It's a Horror to Know You:: Kyle Kuchta of Fantasm: Season of the Con!

It's a Horror to Know You: Kyle Kuchta of Fantasm: Season of the Con!

1. What is the first film that ever scared you?

The first film that ever scared me was Child's Play when I was about 8. Well, I guess I never saw the movie, but Chucky scared the hell out of me. I remember having a dream where Chucky was going to kill me, but then Beavis and Butthead saved me. And then I remember going to a Haunted Hayride where they were showing the Boogeymen: Vol. 1 documentary before the ride, and I was convinced that Chucky was going to be in there, and I started crying. Years later, I've only seen the first Child's Play and Seed of Chucky. I don't know what's wrong with me.

2. What is the last film that scared you?

It would probably be Session 9. Honestly, that movie freaked me out beyond anything I thought could. I still regard it as the scariest film I've seen. I also am a wuss sometimes, so people get disappointed when I show them. But I think it's great. Ti West's The Innkeepers spooked me quite a bit, too. For whatever reason, I thought it was a good idea to watch at night by myself. I'm also one who gets VERY scared of sounds more so than images, so when the disclaimer comes up about watching it with loud volume, I was already tense. So I spent that film with the volume remote in hand, and it was probably the only film in a while that I had paused because I was scared.

3. Name three Horror movies that you believe are underrated.

1) Tourist Trap: One of my all time favorite horror films. That score, those mannequins, it had everything I wanted in a late 70s horror movie. It's SO damn creepy. Why did I want THOSE things? I don't know, but it was AWESOME.

2) The Signal: I was absolutely blown away by this film, and I wish that other people knew more about it and/or would give it a chance. I'm a fan of anthologies and, while it wasn't necessarily an anthology, the "transmissions" were a nice touch, and a great way to not just make it another crazy-zombie-possessed human movie. I dug it.

3) Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon: While it may not be so underrated in the horror community, I can't help but add this gem to my list. Any time anyone asks me to recommend a horror movie that's "not too scary," whatever THAT means, I suggest BTM. I actually recommend BTM for almost everything. I saw this film at a used video store for $4, and I wasn't sure whether to be sad that this DVD was regarded as a lower price used DVD, or happy that someone was going to buy it for cheap and love it as much as I do.

4. Name three horror movies that you enjoy against your better judgment.

1) Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth: This chapter in the Hellraiser series gets a lot of shit, but I absolutely love it. I think it's so fun, and the cenobites are some of the BEST. They're so ridiculous I can't help but to enjoy myself every time I watch it. All I ever wanted was that cenobite sculpture. Actually, nah, that's probably a horrible thing to have.

2) Shakma: My biggest regret was not having Amanda Wyss sign my Shakma VHS. I love watching this because I'll start the movie, and it'll be awful. And then it'll keep going and keep being awful. And then when I have 30 minutes left I'll be yelling at my TV for the movie to be done, like that's going to change anything. It's sort of an amusingly vicious circle I submit myself to, but I can't help it. Shakma is outrageous.

3) Ticks: Growing up in East Lyme, Connecticut, we had to be very aware of ticks because Lyme disease could cripple you, or whatever Lyme disease does. So ticks always BUGGED me. Lololololol. But seriously, the fact that this movie has Seth Green, Alonso Ribeiro, Clint Howard is reason enough to watch it.

5. Send us to five places on the Internet!

1) Fright-Rags: Some of the best shirts a boy like me could ask for.

2) Outside the Cinema: One of my favorite podcasts.

3) VHShitfest.

4) Death Waltz Recording Company.

5) Fantasm: Season of the Con: My upcoming documentary on horror conventions.