My Top Favorites of 2016 List for When It Was Cool Kicks Off Year-End "Best of " Season

With the final week of 2016 underway, several of the magazines and websites for which I write are beginning to publish their year-end lists of "best ofs" and favorite pop culture highlights for the year. The first of my lists is "My Top Recommendations from 2016 for When It Was Cool Readers" for the fun retro site When It Was Cool. Check out some of my favorite films, comic books, television shows, and rock albums that were released during the past year. Have fun!

http://www.whenitwascool.com/2016-best-of

My Debut Review for Diabolique Magazine Is on Australian Thriller "Bad Girl"

Writer/director Fin Edquist's Australian thriller Bad Girl instantly became one of my 10 favorite genre films of 2016 when I saw it recently. Check out my first review for Diabolique Magazine to find out why! You can read it here.

Rest in Peace, Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen has been such an important figure in my life since I first learned about him in December 1984, when his seventh studio album, Various Positions, was released, that my son is named after him. It was only fitting that my son was the one who first told me about Leonard Cohen's passing. I was teaching the third of my four classes today and had to process the news more slowly than if I wasn't working.

I was fortunate enough to see Leonard Cohen in concert a few times on different tours, and got to meet him before one of those shows. He stepped off the tour bus in front of the Fillmore in San Francisco on October 28, 1988 (11 months to the day before my son would be born), and walked right over to greet the five of us who were in line waiting for the doors to open several hours later so we could get front row seats. Hoping that something like this might happen, I had brought along a copy of his first novel, The Favorite Game, and he signed it for me. I told him how important he and his poetry, novels, and songs were to me, and in that deep voice of his, he replied, "Thank you so much for your kind, gracious words" and shook my hand. The only thought about Leonard Cohen performances that makes me happier than that one is that my son saw him in concert on more than one occasion, too. My son called me in Korea from Portland's Rose Garden on December 8, 2010 (the first time Leonard played there) as he waited for the concert to start. I got to hear the moment that the lights went down and the crowd responding accordingly.

Leonard Cohen's work has been with me through some of my darkest hours and some of my brightest, and a great number of times between those two absolutes. I'm sad but sadness passes, and I will celebrate all of the joy that Leonard Cohen has brought to my life today and always.

The first song that came to mind when my son broke the news to me was "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye." I always thought that the world would be a much better place if all relationships could end the way Leonard sings about in this song. I think some lyrics from this song are appropriate for Leonard's passing, as well: "But let's not talk of love or chains and things we can't untie/You eyes are soft with sorrow/Hey, that's no way to say goodbye." Thank you for everything, Mr. Cohen. You are missed.

My "Scream" Magazine Debut Takes a Look at Korean Exorcism Film "The Priests"

I'm proud to announce that I am now a member of the Scream Team at the UK-based Scream horror magazine! For my first piece, I have reviewed the 2015 Korean exorcism movie The Priests. Have a gander at http://www.screamhorrormag.com/priests-film-review/.

Hard Rockers Angel Reviewed for When It Was Cool

For my second piece for the ultra-fun When It Was Cool website, I review my two favorite albums from seventies hard rockers Angel, "On Earth as It Is in Heaven" and "White Hot." Have a look and feel free to crank up the video links in the article. Thanks, as always, for reading!

http://www.whenitwascool.com/hard-rock-review-angel

Happy Halloween! I'm Now a Contributing Writer for Diabolique!

Happy Halloween, everyone! I have some cool news: I'm proud to announce that I am now a contributing writer to the U.K.-based Diabolique Magazine!

Please check out this article in which yours truly and other Diabolique folks share our thoughts on our favorite films to watch during Halloween season. Enjoy!

http://diaboliquemagazine.com/diabolique-magazines-ultimate-halloween-movie-night/

Look Back at Some Favorite Halloween Memories with Me in My Debut Article for When It Was Cool

I'm proud to announce that my first article for the ultra-fun retro website When It Was Cool was published just a few minutes before this post! In it, I take a nostalgic look back at 10 of my favorite childhood Halloween memories. Click on the link below, and then check out all of the other cool articles, podcasts, and videos at When It Was Cool!

http://www.whenitwascool.com/halloween-10-memories

Keeping Up with My "That's Not Current" Articles

I have a couple of new items up at pop culture website That's Not Current, the first of which is my second "Seven from the Seventies" column. This installment is a continuation of my debut column, as it takes a look at some more of my favorite comic books from the 1970s, including some more Gold Key titles, Charlton's run of The Phantom, and the Marvel monster titles. You can read that column here.

I also review the taut Spanish thriller May God Save Us, currently playing at South Korea's Busan International Film Festival. This gritty film may well wind up on my list of 10 favorite films of this year; read here to see why.

My most recent Gruesome Magazine review is about the 2016 French film Fury of the Demon (AKA La Rage du Demon), writer/director Fabien Delage's examination into the possible existence of a cursed silent horror film that caused rioting, violent behavior, and even death. You can read my spoiler-free review here.

My 1970s Pop Culture Column for That's Not Current Debuts with Gold Key Comics Focus

I have started a new column for That's Not Current (thatsnotcurrent.com) focusing on 1970s pop culture: movies, comic books, toys, wrestling, music, books, television shows, and whatever else might come to mind. I kick off Seven from the Seventies with a fond look back at my favorite comic book publishing company from my childhood, Gold Key Comics. You can find my debut column here.

I'm currently working on the second installment in this series, in which I'll look at a few more Gold Key books, some Dell and Charlton stuff, and some Marvel monster titles, as well.

Thanks, as always, for reading!

I Discuss All Kinds of Seventies Rock Goodness on That's Not Current Website

I have had a blast writing about some of my favorite rock music from the 1970s on the fun pop culture website That's Not Current (thatsnotcurrent.com) recently. Here are links to three of my articles there. I hope you either learn about a lot of great new-to-you music or have a fun trip down memory lane. I provide YouTube links to many songs in the articles so that you can instantly give a listen to the bands I write about.

I did a two-part series about the British rock band Sweet, which found success in four different styles of rock music --- not an easy feat. Part one looks at the band's singles and gives an introductory history to this talented quartet:

http://www.thatsnotcurrent.com/beginners-guide-sweet-part-1-singles/

Part two focuses on the band's albums:

http://www.thatsnotcurrent.com/a-beginners-guide-to-sweet-part-2-the-albums/

You can also find the second installment in my "Bands That Deserved Better" series. Whereas part one took a lot at some unsung hard rock groups from the 1970s, part two shines a spotlight on a few British and European rock bands with differing styles; namely, Fabulous Poodles, The Inmates, No Dice, New Adventures, and Taxxi.

http://www.thatsnotcurrent.com/bands-deserved-better-part-2-european-rock-circa-1978-1980/

Have fun reading, listening, and watching!

Two More "Horror News Radio Extra" Podcasts Are Live: "Creepy" and "The Similars"

Podcast host extraordinaire Doc Rotten invited me to speak with him about more films from July's Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) in South Korea, and I was more than happy to oblige. Both of the films I discuss, Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Japanese thriller Creepy and Isaac Ezban's Mexican science-fiction chiller The Similars, are destined to be on my top 10 list of favorite films of the year. As usual, I keep everything as spoiler-free as possible. Enjoy!

Creepy:

http://gruesomemagazine.com/2016/09/20/podcast-creepy-bifan-2016-fear-walking-dead-episode-006-hnr-extra/


The Similars:

http://gruesomemagazine.com/2016/09/27/podcast-similars-bifan-2016-wreak-havoc-horror-film-festival-episode-007-hnr-extra/

My "Horror News Radio Extra" podcast about "Demon" is live

The Polish possession chiller "Demon" is one of my favorite horror films of the year. I recently had the pleasure of discussing it on "Horror News Radio Extra" with host Doc Rotten. Have a listen, please, and enjoy!

http://www.docrotten.com/2016/08/29/eps-005-demon-interview-clint-carney-and-kelton-jones-from-dry-blood-hnr-extra/

Keeping Up with My That's Not Current Articles

If you haven't yet visited the amazing That's Not Current pop culture website, you should give it a look as soon as possible. The site is chock full of reviews and articles about movies, cartoons, television shows, games, music, comic books, and more, from past to present.

I have been focusing on music and non-horror films so far but who knows what topic I might choose next? While you're waiting to find out, please check out the first two installments in my "Bands That Deserved Better" series, the first part of my two-part beginner's guide to the legendary U.K. rock band Sweet, and my overview of the Asian action films I caught at South Korea's Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in late July. Click the link below and enjoy, and make sure to try out some articles from my talented cowriters on the site!

http://www.thatsnotcurrent.com/author/joseph-perry/

New issue of "VideoScope" features three articles from yours truly!

If you haven't yet sampled the charms of The Phantom of the Movies' VideoScope magazine, the current summer issue (#99) is a great place to start. Yours truly has three --- count 'em, three --- items in this issue: an article about South Korea's Jeonju International Film Festival, an overview of the Nagoya tour stop for Scream Queen Filmfest Tokyo (SQFFT), and a review of director Kevin McTurk's amazing puppet horror films The Mill at Calder's End and The Narrative of Victor Karloch. Look for it at your favorite bookstore, or order individual copies or a subscription online at videoscopemag.com. If you prefer digital versions, sample the free preview of VS #99 at magzter.com, then subscribe or order your digital edition today at magzter.com. Enjoy!

That's Not Current Website Goes Live, Featuring My Article About Unsung Hard Rock Bands

That's Not Current, a website that looks at all manners of pop culture from the past to the present, launched mere hours ago and is off to a blazing start. The assembly of talented writers on hand is truly stunning, and I am thrilled to be a part of the TNC family. If you are interested in movies, television shows, video games, books, and comic books from just about any era, you owe it to yourself to take a look at the solid content that That's Not Current (thatsnotcurrent.com) provides.

My debut article is the first installment in my "Bands That Deserved Better" series, in which I will discuss rock groups that I feel should have garnered a wider audience in their day. The first installment, which you can read here, takes a look at five fantastic hard rock bands from the 1970s. Get your headphones ready because I have included links to several sample tunes from each group!

While you are at the site, make sure to check out the other top-notch content on hand at That's Not Current. Thanks for reading!

Exciting summer times are ahead!

I am off in mere minutes to attend my ninth Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) here in South Korea! I have at least 35 films lined up for the next nine days, and possibly more. I will write an overview article for Phantom of the Movies' VideoScope magazine and provide reviews for Gruesome Magazine (you can link directly to my articles at http://gruesomemagazine.com/author/josephperry/, but make sure to check out all of the other fantastic content there, too), That's Not Current (a new website launching right around August 1; I'll provide the link when the site goes live), the Monster Movie Podcast with host Doc Rotten (check out Doc's other excellent podcasts at docrotten.com), and a new publication or two that I will write about when things become official.

Big-screen horror is a rarity here, but there is a wealth of it this summer! Besides BIFAN, Seoul repertory cinema Cinematheque will feature a John Carpenter retrospective as part of its "Summer Vacance" series. It will be a blast to revisit several of his classics as they were meant to be seen. Also, Hush . . . Hush, Sweet Charlotte, Night of the Hunter, and the 1920s French science fiction film Inhuman Woman are on the Cinematheque schedule. From now through the end of August, I will either be watching films or writing about them --- not a bad way to try and escape the heat, humidity, and monsoon rains that make up Korean summer!

I also have articles in the now-monthly SQ Horror Magazine; you can buy print or digital versions here. The new issue of Phantom of the Movies' VideoScope magazine should hit newsstands and mailboxes any day now, and I have three articles in that issue. I'll update about that when it is available.

I Review Mike Flanagan's Psychological Chiller "Before I Wake" for Gruesome Magazine

Kate Bosworth stars as a woman who tries to unlock the secret of her foster son's nightmares in Mike Flanagan's Before I Wake.

Director Mike Flanagan is red-hot right now thanks to his fourth feature film Hush and upcoming projects such as Ouija 2, but his long-delayed third feature, the psychological drama Before I Wake, isn't scheduled to debut on American cinema screens until September. It's currently being shown in other countries, though, and I was fortunate enough to catch it during its South Korean run. Here is my spoiler-free review for Gruesome Magazine. Thanks for reading!

Eight Gruesome Magazine Reviews Published in May

May was a super busy month for yours truly, from attending the Jeonju International Film Festival here in South Korea to penning articles for the July issues of both Phantom of the Movie's VideoScope and SQ magazines, to writing eight reviews for the Gruesome Magazine website.

The Gruesome reviews are all available to read now and include a review of the incredible indie feature They Look Like People, the well-acted feature-length thriller Restoration, the excellent horror comedy shorts Mauvaises Tetes (Bad Heads),Vintage Blood, A Tricky Treat, and Grammy, along with straight horror short fare Nasty and Midnight Macabre. You will find the reviews here. Enjoy!

One Link for All of My "Gruesome Magazine" articles!

Click on http://gruesomemagazine.com/author/josephperry/ for access to all of my Gruesome Magazine articles, including my Super Scary Shorts Saturdays reviews. Enjoy!

I'm Off to the Jeonju International Film Festival!

I'm headed to South Korea's Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) from Wednesday morning, May 4, through Saturday night, May 7. I have 12 films on the schedule and I'll have reviews and reports for Gruesome Magazine, Phantom of the Movies' VideoScope, and Horror News Radio in the very near future. I'll update my Twitter page @JosephWPerryJWP when I can during the festival so keep an eye out for that!

I Have Two Articles in the Debut Issue of "SQ Horror Magazine"

Check out the debut issue of "SQ Horror Magazine," which features two articles by yours truly: a review of the fantastic "Afterlife with Archie" comics series and a look at 1980s-themed horror toys from the past and present. There are loads of other great articles, too, including a film review by my son, Cohen Perry. You can order print or digital issues at http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/1101422?__r=633389&s=w

My "Horror News Radio" Podcast Appearance About Scream Queen Filmfest Tokyo's Nagoya Tour Stop Is Live

Host Doc Rotten and I discuss the Scream Queen Filmfest Tokyo's Nagoya tour stop, which I attended, on a special edition of the Horror News Radio podcast. There are two ways that you can listen to it: (1) Download the free Horror News Radio app on your smartphone (horrornewsradio.com/app/) or (2) become a Grue-Believer by becoming a Patreon member for Gruesome Magazine at https://www.patreon.com/gruesomemagazine?ty=h. Thanks!

My "Green Room" and "Convergence" Reviews from BIFF Appear in "VideoScope" Magazine

In Phantom of the Movies' VideoScope magazine's Winter 2016 issue (#97), I review two films that I saw as part of South Korea's Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) last October. Jeremy Saulnier's sophomore effort Green Room is a thrilling follow-up to his Blue Ruin debut, while Drew Hall's Convergence is a horror/thriller hybrid with lofty goals. Look for VideoScope on newsstands near you or order it through the magazine's official website, videoscopemag.com.

Catching Up!

It's been far too long since my last update because I have been so swamped with writing reviews and articles that I haven't had time to check in here! Since my previous update, I attended the Scream Queen Film Festival Tokyo (SQFFT) tour stop in Nagoya in February, and you will find my Gruesome Magazine reviews of many of the short horror films I saw there at http://gruesomemagazine.com/author/josephperry/. Doc Rotten, host of the Horror News Radio podcast and editor-in-chief of Gruesome Magazine, recorded a podcast with me last week about SQFFT which should go live very soon. I'll update when it is released. I also wrote two articles for SQ Horror Magazine; that issue is scheduled for publication on May 1. Again, I'll update here when it hits the streets. More soon! Thanks for checking in!