Winner of the 1987 Oscar for Best Documentary, ARTIE SHAW: TIME IS ALL YOU'VE GOT, Has Been Restored in 4K and Premieres on VOD/Digital on 4/25

 

EXPLORE THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A SINGULAR JAZZ ICON WITH THIS FEATURE-LENGTH PORTRAIT, WINNER OF THE 1987 ACADEMY AWARD® FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE, NOW RESTORED IN 4K

PREMIERES ON VOD & LEADING DIGITAL OUTLETS ON APRIL 25, 2025 "Critic's Pick! An all-star roster of interviewees, including the luminaries Mel Tormé and Buddy Rich, contributes to an unfailingly entertaining saga." -- Glenn Kenny, The New York Times "The film remains a brilliant portrait of a difficult man, an artist who was never happy with himself or anyone else." -- Judy Wolfe, POV Magazine

SYNOPSIS   Outspoken, manipulative, independent thinking and oftentimes controversial, Artie Shaw (1910-2004) was one of the most popular stars of the Swing Era, who famously broke the color barrier by hiring the legendary Billie Holiday, Hot Lips Page and Roy Eldridge for his bands. His complex love-hate relationship with his own celebrity caused him to walk away from performing almost as many times as he walked away from his marriages. Winner of the 1986 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, ARTIE SHAW: TIME IS ALL YOU’VE GOT portrays the restless life and five-decade career of the gifted clarinetist/bandleader known as the “King of the Clarinet.” Anchored by an incisive interview recorded when he was 72 years old, this entertaining portrait is much more than a jazz film; it is the insightful story of a brilliant and complex individual. 4K picture restoration by Patrick Duchesne, Frank Biasi, and Jim Fleming at Picture Shop (Toronto). Sound restoration by Daniel Pellerin. 4K and soundtrack restoration generously donated by Donald Hicks (coordinated by Bradly Torreano) and Telefilm Canada, in partnership with the Toronto International Film Festival. FOR ARTIE SHAW: TIME IS ALL YOU'VE GOT ASSETS, GO HERE       ARTIE SHAW: TIME IS ALL YOU’VE GOT (1985) Written & Directed by: Brigitte Berman Cinematography by: James Aquila, Mark Irwin Edited by: Barry Backus, Brigitte Berman Genre: Documentary RT: 114 minutes Screening links are available; to request, please contact:   Michael Krause Foundry Communications (212) 586-7967| mkrause@foundrycomm.com

Opens March 14: Heiny Srour's LEILA AND THE WOLVES, First-Ever US Theatrical Release of Legendary Arab Feminist Epic, New 40th Anniversary Restoration

 

LEILA AND THE WOLVES

A Film by HEINY SROUR First Arab Woman Filmmaker Selected to Cannes First-Ever U.S. Theatrical Release, New 40th Anniversary Restoration of Groundbreaking Lebanese Feminist Epic

New York @ BAM Cinemas: March 14-20 Los Angeles @ Mezzanine: March 17 *with Srour in Attendance & Available for Select Interviews + Chicago, Seattle, Cleveland, Dallas, Toronto, Vancouver & more cities TBA

Narrative-Documentary Feature | 90 mins. | UK, Lebanon, Belgium, Netherlands | 1984 In Arabic and English with English Subtitles | Written and Directed by Heiny Srour

TRAILER

“A film of monumental resolve and ambition.” – MUBI “Feminist masterwork.” – The Guardian “Triumph of artistic ambition over insurmountable obstacles.” – The Financial Times “A visionary journey through female protest and defiance … A landmark film.” – Elhum Shakerifar, BFI Synopsis: Combining fictional drama, archival footage, and fantasy sequences, LEILA AND THE WOLVES follows a young Lebanese woman in modern London as she time-travels through the 20th century, observing the place of Arab women in social struggles and anti-colonial movements in Lebanon and Palestine.   The legendary films of Lebanese filmmaker Heiny Srour, a body of searing feminist revolutionary works depicting the Middle East in the 70s and 80s, come to theaters in new restorations. In addition to LEILA AND THE WOLVES, Srour’s earlier work, the seminal 1974 feature documentary THE HOUR OF LIBERATION HAS ARRIVED—the first film by an Arab woman ever selected for the Cannes Film Festival—has also been newly restored and will screen at BAM alongside LEILA. The special engagement offers a rare opportunity to experience both of Srour’s landmark films together on the big screen in their crisp new iteration for the first time with the legendary filmmaker, flying in exclusively from Paris for the opening weekend. Restored by the CNC - Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée in 2K Written and Directed by: Heiny Srour Camera: Charley RECORS & Curtis CLARK Editor: Eva HOUDOVA Songs: Zaki NASSIF Dialogues: Salama BADR Sound: Eddy TISE, John ANDERTON, Sabah JABBOUR, Emile SAADE, & Henri MORELLE Starring in multiple roles: Nabila ZEITOUNI & Rafic ALI AHMED Produced by: The British Film Institute (London), Leila Films (Paris), The Ministry of Culture (Belgium), NCO and NOVIB (Holland) THEATRICAL SCREENINGS New York @ BAM Cinemas: March 14–20  with Heiny Srour in person at the following screenings: Friday, March 14 – 7pm (presented by ArteEast) Sunday, March 16 – 2pm (presented by Jewish Voices for Peace) *In addition to the weeklong theatrical run of LEILA AND THE WOLVES, BAM will also screen Srour's THE HOUR OF LIBERATION HAS ARRIVED Los Angeles @ Mezzanine at 2220 Arts: March 17 *with Srour in person Toronto, CA @ TIFF: April 5 Dallas @ SPACY: April 7 Vancouver, CA @ The Cinematheque: April 11, 13 & 26 Chicago @ Doc Films: April 12 Seattle @ The Beacon: May 2 & 4 Cleveland @ Cleveland Institute of Art: May 4 Coming Soon: Austin, Washington D.C., Detroit & more

RENNER Frankie Muniz Thriller

"A sexy hi-tech thriller with surprising twists; delivering suspense and gorgeous futuristic visuals." -Pop Geeks

"One of the best payoffs in years." –Cinefied

Directed by: Robert Rippberger Written by: Luke Medina and Martin Medina Starring: Frankie Muniz, Violett Beane, Taylor Gray, and Marcia Gay Harden

IN LIMITED THEATERS FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7th Theatrical List (75+) A computer genius invents an A.I life coach to help him find love, but realizes too late he accidentally programmed his manipulative mother into the code. www.rennerthemovie.com 

TRAILER

PRESS KIT

POSTER

STILLS

Genre: A.I / Sci-Fi Thriller RT: 90 min | Not Yet Rated Language: English | U.S. Renner, a reclusive computer genius driven by a need for control, designs an A.I. named Salenus to help him overcome his crippling social anxieties and find love. Encouraged by Salenus, Renner forms a connection with his alluring neighbor Jamie, but their relationship starts to unravel when she begins to interact with the A.I. As dark secrets and betrayals begin to surface, Salenus’s influence on Renner takes a malicious turn, leaving him entangled in the devastating consequences of his invention. "Bringing this story to life required a lead who could not only embody the brilliance of Renner, but also capture the emotional complexity of a man wrestling with forces far beyond his control. Frankie Muniz did just that - delivering a performance unlike anything audiences have ever seen from him. A.I. isn’t some distant possibility — it’s here, shaping our lives right now. Renner explores that reality and asks: What happens when the creation outpaces the creator? I hope this film will spark conversation, provoke thought, and remind us all that every technological leap comes with a cost." - Robert Rippberger RENNER is directed and produced by Robert Rippberger. Written by Luke Medina and Martin Medina. Story by Luke Medina. Produced by Devin Keaton, Martin Medina, KT Kent, and Jay Burnley. Executive produced by David Hicks, Scott McLaughlin, Anita Konka, Ali Baghdadi, Laura Wintead, Mark Fuell, Neuman Vong, Jay Slaughterbeck, Carther F. Jorgenson, Harambee K. Grey-Sun, Neil Amin, Eric Eppinger, and Greg Gertmenian. Cinematography by Sean Emer. Edited by Gabriel Cullen. Music by Rony Barrak. A Slated production.

Sci-Fi Action Comedy CLONE COPS Replicates in Theaters & VOD January 31

Danny Dones' Sci-Fi Action Comedy Clone Cops Opens Theatrically in Los Angeles New York City & Nashville January 31 Available on VOD Across North America the Same Day Los Angeles, CA - Freestyle Digital Media has announced the official release of the sci-fi action comedy Clone Cops. The nightmare tech-comedy is the feature directorial debut of Danny Dones. Clone Cops tells the story of an alternate future where a gang of outlaws must defend their lives against an assault from the hottest product on the market -- a disposable police force cloned in a lab and programmed for violence. The gang battles waves of replicating security forces until they discover a shocking secret about who they are and what they're up against. Clone Cops will open theatrically in select markets Friday, January 31, including Los Angeles, New York City and Nashville, for weeklong runs. The same day, audiences across North America will be able to rent or own Clone Cops on Cable VOD and Digital HD, including Apple TV, Prime Video and Fandango at Home. Directed by Danny Dones from a screenplay by Dones & Phillip Cordell, Clone Cops was produced in Nashville by Charles Royce, Nate Eggert, and Cordell through their HiPhi Productions banner. The cast features a number of local talent including Phillip Cordell, Ravi Patel, Quinnlan Ashe, Steve Byrne, Ted Welch, Allison Shrum, Laura Holloway, Schyler Tillet, Dean Shortland, Henry Haggard, Rashad Rayford, Justin Tarrents, and Victoria Keum Jee. Ahead of the official release, Dones shared, “We made this movie for people who love campy sci-fi comedies, and we’ve been having a blast showing it to them at festivals and theaters across the country. Now, we can finally bring this weird little indie flick to people’s living rooms! I want to thank our incredible cast and crew for everything they’ve contributed, and the continuing support they’ve shown for Clone Cops as we’ve worked to bring it to screens large and small. Making this movie was so much fun, and now we get to share that experience with audiences everywhere!"  Co-writer and star Cordell described the passion project as "a comic book come-to-life, with heavy influences from video game culture and the vibrant energy of 80's sci-fi/action/comedy films". Clone Cops January 31 Theatrical Openings: Los Angeles: Laemmle Glendale New York City: Stuart Cinema & Cafe Nashville: Malco Smyrna Cinema Streaming links are available for review consideration. Interview Opportunities: Director/Co-Writer Danny Dones Co-Writer/Star Phillip Cordell Cinematographer/Producer Corey Allan Selected Cast and Crew In a future dumbed down by next-day-delivery, the conglomerate Nefaricorp dominates human existence through high tech, great deals, and free delivery. Their development of cloning technology has replaced workers around the globe with Replicants, including the police. These Clone Cops are manufactured in a lab and programmed to kill or die trying. When the leader of a gang of outlaws is shot during a struggle with a Clone Cop, the rest of the gang must decide whether to flee or to rally around their critically wounded their critically wounded boss and defend their besieged hideout using their unique skill sets.

2024 Wrap

Fragments & Feedback – 2024

The ghosts of 2024 didn’t stay in the walls. They came out in zines, flickered on haunted projectors, and screamed in reverb at underground gigs. Here's what caught our eye.

Notable Weirdness

MARCH 2024:
"Feedback Zoo #3" (Zine) – A collage of noise band flyers, TV static comics, and a full-page rant about the smell of gear cables. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Basement Script" (Short Film) – Unfinished horror script discovered in a basement, adapted using AI voices and puppet gore. Weird and kind of genius. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

OCTOBER 2024:
"Rust Dreams" (Horror Game) – A claustrophobic walking sim where the walls breathe and punk lyrics carve themselves into the wallpaper. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Bunker Chatter" (Zine) – Looks like it was photocopied from inside a fallout shelter, complete with ghost show reviews and expired snack critiques. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

---

Got something weird? Send it to Brandon: moosterblog@gmail.com

Fragments & Feedback – 2024

The ghosts of 2024 didn’t stay in the walls. They came out in zines, flickered on haunted projectors, and screamed in reverb at underground gigs. Here's what caught our eye.

Notable Weirdness

MARCH 2024:
"Feedback Zoo #3" (Zine) – A collage of noise band flyers, TV static comics, and a full-page rant about the smell of gear cables. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Basement Script" (Short Film) – Unfinished horror script discovered in a basement, adapted using AI voices and puppet gore. Weird and kind of genius. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

OCTOBER 2024:
"Rust Dreams" (Horror Game) – A claustrophobic walking sim where the walls breathe and punk lyrics carve themselves into the wallpaper. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Bunker Chatter" (Zine) – Looks like it was photocopied from inside a fallout shelter, complete with ghost show reviews and expired snack critiques. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

---

Got something weird? Send it to Brandon: moosterblog@gmail.com

2023 Wrap

Other Reviews

This is where all the misfits go. Zines, indie games, short films, outsider art, analog horror, and tech experiments — if it’s punk, sci-fi, creepy, strange, or handmade, it might show up here. All reviews by Brandon Mooster.

---

★ Otherworldly Finds (2020–2025):

JUNE 2025:
"Space Tape #2" (Zine) – Duct-taped from the edge of the moon and Xeroxed in pure paranoia. Reads like someone channeling Lovecraft through a malfunctioning ham radio. Alien abduction manifestos, ink blot UFOs, and a recipe for lunar chili. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"BitMutant" (Indie Game) – An 8-bit survival sim where you die of radiation before understanding the plot. Feels like playing Fallout inside a haunted CRT. The soundtrack is killer — jagged synths and static hisses like ghost transmissions. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

MAY 2025:
"Flesh Circuit #4" (Zine) – A techno-occult horror zine stapled with wires and illustrated with stitched ink. Reads like a user manual for haunted prosthetics. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Darklink" (Indie Game) – A lo-fi VR demo that pretends to be a ghost story, then becomes one. Jumpscares delivered through corrupted text. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

APRIL 2025:
"Glitchcore Manifesto" (Short Film) – A 14-minute feedback loop of punk footage, corrupted code, and chanting AI ghosts. Grainy, cursed, and deeply unsettling — like found footage left on a government laptop. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Splice Crate #17" (Street Art) – Discovered behind a scrapyard: stenciled circuitry and strobing rat eyes painted with battery acid. Urban cyberfolk horror at its weirdest. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

MARCH 2025:
"The Cell Tower Watch" (Zine) – Conspiracies, static, and surveillance fever. Like reading The X-Files through broken headphones. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Eyes of the Machine" (Browser Game) – A point-and-click ghost story through cracked security footage. Bleeds dread through pixels. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

JANUARY 2025:
"Exit Wound Radio" (Analog Broadcast) – Picked up on a modified CB rig: horror soundscapes, junkyard sermons, and pirate station screams. No ID tags, no frequency repeats. Chills with every static surge. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Gutterdream" (Horror RPG Zine) – A one-session RPG where you crawl through a dying cybercity haunted by tech-ghosts. Bleeds punk, grime, and trauma. One player reportedly cried. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

JANUARY 2022:
"Subway Mass" (Short Film) – Shot in Chicago’s abandoned tunnels, this lo-fi horror flick mashes punk nihilism with found-footage panic. One of the best DIY screamfests we’ve seen this year. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Rotten Tapes #9" (Zine) – A photocopied scream from the South Side — record reviews, horror doodles, and an interview with a band that only plays under bridges. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

FEBRUARY 2022:
"VHS Ghoul" (Browser Game) – You play as a glitch-hunting punk in a haunted video rental store. Surprisingly moving. Mostly terrifying. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Dead Batteries #3" (Zine) – Imagine a Black Flag show reviewed by a haunted answering machine. That's this zine. Chicago-centric, gritty, and loud on the page. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

MARCH 2022:
"Tenement Thirteen" (Indie Horror Doc) – Grimy doc tracing Chicago squat houses used for DIY horror filmmaking in the ’90s. Punk ghosts and peeling paint. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Noisebox" (Analog Card Game) – A punk-themed horror card game that simulates life in a cursed basement venue. Loud, clever, and cursed. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

APRIL 2022:
"Maggot Motel" (Short Film) – Shot guerrilla-style in a condemned Chicago inn, this oozes punk sleaze and analog dread. Smells like mildew and bad dreams. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Ashtrays & Witches #2" (Zine) – Horror punk rituals in the form of handwritten spells, Polaroid decay, and tape hiss poetry. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

MAY 2022:
"Alley Altar" (Installation) – Found between dumpsters in Pilsen: melted cassettes arranged in a shrine to forgotten bands and horror VHS. Part art, part urban séance. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Dead Loop" (Interactive Fiction) – You’re a punk trapped in a cursed house party. Every choice leads to new gore and fewer limbs. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

JUNE 2022:
"Scream Crate" (Micro Doc) – Archive footage of Chicago punks building horror-themed mail-order art boxes. VHS-tinted joy. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Junk Rituals #5" (Zine) – A chaotic review zine of horror noise tapes, some of which may be cursed. Smells like melted plastic. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

JULY 2022:
"Skullshift" (Indie Horror Game) – A sidescroller where you’re chased by a skeletal landlord in a haunted Chicago tenement. Punk as hell. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Stairwell Screams #6" (Zine) – Notes from a punk show gone wrong — ghosts, power failures, and someone swallowed a glowstick. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

AUGUST 2022:
"Grime Angel" (Graffiti Installation) – Spray-painted horror angel murals under the Blue Line. Eyes follow you, wings decay daily. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Blood Suburbia" (Short Film) – A punk girl fights suburbia with knives and zines. Retro splatter and anti-capitalist gore. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

SEPTEMBER 2022:
"TV Rot #7" (Zine) – Reviews of haunted TV pilots and one recipe for VHS stew. A fever dream in staples. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"FleshWires" (Body Horror Game) – You hack your body like old tech. Equal parts Cronenberg and punk riot. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

OCTOBER 2022:
"The Chicago Haunt" (Found Footage) – Unearthed camcorder tapes of an illegal horror-themed warehouse show in 1998. Music, blood, and blackout panic. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"PolterPrints" (Art Zine) – Ghost photos reprinted on Chicago punk show flyers. Haunted Xerox at its best. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

NOVEMBER 2022:
"SpecterPop" (Music Game) – Rhythm horror where each beat is a scream. Best played on headphones in total darkness. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Freakflame #10" (Zine) – Personal horror-punk essays, DIY fire safety tips, and a spooky comic drawn entirely in eyeliner. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

DECEMBER 2022:
"SnowHex" (Winter Horror Short) – Snowed-in punks battle supernatural squatter spirits on the North Side. One of the best endings of the year. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Holidaze #1" (Zine) – A punk holiday zine with horror film gift guides, cold weather rants, and photocopied dread. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

---

Want to Submit Something Weird?

Send us your favorite zines, micro horror games, films, or cursed objects. Email Brandon at: moosterblog@gmail.com

2022 Wrap

Chicago Horror Punk Tapes – 2022

This was the year it all clicked. DIY horror, punk venues, glitch zines — and too many games about cursed apartments. You sent us your ghosts, and we filed the tapes. Here’s what stuck with us.

[See full 2022 review blocks — 12 months — already live in Blogger canvas]

Chicago Horror Punk Tapes – 2022

This was the year it all clicked. DIY horror, punk venues, glitch zines — and too many games about cursed apartments. You sent us your ghosts, and we filed the tapes. Here’s what stuck with us.

[See full 2022 review blocks — 12 months — already live in Blogger canvas]

Other Reviews

This is where all the misfits go. Zines, indie games, short films, outsider art, analog horror, and tech experiments — if it’s punk, sci-fi, creepy, strange, or handmade, it might show up here. All reviews by Brandon Mooster.

---

★ Otherworldly Finds (2020–2025):

JUNE 2025:
"Space Tape #2" (Zine) – Duct-taped from the edge of the moon and Xeroxed in pure paranoia. Reads like someone channeling Lovecraft through a malfunctioning ham radio. Alien abduction manifestos, ink blot UFOs, and a recipe for lunar chili. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"BitMutant" (Indie Game) – An 8-bit survival sim where you die of radiation before understanding the plot. Feels like playing Fallout inside a haunted CRT. The soundtrack is killer — jagged synths and static hisses like ghost transmissions. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

MAY 2025:
"Flesh Circuit #4" (Zine) – A techno-occult horror zine stapled with wires and illustrated with stitched ink. Reads like a user manual for haunted prosthetics. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Darklink" (Indie Game) – A lo-fi VR demo that pretends to be a ghost story, then becomes one. Jumpscares delivered through corrupted text. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

APRIL 2025:
"Glitchcore Manifesto" (Short Film) – A 14-minute feedback loop of punk footage, corrupted code, and chanting AI ghosts. Grainy, cursed, and deeply unsettling — like found footage left on a government laptop. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Splice Crate #17" (Street Art) – Discovered behind a scrapyard: stenciled circuitry and strobing rat eyes painted with battery acid. Urban cyberfolk horror at its weirdest. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

MARCH 2025:
"The Cell Tower Watch" (Zine) – Conspiracies, static, and surveillance fever. Like reading The X-Files through broken headphones. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Eyes of the Machine" (Browser Game) – A point-and-click ghost story through cracked security footage. Bleeds dread through pixels. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

JANUARY 2025:
"Exit Wound Radio" (Analog Broadcast) – Picked up on a modified CB rig: horror soundscapes, junkyard sermons, and pirate station screams. No ID tags, no frequency repeats. Chills with every static surge. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Gutterdream" (Horror RPG Zine) – A one-session RPG where you crawl through a dying cybercity haunted by tech-ghosts. Bleeds punk, grime, and trauma. One player reportedly cried. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

JANUARY 2022:
"Subway Mass" (Short Film) – Shot in Chicago’s abandoned tunnels, this lo-fi horror flick mashes punk nihilism with found-footage panic. One of the best DIY screamfests we’ve seen this year. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Rotten Tapes #9" (Zine) – A photocopied scream from the South Side — record reviews, horror doodles, and an interview with a band that only plays under bridges. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

FEBRUARY 2022:
"VHS Ghoul" (Browser Game) – You play as a glitch-hunting punk in a haunted video rental store. Surprisingly moving. Mostly terrifying. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Dead Batteries #3" (Zine) – Imagine a Black Flag show reviewed by a haunted answering machine. That's this zine. Chicago-centric, gritty, and loud on the page. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

MARCH 2022:
"Tenement Thirteen" (Indie Horror Doc) – Grimy doc tracing Chicago squat houses used for DIY horror filmmaking in the ’90s. Punk ghosts and peeling paint. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Noisebox" (Analog Card Game) – A punk-themed horror card game that simulates life in a cursed basement venue. Loud, clever, and cursed. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

APRIL 2022:
"Maggot Motel" (Short Film) – Shot guerrilla-style in a condemned Chicago inn, this oozes punk sleaze and analog dread. Smells like mildew and bad dreams. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Ashtrays & Witches #2" (Zine) – Horror punk rituals in the form of handwritten spells, Polaroid decay, and tape hiss poetry. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

MAY 2022:
"Alley Altar" (Installation) – Found between dumpsters in Pilsen: melted cassettes arranged in a shrine to forgotten bands and horror VHS. Part art, part urban séance. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Dead Loop" (Interactive Fiction) – You’re a punk trapped in a cursed house party. Every choice leads to new gore and fewer limbs. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

JUNE 2022:
"Scream Crate" (Micro Doc) – Archive footage of Chicago punks building horror-themed mail-order art boxes. VHS-tinted joy. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Junk Rituals #5" (Zine) – A chaotic review zine of horror noise tapes, some of which may be cursed. Smells like melted plastic. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

JULY 2022:
"Skullshift" (Indie Horror Game) – A sidescroller where you’re chased by a skeletal landlord in a haunted Chicago tenement. Punk as hell. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Stairwell Screams #6" (Zine) – Notes from a punk show gone wrong — ghosts, power failures, and someone swallowed a glowstick. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

AUGUST 2022:
"Grime Angel" (Graffiti Installation) – Spray-painted horror angel murals under the Blue Line. Eyes follow you, wings decay daily. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Blood Suburbia" (Short Film) – A punk girl fights suburbia with knives and zines. Retro splatter and anti-capitalist gore. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

SEPTEMBER 2022:
"TV Rot #7" (Zine) – Reviews of haunted TV pilots and one recipe for VHS stew. A fever dream in staples. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"FleshWires" (Body Horror Game) – You hack your body like old tech. Equal parts Cronenberg and punk riot. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

OCTOBER 2022:
"The Chicago Haunt" (Found Footage) – Unearthed camcorder tapes of an illegal horror-themed warehouse show in 1998. Music, blood, and blackout panic. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"PolterPrints" (Art Zine) – Ghost photos reprinted on Chicago punk show flyers. Haunted Xerox at its best. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

NOVEMBER 2022:
"SpecterPop" (Music Game) – Rhythm horror where each beat is a scream. Best played on headphones in total darkness. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Freakflame #10" (Zine) – Personal horror-punk essays, DIY fire safety tips, and a spooky comic drawn entirely in eyeliner. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

DECEMBER 2022:
"SnowHex" (Winter Horror Short) – Snowed-in punks battle supernatural squatter spirits on the North Side. One of the best endings of the year. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Holidaze #1" (Zine) – A punk holiday zine with horror film gift guides, cold weather rants, and photocopied dread. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

---

Want to Submit Something Weird?

Send us your favorite zines, micro horror games, films, or cursed objects. Email Brandon at: moosterblog@gmail.com

2021 Wrap

Dispatches from the DIY Underground – 2021

2021 was haunted. Punk basement shows came back from the dead, horror zines mutated in photocopiers, and Chicago's alleys whispered strange things. Here are some of the finds from that strange, static-filled year.

Featured Reviews

FEBRUARY 2021:
"Dead Transmission #5" (Zine) – Dispatches from a defunct pirate station somewhere off Lake Michigan. Reads like a haunted walkie-talkie signal. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"FurnaceTown" (Pixel Horror Game) – You’re a mechanic trapped in an industrial death maze under a fake Chicago. Bleak, brilliant, brutal. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

SEPTEMBER 2021:
"Dark Loop" (Short Film) – A looping punk horror piece about insomnia, rats, and VHS. Shot entirely in a single Chicago alley. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Haunt Signals #2" (Zine) – Interviews with haunted bus drivers, mixtapes made in basements, and band flyers with blood on them. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

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Got a zine, game, or weird signal to share? Email Brandon at moosterblog@gmail.com

December Wrap

Other Reviews – 2021

FEBRUARY 2021:
"Dead Transmission #5" (Zine) – Dispatches from a defunct pirate station somewhere off Lake Michigan. Reads like a haunted walkie-talkie signal. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"FurnaceTown" (Pixel Horror Game) – You’re a mechanic trapped in an industrial death maze under a fake Chicago. Bleak, brilliant, brutal. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

SEPTEMBER 2021:
"Dark Loop" (Short Film) – A looping punk horror piece about insomnia, rats, and VHS. Shot entirely in a single Chicago alley. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Haunt Signals #2" (Zine) – Interviews with haunted bus drivers, mixtapes made in basements, and band flyers with blood on them. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

Other Reviews – 2021

FEBRUARY 2021:
"Dead Transmission #5" (Zine) – Dispatches from a defunct pirate station somewhere off Lake Michigan. Reads like a haunted walkie-talkie signal. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"FurnaceTown" (Pixel Horror Game) – You’re a mechanic trapped in an industrial death maze under a fake Chicago. Bleak, brilliant, brutal. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

SEPTEMBER 2021:
"Dark Loop" (Short Film) – A looping punk horror piece about insomnia, rats, and VHS. Shot entirely in a single Chicago alley. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Haunt Signals #2" (Zine) – Interviews with haunted bus drivers, mixtapes made in basements, and band flyers with blood on them. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

Other Reviews – 2021

FEBRUARY 2021:
"Dead Transmission #5" (Zine) – Dispatches from a defunct pirate station somewhere off Lake Michigan. Reads like a haunted walkie-talkie signal. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"FurnaceTown" (Pixel Horror Game) – You’re a mechanic trapped in an industrial death maze under a fake Chicago. Bleak, brilliant, brutal. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

SEPTEMBER 2021:
"Dark Loop" (Short Film) – A looping punk horror piece about insomnia, rats, and VHS. Shot entirely in a single Chicago alley. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Haunt Signals #2" (Zine) – Interviews with haunted bus drivers, mixtapes made in basements, and band flyers with blood on them. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

Other Reviews – 2021

FEBRUARY 2021:
"Dead Transmission #5" (Zine) – Dispatches from a defunct pirate station somewhere off Lake Michigan. Reads like a haunted walkie-talkie signal. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"FurnaceTown" (Pixel Horror Game) – You’re a mechanic trapped in an industrial death maze under a fake Chicago. Bleak, brilliant, brutal. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

SEPTEMBER 2021:
"Dark Loop" (Short Film) – A looping punk horror piece about insomnia, rats, and VHS. Shot entirely in a single Chicago alley. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Haunt Signals #2" (Zine) – Interviews with haunted bus drivers, mixtapes made in basements, and band flyers with blood on them. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

Other Reviews – 2021

FEBRUARY 2021:
"Dead Transmission #5" (Zine) – Dispatches from a defunct pirate station somewhere off Lake Michigan. Reads like a haunted walkie-talkie signal. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"FurnaceTown" (Pixel Horror Game) – You’re a mechanic trapped in an industrial death maze under a fake Chicago. Bleak, brilliant, brutal. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

SEPTEMBER 2021:
"Dark Loop" (Short Film) – A looping punk horror piece about insomnia, rats, and VHS. Shot entirely in a single Chicago alley. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Haunt Signals #2" (Zine) – Interviews with haunted bus drivers, mixtapes made in basements, and band flyers with blood on them. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

Other Reviews – 2021

FEBRUARY 2021:
"Dead Transmission #5" (Zine) – Dispatches from a defunct pirate station somewhere off Lake Michigan. Reads like a haunted walkie-talkie signal. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"FurnaceTown" (Pixel Horror Game) – You’re a mechanic trapped in an industrial death maze under a fake Chicago. Bleak, brilliant, brutal. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

SEPTEMBER 2021:
"Dark Loop" (Short Film) – A looping punk horror piece about insomnia, rats, and VHS. Shot entirely in a single Chicago alley. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Haunt Signals #2" (Zine) – Interviews with haunted bus drivers, mixtapes made in basements, and band flyers with blood on them. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

Other Reviews – 2021

FEBRUARY 2021:
"Dead Transmission #5" (Zine) – Dispatches from a defunct pirate station somewhere off Lake Michigan. Reads like a haunted walkie-talkie signal. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"FurnaceTown" (Pixel Horror Game) – You’re a mechanic trapped in an industrial death maze under a fake Chicago. Bleak, brilliant, brutal. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

SEPTEMBER 2021:
"Dark Loop" (Short Film) – A looping punk horror piece about insomnia, rats, and VHS. Shot entirely in a single Chicago alley. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster

"Haunt Signals #2" (Zine) – Interviews with haunted bus drivers, mixtapes made in basements, and band flyers with blood on them. – Reviewed by Brandon Mooster