THE BODY OF HORROR: STORIES INSPIRED BY THE CINEMA OF DAVID CRONENBERG

The Body of Horror: Stories Inspired by the Cinema of David Cronenberg is now available for purchase. It's the third volume in Raffaele Pezzella's Eighth Tower Publishing's Dark Fiction series, following the curator's H.P. Lovecraft and Lucio Fulci offerings. 

This volume's stories spring from the demented minds of Nora B. Peevy (who also acts as the anthology's editor); Sara Walker; Andy Paciorek; Andrew Coulthard; Andrew Freudenberg; J. Edwin Buja; Glynn Owen Barrass; Richard Alan Scott; and John Chadwick.

I also contributed to the Cronenberg cause with my Brood/Videodrome mashup, "Long Live the New Brood", which in addition to the aforementioned fables, references Scanners, Rabid, Shivers, The Fly and Dead Ringers.

Enormous credit goes to Pezzella for compiling this terrifying, thematic package; here's hoping he has more Dark Fiction volumes perched on the horrifying horizon. 

Grasp The Body of Horror (in either hardback or paperback) at   

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09TR39JHJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And for those who require some eerie, audio enhancement, Pezzella has curated an album of Cronenberg-inspired tracks by some of today's most prolific, experimental composers. 

Consume the audio horror at

https://eighthtowerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-body-of-horror-music-inspired-by-the-cinema-of-david-cronenberg-2

Marvel's Moon Knight: A New Crusade for Disney-+

Per his Marvel foundation, Moon Knight is a character co-created by Doug Moench and Jon Paul DuChamp, who sprung from the popular Werewolf By Night. Moon Knight is otherwise known as Marc Spector, a rabbi's son, distinguished by his Marine/CIA background. Above all, he has chosen to become a costumed vigilante to (gasp!) right wrongs after overcoming death, even when haunted by the distracting (though sometimes beneficial) curse of schizophrenia, or is it now more a matter of Multiverse/past-life regression?  

For Disney+'s six-part adaptation, Spector, ersatz Steven Grant, is portrayed by imagi-movie veteran, Oscar Isaac. Considering the actor's legion of devotees, this should extra-clinch the series as a ratings champ. For the record, Isaac's characterization will, indeed, encompass his printed-page counterpart's cerebral complexities, even though in Grant from, he's reinterpreted as a fidgety, museum-store employee, thus further distancing the character as a forefront, military dynamo and/or Tony Stark-type entrepreneur. Even with the alteration, the actor will no doubt have much to play with and fans much to savor. 

Moon Knight's prime antagonist is Arthur Harrow, portrayed by the seasoned Ethan Hawke (a once-contender for Stephen Strange). Harrow is a religious fanatic/beguiling prophet reminiscent of David Koresch, who yearns to possess a magical scarab that could bestow him world power. Moon Knight, therefore, acts as an erratic but effective obstacle to Harrow's dictatorial pursuit. 

Other cast members/characters include the late Gaspard Ullial as artifacts thief, Midnight Man; Mary Calamawy as alluring archeologist, Layla El-Fauouly; Loic Mabanza as swordsman extraordinaire, Bushman; and F. Murray Abraham as the chiding/guiding voice of Egyptian god, Khonshu.  

As with the comics, Moon Knight's live-action outfit looks splendid, both spectral and imposing (a cross between the attire of Space Ghost and the Dark Knight). The suit also incorporates the comic book's chilling tone, though word has it, the series will offer Hawkeye-ish levity (and a dab of Tom Jones background music) to contrast its chaotic passages.

I subscribe to Disney+ for its Marvel material, which I've found quite engaging thus far. I anticipate Moon Knight will also please, and maybe if we're lucky, the character will swoop into a few big-screen chapters. Spector/Grant deserves that much, and so do Marvel fans. 

Moon Knight premieres Wed, March 30.  

Collection Recommendation: Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia (The Last Man on Earth)

Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia presents (courtesy of oldies.com/DVD) the first film version of Richard Matheson's I Am Legend: The Last Man on Earth, starring the priceless Vincent Price. 

This 1964, low-budget submission was directed by Ubaldo Ragona (and for certain segments, Sidney Salkow) in Italy from a script by Matheson (under the name, Logan Swanson), which was revised by several writers throughout the progressing production. The results generate an unmistakable, pre-Night of the Living Dead vibe, but then that's no surprise, since the novel influenced George Romero/John Russo's flesh-feasting classic.

Last Man's locale also gives the outing an uncanny-valley feel, in that Italy stands in lieu of the U.S., but it all works to the story's surreal, black-and-white benefit. To boot, Price's nuanced performance as the anguished Robert Morgan enhances the nightmarish atmosphere. (There's nothing that pulls quite at the heartstrings than an erudite, family man who's forced to become a woeful vampire slayer.) 

To balance the unfolding tragedy, Mr. Lobo visits with the smitten Miss Mittens, as well as a brigade of lust-ridden ladies led by Sara Dunn's Queen of Trash, who intersect the dark venture with Valentine's Day amore, not to mention silly (and on occasion, scary) segments and endearing (if not demented) trailers: a satisfying, juxtaposing blend from beginning to end.

Add this essential Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia installment to your collection at

https://www.oldies.com/product-view/1170D.html

GOODBYE, ROBERT VINCENT O'NEIL...

You sure knew how to make 'em, producing, directing and writing a string of grindhouse classics.

The Mighty Gorga; What Waits Below; Psycho Lover (The Sins of the Daughter); Blood Mania; The Sadistic Hypnotist; Bonnie's Kids; Wonder Women; Lady Blue (two swell episodes); Hunter (one swell episode); The Baltimore Bullet; Like Mother Like Daughter; Paco; Code of Vengeance; Deadly Force; Vice Squad; Jail Bait '93; and of course, the Angel trilogy--they comprise your bold body of rebellious work.

Your style was considered exploitative from the start and now clashes with the cancel-culture vibe, but it sure holds a lotta weight among those who know better. Thanks for doing it all so right, Mr. O'Neil, and because of your defiant prowess, your legacy lives on. 

TERRIFIC TEAM-UP IMAGE: HULK V HERCULES (MIKE DEODATO, PETER DAVID)

 

SO LONG, AKIRA TAKARADA...

You shined in Japan's most imaginative  movies: Gojira/Godzilla, King of the Monsters; Godzilla vs Mothra/The Thing; Godzilla vs Queen Mothra; Invasion of Astro-Monster/Monster Zero; Godzilla vs the Sea Monster/Ebirah; King Kong Escapes/King Kong's Counterattack; Half Human/Beastman Snowman; Tales of the Unusual; The Last War; and Latitude Zero.

Your dashing looks and heroic glint sealed your fate as one of Toho's most beloved. For that cause alone, you've achieved immortality. 

Thanks for making my childhood so spectacular, not to mention my entire existence. To a legion of admirers, you were (and are) golden, Mr. Takarada, and your cinematic contributions nothing short of the kaiju cream of the crop. 

WELCOME SPRING 2022

Collectible Time: John Febonio's Leatherface Sunset Print & T-Shirt

I'm a huge Texas Chainsaw Massacre fan, and one of my favorite madmen springs from the Tobe Hooper/Kim Henkel classic: Leatherface, as portrayed by the late, great Gunnar Hansen. 

John Febonio is the artist of the above tribute. He specializes in horror icons, catering to both classic, Gothic fiends and those of the sadistic, severing sort, paying particular attention to the fearsome scenes they dominate.

Leatherface Sunset, as the painting/print is called, measures 16" x 20" and arrives on high-quality, matte paper, rolled snugly upon shipment. As one can tell, the image is a macabre beauty, which at initial glance might be mistaken for a veritable movie still. (Above is the inspirational clip for comparison's sake. Uncanny!)

As a bonus treat, I purchased a t-shirt of Febonio's homage to sport during my walks about the Trenton/Hamilton area, which ought to put a crooked smile on many a passerby's face.

One can order a Leatherface Sunset print and/or t-shirt at

https://www.paypal.com/instantcommerce/checkout/UMXPLYG8YZC94

And take a gander at Febonio's Facebook page to gorge on his gorgeous, ghastly gallery: 

https://www.facebook.com/TheHorrorArtOfJohnFebonio