Artist: Kitty in a Casket

Album/CD Title: Horror Express

Release date: 2009

Label: Crazy Love Records

Reviewed by: Will         

Killingboxx score: 10 cleavers

There are many things that I can compare this CD to; for instance how about a good, hard, fast fuck in a location where you are likely to be caught, or how about a rare steak, or an aged bottle of Bourbon and a big fat joint. I could go on and on but I will not bore you with more analogies that are both pointless and redundant, lets just get on with it shall we.

Kitty in a Casket hail from ....Austria.... and fall into that rare category of new bands that have their shit together on every possible level, these people are professional’s intent upon global penetration! Featuring singer Kitty Casket, a psychobilly hellcat whose vocals are both powerful and clear, Kitty is the epitome of howling punk rock priestess. She has everything it takes to make a dynamic first impression and she backs it up with true vocal bombast, anyone can tease their hair, put on the right clothes, and pose up a storm, but if you cannot deliver the fury to back up the image, what is the fuckin point? Kitty has the ability and it is evident from the moment this disc roars out of the gate and into title track ‘Horror Express’, a freight train rocker that slams out a perfect blend of Rockabilly that has just gotten ass fucked by Billy the Bat’s chugging metal influenced riffing.

In many instances, the euphoria one feels when a disc starts this way quickly dissipates after the first track. The initial high wears off and you find yourself stuck with a one trick pony filled with either cookie cutter variations of the same or worse yet the disc bogs into a damning quagmire of boring attempts to show range that never existed in the first place. Neither of those scenarios is true of KIAC’s sound. This is a band that knows who they are and what they do and they have quite obviously have practiced that sound into confident perfection. There is something to be said for finding a groove and riding it hard. Audiences expect consistency and want to see live the very same thing which blew their speakers apart in the first place.

There is no fat on this band, they’re hungry, they are cannibalistic and I think if you got in their way they would simply run you over and then back up to gather your carcass for dinner! Kitty may shine in the front, and probably opens the bands doors for them but they are a unit of equally gifted musicians each of whom delivers without fail on every track. Billy the Bat has perfected a crossover shred with his guitar playing that places him smack in the middle of metal technician and rockabilly hepcat cool that channels Brian Setzer without ever mimicking him. Marc Van Dark climbs all over his stand up bass and plays it with military sharp pinpoint precision perfectly bouncing around the aptly named Mike Machine’s rapid-fire kit wrecking drum skills. Mike is the newest member of KIAC but you would never know it from the seamless rhythm he and Van Dark achieve.

Kitty in a Casket has the chops that should please metalheads, punkers, rockabilly enthusiasts and horror fans all in one package. If Pandora herself asked you to open her box and play would you be able to say no? I couldn’t; I would have to dive in head first just to see what happened next! Do yourself a favor and dive into one of the most infectious CD’s to come along in quite some time, this fucker has all the riffs, catches, and hooks you could ever ask for all in one place: Kitty in a Casket – Horror Express!

This band could bring back the pogo single handedly!

Everyone knows that I simply love my horror movies, blood, boobs, and beasts are generally the way I lean in my viewing tastes. Why look anywhere else but the horror section? The answer is obvious, because without examining other genre’s and without paying attention to the entire spectrum of film I become simply a fan boy with an opinion on only one facet of an incredibly large spectrum. I love the medium of film and the enormous scope and variety of entertainment and educational avenues that it presents. If I were to make the statement that only horror films were worth watching I would not only appear to be a big fucking dumbass, I would be, a big fucking narrow minded dumbass with very little point of reference to base any argument upon.

I like film from every genre. If you open your eyes and take the time to look around you will be amazed at the sheer volume of magnificent entertainment that exists within the realm of film. I like comedies, dramas, documentaries, westerns, thrillers, noir, biopics, war movies, martial arts, porn, grindhouse exploitation, and even the occasional children’s film. Good stuff is under every rock, all you have to do is kick him and tell him to go sleep it off somewhere else! (I know I digress, frequently)

When I first started to study both film and music my teachers told me that to understand either I first needed to pull my head out of my ass and open my eyes. There was a lot more to both subjects than just Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Motorhead. I thought about this long and hard and decided that they might be right. To this day, my favorites remain Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Motorhead, but along the way, I discovered Martin Scorsese, Michael Moore, Ole Bornedal, Igor Stravinsky, Mozart, the Kronos Quartet, Virginie Despentes & Coralie Trinh Thi, and this list goes on and on ad infinitum. Don’t fear the reaper as BOC put it very succinctly and don’t fear the subtitle either. Good films are lurking in every corner of the procurement pavilion (video store & Netflix), just reach out and pick something up that is completely unfamiliar, don’t be afraid, it won’t bite you and you might make a great discovery that changes your perception of something that you were ignorant of just a few short hours earlier. Imagine a world where no one took a chance, there would not be much to look at. Drop your guard and stretch your horizon, you will be amazed at the wonders and epiphanies waiting for you around every corner. Stop being afraid of lifestyles, cultures, and language, every one offers something different that can be enjoyed by anyone big enough to just go with it and see what it is all about.

Which brings me to the point of today’s list, I want to take the opportunity to highlight 13 films that are not horror films, yet still retain an edge that I feel most of you will find interesting, infuriating, titillating, traumatic, life affirming, soul crushing, revelatory, rambunctious, breathtaking, brutal, vivacious, vicious, controversial, timely, or simply fun to watch.

20 Centimeters- Directed by Ramon Salazar, this little curiosity is about a narcoleptic transvestite that wants desperately to be rid of the annoying 20 Centimeters that are keeping him from being the woman he knows he can be. Oh yah, it is also a musical! This film must be seen to be believed and star Monica Cervera is amazing as the sleepy chanteuse with the extra appendage.

Baise Moi- Directed by Virginie Despentes and Coralie Trinh Thi. Viewer beware, this take no prisoners look at a pair of prostitutes who are sick of the abuse they must put up with is a tough watch featuring full penetration porn mixed with startling violence. This amazing film presents a powerful message Thelma and Louise only touched upon, here it is shoved up your ass with conviction!

A personal journey with Martin Scorsese through American Movies- Let a master filmmaker take you on a journey into the heart and soul of the best films ....America.... has to offer. Insightful does not even begin to do the film justice in describing all that is offered here.

Once Were Warriors- Directed by Lee Tamahori. This one takes an intimate look into the lives of a modern day Maori family living in a slum neighborhood in ....New Zealand..... You will never forget this film after you have seen it!

Behind the Green Door- Directed by the infamous Artie and Jim Mitchell, this film is an example of what can be achieved with pornography when it strives to be more than just another fuck movie.

Pistoleros- Directed by Shaky Gonzalez. When you get sick of ....Hollywood.... mobsters take a moment to see what the Danes are up to! Gunfights, double crosses, gorgeous gun molls and a fortune in stolen cash are placed on the line in this fantastic take on the everybody is fucking everybody else action picture!

800 Bullets- Directed by Alex de la Iglesia. This is a magical story about a little boy without a father who finds his peace with his reprobate stuntman grandfather who lives in the abandoned sets left over from Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns. A great coming of age piece from a master Spanish filmmaker at the top of his game, it delivers on every level and features a blisteringly bitchy performance from the sublime Carmen Maura as the boy’s mother.

FTA- Directed by Francine Parker. This lost 1972 anti ....Viet Nam.... war picture was pulled from theatres only a week after its release after tremendous pressure from the U.S. Government. Thought to have been destroyed, it presents a telling time capsule into the climate of the time and should probably be shown in schools as a example of freedom of speech.

Screamers- Directed by Carla Garapedian. Following the band System of a Down on tour, this film presents a terrifying and eye opening look at Genocide beginning with the “ethnic cleansing” of Armenia in 1915. Genocide is a horrible reality that is occurring on a daily basis around the world. Wake up and smell the terror, this shit is really happening and we all need to be aware of it!

Forgotten Silver- Directed by Costa Botes and Peter Jackson. This entertaining hoax of a documentary portends to examine the life of fictional ....New Zealand.... filmmaker Colin McKenzie. It caused quite a stir in its native country upon its release due to the “facts” it purported to have uncovered. This is a masterpiece of form and easily stands alongside the work of Christopher Guest!

Valerie and her week of wonders-  Directed by Jaromil Jires. This Czechoslovakian coming of age story follows a young girl “Valerie” (Jaroslava Schallerova) as she comes of age with her first period.  A magical journey filled with freaks, magic, vampires, and many more wonders that a simple synopsis could never encompass, seek this one out to see for yourself!

All about my Mother-  Directed by Pedro Almovodar. If you have never experienced the films of this master you owe it to yourself to see what all the buzz is about. When Manuela’s son is killed she is left alone to ponder the vagaries of life. Packing her things she moves to a ....new city.... and starts over. The past catches up to her and she discovers again her joy for living through the introduction of a plethora of odd characters who all need something from her.

Strange Circus- Directed by Sion Sono. This Japanese mindfuck of a film is a visual freak festival filled with amazing visuals, distorted reality, and perversion beyond your wildest imagination. This is the kind of film that not only defies description but demands that its audience shut up and think.  You may not like what you see, but you will never forget it either!

The next time you are out picking a film do something different and select one that isn’t safe, isn’t normal, a film that will challenge you visually or emotionally. Leave normal at home and allow yourself the freedom to explore uncharted realms that just might leave you more aware of yourself while learning a bit about others at the same time. Don’t fear the reaper baby, take his hand and see where you wind up!

Title: Ghost Story

Directed by: John Irvin

Written by: ....Lawrence.... D. Cohen based upon the novel of the same name by Peter Straub

Starring: Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., John Houseman, Craig Wasson, Patricia Neal, Alice Krige

Release date: 1981

DVD Distributor: Universal

MPAA Rating: R

Reviewed by: Will

Killingboxx score: 10 cleavers

Ghost Story from Director John Irvin (Dogs of War, Hamburger Hill, City of ....Industry....) is one of those films that seems to polarize its audience. The reason behind this divergence is partially, if not primarily derived when fans of Peter Straub’s excellent book of the same name, find fault with the way Lawrence D. Cohen handled the screenplay. Truncating the story in order to fit it into a two-hour timeframe, there were many elements of the original story left on the cutting room floor. This is material may very well have been better suited to have been developed into a TV mini-series, but it was not. Given a two-hour confine in which to tell the story it is the contention of those of who appreciated the film for what it was, that Cohen and Director Irvin deserve credit for delivering an atmospheric ghost yarn filled with top-notch performances.

I have always found this film to be a joy to watch because of the cast. Featuring Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Ghost Story would sadly be the last film these three men made. Sad as that fact may be, the three of them together, alongside  the mighty John Houseman, Patricia Neal, Craig Wasson, and the frightfully beautiful Alice Krige, all worked brilliantly off one another to deliver an excellent ensemble piece that holds up to this day. It may not be as Straub intended, or his legion of fans imagined, but is any book ever completely embraced in celluloid? Time constraints coupled with financing inevitably alter every author’s imagination.

Beginning with the death of Don Wanderly (Craig Wasson) Ghost Story introduces viewers to the “Chowder Society”. The Society is a group comprised of elderly, well to do, small town New Englanders, led by the charismatic “Sears James” (John Houseman). Meeting regularly the group enjoys sharing ghost stories, good liquor, and a long-standing friendship.  Viewers are introduced to the them in the middle of a story being told by Sears. This particular meeting is occurring on the eve of a tragedy.

Charter member, “Edward Charles Wanderly” (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) who has twin sons, Don& David (Craig Wasson), has just learned the terrible news that his son Don has died. The circumstances surrounding Don’s death are unclear and it appears his death may have been a suicide. This news brings his twin David home bearing disturbing news regarding his brothers’ death. Just prior to his dying, Don had become engaged to be married to a woman named Alma Mobley (Alice Krige). Brother David now finds himself in the uncomfortable position of having to explain to his grieving father that he also had been involved with the same woman. David believes ....Alma.... is directly responsible for Don’s death; it is here the mystery behind Ghost Story begins.

Weaving in and out with flashbacks filling in the story, the film creates a tapestry of deceit, lies and murder. Director John Irvin, primarily known for gritty war dramas has stepped back from brutal set pieces depicting the horrors of war, to allow this subtle tale room to breathe and grow organically. Pulling viewers in and baiting them with snatches and clues regarding the mystery woman, the story slowly builds the type of tension rarely seen in modern horror films.  

Fans of the book have every right to be disappointed with the changes made to the story. Ordinarily I would wholeheartedly stand in their camp and agree; however, in this instance Irvin has taken Straub’s tale and made it his own. It works in much the same way that Kubrick made King’s The Shining work; it’s drastically different yet still remains a classic of form. Straub’s story was simply far too large to condense, forcing the filmmakers to alter it to accommodate the two-hour period in which it had to fit. Like it or lump it, the film is worth the time it takes to watch, if for no other reason than to see a masterful ensemble all working beautifully together. If you are in the detractor’s camp, I recommend you try to put the book aside long enough to see the performances of the cast and the taut direction that all came together to tell a great ghost story. If you have not seen it, take the time to do so, I think the great acting will surprise you and you must not forget that this film also featured effects work courtesy of legendary SPFX artist Dick Smith! To quote “Eva Galli”, “Dance with me you little Toad!”

The “centric” proclivities of a film fanatic

Standing in my living room this morning, coffee cup in one hand, scratching my ass with the other, I began formulating the list I have decided to offer you today. My thought process invigorated by strong black coffee had forcefully brought me to a stimulated state somewhat akin to cognizant reality, oddly enough not centered on my penis. Flashing back, I remembered a statement a friend of mine had recently made about the fundamental differences between the two us concerning our individual film preferences. He had observed that my choices of viewing material was often decided by who had directed the film, whereas he on the other hand made most of his choices based upon casting.

I usually make my choices based on this because many directors deliver consistency in their output. Take for instance Martin Scorsese; Mr. Scorsese always delivers an exceedingly well-put together film. Like his work or not, he is an artist that does not pander to the expectations of producers. On the other hand when you are choosing your films based upon cast there are more variables that come into play that can affect the quality of the product. Not all actors have the ability to consistently pick above average material, or, they may not have the financial freedom to turn down a job when bills need to be paid. Even Robert DeNiro picks projects such as Rocky and Bullwinkle or 88 minutes, from time to time, leaving me a bit skeptical when making my viewing choices. Screenplay is also a big factor that can easily make or break a film. A good director with a strong grasp of what makes a film good knows immediately whether the story he is considering has the potential to be put together for the screen and forged into a great film.

Enough of my rambling though, let us have a look at some of the directors I believe, always entertain. Look at my list and see if you agree, whom you think I forgot, ignored, snubbed, or just plain missed the mark on. I am not going to bother numbering because I am in no way attempting to comment on which of them is best, I am simply pointing out what makes me pick up a film and decide to watch it.

Martin Scorsese

Akira Kurosawa

Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Alfred Hitchcock

Guillermo Del Toro

Clint Eastwood

Robert Wise

Michael Haneke

Fritz Lang

Tod Browning

James Whale

Freddie Francis

Alex De La Iglesia

Peter Weir

George Romero

Sydney Lumet

Sam Peckinpah

Sion Sono

Pedro Almovodar

John Carpenter

David Cronenberg

Robert Altman

David Fincher

Quentin Tarantino

Peter Jackson

Roman Polanski

Walter Hill

Otto Preminger

Edward Dmytryk

Kathryn Bigelow

David Lean

Dario Argento

Mario Bava

Sergio Corbucci

Jacques Tourneur

Alan Parker

..Milos.. Forman

John Ford

John Huston

Catherine Breillat

Nicholas Roeg

Claude Chabrol

Howard Hawks

Ingmar Bergman

Lucio Fulci

Umberto Lenzi

....Stanley.... Kubrick

Brian DePalma

Rob Zombie

Frank Capra

There you have it, 50 Directors that have consistently entertained me. I do not know that I could name fifty actors that have been as reliable. Check it over and feel free to make it known what a fucking dumb ass you think I am for either forgetting your favorite, or including someone you think is a dunce. I currently have my eye on a large handful of “newbie’s” that are coming up and are definitely worth watching, that is what Killingboxx is all about, so stay tuned to see who is added when I make revisions!