MY LOYAL ARMY OF NIECES GROWS

Hooray!!! I'm an uncle again! Meet Sophia Jackie, aka "La Petite." Born on Nov. 30 at 12:37 pm, weighing 7lbs. 7 oz. and measuring 21", to my friends Pat and Sara. WOO-HOO!!!

La neurona te informa

Marte necesita mamás

Basada en el libro de Berkeley Breathed y parodiando a la clásica cinta de clase B "Mars needs women" (1968), Disney se prepara para estrenar "Mars needs Moms!", una comedia de ciencia ficción que, a juzgar por el trailer, promete un impresionante despliegue visual. En la producción está Robert Zemeckis, el mismo de "Expreso Polar" y "Un Cuento de Navidad". Viendo las imágenes nos damos cuenta de que repite la fórmula de ambas: mucha captura de movimiento pero con el agregado de aunténtico 3D estereoscópico. La historia cuenta como Milo, un niño de nueve años, debe rescatar a su madre de las garras de los marcianos, que la llevan a su planeta para que aplique su instinto maternal en la educación de los vástagos extraterrestres. Se prevee su estreno en USA para el 11 de marzo de 2011.

Trailer 1

Darkchylde al cine

Y nada menos que de la mano de John Carpenter. El cómic fue creado en 1996 por Randy Queen y cuenta las desventuras de la adolescente Ariel Chylde, víctima de una maldición que provoca escalofriantes transformaciones en su cuerpo. Los efectos correrían por cuenta de Weta Workshop, la misma que estuvo detrás de El Señor de los Anillos. En su momento la historieta superó en ventas a los superéxitos (Spiderman, Batman y Superman), consiguiendo una importante cantidad de mujeres entre los seguidores. La serie luego fue discontinuada y cayó en desgracia. El estreno sería en el año 2013.

El cómic

Póster oficial

Pruebas preliminares

Otros que dejaron este mundo

Hace poco comentaba la muerte de Leslie Nielsen, pero no fue el único que siguió la luz blanca. Ingrid Pitt (1937-2010) partió un poco antes. La actriz polaca es bien conocida por los fanáticos gracias a sus papeles de vampira para la productora Hammer y por otras cintas de miedo. Pronto tendrá su merecida galería de fotos. El otro que también estiró la pata fue Irvin Keshner, a los 87 años. Dirigió muchas películas, pero con "El Imperio Contraataca" (The Empire Strikes Back, 1980) saltó a la categoría de mito. La segunda entrega de "Star Wars" es considerada por los fanáticos y la crítica como la mejor de la serie, incluídos los nuevos episodios. A ello contribuyó su tono oscuro y pesimista y la inclusión de muchas de las escenas más recordadas de toda la saga.

Atrapado en su propia telaraña

Dos años de producción. Un costo de 65 millones de dólares. Música de Bono y The Edge. Nada podía fallar en el preestreno de la comedia musical de Spiderman. Pero sucedió. Fue este domingo en el Foxwoods Theatre de Nueva York, a sala llena y con una entrada que costó 265 dólares. Los críticos fueron durísimos, ya que calificaron al guión de confuso y a la música de insípida.

Pero lo peor ocurrió durante su desarrollo. Cinco veces tuvo que detenerse la obra por desperfectos técnicos. Además los cables caían sobre el público, faltaba piezas del decorado, y hasta el protagonista quedó atascado en el aire al final del primer acto.

En enero es el estreno oficial, y muchos adelantan que será el peor fracaso de la historia de Broadway.

Informe del programa "60 minutos"

El nuevo proyecto de Tim Burton

El director de "Alicia" y Johnny Deep comenzarían a rodar en enero del año próximo la versión cinematográfica de "Dark Sahdows" (Sombras Tenebrosas), la telenovela de terror emitida entre 1966 y 1971 por la cadena estadounidense ABC, y que arrasó con los ratings de la época. En total fueron ¡1225 episodios!

Comenzó siendo una serie diaria con elementos de misterio, pero a los pocos meses los guionistas introdujeron en la trama al vampiro Barnabas Collins y todo cambió. Con el correr del tiempo se subió la apuesta y los personajes y temas se volvieron más extremos: las subtramas románticas incluían brujas, fantasmas y hombres lobos, y hasta se llegaron a incorporar viajes en el tiempo y universos paralelos.

Deep interpretará al vampiro Barnabas Collins, y la producción correrá por cuenta de Warner Bros., la compañía Infinitum Nihil (del propio Depp) y GK Films.

La neurona te informa: Leslie Nielsen (1926-2010)

Es una lástima tener que informar que actores tan queridos como Leslie ya no harán más películas. Nació en Canadá y fue protagonista de ese gran clásico de la ciencia ficción llamado "Forbidden Planet" (1956), pero se ganó el cariño de todos gracias a sus desopilantes participaciones en la saga "La Pistola Desnuda" (The Naked Gun). Murió en Miami a la edad de 84 años como consecuencia de las complicaciones derivadas de una neumonía.

Forbidden Planet (1956)

Forbidden Planet (1956)

The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

Airplane (1980)

The Naked Gun saga

The Naked Gun saga

The Naked Gun saga

Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995)

Scary Movie 4 (2006)

ACT NOW! THE COMIC BOOK ALLIANCE CHARITY AUCTION IS THIS THURSDAY!

A very worthy cause and I urge you to bid. And some of the available items are mouth-watering! (And to any of you fans of this blog who may be flush with cash, I would not be averse to a gift of the available ZOMBO script. Just sayin'...)

27/11/10
Press Release: Immediate Release
Sidekick-Ass!
Comic Book Alliance charity offers Batman fans the chance to star in a comic alongside their hero

The Comic Book Alliance (CBA) “The Voice of the British Comics Industry” are
offering comic fans some very special Christmas treats this week with their very
first fundraising auction — including the chance to star alongside Batman in his
new comic, Batman Inc; along with other experiences that money can’t buy!
Grant Morrison (the award-winning writer who killed Batman and resurrected
him!) will write the winning bidder into an issue of Batman Inc. featuring their
name and likeness, courtesy of DC Comics.

Not only that, but Frank Quitely, winner of four 2010 Eagle Awards and one of
the hottest artists in comics (All Star Superman, Batman & Robin) will draw a
personalised portrait of a winning bidder! Quitely said "This is ideal. Some lucky
bidder gets to enjoy a cutting caricature of themselves, I get to exercise my cruel
sense of humour, and the CBA gets the money it needs to help it carry on its vital
work — everyone's a winner!"

Plus, there are dozens of signed books, comics and graphic novels from high
profile creators like Alan Moore (Watchmen), Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Boys),
Charles Vess (Stardust), and John Wagner (Judge Dredd).
And there’s original comic art and signed limited prints by the cream of British
artists including zombie art work by Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead), Bryan
Talbot (Grandville), Sean Phillips (Criminal), John McCrea (Hitman), David Lloyd
(V for Vendetta), Mark Buckingham (Fables), Rufus Dayglo (Tank Girl) and
Garen Ewing (Rainbow Orchid).

The CBA supports and promotes comic creators, publishers, retailers and
distributors, both in the UK and abroad, At the heart of the Alliance, founders Tim
Pilcher, Shane Chebsey and GM Jordan have assembled an Advisory Board
made up of leading academics and professionals from a wide spectrum including
chat show host, turned comic book writer, Jonathan Ross and V for Vendetta
artist David Lloyd. In the last year the CBA has helped organise and promote
major exhibitions and sent thousands of free comic books to the troops in
Afghanistan and Iraq. The CBA also runs a website that helps the general public
find their local comic book retailer (www.comicshops.co.uk) and with over 1.5m
visitors.

CBA Chair Tim Pilcher said “The UK has one of the most creative and extensive
comic publishing industries in the world—a legacy that has produced some of the
best artists and writers currently working in the medium. It’s been wonderfully
overwhelming to see so many of them generously donating their time and items
to this very worthy British cause and coming together to support the medium they
love.”

There are no reserves, and all bids start at just 99p, so there’s the chance to pick
up some real Christmas bargains for the comic fan in your life!
The auction starts at 19:00 on Thursday 2 December and runs until
at 19:00 on Saturday 11 December on www.eBay.co.uk: search for
the seller, comic_book_alliance or further details can be found at
www.comicbookalliance.co.uk. A full list of items available is below.

For further information, interviews, images, or quotes please contact:

Central Office: founders@comicbookalliance.co.uk
Tim Pilcher: tim.pilcher@comicbookalliance.co.uk
GM Jordan: gm.jordan@comicbookalliance.co.uk
Shane Chebsey: shane.chebsey@comicbookalliance.co.uk
Or visit: www.comicbookalliance.co.uk

Complete List of items in the Inaugural CBA Auction:

o An appearance in Batman Inc. written by Grant Morrison and drawn by
Chris Burnham. Courtesy of DC Comics
o Personalised caricature by Batman & Robin artist Frank Quitely
o Two pages of Fables original artwork by Mark Buckingham
o Spider-Man original artwork by Andie Tong
o The Walking Dead artwork by Charlie Adlard
o Daredevil limited edition print by Adi Granov
o Criminal original artwork by Sean Philips
o Tank Girl original artwork by Rufus Dayglo
o Peter Pan signed limited edition book, pus original artwork by Charles
Vess
o Original Letraset Manga Artwork by Nana Li
o Inspector Gadget original artwork by Dave Windett
o Whiteout signed print by Steve Lieber
o Yesterday’s Tomorrow’s hardcover signed by Rian Hughes
o Luther Arkwright signed limited edition print by Bryan Talbot
o Punisher original artwork by Laurence Campbell
o Warhammer 40K original artwork by Kev Hopgood
o War Machine original artwork by Kev Hopgood
o Marvel Heroes original artwork by Kev Hopgood
o G.I. Joe original artwork by Kev Hopgood
o Button Man 3: Killer Killer graphic novel and Strontium Dog script signed
by John Wagner
o Wasteland hardcover graphic novel signed by Antony Johnston
o Alan Moore: Portrait of an Extraordinary Gentleman signed by Alan Moore
o Rime of the Ancient Mariner graphic novel signed by Hunt Emerson and
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
o Smuggling Vacation and Day of the Deal graphic novels signed by Jason
Wilson
o Day of the Deal exclusive “prison edition” graphic novel signed by Jason
Wilson
o The Erotic Adventures of Space Babe 113, Complete set signed by John
Maybury
o Iron Man & Black Widow limited edition print signed by Khoi
o Wormwood: The Last Enemy signed by Garth Ennis
o Wormwood: The Last Battle #1-3 signed by Garth Ennis
o The Boys Limited Anniversary Edition hardcover graphic novel set (1-5)
signed by Garth Ennis
o The Boys #39 Signed by Garth Ennis
o The Boys #40 Signed by Garth Ennis
o The Boys #41 Signed by Garth Ennis
o Preacher: Books 1 & 2 Deluxe Hardcover Editions Signed by Garth Ennis
o Preacher: Dixie Fried graphic novel Signed by Garth Ennis
o JLA/Hitman Issues 1 & 2 (complete) signed by Garth Ennis
o Hitman: Ten Thousand Bullets graphic novel signed by Garth Ennis
o Hitman: A Rage in Arkham graphic novel signed by Garth Ennis
o Crossed graphic novel signed by Garth Ennis
o Battlefields: Happy Valley and Tankies signed books and script by Garth
Ennis
o Territory original artwork by David Lloyd
o Abe, Temptation, Candleman signed books and original art by Glenn
Dakin
o Horse print signed by Emily Hare
o Strange Embrace hardcover graphic novel signed by David Hine
o Daredevil European Tour limited edition print signed by Jeph Loeb & Tim
Sale
o Signed print by Hermann
o Hermann exhibition poster signed by the artist
o The Rainbow Orchid original art by Garen Ewing
o The Rainbow Orchid Book 1 & poster both signed by Garen Ewing
o The Rainbow Orchid Book 2 & poster both signed by Garen Ewing
o Bart Simpson’s Treehouse of Horror #9 signed by Gary Spencer Millidge
o Strangehaven graphic novel (Book 1), print and postcard pack signed by
Gary Spencer Millidge
o Strangehaven graphic novel (Book 2) and print pack signed by Gary
Spencer Millidge
o Hitman original art by John McCrea
o The Authority original artwork and signed graphic novel by Simon Cobley
o Low Life (from 2000 AD) original art by Simon Cobley
o Starship Troopers cover original artwork by Jimmy Reyes
o The Red Seas graphic novel signed by the artist, Steve Yeowell
o Burke & Hare graphic novel signed by Martin Conaghan & Will Pickering
o Tours de Bois-Maury signed print by Hermann
o Merry Christmas Mr Zombo (from 2000 AD) Script signed and illustrated
by Al Ewing
o Blake’s 7 replica badge by Termight Replicas

R.I.P. LESLIE NIELSEN (1926-2010), STAR OF THE NAKED GUN SERIES AND THE SCI-FI LANDMARK FORBIDDEN PLANET

Leslie Nielsen as Commander J.J. Adams in the science-fiction landmark, FORBIDDEN PLANET (1956).

Leslie Nielsen, one of the unlikeliest of actors to become a comedy superstar, has perished following complications from pneumonia. That news hits comedy fans right in the guts because Nielsen's role as Lt. Frank Drebin, the bizarre protagonist of the insanely short-lived (six episodes total) TV series POLICE SQUAD and the NAKED GUN film series, has become a milestone character in the annals of silly humor. Looking like your straightest uncle, Nielsen's seeming blandness worked in his favor and lent Drebin's exploits the perfect flavor for his over-the-top world. The classic Drebin bits are many, but my nomination for all-time favorite goes to Drebin's impersonation of Enrico Pallazzo, a renowned opera singer, in THE NAKED GUN (FROM THE FILES OF POLICE SQUAD (1988).



But to me Nielsen's most important contribution to cinema was his portrayal of Commander J.J. Adams, leader of the crew of the spaceship C-57D in 1956's still-stunning FORBIDDEN PLANET, an out-of-this-world take on Shakespeare's THE TEMPEST. The film was arguably the most visually spectacular of the 1950's science-fiction films and still ranks among the most respected of its lot, thanks to such memorable elements as its all-theremin score, the Krell city (a community space clearly designed for non-humanoid forms, a rarity in sci-fi movies and TV even today), the id monster (an animated horror that scared the shit out of me when I was a kid), Robby the robot, Doctor Moorbius, his foxy daughter Altaira, and much, much more, with Nielsen's Commander Adams serving as the intelligent and capable anchor for a crew that encounter far more than anticipated upon landing on the planet Altair IV. If you've never seen FORBIDDEN PLANET, please take my word for it and check it out immediately.

Los feos también se enamoran

No importa si son verdes o si tienen problemas capilares, si provienen del espacio o del mismísimo infierno. Ellos también tienen sentimientos y pueden hacer cualquier cosa por conquistar a la bomba sexy de turno. O por lo menos así nos lo han hecho creer durante décadas los productores de tantas bellas cintas de ciencia ficción y terror made in Hollywood y zona de influencia. Si disfrutás con las historias de romances imposibles, aquí van unos cuantos ejemplos que seguro te llegarán al corazón.

Invasion of the Saucer Men (1957)

Prehistoric Women (1950)

The Curse of the Werewolf (1961)

Captive Wild Woman (1943)

Monster on the Campus (1958)

Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932)

From Hell it Came (1957)

Queen of the Northwoods (1929)

The Mole People (1956)


It! The Terror from Beyond Space (1958)

Day of the World Ended (1956)


The Beach Girls and the Monster (1965)

REQUIESCAT IN PACE, REGGIE THE POODLE (1999-2010)

Reggie the Poodle, silently telling Laika to suck it.

It is with a very heavy heart that I note the untimely passing of Reggie the Poodle, the stalwart and hilarious companion of my friend Suzi, who deeply affected my life during the all-too-short three years in which I knew him. He was a sweetheart beyond compare and exhibited a breezy and infectious attitude toward life, an aspect that allowed him to remain very much in touch with "puppyness" well into what would have been his late sixties had he been one of us naked apes.

Reggie with his human, Suzi.

I always loved to visit with Reggie for a myriad number of reasons, but chief among them was that I could tell he was always genuinely glad to see me whenever I showed up, and he would press his large Standard Poodle body against me in unabashed entreaty for attention and a vigorous scratch behind his ears or whatever part of his anatomy that he was inclined to proffer. I referred to fulfilling his requests as "giving Reg a scritchy," and he sure as shit loved himself some scritchy action. He was also able to perform a number of cute and occasionally questionable tricks when asked by Suzi, my favorite of which was when he'd splay out on his back and obscenely display his junk — twig, no berries — when Suzi would sweetly say "privates." When he did this, I'm convinced he knew the silliness/gross-out potential of the act, thanks to the tongue-hanging-out shit-eating grin that would split his face in two like he was a crocodile or something.

According to Suzi, one of Reggie's notable behaviors was that he would "claim" various gay male friends of hers by laying his big, black body across whatever young swain he had chosen and not allowing said man to move away. Once Reggie had you, you were his bitch, and I was actually kind of disappointed that Reggie never claimed me during the many times I hung out at Suzi's, not even during last New year's Eve when I crashed on the extra-comfy fold-out bed in the living room. Reggie and I were very find of each other already, so I guess I should not be insulted and perhaps should instead take his lack of claiming me as his way of acknowledging my staunch love of pussy.

And now my fuzzy friend has joined the Choir Invisible, so I hope his (probably intentional) off-key howling completely fucks up any rendition of "Nearer, My God, to Thee" that he's called upon to participate in. I loved Reggie very much and consider him the litter-mate I never had, right next to my own late and greatly lamented pooch, Sam (aka "Humpy").

Goodbye, sweet Reggie. Your awesomeness and considerable canine faggotry will never be forgotten, and I hope you understood and appreciated the 40-ounce "for my dead homies" Budweiser pour-out I did in my bathtub in your honor. I will miss you, dear poodle, so never forget that you were deeply loved by both me and the human you lived with. You were a terrific presence and your untimely exit will leave an enormous void in the hearts and minds that you so unconditionally touched.

Oh, and when you meet that commie space-mutt Laika in the Afterlife, be sure to bark "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!" as queenily as you can into his mug. He may have been the first into space, but you looked way more fabulous in your space helmet.

Reggie and his bitch (literally).

Michael Chiklis vs La Mole Moli

Vean el video, que luego lo comento.

Adhiero a la explicación de La Cosa, revista argentina de cine fantástico: el grito de "La Mole" que recibe el protagonista de Los Cuatro Fantásticos haría referencia al nombre con que se conoce en latinoamérica al personaje que interpretó en dicha película. La asociación con el boxeador ha sido una confusión (muy graciosa) de los productores del programa que buscando en internet dieron con la fotografía de un tipo pelado al que llaman de la misma forma y que vive en un país hispanoparlante. Sin palabras.

THANKSGIVING IN CONNECTICUNT 2010

Ah, Connecticut, one of my least favorite places to visit. I'd had more than enough of the place thirty years ago and would never return if not for the presence of a few friends and family, but I'm willing to brave its boredom for the annual festival of excellence that is my mom's cooking on Thanksgiving. Knowing full well that there would be nothing to do other than sit in front of a TV that was set to nothing but MSNBC, Hollywood gossip shows and DANCING WITH THE STARS — obviously stuff my mom is addicted to — I armed myself with a backpack full of comic books and some DVDs and girded myself for the non-events to occur between Tuesday afternoon and Friday afternoon, anticipating the feast that loomed large at my mom's house (in which she has now resided for just over three decades).

Upon arriving, I finally got to see for myself the damage done when the next door neighbor's house was gutted by a fire some two months ago. Luckily the guy got out and was unharmed, but the house was rendered a charred and brittle shell and now lays fallow while the insurance company takes its sweet time in sorting out the particulars. My mom says that the huge industrial dumpster that now takes up space in the neighbor's driveway arrived the day after the fire, was more or less filled with debris by a cleanup crew, and has just sat there like a big red eyesore ever since.

What remains after our neighbor's house pretty much burned down about a month and a half ago. (He was unhurt.) If the wind that night had been stronger and blowing to the Southeast, this could have been my mom's house.

Seriously, the place was completely gutted and you could still smell the charring like it had happened yesterday.

As she gets older and money gets ever tighter, my mom has given serious thought to selling her house and moving into a condo, but no one's going to buy a house located next to a burnt-out husk that looks like something out of the bombing of Dresden, so I hope for her sake that the insurance company gets off its ass and sorts this shit out.

On the day before Thanksgiving, I skipped breakfast in order to make room for my favorite fast food repast whenever I hit Fairfield County, namely the drool-inducing foot-long chili dogs at Dairy King in Norwalk. As luck would have it, I arrived on the day of the chili dog special, which was a win for me because they are the sole food item on the menu that I go there for.

A harbinger of the magnificent flatulence to come.

Three foot-longs slathered in spicy chili, fresh off the grill, with drink. This belly (and bowel)-busting excellence totaled a mere $7.52. In NYC this would be around twelve bucks. Maybe even more, depending on where you went.

Another of the few aspects that make my visits to Westport tolerable are my visits with the Conners, the completely excellent and artsy parents of my dear old friend Amanda (known to you comics geeks out there as the sickeningly talented artist of DC Comics' Power Girl and her infamous collaboration with Garth Ennis, THE PRO). The Conners provide me with a haven from the expected dysfunction in the house where I grew up (or not), and I cannot express how much I appreciate them opening their home and hearts to me when I need a break. (For the record, this Thanksgiving's familial dysfunction at the Bunche homestead ranked at about a 4 on a scale of 1-10, so it was relatively mellow).

When I arrived at the Conners', Amanda's dad, Al (a fun and genuinely hilarious Sean Connery type from Louisiana), was busy in the kitchen, making an elaborate stuffing, while Eulayla, Amanda's utterly excellent and sunny mom, labored over a pencil/marker/watercolor portrait of her church's children's choir. I did a brief hit-and-run, dropping off another assortment of comedies and violent kung fu flicks on DVD for Al to enjoy (we are definitely kindred spirits), as well as picking up the last batch that I lent him and an intriguing dish that he'd made which fused Mexican and Cajun cuisine.

My friend Amanda's mom, the awesome Eulayla Conner, with a work-in-progress.

The view from Amanda's parents' driveway. Imagine growing up across the street from that!

That night saw me and my buddy Chris watching the four episodes of THE WALKING DEAD that have so far aired, and after that I turned in around 1:30 AM. (By the way, I'll get around to discussing the TV adaptation of THE WALKING DEAD when the season is over.)

I awoke around 6:30 AM after a fitful night of sleep on the medieval torture implement that is the fold-out couch in what used to be my bedroom, and all too soon my mom came downstairs, brewed herself a strong cup of Joe, and settled in for the three-hour pagan festival in honor of crass commercialism that is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. My feelings about that show are well-known, so let it suffice to say that I focused on cruising the Internet and reading a book on lurid 1950's horror comics — the excellent THE HORROR! THE HORROR! by Jim Trombetta — as the saccharine floats and lip-synching disposable pop stars of the moment filed by. However, this year threw me a curve ball when the NYPD marching band showed up playing the theme music from the classic anime series SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO (1974, better known to American audiences when it ran here as the cult series STAR BLAZERS), a totally unexpected happenstance that may be the geekiest moment seen in that parade since the infamous and unintentionally hilarious PLANET OF THE APES float back in 1974.


The original theme song.

The NYPD's version.

Seriously, never in a million years would I have expected to see that during the parade!

When the parade finally lurched to a halt, I watched the dog show that immediately followed it, while my mom spent the majority of those two hours putting the finishing touches on the meal that she began preparing at 8:30AM. When we took our customary places at the dining room table, we tucked into one of the best Thanksgiving meals my mom ever concocted, and that really saying something.

Bunchewolf tucks in.

A selection of white and dark meat once the turkey was made more manageable for Round 1 of the shameless gorging.

The turkey, obviously after falling victim to Round 1. This was one of the most succulent birds I've ever tasted over the course of my 45 years, and the thigh meat was especially outstanding.

Just a portion of the feast my mom prepared: extra stuffing (in the foil-covered pan, green bean casserole, a pan full of some truly obscene homemade gravy (with giblets), and noodles boiled in turkey broth/drippings and the bird's neck. Not shown: collard greens (aka "major league fart fuel"), fresh rolls, and extremely spicy jambalaya with Andouille sausage and shrimp.

The aforementioned tasty and intriguing fusion of Mexican and Cajun cuisine, prepared by Amanda's dad, Al.

Following the completely obscene gorging of Round 1, my mom and I retired downstairs to the family room, where we plopped down to digest, with my mom falling asleep into deep food-coma while I watched the classic Godzilla-and-pals-kick-ass-on-alien-invaders flick, MONSTER ZERO (1970).

Mom, passed out from sheer food-coma.

Just one of the many scenes in MONSTER ZERO, a film that has delighted me since I first saw it at the age of five.

Other than the food, the most important element to a good Thanksgiving, in my opinion, is the annual running of the giant monster flicks, a tradition adored and still held by many of us who grew up in the Tri-State Area during the 1970's. Started by some incredibly merciful programmer at NYC's Channel 9 in the pre-cable days, the way it worked was that they would run the original KING KONG, SON OF KONG and MIGHTY JOE YOUNG on Thanksgiving as a marathon to keep the kids from being bored while the adults got shitfaced and treated one another with viciousness that would have done Edward Albee proud. The day after Thanksgiving also gave us kiddies something to watch in the form of an impromptu Godzilla flick mini-marathon, among which could often be counted (among others) a rotation of KING KONG VS. GODZILLA, GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER, GODZILLA VS. THE SMOG MONSTER, and of course MONSTER ZERO. Those flicks were a ton of fun, but they also kept us well out of range of hungover and volatile parents and attending relatives as they suffered for the indulgences of the previous day. If I could have gotten away with it I would have done the full and proper two-day marathon treatment, but as has been the case for many Thanksgivings over the past fifteen years, both my mom and I have chosen to spare ourselves the presence of guests in a successful bid to keep ourselves as comfortable as possible and not have to get dressed up or anything, so there was no company and no kids that needed the old school Channel 9-style distraction. Also my mom is not into the giant monster stuff (though she is the one who introduced me to the genre when I was four), so there was no way I would have been allowed to get away with more than one token rubber suit/city-stomping opus, so I chose MONSTER ZERO as this year's flick because I watch KING KONG at least twice per year anyway and I hadn't seen the Godzilla classic in quite a while.

After that, I pretty much spent the rest of the evening reading while my mom went back for Round 2, something I didn't feel peckish enough to do until just around midnight ("Brown Sugah!!!"). And with that, Thanksgiving 2010 came to a pleasant end and I returned to the walls of the Vault, whereupon I promptly crashed hard for two solid hours.

Zombiemania (2008)

Una visión actualizada del subgénero terrorífico de moda. Con el estreno de The Walking Dead los muertos vivientes están en boca de todos. Este documental recorre su historia con el testimonio de aquellas personas que contribuyeron a mantenerlo vivo durante más de cuatro décadas.