Chris's blog

On Remembrance Day in Great Britain, the Queen lays a wreath made of poppies on the Cenotaph, a monument in Whitehall that commemorates all the dead in all wars in which British soldiers have fought.

This day of remembrance coincides with similar ceremonies in the United States, Canada, France and all British Commonwealths. Americans call it Veteran's Day.

Enquiring minds want to know. So I tried to track down the actors who played the oddly empowered kiddies in the cult flick Village of the Damned. Where do you go, career-wise, after you've lit up the big screen with glowing eyes and mind powers that can enslave an entire English village?

According to this photo of a recent Paris fashion show, you go on to become an expressionless runway model. Same hair, but glowing headlights on dim.

If the phrase "Art imitates life" is true for cinema as well, it means that our film represents our culture and society at the time the film is made. It might then follow that horror films represent our nightmares or our worst fears.

The posters and lobby cards for these films are as imaginative and chilling as the films themselves. Highly sought after by collectors, in good condition these posters can fetch upwards of five-ten thousand dollars. And much more.

Here is some Mommie Dearest trivia to put you in the mood for this weird, cult film. Click on the pictures for the answers to the questions.

1. Who was originally picked to play Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest?

2. In a record breaking 'sweep,' how many Golden Raspberry Awards (the Razzies) did this film win?

3. What did costume designer Irene Sharaff say you needed to do before entering Faye Dunaway's dressing room?

4. Which memorable line from this film is #72 on the American Film Institute's list of top 100 lines of dialogue?

I was surprised to find out that painting on glass dates to the middle ages. Check out a very brief history of painting on glass here. It was traditionally used to capture religious iconography. 

We're utilizing this fascinating approach to painting and connecting it to Dia de los Muertos imagery and retro Halloween icons.

I actually couldn't imagine a quick bread recipe that involves a blow torch until I read through the recipe from one of our competitors. That's right, at a certain point in the preparation a blow torch is pulled into service. Can't wait to try this at home!

The first annual (and every event planner writes those words with a hopeful smile) eatART has something for everyone. We're going to discuss how art is surviving and thriving in Denver and in the new economy. Before we release our panel of artists to help us sort it all out, Whole Foods Market is providing a buffet fit for a New York gallery opening; while one of Fresh City Life's most loyal benefactors provides libations for everyone. eatART is the capstone event of another great year of producing cultural programming for Denver. And you are invited!

When I was a young 'un, Halloween signified the beginning of the kid calendar. It was a fun, escapist holiday -- and a great break from the routine of a new school year. Mom would counsel my brother and I on our costumes, and help us select a variety of retired clothes that we could use to make our costumes. One year my brother went as a pirate and I went as a devil. Mom found a set of red long underwear for me and Dad built me a makeshift pitchfork. It was the best Halloween ever.

 We've got gamers covered for tomorrow night's Game Night at MadWine Bar and Novo Coffee -- and our night is going to be so top heavy with games and giveaways, that it's kind'f like a Jenga game -- wobbly, threatening to topple, and a ton of fun!

As always, we got games galore. Pursuit, Scrabble, Boggle, Balderdash, Yahtze, card games, Operation, Clue and many more. You can bring your favorite, too, and strike up a match. 

Our hosts, MadWine and Novo will be ready to make you something nice to sip, so bring a few bucks to show them some love.

 It was meant to be a faithful film rendition of Christina Crawford's book of the same title, but Mommie Dearest quickly became a midnight showing cult film. In fact, during its initial release, it developed a following as loyal as The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

I'm not a film academic, so I can't know with any certainty why Mommie Dearest moved into the realm of cult classic. But some of the reasons I love it might be contributing factors. In no particular order: