RIP Ray Dennis Steckler 1939 - 2009

Can't let the news of Ray Dennis Steckler's death go unnoticed. The director of such no-budget classics as THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME MIXED UP ZOMBIES, RAT PFINK A BOO BOO and my personal favorite, BLOOD SHACK passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada on 1/7/09 at the age of 70. Ray reportedly died in his sleep. The eccentric filmmaker's touch was a unique one. Shunned by the mainstream, he found his niche by creating outlandish, little films -- usually starring members of his family -- that were beloved by a small cult of devotees, including yours truly. I emailed Ray last August while searching out films for DC. There are still plans to screen THE THRILL KILLERS this summer although I was discussing purchasing a print of BLOOD SHACK from the man himself. He may not get a part in the Oscar reel, but he found a way into the hearts of fantastic cinema fans everywhere. They don't make his kind anymore, one of the last of the exploitation filmmakers has gone on to the box office in the sky. He will be missed.

Happy New Year

It's a few days late, but better late than never. It's a new year. We don't believe in resolutions here at Dallas Cinemania...unless that resolution is to get our shit in order...But we never seem to make it happen. Oh well.

Just finished the design of the new poster. I kinda fell asleep on STRAW DOGS last month -- it was partly cause we had less than a month between screenings and what with the holidays. Let's just say it got a little crazy. Things are a little more mellow right now and I really like the cheesy BLOOD FEAST flyer that we cooked up, literally, in about an hour. Some things just work.

Anyway, the show is on. Be at the Angelika Film Center Jan 29th, 8pm for a dose of H.G. Lewis insanity.