Halloween (1978)

Happy Halloween!





IMDB.com Entry on Halloween:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077651/?ref_=nv_sr_2

Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Tomorrow is Halloween...




IMDB.com Entry on Dawn of the Dead: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077402/?ref_=nv_sr_3

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

3 Days to Halloween...




IMDB.com Entry on Arsenic and Old Lace (1944): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036613/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

Celebrating our 4 Days to Halloween 2016 with one of Phil's favorite films to watch, during the Halloween season ........

Phil and the Dying Breed Movie Club did an extensive write up on the Universal Pictures Horror Movies back in 2014.  It also includes a write up about this movie.
http://pcongleton.blogspot.com/2014/12/phils-journey-through-1001-movies-you.html

IMDB.com Entry on Abott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948): 
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040068/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Wikipedia.org Article for the Film:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbott_and_Costello_Meet_Frankenstein

Trailer for the Film on YouTube:

The Thing From Another World (1951)

Celebrating our 5 Days to Halloween 2016 with one of Phil's favorite films to watch, during the Halloween season ........

Wikipedia.org Article for the Film:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thing_from_Another_World

IMDB.com Entry on The Thing:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044121/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Donnie Darko (2001)

Continuing our celebration of Halloween 2016, this film was released on this day in 2001 and became an instant cult classic ......

Donnie Darko (2001)




IMDB.com Entry on Donnie Darko:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0246578/?ref_=nv_sr_1

The Fly (1958)

On this sad day in 1993, Vincent Price passed away. 

Wikipedia.org Article for Vincent Price:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Price

To honor this master of horror, we chose this as our FILM OF THE DAY and part of our Halloween 2016 celebration ......




IMDB.com Entry on THE FLY:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051622/?ref_=nv_sr_3

IMDB.com Entry on Vincent Price:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001637/?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm

Batman (1989)

Bob Kane, the creator of Batman, was born on this day in 1915! 

Wikipedia.org Article for Bob Kane:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Kane

Celebrate with the movie that brought The Bat back to the big screen in a big, big way....




IMDB.com Entry on Batman: 
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096895/?ref_=nv_sr_2

IMDB.com Entry on Bob Kane: 
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004170/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Evil Dead (1981)

Sam Raimi born on this day in 1959. And Phil gets lost in the basement...




And here is the trailer....



IMDB.com Entry on Evil Dead: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083907/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

IMDB.com Entry on Sam Raimi: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000600/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Halloween 3: Season of the Witch (1982)

Released on this day in 1982...




IMDB.com Entry on Halloween 3: Season of the Witch: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085636/?ref_=nv_sr_4

Back to the Future II (1989)

This day last year, everyone was going Back to the Future. Why? Watch this:





Here's a trailer for the film (not the day):



IMDB.com Entry for Back to the Future II:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096874/?ref_=nv_sr_2

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)

On this day in 1984, Monterey Bay Aquarium, in Monterey, California, not far from San Francisco, opened to the public. 

Wikipedia.org Article for the Monterey Bay Aquarium:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monterey_Bay_Aquarium 

This is a place that is close to Phil's heart.  He visited there back in 2008 and it was the location, that part of Phil's favorite Star Trek movie was filmed in ......, 

........ so keeping with this year's tradition of celebrating Star Trek's 50th Anniversary this year we give you, what I think, is the best Star Trek film out there ....  sorry Khan, your #2. 

Ergo, our FILM OF THE DAY...




IMDB.com Entry on Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092007/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Unfortunately, whales are still being mistreated by man for profit:

In 1970, Lolita – the world’s oldest captive killer whale in the world’s smallest Orca tank – arrived in Miami. She was only about 3-5 years of age. Captured on August 8 of that year, she spent nearly two months in a netted-off pen before being flown to Florida where she has been in the same tank since that very day. To this day, the tank continues to violate the Animal and Plant Health inspection Service (APHIS) standards for size requirements. This wonderful creature, capable of swimming 100 miles a day, is imprisoned in a tank just four times the length of her body. - Chris

Here's a video featuring Orca Biologist Dr. Ingrid N. Visser explaining this terrible situation Lolita is in:





Please join us today and say "NO" to the unacceptable living conditions suffered by this intelligent, senstive and ENDANGERED mammal. The flyer below gives excellent suggestions on HOW YOU CAN HELP. 

You can also visit:
http://www.orcanetwork.org/Main/index.php?categories_file=Lolita 
..... for more details.

 

Thank you. 

 

Iron Man (2008)

Happy Birthday, Jon Favreau! 

Wikipedia.org Article for Jon Favreau:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Favreau

Here's a favorite Favreau flick that launched a universe ........




IMDB.com Entry on Jon Favreau:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0269463/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

IMDB.com Entry on Iron Man:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0371746/?ref_=nm_knf_i1

Murder Over New York (1940)

Victor Sen Yung was born on this day in 1915.  Sen Yung gained fame as Charlie Chan's #2 Son from the 30s to the 50s and helped solidify the legend of Honolulu's most famous crime solver.

Wikipedia.org Article for Victor Sen Yung:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Sen_Yung

Enjoy the Full Film on YouTube:


IMDB.com Entry on Victor Sen Yung: 
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0950958/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t9

IMDB.com Entry on Murder Over New York: 
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032819/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm

October Baby (2011)

October Baby is a superbly-written Christian film. Here is the trailer...




And here is our video recommendation...




And, here is another film review sites' take on WHY we're seeing more and more Christian films. SPOILER: It's not agenda, it's about the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$...




The Rise (or Return?) of Christian Films from The Royal Ocean Film Society on Vimeo.

IMDB.com Entry on October Baby: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1720182/

October Baby official film website: http://www.octoberbabymovie.net/

20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (1954)

The Walt Disney Company is founded on this day in 1923. It changed the world and made it's own World. Here's just some of the cinematic magic it produced...




IMDB.com Entry on 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046672/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

The Long, Long Trailer (1953)

I Love Lucy aired for the first time on this day back in 1951. Here is a film that captures that show's same magic between Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz...




IMDB.com Entry on The Long, Long Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047191/?ref_=nv_sr_1

The Right Stuff (1983)

1947: Chuck Yeager breaks the sound barrier on this day in the Bell X-1.





IMDB.com Entry on The Right Stuff (1983):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086197/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Wikipedia Entry on the Bell X-1:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_X-1

X-Files: Fight the Future (1998)

Happy Birthday, Chris Carter! Here's our vid recommendation of your work in the The X-Files...



And here's the trailer...



IMDB.com Entry on Chris Carter: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004810/?ref_=tt_ov_wr

IMDB.com Entry on X-Files: Fight the Future: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120902/?ref_=nv_sr_2

The Blob (1958)

The Blob was released in theaters on this day in 1958...and caused a mass exodus of movie-goers out of the theater to avoid being eaten alive (in the movie anyway)!

Wikipedia.org Article for the Film:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blob

Now, I usually don't like to name drop and brag, but I did meet the movie's star at the actual diner they used in filming the movie back in the 1950s. No, I'm not talking about Steve McQueen. I'm talking about the actual BLOB! See here...

The gelatinous mess that was used in the movie...and still is...and ever will be....THE BLOB!

IMDB.com Entry on The Blob (1958):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051418/?ref_=nv_sr_2

Monkey Business (1931)

We lost Chico Marx on this day in 1961. 

Wikipedia.org Article for Chico Marx:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chico_Marx

Let's laugh to his genius, along with his brothers, in ...





IMDB.com Entry on Monkey Business (1931):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022158/?ref_=nv_sr_2

IMDB.com Entry on Chico Marx:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0555597/?ref_=nv_sr_4

The Third Man (1948)

The world lost the great Orson Welles on this day in 1985.

Wikipedia.org Article for Orson Welles:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orson_Welles

There are many films to choose from for Mr. Welles. We chose one of his most celebrated and one of Phil's Top 10 Favorite movies of all time .......



IMDB.com Entry on The Third Man:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041959/?ref_=nv_sr_1

IMDB.com Entry on Orson Welles:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000080/?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm

"Don't be so gloomy. After all it's not that awful. Like the fella says, in Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock". - Harry Lime (Orson Welles) - The Third Man (1949)

One of the best parts to this movie is the theme song, which may actually be more popular than the movie.  An amazing piece of work that was even covered by the Beetles, albeit tongue-in-cheek.

Pacific Rim (2013)

Happy Birthday, Guillermo del Toro!




IMDB.com Entry on Pacific Rim: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1663662/?ref_=nm_knf_i4

IMDB.com Entry on Guillermo del Toro: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0868219/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Witness (1985)

The Amish first arrived in Philly via boat on this day in 1737. So, what better film to honor the Amish in Philly than...




IMDB.com Entry on Witness: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090329/?ref_=nv_sr_2

Witness was filmed in Philly and Lancaster county. There are "Witness" tours you can take. Zimmerman's - the store where Harrison Ford's character John Book makes a vital phone call - closed for good in 2014. A real bummer - especially since they kept the very phone booth used in the film all the years it was open! We made our pilgrimage to it on 1997. Here's my wife hamming it up in the booth... Anyway, watch Witness. ~ Chris

The Black Cat (1934)

On this day in 1849, Edgar Allen Poe passed away.

Wikipedia.org Article for Edgar Allen Poe:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Allan_Poe 

Here is a film based one of his more creepier stories and also is important for film history, because it was the first film featuring the iconic combination of Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff ....





Wikipedia.org Article fpr the film:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Cat_(1934_film)

IMDB.com Entry on The Black Cat: 
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024894/?ref_=nv_sr_1

The Jazz Singer (1927)

Hailed as the first "talkie", released on this date back in 1927, we give you the ........




IMDB.com Entry on The Jazz Singer (1927):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0018037/?ref_=nv_sr_2

Wikipedia.org Article for the Film:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jazz_Singer

This film was remade three times.  

Once with Danny Thomas in 1952:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jazz_Singer_(1952_film)

The 1980 remake with Neil Diamond:

And this little 1959 TV-Movie gem starring none other than Jerry Lewis:

Of course none of these remakes can match the original's stamp on film history, but it is interesting to see how the story and concept evolved differently with each remake, either culturally or as a piece of film aesthetics. Enjoy! - Phil

Dr. No (1962)

Released on this day in 1962... The first James Bond film ever ....  and a good one.




IMDB.com Entry on Dr. No:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055928/?ref_=nv_sr_2

Powaqqatsi (1988)

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi - a man known for helping the poor and less-fortunate and, also, the patron saint of the environment and animals. 

Wikipedia.org Article for Francis of Assisi:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi

There is no better day on the calendar to feature Godfrey Reggio's film Powaqqatsi. The second installment in his Qatsi trilogy, Powaqqatsi continues its cinematic illustration of how technology has thrown life out of balance and how the world - and most of its inhabitants - are suffering the consequences. Beautifully shot with a lush Philip Glass soundtrack, this film is a pleasure to see and hear.




IMDB.com Entry on Powaqqatsi:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095895/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Planet of the Apes (1968)

On this sad day in 1998, the world lost Roddy McDowall. Here's one of his greatest works .......

Wikipedia.org Article for Roddy McDowall:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roddy_McDowall






IMDB.com Entry on Planet of the Apes:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063442/?ref_=nv_sr_3

IMDB.com Entry on Roddy McDowall:
 http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001522/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Night at the Opera (1935)

Happy Birthday, Groucho Marx!




IMDB.com Entry for Night at the Opera: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026778/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Character (2002)

October 1st is Chester County Day!  Chester County, Pennsylvania - that is. So, we're going to shamelessly self-promote a short film featuring multiple locations around Chester County, PA. Here is the part avant-garde, part music documentary CHARACTER -  starring Marie Osmond.




IMDB.com Entry for CHARACTER: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3362034/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1a

More on Chester County Day: http://www.cchosp.com/cchfdn.asp?p=1212

Yes, this is a Chris Mich videofilm. It's also the second installment in an art film triptych collaboration between myself and composer/producer Paul A. Oehlers. Character premiered at the Sunset Hill Fine Arts Gallery in West Chester, PA and has been featured in several film festivals including Cinesonika 2 Festival (2012), Videohouse at Emerald City (2004), WHYY-TV Independent Images (2003), Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema (2002), MAVerick Film Festival (2002)  and QVC's Super 8s Film Festival (2002).

It's meaning has been debated and critiqued in multiple venues including the Philadelphia CityPaper.
Truth is: I find fonts fascinating and I decided to explore visually how letters become characters themselves due to their design, placement in the real world and the activities within their own environment.

I hope you enjoy both CHARACTER - and (if you're in the area) Chester County today! ~ Chris