Texas Frightmare Weekend:

The bulk of this column will be over the events that happened during Texas Frightmare Weekend. I learned so many things that weekend. Never get in a spitting contest with a llama, John Carpenter loves basketball, and everybody wants to be nice to you. Jason Hughes and I had a booth set up to promote his novels and t-shirts and to spread the word about horrornews.net Thank you to everyone who bought a Free the West Memphis Three T-Shirt! You just helped with their defense.

If you were not present at the convention and you would like to see about buying one you can contact Jason on Face Book or you could always go to their website wm3.org and make a donation. I was surprised how many people there actually knew who I was. Thank you everyone for coming to say hello to me and being so nice. You know it makes me feel all good inside when you compliment my column or The Gash.

Speaking of The Gash, our latest episodes will make you pee yourself. If you missed it you can always Go to the site to have a listen.

Guaranteed laughs. I do not recall laughing so hard before. Dai Green, John Torrani, and Ted Geoghegan were present at the convention and I had such a good time with them. Those are very special individuals that had me laughing so hard I almost had tears coming out of my eyes. I sat on Dai's lap during the entire convention. For Dai's birthday we all migrated to the bar where she had a nice cake with a zombie Dai figure on the top. Danielle Harris and Derek Mears were in the house. Derek Mears has to be the coolest guy I've met at a horror convention. It was nice seeing him again. That man loves to party and he's such a nice guy. He was also celebrating his birthday. I got a little footage for my documentary. Not as much as I hoped for but I got so busy. Dai and I didn't even get around to our shoot. Maybe next time.

SCREENINGS:
I enjoyed the crap out of Sweatshop. All of you have to see this movie! Where else are you going to see someone getting stabbed in the eye by a glow stick? If you have been waiting for that original horror film that will leave you more entertained than your typical slasher then SWEATSHOP is for YOU! The film is reminiscent of some 80s slashers. They talk about that a little in the video below from the panel during TFW. Sorry if my camera work is too shaky. I am still trying out this new camera. Any who, Sweatshop is very stylish.

The lighting and cinematography reminded me of Christmas. There was a lot of detail on the set and color. The make up and wardrobe is fantastic. I really dig the green lighting and the look of the punk goth ravers. When you look at the poster you think typical torture porn Saw/Hostel like film. I can assure you Sweatshop is soo much more than that. Jeremy Sumrall studied 80s slashers like Halloween, Friday the 13th, and My Bloody Valentine for his role 'The Beast.' Stacy wanted him to be that unstoppable killing machine type.

I think they pulled The Beast off quite well. He down right loathes ravers. Maybe one day we will learn more about The Beasts back story. I'm in love with the weapon of choice. I'm not sure what these other creatures are but they were grotesque. The make up and special effects were superb!  My favorite is the amazing shot at the beginning when the naked body drops to it's knees making that AWESOME sound and then her head smacks into the floor. What a beautiful shot! I believe I even shouted "Awesome!"

So far Sweatshop has snagged these well deserved awards; BEST FEATURE: Texas Bloodbath Festival 2009
CRITICS' CHOICE: Texas Bloodbath Festival 2009, LOU PERRYMAN AUDIENCE AWARD: Texas Bloodbath Festival 2009, BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS: New York City Horror Film Festival 2009. I believe it won an award at Texas frightmare Weekend for Special Effects. Well deserved. Believe it or not during the screening an intoxicated man passed out and split his head open on a table.

I did not see this happen but I saw his face after wards and I remember John and I heard a loud noise during the screening and we were like, "What the f*ck was that???" It was pretty brutal. The next day he wandered around happy to show off his scar and give away the remainder of his beer. Below you can view the poster and enjoy the trailer. To read more about this film, stop by the OFFICIAL SWEATSHOP WEBSITE.

Here's the Sweatshop Panel at Texas frightmare Weekend....oh and I zoomed in on Dai's butt for just a second. Hope that's okay....



Unfortunately, I did not get to go to The Final screening. They also had a Q&A Q&A with director Joey Stewart and stars Marc Donato, Lindsay Seidel, Travis Tedford and Justin Arnold. Filmed in Dallas, Texas the film is about  a group of high school outcasts get revenge on the students that torment them.

This along with Sweatshop is my favorite horror film of 2010 so far. I did get to see it weeks before so it's no biggy that I missed the screening. Still, I had a lot of questions for the Q&A. I found a particular scene that features a girl putting needles into a paralyzed guy to be hard to watch and reminiscent of the Japanese film Audition. Both ladies are wearing similar gear too.

The Final is apart of the After Dark Horror Fest (8 Films to Die For) 2010. Additional screenings that I did not get to see were Adam Green's Frozen which is about three friends who become stranded on a ski lift. I've actually been writing about this film a lot and it looks pretty God damn impressive.

Check that out. George Romero was present and everyone had a chance to see his latest project 'Survival of the Dead.' I have to say I was a little nervous when I met this wonderful man. What do you say to the King of Horror? I wish I could of spoken to him about his 3D remake of Deep Red that is on the way.

A screening of  2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams was shown along with a Q&A that I was not present for. I was present for the Blood Night: The Legend of Mary Hatchet Q&A and I even got some video footage which you can see below.

Dai Green and John Torrani were hosting the panel. The film stars Bill Moseley and Danielle Harris. Directed by Frank Sabatella who is an absolute doll and he even gave Dai a foot massage in the hotel room. What a sweety. You should check out Blood Night.

Synopsis: A group of teenagers celebrating the anniversary of the death of a local axe murderer suddenly find themselves face to face with the realities of this haunting urban legend.

What can I say, I'm a sucker for urban legends and anything with Danielle Harris. John and Dai also took over the Spirit Camp panel. I still have not gotten around to seeing this film but I adore the actresses and it was nice chatting with them again. I do have a thing for cheerleaders. This is why I love Buffy the Vampire Slayer.


THE FANS:
Believe it or not, I actually had more fans this time. I'm still freaking out about it. Horror conventions are so much fun. Everyone is so nice and happy to be there. The fans plan a year ahead for these conventions. I love those who choose to dress up. The zombie walk is pretty fantastic. I've never seen so many zombie enthusiasts before. Even toddlers and babies were dressed as zombies.

Unfortunately, I never get to be a part of the zombie walk because it takes place at nine am which means I am sleeping off my hang over. Some were dressed as Michael Myers and at one point I noticed one of the Micahel's had fantastic cleveage. Freddy Krueger, Jason Vorhees, and the Alien enthusiasts were also present. Two young gentlemen were dressed as The Ghostbusters. THAT WAS FREAKING AWESOME!  Sexy burlesque ladies with big hats were running ammock as well. This goes to show horror conventions are way cooler than Star Trek conventions. Not to mention we can drink all those Trekkies under the table.

GUESTS:
If you haven't guessed, John Carpenter was on the top of my list. The man received a Bad to the Bone/Lifetime Achievement Award and the cast of Christine discussed the strange love triangle that is Christine. I'm still freaking out over the fact that Carpenter called me a babe three times and winked at me. He also wanted me to be the one who puts on and remove his microphone during the interview.

Now I feel special. I do not think Carpenter felt comfortable at the convention. I noticed at the celebrity party he only stayed for a few minutes because crowds of people kept walking up to him while he was just trying to enjoy a cigarette. The man probably smokes about two packs a day and he demanded a television set be in his signing room so he could watch the Laker's game while signing autographs. I wonder how he really feels about Rob Zombie's Halloween after hearing him say, "Rob Zombie is a friend of mine so I'm not going to comment on it." I wish I had more time to talk to him, especially after he called me a babe but I didn't want to irritate the man.

Next on the list was Danielle Harris. I was hoping to interview her on film but we couldn't get around to it. I was a tad disappointed but at the same releaved because I was a little nervous. Harris is so tiny! She's still smoking hot and very sweet. I practically had to drag my brother her way to introduce him. He was nervous. We grew up loving Halloween 4 and 5. This weekend included so many guests I looked forward to seeing. Cassandra Peterson aka Elvira Mistress of the Dark. I felt intimidated sitting next to her. Perfection. 

Bill Moseley surprised me. He's actually a pretty cool guy. I got some great footage of him during the panel for Blood Night. Others I enjoyed meeting; Margot Kidder, Keith Gordon, Rodrigo Gudino, Sid Haig, James Hampton,  William Katt, Julian Sans, Lance Henricksen, Kane Hodder and Derek Mears. There were a few I just didn't get around to meeting. Maybe at another convention. I was happy to meet Camden Toy from episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He shared a booth with Brooke Lewis who I have met twice now and she's sooooooo sweet! It's hard for me not to stare at her chest when I am talking to her. Very hot. She was a guest of The Gash in 2009. It's always a pleasure to speak with Brooke and Parrish Randall. I could talk to that guy for hours about film.

FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND PHOTOGALLERY - HORRORNEWS.NET

Managing Editor/Podcast Host DAI GREEN and Columnist/Podcast Host Rebekah Herzberg

Dai and Ted Geoghegan (SWEATSHOP, BARRICADE)

SWEATSHOP PANEL (the photo was cropped and cut of actor Jeremy Sumrall)

SWEATSHOP PANEL Peyton Wetzel, Julin Jean, Stacy Davidson, Ted Geoghegan

SWEATSHOP PANEL

TEXAS FRIGHTMARE MASSACRE PANEL
Very interesting film! The audience had a lot of laughs with this film and gave some pretty good feedback.

SWEATSHOP PANEL
Dai asking questions during the panel. Yes, she is caught “rockin’ the flops”!

TEXAS FRIGHTMARE MASSACRE PANEL
Very interesting film that got quite a few laughs from the audience and overall pretty good feedback.
A film by Joe Francis

Rebekah and Julian Sands

Dai and Julian Sands

Ted Geoghegan (SWEATSHOP), Frank Sabadell (BLOOD NIGHT), HNN Podcast Host John Torrani

I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE REMAKE:
I'm going to be honest. I was a little distraught when I heard about this remake. After talking to the cast and hearing what they have to say about the film, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't captivated by this. These actors put a lot of hard work into their roles. They were emotionally and physically drained.

The rape scenes were quite a challenge for them as well but they all became close like family and helped each other through it. I'm still not sure how I feel about the tagline It's date night. Meh. I love the actors Sarah Butler, Chad Lindberg, Daniel Franzese, and Rodney Eastman. Daniel Franzese is actually one of my favorites and I completely spazzed out when I found out he was going to be there and it was soooo hard for me not to quote Mean Girls.

So everytime I saw him I screamed I WANT MY PINK SHIRT BACK! Daniel was a sheer delight to be around. I hope they got some footage of him rewriting the lyrics to 'This is how we do it.' If you haven't seen the film Bully that's based on a true story...you totally should. If you're into true crime that is.

Daniel was amazing in that film. I cannot wait to see him in the remake for I Spit on Your Grave. I like the message of the original I Spit on Your Grave. Is her revengeful act too much? I don't think so. They left her for dead and they brutally raped her. You will drive a woman absolutely crazy if you try to touch her with your penis and she doesn't want it. I imagine if I were left for dead like that.....I would be so f*cked in the head......I would seek revenge. Keep an eye out for this film in the Fall.

HORROR PROP AUCTION:
This was perhaps the most annoying event at the convention because it was in the lobby where we were forced to walk through several times during the whole weekend.  Everytime John Torrani and I were forced to walk by our ears were in so much pain. It doesn't help at all when you're hung over. Genuine props and costumes from the upcoming Alexandre Aja killer-fish flick PIRANHA 3-D (premiering August 27th) as well as props from Resident Evil: Afterlife, Christine, Beastly, Letters to Juliet, Takers, Easy-A and more were on display.

I'm pretty sure I heard some high bids for a lot of these things and I was trying my hardest to pay attention but it was sooooo loud and annoying I just couldn't bare it any longer. Collectors can own Freddy’s hero iconic stripped sweater from “Nightmare on Elm Street” or Michael Myer’s knife from “Halloween II.”

Bidders can even own a piece of Robert Pattinson, the star of massive vampire hit “Twilight,” by bidding on his costumes from his recent film, “Remember Me.”  But why would anyone want to buy something Robert Pattison? Or am I the only one that thinks that's absurd?  There was even a chance to own a motorcycle from “The Book of Eli,” the hero car from “Halloween II,” a corpse from “Armored,” or the bloody and torn-up clothing from the upcoming film, “Piranha 3D.”


VENDORS:
Jason Hughes and I had a great time at the booth. Poor Jason, I was running around everywhere. BUT when I was sitting down many lovely people stopped by to say hello. Honestly, I was just a little weirded out by that. I'm not use to random people coming up to me talking about how they love what I do and how nice it was to finally meet me. ....I just didn't quite know how to react. 

It seems like there were alot more vendors this year. The guy with the extraordinary plants was back. Tattoo artists were back again giving the Frankenstein, Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, what have you horror tattoos that make your mother proud. There was one booth I was mesmerized by and I didn't catch a name but their art was exciting and marvelous down to every detail. These magnificent people had twisted paintings of Alice in Wonderland and other numerous figures I am into. Boy if I brought more money with me I would of been completely broke. Boys and girls were selling tons of old horror films on VHS and DVD along with rare posters and T-shirts.

The Christine car was also visible right in front of our booth which was cool but also annoying because large groups of people would stand right in front of our booth to take pictures of the car, making it hard for other to get to us. Magnificent jewelry and creepy zombie dolls could be purchased. Lastly, Lucid Demetia had their own booth. This is the band whose music is featured in Sweatshop. I should of stopped by to say hello. I'm actually quite fond of their music. I did stop by Ghoultown's booth and I was happy to meet them again. Those boys were showing off their lovely video with Elvira Mistress of the Dark. Originally, Calabrese was suppose to be present. They were also there last year and I was fortunate enough to get an interview. You can find that interview in one of my previous columns back in 2009. I was pretty disappointed to find out they weren't coming this year. Oh well maybe next year.

Dai with talented actresses and hosts of SCREAM QUEENS UNCUT, Devanny Pinn and Tara Cardinal

Dai with Christy Sexton, creator of DollsAndDeadThings.com

One of Christy’s creations she made of Dai for Dai’s birthday. That’s a real human bone on the doll’s dress

Rebekah and Margot Kidder

John Torrani with the actual car that was in CHRISTINE.


QUICK UPDATE:
In case you weren't aware, True Blood has it's very own comic book. Stop making fun of me! Just admit it, I am totally hot and awesome for collecting horror comics. Don't be jealous that you're not as cool as me! Any who, HBO posted two different covers for issue #2 on their facebook today. See below. Oh and I have to ask for all the local readers....while I've been sick I have been watching the second season before the third starts to brush up my memory and it makes me think....a lot of these people remind me of all the hillbillies in this area ya think? That's what I love about the show the most. The characters. It hits so close to home it's retarded. There's also a new sheet for True Blood you can see below. Enjoy.

Scream 4 has a new website. If you want to take a gander.

Yes I am a fan of Scream. I have this thing for Gale Weathers. Another film I enjoyed and people make fun of me for is Cloverfield. They have been keeping the sequel a secret. This isn't the first time JJ Abrams has brilliantly kept a secret. Hitflix says the film, known only as "Super 8", is likely some kind of fiscally-friendly follow-up/sequel/prequel to "Cloverfield".

Now Vulture has confirmed the assumption. The trailer will show "a bunch of kids who are shooting a movie with a Super 8 camera in the seventies or eighties. When they develop the film, they notice that there's an alien creature in the frame. Their sources also say that Super 8 is absolutely connected to 2008's Cloverfield (possibly a prequel, but not a sequel)." Batman 3 finally has a release date. The date will be out July 20, 2012. THAT'S TOO LONG! Dario Argento will be directing Dracula in 3D. Hope it's better than Phantom of the Opera. It's not that I didn't like his remake...I LOVE Julian Sans and his daughter Asia is a wonderful actress....I just wasn't feeling it that time around.

Tell me something, does this poster for The Last Exorcism freak you out? Would you hang this up on your wall? I just couldn't. I wouldn't be able to stop staring at this bad boy when it's sleepy time. Why do people always put 'last' in the title? Surely this isn't the last exorcism. I'm actually a fan of Eli Roth so I will be checking it out and finding more information. I'm not big on films about exorcisms except for The Exorcist I and III. The Exorcist II = Cow Shit.

Iron Man 2 is in the number one spot after grossing $53, 000, 000. I was going to see this but I got sick. Poopsicles. The Clash of the Titans remake is dead last with a whopping $1, 255, 000. Evan Rachel Wood and man friend Marilyn Manson are going to star in Splatter Sisters. Cannot say I am too intrigued although I love Evan Rachel Wood. George Romero is remaking Dario Argento's DEEP RED IN 3D! I have to say I am a little interested to see this piece. I am a huge fan of Argento and Deep Red is one of my favorites. I'd like to see what Romero can come up with. How exciting! Although, if it's going to be in 3D there's probably going to be a huge difference in the story line. David Boreanaz is 41 now if you can believe it. Doesn't look it. Sexy. Vampire Diaries on the WB ended with 3.5 million viewers.

Guess there are more Buffy fans. Smallville only had 2.5 million viewers. The WB isn't what it use to be. James Cameron expects a sequel to Avatar to be released in three years. Story-wise, he's "going to be focusing on the ocean on Pandora, which will be equally rich and diverse and crazy and imaginative, but it just won't be a rain forest. I'm not saying we won't see what we've already seen; we'll see more of that as well". Now I'm going to tell you about a little film called VAMPIRE. VAMPIRE follows a schoolteacher with a taste for human blood, who searches for suicidal young women as his victims; all of whom he falls in love with before their deaths. The film stars Rachael Leigh Cook who is super hot and Kristin Kreuk who is super hot. I might have to check this out. Remember when I told you about Catherine Hardwick's RED RIDING HOOD starring Amanda Seyfried? She is very easy on the eyes. A release date has been set for April 22nd. I cannot wait! I'm a sucker for evil fairy tales. Final Destination 5 will be released August 26th. Cannot believe there is going to be another one. Seriously, when is this going to stop?

A trailer for the dark comedy All About Evil is finally here! The film stars Natasha Lyonne, Thomas Dekker, Noah Segan, Cassandra Peterson aka Elvira, Jack Donner and twins Jade and Nikita Ramsey. I know a lot of you are dying to see Cassandra Peterson in another role. She's gorgeous either way. The synopsis goes a little something like this:

A mousy librarian who inherits her father's beloved but failing old movie house. In order to save the family business she discovers her inner serial killer - and a legion of rabid gore fans - when she starts turning out a series of grisly shorts. What her fans don't realize yet is that the murders in the movies are all too real.


Are you ready for another killer carnival flick? Hope it's not another rip off of Tobe Hooper's The Funhouse. GRRRRR. You can see a poster and synopsis below thanks to AITH. Written by Woelfel himself, CLOSED FOR THE SEASON tells the story of Kristy (Aimee Brooks, below), who finds herself trapped inside a decaying, abandoned amusement park, with James (Damien Maffei), son of the park’s caretakers. The pair finds themselves being tormented by a mysterious carny (Joe Unger) and the long discarded and decrepit attractions of the park.  Lastly, for Stephen King fans....there's a lot of news on his official site for his new short story collection. YOU CAN CHECK THAT OUT HERE.

There's so much to cover with very little room. Next week I'll be able to give you more updates to satisfy your appetite. Thanks for reading. I'm going to leave you with a clip of Dio. RIP. Horns.



Necrophillia: That Uncontrollable Urge To Crack Open A Cold One.

my email: ssextermination@yahoo.com

-Rebekah the Jew