These are archived news items, many of them linked outside of this website.
Eventually the links may not work. Everything's Eventual.

QUICK BITES
COVID-19: The Zombie Apocalypse Practice Run
2020 U.S. Mortality figures since since the official re-openings(1) -

(1) Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19, coded to ICD–10 code U07.1
CDC Provisional Death Counts for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

0-1,000 | 1,001-3,000 | 3,001-5,000 | 5,001-7,000 | 7,001-9,000 | 9,001-11,000 | 11,001+

How well are you doing so far?

And -

100 Best Horror Books of All Time
The definition of scary changes from person to person. For some, it might be ghosts and haunted houses. For others, serial killers. For still others, the most frightening things are the ones that go bump in the night, unseen.

Despite the width of this spectrum, what unites all lovers of horror is the thrill that horror novels inspire within us: that universal sensation of your heart thumping out of your chest, as cold sweat breaks on your forehead when you turn the page.

To create this list, we went to the darkest, most ghostly corners of the literary world. Without further ado, here are the 100 best horror novels of all time — it's safe to say that we hope they'll keep you up at night.

Continued at Reedsy.

FeoNote: Exhaustive list but lots of good work here. A plethora of Poe, Lovecraft, Jackson, King, Koontz, and Matheson, and of course Mary Shelly Wollstonecraft and Stoker to name a few more. No list, especially one this long, will please everyone (it's missing Greg Bear's multi-award winning apocalyptic BLOOD MUSIC. Holy shit! Read that!). Never the less, there should be plenty here you've never tried and October is right around the corner!

Plus -

Also -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.

SUNDAY -
The first Horror novel (re-animating the dead) is also the first Science Fiction novel (the Mad Scientist remains a permanent fixture of Horror ever since). The person who created them both, the powerfully influential Mother of Horror and Science Fiction, is none other than Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, who would be 222 today.
Actor Eldon Henson (JAWS: THE REVENGE, IDLE HANDS, EVIL ALIEN CONQUERORS, THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT, DEJA VU, RISE: BLOOD HUNTER, THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY Part 1 & 2, THE DEFENDERS [TV], DAREDEVIL [TV]) is 43.
Writer, Producer Laeta Kalogridis (BIRDS OF PREY [TV], PATHFINDER, AVATAR, SHUTTER ISLAND, WHITE HOUSE DOWN, TERMINATOR: GENESIS, THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS, ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL, ALTERED CARBON [TV], ALTERED CARBON: RESLEEVED) is 54.
Actor Ely Pouget (FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE SERIES [TV], COOL BLUE, THE RIFT, DARK SHADOWS [TV 1991], THE ADVENTURES OF BRISCO COUNTY JR., DEATH MACHINE, MURDER SHE WROTE [TV], LAWNMOWER MAN 2, TOTAL REALITY, OUTPATIENT) is 59.
Writer, Producer, Director Brian Yuzna (SELF PORTRAIT IN BRAINS, FROM BEYOND, DOLLS, RE-ANIMATOR, WARLOCK, SOCIETY, BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR, THE GUYVER, INITIATION: SILENT NIGHT DEADLY NIGHT 4, SILENT NIGHT DEADLY NIGHT 5: THE TOY MAKER, TICKS, RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD III, NECRONOMICON: BOOK OF THE DEAD, THE DENTIST [all], PROGENY, FAUST, ARACHNID, DAGON, DARKNESS, BEYOND RE-ANIMATOR, ROMASANTA: THE WEREWOLF HUNT, ROTTWEILER, THE NUN [2005], BENEATH STILL WATERS, TAKUT: FACES OF FEAR, AMPHIBIOUS 3D) is 71.
Look for Brian's upcoming 2020, 2021Horror movie, I WALKED WITH ZOMBIES.

SATURDAY -
Actor Director William Friedkin (Alfred Hitchcock Presents [TV], Alfred Hitchcock Hour [TV], THE FRENCH CONNECTION, THE EXORCIST, SORCERER, CRUISING, RAMPAGE, THE GUARDIAN, JADE, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, THE HUNTED, BUG, KILLER JOE, THE DEVIL AND FATHER AMORTH) who is 85.
Director Frank Henenlotter (BASKET CASE [all], BRAIN DAMAGE, FRANKENHOOKER, BAD BIOLOGY) is 70.
Writer Nancy Holder (SPELLBOUND, Various books in the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel", and "Highlander" series) who is 67.
We say a final goodbye to legendary
Writer / Producer / Director Joel Schumacher (THE LOST BOYS, FLATLINERS, FALLING DOWN, THE CLIENT, BATMAN FOREVER, A TIME TO KILL, BATMAN & ROBIN, 8MM, GOSSIP, PHONE BOOTH, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, THE NUMBER 23, BLOOD CREEK, TWELVE, TRESPASS, DO NOT DISTURB: HOTEL HORRORS [TV]) who would have celebrated his 81st birthday today. He left us on June 22, 2020.

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Billy Boyd (URBAN GHOST STORY, THE LORD OF THE RINGS, SEED OF CHUCKY, DOMINATOR X, GLENN, DOROTHY AND THE WITCHES OF OZ, SPACE MILKSHAKE, MARA AND THE FIREBRINGER, BEYOND METAL, OUTLANDER [TV]) is 51.
Look for Billy in the upcoming 2020 Thriller, AN INTRUSION.
Producer, Director David Fincher (ALIEN3, SE7EN, THE GAME, PANIC ROOM, ZODIAC, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, HOUSE OF CARDS [TV], MIND HUNTER [TV], LOVE DEATH AND ROBOTS [TV]) is 58.
Actor Sarah Roemer (WRISTCUTTERS: A LOVE STORY, THE GRUDGE 2, DISTURBIA, ASYLUM, LOCKED IN, THE EVENT [TV], MANHATTAN UNDYING, FAMOUS AND FATAL [released as Deadly Hollywood Obsession], THE APP* [released as Algorithm: BLISS]) is 36.
Look for Sarah in the upcoming 2020 Thriller, . Also in 2020, the Horror Thriller, THE APP*.

*Not to be confused with the 2011 short concept movie I was in, THE APP,

or the other 2011 short comedy movie, APP,
or the 2013 feature length SciFi Thriller, APP,
or the 2014 short action comedy, APP,
or the 2016 short comedy movie, THE APP,
or the other 2016 short comedy movie also called THE APP,
or the Other, other 2016 short scifi comedy, THE APP,
or the 2018 short comedy movie, THE APP ... and... I think that's it for the released ones.

So... that's why they probably changed the title.

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Paul Reubens (PANDEMONIUM, BATMAN RETURNS, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, THE TRIPPER, RE-ANIMATED, AREA 57, THE FINAL MOMENTS OF KARL BRANDT, TRON: UPRISING [TV], GOTHAM [TV], WILSON'S HEART [VG], MOSAIC [TV], DC's LEGENDS OF TOMORROW) is 68.
Writer Drew Silver (THE VAMPIRE WITHIN [series]) is 43.
Actor Reece Shearsmith (P.R.O.B.E.: THE DEVIL OF WINTERBORNE, AUTON, AUTON 2, BIRTHDAY GIRL, THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN [TV], SHAUN OF THE DEAD, THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN'S APOCALYPSE, MARPLE: ORDEAL BY INNOCENCE, THE COTTAGE, BURKE & HARE, PSYCHOVILLE [TV], A FIELD IN ENGLAND, THE WORLD'S END, HIGH-RISE, BORLEY RECTORY, INSIDE No. 9 [TV]) is 51.
Actor Peter Stormare (FARGO, THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK, MERCURY RISING, 8MM, BRUISER, MINORITY REPORT, BIRTH, CONSTANTINE, 2001 MANIACS, THE BROTHERS GRIMM, UNKNOWN, PREMONITION, INSANITARIUM, HORSEMEN, THE KILLING ROOM, DYLAN DOG: DEAD OF NIGHT, MARIANNE, FALSE TRAIL, INSEPERABLE, LOOKOUT, HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS, BAD MILO, THE ZERO THEOREM, AUTUMN BLOOD, CLOWN, DARK SUMMER, RUPTURE, JOHN WICK CHAPTER 2, BLACK WIDOWS [TV], V.I.P., BEYOND THE SKY, CASTLEVANIA [TV], THE POISON ROSE, AMERICAN GODS [TV]) is 62.
Actor Alexa PenaVega (TWISTER, THE GLIMMER MAN, SPYKIDS [all], REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA, HELIX, THE MINE, MOTHER'S DAY, THE DEVIL'S CARNIVAL, ABANDONED MINE, THE CLOCKWORK GIRL, BR/1BA, WICKED BLOOD, THE REMAINING, SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR, ROOMMATE WANTED, THE MURDER PACT, PICTURE PERFECT MYSTERIES [all]) is 32.

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer / Director / Producer Tim Burton (BEETLEJUICE, BATMAN, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, ED WOOD, MARS ATTACKS!, SLEEPY HOLLOW, THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, PLANET OF THE APES [2001], THE CORPSE BRIDE, SWEENEY TODD, 9, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, DARK SHADOWS, ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER, FRANKENWEENIE, MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN) is 62.
Composer Harry Manfredini (THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS, THE KIRLIAN WITNESS, FRIDAY THE 13TH [all], THE CHILDREN, THE RETURNING, ZOMBIE ISLAND MASSACRE, HOUSE, HOUSE II, DEEPSTAR SIX, WISHMASTER, HIDDEN AGENDA, THE OMEGA CODE, ENDANGERED SPECIES, GOING TO PIECES: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE SLASHER FILM, DEAD AND GONE, DARK DESIRE, HANSEL & GRETEL: WARRIORS OF WITCHCRAFT, IMMORTAL KISS: QUEEN OF THE NIGHT, KNOCK 'EM DEAD, CANNIBALS, A BLOOD STORY, MY STEPBROTHER IS A VAMPIRE?, and way more) is 77.
Look for Harry's music in the upcoming 2021 Horror Thriller, THE MANGLED.
Actor John Savage (THE KILLING KIND, THE AMATEUR, SALVADOR, CARIBE, VOICE IN THE DARK, DOOR TO SILENCE, PRIMARY MOTIVE, KILLING OBSESSION, SHATTERED, THE DANGEROUS, CARNOSAUR 2, WHERE TRUTH LIES, LAST CUT, FIRESTORM, AMNESIA, HOSTILE INTENT, CLUB VAMPIRE, LOST SOULS [1998], GHOST SOLDIER, CHRISTINA'S HOUSE, THEY NEST, DEAD MAN'S RUN, DARK ANGEL [TV], INTOXICATING, ALIEN LOCKDOWN, FALLACY, CARNIVALE [TV], THE DROP, THE ATTIC, FROM A PLACE OF DARKNESS, DREAMKILLER, DEMON LEGACY, A SIERRA NEVADA GUNFIGHT, DEMON LEGACY, ALIEN RISING, 7E, AWAKENED, SPREADING DARKNESS, NEPHILIM, GATES OF DARKNESS, and way more) is 71.
Musician Gene Simmons (KISS everything including PSYCHO CIRCUS) is 71.
Actor Alexander Skarsgård (THE DIVER, WHITE WATER FURY, EXIT, METROPIA, TRUE BLOOD [TV], MELANCHOLIA, STRAW DOGS, BATTLESHIP, THE EAST, DISCONNECT, HIDDEN, MUTE, THE HUMMINGBIRD PROJECT, HOLD THE DARK) is 45.
Look for Alexander's upcoming 2020 Horror TV series, THE STAND. Also in 2020, 2021, the Monster movie, GODZILLA VS KING KONG.

QUICK BITES
COVID-19: The Corona Virus Pandemic
2020 U.S. Mortality figures since since the official re-openings(1) -

(1) Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19, coded to ICD–10 code U07.1
CDC Provisional Death Counts for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

0-1,000 | 1,001-3,000 | 3,001-5,000 | 5,001-7,000 | 7,001-9,000 | 9,001-11,000 | 11,001+

How well are you doing so far?

Plus -

QUICK BITES
John Carpenter Confirms Involvement With Blumhouse's The Thing Reboot
By Michael Roffman
For someone who doesn't love work, John Carpenter certainly stays busy. On Saturday afternoon, the Master of Horror confirmed a number of projects while speaking with Fantasia Film Festival as he accepted their Lifetime Achievement Award.

For starters, Carpenter let it slip that he's working with Blumhouse and Universal on their forthcoming reboot of The Thing.

Continued at Consequence Of Sound.

FeoNote: Despite the headline, this bears repeating: Jason Blumhouse is NOT rebooting John Carpenter's THE THING (which itself, was not a remake of 1951's THE THING).

Blumhouse's THE THING goes back to author John W. Campbell's original source material from his short story, Who Goes There, as well as his lost novel, FROZEN HELL, which was re-discovered in 2018 by Alec Nevala-Lee, who was doing research on the writer. Publisher John Bettencourt of Wildside Press, who published a limited edition run of FROZEN HELL, is now Executive Producer of Blumhouse Universal's THE THING.

No one has ever adapted the original novel before and that's what's happening now.

Also -

I'm Sorry To Say Laurence Fishburne Died In The 2005 Matrix MMORPG
By Zack Zwiezen
Laurence Fishburne recently confirmed that he won't be coming back for The Matrix 4. This seems to suggest Morpheus, a character featured in the first three films, won't return in the upcoming sequel. But there are also rumors swirling that a younger Morpheus will be in the film, played by a new actor. So why a younger, pre-trilogy Morpheus or possibly no Morpheus at all? I blame The Matrix Online, the audacious MMORPG which killed him.

Let's go back in time to 2005, when The Matrix Online was still young.

Continued at Kotaku.

FeoNote: Jeez! Mr. Fishburne did NOT die in The Matrix Online! His Morpheus character did! Get it together, Kotaku!

Wassmor -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer Matt Cardin (DIVINATIONS OF THE DEEP) is 50.
Actor Rupert Grint (HARRY POTTER [all]) is 31.
Actor Jared Harris (NATURAL BORN KILLERS, NADJA, LOST IN SPACE, TRANCE, I LOVE YOUR WORK, RESIDENT EVIL: APOCALYPSE, LADY IN THE WATER, FROM WITHIN, THE WARD, FRINGE [TV], SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS, THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES, THE QUIET ONES) is 59.
Writer / Director Takashi Miike (FULL METAL YAKUZA, AUDITION, DEAD OR ALIVE, MPD: PSYCHO, VISITOR Q, ICHI THE KILLER, GOZU, Masters of Horror: IMPRINT, CROWS ZERO, GOD'S PUZZLE, CROWS ZERO II, LESSON OF THE EVIL, SHIELD OF STRAW, and way freakin' more!) is 60.

SUNDAY -
Writer Roger Avary (RESERVOIR DOGS, KILLING ZOE, PULP FICTION, MR. STITCH, SILENT HILL, BEOWULF) is 55.
Actor Aaron Douglas (FINAL DESTINATION 2, X2, THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK, I, ROBOT, WHITE NOISE, THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE, BLOOD: A BUTCHER'S TALE, KILLER MOUNTAIN, GHOST STORM, DEATH DO US PART, KILLER MOUNTAIN, HEMLOCK GROVE [TV], THE RETURNED [TV], DEATH AL DENTE, THE MONSTER, DIRK GENTLY'S HOLISTIC DETECTIVE AGENCY [TV], TODD AND THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL, IN PLAIN VIEW, MYSTERY 101: PLAYING DEAD, KILLBIRD, VAN HELSING [TV], THUNDERBIRD) is 49.
Actor Vera Miles (BEYOND THIS PLACE, THE WRONG MAN, PSYCHO, THE UNKNOWN [TV], THE SPIRIT IS WILLING, A HOWLING IN THE WOODS [TV], BAFFLED!, RUNAWAY!, TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING, PSYCHO II, BRAINWAVES, THE INITIATION, SEPARATE LIVES) is 91.
Writer / Director Chan-wook Park (ANARCHISTS, GONGDONG GYEONGBI GUYEOK JSA, SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGENCE, OLDBOY, SYMPATHY FOR LADY VENGENCE, THREE EXTREMES, BAKJWI, THIRST, STOKER, THE LITTLE DRUMMER GIRL [TV]) is 58.
Actor Ray Park (X-MEN, SLAYER, HELLBINDERS, HEROES [TV], JINN, FUTURE FIGHTERS) is 46.

SATURDAY-
Actor Richard Armitage (FROZEN [2005], MI-5 [TV], CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER, THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY [all], BLACK SKY, THE CRUCIBLE, HANNIBAL [TV], ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS, SLEEPWALKER, BERLIN STATION [TV], THE LODGE, THE STRANGER [TV], CASTEVANIA [TV]) is 48.
Actor Ty Burrell (EVOLUTION, BLACK HAWK DOWN, DAWN OF THE DEAD [2004], DOWN IN THE VALLEY, FUR: AN IMAGINARY PORTRAIT OF DIANE ARBUS, NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS, THE INCREDIBLE HULK, FAIR GAME) is 50.
Writer M.J. Euringer (various short stories including works in anthologies like Random Acts of Weirdness and Horrorfind) is 50.
Actor Colm Feore (IRON EAGLE II, THE SPIDER AND THE FLY, NIGHT SINS, FACE/OFF, HOSTILE WATERS, THE WRONG GUY, CREATURE [1998], THE LESSER EVIL, THE RED VIOLIN, STORM OF THE CENTURY, STRIKING POSES, CENTURY HOTEL, IGNITION, THE SUM OF ALL FEARS, POINT OF ORIGIN, PAYCHECK, HIGHWAYMEN, THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK, THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE, SECRET FILES OF THE INQUISITION [TV], CHANGELING, WARGAMES: THE DEAD CODE, 24: REDEMPTION, 24 [TV], THOR, THE BORGIAS [TV], REVOLUTION [TV], JACK RYAN: SHADOW ONE, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2, REVERSION, PAINKILLERS, MEAN DREAMS, BUCKOUT ROAD, ANON, HIGHER POWER, GRETA, THE PRODIGY, THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY [TV]) is 64.
Look for Colm in the upcoming 2021 Horror Thriller, MATERNAL.
Actor Courtney Gains (CHILDREN OF THE CORN, RATBOY, THE 'BURBS, SHADOW OF DOUBT, THE LANDLADY, KING COBRA, A CLEAN KILL, THE PHOBIC, ALIEN ENCOUNTER, SIBLING RIVALRY, RAVEN, THE ASCENT, THE QUIET ONES, DISCIPLINE, MIMESIS, THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET, MY TRIP TO THE DARK SIDE, DARK CANYON, HALCYON,THE FUNHOUSE MASSACRE, TRAFFICKED, URBAN MYTHS, HELL'S KITTY, CORBIN NASH, CAMP COLDBROOK, DEADLY CRUSH, CANDY CORN) is 55.
Look for Courtney in the upcoming 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 Horror Thriller release, HAUNTED: 333. Also look for Courtney in the upcoming 2019, 2020 release of DEATH CAMP.

QUICK BITES

Today BLADE is 22 And A Reboot Is In The Air!
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Since the 2019 announcement of a BLADE reboot at the San Diego Comic-Con this time last year, the buzz is getting pretty loud.

The only reason this is happening at all is because actor Mahershala Ali (THREAT MATRIX [TV], THE 4400 [TV], ALPHAS [TV], THE HUNGER GAMES Part 1 & 2, LUKE CAGE [TV], ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL) apparently got a good feeling about Marvel while working on the Luke Cage series, and with his foot in the door of the Marvel Universe, he approached the studio and Kevin Fiege about the reboot, with Ali assuming the mantel of the Daywalker.

Now we skip forward to 2020.

John Wick Director Wants to Take Stab at Blade Reboot (Exclusive)
By Adam Barnhardt
For nearly 30 years, Chad Stahelski has built his resume into one of the most expansive amongst Hollywood's leading stuntmen. After serving as Keanu Reeves' stunt double for The Matrix trilogy and dozens of other jobs, Stahelski got his big break with the Reeves-starring John Wick franchise. After directing the original Wick film with long-time collaborator David Leitch, Stahelski was the solo director on the franchise's two sequels and in a matter of months, he hopes to start production on John Wick: Chapter 4.

Continued at Comic Book.

And -

39 Years Ago The Bar Was Raised Beyond Belief!

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
That's when AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON was released. Since then the Werewolf transformation work of Rick Baker, alongside Rick's amigo, Rob Bottin's amazing transformations in THE HOWLING, have raised the bar to a height still untouched after nearly half a century.

Nearly half a century! Damn!

Plus -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer Steve Alten (TRENCH, DOMAIN, RESURRECTION, GOLIATH, MEG; Primal Waters, The LOCH, THE SHELL GAME, MEG: HELL'S AQUARIUM) is 61.
Actor Carrie-Anne Moss (THE SOFT KILL, TERRIFIED, LETHAL TENDER, THE MATRIX, MEMENTO, RED PLANET, THE ANIMATRIX, THE MATRIX RE-LOADED, THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS, SUSPECT ZERO, FIDO, DISTURBIA, UNTHINKABLE, SILENT HILL: REVELATION 3D, COMPULSION, HUMANS [TV], THE BYE BYE MAN, JESSICA JONES [TV], TELL ME A STORY [TV]) is 52.
Look for Carrie-Anne in the 2021 release of THE MATRIX 4.

QUICK BITES
One Year Ago Today,
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
WB Rep, Candice McDonough, released through Business Wire that Lana Wachowski - the co-creator of the record-breaking and genre-defining world of THE MATRIX - is set to write, direct and produce an all-new fifth movie, fourth sequel, returning audiences to the reality-bending universe. . The 5th MATRIX will be called MATRIX 4, apparently ignoring THE ANIMATRIX that established canon in the second and third MATRIX movies.

Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss will star in the film, reprising their roles as Neo and Trinity, respectively. Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures will produce and globally distribute the film. The announcement was made today by Toby Emmerich, Chairman, Warner Bros. Pictures Group.

Just weeks prior to this announcement, Special August 30 20th-Anniversary screenings of THE MATRIX, were announced for select AMC Theatres locations across the U.S. The PR machine was on it's way.

Despite the floundering sequels after THE ANIMATRIX, as well as everything the Warchowskis have done since, I'm still holding out hope that this will be a good thing.

- BUT -

As anyone living through 2020 can attest, a lot can change in a year. While shooting was cancelled due to Rona, it's back on track and Lilly Wachowski now tells everyone something that few ever imagined about the original THE MATRIX.

Why THE MATRIX Is A Trans Story -

And -

Keanu Reeves says Lilly W. never told him about the transgender meaning behind 'The Matrix'

Yahoo.com/Keanu Reeves talks 'The Matrix' as a transgender allegory

Plus -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Colin Cunningham (THE X-FILES, DEAD FIRE, FIVE DESPERATE HOURS, THE 6TH DAY, ANTITRUST, Da VINCI'S INQUEST [TV], STARGATE SG-1 [TV], Da VINCI'S CITY HALL [TV], Masters of Horror: WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM, THE COLLECTOR [TV], THE ENTRANCE, STARGATE: CONTINUUM, CENTIGRADE, THE CRUSADER, FIREBALL, FALLING SKIES [TV], THE ELEVENTH VICTIM, FALLING SKIES: THE ENEMY WITHIN, NUMB, BLOOD DRIVE, PREACHER [TV]) is 54.
Look for Colin in the 2021 Horror movie, BASHIRA.
Writer Maria Alexander (Various poems and short stories) is 95, but looks 20 years younger! Visit her at The Handless Poet.
Actor James Marsters (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER [TV], HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL [1999], STRANGE FREQUENCY 2, ANGEL [TV], SHADOW PUPPETS) is 57.
Look for James in the upcoming 2021 Horror, ABRUPTIO.
Actor John Noble (THE DREAMING, VIRTUAL NIGHTMARE, THE MONKEY'S MASK, THE LORD OF THE RINGS [all], VOODOO LAGOON, FRINGE [TV], SLEEPY HOLLOW [TV], SALVATION [TV], ELEMENTARY [TV], SILENCIO) is 72.
Look for John in the upcoming 2019, 2020 Thriller, NAMELESS. And in 2021, HOME INVASION [TV].

QUICK BITE
'The Stand': Why Stephen King Has Never Been Happy With the Ending
By Simone Torn
Stephen King's The Stand tells the story of a deadly virus that kills off the majority of the population. Although the epic novel was written in the 1970s, the book, unfortunately, cannot be more timely. Fans of the horror master are claiming that the year 2020 feels eerily similar to a "Stephen King novel." When proclaiming this, people are most likely referring to his apocalyptic tale involving the virus known as Captain Trips.

Continued at CheatSheet.

FeoNote: I got to agree with King on this one. The original 1978 novel and his 1990 reboot, that had a long novel made even longer, both wilt into an anti-climatic fizzle at the end.

Also, the 1990 version wasn't just uncut, it was a true George Lucas-style reboot of the story including characters changing their actions and the plentiful addition of 1980s pop-culture references that have since aged terribly.

King's ideas regarding the adventures his surviving characters have in getting back home, after THE STAND's grand climax, just sounds like an extended anti-climax (the Achilles heel of many SK novels, though curiously, never his short work).

And -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Kevin Dillon (REMOTE CONTROL, THE BLOB [1988], TRUE CRIME, STAG, HIDDEN AGENDA, MISBEGOTTEN, OUT FOR BLOOD, POSEIDON [2006], COMPULSION, THE THROWAWAYS) is 55.
Actor Martin Donovan (THE ROOK, NADJA, INSOMNIA, DARK SHADOWS [TV - 2005], THE QUIET, THE VISITATION, WIND CHILL, Masters of Horror: RIGHT TO DIE, THE DEAD ZONE [TV], GHOST WHISPERER [TV], THE ALPHABET KILLER, THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT, DURESS, UNTHINKABLE, SILENT HILL: REVELATION, NURSE 3D, THE LOTTERY [TV], ANT-MAN, BEYOND [TV], REMEMORY, AFTERMATH, FAHRENHEIT 451 [2018], COME TO DADDY, BIG LITTLE LIES [TV], NANCY DREW [TV], ) is 63.
Look for Martin in the upcoming 2020 Thriller, TENET. And in 2021, DREAMLAND.
Writer Jenny Orosel (THIS IS THE WAY THE WORLD ENDS, NONE OF THIS IS REAL) is 47.
Horror writer John Passarella (WITHER, WITHER'S RAIN) who is 59.

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Christian Slater (SHERLOCK HOLMES [TV], TWISTED, THE NAME OF THE ROSE, TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE: THE MOVIE, INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, HARD RAIN, MINDHUNTERS, PURSUED, ALONE IN THE DARK, HOLLOW MAN II, SLIPSTREAM, HE WAS A QUIET MAN, IGOR, MY OWN WORST ENEMY [TV], THE RIVER MURDERS, PLAYBACK, RITES OF PASSAGE, STRANDED, WAY OF THE WICKED, MR. ROBOT, THE SUMMIT) is 51.
Look for Christian in the 2021 Thriller, WE CAN BE HEROES. Written and Directed by Robert Rodriguez (FROM DUSK TILL DAWN, THE FACULTY, SIN CITY, PLANET TERROR, ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL)
Actor Madeline Stowe (REVENGE, THE TWO JAKES, CLOSET LAND, UNLAWFUL ENTRY, BLINK, CHINA MOON, TWELVE MONKEYS, THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER, IMPOSTOR, OCTANE, RAINES [TV], REVENGE [TV]) is 62.

QUICK BITES
COVID-19: The Corona Virus Pandemic
2020 U.S. Mortality figures since since the official re-openings(1) -

(1) Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19, coded to ICD–10 code U07.1
CDC Provisional Death Counts for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

0-1,000 | 1,001-3,000 | 3,001-5,000 | 5,001-7,000 | 7,001-9,000 | 9,001-11,000 | 11,001+

How well are you doing so far?

And -

THE SUMMONING Screenplay, Makes Official Selection at the Austin After Dark Film Festival 2020

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Cool news for me. My Horror Thriller screenplay, THE SUMMONING, made Official Selection.

Complete info at FilmFestivalCircuit.

Plus -

36 Years Ago This Weekend, Theater Audiences Were Introduced to HANNIBAL LECTOR.

By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Here's where it began. August 15, 1986 and the cinema world was first introduced to Hannibal Lector. Anthony Hopkins wasn't in the picture yet and actor Brian Cox (THE RING, X2, X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE) brought a powerfully insidious characterization of a villain who could breezily exchange personality disguises, childish, insolent, petty, magnanimous, punitive, and jovial, all in a snap, and all without a trace of overlap.

A feel never repeated again in the many Hannibals to come. Anthony Hopkins never lost Hannibal's Tiger-eyed threat. Gaspard Ulliel took his cues from Hopkins in HANNIBAL RISING. Mads Mikkelsen brought his own version of Hannibal on TV, adding a haughty brooding darkness and a too-close personal space invasion with everyone he meets, that betrayed the sinister workings behind the face.

Brian Cox was the only actor who made you understand how such a predator could charm his way toward you until he was close enough to strike.

Is Michael Mann's MANHUNTER the Thomas Harris interpretation that you missed?

Dont put it off any longer. Read Kelly Parks' review to know why /MANHUNTER is a Must-See.

Also -

34 Years Of David Cronenberg's
THE FLY
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
It only took 28 years to reboot 1958's THE FLY into one of the best examples of Science Fiction Horror - the other one being John Carpenter's THE THING, released only 4 years earlier.

While a shabby attempt was made in 2011 to reboot Carpenter's remake into a franchise, it's 32 years later and no one has yet committed to rebooting Cronenberg's Magnum Opus (one of his most important, though not his only one).

If you still haven't seen it and need a reason, here it is. /David Cronenberg's THE FLY.

Wassmor -

EVENT HORIZON Is 22.
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
On this day in 1997, Paul W.S. Anderson launched his career with a damaged blockbuster than went on to become a cult hit.

Did that make him happy? No! Paul, hampered by Paramount Pictures studio executives, wanted his movie to be so much more! Is it possible that after over 2 decades, Paul can achieve his dream of releasing a Director's Cut of his film?

Even he doesn't know (or isn't saying), but Shout Factory delayed their original September 29, 2020 release of their Collector's Edition EVENT HORIZON until January 2021. Fans are hoping the reschedule is for a Director's Cut and a decent 4K remaster quality scan (Yes, I'm still stinging from Shout Factory's inferior remaster and scan of John Carpenter's ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK).

Meanwhile, Read my review of this flawed gem, /Paul W.S. Anderson's EVENT HORIZON.

Finally -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Shane Briant (STRAIGHT ON TILL MORNING, DEMONS OF THE MIND, THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL, THE MACKINTOSH MAN, CAPTAIN KRONOS: VAMPIRE HUNTER, HAWK THE SLAYER, CASSANDRA, OUT OF THE BODY, GREVIOUS BODILY HARM, TUNNEL VISION, CHAMELEON II: DEATH MATCH, CHAMELEON 3: DARK ANGEL, SUBTERANO) is 74.
Actor Robert Joy (AMITYVILLE 3-D, TERMINAL CHOICE, SHE'S BACK, SHADOWS AND FOG, THE DARK HALF, FALLEN, RESURRECTION, LAND OF THE DEAD, THE HILLS HAVE EYES [2006], ALIENS VS PREDATOR: REQUIEM) is 69.
Actor Taissa Farmiga (ANNA, THE FINAL GIRLS, IN A VALLEY OF VIOLENCE, AMERICAN HORROR STORY [TV], THE NUN, WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE) is 26.
Actor Donnie Wahlberg (BLACK CIRCLE BOYS, THE SIXTH SENSE, DREAMCATCHER, SAW II, SAW III, DEAD SILENCE, SAW IV, RIGHTEOUS KILL) is 51.

SUNDAY -
Writer / Director / Producer/ Etc. J. R. Bookwalter (THE DEAD NEXT DOOR, SKINNED ALIVE, ZOMBIE COP, KINGDOM OF THE VAMPIRE, HUMANOIDS FROM ATLANTIS, GALAXY OF THE DINOSAURS, OZONE, THE SANDMAN, HELL ASYLUM, GROOM LAKE, DEADLY STINGERS, HORRORVISION, and more) is 55.
Look for J.R.'s upcoming 2021 Horror Comedy, INVASION OF THE NOT QUITE DEAD.
Actor Agnes Bruckner (THE GLASS HOUSE, MURDER BY NUMBERS, THE IRIS EFFECT, VENOM, THE WOODS, BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE, KILL THEORY, VACANCY 2, IMMORTAL) is 36.
Look for Agnes in the 2021 Thrillers, THE MURDER OF NICOLE BROWN SIMPSON and the 11th GREEN.
Writer / Director / Producer James Cameron (PIRANHA 2, THE TERMINATOR, ALIENS, THE ABYSS, TERMINATOR 2, TRUE LIES, STRANGE DAYS, DARK ANGEL [TV], AVATAR, ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL, TERMINATOR: DARK FLOP) is 67.
His SciFi Thriller AVATAR 2 is scheduled for a 2021 release.
Writer Garry Charles (THE SUMMER OF THE MASSACRE, DEAD CERT, THE HORROR PAGES, SINISTER VISIONS) is 47.
Actor / Writer / Producer Matt Farnsworth (THE STEP DAUGHTER, GACY, DESCENDENT, THE ORPHAN KILLER) is 45.
Actor Cam Gigandet (ON THE DOLL, TWILIGHT, THE UNBORN, PANDORUM, THE EXPERIMENT, THE ROOMMATE, PRIEST, TRESPASS, IN THE BLOOD, PLUSH, THE SHADOW EFFECT, ASSIMILATE, DANGEROUS LIES) is 38.
Look for Cam's 2021 Thriller, Tom Clancy's WITHOUT REMORSE.
Writer Amanda Lee (DERANGED) is 59.
Actor Evanna Lynch (HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2) is 28.
Writer Jeani Rector (WE ALL FALL DOWN, AFTER DARK: A COLLECTION OF HORROR, OPEN GRAVE, AROUND A DARK CORNER, AND NOW THE NIGHTMARE BEGINS, TWICE THE TERROR) is 59 or something.
Actor George Stults (WHAT LIES ABOVE, NIGHT SKIES, HYDRA, NECROSIS, BODERLINE MURDERS, KILLER CAREGIVER) is 45.

SATURDAY -
Actor Natasha Henstridge (SPECIES, ADRENALIN: FEAR THE RUSH, STAND OFF, SPECIES II, THE LAST WITNESS, JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS [2000], A BETTER WAY TO DIE, SECOND SKIN, GHOSTS OF MARS, RIDERS, SPECIES III, DECEPTION, IMPACT, TIME JUMPER [TV], THE SECRET CIRCLE [TV], COLD SPRING, A SISTER'S NIGHTMARE, HOME INVASION, THE BLACK ROOM, RAVERS, MEDINAH [TV], WHY?) is 46.
Look for Natasha in the 2020 Horror Thrillers, HOUSE RED and THE UNHEALER. And in 2021, BLINDSIDED, THIS GAME'S CALLED MURDER.
Actor Jennifer Lawrence (WINTER'S BONE, X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, THE HUNGER GAMES [all], THE HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET, THE DEVIL YOU KNOW, X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, X-MEN: APOCALYPSE, MOTHER!, RED SPARROW, X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX) is 30.

QUICK BITE

D&D Takes On The Thing In New Rime Of The Frostmaiden Preview
By J.R. Zambrano
There's some Thing familiar about a recently revealed crashed Netherese city in the frozen reaches of Icewind Dale… somebody better call Kurt Russel.

In Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden, heroes will have to take on a powerful curse that has afflicted the wintry realm of Icewind Dale… but there's more than one kind of horror lurking in the frozen North.

Continued at BellOfLostSouls.

And -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Halle Berry (X-MEN, SWORDFISH, DIE ANOTHER DAY, X2, GOTHIKA, X3, PERFECT STRANGER, DARK TIDE, CLOUD ATLAS, THE CALL, X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, EXTANT [TV], KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE, JOHN WICK 3) is 54.
Look for Halle in the upcoming Thriller, BRUISED.
Actor Brianna Hildebrand (PRISM, DEADPOOL [all], TRAGEDY GIRLS, THE EXORCIST [TV]) is 23.
Look for Brianna in the 2020 Thriller, RUNT. And in 2021, THE TIME CAPSULE.
Writer Andrew Kevin Walker (BRAINSCAN, HIDEAWAY, SE7EN, 8MM, SLEEPY HOLLOW [1999], THE WOLFMAN [2010]) is 57.
Writer, Director, Producer, Jim Wynorski (CHOPPING MALL, NOT OF THIS EARTH [1988], THE HAUNTING OF MORELLA, MUNCHIE, VAMPIRELLA, THE BARE WENCH PROJECT, RAPTOR, THE THING BELOW, GARGOYLE, THE WITCHES OF BREASTWICK, THE DA VINCI COED, THE BREASTFORD WIVES, HOUSE ON HOOTER HILL, CLEAVAGEFIELD, THE HILLS HAVE THIGHS, DINOCROC VS. SUPERGATOR, MONSTER CRUISE, CAMEL SPIDERS, ROAD RAIDERS, PIRANHACONDA, and so many more, 103 of these in all) is 65. Jim has one of the most astounding quotes I've ever read from somone with his body of work. "I try to make things I'll enjoy seeing, because I'm going to watch these pictures for years to come and I don't want to be embarrassed."
Holy crap! Really? Well... okay then! You go Jim!

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer Sean Hood (THE DARKLINGS [TV], HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION, CUBE 2: HYPERCUBE, THE CROW: WICKED PRAYER, MASTERS OF HORROR: SICK GIRL, MIDNIGHT MOVIE, CONAN THE BARBARIAN [2011], THE DORM) is 54.
Actor Sebastian Stan (THE CONVENANT, KINGS [TV], BLACK SWAN, CAPTAIN AMERICA [all], GONE, THE APPARITION, ONCE UPON A TIME [TV], LABYRINTH [TV], AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, DESTROYER, AVENGERS: ENDGAME, WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE) is 38.
Look for Sebastian in the upcoming 2020 Thriller, THE DEVIL ALL THE TIME. Also in 2020, THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER [TV], and 355.
Actor Jody Thompson (DEATH GAME, THE FEAR: RESURRECTION, MISSION TO MARS, HELLRAISER: HELLSEEKER, DEADLY LITTLE SECRETS, BLADE: THE SERIES [TV], THE 4400 [TV], ALIEN TRESPASS, A TRACE OF DANGER, 30 DAYS OF NIGHT: DARK DAYS, SANCTURARY [TV], R.L. STINE'S THE HAUNTING HOUR [TV], BARRICADE, HAPPY FACE KILLER, KILLER PHOTO) is 44.

QUICK BITE

New Generation of Writers of Color Reckon with H.P. Lovecraft's Racism
This weekend, the television show "Lovecraft Country," premieres on HBO. Based on a book by Matt Ruff, the show is set during the Jim Crow South, and combines the actual terrors of racism with the fantastical horror of author H.P. Lovecraft, who wrote most of his work in the early 20th century.

Continued at WNYCStudios.

And -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer / Director / Producer Stefan Avalos (THE GAME, THE LAST BROADCAST, THE TRUE LEGEND OF THE NEW JERSEY DEVIL, THE GHOSTS OF EDENDALE, HEADHUNTER) is 50.
Writer James Dorr (various short stories in anthologies) is 59 or something.
Actor Rebecca Gayheart (Robin Cook's INVASION, SCREAM 2, URBAN LEGEND, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN 3, SANTA'S SLAY, VANISHED [TV], GREY LADY) is 49.
Actor Bruce Greenwood (BEAR ISLAND, SERVANTS OF TWILIGHT, ADRIFT, EXOTICA, BITTER VENGEANCE, TREACHEROUS BEAUTIES, THE COMPANION, DREAM MAN, NOWHERE MAN [TV], SLEEPWALKERS [TV], DOUBLE JEOPARDY, THE SOUL COLLECTOR, CORD, BELOW, THE CORE, MELTDOWN, I, ROBOT, DEJA VU, CYBORG SOLDIER, STAR TREK [2009], CELL 213, SUPER 8, DONOVAN'S ECHO, THE RIVER [TV], STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, SPECTRAL, GERALD'S GAME, KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE, THE POST, BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT, DOCTOR SLEEP) is 64.
Look for Bruce in the upcoming 2020 Thriller BATMAN: DEATH IN THE FAMILY.
Bruce shares an August birthday with STAR TREK alumni, Liam Hemsworth.
Actor Andras Jones (SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIME BOWL-O-RAMA, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4, EVERY BREATH, THE DEMOLITIONIST, THE ATTIC EXPEDITIONS, EVERY DAY IS A JOURNEY) is 51.
Writer Christopher M. Salas (DARK ECLIPSE: RISE OF AN ERA, DARK ECLIPSE II: WORLD ABOMINATION) is 59 or something.
Writer Susan Wingate (RAVINGS OF A MAD GENTLEWOMAN, BOBBY'S DINER [series], DROWNING) is 59 or something.

QUICK BITES
Feo Amante Alumni gets an Adaptation from new AMC Series
Award winning author, Maurice Broaddus, worked hard to reach this point, and I'm happy to have my website be a tiny* part of that when he wrote reviews here (CHOCOLATE PARK, Clive Barker's ABARAT).

This is what Maurice is up to lately.

AMC Networks will adapt hip-hop and magic story from Indianapolis author Maurice Broaddus
By David Lindquist
The early days of August brought big news for Indianapolis author Maurice Broaddus. In a span of 48 hours, AMC Networks announced an upcoming adaptation of Broaddus' novella "Sorcerers" and the Indiana Author Awards selected his "Pimp My Airship" novel as a finalist in this year's "genre" category.

Continued at Indianapolis Star.

*miniscule, really. The part of Maurice's story that you have to see with a microscope.

And -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Embeth Davidtz (MUTATOR, SWEET MURDER, ARMY OF DARKNESS, LAST RITES, FALLEN, THE GINGERBREAD MAN, THE HOLE, THIR13EN GHOSTS, FRACTURE, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATOOO [2011], THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, EUROPA REPORT, PARANOIA, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2) is 55.
A last farewell to a director who understood that Horror could be preposterous fun without ever mocking itself.

FEO AMANTE INTERVIEWS DIRECTOR STUART GORDON

Writer, Director Stuart Gordon (RE-ANIMATOR, FROM BEYOND, DOLLS, ROBOT JOX, DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS, THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM, FORTRESS, CASTLE FREAK, DAGON, KING OF THE ANTS, Masters of Horror: DREAMS IN THE WITCH HOUSE, STUCK, EDMUND) would be 72, today. He left us on March 4 of this year.
Actor Chris Hemsworth (STAR TREK [2009], A PERFECT GETAWAY, THOR, THE CABIN IN THE WOODS, THE AVENGERS, SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN, STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS, THOR: THE DARK WORLD, BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE, AVENGERS: ENDGAME, GHOSTBUSTERS [2018], EXTRACTION) is 36.
Musician Richard Reinhardt aka Richie Ramone (THE RAMONES, of course!) is 62.
Actor Jonathan Tiersten (SLEEPAWAY CAMP, RETURN TO SLEEPAWAY CAMP, THE PERFECT HOUSE, BLOOD RESERVOIR, TERROR TALES, THE HOUSE THAT WEPT BLOOD, LAKE OF SHADOWS) is 55.
Look for Jonathan in the upcoming 2021 Horror Thriller, TOILET ZOMBIE BABY STRIKES BACK.

QUICK BITES
COVID-19: The Corona Virus Apocalypse Run
2020 U.S. Mortality figures since since the official re-openings(1) -

(1) Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19, coded to ICD–10 code U07.1
CDC Provisional Death Counts for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

0-1,000 | 1,001-3,000 | 3,001-5,000 | 5,001-7,000 | 7,001-9,000 | 9,001-11,000 | 11,001+

How well are you doing so far?

And -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Rick Otto (PHANTOMS, R.S.V.P., THE WIRE [TV], THE WALKING DEAD [TV], ALWAYS WATCHING: A MARBLE HORNETS STORY, TROUBLE SLEEPING) is 47.
Look for Rick in the 2021 Thriller, DEADLY SUGAR DADDY.
Actor Lucas Till (LIGHTNING BUG, THE OTHER SIDE, DANCE OF THE DEAD, LAID TO REST, BATTLE LOS ANGELES, X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, VS, DARK HEARTS, STOKER, CRUSH, PARANOIA, X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, KRISTY, WOLVES, THE CURSE OF DOWNER'S GROVE, X-MEN: APOCALYPSE, THE DISAPPOINTMENTS ROOM, MONSTER TRUCKS) is 30.

SUNDAY -
Actor Gillian Anderson (THE X-FILES [TV], X-FILES: FIGHT THE FUTURE, STRAIGHTHEADS, BLEAK HOUSE [TV], X FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE, SHADOW DANCER, THE FALL [TV], HANNIBAL [TV], I'LL FOLLOW YOU DOWN, ROBOT OVERLORDS, HANNIBAL [TV], AMERICAN GODS [TV], CROOKED HOUSE, X-FILES [TV - 2018], UFO) who is 52.
Gillian shares an August birthday with her X-Files partner, David Duchovney.
Actor Eric Bana (CHOPPER, BLACK HAWK DOWN, HULK, MUNICH, STAR TREK [2009], THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE, HANNA, DEADFALL, CLOSED CIRCUIT, LONE SURVIVOR, BEWARE THE NIGHT, THE FORGIVEN) is 52.
Look for Eric in the 2021 Thriller, THE DRY.
Actor Rhona Mitra (BEOWULF [1999], HOLLOWMAN, HIGHWAYMEN, THE LIFE OF DAVID GALE, THE NUMBER 23, SKINWALKERS, DOOMSDAY, UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS, STOLEN LIVES, THE GATES [TV], THE LAST SHIP [TV], THE LAST SHIP, THE STRAIN [TV]) is 45.
Look for Rhona in the 2019, 2020, Mystery, THE OTHER ME. Also in 2020, ARCHIVE, the second sequel to SKYLINE, SKYLIN3S.
Actor Bill Skarsgård (WHITE WATER FURY, HEMLOCK GROVE [TV], ALLEGIANT, IT [2017 - all], ASSASSINATION NATION, DEADPOOL 2, CASTLE ROCK [TV], NINE DAYS) is 30.
Look for Bill in the upcoming 2020 Thriller, THE DEVIL ALL THE TIME, also starring Tom Holland (AVENGERS: ENDGAME) and Robert Pattinson (TWILIGHT).

SATURDAY -
Horror Host Ormon Grimsby (Monster Creature Feature on WCTV, RTN Channel 10, Raleigh, NC. Also in Chapel Hill, NC and Long Island, NY) is 64.
Actor Katie Leung (HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE, HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2, THE FOREIGNER, THE NEST [TV]) is 33.

QUICK BITES
HBO Max: Ridley Scott's RAISED BY WOLVES Trailer

And -

More About JOHN CARPENTER because Life is JOHN CARPENTER Every Week
And whenever it is not, then it's Stephen King.*

Sean Clark and Christopher Nelson's The Thing With Two Heads podcast.1

*I don't make these rules.

1 It takes Sean and Christopher a while - a long while - to warm up (but hey! It's their podcast so, Suck It!). You may want to just get to the point with CinemaBlend.

Plus -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer, Director, Producer Alexandre Aja (FURIA, HAUTE TENSION, THE HILLS HAVE EYES [2006], P2, MIRRORS [2008], PIRANHA [2010], MANIAC [2012], HORNS, THE 9th LIFE OF LOUIS DRAX, CRAWL) is 44.
Look for Alexandre's upcoming Thriller, O2.
Actor Tobin Bell (THE FIRM, MALICE, DEEP RED, THE 4TH FLOOR, SAW [all], BURIED ALIVE, DECOYS 2, THE HAUNTING HOUR, BOOGEYMAN 2, DARK HOUSE, FINDERS KEEPERS, MANSON FAMILY VACATION, GATES OF DARKNESS, 12 FEET DEEP, THE SANDMAN, BELZEBUTH, JIGSAW, 61: HIGHWAY TO HELL) is 79.
Look for Tobin in the upcoming 2020 Science Fiction Thriller LET US IN.
Actor David Duchovny (BAD INFLUENCE, THE RAPTURE, KALIFORNIA, THE X-FILES [TV], THE X-FILES, EVOLUTION, THE X FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE, THE X-FILES [TV 2017]) is 53.
Look for David in the 2021 remake of 1995 original, THE CRAFT.
Musician, Producer Bruce Dickenson (Bands: SAMSON, IRON MAIDEN, Movies: THE INCUBUS, HEAVY METAL, PHENOMENA, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 5, BRIDE OF CHUCKY, CHEMICAL WEDDING) is 62.
Magician James Randi (GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN ALICE COOPER, PENN & TELLER GET KILLED, BEYOND DESIRE) is 92.

QUICK BITE

The 'Mad Max' Franchise Is Actually Based on a Real-Life Apocalypse That Happened in the '70s
By Gina Vaynshteyn
If you've watched the original Mad Max movies (along with the superb revival, Mad Max Fury Road, starring Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy), you might have wondered: Is this based on real life? Were the films based on an event in recent history? And when exactly did Mad Max (the original) take place? Here's a quick primer on what inspired the franchise.

Continued at Distractify.

And -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Vera Farmiga (TOUCHING EVIL [TV], THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE [2004], NEVERWAS, JOSHUA, ORPHAN, SOURCE CODE, BATES MOTEL [TV], THE CONJURING, THE CONJURING 2, THE COMMUTER, THE NUN, CAPTIVE STATE, GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS, ANABELLE COMES HOME) is 47.
Look for Vera in the upcoming 2020, 2021 Horror Thriller, THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT.
Actor Soleil Moon Frye (INVITATION TO HELL, PUMPKINHEAD II: Bloodwings, TWISTED LOVE, PIRANHA, BLOODWINGS III: Pumpkinhead's Revenge, MIND GAMES, MOTEL BLUE, SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH [TV]) is 44.
Look for Soleil in the upcoming 2021 Mystery, THE CLEANER.
Actor Melissa George (DARK CITY, MULHOLLAND DR., ALIAS [TV], THE AMITYVILLE HORROR [2005], DERAILED, TURISTAS, 30 DAYS OF NIGHT, THE BETRAYED, THE TRIANGLE, A LONELY PLACE TO DIE, BAG OF BONES [TV], GOTHICA, DON'T GO) is 44.
Actor Megumi Okina (NAITO HEDDO, SEBUNZU FEISU, TALES OF THE UNUSUAL, ST. JOHN'S WORT, JU-ON: THE GRUDGE, THE INUGAMIS, SHUTTER, HOWLING VILLAGE) is 43.
Writer, Director, Producer M. Night Shyamalan (THE SIXTH SENSE, UNBREAKABLE, SIGNS, THE VILLAGE, LADY IN THE WATER, THE HAPPENING, THE DEVIL, AFTER EARTH, THE VISIT, SPLIT, GLASS) is 50.
Musician Vinnie Vincent (Music: KISS: CREATURES OF THE NIGHT, LICK IT UP. THE VINNIE VINCENT INVASION, ALL SYSTEMS GO, EUPHORIA) is 67.

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer, Producer, Director James Gunn (TROMEO AND JULIET, TERROR FIRMER, THE SPECIALS, SCOOBY-DOO [2002], DAWN OF THE DEAD [2004], SCOOBY-DOO 2 [2004], SLITHER, SUPER, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY [all]) is 54.
Look for James upcoming DC Thriller, THE SUICIDE SQUAD in 2021.
Also in 2021, the Marvel Thriller, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Vol. 3.
Actor John Jarrat (PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, PLUNGE INTO DARKNESS, NEXT OF KIN, CHASE THROUGH THE NIGHT, DARK AGE, DEAD HEART, WOLF CREEK [all], ROGUE, BAD BEHAVIOUR, NEEDLE, SAVAGES CROSSING, SHIVER [2012], 100 BLOODY ACRES, OBSERVANCE, STALKHER, FRENZY [2015], BOAR) is 69.
Look for John in the upcoming 2022 Horror Thriller, WOLF CREEK 3.

QUICK BITES

What Is 'Blade Runner: Black Lotus?' The Next Replicant Chapter, Explained
It is highly unlikely that Blade Runner needs much explanation — along with our own 1981 animated movie, Ridley Scott's Blade Runner and Alien are the films that Heavy Metal readers tend to revere the most. Blade Runner was based on a novel by Philip K. Dick called Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?", statted Harrison Ford as a Blade Runner who hunts troublesome androids, and was set in the year 2019.

Continued at HeavyMetal.

And -

Vets of John Carpenter's The Thing Remember Wilford Brimley
By Josh Weiss
Over the weekend, the world lost Wilford Brimley, an actor who (much like the shape-shifting alien in director John Carpenter's 1982 remake of The Thing) will live on in the various roles he inhabited on the screen — both big and small. To celebrate the late performer, SYFY WIRE reached out to Brimley's Thing co-stars and asked for their memories of the brusque, mustachioed personality.

Continued at SyFy.

Plus -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Writer Kealan Patrick Burke (MASTER OF THE MOORS, CURRENCY OF SOULS, THE LIVING, THE HIDES, UNDERNEATH, THE TURTLE BOY, DEAD OF WINTER, EMPATHY, YOU IN?, THEATER MACABRE, RAVENOUS GHOSTS, MIDLISTERS [w/Jack Ketchum], THE GRIEF FREQUENCY, THE ACQUAINTANCE, STAGE WHISPERS, SELDOM SEEN IN AUGUST, MR. GOODNIGHT, COBWEBS) is 59 or something.
Actor Daniel Dae Kim (THE JACKAL [1997], CRUSADE [TV], ANGEL [TV], MOMENTUM, HULK, 24 [TV], SPIDER-MAN 2, THE CAVE, AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER [TV], LOST [TV], THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN [TV], THE LEGEND OF KORRA [TV], INSURGENT, ALLEGIANT, HELLBOY [2019]) is 52.
Look for Daniel in the 2020 Horror Thriller, STOWAWAY.
Actor David Lewis (TALES FROM THE GIMLI HOSPITAL, VOYAGE OF TERROR, EVERY MOTHER'S WORST FEAR, LAKE PLACID, D-TOX, HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION, JOHN DOE [TV], PAYCHECK, FIREWALL, ALIEN INCURSION, THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT 2, BEYOND LOCH NESS, BA'AL, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL [2008], POSSESSION, WYVERN, ZOMBIE PUNCH, HARPER'S ISLAND [TV], GHOST STORM, COLLISION EARTH, DONOVAN'S ECHO, SEEDS OF DESTRUCTION, KILLER AMONG US, THE ELEVENTH VICTIM, EVANGELINE [2013], GARAGE SALE MYSTERY, HIDDEN [2015], R.L. Stine's MONSTERVILLE: CABINET OF SOULS, CANDILAND, SECRETS IN THE ATTIC, MOTIVE [TV], MORNING SHOW MYSTERY, VIOLENTA, CHILD'S PLAY [2019]) is 44.
Watch for David in the 2020 Horror movie, THE CURSE OF WILLOW SONG.
Actor Abigail Spencer (CAMPFIRE STORIES, ANGELA'S EYES [TV], JEKYLL, IN MY SLEEP, COWBOYS & ALIENS, THE HAUNTING IN GEORGIA, H8RZ, TRUE DETECTIVE [TV], TIMELESS [TV]) is 39.

QUICK BITES
Ghost in the Shell's urban dreamscapes: behind the moody art of the anime classic
by Patrick Lum
Was there a film more influential in bringing anime to western audiences than 1995's Ghost in the Shell? Long before 2017's controversial Hollywood remake, the Japanese cyberpunk classic's moody depictions of futuristic urban sprawl were a turning point in how science fiction was depicted on screen.

Continued at TheGuardian.

And -

COVID-19: The Corona Virus Apocalypse Run
2020 U.S. Mortality figures since since the official re-openings(1) -

(1) Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19, coded to ICD–10 code U07.1
CDC Provisional Death Counts for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

0-1,000 | 1,001-3,000 | 3,001-5,000 | 5,001-7,000 | 7,001-9,000 | 9,001-10,000 | 10,001+

How well are you doing so far?

Plus -

On Sunday SAM NEILL Said

Also -

George Romero's final project unites all his zombie movies from beyond the grave
By Noel Murray
ovelistNovelist Daniel Kraus only met his hero George Romero once, at a horror convention circa 2006. Eleven years later, the man who directed Night of the Living Dead, creating the zombie-movie genre as we know it, died of lung cancer. A month after his death, Kraus set out to complete Romero's final project: his long-gestating debut novel, The Living Dead.

Continued at Polygon.

Wassmor -

HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
By E.C. McMullen Jr.
Actor Jon Foster (MURDER IN GREENWICH, TERMINATOR 3, THE DOOR IN THE FLOOR, STAY ALIVE, PANDORUM, MR. JONES) is 36.
Actor, Director, Producer John Landis (SCHLOCK!, BATTLE FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES, DEATH RACE 2000, AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE, THRILLER, SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION, DARKMAN, SLEEPWALKERS, INNOCENT BLOOD, SPIDER-MAN 2, DEER WOMAN, FAMILY, BURKE AND HARE, and lots more) is 70.
Actor Evangeline Lilly (THE HURT LOCKER, AFTERWARDS, LOST [TV], THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG, THE HOBBIT: THERE AND BACK AGAIN, LITTLE EVIL, AVENGERS: ENDGAME) is 35.
Actor Kyle Schmid (VIRUS [1996], A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, THE COVENANT, DEATH ROW, JOY RIDE 2, THE THAW, FEAR ISLAND, BEING HUMAN [TV], DEAD BEFORE DAWN 3D, DARK HEARTS, LOST GIRL [TV], BEING HUMAN [TV], BABYLON FIELDS, 88, I-LAND [TV], 10 MINUTES GONE) is 36.
Look for Kyle in the 2020, 2021, Thriller, THE TEST.

SUNDAY -
Actor Edward Furlong (TERMINATOR 2, PET SEMETARY II, BRAINSCAN, AMERICAN HISTORY X, THREE BLIND MICE, THE CROW: WICKED PRAYER, CRUEL WORLD, THE MORTICIAN, BELOW ZERO, CRAVE, REMNANTS, THE ZOMBIE KING, AWAKENED, STITCH, THE LAST LIGHT, AFTERMATH [2014], AWAKEN [2015], THE REUNION, TERMINATOR: DARK FLOP) is 43.
Actor Olivier Gruner (NEMESIS, AUTOMATIC, VELOCITY TRAP, MARS, THE CIRCUIT, CIRCUIT 2, ONE NIGHT, RE-GENERATOR, DARK WEB [2016], THE CIRCUIT 2020 [TV]) is 60.
Actor Marcel Iures (INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, THE PEACEMAKER, DRACULA THE IMPALER, ISOLATION, THE CAVE, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END, YOUTH WITHOUT YOUTH, THICK AS THIEVES, BUNRAKU, THE GAME [TV - 2015]) is 69.
Actor Sandra Ellis Lafferty (SUTURE, NEW NIGHTMARE, THE PROPHECY, SPARK, THE PROPHECY 3, SOULKEEPER, THE NEW DAUGHTER, QUARANTINE 2: TERMINAL, AWAKENED, HUNGER GAMES, AFTER, THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE, SELF/LESS, BUSTER'S MAL HEART, A DARK PLACE, A FALL FROM GRACE) is 80.
Look for Sandra in the upcoming 2021 Horror Thriller, HELLBILLY HOLLOW.
Actor Butch Patrick (THE HAND OF DEATH, THE MUNSTERS [TV], MUNSTER GO HOME, THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH, SCARY MOVIE [1989], MACABRE THEATER [TV], FRANKENSTEIN VS. THE CREATURE FROM BLOOD COVE, IT CAME FROM TRAFALGAR, ZOMBIE DREAMS, YOUNG BLOOD: EVIL INTENTIONS, BITE SCHOOL, ZOMBIE DREAM, HE DRIVES AT NIGHT) is 67.
Actor Sam Worthington (MACBETH, ROGUE, TERMINATOR: SALVATION, AVATAR, CLASH OF THE TITANS [2010], WRATH OF THE TITANS, MAN ON A LEDGE, THE TITAN, FRACTURED) is 38.
Look for Sam in the 2021 Thriller, AVATAR 2. And for 2023, AVATAR 3.

SATURDAY -
Actor Jason Momoa (PIPELINE, STARGATE: ATLANTIS [TV], CONAN THE BARBARIAN [2011], GAME OF THRONES [TV], BULLET TO THE HEAD, ROAD TO PALOMA, WOLVES [2014], DEBUG, THE BAD BATCH, SUGAR MOUNTAIN, SEE) is 41.
Look for Jason in the upcoming 2020 Thriller, DUNE.
Actor Kris Holden-Ried (HABITAT, NIGHT OF THE DEMONS III, RIVERDALE [TV 1997 - 2000], GOSSIP, A KILLING SPRING, NEVER FORGET, THE DEATH OF ALICE BLUE, HIDDEN CRIMES, UNDERWORLD AWAKENING, HUNTING SEASON, THE RETURNED, LOST GIRL [TV], DARK MATTER [TV 2015 - 2017], THE EPITAPH [2016], DEPARTURE [TV], THE EXPANSE [TV], UMBRELLA ACADEMY [TV]) is 46.
Look for Kris in the upcoming 2021 Thriller, MATERNAL.