Cool Projects 46

I'm going to tip you off on a couple "Cool Projects" I think you folks will dig, in this edition. 

Over the years, I've shared a couple things I was involved in here in my "Cool Projects" post, but none as exciting as this latest work I'm a part of. I'm quite excited about it...

But first...

I want to share my quick thoughts on a new film I had the pleasure of screening recently, from Vertigo Releasing.  The Ugly Stepsister, which hit cinemas in the US last week, and in the UK over the weekend, is a new take on the Cinderella fairy tale, of the competition between step siblings over the attention of the prince. 
You know the story. The prettier sister, favored by everyone and envied by the ugly step-sister. We've heard it a thousand times, but NOT LIKE THIS! The Ugly Stepsister takes that whole competition to another level, by adding elements of body horror and self-image issues, which lead to destructive body modifications...all in the intention of getting the price's favor.

This beautifully shot, and well performed film, is highlighted by great special effects work from Thomas Foldberg, Anne Catherine Sauerberg and their team, who bring the modifications to beautiful, and gory new levels...which I absolutely love, and hope to see more of their work down the road.

Though not for the faint of heart, and definitely not your Disney-esque fairy tale fans, The Ugly Stepsister really stands out amongst this era of oversaturation by the horror version of popular kiddie tales that we've been flooded with. It's an genuinely entertaining and thrilling directorial debut from Emelie Blichfeldt. As visually stunning, as it is disturbing, The Ugly Stepsister is the fairy tale we didn't know we needed!

Go see it in theatres. The Ugly Stepsister was released April 18th in the US, and April 25th in the UK and soon to be released across streaming platforms!

Check out the trailer here:  

Space Monsters Magazine

I mentioned being really excited about a project I'm involved in. This ones pretty big for me, as someone who doesn't consider themselves much of a writer. I was recently asked to join a talented team of creators in the horror genre to be a regular columnist in a brand new horror and sci fi magazine launching called Space Monsters Magazine!

I will be joining a team featuring the likes of Frank Dietz (Monster Kid Hall Of Fame actor, producer, author and jack of all trades in the genre), actresses Sadie Katz and Elizabeth Belmont, Don Glut, Mick Strawn (production designer on Nightmare on Elm Street 4, Candyman and more), indie film legend Donald Farmer, Casey Orr (the friggen legendary band Gwar!), and many more...all spearheaded by the visionary Jason Brazeal, who also has quite a resume in the horror genre.

This is a really exciting opportunity for me to get my name out there, though according to the Space Monsters team I'm already an "indie icon"...

HAHAHA, I'll proudly accept the compliment. 

The magazine drops in early summer, and you can be one of the first to get copies of this exciting new magazine, which pays homage to the legendary horror mags like Famous Monsters and Creepie, by kicking in on the launch campaign on Kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fantaco/space-monsters-1. Get more details on the team at www.spacemonsters.art

There is already some buzz generating about Space Monsters. Check out some great reviews we've already received from some horror luminaries:

Review from Adam Marcus

The Unexpected Joy Of Critical Civility

A Review of Space Monsters Magazine

by Adam Marcus 

Okay, so I’m a sucker for film magazines. Always have been. I have a complete collection of Cinefex, a huge collection of Cinefantastique (in all its iterations), a massive Fangoria collection alongside Famous Monsters, the absolutely beautiful Rue Morgue and many, many others. My office looks like a magazine storage facility. So when I was asked to take a look at the premiere Issue of the new SPACE MONSTERS MAGAZINE I jumped at the chance. And man am I glad I did. Right from its cover, the mag announces the fun to be had within. It’s a wonderful “Creepshow” style illustration, using the Famous Universal Monsters Model Kits. It has the monsters creeping up on our unaware teenage model builder. There is the usual side runner of article titles written in “creepy” text. The whole thing looks wonderful from the jump. And once you step into the pages, you are treated to a world of vintage monster movies being treated with the utmost care and respect. And this is what I love about the Magazine. In the past two decades the discourse around film (especially genre fare) has eroded to on-line howling at the moon. The whole world seems to be posing for a picture no one is taking. Film criticism used to be a studied thing. An art form of its own. Now, anyone who’s seen a film and owns a phone is a critic. Now don’t get me wrong, opinion is what makes the world go ‘round. I’m not talking about opinion. I’m talking about the righteousness of everyone with an opinion acting as though they are the last word on cinema. It’s obnoxious and has lowered the bar on critical thinking. But that is most-definitely not the case over at SPACE MONSTERS. Each new section brings more delights. An in-depth study on why there is a mustache on Count Orlok in the 2024 remake of Nosferatu. A loving tribute to new Independent horror in the Indie-decent Exposure section. A wildly fun Sinema Secrets section where you get to find out new facts about old favorites. And my personal favorite section, the Spectral Matrix Reviews, where critical explorations are approached in a well-rounded, civil fashion that does not leave 

a bad taste in the readers mouth. There is even a wonderful, Creepshow style comic that tells the story the cover page teased. All in all, this magazine feels curated. It feels researched. It reads like real writers studying what makes movies great and essential. There is love here. Love of cinema. And it’s not a snobby love either. This is real talk from real critics. And most of the conversation is so positive! And that, for me, is a game changer. I have no interest in the bitching of a critic trying to prove how smart they are. These are writers who want to express their love for film and filmmakers. And damn, that’s about the best anyone can ask for in a movie magazine.

Here is another from director and Rondo Award winning author Sam Irvin. Im personally honored by this one as I'm a fan and friend of Sam and his work.

A TASTY NEW SCI-FI HORROR MAG FOR INSATIABLE FAN-FIENDS LIKE ME!

The always fun-to-read Space Monsters magazine was founded in 1990 by Richard Gladman (1967-2016) — which, sadly, in the wake of Gladman’s demise from cancer, drifted to an outer space nebula of seemingly no return. To fill the black hole left behind, Jason Brazeal has rescued the enterprise from oblivion and reanimated its life-force, beginning with the next generation premier issue of Space Monsters, Volume 1, Number 1, July/August 2025. These were formidable space boots to fill but I am happy to report that Brazeal is up to the task and has delivered the goods just how we like ‘em! Informal and chummy! 

A hefty 102 pages are jam-packed with columns and articles written by a stellar array of fandom (including pals Donald F. Glut, Frank Dietz, Donald Farmer, Steve Strout, Simon Pritchard, Dennis Daniel, Casey Orr, and new friends Steve Werblun, Sadie Katz, Elizabeth Belmont, and Nicholas Burman-Vince) that invite you to the coolest intergalactic fireside chat. 

Movie reviews abound, with fresh takes on everything from the recent remake of NOSFERATU (2024) to the retro chic of THE GREEN SLIME (1968). And there’s even a nifty comic-book story written and drawn Simon Pritchard. 

It’s a feast for fans — and then some! Congratulations to all involved! Don’t miss it! 

Go to www.spacemonsters.art ! 

— Sam Irvin, director of ELVIRA’S HAUNTED HILLS, co-executive producer of GODS AND MONSTERS

Ok one more from the super talented Eileen Daly

Review of Space Monsters magazine:

"Houston, We Have a Publication!"

Ladies and gentleghosts of the gore-loving galaxy, prepare to have your minds deliciously melted by Space Monsters magazine's phoenix-like resurrection. This first edition, aptly named "Some Dis-Assembly Required," is a beautiful beast that's crawled out of the creativity crypt, bringing with it enough horror, sci-fi, and indie film content to make your head spin (possibly 360 degrees).

From Elizabeth Belmont's bloody boudoir to the grittiest corners of independent filmmaking, this magazine spreads its tentacles across the horror universe like an otherworldly octopus with a PhD in the peculiar. Steve Strout's piece on indie decent exposure is particularly engaging – a treat for those of us who've been knee-deep in horror since we could first say "Hammer Films."

The late Richard Gladman would be beaming with pride to see how Jason has lovingly reconstructed this monster of a magazine. Speaking of monsters, Dennis Daniel's razor-sharp article on Jean Rollin could make Dracula himself bleed with envy – it's that incisive.

What sets this publication apart is its remarkable ability to dance between genres like a werewolf doing the moonwalk. Whether you're a fan of classic horror, sci-fi shenanigans, or indie chillers, there's something here to tickle your terror bone. The addition of comic elements adds just the right amount of graphic goodness to the mix, like finding an unexpected cherry on top of your blood sundae.

With 100 pages of spine-tingling content, gorgeous graphics, and enough monsters to fill a galactic zoo, Space Monsters magazine isn't just resurrected – it's alive, ALIVE! And it's ready to take you on a journey through the darkest corners of the cosmos.

Issue two can't come soon enough. Until then, keep watching the skies... and maybe sleep with the lights on.

- Eileen Daly

More to come...

With that said...People are really getting excited for this. hopefully you folks check it out. As mentioned, you can secure your copy through he Kickstarter mentioned above.  If you know any great shops (book stores, collectibles shops, comic shops etc..) that might be a good fit for Space Monsters Magazine, let them know about it, as we do have a "retailer contributor perk' on the Kickstarter campaign, or send me their details and we will reach out.

Until next time...

Be sure to listen to my podcast, and join the Steve & Crypto Show Patreon to help support the podcast and related ventures, as well as get some extra content, showing you different sides of our lives (besides the podcast). Come join us! >>>> The Steve & Crypto Show | Your 3rd Favorite Podcast! We're Talkin' Pop Culture and Horror! | Patreon <<<<

I'm Steve Strout aka TheSteveStrout. Besides this site, I dabble in voice acting/voiceover work, regularly contribute to genre magazines, and am best known for co-hosting a Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award Nominated podcast called the Steve & Crypto Show. We cover pop culture and horror, with an emphasis on promoting and supporting creators, whether you're making movies, comic books, art, or anything else that pertains to horror, pop culture, and nerdy stuff! 

Listen and subscribe to The Steve & Crypto Show at steveandcrypto.com or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

I'm not as cool as I aspire to be...

Keep checking back in here too! I have lots more going on to share with you all...Stay Spooky!