Hype Trains
Art by hulutotoz
We’re knee-deep in Scorpio Season, which is the perfect time for Halloween and such. Recently, I ran into a coyote, showed mutual respect, and kept it moving. You know I stay in tune with nature. Anyway, I decided I’d tackle some hype trains this week, particularly the Terrifier movie franchise and Laurel Hightower’s book Below.
Sometimes I worry that nothing interesting will happen, especially for the newsletter’s sake, but I saw two UFOs this week. There was a bright circular disc cruising to the left while a small bright circular disc tailed it. But the second disc was slipping in and out of the blue sky like an interdimensional sleeve. Someone else said it might be Elon Musk’s Space X and I disagreed like a motherfucker, exclaiming there’s much more to this.
This is the second time I’ve spotted UFOs in LA, the first time being in North Hollywood. I do have a video stored on my phone, but I’m too paranoid to upload it to the Internet. I don’t want the men in black knocking on my door.
Hype trains are curious phenomena. They usually have some sort of dormant talent or massive potential that you know is going to explode into something amazing or peter out in dramatic fashion. There’s really no other route. I dove into Terrifier after hearing about people being sick to their stomachs in theaters and seeing this tweet from the OG Jordan Harper.
It starts out pretty gory and the two protagonists are stupid and annoying, but they’re the perfect fit for this type of slasher film. Art the clown puts on a fantastic display of acting and terror, up there with the likes of Jason Voorhees and Michael Myers. I like Art more than Pennywise when it comes to killer clowns.
The director/writer Damien Leone puts on a horror masterclass in Terrifier 2. It was as if he read and saw people’s reactions to the first movie and said y’all fuck with this? Wait until you can see what I can do with a real budget.
The sequel is confident, dialogue smooth as butter, and the entire film is shot beautifully with a dash of grime. The depiction of authority figures not listening to the kids and serving as closed doors to the youth is on point.
A huge love for the slasher genre permeates through every pixel of the movie on the screen. There’s a Lucio Fulci influence that can be seen and felt with every gory kill. Terrifier 2 manages to ascend the hype in a disgusting, brutal yet brilliant fashion.
I want this man to direct God’s Leftovers.
I burned through Below by Laurel Hightower recently. I’ve heard great things about her in the writing community, but this was a fantastic introduction to her work. It’s about a woman recovering from a recent divorce who decides to drive through the snowy mountains of West Virginia. Of course shit hits the fan and she runs into the mythical Mothman . It’s an intense harrowing novella that really immerses you in the narrative. Plus, this is a great example of a feminist protagonist who takes back her power throughout the story. Hightower definitely lives up to the hype.
The Suga Show Sean O’Malley proved he’s the real deal last Saturday and I’m hyped he got the win. And yes I believe damage outweighs takedowns when it comes to judging fights, especially with nothing significant is being done on the ground.
That’s a quote from a review at Dead End Follies. I care about reviews in general, but critic Benoit Lelievre has a good understanding of my books and gets what I’m doing, so this means a lot. Plus, he’s one of the few people who caught the Atlanta influence on the book. So I’m hyped that he fucks with Black Gypsies. You can read the rest of the review here.
On the writing front, I’m catching some steam. I finally got a short story acceptance after receiving about seven rejections this year. Keep it pushing.
Project Bullet Baby is in the final stretch of a new draft and I can see the end in sight. I’m so hyped about this project. I feel more confident and I’m ready flex some new skills. You’ll be able to hold this book in your hands in the future…
Currently Watching: Moon Knight & Ozark Season 1 & House of the Dragon Season 1 & Atlanta Season 4
I loved the first season of House of the Dragon and I can’t until season 2 drops.
Currently Reading: Ill Behavior by M. Steven S. & God Damn Chainsaw Murderer by Sean M. Thompson & Nudes by Elle Nash & Chainsaw Man by Tatsuki Fujimoto & Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Currently Smoking: some random shit my friend gave me
Currently Listening to: Black Tapes Podcast & The Danny Brown Podcast
Ab-Soul comes thru with an emotional single “Do Better” as he tries to deal with survivor’s guilt, depression, and the aftermath of Mac Miller’s death. This cut makes me emotional and has been on steady repeat.
“Gotta double cup, doing lean-ups…”
Father is one of the few rappers I can rely on to be unapologetically brash and smooth in his songs. “Flim Flam” is no exception. Simple DIY aesthetic, but damn does it work well.
Gangsta Gibbs comes to the studio drunk as hell, takes shots at Dj Akademiks and drops an amazing freestyle over Jay-Z beat “This Can’t Be Life.” Life is good.
Eem Triplin is the new wave and manages to make consistently pleasant songs no matter the subject. Dope visuals that pop and a hypnotic musical palate…
Until next time…drink something warm and eat something nourishing.
Not to be a weirdo, but I'm low-key convinced The Black Tapes accidentally caused this nightmare timeline we're currently in.
You had me rolling on da floor laughing! Loved your takes on the movies!!