FIGHTS: ZBFbooks.com welcomes the von Erich's of the new millenium

MARSHALL AND ROSS VON ERICH MARK FAMILY'S RETURN TO THE STATES
by
Bowie V. Ibarra

One notable bit of pro-wrestling news since ZBFbooks.com blog has been on hiatus is the arrival of Ross and Marshall von Erich at Slammiversary XII.  The son's of Texas wrestling legend Kevin von Erich, it was their first nationally televised appearance, and one of Kevin's rarest visits to the state where the helped build the reputation of Texas wrestling with his family: Daddy Fritz, and brothers David, Kerry, Mike, and Chris.

Big brother Ross and little brother Marshall are the future of the Von Erich family.  The brothers were trained by the legendary Harley Race and the NOAH Pro-Wrestling dojo in Japan, so they've got a legit foundation in the traditions of the past as well as current trends and styles.  Their wrestling pedigree is strong, and though they still look a little green, ZBFbooks.com hopes they continue to carry the torch not only for pro-wrestling, but for the high standards of Texas wrestling.

I'm also very thankful that these two guys are carrying the von Erich torch, as I was afraid Lacey (Kerry's daughter) was the last one to carry the tradition.

ZBFbooks.com wishes them continued success and growth as they move into the future to help propel pro-wrestling into the future.

Fast forward to the 30min mark in the video below to watch their match with The Bromans. 

BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the noted zombie horror series, 'Down the Road', from Permuted Press and Simon and Shuster.  His latest novel, 'Pit Fighters: Double Cross' is a combat sports themed book about the adventures of a MMA stable in south Texas, featuring a Mexican luchador who crosses over into MMA. 

'Pit Fighters: Double Cross' is available in paperback and Kindle for as low as .99 cents.

If you are a blogger and enjoyed the blog, please follow me.

Enjoy the blog?  Share it with your friends using the 'Facebook', 'Blogger' and 'Twitter' buttons below.

Leave a comment below using your Google+ or Blogger account.

Follow Bowie on Twitter @wingback20 

Follow Bowie's Facebook page.

You can network with Bowie and read about his Tex-Mexploitation stories and check out his book trailers at his personal website, ZombieBloodFights.com.

FIGHTS: Review - 'Godzilla' (2014) brings traditional kaiju fun to the modern era

TRADITIONAL TOHO-INSPIRED THROUGH-LINE WITH QUALITY CGI HIGHLIGHTS OF NEW FILM
by
Bowie V. Ibarra

Godzilla (2014) was a great ride that hearkened back to the Toho film days set in modern times.  Sure there were plenty of dumb/weird plot points in the movie.  But I didn't show up to see 'Godzilla' to see Academy Award-calibre story and performances.  I came to see Monster-on-Monster Fights to the Death!

I really don't have to tell you the plot.  It's really this simple:  Bad monsters show up and start wrecking shop, Godzilla shows up and fucks them up.

Okay, the human element adds a little more complication to that.  But that's really it.  Here are some notes from the flick.  Also, lots of spoilers.  Sorry.

I WAS TOLD THERE WOULD BE BRYAN CRANSTON

The previews to this flick promised lots of Bryan Cranston.  Boy, was I surprised when they offed him early in the flick.  I'll be honest with you, I kind of felt hosed.  The guy put his acting chops on display with his kooky character, and it was great.  But, alas, we lost him early.

THE CONSPIRACY EDGE

As a noted and open conspiracy kook, I was so happy they played up this angle.  If they're going to modernize the story, then having one of the main characters be a part of this global subculture was a cool choice.  Because, let's face it, they don't tell us the truth about ANYTHING.

NODS TO MOTHRA

There were some nods to the classic Godzilla kaiju-friend Mothra in the flick, including a screen in the young (kids) classroom, and a weird 'MOTH RA' lettering on an old fishtank in their old house.

RODAN HAD TO BE AN INFLUENCE ON THE FLICK

I'm not sure how the MUTO's were developed, but I stand by the theory that they stole concepts from the story of Rodan, another one of Godzilla's classic kaiju battle buddies.  You don't think so?  Check out this previous speculative blog HERE.

BUILD UP TO THE MONSTER

Like the old Toho titles, a majority of the movie is the buildup to the monsters.  You get a lot of story, the human element, and teases of the monster.  There's even a mid-film fight scene in Hawaii that's pretty cool.

KAIJU SUPERFIGHT

Check it out.  Like in the original Rodan, two monster mates are trying to make more MUTOs.  They communicate with each other.  But that communication is also intercepted and interpreted by Godzilla, who, apparently, lives underwater.  A crazy element of the movie is that Godzilla is some sort of prehistoric balancer of nature who lives to fight it out with big monsters to keep the earthly peace.  He finds them both and they throw down in San Francisco, just trashing the city.  It's a great CGI/non-costume battle that finishes with Godzilla vomiting electric fire into the mouth of Mama Muto for the big finish.

AND SPEAKING OF THE BIG FINISH

I had to cheer at the ending, because that's exactly how a Godzilla movie has to end.

Godzilla had been knackered after the fight and passed out in downtown San Francisco.  But later that morning, he woke up, got back up, and drifted back out to sea.  I immediately knew that was it, that was the end of the movie, because every Godzilla movie ends that way.  Godzilla shows up, kicks ass, then goes home.  Loved it.

Was it a perfect movie?  No.  I have to admit, there were some ridiculous aspects to the story that I chuckled at.  But I let it slide because I came for the hoss fight, and I got what I wanted from it.

Look, if you haven't seen the movie yet, go check it out.  It's a good time.

And if you liked the blog, support the blogger by getting a book for yourself at ZBFbooks.com.

BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press.

Down the Road, Down the Road: On the Last Day, and Down the Road: The Fall of Austin.  Pick them up in paperback or Kindle today.

BOWIE V. IBARRA earned his BFA in Acting and MA in Theatre History from Texas State University.  Network with Bowie at his official website,ZombieBloodFights.com today.

FIGHTS: Retrospective - The Scraps in 'Terror of Mechagodzilla'

IT'S A KAIJU STREETFIGHT ON THE ISLAND OF JAPAN
by
Bowie V. Ibarra

'Terror of Mechagodzilla' is reputed to be one of the least favorite of the original Godzilla franchise, but I didn't mind it.  It's the last of the original franchise.  And as fights go, the final two-on-one scrap is a good send off to the original franchise.

Here's the plot, as condensed from Wikipedia:

"Continuing after the end of the final film, Interpol agents, led by Inspector Kusaka, search for the wreck of Mechagodzilla at the bottom of the Okinawan Sea. Using the submarine, Akatsuki, they hope to gather information on the robot's builders, the alien simians. The Akatsuki is suddenly attacked by a giant aquatic dinosaur called Titanosaurus, and the crew vanishes.

Interpol starts an investigation into the incident. With the help of marine biologist Akira Ichinose, they trace the Titanosaurus to a reclusive, mad scientist named Shinzô Mafune, who wants to destroy all mankind. While Ichinose is visiting his old home in the seaside forest of Manazuru, they meet Mafune's lone daughter, Katsura. She tells them that not only is her father dead, but she burned all of the notes about the giant dinosaur (at her father's request). Unknownst to them, Mafune is still alive and well. He is visited by his friend Tsuda, who is an aide to the simian alien leader Mugal. He is leading the project to quickly rebuild Mechagodzilla. Mugal offers their services to Mafune, so that his Titanosaurus and their Mechagodzilla 2 will be the ultimate weapons. They hope to wipe out mankind and rebuild the world for themselves.

But things are complicated for both factions when Ichinose falls in love with Katsura and unwittingly gives her Interpol's information against Titanosaurus, the new Mechagodzilla, and the aliens. It's also discovered that Katsura is actually a cyborg, due to undergoing surgery and Mugal still has uses for her. Meanwhile, Mafune is desperate to unleash Titanosaurus without the aliens' permission, so he releases it on Yokosuka one night. By then, Interpol discovers that supersonic waves are the Titanosaurus' weakness. They had a supersonic wave oscillator ready, but Katsura sabotaged the machine before they could use it. Fortunately, Godzilla arrives to fight off Titanosaurus.

Later, when Ichinose visits Katsura, he is captured by the aliens. Tied up, Ichinose can only watch as Mafune and the aliens unleash Mechagodzilla and Titanosaurus onYokosuka, while Interpol struggles to repair their sonic wave machine and the Japanese armed forces struggle to keep the two monsters at bay. Katsura, while being controlled by Mugal, ignores Ichinose and controls both the dinosaur and the robot as they destroy the city.

Godzilla comes to the rescue, though he is outmatched by the two titans. While Interpol distracts Titanosaurus with the supersonic wave oscillator, Godzilla is able to focus on attacking Mechagodzilla. Interpol agents infiltrate the aliens' hideout, rescue Ichinose, and kill Mafune and many of the aliens. The remaining aliens attempt to escape in their ship, but Godzilla shoots them down. Katsura, while being embraced by Ichinose, shoots herself to destroy Mechagodzilla. Godzilla, with the help of the oscillator, defeats Titanosaurus, and heads back to sea."

THE FINAL FIGHT
GODZILLA vs. TITANOSAURUS AND MECHAGODZILLA
As you might imagine, the final fight is a throwdown of epic proportions.  Here are some highlights from the scrap:

GODZILLA'S SUSCEPTIBLE TO WIND ATTACKS
As seen in 'Godzilla vs. Mothra', Godzilla seems to have issues with his center of gravity when it comes to wind attacks.   Titanosaurus flaps his tail which has long and flat scales like a fan to fend of Godzilla and send him tumbling.

GODZILLA DISPLAYS SWEET HAND SKILLS AND HEADBUTTS ON THE INSIDE
I wouldn't call him trained by Freddy Roach or anything, but Godzilla uses striking combos, including a headbutt combo, on the inside of Titansaurus.  Maybe just Balrog.  In the clinch, Godzilla takes advantage.

TITANOSAURUS PUNTS GODZILLA LIKE A CHAMP
In a display of incredible power, Titanosaurus punts Godzilla across the Japanese landscape.  Cowboys, sign this guy today.

With a little help from the humans, who use a sonic weapon to disable Titanosaurus, it gives Godzilla enough time to get the advantage on the double-team.  It rips Mechagodzilla's head off and tosses him into a shallow grave Titanosaurus and Mechagodzilla had made for Godzilla.  Then it gives Godzilla the space needed to roast Titanousaurus, knocking him into the ocean.

As much as it's not considered one of the best, I enjoyed the movie.  But I"m pretty easy to please when it comes to giant Kaiju monsters throwing down.

Check out the full movie below and see the fight for yourself.  You're welcome.

BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press.  

Down the Road, Down the Road: On the Last Day, and Down the Road: The Fall of Austin.  Pick them up in paperback or Kindle today.

BOWIE V. IBARRA earned his BFA in Acting and MA in Theatre History from Texas State University.  Network with Bowie at his official website,ZombieBloodFights.com today.

FIGHTS: Rodan (1956) - Things You Need To Know

ALL AVAILABLE DATA POINTS TO CLASSIC RIVAL AS THE KAIJU GODZILLA NEEDS TO BEAT IN 2014

by

Bowie V. Ibarra

With the new 2014 Godzilla movie just around the corner, the latest trailer shows what seems to be Godzilla's matchup:  Rodan.

I'm no Godzilla expert.  But I did happen to purchase 'Rodan' on VHS a few months back and finally had a chance to take in the title.  With that said, here's some broad facts you need to know about this anticipated matchup.

GODZILLA

Stats

- Huge

- Massive strength

- Has fighting ability, including a flying drop kick, hand techniques, headbutts, throws, and a bite.

- Breaths a kind of electric fire

- Scales provide strong armor against bullets, heavy weapons, artillery, bombs, and missiles.

- Only notable losses are against King Kong and Don Frye manning a flying battleship

- Has an indomitable fighting spirit, and will not stop fighting until he's beat or contained.

- Was once destroyed with the Oxygen Destroyer bomb.  But the scientist who created it was the one who used it underwater against Godzilla.  He died unleashing the bomb, and the notes had been destroyed beforehand.

RODAN

Stats

- Also huge

- Flying faster than the speed of sound into the sonic range.  Tailwind of sonic speeds have disabled fighter jets and have been known to affect the structural integrity of buildings.
- When on the ground, the winds created by the flapping of his wings can knock shit over.

- Has been known to use a smoking breath attack.

- Scales provide strong armor against bullets, heavy weapons, artillery, bombs, and missiles.

- Has been known to fly in pairs, and live near kin.

- Because of the bond it forms with its kin, will sacrifice itself to die with its kin if it is threatened with living alone.

- Lives underground and feeds on giant dragonfly larvae.

- In later movies, fights Godzilla, but becomes his friend.  They later form a tag team and fight against other monsters from the series.

So how is this epic matchup going to play out in 2014?  We don't have too long to find out!

BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press.

Down the Road, Down the Road: On the Last Day, and Down the Road: The Fall of Austin.  Pick them up in paperback or Kindle today.

BOWIE V. IBARRA earned his BFA in Acting and MA in Theatre History from Texas State University.  Network with Bowie at his official website,ZombieBloodFights.com today.

BLOOD: ZBFbooks.com Coverage of Texas Frightmare for Shu-Izmz.com

COSTUMES, CELEBRITIES, GOOD TIMES AT ANNUAL TEXAS HORROR CELEBRATION
by
Bowie V. Ibarra, reporting for Shuizmz.com

Texas Frightmare Weekend 2014 was yet another outstanding and fun celebration of the horror genre.  Sponsored in part by Fangoria Magazine, the standard for horror mags, the event brought together fans of the genre as well as some of the most legendary celebrities of horror as well.

Celebrities at the event included:

George Romero, Tom Savini, David Emge, and Scot Reninger of 'Dawn of the Dead' fame.
Tobin Bell of the 'Saw' series.
'Hellraiser' Cenobite reunion with Doug Bradley, Nicholas Vince, Barbie Wilde,
Linda Blair of 'The Exorcist'.
Linda Hamilton, Micheal Bien, Earl Boen, Jennifer Goldstein, Kristina Loken, and Robert Patrick from the 'Terminator' franchise.
'Creature of the Black Lagoon' 60 year reunion with Julie Adams and Ricou Browning.
'Walking Dead' stars Chandler Riggs and Scott Wilson.
Jenette Goldstein and Mark Ralston of 'Aliens'.
Nivek Ogre and Billy Mosley of 'Repo: The Genetic Opera'.
Amelia Kincaid, Linnea Quigley, and Kevin Tenney of 'Night of the Demons' fame.
'Blair Witch Project' 15th Anniversary with the stars Heather Donahue, Josh Leonard, and Micheal Wilson.
Micheal Baldwin of 'Phantasm' was there, too.

Other notable guests include:
Dee Snider
Twiggy Ramirez
Kitty Korvette
Ace Frehley
Corey Taylor
Lyle Blackburn

There was an amazing amount of vendors there, too.  From original fan art to movies to books to clothes, this was the place for all horror fans to be.

Sneak movie screenings included:

The Pick Axe Murders part III: The Final Chapter, Circus of the Dead World Premiere, Gun Woman's north American premiere, (SX Tape) World Premiere, Zombie TV North American premiere, The Den, Beneath, Witching and Bitching, Conjoined, Call Girl, Service, I am Monster, and The Bighead.

Noted publisher Permuted Press was in attendance as well, featuring such authors as:
Tim Long
Eloise J. Knapp
Jessica Meigs
Peter Clines
Lyle Perez
Rhiannon Frater

Another publishing house, Rooster Republic Press, was in attendance.  They were some cool folks.

ZBFbooks had a great time checking out all the great attendees.  Here's some snaps from Saturday.

Space Marine in big trouble!

You already know there's going to be some Ash costumes as well.

She's baroque.

Beetlejuice and Lydia Deets

Helloooooo Betty Page.

This guy would love ShuIzmz's Boobs, Bush, and Blood philosophy.

Here's me with George A. Romero.  I wore my 'Romero is what God looks like' shirt.

You won't believe how he responded:  "It's funny but it's just wrong."

Here is El Santo with ZBFbooks.com reader Scat.

Here I am with Scott Reninger of 'Dawn of the Dead' '78 fame.

I got a shot with Ricou Browning, the dude that was The Creature From the Black Lagoon.  He was nice.

And here I am with the ingenue from the flick:  Julie Adams.

The 'Dawn...' panel was great.

El Santo gets a painting of his 'High School' senior pic.

Happy ladies with ghouls.

Yikes!

These folks walked in dressed as Japanese demons, saying, 'Fear is not in just clowns.  Fear is in everything." 

Jason.

A great find at the event.  A Jason mask.

It's Jason from the video game.  I'm not going to lie, I was scared. It was so hard to beat that sonovabitch in the NES game.

This chick returned as Jigsaw and she took my advice from last year.  She brought the tricycle.

Killer chick.

KISS.

Kitty Korvette.  Yum.

Sexy Ash.

Here with Permuted Press author and my book formatter, Lyle Perez.

New Permuted Press mastermind,. Mike L. Wilson.

Nazi zombies.

This dude was in 'Green Hornet'.  He did some stunts that ended up on the cutting room floor.  He was also the heel in 'Insidious'.

Pennywise was there.

Permuted Press with an assload of some of the best post-apocalyptic horror, zombie, and more books available for sale.

Predator making friends.

Crazy-ass stuff.

El Santo with Peter Clines, author of the 'Ex-Patriots' series, ready to fight monsters.

For those folks who are fans of the El Santo movies, how crazy is it to meet a dude that looks just like his manager?

Satan made an appearance.

Great tattoos for superfans.

Terminators were there.  One of them spoke Spanish.

My Frightmare booty.

A little girl dressed as Vasquez.  It was great.

Frightmare was a ridiculously good time.  Here's to all those that attended.

Check out the pics from Frightmare 2013 HERE!

Thanks for the read, and thanks to Shuizmz.com for allowing me to report from Texas Frightmare 2014.

BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the acclaimed 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press.  Born and raised in south Texas, Bowie calls his books 'Tex-Mexploitation' literature, as they reflect strong south Texas themes and settings, including 'Codename: La Lechusa' and 'Tejano Star and the Vengeance of Chaplain Skull'.  'Alamo Rising' is supernatural horror story in which a curse is unleashed on downtown San Antonio, and the unsuspecting ghost hunters who have to stop it.  It is available at Amazon.com in paperback and kindle.

Network with Bowie at his official website, ZBFbooks.com.