Velvet Road (2011) Director: L. Gustavo Cooper Writers: Bragi F. Schut and Alexandria Lewis Stars: Walter J. Colson, Stephen Ezell, Thomas R. Martin, and Heather Ricks
Velvet Road is unique amongst its peers. In the few brief moments of this film, we are introduced, captivated and become empathetically engaged to the story and its characters.
It could be the fact that I have the rather unique perspective of having grown up in the deep south in the 60s and that I was actually born and raised in the location in which this movie was shot, or, it could be, that for a short, this film is just stand alone spectacular. Whatever the reason, I found this film truly superb. It has all the look and feel of a big budget feature film, without the obligatory and usually overly obvious homage to Hollywood, other directors or other films in the zombie genre.
The story revolves around three main characters, Bobby, Carolyne, and Miles, who find themselves in the midst of a zombie outbreak. They’re terrified, confused, and extremely suspicious of one another. Now you may think this is typical of any zombie movie, but this film is different. The film manages to capture the feel of the very real and present danger the 1960s possessed for anyone living in Florida and through the Cuban Missile Crisis; fear of anything unknown permeated the atmosphere in the south, in the 1960s. As conditions in the movie worsen, so do the fears and suspicions of the characters. Though racial tension was present in the film and the era, I think it more important to take away from this film, the omnipresent fear that was characteristic of this period in history. Duck and cover drills were routine in schools and we all believed a nuclear attack was eminent. Surely a zombie outbreak was not entirely beyond reason. If you stop to consider some of the horror the nuclear age brought, besides utter annihilation, you will find irradiated, overgrown beasts, mutants and of course the first Romero zombie. The Velvet Road slips in amongst this crowd and is perfectly at home.
The story itself, consists of a number of flashbacks where Billy is seen driving his pregnant wife Carolyne to the hospital. The next scene, Billy arises out of unconsciousness in an overturned and wrecked vehicle. Billy then begins his quest to find his wife. That is all I will say about the story line, as the film is short and I wish to give nothing away.
I would like to add how nice it was to see the films attention to detail, right down to the glass door knobs that could have been taken right out of my childhood home. The cinematography, lighting , sound, score and editing hit the bull right between the horns, or should I say the zombie right between the eyes.
Now what I would like to see is a repeat of the frenzy from Comic Con, that brought District 9 from a little independent short film to the big screen. It’s been done before; it can be done again. Raise your shotguns, cross bows and katanas and turn this into a feature film.
Two men of extraordinary magnitude join Midnight Corey in the Chair this week: Bryan Wolford from Drunken Zombie returns to talk about American Psycho (2000); and Misfitboy from A Little Dead Podcast drops in to talk about the highly-anticipated REC 3: Genesis.
All that and a good dose of Midnight Corey’s randomness. Leave a comment here and on iTunes if you would be so kind.
If you would like to leave feedback, voicemail, or send a review to be played on the show, you can upload it on the Contact page. Or call the new fancy voicemail line! 206-337-5096
0:00:00 » Intro
0:05:52 » Bryan Wolford
1:14:21 » Misfitboy
2:13:04 » Outro
2:14:17 » Music
Actress Priscilla Iden is in the Electric Chair this time around, talking with Midnight Corey about her exciting career, Stephen King, The Shining (1980), found footage films, and lots more.
Midnight Corey also introduces the Hat of Pain, and holds the drawing for the Trollhunter Blu-ray giveaway.
“El Cucuy” (short that got into SXSW festival and Shriekfest) – Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAh19e3mdxU
“Bad Kids Go to Hell” (Feature that got into Cannes, and SXSW) – Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRGSslrfhao
Midnight Corey reunites with actress Priscilla Iden this week, talking about an array of horror things including Stephen King, The Shining (1980), found footage films, and her exciting career.
Also, Bram Stoker Award-winning author John Everson joins Midnight Corey to talk about his sixth novel, NightWhere, as well Jean Rollin and his film The Living Dead Girl (1982), and a ton of other things. It’s not to be missed!
This week, the second episode of The Electric Chair 2D is also released, featuring the video interview with Priscilla Iden, as well as the drawing of the winner for the Trollhunter blu-ray giveaway. Watch it right now.
All that and a good dose of Midnight Corey’s randomness. Leave a comment here and on iTunes if you would be so kind.
If you would like to leave feedback, voicemail, or send a review to be played on the show, you can upload it on the Contact page. Or call the new fancy voicemail line! 206-337-5096
0:00:00 » Intro
0:07:05 » Priscilla Iden
1:02:25 » John Everson
2:26:19 » Outro
2:27:51 » Music
In this inaugural episode of The Electric Chair 2D — the video companion to The Electric Chair audio podcast — Midnight Corey chats with actor Morgan Peter Brown, who played the role of Daniel in Absentia (2011). Midnight Corey also gets nostalgic when he shows his collection of Fright Flicks trading cards.
First Videocast Episode is Live!
July 15, 2012
The secret has been revealed: The Electric Chair 2D is the video companion to the normal audio show, offering interviews and bonus content. Good times! Watch the first episode now, featuring actor Morgan Peter Brown.
Two amazing guests on the show this week: actor Morgan Peter Brown from Absentia (2011) stops by to chat about his work and the movie Lake Mungo (2008). Also, award-winning, bestselling author Lori Handeland drops in to talk about her newly-released sequel to Shakespeare Undead called Zombie Island.
This week I announce the debut of The Electric Chair 2D! It’s the video comanion podcast that will be released periodically. Enjoy watching the chat with Morgan Peter Brown, plus lots more stuff. Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to keep up with the new video cast. Watch the first episode now.
The very generous Florida Possum is sponsoring the Trollhunter Blu-ray giveaway contest! Let me know via email, the contact page, Twitter, Facebook, or voicemail (206-337-5096) that you’d like to be part of this contest, and you’ll be entered!
All that and a good dose of Midnight Corey’s randomness. Leave a comment here and on iTunes if you would be so kind.
If you would like to leave feedback, voicemail, or send a review to be played on the show, you can upload it on the Contact page. Or call the new fancy voicemail line! 206-337-5096
0:00:00 » Intro
0:08:16 » Lori Handeland
0:27:04 » Morgan Peter Brown
1:16:07 » Outro
1:17:45 » Music
It’s a massive Day of the Dead discussion this week, as Midnight Corey welcomes Jay of the Dead and Maven Jamie back to the Chair to talk about Romero’s 1985 classic, as well as Steve Miner’s 2008 remake. Epic goodness!
The very generous Florida Possum is sponsoring the Trollhunter Blu-ray giveaway contest! Let me know via email, the contact page, Twitter, Facebook, or voicemail (206-337-5096) that you’d like to be part of this contest, and you’ll be entered!
All that and a good dose of Midnight Corey’s randomness. Leave a comment here and on iTunes if you would be so kind.
If you would like to leave feedback, voicemail, or send a review to be played on the show, you can upload it on the Contact page. Or call the new fancy voicemail line! 206-337-5096
0:00:00 » Intro
0:06:58 » Jay of the Dead & Maven Jamie
2:52:37 » Outro
2:53:45 » Music
For this tenth episode, Midnight Corey is really happy — and somewhat intimidated — to talk with Shannon Lark and Heidi Honeycutt from Viscera. They talk about the upcoming Viscera Film Festival, women in horror, and the state of entertainment today.
Last, but certainly not least, Midnight Corey wecomes Tony Wash to the show. He’s a wonderfully ambitious fimmaker who has an incredible outlook about filmmaking and horror. They talk about his current projects and the challenges of independent filmmaking.
The very generous Florida Possum is sponsoring the Trollhunter Blu-ray giveaway contest! Let me know via email, the contact page, Twitter, Facebook, or voicemail (206-337-5096) that you’d like to be part of this contest, and you’ll be entered!
All that and a good dose of Midnight Corey’s randomness. Leave a comment here and on iTunes if you would be so kind.
If you would like to leave feedback, voicemail, or send a review to be played on the show, you can upload it on the Contact page. Or call the new fancy voicemail line! 206-337-5096
0:00:00 » Intro
0:18:45 » Shannon Lark & Heidi Honeycutt from Viscera
1:21:21 » Nadine L’Esperance
1:52:33 » Tony Wash
3:17:03 » Outro
3:18:50 » Music
