Lost Boys

by Sam Hendrix, Independent writer

In a time when flesh tearing zombies have plagued the silver screen and the classic bloodsucking vampires have been laid back to rest, few directors have taken the bold move to reinvent the seemingly lost gothic-horror genre made famous by Bram Stoker. Along with the locally shot Bonnie and Clyde Versus Dracula, another notable vampire flick released this week, and flocking straight to a video store near you, is P.J. Pesce’s Lost Boys: The Tribe, the long overdue sequel to 1987’s cult classic The Lost Boys.With a plot line near identical to its predecessor, The Tribe places brother and sister, Chris and Nicole Emerson (Tad Hilgenbrink and Autumn Reese) with an estranged Aunt in vampire inhabited Luna Bay, California. When Nicole falls victim to the charm of the head vampire/surf pro Shane, played by Kiefer Sutherland’s younger brother Angus, Chris takes it into his own hands to protect his kid sister at all costs. Of course, one man can’t take on a tribe of vampires alone, so he seeks the service from everyone’s favorite Frog. (Full story)

Posted by: admin on Tuesday, August 12th, 2008
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GONZO: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson- A Documentary by Alex Gibney

A Review by Danny R. Phillips

“It’s one thing when he says he’s going to commit suicide. It’s another when he actually does it.” explains Juan Thompson, the Good Doctor’s only child. Many of the friends interviewed in Alex Gibney’s GONZO: The Life and Work of Hunter S. Thompson ( Magnolia Pictures) say that Thompson always said he would do himself in, they all expected it. But the film doesn’t focus on the loss of an American literary giant. No, it is the story of the creation of a beast that drove to the heart of the American Dream in The Red Shark and will forever be remembered for what he found there. (Full story)

Posted by: admin on Monday, July 28th, 2008
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Letter to the Editor: “Nighthawks?” more like Nightmare!

 By Bob Shultz 

Look at the cover of this wonderful hag-rag. Go ahead, look… I can wait. Where’s Marilyn? Where’s Elvis? 

As much as I love and often contribute ideas for the cover of the Regular Joe (“Dogs playing Poker sippin’ Joe?” Yes, I’ll take credit for the idea… not the great art work, just the idea)…  

I got a bone a pick with my fellow “Joeheads.” This cover is a horrible idea. 

Let’s put aside the fact that it is based on my favorite painting, Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks”… a beautifully poignant interpretation of the people who live on the other side of Midnight; a romanticized interpretation of lost hopes and unfulfilled dreams, rich with primary colors and cleverly balanced on a forced perspective angle… It’s a masterpiece that says a thousand things… and nothing ALL at the same time.  

My real problem with the cover is that many well-meaning persons won’t think of “Nighthawks.” They will think of the cheesy, 1980s parody-painting called, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”  

You remember…with its images of Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and James Dean crowded around the same late night dinner. 

That to me was, and remains, a travesty. (Full story)

Posted by: admin on Thursday, July 10th, 2008
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I scream, You scream, We all Scream!

By Bob Shultz 

Horrorfest ‘08! Thursday, July 3rd. Horseshoe Lake Drive-In, Admission: $7.50 per person (Under 17 not admitted without parent or guardian). Barf bags not included. 

Tired of the same old Thursday Night?? Have you NOT spent enough quality time this summer with the “Undeaded”? Sick of using sheathes and weed-whackers on nothing but the lawn? Well, heads up, “Zombie-Ites” and “slasherphiles”… If your taste in movies runs blood-red with the screams of the horror-genre, you’re probably feeling a bit left out of this summer’s movie season.          Sure, you’ve braved the crowds at “Ironman” and witnessed the second coming of “Indiana Jones”. You may have even been the handful of confused people who sat throw the “what the hell is going on here?” experience of “The Strangers.” You’re probably the same fear-thriving moviegoers that “planted” themselves for the 2-hour not-so-happening, happenings in “The Happening.”  (Full story)

Posted by: admin on Thursday, June 26th, 2008
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The Eternal Darkness of a Warped Mind

By Tony Redmond, Independent Writer 

I should start out with saying a hello to all The Regular Joe readers. I have been asked to write about some of my favorite movies. Well first off I’m no professional journalist or movie reviewer but I know what I like. I have had 17 years makeup experience in the haunted house industry and now do F/X with Deadmen Walking for movies, so you can probably guess that I like horror, sci-fi and fantasy. What can I say, I like special effects. That’s why I joined the local film group F.A.M.E. (Film Alliance of the Midland Empire).One of my all time favorite movies is a little known movie called Night Breed, directed by Clive Barker of the Hellraiser fame. It’s a little tale of both good and evil, and of what “we” see as good. It revolves around the main character Aaron Boone (Craig Sheffer) and his inner torment that he is not what he seems. He embarks on a quest to find his “true” self. When he finds the city of Midian he learns how the world really is and then becomes the savior of a tribe of lost souls. The story goes into detail of how humans have always hunted and destroy anything they don’t understand or that scares them, it kind of tugs at the heart strings. I could go into a lot more detail but I would love for you to watch the movie.The special makeup effects in the movie are over the top. All the different breeds of “lost souls” are done great. My favorites include: Shuna Sassi (a porcupine girl), Peloquin (a true beast), Rachel (Barker’s version of a vampire) and the devil Lude (a true devil looking character). The “bad guy” in this movie is the good doctor played by David Cronenburg, who does a GREAT job of getting us to hate him. (Full story)

Posted by: admin on Saturday, June 14th, 2008
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D Byron Wants You…For His Next Film Project

Local filmmaker and Western student, D Byron, is looking for cast and crew to get involved with a new film project entitled “Corporate Cinema 10,” a comedy about kids working in a movie theater. Similar to motion pictures like “Clerks” and “Waiting,” CC10 follows the lives of minimum wagers as they stave off boredom by mocking customers, making dirty jokes and knowing way, way too much movie trivia.

 

Auditions were held May 26th, but there are still parts to cast; anyone interested in acting or working behind the camera should contact D Byron at 816-232-8947. (Full story)

Posted by: admin on Wednesday, May 28th, 2008
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Mr. Jones and Me: Confessions of an Obsessed Fan

By Bob Shultz 

Fans are a strange phenomenon. I have to admit to having a morbid fascination with those unique individuals who have an abnormal obsession with some aspect of pop culture.  

Who are these people?  

What twisted aspect of their lives have they turned off in order to “turn on” to things like Star Trek, Star Wars, NASCAR, Jimmy Buffett and Elvis worship?  

Now, bare in my mind, as a pop culture nut, I too have to admit to having a mild obsession with the things that will temporarily yank me out of the world of deadlines and bill paying. But my departure is only temporary…. After all, I live in the real world, right? (Full story)

Posted by: admin on Thursday, May 15th, 2008
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Murray II:Electricboogaloo

By Bob Shultz 

There is no better summertime experience then the Drive-In. 

Hands down… Okay, outside sailing the Pacific coastline, it is the one, consistent, warm weather activity that helps me erase the days’ pressures and surrender myself to the simple idea of enjoying the moment.  

There is something magical about it, something Zen…. and ironically, it is so basic: watching movies under the stars. 

As a “Generation Xer” I feel very grateful that some of my earliest “moviegoing” memories are that of safely sitting in “Shultz Family Truckster” and suddenly being mentally transported to a whole different world… several worlds, in fact. (Full story)

Posted by: admin on Saturday, May 3rd, 2008
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Murray: The Moron Moviegoer

By Bob Shultz

 

People are idiots.

 

Not every person, mind you… but if you regularly attend movies, you are no stranger to this phenomenon.

 

I have to admit, as a person I see more movies then the average Joe; I’m far more accustomed to seeing the bottom end of the cinema-social food chain then most.. And I’m certainly not making a normative claim on EVERYBODY who buys a ticket. (Full story)

Posted by: admin on Thursday, April 3rd, 2008
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Be Kind? Be Real!

Money tight?  Movie going on a budget? Well, don’t forget the value of “Budget Theatres” - The same movie for a third of the price. Film Reviewer Sam Hendrix gives us Regular Joes his perspective on the Jack Black comedy, “Be Kind Rewind.”

 

Be Kind? Be Real!By Sam Hendrix 

For many avid movie collectors, the switch from VHS to DVD was a very painful and agonizing process. Many even referred to this leap in technology as a “fad” that would soon parish much like Laserdisc. This was the case for a tiny video rental store in

Passaic, New Jersey, the official home of the blues and hometown of legendary bluesman, Fats Waller. (Full story)

Posted by: admin on Friday, March 21st, 2008
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