What's That? SCREAM Is Celebrating Its 20th Anniversary?!

Wow! Can you believe that today is the day, when the Slasher Horror film SCREAM released in movie theaters 20 years ago?! Where has the time gone? In 1996, I was only 14 years old.

During that same time, Beavis And Butt-Head Do America released and I went to see that movie with my uncle. 

Yes, you read that correctly. Both SCREAM and Beavis And Butt-Head Do America are celebrating their 20th anniversaries today.

Because you must be AT LEAST  17 years old, in order to go see an R-rated movie, I never watched SCREAM on the big screen. 

Yes, I know. Adolescents under 17 years old would sneak into R-rated movies if they did NOT  have a parent or an adult to take them to go see those movies.

However, that was never the case for me. By the time I was 14 years old, I normally rented R-rated movies with my mother at local video stores. In order for SCREAM to get an R-rating, a few scenes actually had to be deleted.

In the 2011 documentary, SCREAM: The Inside Story, the cast and crew mentioned, that some scenes were removed from SCREAM.

Do you remember those scenes of Drew Barrymore playing the character, Casey?

Ghostface sadistically grilled her over the telephone about Classic Slasher films and their moral villains. The filmmakers had to delete this scene of Casey's boyfriend being gutted on the patio.

1) SCREAM [Deleted Scene]: Casey's Boyfriend Steve Is Gutted (1996)

Because the scene of Drew Barrymore's character, Casey being hung from a tree was "too graphic" 20 years ago, the filmmakers also had to edit this next scene. In order to watch the following scene, click on the video link below, which will take you to the scene on YouTube.

2) SCREAM [Deleted Scene]: Casey Hanging From The Tree (1996)

Guess what? There are 3 MORE scenes that were removed from the 1996 Slasher Horror, SCREAM.

3) SCREAM [Deleted Scene]: Tatum's Death By Garage Door (1996)

4) SCREAM [Deleted Scene]: Kenny The Camera Man Gets His Throat Slit (1996)

5) SCREAM [Deleted Scene]: Stuart's Hand Drips A Puddle Of Blood After He & Billy Stab Each Other (1996)

Now that you have watched the preceding deleted scenes from SCREAM, it is only fitting to revisit these past blogs from 2014.

While being on social media yesterday, I re-shared my previous blog review about retro Christmas Slashers dating as far back as 1972.

Most people are unaware that Christmas Slashers helped originate the Slasher Horror sub-genre. Without Christmas Slashers, John Carpenter's Halloween would've never existed today. If you read my Christmas Slashers review, I explain about this topic in particular.

Since we are on the topic of SCREAM, the franchise still appears to be a very popular franchise 20 years later. 

In fact, I was quite surprised that MTV chose to remake this 20-year-old Slasher Horror movie into a TV series. You may be wondering:

What do you think about MTV remaking SCREAM into a prime time show?

Truthfully, it was highly unneccesary for a network, which was originally dedicated to airing MUSIC VIDEOS to be jumping on the bandwagon of remaking films. 

Even though I never bothered watching the TV series for SCREAM, it's quite evident that Hollywood filmmakers and screenwriters are desperately in need of MUCH newer and a lot more ORIGINAL content.

It appears that most filmmakers today are too hung up on their nostalgia. This Slasher did NOT  need to have its own TV series in this era. It would've made sense if SCREAM had its own show, during the time when the film was popular in the late 1990's.

Today, MTV and the creators of SCREAM's TV series are desperately reaching for an audience. 

The trilogy had its time, YEARS AGO and should stay in the past without Hollywood filmmakers ruining its legacy for money.

Now, let's take a murderous trip down memory lane by watching the documentary, SCREAM: The Inside Story. 

The uncensored version of this documentary, which I originally shared in the following blog, was removed from YouTube. Ugh! So annoying.

Therefore, I was forced to update my blog with a censored version of it. So, bear with me. Anyway, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of SCREAM, here is SCREAM: The Inside Story.

SCREAM: The Inside Story (2014)

Gruß vom Krampus!

How's it going lurkers? Gruß vom Krampus! 

In case you did not already know or in case you forgot, today is Krampus Day. Krampus is Saint Nicholas' evil sidekick, who shows up every December 5th to punish "naughty children."

Growing up, I never learned anything about this evil goat demon from teachers or my family. 

Some classmates did not necessarily know anything about Saint Nicholas Day being on December 6th, which I always found to be very odd. They not only knew NOTHING about Saint Nicholas Day, but also knew nothing about Krampus Day. NEITHER were discussed in any of my K-12 schools. 

I suppose our teachers did NOT  want to traumatize us impressionable children. Otherwise, they probably never heard of Krampus either.

I recently learned about Krampus 3 years ago from watching Grimm on NBC. Speaking of Grimm, I will really miss watching this show after its series finale, in the spring. As comical as the writing is, viewers have been exposed to some international folklores and Germanic terms to describe various creatures known as "wesen."

The series also gave me a reason to start watching primetime shows on Fridays again, over these last 5-6 years. I would've tried sharing that Krampus episode from Grimm today, but no thanks to Hulu, only viewers subscribed to their site can watch online streams now.

Since that is the case, I have decided to share footage of a Krampus Parade instead. Last month in Schladming, Styria (a former small mining town in the northwest of Austria), a Krampus Parade was held. It is normally called Krampuslauf  meaning "Krampus Run."

Over 1200 Krampus celebrants dressed as the beast in black rags and masks drag chains behind themselves. 

Every so often, these celebrants hurl their chains and switches towards children. This is along with them swinging cowbells, which is to warn people that Krampus is coming.

In Scandinavian countries and other parts of Europe, Krampuskarten or "Krampus Cards" are given for Krampus Day.

Saying "Gruß vom Krampus" means "Greetings from the Krampus" in German.

The depiction of Krampus has evolved over time, since the 1800's. Older versions of Krampus cards depict this goat demon as more evil and frightening. In more modern times, he is depicted as more child friendly, if not a womanizer.

If you would like to learn more about Krampus, feel free to check out my previous blogs about him at the following:

Song Saturday: Krampus + More About Saint Nick's Evil Sidekick (2014)

Song Saturday: Midnight Syndicate's Night Of The Krampus (2015)

To celerate the holiday, here is footage of the Krampuslauf in Schladming, Styria from last month's Krampus Parade.

Krampuslauf ["Krampus Run"] In Schladming, Styria, Austria (2016)

Song Saturday: The Late Great Scott Weiland 1 Year later

How's it going lurkers? On the left is a touching photograph of the late Stone Temple Pilots/Velvet Revolver's frontman, Scott Weiland. In this picture, he's shown embracing his mother, Sharon Williams. It is touching yet simultaneously heartbreaking.

Here it is 1 year later. Honestly, I expected for Scott to have died 20 years ago. There was constant news coverage about Weiland being in/out of rehab, throughout the years. At the same time, it was still a tragic surprise to learn of Scott's death on social media, last year.

Throughout my childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood, I listened to a variety of music genres, sub-genres, groups, and singers. Stone Temple Pilots was a major part of my youth, during the 1990's.

As a music lover, I still have MOST of Stone Temple Pilots' albums; I have their first 4 albums to be more specific. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I didn't grieve over Kurt Cobain and Layne Staley's deaths.

When Kurt died, I was just going into middle school. When Layne Died, I was on my way to my 2nd and 3rd colleges followed by hosting my OWN radio show. Scott Weiland lived longer than Nirvana's Kurt Cobain and Alice In Chains' Layne Staley combined. He missed his milestone of turning 50 and died from a drug overdose, last December 3rd at 48 years old.

Early Wednesday morning, I took a quick peak at the official Stone Temple Pilots page on Facebook. I was curious to know if STP had finally decided on another replacement vocalist. Once I clicked on the band's page, I saw a picture of Scott Weiland wearing a black suit and a red hat.

On the band's most recent Facebook status (October 27, 2016), it says, "Happy Birthday Scott. We miss you." 

Below his picture, a fan posted, "The day I heard he passed away... part of my youth went with him. Happy Birthday Scott. RIP." I cannot help sharing this exact sentiment.

After learning, that Scott Weiland died last December 4th, a considerable amount of my youth died with him, too. I grew up listening to Stone Temple Pilots. I was in 4th and 5th grade, when the band started getting airplay. Normally, I would get a Stone Temple Pilots album for my birthday. That was if I did NOT  already buy an album of theirs between 12 to 18 years old.

In fact, I remember when the band released their 2nd album, Purple close to my 12th birthday. June 7, 1994. Wow! It's like my life just flashed before my eyes. Damn, do I feel OLD. In 1994, that was when Stone Temple Pilots reached their pinnacle as a band.

I also remember owning a Stone Temple Pilots poster, during the '90s and 2000. I managed to find an online picture of what my old poster looked like from my youth.

Vintage Stone Temple Pilots Poster Circa 1993

 

Too bad I had to throw it away. This exact poster ripped 16 years ago. I believe the main reason why I took Weiland's death harder than the others was because I was able to sympathize and empathize with him.  

Scott Weiland was a talented entertainer, who endured rape in high school, was forced to mourn a baby that a significant other ABORTED years before STP's fame, the death of his brother, and other tragedies throughout his life.

He was a talented performer with severe substance abuse problems. Even though Scott was highly flawed, I can't help feeling his pain because I am an empath.

Since the time I was 12 years old, I could actually feel his pain through the songs he wrote for Stone Temple Pilots. Now that Scott Weiland's dead, I feel his pain a lot more, whenever I listen to "Atlanta" and "Kitchenware & Candybars."

Their music videos were in heavy rotation on MTV AND VH-1. Speaking of both those music networks, they act like Stone Temple Pilots NEVER existed, which is a slap in the face to us veteran viewers and fans.

Last night, MTV Classic aired Classic Albums: Nirvana – Nevermind. The network really should've aired Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, in tribute to Scott Weiland.

As grateful as some of us really should be, since all the music video networks such as MTV, MTV2, Fuse TV, and VH-1 have gone to Hell in a hand basket thanks to Viacom, MTV Classic is a piss poor representation of what MTV was during the 1980's and '90s.

Also, as much as I loved Nirvana and grieved over Kurt Cobain, during my youth, Nirvana was NOT  the ONLY Grunge band to exist. I am still reeling over the fact, that MTV and the media in general continuously toss Scott Weiland's death to the side.

Most act as if Stone Temple Pilots never existed. When the media is NOT  blacklisting Scott Weiland and STP as a whole, they will demonize Scott as if he was the only entertainer in history to EVER be a drug addict and alcoholic.

Loudwire: Filter's Richard Patrick Discusses Scott Weiland's Death (2016)

Can Richard Patrick from Filter be anymore self-righteous and condescending? I just love how he has so much to say about Scott.

No disrespect to my fellow Nirvana fans, but I feel that Scott Weiland was a MUCH BETTER singer and songwriter than Kurt Cobain. STP's Scott Weiland and Alice In Chains' Layne Staley were both phenomenal frontmen for Grunge Rock bands. 

All the while, Kurt Cobain continues to be a highly overrated dead Grunge vocalist. Stone Temple Pilots' Scott Weiland and Alice In Chains' Layne Staley had vocals, which made Nirvana's Kurt Cobain sound off-key with his incoherent babbling. 

In the beginning, Dave Mustaine from Megadeth even witnessed Scott's vocal range and kooky talent during concert performances.

Loudwire: Megadeth's Dave Mustaine Recalls Advice He Gave Scott Weiland (2015)

 

Because it is Song Saturday and the 1-year anniversary of Scott Weiland's death, I wanted to share a few videos.

Also, there are rare live performances he did with The Doors and Stone Temple Pilots. Before watching these videos, I want to share Sarah Michelle Gellar's condolences to Scott, his family, friends, fans, and bandmates.

Entertainment Tonight: Sarah Michelle Gellar Pays Tribute to Scott Weiland After His Death (2015)

1) Stone Temple Pilots "Lounge Fly" Purple (1994); Live At Toronto (1993) 

2) Stone Temple Pilots "Dancing Days" [Led Zeppelin Cover] Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin (1995); Las Vegas Secret Show (1999)

3) The Doors [Featuring Scott Weiland] "Break On Through"/"Five to One" VH1 Storytellers (2000)

If you would like to learn more, here are links to other musicians sending their condolences and additional Song Saturday blogs about Scott Weiland.

Rockers React: Scott Weiland Dead at 48 (2015)

Song Saturday: Scott Weiland VS. Chester Bennington? You Decide! (2014)

Song Saturday: Scott Weiland Christmas Block (2015)

RIP, SCOTT WEILAND!!!

Revisiting The Gremlins Franchise & Mogwais In Chinese Folklores

How's it going lurkers? How did you enjoy your Thanksgiving? My Thanksgiving wasn't horrible. However, my mother and I DID manage to dodge a really nasty car accident, last Wednesday.

Hopefully, everyone's Thanksgiving Day went well with family and friends. 

Now that Thanksgiving is over, we must prepare for Krampus Day, Saint Nicholas Day, Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, and Christmas Day.

I am sure that some of you will be celebrating this "festive" season with Christmas films whether they are the stereotypical Lonely Romance Comedies, or something creepy like Christmas Slashers. You may even want to go the Horror Comedy route with Gremlins, for example.

After all, Gremlins is technically a Christmas Horror Comedy film. The original movie is set during the time of Christmas. I published a blog years ago about the Gremlins audiobooks. In addition to my blog about the Gremlins audiobooks, I published another blog last June about the disturbing dream I had about killing Gremlins. Then, I briefly explained about mogwai in Chinese folklores.

So, to delve into more detail about these FUGLY monsters, the term "mo" derives from the Sanskrit "Mara," meaning "evil beings," which shares a cognate with the Persian "Magi" from which the English word "magic" derives. This is according to tribe.net.

Mara in BOTH Buddhism and Hinduism determines the fates of death and desire, that tether people to an unending cycle of reincarnation and suffering. He is the source of wickedness and purposely leads people to sin, misdeeds, and self-destruction. 

"Gui," on the other hand, does not necessarily mean "evil" or "demonic spirits." Gui simply means "deceased spirits" or "souls of the dead." 

In modern Chinese, gui has evolved into normally referring to the spirits/ghosts of unrelated family members seeking their revenge on mortals, who have caused them anguish, when they were still alive. 

It is common for mortals to rectify their sins by sacrificing money to gui by burning (usually fake) paper banknotes so that gui can have funds to use in their afterlife.

Also, Tribe.net states that the modern popular use of mogui as "demonic" and gui as "devils" are somewhat outcomes of Western influences.

Satan in The Book of Job is translated as "diabolos" in Greek and "mogui" in the Chinese Biblical texts. Therefore, Satan is "Mogui" in Chinese. 

Whenever you have the chance to re-watch Gremlins, you will have a slightly better understanding about mogwai in Chinese folklores.

As I briefly explained in my Killing Gremlins blog (which you can click on and read below), the water or rain to be more exact, is for reproduction during the mating seasons.

Mogwai in Gremlins are depicted as asexual creatures with the ability to morph into dangerous monsters. 

The scientists in Gremlins 2: The New Batch believed, that Gremlins are either mischievous and mean-spirited reptiles, or simply viruses.

You learn something new everyday!

Because Gremlins is a Christmas Horror Comedy movie and because today's blog is about mogwai in Chinese folklores, let's revisit the Gremlins audiobooks and my dream about killing them for another Throwback Thursday.

Who Remembers The Gremlins Audiobooks From Hardee's? (2013)

Have You Ever Killed Gremlins In Your Dreams? (2015)