They're dead, they're all messed up

We started off American Gothic tonight, and are looking forward to the coming weeks as we work through its one and only season.

We're making a slight schedule adjustment next Wednesday, and rather than running two episodes of Gothic followed by the anniversary re-premiere of Night of the Living Dead, we've decided to cut right to the chase and run the film in place of the series. Gothic will return as regularly scheduled the following Wednesday, and run one week longer than originally scheduled.

So, to confirm, Wednesday, October 1st will be the 40th anniversary screening of Night of the Living Dead, and Saturday, October 4th will be our All Day of the Dead celebration.

Holy smokes!

I just posted an amazing archaeological find next door at All Day of the Dead. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

Introducing American Gothic

After numerous false starts, we're finally starting the Shaun Cassidy series American Gothic on Wednesday night.

I found it to be the first supernatural show in the wake of Twin Peaks to truly establish a sense of place in the town of Trinity, South Carolina. A town populated with rich characters ranging from the young Lucas Black as Caleb Temple to the strong presence of Gary Cole as Sheriff Lucas Buck, Paige Turco as the strong willed Gail Emory, and Jake Weber as Doctor Matt Crower. The show was also filled with fantastic supporting players and guest stars.

Produced by Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, it was a well written, great looking show. I had recorded the show off broadcast televsion as it aired, and even acquired six unaired episodes from overseas broadcasts. I was thrilled to finally throw those out when the series was released on DVD a few years back. Unfortunately, for most viewers who watch the set, the order in which the episodes were placed on the set is somewhat erratic.

We'll be watching them in the preferred order, and while we can argue the merits of the resolution of the one-season gem all in good time, I can assure you that it doesn't end like The Prisoner. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

We hope to see you all on Wednesday nights in the weeks and months ahead. I think you just might be pleasantly surprised.

Vonna controls the horizontal, Vonna controls the vertical

Vonna here, with a reminder that I have control of both the theater and the kitchen this month and have made the selections of the movies. That's right! No Zombies, No Action Adventure, No "not yet released" films - okay I can't guarantee than no one will die in these films - but I decided to center the movies around the kitchen and cooking.....and the food served will align around the selected movies' food also.

The doors will be open at 5:30 p.m. on Sat Sept 20th and the first film will begin about 6:15 after sufficient feasting and refreshments.

Our first feature is The Last Supper, a 1996 dark comedy starring Cameron Diaz, Ron Eldard, Annabeth Gish, Jonathan Penner, Courtney B. Vance as self-righteous left-wing grad students whose premeditated murder of right-wing extremists may be pushing the grounds of good taste....and good food!

That will be followed by Big Night (starting about 8:30 p.m.), another 1996 film starring Tony Shalhoub, Stanley Tucci, Minnie Driver, Ian Holm and Isabella Rossellini: A treat for movie lovers and food lovers everywhere - Big Night is the story of two Italian brothers whose superb restaurant is on the brink of bankruptcy. Their only chance is to risk everything they own on one "big night" that will make them or break them.

We look forward to enjoying these films with you all. Hope to see you Saturday!

PS - the next Slaughtered Lamb Cinema event is Saturday, October 4th - the "All Day of The Dead" marathon. More details at the specific blog linked to the right. On Saturday, October 25th we will celebrate the return of 007 with a James Bond party. Please keep checking the updates here, as we'll be polling to decide which Bond film to watch alongside Casino Royale.

Don't say the ZED word!

We wrapped up Spaced in a quick three weeks, and as I somehow scheduled it for four weeks in the calendar, that left an opening this Wednesday night. It only seemed appropriate to run Shaun of the Dead in the one-week window before we begin American Gothic.

We invite you to join us for a pint and some Twiglets at the Winchester this Wednesday.

In Hi-Def, no less. How's that for a slice of fried gold?

And they used Bon Ami!

You've gotta love the internet. I may never hear a live performance of the music from The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, but thanks to YouTube, I can enjoy the next best thing.





And you can bet I plan on learning to play it myself!

In a world...

Today we mourn the passing of a legend in cinema history...

The voice of the modern movie trailer, Don LaFontaine.