William Greaves' Symbiopsychotaxiplasm Take One

William Geaves made this film in 1968.

It is a brilliant example of Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle at work within the mechanism of Filmmaking. You can find it on NetFlix and you'll be glad you did.

Later,

Paul Parducci

Horror Hotel's Amicus Roots

Although Max Rosenberg is listed as the producer of Director John Llewellyn Moxey's Horror Hotel it was by all accounts also produced by Milton Subotsky which makes this the first film produced by the team that would bring the world Amicus Studios.

Horror Hotel is an atmospheric giant of the genre and more than worthy of a thorough perusal.

Here I believe is a very fair overview by Steve Biodrowski of Hollywood Gothique.

Later,

Paul Parducci

New Director's Reel

After much input from my friends.
(Thank you all by the way. )
Here is my new Director's Reel.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Once a Soldier Always A Soldier. Happy Birthday US Army

(The photo is Sydney E, Manning Medal of Honor Recipient from World War One)

Today marks the 232nd anniversary of The United States Army. I am a former Soldier, I volunteered for the Army Infantry (Airborne) right after I completed High School. In many ways I count myself least among this amazing organization that includes men like Paul Smith and women like Deborah Samson. But at the end of the day, now and always I claim the title of "Soldier." I graduated from the US Army Infantry School at Fort Benning as well as the Airborne Course. That Blue cord and those hard-earned jump wings ( I jumped injured for my last three qualifying jumps -I have a total of Five Military Jumps) are among my proudest possessions. My Honorable Discharge is framed and hangs over my College Diploma. The discipline, loyalty and commitment to excellence I learned in the Army have supported me in all aspects of my life. I was fortunate enough to have served during peace but my brothers and sisters now under fire are constantly in my thoughts.

They say "Once a Soldier, Always A Soldier," and I have found this to be true. I am proud of all the branches of our Military but my heart belongs to the US Army. To be sure there is a quietness about my branch, a reluctance to display and discuss, this probably emanates from the concepts of the "Quiet Professional," (Army Hero SFC Chapman)and the legacy of George Washington and the Citizen Soldier (Barry Strauss piece on the Citizen Soldier) all of which find themselves lodged in the collective unconscious of the American Soldier. There is also it seems a professional acceptance at being unsung-by being the boots on the ground doing the tough thankless jobs, day in and day out frequently under unbelievably dangerous conditions.

The spiritual core of the US Army is the common Foot Soldier or Infantryman. He is the individual who when asked by America to do so, takes and holds ground. Even as we speak there are young men volunteering to do this. Volunteering to go in harms way.

LTC Randolph C. White speech gives an excellent overview about what it means to be an Infantry Soldier.

The hard lessons learned while at the Infantry School in the searing heat of summer in Georgia have stayed with me. When I encounter a problem I still say to myself ;"Over, Around, Under or Through." When a task is at hand I frequently think of the Infantry motto; "Follow Me!" Or the Airborne call,"All the Way!"
Because Soldiers are so frequently reluctant to talk about their service once it is done, you may be surprised by the number of Former Soldiers now serving in Congress.

Yes, Once a Soldier Always A Soldier. So even though my time as a Spartan is done and I now work in the dream factory making stories, I would like to tell all my Army family from Valley Forge to Kirkuk, from the beaches of Normandy to the rough mountains of Afghanistan.
Thank you for your service, Happy Birthday and remember this Soldier's prayers always have your six.
Later,
Paul Parducci
Sorry Almost forgot: HOOAH!

Broadcasting Electricity, The Avengers and Now

When I was a kid I used to watch re-runs of the the British import series the Avengers.(I think on New York's WOR TV ? Please help me readers.)

One episode in particular has stayed with me, in it the bad guy wore rubber boots and special gloves and sent lethal doses of electricity through the air. I didn't remember the name but I looked it up: "The Positive Negative Man."

It was the announcement of discovery of scientists this week of the ability to actually transmit electricity that prompted this post.

Be careful Emma!

Later,

Paul Parducci

Terence Fisher's "Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed"

"Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed" is a film deals with the human aspects inherent in bringing someone back to life. Although I have never been able to get through Shelley's Frankenstein (chalk it up to ADD.) Others who have have stated that this film comes the closest to Shelley's vision.

I just saw it and was extremely impressed by director Terence Fisher's vision. I highly recommend this movie for anyone interested in seeing a Frankenstein movie that isn't all about stomping around, dark castles and villagers. Hammer studios the venerable Studio that dripped blood put out this film. As I have spoken about before in this Blog, Hammer's rival (Amicus) has been a great influence on my take on this genre as well as my love of film. Amicus tended to present Modern Horror in a Contemporary setting. This was always more naturally to my liking so I generally avoided any scare pic with gaslights and horse-drawn carriages in it. Consequently I have not seen that many films put out by Hammer. But this take on the Frankenstein story has moved me in a whole new direction and made me want to see more of Fisher's brilliant yet largely over-looked work . And as he made most of his most memorable works with Hammer there will now be lots of Hammer on my queue.

Later,

Paul Parducci

Mark and Megan's "Bow Wow Bugs A Bug"

My good friends Mark Newgarden and Megan Montague Cash have put out a fascinating Wordless Picture story: "BOW-WOW BUGS A BUG."

To get filled in go here.

It's already a Junior Library Premier Selection and here's what Lane Smith says about it:

"What an odd, sweet, surreal, and hilarious adventure from Newgarden and Cash. It's what Crockett Johnson, Ernie Bushmiller, and Rod Serling might have come up with if they shared a bench at the doggie park. I love it!"

As visual story telling goes this is a perfect box of smiles for both you and the kids in your life.

Later,

Paul Parducci

Is There Really Life After Death?

NDE's or Near Death Experiences is one of the most interesting when it comes to peeking behind the veil of death.

Some believe it is proof positive that death is not the end and others believe it's just a flush of Ketamine related chemicals.

Here are some excellent links that should give you a nice overview of the conversation:

NearDeath.com

IANDS

Skepdic

Howstuffworks

Infidels.org

David Perry's Experience

Journal of Scientific Exploration

From the Telegraph

Ketamine

DamnInteresting.com

Children's NDE's

NDERF

Later.

Paul Parducci

Memorial Day Weekend

A marker on an unknown soldiers grave.

This weekend I think of you all.

Thank you,

Paul Parducci

Party Chit Chat:Padre Pio and Stigmata

Next time you are at a loss for conversation starters at a party bring up; Stigmata.

One of the most investigated and documented cases in modern times was the Stigmata of Padre Pio cananonized a Saint by the Catholic church in 2002.

Here's more on Stigmata.

Later,

Paul Parducci

A Movie You Don't Hear Too Much About

Paul Morrissey is a director who was closely associated with Andy Warhol during the days of the Factory. He is a resolutely independent filmmaker with a definite vision. Nothing more can be asked of an Artist.(Of course you can ask many more things of an Artist, but you know what I'm getting at.)
Here is the trailer for his film "Flesh For Frankenstein," Shot in Italy in 1973.
It's not for everyone (especially kids )but if you see it you won't soon forget it.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Guy Maddin

I could give you a lot of Film School jargon about one of my favorite Filmmakers: Guy Maddin. Instead I'll let the man speak through his brilliant work. Here is "The Heart of the World."
Later,
Paul Parducci
My buddy Stephen is Blogging about his latest in New York.

Werner Herzog's Fitzcarraldo: Filmmaking Without a Net

Fitzcarraldo is a film about ambitious dreaming. The kind of dreaming that is usaulally beaten out of you by age eleven or twelve here in the Western world.

Made without the computer effects we take for granted these days it is a stunning testament to the genius and recklessness of Herzog who worked (and worked his cast and crew) under unbelievably difficult conditions. Werner Herzog was at his auteur best and Klaus Kinski was never better.

I encourage all to see it.

I also encourage all to dream!

Later,

Paul Parducci

Great piece on it here.

The Brilliant, The Funny:Tom Poston

One of the greats has just passed away:

Tom Poston

Rest in Peace Mr. Poston you will be missed.

Later,

Paul Parducci

George Romero's Day of the Dead

Just watched George Romero's 1985 Day of the Dead. It is the least discussed of his Zombie masterpieces. Night of the Living Dead is of course both the genesis of the modern Zombie movie as well as the benchmark. The original 1978 Dawn of the Dead is also considered a classic. However, as I see it,"Day of the Dead" although planned (from what I have heard) as the third of a trilogy has gotten short shrift. Last seasons Land of the Dead was wonderfully executed and an extension of the myth of Zombiedom.(particularly with it's theme of Zombie development) But "Day" for this cinema consumer is Romero's darkest vision. With it's subterranean setting and edge of sanity performances, it is a must add for your queue.

Later,

Paul Parducci

PS: Sherman Howard's performance as Bub is a stand out.

The Nightmare Boss DVD has Been Released!!!

I can't thank you all enough for the unbelievable success of the very demented the very angry Nightmare Boss. The DVD has now been released. It includes all 15 Episodes plus the Nightmare Boss Holiday Special. The best place to get it is at Amazon.
Later,
Paul Parducci

The Problem of Consciousness: The Self Aware Internet, Thinking Robots and the Future of Man-Machine Interactions

Prepare yourselves, I'm going to say it. We live in amazing times. Technology is advancing geometrically--especially in the area of Artificial Intelligence and computer memory. We may very well be at the threshold of Robots who truly think for themselves. Here is an excellent piece on this from the Daily Mail

The potential consciousness of the Internet itself is also becoming a topic of some considerable inquiry, even though a solid definition of consciousness is problematic.
This is Computational Neuroscientist Terrence Sejnowski's piece on the Internet from Edge: The World Question Center. And here is an interesting post on Self-Aware Spam.
I have to go now, I'm creeping myself out.
Later,
Paul Parducci

The Virginia Tech Massacre

My prayers go out to all the innocent victims of this horrifying crime.
Here is the In Memoriam site.
Any news organization who is showing the video tape of the monster who did this should be deeply ashamed.
To promote or glorify this senseless act in any way is evil beyond words.
I believe in a God of Absolute Love and Perfect Justice and right now my prayers are for the power of this Loving God to wrap around the families who have suffered such an unthinkable loss.
God Bless,
Paul Parducci

Kurt Vonnegut- A Life in Letters.

Kurt Vonnegut died yesterday in New York at the age of 84.

I read one of his most celebrated works: "Slaughterhouse Five" while in Brother Tom's Lit class in High School. The imagery of it has stayed with me in the form of a crown of white yellow over the shadow edges of ornate buildings. A visual Haiku. It is the novelization of Mr. Vonnegut's direct experience of the fire-bombing of Dresden.

Here is a thorough piece on this one of a kind American author from the LA Times.

And another from Myway.

Rest in Peace Mr. Vonnegut.

Later,

Paul Parducci

Neil Marshall's The Descent

Just watched Neil Marshall's Appalachian Cave Horror; "The Descent." (I know I'm late, but my excuse for not watching it in a theater would bore you to death.)

If you enjoyed his previous film "Dog Soldiers," (I certainly did.) you will have a great time with this one. I must warn you however that it is very claustrophobic at times. At one point I had to pause the DVD to geta breath of fresh air.

Marshall is a Writer/Director who is not afraid to go to the bleaker edges of life. In fact the original title for this film was "The Dark."

So, get an oxygen tank and a bowl of popcorn or almonds if you eat low carb and follow Sarah, Juno and the rest of the gals into the bowels of the earth for some tight squeezed, hard to breath, help me please...fun.

Later,

Paul Parducci

PS: Movie link.