Texas Frightmare Weekend is this weekend and, honestly, I have not been this excited for a convention in a long time (and I am going to San Diego Comic Con this year).
Since first hitting up Frightmare in 2011, it has become my favorite convention in Dallas. As a huge horror fan, it’s great to have such a niche gathering in town, especially since it doesn’t try to cater to every single nerd fandom. While it can get a little crowded on Saturdays, it is a well-run, chill convention, with everyone in attendance there just because they love horror movies. From celebrities to artists to to the film festival, there is a lot to check out at the DFW Airport Hyatt.
With so many great things to do this weekend, however, it is very easy to get overwhelmed. Luckily, you have me to hold your hand through the weekend (not literally … please don’t come try to hold my hand this weekend).
Below are some highlights that the Super Kaiju team is excited to check out:
Friday, May 4th (6:00PM-11:00PM)
The Mondo Tees booth
If you’ve read this site at all, it should be no surprise that we absolutely love Mondo and the collectibles and prints they continue to release. One of the most buzzworthy things to check out at every Frightmare is their booth, bringing new, limited edition horror movie screenprints to the convention. Mondo always tries to partner with top notch artists and this year is no different, with prints by Matt Ryan Tobin, Robert Sammelin, Sara Deck, Mika Saputo and Phantom City Creative.
If you are digging any of the art above, make sure to get to the convention as soon as you can Friday. Prints will sell out.
Jason Edmiston’s table.
On top of what Mondo has to offer, one of Super Kaiju’s favorite artists, Jason Edmiston, will also be a guest of the convention. Besides having a really great first name, Edmiston makes some killer art (that warranted us sleeping overnight) and is bringing a bunch of Frightmare-exclusive prints from his Eyes Without a Face series, as well as some other new goodies.
The Men Behind the Masks: A Jason Voorhees Panel (9:00PM)
Moderated by Ryan Turek of Shock Waves and Blumhouse, the six different actors who have played Jason Voorhees will be on the same stage, discussing the role and taking questions from the audience. Anyone who is a fan of the Friday the 13th movies should be at this panel …. how often will something like this happen? Do not regret missing this.
Saturday, May 5th (11:00AM-7:00PM)
Arrow Video Panel (12:00 PM)
Moderated by Robert Galluzzo of Shock Waves, this panel will be all about Arrow, the Criterion Collection for genre films. If you buy or collect horror movies on Blu-Ray, this might be your best chance to hear about future releases, as well as some behind-the-scenes info about what goes on when trying to cram as many featurettes on one disc as possible.
Screening: The Toybox (World Premiere) or Tabloid (1985) (6:00PM)
This timeslot is a huge toss-up, just because I can’t watch both of these movies at the same time.
I really would like to see the world premiere of the new horror movie The Toybox, starring The OC’s Mischa Barton and Denise Richards (of Tammy and the T-Rex fame). Barton will be in attendance all weekend, so count on her to introduce the movie (or a post-screening Q&A). On the other hand, I am also looking forward to Tabloid, the rarely-seen 1985 horror anthology filmed in Dallas. It’s going to be a gametime decision.Someone find me the Infinity Gauntlet so I can control time and just see both.
Screening: As The Gods Will (8:00PM)
Takashi Miike (yes, that Takashi Miike) made a film in 2014 that has only been seen in America a handful of times. Luckily, the good people at Funimation secured the rights and we now get to see the next movie from the guy who gave us Audition, Ichi the Killer and Gozu.Where is the line?
In addition to the fantastic art and screenings at the convention on Saturday, there is also a very strong guest list for autographs and pictures. While you are waiting for your schedule to start, definitely spend some time meandering through the Autograph Hall. This year, the headliner is horror icon and Hellraiser creator, Clive Barker, alongside some of the Cenobites (and Pinhead himself, Doug Bradley). Also in attendance throughout the weekend will be the Losers Club from the recent IT reboot, Rob Perlman (Hellboy), actors from the Saw franchise (including Tobin Bell) and a giant celebration of the Chucky franchise, including Brad and Fionna Dourif. Check out the full list of guests and start planning which Troll 2 picture you want signed.Personally, I will be spending a few hours on that Saturday (hopefully) getting autographs from all six Jason Voorhees actors. Wish me luck.
Sunday (11am-5pm)
Shock Waves Podcast Taping (12:00 PM)
Usually by the Sunday of a long convention weekend, I am ready to just lay down and do nothing. But Shock Waves, the Blumhouse podcast, is back in Dallas again, talking all about genre filmmaking LIVE. You can catch the crew at their booth, as well as moderating a handful of the panels throughout the weekend, but this is the one time that they will all be together doing their thing.This panel was my favorite part of last year’s convention and I can’t wait to sit in on another live podcast recording. (And, bonus, if you go to the taping, you are allowed to touch host Elrich Kane’s face. This is not a joke. It’s in their ad on the podcast leading up to the convention. He wants you to touch his face.)
In all seriousness, though, definitely check out this podcast, especially since there is a chance some Halloween reboot movie details will get out, since host Ryan Turek is a producer on the film.
At any point during the weekend, If you find yourself waiting in a long line, just start talking to people around you about horror and maybe find out about something you didn’t know. Whether it’s an obscure movie to pick up at the Arrow booth or a panel that’s going under the radar, it is a lot of fun getting to nerd out about genre films at this convention. And if you find a dude with a beard in a Super Kaiju shirt, say hi and convince me why Halloween 6 (starring Paul Rudd) is actually good.
