John Scoleri has always been a friend to the world of horror. He was one of the people behind The Scream Factory magazine, which helped keep the genre alive in the barren nineties. He also is on the bare*bones team. bare*bones is a digest-sized zine dedicated to, among other things, cool old paperbacks.
For the purposes of this review, John Scoleri is a movie enthusiast. A man consumed with passion for the movies, with a strong emphasis on genre productions.
He and I have a lot in common in that regard. I've always been enormously in love with movies, Horror in particular, but I like all types.
50 Movie Memories is exactly what the title suggests. It's a diary-type log of fifty of Scoleri's most treasures memories of going to the movies. I admire this kind of devotion, and I enjoyed this little trip through his life as a cinemaphile. I would have loved to have known John Scoleri while growing up.
We are not identical, that's for sure. For one thing, Scoleri almost always went to screening with others. As for me, the vast majority of times I've been to the movies were by myself. As an obsessive reader I've always been kind of a loner. An afternoon at the movies in my own company has always been wonderful for me.
John Scoleri likes Star Wars a lot more than I do. I was never much of a fan. Going back in time, I remember when it came out. My older brother took me to see Star Wars, but it was sold out. We went in to see Slap Shot, with Paul Newman, instead. Then we saw Star Wars at a later showing. I liked Slap Shot more than Star Wars. A lot more.
Scoleri also made a disparaging remark or two about slasher movies, and I have always adored them. Especially ones released in the classic era.
But then he and I share enormous love for George Romero films. Clive Barker and his works. Raiders of the Lost Ark, Scoleri's favorite movie, is also high on my list. We both revere Richard Matheson.
Our minor differences did nothing to prevent me from enjoying 50 Movie Memories. This book is from the heart, in the same way that I like to write from the heart. It's an honest, fun, inspiring, completely uncynical way to spend a couple of hours. Like hanging out and talking movies with a cool, like-minded buddy.
50 Movie Memories comes in two states. One with color graphics, and a cheaper edition with black and white photos. These consist of movie posters and mementos Scoleri has collected over the years. I opted for the color edition and I don't regret it a bit.
Written by Mark Sieber
For the purposes of this review, John Scoleri is a movie enthusiast. A man consumed with passion for the movies, with a strong emphasis on genre productions.
He and I have a lot in common in that regard. I've always been enormously in love with movies, Horror in particular, but I like all types.
50 Movie Memories is exactly what the title suggests. It's a diary-type log of fifty of Scoleri's most treasures memories of going to the movies. I admire this kind of devotion, and I enjoyed this little trip through his life as a cinemaphile. I would have loved to have known John Scoleri while growing up.
We are not identical, that's for sure. For one thing, Scoleri almost always went to screening with others. As for me, the vast majority of times I've been to the movies were by myself. As an obsessive reader I've always been kind of a loner. An afternoon at the movies in my own company has always been wonderful for me.
John Scoleri likes Star Wars a lot more than I do. I was never much of a fan. Going back in time, I remember when it came out. My older brother took me to see Star Wars, but it was sold out. We went in to see Slap Shot, with Paul Newman, instead. Then we saw Star Wars at a later showing. I liked Slap Shot more than Star Wars. A lot more.
Scoleri also made a disparaging remark or two about slasher movies, and I have always adored them. Especially ones released in the classic era.
But then he and I share enormous love for George Romero films. Clive Barker and his works. Raiders of the Lost Ark, Scoleri's favorite movie, is also high on my list. We both revere Richard Matheson.
Our minor differences did nothing to prevent me from enjoying 50 Movie Memories. This book is from the heart, in the same way that I like to write from the heart. It's an honest, fun, inspiring, completely uncynical way to spend a couple of hours. Like hanging out and talking movies with a cool, like-minded buddy.
50 Movie Memories comes in two states. One with color graphics, and a cheaper edition with black and white photos. These consist of movie posters and mementos Scoleri has collected over the years. I opted for the color edition and I don't regret it a bit.
Written by Mark Sieber
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