FEO NEWS FOR SUMMER 2023: - JULY - The detritus of old Horror/Thriller history can be found here.
These are archived news items, many of them linked outside of this website.
Eventually the links may not work. Everything's Eventual.
JULY 31
THE LOST BOYS Turns 35
This is why all you've got is sequels, prequels, and remakes, while your grandparent's idea of Cool remains Cool: THE LOST BOYS.
And -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Producer, Director Chad Archibald (DESPERATE SOULS, PSYCHO WARD, CREEPY CANADA [TV], PARANORMAL PORTALS [TV], DEAD GENESIS, IF A TREE FALLS, NEVERLOST, KILL, IN THE HOUSE OF FLIES, ANTISOCIAL [all], SEPTIC MAN, THE DROWNSMAN, EJECTA, HELLMOUTH, BITE, THE SUBLET, THE DWELLING, LET HER OUT, THE HERETICS, I'LL TAKE YOUR DEAD, THE OAK ROOM, VICIOUS FUN, DEATH VALLEY [2021]) is 43.
Actor Michael Biehn (THE FAN, THE LORDS OF DISCIPLINE, THE TERMINATOR, ALIENS, THE SEVENTH SIGN, RAMPAGE, THE ABYSS, TIMEBOMB, DEEP RED, JADE, CHERRY FALLS, MEGIDDO:
THE OMEGA CODE 2, BORDERLINE, THE INSATIABLE, GRINDHOUSE: PLANET TERROR, PSYCH: 9, THEY WAIT, BEREAVEMENT, THE DIVIDE, THE VICTIM, THE DARK FOREST, SUSHI GIRL, TREACHERY, THE NIGHT VISITOR, THE LEGEND OF DARKHORSE COUNTY, THE DARK FOREST, HIDDEN IN THE WOODS, THE SCORPION KING 4, THE GIRL, SHE RISES, THE NIGHT VISITOR 2, THE SHADOW EFFECT, KILLER WEEKEND, and more) is 65.
Michael shares his July birthday with fellow THE FAN alumni, Wesley Snipes.
Actor Dean Cain (FUTURESPORT, NO ALIBI, PHASE IV [2001], BOA, DARK DESCENT, DRAGON FIGHTER, OUT OF TIME, URBAN DECAY, MANEATER, FROST GIANT, FUTURESPORT, ABANDONED, KILL KATIE MALONE, THE DOG WHO SAVED HALLOWEEN, DIRTY LITTLE TRICK, THE APPEARING, THE BLACK HOLE [2016], DEADLY SANCTUARY, ILLICIT, THE INCANTATION [2018], 2050, PROLONGED EXPOSURE, THE ZOMBIE CLUB, THE SEVEN, 2050, R.I.A. OVERRIDE) is 57.
Look for his upcoming 2023, Thriller, CONDITION OF RETURN.
Dean shares his birthday with fellow FUTURESPORT alumni, Wesley Snipes.
Writer Chris M. Kinney (THE LUNACY MACHINE) is 51.
Writer J. K. Rowling (HARRY
POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE, HARRY
POTTER AND CHAMBER OF SECRETS, HARRY
POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN, HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF
FIRE, HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE, FANTASTIC BEASTS [all]) is 57.
J. K. Rowling shares a July birthday with her filmic Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliff.
Look for J.K.'s upcoming 2022 Thriller,
RETURN OF THE DARK.
Actor Wesley Snipes (THE FAN, U.S. MARSHALS, BLADE, FUTURESPORT, THE ART
OF WAR, BLADE II, LIBERTY STANDS STILL, BLADE
III, THE DETONATOR, GALLOWWALKER, THE RECALL, ARMED RESPONSE) is 61.
Actor Carel Struycken (THE PREY [1983], THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK, SERVANTS OF TWILIGHT, TWIN PEAKS [TV - 1990-1991], THE ADDAMS FAMILY, ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES, OBLIVION [all], MEN IN BLACK, I WOKE UP EARLY THE DAY I DIED, ADDAMS FAMILY REUNION, FATAL KISS, THE FALLEN ONES, REVAMPED, TROPHY HEADS, GERALD'S GAME, DOCTOR SLEEP, THE EDEN THEORY) is 75.
SUNDAY -
Writer, Actor Javier Botet (BENEATH STILL WATERS, REC, SEXYKILLER MORIRÁS POR ELLA, THE LAST CIRCUS, DIAMOND FLASH, MAMA, WITCHING AND BITCHING, MAGICAL GIRL, THE HORROR NETWORK VOL. 1, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR, THE CONJURING 2, DON'T KNOCK TWICE, THE INVISIBLE GUARDIAN, FREEHOLD, DEVIL'S GATE, THE MUMMY [2017] THE CRUCIFIXION [2017], HOSTILE [2017], IT [2017], INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY, SLENDER MAN, MARA, POLAROID, AMIGO, VENTAJAS DE VIAJAR EN TREN, HIS HOUSE, MALASAÑA: 32, THEM: COVENANT [TV], VOCES, HIS HOUSE, THE NEIGHBOR [TV]) is 46.
Look for Javier's upcoming 2023 Horror movie, Bram Stoker's LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER.
Writer, Producer, Director Chris Nolan (MEMENTO, INSOMNIA, BATMAN BEGINS, THE PRESTIGE, THE DARK KNIGHT, INCEPTION, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, INTERSTELLAR, TRANSENDENCE, TENET) is 53.
Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger (CONAN THE BARBARIAN, CONAN THE DESTROYER, THE TERMINATOR [all], PREDATOR, THE RUNNING MAN, TOTAL RECALL, END OF DAYS, THE 6TH DAY, MAGGIE, AFTERMATH) is 69.
Arnold shares July birthdays with his fellow actor from TOTAL RECALL, Ronny Cox, and director of the same film, Paul Verhoeven.
He also shares a July birthday with his director from END OF DAYS, Peter Hyams, and his producer from PREDATOR Joel Silver.
Did I mention that he also shares a July birthday with his TERMINATOR alumni, Michael Biehn?
Actor Hilary Swank (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, SOMETIMES THEY COME BACK...AGAIN, KOUNTERFEIT, THE GIFT, INSOMNIA, THE CORE, THE BLACK DAHLIA, THE REAPING, CONVICTION, THE RESIDENT, I AM MOTHER, THE HUNT, AWAY [TV], FATALE) is 48.
SATURDAY -
Writer John Paul Allen (GIFTED TRUST w/Alan M. Clark, MONKEY LOVE, PRETZEL LOGIC: TALES OF LOVE AND HORROR) is 69.
Writer Shaun Jeffrey (EVILUTION, VOYEURS OF DEATH, THE KULT, KILLERS, DEADFALL, FANGTOOTH) is 59.
Actor Stephen Dorff (THE GATE, INNOCENT LIES, BLOOD & WINE, CITY OF INDUSTRY, BLADE, CECIL B. DEMENTED, THE LAST MINUTE, FEAR DOT COM, COLD CREEK MANOR, ALONE IN THE DARK, BOTCHED / THIRTEEN, THE PASSAGE, IMMORTALS, CARJACKED, RITES OF PASSAGE, BRAKE, THE ICEMAN, THE MOTEL LIFE, ZAYTOUN, TOMORROW YOU'RE GONE, THE DEBT, JACKALS, LEATHERFACE [2017], DON'T GO, TRUE DETECTIVE [TV]) is 50.
Look for Stephen in the upcoming 2022 Thriller, THE PRICE WE PAY. And in 2023, KING OF THE KILLERS.
Also in 2023, AMERICA METAL and PARADISE CITY.
Actor Rachel Miner (CIRCADIAN RHYTHM, THE BLACK DAHLIA, PENNY DREADFUL, HIDE, CULT, TOOTH & NAIL, THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT 3: REVELATIONS, 51, REPLICAS, DARK AS DAY, SUPERNATURAL [TV], IN THEIR SKIN, FRANK THE BASTARD) is 43.
How in the world can your hit movie be the swan song of your giant studio? When you promote a hoax as the truth. The INSIDEOUS movies can get away with that today because we have an ever-expanding pool of Social Media made morons who make people rich and famous for such entertaining things like "Lick! Lick! Yum! Yum! I like air!"
Back in 1979, however, people didn't reward successful folks making fools of them - Erich Von Däniken somehow excepted.
Based On A True Story is pretty much everything THE AMITYVILLE HORROR had going for it.
And -
Tim Burton's PLANET OF THE APES is 22
20th Century Fox Studio Suit: "Hey, I've got an idea! Let's remake our PLANET OF THE APES FRANCHISE!"
Studio Head: "Ah... I've always wanted that to happen under my watch."
Suit: "I've heard! We'll have it be a SciFi Action movie! Heavy on the action!"
Head: "Great, great."
Suit: "And we'll have Tim Burton direct it!"
Head: "Wait. What? Tim's no action director. He is all dark and goth and comedy Horror and such."
Suit: "It will be good for him to get out of that rut! We'll force him to cut corners to get the movie out by an impossibly short production to release date window! This new paradigm will be watershed and revolutionary by making him think outside the box! Out of his comfort zone!"
Head: "Sounds like it will fail."
Suit: "Meh! If it does we'll blame him."
Head: "Hmm. You talked me into it!"
I don't know for a fact that this happened, but watching Tim Burton's PLANET OF THE APES 2001, it sure looks it.
Plus -
THE HOST is 16
I wasn't going to watch this movie. By which I mean I was going to watch it, but later. I put it in the disc player intending to get past the previews, get the movie queued up and pause it there while I did some other stuff. You can see where this is going, right?
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO - By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Cliff Curtis (DEEP RISING, VIRUS, BRINGING OUT THE DEAD, THE INSIDER, FRACTURE [2004], SPOOKED, THE FOUNTAIN, SUNSHINE, FRACTURE [2007], PUSH, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD [TV], THE MEG, DOCTOR SLEEP, REMINISCENCE) is 55.
Look for Curtis in the upcoming 2022 Thriller, AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER.
Actor Takako Fuji (JU-ON: THE CURSE, JU-ON: THE CURSE 2, THE GRUDGE, REINCARNATION, THE GRUDGE 2, GHOST IN THE SHELL: ARISE) is 51.
Takako shares a birthday with her JU-ON alumni, Director Takashi Shimizu.
Actor Blair Redford (THE OTHER SIDE, VOODOO MOON, DANCE OF THE DEAD, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL [2008], THE LYING GAME [TV], SiREN, THE GIFTED [TV], GOY) is 40.
Writer, Producer, Director, Takashi Shimizu (JU-ON: THE CURSE, JU-ON: THE CURSE 2, THE GRUDGE, MAREBITO, GRUDGE 2, GHOST VS. ALIEN 03, THE SHOCK LABYRINTH 3D, TORMENTED, FLIGHT 7500, NIGHTCRY [VG], A RAIN WOMAN, INNOCENT CURSE, HOWLING VILLAGE, SUICIDE FOREST VILLAGE, HOMONCULUS, OX-HEAD VILLAGE) is 51.
Have you ever had this experience? You're over at a friend's house and a movie is about to come on. Your friend asks if you've ever seen it before and you say no. But a few minutes into the film things start to look familiar and you realize, "Hey, I have seen this piece of crap! I just forgot."
If you just love DEEP BLUE SEA, you probably won't love our review.
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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Kate Beckinsale (ROYAL DECEIT, UNCOVERED, HAUNTED, BROKEDOWN PALACE, UNDERWORLD, VAN HELSING, UNDERWORLD: EVOLUTION, VACANCY, UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS, WHITEOUT, UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING, TOTAL RECALL [2012], STONEHEARST ASYLUM, ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING, UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS, THE DISAPPOINTMENTS ROOM, THE WIDOW [TV], JOLT, GUILTY PARTY [TV]) is 50.
Producer David Heyman (RAVENOUS, HARRY POTTER [all], TAKING LIVES, THRESHOLD [TV], I AM LEGEND, PAGE EIGHT, THE THIRTEENTH TALE, FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM [all], THE CAPTURE [TV], CLICKBAIT [TV], FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRET OF DUMBLEDORE, WHITE NOISE) is 62.
Actor Thomasin McKenzie (EXISTENCE, THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES, THE CUL DE SAC [TV],
THE CHANGEOVER, LOST GIRLS, OLD, LAST NIGHT IN SOHO, LIFE AFTER LIFE [TV], EILEEN) is 23.
Actor David Denman (ANGEL [TV], BIG FISH, WHEN A STRANGER CALLS [2006], THE NINES, TAKE, SHUTTER, FANBOYS, AFTER EARTH, THE GIFT [2015], OUTCAST [TV], BRIGHTBURN, GREENLAND, MARE OF EASTTOWN) is 48.
Actor Shantel VanSanten (THE OPEN DOOR, THE FINAL DESTINATION, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST [TV 2012-2016], THE MESSENGERS [TV], THE FLASH [TV], THE BOYS [TV], FOR ALL MANKIND [TV]) is 36.
Actor Michael C. Williams (THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, TWELVE CITY BLOCKS, ALTERED, THE OBJECTIVE, SATANIC HISPANICS) is 48.
It starts with the familiar Toho logo serenely glowing in sunny technicolor. But something is amiss, the proud orchestra intro sounds like a bunch of drunks still reeling from a night of Bob Dylan's "Everybody Must Get Stoned" parties.
This is how Toho Pictures chose to seriously address industrial pollution through their most popular, yet suffering heavy diminishing returns, franchise in GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH aka GODZILLA VS. THE SMOG MONSTER.
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DISTURBING BEHAVIOR Turns 25
A Science Fiction movie disguised as a Horror movie disguised as a High School movie and it all works?
Yes please!
Amazing how, 25 years later, people are still discovering this movie and wondering how they never heard of it before. If you haven't seen it, this is why you'll want to watch, DISTURBING BEHAVIOR.
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ORPHAN Turns 14
You haven't seen this? First remember that it's based on a real life criminal.
Then understand that despite that being true, if this was pure fiction, ORPHAN would remain with you for a long time.
Actor Daveigh Chase (DONNIE DARKO [all], SPIRITED AWAY, LILO & STITCH, SILENCE [2002], THE RING, KILLER CRUSH, WILD IN BLUE, JACK GOES HOME, AMERICAN ROMANCE) is 33.
Actor Summer Glau (FIREFLY [TV], SERENITY, MAMMOTH, THE INITIATION OF SARAH, THE 4400 [TV], TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES [TV], DOLLHOUSE [TV], DEADLY HONEYMOON, ALPHAS [TV], ARROW [TV], SEQUESTERED) is 41.
Writer, Producer, Actor Trevor Matthews (STILL LIFE, JACK BROOKS: MONSTER SLAYER, THE SHRINE, GIRL HOUSE, FIRST KILL) is 40.
Actor Elisabeth Moss (SUBURBAN COMMANDO, MIDNIGHT'S CHILD, ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN [1995], THE LAST SUPPER, SPIRIT [2001], TEMPTATION, THE MISSING, INVASION [TV],
THE ATTIC, THE ONE I LOVE, QUEEN OF EARTH, HIGH-RISE, TOP OF THE LAKE, LIGHT OF MY LIFE, THE HANDMAID'S TALE [TV], US, SHIRLEY, THE INVISIBLE MAN [2020], SHINING GIRLS [TV]) is 41.
Actor Anna Paquin (X-MEN [all], DARKNESS, TRICK R' TREAT, TRUE BLOOD [TV], OPEN HOUSE, SCREAM 4, X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, BELLEVUE [TV]) is 41.
SUNDAY -
Actor Charisma Carpenter (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER [TV], ANGEL [TV], CHARMED [TV], VERONICA MARS [TV], VOODOO MOON, THE EXPENDABLES [all], CRASH SITE, HAUNTED HIGH, THE LYING GAME [TV], BOUND, GIRL IN WOODS, MAIL ORDER MONSTER) is 53.
Actor Ronny Cox (THE MIND SNATCHERS, THE HAPPINESS CAGE, DELIVERANCE, THE CAR, GRAY LADY DOWN, THE BEAST WITHIN, ROBOCOP, TOTAL RECALL, CAPTAIN AMERICA [1990], SCISSORS, STARGATE SG-1 [TV], SPAWN [TV], INVASION AMERICA [TV], DEEP BLUE SEA, FREESPACE 2 [VG], Y2K, THE AGENCY [TV], CRAZY AS HELL, KILL ZONE, AGE OF DINOSAURS, BEYOND THE REACH, THE CAR: ROAD TO REVENGE) who is 85.
Look for Ronny in the upcoming 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Horror Thriller, DEMON STAR.
Ronny shares a July birthday with
his ROBOCOP and TOTAL RECALL director, Paul Verhoeven. Ronny shares movies as well as a birthday with...
Actor Eriq LaSalle (INFERNO INDIRETTA, JACOB'S LADDER, COLOR OF NIGHT, ONE
HOUR PHOTO, CRAZY AS HELL, INSIDE OUT, MEGAFAULT, BLACKOUT [TV], UNDER THE DOME [TV], LOGAN) is 61.
Actor Daniel Radcliffe (THE TAILOR
OF PANAMA, HARRY POTTER [all], THE WOMAN IN BLACK, KILL YOUR DARLINGS, HORNS, VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN, SWISS ARMY MAN, GUNS AKIMBO, ESCAPE FROM PRETORIA), is 34.
Actor, Producer Paul Wesley (WOLF LAKE [TV], FALLEN [TV], KILLER MOVIE, 24 [TV], THE VAMPIRE DIARIES [TV], TELL ME A STORY [TV], KILLER MOVIE: DIRECTOR'S CUT) is 41.
Look for Paul in the upcoming 2023 Horror Thriller, HISTORY OF EVIL.
SATURDAY -
Actor A.J. Cook (LASERHAWK, THE VIRGIN SUICIDES, THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE, WISHMASTER 3, RIPPER, THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR, FINAL DESTINATION 2, TRU CALLING [TV], BLOODSUCKERS, VANISHED, NIGHT SKIES, MOTHER'S DAY, WER) is 45.
Actor Willem Dafoe (WILD AT HEART, eXistenZ, AMERICAN PSYCHO, SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE, SPIDER-MAN [ALL], THE RECKONING, ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO, THE CLEARING, CONTROL, INSIDE MAN, THE WALKER, ANAMORPH, ANTICHRIST, DAYBREAKERS, CIRQUE DU FREAK, JOHN CARTER, ODD THOMAS, OUT OF THE FURNACE, JOHN WICK, SCULPT, DEATH NOTE [2017], MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS [2017], THE LIGHTHOUSE, SIBERIA, SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME, NIGHTMARE ALLEY, THE NORTHMAN, DEAD FOR A DOLLAR, INSIDE) is 67.
Look for Willem in the upcoming 2023 Thriller, POOR THINGS. And in 2024, AND, NOSFERATU, and BEETLEJUICE 2.
Actor Franka Potente (RUN, LOLA, RUN, ANATOMY, THE BOURNE IDENTITY, ANATOMY 2, I LOVE YOUR WORK, BLUEPRINT, THE BOURNE SUPREMACY, CREEP, SHANGHAI, AMERICAN HORROR STORY [TV], THE CONJURING 2, TABOO [TV], MUSE, BETWEEN WORLDS) is 49.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER Turns 12
1998's BLADE (New Line Cinema) was a smash hit. 2000's X-MEN (20th Century Fox) was a smash hit. 2002's SPIDER-MAN (Columbia Pictures/Sony) was a smash hit. 2002 was the same year that BLADE II came out and it was a bigger hit than the first BLADE. Suddenly Marvel had something they never had in their entire history: Two hit Marvel movies in the same year! The cinema age of Marvel was born and it needed to be nurtured.
The guiding light of Marvel Comics, Stan Lee, had a vision of a massive motion picture undertaking that would revolutionize cinema. It would bring all of his heroes under one tent, sharing the same universe. Except that he was out of his most popular heroes. They were all locked into their various studios who saw no need to cooperate with each other on a risky venture that had more to lose than it had to gain.
And what Stan did have? The Avengers was a poor selling group that was doing little (IRON MAN) to nothing (CAPTAIN AMERICA, THOR) in comics and nobody wanted them. It was all Stan had to work with so this is what he would refashion into...
It's a House! It's a Monster! It was wrote and produced by Dan Harmon and Rob Schrab (RICK AND MORTY)! If we just follow the template of white kids solving a neighborhood mystery why, we'll have a winner!
Right?
We were there, in the theater in 2006 when we saw MONSTER HOUSE.
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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor David Dastmalchian (THE DARK KNIGHT, HORSEMEN [2009], SUSHI GIRL, THE EMPLOYER, PRISONERS [2013], UNDER THE PYRAMID, THE BELKO EXPERIMENT, TWIN PEAKS [TV - 2017], ANT-MAN [all], BLADE RUNNER 2049, RELAXER, THE DOMESTICS, BIRD BOX, TEACHER, REPRISAL, FROM NOW [TV], BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN [TV], DUNE, THE SUICIDE SQUAD) is 44.
Look for David in the upcoming Horror Thriller for 2023, THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER. Also in 2023, NIGHT TERROR, BOSTON STRANGLER, and LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL.
Today's birthday boy has, among his 180+ credits, always worked as an actor without specifically adhering to any genre. That said, he remains the most recognizable by fans for his Horror Thriller work. Happy Birthday to
Actor Art Hindle (BLACK CHRISTMAS, THE CLONE MASTER, INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS [1978], David Cronenberg's THE BROOD, THE SURROGATE [1984], RAW COURAGE, KEPT, STRANDED [2002], OFFSPRING [2009], MONSTER BRAWL, DARK RISING: WARRIOR OF WORLDS [TV], HER EVIL TWIN, SICILIAN VAMPIRE, THE VOID [2016], HUNTER'S MOON [2019], ADAM'S TESTAMENT [TV], BEAST WITHIN, WOODLAND GREY) is 74.
Look for Art in the upcoming 2023 Thriller, TRADER.
Actor Adrienne King (FRIDAY THE 13th, FRIDAY THE 13th Part 2, PSYCHIC EXPERIMENT, ALL AMERICAN BULLY, THE BUTTERFLY ROOM, SILENT NIGHT BLOODY NIGHT: THE HOMECOMING, TALES OF POE, KILLER THERAPY) is 67.
Look for Adrienne in the upcoming 2021, 2022, 2023 Horror Thriller, THE DEAD GIRL IN APARTMENT 03.
Actor Jaime Murray (ANIMAL, THE DEATHS OF IAN STONE, BOTCHED, aka THIRTEEN, DEXTER [TV], DEMONS, DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND, RINGER [TV], FRIGHT NIGHT 2 [2013], WAREHOUSE 13 [TV], DEFIANCE [TV], THE NANNY, THE ORIGINALS [TV], GOTHAM [TV], CASTLEVANIA [TV - 2017]) is 46.
SFX Artist John Nelson (TERMINATOR 2, STAY TUNED, SO I MARRIED AN AXE MURDERER, WOLF, JOHNNY MNEMONIC, JUDGE DREDD, ANACONDA, EVOLUTION, THE MATRIX: RELOADED, THE MATRIX: REVOLUTIONS, I, ROBOT, IRON MAN, WORLD WAR Z, BLACKHAT, BLADE RUNNER 2049) is 69.
And let's be clear here. It's 2021 and audiences are still talking about the high bar that TERMINATOR 2 set with its fantastic yet believable Computer Graphics Images (CGI) that hold up 30 Years Later. John Nelson is the Computer Graphics Animator (at ILM at the time) who did that.
Actor Juno Temple (ATONEMENT, CRACKS, GLORIOUS 39, KABOOM, KILLER JOE, JACK AND DIANE, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, THE BRASS TEAPOT, MAGIC MAGIC, HORNS, MALEFICENT [all], SIN CITY: A DAME TO DIE FOR, UNSANE, MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL) is 33.
When you hear the name, you know the story. With that in mind, I'll assume that you guys are already up to speed regarding plot content, and will skip forward to what makes this DRACULA unique.
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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Josh Holloway (COLD HEART, SABERTOOTH, WHISPER, LOST [TV], MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL, PARANOIA, INTELLIGENCE [TV], COLONY [TV]) is 54.
Actor Camille Keaton (WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE?, TRAGIC CEREMONY, SEX OF THE WITCH, MADELAINE, ANATOMIA DI UN INCUBO, I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE, KUNG FU CANNIBALS, SAVAGE VENGEANCE, SELLA TURCICA, CHOP, THE BUTTERFLY ROOM, THE LORDS OF SALEM, BLOOD RIVER, PLAN 9, CABARET DIABOLIQUE, DEATH HOUSE, TERROR IN THE WOODS, CRY FOR THE BAD MAN, I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE: DEJA VU, CAMP TWILIGHT) is 73.
Camille shares a July birthday with her THE BUTTERFLY ROOM alumni, P.J. Soles and
Heather Langenkamp.
Look for Camille in the 2022, 2023 Horror Thrillers, THE DESECRATED ONES and CHRIST RISING.
Writer, Producer Roberto Orci (ALIAS [TV], EAGLE EYE, STAR TREK [2009], FRINGE [TV], COWBOYS & ALIENS, NOW YOU SEE ME, STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, ENDER'S GAME, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2, TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE [2015], SLEEPY HOLLOW [TV], THE MUMMY [2017]) is 50.
Actor Muse Watson (BLACK RAINBOW, THE HANDMAID'S TALE, I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER, ACTS OF BETRAYAL, IF I DIE BEFORE I WAKE, I STILL KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN 2: TEXAS BLOOD MONEY, HOLLYWOOD VAMPYR, SEASON OF THE HUNTED, DEAD BIRDS, FRANKENFISH, HOUSE OF GRIMM, THE PRESENCE, OF SILENCE, MEETING EVIL, THE DEAD ONES, THE LAST EXORCISM II, COMPOUND FRACTURE, SUBURBAN GOTHIC, DARK RESONANCE, VALLEY OF BONES, THE DEAD ONES, DIARY OF A LUNATIC [TV]) is 75.
The Right Place at the Right Time! Read my review of Peer Jackson's THE FRIGHTENERS.
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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor, Writer, Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa (FUJUSHU THE REVENGE KIENAI KIZUATO, GAKKÔ NO KAIDAN F, THE CURE, EYES OF THE SPIDER, GAKKÔ NO KAIDAN G, SEANCE, PULSE, GORE FROM OUTER SPACE, DOPPLEGANGER, KAZUO UMEZU'S HORROR THEATER: BUG'S HOUSE, LOFT, REINCARNATION, SAKEBI, SWEET HOME, THE GUARD FROM THE UNDERGROUND, DOOR 3, PENANCE [TV], OKARATU, REAL, CREEPY, SEVENTH CODE, DAGUERROTYPE, BEFORE WE VANISH, YOCHO: SANPO SURU SHINRYAKUSHA [TV], FOREBODING) is 58.
Cinematographer Matthew Libatique (PI, SATURN, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM, ABANDON, PHONE BOOTH, GOTHIKA, INSIDE MAN, THE FOUNTAIN, THE NUMBER 23, IRON MAN, IRON MAN 2, BLACK SWAN, COWBOYS & ALIENS, THE CIRCLE, MOTHER!, VENOM, DON'T WORRY DARLING) is 55.
Look for Matthew's upcoming Thriller, POSTCARD FROM EARTH.
Writer, Director, Producer, Hideo Nakata (CURSE, DEATH & SPIRIT, DON'T LOOK UP, RINGU, RINGU 2, SOTOHIRO, CHAOS [2000], DARK WATER [2002], THE RING TWO, KAIDAN, DEATH NOTE: L CHANGE THE WORLD, CHATROOM, THE INCITE MILL, THE COMPLEX, MONSTERZ, GHOST THEATER, STOLEN IDENTITY, THE WOMAN WHO KEEPS A MURDERER, SADAKO, STOLEN IDENTITY 2, STIGMATIZED PROPERTIES, USOGUI, SORE GA IRU MORI) is 56.
Actor Jared Padalecki (HOUSE OF WAX, CRY WOLF, FRIDAY THE 13TH [2009], SUPERNATURAL [TV], SUPERNATURAL [TV Animation], PHANTOM BOY) is 41.
Writer and Feo Amante alumni, Wrath James White (TERATOLOGIST [w/Ed Lee], SUCCULENT PREY, THE RESURRECTIONIST, SCABS, THE BOOK OF A THOUSAND SINS, YACCUB'S CURSE, POPULATION ZERO, SYMPATHETIC MAGIC, LIKE ORNO FOR PSYCHOS, PREY DRIVE, MASTER OF PAIN (W/Kristopher Rufty) is like 62 or something.
The overwhelming majority of ALIEN fans agree. There are only two good ALIEN movies. Dan O'Bannon, Ronald Shusett, H.R. Giger, and Ridley Scott's ALIEN, and this one from James Cameron and Stan Winston: ALIENS.
And -
33 Years of ARACHNOPHOBIA
By the late 1980s, Producer Frank Marshall (RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, POLTERGEIST, GREMLINS, WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT) was known as a successful, but difficult producer to please. He'd come to the set in the early morning while the crew was setting up, and tell the director that they didn't have the budget for the Big "X", so figure out a way to get all the shots done without it. Frank developed a frustrating style, saying, "My job is to put you inside a box every day. It's your job to get out of it." Directors began to murmer, "What does Frank know about directing, anyway?"
Then Frank directed the wildly successful ARACHNOPHOBIA. Then he followed that up with two more successes. Point proved, he went back to being a successful Producer (THE SIXTH SENSE, SIGNS, JURASSIC WORLD).
So here we are, 32 years later and still going strong. Who knew that Frank's goofy, off-the-cuff Creepy Crawly would have such long legs? /ARACHNOPHOBIA.
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15 Years of THE DARK KNIGHT
There's a good reason why BATMAN BEGINS and THE DARK KNIGHT are the two best Batman movies ever. It has nothing to do with the date of release and certainly nothing to do with the death of The Joker actor, Heath Ledger. His death prior to the movie's release makes this franchise tragic and bittersweet in memory, but adds nothing positive to why this movie is so great. This is why THE DARK KNIGHT excels.
Also -
13 Years of INCEPTION
Love it or hate it, what makes Christpher Nolan's INCEPTION so compelling?
This movie is one of the reasons why Science Fiction Horror movies of the 1980s are so revered. This was Director Paul Verhoven's high point and even never reached the bar he set again.
This is why, after nearly four decades, ROBOCOP remains one of the best Science Fiction Horror Thrillers ever made.
And -
EIGHT LEGGED FREAKS is Old Enough to Drink!
From the people who brought you the execreble box office bomb, GODZILLA (1998), comes another Big Horror movie filled with giant critters. Not Godzilla big but pretty damn big.
What's more, miracle of miracles, the damn thing ain't bad!
This was the essence of the marketing campaign for Producers Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich's EIGHT LEGGED FREAKS. We went in with lowered expectations and got our spirits lifted by the fun!
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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Heather Langenkamp (A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3, SHOCKER, NEW NIGHTMARE, THE BUTTERFLY ROOM, STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, HOME, TRUTH OR DARE, HELLRAISER: JUDGEMENT, PORTAL) is 58.
Heather shares a birthday with her THE BUTTERFLY ROOM alumni,
Actor P.J. Soles (BLOOD BATH, CARRIE, THE POSSESSED, HALLOWEEN, INNOCENT PREY, B.O.R.N., ALIENATOR, THE DEVIL'S REJECTS, MURDER ON THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD, DEATH BY ENGAGEMENT, DEAD CALLING, THE TOOTH FAIRY, MIL MASCARAS VS THE AZTEC MUMMY, PRANK, ALONE IN THE DARK II, BEG, ETERNAL, THE BUTTERFLY ROOM, GRINDSPLOITATION, HALLOWEEN [2018], KILLER THERAPY, HANUKKAH, CANDY CORN) is 72.
Actor Donald Sutherland (CASTLE OF THE LIVING DEAD, DR. TERROR'S HOUSE OF HORRORS, DIE! DIE! MY DARLING!, BLOOD RELATIVES, DON'T LOOK NOW, INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS [1978], EYE OF THE NEEDLE, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, THE PUPPET MASTERS, OUTBREAK, VIRUS, FINAL FANTASY, SALEM'S LOT [TV], AN AMERICAN HAUNTING, PUFFBALL, THE HUNGER GAMES [all], THE CALLING, AMERICAN HANGMAN, AD ASTRA, ALONE, and way more in mystery and suspense) is 88.
Look for Donald in the 2022 release of MR. HARRIGAN'S PHONE.
Actor Mike Vogel (THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE [2003], POSEIDON [2006], THE DEATHS OF IAN STONE, CLOVERFIELD, ACROSS THE HALL, OPEN GRAVES, BATES MOTEL [TV], UNDER THE DOME [TV], CHILDHOOD'S END [TV], SECRET OBSESSION, FANTASY ISLAND, COLLECTION) is 43.
SUNDAY -
Actor Tenika Davis (SAW VI, WRONG TURN 4, DEBUG, JUPITER'S LEGACY [TV], PERPETUAL MOTION) is 38.
Writer, Producer, Director Scott Derrickson (URBAN LEGENDS: FINAL CUT, HELLRAISER: INFERNO, THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL [2008], SINISTER, DEVIL'S KNOT, DELIVER US FROM EVIL, SINISTER 2, DOCTOR STRANGE [all], SNOWPIERCER [TV], BERMUDA, THE BLACK PHONE) is 57.
Actor Corey Feldman (TIME AFTER TIME, FRIDAY THE 13th PART IV: THE FINAL CHAPTER, GREMLINS, FRIDAY THE 13th PART V: A NEW BEGINNING, THE GOONIES, STAND BY ME, THE LOST BOYS, THE 'BURBS, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES [1990], STEPMONSTER, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES III, LIPSTICK CAMERA, A DANGEROUS PLACE, VOODOO [1995], TALES FROM THE CRYPT: BORDELLO OF BLOOD, EVIL OBSESSION, BORN BAD, LEGION [1998], STORM TROOPER [1998], CITIZEN TOXIE: THE TOXIC AVENGER IV, SEANCE, LOST BOYS: THE TRIBE, TERROR INSIDE, SPLATTER, LOST BOYS: THE THIRST, 6 DEGREES OF HELL, EXPOSURE, THE ZOMBIE KING, ZOMBEX, BODY HIGH, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES [TV - 2012 - 2017], THE SUNDAY NIGHT SLAUGHTER, AGE OF STONE AND SKY: THE SORCERER BEAST, 13 FANBOY, SUICIDE FOR BEGINNERS) is 52.
Corey shares a July birthday with TALES FROM THE CRYPT: BORDELLO OF BLOOD alumni, Producer Joel Silver.
Look for Corey's upcoming animated Horror Thriller, . Also in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 TALES FROM THE DEAD ZONE.
Actor Rosa Salazar (AMERICAN HORROR STORY, INSURGENT, MAZE RUNNER: SCORCH TRIALS, SUBMERGED, MAZE RUNNER: THE DEATH CURE, BIRD BOX, ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL, UNDONE [TV], BRAND NEW CHERRY FLAVOR [TV], CHARIOT) is 38.
Actor Ann Turkel (THE CASSANDRA CROSSING, GOLDEN RENDEZVOUS, RAVAGERS, DEATH RAY 2000, HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP [1980], MASSARATI AND THE BRAIN, MODESTY BLAISE, DEEP SPACE, THE FEAR, DEJA VU) is 77.
THE FLY is 65
Imagine being author James Clavell. You's a former World War II Prisoner of War. During your time in one of the worst Japanese prisons, and after the war, you immerse yourself in Asian history. You write one best selling historical novel after the next, brimming with fascinating historical accuracy and human drama so realistic it nearly sweats. Hollywood comes calling, offering you more money for a 90 page script than your publisher has paid you for writing whole novels that sell in the millions.
So Hollywood looks at your remarkable output and your new fanbase and what do they offer you?
Studio Suit: "Hey James, write us a script about a man who turns into a fly!"
J.C.: "You mean like some kind of modern Franz Kafka allegory?"
Studio Suit: "Do what? Look, do you want a paycheck or not?"
That may or may not be how THE FLY came into existence.
I, ROBOT is 19 Today
Don't call it Isaac Asimov's I, ROBOT. Asimov's collection of short stories has about as much to do with this movie as THE LAWNMOWER MAN had to do with Stephen King's short story.
However, in 2004 this movie was a turning point for Will Smith. One where he would act and interact with creatures, in this case "robots", that weren't there. And it wouldn't be one or two, there'd be mobs of cgi, hundreds of characters, months away from completion, and Will had to act, not against some mere background that wasn't there, but an entire cast that wasn't there, and all of them interacting, even fighting with him.
SATURDAY -
Writer Bill Hussey (THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY, THE ABSENCE) is 40.
Writer Christopher Golden (THIEF OF HEARTS, STRAIGHT ON TILL MORNING, PROWLERS, THE BORDERKIND, CRASHING PARADISE, BALTIMORE, SOULLESS, THE FERRYMAN, MIND THE GAP, WILDWOOD ROAD, DEATH'S EXCELLENT VACATION, WAKING NIGHTMARES, STRANGEWOOD, THE SEVEN WHISTLERS, and a lot more) is like 62 or something.
Actor Terry O'Quinn (SILVER BULLET, THE STEPFATHER [all], BLACK WIDOW, PIN, THE FORGOTTEN ONE, DELIVER THEM FROM EVIL [TV], THE ROCKETEER, AMITYVILLE: A NEW GENERATION, LIPSTICK CAMERA, SHADOW WARRIORS, SHADOW CONSPIRACY, THE X-FILES, MILLENIUM [TV], HARSH REALM [TV], ALIAS [TV], LOST [TV], 666 PARK AVENUE [TV], FALLING SKIES [TV], CASTLE ROCK [TV], EMERGENCE [TV], RESIDENT ALIEN [TV], PIECES OF HER [TV], and way more) is 71.
Terry shares a July birthday with the man who actually WROTE the STEPFATHER story, the late Donald E. Westlake.
Feo Note: This next actor isn't a genre actor. He's spent his career acting in any and every narrative form of fiction there is. Yet he is known almost exclusively for the one or more Horror Thrillers he made. HAPPY BIRTHDAYS TO -
Actor Judson Scott (STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN, V [TV], K-9000, BLADE, X-FILES [TV - 2016-2018], CHARMED [TV - 2002]) is 71.
IT CONQUERED THE WORLD Turns 67
For Roger, the problem was his ridiculous looking monster. And yes, that monster is goofball as all get out. But if Giger himself designed the monster the movie would still be bonehead inane! Read about the sublimely stupid fun of IT CONQUERED THE WORLD.
SHOCKWAVES is 46
Only going by what he saw on the set and the ability of the Director, Peter Cushing was certain that ALMOST HUMAN (aka SHOCKWAVES in the U.S.A.), and not Star Wars was the movie Peter thought was going to kill it at the box office in 1977.
As for all you folks who've never see it asking, "Yeah, but what about the movie itself?" Step inside to find out why you want to see THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT.
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X-MEN is 23
and was released this day (or May 15 if you were in the U.K. that year) in 2000. What BLADE proved - that even the minor Marvel Superheroes could have box office clout in the right hands - X-MEN solidified.
With a surprisingly outstanding story shared by first and only time screen writer, Executive Producer Tom DeSanto (APT PUPIL), second feature film script by Director Bryan Singer (APT PUPIL), and first script by David Hayter (THE SCORPION KING, THE WATCHMEN), direction by Bryan Singer, and two old A-List fogies at the top of their game, Patrick Stewart (EXCALIBER, STAR TREK FIRST CONTACT) Leader of the Good Mutants, and Ian McKellan (APT PUPIL, THE LORD OF THE RINGS [all], THE HOBBIT), leader of the No Good Mutants, 2000's X-MEN was nearly a guaranteed winner.
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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Jackie Earle Haley (DAMNATION ALLEY, GRAVEDALE HIGH [TV], DOLLMAN, MANIAC COP III, NEMESIS, ALL THE KING'S MEN, WATCHMEN, SHUTTER ISLAND, A NIGHTMARE ON ELMSTREET [2010], DARK SHADOWS [2012], PARKLAND, ROBOCOP [2014], THE EVIL WITHIN [VG], PREACHER [TV], THE DARK TOWER, ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL, DEATH OF A TELEMARKETER) is 62.
Look for Jackie in the 2023 Thriller, OUR MAN FROM JERSEY. And in 2024, THE METHOD.
Producer Joel Silver (WARRIORS, JEKYLL AND HYDE... TOGETHER AGAIN, LETHAL WEAPON [all], PREDATOR [all], DIE HARD [all], TALES FROM THE CRYPT [TV], DEMOLITION MAN, TALES FROM THE CRYPT: DEMON KNIGHT, CONSPIRACY THEORY, TALES FROM THE CRYPT: BORDELLO OF BLOOD, THE MATRIX [all], THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL [1999], THIR13EN GHOSTS, GHOST SHIP, GOTHIKA, HOUSE OF WAX, V FOR VENDETTA, THE REAPING, THE INVASION, RETURN TO THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, ORPHAN, WHITEOUT, THE HILLS RUN RED, SHERLOCK HOLMES, THE BOOK OF ELI, UNKNOWN, THE FACTORY, SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS, STASH HOUSE, THE APPARITION, THE FACTORY, BULLET TO THE HEAD, NON-STOP, VERONICA MARS [2014], COLLIDE [2016]) is 71.
Look for Joel's upcoming Horror Thriller for 2024, DARK MOON.
Actor Chase Williamson (JOHN DIES AT THE END, SPARKS, LACE CRATER, BEYOND THE GATES [2016], SiREN, SEQUENCE BREAK, VICTOR CROWLEY, BAD MATCH, DEAD NIGHT, CABARET OF THE DEAD, ALL THE CREATURES WERE STIRRING, ARTIK, GREENLIGHT, SCARE PACKAGE, LUCKY, THE JESSICA CABIN) who is 35.
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Harrison Ford (THE CONVERSATION, THE POSSESSED, APOCALYPSE NOW, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK [all], BLADE RUNNER [all], WITNESS, FRANTIC, PRESUMED INNOCENT, PATRIOT GAMES, THE FUGITIVE, CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER, WHAT LIES BENEATH, COWBOYS & ALIENS, ENDER'S GAME, PARANOIA, INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY) is 81.
Actor Colton Haynes (THE GATES [TV], TEEN WOLF [TV], ARROW [TV], ARROW: BLOOD RUSH [TV]) is 35.
Look for Colton in the 2023 Horror Thriller, TEEN WOLF: THE MOVIE.
Actor Al Santos (JEEPERS CREEPERS 2, MUSTANG SALLY, LOST SIGNAL, KILLER MOVIE, SPEED DEMONS, VAMPIRE RIDERZ, KILLER MOVIE: DIRECTOR'S CUT) who is 47.
Actor Patrick Stewart (EXCALIBER, DUNE, LIFEFORCE, DEATH TRAIN, THE CANTERVILLE GHOST, STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT, CONSPIRACY THEORY, MASTERMINDS, DAD SAVAGE, X-MEN [ALL], STAR TREK: NEMESIS, CHICKEN LITTLE, SINBAD: THE FIFTH VOYAGE, X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, GREEN ROOM, LOGAN, DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS) is 83.
I wasn't the one to write a review about something as flat and flavorless as Irwin Allen's VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA movie. Instead I left that to someone who appreciates the flick, like Kelly Parks.
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21 Years of REIGN OF FIRE
Scientists used to say that flying dragons could not exist. No flying creature could exist that was as big as an elephant. Impossible! It has to be magic!
Then we made a few new discoveries that added to the fossil record and changed minds Pretty Damn Quick.
That doesn't necessarily make 2002's REIGN OF FIRE a better movie, but it does make it a little more realistic.
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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO - By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Claudia Katz Minnick (SPIDER-MAN [all the Raimi], WAY OF THE VAMPIRE, THE BLACK DAHLIA, ALIEN ABDUCTION, FLIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, OUIJA) is 52.
Writer Michael Marano (DAWN SONG, STORIES FROM THE PLAGUE YEARS) is 57.
Actor Edwin Neal (THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE, FUTURE-KILL, KNIGHT RIDER 2000, WING COMMANDER II [VG], THE DIVINE ENFORCER, MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK, CRUSADER: NO REMORSE [VG], DEVILMAN LADY [TV], MURDER-SET-PIECES, MR. HELL, SATAN'S PLAYGROUND, SHUDDER, FORTUNE TELLER, IT CAME FROM TRALFAGAR, HOLY HELL, BUTCHER BOYS, DROPPING EVIL, HALLOWEEN: HARVEST OF SOULS 1985, KILL OR BE KILLED) is 78.
Look for Edwin in the upcoming 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 Horror Thriller,
THE MANGLED. Also in 2023, CANNIBAL COMEDIAN.
Writer, Producer, Jeffrey Reddick (FINAL DESTINATION [all], RETURN TO CABIN BY THE LAKE, TAMARA, DANTE'S COVE [TV], DAY OF THE DEAD [2008], DEAD AWAKE, THE FINAL WISH, MIDNIGHT TEXAS [TV], GOOD SAMARITAN, DON'T LOOK BACK, SOLO RESPIRA) is 54.
Actor Michelle Rodriguez (3A.M., GIRLFIGHT, RESIDENT EVIL, CONTROL, LOST [TV], AVATAR, MACHETE, BATTLE: LOS ANGELES, RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION, THE ASSIGNMENT, SHE DIES TOMORROW)
is 45.
HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX Turns 16
My reviewer, Shirley Muramoto, was a child when the Harry Potter books began in 1997. She was an adult when the Order of the Phoenix book came out in 2003.
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor, Writer, Director Tom Holland (THE INITIATION OF SARAH, THE BEAST WITHIN, THE CLASS OF 1984, PSYCHO II, CLOAK & DAGGER, SCREAM FOR HELP, FRIGHT NIGHT [1985], CHILD'S PLAY [1988], THE TEMP, THE LANGOLIERS [TV], THINNER, Masters of Horror: WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM, HATCHET II, TWISTED TALES [TV], TOM HOLLAND'S TWISTED TALES, DIGGING UP THE MARROW, ROCK PAPER SCISSORS, A PLACE AMONG THE DEAD) is 80.
Look for Tom in the upcoming 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 Horror Thriller, THE TAROT. And in 2024, ROBOT DRACULA.
Actor Stephen Lang (MANHUNTER, PROJECT X, GUILTY AS SIN, THE POSESSION OF MICHEAL D., AN OCCASIONAL HELL, SHADOW CONSPIRACY, A TOWN HAS TURNED TO DUST, AT THE MERCY OF A STRANGER, THE PROPOSAL, EYE SEE YOU, THE I INSIDE, AVATAR [both], TERRA NOVA [TV], PAWN, PIONEER, THE MONKEY'S PAW [2013], THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN, EXETER, ISOLATION, DON'T BREATHE [both], SALEM [TV], MORTAL ENGINES, VFW, THE SEVENTH DAY, THE OLD MAN) is 71.
Look for Stephen in a flurry of a slew of AVATAR sequels. And in 2023, MUZZLE. In 2024, HELLFIRE.
Actor Serinda Swan (BEYOND LOCH NESS, TRUST, DESPERATE ESCAPE, PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS: THE LIGHTNING THIEF, TRON: LEGACY, CREATURE [2011], BREAKOUT KINGS [TV], JINN, THE VEIL, INHUMANS [TV], CORONER [TV], REVENGE RIDE) is 39.
Actor Rachael Taylor (THE MYSTERY OF NATALIE WOOD, MAN-THING [2005], SEE NO EVIL, TRANSFORMERS, SHUTTER, DECEPTION, GHOST MACHINE, THE DARKEST HOUR, 666 PARK AVENUE [TV], THE LOFT, ARQ, GOLD, THE DEFENDERS [TV], WHITE ORCHID, JESSICA JONES [TV]) is 40.
This is what reviewer Kelly Parks saw when, as a young man, he sat in the theater and watched John Carpenter's ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK.
And -
MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME is 38
This is the story of how George Miller did the impossible: He was the first to make two Hollywood franchise sequels back to back into sure-fire hits. All three classics, all of them hits and nobody knew it was going to happen for sure until 1985's MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME.
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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO - By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer, Producer, Director Cary Joji Fukunaga (ON THE ICE, THUMPER, IT [2017], THE ALIENIST [TV], MANIAC [TV], TRUE DETECTIVE [TV]) is 45.
SUNDAY -
Writer Dean Koontz (Books: DEMON SEED, WATCHERS, PHANTOMS, INTENSITY, THE TAKING, CHASE, THE SILENT CORNER, DEVOTED, ELSEWHERE, THE OTHER EMILY, and more. Movies: DEMON SEED, WATCHERS, PHANTOMS, INTENSITY, TICKTOCK, THE FACE, VELOCITY, THE TAKING, ODD THOMAS) is 76 years old.
Think of those super cheapo, direct to video Albert Pyun SciFi Horror Thrillers of the 1980s & 1990s. Now think of the Nazi officer that appeared in so many of them. You're likely remembering today's birthday boy,
Actor Norbert Weisser (THE DEADLY TRIANGLE, John Carpenter's THE THING, ANDROID, RADIOACTIVE DREAMS, CITY LIMITS, FROM HOLLYWOOD TO DEADWOOD, THE SECRET OF THE ICE CAVE, MIDNIGHT CABARET, CAPTAIN AMERICA [1990], THE ROCKETEER, DECEIT [1992], ARCADE [1993], HEATSEEKER, NEMESIS 3, ADRENALIN: FEAR THE RUSH, OMEGA DOOM, NEMESIS 4, BLAST, SORCERERS [1998], TICKER, THE LEARNING CURVE, INFECTION [2005], COOL AIR, GEMINI DIVISION [TV], ANGELS & DEMONS, BEING KILLED, ABELAR: TALES OF AN ANCIENT EMPIRE, WOLFENSTEIN: THE NEW ORDER [VG], WOLFENSTEIN II: THE NEW COLOSSUS) is 77.
You see that? YOU SEE THAT? Nearly every damn day of the year there is some how, some way, some kind of John Carpenter reference movie!
SATURDAY -
Actor Kevin Bacon (FRIDAY THE 13th, THE DEMON MURDER CASE, CRIMINAL LAW, TREMORS, FLATLINERS, MURDER IN THE FIRST, SLEEPERS, WILD THINGS, STIR OF ECHOES, HOLLOW MAN, TRAPPED, MYSTIC RIVER, WHERE THE TRUTH LIES, THE AIR THAT I BREATHE, DEATH SENTENCE, SUPER, X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, THE FOLLOWING [TV], R.I.P.D., THE FOLLOWING, THE DARKNESS [2018], TREMORS [2018], YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT, SPACE ODDITY, THEY/THEM, ONE WAY) is 65.
Look for Kevin in the upcoming 2023 Horror Thriller, THE TOXIC AVENGER. Also in 2023, MAXXXINE.
Writer Mort Castle (CURSED BE THE CHILD, STRANGERS, KNOWING WHEN TO DIE, NEW MOON ON THE WATER, and a whole lotta short stories!) is 77.
SFX Make-Up Artist Glenn Hetrick (THE X-FILES [TV], BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER [TV], ANGEL [TV], KING OF THE ANTS, THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK, RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD: NECROPOLIS, PUMPKINHEAD: ASHES TO ASHES, PUMPKINHEAD: BLOOD FUED, CROSSING JORDAN [TV], LEGION, HEROES [TV], THE HUNGER GAMES [all], EXTANT, AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., INHUMANS [TV], MASKED MUTILATOR, THE BIRCH) is 51.
FRANKENSTEIN VS. BARAGON is 57
When it comes to Bonker-Ass-Cinema, Japan is second to none.
Even the grand and legendary Toho Pictures, nearly since its inception, built its reputation on being gonzo. The U.S.A. got to witness that first hand in 1966 with the American release of FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD.
PHANTASM II is 35
It was 1988, 10 years after the first PHANTASM, and before the Age of Internet, Don Coscarelli's sequel came flying at us Horror fans from out of nowhere. The trailer showed that a new actor replaced A. Michael Baldwin, as Mike. Well who was James LeGros?
Here is the mix, mess, and awesome of an Indie flick that went from Horror to Horror Action movie, PHANTASM II.
DARK WATER is old enough to vote
2005 was 18 years ago. How well did the Hollywoodized Jennifer Connolly version hold up against the original 2002 Japanese version?
This is how Douglas Lobo out of Brazil saw the U.S.A. version of DARK WATER.
THE DESCENT is 18
Director Neil Marshall came hot off of the surprise hit of his first feature film, DOG SOLDIERS. A Horror action movie and we went nuts! Three years later he released his second hit, THE DESCENT.
The Trailer was compelling! The poster was intriguing! For Science Fiction Horror movie fans, creature design by the artist who created the ALIEN, Hans Rudi Giger, was an irresistable draw!
At last on opening day, we excitedly sat there in the dark of the theater like so many hushed crickets, as the movie SPECIES was...
And -
SCARY MOVIE Turns 23
By 2000, Wes Craven brought Horror back big with his SCREAM franchise and everything from FINAL DESTINATION to THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT hit the screens like a tsunami! The minds behind In Living Color were there to rip on it. I was there in the theater to see the Wayan Brothers cut loose on SCARY MOVIE.
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PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST Turners 17
The first PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN movie took the Disney ride and turned it into an extension of Disney's Haunted Mansion. The Pirates were the undead: A revenant somewhere between a zombie and a ghost.
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Billy Campbell (THE ROCKETEER, Bram Stoker's DRACULA, OUT THERE, THE COLD EQUATIONS, MENNO'S MIND, MAX Q, THE 4400 [TV], SHARK [TV], METEOR [TV], THE DISAPPEARED, LIZZIE BORDEN TOOK AN AXE, THE SCRIBBLER, THE KILLING, HELIX [TV], MODUS [TV], CARDINAL [TV]) is 64.
Actor Shelly Duvall (THE SHINING, FRANKENWEENIE, AAAHH! REAL MONSTERS! [TV], NIGHTMARE CLASSICS [TV], SHADOW ZONE: My Teacher Ate My Homework [TV], TALE OF THE MUMMY, CASPER MEETS WENDY, BIG MONSTER ON CAMPUS, THE 4TH FLOOR) is 74.
Writer, Producer, Director Robert Eggers (THE WITCH, THE LIGHTHOUSE, THE NORTHMAN) is 50.
Actor Jorja Fox (HAPPY HELL NIGHT, HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN 1997, VELOCITY TRAP, MEMENTO, C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigations [TV], 3022, THE MAP OF TINY PERFECT THINGS) is 55.
Writer, Producer, Director Akiva Goldsman (THE CLIENT, SILENT FALL, BATMAN FOREVER, TIME TO KILL, BATMAN & ROBIN, LOST IN SPACE, DEEP BLUE SEA, PRACTICAL MAGIC, MINDHUNTERS, I, ROBOT, CONSTANTINE, POSEIDON, THE DA VINCI CODE, I AM LEGEND, ANGELS & DEMONS, JONAH HEX, FRINGE [TV], WINTER'S TALE, INSURGENT, THE 5TH WAVE, RINGS, STEPHANIE, THE DARK TOWER, DOCTOR SLEEP, STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS [TV], Stephen King's FIRESTARTER [2022]) is 61.
Actor Dylan Sprayberry (SHUFFLE, TEEN WOLF [TV], THE ROW, LIGHT AS A FEATHER [TV],
MALIBU HORROR STORY) is 25.
Look for Dylan in the 2023 Thriller, SICK. Also in 2023, BABY BLUE and TEEN WOLF: THE MOVIE.
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO - By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Linda Bella (FILTH TO ASHES FLESH TO DUST, ECSTASY, MONSTERS IN THE WOODS, DRACULA: REBORN, RATPOCALYPSE, DEVIL'S DOMAIN, TALES OF FRANKENSTEIN, STAINED) is 31.
Actor Eva Green (FRANKLYN, CRACKS, WOMB, PERFECT SENSE, DARK SHADOWS [2012], WHITE BIRD IN A BLIZZARD, SIN CITY 2: A DAME TO DIE FOR, 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE, PENNY DREADFUL [TV], MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN, BASED ON A TRUE STORY, EUPHORIA, THE LUMINARIES [TV], NOCEBO) is 43.
Another day another Roger Corman movie: the guy made hundreds.
By midlife, actor Ray Milland was steadily moving toward Science Fiction and Horror movies, as he craved originality in his work, and those genres were the only thing he saw that delivered that creativity. And boy did he throw himself into some doozies (THE MAN WITH THE X-RAY EYES, THE AMAZING TWO-HEADED TRANSPLANT, FROGS). That's what put him in the driver's seat as both Director and star actor in PANIC IN THE YEAR ZERO, one of two Horror movies he made with Roger Corman in 1962.
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HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Pruitt Taylor (ANGEL HEART, FEAR [1990], JACOB'S LADDER [1990], SWEET POISON, CHINA MOON, NATURAL BORN KILLERS, NIGHT SINS, THE END OF VIOLENCE, THE CELL, IDENTITY, TOUCHING EVIL [TV], CONSTANTINE, WHEN A MAN FALLS, CAPTIVITY, THE ECHO, DON MCKAY, MYSTERIOUS ISLAND [2010], DRIVE ANGRY, CREATURE [2011], ON THE INSIDE, BRAKE, DARK TOURIST, BROKEN BLOOD, TRUE BLOOD [TV], 13 SINS, THE MENTALIST [TV], THE DEVIL'S CANDY, HEROES REBORN [TV], AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., BIRD BOX) is 63.
Actor / Stuntman Brad Loree (THEM [1996], UNDERWORLD [1996], THE INVADER, FUTURESPORT, THE 13TH WARRIOR, QUARANTINE [2000], THE 6TH DAY, BONES, HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION, FINAL DESTINATION 2, HOUSE OF THE DEAD, DREAMCATCHER, X2, SCOOBY-DOO 2, THE KEEPER, X-MEN 3, WHITE NOISE 2: THE LIGHT, BATTLESTAR GALATICA: RAZOR, DEAD CALLING, MESSAGES DELETED, WATCHMEN, 2012, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON, FINAL STORM, TRON LEGACY, MR. HUSH, HALLOW POINT, THE DAY OF THE LIVING DEAD, THE BLACKBURN ASYLUM, CHILD'S PLAY [2019]) is 62.
Roger Corman's life story melds with influential Horror Writers like Richard Matheson and evergreen Horror movie icons like Vincent Price. What's more, because of his near complete Poe cycle, his cinema story is part of the posthumous works that are the legacy of Edgar Allen.
However, the main of Edgar's stories are little more than bite-sized. How to wring and bring an entire feature film out of Poe's short stories and poems?
Matheson and Corman chose a collection of stories to create TALES OF TERROR.
And -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Jason Liles (TO NEVER BE, DEATH NOTE [TV - 2017], RAMPAGE, THE CLINIC, GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS, STEREOSCOPE [TV], AFTERMATH, HELLRAISER [Hulu]) is 36.
Look for Jason in the upcoming 2024 Horror, STEREOSCOPE.
Actor Marti Matulis (LAND OF THE LOST, SHADOWS, THE APPARITION, AMERICAN HORROR STORY [TV], SLEEPY HOLLOW [TV], TEEN WOLF [TV], WESTWORLD [TV], STUDIO 666, EVIL [TV], SMILE, THE ERL KING) is 53.
This is how Cameron wowed theater audiences with TERMINATOR 2.
And -
MEN IN BLACK II Turns 23
Unfortunately not all directors know how to do sequels.
Like the mistakes Director Barry Sonnenfeld made with his sequel, ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES, his sequel to MEN IN BLACK suffered from the rehashing of the same jokes that worked so well the first time.
This is how a franchise that started off so well, stumbled and never recovered from MEN IN BLACK II.
Plus -
HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Tom Cruise (LEGENDS, INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE [all], EYES WIDE SHUT, VANILLA SKY, MINORITY REPORT, COLLATERAL, Stephen Spielberg's WAR OF THE WORLDS, JACK REACHER [all], OBLIVION, EDGE OF TOMORROW, THE MUMMY [2017]), who is 61.
Actor Shawnee Smith (THE BLOB, DESPERATE HOURS, THE STAND [TV], BOMBSHELL,
FACE OF EVIL, THE SHINING [TV], CARNIVAL OF SOULS, SAW [all], THE ISLAND, REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA, THE GRUDGE 3) is 53.
Writer / Director / Producer / Actor Michele Soavi (ALIEN 2 SULLA TERRA, CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD, ROSSO SANGUE, PSYCHO RIPPER, TENEBRE, A BLADE IN THE DARK, PHENOMENA, DEMONI, OPERA, LA MASCHERA DEL DEMONIO, THE BLACK CAT, DELIRIA, LA CHIESA, LA SETTA, DELLAMORTE DELLAMORE aka CEMETERY MAN, IL TESTIMONE, THE BROTHERS GRIMM, ROCCO SCHIAVONE [TV], THE LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS WITCH, MENTRE ERO VIA [TV]) is 64.
Actor Patrick Wilson (THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA [2004], HARD CANDY, BROTHERS THREE: AN AMERICAN GOTHIC, LAKEVIEW TERRACE, PASSENGERS, WATCHMEN, THE A-TEAM, INSIDEOUS [all], THE LEDGE, PROMETHEUS, THE CONJURING [all], SPACE STATION 76, ZIPPER, HOME SWEET HELL, BONE TOMAHAWK, THE COMMUTER, NIGHTMARE CINEMA, THE NUN, ANNABELLE COMES HOME, IN THE TALL GRASS, MOON FALL) is 49.
SUNDAY -
Actor Yancy Butler (SAVAGE WEEKEND, HARD TARGET, DROP ZONE, THE EX, RAVAGER, WITCHBLADE [TV], BASILISK: THE SERPENT KING, WOLVESBAYNE [TV], KICK-ASS, LAKE PLACID 3, RAGE OF THE YETI, SHARK WEEK, LAKE PLACID: THE FINAL CHAPTER, HANSEL & GRETEL GET BAKED, KICK-ASS 2, LAKE PLACID VS. ANACONDA, ZER0 TOLERANCE, DEATH RACE 2050, WITNESS PROTECTION [2017], AMERICAN CRIMINAL, INIT!ATION, BOOGEY-MAN, LAST CALL IN THE DOG HOUSE, DIARY OF A LUNATIC (TV), THE ACCURSED) who is 53.
Look for Yancy in the 2024 Thriller, A FAMILY'S FURY.
Actor Saul Rubinek (SANCTUARY OF FEAR, DEATH SHIP [1980], AGAINST ALL ODDS, THE SUICIDE MURDERS [TV], MURDER SEES THE LIGHT [TV], PRESCRIPTION FOR MURDER [TV], TRUE ROMANCE, PALE SAINTS, HOSTILE INTENT, 36 HOURS TO DIE [TV], THE GOLDEN SPIDERS [TV], THE BOOKFAIR MURDERS [TV], A NERO WOLFE MYSTERY [TV], SANTA'S SLAY, JULIA, JESSE STONE: NO REMORSE, WAREHOUSE 13 [TV], LEVERAGE [TV], HUNTERS [TV], CLOCK, [over 100 in all]) who is 74.
Actor Nancy Stephens (PANIC IN ECHO PARK, HALLOWEEN [1978], DEATH CAR ON THE FREEWAY, ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, HALLOWEEN II, EMPTY CRADLE, HALLOWEEN H20, HALLOWEEN KILLS) is 75.
Actor / Writer / Director / Producer Tim Sullivan (2001 MANIACS, HOOD OF HORROR, DRIFTWOOD, 2001 MANIACS: FIELD OF SCREAMS, KILLED ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, CHILLERAMA, BLOODY, BLOODY, BIBLE CAMP, PAIN IS BEAUTIFUL) is 59.
Actor John Emmet Tracy (GALATEA, BENEATH [2007], AMERICAN MARY, FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC [2014], IF I STAY, THE SURFACE, GRACE: THE POSSESSION, OLYMPUS [TV], THE HOLLOW CHILD, DRONE, iZOMBIE [TV], BATWOMAN [TV], LITTLE FISH) is 44.
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Turns 37
Of all of the movies that got sequels though they didn't need one, there is BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA that never got one. But it could have been awesome!
MEN IN BLACK is 26
Director Barry Sonnenfeld, hot off the success of the Supernatural Horror comedy franchise, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, shot for a Science Fiction Horror comedy franchise with this movie.
And, well, you know how popular it became, but did you know this about MEN IN BLACK?
SATURDAY -
Actor Pamela Anderson (SNAPDRAGON, NAKED SOULS, BARB WIRE, SCARY MOVIE 3, STRIPPERELLA [TV], THE PEOPLE GARDEN, THE INSTITUTE) is 52.
Look for Pamela's upcoming 2023 Horror, 18 & OVER.
Writer Michael A. Baron (Comics: NEXUS, BADGER, THE PUNISHER, DEADMAN, KISS Vol. 3-4. Novels: WITCHBLADE: DEMONS, HELMET HEAD, WHACK JOB, BIKER) is 61 or something.
Writer, Director Mikael Håfström (VENDETTA, SKUGGORNAS HUS [TV], SJÄTTE DAGEN, EVIL, DROWNING GHOST, DERAILED, 1408, SHANGHAI, THE RITE, ESCAPE PLAN, BLOODLINE [TV], MOSCOW NOIR [TV], QUICK, OUTSIDE THE WIRE) is 62.
Look for Mikael's upcoming 2023 Thriller, SLINGSHOT.
Actor Dale Midkiff (STREETWALKIN', NIGHTMARE WEEKEND, PET SEMETERY, PLYMOUTH, BLACKMAIL, TIME TRAX [TV], VISITORS OF THE NIGHT, THE CROW: SALVATION, ALIEN FURY: COUNTDOWN TO INVASION, FALCON DOWN, ROUTE 666, NANCY DREW [2002], MAXIMUM VELOCITY, TORN APART, DEEP RESCUE, FLIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, 2012: DOOMSDAY [Asylum], HELL'S KITTY) is 63.
Actor Sonoya Mizuno (VENUS IN EROS, EX MACHINA, ALLEYCATS, ANNIHILATION, THE DOMESTICS, MANIAC [TV], AMBITION, DEVS [TV], MEN) is 36.
Look for Sonoya in the 2022 Thriller, Game Of Thrones: HOUSE OF THE DRAGON.
Actor Hannah Murray (AGATHA CHRISTIE MARPLE: WHY DIDN'T THEY ASK EVANS?, ABOVE SUPICION 2 [TV], CHATROOM, WOMB, GAME OF THRONES [TV], DARK SHADOWS [2012], THE NUMBERS STATION, BRIGEND, THE CHOSEN [2016], THE EXPECTING [TV], SHADY PART OF ME [VG]) is 33.
Actor Liv Tyler (U-TURN, THE LORD OF THE RINGS [all], THE STRANGERS, THE INCREDIBLE HULK, SUPER, THE LEDGE, ROBOT & FRANK, AD ASTRA) is 45.
UNDEAD is 18 Today In The USA!
What in the Undead is UNDEAD? It's the Spierig Bros. first feature film! And if you've never seen it, this is why you should! UNDEAD.
E.C. McMullen Jr.
Author page at Amazon
(Amazon.com)
Listed at GoodReads
Internet Movie Database resume (IMDb.com),
Stage 32 listing (stage32.com),
Listed at Academia.edu and is a
19 year member of the San Diego Comic Convention (SDCC).
Wikipedia 1, 2, 3, 4 Starbucks Cup #118
E.C. McMullen Jr. / Feo Amante is quoted throughout the Internet and print as a resource on,
