My Book Signing Today at Protean Books and Records, Baltimore, MD

/ Ray Van Horn, Jr. / 3 Comments

Big shout of thanks to Matt and the Steves for having me (and TJ, of course) down at Protean Books & Records in the Federal Hill district of Baltimore for a fun time signing books!

Nice turnout and happy to see my friend, Shanna, who joined us for a long overdue trip to MaGerk’s for true Philly style steaks and the glorious Eagle Wings for a righteous celebration of a successful day.

Special thank you to Briana and Kevin, who dashed down in the nick of time to grab Revolution Calling and Coming of Rage. You two are super sweet!

Jake, great chatting with you about vintage typewriters, man. Protean, you guys have a neat store. See ya again soon.

The famous Eagle Wing at MaGerk’s, Baltimore. Hot sauce, BBQ sauce, Old Bay and cheese whiz.

That’s a horns-up combination!

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.

Godzilla Minus One Minus Color

/ Ray Van Horn, Jr. / 4 Comments

The G.O.A.T. of all Godzilla films, Minus One, is such a worldwide phenomenon, Toho Studios re-released it in monochrome black and white. This in full homage to the original black and white and by explanation from Toho:

“The original 1954 Godzilla is, of course, in black and white. But that in and of itself made us interested in what a Godzilla film would look like created with modern technology in black-and-white. But simply removing the color alone wouldn’t evoke the same type of emotion we were trying to instill in audiences, which is why we went back to the colorist and we actually masked different portions of each shot and adjust the contrast by hand, as opposed to simply hitting the remove color button. [This process makes it look] like it was composed by a professional still photographer.

For us, removing the color in some way increases the reality, feeling almost like a documentary and making audiences feel that Godzilla actually exists. [This version of the film is] way scarier than Godzilla Minus One with color, even the team members working on it, we’d get goosebumps. Because, in many ways, it does feel like a different film.”

For a week long engagement in the U.S., Godzilla Minus One Minus Color runs rampant!

Let’s do this! I’ll be back for my third go with this kaiju masterpiece.

—Ray Van Horn, Jr.

More Kind Words for “Revolution Calling,” by Ray Van Horn, Jr.

/ Ray Van Horn, Jr. / 4 Comments

The book has been out a month and I’m pleased by the reviews and reception for Revolution Calling. This time, an unexpected but welcome comparison from Rough Edge.com writer and Editor, R. Scott Bolton:

Revolution Calling, by entertainment writer Ray Van Horn Jr, is the story of two high school-aged metalheads, circa 1988, and their journey through bullying, love and growth. The story is semi-autobiographical and that much is evident in the depth of character that Van Horn brings to every person in the book, especially his main duo, Jason and Rob. Their heavy metal-fueled relationship feels real, and natural, and their band-name-dropping banter is a highlight.

The story itself may seem familiar to many. It’s like the classic movie, Dazed and Confused. Everyone who’s seen that movie recognizes people from their past, no matter what their era. Seems like all high schools have the same cast of characters, just with different labels. As it did in Dazed and Confused, however, the story works well here. An engaging coming of age story with a heavy rock ’n roll theme, Revolution Calling will entertain and enrich readers, especially if their life paths are similar to Van Horn’s (as was my own). 

Thank you, Scott!

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.

Nature Prevails Again

/ Ray Van Horn, Jr. / 8 Comments

Not sure what location this is, but I found this stark image at another blog, and it gave me pause to see an entire town, an entire mountainside civilization, engulfed, assimilated, merged and ultimately forgotten.

The power lines indicate someone remains amid this foliage-caust, but doubtful much is serviceable here, if at all. 

I actually shuddered at this scene. Mother Gaia has her way as she will.

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.