NETHERWORLD Monster of the Month: May 2012 Scarecrows!

“Listen to his body moan
make a wish and send us home
to spin the gold and silver stitches
we can turn his rags to riches…”

Scarecrow – Siouxsie and the Banshees

Alone, detached from the mortal realm, he stands faithful guard over a living field, ever diligent in his efforts to ward off harm. His sackcloth face is a mockery of man, mismatched buttons for eyes and crooked stitching for a mouth. He exhibits no temper, no lack of patience, no hunger or thirst or longing for companionship. He simply waits…

Scarecrows have long served us in our endeavor to keep vermin away from our crops. Hovering on a pole or perch, head and shoulders above us, they hang menacingly over the food they are charged with protecting, asking nothing in return. How effective they are is debatable – one wonders if they actually intimidate birds and rodents in the least. Yet there is something chilling about these silent sentinels, adorned (for lack of a better word) with cast-offs and hand-me-downs as they simply linger for our benefit. Stuffed full of dry straw, with inhuman proportions and random debris poking out at the seams, they almost seem to laugh at us, as if amused by the fact that this is how we see ourselves.

So, do these ragged non-men merely exist lifeless in the field, or is there something more sinister at work? Perhaps they do more than wear our discards -maybe they inhabit them, soaking in whatever life-force remains within the garments we toss aside? History is rife with tales of “living” scarecrows, animated in order to carry out some act of justice or revenge. Be they infused with a tortured soul, forever trapped in limbo, or resurrected by mystical means, the scarecrow has played a sizable role in the myths and legends of Americana.

As far back as 712 in Japan, the scarecrow has represented a silent watcher, knowing in the ways of the world around him yet unable to explore it himself. And while some accounts, such as the lovable protagonist of L. Frank Baum’s “Oz” stories, tell of scarecrows imbued with friendly human traits, more often than not this iconic character takes on a more diabolical role. Throughout the years, he has become a powerful vessel for exacting vengeance, his near-human appearance lending an air of dread as he carries out his sinister acts. Typically armed with a sickle or pitchfork he takes flight in the night to terrorize the object of his revenge. With no face to exhibit expression, he sets us on edge and it is nearly impossible to know his intentions until it is too late…

Such is the challenge as you wander throughout the halls of Netherworld Haunted House: is that lifeless face peering back at you truly devoid of life, or does it simply serve to disguise a more malevolent intent? Are those tattered clothes strewn over a human shape nothing but decoration, intended to chase away impending evil, or are they actually housing evil itself? How can one be sure what they are encountering is nothing more than a stuffed suit before it it’s altogether too late?

How indeed…

The Horror Returns with SLITHER on Mother’s Day!
Sunday May 13th – 8pm – Studio Movie Grill Holcomb Bridge
http://www.studiomoviegrill.com/BodyGraphic.aspx?ID=180

Meteorites have been delivering dreadful invaders to Earth almost as long as sci-fi and horror films have existed. Man’s fascination with what lies beyond the stars has conjured up some seriously disturbing possibilities, and there is no finer example of that than in the 2006 comedy/sci-fi/horror film “Slither”.

An unsettling-yet-hilariously entertaining love letter to 50’s science fiction B-movies, “Slither” spins a wild yarn about what happens in small-town middle America when an alien parasite transforms the innocent citizens of Wheelsy into zombie-like creatures with an insatiable hunger for meat. Featuring a stellar cast of cult-favorite character actors and hold-your-stomach effects, mixed with an ample dose of dark humor and memorable one-liners, this movie is pure joy for fans of the creepy and bizarre.

Nathan Fillion, Elizabeth Banks, Gregg Henry, Jenna Fischer (wife of writer/director James Gunn) and Michael Rooker head up this engaging ensemble, delivering steady chills and solid laughs with equal enthusiasm. Shot over 47 days in British Columbia, “Slither” is one of those gems of a movie that slip under the blockbuster radar yet deserve a wider audience. Die-hard genre fans will especially enjoy subtle tips of the hat to Stephen King and “Basket Case” writer/director Frank Henenlotter, references to a slew of classic monster movies, and an unseen cameo by none other than more-human-than-human Rob Zombie.

(*note of interest: Netherworld co-owner Billy Messina worked on the Special Effects crew for Henenlotter on Basket Case 2 & 3 as well as on the unforgettable Frankenhooker)

“Slither is totally retro from several eras…”, says Netherworld Haunted House co-owner Ben Armstrong. “It just seems out of place and I love that about it…! Start with a taste of “I Married a Monster From Outer Space” fun wacky sci-fi from 1958, add over the top gore a la 1982’s ‘The Thing’, add in some dark comedy and stir…you get a film from another era that is lots of fun and lots of disturbing!”

Take the time to soak in this gross-out fun-fest, and allow yourself a little time afterward to enjoy a thick, juicy ribeye. Or eight. Naw… ten. Uhm, no, no. You know what? Gimme fourteen.

You’ll get that one later…

Enjoy Slither and Netherworld Trivia with great prizes before the movie starts plus Studio movie grill has great grub & tasty beverages of the adult variety delivered right to your seat…check it out at:
http://www.studiomoviegrill.com/BodyGraphic.aspx?ID=180

Hope to see you on Mother’s Day!

“I think their predominant color was a grayish-green, though they had white bellies. They were mostly shiny and slippery, but the ridges of their backs were scaly. Their forms vaguely suggested the anthropoid, while their heads were the heads of fish, with prodigious bulging eyes that never closed. At the sides of their necks were palpitating gills, and their long paws were webbed. They hopped irregularly, sometimes on two legs and sometimes on four. I was somehow glad that they had no more than four limbs. Their croaking, baying voices, clearly used for articulate speech, held all the dark shades of expression which their staring faces lacked … They were the blasphemous fish-frogs of the nameless design – living and horrible.” – The Shadow Over Innsmouth

With this chilling passage, H.P. Lovecraft drew attention to the Deep Ones, horrific creatures spawned from the depths of the ocean. Prone to a desire to mate with humans, these sea-dwelling humanoids are said to be immortal, none dying by natural causes. They exist in servitude to Father Dagon and Mother Hydra, and the malevolent entity known as Cthulhu. Primarily living a marine life, Deep Ones are able to survive on land for periods of time.

Long ago, a bargain of sorts was made between the Deep Ones and humankind. The Deep Ones would provide abundant fishing and lavish riches in the form of gold jewelry in exchange for human sacrifices and a vow of mating between the Deep Ones and mortal beings. These hybrid offspring would begin life in human form, transforming later in life and attaining immortality.

This bargain was a dark secret of the seaside town of Innsmouth, where citizens undergoing the transformation were hidden away from the public until the physical changes were finished. Much of the town’s population exhibited what became known as the “Innsmouth look” – fish-like qualities such as bulbous eyes, scaly skin and the development of gills on the sides of the neck. Eventually, the transformation complete, these children of an unholy union would retire to the sea and live the remainder of their lives in underwater cities, far removed from the world of man – awaiting the calling of their powerful gods.

For centuries man has reported sightings of humanoid sea creatures, with witnesses describing a myriad of lifeforms. Aside from the beautiful, fantastic mermaids sailors would spot, other amphibious beings have been noted in various parts of the world. Countless tales tell of marine-based entities with human characteristics, walking upright and wandering into human villages seeking mates among the unsuspecting population.

In 1840, on the heels of a loss in profitable trade due to shipwreck and war, Captain Obed Marsh is said to have initiated a cult known as The Esoteric Order of Dagon. He had heard of such a practice among islanders he encountered in his many travels, and soon the fishing industry of Innsmouth, Massachusetts felt a tremendous increase in profit. However, Marsh and his followers were incarcerated, and the human sacrifices they had promised the Deep Ones ceased. In 1846 a mysterious “sickness” overcame the citizens of Innsmouth, and a large majority of the population was lost. In truth, this unknown plague was actually the results of the Deep One’s vengeance, and once the cult began anew the fishing increased. As did the inbreeding of Innsmouth’s residents with the Deep Ones.

Soon, as dark rumors circulated about Innsmouth and its curious populace, the town became shunned and people avoided it for many years. It fell into a state of decay, worsening closer to the shoreline. In 1927, amid speculation of bootlegging, Federal authorities sent investigators to the crumbling burg. What was found has never been officially disclosed, but the following year officials detonated explosives in nearby Devil’s Reef and the townspeople were arrested – although no record has ever been discovered in any jail of the surrounding areas. For all intents and purposes, the residents of Innsmouth, Massachusetts simply…disappeared. Sightings of the Deep Ones, however, did not.

Stalking the moody corridors of NETHERWORLD Haunted House, these diabolical Cthulhu worshippers have been spotted darting in and out of the light, constantly seeking mates to continue and expand their bloodline. Awaiting the return of their dreaded master, human-fish hybrids lie in wait as the very battle for control of the mortal Earthly realm wages around them. Knowing all too well that they will live eternally, they simply bide their time as events unfold that will determine their place in the future of this planet…

NETHERWORLD Haunted House Presents THE HORROR!! Cult Classic Horror Films on the Big Screen For Just A Buck!

First movie up: From Beyond
When: April 8th (Easter) – 8:00pm
Where: Studio Movie Grill – 2880 Holcomb Bridge Road – Alpharetta, GA 30022

More Details Here: https://beta.studiomoviegrill.com/BodyGraphic.aspx?ID=116

It’s no secret that one of the biggest inspirations to the crew of NETHERWORLD Haunted House is the work of H.P. Lovecraft, the master of weird tales…so when the line-up for the new film series The Horror was selected, the choice for the first presentation seemed obvious.

Strange things are underway at 666 Benevolent Street, in Stuart Gordon’s creepy, kinky adaptation of Lovecraft’s “From Beyond”. Here, inside the home of brilliant Dr. Edward Pretorious, a device known as The Resonator stimulates the brain’s pineal gland (or sixth sense) and open’s up the mind to creatures from another dimension – leading to the unfortunate demise of the good doctor. Seeking to determine exactly what happened to Pretorious and clear the name of his partner Crawford Tillinghast, Dr. Katherine McMichaels and Detective Bubba Brownlee return to The Resonator…with horrific results.

Starring the always-entertaining Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton, as well as Ken Foree and Ted Sorel, Gordon’s loose retelling of the Lovecraft short story features everything a sci-fi/horror fan could wish for. Quirky characters, grotesque monsters, and a generous dose of squirm-inducing violence add to the trippy atmosphere of this 1986 cult classic. Produced for just 2.5 million dollars, “From Beyond” holds it’s own as a unique and engaging venture into the consequences of man’s continuing desire to unleash the mysteries of the human psyche. The slow decent of our protagonists into their own individual madnesses is what drives this film. Watching Combs and Crampton transform under the influence of The Resonator’s pineal awakening is pure horror movie genius, as these two do what they do best: Combs making the onset of insanity entertaining and Crampton managing to add real sex appeal amid all the gore.

The creature designs are an added treat. Billy Messina, co-owner of Netherworld Haunted House (and once and sometimes still a make-up effects artist himself), credits From Beyond with more than being just a fun horror romp. From Beyond was an inspiration for many kids aspiring to work in the make-up effects field in the late 80s and early 90s…for such a low budget movie, it helped kick-start the careers of many a great talent in the fx industry and inspired many more to enter the field. This era was a glory days of sorts for make-up effects artists because what you created was what was seen on the screen…this was before the advent of cgi, and post production embellishment was limited at best. So although the fx may seem a bit dated, you have to admire that everything seen on screen was real, you could pretty much touch it all…there was a crew of f/x guys just out of frame puppetteering; pumping slime and wrangling push/pull cables to control early day animatronics. This makes those floating serpents with a taste for human flesh, deformed former humans, and that snakelike third eye all the more impressive.

Disturbing, yet with a deliciously dark sense of humor, “From Beyond” has stood the test of time and surpassed much of its horror genre competition with solid performances and effects that weave an eerie cautionary tale.

Plus, you can get great food and beverages delivered right to your table at Studio Movie Grill…check out their menu here: http://www.studiomoviegrill.com/Menu.aspx?s=60&m=1

So come out and enjoy a new cult classic with NETHERWORLD HAUNTED HOUSE on The Second Sunday of each month at Studio Movie Grill!

Happy St. Patricks Day from NETHERWORLD Haunted House!