Special Halloween Film Pick...The Return of Dr. X

On the same DVD as Dr. X is the sequel...

This film has a great cast as well as an engaging and rather unique plot. In short, people with a certain blood type are all being bumped off in the same way. Could you find a more ultra-specific premise? OMG! I'm Type A!!!  RUN!!! 

The real treat is the performances. Humphrey Bogart is in a very atypical role as the creepy "assistant" to blood researcher Dr. Flegg, played by John Litel. It's fascinating to see Bogart play this awkward, geeky character. His performance is so understated and completely authentic; you get the sense that this major star was a pretty down-to-earth guy with a deep understanding of all kinds of people.  

I also loved John Litel's Dr. Flegg. At one point in the film, he very methodically demonstrates his signature medical procedure, which is so far-fetched and outlandish, but he pulls it off with such matter-of-fact conviction. It's some darn great acting and it's pretty hilarious. 

Enjoy! 

Most Likely to Steal Your Heart...

I know, I know, it's HALLOWEEN!! Not Valentine's day. But whenever I catch a glimpse of Wells from the 1932 romantic comedy Dr. X, my heart just melts...

Not only is he a total hunk, he's also super sweet AND talented. And I really think he's at that point where his career is about to explode. I could DEFINITELY see a TV series spin-off, a sitcom, a saturday morning cartoon, maybe a reality show, a breakfast cereal, TONS of merch - lunchboxes, t-shirts, action figures, bedsheets, bathmats. It's only a matter of time.

Catch Dr. X this Halloween and see for yourself!!

Today's Artist Showcase is...Brian Butler!!

These are photos of a Brian Butler painting I bought a couple years ago...

When I saw his work at the Modus Lotus POP Euphoria! show, it stopped me in my tracks. It was so bizarre, unique, and wonderful. The subject of this and many of his paintings is the Ice Cream People. 

The way he depicts this seemingly innocuous and whimsical subject matter just makes me laugh. They look so demented, and his paint strokes give a feeling of frenzied urgency and drama that's so antithetical to the way ice cream people have been depicted in mainstream advertising in the past.  

I had a chance to chat with Brian at the POP Euphoria! show. It was refreshing to meet such a young, talented, and successful artist who's also so approachable, unpretentious, and friendly. :)

Enjoy! 

Clown-ish...

...but slightly more mannequin-like?

This is a photo I attacked with Photoshop. It's a Halloween costume from a few years back. I thought the plain white mask would be kind of minimalist and art-y with the blue wig. But it ended up looking super creepy. Fitting for the season I suppose.  :) 

A Wholesome Halloween Breakfast...

It just isn't complete without some creepy clown goodness... 

This clown was on a box of Carnival drinking straws that I bought back in the '90's. I bought it just for this image. I don't know if they still use this graphic. As creepy as it is, it's still pretty excellent. I love the colors. 

Enjoy! 

Halloween Costume Freakout Countdown Part 2

OK. Yesterday's idea was too scary, and not the good kind of scary. So I'm throwing out some other possibilities...

There's this:

But then, where the heck am I supposed to find a skateboard??

I could always go TOTALLY exotic and be this:

But then, I don't know. I don't want to look "cheap".

Of course there's always this...

But EVERYONE'S going to be Jimmy this year. And I don't want to be wearing the same thing everyone else is....

AAARRGGH!! Why is this so difficult!!??

I'm going to keep thinking unless you think one of these is a winner.

Halloween Costume Freakout Countdown Part 1

Halloween is less than one week away and I still don't have a costume! So this week I'll be floating out various ideas for your input. Here's one. I could be this:

Too scary? OK. I could modify it a little to make it less so:

Thoughts?