Happy Halloween 2010

Happy Halloween From Monsters A Go-Go!

Nevermore? Mystery visitor misses Poe's birthday

From AP:

BALTIMORE – Is this tradition "nevermore"?

A mysterious visitor who left roses and cognac at the grave of Edgar Allan Poe each year on the writer's birthday failed to show early Tuesday, breaking with a ritual that began more than 60 years ago.

"I'm confused, befuddled," said Jeff Jerome, curator of the Poe House and Museum. "I don't know what's going on."

The tradition dates back to at least 1949, according to newspaper accounts from the era, Jerome said. Since then, an unidentified person has come every Jan. 19 to leave three roses and a half-bottle of cognac at Poe's grave in a church cemetery in downtown Baltimore.

The event has become a pilgrimage for die-hard Poe fans, some of whom travel hundreds of miles. About three dozen stood huddled in blankets during the overnight cold Tuesday, peering through the churchyard's iron gates hoping to catch a glimpse of the figure known only as the "Poe toaster."

At 5:30 a.m., Jerome emerged from inside the church, where he and a select group of Poe enthusiasts keep watch over the graveyard, and announced to the crowd that the visitor never arrived. He allowed an Associated Press reporter inside the gates to view both of Poe's grave sites, the original one and a newer site where the body was moved in 1875. There was no sign of roses or cognac at either tombstone.

Jerome said the Poe toaster has always arrived before 5:30 a.m. There was still a chance the visit could occur later in the day, but Jerome said he doubted the person would risk a public unveiling by performing the task in daylight, when other visitors could be there.

"I'm very disappointed, to the point where I want to cry," said Cynthia Pelayo, 29, who had stood riveted to her prime viewing spot at the gate for about six hours. "I flew in from Chicago to see him. I'm just really sad. I hope that he's OK."

Pelayo and Poe fans from as far as Texas and Massachusetts had passed the overnight hours reading aloud from Poe's works, including the poem "The Raven," with its haunting repetition of the word "nevermore." Soon they were speculating, along with Jerome, about what might have caused the visitor not to appear.

"You've got so many possibilities," said Jerome, who has attended the ritual every year since 1977. "The guy had the flu, accident, too many people."

Tuesday marked the 201st anniversary of Poe's birth, and Jerome speculated that perhaps the visitor considered last year's bicentennial an appropriate stopping point.

"People will be asking me, 'Why do you think he stopped?'" Jerome said. "Or did he stop? We don't know if he stopped. He just didn't come this year."

There have also been recent controversies over which city should be regarded as Poe's rightful home, with some making the case that the remains perhaps should be moved to Richmond, Va., Philadelphia or Boston, cities with their own Poe legacies.

Jerome said he thinks it's unlikely the dispute is connected to the Poe toaster's no-show. If anything, Jerome felt the visitor might have weighed in on the controversy by leaving a note with the roses and cognac, as has been done in some previous years.

One such note was left in 1993, when the visitor wrote: "The torch will be passed." Years later, another note indicated the man had died in 1998 and had handed the tradition to his two sons.

Sam Porpora, a former historian at Westminster Presbyterian Church, where Poe is buried, claimed in 2007 that he was the original Poe toaster and that he had came up with the idea in the 1970s as a publicity stunt. Jerome disputed Porpora's claims by citing a 1950 article in The (Baltimore) Evening Sun that referred to the annual tribute.

Poe was the American literary master of the macabre, noted for poems and short stories including "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Fall of the House of Usher" and "The Pit and the Pendulum." He is also credited with writing the first modern detective story, "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," which appeared in 1841.

He died Oct. 7, 1849, in Baltimore at the age of 40 after collapsing in a tavern.

As for the fate of his annual visitor? That's a new mystery.

Jerome said he will continue the vigil for at least the next two or three years, in case the visits resume.

"So, for me," he said, "it's not over with."

Paranormal Activity Scare Kit Giveaway

With Paranormal Activity now out on DVD/Blu-ray/digital download/Limited Collector’s Edition (online only) from Paramount Home Entertainment we have a great giveaway to our fans! The Paranormal Activity Scare Kit!

The scare kit contains:
• Baby Powder
• Planchette
• Ouija Board
• Satin Sleep Mask
• Barrel Sling Duffel bag

To win just head on over to our contest page and enter today!

Good luck...

- The Monster

MTV Finds A New 'Teen Wolf'

Step aside Michael J. Fox and Jason Bateman - there's a new "Teen Wolf" in town.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the network has found its lead for the TV remake of the 1985 movie and its subsequent sequel.

Tyler Posey, who is best known for his roles in "Lincoln Heights" and "Brothers & Sisters," will take on the role of Scott McCall, a dorky high-school student who gains a slew of new powers after being attacked by a wolf - including the gift of attracting girls.

Young stars Tyler Hoechlin ("7th Heaven"), Crystal Reed (MTV's "Hard Times") and Dylan O'Brien have also been cast in the pilot.

The series will reportedly be both a drama and buddy-comedy, written by "Criminal Minds" creator Jeff Davis.

Although the original film was a PG plot, MTV Senior Vice President Liz Gateley hinted the series might be a bit darker.

"It has a fresh take and is very different from the original," Gateley previously said. "It has more of an 'American Werewolf in Paris' feel to it."

No word if the new series will feature Scott strutting his wolf talents on the basketball court like the original.

After Dark Horrorfest 4 - January 29th

Another After Dark Horrorfest is coming to theaters near you January 29th. 7 Films have been announced: Dread, The Final, The Graves, Lake Mungo, Hidden, Scream of the Banshee, ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction.

Just head on over to the Horrorfest offical website for more information.

- The Monster

Left 4 Dead 2 - Nov. 17th

Left 4 Dead 2 is set at roughly the same time as the original – just after the outbreak that turned most of the population into various zombie mutants. Players assume the role of four new "Survivors," each with their own personality and new dialog. The game leads these "Survivors" through the southeastern region of the US - from Savannah, Georgia through the bayou country, and climaxing in New Orleans’ French Quarter.

Left 4 Dead 2 is the sequel to the best-selling and critically-acclaimed co-op multiplayer smash from Valve, creators of the Half-life, Portal, Team Fortress and Counter-Strike game properties. With multiple multiplayer options both on and offline, extensive AI custom functionality, four character options, new melee weapons and more, Left 4 Dead 2 promises to become one of 2009's best shooters on the PC platform and set a new benchmark for co-op centric action games.

Night of the Living Dead: Reanimated is Now Screening Online at FBCC

Night of the Living Dead: Reanimated ( NOTLD:R ), will be screening November 12-15th, 2009 as part of the Facebook Comic-Con.

On November 12th, NOTLD:R will be uploaded directly to this event page. Those attending, will be able to view the entire feature length project for free from the comfort and convenience of their own homes... before it's official release. This project will remain available until November 15th, at which time, it will be taken down thus ending the screening event.

To learn more about Night of the Living Dead: Reanimated check out the website here.

- The Monster

Paraskevidekatriaphobia: Friday the 13th

Paraskevidekatriaphobia: "The Fear of Friday the 13th"

Take out your Friday The 13th DVDs tonight and watch a few.

- The Monster

Halloween II DVD Coming 2010

VideoETA says Rob Zombie's Halloween II will be coming to DVD and Blu-Ray on January 12, 2010.

More to come. Including official specs and cover art.

- The Monster

Scream 4 Teaser Art and Synopsis

"The fourth one is an ensemble," Kevin Williamson said of his "Scream 4" script, which is being concurrently written with a fifth script as well. "It'll take place right now, 10 years later, and it's going to take place in [Sidney Prescott's hometown of] Woodsboro. We'll have our three main characters, and we'll be introducing several more."

The three characters that will be returning are Sidney (Neve Campbell), Gale (Courteney Cox) and Dewey (David Arquette), Williamson confirmed, adding, "We'll also be introducing a little group, a little ensemble of new castmembers. That'll take us through the next three."

Some might say that a new "Scream" movie couldn't be as self-referential as the others, since self-aware entertainment has become so prevalent. But according to Williamson, he's been writing plenty of spoof-heavy stuff into the "Scream 4" script.

"I guess I'll just have to be very aware of the fact that we're a '4' and that we're beating a dead dog. I'm going to make that very apparent in the dialogue," laughed the writer/producer.

"Come on," he laughed. "It's the age of the remake! And 3-D and all that, can you imagine what ['Scream' movie-within-a-movie] 'Stab 10' is like?"

Happy Halloween From Monsters A Go-Go

Happy Halloween from
Monsters A Go-Go

'Paranormal Activity' Becomes Most Profitable Movie Ever

"Paranormal Activity" has just surpassed "The Blair Witch Project" to become the most profitable movie ever.

The box office hit was made for less than $15,000 and as of Wednesday has grossed a whopping $65.1 million, TheWrap.com reported.

The movie's box office success has reaped a staggering 414,233 percent return on its initial investment.

"Paranormal" has gradually expanded from 12 to 33 to 160 to 760 to this weekend's 1,945 theaters - a move that some criticized - but one that Executive VP of Distribution for Paramount, Don Harris, credits as a key to the horror film's success.

"Everybody else thought we should be going faster than we were," he told TheWrap. "But I thought we were doing a pretty good job of seeding the ground as we went. I don't know that we would have done a lot more last weekend if we would have added a bunch of runs then."

The studio has reportedly spent less than $10 million to market the movie.

- The Monster

SCREAM 2009 Tonight on On Spike TV

Two vampire sagas thrived at night at “SCREAM 2009,” the first and only event honoring the best in fantasy, sci-fi, comics and horror. “Twilight” sunk its teeth into four trophies, including best Fantasy Movie, with Breakout Performance winner Taylor Lautner on hand to unveil world premiere footage from the forthcoming “Twilight Saga: New Moon.” Not to be outdone, HBO smash hit “True Blood” garnered four awards, with series creator Alan Ball and cast members Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgård, Sam Trammell and Rutina Wesley in attendance to accept their honors. The star-studded event was held at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and premieres on Spike TV on Tuesday, October 27 (10:00 PM – Midnight, ET/PT).

One of the night’s highlights featured an on stage legend meeting an on screen icon, as Keith Richards was presented the SCREAM Rock Immortal award by Johnny Depp at Spike TV’s “SCREAM 2009.” The living legend, Rolling Stones guitarist and songwriter was greeted by a standing ovation before receiving his introduction to immortality from Depp, who famously patterned his Academy Award-nominated turn as Captain Jack Sparrow in “The Pirates of the Caribbean” movie trilogy after Richards.

Also on hand was Megan Fox, star of “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” which captured five awards, including one for Fox’s female lead performance. She accepted the award and reaffirmed her dedication to the franchise’s continued success.

Legendary creator of some of the most famous comic book franchises in history, including Spider-Man, Iron Man and the X-Men, Stan Lee left the audience with mouths agape as the 86-year-old visionary arrived on stage via a giant spider to accept the Comic-Con Icon award from Peter Parker himself, Tobey Maguire.

A franchise that is certain to live long and prosper, the JJ Abrams reboot of “Star Trek” led the way with six honors, including the night’s most prestigious, The Ultimate Scream, accepted by the original Captain Kirk, William Shatner.

The cast of the “Big Bang Theory” introduced a tribute to one of the decade’s most influential science fiction series, “Battlestar Galactica.” A moving cast reunion for a farewell tribute took place, featuring Edward James Olmos, Tricia Helfer, Grace Park, James Callis, Kate Vernon, Katee Sackhoff, Michael Trucco, Tahmoh Penikett and executive producer David Eick. Olmos led the crowd in a rousing rendition of “So Say We All” after thanking the passionate “Battlestar Galactica” fanbase for its support over the years.

Spike TV also debuted world premiere and exclusive never-before-seen footage from highly anticipated theatrical releases, including the upcoming Martin Scorsese directed “Shutter Island,” which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Tim Burton’s “Alice In Wonderland” starring Johnny Depp, and the upcoming “Star Trek” sequel. Also presented was an extensive preview of the forthcoming ABC series, “V.”

The fourth annual “SCREAM” event featured appearances by the industry’s biggest stars including Jessica Alba, Kate Bosworth, Jennifer Carpenter, Eliza Dushku, Harrison Ford, Megan Fox, Morgan Freeman, Jackie Earle Haley, Hugh Jackman, Justin Long, Sam Raimi, John C. Reilly, Christina Ricci, Eli Roth, Liv Tyler and Elijah Wood, among many others.
“For one night only, The Greek Theatre became ‘The Geek Theatre’ as thousands of ravenous fans came together to celebrate their heroes and the films, TV shows and comics they love,” said “SCREAM 2009” co-executive producer Michael Levitt.

For a complete list of winners and to view exclusive red carpet and backstage coverage of this year’s “SCREAM,” visit scream.spike.com.

Nicolas Cage in Season of the Witch

In the supernatural thriller Season of the Witch, Nicolas Cage stars as a 14th century Crusader who returns with his comrade (Ron Perlman) to a homeland devastated by the Black Plague. A beleaguered church, deeming sorcery the culprit of the plague, commands the two knights to transport an accused witch (Claire Foy) to a remote abbey, where monks will perform a ritual in hopes of ending the pestilence.

A priest (Stephen Campbell Moore), a grieving knight (Ulrich Thomsen), an itinerant swindler (Stephen Graham) and a headstrong youth who can only dream of becoming a knight (Robert Sheehan) join a mission troubled by mythically hostile wilderness and fierce contention over the fate of the girl.

When the embattled party arrives at the abbey, a horrific discovery jeopardizes the knight's pledge to ensure the girl fair treatment, and pits them against an inexplicably powerful and destructive force.

Season of the Witch will be releasing on March 19th, 2010 by Lionsgate.

- The Monster

The Fourth Kind Information and Poster

1n 1972, a scale of measurement was established for alien encounters. When a UFO is sighted, it is called an encounter of the first kind. When evidence is collected, it is known as an encounter of the second kind. When contact is made with extraterrestrials, it is the third kind. The next level, abduction, is the fourth kind. This encounter has been the most difficult to document...until now.

Structured unlike any film before it, The Fourth Kind is a provocative thriller set in modern-day Nome, Alaska, where—mysteriously since the 1960s—a disproportionate number of the population has been reported missing every year. Despite multiple FBI investigations of the region, the truth has never been discovered.

Here in this remote region, psychologist Dr. Abigail Tyler (Milla Jovovich) began videotaping sessions with traumatized patients and unwittingly discovered some of the most disturbing evidence of alien abduction ever documented.

Using never-before-seen archival footage that is integrated into the film, The Fourth Kind exposes the terrified revelations of multiple witnesses. Their accounts of being visited by alien figures all share disturbingly identical details, the validity of which is investigated throughout the film.

The Fourth Kind is in theaters November 6th. You can visit the official website for more information.

The Wolfman Trailer 2

Even a man who is pure in heart, And says his prayers by night, May become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright.

Here is the second trailer for The Wolfman.

- The Monster

Turner Classic Movies Halloween Marathon

It's Halloween month and here are more horror goodies to watch on TV. This time it's Turner Classic Movies (TCM) turn.

October 30th TCM are playing a Boris Karloff Marathon and on Halloween night they have a Halloween Marathon. Check out both links to see what movies you might want to catch and here is rge link to the full October TCM schedule.

Enjoy the horror...

- The Monster

ABC Family's 13 Nights of Halloween

For the 11th year in a row, ABC Family brings viewers evenings full of screams during its 13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN programming event. The ABC Family premiere of Tim Burton's "Edward Scissorhands" will join other Halloween themed programming airing the 13 nights leading up to Halloween (October 19 – October 31).

Click here to check out the 2009 ABC Family's 13 Nights of Halloween schedule.

AMC Fearfest 09 (Monsterfest)

AMC Fearfest '09 casts a ghastly pall online for the entire month of October, and on-air from Oct. 23 to 31. For online horror fans, that means 31 days of B-movies, freaky tournaments, and challenging quizzes. For TV addicts, that promises nine days of round-the-clock programming including the world television premiere of the digitally restored version of George Romero's classic Night of the Living Dead on Halloween night. The end of life as you know it has never looked so good. Dying for AMC Fearfest to begin? Today's your day.

Click here to check out the 2009 AMC Fearfest schedule.