My 2015 year in review: gaming edition!

Microsoft recently sent me a link to a really cool infographic that breaks down a bunch of my Xbox statistic from the past year. Check it out, and visit the site to generate your own! As always, you can click on the photo to embiggen it.

(Also, note my swanky-ass avatar outfit! Deathstroke the terminator with Wolverine claws? Now THAT'S a killing machine!)

A couple of things to note: the gaming time is measuring all the time the Xbox was on and connected to Xbox Live, so I did not actually spend 37% of the entire year playing games. Really. The "you've been with Xbox since 2007" box refers to when I joined Xbox Live, not when I first got an Xbox. (For the record, that was in February of 2002.)

One thing that surprised me is that I rank in the top 1% worldwide as far as my achievements. I am by no means an achievement hunter, but that rank made a lot more sense once I saw that the average Xbox owner only gained 69 achievements in the past year. It's easy to forget that a very substantial number of game console owners only play a couple of games each year. There are millions of people who buy an Xbox and only buy the new Madden or Call of Duty each year, and pick up a new Halo or GTA when they come out. Gamers who talk about their hobby on the internet tend to forget that we devote a good bit more time to gaming than most, and we don't represent the majority. Seeing these stats really drives that home. Anyway, it was cool of Microsoft to do this, and I enjoyed going over it. Let's hope they continue doing it each year!

Apparently, there's a new Star Wars movie opening today...

Hopefully the plot is based on this cover to the old Star Wars comic series. I really wanna see how Chewie & Lando's domestic partnership goes, why Zorak joins the group, and how Luke got a job as stunt double for Karl hungus in Logjammin'. The subplot where they help George and Lenny with their rabbit farm is sure to be heartwarming.

Bring back Mystery Science Theater 3000!

Joel Hodgson, creator of the beloved MST3K, has a Kickstarter campaign to revive the show! If you love MST3K, go pledge what you can, even if it's only $10. There are some really kickass rewards if you can afford more, of course. Depending on how much is raised, we could get as many as twelve new episodes! Why are you still reading this? Go now!

Happy Halloween!

Previously on this date: Dracula (1931) and The New Annotated Dracula!

I hope you've enjoyed all the classic horror goodness this past month! You can catch up on any of it you may have missed, this year or in years past, by clicking here. Today I'll be sharing a bunch of cool old posters and ads that, for one reason or another, have never been featured here before. Enjoy, and everyone have a fun and safe Halloween!

Frankenstein Friday: Boris Karloff's Frankenstein Monster through the decades

Previously on this date: The Masque of the Red Death and Blood-Curdling Bottles!

As with previous posts featuring Bela Lugosi's Dracula and Lon Chaney Jr's Wolf Man, today we'll be looking at the evolution of Karloff's Frankenstein Monster over the years.
Here is an early makeup test of the Monster that still shows up on licensed merchandise from time to time.

Here is the iconic Monster from the first Universal Frankenstein:

Bride of Frankenstein:

Son of Frankenstein:

Karloff donned the neck bolts for a charity baseball game alongside other celebrities in 1940:

Finally, he appeared as the Monster alongside Lon chaney Jr. and Peter Lorre in an episode of Route 66 in 1962:

Throwback Thursday: The Old Dark House

Previously on this date: Young Frankenstein and Monster Busts! (That refers to monster statues, not really big boobs. No false advertising here!)

Today I'll point you in the direction of my post about the delightful James Whale classic The Old Dark House. This is one of my favorite movies, and deserves to be held in the same esteem as all-time classics such as The Mummy and The Bride of Frankenstein. Go check it out!

Werewolf Wednesday: The Wolf Man Makeup Process

Previously on this date: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, Frankenstein, and Macabre Monster Nails!

Today we'll be looking at various photos of Lon Chaney Jr. enduring the long makeup process that transformed him into the Wolf Man again and again over the years, mostly at the hands of Jack Pierce. Enjoy!

Transylvania Tuesday: Bela Lugosi's Dracula through the decades

Previously on this date: Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein and The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror!

Bela Lugosi is best known for portraying the vampire king in the 1931 film, but his career included many other performances as the character, spanning most of his life. Enjoy this collection of photos spanning Bela's decades as the immortal Count!

Here is a young Bela during his stage days, shortly before starring in Universal's film adaptation:

Here's a collection of photos from the 1931 classic:

MGM's Return of the Vampire wasn't technically a sequel to Dracula, but Bela's character is the Count in every way that matters:

Bela's Dracula got one last hurrah in 1948's Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein:

Lastly, here are photos from some of Bela's public appearances in full Dracula regalia in the 1950s, including one with Vampira!

Mummy Monday: Jack Pierce works his magic on Karloff

Previously on this date: Dracula (1979) and Skeleton Decorations!

Today, we'll be taking a look at these cool photos of makeup master Jack Pierce turning Boris Karloff into Imhotep the mummy in the 1932 classic. Enjoy!

Saturday night's outdoor showing of Nosferatu

As you may have gathered from the title, there was an outdoor showing of Nosferatu Saturday night. Presented by Little Dog Cinema, it was hosted by T-Bone's Records, and the band Invincible Czars performed a live musical accompaniment that is my favorite of all I've heard for the film. I've seen this film dozens of times, and heard many different musical accompaniments for it, so that is no faint praise. I had to pick up the CD afterward. It was interesting to observe the reactions of the audience, knowing that nearly all of them were viewing their first silent film. I saw a couple of people leave early on, during the rather slow first fifteen minutes of the film, but most seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. Thankfully, despite a very cloudy day, there was no rain. Frankly, you couldn't have ordered better weather. By the time the movie began, the heat of the day had subsided, and there was a nice steady breeze. All in all, it was a marvelous time, and I'm damn glad I was able to make it. Scroll down for a few photos!