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Showing posts from February, 2020
💀💀The Age Of Gods And Monsters lives on in the hearts and imaginations of those that wish to keep it alive. Ghoulish Grin Films is a small entity but its heart is on fire with the ghosts of old. It is an entity that cherishes the classics and gives it a modern platform. Long Live Indie Horror! 💀💀 Welcome to the site...and thank you for your support! Enjoy!

The New "Candyman" Looks CHILLING!

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I believe Clive Barker's Books Of Blood are among the finest horror short stories ever put out. And among those chilling tales is a story called "The Forbidden." Now I had seen 1992's "Candyman" and thought it was an amazing film. An original take on an urban legend. I never realized "The Forbidden" was the source material until I started reading it. The short stories in The Books Of Blood are captivating and an easy read. Realizing I was reading the story of The Candyman, I ate it up like...well, you know. Sweets for the sweet. Just released is the upcoming 2020 remake of "Candyman," co-written and produced by our new voice in horror, Jordan Peele. The hype is real. It has the look and feel of a "Get Out" and "Us," but has a classic horror boogeyman at the helm. As if I needed any extra incentive to see this. Take my money.  

The New Era (Happy Birthday James Wan!)

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In 2004, director James Wan created not only a franchise but a new era in horror. For many it was a gory new era of 'torture' for squeamish fans. But the original "Saw" film (directed by Wan) was a bloody new entry to the history of horror films. With a new follow-up from Chris Rock, the Saw Franchise continues to scare up box office and is now a staple in Halloween shops every Halloween. But Wan didn't follow his directorial debut with that type of horror. Showing his diversity as a filmmaker, yet still playing in the horror sandbox, he directed "Dead Silence" in 2007 and would create a whole new universe with the "Insidious" and "The Conjuring" franchises. The world would expand with the "Annabelle," "Nun," and "La Llorona" films and with sequels to "Insidious" and "The Conjuring." He would later leave his comfort zone and direct mega blockbusters "Furious 7" and "

Women In Horror Month In February

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From the myth creating genius of Mary Shelley to our modern horror film icon Lin Shaye, February is the month we celebrate the long tradition of great women in horror. From literature, stage and screen, art, music...horror has many a wonderful woman to celebrate. We have time tested legends...and every year spawns the potential of new great talent. Celebrate your favorites. Celebrate the greatness of the past. And the promise of the future. Happy Women In Horror Month! And if you follow one of these great women online through social media, tell them how much you appreciate them.

Happy Valentine's Day (Love Never Dies...Neither Does DRACULA!)

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Today is Valentine's Day. It's also the anniversary of the 1931 Universal horror classic "Dracula," starring Bela Lugosi. The first sound adaptation of the Bram Stoker novel, it was based more on the 1924 stage play and directed by Tod Browning. The role of the legendary vampire was immortalized by horror icon Lugosi. Though he received good reviews for his stage performance of the character, he wasn't originally considered for the role on account of his thick accent. But thankfully he was cast. The role wouldn't have been the same without his portrayal. The great Max Schreck performed the character (called Count Orlok in the film "Nosferatu") and was perhaps more of a proper adaptation of the character. There was just something, however, about Lugosi's stare and movements that created a more romantic version of Dracula. And the actresses that were a part of that production were smitten with him. Concurrently filmed by Universal Pictures wa

Leslie Nielsen: From The Files Of The Birthday Boy!

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Sometimes an actor is so beloved by his fans that even after leaving this world his presence is felt. Maybe it's because the famous comedies he starred in were SO absurd that having sorrow knowing he's gone is overtaken by the sheer joy he brought you. A Canadian actor born on February 11th, he starred in many genre supporting roles in the '60's and '70's, with notable roles in "Forbidden Planet" and "The Poseidon Adventure." It wasn't until he starred in 1980's "Airplane!" that his career took off...in a very different direction. From then on roles in "The Naked Gun: From The Files Of The Police Squad!" and it's sequels turned him into a comedy star. He would continue these types of roles with "Repossessed, "2001: A Space Travesty," and even starring as the great Count Dracula in "Dracula: Dead And Loving It" for the legendary Mel Brooks. There are a handful of very talented act

You Get What You Deserve

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The Oscars had some surprises to be sure. "Parasite" winning Best Picture was a history maker, gaining steam as the show plugged along. But there were some winners that were foreseen. And the most predictable were the acting awards. Brad Pitt. Laura Dern. Renee Zellweger. And the most celebrated performance from not only comic book fans and the ones curious of it's dark retelling but of regular mainstream film fans...Joaquin Phoenix as The Joker. Seeing this performance in the theater was something to behold. Chilling, disturbing, but always mesmerizing, Mr. Phoenix brought a feverish intensity to the iconic role...reimagined for old and new fans. He is now forever linked with Heath Ledger as winning the award for the same role. The Joker was always Batman's greatest nemesis. And slowly became something all will come to recognize. One of the greatest villains of all time. In any genre. Mr. Phoenix...you got what you deserved. Congratulations.

Bravo Maestro! Happy Birthday To The LEGENDARY John Williams!

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Late last month as I was honoring Gene Hackman's birthday, I was reminiscing over his role as Lex Luthor and how he was my Lex Luthor, as was Christopher Reeve's Superman. I was but a baby when I saw it. I was TOLD I was riveted but memory doesn't serve me well. I believed the story however because the first full piece of classical music or movie music score that these ears ever heard was from "Superman: The Movie." And that score was from the GREAT John Williams. It still stirs something in me. To this day. And that's just ONE score. I grew up with Star Wars. Indiana Jones. All master scores from Williams. Not to mention his other early scores like "Jaws," "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind," and "E.T." to point out a few. His dominance continued from the late '70's and '80's into The '90's with movie music from "Hook," "Jurassic Park," "Home Alone," and "Harr

A New Page From The Book Of Saw (Spiral)

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The Saw Franchise has truly been a major entry into the mainstream horror scene. Brought to the screen with the first "Saw" film (directed by horror superstar Jame Wan), the film spawned sequel after sequel. It became a Halloween tradition. And merchandise could always be seen at Halloween shops during the October season. In 2017 they tried to resurrect the franchise (after everyone was told the final installment would be 2010's "Saw 3D") with "Jigsaw." Though profitable, most folks (and especially critics) were lukewarm to the new entry. Now, this summer a continuation of the Saw Franchise is on the way, with Wan returning as a producer with comedian Chris Rock (who will also star in the film with Samuel L. Jackson). It is part of the larger universe but seems to be a side story...a different page from The Book Of Saw, if you will. The trailer does look interesting, if not completely reinventing the wheel. And with Chris Rock at the helm, it se

House Of Carradine (Happy Birthday John Carradine)

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A Shakespearian actor who has been recognized as one of the finest character actors of his era. An acclaimed actor who's worked with legendary directors like Cecil B. DeMille and John Ford and performed with the likes of John Wayne, Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, and James Stewart. An actor worthy of the giants of Hollywood. But as a die hard Universal Monsters Horror fan, my favorites of his are the monster mashes "House Of Frankenstein" and "House Of Dracula." Seeing more than one movie monster was something that gave me great joy. And I enjoyed those Universal team ups. And the Carradine films were full on All-Star events. Whether you believe they rank with the original origin films or whether you think they're vintage cash grabs, they are part of a great tradition of classic horror. An age never to be repeated again. Maybe he wasn't MY Dracula. Bela Lugosi (and then later Sir Christopher Lee) were my Princes Of Darkness. But he deserves his spo

"It Can't Rain All The Time" - Happy Birthday Brandon Lee

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Brandon Lee only made six films in his lifetime, with some television under his belt. And his untimely death in 1993 extinguished the flame of his promise. Fortunately, his last film gave him a piece of art that will help keep his memory alive forever. And that was 1994's "The Crow," a beautifully dark and spectacular comic book film. A realization of the genre long before DC and Marvel ramped up their quality projects in the 2000's. I went with my cousin and brother back in '94 to see it and even before Brandon Lee appears on screen it paints a gothic beauty that not many mainstream films were doing back then. When the character Eric Draven popped out of his grave it was an absolutely chilling moment. I knew of the accident on the set of the film and it was an unusually gripping scene. Like it had unnaturally brought him back for one more darkly epic moment. The film is a brilliant comic book film, and literally rocks with it's amazing soundtrack, gorg