I Thought I'd Have More Time

My college advisor - he don't take no crap!

But 24 hours a day just isn't enough...

I keep promising myself I'm going to update my blog, and then the day is gone. Who am I kidding? The next couple of weeks are going to be T-O-U-G-H! Like a dumbbell, I took two shortened summer courses and boy are my arms tired! Paper upon paper upon test upon online discussions, my eyes are bleeding academia and I can't seem to get my gumption going! I have a review almost written, but the idea of sitting down and getting images, proofreading and all that jazz is just too daunting at this date and time.

School is only for the next three weeks and the load should actually be pretty light after next week for the most part, so I promise a Made for TV Mayhem extravaganza... or at least I promise to finish that review I wrote...

I'm so disappointed because I just got a ginormous load of TV movies, but with not time to watch 'em and no energy to write 'em, well, I just have to be disappointed for a couple of weeks, I guess. Lame, I know, but the great thing is this blog never goes away. I know where to find it and I know how to seduce it! And it's easy like Sunday morning.

Can you tell I have no idea what's going on?!? For now I bid adieu... I will post as soon as possible! Everyone take care and please read some of my older reviews... I have a ton of material at your fingertips and I really appreciate all the visits!

Oh... and this too!

I almost forgot! I have a review of He Knows You're Alone at Retro Slashers. It's a movie I kind of adore.

Enjoy!

I also just got my grubby paws on a very rare TVM and my review should be up soon. It's salaciously awesome!

I'm, Like, Totally Famous!

Even Bert is lifting a glass!

If you get a chance, check out my Bloggenaire at Final Girl! I talk about all things TV Movie and I even threw in a little slasher goodness to keep it relevant! I'm coy, I know! I think the pics and layout are great. Thank you Stacie for letting me fill out your fun questionnare! Lovin' it all!

Enjoy!

Prescription: Murder Trailer!

Here's Dirk Benedict in the trailer for the play Prescription: Murder where he plays Columbo!



I wrote about this play here and the reviews are good! This trailer only solidifies how awesome Dirk is!

Gary Coleman 1968 - 2010

Although Gary Coleman was a couple of years older than me, I always think of him as a kid. Unfortunately, that's how most people looked at him, and it was something that must have haunted him all these years after childhood success. He died on Friday at the age of 42, and I couldn't be sadder. As a child of the 70s and 80s, Gary was a mainstay for me and my family. Not only was Diff'rent Strokes a must, he made several awesome TV movies as well as appearing on such shows as Buck Rogers. He was friggin' adorable and had perfect comic timing. He was that kid you wanted to have as your best bud because you knew hilarious adventures were just around the corner.

I am not going to sit here and pontificate his tragic life because I think we all know a little bit about what it was like for him. For me, I'll remember him for that spunky spirit and for starring in The Kid with the 200 I.Q., which I saw about a gazillion times.


Here's a list of some of his TV movies and awesome guest appearances:

The Little Rascals (1978)
The Jeffersons: Uncle George and Aunt Louise (1978)
The Kid from Left Field (1979)
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century: Cosmic Whiz Kid (1979)
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century: A Blast for Buck (1980)
Scout's Honor (1980)
Anson and Lorrie (1981)
The Kid with the Broken Halo (1982)
The Kid with the 200 I.Q. (1983)
The Fantastic World of D.C. Collins (1984)
Playing with Fire (1985)

RIP Gary, you will always make me smile when I think of you.

TV Movie Trivia!

Got no Tunes, but here's the 'n Trivia... Did you know...

... that according to Alvin H. Marill in his book Movies Made for Television (aka My Bible), The Smugglers was pre-empted by the Apollo 8 landing on Christmas Eve in 1968 and was never re-aired on the network (NBC) again?

The Smugglers would end up being Shirley's one and only made for television movie.

Surprise, surprise. This little potboiler, which co-stars Carol Lynley about a mother and daughter wrongly accused of smuggling and murder is not available.

Poor, poor Shirley.



Here's Shirley watching in horror as her movie is pre-empted!

The Power of the Stream...

I'm sure it's just me living in my lovely little made for television fantasy world, but watching TV movies online reminds me a bit of the good old days when you had your little set placed somewhere on your kitchen counter. You know the days when you sat on that rickety ol' stool watching your tiny TV. Now if only I could get it to stream in black and white!

In other words, there's something kind of retro about watching your retro television online. And I'm loving it! Screw this whole HD thing, which really just makes all these great old movies look bad anyway. Watch 'em they way the internet gods intended!

A little while ago I found some great TV movies streaming online. I have a few more to add to the list:



The Must See Streaming TV Movie:




Cocaine: One Man's Seduction: Fancast is streaming this awesome cult drama about a mid-40s real estate agent (Dennis Weaver) who shucks it all away when he finds a taste for snow. A totally un-hip take on how anyone can get hooked on the stuff, this is fairly well made film that might not push the envelope but certainly makes a good case that anyone, and I mean anyone can ruin their life with just one toot. And check out Pamela Belwood in a great turn as a casual cokehead.

More on Fancast:

Absolute Strangers: According to IMDb, this movie is about "a husband tries to keep his comatose wife alive by allowing doctors to terminate her pregnancy. Hearing about this, anti-abortion protesters start a legal campaign to gain legal custody of the fetus." This stars Henry Winkler and Patty Duke and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy (Outstanding Director). Wow, glad I stumbled across this one!

The Ambush Murders: According to the Ny Times this movie which is "traces the case of an outspoken black activist accused of murdering two white policemen in Lindero, Calif." Hmmm, maybe a little too dramatic for me, but it does have machismo-on-a-stick James Brolin!

Deep Dark Secrets (aka Intimate Betrayal): Yet another James Brolin TVM, according to IMDb this one gets all crazy when "a woman finds hidden truths when her husband disappears and is presumed dead." Ah, Lifetime before Lifetime. I'm loving it!

Secret Lives of Second Wives: Total drama action, this is a 2008 TVM about a woman who "finds that marriage the second time around is far from idyllic when the ex wife and her children return to manipulate her husband Jack." OK, this was made for Lifetime, but I love that stuff too! So what of it?

Also, Netflix recently added a Made for TV Movies section under Watch Instantly! YAY!

Tip: Go to the last few pages to find the juicy older made for television movies.

The Recommended Watch Instantly TVM on Netflix:

Baby Sister: Phoebe Cates is the object of affection for her older sister's boyfriend. The sister is played by Pamela Bellwood (again!) and the mancub in question is played by the uber-hawt Ted Wass. Made in 1983, this is a fun, if slightly misleading, romantic drama about a lost little girl in cut-off shorts. It was totally good. Go watch it now!


Now, why would I need cocaine when I've got made for TV movies?!?

Go Give Lori Lethin Some Love!

One of my favorite actresses from the 80s recently consented to an interview with little ol' me. I was beside myself, I can tell you that much.

Please stop by Retro Slashers and read my interview with Lori Lethin.

TV fanatics will know Lori best as the girl who not only appeared in numerous television shows, but also starred in some great made for TV films such as Intimate Agony and The Day After. This interview really just covers the awesome slasher stuff, although I did throw in a little question about Magnum P.I. I mean, I had too!

I also did an image gallery of her slasher films, so stop by and check that out too!

More Stuff at Retro Slashers!

My Prey retrospective rages on! Check out my post about the lead from The Prey on an episode of the Dating Game! Ron Howard was the guest date! My word!

Going through my Dating Games, I came across this:



RIP Michael

Sage Words for the 4th

Remember kids, have fun but be safe.

And if you can't be with the one you love, honey, love the one you're with!

Have a great 4th!

Oh, This is Neat!

My computer has been in the shop and just got my puppy back tonight. All looks well and I remembered something I wanted to share... I was recently quoted on the press release for the upcoming DVD re-issue of The Last Horror Film! My dear friend John Kylza at Retro Slashers pointed it out to me! You can read the article here, and there's a link to the actual review they pulled it from!

I make no bones about my love for all things Spinell and this film. Pick it up if enjoy your slashers a little silly, a little slick and a whole lot of fun!

Come to My Retroland!!!

I found this awesome website that is sort of like MySpace for nostalgic fools like myself. The site is called Retroland and I promptly set up my page. I'm having a pretty good time filling in the Timeline section. I mean, I’ve written about the Golden Girls, Modern Girls and Mrs. Garrett’s girls! I am so happy right now!!!

I know, I’m an easy sell.

More Links!

Sorry for the lack of content -- I know you're all in tears, ain't ya?

I do have some links from a few things I posted over at Retro Slashers.

I have an unhealthy obsession with a slasher called The Prey:

Come check out my comparison of The Prey and Wrong Turn.

Read my interview with Jackson Bostwick, star of The Prey.

Also, I have a review of a little known but pretty cool slasher called Ghostkeeper. It's a keeper! HA!

Enjoy!

Links and stuff!

Looks like the internet finally got cool! A website called Fancast is streaming several made for television movies. Among the Lifetime thrillers, I found some honest to goodness gems. Now, I'm not positive these will stream (some of them I couldn't seem to get the hook up on), but here's the links which you can try yourself (all synopsis pulled off of IMDb, except as noted):

Are you in the House Alone? : This movie is about a teenage girl named Gail who starts to be stalked. Its also about her dramatic friend and her friends boyfriend. He best friend pressures her to date a guy who has nothing wrong. However, then she starts to get scary phone calls at night and notes on her locker.

Babes in Toyland:11-year-old Lisa has no time for toys; she's too busy taking care of her siblings and cooking for her mother. During the Christmas Eve blizzard, Lisa travels to Toyland in Wizard of Oz-like fashion and arrives just in time for a wedding. Young Mary Contrary is about to marry mean, old Barnaby Barnacle, despite the fact that she loves Jack Be Nimble. Lisa tries to stop this terrible wedding and, together with her new friends, discovers that Barnaby wants to take over Toyland. Lisa, Mary, Jack, and Georgie Porgie ask the Toymaster for help, but he can't help them as long as Lisa doesn't truly believe in toys.

Moon of the Wolf: After several locals are viciously murdered, a Louisiana sheriff starts to suspect he may be dealing with a werewolf.

Perfect Murder, Perfect Town: (synopsis from The All Movie Guide) This made-for-TV miniseries recounts the muddled criminal investigation of the JonBenet Ramsey murder -- one of the most luridly publicized crimes in recent memory. As the crime unfolds, the Boulder police squad grow increasingly swamped by the elusive details of the crime and the unprecedented media attention.

Winds of Kitty Hawk: The story of the Wright Brothers and the events that led to the famous first flight at Kitty Hawk, NC.

Also, you can check out my newest Not So Basic Instincts review at Horror Yearbook. This time around, it’s all been a Tease!

Wowee, Wowee, Wow, Wow! 100 Posts!

This is my 100th posts (if you couldn’t tell from the title!). I’m SO excited and can’t believe I got here so quickly. I started this blog on June 25th, 2008 and now, less than a year later I’ve filled it up with so much content, I hit the old three digits!

I wish I had something monumental for this, but I don’t. I’m just kind of proud of myself is all.

But I would like to look back on some of my favorite articles, here and elsewhere:

June 25th, 2008 - My first review: Gargoyles

July 24th, 2008 - From Book to Screen: A Look at Crawlspace the book and TV movie

July 25th, 2008 – My First Article for Retro Slasher’s New Blog: (Psycho)logical Slashers

July 29th, 2008 – A Girl and Her Horror Obsession (for Retro Slashers)

August 19th, 2008 - Not a TV Movie but Could be a TV Movie Review: X Files: I Want to Believe

August 22nd, 2008 - Made for TV Mayhem Gets Mentioned on Anchorwoman in Peril

September 15th, 2008 – Amanda By Night give Bert Convy some love!

September 20th, 2008 – The Top Ten Must See Made for TV Horror Films of the 70s

September 28th, 2008 – My First Review for my Lifetime Kills Column The Governor's Wife

October 7th, 2008 – My first review for my Not So Basic Instincts column at Horror Yearbook: Cover Story

October 13th, 2008 – My first review with my own screencaps! The Beasts are on the Street

October 22nd, 2008 – Amanda By Night shares a Kindertrauma: The Prisoner

October 30th, 2008 - My review of This House Possessed for CC2K

November 11th, 2008 – My article for Pretty Scary on Small Screen Scream Queens of the 70s

November 16th, 2008 - The Top Ten Creepiest Characters of the Made for Television Movie

December 5th, 2008 - Satan's School for Girls '73 vs. Satan School for Girls 2000

January 22nd, 2009 - The Top Five Totally Hawt Game Show Hosts

February 8th, 2009 - Made for TV Mayhem wins a Premio Dardo Award!

February 13th, 2009 - I join forces with Moon in the Gutter for a list of Movies That Need a Region One DVD Release

March 6th, 2009 - Thing time I join forces with Cinema Du Meep for Swatchman Part II - TV in 1985

Raise a glass, yo!

What you can look forward to:

A companion piece for my Small Screen Scream Queens list, a look at the mini-series Deceptions starring Stefanie Powers – in fact, expect a lot more Stefanie, because I’ve decided I love her more than life itself.

And hopefully, lots more reviews and news and links to columns and good articles and such.

Thank you to everyone who has stopped by and posted. I hope you continue to come by and enjoy it here!

More About Me!

Let's get the most important business out of the way here.

Is it just me or does Jim Perry:



resemble Guy Smiley:



When I came up with this notion a week ago, I was dismayed to see that this resemblance is actually mentioned on Smiley's wikipedia page. And I thought I was being all smart and shit.

I have a new review up at Pretty Scary for my Lifetime Kills column. The movie in question is called Ultimate Deception and is damn near perfect. But not quite.

Also, keep an eye out for these TV Movies, which are finding their way to DVD on March 3rd:

The Story of David (1976): Some religious story about a man named David. Played by Timothy Bottoms! YAY!

The Hunchback of Notre Dame: This one is about some hunchback and his tower. Stars Anthony Hopkins! YAY!

The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Fifteen Years Later Affair (1983): This one is about a Man from U.N.C.L.E. Stars Robert Vaughan (or course!). YAY!

Seriously, all of these look excellent. By all means, pick up a copy!



I'm getting close to 100 posts, which I just can't believe. I haven't decided if I should do something special. I mean, really what can I do? I'm just thrilled I got this far and there are still many TV movies (and game shows!) to travel! I hope everyone enjoys it here!

Shameless Self Promotion Post

Awwww, Bert! He's raising a glass for some new stuff on other sites!

I have finally gotten around to watching another saucy sex fest. Check out my newest review for my Not So Basic Instincts column at Horror Yearbook. It's time for Night Eyes 3, an enjoyable romp of a sex thriller! YAY! I love when that happens!

Also, I have teamed up with Michael Ferrari at his blog Cinema Du Meep. We do a dual review of the ultra-awesome sleaze fest House on the Edge of the Park.

Enjoy, ya'll!

The Premio Dardo Awards and Me and You!

I so feel like following the Shat's lead and raising a glass. Let me tell you why...

What kind of thrill was it to log onto Kindertrauma today and see that I had been bestowed the honor The Permio Dardo Award. The Dardo is essentially an acknowledgement that someone is coming on my blog and enjoying it! This of course made my day. I am not completely familiar with this award but love the concept of it – someone links to five blogs worth visiting and then these bloggers nominate five and so on and so forth. It’s fosters that community spirit that I keep bitching doesn’t exist – when it does. That’s why this is so neat. Somebody out there created something that helps promotes blogs which deserve promotion. So, here are the five blogs that I think you absolutely must go visit. NOW!

Anchorwoman in Peril: Oh man, Anchorwoman is awesome and a must. Ross Horsely, the stud who runs this blog seems to have almost everything in common with me (minus the one thing that makes him a boy – I admit, I don’t not have that!), so when I discovered his blog, it was love at first sight. His sense of humor is undeniable and guaranteed you’ll be giggling through some of his reviews. At the same time, he never belittles the film, showing a true passion that is truly addictive!

Cinema du Meep: I have been wanting my friend Michael Ferrari to really move ahead with his writing and as part of New Year’s resolution, he started this blog. So it’s pretty new but is already filled with great insight on the films Meep loves – and does he love films! My favorite article so far: ">The Top Ten Movie Shows to Watch at 3:14 am!

John Kenneth Muir's Reflections on Film and Television: Muir is a well known critic and historian to the horror/fantasy/sci-fi genre and all that’s attached to it. He’s one of the best writers online today, and spotlights some really great underrated films and television shows. If you don’t believe me, read this amazing review for the The X Files: I Want to Believe. Pure poetry.

Enchanted World of Rankin and Bass: What Kindertrauma does to scare the pants off you, Rick Goldschmidt does to remind you why the innocence of growing up in the 70s was so freakin’ awesome. There’s a lot of love here, not to mention some great insight on the amazing creations of Rankin and Bass.

Johnny La Rue’s Crane Shot: Once I stumbled across this site, I never left. Full of insightful reviews of everything from pulp novels to TV Movies to 80s action, there is never a dull moment over at the Crane Shot. Well written, thoughtful and brimming with nostalgia, this is the kind of blog you read when you want to learn about vintage films and books while being thoroughly entertained!

I’d like to give a big thank you to the guys at Kindertrauma for bestowing this honor and I hope all who pass through enjoy my little blog. Made for TV movies have been a great passion of mine and yeah, I feel all rewarded and crap. So sue me!

I know, I can't stop smiling either!

Stuff and Nonsense

Wow, what a totally productive weekend I have had! Really, I was able to work on my blog, I (finally) posted a review at Retro Slashers for Disconnected, I worked out twice, saw Sharks in Venice and lots of Lifetime movies. I will be writing more about both Sharks and those Lifetime flicks for Pretty Scary so keep your eyes peeled, yo!

Also, my good friend Michael Ferrari finally got his crap together and started an awesome blog lovingly titled Cinema du Meep. It’s fab, full of love and features a look at all kinds of films as seen through Michael’s astute eyes. Bookmark and enjoy!

Ross from Anchorwoman in Peril joined the crew over at Retro Slashers and did a great Top Ten Best Slasher Movie In Jokes. It's rye, smart and all the things you have come to expect from our favorite Anchorwoman!

Kindertrauma did a fun review of Horror at 37,000 Feet because they also feel the TV Movie love. Check it out! It features a great still of Tammy “Sacrilege” Grimes. How I love her!

Also, on February 3rd, stop by your local video shop and pick up the new Friday the 13th documentary, His Name was Jason. And whatever you do, watch the credits, because I got a neat little Thank You credit, cuz I helped out a bit. Just a bit too, so I was thrilled to see the credit! So what other reason do you need to watch it?

And now, I’m doing laundry! Seriously, how much more productive can you get?!?

That's me! The name not the lady! I know you recognize her!

Catching Up!

                                                              All this and I'm catching up on my reading too!

Yo! I’ve been really busy with work and things and just haven’t had much time to dedicate to my blog. I have a couple of new articles up on other sites and hope to get back to it on Made for TV Mayhem. For now, check out these links:

I have a new review for my Lifetime Kills column at Pretty Scary. This time I review Sex & Lies in Sin City…

Also, in celebration of the release of My Bloody Valentine 3D, I have a list of the Top Ten Horror Remakes at Horror Yearbook. It’s all controversial and stuff.

As for MBV 3D, well read Neal Penaflor’s review at HYB. I’d say I mostly agree… A fairly meh film all dressed up in updated technology. Harry Warden, you let me down.