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Flashback Weekend 2007
A Review By Rachel Storm
Listening to other people talk about Flashback Weekend's annual horror convention, I get the sense that it's different from other horror conventions. I've only been to one other myself, although I would agree that it just wasn't quite the same. It's not as if Flashback doesn't have the usual convention fare-- celebrity guests, autograph sessions, Q&A, screenings, dealers. But they always have at least a little something extra that sets them apart, which is half the reason why I keep going back.
2007's Flashback Weekend from July 20th-22nd was eagerly anticipated due to the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET reunion and theme. Single nerds and nerdettes, young couples and entire families gathered to hear from Robert Englund and Heather Langenkamp, see Freddy's films on a big screen and meet other stars from the films. Aside from the aforementioned actors the convention also saw the likes of John Saxon, Ronee Blakley, Amanda Wyss, Jsu Garcia and Charles Fleischer. Other celebrity guests included Ken Sagoes, Rodney Eastman and Ira Heiden from ELM STREET 3, Lisa Wilcox from ELM STREET 4 and 5 and Ken Kirzinger from FREDDY VS. JASON. It was amazing to hear the stories, thoughts and feelings these actors had about the series and the parts they played in them. Robert Englund is especially enthusiastic about the work he does and his fans. He really respects horror fans and is very passionate about his job and his opinions about the industry. It's just a joy to see and listen to actors like him for that fact.
The convention also placed some emphasis on the movie HATCHET, which will be coming out in September. Writer and director Adam Green, as well as Robert Englund and actress Joleigh Fioreavanti introduced clip previews on both Friday and Saturday night, and participated in a panel on Saturday to discuss the film. Adam is another individual who's absolutely passionate about what he's doing and I love seeing that. The movie is an original idea of his and having heard the back story, I'm amazed and can't wait. It helps that it's a slasher flick set in New Orleans and includes Mercedes McNab in the cast. Love the genre, love the location, plus a Buffy/Angel alum? I could have kissed the man. Hell, he was on my shuttle bus to Dream Reaper’s, I had the chance.
Since I mentioned Dream Reapers (www.dreamreapers.com) I should explain that yes, this year Flashback Weekend arranged a trip to the haunted house as part of the convention. I thought it was a very innovative addition, and a perfect idea at that. What better for a bunch of depraved horror-loving geeks out for a good scare than to... well, get out and give them a good scare? Dream Reaper's is a top-rated haunted house located in the Chicago suburbs. What I love about it is their approach to scaring, involving as many of the senses as possible (even smell) and their incredible attention to detail. The actors do a really great job of freaking you out and entertaining you at the same time.
Another event worth mentioning is The Flaming Dames (www.myspace.com/flamingdames) in Bump & Grindhouse, a burlesque show which uses comedy, pop culture and of course T&A set to contemporary music to entertain. This particular show pays homage to grindhouse films from the 60's and 70's. It's definitely worth seeing-- creative, fun and sexy. We also watched an annual costume contest hosted by Svengooli (a local TV personality) and the very first Zombie Pin-Up Beauty Pageant. The ladies really put a lot of effort into becoming the hottest ghouls possible! Some of the contestants took the “pin up” part of the pageant literally and went with retro style clothing, while others just let their imagination run wild. There were a variety of entries with different ages, body types and approaches to costumes. While sex appeal does have something to do with this type of contest, the girls seemed to have a lot of fun with makeup/FX and in coming up with witty names or personalities for their characters. For example, the 1st place winners were called the “Intes-twins” and were two ladies in retro style outfits and beehive hair connected at the hip by their guts. Photos of the entries can be seen on Flashback Weekend’s website.
A highlight of this particular convention is the "drive-in" screenings on Friday and Saturday night where everyone gathers their lawn chairs and blankets in the parking lot under the stars to watch old trailers, old drive-in ads and of course feature presentations. This year a lot of the drive-in spirit was missing, as we were relocated to a courtyard and given hotel chairs to sit in instead. It wasn't bad per se, but it was very different.
Regardless we got to watch some fine films-- FREDDY VS. JASON, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET AND Nightmare 3: DREAM WARRIORS. On Friday night we also saw BEHIND THE MASK: THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON. I had heard some good things about this movie, and they were very much true. I didn't really understand what it was about beforehand, but I think that made it that much more delightful once I began watching and realized what they were doing.
BEHIND THE MASK deconstructs slasher films in a way that I'd never even imagined, and takes this route from the perspective of the serial killer. Ax Wound readers (and contributors) may especially appreciate this because it addresses some of the points made by authors like Carol Clover. The "final girl" is a big deal to Leslie Vernon, the film's killer, although he calls her his "survivor girl," but it's clearly an homage to the similarly named concept. BEHIND THE MASK is not only intelligent, it's witty and very entertaining with true laugh-out-loud moments. In other words, I highly recommend seeing it.
In closing, I'd like to share an intriguing anecdote to you that amused me during our experience at Dream Reaper's haunted house. When my female friend and I were set into a group with 4 guys-- two middle-aged adults and their sons-- who clung to the walls, hemming and hawing about who should go first? Who offered, "Uh... ladies first?" with a laugh when prodded by one of the house's actors? That's right, the big brave men. Threw the ladies to the wolves, they did. I took it all in good fun, and then led my mutinous group into untold horrors shaking my head and smiling.
For more information about Flashback Weekend, visit www.flashbackweekend.com. Next year it will be held July 25th-27th, 2008. Ticket packages will be available, although daily passes and individual tickets to certain events are also sold at the door. The hotel sold out fast this year, so get your tickets and hotel rooms early!>
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