This week I’m dedicating all posts to my favorite event of the year, The Flashback Weekend Horror Convention.
Today, I’m focusing on my Top 5 Flashback moments from the past 22 years.
1) MEETING & INTERVIEWING JOHN CARPENTER
Without question, the highlight of my 22 years as host/moderator at Flashback was in 2012 when my favorite director of all time, John Carpenter, was a special guest.
My life changed when I saw "Halloween" in 1978, at the age of 13, all because of the incredible work that Carpenter did as a director.
I LOVE his films (which include, "The Fog," "Escape From New York," "The Thing," "Big Trouble in Little China," "Starman," "They Live," "Prince of Darkness," and soooooo many more), and I love him.
He was cordial, funny, and a true pleasure to meet and hang out with.
His Q&A panel was among the best I've ever moderated, and it will remain one of the true high points of my career. It was a dream come true, seriously, and it's all because of Flashback Weekend.
2) GETTING TO KNOW GEORGE ROMERO
I met and got to know the incredible George A. Romero because of Flashback....wow.
George was one of the most significant filmmakers who ever lived: he was the inventor of an entire genre of movies; a maverick of independent thought; an icon in the world of horror; a satirist on the level of Mark Twain; a storyteller beyond reproach; a magnificent comedic mind....and, a helluva nice guy.
I had the honor of getting to know Mr. Romero over many years through my radio show and Flashback. To say knowing him was an amazing experience would be a massive understatement.
He was kind, funny, generous, and very cantankerous when he wanted to be.
He was also one of the most important artists who has ever lived and a true inspiration to anyone who has worked in the world of cinema. A true giant, he left behind a treasure trove of work to be cherished and watched over and over again. I love him and his work—always have, always will.
His movies changed my life. He was an amazing man, and since his passing in 2017, there is now a huge chasm between the horror world and the real world in general. Another life-changing Flashback moment.
3) MEETING AND GETTING TO KNOW THE CAST AND DIRECTOR OF "PHANTASM"
"Phantasm" is a hugely seminal movie in my life. I was 14 years old when I saw it, and I had never seen anything like it before or since.
The cast and director of this incredible movie have come to Flashback twice, and both times I was honored to moderate the Q&A panel and spend time with all of these incredible people.
This year, writer/director Don Coscarelli will be the special guest on the LIVE edition of The Nick D Podcast at Flashback Weekend on Saturday!
This was the beginning of my friendship with these people. I treasure it and am amazed that I now know them. Rest in peace Angus, you lovely, lovely man.
4) RODDY FRIGGIN' PIPER
If you know me at all, you know that I am a huge fan of pro wrestling, and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper is one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time.
So, if you take Roddy Piper and combine him with John Carpenter, you know I will lose my mind...and I did precisely that when "They Live" was released in 1988.
"They Live" is a great Carpenter sci-fi/horror movie, it was also was waaaay ahead of its time. Piper was outstanding in it and even improvised one of the classic lines in film history: "I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass...and I'm all out of bubble gum."
When Piper came to Flashback in 2006, not only did I get to moderate his awesome Q&A panel (oh, the wrestling stories he told!!) and introduce him at the outdoor screening we had of "They Live," but I also went to a Cub game with him and watched him throw out the first pitch. Yeah...that's awesome.
5) THE VERY FIRST FLASHBACK WEEKEND
Yeah, I was there.
In 2002, Mike and Mia Kerz hosted the very first Flashback Weekend, and it was awesome. There were very cool guests and lots of excitement because it was a brand-new adventure.
The first Flashback Weekend was also when Don Coscarelli's brilliant "Bubba Ho-Tep" premiered at the Pickwick Theater in Park Ridge, and the one and only Bruce Campbell was there.
Bruce has been a frequent guest of Flashback, and he always, always kills!
I had Bruce on my radio show several times and finally met him face-to-face at the first Flashback. After that, we became buddies.
When "Bubba Ho-Tep" opened the following year in Chicago, I was one of the few people who helped out with the opening weekend festivities and introduced Bruce before several screenings of the film at the Landmark Century Centre Theatres. I also got drunk with Bruce down the street at Jake's Pub on Clark Street. Memorable indeed.
Thank you, Mike and Mia, for making those memories happen. I know more will be created this weekend!
Do you have some favorite Flashback Weekend moments?
Email your favorite moments to nick@nickdigilio.com
Or leave a voicemail on my Nick D Podcast hotline/voicemail number: (773) 417-6948