Crowdsourcing is really hot now. It’s a way of getting lots of people to all donate small amounts of money to fund film projects (well, not just film, but that’s what I’m talking about here). Oftentimes, donors will receive perks like copies of the movie, shout-outs online, t-shirts, etc., in exchange for their donations.

I just threw a few bucks at an upcoming project that I really believe in, and think will be exceptionally cool. It’s called Way Down in Chinatown. It will have a very film noir feel, and will be very original.

Learn more about it, and support the project!

Here I go again, doing the solo-cast thing. I bring you: The Electric Chair.

In the wake of the abrupt — and rather unexpected — demise of The Weekly Horror Movie Podcast, there was a rush to keep me involved with the Horror Palace. Crazy. The rest of the crew of TWHMP formed Horror Metropolis (AKA The Bi-Weekly Horror Movie Podcast), and that left me to put on a show of my own. Again. It’s a lot of fun to do this one, as I’m focusing on bringing lots of different people onto the show — actors, directors, writers, musicians, podcasters, and so on.

Some day, when I’m old and depressed and need money really badly, I’m going to write a book about my podcasting “career.” Oh, the stories I have to tell.

But I digress from what I was originally intending this post to be about: telling you about The Electric Chair. The first episode went up last Sunday, and I had the opportunity to talk with actress/model Melanie Robel, who is very talented, and a great person. Every Sunday a new episode will be posted, and I’m having a blast talking with all sorts of great people.

Check out the show, and let me know what you think. I’m making every attempt to behave myself this time around.

I’m working on a standalone web site for the podcast, and I’ll keep you updated on that.

Here’s some important stuff to know.

The Electric Chair | official website | iTunes | RSS | Twitter | Facebook

This is a nice little zombie tale from the great nation of Australia. There’s a bit of strong language in this one.

I just stumbled across this little gem on Vimeo. Enjoy.

This morning I found out that the first zombie that ever scared me, giving me many sleepless nights when I was very young, has passed away. Bill Hinzman, 76, succumbed to his battle with cancer.

I’m very saddened by the news, and I’m glad that I met him and spoke to him on many occasions. I first met him in 2008, when he was the special guest for the promotion of the Eerie Horror Film Festival at the Millcreek Mall (first photo below). At that time I interviewed him for the Midnight Podcast, and was really impressed with how kind the man was.

Since then I’ve talked to him on many occasions, and he was always willing to hang out and talk. I always looked forward to seeing him.

The last time I encountered Mr. Hinzman was at Horror Realm 2010, and had to snap another photo with him because he was decked out in all his zombie glory (second photo below).

I’ll be watching Night of the Living Dead (1968) and Flesheater (1988) in his memory.

I have officially inherited The Weekly Horror Movie Podcast, and the first episode with me as lead host just dropped at Horror Palace.

Take a listen to it now.

Like I said on episode 12 of The Weekly Horror Movie Podcast, the most glorious head explosion that has ever graced film takes place toward the beginning of Scanners (1981).

What do you think? Obviously, you’re wrong if you disagree.

My friend Bryan Wolford at Freakwolf Productions just sent me some info about his newest short film, Myctophobia. They’re in the home stretch for their fundraising efforts, and he asked me to pass along this info. Take a minute to check it out, and help support Bryan’s work.

Read the press release (PDF, 619Kb)

I’ve been podcasting again. It’s an addiction that one doesn’t easily shake.

Since the demise of the Horror Jungle, I’ve been podcasting with a group of men that I love more than life itself. BillChete, Doc Shock, Terror Tovey, and Jay of the Dead are my fellow critics on The Weekly Horror Podcast. Each week we assign movies to each other to watch and critique, and our diverse backgrounds and tastes in horror makes for some great discussion (and arguments).

It’s part of the Horror Palace network, where many other wonderful horror podcasts reside.

And stay tuned for exciting announcements regarding the podcast! You’ll giggle like a little schoolgirl.

One of my favorite events of the year is the Eerie Horror Film Festival. Although it takes place over four days every October, I usually only have time to go for one day. This year I went on Saturday, and watched the first four blocks of movies they played, totalling 8 hours of shorts and features. Allow me to tell you a little bit about what I saw.

But before I start, I have a couple comments. First of all, I’ve never seen a truly bad movie at this festival. Sure, there were some I didn’t care for, but the quality is consistently excellent in the films chosen. Secondly, I was very tired the day I went. This definitely affected my experience of the features, since they were obviously longer.

Worm

UK | Directed by Ray Vernava | 11min

Very weird, very cool! It’s a surrreal fantasy horror piece . . . or something like that. This one is hard to explain, but well worth the watch. Watch the trailer.

Dead Friends

Canada | Directed by Stephen Martin | 11min

An original tale, for sure. I didn’t care for the makeup, but it involves a zombie (always a plus in my book) and some fun humor. Watch the trailer.

The Corridor

Canada | Directed by Evan Kelly | 99min

My first feature-length film of the day was a good one. It was a strange supernatural tale that for some reason kept reminding me of The Shining. But I kept falling asleep during this one — I’m not sure whether it was the movie, or my severe lack of sleep that caused this. I think I needed to pay more attention than I did to really get this movie. Watch the trailer.

Bad Moon Rising

Australia | Directed by Scott Hamilton | 8min

Awesome werewolf short, complete with a sweet transformation scene that reminded me of An American Werewolf in London. You gotta watch this 1-minute excerpt.

St. Christophorus: Roadkill

Germany | Directed by Gregor Erler | 26min

A faced-paced thriller about a guy who endures an extreme amount of pain after witnessing an accident on the road. I loved this one. Check out the official website, where you can watch the trailer (among other things).

Donner Pass

USA | Directed by Elise Robertson | 86min

I love a good cannibal movie, and this made me happy. It’s all based on the Donner Party, and the legends surrounding it. Great production value: acting, violence and gore effects were wonderful. Watch the trailer.

Mea Maxima Culpa

Canada | Directed by Eric Spoeth | 25min

Black and white and based on Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart, this short was very enjoyable. Good acting, and good expansion on the original story. Watch the trailer.

Augenblicke

Germany | Directed by Martin Bargiel | 19min

I think I was too tired for this one, as it was really surreal, having to do with blurring the edges of the real and the imagined. Too much for my tired mind to wrap around. I’m sure it was good. Watch the trailer.

The Black Box

USA | Directed by Jason Balas | 81min

I think I was so confused after Augenblicke that the disorientation spilled over into this movie. I guess it’s a post-apocalyptic, futuristic kind of thing, but I really have no idea. I need to try to watch this one again. Watch the trailer, and look for links on that page for other trailers for this movie.

The Living Want Me Dead

USA | Directed by Bill Palmer | 23min

This was my favorite short of the whole day! A man subjects himself to scientific tests for money, and consequently develops a condition in which he gives off a pheromone that causes people to turn into bloodthirsty killers. Brilliant and extremely enjoyable. Bravo! Watch the first scene and sneak peek.

The Millennium Bug

USA | Directed by Kenneth Cran | 98min

My favorite feature of the day! I was pleasantly surprised by this, as I had no idea what it was about. It’s New Years Eve 1999, and a family is headed into the mountains for a holiday getaway. They encounter inbred hillbillies, a cryptozoologist and an enormous creature that surfaces once every thousand years. All practical effects (“No CGI” was actually the movie’s mantra), which was pulled off masterfully. I liked this movie so much that I went out and bought it on DVD immediately, getting to meet the director. What a way to end the day! Go to the official website to watch the trailer and order your own DVD.