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Halloween, Log

Books to give you a little fright

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TV and film aren’t the only mediums that can successfully send chills up your spine. Horror books are able to tap into something film and tv can’t…not fully anyways.

Imagination.

Written word, whether a book, short story, web serial, or even Creepypasta, aren’t necessarily visual. Pictures may accompany them to add to the horror, but some of the most effective horror stories are able to militarize your own mind against you. It’s sort of one of the reasons some horror stories don’t translate as well to film or tv. Your imagination will always create something terrifying to YOU.

I’m not saying film or tv can’t utilize your imagination…some have done it extremely effectively. Haunting of Hill House is a good example. Once it was discovered there were “hidden” ghosts in the show, multiple watches started a chain reaction of over active imaginations. Was that shadow a ghost? Is that a ghost? I swear I saw a ghost!

But this list is about books and I’ve stalled long enough. Time for some Books to Give You a Little Fright:

10. Relic by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
If you’re not a fan of being terrified with straight horror, this is a fun dip in the scare pond. Technically this is a science thriller with a mystery to be solved. An ancient creature is on a murdering spree at New York City’s American Museum of Natural History and it’s up to the protagonists to stop the creature before it kills again. Imagine wandering through a dark museum with death things everywhere all alone while a dangerous creature is stalking you. >shudders<

9. Cheerleaders: First Evil by R. L. Stine
If you were a horror fan as a kid I’m sure you recognize the name R. L. Stine…but DID YOU KNOW? He also wrote teen (young adult nowadays) books. His series Fear Street included some of my favorite books when I was in Middle School. The one that stuck with me though? First Evil. It’s about a killer cheerleader…need I say more? Granted…it’s a little hard to find these books now and I (stupidly) gave mine away when I went off to college. But if you ever stumble across the Fear Street series, be sure to check out First Evil (and Second Evil…and Third Evil…the sequels)

8. Cujo by Stephen King
I’m sorry. This list will be including 2 Stephen King books. But for different reasons. Cujo is on this list not necessarily for the horror of a large dog attacking you. It’s on this list because there are chapters from the dog’s POV. You’re in the mind of the dog as it slowly loses its mind from the rabies virus and King really knows how to write, pulling you deeper into Cujo’s madness, as well. And it’s brilliant!

7. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
Yes, the book the Will Smith film was based on. I’m definitely more on the side of read the book versus watch the movie. Though I have to give this film credit that it DID film the original ending…but I’m disappointed they chose to go with a different ending. It changes the whole horror of the book. I won’t spoil it if you haven’t seen the film/knew about the alternate ending…but I definitely recommend reading the book.

6. Sphere by Michael Crichton
Crichton was so good at writing science fiction, true science fiction and making it not only interesting but also horrifying. I could’ve chosen Jurassic Park, but I think Sphere is constantly overlooked…possibly because of the film that was so-so. HOWEVER, even if you take away the terror of being at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, this book is scary. This is psychological horror at some of its best. If you’re a fan of The Thing film, this book is for you and when you read it….you may not agree, but I think they’re definitely bosom buddies.

5. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
A governess is hired to watch over two children in a mansion she comes to believe is haunted. All right…YES, The Haunting of Bly Manor is based on this…even the same character names are used. HOWEVER!! I would argue the novella is just as scary as the series…plus the endings are different (along with a few other changes). This is also one of those stories that has many, many, MANY adaptations. But I love EVERY one of them.

4. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz & Stephen Gammell
One word: Illustrations. The illustrations in this collection of horror stories, poems, shorts, etc. are HORRIFYING!! Entire generations have seen these images in their nightmares. And while the film did a good job bringing the illustrations to life….for the MOST part, it did kind of wimp out on some of the horror. I understand it was a kids film, but you don’t know true terror and nightmare-fuel until you’ve sat in the dark with your friends, passing the book around with a flashlight and reading the book out loud. Especially with that ONE person who can do scary voices very well and having someone else walk in on the group at a truly scary part!….Sorry I just had a flashback…moving on…

3. IT by Stephen King
The second Stephen King book on the list. I could’ve made an ENTIRE list of King books but that would be boring….for other people. Why this book? No it’s not because of the recent films. Please. I first read IT when I was in middle school…did I understand all of it then? No, but it still scared the piss out of me. I mean, a killer entity that can bring your greatest fears to life and feeds off your fear is already horrifying. But that the adults of the town where it resides know about it (sort of) and just kind of accept that kids are going to die every twenty-seven years is just a kick in the ass.

2. Uzumaki by Junji Ito
I’m cheating a little bit here. This is a graphic novel so there’s more visual than a regular book. But I think the story is strong enough to definitely be included here. A town slowly devolves into chaos and madness when spirals take over. Not a group named spirals or a spell call spirals…literal spirals are taking over. As with Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Jung Ito’s illustrations add to the horror. He is a master of Japanese horror and his style of drawing is so unique to him it’s difficult to translate into other mediums. Though a series based on this story is going to be released soon-ish and it looks like it is taking the style seriously and I AM HERE FOR IT!! >ahem< Bottom line…you should check this story out.

1. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
Don’t let the massive size of this book scare you off (honestly, it’s no bigger than a Stephen King book). This is a unique book. It actually started as a story online. Many pages are written in odd manners. Some pages only have one word on them. Another may have the writing all around the edges of the paper and so on. But what is the story? It’s actually 2 stories in one. The first story is a guy who comes across the second story. The second story is about a house. A house that has a door into a room that never ends…and a child goes missing. I know this may not sound THAT scary, but Danielewski’s unique writing style and formatting adds a new level of terror as the reader is made uneasy as they delve deeper into a story that feels like the never ending room. I urge everyone to check this book out.

And now it’s time for 5 honorable mentions. They’re all scary in their own right, but for one reason or another they didn’t stick with me as well as those listed above…not saying they don’t have their own horror elements…just an opinion.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

5. Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
A story that made an entire generation wonder….are my parents really my parents?

4. I Have No Mouth & I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison
A science fiction dystopian story with Artificial Intelligence and torture…fun.

3. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
A classic gothic story for those who are fans of Bronte.

2. Necroscope by Brian Lumley
Vampires. Russian and British Spies. Speaking to the Dead. Need I say more?

1. Pet Seminary by Stephen King
Of course, King makes an appearance even on the honorable mentions.

Did I miss your favorite book that gave you nightmares for days after reading? Share below in the comments!

Halloween, Log

Horror TV Shows you should watch

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Horror TV shows aren’t really anything new. However, there are a lot more options that maybe flew under your radar…or I’m preaching to the choir here.

Of course, I will include a couple classics, but if I haven’t seen over 75% of the entire series…I won’t be including it in the main list. Also, these are in NO PARTICULAR order.

Anybut, let’s continue our Spooky Ooky lists with 10 Horror TV Shows You Should Watch:

10. X-Files
A favorite from the 90s to early 2000s. Even if you’ve never seen an episode, chances are high you’ve heard the opening theme song. It’s a classic theme that has become synonymous with alien sightings or other unexplained shenanigans. Though extraterrestrials were the bread and butter, there were several episodes that dove headfirst into horror. Whether it’s a crazed inbred family to the gray men themselves, this one is definitely one to check out if you never got around to it or were born after it’s run.

9. iZombie
If you’re looking for something more on the daytime detective show side of television, this may be the show for you. iZombie is all about Liv Moore who, after one unfortunate night at a boat party, is now a zombie. But unlike the mindless, brain eaters of movie fame, zombies on this show can pass as human. Liv takes a job at a coroner’s office in order to feed herself, but is discovered by her superior Ravi Chakrabarti who immediately wants to study her and find a cure. Learning she can see flashes of memories from those who brains she has eaten, Liv uses this ability to assist police in solving murders. There’s humor, there’s romance, there’s amazing music choices, and there’s gore…what more could you ask for? Oh, how about a possible civil war between zombies and humans?

8. The Twilight Zone
Full disclosure…I haven’t watched the new version with Jordan Peele. I know, I know, fake fan, but I just haven’t found the time to get around to it. However, I would still argue that the original Twilight Zone is still worthy of rewatches. Sure some of the effects are cheesy by today’s standards, but some are still terrifying. If you love anthology horror movies, than an anthology horror SHOW should be a no-brainer.

7. The Walking Dead
If you never watched The Walking Dead…I don’t know if we can be friends….HOWEVER! I did stop watching after season 8. Deputy Rick Grimes wakes from a coma to find the world has gone to shit. A zombie outbreak has overrun the world and he needs to find his wife and son. Cue the dramatic zombie chases, the gore, and some fantastic southern accents. Truthfully, this show has hit or miss seasons (Season 2 is a slog), but when it hits high, it soars. This was a zombie show that really took off and for good reason.

6. What We Do In The Shadows
Are zombie and aliens not your thing? How about vampires? What if I told you there was a vampire show similar to The Office? Well, there is and it’s What We Do In The Shadows. Based on the Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement film of the same name, we follow four vampires as they navigate their way through life on Staten Island. This is a brilliantly written comedy mockumentary with lovable characters and hilarious situations that leave you wanting more and more. Also, don’t forget to check out the original film starring Waititi and Clement…totally worth it.

5. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
For all the 90s kids who loved Sabrina the Teenage Witch but wished it had been darker…TA-DA! I love this show. Making it darker, but still having moments of humor completely works. Do I miss Salem the cat being able to talk….yes, but the creators made it up to me with all the blood and spells I could handle. Season 2 may stumble a little at points, but overall the show is brilliant in world-building, character, and story.

4. American Horror Story
This is another show I checked out following Season 6. I love that the actors change characters every season. I love that the characters they play all live in the same universe and sometimes interact. The stories…sometimes go nowhere or they try to stuff too much into a season, but they’re all good fun. I couldn’t bring myself to get through Cult or Apocalypse. I tried, but just couldn’t do it. I haven’t checked out 1984…but we’ll see. I stand firm that the strongest seasons were 1-4. Hotel and Roanoke were fine, but Jessica Lange was a powerhouse and raised those first 4 seasons just a little higher.

3. Black Mirror
An anthology series for the modern era. Technology…the true horror! Okay, I’m being a little dramatic, but this anthology is clean and so well written it’s frightening. And some would argue it’s a little clairvoyant. As our technology evolves, new horrors evolve with it. If you’re a technophobe…this may not be the show for you.

2. Ash vs. Evil Dead
This is absolutely one of my favorite shows that not enough people watch! I love the Evil Dead movies and when I heard they were making a series I was onboard 100%. And this show did NOT disappoint. Bruce Campbell is stellar and it’s obvious this show was made for the fans. There’s so much blood EVERY episode it’s a miracle when the characters come out of a fight not completely doused. It’s so over the top it just adds to the charm and witty writing. Was I a little disappointed in Season 3? Just a tad. Something about it just didn’t quite gel as well as seasons 1 and 2. BUT!! I still love it. MORE BLOOD PLEASE!!

1. The Haunting of Hill House
This show is stunning in its simplicity. There are ghosts EVERYWHERE. They may never interact with a single main character. They may just be in a single frame of a scene, but this show knew how to build the tension and just make you feel uncomfortable. You may not know why that shadow behind those two characters bothers you, but you know something is wrong with Hill House. Not the mention the story and the characters. Just brilliant and a modern classic of horror everyone should check out.

Now it is time for me to be honest and SHAMEFUL. For the Honorable Mentions list, I must make a confession. These are all shows I haven’t watched (not including the recent remake of The Twilight Zone). Please, be kind. There are just TOO many things to watch for me to catch up with everything………..though I am sorry about Number 1.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

5. Penny Dreadful
I’ve seen the first episode…but then I started Hill House…I’m sorry!

4. The Order
I think I’m just a little tired (right now) of the secret society fighting against something evil…sorry.

3. Daybreak
Okay, this one is on this list only because a friend JUST recommended it to me.

2. Supernatural
I missed the window on this one. I just never got around to watch it…Sorry.

1. Stranger Things
I’M SORRY!! I don’t know why I never watched it. It’s still sitting on my watchlist. I just keep getting distracted!! But I do love the design of the demogorgon.

Did I miss some good horror shows you love? Comment below!

Halloween, Log

Horror Movie Remakes That Could Work (if Done Well)

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Movie remakes are not my favorite thing in the world. There is a more likely chance they’ll end up worse than the original and OF COURSE there are some films that shouldn’t be touched in ANY capacity.

Horror films…even the classics…have the potential to be remade well. Humans will always have fear, but as the world evolves some of the things that terrorized film goers in the past may not be as effective.

THEREFORE, here is a list of films I believe could be remade…if done well. I’ll also include some ideas…not good ideas per se, but ideas.

10. House of Wax
Yes, I know there was a remake in 2005 (with the…”talents” of Miss Paris Hilton), but I think where they went wrong with it was the antagonist. They created this strange amalgamation of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and House of 1000 Corpses.
IF I MADE IT: I would keep the disfigured sculptor, but have him more like the Vincent Price character from the 1953 film (which also was a remake btw). He was personable (still disfigured, but more tragic than evil) and the wax museum was popular. Anybut, the other major change I would make is have the House of Wax be a traveling show. Wherever the wax museum goes, death follows. Of course, there would be a young cast who go to the museum and mock it, possibly destroying the owner’s most prized sculpture and setting his sights on them. One by one they’re picked off until the final boy or girl discover the truth of the wax museum…and (another change) end with all the kids being turned into wax figures and the museum moving on to the next town…opening it up to sequels.

9. The Thing
NOW HEAR ME OUT!!! MOVE THOSE HANDS AWAY FROM YOUR KEYBOARDS!!!! I LOVE The Thing. It is one of my all time favorite horror films of ALL TIME! However…there is too much potential in a remake…if done well. (And we won’t even mention the prequel…>shudder<)
The actual horror of The Thing isn’t necessarily the alien symbiote…it’s the doubt and suspicion that grows between the characters…yes, the beautiful practical effects really set this film on another level, but I think there is potential to creating an even more tense and skeptic outlook on the story.
IF I MADE IT: Obviously the draw of the film is the alien creature and the visual effects of its morphing and deforming appearance. However, I would love to see a version where we don’t even know it’s a remake or relation to the thing. Yes, there would be an initial interaction that starts off the whole thing. Maybe a body turns up, but the character is alive. Maybe still an animal appearing that doesn’t belong. Something to begin building on the feeling that something…isn’t…right. And then we witness a character attacked by another character out of the blue and the assimilation begins. To add even more to the story…bring politics into it…I don’t know.

8. Children of the Corn
Because I MUST have a Stephen King reference on every list…if I can…I offer you the possibility of remaking a film that many find laughable already. But here I go:
IF I MADE IT: I would really go for the downer of the original short story. The couple who arrive both die and the children continue living their strange cultish ways. (I know this was already remade in 2009 to be this way, but I still think they added too much to try to fill it out) If I had to add filler of any kind, I’d add a scene of a child discussing dreaming of burning the corn fields and having the other children sacrifice them. That would really make the ending scene of Malachi’s pregnant “girlfriend” hit a little harder. Also, it’s a short story. Keep it short. No longer than an hour. Come on.

7. Don’t Look Now
First off, if you’ve never seen this movie…watch it. Second, this is ALMOST too classic to remake…but I think it could use an update.
IF I MADE IT: I would go a little more into the supernatural…sort of. What I mean is, really delve into the possibility of supernatural occurrences with just the most coincidental shit. At the same time, delve into the mental toll the death of a child has on not only the parent’s mental health, but also the relationship. Strain it harder and adjust who the mysterious figure in the red coat is…you know, update it. Venice is a beautiful locale that could be really used to its full potential.

6. The Phantom of the Opera
Full disclosure…I am absolutely a fan of the original novel. The musical, sort of. But when I talk about remaking this story, I 100% intend the book. NOT the musical.
IF I MADE IT: I would make it a full-blown mystery. Yes, we all already know who the phantom is, but I would dive full-tilt into the characters and events as they are written in the book. We never see anything from the Phantom’s POV, until the final scene. If anything, most of the story should be told from the POV of “The Persian”. This is NOT a love story. It’s a mystery and horror. And that’s how it should be made.

5. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Okay, I know there are versions of this story. But it doesn’t seem to be a story that does well in theaters. Let’s see if I can fix that (spoilers, probably not)
IF I MADE IT: As with Phantom, I would turn this into a full mystery, horror situation. I would argue tell the entire story from the perspective of Gabriel John Utterson (the POV from the novella). I would say have victims approach him and give him accounts. Then we see the transformation and see from Jekyll’s POV towards the end. I just feel like some of these classic stories are so much more interesting due to how they tell the story. I wish more films honored that.

4. Eyes Without a Face
There is possibility to really create a magical horror film here. The original is a classic and deserves all the praise, but there is still something here.
IF I MADE IT: Obviously, full gore. But STORY-WISE, move this to California where plastic surgery is King. Her father, a well-known plastic surgeon goes mad trying to find the perfect face. I would change his assistant in the film to be his wife and have her blame him for their daughter’s accident, even though it would be revealed later that SHE was the one who actually caused the accident. The two constantly battle over blame and guilt, driving their daughter further and further away from them. Change the fiance into an assistant who got along with the daughter and discovers her. They fall in love and she escapes with him as her parents implode over the guilt and blame…or something.

3. Duel
Okay, you could argue that movie with Russell Crowe (Unhinged) may in some capacity be a more down-to-earth remake….sort of. However, I see this going balls to the walls CRAZY!!
IF I MADE IT: Just road rage the damn movie. Have things being thrown out windows, liquid thrown on windshields to blind drivers, attempts to actually kill each other. I want there to be a moment both are pulled over by a police officer. When the officer approaches the protagonist, he’s suspicious of him, but when he approaches the truck driver…they’re friendly?! What?! Add more to this dynamic of dueling vehicles and add paranoia up the wazoo!! GO MAD!!

2. Isle of the Dead
Okay, true talk….this one really works nowadays with the whole Covid scruff going on. Though I would keep this 100% period.
IF I MADE IT: Keep it in 1912. Keep it on an island. What would I change? Take the supernatural aspect and make it all in their heads. Have the possibility of a supernatural reason for the plague seeds doubt through the group. The doctor struggles to convince them it is simply science and when he dies the groups divide into those who believe the plague is a punishment by God and those who believe it is nothing more than a passing disease. A struggle for humanity and sanity ensues, ending the same as the classic. In a sense, a Lord of the Flies sort of devolving of humanity.

1. Gaslight
This is the film that actually gave me the idea for this list. One of the namesakes for the psychological term gaslighting, it’s about time this film was made for the modern world. (You could argue a lot of films implement similar plots, but let me have mY MOMENT!)
IF I MADE IT: Obviously, we would modernize this bitch. So truthfully, not a remake. But a retelling for the modern woman. It needs to be properly defined and shown for modern audiences. Of course it would be a little bit over exaggerated to give the horror aspect a chance to shine, but so many men and women experience this psychological manipulation it’s time to make a movie exclusively about its dangers.

And now it’s time for some honorable mentions. I won’t go into details on these since you’re probably sick of reading my stupid ideas (and because my fingers hurt from typing SO many words).

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

5. Rosemary’s Baby
I know there already was a miniseries remake with Zoe Saldana, but I still think there’s more that can be done.

4. It’s Alive
Killer baby? Sure. Possibly change mutant to…demon? WHY NOT!

3. The Innocents
Ultimately, this is an adaptation of Turn of the Screw…Can we just have Turn of the Screw the movie! Please?

2. The Changeling
I just can’t get enough haunted house stories…and this one could do with an update…but please no needless jump scares. More like Haunting of Hill House, please. Ghosts existing in the background.

1. The Evil Eye
This could be a modern Hitchcock-like mystery horror. The original is Italian and I’m sure some American filmmaker has wanted to adapt it…well, get to adapting!