Halloween Hootenanny Tour!

It's that time of the year.

With August right around the corner, it's time to start getting into a Halloween frame of mind. Right about now is when I begin thinking about our annual Halloween poem - what I want it to say; in what new direction I want to take it. I saved the above poem from a blog post awhile back by Pumpkinrot. It struck a chord with me, and the more I read it, the more I think this is the theme I want to go with: an old fashioned All Hallow's Eve - a throwback of sorts - a poem (and invite) that is rich with nostalgia and reminiscent of those classic Halloween images that are 'vintage' to our youth, but easily recalled by the rest of us old-timers.

Vintage Hallowe'en.

I like the sound of that...

The Fog

Picked up this classic DVD for $2.00 at a Movie Gallery that is going out of business. The slip case was a little battered and worn, but it suggested to me that this movie had a lot of views - scaring the daylights out of scores of people. Put it in a new case and now it looks like brand new. Can't wait to give this one a watch... it's been a long time since I visited Antonio Bay!

Shark Repellant

Just picked up BATMAN: THE MOVIE on DVD at Half Price Books for $4 - and I never would have guessed the impact it would make on my kids, although remembering my infatuation with the series, I should have known better...

My daughter is in that blissfully innocent stage where she wholly, completely believes - with no questions asked whatsoever - that Adam West IS, and always will be: The Batman. Granted, she's too young to see the grown-up Tim Burton Batman movies, not to mention Christopher Nolan's pair of classics. I cherish this time in her life - for Adam West will cease to be 'the man' for many years once she figures out the difference between camp and cool.

Destroyer

PHILADELPHIA - A 1971 painting by fantasy artist Frank Frazetta has sold for $1.5 million, two months after the Pennsylvania artist's death. Frazetta's managers call it the highest price ever for a work by the artist, who died in Florida in May. His illustrations of Conan the Barbarian, Tarzan and other characters often graced comic books, album covers and movie posters.

http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/ap-conan-painting-sold.html

Century Mark

100 days and counting...

The Walking Dead

Any die-hard horror fan can tell you all about AMC's upcoming THE WALKING DEAD. Based on the comic by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore, brought to your television courtesy of the legendary Frank Darabont, and lapped up by zombie-ites everywhere! And now, here's your chance to get in on the bloody fun! AMC is holding a contest in which you can win a walk-on (or should we say 'shuffle-on') part in The Walking Dead: Season 2! Follow the link below to check it out!

http://sweeps.amctv.com/thewalkingdead/

GHI

Just got back from a much needed vacation - sorry for the delay in posts lately. For those needing a fix of their favorite paranormal program, check it out...

First cousin to the original ghost busting show GHOST HUNTERS, our friends at Ghost Hunters International return tomorrow night with a brand new season of thrills! Check it out on Syfy!

http://www.syfy.com/ghosthunters/

No Deals, Mr. Bond

Pardon my vulgarity, but it just plain sucks to see Daniel Craig, arguably the greatest Bond of all time, go the way of Timothy Dalton (a highly underrated 007 in my opinion): two films and out due to legal wrangling that dragged on for years.

From Commanderbond.net:

Reports that the 23rd James Bond film is in development purgatory have flared up again in the UK press this week after the Daily Mirror ran a story claiming the film’s production staff have been notified its development is suspended.

Eon Productions announced in April that Bond 23 had been “delayed indefinitely” thanks to MGM’s ongoing financial woes.

This week, the Daily Mirror quoted an alleged insider on the production who told the paper, “Members of the production crew have been told the Bond film has been canned. There is a lot of bad feeling as a lot of time, money and hard work has already gone into this.”

An Eon spokesperson told the paper, “We do not know when development will resume and cannot comment further at this stage.”

Last June, it was reported that director Sam Mendes – whose involvement in Bond 23 has not been officially announced – remains committed to helming the next 007 picture.

The report has prompted other media outlets – including guardian.co.uk – to speculate over the future of the Bond film franchise. Given the unreliability of British tabloids, the Daily Mirror’s report ought to be taken with a grain of salt.

However, it remains clear that the uncertainty over MGM’s future is continuing keep Bond 23 from moving ahead. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the studio is set to seek a sixth extension on its debt and interest payments. The studio is expected to formally request the extension this week.

The trade paper reports that the studio is being pressured to sell its share of the rights to The Hobbit films. Studio executives are keen to retain the rights, but some lenders are pushing for them to be sold in a bid to raise capital.

The top bid for MGM – Warner Bros. with $1.5 billion – was rejected as being too low, but according to the Hollywood Reporter, the offer still stands.

http://www.commanderbond.net

Quote of the Day

"I have never met a vampire personally, but I don't know what might happen tomorrow."

--Bela Lugosi

Star Wars: In Concert

Went to STAR WARS: IN CONCERT last night at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. Before the show I was cursing George Lucas for fleecing me out of even more money. After the show I was singing his praises as a visionary genius. Well worth the money (but bring lots of it!)

By the way - I love the 501st and am glad they were able to get so many costumed characters to represent at the show - but are there not guidelines for characters to follow? Their Darth Vader - arguably the most popular character in fandom - was a little... how to put this nicely - he was a little 'big.' Everyone else looked great, but just because you have access to a Darth Vader Supreme Edition Costume shouldn't automatically give you the credentials to represent the Dark Lord of the Sith. I have nothing against large people - I love folks in all shapes and sizes - but you know the illusion is ruined when your six-year-old notices that Vader is looking 'kinda round.'

But that minor point aside - the production values of this amazing show, and the gallery of original props on display, make the ticket price a satisfactory investment. Take your kids - you won't regret it - and may the Force be with you!

Big Moon

Yesterday was the big day - pumpkin seeds were sowed in the garden! This year I'm going with only one variety - Big Moon seeds from the Livingston Seed Company. Here's the write up on the package:

Classic prize winner! Big Moon is a bright orange, fast-growing beauty that can reach weights of 200 pounds or more. Add to your garden for a dramatic fall decorating touch. The tender flesh can be used for baking. Remove all but one fruit from the vine to grow a larger pumpkin.

Only 120 more days to go until we'll be picking our beauties from their vines!

Wonder Woman

Apparently Wonder Woman is getting a makeover - and for fans of the super-icon, Linda Carter it ain't. I guess BatMan went through this same phase several years back, and his ugly re-imaging lasted only a year or so. Hopefully the same will be true for WW.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100701/en_nm/us_wonderwoman_3