One interesting result of Jonathan Coulton releasing so much music under a Creative Commons license is the sheer number of music videos created by fans. So naturally I decided to share two different videos for his seasonal sci-fi song, “Chiron Beta Prime.” The first fan creation is from the Jonathan Coulton Project, a fan-made “video …
Category: Christmas
Dec 08 2018
Christma(dnes)s IX
Reading ghost stories during the Christmas season is an old British tradition. But I think reading scary stories is just as valid. “Nackles” by Donald Westlake tells of a nasty counterpart to Santa Claus and “The Naughty Ones” by Lake Lopez also deals with things that are neither holly nor jolly. If you want more, …
Dec 25 2017
Wreck The Halls
Remember my article about custom promos for Godzilla marathons from last year? It turns out that I missed one created by the El Rey Network from 2014! You can watch said promo online thanks to Evan Saathoff: I would have ranked it higher than TNT’s classic “Godzillabash ’94” promo if this had a higher budget …
Dec 05 2017
Christma(dnes)s VIII
The photograph illustrating this article is the work of Jessie Tarbox Beals, who also created the image used in last year’s installment of “Christma(dnes)s.” It was fascinating to read up on her career in photography. I had no idea she was the very first woman to be hired as a staff photographer by an American …
Dec 25 2016
The Pumpkin Dance: Christmas Edition
First I shared the original “Pumpkin Dance” video. Then I jumped ahead and shared the Valentine’s Day-themed sequel. Which is funny, since that particular video was actually the last of the trilogy. So let’s look at the Christmas-themed first sequel as uploaded by KXVO 10:00 News: Here’s hoping we’ll be seeing more installments in this …
Dec 24 2016
Christma(dnes)s VII
It may have taken me longer than usual to assemble this year’s selection of frightfully festive fun, but I think the sheer volume of material I dug up was worth it. After all, why should I just focus on the Phantasm ornament or the “Krampus in the Corner” when there’s so much more out there? …
Dec 25 2015
Christmas, Tabonga Style
For the uninitiated, Tabonga (sometimes referred to as “Tabanga” or “Taranga” depending on the source) is the name of the monster in a little movie called From Hell It Came. It’s the story of a tree that walked like a man…and died like a chump. Given how it’s a 50’s monster movie that most people …
Dec 14 2015
Midnight Syndicate, CHRISTMAS: A GHOSTLY GATHERING
Midnight Syndicate Official Site Christmas: A Ghostly Gathering, Linfaldia Records 2015 After numerous requests for such an album by fans, Midnight Syndicate has finally released their very first Christmas album! It’s something of a departure from their usual work in more ways than one. Aside from the obvious difference, the band has stressed their efforts …
Dec 02 2015
Christma(dnes)s VI
Ho Ho Horror! I’m making like the above creepy Santa and have plenty of treats for you. The first of which is a stencil for making a type of elf known as a “Brownie.” Although it was originally intended for use on Halloween, you can also use it for Christmas without anyone complaining. Speaking of …
Dec 25 2014
Solstice Spirits
It’s no secret I am a huge fan of Nox Arcana’s Christmas albums. So you can imagine my excitement when I heard they released a festive new EP called Ebonshire, Volume 2 this month. To celebrate, here’s a special music video for a selection from the Winter’s Majesty album taken directly from the official Nox …
Dec 22 2014
Making A Krampus Costume
The last time I discussed constructing a Krampus costume, I focused more on assembling something from store bought costume parts rather than making one from scratch. I wanted something that would be a relatively easy way for even those without the best costume or prop-making skills to make a Krampus suit. But I also realize …
Dec 08 2014
Yet More Christma(dnes)s
Season’s Bleedings! Like Santa Claus, I’m reaching into my bag of goodies to find the best horrorday treats for you all. And you don’t even have to leave me any cookies! Fans of H.P. Lovecraft should remember his wonderful Christmas poem “Christmastide,” which was surprisingly free of cosmic horrors and racism. What they might not …
Dec 25 2013
Creepy Santa Doll
I know that I’ve been relying on music videos based around the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society’s Christmas albums over the last few years, but I’m in the mood for a change. As much as I love their work, I don’t want to give away to much of the HPLHS’ hard work away. With this in …
Dec 22 2013
Still More Christma(dnes)s
To borrow a phrase from Veronique Chevalier, Ghoultide Greetings and Hapless Horrordaze! I hope you enjoy the above image; it’s a painting called “In the Wild North” by Ivan Shishkin. I think it perfectly captures the duality of the season. If you look at it one way, it’s a beautiful winter’s night. But if you …
Dec 12 2013
13 Days: Almost Made It
There won’t be an update from me tomorrow. I’ll be travelling, the first of two trips this month. I like visiting other places but the work of getting there drives a slow metaphorical nail into my left temple. Perhaps that’s one of my main issues: I want to be in Prague but I don’t …
Dec 11 2013
13 Days: Christmas List
Everyone I know is getting gift cards this year. Nobody gave me a Christmas list this year so in lieu of all those missing, here’s mine: Christmas List I want less remakes. At this point, it all seems like pandering to an older audience that can’t be impressed or attracting a newer audience that isn’t …