Ghoulish Grin Films

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

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.

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

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

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

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

This acclaimed actor has been described by his peers no less as one of the greatest actors of his generation. And that was the generation of actors and actresses of the second Golden Age of Hollywood...the late '60's and '70's. He's won a Best Actor Oscar for 1971's "The French Connection" and for 1992's "Unforgiven." He's appeared in classic films like "Bonnie And Clyde," "The Conversation," and "Mississippi Burning" among others. He's worked with legendary actors and actresses like Clint Eastwood, Denzel Washington, Warren Beatty, and Faye Dunaway. But as a kid he was one thing and one thing only. Superman's arch nemesis...LEX LUTHOR! A handful of actors, whether on the big or small screen or as a voice interpretation, have portrayed the great super villain. Including Hackman's "Superman IV: The Quest For Peace" costar Jon Cryer, who's done an exceptional job in the CW D