April is the cruelest month.

First Wave of 2026 Films Announced — NorthwestFest 2026 is upon us, and though January may be dark and chilly, our first wave of film announcements is a reminder of the times to come!

On Sunday, I'll be on a panel discussion of All the President's Men (1976) and Network (1976). I have some free passes if anyone in Edmonton is interested.
www.northwestfest.ca/latest-news/...

Great episode; I've long thought this was the most significat vampire film you've not yet covered (is that now Blood and Roses?). I too had a copy where the box warned of those moments of solarization.

"As long as the Arctic stays cold."
-- the last line of The Blob (1958)

In fairness, it had its critics even at the time. In the original Nitpicker's Guide, published in 1993, Phil Farrand is quite negative about its anti-religious stance.

I Was a Communist for the FBI

New, and basically useless.

The Traveling Wilburys song "She's My Baby" inverts it to "She's got a body for business/Got a head for sin."

One of the best.

Room 237 would be a fun one.

Duvall is so great that it takes you a while to realize that Tom Hagen does little more than deliver exposition.

I do think it’s often better to show films they’ll hate than those they’ll find dull and uninteresting (there goes all my favourites!).

At first year, I try to show a few challenging experimental films like Lemon and I usually preface it with a joke like “You may well hate it and by extension me.” But it’s useful to show them that such things exist, at least.

In The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), Professor Barnhard (Not-Einstein) is treated as the world's "greatest living person" and the guy whom the alien should definitely consult when he finds he can't work with governments directly. If Klaatu showed up today, who would he want to talk to?

bsky.app/profile/book...

The cover of the book "ReFocus: The Films of Herschell Gordon Lewis" featuring a behind-the-scenes photo of the director gesturing toward a blonde actress sitting on a kitchen counter; he appears to be directing her in a scene.

Everyone wave your severed limbs! The Refocus series has a new volume on the Godfather of Gore himself, Herschell Gordon Lewis. Ed @brassupnorth.bsky.social w/ @serialmummy.bsky.social @mleeder.bsky.social @drdantils.bsky.social @edinburghup.bsky.social
edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-refocus...

⚰️ COUNT DRACULA (1970)

Did you know Christopher Lee played the master vampire for a Spanish adaptation of Stoker’s novel, in-between those Hammer sequels?

Horror academic @mleeder.bsky.social joined us to discuss the result! www.vampirevideos.co.uk/135-count-dr...

Canadian here -- I became aware of him via a kind of process of cultural diffusion (e.g. it being a big moment on The West Wing when Charlie was given silverware smithed by him). Not formal instruction, though (I remember absolutely nothing on the curriculum about the U.S. Revolution).

I never fully understood Muppet lore until AI Overview stepped in. Thanks Google!

The Ax Fight was always a hit with students.

I've done units on this in documentary classes, and included The Ax Fight and Pomo Shaman, among others.

What's more virgin than a computer? A virgin.

The popularity around Stranger Things Fans of Stranger Things are eager for the release of the fifth and final season. U of A film studies professor Murray Leeder discusses the popularity.

www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/vid...

Subversive Sci-Fi Evolution More Reflections on Futuristic Films That Broke the Rules

Consider contributing to this great project, featuring my new essay on The Monolith Monsters (1957). www.kickstarter.com/projects/gho...

Subversive Sci-Fi Evolution More Reflections on Futuristic Films That Broke the Rules

Support this great project and hear what I have to say about The Monolith Monsters! The movie, not the monsters. Well, technically both... www.kickstarter.com/projects/gho...

Subversive Sci-Fi Evolution More Reflections on Futuristic Films That Broke the Rules

Consider funding this great project, and get my new essay on The Monolith Monsters! www.kickstarter.com/projects/gho...

I've Got Plenty To Be Thankful For YouTube video by Bing Crosby - Topic

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDDI...

An all-time great title.

Just reread it with my daughter. What a classic! Chester is the best.

Subversive Sci-Fi Evolution More Reflections on Futuristic Films That Broke the Rules

Support this project, and you get my essay on The Monolith Monsters, and many more besides! www.kickstarter.com/projects/gho...