Grindhouse News

Ok, so if you're a fan of Grindhouse, even a little bit, there's some news on that front. Eli Roth (Hostel) is apparently going ahead with a feature film of his faux Grindhouse trailer "Thanksgiving".

Empire News has the story. Clicky!

Thanks to Johnny Thunder over on the Halloween Forum for that lead and the delightful poster. How's that looking for a holiday centrepiece eh?

Cinema Alfresco

While on the topic of movies, it popped in my head that some of the best times I ever had watching a movie was at the drive-in. Remember the heavy metal speaker you had to hook over your car window? Sometimes you got one that crackled like a box of Cracker Jacks! Great places to make out too. Don't you act like you haven't been there!

Nothing like a gut-busting tub of popcorn (up yours Weight Watchers!) and a triple feature on a warm Summer night. I'm happy to report that one of my favourite drive-ins back home in Canada is still running; the Sussex Drive-in on the Aiton Road, right next to the campsite. They opened for the season this past weekend with a double feature; Terminator Salvation and Gran Torino!

Once a North American icon, there are only a handful of drive-in theatres left in Canada and the States, though interest and attendance is on the rise.

While doing some research, I found out our friends Down Under also have drive-ins! I didn't know that. Allow me to point you to two great sites to find a drive-in near you and to browse some great facts about this iconic landmark ;

Drive-inMovie.com

Drive-inTheatre.com

Summer is nearly here. Load up the car and let's go to the movies!

Tales from the Outhouse & Other Hairy Hands

I've been a big horror movie fan, right from the day I saw an old Vincent Price movie "The Pit & The Pendulum". Yes I know....how old IS she? Old enough to know most of what's trowelled out now as "horror" doesn't hold a candle to times past. " Horror-porn" is about the size of it.

But I digress. Anyway, an acquaintance sent me this news article about the Japanese writer of Ring and Spiral, among other works. Hand it to the Japanese to have creepy down to a fine art. And if you've not seen this writer's work on the screen, may I suggest you avoid the Hollywood versions. Stick to the Asian releases which, in my view, are far superior.

Japanese Publisher Prints Horror Novel on Toilet Roll .......click for full story

"His latest work is set in a public toilet and plays on Japanese superstitions that ghosts and evil spirits inhabit the smallest room in the house, which is why they were traditionally relegated to the most distant part of the home. Parents still tell naughty children that a hairy hand will seize them when they have their pants around their ankles if they misbehave and drag them down into the dark water below."

All I can say is boy, toilet-training in Japan must be interesting.

And while we're on the topic of horror movies, keep your eyes peeled for the premiere this Fall (give or take a few months, depending what movie site you read) of Benicio del Toro' in "The Wolfman"! Joe Johnston directing.

What snippets we've been allowed to see so far look outstanding. The film is following the original plot line, no modernising. Official site here:

The Wolfman

Zombie Bunneh!

Saw this and just couldn't resist!

Which Austen Girl Are You?

Take the Quiz here!

So long as I can have Colin Firth in that wet shirt, I'm not fussy which Austen heroine I am!

Spring In Holiday Hollow

Well, we shivered through the Spring equinox on March 20th. Thank goodness Easter didn't fall in March like it did last year. I don't know about you, but March feels way too early for the observance of resurrection and renewal. Though I suppose you could argue that sticking to the Eastern Orthodox calender will ensure Easter is nearly always celebrated in April. And you'll be less likely to be brushing snow off your Easter bonnet!

Easter Sunday was April 12th. There were plenty of daffodils and tulips still available to decorate the house and help mark the occasion. Regardless of the weather forecast!

I hope everyone who celebrates it had a very happy Mother's Day. Did you know this and Father's Day on June 21st (which, incidentally, coincides with the Summer Solstice this year) are relatively new holidays on the calendar?

"Mothering Sunday" has it's roots in the 16th century in England, and is observed in March rather than in May as is the case in North America. Mother's Day there was made official in 1912. Now I'm not positive about that date, so if your aware of a different date, do let me know.

Though Father's Day originated a few years earlier than Mother's Day, it wasn't recognised as an official holiday in North America until 1972! Hardly seems fair, does it.

So here's to mums and dads (enjoy yours while you have them!) and, in a month's time, to a fair and sunny Summer!

A Spiffy New Look!

Many thanks to Lena at Simply Fabulous Blogger Templates for this gorgeous new theme for Holiday Hollow.

I've also redesigned the blog to make it easy to subscribe to and search within. Should I be so fortunate to eventually have blog friends who'd like to keep up to date with my scribblings! There's also countdowns to Halloween and Christmas in the foot of the blog. If you have a seasonal or craft blog (or any other blog for that matter) you'd like me to include in the sidebars, please let me know. The more the merrier! Spread the luv!

I hope you like the new look and will come back again to see what I hope will be, regular posts!

And while we're here, late best wishes for May Day!

"But I must gather knots of flowers, And buds and garlands gay, For I'm to be Queen o' the May, Mother, I'm to be Queen o' the May.." - Alfred, Lord Tennyson