Book Review: Frankenstein Or, The Modern Prometheus

Like many of you, I am a fan of the classics, and the story of Frankenstein is in the top 2 of my favorites. The folks at Dover Publications were kind enough to send me their new hardcover of Frankenstein to review for you. We are all aware of the story of Frankenstein; the horror classic that has spawned countless films, merchandise and retellings, so with this book review, I won’t be reviewing the story, I will be reviewing the artwork, but first, a bit of information on this beautiful book.

As previously mentioned, this is a hardcover book. Frankenstein boasts 240 pages of art and literary magic. As with all other hardcover books, the price is a little higher than a paperback ($40). Given the artwork and the overall size of the book, this is not a bad price at all. Now on to the review of the stunning artwork inside of the book.

Frankenstein was written originally by Mary Shelley, but this rendition is accompanied by stunning artwork by noted Disney artist Nino Carbé. If you are a fan of classic artwork, this book is perfect for you; it combines pen-and-ink, black and white images with brilliant full-color paintings. The illustrations add depth to the already phenomenal story. 

The images included are not tiny pictures, they are full page (some are even two pages). I know what you’re thinking, “but they were done by a Disney artist, so they must be very cartoony, right?”, wrong. They remind me of old-time Gothic paintings, they are dark yet sophisticated. I have never seen a more perfectly illustrated version of one of my favorite stories. Take a look at some of the artwork below and see for yourself.

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If you are looking to add to your collection, and you want a real statement piece, this is the book for you. If $40 seems like a lot for a book to you, use the code WABG and you will receive 25% off (code good until 7/15/16). Pick up your very own copy at doverpublications.com.

 

 

 

Human Connection: ‘The Fourth Door’ go90 Relaunch

*Disclaimer: I have been hired by New Form Digital to raise awareness for The Fourth Door on go90*

As individuals we are concerned with everything from our looks to the perceptions that others make of use. We have basic fears, but once we make a connection or a bond with another human being, our fears and protective instincts escalate to a point that we did not know was even possible.  

Be it you fall in love, become a parent or just share a strong connection with a friend, your own safety means nothing if that person is in trouble; you would do anything to protect them from any threat posed against them. In The Fourth Door, Lain feels such a strong bond with adult Collin that she falls in love with him almost instantly, and once thrown into limbo, she encounters young Collin and that bond that she shared with him carries over. Lain is willing to throw her own safety out the window to ensure that no harm comes to Collin.

We become whole once we can set aside our own wants and fears for another person. Our lives become more fulfilled and we feel more important when we know that someone else needs us the way that we need them. 

Want to know more about The Fourth Door? Simply download the FREE go90 app (available on both Android and iOs). Once you download the app, simply search The Fourth Door and all 12 episodes are available for you to watch on your own time 100% FREE.

‘The Fourth Door’: Overcoming Fear To Protect the One You Love

*Disclaimer: I have been hired by New Form Digital to raise awareness for The Fourth Door on go90.*

Fear is a paralyzing thing; as children, we fear the small things like spiders, the dark and math class, but as adults, our fears grow to a grander scale. We are afraid of things like death, rejection and most of all, losing someone we love, but sometimes we must overcome our fears no matter how great they are to ensure the safety of those we hold closest to our hearts. In The Fourth Door, that is just what Lain must do. 

Memories of a past trauma can make overcoming fears nearly impossible, but once you learn to separate the memories from the reality making decisions becomes a whole lot easier and suddenly the fears that once haunted you aren’t so bad. In The Fourth Door, Lain must overcome her fear of losing a loved one and letting go of the control to rescue the one she loves – Collin – from the king of Limbo, Raef. She must first learn to separate the memories that Collin has projected from the reality that surrounds her to make her mission possible.   

To learn more about The Fourth Door, visit thefourthdoorseries.com. Follow the links below to watch the first four episodes 100% FREE via YouTube.

Episode 1         Episode 2      Episode 3       Episode 4

Clowning Around with Terror Threads (T-Shirt Review)

We horror fans take our t-shirts very seriously; we want unique, gore and well, awesome. Stores in the mall bog us down with the popular, “trendy” pieces that don’t really fit out horror loving taste. So what is a person to do when looking for that perfect horror t-shirt? Simple, check out Terror Threads. The spooky folks at Terror Threads were kind enough to send us a couple of t-shirts to review, and the first one up for review is their Clowning Around t-shirt. 

Artwork for t-shirt by Toto6

We may love our gore, but we still love a soft, comfortable t-shirt (we’re not monsters), and Terror Threads provides just that. Their t-shirts are made of soft combed ring-spun cotton. They are form-fitting without being over clingy and unflattering. The material of the shirt only gets softer and more comfortable over time each time you wash it.

The design is unlike any other because it is an original piece designed just for Terror Threads. The artist behind this incredible piece is Toto6. The artwork covers the majority of the front of the shirt. For only having a couple of colors, there are a lot of incredible details (the clown’s face, the wood and stitching on the puppet). The screen printing is done beautifully. It is not overly crisp, it moves with the shirt, and ladies, the design will adhere to your chest without distorting. This particular design is available on a unisex t-shirt in sizes x-small – 3XL. 

Purchasing one won’t leave your wallet empty. The Clowning Around t-shirt starts at just $22. Code LBOH10 will get you 10% off your purchase. To sweeten the cauldron, if you spend $65 or more, shipping is FREE. Pick up this awesome t-shirt HERE.

All in all, this is a must have for your horror t-shirt collection. Terror Threads is sure to become a name that all horror fans know.

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, Terror Threads has put out a limited edition design “Lucky McKilly” design inspired by one of my favorite, campy films. Pick yours up before they are gone!

For design alerts and exclusive details, be sure to like the Terror Threads Facebook Page, follow @Terror_Threads on twitter and @terrorthreads on Instagram.

More Gore: Volumes of Blood 2 Needs You

Last year, we were treated to one of the most epic horror anthologies ever to be witnessed by our gore loving eyeballs – Volumes of Blood. Since its emergence to the screen at film festivals and conventions everywhere, fans have been hungry for more, and it is coming, but your help is needed to make Volumes of Blood Horror Stories the gorefest it is meant to be. Writer/director P.J. Starks has launched a funding campaign via Indiegogo.

The campaign will run for a month with a goal of $10,000. It has only been live for 10 days and has already raised $970. Pledge amounts range from $1 to $2,500. The list of perks for the VOB 2 campaign are pretty awesome; they range from a social media thank you, an on-screen thank you all the way to a role in the film. We all know that times are tough, so if you can’t fiscally donate, socially donate, spread the word to your friends, your co-workers, family, pets, friendly strangers and well, anyone that will listen. 

Why should you? Well I could ramble on all day, but the main reason is to help keep horror pure. Indie horror is the present and future of the genre with Hollywood’s love of half-baked remakes and PG-13 crapfests, if we don’t support our indie filmmakers, the genre will spiral downward, quickly. The crew behind the VOB films are hard working and genuinely love the genre. Why wouldn’t you support that? Not to mention, there are 20 on-screen kills promised to us, and to add the cherry to the gore sundae, the effects will be practical (like our favorite 80’s Slasher films). A lot of what you would be donating would go to the effects of the film. Donate HERE.

For more announcements regarding the film, like the Volumes of Blood Facebook page, follow @VolumesofBlood on twitter and visit VolumesofBlood.com.

 

GAMES, GORE, AND “GOOD GOD, NOOOOOOO….”

The Top Five Horror Video Games You Need To Play

It’s been almost exactly 20 years since Capcom’s iconic video game Resident Evil made its blood splattered debut on the PlayStation. There had been earlier attempts at gaming horror but none had really delivered, until this zombie-stuffed puzzle-solver dragged its ax and shuffled into our lives.

Today, the horror genre has come a long way. Virtual reality is adding a new dimension, and gore has gotten out of control. There are even online casino games jumping onto the horror bandwagon

Here are our top five horror video games to watch out for in 2016…

Resident Evil 7

The Resident Evil rumor mill is in full ax swing, with reports of a seventh installment in the series. The game’s developers are promising to switch the emphasis away from gun play and back to horror.

Remember that pant-wetting scene in Resident Evil 2 when the zombies burst through the windows? You’d been up and down that corridor a dozen times and then – suddenly – you are fighting for your digital life. It’s one of horror video gaming’s defining moments: an interactive scare. Let’s hope the latest iteration returns to form and gets it right.

Haunted House

Casino games have been a major player in the world of online video games, ever since someone swapped pong for online pokies. If you like a little horror with your online casino games, why not take the Haunted House pokies for a spin. This old school online pokies features vampires, coffins, garlic, and crosses. You can scare yourself into a small fortune, if Lady Luck cuts you a break. You can find the Haunted House online pokies at some of the world’s biggest online casinos, including both Casino.com and MansionCasino.com.

Doom

Everyone remembers the first time they played Doom: the original FPS. Shotguns and chainsaws are the tools of choice, as well as the BFG. The game debuted in 1993 and the gore has been ramped up ever since. This year sees the release of a next generation Doom game. The ‘head-stamping-chainsaw-slicing-bug-squishing’ trailer is a gory masterpiece of gruesome mayhem that promises to bring the pain.

Dreadhalls

It’s not just online casino games that are making the most of the new virtual reality technology. Dreadhalls is one of the first horror VR online video games that gives players a true sense of dread. You wander claustrophobic pitch black tunnels, armed with a feeble torch. Fully immersed in this environment, wearing your VR headset, Dreadhalls is a game that lives up to its name.

Silent Hill

When it comes to genuinely terrifying games, aimed strictly at an adult audience, the Silent Hills franchise takes some beating and bludgeoning. The game’s dark, hallucinogenic, atmosphere is stifling, blood-curdling, and bleak. Add to this: a cast of sadistic, nightmarish, characters, a failing torch, and constantly spluttering electrics, and you have a genuinely disturbing gaming experience. This year, Silent Hills Allison Road will be the game that has gamers gasping in horror. Due for release in October.

Pittsburgh’s Horror Realm Spring Break Massacre Coming in March

Spring is in the air, the birds are singing, the plants are blooming and the horror conventions are coming out of hibernation. The next convention we will be venturing off to is Horror Realm in the land of zombies, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania March 4th-6th (we will be there on Saturday the 5th).

Where?

Horror Realm has moved from the previous location, and has a new home at Double Tree- Green Tree Pittsburgh, PA. There will be more room; which means more awesome guests and more awesome vendors so there will be more horror goodness available to you. 

We know you guys are busy, and looking up the correct location can be a pain, so the address to the new location is:

500 Mansfield Avenue, Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania, 15205

If you want to check out the rooms and the rest of the hotel, visit this location’s site, HERE. 

Guests

Now that the when and where are taken care of, it’s time to get to the who. Horror Realm and many other conventions usually have some kind of reunion going on, this year at the Spring Break Massacre, there will be two! You will be able to meet cast members from The Return of the Living Dead and the A Nightmare on Elm Street films.

Let’s start with The Return of the Living Dead guests. Representing this beloved cult classic are Clu Gulager, Beverly Randolph, Thom Mathews, Linnea Quigley, Jewel Shepard, Brian Peck and John Philbin. Allan Trautman (the tar man) was originally scheduled, but unfortunately had to cancel due to filming obligations.  

The guests from the A Nightmare on Elm Street films include Brooke Bundy (A Nightmare on Elm Street 3&4), Beatrice Boepple (A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child), Erika Anderson (A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child) and Ken Sagoes (A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors). Tuesday Knight of A Nightmare on Elm Street 4 was originally scheduled to appear, but had to cancel. These guests may not be Robert Englund, but they are pretty awesome and names you don’t see often on a convention marquee making it more awesome to see them at Horror Realm.

Other incredible guests include the always sweet Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp), Tiffany Shepis (Sharknado 2), Tiffany’s beautiful daughter Mia Shepis (Tales of Halloween), Dan Kamin (Creepshow 2), Len Lies (Dawn of the Dead (machete zombie)) and many more. Check out the full guest list HERE.

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Tickets

Now that you have seen the amazing guest list and started thinking about all the awesome horror goodies you could add to your collection, you’re probably wondering about tickets. Horror Realm is one of the best conventions we have visited in the past couple of years, and to make it even better, it is one of the more affordable cons to go to.

Whether you are planning to make this convention a weekend or a day trip, the ticket prices will not leave your wallet empty. VIP tickets (which includes a weekend pass, access to the VIP party with open bar, tote bag, t-shirt and more) are only $100 a ticket, compared to the $200 + you may see at other shows. Weekend passes are $40, Saturday passes are $20 and Sunday Passes are $10. Planning on bringing the family? No problem, children 12 and under are FREE with adult admission. Have you or are you currently serving your country? Horror Realm has your back with a FREE day pass with a valid ID.

Don’t want to wait in a line to purchase your tickets? Buy in advance HERE (photo op tickets are also available here).

Special Side Note: Do you want to be part of a horror movie?

If you are going to be at Horror Realm on SUNDAY, MARCH 6th, indie horror filmmakers Tristan Clay and Destinie Orndoff will be on hand filming some stuff for their upcoming film Red Eye.

For more information on Red Eye, the film’s Indiegogo campaign and where to find it on social media, check out the previous article HERE. More information on how you can get in on the action is available on the film’s various social media site. 

 

Horror Realm on Social Media

Be sure to like Horror Realm on Facebook and follow them on Twitter (@HorrorRealmCon) for more details regarding guest and schedule changes. If you have any other questions that we did not answer here for you, visit HorrorRealmCon.com or email the amazing folks behind the con at info@horrorrealmcon.com.  

We hope to see you there!

 

Indiegogo Campaign Launched For Upcoming Indie Horror Film ‘Red Eye’

Hollywood may have the money to make over-the-top horror films that entertain the masses, but they lack the passion it takes to make a horror film that really grabs the audience; this is where independent horror comes into play. The dynamic duo of Tristan Clay (Karma) and Destinie Orndoff have combined their love of horror to write the upcoming film Red Eye. 

Red Eye will be directed by Tristan Clay and is set to star Destinie Orndoff (this will be her first film), Jessica Cameron (Save Yourself), Heather Dorff (Truth or Dare), Michael Taylor Pritt (Fun Time) and Scott King.

As equally impressive as the cast listing is the story line of the film. Red Eye follows a group of friends trekking through the woods of Black Creek, West Virginia in search of a local legend- Red Eye. It may sound like the makings of a found-footage film, but director Tristan Clay ensures that it will NOT be. 

Like many indie horror projects, the crew of Red Eye need your help to put the film and Destinie’s bloodcurdling scream on the screen. Deranged Minds Entertainment has launched and Indiegogo campaign to help fund the production of the film and everything that goes into it (wardrobe, cast, crew etc.). The campaign has only been live for a few short hours and has already brought in $180 of their $10,500 goal. 

Like all other crowdfunding campaigns, you will receive a perk for your contribution to the film. The perks for the Red Eye campaign range from a social media thank you to a t-shirts, copy of the soundtrack (featuring all of the final screams of the victims), a signed copy of the DVD all the way to an IMDB producer credit (which will also appear in the credits of the film). Donation amounts range from $5 to $1,500. Deranged Minds Entertainment has a time frame of 1 month to reach their goal ($10,500).

Everyone knows that times are tough, if you cannot contribute financially, be sure to pass the campaign information around. Every little bit counts (including shares and likes). Below are the links to the Red Eye Indiegogo as well as where you can find the film on social media, but before you start clicking or you need a bit more persuasion, check out the Scream teaser trailer featuring Destinie and her bone chilling scream. 

 

Links:

Indiegogo

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

 

Terror Threads: Bringing You 100% Original Artwork

Horror fans, have you been on the hunt for the perfect t-shirt?  I would like to introduce you to Terror Threads, a company by horror fans for horror fans that put 100% original horror artwork on t-shirts (American Apparel soft t-shirts), hoodies and more. I am here to do the research for you on this new company.

What does the artwork look like?

I can answer that in one word, AWESOME! The color choices for the art are phenomenal, they are subtle yet they still pop. Everyone has their own opinion when it comes to things like art, so I am just going to insert a small gallery of some of their products so you can judge for yourselves. 

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What kind of products do they offer?

Obviously, they offer t-shirts (starting at $20) and zip hoodies (starting at $40), but they also offer some pretty unique items. These products include turntable slipmats ($15), dresses ($45), poster prints ($18), gift cards and Fright Flicks trading cards ($8/pack).

What kind of deals do they offer?

Terror Threads offers a few incentives to purchase their awesome original horror t-shirts, the first being, if you spend $50 or more, you get a free pack of Fright Flicks trading cards. Another incentive, if you spend $100 or more, you get free shipping.

Where can I find them?

Obviously at TerrorThreads.com, but they are on twitter (@Terror_Threads) and Instagram (@terrorthreads). By following them on these sites, you guarantee yourself a first look at new designs and exclusive deals.  

Stand by for reviews of the awesome horror t-shirts from Terror Threads!

 

 

‘Things You Think About in a Bar’- A Book of Tim Burton’s Napkin Art

Tim Burton, the man behind such films as A Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice and Sleepy Hollow has released a book through Steeles Publishing of his napkin doodles. Things You Think About in a Bar is made up of 140 pages of dark, genius artwork. It is a mini companion to the award winning book The Art of Tim Burton. I was sent a copy of the book to feature and review; here are my honest thoughts on the book. 

The overall appearance of the book is phenomenal. It is small and sleek giving it the perfect look for an art book. The cover is a black cloth material that has been stamped with a shiny, silver foil. The binding of the book is great, the pages do not tug too much while you are flipping through and it is not overly delicate. The addition of a silky, purple attached book mark adds a touch elegance and a bit more Burton flare. 

The pages inside are durable and matte. The matte look of the pages adds to the beauty of the artwork on them, there is no gloss to enhance or take away from them. 

The artwork is phenomenal. It is pretty cool to get a glimpse at what such a creative mind thinks about on the road including pieces from already beloved Burton films to potential future classics. Take a look at a few pictures below to get an idea of just how great this book is (they do not to it justice, you have to see the physical book to get just how great it is).

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If you are a fan of Tim Burton, this book would be the perfect addition to your collection or if you know a Burton fan, Things You Think About in a Bar would make the perfect gift. If you would like to purchase this incredible book, it is available for $19.99 (which is a steal for an art book of any kind) at SteelesPublishing.com.