Because sometimes you know hands just gotta do what hands gotta do. {D}

Portrait of Derek Weisberg by johncaseybunnywax

HBD Michael Moorcock… I couldn’t have said it better myself (grin). {D}

freefrog: To the creator of one of the greatest, most tragic anti-heroes ever to grace fantasy writing, Elric of Melniboné, and inspire countless artists, writers, and others with his very original Eternal Champion mythology, happy 73rd birthday Michael Moorcock. Thank you for epic stuff that I always enjoy rereading.

“Well, there’s something you don’t see every day.” – Peter Venkman. {D}

Stay Puft S’more created by Brad Hill :: via siraudio.deviantart.com

Evil metalhead snowman cackles in your general direction! {D}

Snowman by ~MattDixon

Teaser Christmas-themed trailer for Year Walk looks creepy cool. It’s hard to say what the final iOS game will be (it’s all rather cryptic), but TouchArcade’s writeup has a bit more detail and there’s an official website… something about 19th century Sweden and bending of dimensions. Sounds promising. {D}

Sometimes it’s not good to see your reflection, unless like me, you think your demon self is more handsome. {D}

A Moment to Reflect by ~damie-m

Nicholas Grabowsky recieves award (deservedly) for his writing and and teases (later in the video) that a pretty sweet sounding 2013 horror con is coming to Sacramento. If you don’t know his work The Everborn is a must read, though he’s known for other good stuff too. You’ll have to muck through to find the tasty sweet breads in this cheap ass video, but it’s worth it. {D}

Horror is a tricky beast. It always works well in the written word, because we can all conjure better scary shit in our heads than most effects/cameras can pull off. Still, I’m a consumate fan, a connoisseur if you will, of horror movies. I’m visual and I love to see other peoples’ visions of horror and go along for the ride.

Sadly, this year I reflected and concluded I didn’t enjoy one single horror movie that was a 2012 release. Sure, some had their moments, but overall I really felt the tide of horror in movies is changing for the worse. Mind you, that’s my opinion based on my criteria: I’ve stated before I don’t find most slasher/maniac films interesting (there are exceptions), and favor creature/monster movies, because “people-centric” horror doesn’t really do it for me.

Lately, save for Joss Whedon’s Cabin in the Woods — which was funny, but certainly NOT scary — I find little that isn’t totally predicable in Hollywood films in the 2012 lineup. Prometheus was a TOTAL letdown for me on story, mythos, etc. Woman in Black was too cliché and safe as a 1970’s style Hammer film, though certainly atmospheric. There were a few others I’ve completely forgotten. Still, as Hollywood just wants to placate the masses these days and rarely challenges the audience to think, I guess I’m aiming too high.

The big shocker was that indie films have always been my go to when Hollywood got stale. Sadly, from the 2012 films I did see — including the more lauded VHS, Innkeepers and countless others — they all seem to be trying so hard to be so deep or clever they failed to be interesting or scary. I don’t know, but shaky found footage, plots that never go anywhere, constant personal flashbacks to childhood tramas, or a-holes doing bad things to people who are just as assholish isn’t my idea of horror. Good story and good characters go a long way folks… c’mon.

Ironically, horror television is getting better. The Walking Dead isn’t brilliant (and certainly flawed), but it is interesting as a glorified “undead, society collapsed soap opera” and it’s a MEGA ratings winner, so it’s struck a cord with viewers. Also, the first season of American Horror Story was decent, but this season’s American Horror Story: Asylum is rockin’ IMHO, and letting actors really flex their acting muscles and storytellers go wild. This bodes well for horror television.

Of course horror is subjective. Some people get off on torture porn, while others dig alien parasitic infestations, and others love a good old ghost story. It matters not to me, so long as it’s either scary and immersive, or funny and imaginative. Perhaps I’m just jaded, but horror movies seem to be sucking, while TV and books seem to be going strong.

Here’s to hoping 2013 proves to be a banner horror MOVIE year. My tentacles are crossed. {D}

If you have to wear a knitted sweater this Christmas season, make it brutal! {D}

Slayer Thrash Metal Christmas Holiday Sweater

Happy thanksgiving pilgrims. {D}

Exactly! {D}

Animation, art and freaky human-fusions make this worth a look. {D}