Q. Interesting concept - why a B-Movie Blog?

I have been blogging since 2002, and found most success as a link blogger. It was fun, for awhile, but I eventually became bored.

I was prepared to stop blogging completely when a friend suggested that I host a B-movie reviews page. I have had a fondness for the genre since childhood, and my collection includes several hundred films, so it seemed like a natural thing to do.

Some of the films I cover aren't technically B-movies. Growing up, I enjoyed almost any film that featured sci-fi, horror, and/or fantasy elements, and those are the films I'm interested in reviewing. Of course, as it turns out, a lot of those pictures are B-movies, so that's why my blog is titled, Exclamation Mark's B-Movie Reviews.

I'm more of a fan than a critic, though, and so my reviews are often closer to tributes. In many ways, my page exists more for the sake of nostalgia than for the reviews themselves.

Q. How long did it take to get off the ground?

I'm still getting off the ground.

When I went from a link blog to a movie review format I lost a lot of readership. Because the subject matter is more esoteric, the audience became smaller and more defined. This is fine, because I enjoy what I'm doing, and the people who are interested have a strong relationship with the material, which it makes it more satisfying.

The site is still evolving. My first reviews were very brief, but as I posted more, I found that people who are interested in these films like the "details" as much as I do. I continue to keep my reviews brief, but I'm adding more informational touches as well.

Q. Is there going to be a time when you call it a day?

Probably, but I don't foresee that happening any time soon.

Q. Do you own every movie you review?

Yes I do. Owning the movie gives me the luxury of watching it at my leisure. Before reviewing a film, I like to view it at least twice. Of course, most of the films I review I have seen many, many times.

(boy would I love to be let loose in that collection!!)

Q. Are there films that you wont review?

As a general rule, I will not review a film unless it is at least 25 years old. I also won't review anything explicitly pornographic.

Q. Do you have rules for the films you watch or review?

Not really, except for the rules I mentioned above. I prefer to review films that have a strong sci-fi/horror/fantasy basis, but a good suspense will work just as well. Primarily, if the movie appealed to me as a child, it's eligible for review.

Q. Looking at the list of the films you've reviewed, are there any favourites?

For me, it is harder to review film classics like King Kong, Dracula, War of the Worlds and Frankenstein. So much has already been written about them that I find it difficult to say anything fresh. I want to include them in my reviews, because I respect them so much, but I never feel like I've given them adequate justice.

I'm more comfortable reviewing campy movies like Invisible Invaders, Attack of the 50 Ft Woman, Bride of the Monster, and Konga. These types of movies are silly enough that I'm not intimidated by their impact on cinematic history.

I've only reviewed eighty-some movies at this point, and I haven't even gotten around to some of my all-time favorites. So it would be unfair for me to pick out "favorite films" from such an incomplete list.

Q. Has there been a film that made you cringe so much that you just had to turn it off?

Yes, but ironically, they are seldom B-movies. For example, I couldn't sit through Van Helsing.

The Island is also cringe-worthy. If I hadn't paid big theater bucks to see it, I probably would have turned it off. Talk about a good idea going sour.

Q. Do other members of you family object to watching B-Movies all the time?

Oh, most definitely! My poor wife, Elly, has been subjected to these movies since we've met. She's seen most of my collection, and she's not even a fan.

Elly has a great eye for faces, though, and she can watch one of my movies and say, "The desk clerk in this movie is the same guy who plays the elevator guy in such-and-such a film." I'll check it out, and by Joe, she's usually right. She's a great resource that way.

She's very understanding, and out of respect, I try to watch most of the movies while she is either at work or sleeping. Still, I think she would be happy if I found a different hobby.

Q. Has your site generated any interest from any of the film related media (ie mentioned in a mag, local press or tv/radio)?

One of the most interesting things that has happened is that a producer/director contacted me (via a PR person) requesting that I review one of his current releases. When the film was described to me it sounded like an amazing tribute to the sci-fi/horror films of old.

Even though the film was a new release (2005), I agreed to watch and review it because it sounded like it coincided with what I was trying to do with my blog. However, when the DVD was sent to me, I discovered that the movie was not very good. It wasn't even good in a bad sort of way. It was simply bad.

I wrote the review and sent a copy to the PR man who pitched the film to me. He was, needless to say, disappointed with the review. He was so upset that I agreed not to publish it.

Still, it was a lot of fun to correspond with a studio and have people send me free things. I only wish I would have liked the movie.

As for other attention by film-related media, my main source of readership is through other horror-related blogs. And, of course, occasionally I am honored to do an interview such as this.

(Mark didn't take much arm twisting to get the name of the film in question out of him - It's .... "Frankenstein vs The Creature from Blood Cove" and Mark described it as "a stinky heap of doo-doo" which is obviously some form of technical speak used in the film industry..)

Q. Has any review generated a heated discussion over a film or sparked a backlash against you?

No, my reviews are too tongue-in-cheek to inspire any real backlash. Sometimes people will dispute a fact, but it never gets heated. I think people realize my reviews are more of a tribute, and nothing to get upset about. I'm enthusiastic about the movies I review, but I could never picture myself getting in a heated debate over them.

Q. Do you go to conventions etc for B-movie fans?

I never have, but the idea appeals to me more, lately. I wouldn't mind meeting a few of the B-movie greats before they pass on. Anne Francis (Forbidden Planet) and Beverly Garland (It Conquered the World) are still around and making the circuits, for example.

Q. What made you give up being a programmer to become a youth worker?

My family and friends ask me that all the time!

Let's just say that though the financial rewards of programming are rewarding, most nothing else about it is. I simply didn't like it, and felt that if I didn't make a change, I would be trapped in an unsuitable career for the rest of my life.

Once I made the decision to give up programming, I had to decide what else I could do. At first, because I have a BA in English, I thought I would go into journalism. However, I was only able to find part-time work in the area, and the pay was terrible. So I had to come up with something else.

I have always wanted a job where I could actually "hands on" help people, so I started looking into Human Services. Eventually, I found an Emergency Shelter Care that houses youths that have been removed from their homes due to abuse and/or delinquent behaviors. It turned out to be a perfect fit. The work is challenging, but incredibly rewarding.

It also gives me an opportunity to share my enthusiasm for vintage films with a younger generation. Of course, they don't always appreciate that.

About you in more depth:

Q. interests:

Besides old sci-fi/horror films, I am interested in Art, Religion, and Literature.

Q. influences:

Some sci-fi/horror film historians I admire are: Tom Weaver, Bill Warren, Marty Baumann, and Bob Burns. I've also been inspired by such actors as Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Richard Carlson, and Christopher Lee. However, this list is dreadfully incomplete. There are far too many people to catalogue here.

Q. music?

The first record I bought was Alice Cooper's Welcome to my Nightmare. The last CD I purchased was by a local Gospel band. I'm interested, in varying degrees, with most everything in between.

Favourites:

Q. food?

Spider Goulash

(what ever rings your bell)

Q. drink?

I never drink...wine.

Q. colour?

Crimson.

Q. joke?

Question: Why aren't there two Yogi Bears? Answer: Someone made a Boo-Boo.

Q. place?

In my wife's arms.

Q. What makes you laugh?

Lon Chaney, yelling with clenched fist, "I'll kill you Alligator Man!" (from the film, Alligator People)

Q. What makes you cry?

That final scene in Silent Running, when the robot is left behind to tend the forest alone.

and finally.. (stop cheering)

Q. If you had the influence - is there something that you would change? (bring about world peace, prevent hunger or an event etc.)

Sure, lots of things. Right now it's the cat litter that needs my most immediate attention, though.

A very big thanks to Mark for sitting "In The Chair" this week.