Considering that in the latest FANGORIA (#304, on stands this week), Steven Spielberg is subjected to a thoughtful analysis regarding his “dark side,” I thought it appropriate to chat up a film we neglected to discuss in depth in that piece, one that may in fact be Spielberg’s grimmest work.

A few months ago, we raved about singer/songwriter/horror enthusiast Nicole Atkins and her latest album, the dark Southern Gothic mood piece MONDO AMORE. Now she has some more video to share with us.

Death sucks. It’s sad, strange, scary and unfortunately inevitable. And what’s worse is that, no matter how unfair it seems, when it comes to your passions and material possessions, you—as the saying goes—“can’t take it with you.”

But if you’re a geek, if you’ve been tempted to legally change your name to James T. Kirk, think of baseball as a religion or wear eight-inch platform dragon boots to the mailbox, then the good souls at Eternal Image are making a strong bid to help you betray that train of thought.

2010 is almost dead, and it was a major year for me. Because, well, for one, I’m here, through some strain of karmic voodoo editing Fango and enjoying watching all these previously locked doors slowly swing open. I paid my dues, though. My whole life, following my macabre muse though so many close to me told me to give it up, and other obstacles threatened to derail my quest. I didn’t and they didn’t. Here endeth the lesson.

If you could see my desk, you’d run.

But it’s not just my desk, it’s every square inch of my office, piled high with stuff sent from people and places with the intent that I watch and/ or read their swag in hope that I spill some class of ink on their wares. But life is short and time is ever so fleeting and sometimes it’s really bloody difficult to keep up with the tsunami. Not that I’m complaining mind you. I do and always will love free movie stuff. But sometimes…well….really….apologies to those who have slipped through my cracks. That sounded very wrong, but you know what I mean… So allow me then to use this space once in a while to spring clean, no matter what season it actually is.

Recently, Fango staffers were polled to come up with a list of the best horror films ever made. That is the hardest of jobs….impossible really. How can you judge? By craft alone? By the manner in which critics and crowds have responded? To me, horror is personal. A horror film affects me for different reasons, subjective reasons. If the lights are down just so, if the time of night is after twelve, if I’m sad, happy, alone, with company…

My all-too-brief stint at the Fantasia film festival came and went in a blink. I barely had a chance to nod at my fellow Fangorians (both Mike Gingold and Tony Timpone were milling about) in attendance, never had a drink with any of my pals and only saw a handful of flicks.

But my God, there were some wicked treats in the mix…