Incredibly Strange Movie Night

I've decided to dedicate my summer to movies. By that I mean, I will be finishing the second issue of my fanzine, I will be setting up movie nights in backyards all summer long and attending as many nights at Trash Palace as I can.

The backyard movie idea came from a night I hosted a year ago. The Trollympic night, now made famous from the documentary, Best Worst Movie. I decided I wanted to spend every weekend this summer watching movies in backyards, so a friend and I purchased a movie screen from kijiji. Then I purchased an LCD projector. I'm calling these nights "Incredibly Strange Movie Night".

It's incredibly strange because of the movies I choose. Most are pretty rare, "so bad it's good", or just strange, yet still watchable and enjoyable. The experience is kinda strange I guess too. It's like a drive-in without the cars. But the experience is always fun! I love throwing parties, even if there is no reason. Half the fun for me is the set up. I've been finding amazing prizes to give away and baking goodies for the night.

So far, I've been starting the nights by showing things like ABC promos '64-74, 50's educational films, Scopitones or 80's cartoons. Then we have our main feature. We've watched Test Tube Babies and Troll 2. Unfortunately, Troll 2 was rained out, so we watched the movie inside.

I have so many movies I want to show this summer, so we better not have a wet one! If anyone is interested in attending, email: ismnniagara at gmail dot com

Here are some pictures from my 4th annual Troll 2 party:

Incredibly Strange Movie Nights in the works:

- William Castle night (with his gimmicks!)

- The Wizard (not so strange, but certainly funny!)

- Breakin' 2 Electric Boogaloo / Rappin'

The Best Best Movie is Best Worst Movie!

Oh my goodness! I don't even know what to say in regards to finally seeing Best Worst Movie. I thought I'd wait a couple days after seeing the film for the first time, to let myself digest what I saw. However, I'm still pretty speechless. And now that the Hot Docs screenings are done, I keep on running the movie through my mind, replaying my favourite scenes because I wish I could see it again...right now! This is definitely going to be one of those films I watch repeatedly. Just like Troll 2!!

The Toronto Star was the first to release the new trailer for Best Worst Movie on Friday (you can watch it here). I've caught my mom watching it by herself in the basement, which I find amusing because the past few years my parents have disapproved of my Troll 2 obsession. I think they're finally coming around.

Anyway, I went to the first screening on Friday night and was interviewed for the Circuit on Space Channel. I probably made quite the nerd of myself during this interview, but it's going on Space, so I'm sure I'll seem pretty normal. Look for it this week.

Finally seeing Best Worst Movie wasn't the only exciting thing at the screenings. I got to catch up with Michael Stephenson, George Hardy and Katie Graham, who aren't just people involved in Best Worst Movie, but friends I've made during it's filming. I also became friends with the producer, Brad Klopman, who's incredibly nice.

The second night I brought my "Trollympic" friends with me. Here we are posing with our Troll 2 t-shirts. The shirts Sonia and I are wearing were made by my talented brother-in-law, Nuno, and even made an appearance in the movie. They are probably the most unattractively fitted shirts we could wear, but we weren't there to look good. We were there to watch Best Worst Movie and display our love of Troll 2.

Little did I know, I'd be asked up on stage of the Bloor Cinema for the Q & A session after the film. Very flattering that I played such a role in Best Worst Movie! I stood in front of 500 + people (including film stars, Michael Cera and Edgar Wright). Very rad!!

Incase you're wondering what's in my hands in the two previous pictures above, I received a great birthday gift made by Nuno (did I already mention how talented he is?). It's a Mighty Mugg doll of ME! It's perfect that I'm wearing my Goblin shirt, not just because it shows my Troll 2 fandom, but I own three goblin shirts so the chances of running into me wearing one of them is more likely than anything else in my wardrobe.

With all the hype I've given Best Worst Movie, and the fact that I'm in it (which is completely surreal to see yourself on a big screen), it might be hard to take my word when I tell you this film is INCREDIBLE!! But just take my word for it, or read the reviews it's been getting, or better yet, see it for yourself when you get the chance.

On a very personal note, I feel like I'm one of the most fortunate Troll 2 fans to have experienced everything I did during the making of this film. Having Nilbog Storekeeper, Don Packard hit on me, stand on the doorstep of Margo Prey's house, perform the Holly Waits dance in front of Connie Young, stay in a house with the director and writer, Claudio Fragasso and Rossella Drudi. Gosh, that doesn't even skim the surface of my experiences. When I look back on it, it's insane and awesome. How many people hold such incredible personal experiences with their favourite film? I'm one very lucky Troll 2 fan!

Someone Spoiled the Nilbog Milk

Before I update with the newest Nilbog news, I think everyone should watch this clip of Daniel Johnston shopping for VHS. I've been a huge Daniel Johnston fan since the age of 13, but after watching this clip, my love for Danny J has been brought to a new level! I completely feel his excitement with his boxes of VHS "This is like the Price is Right. It's like taaa-daaa!"
Even if you're not a fan of his music, I'm sure you can still appreciate how cute his excitement is by shopping for VHS movies.

Daniel Johnston's shopping spree wasn't the only exciting thing happening at SXSW. Someone there spoiled the Nilbog milk and has posted new scenes from Best Worst Movie to the net...and I'm in them! So, here's some screen captures of my appearances (that I've seen so far) in the film.

Joe, Emily and Sonia having a race in plant pots at the Trollympic games (I cheer them on).

Troll 2 playing in the backyard. Backyard screenings are the best. I need to host some more this summer.

Aw, my friends and I watching Troll 2 in the backyard. Cracking up at it's hilarity of course.

Lovin' the Nilbog sap poured on my face. I forgot that there was a camera filming outside the Bloor Street Cinema, so I never expected for this to make it in the film.

But forget about ME!! MARGO PREY is in Best Worst Movie!! I was screaming with ultimate excitement when I finally saw her.
Okay, so here's where I saw these spoilers. But more importantly, here's where you can get your tickets to see Best Worst Movie when it makes it's Canadian premiere at Hot Docs.

Spring Screenings!

Such exciting screening news to report. I'm going to start with my birthday screening. Yep, you're all invited to my birthday party, which of course, is a bad movie screening. The awesome folks from Trash Palace are coming from Toronto to Niagara to host.

For those of you unfamiliar with Trash Palace, let me just tell you, it's the coolest place to go on a Friday night in Toronto. It's put on by some 16 mm collectors, with great movie taste. Most of their collection consists of strange, obscure and always fun and entertaining films (examples: the Swimmer, 13 Frightened Girls, Scream and Scream Again).

Anyway, here's the details for my birthday screening:

Movie: DEADLY EYES

Plus: CLASSROOM FILMS FROM HELL

Date: April 25th, 2009

Location: Niagara Arts Centre (the NAC)

254 Saint Paul Street

St. Catharines, Ontario

Time: Doors at 7:30 - Show starts at 8:30

Price: $5 at the door

I have yet to see Deadly Eyes, but I understand it involves weiner dogs dressed up as rats, infesting the city of Toronto. Plus, it was released in 1982 (the year I was born), so I think it's appropriate for my birthday. The classroom films from hell will be hilarious (I've seen most of them at Trash Palace). Getting to see an angry puppet fight will make my birthday the best ever!!

The excitement doesn't stop when my birthday's over. The following weekend Best Worst Movie (the Troll 2 documentary I can not stop talking about on here) is having it's Canadian premiere at Hot Docs, international documentary film festival, in Toronto. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. I don't think I need to say anything more about Best Worst Movie. I'm sure once you all see it, you'll understand why I can't stop talking about it. I urge everyone to check it out (and not just because I may or may not make an appearance in the film)!!

Troll 2 Experience 3: The Present's House

I wanted put this entry up a few days ago but I've been caught up in reading the contributions for the lastest edition of the So Bad It's Good Movies Fanzine. I'm so pleased with what my contributors wrote, I can't wait to get this fanzine out. My new target date is April 25th - the day of my birthday movie screening in St. Catharines, hosted by Trash Palace. I hope to sell it there. More news coming on the screening and zine coming shortly.
Back to Troll 2 adventures. One of the many reasons I went to visit Utah was to see this house. Especially since it was being torn down the next month. The Present's house (out in the country) is the main setting for Troll 2. Since the house was going to be torn down in a month, it was easy to break into. It was also left with loads of complete junk in it that made it easy to reenact all of our favourite scenes from Troll 2. It was my ultimate Troll 2 nerd fantasy!!

I could understand why Grandpa Seth couldn't figure out the layout of this house. This house honestly had the most confusing layout of any house I've ever been inside. Weird random rooms and hallways (many of which were never shown in Troll 2).

"Oh my gaaaawd!" I can't believe I'm standing infront of the Troll 2 house!

The view from the front of the house. Basically their yard is a lake.

Since the home was being torn down, there was a bunch of useless crap outside. Well, useless to most people. AWESOME to us!!

Lots of records!

This LSD record goes for over $100 on ebay. Found for free at the Presents' house. Crazy!!

"A month in the country will do us all good. Just imagine, we'll be living like our ancestors."

These cows were very neglected and very cute. Made me want to stop eating beef.

Side view of the house.

Oh my! The Troll 2 hallway.

"I don't like this place. Not one bit!" The room where the "tighten my belt loop" scene happened.

The room where Holly Waits dance was done.

"I've been fasting for three days!!!"

"Ne-ne-ne-ne-ne-ne-ne-ne-ne!"

"Ne-ne-ne-ne-ne-ne-ne-ne-ne!"

"Ne-ne-ne-ne-ne-ne-ne-ne-ne!"

A goblin once rolled down these stairs.

"Joshua, you have 30 seconds to stop them from eating."

Look what we found in the shed! Perfect for reenacting the Grandpa Seth scene where he comes through the mirror, cuts off the hand of a goblin/Creedence and saves Joshua!

Blair being Grandpa Seth.

Grandpa Seth grin!

Me being Grandpa Seth.

This was my best attempt at a Grandpa Seth grin.

We even managed to make a molotov cocktail to bring out on the porch.

One more Troll 2 adventure to come!!

Troll 2 Experience 2: Cast Party

Best Worst Movie had it's second screening at SXSW. The reviews keep on coming and they're all so positive! This comes as no surprise. I could tell from Michael and his filming crew's humour, talent and hard work, they were gonna have a hit. I really enjoyed this review I read from Filmmaker Magazine.
Today I was interviewed for a paper in London (England, not Ontario) about my Troll 2 fandom. I'll post a link to it when it's published online.
But back to my Troll 2 adventures. I'll pick up the day after the screening when we visited the Waits family home from the film. It's located in Sandy, Utah. Some of the cast and crew went inside the house to film, but I only saw it from the outside. I remember being extremely cranky because I hadn't showered in a while, very sweaty because it was so hot outside, over tired from the excitement and time change. Oh and hungry too. Basically, I skipped out for a milkshake, shower and nap. I guess that means I'm not the biggest Troll 2 fan.

That evening I went to a party, which was also a reunion for the cast. Blair and I were the only fans invited to the party, which was very exciting! Also, for the first time since the filming of Troll 2, the cast was going to be reunited with the beautiful Holly Waits - Connie Young!

Michael brought a pile of photos his parents took during the filming of Troll 2. He said he had them hidden in his garage for years, never thinking they'd ever see the light of day. I was so facinated looking at these photos and seeing "behind the scenes" stuff from my favourite film!

They had a picture of Michael about to piss on hospitality!

Katie Graham filmed Michael and George, as they tried to explain to Claudio and Connie how Troll 2 has developed a cult following.

I was sooo nervous to talk to Connie. Her acting and character is by far my favourite in the film. I sat at the table and explained to Connie why I love Troll 2 so much. I don't think she understood, but she was willing to pose with me in her most famous dance move!

Rossella and Claudio were so happy to be reunited with their Holly Waits.

Yep, I performed the Holly Waits dance infront of Holly Waits (and the rest of the actors). I should probably feel embarrassed about this, shouldn't I?

The Waits family - minus the mom, Margo Prey. Margo Prey - Where are you?

Jason Wright, Elliot Cooper, even confessed the crush he had on Connie all those years back.

Jason Steadman. More like Jason Studman!

"He's part of the family now!"

Connie attempted to teach Claudio how to perform her dance move. I don't quite think Claudio got it. haha!

Blair with Robert Ormsby, Grandpa Seth. He is such a cool old man. We gave him a ride home at the end of the night and he said, "I've always been a fan of bad movies. Movies like Robot Monster. But I never imagined I would ever be in one." Aw, I love Grandpa Seth!

We went to the basement to watch the trailer for Best Worst Movie. The two Jasons re-enacted their famous bed scene. I remember them saying to one another, "Did the thought ever cross your mind that this would be seen as gay when we filmed it?" "No" "Neither did I." haha!

The writer, director and actors of Troll 2 posed with the Welcome cake we brought to the party. This was such an incredible night and I'm still thrilled that I was a part of it. I'm not sure if any of the filming from this night ended up in Best Worst Movie, or not. But I'm glad I captured it with these pictures.

Stay tuned for my next Troll 2 installment: my visit the Troll 2 house!

Troll 2 Experience 1: The SLC Screening

Oh my gaaaaaaaaaaaawd!! Best Worst Movie is premiering tomorrow at SXSW. It's been getting tons of publicity and great reviews. My favourite so far is this one from Chud.com. The Ain't It Cool News reviewer was a little insulting in his review to us fans featured in the film (um, me?), and our love for the so bad it's good genre. Maybe he's referring to other fans (can't quite tell since I haven't seen the movie), but I can fully defend and support my love of so bad it's good movies. Geesh, it's just fun to find strange films. It's also fun to celebrate these films with fun parties, like I do with Troll 2. Lighten up bud! Anyway, I could go on with my so bad it's good movie philosophy, but I'll just recommend reading the first entry of my blog.
Anyway, as promised, my next few entries will highlight some of my Troll 2 experiences. Starting with the day of the Salt Lake City screening. I travelled all the way to Utah to meet the actors and visit the filming locations of my favourite film. It sounds pretty crazy, but that's how much I love Troll 2.

The first place I went when arriving in Utah (besides Blair's house to sleep) was a rad dinosaur museum in Ogden. I love dinosaurs and I love mountains, so Utah is the place for me.

We went to Hollywood Video in Salt Lake City, where the owner allowed us to buy up his VHS collection. This is a picture of what we bought. Or I should say, what Blair bought because I sadly could only fit 15 videos in my suitcase home.

Then I got to see Blair's amazing archive. I wish I could own everything he owns! Other highlights from this day include: trying "fry sauce", jumping on a trampoline for the first time, seeing Gedde Watanabe's house (the asian guy from Sixteen Candles), seeing the Mary tree and seeing the Paramount mountains. Woah! And there's still Troll 2!!

Tower Theater in downtown SLC hosted the event. They have Crispin Glover's faceprint outside of their theater.

Grandpa Seth, Grandpa Seth! I still can't banish you from my mind.

It's that playboy son of the Coopers, Elliot!!

Director of Troll 2, Claudio Fragasso (with Michael Stephenson) being reunited with Don Packard (the storekeeper) for the first time since the filming of Troll 2.

Don stared me up and down when he first met me and told me how I look different than he pictured me on the phone (I talked to him earlier that day). He forgot the shirt he made for me and invited me back to his place to get it. I rejected the invite and received the shirt months later in the mail.

Preacher Bells, Mr. Presents, Blair and Rossella (the writer of Troll 2). Rossella and I got along fabulously. No surprise we share very similar senses of humour.

With Michael Stephenson (little Joshua Waits and director of Best Worst Movie) and Blair.

Goblin fans dancing to the opening band.

Blair introducing Troll 2 to the audience.

Getting to see Troll 2 on a big screen with an audience was a completely different experience than watching it with a couple friends on my TV at home. Many parts became even funnier!

So many actors I couldn't even fit them all into this photo. I still believe this was the biggest Troll 2 Q & A to date. I wish they brought the actors who played the goblins to sit closer to the front.

With Creedence Leonore Gielgud. I think she has a crush on Blair. hehe.

Elliot and his little boys! Darren Ewing (Arnold), Michael Stephenson (Joshua), Jason Wright (Elliot Cooper), Claudio Fragasso (the director) and Jason Steadman (Drew).

Oh my gaaaaawd, that took a long time to upload!! And this is just the beginning. Coming soon: a private party for cast-only that I was able to attend (and Holly Waits was there!!), the Presents' house, the Waits' house, Creedence's church/house and the town of Nilbog!