildred Davis) to replace him in his role with his rival (Fred McPherson), so Harold must get to the theater fast!

The film was directed by the King of Comedy Hal Roach. Roach is a legend who has launched many comedians such as Charley Chase, Our Gang series aka The Little Rascals, and Laurel and Hardy. The film was released to theaters on September 26, 1920.

LIBERTY (1929): Yup, the boys are in the house! Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy portray escaped convicts.While trying to get dressed in the regular clothes in the back of their escape car, they realized that they are wearing each others pants. So they spent the entire movie trying to get their pants off, which leads them to the top of a skyscraper that is under construction! Uh-oh!!

To achieve the amazing looks of the boys dangling from the top of a skyscraper, the crew went to the top of a building and built a fake skyscraper about 10-15ft off the ground. And shot in perspective, it created the illusion of height. Harold Lloyd used this same trick in his 1923 silent movie masterpiece SAFETY LAST. The film was released on January 26, 1929.

What a great night for silent comedies! Remember the museum is open for tours every weekend from 12pm-4pm and every Saturday night there's a silent film show starting at 7:30 (doors open at 7pm). So if you would like to learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, becoming a member, and to view their film schedule, visit their website at www.nilesfilmmuseum.org.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil hosts the Camera Cinema's Cult Movie Screening of RESEVOIR DOGS at the Camera 3 Downtown San Jose-September 19, 2013

Hello again everybody and welcome to Month Nine of the 2013 Cult Movie series at the Camera 3 in Downtown San Jose! Now for those of you who are late to the game, let me explain this cool series. In 2011 the Camera Cinemas started up the Cult Movie series (which for years had been called the Midnight Movie series). They would show one cult film twice a month (Thursday nights at 9:30 and Saturday nights at midnight) from February through November. This past Thursday night we screened Quentin Tarantino's 1992 cult film RESERVOIR DOGS. Once again yours truly was back as the host for tonight's screening. Prizes were donated by Streetlight Records and by Time Tunnel Toys, both located here in San Jose. There were also yummy donuts to eat, courtesy of Psycho Donuts located in the lobby.

Theatrical Movie Poster (1992)

This was the film that put Quentin Tarantino. It not only changed the landscape of the film world, it completely changed the independent film world. It also totally flipped the way we see independent films. Before they were art-house type films, but after the film was released, it changed our perspective and the idea. Here was a film that was cool, slick, filled with fowl language, violence, gore, something that we hadn't seen before.

The film also put both Miramax and the Sundance Film Festival on the map in the film world. Sundance became the festival to get your film into. Miramax (then owned by founding brothers Bob and Harvey Weinstein) became the biggest of the independent film distributors and they really gave the Hollywood studios a run for their money. The Weinsteins became notorious at future Sundance festivals, spending outrageous amounts of money in order to outbid the majors for film that they thought would win them awards. Their plan worked and soon their films were winning Oscars left and right. 

Some of the now cliches we see in Hollywood films, like the slow motion walk, rapid fire delivery of dialogue, excess of violence, all that came from this film. Soon everybody was trying to duplicate the film's success, but they never could for this one simple reason: there is only one Quentin Tarantino. The film was released to theaters on October 23, 1992.

RESERVOIR DOGS is considered one of the greatest modern independent films ever made! It's funny how much the world of filmmaking has changed since the film has made What we see now can be traced back to this iconic piece of cinema! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly Recommended!!

RESERVOIR DOGS is now available on both Blu-ray and DVD. To purchase a copy, visit your local retailer or go online and visit the Amazon website.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees DEAD BEFORE DAWN 3D at the Camera 12 Downtown San Jose-September 15, 2013

After seeing INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2 over at the Camera 12 in downtown San Jose, I saw they were also showing the indie horror comedy DEAD BEFORE DAWN 3D! And since I just saw some awesome 3D films down in LA last week, I was more than excited to keep my horror and 3D movies theme going!

The film's about a shy college student named Casper Galloway (Devon Bostick) who watches his grandfather's (Christopher Lloyd) occult shop while he's away. But when a group of Casper's friends accidentally break an ancient urne, they unleash a horrible zombie-demon ("zemon") curse and everyone who makes eye contact with them kills themselves. Then they come back as a zemon, hellbent on killing Casper and his friends by giving them hickeys. To add even more pressure and stress, they must break the curse before sunrise or else all the people in their small town will stay as zemons.

The movie was shot in 20 days in and around the Niagara Falls area of Canada in 3D. It was made by the dynamic duo of director/producer by April Mullen and writer/producer by Tim Doiron. The pair have gained a lot of notoriety due to the fact that 1) It was Canada's first live-action 3D feature film. 2) That it was also the first 3D film made outside of the studio system. 3) Mullen became the youngest and the very first female to direct a stereoscopic 3D film. So lookout Hollywood cause Canada is creeping up behind you!

Bostick is most famous for his role as Rodrick Heffley from the DIARY OF A WIMPY KID Trilogy. He's also appeared other films such as SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD, SAW IV & VI, and THE ART OF THE STEAL. Martha MacIsaac, who plays Bostick's love interest, as been in such films as SUPERBAD, THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT remake, and THE THAW. Of course, Mr. Christopher Lloyd needs no introduction. The man's a legend!

I found the film to be really funny and entertaining; never taking itself too seriously. It contains the perfect blend of big laughs and big scares. The entire cast does a great job of bringing their respected characters to life and the directing and production values are amazing given the film's low budget. But this proves that the independent world can produce some interesting films that can rival those coming out of Hollywood.

DEAD BEFORE DAWN 3D is a hilarious, gore-soaked fun-filled ride full of laughs and bloodshed! If you're a tweener and are sick and tired of all the TWILIGHT ripoff crap that's been plaguing your local theater, give this film a try. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised on how awesome the film is! 4 out of 5 stars! Recommended this Halloween season!

DEAD BEFORE DAWN 3D is still playing in select theaters, and it was just released on DVD. To purchase a copy, visit your local retailer or visit the Amazon website.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the joy!

Phil sees INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2 at the Camera 12 Downtown San Jose-September 15, 2013

After my awesome trip to Hollywood, I was ready to head back to my favorite theater chain: The Camera Cinemas! And what luck, they were showing the new horror film INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2, the second installment of the series directed by James Wan. So I went to the Camera 12 in downtown San Jose to see this fright flick!

The film's official synopsis: The haunted family Lambert have moved into the home of dad Josh's (Patrick Wilson) mother Lorraine Lambert (Barbara Hershey), after he plunged into the eerie netherworld The Further to pluck back his son Dalton (Ty Simpkins) from the clutches of the infernal Mother Crane. But wife Renai (Rose Byrne) believes that her husband did come back and thinks something else has possessed Josh. Now they seek to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world.

James Wan has done his homework, lifting the good ol' thrills and chills from classic horror films from the past, specifically from Universal and Hammer. The movie continues to showcase his ability to really creep the audience out with simple things such as eerie sounds, long pauses of silence, and scares that will get under your skin. Much like the first film and as with THE CONJURING, Wan proves that he has what it takes to scare the hell outta you.

Once again the entire cast turned in terrific performances, leading with Patrick Wilson, who makes his third appearance in James's films. The man is to James Wan as Robert De Niro was to Martin Scorsese. Just a solid actor who really goes the extra length to pull some great scares as well as show sympathy. Rose Byrne continues to show that strong and intelligent women in horror films are still alive and well. Also returning is the beloved Lin Shaye as the medium Elise Rainier. And as another fun treat, the film's co-writer Leigh Whannell returns as the character Specs.

Words cannot begin to describe just how creepy and scary the film is. However, I think THE CONJURING was a bit more scarier, mostly I think was because that film was based on a real couple and incident. But this shouldn't discourage you into not seeing the film. Unlike most horror sequels, the script is solid, the acting is fantastic, and the production value is top notch!

Overall, INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2 is a worthy entry of the franchise, and sure to satisfy all you fans of the first installment! Plus, horror hounds will also appreciate the film as it proves that you don't need excessive blood and gore to get the audience terrified. All you need are some bumps in the night. 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2 is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including the Camera Cinemas here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil Goes Hollywood: Phil attends the World 3D Film Expo III: JAWS 3D-Spetember 7, 2013

So as Mo and I were getting ready to leave after seeing the CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON at the Grauman's Egyptian Theatre, we ran into our old friend Pat Jankiewicz, writer for the horror magazine Fangoria. He's also a published author; his two books "Just When You Thought It Was Safe: A JAWS Companion" and the recently released "You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry: A Hulk Companion" are available online to order. He was there along with his good friend Heather from I-Con Entertainment to see the next screening at the World 3D Expo, which just happened to be the 1983 cult classic JAWS 3D! So Mo and I decided to head back into the theater and see the gem of a film!

Theatrical Movie Poster (1983)

Set at SeaWorld in Florida, the film follows Michael Brody (Dennis Quaid) and Sean Brody(John Putch), the sons of former Amity police chief Martin Brody (the late Roy Scheider) from the first two films. The brothers, along with Michael's girlfriend and dolphin trainer Kathryn Morgan (Bess Armstrong), must save the park from a killer 42ft mother shark that's on a rampage since her baby died there. Oh and Louis Gossett Jr. is in this film for some reason. Why, I don't know.

I saw this film when it first came out and I thought it was bad back then! Now seeing it 30 years later, it's still pretty damn bad, but now it's so bad it's good! The camp factor is way off the charts, the acting is really not that great, and of course, the shark still looks fake. But when you take all of these ingredients together and put it in a 3D blender, you've got yourself all the makings of a cult classic!

The only really redeeming factor in the film is that it has Lea Thompson in it and she looks hot! Damn hot! There's a scene where she and Sean go down by the shore and she gets naked and goes skinny dipping! Yup, 30 years later and that is still damn hot! Now this was her big screen debut! She would appear in other 80s classics like ALL THE RIGHT MOVES, RED DAWN, SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL, HOWARD THE DUCK, and of course, the BACK TO THE FUTURE Trilogy.

The film was originally released by Universal Pictures on July 22, 1983. The film's budget was $18 million (which was pretty pricey back then) but it took in a staggering $42.2 million dollars! That's right, people actually went and saw this flick on purpose! Eventually the film was released on VHS, and then DVD. However, it has yet been released in its original 3D glory.

JAWS 3D is a perfect example of cult classic! If you are ever brave enough to see this piece of crap, I can guarantee that you're in for one hell of a treat! 4 out of 5 stars! Watch if you're brave enough!

JAWS 3D is available only on DVD in the standard 2D formant. To purchase a copy, visit your local retailer or visit the Amazon website.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil Goes Hollywood: Phil attends the World 3D Film Expo III: THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON in 3D-September 7, 2013

Well hello there my fellow cinemaniacs and welcome to Day Two of my trip to the World 3D Film Expo III. Once again Mo and I went to the legendary Grauman's Egyptian Theatre to see another 3D film. This time we saw the classic Universal Monsters horror film THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON!! And in attendance at the screening was the film's star Julie Adams!! Oh yeah, I was excited!!

A small group of scientists go on an expedition down the Amazon River in search of a prehistoric creature that is half man and half fish.Upon arriving at the infamous Black Lagoon, they not only discover that the creature actually exists, but it also has his fishy eyes on female scientist Kay Lawrence (Julie Adams). Soon guns are being fired and the creature is captures Kay, but can her nerdy but good looking, scientist boyfriend Davis Reed (Richard Carlson) save her and stop the Creature from the Black Lagoon?

This was the last film of the famed Universal Classic Monsters. The film made such a splash at the boxoffice (pun intended) that it spawned two sequels. Of course, having the film made in 3D also helped push tickets, but it's one of the best classic horror films to come out of the paranoia 1950s.

Also having Julie Adams in that sexy white one-piece swimming around in the lagoon in 3D probably helped drive more tickets. At the screening that Mo and I were at, fans were whistling and making noise when Mrs. Adams took off  her robe and dived into the lagoon. While she had a double do all those cool underwater moves, the vision of seeing Julie in her one-piece probably made many pre-pubescent boys very, very happy. It sure did for me when I was a young lad!

The film was released to theaters on March 5, 1954 ans was a huge success. Over the years the film has been released on both VHS and DVD, but, at last, in 2012, the film was released in all its glorious 3D as part of the magnificent Universal Classic Monsters Blu-ray boxset!

After the screening, Julie Adams participated in a fun and informative Q&A session. Afterwards, she was signing copies of her autobiography "The Lucky Southern Star: Reflections from the Black Lagoon." Yours truly got a copy of her book signed as well as a HUGE reproduction of the film's poster! Yup, I LOVE Hollywood!!

CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON is a true horror film classic that is still beloved by fans from all around the world! It has been quoted written, and referenced all throughout pop culture! Almost 60 years after its release, there is no slowing down for this famous Gil-man!! So for all of you out there who have young kids that love horror films, get them turned on to this and watch them get scared and excited!! 5 out of 5 stars!! True Horror Classic!!

CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON is now available on both DVD and 3D Blu-ray. To purchase a copy, visit your local retailer or visit the Amazon website.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!