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Medium Chill: Issue 8
The 8th issue in the cult, underground, ultra-weird series from writer/producer Dr. Rhonda Baughman.
Special emphasis this issue on "Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama" (1988)
Special emphasis this issue on "Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama" (1988)
170 pages, Paperback
Published January 28, 2023
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February 21, 2023
Issue 8 of Medium Chill is a bit of a change of pace. There's still a collection of poetry and short fiction (including my own story "Good Boy" inspired by watching too much true crime tv and having a dog who demands regular walks), but the majority of the issue is devoted to the publication's editor and primary contributor Rhonda Baughman's love of the 1988 horror comedy Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama, which she conveys through a series of personal essays and journalistic interview pieces. I've seen the film--hell, I probably rented it from the same Video Time store Baughman did when she and I were neighbor kids in the 80s--but I certainly have never thought so deeply about it or been so affected by it. For me, it was one of many horror films I watched as a preteen that kept my interest through a mixture of bloodshed and boobs like Chopping Mall or Night of the Demons.
For Baughman, a few years younger and female, it was something else altogether, and it's easy to feel the importance of this film to her in reading these pieces. My favorite piece in the book by far is a transcribed conversation between Baughman and writer Douglas E. Winter as the two sit down to watch the film together, Winter having not previously seen it. This is normally not my kind of thing. I'm not an esoteric film guy, I don't really read film criticism, and I never listen to director commentaries on DVDs or anything like that. I liked this piece so well because Baughman and Winter are free and comfortable enough with each other to reveal quite a bit about themselves. Even though I grew up with Baughman, I don't know that much about her life beyond Instagram pictures and Medium Chill issues, so it was nice to discover a few unknown things about the little girl down the street, who has grown up to be an accomplished writer, actress, critic, and professor. I'm also happy to be a contributor to this series and look forward to future issues.
For Baughman, a few years younger and female, it was something else altogether, and it's easy to feel the importance of this film to her in reading these pieces. My favorite piece in the book by far is a transcribed conversation between Baughman and writer Douglas E. Winter as the two sit down to watch the film together, Winter having not previously seen it. This is normally not my kind of thing. I'm not an esoteric film guy, I don't really read film criticism, and I never listen to director commentaries on DVDs or anything like that. I liked this piece so well because Baughman and Winter are free and comfortable enough with each other to reveal quite a bit about themselves. Even though I grew up with Baughman, I don't know that much about her life beyond Instagram pictures and Medium Chill issues, so it was nice to discover a few unknown things about the little girl down the street, who has grown up to be an accomplished writer, actress, critic, and professor. I'm also happy to be a contributor to this series and look forward to future issues.
Displaying 1 of 1 review