Sunday, June 30, 2013

SHOCK CINEMA NO. 44


Frankly I'm a bit shocked . . . and at myself, no less. Too long omitted from the blogroll of MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD has been a magazine that has remained one of the stalwarts of genre publications. While others have come and gone, SHOCK CINEMA has stood the test of time. From the first issue in 1990 until today, readers have been treated to what can truthfully be called an "alternative cult movie magazine". While not teeming with monsters like we expect from titles such as FANGORIA, RUE MORGUE, and FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND, SHOCK CINEMA nevertheless delivers the kind of content that is typically not seen in other 'zines of this type. For that reason, it is, I believe, wholly unique.

The latest issue is #44, and it follows the familiar and consistent pattern of interviews as the main course, served up with enough reviews for dessert to satiate the most hungry of  cinemaphiles. The lead interview is with Stuart Whitman. Others are with the superb and well-known actors John Polito and Shirley Knight. But, the main reason I decided to buy this magazine off the rack at the local Barnes & Noble was for the interview with Barbara Bouchet, who has been a secret "scream queen" fave of mine ever since I saw her as Moneypenny in CASINO ROYAL (1967) as a young teenager (along with Ursula Andress, Joanna Petet, Daliah Lavi, and Jacqueline Bisset I was in hormone heaven!).

The lovely Barbara Bouchet in The Hook ((1977).

The interviews are all informative and entertaining to read, and the questions elicit passages of insight that would be lost with other interviewers. The back part of the magazine is packed with DVD reviews and I defy anyone to come up with an assortment of genre goodies like the ones that are presented here.

Editor and Publisher Steven Puchalski has assembled one helluva publication here, and SHOCK CINEMA is one damn fine magazine. The mag sports color covers and slick paper throughout. The typeface is at a size compatible for us "mature Monster Kids" and the photo reproductions are of very good quality. At a cover price of only $5.00, you'd be foolish not to try a copy. Clink on the link on the sidebar to go to their webpage.

SHOCK CINEMA is not kidding when they state on the cover that it's "Your Guide to Cult Movies, Arthouse Oddities, Drive-In Swill and Underground Obscurities". I highly recommend it!

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