 Fandor’s haunted house! Halloween Movies to Stream that are NOT Hocus Pocus on Fandor Looking to discover scary movies that you haven’t seen before? We’re kicking off the Halloween festivities by showcasing some of our worst nightmares, so dim the lights and sink into our favorite and most diabolical horror movies. See our list of creepy and bone-chilling films below and watch at your own risk! Halloween: Worst Nightmares Bug Directed by William Friedkin A lonely waitress with a tragic past, Agnes rooms in a run-down motel, living in fear of her abusive, recently paroled ex-husband. But when Agnes begins a tentative romance with Peter, an eccentric, nervous drifter, she starts to feel hopeful again - until the first bugs arrive. Lisa and the Devil Directed by Mario Bava Regarded as Mario Bava's most personal and unconventional film, LISA AND THE DEVIL is a diabolical thriller flavored with the dreadful imagery and tormenting logic of an endless nightmare. Patrick Directed by Richard Franklin Robert Thompson stars as a comatose killer seemingly unresponsive in a small private hospital. But when a hot new nurse begins to question his condition, Patrick will unleash a waking nightmare of psychokinetic carnage. Nosferatu Directed by F.W. Murnau Before the assorted treatments of the Dracula tale starring either Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, Gary Oldman or Klaus Kinski there was F.W. Murnau's NOSFERATU, one of the first and still most haunting of all vampire tales. The Bird with the Crystal Plumage Directed by Dario Argento While this modern day Jack the Ripper type is slithering through the dark byways of Rome slicing up pretty girls, director Dario Argento is carving up the emotions of terrified viewers. Dark deeds are mixed with black comedy worthy of Alfred Hitchcock in a film of almost unbearable tension and nail-biting suspense The House that Dripped Blood Directed by Peter Duffell A four-part anthology, all revolving around a house where all the previous owners everyone have died in a horrible fashion. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari Directed by Robert Wiene The most brilliant example of that dark and twisted film movement known as German expressionism, THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI is a plunge into the mind of insanity that severs all ties with the rational world. Onechanbara Directed by Yohei Fukuda A cowboy-hat-wearing, bikini-clad zombie assassin mows down hordes upon hordes of the undead in this tongue-in-cheek Japanese exploitation film, perhaps best understood by its alternative English title: ZOMBIE BIKINI SQUAD. Carnival of Souls Directed by Herk Harvey Mary Henry struggles to put her life back in order after emerging the lone survivor of a gruesome car accident. She takes a job as a church organist in Utah, alienating neighbors and fellow roomers with an icy detachment; unbeknownst to them all, Mary is sinking into one mystery after another. How did Mary Henry survive that accident? Why is she drawn to the abandoned carnival on an isolated beach? And who is the pale, sinister-looking man that has followed her to her new home? Santa Sangre Directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky The story of a young circus performer, the crime of passion that shatters his soul and the macabre journey back to the world of his armless mother, deaf-mute lover and murder. It is an odyssey of ecstasy and anguish, belief and blasphemy, beauty and madness. It is unlike any movie you have seen before... or ever will. Dark Night of the Scarecrow Directed by Frank De Felitta When young Marylee Williams is found viciously mauled, all hell breaks loose in her small rural town. Officious postmaster Otis P. Hazelrigg (Charles Durning) leads a gang of bigots in pursuit of the suspect: her mentally challenged friend Bubba Ritter (Larry Drake). Finding him hiding inside a scarecrow, they exact brutal mob "justice" only to discover a tragic mistake! Now a strange apparition stalks the land seeking each of them out as the legend of the Scarecrow begins. Credits Fandor.com 
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 “Sex and the Serial Killer: My Bizarre Times with Robert Durst” is now available to pre-order, as it is set to be durstributed in October.
Multimillionaire Robert Durst is awaiting trial for the cold-blooded murder of his onetime best friend Susan Berman, but this gripping memoir reveals that he’s likely had many other victims, including several other women and innocent house-pets. Sex and the Serial Killer is written by a repentant art and jewel thief, who is using the pseudonym William Steel and remains at an undisclosed location for his safety. Steel was Durst’s friend and confidante for decades and now believes that the “Dursturbed” real estate scion is the wealthiest serial killer in American history. Besides shedding light on Durst’s demented deeds, this book is a call for justice for many of Durst’s victims that simply vanished without a trace and remain unsolved mysteries, causing endless grief to their loved ones. We urge you to share and support the book’s pre-sale, post, review and more. Durst has spent millions of dollars hiring a Dream Team of attorneys in a desperate bid for freedom, but Steel warns: "If Bobby Durst gets set free, he will kill again. That's what he does." Please visit www.sexandtheserialkiller.com and follow us on social media to share the bone-chilling story of this abusive fiend and help bring him to justice for all of those who no longer have a voice. FandangoNOW Celebrates 50th Anniversary of "Night of the Living Dead" With Top Zombie Movies List10/2/2018   FANDANGO’S STREAMING SERVICE, FANDANGONOW, BRINGS TO LIFE TOP 25 ZOMBIE MOVIES, RANKED BY ROTTEN TOMATOES’ TOMATOMETER SCORES, TO CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF “NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD”
Today marks the 50th anniversary of “Night of the Living Dead,” the granddaddy of the modern-day zombie movies. To celebrate the occasion, Fandango’s fast-growing on-demand video streaming service, FandangoNOW, is bringing to life the 25 “freshest” zombie movies in a list of classics curated by movie review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes and based on those movies’ Tomatometer scores. (A movie gets a “Fresh” designation when at least 60% of its critic reviews are positive, and the original “Living Dead” retains its crown as the “freshest” film of the zombie pack.) “Zombies owe their popularity today to a little low-budget film from Pittsburgh released 50 years ago today, and ‘Night of the Living Dead’ has lost none of its power to shock, stun and terrify,” says Fandango Managing Editor Erik Davis. “With its stark, in-your-face black-and-white imagery of the dead coming back to flesh-eating life, director George Romero’s film made it clear to 1968 audiences that visceral horror no longer took the shape of Gothic frights like werewolves and vampires. It now looks just like your friends and neighbors, and there is no escape. To celebrate the ‘Dead’s 50th-anniversary FandangoNOW is hosting the top 25 zombie movies that you can view at home today, starting of course with the film that started it all.” To celebrate the anniversary today only, fans can rent any (or all) of the zombie movies on the FandangoNOW list at a discounted rate, with $1.00 off the regular low price when using the promo code LIVINGDEAD50 at checkout. FandangoNOW has the most comprehensive selection of films in 4K Ultra HD from all the major studios and content providers. The fast-growing service’s robust catalog is available on more than 200 million devices, offering 70,000 new release and catalog movies, next-day TV shows, and an extensive library of 4K and HDR titles to buy or rent -- no subscription required. The streaming service curates entertainment options for every occasion and provides Tomatometer scores to help consumers with their viewing decisions. Please see below for FandangoNOW’s list of top 25 Zombie Movies ranked by Tomatometer Score: Night of Living Dead (1968) 97% Train To Busan 96% Dawn of the Dead (1978) 93% Shaun of the Dead 92% I Walked with a Zombie 92% The Cabin in the Woods 91% Return of the Living Dead 91% Zombieland 90% ParaNorman 89% White Zombie 89% [Rec] 88% 28 Days Later 87% Dead Alive 86% Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead 83% The Plague of the Zombies 80% Warm Bodies 80% Dawn of the Dead (2004) 75% Planet Terror 74% Land of The Dead 73% The Crazies 71% 28 Weeks Later 71% Dead Snow 68% Night of the Living Dead (1990) 68% World War Z 66% The Serpent and the Rainbow 61% About FandangoNOW FandangoNOW is the fast-growing on-demand video service from Fandango, the nation's leading digital network for all things movies, serving more than 60 million visitors per month, according to comScore, with best-in-class movie information, theatrical ticketing, movie trailers, original content and home entertainment. FandangoNOW offers 70,000 new release and catalog movies, next-day TV shows, and an extensive library of 4K and HDR titles, to buy or rent -- no subscription required. The service curates entertainment options for every occasion and provides Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer scores to help consumers with their viewing decisions. FandangoNOW is now available on more than 200 million devices, including Smart TVs from Samsung, LG and VIZIO; over-the-top (OTT) streaming players including Roku and Chromecast; Xbox One video game system; iOS and Android mobile phones and tablets; Movies Anywhere; and online at FandangoNOW.com, consumers can watch movies and TV shows on FandangoNOW anytime, anywhere, whether at home or on the go. Credit to FandangoNOW   Why Every CSI Buff Should Put Alcatraz East Crime Museum on their Fall To-Do List CSI fans get a hands-on experience at the popular crime museum PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee (September 17, 2018) – Millions of people are self-described CSI buffs. They love the intrigue, story, and mystery that goes along with trying to solve a crime. This fall, many of those CSI buffs should put making a stop at Alcatraz East Crime Museum on their to-do list. It’s a stop that won’t disappoint, as it gives visitors the chance to learn the ins and outs of forensic investigation. “Our visitors are big CSI fans, and often say it’s their favorite gallery in the museum,” explains Rachael Penman, director of artifacts and exhibits at Alcatraz East Crime Museum. “From a crime scene investigation lab, to an area on cold cases, our guests see how what they watch on tv applies in the real world.” Here are the top reasons why every CSI buff should put a stop at the museum on their fall to-do list:
“We give CSI fans a chance to view the evidence that put dangerous criminals away, and learn the methods used by investigators in an interactive setting,” added Penman. “Visitors can test the information they already know, and can have a great story to tell all of their other CSI fan friends when they return home.” The Alcatraz East Crime Museum will also be opening a temporary exhibit on the Second Amendment on Friday, October 5, 2018. The exhibit will be open for one year, featuring the history of the amendment and the evolution of American firearms. Additional temporary exhibits include “It Happened Here: Tennessee Crimes & Justice,” which will be open until May 2019, and features artifacts from Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary, James Earl Ray, and Sheriff Buford Pusser. The museum is always adding to its collection, and has a star-studded panel of experts who make up the Advisory Board, including those in law enforcement, collectors, a medical examiner, crime scene investigators, and others. The board includes Jim Willett, a retired prison warden, Anthony Rivera, a combat veteran and Navy SEAL chief, and Judge Belvin Perry, Jr., who is best known for the Casey Anthony trial. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.alcatrazeast.com. About Alcatraz East Alcatraz East is the most arresting crime museum in the United States. Guests of all ages can encounter a unique journey into the history of American crime, crime solving, and our justice system. Through interactive exhibits and original artifacts, Alcatraz East is an entertaining and educational experience for all ages - so much fun it’s a crime! This family attraction is located at the entrance of The Island, located at 2757 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN. General admission tickets are $14.95 for children, $24.95 for adults. Group ticket sales are available. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the last ticket sold 60 minutes before closing. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.alcatrazeast.com.    Heartstoppers Haunted House brings back multi-level steampunk horror
at their 11th annual haunt, returning home to Rancho Cordova at The Mineshaft property long-term Two Non-Profits Come Together to“Scare for a Cause” and Support Year-Round Community Programs Ready for areally good scare? Not only are there excellent haunts at the HeartstoppersHaunted House in Rancho Cordova, it is the ideal venue for such an attractiongiven that that the Mineshaft property itself is rumored to be haunted. Notonly are there two major haunts within the main building, upstairs and in the creepycaves and basement, but there are two spooky outdoor haunts adjacent in theformer mini golf course and property adjacent to Folsom Boulevard to completethe experience with spooks in every corner. Tickets start at $25. www.heartstoppershaunt.com Heartstoppers’ production team has been running professionalquality haunted houses for 11 years. In 2016 and 2017 they joined forces withCallson Manor to create DireWorld in Roseville. Given the redevelopment @TheGrounds, the haunt needed to find a new home. Heartstoppers, now affiliatedwith a 501c3 nonprofit called Theatre Education 4 Theater Nerds, Inc., waswelcomed back to Rancho Cordova with open arms and was offered a long-term homeat the Mineshaft. They have deepened their relationship with the CordovaCommunity Council and will receive community and marketing support from theCouncil. Shared profits will then go to support various community programs inRancho Cordova run by the two organizations. “We love being back in our favorite location to makeourselves at home with more permanent investment in the property and thecommunity,” said Joel Watson, producer of Heartstoppers Haunt. “Our long-termplan is to not only run the Heartstoppers Haunted House in October but expandto open seasonally for workshops and eventually some other holidays forspecialty themed haunts.” Tickets include all attractions, plus an Old West Saloonwaiting area indoors (so inclement weather won’t be a problem) where themedrefreshments and souvenirs will be available to help guests prepare for or winddown from their Heartstoppers experience. Its four attractions are looselythemed around the Old West including:
Tickets are $25. For those who don’t have the guts to waitin line and enjoy the anticipation, Fancy Pants tickets for $40 enters theminto the Fast-Q. If you can’t get enough, upgrade to the Season Pass for $80and visit us as you wish all season. For those wanting a truly unique and evenmore thrilling experience, they can purchase Committed: The Ride tickets, $60for a private tour via antique wheelchair, alone with one character “guide” withthe guarantee of extra “attention” in the attractions. Limited number sold pernight and only available for purchase at the box office. Lolliphotos will return this year with “ghost photos” tocreate a unique and surreal commemorative souvenir of your Heartstoppersjourney this season. Gather your group, ideally in costume, for a fun yetchilling experience that you can savor forever for just an additional $25. “Our volunteers are the heart of our organization,”explained Joel Watson, producer of Heartstoppers Haunted House. “We aregrateful for their hard work and dedication to learn an artistic craft while helpus bring our vision to life for a premier haunted house experience thatbenefits the community.” The Cordova Community Council Foundation is very involved insupporting Heartstoppers Haunted House in many ways. From helping recruit communityvolunteers to running the parking, helping secure the venue and marketingsupport, they are a valuable partner. “The CordovaCommunity Council is up for another good scare, so join us – if you dare,” saidShelly Blanchard, executive director. “If it’s fun you’re looking for, we’re never far away.” A portion of the proceeds will benefit Rancho Cordovacommunity activities presented by the Cordova Community Council. Heartstoppers Haunted House will host its Grand Opening Thursday,Sept. 29 and will operate for the public Fridays and Saturdays each weekend inOctober, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. Two Sundays, Oct. 21 and 28, 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. Andadditional dates on Oct. 30, until 10:30 p.m. and 31, until 11:30 p.m. Halloweenweek will include Tues. and Wed. night. Ticket booth opens at 7:00 p.m. Viewthe full schedule here. FOR MEDIA ONLY – Heartstoppers Haunted House will host acomplimentary open house for media and their families on Thurs., Oct. 4 from 4:00-7:00p.m. To RSVP please email Heather Atherton at [email protected] by Monday, Oct.1.  Dallas Fan Days Celebrates National Comic Book Day From Marvel to DC Comics Dallas Fan Days Offers Unique Fan Opportunities Every year on Sept. 25, comic book readers, collectors, lovers and fans celebrate National Comic Book Day. From Marvel and DC to Garfield and Calvin and Hobbes, comic books have continued to be an influential part of our society’s culture. First popularized in the 1930s, comic books quickly became an important pillar for creative storytelling. Artists and publishers have turned a simple picture book into a multibillion-dollar industry, providing the source material behind many the of biggest blockbusters and hit television series of the past decade. According to Comichron, comic book sales are up 15 percent from previous years, estimating around $296 million in 2018 alone. “Comic books have continued to become a cultural unifier,” said vice president of Fan Expo HQ, Andrew Moyes. “People all over the world connect over their love and passion for comic books, and we see that at our conventions year after year. Dallas Fan Days affords guests the opportunity to meet legendary comic book creators, attend workshops and seminars, get their comics signed and meet other enthusiasts.” Many comic artists and writers have been able to put their passion of comics into a beloved career. Dallas Fan Days, one of the best comics, sci-fi, horror, anime and gaming events in Texas, allows these artists and writers to come together for a bigger purpose – to share that passion with the world. Some of the world’s biggest comic book creators will be featured at Dallas Fan Days on October 19-21, with hourlong panels of their own. Attendees have the opportunity to ask questions and hear the perspectives of those who shape the industry. The 2018 Dallas Fan Days Comic Artist featured guests include: Pat Broderick – known for his work on the “Micronauts” and “Alpha Flight” for Marvel Comics, and “Legion of Super-Heroes,” “Captain Atom” and “Green Lantern” for DC Comics, Broderick also penciled Marv Wolfman’s four-part "Batman: Year Three" storyline, which detailed the first meeting of Batman and Tim Drake. Dave Dorman – legendary Illustrator best known for his “Star Wars” artwork. He has done illustrations for Marvel, DC Comics and Dark Horse. His artwork has appeared in Batman, Spider-Man, Superman, G.I. Joe, Alien, Predator and Indiana Jones, to name a few. Scott Hepburn – an illustrator and cover artist for Marvel. He is most known for “Spider-Man/Deadpool” and “Deadpool.” Also appearing at the 2018 Dallas Fan Days are: Sam De La Rosa – “Spider-Man/Deadpool” David Angelo Roman – “Rick and Morty” Lawrence Reynolds – Illustrator Jeff Balke – Colorist Ryan Kincaid – Cover Artist Mohammad Jilani – Illustrator Kathryn Crenshaw – Cartoonist Andrew Herman – “Zoe Dare” Dusk Comics – “Miss Tilney” Shonuff Studios - Cartoonists Within Dallas Fan Days is Artist Alley. Indie meets pro in this special area where guests find all of their favorite pencillers, inkers and writers. This is a “must experience area” for anyone interested in meeting the rising stars and the people who work the front lines of the industry. Here guests find it all – comics, graphic novels, limited edition prints and, best of all, original art and sketches! Also located in the Artist Alley area, the Indy Press Pavilion brings a fine lineup of independent comic book, zine and other related publishers. Additionally, hundreds of retailers from all over will be in attendance specializing in everything comics, sci-fi, horror, anime and gaming. Numerous retailers have exclusive comic book back issues and graphic novels by many of the 2018 Dallas Fan Days creator guests. Dallas Fan Days, the pop culture extravaganza, is host to tens of thousands of fans at the Irving Convention Center for the three-day event this fall. Dallas Fan Days has a full schedule packed with panels from celebrities, voice actors, anime superstars, comic book creators, cosplayers, internet celebrities and sci-fi, fantasy, horror and gaming personalities, to cosplay contests, gaming and more. This year’s celebrities include: Matt Smith, “Doctor Who;” Karl Urban, “Star Trek;” Jennifer Morrison, “Once Upon A Time” and “House;” Bret Hart, wrestling icon; Jaleel White, “Sonic The Hedgehog” and “Family Matters;” Ray Park, “Star Wars;” Kristy Swanson, “Buffy The Vampire Slayer;” Kevin Sorbo, “Hercules;” Corbin Bernsen, “Star Trek: The Next Generation;” John De Lancie, “Star Trek: The Next Generation;” Jason David Frank, “Power Rangers;” and Breckin Meyer, “Robot Chicken.” Dallas Fan Days is Oct. 19-21 at the Irving Convention Center, 500 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving, TX 75039. Ticket prices start at $20. To purchase tickets, go to https://www.dallasfandays.com/en/tickets/admission.html. For more information, please visit the Dallas Fan Days website at www.DallasFanDays.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram andTwitter. General inquiries can be sent to [email protected], exhibitors can contact [email protected] and questions about tickets can be sent to [email protected]. Fan Expo After Hours is the official biweekly podcast that celebrates all things Pop Culture! The show is available on SoundCloud, Stitcher, Apple Podcasts and Google Play. About Dallas Fan Days Dallas Fan Days is an annual comics, sci-fi, horror, anime and gaming event in Texas. It is packed with exciting family-friendly activities, celebrity & comic guests, and much more! The pop culture extravaganza is host to tens of thousands of fans at the Irving Convention Center for the three-day event every fall. Dallas Fan Days is owned by Fan Expo HQ, one of the largest entertainment convention groups in North America. Collectively it hosts over 500,000 fans annually at Fan Expo Canada, Fan Expo Boston, Fan Expo Vancouver, Fan Expo Dallas, Toronto Comicon, Calgary Expo, Megacon Orlando, Dallas Fan Days, Edmonton Expo, Fan Expo Regina and Megacon Tampa Bay. For more information, go to www.DallasFanDays.com. Thank you to DallasFanDays.com for the information.    Austin audiences will find themselves awash with black magic just in time for the start of fall, when acclaimed Austin horror filmmaker Francois Larosa kicks off the highly anticipated theatrical run of his latest film, AGHORA: The Deadliest Black Magic, next week. Presented by Mike Entertainments and produced by Vega American Productions, AGHORA: The Deadliest Black Magic is guaranteed to chill Austin audiences to the bone with pure terror during its citywide theatrical run at three Alamo Drafthouses locations: Mueller, South Lamar and Lakeline. AGHORA will take audiences on a dark journey deep inside the psyche of Jenny as she unravels within her deepest frights and fears. A clash of black magic and high-tech science directed at her from two fronts sends Jenny into a downward spiral of psychic pain, physical torture and spiritual torment as she finds herself the terrifying subject of both an obsessed stalker and vindictive co-workers on a mission to destroy her. With so many well-known horror films shot throughout the Texas capital, Austin has gone on to comprise itself of one of the country’s largest and most devoted horror film-loving communities. Aghora recently premiered to a sold-out audience at the Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar earlier this month, and Larosa and the film’s producers decided to bring it to many more Austinites with nine different screenings throughout the month of September. Nine screenings of Aghora are scheduled to be available to the public at the Alamo Drafthouse Mueller, Lakeline and South Lamar, beginning Friday, September 28 through Sunday, September 30. Tickets are now available through EventBrite. The film features a stellar cast, which includes Alexis Juliana, Danny Trevino, Michael David Yuhl, Mario Zamora, Stephen Latham, Tj Condit, Sunday Flint, and Scott Fulmer. Additionally, a raffle will soon be announced for a winner’s package, which includes two tickets to any of the film’s upcoming September screenings (subject to availability), along with one free night in a private King Suite (Sunday-Thursday nights, holidays and blackout days excluded; expires February 28, 2018), presented by sponsor Native Hostels Austin. Details to follow. For more information on Aghora: The Deadliest Black Magic, visit www.aghoramovie.com. For more information or questions on the film’s run, call (323) 386-2300, or email [email protected]. Here is the Eventbrite link to all of the upcoming screenings:
https://www.eventbrite.com/d/tx--austin/aghora/?q=aghora&page=1&lc=1&mode=search Thank you to thegrapevine.com for the info.  By: @cryptcountess A penciled compilation of horror images found on the internet. Greetings my fellow horror lovers!!! I am looking for custom artwork to showcase in a new section on the site. I want to create a Reader’s Art Gallery. To do that I need artwork from YOU, my beloved readers. Below I have explained what the parameters are for submissions. I promise it’s easy. I am anxious to see what all you send. Please be respectful in your submissions. Thank you in advance!
All submissions must be HORROR related. ANY medium is accepted. (Paint, pencil, marker, ink (this includes tattoos IF YOU DID THE TATTOO WORK, sculpture, etc. Artwork that is colored by YOU but the image is someone else’s is fine, like those in coloring books.) If submitting a custom COLORED image (like a coloring book image) please include the name of the source of the image (even if it’s something you found on the internet, tell me that). Please make all submissions a .jpg file. If any other format is submitted this may affect whether it gets posted or not. All submissions MUST include the following information: -Your Name (this can be an @ from social media platforms as Twitter or Instagram OR it can be your REAL name, or you can do both. Please let me know which platform the @ is for. But, I need a way of giving the artist credit.) -If you want to put your OWN watermark or copyright on the image that’s great. Otherwise, artist info will be in a caption under the image. -A link to your website (if you have one) -Medium used -A very VERY short description of the artwork’s subject matter. Let’s say, 3 sentences or less. I may end up paraphrasing this part. -NO REAL BLOOD OR CRIME SCENE PHOTOS, ETC. FICTION ONLY. Please send as clear and crisp of an image as possible. The size of the image posted on the site will be effected by the size of the image you send me. Please send all submissions to: [email protected] Make the subject line of the email: Art Submission Please keep in mind that art is subjective. As of right now, I plan to post anything that is sent to me, without a review, whether I like it or not. This is to showcase artwork by readers and horror fans. If, for some reason, your submission does NOT get posted, you will get a return email stating the reason(s) why. I really hope you will all help me make this new section a success! Thank you, The Countess  We’ve all heard the jokes about who is going to die in a horror movie. It might be a token character that isn’t too bright, the people drinking and doing drugs, the virgin always lives (as referenced in my latest review). And there have been rules stated in movies. The most famous of which, I think, would be in Scream. In the movie Scream, Randy (a complete horror film addict) points out that there are, in fact, three rules to surviving a horror flick.
But, there are actually more rules than those. All those times that you are warning the person on screen NOT to do something…yeah, they are breaking rules. For instance, coinciding with #3 above, is a very common-sensical but, all too often ignored rule…Don’t go investigate. This includes all noises, basements, cabins in the woods, creepy houses on the block, abandoned buildings, cars, campsites, trailers, power outages when there is no obvious cause (storm, down line, etc.), these kinds of things. These people in movies, and often in real life, hear something outside or in the house and they immediately grab a weapon and go searching for the noise like they are the S.W.A.T. member on point about to lead a raid on a known drug house holding kidnapped children to be sold. Why on earth are you investigating??? Are you that anxious to confront a madman??? Stay put and wait for the perpetrator to come to you…and then kill him. Duh. Furthermore, if you do have a weapon…Don’t tell them! How often do they holler out “I have a gun!”? Go ahead, give the intruder time to prepare themselves for whatever you have in store for them. Very smart move. Like these killers have ANY concern over whether or not you are armed and if so, with what. As if the warning of the use of a firearm is going to deter Michael…or Jason…or Freddy…or Ghost Face from Scream...or even someone like Ed Gein or Leatherface. It’s just not logical. Any point where you can have the element of full surprise, take advantage man…take advantage. Also, don’t ask “Who’s there?” IF someone is breaking in to kill you, I highly doubt they are going to announce it. Do these fools really think that Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees is going to holler back “Hey, don’t worry! It’s just me. I’ll be up to stab you in a minute! Just sit tight!” Right. Even in real life, the chances of an intruder announcing his presence and intentions are wickedly slim. The closest we come to an intruder/bad guy announcing their presence would be things like Freddy’s taunts or Jack Torrance warning his wife he’s going to bash her brains in. But still, even at THAT point, the threat has already presented itself and it’s just informing the victim of the method of their demise. Next, if you are getting creepy phone calls telling you to check on the kids in the house or someone telling you that you are going to die, when you hang up on them (and you will), DO NOT answer when they call back! Don’t answer the phone the twentieth time they call and yell at them or ask them why they are doing this to do or what they want. They are doing what they want. Hello???? Your best bet is to avoid continuing conversation with the person (or thing) that wants to kill you. It’s not like you guys are going to be exchanging Christmas gifts at next year’s Secret Santa gift exchange. Now, when you are being chased, and you will be because it happens it pretty much every horror movie, there are a few major things to know. First, don’t look back. This will only slow you down and make you lose focus, inevitably causing you to trip and fall (or run into a tree or something), making you easier prey. Second, when running for your life, NEVER go UP. This means UPstairs, UP on a roof, UP in an attic, anything above the main floor where you enter. If you go up and your killer is chasing you then you reduce your options to just two. The first being to jump from a now higher height than where you started from OR going back the way you came and having to confront the killer you are running from. Next, if you are with other people and you are ALL running for your lives, one of them is going to fall. It can’t be helped. There’s one in every group. Leave them behind. DO NOT let your emotions in such a stressful and dangerous situation override your logic and survival instinct. It won’t mean that you don’t care about them. You can send help once you get away. If you go back for them, you’ll both die. And finally, don’t scream and cry out while running away. This gives the killer a perfect idea of where you are. You might as well just yell out “Here I am! Come kill me!” I would think that “silence is golden” in a time like this. On the flip side of that is never go downstairs as in to the basement or cellar, boiler room, dungeon, makeshift laboratory, etc. You face almost the same problem, just from a hole in the ground where no one can hear you scream. However, if there is a door to the outside from this DOWN destination, then it is okay to go this way. For example, this rule doesn’t apply when you are on, say, the third floor of your house and you are running to the first floor where the front door is. Obviously, that is okay. Which leads me to my next point… Where do you go? OUT! Leave. If the killer is in your home, stalking you through the house, then leave the privacy (and perceived safety) of your home and get out into the public. Just running around the house from one room to another hiding in closets and under beds isn’t going to do you much good for very long if this killer is determined to get you...and if they broke in to kill you, they are probably pretty mission oriented. Besides, what in your body would possess you to stick around and wait to die? But, don’t go running into the woods or anything like that if you can at all avoid it, okay? The classic hiding places in movies are also a bad idea. Closets, non-operational vehicles, abandoned businesses and buildings, barns, cellars, attics, bathrooms, under beds, etc. These are all less than brainiac ideas. Places like closets and such especially. It’s almost coffin-like. Plus, once again, it limits your options. Now, knowing all of this STILL may not ensure your survival BUT, it will definitely give you the upper hand and probably leave you as one of the last few standing. The only sure way to completely avoid death in a horror movie (other than not being in one) is…wait for it… READ THE SCRIPT!!!! My Dad used to always joke and say, “Now, if they had just read the script they would have known that was coming.” Other than that, I suggest following the rules we have discussed here. If you decide to wing it…I wish you the best of luck. You probably won’t make it through the first reel but hey, someone has to be the first to die, right? So, on behalf of everyone that is your horror film, we would all like to say, “Thank you” for taking one for the team and being the first to die. We will remember you fondly…safely…and alive…and from afar.   So, while looking around, I found this list on IndieWire. Their piece on it can be found here: http://www.indiewire.com/gallery/stephen-king-favorite-scary-movies/ . But I decided to write them down and my goal is to watch all of the master of horror’s favorite movies. I think some will be hard to find BUT, I’m gonna give it a shot. I’ll let you know in the review post that it’s from this list. Oh, and by the way, I think it’s great some of his own stories are on his list. That’s awesome! But, notice that The Shining and IT are NOT on this list. Two of his biggest titles...I'm not sure how he feels about the original IT but I know that Kubrick's The Shining did NOT make him happy at all. Now, a few of these I have already done reviews on (those titles are linked to the review posts). Others are movies I have already seen but, I will still put up reviews. There is only one movie on the list that I just don’t think I can force myself to watch again and that is The Blair Witch Project. I didn’t like it the first time and the “found-footage” way it was filmed gave me motion sickness. Plus, that chick’s snot is just something that is forever seared into my brain…and that is truly unfortunate. But, the rest, I will review as I can find and watch them. I hope King has good taste, as some of this list suggests. Stephen King’s Favorite Horror Movies (in alphabetical order) Alien (1979) The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) La Maschera Del Demonio (1960) The Blair Witch Project (1999) The Brood (1979) Burnt Offerings (1976) Carrie (1976) The Changeling (1980) Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) Crimson Peak (2015) Curse of the Demon (1957) Dawn of the Dead (1978) Dawn of the Dead (2004) Deep Blue Sea (1999) Deliverance (1972) Dementia 13 (1963) The Descent (2005) Duel (1971) Enemy from Space (1957) Event Horizon (1997) The Evil Dead (1981) The Exorcist (1973) Final Destination (2003) Frenzy (1972) Halloween (1978) The Haunting (1963) I Bury the Living (1958) Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) It Came from Outer Space (1953) Jaws (1975) Lady in a Cage (1964) The Last House on the Left (2009) Let’s Scare Jessica to Death (1971) Martin (1978) The Mist (2007) The Night of the Hunter (1955) Night of the Living Dead (1968) Pet Sematary (1989) Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) Psycho (1960) The Quartermass Xperiment (1955) Rabid (1977) Repulsion (1965) Rituals (1977) Rosemary’s Baby (1968) The Ruins (2008) The Seventh Seal (1957) Sisters (1972) Stir of Echoes (1999) The Strangers (2008) Suspiria (1977) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) Them (1954) The Thing from Another World (1951) Wait Until Dark (1967) What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) The VVitch: A New England Folktale (2015) X: The Man with X-Ray Eyes (1963) Hope you enjoy and stay tuned!!!!  |
AuthorThe Countess of the Crypt Archives
February 2024
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