Phantom Lake Almanac—Newletter of the Moon Zombies

Check out this month’s Phantom Lake Almanac, the newsletter of director Christopher R. Mihm. It contains movie reviews, news on upcoming screenings of “Attack of the Moon Zombies” and a link to the first-ever Mihmiverse Bonfire Podcast with me as the guest! Sign up to be on the emailing list yourself at <www.sainteuphoria.com>—Sid

P.S. Click on this link if the edge of the newsletter is cut off on your screen.

 

THE MOON ZOMBIES HAVE LANDED!

Wow. Few words in the English language exist that can adequately describe the palpable wonder and excitement of the “Attack of the Moon Zombies” world premiere. It was truly THATincredible! Were you lucky enough to be there? Did you enjoy it? Was it everything you were hoping for… and more?For all of us here at the Phantom Lake Alamanac, and by extension, SaintEuphoria.com, the online home of the films of Christopher R. Mihm, the “Attack of the Moon Zombies” premiere was something… special. We’ve attended all six (!) Mihmiverse premieres and we can honestly say that this was, by far, THE BEST of the bunch. As for the film, we can truthfully say, after having seen it multiple times, “Attack of the Moon Zombies” is writer/director Christopher R. Mihm’s most entertaining and downright impressive film to date!Here are a few quotes from a pair of reviews of the film (and the premiere itself) that recently appeared online: “…a hilarious and well-orchestrated send-up of sci-fi films and their audiences. It’s as if you’re participating in a live episode of “Mystery Science Theater 3000.” “Attack of the Moon Zombies,” much like Mihm’s other films, is a love-letter to cinematic cheddar played to the hilt.” — Jay at Exonauts!, Far-out, Sci-fi Adventuring “There was much to appreciate in this, Mihm’s sixth film. Once again, Mihm stayed faithful to his premise—making a cheesy film with no onscreen violence, no swearing with a “Star Wars” reference or two and a cameo appearance. That word ‘cheesy’ is his own as in his statement, “I love to make cheesy films for the sake of knowing exactly what they are with no pretense.” The thing is, these films are so much more than that to an audience that has been bombarded with high-tech, overly-graphic, 3D-infested assaults on the senses. In short, these ‘cheesy’ films are a welcome antithesis to all that, confined to the basics of filmmaking. Story, acting, directing, special effects and music.” — Darrell Moen, Minneapolis Movies Examiner All in all, it was a night well worth remembering! Below is a small sampling of photos from the event! From left to right, top to bottom: a line forms outside the theater, moon zombie cake, then, most of the cast of the new film! In addition to the world premiere of the new Mihmiverse film, “Attack of the Moon Zombies” ALSO held its very successful drive-in premiere over the Memorial Day weekend at the Hi-way 18 Outdoor Theatre in Jefferson, Wisconsin! In addition to writer/director Christopher R. Mihm, several stars of the film showed up at different stages of the three-day event, including Mike Cook (Dr. Edwards), Stephanie Mihm (Dr. Rutherford), Sid Korpi (Administrator Ripley), Anthony Kaczor (Dr. Phillips), Michael Kaiser (Glen Hayes) and, as can be seen in the photos below, a moon zombie! If you have not yet seen “Attack of the Moon Zombies,” WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! If you are even REMOTELY a fan of writer/director Christopher R. Mihm’s films (or, really, movies in general), you absolutely NEED to either order a copy on DVD AS SOON AS IS HUMANLY POSSIBLE, or find a screening near you and GO! (And bring all your friends and family—they’re going to love it, too!)

CURRENT NEWS

Now that “Attack of the Moon Zombies” has officially arrived, a handful of new screenings has been added to the calendar! First on the list is the June 11th Mihmiverse Double Feature at the Time Community Theater in Oshkosh, Wisconsin! Both Mihmiverse films starring Mike Cook as Dr. Vincent Edwards (“Attack of the Moon Zombies” and “Terror from Beneath the Earth!”) will screen back-to-back, with a little intermission comedy from the event’s host Dr. Ivan Cryptosis, the official horror host of the films of Christopher R. Mihm! In addition, several familiar faces from the new film are slated to appear, including star Mike Cook (Dr. Edwards), Robert Arndt (Dr. Banks), Michael Kaiser (Glen Hayes), Rob Wartick (Dr. Rod), and writer/director Christopher R. Mihm. Also guaranteed to be there: the monsters from both films! This is a unique, family-friendly fun event that is NOT to be missed! Check out the poster featured here for more info! A week later on June 19th, “Attack of the Moon Zombies” will screen—in Esperanto!—at the Annual National Esperanto Congress, Esperanto-USA, at the Woodfin Hotel, Emeryville, California! The evening’s program will consist of a banquet and auction, followed by the newest full-length Mihmiverse film presented in the alternate spoken audio track available on the film’s DVD! If you’re near Emeryville, make sure to come down and check out writer/director Christopher R. Mihm’s newest film in this truly unique presentation! Last on the list of currently scheduled screenings: “Moon Zombies” Revisited! After the smashing success of the sold-out world premiere, demand is high for more public Twin Cities screenings of the new film. Luckily, we’ve arranged for a very special “dinner-and-a-movie” event at the New Hope Cinema Grill at 7:00pm on July 14th! Located in a suburb of Minneapolis, the New Hope Cinema Grill is a full-service restaurant with three showrooms that offers a variety of entertainment—including movies, live standup comedy, sporting events, and now… the films of Christopher R. Mihm! The New Hope Cinema Grill is also one of the few select establishments serving Surly beer on tap! This screening of the newest (and best) Mihmiverse film is in the perfect setting for the whole family. For only $15 a ticket, you’ll be treated to a screening of “Attack of the Moon Zombies” and a kid-friendly pizza/salad/pop buffet. PLUS, alcoholic beverages will be sold onsite to make the evening that much more enjoyable for the grown-ups. And if that weren’t enough, we’re in the process of planning some extra fun, games, giveaways, and an appearance by the film’s title monsters! Family-friendly Mihmiverse B-movie excitement, dinner, fun and games, monsters and beer! What more could one ask for in an affordable evening’s entertainment!? Advance tickets for this event are now available at SaintEuphoria.com, the online home of the films of Christopher R. Mihm! Remember, the “Attack of the Moon Zombies” world premiere sold out a 400-seat theater very quickly, and the New Hope Cinema Grill only seats 150! DO NOT HESITATE! Order your tickets TODAY or risk missing out AGAIN! Don’t live in the Twin Cities? Why not check with an independently owned theater near you about hosting a Mihm-movie-night event? If you can successfully book a screening of one or more Mihmiverse films in your area, you’ll earn a $25 gift certificate to put toward any merchandise featured on the merchandise page at SaintEuphoria.com, the online home of the films of Christopher R. Mihm! Please contact us at info@sainteuphoria.com for more information on availability and for help (if needed). And, depending on scheduling and distance, writer/director Christopher R. Mihm and a monster or two may even make it to your event! There’s something new and exciting going on at SaintEuphoria.com: the new Mihmiverse Bonfire Podcast! Moderated by hosts “Rhuby ‘n’ Hater,” this free-to-download monthly audiocast features exclusive news, interviews with the folks who make the Mihmiverse possible, shameless self-promotion, and original, reccuring content! The premiere episode of the Mihmiverse Bonfire Podcast features intrepid hosts Rhuby ‘n’ Hater recording around a REAL backyard bonfire! In addition to some Mihmiverse updates with writer/director Christopher R. Mihm, this episode features Sid Korpi (pictured at left), the actress earning rave reviews for her turn as Administrator Ripley in the just released “Attack of the Moon Zombies!” Also included: “Feelings,” the first of many bad poems from writer/director Christopher R. Mihm, a mock commercial for Old Man Yates Whiskey and a new “Moon Zombies“-inspired “Monster Word of the Day” with Michael Kaiser! Click here to download last month’s episode The Mihmiverse Bonfire Podcast was created as a supplement for this newsletter and will be released on or around the 15th of every month! Scheduled to appear on the June episode is the “king of the Mihmiverse monsters,” Michael Kaiser! Hear him speak and tell his side of the story! Lastly, it is important to note that we will soon be “retiring” some of the Mihmiverse plushies to make room for new ones! If you haven’t purchased these fine collectibles yet, now is the time because they WILL NOT last forever! To purchase your set of Mihmiverse monster plushies, visit the collectibles section of the SaintEuphoria.com merchandise page! For all the latest information about screenings, events, goings-on, and general news, make sure to frequent SaintEuphoria.com, the online home of the films of Christopher R. Mihm!

CLASSIC MOVIE OF THE MONTH

First Man into Space (1959) Directed by Robert Day Starring Marshall Thompson, Bill Edwards, and Marla Landi During the inaugural flight of the experimental Y-13 spacecraft, hotshot pilot Dan Prescott (Bill Edwards) ignores orders and takes the craft twice as far as he was supposed to. During his record-breaking climb, he passes through a cloud of mysterious meteorite dust that shuts down his ship and forces him to crash land in the New Mexico desert. When the proper authorities arrive to secure the craft and pilot, they find only the ship—strangely covered in a hard-to-break, impenetrable-to-all-technologies, rock-like crust. Later that evening, weirdness begins to happen in the nearest town as the local blood bank is violently broken into, a nurse is killed, and much of the blood disappears! Next, local cows are found dead and completely drained of blood, and stories of a hideous monster begin to surface. When a shred of evidence is discovered linking the burglary, cattle mutilations, and the experimental aircraft, the pilot’s brother and girlfriend begin to piece together the true story of what may have happened to Dan Prescott—and it’s as cheesy and “terrifying” as any classic B-movie fan can imagine! Despite trying a little too hard to be serious, and taking into account the B-movie “cheese factor,” “First Man into Space” succeeds in being a well-put-together film. The monster costume is very cool and unique, albeit painfully obvious very early on what it is and what created it. One thing this movie really has going for it is the ending. Many low-budget monster films of the 1950s end with the creature being defeated in some asinine way (quicksand, anyone?), but this film definitely has a cool conclusion you may not be expecting. “First Man into Space” is a solid, entertaining film that I recommend wholeheartedly! Check it out if you’ve never seen it! — Christopher R. Mihm

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

June 11 – doors at 5:30pm, movies at 6:30pm Hosted by the official horror host of the Mihmiverse, Dr. Ivan Cryptosis, “Attack of the Moon Zombies” and “Terror from Beneath the Earth” will screen as a double-feature at the Time Community Theaterin downtown Oshkosh.Time Community Theater, 445 North Main Street, Oshkosh, WI June 19 – 9:00pm “Attack of the Moon Zombies” will be screened in Esperanto during the Annual National Congress, Esperanto-USA. This event is open to the public.Landa Kongreso, Esperanto-USA, June 17–20, 2011, San Francisco, CAWoodfin Hotel Emeryville, 5800 Shellmound Street, Emeryville, CA For advance registration for the congress, visit: http://esperanto-usa.org/ June 21–August 6 M. Scott Taulman (Sven) will appear in the Old Log Theater production of the “The Reluctant Dragon.”Old Log Theater, 5185 Meadville Street, Greenwood, MN June 27 – 6:30pm “Gehenna,” a film featuring James Norgard (Dr. Gabriel) premieres at the Heights Theatre.The Heights Theatre, 3951 Central Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN July 14th – 7:00pm (Click here to purchase advance tickets) “Attack of the Moon Zombies” screens at a very special “dinner-and-a-movie” event at the New Hope Cinema Grill.New Hope Cinema Grill, 2749 Winnetka Avenue North, New Hope, MN

ONLINE, ETC.

In addition to a June 7th appearance (8:00pm) on blog talk radio show Talk 2 the Animals with host Janet Roper, Sid Korpi (Administrator Ripley) has a bunch of interviews and appearances scheduled over the next couple months. Keep track of all her signings, appearances, and other promotional events for her book “Good Grief: Finding Peace After Pet Loss” by visiting the appearances page at her website: www.goodgriefpetloss.com. In addition to providing the Mihmiverse featurette on the “Attack of the Moon Zombies” DVD, Justen Overlander (Sheriff Elliott/Jonathan) has released a series of articles and video interviews with Christopher R. Mihm. The latest article and video, in which Mihm offers his take on success, can both be found here. Upstart filmmakers can take Mihm’s advice to “just do it” as he states in this article and video. And for insight into “Attack of the Moon Zombies” and the entire Mihmiverse, check out the first of Justen’s interviewswith the prolific writer/director/producer.Be sure to subscribe to Justen’s Minneapolis Independent Filmmaking Industry column. You’ll be notified the moment the exclusive interview with the man behind the Mihmiverse monster masks, Michael Kaiser, is released sometime this June! Maggie Schultz (Dr. Deering) is now participating in #teamphotoblog on Twitter and will be posting a new photo to her blog (www.bymaggie.com) five days a week. Make sure to visit her site often to check out the latest updates!

DID YOU KNOW?

“The Monster of Phantom Lake,” “It Came From Another World!,” “Cave Women on Mars,” “Terror from Beneath the Earth,” “Destination: Outer Space,” and “Attack of the Moon Zombies” DVDs are now available at SaintEuphoria.com, the online home of the films of Christopher R. Mihm. In addition, “The Monster of Phantom Lake” Collector’s Edition DVDs, exclusive movie posters, patches and other merchandise are now in stock. Everything is available in extremely limited quantities, so get yours today before they run out!

Copyright © and All Rights Reserved Saint Euphoria Pictures / All for George Productions 2011If you no longer wish to receive the “Phantom Lake Almanac” send a blank email with the subject “unsubscribe almanac” to newsletter@sainteuphoria.com

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Mihmiverse Podcast Features Sid Korpi as First Official Guest

This just in from our beloved “Attack of the Moon Zombies” director, Christopher R. Mihm:

Hello all! We wanted to take this opportunity to introduce you to a new feature at sainteuphoria.com, the online home of the films of Christopher R. Mihm…

The Mihmiverse Podcast! This monthly downloadable audio show features hosts Rhuby n’ Hater chatting with writer/director Christopher R. Mihm about Mihmiverse news, conducting interviews with the folks that make the Mihmiverse possible, shameless self-promotion, and original, reoccuring content like dramatic bad poetry readings, mock commercials, and “The Monster Word of the Day” with monster-of-all-trades Michael Kaiser!

Just in time for next week’s big premiere, this month’s inaugural episode of the podcast features Sid Korpi, the actress who will soon be known across the Mihmiverse as Administrator Ripley in “Attack of the Moon Zombies!”

To download this month’s episode, visit www.sainteuphoria.com/podcast.html! New episodes will be posted on or around the 15th of every month.

Don’t forget!

The “Attack of the Moon Zombies” premiere is NEXT WEEK on Wednesday, May 25th at the Heights Theater in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. The event is SOLD OUT, so we hope you got tickets in time! For those that purchased standard advance tickets, remember to bring a copy of your receipt and show it at the door, your name will be on the guest list. Doors open at 6:30pm with the movie starting at 7:30pm. It’s guaranteed to be crowded, so get there early to make sure you get good seats!

The Heights Theatre, 3951 Central Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN

Kicking yourself about now because you failed to get your tickets in time? Place your order for your copy of the DVD now at <www.sainteuphoria.com> for just $9.99!