Tag Archives: horror movies

Creature Features

Creature Features: A Closer Look At The Movie Magic Of “Independence Day”

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CREATURE FEATURES: A CLOSER LOOK AT THE MOVIE MAGIC OF "INDEPENENCE DAY

Creature Features is back and we’re forgoing the BBQ to celebrate the 90s’ classic that would not go quietly into the night- Today we celebrate INDEPENDENCE DAY.

Man, I’ll never forget the hype for this movie. I was fourteen years old and was basically the talk of the Summer. The “Fresh Prince” himself Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum and aliens? WE’RE ALL IN ALREADY.

The film originally titled Doomsday, but was sealed with a chef’s kiss to what we now know as Independence Day thanks to Bill Pullman’s pumped up ‘MURICA speech in the film, was indeed a visual spectacular for audiences in 1996. And of course, a big round of applause for practical effects as it wins again- this time even an Oscar!

As we all understand, something like this takes a massive team to pull off. However, Volker Engel, Patrick Tatopoulos, Douglas Smith, Clay Pinney, Mike Joyce, and Joe Viskocil were some of the most notable faces of the special effects mastery. Unlike the films’ latter sequel, the movie relied heavily on old school tricks like miniature models for some of the more complicated scenes; like you know blowing up the White House which was actually measured at 15-feet wide and 5-feet high. In fact, 95 percent of the film was shot using miniatures with motion-control cameras.

As cool as that is, what really tickles my nostalgic tits is the movie magic aliens. Grant it this was supposed to be a family affair with it being a holiday Summer Blockbuster and all. But we all damn well know when President Whitmore went face to glass with one of these suckers’ at Area 51, you got the goddamn chills in that scene. Don’t you deny it.

Engal (seen below in the video) states he wanted to do something familiar yet new when it came to designing the creatures. The shots for the creatures were mostly dudes in fantastic costumes with effects coordinators controlling the limbs mechanically. So once again, puppeteering wins this round for monster magic.

Home Video Releases, News

[Trailer] A Wickedly Profound Transformation Awaits In Lovecraft Inspired Series “Black Goat”

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[TRAILER] A WICKEDLY TRANSFORMATION AWAITS IN LOVECRAFT INSPIRED SERIES "BLACK GOAT"

Move on over Black Phillip. The wickedly intriguing series, BLACK GOAT is coming so we may all live deliciously in a series brought on by the filmmakers and writers of The Call of Cthulhu and The Purge: Anarchy. And it looks ABSOLUTLY TERRIFYING.

The H.P Lovecraft inspired eight-episode gothic horror series stars Jeff Berg, Eva Hamilton, and Josie DiVincenzo with a story that spans more than 400 years of an ancient alien power that possesses and corrupts the souls of men. Each episode is a different chapter in time, each it’s own whole and complete story, and yet still just a mysterious piece of a much larger puzzle. Only when all fit together do we see the true shape, the true size of the horror.

Synopsis Excerpt:

The story begins in 1607, in the small coastal English settlement of Fort George, Maine. A humble settler, Ephraim Waite, and his devoutly religious followers break from the colony to pursue a more pious life deep in the untamed woods of Maine. Once settled, Ephraim’s wife finds a large, seemingly bottomless tunnel in the ground. It is surrounded and overgrown with strange alien vegetation. She is drawn to it’s powerful presence, seduced by it. Ephraim learns that the natives in the woods believe it to be a passage to an evil underworld, a supernatural power they refer to as Kamog. The power begins to slowly corrupt the village, both his wife and child die, and soon Ephraim finds himself faced with the ultimate choice, to turn from the darkness and perish or sacrifice his mortal soul for a promise of god like power and immortality. To become Kamog.

With the power to possess minds, and leap from one body to another, Ephraim (Kamog) moves through time, decade after decade, body after body, in pursuit of bringing a powerful ancient God to an earthbound form. The power comes at a price however, only minds that are weakened, vulnerable either by health or emotion, can be taken over. Possession is not always successful, and often Ephraim finds himself trapped for years, forced off his path, and fighting to return with deceit, manipulation and murder his only options.

I don’t want to give much more away, but if you’re interested in learning further, check out the FULL SEASON ONE SYNOPSIS over at DestroyAllMedia.com.

Streaming locations and dates TBA.

Home Video Releases

PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL 43 IS A VHS AESTHETIC DREAM COME TRUE

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These people pretty much had me at VHS transfers.

Channel 43 is an online public access station streaming on Twitch that focuses on horror, science fiction, and all the glorious things we here at Nightmare Nostalgia soak up and live by. The back to the past channel features short form video work from various artists while taking on the format of a television broadcast complete with commercial breaks, bumpers, news stories, PSAs’ and of course, host segments. All of this content has been transferred to VHS, circuit bent, and converted back to digital to create a consistent aesthetic throughout the entire broadcast.

Take a gander at this stunning strip of VHS aesthetic.

Per the press release:

“Channel 43’s first showcase offers up an eclectic blend from both traditional filmmakers and conceptual video artists while maintaining a unified viewing experience. With video work by 20 artists from around the world, the project aims to bring a dose of variety to horror and sci-fi as well as expand the scope of what these genres can be.
Creator and director of programming, Sophia Gordon, has been blending analog and digital technology within her own video arts practice for over 7 years. Her first channel, Miller’s Grove Public Access, incorporated the style for a group exhibition in 2019. Since then, it has become a staple within her work as a curator. Working under the name TeleUphoria Media Network, Gordon’s main initiatives are to preserve a safe space for artists of all experience levels and to create more interesting opportunities for video makers. She runs annual open calls for her rotating lineup of channels and encourages a DIY sensibility that is lo-fi friendly.”

For more information and a downloadable TV guide with schedule, visit Telephoria.org/broadcasts!