The Amityville Horror (2005)

The House With Eyes returns! The incredible story of a family terrorized by evil spirits after moving into a home that was the site of a grisly mass-murder is fantastically re-told by director Andrew Douglas. What sets this new version apart from the classic 1979 The Amityville Horror , is the scare factor. The thought I had immediately following the end of the movie was, "Even the predictable scares were done excellently."

Ryan Reynolds (of "Blade: Trinity" fame)did the most spectacular job of reprising the role of George Lutz. The role of Geroge Lutz was previously held in the minds of horror fans solely by James Brolin, Reynolds surely pleased fans of the original movie putting him side by side with Brolin.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching a relatively new director bring together such a stunning grade 'A' re-make. The plot (whether based on fact or fiction) is true to the story we have all come to love and flows in Douglas' version as well as, if not better, than the original. Not surprising when you note that producer Michael Bay had a hand in blockbusters such as "Bad Boys" "Armageddon" and "Pearl Harbor". The special effects (which are superb!)help bring this verison to mastery status. They are courtesy of David J. Barker, who has films under his belt that include "Hildalgo", "Ocean's Eleven" and the hit television series "Angel".

One difference I really liked is how in this version, George never 'sees' the light enough to save his family. It is Kathy Lutz (played by Melissa George) who ends up taking action to get the family away from the house. I also find it interesting as a side note that this so called true story always has changes in the details. Granted it only supposedly based on a true story but as I mentioned in my post on the original 1979 film, there is so much information out there on both sides of the arguement. Well, whatever the case it is afterall just Hollywood.
Or is it? Hmmm, it's 3:15 am....

• Today's Cure song is Charlotte Sometimes from the Standing on a Beach - The Singles CD-(1986) Compilation album of the officially released singles from 1979-1985. According to Robert, this particular song was inspired by the eponymous book by Penelope Farmer.(Okay I had to look the word 'eponymous' up; it means a character in a play,book,song, etc. that has the same name as the title)

"On that bleak track
(See the sun is gone again)
The tears were pouring down her face
She was crying and crying for a girl
Who died so many years before... "

CJ

What's in my CD player?

I decided to write a post about all the other music I listen from time to time. Although The Cure is my all time favorite band, and I do have just about everything they have released on CD, there are quite a few other artists I enjoy listening to.

Long time readers and friends know that I am also a big Prince fan, as evident in my post about his most recent concert stop in Houston for Musicology. But what else can found spinning for the laser light to read?

I like a variety of music from across the spectrum of possibilities, R&B, Classical, Rap, Alternative, Classic Rock, 80s, Disco, Metal, and a very little country & tejano.
Here is sample list of music I like listening to, highlighting some of my favorite songs:

• ABBA (Dancing Queen, Waterloo, Fernando)
  
• AC/DC (Who made who?, Back in Black, Highway to Hell)
  
• A-Ha (Take On Me) {Okay so they are kinda like a one hit wonder, but they actually have been making music from 1985 to 2003}
  
• Aerosmith (Walk This Way,Dream On, I Don't Want To Miss A Thing)
  
• Beatles (Hello Goodbye, Help!, Eleanor Rigby)
  
• Bach (The Brandenburg Concertos)
  
• Billy Joel (You May Be Right,Movin' Out, Only The Good Die Young)
  
• Blondie (Dreamin',Call Me, Rapture)
  
• Bruce Springsteen (Born in the Usa, Born to Run, Dancing in the Dark)
  
• Bee Gees (Tragedy, Night Fever, More Than a Woman)
  
• Beethoven (Moonlight Sonata)
  
• B-52s (Roam, Rock Lobster, Love Shack)
  
• Beastie Boys (New Stlye, Brass Monkey,So What'cha Want)
  
• Cure (Um....read just about any post in my blog history, but my favorite would have to be "To The Sky")
  
• Cheap Trick (She's Tight, Surrender, I Want You To Want Me)
  
• Cars (Drive, Magic, Shake It Up)
  
• CCR (Bad Moon Rising, The Midnight Special, Have You Ever Seen The Rain?)
  
• Culture Club (Miss Me Blind, Karma Chameleon, Time-Clock of the Heart)
  
• Cameo (Word Up!, Sparkle in Your Eyes, Candy)
  
• Cyndi Lauper (True Colors, Time After Time, Change of Heart)
  
• Denali (Gunner, Everybody Knows, Lose Me)
  
• Depeche Mode (Enjoy the Silence, Policy of Truth, Strange Love)
  
• Donna Summer (Hot Stuff, On The Radio, Last Dance)
  
• Deftones (Change-In The House of Flies, Hexagram, back to School)
  
• DuranDuran (Come Undone, Union of the Snake, Hungry Like the Wolf)
  
• Eminem (Just Don't Give a Fuck, Stan, Without Me)
  
• Elvis (Don't Be Cruel, All Shook Up, Jailhouse Rock)
  
• Eagles (Lying Eyes, Hotel California, Life in the Fast Lane)
  
• Elton John (I'm Still Standing, Benny and the Jets, Nikita)
  
• Enya (Anywhere Is, Only If, Only Time)
  
• Erasure (Blue Savannah, Sometimes, A Little Respect)
  
• Earth, Wind & Fire (September, Shining Star, Boogie Wonderland)
  
• Fats Domino (I'm Walkin', Blueberry Hill, Whole Lot of Loving)
  
• Fleetwood Mac (Everywhere, Hold Me, Little Lies)
  
• Garbage (I'm Only Happy When it Rains, Queer, Stupid Girl)
  
• George Michael (Monkey, Faith, Kissing a Fool)
  
• Gwen Stefani (It's My Life, I Know We're Cool, What Cha' Waiting For?)
  
• Heart (Baracuda, Dog & Butterfly, Crazy on You)
  
• INXS (The One Thing, What You Need, Devil Inside)
  
• Ice Cube (Once Upon Time in the Projects, You Can't Fade Me, It Was a Good Day)
• Janet Jackson (Let's Wait Awhile, Escapade, When I Think of You)
  
• Journey (Don't Stop Believin', Who's Crying Now?, Lovin'-Touchin'-Squeezin')
  
• Janis Joplin (Summertime, Me & My BobbyMcGee, Cry Baby)
  
• Jefferson Airplane/Starship (Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now, Find Your Way Back,Don't You Want Somebody to Love?)
  
• KISS (Detroit Rock City, Love Gun, Tears Are Fallin')
  
• Linkin Park (Numb, Points of Authority, Crawling)
  
• Madonna (Borderline, Material Girl, Deeper & Deeper)
  
• Morrisey/The Smiths (This Charming Man, Hairdresser on Fire, Everyday is Like Sunday, Girlfriend in a Coma, Panic, The More You Ignore Me the Closer I Get)
  
• Michael Jackson (Thriller, Smooth Criminal, Rock With You)
  
• Men At Work (It's A Mistake, Overkill, Down Under)
  
• Metallica (Master of the Puppets, Dyer's Eve, Blackened)
  
• Naked Eyes (Promises-Promises, Voices in My Head, Always Something There to Remind Me)
  
• No Doubt (The Climb, Spiderwebs, Don't Speak)
  
• Norah Jones (Come Away With Me, Don't Know Why, Sunrise)
  
• Ozzy (Crazy Train, No More Tears, Paranoid)
  
• Otis Redding (These Arms of Mine, I've Been Loving You Too Long, Dock of the Bay)
  
• Pat Benetar (Heartbreaker, Invinsible, Shadows of the Night)
  
• Paul McCartney (Band on the Run, Silly Love Songs, With a Little Luck)
  
• Pet Shop Boys (What Have I Done to Deserve This?, Westend Girls, It's a Sin)
  
• Prince (Impossible to pick just a few...When Doves Cry, Soft & Wet, Call My Name, Do Me Baby, Theives in the Temple, Insatiable, Morning Papers, Adore, Slow Love, Seventeen Days, Raspberry Beret....just to name a few)
  
• Police (Message in a Bottle, Don't Stand So Close to Me, Every Breath You Take)
  
• Paula Abdul (Straight Up, Forever Your Girl, Ain't Never Gonna Give You Up)
  
• Queen (Killer Queen, Another One Bites the Dust, A Kind of Magic)
  
• Run DMC (Kind of Rock, Peter Piper, Proud to be Black)
  
• Rolling Stones (Satisfaction, Jumpin' Jack Flash, Start Me Up)
  
• Stevie Nicks (Edge of Seventeen, Leather & Lace, Stand Back)
  
• Supertramp (Breakfast in America, Logical Song, Give a Little Bit)
  
• Stevie Wonder (Isn't She Lovely?, You Are the Sunshine of my Life, Signed-Sealed-Delivered I'm Yours)
  
• Steely Dan (Hey Nineteen, Peg, FM)
  
• Sundays (Here is Where the Story Ends, Summertime, Goodbye)
  
• Toto (Hold the Line, Rosana, I'll Be Over You)
  
• Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (American Girl, Refugee, You Got Lucky)
  
• U2 (Pride, Zoo Station, Sunday Bloody Sunday)
  
• Van Halen (Hot For Teacher, Jump, Panama)
  
• Wham! (Careless Whispers, A Different Corner, I'm Your Man)
  
• AND Originals Movie Soundtracks (Grease, Creepshow, Heavy Metal)
  

Wow! Now that is a lot of music. That is not all I listen to, but a damn good sampling. Leave comments, shoot me an e-mail, enjoy some music, have a great day!!


As ever, I close with a favortie from The Cure...

• Today's Cure song is Catch from the Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me CD -(1987) A simple song about a girl he used to know. Very soft with beautiful violins!

"You know I even think that she smiled like you
She used to just stand there and smile
And her eyes would go all sort of far away
And stay like that for quite a while"

CJ

Shaun of the Dead

I laughed so hard!
Now that is something you hear every now and then, but I don't say it that often. For this great movie from director Edgar Wright, it is a perfect comment.

"Shaun of the Dead" was listed as a romantic comedy...with zombies, and it lives up to all of that description. Wright, who co-wrote the film with Simon Pegg (who plays Shaun), also demonstrates that he has only grown since "Fistful of Fingers", his debut film in 1994.

Shaun is nearing 30, stuck in a crappy sales job (where his younger co-workers show him no respect), and his girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield) is unhappy having none of his quality time. Where he does spend a lot of free time is with his ultra-slacker friend, Ed (Nick Frost), at their local pub, the Winchester. When Liz dumps him, Shaun's so glum he doesn't even realize that London's been overrun with flesh-eating zombies.

It is hilarious to watch how long it takes for Shaun and Ed to realise anything's wrong. Once they do get it, they're not necessarily quick to make a plan; at one point trying to use vinyl records to decapitate a pair of zombies in the backyard. Shaun and Ed bicker about which bands deserve preservation--New Order they keep, but Sade becomes a lethal frisbee. They also mention one of my favorite artists Prince--

Ed: Purple Rain.
Shaun: No.
Ed: Sign o' the Times.
Shaun: Definitely not.
Ed: The Batman soundtrack?
Shaun: Throw it.

Shaun fights his way across town to rescue Liz, save his mother, and set up a stronghold at his ever loved Winchester. The plot rips along beautifully and parodies both the romantic comedy and zombie genres, while at the same time remaining true to both of them. The great (mostly British)supporting cast includes Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton, Dylan Moran and Lucy Davis

Shaun of the Dead was hugely inspired by the classic zombie flick, "Dawn of the Dead". Its creator George A. Romero was reportedly so impressed with the film that he was quoted as loving it and being really flattered stating, "If you come over to the States then I'll come along to a screening". Furthermore, it is rumored that both Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright are taking on cameo roles in Romero's latest zombie installment, "Land of the Dead" which is due to arrive in theatres October 2005!

And what a fantastic soundtrack!! My favorite song would have to be "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen. But there is also songs from Goblins, Ash, Man parrish and one of my favorite songs from The Smiths, "Panic" How cool it that? Panic in the streets of London....*L*

A surperbly enjoyable film and the DVD extras will give you more Shaun than you can throw a vinyl record at!!

• Today's Cure song is Just One Kiss from the Japanese Whispers CD - (1985) Robert says that this is a song that tells the story of a shared night of passion. Then why does he mention that someone died? Although he is my favorite artist, I can't say that he songs always make sense. Then again, this was in the mid 80's and not everything from the 80's makes sense.
  

"Remember the time that the sky went black
We waited alone on the sands
Remember the taste of the raging sea
But nobody held out their hands "

CJ

Sounds of the Dead

 


 

My love for horror doesn't stop with books and movies. I bought these two original soundtracks from the fantastic composer John Harrison. What a great way to re-live the movies!

The first CD is the original soundtrack to the 1982 horror cult classic Creepshow . The composer, John Harrison, was actually employed as the Assistant Director on Creepshow, but stepped in to score the soundtrack when director George A. Romero decided that the 1950's library music he was initially going to use wasn't really what he was looking for. According to the liner notes, Romero just kind of said, "Go for it!" and this is the excellent result.

Also included on this CD is music from a few episodes of the hit TV show Tales from the Darkside, which Harrison actually wrote and directed as well as scored. There's also a few demo tracks from George Romero's aborted project Shoobie Doobie Moon (which was planned to be a send-up of 1950's monster movies). All this information is summarized from the 13 page color booklet with screen shots from the movie.

The second CD is a limited edition (3000 copies, and I got number 2274) soundtrack to the Romero classic Day of the Dead. It kicks off with the lengthy "Dead Suite" - a 19 minute piece of music containing the music from the first five minutes of the film and uses the memorable cues and themes that continue along the storyline of the movie. In my head I was also hearing the dialogue from the opening sequence.

The other tracks use other cues and themes found throughout the movie. The final 5 bonus tracks are various cues (some repeated from the "Dead Suite"), but with additional sound effects from the movie - zombies munching, ripping flesh and moaning. Too Cool! This one came with a 12 page booklet containing interesting notes both Harrison and Romero.

Die-hard horror fans might appreciate the joy I found when I opened the package I received in the mail and found these 2 soundtracks in perfect condition taking me back on two journeys of horrific fun!

• Today's Cure song is "A Short Term Effect" from the Pornography CD-(1982) Here is a song RObert says is about drugs and their short term effect. As you listen to the music it does kind of feel like the ending of a rush. Not an uplifting song to say the very least, but still a classic from the early repertoire.

"A day without substance
A changeof thought
An atmosphere that rots with time
Colours that flicker in water
A short term effect"

CJ

Evil Dead 2

"Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn"

Because you couldn’t get enough gore or enough of Bruce Campbell! Here is a familiar setting, in the woods alone except for some evil force that creates ‘deadites’. This film is often mistaken as a re-make of the original because of the way the flashback sequence in the beginning is different from the original. It appears that way because director Sam Raimi could not get the rights to the original footage from New Line Cinema. Imagine that! So he re-shot some scenes to bring the audience up to speed on what the evil dead is all about. Then he lets Bruce Campbell’s returning character “Ash” fend off the ensuing nightmare.

The special make-up effects are outstanding as Greg Nicotero (who got his break assisting Tom Savini in 1985 with “Day of the Dead”) presents plenty of gore. The cinematography is excellent including the return of the first person point-of-view Steadicam. The film takes place pretty much all in one cabin which this time is not out in the boonies of Tennessee, but on a set built inside the gymnasium of the JR Faison Junior High School in Wadesboro, North Carolina. Looks like Raimi was able to get a more substancial financial backing after the success of the first Evil Dead film.

Aside from the horror of the movie, a majority of the scenes are slap-stick comedy and hilarious! At one point Ash cuts off his own demon-possessed hand, now you'd think evil hands had been overplayed, but you would be wrong. Campbell is a genius as he fights against his own hand and suffers great abuse from it, making the audience tremble and flinch with him as he masters the scenes alone.

Of noted interest, a glove belonging to the “A Nightmare on Elm Street” Freddy Krueger character can be seen hanging near the steps in one of the cellar scenes. This was in response to Wes Craven’s use of scenes from “Evil Dead” on a television screen in “A Nightmare...”

As a sequel, the plot could not have been better, especially the way it ends and sets the stage for the final film of the trilogy. An obvious MUST for fans of the first movie, and a great treat for fans of Bruce Campbell.

Kiss Your Nerves Good-Bye!

• Today's Cure song is Want from the Wild Mood Swings CD-(1996) Here is the first song from this CD. Beginning with a pounding guitar riff that slows builds to a thundering intro, this song is about desires. A kind of sister song to "Never Enough". The following lyrics from this song have become some of my all time favorite...

"i want the sky to fall in
i want lightning and thunder
i want blood instead of rain
i want the world to make me wonder
want to walk on water
take a trip to the moon
oh give me all this
and give me it soon "

CJ

Yokoso ni Houston!

"Welcome to Houston!"


Saturday was a spectacular day to attend the 12th Annual Houston Japan Festival in Hermann Park. It was great to take in the sights and sounds of the Japanese culture. My wife, my son and I were there for about 3 hours and enjoyed so much! My personal favorite was listening to the Taiko. The Japanese drums not only sound awesome but are so very much a part of the artistic culture. I also enjoyed watching a Kendo demonstration . My wife always like to take a stroll through the Japanese gardens, which are a permanent attraction in the park, but this time it was extra special with the presentation of Banzai trees, Japanese flower arrangements, and a Tea Ceremony.

What my son loved most, actually had nothing to do with the festival itself. As I was when I was his age, he is fascinated by trains, so off we went (he and I) around Hermann park on the little train. He waved to the people and loves how it winds and turns on the “squiggly” track. The moment we were about to pull back into the station, he wanted to go again.

Now you know you are not going to attend a festival of any kind and not partake of the foods. We had sausage on a stick, eggrolls and rice, chicken teriyaki and noodles, and a Texas Tater Twister. Just in case you are about to ask, that is basically fresh potato chips. They spin a potato on a small lathe which spins the potato into a thin spiral shaved heap which is then deep fried, Viola! Potato chips!

So, we had a grand time, the weather was perfect, and where else would see a 2 ½ foot Koi? The sun was particularly brutal but luckily my son was running around too much for the sun’s rays to catch him and he came home with no burn, unlike Mama and Dada who were lightly toasted.

• Today's Cure song is All Cats Are Grey from the FaithCD - (1981) A song Robert says is about a nightmare of being lost in caves and the fear of growing old. For me it has a very distant feel to it, like being in outer space or something. Since I have never been in outer space, it is what I think it would feel like...:-)

"No shapes sail on the dark deep lakes
And no flags wave me home"

CJ

Serenity, Courage, & Wisdom

Some of you may recognize those three words from a famous prayer.

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference."

It is known as the alcoholics creed, but can be a pillar of strength to anyone. But, why am I posting it here today? On a horror blog? At this hour? ...*L*

Seriously, I think it really is a beautiful mantra and a call to action for any self improvement pursuits you undertake. Well, I have recently begun to assert my courage. To live life free of storms or unpleasant change is an unrealistic ideal, but to move towards such a goal can be empowering. So I thought I would post some thoughts on this today and hopefully stimulate conversation among my my faithful readers.

A beautiful soul (my wife) once told me that the things we want in life are just the gravy. It is the fundamental elements of our soul's growth that matter most in this life. I agree. We tend to get bogged down in our desires and forget to focus on living. We often want material things or selfish attention but we do so to the point of developing mixed up priorities and causing ourselves undue grief. So, I accept that I cannot change other people, I look forward to the challenges of making changes where I can, and reveal in the wisdom that I have attained over the years.

Now, how does all of this tie into a horror blog? Well I am so glad that you asked. I love to talk. Simple enough huh? I do go on and on, sometimes I talk ad nauseum, and even at times to myself. Since I have started this blog, I have found one more way to talk. I type. I have mentioned before that I enjoy the subject of horror on many fronts, writing is one of those. When I have no specific topic but still want to write, I intend to just talk. Fair enough?

To my new readers: Hi!
Thanks for stopping by. Please feel free to look around and drop me an e-mail if you like.

Have a great weekend!!

• Today's Cure song is More Than This from the original soundtrack for "The X-Files" movie and also found on theJoin The Dots: B-Sides and Rarities Collection - (2004) When reading the liner notes of the "Join..." set, Robert mentions that he is a long time X-Files fan and was happy to do a song for the soundtrack. My wife really likes this song and I cannot blame her! With its ambient synth sound, the mood is very trippy and fits well with the theme of sci-fi. But it is the lyrics that really put it over the top as a great song.
  

"Make believe in magic
Make believe in dreams
Make believe impossible
Nothing as is seems
To see, touch, taste, smell, hear
But never know if its real
"

CJ