Mark the Madman

Resurrecting the Rock Star Within

2006-02-12T10:38:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile, a long while, but I, the Madman, am finally back. If you haven't yet noticed I changed the title of this blog to "Mark the Madman" from "Mark the Movie Madman." The movie part was just too limiting.

So, it's been a while since the last post. Since then, I've begun contemplating starting a rock band. I've just finished playing a show with my parent's band, for the annual "Street Scenes" fundraiser. This is the 3rd year I've performed in this, and everytime, it leaves me desiring to put a band together of my own, playing "modern rock" as opposed to the 60's rock we perform at the show. It's been a long, long time since I was "officially" in a band and I think I'm way overdue.

First of all, I should preface by saying all of this is just for fun. I'm not looking to become "famous" or to preach some "message" in my music. I just want to have a good time playing good ol' rock n' roll. I'm also looking for a stable bunch of guys to do this with. Being that I'm a family man and all, I've got to keep all the rock n' roll antics at bay. This venture is purely and simply about performing. The fun stops when the lights go out.

So what kind of music am I thinking? Well, I guess it would be somewhere between The Rolling Stones and (new) INXS. I grew up on a steady diet of "hairbands" - Motley Crue, Poison, etc., so my guitar playing reflects that kind of energy and groove. I also want a frontman who can work the crowd like Mick Jagger. No "floor-watcher."

The time has come to ressurect the rock star within...

Witch's Night Out

2005-11-09T20:44:00.000-08:00

Yeah, it's true. Halloween is officially over. All we have left to remember the holiday are bags of stale Halloween candy and discount prices for Halloween merchandise in every local shopping mart. I hope your Halloween was good. Mine was so- so. Yeah, I had Fall festivity day and that was a blast...Sure, I ate a popcorn ball and loved it...Yeah, we went trick or treating, and that was fun...yet....for some reason, the Halloween spirit was seriously lacking this year. Maybe it's because we never had a "real" Halloween party. Who knows. At least I got to watch all of my favorite Halloween toons and movies. For me it's Garlfield's Halloween Adventure, The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, and Disney's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. When the kids go to bed I reach for the classics - Halloween and Halloween II. Ah, tis the season...

Speaking of classics...I finally found a Halloween cartoon I have been searching for, for years. It's called Witch's Night Out. It's one of those flicks I saw as a kid but was unable to find. Guess what, folks...I just watched it. Want the scoop? Grab a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy.

For the longest time now, the memory of a Halloween cartoon has been haunting me. It's one of those "I saw it when I was a kid but can't remember its name" cartoons that kept popping up in my mind. The last time I saw it, I had to be either 4 or 5 years old. I was at my grandparents house in Chicago, IL., gearing up for the infamous It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown broadcast on TV. Before good ol' Charlie came on, the network showed another Halloween cartoon. The only thing I remembered was that it was about a witch entering the bedroom of a couple of kids and taking them out for Halloween. I also remembered that the animation was crappy. Not much to go on when you're searching the net, I may add.

Anyhow, I just happened upon it on the net this passed weekend, and like most things "Halloween", I became obsessed with tracking it down. I found it for sale on Amazon.com, but the lowest price was $40! $40 for a 25 minute cartoon! A little steep, don't you think? So I tried ebay - One copy was found at a buy it now price of, get this, $75! Yikes! After further searching I found a seller selling a "taped from TV" version for $13. Remember, folks, this is a 25 minute cartoon with crappy animation. I just couldn't justify the purchase. Finally, I decided to join a cartoon themed message board. There, I found my answer, thanks to a "kind soul" who answered my blog - Why don't you check your local library? So I did. It wasn't available at my library but it was in the town over...and yes...I saw it! And it was...well...umm...disappointing.

First of all, the animation isn't just bad, but lazy bad. The animators decided to use only one color for each character except for the witch. That's bad. To sum it all up, the story is about a witch who visits a couple of kids on Halloween night, and turns them into monsters. They end up scaring all the town's folk before finally being transformed into their mono color human forms. There's really not much else to tell. Was it nostalgic? Well, sort of. Was it Halloweeny? Yeah, I'd say so. Was it worth $40? Absolutely not! Thank you, library! I am so glad I did not fork over the cash for this film!

All in all, I'm glad I saw it, but it's highly unlikely that I'd put this into the list of "must see" Halloween toons. Maybe every now and again I'll toss it in for chuckles. One thing for sure though, I can sleep easy now, no longer obsessing over Halloween...for now.

Happy Halloween - 9 days late,

-The Madman

Popcorn Balls

2005-10-09T16:37:00.000-07:00

The Madman has returned with more Halloween ramblings to spew forth. Today's topic, you guessed it, those wonderful treats you find in your goody basket after a night of Trick or Treating. The incredible, the inevitable, the definitive...Popcorn Ball. So sit back, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and enjoy today's ramblings.

For some bizarre reason, popcorn balls have been heavy on my mind lately. I don't quite understand why, considering I've never been a huge fan of them as a kid - I'd much rather find candy in my goody bag any day over a ball of popped corn - nonetheless, the popcorn ball was a standard item that I took for granted year after year, and now there seems to be a problem. Let me explain...

The first weekend of October, I decided to take a stroll through the Halloween section of my local Super Walmart in search of these little balls of joy. After a few minutes of poking around the aisles, there they were...but...there was something wrong. They were plain white! Could this be? As I searched through the cluttered files of my memory bank I specifically recalled them being available in different colors. Was I wrong to assume the manufacturers of these goodies dyed them to match the present holiday season?

I did not delay, I did what any normal Madman would do - I searched the web for information pertaining to the history of these beloved pieces of fall festivities, and to my utter shock, found NO info. regarding colored popcorn balls outside of personal recipes! ARGHHHHHHHH!

I was distressed to say the least. Was my memory misguiding me? I didn't know. And then, I came up with a possible conclusion to my dilemma - The popcorn balls I recalled as a child were "homemade" and not store bought. Yes, that had to be the answer! Homemade popcorn balls! The Madman has stabilized, and now I have a mission...Track down some recipes!!!!!!!!!

Halloween II

2005-09-25T15:48:00.000-07:00

The Madman is back! This time I want to discuss the sequel to the "best" horror movie ever made - Halloween II. So sit back, grab some hot cider, and enjoy...

Okay, where do I start. Let's see... Is it a good movie? Well, yes, kind of... Is it a worthy sequel to Halloween? Sure, I guess... Is it a guilty pleasure to be watched on Halloween night? Absolutely.

Halloween was an accidental masterpiece that succeeded in doing what it set out to do - scare the living daylights out of you! The mood, music, feel, mask, direction...all worked brilliantly, and the movie became an instant classic. Halloween II tries to recapture this "feel" and ultimately falls short. Even with its shortcomings, it's still an above average horror flick.

Halloween II begins right where we left off in the original - Michael is shot 6 times , falls from a balcony, and is now... gone. Where to, you may ask. To the Haddonfield Memorial Hospital, where Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) recovers from her run in with him in the original. Meanwhile, Dr. Loomis is still on the hunt, searching for his former patient to put an end to his killing spree once and for all.

So what's so good about this movie? First of all, a lot of original elements have returned - The filming location, the actors, the music (sort-of), and last but certainly not least...the mask. It really feels like a Halloween movie, which is why we went to see it in the first place, right? Having the original cast members return helped keep the film's continuity, securing the "feel" of the original.

It's hard to believe I have to mention this, but judging from the latter sequels, I do. The villain in this film actually resembles the one in the original. The Myers mask, an altered Captain Kirk mask, is his identity. The look is marvelously frightening, and I cannot understand why the filmmakers of the latter sequels chose to alter it. Go figure, huh?

The movie does have its' moments. There are some genuinely great scenes in this film, such as the scene when Michael's face appears from the darkness behind a hapless victim (reminiscent of the original). The "final chase" also comes to mind - Michael chases Laurie through the abandoned hospital corridors. Very creepy!

So what's wrong with this film, you may ask? The problem is simple - We see too much of Michael. In the original, Michael pops in and out of scenes and is never the sole focus but rather part of the background. In this film, he's everywhere, and the more we see him, the less scary he is. He's just some guy in a mask. Had they kept him in the shadows a little more, this film could've worked a little better. Nonetheless, it's still a great Halloween movie, and far superior than any of the crap sequels that followed.

The verdict? Halloween II is a pretty good movie and a great movie to watch on Halloween night!

Top 3 Halloween Cartoons of all Time!

2005-09-04T13:59:00.000-07:00

Less then two months away now until Halloween! What to do, what to do... The waiting is killing me! At least by writing these blogs I'm able to channel some of my Halloween-mania away from my poor wife who is probably beginning to loath this season by now, especially after nine years of marriage to the ultimate Halloween-freak. Maybe, there can sometimes be too much of a good thing... Nah!

Last time out, I the Movie Madman, shared my 5 fav. horror flicks of all times. This time, let's look at the other side of Halloween on the screen - Those time honored, highly-cherished, Halloween cartoons! The Top 3 Halloween Cartoons of all Time!

At Number 3 we have

GARFIELD'S HALLOWEEN SPECIAL

Recently, we picked this one up at the video store for the kids. As I watched it, I began to remember having seen it before. It was like being reacquainted with an old friend; So many good memories came flooding back! What a great cartoon! If you haven't seen it yet, it's about everyone's favorite fat cat trick or treating with the lovable yet mindless, Odie the dog, and their encounter with a group of pirate-ghosts. Only a select few toons are able to make it into my top 3 list of Halloween cartoons. They must pass certain criterias I use to judge their worthiness. First off, they must present quality Halloween atmosphere, and Garfield easily passes this test. Once the two mains are off and running we see nothing but dark skies, creepy costumes, and GHOSTS! We even get a creepy old man, and what could be better then that? Oh yeah, the ghosts!

Number 2 - It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

Do I really have to elaborate on this one? I mean, come on now... It's Peanuts! Everyone loves Peanuts! What child's Halloween could possibly be complete without a viewing of this lovable classic? I guess the next generation will never completely experience this like we did. Now a days, with DVD, there's really no reason to watch this film when it's aired on television like we used to have to do. There was a magic to that, you know...Having to wait until a certain day at a certain time to catch it. If you missed it, then it was boo hoo for you. Now, all you have to do is toss in the DVD and wham! You can even freeze-frame the darn thing if you like! I don't know, there was something special about having to watch it on TV at the same time as all your friends and neighbors.

Number 1 - Disney's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Man, I love this toon. What a gem! This short has all the magic that Disney is known for, and then some. Atmosphere? Atmosphere! Boy, does this film have Halloween atmosphere! Once Ichabod enters the forest...Nothing but the best! Trees that look like ghouls, with lightening bugs masquerading as eyes, headless shadows, owls creeping in the night, spiderwebs... Wow! This is the best interpretation of Washington Irving's classic tale I've ever seen - Way better then the Tim Burton monstrosity that came out a few years ago. If it's creepy toons you're looking for, then look no further. I only hope you don't lose your head trying to find it!

There you have it, friends. Now go and be scary!

Top 5 Horror Movies of all Time!

2005-08-30T17:47:00.000-07:00

Well friends, the season is finally upon us... well not really, but close enough! Soon the leaves will begin falling from the trees in their glorious new colors, the smell of burning leaves will resonate throughout the neightborhood, ghoulish decorations will pop up in windows everywhere, and the pumpkins will rise from their slumber in all of their orange, rotund delight! If you haven't guessed yet, I'm talking about fall! Yes, the best season of the year. The only season that gives you free reign to act creepy in public. Try walking around in the summertime donning your favorite halloween mask - It's just not the same. Trust me, I know these things.

For some reason the fall-bug always bites me towards the end of August, leaving me in a fall-festivity-frenzy, and I end up spending time counting the days 'til Halloween. Having said that, today's blog will be the begininng of an endless onslaught of Halloween-themed ramblings to help get this out of my system. As you may have guessed from the title of this blog, I will share my top 5 favorite horror movies of all time. After all, I am the Movie Madman. So sit back, grab a cup of joe and a piece of pumpkin pie, and enjoy...

At number 5 we have everyone's favorite fingernail spokesperson - Freddy Krueger, in

5. Wes Craven's "A Nightmare on Elm Street."

What a great flick this was and still is! It was an ingenious blend of horror and fantasy, a combination that made this film one of the most popular, not to mention original, horror films of all time. A killer who attacks his victims in their dreams, forcing them to stay awake to survive - a task which proves to be impossible, even for a young Johnny Depp, who ends up being eaten by his bed in a ghoulish nightmare scene. The movie was followed by several sequels that began favoring comedy to down-right scares. The wickedly frightening Freddy slowly evolved into a wisecracking killer. That's not to say some of the sequels weren't any good - personally, I recommend parts 3 and 4 - It's just that the scares never quite lived up to the original.

The dead have risen for number 4 in our list in the zombie flick that started it all -

4. Night of the Living Dead!

I just recently rented this one again and was utterly astonished as to how well this low budget, black and white, independent B- film held up to the test of time. This really is a frightening movie! No, I'm serious... it is. Just the simplicity of the film alone makes it scary - A few people trapped in an old farm house as zombies try to break in and eat them. I highly recommend this film to those who have not yet seen it. Just make sure you lock your doors first.

Oh, mother dear... Number 3 -

3. Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho

I am ashamed of myself. Who do I think I am. I actually had the gall to place this masterpiece at number 3? I should be stoned to death. As a matter of fact, I really have no business rating this film at all. Psycho is the magnum opus of horror movies - A true classic. Horror at its best! Enough said.

Rev up the saw for number 2 buzzzzzzzzzz -

2. The Texas Chain Saw Masscacre

What a friggin' movie! What a friggin' movie! What a... Yes friends, Chain Saw is a horror movie worthy enough of the number 2 spot - One that has truly left its blood-stained mark on the horror hall of fame, forever. This is probably one of the most unrelenting horror movies ever made, and I'm not kidding! You never get a rest while watching it - Once the scares begin, they don't stop! The story is simple - Ya see, five young adults on a drive through rural Texas, run out of gas and happen upon a family of cannibals. It's easy to guess what happens next; It's erasing the images from your head that's the hard part.

Ladies and gentlemen, it's now time to reveal the winner of the most coveted spot on the Movie Madman's list. It truly is a no-brainer... The number 1 horror movie of all time, according to the Movie Madman is...

HALLOWEEN

Few movies have made such a lasting impression as did this classic piece of modern day horror. This my friends, is a perfect movie. All t's are crossed, all i's are dotted. Every note played on the soundtrack, every scene of the masked killer stalking through the neighborhoods of Haddonfield, every scream bellowed by the young Jamie Lee Curtis, is pure filmmaking impeccability. This is how you make a horror movie, folks. Just the thought of the Myers mask appearing from within the darkness brings chills down my spine! I have made it a point to watch this film every Halloween night and will continue to do so as long as the pumpkins rise from their patches, as long as the leaves change into their new and glorious colors, as long as... you get the picture. If you've never seen this film on a cold, dark, Halloween night, then you my friend, have never truly experienced... Halloween.

King of the Bloggers

2005-08-01T17:07:00.000-07:00

Much of the time I spend on the internet is basically wasted time, looking-up useless information that really creates no discerning value for my life. Be it movie reviews, articles on old toys, bizarre nostalgic retro-information, you name it... I've wasted the time to find it, and it's always there, waiting to be found! Just when I thought I had seen it all, I have found the be all, end all of multi-media blogging! Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you...

X-Entertainment

This guy writes about everything, and I mean everything! From Kool-Aid to Nintendo, to cereal box toys to old 80's toy commercials, it's all there! So, if you're like me and enjoy reading about the forgotten pieces of pop culture, you will find this site to be a treasure chest. Just type in anything in his search box and everything will pop up! Also, his blogs are incredibly entertaining! A lot of wit and humor are spiced throughout. So sit back, grab a cup of joe, and CLICK HERE!

Wonka Returns

2005-07-27T17:46:00.000-07:00

Being that I am "THE" Movie Madman, it would probably be a good idea for me to discuss movies from time to time. Well folks, it's most certainly time. Summer is almost over, or at least half way, and all or most of the "anticipated" films have already come and gone. All of my personal must-sees (Revenge of the Sith, Batman Begins) have already been seen and nothing exciting seems to be floating on my radar screen. Therefore, I'll go ahead and discuss, or review, Tim Burton's remake of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

Okay, where should I start? How about the beginning, at least for me. I never read the book, which was the source material for this movie but I did see the original film starring Gene Wilder and a crew of homely-looking British actors. The original film was "pretty good" for what it was. It introduced me to the story when I was a child and constantly haunted my viewing of the new film. It inevitably created a concrete view of what to expect and how to expect it. It certainly tainted my viewing of the remake - I constantly compared the two in my head. So what's my conclusion? They both had their respective good and bad points. For the sake of time and effort, I will only discuss the new movie.

I've only seen the film once and to top it off, it was at a drive-in theatre. Quality was not exactly in play during my viewing, so some of the elaborate FX shots could not fully be appreciated. I may have well been watching the film with sunglasses on. Johnny Depp played the role of Willy Wonka, the eccentric candyman, and he did it, it would appear, with a certain "somebody" in mind. It was well publicized that Depp modeled his pirate character from "Pirates of the Caribbean" after the rugged Rolling Stone's guitarist, Keith Richards, so one could easily assume he did it again for this outing, this time using the characteristics of a pasty-faced billionaire who likes hanging-out with little kids. Who could it be? You guessed it, Whacko-Jacko. It is almost too obvious and a little too creepy, but... it works. He plays the role with just enough dark wit and humor that he actually makes it interesting. Depp's Wonka is certainly one of the high points of this film.

Another high point is Burton's vision. The man knows how to make a story interesting by filling it with visual candy (no pun intended,) lots of candy - colors galore and of course, snow. What is it about snow? Burton uses it often in his flicks (Batman Returns, Edward Scissorhands) and it always meets its expectations - making things seem magical.

Enough nicey nice. It's time for some real critiquing and there's certainly some things to critique in this film, mainly the beloved Oompa Loompas. What a friggin' let down they were! Man, these things were the stuff of legend in the original film and this time out, utter crap. They didn't even give us the classic Oompa Loompa theme song! Instead, we get unrecognizable, genre specific, melodies that I can't even remember. What gives? It's like remaking "Jaws" without the famous, duh, duh - duh, duh, theme. And what's with the one actor portrayal? What, they couldn't afford to hire multiple midgets? Thumbs down to the Oompas!

I hate to bring this up but I must. I know they did it this way in the original film and probably in the book also, but what's with the four grandparents sharing a bed? This is a kids film for crying out loud! If they had to go and change the Oompa's theme song, couldn't they have changed this ridiculous get-up? I mean, come on now? Who thought this crap up? Somebody needs to make up a little bed on the floor.

Well, all and all it was a pretty decent take on the original story, and it kept me interested long enough to endure sitting in a lawn chair outside the drive-in for two hours.

Strange Occurrence

2005-07-21T15:11:00.000-07:00

Something very, very WONDERFUL and strange has happened today. A "Wacky Wallwalker" was found in the confines of my home! How did such a strange happening occur? As of right now it remains a deep mystery to my wife and I, considering neither of us ordered any. Unfortunately, no clues were left behind. However, I do have some theories or shall we say suspicions. Let's dissect these, shall we...

Theory #1 - Supernatural occurrence? - Could it be that by merely thinking about these lost treasures I allowed one to be transported into my residence through supernatural means? Not likely.

Theory #2 - The Kids Had It? - Did my kids win one at a birthday party and bring it home without my knowledge? Possible, but unlikely considering they were interrogated quite well and seem to know nothing.

Theory #3 - Did I Order Them in My Sleep? - Very doubtful. I can't imagine myself turning on the PC and ordering items off the internet without my wife being awoken and slapping me in the head.

Theory #4 - Did Kelly and Michelle Somehow Sneak One into My Home? - Possible and Probable. The day they came over and I had to turn them away because of my illness, they may have been able to infiltrate my home when I went to get a piece of paper for Mish. Could they have tossed it in without my knowledge? My kids don't seem to remember such an act which makes it all the more mysterious.

Until the truth is discovered I will have to go with Theory #4 and enjoy the fun of throwing my newfound friend against our picture window. I even named him - Old Blue. He is officially a member of our family.

TOP SECRET!

2005-07-18T17:01:00.000-07:00

After many months of writing, I have reached the halfway point of my upcoming screenplay. Now, I need YOUR help to complete it! That's right, I am opening the story for comments and suggestions and would like your feedback! Unfortunately, I cannot reveal the story (It is Top Secret) - I can only share minor tidbits. Once the script is complete and I become a multi-billionaire, I will remember that it was all of you who helped make it possible. Shall we begin? We'll start with 4 simple questions.

Question 1

The story involves a mysterious forest. Should the forest incorporate UFO's or ghosts?

Question 2

The main character is 12 years old. Is he too young for a love interest?

Question 3

What is the scariest element of a dark forest?

Question 4

Share a real life mystery or legend you know of?

More to come...

Video Store Rantings

2005-07-15T21:38:00.000-07:00

I love the video store. It's a place to go to find half-way decent entertainment for a cheap price. Being a family man it has become increasingly difficult to find ways to entertain my wife and I. It's not like we can just get up and go out anytime we please - We have three kids. Therefore, the video store has become the be all, end all for many of our entertainment needs.

Way back when, we used to go to the local video store on almost a daily basis. At that time we had but one television channel, so renting movies became kind of a necessity. Whether it was the lovable "Barney" for our daughter, a drama for the wife, or a horror flick for Your's Truly, I was the one in charge of bringing home the movies, a job I prided myself in.

The local store owners, Sandy and Andy, knew me by my first name. They even allowed me to put movies on an account to pay at a later time. How cool is that! Unfortunately, they sold the business which left me no other choice then to patronize the corporate giants. Soon I was introduced to a fiendish concept called "late fees."

Selecting a good film has become a very daunting task. Unless it is a movie I desperately want to see or one I've already seen, I tend to turn up with crap. I don't get it! There are walls upon walls and aisles upon aisles of flicks, yet none worth the rental fee. It is because of this predicament, movies like the infamous "Basket Case" have made their way into my home. In case you're wondering, "Basket Case" is the story of a man who carries his detached, evil, midget, Siamese twin around in a basket with him. As you may have guessed, movies like this have demoted me from the lofty position of senior movie fetcher.

Oh well. Enough of my ranting and raving. I'm going to bed. Arghhh!!!

UPDATE regarding previous post

2005-07-13T18:58:00.000-07:00

The search is over! With some clever tactics and a few mouse clicks I have found the lost treasure. 144 octopi for only $9.95! Incredible!

http://www.jrousek.com/shop/SearchResults.asp?ProdStock=2094

Lost Treasures: Part I

2005-07-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

Greetings, everyone! Today, I'm going to switch gears and veer away from the usual discussions regarding movies and mayhem and share Part I of a three part study. I've dug deep into the lost treasures archive and have discovered an urban artifact lost somewhere between time and space. So please, pull up a seat, grab a cup of joe, and enjoy as we stroll down memory lane.

Journey back if you will, to a much simpler time -The year is 1980. and we are still several decades away from the miracles of the web and blogging. So what do people do in their spare time you may ask? The answer is simple -Throw small rubber octopi on windows and watch as they crawl down. I'm talking about "WACKY WALL WALKERS!"

If you were alive in the early 80's you should have some recollection of these modern day marvels. They were small, made of rubber, and came in different colors. When you tossed them against a wall or window they would miraculously appear to crawl down due to the sticky substance coating their bodies. You could spend hours watching them as they made their way down from point A to B, then simply toss them back up for another go round. True genius to say the least.

I was five years old when these strange creatures invaded my consciousness. I recall being introduced to the phenomenon by a fellow classmate. I was hooked instantaneously. My mom bought me a "yellow one" from the local grocery store and I spent the next few days watching my little octopus make his way down our picture window. I can still remember the smell that resonated from his little rubber body. Unfortunately, he became coated in a thick layer of dust and grime which desiccated his sticky outer-coating, greatly diminished his crawling abilities. I tried my best to wash him off but it only made matters worse.

Wacky Wall Walkers were made available through cereal box offers and vending machines and brought in over $80 MILLION! Quite an astonishing feat for such a simple toy. As far as I know they're no longer in production. Currently, I have made it my life's mission to hunt one down to add to my ever growing collection of childhood toys.

Well, there you have it, folks. Wacky Wall Walkers! I hope you enjoyed the first entry of this three part series. Stay tuned for Part II as we discuss more lost treasures of yesteryears.

The Legendary Svengoolie

2005-07-11T14:32:00.000-07:00

If you're not from the Chicagoland area then you've probably never heard of Svengoolie. He is a local television personality who hosts a show that features a catalog of B-movies, or better yet C-movies. His show is one of the last remaining vestiges for viewing cult-classics like "The Brain that wouldn't die, ""Devil Dog: The Hound from Hell" or the infamous "Attack of the Killer Shrews."

Sven began donning the make-up and top hat way back in the early 80's. Back then he was able to play monster movie classics like "Frankenstein" and "The Wolfman" before their usage cost went sky-high. I was a young kid when I first came across his show and instantly became a life-long fan.

Sven's antics, coming out of a coffin for each intro. and shielding himself against an onslaught of rubber chickens, make for some of the best late-night TV ever shown. He also performs little skits based upon the movies he shows that take advantage of their sheer ludicrousness. Sven is truly a modern day genius.

Sven can still be seen today every Saturday at 11:00 pm on channel 26 the U. This passed Saturday my wife came across his show while channel surfing and saw he was playing the bottom of the barrel D-movie "Shrunken Heads." Unfortunately, I was asleep at the time but I definitely know what I'll be watching next Saturday at 11pm! Sven Rules!

Check out Svengoolie on the web at http://www.svengoolieweb.com/

It's All About Gill

2005-06-28T16:29:00.000-07:00

In the fall of 1996 a little movie was released in theatres nationwide - To Gillian on her 37th Birthday. Its impact on the movie-going public can be summed up in one word - nonexistent. It barely made a blip on the Hollywood radar screen and quickly vanished into obscurity. If you were to ask someone if they've ever seen this film you are likely to get a response like, "to who on what?" or "I've never heard of that movie." Indeed the film was a cinematic flop in almost every way.

I was a newly-wed the year of its release and remember catching ads for the film on TV. During that time I was contemplating writing a story that appeared frighteningly similar to that of To Gillian... It was a story about a couple faced with the ultimate dividing wall known to man. Death. I was just beginning to learn the art of screenwriting and still trying to sharpen my chops. When my beloved wife read the synopsis she tried her best to keep a straight face. I knew then that love stories were probably not my genre. Either way it was the beginning of my newfound love, screenwriting.

Fast forward a few months - I'm at the video store when I happen upon To Gillian... I bring it home and view it for the first time. I'm hooked. The main character, David Lewis, spends his evenings living in fantasy land. Wow! What a concept! Being a writer, I certainly can relate to that. Although I enjoyed the film I could definitely see why it failed at the box office. It moved at a snail-rate and felt like a television drama. For a guy who considers The Texas Chainsaw Massacre to be an American classic it's hard to believe I actually enjoyed this so much. I even shared the film with friends. Fortunately, we have remained friends after the screening and I have learned my lesson. It's probably not a wise idea to show To Gillian... to those whose company you enjoy. It's not worth the gamble of losing their friendship.

The Gillian character is a free spirit who sees life as an adventure to be undertaken. Her presence is almost mythical. She also reveals a foolish side which is exemplified by her death (falling from atop a sail.) "Gillian, get down from there!" However, Gillian has become a metaphor for romance and adventure.

At the end of next month, a group of friends along with my wife and I will be partaking in our very first "To Gillian" party - an idea conceived after screening the film with great friends Kelly and Michelle. The party is modeled after the birthday celebration seen in the movie in honor of Gillian but for us all it will mean much, much more. It's about escaping the norms of life, romance, friendship, and fantasy with the dearest of friends. An event like this is made to bring friends closer as they share their time with each other. In other words, it's all about Gill.

By the way, the pic above was taken of me while I was watching the film. I hate watching her fall!

Halloween Masks

2005-06-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

Everyone who knows me, knows I love Halloween time! Something about it has always been special to me. Maybe it's because of my Uncle. He was really into collecting masks and "spooking-up" his house. He would even bring his extensive collection to our house and scare away neighborhood kids. For whatever reason I LOVE Halloween time. I even began hosting Haunted houses every year in my basement which has effectively become a time honored tradition. Every year I try and add to my collection of masks and ghouls. A couple of years ago I purchased my first "authentic-looking" Jason-style hockey mask. It was a bit pricey but well worth it. However, I have yet to claim the Holy Grail of Halloween masks - an authentic-looking Michael Myers mask. They average $200 plus dollars which is quite pricey for me but one day I will own one. When the leaves begin to change color and the smell of rising pumpkins fills the air I come alive. There's nothing like telling ghost stories around an autumn bonfire.

The pic above is a mask made from a mold of my head and face. My I sure am handsome!

Frank's Diner

2005-06-26T12:38:00.000-07:00

About two years ago after leaving writers group (something I'll explain another time) my friend Rod and I stopped off to chat about our latest screenplay when we stumbled upon this diner hidden-away in downtown Kenosha. It's called Frank's Diner and is the kind of diner I had always wanted to eat at yet never did - an old school diner complete with rotating stools. Unfortunately, it was closed that night. For some bizarre reason these kind of diners have always struck a nerve with me. I even had a dream about one which happens to be the basis of my new script. Anyhow, I finally got the chance to eat at Frank's Diner yesterday with my pal, Kelly and yes it was everything and more than I could have ever wanted. First of all, it had this real "classic" feel to it. It was certainly old and proud to be old. I am a sucker for old structures. I can't stand eating in brand new restaurants that look like they've just been drywalled the day before. There's no life in them. A diner is not just a place to eat but a place to socialize. It's the kind of place you take your first date to. It's a place to share ideas with others. it's a place to share you dreams and ambitions. It's also a place, when you're old, to gather with your buddies to reminisce about the days gone by. Over the years I am certain thousands of people have shared their lives, dreams, and ambitions over a hot cup of joe here. The atmosphere is so telling. Oh, by the way, the food was great! The sausages were bigger than expected and the eggs had just enough butter to satisfy. The coffee was typical for diner coffee and the atmosphere was a perfect 10. I even got to meet one of my favorite radio talk show hosts who happened to be there that morning. Now that I have found this hidden treasure it is time to share the wealth. I am planning my next visit with my daughter for a "Daddy/Daughter Breakfast."

If you're wondering, yes that photo up top is of me after being forced to leave Frank's Diner yesterday morning. All I wanted was another cup of joe. Arghhhhh!!!

WELCOME

2005-06-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

Greetings fellow earthlings. To start off with I must admit this is my very first time "blogging." My great friends Kelly and Michelle introduced me to this exciting medium. So where do I start? Let's see... How about an introduction to who I am and why I chose to "blog." I will begin with my new identity. From hence forth I shall be known as MARK the MOVIE MADMAN!!! Why the name you ask? The answer is simple. It's because I have a deep passion for film. I LOVE movies!!! I remember being awe struck as a wee-tot when my parents took me to the theatre to see films like The Empire Strikes Back, Indiana Jones, and other classics. I would always return home and instantly become Luke Skywalker trying to save Princess Leia from the Death Star detention block or Indiana Jones in search of the lost ark of the covenant. I would spend hours in my basement as Rocky training to win the title. Yes indeed, movies have always meant a lot to me. I always wanted to be part of the film industry. I enjoy writing and telling stories and sharing them with others. I remember writing my first script at the tender age of ten years-old and having the neighborhood kids act it out in my basement. About seven years ago I became an independent screenwriter and have since completed three scripts. I am currently working on my fourth which I will share once completed (and copyrighted.) That is all I have time to write about for now but just like Arnie, "I'll be back!"

P.S. Excuse the harshness of my pic. I was in a bad mood that day and the lighting wasn't very good.