Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with some info on horror coolness for all you gorehounds out there. Below Capone fills yous guys in on a cool-as-hell sounding Horror Fest in Chicago (Called Flashback Weekend... July 30th-August 1st) where you can meet Romero, Dee Wallace Stone, one of the biggest sweethearts in the world, Angela Bettis and a ton of other horror greats. Before I give the floor over to Capone, I want to give you folks a heads up about a sweet-ass event being thrown by the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema here in Austin.
July 24th Romero will be in Austin presenting a night of his films. The line-up includes the original NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, the terribly underrated DAY OF THE DEAD, the rarly seen, but great MARTIN and one of my favorites of his early work THE CRAZIES. Tickets are only $20. Believe me, I'm pissed off that I'm having to miss it (I'll be in San Diego for the Comic-Con at the time). I've been in the same place as Romero numerous times, but have never met the man. I talked with him on the phone once while I was trying to set up an interview, but have yet to meet the guy. My original DAWN OF THE DEAD one-sheet is already signed by Ken Foree and Savini, is it too much to ask that we're allowed to exist in the same space at the same time?
I'm actually happy that all my buddies here in Austin will get to see this awesome line-up. I'll just cry a special, bloody tear on the night of the 24th. Hehehe... Check out the Alamo's Website for info: CLICK IT HERE!!!
Now on with Capone!!!
Hey, everyone. Capone in Chicago here. My favorite Chicago-area horror/sci-fi convention is almost upon us again, and I want to tell everyone in the Midwest and beyond about it. Every year, the good folks at the Flashback Weekend ask me to come and assist with the emcee duties at their annual event, and this year is no exception. First, the basics: Flashback Weekend, July 30-August 1 at the Holiday Inn O’Hare International in Rosemont, IL (mere minutes from downtown Chicago). The big deal this year is that the hotel’s extremely large parking lot will be transformed into the area’s newest Drive-In theatre. That’s right, all the films screened this year will be projected on an outdoor, full-size Drive-In screen with 35mm projection and stereo sound. Actually, it will be more like a Walk-In, as attendees will be able to enjoy the films from the comfort of their own lawn chairs, blankets, and any other ass cushion they can bring along. Along with the features, expect a bevy of vintage Drive-In trailers, intermission shorts, short subjects, and of course celebrity guests.
Guests at this year’s event include:
-- George A Romero, say no more, except that I will pounce on the man and get a definitive answer about the seemingly confirmed fourth DEAD film set to start shooting in August or September. Romero will, among his other convention duties, host the Drive-In screening of DAY OF THE DEAD.
-- Joe Bob Briggs, writer, columnist, Drive-In movie expert, and soon to be host of the 24-hour Scream Channel, a cable channel devoted entirely to horror, suspense, and thrillers. I believe this launches in January 2005.
-- Dee Wallace Stone, the godmother of horror/sci-fi, and star of E.T., THE HOWLING, CUJO, CRITTERS, and THE HILLS HAVE EYES. She will host a Drive-In screening of THE HILLS HAVE EYES.
-- Angela Bettis, star of the much-renowned MAY, the television remake of CARRIE, and (I hear) a remake of TOOLBOX MURDERS.
-- DAY OF THE DEAD cast reunion featuring Lori Cardille (Sarah), Joe Pilato (Rhodes), Gary Klar (Steele), and Antone DiLeo (Miguel).
-- CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON 50th Anniversary Celebration with stars Julie Adams and the creature himself Ben Chapman.
-- Bill Moseley and Sid Haig, from the two HOUSE OF 1,000 CORPSES films.
-- Eileen Dietz, Linda Blair’s stunt double during some of the more violent scenes in THE EXORCIST.
-- “Boomstick,” the musical parody version of ARMY OF DARKNESS. Any one who saw EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL at the previous Flashback Weekend knows how great the New Millennium Theatre Company is and how much they love these movies.
As for the films this year, the features will include the area premiere of the new Dario Argento film THE CARD PLAYER; the previous mentioned DAY OF THE DEAD and THE HILLS HAVE EYES; and the Drive-In classic INVASION OF THE BLOOD FARMERS (1972) (Tagline: “They planted the LIVING and harvested the DEAD!”) I believe there will be at least two more features added to this line up. Keep checking the event’s web site HERE for updates.
I particularly love this show because the attendees have absolutely no hesitation about coming up to me and reminding me that I blasted a movie that they really liked. But they manage to do so in an extremely friendly way. The last two years, Flashback Weekend has been great and I expect no less from this year’s event. I look forward to seeing everybody there.
Capone
