This year I wanted to do something a little different in celebration of the holidays. So I'm posting clips, or trailers, of my five favorite Christmas films. I'll also be following each with a reason for them. Hope you all enjoy and have a very happy holiday no matter what your beliefs!
- B.Bennett
Coming in at number five we have Christmas Comes to Pac-Land, which originally aired December 16, 1982. While I was only two years old at the time, my parents recorded this special on VHS at some point and it's been a staple every year since. Why? Because I'm a video game nerd, and who doesn't want to learn a cheery holiday lesson from the Pac's?
Number four is the classic A Garfield Christmas Special from 1987. In this one we get several catchy tunes, and a 'bring a tear to your eye' moment with John's grandma when Garfield finds a stack of old letters from her deceased husband. Plus seeing John's brotherly comradery with his brother Doc Boy reminds me so much my younger brother and myself.
My third favorite is Richard Donner's 1988 retelling of A Christmas Carol, Scrooged starring Bill Murray. Bill FUCKING Murray... need I say more?
Second of all time is the 1974 horror flick Black Christmas, directed by Bob Clark of A Christmas Story fame. Black Christmas is a film I saw at a very young age that left a very dirty feeling with me. A kin to many peoples first viewing of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It's one of the few movies that still unnerves me a little.
Rounding out this list is Jim Henson's 1986 TV special The Christmas Toy. Beating out Toy Story by almost 10 years, this film about toys coming to life when the children who own them leave the room later became a TV show called Secret Life of Toys. The special and show can all be seen on Netflix streaming. This film has been a tradition in my family for years. Not only did I watch it with my parents, brother and sister, but also with my younger cousin Heather who would spend every Christmas night at our house up until I was almost out of high school. It's one I can watch over and over and never tire. Do yourself a favor and see it again, or for the first time. If you have kids, sit them down and start a new family tradition.
Well, that's it for this year. I hope you all enjoyed these holiday bits. Be on the lookout, I'm going to be starting a new addition to this blog called 365 Days of Trailers... where I will be posting a trailer and a piece on it every day for the next year starting January 1st.
Until we meet again!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
The Mini-View Featuring Todd Sheets
Todd Sheets, The Prince of Gore, owns Extreme Entertainment.Which is a production company owned and operated by Sheets. Since it began in 1990, Extreme Entertainment has had one true goal: To entertain the audience. The company was created to basically produce Horror and Sci-Fi movies for the video market and it has done so, and continued to grow and prosper. There are a few simple rules with Extreme Entertainment: To treat all people with integrity, honesty and honor… to always complete a film on time and under budget… to NEVER bore an audience but to ALWAYS entertain them above all else… to ALWAYS give 100% for each and every production. And although EVERY film company has a few misfires in their catalogue, for the most part, Extreme Entertainment has been successful in following and staying true to these rules. These are genre films made BY the fans, FOR the fans. Hard work, dedication and commitment – along with buckets of sweat (and blood) and lots of heart and soul have been poured into each production and this trend continues to this day.
http://www.zombiebloodbath.com/
http://www.facebook.com/jackaloperadio
http://www.jackaloperadio.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nightwatch-Radio/209397972457267
http://www.nightwatchradio.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/jedisuperstar
1. Having come from the golden age of the video market, and mom and pop video stores, do you think it's easier for a filmmaker now to self distribute using the internet through sites like Amazon and the aid of social media websites such as Facebook for promotion?
I think it's actually harder in some ways. SO many camcorder Coppollas send out thousands of DVDs a week, that getting distributors to even look at your work is tougher than ever. The web helps in a small way, but if I had not already had my films distributed and had my foot in the door and made a name for myself in foreign markets, I would be in trouble. As far as online distribution, I am not convinced that watching a film on a laptop, a PC or a phone is any good. Sure, some people seem to be OK with it, but I'm not. I need quality. (laughs)
As far as Facebook, it is a good tool but also a pain in the butt because suddenly everyone has become so self-centered and their egos have inflated to epic proportions. We get people tweeting and Facebooking about everything they do, from stubbing a toe to clipping a nose hair. But it is also awesome because we can meet awesome new people, connect with old friends again and have reunions and really promote and connect with your work. It has made putting projects together easier and it has really made communication easier. Like everything, if we use it for good and not evil, not abusing it, it's a great thing! (laughs)
2. Also, do you think with the transition to digital film making over the past few years that it has opened the door to aspiring filmmakers? Or made it too easy for anyone to get into film making?
A bit of both. I was shunned for years for using high-end video and film-looking it, and I was one of the first to use digital... On the plus side, technology is finally here to help us achieve our dreams. It is an amazing tool to try new things and it has given amazingly talented people the ability to get films made that I have loved. So many talented people don't have the financial backing to make a huge production, but the newer technology has given them the ability to get their movies made. At the same time, I am VERY tired of the whole "reality" digital movie thing. Everyone who can grab a camcorder is suddenly making a "movie" with people walking around trying to make the next Blair Witch when the original Blair Witch was a mess of nonsense. I hated it. And I have liked some of them, like REC and REC2 but enough with the walking around with a camcorder crap. Shaking a camera like a damned twitching freak IS NOT STYLE.
I learned the hard way, getting trashed for shooting on video and for allowing my early crappy work to get distribution... I learned how to make movies by making these mistakes in public... not a fun thing to do. Being told I "should be shot before being allowed to hold a camera" sucks. But I did learn. I bought every book on film, on directing, on producing, I did internships on big budget films and I got better. I started to win awards at film festivals around the world. And no, I am not bragging, I am not a fan of ego and it can make you a monster quickly, but I am making a point... If I had it to all do over again, I would not have allowed that early stuff to get distribution, I would have hid it away like all the other directors do. I would also have done more reading BEFORE I started. So, please, read some books and make TONS of short movies or even small videos and learn what to do and not to do before you release your first movie. Before you send the thing to every distributor in the country. I was told just last week that most DVDs coming in get thrown in a box and they may get watched or they may not, but probably not. No one has the time anymore. Too many grainy, unwatchable "reality" epics have made the buyers pretty tired.
3. What inspired you to dive into film originally? And were there any specific filmmakers or films that helped to aid you creatively?
I made my first Super 8 movies simply because I truly loved movies. I always have. I wanted to make movies. It was my dream. As a kid, sitting in that dark theater, these amazing directors would take me away for 90 minutes, make me forget any troubles for the week, and transports me to awesome places.... it was the best. And I kind of wanted to contribute to that, in the hopes that maybe my movie may one day do the same for someone.
As for influences, I was raised in the Drive In Theater and the local trashy multiplex "Grindhouse" style theater, so I loved everything from Lucio Fulci to Russ Meyer. I truly loved Fulci. Finally got to meet him and it was a highlight. I was inspired by Universal Horror, HG Lewis, Argento and pretty much ALL Italian genre films... Roger Corman, Fred Olen Ray, Ji, Wynorski and the man who gave me my actual start David DeCoteau - it was mind-blowing to have an idol distribute your work. That is why I allowed that early crap to get released - Dave was just awesome. I had some guidance from JR Bookwalter as well. The guy has agreat heart and taught me a bunch. It was tough love sometimes too. (laughs) JR would kick me down, but still teach me how to brush off and get up stronger.
4. You are truly a multi-talented man. You've played director, producer, writer, actor, cinematographer, musician, and in the past few years radio personality with Jackalope Radio. How did Jackalope and your paranormal show Nightwatch (the Largest independent Paranormal Radio show in the world) come about?
I was basically asked to be a part of a small local radio station, I was well known in the area fro making Horror films and they called me the "Horror Guy" around town forever. SO I turned it down about 5 times, then Art Bell, who I consider one of the greatest radio hosts of all time, told me to GO FOR IT. SO I finally decided to give it a shot. The show took off that first few months and it started getting syndicated - now it's on over 400 stations worldwide, number one overnights in Australia (Sydney and Melbourne) and it's even on the BBC. I'm in shock! I am so damned thankful that people like the show and that other stations took it. I think it was perfect timing. A rt was pretty much retired, George Noory was still doing Coast to Coast and I love George, but he didn't do the crazy things that Art did - and Nightwatch hit before the popularity of Paranormal shows... I was one of the few shows in the country covering these subjects and topics and interviewing Horror icons and such. Now the show gets around 2.7 million listeners a week... pretty damned amazing. I still cannot believe it and I am so thankful for this.
As for Jackalope Radio, the old station I was at was basically closing down the production side, the producer Juke wanted out so he could give more time to his band and music... so I had to start doing it all myself. I decided to basically start the network with some awesome friends because I had to pay for the streams and such anyway. It grew within 5 months into this huge thing - one of the biggest online stations around. Now we have applied for our FCC license and are going to broadcast FM as well. We are also simulcast on 2 FM stations in ST Louis and Oklahoma City. Blows my mind - so many great shows - we have amazing music and original ideas... about 40 shows now air on Jackalope Radio. And it takes every second of my time!
5. Over the years, like many Indie film makers, I'm sure you've had to overcome hurdle after hurdle with your films due to budget constraints, weather, time, editing, lack of crew, distribution, etc... For aspiring directors out there, what would you say has been the hardest battle you've faced, and do you have any tips that might help others who may find their selves in the same situation?
I think I kind of answered this one above. Learn you craft, read and practice all the time. Learn about framing and the "line of action" and how to conduct filming. The script is very important - trim it down... make it fast and try not to have people sit around and talk for what seems like days. I hate that. Entertain an audience. NO matter how low budget, find a way to keep things MOVING. Take it seriously, but have fun. When it stops being fun. QUIT. If you want to get rich, go into Insurance or being a Doctor. Be ready to face every nightmare you can think of and don't let it stop you. Be able to think fast on your feet because there will be some situations where you have to make fast decisions and get things done NOW. Never follow the example of so many film guys who develop ego before talent. I say - throw away your ego - toss it aside. A s a director it does you no damned good. Most of all I want to wish everyone massive luck and love on their projects... I am ready to watch some great new Horror flicks - as Tom Atkins says "Thrill Me."
6. What scares Todd Sheets the most?
That reality TV will take over everything. That Rob Schneider will make more movies. That the crummy, insulting and intrusive Patriot Act stay in effect forever. Baptists take over our movie choices. (wait, that is already happening now where I live)
Not much scares me really....(laughs)
7. If you had to pick your top 5 horror films of all time, what would they be?
1. Evil Dead / Texas Chainsaw Massacre (tie)
2. The Howling / The Beyond (tie)
3. An American Werewolf In London
4. The Thing
5. Gates Of Hell (City of the Living Dead)
Runners up: Terror At The Opera, Ju-On, Suspiria, The Fog, Bad Taste, Dr Butcher MD, Halloween
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Get ZOMBIEFIED with Todd Jason Cook!
Cook was nice enough to take time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for The Indie Film Revue.
IFR: How did Zombiefied come about? What drew you back into film after such a hiatus?
TODD: Zombiefied came about because I discovered that my film Death Metal Zombies was getting quite a following over the years. They always say it takes 10 years to get noticed and it's a good rule of thumb. In 2005, 10 years after the initial release of DMZ, I discovered by researching the internet that people were having keg parties and screening DMZ weekly, many fans were blogging about it, the amount of bootlegs was even more than ever, so I figured it was a great time to do a new film the way I always wanted to but never could.
So I based Zombiefied on the DMZ concept and wanted to make it super intense, brutal and non-stop, completely abandoning the old style of the SOV (shot on video) dayz.
IFR: How long did the filming process take you? And what can you tell us about the shoot and those involved?
TODD: This film took about 2 years due to Hurricanes, non-stop weather issues and most of the film takes place at night and outdoor. It also has so much action, that there is not so much dialogue in the film and shooting action sequences can take days just for a few minutes. There are a ton of intense action scenes all throughout so that added to the time necessary to shoot.
The cast and crew was the best I have ever worked with...all pros and it made a huge difference cause you really had to be constantly on every detail to pull off a film like that. It was a ton of work but more worth it than anything I have done so far in my 25 year career as a director.
IFR: Where do your ideas come from? And could you tell us a little about your writing process?
TODD: My ideas are usually just my twisted mind, but being a huge fan, I also cannot help but pay homage to my fave horror films at times as well. The writing process was ultra fast for every film I did except Zombiefied. Death Metal Zombies I just sat down and wrote the whole movie in one 4 hour session. Many scripts were written quickly, but Zombiefied being the different beast that it is, took 6 months to a year of ideas off and on. I did not have time to write every day so fit it in my schedule as I could.
IFR: What made you want to get into film making? Are there any specific films and directors that have inspired you over the years?
TODD: Friday the 13th, the original, period. I already was obsessed with film and horror since I saw House of 7 Corpses, but it was the original Friday the 13th film that made me literally start making Super 8 horror films a week after seeing it. I was 8 years old and every single movie I made was a Friday the 13th copy with my childhood touch. I went on to direct my first full length film in 1990 which was a Friday the 13th fan film called Friday the 13th Part 13: The Final Destruction and that was just the beginning.
My favorite film in the entire world is Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter and my ultimate life goal has always been to direct a Friday the 13th film for release some day. As a fan, I would get it right...I was born to direct at least one!
Favorite directors that influence me: John Carpenter, Lucio Fulci, Dario Argento and George Romero more than any. The Italian films are a big influence style wise.
IFR: Coming from the 80's and 90's SOV era, who are some young filmmakers who you think are paving their way today?
TODD: I used to distribute most of the films from most of the SOV directors and I always watched the movies that came my way. Chris Seaver used to send me his fan made films and shorts and I watched his style grow over the years to the extent his stuff was picked up by other labels in the future. I was proud of him for always sticking to his style and forming his LBP company.
Todd Sheets and I made friends in the early to mid 90s and hung out, sharing ideas, processes etc. and had thought of working together some day but as things go, we lost touch for a lot of years until Facebook recently. Amazing how one site has brought me back in contact with so many people I miss. I always loved his style of being extreme gore king and going over the top. He made some really fun stuff so he was always a favorite SOV director. I hope he continues onward doing horror.
IFR: For your fans out there, what can they expect as far as rereleases in the future?
TODD: I have another film called Broken that I hope to do some day and that is an actual story of my life, told in part reality mode and part film mode with a total slasher/revenge story wrapped around the true story of my life. I have always wanted to do this movie, but am waiting until the time is right.
My friends have been pressing on me to do it for a decade, but I will know when the time is right. I have already done a teaser trailer just a few months back and we have a FB page for it as well, but it's going to be considered a constant work in progress until I have enough of what I want to edit. It will contain a ton of stock footage since it relies on true actual story-telling of the bizarre and fucked up life I have had and still have as a horror director.
IFR: How do you feel about the whole VHS collecting craze that's been growing over the past few years? On the same note, how do you feel about seeing your films being so sought out and going for such high prices?
TODD: I saw the original VHS boom, the death, and now the revival. I saw my films do well or not so well depending on the title, and now I see the fan base has grown immensely and there seems to be WAY more respect for the SOV style today. There are still plenty of viewers who just don't get it or never will, but now there are many more fans who like the SOV style which is really great to see.
Seeing the movies go for high prices is interesting and strange sometimes, but an HONOR to see that people want them. I have held myself from releasing many of my old VHS SOV films onto DVD for timing and now with Zombiefied coming out in 2012, I felt the time is right for those older unreleased movies to hit DVD as well. Fans have been asking me for a decade on some and I apologize for taking so long but in the entertainment world, timing is everything and I knew there would be a time, I just was not sure when but now I know!
IFR: What is up next for you? Another film? And what about the future of Zombiefied?
TODD: I am currently negotiating a world-wide release for Zombiefied which is the most important thing of all right now. I cannot wait for people to finally be able to check it out as I am most pleased with that film.
"The Good Friend", which is currently in production, is a giallo-slasher film that I am producing and also acting in and DP on and the film is under the Screamtime Films LLC wing. This film is directed by Marcus Sabom. My first non-horror film from our sister company Galaxy Film Productions will go into production soon as well. This film is being done with the company co-owner and first time director Scott Frank who will be directing a heart warming feature called Carly.
Many thanks to Todd once again. Over the past few weeks I have teased Todd about a 'surprise' that I had been working on. Wait no longer good sir.
- Brandon Bennett
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