Post by Generator on Jun 8, 2011 1:43:00 GMT -5
It’s that time again, time for another Monster Mania Review. (It's a long one, if you have no attention span, then this isn't for you)
First of all, this was a very special Monster Mania- usually I stick to the Cherry Hill NJ ones in March, but, I heard a certain Tall Man was going to be at the Hunt Valley Maryland Monster Mania.
You see initially it was a “Return to Camp Crystal Lake” reunion. Which is cool, I love the Friday the 13th movies (I’m not including that abortion of a remake, which of course no one from THAT movie was there luckily haha, and sorry if you got offended by this statement). In my mind it didn’t make sense to drive down to Maryland, especially since I was at a horror convention a few months ago.
But one day, I see a notice on the Monster Mania Facebook page- “The Tall Man, Angus Scrimm, added to Return to Camp Crystal Lake!!” I definitely peed myself when I saw this. Who knew social networking would do good for mankind?
I was thinking- “oh man, how am I going to get down to Maryland?” I don’t trust my car to drive long distances. Luckily, I map quested that shiznit and it came out to about less than 4 hours. I thought to myself. “Ok, the Saab should make it there in one piece, the Tall Man is definitely worth this adventure”. I drove down the shore multiple times, and even to Delaware a few times back in the day with my Saab, I didn’t think a 4 hour drive would kill my car. It didn’t. I’d drive 12 hours if I had to- I’m not afraid of driving long distances, I usually drive to Myrtle Beach in one go- I just don’t trust my car. Tangent aside-
Phantasm Community friend, Lena, told me that she was going and that a certain Dustin was also making an appearance. I thought, ok- if I could find a friend to go with me, that would take away the worries about my POS car. So I influenced my friend Matt to go with me, I turned him on to the Phantasm series- think his favorite one is 3. But anyway, I ordered tickets in advance, got them in the mail for the Saturday show.
Skip to the Friday night before my drive- while trying to get some Z’s, I popped in Subspecies. If you haven’t seen this movie, you gotta check it out, it’s a killer vampire movie made by the Full Moon people (Puppet Master). Of course I mainly watched it to see Angus in action, he plays the eldest vampire leader guy. I watched the whole thing, and got about 3 hours sleep.
SATURDAY, May 4th, 5am- My cell phone alarm goes off (if you’re curious it’s the Lonely Bull by Herb Alpert, for some reason haha). I get ready, pack up the goods, and around 6 I pick up my friend Matt.
After a solid hour of driving, I get off route 78 west, to search for the Bagel Smith. I pull in, it used to be an old gas station or something- I got a killer Taylor Ham, Egg and Cheese on an everything bagel- with extra ketchup. Besides that, a yoo-hoo, Java Monster, and TWIX. Matt got an Italian sub, I didn’t question him not getting a breakfast sandwich, Italian subs rule.
3 hours later, we arrive in Hunt Valley Maryland, I wasn’t sure if I pulled into the right parking lot- I didn’t write down the name of the hotel, and couldn’t find a number on the building- luckily I saw someone wearing a Metal t-shirt, followed by someone else looking like they’re into horror. I knew I was in the right place.
I took some stupid pics of myself in the parking lot, then we walked in. The place was huge; I didn’t know where I was going at first, but I adapted.
We walk into the "Jason room", there were like two fans standing in there, then we went downstairs. We saw a bunch of merch, and merchants, we knew we were in the right place. The big room next to it had all the actors. Angus’ table was right in the front, but there was no sign of Angus (we got there at the very beginning of the morning), so we went into the Merchant room. Matt looked at all the bootleg DVD’s, I looked for VHS tapes, no luck. I saw this sick Japanese Phantasm II shirt, but was like “I’ll get this later". I see Angus walk by in the hallway, and I froze up.
Matt and I stepped in the hallway, he looked at more bootleg DVD’s. I was standing there, when I saw Dustin walk by. I knew who he was from stalking his facebook page. I said “Dustin?” and he replied with "Steve Barna?" I said yeah. We chatted a bit, he was making his way to the Tall Man to get a signature for Kristin. Matt was taking his time with the DVD’s but I was growing impatient. He bought whatever, then I was like “dude, it’s time”- then we go wait in Angus’ line.
Seriously, his line was the longest. Met up with Dustin again, Lena appeared out of the shadows, we waited, chatted- Miguel Nunez (Friday the 13th 5, Return of the Living Dead) was upset that Angus had a line and he didn’t, so, he was trying to get attention haha. I couldn’t tell if he was being serious or not, but, I think some phans were getting pissed. There comes a point you know?! Met this phan named Shane in line too, he knew his horror.
ANYWAY- we make it up there, Dustin gets a photo signed for Kristin, one that SHE TOOK years ago and it was seriously the best one there!! I snapped a shot of Dustin. After that Matt went up, got his Phantasm 2 region 1 DVD signed. Snapped a few shots of that, then it was my turn- had my Phantasm LaserDisc ready to get signed!! I was nervous at first, but I was cool after a minute or so- mainly because Angus was so nice and made me feel like he knew me for years. I mentioned something about the wig he wore in Subspecies, I wasn’t sure if I sounded like a smart-ass or not, but he told me a story about it and what the fashion of old vampire times were like and stuff, so, it made sense and it was cool hearing a story from Angus. We talked more, can’t remember the fine details because it was truly surreal. Got my LD signed “To Steve, you play a good game BOY- Angus Scrimm”- SO Bad-ass!! Got two pics with him, then I asked him politely for a Phantasm Community Group Photo!! And he said of course!! So, that was pretty cool-
After all that, the group chilled in the hallway, told stories or whatnot. Matt went on about his VHS/DVD collection or whatever. It was fun times. There were these corn cob paintings on the walls, repeating, going down the hallway, but different colors.
ANYWAY- this is getting RIDICULOUSLY long- but I’ll keep going. Around one we got lunch- we met up with Phan- Scott, and this dude Cody- Cody had almost every Friday the 13th LaserDisc on him. I was like holy s***, then he mentioned something about how he doesn’t even watch them, I wasn’t sure if I was insulted or not, because kids his age usually don’t even know what a laserdisc is!! (I think he was 19??)
Anyway, at lunch, I got a banging bowl of French Onion soup and a Guinness- I seriously thought that a Guinness would help me from crashing for some reason, who knows what I was thinking at the time.
I somehow lost my pants at lunch.
Shane was insulted that I called the Jason in Friday part VI a "zombie", I was corrected with "undead"- ok, I think?? haha.
After that, we got a group photo, then everyone disappeared.
At 3 Matt and I went to the Friday the 13 (part 1) Q & A. It was awesome. AGAIN, I wish I could have sat around for more Q & A’s, but I was beat as hell.
I wanted to get a signature from Adrienne King (Alice). After the Q & A, we walked around, then made our way to Adrienne’s table.
She was ultra-nice, and was a total firecracker- her energy and personality made me feel comfortable. I was pissed that I didn’t have anything cool of my own for her to sign, but, she had these awesome limited prints of these posters. It was her fighting Mrs. Voorhees. I told her how I went to Blairstown NJ this past Friday the 13th (May), and watched the movie in the local community theater there- the same location where the girl walks in the beginning, that was surreal as well-
Anyway, I got two pics with her, and I wasn’t feeling how I looked, so she was like “do you want me to catch you off guard?” or something along those lines, and all I said was “haha, yeah”. So she counted down, my friend Matt snapped a photo, and the result is hilarious. After that we bounced.
I really wish I could have waited it out for the Angus/Lance Q & A, but it was hard with a 4 hour drive ahead of me.
About halfway home, on route 222, I see a “Goodwill”, so I’m like “s***!! They gotta have VHS tapes!!” A horror convention isn’t complete without VHS tapes!!
The coincidence was also surreal, that they had Friday the 13th part IV there after the convention (probably in my top 3 favorite ones). Picked up some other ones, like that movie FEAR with Mark Walberg.
We stopped at a WaWa on the way back, I got an Italian Sub haha, it ruled.
I eventually made it home, and thought it would be funny to record myself giving a sleep deprived review of the convention.
This is the result-
Hopefully I didn’t forget any important details, or leave anyone out-
Usually when I meet people from the interwebs, there’s always awkwardness, but, it wasn’t the case this time. It was a blast, and it was seriously one of the best convention experiences I ever experienced!! Thank you Dustin and Lena- and of course Thank You Angus for bringing us Phans together.
-Steve Barna, The Generator
First of all, this was a very special Monster Mania- usually I stick to the Cherry Hill NJ ones in March, but, I heard a certain Tall Man was going to be at the Hunt Valley Maryland Monster Mania.
You see initially it was a “Return to Camp Crystal Lake” reunion. Which is cool, I love the Friday the 13th movies (I’m not including that abortion of a remake, which of course no one from THAT movie was there luckily haha, and sorry if you got offended by this statement). In my mind it didn’t make sense to drive down to Maryland, especially since I was at a horror convention a few months ago.
But one day, I see a notice on the Monster Mania Facebook page- “The Tall Man, Angus Scrimm, added to Return to Camp Crystal Lake!!” I definitely peed myself when I saw this. Who knew social networking would do good for mankind?
I was thinking- “oh man, how am I going to get down to Maryland?” I don’t trust my car to drive long distances. Luckily, I map quested that shiznit and it came out to about less than 4 hours. I thought to myself. “Ok, the Saab should make it there in one piece, the Tall Man is definitely worth this adventure”. I drove down the shore multiple times, and even to Delaware a few times back in the day with my Saab, I didn’t think a 4 hour drive would kill my car. It didn’t. I’d drive 12 hours if I had to- I’m not afraid of driving long distances, I usually drive to Myrtle Beach in one go- I just don’t trust my car. Tangent aside-
Phantasm Community friend, Lena, told me that she was going and that a certain Dustin was also making an appearance. I thought, ok- if I could find a friend to go with me, that would take away the worries about my POS car. So I influenced my friend Matt to go with me, I turned him on to the Phantasm series- think his favorite one is 3. But anyway, I ordered tickets in advance, got them in the mail for the Saturday show.
Skip to the Friday night before my drive- while trying to get some Z’s, I popped in Subspecies. If you haven’t seen this movie, you gotta check it out, it’s a killer vampire movie made by the Full Moon people (Puppet Master). Of course I mainly watched it to see Angus in action, he plays the eldest vampire leader guy. I watched the whole thing, and got about 3 hours sleep.
SATURDAY, May 4th, 5am- My cell phone alarm goes off (if you’re curious it’s the Lonely Bull by Herb Alpert, for some reason haha). I get ready, pack up the goods, and around 6 I pick up my friend Matt.
After a solid hour of driving, I get off route 78 west, to search for the Bagel Smith. I pull in, it used to be an old gas station or something- I got a killer Taylor Ham, Egg and Cheese on an everything bagel- with extra ketchup. Besides that, a yoo-hoo, Java Monster, and TWIX. Matt got an Italian sub, I didn’t question him not getting a breakfast sandwich, Italian subs rule.
3 hours later, we arrive in Hunt Valley Maryland, I wasn’t sure if I pulled into the right parking lot- I didn’t write down the name of the hotel, and couldn’t find a number on the building- luckily I saw someone wearing a Metal t-shirt, followed by someone else looking like they’re into horror. I knew I was in the right place.
I took some stupid pics of myself in the parking lot, then we walked in. The place was huge; I didn’t know where I was going at first, but I adapted.
We walk into the "Jason room", there were like two fans standing in there, then we went downstairs. We saw a bunch of merch, and merchants, we knew we were in the right place. The big room next to it had all the actors. Angus’ table was right in the front, but there was no sign of Angus (we got there at the very beginning of the morning), so we went into the Merchant room. Matt looked at all the bootleg DVD’s, I looked for VHS tapes, no luck. I saw this sick Japanese Phantasm II shirt, but was like “I’ll get this later". I see Angus walk by in the hallway, and I froze up.
Matt and I stepped in the hallway, he looked at more bootleg DVD’s. I was standing there, when I saw Dustin walk by. I knew who he was from stalking his facebook page. I said “Dustin?” and he replied with "Steve Barna?" I said yeah. We chatted a bit, he was making his way to the Tall Man to get a signature for Kristin. Matt was taking his time with the DVD’s but I was growing impatient. He bought whatever, then I was like “dude, it’s time”- then we go wait in Angus’ line.
Seriously, his line was the longest. Met up with Dustin again, Lena appeared out of the shadows, we waited, chatted- Miguel Nunez (Friday the 13th 5, Return of the Living Dead) was upset that Angus had a line and he didn’t, so, he was trying to get attention haha. I couldn’t tell if he was being serious or not, but, I think some phans were getting pissed. There comes a point you know?! Met this phan named Shane in line too, he knew his horror.
ANYWAY- we make it up there, Dustin gets a photo signed for Kristin, one that SHE TOOK years ago and it was seriously the best one there!! I snapped a shot of Dustin. After that Matt went up, got his Phantasm 2 region 1 DVD signed. Snapped a few shots of that, then it was my turn- had my Phantasm LaserDisc ready to get signed!! I was nervous at first, but I was cool after a minute or so- mainly because Angus was so nice and made me feel like he knew me for years. I mentioned something about the wig he wore in Subspecies, I wasn’t sure if I sounded like a smart-ass or not, but he told me a story about it and what the fashion of old vampire times were like and stuff, so, it made sense and it was cool hearing a story from Angus. We talked more, can’t remember the fine details because it was truly surreal. Got my LD signed “To Steve, you play a good game BOY- Angus Scrimm”- SO Bad-ass!! Got two pics with him, then I asked him politely for a Phantasm Community Group Photo!! And he said of course!! So, that was pretty cool-
After all that, the group chilled in the hallway, told stories or whatnot. Matt went on about his VHS/DVD collection or whatever. It was fun times. There were these corn cob paintings on the walls, repeating, going down the hallway, but different colors.
ANYWAY- this is getting RIDICULOUSLY long- but I’ll keep going. Around one we got lunch- we met up with Phan- Scott, and this dude Cody- Cody had almost every Friday the 13th LaserDisc on him. I was like holy s***, then he mentioned something about how he doesn’t even watch them, I wasn’t sure if I was insulted or not, because kids his age usually don’t even know what a laserdisc is!! (I think he was 19??)
Anyway, at lunch, I got a banging bowl of French Onion soup and a Guinness- I seriously thought that a Guinness would help me from crashing for some reason, who knows what I was thinking at the time.
I somehow lost my pants at lunch.
Shane was insulted that I called the Jason in Friday part VI a "zombie", I was corrected with "undead"- ok, I think?? haha.
After that, we got a group photo, then everyone disappeared.
At 3 Matt and I went to the Friday the 13 (part 1) Q & A. It was awesome. AGAIN, I wish I could have sat around for more Q & A’s, but I was beat as hell.
I wanted to get a signature from Adrienne King (Alice). After the Q & A, we walked around, then made our way to Adrienne’s table.
She was ultra-nice, and was a total firecracker- her energy and personality made me feel comfortable. I was pissed that I didn’t have anything cool of my own for her to sign, but, she had these awesome limited prints of these posters. It was her fighting Mrs. Voorhees. I told her how I went to Blairstown NJ this past Friday the 13th (May), and watched the movie in the local community theater there- the same location where the girl walks in the beginning, that was surreal as well-
Anyway, I got two pics with her, and I wasn’t feeling how I looked, so she was like “do you want me to catch you off guard?” or something along those lines, and all I said was “haha, yeah”. So she counted down, my friend Matt snapped a photo, and the result is hilarious. After that we bounced.
I really wish I could have waited it out for the Angus/Lance Q & A, but it was hard with a 4 hour drive ahead of me.
About halfway home, on route 222, I see a “Goodwill”, so I’m like “s***!! They gotta have VHS tapes!!” A horror convention isn’t complete without VHS tapes!!
The coincidence was also surreal, that they had Friday the 13th part IV there after the convention (probably in my top 3 favorite ones). Picked up some other ones, like that movie FEAR with Mark Walberg.
We stopped at a WaWa on the way back, I got an Italian Sub haha, it ruled.
I eventually made it home, and thought it would be funny to record myself giving a sleep deprived review of the convention.
This is the result-
Hopefully I didn’t forget any important details, or leave anyone out-
Usually when I meet people from the interwebs, there’s always awkwardness, but, it wasn’t the case this time. It was a blast, and it was seriously one of the best convention experiences I ever experienced!! Thank you Dustin and Lena- and of course Thank You Angus for bringing us Phans together.
-Steve Barna, The Generator