Category Archives: Halloween

Halloween, Log

Top 10 Horror Movies I Watch Every Year

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I love horror movies. I really do.

I have a tradition every Halloween (whether I’m invited to parties or not) to watch the same horror movies.

I intersperse new horror movies every year, but there are always a few that I HAVE to watch every year.

So here are my TOP 10 Horror Movies I have to watch EVERY YEAR!!!
(In no particular order)

10. Children of the Corn
Consider this the necessary Stephen King entry. It could be ANY Stephen King film, but Children of the Corn has a special place in my heart. It’s the one I love watching over and over. I love the cheese, I love the effects, and I LOVE when Malachi yells “OUTLANDER! WE HAVE YOUR WOMAN!” Don’t go into this necessarily expecting scares, but it’s definitely a fun watch.

9. A Tale of Two Sisters
This film still terrifies me. It’s a Korean film from 2003 and it still holds up to horror films coming out now. There is an American remake of it….but we’re going to pretend that doesn’t exist. If you aren’t used to Asian films this may not be the one for you. There are terrifying images, frightening twists, and an ending that if you aren’t prepared for literally BLOWS your mind!

8. Delicatessen
French films in horror are masterclasses. They basically invented the torture porn genre…this film isn’t that. But it IS a fun blend of Sci-fi, horror, and comedy. It takes place in an apocalyptic future where meat is rare and a former clown takes a job in an apartment complex above a Delicatessen (a butcher shop). I mean that description alone should be enough. I love this film, but be prepared for subtitles and a bit of violence.

7. Rec
ANOTHER movie from outside of America?! You bet your ass! This time we’re heading to Spain (Barcelona in fact) for a found footage style film that also had an American remake…..and again we’re going to pretend it doesn’t exist. This one offers an English dub over the original Spanish actors so if subtitles scare you away, now there’s no excuse. The premise is a news team is following a group of fire men on night calls when they get trapped inside a building with a rare disease that turns people into zombies. Highly recommended.

6. Evil Dead
All right, I’m cheating a little bit. This entry is for all of the Evil Dead movies (not including the 2013 remake though that IS a good movie, too). I can’t get through Halloween without some Ash Williams. It’s campy, it’s gory, it’s all around FUN!! I love these movies!!

5. The Thing
This movie terrified me as a child. But now it holds a special place in my heart since I got to see John Carpenter talk about the making of this film at my college. The practical effects are still some of the best ever put to film and still hold up against modern day CGI…BETTER even! I love this film and it’s always a must-watch every season.

4. Friday the 13th
The first one. I love the fun kills from the entire series, but the original Friday the 13th still, in my opinion, is the best one. See where it all began with a series that will NEVER die.

3. Splinter
This film is definitely one of those, ‘you either love it or hate it’, deals. I love it. The “creature” is never explained, but it is VERY cool, in my opinion. The effects are gross and the story is meh, but it grows on you and it’s become a definite must watch for me.

2. Halloween
What’s a Halloween horror movie list without Halloween, eh? Like Friday the 13th, I’m sticking with the original all the way. Others in the series and a number of remakes have added a lot to this story, but the simplicity of the original is close to perfection.

1. Hellraiser
Another master of horror graces this list. Clive Barker is another filmmaker who knows what he’s doing. Hellraiser is another classic with amazing effects. Who else would think of rebuilding a human body one meaty, boney bit at a time? Seriously the scene where a man starts as a little bloody splotch and regrows into a skinless body is so gruesomely beautiful.

This is the part of the list where I mention some Honorable Mentions. These films are modern classics that have been added to my must-watch list. I have five for you:

1. Cabin in the Woods
I mean it’s like Scream. It takes all the cliches and tropes of horror films and puts them all through a comedic, yet still terrifying, lens.

2. Paranormal Activity
Okay, hear me out. Sometimes you just want to watch ghosts messing around with people. Did it go a little crazy as more came out in the series? Yes, but I still think the ghost in the sheet in the second film was the scariest part of the entire franchise.

3. The Ritual
A British film that I understand can drag a little. But I love the idea of it and the monster at the center of the terror is so cool!!

4. The Autopsy of Jane Doe
It all takes place in a coroner’s office. And there’s a mystery to be solved!! Such a fantastic film that will definitely be a classic.

5. Shudder & Crypt TV
All right, all right, this is 100% a cheat and a little bit of a, not paid, promotion. Shudder is a streaming service that is ALL about horror. From the classics (Cannibal Holocaust, Fall of the House of Usher, etc.) to original movies and TV shows (Cursed Films, Host, etc.), Shudder has a large collection of horror to get anyone through Halloween. Crypt TV is free and you can check out their stuff on YouTube as well as their website. They are masters of creating new monsters and horrors including The Birch and The Look-See. Definitely one to check out!!

Again, not paid to promote, I just really enjoy Shudder and Crypt TV.

There it is. My Must Watch Horror Movies for Halloween. If there were movies missing that are must-watches for you every year make sure to comment!!!

Halloween, Log

Top 25 Horror Movies of the Past 10 Years

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You could argue Horror is in a renaissance in recent years…or you could argue it’s in a second or third renaissance…whatever.

Though no one can deny the past 10 years have given rise to many spectacular horror films that are going to be classics for years to come. This Halloween Eve I shall list 25 in order of release year.

We’ve got a lot of films to get through so here we go:

25. Black Swan (2010)
This is more of a psychological thriller, but there are some crazy horror-like moments. Therefore, it ABSOLUTELY belongs on this list. Who knew the world of ballet could be so brutal? Actual ballerinas knew…that’s who.

24. Insidious (2010)
The commercials for this movie were scary. Like legit scary. So you knew this was gonna be a good one. And if you had any doubts, they were scared away when red man appeared behind Patrick Wilson…if that didn’t make you piss yourself…then you’re an adult and I’m a baby.

23. Cabin in the Woods (2011)
Not since Scream had a meta horror film really garner as much critical and popular praise. You knew this was going to be a wild ride during that opening scene…especially when the title card ended up being the first jump scare.

22. Kill List (2011)
All I have to say is…that ending. But since I should say more, this British psychological horror keeps you guessing at what the hell is going the whole movie…and then that ending hits you across the head with a club.

21. Sinister (2012)
To be fair, there are parts of this film that aren’t that great. But I’d argue everyone leapt out of their skin when that lawn mower was on the screen…even if in retrospect it was a bit of a cop out jump scare.

20. The Conjuring (2013)
Another Patrick Wilson horror film? Yes, please! Portraying a “real” life ghost hunter? SURE!! Though this was the film that started the Conjuring Universe (Annabelle, Nun, etc.), it was a brilliant entry into a new era of horror.

19. The Babadook (2014)
A creepy man in a black coat and hat? Spooky. Crippling depression that could actually be the true form of the creepy man in a black coat and hat? Terrifying. Add a splash of annoying child? Perfection.

18. What We Do In The Shadows (2014)
The Office meets Dracula. Sign me up! This is the brainchild of Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement and if you don’t know who those two are…I…I don’t think we can be friends…JUST KIDDING!! We’ll just have to watch this mockumentary about vampires living in modern day Wellington.

17. It Follows (2014)
A sexually transmitted demon that hunts you down and kills you…I’m listening. But really, this film is actually very well written and the characters are interesting…though I’m still not a fan of the girl in the opening who put on stilettos first thing in the morning…do you…do you not have flip flops? Tennis shoes? SLIPPERS?! No? Only stilettos….weird.

16. As Above, So Below (2014)
The catacombs below Paris is one of those places that’s a PERFECT setting for a horror movie. Thousands of bones, darkness, the chance of the walls caving in at any moment…perfect! Add in an entrance to Hell and you get this found footage style film that has you questioning everything.

15. The Witch (2015)
A slow burn that rewards those willing to hang in until the end. A brilliant period piece that shows a family breaking down and struggling to find God’s purpose for them. And then there’s a witch causing a little trouble. You may not understand what the characters are saying…but you don’t need to once the screams start.

14. 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
I knew John Goodman could be scary…if you’ve ever seen him in O, Brother Where Art Thou? (not a horror movie, I know) you know he can be a real terrifying presence. And this film definitely amplified it by turning him into a more reserved conspirator who “saves” a young man and woman from an apocalypse…or DID he?

13. Train to Busan (2016)
If you’re sick of zombie movies….you should still see this one. Korean horror films are still some of the most chilling movies. Maybe it’s because they’re not afraid to go where American studios hesitate. But also, it takes place mostly on a train and I don’t think I’ve ever looked at the subway the same again.

12. Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
This is a movie I stumbled upon on Netflix one night and immediately fell in love with. I don’t know what it is about morgues that naturally make them great settings for horror films…I’M KIDDING!! I know it’s because of the whole dead bodies thing…but what if one of those bodies…was a witch?

11. The Babysitter (2017)
The humor of this movie is its defining feature. Who knew selling your soul for immortality could be such a fun time? Oh yeah, when a scaredy cat kid catches you in the act and you have to kill him…

10. IT (2017)
I was a fan of the original TV movie with Tim Curry playing the killer clown. Was it cheesy? Yes. But we expect that from most Stephen King adaptations….but the 2017 IT film (and its subsequent part II) were definitely a major improvement. Though the first film was the stronger of the two.

9. The Ritual (2017)
Another film I found late at night on Netflix…and I was pleasantly surprised. The acting is superb and the design of the monster/forest god is one of my favorite in the past decade.

8. Get Out (2017)
Jordan Peele’s film debut! AND HE KILLED IT!! This is such an intelligently written horror film with some of the most terrifying sequences I’ve ever seen. And the messaging hidden in every scene still blows me away.

7. A Quiet Place (2018)
Creatures that attack anything that makes a sound…speaking as a naturally clumsy human being…that’s the scariest thing in the world. Of course, the John Krasinski directed film is also filled to the brim with tense scares and brilliant sound design. Horror films are really showing they deserve more recognition than they get.

6. Hereditary (2018)
This was my pick for scariest horror film of 2018. If I was prone to nightmares after watching scary movies this one would have kept me up for weeks…instead I got scared by every shadow and every time I heard anyone click their tongue…seriously…

5. Us (2019)
Jordan Peele knocks it out of the park AGAIN!! This film really makes you question…are your really you? And I think red jumpsuits are now terrifying…and kids…kids are still terrifying…

4. Parasite (2019)
Okay, this is more thriller/comedy, but there are horror elements so I’m including it because we need to acknowledge Korean films…especially in the horror genre (and if I could I’d include A Tale of Two Sisters, but that came out in 2003…though I guess I kind of just did include it…). Parasite deserves all the praise it received including the Oscar win.

3. Midsommar (2019)
Horror in the daylight…hard to do, but Ari Aster knows how to get it done. The sound design and setting work in perfect tandem to keep you on the edge of horrified and invested in the story. Balancing a line you didn’t even know could be balanced.

2. Underwater (2020)
I don’t think enough people gave this one a chance…the timing of its release also didn’t do it any favors. BUT! I actually really enjoyed this film. There are some pretty gnarly kills in it and…I’ll say it: Kristen Stewart was fantastic. I recommend this film especially if there are any other humans who liked Sphere…they’re not similar story-wise, but I’m a sucker for bottom of the ocean horror.

1. Invisible Man (2020)
This ain’t the classic invisible man…this man is technological advanced and a vengeful son of a bitch. Giving any woman who’s been in an abusive relationship something to worry about, this film is paranoia personified. With some pretty good scares and an interesting story, this is definitely a worthwhile watch.

Of course there are far more horror films from the past ten years I couldn’t include on this list…but here are 6 more.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

6. Oculus (2013)
A killer mirror and no clue what’s real or not…this film is a mind bend in the best kind of way.

5. Velvet Buzzsaw (2019)
If art could kill…plus Jake Gyllenhaal being a snooty art critic is worth the watch alone.

4. Bird Box (2018)
The best decision made in regards to this movie? Not showing the evil things causing the shenanigans…seriously look up what they were going to look like.

3. Veronica (2017)
Deemed the scariest movie of all time…debatable. But it is a well made possession film.

2. Raw (2016)
There were rumors people couldn’t get through this movie…okay. I had no trouble…what does that say about me?

1. You’re Next (2011)
A female lead who is the most dangerous thing in the movie…like really…scream queen she is not.

I KNOW I’ve missed so many horror films. Make sure to comment your favorite I forgot to include in the comments below!!

Halloween, Log

For the Gamers: 10 Scary Video Games You Shouldn’t Play Alone

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I’ve been restraining myself from making ALL the lists about video games….which ended up meaning most are about movies…

ANYBUT!!

Let’s talk about scary video games. Watching horror movies are scary, but there’s still an element missing. The ability to control those in it. In video games, you’re in control….sort of.

There have been many horror games ever since the creation of video games. But I’m just going to list 10 here. And to narrow it down a little more, I will only include one game per franchise AND only ones I’ve played…alone…and regretted playing alone…

10 Scary Video Games You Shouldn’t Play Alone:

10. Narcosis
If deep sea creatures and possibly being crushed by the overwhelming water pressure or drowning don’t scare you…how about being unable to tell what’s real or not? This deep sea horror is dark, creepy, and really makes you reconsider calamari…

9. Amnesia: The Dark Descent
The indie horror to rule all indie horrors. I could go into how this really made Let’s Plays take off…and that’s a horror all on its own, but I’ll stick to the gameplay. This was really a game that brought a specific genre of horror back into the mainstream…horror where you can’t fight back…you can only run. This wasn’t the first to do it and it also wasn’t the first to include a sanity meter…but it perfected both.

8. Darkwood
I’m cheating a little with this one. I haven’t finished this game…hell I don’t think I’ve even gotten halfway through it…but it deserves a spot on this list. Atmosphere…fantastic…Creatures…truly scary…Story…totally nuts! The artwork is disturbing in the BEST way and the gameplay is addicting.

7. Until Dawn
I played this game twice. Once on my own. The second time with a friend. What did I learn? It’s definitely scarier when you’re all alone…it’s more FUN with a friend. The fact it has replay ability so you can discover all of the branching paths is wonderful and definitely worth playing through at least twice…and those wendigo creatures are…HORRIFYING!

6. Silent Hill 3
Silent Hill is one of my all time favorite series……..but I missed PT so I can’t include it on this list…and it hurts too much to remember what COULD have been…but the third game in the series was one of my favorites. Heather is my favorite character and the story is absolutely one of my favorites. The monsters and boss fights are forever seared in my brain.

5. Fatal Frame 2
I remember when my friend gave me this game back in high school…and it took me almost five years before I could finish it…because I was so scared of it. I don’t know what it is about this game in particular that terrifies me, but having to let the ghosts get close to do more damage didn’t help.

4. Alien: Isolation
I learned a startling truth about myself playing this game…if I’m ever trapped on a ship with a Xenomorph…I would be the biggest coward. I think I spent more time inside of a locker than creeping through the halls because I was SO scared of that alien bastard hunting me down. Also, the sound design is good I never knew for sure if the sounds of the station were just sounds or the Xenomorph stalking me…well done game designers.

3. Resident Evil 2 (Remake)
In order to be fair…I have to use the remake because I’ve never played the original RE2…but this game was absolutely terrifying. Zombies, a creepy police station, sewers, and LICKERS!! TERRIFYING!! Wait…what’s that noise…stomping down the hallway? OH MY GOD!!! FEDORA MAN!!

2. Outlast
You can’t fight. You can only run…sensing a theme here? Your only “weapon” in this game is your trusty camera. And you are going to need it when you enter the Mount Massive Asylum. Well, you’re going to need the night vision setting cause this game is DARK…like PITCH BLACK DARK. You literally can not proceed in some sections without it…OH! And you’re constantly being chased by a giant inmate who doesn’t have any lips and can crush your head in one hand.

1. Layers of Fear
This game is the first in a long time to actually cause me physical pain…when I jumped so big I banged my knee on my desk. Every scare is effective. The atmosphere will have you seeing things in the dark…hearing sounds that aren’t really there…and making your cat rubbing against your leg give you a heart attack.

Time for some Honorable Mentions. These will include games that border horror and action, games I haven’t played in a long time and maybe aren’t as scary as I remember, or anything else that I can’t think of right now.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

5. Bloodborne
The real question is this: is it scary because of the gothic setting and monsters…or because of its difficulty? (FYI, I love this game and have played through NG+3 and the DLC…not that I have to defend myself to anyone…or do I…)

4. Doom
You could argue this is more action shooter, but it has demons in it and gore…close enough.

3. Doki Doki Literature Club
Spoiler…I guess? I won’t explain why this is a horror game so if you haven’t played this game…you should.

2. The Last of Us
Zombies aren’t the true horror of this game…but those clickers are very close…

1. The Witch’s House
I couldn’t have a scary horror game list without at least one RPG Maker game. There was a period this was entire horror genre of games and this one was my favorite. The story is well written and the scares still pack a punch even today.

There are still SOOOOOO many horror video games I haven’t played/forgot to put on this list. What are some your favorite?

Halloween, Log

Horror Movies You Should Watch

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The title of this list is a tad misleading. These aren’t going to be the classics you should watch if you want to call yourself a true horror fan…I’m not the one to tell you that.

This list is all about movies that maybe didn’t get as much love as they should have, I haven’t heard enough people talk about, or personal favorites that don’t fit on any other list.

And to start off with a pun: Let’s DIVE into the list!!

10. Underwater (hence the pun line)
This movie was released at a very poor time…the ads didn’t do it as much justice…and quite frankly I think people give Kristen Stewart a hard time for a role she played 8-12 years ago…really people, she’s actually made great movies since Twilight (and I’m not even a fan of hers or of sparkling vampires and stalker werewolves). NOW ONTO THIS FILM!! It’s really good! The atmosphere, the story, the characters, and the brutal kills are a thrill ride. Also if you’re a Lovecraft fan…you missed out.

9. The Faculty
This isn’t even going to be the oldest film on this list…but GOD I love this movie!! I remember watching the commercials for this movie and wanting to see it in theaters….I didn’t get to because my parents didn’t like taking us to R movie in theaters…but they didn’t mind letting us watch them at home. When I finally got to see this movie it was everything I wanted! The Breakfast Club meets Invasion of the Body Snatchers…with Frodo and the T-1000 in the same movie!! (the actors not the characters….though actually…kind of, yeah)

8. The Exorcism of Emily Rose
I like the idea of this movie. I wish they’d gone further with the debate/argument that everything that happened to Emily could be explained away…they just gave it away too early. There are still some interesting ideas and frightening scares that make this a good film from the possession genre of horror.

7. VHS
Anthologies for the WIN!! I don’t think enough horror fans have seen this anthology (or the sequels for that matter) and that’s a shame! There are some fantastic stories in this collection and each one is better than the last. If you love Tales from the Crypt or Creepshow, this is a series you NEED to check out.

6. Jennifer’s Body
Megan Fox has been given the same treatment as Kristen Stewart. Listen y’all…sometimes actors are given shit scripts. That’s not their fault. >getting off tiny soapbox< But really, this movie isn’t that bad. The most unbelievable part isn’t the acting, it’s that Amanda Seyfried is a nerd…but that’s neither here nor there. The story is fun and the gore is deliciously disgusting. This is a good time film that you’re supposed to just have fun while watching.

5. House
This is the oldest film on this list. This is my guilty pleasure. It’s campy, it’s a product of its time and I love it all the more for that. If you’re a fan of the novel House of Leaves…you CANNOT tell me this film didn’t influence it in some way.

4. Train to Busan
Zombies may be on the downturn…but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t watch this movie! I think that was actually a major reason a lot of people I know didn’t check this one out. And SHAME on them!! The characters are brilliantly written, the underlying themes don’t punch you in the face, and quite frankly……it’s what I wanted World War Z to be…

3. Would You Rather
Look…it’s not the best…but unlike a lot of torture porn horror films…this one at least doesn’t go completely overboard. It keeps the main character’s goal front and center. Plus…that ending hit me harder than I thought it would.

2. Delicatessen
I WILL RECOMMEND THIS FILM EVERY YEAR!! Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell. But where is the lie? This is a French film. It’s a post-apocalyptic, dark comedy, horror romance. Yes, all of those things. True, the B-plot of the revolutionary group is a little…meh, but the rest of the story is fantastic! Plus, I’ll never look at a squeaky bed the same again…

1. The Void
Another one for the Lovecraft fans. This film may sometimes feel like it doesn’t know where it wants to go…I think that’s the point. Though to be honest…I love any horror film where people turn into disgusting twisted gross monsters on a rampage.

Time for some honorable mentions that I won’t be discussing at any length…maybe to add to the mystery of them…or because I don’t want to go on tangents…yeah…that’s the one.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

5. The Host

4. Possum

3. Bug

2. The Babysitter

1. ABCs of Death

Any other horror films you think doesn’t get the love it deserves? Leave a comment! Make new friends! Or just say hi!

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Meh Horror Films that Could have been Terrifying

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I know that’s a long title for a list…but this is MY blog and I like the title…I really like the word meh…

ANYBUT! Here is the actual intro for this list.

There are so many horror films. Obviously not ALL of them are going to knock it out of the park. Some are SO close though but maybe one thing prevents it from being the truly terrifying film it could be…and I’m going to do my best to present 10 of those now. And because I didn’t learn my lesson last time, I’ll try to give an idea of how it COULD have happened.

10 Meh Horror Films That COULD Have Been Terrifying

10. The Village
I think the twist at the end could’ve worked…HEAR ME OUT!! It could’ve worked…if the creatures had ACTUALLY been real. Imagine: the village was a tasty trap to keep the real creatures away from the rest of the world. When whatever her name was (the blind girl) had to venture into the woods, her father sacrifices himself in order to keep her daughter safe. And when she reaches the wall and tries to stop the ranger for help, it’s revealed his orders are to shoot any who cross the wall…tragic ending, but I mean is it worse than what we got?

9. Splice
Go…full…horror. It took SOOOO long for anything to happen in this movie. I understand the whole questioning what’s human/playing god with DNA blah blah blah, but this movie should’ve just been a full on horror film. Also rewrite the characters to ACTUALLY be interesting and not…whatever they were and this film could’ve been truly impact fully horrifying.

8. The Exorcism of Emily Rose
Okay, this movie was actually pretty good…except for the flashes to the present. They gave it away too fast that they were going the “it’s all real” route. Keep that shit until the last ten minutes of the film! You went through all the trouble of explaining everything, but you gave away the twist in the first half of the film.

7. Winchester
Why do we have to have a random character to follow? Helen Mirren was enough. But if I have to have whatshisname in the film…like the previous entry, don’t give it away the ghosts are real. I think this film could’ve been fantastic if it went sort of the Haunting of Hill House route. Have the audience question if Mirren’s character is crazy or not…while having hidden ghosts all throughout the house. Make the audience question their own eyes as they question the old woman building rooms for ghosts.

6. The Nun
ACTUALLY MAKE A MOVIE ABOUT THE NUN!!! I mean, we didn’t truly learn anything new. I wanted to see how the damn demon decided to dress as a goddamn NUN! I don’t want to be TOLD, I want to SEE it!!! That’s it…that’s the entry.

5. Dead Silence
There were so many elements that were brilliant…they just weren’t well-executed. It makes it very hard to identify what exactly was THE thing that bothered me about this film…I think I wanted to see this film occur closer to the time period the puppet lady died. I think keeping it closer to the woman’s death would’ve added a horror element…maybe?

4. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
The monsters were fine…perfect even….but they should’ve just gone full R. I know TECHNICALLY the books are kids books…but I mean…sorry, kids imagine far more terrifying things and truthfully, adults wanted to see this movie just as much as kids. I wanted to see this movie be just horrifying. Show the kids get killed, or better yet…make a version of the movie that’s about adults finding the book and releasing their childhood fears unto the world.

3. Rings
Look…the first Ring was a good horror movie. The idea of making the killer video tape digital? It should’ve worked. Why didn’t it work? Retconning Samara’s story…Why can’t we just get a movie where a creepy girl just kills people without trying to tell her life’s story? I don’t care how she became a media demon! I just want her to kill people!!

2. The Happening
Have someone else write it…next.

1. House of Wax
Make the House of Wax a traveling exhibit. I want it to be successful, not a rundown side of the road show that rarely gets visitors. Also, make the owner personable, likable. I don’t want another mutant or something that makes it unbelievable. You can keep the wound and wax used to cover it (especially for a reveal later), but I want the owner to be, on the surface, a well-liked, charming guy.

There are a lot of films I could’ve included on this list…A LOT. But here are 5 more.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

5. Slender Man
Cut the Ring copycat video…it should’ve been like the Bye Bye Man (another awful film). If you think about him…he’s drawn to you.

4. Last Shift
The only thing I’d change…maybe shorten it…it dragged a little bit in the beginning.

3. Dark Water
It could’ve been good. It was almost there. It nailed the atmosphere, but lost it on the scares. I think this could actually be made better now…

2. Silent Hill
I love the video games…LOVE them. I think they got pretty close on the first movie…I just wished there had been less CGI! Could you imagine some of those scenes done with traditional effects? IT COULD HAVE BEEN AMAZING!!

1. One Missed Call
The premise of this movie is fantastic…which is why you should just watch the original. That’s my fix…watch the original Japanese film.

Do you have ideas how some bad horror films could’ve reached pinnacle terror? Leave a comment!

Halloween, Log

Every Day Scares?!

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There are a lot of things that scare people. Here’s a list of a few of those!!!

Top 10 Things in Every Day Life That Scare People

10. Darkness
The fear of the unknown, being unable to see, or something being out there in the darkness…a few of many reasons people are afraid of the dark. Some argue this fear is left over from our evolutionary ancestors who knew predators hunted in the dark…so we in turn fear the dark because the chance of being hunted is higher….or something like that.

9. Attics
Okay, not ALL people understand the fear of climbing/walking into an unfinished attic and searching through boxes of old things. Horror films use this trope a lot, but it’s a real fear…speaking as one who had a door to the attic in her closet when she was a child…it’s scary. I always expected something to come crawling out and pull me into the dark, dirty, bug-infested attic.

8. Basements/Crawl Spaces
This is a similar fear to attics…the difference being the fear of being buried in the ground. Basements can be places of safety for those who live in areas with tornado watches and such, but for others…they’re scary. For most children…they’re terrifying! What if there’s a monster living down there? What if the walls cave in? What if the house collapses?

7. Cramped, closed in spaces
Claustrophobia is a common fear. But even people who don’t suffer from it can agree there is a moment of fear when you’re forced to squeeze into a small space. Darkness usually accompanies these areas. Also, the intense fear of getting stuck/trapped in the small space is a common fear that prevents many from becoming professional spelunkers.

6. Large Open Spaces
This is a little known fear, but if you’ve ever stood in an empty parking lot alone…you’ve probably felt this fear. Another possible remnant from our evolutionary past, this fear is based in the idea of being unable to hide from predators. Being fully vulnerable if you will. Though, I’d argue this fear isn’t as strong as the others, the fact that it’s more of an internal, hard to realize that’s why you feel uncomfortable standing in a beautiful open field, feeling makes it just as scary.

5. Being Alone
Humans are social animals…some of us less so, but there is something that we all share. The fear of being alone. I’m not talking about dying without finding your life partner, or spending a few nights alone in a house…being TRULY alone. There’s a chance this is another remnant of our ancestors, being alone meant more likely to be hunted, but I like to believe it’s the fear of no contact, no communication, nothing but yourself and your own thoughts that makes this a fear.

4. Silence
There’s something about quiet that can be peaceful…unless there is too much of it. Too much silence can be unsettling. The world is not a naturally silent place. There’s always noise. Wind, bugs, animals, cars, planes, people, etc. But if you ever find yourself in a truly SILENT world…wouldn’t that be terrifying?

3. Loud Noises
On the flip side, loud noises that are unexpected tend to send a jump through anyone unlucky to be in ear shot. The famous jump scares of film come to mind, but there are natural occurrences as well….natural in the sense of not made for the express purpose of scaring someone. Imagine a car horn suddenly blaring outside your window. A train horn in the dead of night. Or even the scream of someone who is surprised. The sudden disturbance activates our fight or flight response…although if you been to any horror events at theme parks, you’ve probably seen the crumpled to the ground or flight response…

2. Sharp Objects
This one is a fear that really…gets to the point….I’m sorry. Anybut, pointy things are a common fear… needles, knives, and so on cause many to squirm in their skin. The potential of those points touching the skin and causing harm is more terrifying than anything really…except perhaps actually being stuck, prodded, or stabbed…

1. Bugs/Arachnids
Creepy crawlies…the feeling of something crawling on your skin that SHOULDN’T be there. Animals with an unnatural number of legs…their ugly little faces that don’t belong on planet earth but in some science fiction horror film….where’s the bug spray?

No honorable mentions this time…mostly because I don’t think the goosebumps and phantom bugs crawling on my skin will let me think of any more scary things.

Can you think of any other common things that scare everyday people? Make sure to comment!

Halloween, Log

Memorable Horror Movie Monsters

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A good monster/killer/antagonist design can add terror to a horror film. On the flip side, bad designs break an audience’s immersion in the story (see Bird Box for an example).

This list is to celebrate the most memorable horror monsters whether they be demons, creatures, or even human. Once again…this is in NO PARTICULAR ORDER!!

10 Memorable Movie Monsters:

10. The Infected (28 Days Later)
FAST…ZOMBIES!! These aren’t your every-day shamblers and walkers and whatever other terms are used to describe zombies. These bastards are fast and filled with RAGE.

9. Predator (Predator)
The perfect hunters. Their whole existence and society is based on hunting the universe’s most dangerous beings. Also…their trophies involve ripping entire skulls and spinal cords from a body. No thank you.

8. Pale Man (Pan’s Labyrinth)
Guillermo Del Toro has possibly the most twisted mind in the fantasy business. He’s like the modern H. P. Lovecraft. And the Pale Man is a nightmare come true. Gangly, eyes on palms, and looks like a weird naked mole rat had sex with Doug Jones (who plays the Pale Man FYI). OH! And it eats children…fuuuuuuuun!

7. Candyman (Candyman)
He has a hook for a hand….and he’s covered in bees under that fancy coat…if that doesn’t scare you, it should at least scare your allergies…

6. Michael Myers (Halloween)
The most terrifying thing about Michael Myers? He’s human…Myers is a man. A large man…with a knife…but a man. AND he killed his sister when he was six-years old! Another reason to fear children…

5. Cenobites (Hellraiser)
Pain is pleasure taken to the millionth extreme! Demons who wish to show whoever solves their weird little puzzle box the wonders and pleasures of pain….by tearing your soul apart…fun guuuuyyssssss…

4. The Thing (The Thing)
An alien that can look like anyone and anything…and has the most terrifying defense mechanism…I mean head spider anyone? Skinless dog with twizzler tentacles? NIGHTMARES!!

3. Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th)
The second most well-known guy in a hockey mask…obviously the first being Casey Jones from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, duh…Jason is an unstoppable killing machine with a giant machete and a little water damage. You don’t want to meet this guy in the woods…

2. Freddy Krueger (Nightmare on Elm Street)
Nightmares suck. Nightmares REALLY suck when a man with a burned face cracks one-liners while he chases you with his glove of knives. Nightmares F***ING SUCK when that same man kills you in the dream…and then you die in real life…but that sweater does look comfy…

1. Xenomorph (Alien)
Anyone who has played Alien: Isolation will understand just how awful and horrifying this space being is. Let’s look at the list: face huggers, chest bursters, acid blood, SECOND MOUTH!, a long tail that can stab clear through your body, and a shriek that turns your blood to ice…I’m never going to space…

There are SOOOOO many more memorable monsters….this was one of the hardest lists to decide who/what to include. And I didn’t even include any of the Paramount monsters that opened the doors for these beings to even come into existence!! (Don’t quote me on that, that’s probably not true at all…maybe)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

5. Judas Breed (Mimic)

4. The Bear (Annihilation)

3. Gwoemul (The Host)

2. Ginger (Ginger Snaps)

1. Pennywise the Dancing Clown (IT)

Did I forget an obvious memorable movie monster? Let me know in the comments!!

Halloween

Classic Horror Stories You SHould Read

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This will be the last list about books…I promise!

However, it would be a shame to get through the Halloween season Ooky Spooky Lists without mentioning some of the most influential authors of horror.

Without further ado…10 Classic Horror Stories You Should Read:

10. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
Starting nice and easy, but truthfully if you’ve never actually read the original short story I highly recommend it.

9. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Who is truly the monster? What separates man from monster? Can people ever remember that Frankenstein was the scientist…NOT the creature?

8. Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Okay, I’d argue this is more mystery, thriller than straight horror…but it does have gothic qualities that tends to push it into the horror genre. Still recommend it.

7. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Most people when they hear the name Oscar Wilde think poet and playwright…but he also wrote this gothic horror that is truly a horror classic.

6. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
A mysterious carnival arrives in a midwest town and strange things start happening? Sign me up!

5. The Turning of the Screw by Henry James
All I should need to say is this…this is the story Haunting of Bly Manor is based on.

4. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Yes, this is what Haunting of Hill House is based on…but you should still read it. It’s considered one of the best literary ghost stories of the 20th century…pretty big deal, right?

3. The Call of Cthulhu by H. P. Lovecraft
You could pick ANY of Lovecraft’s stories, but I specifically chose this one because it is probably the easiest for first time Lovecraftian readers.

2. The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allen Poe
As with Lovecraft, I might as well have put ALL Edgar Allen Poe writings here…but Masque of Red Death is my favorite.

1. Dracula by Bram Stoker
I love this book. I love the writing style. I love the story. For some, they may not like it as much as the many, many, many adaptations, but it is definitely a classic everyone should read.

No Honorable Mentions for this list….mostly because I tried to stay pre Stephen King and Anne Rice and Richard Matheson and SO MANY OTHER amazing horror writers.

Halloween, Log

Memorable TV Show Monsters

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Jason Voorhees. Predator. Xenomorphs. Movie monsters are some of the most memorable characters to grace the silver screen.

But what about TV? Well, that’s what today’s list is ALL about. Most will be entries from horror-themed shows…with a few surprises, too.

Let’s go ahead and jump right into this one. Here are 10 Memorable TV Show Monsters:

10. Demogorgon (Stranger Things)
Though I haven’t watched the series…I know…sorry…I’ve seen images and clips of the demogorgon and it is terrifying. If I bumped into this thing in the middle of the night (or the day for that matter!) I’d not only piss myself, I’d punch myself in the face and then throw myself off a cliff….okay, I’m being dramatic, but can you blame me? The long, gangly limbs, the blossom head filled with rows of teeth, and that shriek…dead.

9. The Flukeman (The X-Files)
Mutant sewer worm man…yuck. This creature is not only disturbing, but if it bites you, it injects some of its young into you. These parasites feast on the living host body. That alone is memorable…but then you SEE the flukeman. It’s the size of a man, pale, slimy, and has a suction shaped mouth with four fangs for locking into flesh. A classic creature from X-Files that still haunts my dreams….sometimes.

8. Gooey Gus (Ghostwriter)
Okay, this is 100% a personal choice (and therefore probably isn’t as scary as I remember). If you are too young to remember, or missed this show, let me explain the premise of Ghostwriter. A group of friends solve mysteries in their neighborhood with the help of the ghostwriter, a ghost who can only communicate using written or typed letters it manipulates into sentences. Gooey Gus was a doll that “leaked” goo. It was a creepy looking doll that had a mind of its own. I never actually saw the conclusion to this story…but I remember one scene. I can’t remember their names, but I remember a boy and girl. The girl is in a wagon covered in slime (and blows a bubble) and the boy is telling her to chew…and that’s it.

7. Walkers (The Walking Dead)
The make-up and practical effects for this show are on another level. The progression of decay on all of the zombies are so hauntingly beautiful. I don’t have much else to say about it.

6. The Haunted Mask (Goosebumps)
This episode of Goosebumps, for SOME reason, was the scariest for me. It wasn’t even necessarily because of the mask’s design…no…that’s a lie…it was. It was the mask. Specifically the row of creepy masks. I mean if you watched the Goosebumps TV Show this was really the episode that proved it wasn’t going to pull ANY punches.

5. Gremlin (The Twilight Zone)
It may not have aged well, but this thing scared me so bad as a child, I STILL have small panic attacks if I have to sit in a window seat on a plane. I remember walking in when my dad was watching this episode (a re-run, obviously…I’m not THAT old) and recognizing William Shatner. I, the innocent child that I was, sat down on the couch and screamed so loud when the gremlin appeared in the window my mom thought I’d hurt myself. When I learned the same story was in the Twilight Zone film…I noped right out of watching it until I was older…classic.

4. The Gentlemen (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
I don’t know what it is about tall, gangly men that make them perfectly terrifying. Though to be fair, these weirdoes from Buffy also seems to glide around with creepy smiles, black eyes, and ate the hearts of humans…so maybe that has something to do with it. It’s true the vampire designs in the show were memorable, too, but I thought I’d pick these gentlemen because they may have only been on screen for one episode…but they made a LASTING impact.

3. Deadites (Ash vs. Evil Dead)
I…love…this…show…and that’s the main reason this entry is included. Deadites come in all shapes, sizes, and….dead-ness. They’re undead spirits that possess….well, ANYTHING really, but most commonly humans. Though they have possessed trees, cars, puppets, dolls, houses, and body parts just to name a few. And somehow they add gallons and gallons of blood to whatever they possess…no matter the size.

2. Weeping Angels (Doctor Who)
Sometimes the most innocent looking things can be the scariest. Appearing as simple stone angels, these creatures can only move when you aren’t looking at them. And if they catch you, they feed on your…potential life energy? I don’t know if that is an accurate description, but basically they send you into the past (either decades before your birth or thousands of years…possibly more…) and they feed off what could have been your life if you stayed in the present. Doesn’t sound too bad, but if you’ve ever played a game with something chasing you that can only move when you aren’t looking or blinking…you understand the horror of these monsters.

1. Bent-Neck Lady (Haunting of Hill House)
I mean…I had to add SOMETHING from Hill House. And I think between the Bent-Neck Lady and the Tall Ghost…Bent-Neck Lady wins. She is terrifying. She actually epitomizes one of my fears. Opening my eyes in bed and seeing a woman over me…so yeah…I’m gonna remember this bitch the rest of my life.

Time for some honorable mentions….to be fair, I asked friends and family to help with these so there are a couple I’m not familiar with, but they assured me they deserved to be acknowledged.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

5. The Plague Kings (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina)

4. Nightcomers (Penny Dreadful)

3. The Insect Monster (X-Files)

2. The Silence (Doctor Who)

1. William Hill/Bowler Hat/Tall Man Ghost (Haunting of Hill House)

I know I missed a lot of creatures from the small screen. Make sure to comment ones that scarred you for life down below.

Halloween, Log

All Seasons Horror

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Horror films generally get people in the mood for Halloween. Though horror films can come out ANY time of the year.

This got me to thinking…why should horror films be relegated to October. Here are some films that you can watch ANY Season of the year:

10. Alien
Sci-fi horror allows scares to happen any time and any where. You think you’re safe in a spaceship floating through the nothingness of space? THINK AGAIN!! As the famous tag line says: In space, no one can hear you scream.

9.Krampus
Christmas is surprisingly a popular time of the year for horror. Krampus goes full tilt Christmas Crazy with killer toys and gingerbread men. This’ll teach all the naughty children to mind their manners or else Krampus will pay them a visit.

8. My Bloody Valentine
I mean…it’s in the name. This horror slasher (whether you watch the 1981 classic or the 2009 remake) takes place during Valentine’s day. What girl wouldn’t love to see a horror film on Valentine’s day? I know I wouldn’t.

7. Apollo 18
Another one taking place in space. This film is in the found footage style. Astronauts start hearing bumps and seeing strange shadows out their windows. But how? They’re on the moon.

6. Black Christmas
Like I said, there are a lot of horror movies that occur during Christmas. I recommend the original 1974 version (also known as Silent Night, Deadly Night). A group of sorority girls are stalked and murdered by a serial killer who’s closer than they think.

5. Thankskilling
Don’t think Halloween is the only fall holiday to get its horror due. Thankskilling is, quite honestly, just a stupid film. In a good way. It’s about a killer turkey. That’s it. That’s all you really need. Enjoy.

4. New Year’s Evil
I’m going to be honest. I’d never heard of this movie until last year, but now I can’t believe it took me that long to watch it. A TV show host works New Years, counting down to the midnight hour. But a killer calls in and announces he’s going to kill someone every time it strikes midnight in each time zone. It’s a mystery and slasher film from 1980 and is definitely one I recommend.

3. Leprechaun
Who’s in the mood for some green beer and pots of gold? Well, you’re only going to get one of those in this fun, schlocky classic from 1993. A murderous leprechaun is after his gold and a young Jennifer Aniston is in his path. There are other people too, but this was Jennifer Aniston’s film debut…so there’s that.

2. Jaws
Summer blockbuster. This film…invented it. And you could argue watching it really reminds you of summer and going to the beach (whether it was an ocean, lake, or river). A classic and all time master class of suspense.

1. The Faculty
I’m not going to lie……I put this film here because I don’t think enough people appreciate it. Is going back to school a holiday? Not really, but thinking your teachers are aliens? Possibly. There’s high school cliches, young actors who either went on to bigger and better things or haven’t been heard from in many years. Truly a primo 90s film that more people need to be reminded existed.

No honorable mentions for this list…otherwise I’ll inundate you with a lot of Christmas horror movies and who wants that?