Encounters: Bringing UFOs and Aliens to the Public

Brian Bouquet is CEO and President of The Event Agency -  a leading tour marketing and event company, specialising in exhibitions and events, including Goldenvoice, AEG Live, Harlem Globetrotters, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, Star Trek The Exhibition, The Producers, Disney on Ice, Monster X-Games, Blue Man Group, USA Olympic Trials, BODIES The Exhibition, and many more.  They have provided marketing services for events in 32 countries and 220 cities in the United States.

On this week’s show, we’ll be focusing on Mr. Bouquet’s current exhibition, namely, Encounters: UFO Experience, which, at this time, is being housed in the Anaheim GardenWalk mall. It prides itself in being the world's first comprehensive exhibition exploring reports of U.F.O.s, alien abductions, and encounters with extraterrestrials. 

The Travis Walton Abduction - one of the many cases featured in the, "Encounters: UFO Experience." Be sure to check out our interview with Travis Walton and Director of, "Travis: The True Story of Travis Walton," Jennifer Stein here.

We discuss a range of topics surrounding the exhibition, including Brian’s initial inspirations; the struggles of creating a museum exhibit from scratch; as well as, of course, his top five UFO cases!

Brian Bouquet’s TOP 5 UFO STORIES

1. The Malmstrom UFO/Missile Incident, March 1967

2. The Coyame UFO Crash, August 1974

3. The Travis Walton Abduction, November 1975

4. The Phoenix Lights, March 1997

5. The Ozzfest UFO Sighting, October 2008

Check out our interview below for some great UFO-talk:

Replica of The Sarcophagus of Pacal The Great

Replica of An Ancient Pre-Columbian Golden Flyer

UFO Models at the Encounters Exhibit

An Original Movie "Vogon" Costume

A fictional alien race from the planet Vogsphere in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Examples of extra-ordinary life already currently existent on Earth.

Original costume props from the Aliens movie. (H.R. Geiger)

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Bigfoot, JFK, And The Art Of Dissecting Video-Evidence

““I don’t mind being wrong, but I don’t want to fail to be right.””

— M.K. Davis, Interview Extract

M.K. Davis at Bluff Creek. Photo courtesy of thedavisreport.wordpress.com.

M.K. Davis claims that he is not an expert when it comes to Bigfoot – however, if 18 years of ardent research into the Patterson-Gimlin film, alongside extensive travelling and trekking of the Bluff Creek area (where the footage was shot), doesn’t make you an expert, then I don’t know what does. Hopefully Mr. Davis can at least concede that he is an expert on the Patterson-Gimlin film and most certainly a seasoned Bigfoot hunter.

Then there’s also his intense research into the JFK assassination, specifically the video evidence that captures the actual assassination and the assassin(s) – respectively the Abraham Zapruder film and the Orville Nix film. Once again, M.K. Davis emphasises that he is not a JFK expert, nor a professional conspiracy theorist; though we may not agree, we appreciate Davis’ sincere modesty in this, because we all know that there are far too many people out there that do claim expertise where it isn’t justified (especially when it comes to conspiratorial subjects). So it’s refreshing to speak to someone that claims to know exactly what they know.

““I guess what I’m saying is that it’s a bigger stretch to believe that only one man wreaked all that havoc, than it would be to believe that it was a conspiracy.””

— M.K. Davis, Article Extract from The Davis Report

Two very contrasting topics, certainly – perhaps you’re asking yourself why M.K. Davis decided to study the JFK assassination films? As we can tell by now, Davis likes to focus on tangible evidence, not merely myths and theories – it clearly makes sense that he should focus on those subjects where video evidence exists. What makes him think that researching JFK is worthwhile though, as opposed to other “conspiracy theories”? I don’t think I could answer it better myself, so allow me to quote Davis directly from his website: “I guess what I’m saying is that it’s a bigger stretch to believe that only one man wreaked all that havoc, than it would be to believe that it was a conspiracy.” In summary, then, he chooses to study topics and theories when the evidence presented makes it more likely to be true than false – alas, simple and brilliant reasoning.

A stabilised frame in gif format, taken from the Patterson-Gimlin film. Courtesy of M.K. Davis. Source: tinyurl.com/zhjapp3

Davis’ talent lies in analysing and modifying video evidence. Some of his recent blog posts present us with skillfully stabilised footage of both the Patterson-Gimlin film (right), the Orville Nix film, as well as his own possible Sasquatch footage, notably the Bluff Creek Croucher video (which since has been written about by several newspapers and websites). For those of you that have seen some of this footage, you’ll know that stabilising wobbly videos makes a huge difference, and is certainly not an easy task. His observations are meticulous, and he has a masterly ability to pick out details that the average human brain probably wouldn’t notice. It wouldn’t do Mr. Davis justice to merely talk about his explorations, so I urge everyone reading this (at least for the sake of this article and further clarification) to have a quick scroll through some of his blog posts, which can be found on his Wordpress site.

An interesting panorama of the JFK assassination, constructed by M.K. Davis from the Orville Nix film. Courtesy of M.K. Davis. Source: tinyurl.com/hpwl769

A close-up of the Bigfoot “snot wad.” Courtesy of M.K. Davis. Source: tinyurl.com/jlrmcks

Some particularly exciting recent evidence comes in the form of footage obtained by Davis himself while exploring the forests of Northern California. He discovered a series of giant footprints, quite possible Bigfoot tracks; we’ve embedded one of his videos below, highlighting their depth, size and number. At the time, he didn’t notice it, but when revisiting his images and videos from the trip, Davis spotted what appeared to be mucus in one of the footprints (see image, left). Quite unfortunately, his hand ended up getting in contact with the sputum, which seems to have lead to a drawn-out illness lasting several weeks (with strange symptoms continuing for beyond that months); yet, I’d like to think that if it weren’t for Mr. Davis getting his hands dirty and picking up all that mud and leaves out of the track, he probably would have never noticed those lovely secretions! So at least there’s a bright side. (As a personal side note: if the secretions did indeed lead to M.K. Davis’ illness, the implication is that Bigfoot is likely to be genetically similar to us, since DNA-similarity is required for transfer of disease…just a thought.)

In any case, we don’t want to give away too much of the interview or his articles – click on the player below to listen to the full recorded show!

Over and Out (and spread the word about)!

Death Needs Humor Too: An Interview with Robert “Corpsy” Rhine of Girls and Corpses Magazine

““It’s the contrast, it’s the ying and the yang, it’s beauty and the beast; we contrast these two things.””

— Robert “Corpsy” Rhine on his magazine, Girls and Corpses (interview extract)

Corpsy with Dani Divine and Danny Trejo on the Girls and Corpses set. Photo courtesy of Girls and Corpses.

Robert Steven Rhine, aka. “Corpsy,” is one of those guys you’d love to get a pint with - a great conversationalist, endlessly entertaining and never without a relevant anecdote. The founder (and deaditor-in-chief) of Girls and Corpses magazine, he has a background in acting as well as writing, and (in you haven’t noticed already) an attraction to all things gory and macabre.

Sheri Moon Zombie, posing alongside Rob Zombie’s corpse – note the strange white orb by the flowers.  Photo courtesy of Girls and Corpses.

Executive producer of Parasites and The Chair (both currently in post-production), he’s also involved with the upcoming Rob Zombie movie, 31, which will be premiering in the near future. We discuss a whole host of topics with Corpsy, including the aforementioned film projects, his writing career, as well as his recent magazine photo-shoot with actor Danny Trejo and model Dani Divine (see the latest edition of Girls and Corpses.). Furthermore, we touch on his acting career (yes, this man does it all!), and question him on what it was like re-enacting Rob Sterling’s character for the Disney ride, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

We also delve a little into Corpsy’s childhood, and discover how his dark interests and humour may have come about – apparently life-threatening head trauma might have something to do with it…you’ll have to listen to find out! The fun doesn’t stop there though, for we also explore some of Corpsy’s paranormal experiences, including a rather ominous photo snapped during a photo-shoot for Girls and Corpses with Sheri Moon Zombie and Rob Zombie at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Corpsy, conducting Roddy Piper’s final interview.

Corpsy’s Top 5 9 Horror Movies

WoTR Radio interviews Corpsy at Comikaze 2015.

1. Jaws (1975)
2. Poltergeist (1982)
3. Alien (1979)/Aliens (1986)
4. The Exorcist (1973)
5. Psycho
6. Shawn of the Dead (2004)
7. Silence of the Lambs (1991)
8. Misery (1990)
9. The Devil's Rejects (2005)

 If you missed our previous video interview with Corpsy (at last year’s Comikaze Expo), then make sure you check that out too! And, as mentioned during our show, here’s also the video of Corpsy interviewing "Rowdy" Roddy Piper on the set of The Chair. RIP

Now for the interview, enjoy!

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Are we living in a Paranormal America? Dr. Christopher Bader is here to enlighten us

““Whether future authors wish to bemoan or cheer the ascension of the paranormal, their arguments will be strengthened by a clear understanding of who believes in and experiences the paranormal, and in what ways. This has been the goal of our project.””

— Dr. Christopher Bader (et al.), extract from Paranormal America.

““Myself and my co-authors just believed that we didn’t want to study or try to write about something that was so experiential in nature without going out […] and actually exploring it.””

— Dr. Bader, interview extract

Dr. Christopher Bader is an all-round paranormal expert; and by all-round, I really mean just that. Bigfoot, ghosts, psychics, he’s explored it all – and luckily for us, he gave us the opportunity to pick his brain on the show this last Sunday.

Paranormal America, a social exploration of paranormal beliefs in America, authored by Dr. Christopher Bader, F. Carson Mencken, and Joseph O. Baker.

Intrigued by all things strange and paranormal from a young age, Chris’ approach is probably not that which you’d expect. Though he has a strong interest in exploring alternative topics first-hand, the primary focus of his research is the people that are interested in paranormal topics; not the topics per se. A Professor of Sociology at Chapman University (Orange County), as well as principal investigator of the first two waves of the Baylor Religion Survey, Chris has been researching the sociology of paranormal interests for over two decades now. With an endless supply of interesting anecdotes and a fantastic range of survey data, this was hands-down a fascinating interview – it was a first for WoTR dipping its toes into the field of sociology, and it’s definitely not an interview to be missed.

Dr. Bader speaking to members of the Haunted OC team prior to investigation at Chapman University, October 2015.

““[…] we can talk about the paranormal and think about who is willing to risk their reputation to believe in the paranormal; and the more someone is tied to conventional culture, the less willing they are to (at least) say out loud they’ve had a paranormal experience.””

— Dr. Bader, interview extract

What types of people are interested in the paranormal? Are different kinds of people attracted to different types of paranormal beliefs? Where do psychics, Bigfoot hunters, UFO abductees fall? What about Christians, believers of ancient civilizations, or even your casual horoscope reader? Though hugely varying types of beliefs, they all have one thing in common; namely, that they all exhibit a belief in the paranormal, at least of some kind. It’s Chris’ job to find a connection between these beliefs and people’s social circumstances. Is there a specific reason that leads people to have certain beliefs? Do financial background, ethnicity, gender, age play a role? Perhaps social standing or education? We discuss all of these question, plus much more, in our interview. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet, and are intrigued to first find out more about Chris’ research (or if you were listening on Sunday, and would like to find out more now), then we definitely recommend having a look at Chris’ book, Paranormal America – it’s available as an eBook as well as hard-copy, meaning the beauty of having a Kindle sample prior to purchasing.

Of course, we couldn’t let Chris get away without providing us with a Top 5. So, here we have it, Christopher Bader’s Top 5 paranormal-related books; doubling up as a great starting point for anyone newly venturing into the study of the paranormal.

Dr. Christopher Bader's Top 5 Paranormal Books

A selection of paranormal-themed books and decorations line the shelves of Dr. Bader's office at Chapman University.

1. Bigfoot: Life and Times of a Legend - Joshua Blu Buhs
2. The Discovery of Sasquatch - John A. Bindernagel
3. Bigfoot Casebook - Janet and Colin Bord
4. Passport to Magonia: From Folklore to Flying Saucers - Jacques Vallee
5. Gods, Spirits and Cosmic Guardians - Hilary Evans

Honourable Mention:

Remembering Satan - Lawrence Wright

Without further ado now, here’s our interview for your listening pleasure:

If you’re interested to get in contact with Dr. Bader for any reason, perhaps you’d like to contribute a paranormal story to his research, then be sure to hit him up at bader@chapman.edu. For any further information, plus a list of all of Chris’ recent publications, check out his Chapman University profile right here.

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The Real Angels And Demons of CERN and the LHC: An Interview with Anthony Patch

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC).  Photo Courtesy of Maximilien Brice, CERN.

““He [Stephen Hawking] knows the information that Tesla knew: they both know that there are entities that are providing information to people in this realm and that’s where this advance technology is coming from, it is coming from the other side.””

— Anthony Patch, interview extract.

Statue of Shiva at CERN. Photo Courtesy of  Wikipedia.

Mention the Large Hadron Collider/LHC to anyone, and they’ll probably think science, particles, the Big Bang etc. As of more recently, many people may associate the LHC with black holes. However, far less likely is perhaps the thought of demonic entities, occult ancient writings, and the idea that the LHC is actually a replication of the northern pole of Saturn. Yes, you heard that right – the LHC and what goes on at CERN might well be an occult operation. It sounds pretty far out there, but give it a chance. We had the amazing opportunity of interviewing Anthony Patch this past Sunday about CERN and its connection to Saturn, and I assure you that it’s a fascinating listen.

““You cannot separate the physical world that we experience from the spiritual world.””

— Anthony Patch, interview extract.

An image captured in July 2013 by NASA's Cassini spacecraft, clearly showing Saturn’s amazing hexagonal cloud formation, said to be caused by on over 30-year-old jet-stream. Photo Courtesy of: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute.

Anthony Patch is a researcher of CERN and the Large Hadron Collider, as well as an author: he has published two fictional novels to date (“Covert Catastrophe” and “Diamonds in The Rough”), and aims to teach about his research by tactfully incorporating those ideas into his books. His research spans much further than just physics and religion, though – Patch also explores ancient history, archeology, biology, medicine, meteorology and philosophy.

Some of the other ideas that we explore in further detail during the interview include the gravimetric theory vs. the electric theory the Universe; the idea that Saturn is actually a brown dwarf star; and the significance of mathematics and numerology, including the emphasis on hexagonal structures (with an interesting mention of the hexagonal cloud formation above Saturn’s northern pole).

View of the LHC Tunnel Sector 4.  Photo Courtesy of CERN.

Mr. Patch also goes on to share some exclusive research he has uncovered recently and has not presented anywhere else. Not wanting to give too much away, here’s the interview for you to enjoy!

Stay up-to-date with Anthony by keeping an eye out on his website: anthonypatch.com

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The Coolest Guy at Burning Man: He Happens to Have Designed Half of Disneyland

Sponsored by Haunted Orange County.

Bob Gurr, at the Art Center College of Design in LA, aged 18 (1950).

Bob Gurr is an amazing character - extroverted, funny and kind, he’s the sort of guy you want to just hang out with. With an abundance of knowledge regarding Disney, engineering, and even hippie-esque scenes such as Burning Man, there’s never a dull moment with Bob. We paid him a visit at his home just over a week ago, and it was a fascinating experience. Not only is Bob Gurr a man full of fun-facts and anecdotes, but his very house is just short of being a museum. Turn a corner, and you’re bound to see something rare and momentous. A life-sized Lincoln Figure schematic, an original Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride attraction vehicle, historic plaques and posters from numerous Disney events. Add to that a (personally-addressed) signed shoe by Shaquille O’Neal, as well as countless movie memorabilia, and you pretty much have yourself a showroom.

Group photo, taken in Bob’s garden (From Left: Ernie Alonzo, Frank Argueta, Justin Scarred, Bob Gurr, Genevieve Federhen).

Back in the early 50s, Bob Gurr was part of the original team hired by Walt Disney himself to design Disneyland and its attractions. Not many people can claim to have spent time with Mr. Disney personally and have been around for Disneyland’s birth. Quite literally, that is.
“I’m only one person away from being the last-man-standing,” Bob jokes. “Of the original design team, only two of us are still alive.”
Back in 2004, Gurr was announced official Disney Legend, and he still continues to consult on Disney projects. In 2012, his memoir was released, titled Design: Just For Fun.

Aside from all that, Mr. Gurr is also an avid video producer – frequently attending Burning Man, this guy has seen and done it all. In fact, his mini-documentary about BM is great fun to watch, both insightful as well as funny. Who would have thought that this man also works magic (pun intended) on Final Cut Pro?

Fantasia, Bob’s favourite Disney movie; it boasts an impressive 16-Track Soundtrack, a ridiculous feat for the 40s. (Photo taken from the original trailer. Copyright: Disney)

The cameras are about to start rolling, and Bob glances briefly at his outfit, before asking “Does this all look alright?” I assure him that he looks great, and that his jacket and t-shirt are awesome. That’s when I notice his shoes – red sneakers to match his red jacket. Being drawn to somewhat fun and flamboyant outfits, I’m instantly impressed, both by his outfit as well as his ability to pull it off. He laughs, and tells me that he wears them pretty much all the time, red jacket or not. In fact, he’s even attended formal black-tie events wearing his red shoes. Like I said, never a dull moment.

To watch our interview with Bob in full, check out the video below!

Keep up-to-date with Bob’s book releases (the collectors’ editions have already sold out) by checking his website.

For the exclusive opportunity to meet Bob Gurr, check out the special Bob Gurr Evening hosted by Haunted OC! To read about the event and purchase tickets, head over to www.hauntedoc.com/bob-gurr-event.

"Mourning Son" – Directed by Todd Newman, Executive Produced by Dave Navarro - Review

“It feels unreal to tell the story.” Dave Navarro, documentary extract

Mourning Son movie poster.

A desert backdrop, bright, hot and barren. Blood, dripping, slowly and purposefully filling a wineglass. Dave Navarro’s face half smothered in blood. A dark, powerful metaphor for so many things – pain, loss, death…but most of all, rebirth. Truly a beautiful and artistic way to commence a movie, perfectly coming full-circle when the scene is revisited towards the end of the documentary, this time in its entirety, revealing the purpose of this mysterious bloodletting.

“I would like for [Mourning Son] to be a cautionary tale.” Dave Navarro, from Movie Screening Q&A

The movie is certainly not for the squeamish (if you don’t like blood, incisions and needles, you may want to look away at some points…), or the emotionally faint-hearted: it’s raw and heavy, tragic as much as it is gripping. However, it’s important to see. This is a real-life story, a real-life scenario that could happen to anyone…and that’s why people need to be aware.

Navarro was only 15-years-old when his mother was murdered – cold, heartlessly, at point-blank. And Dave was meant to be there that night. He had a specific rota, since his parents had divorced several years prior: he would spend his time divided between his mother and father, spending a few days here and there. The night of March 3rd (1983), Dave was set to spend the night with his mother; however, a last-minute change-of-plan had him staying with his father, James Navarro, instead. If anything were to ever be serendipitous…well, this was it.

Dave Navarro and Todd Newman. Photo courtesy of Vega Baby.

Connie Navarro, a truly beautiful woman (both inside and out, from all that we hear), was a professional model, paying her bills by appearing on game shows, magazines and advertisements. She was said to bring joy to everyone’s lives around her, always smiling and friendly. The fact that anyone should want to destroy such a life…it remains a tragedy and a mystery. But the effect that this had on the survivors of this tragedy - that’s a whole other story. As Dan Navarro (Dave’s cousin) puts it: “There’s a whole new dark side of Dave, of course, that emerged that moment.” Even Dave himself said, “It just was the darkest, most horrible, moment of my life.” There is no way that an individual like that is left harmless and scarless. The wounds have already been opened.

John Riccardi was a nice man. Well, seemingly nice. He was a model boyfriend, good-looking, buff, apparently ready to protect those he loved at any time. In fact, people felt safe around him, in the (apparent) knowledge that he could always protect them. I mean, after all, he had a gun. So, of course, he was able to defend and protect those around him. Or so they thought at first.

Mourning Son, Tuesday night's official release screening. Photo courtesy of Frank Argueta.

On the afternoon of March 4th, 1983, Riccardi broke into Connie Navarro’s flat, where both Connie and her best friend, Sue Jory, were present. Following a brief confrontation, he went on to shoot Connie twice, before turning to Sue and shooting her point-blank in the face. Upon seeing that Connie was still alive, he proceeded to drag her into the storage cupboard (presumably in a feeble attempt to hide the body), before grabbing a pillow and snuffing out her last breath of life. She was discovered, her body still only half inside the cupboard.

I remember a certain incident when (let’s call him) Anthony Cock was talking to Dave, discussing the loss of parent-figures…well, I recall Anthony saying something like, “Oh, wow, we have something in common then – my mother died when I was younger too, I know what that feels like.” Well, his mother had died of a terminal illness, during his early adult years. It was no doubt tragic, completely destroying. However, I can honestly say that it’s not the same, and it’s almost an insult to believe so. Believe me, I only feel the right to say that because I’ve been in such a situation myself. To lose someone so suddenly, so unexpectedly and unfairly…I’m certain no one could prepare you for something like that. Biological diseases, terminal illnesses – they are awful, absolutely devastating. But I can truly tell you, there’s not a single day that I would want to trade places with someone like Dave. To lose a loved one so abruptly, without any real foresight or warning – I cannot even begin to imagine how awful such an experience would be. The fact that the killer roamed freely for over a decade just adds salt to the wounds…

“The whole time I’m out, touring the world, Riccardi was still on the loose…there was fear and terror.” Dave Navarro, documentary extract

The incident of when Riccardi handcuffed the 13-year-old Dave to their toilet was a dark precursor of what was to come – he was a true psycho, a tried-and-tested sociopath. The worst part about confronting a sociopath is that there is honestly never any sort of closure – after all, they’re devoid of human empathy, they will never feel pain or a need for forgiveness. And I truly believe that that is one of the hardest parts to deal with. Of course I don’t know this for sure, but I can only imagine. Dave’s conclusion on the situation couldn’t be simpler or ring truer though, and is evidence of his ability to fight through emotional turmoil and come out the other side: “At the end of the day, he’s just some old dude dying in jail.”

We can’t forget that – there’s always light at the end of the tunnel (as cheesy as it sounds). This is partly a movie about evil, but fundamentally about overcoming that evil. It reminds us that there are disgusting people out there, but that, eventually, those people cannot stop us. And we must be vigilant at all times, we must call out for help when it’s needed. In fact, Dave makes a huge emphasis on this: if you’re in a situation where you’re experiencing domestic violence, or you suspect that someone is being abused…act on it. The worst that could happen is that you’re too late…and you should never have to get to that point. As Dave phrases it, “it’s almost impossible to foresee (even though you see warning signs) something as devastating as killing...it’s almost impossible to imagine it going that far…and if anything I would love this to be a warning to people […] because the most…the worst case scenario is, in fact, possible…if you let it go unchecked.”

“I have to cite divine intervention…there’s a couple of occasions where I could have easily been taken out…thank you...” Dave Navarro, Movie Screening Q&A.

Dave Navarro and Todd Newman answering questions at Tuesday night's film screening. Photo courtesy of Dan Cleary.

This is a movie about psychological exploration and emotional closure – you can tell that filming it was a therapeutic outlet for Dave as much as it was the telling of a story. Foremost of all, though, it is a cautionary tale. Shot and edited beautifully, the documentary keeps you constantly on your toes, an emotional rollercoaster at all times; with interviews from friends and family, old footage of the Navarro household, as well as heavy images from the court hearing, the film gives a true insight into Dave Navarro’s past and into his mind, the likes of which has never been seen before. Music fan or not, this is something anyone can watch, and everyone should watch.

For those of you worried that the movie might simply be too heavy, it might be nice to know: it is pretty darn funny at times. And, well, how could it not be – after all, this is Todd Newman and Dave Navarro we’re talking about. No matter how dark the situation (yep, not even a murdered mother is precluded from this), they manage to crack plenty of jokes, having the entire auditorium laughing out loud on numerous occasions. Alas, what better way to alleviate pain than by using humour? If you’re still worried that the documentary might be too much for you to handle, let it be known that, “It was way more blue […] we had to pull out a lot of stuff.”

“It was way more blue […] we had to pull out a lot of stuff.” Dave Navarro, Film Screening Q&A

For anyone who hasn’t seen the documentary yet, head over to your TV set and get on DirecTV/InDemand; alternatively, check out iTunes or GooglePlay!

Website: mourningsonthefilm.com
Studio: vegababy.us

Huge thanks to Dave Navarro, Todd Newman, and Larissa Swan … for giving us the opportunity to be there with them on such a momentous evening.​

Morbid Deaths, Missing Time and Mysterious Stairs: An Interview with Horror Author, SARwoods

A rather fitting image. “Stairs To Nowhere” in the Forest of Dean, UK. Built by Bruce Allen as part of a commission for the Sculpture Trail in 1988.

SearchAndRescueWoods (aka. SARwoods) appeared on Reddit with their first story back in August this year, on the popular “NoSleep” sub-reddit, where authors are able to share their original horror stories. What ensued was a whole series of stories (still ongoing), written from the viewpoint of a US Forest Service Search and Rescue officer, detailing his encounters with various strange phenomena, as well as those reported by his colleagues. I say “strange,” though utterly bizarre and terrifying would probably be more apt. The real draw, however, was that the stories were believable. Despite the extraordinary subject-matter, they were not so far out there that they were impossible. And if you have some knowledge on the missing people phenomenon, or are acquainted with David Paulides’ books, then you know that such stories are more than merely possible.

The stories completely blew up on Reddit, gaining instant popularity overnight (literally). Comments left by redditors were tallying up into the hundreds, people excitedly interacting and contributing their own experiences, while others begged to hear more (the first installment of the stories even won the NoSleep monthly contest for August). I guess people always love a good mystery. Missing people, some found dead, some never found (and some found alive, though always under curious circumstances); chilling encounters with seemingly other-worldly creatures; frighteningly grotesque freak accidents; and then, of course, there are the stairs. The mysterious staircases that randomly appear in the forest, only to never then be found again. At this point, the stairs have become somewhat synonymous with SARwoods' stories – you’ll find fan-art online, as well as numerous blog posts and forum discussions (and even a ridiculous article by a “psychic,” who apparently managed to psychically figure out why the staircases exist…I guess she didn’t get the memo that they were fictional).

We had the absolute pleasure of interviewing SARwoods this past Sunday, giving us the exclusive opportunity to pick this author’s brain; and, of course, ask for a Top 5 list! So, as promised, here it is:

SARwoods’ Top 5 Horror Books/Stories

1. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
2. Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk
3. The Long Walk by Stephen King (under the name Richard Bachman)
4. Lord of The Flies by William Golding
5. “A Perfect Day For A Bananafish,” by J.D. Salinger, from the 1953 short-stories collection, Nine Stories

Honourable Mention:
Bastard out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison (“one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read, it is written so wonderfully”).

For those of you that might like a little further insight into SARwoods' inspiration, check out David Paulides and his Missing 411 books. Of course, don’t forget to check out SARwoods’ stories for yourself, either via Reddit or the dedicated Tumblr blog.

And for anyone that didn’t manage to listen live, here’s the recorded interview for you listening pleasure!

As always, Spread the Love and Spread the Word! Peace.

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An Interview with Former Scientologist and Sea-Org, Lynn Campbell

A Peek Through The Keyhole of The Kingdom: Walter Bosley on the Esoteric Design of Disneyland

"Where Are They From?" Summary of The Elongated Skulls DNA Results Symposium

"UFO": The Mysterious Music & Disappearance of Jim Sullivan with Matt of Light in The Attic Records

UFOs, Aliens & Deep Space Travel with Stanton Friedman at CITD 2016

Stairway To Heaven? The Power of Magick & Music: w/Lance Gilbert, Author of "The Led Zeppelin Curse"

From Victim to Survivor - The Real “Jason Bourne” and the Dark World of MKULTRA

“Truthfully, I am not gonna get big press...that’s what they know.” Elisa E., interview extract.

We had the honour of speaking to Elisa E. last Sunday, and it was without doubt one of our most fascinating interviews to date. First coming forward with her two books on MKULTRA back in 2013, Elisa tells the story of how she endured over 40 years of severe torture and mind-control, eventually slowly breaking free and seeking help. The process of recovery is ongoing and certainly not an easy one; however, Elisa E. is, in the truest sense of the word, a survivor.

We discuss a whole host of ideas and experiences, a lot of which are hard to stomach at times, but need to be heard. A victim of trauma-based mind-control MPD/DID (Multiple Personality Disorder/Dissociative Identity Disorder), she suffered years of mental and physical abuse, including systematic rape from a young age, forced cannibalism, as well as a myriad of other types of torture methods. It was not until adulthood that Elisa started realising something wasn’t right…and it would be years more until fully recognising the extent of her multiple personalities. Some of these personalities were docile sex slaves. Several of these were “kill alters.”

Elisa E.. Used with permission.

What with the influx of spy and MKULTRA-style assassin movies (and TV shows) nowadays, it’s no wonder that society has become so desensitised to the true nature of what might be going on. Sure, you’d think that watching more movies and TV shows about mind-control would make people more receptive – but all this is doing is presenting an image that is romanticised and fun. It does the very opposite of helping real victims; it makes us less likely to believe them, because it suddenly seems absurd to us that someone would suffer under such a program. I mean, the Jason Bourne movies look darn cool, who wouldn’t want to be a super-assassin?

“First, they’ll come to you and offer the very thing you want the most and you may not even know how much you want it and that is a much easier way to lure someone in.” Elisa E., interview extract

During the interview, we delve into the murky depths of how Elisa was programmed, how she was kept under constant control, and, most importantly, who was doing these things and to what ends? From her involvement in the fields of government, military and intelligence, to her use by religious institutions and corporate organisations, her story shows us how very few things are sacred nowadays. The shocking disregard for human life exhibited by many of those we’d like to call “leaders” is abhorrent. We need to open our eyes and stop naïvely taking things at face-value; it’s truly time for a paradigm-shift.

“Nowadays they don’t have to do that. It’s all done remotely, I mean, all of it.  They can pick someone that’s already in their 20s….there’s hardly any expense, time, energy. […] And when you’re done, you wash your hands of it. There’s no paper trail, there’s no nothing. And this is being done on a frightening scale, all you have to do is watch the news cast.” Elisa E., interview extract

One of several intense and disturbing collages featured in Elisa E.'s books, as well as on her website, Our Life Beyond MKULTRA. Used with permission.

You might not believe everything you hear (some of you might not even believe any of it), but reading Elisa’s story and speaking to her, I feel it’s safe to say that she experienced something truly terrifying, and that we should applaud her for her bravery in coming forward. Many of you will have your doubts – is she lying? Doing it for the money? Maybe just crazy? Of course, that’s ultimately up to you to decide. Listening to the interview though, it’s fairly evident that Elisa is calm and composed, her answers clear and honest: when she’s uncertain of something, she says so directly, no beating around the bush. I certainly don’t get the vibe that she’s doing this “for the money” – as she points out herself, she doesn’t get a huge amount of publicity and her story will likely never reach mainstream media. But that’s OK, because she’s here to tell her story, here to provide information as well as support other survivors by corroborating their experiences.

“Don’t be afraid to find out you don’t know what you thought you knew. […] If you just forge ahead and are willing to learn some of those shocking truths…what I can promise you…money back-guarantee…on the other side, all kinds of things will be understood.” Elisa E., interview extract

Are there real-life Jason Bournes, Charly Baltimores, and Hannas out there? The thought is terrifying, but perhaps something that we need to start accepting...

A Pascal’s Wager-style argument makes sense here. Ask yourself, what happens if we believe a story like Elisa’s? Well, if what we’re told is true, then we would be showing our support for trauma victims, enlightening ourselves about the true state of our world, and overall becoming more aware. If it turns out to be false, there’s not much harm done – we move on and get over it, and will have at least given someone a chance. Yet, what happens if we don’t believe? If it turns out the stories are indeed false, then hey, we carry on living our lives exactly as we had done before. However, if we don’t believe her, and it turns out the stories are in fact true, then we run the risk of perpetuating the disbelief and stigmatisation of extreme trauma victims, as well as losing out on some major information that might genuinely change the way we view our lives and our government. Thus, the risks of not believing, simply put, outweigh the risks of believing. But that’s just my two pennies worth. I’ll leave it up to you.

If you haven’t already, I urge you to check out Elisa’s books, even if just the first installment. It certainly helps pad out the gaps in the interview and provide a fuller picture. Not only is it fascinating, but it’s also important. Even if you do not believe all of it, it’s still a useful learning tool – heck, even if just 10% of what we’re reading is true, that’s still majorly significant. It certainly opened our eyes, and hope it will do the same for you.

Of course, we couldn’t wait get our Top 5 feedback. Reading someone’s list of favourite books or movies always provides great extra insight, as well as brilliant further research material. We specifically asked Elisa about the books, movies, or TV programs that she feels best represent the world of mind-control and MKULTRA. According to Elisa, there’s not much out there that accurately portrays MKULTRA and its victims, especially when it comes to film and TV – pretty much all of it is watered down and romanticised. Nevertheless, she was able to provide us with the following lists:

Elisa E’s Top 4 Mind-Control Books

1.   Sub Rosa America and the Fall of the New Atlantis, (Elana Freeland, 2011-2014), “a fabulous series, five books in total.”
2.   Project Soul Catcher, Volume Two: Secrets of Cyber and Cybernetic Warfare Revealed, (Robert Duncan, 2010)
3.   Forbidden Gates: How Genetics, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Synthetic Biology, Nanotechnology and Human Enhancement Herald the Dawn of Techno-Dimensional Spiritual Warfare, (Tom and Nita Horn, 2011)
4.   The Franklin Scandal: The Story of Powerbrokers, Child Abuse and Betrayal, (Nick Bryant, 2008)

Elisa E’s Top 5 Mind-Control Films

  “I would say that there really isn't a truly accurate one that I know of, though some have quite a bit  of truth in them with added Hollywood glamour”:

1.   The Manchurian Candidate, Metro Goldwyn Mayer, 1962, Paramount, 2004
2.   The Parallax View, Paramount, 1974
3.   The Long Kiss Goodnight, New Line, 1996
4.   Eyes Wide Shut, Warner Brothers, 1999
5.   The Bourne Identity (2002), Supremacy (2004), Ultimatum (2007), and Legacy (2012), Universal

Notable TV Shows:

The X-Files (Fox Network, 1993-2002) and Dollhouse (Fox Network, 2009) had some frightening truth running throughout the series, though they, like so many of the movies, put in glamour where none exists.”

To find out more, just hit play below for the full interview!

Be sure to stay up to date by checking out Elisa’s website, and head over to Amazon if you’re intrigued to find out the nitty-gritty details covered by Our Life Beyond MKULTRA Book 1 and Book 2. 

Spread the Peace, Love, and Word!

"Excess Flesh" Director Talks Art, Horror & Human Subjectivity

Last Sunday we interviewed Patrick Kennelly, producer and writer of brand-new horror movie, Excess Flesh, which saw its debut at SXSW this year; it has been gracing cinemas around the world for the past several months, with the official theatrical premier held in LA on October 22nd.

An intense movie still from Excess Flesh. Photo used with permission.

We spoke to Patrick about what inspired him, his thought-processes when writing, and how gross it really was to film on a set consisting predominantly of trash and food. Patrick also talks about Excess, a multi-faceted event/party organised to coincide with the LA premier, featuring live music, live art (literally), and a whole lot of political incorrectness to boot – to check out some of the music and photos from the evening, head over to the Facebook events page. As with most of Patrick’s artistic outputs, there is constantly a strong theme of exploring issues of social, cultural and personal identity.

Feature movies aside, Patrick also has music-video experience, with one of his latest directorial works being the, “Body & Blood,” video for LA rap group Clipping.. It’s really quite impressive, and watching it is starting to give us a real sense of Patrick’s style – unapologetic and bold; raw and completely humanistic.

Patrick is Co-Artistic Director at Highways Performance Space, as well as the founder and producer of U-N-M-A-R-K-E-D, a project dedicated to “live and remote Outer-disciplinary spectacle, horror, glamour, and social justice”. To stay up-to-date with Patrick and his work, and to be in on a chance of catching his next event, keep an eye out on his website, www.patrickkennellyunmarked.com, and follow him on the good ol’ Twitter.

The "Self-Abortion" scene at LA's Excess event, held October 22nd 2015. Photo courtesy of Excess Flesh, LLC.

Another scene from the massive spectacle that was Excess, October 22nd 2015. Photo courtesy of Excess Flesh, LLC.

More social and personal analyses at LA's Excess event. Photo courtesy of Excess Flesh, LLC.

For those who want a little more info on Excess Flesh, head over to the website and check out their Facebook page.

Patrick Kennelly's Top 5 Horror Movies

            [in chronological order]
1. Freaks (1932, Tod Browning)
2. Repulsion (1965, Roman Polanski)
3. Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975, Pier Paolo Pasolini)
4. Come and See (1985, Elem Klimov)
5. Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996, Joe Berlinger & Bruce Sinofsky)

Now for the interview - enjoy!

Remember to spread the word!

Steve Concotelli talks BTTF and Saving The DeLorean; PLUS Ben Hansen on UFOs, Travis Walton and Missiles

The DeLorean Time Machine, restored to its full glory.

Another great shot of the fully-restored DeLorean Time Machine.

Last Sunday, we were fortunate enough to have Steve Concotelli on the show, producer of the documentary, OUTATIME: Saving The DeLorean Time Machine. Steve has been making award-winning television for over 20 years now, and has helped create over 500 hours of television with partners including Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures, Discovery Channel, TruTV, CMT, Spike, and G4. OUTATIME is a special feature on the 30th Anniversary Edition of the Back To The Future Trilogy Blu-ray (originally released as, “Outatime: Restoring The DeLorean”), though will shortly be released as a full-length documentary too.

Steve Concotelli, standing proudly by the restored DeLorean.

You wouldn’t think it, but the story really is quite an impressive one. Starting off somewhat sad, given the state of the car at the time, the movie documents the intricate and arduous year-long process of restoring the DeLorean to its full former glory (and even beyond). What exactly was there to restore, you say? Well, apparently a lot. Not only was the car subjected to general wear-and-tear over the years from sitting out in the heat and rain (the DeLorean had been on display on the Universal Studio Tour for over twenty years), but fans would also routinely make themselves a little BTTF momento by taking a piece of the car with them. Though not exactly great “fan” behaviour, it turns out that many of those people ended up being more loyal than expected: Bob Gale put out an announcement requesting that fans return their “souvernirs” and, surprisingly, a number of people did in fact step forward and return various DeLorean parts, including the original Flux Capacitor. All was not lost.

The full OUTATIME team.

The DeLorean, looking a little worse for wear...

Thus, Bob Gale, Universal Studios, and a team of ridiculously dedicated men set about restoring the DeLorean, and they didn’t stop until they were done. As Steve himself puts it, “What people don’t realise is that many of the people on the [restoration] team had full time jobs […] these guys would go to their day jobs, and then after work at 6pm drive out to the car, work all night long - all night long Friday, work all day Saturday, and work all day Sunday, and then drive straight into work Monday morning and go back to their office jobs. It was a level of dedication I have never seen anybody else ever do.”

The DeLorean Time Machine, on display at Universal Studios on their Studio Tour, Los Angeles.

The DeLorean Time Machine, looking a little less-than-glorious...

For all you hardcore fans out there, keep an eye out on the OUTATIME website for its upcoming release-date, as well as the exclusive opportunity to pre-order it. Be sure to check out their facebook page too! 

“Bob [Gale, co-writer/co-producer of BTTF] himself, when he saw the car for the first time, he said it looked better than it did when they were shooting out of the mall in 1984.”
     - Steve Concotelli, interview extract.

Steve Concotelli’s Top 5 Sci-Fi Movies

1.  Back to the Future (1985)

2.  Ghostbusters (1984)

3.  It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

4.  Aliens (1986)

5.  Fifth Element (1997)

Honourable mention: Explorers (1985)

During the second hour of the show, we switched things up a little and spoke to Ben Hansen (Fact or Faked, UFOs Declassified), who happened to be on his way back from the Travis Walton Skyfire Summit. A momentous conference marking the 40th Anniversary of Mr. Walton’s abduction, the event saw people revisiting the site where he disappeared, as well as get the opportunity to listen to some of the people that were involved in the case all those 40 years ago – the police officer that met Travis the night when he reappeared was there, as well as the lead investigator who covered the case. Other guests included Mike Rogers, John Goulette, Steve Pierce, and, of course, Travis himself.

Apart from the Skyfire Summit, we discussed some of the recent developments in the UFO world, including the recent UFO scare just off the West Coast by Los Angeles. Was it really a missile, or might it have been something else altogether? For more exploration on this topic, just hit play below!

Don’t forget to support Ben by checking out the brand new, UFOs: Declassified on the Smithsonian Channel, which he helped both create as well as host. Follow him on social media via Twitter and Facebook.

Over and out!

Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo 2015: Fun, Fantasy & a bunch of crazy costumes

An impressive  aerial view of Comikaze 2015.

As you probably know by now, we hit up LA’s Comikaze Expo again this year – this time only bigger and better than the last.

Entering Comikaze...

The Comikaze welcome-speech by Stan Lee. What. A. Legend.

Of course, there were the usual amazing Cosplayers – those girls walking around in 6 inch heels all day long always get my respect; although no one beats Slenderman, having to walk around in actual stilts…

Then there were the weird and wonderful vendors, with their quirky new products and unique geek memorabilia; the upcoming indie artists and writers; and of course the brand new startup business and websites. Here for some highlights:

-       We stumbled into the Visionbooks booth, showing off their newly-innovated 3D animated comics. That’s right, folks, comics nowadays are no longer just ink and paper – they’re 3D images with action and dimensional visual effects, downloadable at the click of a button. I’m sure this idea will divide a lot of comic fans, but it’s undeniably an exciting concept. They’re not fully animated movie slides, of course, because that would be pointless (you may as well just watch a film then); instead, they feature just enough basic effects and animation to make the comics pop out and that little bit more fun to read. Check out their website and app for a great selection of free animated comic books!

Genevieve trying not to knock over Slenderman.

R.S. "Corpsy" Rhine and model Sara Hedgren at the Girls and Corpses booth.

-       Girls and Corpses Magazine was there again this year, along with an impressive line-up of models (Tera Patrick, Samantha Fairley, Jillian Janson, Sara Hedgren…) to lure in the unsuspecting bypasser…not that a bunch of magazine covers with hot girls and eerie corpses wouldn’t be enough! Check out our full interview with creator and editor, "Corpsy," right here.

-       There appears to be a new geek dating-site on the market, namely Cuddli. For anyone seeking a potential partner or friend, check out this brand new social site – forget OK Cupid! and Match, get on this one, y’all! Oh, and it’s fully LGBTQ-friendly!

-       The Time Warp Creations booth was exciting, with an amazing array of hand-crafted watches and other accessories. You wouldn’t think it, but these watches really blow our minds. They’re all zombie and sci-fi themed, as well as super hi-tech…definitely something for our wish-list! Their website is definitely worth checking out, even if only to admire the craftsmanship.

An in-progress film makeup session, by the amazing artists of EI School of Professional Makeup

-       We also discovered the Vestigia booth this year, which we were thoroughly impressed by - aliens, treasure hunts, and monsters, what could we not like? Created by Scott Johnson of Haunted Sketches, the comic book project saw great success via its crowdfunding campaign, and is luckily still available via the Indiegogo page for now. Inspired by Tim Burton, The Goonies, and Adventure Time, this guy certainly has it all covered. Check out his intro video right here.

Lost and in need of some directions? Fret not, its omikaze to the rescue!

-       Want some awesomely cute jewellery, whilst supporting local artists and craftsmanship? Check out the brandsboutique.com, which holds regular events and pop-up shops around L.A, featuring hand-made accessories from around the area. Get your kawaii on! Head over to thebrandsboutique.com for more info, or check out their facebook page here.

-       DefectiveGeeks.com. Now this was definitely something new and interesting. “A blog by lady geeks!” you say? I’m in! (That’s what he said…) I absolutely adore what they’re doing and the drive behind their content – a bunch of super-cute girls writing about super-cool stuff? #amazing  Be sure to keep up-to-date via their Twitter.

The awesome little display at the booth of The Flux Capacitors - be sure to check them out live when they're in your area!

-       Good ol’ DMC was there again this year, once again promoting his DMC Comic. However, just like last year, I was absolutely not impressed by the fact he was charging for everything. Photos, posters, breathing within a 10-foot radius…. Any of that would cost you at least $10 or $20… Seriously, DMC, you can do better than that….this is not the way to do business and gain followers…hashtag disappointed.

-       Love pinup, Art Deco, and all things kawaii? Then Fluff might be the shop for you. As they describe themselves: “Fluff is an ultra cute and glamorous line of apparel and accessories created by Los Angeles artist Claudette Barjoud. All the original artwork and designs are hand drawn by her and inspired by her love of an eclectic mix of vintage style spanning the eras of the 1920’s through 60’s, including: Pinup, Mid Century Modernism, Art Deco, with a dash of Japanese kawaii cuteness!” Once again, what’s there not to like? If you’re looking for a unique cute gift, whether for yourself or for a special someone, this place is definitely a nice little shop to keep your eye on. ^^

-       The Eddi App booth was proof that good marketing really does work. They drew in some serious crowds with their Trooper costumes and dance displays. The highlight of the show was obviously the official Hip Hop Trooper though. To see some of his work, check out the Hip Hop Trooper video page - you won't be disappointed (I mean, it's a dancing storm trooper, how could you be?).

-       More proof that inventive advertising truly works: the Downward Viral’s booth (an exciting new “zombie card game”) offered by-passers a free little photo session, with a tableful of geek props and gaming weaponry to select from for extra posing fun. Their kickstarter campaign has been hugely successful so far, and it’s easy to see why – check out their campaign right here.

The #amazing display put on by the Hip Hop Trooper dance crew at the Eddi App booth.

The famed De Lorean, fully equipped BTTF-style.

A scarily realistic Borg, at the Hollywood Sci-Fi/Horror Museum booth. A Halloween costume like that, now that would be cool.

-       One of our personal favourites was The Hollywood Sci-Fi and The Hollywood Horror Museum booth. We interviewed Huston Huddleston, founder of both said museums, a few weeks back – having never have met him IRL, we were of course excited to meet him for the first time, as well as see the Star Trek Bridge set for the first time. (50 selfies later, my phone storage ran out at this point…) Once again, the display was rather impressive, including not just the Star Trek bridge set, but also the DRAG-U-LA car from The Munsters, the Flintstones car, a freakily realistic Borg figure with full outfit, alongside a bunch of other super-cool outfits and props. One thing’s for certain – those two museums are going to be ridiculously amazing.

The "I Ain't Afraid Of No Ghost!" panel. From left: Christiane Elin, Susan Slaughter, Ben Hanson, and Kristen Luman.

Apart from all that, we also attended a few panels again, though they seemed to be lacking somewhat in the variety and interest department this year. There appeared to be a heavy focus “How To” and advice panels, providing guidance on how to make it in the various aspects of the comic and geek world – writing, drawing, producing, cosplaying etc. That’s great, of course, especially if you’re hoping to start up a business in that scene. A little more comedy and horror thrown in might have been nice though, perhaps a couple more movie screenings. Alas, next year, hopefully! In any case, the horror panels were thoroughly entertaining, with our good friend Christian Elin of Haunted OC and Red Glean leading the, “I Ain’t Afraid Of No Ghost!” panel, and the awesome APRA with their, “Haunted L.A.” panel. APRA previewed their upcoming feature-length documentary, Into the Dark, which honestly looks fascinating, taking an explorative yet rational approach, the likes of which is not often seen in the paranormal field. Check it out here (right).

Stan Lee at the SLKU press conference, animatedly describing their upcoming children's publications. 

We had the privilege of attending a Stan Lee press conference, unveiling a brand-new children’s book by SLKU (Stan Lee’s Kids Universe). Sure, we explore plenty of weird, alternative, and sometimes adult-themed topics, but let’s not forget about the kids! SLKU will soon be releasing its Dragons vs. Pandas book, it’s very first publication ever to venture into international content – it’ll debut in the US and in China, and shall be published in both English as well as Mandarin. They also announced the upcoming, B is for Blobfish, a super-cute picture book highlighting the oft-unloved creatures of the animal kingdom. So if you’ve got kiddies, or are perhaps looking for nice gift for a friend’s son or daughter, have a look at stanleeskidsuniverse.com for fun yet education-driven ideas (no, we’re not getting paid for this!).

The investigation team-leaders of the Haunted OC Ghost Hunt, held at the Heritage Square Museum. Clockwise, from top left: Christine Larson, Ben Hanson, Chad Lindberg, Susan Slaughter, Kristen Luman, Mario Bernal, and Don Staggs.

Comikaze also had an official “Ghost Hunt” this year, led by Haunted OC. The event was held at Heritage Square Museum in Montecito Heights, where investigators had the opportunity to explore four Victorian mansions, built around the 1870s onwards. Guests were divided into four groups, whilst the lead investigators were divided amongst the four mansions – each group would spend an investigation session in a pre-assigned house, before moving on to the next one, in this way allowing everyone to investigate each building once, as well as experience the different investigation styles with the various leaders. The ghost hunt groups were lead by Ben Hansen (Fact or Faked, UFOs Declassified) and Christine Larson; Susan Slaughter (Ghost Hunters Academy, Ghost Hunters  International) and Chad Lindberg (Ghost Stalkers, The Fast and The Furious); Kristen Luman (Ghost Mine) and Mario Bernal; and long-time paranormal investigator and psychic, Don Staggs.

We were fortunate enough to join them on their investigations, and it was honestly fascinating. Several interesting pieces of evidence were obtained, including some impressive EVPs. Here are a couple of extracts from an account by Mario, one of Haunted OC’s main investigators:

“ […] I shared the story of one of my favorite EVP captures from about a year ago in the Perry Mansion with each group as they rotated through. I recounted how we were discussing the notion that one of Mr. Perry's daughters loved opera music, and that, upon reviewing the audio, we managed to capture a woman singing over our talking. At some point in the evening, we came to find out from one of the docents that one of Perry's daughters was, in fact, a fairly well known opera singer. This information, of course, validated the evidence I captured the year prior. So, with high hopes of replicating that experience, Kristen and I attempted to experiment as such with each group. It appears our efforts were rewarded as I was able to capture a women singing (at various times) throughout the evening and with at least 3 of the 4 groups that investigated that house. The most prominent singing EVP was captured just seconds after Kristen played one of the opera songs that was sung by one of Perry's daughters. We requested that she (the spirit) keep singing after we turned the music off, and sure enough, her voice came through. Now, these EVP captures were discovered only upon reviewing the audio, and were not heard at the time. In total, there were 5 total EVP captures of singing. Again, this occurred with 3 out of the 4 groups.”

“[…] We were all in the dining room, just conversing among each other, when suddenly a door from one of the cabinets in the room opened of its own volition. Kristen, myself, and other investigators diligently tried to recreate the occurrence, but were unsuccessful. Everything we tried to debunk the event did not work. Unfortunately, this event was not captured on video, however it was witnessed by multiple people and did not occur again with any other group.”

Famed comic-artist and writer, Jim Lee.

If you’d like a full review of the night’s evidence, be sure to keep an eye on Mario's website as it gets uploaded!

Alas, we hope you had as much fun reading this as we had going to Comikaze (alright, maybe not quite). It was a tiring three days, but certainly nothing that wasn’t worth it! Hopefully we’ll see more of you there next year – for now, it’s over-and-out.

[For more pics, have a browse through our gallery:]

A DeLorean, fully-equipped BTTF style, at the www.teamtimecar.com booth.

A great view of the DeLorean, fully-equipped BTTF style, at the www.teamtimecar.com booth.

Front view of the DeLorean, fully-equipped BTTF style, at the www.teamtimecar.com booth.

One of the many amazingly-skilled artists at the caricature booth,

Two of the "eddi troopers" at the eddi app booth. Proof that great costumes and advertising really do work.

The Flintstones car at the Hollywood Sci-Fi/Horror Museum booth.

Going all out with this halloween costume, à la Book of Life's La Muerte.

Huston Huddleston of the Hollywood Sci-Fi Museum and Hollywood Horror Museum.

DMC, charging $10 a poster, $20 a photo, probably more if you want to be in it...

The awesome peeps at the Downward Viral booth, providing geekily cool and FREE photo sessions, alongside a range of nerd toys and gaming weaponry. #amazeballz FB: DownwardViral

Costumes at the Hollywood Sci-Fi Museum.

Awesomely nerdy merchandise at the Hollywood Sci-Fi/Horror Museum booth.

Sara Hedgren and R.S. "Corpsy" Rhine at the Girls and Corpses booth.

More from the Girls and Corpses booth.

Frank in front of one of the Victorian Longfellow-Hastings Octagon House, Heritage Square Museum.

The DRAG-U-LA car from The Munsters, at the Hollywood Horror Museum booth.

More from the Hollywood Sci-Fi/Horror Museum.

A handcrafted Rocketeer helmet.

Genevieve hangin' out at the Tardis, chillin' Dr. Who style at the Hollywood Sci-Fi Museum booth.

Stan Lee, all cute and cartooned-up!

Stan Lee et al. at the welcome speech, shortly before unveiling POW!'s and Studio Dean's brand-new series, "The Reflection."

The "eddi troopers" at the eddi app booth.

Stay classy, folks - See y'all next year!

Spread the Love and Spread the Word!

Hot girls, dead bodies, dark humour: An Interview with R.S. “Corpsy” Rhine of GIRLS AND CORPSES Magazine

Founder and "Deaditor-In-Chief" of Girls and Corpses Magazine, R.S. "Corpsy" Rhine with model/actress Sara Hedgren at Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo 2015.

Well, the title says it all. We stumbled upon the Girls and Corpses booth at Comikaze last week, and decided to have a little chat with its famed deaditor-in-chief, “Corpsy” Rhine. Why girls, why corpses, you ask? OK, maybe not the first one. But in any case, we quizzed him on what inspired him to start Girls and Corpses, and what it is about this magazine that makes them stand out (well, apart from the obvious).

Gross stories, sexy pictures, and a handful of real corpses..alas – what’s there not to like? Check out our full interview with this amazing guy, right here:

My Brain Escapes Me - a collection of awesomely creepy bedtime stories by Corpsy to keep you well up into the night.

Don't forget to check out the Girls and Corpses Magazine website & Facebook Page, and be sure to follow them on twitter.  Here's Sara Hedgren's website (the model in the video, for those of you wondering).

For those intrigued by Corpsy's book mentioned in the interview, click here.

If anyone can pull off Dragons vs. Pandas, it’s Stan Lee

We see a lot of characters and ideas being pitched against each other in pop culture these days – Freddy vs. Jason, Alien vs. Predator, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World… – even the bizarrely popular Plants vs. Zombies game rides this bandwagon. And hey, what’s a storyline without a bit of “good vs. evil” battling, eh? (Or “evil vs. evil,” as is often the case now…).

The final cover of the upcoming Dragons Vs. Pandas. Image courtesy of 1821 Media Group.

There’s certainly one demographic that will always be up for a good “VS” story format, and that’s kids, of course. Stan Lee’s Kids Universe (SLKU) is proud to announce its brand new children’s publication, Dragon vs. Pandas, a picture-book for pre-schoolers. It may sound trivial, but this marks a significant cornerstone in the company’s endeavors being their first foray into international content.

Dragons vs. Pandas is gonna be THIS big.

Consisting of a partnership between 1821 Comics and POW! Entertainment, Stan Lee’s Kids Universe was announced in 2011 and prides itself in publishing educational and fun material for young children. Their outlets include eBooks, apps, and even interactive digital books.

Terry and Stan admiring the Dragons Vs. Pandas cover art.

Terry Dougas proudly showing off the book that represents "the underdogs of the animal world."

Dragons vs. Pandas was created by Chelsea Kenna, who is both the writer and illustrator. I was intrigued to know as to how other cultures receive comics and illustrated publications, so I asked Stan Lee what the reception is like in countries such as China. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised when he said that, “they can’t wait to get our stuff,” given that Asia is not known to shy away from cartoons and animations. However, growing up with a strict Chinese mother, I had to ask – hours of cartoons and picture books were never usually on the daily list of activities. Alas, how do you convince certain parents that comics and pictures can be educational and good for kids? Aren’t parents notorious for telling their kids not to spend their pocket money on comics? Take away the comics and pretty pictures and they’ll study better, right? Well, I questioned Stan about that, and he quite confidently answered that that was “nonsense.” Amen to that. As he puts it, “The only thing wrong with comics is that they were badly written during the 30s and 40s. We started Marvel, we decided to write them intelligently and accompanied them with good drawings.” So there you have it, parents. Pictures are awesome.

Anyway, it’s great to see a name like SLKU branch out internationally, adapting its content to varying target audiences. Dragons vs. Pandas will see its release in late 2016, debuting in the U.S. and China, and is to be published in both English and Mandarin. Oh, and there’ll be a cartoon as well as an iPhone game! (I wish my books would have come with an iPhone game as a kid….) Other titles by SLKU include Reggie the Veggie, Monsters vs. Kittens, and the upcoming, B is for Blobfish (a fun A to Z book by Kevin Payne that finally gives “the underdogs of the animal world” a chance to shine).

TLDR: Stan Lee’s Kids Universe puts out awesome educational material for children, Dragons vs. Pandas being their latest project announcement. Stan Lee says, “The more kids can read, the more they’ll buy my books!” So I guess by default they have to be educational! Bam.

Terry Dougas of 1821, showcasing SLKU's newest books, including Monsters Vs. Kittens.

Don’t forget to check out the Stan Lee’s Kids Universe website for more info, and be sure to keep an eye out for Chelsea Kenna if you have young kids (or like to read kids books).

Stan Lee, never a frown on that man's face.

Special thanks to the lovely Edith of Dumont Marketing for reaching out to us.  

A Walk Through The Catacombs: The Deadly Depths of Paris

Paris: the city of love, lights and laughter. Look a little further under ground though, and a whole other world is revealed. The Paris Catacombs have been the subject of many a mystery and urban legend in the past few decades, and have even been the focal point of a Hollywood movie, namely As Above, So Below. We ventured on a little trip to Paris this Spring, and were sure to put aside some time to check out the Paris Catacombs. Warm, musty and filled with tourists, it was nevertheless a fascinating experience. The few times we had a section of the walkway to ourselves, it was sombre and mesmerising. Here’s the account of our catacombs walk-through…

Skull patterns, sometimes to be found in the shape of stick-men and hearts. I mean, what else is there to do with millions of bones, right?

It’s Paris: there’s tourists everywhere, and there’s queues everywhere. So, naturally, we had to stand in line to get down into the Catacombs. In fact, it was so busy that I even managed to pop over to the pharmacy across the street in that time to grab some cough syrup (not that type of cough syrup…I actually had a bad cough). However, despite the throngs of people, I was surprised that I still managed to have several stretches of walkway all to myself, often for minutes at a time. I guess that’s testament to the expanse of this underground cemetery. All those who were involved in digging this: I do not envy you.

What you need to know is that actually only a small portion of this underground network is open to the public. Most areas are closed off and difficult to access, though of course that doesn’t stop everyone. People have been known to sneak down and hold full-on raves and parties; “cataphiles” host secret tours and investigations; and various societies organise art exhibitions and concerts. However, the most intricate discovery to-date surely has to be the secret cinema that was found by the police in 2004: completely equipped with giant screen and projection equipment, audience seats carved into the rock, plus a fully-stocked bar and restaurant. The people behind this set-up were never found (I would have loved to talk to them, I’m sure they had some great stories to tell!).

A breathtaking shot of one of the walkways...

The Paris Catacombs opened in the late 1700s, and started growing into a popular tourist attraction in the 1800s. Of course, there’s always been debate about whether such a place should even be open to the public – quite naturally, a lot of people find it distasteful to turn people’s bodily remains into a tourist attraction for entertainment purposes; the church has kicked up a fuss in the past on the grounds that the bones are sacred, which is also understandable.

Nevertheless, one cannot deny that the Catacombs are an extraordinary feat of art and engineering. Six million people’s bones, 200 miles of tunnels and caverns, and hundreds of dark and poetic quotes – the Paris Catacombs really are something else.

The main entrance to the Catacombs can be found at the Place Denfert-Rochereau, in the southern part of central Paris; however, this area was traditionally known as Place d’Enfer, which quite aptly means, “Hell Square.” Upon first entering through the main doors, one encounters the following message:
"Warning: The ossuary tour could make a strong impression on children and people of a nervous disposition."
While the imagery is undeniably dark and spooky, it’s strange to think that humans should be afraid of other human remains. I mean, we all have bones in our bodies, right? That should surely make us less afraid. On the other hand, I guess for a lot of visitors that “strong impression” is less one of fear, and more a realisation that life is extremely fragile, that all these bones were people with families and friends at one point…there’s definitely a strong chance of existential anxiety when down there amongst all those skeletal remains.

"Stop! Here lies the empire of death."

Why were the Catacombs built in the first place though? To summarise, Paris cemeteries were quite simply becoming overcrowded and ridiculously unhygienic, to the extent that they posed serious health hazards to the people living in the adjacent areas. Les Innocents, which can be found in the Les Halles neighbourhood of Paris, was the city’s first Christian cemetery, and would also become Paris’ most well-known. The bodies piled up over the centuries, with war and disease being the biggest contribution: in fact, the plague of 1418 saw 50,000 bodies added to Les Innocents within a mere five-week period. The hundred-years war brought many more. It was said that the area smelled so bad, that even perfume shops started going out of business. Just imagine that – a stench so awful that even perfume is overpowered. However, the final straw came in 1780, when a particularly rainy Spring season caused a cellar wall around Les Inncocents to collapse, resulting in a mass of decomposing corpses and diseased mud being spilled into a neighbouring property. Something needed to be done, and it needed to be done fast. Thus began a 12-year-long process of moving the city’s bones below ground, into Paris’ abandoned stone quarries. Not only were there millions of people’s bones, but they also dated back hundreds of years; some going as far back as 1,200 years, from an era known as the Merovingian period. Yes, it was a very big task.

Enough of the gruesome facts for now though, let us move on to my favourite part: the poetry. Various literary and Biblical quotes are dotted around the entire network at regular intervals – there’s something about them that completely transforms the experience…it’s as if there’s a narrator guiding you through the tunnels, giving you nuggets of wisdom and thought-provoking ideas to ponder as you amble through the catacombs. It’s truly great.

Here are a select handful of plaques that we encountered (excuse the awful formatting on certain devices...nowt to be done 'bout it):

(1)

(1)
Ainsi tout passe sur la terre
Esprit, beauté, graces talent
Telle est une fleur ephémère
Que renverse le moindre vent

Thus passes everything on earth
Spirit, beauty, talent, grace
Such is a short-lived flower
That’s blown away by the slightest breeze.

(2) OK, there was no good angle to take this at...

(2)
Ou est elle la Mort? toujours
future ou passée. Apeine est-elle
presente, que deja elle n’est plus.

Where is Death? eternal
in future or past. As soon as she
appears, she’s already gone.

This one. This one I especially like. Throughout this article, I’ve made sure to keep the translations in the best physical order possible, because I’ve seen a lot of translations that shuffle up the positioning of the words. That is, if a line ends with “toujours,” I’ll try my best to ensure that “always/eternal” is also at the end of the line. It’s important, honestly! Take the above quote. It begins with a question, “Where is death?” The word that immediately follows it is eternal (or “eternally,” “always,” “forever”…I wasn’t quite sure what to settle on). Giving “toujours” some space to itself really draws our attention to it; even though it is part of a sentence, it could be a sentence in itself – in a way, it answers the question, “Where is death?” quite well. Because death is indeed always there, it’s an eternal fact of life. However, then the stanza moves on to the next line, and the sentence concludes with, “in future or past,” giving us an alternate answer to the question. This time we are being told that death is fleeting, difficult to catch; somehow always in the past or future, but never quite in the present.

OK, enough of the English session – I just wanted to emphasise the depth of some of these poems and the importance of accurate translations. Now back to skulls and stuff.

(3) Somewhat grim, yes.

(3)
Quocumque te vertas mors’in insidiis est
Dequelque coté que tu tournes la mort est aux aguets

Whichever way you turn, death’ll be waiting for you.

(4) "YOLO."

(4)
Omne crede diem tibi diluxisse supremum
Croyez que chaque jour est pour vous le dernier.
       Hórace

 Think that every day will be your last.

(5) Those graffiti etchings? Absolutely blasphemous.

(5)
Heureux celui qui a toujours
devant les yeux l’heure de sa mort et
qui se dispose tous les jours à mourir

Blessed is he who keeps ever in sight
the hour of his death and
is always ready to die

(6)

(6)
Si vous avez vu quelque fois mourir
un homme, considérez tojours
que le meme sort vous attend

If at times you’ve seen the death of
a man, remember always
that the same fate awaits you

(7)

(7)
Quels enclos sont ouverts! quelles étroîtes places                    
Occupe entre ces murs la poussière des races!
C’est dans ces lieux d’oubli, C’est parmi ces tombeaux
Que le temps et la mort viennent croiser leurs faux
Que de morts entassés et presses sous la terre!
Le nombre ici n’est rien la foule est solitaire.
     Lemierre

 What enclosures are open! what narrow places
Occupied between these walls, the dust of the races!
It’s in these forgotten areas, It is among these tombs
That time and death come to cross their scythes
That the dead, piled high and pressed ’neath the earth!
The number here is nothing, the crowd is solitary.

(8)

(8)
Mihi…mori lucrum.
      Phil. 1. 21.
Pour moi
la mort est un gain.

For me…to die is a gain.

(9)

(9)
Eleemosyna
a morte liberat.
      Tob. 12. 9.
L’aumone
délivre de la mort.

Charity
delivers from death.

(10)

(10)
Melius est mihi mori quam vivere.
      Joan. 4. 8
Il est quelquefois
plus avantageux
de mourir que de vivre

It is sometimes better to die than to live.

(11)

(11)
isi granum mortuum fuerit
Ipsum solum manet;
Si autem mortuum fuerit
Multum fructum affert.
      Joan. 12. 24. 25

Unless the grain dies
It remains alone;
But if it were to die
It would bring forth much fruit.

(12)

(12)
idi impium suprexaltatum et elevatum
sicut cedros libani; et transivi et ecce non erat;
et quæasivi eum et non inventus est locus eius.
     Psaumes de David Ch. XXXVI
J’ai vu l’impie adoré sur la terre.
Pareil au cèdre il cachoit dans les cieux
     Son front audacieux
Il semblait à son gré gouverner le tonnerre,
Foulait aux pieds ses ennemis vaincus;
Je n’ai fait que passer, il n’était déjà plus.
      Racine

The Unreightous I behold on Earth ador’d;
And as the Cedar to the Heavens spread
     His towering and presumptuous Head.
He seem’d as at his Nod the Thunder roar’d:
His Enemis were Dust beneath his Might;
Passing I turn’d, I lookt, and he was vanisht quite.

(13)

(13)
Ainsi tout change, ainsi tout passé;
Ainsi nous-mêmes nous passons,
Hélas! Sans laisser plus de trâce
Que cette barque où nous glissons
Sur cette mer où tout s’efface.
     LaMartine

(14)

Thus all changes, thus all passes;
So, ourselves, we pass,
Alas! Without leaving any a trace
That this boat where we glide
On this sea where all disappears.

(14)
Deposuit potentes de sede
     Et exaltavit humiles.
     St. Luc. Ch 1.
Il a renversé les grands de leurs trônes
    et il a élevé les petits.

He has put down the mighty from their seats,
and exalted them of low degree.

(15)

(15)
Mort
peccatorum pessima
            Ps. 38. 22.
Elle est horrible
la mort du pécheur.

(16)

Death
of the sinner is the worst

(16)
Reliquit dives omnia
aliis et moritur.
            Eccl. 11. 20.
A la mort,
on laisse tout.

To death,
we relinquish all.

(17)

(17)
Invidiâ diaboli
mors introïvit in orbem
            Gen. ch. 3.
C’est par la malice de demon
que la mort
est entrée dans la monde.

(18)

‘Tis by the devil’s envy
death came into the world.

(18)
Insensés: nous parlons en maîtres,
Nous qui dans l’océan des êtres,
Nageons tristement confondus;
Nous dont l’extistence légère,
Paraeille à l’ombre passagère,
Commence, paroît et n’est plus.
            Malfilatre

Fools: we speak as masters,
We, who in the ocean of being,
swim unfortunately confused;
We, whose light existence,
Comparable to the passing shadow,
Begins, appears and is no longer.

(19) A sound reminder that we create our own fate...

(19)
Deus mortem non fecit
            SAP. 1. 13.
Dieu n’est pas
l’auteur de la mort

God is not
the author of death

(20)

(20)
Combien de ceux qui étaient entrés
dans le monde avec toi en sont déjà
fortis; leur vie a été moissonnée
Comme des épis dont les uns
font murs et les autres verts.
            Marc. Aurel

How many of those who entered
the world with you are already
strong; their life has been harvested
Like the ears of those
that build walls and make others envious.

(21)

(21)
Stimulus autem
mortis peccatum est.
        1. Cor. 15. 56.
L’aiguillon de la mort
c’est le pêché.

The sting
of death, ‘tis a sin.

(22)

(22)
Mors te manet certissima;
In certa sed mortis dies.
Ut mente semper excubus,
Homo latet lux ultima.
            Hézette.

Death awaits you most surely;
In certainty but the day of death,
From always keeping our mind on guard,
Man escapes the last light.

Alas, that’s all for now. Want a little more of the Paris Catacombs? Maybe start by checking out the apparent mystery camera that was discovered in the depth of the catacombs. As the urban legend goes, an abandoned camera was found in the catacombs and, upon watching it, it appears that the cameraman became frightened for some reason and dropped the camera, with his footsteps being heard running off into the distance. It’s a modern mystery – though it does undeniably reek of a fake, it’s still fun to ponder.

Would you ever sneak into the catacombs on your own? Would you be brave enough to spend a night there? Would you have entered this AirBnB competition to experience a night in the catacombs? Apparently Pedro Arruda was, boldy claiming that, “I’d be much more scared if they were alive.”

And honestly? I think we have much more reason to be afraid of humans when they’re alive than when they are dead…

For those of you that like the visuals as much as we do, enjoy our slideshow:

Interviewing the Interviewer: Clyde Lewis on D. B. Cooper, Paranormal Experiences, and the Real Men in Black

Photo Courtesy of groundzeromedia.org

Clyde is one of those guys you can talk to for hours and hours without getting bored. It comes as no surprise, of course, given his broad interests that range from horror movies to comic books, from mythology to gourmet cooking; and with an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of all things conspiracy and paranormal, he’s sure to always keep you on your toes.

Luckily for us, Clyde was able to take some time out to join us on our show, for which we were very grateful. For those of you that don’t know, Clyde is the host of Ground Zero, a parapolitical/paranormal/conspiracy talk show that’s been going strong for about 20 years now. (If you missed our appearance on Ground Zero, check out our post right here.) It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: our show with Clyde was nothing short of fascinating.

We managed to talk all manner of things, covering aspects of the D. B. Cooper case, exploring theories of a shadow government, and of course not forgetting some good ol’ UFO sightings. Other topics we spoke about were 9/11, CERN, Pink Floyd, the Heaven’s Gate cult, and even a real-life meeting with the legendary Steven Hawking! Throw in some anecdotes of paranormal experiences, encounters with men-in-black, and a very real personal death-threat, and you’ve got yourself a mind-blowing show right there.

For all you conspiracy buffs, this show really is one for you.

Be sure to keep updated via the Ground Zero Media website and by following them on Twitter. Oh, and check out the brand new Ground Zero Store! (Everyone loves merchandise, right?)

Here for the interview:

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Horror, Hauntings and Education: An Interview with Founder of the Hollywood Horror Museum

Huston Huddleston, CEO of the New Starship Foundation at Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo 2015

Image courtesy of Huston Huddleston.

Huston Huddleston is a writer, director, composer, and all-round cinephile extraordinaire. The founder of the Hollywood Sci-Fi Museum, he then went on to create the Hollywood Horror Museum (both still work-in-progress). In fact, the Horror Museum just got its official “go ahead” on October 12th, when its Kickstarter campaign ended and they successfully reached their pledge minimum – congratulations to that!

Son of Oscar-nominated composer Floyd Huddleston and singer Nancy Adams, Huston grew up in a showbiz household, so it’s no surprise that he is so fond of movies. He is the CEO of the New Starship Foundation, the non-profit educational foundation behind both museums. Beginning its journey in 2012, New Starship set out to save the Star Trek Enterprise-D and TOS Bridge sets – though momentous sets in movie history, they were both extremely close to meeting their demise. As Huston points out, it’s simply not worth it for production companies to hold on to memorabilia like that – it’s cheaper to get rid of whole sets than it is to store them away. Alas, that's when Huston came to the rescue.

"[...] he started watching horror movies and started to see the behind-the-scenes of them and he realized he could face his own fears through movies." Huston Huddleston, interview excerpt

Be sure to listen to our amazing interview with Huston for the full story, as well as how the Horror Museum came to be. We also talk haunted houses, Ouija boards, favourite movies, and auditioning for The Shining. We even delve into the deeper ideas behind horror films, their purpose, and how they can actually be used to overcome phobias. Oh, and plenty of sci-fi stuff thrown in for good measure! As Huston himself said, “this is the age of the nerd.” Amen to that.

For those of you that want a sneak preview of the Horror Museum, here's their latest promo video:

(Just click here if you want a peek at the Sci-Fi Museum too! )

The Hollywood Sci-Fi Booth at Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo 2015

Huston Huddleston’s Top 5 Horror Picks
(in no particular order)

1. The Exorcist (1973)
2. The Shining (1980)
3. Poltergeist (1982)
4. Legend of Hell House (1973) - “most accurate paranormal film”
5. The Innocents (1961) (based on A Turn of a Screw)

Honorable Mentions
(because 5 is never enough!)

Juliette of the Spirits
Eyes Without A Face
Wickerman (original)
Blood on Satan’s Claw

Now here for the interview!

Update:

We caught up with Huston at Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo 2015 and had a great chat! Take a look at the video interview right here:

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Radio & Close Ups Interview #1: Jayni Huddleston "The Journey Within" (Hypnotherapy)

Jayni Huddleston, Los Feliz 2015. Copyright WoTRradio.

Jayni is a fully qualified hypnotherapist based in Los Angeles. She treats a huge range of ailments, ranging from the more common issues, such as stress or the giving-up of a bad habit, to more intricate work, such as past-life regressions and spiritual imagery. Her abilities are astounding, and her soothing voice honestly borders on music (as experienced first-hand by the WoTR team).

There are a huge number of misconceptions and mysteries surrounding the topic of hypnotherapy – in fact, the majority of people do not know what it really involves, leading to a great deal of irrational fear and skepticism. Luckily for us, Jayni is here to enlighten us!

Engineer Frank during his therapy session with Jayni, Los Feliz 2015. Copyright WoTRradio.

Hypnotherapy is a soothing and safe way to regain control and confidence in life. As Jayni says so herself on her website, “Hypnosis is a natural, effective tool to gain control in your life – losing control is never part of the process.”           

To end with a quote, stolen from JourneyWithJayni.com:

“The only true journey is the journey within.” M. Rilke Rainer.

Here's our latest radio interview with Jayni:

On top of that, here's our Close Up video for you to enjoy!

Be sure to check out our YouTube channel, West of The Rockies, and remember to join us every Sunday, LIVE, at 9pm, right HERE.

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October 21st 2015: "Back To The Future Day"

Back To The Future Day

The Twin Pines Mall, as seen in Back To The Future II.

The Twin Pines Mall, as seen on October 20th 2015 (technically the Puente Hills Mall).

So, Back To The Future was released in 1985. And here we are, THIRTY years later: the very time and place that Marty McFly travels to in the second movie (1989). We visited the Puente Hills Mall today, aka. The Twin Pines/Lone Pine Mall, to snap a few pics and fulfill a major sci-fi pilgrimage. There’s one question that has been bouncing around for years now though, and one that can only truly be answered now: how accurate were the BTTF movies? Let’s do a quick before-and-after comparison.

The Levitating Signs

The floating "Hill Valley" sign. Movie still taken from Back To The Future II.

The signs in the movie look super-cool, there’s no arguing that. Highway signs levitate amongst the clouds (corresponding to the “sky highways”), and city signs hover high up above buildings. Unfortunately though, these signs are far from the current truth – as yet, we are still very much driving on solid roads, and our street signs are firmly rooted into the ground. However, one thing cannot be denied: traffic would be so much lighter if we could redirect some common vehicles into the air. It certainly would save me hours of travel every week! That’s wishful thinking for now though.

Hover Boards

The “baddies" (a gang consisting of Griff Tannen, Data, Spike, and Whitey) riding on Hover Boards. From the movie Back To The Future II.

This is a difficult one. I mean, strictly speaking, we do now have hover boards. But, let’s face it, they are nowhere near as cool as those agile high-speed boards in the movie. Plus, I’m not sure if it counts as a real actualised prediction, given it was only created because of the movie. It’s not like skateboards have become redundant, right? Truth be told though, we do indeed have the technology to make boards hover nowadays, so I guess the movie was right in a way. Have any of you had the privilege of riding a Hover Board yet? p.s. those 2-wheel balance boards totally don’t count.

The Clothing

The "baddies" in their oh-so-fetching outfits. Taken from Back To The Future II.

OK, I think we can all comfortably say that these outfits did not come to be – and thank f*** for that. Admittedly, it probably wouldn’t have been easy to predict that 80s high-waisted jeans, neon party outfits, and clashing geometric patterns would come back into fashion. And in all honesty, a movie set in the future with almost the exact same vehicles and outfits would have been utterly boring; and ironically unbelievable! Still, I’m glad we’re not running around with kitchen pots on our heads and carnival paint all over our faces…

"Holofilm" Advertising

The promotional holo-shark, advertising the "Holofilm," Jaws 19.

BTTF 2 predicted interactive holographic movies, as seen in the scene (yeah, I know, that’s weird to read) where Marty is standing in front of the Holomax theatre and gets eaten by a giant holographic cartoon shark. The hologram was advertising Jaws 19 – a movie that clearly didn’t make it (and would have probably been very very boring). As far as movies nowadays go, I guess what we have is pretty much holographic – I mean, we have 3D movies (even 4D), which are almost equivalent to what we see in BTTF. Admittedly, our 3D films look nowhere near as solid and interactive as the shark in BTTF, but I think we have to at least give this one to them. Oh, and don’t give me that “Tupac Hologram” business – yeah, it looked utterly brilliant , but let’s face it, what we saw wasn’t a hologram. In fact, it was a basic glass reflection trick based on a 19th century technique invented by John Pepper: read more about “Pepper’s Ghost” here. You know what would be really cool though? All three Back To The Future movies in 3D.

Flying Cars/The Mr. Fusion Home Energy Reactor

The fictional 2015 DeLorean, as seen in Back To The Future II.

The "Mr. Fusion Home Energy Reactor." You can actually go online to find out how to make your own DIY version.

Yeah, so as mentioned before, we definitely don’t have flying cars (yet?). Unless the Government is hiding something from us, which is always a possibility (cue for UFO theorists). In terms of energy resources though, I would have honestly hoped that we’d have come up with something more efficient and less pollutive by now. The Mr. Fusion Home Energy Reactor is essentially a mini-generator that derives its energy from combustible waste material, and was the energy source that powered the DeLorean time machine. OK, so we have hybrid and electric cars nowadays, and many buildings make use of solar energy. But, considering that similar power sources have been used as far back as WWII, it’s truly disappointing that such power generators are not used commonly around the globe nowadays. Shame on us. We had so much hope back then; this is something we should truly work towards.

The Food Hydrator

The dehydrated pizza, as seen in the movie Back To The Future II.

The hydrated pizza, looking oh-so-yummy. As seen in Back To The Future II.

In the movie, we encounter something called a, “Hydrator” – a somewhat microwavey-looking device that is able to take a dehydrated food product (in this case, a dehydrated pizza), and rehydrate it into a scrumptious, piping hot meal (seriously, just look at that pizza…). So, do we have anything like that now? Well, we do have some pretty good microwaves nowadays, but that’s not quite it. Regarding dehydrated food though, that is indeed something we have: think space-food here (I’m sure we’ve all seen the freeze-dried ice cream and shrivelled vacuum packs of astronaut food). However, not only is dehydrated space food something that’s been around since the ‘60s, but we certainly don’t have a method of rehydrating it (other than by eating it). Black & Decker, you’ve failed us. Not cool.

Video Calls

Mr. Ito T. Fujitsu, looking less than impressed. Taken from Back To The Future II.

In the movie, we witness the older version of Marty having a conversation with his co-worker (Needles, played by a somewhat scary looking Flea), followed by his supervisor (Fujitsu). Alas, I think we can safely say that we have video-calling technology nowadays; in fact, many of us probably use applications such as Skype and FaceTime more than we make regular “phone calls.” I know I do. Not only has it become a useful business tool, but it has also created millions of friendships and relationships around the world (cue for “awww”). As well, ahem, as a whole new industry in webcamming… Well done, Back To The Future, you got this one spot on.

Conclusion

OK, so they didn’t get much right. Does it really matter though? Nah. Would it have made the movie any better if it had been accurate? Certainly not. Let’s be honest, the BTTF version of the future was way cooler and more fun than our current version. That’s what sci-fi­ is all about: it’s not fiction for no reason.

Anyway, while we eagerly await the official Back To The Future, here are some extra pictures for you to enjoy:

The McFly family home - though an iconic filming location, this is actually a privately owned residential house. Yes, we're all jealous.

The iconic date from Back To The Future 2; after which the movie will officially be a movie about the past. Think about it.

Doc Brown's van, parked outside the mall, October 20th 2015.

A DeLorean, as seen at Comikaze 2014. Supplied by The Hollywood SciFi Museum.

A view into the DeLorean, as seen at Comikaze 2014. Supplied by The Hollywood SciFi Museum.

The rear end of the DeLorean, as seen at Comikaze 2014. Supplied by The Hollywood SciFi Museum.

The Hover Board, as seen at Comikaze 2013.

Our very own Engineer Frank, proudly holding a Hover Board. Look at that smile.

The Twin Pines Mall sign, re-installed for the upcoming Back To The Future Day. Photo taken October 20th 2015.

p.s. the 30th Anniversary Back To The Future box set is now on sale! This is for all you hardcore fans (not like that).

If you like our articles and shows, be sure to spread the word!

OC's Newest Haunted Attraction - "The 17TH Door" - Reaction Video & Interviews!

Last Saturday we teamed up with Haunted OC and headed over to The 17th Door (Tustin), which saw its grand opening on Friday, September 25th . As Orange County’s newest haunted attraction and with Halloween just around the corner, the air was tense and the stakes high – known for its numerous fun parks and attractions, there’s certainly competition in OC. So what’s different about The 17th Door?

Andrew Jacobs (Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, Wuthering High) - is he praying that he'll survive the night?

First of all, what exactly is it? Not quite haunted house, not quite maze, I think it’s fair to say that it’s something in between; although it’s certainly more than that. An interactive walk-through with a strong (and disturbing) storyline to guide you through, this experience engrosses and intrigues in a way that other haunts do not. The actors interact and address you directly, the props and settings have evidently been thought out in great detail, and the scares are definitely some of the more original that I’ve seen.

Accompanying us was Andrew Jacobs (Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, Wuthering High), helping us out with promotion and keeping the horror fans happy! For more details and cool pics of this latest attraction, as well as their trailer, check out Haunted OC’s recent article at www.hauntedOC.com.

Here’s a little insight into the world of The 17th Door…

Check out these cool photos from the opening weekend of The 17th Door:

Over and out!