You Can't Stop The Zombie Invasion

It's official... zombies are the new vampires. Zombies were everywhere at this year's New York Comic Con. And not just nerds in makeup walking around the convention floor.

Earlier this year, AMC announced that it would be adapting the graphic novel The Walking Dead into a series event directed by Frank Darabont (The Green Mile, The Mist, Shawshank Redemption).

Video games get in on the undead action with Dead Rising 2 and a zombified spin off of the awesome Red Dead Redemption. In the pages of comic books, zombies will infest the worlds of Transformers, Star Trek and Ghostbusters. (Begs the question, what does a zombiefied Transformer eat? Car engines?)

The weirdest zombie sighting, however, had to be over at the Animal Planet booth, where inexplicably they have a pseudo-documentary show featuring the undead. Not sure how that fits with their brand, but I guess when in Rome... or when at Comic Con...

Personally, I think The Walking Dead looks pretty badass. But with the prevalence of zombies in pop culture, it's only a matter of time before we see a story where a sensitive zombie falls in love with a plucky human. Oh yeah, he'll probably sparkle while he's munching on brains.

Sheila E., "A Love Bizarre"

From 1985, here's Sheila E. with "A Love Bizarre."

Enjoy!

Juggalo Island Redux

Recently we here at Culture Brats paid a quick but memorable visit to Juggalo Island to have a go at Insane Clown Posse's almost purposeful low budget romp with mixed results. A strange brew of revulsion and fascination swirled around us as we spent the day in clown face, drinking cheap beer and scratching our heads over how much the song sounded like a hardcore Sugar Ray tune.

Anyway, after all this our fearless leader and ace investigative reporter Chag, uncovered (okay he just read it on the internet) this glittering gem of vital importance via The Guardian:

ICP are evangelical Christians. (?) (!)

All that cursing, talking about hos, rape, and murder was a ploy to pique your interest so you could uncover the REAL message lurking right below the murky surface of the toxic sludge-filled body of water that surrounds Juggalo Island.

It's all about God.

What?

Is this their Dallas moment where everyone comes back from a summer of reruns and unimaginable tension, only to find out that Bobby Ewing is NOT dead and that the whole previous season was in fact a big stupid disappointing time waster of a dream?

We've been duped!

I am wearing my sad clown face now mostly because greasepaint is running down my cheeks with the tracks of the tears caused by this revelation.

Sorry, ICP. I had 12 years of nuns that used rulers as advanced weaponry so nothing can top the shock and terror of those life lessons, but I wait with bated breath to see how this pans out for you.

If you need me I'll be on my aluminum fold-out chair watching the sunset on Juggalo Island.

[image]

John Waters Would Like To Introduce You To His Idols

Maybelline's Velvet Black Eyeline.

This is the only thing I wrote down in my notes while I was reading John Water's new book, Role Models. It's the color he uses to pencil in his famous skinny mustache and one of the many interesting tidbits about his life I picked up in the book. The reason I didn't jot down anything else was that I was laughing too hard.

Not that Waters's person was supposed to be the focus at all. It's exactly what you'd think a book called Role Models would be: a collection of oddballs worthy of the guy who brought cult icons like Divine into the mainstream. Lesbian strippers, Manson groupies, fashion designers pushing the boundaries of "taste," and even Little Richard and Johnny Mathis all have inspired the man behind Pink Flamingos and Hairspray. Waters is just charming enough to convince you that convicted felons make great friends (he devotes a lengthy chapter to former Manson cultist Leslie van Houten), and that clothes that fit properly are overrated (his favorite designer is Comme des Garcons' Rei Kawakubo, known for her asymmetrical and deconstructed designs). To no one's shock, there's a ton of kitsch value here, but it's John Waters for crying out loud. Would you expect any less?

[image]

Michael Jackson Invades The Wii And New York

Zombies dancing to Michael Jackson music isn't anything novel for anyone who's seen the "Thriller" video. But how about a Storm Trooper? Or Spider-Man? How about Chewbacca? I was amongst those who saw these glorious sights when first entering the convention floor of this year's New York Comic Con.

Later this fall, Ubisoft is coming out with "Michael Jackson: The Experience" video game that does for Michael Jackson fans what Rock Band did for Guns N' Roses fanatics. They took over a section of the Con with a giant booth demonstrating the game.

In the game, players hold the Wii-mote in their hand and the object is to mimic the moves of the virtual Michael on the screen. From the looks of it, they've covered most of Michael's songs and his styles from each era. (Though the emphasis appears to be on the earlier stuff when Michael was less... um... creepy.)

I'll never tell if I ended up demoing the game myself. But here's a peek at others in action from the floor of NYCC:

Corey Hart, "Never Surrender"

From 1985, here's Corey Hart's "Never Surrender."

Enjoy!

The Lost Boys Are Apparently Still Very Lost

We haven't been shy that we're big fans of Lost Boys around here. We even picked it as our favorite vampire film. And really, what's not to love about it? Both the Coreys, Keifer Sutherland, vampires in leather jackets, and a killer (pun intended) soundtrack.

Did you know that it's officially part of a trilogy now? Lost Boys: The Tribe was released direct to video in 2008. It reunites the two Coreys and is currently available on Netflix Instant if you want to catch it.

As of today there is a third Lost Boys film: Lost Boys: The Thirst.




It's available on Blu-Ray, digital download, and On Demand if you want to check it out.

I'm kinda freaked out that Corey Feldman has stopped aging. Also, he can still totally rock the red headband.

[image]

The Moody Blues, "Your Wildest Dreams"

From 1986, here's "Your Wildest Dreams" by The Moody Blues.

Enjoy!

Set Your DVRs: Week Of October 11, 2010

Here are the musical acts appearing on the talk show circuit this week. We compiled this list to the best of our abilities. Check your local listings and don't shoot the messenger.

Monday, October 11th
Jimmy Kimmel Live: The xx
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon: Brad
Late Show with David Letterman: Mark Ronson featuring Q-Tip and MNDR
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Travie McCoy

Tuesday, October 12th
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon: Everest
Late Show with David Letterman: My Morning Jacket
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Johnny Mathis

Wednesday, October 13th
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon: My Morning Jacket
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: M.I.A.

Thursday, October 14th
Jimmy Kimmel Live: Nas and Damian Marley
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon: Ben Folds and Nick Hornby (Pee-Wee Herman will also be on this episode)
Late Show with David Letterman: Diddy-Dirty Money

Friday, October 15th
Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson: Billy Currington
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: John Legend

Saturday, October 16th
Austin City Limits: Patty Griffin & Friends
Saturday Night Live: Katy Perry (R) Already?

(R) = repeat performance
shows in red = our picks for the week

Golden Earring, "Twilight Zone"

From 1982, here's Golden Earring's "Twilight Zone."

Enjoy!