Kick Astro

Every once in a while at Drive-In of the Dead I'm fortunate enough to be able to get the geek out and do something really cool. Well, last week I had one of those moments where my inner fan-boy came out when I had the opportunity to interview the legendary cult director Ted V. Mikels. For those of you not in the know, Ted is one of the last living directors from the original grindhouse era of films from the 1960's. Responsible for such films as: Astro-Zombies, The Girl In The Gold Boots, The Doll Squad, The Corpse Grinders, and more - Ted has been steadily producing low budget/high entertainment cult films for almost 50 years!

It would be a huge understatement to say that I was honored and thrilled to be able to interview someone I admire so much. What's even better is when you talk to the guy and realize that he's just as cool in person as what you imagined him to be. A perfect gentleman and a real professional through and through, Ted is from the old school of film and his love for the cult genre is infectious.

If you haven't checked out any films by Ted V. Mikels, I encourage you to stop by his website and stream them on your computer (for the very affordable price of $2.00 per movie). They're a blast from the past and a groovy reminder of why we love movies in the first place.

http://www.tedvmikels.com

What Happens In Vegas

Just received an e-mail from ASTRO-ZOMBIES M4 producer Richard Lester in which he let drop a few interesting bits of info regarding legendary cult director Ted V. Mikels' latest Astro-Zombie movie. Here's what he had to say:

TVM Global Entertainment, in association with Blue Heron International Pictures, announced today that Ted V. Mikels' latest movie, Astro Zombies M4: Invaders from Cyberspace, is almost finished filming in Las Vegas. "We have three more scenes and a few pick-up shots to do here, and then we concentrate on second units in California, Oregon, Barcelona and Berlin," said Mikels from his Las Vegas studio. "Production in Florida, Tokyo, and New York City has been completed."

"I can assure you that the Astro Zombies are wreaking havoc and creating sheer terror throughout the world," said assistant director Gary Lester, who was in Las Vegas last week assisting Ted V. Mikels with principal cinematography. "Rumor has it that San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge will soon become a cinematic casualty." Only Ted V. Mikels knows, however, and he is not telling. "However, I will say that the people in California and Berlin better watch out," said Mikels. "They are in the direct path of an Astro Zombie invasion next month!"