Horror Film Hits of 2007 (For Those of You Who Would Like To Know)

2007 was a huge year for the horror genre as it had two films that grossed north of $100 million (i.e. I Am Legend and Ghost Rider) while the rest of the successful genre films were filled with sequels (i.e. Saw IV and Alien Vs. Predator: Requiem) and remakes (i.e. Halloween and Premonition) not to mention animation (i.e. Beowulf) and even a musical (i.e. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street). Yes, 2007 was a successful year all around for the horror genre and following is a list of the top 10 for us to review once again, in case you missed one or more of them.

At the bottom of the list is the Sandra Bullock psychological thriller Premonition ($47.9 million), which was a remake of an Asian film. An interesting remake to say the least that focused more on story and character rather then scares although there were many suspenseful moments in the film. Similar in tone to such films as The Butterfly Effect and Jacob’s Ladder, Premonition was an interesting departure for Bullock best known for such films as While You Were Sleeping and Miss Congeniality.

For many filmgoers Resident Evil: Extinction ($50.6 million) was a return to form after the abysmal second film Apocalypse. This next chapter of a world over-run with the undead takes place years after the previous film in a time when nature has reclaimed most of the Earth. With most of the horror occurring during the daylight hours, this was a more stylistic film then the previous one and made audiences believe that there was no place to hide in a world ravaged by zombies.

And the winner for best horror musical of the year goes to Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street ($52.9 million), which was a huge departure for both director Tim Burton and star Johnny Depp but audiences didn’t care as this was a hugely successful adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. Not only was it a visual tour de force but it also had great music as well.

Next up is the infamous Rob Zombie remake of Halloween ($58.3 million), which was still successful despite harsh criticism of the film from both critics and fans of the John Carpenter original. I for one did not mind Zombie’s revision of the film which was better then most of the sequels in the series.

Coming in at number six on the list is Saw IV ($63.3 million), which was less successful then the previous two films in the series but nevertheless popular with fans of the series. This was the number one “true” horror film of the year as the rest of the list includes more mainstream genre fare.

Stephen King was popular this year as one of his most acclaimed short stories finally made it to the big screen with 1408 ($72 million). This psychological haunted hotel thriller was a surprise success for many who didn’t think it was possible to bring the character heavy story to the big screen. John Cusack’s stellar performance holds this mostly one-person film together when it could have so easily fallen flat on its face.

Next up is the teen thriller Disturbia ($80.2 million), which held its own despite the lack of any star talent. This was just a film that had all the right elements in the right place at the right time that delivered a suspenseful thrill-ride for audiences of all ages.

The animated Beowulf ($82.3 million) took audiences by surprise when it debuted on both regular and digital 3D screens (not to mention the IMAX Digital 3D as well). This uncompromising Robert Zemekis directed film took the original epic story to new heights delivering an action packed epic adventure. It was filled with monsters and blood and gore like no other mainstream animated film before it.

Now I know I will be criticized for putting this film on the list but the film adaptation of the Marvel Comics character Ghost Rider ($115.8 million) comes in at number two. Fans of the comic book know that the original stories had many elements of horror contained within, but this big-budget film watered-down all those elements to deliver a mostly “comic” and camp film with no redeeming qualities of the original source material. Nevertheless, many audiences (who knew nothing about the original comic) enjoyed the film and made it a huge success. Not since the adaptation of Spawn (1997) have so many fans been so disappointed.

And the highest grossing horror film of the year goes to I Am Legend ($256.4 million). Starring the always bankable Will Smith this loose adaptation of the Richard Matheson novel was not well received by die hard Matheson fans, but there is no denying that the film (like all the other adaptations of the novel) had a life of its own allowing it to become one of the biggest horror films in history. Not since Tom Hanks’ performance in Cast Away (2000) has an actor commanded such a performance. It may not be exactly Matheson’s novel but this version of I Am Legend holds its own.

As you can see 2007 had genre films for everyone and along with those top 10 there were many other noteworthy films including Alien Vs. Predator: Requiem ($41.8 million), 30 Days of Night ($39.6 million), The Messengers ($35.4 million), Zodiac ($33.1 million), 28 Weeks Later ($28.6 million), and The Mist ($25.6 million), to name a few, so if you don’t feel like watching any of the top 10 take a look at a few of these, you’ll be glad you did.

As box office information was provided by Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com).

"My Trip To HOUSE ON HORROR HILL!"

Several people read and saw pictures about my trip to Netherworld this past Halloween and wanted to know what I thought about the "other" haunted house I visited this year which was the House on Horror Hill. Nothing can compare with the vastness and budget of Netherworld but it's always good to keep an eye out for the smaller venues and competition because you never know what you'll get.

Having gone to Netherworld first (three days earlier so it was still frest in my mind) Horror Hill was a bit guvenile as it's primary audience was for eight to sixteen year olds as only they would be scared on the antics of this type of house/attraction. The venue was made up of several rooms depicting scenes from which patrons would be simply squeezed into the room and allowed the scenes to unfold before having all the lights turned out (thus ushering the strobe lights) and the actors in the scenes would thene grab out at the patrons as they were pushed from that room into the next. The whole experience was very "militaristic" as we were marched from one room to the next and I didn't enjoy any of the rooms regardless of some of the rooms and scenes actually being very well made with actors who really put an effort into their work.

There were too many people crammed into each group and the person leading the group from from room to the next was someone whom you think didn't want to be there. This being said, me and my friends did go on the busiest day of the season - HALLOWEEN, so I'm willing to forgive them a little. I do have to say that the people behind the actual production of the venue did care about the quality of what they were putting together as they gave comment cards to every person who went through the house wanting to know which were their favorite and least favorite of the rooms.

Although I now know that this in not the venue for me, it's definitely a place I could take my little nephew who would actually get a kick out of the place.

Filming SHIVER!

Filming on my CenterSeat Production of SHIVER (which I'm making my feature film debute) is going very well as I'm loving everything that I'm getting from my cast (so far Sherrie Peterson, Alicia Schulz, Dixie Light, and Cesar Aguirre) and crew (so far Asa Rose, Vernon Mui, and Laura Scigliano). It has been a joy to be working with such creative talents who have made this film experience better then I could have possibly imagined.

The only problem that the production has faced is the extreme cold hitting Georgia earlier then it has in a long time. This and the wind have played havok on several of my exterior shoots which leaves me dreading the "dailies" because I might have to re-shoot one or more of these scenes (thankfully, we still have lots of time in the productions schedule). I've alotted 15 days of principal photography which as of today we are still on track so I'm very happy with that. This weekend is light in that we only have six scenes to film and only two actors needed (I decided to go light this weekend in order to allow everyone to enjoy this Thanksgiving weekend). I'm just glad my actors were in such good spirits to be so accomodating to the production.

Going into the third week of production (and you're hearing it here first), I've decided to change the name of the film from SHIVER to something more appropriate. After all the re-writes and changes the film no longer feels like a "shiver" type of movie but instead feels like a female drama with suspenseful undertones so over the last few days I've been coming up with many names to choose from in order to change the title of the film. I've not decided on a title yet but I may let the cast & crew have a stab at naming this film since without them, this film would have never been possible.

Originally, SHIVER was just meant to be a screenplay that I wanted to sale but circumstances were placed before me and I couldn't say "no" so I decided to make this film my directing debute. I only hope that I can do everyone justice and come out with an entertaining and thought provoking film. Having filmed seven other features (as various other positions) I know how much it can take out of a person to do their first film so I'm trying to be as prepared as possible and be ahead of the game. As long as I can continue to give the illusion that I know what I'm doing then everything will come out as planned.

I just hope I can continue up the illusion.

"Joss Whedon as King"

Just finished getting caught up with issues of the Joss Whedon approved BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: SEASON EIGHT and ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL (or better known as Season six) comic books which continue what would have happened in the television series' should they have continued. Although Whedon is the driving force behind both series providing the "direction" behind which both series follow, he has taken the chief reigns behind the current story in BUFFY Season Eight with the story "Time of Your Life" which sees Buffy thrust into the future where she meets future vampire slayer Fray (who had her own series also written by Whedon). This was the cross-over than fans have been asking for for years (since I've yet to read the FRAY mini-series I am sad to say I am not one of this group).

In the story "Time of Your Life" the biggest moments come from the fact that Buffy realizes that the future has no slayers to battle the forces of darkness and that everything she sacreficed to bring upon the slayers and the Potentials (possible future slayers who were called early - SEE SEASON SEVEN of the TV show) was all for nothing. This cross-over will have a profound effect of Buffy and the series as a whole as she must now find a direction that will help her prevent the future events that she has seen.

One of the great things about the this story and the series as a whole is how many other sub-plots are wrangled into each issue and the series in general. Willow has a new girlfrend and there are hints in "Time of Your Life" that she may be responsible for world changing events as she has survived into Fray's future. Also, Dawn is experiencing life changing events as well seeing as that her former demon-boyfriend's curse first changed her into a giant-Dawn through most of the first half of the series; the curse takes a new turn as Dawn finds herself a Centaur, part woman and part horse, which makes for very funny moments between her and Xander. Xander has had it bad, as usually, seeing as her just got through both being Dracula's minion, again, and his new girlfriend getting killed in the last story - "The Wolves At the Gates." Both Faith and Giles have gone missing for a while in the series as they are both staying clear of Buffy & gang for their own reasons (I'm sure will have profound effects on the series in the long run). This "season" of Buffy just keeps getting better and better.

Over in ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL, Los Angelas and most of California is stuck in hell, but it is finally revealed that the hell that Angel & Company find themselves in is a mirror-realm in which the "real" world cannot see. It is revealed, finally, that after the events of the Series Finale, Angel has been turned human and battling the deminions of Hell regardless of his limitations. Gunn is becoming a formidable villain with a link to the Powers That Be (or so he thinks) and like most of the Angel televion series good characters become bad and bad become alliesor dead (again). If there is one thing bad with AFTER THE FALL and Angel (both comic & TV series) it's that there are way too many characters for its own good and new readers will find it hard jumping into the story. Jumping into the series without already knowing the TV show is problem enough, but regardless, Angel comes off as this epic hero that's suppose to be both bad and good which is one of the reasons why it is so obsessive.

Although Whedon does less with this series then the BUFFY series both feel very much like the televion shows and are great extensions of the mythos.

"My Visit to the NETHERWORLD!"

It's been a long time since I visited a haunted house so when someone at my job suggested that this year we all go to Georgia's (in)famous Netherworld I jumped at the opportunity. I decided to bring my sister along since (if I recall) I don't think she's ever been to one.

The first thing you notice when you walk to the location is that it is housed in what appears to be a two story furniture store. It may not look (at first) like something special but that's just the impression they want you to have about the place. After you get your ticket(s) you have the choice of going to one of two houses (or haunts) to enter. In the case of Netherworld they have the Manger and the Carnavore. You can buy tickets for only one of the houses but its just as cheap to get them both.

Once you have tickets in hand then you have to stand in line until its your turn in the house. The great thing about Netherworld is that there are just as many monsters and creatures outside as there are inside and those monsters are doing anything and everything to get the patrons ready for when they enter the house. It's a great audience booster as the patrons get an up close and personal look at all the great make up and creatures on hand and believe me there were many and they were great. One of the fun things on this trip for me was watching the eight year old kids in front of me get excited by all the monsters that roamed the street. At first they were scared and didn't want to go near them but as time went on they got used to them and at one point even tried to scare the monsters.

Needless to say it was a very enjoyable beginning.

When it was time to enter the house Carnavore (and I refuse to give up the goods in hopes that those of you that can do decide to go) I was at first captivated by the great lighting of the facility. Being a lighting technician that's always the first thing that I think of and take notice. Netherworld's Carnavore is the most traditional of all haunted houses as rooms remind you of EVENT HORIZON, POLTERGEIST, CLOVERFIELD, PUMPKINHEAD, and just about any other haunted house and horror film you can think of. It is truly an experience not to be missed. A trip through this house runs about fifteen to twenty minutes (yet seems longer) and is truly fun for the whole family.

Next up was the house Mangler which looks like something Clive Barker cooked up and is a bastard child of the film SE7EN and THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE or SAW. This was a much shorter haunt (about ten minutes) but works because from the moment you enter you just want to get out as soon as you can (this is in the good way).

Both houses were worth the small admission $20.00 with coupon (or $25.00 regular) and was better then any horror film currently at the box office. If you want to spend this Halloween getting scared then there's no better way then this.

"After the Fall"

I thought I might have something to say given the fact that I haven’t written anything in several weeks but I’m all out of ideas as I’m trying to put the fragile pieces of my life back together again before I embark on my film production which will take up most of my time in the coming weeks and months.

Just got off of a two week gig at Tyler Perry Studio’s grand opening celebration. It was a one night event that took two and a half weeks to put together in which Mr. Perry could show off his new studio in East Point, Georgia to all his friends and colleagues and show off to the world that he doesn’t need Hollywood to do his own films.

Although the event will have paid me good money (enough to help me finance my film) the whole thing was one big waste of money in order to allow Mr. Perry to “show off” his money. Point of fact he needed this event due to the fact that his latest film “The Family That Preys” hasn’t exactly been as popular as many of his previous films. Having only sat completely through one of his films I can have no opinion on his work.

I do have to admit that his Grande Opening was the biggest production (and most expensive) that I had ever been a part of and I met a lot of great people during the event so I am very appreciative. I didn’t get to meet the man personally but he was always around watching and…well, watching. He was always around and if he wasn’t around his cameraman was around documenting everything. If I was forking out as much money as he was on the event then I would want someone to document it as well.

That was then and this is a new day. That gig is over and having returned from the lush gig that it was working at Gwinnett Convention Center seems to be lacking something. I’ve been back for a week and I have yet to actually “do” anything there. My motivation is gone and I feel as if my talents would be better suited somewhere else. I’m sure this is how everyone who hates there job feels. Only I don’t hate my job; I hate the politics and bullshit that comes with working at my job (something I’m sure I’ll go deeper into at a later date).
In the meantime I’m focusing all my energy on my film production and my new partnership with GET THE EORD OUT FOUNDATION (something else I’ll get to at a later date).

"Little Bastards"

I just had a two-three year old kid give me the middle finger as I was driving back home from the grocery store. I was minding my on business when this all happened and so I’m just a little taken by it all. What parent teaches their child or allows their child to just go around giving the finger to random strangers for no other reason then the little bastard can?

I don’t know what “parenting” has come to in this day and age but upon returning home I had a conversation with my older sister about the fact that this child is the resident “little bastard” of the neighborhood. Now, keep in mind that we’re talking about a child that’s not even five years old yet and he’s already known as a “little bastard” and the parents have been labeled “dead beats.” Now this is not a bad neighborhood that we live in either. We live in a new sub-division in Lawrenceville-Grayson, Georgia which isn’t cheap and the presence of this “little bastard” is a tad unsettling, to say the least.

I look forward to the day when I become a parent and I think about what “could” happen should I raise a “little bastard.” I shudder at the thought.
That’s all. Just wanted to rant about “little bastards.”

"Relationship Vs. Non-Relationship"

I’ve been involved with someone on and off since last November; lately it’s been more off as we’ve decided to cool it off due to several of our own complications that come with not only being a couple but in life…general.

It’s been a week since I last saw her and I’ve been on occasion thinking much of her but isn’t that what I should be doing? I can count on one hand the number of women I’ve been serious about. The list is even shorter for women whom I truly trust and have opened up enough to trust whole-heartedly without remorse and without regret.

I stand before you now a humble man with nothing more but yearning and desire. My “girlfriend” and I (if you can call her that) have had our issues, none of which in my opinion make for the so-called “deal breaker” yet we remain on the edge of – for now lets just call it – “insanity.”

As I’ve said, I’ve had much time to think about all this and dwell upon just what it is that keeps us apart while also creates a façade from which neither one of us wants the walls to come crumbing down to reveal the “truth.”

Maybe we are not meant for each other…any maybe I don’t want to give up that chance, however small and fleeting, that maybe we are. It’s a façade I want to have a belief in and I don’t want those walls to come crumbing down. For right now I need those walls to cling to and hold me up from day to day. At least for the time being.
But I no longer plan on waiting for someone else to knock down the walls. I plan on doing something about it so that it’s no longer a façade to hold me up but can represent a symbol of something stronger to cling to and to nurture.

"Today is a Good Day"

Haven't done much today in my over 10 hours of work at Gwinnett Convention Center but then again there are only a bunch of school teachers and stuff here for their "Bright From The Start" get together (which was here last week as well but this week it is on a smaller scale).

I've done more today in the way of working on my Ebay venture then anything else. I haven't even done much in the way of writing yet but still I comnsider this a good day. It could be a good day for many things. I've got many things straightened out in my life (yet there are still a ton not straight yet) and my health is reasonable good (although it could be better).

It's a good day because for once I'm not stressed out. For once I've got a few more things solved and/or figured out that I didn't yesterday. Now this may not be the be-all end-all of it all but it's a start and that has to count for something doesn't it?

Some people aren't even where I am. I guess I'm the lucky one after all.

"Days Gone By"

As myfirst entry in my personal blog...I have nothing to talk about other then I created this blog separate from my "Writer's First" blog to be a place where I can ramble and not care about what I say or how I say it. Whereas my "Writer's First" blog is meant to be a sampling of my writing this blog is where I can be more free with my thoughts and words.

I got criticized on my other blog for some of the things I said so I thought it was time to have a personal place where NO ONE is going to tell me what to say or write. My "Writer's First" blog will continue to be a place where others can go to read some of my writings of all different types - some you can find on other websites and some you will only be able to find there but this site you will not be able to find any of the information anywhere else.

I hoe that you continue to read this and other things that I write and please forgive the mess of me not having anything up yet as I have thought of the scheme for this here blog.