Monster Island News: gothic

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Variety

If you have been reading Monster Island News over the past couple of days, you may be convinced that the site is becoming a strictly 'Scream Queen' and sexy 'Gothic' girl news site, but I assure you that is not the case. Like I've said before, it seems like one type of story surfaces, about a zillion others just like it follow suite. These things always come in bunches.

I'll have plenty of other news stories about sci fi and monsters real soon....I promise.

Or...do you really care?

Anyway, producer Leonardo DiCaprio has just hired writer David Leslie Johnson to develop a modern 'Gothic' twist on the classic Grimm fairy tale, "Little Red Riding Hood" for his company Appian Way.

It can be assumed that after the success of "Orphan", another Appian production produced by DiCaprio, and penned by Johnson, Warner Bros will be quick to 'green-light' the production.

As everyone knows, "Little Red Riding Hood" is the story about a young girl who discovers that her sick grandmother has been replaced by a wolf who wants to have her for lunch.

It's interesting to note that though the fairy tale was published by the Brothers Grimm in the 19th century, the story itself actually dates back to Middle Ages, were it took on a much darker tone. Some versions actually involved a werewolf as apposed to a standard every-day wolf.

That may explain why the wolf in the story can talk?

It isn't known if this modern version of the story will involve a werewolf or not, but my money is on it.

Category: Gothic Horror, book

by Armand Vaquer

There's a new book collection of gothic short stories that you may want to check out.

It is called "Sinister Landscapes." A good friend of mine, Jessica Lynne Gardner, has one of the short stories, "The Widow's Curse", that the reviewer called "a strong entry." (To read the full review, go here.)

The reviewer also made a great point:

Short stories are a staple of horror literature and a big reason why it's so frustrating that so many filmmakers have turned their backs on what could be a huge source of inspiration. No, instead they'd rather remake, reimagine, or just plain rehash the same old stale ideas over and over again. Which is why Sinister Landscapes, a collection of "Gothic Tales," is such a welcome relief. It offers a respite from the tried and tired with some truly original ideas as well as fresh takes on a few old favorites.

That has been one of my main gripes about today's Hollywood. There's so much new and good material (such as this book) to draw upon that it's shameful that they'd rather remake something for the umpteenth time, most often with inferior results.

If you're a fan of gothic horror stories, you should check out "Sinister Landscapes"!

Lord Byron, from Bride of Frankenstein:

Look at her Shelley. Can you believe that bland and lovely brow conceived of Frankenstein, a Monster created from cadavers out of rifled graves? Isn't it astonishing?