It Came From The Man Cave!: December 2017

The Best of 2017!

It's that time again man feels only like last year that we take a quick look at what was the best of 2017.

Best Movie Non Horror

I still think about this movie yet today and I watched it way back on January 5th. you can read that review here.

Best Short Story

Yep edging out Puppet Master Axis Termination my favorite low budget film studio Full Moon drove home two amazing shows this past year. Now if they would only make more!! Here is a look at Ravenwolf Towers.

Yeah Why did I like it:

Yeah, it is odd but I did not hate the Emoji Movie so now you know just what kind of blog this is. (Here is the Review)

The movie worth the Revisit

Yep, Rockula from 1990's and it is getting a Blu-Ray release this year! This was the most fun I have had watching a movie in a long long time! (Click Here)

Best Horror Flick I watched this year:

Man, this was a ton of fun sure it came out late 2016 but it was not easy to find! Check out the review here.

Runner-Up...

Sure it was the weakest of the series so far but still a fun trip! (Here)

Best Thing on YouTube

The Midnight Hour blew me away and instantly transported me back to 1985! (Here)

Ok so like I said a few days ago I just did not sit and watch as many movies this past year. Something I hope to change in 2018! So Happy New Year and here is to watching movies and writing about how bad they are.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Creator:

Amy Sherman-Palladino

Stars:

Rachel Brosnahan

Alex Borstein

Tony Shalhoub

In 1958 New York, Midge Maisel's life is on track- husband, kids, and elegant Yom Kippur dinners in their Upper West Side apartment. But when her life takes a surprise turn, she has to quickly decide what else she's good at - and going from housewife to stand-up comic is a wild choice for everyone but her. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is written and directed by Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls).

Oh boy, am in trouble here. See I watched the pilot episode earlier this year (I think) and voted for more, the pilot left me begging Amazon to pick this series up. And over on Rotten Tomatoes, it has this whole 95% fresh thing going on. So I would ask them the Tomatoes did you watch all 8 episodes? Because if you did am pretty sure you would not feel the same way, how do I really feel well read on shall you?

Me around episode 4

Man, the first 3 episodes have it all, love, lost love, heart, soul, and the feeling of being lost all tossed into a blender for a nice smooth no aftertaste kind of show. You really start to feel for the characters and want desperately to see more. And with so many laugh out loud moments this show was turning into a real binge watch. But somehow when episode 4 rolls around I find myself in the same rut as the show. It has become more of the same and the jokes are getting lame. And now the binge-watching me has crawled to a stop for the most part. I started watching in November and just finished before the new year if that tells you something.

My biggest complaint has to be the depression that this show slaps around with a cold fish in hopes for a good laugh. And do you know the main charters have kids? Yeah, we all forget too because they are running around all the time day and night! Is this how it was in the 1950's? My parents worked all the time too but I remember them being around. Did you leave your kids with your parents all the time? I don't know but for me, this was one of the main plot holes that would take me out of the show, kind of like the squirrel scenario, hey look at me doing stand up.... baby in my arms. Wait baby have not see that child in the last 6 episodes. Ugh

Not all is lost tho I really love the feel of downstate New York and its vibe. The colors and clothes the Jazz it all really draws you into the decade giving a warm fuzzing feeling. And the sweet sounds of Sinatra seem to flow through your speakers trapping you nicely into this world. And by far the best part of Mrs. Maisel is not the star of the show and her sparkly outfits but none other than Chicago born Alex Borstein! Her grit would be the one thing that made me stick around until the end and will be the big reason for checking into season two. She is the glue that holds it all together and really knocks it out of the park.

I seriously wanted to love this show but sadly it did not hold together for me, the backstory sucked the life right out of me making the charters lifeless and cold, I just did not like how that felt. The show really does start out great and looks fantastic and that's why I ask to have the writers for the Tomato site really watch all of it? And as for season two, it better find a way for me to stick with it. I am looking forward to Rachel Brosnahan and Alex Borstein taking home so hardware this award season but not much else. Amazon you really need a hit sadly for me this was not it. Thank god for the Tick earlier this year.

2 Smoking Hot Guns overall

2 smoking hot guns for the story

4 smoking hot guns for the look and feel

4 smoking hot guns for Alex Borstein

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Wow, gang Christmas has come and gone, we lost, even more, celebrities and the New Year is upon us. I for one can not wait for 2018 in hopes that it turns into a better year. I did not have a bad 2017 just disappointing one I feel like I was sick most of the year. In fact, I got sick again on Christmas Eve and have spent my vacation on the couch.

I definitely had a fun Christmas and a white one at that but I can not lie I look forward to the days we can sleep in just a little bit that morning I love my youngest but getting up at 5 AM to start a long day makes for well a long day. I received some pretty cool gifts like a Tony Romo bubble head and the Friday the 13th video game but the best surprise came from the mind of that little 9year old. She is such a smart kid after I poured hours upon hours playing Stardew Valley she was smart enough to ask her mom to take to the internet looking for merchandise for the game. The end result was a kick-ass shirt that I did not see coming in a million years.

So now the big announcement for the upcoming year. As always I look for a fun new way to blog every year and I found an Idea that is right up my alley. So watch for the 52 Weeks of Gratitude challenge. This blog as doing just what I set out for it to do, help me cope, better spelling and of course working on my grammar. And it sounds like a fun way for you to get to know me better. So watch for that soon. Also, I would like to get back to watching movies! 2017 found me falling behind once again and that has me bummed out as well.

So I think that's it my holiday in a nutshell. I hope to feel a little better today a write a few post's I always like doing a best of the year post even if it was a slow year. Also did watch a family movie the other day and look forward to sharing it with you soon. Until then Cheers to all and Happy New Year!

Merry Creepmas Everyone!

Killing Floor: Krampus

Video games rejoices if you own Killing Floor 2 your are in tiled to a free add-on Krampus Christmas and it looks insane! Get your Creepmas on the free seasonal update for sci-fi horror shooter killing floor is available today and promises a holiday season soaked in blood and buried in bodies courtesy of Krampus and his merry monsters.

The Krampus Christmas Seasonal Update is part of developer Tripwire Interactive's continuing commitment to provide free content and events post-launch to the KILLING FLOOR 2 community. Highlights of the update include:

NEW MAP “KRAMPUS LAIR” & ACHIEVEMENTS
Pay Krampus’ cozy lair a visit in this new Holdout map and collect five new achievements [one on Xbox].

NEW BOSS & ZED APPEARANCES
Meet Krampus himself and his merry gang of elves and monsters. Previously teased in a developer update, Krampus will return as a new and permanent addition to KILLING FLOOR 2’s growing zed army – and will be known as the “Abomination.”

NEW WEAPONS
Freeze Thrower: Available for the first time following its timed-exclusive for Xbox One players, the Freeze Thrower brings even the most hot-blooded zed to a standstill.
UMP SMG: Delivering the latest in dead-zed technology, this new submachine gun will help keep the hordes at bay.

NEW EVENT OBJECTIVES
Complete new event objectives and win prizes available for a limited time.

NEW SEASONAL COSMETICS & UNIFORM
Collect new Christmas-themed cosmetics and a new character uniform.

NEW DOSH VAULT ITEMS
The Vault has been stocked with additional cosmetics, character skins and weapon skins.

NEW CHARACTER UNIFORMS & COSMETICS
The Wasteland Uniform is now available, as well as a brand new set of Pajamas and cosmetics.

The "Krampus Christmas Seasonal Update" for KILLING FLOOR 2 is only available now and will run until January 9th!

Silent Night

Creepmas Short Flick!

** Warning Humbug is not for small ears or if you are at work **

When her neighbor refuses to get into the Christmas spirit, a jolly citizen takes matters into her own hands.

Gremlins Recall is one heck of a fan-made film! From French New Wolf & Whitelist in association with Mindseye, Gremlins: Recall stars Katherine Rodriguez, Randy Irwin, Sarah Lilly and Robert Wood. It was produced by Nash Cubero, Rich Salamone, and Sarah Lilly with executive producer Jerad Anderson. Isaac Bauman served as cinematographer with Collin Davis. Eric Fox handled creature effects.

This has the look and feels of a big budget direct to video it is pretty amazing.

GREMLINS: RECALL (UNOFFICIAL) from RYAN PATRICK on Vimeo.

You can also download the soundtrack here.

Egypt's ancient loves live again in evil!

Director: Leslie Goodwins

Writers:

Bernard Schubert

Leon Abrams

Stars:

Lon Chaney Jr.

Peter Coe

Virginia Christine

Draing of a bayou swamp area in Louisiana is halted when superstitious Cajun workmen learn one of their crew has been mysteriously murdered. They whisper fantastic tales about mummies being buried in the area. Pat Walsh, boss on the project is annoyed at their fear and furthered angered when Dr. James Halsey of the Scripps Museum, and his associate, Dr. Ilzor Zandaab arrive to search for the mummies of Kharis and Princess Ananka believed buried in the swamp. Walsh's niece and secretary, Betty shows interest in both the story and Halsey. Bulldozers unknowingly uncover the mummies, and that night Dr. Zandaab secretly meets Ragheb, a workman, who takes the scientist to a hidden monastery. There, Kharis lies in a sarcophagus. Zandaab is actually an Egyptian priest and Ragheb is servant. Zandaab revives Kharis with a brew of Tan leaves, Kharis goes in search of his beloved Princess Ananka, whom the sun has transformed into a beautiful young woman. But the transformed Ananka is not all that interested in Kharis.

Egg Nog?

"The Mummy's Curse" chills you to the bone tonight on MeTV at 8 pm eastern/Pacific, 7 central times, and please check for channel and time in other areas at www.metv.com or in your local TV listings. Chicago area viewers get a second look at “Frozen Ghost” on WCIU, the U, at 11 am.

Better Watch Out its Creepmas!

Creepmas has really caught on in the past few years we have seen more and more Christmas slasher themed movies than ever before. Here is a short list of yuletide magic for you to seek out.

Better Watch Out has set the indie world on fire this year. When you think the suburbs, you think safety, but this holiday night the suburbs are anything but safe. Ashley (Olivia DeJonge) thought this babysitting job was going to be an easy night, but the night takes a turn when dangerous intruders break in and terrorize her and the twelve-year-old boy, Luke (Levi Miller), she's caring for. Ashley defends her charge to the best of her ability only to discover this is no normal home invasion.

You can currently stream Better watch out on must streaming rental sites like Google Play or Vudu. The Blu-Ray hits the shelves next week.

You can bet your stockings that this is on my Christmas list.

Lionsgate is also getting into the spirit on the 12th with Once Upon A Time At Christmas.

Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus: he’s a one-eyed fiend, she’s a curvy, bat-swinging blonde. This serial-killer couple is terrorizing the holidays in an upstate New York town with a series of horrific homicides. Though the victims seem random — a mall Santa, a smooching couple, an innocent family — high-schooler Jennifer and clever cop Sam begin to unravel the sinister pattern behind the slayings. Can they stop the murders before Christmas comes — and there’s no one left to celebrate?

I might wait for this one to hit a prime streaming site like Netflix or Amazon. If you check this one out please comment below.

And at last, we have...

Dee Wallace looks amazing in this flick. I did pick this up when it came out in October just waiting for Creepmas to get here and watch it so I hope to review this one soon.

It's Christmas in Australia as Diane, played by the Dee Wallace, brings together her estranged family for a chaotic holiday gathering. A 20-year-old decision literally comes back to haunt her when the ghost of Christmas past comes knocking at her door and is invited inside the family estate. Festivities quickly turn blood red, when the stranger is revealed to be Cletus, Diane's aborted fetus, all grown up, very much alive and ready to terrorize his long-lost mother. Diane must face her past and explain the hideous truth that is trying to kill them all, especially to Jerry, her Down Syndrome son before it's too late.

So if these movies do not get you into the Creepmas spirit what will? Let me know in the comments your favorite Creepmas movie.

Rare Car found in the Illinois Valley

It's not every day when you open your news feeds and the big story is happing in your backyard. It seems hidden away for more than fifty years was an old and rare Marmon from 1927. Here is snip-it from the story,

The La Salle News-Tribune reports that the ninety-year-old car has spent the last five decades tucked away in a garage in rural Illinois, owned by a Marmon enthusiast named Kent Cherpeske. When he passed away in April, his brother began sorting through his things and discovered the two-door model and an incomplete four-door model in a back garage on the family's property. He contacted a mechanic friend to inquire about fixing them up and selling them, and the mechanic recognized the rare cars and got in touch with the Marmon Club to find a proper buyer.

On Tuesday, Cherpeske's brother and a friend towed the two-door Marmon out of its fifty-year resting place, bringing it out into the sun for the first time since John F. Kennedy was president. It hasn't aged too poorly, all things considered, but the extensive restoration will ultimately be worth it to the new owner, an Indiana collector named Dennis Breeden

"It’s a project, but I’m excited about it," Breeden told the News-Tribune, "It’s a very rare car, that body style, well worth fixing up."

Sad Day

Hard to celebrate Creepmas when today we remember Peral Harbor. It just seems so odd that we are inching closer and closer to a war that nobody can win. I think for the first time since the 80's I actually wonder about nuclear war and how it will affect us. I still pray that we do not see that day.

To the brave that fought and lost their lives I salute you.

That Sinterklass!

St. Nicolas Day,

In Belgium, they celebrate Sinterklaas on the morning of the 6 December. In the days leading up to December 6th just after Saint Nicholas will arrive by steamboat around mid-November, young children put their shoes in front of the chimneys and sing Sinterklaas songs. Often they put a carrot or some hay in their shoes, as a gift to St. Nicholas' horse. In recent years the horse has been named Schimmel.

The next morning children would find a small present in their shoes, ranging from sweets to marbles or some other small toy. Just like Santa Claus, all children receive gifts without distinction. This is often done by placing a bag filled with presents outside the house or living room, after which a neighbor or parent bangs on the door or window, pretending to be Sinterklaas' assistant. Or you could hire or ask someone to dress up as Sinterklaas and deliver the presents personally.

Such good buddies

Sinterklaas wears a bishop's robes including a red cape and mitre (bishops headgear) and is assisted by many mischievous helpers, called Zwarte Pieten or in the French-speaking part of Belgium, with black faces and colorful Moorish dress, dating back two centuries. In the past, it was said that the Zwarte Pieten took all the naughty children, put them into sacks, and Sinterklaas took them with him to Spain, in order to scare the children. Therefore, many Sinterklaas songs still allude to a watching Zwarte Piet and a judging Sinterklaas.

Zwarte Pieten

In highly Catholic regions, the local priest was informed by the parents about their children's behavior and would then personally visit the homes in the traditional Christian garment and threaten to beat them with a rod. Man St. Nick was one scary dude with scary friends!

You dab your bad!

The Krampus

Happy Krampus creeps!

In folklore, Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic figure described as "half-goat, half-demon", who, during the Christmas season, punishes children who have misbehaved, in contrast with Saint Nicholas, who rewards the well-behaved with gifts. Krampus is one of the companions of Saint Nicholas in several countries including Austria, Bavaria, and parts of Northern Italy to name a few. The origin of the figure is unclear; some folklorists and anthropologists have postulated its pre-Christian origin.

In traditional parades and in such events as the Krampuslauf, young men dressed as Krampus participate; such events occur annually in most Alpine towns. Krampus is featured on holiday greeting cards called Krampuskarten.

In the aftermath of the 1923 election in Austria, the Krampus tradition was prohibited by the Dollfuss regime under the Fatherland's Front and the Christian Social Party. In the 1950s, the government distributed pamphlets titled "Krampus Is an Evil Man". Towards the end of the century, a popular resurgence of Krampus celebrations occurred and continues today. The Krampus tradition is being revived in Bavaria as well, along with a local artistic tradition of hand-carved wooden masks. There has been the public debate in Austria in modern times about whether Krampus is appropriate for children.

It'll turn your blood to ice-water!

Director: Harold Young

Writers:

Bernard Schubert

Luci Ward

Stars:

Lon Chaney Jr.

Evelyn Ankers

Milburn Stone

Elena Verdugo

Get all cozy by the fire, flick on your Creepmas Tree, and crack open a bottle of two-buck chuck its Svengoolie time! Nothing say's Creepmas classic like Lon Chaney Jr and a little Inner Sanctum Mystery in The Frozen Ghost.

Stage mentalist Gregor the Great becomes enraged when a drunken audience member belittles his act. When the man dies suddenly, Gregor convinces himself that his hypnotic powers are to blame. Guilt-ridden, he retires from performing to Valerie Monet's wax museum. He becomes increasingly stressed when he is pursued romantically by Valerie, her niece, and his former stage assistant, Maura Daniel. When Valerie mysteriously disappears, it is apparent that sinister forces are at work in the museum.

“The Frozen Ghost” starts tonight on MeTV at 8pm eastern/Pacific, 7 central, and, to find out time and channel where you are, please check your local listings- or at www.metv.com. Our Chicago area viewers get another look at the classic “The Incredible Shrinking Man” at 11 am on WCIU, the U.

And if that is not enough melt your cold Grinch heart than maybe this will...

Elena Verdugo

I will never be able to watch Marcus Welby MD the same again.