Ginger Snaps II Trailer Online!
The quality sucks, but it still looks fantastic -- catch up with Brigitte as she copes with insanity, puberty, and lycanthropia in the much-anticipated follow-up to one of my favorite horror films of the past 10 years. For a sneak peek at the bloody, hairy fun, click HERE and select Ginger Snaps II: Unleashed from the list. No release date yet stateside -- anyone for a road-trip to Canada?

Color Me Corrected
My skepticism about the killer-lesbian biopic Monster may be unfounded; Charlize Theron (who plays Aileen Wuornos, the monster of the title) has been nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama. Having not seen the film yet (damn these holidays!) I'll reserve comment for now -- but I still find it odd that general horror sites are reporting on this film...

SMG Gets Her Ju-On... No, That's Not a Religious Joke
Dark House Productions has announced that Sarah Michelle "Don't Call Me Daphne" Gellar-Prinze will be headlining their remake of the Japanese supernatural thriller, The Grudge (Ju-On). Considering the enormous amounts of good press that the original got, Sam Raimi and company (he's producing) have got a lot to live up to -- that is, unless they decide to completey squelch the presence of the original film stateside, a la Dreamworks' handling of The Ring. The story deals with a vengeful ghost who attacks anyone who enters its house and apparently can spread from one person to another -- it's like the cold sore of poltergeists. The remake is due out next year.

Kick In the Bass
The Curse curse continues: the addition of a boyband member is NEVER good news to a film (On the Line, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, The Fantasticks). But it's true: spacecadet wannabe and lesbian impersonator Lance Bass (c'mon -- he's a spitting image for Ellen Degeneres) has signed on to the maligned production. This brings the struggling teen-popper quotient to 3, counting the already-included Mandy Moore and Mya. Word has it that Bass will play himself in the beginning of the film (jobless, broke, and turning tricks on Santa Monica).

For What It's Worth...
This whole Diamond Dead project gets stranger by the day: first, it's announced that zombiegod George Romero is directing a movie about a rock band composed of zombies, and that one of the musical minds behind Rocky Horror is writing the music. Then I discover that the Diamond Dead is an actual band/performance art group, featuring scream queen Linnea Quigley on drums and a bunch of guys who probably play a wedding here and there in GWAR outfits. Now the website for the film is up, and it's not even cast yet -- seems like Romero and company are going to give this newfangled internet thingie a test-drive and see what it can do for them. The best bit for me is the list of prospective actors and actresses they are "considering" for the leads, which include Seth Green, Nick Stahl, Luke Wilson, Brittany Murphy, Penelope Cruz, and Thora Birch. Let's face it: unless a major studio goes on a 6-month coke binge and makes this film without even realizing it (it has happened, folks), the stars will likely be from the Tina Yothers , Debbie Rochon, Antonio Sabato, Ke Huy Quan stratosphere. But here's for hopin'.

Directing is Torture
Clive Barker's official website announced Friday that Clive will be returning to the director's chair for the upcoming Tortured Souls film, based on a line of action figures that Clive designed a few years back (and which have been released in series). Clive will also write the final script, which -- considering the horrific nature of the figures that I've seen -- should prove quite interesting. This will be Clive's first directing job since 1995's ill-received Lord of Illusions.

Gay Panic: The Movie
I actually find it really odd that some horror sites are reporting on the upcoming biopic "Monster", which tells the story of notorious lesbian serial-killer Aileen Wuornos, who was a truck-stop prostitute who began killing the men who she claimed raped her. Reported to be the first female serial killer, Wuornos was executed for the murders and now has the distinction of being played by "Two Days in the Valley" and "Mighty Joe Young" vet Charlize Theron. This is not a horror movie, folks -- at best, it's a dramatization of real events and a matching bookend for "Boys Don't Cry"; at worst it's exploitation and grist for the lesbian-hungry 18-35 set. Those of you not afraid to see Christina Ricci in a bi-level dyke 'do can decide for yourselves when the film opens in limited release at the end of the month.

Witchy Woman
Fans of the most openly lesbian character in TV history will be delighted to hear that an entire line of Willow (from "Buffy") figures are being released in 2004. The figures include White Witch Willow, Vampire Willow, Bad Witch Willow (click here for that one), Doppelganger Willow, and more. The pieces will be released as exclusives by different distributors, some will retail as low as $15. To see all of them, go to www.actionfigure.com and type Willow into the search bar. They actually look pretty good; the now-married Alyson Hannigan should be pleased... and happy we are for her, as well. *sigh*

Hell is for Pop Bands
Here's some strange news: Moviehole reports that "Rocky Horror" musical director (and sequel "Shock Treatment" composer) Richard Hartley is teaming up with George Romero (now why do I know that name...) on an upcoming horror comedy about a zombie rock band called "Diamond Dead". When an aspiring rock singer accidentally kills her band, she makes a deal with the devil to bring them back -- with enormous radio success, of course. The concept sounds to me like "Dead Alive" meets "Josie and the Pussycats", but we'll see. The odd thing is that "Diamond Dead" is the name of an actual horror-themed rock band that features none other than scream queen Linnea Quigley (click HERE for details) on guitar; could this be what the film is based on? Strange how this is coming out with the DeCoteau boyband-from-hell flick "Ring of Darkness" in the wings.

Snappy Snaps
Images and news from the much-anticipated "Ginger Snaps: Unleashed" continue to pour online, and it looks like this sequel will be just as dark and brutal as the first. The flick, directed by Brett Sullivan, comes out in Canada in January, with no word on how or when it will make it across the border to us in the US. The prequel, "Ginger Snaps Back", is soon to follow (both were filmed simultaneously). Thanks to Creature-Corner for the updated pics.

You Are My Sunshine
Those of us who live in New York City are friggin' lucky. No, not just because of the high rents and random distasters, and not just because you can run into upstanding individuals like Natasha Lyonne and Macaulay Culkin around any street corner, but because of the ever-fantastic Landmark Sunshine Cinema. Seated comfortably on Houston, the Sunshine has been diversifying their film showings increasingly since opening last year, and have now announced a full midnight-screening lineup that includes 35mm prints of some fantastic horror fare. Check out their website for full details: here's just a smattering of the bloody good fun to come:

11/21-11/22 "Marathon Man", directed by gay director John Schlesinger
11/12-11/13 "Versus", Japanese Yakuza zombie epic
12/26-12/27 "Edward Scissorhands": bring the Kleenex!
1/2-1/3 "Delicatessen"
1/9-1/10 "Poltergeist"
1/16-1/18 "Zombi 2": new 35mm UNCUT print!
1/23-1/24 "Blood Feast"

Williamson Up to His Old Tricks
A review of the first version of the maligned Kevin Williamson/Wes Craven project "Cursed" has popped up, and it seems that Kev has returned to the heady theme of being gay in high school for a subplot. Apparently when the geeky Jimmy is bitten by a werewolf on Halloween, he becomes more aggressive and even lands a spot on the high school wrestling team. At some point a beefy jock with a girlfriend, besotted by Jimmy's virility, makes a pass at him. This all seems a bit "Dawsony" to me, but I'm not one to complain about gay characters in megabudget Hollywood movies. For the whole synopsis of the script that has been all but thrown away, click HERE.

Cursed: Tabula Rossi
Lesbian sexpot Portia di Rossi has been added to the much-maligned cast of "Cursed", which is now confirmed to start re-shoots this week. Di Rossi (Ally McBeal, Arrested Development) will appear in the opening scene, which is rumored to be akin to the "Scream" openers but is being kept under wraps. Mandy Moore was previously reported to be appearing in the opening, so it looks like she's out. "Goonies" fans and people who slow down at accident scenes will be upset to hear that Corey Feldman has also been dropped. Good luck, guys!

If He Were Any Thinner, He Wouldn't Exist.
Filmax's website now features an incredibly long and gorgeous trailer for the upcoming Brad Anderson thriller, "The Machinist". Fans of Anderson ("Session 9") will be delighted with what looks to be a beautifully shot, atmospheric art chiller. Fans of yummy and talented Christian Bale ("Velvet Goldmine", "American Psycho"), on the other hand, will be dismayed and perhaps even distraught at the looks of the oft-chiseled Welshman: he looks as though he weighs about 17 pounds. I seriously can't tell if his physique is real or somehow enhanced (it's apparently a plot point, as several characters in the preview tell him that "if he were any thinner, he wouldn't exist"), but either way, Mr. Bateman ain't looking the same these days. Click HERE to check it out, and for God's sake, somebody get that kid a milkshake!

Hey Christian -- what's the skinny?

Site Update!
I'm pleased as punch to announce a New Section here at CampBlood: Features! The Features page is for in-depth, exclusive coverage and interviews of gay horror people, places, and things. I'm very excited to launch the page with an interview with screenwriter Kevin Mosley, whose "Savage Island" is cleaning up on the festival circuit. There are more exclusives coming in the next few days, so check back every five minutes. Those of you regular visitors (yes, I'm deluding myself) might also notice some other cosmetic changes as I refine the joint (new toolbar, cleaner pages). All to please you, my dear readers -- "Damien! I did it for you!"

Kevin "Don't call me Bill" Mosley
Photo: Rachel Lando

Donnie Darko-s Our Doorsteps Again
Talk about staying power -- Richard Kelly's 2000 surprise breakout hit "Donnie Darko" will be re-released theatrically in summer 2004 as a Director's Cut, with missing footage and 80's pop tunes that were excised from the DVD release. Now, unless the footage explains what the hell the film is all about or features a Jake Gyllenhaal shower scene, I'm not sure what the need is for an extended cut -- nonetheless, I enjoyed the film and think it deserves a second viewing. Let's hope for more "Sparkle Motion"!

Niles Goes to "Hell"
SuperheroHype.com reports that "Frasier" star David Hyde Pierce (who was famously quoted as saying, when asked if he was gay, "My life is an open book; don't ask me to read it for you") has signed on to voice a character in the upcoming Guillermo del Toro comic-adaptation "Hellboy". The character's name is Abe Sapien, which prompts this quipper to ask, um, where's th Homo? The character was acted on-set by Doug Jones but will be voiced in post by Pierce. The much-anticipated flick, starring Ron Perlman as the titular genetic-abomination-turned-do-gooder, as well as Selma Blair and John Hurt, is due out next April.

I Don't Wanna Go On with You Lestat
In some of the more horrifying news of late, Sir Elton John and Tim Rice are confirmed to be working on the Broadway version of Anne Rice's "Vampire Lestat". Playbill announced that an early reading of the script was held by actors including film genre vet Jack Noseworthy ("Idle Hands", "Event Horizon") and stage actors Steven Blanchard and James Barbour. Since it doesn't look likely that Rice's bisexual baddie will be making it to the screen (following the dismal performance of "Queen of the Damned"), perhaps putting the project into the hands of Elton (or, as his friends call him, Sharon) is the best thing to do. Wait -- did I just say that?!

For the Comeek Geek in all of Us
Gay webcomic "Young Bottoms in Love" (and they're not talking about Timothy Bottoms, folks) recently added a nasty little horror piece by Bill Roundy (illustrated by Nate and Mike K.) entitled "He's All Mine". The series, edited by Tim Fish and Brett Hopkins, adds a new comic every week and centers around themes of gay romance. We're thrilled that a horror piece has been added, and spoke briefly to writer Roundy to find out more:

CB: Where'd the idea for "He's All Mine" come from?
BR: The idea came from a lot of places - there's a little Sixth Sense, a little of Peter Beagle's A Fine and Private Place, and a dash of the ghosts in the Lucifer comic, but mostly it came from a band I saw "The Fabulous Entourage" and a song about "walking the streets like a ghost." I imagined a gay ghost coming back to visit his lover, then I realized that a ghost pining after his lover was kind of boring, and wondered what sort of twist I could put on it...
CB: Any more horror projects coming up?
BR: No more horror projects coming up, though I just wrote an article for Comixpedia.com about representations of Satan in webcomics. I'm writing a comic called "SuperPower of Attorney" that will feature some Satanic sacrifices, but it's more of a superhero-comedy series than anything else. I've also got a journal comic at my website, but the only horror there is my romantic life.

Thanks, Bill -- and best of luck on and off the page. To check out "He's All Mine", click here.

From "He's All Mine"

Flash! AAAHHH-AAHHHHHH....
Dark Horizons reports that "The Mummy" helmer Stephen Sommers (or, as they called it in France, "La Momie") is planning on jumping straight from his duties on "Van Helsing" to a remake of the classic 80's sci-fi-campfest "Flash Gordon". With Sam Jones in a skintight quarterback outfit, the prissy Ming, and a blazing Queen soundtrack, the original is one of the most audacious and queerest sci-fi flicks out there. I somehow don't think that the man responsible for "Deep Rising" is gonna be the guy to pull the remake off.

The NYCHFF Marches On
So last night the competition screenings for the New York City Horror Film Fest began with "Savage Island", a mini-DV feature about a couple whose visit to their parents' place on an isolated island is interrupted when the local squatters demand their baby in retribution for their own dead son. It could happen. The film was uneven but sincere, and felt a bit long. The character of the brother set my gaydar off right away (he talked a lot about his ass and flirted with his sister's husband, which is eerie), but otherwise no overt queer elements to speak of. The second feature, which was not in competition, was Stuart Gordon's new flick, "King of the Ants". Ususally known for supernatural horror ("Re-Animator", "Dagon", "Dolls"), Gordon has ventured into new territory here -- drama -- with a film that has its share of horrific elements but might strain the definitions of "horror film" for many. Look for a review in the next few days -- this flick has more homoerotic undertones and phallic imagery than you can shake a powerdrill at. Along with these features several shorts were also screened: "Ice Cold", a well-shot but padded piece (my friend said he thought it was a car commercial due to the extensive driving shots and shiny SUV) about two sisters beset by an evil from their past; "Toss of the Coin", a humorous little diversion about a demon and angel arguing about possession of a fresh soul; "Two Story House", a creepy piece (I'll withhold review due to personal involvement) about a young woman and the mysterious tenants in her new apartment building; and "Red Lines", a British short featuring Doug Bradley (Pinhead) and an overacting young lady who is stuck in the worst kind of detention (i.e., the kind where they kill you). Joe Bob Briggs was on-hand to sign copies of his new book, "Profoundly Disturbing". Festivites continue throughout the weekend -- check back for updates.

Camp as a Row of Tents
Home for wayward girls. Nuns. Gothic Renaissance source material. Mary Woronov.

These are but three elements of the upcoming flick, "The Halfway House". Yes, lesbian camp icon Mary Woronov herself ("Sugar Cookies", "Grief", "The Living End", various Andy Warhol films) is starring as a nun running a halfway house where the girls seem to mysteriously disappear and something smells in the basement. If it sounds like the "Anne" episode from "Buffy" to you, well, it does. Only this one will have lots of breasts and blood! For a trailer, cast and crew, and lots more, click HERE. Oh - did I mention that writer/director Kenneth J. Hall is also responsible for "Nightmare Sisters" and "Linnea Quigley's Horror Workout"?

Production Horrors
So it seems that not one, but two highly-anticipated studio horror flicks have hit the rocks as of late: the Wes Craven/Kevin Williamson werewolf flick "Cursed" and the Paul Schrader/Caleb Carr debacle "Exorcist: The Beginning". And it now seems that the same method will be used to cure these troubled films: dump in tons of new money, reshoot, release. Yes, it seems that the "Cursed" camp will be throwing out up to 80% of their completed material and shooting an almost entirely new script, and get this -- the ending still hasn't been determined. As for "The Exorcist", studio execs were so flummoxed by the cut that Schrader turned in that they canned him and are bringing in a new director (latest rumor: Renny Harlin) to reshoot a bulk of the film, with another $8M to do so. My advice? Can the crap and use the $8M to make something else.

Ginger Snaps Back
The "Ginger Snaps" website is reporting a release date of January 23rd (alas, Canada only at this point), with theatrical release of the prequel dependent on box office (but scheduled for late April, video or theatres). I'm one of the few folks in the US who got to see the fantastic original in the theatres (thanks to a short Halloween run by the ever-excellent Village Cinemas), and I'm hoping that the first sequel is given the chance here in the States that the original never got. If you haven't seen the original, rent it -- it's one of the best teen horror films in years and is as cunning a meditation on pubescent body terror and out-of-control sexuality as it is a fun watch.

Hooray for Zombiewood!
The folks at Worth 100 have published the entrants of their second-annual Zombiewood contest, in which talented photo manipulators show us what some of our favorite stars would look like if they were actually flesh-hungry corpses from beyond the grave. With a roster that includes Paul Reiser, Christina Ricci, Calista Flockhart, and Bjork, I think WE'RE the real winners here, folks.

Click HERE to check it out! Pictured: Madge gets bloodthirsty on the press junket.

Just Out on DVD
Here's a quick run-down on the new DVD's out as of yesterday that might be worth picking up:

Ultimate 3-D Horror Collection ("Blood Sisters", "Bloody Tease", "Evil Unleashed")
Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3 UNCUT (featuring Viggo Mortenson)
Blood of Fu Manchu/Castle of Fu Manchu (by the excellent Blue Underground label)
Dark Shadows 35 Anniversary
Dreamcatcher (snooooooore)

While You Were Dead
Speaking of boy-bands... "Sleepaway Camp" fans have no doubt already heard that "Return to Sleepaway Camp" is filming as we speak. But did you also know that the film is headlined by none other than new "While You Were Out" host and former "2GE+HER" frontman Evan Farmer? The flick, which will supposedly take us "back to the roots" of the story (it apparently also features the original Ricky and Ronnie), also stars Isaac Hayes (Chef from "South Park") and Vincent Pastore (Big Pussy from "The Sopranos") and is directed by the writer/director of the kickass original, Robert Hiltzik. Long-time Abel Ferrara collaborator Ken Kelsch ("The Bad Leiutenant", "Driller Killer", "Spookies") is shooting, and Evan has also provided some of the music for the film, including a dittie called "I Think I Might Die This Summer". Now, I love Evan and all, but what kind of world is it where Isaac Hayes and Evan Farmer are in a movie together and EVAN is the one they're hitting up for music?!

Waiting Out the Storm
Those of you who were counting the minutes until you got to see Halle Berry get locked up in "Gothika" shouldn't hold your breath -- Dark Castle has moved the release date back to November 21st. After Berry's indescreet badmouthing of comic fans during the filming of "X-Men" will no doubt delight in seeing her brutalized and degraded as a psychiatrist who wakes up a patient in her own hospital. My friend David insists on pronouncing the title "Gaw-THEE-ka", which I think is very entertaining.

Comedy to Some, Horror to Others
This isn't exactly horror, but it looks to have enough twisted imagery to fill the entire Hellraiser series. Michel Gondry, best known for directing the White Stripes' "Fell in Love with a Girl" and countless hallucinatory Bjork videos (as well as the ill-received "Human Nature") is hitting the big-time with the freaky-looking "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". It stars Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Elijah Wood, Tom Wilkinson, and Mark Ruffalo, and centers around a clinic that can erase bad memories. Looks pretty interesting, for sci-fi comedy ("Truman Show" meets "Groundhog Day"?): click HERE to view the trailer.

Not Yer Average Coffee Table Book
Horror legend and gay icon Clive Barker has lent his wordsmithery to a collection of sculptural photographs of the male form. Entitled "Rare Flesh", the collection (due out in October) features photographs by David E. Armstrong accompanied by text by Barker. Known for his dark and viscerally erotic fiction, Barker's writings and the photos (which sometimes evoke images from Barker's landscapes, including "Hellraiser" and "Nightbreed") are a good fit. Here's what Barker's website has to say about the project (to read more and view some sample photos, click HERE):

"In the dark recesses of the human imagination lies an erotic potential that is rarely explored. Rare Flesh dares to venture into this taboo territory, pairing Armstrong's stunning male nudes with provocative poetry and prose by Clive Barker. Fans of Barker's best-selling novels and films - from Weaveworld to Hellraiser - are already familiar with his unique brand of eroticism, and they will be eager to see it brought to life visually for the first time here."

Salva Comes Out of the Cornfield
Creature-Corner nabbed an exclusive interview with Victor Salva (director of the classic "Clownhouse" and the "Jeepers Creepers" flicks), who has announced his next film, the WWII demon-possession thriller "The Watch". War-torn Europe is a far cry from the pastoral Midwestern settings Salva usually operates in. Here's a snippet of the interview -- for the whole deal, click HERE:

"The Watch marks Salva's first time helming a project not entirely his own. Since his Clownhouse (1988) days, this unique talent has consistently pulled both writing and directing duties on everything he's accomplished. With The Watch Salva says he finally found a script to break him of this practice. 'I believe [The Watch] is truly unique,' Salva explained to The Corner. 'It's a remarkable idea for a magnificent widescreen epic event-style horror movie.'"

Brattwoman
Seems as though Benjamin "I'll sink my career if it kills me!" Bratt has once again come up for air, having apparently secured the role of Halle Berry's love interest in the upcoming "Catwoman" film. This really adds to the queer cache of the film (Berry has that "guilty by association" thing going on due to her involvement in the "X-Men" movies, which are the gayest major motion pictures ever made. Plus, she was in "B.A.P.S."), considering Bratt's portrayal of bisexual poet/playwright Miguel Pinero in the eponymous film (not that the film really touched on this aspect of his personality) and his long-time involvement with