Spooky Season is drawing to an end, as Halloween is this week. We've all been there during our trick or treat years getting some candy you absolutely do not care for. As an adult I try to buy faithful candy to hand out to the kids. Yet, there is still some Halloween candy available that just absolutely belongs in the trash.
So I'm here to share five candies that don't deserve to be eaten for Halloween, or anytime of the year.
Dots
I love gummies as a snack and candy. Gummy bears, Gummy worms, gummy rings just about anything Gummy. With the exception of DOTS, I have absolutely no need for them. Dots are a little too hard and chewy, the texture of dots sticks in your teeth well after you've ate them.
Everyone can be done a favor and just avoid them altogether. If you get a box for Halloween toss it in the trash.
Whoopers
Take a chocolate covered piece of candy that resembles a bald head, put something crunchy in the middle. And boom you have Whoppers, invented as candy in 1949. I have absolutely no idea how this piece of candy has survived all of these years. It just isn't a useful piece of candy and I don't know a single soul clamoring for Whoopers.
Yet, every Halloween there's packs of whoppers by themselves, and mixed into variety bags. And people still hand them out every year. When they really shouldn't waste anyone's time and just don't bother buying them.
Gobstopper
As a kid I would eat a Gobstopper, made famous by taking its name from the famous candy maker in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. I didn't think twice about it as I consumed them. As an adult though, who in the hell really wants to eat candy that could literally break your tooth?
Those things are so damn hard to chew I rather do without it. Anyone buys that, they can keep it to themselves.
Almond Joy
For the record anything coconut flavored is an absolute NO for me. And when it comes to chocolate candy bars it is definitely bottom of the barrel. I've tried through the years at various times to give it a chance. And nope can't do it at all.
Almond Joy absolutely belongs in the trash.
Candy Corn
For something that only comes out during fall/Halloween season and is synonymous with it. Candy Corn really had no business being invented nor tied to Halloween much as it is. I really have nothing good to say about candy corn, and even with new variety of flavors added. Just can't bring myself to say anything good about it.
Candy Corn not only belongs in the trash, the recipe needs to be burned.
Last weekend I went to a 40th Anniversary screening of The Last Dragon. One of my favorite films ever, and the screening affirmed it. I've dressed up as Bruce Leroy one Halloween, have a painting of Sho'Nuff in my man cave. When I visited the Motown Museum in Detroit, there was a poster of the film. Had to snap a pic next to it. I once did a podcast series on influential films to me and of course discussed the movie.
I've written two previous blogs about it, and mentioned it in several other blogs explaining my love of film. I even wrote about the film for a college paper.
Much like when I saw Ninja Turtles in August for its 35th Anniversary, I've been on a high. Rewatching the movie, watching clips, quoting it, even discovering the entire soundtrack and music videos. Being the movie and nostalgia guy I am, it's something about seeing a movie I've seen countless times before in a theater.
While I vividly remember seeing Ninja Turtles in theaters when I was four years old. The LastDragon was released a year before I was born, so this screening was an absolute must for me. I planned to see it again before it's very limited 3 day run was over but couldnt make it. So watched it at home to present my 40 random thoughts of The Last Dragon.
1. You gotta admit it's very 80's but that opening training scene is COLD!
2. I don't remember the first time I saw the film. I do know though thanks to the Encore Channel back in the 90's...I watched it all the time.
3. I guess I never noticed it in the first scene with his sensei, but off the bat they show how naive Leroy is. Like anything practical completely goes over his head.
4. Maybe that's how New York City was in the 80's, but it seemed like every patron in the movie theater just seemed like random groups of degenerates
5. It's campy but Sho'Nuff's entrance is still a top tier villain film entrance. Cronies walking in unison to hype you up and shout your rally cry. That's top tier egomaniac right there.
6. So Sho'Nuff says he's back on the scene, well where was he? Was he training and fighting overseas? Hiding from someone? Was he locked down? A throwaway line, but had potential for a good backstory.
7. Just for the record, Rhythm Of The Night is my shit. To this day when it comes on, I sign the whole song word for word and bop my shoulders.
8. By the way, I honestly did not know much about The Debarge family and all their hits, until I was in my early 20's.
9. Man, Vanity was fine!
10. 7th Heaven the show is a perfect capsule of the long gone era of music based shows. From American Bandstand to 106 & Park, those shows played in a huge role in many kids upbringing. Sad the appetite for those kind of shows no longer exist.
11. William H. Macy's brief role was only his fifth credited film role. And he went on to be a star.
12. Eddie Arkadian is the epitome of short man syndrome. As a short guy myself, I know the type.
13. I also find it hilarious he was hell bent that treating woman to dinner a la carte was the way to their heart.
14. The Last Dragon is Chazz Palminteri's first film credit in his early 30's playing one of Arkadian's thugs. Just 8 short years later he'd star in his most famous role as Sonny in ABronx Tale. Keep pushing!
15. Of course a young Keisha Knight Pulliam as Leroy's younger sister. Another brief role and her first film credit, which probably was filmed around the same time as the first season of The Cosby Show.
16. You gotta give it to Richie, he was all of 14-15 years old and you couldn't tell him he wasn't the man. I wish I had that bravado at that age.
17. While the song and music video were trash. I can see why Eddie and crew thought they had a hit on their hands. It would totally have been a 80's hit cause it just fit the era.
18. Carl Anthony Thomas II better known as Cole from Martin makes a brief non-speaking appearance as one of Richie's friends The casting director for this film had an eye for aspiring talent.
19. I know people looked alot older than they were in the 80's. Sho'nuff had to be in his late twenties-early thirties, what the hell did he do for work?
20. And how much did he pay his crew? I mean I'm sure they had multiples of their Sho'nuff uniforms.
21. The theatrical re-release included a very brief scene of Eddie walking through the arcade. Added nothing to the scene, but was a cool little treat for long time eagle eyed viewers
22. What in the world possessed Eddie Arkadian to wear a toupee when meeting Sho'Nuff? And if Sho'Nuff didn't want the money, again what does he do to live?
23. Leroy goes to Laura's apartment to apologize. She sees him outside talks to him and said she'll be right back. And changes clothes into an Asian inspired dress.
24. Then takes him to the studio and plays a montage video of Bruce Lee and his mastery. Taking an interest in Leroy's interest to book him. Laura had GAME!
25. It's a plot point to keep the story going, but I kind of always suspected Angela was still a little in cahoots with Eddie. Although she comes off as a ditz, she had to know saying stay away from 7th Heaven meant Leroy would in fact go there. And while Eddie had taken Laura hostage to lure him in. Or was it all a coincidence?
26. I just learned this week the upset stomach song is sung by Stevie Wonder. I hear his voice in the song, but not sure how I missed putting two and two together all this time.
27. If you ask me the 7th Heaven battle is one of the coolest and best fight scenes in movie history.
28. This has bugged me forever and I know it's movie logic and not real logic. How the hell did Johnny assemble all those fellow students, and get to 7th Heaven just in the nick of time to save Leroy?
29. Ernie Reyes Jr. First film. Between this film, Ninja Turtles: Secret Of The Ooze, and Surf Ninjas. I'm surprised Reyes isn't more revered amongst the millennial generation and he didn't become a bigger martial arts star in the 90's.
30. Not sure if it was editing or just stunt men with similar attire. I'm pretty sure Leroy is shown taking out the same guy three times during the 7th Heaven Battle.
31. I always figured Richie's sudden change of heart, was because up until Leroy came to save him and Laura. Richie had never seen his brother fight. And he quickly realized Leroy is a bad mofo.
32. Could have been I never noticed as a child and never paid attention as an adult. Seeing the movie in theaters, I realized how fearful Leroy was of Sho'Nuff when he approaches him in the warehouse ready to fight.
33. I wonder how many colors of the glow there were? Green? Purple? Orange maybe?
34. Leroy's water infused memory lane montage is highly underrated, and honestly inspiring.
35. Leroy finally achieved the glow, because he gained that confidence he was missing. Very Important life lesson there.
36. Everything indicates 7th Heaven in the final scene takes place maybe a couple hours after the big finale. How the hell did they investigate the crime scene(s)? Clean up the studio? Richie, Laura, Johnny and co. clean up and change. And Leroy heads home changes and gets flowers. Movie time is something else.
37. I often think about fictional characters and their lives past a movie. Are Leroy and Laura still together in 2025? Is he still practicing martial arts? Is there a new generation Sho'nuff out there? Questions that need answers.
38. Wasn't until I was much older one reason I realized why I love this movie so much. I can relate to Leroy, he was a martial arts master. I grew up in the era of Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, and 3 Ninjas so I wanted to be one. He was akward outside of the bubble he was comfortable in. Same here pal. Took him some time to learn the ladies, me too.
Bruce Leroy was the first Black superhero I saw before I realized it.
39. The movie doesn't get enough credit for being ahead of its time. Highlighting the intersection between Black and Asian cultures. I vividly remember elementary school which was the early-mid 90's. Anime was coming to the U.S. more frequently and the Black community embraced it and the culture.
40. I unapologetically love this movie, because it unapologetically knows what it is and embraces it. I will love it for the next 40 years.
Every year when spooky season comes around, folks put up their decorations, buy some candy, and often sit down and watch their favorites. Just as costumes and candy are synonymous with Halloween, so too are horror flicks. In particular bad and campy horror films, and some good B-Movies.
This article I'm focusing on some B-movies I watched this year. To help give you something new to check out as we edge closer to Halloweeen. Here are 5 B-movies to check out
Takeout-Tubi
This Tubi original released last month is a gem of the B movie horror genre. Set overnight at a fairly remote diner, it follows three employees at the diner. After a substantial award is announced for a local serial killer, and recognizing the weirdos that already come to the diner. The three set out to see if any of their patrons are in fact the serial killer on the loose.
Bit-Prime
Think The Craft with lesbains and vampires and you have Bit. A new transplant to Los Angeles and falls in with a group of feminist vampires intent on staking their claim in the world. It's an OK B-movie horror film. I will give the film created for the backstory and lore of vampires in their universe.
Bit is available on Prime and tubi.
Last Night At The Terrace Lanes-Prime
Another B-movie gem for spooky season. This 2024 film is set at a bowling alley, due to close for good at the end of the night. A small group of cult members following something akin to a prophecy have to complete some sets at the the very location, the bowling alley resides. And to do they need to get rid of everyone inside. So a father and daughter duo are the only ones who can stop them.
Last Night At Terrace Lanes is available on Prime Video and tubi.
Haunt Season-Prime
Available on Prime Video 2024's Haunt Season takes place at a Haunted House attraction. Which unless I havent seen them, there aren't many Halloween movies set at those attractions. Anyway the film follows the cast of the attraction. Strange things occur at the attraction when random murders start occurring. It's clear there is a killer on the loose targeting the cast and crew.
Hell Of A Summer-Hulu
This 2023 film that just got a wide release this April, is co-written and co- directed by Finn Wolfhard better known as Mike in Stranger Things alongside Billy Bryk. It is 100% inspired by horror film's of the 80's. Set at a summer camp before it opens for the summer. A group of counselors due to work there start picked off by a masked murder. While there are some moments that miss, and the tone can be all over the place. This is a great debut behind the camera for Finn and Billy.
Halloween brings us Halloween focused episodes for sitcoms, spooky movies, and every now and then Halloween specials. While not as commonplace as they once were, Halloween specials use to be utilized by networks to grab some ratings while folk's were in spooky season mode. In this blog I'm going to cover 5 Halloween specials that have flown under the radar or been forgotten altogether.
The Halloween Tree
This 1993 ABC network original film produced by animated powerhouse Hanna Barbera, and based on the novel. A group of friends learn about the spirit and origins of Halloween when one of their friends is taken away by a mysterious force. With the help of a guide, they must get their friend back. The special use to be a staple of the cartoon network, but we all know that channel has fallen from grace hard.
The Last Halloween
This 1991 special which originally aired on ABC and was produced by Hanna Barbera. Follows three aliens who are sent to earth in search of a precious material called "coobi". Coobi turns out to be candy, and the three aliens team up with a brother and sister to help save the town's candy factory and Halloween.
The David S. Pumpkins Halloween Special
Based on a SNL sketch played by Tom Hanks, this 2017 special that aired on NBC. Follows Peter Dinklage narrating the story of his younger self and his sister, and the one halloween they met David S. Pumpkins. Along with his two skeletons, they all teamed together to help save the holiday of Halloween.
Claymation Comedy Of Horrors
Produced by Will Vinton who was a claymation genius, this 1991 special originally aired on CBS (In May that year, which is strange). A pig named Wilshire, and his pals a snail named Sheldon and fellow pig Vince. Learn about halloween and the history of Victor Frakenswine, and launch a get rich quick scheme based on that. That could land them in deep trouble.
Michael Jackson Halloween
This 2017 CBS special honestly was just a quick way to cash in on MJ's catalog, and I love some MJ. The special follows a young boy and girl named Vincent and Victoria who visit a hotel called This Place Hotel on 777 Jackson Street. Guided by the chimpaneeze Bubbles, the two set out to learn about themselves defeating the witch Comfority who is trying to ban music and dance. In the end good ol' MJ who has been a guiding force all along shows up for some classic dance breaks.
Ghouls and boo's are in the air and it's time to share some film's to watch for the season. In this article I'm going to focus on the underrated sub genre of horror, the techno-horror genre. Technology is embedded in our lives at this point, and it's always a little scary when a film focuses on technology going wrong in our lives. So here's 5 techno-horror films you may want to check out.
5. Ghost In The Machine
This 1993 film is a blend of sci-fi and horror and deserves a lot more love than it get's. It didn't make a dent in theaters when it was released that year and found some success on cable TV but still not enough that it has become lost to time. The film follows a serial killer in a town called the "address book killer", who through some wild circumstances conscious is transferred into the electrical grid when he dies. He goes on a rampage continuing his killing via electronics, on the way to his primary victim Terry (Karen Allen) and her son Josh (Wil Horneff, better known as the leader of the opposing baseball team in The Sandlot).
It has some interesting deaths in the film and should have a more popular cult status 30 plus years later. It is available on Youtube if you look hard enough. If you are able to find it and give it a shot, you won't be disappointed.
4. Brainscan
This 1994 film starring Edward Furlong, still pretty popular from his role as John Connor in Terminator2. As an isolated socially akward teenager who plays a video game, that turns his life upside down. The video game becomes reality and reality becomes video games. As actions in the game suddenly occur in real life.
Soon Furlong's character Michael is greeted by a character in the game The Trickster. Playing mind games, he encourages Michael to harm those around him. Sending him into a deep spiral as he tries to loosen the grip the game has on him.
BrainScan is available on Tubi.
3. Pulse
This 2006 film starring Kristen Bell and is an adaptation of a Japanese film released in 2001. It follow's Bell as a young college student who is investigating the suicide of her boyfriend. What soon follows is a strange web of the internet no one could foresee. A computer virus that connects the living world to a realm of the undead. And they are coming for the living through the internet.
Pulse is currently available on tubi and plutotv.
2. Feardotcom
Another new millennium film highlighting the danger's of the world wide web. 2002's Feardotcom follows a New York City detective investigating a string of gruesome murders, which all appear to NOT involve foul play. Through some detective work, the culprit turns out to be a website featuring torture murders. When visitors to the site see the content, it actually drives them insane. The detectives have to race to find out who is behind this website.
This cult classic is available on tubi and Pluto.
1. Lawnmower Man
This 1992 film based on a Stephan King short story, follows a mentally disabled man who becomes the test subject for a new product through the use of virtual reality and medication. The product grants him enhanced intellect and eventually newfound powers including telepathy and telekinesis. Soon the subject begins to use his newfound powers to enact revenge on those that have wronged him. And drunk with power plans to merge with a mainframe system and "infect" systems around the world.
The film spawned a sequel which went deeper in the virtual reality aspect, and is considered a cult classic. It's also available on Tubi.
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