Goodbye for Now

Now that Halloween is officially over, I’m ready to take stock of the season.  Halloween was quiet, but not anticlimactic like some years.  It helped that I got to extend it by seeing some “Halloween” pictures on AMC, as well as a funny Roseanne Halloween episode. 

Looking back, it was a good thing that we started the movies early, and watched one a week (more or less).  I want to do the same every year.  Unfortunately, I lost track of everything I wanted to see.  So next time, I’ll group together those films I’ll view for the season. 

Besides that, I regret that I didn’t finish too many books.  I’m especially disappointed that I didn’t read a book of Halloween stories all the way through.  I think I’d better start the big anthologies in August from now on.

As you can see, I’m already planning next season.  I might also add more Halloween movies and books to my favorites.  Looking forward to the following year keeps me from being sad about the end of this Halloween.

Anyways, it was a good trip!  Take care and goodbye for now.

Skull Pumpkin

One more look at the Halloween season before it winds down.  Hope you have fun!

Happy Halloween! 

Trick ‘r Treat

For our last movie of the season, I’ll review “Trick ‘r Treat”.  Four stories revolve around Halloween:

1. A man kills children and buries them in his backyard.
2. A virgin reveals a horrifying secret while attending a party.
3. After pulling a trick, youths awaken the dead.
4. A bad tempered elderly man fights a supernatural creature.

The first was gross.  My sister said that the second was “very unusual”.  I certainly didn’t expect that ending.  The third was plain scary.  In the fourth, I’d feel sorry for the imp (because he looks lonely) except that he’s evil.  Overall, this film was pretty good, considering how pictures are nowadays.

Well, that’s it for now.  Hope you enjoyed the reviews!

Damien: Omen II

Last year, I watched “The Omen”, so for Hell Night, I’m reviewing “Damien:  Omen II”.  Damien Thorn discovers who he is.  For everyone else, though, learning the truth about this boy can be hazardous to their health!

I’ve never saw this movie before, so I have to say that it's even scarier than the original first one. Maybe it’s because I glimpsed some of the original "The Omen" before I saw the whole picture.  Or perhaps the thought of Damien testing his new-found powers gives me the creeps!  I don’t know, but avoiding the sequel until now was probably a good idea.  Meanwhile, the music invokes dread in my Catholic bones.

Now I have to go lie down.  Pray for me…

The House Next Door

My last book for the Halloween season is an old favorite called “The House Next Door”, by Anne Rivers Siddons.  A couple watched as peoples’ lives are destroyed by the house next door.

I love the writing style of this author.  The descriptions of the seasons are especially great.  I also enjoy reading about the parties, as well as the island.  Unfortunately, I didn’t like a couple of situations in the book.  But what can I say?  This is horror!

A Haunting – House of the Dead

For a change of pace, we’ve seen an episode called “House of the Dead” from the series “A Haunting”.  The series has actual cases of the supernatural, with specters, devils, etc.  This episode is about a family that's terrorized by evil entities.

I felt a definite chill as I watched it, because this is a true story.  Also, it looked like a documentary, with interviews and reenactments.  The only thing is that the way they visually present it was a little disconcerting.  I got used to it, though.

On Amazon, I’ve glanced at their reviews, and it seems that this one isn’t the most frightening tale in the series.  So I plan on watching more in the future.

Halloween Decorations

Just in time for Halloween, I’ve assembled pictures of our decorations.  Some of these Halloween decorations have been around since July! 

The first pumpkin was carved in the front and back.

For the front, we carved a witch.

For the back, my brother carved a moon and swirls.

On our other jack o’ lantern, my brother carved the traditional face.

I helped my brother with the prep work and the carving.

We’ve had this jack o’ lantern for over 15 years.  Doesn’t it look evil?  Here it sits; with color-coordinated candle and candy bowl (My brother snapped this picture). 

My sister won the bear witch at the fair.  In addition, the tall scarecrow was bought at Michaels, whereas the smaller one was given as a gift for a gardening job well done. 

This is a Haunted Cabin (Lighted Building) from the Spooky Town Collection.  My sister bought it at Michaels.

Horror Double Feature

Yesterday, I saw two horror flicks. 

The first one is “He Knows You’re Alone”.  A bride-to-be and her friends are stalked by a crazed killer.

This movie is not one of my favorites.  Nevertheless, this tepid film is made more likable by its stars, among them Caitlin O’Heaney and Tom Hanks.  The villain also looks a little like a young demented Glenn Ford, especially when wielding that knife.

The second picture is “When a Stranger Calls”.  A baby-sitter receives threatening crank calls from an insane man who kills the children upstairs.  Seven years later, the killer escapes from the asylum.  Eventually, he becomes determined to finish the job.

I like Carol Kane, who reminds me of an old-time horror movie starlet.  The murderer is also scary, even when he’s “sane”.  Besides that, the camerawork is great.  Unfortunately, the middle part drags.  Colleen Dewhurst keeps it watchable, though.

About two more weeks till Halloween…the best is yet to come!

Spirit Dolls

As promised, I’ll talk about my brother’s “spooks”, or spirit dolls.  A spirit doll is the spirit of a deceased person that somehow becomes attached to a doll.  Some of them are supposed to do things such as facial changes, whispering, cold spots, etc.  According to the K-II EMF Meter, sometimes they’re active.  My brother says that you need to pay attention to the dolls to activate them.

The following are some of his dolls (from left to right):



Victoria (died in 1908), Mary (nun), and Tuleva (Romanian witch)

My brother snapped this picture.



Charlotte (Lottie), Carlie (witch), Sandra (the little one), and Annika (died in the early 1800’s)



Deidre (passed away in 1980 of leukemia)



Emma (committed to psychiatric ward in 1920’s)



Halloween

I was going to see the Rob Zombie remake, but the opening scenes disturbed me. So, while eating butterscotch pudding and popcorn, I watched the original “Halloween” instead.

Everyone knows the story – 3 friends are stalked by a psychopathic killer on the scariest night of the year. 

What can I say about it that you don’t already know?  Besides the acting, the thing I really love about this movie is the music.  From the opening notes, while the pumpkin increases in size, to the end with its eerie breathing, the music is utterly chilling.  It also serves to make the film even more terrifying. 

Anyways, I enjoyed the movie.  I doubt I would have said the same about the remake.

Here I Stay

In “Here I Stay”, by Barbara Michaels, Andrea and her brother Jim are haunted by ghosts when they move into a house that they intend on turning into a bed-and-breakfast. 

I really love this book.  I read it twice a year.  I like the descriptions of food and of the inn-keeping business.  Plus, this book is set in the fall / winter season, so it’s a great read for the holidays.  The only thing I don’t like is the sad ending.  I figure, though, that I can read a more upbeat book afterwards, so it's ok.

Book Accessories

Each fall, I venture out to buy Halloween book covers and bookmarks.  Sometimes I get lucky.  Here are my favorites:

Here are my sister’s book covers:

Witchboard

“Witchboard” opens at a party, where the spirit of a 10-year-old boy is contacted with an Ouija board.  When Linda uses that same board, murder and other scary things start to happen.  Things come to a head when the two men in her life, Jim and Brandon, must work together to save Linda from being possessed.

This gem of a horror movie has everything – it’s scary, funny, and emotional.  The bird’s-eye view of a camera angle is particularly unsettling.  Most of the film is convincingly real.

Halloween music

Every year, I listen to Halloween music that I recorded on a cassette tape.

Here are my favorite picks:

• Building a Mystery (Sarah McLachlan)
• Thriller (Michael Jackson)
• Self Control (Laura Branigan)
• Time Warp (The Rocky Horror Picture Show)
• Maneater (Hall & Oates)
• Private Eyes (Hall & Oates)
• Bad Moon Rising (Creedence Clearwater Revival)

What are your favorites?

Two in the Hole

On Saturday, I finished a horror book called “The Tribe”, by Bari Wood.  It answers the question of why clay was found both at a World War II concentration camp and a murder site 35 years later.

I thought it would be good because of the chilling cover, not to mention that Stephen King recommended it.  Unfortunately, except for a few tense scenes, it wasn’t too scary.  I’m disappointed.

On Monday, I saw a new (for me) movie called “Sorority Row”.  The plot sounds familiar…A sorority sister is accidentally killed and the others decide to cover it up.   Then, one by one, they (and anyone else in the way) are murdered by a hooded executioner.

This one is surprisingly scary.  Some of the death scenes are startlingly original (like when one of the girls gets a bottle rammed down her throat).  I screamed more than once.

One out of two isn’t bad.

Candy Bowls

I love candy.  Unfortunately, our animated candy bowl died on us.



Waving-hand, talking candy bowl

I loved that hand.  It breathed its last almost 3 weeks ago.  I turned it on, and as it waved down, its rubbery, off-white, decaying fingers slid out of the plastic hand.

 

When I told my brother about it, he looked astonished and said, “What happened?  It was fine the last time I looked!” 

Those battery-operated devices don’t seem to last too long.  I bought it two years ago.  Before that, I had a green-hand candy dish, but it ceased to function after 1 year.

Enter the new candy bowl.

Orange spiderwebbed punch bowl

Sadly, it doesn’t touch us as we grab our candy, or repeat Halloween phrases.  But at least it won’t break down.

Misgivings Day Weekend

We had cooler temperatures here for Misgivings Day (inspired by Ghoul Friday) weekend.

On Saturday, we drove to the cider mill and bought 1 dozen each of the powered and cinnamon sugar donuts, and 1 gallon apple cider.  I also purchased chocolate-nut, vanilla, and maple-nut fudge. 

On Sunday, I bought 2 Halloween t-shirts and a flameless LED wax candle, with spooky sounds, from Meijers.  I was thinking about the Halloween mat with the scream sounds, but I didn’t have the money for it (Boo!).

Afterward, I saw a horror movie called “The Changeling”.  George C. Scott is excellent as a bereaved man who moves into a haunted house, where he is confronted by a 70-year old mystery.

I first saw this picture on a RCA disc player (Does that date me?).  It was especially chilling when the ball bounced down the stairs, and then popped up again after John got rid of it.  I also liked the dizzying way the camera moved rapidly through the hall when John asked “How did you die?” after the séance.  Besides that, the ghost’s temper tantrum was pretty scary.  That is one nasty ghost!

Yeah, this weekend was good.

Phantasm

On Tuesday, I saw “Phantasm”.  This movie is about 3 guys (13-year-old Mike, Jody, his brother, and friend Reggie) that take on the Tall Man (a supernatural undertaker) to prevent him from turning the whole town into dwarfs. 

When I first saw this film, my favorite uncle/godparent was still alive.  I remember that he took one look at it and grimaced.  I smiled.  That’s probably why I have such a sentimental attachment to this movie.  It’s surreal and has memorable characters.  Not to mention that the Tall Man’s scream was awesome!  I also liked the red and blue colored backlighting throughout the movie.  It’s too bad that the sequels were not as good.

The Desk Lamp

This is a true story.  On September 9-10, between 11:30 a.m. and 1 a.m., I was reading something on the computer.  Suddenly, our desk lamp turned on by itself.  I did a double take with a “What?!” thought in my head.  I swear to you I didn’t touch that lamp (the lamp turns on with a touch.).  At least, I don’t think I did. 

Then I turned it off.  I guess my mind wasn’t working very well that early in the morning.  I forgot about it until about 5 a.m. 

I’m a little terrified now.

When I told my twin about it, she said, “Weird”.  Afterward, she said, “I believe you”.  What a sister!

I also told my Dad about it, and he commented that sometimes the lamp turns on when the TV’s turned on.  I said, “The TV wasn’t on”.  He said, "Then maybe it’s one of your brother’s spooks".  I laughed.  More on that later…

Halloween Movie Marathon and More

Every year, we see what I nicknamed the Halloween Movie Marathon.  My twin and I started this tradition in the 1990’s.  This time, we started early because I couldn’t wait for Labor Day.  Is July 27 too early?  Oh well…

So far, we’ve watched 13 horror movies.  Here’s a summary of what we’ve seen so far:

• Halloween:  H20 – We usually start off with this one, because it’s about Halloween, and also it’s one of our favorites.  The name implies what it’s about…Laurie Strode with a son and a psychopathic brother, 20 years later.  I loved seeing Jamie Lee Curtis with that axe.
• The Funhouse – Teens spend a night in a funhouse and get knocked off one by one by a monster.  Boy, that monster had a great scream.    
• Fear – A woman with extrasensory abilities taps into a killer’s mind.  The kicker is that this killer is psychic too, which he uses to increase other’s fears.  I like Ally Sheedy, so I enjoyed this one.
• Subspecies – Vampire brothers fight over King Vlad’s inheritance.  Yup, another favorite of mine, even though it is gross in spots.
• The Church – This one I saw some parts of long ago.  When I saw it in its entirety I was drawn in by the disturbing erotic imagery.
• IT – 7 friends band together to fight Pennywise the Clown.  I especially appreciated John Ritter being cast as the “Fat Boy”.
• Psycho III – Anthony Perkins on the prowl again, but this time he has a girl friend.
• Invasion of the Body Snatchers – Donald Sutherland plays a guy who is thrust into an invasion of pod people.  Scared me when he crushed his girlfriend.
• The Haunted – Based on the true story, “The Haunted:  One Family’s Nightmare” (I also read the book), about the Smurls’ experiences with the haunted duplex on Chase Street.  The book is scarier than the movie, but I still enjoyed this TV picture.  It especially disturbed me when Jack was attacked by a demon.
• The Faculty – Every kid’s worst nightmare:  having their teachers get taken over by aliens.  Don’t you love it when people band together to fight evil?
• Suspiria – Girl attends a ballet academy where witches kill the students.  While I didn't care for the grotesque death scenes, I liked the background lighting colors, frightfully good music, and scary plot.
• The Amityville Horror – A family moves into their dream house and experience 28 days of hell.  I was disappointed that this wasn’t a true story like they said, but I guess they meant that the DeFeo murders actually happened.
• When a Stranger Calls Back – Sequel about a baby sitter/coed who is stalked by a psychopath.  I enjoyed seeing this in September, when school is in session.

I’ve only read 4 books so far.  They are as follows:

• Haunted Spouse (Heather MacAllister) – A woman helps her ex-husband design a haunted house.  I enjoy this book every year, even though the guy's a jerk.
• Fright Night (Linda Stevens) – a man and a woman are stalked by a nut who is determined that the whole town must pay.  Yup, another favorite.  I especially liked that they showed the inner workings of a haunted house. 
• Storm of the Century (Stephen King) – An evil man terrorizes islanders during a big snowstorm.  What was in the book was mostly the same stuff as the miniseries, but it did answer some questions I had about it.
• Unmasked Passion (Linda Vail) – 3 women place their hopes and dreams into a Halloween Gala.  Not as special as the first two, but I read it every Halloween.

From now on, I’ll post them as I see (or read) them.

It's Halloween Time

I love fall and Halloween.  I’m already knee deep into the season, as I relish the horror movies we see and have seen.  I feel joy as I read my scary and Halloween-related books.  Setting up my jack o’ lantern and other decorations always gets me in the mood for this time.  In this blog, I will share how we celebrate Halloween, with movies, books, decorations, the occasional strange occurrence, etc.  I might even extend the posting into the whole year…