Crypticon

Halloween has passed, but if you haven't had enough blood, guts, and garish movies, you're in luck. Crypticon, now in its third year, is something of a Star Trek convention for fans of severed limbs, spraying blood, giant men in hockey masks hacking campers to death, and all the other stomach-churning elements of horror culture. This year's con will feature actors whose names might not be recognized, but whose work is carved into our collective conscience with a cleaver. Tom Morga, who has played the Halloween franchise's Michael Myers and Jason Vorhees from the Friday the 13th series (he's like the Bo Jackson of horror franchises), will appear, as will Richard Brooker, the first Jason Vorhees to don the goalie mask, and Charlotte Kemp, who isn't really famous, but appeared in a movie, I kid you not, called Frankenhooker. A couple of legends from behind the camera will also be on hand, including Tom Savini, the FX maestro responsible for Dawn of the Dead and its remake among other films, and Doug Jones, who created characters for Pan's Labyrinth and the Hellboy films. But Crypticon isn't just about the stars of the gore biz, it's about the fans and amateurs as well. There will be a film festival with local movies, and an FX contest, so attendees are encouraged to bring props they've made. Go to www.crypticonminnespolis.com for a complete list of guests and events.
Fri., Nov. 14, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sat., Nov. 15, 10-2 a.m.; Sun., Nov. 16, 12-5 p.m., 2008