Hey folks,

I'm coming to you from the free interwebs of my local library. Why? Well a couple nights ago, seemingly out of nowhere, my computer started acting slow and nonresponsive, so I tried to restart. Unfortunately, my Windows XP Professional OS will no longer load, and my computer is now stuck on a constant restart loop. I can't even attempt a System Restore. When I do, I'm presented with a DOS prompt for Windows, at which point, I'm completely stumped. A computer literate friend told me I had a virus that had corrupted my system. He suggested that I obtain a copy of either Windows Vista or Windows 7 and upgrade my operating system.

If there is anyone reading this who has a copy of either, please let me know. My computer is a refurbished machine and did not come with a Windows disc. As I understand it, most computers these days don't either. You have to make one yourself, I guess. Regardless, if you can help in some way, or you know some one who can, please email me. Until then, I am lost at sea, so to speak. It could be as early as December 2nd, before I am back online for good, but depending on the cost, it could take as much as a whole month or more. As a result, I cannot work on any current projects or podcasts. If I am slated as a guest on an upcoming podcast, it will have to be done through Skype Out, using my cell phone. If this pertains to you, please email me and I'll be happy to provide you with my number.
Thank You.
-John Pavlich
The Sofa Dogs Podcast

NOTE: Due to limited, server storage space, this episode is a week late. It was originally intended to be released on Halloween, 2010.

Concluding the Sofa Dogs' tribute to horror films and Halloween, Geekscape columnist, Eric Diaz returns for one of his favorites, Brian De Palma's adaptation of Stephen King's Carrie, from 1976. It's the tragic story of a shy, teenage girl who discovers she has telekinesis. Is it a gift from God, or a curse of the Devil? And what does this mean for Carrie's future and those who continue to bully her at school?

Please join Eric and I as we discuss filmmaking techniques of the 1970s', the works of novelist, Stephen King and the translation of book to film. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the movie on your DVD.

Scott Carelli returns as the Sofa Dogs podcast continues its month-long tribute to classic Horror movies, in preparation for Halloween. In this episode, we follow up our previous commentary for The Evil Dead, with the "splatstick" sequel, Evil Dead 2. Bruce Campbell reprises his role as Ash, perpetually tormented by demonic spirits at a remote cabin in the woods.

Please join Scott and I as we discuss Sam Raimi's love for a certain Oldsmobile, stop-motion animation, comically large jewelry and a famous soft drink that may be the key to this film's success. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the movie on your DVD.

The new release of Dollhouse: Season 2 on Blu-ray just arrived in the mail, so I decided to open it on camera and share with other Whedon fans my collection of his past works.

Will Ritchie returns to the show as Sofa Dogs continues its month-long tribute to Horror films of the past. This week, we take a look at Tom Holland's 1985, vampire classic, Fright Night. Charlie Brewster is a typical American teenager. He loves his Mom, he studies hard in school, he gets in arguments with his girlfriend about sex and oh yeah, it seems a vampire is living next door to him! As young girls continue to go missing, only to turn up dead later, Charlie enlists the help of his favorite Horror icon, Peter Vincent. Together, they must stop the vampire and rescue Charlie's friends from eternal damnation.

Please join Will and I as we discuss Roddy McDowall, the vampire genre and mythology, the effects of Richard Edlund and the upcoming remake of Fright Night. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the movie on your DVD.

As the podcast continues this month-long tribute to Halloween and the Horror genre, Scott Carelli joins in on a commentary for Sam Raimi's feature directorial debut, The Evil Dead. In it, a group of college friends drive out to a remote cabin in the woods. Hoping to relax and enjoy some good times, they soon uncover an ancient book and an ominous tape recording that unwittingly unleashes some dark and deadly spirits. Demonic possessions and mutilating of flesh is the order of the day for most of the running time. Boasting inventive effects and camera techniques, it's the American classic that would ignite the careers of Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi, forever changing the landscape of low budget, independent Horror cinema.

Please join Scott and I as we talk about building tension, sound editing, the charm of Campbell, the Criterion Company and the debates of taste and restraint in storytelling. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the movie on your DVD.

For the entire month of October, the Sofa Dogs podcast will be paying tribute to some beloved Horror films! Scott Carelli joins the show to kick things off with the classic from John Landis, An American Werewolf in London. Two buddies are backpacking through the England countryside, when they're attacked by a wild animal and one of the friends is brutally murdered. The lone survivor, David wakes up in a London hospital to visions of his dead friend urging him to kill himself, or he will become a werewolf!

Please join Scott and I as we discuss the werewolf genre, John Landis and the fascinating marriage between Horror and Comedy. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the movie on your DVD.

My partner in crime from the very first episode of the podcast, Allen Coe drops in to see what condition his condition is in, and to talk about The Big Lebowski. The film concerns a pot-head slacker, his bowling buddies, a soiled rug, adult entertainment, kidnapping, a briefcase full of money, German Nihilists, mistaken identity and Vietnam. Well, okay that last one is a lie. There isn't any connection, at least not a literal one. In any event, The Big Lebowski is a hilarious, ribald surreal comedy from Joel and Ethan Coen that has spawned a worldwide following of those who worship, The Dude. After all, The Dude abides.

Please join Allen and I for our commentary as we discuss supermarket dress codes, bowling, marijuana laws in California, how to make a White Russian and the film making trademarks of The Coen Brothers. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the movie on your DVD.

NOTE: This episode contains an important announcement about the future of Couch Surfing.

Kim Butler, the Queen Bee of Podcasting (trademark pending) drops in to geek out about Xena, Scott Pilgrim and to recommend some literature. Yeah, as if anyone reads anymore... The rest of the show notes are as follows:

00:02:30 - Kim starts things off by talking about this new show she's watching, you may have heard about it, Xena: Warrior Princess.
00:07:56 - The Lesbian element that became an influence on that series and some of its characters gets discussed.
00:12:49 - John can't say enough great things about Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, but he will certainly try. He also enjoyed Monsters Vs. Aliens, which results in talk of the differences between Pixar and Dreamworks Animation studios.
00:22:56 - Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World is a movie that existed for all of two seconds at the box office. John managed to see it. Both the film and the books are discussed, including the important balance between style and substance.
00:41:41 - Michelle from Indiana writes in with her thoughts on the big tobacco debate from Episode 35: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire.
00:51:19 - A new listener named Neil sends some praise, but is also looking for an alternative to iTunes reviews, brought on by a disdain for Apple Products.
00:57:53 - Film maker, Teague Chrystie sends in appreciation for John's support of Down In Front, via Whedonesque. This provides even more fuel to the fire. It's a wonderful cycle of praise that never ends, except when it does.
01:06:13 - Kim closes out the show by promoting the myriad of podcasts she's involved in. You may want to write these down.

The following artists can be heard in this episode:

Jason Schwartzman & Metric, Massive Attack, Alison Krauss, Aberdeen, Anna Faris, Neil Patrick Harris, The Bluetones, Broken Social Scene, Plumtree, Blood Red Shoes, Beck, The Platters, The Dandy Warhols, Lightning Love, Edward Shearmur, Huey Lewis & The News, Nine Inch Nails, Nathan Johnson and Nigel Godrich & Michael Cera & Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

Returning to movie commentaries on the podcast, Scott Carelli joins me for a look at the 2009 film, (500) Days of Summer. Directed by Marc Webb (of My Chemical Romance music videos fame), the story concerns a young man who falls in love with a girl who doesn't seem to feel the same way. Tom has feelings for Summer, but she tries to keep things casual. As we see the ins and outs of their relationship, Summer begins drifting away while Tom discovers who he truly is and what it means to be in love.

Please join Scott and I as we talk about mixed messages, running into your ex, commitment issues and the differences between friends and lovers. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the movie on your DVD.