Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
Spent some time with Hershell Gordon Lewis, did you? I was just thinking about him earlier today when I was watching a screener copy of the DVD for FINAL DESTINATION 2. There’s a documentary on the disc about the history of gore, and they’ve got some great stuff from Lewis, as well as some spectacularly witty and relevent insight from some guy named “Drew McWeeny.”
At any rate, check out what Capone’s got coming up for you if you’re in the Chicago area:
Hey, Harry. Capone in Chicago here. I promised you big news and here it is. Some of you may remember last August that I took part in and did a little emcee work for a new event that graced the Chicago area: an amazing little sci-fi & fantasy event called Flashback Weekend. Bruce Campbell was the guest of honor, the ladies of THE EVIL DEAD were here, and we got an incredible dramatic reading of the first EVIL DEAD film by almost all of the original cast. There were plenty of other great guest and classic horror and sci-fi films, as well as a couple premieres and a screening of the amazing BUBBA HO-TEP. And I got to spend gobs of time with the godfather of gore, Hershell Gordon Lewis.
Well, this year’s edition of Flashback Weekend Convention is less than a month away (June 13-15), and you all need to get the hell over to the Radisson O’Hare in Rosemont, IL and the Pickwick Theatre in Park Ridge, IL. I’ll be there during the emcee thing again, and as if that weren’t enough of a reason to show up, here’s who else is scheduled to attend. It’s pretty sweet, people, trust me:
ROBERT ENGLUND -- Freddy Kruger from the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET series, including the upcoming and eagerly awaited FREDDY VS. JASON. He’ll be answering questions before his personally requested screening of WES CRAVEN’S NEW NIGHTMARE (1994).
Kevin McCarthy -- Academy Award nominee and star of the Sci-Fi classic INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS. He’ll be appearing following a 35mm screening of INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1956).
Brad Dourif -- Academy Award nominee, the voice of CHUCKY in the CHILD’S PLAY films. Also co-stars in THE TWO TOWERS and the final part of the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy THE RETURN OF THE KING. A screening of THE TWO TOWERS will be followed with a Q&A with Dourif.
P.J. SOLES -- Co-starred with Jamie Lee Curtis in the original HALLOWEEN (1978), which will be screened as part of a 25th anniversary tribute and introduced by Soles, who also appeared in CARRIE, STRIPES, and the cult classic ROCK N’ ROLL HIGH SCHOOL.
Linda Harrison -- NOVA from the original 1968 classic PLANET OF THE APES. She was Chuck Heston’s main mute squeeze. Who didn’t think she was the hottest thing under the sun the first time they saw this film? She’ll do a Q&A after a 35mm, 35th anniversary tribute screening of the PLANET OF THE APES.
Tom Sullivan -- Making an encore appearance from last year’s event, the special effects artist will be bringing his museum of original props and artwork used in THE EVIL DEAD.
Also appearing are Michael Berryman (the scary bald dude from THE HILLS HAVE EYES), Bill Moseley (HOUSE OF 1,000 CORPSES), Ken Foree (Peter Washington in DAWN OF THE DEAD), Lisa Wilcox (NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4 & 5), Bill Johnson (LEATHERFACE from TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2), Jonathan Breck (The Creeper from JEEPERS CREEPERS 1 & 2), and the list goes on.
The afternoon convention activities at the Radisson O'Hare will include a dealers room, guest presentations in the Grand Ballroom, and other events to be announced. The evening 35mm film screenings and guest introductions and Q&A’s will take place at the nearby historic Pickwick Theatre, a beautiful 1,400-seat Art Deco movie theatre.
Many other films will be presented, including the world premiere of BETTIE PAGE UNCENSORED. And the New Millennium Theatre Company will present EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL live on stage. I know many people who have seen this, and it’s supposed to be a riot.
This event was practically tailor-made for AICN readers. And for the record, I have no connection to the group organizing this or any financial stake in the convention. I’m there as a fan and invited emcee only. The fact that I get to meet these guests and introduce a couple of them is a bonus.
For more information, call (847) 478-0119. For a full schedule of the weekend events, guests, and films, or to buy tickets, visit www.flashbackweekend.com. And stay tuned to this site for a few pre-event surprises related to Flashback Weekend that I have in store for you all. Socks, prepare to be knocked the hell off.
Thanks, buddy. Sounds like a helluva good time. Enjoy every minute of it, and I look forward to hearing about it after the fact.
"Moriarty" out.
