Tidewater Comicon 2014

Last weekend, Elizabeth, Dave & I visited the local comicon down in Virginia Beach.  It was Dave & Is third con this year, and Elizabeth's first.

It was easily my second best con, especially for it being in its first year.  Both of us thought it was better than the Richmond Wizard World we attended back in August.  (We also attended what was my first con back in March, going out to Seattle, Washington to attend Emerald City Comic-Con.  We attended all 3 days for that one.)

I was able to get a couple of comics signed.  The Monsters variant of Justice League United that Kelley Jones did, and a random issue of Masters of the Universe that Pop Mahn was the artist on.

For being such a small con, I was impressed with the amount of artists and talent that was there.  I was able to come away with a lot of cool art (both original and prints), which I will share now.  (I apologize for the glare on some of these.)

First up are two prints Elizabeth picked up from Pop Mahn's table.  The left, Skeletor looking pretty awesome upon a throne of skulls.  On the right, we have Batman & Martian Manhunter duking it out with a White Martian.

Next up, just a cool looking print from Angela McKendrick.  Not sure if she is a local (local being Virginia) artist or not, as Dave and I also saw her up in Richmond and I picked up a few mini-prints from her there.  You can find her on DeviantArt here.

 Last print belongs to Elizabeth, one she picked up from artist Matt Slay.  Leonardo is her turtle, and she really liked this print.  Slay was super cool and personable.  Dave and I both got commissions from him, and Dave also picked up a few prints, including a pretty awesome looking Raphael that he had done for a signing with Sean Astin.  You can check out his DeviantArt page here.

This was the commission I had done by Matt Slay.  While talking with him, he mentioned he was doing a variant cover for the upcoming IDW cross-over The Real Ghostbusters/TMNT.  So when it came around for me to decide on a character to get done, I went with Egon Spengler.  Love how it turned out.  Dave had a Casey Jones done, which was also very impressive.

These are all mini original pieces of art both Elizabeth & I picked up from the talented Lee Lacy.  He had a lot of movie/tv characters to choose from, and I will admit it was hard to choose.  I was going to try and stick with a horror character theme by choosing The Cryptkeeper and The Tall Man (from Phantasm), but found it hard to pass up one of my movie mentors, Mr. Miyagi.  Elizabeth ended up picking up the trio of bumbling burglars Fester, Marcus, & Hammer from 3 Ninjas, one of her movies.  Lee was actually surprised someone knew the trio, and was happy to see his choice appreciated.  I will most definitely keep an eye out for him at future cons.

Lastly is the pre-con commission I had done by the talented Eryk Donavan.  Dave had a Judge Dredd done by him when we were at Wizard World, which turned out awesome.  I learned he was a local talent, so I contacted him if he was going to be at Tidewater, and then asked for Michael Myers from Halloween.  I love how it turned, and I'm already planning for future horror icon commissions from him at any future cons I see him at.  Check out his work by going to his website here.

Tidewater Comicon is already planning a Spring 2015 show.  It will be a 2-day event, May 16-17.  I am already looking forward to it, and to seeing the local show continue to grow.

8) Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III

Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990)

Directed by Jeff Burr

Starring Kate Hodge, Ken Foree, Viggo Mortensen

Letherface has found a new group of outcasts to call family, and a couple driving cross-country find themselves down the wrong road at night.


This one has been sitting in my draft folder for a few days, as I'm still not sure what I feel regarding it.  Storywise, it seems to be a continuation of the first film, while ignoring the second.  But it also includes some elements of TCM2, most noticeably the famous "The Saw is family" line, this time emblazoned across Leatherfaces new tool.

I know from the making of feature on the DVD that this film had to battle with the MPAA and the studio, so that hurt the film in the end.  A lot of '80s and '90s horror had that problem it seems.  I watched the unrated version, which given modern horror, pales in comparison.

The story is ok, but I found the ending to be a little weak, especially with the reappearance of a thought to be dead character.  I feel overall that the director didn't actually get to tell the story he wanted to, but made due with what he had.  The acting is actually pretty decent, with each new member of the Sawyer clan bringing their own bit of creepiness to the table.

Overall, a bit muddled, but there are some elements that work.  5/10

7) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre part 2

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre part 2 (1986)

Directed by Tobe Hooper

Starring Dennis Hopper, Caroline Williams, Jim Siedow

Set 14 years after the original, TCM2 finds the family still up to no good.  A late night DJ, Stretch (Williams), records an "accident" from a caller.  Former Texas Ranger "Lefty" Enright (Hopper) has been investigating at least for the past year any and all leads of the cannibal family that he believes killed his niece and nephew (the original film).  Stretch takes the tape to Lefty, who asks her to play it on the air to draw the family out.  In doing so, the family sets its sights on her.  Lefty is seeking vengeance, using Stretch at the bait.  Chop-Top & Leatherface go to the radio station, and then lead Lefty back to their home.  Who will be left standing this time around?

TCM2 has a much different tone and look then its predecessor.  The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre is frightening, realistic, and very atmospheric.  Part 2 has almost a parody approach to it, with a lot more humor and gore.  Case in point, the poster that I included being a parody of The Breakfast Club poster.

The score is what makes the movie for me, as it adds a creepiness that I wouldn't find without it.  The case is alright, with Hopper bringing a level of crazy to the movie, especially in the latter half.  Dueling chainsaws, crazy cannibals, and some top-notch SFX make the second half worth seeing.

TCM is a franchise I've just gotten into recently, and one that I know gets progressively worse, according to the internet.  I still plan on watching each movie, or at least attempting to.  6/10

6) Dark Night of the Scarecrow

Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981)

Directed by Frank De Felitta

Starring Charles Durning, Tonya Crowe, Larry Drake

Bubba Ritter (Drake), who is mentally challenged, is falsely accused of murdering his young friend Marylee (Crowe). Local postman Otis Hazelrigg (Durning) gathers a few of his friends and together they go on the hunt for some mob "justice" .  Bubba is found hiding in a scarecrow, and Hazelrigg and Co. execute poor Bubba, only to find out seconds late Bubba had actually saved Marylee's life, not taken it.  They cover up their murder, but soon a scarecrow begins to stalk them one by one.  Does someone know what they have done, or is Bubba back from the grave?

First things first, this movie was made for TV and aired in October of 1981.  This is easily one of the best horror films I've seen that was made for TV.  I will be adding this to my collection, as it is quite terrifying at times.

The acting is great throughout the whole film.  Larry Drake does a phenomenal job portraying the mentally challenged Bubba, and the emotion in his eyes when he is found as the scarecrow is one of the best scenes in the movie.  Durning does a great job playing the despicable Hazelrigg, who might just be losing his mind.  As the film progresses, he crosses more than one line.  His mob of friends are portrayed by some great actors, including the late Lane Smith (of The Mighty Ducks and Lois & Clark), Claude Earl Jones, and Robert Lyons.  Jocelyn Brando brings out the cast as Bubba's mom Mrs. Ritter.

The suspense is great, and there is a lot of build-up in each scene.  Harless Hocker (Smith) is the first to see the scarecrow on his property, which at first he thinks is a prank from his cohorts.  But it is not, and after investigating some sounds late at night in his barn (bad idea, Harless), an untimely fate is met.  This sets off the other three, and Otis visits Mrs. Ritter, whom he thinks is behind all that is going on.  An eye for an eye, and all that jazz.

I really don't want to divulge too much more of the plot, as it is worth seeing.  The score is haunting, and helps with the tension and suspense that last throughout the film.  This is a very effective movie, with no gore (given the made for TV aspect), but that does not detract any.  If anything, it helps it, as it proves you do not need blood & gore to make a great horror film.

Highly recommend this one.  9/10

5) Q, The Winged Serpent

Q, The Winged Serpent (1982)

Directed by Larry Cohen

Starring Michael Moriarty, David Carradine, Richard Roundtree

Detective Shepard (Carradine) and Sgt. Powell (Roundtree) are investigating a series of brutal ritualistic murders.  Career criminal Jimmy Quinn (Moirarty) stumbles into an ancient creature's lair after a jewelry heist goes awry.  Does the creatures presence tie into the case Shepard and Powell are working on?  After being caught for the heist, Quinn decides to try and exhort the city for some money and exoneration for information leading to the lair of the beast.

This is a new acquisition from Scream Factory that I recently found online for a low price.  I had seen the movie before and have been wanting to add it to my collection.  It's a decent '80s horror, which is worth seeing for the monster alone.  I didn't recall a whole lot of the movie from my first viewing, so I really wasn't sure what to expect.

The acting is ok, and you can tell the movie was low budget, but that doesn't really hurt the film any.  Q (short for the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl) is done in stop motion, and is worth seeing the film for.  Moriarty gives the best performance.  The film does tend to drag at parts, and I found myself on the computer more than usual while watching, but overall I still enjoyed the movie.

6/10, with a little extra for Q.

4) Dead Heat (1988)

Dead Heat (1988)

Directed by Mark Goldblatt

Starring Treat Williams, Joe Piscopo, Lindsay Frost

I'm not going to write a plot synopsis for this one, as I don't even know where to start.   Basically, there are detectives Roger Mortis (Williams) and his partner Doug (Piscopo) stumble into a case where resurrected criminals (being resurrected makes you indestructable) are used.  Chaos ensues, Roger ends up dead, and then he is resurrected and tries to solve the case before his body breaks down.

I had to ask myself while watching this how was it I had never seen it before.  I loved this movie!  I don't even know where to begin.  Besides Treat Williams (who also starts in another favorite film of mine, Deep Rising), this movie also has Keye Luke, Professor Tanaka, Robert Picardo, Darren McGavin, and VINCENT PRICE in supporting roles.  Price is one of my all-time favorites, and somehow this movie slipped passed my radar.

I went into this movie blind, and I'm glad I did, as it made my movie experience that much better, I believe.  Besides the crazy plot, the make-up and effects in this movie are great!  There is a sequence where Roger & Doug are at a Chinese restaurant and the animals are resurrected.  They battle chickens, a pig, and finally a headless cow from the freezer.  Roger progresses nicely throughout the film, as he starts to get closer to his end, as well as the damage inflicted upon him.  There is also a great scene involving the decomposition of a person.

I enjoyed Dead Heat a lot more than I expected, for knowing next to nothing about it.  I highly recommend it.  It is a great blend of horror, action, and comedy.  10/10

3) Mountaintop Motel Massacre

Mountaintop Motel Massacre (1986)

Directed by Jim McCullough Sr.

Starring Anna Chappell, Bill Thurman, and Will Mitchell

After a stint in the local asylum, Evelyn (Chappell) is released and returns to her Mountaintop Motel.  During a psychotic relapse, Evelyn kills her daughter.  Lying to the police about what happens, she is allowed to return to her motel.  A rainstorm brings her a bevy of new customers, and during the storm Evelyn starts hearing the voice of her dead daughter. This leads her to start killing her tenants, using an underground tunnel system that links each cabin.

Made in 1983, Mountaintop Motel Massacre sat on the shelf for 3 years until distribution was found.  I actually found the movie to be surprisingly decent and enjoyable.  Having no knowledge of anyone in the movie or associated with the making of, I was expecting a mess.  What I got instead was a simple slasher made on a budget, but done well.

The score is eerily haunting, and the sets used are atmospheric, especially down in the tunnels.   The kills are pretty straight-forward, with nothing original.  Evelyn's weapon of choice is a sickle.  There are a few scenes where she lets loose rats and roaches into a tenants room, and that got to me more than anything else.  Not a big fan of creepy crawlies.

The movie does a decent job of introducing each character, and making them likable or dislikable, as in the case of Al (Mitchell).  Crenshaw was easily my favorite of the tenants.

Even thought it doesn't add anything new to the horror genre, and there are probably better films similar to this one, I would still recommend checking Mountaintop Motel Massacre out.

6/10

motivation?

Ugh.

I have the desire to write, but don't know what.  And I don't have the desire to watch anything, that would lead to a review to write.  Which is very abnormal of me, as I always have something on in the background.

I feel if I hadn't taken on the 31 movies this month task, I wouldn't be having this problem.

Take a deep breath, relax, and just do whatever.

2) House (1986)

House (1986)

Directed by Steve Miner

Starring William Katt, George Wendt, and Richard Moll

Roger Cobb's marriage fell apart after the disappearance of his child.  A former Vietnam vet and now horror novelist, Cobb (Katt) decides to move into his recently deceased aunt's house for some solitude.  The house also happens to be where his son disappeared from.  Working on a new book detailing his time in 'Nam, Cobb starts seeing things (including his dead aunt) in the house.  With the aid of his new neighbor (and biggest fan) Harold (Wendt), Roger begins to investigate the presence of something sinister within his new home.  The evil makes him face his past, leading to conflict with a ghost he last saw in the jungle.

First things first: I am surprised I have never seen this film before today.  Besides the cast (The Greatest American Hero, Norm from Cheers, and Bull from Night Court) and Steve Miner in the directing chair, it also has Sean Cunningham as a producer and a story from the mind of Fred Dekker.  With those credentials, this is a movie that should totally be in my wheelhouse.

With that said, this movie is a great combination of horror and comedy.  The make-up and creature work are great throughout the film and I really like the monster woman who shows up about midway through.  Big Ben in the finale is very well done as well.  Plot-wise, I'm not 100% sure if they knew what they were wanting, as sometimes it does get a bit cheesy.  There is this weird and out of place plot device where Roger babysits a kid, which has some cool effects in, but didn't really do anything to move the plot forward.

I do remember seeing the VHS box at the rental store when I was younger, and finding it to be creepy.  I may of even seen it back in the day, as the lady monster seemed a bit familiar to me.  Might not be an award-winning film, but I really enjoyed it.

8/10

While looking for the movie poster, I also came across the following Thai poster for it.  Totally worth sharing, as it includes some artist renditions of the monsters from the film.

1) The Serpent & The Rainbow

Original Movie Poster

The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988)

Directed by Wes Craven

Starring Bill Pullman, Cathy Tyson, and Zakes Mokae

Loosely based off the book by the same name, The Serpent and the Rainbow is about anthropologist Dennis Alan (Pullman) whom is sent down to Haiti by a pharmaceutical company after rumors of a black magic "zombie" drug.  The drug in question paralyzes the user, whom is then declared dead and buried while they are still conscious.  While in Haiti, Alan is assisted by Doctor Marielle Duchamp (Tyson), and his investigation takes him to a witch doctor, but also brings the attention of the local authorities,lead by Captain Peytraud (Mokae).  Is there really a "zombie" drug or is something more sinister in play?


One of Craven's better films, The Serpent and the Rainbow is just as much a psychological thriller as it is horror.  It's a film that can easily get under your skin, and isn't one that is easy to forget.  The "true story" nature of it makes it all that more eerie, even if liberties were taken for film purposes.  And the realism of voodoo Craven portrays on film is probably some of the most realistic ever, especially since filming was actually done in Haiti.

I found the acting to be decent, with Mokae having the best performance as the villainous Captain.  I was also impressed with Brent Jennings portrayal of witch doctor Louis Mozart.  The movie also has a few smaller roles, including a pre-Alfred Michael Gough as Schoonbacher and Paul Guilfoyle (Captain Jim Brass on CSI:) as Andrew Cassedy, the men who sends Alan down to Haiti.

Psychological horror always tends to get to me more than slasher, and this movie has a few scenes that stick out.  The being buried alive scenes are really well done, and the one Alan dreams is particularly mind-bending.  Also, if you hav arachnophobia or ophidiophobia, be warned; there will be a scene or two that makes your skin crawl.

I found the movie a little hard to get into at first, but once the main plot takes hold, it really is an entertaining and well done film.  I did find the ending to be a little weak, but overall I'm glad I found the time to give the film a watch.

7/10