HHF/B&B Newsletter - SHOCKING GO-GOs, SPAGHETTI STARS, INDIE MEETUPS and more...

May 03, 2024 5:00 pm

SHOCKING GO-GOs, SPAGHETTI STARS, INDIE MEETUPS and more...

Hi ,

Welcome to our 8th action-packed newsletter. So much to talk about this week. We chatted with the creators of the fabulous and star-packed SHOCK-A-GO-GO Film Festival, went to the classic single-screen Gardena Cinema (more on that in a future issue), visited the grave of one of the 1970's greatest action movie stars and organized our 2nd amazing meetup at the BIGFOOT LODGE.

And don't forget to click on the many photos and text for lots of cool links to trailers, movie clips and fun trivia.

So without further ado, let's get on with the show…

A MONSTROUSLY ENTERTAINING WEEKEND

Get ready for probably the greatest indie-horror retro film festival line-up so far this year. From May 17th to 18th the Lumiere Cinema in LA will be home to both the movies and in-person Q&As of actors LYNN LOWRY, BRINKE STEVENS, MICHELLE BAUER, TOM McLOUGHLIN, ALAN KOLMAN, FRED DEKKER and many more to be announced. To celebrate this we sat down with BEN MILLER, who co-created this fevered dream of a film festival with co-conspirator ERIC S. EICHELBERGER.

BEN MILLER

HOLLYWOOD HORRORFEST: How would you define SHOCK-A-GO-GO?

BEN MILLER: It's a film fest with a ridiculous and giddy desire to make people happy through delightfully insane horror movie madness.

HHF: Sounds amazing! What inspired you to put this all together?

BM: We simply wanted to screen some of our favorite cult classics like The Monster Squad, Jason Lives, George Romero's The Crazies, and David Cronenberg's Shivers. Then have some fantastic guests, signings, Q&As and all in a fun party-like atmosphere. And of course all for a great price.

SHIVERS (1975)

HHF: Who picks the films you’re screening? And why did you pick these in particular?

BM: I chose most of the films, but Eric, the co-director also helped in the choices. Monster Squad is just a great joyous film that's a perfect entryway into horror and fun for audiences of all-ages. Friday the 13th Pt. 6: Jason Lives, is quickly becoming a lot of people's favorite Friday the 13th film, due to it's great sense of humor, action and exceptional cast.

THE MONSTER SQUAD (1987)

The Crazies is one of George A. Romero's most under-appreciated works and still feels topical today. Shivers aka They Came From Within is a landmark in the body horror genre. Nobody does body horror better than David Cronenberg. Beyond the Gates is a fun movie with a terrific concept, produced by one of the greatest members of the horror community, the incredible Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator), who's also in the film.

GET CRAZY (1983)

And to throw a fun loop into the proceedings, we're also including Allan Arkush’s (Rock N Roll High School) "Get Crazy," which is one of the coolest lesser known rock movies around with a great soundtrack which includes The Sparks, The Ramones and L.A.'s infamous FEAR.

THE CRAZIES (1973)

HHF: How is SHOCK-A-GO-GO different from other horror events?

BM: There are a lot of great horror events out there for sure. But we'll also have some burlesque at the show, a short film program, and as much entertainment as we can pack in. We're also screening some terrific film premieres like Richard Elfman's (Forbidden Zone) new film, Bloody Bridget and a host of other local independent feature premieres.

HHF: What screenings are you most excited about?

BM: Well we're having a Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives cast & crew reunion with director Tom McLoughlin, composer, Harry Manfredini, Thom Mathews (Return of the Living Dead) and lots more cast members (8 total I believe) on Friday, May 17. Tom was extremely kind in reaching out to so many cast members. We really appreciate that.

FRIDAY THE 13th PART VI: JASON LIVES

On Saturday, May 18th, we're excited about The Monster Squad reunion with director Fred Dekker, who is just one of the coolest people to ever make movies, and film’s cameraman, Bradford May, who hasn't done a lot of events like this. Monster Squad is Goonies for horror fans... except, maybe better... and it's got Nards.

Of course, you can't beat having Lynn Lowry and her Shivers co-star, Allan Kolman, for a rare presentation of Shivers and the Q&A with them before the film. Shivers is still a very fresh and twisted film.

And seeing Sorority Babes In The Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama with both Brinke Stevens and Michelle Bauer is an absolute treat.

HHF: What are your hopes for the festival moving forward?

BM: That there will be more shows in the future. We just want to make sure our heads haven't exploded and we're not in the Arkham Asylum by the end of this one... if that happens send someone around with a nice cake with a file inside of it and mum's the word ;)

SHOCK-A-GO-GO Film Festival returns to the Lumiere Cinema, 9036 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90211, Fri. May 17 - Sat. 18, 2024. Get your tickets in advance and save money.

#shockagogo #richardelfman #lynnlowry #hollywoodhorrorfest #tommcloughlin #brinkestevens #michellebauer #barbaracrampton

SCHEDULE and TICKETS

LA'S HIDDEN GEM - "BEST OF THE BAD"

LEE VAN CLEEF

After years of bit parts, playing the heavy during the 1950s, LEE VAN CLEEF finally got his break. He was cast in two Italian Westerns, SERGIO LEONE'S groundbreaking FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE (1965) and then, as the iconic "Angel Eyes," in the follow-up THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY (1966). Those two films changed VAN CLEEF'S life and career almost immediately. At the age of 40 he became an international super star, credited with 16 more Westerns over the following 10 years. Even after the Western boom died down VAN CLEEF continued to star in cult movies, such as THE OCTAGON (1980), ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (1981) and my favorite, CODE NAME: WILD GEESE (1984) with the great, vastly underrated LEWIS COLLINS (the best James Bond we never had).

PHOTO: MILES FLANAGAN

VAN CLEEF worked constantly into the 1980s, right up to his death by heart failure, in his home in Oxnard, CA. VAN CLEEF had such an extraordinary screen persona, one that immediately signaled he was the 'villain,' while simultaneously having a laconic coolness about it. He was definitely one of a kind.

FOREST LAWN CEMETERY

Since the classic Spaghetti Western, THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY is coming back to LA this week in glorious 35mm (at The Vista, May 3-8), I thought it was time to remind everyone that VAN CLEEF is buried in this fair city. More accurately he’s laid to rest in FOREST LAWN MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY in Hollywood Hills. The iconic star’s grave marker is simply, and appropriately, inscribed “BEST OF THE BAD”. And who can argue with that.

#leevancleef #forestlawn #spaghettiwestern

HHF INDIE FILMMAKER MEETUP

Photo highlights from our 2nd MEETUP at the BIGFOOT LODGE yesterday May 2nd. Can't thank everyone enough for making it such a fun and enjoyable evening. Congratulations to all our raffle winners too! Meetups are on the first Thursday of every month. Next one is JUNE 6th. See you then!