Frank Frazetta - R.I.P.

Frank Frazetta
9 February 1928 – 10 May 2010

In Praise of David Cronenberg's Shivers (1975)

In 1975, David Cronenberg's first feature film Shivers (aka They Came From Within or The Parasite Murders) made it's way into unsuspecting cinemas. With a shooting title of Orgy of the Blood Parasites, filming took place over a brisk 15 days. This mix of horror on both a cerebral and visceral level upset more than a few vocal opponents who were angry Canadian government financial assistance had been involved with the production. Some of this was offset by the fact that the film proved to be a more than respectable worldwide success and made a large profit.

The setting for the entire film is a very J.G. Ballard-esque ultra contemporary high rise apartment situated on a small island. We soon discover that within this seemingly perfect new world of multiple modern conveniences, all is not right. The juxtaposition between the ordinary and the horrifying steadily builds towards a frenzy of paranoid and bloody chaotic action. Recommended.



the trailer


segment from the program, "On Screen!" featuring
David Cronenberg's first full length feature Shivers


David Cronenberg speaks about Shivers

trailers from select Paul Schrader films

Paul Schrader

original Taxi Driver (1976) trailer
Written by Paul Schrader

Blue Collar (1978)
Co-Written and Directed by Paul Schrader


Hardcore (1979)
Written and Directed by Paul Schrader


American Gigolo (1980)
Written and Directed by Paul Schrader


Cat People (1982)
Directed by Paul Schrader


Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985)
Co-Written and Directed by Paul Schrader


The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
Written by Paul Schrader


Auto Focus (2002)
Directed by Paul Schrader

Play Safe (1936) cartoon

Hope you enjoy this Depression-era cartoon oddity from
Max and Dave Fleischer as much as I do!
Check out the segments where cartoon reality briefly
gives way to nicely rendered miniature sets.
Better play safe! Dig those 1930s cartoons!!!

H.G. Lewis - Incredibly Strange Film Show

H.G. Lewis brought a sly surrealism to his films,
whether in genres such as softcore sexploitation, gore horror or
female biker gangs. This episode of Jonathan Ross's Incredibly
Strange Film Show feature's the master showman
of American exploitation movies.

1/1


2/2


3/3


4/4

Cheap Trick - 1980 - Providence, RI

A life long musical favorite of mine,
Cheap Trick
can be seen in the clips below bringing their
Midwest created pop rocking and rolling to
Providence, Rhode Island - 1980.




Hello There / Clock Strikes Ten


I'll Be With You Tonight


Southern Girls


California Man


Speak Now Or Forever Hold Your Peace


He's A Whore


Oh Candy


Top Of The World


Can't Hold On


Downed


Auf Wiedersehen