Save our preternatural history! And NYC ghost busting landmark

Fans of the Ghostbusters film franchise may have more to worry about than getting the sometimes comittment-phobic Dr. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) to sign on to Ghostbusters 3. It appears the rumor mill has ground on so long that one of the original and arguably most recognized locations, the Ghostbusters’ headquarters, from the first two films is facing extinction.

It’s no secret that the fate of iconic movie locations if often far more difficult and obscure than the films they star in. After the first blush of fame, in which the locations are flooded with visitors hoping to share in the magic produced there, most return to a semi-normal existence. After a few years they are just another house, hotel, beach, bar or whatever. It’s almost as though the film or films never happened.

This period between “box-office hit” and “movie classic” is very dangerous for locations. Many, prematurely worn-out by that first flood of fans, fall into disrepair. They are neglected and, except for the odd comment in passing or an illegible sign, largely forgotten. Ultimately, these iconic locations are destroyed before anyone realizes they are significant cultural landmarks.

Such could be the fate of the Ghostbusters’ HQ.

A love letter to one of the best movies of the 80s, a call-to-arms to save a vital piece of American cultural history, and a startling confession from your intrepid writer. All this and more, after the jump. Let’s say that four or five years ago, Vince Vaughn, Steve Carell and Tina Fey were going to star in a movie written by Carell and Fey and directed by Judd Apatow that riffed on classic Laurel and Hardy sketches and Buster Keaton setpieces an … Read More via Gravy Boat (Stay In The Now) 

Hook & Ladder No. 8 is one of 20 fire stations targeted for closure. According to the New York Daily News, the closure of all 20 fire stations will result in a cost savings of up to $55 million. That’s a lot of money in this strained economy where families and communities are struggling to pay the bills, which makes it hard to argue against the proposed closures.

But.

This is not just another fire house and the men and women who work there are not just any firefighters. Ladder 8 was established on 16 October, 1865. That’s more than a century before anyone heard of Drs. Stantz, Spengler and Venkman. Further, Ladder 8 is within a mile of the World Trade Center site. It is arguable that these men and women, like those at the other 19 fire stations on the chopping block, were there for the City when things were bad, perhaps even at their worst. Don’t they deserve the same consideration?

This doesn’t even count the hazards of leaving a paranormal containment unit in the hands of untrained civilians or, even worse, an empty building. Perhaps Columbia Pictures or some Ghostbusters fan organization will step in to save the building, at least until the rumors of Ghostbusters 3 and the next generation of paranormal exterminators are either proven true or false.

Elect a zombie in Wisconsin

Preternatural Post Zombie Trading Card

Perhaps following the example of the American Vampire League (AVL), zombies are running for political office in Wisconsin. Republicans are allegedly even recruiting zombies as challengers in some races. It seems the GOP thinks zombies will be easier to defeat than, say, Democrats. How effective this strategy is remains to be seen.

The most recent reports are coming in from  Dane101.com identifies three zombies known to have been recruited by the Republican Party and running for office in Districts 14, 18 and 10.  The goal of this zombie recruitment effort, which the more politically correct Milwaukee Journal Sentinel refers to them as “fake” and “protest” candidates, appears to be to force an early primary election. Unnamed Republican sources indicated to the Sentinel that most races across the state will include a zombie candidate.

Political Monsters

“I was inspired to write ‘Monster for President’ while thinking about all the politicians that managed to get themselves in trouble because of their personal foibles, despite their political and intellectual savvy,” explains author Hal Pollock. “The political process today embraces both sexes as well as all races, and I wanted to celebrate that….”

Monster for President

Monster for President is a storybook and app that reveals the ups and downs of rival political campaigns for the highest office in the Monster Nation. No, not the 2012 race for President of the United States. This comical political parody for ages 12 and older is really about who will become the next President of Monster Nation, the incumbent Prez or the Challenger.

Citizens can watch and read the great debate between The Prez and The Challenger. An ace reporter (not from The Preternatural Post) asks so questions and presents some information that may influence voter opinions (or not).

Monster Campaign Trail

RippIFX, Inc. a developer and producer of animated mobile apps has teamed up with Esquire Publishing, to answer the burning question: “since so many politicians act like monsters, what if they really were monsters?” The answer, or at least one possible answer, can be found in The Monster for President storybook, available as a printed book or an app for the iPad and iPhone/iPod touch.

“Satire is a mainstay of storytelling as it keeps culture in check with itself,” said Nicole Lundeen, CEO of RippIFX, Inc. “Political parody is a great way to express the good, the bad, and the ugly of politics to any generation. With ‘Monster for President’ author Hall Pollock joins the ranks of political satirists like Jonathan Swift, Mark Twain, Will Roger and P.J. O’Rourke. We enhanced his parody by adding comical character voices and animation to bring Anthony Parisi’s brilliant illustrations to life.”

RippIFX adapted Monster for President from the original storybook written by Hal Pollock and illustrated by illustrated by Anthony Parisi. Enhanced features of the app versions include animation, individual words that highlight when read aloud, background audio effects and special interactive pages.