#SomethingWickedFall Watch-Along Schedule

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - Friday, October 2 at 9:00pm ET/8:00pm CT/6:00pm PT
Sleepy Hollow - Friday, October 9 at 9:00pm ET/8:00 pm CT/6:00 pm PT
Sweeney Todd - Friday, October 30 at 9:00pm ET/8:00 pm CT/6:00 pm PT

I had to make an executive decision on the dates. My time is limited because of my recent move. My grandfather passed away so I will be out of town for his funeral the week of September 21. My birthday (10/15) weekend is October 16 and 17, and then Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon the weekend of October 24.

I hope these dates/times will work for everyone. The October 2 and the October 9 dates could be moved to Saturday, if that would work better, but the October 30 date will probably have to stick due to Halloween. Thanks for bearing with me. I hope you will join us!

Here's the invite link for Slack (it's free to sign up) where we chat while we're watching. This link expires in 30 days so I will post the new link in October.
https://join.slack.com/t/seasonsofreading/shared_invite/zt-9nm09zwx-oBpnfIw7AG_Cli4IT1SsIA

30-Day Horror Movie Challenge: Your favorite monster movie...The Cabin in the Woods

Tagline: If an old man warns you not to go there... make fun of him.

Synopsis: When five college friends (Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams) arrive at a remote forest cabin for a little vacation, little do they expect the horrors that await them. One by one, the youths fall victim to backwoods zombies, but there is another factor at play. Two scientists (Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford) are manipulating the ghoulish goings-on, but even as the body count rises, there is yet more at work than meets the eye. (Google)

My favorite monster movie...The Cabin in the Woods

If you're looking for monsters, this movie hits all the bases. Of course, there's a build up to the monster goodness, but it's entertaining getting there. Going in, I was sitting there thinking, "Oh, just another slasher film." Boy, was I wrong. I loved every minute of it. Great cast (see synopsis) and also some very funny moments. Ultimately though, a really good story, in my opinion. This is another film I can watch again and again. I had hoped for a sequel, but it's probably for the best that this one stands alone.

Best scene from The Cabin in the Woods (only watch if you've seen the film, or if you don't mind spoilers).

What's your favorite monster movie?

30-Day Horror Movie Challenge: Your favorite slasher film...Halloween

Tagline: The night HE came home

Synopsis: Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again. (IMDB)

Tagline: 40 Years Later, Evil Returns Home

Synopsis: Laurie Strode confronts her long-time foe Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago. (IMDB)

My favorite slasher film...Halloween

Even after all these years, Michael Myers still scares me. Freddy Krueger no longer scares me, and Jason Voorhees really doesn't either, but Michael Myers...Yeah. I was ten when the original film first came out (1978) so I probably didn't see it at that age. I can't really remember. My parents weren't overly strict about stuff like that so... All I do remember is it scared the shit out of me.

Besides being scared, I always thought it was an interesting story. Boy murders older sister on Halloween night, and then comes after younger sister years later. The guy really didn't like his sisters. However, what really was the motivation? Enter last year's Halloween. The movie completely ignores all the other films except for the first one, and Laurie Strode is not Myers' sister. I loved it! I was not a fan of all the sequels that came out (except for Halloween: H20), and though I'm a fan of Rob Zombie's films, I wasn't overly fond of his remakes. What we get with the new Halloween is a Michael Myers without a supernatural twist. He was just a crazy guy who killed a bunch of teenagers on Halloween night. One got away, so years later, he comes back to finish the job. I think I like this better. It will be interesting to see what they do with the next movie. Looks like there will actually be two sequels, Halloween Kills, set to be released on October 16, 2020, and Halloween Ends, set to be released on October 15, 2021 (on my birthday!).

Which slasher film is your favorite?

Horror Movie Reviews--Insidious 2 and The Lords of Salem

I am a huge fan of the first "Insidious" film so I was highly anticipating this movie. I was not disappointed. In fact, I felt that this sequel may have been even more scary than the first. I loved the way it went into more detail and told us a back story. And there was even more humor this time, mostly courtesy of Leigh Whannell and Angus Sampson as Specs and Tucker. James Wan is quickly becoming one of my favorite directors having moved on from the gore of the "Saw" films to making intelligent horror films that focus more on the story and genuine creepiness that I find more scary than all out slash and gore. Examples are this film and the first "Insidious" and the brilliant "The Conjuring," which came out over the summer. Leigh Whannell should also be credited for his brilliant writing on this film and others. Needless to say, I'm pleased to tell you that "Insidious 3" has been announced!

About the film
The Lambert family learn their struggle with the supernatural is far from over when a long-buried secret plunges them back into a terrifying world of darkness. Director James Wan reteams with screenwriter Leigh Whannell for this horror sequel starring Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Lin Shaye, and Ty Simpkins. ~from Fandango

There were two reasons that I rented "The Lords of Salem." One...huge fan of Rob Zombie. I loved him when he was in his band, White Zombie, and loved his solo music too. His films, especially "House of 1000 Corpses" and "The Devil's Rejects," have really pushed the envelope. I much prefer the former of these two, as the latter focused too much on torture rather than all out horror. His remakes of the "Halloween" films 1 and 2 were pretty good, albeit quite a bit more gory than the originals, if that's possible. So, with my being a fan, it was a given that I wanted to see this film. The other reason is that it's about witches and its back story has origins in the history of the Salem Witch Trials. Zombie takes liberties with the Salem history because in his story the witches are burned and the accused witches of Salem were not burned. They were hanged and one accused man was pressed to death. Also, Zombie's witches, or "Lords of Salem" weren't just accused, they were really evil witches. Another error, or maybe it was just an error in the spelling on the subtitles (yes, I have the subtitles on while I'm watching), was the misspelling of John Hawthorne's name. Anyone who knows the history of the Salem witch hysteria knows that a John Hathorne was one of the judges (who never repented his actions during the trials). Note the spelling of his name. He was a direct ancestor of author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, who added the 'w' to his last name because he did not want to be connected with the ill deeds of his ancestor. Anyway, I'm not going to say that this film was excellent, but there were some genuinely creepy moments and a startlingly freaky performance by Meg Foster (blast from the past) as the hideously haggish and evil, Margaret Morgan, the ring leader of the Salem witches, or "Lords of Salem." There were actually a bunch of blasts from the past which Zombie is known for showcasing in his films, including Dee Wallace (of E.T., Howling, Cujo fame), Bruce Davison, and Maria Chonchita Alonso. And, of course, Zombie's normal regulars...wife, Sheri Moon Zombie, Ken Foree, and Sid Haig. "The Lords of Salem" has its moments, one of them being some deliciously creepy music (listen to the music at the end of the trailer below) introduced in the film via a record album sent to the main character by a band called "The Lords." What a coincidence. I would say see this if you're a zombie fan, or if you just like weird, eclectic horror films.

An excellent review on rogerebert.com sums up my feelings about this film almost exactly. http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-lords-of-salem-2013

Meg Foster as Margaret Morgan

About the film
Heidi, a radio DJ, is sent a box containing a record -- a "gift from the Lords." The sounds within the grooves trigger flashbacks of her town's violent past. Is Heidi going mad, or are the Lords back to take revenge on Salem, Massachusetts?



Film reviews for...

Movie Review--Sinister

I had high expectations for this movie, especially after seeing the previews and also finding out that it was from the creators of "Insidious" and the "Paranormal Activity" films.  It did not disappoint.  I can't remember being that scared in a horror film...not since I was a kid.  Of course, it's very atmospheric and dark, and when you add to the mix a great actor like Ethan Hawke, it makes it even better.  The story really is a great one with horrifying elements that make it much more creepy than a typical gore fest would.  The supernatural element and the history that surrounds the entity who is responsible for the terrible things that happen are what make it particularly scary.  At least when the killer is a flesh and blood person, we always have a hope while we're watching that he/she can be stopped, but in this case, all hope is lost.  That feeling gives a terrible feeling in the pit of the stomach.  Let me just say that I had so much acid churning in my stomach from the stress of it, I really could have used a pack of TUMS.  This film is what all horror movies should be.  Those of us who love the genre want to feel like this every time we see one.  Sadly, that is not always the case.  If you love horror films and genuinely love to be scared, you must see this movie! If you do see it, come back and tell me what you thought, or if you've already seen it, share your thoughts as well.

Other recent scary movies I've seen and how they stack up to Sinister:

The Possession
This one definitely had some creepy moments and it was a twist on the traditional depictions of possession, but it still did not have the wow factor that Sinister had.  Worth a watch, but maybe on DVD.

The Apparition
This one also had creepy moments, but it was was below the caliber of Sinister.  The idea of not being able to get away from what's haunting you is definitely unnerving, but it could have been a lot better.  Another "wait for the dvd" movie.

Qualifies for R.I.P. VII

This post is part of....

5 Cool Horror Movies to Watch this Weekend and {Giveaway}

Looking for some great horror movies to watch over the weekend, or during the scariest month of the year?  Author Kevin Krohn is here today to share....

The 5 Coolest Horror Movies You May Have Missed
By Kevin Krohn

“If movies are the dreams of the mass culture…horror movies are the nightmares.” – Stephen King

The Halloween season brings about a person’s willingness to expose themselves to their basic fears more than any other time. Ghost stories, haunted houses, and horror films have become the traditional staples of October for many.

So why do we put ourselves through it? For some it is the physical rush experienced from the fear-producing adrenaline, while others use the cautionary tales to reinforce their own cultural values of right and wrong, good versus evil.

According to Wikipedia, “Horror is a film genre seeking to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience’s primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer, and the macabre and the supernatural are frequent themes.”

If you plan on putting yourself through the self-inflicted terror this month, consider these cool horror options for the Witching Season.

May

2002 

Rated: R 

Tagline: “Be careful…she may just take your heart.”

Critical Acclaim: “May is a horror film and something more and deeper, something disturbing and oddly moving.” – Roger Ebert

Think: ‘Carrie’ meets ‘Juno’

Why it’s cool: I don’t know if many horror films could be referred to as quirky and cute, but May is a quirky and cute story about a lonely girl looking for friendship, albeit in one of the more disturbing ways possible.

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon

2006

Rated: R

Tagline: “Jason, Freddy, Michael. We all need someone to look up to.”

Critical Acclaim: "a must for those who like thrills laced with a sense of humor” – New York Daily News

Think: ‘Friday the 13th’ meets ‘This is Spinal Tap’

Why it’s cool: Because it’s funny. A mockumentary following the rise of a serial killer-in-training, Behind the Mask takes an entertaining look into a world where Jason, Freddy Krueger, and Michael Myers are real. The documentary crew captures Leslie Vernon’s efforts to join the ranks with his idols as the next great slasher king.

Versus

2000

Rated: R

Tagline: “Beware the past. Fight the present. Fear the future.”

Critical Acclaim: "...A Japanese zombies-vs.-gangsters action-horror comedy that plays like Quentin Tarantino remaking THE EVIL DEAD while on a speed binge...” Rolling Stone

Think: ‘Night of the Living Dead meets ‘Kill Bill’

Why it’s cool: Ninjas and zombies. Not sure I could say anything cooler than that.

Zombie

1979

Rated: R

Tagline: “We are going to eat you!” 

Critical Acclaim: “Filled with lasting iconic imagery, gruesome special effects, and memorable sequences.” – Cinema Crazed

Think: ‘Dawn of the Dead’ meets ‘Jaws’

Why it’s cool: Originally rated X in the United States to keep children from seeing the gore, theaters handed out barf bags for audience members attending. The payoff for stomaching the gore is that you get to see a zombie fight a shark.

When a Stranger Calls

1979

Rated: R

Tagline: “Don’t watch it alone.”

Critical Acclaim: #28 on Bravo’s ‘The 100 Scariest Movie Moments”

Think: ‘Scream’ before ‘Scream’

Why it’s cool: Probably the most well-known film on the list, but it is cool because it scared me as a kid. Tame by today’s standards, this thriller managed to create suspense without the gore and violence of some of the above movies. “Have you checked the children?”

Latter-Day of the Dead by Kevin Krohn

 "Harrowing cries escaped the contorted faces of our flock. End of Days was a known truth but never a faced reality. Once the madness broke...we feared it would never subside." 

A thrilling tale of horror from Kevin Krohn, "Latter-Day of the Dead" tells the story of a hallowed compound's fight for survival against unbridled evil.

Visit Kevin on Twitter:  @kevinkrohn
The book is available on AMAZON

GIVEWAY:  Three (3) signed copies of Latter-Day of the Dead up for grabs! Open internationally! To enter, leave a comment telling us what your favorite scary movie is and include your email address in case you win.  Last day to enter is October 31 at 11:59pm CST.  Good luck!

This post is part of....

The Cabin in the Woods: A New Concept in Horror Films

I saw The Cabin in the Woods on Saturday and it blew me away.  More than just your normal run-of-the-mill horror movie, this movie introduces a completely new way of telling a horror story.  I have to admit I was quite impressed and equally entertained.  I cannot go into detail for fear of spoiling the movie for you, but let me just say that it pushes the envelope.  It has not only the appeal of a horror film, but it boasts a mythological standpoint, along with the gore...and there are a few laughs in between.  If you have not yet seen The Cabin in the Woods, I highly recommend you do so soon.

Watch the trailer on YouTube HERE.

About the movie:
Five friends go for a break at a remote cabin in the woods, where they get more than they bargained for. Together, they must discover the truth behind the cabin in the woods.

Directed by Drew Goddard.  Written by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard  Starring Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, and Anna Hutchison. (from imdb)

Stephen King's Top 20 of 2011

The Walking Dead

Here is Stephen King's top 20 in books, movies, television, and music for 2011.

1. Breaking Bad (television show on AMC)
2. Margin Call (motion picture)
3. How Do You Do--Mayer Hawthorne (music)
4. Sons of Anarchy (television show on FX)
5. Skippy Dies by Paul Murray (novel)
6. Sky Full of Holes--Fountains of Wayne (music)
7. The Debt (motion picture)
8. Ready for Confetti--Robert Earl Keen (music)
9. Talk, Talk by T.C. Boyle (novel)
10. Crossers by Philip Caputo (novel)
11. Revenge (television show on ABC)
12. The Accident by Linwood Barclay (novel)
13. The Tree of Life (motion picture)
14. The Lincoln Lawyer (motion picture)  *
15. "Get that Snitch"--Mikis Michaelidis (song from the Attack the Block soundtrack)
16. The White Devil by Justin Evans (novel)
17. Final Destination 5 (motion picture)  
18. The Hour (televison show on BBC America)
19. The Walking Dead (television show on AMC)  *
20. "Rumor Has It"--Adele (song from her 21 album)  *

I put stars by the ones I agree with.  The Lincoln Lawyer...AWESOME! The Walking Dead...also AWESOME! I adore Adele.  Most of the others I do not watch, have not seen, heard, or read, or have seen (Final Destination 5), but was not fond of.  I will take very seriously his book recommendations though!

The source for this list is Entertainment Weekly.

Go HERE to see the slide show of the list and read King's explanations for his choices.

Wednesdays on the Trail(er)--Bag of Bones Mini-Series (4)

***You will find the music player in the right sidebar and there you may turn off the auto play music before enjoying the trailer***

New Wednesday feature showcasing a favorite or newly discovered book or movie trailer in the horror and/or speculative fiction genre.  I'm cross hosting this feature with The True Book Addict.  Please feel free to join in every week, if you would like.  I hope you enjoy it!

Teaser trailer for the Bag of Bones mini-series on A&E


Behind the scenes of Bag of Bones

Wednesdays on the Trail(er)--The Woman (2)

***You will find the music player in the right sidebar and there you may turn off the auto play music before enjoying the trailer***

New Wednesday feature showcasing a favorite or newly discovered book or movie trailer in the horror and/or speculative fiction genre.  I'm cross hosting this feature with The True Book Addict.  Please feel free to join in every week, if you would like.  I hope you enjoy it!

Can't wait to see this movie!

The Woman (October 2011)