If the Mayans apocalyptic visions ring true on the 21st, at least I can say my second and last Monsterpalooza was a highlight of the end of times. Yes, founder, curator and general madman Eliot Brodsky breaks out of the rubber room once a year (twice, if you count October's debut of the Son of Monsterpalooza) to give horror fans a heaping helping of gore galore, endless excitement and more latex than a porn convention.
My introduction last year yielded a Howling cast reunion (Dee Wallace Stone said I was hot...milf crush for life), chatting with the Chiodos brothers, Anders Erickson and Eriq Chang being super awesome with the latter and I geeking out about classic Sierra PC titles, hanging out with two of the best mask makers in the world (Sam McCain and Justin Mabry), buying enough bootlegs to fill a Chinese K-Mart (hey, why don't you lay off the Asians Lou...) and the motherfucking Ching Dai crown jewel himself, Mr. David Lo Pan- James Hong. Fuck YOUR life if you didn't make it out, especially for his killer floor show Saturday evening.
The line up this year had a full bore Fright Night gathering (including Stephen Geoffreys hitting on me like mad...thanks...I guess), David Naughton and John Landis gone AWIL, Chris @ Horror Illustration for being awesome and working on getting that interview done by years close, Landis losing it at the sight of the Rick Baker tribute slice of silicone (same goes for Christopher Lee immortalized in the same said substance) Stuart Gordon and the Re-Animator musical preview, sneak peaks of the Trick or Treat Studios loony Halloween II masks and Don Post bringing back the big H3 plus an even better Monsterpalooza Museum and an awesome tribute to the dearly departed maestro of movie magic, Stan Winston. Eileen Dietz gave me a cuddly Captain Howdy pillow on my honor, Rotten Cotton delivering again (TOSS DAT SALAD!), finally scored the ultra rare German special edition of "Don't Open Til Christmas" and while I didn't pick up any masks there, I came home to nab the Nightowl RAW 3 with a fresh repaint straight from JM (thanks Haines!)
The magnificent Mr. B and I had lots of fun at both events but this one takes the cake for the opportunity to spend time with the fine folks who made Fright Night, An American Werewolf in London and a lot of time with the Trioxin huffing kids of Return of the Living Dead who made the day so extra special. Linnea, Jewel, Beverly, John and the Don were so incredibly kind, funny and genuine, it's a great reminder of why I love film, horror and the opportunity to be a devotee of both. A lot of stores and smiles were shared and both Brendan and I truly got our fill and more.
Thanks to Eliot Brodsky, all the staff and volunteers, casts/crews of my most beloved features and the countless array of gifted artists, quality vendors and new friends I make every time I hit the road to Burbank. Can't wait until 2013...monster mosh it up!
Post script: For theatrical weekend forays, 2011 unleashed "Insidious" which was for the most part incredible and "The Cabin in the Woods" is already in the running for 2012's best of winner. We also celebrated Friday the 13th in style with a retro VHS double feature of 2 and 4 and while jet lag got the better of me during "The Final Chapter," I awoke long enough for both Crispin Glover's dead fuck dance and corkscrew comeuppance. Lazy Sunday treats last year were "Body Bags" and another that I can't recall while this time around, we took it easy with the Elite laserdisc of "Lisa and The Devil," a hilarious horrible chunk of 70s shlock that I still need to see with its post "Exorcist" repossessed re-edits. Last but not least, Bacon Pop is a most delicious snack and surely what the gods above crunch...and it's vegan- fuck yes.
