"Third Time's a Charm"

     Hello Fellow Castle Creeps:
   You know the old saying, "You can't go back!"  It's all hype, don't believe it.  I wrote a blog about this 6-7 years ago in a different context but lightning has struck twice so I do believe the old saying bears repeating.  Believe me when I tell you..."You CAN go back." :)))
   Okay, now let me explain.  Back in 2004, as the clock struck midnight on November 20th, changing over to November 21st (my birthday), I got a real sucky first present; the race track I'd been going to for nearly forty years (since I was a kid) was closing for good.  I was one of the last to leave Sunshine Speedway, though with me, I greedily took all my good memories of racing over the years at the 1/4 mile oval
   Oh it wasn't like I never saw any races again.  I had gone to Lakeland Speedway a few times (even twice when it was a 3/4 mile track) and the last three years saw me haunting East Bay Raceway Park (a 1/3 mile dirt track) over in Riverview (a suburb of Tampa).  I even went to Citrus County Speedway once in 2008 and spent a couple evenings at DeSoto Speedway in Bradenton.  Still, I longed for the track that I always called home.  I even raced out there for 2 1/2 seasons in the late seventies in the Thundercars, a hobby class for novice racers.  I think part of the reason I often thought about the track was because the facility was still there.  The grandstands and a couple of the buildings had been removed but the track found new life as a testing facility for Sun Pass toll booth advancements.
   Well, this year the track that I loved so much had a second lease on life with new track owners Robert and Danielle Yoho.  Robert was no stranger to the track having both raced out there and further supporting the track by supplying some of his trucks from his towing service.  His racing name was Robert "Showtime" Yoho.  Now the track will re-open as "SHOWTIME SPEEDWAY!"  The reason I say will re-open is because the grand opening will be on July 28th with a 75 lap Late Model feature and a 50 lap Modified feature.  You can bet your bottom dollar I'll be there to see it.
   But...if you act now, there's more.  The speedway has had a soft opening over the last three weeks to work some of the kinks out of a new, growing system.  I've been there every week and I can tell you the racing is already heating up with many phenomenal performances already committed to memory.

   Like a Phoenix taking flight, Showtime Speedway will now replace Sunshine Speedway.  May it create as many great memories as its predecessor.  I'm looking forward to every minute of it, and if the last three weeks is any indication, I'm sure it will.
   So if you live in Pinellas County or just visit, make sure you put Showtime Speedway on your list of options.  It's Saturday night racing once again in Pinellas County.  "Racers...Start Your Engines!"
   Have a Great Day!!!
   The "Creature"
   P.S.  Always remember; "You can go back."  C-Ya!!!

I finally saw "Conan The Barbarian" 2011

     Hello Fellow "Castle Creeps":

   I finally saw the new "Conan" the other day.  I found it on Netflix so I watched it in the middle of the night when no one was awake to bother me.  I wasn't expecting much as most everyone I know had seen it in the theaters and said that it was a slightly below average to poor movie.  Very few of them really liked it which is what ultimately kept me from going and watching it myself.
   Well, I was surprised to say the least.  I actually thought it wasn't too bad.  Now don't get me wrong, the characters could have been developed a bit better, but overall I think the movie was fine.  There was enough action and fighting to make it worthy of being a true "Conan" story.  Also, somebody on the team must have looked at lot's of B&W Conan magazines because this Conan movie had more than it's fair share of topless "wenches."

   Jason Momoa made a pretty good Conan though I became annoyed with his head down positioning and looking up.  To me Conan was so confident of his abilities that it would seem to me that his pride would cause him to hold his head high.  Still, he looked good as Conan, reminding me of the younger Conan of John Buscema fame rather than the massive warrior presented by Frank Frazetta.  Ron Perlman was excellent as Conan's father Corin, and though brief, possibly had the best role in the movie.  Stephen Lang and Rose McGowan fit their roles as the murderous Warlord Khalar Zym and his half-witch daughter Marique.  They were pure evil through-and-through.  Nonso Anozie was excellent as Conan's Zamoran Pirate friend, Artus.  The only thing missing here was Belit, Queen of the Black Coast for the pirate ship.  Oh well, you can't have everything.  Unfortunately, the role of Tamara, played by Rachel Nichols, seemed to get lost in the shuffle a bit, probably leading some to give the movie a lower rating.  Though she played the part well, there was a lot more to this essential character than could be seen on screen.  I mean this girl is the last pure blood descendent to the Sorcerers of Acheron.  She should have been able to light the screen up and not act as a supporting character.  After all, the murderous Khalar Zym and his Sorceress daughter have plundered village after village to gather pieces of the "Mask of Acheron," which holds untold power.  They are seeking the last pure blood descendent to the Sorcerors of Acheron in order to sacrifice her, bringing the mask back to life with Tamara's blood.

   Anyway, enough of the people, what good is a Conan movie without "MONSTERS."  I mean, Robert E. Howard created some really neat beasties for Conan to fight and the first part of this movie version didn't even hint at any monsters.  Well, I wouldn't be disappointed for long.  Just about the time I noticed the lack of monsters, Marique called upon some really cool Sandmen for Conan to fight.  These weren't your ordinary Sandmen built on the beach, nor were they like the Golden Age Sandman, the modern age Sandman, or villain turned good-guy Sandman.  Nope, these guys were like Sand Demons and they were out to get Conan and Tamara and...well watch the movie and see for yourself.  And don't forget to keep watching for the Cthulhuesque tentacled terror that appears later on.  Yes, Houston, we do have MONSTERS!!!

   Anyway, I thought "Conan the Barbarian" (2011) was a pretty fair movie so why don't you check it out for yourselves.  I give it 2 1/2 screams on the "Creature Scale."

   Have a Wonderfully Action Packed Day!!!

   John (aka, The "Creature")

"THOR"

Hello Everyone: Man I've just got to get out in the blogging world more often. This E-Mail "Hell" is destroying a large part of my computer time. Oh well. So, Last year I took my then barely three year old phenomenal grandson, Gavyn to see his first movie..."THOR." Everyone said "Don't take him. He'll never sit through it. He'll make it hard for you to enjoy the movie..." Well, I gambled...and won. We went in the afternoon on a Friday, the first day of release. You see I can be as crafty as Loki for I knew afternoons were nap time for the little prince so he would naturally have a lower energy level and maybe even fall asleep. I would get to enjoy the movie that I've been waiting forever for and hopefully he would to, at least until he fell asleep. Thor and I go back quite a ways as I started reading his adventures in marvel comics in the mid sixties when I started collecting comics. I always liked Vikings (proof is that I still have a number of the old Marx "Warriors of the World" Viking figures from the sixties. The tales of Asgard were the stories of the gods the Vikings worshiped. I think my first issue was #155 but by the early seventies I had filled in the gaps with almost every issue down to #103. So, as I said, I'd read years of Thor's tales long before seeing the movie. Anyway, we go inside the theater and get our 3-D glasses and head to the darkened auditorium. After a few previews the movie started and we donned our glasses. I'll tell you one thing, I was completely amazed. The beginning takes place here on Earth where a team of Scientists led by Jane foster are trying to unravel the secrets behind some strange astronomical occurrences. Suddenly, while chasing an event for a closer look they run into a man that seemingly comes out of nowhere. This leaves the viewer wondering how this story is going to unfold. Suddenly there is a narrative from the all-father, Odin and the scene changes to Asgard, home of the Norse Gods. From there we get spectacular views of the wonders of Asgard (which are truly stunning)and the history of the Gods battles with the frost Giants on Earth itself. Then the story settles in a bit about life on Asgard after the war. We are then introduced to Thor and his "brother" Loki, the god of mischief. They are sort of in a friendly rivalry but the movie portrays them as kind of being fond of each other at that point. Then, during a ceremony that would crown Thor as the new king of Asgard, a trio of Frost Giants appears in Odin's tropy room to claim back the source of the Frost Giant's power. Then we are introduced to the dreaded Destroyer, A metal Golem giant with incredible power. In no time at all it blasts the three Frost Giants into smithereens (you want to know what smithereens are, then watch this movie). Thor is mad that his ceremony was cut short. The mischievous Loki talks him into attacking the Frost Giants in their own world. That is when we are introduced to the Fair Lady Sif and the warriors three; The voluminous Volstagg, Hogun the grim, and Fandral the dashing. What early Thor story wouldn't be complete without these great supporting characters. They go to Jotunheim to battle the Frost Giants. I was amazed at the set design of the frozen world of Jutenheim. This movie was getting better every minute. There is a big battle that includes this immensely huge monster. Suddenly Odin appears and darts away with the misplaced Asgardian youths. There is a battle of words between Thor and the all-father, ODIN. In the end Thor says the wrong thing and Odin strips him of his power, banishing him top the Earth as a "Human mortal!" Before going on I have to say that the idea of the Bifrost bridge was ramped up a bit for the movie and it was simply amazing. I loved it. It's like technology meets magic. You just have to see it. It and the surrounding vistas with waterfalls dumping water into seemingly endless space filled with colorful galaxies is just breathtaking. Anyway, Thor arrives just in time...to be hit by Jane Fosters van. Now we've gone full cicle back to the beginning. What brilliant script writing. The whole movie was very well done. I found no flaws in the script at all. In fact, the pacing was smooth, there was just enough comedic scenes to lighten up some of the intense drama of the story. I was finding myself liking this original vision of Thor very much. It was all new but never strayed too far from the source material. There was a lot more to the story but why spoil it for those who haven't seen it. This story get's better as it goes along. By the time it was over I found myself already wanting more. It looks like I'll get my wish since "The Avengers" was so phenomenally successful. Oh, by the way, before I forget, Gavyn stayed awake through the entire movie and loved every minute of it. We went and got him a foam Thor hammer as well as figures of Loki and Thor. This was absolutely my favorite movie of last year, hands down. It is probably also my favorite Marvel movie though I surely have liked many of the others. I give "Thor" a full Four Screams on the Creature Scale. If you get a chance, check it out. Have a Great Day!!! The "Creature"

"She Finally Did It"

Hello Gang:
I laughed after writing that. Yeah, a gang of ghosts maybe. Anyway, I, your ever so humble narrator, in trying to keep with a bit more timely posting schedule couldn't help but announce the following news, My offspring has finally started a blog of her own. Yep, my daughter, Ashley, has finally decided to take her unique ideas and place them in a blog. Hopefully she'll be more regular with her posts than I am (hey, I'm trying to get better). In fact, maybe a bit of family competition will spur me on to spout my own brand of madness more regularly.
I'm really glad she has decided to start a blog because I feel her opinions on various subjects are very unique and different enough to attract quite an audience. Even as a teenager she kind of took the lead on many debates and conversations. She would jump right in and not back down even when assaulted from all sides with rebuttals. How do I know all of this you ask? Well, because as a kid growing up, she used to hang around in my circle of friends and it is among that group that she sharpened her "skills." Then, as she became an adult (though I do believe mentally she has been an adult since the age of twelve), she kind of broke off into her own clique and kicked the old man (that would be me) to the curb. Hey, at least she didn't throw me under the bus.
In all seriousness, we get along very well and I usually get the details of her forays into the world at evenings end. Sometimes I'll offer some of my whacky opinions but usually get beaten down by her quick wit backed up by a very well developed knowledge base.
Anyway, that's my kid, and I'm proud of her. If you'd like to check out her blog it is located at: commonsenseisbest.blogspot.com
HEE! HEE! I taught her that (common sense). It'll win the day every time. Now, you to, know the secret.
Have a Great Day!!!
The "Creature"

"Danica Mania"

Hello Patrons of the Blob (I mean Blog):
I know it's not my usual Sci-Fi/Horror post but even my profile says that I do like Stock Car racing. Well...here we go with some Stock Car racing perspectives from me, yours truly; then "Creature" from Scarewater Castle. The subject; Danica Patrick and her switch from Indy Racing to NASCAR.
She started out last year with the Nationwide series and even though she won no races there she did show she could race a pretty good race. Stock Car racing is very different from Indy Car racing which was where Danica came from. It takes a little while to get the hang of things but I think she is doing okay.
Now, the reason for this post. Ever since Speed Weeks at Daytona al I've heard from Sports writers, bloggers, and people's comments is how NASCAR made a possible mistake and how she is only a poser and this , that, and the other thing. They also go on to say her Win in the Indy Racing League was a fluke in a down time for the series and so forth and so on. Well, creating controversy makes for interesting battleground material but enough is enough.
First and foremost I admit that in the three races she was entered into she had three wrecks. Well, in most people's books that equals 100%...in the bad column. Well, I saw all those wrecks and I have a different take on them. First up is her wreck during the twin qualifiers. She did not cause that wreck. She was slammed into from the side at 190 mph+ which threw her car into a collision course with a safe barrier wall (thank God) with almost no reduction in speed. If that had hit on the driver's side instead of the passenger side there may have been a different tune sung. That was a hard hit no matter what anyone tells you, and she walked away from it. Up until that time she was riding with the pack and even keeping up with some front runners. I saw nothing wrong with that performance.
Wreck #2- The spin out and wall hit in the Nationwide race. Once again somebody hit her on the left rear bumper and spun her out which led to her hitting the wall. Again I saw nothing she did wrong to warrant such hostility toward her. I think more should have been made of Jeff Gordon's rough driving which caused him to flip his own car nearly four times. It is a rare day to see Jeff drive so aggressively and I even commented on it before the wreck happened. I don't know what he was thinking but it wasn't normal for him. Kyle Bush was a real trooper, survived all his misfortune, and won the race.
Now, the Grandaddy of them all...the wreck during the 500 in the first couple laps. I know this is beginning to sound like a broken record but She was a victim of a great former champions misfortune and not from any bad driving on her part. She was able to come back out after spending sixty+ laps in the pits to finish the race, during which she spent much of that time keeping up with the pack. So she finished 38th; Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, both former NASCAR Champions on multiple occasions, finished behind her. I never heard a big deal about that. I guess she didn't do so bad after all. Hmmm! Boy, I can hear a pin drop.
I rest my case.
Have a Wonderful Day!!!
The "Creature"
P.S. Now If she would just change the color of that car (bright green is bad luck on a race track). C-Ya!!!