BIG WORLD PICTURES TO SHOOT 'FRANKENSTEIN CREATED BIKERS’ ON 35MM FILM

 

 

ATLANTA – Feb. 23, 2015 – Big World Pictures announces its latest production, FRANKENSTEIN CREATED BIKERS, will be shot on 35mm motion picture film. The producers have unearthed 20,000 feet of unexposed Kodak Vision 3 film stock leftover and carefully stored from a major Hollywood production. FRANKENSTEIN CREATED BIKERS is the sequel to the award-winning internationally distributed Super 16mm film DEAR GOD NO! and will be shot with Arri cameras and Zeiss lenses.

“We’re really excited to extend our love affair with film.The medium injects our production crew with a hand-crafted sense of pride that we don’t often experience from using digital equipment,” explains director James Bickert.  “Film is a real motivator; it reminds me of soda made with real sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. You forget what you’re missing until you experience it.”
 

35mm Film Brings New Challenges

With film becoming obsolete, development and telecine post-production houses disappearing, the race is on to start principal photography on what may be the last “shot on film” horror genre picture for the production team. Big World Pictures has started a Kickstarter campaign to help get the project in motion.

“We don’t want to waste this opportunity on teenagers stalked in the woods or flying CGI sharks,” adds Bickert. “Our script is very ambitious with a production design that will maximize the natural properties of the medium. We’re using practical effects and we really hope the fans of our previous film will contribute to getting this unique vision in the can. We believe there is a market for the films we love, making the public aware of what we’re doing is the hurdle and hopefully the Kickstarter campaign can bring attention to our cause. We’re offering some really great rewards for investors. ”
 

Old School Ballyhoo and a Twisted Vision

FRANKENSTEIN CREATED BIKERS centers on the re-animation of the South's most notorious biker gang - The Impalers. Dr. Marco and his assistant are performing gruesome experiments in their asylum lab and have resurrected the thrill-kill Motorcycle Club to capture a Bigfoot containing a pathogen that will allow them to perform a human head transplant. When news of the gang resurrection draws the attention of bounty hunters, law enforcement and rival gangs, the lofty aspirations of these mad scientist starts to spiral out of control. Things get even worse for the occupants when past failed- experiments escape from the basement and the lab is attacked by a bomb-happy femme fatale named Val. Stylistically FRANKENSTEIN CREATED BIKERS pays homage to several of the production team’s favorite films such as the Hammer Studio's Frankenstein series, FASTER PUSSYCAT KILL KILL!, THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE, HORROR RISES FROM THE TOMB, THE RE-ANIMATOR and Biker drive-in pictures from the 70s. Blood, scares, nudity, action, weirdness and real explosions are on the menu, and the dessert is an underlying theme about addiction and what hampers humanity from feeling fulfilled in life. These issues are explored through the actions of really rotten characters doing rotten things - all in the context of a fun-filled smorgasbord of entertainment.
 

Dedicated Professionals

The self-proclaimed team of "awesome" fanatics at Big World Pictures are made up of crew members from other productions, including THE WALKING DEAD, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, CONSTANTINE, Adult Swim's YOUR PRETTY FACE IS GOING TO HELL and TOO MANY COOKS. The camera crew worked on HBO’s THE WIRE and the grip department has worked on productions that include the HUNGER GAMES and THE FAST & THE FURIOUS series. Cast members include Laurence Harvey (HUMAN CENTIPEDE 2 & 3), Celebrity Chef Jim Stacy (DEEP FRIED MASTERS, OFF BEAT EATS) and Ellie Church (TIME TO KILL, HEADLESS). The majority of the DEAR GOD NO! cast will be returning to reprise their roles.

For the Love of the Genre

The Atlanta based Big World Pictures was formed to create films by horror fans for horror fans. Shooting on film has been a binding force for the group who enthusiastically tour the country to horror conventions, festivals and theatrical screenings.

“It’s all about comradery and being part of a bigger community.  Due to the bottom line of larger productions, the horror genre gets stuck in trends. Our fan base is growing quickly, and we hope to keep delivering the solid entertainment that we enjoy making. We have a deep sense of pride in what we’re doing and love sharing the experience with like-minded audiences. FRANKENSTEIN CREATED BIKERS is going to electrify them,” concludes Bickert.
 

How to Contribute
If you love film, horror movies and crazy spectacle, you can help by contributing at www.kickstarter.com/projects/1334887287/frankenstein-created-bikers-a-35mm-feature-film.
Also, stay up-to-date on our latest news and happening by following us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DearGodNoMovie, Twitter (@jamesbickert) and our website http://www.bigworldpictures.us

If Someone Makes You Toast, You Don't Fuck Another Man: A Look At Science Team By Drew Bolduc

Science Team starts off like an instructional video you would watch if you got an internship in Silicon Valley. Granted this video is way cooler. It is full of babes with lasers, acid trips, and amazing effects. After this, we meet our protagonist. He is a real peach. He leaves his girlfriend , and goes to live with his mom. He spends his time there ranting and raving, watching tentacle porn, and spraying down his walls with his man juice. He is so occupied covering his walls in spunk, he doesn't hear his mom getting the shit killed out of her by a vagtastic alien that is basically a cross of Xtro, and The Abomination.

This is where the Science Team comes in. They are sent in to clean up, and sweep this shit under the rug. Is their science tight? I guess you will have to see for yourself.


Going in all I knew is that this was from the people that brought us "The Taint." That was definitely a selling point, as it has become one of my favorite modern films. At the same time, I try really hard to not judge a film based off the creators previous efforts. Good or bad. Is this anything like its predecessor? Only in spirit.

It is easy to get lost in the twisted sense of humor, or the effects that are so slimy, excessive, and for lack of a better word, amazing, but hidden deep inside all of this awesome, is a pretty smart film. The way the story unfolds is brilliantly subtle. Think Hitchcock with a bit more human fluid humor. Around every corner I didn't know if I was going to get a shot in the face, or twist that would make M. Night retire(I wish).

Science Team is part sci-fi, part horror, part comedy, part fifties atomic, part low budget sleaze, but all awesome. It revels in its juxtaposition. It is as much excessive, as it is subtle. It will send you down a wormhole of excitement, and hilarity. All while keeping you guessing what is coming next.


4/5

-Tromeric

New Label RENTUM TORMENTUM To Release First Cassette SEPOLTE VIVE : Hear It First On Guts & Grog

The first release from new label, RENTUM TORMENTUM, will manifest in February 2015. SEPOLTE VIVE'S 'The rats in the Walls' will be available on cassette limited to 150 copies. 40 minutes of 70's/80's inspired synth strangeness. Preview 2 tracks here!

A World Of Limitless Mystery And Horrible Suggestion' 

To Glimpse It's Unwholesome Features

 

Tromeric's Top 500: The Entire list

500. My Own Private Idaho

499. The Ice Cream Man

498. Faces of Death

497. Honey I Shrunk the Kids

496. Psychomania

495. Lionheart

494. Sometimes they Come Back

493. Dagon

492. Nazis at the Center of the Earth

491. The Nail Gun Massacre

490. Best Worst Movie

489. Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend

488. Halloween II(Rob Zombie)

487. Class of 1999

486. Hard Target

485. The Tenant(Roman Polanski)

484. Peeping Tom

483. Rumble in the Bronx

482. Silent Night, Deadly Night

481. Madman

480. Grizzly Man

479. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

478. Friday the 13th(1980)

477. Nightmare Sisters

476. The Social Network

475. The Wizard of Gore(Herschell Gordon Lewis)

474. Natural Born Killers

473. The Theatre Bizarre

472. Red Scorpion

471. Snow Day

470. Monty Python and the Holy Grail

469. Dudes

468. Orgazmo

467. Amélie

466. The Abomination

465. Tarnation

464. The Hidden

463. Birdemic

462. Blood Feast/Blood Feast 2

461. Hesher

460. Paranorman

459. The Virgin Spring

458. Man of Steel

457. Forgetting Sarah Marshall

456. Brokeback Mountain

455. Bloodsport

454. The Passion of the Christ

453. Murder Set Pieces

452. Storytelling

451. Red Dawn(1984)

450. Adjust Your Tracking

449. Split Second

448. Trainspotting

447. Private Eyes

446. Reform School Girls

445. Class of 1984

444. The Departed

443. I Come In Peace

442. Death Wish

441. Super

440. Sleepwalkers

439. Rubin and Ed

438. Black Christmas(1974)

437. Cyborg

436. Christine

435. Squirm

434. The New York Ripper

433. JFK

432. Transformers : Revenge of the Fallen

431. Road House

430. Hate Crime

429. Beyond the Valley of the Dolls

428. Walk the Line

427. Deathstalker II

426. Monster House

425. The Devil’s Backbone

424. Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer

423. Q: The Winged Serpent

422. Bad Boy Bubby

421. Hedwig and the Angry Inch

420. Laid to Rest

419. Club Dread

418. Red(2008)

417. Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey

416. Freaks

415. God Bless America

414. Idle Hands

413. Spider Baby

412. Scarface(1983)

411. Exterminator 2

410. Slither

409. Memento

408. Bad Santa

407. Blood and Black Lace

406. Marked for Death

405. Transformers: Dark of the Moon

404. Silver Bullet

403. The Running Man

402. Synecdoche, New York

401. Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth

400. Donnie Darko

399. Superbad

398. Embodiment of Evil

397. Them(1954)

396. Friday After Next

395. Rituals

394. Surveillance

393. Deep Red: The Hatchet Murders

392. Antiviral

391. Super Troopers 

390. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

389. Livide

388. Slaughterhouse

387. Dear God No!

386. Ilsa: She Wolf of the SS

385. The Wizard of Gore(2007)

384. In the Mouth of Madness

383. Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht

382. Mallrats

381. The Deer Hunter

380. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2

379. The Video Dead

378. Razorback

377. Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance

376. Things(1989)

375. Pet Semetery

374. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

373. Eastern Condors

372. Motel Hell

371. Repo Man

370. Eaten Alive(Tobe Hooper)

369. Shocker

368. The Boneyard

367. Heathers

366. Friday

365. Re-Animator

364. Torso

363. I Spit on your Grave(1978)

362. Rock and Roll High School

361. Rear Window

360. Never Sleep Again

359. Alien

358. The Room

357. Serenity

356. Zodiac

355. The Wraith

354. Candyman

353. Frailty

352. At Midnight I’ll Take your Soul

351. Batman Returns

350. We are What we Are

349. Sling Blade

348. Return to Nuke ‘Em High Volume 1

347. Crystal Lake Memories

346. The Hills Have Eyes(1977)

345. Short Bus

344. Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama

343. Six String Samurai

342. Freaked

341. Ghost World

340. Toad Road

339. Werewolves on Wheels

338. The Gate

337. Jodorowsky’s Dune

336. The Raid

335. The Wrestler

334. The Dark Backward

333. Troll 2

332. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers

331. The Lost

330. South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut

329. Voyage of the Rock Aliens

328. I Am Divine

327. Platoon

326. Pulp Fiction

325. Castle Freak

324. Ed Wood

323. Friday the 13th VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan

322. Grandma’s Boy

321. American Mary

320. The Last Temptation of Christ

319. Maniac(2012)

318. Shock Corridor

317. The Punisher(1989)

316. Bellflower

315. Blood Freak

314. Haute Tension

313. An American Werewolf in London

312. Cannibal: The Musical

311. Hot Tub Time Machine

310. Wet Hot American Summer

309. Where the Truth Lies

308. The Doom Generation

307. The Mist

306. Riki Oh: The Story of Ricky

305. Terrorvision

304. The Raid 2

303. Carrie(1976)

302. From Beyond

301. Gojira

300. The Driller Killer

299. Tremors

298. Fight Club

297. Phenomena

296. The Last House on Dead End Street

295. Super 8

294. Meet the Feebles

293. Gremlins

292. Tucker and Dale VS Evil

291. Subspecies

290. Psychos in Love

289. Porky’s

288. Beavis and Butthead Do America

287. Pieces

286. Boyz n the Hood

285. Happiness of the Katakuris

284. T2: Judgment Day  

283. Near Dark

282. Deadbeat at Dawn

281. Family Portraits: A Trilogy of America

280. The Killer

279. Buffalo 66

278. Stand By Me

277. Basket Case

276. American Beauty

275. Night of the Living Dead(1968)

274. The Fly(1986)

273. Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare

272. I Saw the Devil

271. UHF

270. Ernest Goes to Jail

269. Ginger Snaps

268. Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie

267. Scorpio Rising

266. The Stoned Age(1994)

265. Casino

264. Silent Night, Deadly Night 2

263. Postal

262. Dust Devil

261. Nowhere

260. Cabin Fever

259. Clerks 2

258. Critters 2: The Main Course

257. Robocop(1987)

256. Black Swan

255. Dazed and Confused

254. Citizen Kane

253. The Skin I live In

252. No Country for old Men

251. House on the Edge of the Park

250. The Hurt Locker

249. Casablanca

248. Auschwitz

247. Clerks

246. Gremlins 2: The New Batch

245. The Slumber Party Massacre

244. The Girl Next Door(Ketchum)

243. Point Break

242. Boxing Helena

241. Rock and Roll Nightmare

240. The Dark Knight Rises

239. Basket Case 2

238. Big Trouble in Little China

237. Bride of Re-Animator

236. Found

235. Sin City

234. Scanners

233. It

232. Silence of the Lambs

231. Easy Rider

230. Goodfellas

229. Hard Boiled

228. The WIllies

227. Amer

226. The Exorcist

225. Ernest Goes to Camp

224. Brazil

223. Popcorn

222. The Burning

221. Pumpkinhead

220. Battle Royale

219. The Big Lebowski

218.  Jackie Brown

217. The Warriors

216. The Exorcist III

215. The Evil Dead(1981)

214. Halloween III: Season of the Witch

213. Man Bites Dog

212. Boogie Nights

211. Frankenhooker

210. Friday the 13th IV: The Final Chapter

209. Faust(Svankmajer)

208. The Shinning(Kubrick)

207. Fargo

206. Requiem for a Dream

205. Bad Taste

204. Dogtooth

203. The Wild Bunch

202. The Garbage Pail Kids

201. The Blob(1988)

200. The Dark Knight

199. The Thin Blue Line

198. Magnolia

197. Harry and the Hendersons

196, Drive

195. Blood Diner

194. Good Burger

193. Aftermath

192. The Prowler

191. Strange Brew

190. Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead

189. SLC Punk

188. Puppet Master

187. The FP

186. Gleaming the Cube

185. Brain Donors

184. Black Roses

183. Mysterious Skin

182. Grapes of Death

181. Mystery Train

180. Christmas Evil

179. The Taint

178. A Nightmare on Elm Street(1984)

177. Trick or Treat

176. Funny Games(1997)

175. Sleepaway Camp

174. Night of the Hunter

173. Seven

172. Dawn of the Dead(1978)

171. Whoopie Boys

170. Street Trash

169. Dead Alive

168. Valhalla Rising

167. Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers

166. Escape from New York

165. House of the Devil

164. FDR: American Badass

163. Hail Mary

162. Alice in Wonderland(Disney)

161. Hardware

160. City of the Living Dead

159. Serial Mom

158. Lucifer Rising

157. Father’s Day

156. Martyrs

155. The Woman

154. John Dies at the End

153. Happiness

152. What Is It?

151. Day of the Dead(1989)

150. The Burb’s

149. Apocalypse Now

148. Alice(Svankmajer)

147. Wolf Creek

146. Down By Law

145. The Deadly Spawn

144. Hobo With a Shotgun

143. May

142. Jaws

141. The Gore Gore Girls

140. Hellraiser

139. Calvaire

138. Puppet Master III: Toulon’s Revenge

137. A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors

136. Night of the Demons(1987)

135. Lords of Salam

134. Fascination

133. They Live

132. The Toxic Avenger

131. Opera

130. The Beyond

129. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

128. Real Killers

127. The Brood

126. Deliverance

125. Bride of Frankenstein

124. Chopping Mall

123. The Crow

122. Predator

121. Friday the 13th V: A New Beginning

120. Creature from the Black Lagoon

119. Bad Channels

118. Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV

117. Sid and Nancy

116. Night Breed

115. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer

114. The Seventh Seal

113. Vertigo

112. Full Metal Jacket

111. Rosemary’s Baby

110. Enter the Void

109. 2000 Maniacs

108. Let the Right One In

107. Terror Firmer

106. Oldboy(2003)

105. The Thing(1982)

104. Cecil B. Demented

103. Trick r Treat

102. The Convent

101. Inside

100. The Manson Family

99. Homeward Bound

98. 8 1/2

97. Pollyester

96. Crash(Cronenberg)

95. The Wizard of Oz

94. Dellamorte Dellamore

93. Straw Dogs(1971)

92. Nymphomaniac Volume 1 and 2

91. It is Fine! Everything is Fine.

90. Phantasm 2

89. I Stand Alone

88. Night of the Creeps

87. C.H.U.D. II: Bud the Chud

86. The Trial of Joan of Arc

85. Seven Samurai

84. Phantasm: OblIVion

83. Dogville

82. The Bunny Game

81. Ghoulies III: Ghoulies go to College

80. Fitzcarraldo

79. To the Wonder

78. Vivre Sa Vie

77. Red, White, & Blue

76. Wings of Desire

75. Begotten

74. Repulsion

73. Supervixens

72. House by the Cemetery

71. Frenzy

70. Melancholia

69. Killer Klowns from Outer Space

68. Heart of Glass

67. Chinatown

66. Rad

65. Combat Shock

64. Santa Sangre

63. Maniac(1980)

62. Belle De Jour

61. Last House on the Left(1972)

60. Possession

59. Fire in the Sky

58. Days of Heaven

57. Spaced Invaders

56. Rabid

55. Rivers Edge

54. Bubba Ho-Tep

53. The Monster Squad

52. El Topo

51. Nekromantik

50. The Last Picture Show

49. Eyes Wide Shut

48. Tenebre

47. Psycho(1960)

46. Dead Man

45. Visitor Q

44. Prince of Darkness

43. Breathless(Godard)

42. A Serbian Film

41. Ernest Saves Christmas

40. The Thin Red Line

39. The Outsiders

38. Spring Breakers

37. Au hasard Balthazar

36. Paris, Texas

35. The Holy Mountain

34. Subconscious Cruelty

33. Irreversible

32. Trash Humpers

31.  Zombi

30. Dancer in the Dark

29. Faster Pussycat Kill! Kill!

28. The Devil’s Rejects

27. Desperate Living

26. Shivers

25. Inland Empire

24. Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom

23. Aguirre, the Wrath of God

22. The Tree of Life

21. Julien Donkey Boy

20. Taxi Driver

19. Antichrist(2009)

18. Cannibal Holocaust

17. Pink Flamingos

16. Even Dwarfs Started Small

15. Ernest Scared Stupid

14. A Clockwork Orange

13. Gummo

12. Lost Highway

11. Phantasm

10. Audition

9. Blue Velvet

8. Mulholland Dr.

7. Videodrome

6. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me

5. Suspiria

4. Halloween(1978)

3. Female Trouble

2. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre(1974)

1. Eraserhead

The Greatest Flicks I’ve Ever Seen By Kristopher Triana of Tavern of Terror

I’m happy to be invited to share my peculiar tastes for Tomeric’s massive favorite film marathon over here at Guts and Grog. When he asked me to make a list of my top 10 favorite films, I didn’t realize just how difficult that would be. You really have to think. Ever meet someone who can’t name a few of their favorite movies, and just shrug and name a genre? I can’t put my mind around feeling that way. Movies are a passion of mine, and so I had to ponder my choices and go over my decisions very painstakingly.

I can’t say exactly that these are the best movies ever made. That’s all opinion anyway. But I have never been swayed by popular opinion. Most of the time if the majority likes something it is bound to suck. Look at it this way: Titanic, Forrest Gump and The English Patient all won Oscars for best picture, and those movies blow dog dick.

The movies I’ve picked may be snubbed by film snobs and too bizarre for mainstream audiences. Fine. To each their own. Go away. That’s why I call this the greatest flicks I’ve ever seen. It’s my list. Nothing’s going to change my choices.

10. LOST HIGHWAY

Lynch is hit or miss for me. I love his earlier work that is surreal and yet tells a clear tale (Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks) but I can’t stand the gibberish of Inland Empire or Mulholland Drive. For me, his best work is Lost Highway, a very dark story of a mental breakdown that sends a wife murder into a spell of mental delusion that transforms his reality. But this psychogenic fugue state (Google it) begins to fall apart for him as the terrible truth about what he has done refuses to allow him to escape into fantasy.

While the film is very nebulous and leaves much for the viewer to assemble, I do believe this is still a straightforward Lynch film.  It is beautiful nightmare created through creepy visuals, a bizarre cast, moody pacing and generous nods to noir and horror cinema.

9. THE WRESTLER

 

This is a down-to-earth portrait of a former wrestling superstar who finds his life in shambles now that he’s past middle age. He longs to regain his former glory and to reconnect with his estranged daughter. Even as his inner demons prove to be self-destructive, his desire for triumph carries his wounded heart as he presses on to an incredibly moving finale.

Mickey Rourke is one of my favorite actors, and this was a great comeback for the real life ex-boxer. He gives us some bone-breaking fight scenes in this, as well as moments that will make even the toughest dude tear up, such as this scene between father and daughter…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fTnTP49FW0

8. BATMAN RETURNS

I have been a Batman nerd for as long as I can remember. I don’t read the comics anymore but I still cherish the realm of Gotham and love the animated series and some of the films. I really enjoy Nolan’s saga. The Dark Knight is a powerful movie, and is in most regards the best Batman movie ever made.

However, I derive the most enjoyment from Tim Burton’s dark, brooding Batman Returns, with its fatalistic perspective, bondage references, child-killing mutants and a Christmas backdrop for circus-like violence. I appreciate the suggestions of split personalities, and the tragic Romeo and Juliet style approach to Batman’s relationship with Catwoman.

Michael Keaton is my all-time favorite man behind the mask and he outshines his other roles in this flick. DeVito is wonderfully repulsive and Pfeiffer has never been more delicious as the ultimate femme fatale.

7. ROCKY

This is the greatest movie about the human spirit ever made.

Most of you have seen this, and I’m sure you’ll agree that this film, like its protagonist, is all heart. It is inspiring, moving and the grueling match climax is just about the most suspenseful thing you’ll ever see on screen. If you haven’t seen this you need to get your shit together, bro.

6. HALLOWEEN

I am a horror writer because of John Carpenter’s Halloween. When I saw this classic for the first time I was 12 years old and it completely changed my life. I became obsessed with horror films and books and began to devour as much of the culture as I could. I wanted to tell stories as scary as this, and have spent my entire life since perfecting my craft and studying the genre.

Telling the seemingly simple tale of a psychotic murderer coming home for Halloween (and the anniversary of his first kill) this remains one of the most tense and incredible pieces of horror movie history.

5. TRUE GRIT

 

This is an excellent Coen brothers’ film that is much truer to the book than the John Wayne version. Jeff Bridges is marvelous as the surly U.S. Marshall, Rooster Cogburn, in this classic western tale of revenge out on the open range.

In this film, a young girl hires the help of the aging gunman, Cogburn, who teams up with a Texas Ranger so they can hunt down the man who killed her father. The retribution-focused film is not just a celebration of bravado, but rather a powerful and moving film that deals with the bond of family as well as the integrity of even the most scruffy, drunken cowboy.

If this trailer doesn’t entice you, nothin’ will, son:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUiCu-zuAgM

4. NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Based off of one of my favorite books of all time, this Coen brothers epic deals with subject matter as topical as drug smuggling on the border while also tackling themes as profound as the nature of fate, embodying death, facing a changing world as one ages, and what is to be man in today’s America, as well as yesterday’s.

Focusing on a trio of cowboys in 1980 (one a welder/antelope hunter, one an aging sheriff, and one a relentless, ghost-like manhunter), this is the story of bad money found by a desperate man, which leads to an ultraviolent chase across Texas. Particularly memorable is the character of Anton Cigurh, played by Javier Bardem, who - in my opinion -is easily the most frightening character in a non-horror film.

Poetic, intense, chilling, and extremely thought provoking, this is easily one the greatest films I have ever seen and the most interesting to debate the true meaning of.

3. THE THING

John Carpenter is one of my favorite filmmakers. He has a style that is uniquely his own and he has given us some of the most incredible films in the genres of cult and horror (In the Mouth of Madness, They Live, Prince of Darkness).

In this apocalyptic nightmare, a shape-shifting creature slowly begins to infiltrate a remote research team in rural Antarctica. It takes over the men, kills them, and then replaces them. One by one we get to watch the men unravel, turning against each other as the alien being shuts down their only safe-haven.

This movie deals with so many terrors: the fear of losing one’s identity, the fear of contagion and plague, claustrophobia, the fear of the cold and the dark, xenophobia, the fear of mistrust and betrayal. All of this and more makes it a glorious sci-fi horror achievement.

2. ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST

Most people hail Sergio Leone’s fantastic Man With No Name trilogy. While I love those films, they don’t come anywhere near the majesty of this epic western saga. Often hailed as an opera of violence, this movie centers on a lonely widow and the three different men who enter her life: all of them men of the gun.

Charles Bronson shines as Harmonica, the mysterious stranger who is fast on the draw, Robards is filthy and fantastic as the outlaw Cheyenne, Fonda is pure evil as the villainous Frank, and the gorgeous Claudia Cardinale really mystifies in her role as the headstrong widow, Jill.

The film’s hypnotic style and exceptional cinematography capture a movie as big as the Wild West itself, bursting with all the passion, bloodshed and determination that encompassed that lost age.  

Just watch this mesmerizing opening scene:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XkHsinz7oU

And number one for me is…

1. BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA

Sure it’s not the most intense, gorgeous, or cinematically stunning or anything like that. But this Carpenter vehicle has everything: comedy, monsters, sorcery, martial arts, big trucks, intense action, gun fights, knife fights, gang wars and, best of all, the greatest movie character of all time: Mr. Jack Burton.

He’s the big-rig trucker who found himself in the wrong place at the right time to help save the day in his own bumbling way.

Kurt Russell should have gotten every award in the world for his portrayal of the hero who lets his sidekick do most of the ass-kicking against an ancient demon who must marry a girl with green eyes to become flesh. Sound like the best plot ever? Damn right it does!

John Carpenter scores again, and having three of his films on this list, I think it’s safe to say he’s my favorite filmmaker. The reason I love his films so much is presented best with Big Trouble in Little China. It is a film that stands up to an exceptional amount of viewings without ever getting old or boring. I have been watching this almost yearly since I was 8, and for the years ranging 8 to 12 I watched it monthly, at least.

Big Trouble in Little China is a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful freakin’ movie. Simply the best flick ever to bless my old TV set.

So there is my top 10 list, but as I mentioned in the opening you didn’t read, picking a top ten was difficult. So here are some very honorable mentions: The Proposition, Angel Heart, Broken Flowers, Unforgiven, About Schmidt, Nightmare on Elm Street, The Big Lebowski, Inside, Behind the Mask, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Bad Santa, I Saw the Devil, They Live, National Lampoon’s Vacation, First Blood and almost all horror movies from the 80’s.

Kristopher Triana is an author and the head of Tavern of Terror. His book, Growing Dark, is scheduled for publication this winter. Be sure to look for it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and in bookstores everywhere.

Calvin Cushman's Top 10

In no order

Dark Crystal

 Naked Lunch 

The Thing

Hellbound Hellraiser   

Phantasm 

Rushmore 

Event Horizon

 Grosse Point Blank 

Santa Sangre

Bad Taste 

Make sure to check out Calvin's art page Obsidian Pantheon.

 

Michael Melton's Top 10

10) Alien

 9) The Midnight Swim 

8) Nosferatu 

7) Antichrist 

6) Royal Tenenbaums 

5) Grand Budapest Hotel 

4) Let the Right One In 

3)Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back 

2)Pulp Fiction 

1) A Clockwork Orange

Mike is an old friend of the grog. We used to wait tables together. Make sure to check out his site The Film Philosopher. 

Tromeric's Top 500: The Final 50

50. 

This is one of my favorite looking movies. I can always put this in, and instantly be hooked. The story, the acting, the look. They all excite me. 

49.

I saw this in the theater opening weekend. I shit. I still shit when I see it. The atmosphere is thick, and I love getting lost in it. 

48.

Some of the most beautiful slashing, also my favorite score by Goblin. Getting to drunkenly dance to it in person is a highlight of my life, that won't easily be topped. 

47. 

It may be cliche to have Psycho as your favorite Hitchcock film, but there is a reason for that. 

46.

Holy fuck! This movie! Easily my favorite Jarmusch flick. 

45.

There are things in this movie that blow my mind. The milking  being high on that list.

44.

In all honesty I wasn't a huge fan of this the first time I watched it. Something that still bothers me. I must have just been in a weird spot. I finally revisited it, and fell so in love with it. It is one of my favorite scores, and the opening credit sequence gives me chills every time. 

43.

The dialogue is this traps me within minutes. If it comes on, I can't turn it off. Godard is hit or miss with me, this is the biggest hit. 

42.

Often considered the most disturbing film of all time. Something I don't agree with. If it wasn't for one scene, it wouldn't get the reputation it has. Take that scene out, and it is beautiful. Sure, it will still rip your soul out, but baby rape is what really makes people talk. Well played sir. 

41.

Ernest! I love and miss you. I can't go a Christmas without watching this. 

40.

This came out around the same time as a whole grip of war movies, that were action packed. I think people expected that with this. It is definitely not. Like all of Malick's film. It is one of the prettiest things I have ever seen. 

 39.

I have always loved the book, and the movie for this. It is easily to identify with the greasers. It is beyond crazy to watch it now, with the success that most of the cast found. Easily one of the most addicting movies out there. 

38.

This is a love it or hate it film. Not many seem to be indifferent to it. I of course love it. I love Korine, and think this is his most accomplished film. The Brittney Spears montage is possibly the greatest montage in history. 

 37.

So there is this movie about a donkey. It is the one of the most interesting films I have ever watched. I can't look away. Those are things I never assumed I would say, until I saw this. 

36.

Wim Wenders masterpiece. A road movie like no other road movie. 

35.

Any movie that makes me feel like I am on LSD, without actually being on LSD is going to become a favorite. 

34.

Uncomfortable, and beautiful. People fuck the earth, incest, abortion, Jesus gets a golden shower, while naked woman take the definition of communion to a whole new level. Of course I love this. 

33.

People think the nine minute rape scene, or the face bashing scene are the most disturbing parts of this. I feel that it is the ending, when you realize it's the beginning. That is what crushes me. You have a moment of it being a happy ending, until you realize the fucked up chronology of it, and reality kicks in of what's to come. That and how fucking beautiful it is.

32.

The look of death that my two friends I brought with me to the theater gave me when this was over is something I will never forget. The whole theater was silent, my friends wanted to kill me, and I had a cinema boner. 

31.

The slow motion eye gouge, a zombie fighting a shark, and an amazing score. What else do you need to know? 

30.

Von Trier is a pretentious fuck. I love him. This movie tears my soul out in ways I wasn't aware of. 

29. 

I love badass woman. There aren't many more badass then these babes. They will crush you. 

28.

My favorite modern American horror film. Definitely not straight horror, but fits for me. The Freebird ending owns my soul. 

27.

I love the whole world Waters created for this. So gross, and awesome. 

26.

Lynn Lowry is one of the sexiest woman in horror. She was also one of the nicest when I met her at a convention. Even without that, this movie is so good. Slugs that make you sex crazy. Cronenberg does things to me, that I can't explain. 

25.

Laura Dern should have one an Oscar for this. I was lucky enough to be at the premiere for this, and it blew my mind then, and has since blown it over and over.

24. 

Trains and shit eating. Sold. 

23. 

Holy shit Kinski kills it in this. So fucking beautiful. 

22.

Like a pretentious science documentary. The score is phenomenal, and the feeling it gives me is indescribable. 

21. 

Hearing Herzog talk about Dirty Harry as poetry is one of the greatest things I have ever experienced.

20. 

One of the movies that got me into movies. A classic in every sense of the word, that could also fit in with other gritty New York sleaze such as Combat Shock, or even Maniac. 

19.

Soul shattering to say the least. Willem Dafoe helped Cannibal Corpse write a song once. 

18.

The juxtaposition of some of the most shocking things put to celluloid, with the most beautiful score known to man is probably my favorite thing about this. That, and when I took my mom to see it the guy next to us puked. She called him a sissy. My mom is more bad ass then you dude in a Mayhem shirt. 

 17.

Divine has the best speeches in this. 

16. 

Some of the craziest shit I have ever seen. So ahead of its time. 

15.

Not many things in life make me as happy as this movie. The troll is so fucking terrifying, and goddamn I miss Jim Varney. 

14.

The movie that got me into movies. At least as an art form. I loved them before this, but this made me pay attention to directors, and actors. It made me seek out things based on things other then how gory the cover was. 

13.

The bathtub scene is one of the scenes in cinema that makes me cringe the most. Nothing really happens, but it grosses me out in ways I can't describe. 

12.

Probably the movie I have seen the most times. When I first saw it, I was on a mission to figure it out. I would watch it, rewind it, watch it, rewind it. You get it. Robert Blake scares the shit out of me. 

11.

Booooooyyyyyyyy! So dreamlike, and awesome. The Tall Man is such a bad ass, and the score gives me chills. 

10.

I will never forget the first time the ending of this punched me right in the dick. 

9.

Frank Booth is one of the most terrifying villains in film.

8.

The monster in the Winkies alley is so goddamn frightening. Like most of Lynch's films, this gets better each time I see it. 

7.

The effects still hold up incredibly well, and Debbie Harry. Long live the new flesh. 

6.

Probably the most beautiful ending in any film ever. With that said, most of the film is devastatingly terrifying. 

5.

Holy shit! The colors in this have never, and can never be topped. That along with one of the greatest scores in cinema history. 

4.

The only thing more haunting then the score, is the simplicity. It always holds up. I have watched it so many times, and I never tire of it. 

3.

Divine absolutely owns this. I love all of Waters' films, but it always goes back to this one for me. 

2.

There is basically no blood in this, yet I always remembered it as one of the goriest films ever made. This is one of the few movies that actually fucked with me the first time I watched it. Granted I was young as shit, but was already pretty versed in horror. I felt dirty after, and I loved it. 

1.

It had to be this. This movie does things to me I can't describe. 

Thanks to everyone for going with me on this epic journey. Film has always, and will always be a huge part of my life. I could have done a top 1500, but hey. I didn't want to be excessive. 

Shameless plug time. If you enjoyed this, and want to go back to the stone age, you can order a physical copy from APEP. It has the Top 500, as well as tons of activities for your inner child to complete. Connect the dots, crosswords, paint by numbers, and more. Click on the photo for ordering info. 

-Tromeric