I Heard A Creaking Sound...

We're having a haunted housethon this weekend to celebrate the release of Scream Factory's The Legend Of Hell House bluray.

We're planning to write it up for the blog. In fact, I have already written the introduction so as to put the pressure on to write the thing. I figure it'll be easier to write than the Spaghetti Westernthon, although there is a chance that I'll abandon that one totally. Because, lazy.

They Want My Soul

I was a religious buyer of monthly music magazine CMJ in the late 90’s and early 00’s. It came with a free cd every month and was an easy way to keep up with new music in the pre-internet era.

“Did you check out that Spoon track?” -Carl   

“Um, no. Should I?” -Me

“Probably.” -Carl

I did. It was Lines In The Suit. Minimal, infectious rock and roll. I bought the album Girls Can Tell later at a record shop in Asheville, NC. Great stuff that stayed in the rotation for a long time.

Everyone loved, loved, loved the follow up record Kill The Moonlight. Everyone but me. I couldn’t (and still can’t) see how anyone thought it was good or even an improvement on Girls Can Tell. But it made tons of year end best of lists and is still highly regarded today. To each their own.

I felt like Get Fiction was definitely a move in the right direction and Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga was incredible. A track from that actually made our wedding cd. Transference was another slightly off record despite having a stellar track in Out Go The Lights.

We come to this year’s They Want My Soul. Wow. Every track could be a single (somewhat like last year’s world beating Arctic Monkeys album AM.) 17 or so years after forming, Spoon has delivered their best album in my humble opinion. This one’s got piano, distorted guitar, and doo wop back up vocals. Radio friendly without sacrificing edge. My album of the year. Full disclosure: Elizabeth loves it too. I'd list a standout track but i think they all are. I'm fully aware that sounds ridiculous. 

"Educated folk singers want my soul,"

Well played Spoon. Well played.

GYROJETS, GYROJETS, GYROJETS

Drop what you're doing and head over to cinemasomnambulist.com and witness the mighty power of Richard and Sam's video misterpiece of their new song Gun Help Is Help.

http://www.cinemasomnambulist.com/2014/08/gun-help-is-help.html?m=1

Did I say misterpiece? That's because I meant misterpiece.

So...

I'm really going to try to start posting more. I swear. 

Elizabeth and I had a Spaghetti Westernthon recently and I'm threatening for us to write it up. 

Hopefully I will. 

Hmm

Bloody Disgusting recently had an article series that pitted two remakes against each other. In one, they asked which was better: The Fly (1986) or The Thing (1982)? Most of you know that I come down very strongly on the side of The Thing. Nothing against The Fly, it's an amazing film and while I do find a lot of Cronenberg's work very enjoyable if slightly sterile, I LOVE The Thing.

Discussing it with Elizabeth, I realized that there are few films that I like better than The Thing. In fact while thinking about it I could only put Halloween above it. I realize this makes me a huge Carpenter homer but that's a badge I proudly wear. My question is this: Do you ever see or think about a film and realize that it occupies a different place in your estimation than you realized?

Which?

Put these three names in order of your preference- Argento, Bava and Fulci. I put them in alphabetical order, so as not to tip my hand. Because I'm clever.

Godzilla

Not necessarily in prep for the new film, but I'm about to go Godzilla crazy. For real this time.

Giant man? Tiny Godzilla? You tell me.

I remember bits and pieces of Godzilla films on cable from my childhood. I don't remember really watching a whole film. (Although I did have a Godzilla action figure.) As a genre junkie (read: crazy person) I'm ready to give the kaiju genre a proper look. As an adult the only Godzilla film I've seen is Invasion Of The Astro Monster which I enjoyed. I did see the 1998 film and I did hate it. Oh and Godzilla wished me a happy 35th birthday. It was a highlight. Thanks Elizabeth!

I did pick up a bluray of Godzilla Vs. King Ghidorah and Godzilla Vs. Mothra both in one set in prep for a Godzilla Day next weekend. Or two days of Godzilla depending on how it goes. The purpose of this post is to pose a question: What Godzilla films do I need to see? Hit me up in the comments with your suggestions. If you have any!