about

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Loving the Alien

Can you remember where your obsession with movies began? For me, it started when I was six years old. Two events in December 1982, a week apart, defined what was to come. The second was the immersion in the vivid world of Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal. It was a starkly different experience from the first, a story of extraterrestrial trauma, of childhood tears. So many tears. You see, this alien wasn’t phoning home. Oh no, this one had a head that turned into a spider and there wasn't a single schoolkid in sight saving E.T., just a bunch of snowbound blokes in beards and... The Thing onscreen… just kept… changing.

I’m kidding, of course. While I loved Spielberg’s second close encounter, I grew to prefer Carpenter’s gruesome shapeshifter because I've always been more attracted to monsters. Further exploration of Henson’s fantasy worlds lead me to even more of them through Labyrinth (with a man who fell to Earth) – a less terrifying but magical experience – that was also the perfect introduction to the ‘changes’ of David Bowie. By the time the ’90s arrived I was hunky dory for VHS stickers and movie lists, where I developed a healthy taste and wider appreciation of film.

Some things never change.

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Rich Johnson

Resume

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As a D&AD Award Winner – with a background in graphic design and illustration – since 2004, I have lectured and delivered degree-level courses within the creative arts and media, including: graphic design, illustration, film studies and journalism. My first novel, The Enemy's Son (as James Johnson), was released in 2008, followed by a number of independent comics for various anthologies and collections. With a current focus on film, my credits include: Little White Lies, The Digital Fix, We Belong Dead, Diabolique, Shots, Network, Rue Morgue and Fangoria along with film commentary and accompanying essays for boutique labels, 101 Films and Second Sight Films. My Devil’s Advocates book on S. Craig Zahler's Bone Tomahawk is due out soon and Studying the Superhero Movie in 2022, both from Auteur Publishing and Liverpool University Press. As well as numerous film courses delivered via Broadway Cinema. You can currently listen to me over at the FILM & PODCAST and Mondo Moviehouse.

Top 10? These go to 11

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Night of the Hunter (1955)

Charles Laughton

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Harakiri (1962)

Masaki Kobayashi

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Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

Sergio Leone

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Jaws (1975)

Steven Spielberg

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Blade Runner (1982)

Ridley Scott 

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The Thing (1982)

John Carpenter  

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The Dark Crystal (1982)

Jim Henson and Frank Oz

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This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

Rob Reiner 

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Nightcrawler (2014)

Dan Gilroy

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Bone Tomahawk (2015)

S. Craig Zahler  

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The Red Turtle (2016)

Michaël Dudok de Wit 

*A seminal year for film from cult classics to blockbusters: Blade Runner, The Thing, Tron, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, The Flight of Dragons, First Blood, The Grey Fox, Poltergeist, Tootsie, Gandhi, Conan the Barbarian, The Plague Dogs...

... and Grease 2.

‘I hate television. I hate it as much as peanuts. But I can’t stop eating peanuts.’ - Orson Welles

film &

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A Thematic Journey

Through Cinema

Available on:

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The Weird World Cinema Podcast

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‘Pain is temporary, film is forever!’ - John Milius

writing

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Essays, Features & Reviews

Check back regularly for updates. Short reviews and latest additions to the film library can be found over on FILM & INSTAGRAM. 

‘Cinema is a mirror by which we often see ourselves.’ - Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

testimonials

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The things people say...

Rich writes with care and beauty, examining his subjects from unexpected angles and with nothing less than the utmost due diligence. He’s a thoughtful, thorough writer whose passion for cinema is made manifest in every word.

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Meredith Borders

Managing Editor

Fangoria

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Rich is not only a great bloke, he’s an outside-the-box thinker when it comes to art, a writer of prodigious imagination (have you read his novel?) and a deep reservoir of film lore to boot.

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Liam Sharp

Artist & Writer

Marvel / DC Comics

Green Lantern, Batman and Wonder Woman

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Rich’s writing brims with insight, intelligence and always makes for interesting reading. His Enthusiasm, passion and film knowledge make him a valuable addition to any writing team.

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Hel Harding-Jones

Editor

The Digital Fix

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I have Rich to thank for the most thoughtful, thorough profile

I’ve ever read about my approach to our industry and the business we’ve built with that approach. More than a professional perspective or retrospective, when I read Rich’s article I thought to myself, “Yeah, that’s me, that’s us.” Rich has a way of bringing out the humanity in all of his subjects, and working with him was far

more conversation between engaged people than it was

q&a between interviewer and interviewee.

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Jae Goodman

CEO

Observatory

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Rich has been a recent, welcome addition to the stable of shots freelance writers. His research is in-depth, his communication is great and his enthusiasm for the subject on which he is writing is infectious, which carries through to the finished article.

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Danny Edwards

Co-Editor

Shots

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I was delighted to have Rich on board for our Spotlight on Horror book. His writing is incisive, intelligent and most entertaining. Hoping this is the start of many projects together.

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Eric McNaughton

Publisher

We Belong Dead Magazine

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Thanks again for writing such a great article about our weird wee country and its film scene! It’s wonderful to read such thoughtful work about our film history and I think you write beautifully.

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Aislin Clarke

Writer/Director

The Devil's Doorway

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A lovely piece on Irish horror. Thanks for shining a light!

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Kevin Lehane

Writer

Grabbers

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Rich’s interview was well written and encapsulated, in concise form,

the many conversations we had about my background and experiences.

He captured, particularly, the early childhood influences from the post-war period in my hometown Vienna that were certainly a big subconscious influence in my work.

Otto Rapp

Artist

The Deterioration of Mind Over Matter