Auditorium Philms' "BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA" In Concert: A Review

For over a year, "Auditorium Philms"  has been one of the most exciting features in the Auditorium Theater's programming and concert schedule.

At each Philms event, a classic movie is projected on a big screen, and the film's music is performed by a live orchestra from the Chicago Philharmonic.

Julie and I have attended several Philm events, including the most recent one last Saturday featuring Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 version of Bram Stoker's Dracula.

I had mixed feelings when Coppola's movie was released 32 years ago. It was an interesting cinematic experiment and a unique novel adaptation, but ultimately, I thought it was a huge mess.

Since then, I had seen the film in bits and pieces on cable but was only motivated enough to sit down and watch it again once I heard about the Philms event.

The best part of the film has always been Polish composer Wojciech Kilar's incredible music. The score is lush, complex, and sweeping and adds immeasurably to the mood and power of the movie.

I was eager to hear a full orchestra and choir perform it live. And the remarkable musicians and singers did not disappoint.

The movie, however, is still a mixed bag. Coppola's "Dracula" is deeply flawed and wildly inconsistent. The tone shifts are insanely abrupt, and the inconsistent acting is quite jarring, to say the least, with a genuinely awful Keanu Reeves and an embarrassing, laughable performance by Anthony Hopkins.

But the love story is great. Gary Oldman and Winona Ryder are terrific, and the technical aspects of the film are all top-notch. I also enjoyed more of the film's crazier shit this time because I'm still buzzing from adoring Coppola's "Megalopolis" so much.

And I still love the score. On Saturday, the Chicago Philharmonic, conducted by the terrific Diego Navarro, magnificently accompanied the film.

In addition to the great concert, the night also featured an appearance by my friend, the one and only Svengoolie (AKA: Rich Koz), in which he got some laughs, hosted a fun costume contest (not unlike the ones he hosts at Flashback Weekend), and opened the concert with a wonderful, informative and amusing introduction of the film that set the stage for the outstanding performance/screening.

Julie and I had a blast walking around the lobby and talking to several attendees, many of whom were in fabulous costumes, complete with incredible handbags and other accessories.

These remarkable Philms events are just one of the many examples of how the Chicago Philharmonic is revitalizing classical music.

Terell Johnson, the Chicago Philharmonic's executive director and responsible for Auditorium Philms, is deeply invested in supporting Chicago's performing arts community and shaping the future of the classical music industry.

According to Musical America, the leading classical music industry publication, "Chicago Philharmonic is fast becoming the savviest programmer in Chicago's symphonic firmament under the leadership of new executive director Terell Johnson."

In 2021, it named Johnson one of thirty nationwide "Professionals of the Year. "

Johnson is blazing a trail for more inclusive symphony concerts with genre-bending programming featuring a range of diverse artists, including the sold-out Chicago Premiere of Marvel Studios' "Black Panther in Concert" featuring Senegalese tama drummer Massamba Diop, the American premiere of composer Tan Dun's guitar concerto performed by leading classical guitarist Sharon Isbin, and a multi-media performance with indie music star Kishi Bashi analyzing Japanese-American internment during WWII.

In the past two years, the Chicago Philharmonic has also expanded its longtime partnership with Ravinia Festival to present the inaugural four-day Ravinia El Sistema-inspired "Seminario," where students from around the country were mentored by Chicago Philharmonic musicians and famed conductor Marin Alsop.

Johnson will continue to diversify the Chicago Philharmonic's repertoire, audience base, board membership, and roster of musicians as he and the Philharmonic shape the future of classical music with one-of-a-kind events like "Bram Stoker's Dracula In Concert."

I highly recommend checking these events out. See you at the next one!

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Rules for Having Fun at Flashback Weekend!

That's me and "The Mayor" Don Johnston, a VITAL member of The Flashback Family. We work very hard to make sure things go without a hitch every year...but, we also have fun. By the way, this is my favorite picture of Don and me.

As we approach THE event of the year, The Flashback Weekend Horror Convention (happening Friday, August 2nd thru Sunday, August 4th at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare), I thought I would share some of the ways you can have the most fun.

I have been a part of Flashback since the very beginning in 2002, and every year I have an absolute blast.

It's a little different for me, because I am basically working all weekend. I host events, moderate Q&A panels, introduce movie screenings, celebrities, and much, much more.

Now, that doesn't mean that I don't have time for the kind of fun everyone else has like: hanging out with friends, browsing and shopping in the vendor room, meeting celebrities, enjoying parties, meeting new people and much, much more.

I have made a huge number of friends over the years at Flashback, and have accumulated some incredible memories over the past 22 years, and I'm sure I will make more this year.

The really special thing about Flashback Weekend is the people. Truly, the denizens of the horror crowd are among the nicest people you will ever meet.

Me and the great Lance Henriksen. This was taken at Flashback Weekend a few years ago. Lance coined the term "The Tribe" to describe us horror fans.

They are a group of loving, welcoming, and fun maniacs. We have been dubbed The Tribe by past celebrity guest and terrific actor Lance Henriksen, and that term could not be more accurate. So meet the Tribe, hang out with the Tribe, and party with the Tribe... and you will have a fabulous time.

Now, if you're like me, and you don't drink, you can still have an amazing time without feeling any pressure to booze it up.

Tons of alternative drinks are available, cool food is everywhere, and LOTS of other sober folks are around to chat with about horror, watch movies together, wait on line for autographs (which is actually a lot of fun), and in general, share some very special once-in-a-lifetime moments.

So, be sure to keep a schedule of events handy, and get those Celebrity Photo Ops taken (sooooo cool), meet celebs at their tables, and take a few selfies. Attend incredible events like:

• An Evening Celebrating "45 Years of Svengoolie" with Rich Koz & yours truly!

• "The Warriors" costume party.
  

• "Halloween III" screening with live music accompaniment by Alan Howarth.
  

• Late night showing of Charles Band's new noir thriller "Quadrant."
  

• And, of course, you CAN NOT miss the 18th Annual Sinister Visions Costume Contest hosted by Svengoolie!
  

• Oh, yeah, and there's also the LIVE version of my podcast: The Nick D Podcast with my co-host Esmeralda Leon, and Special Guest: DON COSCARELLI!

So....have an open mind, an open heart, and an open wallet (just kidding...but, you WILL spend some dough), and you are guaranteed a wonderful weekend.

And make sure you come up and say "Hi" to me. I love meeting The Tribe more than anything else that happens during the weekend.

Now, I'm not the only member of The Tribe who has advice and rules for having fun at Flashback....

This the incomparable Airen DeCarli (seen here at Flashback, hanging with the one and only Svengoolie), one of my favorite members of The Flashback Family, who works her ass off every year to help make the convention runs smoothly).

Listen, this event wouldn't be half as cool without her, seriously, she rules...and here is Airen's personal list of ways to prepare and have a blast at Flashback Weekend.

1. CASH is key, don't hold out for an ATM, if you find one it's usually empty.

2. Bring some snacks to get you through til dinner.

3. Stay hydrated... think of it as for every beer drink a water, this makes it so you can get through the whole day with your friends.

4. Wear comfortable shoes.

5. When you hear the word "READY", in your "photo ops," your picture is being taken.

6. Don't forget to wash your hands.

7. Strike up conversations while waiting in lines, you may just end up with some new friends. New friends make the after parties way more fun.

8. Set a timer on your phone to go off 30minutes before your photo ops, that way you have time to run to the bathroom and freshen up.

9. Yes you can bring your own stuff for a guest to sign.

10. You should figure on the average guest/celebrity charging between $80-$100 for an autograph (it's better to be on the high end and have enough money, then not).

11. Yes, there is parking across the street and yes, it costs money to park.

12. Yes, there are places to eat in the hotel and within walking distance.

13. There is a difference between a "photo op" and a "selfie."

    1. "Photo op" is a professional photo taken of you and celeb at a specific time.

    2. "Selfie" is taken at their tables while getting autos and chit chatting. Not all celebs allow table selfies -most do- so ask to be sure. 
       

14. AND HAVE A GOOD TIME!!! I personally can't wait to see my horror family and, I look forward to making more people part of the family. See you guys soon!!!

There you go. Now that you have that info...have fun, and we will see you at the best event of 2024 starting THIS FRIDAY.

Thanks, and please SUBSCRIBE to my weekly NEWSLETTER, and consider joining me on Patreon as a paid subscriber to help keep this thing going. Thanks again!

You All Came Out To Play-yay!!

Last night...wow!

Well, what a wonderful night at the beautiful Lake Theater in Oak Park, for my Classic Cinemas "Nick's Pix" screening of the cult classic "The Warriors."

Can..... you....... DIG IT??

Over 200 people showed up for this classic movie on the big screen, including friends, fans, and the wonderful folks from Flashback Weekend Horror Convention, which is coming up August 2nd - 4th at The Hyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago and will feature an incredible "Warriors Reunion" with 7 original cast members from the film.

Great crowd, great questions, great time!

I had a blast introducing and watching the movie, chatting with fans, giving away great prizes, and conducting a fun talk/Q&A after the film.

A great time was had by all....and it will all happen again on Wednesday, August 14th when I host a screening of the incredible, award-winning 1979 thriller "The China Syndrome," with Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon and Michael Douglas. Get your tickets now at www.classiccinemas.com/nick.

Now, back to this year's awesome Flashback Weekend Convention!

In addition to the "Warriors Reunion," this year's event is jam-packed with incredible celebrity guests and exciting events, like the 45th Anniversary Celebration of Rich Koz as Svengoolie, and much more.

I will be moderating many Q&A's (including the "Warriors Reunion," a reunion of "John Carpenter's The Thing," and a few more), and, along with my co-host Esmeralda Leon, I will be doing a LIVE version of The Nick D Podcast with special guest Don Coscarelli, the writer/director of the "Phantasm" series, "The Beastmaster," "John Dies at the End," and "Bubba Ho-Tep."

Flashback is my favorite time of year, and this year I will be sharing updates, pictures, videos, interviews, live reports, and more right here at nickdigilio.com. Check out www.flashbackweekend.com for details, a full roster of celebrities and events, tickets, vendors, and much more.

The season is in full swing, and so are the Summer Movie Releases.

Here are three quick reviews of current movies you can find in theaters near you:

• FLY ME TO THE MOON - A charming, if overlong rom-com/historical comedy starring Channing Tatum and Scarlett Johansson. It's all about the selling and commercialization of the NASA space program during the Apollo missions. The cast is delightful (especially Woody Harrelson as a mystery government agent), it's clever and well directed, even if it goes on a bit too long and is NOT historically accurate. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it. - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

• LONGLEGS - The worst film I have seen all year is this so-called horror movie/serial killer thriller that is neither scary nor suspenseful, or even remotely watchable. This is smug, pompous, exceedingly stupid trash of the lowest form that also contains some of the worst performances of the year (Nicolas Cage is EMBARRASSING in this thing). For some reason this is getting good reviews and praise from fans and critics alike....NO. - Zero Stars

• TOUCH - The absolute biggest surprise of the year is this stunning, beautiful, incredibly moving story about a widower who embarks on a journey to find his first love, who disappeared 50 years ago. Told in flashbacks and present day, this overwhelmingly emotional film is sensitively told, wonderfully acted, and directed with subtle, gorgeous confidence. I cried multiple times while watching this very, very special movie, and it is one of the year's best films....easily. -  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Anyway, thanks for coming out the "The Warriors." Hope to see you for "The China Syndrome," and at this year's Flashback Weekend Horror Convention.

Summer is fun....isn't it??