Nick Cato's Blog, page 40

Raging Against the Machine-Things

THE HORRIBLES by Nathaniel Lambert (2010 Grindhouse Press / 114 pp. / tp)
After watching the gruesome murder of his parents by a strange creature, young Sheldon Delaney becomes an agoraphobic, afraid to go outside and encounter a similar fate.
Now, haunted by the ghosts of his parents and the continual threat of running into one of The Horribles, Shedlon is a work-at-home adult, his only friend a young neighbor named Evan. Their semi-peaceful existence turns around when their entire town recieves fliers announcing a family-fun motor parade. Sheldon knows this must be an elaborate attempt by The Horribles to get him out of the house...and despite his knowledge, he's forced to leave the safety of his home when the parade manages to kidnap all the children of Poe's Creek (including Evan) while killing all the adults; all the adults, with the exception of Sheldon.
THE HORRIBLES is a decent little horror yarn, although I couldn't see why Sheldon had become an agoraphobic; while his dad had been killed in their backyard, his mother was killed--right before his eyes--in the kitchen; why Shedlon felt safe inside OR outside is anyone's guess. But this secondary issue aside, Lambert's novella reads like a solid b-movie that manages to work, from the nifty half mechanical/half flesh creatures to the PSYCHOMANIA-esque motor cycle gang to the PINOCCHIO-type terror aimed at the town's youngsters. There's also a side-plot dealing with Sheldon and his shrink, bringing a couple other issues into question (is all this actually happening, and/or was Sheldon the one truly responsible for his parent's murders?).
Lambert's novella may be a tad off key, but horror fans will still enjoy the thrills and eat it up nice and quick.

Dragons invade the Hood...

KING MAKER: THE KNIGHTS OF BRETON COURT I by Maurice Broaddus (2010 Amgry Robot Books / 385 pp. / mmp)
I'm a SUCKER for gang-related tales, be it WEST SIDE STORY, THE WARRIORS (both Sol Yurick's grim 1965 novel as well as the campy 1979 film version) or 'hood-classics such as MENACE TO SOCIETY and COLORS. By taking something like MENACE TO SOCIETY and mixing it with the legend of King Arthur, Maurice Broaddus has delivered an addictive read that's all its own.
About 20 years after his father (Luther) is gunned down by neighborhood rivals, King James White comes on the scene in an ever-decaying, drug-ravaged Indianapolis. What makes King stand out from other street people is his desire to see his neighborhood come together, as well as his unusually mature demeanor. Guided by the mysterious, riddle-talking homeless man Merle (the same man who had been at Luther's ear during his reign), King's first story follows his struggle to see who can be trusted and who should be avoided. Broaddus has a large cast here, but as someone who grew up fascinated with Mario Puzo's over-stuffed GODFATHER novels, I became aquainted with the different crews and characters here quite quickly. And we get some real interesting hood-dwellers, especially as the supernatural elements unfold (one duo, Michaela and Marshall, often consume those who stand in their way, "DAWN OF THE DEAD" -style).
As the inner-city turmoil mounts, a nasty form of heroin hits the streets and leads to a climax that's as action packed as it is violently horrific. And while this is a gang-themed novel, the focus is on its individuals and how they react to what they see in their own groups as well as their enemies' (although I'm betting we'll see more from full gang-standpoints as the series continues).
As with any novel hosting a large cast, there's some characters introduced that I'd like to see more of: Detective Octavia Burke was raised in the 'hood, yet she's a street-smart, strong role model not only for the local women but to all who think there's no future. Hopefully we'll see a lot more of her (the manner in which she relates to her hard-headed, caucasian male partner provides some of the best and more thought-provoking dialogue in the book).
KING MAKER's strength is its ability to stay true-to-life even when the fantasy components come into play; the reader has enough time to get invested in the urban drama yet won't find anything goofy when dragons, cannibals, and mystics are hinted at and eventually encountered.
Needless to say, I'm looking forward to where Broaddus goes from here (this Angry Robot edition also features the first three chapters of the next novel, and promises the next 2 novels will be released in 2011). Highly recommended.

If this is "Intestinal Horror" then I Want Some More!

NIGHT LIGHT by Chris Burgoyne (2010 / 269 pp. / tp)
A bunch of soldiers rape and massacre the locals of a small town in Indonesia. But their party abruptly ends when the soldiers quickly get picked off...leaving the final soldier to face a strange old woman and some kind of large insect on his own.
Flash forward to Dallas, Texas. Aiming to satisfy his faithful clientel, Sims (the owner of an adult video store called 'Night Light') not only sells the latest in adult videos and novelties, but also keeps a back room area dedicated to the more unusual titles. When a package arrives from Indonesia, he opens it to discover an unmarked video which contains footage of the above mentioned soldier rapes, as well as their graphic slaughter.
But the box also contains something else.
On the same night Sims opens this package, aging adult film star Tassie is on hand to sign her DVDs, and a couple of college girls trying to get into a sorority show up on a dare. Without warning, a trio of demons (led by a baby-eating floating-head, entrail-dragging witch) emerge from Sims' imported package and attack, first by possessing one of the college girls, then by going after the staff ans regulars. It seems no one can even get close to these things without becoming the vitcim of mind control.
Burgoyne's NIGHT LIGHT is a fine example of how a self-published novel can be done the right way: besides the pro-level prose, his trio of creepy creatures causing havock in a clasutrophobic setting works quite well, and most of his characters are memorable, including one guy who is immune to the demons for quite a clever reason, and the aforementioned porn star who the reader will truly care for as her back story is revealed among the ensuing chaos.
With buckets of gore, much suspense, and a satisfying conclusion, NIGHT LIGHT is a solid horror novel that should have little trouble finding its audience.

Curry's Fine Look at the Godfather of Gore

A TASTE OF BLOOD: THE FILMS OF HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS by Christopher Wayne Curry (1999 Creation Books / 256 pp. / tp) Back in 1983, I bought a book titled THE AMAZING HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS AND HIS WORLD OF EXPLOITATION FILMS by Daniel Krogh and John McCarty. And like a true sophomoric moron (I was actually in the 10th grade at the time), I couldn't resist--after several months of reading and re-reading it--cutting out the bloody, rare pictures to hang on my bedroom wall. YES, to this day I want to kill myself, but if the urge to own this book again ever over-takes me I can always order another one on amazon for under 25 bucks. MAN, the world did suck before the advent of household scanners... Enter author Christopher Wayne Curry, who in his introduction, who, unable to locate a copy of Daniel Krogh's book, ended up writing his own (he actually had contact with Krogh and even HE had given out his last extra copy). I'm assuming this was before Curry heard of online booksellers?--who knows? Either way, Curry's A TASTE OF BLOOD: THE FILMS OF HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS is a fine read for fans of the director who may not be able to find a copy of Krogh's 1983 treatment (although, again, I just saw 4 affordable copies on amazon!). While Curry's reviews and tid bits of Lewis' films aren't as in-depth as Krogh's, there's still plenty to be leanred by new comers, and what makes this title worth the moolah for those who read Kroghs book are the extras: There are six lengthy interviews with Lewis, producer David Friedman, actors Bill Rogers, Mal Arnold, and Hedda Lubin---plus one with author/filmmaker Daniel Krogh. Creation Book's extra-heavy paperstock makes the book feel like a doorstop, although the color picture reproductions on the cover and 8-page middle section are quite lousy (which, in a weird way, is fitting when compared to the quality of Lewis' films). This is easily a must-have for gorehounds and fans of classic exploitation cinema.

(Cover of Daniel Krogh's 1983 underground classic that inspired Curry's book)

Comic Geek Update #4

(The continuing chronicles of a re-born comic reader...)
CONAN THE CIMMERIAN's 24th issue (and next-to-last with this amazing, current team of writers and artists) finds Conan once again becoming head of the band of pirates, only this time one unruly member manages to knock Conan out...thankfully his female companion locates him and helps hack him free just as statute-creatures come to life and waste the swashbucklers. Conan and his girl are about to get off the ill-fated isle when the cover creature (see above) jumps out to stop them...next month's 25th issue will end THE CIMMERIAN's 2-year run, but 2 new series will start soon after (CONAN: ROAD OF KINGS and a re-launch of KING CONAN). With Dark Horse Comics, fans can expect nothing but the best treatment for our Crom-fearing friend. Meanwhile, DC's bi-weekly zombie superhero series BRIGHTEST DAY delivers a great, personal tale of Martian Manhunter (why he isn't the focus of the cover is anyone's guess, as the Firestorm saga only takes up a few pages). A wicked cliffhanger of an ending ensures BRIGHTEST DAY geeks will be back in 2 weeks without fail. While DC has countless other titles under the BRIGHTEST DAY banner, I've been forcing myself (for financial reasons) to stick with the main one, and so far I haven't been disappointed.

New Column up at CINEMA KNIFE FIGHT

JUST how badly can someone rip off Romero's 1979 classic DAWN OF THE DEAD? Read my latest column to find out: http://cinemaknifefight.com/2010/10/28/suburban-grindhouse-memories-night-of-the-zombies/

GARY NUMAN rocks NYC

When I heard GARY NUMAN (a.k.a. My all-time Favorite Artist) was returning to NYC to do a 30th anniversary tour for his classic album THE PLEASURE PRINCIPAL, I wasted no time getting V.I.P. tickets.

After a seemingly endless wait since learning about this tour, we arrived at the venue (The Best Buy Theater in Times Square) and were escorted to the sound board area where we watched the band do a sound check and perform 3 songs. Afterwards, about 24 other V.I.P. ticket holders were escorted to a private room where we were given tour t-shirts, a DVD, and a laminate guest pass. A few minutes later Gary walked into the room and spent a good 10-15 minutes talking and taking pictures with EACH person in the room (he told me his family may be moving to California soon). That a singer would take this much time for his fans right before a big gig is beyond cool.

After this surreal experience, we were let into the theater a few mins before the "regular" crowd, so my wife, daughter and myself were right in the first row. Opening band BOOM BOOM SATELLITES from Tokyo, Japan did a great set of techno/metal originals, and cult faves RASPUTINA did an interesting (albeit a bit long) set of cello-fueled tunes.

NUMAN's set opened with the instumental RANDOM, then they went into the entire PLEASURE PRINCIPAL album, barely missing a note. The only thing missed from the album was the use of the clap-trap, a digital percussion instrument used to create the famous "robo-smash" sound heard in most of the songs on this album, although the drummer did substitute the splash cymbal for it during CARS, M.E. and CONVERSATION. One of the 3 keyboardists also had a sound similar to it, but there's still no substitute for the clap-trap.

After the 1979 classics, Numan slid his keyboards out of the way and dove into his recent goth-metal originals such as HALO, JAGGED, and the show-stopper, HAUNTED. They also did the classics I DIE: YOU DIE and an amazing version of DOWN IN THE PARK. The 2 encores were ARE FRIENDS ELECTRIC? and A PRAYER FOR THE UNBORN, a track I was never too crazy about until seeing Numan's latest band just KILL it live.

Besides meeting the man himself, hearing CONVERSATION and ENGINEERS performed live was a dream come true for me; I was also surprised that ENGINEERS sounded just like the album, considering its strange marching drum beat and obscure background sounds.

Hopefully Gary will play the states more often if and when he moves here.

Me with Gary Numan @ the Best Buy Theater, NYC, 10-23-10For a boatload of pics taken at the show, visit my facebook album: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=295105&id=636878627&l=549b29b396

Now THIS is a sequel...sort-of

First thing's first: If you didn't like PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, chances are you're not going to like the sequel. I've been amazed at how many horror fans hated it, causing me to state in my review, "I think people forgot how to use their imaginations."
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2 actually takes place around the same time of Katie and Micah's ordeal in the first film (hence it acts as a prequel and a sequel). The story centers around Katie's sister, who is just home with a new baby boy. Along with her husband, step daughter, nanny, newborn son, and their pet German Shepherd, they become targets of the violent demon from part one, and a little more background is given as to what's making this thing tick.
There's plenty of jumps, scares, and spookiness going on (much in broad daylight, too), and I like how the film blends in perfectly with part one. I don't know if I would have enjoyed it as much had I not seen part one first, so if you haven't seen either I strongly recommend starting with the original (and if you're already a fan, I'm happy to say the ending is a PERFECT, totally unexpected creep-out).
While it's true that this can be looked at as more of the same as what came before it, it's also true that PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2 brings the goosebumps like few other sequels before it have.

CD's Special BENTLEY LITTLE Issue

Despite it's dated book reviews (including a look at Bentley Little's "new" novel--although a newer one has come out since), CEMETERY DANCE Issue #64 delivers the goods in a big way for you Bentley Little fans.
For Bentley fans who might have been disappointed with his latest novel, THE DISAPPEARANCE, there's 2 brand new shorts here that show the master back on track: 'The Wheel' is typical old-school Little, which is always welcome, while 'We' is an eerie, weird yarn that will satisfy the author's fans to no end. David B. Silva provides a fantastic interview (featuring a very rare picture of Little at one of his few book signings), while Mark Sieber's 'The Indispensable Bentley Little' gives new readers a fine place to start when choosing a Little novel. Steve Vernon provides an impressive list of Little's published short stories, while Kealan Patrick Burke gives a detailed review of Little's 2009 novel, HIS FATHER'S SON.
Other fiction includes excerpts from King's BLOCKADE BILLY and Brian James Freeman's THE PAINTED DARKNESS. More short fiction comes from Brian Knight, Shaun Jeffrey, Simon Strantzas, and the wonderfully spooky 'The Long Black Coat' by Benjamin Percy.
Although this is a Bentley Little special, my favorite story is the third (and final) installment of Douglas Clegg's novella 'The Innocents at the Museum of Antiquities.' I've waited (what seemed like) forever for this tale to conclude, and it was well worth the wait. Clegg writes with an elegance and style that's second to none, yet still manages to bring on the chills in this gothic, heart-breaking love story.
PLUS there's the usual, informative columns from Bev Vincent, Thomas F. Monteleone, Ed Gorman, and Michael Marano (plus several more) as well as several other articles.
Hopefully CEMETERY DANCE will be released on a more steady schedule, but for fiction this good we shouldn't complain!

Hardcore Horror & Bizarro Collide...

THE PLACE IN BETWEEN by Reverend Steven Rage (2010 LegumeMan Books / 229 pp. / tp)
The three stories presented here are tied to an apocalyptic underground community known as The Harbor (two take place post, while the title tale goes down before all hell breaks loose).
In 'Blood and Bubblegum,' we're introduced to some seriously strange characters who are involved in an ever-growing organic narcotics trade, including protagonist Juan and a fecal-demon that lives in his rectum. This is by far the weirdest entry here, and features a fresh look at vampirism.
'The Place In Between,' shows that a revenge story can be done in a fresh manner: Del's wife Luci is having an affair with her drug supplier, Sancho. Sancho and Luci eventually manage to get custody of the invalid Del, and Sancho uses this as payback time from their navy days (apparently Del had done something to ruin Sancho's career). The story becomes an extreme torture tale, one that made me wince a few times...but Del manages to turn the tables via a Faust-ish deal with a demon. Rage also gives another fresh spin here on ghosts, making this a perfect blend of hardcore horror and bizarro goodness.
In the final piece, 'Bad Notion, Traveling Potion,' we return to The Harbor and learn more about The Good Doctor (responsible for creating drugs and mutants) and his created servant, the scene-stealing hybrid man/chimp, Tugmunkee. This one was a bit of a chore to follow, but in the end Rage brings it all together. While some people in the bizarro community frown upon stories centered around drug use, this one works as the "tripping" scenes are just a side-note to the real weirdness.
THE PLACE IN BETWEEN is gross, disgusting, funny, horrific, and disturbing, yet at the same time it's quite entertaining. Rage writes with his conscience thrown out the window (that is, if he had one to begin with), yet unlike some more extreme stuff I've read, he actually knows how to WRITE a story around the grue. I'm keeping my eye on this guy as he truly lives up to his last name.