Are You Ready for the Mile High Horror Film Festival?

Written by Scotty

While the group is off at Salt Lake City Comic Con, I will be home preparing for my favorite event of the year, the Mile High Horror Film Festival. Now, I know that this is not one of the biggest events in the area, but it does give me a chance to rub elbows with some of the faces that have haunted my dreams for years. I have always found that it is better to face your fears head on, but when you get to see that some of the most frightening characters in movies are just down to earth individuals like you and me, well, you have to respect them even more.

One of the special events that is going on this year will be the 90th Anniversary screening of The Phantom of the Opera with Q&A with the great Lon Chaney’s great grandson, Ron Chaney who is no stranger to the industry.  Lon Chaney has been a fixture in everyone’s horror collection if they know the name or not setting the bar higher for anyone that has wanted to be frightened in the past or present.  It is easy to think that this event will just be run of the mill, but there is talk about a lifetime achievement award for Lon as well, I cannot wait to see this.

One of the things that this event has done over the years is bring some of the greatest names in horror to our doorstep and the first guest that was announced being Linnea Quigley, I was already making plans to show up.  If you do not know Linnea Quigley, you better start doing your research and watching some movies as she has been in over a hundred movies and is a scream queen that should just be great to meet.  I know her from The Return of the Living Dead where she played a character named Trash who had the deep dark fantasy of being eaten alive.  This was one of my favorite foreshadowing moments in a zombie movie, since her wish came true.

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Kane Hodder will also be in attendance this year and I believe it is his second time at the festival.  With Hatchet and Hatchet II playing, he will be doing some Q&A sessions afterwards and that should be nothing short of a good time.  I have enjoyed watching these movies when they came onto Netflix, along with Exit to Hell with our buddy Tiffany Shepis.  This is one of those actors you never know what to expect from since he is no slouch when it comes to size and every time you see him on screen, he commands it.  Stay tuned on how this works out for someone that never even made it to six feet tall.

Sid Haig has also been announced.  That’s right our favorite clown, Captain Spaulding will be in attendance this year and I could not be happier.  Although I have seen him in several more movies, more than people would even admit to watching, he will be doing some Q&A after the screenings of House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects.  Two movies I will have to check out again since I really do like them.  If I had one question to ask him, it would have to be if he had a fear of clowns and if he ran and hid after looking in the mirror when the makeup was applied, I know I would.  But with so many great movies under his belt, it would be great to hear some of his stories about how the industry has changed and what he thinks about how horror is becoming mainstream once again and his role in helping to make it happen.

Now who else will be there?  Neil Marshall will be in attendance.  If you don’t know who Neil Marshall, then you need to check out a movie called The Descent.  Something about being trapped in a cave has never been a highlight on any of my lists and this movie brings all of those fears to light, especially with something hunting you.  This was written and directed by Neil and I would just have to ask him what his motivation was behind it, because I remember going to Cave of the Winds as a young child and being freaked out of my mind when I heard howling that was ‘the wind’, but sure as heck did not sound like the wind.  He will be doing a Q&A after the screening of The Descent and will also have a short film featured in the very popular Tales of Halloween that has just added a second screening.  

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Now what could I be forgetting?  I think I have everyone wrapped up, there will be some groups that are promoting their new movies, Tobin Bell who plays Jigsaw and is a talented writer. A music showcase that is going to be epic, my buddy Jeffrey Reddick who brought Final Destination to life and is working on his new product Dead Awake that looks freaking out of this world.  Who else?

Oh, I have never made it a secret that I am a bit obsessed with The Shining…have I?  If not, I will come out and say it.  I love the movie, I love the book and I love the TV miniseries.  It is my favorite story that has hit the three mediums and I will love it for years to come.  Well anyway, three characters of the movie will be making an appearance this year.  Lisa and Louise Burns, the TWINS, ‘Come Play With Us Danny’ will be at MHHFF!  Joseph Turkel, Lloyd the best bartender west of the Mississippi will be at MHHFF!  Say what?  If you even had a bit of understanding how much I loved this movie, hopefully you can grab on to this, I LOVE THIS MOVIE and cannot wait to see the occupants of the Overlook Hotel in person.  It has been years, but I wonder if they know how much that The Stanley Hotel is trying to capitalize on what they helped make into movie magic.  We are talking about my favorite horror movie and I don’t think you will hear my say otherwise.  While others come close, this one has always stayed very near and dear to my heart.

Well, there you go. This is the lineup for MHHFF.  This is going to be a great year once again and after last year I thought that it would be hard to beat, but as long as the stars align, this year is shaping up to be epic.  With plenty of guests, stars, and don’t even try to forget about the movies, if you have one bone in your body that likes horror, you will love this.  Last year most of the movies sold out on Monday, so make sure to get your tickets early for anything that you want to see, or else you may be left blowing in the wind while it passes you by.  Hope to see you all there, I know that I cannot wait.

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