Well, the Oscars came and went, and I didn't watch much of the telecast this year.  I just can't take the self-congratulatory nature of it any more.  While I am glad that a film like "Argo" can win best picture, I think the fact that Ben Affleck was not nominated for best director demonstrates who ridiculous the Oscars, and all of the other awards shows really are.

Which brings me to the topic of this post.  We in the indie horror community are constantly bitching about how much Hollywood sucks.  How they keep feeding us with endless remakes, prequels, sequels, etc. and how they will never take a chance with a truly innovative film.  We make fun of "awards season" and how more attention is paid to what the stars are wearing than anything else. 

Then, I suddenly started wondering how many indie filmmakers were sitting at home watching the Oscars and bitching about it, but were secretly wishing that they were up there, nominated (and possibly winning) an Academy Award.  I know many, many indie filmmakers who don't give a rats ass about the Oscars, but I suspect that there are more out there than would care to admit that they wish they could be part of that scene.  Now, I can understand that to a degree.  After all, Hollywood studios are where the big budgets and resources are, and who wouldn't want access to that?  I am NOT a filmmaker, but even I can understand the allure to a degree.  I just thing people should be honest with themselves, that's all.  I also think there's nothing wrong with feeling this way.  Just because you want to be a part of bigger and better things doesn't mean you need to start trading in "indie cred."

On another note, there's something else we need to be honest about.  There's no shortage of awards in the indie horror industry.  There are dozens and dozens of film festivals throughout the year that showcase indie horror films, both short form and feature length.  Spending just 20 minutes on Google I was able to find no less than 30 festivals that are happening in 2013 just in the US alone, and I am sure there are a lot more.  They all give out awards.  Then there the online user surveys, magazine awards (Fangoria, Rue Morgue, etc.)  There's no shortage of awards of some kind to be found in the indie horror scene.

Hey Horror Nerd!  What's your point???

Good question!!  My point is two-fold.  One, how can we in the indie horror community make fun of Hollywood for patting themselves on the back, when we sometimes do the same thing, if on a much smaller scale?  Second, with so very many festivals and awards out there, at some point, doesn't it become 'diluted' to a degree?  If some new promoter starts a new festival and decides to hand out awards, after a while, does it even mean anything any more?

Don't get me wrong.  Everyone wants to be recognized for their work and their artistic achievements.  Hell, The Horror Nerd works in information technology in "real life" and our department won an award from IBM for our data warehouse design.  It was something we are very proud of.  There's absolutely nothing wrong for wanting to get your film in front of as many people as possible and to have that work recognized among your peers (and fans).  All I am saying is that is seems a little disingenuous to poke fun at Hollywood and then turn around and do the same thing.

Anyway, this is all just one Horror Nerd's humble opinion.  I am sure some people will agree, some won't, and some people will probably hate me for this post.  That's OK.  I stand by my policy of always expressing my honest opinion about things. 

The Horror Nerd

I have loved horror films since I was 8 years old.  It started with the Kaiju (giant monster) films that were shown on Saturday mornings in the NJ/NY metro area.  Then it was Chiller Theatre.  Then it was going to the movies with friends to be scared witless.  Over the years, my love of horror has just grown and grown, to the point where I now consider myself somewhat of a subject matter expert.  To be sure, there are many, many people who have forgotten more about horror films than I will ever know, but I still consider myself well versed on the subject, as opposed to most of the people who call themselves horror fans.

Up until about 15 years ago or so, I was probably part of the "mainstream" horror audience.  I went to the theater to see the latest horror release, and I wasn't too familiar with the independent horror scene.  As I started to host more "horror movie nights" at my house, and as I started to go to more and more conventions, my eyes were opened to what else was out there.  Namely, I discovered the independent horror scene. 

Wow, what I world it is!  I am astonished by how many creative, hard working people there are out there trying to make films that are something different, and something the true horror fan can enjoy.  People like Chris LaMartina, Evan Makrogiannis, Brian Weaver, Ti West, James Balsalmo, Alan Rowe Kelly, Bart Mastronardi, Debbie Rochon, Suzi Lorraine, Jimmyo and April Burril and many, many more.  Many of them are people that I have come to know personally, and I hope that anyone I missed mentioning by name doesn't kill me.  These are people that are out there trying to make films, mostly on shoestring budgets, so that we horror fans are not forced to swallow whatever current shitty remake, sequel, prequel or reimagining is currently festering in the theaters.

There are also events out there designed to promote indie horror.  One of the best is the Macabre Faire Film Festival, organized by my friends LC Macabre and Adam Ginsberg.  There are also the Buffalo Screams festival, Pollygrind, New York City Horror Film Festival and many, many more events designed to showcase these independent films.

Anyway, this brings brings me to my point.  Over the years I have heard a bazillion (yes, that's a number) people say that the "support indie horror", but what do they really mean by that?  Sadly, I think it's something that many of them say just so they can "fit in" among certain circles and so they don't have to admit that they just got back from seeing "Saw 26" or "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Revenge of Leatherface's Illegitimate Love Child".

On the rare occasion that a theater will actually show an unrated, independent horror film, there are usually never more than ten people in the theater with me.  I go to some film festivals and screenings, and I have also hosted my own screening events, and I am always shocked that there are not more people there.  Yes, yes, we all have lives and responsibilities, but if enough people can go out to the theater to ensure that the latest crappy remake does $45 million dollars, then aren't there 40 people who can attend an indie horror film screening? 

Oh, and my biggest pet peeve of all.  (Actually, it's more of a major psychotic hatred), which is downloading.  Whenever I see someone on Twitter or Facebook bragging about how they downloaded some indie horror film, I want to drive to their house and pull their beating heart out of their chest.  Well, maybe that's a little extreme, but I would help myself to whatever is in their fridge because that's what it is, stealing, period.  Don't give me some bullshit first amendment crap either.  If someone put time, effort and money into creating something and you download it for free, you're stealing.  Period.  End of Story.  You suck and you ought to crawl under a rock.  If you don't have $5-$10 to order a copy of the film or to purchase it at a convention then tough shit.  Times are tough for all of us.  Go and see it at a friend's house.

In any case, I think I have rambled about this long enough, but I am very passionate about this topic.  I have become very involved in the indie horror community, and I will do anything and everything to help and promote the friends that I have made there.

So, don't just say that you support indie horror.  GO OUT AND DO IT!

So, on Tuesday, February 12th I went to the premiere of a movie called "Kung Fu and Titties".  You may ask why in the world I would go to see such a film.  Well, for one thing, when you are friends with two beautiful actresses who happen to be in the film, and when one of them asks if you want to drive to the premiere together, you say YES, that's why!

Another reason is to simply support independent cinema and the filmmakers who work so hard to bring us movie that are outside of the mainstream.

In short, I had a blast at this premiere and I thoroughly enjoyed this film.  It is EXACTLY what it is supposed to be, which is absurdist humor at it's finest.  Director Joseph McConnell takes us on a ridiculous romp through a landscape populated with insane scenarios and equally insane characters, oh, and lots and lots of topless women!  I laughed so many times through the film that I lost count. The audience was laughing, cheering, clapping, etc. constantly, which is exactly why I would go so see a movie like this.

The lead actor, Sean Monlar, was hysterical as Richard Titties, a struggling MMA fighter who gets transported to an absurd dimension where he does battle with villain Zeefros, who captures and imprisons women for the sole purpose of making them dance while topless. (Nice work if you can get it). He also has a bizarre obsession with indie film darling Raine Brown, and I can't say I blame him. The lovely and talented Seregon O'Dassey stars as Richard's girlfriend, Cynthia, who is also captured by Zeefros and is forced to.....well, you'll just have to see the film when it's released digitally and on DVD!! Bronson Pinchot lends a familiar face to the cast as a mystical Indian providing advice to Richard Titties along the way.

As ridiculous as the premise of this film is, the amazing thing is that the filmmakers achieved exactly what they were aiming for.  There's nothing worse than a film that tries to play it straight and ends up being unintentionally hilarious.  No need to worry about that here!

In closing, this is the kind of movie that I actively seek out.  A movie where you can just check your brain at the door, and have a great time laughing your ass off.  Please be sure to check it out when it becomes available, and tell them that Todd, The Horror Nerd, sent you! 

Be sure to also check this blog in the future for an interview with the director!

"Kung Fu and Titties", by Joseph McConnell, starring Segeron O'Dassey, Raine Brown, Sean Molnar and John Archer Lundgren.

Wow.  As I write this I see that my last blog post was in September of 2012.  That is just sad and unacceptable.  For someone who is trying to promote their website, and to develop it as a tool to help independent filmmakers, that's just not right, and I really have no excuse.

It made me think why it happened.  I won't go into tons of details, but let's just say that the last three years have been difficult for me on a personal level.  There were some events beyond my control, and some within my control that caused me to go off track.  I got into a bit of a rut, and started neglecting things that I love, that generally bring me happiness.  Especially towards the end of last year, I stopped watching and reviewing horror films and I neglected this very website, which was a labor of love of mine from the beginning.  I just had no will to do any of it.  I found myself blowing countless hours tooling around Facebook, and neglecting important things in life.  There's still a pile of mail about a foot high that was never opened.  I guess we have all had this happen from time to time, and it can be easy to just give up and say that none of it matters.  Well, it does matter.  The bills and responsibilities will always be there, and there will always be potholes on the road of life.  (Jeez, how corny is that?!), but it's the other things in life, friends, family, hobbies, etc. that help us deal with all of that crap.

Over the last couple of years, as I got more and more involved in the horror community (and to a lesser extent, the sci-fi, fantasy and steampunk communities), I met so many great people.  Each in their own way, they have helped me slowly drag myself out of these dolldrums and realize that there's really no reason to wallow in misery.  So, therefore, I will be spending the next few days adding tons of new content to this site, so I can make it the community for the horror fans that I want it to be.

Thanks for sticking with the Horror Nerd boys and girls and stay tuned!  Oh, and if I ne