Why I Think That Lions Gate and Regent Releasing Are Cheap, Ungrateful Bastards.

When I left the website Red Hot Planet, it was due to not seeing one damn dime of the money promised to me, in addition my dealings with editor/former friend Bill George. It was a situation containing lots of hard work on my part, but few tangible rewards. As for that whole can 'o' worms, I'll open that up at another time. But for now I'd like to expound on how I worked hard promoting two horror movies and in return receiving squat for my endeavors.

When Bill asked me to interview all seven of the actresses for 2001 MANIACS I agreed because as is his habit, he writes checks with his mouth that his ass can't cash. I fell into Bill's special little world where promises reign supreme, but the follow through never actually happens.

The first disappointment occurred when Bill(the Bard of Baltimore) ruthlessly rewrote each and every one of my interview introductions without my consent.  There was a lot of shouting and name calling, let me tell you. His unwanted interference temporarily stopped after Bill showed (in his eyes) my piss poor hackwork to Red Hot Planets web master J.B and was told that there was nothing wrong with my style of writing. J.B then called Bill a control freak. It was quite a victory for me! But I can and never will take credit for any of the interviews; the words are not mine. It's a matter of integrity. A component Bill sadly lacks.

Now, when I met the films director Tim Sullivan, in addition to actresses Christa Campbell and Wendy Kremer at The Horror Mania Convention in 2005, I said nothing about how the introductions to my interviews were rewritten because I didn't want to rock the boat, so to speak. I simply bit my tongue and accepted their compliments. Tim even went so far as to personally thank me for my hard work promoting his film. And although I never felt the introductions were really mine,since being entirely rewritten, it didn't reflect my writing style at all; their appreciation gave me that cozy, warm feeling one gets from the praise of others. Even if I didn't think I entirely deserved it in this instance.

And what did Lions Gate(the films releasing company) do for us in turn? Um, nothing. We didn't even get a copy of the DVD. Red Hot Planet had a readership of about 20,000 a month. We gave Lions Gate a whole shit load of publicity. Bill even promoted one of their lame ass releases called MONSTER MAN ( This little gem is about a group of teenagers being chased through the woods by a monster called F**k Face. I can say without reservation I won't be renting this turd fest from my local video store anytime soon.). We received no promotional DVD'S. No appreciation. No nothing. Instead of them saying "Thank you for what you've done for us.", Lions Gate's shitty attitude was," F**k you for what you haven't done for us." And Bill, because he's a gutless, ass kissing joke of a man, thought this is appropriate treatment. Well, I sure as hell don't!

At another Monster Mania Convention I met and interviewed producer/director Federico Sanchez who was promoting his film ETERNAL, as well as his sister, the lovely Victoria Sanchez who was one of the films stars. A week or two following the convention I contacted Federico about interviewing the films star Caroline Neron. For those of you scratching your heads and mumbling," Never heard of her.", Ms. Neron is a very big star in her native Canada. For me, this was a big coup!

Anyhoo, all three interviews were put up on the website for the enjoyment of our 20,000 readers. When ETERNAL was released on dvd, how do you think the films releasing company, Regent Releasing showed their appreciation? They didn't. As in the case of Lions Gate, we received no DVD, no thank you, no recognition at all. I got the none too subtle impression that both companies felt they were doing us a huge favor by letting us promote their films. Wrong, you cheapskate dicks! We did you the favor by giving your movies extensive coverage on the Red Hot Planet website. So, get your heads out of your collective asses, you miserly, pinch penny bastards!

Bill, as usual, simply shrugged and took it on the chin. As you can see, Bill George really is a grovelling,genuflecting little dick! I,on the other hand, refuse to be treated like a chump who is to be used and ignored . A little respect is in order here, guys. Also,a little gratitude would be nice. Not a lot mind you, but just enough to let me know my labors are appreciated. If it isn't in these video companies vocabulary to utter the words thank you, a free DVD will suffice.

Coming To Me With Their Hand Out.

I received a letter from my Alma mater St.Marks in which I was informed that it was time to give back for the four wonderful years I had there. Being a St.Marks alumni,means getting such letters on a regular(as well as irritating) basis. And sometimes you'll receive a letter saying that out of so many of my graduating class only a small per centage donated money. It's a tactic meant to shame those of us who in the thirty odd years since we graduated haven't felt the need to fork over any more cash to them than they 've already been paid. It's almost as if every one of us owes the school our eternal gratitude(as well as our money).

Maybe they've forgotten this little fact of life, but going to St.Marks was not free. There was tuition, books,supplies;nothing was given to us gratis. It was a case of :

My parents: here's your money.
St. Marks: Here's your sons education.
Me: Thank you.

You could say that I have no school spirit and you know something? You'd be absolutely, one hundred per cent,fourteen carat correct. The point is, I owe St. Marks nothing. And being blunt about it,my four years of high school were hardly four magical years. Now, I know certain classmates who whenever they mention their years at St Marks begin getting misty eyed,a catch develops in their throats as they wax eloquently about the joyful memories of high school. But not me. In reality,I had some good times. But I also had quite a few bad times as well. I met some really nice people. I also met my fair share of dicks, too. In essence, it was four years of school and nothing else.

So, they can send me letters chastising me for not being a more generous alumni member all they want, it won't make me loosen my purse strings on their behalf. As far as I'm concerned they've already been paid, my debt to them is no more.