Brad Dourif is Not Just a Doll

Actor Brad Dourif has had a lengthy, successful career.  His first credited role was in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in 1975.  He has had many great roles since then, including a part in The Lord of the Rings movies.

For me though, Dourif is Chucky, from Child's Play.  I love that movie series.  From the original in 1988 to the latest, "Curse of Chucky," I have enjoyed Dourif's work as the voice of the main character doll.

At the recent debut of Mad Mobster Con in Chicago, I had the pleasure of talking to Dourif for several minutes.  A bunch of us were talking about Chucky and sequels.  Dourif really cares aout the character and the movie.  Chucky isn't an easy paycheck for Dourif.  He works the nuances.  He works the character so it isn;t just a rehashing of the same.  He does all of this as a voice actor.  That is incredibly challenging and easy to dismiss with such a movie.  My hat is off to Dourif for his effort and for discussing it all.

Mad Mobster Con had a solid debut.  I see it getting bigger and better each year.  I love that it is held in downtown Chicago.  I already look forward to their second effort next year.  Kudos to all involved with Mad Mobster.

Brad Dourif and me in Chicago, IL-February 2015.

On the Beat with John Borowski at Mad Mobster Con

I first met filmmaker John Borowski at Days of the Dead.  I was intrigued by his chosen subjects.  Three of his documentary films focused on late nineteenth and early twentieth century serial killers.  Borowski delved into the worlds of HH Holmes, Albert Fish, and Carl Panzram in producing fascinating documentaries.
Recently, I reconnected with John at Mad Mobster Con.  We did the update interview below, but I held it until his latest project was announced.
John is making a feature documentary film on the life and art of Vincent Castiglia, who paints in his own blood.  Castiglia's story is one of troubles and triumphs.  It is a unique success story, directed and produced by the award-winning filmmaker.
There is a funding campaign on Kickstarter for this project.  There are various levels of funding and their respective rewards.  You can find more information and donate to the cause on the Kickstarter page at Bloodlines: The Art and Life of Vincent Castiglia.  Of course, you can also get info and updates from John's site at JohnBorowski.com.
John is a great guy and a talented fillmmaker.  Castiglia's work is unique, beautiful and powerful.  Together, they are combining to make a film, which will certainly be intriguing.  I will be updating John's progress along the way.  When you watch the video and check out the pages, you will find John and his project as interesting as I do.  Hopefully you will jump onto his Kickstarter project and become part of the process.

On the Beat with Ivan Cryptosis at Mad Mobster Con 2015

I originally met Dr. Ivan Cryptosis a few years ago at a comic con.  Since then, I have seen him at a few other cons and he is always good for some entertainment.

Dr. Cryptosis is a classic horror host.  He is also the "center square of pop culture."  That makes him a perfect fit for Johngy's Beat, your 316th best source for pop culture nuggets.

At Mad Mobster Con, Dr. Cryptosis debuted the new Cryptosis lighters, accompanied by a series of puns and jokes.  These are sure to be hits and eventually collectors items.

Cryptosis was also selling the films of Christopher Mihms.  Mihms goes for the old school feel in his films.  They are described as "new old, good bad movies."  They recall classic monsters, science fiction and horror films.  Quoting The Christopher Mihms Facebook page, "The films  are award-winning, as-authentic-as-possible 1950's-drive-in-style B-movies."

I love the concept and the execution.  This is great entertainment.  It is easy these days to make high-budget, high tech movies.  Those movies might be impressive, but they lack heart like the films of Mihms.  Give me a few of his dvd's, a big pizza and a Coke and I am happy for a lzy Saturday.

After you watch our interview below, you can get more info about Mihms and his movies at SaintEuphoria.com.  Check him out.  You will not be disappointed.

John Borowski and Mad Mobster Chicago

There is a new convention debuting in Chicago this coming weekend.  Mad Mobster will be at the Hilton Chicago (downtown) Friday through Sunday.  For more info on this exciting new event, check out the Mad Mobster Chicago website.  The fine folks at Mad Mobster Chicago have graciously invited Johngy's Beat to attend the inaugural event and we are looking forward to it.
One of the featured guests is John Borowski, an independent film maker.  He is perhaps best known for his his trilogy of documentary films focusing on late nineteenth and early twentieth century serial killers HH Holmes, Albert Fish, and Carl Panzram.  Borowski specializes in historical horror.
Another of his works is Serial Killer Culture, a documentary which featuring musicians, filmmakers, authors and others who create and/or collect art based on serial killers.  Through interviews, Borowski examines why people are fascinated by serial killers.
Serial Killer Culture is fascinating in itself.  I have watched it several times already.  It is interesting for the history involved, as well as the emotion and thought process of all interviewed.  It really is engrossing.
I interviewed Borowski at Days of the Dead in November.  That interview can be found at On the Beat with John Borowski.  I am looking forward to getting an update with him at Mad Mobster Chicago.
I encourage everyone to attend the debut of Mad Mobster Chicago.  It's going to be a fun time.  (I resisted the urge to call it a killer event.)

John Borowski and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2014.