Men In Black

Men In Black: Having viewed episode # 310 ("The Silencers") of The History Channel's UFO Hunters, we felt mildly inspired in writing our own hypothesis on the infamous "Men In Black". Not fans of the mildly popular film series (nor of Will Smith...please TBS...no more reruns...) and having had our own UFO encounters, we feel quite confident in saying that we've never had an encounter with these Men In Black. At least, that we know of...

But, we asked ourselves, what motivates someone to come into their employ? That is, what psychological profile would you need to match in order to become such an employee?

Well, first of all, we think you would have to have a slightly investigatory personality. And, you would need an interest in compelling persons (that is "witnesses") to remain silent. In other words, you would need a person who is in direct opposition to doing standard police work. You would need to meet the psychological profile of a secret police person(nel)...

In other words, you would need personnel who enjoy/need the feeling of personal power and control over others in a totalitarian state. If you believe any of this, then you might also feel that despite playing a role as a democracy, the USA is (secretly) a totalitarian state. Especially when it comes to matters concerning extraterrestrials.

You would need to be a person willing to accept these matters as one of fact. If indeed the "Men In Black" really do exist...then perhaps so do the extraterrestrials...and that this country we spoke of is really a totalitarian one.

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/2XPeL7

Hmmm, look for this website to suddenly and mysteriously disap...






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Philosophical Crime

Philosophical Crime: Not a true crime, as in breaking rules/laws outlined and proscribed by a governing body, but a crime in a sense that it breaks with a philosophy, a belief, a viewpoint, creed, some practice, failure to assist or help (negligent or non-malicious depravity...) or other abstraction.

Today (yesterday, in particular, Wednesday, October 28, 2009) we became aware of Andre Agassi's stunning and saddening admission of meth use - apparently in his new autobiography. (See our entry: Chemicallball [Era]). To us, the philosophical crime here was that the athlete was once portrayed as a rebel. We were once taught - instructed - that true rebels shun drugs and drug use. Thus, the basis of the charge of a philosophical crime in this instance - the failure of a rebel to shun drugs and their use.

The penalties for said crime or crimes? Disappointment, effects on reputation and conscience, history, the now dreaded asterisk...and possibly more. Don't get us wrong, we like Andre and wish him no harm.

Another Philosophical Crime might be the sin of omission or neglect. Where an individual, group, entity, population or other body fails to recognize or assist in urgent matters that demand attention. For example, we found it interesting to hear of the asteroid impact event in Sulawesi the other day...even though the event took place 3 weeks ago. Where are we - as a race, a people, a species - on this? How few of us recognize and treat an impact event with the deadly seriousness of this. Why are we asleep at the wheel? (Actually, we've written a position paper on asteroid tagging, see our Homeland Currency Security website. We also regularly post updated links to this danger).

World hunger - or hunger, famine, malnutrition in general - are also Philosophical Crimes in that they might be adequately addressed. Over a billion people go to bed hungry each night. Thousands starve to death everyday. Why aren't we doing more about this problem? (Actually, we've started a new concept, called The Food Corridors as a potential solution to this deadly problem. And World Focus and the CBC News does a pretty good job of covering this problem).

Suicide Bombing and Suicide Terrorism we also judge to be Philosophical Crimes. It is wrong (particularly in the name of a religion...) to kill others and oneself in acts of terrorism. It is particularly deplorable - and despicable - for any religious body or governing body to develop schemes of manned suicide attacks. For example, we recently did some historical research (of local interest to our senior editor) into the phenomena of the Japanese Kaiten and the destruction of the U.S.S. Mississinewa...

Sometimes suicide is wrong...particularly in the above cases. In some cases, where it is meant to save lives, it can however be the right option or action. We know this position to be provocative, but look at the case of Jesus Christ.

Warmongering is also a particularly deplorable - and despicable - Philosophical Crime. One or two famous examples are here. Think of the teacher in the scene (All Quiet on the Western Front) who encourages his students to join the war and give up their studies. Specifically, the educator convinces his students to give up education for war and death... We can also think of a recent more modern example given us by a recent US Administration...


Oh, and more on the failure to assist or help: The apparent footdragging see in the current debate on Health Care Reform in the US...such delay may be justifiable in order to write a good law, though.

More on this topic later...

One more thing...its also a Philosophical Crime the way the umpires are going to throw the World Series in favor of the New York Yankees...this year???...

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/4zSvG8

From the staff: We thought it odd that our senior editor would want to discuss this topic on today, his birthday, but we gave up the ghost.

FOM: Enough is Enough With These Blown Calls...










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Asteroid Tagging

Apophis 99942 (not the Sulawesi asteroid...) image licensed under Creative Commons on Wikipedia & Osservatorio Astronomico Sormano

Asteroid Tagging: Not a new term, but with new implications due to the Sulawesi (City of Bone) asteroid impactor event of October 8, 2009. Look, this could have been worse than the Tsunami of 2004... The Jakarta Globe reported at least one death (a nine year child died of cardiac arrest upon hearing the explosion...reportedly...).

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/W8me4

FOM: Asteroid Tagging Proposal 2007, Asteroid Impactor Reported Over Indonesia, Asteroid Explodes Over Indonesia with Force of Three Hiroshima (Bombs) and Impact Event.

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Nunqulus

Image licensed under Creative Commons by db*photography

Nunqulus: The very unfortunate portmanteau of Never (from the Latin) and Stimulus (referring to the Washington stimulus in the USA). We received some extra food stamps, but that was it. Sorry, but for some of us, the Stim is not working. We know, we know, we should give it more time...but, we think we have to make some 'end-of-life' decisions...that is to say, packing one's bags...

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/1eNnaS

FOM: States Report Stimulus is Working and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

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Recovery Realism or Post-Crash Realism

Image licensed under Creative Commons by conorwithonen

Recovery Realism / Post-Crash Realism: The portmanteau(s) of Recovery 2009-2010 / Post-Crash 2009 and Critical Realism. We just have to say that we feel vindicated. What we seek to promote here is a "new" version of critical realism. This branch of philosophy is largely based on the teachings (yes, teachings...) of the likes of: Larry Klayman, Joseph Grano, John Derbyshire , Larry McDonald and (most importantly...) Barbara Ehrenreich. These folks are teaching us (largely through their appearances promoting their books on Book TV). Though Mr. Klayman comes across as a little cranky, we really appreciate his informative views and look forward to following him through various media outlets. Mr. Klayman is also the founder of Judicial Watch and Freedom Watch. We tend to agree with Mr. Klayman's observations that the American political, judicial and court systems are largely corrupt. We admit that we have experienced some of that corruption firsthand. We hope you pick up a copy of Mr. Klayman's book: Whores: Why and How I Came to Fight the Establishment‎.





Joseph Grano gave an excellent presentation on Book TV regarding his work; You Can’t Predict a Hero. Although it relates mainly to the 911 tragedy (we prefer the term atrocities...), Mr. Grano still makes very fine and high-minded points about the role of upper management in crisis. Mr. Grano is a decorated veteran.





Mr. Derbyshire appears to be a likeable, curmudgeonly, largely unapologetic, unabashed conservative thinker with background in the sciences and maths. Mr. Derbyshire largely uses scientific data and empiricism to convincingly make his conservative arguments. Mr. Derbyshire might be seen as abrasive and counter intuitive to some, but he does make some very intelligent points. A largely bemused, but still affable Alan Colmes delightfully appears with Mr. Derbyshire after presenting his book: We Are Doomed: Reclaiming Conservative Pessimism.





Their pithy arguments related more by realism than by context, Barbara Ehrenreich (on the negative aspects of positive thinking) and Lawrence McDonald (how positive thinking brought down Lehman Brothers, and possibly all of Wall Street...). Both persons' arguments are solidly related by their negative position on positive thinking and the negative effects of corporate positive thinking on us all. Positive thinking probably brought down Lehman Brothers, the financial and housing markets, your employer, your job, your career, your 401k, your stock portfolio, your pension, your home, your entire city (see: Urban Wasteland...) and state. And, this power of positive thinking's negative aspects is still at work. Time for a dose of reality. Read Ms. Ehrenreich (Bright-Sided) and Mr. McDonald (A Colossal Failure of Common Sense). Our editors, too, have lost jobs over this extremely pernicious presence of 'positive thinking'. Thanks to Book TV and these authors for bringing us a much needed dose of reality. We just hope that the people pick up on this trend and fight for it or against it.

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/2XwdVo.

FOM: Whores: Why and How I Came to Fight the Establishment‎, Freedomwatch.org, Judicialwatch.org, Joe-grano.com, You Can’t Predict a Hero, A Colossal Failure of Common Sense, Bright-Sided (Book), Critical Realism / Economics , We Are Doomed: Reclaiming Conservative Pessimism , Feeling grumpy 'is good for you',
Negative thinking can boost the memory .

Please note: The editors and authors have received no endorsements from these authors, their publishers, and so on...

Updated/Revised: Wednesday, November 4, 2009.






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Urban Wasteland

Image licensed under Creative Commons by sean_hickin

Urban Wasteland: New term (not one of ours...) becoming more popular due to inability to generate very low-cost housing sales in areas like Detroit, Michigan...

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Mistweet

Image licensed under Creative Commons by Anosmia

Mistweet: The unfortunate (sometimes...) portmanteau of mistrial and tweet. The potential for jurors to create a mistrial over Twitter use on the case...

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/1FQJeb

FOM: Tweeting Jurors Jeopardize Trials

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SpoofCard (Service)

SpoofCard (Service): Relatively new technology, that until recently we were unaware of. Using this service, you can thwart caller ID on the victim's phone. Brought to our attention regarding a court case over possible illegal voicemail break-in(s) - see FOM.

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/1FQZzh

FOM: SpoofCard: Caller ID Tricks Can Mean Trouble, SpoofCard.com and Caller ID Spoofing.





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MegaPowerBall?

Somewhat resonating image licensed under Creative Commons by killerbeez

MegaPowerBall?: Soon (for example, in Michigan) you'll be able to purchase a PowerBall on-line game ticket with your MegaMillions on-line game ticket. So, you think you'll double your chances of winning a jackpot? Hmmm, we're not exactly math wizards - but if you combine the odds of winning the PB jackpot (about 195,249,054.00 to 1) and the odds of a MB jackpot (about 175 711 536 to 1) - excluding the Texas Megaplier and PowerPlay options - your odds increase to about 1.71537556 × 10E16 to 1. Or, if you prefer, about 17 Quadrillion to 1. (Here's some perspective, there are fewer galaxies in the universe than a quadrillion). Still feel lucky? Well, do ya' punk?

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/49czkM

FOM: MEGA MILLIONS AND POWERBALL AGREE TO TICKET-SELLING PARTNERSHIP, Megamillions.com and Link to Powerball site

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Psi-11 or Ψ-11

Image licensed under Creative Commons by conner395

Psi-11 or Ψ-11: With regards to the new (Japan) computer program that can predict the likelihood of death based on information from a 911 call.

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/2vbAWs

FOM: Calling It In: New Emergency Medical Service System May Predict Caller's Fate

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The Fifth Force or 5F

'Cosmos on my desk: dark matter image licensed under Creative Commons by TheAlieness GiselaGiardino[23]

The Fifth Force / 5F: What is this unknown force that is acting on Dark Matter? Is it something other than gravity, electromagnetism, the weak force or the strong force - or is it just gravity? And what is Dark Matter anyway?...well, we're developing our own hypothesis...

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/d7ifC

FOM: Unknown Force Acting On Dark Matter? and Force.

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Mangosteen Juice

Image licensed under Creative Commons by foodistablog

Mangosteen Juice: The next fruit juice - health craze? Warning: as always, there are drawbacks.

FOM: Mangosteen Juice Could Protect Health In The Obese and Mangosteen.

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Tinysaurus

Tinysaurus: The obvious portmanteau of tiny and dinosaur (which is a bit of an oxymoron...). The smallest dinosaur specie ever? Estimated weight: under 2 pounds.

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/888fL

FOM: Scientists ID fossils of smallest dinosaur and Fruitadens haagarorum.





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Homo inclinefis

Pears again, image licensed under Creative Commons by lepiaf.geo

Homo inclinefis: The next generation in human evolution (?). Inclinefis: the compounding of (the Latin) words for turn (inclino) and wrong (nefas). In other words, Human 'turned wrongly', based on the ancient idea that 'to turn pear-shaped' was to go bad (see: OED Online Definition 3). Also, based on the attraction (or repulsion) to a shortened, generally pear-shaped body form by some people. Sorry!

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/3FyBTX


FOM: Humans Are Still Evolving, Analysis Finds, Byars, S., D. Ewbank, et al. Natural selection in a contemporary human population. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(42) DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0906199106 and Pear-shaped.









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Female Gigantism

Gulliver's Travels image licensed under Creative Commons by infomatique

Female Gigantism: Do you need a thesis for a biology dissertation? How about the (combined) topics of female gigantism? Observe the recently discovered orb weaver: Nephila komaci - for one instance of this interesting occurence in nature. Instances in biological species where the female is gigantic in comparison to the male.

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/2rQvZc

FOM: Scientists discover 'biggest' web spider , Nephila komaci and Discovery of the Largest Orbweaving Spider Species: The Evolution of Gigantism in Nephila.

See also: Gulliver's Travels - Brobdingnag. Not a 'correct' example of female gigantism, Anglerfish.

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Hilbert Spec Test or HST

Hilbert Spec Test / HST: Proposed "lay term" for a relatively new spectroscopic analysis for the rapid identification of liquid explosives particularly for secure areas (e.g., airport screening...) .

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/2Q02di

FOM: 'Quick test' for airport liquids , Hilbert spectroscopy and Josephson junction.





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Bossiot

Bossiot: The unfortunate portmanteau of boss and idiot. Do you believe that your bullying boss is really an idiot? You're right...

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/2Gu36r

FOM: It's official: Your bullying boss really is an idiot and YOU'RE FIRED: Why Is Your Boss Such a Bully?

Updated: Wednesday, October 21, 2009.






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Tricket or Twicket

Tricket / Twicket: The unfortunate portmanteau of trick and Twitter with parking ticket. (1) The deployment of fake parking tickets on vehicles with a fakeware address. (2) The deployment of same to defraud the public via online scam using websites and other social networking platforms. Beware!

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/25dYwZ

FOM: Parking ticket leads to a virus





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Vafricuum or Africuum

Map of Africa image licensed under Creative Commons by The Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the BPL's photostream


Vafricuum / Africuum: The conceptual collision of leadership vacuum and Africa. These folks could not find one leader worthy of this special prize...on an entire continent... Sigh, this must be a case where the glass is half empty. Hugo, pack your bags! Hugo: I'm going, I'm going!

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/46WGg6

FOM: African leadership prize withheld and Mo Ibrahim Foundation website.









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Fakeware

Money at hand image licensed under Creative Commons by Don Hankins

Fakeware: The unfortunate portmanteau of fake and software. With regard to the use of scareware and other online scams to defraud the public.

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/1aDoYp

FOM: Millions tricked by 'scareware' and Scareware.

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Fraudistan

Image licensed under Creative Commons by Cameron Nordholm


Fraudistan: The most unfortunate (and somewhat obvious) portmanteau of vote fraud and Afghanistan. Regarding the much reported vote rigged presidential election results in Afghanistan. Hugo: Oh, and by the way, US OUT OF AFGHANISTAN.


Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/1zKQFB



FOM: Fraud probe paves way to Afghan runoff, Karzai 'stripped of outright win', Afghan poll picture darkens with run-off looming, Afghan election goes to run-off ,
Afghan panel orders presidential runoff and Hamid Karzai.



Updated / Revised: Tuesday, October 20, 2009












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Cheesebat

Image licensed under Creative Commons by uberzombie

Cheesebat: What some of the LA Angel's batters appeared to be swinging last night (Saturday, 10/17/09) against the Yankees' pitching. That is, their bats (like Abreu's, Guerrero's, and others...) appeared to be made out of Swiss Cheese. Hugo: I'll say...you could have struck out most of them with a Wiffle Ball.

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/dN2yH

FOM: Angels botch it again, Yanks win Game 2 in ALCS

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Falloon Boy

Image licensed under Creative Commons by meddygarnet

Falloon Boy: Seems much more appropriate than the media-preferred term "Balloon Boy" in light of the Heene family's present troubles.


Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/ocwWX


FOM: US balloon parents 'face charges', 'Who the hell is Wolf?' balloon boy asks,
Richard Heene "Terrifying," Associate Says and Falloon / Farloon.

Updated/Revised: Tuesday, October 20, 2009









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Falloon or Farloon

Falloon / Farloon: The unfortunate portmanteaus of farce and balloon. (1) With regards to the recent exploits of the "Balloon family" and "Balloon boy". Isn't 24/7 media coverage of this "event" overdoing it a bit? Hence, the additional farcical nature of this story. (2) The questionable antonym (truncated) of granfalloon. (3) The epigrammatic reference to a granfalloon - like the above...

In our case, we recall (epigrammatically...) the late, great Kurt Vonnegut's book of essays entitled "Wampeters, Foma and Granfalloons". Read it if you can find it...

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/3mUhD2

FOM: US balloon parents 'face charges', 'Who the hell is Wolf?' balloon boy asks,
Richard Heene "Terrifying," Associate Says and Falloon Boy.

Revised/Updated: Tuesday, October 20, 2009.








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Halloween Video Suggestions II

Halloween Video Suggestions II: Again, not a dictionary definition in the traditional sense, but these movies may have redefined (your) Halloween Holiday. The list has been revised, updated and categorized (Midnight Viewing, Well After Midnight, Before Midnight and Classic TV Programs...). OK, its still incomplete, but we can't include everything... Now includes mini-reviews...


To Be Viewed At Midnight…

Black Sabbath (1963, Mario Bava, Boris Karloff) Our favorite vignette – “The Drop of Water”…you may let loose some liquids with this one…

The Haunting (1963, Robert Wise, Julie Harris, Claire Bloom…) Unsurpassed eeriness and low-budget special effects and elegant filmwork… Its almost as if Shirley Jackson was right there with you…

Dead of Night (1945, Several directors, Michael Redgrave) Have you seen this?

Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954, Jack Arnold, Richard Carlson) Classic monster.

The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957, Jack Arnold, Grant Williams) Still a mind-bender, even today.

Psycho (1960, Alfred Hitchcock, Janet Leigh) Classic Hitchcock.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956, Don Siegel, Kevin McCarthy) Camp classic.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978, Philip Kaufman, Donald Sutherland, and more…) Though a “remake”, its really more than the sum of its parts…Great cast…

The Blob (1958, Irvin Yeaworth, Steve McQueen) Love the cheap, but horrific special effects.

The Blob (1988, Chuck Russell, Kevin Dillon, Shawnee Smith) Love Shawnee Smith and some of the devouring scenes!

Night of the Living Dead (1968, George A. Romero, Duane Jones) Keep a bucket handy!


The Thing (1982, John Carpenter, Kurt Russell) Absolute classic. Love this. It’s a nightmare captured on film.

They Live (1988, John Carpenter, Roddy Piper...) Sometimes an absolute hoot. More famous lines in horror movies came out of Roddy Piper than in all the others combined..."I am here to chew bubble-gum and kick ass. And, I am all out of bubble-gum!". "Life's a b****, and she's in heat!" to Keith David. And, "Your face looks like it fell in guacamole in 1957!" to one of the aliens. Meg Foster's character is marvellously treacherous.



Prince of Darkness (1987, John Carpenter, Donald Pleasance) A real "sleeper". And, the late, great Donald Pleasance is in this one - always a pleasure.

The Mothman Prophecies (2002, Mark Pellington, Richard Gere...) A great Richard Gere movie? Yes, this one is great and sometimes based on real-life experiences and disasters connected in some way or another to The Mothman. Note: The Mothman features only briefly in a few scenes - its said - but we've never been able to identify him. The ending is, though, more than a little unbelievable. But, do you want to meet Indrid Cold?

Trilogy of Terror (1975, Dan Curtis, Karen Black) Have you seen this? A forgotten ‘classic’. Karen Black is morbidly great.

The Funhouse (1981, Tobe Hooper, Elizabeth Berridge) A small gem of small town terror.

Poltergeist (1982, Tobe Hooper, Heather O’Rourke…) Love the kitchen chairs scene…

Jeepers Creepers (1981, Victor Salva, Gina Phillips) Oh, Hi!!

The Thing from Another World (1951, Howard Hawks, Christian Nyby, James Arness – as the Monster) The original classic.

Sleepy Hollow (1999, Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci…) Tim Burton at his maniacal, inspired best!

The Serpent and The Rainbow (1988, Wes Craven, Bill Pullman) The zombie bride and the “hand in the soup” scenes are the tops!

The Exorcist (1973, William Friedkin, Ellen Burstyn…) Unsurpassed.


To Be Viewed Well After Midnight…

The Mummy (1932, Karl Freund, Boris Karloff) Classic.

Frankenstein (1931, James Whale, Boris Karloff) Classic.

The Wolfman (1941, George Waggner, Lon Chaney, Jr.) Classic.

The Body Snatcher (1944, Robert Wise, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi) Creepy.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956, Don Siegel, Kevin McCarthy) See it again.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978, Philip Kaufman, Donald Sutherland, and more…) See it again.

X: The Man With X-Ray Eyes (1963, Roger Corman, Ray Milland) Still a mind-bender, at times, unforgettable…

It! The Terror from Beyond Space (1958, Edward L. Cahn, Marshall Thompson) A fun ride for all.

Fiend Without A Face (1958, Arthur Crabtree, Marshall Thompson) Very grotesque climax.

The Blob (1958, Irvin Yeaworth, Steve McQueen) Love the cheap, but horrific special effects.

The Blob (1988, Chuck Russell, Kevin Dillon, Shawnee Smith) Love Shawnee Smith and some of the devouring scenes!

Night of the Living Dead (1968, George A. Romero, Duane Jones) Keep a bucket handy!

Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975, Jim Sharman, Sorry, Tim Curry stole this one…)

(?) Forbidden Planet (1956, Fred M. Wilcox, Leslie Nielsen) Great film…the murder and monster scenes might qualify this for Halloween viewing…

The Sixth Sense (1999, M. Night Shyamalan, Bruce Willis) Just superb. A wonder for Night.

Trilogy of Terror (1975, Dan Curtis, Karen Black) Great…

Godzilla “King of the Monsters!” (1956, Ishiro Honda,Terry Morse , Raymond Burr) Classic…

Invaders from Mars (1953, William Cameron Menzies, Jimmy Hunt…) Classic…we believe you, Jimmy!

Invaders from Mars (1986, Tobe Hooper, Karen Black…) Best Line: “They understand! They understand!...”

The Funhouse (1981, Tobe Hooper, Elizabeth Berridge) Best Line: “Blood is thicker than water”.

Poltergeist (1982, Tobe Hooper, Heather O’Rourke…) See it again.

Jeepers Creepers (1981, Victor Salva, Gina Phillips) Hi again!

The Howling (1981, Joe Dante, Dee Wallace-Stone) A sexy horror movie?

An American Werewolf in London (1981, John Landis, David Naughton)

The Fly (1958, Kurt Neumann, Vincent Price) Macabre science fiction.

The Fly (1986, David Cronenberg, Jeff Goldblum) Nauseatingly good at times.

Arachnophobia (1990, Frank Marshall, Jeff Daniels) Funny yet deadly?

The Exorcist (1973, William Friedkin, Ellen Burstyn…) You are compelled to watch this one.

The Body Snatcher (1944, Robert Wise, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi) Fun with creeps.

The Relic (1997, Peter Hyams, Penelope Ann Miller...) This film transforms itself from a terrible B-movie to a rather terrifying monster movie. The special effects used to create the 'Kothoga' are convincing and terrifying. Put the little ones to bed before putting this one on...

To Be Viewed Before Midnight…

The Shining (1980, Stanley Kubrick, Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall) Genius.

Alien (1979, Ridley Scott, Sigourney Weaver) Modern classic genius.

Predator (1987, John McTiernan, Arthur Schwarzenegger) A great Arnold film?

The Birds (1963, Alfred Hitchcock, Tippi Hendren…) A little dated, but still a good ride…

Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975, Jim Sharman, Sorry, Tim Curry stole this one…) Tim Curry anyone?

The Thing (1982, John Carpenter, Kurt Russell) See it again. A genius nightmare caught on film. Masterpiece.

The Thing from Another World (1951, Howard Hawks, Christian Nyby, James Arness – as the Monster) Camp classic.

Sleepy Hollow (1999, Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci…) Christina Ricci at her finest.

The Others (2001, Alejandro Amenabar, Nicole Kidman) So who knew Nicole Kidman could act?...no, seriously, she is just great in this thriller.

Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992, Francis Ford Coppola, Gary Oldman, Winona...oh, forget it...) As always, Gary Oldman brings that extra something to the screen, whereas Winona...oh, forget it...

(?) Forbidden Planet (1956, Fred M. Wilcox, Leslie Nielsen) Does this fit the list?

The Sixth Sense (1999, M. Night Shyamalan, Bruce Willis) See it again.

Young Frankenstein (1974, Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle…) Still great. The cameo of Gene Hackman still provokes wild laughter.

Invaders from Mars (1953, William Cameron Menzies, Jimmy Hunt…)

Invaders from Mars (1986, Tobe Hooper, Karen Black…)

The Howling (1981, Joe Dante, Dee Wallace-Stone)

An American Werewolf in London (1981, John Landis, David Naughton)

Cujo (1983, Lewis Teague, Dee Wallace-Stone) Keep your shots up to date!!

The Dead Zone (1983, David Cronenberg, Christopher Walken) Drop dead brilliant.

Arachnophobia (1990, Frank Marshall, Jeff Daniels)

The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996, John Frankenheimer, Marlon Brando…) 2 words: Fairuza Balk. Oh, you need more? How about a way-over-the-top Marlon Brando as the gloriously *M*A*D* Dr. Moreau, Val Kilmer's character loses his sanity just before the climax and is David Thewlis's character human or ...? Kind of like Doctor Doolittle meets Apocalyspe Now. A tribute to the late, great Marlon Brando's screen presence is the way he stole the scene where he initially appears amidst a throng of half-crazed, mutant, hybrid, half-human beast animals.

The Addams Family (1991, Barry Sonnenfeld, Raul Julia…) The whole cast is a hoot.

Addams Family Values (1993, Barry Sonnenfeld, Raul Julia…) Better than the first?

The Twilight Zone (1983 Various Directors, Various Actors…) Kevin McCarthy is a cult favorite in this film version and John Lithgow is a hoot.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993, Henry Selick, William Hickey…) The Tim Burton modern classic.

Classic Television Programs

The Outer Limits (the classic series from the '60's, not the later version...)

The Twilight Zone (including the later version from the '80's...) Amazing that a half-century old program still has this much impact...

One Step Beyond (featuring the great and largely forgotten John Newland...) All right, it never had quite the polish of The T-Zone, but almost always based on factual tales of the paranormal right out of everyday life. Catch it if you can. The most "Fortean" of these television shows. Best line? "I'm so tired I wish I was dead...".

Alfred Hitchcock Presents (featuring The Master of Suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock...)

And at least two episodes from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (starring the late, great Jeremy Brett). Those being The Cardboard Box and The Hound of the Baskervilles. Not to be missed. We suppose it was fitting that The Hound was feature-length and The Box was the series finale.

We know, we know...we left out some or all of your favorites. You know what they are...Halloween, Friday the 13th, Scream, Texas Chainsaw, Saw, Hostel...the list goes on...we just can't cover them all.

Updated/Revised: Friday, October 16, 2009. Saturday, October 17, 2009. Sunday, October 18, 2009. Wednesday, October 21, 2009.








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