Saturday, June 16, 2018

More News!

Just popping in a with a little news. Also, do you have a cup of sugar I could borrow?
While it's true I don't want my blog to just become a bookmark for other things, I have been so incredibly busy lately that, well, it's become a bookmark for other things. I really, really want to get back to blogging... but for now here's an update on what's going on in my world:

Have we talked about the Rondos yet? I can't remember. I didn't win, but did get an honorable mention, which was amazing. Thanks to everyone who voted for Are You in the House Alone? A TV Movie Compendium: 1964-1999. Your support has been amazing.

Dat artwork! 😍😍😍
Hey guys, one of the most exciting things ever has happened! I have provided a commentary track for Scream Factory's upcoming blu ray release of the classic John Carpenter telefilm Someone's Watching Me! Can I say OH. MY. GAWD. I mean, I just did, but OMG. I'm so excited. The release date is July 24th, but you can pre-order through Scream Factory's site and get it a couple of weeks early! I hope everyone enjoys it. I honestly gave it my all. It's not just an important film because it's early Carpenter, but Someone's Watching Me! is also simply just an amazing movie. And one that deserves all of the love in the world. Also, I'm on the same disc as Adrienne Barbeau. That's it, I'm done! My life is complete. Thank you so much Scream Factory for allowing me to be a part of this! The people at Scream Factory are amazing. It's been wonderful. 

Turns out the very center of hell is kind of awesome. Wes Craven 4lyfe!
In other amazing Amanda news, Arrow's blu ray release of The Last House on the Left was pushed back by a few weeks, but copies have started trickling in all over the world. As you may recall, my good friend Bill Ackerman from Supporting Characters and I contributed a commentary track. The early reviews have been really nice too, which is very exciting. I'm a newbie to the world of commentaries, but I can tell you it's really one of those things you put your heart and soul into because you want to give the film a lot of love and also keep people interested in you for 90s minutes. That's no easy feat, guys. So, even the mild criticism is fine as long as people appreciate the work you put into these things!

Anyway, that's my roundabout way of saying be kind if you review it on Amazon or anywhere else! We work hard on these things, and I'm honored to be a part of them. You can pick up Last House in the UK via Arrow's website, or through Diabolik if you are in the states.

More amazing artwork!
I have also contributed the liner notes to Arrow's upcoming blu ray release of Doom Asylum! Super excited about this. My booklet will only be available on the first pressing so grab a copy now. I will say this, writing liner notes for this project was absolutely one of the most fun writing assignments I've ever had. I was surprised by the amount of information I unearthed... turns out Doom Asylum has been well documented over the years, and it has a fascinating history.

It's also super exciting because The Hysteria Continues provided the commentary track for this release as well. So, I'm in wonderful company. And, I just want to send a lot of love to Arrow for trusting me with Last House on the Left and Doom Asylum. They are a great company full of great people, and I'm so honored to be included somewhere there in the mix! Again, you can pick up Doom Asylum via Arrow's website if you're in the UK or state-siders can go to Diabolik!

Ummm, amazing artwork again!!!
And speaking of liner notes, I also provided some for Retromedia's release of Snowbeast! So, as a company that doesn't normally do liner notes, it's an extra honor, but also something to note because to fit it properly into the packaging my writing has been placed on the opposite side of the insert, so remove the cover if you want to read about Bigfoot and stuff... Again, this was one of the most fun writing projects I've ever had. I'll tell you, liner notes are just a big ball of awesome to work on. I'll never get tired of documenting lost and/or underrated films. I'm so honored people let me do it too!

So, thank you, Fred Olen Ray for allowing me to participate in this release! And check out the commentary he does with David DeCoteau! Good times had by all, to be sure!

By the way, a little while ago I wrote about the blu ray release of The Master for Diabolique. Read it if you are so inclined!

Wonderfully evocative cover art comes courtesy of the talented Jeremy Thompson
I'm also involved in an upcoming book titled Scared Sacred: Idolatry, Religion and Worship in the Horror Film! I'll be writing about two fascinating telefilms, which will be announced via House of Leaves Publishing in the coming weeks. For now, check out the Rue Morgue and Anatomy of a Scream articles, as well as the HoL page which is set up for Scared Sacred. There will be a crowdfunding campaign opening up in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out!

I'll also be submitting or have submitted several essays for a few more projects to be announced in the future. And I may or may not have more commentary news for you soon! Most of it is TV movie related, so yay! I might not be able to update my blog, but I'm doing my best to keep the TV movie love alive. There's been so much positivity coming from both strangers and friends alike, so I hope everyone knows how much I appreciate every kind word, like and share. Thank you!