7 Best Halloween Movies Where Kids Saved The Day

 

An overlook film genre for spooky season are the family friendly movies, you know the one's when kid's save Halloween. During my routine Halloween movie viewings, I was watching Monster House and thought about other movies where kid's were the main protagonist who made Halloween safer for everyone else. With that, here are 6 of the best Halloween movies where kids saved the day.

7. Ernest Scared Stupid

Jim Varney's famous character Ernest P. Worrell was featured in television special and nine films, they barely had any plot and mainly used to highlight slapstick humor. My favorite Ernest movie is 1991's Ernest Scared Stupid, the film features a town overran by trolls released from a curse due to Ernest's negligence. When Ernest can't take on the trolls himself, he enlists the aid of neighborhood kids to help him in the battle.

6. Spirit Halloween

2022's Spirit Halloween: The Movie is an unfortunate victim of poor promotion by it's distributor. I remember hearing about the film, but absolutely do not remember one single commercial promoting the film. I also think audience members hearing the title weren't sure how to receive the film, but it is a underrated gem. It follows a group of friends who decide to intentionally get locked in a Spirit Halloween store overnight, and must battle haunted animatronics and merchandise in the store. Led by a corrupt real estate developer (Christopher Lloyd) who has been trapped in a curse for decades. 

5. The Curse Of Bridge Hollow

Another 2022 film, this time courtesy of Netflix The Curse Of Bridge Hollow starred Priah Ferguson of Stranger Things fame. Alongside Marlon Wayans and Kelly Rowland, with Rob Riggle , Nia Vardalos and other character actors rounding out the cast. The film follows Priah's character Sydney and her parents moving to the small town of Bridge Hollow which has an obsession with Halloween. Sydney basks in it, while her father Howard (Marlon Wayans) who is a scientist detests it. They soon must team up as a family to save the town when a old curse from Stingy Jack brings all the decorations to life.

4. Spaced Invaders

This 1990 film follows a quintet of Martians receiving a signal from a Halloween broadcast of War Of Worlds and mistake it for a real occurrence. They head to Earth to join in the "fun" but finding no invasion, try to find out what is going on. They are confused for kid's dressed in Halloween costumes and befriend a young girl named Kathy (Ariana Richards, Jurassic Park fame) and Brian. Soon they realize Earth is truly under distress by another alien race the Martians have been in battle with, the Emperor Drones from Arcturans. It's campy, it's 90's, and it's a fun ride. 

3. The Monster Squad

                                   

Clearly inspired by other 80's film's like The Goonies, Gremlins, and E.T.. This 1987 cult classic opened the door for later films where kid's save the day. It follow's a group of horror film loving kid's dubbed The Monster Squad, who must battle Universal Classic Monsters when Dracula awakes and set's out to take over the world (classic trope). The kid's must not let that happen before midnight when Dracula will pretty much be invincible. 

2. Goosebumps

2015's Goosebumps was based on the R.L. Stine children's books of the 90's. Character's from various Goosebumps books led by Slappy the dummy come to life and take over a small town with no intent of ever returning to the world their books. Jack Black stars as a fictional version of R.L. Stine who must work with his daughter and some neighborhood kid's to save the day. 

1. Halloweentown

This 1998 Disney Channel Original Movie is a childhood classic. It follows a group of siblings who learn their come from a lineage of witches and warlocks, and travel to a place where Halloween exists year round. And it's inhabitants are all variations of creatures associated with spooky season, skeletons, ghosts, trolls etc. They must save the town from a mysterious demon who is intent on destroying it and the other side, the "mortal" world. 

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5 Horror TV Dramas You Probably Never Heard Of

 

Spooky season is the perfect time for some good dramas to check out. Dramas like Stranger Things, Masters Of Horror, Black Mirror, From, and the American Horror Story series. Are all well beloved and known amongst horror enthusiast and the general public. For each one of these series that are popular, there are several that just never caught on. With that here are 5 horror dramas you probably don't remember.

All Souls-UPN

Debuting on UPN in April of 2001, this horror drama actually was a interesting concept. It followed the staff at a teaching hospital that is haunted, beget by the spirits of the hospital dating back to the civil war. Victims of various experiments that have been conducted at the hospital over the years. The show created a mythology for the series that was to be revealed as it progressed, but the show was pulled after 2 episodes. Remaining episodes were aired later that summer, but All Souls was cancelled with only 6 episodes airing.

GvsE-USA network

G vs E was a USA network drama that aired during the days of Pacific Blue and La Femme Nikkita. Entertaining series in their own right, but not the quality of later USA network originals like Suits and Burn Notice. Debuting in the summer of 1999, the drama had a comedic tone to it as well and a very 70's aesthetic. It followed partners Chandler and Henry agents of the "Force", a agency that works under the leadership in heaven against "The Morlocks" who operate as soldiers for hell. 

Even though they are technically dead, Chandler and Henry walk amongst the mortals and have strict rules about their mission and the rules they abide by to survive. The show was later retitled to Good vs Evil, moved to the Sci-Fi Channel and lasted one more season. Which is a shame because it had potential.

Midnight, Texas-NBC

A fairly recent drama that no one seems to remember, Midnight, Texas debuted on NBC in 2017. Main character Manfred Bernardo (François Arnaud) who is a psychic, guided by the spirit of his grandmother to travel to the town of Midnight. Once there he finds a community of various "types", vampires, werewolves, witches, warlocks, fallen angels etc. All who have come to the small town to get away from something, and be around common type of people. While uniting to combat outside threats. 

The show managed to get 2 seasons before being cancelled, and lost in the consciousness of people's minds.

Fear Itself-NBC

 
                                  

This 2008 horror drama Fear Itself  was an anthology series much in the same vain as Twilight Zone or Masters of Horror. Actors and actresses such as Eric Roberts, Elizabeth Smart, Wendell Pierce, Anna Kendrick, and Brandon Routh all appeared in various episodes for the series. While having buzz and potential the show never caught on. Debuting in June of that year, it was never really given a chance being preempted for the Olympics that summer. With no definitive date on when it would return, the show only aired for eight episodes, with an additional four filmed and completed never to be seen.

50 States Of Fright-Quibi

50 States Of Fright caught a raw deal, it was released during the height of the pandemic on a upstart streaming platform that was shut down by the end of the year. Executive produced by Sam Raimi, 50 States of Fright was an anthology horror series, that told a horror story from each state. Since Quibi was intended to provide short form storytelling, each episode was only around 10 minutes long. Thus the show was able to produce 20 episodes spilting them into 2 seasons before the service was dissolved.

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Ten Random Funny Halloween episodes

 Just like spooky season brings great films, it also brings forth some great episodes of sitcoms. So I spent some time digging through various crates and crafted a list of ten funny Halloween episodes. Let's begin!

Everybody Hates Chris-Everybody Hates Halloween

This season 1 episode has all the hallmarks of a classic Halloween sitcom you can relate to. Rochelle ever the overprotective exaggeration mother lets the kids know they can't eat the candy without her inspecting it. Julius needs to make the candy stretch, and Chris feels he is too old for Halloween. That is until he get's invited to a party, and askes Rochelle to make him a costume. In this episode all the characters are true themselves through the spirit of Halloween.

Everybody Hates Chris is available on Peacock, Paramount +, Disney + and Hulu, and Tubi.

Modern Family-Halloween

This season 2 episode of Modern Family, is a delightful episode. It shows how OCD Claire is about Halloween. Her house is top notch decorated for Halloween and she has the entire family involved in her holiday shenanigans. All she wants is a perfect Halloween and to scare trick or treaters while her family deals with work issues, and in the case of Gloria accent issues. 

Modern Family is available on Peacock and Hulu. TBS and USA wear reruns out of this show.

Bernie Mac Show-Night Of Terror

This season 5 episode goes by two titles Night Of Terror and 13 going on 9. It's not a  Halloween themed episode per say, but fits into spooky season. The episode involves Jordan just turning 13 wanting to stay up late and watch a Horror movie. When he goes against the grain and does, his nerves get the best of him and he must become a "man" as the forces are coming to get him. Meanwhile Wanda has her own bad luck at a church auction when she has a wardrobe malfunction.

Bernie Mac Show is available on Hulu and Disney + and Tubi.

Freaks And Geeks-Tricks And Treats

The third episode of the cult classic Freaks And Geeks is funny and has a lot of messages about growing up and life. This was the episode that drew me into the show and I backtracked and followed it from there until it's cancellation. Anyway it's Halloween night, and the freaks in the story decide they are gonna to cause mischief and chaos smashing pumpkins and mailboxes. Meanwhile the Geeks all deal with some kind of insecurities and uneasiness about growing up, as they have different opinions on costumes, Halloween, and is it "cool" to trick or treat anymore.

Freaks and Geeks is available on Hulu and Disney +, and Paramount +.

Black-ish-The Purge

This season 3 episode brilliantly spoofs Halloween and the film franchise The Purge, and all the wackiness that comes with spooky season. The neighborhood decides to have mischief night on Halloween. Ruby's all in while Rainbow is not. Diane and Jack decide to venture out and Rainbow has to save the night.

Meanwhile Dre and Charlie decide to play a Halloween appropriate prank on Jr. After Jr. Embarrasses Dre on the court and it goes viral.

Black-ish is available on Hulu and Disney +.

Malcolm In The Middle-Halloween

This season 7 episode of Malcolm In The Middle has the family on edge. During a guided death tour around town, Malcolm, Reese, and Dewey get startled when their house is one of the tour stops. With the story being a grisly murder occurred there years ago. When they share the news with Hal, he can't handle it and borderline has a nervous breakdown. Meanwhile Lois has a day with a shoplifter at work and her coworkers could care less. While Dewey and Reese have a run-in with a elderly neighbor. 

Malcolm In The Middle is available on Hulu and Disney +.

Boy Meets World-Then There Was Shawn

While this episode technically did not air during spooky season, it 100 % is a Halloween episode. Inspired by the slasher genre that gained popularity in the late 90's, this season 5 episode is one of the sitcoms best.

After the group is stuck in detention and Mr. Feeney leaves the room, things start going awry. One by one folks are picked up and nothings adding up. It's a really fun and entertaining episode.

Boy Meets World is available on Disney +.

Abbott Elementary-Candy Zombies

This season 2 episode of Abbott is kind of like a caper crime episode. A bag of candy is stolen by a student at Abbott and dispersed to other students (even babies). Soon all the kids are on a sugar high, and the staff must stop them from overrunning the school like zombies, find the culprit and a loose baby. Meanwhile Janine starts rethinking her personal life and work/life balances after being invited to a Halloween party by a old friend. 

Abbot Elementary is available on Hulu, Disney +, and Max.

Family Matters-Stevil

At this point in Season 8 of Family Matters, the show had reached jump the shark levels. Regardless of how iffy that season was, this episode is a bonafide Halloween classic. Stevil was a ventriloquist doll Steve Urkel acquired, one night as Steve fell asleep and left the bedroom window open. A lightening bolt struck the doll and bought him to life. Stevil wastes no time making Urkel think he is crazy and terrorizing the rest of the Winslow family. 

Family Matters is available on Max, Disney + and Hulu.

Martin-The Night He Came Home

One of the funniest Halloween episodes ever, now I'm a bit bias because of how much I love the sitcom Martin but it is top tier. This season 1 episode features the gang congregating on Halloween night to enjoy the night. They decide to perform a seance to call on Old Man Ackerman, Martin ever the cynic doesn't believe in it. He's in a rough Halloween night.  

Martin is available on BET +, Netflix, and Peacock.

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Remake Theater: My Boyfriends Back

 Earlier this year Lisa Frakenstein debuted in theaters. I enjoyed the movie and its campy 80s quirks,  although it did not do well during it's release,  moviegoers who saw it during that time enjoyed it, now that it has been streaming for a few months. More people have learned what a gem it is, I truly believe it is on the path to becoming a cult classic. Watching it reminded of a quirky comedy from the 90's My Boyfriends Back. If you've read previous blogs of mine, you're aware I am a advocate of Hollywood remaking films that had potential but just weren't successful for whatever reason, and starting over. My Boyfriends Back fit's perfectly into that category.

My Boyfriends Back is a 1993 film starring Andrew Lowrey (Andy the goofy friend of Buffy's boyfriend in Buffy The Vampire Slayer film) and Traci Lind. Then unknown actors Matthew Mcconaughey (almost unrecognizable), Matthew Fox, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman appear in the film as well. Lowrey's character Johnny has a crush on Lind's character Missy, the prettiest girl in the school. He concocts a plan to save Missy from a fake robbery win her heart and her hand as her prom date, but what a ill-conceived plan that is. Andrew dies, but returns from the grave to win her heart. Causing mass hysteria in their small town, and learn what young love is all about.

The film is a horror comedy covering a young zombie. There's no real gore in the film and most of the film is played for laughs. I mean at it's core it is a film about teenage love so that is understandable. It also plays into the lore of zombies, which has gained a huge interest from the pop culture world after the success of The Walking Dead series. A remake would not survive in today's theater landscape, but it is a prime streaming candidate.

Light-hearted fare, young teenage love, a guy doing crazy things to win his crushes affection, zombies. It has all the making's to be entertaining material for a new generation with some slight updates to fit the 21st century. The original was distributed by Touchstone Pictures, which is a Disney subsidiary, so Disney could make it a Hulu original film or sell the rights for a remake. Peacock could use material like this for original content. 

It's been 31 years since the original debuted and it had a lot more potential than it was given credit for. Time for someone to sort through the crates, find this hidden gem and start crafting a remake.

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10 Of My Must Watch Spooky Season Movies

 

It's spooky season! Besides the decorations, carved pumpkins, and lot's and lot's of candy. Spooky season always brings us to catching up on horror favorites or checking out a new horror movie. For this blog I decided to share my ten Halloween movies I must find the time to watch, every year.

10. Vampire In Brooklyn

I love a good vampire movie, and despite what critics and haters may say Vampire In Brooklyn is a very good vampire movie. Argue with your mother if you feel otherwise, but it serves it's purpose. It may not be Eddie Murphy's best work, but it was a perfect blend of comedy and horror. The make up for Eddie's character Max was top notch, and the story touched upon and left a goldmine of an idea on the table. Black Caribbean Vampires and Max trying to preserve his race, perfect fodder for a legacy sequel. 

9. Beetlejuice

Not sure if it's Michael Keaton's performance, or the rendition of Harry Belafonte's Jump In The Line, Shake Senora that make the movie infectious. Either way it just is, it has comedy, world building with how the undead operate and is surprisingly timeless. The film has spawned a cartoon, broadway musical, and just released last month a sequel. Which highlights the movie is a classic and must be watched every year.

8. Monster House

I was twenty years old when Monster House released, I enjoyed it then and I enjoy it now. I really think if I was a kid when it released, you couldn't tell me it's not the greatest movie ever. It has the tropes of the old creepy neighbor, neighborhood rumors, and that house. Oh man something is up with that house, and the legends behind it are believable. It's a great movie for kid's with just enough scares but nothing gruesome, and adult's will enjoy it too. Hench why I watch it every year.

7. Zombieland

I'll admit I've never gotten into zombies, even when The Walking Dead was probably the most popular show on earth I didn't watch it. Zombieland however is one good funny ass movie, starring Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin. The movie is part road trip, part survival movie as the quartet hit the road in hopes of reaching a city free of zombies. It's hilarious and the few action scenes don't disappoint. When it's on, I take a break from whatever I'm doing and watch it.

6. Final Destination

The original Final Destination released in 2000 was legitimately the last movie, for a good 10 plus years that had me on the edge of my seat and scared (The Conjuring released in 2013 took that spot).  The story and as a result the murders in the movie were very unique and a bit believable. The sequels are hit or miss in my opinion, but 20 plus years later I watch this every year like it's my first time seeing it.

5. Fright Night

1985's Fright Night is an unapologetic 80's movie, a true product of it's time. It's campy as well, and has some undertones that leave you not sure if the filmmakers intended to have it that way or not. Outside of that it's a damn good vampire movie, about a horror film obsessed young man who suspects things are not quite right with his new neighbor.

4. People Under The Stairs

Wes Craven's 1991 film The People Under The Stairs is his best work outside of the original Nightmare on Elm Street and hell that is debatable in my opinion. The film stars Brandon Adams as a young boy through some mishaps, finds himself trapped inside the house of some psychotic occupants. He set's out to escape and save those trapped in the house done wrong. I didn't realize until I got older the movie has a strong socio-political message about racism, the effects of certain economic policies on lower-income citizens, and gentrification among others. It's really a dope movie with a dope message. 

3. Killer Klowns From Outer Space 

Sure it's campy, the plot quite absurd and the production low budget, but damnit the film works. Alien clowns come to earth and wreck havoc on a small town. What could embrace the spooky and wildness of spooky season than that? The movie actually has some very creative death scenes due to the nature of the  villains. It's campy, it's B-movie grade, and it works. 

2. Ghostbusters I and II

This maybe considered cheating, cause it's two films but oh well. The original Ghostbusters film and it's sequel I can watch year round all the time. However during spooky season both are getting multiple views from me like I've never seen them before. Besides the films themselves, you can't miss the theme song during this time of year. It has a stranglehold on pop culture 40 years later for a reason.

1. The Lost Boys 

Let's be honest some vampire movies may have better plots or special effects, or gore. It's just one problem, none of those films are The Lost Boys. To me  The Lost Boys is the epitome of  a cool ass film, let alone a Vampire film. Keifer Sutherland as head vampire David oozes a charming but vicious demeanor. The rock and rap medley of the late 80's is in force here, and the beach front town provides a different aesthetic from other vampire movies of the time. I can quote the film like it's second nature, and the third act at the house is still one of the better horror film third acts.

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B's Remake Series-Blacula

What does Grace Jones, Aaliyah, Thandie Newton, Michad Brooks, Adina Porter, Rutina Wesley. Kat Graham, Edi Gathegi, Wesley Snipes, and Eddie Murphy all have in common? They've all played vampires on the big and small screen. The film they have to thank for making that possible is 1972's Blacula.

Starring William Marshall as the smooth laid-back title character. Blacula sparked an series of horror films within the blaxplotation genre during the '70's. The gist of the story is African Prince Maulade is working to free his people from slavery in 1780, but get's transformed into a vampire by Dracula and imprionsed in a crypt. Fast forward to 1972 and he's inadvertently released and comes across a woman named Tina played by Vonetta Mcgee, he believes to be the reincarnation of the wife he left behind.

Making his way around town with the fashion statement of his cape strapped to his back. He makes attempts to woo Tina while wrecking havoc on the town to survive, and keep who he really is a secret. This movie is prime for a reboot.

With the increased focus and embracing of Black culture, and the horror genre overdue for a new Black vampire. Blacula could be the horror film we didn't know we need. 

Maintain the African Prince character and make his personality that of a smooth lothario. Have him awaken in the 2020's unsure of where the hell he is, which has a clear Rip Van Winkle influence and could be used for some comedic effect. One thing the original film didn't address was how awakening centuries later affected Blacula as a person. He just went with the flow and instantly knew how use his new powers as a vampire.

A reboot should focus on the mental psyche of a vampire awakeing alone to a unfamiliar world, a vampire who was of royalty as a man, and show the growing pains of his new life. Keep the love story component of him just wanting to reunite with his true love, because people love a good love story. Throw in some gory bad ass vampire scenes and special effects of how they move, add in classic vampire lore and we have a new Blacula that a new generation can love.

Casting the role, as I mentioned earlier in the blog Blacula is one smooth guy, should a reboot ever occur a smooth fella like Idris Elba would have to play the part. There is an abundance of talented female actresses who could play his love interest so a reboot couldn't go wrong there.

Watching this film it was clear to me Eddie Murphy used it as inspiration when he crafted Vampire In Brooklyn. Maxmillian is the pinnacle of Black vampires for my generation, just as Blacula was for Eddie's generation. The film is by no means perfect but it sparked a sequel Scream Blacula Scream, so it certainly has a legacy. The DNA is there for a rebooted Blacula to be a success, let's hope someone realizes it and inspires a new generation of Black vampires and Black vampire fans.

 

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B's Top Five Vampire Movies

Auburn leaves are falling and the air is getting crisp. Apple cider and candy apples are in abundance. Those who like pumpkin flavor are on cloud nine. It's also Halloween season which means its time for horror marathons. One staple of horror films are vampires.

In pop culture zombies are the pinnacle creatures of the horror genre. Personally I've always preferred vampires and feel the love towards vampires is severely lacking. In all mediums the mythology behind vampires is what draws me in. They have certain rules to abide by in order to survive, they can morph from human form to demonic creatures or bats in a snap. Not all vampires die the same, some explode other's simply dust away, some scream like hell as their bodies burn. All playing a role in the deep mythology of the living dead.

Since I love movies and vampires here are my top 5 vampire movies.

1. The Lost Boys

The Lost Boys on the surface is a campy tonally completely 80's film. The clothes, the hair, the music, the famous beach concert scene all a product of it's times. The film still holds up well and damnit it is a fun ride in the process. Known for it's tagline "You'll never grow old, and you'll never die, but you must feed". The film has so much to offer, Keifer Sutherland who is an underrated actor brings a ice cold cool factor to vampire lead David. Jason Patric shows talent that lead to many thinking he would be a bigger star than he is. Jami Getz  plays her torn lover role well, let's not forget 80's superstars the two Corey's Corey Haim and Corey Feldman. 

The MTV style fast camera shots and quick cuts depictly how fast the vampires seek and destroy it's still an editing marvel. The theme song "Cry Little Sister" is infectious and you will find yourself humming it randomly. The house seige at the end of the film perfectly depicts the many ways vampires go out. Vampire lore in this film includes the "head vampire" of a pack who must be killed to save any half-vampires.

The movie is legendary and  sparked two too late too little sequels in the 2000's that attempted to cash in on name value. There has been a planned TV show in development at the CW for a few years that just can't get new life. One iteration for the show included a pretty cool idea of following the core vampires through various decades . Even if the show never gets off the ground, the demand for more Lost Boys content is there and the first film is undoubtledly a classic. 

2. Blade

Before Marvel Comics as a result of the MCU became the juggernaut that it is today, they were just trying to survive and sold film rights to help stay afloat. In the process came Blade released in 1998 and starring the 1990's Black king of action films Wesley Snipes. Blade is a Dhampir a half-human  half-vampire whose lifes mission is to eradicate the bloodsuckers of the world. He finds himself in a battle with Deacon Frost (bad ass name) played by Stephen Dorff who gives a vicious villain performance. 

Blade has kick ass action scenes, and more kick ass action scenes. It also gives the vampires of it's world a deep mythology and show how sophiscated their society is. They are wealthy, they have mere mortals who wish to be vampires doing their dirty work during the day. "Pure Bloods" or born vampires are considered superior to those who were converted. They keep archives of their history and worship their own religion and blood gods. 

The sequel delves deeper into the vampire culture in this film universe. The third film introduces the original vampire Dracula but falls very flat compared to the first two. Blade is considered a comic book movie above all else, but the inclusion of vampires give its horror attributes. 

Besides the two sequels, Blade also spawned a mini anime series and a  TV show in the mid 2000s starring rapper Sticky Fingaz.  Marhershala Ali is set to bring the character back in the MCU this decade.

3. Underworld Series

This film series all six of them have all the ingredients about vampire lore I love. A full mythology of origins, powers, hierarchies and way of life. Vampires in this film series having ruling elders who take turns hibernating and awakening to lead the species in their war against the lycans (werewolves). Both sides were the result of a genetic mutation centuries ago, and have established their own communities living alongside humans. 

The films are all about the action and have bare plots, especially the first one it's nothing more than a film trying to capitalize of the Matrix's aesthics and special effects, with a Romeo + Juliet love story. All set against the backdrop of a centuries long war between mythical creatures. Despite that I'll stop what I'm doing and watch these films when they come on. 

4. Fright Night

This vampire film released in 1985, and stars Chris Sarandon of Scarface fame and William Ragsdale as  an 80's lovable loser who is obessed with old school horror films,  he suspects something's not quite right with his new neighbor. He set's out on a mission to prove that his neighbor is a vampire and responsible for the recent abductions in the area.

Fright Night is 80's comedy/horror at it's finest. William Ragsdale plays his role well, and Chris Sarandon plays creepy vampire Jerry with enough convinction he wanted to drive a stake through his heart yourself. A sequel was released a few years later, followed by a remake in 2011 starring Colin Farrell and another sequel in 2013.

5. Once Bitten

Released in 1985 and starring Jim Carrey in his first film role as high schooler Mark. Once Bitten has the typical teenage tropes of the 1980's...a teenager just wanting to get laid. Mark has been desperate to lose virginity but his longtime girlfriend won't budge. At the same time there is a vampire countess played by Lauren Hutton who must drink the blood of a virgin three different times by Halloween to stay immortal. A bit of a spin on traditional vampire lore, the film follows Mark as he starts to slowly convert while still trying to get lucky.

Once Bitten isn't gory by any means, and it's a horror comedy but isn't really laugh out loud funny. It deserves some praise for switching up the vampire mythology just a bit on how some may survive. It's one of those films you can turn on and check out from reality for a couple hours. 

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Halloween Horror Nights Experience

Last weekend I visited Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights, in my 33 years of living this was the first haunted house I’ve attended and I had a blast. Being Universal Studios most of the themes and haunted houses were pop culture themed which I love. The themed haunted houses were Ghostbusters, Stranger Things, Us, House of a 1000 Corpses, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Universal Monsters, Yeti, Depths of fear, graveyard games, and Nightingales Blood Pit

                                                          

I did the top six haunted houses wish I had more time and energy to do Universal Monsters but I was beat by 1:00 at night, can't hang like I use to. Here are a few things I noticed and appreciated about Halloween Horror Nights.

• The Atmosphere

In addition to the haunted houses there are several “Scare Zones” throughout the park with different themes Vikings, zombies, a undead runway, but my personal favorite was an arcade full of neon, darkness, edm music, women on stilts with nunchucks and of course folks walking around ready to scare you. When you walk into the scare zones it truly feels like you are walking into another era, world or straight out of a Hollywood movie. It adds to that “creepy” factor that is synonymous with Halloween.

• Attention To Detail

I am a movie geek and am a sucker for experiences that make me feel like I’m a part of the movies and shows I’ve watched on TV. The Haunted Houses do just that, walking through the haunted houses feels like you are on the set of these shows and movies, from the replicas of buildings, characters portrayed throughout the haunted house, scenes recreated that you don’t get to appreciate cause you just want to get the hell out of there. You either pretty much walk through a entire movie or a entire season all within a couple of minutes. It all does a great job of immersing a visitor into that world.

                                                        

• Pay Attention

               You should always be aware of your surroundings but at Halloween Horror Nights you need to keep your head on a swivel at ALL times. You never know when your gonna get spooked and get the shit scared out of you. Going through the haunted houses or scare zones, hell anywhere in the park be prepared and on alert.

 I had a great time and am glad I got to experience it. My favorite haunted house was the Ghostbusters simply because I am a big fan of that franchise. As far as what haunted houses scared me the most while I thought it was the Us haunted house, the award goes to House of a 1,000 Corpses I legit jumped quite a few times and moved quickly to get the hell out in that haunted house. 

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Horror Films For The Culture

It’s October..the leaves are falling..it’s a little chill in the air..and for some folks pumpkin spice is available. October of course brings with it Halloween, costumes, candy, spooky decorations, and movies! Lots of Horror marathons to get you through the month of October, we all know the staples like Jason, Freddy Krueger, and Michael Meyers. In this article I’m going to break down 5 Horror films for that culture that you should watch. Some are straight up horror films, others are more thrillers, and some are just campy.

5. Blacula

Released in 1972 during the Blaxploitation era. The film follows a vampire who has been dormant for centuries and awakens in 1970’s Los Angeles to wreak havoc. The film was one of the first Horror films to focus on Black characters and has its place in history because of it. It contains the common tropes of a 1970’s Blaxploitation film and has it’s fair share of gore in it as well. It spawned a sequel in 1973 “Scream Blacula Scream”

4. Bones

Turn on BET during the month of October and you’re bound to find this movie on. Starring Uncle Snoop, Pam Grier, Bianca Lawson, and Clifton Powell. This film was released in 2001 and directed by Ernest Dickerson (Juice, Never Die Alone, The Wire, Dexter, The Walking Dead, The Purge). Snoop Dogg stars as Jimmy Bones, a street hustler murdered by people he trusted the most. He returns from the dead years later to enact his revenge. The film is a homage to the Blaxploitation era, while the production values may scream B-movie but is actually a decent film with its fair share of gore.

3. The People Under The Stairs

Directed by Wes Craven (Nightmare on Elm Street) and starring Brandon Adams, Ving Rhames, Bill Cobbs, and Kelly Jo Minter. The film was released in 1991 and while classified as a horror and depicting killings it isn’t gory but more disturbing. Disturbing along the lines of “Black People don’t do that shit”. Brandon Adam stars as a kid who finds himself trapped inside the home of a very strange family and finds out just how strange the family is and how their behavior has affected other people. The film touches on subjects that are still relevant today such as gentrification, child abduction and abuse, and class warfare. 

2. Tales From The Hood

You should know this anthology film or at least seen clips of it. Released in 1995 and directed by Rusty Cundieff with Spike Lee executive producing. The film stars Clarence Williams, David Alan Grier, Paula Jai Parker, Joe Torry and several others. Among the different topics covered throughout the film are domestic and child abuse, police brutality, slavery and racism, inner city gang violence and more. All with a horror twist that’s truly entertaining and provides social commentary. A sequel followed years later in 2018 that was rather lackluster, skip this sequel and watch this classic over and over again. 

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1. Candyman

Released in 1992 and starring a guy who is frightening just by standing Tony Todd. The film follows the urban legend of The Candyman  a ghost who was brutally killed in the 19^th century. Say his name five times in a mirror and he’ll kill those who speak of his name. The film is very gory and Candyman as I mentioned is frightening, add the setting of the notorious Cabrini-Green projects in Chicago. This film was a horror film made just for the culture and it delivers on all cylinders. It spawned two sequels “Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh” and “Candyman: Day of the Dead” with a remake scheduled for release in 2020 co-written and produced by Jordan Peele. Candyman the character is a legend in the Horror genre along with the Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger’s , etc. If you enjoy horror movies and have never seen this film do yourself a favor and check it out.

These are just the top five Halloween films for the culture, but there are several more out there, What are some other great Halloween movies for the culture?

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