Movies
[Flashback Weekend] “Welcome to Freddy’s Mad-House”
Article by Bloody-Ian
Flashback Weekend 2014 kicked off in Rosemont, IL…and it did not disappoint.
At check-in, the line stretched through the hotel; a motley parade of all types came out. Metal shirts were standing next to polo shirts, next to others in that all too distinct red and green stripped shirt. Young and the ‘young at heart’ all congregated here in this Chicago suburb to pay homage to icons of horror such as Lance Henriksen, Angus Scrimm, and Caroline Williams. However, there was one name hanging in every conversation; like the halls of Springwood High, everyone was talking about Freddy Krueger.
As the first photo-op got underway (see some samples below, courtesy of Ryan Looney) the crowds were anxious for Freddy. Something magical happens in the makeup when one goes from unassuming Robert Englund to the icon of Horror Cinema, FREDDY.
While Englund works the photo-room for hours in make-up (created by Robert Kurtzman), every photo comes into the hands of a delighted fan and, if for a moment, they forget all the concerns of everyday life. The table where they pick-up the souvenirs has the air of Christmas morning, and of course, Freddy’s there.
It’s important to note that this is NOT a Freddy Convention. Fans of all horror can come and see artists work celebrating everyone from Bela Lugosi to foreign horror of today to independents.
Truly, in the winding neutral walls of this Crown Plaza there is something for every horror fan.
And just when you think it’s dying down, Svengoolie (Chicago’s own horror icon) walks by swinging a rubber chicken…
The opening night capped off with Charles Brand’s “FULL MOON’S 2014 SHOCK-O-RAMA ROADSHOW.” it was a fun time with a lot of audience participation, stories, and several trailers. He shared stories about working with some major actors, distributing GHOULIES and (my personal favorite quote) “Someone stole the Boner-Meter.” It’s truly a show worth staying till the end for.
More coverage tomorrow.
FLASHBACK WEEKEND runs through Sun, Aug 10th.
Movies
‘Boorman and the Devil’ Documentary Trailer Chronicles Complicated Relationship with ‘Exorcist II’
Critically acclaimed documentary Boorman and the Devil chronicles how one of the world’s greatest filmmakers made one of the most hated movies ever: Exorcist II: The Heretic. A new trailer highlighting some of the troubled production woes has arrived.
Boorman and the Devil opens at The Quad in NYC on August 28 before opening wider in various cities on September 4, including: Los Angeles, Columbus, Houston, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Seattle and more.
After the success of Point Blank and Deliverance, Warner Brothers offered John Boorman the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to direct a sequel to their smash hit, The Exorcist. The result was one of the biggest disasters in movie history. A critical and financial failure that not only changed how Hollywood did business, but nearly ended Boorman’s filmmaking career… but to be an artist is to be a risk-taker.
Now, John Boorman, Linda Blair, Louise Fletcher, Karyn Kusama, Joe Dante, Mike Flanagan, and more reflect back on the ambition of the film, the artistry and craft, and the value of big creative swings.
“I am beyond thrilled that Yellow Veil has come on board to help us share this story with a larger audience,” said director David Kittredge. “Like myself and the rest of our team, they’re huge cinema-lovers. It’s so exciting that a film which is not only a love letter to John Boorman, but also to ambitious filmmaking, will be handled by people who share the same passions that our team shares.”
“I first saw the film at an early festival screening and the post-screening buzz was just electric. Everyone was loving Boorman and the Devil,” added Yellow Veil co-founder Justin Timms. “To be able to team up with David and the filmmaking team on this release is incredibly exciting, and we can’t wait to spread that post-screening electricity with audiences across the country.”
Boorman and the Devil is produced by Kittredge’s Triple Fire Productions, Travis Stevens (Jodorowsky’s Dune, Starry Eyes) of Snowfort Pictures, and Jim Fall (The Lizzie McGuire Movie), with Alan Koenigsberg of Milton Ventures Media serving as co-producer.
Daniel Kurland wrote in his review, “Boorman and the Devil goes above and beyond to be the definitive text on Exorcist II. This documentary will delight horror and Exorcist fans alike, but it also provides incredible insight for anyone who is just marginally interested in film production.”
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