Virtual Fools

Time was (even just a few years ago) when virtually the best way to stay connected to the world of horror film was to hit the newsstands. Back in the days of Tower Records, I used to regularly check film and music magazines and subscribed to more than a few. My interest in horror films always meant that I spent the most time reading up on obscure, shocking, and otherwise impolite movies.

Horror/monster mags have seen better days, because the rises in postage and the high overheads for profitable distribution mean that so many niche publications have become untenable. Thankfully, the people who publish these are passionate and have stuck to their guns. My current favorite–one that all should support–is Shock Cinema Magazine, which along with the similarly excellent Video Watchdog, could be glimpsed briefly in a scene in Death Proof (2007). Taratino knows and loves these magazines, and much of his seemingly inexhaustible knowledge of brilliant old horror films comes from them. Watchdog just celebrated its milestone anniversary, while Shock Cinema just published its first issue in many months. Both are highly worth seeking out!

Two other favorites include the recently revitalized Scarlet: The Film Magazine (I wrote, once for its precursor Scarlet Street magazine). The magazine has always had a passionate staff, and the longer essays are great gateways into a specific subgenre or creative icon in the field. One of the most long-lived magazines is published by somebody who managed to trademark their alternative, movie-reviewing persona: The Phantom of the Movies’ Videoscope has been plugging away for years. I also highly recommend his book, which does thematic clusters and has a depth that similar genre guides seem to lack.

Though my taste tends to run counter, you’ve still got Famous Monsters of Filmland (albeit in a different form), Fangoria (I’ve always felt too well adjusted and pleasant to read this magazine…), and Asian Cult Cinema.

For the more scholarly minded, check out the journal Gothic Studies, the soon-to-be-launched (though this has been the case for several years, now) Horror Studies, or the always lively Irish Journal of Gothic and Horror Studies. The IJGHS is free and online. I’ve contributed to them and they turn out a really thoughtful product.