From the We Can Be Heroes website:
Countries in the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya) are facing the worst drought in 60 years, causing a severe hunger crisis. According to the U.S. government, the crisis is unlike any other in terms of displacement, death and starvation of the population. More than 13 million people are in need of critical assistance. In Somalia alone, more than 250,000 people face starvation. Hundreds of thousands have fled to refugee camps seeking help. The situation is so critical that the United Nations officially declared famine for the first time in 21 years.

Humanitarian aid organizations are on the ground working to provide much needed relief to the drought and famine-stricken areas. But they need more help. They need our help.

Join the Justice League and DC Entertainment in raising awareness and funds for three nonprofit partners, Save the Children, International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps, who are delivering aid where it is needed most. DC Entertainment will match donations 100%, and 50% of the purchase price from We Can Be Heroes products will go to saving lives.

Tickets and more information can be found at the Riverside Theater website. Get your haunt on!

EXCISION
Dir: Richard Bates Jr.
81mins  USA
Sundance page

Synopsis:
“Pauline isn’t your typical teen. She picks scabs, dissects road kill, and fantasizes about performing surgery on strangers. Her fascinations disturb her parents and her classmates. Pauline reserves special disdain for “the church” and her “therapist,” Reverend William, who, in Pauline’s mind, is in no position to judge, or indulge in, her psychosexual fantasies. No one understands Pauline except for Grace, her younger sister, who suffers from cystic fibrosis. An outcast at school and at home, Pauline decides she is ready to lose her virginity. . . and this is when the weirdness really begins.”

BOBBY YEAH
Dir:  Robert Morgan
23min  UK
Sundance page 

Synopsis:
“Bobby Yeah is a petty thug who lightens his miserable existence by brawling and thieving stuff. One day, he steals the favorite pet of some very dangerous individual and finds himself in deep trouble.”

MOXIE
Dir:  Stephen Irwin
6mins  UK
Sundance page

Synopsis:
“A pyromaniac bear misses his mother.”

The following day, January 14th, Dark Delicacies in Los Angeles is hosting a release party and signing event with Manfredini in attendance. More info on Saturday’s event at the Dark Delicacies site.

The boxed set is a Friday fan’s fantasy come true: an unprecedented 6-cd effort with every second of composer Harry Manfredini’s iconic scores to the first six entries in the series. Also included with the set is a 40-page booklet featuring an extensive interview with the composer about his work on the series. La La Land plans to make the release limited in number. After the release event, the boxed set will be available at the La La Land Records site as well as in-store at Dark Delicacies.

Tickets for the event are $15 each, and can be purchased at CreatureFeatures.com.

Below is a look at the final packaging art for the boxed set, courtesy of La La Land Records…

Case in point:  this picture that brings together three incredible human beings, including one of the most influential fantasy publishers of our time.  On the left you’ve got Bill Frazetta, son of prolific artist Frank Frazetta, who was responsible for some of the most epic fantasy art in memory, including incredible depictions of CONAN THE BARBARIAN.  Next to him is none other than Basil Gogos, who holds the record for having painted more Famous Monsters of Filmland covers than any other artist out there.  And on the right is famed publisher J. David Spurlock, who’s responsible for bringing many of Frazetta’s great works to the masses through his publishing outfit.

Enjoy the photo!

In a star-studded evening that also included fellow honoree James Earl Jones, Dick Smith was surrounded by Hollywood’s elite as he was inducted into cinema’s most exclusive club. Honoring Smith were EXORCIST star Linda Blair and Monster Kid J.J. Abrams. The award was presented by none other than fellow Oscar-winner and Smith disciple, Rick Baker. The moments were touching and genuine as the man who created so many memorable moments and inspired legions of today’s makeup artists took it all in with a smile. Here at FAMOUS MONSTERS our thoughts were, “It’s about time!” And I’m sure you all agree. Click through the gallery to see highlights from the evening and click here to watch the videos of the speeches.

All photos courtesy of A.M.P.A.S. and are ©2011

NEXT IMAGE

So, now that you’re a fan of Famous Monsters, you probably want to take that fandom to the next level, right?  You’ve poured over every inch of the Graveyard Examiner, read every sensational news story posted, signed up for the super mondo joyous subscription package of Famous Monsters magazine.  But still you want more.  Geesh, you’re kinda greedy.

Well, more you’ve got, because now you don’t just have to read what we give you, you can participate in Famous Monsters yourselves through our brand new forum!  This state-of-the-art tool, created by none other than Victor Frankenstein’s great-great-great nephew Derrin, will let you do all sorts of things you’ve only previously dreamt of.

Post topics!  Reply to topics!  Socialize with like-minded monster-enthusiasts!  There’s a whole world of horror buffs and creature connoisseurs out there, just waiting to hear from an individual with similar ghoulish tastes.  Werewolves, vampires, mummies, mole people, Cloverfields, the whole wide world of terror is at your fingertips!

And if you sign up now, we’ll throw in our eternal gratitude, absolutely free!

What are you waiting for?  Check it out!!!!!!!

Films making their World Premieres include A GANG STORY, starring Gérard Lanvin and Tchéky Karyo; BAD KARMA, starring Ray Liotta, Dominic Purcell and Rhona Mitra; COLUMBUS CIRCLE, starring Selma Blair, Amy Smart, Giovanni Ribisi and Kevin Pollak; NOBEL’S LAST WILL, starring Malin Crépin, Björn Kjellman and Leif Andrée; SNOWFLAKE, THE WHITE GORILLA, starring Elsa Pataky and Pere Ponce; SPECIAL FORCES, starring Diane Kruger, Djimon Hounsou and Benoit Magimel; and THE EXPATRIATE, starring Aaron Eckhart and Olga Kurylenko.

Among the 295 films set to make their Market Premieres are: A DANGEROUS METHOD, starring Keira Knightley, Viggo Mortensen and Michael Fassbender; ALBERT NOBBS, starring Glenn Close, Mia Wasikowska and Aaron Johnson; BERNIE, starring Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConaughey; DARK HORSE, starring Justin Bartha, Selma Blair, Mia Farrow, Jordan Gelber and Christopher Walken; DETACHMENT, starring Adrien Brody, Marcia Gay Harden, James Caan, Christina Hendricks and Lucy Liu; EDWIN BOYD, starring Scott Speedman, Brian Cox, Kelly Reilly and Kevin Durand; FACE TO FACE, starring Luke Ford, Vince Colosimo, Sigrid Thornton and Matthew Newton; GEORGE HARRISON: LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD, starring Paul McCartney and Terry Gilliam; HICK, starring Blake Lively, Chloë Grace Moretz, Eddie Redmayne, Alec Baldwin and Juliette Lewis; KILLER JOE, starring Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch, Thomas Haden Church, Juno Temple and Gina Gershon; LE SKYLAB, starring Julie Delpy and Eric Elmosnino; LOOSIES, starring Peter Facinelli, Jaimie Alexander, Michael Madsen, Vincent Gallo and Joe Pantoliano; LUCKY, starring Colin Hanks, Ari Graynor, Jeffrey Tambor and Ann-Margret; and MICHAEL, starring Naseeruddin Shah, Mahie Gill and Purav Bhandare.

27 films will be presented in 3D and an additional 54+ films not listed in The Film Catalogue will have their world or market premieres during AFM, but will be announced by their respective companies on the eve of the market. For the full screening schedule and more detailed info on each of the films, check out www.TheFilmCatalogue.com.

The latest version of THE THING hatched, metamorphosed, and oozed out last night at the red carpet sneak preview at Universal Studios’ City Walk.

When Universal announced production last year, the news was met by now common cynicism whenever the word “remake” is remarked. But fear not – well, actually, fear lots! In the best tradition of favorite reimaginings, sequels or prequels – BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (35), Zack Snyder’s DAWN OF THE DEAD (04) – this new THE THING “shriekquel” delivers the best bits of its predecessor, pays respect to its originators, and innovates story and imagery to surprise and delight with fresh, mucousy fright.

I am an avowed John Carpenter’s THE THING (82) fan. My companions actually prefer the 1951 version starring recently departed James Arness. But we were all willing to give this new version a biting chance. I was grateful to be there as this ticket was ridiculously difficult to get. Theater 14 at the AMC Cineplex at City Walk was filled with cast and crew from the film as well as eager fans. Filmmaker Paul Davids (ROSWELL, THE SCI-FI BOYS) sat on my left and Eli Roth (CABIN FEVER, INGLORIOUS BASTERDS) to my right. So, in a glance, I knew I was in the company of hardcore horror heads.

Without ceremony the lights flicked off (zero fade) to pitch black and Marco Beltrami’s dark score blossomed while the whiteout onscreen came into focus revealing a taxi-yellow Snow Cat scoring the powder below. And we’re off! I recently heard of a study claiming that spoilers actually enhance viewing enjoyment for an audience. Boo-loney! Suffice it to say, this prequel features a huge cast of 17, so there are lots of characters to be dispatched in spectacular, creative fashion. This THE THING had me covering my eyes with my knees and jolting upright in my chair to scatter popcorn like confetti.

THE THING also features glorious special makeup and creature effects by legendary team Alec Gillis and Tom Woodruff (MONSTER SQUAD, ALIEN 3, HOLLOW MAN) and crew. The seamless marriage of CGI and practical effects are so magical and convincing, that when the makeup department credits hit the screen, Eli Roth and all of us horror lovers spontaneously applauded. I think most were expecting to wade through a now familiar scroll of endless computer artists. I am SO EAGER to get my eyes on some of those sculpts and models. I can barely stand it!

Dramatically, the movie’s quite a feat for writer Eric Heisserer and director Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. who are able to extract so much character and relationship from their large cast of actors in the span of one feature film. As the female lead (one of only two women in the cast – two more than in John Carpenter’s incarnation) Mary Elizabeth Winstead is gorgeous, credible and strong.

At the after party at Lillian’s Sports Bar a few doors down from the theater, actors and filmmakers congratulated each other for a job well done. There were more Norwegian cast members in attendance than in a Viking Horde. Incidentally, audience members were invited to visit THE THING walk-through maze featured in the Universal Studios Halloween Haunt. I’d been through it on a previous night and can tell you that it’s just the creepiest, jumpiest maze in the theme park. Great masks and effects that I appreciate even more now that I’ve seen the movie that inspired them.

This new THE THING deserves to be seen on a big screen. Copious shocks will satisfy horror fans as well as general thrill-seekers and frenetic video game junkies. And if you’re looking for a date movie that will end with your date wrapped around you like a petrified Spider monkey, this one’s for you. I was one of the biggest skeptics when I learned that this movie was being remade. But I’m happy to report I am delighted by the result.

It is also interesting to note that FM’s own Uncle Forry Ackerman agented the original story this franchise was based on, “Who Goes There” by John W. Campbell Jr. Do stay through the end credits to see all the “dots connected” and to enjoy maestro Ennio Morricone’s music (Marco Beltrami culled from Morricone’s 82 Carpenter’s version score). All THING’S considered, this one’s a winner!

Haunting the historic Café Du Nord on October 31^st, the SHOCK-IT-TO-ME! HALLOWEEN SPOOKENANY will, claws down, be the most insidious show in San Francisco this Ghoultide Season! Bringing back a real sense of old skool All-Hallows-Eve fun, event promoter August Ragone (columnist for Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine), has sewn together a monstrous fright night of horror hosts, maniacal music, creepy contests, and more tricks ‘n treats than you can shake a bloody stake at!

After a ten-year ban in thirteen countries, Ragone is proud to announce the triumphant return of the legendary Rock n’ Roll Rasputin, straight from his heart-stopping performance at the Ponderosa Stomp in New Orleans: JOHNNY LEGEND & HIS NAKED APES! Johnny’s latest musical incarnation (featuring members of The Mummies and The Chuckleberries) will be seizing Café Du Nord’s sinister stage with fellow maniacal maniacs THE UNDERTAKER & HIS PALS and the organ-blitzing madmen of BEACHKRIEG!

Our Demonic DJ, OMAR PEREZ (Popscene, Shutter, Leisure, Sixxteen) will be spinning the wicked wax through the dark Samhain Eve, from The Cramps to Screaming Lord Sutch, to fulfill your sinister garage-stomping urges! Ragone boasts that in case of sudden monster attack, a team of Resuscitated Nurses will be on stand by, while each and every putrid patron will be insured for $1,000,000 by Wm. Castle & Sons of Hollywood against death by fright. And he warns, “Come early! No one will be seated during the final 15 minutes of the show!”

Your horrifying hosts for this night of ghoulish guising are MISS MISERY (Creepy KOFY Movie Time) and THE MONSTER MELONS (Ms. Monster & Her Monster Melons), who will MC our “Scary Screaming Contest” for a crawling cache of putrid prizes — including a real “Dead Body” — and our $200 Cash Prize “Creepy Costume Contest”! But wait! There’s more gore: Horror Host Historians, Michael Monahan (American Scary) and Lon Huber (UHF Nocturne) will be there to shock you with the release of their premiere book, “Shock It To Me: The Featured Creatures of Bay Area Television”! Ragone concludes that the SHOCK-IT-TO-ME! HALLOWEEN SPOOKENANY “will scare the YELL out of you!”

 DOORS 8:00 PM/SHOW 9:00 PM • $13 ADVANCE/$15 DOOR • CAFÉ DU NORD, 2170 MARKET ST., SAN FRANCISCO, CA • www.cafedunord.com • 415.861.5016

For more about Shock It To Me, check out the official Shock It To Me website.