VETERANS DAY 2026 (11/11): IN HONOR & RESPECT

MR. LOBO'S SMOKELESS ASHTRAY: HOUSE OF GHOSTS

Mr. Lobo and his old, 1980s band, Smokeless Ashtray (which includes Sally the Zombie Cheerleader, Igor, AbbaKiss & Ryan Kilkenny) have summoned a wonderful, spectral treat. It's a catchy tune called "House of Ghosts," and according to legend, inspired writer/director Christopher R. Mihm to apply the title to his 2012, Castle-esque flick.

Give a listen--and a view. The content is guaranteed to haunt your soul enough to get you floating off the floor with its ghostly visuals & uber-groovy beat. 

For further info on this swell, Smokeless Ashtray creation, check out ...

https://cinemainsomnia.bandcamp.com/track/house-of-ghosts-feat-smokeless-ashtray

 

TERRIFIC TEAM-UP IMAGE: INVASION OF ASTRO-MONSTER (MONSTER ZERO)

 

I SAW GODZILLA MINUS ZERO

It's here, and its huge! Godzilla Minus Zero, writer/director Takashi Yamazaki's big, bold sequel to his acclaimed Godzilla Minus One, summons old friends who reteam with their perennial foe and a new one of comparable, legendary rank in the alternate-reality year of 1949. 

For the sake of its focused, human compatriots, we have Ryunosuke Kamiki's fatherly Koichi Shikishima, Minami Hamabe's motherly Noriko Oishi and their adopted daughter, Sae Nagatani's Akiko, the three of whom meet up with Shadora Ando's weary but persistent Sumiko Oto, for all intent, a surrogate grandmother. (As an interesting bonus, Noriko has been mutated by Godzilla's G-cells, so that she now possesses an uncanny, symbiotic magnetism.) 

In the ominous interim, the story's terrible, new Titan descends upon Japan, having come from outer space. It begins with one head, but grows two more, becoming King Ghidorah, aka Monster Zero, and for this version is represented as an absorbing, "Who Goes There?" sort of thing.

As with Godzilla Minus One, Hidetaka Yoshioka's Kenji Noda lends his calm, meticulous know-how and is joined with Masami Nagasawa's guilt-ridden meteorologist, Makoto Aoyama, and Min Tanaka's Hiroshima-wracked biologist, Kanji Murakami, who (after other plans fail) devises a psychic-wavelength scheme (involving Noriko) to pit one monster against the other (in a neat nod to King Kong vs Godzilla), in hopes that an epic battle will force their demise. For further melodramatic effect, the skillful Koichi flies into the resulting, quasi-kamikaze fray, as Japan and the U.S. align to ensure the skittish plan reaches fruition. 

If Godzilla Minus One was an allegory for facing one's demons, Godzilla Minus Zero is a seminar on how to diminish one's flaws, even if the methodology often soars on an evident wing and a prayer. The arduous preparation is essential, for the resurrected Godzilla is even more dangerous this time around, and Ghidorah holds the astounding means to elevate buildings, while spewing lethal lightning at every turn. 

Though the monsters are the movie's draw, Godzilla Minus Zero emulates its predecessor by bestowing depth to its human principals. Through their speculative discussions, a progressing credibility enters the plot (dealt rather like those sweat-on-the-brow steps featured in Destination Moon). Yes, Godzilla Minus Zero is a monster movie, but it succeeds because of its diligent, human core. 

This earnest approach allows Godzilla Minus Zero to hit its mark through hope and fear, courage and sacrifice, and in the end, uncurbed conviction. That sets the movie on par with The Wrath of Khan and The Empire Strikes Back: a cinematic continuation that fans will revisit and cheer for years to come. 

TERRIFIC TEAM-UP IMAGE: GODZILLA, RODAN, MOTHRA & GHIDORAH

 

I SAW JIMMY

Jimmy is a 2026 biopic based on one of the greatest actors ever to grace the silver screen: the one, the only ... Mr. James Stewart. 

Directed by Aaron Burns and written by Justin Strawhand, the movie focuses on Stewart's life from 1941 - 1946, placing more emphasis on his WWII, Army Air Force years than his movie career, with his Oscar win for The Philadelphia Story and the making of Frank Capra's perennial It's a Wonderful Life parenthesizing the tumultuous husk.    

KJ Apa (Archie Andrews in CW's Riverdale) portrays Stewart and resembles him, though not so much on the surface, but rather through distinct intonations and gestures, to the point that Apa's performance becomes nothing short of astounding.  

The supporting cast bounces off him with precision and consists of Jen Lilly as Gloria Stewart, Neal McDonough as Alexander Stewart, Christopher McDonald as Lionel Barrymore, Max Casella as Mr. Capra, Jason Alexander as Louis B. Mayer, Courtney DeAngelo as Rita Hayworth, Sarah Drew as Hedda Hopper, Jemma Donovan as Ginger Rogers, Kara Killmer as Lady Julia Tyndall, Bob Riggle as U.S. Army Colonel Terrill and Julian Works as Second Lieutenant Martinez.  

Stewart's participation as a bomber pilot takes center stage. Through such, his staunch sense of duty prevails, as well as his deep lament for the men who've perished under his command. The latter defines Stewart survivor's guilt, and in that regard, he questions his worth in a way that foreshadows George Bailey. 

The movie's execution builds a strong composite of one who went the extra mile for a paramount cause (distinguished for having completed twenty missions striking German targets). In essence, we see Stewart become not only a decorated colonel but a complex, multidimensional individual, plagued by sadness, though uplifted by hope: a path that all biopics dare to achieve, but few do as well as this.  

Only jaded cretins would come away disliking this movie, and so if you're not of the sentimental, contemplative or patriotic ilk, look elsewhere. For those of broader minds and larger hearts, Jimmy is a gift to relish. 

THE TOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD: EIGHTH TOWER'S DARK FICTION BOOK & CD

Eighth Tower Publishing (in conjunction with mastermind-curator Raffaele Pezella) has just released the company's latest Dark Fiction anthology: The Tombs of the Blind Dead: Stories and Essays on The Blind Dead Saga of Amando de Ossorio. 

The authors span the U.S., Canada and the U.K. and include J. Edwin Buja, Michael F. Housel, Chris McAuley, Nora B. Peevy, Simon Bleaken and Martin Loomis. 

As a captivating companion piece to the book, Eighth Tower has manifested an audio album, available in CD and download. 

The Tombs of the Blind Dead: Mysuc inspired by the films of Amando de Ossorio offers powerful, concoctions from Eighth Tower's top, experimental/ambient artists. The artists are listed on the left and their titles on the right: 

1) Grey Frequency - Galeon Fantasma

2) Kloob - Night of the Blind Dead

3) Sublimatio Mortis - Non Nobis Domine

4) Mortar - Voyage Noir

5) Sysselmann - Blod og Goor

6) Rappon - Sanctus for the Sightless

7) Kokum - As above So below

8) Man Lino Stancati - Return of the Silent Abbey

9) Atrate - Cursed Ruins

10) WILT - Threshold of Endless Sleep

11) epignose - Oraison funebre 

This brilliant combination of prose and sound creates the ideal, eerie ambiance to commemorate the Templar Blind Dead. There's no doubt that fans of Ossorio's series will be pleased from both ends.

To order the book and album, visit ... 

https://eighthtowerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-tombs-of-the-blind-dead-music-inspired-by-the-films-of-amando-de-ossorio

THE UNION COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: THE KARATE KID (11/19), RAHWAY NJ

 

THE UNION COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE (11/15), RAHWAY NJ

 

FANGORIA & FANDANGO PRESENT FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VI: JASON LIVES (11/13)

Fangoria and Fandango have joined forces to bring Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives back to the big screen this November 13th (Friday the 13th, that is). 

This sixth entry in the gruesome series is one of its best. It was written and directed by Tom (One Dark Night) McLoughlin and stars CJ Graham and Dan Bradley as Jason Voorhees and Thom (The Return of the Living Dead) Mathews as the malformed slasher's old nemesis, Tommy Jarvis.

The movie's memorable opening has been compared to Universal's The Ghost of Frankenstein, in that its titular fiend is revitalized by a bolt of lightning.  

Fans should consider themselves mighty lucky that this carnage-wracked chapter has been resurrected for the theatrical route. 

Be sure to check local listings for times and locations.

ROCKY IN CONCERT 2026 TOUR: BERGEN PERFORMING ARTS CTR, ENGLEWOOD, NJ (11/8)

 

SO LONG, JOHN LEESON

You were the voice--the essence--of Doctor Who's K9. 

You began with Tom Baker's Time Lord IV and Louise Jameson's venturesome Leela, later joining the two Romanas and in the years that followed, teaming with Elisabeth Sladen for The Sarah Jane Chronicles, the TV movie, K9 and Company, and Doctor Who School Reunion, as well as the computer-graphic-enhanced show, K9, entrenching your regal position among pop culture's most beloved robots. 

In addition to bringing the revered, robot dog to life, you contributed to the kiddie classic, Rainbow (for fifty episodes), Game for a Laugh (with recurring visits), Blake's 7, Crossroads, Dad's Army, Jigsaw, Sorry!, Miami Connection, Tarka the Otter, Whoops Apocalypse, Beadle's About, The Great Egg Race, Celebrity Eggheads, Bugs, 'Allo 'Allo!, ChuckleVision, Longitude, Vanity Fair (1998), The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1982), Doctors, Minder, The Bill and Shadow of the Noose, in addition to narrating (and playing various characters on) the Children's Hospital radio program, The Space Gypsy Adventures. 

More often than not, you may have gone unseen, but thanks to your distinct tonality, you were always felt, which is the best way to touch one's heart. Thank you for your many benevolent efforts, Mr. Leeson, for always uplifting our spirits and making our lives all the happier for it.💖