I HEART MONSTER MOVIES

Tyler Benjamin and Jennifer Loomis are similar to a lot of us in as much as they indulge in a steady diet of blood-soaked flicks, wash them down with beer and have an appreciation for horror themed documentaries. How they differ though is summed up by a certain post movie inebriated discussion between the pair that led to a Horror documentary of their own.

The final result is now a DVD available through Independent Media Distribution and is blithely titled "I HEART MONSTER MOVIES".

A quick glance at the back cover showcases an array of Horror movie legends including Tom Savini, Doug Bradley, Sig Haig and Linnea Quigley. You would be forgiving to thinking that IHMM is simply another perspective on creature laden celluloid. But what makes this a different beast from the historical journeys narrated by the likes of Mark Gatiss for example (his EUROPA HORROR guide is still freely available on YouTube and is definitely worth a look if you haven’t already) is the curious question posed on the front cover which asked "What kind of Horror Fan are YOU?"

The DVD is divided up into around 20 chapters and attempts to shed light on a whole gamut of Horror fans (and the odd detractor) in a fiendishly fun hour and a quarter. By focusing on various levels and aspects of fandom there was a notable randomness to the subject matter which was akin to perusing a magazine.

For example; one minute we are sneaking a peak at an annual Zombie Prom (the event NOT the musical), the next we are hearing how Bill Moseley’s short film "Texas Chainsaw Manicure" eventually landed him the part in the sequel to Tobe Hoopers 1974 classic.

The aforementioned Horror stars are briefly interviewed at the ZOMBCON Horror Convention in Seattle and the film flits back and forth from their signing tables to quiz them on their perception of us Horror devotees. (Note to Readers: Doug Bradley will NOT fulfil ‘will you autograph my penis?’ requests!!)

Some intriguing drinking holes are featured like the truly fascinating LOVECRAFT BAR in Portland, Oregon. It’s furnished with all sorts of macabre artefacts (including children’s coffins that the overly superstitious delivery men wouldn’t touch apparently!). Then of course there is a segment on customised ‘coffin cruisers’ or Hearses if you prefer that, when congregated, put the London to Brighton Mini Cooper rally to shame! It was uplifting to hear Sid Haig recognise that he would be "nothing" if it wasn’t for the loyalty of horror fans, before Quigley revels in how she embraced the title of SCREAM QUEEN when so many of her female peers merely saw making a horror movie as a stepping stone into doing more "serious movies".

Star interviews aside, the film is essentially about the fans and what really struck me was just how much effort our American counterparts go to when dressing up for these conventions. Some of the makeup is better than a lot of low budget movies doing the rounds at present!

I even added a new word to my vocabulary. When a star struck (and deliciously cute) female lifelong Hellraiser aficionado finally got the chance to meet Pinhead himself, she claims she is desperately trying to avoid having a ‘NERDGASM’ . I know what you mean sister; I would positively ‘E-GEEK-ULATE’ if I was ever to meet Veronica Carlson! Anyway moving on...

Interestingly, the filmmakers choose not to ONLY glorify Horror. They boldly give some screen time to those who work in Horror (or indeed psychology) who are all too keen to voice their abhorrence at our beloved Genre. While Horror Fan Parents defend their decision to allow their children to view horror movies (albeit the likes of ARMY OF DARKNESS), Doug Bradley is honest enough to admit his unease at being introduced to 7 year olds at conventions who are confirmed as a ‘fan of Hellraiser movies’ by his parents.

This debate thankfully doesn’t allow the worms fully out of the can so to speak but it’s refreshing to see such an open minded and balanced approach taken by the filmmakers.

There is a small EXTRAS section which comprises of a brief chat with the DVD’s creators, a music video from camped up Horror band TOXIC ZOMBIE (who also feature in the earlier proceedings) plus an exclusive performance from DAVID J (ex member of Goth legends BAUHAUS).

I found this to be an effortless watch and Loomis (Producer) and Benjamin (Director) have certainly succeeded in portraying the broad spectrum of genre fans, from the casual to the truly eccentric whose vocation in life is creatively interlaced with their love of horror.

I didn’t attempt to answer the covers enquiry, but one thing is for certain: Should I ever win the lottery, I am heading off to a certain drinking establishment in Portland Oregon – and my designated driver for the evening will be at the wheel of a morbidly modified Hearse…!

Review by Marc Lissenburg