Song Saturday: Bauhaus' Peter Murphy

How's it going lurkers? You may recall that I published another Bauhaus Song Saturday blog, last year. For today's Song Saturday, there are 2 music videos from Bauhaus' Peter Murphy.

Last year, the Goth Rock vocalist released his album, Lion. I haven't made any time to listen to it, this week. However, I DO remember YouTubing Murphy's concert collaborations with Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor and the band, TV On The Radio in 2006. Check it out on YouTube, when you have the chance.

Since today's blog is about Bauhaus' Peter Murphy, I am sharing 2 rare music videos. In addition, here is his live collaboration with Trent Reznor and Jeordie White (a.k.a. "Twiggy Ramirez") covering Nine Inch Nails' "Reptile."

1) Peter Murphy "All Night Long" Love Hysteria (1988)

 

2) Peter Murphy "Cuts You Up" Deep (1990)

3) Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor [Featuring Bauhaus' Peter Murphy and Twiggy Ramirez] "Reptile" The Downward Spiral (1994); (2006)

Cartoon Sunday: Black Lagoon Pilot Episode

How's it going lurkers? Yesterday, I mentioned sharing a link to 1 of the ending theme songs to Black Lagoon in a Metal thread on Adult Swim's forum. 

"Preach Headz Addiction" by Breath Frequency was used as the ending theme song for Black Lagoon's series finale. Today I want to explain more about this Seinen Action Anime.

Last week, I talked to an Adult Swim Helper about Black Lagoon. He posted a thread in the Black Lagoon sub-forum asking:

"If you were kidnapped and your boss didn't pay to get you back would you join with your kidnappers rather than go home? I think the fact that Revy was there had something to do with it. I think if it were just Benny and Dutch, Rock would have been long gone."

I repiled to the Adult Swim Helper:

"I would've rather gone home. Rock claims to suffer from 'Stockholm Syndrome,' but he really wanted belong to a group. I personally can't stand Revy. I'm Team Roberta. Watching Roberta kick her ass was fantastic because Revy met her match."

As a Black Lagoon fan, I can't stand Revy. I have always found Revy to be sickening. She is that eternal victim, who had such a HARD life and overcompensates for it by acting like a sociopathic misanthrope and begrudges everyone. Revy also loves denying her feelings for Rock.

Meanwhile, Roberta actually resonates with me a lot better than Revy. I may not have lied, backstabbed, and killed people but I can definitely identify with people underestimating me because of my physical appearance, living a double life, and having physical strength. 

Roberta tries to be polite. However, she is NOT opposed to using brute force. 

As I maintained a conversation with the Adult Swim Helper, I automatically noticed his justifications for Revy acting like a misanthropic, bipolar bitch to the protagonist, Rock. 

Supposedly, he has friends EXACTLY like her and being a rape survivor is an excuse to act like a bitch to everyone. I explained to the Adult Swim Helper:

"Being raped most definitely will harden anyone and make it difficult to maintain relationships with people whether it's a friendship, or a romantic relationship. Revy has streets smarts but at the same time, she spends more time trying to act tough and being a bitch to everyone. Dutch and Benny don't treat everyone the way Revy treats people. Every rape victim doesn't treat everyone horribly because of it. She may be physically strong, but she's emotionally weak and commitment phobic. Revy begrudges anyone, who lives and has lived a much better life than she did. She falls under the category of what would be considered the stereotypical 'low class lowlife' because she doesn't come from living a wealthy lifestyle and acts classless."

I am NOT  in the slightest trying to minimize sexual abuse. It is a horrible experience to endure. 

Sexual abuse is something extremely difficult to recover from physically, emotionally, psychologically, and sexually. 

Not knowing who to trust, after a traumatic experience such as sexual abuse is much harder. 

Although, NOT  every rape victim becomes a paid criminal and believes, that he/she can abuse others. Therefore, I believe that Adult Swim Helper's statements are mostly B.S.

Reading his justifications constantly made me roll my eyes behind the screen. Even though he has a right to like whichever character(s) he wants, I refuse to validate his bullshit logic.

Since we are on the topic of Black Lagoon, it is best to give a recap summary. Black Lagoon was actually based on piracy cases in the East China Sea, during the mid to late 1990's. 

The Mangaka, Rei Hiroe was inspired by the works of James Ellroy, John Woo, Quentin Tarantino, and Stephen King.

Black Lagoon opens with the protagonist, Rokuro Okajima (a.k.a. "Rock"). The protagonist is a businessman (who would also be considered a "salary man" in Japan) for Asahi Industries in Tokyo. Rock is sent by his company to deliver a disk in the East China Sea. 

In the process, his boat gets hijacked by pirates/mercenaries known as the Lagoon Company, who were hired to steal it. Revy (the only Chinese American female mercenary in Lagoon Company) chooses to hold Rock hostage, hoping he will be ransom worthy. 

Eventually, the disk becomes useless to them. In order to hide the smuggling operation, Rock's department chief, Kageyama, declares Rock as "dead" and abandons him.

Because Rock no longer works for Asahi Industries, he chooses to work for the Lagoon Company as their negotiator/translator, while supposedly suffering from "Stockholm Syndrome." Gotta love the smell of bullshit in the morning.

If you have never watched Black Lagoon, you can try watching it in the following link:

Black Lagoon Season 1: Episode 1 [English Dub] (2006)

Song Saturday: Missy Elliott Block

How's it going lurkers? Today's Song Saturday block has been long overdue. 

Last Sunday, Missy Elliott was a featured performer at the Super Bowl with Katy Perry. Because I am NOT  a Sports fan (unless it's Boxing, Martial Arts, and Mixed Martial Arts) and was shoveling snow, I didn't watch the Super Bowl.

Recently, I discovered that Missy Elliott released more new music. I didn't know that she released anything new within the last several years. Because MTV no longer airs music videos, throughout the day and night and because I no longer listen to traditional radio stations, I was unaware of Missy releasing a more recent album. 

Surely, you're asking yourselves:

"What does Anna mean that she doesn't listen to radio stations anymore? I thought she was a DJ. If Anna doesn't listen to radio anymore, how does she know about the latest music?"

I quit hosting my radio show in 2003 and began limiting myself to traditional radio stations in 2004. 

Besides having to endure 2 creeps stalking me and having racist apartment housemates, the overall entertainment industry started to become political. I was already coping with post 9/11 racism on/off campus, during The Bush Administration. 

Being forced to listen to and watch entertainers, our Baby Boomer professors, and some college friends act self-righteous and patronize everyone with their political views was sickening. 

2004 was when entertainment really became political. Because of those pseudo-intellectual political "activists," I stopped going to movie theaters, watching most cable networks, and I quit hosting my radio show.

During The Bush Administration, most people wouldn't shut the fuck up about their political views. 

I never Majored or Minored in Political Science. I especially didn't become a Radio DJ/Hostess to listen to mostly hardcore drug addicts try to brainwash and oppress everyone about their political views. 

It wouldn't have been so terrible, if those of said ilk were actually politicians. However, it suddenly felt like everyone became a "political activist." 

While battling a severe bleeding disorder, I was relieved to be graduating from Carthage College in 2006. 

In fact, after graduating, I grew more interested in international entertainment. That's another story for another time.

As I was saying earlier, I didn't know that Missy Elliott released any new music within these last several years. The last time I heard about Missy, she was battling Graves' Disease. 

It's fantastic knowing that she released more music, during these more recent years. Missy debuted as a rapper, during my high school freshman year in '97 and I loved listening to her. 

I always enjoyed watching Missy Elliott's music videos and listening to her songs because it felt like the old days, when rappers had fun and danced. 

My college friends ONLY  liked listening to The Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" and Sir Mix-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back." Otherwise, they hate Rap and Hip-Hop. Meanwhile, I have always been more cultured and open-minded about music, since I am a music lover. 

Even though EBM, EDM, and Metal, including Industrial Metal are my favorite music genres and sub-genres, I still enjoy other music genres and sub-genres. Anyway, here's Missy Elliott for today's Song Saturday.

1) Missy Elliott [Featuring Da Brat] "Sock It 2 Me" Supa Dupa Fly (1997)

2) Missy Elliott [Featuring Nas, Lil' Mo, & Eve] "Hot Boyz" Da Real World (1999)

3) Missy Elliott [Featuring Director Dave Meyers, Master P, Lil' Romeo, Eve, Ja Rule, Timbalind, Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, & Nicole Wray] "Get Ur Freak On" Miss E... So Addictive (2001) 

4) Missy Elliott [Featuring Ludacris, Tweet, Trina, Ms. Jade, Eve, DMC, & Director Dave Meyers] "Gossip Folks"/"Funky Fresh Dressed" Under Construction (2002) 

5) Missy Elliott [Featuring Director Dave Meyers, 106 & Park's Free, & Lil' Brianna] "Pass That Dutch"/"Wake Up" This Is Not A Test! (2003)

6) Missy Elliott [Featuring Ciara, Fatman Scoop, & Motley Crue's Tommy Lee] "Lose Control"/"On & On" The Cookbook (2005) 

Cartoon Sunday: Brandon Lee's 50th Birthday Tribute

How's it going lurkers? Today would've been Brandon Lee's 50th birthday. Had the creators of Robot Chicken not mocked The Crow in such a distasteful manner, I would've shared their short for today's Cartoon Sunday.

Over the last 2 decades, I have noticed The Crow fans being taunted much like Anime fans and other fandoms. I'm a fan of Robot Chicken, The Crow, and Anime. However, I only turn into a fangirl, when it comes to The Crow and Brandon Lee in general. Otherwise, I couldn't care less.

Rather than sharing a cartoon, I'm sharing another blog from Blogster. It was originally an Art Sunday blog on Blogster. 

When I published it 2 Julys ago, a certain nitpicky, Baby Boomer/drag queen used "her" so-called "short attention span" as a scapegoat for her personal disinterest.

Since I no longer participate in her Song Saturday and Art Sunday Tours, I'm re-sharing this blog I published about James O'Barr's The Crow on here.

In addition to this Art Sunday blog, I have 2 other blogs dedicated to Brandon Lee.

Happy 48th Birthday To The Late Brandon Lee!

Song Saturday Special: Happy 49th To The Late Brandon Lee

Anyway, here's my Brandon Lee (and I suppose you can still say James O'Barr's) tribute.

This blog was originally published on Blogster July 27, 2013.

How's it going Xangans and Blogsterians? I hope you're all enjoying your hot and sunny weather this weekend. Ours disappeared in WI. Yesterday and today, we only reached 65 degrees. It feels like it is early spring because it is cold for late July.

Aside from that, I've been meaning to do an Art Sunday blog, but I usually forget about it. I believe my last Art Sunday blog was my Short Horror Story, Across The Street. Most people don't view writing as an art form because it is written rather than drawn. I have not done any physical art work, since my high school senior year. Ceramics was the last physical art class I took.

Now, that I have come up with something for another Art Sunday, I decided to share this James O'Barr interview. I YouTubed it last year. Apparently, this video is on the re-release of The Crow. 

I have The Crow on the original VHS. I really should buy an updated version because James O'Barr's documentary is NOT  on the VHS for The Crow.

When I originally watched this interview last year, I couldn't help empathizing with O'Barr. He mentioned, that his work was a form of catharsis for him. 

Not only is James O'Barr's work cathartic for him, but also listening to the author explain in detail about his previous fiancee being killed by a drunk driver made me sympathize and empathize with him.

Luckily, none of my immediate family, friends, or exes were killed by drunk drivers. Although, some college peers of mine were killed by drunk drivers.

As far as love goes, being unable to be with that 1 person, who I loved the most really hit close to home for me, after watching and listening to James O'Barr's documentary. 

The man I really wanted to be with the most is not dead. He became a drug addict, who refuses to acknowledge me anymore. This is especially after he recently learned that his so-called "friend" was behind my abuse, years ago.

Sometimes, I emotionally torture myself and regret ever telling him about what happened to me. He probably wouldn't have turned so cold and rebuked me had I stayed quiet.

Anyway, here is James O'Barr's documented interview about his comic book, The Crow.

1) Comic Book Author James O'Barr Shares His Life & Inspiration For The Crow (1994)

2) James O'Barr Shares His Personal Catharsis (1994)

3) James O'Barr Explains His Art Techniques & Work History (1994)

4) James O'Barr Shares Alex Proyas & Brandon Lee's Admiration (1994)

Anna H's Unorthodox Home Remedies For Cold, Flu, Allergies, & Sinuses

How's it going lurkers? Surely you remember that I caught a cold, last Wednesday. I would've published my home remedies sooner, but I've been juggling on and offline. 

Better late than never, right? Because it is that time of season, here are my home remedies for cold, flu, allergies, and sinuses.

Anna H's Home Remedies For Cold, Flu, Allergies, & Sinuses:

{Gargling:}

Listerine & salt water- Normally, doctors tell their patients to gargle their throats hourly with salt water. Choose 1. I don't suggest simultaneously gargling with Listerine and salt in water.  

Whenever I get dressed, I brush my teeth and gargle with 1/2 cap of Cool Mint Listerine. 

Notice, that I said "cap" and NOT  cup. 

I gargle straight with Listerine from the cap. Then, I spit it out and brush my teeth and tongue with the leftover Listerine in my mouth. Afterward, I rinse.

{Beverages:}

Orange Juice, Peppermint Tea, Spearmint Tea, Lemon Tea, Hot Lemonade, & Lemon Lime Sodas-

I normally prefer drinking either Peppermint, or Spearmint Tea. If I happen to have any Peppermint Sticks with sugar cane in them, I'll drop it in my tea to make it extra strong. Anything with mint is good. Mint is great for nausea, cold, flu, allergies, sinuses, etc. 

As long as you are NOT  allergic to mint, I highly recommend stocking up on mint products.

{Snacks:}

Flamin' Hot Fries & Cheetos- These are fantastic to eat, when you are sick and need quick snacks to tide you over, until you eat a meal. 

As long as you can handle eating hot and spicy snacks and DON'T have a severe heart condition, I recommend eating these fries and chips. 

These hot and spicy snacks will help loosen the congestion. This especially applies to eating Buffalo Doritos. If you are EXTREMELY congested, the spiciness will make your eyes and nose run. 

Eating anything hot and spicy helps!

{Food:}

Home Made Chicken Noodle Soup, Cabbage, Red Bell Peppers, Spicy Hot Ramen Noodles, Spicy Chicken Alfredo Pasta, etc- Like I already said, anything hot and spicy helps! 

If you want to make your own Chicken Noodle Soup, you can add some Black Pepper to season up your Swanson's Broth. Now, if you want something that's NOT  spicy, eat Red Bell Peppers. 

Interesting Fact: Red Bell Peppers have twice as much Vitamin C as an Orange. 

Sometimes we have Stuffed Red Bell Peppers with ground beef, rice, and cheese in them. I have Pepper Jack Cheese in mine.

This somewhat applies to cabbage as well. You can eat your cabbage cooked with or without Black Pepper or make Stuffed Cabbage. 

Cabbage is EXCELLENT for battling nasty flus. 

Similar to our Stuffed Red Bell Peppers, we sometimes eat Stuffed Cabbages, which have ground beef and rice in them with Tomato Sauce.

Most of what I have on this list helps take the soreness out the throat. This applies to gargling, drinking tea, lemon lime beverages, and eating hot and spicy snacks and food. 

I reiterate, they also loosen the congestion when it comes to cold, flus, allergies, and sinuses. 

So, if you're brave enough, try any or ALL of these on my list of home remedies and let me know what you think!

Cartoon Sunday: What Are The Hidden Meanings Behind Anime Names?

How's it going lurkers? Anime News Network recently reported that Toonami will be premiering Kill la Kill on February 7th at 10:30 pm Central.

Kill la Kill is a Seinen Magical Girl Anime with an Action Dramedy theme. Even though I haven't had the chance to watch the series, I hope it's worth all the hype it's received within the last 2 years. 

If Kill la Kill isn't all that spectacular, you can bet my bottom dollar that I will NOT  be watching it at all. Judging from Kill la Kill's Anime trailer, it somewhat appears to be more of a fan service-looking type of Anime that mostly panders to an Incel demographic. 

 

Kill la Kill Trailer (2014)

 

I seriously question whether or not I want to watch this series. When I have the chance, I'll try streaming Kill la Kill. 

 

If this Anime tops the overly hyped Attack On Titan and doesn't make me fall asleep in the middle of watching, I MIGHT  like Kill la Kill.

Meanwhile, I chose to share a somewhat educational vlog from YouTube vloggers, Rachel & Jun for today's Cartoon Sunday. 

Rachel & Jun are an interracial married couple living in Japan. Last year, I began watching some of their vlogs about Japanese culture and entertainment. 

I meant to share some of Rachel & Jun's vlogs sooner, but never had the chance to do it until today. Rather than sharing another cartoon or Anime, I've decided to share a Rachel & Jun' vlog about the hidden meanings behind Anime names.

In today's vlog, Rachel & Jun explain how Anime and Manga characters are named and their meanings. 

The characters' names discussed in this vlog are characters from Naruto, Bleach, Sailor Moon, Death Note, Evangelion, One Piece, Attack On Titan, Dragonball Z, Strawberry 100%, and Yu-Gi-Oh! 

I already knew about Bleach, Naruto, and Sailor Moon, most specifically Ichigo from Bleach.

Ichigo's name is ambiguous because his name DOES mean strawberry in Japanese. Not only does Ichigo mean strawberry, but it also means 1 and 5. When the numbers are merged, it means 15.

Both of his fraternal twin sisters (Yuzu and Karin) are named after fruit as well. A Yuzu somewhat resembles a grapefruit with Mandarin Orange overtones and Karin is a quince fruit.

Speaking of strawberries, I watched Strawberry 100% and Death Note years ago. However, I didn't know much about the characters' names, until I watched this YouTube vlog. 

There was a mistake about the Evangelion characters' names. Rachel had supposedly confused the characters Akagi Ritsuko and Katsuragi Misato. 

When Evangelion aired on Adult Swim years ago, I never watched. Therefore, I wouldn't know. 

Anyway, here's an educational Japanese vlog by Rachel & Jun for today's Cartoon Sunday.

Rachel & Jun Explain The Hidden Meanings Behind Anime Names (2014)

Song Saturday: Front 242 Featuring KMFDM & The Prodigy

How's it going lurkers? Today I have some more Industrial Metal and Electronic Body Music (EBM) dating back to 1993. In 1993, Front 242 collaborated with both KMFDM and The Prodigy. 

These 3 groups in particular have independently collaborated with various musicians within the last 2-3 decades. Front 242 is considered 1 of the 10 pioneers of Industrial Metal and EBM. 

The fact that they worked with both KMFDM and The Prodigy makes me want to listen to Front 242 even more. Anyway, here's a double dose of Front 242 to begin this year's Song Saturday.

1) Front 242 [Featuring KMFDM] "Modern Angel" Angels Versus Animals EP (1993)

2) Front 242 [Featuring The Prodigy] "Religion" [Bass Under Siege Mix] Religion EP (1993)

'Tis The Season For Christmas Slashers [Anna H's Review]

How's it going lurkers? As I already said in the previous Song Saturday blog, I have a blog review about Christmas Slashers.

With me being so busy doing last minute Christmas shopping, watching Christmas Slashers, etc. I did not have enough time to publish my review, sooner.

Orthodox Christians don't celebrate Christmas Day, until January 7, 2015.

Therefore, I'm sharing my Christmas Slasher Review today.

Since last Monday morning, I watched a few Christmas Slashers. 

Last year, I only watched Silent Night, Bloody Night (1972) and the 2012 remake of Silent Night, Deadly Night. 

On Monday morning, I watched Black Christmas (1974) and Tuesday I watched Christmas Evil (1980).

These Slashers have year gaps between them, and they will be reviewed in chronological order.

Just a quick reminder, I am somewhat biased against these Christmas Slashers mostly because I expected for them to actually frighten me.

1) Silent Night, Bloody Night Trailer (1972)

 

Theodore Gershuny's Silent Night, Bloody Night was originally released as Night Of The Dark Full Moon and is also known as Death House.

Silent Night, Bloody Night was filmed in 1972 but was shelved for 2 years. It was not until 1974 that the Slasher was released in the movie theaters. Silent Night, Bloody Night takes place on Christmas Eve 1950. 

Wilfred Butler returns to his mansion only to discover that it was turned into a mental institution for the criminally insane. 

That same day, Wilfred is shown running outside his mansion, while on fire soon collapsing to his supposed death in the snow. The towns people believe that Wilfred's death was accidental and his mansion is shut down.

About 22 years later, lawyer John Carter and his assistant Ingrid arrive in a small Massachusetts town. He meets with the town's nobles, Mayor Adams, Sheriff Bill Mason, Tess Howard, and Charlie Towman. John is revealed to be Jeffrey Butler's lawyer. 

Jeffrey is Wilfred Butler's grandson. Jeffrey Butler tries selling the Butler mansion for $50,000 by noon the next day.

After John Carter calls his wife, it has been revealed that he is cheating on her with his ASSISTANT, Ingrid. John and Ingrid stay the night at the Butler mansion for dinner and sex. During sex, they are slaughtered in bed with an axe!

Then, the killer calls the police station's phone operator (Tess) in a low, muffled voice. The killer claims to be "Marianne."

Watching Silent Night, Bloody Night last December bored me. If memory serves me right, I started dosing off at my keyboard just watching it.

The film's trailer, dark and spooky night scenery, the voyeurism, music score, menacing phone calls, and Wilfred Butler's low, muffled voice were creepy. Otherwise, Silent Night, Bloody Night was very slow and boring.

2) Black Christmas Trailer (1974)

Bob Clark is best known for creating Porky's and A Christmas Story. Most don't know, that he created Black Christmas. The movie was originally titled Silent Night, Evil Night.

As a filmmaker, Bob Clark had versatility. Black Christmas was literally created 9 years before A Christmas Story. Those 2 Christmas movies were from completely different film genres, which is fascinating.

Black Christmas is revered as 1 of the original Christmas Slashers. Not only is this considered to be 1 of the original Christmas Slashers, but it also contributed to the launching of the Slasher Genre.

In fact, John Carpenter was inspired by Black Christmas, which is why Halloween exists today.

Silent Night, Evil Night (Black Christmas) takes place in a sorority house with promiscuous sorority girls preparing for Christmas Break. As they are having their Christmas Party, they start receiving strange and obscene phone calls. They automatically assume it's a prank caller.

All the while, Barb taunts their sorority sister, Clare for being a virgin. Clare becomes so annoyed with Barb's insults, that she goes to pack her clothes in her room. Suddenly, their housemother's meowing cat appears.

Clare starts hearing strange noises, is smothered to death from behind with a clothing bag, and is carried to the attic. Her corpse is later propped in the attic's rocking chair RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE WINDOW! Supposedly, no one knows what happened to Clare. Her sorority assumes, that she is MISSING.

The characters in Black Christmas annoyed me. They are depicted as obnoxious, stupid, and morally depraved sorority girls, including the so-called "heroine," who wants to abort she and her boyfriend, Peter's baby.

After the harassing phone calls, tapping of the phone wires, and the investigation, no one caught the serial killer!

The movie's trailer, harassing phone calls, ominous film score, the red herring character (Peter), Billy's Doberman colored eyes peeping through the door, his hidden appearance, and the camera angles, pans, and zooms were all creepy. Otherwise, Black Christmas didn't frighten me. I was highly disappointed.

Gee, I guess "my skin IS on too tight."

3) Christmas Evil (1980)

This 1980 Christmas Slasher was originally released as You Better Watch Out and is also known as Terror In Toyland.

I could not help rolling my eyes, while laughing at this Christmas Slasher. Watching Christmas Evil was a joke! The YouTube vlogger, Dr. Wolfula does a better job at reviewing THIS movie than I could ever do without laughing hysterically behind my keyboard.

Dr. Wolfula's Christmas Evil Review (2010)

Harry, a deranged toymaker at Jolly Dreams wasted 33 YEARS of his life being traumatized over his daddy role playing as Santa Claus and I assume he watched some tongue action under his mommy's nightgown, then threw a tantrum and broke his snow globe only to cut himself? OMG! THIS IS TOO HILARIOUS FOR WORDS!!!

Was Daddy the so-called "Clit Commander" dressed as Santa on Christmas Eve?

Regardless, Harry's Santaphobia was and still is hilarious. 

Had Christmas Evil's filmmaker been more clever with possibly showing Harry accidentally walking in on his mother moaning from mind shattering orgasms, during sex with his father, or if he witnessed his mother being beaten and/or raped, his trauma would've been MORE convincing and realistic. None of what I mentioned was shown in Christmas Evil.

If any of those situations could've been demonstrated to the audience without the child actor being on the set for the scene years ago, Harry's trauma would've been more convincing.

He became a deranged, mass murderer because Daddy was caressing Mommy's thigh under her nightgown, while being a CUNNING LINGUIST  in a Santa costume!

OH NO! I saw Daddy dressed as Santa Claus, while doing weird things under Mommy's nightgown by the Christmas Tree! So traumatizing! Now, I have SANTAPHOBIA!!!

Harry's bizarre behavior, his Santa memorabilia, the music score, and the film's trailer were the only creepy qualities about Christmas Evil. Watching Harry murder 3 church parishioning bullies in front of everyone on the stair steps made me laugh so hard, I cried hysterically.

That's besides him smothering and slitting his co-workers' throats with a knife, as well as flying into the moonlight like a scene out of E.T. with his SANTAMOBILE.

Harry may have been a creepy and deranged stalker taking on the constant roles of being Santa Claus, but overall, I just could NOT  take Christmas Evil seriously.

4) Silent Night, Deadly Night Trailer (1984)

The original Silent Night, Deadly Night was notorious for its controversial Slasher trailer 30 years ago. There were 3 Christmas Slashers, which existed years BEFORE Silent Night, Deadly Night was created. However, it was the most condemned and demonized.

Militant, Stay-At-Home Mommies and Christian zealots protested on the streets and literally called Tri-Star Films to have Silent Night, Deadly Night banned NATIONWIDE.

Siskel and Ebert persecuting the filmmaker contributed to Silent Night, Deadly Night's bannings from theaters after its 1st week. Here's something really interesting. Both A Nightmare On Elm Street and Silent Night, Deadly Night released on November 9, 1984.

Silent Night, Deadly Night outperformed A Nightmare On Elm Street; On the same day, it blew A Nightmare On Elm Street out the water!

My family claimed years ago, that parents took their children to watch it in the movie theaters. Other sources claimed, that the trailer was advertised, during times when children were watching TV.

After watching Silent Night, Deadly Night last week on Christmas morning, I was disappointed.

The opening for Silent Night, Deadly Night was phenomenal yet cheesy all at once. A little boy sang, as the movie's title rushed onto the screen with animated blood being splattered.

On Christmas Eve 1971, the 7-year-old Billy Chapman and his family go to visit his institutionalized grandfather. Billy's grandfather is supposedly "catatonic." The doctor escorts Billy's parents to review his grandfather's records. 

Suddenly, Billy's grandfather traumatizes him about Christmas and Santa Claus. He starts telling Billy that Santa punishes naughty boys and girls.

After witnessing his "catatonic" grandfather's disturbing behavior, while hearing his grandfather's grisly secret about Christmas, Billy's Santaphobia is soon born.

Yes, Santaphobia really does exist. It's also a main contributor to Silent Night, Deadly Night's plot.

Billy was already traumatized by his grandfather and is soon subjected to more trauma. 

Down the road, a robber dressed as Santa Claus robbed a liquor store, while shooting the clerk dead. That same robber kills Billy's father, shortly after.

The robber proceeds to rape Billy's mother and slits her throat with a knife. Once Billy witnesses this traumatic incident, he is placed in an orphanage where he is subjected to more trauma and physical abuse by Mother Superior.

Whenever Billy witnesses people having sex, he automatically views it as rape.

Witnessing a co-worker being raped by another co-worker, after being forced to dress as Santa Claus for work triggers Billy's serial killing spree.

I spent more time sympathizing and empathizing with Billy Chapman than any character.  

Silent Night, Deadly Night's music score, highly misleading trailer, Billy's grandfather, the antique toy soldiers, and Santa Claus decorations creeped me out. Overall, this Christmas Slasher barely scared me; It didn't make me jump out my skin watching it. 

I kept bracing myself for a scare, but the scares failed to deliver for me. I am starting to believe that I have become desensitized to Horror. 

Then again, Silent Night, Deadly Night's trailer STILL manages to give me goosebumps even after watching the entire movie. 

Seriously, how can trailers for Horror movies be more frightening than the actual movies? Does that make any sense?

Whoever put its movie trailer together should've made this highly controversial Christmas Slasher more appalling. All that outrage and protesting to have Silent Night, Deadly Night banned in '84 for NOTHING.

Talk about a HUGE disappointment.

5) Silent Night Trailer (2012)

OMG! This Christmas Slasher is nothing like the original Silent Night, Deadly Night. This remake doesn't even have a real story to it.

The serial killer's Santa Claus mask is frightening, whereas everything else is extremely contrived. I nearly fell off my bed from laughing hysterically at Silent Night, last Christmas Eve.

Watching the killer Santa literally tase that bratty 12-year-old pill popper to death still is hilarious and the best part of the entire movie.

I discussed Silent Night with my friend, Charlie JJ Kruger from Horror-Punks.com, 2 months ago. Charlie agreed with me about this Slasher being terrible. He is not lying. Silent Night was a Shit Sandwich.

Out of all 5 Christmas Slashers, Silent Night, Deadly Night is the best in my opinion and Black Christmas creeps behind it. 

Even though neither Christmas Slasher frightened me, I believe casual viewers will be, especially for those who are easily scared of Horror. 

Silent Night, Deadly Night is more convincing and has a better plot in regards to Billy Chapman's serial killing spree.

Meanwhile, Billy's entire physical appearance in Black Christmas (not to be confused with Billy Chapman) is never shown.

We only know that Black Christmas' Billy is a stalker/serial killer. That in itself is enough to scare people, since stalkers and serial killers really do exist.

If you happen to watch these Christmas Slashers (you can YouTube them all for free), let me know what you think!

Cartoon Sunday: Escape The Magical Christmas Star

How's it going lurkers? Happy Winter Solstice or Yule to my Pagan friends and a few subscribers! Hopefully you are enjoying YOUR holiday.

Originally, I meant to share a Charlie Brown Christmas Special, but changed my mind at the last minute. Instead, I have 2 Animated Christmas Shorts dating back to 2009. 

Even though both animated shorts were from several years ago, their illustrations are still beautiful.

First and foremost, I have a Christmas short of the Forever Friends. Forever Friends were sketched teddy bears that launched in 1987 by Deborah Jones. 

The greeting card publisher, Andrew Brownsword chose to use her bears sketchbook designs for greeting cards. 

During the early '80s, he and Deborah collaborated in a flat above a Chinese takeaway in Reading, Berkshire.

By 1994, Hallmark Cards bought Andrew Brownsword Ltd and Andrew soon agreed to become the CEO of Hallmark Europe.

Jones' illustrated bears were rebranded as "Between Friends" specifically for the children's greeting cards demographic, 3 years later.

Then by 1999-2000, Hallmark Illustrators were handed Deborah Jones' Between Friends bears and rebranded as "Forever Friends." 

Watching Forever Friends' animated short, "The Magic Christmas Star" is adorable, soothing, and festive. 

Forever Friends "The Magic Christmas Star" (2009)

Meanwhile, Mark G. Murphy's animated adaptation of Hugh Whyte's "Escape" has a darker tone. 

Originally created in 2005, "Escape" was a private holiday card only sent to Whyte and Murphy's clients, family, and friends. Flash 8 was used to create the animation. 

"Escape" has been slightly modified and updated for its 2009 YouTube release. This short begins with a man, who is alone on Christmas Eve. His dog supposedly helps him discover something.

After watching both of these Christmas shorts for today's Cartoon Sunday, let me know your thoughts about them.

Mark G. Murphy's Animated Adaptation Of Hugh Whyte's "Escape" (2005; 2009)

 Merry Christmas & Happy Solstice!

Song Saturday: The White Coffin Terror's "Silent Night, Deadly Night"

How's it going lurkers? Before I turned off my TV last night, I heard that vinyl records are making a comeback for the younger generations on my local ABC News. The younger generations supposedly like the sound quality from vinyl albums.

I still have some vinyl albums from the 1980's, when I was growing up. Some records are children's Christmas albums. The rest are '80s Rock and Pop albums by The Bangles, Paula Abdul, Milli Vanilli, Dokken, and the '80s Glam Metal band, Cinderella.

By the time of reaching adolescence during the '90s, I bought more Rock CD's. Had I been a little older during the '80s, I probably would've had more vinyl records than CD's.

It has been ~15 years, since I last listened to Dokken's Back For The Attack vinyl album. Suddenly, their classic music video for "Dream Warriors" comes to mind. 

In 1987, "Dream Warriors" was the theme song for A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. Watching Dokken's music video was creepy. Their music video for "Dream Warriors" featured Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger.

I remember Dokken's "Dream Warriors" being in heavy rotation on MTV in 1987. Until this day, I don't know what scared me more at 5 years old, Freddy Krueger's skin-burned face or his claws? 

Now that I am an adult, I believe it was Krueger's face. However, I still feel that gremlins are more horrifying than he is because of their fugly eyes. 

Normally, I believe the uglier, the more frightening something or someone is.

For instance, have you ever seen something/someone so hideous that you screamed with horror?

As harsh as it may sound to say about someone, I am sure there are other lurkers reading this blog and completely understand my views. It is SO easy to be frightened by someone or something that's downright hideous.

It is not always the face that can be creepy. Sometimes that person or thing can have the most hideous eyes and you will be creeped out, if not traumatized.

In fact, I watched the shitty remake of Silent Night, Deadly Night, last year. I never had the chance to watch the original Christmas Slasher from 1984, but I did watch the 2012 remake, Silent Night.

Silent Night Trailer (2012)

While watching the trailer for Silent Night, I was instantly frightened by the hideous eyes on that Santa Claus mask. 

Like I already said, it's easy to be frightened, if not traumatized by something or someone so hideous. The eyes on that Santa Claus mask rivals the hideous eyes on gremlins.

Last December, I published a blog on Horror-Punks.com about the Silent Night, Deadly Night remake. Silent Night was a joke. 

Last month, I had a conversation with a fellow Horror-Punk friend, Charlie J.J. Kruger. Even though I have never watched the original Christmas Slasher, we both agreed that Silent Night was terrible.

Watching that bratty, pill-popping, 12-year-old girl literally get tased to death and The White Coffin Terror's song as the ending theme were the best. The Santa Claus mask was the only part of Silent Night, that was scary. 

In 2 more weeks, I will try setting aside more time to watch the original Silent Night, Deadly Night and give a review for it. Watching the Christmas Slasher is not set in stone, but it is my goal.

Since I am already on the topic of songs from Slashers, it would only be fitting to share a little Psychobilly Christmas Music.

Originally, I planned to share The White Coffin Terror next week. Now, I have decided to share them today. 

Anyway, here is The White Coffin Terror's "Silent Night, Deadly Night" for today's Song Saturday.

The White Coffin Terror "Silent Night, Deadly Night" Psychobilly Christmas (2008), Silent Night Ending Theme Song (2012)

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

How's it going lurkers? Have you been naughty for Krampus or nice for Saint Nicholas? 

Last year, NBC's Grimm premiered an episode about Krampus. I have never heard of Krampus, until last December.

Krampus On Grimm (2013)

I would've learned about him 2 years ago on American Dad. American Dad has an episode titled "Minstrel Krampus."

Krampus & Steve Smith's Duet On American Dad's "Minstrel Krampus" (2012)

"Minstrel Krampus" was supposed to air on Fox in December 2012.

Fox pre-empted the episode, until last December. Because of the controversy surrounding the Sandy Hook Massacre, "Minstrel Krampus" was NOT aired in December 2012.

Leave it up to the media to cause more hysteria than necessary. Don't get me wrong, I empathize with the families of the Sandy Hook victims. They spent their holiday and continue spending their entire lives without their children.

However, American Dad's "Minstrel Krampus" episode had ZERO involvement in a 15-year-old boy, NOT a 20-year-old man murdering innocent children. It's appalling that the media's Mathematical skills are much worse than mine.

2012-1997= 20 years

2012-1997= 15 years

Fox would not air that American Dad's "Minstrel Krampus" because they really did NOT  want to be used as a scapegoat for a 15-year-old boy with mental and behavioral problems, who killed innocent adults and children. Go figure.

The network already knows the media is skilled at condemning and demonizing entertainment. This justifies Fox's reason for unairing American Dad's "Minstrel Krampus" in December 2012.

Since I am on the topic of Krampus, DanniDarkness (1 of my subscribers) published a blog last year on Blogster about Krampus. Unfortunately, I don't know if she removed her blog about him, or if that Blogster glitch deleted it. Regardless, I couldn't locate the link to Danni's Krampus blog.

According to what I have learned about Krampus, he is a beast-like monster that is a part of ancient Germanic folklores. 

Krampus is a black and/or sometimes brown haired demon with cloven hooves and goat-like horns.

On December 5th (Saint Nicholas Eve), Krampus punishes misbehaved children by capturing them in his sack. Then, he carries them to his lair. Some have said, that Krampus even carries them to hell. In the following vlog, Lucas Livingston explains in more detail about the history of Krampus.

Lucas Livingston Explains The History Of Krampus (2012)

After learning a little more about Krampus, I understand why he is depicted as being a womanizer on American Dad. 

When I read DanniDarkness' blog last year on Blogster about Krampus, she mentioned that songs were made about him.

I don't know any of the songs about Krampus, although I found a Metal song about him for this Song Saturday. Listening to the song makes me automatically think about Adult Swim's Metalocalypse for some odd reason.

Today I have a song by Craterface. It's titled "Krampus Carol."

Craterface "Krampus Carol" (2013)

Happy Saint Nicholas Day!

Song Saturday: Kanon Wakeshima Block

How's it going lurkers? Today I have some Neoclassical Dark New Wave and J-Pop Music by Kanon Wakeshima.

Kanon Wakeshima is a Japanese singer/cellist, who was originally produced by musician/fashion designer Mana.

Speaking of Mana, I was actually friends with him on Vivaldi, before deleting my account several months ago. It sucks that the owners of Vivaldi, did not give additional features on their website. It lingered for 1/2 year much like Xanga 2.0, but that is another topic for another time.

Like I was saying, Kanon Wakeshima was originally produced by Mana. Kanon also collaborated with the Visual Kei J-Rock basist, Kanon from Antic Cafe (a.k.a. "An Cafe"). 

Kanon Wakeshima and An Cafe's Kanon are known together as "Kanon X Kanon."

The singer/cellist is popular for her 2 songs, which were featured as the ending theme songs to the Anime, Vampire Knight and Vampire Knight: Guilty (2008). Those 2 ending theme songs were "Still Doll" and "Suna No Oshiro" (Sand Castle).

In addition to Kanon's songs being used for the Vampire Knight franchise, I recently learned that she voiced a maid in Vampire Knight Season 1: Episode 8.

In 2008, Kanon was nominated in the 4th Annual Shojo Beat Music Awards for Best Newcomer Award.

The nominees are usually determined by surveying "record companies, music journalists, music experts, and music fans."

Throughout these last several years, I have noticed that Kanon Wakeshima's music is typically featured in Vampire Horror Anime such as Vampire Knight, Shiki, and Strike The Blood.

Although, her music has also been featured in the Seinen Anime, 30-sai no Hoken Taiiku (Health and Physical Education for 30-Year-Olds), To Love-Ru, and the Fate/Extra CCC game.

Besides Kanon Wakeshima's past accomplishments, I learned something very interesting about her today.

She gave all 4 of her cellos names.

Kanon's white cello is named "Mikazuki-san," which means "crescent moon" in Japanese.

She normally uses Mikazuki, during live performances. "Nanachie-san" meaning "wisdom" is Kanon Wakeshima's red cello. It's mostly seen in her music videos.

She claims that "Nanachie-san" is complicated to play yet she still manages to play it. Kanon's 3rd cello is "Yaeharu-san" ("multi-layered spring"). She has owned that brown cello, since middle school.

Kanon uses "Yaeharu-san," whenever she is practicing and recording albums.

Her last cello is her newest called "Momotose" ("100 years") and is silver with rhinestones on it.

"Momotose" can be seen on Kanon Wakeshima's 2nd album, Lolitawork Libretto.

I tried copying and pasting photos of Kanon Wakeshima's cellos, however I had no such luck. If you would like to see her cellos, the link is below.

Kanon Wakeshima's Cellos:

In the meantime, here's a block of Kanon Wakeshima's music videos. The 4th song, happens to be my favorite.

1) Kanon Wakeshima "Still Doll" Vampire Knight (2008), Shinshoku Dolce (2009)

 

2) Kanon Wakeshima "Shoujo Jikake No Riburetto~Storytelling By Solita~" Lolitawork Libretto (2010)

3) Kanon Wakeshima Featuring An Cafe's Kanon [Kanon X Kanon] "Calendula Requiem" Shiki (2010)

4) Kanon Wakeshima "Monochrome Frame" Shinshoku Dolce (2009)