Anyone who is a fan of horror or science fiction knows who Forry Ackerman was. He gave more to the industry than anyone else. He coined the term sci-fi and inspired the likes of Stephen King, John Landis, Steven Spielberg, and many others. He was the editor of Famous Monsters Of Filmland and held the largest collection of movie memorabilia anywhere in his famed Ackermuseum.
I’ve been lucky enough to have counted Uncle Forry as a friend since 1991, when I first visited the Ackermuseum. I’ve spent many hours and meals with him and miss him greatly.
I was invited to write and perform an original song tribute to Forry in January of 2000. It was my honor to perform the piece in front of a room of invited guests with Forry by my side. I was told that the plaque, containing the lyrics, remained one of his prized processions until the day he died, long after most of his collection had been sold.
In honor of Forry, Upcomingdiscs will present our award for the best that horror home video had to offer from one Halloween to the next. I call them 4E based on a keychain Forry once gave me that said “4E 4E remember me with every key”. Upcomingdiscs will remember Forry each and every Halloween with the annual 4E Awards.
This year the selections were made from among the staff here at Upcomingdiscs.
Starting next year, you will be providing us with the nominations and helping us pick winners. To be eligible a film must have been released on home video since last Halloween.
And now … the First Annual 4E Awards. (click continue to see our selections).
Best Release: Thriller The Complete Series by Image.
This Boris Karloff series has been a long time in coming and is the absolute best Halloween buy you can make this season.
Runner up: Twilight Zone The Complete First Season on Blu-ray.
Again it’s Image that gets the kudos from us this year. The extras on this set are outstanding.
Best Horror Film: Parasomnia.
This was one of the most original horror films I’ve seen in several years.
Runner Up: Paranormal Activity.
Forget Blair Witch. This is a very scary film and made on a shoestring budget.
Best Director: William Malone for Parasomnia.
You’ve got to give this guy credit for creating one hell of an atmospheric film.
Runner Up: Breck Eisner for The Crazies.
I don’t often like remakes, but this one is tons better than the Romero original
Best Story: Seven Days.
This is one of those films that will leave you thinking long after you’ve seen it.
Runner Up: Fragile
Best Actor: Woody Harrelson in Zombieland.
Ever since Wag The Dog I’ve seen the former Cheers star in a totally new light. This is hands down a sweet performance.
Runner Up: Ian Somerhalder in The Vampire Diaries.
This guy can say more with a look than most actors can in hours of trying. This is the face of evil.
Best Actress: America Olivo in Neighbor
I can’t tell you what it is about this performance, but I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. It’s worth watching the movie just to see her.
Runner Up: Delphine Chaneac in Splice.
Even under the makeup and computer-generated effects, she brings incredible emotion to the Dren creature.
Best Music: Edward Douglas (Midnight Syndicate) The Dead Matter.
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise when you consider this guy invented Halloween music.
Runner Up: Howard Shore in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.
This one is another no-brainer. If you remember the work he did in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, you know why he was a perfect choice for The Twilight Saga.
Best Makeup: Dead Snow.
For a low-budget film, these guys made every penny count.
Runner Up: Splice.
You gotta love the guys at KNB and the Dren character.
Well … that’s what we think. Feel free to leave your own comments and your own choices.
Happy Halloween … until next year when you’ll experience another 31 Nights Of Terror
