#Greg Cravens

[reagan-was-a-horrible-president]

The Buckets

By Greg Cravens

Go here to see more.

[truth-has-a-liberal-bias]

The Buckets - By Greg Cravens

[duranduratulsa]

Concluding my Wes Craven movie 🎬 🎞 🎥 🎦 📽 marathon with...The Hills Have Eyes (2006) on classic DVD 📀! #movie #movies #horror #thehillshaveeyes #wescraven #RIPWesCraven #tedlevine #KathleenQuinlan #aaronstanford #VinessaShaw #EmilieDeRavin #DanByrd #LauraOrtiz #GregNicotero #michaelbaileysmith #RobertJoy #BillyDrago #desmondaskew #tombower #janusblythe #DerekMears #dvd #2000s

[fagmuppet]

twin peaks 2.22 beyond life and death dir. david lynch / the captain - leonard cohen / ginger snaps (2001) dir. john fawcett / infinity pool (2023) dir. brandon cronenberg / drowning lessons - my chemical romance / antiviral (2012) dir. brandon cronenberg / you are the blood - castanets / scream (1996) dir. wes craven / blood on my hands - the used / saw (2004) b-roll dir. james wan / macbeth act ii scene ii / tom waits by greg gorman for heartattack and vine (1980) / peripety series by jen mazza (2008-09) / blood on our hands - death from above 1979 / the doom generation (1995) dir. gregg araki / crack in the mirror - joan baez / the haunting in connecticut (2009) - dir. peter cornwell / very short story by frank miller

[phoenixwatchesmovies]

Phoenix's Favorite Films

No special occasion, or anything. I just realized it had been awhile since I thought about this. Calculated based on my metric of "happy it's starting vs bummed that it's over" (which translates loosely to Biggest Feels), I give you the top thirteen!

The Shining (1980)

A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where a sinister presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from both past and future. - dir. Stanley Kubrick

Perfect Blue (1997)

A pop singer gives up her career to become an actress, but she slowly goes insane when she starts being stalked by an obsessed fan and what seems to be a ghost of her past. - dir. Satoshi Kon

The Secret Garden (1993)

A young, recently-orphaned girl is sent to England after living in India all of her life. Once there, she begins to explore her new, seemingly-isolated surroundings, and its secrets. - dir. Agnieszka Holland

Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)

A meek Hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the powerful One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron. - dir. Peter Jackson

Dirty Dancing (1987)

Spending the summer at a Catskills resort with her family, Frances "Baby" Houseman falls in love with the camp's dance instructor, Johnny Castle. - dir. Emile Ardolino

Hard Candy (2005)

Hayley's a smart, charming teenage girl. Jeff's a handsome, smooth fashion photographer. An Internet chat, a coffee shop meet-up, an impromptu fashion shoot back at Jeff's place. Jeff thinks it's his lucky night. He's in for a surprise. - dir. David Slade

The Princess Bride (1987)

A bedridden boy's grandfather reads him the story of a farmboy-turned-pirate who encounters numerous obstacles, enemies and allies in his quest to be reunited with his true love. - dir. Rob Reiner

Labyrinth (1986)

Sixteen-year-old Sarah must solve a labyrinth to rescue her baby brother when he is taken by the Goblin King. - dir. Jim Henson

The Lost Boys (1987)

After moving to a new town, two brothers discover that the area is a haven for vampires. - dir. Joel Schumacher

A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)

Teenager Nancy Thompson must uncover the dark truth concealed by her parents after she and her friends become targets of the spirit of a serial killer with a bladed glove in their dreams, in which if they die, it kills them in real life. - dir. Wes Craven

The Lion King (1994)

Lion prince Simba and his father are targeted by his bitter uncle, who wants to ascend the throne himself. - dir. Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff

The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

A young soprano becomes the obsession of a disfigured and murderous musical genius who lives beneath the Paris Opera House. - dir. Joel Schumacher

Wolf Creek (2005)

Three backpackers stranded in the Australian outback are plunged inside a hellish nightmare of insufferable torture by a sadistic psychopathic local. - dir. Greg McClean

Synopses yoinked from IMDB, and no yelling from me this time. I'm saving that for later! :D

[saucy-mesothelioma]

October 24th: George A. Romero | Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead was released in 1985 and was directed by George A. Romero. Zombies have taken over the world, leaving humanity scarce and seemingly a thing of the past. But hidden away in an underground bunker, scientists such as Dr. Sarah Bowman (Lori Cardille) and Dr. Matthew Logan (Richard Liberty) are conducting experiments on the walking dead in attempts to find a way to pacify and cure them. They are guarded by a group of military personnel such as Pvt. Miguel Salazar (Anthony Dileo Jr.) and Capt. Henry Rhodes (Joseph Pilato) who have a different view on the matter of the zombies: kill them all. Even with those who believe in more peaceful resolutions like chopper pilot John (Terry Alexander) tensions between the two groups are quickly reaching a boiling point. But when the zombies break into the bunker, they become each-others only chance of survival.

George A. Romero is the man we have to thank for the depiction of zombies in horror films. Although he wasn't the first to create a zombie flick, his Night of the Living Dead series contributed strongly to the sub-genre and archetype of the modern zombie. He helped to make horror movies culturally relevant for the modern age, having social commentaries on subjects such as class and consumerism. Romero not only found success with his indie films in regards to zombies, but he also made several other successful horror movies such as Creepshow, Monkey Shines, Bruiser, Season of the Witch, and The Dark Half. Without him, horror films, especially with the zombie archetype, would be far different that it is today. Rest in peace, sir; you were gone too soon.

It can be watched for free on Tubi, Pluto TV, PLEX, Crackle, Xumo Play, and Sling TV

Content Warnings for the Film (may contain spoilers): violence, a lotta gore, racial slurs, sexual womanizing comments

This movie has some beautiful practical effects given to us by one of the masters of make-up Tom Savini and I highly suggest watching this great Behind the Scenes video. This movie has some kickass kills and I will forever be thankful that Romero didn't let the executives pressure him into dropping the R rating the movie got. Even though that led to their budget being cut in half it doesn't look it one bit, it's that stunning: the zombie in the opening credits that's missing his jaw is a fucking PUPPET THAT'S HOW GOOD THEY ARE. Also another fun fact, this movie is where special effects artists Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger met. The two would later go on to found their own company KNB EFX; you might have seen their work in The Walking Dead, Scream, The X-Files, Jennifer's Body, The Green Mile, Transformers, Misery, Django Unchained, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3, Bride of Re-Animator, Evil Dead 2, The Hateful Eight, House of Wax, The Chronicles of Narnia, Wes Craven's New Nightmare, Reservoir Dogs, Army of Darkness, Men in Black, Texas Chainsaw, Hostel just to name a few.

[brokehorrorfan]

Scream Factory has revealed the specs for its The People Under the Stairs 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray. Originally due out on April 25, the 1991 cult classic will now release on May 30.

Written and directed by master of horror Wes Craven, the film stars Brandon Adams, Everett McGill, Wendy Robie, A.J. Langer, Ving Rhames, Bill Cobbs, Kelly Jo Minter, Sean Whalen, and Yan Birch.

The People Under the Stairs has been newly scanned in 4K from the original camera negative, presented in Dolby Vision (HDR-10 compatible) with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 options. Special features are listed below.

Disc 1 - 4K UHD:

Audio commentary by writer-director Wes Craven

Audio commentary by actors Brandon Adams, A.J. Langer, Sean Whalen, and Yan Birch

Audio commentary by actor Brandon Adams

Interview with writer-director Wes Craven

Interview with actress A.J. Langer

Interview with actor Sean Whalen

Filmmaker Jeffrey Reddick on the film’s lasting impact

Theatrical trailer

Disc 2 - Blu-ray:

Audio commentary by writer-director Wes Craven

Audio commentary by actors Brandon Adams, A.J. Langer, Sean Whalen, and Yan Birch

Audio commentary by actor Brandon Adams

Interview with actress Wendy Robie

Interviews with special effects artists Greg Nicotero, Howard Berger, And Robert Kurtzman

Interview with director of photography Sandi Sissel

Interview with composer Don Peake

Making-of featurette

Behind-the-scenes footage

Theatrical trailer

TV spots

Storyboard gallery

Still gallery

Trapped inside a fortified home owned by a mysterious couple, a young boy is suddenly thrust into a nightmare. He quickly learns the true nature of the house’s homicidal inhabitants and the secret creatures hidden deep within the house.

Pre-order The People Under the Stairs.

[why-bull-the-fashion-demon]

movies I watched in 2023

(taking a cue from @stenka-razin)

-January

The Power of the Dog (2021, dir. Jane Campion)

Love, Simon (2018, dir. Greg Berlant)

Gamer (2009, dir. Brian Taylor & Mark Neveldine)

Men (2022, dir. Alex Garland)

The Menu (2022, dir. Mark Mylod)

Only Lovers Left Alive (2013, dir. Jim Jarmusch)

The Dead Don’t Die (2019, dir. Jim Jarmusch)

-February

A Touch of Sin (2013, dir. Jia Zhangke)

Lost Girls & Love Hotels (2020, dir. William Olsson)

Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008, dir. Peter Sollett)

In the Mood for Love (2000, dir. Wong Kar-Wai)

The Woman King (2022, dir. Gina Prince-Bythewood)

Charlie’s Angels (2000, dir. McG)

Goodbye, Dragon Inn (2003, dir. Tsai Ming-Liang)

Nope (2022, dir. Jordan Peele)

-March

Ash is Purest White (2018, dir. Jia Zhangke)

Shoplifters (2018, dir. Hirokazu Kore-eda)

Three (2016, dir. Johnnie To)

Nobody (2021, dir. Ilya Naishuller)

Charlie’s Angels (2019, dir. Elizabeth Banks)

The Wonderland (2019, dir. Keiichi Hara)

-April

Rebels of the Neon God (1992, dir. Tsai Ming-Liang)

Tetris (2023, dir. Jon S. Baird)

There’s Something About Mary (1998, dir. Bobby and Peter Farrely)

The Whale (2022, dir. Darren Aronofsky)

The Fabelmans (2022, dir. Steven Spielberg)

Throw Down (2004, dir. Johnnie To)

Tár (2022, dir. Todd Field)

Yi Yi (2000, dir. Edward Yang)

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022, dir. Ryan Coogler)

Catch .44 (2011, dir. Aaron Harvey)

-May

Spaceballs (1987, dir. Mel Brooks)

Bottle Rocket (1996, dir. Wes Anderson)

An Autumn Afternoon (1962, dir. Yasujiro Ozu)

Ant Man & The Wasp: Quantumania (2023, dir. Peyton Reed)

Flight of the Red Balloon (2007, dir. Hou Hsiao-hsien)

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023, dir. Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley)

-June

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013, dir. Joel and Ethan Coen)

Good Morning (1959, dir. Yasujiro Ozu)

Casino Royale (2006, dir. Martin Campbell)

Quantum of Solace (2008, dir. Marc Forster)

Skyfall (2012, dir. Sam Mendes)

Spectre 2015, dir. Sam Mendes)

No Time To Die (2021, dir. Cary Joji Fukunaga)

Octopussy (1983, dir. John Glen)

GoldenEye (1995, dir. Martin Campbell)

First Reformed (2017, dir. Paul Schrader)

-July

Zoolander (2001, dir. Ben Stiller)

The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie (2022, dir. Masato Jinbo)

Mainstream (2020, dir. Gia Coppola)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005, dir. Tim Burton)

Equinox Flower (1958, dir. Yasujiro Ozu)

You Only Live Twice (1967, dir. Lewis Gilbert)

-August

Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 (2023, dir. James Gunn)

The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil (2019, dir. Lee Won-tae)

Leap Year (2010, dir. Anand Tucker)

The Worst Person in the World (2021, dir. Joachim Trier)

Palm Springs (2020, dir. Max Barbakow)

Days (2020, dir. Tsai Ming-liang)

Kindergarten Cop (1990, dir. Ivan Reitman)

Barbie (2023, dir. Greta Gerwig)

Babylon (2022, dir. Damien Chazelle)

Shin Godzilla (2016, dir. Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi)

The Flash (2023, dir. Andy Muschietti)

-September

Asteroid City (2023, dir. Wes Anderson)

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023, dir. Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic)

The Little Mermaid (2023, dir. Rob Marshall)

Mulan (2020, dir. Niki Caro)

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984, dir. Wes Craven)

Fitzcarraldo (1982, dir. Werner Herzog)

Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022, dir. Halina Reijn)

Frances Ha (2012, dir. Noah Baumbach)

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003, dir. Peter Weir)

A Nightmare on Elm Street, Part 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985, dir. Jack Sholder)

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987, dir. Chuck Russell)

A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988, dir. Renny Harlin)

A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989, dir. Stephen Hopkins)

Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991, dir. Rachel Talalay)

Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994, dir. Wes Craven)

Renfield (2023, dir. Chris McKay)

Theater Camp (2023, dir. Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman)

Shiva Baby (2020, dir. Emma Seligman)

-October

Friday the 13th (1980, dir. Sean S. Cunningham)

Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981, dir. Steve Miner)

Friday the 13th - Part III (1982, dir. Steve Miner)

Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984, dir. Joseph Zito)

Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985, dir. Danny Steinmann)

Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986, dir. Tom McLoughlin)

Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988, dir. John Carl Beuchler)

Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989, dir. Rob Hedden)

Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993, dir. Adam Marcus)

Jason X (2001, dir. James Isaac)

Freddy vs. Jason (2003, dir. Ronny Yu)

Friday the 13th (2009, dir. Marcus Nispel)

A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010, dir. Samuel Bayer)

Easy A (2010, dir. Will Gluck)

Saw (2004, dir. James Wan)

Saw II (2005, dir. Darren Lynn Bousman)

Saw III (2006, dir. Darren Lynn Bousman)

Saw IV (2007, dir. Darren Lynn Bousman)

Saw V (2008, dir. David Hackl)

Saw VI (2009, dir. Kevin Greutert)

Saw: The Final Chapter (2010, dir. Kevin Greutert)

A History of Violence (2005, dir. David Cronenberg)

Infinity Pool (2023, dir. Brandon Cronenberg)

Dracula 2000 (2000, dir. Patrick Lussier)

Mean Girls (2004, dir. Mark Waters)

Jennifer’s Body (2009, dir. Karyn Kusama)

Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972, dir. Werner Herzog)

Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979, dir. Werner Herzog)

-November

Murder on the Orient Express (2017, dir. Kenneth Branagh)

Death on the Nile (2022, dir. Kenneth Branagh)

A Haunting in Venice (2023, dir. Kenneth Branagh)

The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023, dir. André Øvredal)

Samurai Reincarnation (1981, dir. Kinji Fukasaku)

Legally Blonde (2001, dir. Robert Luketic)

Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (2019, dir. Katt Shea)

The Last Duel (2021, dir. Ridley Scott)

Paint Your Wagon (1969, dir. Joshua Logan)

Thanksgiving (2023, dir. Eli Roth)

The Devil Wears Prada (2006, dir. David Frankel)

Shogun’s Shadow (1989, dir. Yasuo Furuhata)

The Conjuring (2013, dir. James Wan)

Win A Date With Tad Hamilton (2004, dir. Robert Luketic)

The Conjuring 2 (2016, dir. James Wan)

The Nun (2018, dir. Corin Hardy)

Le Samouraï (1967, dir. Jean-Pierre Melville)

-December

The Nun II (2023, dir. Michael Chaves)

Bottoms (2023, dir. Emma Seligman)

Annabelle (2014, dir. John R. Leonetti)

Gran Turismo (2023, dir. Neill Blomkamp)

Battles Without Honor And Humanity (1973, dir. Kinji Fukasaku)

Jigsaw (2017, dir. The Spierig Brothers)

Spiral: From the Book of Saw (2021, dir. Darren Lynn Bousman)

Saw X (2023, dir. Kevin Greutert)

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (2023, dir. Joaquim Dos Santos, et. al.)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023, dir. Jeff Rowe)

Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny (2023, dir. James Mangold)

Air Doll (2009, dir. Hirokazu Kore-eda)

The End of Summer (1961, dir. Yasujiro Ozu)

Air (2023, dir. Ben Affleck)

No Hard Feelings (2023, dir. Gene Stupnitsky)

Oppenheimer (2023, dir. Christopher Nolan)

Yakuza Wolf (1972, dir. Ryuichi Takamori)

Yakuza: Like A Dragon (2007, dir. Takashi Miike)

Spencer (2021, dir. Pablo Larraín)

Moneyball (2011, dir. Bennett Miller)

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023, dir. Steve Caple, Jr.)

Knights of the Zodiac (2023, dir. Tomek Baginski)

Dragonball Evolution (2009, dir. James Wong)

[thenightling]

In honor of the current trend in horror fandom circles of classic monster Mashups here's a list of my favorite depiction of all the classic monsters. Disclaimer: This list is subject to change based on my mood. _____________________________ Dracula - Tied between Gary Oldman as Dracula in Bram Stoker's Dracula and Frank Langella in Dracula (1979) original theatrical coloring preferred. TV Dracula - Castlevania. __________________________ Frankenstein's Monster The 2004 Halmark mini-series of Frankenstein starring Luke Goss. It's the most faithful to the book. _____________________________ Werewolf The Company of Wolves. And if that one is too surreal than The Wolfman (original 1941 version). TV werewolf- Tie between George in the UK version of Being Human and Randi in She-Wolf of London. __________________________ Mummy

Christopher Lee in Hammer's version of The Mummy and (weirdly) the one from Asylum's Monster Mash. He reminds me of N'kantu AKA Living Mummy from Marvel comics.

________________________ Invisible Man Claude Rains or the lesser known Memoirs of an Invisible Man _____________________ Creature from the black Lagoon / aquatic creature The Asset from The Shape of Water and Abe Sapien from Hellboy (2004) _____________________

Witch: The Sanderson Sisters in Hocus Pocus. Katrina Van Tassel in Sleepy Hollow (1999 movie). _____________________ Sorcerer: Faust in the 1926 silent film Faust and Dr. Craven in The Raven (1963) ______________________________ Ghost: Captain Greg from The Ghost and Mrs. Muir and Patrick Stewart as The Canterville Ghost (1996) ________________________________ Zombie: R from Warm Bodies and Billy from Hocus Pocus. (There aren't too many zombies with distinct personalities). ______________________ Ghoul: Billy Cole from Fright Night (Original 1985 version) ___________________________ Headless Horseman: The Hessian in Sleepy Hollow (1999 movie). __________________ Mad scientist: Dr. Moreau in The Island of Doctor Moreau (1977 version.) _________________ Dark fae: Maleficent in the movie Maleficent.

[notsosilentsister]

The Puccini opera does tie in very nicely with the local legend of the moor’s head - the stranger who seduced a local girl with promises of marriage, who already had a wife at home, and was killed for that. It’s about empty promises, crushed hope, seduction by false pretense. With the moor, it ends in murder, with Puccini, it ends in suicide. I think we might get both murder and suicide by the end of the series - suicide seems clearly tied to the Tanya plot - the forshadowing at the Tarot reading. Someone mentioned Dominic as a potential candidate.

 I could see Dominic killing himself! He seems like he’s protesting a bit too much with all that talk about not getting love affairs. To me, that story about the cowboy mostly just suggests that he has a bad habit of falling for straight guys. I think it’s more likely to allude to the naughty nephew rather than Greg. I think Dominic is not satisfied by the transactional nature of the arrangement, and also, he knows it will end soon, because he’s running out of money. Soon he won’t be able to afford any of the beauty he lives for. I could see him not sticking it out to the bitter end and instead wanting to go out in style - killing himself in a final, dramatic, grand gesture. And he might want to use Tanya as a prop. She does add a certain flair to things. Worst case scenario: he’s been thinking about suicde for ages, but has always been too craven to go through with it, so he tries to talk Tanya into a double-suicide to fortify his resolve. “Would you die for beauty” does seem a bit sinister, a bit like testing the waters. But I’m sure Tanya is safe.

However I don’t see any seduction by false pretense in this storyline. There’s a fair bit of pretense (the rentboy pretending to be the nephew), but it’s used for cover, not for seduction. I don’t think Portia is horribly deceived. She might be somewhat unsettled by the revelation, but I can’t see her being terribly crushed. She was having some fun, not planning to marry. Seduction by false pretense might be at play between Albie and Lucia. But this time it’s the local girl who’s doing the pretending.  I love Lucia, but at this point I definitely think she’s trying to play Albie. First I thought she wanted to become the girlfriend and be taken back to the States, but now I feel silly about that, because there is no reason whatsoever to believe she’d be naive enough to think that could work. She has clearly clocked Albie as someone who wants to save the damsel, and now she’s inventing an ogre he can save her from. Let’s hope it will only cost him money. I’ve been fairly sceptical about Albie so far, but this episode he has won back a lot of points with me, for the gracious goodbye with Portia. If they leave it at that, they’re both a bit redeemed in my eyes. I’m still rooting for Lucia not to get punished for her hustle. My dream ending is that she can keep up the charade until the end, and he leaves, a bit poorer (but honestly, he can afford it, can’t he?), but feeling good about himself. (I had a theory, where Albie asks Lucia to be his girlfriend and promises to take her to America, and then gets cold feet and goes back to Portia, to more closely match the original tale. But it’s too convoluted, and there are not enough episodes left).

[scottwellsmagic]

808: Daniel Garcia - Ideas Unlimited

Daniel Garcia is a highly respected magic creator and consultant. But he is an awesome performer in his own right, too! Daniel helps create magic for David Blaine, Dynamo, Cyril Takayama, and Dynamo, (just to name a few) for their performances on stage and screen and online, too.

Daniel talks this week about some of the celebrated magicians with whom he has worked, as well as how he comes up with his creative ideas. He has a system for developing these ideas that he shares in this episode. He also surrounds himself with other creative types like Blake Vogt, Alex Rangel, Brent Braun, and others who are titans of trickery in their own right.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

In 2023 we suffered the loss of many friends who have passed away, but whom are not forgotten. Perhaps as we grow older, we are more aware of those who pass. But this last year saw the passing of almost twice as many as were listed in the magic obituaries of 2022.

Although the list below is not exhaustive, it does reflect the names of many well-known (and some lesser known) magicians, spouses, assistants and magic aficionados who passed on in 2023. Some may not be as well-known to you, but they were my personal friends (hey, it is my blog!). If you are unfamiliar with any of these names, then it would behoove you to do a little online search of what these people have contributed to our craft. If you have someone you think was overlooked, then please post the name in the comments below on this blog.

Those whose names are highlighted with a “hot link” were featured or interviewed here on The Magic Word Podcast. It was not my original intent when I began this journey to chronicle the voices before they left us, but I am so thankful that I did sit down with many of these friends for lively, and sometimes intimate, conversations. You can click on their name to revisit and listen to their voices again.

Joe Stevens

Scott Alexander

Bob King

George Kimery

Karl Fulves

Véronique Ross

Greg Koren

Maria Ibanez

Thom Peterson

Gloria Metzner aka Gloria Dea

Harry Lorayne

Dr. Edwin “Eddie” Dawes

George Silverman

Dan Witkowski

Milton “Milt” Page Larsen

Ricky D. Boone

Dan Garrett

Larry Becker

Darwin Ortiz

Dirk Arthur

Dick Gustafson

Leo Behnke

Graham Putnam

Jeff Lanes

David Berglas

Jack Delvin

Tom Craven

Micky Hades

Bill Goldman

Tommy Smothers

[tearsinthemist]

ABC host and reporter Martha Raddatz interviewed Texas Governor Greg Abbott last weekend. As if on cue, he insisted the sudden tsunami of immigrants and refugees on his state’s southern border was all Biden’s fault.

But — finally, after decades! — a reporter had heard enough Republican bullshit about immigration and the border.

Bingo.

Whenever there’s a Democrat in the White House, literally hundreds of Republican politicians step up to the microphone or tell their local newspapers and radio stations about how the president has suddenly “opened up America’s southern border!!!”

It’s a lie, but they amplify it as hard as they can.

Those news stories and press releases make their way via social media and the internet to desperate people in Venezuela, Central America, and Mexico. Impoverished people there aren’t knowledgeable enough about American politics to see the message for the cynical political ploy it is, so they abandon home and family to begin the dangerous and often deadly trek to the US.

Democrats don’t say our borders are open, and, as far as I can tell, never have. In March of 2021 the rightwing Washington Examiner newspaper went on a search for Democrats proclaiming that we’d “opened!” the southern border in the first months of Joe Biden’s presidency.

They found nothing. Well, they found that both Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema had called the situation on our southern border “a crisis,” as well as a Democratic congresswoman from Michigan who was merely acknowledging the surge of immigrants. And a single Democratic mayor in Texas who also said it was a crisis. That’s it.

But literally hundreds of Republican politicians, just like they do every two years, have spent the past few months proclaiming to every despairing potential refugee south of our border that the door is wide open. Just google “open border” and “congressman,” “congresswoman,” or “senator” and you’ll get a list too long to print.

At the top of that list just from the past few months, of course, you’ll find the most contemptible Republican demagogues:

— Ted Cruz wants everybody south of our border to know that the “Biden Open Border Policy [is] A Very Craven Political Decision”; — Rick Scott wants everybody to know that “Americans Don’t Want [Biden’s] Open Borders”; — Marco Rubio says there’s “Nothing Compassionate About Biden’s Open Border Policies”; — Rand Paul is so extreme he tells us Senator Rubio “is the one for an open border”; — Josh Hawley says “Biden’s Open Border Policy Has Created a Moral Crisis”; — Tom Cotton “Insists the Border is Wide Open”; — Ron Johnson wants the world to know that “Our National Security is at Risk Because Democrats have Turned Border Security into a Partisan Issue”; — Marjorie Taylor Greene “BLASTS Open Border Hypocrites”; — Mo Brooks opposes “Socialist Democrats’ Open Border Policies for Helping Kill Americans”; — Lauren Boebert says the “Root Cause” of the open border crisis “is in the White House”; — Matt Gaetz “revealed a complex and deceitful agenda by Joe Biden’s Democrat administration to evade our Southern Border law enforcement”; — Gym Jordan says “Biden’s Deliberate Support of Illegal Immigration Could Lead to Impeachment”; — Kevin McCarthy says the Biden Administration has “Utterly Failed” to secure the “open border”; — Elise Stefanik proclaims “Biden’s Open Border Policies have been a Complete Disaster.” — Tom Cole’s website features “Biden’s Open Border America”;   — Bob Goode brags about introducing legislation named the “Close Biden’s Open Border Act”; — John Rose “Calls Out Biden’s Open Border Policies”; — Paul Gosar claims Biden is “Destroying America with His Open Border Policies”; — Roger Williams complains about the “Democrats’ Open Border Problem”; — Tom Cole wants the world to know that Biden’s “open border policies have given the green light to migrants and bad actors from around the world…”; — Gus Bilirakis “Denounces Dangerous Open Border Policies on the House Floor”;

The list goes on and on.

[docrotten]

A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS (1987) – Episode 224 – Decades Of Horror 1980s

“Welcome to prime time, bitch!” Not words I’d use in front of my mother, but they are iconic just the same. Join your faithful Grue-Crew – Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, Crystal Cleveland, and Jeff Mohr, along with guest host Ralph Miller  – as they enter another Wes Craven nightmare, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987). Expect a lot of FX talk with Ralph in the house!

Decades of Horror 1980s Episode 224 – A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)

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A psychiatrist familiar with knife-wielding dream demon Freddy Krueger helps teens at a mental hospital battle the killer who is invading their dreams.

  [NOTE: Effects crew credits are listed as they appear in the film credits.]

Director: Chuck Russell

Writers: Wes Craven (story) (screenplay) (characters); Bruce Wagner (story) (screenplay); Frank Darabont (screenplay); Chuck Russell (screenplay)

Music: Angelo Badalamenti

Storyboard Artist / Visual Consultant: Peter von Sholly

Stop-Motion Skeleton and Marionette Effects: Doug Beswick Productions, Inc.

Stop-Motion Animation: Doug Beswick

Effects Photography Supervisor: Jim Aupperle

Stop-Motion Puppet Construction: Yancy Calzada

Marionette Construction: Mark Bryan Wilson (as Mark Wilson)

Miniatures: James Belohovek

Illustrator: Larry Nikolai

Makeup effects Sequences: Greg Cannom

Assistants to Greg Cannom: Larry Odien, Earl Ellis, John Vulich, Keith Edmier, Brent Baker

Krueger Makeup effects: Kevin Yagher

Assistants to Kevin Yagher: Jim Kagel, Mitch DeVane, Gino Crognale, Brian Penikas, David Kindlon, Steve James, Everett Burrell

Makeup Effects Sequences: Mark Shostrom

Assistants to Mr. Shostrum: Robert Kurtzman, Bryant Tausek, John Blake Dutro, James McLoughlin (as Jim McLoughlin), Cathy Carpenter

Additional Makeup Effects: Matthew W. Mungle (as Mathew Mungel)

Assistant to Mathew Mungel: Russell Seifert

Mechanical Effects: Image Engineering

Special Effects Coordinator: Peter Chesney

Lead Technician: Lenny Dalrymple

Mechanical Designers: Bruce D. Hayes (as Bruce Hayes), Joe Starr, Anton Tremblay (as Tony Tremblay)

Effects Technicians: Bernardo F. Munoz (as Bernard Munoz), Rod Schumacher, Bob Ahmanson

Effects Crew: Scott Nesselrode, Tom Chesney, Kelly Mann, Phillip Hartmann (as Phillip Hartman), Ralph Miller III (as Ralph Miller), Joel Fletcher, Brian Mcfadden, Sandra Stewart (as Sandy Stewart), Terry Mack (as Troy Mack), Blaine Converse, Ron MacInnes, Brendan C. Quigley

Selected Cast:

Heather Langenkamp as Nancy Thompson

Craig Wasson as Dr. Neil Gordon

Patricia Arquette as Kristen Parker

Ken Sagoes as Roland Kincaid

Ira Heiden as Will Stanton

Rodney Eastman as Joey Crusel

Jennifer Rubin as Taryn White

Penelope Sudrow as Jennifer Caulfield

Bradley Gregg as Phillip Anderson

Laurence Fishburne as Max Daniels (credited as Larry Fishburne)

John Saxon as Donald Thompson

Priscilla Pointer as Dr. Elizabeth Simms

Clayton Landey as Lorenzo

Brooke Bundy as Elaine Parker

Nan Martin as Sister Mary Helena

Stacey Alden as Nurse Marcie

Dick Cavett as Himself

Zsa Zsa Gabor as Herself

Paul Kent as Dr. Carver

Guest host Ralph Miller III, who worked behind the scenes on Dream Warriors provides insights and many effects development photos that are shown in the YouTube version of the podcast. Post-recording, the crew wants to clarify that Kevin Yagher was responsible for the Freddy Snake, and Mark Shostrom was in charge of the Penelope Sudrow dummy that smashes into the Freddyvision TV.

With the success of A Nightmare on  Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987), following the critical failure of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985), New line Cinema firmly cemented Freddy Krueger and A Nightmare on Elm Street as one of the most iconic horror franchises of its time. Not only does Dream Warriors feature Robert Englund continuing to breathe both humor and fear into Freddy Krueger but also the return of both Heather Langenkamp and John Saxon from the original. The film also features Craig Wasson (Ghost Story) as the male lead and early film roles for Patricia Arquette and Larry Fishburne. Frank Darabont (The Mist) and Bruce Wagner join Wes Craven on scripting chores and Chuck Russell (The Blob, The Mask) directs while Angelo Badalamenti (Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet) provides the score – a winning combination of talent. Surely a Grue-Crew highly recommended selection with special effects by Greg Cannom, Doug Beswick, Mark Shostrom, Kevin Yagher, and more!

Be sure to check out the first time the 80s Grue-Crew took a dive into this film in February 2017, featuring Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore, and Thomas Mariani as the Grue-Crew. You can find it here: A NIGHTMARE ON ELMS STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS (1987) — Episode 102

Every two weeks, Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1980s podcast will cover another horror film from the 1980s. The next episode’s film, chosen by Jeff, will be The Changeling (1980), starring George C. Scott, Trish Van Devere, Melvyn Douglas, . . . and a bouncing, red, rubber ball.

Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans – so leave them a message or comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website, or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com.

Check out this episode!

[newsbites]

News from Australia, 18 July

Constitutional expert Prof Greg Craven is furious at being quoted in the no campaign's essay and will complain to the Australian Electoral Commission.

Craven accuses the no campaign of misleading conduct and criticizes their essay as embarrassing, while prominent yes campaigners slam it as cooked and filled with misleading information.

The no essay includes quotes from Craven that oppose the voice, despite him publicly supporting it, leading to accusations of misleading and disreputable tactics.

2. Labor plans to scrap the policy that strips government subsidies and loans from university students who fail half their subjects.

The interim review of the university system highlights inequality in higher education and the need to address student safety and staff underpayments.

The government aims to increase university enrolments and boost participation from disadvantaged backgrounds to meet the future skills challenge.

More on this:

The majority of Australians will have a university degree in the next 15 years, emphasizing the increasing demand for educated workers. The Australian government recognizes the need for changes in the university system to make it more accessible to students from various backgrounds, including those from outer suburbs, regions, poor backgrounds, students with disabilities, and Indigenous students. The government has outlined immediate actions to address these challenges, such as abolishing the 50% pass rule, increasing funding for First Nations students, establishing additional Regional University Study Hubs, and providing support for universities to improve governance.

3. The Federal Court in Australia has ruled that the government's plan to build a nuclear waste dump on the land of the Barngarla people in South Australia cannot proceed.

The court found that there was "apprehended bias" and "pre-judgment" by the former resources minister, Keith Pitt, in deciding on the location of the facility.

The Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation (Bdac) had challenged the decision, arguing that the minister had already made up his mind before the formal declaration.

The Barngarla people celebrated the court's ruling, stating that it was a victory for listening to and respecting First Nations people.

The government had spent nearly $14 million in legal costs fighting the Barngarla people's opposition.

Environmental campaigners argue that the waste should be kept at the Lucas Heights facility in Sydney instead.

The current resources minister, Madeleine King, said she would review the ruling.

4. July is bowel cancer awareness month in Australia. The National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR) is a digital platform that aims to increase participation in screening programs for bowel and cervical cancer.

5. A new report has found that more Australians are living alone than ever before. Based on the latest census data, the Australian Institute of Family Studies report found more than one in four households, 26% are now occupied by one person. The average Australian household has shrunk from 2.6 people in 2016 to 2.5 people in 2021, the first decrease in household size since the year 2000. Those living alone are mostly women at 55%, with half the women living alone aged 65 years or older. The report also found that Australian households are more diverse, with more than 1/3 their immigrant households and increasing proportions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders [per Nirs News/Triple A | Murri Country].

[qudachuk]

Prof Greg Craven considering complaint to electoral commission after being quoted in no pamphlet despite writing to Peter Dutton’s office last weekFollow our Australia news live blog for the latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app...

[colewicki]

Top 25 Nicknames I've given to NASCAR drivers

The Siegster (Ryan Sieg)

Brad Kozelawsgi/Kemselovski (Brad Keselowski)

Alan Cool-wits (Alan Kulwicki)

Kewin Heiwick (Kevin Harvick)

Wah Beyin (Ward Burton)

Chase Brick-code (Chase Briscoe)

Martin Chuwex, Chunior (Martin Truex, Jr.)

Chrissy Bell (Christopher Bell)

Joey Legumes (Joey Logano)

Russell Wallacine (Rusty Wallace)

Jerry Nadusky (Jerry Nadeau)

Billy Elliott (Bill Elliott)

Johnny Benzene, Jr. (Johnny Benson, Jr.)

Michael Waltrippas (Michael Waltrip)

Unregistered Biffle (Greg Biffle)

Borased (Boris Said)

Carlyle Long (Carl Long)

Rickster Craven (Ricky Craven)

Cody Shoney's Ware (Cody Ware)

James Davisonner (James Davison)

Mark Mádèng (Mark Martin)

The Weatherboy (Kyle Weatherman)

Ernie Irvine (Ernie Irvan)

Jack Sprahetz (Jack Sprague)

Ron Hennaday (Ron Hornaday, Jr.)

Honorable Mention

Aleeniseed/Klintsyy Bowyer (Clint Bowyer)