Penny Dreadful Diary - Twisted Twins Productions

Dorothy Arzner

2012-02-15T01:00:00.000-08:00

"When I went to work in a studio, I took my pride and made a nice little ball of it and threw it right out the window."

Dorothy Arzner was born in San Francisco, California on January 3rd, 1897. Her father was Louis Arzner who owned and operated a restaurant that was right next to a theatre. This caused the restaurant to be frequented often by Hollywood actors who Dorothy would grow up around, Dorothy would not have a personal interest in them as they were too familiar to her. She would visit the theatre and see some incredible plays as she grew up.

"I made one box office hit after another. If I had a failure in the middle, I would have been finished."

Dorothy was always an extremely bright young woman. She would go to the University of Southern California where she would study to be a doctor with an A average in her courses. During World War 1, Dorothy would go overseas to work int he ambulance corps. However, she would realize that it wasn't what she truly wanted to do. She once said that she 'wanted to be like Jesus––”Heal the sick and raise the dead,” instantly, without surgery, pills, et cetera.' Wherever would she find a job where fantastical events could happen everyday, where a person can have such control over any situational event?

"I remember making the observation, “If one was going to be in this movie business, one should be a director because he was the one who told everyone else what to do. In fact, he was the ‘whole works.’"

Through a connection to director, William C. DeMille, Dorothy would start her career working at Paramount Pictures. This was after the war ended and a flu epidemic had hit hard. They needed people to work and would hire those that should signs of ability or knowledge. William would ask her where she would like to start and she would reply with an interest in dressing sets. He went on to ask her about a piece of furniture in his office to which she had no idea. He said for her to take a look around the different departments and let him know. Dorothy would look around and take notice of the role of a director, it became her main interest but not where she would start.

By her own request, she would start at the bottom. Where did she suppose the bottom was? Typing scripts. That was how she would start at Paramount, then called Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. She would apply herself and work hard. Within six months, she would be given a new opportunity as a cutter and an editor. As chief editor, she would go on to cut and edit fifty two pictures while training and supervising negative cutters and splicers. Her first job would be on a film called BLOOD AND SAND starring Rudolph Valentino. Word about the quality of her work spread fast, director James Cruze hand picked her for several of his films.

"I turned up at the end of the week in William DeMille’s office. He asked, “Now where do you think you’d like to start?” I answered, “At the bottom.” He looked penetratingly serious as a schoolteacher might, and then barked, “Where do you think the bottom is?” I meekly answered, “Typing scripts.” “For that, I’ll give you a job.”"

Dorothy was still writing scripts at the time, not only for Paramount but also for Columbia, which was considered a 'poverty row' company at the time. She was excelling in all of her work, but it was directing that had real interest for her. Columbia was interested in having her direct, so she decided after completing her work on the film, IRONSIDES, that she would move on. After working for the company for seven years, Dorothy decided before she left that she would say good bye to someone important. That someone was Ben P. Schulberg - she had written a script for him earlier which at the time he was unable to pay her, but would pay her back when he could. He made good on his promise and had since made his way to become Production Head of Paramount.

He was in a meeting at the time and the secretary refused to let Dorothy wait to speak to him, his schedule was too full to see anyone. Just then Walter Wanger, the Head of Paramount's New York Studio came by to which Dorothy exclaimed, Oh, you'll do! She let him know that she was leaving to direct, within three minutes, Ben was also in the office. It was directing her own film or bust for her, and they gave her a film entitled FASHIONS FOR WOMEN. It was a huge financial success and a great beginning to her directing career.

"So, there I was a writer-director. It was announced in the papers the following day or so: “Lasky Names Woman Director.”"

In her view to be taken more seriously on set, Dorothy would adorn herself in men's suits and ties, but always a skirts in preference to pants. The masculine appearance was important to her. It worked for her because in the Golden Age of Hollywood in the thirties and forties - she was the only working female director. She would make twenty films, including Paramount's first ever talkie picture which would help launch the career of Clara Bow. To keep the actress's movement from becoming restricted, she had a microphone attached to a fishing pole, creating the earliest boom mic. Her films would also aid in launching the careers of Rosalind Russell, Katharine Hepburn, Sylvia Sidney, and Lucille Ball.

"I was always so critical of my own works that I could hardly consider any one a favorite. I always saw too many flaws. I was grateful, however, when they were considered so successful."

THE WILD PARTY, the film with Clara Bow, was set in a college and had lesbian undertones throughout. At a time when there were little to no women working in the field, a lesbian who dressed in masculine attire , a woman who made films about free spirited and independent women would be the first woman to become a part of the newly formed Director's Guild of America. How was this possible? Dorothy said it best - because her movies made money, hence they were successful. All of her movies made money - she never fucked up. Not once.

In 1943, she would stop making feature length films and never give a reason as to why. She would direct television commercials - including over fifty Pepsi Cola spots - and army training videos as well as producing plays. She would begin teaching writing and directing int he 1960s at UCLA. All of her old ties to the film industry would be cut, sometimes in interviews or with friends she would look back at old photos and remark, "I was a famous Hollywood director then." Her time as a teacher would last until her death in 1979. She would die at the age of 82. For all her accomplishments and additions to the film industry she was awarded with a star of the Hollywood Walk of Fame which is located at 1500 Vine Street.

Dorothy Arzner was a perfect example of what a true artist is. She was herself, she never changed who she was or what her interests were for the sake of fitting in, she made more films than any other female director, she made them the way she wanted to, she worked hard and the work speaks for itself. A woman of horror, well her most horrific film would be MERRILY WE GO TO HELL - so, I'm going to say close e-fucking-nough considering her onslaught of contributions that paved the way for artists working today.

~Sylv

Sharon Tate

2012-02-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

A haunting and unforgettable beauty. Easily one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood.

An actress who fought hard to make it, working her way up from extra work in Italy and then again in America.

A woman who loved animals.

A muse for one of the great horror directors, Roman Polanski.

A big sister to her two younger sisters, Debra and Patricia.

A woman whose horrific death shocked the world and changed California criminal law.

"My whole life has been decided by fate. I've never planned anything that's happened to me."

It disgusts me how death can over shadow one's life. In the case of murder victims, often their deaths are better known than their lives. In these cases, more often than not, it's the names of the murderers and criminals that are remembered and not the victim. But Sharon Tate was much more than a mere victim. What was done to her, her friends, and her unborn child by a group of pathetic losers with dreams of starting a race war to take over the world is absolutely disgusting. The fact that some people hail their ring leader (whose name I'm not even going to bother mentioning in this article because fuck him) as some sort of hero or celebrity is beyond me. But here, rather than focusing on her tragic life, I'd like to speak about the woman herself, how she was a muse to her horror director husband, and the beautiful life she led.

"Sexiness is all in the eye of the beholder. I think it should be. Absolutely. My sex appeal, whatever it might be, isn't obvious . . . at least to me."

It is rare for someone to be as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside. But when you find one of those rare individuals, you can feel it. Sharon Tate was such a person. Even as a child, Sharon was known to everyone as a pretty girl, and so her mother, Doris entered her into a beauty competition on a whim. Doris Tate only entered Sharon into a few beauty contests, but success seemed to come easily. She won many of these contests as a teenager, leading her to be photographed for an appearance on the front cover of Stars and Stripes magazine.

Her father strongly disapproved of this, but could do nothing to stop it due to his frequent absence from home. However, in 1959, this changed when he moved the family of five to Italy where he was assigned to an army base in Verona. Sharon was transferred to an American school for children of the military where she became a cheerleader and homecoming queen. She spent her junior year of high school in three different schools: Columbia High School in Richland, Washington, from September to late fall 1959; Irvin High School in El Paso, Texas, from late fall 1959 to April 1960; and Vicenza American High School in Vicenza, Italy, from April to June 1960. She graduated from Vicenza American High School in 1961. In high school, she was a cheerleader, baton twirler, star basketball player, and played Juliet in the school production of "Romeo and Juliet." She was also voted Homecoming Queen and Senior Prom Queen.

However, as an actress, she would struggle for the opportunity to get her big break. In 1962, Sharon moved to Los Angeles and she contacted Richard Beymer's agent, Harold Gefsky. He agreed to represent her and began to put her into television and magazine ads. In 1963 he introduced her to Martin Ransohoff, director of Filmways, Inc., who signed her to a seven-year contract and would ultimately give her her big break. She would test several times and audition for "big parts" but her youth and experience were called into question despite there being something undeniably exciting about the young actress. However, Sharon was not deterred. "Mr. Ransohoff didn't want the audience to see me till I was ready" she confided during an interview with Playboy.

In late 1965, Ransohoff finally gave Tate her first major role in a motion picture in the film EYE OF THE DEVIL. Sharon traveled to London to prepare for filming, where she met the Alexandrian Wiccan High Priest and High Priestess Alex and Maxine Sanders, the former of whom duly initiated her into Wicca. It was shortly after filming had completed that she met Roman Polanski. They later stated that neither of them had been impressed by the other when they first met. Polanski was planning THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS, which was being co-produced by Ransohoff, and had decided that he wanted the red-headed actress Jill St. John for the female lead. Ransohoff insisted that Polanski cast Sharon and, after meeting with her, he agreed that she would be suitable on the condition that she wore a red wig during filming. She did begin to win him over with her performance in the film and Polanski, a perfectionist who had Sharon on one occasion perform 70 takes before he was satisfied, he began to praise her abilities. Shortly thereafter, they began their relationship and moved in together.

"My definition of love is being full. Complete. It makes everything lighter. Beauty is something you see. Love is something you feel."

Sharon then returned to America to film DON'T MAKE WAVES, a film that would have her likeness as the inspiration for Malibu Barbie. Sharon had been unhappy with the film and it opened to awful reviews and poor ticket sales. She was quoted as saying, "It's a terrible movie. Sometimes I say things I shouldn't. I guess I'm too outspoken."

Though Sharon and Roman's relationship was far from perfect, rumors and accusations were a plenty of his infidelity, they complimented one another and Sharon was an inspiration for much of his work. When he adapted and directed ROSEMARY'S BABY, Roman had hoped that Sharon would be suggested for the lead. Suggesting her himself felt inappropriate to him. Though she hadn't been Sharon reportedly provided ideas for some of the key scenes, including the scene in which Rosemary is impregnated.

"Roman is such a beautiful, mad human being. Sometimes things are difficult, sometimes good. But it makes life twice as interesting."

At the end of 1968, Sharon became pregnant. She had returned from London to Los Angeles, on July 20, 1969, traveling alone. Polanski was due to return on August 12 in time for the birth of their child. He would never see her again and their unborn child was murdered along with Sharon and her friends.

Sharon's mother was determined for her daughter's legacy to be more than that of a murder victim. It was her death that changed California Criminal Law. In 1982, amendments were made to the criminal code that allowed crime victims and their families to make victim impact statements during sentencing and at parole hearings. Doris Tate was the first person to make such a statement at the parole hearing of one of her daughters murderers' parole hearings and many after her have exercised this right. She had hoped that this change would "help transform Sharon's legacy from murder victim to a symbol of victims' rights".

~Jen

Elvira

2012-02-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

Elvira is a name synonymous with horror.

A lesser known name would be Cassandra Peterson, though the two are one and the same. You know the infamous horror hostess extraordinaire. The look itself seems to be the embodiment of a femme fatale. Pale, almost vampiric skin. Bone straight, jet black hair. Blood red lips. A skin tight black gown with a dangerous plunging neck line. You've seen it not only on Elvira, the Mistress of Darkness, but also on Vampira and Morticia Addams. The look itself has become as infamous as the characters.

But who is the woman behind the bust? Elvira is widely known for her comedic wit that set her apart from your average horror hostess and, of course, her obvious assets. Cassandra Peterson is much more than a pretty face and a to die for physique.

The woman destined for horror royalty was born in Manhattan. Kansas. She was raised and grew up near a little place called Randolph until the area flooded and her family moved with her to Colorado Springs (naturally in Colorado). Even as a little girl, she was a touch different and meant for more than the average little girl. While others played with Barbies, a young Cassandra was more inclined to gothic play things. Always a touch unconventional, she became a Go-Go dancer at a gay bar in her teens. Days after graduating highschool in 1969 (ha), she drove to Las Vegas and became a showgirl at the Dunes in a show called "Viva Les Girls".

In the 70s she lived life to its fullest, searching for her ultimate calling. In those years she had a small role as a showgirl in the 1971 James Bond film DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER, briefly dated Elvis Presley, played a topless dancer in THE WORKING GIRLS (1974), and purportedly posed for the cover of Tom Waits's 1976 album, SMALL CHANGE. In the early 1970s she moved to Italy and became the lead singer of the Italian rock band, I Latins Ochanats. During this time she had a chance encounter with director, Federico Fellini, which led to a small part in ROMA (1972). Back in the United States she toured nightclubs and discos around the country with a musical/comedy act, Mammas Boys. In 1979 she joined the Los Angeles-based improvisational troupe, The Groundlings, where she created a Valley girl-type character upon whom the Elvira persona largely is based.

Then fate would strike in the 80s (my personal favorite decade). Cassandra auditioned for Ginger Grant, the "movie star", in the third GILLIGAN'S ISLAND tv movie. She was turned down, clearly meant for even higher heights. Producers of a horror show called FRIGHT NIGHTS that starred Larry Vincent as horror host Sinister Seymour were looking to revive the show in 1981, 5 years after their stars death. They brilliantly decided to go female. When Maila Nurmi, Vampira, left the show over a disagreement with the producers over who would play her character, the producers decided to audition for talent. Over 200 hopefuls came out to become the new horror hostess and Cassandra left them all in the dust. Her original design for the character was a take off of Sharon Tate in THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS (seen below).

"I figured out that Elvira is me when I was a teenager. She's a spastic girl. I just say what I feel and people seem to enjoy it."

The producers shot it down, so Cassandra went back to the drawing board. She and best friend, Robert Redding, came up with the sexy punk/vampire look that Elvira is known for throughout the world. Unable to continue with the Vampira character, the name Elvira was chosen. What followed was Elvira's Movie Macabre, featuring a quick-witted valley-girl type character named Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. With heavily-applied, pancake-horror make up and a towering black beehive wig to conceal her flame-red hair, the transformation from Cassandra Peterson to the sexy "Elvira" was so drastic that no one ever recognized her out of costume.

But she ran into trouble when Maila sent the studio a "cease and desist" claiming that Elvira was too close to her Vampira. However, the court sided in favor with the studio and producers when it was revealed that Maila's Vampira was, in fact, inspired by Charles Addams' Morticia. What can you say? Greatness borrows from greatness and puts a spin on it to make it their own.

Elvira's Movie Macabre turned Cassandra Peterson into a mega star and a name that will always go hand in hand with horror. One of her most winning qualities is the ability to not only poke fun at the films she reviews, but also at herself. Though drop dead gore~geous, Cassandra was always the first to poke fun at herself and never got so high and mighty that she couldn't take a joke. In fact, the best jokes came from the Mistress of Horror herself.

And a word on her appearance. Everyone can take a lesson for how brilliantly Elvira branded herself. Anyone can tell you what she looks like and what she does. She has received tremendous praise (though not nearly enough in my opinion) for her business savvy as well as receiving harsh criticism against her overtly sexual attire. I think it is an even greater insult for a beautiful woman to be too afraid of what people may say or think to embrace their sexuality. If you are comfortable with it, why repress it? Why should Elvira wear a bloody turtleneck? It's a bizarre double standard that attractive women should downplay their looks in fear of being labelled a whore or a slut whereas men can fully flaunt their sexuality and be a stud or be "a man". I'm so grateful to Elvira to be one of the earliest examples of taking this foolish double standard and giving it a swift and firm kick in the nuts.

Another symbol of Elvira's greatness is the place between her breasts. Her heart. Cassandra is wonderful to her fans. She happily gives out autographs, takes the time to chat with them, and reads the onslaught of letters she gets sent. She would RARELY turn down a fan. Infinite autographs, like the one below, are staples in many a horror collection.

Cassandra is a vegetarian and an activist for gay rights. Here is a kick ass ad that she starred in for PETA.

And the woman is now 60 and going strong. She doesn't even have to re-invent herself. Elvira is timeless. And at 60 Cassandra is just as exquisite a creature as she was when she first burst onto the scene in the 80s. And she shows no signs of slowing down or does she have any plans to. Please enjoy this fang~tastic interview she did recently with someone we simply adore, Ghost, Keeper Of The Night. And find Elvira on just about every social media site. No one is more fit to be called "horror royalty" than the Mistress of Darkness.

Fatally Yours,
Jen

Brea Grant

2012-02-12T01:00:00.000-08:00

"I’ve always been a girl who didn’t fit the normal standards of what beauty is. That’s fine. It’s not a sad story. I’ve just always been into the punk rock scene or alternative lifestyle that shaped my style, so not everybody will find me attractive and that’s fine."

Brea Colleen Grant was born October 16th, 1981 in Marshall, Texas. She went to Marshall high school and would later go on to post secondary at the University of Texas. She postponed her last semester for her career, but never leaving anything half done, she returned to finish her masters. A brilliantly talented young woman, painfully intelligent and interesting, and one of the most approachable, down to earth artists on the scene - it's true. She interacts with fans regularly on her site, twitter, and is a supernova of rad when you see her at any horror conventions.

"I get a lot of emails that are like, “I’m sure you really don’t answer your email, and I get Facebooks that say ‘this isn’t really Brea,’ and (it's) the fact that people can’t believe that I’m reading my emails and answering my facebook."

Brea is just cool - she used to host an all-girl radio show where she would talk about alternative culture and feminism and cool shit. She began her acting career in 2007 with the role of Candy in YOU'RE SO DEAD. 2008 would be a sensationally busy year for her - bringing her onto eleven different projects - in movie time, that's like ten years worth of work. Brea would play Jean Binnel on FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, Barb in MULTIPLE CHOICE, Randi Spotswood in SMOOCH, Liza West in COLD CASE, Liberty in CORPSE RUN, Jean in MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, Heather Dreeban in RAISING THE BAR, Rachael in MIDNIGHT MOVIE, Junkie Girl in MAX PAYNE, and Rasha in BATTLE PLANET.

"I feel like Hollywood is embracing the outsider and that’s because a lot of Hollywood is filled with outsiders. Even the girls who are seen as beautiful in Hollywood feel like outsiders. I think everybody struggles with their image to a certain degree."

In 2008-2009, Brea would take on a role in HEROES that would introduce her to a much bigger audience in the role of bad girl, Daphne Millbrook. Not up on your HEROES? Her character was also known as the Speedster who could move at super sonic speeds - like Quicksilver, you know, Magneto's son. Coming onto a big series like that can be an intimidating task, but Brea handled it like a pro and more people started to take notice of her ability. She would go on to star in Rob Zombie's ultra violent and fucking wicked HALLOWEEN 2 as Mya Rockwell. Her Halloween costume was as Columbia a la Rocky Horror which was hip as hell.

"I got into comics late as far as a reader goes - I've been reading them for maybe the past ten years or so. But I've been writing them for about two years now."

I met Brea once at the LA Viscera Film Festival and i have to tell you, she's a rockstar public speaker. That is where I learned about her graphic novel miniseries, We Will Bury You, that she did with her brother, Zane Grant. Think Steve Dillion-esque no holds barred ultra gore zombie apocalypse set in the alternative past version of the 1920s. Unique, but everybody does zombies, right? Wrong. The series actually follows two lesbian lovers, Miyah and Fanya, with the story not focusing mainly on zombie survival, but rather on the women's relationship and their travels in a time where the roles of women change. Not your typical zom-rom, a totally original awesome read. She's since gone on to write the SuicideGirls graphic novel miniseries based on the pinup website.

"Don’t take anything personally – compliments or criticism, press or lack of interest, not getting parts or booking them. Although they hire you, they don’t really know you."

"I love homicide...I've always been fascinated by people who do bad things" - Ryan Chambers on DEXTER. In 2011, Brea would join the cast of everyone's favourite sociopathic serial killer, Dexter, as Ryan Chambers, a newcomer to the forensics department and assistant to Vince Masuka. The two would form a relationship that would get cut short from her fascination with the Ice Truck Killer resulting her in stealing evidence and then selling it on the internet. Aw, young people these days.

What I truly dig about Brea Grant is that she defies the stereotypes of a young woman in her position today. She's takes roles that she brings her own personality to whether she's a super villain, Myers' victim, or plain ole crazy chick. I love comics and there is this stigma that chicks don't like comics or enjoy them to any extent and here you have an intelligent artist that actually fucking creates material and does a phenomenal job at it. This lady definitely has a very full career ahead of her and from the past, it looks like it's going to be an extremely uncanny and memorable one.

~Sylv

VC Andrews

2012-02-11T01:00:00.000-08:00

“The creative genius begins in the idle moment, dreaming up the impossible, and later making it come true.”

Cleo Virginia Andrews was better known as VC Andrews through her life, even leading some of the more casual readers of her work to believe the author was a man. I had never heard about VC until a few weeks ago when I was told about an incredible scene from the film adaptation of her book, Flowers in the Attic, from the woman that's taught me so much about horror and life - my fucking amazing mom (the Uncle Ben to my Peter Parker existence).

The story follows the narration of a twelve year old girl and her family. Her father dies in a tragic car accident and the family moves to their mother's parents' home where the girl, her brother, and two younger siblings are locked in the attic and shit goes pretty fucking bad from there. The scene that introduced the work to me was when the daughter confronts her grandmother, telling her right the fuck off. After she leaves, the mother puts a handkerchief into her mouth, then screams silently. Wicked. Now, let's start from the start of Virginia's life.

"Tragedy had sent me headlong into reality. All the things I had seen before now looked different, even nature."

Virginia was the youngest child and only daughter of the Andrews family. She was born June 6, 1923, in Portsmouth, Virginia where she always showed promise as an artist. When she was a teen, she would take a horrible fall down a flight of stairs at her school which would leave her with severe back injuries. When she underwent surgery to correct these ailments, the procedure would result in crippling arthritis that would force Virginia to use crutches and a wheelchair for remainder of her life.

“Only someone who had cried a great deal understands why someone else wants to stop the tears.”

A force to be reckoned with, in spite of her constant pain, Virginia moved forward. She would complete a four year correspondence course from home which would lead her into becoming commercial artist, illustrator, and portrait painter - and a very successful one at that. It would be years later that Virginia's interests would lead her to writing. Her first novel was called Gods of the Green Mountain and remained unpublished throughout her life. It wasn't until 2004 that is actually had a release, an e-book release. Maybe there wasn't enough incest in it for the publishers - that joke will become more funny after you read the next paragraph if you are unfamiliar with VC's work.

“There was a war going on in our house. A silent war that sounded no guns, and the bodies that fell were only wishes that died and the bullets were only words and the blood that spilled was always called pride.”

In 1975, Virginia would finish a new novel, originally title The Obsessed. Being a manuscript at the time, it was returned to her with the suggestion that she expand the story and 'spice it up'. She rewrote it that night, coming back with the title, Flowers in the Attic. Now, I'm not certain what the original version contained, but I do know that this story was highly controversial. The fact that it was based on a true story that had been told to Virginia by her doctor during her treatment at the University of Virginia hospital just seems to upset more people.

He and his siblings had been locked away in the attic for six years to preserve the family wealth. In her story, two sisters and two brothers are locked in the attic by their mother. There is a younger set of boy/girl twins and the older brother and sister that begin to almost be like parents to the younger siblings and start a strange relationship as the two are maturing at the time. Harsh things happen, the children are starved, tortured, at one point the older boy cuts his wrist to feed the blood to the younger ones, the older girl steals a kiss from her new stepfather which results in a jealous raping from her brother. Yeah, I can see how that would piss people off. It was removed from schools due to the 'filthiness of the material'.

“I wish the night would end,
I wish the day'd begin,
I wish it would rain or snow,
or the wind would blow,
or the grass would grow,
I wish I had yesterday,
I wish there were games to play...”

There was a lot of harsh honesty in the work, too. The grandmother character suffers from her injury that keeps her in constant pain. One must wonder if that was similar to the pain Virginia must have been tormented with during her life. Flowers in the Attic would be published in 1979 and see great success. Within two weeks, it was at the top of the Bestseller's List. Every year that followed until her death, she would publish a new novel.

“You've got to learn something from every defeat in life or life will defeat you.”

Virginia's novels had a style of combining family drama and gothic horror. Many times there would be themes of consensual incest and would be a type of rags to riches tale. Her work was so sensationally poplar that after her death, her estate hired a ghost writer by the name of Andrew Neiderman to continue publishing work under her name. Sadly, Virginia would succumb to breast cancer on December 19, 1986.

It's a testament to the life of an artist that even when they are gone from this world, their work continues to exist on its own as people discover her books and lose themselves in her stories.

~Sylv

Lisa Marie

2012-02-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

"I'd walk across Death Valley in stilettos."

They say behind every good is a good woman. Hollywood has seen many a power couple rise and fall. From as far back as I can remember loving Tim Burton and his work, I remember being entranced by the hauntingly beautiful Lisa Marie. They met in 1991 and in 1994 she made her first of many appearances in his work in the film ED WOOD as Vampira, a no brainer as far as casting. To research the role, she sought out the original Vampira, Maila Nurmi, to pay her timeless character the proper respect.

She came to also play in MARS ATTACKS, SLEEPY HALLOW, PLANET OF THE APES, the short film THE WORLD OF STAIN BOY, and was the inspiration for THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS' Sally. It appeared to be a fairy tale romance until their relationship came to an abrupt end during the making of PLANET OF THE APES when Tim Burton left Lisa Marie for Helena Bonham Carter. What took place? Was it a case of love lost or rather infidelity? There's no way that we'll ever know for sure, but regardless, for a time, Lisa Marie was both a muse for and a vital part of Tim Burton's life and art.

Lisa Marie grew up in New Jersey attending Catholic school. She was raised by her father and her grandparents. Her grandmother died when Lisa Marie was four. She moved to New York at age 16 to study theatre, dance and music. For eight years she studied ballet which contributed to the lovely way she moved and would carry herself. Already in highschool she began modeling for the Click Agency. Infamously even then her measurements were listed at 34D-25-35. She has modeled for photographers such as Robert Mapplethorpe and Bruce Weber and has been featured for Calvin Klein.

She appeared in LET'S GET LOST, a 1988 documentary on the life of jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. She also had a small role in one of Woody Allen's lesser films, 1990's ALICE.

On New Years Eve of 1991, a 23 year old Lisa Marie met Tim Burton at a club. She had just quit modelling for Calvin Klein.

According to a Boston Herald article, Tim Burton and Lisa Marie claimed to have bonded over mutually witnessing two UFO sightings in California. At the time, Tim Burton was married and reportedly having trouble with his four year marriage. He divorced and became engaged to Lisa Marie from Valentine's Day 1993 to 2001.

It's bitter sweet to write about Lisa Marie. Her and Tim Burton's romance was one of those that I would look to to solidify that their is such a thing as true love in this world. Dark and dreary Tim matched with the intoxicating beauty Lisa Marie, it seemed like something out of a fairy tale or a Tim Burton film. Who knows what happened, but it seems that both parties were deeply upset by their separation. As we all know, there are no true fairy tales in this life. After their break up, Lisa Marie took a break from the screen. Living in the public eye makes having those personal moments ever more difficult to have and she took some much needed personal time. She is slated to return to the silver screen and I, for one, couldn't be happier.

And Lisa Marie is returning to film by working with one of my favorite bad boy rockers and horror directors. None other than Rob Zombie in his upcoming THE LORDS OF SALEM. It's, not surprisingly given the title, about a coven of witches. It's currently filming.

It's not easy to recover from such a public heart break, but I anxiously await her return. It takes a lot of balls, especially with the whole world watching.

Fatally Yours,
Jen

Naomi Watts

2012-02-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

"We're so afraid of death in our culture, but I think if we understand it better, then we'll appreciate the life we have more." ~ Naomi Watts

A definite tone of these articles and for Women In Horror in general is fearlessness. It seems that society has long told women that there are certain things expected of them. Be sweet. Be polite. Don't offend. Don't say this. Don't say that. It's "unlady-like". I find nothing more inspiring than a woman who doesn't only bend these rules. She shatters them.

"Pain is such an important thing in life. I think that as an artist you have to experience suffering. It's not enough to have lived it once; you have to relive it. Darkness is not a pejorative thing."

Naomi Watts is as brave as they come. Her choices in roles are that which many would not have the strength to play. I think we all felt it when we saw MULHOLLAND DR. A shocking, provocative, and disturbing piece where she truly shined. At that definite tone shift in the film, you find yourself at a loss of what is reality and what is a fabrication and her outstanding performance is no small part of that. It was this role that would give her critical acclaim and place her as a staple in films both disturbing and horrific.

"Yeah, I suppose I am ordinarily drawn to the darker stuff. You won't find me in a romantic comedy. Those movies don't speak to me. People don't come to talk to me about those scripts, because they probably think I'm this dark, twisted, miserable person."

Her performance when playing off the wonderful Viggo Mortensen and directed by Canadian treasure David Cronenberg was absolutely brilliant in EASTERN PROMISES. Maybe not a horror film per se, but an outstanding film.

A personal favorite film of hers is FUNNY GAMES. If you haven't seen it, go do that. The moment you finish reading this piece. I'm not one to spoil things for you, but it is one of the greatest "horror" films I have ever seen. Now, I do have a different definition of horror than most. I feel anything that is horrific is horror. PASSION OF THE CHRIST is, in my humble opinion, a horror film. It's a lot of other things, too, sure, but horror is definitely one of those things. Here's a little taste of FUNNY GAMES...

Naomi Ellen Watts, born 28 September 1968, began her career in Australian television. Her film debut was the 1986 drama FOR LOVE ALONE. In 1996, she appeared in Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering. For this role, she made a mere $5,000. She's come a long way, especially in a business where women commonly make less than their male counterparts for the same job since then. In 2005, she reportedly made $5,000,000 for her role in KING KONG.

"It was the character that drew me to this project. It's a genre film, and you get all those moments that you get in a genre film, but you get a little bit more. I think it's more psychological. And the character has her own personal journey to go through, and I particularly liked it for that reason. Rachel starts out as a flawed person and not the greatest mother. She's not asking the questions, she's a little bit driven and focused on what she thinks is the right thing to do, which is work, work, work, survive, survive and provide for my child. But it's only after all the drama and the chaos happens that she realizes that it's not just about that. It's about spending time and asking the questions and recognizing what your child needs before he states it." ~ Naomi Watts on THE RING

Naomi made waves again in the American adaptation of RINGU, THE RING. Though I am not a huge fan of foreign films being remade in the North American market, THE RING had a profound effect on horror. It launched several more North American foreign film remakes and a movement where people sought out the originals of these films. That in itself is a milestone. It encouraged many to look outside the North American box and seek out foreign films, where some truly amazing films were being made but not receiving the recognition they deserved. Naomi also did a sequel to the film.

I am a believer that with great power comes great responsibility. I find it sad how few celebrities use the power they have exclusively for self gain or the ever popular nothing at all. Naomi does in fact use her powers of fame and influence for the benefit of others. In 2006, Naomi Watts became a goodwill ambassador for Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, it helps to raise awareness of AIDS issues. She has used her high profile and celebrity to call attention to the needs of people living with this disease. She participated in events and activities, including the 21st Annual AIDS Walk. She is presented as an inaugural member of AIDS Red Ribbon Awards. She has participated in campaigns for fundraising. On 1 December 2009, Naomi was meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and joined the AIDS response at a dramatic public event commemorating World AIDS Day 2009. During the event, she said: "It has been both unfortunate and unfair for HIV infection to be considered a shameful disease, for people living with HIV to be judged as blameworthy, and for AIDS to be equated with certain death. I have personally seen that dignity and hope have been strongest among those whose lives were changed by HIV."

And she's a women who is far from done. After working with such famed directors as David Lynch, David Cronenberg, and David O. Russell (three of my very favorite Davids), Naomi does not intend to go gently into that good night. It is commonly known that aging actresses are treated differently from aging actors. Where one is embraced, the other is merely replaced. She, like many of us, would like to see that come to an end.

"If I have to produce movies, direct movies, whatever to change the way Hollywood treats older women, I'll do it. If I have to bend the rules, I will. If I have to break them, I will."

Here's to a woman who never lets fear stand in her way.

Fatally Yours,
Jen

Marina de Van

2012-02-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

In this world, you've got to have balls to make it and that goes double for us ladies. When I first heard of an edgy little flick called IN MY SKIN, I thought it sounded chalk full of balls. When I discovered that this film was written by, directed by, and starring a woman named Marina de Van, a film so disturbing many claim they can't even sit through it, I was enthralled. When I discovered that this film was her debut feature, I was floored.

The film itself may be difficult to watch for some. If you're reading this and thinking, "gosh, I wonder if it's too harsh for me" it probably is. Please don't come telling me it gave you nightmares or turned your stomach. My only response would be, as always, "you're welcome".

The following description does involve a few spoilers, so be forewarned.

IN MY SKIN, "Dans Ma Peau" follows the lovely, self-conscious young woman, Esther, superbly portrayed by the mesmerizing Marina herself, who works for a public relations firm. Her life appears to be on the up and up. Her boyfriend wants to live with her, she's in line for a promotion, things appear to be going well for her. One night at a party, Esther wanders into the backyard and stumbles, scratching her leg on a piece of scrap metal. She goes back to the party, and later realizes that her injury is much more severe than she had initially thought. There's a deep, ugly gouge all the way up her shin from which she bleeds profusely. Reasonably, she goes to a doctor, who patches her up and tells her she might need a skin graft. But Esther becomes obsessed with the wound. She won't let it heal. She finds herself sneaking away during work to cut herself. As her leg becomes an ugly scarred mass, she begins to notice a problem with her arm. And I'll stop there as I can imagine you can see where this is heading.

It is a beautiful piece. What starts as morbid curiosity soon devolves into obsessional mutilation. The film focuses on self-mutilation in a very sickening way. This is a compulsion that can't be controlled. The psychosis is very real and upsetting, but in a strange way beautiful, like a masochistic voyage of self discovery. She truly feels through these mutilations and to have such a strong and defined vision for her debut film is exceptional.

And where did this fascination come from for Marina? Like the best of art, it came from what she knows and her own experiences. When she was 8 years old, a car struck her and broke her leg.

"I didn't faint and I didn't really feel pain. Instead, I saw my leg as if it wasn't part of my body, as if it was an object. For me, then, it was a fascinating deformed object."

When her mother showed her X-rays of her leg, she pointed out that part of the bone was missing and had been thrown away after an operation.

"That really intensified my feeling of estrangement from my leg. It wasn't mine but I was obsessed with looking at it.
As I grew up, I began to think that in our society we are utterly alienated from our bodies. Think of the work we do in offices - it's as though our bodies could have their own lives and we wouldn't necessarily know about it. There is a split, and sometimes our bodies are utterly absent from us.
I became more and more struck by this during my early adulthood, how alienated we are from our bodies. I was also struck by how little it takes for our bodies, or parts of our bodies, to suddenly become alien objects, but ones which fascinate us. All you have to do is see your leg at an unusual, unfeasible angle, for example, for it to become a strange spectacle that's like looking at an object that in some ways has nothing to do with you. Of course, in another way it does have something to do with you and you know it does."

I think we can all relate to feeling at one time or another, trapped in our own bodies. Feeling alienated from them even. A broken limb, for instance. It is so brave of Marina to tackle a subject so common, but is such a relenting manner, completely unconcerned with the fact that it puts some people quite off. Any subject matter that speaks directly to her is fair game. She is not a woman to shy away from anything. And the reason she decided to play Esther in the film?

"Because the film is about my obsession with my body. I had a great desire to explore it by putting it on film."

Here is the trailer. If you're someone who can handle it, you should definitely seek out the film. I highly recommend it.

Little is known of her personal life. Though she is so open and honest on camera, with her words, and with her work, she prefers to keep her personal life exactly that. Personal. She was born in 1971 and studied Philosophy at Sorbonne University before enrolling at the prestigious film school FEMIS. It was here that she met Francois Ozon, a filmmaker she would find herself collaborating with again and again. They co-wrote 8 WOMEN and UNDER THE SAND together. Marina de Van has a brother, Adrian Van, which is a very good actor. He also plays in sitcom and made a brief appearance in IN MY SKIN. Her father is a musicologist. She studied at the Lycée Henri IV and at the Sorbonne University where she earned a degree in philosophy.

Marina's fascination with identity and feeling disassociated with ones own self are the themes of her second feature, DON'T LOOK BACK, with screened out of competition at Cannes and starred the enchanting and bold Monica Bellucci. Though it didn't receive the same praise as her first film, it is an intriguing look into one's own self and one's own identity. It is beautifully and bravely directed and, like all her work, provocative.

There is a phrase that I've heard tossed around. I've even seen it tagged up on buildings in my home haunt of Vancouver. Fear is ruining your life. And it's true. Fear holds you back, fear makes you give up, fear can keep you from even trying in this life. Marina is a striking example of how to live one's life and create one's art without fear. Be true to yourself and your work will reflect that honesty.

I look very forward to Marina's next piece and highly encourage you to be fearless and check out IN MY SKIN.

Fatally Yours,
Jen

Milicent Patrick

2012-02-07T01:00:00.000-08:00

"The designer of the approved Gill-man was Disney animator Milicent Patrick, though her role was deliberately downplayed by makeup artist Bud Westmore, who for half a century would receive sole credit for the creature's conception." - wikipedia

A little known fact about the iconic design of Gill-man was that the artist behind it was an Italian born baroness — the Baronesa di Polombara named Mildred Elizabeth Fulvia di Rossi. She would later change her name to Milicent Patrick which is quite suiting for a woman whose life was incredibly mysterious - case in point, the Screen Actors Guild lists her amongst the missing. After 1980, there are no definitive details about her life, her death, or her whereabouts. Aw, women and their mystique. Let's learn more about this fascinating lady, shall we?*

*I've found different articles with different facts about Milicent's life, if you find contradictory statements blame me, but also blame the enigma that was Milicent Patrick.

"The Beauty Who Created the Beast." - wikipedia

Milicent was born November 11, 1915 (according to IMDB) another article claims she was born in the 1930s - making her a Scorpio. Her father was Camille Charles Rossi, an architect and engineer. Most famously he oversaw the construction of William Randolph Hearst’s Castle estate in San Simeon, California. Camille's work would have him traveling around the world and Milicent would travel with him. She grew up in San Simeon and in South America. A gifted child, she had ambitions of becoming a concert pianist - yet, when she graduated from high school, at the age of 14 (damn right, gifted child), she studied art with her scholarship at Chouinard Institute in California.

"It would still frighten you, but because how human it was, not the other way around." - William Alland, Producer of CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON

Milicent was multi-talented. As an actress, she appeared in 21 films over the course of twenty years, including titles like: THE WOMEN OF PATCAIRN ISLAND, RAMAR OF THE JUNGLE, LIMELIGHT, and LUST FOR LIFE - although you will find that almost all of her appearances go uncredited. Much of her work went unaccredited - for two reasons. One, Milicent shied away from the limelight and two, sexism and severe professional jealousy from her boss and Universal make-up department head, George Hamilton “Bud” Westmore, who went to great lengths to take credit for her impressive work as his own.

Apparently, it rubs some people the wrong way to be so talented, but that never stopped her - in her career she also acted in dozens of television shows and worked as a costumer, character designer, and illustrator. Multi-talented indeed. There is a saying that goes 'jack of trades, master of none', however Milicent was probably unaware as she excelled at everything she did and looked absolutely stunning while she did it.

"In any case, it is, uh, interesting to imagine the reactions of the rest of the male artisans in the Universal art department to the presence of the frankly va-va-voom Ms. Patrick in their midst."
-astromonster.com

M-I-C-K-E-Y, Y? Because she was actually one of the first female animators ever hired by the Disney Studios. What? Yup. Fuck yeah, Milicent. In 1954, she would tour to promote the release of the 3D film, THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON. She played a key role in the design of the creature, the Gill-man, whose notoriety would only be rivalled by King Kong and Godzilla. The creature design and 3D cinematography was huge cinematic milestone in the 1950s. This is also where she got the moniker - the beauty that created the beast by Universal. These accolades truly pissed off Westmore despite Milicent's efforts to bring proper dues to the entire team involved in the creation, he vowed never to hire her as an artist again and made good on those threats.

“I don’t think she was ’burned’...that was not her character, and the incident itself wasn’t quite that extreme...She was reaching an age where parts were harder to come by, didn’t want to go back to animation, and didn’t have the connections to make-up and costuming she had earlier in her career. It happens that way."
-Robert Skotak, regarding the impact of her situation with Westmore on her career

Westmore's tirade cut short Milicent's promising career and his efforts muddled much of her contributions then and thereafter, but there are some amazing details and accomplishments that even complete asshole douchebaggery could not bury. Milicent Patrick designed the Xenomorph for IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE in 1953, the Gill Man for CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON in 1954, the Metaluna mutant for THIS ISLAND EARTH in 1954, and was a mask maker on ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE in 1953 and THE MOLE PEOPLE (self explanatory) in 1956. She was a brilliant artist with an amazing vision and sadly, herself and her work goes greatly unknown.

Milicent Patrick would die February 24, 1998. In her personal life, she and actor, George Tobias, would have an ongoing love affair for over forty years until his death, despite that they never married. She would marry twice in her life, though. Despite the situation between her and Westmore, she never became embittered. She continued to accredit him for the opportunities that she was given and was apologetic that he felt that she had stepped on his toes in any way.

Dignity, always dignity. A true lady and a phenomenal artist and now just a little bit less obscure and unknown after you finish this sentence.

~Sylv

Taylor Momsen

2012-02-06T01:00:00.001-08:00

"Honestly, if I'd have ended up as Hannah Montana, I don't know if the show would have gone as well. I probably would have told them all to go fuck themselves by the time I hit 11. And I don't know how that would have gone down."

Blonde haired and blue eyed bouncing baby girl, Taylor Momsen, was born July 26, 1993, in St. Louis, Missouri. She would grow up Roman Catholic and attend The Lady of Lourdes school. At the age of three, she would land her first gig in a Shake n Bake commercial. Then she was cast in THE PROPHET'S GAME. You probably were introduced to her at the same time and the same way that I was - as adorable Cindy Lou Who in HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS. I remember watching this little porcelain girl and thinking that was an extremely talented child and added her song 'Christmas, Why Can't I Find You?' to the list of random shit I sing at Christmas time.

"My favourite blogs are where you get the mothers saying, ‘She’s the worst influence on my daughter, I would never let my daughter dress like that’, or, ‘This girl’s such a whore, she’s a slut’. And I’m, like, you’re a mother! And I’m 16."

After THE GRINCH, Taylor landed the title (well, half title) role of Gretel in HANSEL AND GRETEL. It would be three years before she would work again, this time in a never aired WB series called MISCONCEPTIONS. When she became 13, she worked on SAVING SHILOH, and would be cast in the Disney flick, UNDERDOG, the following year.

I would say the next coolest thing would due the role that she didn't book as HANNAH MONTANA. I would have definitely have dug the music and show more, but I really like the direction that Taylor actually went. There is a stereotype forced upon young women, especially those purty blonde haired, blue eyed gals that there is a certain way to conduct yourself and a certain type of person that you should be. I think Taylor gave that stereotype a double fisted one-fingered salute. And she was a young teen when she did it.

"I do think the Disney bubblegum shit that the world is living right now is pathetic. I thought we passed that repression."

At this point, you might be asking yourself - seriously, Sylv? Taylor Momsen for an inspirational woman? and I retort, fuck yeah, but I have my reasons. This goth punk rocker - we will get to her music career shortly - doesn't allow herself to fall into the nice and proper 'ladylike' bullshit which is archaic to sat the least. I'm not saying you have to be like this girl, but it would make the world a much more refreshing place if everyone was just themselves without trying to hard to be what people think they are supposed to be.

I've seen this young woman call ladies of all sizes, races, religions, and what have you onto stage with her and take off their tops, bras stay on, Taylor usually has x's over her nipples, and make every single girl feel sexy, cool, and like a rockstar as she sings to them and dances with them. It has always been about loving the person that you are, not mattered how fucked up or different with Taylor that is a rad perspective and message from someone so young.

"I've had lots of relationships. My parents know that I'm not going to date someone who's sixteen. Boys are so much less mature than girls as it is; there's just no way- I would eat a boy my age alive."

In 2008, Taylor worked with director Gus Van Sant in his flick, PARANOID PARK. At the time since 2007, she has been playing Jenny Humphrey on GOSSIP GIRL - to keep track, this started when she was fourteen. This was also the time she signed on with IMG Models for her modelling work. On August 16, 2011 - she told Elle Magazine that she was quitting acting to focus on her music career - her band the Pretty Reckless. The idea behind it being that she feels more comfortable being able to be herself rather than play someone else. She writes, sings, and plays guitar for the group.

"The other day, this reporter brought his 12 year old daughter to an interview. She was looking at me opened-mouthed, like: 'I want stripper shoes Daddy!' He hated me! I hope girls read what I say in interviews -- they should just be themselves. They wouldn't want to be like me. I'm crazy. I'm fucking out of my mind. I've been told I was out of my mind since I was 11."

The band signed with Interscope Records. Their first album, entitled Light Me Up, was released on August 30, 2010 in the UK. It debuted at number 6, and respectively at 18 in Ireland. The first three singles were 'Make Me Wanna Die', 'Miss Nothing', and 'Just Tonight'. She is currently touring with her band and will be on the cover on the next FHM Magazine.

What I like most about Taylor is that she does what she wants without letting other people's judgements into the mix. Her wardrobe looks like the sex kitten lingerie of a vampire, she doesn't shy away from being crass, she lives her life as the person that she wants to, and she doesn't judge people. Phenomenal young lady.

~Sylv

Colleen Atwood

2012-02-05T01:00:00.000-08:00

"Costumes are the first impression that you have of the character before they open their mouth-it really does establish who they are."

Colleen Atwood was born in 1950 in Yakima, Washington. A woman whose works would go on to generate nine Academy award nominations and three wins - she was never a woman to back down from a challenge. Like many of us, she worked retail while she strived to make her career happen at places like Yves St. Laurent boutique at Frederick & Nelson department store in the city in the 1970s. This experience as a fashion advisor would lead her to costume design and initial notoriety from her work on Sting's Bring On The Night World Tour and documentary by the same name.

In 1980, she moved to New York where she would study art at New York University. Shortly after, Colleen would begin her film career as a production assistant on a film called RAGTIME. An acquaintance's mother was a set designer for the show and would bring her on. In 1982, she would get her first film credit as an assistant to costume designer, Patrizia von Brandenstein, on a film entitled A LITTLE SEX.

After working on JOE VS THE VOLCANO in 1990, Colleen would be recommended to meet a filmmaker named Tim Burton regarding his upcoming film, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS. This is one of my favourite flicks of all time. Every department tells a story like no other, truly bringing the audience into that world. Colleen and Tim sat down for an interview about the project and hit it off royally which was the beginning of a beautiful working relationship.

"The reward is that you can actually create a world separate from reality with a story, actors, music, and camera design. When it works it can entertain, move people and teach us all."

EDWARD SCISSORHANDS would be what prompted Colleen to move to LA in 1990 and where she would work for many years and continues to this day. The two would go on to collaborate on many visually spectacular films, such as SLEEPY HALLOW, MARS ATTACKS, BIG FISH, PLANET OF THE APES, ED WOOD, and ALICE IN WONDERLAND which would win her an Oscar for her costume design. Just with those impressive productions, you would think this lady was more than set for life, but she's played a big hand in some of the biggest flicks of all time.

"A good costume is really about a great silhouette. So if you can create a great costume through that and color and shape, people will get the picture."

Colleen has a gift not only for fantasy modern fairy tale costume design, but also in moody, dark realism. This is most evidently seen in her work on Jonathan Demme's films - PHILADELPHIA and SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. Both films look at reality based horror - both are upsetting and character driven pieces. As infamously said by Buffalo Bill in SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, "Would you fuck me? I'd fuck me. I'd fuck me hard." In wardrobe as sexy and uber stylized as that. Yes, Bill. I would fuck the living hell out of you. Hannibal too. And that's because Colleen is so damn good at her design work.

"Some of the kimonos took as long as four to five months to make, with all the layers that go into it."

At this point, it shouldn't come as a surprise, gentle reader, that Colleen Atwood excels at any given genre or time piece costume design. She is the masterful mind behind the attire seen on the cast in LITTLE WOMEN, MARRIED TO THE MOB, WYATT EARP, CHICAGO, and, one of Jen's favourite films, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA. For those of you that read the book, you are aware of the striking description of the kimonos in the story. If you are aware of the history of these gorgeous garments, their creation is a tremendous labor of love. Each kimono representing the wealth and worth of a person. Their exact look and design was integral tot he telling of this story and Colleen didn't disappoint. Her efforts would win her her second Academy Award. She also won for her work on CHICAGO.

"If you want someone to feel warm, you dress them in a warm color and put a warm light on them and you get the picture. Sometimes, all that needs pushing a little bit to help tell the story."

Winner of three Academy Awards, mother of two girls - Tracey and Charolette, Tim Burton's woman to call for costumes on his projects, a woman whose thoughtful design work not only helps in the creation of unforgettable characters but their films as well, Colleen Atwood's career is extraordinary and she's not slowing down. She was the designer behind the iconic wardrobe for My Chemical Romance in their Black Parade album and the designer for even more films like PUBLIC ENEMIES, THE TOURIST, NINE, LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 3, SWEENEY TODD, THE RUM DIARY, DARK SHADOWS, and SNOW WHITE & THE HUNTSMAN.

A lot of people who work behind the scenes don't get enough credit for what they bring to films and it was a pleasure getting to research Colleen's career and share it with you. I hope this inspires you to look into different departments in your favourite flicks and see the kick ass men and women who made that film so spectacular.

~Sylv

Samus Aran

2012-02-04T01:00:00.000-08:00

"Unlike most other female video game characters, Samus isn't some husky-voiced bimbo in tight leather included only for sex appeal. Samus is tough, silent, heavily armed and spends most of her time in a bulky suit of high-tech Power Armor." - Justin Hoeger, The Sacramento Bee

In 1986, a video game called METROID hit Nintendo Entertainment Systems everywhere. Merging the platforming of the SUPER MARIO BROTHERS style of game play with the exploration aspects of LEGEND OF ZELDA and setting the scene in a darker space realm, gamers would play as ex-Galactic Federation soldier turned bounty hunter, Samus Aran, as they travelled to the space caverns of Zebes to stop Space Pirates from achieving Galactic domination.

What you might not and many gamers didn't know at the time was that your character, fully decked out in a totally badass power suit with laser shooter, was a woman. If you were able to complete the game under an hour, then you would be privy to the highly guarded secret.

"Warning. This Article contains the spoiler that Samus is a girl, so, if you don't want to find out that Samus is a girl, which she is, don't read it. Because Samus is a girl." -Uncyclopedia, Samus Aran Page Warning

What significance can does this have? Well, for an avid gamer like me - been hitting the consoles hard since I got my NES at the age of five - it didn't really hit home at the time. There were lots of ladies in games. Like Princess Toadstool, that I needed to save. And Princess Zelda, that I needed to save. Yet, Samus didn't need any saving. She did the saving and she wasn't the token 'chick in a game' sort of chick either. She wore a power suit, because when you're fighting Mother motherfucking Brain, you really want to be in a power suit.

Samus Aran was gaming's first female character that didn't rely on a man to save her. Even though she wasn't originally a she - Samus' sex was determined halfway through production by the development team and I wonder if the series would have been as popular had 'she' been a 'he'. Yeah, fuck that, probably not.

Despite the fact that if you do beat the game in time to get your big reveal of Samus, the big reveal in itself is a big reveal with your bounty hunter in a bikini. Now, I've heard people complain and remark that this is some sort of sexism - I must try to be less sexist when I go the beach in that same thought process - but it's an intentionally 'hey look, that badass bounty hunter is a girl' moment for the player and I think it comes across quite rad.

Besides, Yoshio Sakamoto, the Japanese Nintendo designer who designed METROID, has fought industry standards to downplay Samus' sexuality. Not showing a glimpse of skin, programmers find other ways to add Samus' sexuality to her role and not in the sexy kitten way, but rather the maternal instinct in prime (pun intended) example where Samus protects the Metroid hatchling as seen in the end of METROID 2: THE RETURN OF SAMUS.

"I next fought the Metroids on their homeworld, SR388. I completely eradicated them, except for a larva which, after hatching, followed me like a confused child... I personally delivered it to the galactic research station at Ceres so scientists could study it's energy-producing qualities."

The noble efforts of the Metroid team won't protect the image of the icon from fan art and fan fiction, but that isn't solely a female-focused issue. I was googling 'arrow in the knee' as I have been playing Skyrim as of late and saw a fan orgy pic including the soldier who' used to be an adventurer' before his injury. If someone wants to jerk off to it, there will be something on the internet to support that.

Rupert Goodwins, The Independent said about her sex, "Samus Aran is apparently female, although the Transformer-like suit she wears could just as easily contain a large centipede; it's hardly a breakthrough for feminism." - and totally misses the point of the character and her gender. Yeah, it could be anyone under there. Just like how Spider-man's suit hides his identity to the 'it could be anyone extent'. Having a female character that plays a tough, take no shit role in the game that is depicted as a tough sexless character is a breakthrough for feminism in gameplay - after all feminism is all about equality and that notion women and men are equal.

"Planet Zebes... I called this place home once, in peaceful times, long before evil haunted the caverns below. Now I shall finally tell the tale of my first battle here... My so-called Zero Mission."

*The following paragraph is pure nerdism of basic game story lines in the series.

*What has the blonde bounty hunter been up to these days? Well, from METROID (1986) on the NES and fighting Mother Brain on Zebes, her adventures went on to METROID 2: RETURN OF SAMUS (1991) - Samus must destroy the deemed too dangerous to exist Metroids, including Queen Metroid, but saves a hatchling that she brings back to her scientists, SUPER METROID (1994) - just as she is leaving base, Ridley kidnaps the hatchling which he brings to Zebes where a new base has been built and the Space pirates are starting shit again. At the cost of its life, the hatchling restores a grim Samus so she can destroy Mother Brain once more, METROID PRIME (2002) - Space pirates again that steal her suit and perhaps the beginning of Dark Samus, METROID FUSION (2002) - major parasite and Metroid problems here, METROID: ZERO MISSION (2004) - Space pirates, Ridley, and Metroids in this Metroid remake, METROID PRIME 2: ECHOES (2004) - new baddies called the Ing and shadow selves, introducing Dark Samus, METROID PRIME PINBALL (2005) - pinball, METROID PRIME HUNTERS (2006) - a trick by a monster named Gorea that Samus totally kills, METROID PRIME 3: CORRUPTION (2007) - Space pirated again, Phazon, and Dark Samus, METROID: OTHER M (2010) - Metroids and betrayal. Really fun gameplay in these and old side scrolling games are addictively awesome.

So, ladies and gents, are you a gamer? If you are, then you already know the endless hours of pure joy and fantasy that these worlds bring. It's like a movie, except you get to play a hands on role within it - as the hero kicking asses and taking names. If not,n why not pick up a controller and get it on! Seriously. It's a great way to chill, save the world, laugh your ass off, and thrill fully waste your time. It's not just for dudes, it's not just for chicks, it's not for young folks, it's not for old folks - it's every-fuckingbody. Game on, girls and boys. Game the fuck on!

~Sylv

Rodleen Getsic

2012-02-03T01:00:00.000-08:00

"Do what motivates you. Follow your intuitive voice. This is for EVERYONE: If you have something to create, some art or message to give to the world, you’d better do it. Don’t think too much about it. Just do it. As long as your intention is pure, you will create something worthwhile."

Brave, unapologetic, driven, and painfully intelligent. These are all words that describe the singer whose passions would lead her to becoming an actress and producer, constant activist and performance artist called Rodleen Getsic.

She was born March 18th, 1975 in Wenatchee, Washington to parents Pamela, a guidance counsellor, and Edward Giecek, an artist. She would grow up in Granite Falls, Washington where music was her first passion, but a 'more realistic' job was suggested to her at the age of seven as opposed to the film and music that interested her by her grandfather. So she tried her hand at politics.

"I was five years old. I studied my own character in many forms in front of the mirror, and acting, pretending I was being interviewed constantly, while doing chores, while cleaning, carrying logs to wood pile, gardening, dusting, and even walking to the bus stop, or riding my Stu Thompson — What ever I was doing — I would pretend I was the lead actress."

She became a community leader at the age of thirteen and is known well for her compassionate civil service. At 17, Rodleen attended Presidential Classroom where she met President George W. Bush and his cabinet ministers, including Dick Cheney. This caused a brief hiatus, with Rodleen focusing on music and traveling, before returning to in 1999 to 2001 where she would work with Jubilee world relief efforts.

Rodleen would take on the role of Lead Coordinator for Perry Farrell's Jubliee's Freedom Foundation along side organization president, Aaron Cohen. Constantly giving back to the community, she has worked for Gettlove which feeds Hollywood's homeless, served as the Spokesperson and Public Relations Chair for the Community of Conchita, California following their deadly mudslide disaster in 2005, has aided in the relief efforts following hurricanes Rita and Katrina, even performing in New Orleans.

"I decided to go into public service. This lasted through my teenage years, until I got laughed at by Dick Cheney in DC (who at the time in 1992 was the Secretary of Defense) when I asked him why the US focuses outwardly on other country’s problems, rather than focusing on our own deteriorating issues. At that time, I lost interest in my political trajectory, and had another spiritual experience that brought me the Spirit of Music. I became a musician. Later, when disaster hit one of my hometowns, La Conchita (2005), I did return to public service as a community organizer in disaster response."

A talented singer whose voice has been drawn comparisons to Diamanda Galas and Clare Torry. Not only a singer and songwriter, Rodleen plays non-traditional guitar, piano, bass, upright bass, jimbae, amongst others as she is always learning more instruments. Rodleen was influenced to scream on stage from Gary Finneran.

Her musical career is ridiculously impressive. She has been a supporting act for bands like Hellride, Fishbone, No Doubt, Kottonmouth Kings, Ratdog, Hot Tuna, and Thelonious Monster just to name a few. She has worked in the studio and stage with Andy Dick and the the Bitches of the Century which she sometimes performs in his opening act in a song called 'Fucker' that she wrote for him.

What else? Well, she has performed on tracks for Tommy Lee of Motely Crew, Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead (she also performed at his wedding), Stephen Perkins of Jane's Addiction, the Deftones, Dave Aron of Snoop Dogg, and Isaiah 'Ikey' Owens of Sublime and The Mars Volta just to give you an idea of how fucking impressive I meant by ridiculously impressive.

Rodleen would meet John Perry Barlow and Bob Weir in 1999 and leave quite the impression that would result in major interest from Grateful Dead Records to produce her original sound as their "first solo artist outside of The Dead" - but her original sound would prove to be 'not commercial enough' for their mother company, Arista Records.

Never one to let anything stop her, she went on to record her solo tacks as Bob's home studio as well as in The Grateful Dead Studios. In 2002-2003, she formed her band - Getsic - with rotating fucking epic all-star members that consisted of John Norwood Fisher (Fishbone): bass, Freddy Flint (Eek-A-Mouse): guitar, Spacey T (Fishbone): guitar, Kabade (HR): keys, and James Gray (Michael Franti, Spearhead): drums.

"I had record deal offers. I played in bands. One day, I had a dream, or a night vision, where my guardian angel appeared in white. He is a black man, and it was an all white room, so his face stood out in the picture. But then I noticed what he was holding. Linens. "What are those for?" I asked. He said, "They are for you..." "....I will take you to your cell." My heart dropped, and I gulped a 'really?' He said yes, and explained that I was going to be put into "jail" unless I shifted my dharma."

In a world where society went from free-thinking individuals - like you can see in the Bugs Bunny cartoons of yesterday where Bugs could take care of himself - to the beaten down flock of today - look at the cartoons, if a member goes off to do something alone there is only failure awaiting them, it is only when the character rejoins the group that success is possible - her ability to stand behind what she believes in is nothing short of extraordinary.

"Everyone has shadows. Some people are stuck in their shadows. A big part of what I was tapping into during the filming of The Bunny Game was the dark souls I have come into contact with here on Earth. There are really people in the world that hurt others, and I have seen them. We all see them in our government, battlefields, torture prisons, video games, news, and then on the streets, or in your neighborhood, maybe even you, people who prey on innocence. This is real life."

How I first came to know her is through her the film, THE BUNNY GAME, that she produced, and starred in as a prostitute named Sylvia Gray. This psychological independent thriller was directed by Adam Rehmeier - the concept was a collaboration of the two. The film is horror in its purest form and one of the most fearless projects I have ever heard of. This film is based on an actual abduction that Rodleen went through that was real life horror.

"Imagining that I do have a husband, or a wife.... Somewhere.... My Soulmate is entirely supportive of my art."

Now everything in this film is real. The abuse, the horror, the sexuality. There is a very dark feeling here and I watch the team that came together to create this film sharing and talking about their experiences and no one is crying, they have been changed by this experience, but they are still alive and well. What is my point? In real life, you don't get to cut to another scene and end the 'bad part'. You don't get to pan away from the inhumanity of a situation. In life, you have to endure pain, suffering is optional, but the pain is there and often when you least expect it. It's dangerous and leaves all kinds of marks on you.

"This film is my therapy."

How can a person come to terms with real life horror? I find art helps go through almost anything. In a film, you are no longer the helpless victim. As uncontrolled as the situation might seem on the screen, there is control there and in that there is power over what originally made you feel powerless.

"If you ask me, “Why should I seek out THE BUNNY GAME?” – I will tell you, if you are brave. If you are brave, and you want to experience real live art that has the capability of transforming your existence, then you want to watch THE BUNNY GAME. If you are a horror fan, and you are not afraid of seeing real horror happening, then you will want to experience THE BUNNY GAME. THE BUNNY GAME is art, and it is scary, horrific, and real."

Now this film is clearly not for everyone. It is not for minors and even if you are over 18, there is a very good chance that this film is not for you. Even if you can relate to this experience, this film may stir up things and take you to places that you do not want to go. That being said, I find a piece like this a hell of a lot more artistic and valuable in existence than the watered-down bullshit. Director Adam Rehmeier makes an excellent point with the pure absurdity how prostitution is depicted in films like PRETTY WOMAN that would lead viewers to believe that there is some happy rainbow at the end of selling your body to strangers for money.

Now, I've read about the BBFC ban of this film and how they made this decision on the fact that it may glorify violence to women. A film like this does not add glamor to what Rodleen's character goes through in this film, it disgusts and sickens you. It shows the true level of utter deplorable behaviour that humans inflict on others in the vilest form. It's real, it's dark, it will give you nightmares - and because of all those reasons, it is an inherently beautiful piece.

"We are all artists and singers, because these forms of creation come from our souls. We are all spiritual beings. By doing what motivates you, you are playing a role in the world. It may help you to understand your self, and you may inspire others. If there is anything holding you back, figure out what it is and release it. Release it into art. If you are afraid, take note. Journal about your fears. If you are afraid, there might be some genuine reason why. Or, maybe it is because you have a block in consciousness or confidence. Wake up. It is a crucial time for all of us to wake up, face the fear, and live life to the fullest."

To be so honest with the entire planet about what you have gone through as a woman and share it with an audience like Rodleen did is beyond badass and I respect the fuck out of her for it. She was awarded "Best Overall Individual Performance in a Film" at the Pollygrind Film Festival in 2011 and well fucking deserved. Never backing down, always speaking her mind, and with this being her first film, I look very forward to what is going to come next from this uncanny artist.

~Sylv

Reel Creepy Dead Hooker In A Trunk Review

2012-02-02T01:20:00.000-08:00

An absolutely gore-geous, honest, and thoughtful review of DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK. Reel Creepy is really awesome. Please check out his sites and especially his blog.

Please enjoy.

Today's Blog - http://reelcreepy.blogspot.com/2012/01/dead-hooker-in-trunk.html

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Fatally Yours,
Jen

Tristan Risk

2012-02-02T01:00:00.000-08:00

"Yup, no more running and cowering in the closet for us. The new breeds of horror female is more deranged than anything our predecessors could have dreamed up. When you go to sleep with the light on, you’ll be thinking of us. You're welcome."

There is a line in Madonna's What It Feels Like For A Girl where the lyrics mention feeling weak when you open up your mind to speak - I wonder if a woman like Tristan Risk, yes, her actual birth name, has ever had a moment like that. Born November 2nd, 1981, in Vancouver, Canada, and she would grow up in Tsawwassen.

Never one to waste time, she was performing since the age of six. Tristan left the safety of her hometown high school to follow her passion by transferring to a fine arts school, in which she would excel, unique personality intact. Nine years ago, she started performing burlesque as a joke has been lighting up venues with her fetish/Goth flair ever since.

"It’s a good reminder that we have the power to change our lives, kids."

One of the most daring, fearless, interesting, intelligent, kind, and talented women I know - I actually stalked this woman, who lives in Vancouver with me, online for years before ever meeting her. We had mutual friends, yet had never met, but did I ever enjoy creeping her Facebook and Youtube videos.

My favourite being interviews where, because of her appearance and the fact that she is a burlesque dancer, she would be asked idiotic questions and retort with such biting wit that the 'interviewer' was not even aware how well he just got served. Yes, I said burlesque, but I haven't even began to mention her bloody burlesque. A step backwards before we move on.

"Life is too short for shitty lingerie."

What does the woman also known as Little Miss Risk do with her time? This Canadian beauty is a constant performer from burlesque dancer that you can see performing in Vancouver with Sweet Soul Burlesque, gorelesque performer seen as a special guest with the Bloody Betty Troupe, scream queen, model and poster girl to everything fabulous, corsetier, chocolatier, baker, and sexiest magician's assistant you will ever have the thrill to see. Not mention a phenomenal actress who has performed in dozens of projects, her latest being a leading role in my beloved AMERICAN MARY cast.

"Again thank you to everyone who came out to see the gore, the destruction and mayhem. It was fun arousing & disgusting you at the same time"

Due to the need for the finest and most stylized choreography for the upcoming production, Tristan was brought in as head choreographer for AMERICAN MARY and head of the dancers to be involved in the project. Now, I had never met Tristan before her first interview. We had spoken in email to arrange our meeting, but everything else was much a mystery about the Scorpio knockout.

What I was about to learn is that Tristan is one of the most interesting human beings on the planet. Her adventures are fantastic, her work ethic phenomenal. As we spoke, all I could think of was whether she could act as well as she did everything else because she encompassed the every quality we were looking for in our Beatress Johnson. She would come in for her audition and not only nail the character, she would master the required voice as demonstrated in a singing performance, then end with a strip tease to Chris Isaak's Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing which started with her being handcuffed and blindfolded, blindfold, of course, the last to come off.

"I have been busy haunting the set without actually needing to be there, other than to circumnavigate my boredom and wondering what the Soska sisters were doing on set. People have asked me how did I involved, will I be topless, and was the casting couch fun. My answers to those questions are: that it’s a long story, you’ll have to wait and see, and duh."

In a world where some actors bitch and complain if they have to run or speak too much or too little, Tristan took on a demanding role that would require four hours for application, hair, and makeup, twelve hour performing days, choreographing the dances, heading the dance performer team, wrangling and supplying our parrot, and being there every day she could in addition to help and support the independent production. She did so with a smile and she knocked it all out of the park.

"I’ve seen some things in the last month that would likely give most people chronic nightmares for the rest of their days. It pleases me that the people generating these thoughts are all women. Growing up, I recall a woman’s place in a horror film was to be terrorized, possibly violated before meeting a grisly death."

And that's the way she lives her life. She doesn't let shit slide, she works her ass off day in and day out, she conducts herself with class and sass, and she's a testament to what your life can be like if you keep a clear focus on your dreams and work like a motherfucker to achieve them. I watch her perform, I hear her stories, and it makes me want to live a little braver and kick more ass in my day to day. Tristan lives her life on her own terms whether she is covered in blood on stage, screen, or just another day on the town.

I feel remarkably blessed that the world brought us together like this and hope that you enjoy this introduction before you meet her again in AMERICAN MARY as Beatress Johnson. This is only the beginning of the payoff of years of hard work and dedication. You're going to be seeing a lot more of this femme fatale in the future, and my God, will the show ever be spectacular.

~Sylv

Shirley Jackson

2012-02-01T01:00:00.000-08:00

"I never was a person who wanted a handout. I was a cafeteria worker. I'm not too proud to ask the Best Western manager to give me a job. I have cleaned homes."

Shirley Jackson was born on December 16th in 1916 in San Francisco, California, to parents, Leslie and Geraldine Jackson. She would grow up in nearby Burlingame where, as a teenager, she would write poetry and short stories. At 17, her family would move east and Shirley would attend the University of Rochester. After a year, she would take a leave of absence to stay home to practice her writing until she was producing at least a thousand words a day.

“So long as you write it away regularly nothing can really hurt you.”

In 1937, she would start her time at Syracuse University and would go on to become the fiction editor of the campus humour magazine. She would also publish her first short story, Janice, there. Winning a poetry contest at the University would also introduce her to her future husband, the then aspiring literary critic Stanley Edgar Hyman. The two would go on to found their own literary magazine, Spectre, before graduating together in 1940. The couple would move to Greenwich Village, New York, where Shirley would work odd jobs to make money while writing everyday.

"I have always loved to use fear, to take it and comprehend it and make it work and consolidate a situation where I was afraid and take it whole and work from there."

She would go on to write some of the most spectacularly creepy and controversial horror stories ever written, including The Lottery and The Haunting of House Hill, and even more spectacularly is how few people know that this is the lady author behind these works. Her work would go on to inspire horror heavy weights like Stephen King and VC Andrews. But what else would you expect from the woman whose short story got the biggest response to this day by readers of its publication in The New Yorker. Oh, yes, and most of it was hate mail.

"If I thought this was a valid cross section of the reading public, I would give up writing." (in response to the hate mail that met the publication of her famous story "The Lottery" in The New Yorker, 1948)

A woman who never backed down from a challenge or slowed down in life, by the time she had the first of her four children, her work was being published in The New Republic and The New Yorker, and, in 1944, her story, Come Dance With Me In Ireland, would be chosen for Best American Short Stories. A new teaching position for her husband, in 1945, would cause the family to move to an old house in North Bennington, Vermont, where Shirley would run the house, raise the children, and write scary as fuck stories while as she wrote every fucking day. In 1948, she would publish her first novel, The Road Through The Wall. Yet, her most notorious accomplishment was just around the corner when in the same year, her short story, The Lottery, would be published.

"I was born in San Francisco in 1919 and spent most of my early life in California. I was married in 1940 to Stanley Edgar Hyman, critic and numismatist, and we live in Vermont, in a quiet rural community with fine scenery and comfortably far away from city life. Our major exports are books and children, both of which we produce in abundance. The children are Laurence, Joanne, Sarah and Carry: my books include three novels, The Road Through The Wall, Hangsaman, The Bird's Nest, and a collection of short stories, The Lottery. Life Among the Savages is a disrespectful memoir of my children."

The Lottery was printed on June 26th, 1948. The story contrasts contemporary small town American life with an annual ritual known as 'the lottery.' The ritual is believed to ensure a good harvest, and although it has been abandoned in some of its surrounding towns, this story takes place in one that still does. The town's children gather stones as the adults prepare for the ceremony. Each family draws slips of paper, Bill Hutchinson draws one with the damning mark. The next day, the tradition continues, and it is Bill's wife, Tessie that is the drawer of the marked paper. The villagers grab stones and surround her. Tessie bemoans the unfairness of the situation as she is brutally stoned to death.

“Am I walking toward something I should be running away from?”

A story that you are probably familiar with, but the one you might be unaware of is just how pissed readers of The New Yorker and the members of the reading world became by this story. Subscriptions to the magazine were cancelled, the following summer was filled with many letters of hate directed at The Lottery. The story was banned in the Union of South Africa. The story most likely hit a nerve as many city counsels across America sponsored weekly cash-lotteries throughout rural communities which also encouraged commerce for the businesses that held them. Despite the initial response, it was gone on to be named a classic American short story and is "one of the most famous short stories in the history of American literature".

Shirley would go on to write dozens and dozens of short stories, novels, poems, and children's books. Her works would most famously also include Hangsaman, The Bird's Nest, The Sundial, and The Haunting on House Hill - a phenomenally haunting tale that would be made into many film versions and a novel that Stephen King would call "one of the finest horror novels of the late 20th century" and the Wall Street Journal would call "the greatest haunted-house story ever written."

“No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality; even larks and katydids are supposed, by some, to dream. Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against its hills, holding darkness within; it had stood so for eighty years and might stand for eighty more. Within, walls continued upright, bricks met neatly, floors were firm, and doors were sensibly shut; silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone.”

In 1965, at the age of 48, tragically too soon, Shirley would die of heart failure in her sleep at home in North Bennington. Throughout her life, she suffered from various neuroses and psychosomatic illnesses - the medicines used to treat these sickness taking their toll on her health. After her death, Shirley's husband would release a posthumous volume of her work, Come Along With Me, containing several chapters of her unfinished last novel, speeches from her writing seminars, and several rare stories.

In her short life, Shirley proved that unpopular speech in art may get you a shit load of hate mail and crowds of angry readers, but it is also a brave, fearless move that can make you the author behind one of the most famous short stories in American culture. She didn't let anyone sway her writing and the work speaks volumes - scary, uneasy, terrifying volumes - even today.

~Sylv

Dead Hooker Date Night with the Twisted Twins

2012-01-30T16:39:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow - January 31st, 2012 - marks the IFC Midnight release of DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK. Speaking of hookers, let's move onto propositioning. We have a very special proposition for you, boys and girls, and we truly hope that you say yes.

Hot date night. Twitter chatter - twisted_twins. And a whole lot of DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK celebrating! Thank you for making the last four years amazing, our dearest friends. Here's to another year filled with fun, dark, insanity.

~Jen and Sylv

Only ONE More Day Until the Release of DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000-08:00

Holy shit balls, Batman!!

After FOUR bloody years, from when we first started out to right bloody now, we've been journeying towards this day ever since we walked out of the theater, having seen GRINDHOUSE likely for the dozenth time, and uttered the words that would become our destiny, DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK.

It's an amazing feeling, to have come so far. To have had so many people stand behind this little film and ourselves. I truly cannot thank every single person who sought the film out and told a friend about it. Now, as it'll be released and available worldwide tomorrow, it'll be much easier to hunt down.

In the vein of this joyous account, please enjoy.

"I've never seen so many dead hookers!" ~ Norm MacDonald

XO,
J & S

Only TWO More Days Until the Release of DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK

2012-01-29T00:00:00.000-08:00

In a mere two days, the world will forever be changed. At long last, you, yes you, can have a DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK of your very own. I love, hold, cherish, heck, it'll be YOUR Dead Hooker, do whatever the hell you please with it.

We cannot WAIT!! This Tuesday, January 31st, the film will be released worldwide. Pre-orders available right this second.

And in celebration of this momentous occasion? A little early inspiration from the man who brought us EL MARIACHI and inspired us to make DEAD HOOKER in the first place.

We love you, Robert. Thank you for inspiring countless filmmakers to be brave like you, get off their asses, and make a movie. Our Dead Hooker is YOUR Dead Hooker.

Blood Spattered Embraces,
J & S

UK Horror Channel Exclusive Interview with the Twisted Twins

2012-01-28T23:31:00.000-08:00

We don't say it enough.

The UK fucking rocks.

DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK may be getting its worldwide release this Tuesday, January 31st, but that's old news if you live in the UK. Why is that? Oh, just cuz the UK had DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK since May 23rd 2011. That's right. The UK has been damn good to us. In addition to being the very first place to release the film, they were also the first ones to screen her at a festival, AND they gave her her television premiere. Not only that, but they didn't just play DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK once. Nope, they played her a whole thwack load and we have the utterly delicious UK Horror Channel to thank for that.

Truly, I may have to marry a Brit JUST to show my gratitude.

We're damn busy, but before we went into total and utter lock down editing our newest beast, AMERICAN MARY, we had the privilege of getting to chat with our very favorite station. For those of you NOT in the know, the UK Horror Channel is SKY 319, VIRGIN 149, FREESAT 138. Do tune in, won't you?

James Whittington, an absolutely wonderful gent and brilliant writer and all round stand up guy, caught up with us in an exclusive TWO PART INTERVIEW.

You can find PART ONE RIGHT HERE.

And....

You can find PART TWO RIGHT HERE.

We chatted about AMERICAN MARY. Yes, if we could say it, we did. We chatted about Eli Roth, how things have changed for us since the UK Horror Channel premiered DHIAT, our love for our UK fans, what's coming up next for us, our retirement from acting, and much more. Please enjoy.

And thank you so much to James for taking the time to chat with us!

Fatally Yours,
Jen

Only THREE More Days Until the Release of DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK

2012-01-28T20:24:00.000-08:00

In celebration...

Got DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK? This Tuesday (January 31st), go get your very own. DHIAT is released WORLDWIDE through IFC Midnight!

XO,
J & S

2012 WiH Massive Blood Drive Sneak Peek (2)

2012-01-24T20:53:00.000-08:00

Tristan, and Jen, and Randy, and Cliff?

Oh, my...

WiH Massive Blood Drive PSA... coming soon.

2012 WiH Massive Blood Drive Sneak Peek

2012-01-24T20:45:00.000-08:00

Sylvia Soska and Paul Anthony.

Coming soon...

Did you know every 3 seconds in the US alone someone needs blood? This Women In Horror recognition month (February) please give blood.

The Twisted Twins Shock Till You Drop Interview

2012-01-24T20:12:00.000-08:00

"The Soska sisters have the attention of the horror going community – one that is often accused of being sexist as hell. When you get the chance, grab yourself some Dead Hooker and then ask yourself this - could the Soskas be the long overdue shot of adrenaline to the heart female-driven horror cinema needs?" ~ Aaron Williams, ShockTillYouDrop

We've been horror fans before we even knew what that meant. Sneaking into the horror sections of our local video stores (now a truly lost art form that sadly future generations won't be able to experience), playing with tarantulas, reading Stephen King novels, we just took for granted that these were pleasures everyone partook of. Imagine our shock when we learned the thrill of chills was an acquired taste. I mean, who doesn't love being scared? Surprisingly, some. But for the rest of us there's the horror community. And we're damn proud to be a part of it.

The horror community is made up of the greatest people anywhere. Horror fans have embraced our debut feature, DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK, and without them we wouldn't be able to make films and certainly wouldn't be working on our second feature, AMERICAN MARY. Now, DHIAT is set to be at long last released worldwide thanks to IFC Midnight January 31st. What started as a faux trailer GRINDHOUSE style became an underground sensation and has now traveled more places than ourselves, hit festivals worldwide, won numerous awards and praise, and got people spreading the word has after 4 years finally come full circle. It cost $2,500 and a whole lot of heart and I can't even begin to say how much it means to us to have the horror lovers out there support our work.

And now we're cutting our new baby, AMERICAN MARY, a seriously disturbed, hauntingly beautiful project that will hit film festivals later this year.

To say it's been a crazy ass ride would be an under statement.

It was wonderful to get the chance to chat with Aaron Williams of ShockTillYouDrop. We don't get the opportunity to chat much these days being in editing suite lock down, so please enjoy this exclusive interview RIGHT HERE!!

And stay tuned for AMERICAN MARY ;)

Fatally Yours,
Jen

Deeper Meaning In A Trunk

2012-01-21T19:20:00.001-08:00

“So this car is purgatory.” – Rikki Gagne as Junkie

Often times when I watch a film, I find myself looking beyond what is obvious on screen and imagining a hidden meaning that lies within (or beyond) the confines of the performance. At face value, Jen and Sylvia Soska’s Dead Hooker in a Trunk is simply an homage to grindhouse filmmaking and an extension of the types of films they love. Beginning as an underfunded film school project and fueled by their unhappiness with the acting roles they were being offered, the Twisted Twins expanded on their original faux trailer idea and an underground cult film was born.

So begins one of the most thoughtful and explorative reviews of DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK ever by the strikingly insightful and well read, JG Hanks of thewatcherscouncil.com. What you may or may not know about Jen and me is that we have always had religion in our lives. We have gone to our Roman Catholic Church of St. Stephen's Parish - which happily donated their location, parishioners' homes, and their time in support of us creating our flick - and were the first female altar servers in Western Canada. I find religion, all religions, endlessly fascinating and it has played a part in our lives for a very long time.

When it came time to create a premise to catapult our story for DEAD HOOKER, we decided on religious undertones, but not the cram it down your throat kind. If you want to seek deeper meaning, by all means, it's there. If you just want to turn your brain off and laugh at insanity for 92 minutes, we have got your covered there too. For those seeking God in the frames, it starts with a fire and ends with a fire - and all sorts of personal turmoil or purgatory as suggested by Junkie early on in the film - before the final conclusion, the end, and maybe even redemption for the seriously flawed characters.

For me, the true meaning of the film starts when Badass (Sylvia Soska) catches her arm on fire at the church while picking up Goody Two Shoes (CJ Wallis) for her sister Geek (Jen Soska). The preacher presiding over the church quickly puts out the fire and everyone in the Badass party (Badass, Geek, Junkie, Goody Two Shoes) leaves after a bit of sexual tension between said preacher and Badass. Now here is where things start getting interesting. Everyone at this point pretty much dislikes each other. Geek and Goody Two Shoes (CJ Wallis) are friends but nothing else; Goody Two Shoes thinks Badass and Junkie (Rikki Gagne) are complete sinners; Geek resents Junkie and Badass for their lifestyles and Junkie and Badass think Goody Two Shoes and Geek are lame. This is a very important dynamic for the meaning I am about to explore.

After leaving the church and the incident with the fire, the dialogue veers towards What If? scenarios and Junkie begins her explanation of what could be. Her theory is that the car they are riding in is purgatory and Goody Two Shoes and Geek haven’t experienced enough in life for the man upstairs to pass judgment on them. Well next thing you know, they find the title character of the film in the trunk and all logic hits the fan.

Personal redemption is a great interest of mine. I find too often that there is an onslaught of judgement that goes hand in hand with religion and many would rather (Matthew 7:3) "look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in (their) own eye" which sours the same religion that teaches (Matthew 22:39) "love your neighbor as yourself." But maybe it's an issue of self-loathing? I think it's easy to target the flawed and damn them which is why I prefer my antagonists to be seriously flawed because that's what real people are like. Are they terrible, unforgivably damned people? That's something we wanted to explore within this flick.

The cool thing is that people do pick up on it. JG goes into excerpts from the Bible to dream analysis - of greater meaning I was completely unaware in the examples of losing an eye and losing an arm.

"Because purgatory is somewhat of a dream state, we can resort to dream analysis for answers. According to said analysis, “To dream that you have one eye indicates your refusal to accept another viewpoint. It suggests that you are one-sided in your ways of thinking.” If you want to go back to religious reference, Matthew 5:29 of the New International Version of the Bible says, “If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” Geek has lost her right eye because she can only see her sister and Junkie in one light. This one-sided way of thinking is preventing her from having a solid relationship with Badass, as well as Junkie, thus preventing her ascent away from the confines of purgatory.

Dream analysis also states, “To dream that your arm has been injured, signifies your inability to care for yourself or your helplessness in reaching out to others. You may have been feeling limited and restricted in terms of your freedom or activities. The right arm signifies your outgoing nature and is associated with masculine energy, while your left arm signifies your supportive or nurturing nature and is associated with feminine qualities. Losing either arm may suggest that you are failing to recognize its respective characteristics.” Matthew 5:30 of the New International Version of the Bible is again suggestive, “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” With Junkie losing her right arm, she has lost her ability to take care of herself, but more importantly, shows her ineptitude in reaching out to others. Without being able to show compassion and trying to establish a relationship with the others in her group, Junkie is also doomed. It seems that her drug addiction may, to no one’s surprise, have an underlying cause."

Now, I'm not going to spoil the entire break down and interpretation because you really ought to, boys and girls, follow this link to the page and read the entire thing. Feed your brain with smartness. I will say that I really enjoyed reading this article and loved the breakdown. If you are expecting the IFC Midnight release of DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK we do talk about the religious undertones we put here and there into the flick in our director's commentary as well as talking about what it was like to make a film for $2500, with a group of friends, a shit ton of crazy ideas, and the homage to the style that created the indie gem, EL MARIACHI.

Thank you to JG for writing this awesome piece. I loved it so much - I just read it out to my parents. My mom had already read it -she's cool like that. Thank you to everyone who has been supporting this flick, telling their friends, posting reviews, writing blogs, tweeting it up, giving a Facebook status, ordering the DVD, and being just sensational supporters of the flick. You give life to an independent flick like this, so thank you for the bottom of my heart.

We've been working hard on the next one, just for you lovely people.

~Sylv

Holy Fuck! We're in Fangoria Magazine, Issue#311!!!

2012-01-17T17:56:00.000-08:00

For those of you who might be unaware of the fucking epically rad, horror nerd's wet dream of a zine, allow me to be that cool guy that introduces you to Fangoria Magazine!!!

"Fangoria is an internationally-distributed US film fan magazine specializing in the genres of horror, slasher, splatter and exploitation films, in regular publication since 1979."

I have loved this publication for years and I am so fucking touched to be given the enormous honour of having myself, my evil twin, and my flick grace its pages. Fangoria issue #311 features information on the DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK IFC Midnight DVD release - this January 31st, 2012 - and in this lovely article.

"FURIOUS FEMMES The Soska Sisters speak up about “Dead Hooker in a Trunk” and “American Mary.”

Awwwww!!!!! Fucking totally fucking awesome news today! Thank you to my buddies who let me know about the issue and for the folks in the horror community that have been standing strong beside us and our insanity this whole time. We love you, boys and girls. Please enjoy the release of DEAD HOOKER and promise that AMERICAN MARY will be everything you want and more!

xo
~Sylv

Mad Haus 7's Greg Probst interviews the Twisted Twins

2012-01-14T19:01:00.000-08:00

The horror community is made up of the best people in the world.

Case in point? One Greg Probst, the man behind Mad Haus 7, Independent screenwriter, director, and film maker. He's a contributor to exploitation film site dailygrindhouse.com, a site which is just so fucking radcore you MUST check it out. He's studying for a journalism degree and writing as much as possible about anything that comes to mind.

And he's fucking awesome.

We had the pleasure of chatting with him recently and it truly was our pleasure as he's been damn good to us and we have nothing but respect for a fellow indie artist going after their dreams. But, whoa, hey, hang on a sec!! Twins, aren't you smack dab in the middle of editing your latest occult opus, AMERICAN MARY? Why, yeah, of course, but we can spare a few moments at two in the morning for a friend. We promise we'll get right back to being locked away and editing (which is going SUPER, thanks for asking) and when we return, shit is about to get real.

Thank you, Greg, for taking the time to chat with us and for supporting us and our DEAD HOOKER.

Here's the FULL ARTICLE AND INTERVIEW for your viewing/reading pleasure!!

Thanks for reading and you totally got us there, boys and grrl. We fucking love you guys.

Bloody Best!
Jen

Wicked Channel review Dead Hooker In A Trunk

2012-01-13T18:41:00.000-08:00

"This film is a must see. I had such a fun time, and felt for the characters and their situations. This is a good example of what Hollywood does not have the guts or balls, or even creative drive to come out with. Leave it to the indies to make cinema exciting again. And if you are a fan and saying you support indie cinema and talk a big game online, and have not seen this film, then you suck. This is the film you fans demanded to come out, its here so go buy it, rent it or even stay home and order it."~ James Depaolo, Wicked Channel

DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK has surpassed all odds. A little indie flick made during the writers strike of 2007 with a cast and crew that volunteered their time. A film that cost a mere $2,500. A film by a pair of first time filmmakers. It's now being released by IFC Midnight worldwide, is already out in the UK and Australia, and it even got a limited theatrical run. What made it possible? You guys. You sought it out, you spread the word, and you demanded to see it. What began in 2007 has finally come to this in early 2012. DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK, as of January 31st, will be available everywhere and we have you to thank for it.

James DePaolo, of the Wicked Channel, has been behind this film when we first started out. It's a great pleasure to have him review it now, on its long awaited release.

HERE'S HIS FULL REVIEW for DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK!!

And be sure to come get a DEAD HOOKER of your very own come January 31st ;)

Bloody Best!
Jen

DEAD HOOKER makes More Horror's Top 5 of 2011

2012-01-11T16:07:00.000-08:00

Jason Lees, we love you, too. Jason has written a radcore list of his top 5 films of 2011. And what lands a film on that epic list? Unforgettability. Yeah, that is SO actually a word. And we love More Horror. Seriously, you should check that shit out. It is rad.

"The following films are ones that may have snuck out prior to last year but are ones that I just got around to seeing. And when I say “top” I mean they’re the ones that stood out the most. I bet there were some better films released last year, but when I looked back, these are the ones that really burned themselves into my psyche." ~ Jason Lees, More Horror

And guess who's on that list? DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK is #1. Okay, so it's a list that is in NO particular order, but, fuck it, we'll take it anyway ;)

"DEAD HOOKER needs to be better known, and I know I’m preaching to the converted here, but it’s the kind of film we need more of, especially today with all the problems we have with mass produced remakes and cookie cutter mainstream mush. DEAD HOOKER isn’t trying to re-invent the wheel, it just does. Love this film." ~ Jason Lees, More Horror

Also on that list? DRIVE ANGRY. And what does DRIVE ANGRY have that gets us all excited? OTHER than Nicolas Cage (who, at present, may or may not be a 300 year old vampire, I shit you not)?

Brian Pearson, one of the top directors of photography anywhere, shot that bad boy and, man, does he shoot things sexy as hell. Brian's also the director of photography in our upcoming AMERICAN MARY so get ready for awesome~y awesome~ness galore.

Check out Jason's FULL LIST HERE!!

And for all you Nick Cage fans out there, here is the greatest Nick Cage video of all time. A personal favorite.

**WARNING** Watching this video may make you fall hopelessly in love with Nick Cage. Watch at your own discretion. Anyone with a heart condition must leave the room.

XO,
Jen

Autographed and Personalized Copies of DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK

2012-01-11T14:30:00.000-08:00

First and foremost, thank you from the very bottoms of our Twisted little hearts, boys and grrls, for supporting this Twisted Twosome and our DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK. We firmly feel that this DEAD HOOKER belongs to all of us. You sought it out, you told your friends, and it's out because you demanded it. It's the DEAD HOOKER of the people.

DHIAT is already out in the UK and Australia and hit the WORLD with it's worldwide release through IFC Midnight January 31st. And a small way of saying thank you? If you want us to sign and/or personalize your copy, shit, we can totally hook that up. It's easy. Just send us your copy with your name or whatever you'd like us to sign on it with a self addressed, postage paid envelope, and we'll sign that bad boy and ship it right on back!!

Just send your DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK to:

Twisted Twins
325 west 7^th avenue
Vancouver, B.C
V5Y1M2
Canada

Bloody Best!
Jen

We Love Matt Stone and Trey Parker

2012-01-10T21:22:00.000-08:00

People often ask us who we'd like to work with. Here's a couple gentlemen who are absurdly talented and a pair that THIS pair would abso-fucking-lutely love to collaborate with. Matt Stone and Trey Parker, we love you. We'd ultimately love to do a horror musical together, but we'd love for the Twisted Twins to come to South Park. We have our eyes on those fine ass Canadians, Terrance and Philip...

"What garbage!"

"Well, what do you expect? They're Canadian."

Gentlemen, we now begin the great journey to get a DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK in your paws.

Game on.

XO,
Jen and Sylv

Fun With Horror has fun with the Twisted Twins

2012-01-10T19:23:00.000-08:00

"Jen and I grew up watching Rodriguez flicks on repeat and playing them out. We wanted to be El. Not only were his flicks cool, but he also had his Ten Minute Film Schools to show you how he did it." ~ Sylvia Soska

Welcome to Fun With Horror. The site is a blend of interviews, horror movie reviews, and more. We recently had the opportunity to chat with Tyler Doupe of the site about DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK and it's upcoming release (January 31st), AMERICAN MARY, Robert Rodriguez, Carlos Gallardo, Eli Roth, and what's coming up this year from us Twisted Twins. Mayhaps yet another feature? You'll have to read it to know!

For the FULL INTERVIEW CLICK RIGHT HERE~!!

And a huge thank you to Tyler for taking the time to catch up with us Twisted Twins before we lock ourselves away into the editing suite.

Please enjoy responsibly and Bloody Best!
Jen

Fucking Believe in Yourself

2012-01-10T13:15:00.000-08:00

I'm not smart enough to have made this, but I had to fucking share it. Happy Tuesday, girls and boys.

~Sylv

Twisted Twins Bling for Women In Horror Month by Hot Chick Physics

2012-01-09T11:53:00.000-08:00

"This listing is for a set of two earrings.
One pair of earrings are made with black ear wires and black chain. Small drops of blood red genuine coral hang suspended from the chain. These earrings are just past 2 1/2" long.
The other pair are made with black ear wires and black chain. Small banded onyx and blood red glass hangs suspended from the chain. These earrings are about 2 1/2" long.

This style is one in a Limited Edition series inspired by women in horror. These fabulous Jen and Sylvia earrings are named after Jen and Sylvia Soska, directors of Dead Hooker in a Trunk and the forthcoming American Mary."

Women In Horror Recognition Month is fast approaching - February 2012 is almost upon us. For those of you reading this blog thinking - whoa, what? - WiH Month was brainchild by dear friend and complete horror feminist badass, creator of Ax Wound Zine, Hannah Neurotica to celebrate the our favourite ladies contributions to the genre not only in front of the camera, behind the camera, but also in every artist way that the genre lives, breathes, and creeps into your nightmares.

Why do we need a Women In Horror Recognition Month? Are you familiar with Alice Guy, the first director of non-fiction and pioneer of early cinema? Probably not. How about Jovanka Vuckovic, the former editor, now killer horror director, of Rue Morgue whose true horror love and balls bigger than most of us who brought the Canadian magazine to its gory glory? Or Sally Menke who left us too soon - the femme fatale who cut your favourite flicks, she was Tarantino's editor and a total badass? Hopefully this isn't the first time you're hearing these names, but sadly for a lot of people it would be. These women are huge to the genre and like can be seen most evidently in the situation with Alice Guy, women weren't in jobs like those, so many of her contributions - over 700 films that she was involved in - were contributed to any part of her team that was a man because in the early 1900s, that's how shit went down.

On a personal note, when we first started submitting DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK to festivals, we faced a lot of rejection on title alone, getting the response that 'we don't screen those kinds of films.' Eli Roth introduced us to Hannah, having a feeling we'd hit it off (we did famously) and when she started WiH, it spawned film festivals around the world and gave DHIAT its first screenings. It's promoted independent artists as well as paid tribute to the ladies that fought hard to get us where we are today.

There are many ways to celebrate WiH Month - the film festivals and submitting projects and attending are a big one. Jen and I host a worldwide Massive Blood Drive every February encouraging folks to forgo their phobia and donate blood to save a life (each donation helps three people). Make some artwork, tell a friend, blog about people who inspire you - there are many ways to get involved. One extremely cool way, that I'm honoured to be a part of, is Tonjia Atomic of Hot Chick Physics' jewellery line promoting independent horror artists. (see sweet-ass bling above)

Who is this talented, beautiful jewelry making lady? Allow her to introduce her self and her slick as hell company. Creating your own business, making your ambitions into a reality, and running like a boss is the highest form of appeal in my books.

"Hello! Tonjia Atomic here. I’m the creator of Hot Chick Physics. I make all of the jewelry that you see here by hand. Most items are one-of-a-kind or limited edition. I also make custom items. Feel free to send me an email via the address that you will find on the contact page if you’d like to talk about multiple orders or custom orders.

I started Hot Chick Physics in 2005 to create fun and unique jewelry that expresses my eclectic tastes. I love dark mysterious items that harken to an earlier time in history and bright brilliant colors that pop out and grab attention. If you like vintage antiques, kawaii, dollhouse miniatures, candy, filigree, gunmetal, silver, glitter, or glam then you have come to the right place!
Hot Chick Physics: for all your trashy-classy, witchy-kitschy, gothic-diva, punk-princess accessory needs."

Other artists included right now are Kelsey Zukowski (actress & director, THE HAZED, WORDS LIKE KNIVES), Lianne Spiderbaby (writer for Fangoria, co-host & creator of the web series Fright Bytes), L. C. Cruell (director, 31), Barbara Peeters (writer & director, HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP), Christine Parker (director, FISTFUL OF BRAINS, A FEW BRAINS MORE), Karen Lam (director, DOLLPARTS, STAINED), and Julie O'Connor Ufema (director, CAVEAT).

Check her site out here and get your self a sexy piece, ladies, and, gents, hook up the psychotic blood loving babes in your life with some thoughtful, artful pieces. Thank you to Tonjia for creating these pieces and including Jen and me in the lineup. Fucking awesome!!

~Sylv

Son of Celluloid Names DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK on its 5 Best Flicks of 2011 List

2012-01-05T14:20:00.000-08:00

I love horror. I love it a whole fucking lot. If horror had any sense, it would get a restraining order against me. I also love anyone and everyone with the same passion for horror and not just the stuff that is pumped out endlessly by big studios (some great, some utter crap), but international delicacies, underground gems, and independent darlings. To truly love horror means to love it in all its forms and seek it out wherever it may be.

That is why I love SON OF CELLULOID and its writer, Nathan Hamilton. He's a true horror lover and knows his shit through and through. It is an incredible honor for our DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK to have a place on his BEST FLICKS OF 2011 List. Especially on a list where there are so many outstanding titles. And topping that list off? A film that is just so superb and brilliant (and got banned in its own country of origin) that it is a profound honor to have our film be on the same list as it.

What film am I talking about? And what else made the list? Well, no cheating, you'll simply have to soak it up RIGHT HERE at Son Of Celluloid.

Thank you so much, Nathan, for having our Hooker on such a wonderful list.

Bloody Best!
Jen

Get Your Own Fresh Dead Hooker and Hooker on Steroids Future Ambitions

2012-01-04T12:59:00.001-08:00

Since the beginning of DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK, Jen and I have come to learn first hand that there is no such thing as overnight success. To follow your dreams, to make something that is important to you, to having that something - even a crazy GRINDHOUSE-inspired flick about a dead hooker that finds herself in a group of don't give a shit twenty-something's firebird's trunk - reach an audience around the world takes dedication, time, and focus. It also takes a horror community that loves these kinds of films the way that you do, who back you up like that buddy you can call at 3am when shit hits the fan because that's how fucking awesome they are.

Theron Neel and Planet Fury have always been that buddy to us. Supporting the flick from it's 'woah, there's some Canadian movie about a dead hooker, lol' stages to today where the film has been released this past May 23rd in the UK, courtesy of Bounty Films, and Australia, through Monster Pictures, a television premiere on the Horror Channel, multiple repeats of that showing, and then August 3rd, when IFC Midnight bought the final regions, released the film on VOD and limited theatrical screenings throughout the US, and on January 31st, 2012 - their DVD release of the flick will be upon us.

"It's been a long haul for Jen and Sylvia Soska's Dead Hooker. What began as a film school project morphed into an exploitation classic that attained near-mythic status on the festival circuit and transformed the Soskas into indie darlings along the way.

Sadly, though you've likely read about this flick, you probably haven't seen it. But, thanks to the beneficence of the folks at IFC Midnight, on January 31 you’ll finally get the opportunity to enjoy the Twisted Twins' debut feature."

Other than the repeated night of your life if you take this girl home, what do you get?

"Rebels Without a Budget": A 15-minute featurette following the making of Dead Hooker In A Trunk, which is a mash-up of alternate footage, B-Roll and candid moments throughout the production showing aspects of the process of making a no-budget independent film.

Director Commentary Track: Featuring Jen and Sylvia Soska, Recorded February 2011. The Twins discuss various aspects of the film and its creation set to screen specific moments.

Post-Production Commentary Track: Featuring Jen and Sylvia Soska with CJ Wallis. Recorded February 2011, this track will discuss some of the tricks and methods used along the way to side-step the time and budget limitations during production and post.

A Discussion With Carlos Gallardo: Shot in Carlos' home in Los Angeles shortly after completing his scenes, the Twins and Carlos discuss El Mariachi and the history and war stories of low-budget filmmaking.

Deleted Scenes: Several scenes that were deleted from the original version of the film due to pacing, etc.

What else do we have planned? Read the entire piece here and/or here - better read both for good measure - to get all the goods as we speak briefly about upcoming AMERICAN MARY, an actual sequel to HOOKER following in Rodriguez's DESPERADO footsteps, and all the things DEAD HOOKER. Thank you to Theron for always supporting the little guy, the little guy has been able to travel the world because of your faith and backing. Not too many dead hookers get spread around this far.. that came out wrong.. aw, fuck it... this is a huge fucking thrill and we cannot believe that this day is almost upon us!

Thank you for reading, watching, tweeting, blogging, screening, sharing, and caring, girls and boys. The horror community consists of the greatest folks on the fucking planet and you are all living proof. You can preorder this chick here (fuck yeah).

~Sylv

Pre-order DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK today!!

2012-01-01T22:10:00.000-08:00

It's finally here!!!

DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK will be released WORLDWIDE on January 31st, 2012 by IFC Midnight!!

That's right, boys and grrls. At loooong last every living room can have it's very own Dead Hooker. It's been one hell of a journey to get here, but here we are and it'll be on shelves forever. It's a beautiful year. 2012, you're a sexy beast.

As for DVD extras, we have the following included...

"Rebels Without A Budget" : A 15 minute featurette following the making of Dead Hooker In A Trunk which is a mash-up of alternate footage, B-Roll and candid moments throughout the production showing aspects of the process of making a no-budget independent film.

Director Commentary Track : Featuring Jen & Sylvia Soska, Recorded February 2011. The twins discuss various aspects of the film and it's creation set to screen specific moments.

Post-Production Commentary Track : Featuring Jen & Sylvia Soska with CJ Wallis, Recorded February 2011. This track will discuss some of the tricks and methods used along the way to side-step the time and budget limitations during production and post.

A Discussion With Carlos Gallardo : Shot in Carlos' home in Los Angeles shortly after completing his scenes, the Twins and Carlos discuss El Mariachi and the history and war stories of low-budget filmmaking.

Deleted Scenes : Several scenes that were deleted from the original version of the film due to pacing, etc.

You can pre-order TODAY, right this second, in fact, and get a steaming hot pile of DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK delivered right to your door.

Thank you SO much to everyone who has believed in this film from the beginning and welcome to the band wagon all you new comers. We've saved you a spot. We're damn happy to have you and our Dead Hooker is your Dead Hooker.

Bloody Best!
Jen

Behind The Mask Interviews the Twisted Twins

2012-01-01T13:36:00.000-08:00

Riverman & The Lush welcome you to Behind The Mask, a podcast that will bring you everything from Film Noir to the most Extreme Cinema!

It's true, boys and grrls. Heck, I'd go as far as to say it's VERY true. These boys cover it all and in the most entertaining and informed manner. We had the esteemed pleasure of chatting with these gents recently and had a fantastical time. Wanna hear our charming inane banter as we cover all things Twisted and express every single thought that pops into our delightfully demented minds? Oh, then do we EVER have a treat for you.

Please listen and enjoy our VERY in depth interview with the Lush and Riverman. Start your 2012 off with your daily recommended dose of wicked awesome ;)

LISTEN NOW RIGHT BLOODY HERE!!!!

Bloody Best!
Jen

Mangled Matters' Justin Hamelin Looks at Back 2011 & Dead Hooker Tops the List!!

2012-01-01T12:29:00.000-08:00

There is few big a thrill as having a fellow horror nerd & writer dig what you are doing. Jen and I are hopeless horror geeks, it's our crack and our pipe can always be stuffed mores (don't do crack, girls & boys, just watch lots of horror), and when we made DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK it was in the hopes that people who grew up on the insane flicks we did would feel a certain throwback to those flicks and see something that left them feeling thoroughly entertained.

As 2011 takes its final dirt nap, we find our DEAD HOOKER has done just that and may I introduce you to Justin Hamelin of Mangled Matters and Ravenous Monster, if this fine gentleman has yet to grace your horror loving lives --

"I am a horror fanatic who has been writing since I was able to hold a pencil (albeit the 'incorrect' way to many teachers in my lifetime). I absolutely love the horror genre and am slowly getting up the courage to call myself a horror aficionado. Writing, learning, horror and the arts are my passion."

And if I do say so, type so, blog so, myself - a really fucking cool guy. We've had the pleasure of chatting much in the past and it's always a fucking blast. So, when I woke up this morning to his Top Ten List of 2011, I was fucking ecstatic to see DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK had made the cut in a very coveted position (hookers know all the rad positions).

"I cannot wait for the next twelve months. There will be short stories, screenplays, short films and horror conventions to be conquered. There are over fifty interviews that will be posted to celebrate the amazing Women In Horror. There will no doubt be a ton of stories and memories along the way. I'm going to love every minute of it.

With all of that being said, let's take a look back at what I deem a pretty solid year in horror. We were treated to independent gems, arguably the best haunted house film since 'Poltergeist', and enough blood and guts splattered across the calendar to keep us rolling into the new year!"

And what did the fabulous Mr. Hamelin have to say about DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK?

"The indie scene hasn't produced a flick as downright kick ass as 'Dead Hooker In A Trunk' since John Carpenter introduced the world to a boogey man named Michael.

The minds behind this ode to the gritty grindhouse glory of yesteryear are fast becoming the leading ladies of independent horror.

Jen and Sylvia Soska envisioned this film as a one-finger salute to a crappy film school experience. What they created was a bloody, fun and truly amazingly bad ass movie that is only the beginning for the ridiculously talented Soska twins.

Hollywood, take notice.

'Dead Hooker In A Trunk' friggin' rocks!!"

So, that turns out to be one of the best compliments of our twisted little lives. Check the whole rad list here - a lot of my favourites are here too that you should totally check out. Thank you, Justin, for bestowing this ginormous honour to us. I am so happy that DEAD HOOKER hit home and thank you for taking the time to get the word out about the project.

If it wasn't for the support of people like you - true horror fans - the film would never have been able to spread as far as she has and give us the ability to live our dream of being able to make our very own horror movies. We can never thank you enough, so we promise to keep making strange and entertaining flicks that will hopefully brighten any shitty day, much like a real good hooker!

~Sylv

Kristian Hanson, The Craptastic Writer, Makes Our New Year

2011-12-31T14:09:00.000-08:00

In this business, true friends are hard to come by. There's a shit ton of bullshit out there and you get fed it by the heaping spoonfuls if you're not careful to recognize it early on.

When my hetero life mate, Sylv, started trash talking a Black Hawks fan, I never suspected in the least it would build into one of the truest and greatest friendships we've ever had. Kristian Hanson, the Craptastic Writer, and father/creator of my now betrothed and beloved Assly (Assly.tv), is a profoundly talented writer, reviewer, and friend. He is one of those rare people who refuses to settle and chases after his dreams despite all the nay sayers out there and we respect the hell out of him for it.

We met in the flesh this past October in LA during the Aliens To Zombies Convention (seriously, if you missed that insanely awesome weekend chalk full of the most talented effects artists to ever crawl the Earth make DAMN sure you'll be there next year, I know we will be). Not only did he take us around LA, which is something, believe it or not, we never get to do as we're always booked solid with business, he and his beautiful now missus, Fernanda, brought us to meet Clive fucking Barker and Bryan 'Tate' Steinsiek. We got to see the Universal Walk, chug Duff energy "beers", eat at Bubba Gump Shrimps, and see the outstanding New Bev Cinema , owned by everyone's favorite stylish badass film genius Tarantino, where DHIAT got to rock.

Totally selfless, supportive, and never one to give you a "where-have-you-been-I-don't-care-if-you're-filming-you-have-to-see-what-my-cat-did-today-you're-such-a-shit-friend" message, we love him and Fernanda and ALL the Craptastic Puppets that each deserve a place in a horror history museum more than words can say. Even if he IS a Black Hawks fan. Let's face it, no one's perfect ;)

He's started our New Years off with a happy explosion of awesome-y awesome-ness with this gore~geous Examiner article. Read the full meal deal right HERE.

Thank you, Kristian. We cannot wait to share AMERICAN MARY with you.

Happy fucking New Year, you wicked awesome bastard, you~!!

Bloody Best!
Jen

Daily Grindhouse Decrees Dead Hooker as the Best Film of the Year!!

2011-12-30T18:15:00.000-08:00

"HEY BASTARDS.

Damn. Was this a good year for film or what? There were easily 20 or so other films I could have tossed up here but I went with the tried and true formula of the Top 10. Now, the rules of the game; The Best Film of The Year was given to the film we were most impressed with, the one we couldn’t wait to watch again, the one that smacked us square in the geek. As for the other 9, they’re in no order of importance although I will say the last film on the list will be in heavy rotation for a long, long time. Now let’s get ramblin’ and see what kind of trouble "

I read on and I see DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK. I look to see where I am on the list. I stare. If I had a higher fibre diet and took better care of myself, I would have shit my pants. Daily Grindhouse which has been a staple in our household for the flicks we love has just bestowed the biggest motherfucking honour by dubbing DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK the Best Film of the Year. These guys know their flicks, we adore their taste, and now I have the biggest fangirl grin on my face that has no hope of leaving.

"Jen and Sylvia Soska created an ambitious film that gave the finger to popular DIY convention. DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK is 100% exploitation that knows its roots but never relies solely on the shock of the situations. It knows it’s force but doesn’t stand around for 90 minutes beating you up and leaving you bleeding on the road. It’s a well-balanced film that clicks along at a fast clip, using dialogue like bullets, never wasting a single moment."

In case I was a bit subtle earlier. I love the team at Daily Grindhouse. If this is the first you are hearing of them, you're welcome for the intro and I apologize for the hours you will spend like a bewitched zombie reading their articles and falling more deeply in love with your favourite flicks and finding new ones to obsess over. Click here to catch up on wicked interactions with DG.

"The Soska twins know their film history; they know what works and what doesn’t work. They have studied people like Robert Rodriguez and have taken notes about how to get the most bang out of your independent buck, and this bastard looks like a million dollars. DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK has been watched at DG HQ 3 times now and each time it gets better and better. Each time something else is picked up that I dig even more than the viewing before. This film is a fucking blast and I can’t wait to see AMERICAN MARY, the Twisted Twins follow up to DHIAT. They just bought themselves some giant shoes to fill."

Jen and I cannot thank you enough for this. When we created DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK it was so that it would be seen by a group of people like you that grew up on the flicks we did and wanted to have some insane fun back in their flicks. I am so happy that we did not disappoint and we promise you this - AMERICAN MARY is going to be like nothing you've ever seen before, in the most best of ways.

Now, dear reader, who is fucking radcore for reading these blogs (like a boss), read the entire article here and check the 9 Other Flicks That You Need To See, if you missed them, you totally have some catching up to do! It's like homework except it doesn't suck ass - quite the opposite.

~Sylv

Stolen Peek at American Mary

2011-12-30T17:53:00.000-08:00

So, I was walking between set while we were filming AMERICAN MARY and I saw this guy at the end of the street. I love and know my cast and crew very well and thought, whose this dude, never seen him before, then rushed off to do something else. My favourite is the picture of Jen looking directly at him wondering the same thing.

He was snapping some shots for this site - zimbio.com - and although we are keeping the word on the film mute until a full on press assault of everything to do with the flick upcoming the first festival screening, I can't help but be a little flattered that someone would come onto set to get a couple pictures of Jen and me looking rather goth in a normal directing attire. It's all badass, boys and girls. Here are the pics for those of you that missed it!

That's Owen Pierson, our hair stylist and hugely fucking talented guy, and Nikki Simpson, our uber awesome Swing Hair and Makeup, and I love them very very much. They did a fabulous job on the flick! Here's the link to zimbio.com's original article, those cheeky monkeys.

~Sylv

Truly Disturbing's Top 5 Best/Worst of 2011

2011-12-30T17:36:00.001-08:00

We twisted twosome are huge fans of the team at Truly Disturbing Horror and what a coincidence as they dig our DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK. Kristian Hanson, whom you may know better as the horror comedian whose hand is shoved up those Craptastic Puppets - including Jen's plush boy toy (literally) Assly, wrote his pick for Best 5 and Worst 5 of 2011 and imagine our delight when our dead whore graced its list. Where? Read on, gentle reader --

"4. Dead Hooker In a Trunk- A film made on a shoe string budget by a couple of twins and horror fiends, this is a movie that you need to watch a couple times to make sure you see everything that is added. It is a fun film to watch with friends as the group goes on a trek trying to dispose of a Dead Hooker they found in their trunk. As they do this, they come across drug dealers, a puking Goody Two Shoes and possibly love for two of the stars. Oh, and an amputation of an arm. Twisted good time!"

FUCK YEAH!!! Thank you for this privilege and all the support of our flicks throughout the years. You gentlemen fucking rock hard. Now for the entire sweet ass list - click here and find some flicks that you should check out and some you should avoid like a dirty whore.

~Sylv

"Fucking Awesome" - IFC Is Bringing It With Three New Horror Flicks for 2012

2011-12-30T16:52:00.000-08:00

"IFC Midnight is gearing up to release THREE different tales of horror to DVD this January. Whether your into hookers, squatters, or just plain old illegal immigrants - you better bet your ass that IFC is ready to deliver the goods. Each film premiered at various major film festivals such as Cannes, Toronto, Sundance, New York, AFI, SXSW, L.A., and San Francisco, and will soon be available for purchase."

This January, IFC is starting 2012 off with a heaping serving of motherfucking stupid awesome radness. This is the truth. And Horrorbid.com is giving up the goods.

January 17th, UNDOCUMENTED is the first release. What is UNDOCUMENTED?

"There are estimates that more than a million people attempt to cross illegally from Mexico to the United States every year – some succeed, some don’t. In his riveting debut as writer-director, Chris Peckover reveals the horror faced by one unlucky group of border crossers. In this suspense-filled drama, an aspiring documentary director Travis (Scott Mechlowicz, Mean Creek, EuroTrip) and his crew set out to record firsthand the injustices and inequities faced by those trying to make it into the U.S., but what they encounter is a horror worse than any they had imagined."

Sweet. Next on the docket are two big releases for January 31st. Firstly, is SPIDERHOLE. Haven't heard about SPIDERHOLE? Allow me to be the cool chick to tell you about it -

"Molly, a vivacious young artist, and her three friends embark upon a mission to find an empty house in London where they can live as squatters, free from rent and free to party. After finding what seems like the ideal place, they turn the house into their home. But darkness pervades their new dwelling, and a malevolent force soon sets to work ridding the house of its unwanted residents SPIDERHOLE, an IFC Films theatrical release, presents a nightmare world that traps the viewer and protagonists alike in a terrifying and unforgiving new reality. Who or what is orchestrating their bloody demise and why? The house appeared to be empty and yet a malevolent force is clearly at work. An impressive debut from writer-director Daniel Simpson, SPIDERHOLE stars Emma Griffiths Malin (Wallander, Agatha Christie’s Poirot), Reuben-Henry Biggs (The Illusionist) and newcomers Amy Noble and George Maguire. Sky Movies’ Tim Evans said, “Writer-director Daniel Simpson ratchets up the tension, fully acquainting viewers with the soon-to-be victims before letting fly with an all-daggers-stabbing orgy of violence."

And last, but not least - DRUM ROLLLLLLLLLLLL - also to be released January 31st, 2012 - DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK!! What does Horrorbid.com have to say about our loveliest of rotting prostitutes?

"Four friends set out on an everyday errand and end up in a fight for their lives when they discover the body of a dead hooker in their trunk. Led by sexy, impulsive Badass, her distant twin sister Geek, their bible-thumping friend Goody Two Shoes and chaotic rock star pal Junkie, the group must put aside their differences to dispose of the body as they face off against persistent police, a sleazy motel manager, chainsaw-wielding triads and a brutal serial killer. All while being followed by the mysterious Cowboy Pimp, who wants to claim the corpse for himself.

Identical twins Jen and Sylvia Soska (upcoming American Mary) wrote, directed, produced and star in this explosive ride filled with gun fights, extreme violence, blood, guts, gore … and goats. Also in the cast are Rikki Gagne (Dark Moon Rising) and John Tench (Tooth Fairy). With the exploitation sensation DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK, the Soska sisters join the ranks of neo-grindhouse masters Quentin Tarantino and Eli Roth, who bestowed his high honor on the movie by calling it “fucking awesome!"

That's right, girls and boys, HOOKERS for everyone! Even the Mayans couldn't predict such gorgeous gorgosity. Perfect gift for mom, dad, the grandparents, those hard to shop for individuals, those easy to please - DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK just pleases em all... or pisses them off, but usually she's quite welcome!

~Sylv

Look Ma, We're On Master Gio's Hot Babes List

2011-12-30T16:17:00.000-08:00

It's an honour to be included on a list of some of the hottest women on the scene today, a fucking rad surprise to wake up to this morning. A very huge thanks to Master Gio who had this to say about the ladies on #20 of his 70 Hottest Babes List of 2011 -

"Jen & Sylvia Soska (new)- Two of the most multi-talented (writers/ directors/ producers/ actors!!) and beautiful women in horror, today, the Soska twins really kicked the genre's ass with the awesome and fun Dead Hooker in a Trunk, a movie I really think is one of the coolest low budget genre films in quite some time. Next year these stunners will see this movie hit DVD and blu-ray, here in the US, and, hopefully the release of their brand new terror flick the highly anticipated American Mary starring Ginger Snaps lovely Katharine Isabelle."

Master Gio is a great guy and he knows his shit. If this is your first introduction to the lovely gentleman, get caught up on our interactions here and check his site here. I like hot women. Very much. If you feel the same, please feast your eyes on this entire glorious lineup of some of most beautiful women in existence.

Like Taylor Momsen, my future wife.

xo
~Sylv

Twisted Twins rock on in The Province

2011-12-11T12:43:00.000-08:00

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

It's a very festive time for all with that whole Christmas thing going full speed ahead since the day after our much beloved Halloween season came to an end. And today is a VERY special day. Three years ago, on December 11th, we incorporated our company, Twisted Twins Productions.

We've come a loooong bloody way to get to where we are and we have to thank from the very bottoms of our Twisted little hearts the friends, family, friends who have become family, fans, crew, and cast that we've had the esteemed pleasure of having in our lives. We are incredibly humbled to be doing what we love and cannot thank you all enough for the kindness, support, and belief you've had in us and our work.

And we promise we're just getting started...

And what better way to celebrate this gore~geous day than from the set of our new beast, AMERICAN MARY. Glen Schaefer of the Province was kind enough to come visit us on set. He's one of the few to have been on location of our newest film that we've been extremely tight lipped about.

Please enjoy the FULL STORY right here!

And check out the on set video RIGHT HERE!

If you're a fellow Vancouver-ite, go grab yourself a copy!!

And thank you all~!! We fuckin' LOVE you and cannot wait to share AMERICAN MARY with the world.

Bloody Best!
Jen and Sylv

Shannon LeClerc, You Draw Fucking Pics!

2011-11-27T11:29:00.000-08:00

Shannon LeClerc is a wickedly talented 'wanna-be comic artist, animator and Horror fan' - and you know what, being avid, rabid comic book fans ourselves - we really want her to be one. Above is the cool as fuck drawing of Badass and Geek from DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK and, no surprises here, WE TOTALLY FUCKING ADORE IT.

You can check more of Shannon's work here and twitter stalk her here. You'll be glad that you did! Shannon, we love this. Thank you for making a pair of nerds have a stupid grin on their faces for days with this now.

~Sylv

Hayes Hudson's House of Hooker

2011-11-20T10:11:00.000-08:00

"DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK wins two awards from me. First off, it wins my award for best title ever! Second off, it wins my most unexpectedly enjoyable film of the year. Not to say I didn't think I would like this film, but I just really didn't know much about it and being the Soska Sisters first feature film, I had my concerns. Well, you would never know this was a first feature from the directors. I enjoyed this film more than I thought I would for sure."
- Hayes Hudson, House of Horror

Like the best people on the planet, Hayes has always loved horror (and alliteration for that matter - double cool points) and his fucking fantastic (alliteration) site is there to share that love. It's like two people marrying for love rather than bucks and perks - you can't fake the real thing and it's an absolute pleasure to check his stuff. Yes, I creeped his site - I'm not too much of a creepo to admit it.

When Jen and I came up with the idea for DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK, it was a flashy fuck you for (alliteration) the 'film school' that ripped us off and squandered what should have been the budget for our final project. It was a fake trailer in the realm of the multi-collaborative and ridiculously underrated GRINDHOUSE flick which truly was all the film school we needed. That and like every 'Ten Minute Film School' Rodriguez ever made. The excitement over the fake trailer led to excitement for a feature and it was our main priority to make something crazy and fun that you could turn your brain off and laugh like a moron to for 90 minutes. The format - well, we were making a chick road trip flick with a very visible love for the flicks we grew up loving.

"As I stated before, it is very hard to categorize this film. It definitely has a lot of dark comedy elements to it, and reminded me a bit of the (very underrated film in my opinion) VERY BAD THINGS. But don't worry, you gore hounds will have something to enjoy as well, as there is a LOT of blood in this film and some crazy scenes involving a dismembered arm and someone losing an eyeball. That is all I will say about those things, as I don't want to spoil all the surprises for you."

Thank you so kindly to Hayes for taking the time to check out our HOOKER in his house of horror (alliteration) and writing such a cool piece on his thoughts on the flick. VERY BAD THINGS - dude, I love it when the leads get fucked up. Too often they are miraculously unscathed and where's the fun in that? Please clickity click here to the whole piece and see if this HOOKER is for you! (answer: yes it is)

~Sylv

FearNet's Top Twelve Favorite Hookers in Horror - & They Even Threw in our Dead Hooker for Good Measure!

2011-11-16T09:28:00.000-08:00

Fearnet is phenomenal. Edgy, brilliant, thoughtful, fun, and always there for the horror fan like a bouquet of roses to make you fall in love with your favorites all over again. I loved that Alison Nastasi conjured up a list, lovingly entitled 'Stalking the Streetwalkers: 12 Hookers in Horror'. We cannot deny the allure of the female victim, our hearts jump harder when a damsel is in distress, and in the world's oldest occupation, these damsels much like in reality often fall prey to some of the most terrible monsters that can even put their cinematic doppelgangers to shame.

My main interest in the working girl victim is that all too often these women get so dehumanized by society for the work that they do. Many times, their deaths are considered a casual casualty - they're asking for it, right? You see these films, you relate to these women, and suddenly that realization of the actual humanity is there. As it should be.

Now I must admit, our DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK got a ranking between two of my favorite flicks on the list - AMERICAN PSYCHO and FROM HELL. An utter and complete honor. Here is what they had to say about our girl -

"Dead Hooker in a Trunk

The Soska Sisters' debut feature sports a Canadian working girl of the dead variety, stuffed inside the trunk of a car. Four friends make the discovery, which complicates matters and sets them off on a series of deranged encounters with bizarre characters. Even though she's dead, the hooker's role here is essential in forcing the misfit gang to face their own personal demons."

A huge and humble thank you to the team at Fear.net for their support and especially, Alison Nastasi, for compiling such a fun and fabulous list. Get the whole piece here and maybe plan a day with your buddies for a marathon viewing of these flicks. A day full of hookers, now all you need is some really choice coke.

~Sylv

Halloween Memories on Slammed & Damned

2011-11-03T18:17:00.000-07:00

Boys and grrls, if you are avid readers of our Penny Dreadful Diary (and truly, why wouldn't you be?) you must be well acquainted with our beloved friend and exquisitely talented writer, reviewer, and interviewer, Theron Neel of Slammed & Damned as well as Planet Fury.

I hope all you fellow creatures of the night are recovered or recover-ing at this point. And hopefully, my darlings, you remember exactly what you did this Halloween, even if it's fuzzy patches that slam back into your mind like post traumatic stress disorder style acid flashbacks. We had the pleasure of chatting with Theron about our Halloweens past...

"We would look forward to it all year long. My parents thought it was funny because we would muchly prefer Halloween to Christmas, birthdays, anything else. There have been lots of folks that used to come over to me and say, “It’s not Halloween” because of my attire. Now, every day kind of is." ~ Sylvia Soska

"We’re very lucky to be able to have Halloween every day, but there is something undeniably special about Halloween. We’ve almost religiously dressed up every year. It makes me sad to hear “grownups” say that they don’t like Halloween and haven’t dressed up since they were kids. Where is it written or said that once you reach a certain age you have to stop having fun? And that’s really what Halloween is — a whole lot of demented fun." ~ Jen Soska

For the full Halloween Interview, please enjoy it RIGHT HERE!!!

And thank you, as always, Theron. You're absolutely wonderful.

Bloody Best!
Jen Soska

Happy (belated) Birthday Bad Ronald with a Special Twisted Twins Interview

2011-11-03T15:57:00.000-07:00

Last night Sylv and I did something we should have done years and years ago. We watched DEAD RINGERS, the brilliant film by David Cronenberg starring Jeremy Irons and Jeremy Irons as identical twin doctors. I imagine it could be called a horror movie, but being identical twin ourselves it was a heart breaking tale of two twins, their complicated relationships with one another and themselves, and their decent into drug addiction. It was beautiful.

As you may guess, twins always have a special place in our hearts. From the 1988 film TWINS (yes, they're not identical) to the badass babysitter twins of GRINDHOUSE. Another sensational set of duplicates? Bad Ronald and his twin who merrily celebrated their birthdays yesterday. Bad Ronald has been beyond sweet to us clones and how does this outstanding doppelganger party on his birthday? By giving us Twisted Twins a sensational, in depth interview. Didn't I tell you? Twins just can't be beat.

It's actually quite a brilliant series of questions, the kind a only a twin would know to ask a twin. Get the low down on our super secret twin powers, how to tell us apart, who crossed the "finish line" first and how, and even about our upcoming elusive baby, AMERICAN MARY.

Enjoy the full interview RIGHT HERE.

Bloody Best~!!

Jen

Round Two With the Twisted Twins & Ravenous Monster

2011-10-30T16:50:00.000-07:00

"I have always been a die-hard feminist when it comes to the horror I love. I fist pump in triumph every time Jennifer Hills mutilates a perverted mountain man in I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE. Ripley and her alien-whoopin’ ways will always hold a tender spot in my heart. Danielle Harris’ portrayal of Marybeth in HATCHET II offers one of my all-time favorite “fuck you!” moments, when she goes berserk on Victor Crowley at the end of the film.

Thus, it should come as no surprise that a film made about two bad-assed chicks by two bad-assed chicks would rank amongst my top favorites. The Soskas’ driving force and my deep-rooted love for the bad-assed X chromosome is a perfect match. When Sylvia snarled the epic line “like dying could kill me”, I immediately made room at the top of my 'Most Bad-Assed Moments in Horror' list."
-Justin Hamelin, Ravenous Monster

My sister, Jen, has given me so much strength in my life. I lived a nightmare for two years when I was 21 years old when a customer at the Starbucks that I worked at became infatuated with me. He was thirty years my senior and decided he wanted to fuck me. He would show up constantly, grab at me, even touch himself while watching me work. You'd think a big corporation like Starbucks would have done something to protect me, but they simply transferred me to another location where the harassment could continue.

Despite the police reports, despite all my efforts to stop it, this went on for two years before the circumstances and reports would allow me to take the case to court. The judge was so angry that he could barely speak and the ruling was five years - no contact. The event left its mark on me and I wasn't myself anymore. I didn't want to leave my room. I got rid of my apartment and Jen and I returned home. But Jen would never allow me to feel weak for long. She forced me into private, hardcore martial arts training and created Badass.

When we wrote the script, I had to be that character in her mind, even though - Jen more appropriately would get those parts. All these feelings came back to me when I stood in front of the flame bar and said Jen's fucking ridiculously tough line "Like dying could kill me." Ironic that I saved her, because she's always been there saving me.

I am one of the luckiest girls in the world because I have the most amazing people in my life. One such amazing gentleman is Justin Hamelin who took the time to do a massive interview with us. He's one of these people that honest to fucking goodness love the genre and when he speaks about it - you tend to like even your most beloved favorite flicks that much more. Speaking of incredibly kind, love the genre, gentlemen - here's a little peek at the part two of our interview --

RavMon: Eli Roth is a big time supporter. I love the fact that he seems very pro-“women can be bad assed, too”. How did you get in touch with him?

Jen: Eli is amazing. He’s been incredibly supportive and a very good friend to us. We sent our DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK trailer around to every director from GRINDHOUSE as they had each inspired us. We couldn’t believe that only two days after we messaged him, Eli Roth wrote back to us and asked if he could see the finished film. We spoke back and forth and he gave us some really good advice. And you know what? He still does.
His films are very pro-feminist. We loved HOSTEL 2, especially the Blood Bath part. It was incredible. It was so empowering to see a female murderer that was every bit as blood thirsty as any man.

Sylvia: Eli Roth has to be one of the nicest, most down to earth, honest to goodness horror nerds in the world. He started with CABIN FEVER, so he knows what it’s like to be there. What I love about his work is that it isn’t the same shit you see in every other movie. In the first HOSTEL, you’ve got an openly gay, crazed doctor-wanna be. He wasn’t some outrageous stereotype with a lisp; he was a badass, creepy motherfucker who liked to cut people up. In the second part, you get this beautiful, intelligent female protagonist and guess what? There’s an evil bitch that gets her into the hostel. There’s a sequence in that film with the bloodbath that has to be one of the best horror scenes I’ve ever seen. With two incredibly talented actresses that killed it in that scene.

I hate when you see a film and the female characters are just written so pathetically that it’s fucking annoying. Give me a strong character that I can watch and say I wanna be like her. Eli writes women like that and he’s been an amazing supporter of our stuff. The script for AMERICAN MARY came from him asking about what other scripts we had. He’s a great guy.

No more previews, click here to read the entire lovely piece. If you missed the first part, get caught up here.

A very humble and sincere thank you to Justin for taking the time and dealing with our crazy schedule to have this chat. It was a wicked time and hope to come back and bug you with news about AMERICAN MARY!

~Sylv

Two People We Love Got Married Today

2011-10-30T16:31:00.000-07:00

The world can be a fucked up place and life can be quite the battlefield. It's made that much better when you find wonderful people to share your life with. People who are true friends. People who see you and are genuinely happy to rather than saying, "where the fuck you been?"

Today, two of the most kind, giving, selfless, and all around outstanding people we have ever had the pleasure of calling friends have married. Kristian Hanson wed the beautiful Fernanda Lins today in gore~geous California. They are the very best of the best and it fills us with so much happiness to see that two such phenomenal people have found one another. Never being one to believe in marriage or happy ever afters, these two have changed my mind.

Kristian, Fernanda. All our very bloody best to you both. You deserve all the happiness in the world and we cannot tell you how much we love you guys.

Blood Soaked Best!
Jen and Sylv