Exclusives
Interview with Children’s Horror Author R.L. Stine!
Bloody-Disgusting’s Jonathan Barkan recently got the chance to do an interview with iconic horror author R.L. Stine, whose Goosebumps series has sold hundreds of millions of copies and is translated into dozens of languages around the world. In the interview, we ask about Stine’s inspirations, his new book, “It’s The First Day Of School…Forever!,” which is being made into a feature film, and more!
Stine will also be the Thrillermaster at Thriller Fest VI in New York from July 6th-9th. He will be joined by Ken Follett, John Lescroart, Diana Gabaldon, and more where they will all discuss writing techniques and meet with readers. For more information on Thriller Fest VI, check here.
BD: What inspires you?
R.L. Stine: My big inspirations have been other authors. Ray Bradbury… Rod Serling… the guys who wrote and illustrated the EC comics of the 50s–“Tales From The Crypt”…
BD: What was the first story that frightened you?
R.L. Stine: Pinocchio. It was very creepy for a young kid. Boys turning into donkeys? At one point, Pinocchio falls asleep with his feet on the stove and BURNS HIS FEET OFF! Terrifying.
BD: What was the first horror movie that you saw?
R.L. Stine: Hard to remember. I think I saw the original Frankenstein and Dracula movies at a very young age. Karloff and Lugosi. They were so dark and creepy, they made a real impression.
BD: Your new book, “It’s the First Day of School…Forever!” will be made into a feature film – can you tell us a little more about it?
R.L. Stine: The poor kid in this story has the WORST day of his life. Everything goes wrong. Everything! And it’s the first day of school. And he keeps living it over and over and can’t find a way to escape. It’s funny and scary, and I hope it makes a good movie. It’s kind of Groundhog Day Meets Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
BD: Is your latest TV series, “The Haunting Hour,” similar to the “Goosebumps” show?
R.L. Stine: Very similar. A new scary story each week based on my short stories. I think the new series may be just a teeny bit scarier. We’ve been lucky to get a lot of popular TV stars to appear. I’m so happy we’re doing a new season of 18 more episodes.
BD: Do you feel that the music you listen to inspires your work?
R.L. Stine: I don’t think music inspires my writing, although I find I have to keep up with pop music in order to stay in touch with kids. My musical tastes are quite eclectic. I listen to everything from country music to opera. Some of my favorites include George Jones, Van Morrison, Billie Holiday, Bonnie Raitt, Randy Travis, and Nina Simone. A mixed bag, as you can see–and nothing too scare-inducing!
Exclusives
New Documentaries Explore the Cult Legacies of ‘The Keep’ and ‘Wolfen’; Watch the Trailers Now [Exclusive]
Undersung werewolf gem Wolfen and Michael Mann’s The Keep get the spotlight in a pair of feature documentaries acquired by Antenna Releasing.
A World War II Fairy Tale, which covers the infamous production of and reception to The Keep, will receive a limited theatrical release in October, followed by a TVOD release on Apple/Amazon. The Keep will also screen as a double feature for some showings.
For Uncovering Wolfen, Antenna eyes a limited theatrical release for 2027. Both films are currently available for booking via Antenna prior to their theatrical and digital releases.
Both documentaries are directed by Stewart Buck, who co-helms with Stéphane Piter on A World War II Fairy Tale.
“We at Antenna are obsessed with film history,” said Chief Acquisitions Officer Billy Ray Brewton. “Stewart has done such a remarkable job of really diving into the deepest recesses of how these films were made and, in doing so, has created the definitive histories of both projects.”
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Antenna Releasing!” said director Buck. “It’s refreshing to see a filmmaker-friendly approach to distribution with people who know what it’s like to be in the trenches with independent projects that struggle to find a home in the crowded marketplace.”
Check out our exclusive trailer and poster reveal of both documentaries below.
Released in 1983, Michael Mann’s The Keep was a notorious box office bomb, critically lambasted and all but forgotten for years, save for the fascination with Tangerine Dream’s iconic score. In recent years, the film has enjoyed a bit of a resurgence and is widely considered a cult classic, though director Michael Mann and many cast members refuse to acknowledge it.
Wolfen, on the other hand, was critical success but was overshadowed heavily by its flashier 1981 siblings An American Werewolf in London and The Howling. It’s also a trailblazer for socio-political horror, and the doc will explore that via the craftspeople who made it.
Look for them both in theaters soon. Stay tuned for more as it arrives.
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