Chadwick H. Saxelid's Blog: Ghoulies, Ghosties, and Long-Leggedy Beasties, page 8

The Man Who Could Cheat Death (1959) - Newspaper Ad

Oakland Tribune - August 21, 1959
Sandwiched between a Tarzan adventure (his greatest, it seems) and a Civil War period western sits The Man Who Could Cheat Death, a lesser known Hammer Film offering.

While it does not have the vibrancy of, say, The Curse of Frankenstein or Horror of Dracula, The Man Who Could Cheat Death nonetheless delivers an engaging story and is well worth seeking out.

Tarzan's Greatest Adventure was directed by John Guillerman, who I know as the director of The Towering Inferno (1974), King Kong (1976), King Kong Lives (1986), and Death on the Nile (1978). Future screen icon Sean Connery also appears in the film, as does character actor Niall MacGinnis, who I best remember from Curse of the Demon (1957), Jason and the Argonauts (1963), and Island of Terror (1966). I really need to seek this one out.

Edward Bernds helmed Quantrill's Raiders. Although Bernds might be best known for his work directing The Three Stooges short subjects, feature films, and television episodes, I know him best for directing Return of the Fly (1959). Bernds also directed a few science-fiction offerings that I have yet to get around to watching: World Without End (1956), Space Master X-7 (1958), and Queen of Outer Space (1958).

Alien (1979) - Trading Card #82

 

Godzilla: Monster Island Summer Camp - Review

While I was not the biggest fan of Godzilla's Revenge [Gojira Minira Gabara Ôru kaijû daishingeki, aka All Monsters Attack] growing up, I found that I warmed to it more and more after becoming a parent. So much so that I now consider that maligned black sheep entry in the Godzilla franchise to be something of an underrated movie. 
One that dares to acknowledge and even critique one of the most immutable rules of any and all fandom(s). "After a monster or villain, no matter how heinous or cruel, becomes popular enough, a version will emerge that will be a fierce protector/defender of puppies, kittens, and children."

Which is my rather long-winded explanation as to why, while browsing Things From Another World at the Universal City Walk, I took one look at Godzilla: Monster Island Summer Camp and, with a big grin and hearty chuckle, knew I had to read it.
Aspiring artist Zelda wants nothing more than to spend a summer at camp creating all manner of art while meeting and befriending many a like-minded camper and, maybe, future collaborator. Her hopes and dreams of an idyllic summer camp experience are dashed, though. After she arrives and learns that the camp's new owners have changed its focus from art to sports. Ugh...
After meeting her cabin mates Weezy and Rumiko, and asserting her independence from being forced to adhere to intense rounds of physical activity, Zelda discovers a portal that takes her to Monster Island.
That is where she meets Minilla (aka the Son of Godzilla) and learns that something is driving the other monsters on the island into violent fits of rage and destructive behavior. Something that just might be linked to clandestine activities being undertaken by the new owners of the summer camp, More Inc.
Six Shōwa era monsters appear in Monster Island Summer Camp, but only two of them have recognizable marquee names. Those are Godzilla, of course, and Mothra. The other three, not counting Minilla, will be familiar to anyone that, like me, grew up watching Godzilla's Revenge, or the films that it took most of its monster footage from, as well as the very first Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla (1974).
Although Monster Island Summer Camp stumbled a wee little bit during the final confrontation, it did not diminish the fun I was having the slightest bit. I smiled the moment Minilla appeared and kept smiling all the way to the very last panel.
When I closed the book and set it down, the only thought that came to mind was, "Damn, I wish I could go to Monster Island Summer Camp!"
There really cannot be any higher praise than that, right?

An American Werewolf in London (1981) - Newspaper Ad

San Francisco Examiner - August 20, 1981
 

Lady Death: Dark Alliance - Trading Card #12

Chastity's Challenge
Mister Mischief saw the lovely vampire Chastity as an easy target for himself and his partner Psychotica. Appearances can be very deceiving, as Mischief and Psychotica learned in Chastity: Crazytown. 

Space Raiders (1983) - Newspaper Ad

Oakland Tribune - August 19, 1983
While I did see Howard R. Cohen's feature film debut Saturday the 14th on the big screen, his second feature film, also made for Roger Corman, eluded me. Most likely because I was no longer living in the United States when it was plopped into theaters.

Judging from what little I have seen of Space Raiders, this looks to recycle a whole lot of special effects shots from Battle Beyond the Stars, intercutting it with new footage that looks to have been shot in a Southern California warehouse.

Alien (1979) - Trading Card #81

With Ripley trapped in the storage compartment the Alien turns its murderous fury on the sleep chamber containing Jones. Ripley, meantime, grasps a long metal rod and peels off the rubber tip... 

Godzilla 1985 (1985) - Promo

San Francisco Examiner - August 18, 1985
As nice as it would have been to see Godzilla 1985 on the big screen, I missed out. Nope, not until the release of Godzilla 2000 in 1999 would I see an actual Godzilla movie on the big screen since sitting, or suffering, through  Godzilla vs. Megalon , way back in 1976.

Yeah, I still do not count taking the day off to see 1998's Godzilla on its opening day as my seeing an actual Godzilla movie on the big screen.

Lady Death: Dark Alliance - Trading Card #11

Deadly Kitty
Catch most women in their underwear, and they're just about helpless. Not Bad Kitty - that's when she's at her deadliest. The prettiest roses always have the sharpest thorns. 

Hugh Jackman Live: From New York With Love - 1000 Piece Puzzle