Short Story Sunday: Run

Hey Guys,


I thought I'd post some short scary stories on here to add to our scary movies. Enjoy!

Run

By

E.Garrison

You open your eyes. You're standing in the woods before a door, white and tall, glancing down you see there is no handle. Mist starts gathering around your bare feet, your heart starts to beat fast, painfully fast. You hear the maniacal cackle behind you as you whip around to see where it came from. You know He is getting closer. Your palms are sweating as you try to open the white door. You close your eyes.“Open”, your mind voice says. It remains closed “You really shouldn't have tried to escape.”, He says. Your eyes fly open and start to water. You are helpless. The air around you suddenly becomes thick and suffocating, you claw at your neck as you hear that laugh again. That sinister giggle that grows as you lose oxygen. He is getting closer. You have a choice: open the door and continue the game or die a thousand horrible deaths. Once more, your mind voice screams “PLEASE OPEN!”

The air swirls and suddenly everything stops. You can't move as a single tear runs down your cheek. The door creaks open and you are met with darkness. You can feel Him looking for you. You run through the doorway and as it slams shut behind you, you see a light ahead. You begin to run towards it but stop upon seeing a small girl. You slowly walk towards her, hearing her cry softly. “Are you alright?” you ask her. Silence. “It's going to be okay.” you tell her. She slowly begins to rise. You look down, noticing she cradles a small foot in her bloody palms. She turns to face you,smiling. You scream as loud as you can.....

And in the distance, a laugh can be heard.

Thanks for reading! Keep Watching and Get Scared!!

Wolfman's Got Nards!

Hello Friends


I am thoroughly sadden by the fact it is October and I haven't posted yet! Well here I am, with a 1987 classic: The Monster Squad!


One of my favorite movies growing up not only because I thought Frankenstein was nice and funny but Duncan Regehr's portrayal of Dracula was especially frightening.  This film is the perfect mix of The Goonies and all the classic horror films into one.

A group of monster loving kids stumble upon a journal written by Van Helsing detailing that come the following night, Dracula, Frankenstien, The Mummy, The Wolfman and The Creature from The Black Lagoon are going to take over the world! Now its up to The Monster Squad to stop them before it's too late! 

Scary German Guy is one of my favorite characters in the movie because he added such a safe presence during most of the turmoil. Another great moment is when Eugune says that the Creature "took his Twinkie". The children performed remarkably and I have such a soft spot for funny child-parent relationships. Particularly when Eugene wakes up his dad because he gets scared as The Mummy is in his closet.

Yes some d the dialogue is forced and cheesy but hey it's the '80's. What else do you expect?! The song at the end of the credits is also great in a Parents Just Don't Understand mixed with Hangin Tough kind of way. 

The only complaint I truly have is that the benevolent Hollywood Gods are remaking it. This film was only good because it was made in the '80's! I can only imagine how they are going to try and modernize it. 

Some things should be left in the past where they belong. 

Keep Watching and Get Scared! 

p.s. keep a look out for an Actor Highlight later this week :) 

Prisoners....That Sounds About Right

Hey Friends,

Prisoners centers around two families in their frantic search for the man responsible for kidnapping their daughters. As the police follow several red herrings, Keller Dover (played by Hugh Jackman) becomes obsessive in finding the truth.

Hugh Jackman is many things; a great singer,decent actor, Wolverine but, was he the right actor for the film? No, he wasn't. While his character is supposed to be this concerned father, Jackman comes across as someone who watch too many American soap operas. His performance felt forced and melodramtic which cheapened the story. However, it wasn't entirely his fault and he wasn't the only one who suffered.. He and Jake Gyllenhaal, who plays Detective Loki, were both subjected to some poor dialogue. Gyllenhaal however, was able to overcome the dialogue for the most part by playing the character indifferent at times which helped scale back the melodrama.

Paul Dano who plays Alex Jones, a suspect in the case, shines with his timid yet cryptic portrayal of the trouble young man. His quiet reservedness is chilling as he becomes a victim himself in more ways than one. Surprisingly Melissa Leo, in very convincing old age makeup, plays the protective aunt of Alex Jones and while she does a pretty good job, her character arch is visible from 50 miles away.

Truth be told, I felt like a prisoner having to watch an almost three hour film. The ending was obvious within the first thirty minutes, so for the next two hours and twenty minutes I sat there wishing someone would let me escape. The film easily could have been cut down to two and half hours but lingering shots of trees got the better of the film. If you want to sit in a dark theatre and pull out your hair, be my guest but for those of you who want to not be stressed out save this one for Netflix.

See you guys next week and keep watching!

He's Got Your Baby.....INSIDIOUS: Chapter 2 Review

I'm back in full force with one of the most anticipated horror films this year! Insidious:Chapter 2 is releasing today! Friday the 13th folks!

However, before I go into the film and such, I want to congratulate the marketing team on this one. By showing a "double feature" of Insidious and Insidious: Chapter 2, movie goers are taken back to the old days of a "Friday night double feature" and I encourage all of you to attend one. 

James Wan has already done well this year with The Conjuring and continues with the Insidious saga! His style of modernized throwback horror has paved the way for his success. Through intense music and interesting visuals, he creates terrifying situations and horrific nightmares. 

 
Now I will say, going into this I was very skeptical because with *SPOILER ALERT*dead characters coming back and the plot seeming the same yet the main characters acknowledging that previous events from Insidious, I was confused how they were going to, frankly, keep the audience entertained... they did NOT fail.

Flashbacks and intertwining plots keep this film entertaining and unique, however predictable it seemed. With an interesting twist on the "bad guy" to the warm welcome of Elise the audience is taken for a ride. Now yes, the jokes were predictable, with the exception of the scene involving a safe word , and yes some of the plot was just plain weird and unexplained but as a whole this film delights on all levels.

I don't want to divulge too much but some of the scares worked really well and some were reminiscent of either the prequel or The Conjuring ( we can all agree that wardrobes are terrible and children's toys are always possessed). If you're looking to have fun and get scared; I recommend this film.

And if you have high expectations for this movie then here is my advice: Don't. Don't expect anything for horror films. If you go in with an open mind and let yourself go just enough...... you might have fun.

Although....don't let yourself go too far, for you never know who will come back with you....

Keep Watching and Get Scared!!!

Top Secret! And......

Hello Friends!!!



Alright I will let you in on my secret....I have been working on a zombie feature film and it's been taking up all of my time! So there you have it, that's why I haven't been updating lately. Hopefully as it comes to an end I can reveal more!


In cinema we, as an audience, want to connect with the story and nine times out of ten its the characters that help us to achieve that sense of inclusion. The horror and scary movie genre is no exception, however instead of the "good guys", the audience relies on the villain or the "bad guys" to inspire fear and dread.


Regan MacNeil- Nothing is more terrifying than child possession. Especially when a demon forces the child to do and say unspeakable things. From crucifixes to pea soup, Regan MacNeil is the epitome of evil and all things sinister.


Emily Rose- Again with creepy possession, although it was Emily's internal struggle that set her apart from Regan. Her fear and confusion is as scary as her actual possession. The genuflect scene when she is in her bedroom is particularly terrifying.


The Strangers- Look, we don't know who they are so we will refer to them as The Strangers. Masked people who give no explanation other than " You were home" as the reason they decided to torture and kill a man and almost kill a woman.



Just the beginning of the list but only a taste for today. Thanks for reading guys and remember


Keep Watching and Get Scared

He Who Walks Behind The Rows

Hey Friends,


Again sorry, I've working on something that I hope soon I can share with you!

This is the last Stephen King movies installment and what a film to end with.... Children of the Corn. I love this film because let's face it it, children without authority is as terrifying as a serial killer or a demon.  Children are impulsive and excitable therefore if a peer convinces them, in this case that they must kill all adults and children that do not believe the way they do. The thought of an innocent child committing unspeakable crimes is still a very strange and uncomfortable taboo to even think about.

The film begins with Job telling what happened three years before Isaac and Malachai took over the town and killed all the adults in Gatlin, Nebraska . Then it takes you to present day to a couple named Burt and Vicky who are driving to Burt's new hospital internship, where they become stranded in the town.

The premise of a religious cult that kills anyone over the age of 18, guided by a 12 year old preacher is ridiculously scary! Kids plus creepy preachings from the old testament mixed with a demonic force that "walks behind the rows" equals freaking weird problems. We never find out who "He who walks behind the rows" is or why the blue man is important!!!

Linda Hamilton plays Vicky and for the life of me, I don't understand why she was ever cast in anything but whatever right? It was the '80's so she worked I guess. Her forced and vapid responses are mundane and her facial expressions constantly pained. While Courtney Gains and John Franklin steal the show as Isaac and Malachai, one the scary child preacher (who was 25 when he was cast) and the other, a power hungry follower.

The film is one of the greats because of the children they cast, they inspire fear and yet a few of them retain innocence and purity. It's on Netflix instant stream so please watch it!!!! For "question me not, Malachai!"

Keep Watching and Get Scared....

p.s. 85 days till Halloween!!!

Seriously?!?!?!?!

Hello Friends,
 
Today is not so much a review as it is a rant, because I cannot let this rest. There are some things that deserve to be left in the past, as it was the only appropriate time for such things to exist.

As I was trolling around on the Internet, I came across a very disturbing list.....Every Horror/Scary movie you ever loved is being remade!!!!! Just to name a few...

Carrie
Child's Play
Frankenstein
Pet Semetary ( I might be the most angry about this one)
It
The Creature From The Black Lagoon
Hellraiser
Poltergeist 
An American Werewolf in London 
The Mummy Reboot


NOW here's why I have such an aversion to this "trend" happening. As an audience we have been desensitized from primal fears like, the dark, shadows, being lost and strange noises. We have become accustomed to blood, guts and seeing all of it happen. Most of these films didn't have lots of blood and you didn't see a lot of scary things.

Horror films lack mystery and the producers nowadays underestimate the audiences ability to IMAGINE scary things by themselves. That's why The Blair Witch Project worked, it played on most of those fears and you didn't even see anything! You saw twigs, rocks and phantom baby hands! Nothing like, what happened to the girl at the end....it was left up to you to imagine what happened.

Now people will argue that they are remaking them to reintroduce them to newer generations but the truth is: money is the reason. Hollywood believes that these films will bring in a lot of cash flow but I believe that this philosophy is flawed. With films like Saw and Paranormal Activity, they will have to re-write these scripts with gorier and edgier plot points thus turning the films into complete messes. Look, I will probably see all of these to see what they will be like but I will be unhappy the whole time.

Thanks for reading and please sound off on the comment box on what films you wish they would or wouldn't remake.

Keep Watching and Get Scared!

The Ground Is Sour!

Hello Friends,

Forgive my absence, I have started a new adventure and I'll be posting more about that. BUT today lets keep going with the Stephen King theme

Pet Semetary (that's how it's spelled!) features some of the BEST movie lines, for instance " The ground is sour" and " I want to play with yoooouuuu". And the film touches on everything from zombie children, ghosts, Indian burial ground and   creepy shut in sisters. 

Behind a young family's home in Maine is a terrible secret that holds the power of life after death. When tragedy strikes, the threat of that power soon becomes undeniable. -- IMDb Plot: Pet Sematary (1989) 

Honestly, Herman Munster and Gage still the show. With Mr. Munsters foreboding advice about the ground and Gage threatening his father, the two of them have the scaring down! Now not to say this movie is flawless ,the costumes and hair are ridiculous but after all, it's the '80's so there you go. And some of the effects are lame but overall this film provides spooks and laughs, so if you haven't seen it please go rent it! 

I know today's post was short and sweet but this film speaks for itself....so as always

Keep Watching and Get Scared!

They're All Gonna Laugh at You!!!!

Hello Friends,


It's Saturday and tonight you need to something to watch? With the impending Carrie remake on the way starring Chloe Grace Moretz and Julianne Moore,( I am very skeptical about said remake by the way) I thought tonight you should watch the original Carrie featuring Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie and John Travolta.

Stephen King's first novel published however, his fourth story he ever wrote, was the 1974 hit Carrie. A story of a young girl who, after menstruating for the first time, finds she has telekinetic powers and develops them to get even with bullies.

King has said that the idea for Carrie, came from a composite of two girls that he knew in high school and that the menstruation and release of hormones is what intensified the telekinetic powers.

I know you shouldn't root for the "bad guy" well girl in this case, but Carrie had a lot of problems so really...girl get even with everyone. Her mother, a crazy religious fanatic who beats her upon leaning of her getting her period, instills a fear in Carrie that leaves her sheltered and odd. In fact, when Carries Aunt Flow comes, she believes she's bleeding to death and then the girls in the locker room throw tampons and sanitary napkins at her! And if that isn't enough, she then has an atrocious prank pulled on her at prom.

Sissy Spacek was the perfect Carrie because she looked kind of crazy in a 1970's kind of way, a little mousy and a little...off. She had acted in a few bit parts including a role in Terrance Malick's Badlands, but was relatively unknown that is, until after Carrie.  Piper Laurie amazes as the creepy mother who beats and locks Carrie in a religious cupboard where she must pray about her sins. Her shouting at Carrie " They're all going to laugh at you" is one of the best lines in a horror film because of the sheer desperation and madness that is behind it.

This film serves to remind us of how bullying affects those around us and you never know what someone may be hiding so choose your words carefully.......

Thanks for reading,

Keep Watching and Get Scared

The Conjuring

Hello Friends,

To be warned, I'm not going to spoil anything....

Finally a horror film that understands the difference between being scary and being gory. The Conjuring, starring Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga and Ron Livingston, mastered the less is more genre of scary movies.

The Perron family, who after moving into a new home that they got at a bank auction start having paranormal occurrences, call upon Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Warrens are accomplished paranormal investigations, from The Amityville Horror, the Annabelle doll case and The Devil in Connecticut case, takes the case. But all is not what it seems.

Lorraine Warren worked very closely with the cast and crew to ensure that the film captured every feeling that she and her husband felt throughout the case. And thank goodness for that because it felt personal. You felt for the families and you shivered and cringed along with the children. Warren was able to communicate she and her husbands beliefs without it being preachy.

The film as a whole was understated and pleasantly accurate given the time period. For instances, the costuming was appropriate without it being "Wow look at us, were in the '70's". The scene featuring the "Annabelle doll" was particularly crazy, I really want to know where they found that doll that they used! The props team did a really great job finding strange toys and artifacts. From people being dragged around a room, to disembodied voices, this film delivered some good jumps and scares and at one point a few shrieks! The eeriness of basements, old homes, dolls, demons and birds helped make this film a true classic.

Patrick Wilson did a great job playing Ed Warren, the demonologist who loved his wife deeply and would do anything to make sure she was safe. While Vera Farmiga shined as Lorraine, the concerned trance clairvoyant with her own demons, she had a few cliched moments but over all did well.

Now yes, some of the spooks were reminiscent of other films such as, The Exorcist, Paranormal Activity and Drag Me to Hell  but in the films defense, all of these films deal with demonic possession and dark entities. So really the scares are staying true to the real phenomenon's that all of these films are based upon.

Overall, this film was refreshing and scary with all that was promised in the previews and more. A true story that stirs the audiences and makes you afraid of your closet all over again. It plays on the child-like fear of the dark and the very adult fear of loosing your family to something you can't fight. I enjoyed this film very much and when I got home from the movies, I barred my closet doors.

Thanks friends for reading,

Keep Watching and Get Scared

Pacific Rim!

Hello Friends,

As I am typing this, I am currently in line for Guillermo Del Toro's Pacific Rim. Starring Charlie Hunnman, Idris Elba and Rob Perlman.

As a war between humankind and giant   sea creatures wages on, a former pilot and trainee are paired up to drive a giant power ranger (pretty much)in a desperate effort to "cancel the apocalypse." Charlie Hunnman plays Raleigh Beckett, a solider with a sad past, is recruited to be apart of the last resistance against the Kaiju ( the sea monsters). With soilders from all around the world including Russia, Hong Kong and Australia; they are all that's left of the Jager program ( the robots)

Del Toro's style is flawless as usual with a well developed and visually stunning film. His "creatures" evolve and change in each of his films and Pacific Rim doesn't disappoint. While maintaining his own personal touch, the creatures still hold their own. From Pan's Labyrinth to Pacific Rim, Del Toro shines again. 

The script however, could have used a few revisions. It was chalk full of cliches including the solider with daddy issues, the girl out to prove she can run with the boys and a man with emotional baggage. The dialogue suffered because of these dense characters. Now not to say that it was all bad, Charlie Day ( It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) amazes as the excitable Kaiju enthusiast who butts heads with the scientist he's forced to work with. For all the ladies this film is chalk full of man candy, particularly Hunman and Robert Kazinsky. 

The visual effects were amazing! The inside of the Jagers were exceptional, leaving the audience wishing that they could go inside one. The amount of detail and thought that went into constructing and conceptualizing the robots and how they maneuvered. The battle sequences were also intense, however the final showdown let me wanting. It wasn't as action packed as the others and it seemed rushed.

All in all, I enjoyed this film. Partly due to the fact I wish I was apart of the Jager program, but mostly due to the fact that it was visually stunning and that makes up for the script situation. Think of it as a huge budget PowerRangers film.

Thank all for reading and remember,

Keep Watching and Get Scared!

"I See Dead People"

Hello Friends,

After a small vacation, I'm back. Today let's talk about a film that wasn't too scary but it resonated with millions of people and gave audiences one of the most quotable movies lines ever......" I see Dead People"


Before The Sixth Sense was released in 1999, very little people knew who M. Night Shyamalan was but he was about to explode due to this films high praise and box office gold. This film was one of four horror films to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, the others being The Exorcist, Jaws and Silence of The Lambs. 


The film centers around Malcom Crowe, a child psychologist, who receives an award on the same night that he is visited by a very unhappy ex-patient. After this encounter, Crowe takes on the task of curing a young boy with the same illness as the ex-patient. The  boy claims he  "sees dead people". Crowe is the last hope for the young boy, named Cole, as his mother is at her wits end with his constant obsession with death.


If you haven't seen this film, I sincerely hope you've been living in the wilderness or under a rock for many many years because that is the only exception for not seeing this movie! It is full of twist and turns and spine tingling frights. I also hope someone hasn't spoiled the ending for you, but if they did still see this movie.


Now moving on to M.Night Shyamalan, the director and writer of this film. To say that this was his Citizen Kane, the famous Orson Welles film that was his regarded as his best work and could never top it , is an understatement. With all the success came the inevitable question: What will be next from M. Night Shyamalan? Now I liked Signs and Lady in the Water but none compare to The Sixth Sense.

This film set the bar for horror films to come, a quite frankly, none have quite matched it as of yet. 

Thanks guys for reading!

Keep Watching and Get Scared

The Dingo Ate Your Baby......or so I wished!

Hello Friends,


A few days ago I mentioned a man by the name of William Castle and how he was known for doing insane gimmicks for each of his movie releases. Castle was also behind another "horror classic" however he didn't direct this one, much to his dismay.

In the summer of 1968 a new horror film came out with the tag line " Pray for Rosemary's Baby", directed by Roman Polanski, Rosemary's Baby was to launch William Castle Productions to the big leagues. However, when Castle started to come forward with the idea of adapting the film he wanted to direct the picture, the film studios wanted someone younger and who had interesting, new ideas. Castle was devastated that they chose another director but they allowed him to be the executive producer. He even has a cameo as the man outside of the pay phone that Rosemary is using.

The premise of Rosemary's Baby is that a young couple moves into an apartment in New York that seems too good to be true, and for a good reason. Strange occurrences begin to plague the couple, Rosemary and Guy, as they settle into their new routines. As Guy actively pursues an acting career, Rosemary begins to feel lonely and neglected. One night the eccentric next door elderly couple offers for Rosemary and Guy to have dinner with them, at first Guy protests saying that they needn't bother themselves with becoming friends with the aging couple. However, when they attend and Guy becomes enthralled with Roman ( the elderly man) Guy's entire mood changes towards the couple. After the dinner party, Rosemary begins to have strange dreams and one night she and Guy plan to start trying for a baby when they are interrupted by Minnie (Roman's wife) who brings desert over. After Rosemary has a bite of the desert she claims it taste funny thus sending her into an odd state. Soon she becomes pregnant but this isn't a normal pregnancy.....

I hate this movie, not because of the acting ( although Mia Farrow is pretty terrible) but the plot is slow and predictable. Now for the time period I can see how this film was soooooo cool and interesting, but for me, it doesn't live up to the hype. As this was William Castles last commercially successful film, there is a bittersweet quality to it as this could have been much better. I wish, as Elaine Benes put it, that the dingo ate Rosemary's Baby.

Keep Watching and Get Scared

" But you are in that chair, Blanche!"

Hello Friends,

It's Monday, and for those of you already at work, I'm sorry. Today lets take a step back in thriller movie history....


The year is 1962 and two of Hollywood's most notorious rivals are starring in Robert Aldrich's film adaptation of  What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? The film centers around two sisters, Jane and Blanche, who both were well known in the Vaudeville circuit when they were younger. However Jane, formerly know as "Baby Jane", was out shined by her younger sister as the two became older. One fateful night Blanche is hit by a drunk driver and becomes paralyzed. Blanche, who is confined to a wheel chair, and Jane live as spinsters in an old decaying home. Jane in all her delusion begins to torment her sister by intercepting her letters so she wouldn't have any contact with the outside, she would send her inedible food and wouldn't let her come out of her room sometimes. But there lies a deadly secret within these two sisters that explains it all.

There is a lot going on in this film and I don't want to spoil anything.

But who played these two tragic characters, you ask? None other than the infamous Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.No other Hollywood rivalry has been as juicy as these two legends. It all started when Joan Crawford married  Franchot Tone, the alleged " love" of Bette Davis life. During filming of  What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Bette Davis has to "kick" Joan Crawford as she's lying on the ground, well like any good vindictive woman wold do, she actually kicked her as hard as she could in the head. Crawford needed 3 stitches after the scene because Davis gashed her head so bad.

This film is extraordinary because all the hate in this film is REAL! These two women had a long history of hating each other and trying to out do the other. I love this film, there are too many good lines and great twist and turns. One of my favorite scenes has to do with a bird...I'll leave it at that. Bette Davis also has amazing make-up in this film, she was quoted saying " I wanted her to look like she never washed her face". Well done, Bette!

Thanks for reading guys and remember,

Keep Watching and Get Scared!

World War Z.....FINALLY!!!!

Hello Friends,


Shaking with anticipation, waiting with bated breath World War Z has finally come to theaters nation and world wide!!!

Now before you see the film you need to know a few things:

1. It's different from the book..as it should be! The book was written in a interview sort of way with a ton of information. And it worked as a novel! A movie? Not so much

2. Max Brooks, the author, is a genius and you need to read all of his books. Right now. World War Z and The Zombie Survival Guide are amazing.

3.Max Brooks dad is Mel Brooks so that makes him awesome


The film begins with the Lane family, who live in Philadelphia with their children, as they embark on a regular day. However, it quickly takes a turn for the worst during rush hour. Massive amounts of super human undead are ravaging anyone they can get their hands on. As the Lanes try to make sense of what's happening, Gerry Lane (played by Brad Pitt) calls in an favor...that favor being the General Ambassador to the U.N. They get air lifted and taken to safety on a remote military ship, where Gerry finds out the only reason he and his family were saved was because they need him to investigate this global epidemic, as the point of origin is unknown a.k.a no patient zero Now trying not to spoil anything, suffice it to say much more happens. There! Tight lipped!

I really enjoyed this film, not only because it had a great cast consisting of Brad Pitt,Mirelle Enos and ever so talented Pierfrancesco Favino as a doctor, but this was a rare example of a zombie movie because at the center of it is what the human spirit can do when presented with chaos and destruction. You either rise above it and help others, or you drown under the swells of the masses. There was a lot of heart in this film and it showed the good and bad sides of human nature.

Okay, lets talk Zombies! These undead mutants are in a category all their own. They were fast,slow,terrifying, hilarious and plain savage. Drawn to noise instead of blood, they become dormant if silence is around them. That's why the major cities fell first.  The creatures also made interesting vocal sounds that reminded me of the vampires in 30 Days of Night. The close up shots of the Zombies were great and some really good F/X make-up was showcased. But the wide shots left the audience wanting, they looked like a bad video game version of a zombie hoard. Some of the more in your face-jump out at you scares were really clever and good, but over all I wouldn't consider it to be a "scary" or "horror" film. Its a film that features every facet of human beings trying to make sense of mass hysteria, it the best way Hollywood can.

I extremely recommend that you go and see this film (Pitt makes a homemade bayonet!).

P.s. rumors of two more sequels....perhaps you should keep that in mind?

Keep Watching and Don't Get Bitten!

FreakFest Friday!

Hello Friends,


Well, it's that time again! Today the 1959 masterpiece The House on Haunted Hill, starring Vincent Price (a personal hero of mine), Carol Ohmmart and Richard Long.


William Castle, the notorious director that used genius gimmicks to fill seats in theaters, used a pulley system that when audiences were watching the movie a plastic skeleton would drop down from the ceiling just like the skeleton in the film. Castle,who used military motors,was the first person to put under-the-seat buzzers in theaters and now that technology is used at major theme parks, had a great professional relationship with Vincent Price and worked with him on several films besides House on Haunted Hill. Price starred in the cult hit The Tingler the same year, but the reception of House on Haunted Hill inspired one of the best horror films...Alfred Hitchcock's 1960's classic Psycho. Castle also, during the release of The Tingler, spoke into a intercom during the presentation and told audiences members to remain calm because the creature is loose in the theater (another gimmick). If you don't know too much about William Castle, I encourage you to read about him, he because was a great director and a pioneer in the horror film genre.


The film's plot centers around  millionaire Frederick Loren (Vincent Price) invites five people to a "party" he is throwing for his wife, Annabelle (Carol Ohmart), in an allegedly haunted house he has rented, promising to give them each $10,000. But there is a catch: each guest must stay the entire night in the house after the doors are locked at midnight. 

I love Vincent Price with his cryptic voice and mischievous looks, he instilled a quite fear in every film he was in. As a kid I remember watching Michael Jackson's Thriller music video, as being terrified at the voice who laughs at the end of it. Later, I found out it was Vincent Price and it blew my mind!

The film is campy and creepy at the same time and that's why it's a timeless classic. It is a a relic of a genre within horror movies, when slashers and blood and guts weren't needed to "scare" people. I think the industry needs to go back to the less-is more style of scary movies, let the audience imagine what happens and leave them watching their backs.

Thanks for reading and remember,

Keep Watching and Get Scared

Insidious? How about unreal,insane or down right weird!

Hello Friends,

Today we are talking about Insidious Chapter 1 and Chapter 2. 

Insidious Chapter 1 was a very interesting film that features everything from "astral projections" to Tiny Tim! If you haven't seen the film it's about a couple with three kids that moves into a new house. Then per usual weird crap starts happening like people yelling in baby monitors and slamming doors. The oldest son falls into a "coma" and the haunting a worsen. Thinking it is the house, they move and make their other two children stay with the grandmother. Long story short the hauntings are concerted to the family. 

This movie plays on the mind,body and soul. What if our dreams lead us to other worlds and other metaphysical experiences? That's too trippy to think about but it's weird none the less. Demons to ghost are present in this film. The intro reminds me of a campy '70s scary movie and I love it, with the aggressive violin music. Some of the makeup effects are a tad too much like The Haunted Mansion ride. But all in all this movie is weird beyond belief but it is a fun ride and I encourage you to watch it.

Now for Insidious:Chapter 2 we as an audience have only a trailer as of right now. But from what I can tell, it hopefully will leave up to its prequel ( that never happens but a girl can dream right?) 

It seems whatever happened to the oldest son has now claimed the youngest child. Now usually I'm all for scary children, but over the last few years my sister has had children and now it hits a little too close to home so I am already apprehensive of the film. 

Thanks guys for reading

Keep Watching and Get Scared

Session Over!

Hello Friends,

Yes I've been gone and yes I know how aggravating that is. And I'm sorry.

I have an affinity for films featuring abandon hospitals, I will pretty much see any movie about mental hospitals or sanatoriums. Which leads me to today's movie topic : Session 9.

This movie is interesting, not only because they got David Caruso from CSI to be in the film but, the film reminds me of the Waverly Hills Sanatorium mixed with the Cropsey urban legend. Like I said anything with hospitals and stuff I totally dig so let me give you a glimpse of the plot...(courtesy of IMDB)

            An asbestos abatement crew wins the bid for an abandoned insane asylum. What should be a straightforward, if rather rushed, job, is complicated by the personal histories of the crew. Things get more complicated as would-be lawyer Mike plays the tapes from a former patient with multiple personalities, including the mysterious Simon who does not appear until Session 9....


The human psyche is fascinating and perplexing at the same time. This film implies that the "weak" and "wounded" are more susceptible to welcoming evil and manipulation. What I like most about the movie was that fact that each character's weakness was identified in the beginning so really anyone could have been afflicted. Now I'm not saying it is one of the best films ever, heck I wasn't even remotely scared,but that concept behind the movie was interesting enough to hold my attention. 


So on another note, can I just say that I am apprehensive about Insidious:2?   The first one was okay but I'll get into that tomorrow.

Keep Watching and Get Scared!!

She Blinded Me with Quantum Physics?

Hello Friends,

It is Friday and if you're like me, and don't want to brave the masses at the cinemas, are looking for a film to watch. Well look no further for a freaking weird film called The Baby's Room directed by Álex de la Iglesia.
The film is about a couple, Juan and Sonia, who move into a big scary house with their new born baby and baby monitors. As soon as they enter the house and install the baby monitors,Juan starts seeing a man in the baby's room. Sonia however thinks he's crazy and goes to live with her mother, taking the baby with her. But that doesn't stop the weird things from happening.

This film is more than a "haunted house" film because it just gets more convoluted, for instance, with the opening scene with a radio and two children, that are never mentioned again except that one of the kids became a weird old lady. However, the movie is essentially about........quantum physics? Let me explain.

  The paradoxical experiment Schrodinger's Cat is at the heart of this film, now before I saw the film I had no clue what that even meant. So allow me to teach you something new. 
                              " Thus, said Schrodinger, the cat must itself be in a superposition of dead and alive states before the observer opens the box..."

What does that mean? In this case, alternate realities mixed with Pandora's Box. Like I said, this movie is freaky to say the least because you don't really expect a horror film to be so....scientific. It's worth watching and I don't want to say much more because you really do need to watch it. Now if you want to pair this film with another, I highly recommend another Spanish film called The Orphanage. Thats all for today, tomorrow look out for a good Saturday Night chiller.

Keep watching and get scared!

I'm back with This Is The End

Hello Friends,

Sorry for the lack of updates, I have been busy and such. Anyways lets kick today off with This Is The End, starring Seth Rogan, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel...you know what? Everyone from Freaks and Geeks, any Judd Apatow film and anyone who is popular right now. They were ALL in this film and it was hilarious.

Giving us small folk a look into the Hollywood high life, these guys couldn't have done pull it off in a better way. Playing on the stereotypes of self-centered, drug-using narcissistic actors, the writers made fun in the most realistic way ( with the exception of Michael Cera using drugs, cm'on George Michael!). I won't give much away as far as plot because you should see the film but, Jay Baruchel comes to L.A. to visit Seth Rogan and have an epic weekend filled with video games,drinking and drugs. However when Rogan wants to go to a party at James Franco's house, Baruchel reveals he doesn't like Seth's friends. Well bad things happen and hilarity ensues.

Jonah Hill was great, playing a peace and love version of himself, while James Franco cracked me up as a self absorbed petty man. He has a basement of props and stuff from all his films and even uses the handheld camera from 127 Hours. I loved how all these actors made fun of themselves as well as others. Look for the odd cameo's from Paul Rudd and Channing Tatum, they are fantastic.

Yes, it's crude humor at times and a tad uncomfortable, but seriously look who's in this film! It's going to be that way and that my friends is consistency. I highly recommend this movies if for nothing else, a good time with lots of air conditioning. So many fun references and surprising faces....Oh! and one more reason to see this film, BACKSTREET BOYS! Enough said.

Again sorry for the delays guys but tomorrow is our Friday Freakfest, where I'll be talking about a Spanish foreign  film called The Baby's Room.

Keep Watching and Get Scared

Sad Saturday

Hello Friends, 

I know it's late but hey, what can you do?

Tonight I am watching A Haunting At Silver Falls and the newest remake of Texas Chainsaw Massacre let me just say.....both are terrible

AHASF is like if The Killing, The Vampire Diaries and a lifetime movie had a baby. From terrible acting to a god awful script ( literally someone said "a door is just expressing itself") it was doomed from the start. A girl from LA moves to Silver Falls and she finds this ring in the woods, puts it on (like you do) and now has visions. Go figure! She starts hallucinating and blah blah blah. The ghosts try and have her find their killer. 

Don't waste your time on this! Everyone is guilty and everyone is freaking out. I don't even know fully what this is supposed to be, if its a scary movie or a thriller or suspense film but its awful.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre number 414. Ed Gein. Enough said. So many films based on his life and his....extracurricular 

activities. However the opening of this particular remake was pretty good. From the backstory to the weird picture music. However, I understand Trey Songz is in the film but I could have done without his music. Or the overly dramatic cinematography, like the moody car window shot.  The film was campy as to be expected and yet it still was terrible. The I-don't -know-where-I-came-from song and dance to the amplified stereotypes,it was just too much. The script was filled with cliches left and right and unfortunately the actors couldn't carry the material. 

Now hear this, the reason the first Texas Chainsaw was so scary, wasn't because it was gory or overly campy, it was because you never saw what actually happened to these people! As an audience you saw the before and after but never the actual injury! This is what's missing from horror films nowadays! Let the audience create the image, subtlety is never a bad thing. 

Per my Saturday night recommendations here's what you'll need:

Back up movies because these movies suck!

Popcorn

Candy

Aspirin if you end up watching these movies

Thanks folks for reading! Keep watching and get scared!!!

I Was Purged Out of Eleven Dollars

Hello Friends,

Alright to kick things off about this film, lets give some background shall we?

In this "utopian" America, crime is at an all time low,unemployment is like 2% and everyone is happy. However, one night a year for twelve hours, all emergency systems shut down and all crime is legal. So naturally, chaos ensues and people do whatever the hell they want. James and Mary Sandin live with their two children, Charlie and Zoey, in a nice gated community where James sell his security systems to his neighbors.I'm not going to give you all the low down on these folks because that would take an entire post on its own.

This movie was a preachy, uncomplicated, and an over-stuffed waste of time. Not only did the film showcase the upper class as McMansion owning, gun-loving self obsessed yuppies, but the writers portrayed it in a "Real Housewives" way with catty neighbors and the awkward father doesn't approve of my boyfriend cliche. This slow moving film had so much potential, it actually makes me sick. The writers shoved so much political messaging down your throat that it took away from the movie allegedly scary plot. The fact that unemployment is at an all time low of 2% yet the movie harps on the "homeless swine" that is "ruining" our country is ridiculous. To be honest, this film had an identity crisis, from borrowing the masked intruders from The Strangers to a fortress being broken into like in Panic Room. It was a mixture of The Hunger Games (futuristic dystopian America, using murder to set examples), The Strangers and Panic Room.

Ethan Hawke, who was the patriarch, cared too much about money and was a little to blase to be seen as a father who truly cared for his family's survival, meanwhile Lena Headey was reduced to a kicking and screaming mess, even as her children are being threatened all she can do is cry?! I would have been fighting for them all long as I could. But not to worry, the children were equally forgettable. With the moody teenage daughter with boy problems who doesn't listen to her dad, to the anxiety and conscience ridden son who started this whole mess. This was casting gone wrong for instance the daughter, played by Adelaide Kane, should stick to after school specials where she came from. Her overly pouty decision making skills were dull and unmotivated, why would you run from your family and try and hide on your own?!?! There are people trying to kill you! Speaking of which.....

The intruders.....Hipster, prep school yuppies. With the overly formal way of speaking to the stupid grin on his face, these killer lacked ambiguity. That's why The Strangers worked, as an audience we never found out why they decided really to kill them. These people had way too much of a back story about why they wanted this guy. Then you have the dumb neighbors who try and settle a vapid score with the family. I won't delve too much into this bit because on the off chance you want to waste eleven dollars and see this garbage can of a film, I'll save some things for you.

In short this film had too much going on and not enough actually happening. The only good thing I will say is I liked the music in the beginning because they used Clair De Lune. Finally the weird Twilight stigma attached to the song was removed. Other than that, I felt purged of my money and time.

Thanks for reading and I hope I saved you some money. Keep watching and get scared, not purged.

Well, there went my childhood..

Hello Friends,

Did you ever see a scary movie that featured a toy you used to have? Or maybe you still have it?

"Woman In Black","Poltergeist", "The Shinning"and "Chucky" are some of the films to feature scary ass toys that play a role in frightening you. In "Woman In Black" the odd monkey-clanging-symbol toy that weirded me out! Every time that toy went off you knew that crazy lady was coming and sh*t was going to get real!!!! Vintage toys in general are terrifying,not only because of the discoloration or stained clothing, but I firmly believe that demonic souls dwell in each and every one of them.

In "Poltergeist" one of the scariest scenes is when the sadistic clown doll is looking at Robbie and just the look is enough to make you want to burn the doll!!! First of all, clowns are scary by themselves but a CLOWN DOLL takes the cake. Second of all, if I was a parent, I would never let my child have a toy like that! What kind of responsible person would I be if I let some juju ridden doll enter my child's room.

The Shining made me terrified of a lot of things but nothing compares to my immense fear of red tricycles. Every time I see a child on one, I scan the area for bloody twins wearing matching outfits. Not only was the tracking shot following Danny on his tricycle jarring, because you didn't know what was going to be behind each corner, but the noise of the tricycle hitting the wood and carpet was equally disturbing! In short, red tricycles are scary and should be outlawed.

Finally to wrap up our morbid childhood toys is the coup de grâce, Chucky. A possessed doll that inhabits a soul of a serial killer,child's play right? WRONG! Dolls are scary enough on their own but this one not only talks and walks, it also kills people!! Now yes, the franchise became more and more comical as they progressed so that why I'm looking forward to the remake of the original. But going back to murderous dolls, the voice, the clothing, the red hair (nothing against red heads) all signs that this doll isn't right and should be burned upon arrival!!! 

My childhood was ruined due to these films and it continues to be ruined. Just the other day I spotted my nephews choo-choo pillow in Paranormal Activity 2 so naturally that pillow can never see the light of day again, so thanks! 

Sound off on some of your scariest encounters with toys either in films or real life! 

Thanks for reading! Keep watching and get scared! 

Red Wedding

Hello Friends,

Okay so I know this a blog about horror/sci-fi but last night's Game of Thrones deserves a posting.

"The Rains of Castamere" made every viewer cry, stop breathing, yell and throw up. As a viewer who knew what was going to happen after reading the books, I was still unprepared for what I witnessed. *SPOILER ALERT* turn back of you haven't watched it yet! 

From a Red Wedding to Hodor being invaded by Bran, this episode was intense to say the least. 

Jon, Ygrite and the other widlings are still on their quest to get to The Wall when they spot a man with horses, so naturally they all want to kill him and steal the horses. Meanwhile Jon Snow is having a fit because he doesn't want the old man to be kill which I agree with but Ygrite had to go and say that killing him is better than him dying of old age. Which I guess is valid? I don't know,if I was him I'd let them kill me. Now remember the weird/mean guy who is also the pirate with the glass eye in "Pirates of the Caribbean"? He calls out Jon Snow and says he's still a "crow" and tells him to kill the old man, which he cannot do. So a fight begins and Jon escapes, leaving Ygrite behind.

Bran and Rickon are still embarking on the task to find the three-eyed raven with Reeds,Osha and Hodor, when they come across a windmill to take refuge in as a storm is coming. While Bran is asking Osha how she got over the wall, Hodor becomes hysterical due to his immense fear of storms. Soon they hear people outside and lo and behold it is Jon Snow and the Merry Wildling Men. Worried that the men will find them due to Hodor's hysteria. Bran INVADES  Hodor's mind to calm his mind!!!! And then tells Osha and Rickon they must continue to Castle Black while he and the Reeds go on to find the three eyed raven.

Arya and The Hound are still trying to get to the twins when they come across a man stuck in the road so naturally The Hound wants to kill him. However,Arya stepped in front as he was about to strike the man and she tells him to spare the man and she later she basically tells him she will kill him no matter what he does in his life. Which is funny she should say something like that,

Robb and Catelyn are on their way to The Twins to marry Edmure Tully to one of Walter Freys daughter since Robb broke a promise to do just that by marrying another and now they're having a baby. Walter Frey accepts the Starks and the banner-men into their castle and shows them hospitality by offering food, a custom to show good will. He tells Robb it's all water under the bridge and the wedding will continue. As the reception comes to a close Walter Frey asks Robb to announce the bedding ceremony. Then Catelyn starts to look around as the Frey men close the doors and start to play "The Rains of Castamere" and look terrified! As she should of!!!!! EVERYBODY DIED!!!! The baby was stabbed while in Robb's wife stomach, Robb was shot like 8 times (like father,like son am I right?) and Catelyn killed Walter Frey's daughter/wife then her throat was slit!!! Roose Bolton sold everyone out and Blackfish is still alive!! So many things happened and yet Arya still had to witness Greywind being murdered and as she's about to run into the hall, The Hound stops her and knocks her out! 

Now take a deep breath. The Hound this episode showed his more redeeming qualities and Bran made a brave choice....these are the only happy things I can say about this episode. It was terrible but great. I'm looking forward to a certain character to come back either in next weeks episode or next season. 

Hopefully your crying will subside but if not write George R.R. Martin an angry letter.

Thanks friends for reading! Keep watching and get scared! 

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y Night!

Hello Friends,

It is Saturday and as avid movie watchers we all have the same question... What the hell(o kitty) are we going to watch??!! Well folks, not only am I going to tell you what to watch, I'm going to tell you what you need to have an awesome night. First, you need a movie......and before I forget.....LOCK ALL YOUR DOORS!!!!

Tonight, lets go back to 2008 when a film was released that not only was scary but had some heart to it as well. The Strangers, featuring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman, was a surprising film to say the least. What could go wrong when struggling couple, Kristen and James, go home to James SCARY ASS childhood home in the middle of nowhere? Now before I go on, people say "oh this movie doesn't offer explanations or  who is Tamara?" My question to them is WHO CARES!!! You don't need an explanation! These people are busting in your doors and snatching people up so HIDE your wife and your brother cause they're stabbing everybody up in here!!!! Anyways, Kristen refuses a marriage proposal from James and he gets all sad and decides to get a gallon of ice cream and drink (which I find hilarious).As James and Kristen kind of make up but really are just about to have sex, they hear a knock at the door. Now for whatever reason, this huge door doesn't have a peephole so he ask who is it through the door. This methed out sounding girl asks "Is Tamara there?" And then she leaves and it's all very weird. James then leaves to get Kristen cigarettes and of course, it gets real, real fast. People making loud noises, people in the house, turning off phones and people getting shot! Now if you haven't seen the film I won't spoil anything (but seriously this movie has been out for a while, so get on it). However, from the trailer you can understand that the people in the masks are crazy and terrorizing people for fun, so really what can you expect when Kristen asks them why they're doing this?

Then to accompany this film, to maximize your viewing pleasure, you'll need:
 Ice Cream- to be just like James!
 Pillows- If your like me then you'll need this to squeeze when you're yelling at Kristen
 A frosty beverage of your choice- with great anxiety,comes great thirst
 Blankets - for comfort/ hiding
 Someone sitting next to you- for talking through your fear during the film and then jumping on

Alright you should be set, have fun tonight guys and remember

Keep watching and Get scared!

Freaky Friday

Hello Friends,

     Since this is the first Freakfest Friday, I thought that it would only be appropriate to talk about a classic. In 1932 a film was released by the name "Freaks", now if you haven't seen it, good luck finding a copy. Not only is it STILL banned in Australia but it was banned in the UK for 30 years, the longest film band in UK's history. A woman claim she suffered a miscarriage, when she was at the screen test, due the "film's shocking nature" and threatened to sue MGM. The "shocking nature" was that MGM used real circus freaks,mainly from The Ringling Brothers Circus and in all honesty that why it's still a classic. The authenticity of the film is what makes it stand out after all this time.


It's a  story about a money-grubbing trapeze artist named Cleopatra (aren't they all) who becomes aware that one of the little people, Hans, will be inheriting money soon. She soon begins to  make Hans believe she is in love with him, even though he is engaged to another little person,Frieda. Soon she and Hercules (a fellow performer and strong man/lover of hers)  devise a plan to kill Hans and take his money. Well everyone is getting drunk at Hans and Cleopatras wedding party when she and Hercules start to make fun of Hans and the other "freaks". Later Hans finds out Cleopatra is trying to poison him and devises a way to get back at her....Now I'm not going to spoil the ending for you because it's great.

This film features two members of the "Doll Family", the actors playing Hans and Frieda in actual reality are brother and sister. Hans, named Harry Earles later went on to be one of the lollipop guild members in "The Wizard of OZ". Some of the others freaks went back to the circus while others left the spotlight all together due to backlash from audiences. This movie created such a buzz because of the content, you have to see it! Now since 1932 there have been way worse films in my opinion like Saw,Hostel and Texas Chainsaw Massacre so go into the movie with an open mind and remember for it's time....it was freaky!

And remember....... Gooble-dee goop, one of us, one of us

Keep watching and get scared, Folks!

Welcome to Reel.Scary! The only place where we glorify the undead, praise the insane and cheer for criminals. We applaud the unfortunate and boo the hero's, so if you can stomach it,stick around!

Welcome Friends,
           
As we are all waiting with baited breath for "The Purge" to release, I though it would be a good idea to talk about just SOME of my favorite scary/sci-fi movies.

1. The Exorcist
2. 28 Days Later
3. Paranormal Activity
4. The Exorcism of Emily Rose
5. The Silence of the Lambs


1. Super 8
2. Star Trek (2009)
3. LOTR's
4. Harry Potter (1,3,4,5,7,8).....( as an avid harry potter fan those movies are my favorite,but that's another blog)
5. District 9


Stay tuned for tomorrow we are going to talk about....... Friday Freakfest!!! I'll be reviewing some of the freakiest films ever to grace our screens!

Until then, keep watching and get scared!