ANALOG MEDIUM OCTOBER 2008

ANALOG MEDIUM OCTOBER 2008

META
Analog Medium Tastes Good: An Animated Short
Santa Cruz Vampire Census Fall 2008
La Bestia

FRESH
AMC Monsterfest 2008 Schedule FINAL
Watch John Carpenter's The Thing (1982) Online
Watch Ghostbusters Online
Watch Classic Star Trek Online

AM Scrape - October Part I
Bizarro Monday: Baby Laugh-a-Lot
Bizarro Monday: Steampunk C-3PO

MOVIES
October 2008 is John Carpenter Month
Disclaimer: John Carpenter Pwns All Noobs
Dark Star (1974) Review

GAMES
Castlevania (NES 1987) Game Genie Codes

MUSIC
The Essential John Carpenter Film Music Collection (2002) Review

Dark Star (1974) Review

Dark Star (1974) Directed by John Carpenter

Reposted from MAY 2006

Dark Star is John Carpenter's first major directing work. It's about a deep space scout ship charged with the mission of destroying unstable planets to make the local systems safe for colonists. And it is a DEEP space scout. They've been out there for 20 years when the movie starts, and they're a little nutty because of it.

At first when I started watching the movie, I didn't even realize it was a comedy. There's a retarded looking alien that's really just a painted beach ball with reptile feet. I was convinced that the thing was going to kill the whole crew and I was going to hate the movie. Then it didn't kill anything. One of the crew members kills it instead. The whole time everyone's a little wacky, including the ship's computer. The ship itself is falling apart, and the former commander was killed when his chair malfunctioned. Luckily they've got him cryogenically frozen. The whole crew unluckily are faced with imminent destruction though, when one of their bombs malfunctions.

There's two versions to the movie. A shorter director's cut and a longer uncut version. I loved the director's cut, it was so damn punchy and perfect. It did make me want to see the uncut version though. I liked that too, but the pacing was a little off during the first half. That made me want to watch the director's cut a second time. So I did. This was all within a 10 hour time frame too. After I watched it that much, I felt like I too had been in space for 20 years. It's not a bad feeling. And the final climax of the movie is funny and eerie at the same time. I definitely put this DVD on my wish list.


Images swiped from TheOfficialJohnCarpenter.com
What a nice guy (we hope).

Watch John Carpenter's The Thing (1982) Online

The Thing is one of those magical movies that has leeched into the lower functions of my brain and seeps through my subconscious into my waking life on a daily basis. Now you too can feel the way I feel and think the way I think. All you have to do is watch The Thing over and over, while you sleep, while you have sex, while you eat breakfast. Cerebral seepage should occur once saturation is complete, depending on skull thickness.

- Watch John Carpenter's The Thing (1982) Online @ Hulu

Bizarro Monday: Baby Laugh-a-Lot

Baby Laugh-a-Lot

Source: Rob Schrab's Myspace Blog

Watch Classic Star Trek Online

Now from the comfort of your desk you can watch episodes from the first three seasons of the original Star Trek. It's only the first three seasons, but that ain't bad. Brush up on your nerdity. Is Kirk better than Picard? Do some research. Impress your friends, chase away women. It can all be yours for free courtesy of CBS.

- Watch Classic Star Trek episodes from seasons 1-3 @ CBS.com

Santa Cruz Vampire Census Fall 2008

Santa Cruz is a great place to live. And a great place to be dead. Vampires figured that out a long time ago. The Lost Boys may have referred to Santa Cruz as Santa Carla, but the real vampires know the score. This time last year, I infiltrated their organization deeply enough to gather reconnaissance on their feeding and meeting locations. Unfortunately, my identity was revealed and I had to abort the mission.

So I'm back on the street with a pickup truck full of stakes and a canteen full of holy water. Just in case. I'm no vampire hunter. I just don't want vampires hunting me. Luckily, they tend to prey on drunk, vulnerable college girls and homeless dregs who won't be missed. Still, they know who I am, probably better than I know who they are. So I'll be up at night sharpening my stakes in the bowels of Pod Six, keeping an eye on the road that leads to the harbor feeding grounds.

To help stay safe while visiting or staying in Santa Cruz, check out the Santa Cruz Vampire Census Fall 2008. And for a historical look at vampire activity in Santa Cruz, also check out:

- Vampire Census July 2005
- Vampire Census November 2005
- Vampire Census October 2006
- Traditional and Modern Vampire Mythology

Analog Medium Tastes Good: An Animated Short

Analog Medium Tastes Good:
An Animated Short by Master Blasphemy

Disclaimer: John Carpenter Pwns All Noobs

Before I write the second Analog Medium review for a feature length John Carpenter film (we reviewed Prince of Darkness in November 2007), I will make a brief disclaimer. If I was in the same room as John Carpenter, and if he was brave enough to make eye contact with this blatantly psychotic fan-boy, I can already tell you how the conversation would go:

JC: Hello.
SSK: I'm not worthy! I'm scum! I suck!

At which point John Carpenter would hold out the back of his hand in expectation of a gentle kiss from the lips of his grovelling admirer. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I hold a monumental level of respect for the Man. The anxiety of writing this first review for John Carpenter Month has been partially responsible for my recent inactivity on Analog Medium. I made the announcement that October 2008 would be John Carpenter Month, and I haven't written a single review since!

How does one review a John Carpenter movie? I really don't feel up to it. So, I've decided to open up and grudgingly accept the opinions of others. These JC reviews, and the ones still to come in the future months and years, will represent the results of a certain consensus I have reached amongst friends. The idea is to have multiple people share their perception in hopes of communicating to the AM reader the pervasive influence Mr. Carpenter has on his audience. If you don't know John Carpenter already, you've probably seen AT LEAST one of his movies. This guy is a mega titan. Mad respect from AM, Mr. Carpenter. Hella mad respect.

Now, on with the show...

Bizarro Monday: Steampunk C-3PO

Steampunk Star Wars: C-3PO by Björn Hurri

AM Scrape - October Part I

- All-City Arson of Panic in Pod Six! (AM's new music label) has a new MySpace profile and a new track, Zone Crasher v1.3

- Watch Weird Science (1982) online @ AM Auxiliary. Yeah, the whole thing! With a few commercials, naturally.

- Check out the music video for "Party All The Time" by Eddie Murphy and Rick James. Courtesy of the DEATH BY VIDEO fun club.

- We've got some new music selections over at the AM Auxiliary Shop. May we recommend the new Dr. Dooom?

- Trying to figure out a costume to wear for Halloween? Just look to the past

The Essential John Carpenter Film Music Collection (2002) Review

I've listened to The Essential John Carpenter Film Music Collection several times already since I got my hands on it. The first thing I'll admit is that I have to skip around a lot to listen to this album. But I think that's cool. This isn't meant to be an album to put on at your next house party. It's serious, atmospheric shit. If you didn't know, John Carpenter knows his way around a synthesizer and actually composed most of the classic songs from his movies. This is a collection of some of his best. From that collection I'd recommend the Halloween Theme, Pork Chop Express from Big Trouble Little China, The Fog, Assault on Precinct 13, and you could the theme from They Live be more funky?

- Take a listen to the album at BlueBeat
- Buy that shit through us, from Amazon (buy!)

Watch Ghostbusters Online

Ghostbusters (1984)

You can now watch Ghostbusters online for free with "limited commercial interruption" on Hulu.com. This is good news for anyone who doesn't already own the DVD, VHS, or Lasterdisc. Which is almost nobody, I imagine. But still, the good news is that you can now sit on your ass and watch Ghostbusters while you're supposed to be working.

Castlevania (NES 1987) Game Genie Codes

Castlevania (Konami 1987)

OXNGLZVK - Infinite lives
AXOGOPIE - Start with 40 power hearts
ASOGOPIA - Start with 80 power hearts
SXXXYAAX - Infinite time
GZOGYUSE - Keep weapons after losing a life
ZEUTAYAA - Gain rapid fire shots on weapon pick-up
KZSSEZKA + KXESUZKA - Weapons don't use power hearts
PANKXPGA + PANGSAGA - Start with 1 life
AANKXPGE + AANGSAGE - Start with 8 lives

Source: GameGenie.com

AMC Monsterfest 2008 Schedule FINAL

I finally got around to scrounging up the rest of the schedule. Here it is. Running from 8:00pm on Friday, October 24th until some time around 6:00am on Saturday, November 1st.

In my opinion, it's a much better selection than last year, and there's more of my beloved Hammer Horror flicks around Halloween. Not to mention one of my favs, The Fly!

(All Times Eastern)

Friday October 24th
8:00 PM - Halloween (1978)
10:00 PM - Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)

Saturday October 25th
12:00 AM - Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Meyers (1989)
2:00 AM - Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
4:00 AM - Motel Hell (1980)
6:15 AM - The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)
8:15 AM - Son of Frankenstein (1939)
10:30 AM - House of Frankenstein (1945)
12:00 PM - Halloween (1978)
2:00 PM - Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
4:00 PM - Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Meyers (1989)
6:00 PM - Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
8:00 PM - Resident Evil (2002)
10:15 PM - An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Sunday October 26, 2008
1:00 AM - Pet Sematary (1989)
3:00 AM - A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
5:00 AM - Jack the Ripper (1959)
6:45 AM - Psycho (1998)
9:15 AM - A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
11:15 AM - Pet Sematary (1989)
1:15 PM - Christine (1983)
3:30 PM - An American Werewolf in London (1981)
5:30 PM - Constantine (2005)
8:00 PM - Panic Room (2002)

Monday October 27, 2008
2:00 AM - Pet Sematary Two (1992)
4:00 AM - Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1965)
7:00 AM - Damien: Omen II (1978)
9:30 AM - Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981)
12:00 PM - An American Werewolf in London (1981)
2:00 PM - Tales From the Crypt Presents Bordello of Blood (1996)
4:00 PM - Pet Sematary Two (1992)
6:00 PM - Panic Room (2002)
8:00 PM - House on Haunted Hill (1999)
10:00 PM - Return to House on Haunted Hill (2007)
11:45 PM - Tales From the Crypt Presents Bordello of Blood (1996)

Tuesday October 28, 2008
1:45 AM - Return to House on Haunted Hill (2007)
3:30 AM - Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981)
6:00 AM - The Invisible Man (1933)
7:45 AM - Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
9:30 AM - Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman (1943)
11:15 AM - The Dark Half (1993)
1:45 PM - Motel Hell (1980)
4:00 PM - Pet Sematary (1989)
6:00 PM - House on Haunted Hill (1999)
8:00 PM - Jeepers Creepers (2001)
10:00 PM - Bride of Chucky (1998)

Wednesday October 29, 2008
12:00 AM - An American Werewolf in London (1981)
2:00 AM - The Dark Half (1993)
4:30 AM - Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster (1965)
6:00 AM - The Mummy's Hand (1940)
7:30 AM - Psycho (1998)
10:00 AM - Pet Sematary (1989)
12:00 PM - Pet Sematary Two (1992)
2:00 PM - An American Werewolf in London (1981)
4:00 PM - Bride of Chucky (1998)
6:00 PM - Jeepers Creepers (2001)
8:00 PM - Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993)
10:00 PM - Willard (2003)

Thursday October 30, 2008
12:00 AM - Christine (1983)
2:15 AM - Pet Sematary Two (1992)
4:15 AM - Puppet Master (1989)
6:00 AM - The Mummy (1932)
7:45 AM - Magic (1978)
10:00 AM - Piñata: Survival Island (2002)
11:45 AM - A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
1:45 PM - Christine (1983)
4:00 PM - Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993)
6:00 PM - Willard (2003)
8:00 PM - Constantine (2005)
10:30 PM - Jeepers Creepers (2001)

Friday October 31, 2008
12:30 AM - A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
2:30 AM - The Fly (1958)
4:30 AM - House of Dracula (1945)
6:00 AM - House of Frankenstein (1945)
7:30 AM - Horror of Dracula (1958)
9:30 AM - Halloween (1978)
11:30 AM - Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
1:30 PM - Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
3:30 PM - Jeepers Creepers (2001)
5:30 PM - Constantine (2005)
8:00 PM - Resident Evil (2002)
10:00 PM - House on Haunted Hill (1999)

Saturday November 1, 2008
12:00 AM - Return to House on Haunted Hill (2007)
1:45 AM - Resident Evil (2002)
3:45 AM - The Fly II (1989)


Source: AMC Schedule

La Bestia

La Bestia

October 2008 is John Carpenter Month

Howdy folks. I'm SSK (or The Silver Screen Kid - if you're not into the whole brevity thing). Some of you may know me, some may not. All who read this, know this: I do my own damn thang. To the death. My own stubbornness is part of the reason I respect John Carpenter so much. The Big JC! Titan of Terror! Master of Suspense! The only guy to ever make a movie in which an alien's chest cavity bites the hands of someone attempting to administer a crash cart. Boosh.

Trivia: guess where the brand name "Obey" came from... They Live (1988) - written and directed by John Carpenter. You can't even fuck with that credential. Think about JC's success throughout the years (and his failures) and think about this: he released his first feature in 1974. It is now 2008, and there is huge buzz around his bad ass self. John Carpenter is coming out of self-imposed semi-retirement! Word is he got fed up with the Hollywood system and retreated from it. Now he's returned with a whole new approach in mind - and a major star to back him up (I won't go in to my personal views on Nicholas Cage - suffice if to say he's a major star).

Anyhoos: the point of my blathering? Even if you don't like his movies, you have to respect John Carpenter. And if you don't like John Carpenter, bounce the-fuck-off our site, hater. John Carpenter, Analog Medium salutes you. And hard.