Sunday, October 31, 2010



Time for another Halloween. Which this year seems to be more the day that people are excited about The Walking Dead finally premiering on TV more than being excited by any thoughts of dressing up or getting candy. I swear, buzz in both geek and non-geek circles for this thing seems huge. I will be both going trick or treating with some friends kids (mainly to score some candy left-overs) and then dressing up for later costumed festivities. Then will go home and watch Freaks (for the first time...shocking I know) and of course, The Walking Dead. Good times.

Friday, October 29, 2010



The Mayfair has been nominated again and will be defending its title as the distinction of greatest movie theatre in the universe from the fine folks at the X-Press. Well, actually it's for 'Best alternative to a multiplex', which is a bit of a strange distinction. But we'll take it! So please feel free to click over to the X Press readers poll website and vote away.

While you're there, feel free to also vote for the Silents is Golden film festival, Lee's filmmaking efforts, our neighbours at Quinn's, Invisible Cinema, and our friend Socalled as Best Local Hero.

Tell your friends. Many votes from many friends are muchly appreciated! Polls close at 11:59pm on Wednesday November 3rd, winners announced on November 11th.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010



So, a pair of cool things just happened. First, an 11th hour special feature to the Scott Pilgrim screening tonight at the Mayfair (which happens in about 4 1/2 hours from now). A last minute guest will be in attendance, Catriona Strurton, who was in the band Plumtree, who wrote the song that inspired the comic to be named Scott Pilgrim. The band appears not only on the soundtrack (would seem weird if they didn't), but keep a look out for a Plumtree shirt on Michael Cera in the film.



More geek coolness, Edgar Wright was kind enough to help spread the word about our screening via his Twitter account. So we've got prizes as per usual for Geek Nights, we have a special rock & roll guest (who's bringing a music video to show off), AND the guy who directed Shaun of the Dead wants you to come! What more could you possibly want to talk you into attending!?!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010



Scott Pilgrim vs the World may well go down in history as the best film of 2010 that everyone loved yet tanked at the box office. I haven't heard a single bad review or comment on this thing, and yet it didn't even come near to making half of it's estimated 100 million dollar budget back. But, not being profitable does no mean not good. Look at Fight Club, look at Psycho, look at Fantasia...and let us not forget Hudson Hawk!

Now I cannot tell a lie, I didn't get a chance to see the movie yet either. Two reasons: I kindah hate multiplexes, and I knew that we'd get it for sure at the Mayfair. I'm very excited to finally get the chance to see it, especially since I've been told by a couple of different friends that it's like the powers that be sat down and figured out how to make the perfect movie that I would love. It's comic book themed, filled with crazy video game violence, populated with geek girl characters, has Michael Cera in the lead, and is directed by the guy who did Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.

Wednesday October 27th & Thursday the 28th at 9:15 at the Mayfair, a special Lost Marbles Geek Night presentation of the greatest geek film of the year.

Friday, October 22, 2010



The marquee of the Mayfair from last weekend, a night which crazily enough hosted a classic silent horror movie with live musical accompaniment, a short horror film fest, and then the evening was capped off with what could be the worst movie ever (that people come to on purpose and then throw things). We will be back next year with more Killer63, with fingers crossed for better organizational skills and no last minute 11th hour panics. There will likely be both.

Saturday, October 16, 2010



Above is another shot from my video for Boxcar Cadavers that premieres tonight at the Killer63. Come out to see how things fare for the poor fan who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Just tested out the DVD this-morning, and will check it out big screen this-afternoon (after Toy Story 3, before Phantom of the Opera). All seems well. I don't think putting on a festival that had everything run smoothly and be prepared weeks in advance would be the same. Need that 11th hour last minute hassle and stress to keep yah feeling alive. Anyhow, that's year 5 almost in the books, which is kind of a staggering thought. Hope to see y'all tonight at the Mayfair.

Friday, October 15, 2010



I don't want to play spoiler on my contribution to the Killer63 short horror film fest at the Mayfair, but the above image is from the Boxcar Cadavers video that I directed and it involves my talented friend Jennilee Murray being shoved in the trunk of a car. Be there Saturday night to see it and a dozen other diversely terrifying offerings.

Thursday, October 14, 2010



It looks like we have everything together and assembled for the Killer63 screening on Saturday. So, y'know...a whole massive two days before the actual event. Not a lot of time to publicize the mini-fest, so just trying to get the word out via the magic of the internet while I can (don't know what people did before blogs and e-mail and Facebook and all this stuff).

The lucky number 13 shorts in the line-up will include (in not this exact order):

Never Bet the Devil Your Head - Kristian Larivier
Until the Fat Lady Sings - Rob Kantu
Bagra - Tom Jardine
Stop 21 - James Campbell
Seance - Robin Kasparik

Plus an 8mm zombie graveyard short from Petr Maur, two brand new shorts from Jeff Campbell, three works from Chris Chitaroni & Jimm Moir's Skywardkick Productions, and a pair of terror themed music videos from Canadian bands Hunter Valentine and Boxcar Cadavers (I directed the latter one). The work ranges in length from 5 to 18 minutes, and all combined comes in at about 100 / 105 minutes.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010




A couple of stills from Jeff Campbell's shorts "StalkHer" and "Dead End", both premiering this Saturday night (October 16th at 9pm) at the Mayfair Theatre.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010



Last week my film-making friends and I multitasked the shooting of a Boxcar Cadavers music video which will also serve as my entry into this years Killer63 festival. It involves rock and roll, kidnapping, and a nice girl locked in the trunk of a car. Even though it happened in the 11th hour, and well past my own set deadline, I'm very glad that we got to shoot the thing. It's a project that I've had on the brain for years, actually originally intended for another band that one of the Boxcar guys used to be in by the name of Crankenstein.

The shoot went well, and it's in the midst of being edited. Hopefully we'll have it all done by tomorrow...a whole three or so days before the actual festival screening. Such last minute stressy hectic deadline crunching feats are normal in such things. Every year I intend to get all this organized like a month in advance...never quite works out though. Maybe next year!


Saturday, October 02, 2010



Only have time for a quick update, running off to the Mayfair soon to go check out the silent movie / live music night. Am equally excited for tomorrows screening of Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell, which has an amazing poster and tag-line. On top of that, it's got no less than two Star Wars legends: David Prowse (Darth Vader) as the Monster, and Peter Cushing (Grand Moff Tarkin) as Victor Frankenstein. And of course, it is also a very rare chance to see a Hammer horror classic up on the big screen.

Come check it out tomorrow (Sunday the 3rd) at Lost Marbles Geek Night at the Mayfair at 8:30.