Lost and Found: Don’t Open till Christmas

I love Christmas horror. Every December I revisit several favorites. If I don’t, the holiday season just doesn’t feel quite as jolly! Bob Clark’s classic Black Christmas (1974) is not only my favorite Yuletide horror movie, but also quite possibly my favorite horror movie of all time. I like to discover new films, or new, … Continue reading Lost and Found: Don’t Open till Christmas

Noirvember: Nineties Noirish Erotic Thrillers

It’s Noirvember, a time to celebrate all things noir, including the 1990s noirish erotic thriller. The month is almost over and I didn’t get to do any other noir posts, so to make up for that I’ve super-sized this post. Hands down, one of the best erotic thriller posters of all time, plus a terrific … Continue reading Noirvember: Nineties Noirish Erotic Thrillers

Rush Rush at the Babylon

Miami’s Babylon Club is a favorite hangout of criminal-element types in Brian De Palma’s grotesque and glorious gangster film, Scarface (1983). The Babylon is where Tony Montana (Al Pacino) first puts the moves on Elvira Hancock (Michelle Pfeiffer). Tony visits the club as a guest of drug lord Frank Lopez (Robert Loggia). Elvira might be … Continue reading Rush Rush at the Babylon

Hot Shots of the Week: A Memorable Introduction

In the annals of gratuitous character introductions, few hold a candle to how we meet camp counselor Terry in Friday the 13th: Part 2 (1981). Before we see her face, director Stephen Minor begins with a tight shot of Terry’s, um, well, tight ass. As we watch it bounce hypnotically through the woods, we see … Continue reading Hot Shots of the Week: A Memorable Introduction

“Nancy Drew in a Garter Belt”: Nancy Allen in Dressed to Kill

Among film lovers, Nancy Allen is considered a capital “G” Goddess. A central figure in late 1970s, early 1980s American cinema, Allen is revered thanks to her performances in at least six classics films with rabid fanbases: Carrie (1976), I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978), Dressed to Kill (1980), Blow Out (1981), Terror in the … Continue reading “Nancy Drew in a Garter Belt”: Nancy Allen in Dressed to Kill

The Art of the Ad: Sex, Lies, and Video Games, Part IV

The golden age of arcade and video game advertising is such a fertile period for unabashedly sexy and blatantly sexist ads that we’re back with a fourth installment of material. This is starting to become the Friday the 13th of the Starfire Lounge, with sequel after sequel. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if I got … Continue reading The Art of the Ad: Sex, Lies, and Video Games, Part IV