Horror Portfolio - 64 in 5

Let's kick off October and The Countdown to Halloween!

THE HORROR PORTFOLIO

Sixty-Four Horror Movies in a Five Minute Montage

Created by hatinhand

Go here for the list of films in the montage.

Thanks to The Captain's Ramblings for the heads up on this!

Another Halloween...

... has come and gone.

It all goes by so quickly.


pic by BRYAN LEE

Huge thanks to Jon, John & Shawn @ the Countdown to Halloween Blog for all their work in rounding up so many great blogs. Was quite an awesome month!

Can't wait 'til next October!

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So, it is November 1st, and that means it is the first day of NaNoWriMo 2010!



Not feeling as positive about it this year as I have in the past,
but I am signed up and going to give it my best.

Have a story in you? Sign up @ NaNoWriMo!

Happy Halloween!

The day has arrived! Here are some treats to enjoy!



Consult The Oracle or send some Zombie Mail!

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100 Greatest Horror Movie Quotes Of All Time

(thanks to No Room In Hell)

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Halloween Horror Classics Megamix

(from last Halloween)

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A cover of John Carpenter's “Halloween Theme”

(thanks to The Retroist)

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Click here for a spooky surprise!



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Remember, The Walking Dead premiers tonight on AMC!



Here's a guide to identifying symptoms of "Walker Disease"

Also, Zombie Shopping in an unexpected place.

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Hope you all have a scary, creepy, eerie Halloween!



And remember, it's Halloween...

Everyone's entitled to one good scare!

Kill the Zombies!

Kill the Zombies!

Let the circles at the bottom load up,
then click the PLAY button above them,
not the ad in the square box.

Online Physics Games

The oversize messes with my OCD,
but this was too fun not to post!

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Here is another game:

Pumpkin Remover 2

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Enjoy!

And thanks to Interesting Pile for the heads up on these!

Hellowe'en

For your enjoyment, the "Hellowe'en" episode of the great "Friday the 13th: The Series"











This episode originally aired October 31, 1987!

23 years ago - Wow, does time fly.

"Whatcha Gonna Queue?"

I was contacted by Alex Rabinowitz - co-host of the recently launched weekly video series, "Whatcha Gonna Queue?" - about helping to promote the show, and after viewing, I am more than happy to oblige.

Each week Alex and his co-host Jim recommend some of the best titles that Netflix has to offer: New to Netflix (new releases), What the #!*@% is This??? (obscure stuff) and For Your Consideration (timely or relevant cinematic themes).

I liked the episode I watched, and am going to go back and watch the previous three. Here for you to check out and enjoy is their newly released Halloween episode:



Whatcha Gonna Queue? Halloween Episode
Viewers also have a chance to win a free copy of any DVD they've discussed during the episode. The episode ends with a quote from a horror film and the first 5 viewers to tweet the correct answer to their account (@Whatcha_Gonna_Q) will win any title of their choice, no strings attached.

Some Whatcha Gonna Queue? Links:

YouTube Channel
Main Site
Facebook Page
Twitter Page
A great premise, I will be looking forward to more recommendations from Alex and Jim.

The Dead Path - Horror Novel Giveaway!

I was sent a copy of the debut horror novel The Dead Path by Stephen M. Irwin to read and review. So far, I am liking what I am reading!

From the publisher:

Do you remember the last time a book gave you the chills? The Dead Path is the ghost story we’ve been waiting for.

A haunting vision in the woods sets off a series of tragic events, leaving Nicholas Close lost amid visions of ghosts trapped in their harrowing, final moments. These uniquely ter rifying apparitions lead him on a thrilling and suspenseful ride to confront a wicked soul, and will leave an indelible mark on lovers of high-quality suspense and horror alike.

Nicholas Close has always had an uncanny intuition, but after the death of his wife he becomes haunted, literally, by ghosts doomed to repeat their final violent moments in a chilling and endless loop. Torn by guilt and fearing for his sanity, Nicholas returns to his childhood home and is soon entangled in a dis turbing series of disappearances and murders—both as a sus pect and as the next victim of the malignant evil lurking in the heart of the woods.

Stephen M. Irwin is the kind of debut author that readers love to discover—and rave about to all their friends. His electric use of language, stunning imagery, and suspenseful pacing are all on full display here. The Dead Path is a tour de force of wild imagination, taut suspense, and the creepiest, scariest setting since the sewers in Stephen King’s It.

A bonus for you all: Random House is letting me run a giveaway for one lucky follower here. You can win your own copy of the book!

Just leave a comment below by the end of Saturday, October 30, 2010. I will choose a winner at random and post their info on Halloween day! Make sure I have a way to contact you if you don't have an email or profile linked to your comment!

Always love supporting new authors and new horror, so this is a win-win for everyone!

Good luck!

If you really want it now, click here for the Random House page for the book!

AMC Horror Quizzes

Last year, I did a HUGE post of 160 horror/Halloween related trivia questions & answers.

This year, AMC (American Movie Classics) is doing the work for me. The channel is currently running the great FearFest, and on their website they have a bunch of movie related quizzes. So click the links below to test your horror movie knowledge!


Friday the 13th Franchise Movie Quiz
I got 69% (9 right, 4 wrong)

Jason Voorhees Ultimate Fan Quiz
I got 100% (10 right)

Halloween Franchise Ultimate Fan Quiz
I got 100% (10 right, 0 wrong)

Halloween Franchise Ultimate Fan Quiz Part II
I got 60% (6 right, 4 wrong)

The Omen Ultimate Fan Quiz
I got 20% (2 right, 8 wrong)

Hannibal Lecter Ultimate Fan Quiz
I got 50% (5 right, 5 wrong)

Alfred Hitchcock Ultimate Fan Quiz
I got 60% (6 right, 4 wrong)

Ghostbusters Ultimate Fan Quiz
I got 30% (3 right, 7 wrong)

Young Frankenstein Ultimate Fan Quiz
I got 40% (4 right, 6 wrong)

Another Skeletons in the Closet Quiz
I got 60% (3 right, 2 wrong)

Dracula Ultimate Fan Quiz
I got 50% (5 right, 5 wrong)

George A. Romero Ultimate Fan Quiz
I got 40% (4 right, 6 wrong)

Movie Were-beasts Ultimate Fan Quiz
I got 70% (7 right, 3 wrong)

How'd They Die? Horror Movie Quiz
I got 100% (5 right, 0 wrong)

Killer Weapons Horror-Movie Photo Quiz
I got 100% (5 right, 0 wrong)

Spot the Vampire Movie Photo Quiz
I got 66% (4 right, 2 wrong)

Vincent Price Ultimate Fan Quiz
I got 50% (5 right, 5 wrong)

Frankenstein Ultimate Fan Quiz
I got 70% (7 right, 3 wrong)

Wes Craven Horror Movie Quiz
I got 50% (3 right, 3 wrong)

Damn, I need to pay more attention!

Let me know what you get!

Heartstopper

Heartstopper (2006)

Directed by: Bob Keen

Written by: Vlady Pildysh and Warren P. Sonoda

Starring: Meredith Henderson; Nathan Stephenson; James Binkley; Michael Cram; Robert Englund; Laura DeCarteret

Plot: Two hospitalized young people discover that things can get even worse when the dilapidated institution is stranded by a severe storm and a maniac stalks the corridors butchering the patients and staff.

I turned this one on the other night, expecting nothing more than a bad, low-budget mish-mash. I was happily surprised.

Not the most epic of films, but also not trying to be, this is a small film that feels contained and almost claustrophobic, much like the characters feel in the hospital.

The story is standard horror fare: an unstoppable killer with supernatural attributes and the normal people falling like toys around him. Yet the acting (including a good guy role played by horror icon Englund), writing and directing rise above the level of the usual low-budget stuff, showing promise for all involved. Too many times, films like this feel slap-dash and rushed, and this one didn't. I felt the time and care put into it. To me, this goes a long way towards forgiving a film its small flaws.

The only real gripe I have is with Binkley, the actor chosen to play the killer Chambers. Physically, he fits the brute killer role perfectly, but acting-wise, I felt like he didn't quite pull it together, too stilted for my taste. But, a minor gripe for a small movie like this.

Definitely recommended for horror/slasher fans.

United Monster Talent Agency

The Walking Dead's FX man Greg Nicotero has made his directorial debut with this short film, "The United Monster Talent Agency." Filmed like a 1940s news reel, it advertises the agency for all your monster casting needs.



Head to FEARNET for an exclusive interview with the makeup master-turned-director.

Dr. Dale's Zombie Dictionary: The A-Z Guide to Staying Alive

I was sent a copy of Dr. Dale's Zombie Dictionary: The A-Z Guide to Staying Alive, (which is a spin-off from the show, to read and review here.

At first, I was a tad reluctant. Zombies aren't my favorite horror genre, and I felt my opinion of the book would be jaded for that reason.

I am very happy to admit I was quite wrong!

The Dictionary, written by Dr. Dale Seslick and illustrated by Jack Knight, is just great - hilarious and fun - while being a real guide to what one should do to prepare for a zombie outbreak. That may sound silly, but hey - why not be prepared for any eventuality and have some fun whilst learning to do so?

The dictionary admirably attempts to cover any and all situations which should arrive once the dead walk again. Where to hide and where not to; when to fight and when not to; who to trust and who not to. From cover to cover, the book is just an easy, enjoyable read and you can't ask for any more than that!

An excerpt:

ESPRESSO:

Caffeine taken in excess is thought to induce blurred vision, dizziness, insomnia, anxiety and fruity breath to name but a few of the symptoms. However, I simply cannot envisage waking up in the morning with a mob of undead to dispose of without a double espresso to get the motor running. Seeing as I will have to forego most other pleasures in life whilst my dead relatives plunder the earth I am not giving up coffee. And whilst I understand that eventually my supplies will run out, woe betide the person who has to face me in the morning to explain that there are no more beans - and heaven help them if they offer me tea instead!

At least there'll be a lot of zombies annihilated that day. Which is never a bad thing...

That doesn't mean that anyone surviving alongside me should pretend there's no coffee just to get me angry - just the thought upsets me!

I need a coffee - now!

Here is an interview with Ben Muir @ The BloodSprayer.com

How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse main site, information on their 2010 Tour in the UK, their Seminars, Reviews of the show, a Gallery and links to purchase the book from Amazon UK and Amazon US.

They also have Facebook and Twitter pages.

Highly recommended for zombie, horror and humor fans!

Paranormal Muppetry

Poor Beaker!

Thanks to The Retroist for posting!

Two Creepy Ads

My family and I have been enjoying this Halloween ad by Snickers:



Quite bizarre and funny, but nothing like what comes next.

Gilligan over at the always awesome Retrospace posted some creepy ads.
I think this one takes the cake:



What the hell???

PARA ABNORMAL

I have nothing but love for artist Dave Lowe, creator of the awesome web comic PARA ABNORMAL.

Here is one of his latest:

Wonderful fun. I have mentioned his comic before here and here.

Head on over to PARA ABNORMAL for more wonderful comics!
Also check out Dave Lowe Design!

And one more for the road:

Hollywood is Dead

The always great website The Retroist led me to these zombified works of art:

Awesome!

The site is Hollywood is Dead.

Here is what the site says about itself:

This collection of re-imagined movie posters is brainchild of notorious artist Matt Busch.  Each HOLLYWOOD IS DEAD poster parody is faithfully recreated by Busch’s ability to adapt any painting style thrown his way.  As opposed to just taking the original posters and altering them digitally in PhotoShop, Busch has painstakingly hand-painted every detail with traditional mixed media, before slaughtering them with a zombified treatment.

Head on over for many more and even a blog!

Some posters look more interesting than the film they are parodying!

The Darkness Within

The Darkness Within (2009)

Writer/Director: Dom Portalla

Cast: Jimmy Scanlon, Ken Flott, Michelle Romano, Stephanie Maheu, Sean Pierce, David Erin Wilson

Plot: A young couple move into a new apartment only to find that their neighbor is a peeping Tom. If they don't unlock the secret to this mysterious voyeur soon, they may lose everything, including their minds.

I won this DVD via a giveaway by Geof at the great blog Enter the Man-Cave.
Thanks, Geof!

And I wish I could say I liked the movie, but I just couldn't get into it. There is an interesting story here, somewhere, but the acting from the leads just didn't live up to any potential the story held.

The directing also has a too-amateurish feeling that keeps reminding you this is a low-budget pic. And low-budget doesn't have to automatically mean a sub-par flick, but here it does. In the end, it all just feels like a "rough draft" to me. Yet, I would be interested in future stories written by Portalla, as I feel he just needs time to shine.



Trailer for the film @ YouTube.com

Halloween: The Inside Story Previews

Halloween Addict.com has a great interview up with Phil Nobile, the writer/director behind the upcoming Biography Channel special Halloween: The Inside Story.

Halloween Addict also mentioned some preview videos for the special available to watch on the Biography Channel site. Here are the links for those previews:

Halloween: Inside Story - Preview

Halloween: Inside Story - The Sequels

Halloween: Inside Story - Halloween II

Halloween: Inside Story - The Pitch

Halloween: The Inside Story airs on Bio, The Biography Channel
on October 25th at 9PM ET/8PM CT/10PM PT

Sorry for the lack of embedded videos, but Blogger seems to be suffering some sort of malady in that regard.

"The Grither"

Tales from the Darkside is one of the great, creepy anthology series from the 1980s.

Embedded below is the episode entitled "Seasons of Belief" from December of 1986, which stars E.G. Marshall.

The plot: Two kids who don't believe in Santa Claus demand a story on Christmas Eve. They get a different story, a horrific tale of the monstrous "Grither."

My kids were so freaked out by this episode that they still get the willies when I just mention "The Grither!"

Halloween Crafts

Today, I am showing off some of the Halloween items I have made,
using plastic canvas and yarn:


3D Pumpkin


Another 3D Pumpkin


Hanging Halloween Cat


Small Ghost with Pumpkins


Tissue Box Cover in Fall Colors


Skull Wall Hanging


Small Witch


Witch Tissue Topper


Closer view of Witch Topper


Happy Halloween Sign

This Frankenstein was made and submitted to the web project

"A Patchwork of Flesh"

Hope you like them!

Freddy vs Jason Bunnies

Want to watch?

Click Here!

Enjoy!