Halloween Season Begins in Blogosphere

Halloween may be a couple months away but the Halloween Season has already begun in the Blogosphere. There are many great blogs out there to help you get into the mood of ghosts and goblins. I wouldn’t have the space to include them all in one post. Below are a few of my favorites. Enjoy!

George Van Orsdel’s Monster Spookshow Radio

http://monsterspookshowradio.blogspot.com/

Halloween Holler

http://halloweenholler.blogspot.com/

PumpkinRot

http://pumpkinrot.blogspot.com/

Salem's Lot: A Macabre Delight

Horror movies are one of the most difficult genres to pull off successfully with audiences today. There are so many horror movies being made today and most of them are terribly written and unoriginal. Many of the best horror movies ever made were based on novels or short stories written by the "King of Horror" himself, Stephen King.

My next movie recommendation for this month is Salem’s Lot which is based on Stephen King’s second novel. Salem’s Lot aired as a television miniseries in 1979 frightening millions right in their own living rooms. Salem’s Lot is a deeply engrossing story that unfolds exactly as if you were reading a book. The pace of the movie for today’s audience may seem slow, but the slower pace allows time to weave intricate relationships between key players of the story and creates a ripple like effect as the suspense of the movie increases.

Salem’s Lot is a story about author Ben Mears who returns to his childhood town to write a book on the infamous Marsten House, a 19th Century Gothic mansion that has haunted Ben since his childhood. The Marsten House was once occupied by child rapist and murderer Hubert Marsten who mysteriously died in the house. Upon Ben's arrival, he discovers that the house was recently purchased by two antique dealers, Straker and Barlow. Acclaimed British actor James Mason, who played Brutus in the 1953 production of Julius Caesar, delivers a stunning and eerie performance as Straker.

Not long after Ben's arrival, a child goes missing in Salem's Lot while another is admitted to the hospital for pernicious anemia (severe blood loss) and dies. Others soon go missing and soon the town of Salem's lot seems to be dying off to some mysterious plague. As bodies go missing from morgues and cemeteries, Ben believes the source of the evil that has succumbed Salem's Lot lies in the Marsten House and its evil tenants Straker and Mr. Barlow, whom no one has ever seen.

Salem's Lot is a truly terrifying Gothic horror movie that is reminiscent of Bram Stroker's Dracula. What it lacks in special effects and gore, it makes up in suspense and atmosphere.

Click here to view movie trailer:

The Perfect Halloween Nostalgic Experience

"Who Spooked Rodney?" was a TV Halloween special from the '80s about a superstitious boy who gets spooked on Halloween after going to the fortune teller. I first discovered this on TV when I was very young, and forgot about it for years, until I happened to come across it on YouTube. It’s the ultimate nostalgic experience that captures the Halloween experience. This 30 minute video is divided into 3 parts. Enjoy!

Fright Night: A Cult Classic

Vampires have become such a cliché in today's pop culture, that it's not often that you find an original vampire flick that delivers. Ironically, the one vampire flick that does and one that I recommend, "Fright Night", is actually a spoof of the vampire myth, albeit a scary one. Instead of deviating from the classic lore behind the vampire legend, director Tom Holland is able to retain all the elements of the traditional myth and integrate them into 1980s America. "Fright Night" which was released in 1985 has gone on to be a cult classic. So much so, that DreamWorks recently revealed that they are in the process of making (you guessed it) a remake. More reason why you should see this one before it will be forever tainted by a remake.

Charlie Brewster loves two things; horror movies and his girlfriend Amy. In fact, the movie opens with the two together watching Charlie's favorite TV show "Fright Night", a campy horror show hosted by washed-up actor Peter Vincent (played by Roddy McDowall). As they're busy watching and making out, they are interrupted by two men moving in next door. Charlie thinks it odd that they would be moving in at night. In the nights that follow, strange occurrences happen that persuade Charlie that their strange behavior can only be explained by the fact that his new neighbors are indeed a vampire and his undead watchdog during the daylight hours.

Fright Night contains all the elements of a fun, scary movie; it's original, sexy, and full of comic relief. Ladies and men of a certain persuasion will ditch the "Edward" or "Jacob" camp of the "Twilight" series and opt for Jerry Dandrige played by actor Chris Sarandon. All audiences will enjoy watching Amanda Bearse' debut appearance who went on to play Al Bundy's neighbor Marcy in the 90s sitcom "Married with Children". She was a young actress in this film, and those who haven't seen "Fright Night" yet will be struck on how attractive she is in this film. Fright Night will also delight new audiences with its orginal soundtrack that remains a successful selling item on Amazon even today, 20+ years later!

The Tell-Tale Heart: Narrated by Acclaimed British Actor James Mason

Have you ever had the opportunity to tell a scary story to your friends or family? Not so easy was it? Perhaps you weren't able to excite a fearful reaction from your audience that you had hoped for. If this was the case, you're not alone. The ability to narrate a scary story is truly an artform that takes training and which few are able to master.

It's one thing to relay the details of your scary story across to your audience so they can understand the basic plot. However, it's quite another thing to deliver a scary story effectively to evoke a fearful response from your audience. This is where the art of delivery comes into play.

So what better way to enhance your scary story telling skills than by hearing a scary story from acclaimed British actor James Mason. James Mason's sophisticated delivery and tone are what made him one of Britian's most distinguished actors. I became a huge fan of James Mason after watching his portrayal of Brutus in the 1953production of "Julius Caesar". Plus I just love the way he talks.

Enjoy a wonderful animated short film based on Edgar Allan Poe's short-story "The Tell-Tale Heart" narrated by James Mason.

Once Bitten: A cheesy 80s comedy that is sure to get you into the Halloween spirit

I have a confession to make. Ever since I was very young, I fell in love with campy 80s movies. Maybe it's because I'm a product of the 80s, or maybe it’s because my parents had HBO when I was growing up. Anyways, one of my favorite campiest 80s movies of all time just happens to be my next Halloween movie recommendation. "Once Bitten", which was released in 1985, stars Jim Carrey and sexy actress and supermodel Lauren Hutton. Lauren Hutton was one of America's first supermodels, cover girl and cosmetics spokeswoman since the 1960s. Lauren Hutton was in her early 40s when she made "Once Bitten" and still looked stunning.

The plot is simple enough. Mark Kendall (played by Jim Carrey) is a high school student living in Los Angeles and is desperate to get laid with his girlfriend Robin (played by Karen Kopins), but she is not quite ready. So one night, Mark and his goofy friends, Jamie and Russ, decide to cruise Hollywood to pick up chicks. They are able to sneak into a trendy Hollywood nightclub where Mark becomes seduced at the bar by the Countess (played by Lauren Hutton). What Mark doesn't realize is that the Countess is not looking for a good time. She has a problem. She is a 400 year old vampire who needs to feed on the blood of a virgin three times ever year before Halloween or else she will lose her beauty. Will the Countess, with the help of her flamboyant servant Sebastian (played by Cleavon Little) along with her coven of vampires succeed in finding a virgin in LA? You will need to rent the movie to see if Mark succumbs to the Countess' bloodthirsty desire.

I want to take this time to share a funny true story that is connected to this movie. My brother was in Kindergarten, yes Kindergarten, when he discovered this movie; probably through my bad influence. Anyways, there's a pick-up line used in the movie by Mark’s friend Russ that my brother retained to memory and after which he began to recite it to just about anyone including his kindergarten teacher without knowing the sexual connotations behind it. The pick-up line goes,

"Hi. I'm a Sagittarius. I enjoy surfing, candlelit dinners, and Tolstoy. Listen. I'm a mature person and you're a mature person, so why don't we just skip all the bullshit, get rid of our inhibitions, and DO what we really wanna DO? "

Can you imagine hearing that line from the the mouth of a kid in kindergarten? Well my brother did it and it was absolutely hilarious. We still have old family movies with him saying that line. Now that's a priceless and precious family memory we will always cherish!!!

“Once Bitten” is just a fun and innocent movie which could only have been pulled off in the 80s. Definitely cheesy, but sexy and entertaining just the same. If you like underground 80s music as I do, you will enjoy the music sequences used throughout the film. There is also a sexy dance sequence with Jim Carrey, Lauren Hutton and Karen Kopins at the high school Halloween dance that is alone worth watching the movie. Jim Carrey is a surprisingly good dancer. "Once Bitten" was the film that put Jim Carrey on the road to stardom and soon afterwards went onto work for Fox's successful comedy sitcom "In Loving Color".

If you want to mix up your Halloween movies with a taste of comedy, "Once Bitten" is a tasty treat that is sure to entertain you and your friends this Halloween.

Click below to view movie trailer:

Short And Sweet -- A Halloween Movie Suggestion

There are very few truly great horror movies, in my opinion. There are many that are fun to watch, many that are creepy, a LOT that are just plain gory. True horror, however, is more difficult to convey. One movie that does so in an incredible way is The Changeling (1980) with George C. Scott, Melvin Douglas and Trish Van Devere. (Do not confuse this with the more recent movie Changeling with Nicole Kidman. There is no relationship between the two.)

The great George C. Scott gives his usual tour de force performance as a composer, a man recovering from a great tragedy. He rents a huge and beautiful old house with a secret as tragic as his own. That's it, that's all you are getting out of me. Any further discussion would have to include aspects of the movie that would spoil it for those who have not seen it.

The Changeling is available on Netflix, and may be available on some movie-on-demand lists. However you are able to find it, don't miss this one, especially during the month of ghosts and demons!

Christine: Scary Movie Recommendation # 1

Only Stephen King could frighten millions of readers with a story about an evil 1958 Plymouth Fury and write it in such a way that makes it both believable and terrifying as well. "Christine" is one of King's earlier novels and one that I highly recommend reading. As with Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga, King takes you back to those wonderful days of high school. Unlike Twilight, King's protagonist Arnold Cunningham (high shool nerd) falls in love with a possessed 1959 Plymouth Fury instead of a seducing, charming vampire. Arnold's best friend Dennis Guilder (football jock) is not happy with Arnie's decision to buy the rusted, beat-up car in the first place. The book follows Arnie's infatuation over his car "Christine" transform into a disturbing obsession, then finally into a frightening rage.

After purchasing "Christine", Arnie undergoes a dramatic change. His acne miraculously clears up. Remember, this story takes place in the 70s, well before ProActiv Acne Solution hit the market. His confidence signficantly increases and he is able to fend off his bullies and fall in love with beautiful Leigh Cabot to boot. While "Christine" is responsible for this transformation, she soon becomes insanely jealous and territorial. In the end, Arnie is forced to choose between "Christine" or his friends.

Since it's Halloween season, I highly recommend that you add "Christine" to your horror movie list. Christine was released in 1983 and directed by John Carpenter, who is well known for "The Thing", "Halloween", "Escape from New York", "Escape from LA" and "Vampires". I personally love John Carpenter's movies. His style is raw and entertaining and "Christine" is classic John Carpenter all the way.

If you have "Encore On Demand", you should be able to access the movie through the month of October. I will try to post additional horror movie favorites of mine every day this month.

Get into the Halloween Spirit Early This Year

Since Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, I will be posting Halloween related "stuff" all this month. I am opening up the blog this month to anyone who would like to post an article about a scary movie, story, peom or book that you would like to share with others. If you have any funny Halloween party stories or of something eerie that you personally experienced, that would be great material to post as well.

If you're not already a contributing author and want to be, let me know so I can authorize you to post your own content.

All Halloween posts can be found in the "Chapters" box located on the right side of page under "Halloween 2010".

There Once Lived A Woman Who Tried To Kill Her Neighbor's Baby: Scary Fairy Tales

"There Once Lived a Woman Who Tried to Kill Her Neighbor's Baby" is sure to get you into the Halloween spirit. The title of this book alone says it all. Vanishings and apparitions, nightmares and twists of fate, mysterious ailments and supernatural interventions haunt these stories by Russian author Ludmilla Petrushevskaya. Although her stories in this book are reminiscent of Edgar Allen Poe’s writing style, Ludmilla’s style is in a class entirely of her own.

According to the English translators of this book Keith Gessen and Anna Summers, Ludmilla’s writing style can best be explained from a subtitle she used in one of her earlier works called “The Possibilities of Menippea”. According to ancient Greek mythology, Menippus visited Hades and since then the satirical genre named after him has often been said to include visits to the literal or social underworld. These visits are called nekyia, a night journey, after Homer’s term in the “Odyssey”. Classic nekyia describe travels to the underworld and dialogues with the dead. In Homer’s Odyssey, for example, Odysseus must first drink human blood before talking with the dead. Modern nekyia include Lewis Caroll's “Alice in Wonderland” and Henry James' “The Turn of the Screw”. Modern nekyia typically involve extraordinary situations involving near death experiences and borderline states where both reality and time are ambiguous.

Ludmilla’s work was heavily scrutinized during the days of Communist Russia. It took the collapse of the Soviet Union before all of her work could be widely circulated.

The following critique of the book sums the book up perfectly.

“Blending the miraculous with the macabre, and leavened by a mischievous gallows humor, these bewitching tales are like nothing being written in Russia-or anywhere else in the world-today.”

Danse Macabre

I thought I would get into the Halloween spirit a little early this year. I will be posting miscellaneous halloween "stuff" every day till Halloween. This is a neat animation accompanied by Camille Saint Saens' famous Danse Macabre. Enjoy!

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