Sunday, November 1, 2026

TETSUO THE IRON MAN: EIGHTH TOWER FLASH FICTION

A splash of flash fiction, based on Shinya Tsukamoto's Tetsuo: The Iron Man, is set to appear in an upcoming edition of Raffaele Pezzella's Eighth Tower Magazine.

I, of course, will be contributing. My segment will depict the aftermath of a biomechanical takeover. I trust it works, that it surprises and maybe even disturbs. That was the point of Tsukammoto's Lynch-ian/Kafka-esque masterpiece, after all.

As with all such Eighth Tower efforts, I'll keep Bizarrechats' readers abreast of developments. Knowing Pezzella's diligence, the issue will no doubt manifest far sooner than later. 🜟

DARK FICTION UPDATE: EIGHTH TOWER'S BODY-HORROR MERGER

Eighth Tower's CEO, Raffaele Pezzella, has decided to merge his planned Dark Fiction, Videodrome anthology with the company's established The Body of Horror: Stories Inspired by the Cinema of David Cronenberg, thus creating a special, new edition.  

The idea makes sense, considering the content's shared elements. This will also allow The Body of Horror to swing back into the limelight, with bonus tales attached, much in the manner of a re-released album that holds extra tracks. 

This refurbishing approach might work for other Eighth Tower releases, too, revitalizing the old with the new. 

As another promotional move, Pezzella's Eighth Tower Magazine will publish an essay on Videodrome, which is set to correspond with The Body of Horror re-release.

I'm all for this grand plan. In fact, I find it nothing short of brilliant. 

Stay tuned for further details, and Long Live the New Flesh!👍

NIGHT (CURSE) OF THE DEMON: A CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES TRIBUTE

Classic Monsters of the Movies has reprinted one of its most coveted editions: Night of the Demon (aka Curse of the Demon in the U.S.).

Authors Nige Burton & Jamie Jones essay the variances between the longer Night and the shorter (Columbia-derived) Curse, which emerged for tighter pacing, though it doesn't matter which version one references or prefers. At its dark, witchy heart, Curse/Night is a stylish, haunting fable, and Burton & Jones cover it from start to finish, including its crafty plot: 

After Professor Harrington (Maurice Denham) perishes in a strange accident, revered psychologist, Dana Andrews' John Holden, investigates. Harrington's niece, Peggy Cummins' Joanna, is adamant that her uncle died because his smug colleague, Niall McGuinness' Doctor Karswell, planted a Stone Henge-cursed parchment on him. This leads to a duel of wits and convictions between Holden and Karswell, and the manifestation of one of cinema's most dynamic demons. 

Burton & Jones acknowledge not only the renowned leads, but its supporting, starring queue, which includes Athene Seyler, Liam Redmond, Peter Elliot, Brian Wilde, Percy Herbert, Ewan Roberts, Richard Leech, Lloyd Lamble, Peter Hobbes, Reginald Beckwith and Rosamund Greenwood, among other impressive performers. In conjunction, the authors  spotlight the movie's Val Lewton-groomed director, Jacques (The Cat People/I Walked with a Zombie/The Leopard Man) Tourneur; its writers, Charles Bennett and Hal E. Chester, who based their tale on M.R. James' "Casting the Runes"; its cinematographer, Ted (Black Narcissus/The Dirty Dozen) Scaife; its composer, Clifton (The 39 Steps 1959/The Hellfire Club) Parker; its demon designers, George Blackwell, Wally Veevers and Ken Adams; among other gifted contributors. 

The 36-pg edition is supported by stills and promotional materials, trivia blurbs and quotes, which connoisseurs will relish. 

Collectors have craved for this issue's resurrection; so why not order a copy of Classic Monsters of the Movies' Night (Curse) of the Demon while the second chance lasts?

https://www.classic-monsters.com/shop/product/night-of-the-demon-1957-ultimate-guide-magazine/

 

TERRIFIC TEAM-UP IMAGE: HAPPY GODZILLA DAY 2026 (11/3)

 

REMIND MAGAZINE (NOV/DEC '26) HOLIDAY ISSUE: DOLLY & THE 25 GREATEST HOLIDAY MOVIES

The ReMind Holiday 2026 Issue is upon us, with a cover salute to the late, great Dolly Parton. 

In addition to highlighting Dolly's accomplishments and holiday traditions, the issue includes a delightful rundown of the "25 Greatest Holiday Films"; the all-time great Christmas songs; a glimpse at classic, Sears catalog offerings; the shimmering success of the aluminum tree, and (for its "Time Capsule" salute) a retrospective on the groundbreaking events that shaped 1993. 

The issue also holds sentimental, reader submissions, trivia, puzzles, TV listings, comics and prizes to warm one's heart and soul. 

Why not partake of the joy by purchasing a copy of ReMind's 2026 Holiday Issue? Better yet, subscribe and experience ReMind's nostalgic wonderment year round!

🎄

⛄

https://www.remindmagazine.com/order/inventory/0/4