Competition Winner!

Hey Guys and Gals

Just to let you know I had a great calibre of stories to rifle through and read after my competition launched, and I had to get Mr Scary Movie Sunday involved to help me choose between two very strong stories!

Please read below the story that won, and congratulations to Dice Rollen who wins the Amazon Gift Voucher!

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Name: Dice Rollen

Story Title: The Attic

Story:

I had been sick for three days with a cold. The worst part about the colds that I got were the sore throats. I could deal with a stuffy or runny nose, even a cough. But I hated having to deal with a sore throat. This one had gotten to the point where I almost could not use my voice at all & had to resort to writing what I wanted to say on a whiteboard if it was not something I could just nod my head to answer.

I had been laying in bed for most of the morning when my mom came in to say goodbye.

“Hey, sweetheart. We’re going to go to work now, okay? We’ll be gone for most of the day. So take it easy & call us if anything comes up. Okay?”

I just nodded my head to respond since that’s all I really could do.

“Alright, see you later.”

She walked over to my bed & kiss my forehead before she left.

When my parents went to work I was the only one in the house. My brother usually went with them to help out with some heavy lifting & whatever else they needed. It was good. For them & for me because I got the peace & quiet I needed to rest. I heard the truck pull out of the driveway & drive off before I closed my eyes to settle back into bed.

I was drifting when I heard it.

A scratching sound.

I opened my eyes & took a look around my room. It was not my cat because my door was open, plus he was not even close by. When I heard the noise again I realized where it was coming from. I thought it must have been the wind blowing in through the vent that made those weird sounds. That happened sometimes so I did not think much of it. I laid back down & relaxed. I don’t know when exactly I fell asleep, but I must have been asleep for a few hours.

It was getting late & it was still quiet around the house so no one was home yet. My parents would work late sometimes so that was pretty normal. It just meant that I would have to make dinner for myself. So I got out of bed & ignored the dull ache in my head. I went to the kitchen & grabbed a can of chicken noodle soup.

Then I heard the scratching again. Now I knew that was not the wind. It was louder & different from the noises I knew the wind could make. Maybe something had gotten into the attic & was trying to get out. I did not heard it again for a while so I went back to heating up my soup. I’d have to tell my parents when they got home so my dad could investigate it. I barely finished the thought before I heard another scratch. Maybe it could not wait. I went to only opening to the attic in the pantry & looked at the door. Maybe it was a squirrel or a raccoon or something. Whatever it was it definitely sounded like it wanted in. I’d never been up in the attic by myself before. But I needed to find out what the hell what making this noise.

I grabbed a flashlight from the shelf nearby & climbed up to the door. I pushed it open & pulled myself up into the attic. There was only one light bulb hanging from the ceiling so I turned it on. It only helped a little & I could not see the parts of the attic that were farther away. I looked around at the area was illuminated. So far nothing. I might have scared it off. I actually hoped I had, but just in case I decided to check the whole attic. I turned on the flashlight & started walked around. I had to be careful where I stepped because the attic was not completely finished. And we mainly used it for storing old things we hardly used anymore. After a while of searching I had not found anything. No scratch marks. No holes where something could have come in. No mess. Nothing.

I started to head back to the door when I noticed some movement out of the corner of my eye. I turned my head & the flashlight to get a better look at what it was. I completely froze once I got a good look.

A hand. It was a hand. And it was touching one of the ducts.

But more importantly it was attached to someone. Someone alive. I could not move any close but I did manage to move my flashlight to see who it was. I could not believe what I saw.

In the corner of the attic were my parents & my brother. They looked sick & practically lifeless. Like animals that had been kept in a cage without being fed. Of all the jumbled thoughts that were running through my mind at that moment, one stood out like a blaring sign.

If my family had been in the attic for so long…

Then who the hell was pulling into the driveway now?

Let's Talk Pan's Labyrinth (El Laberinto del Fauno)

Hey Guys and Gals!

It came to my attention recently (via the medium of Facebook) that the movie Pan's Labyrinth turned ten this year.

I for one, can't believe this darkly magical masterpiece is ten!

It only seems yesterday that I saw trailers for it, thinking, 'MAN I need to see that!'

I'f you haven't seen the trailer and/or the movie, here you go!

Just look at the pretties!

Apart from Pale Man - he kinda scary.

But anyway, I love fantasy movies - you kow the type, The Lord of The Rings etc... So to mix two of my favourite movie genres, Guillermo del Toro has created the perfect movie for me.

It's mine.

I'll let you watch it though because I like you.

I know it seems like a cop-out but I know if I don't have some structure to my blog posts I ramble on and on and on and on... so without further ado here are my top 5 favourite things about Pan's Labyrinth:

1. Ofelia

The young actress who plays Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) is such a stunning little beauty, she really encapsulates how the young mind works in such troubling times. The movie is set in 1944 in Spain which is in the just post civil war; which in itself would be traumatising for such a young girl. Her mother is heavily pregnant and is suffering badly which is upsetting for Ofelia, she just wants her mother and younger sibling to be ok. This is most prevalent in the scene where Ofelia puts a mandrake root bathing in milk underneath her mother's bed.

It's that cute thing in the bowl in case you're wondering.

This of course was never going to work, but this young girl is willing to try ANYTHING to make her beloved mother better.

Another thing about Ofelia that I love is her fear - and how she puts it aside to complete the tasks that the Faun has set for her. She has seen terrible atrocities in her real day to day life, her step father is a totally evil and brutal man - and yet she STILL has to courage to fight another day. I cannot stress enough how much I love this character and how she is brought to life by Ivana.

2. Doug Jones

The guy is a total and utter acting legend. That NOBODY knows about.

If you've seen the movie and you're thinking - well sh*t I don't remember this pasty son of a gun in the movie... The reason is that he plays these two characters.

The Pale Man

The Faun

And you may have guessed by this guy's name, he ISN'T Spanish - so on top of having to go through hours upon hours of makeup for the Pale Man costume, having to learn to walk in the faun costume (if you want the magic spoiled, there is a picture of how he had to wear this costume here); he had to learn HIS lines and also Ivana's lines so that he knew when it was his turn to speak.

Pretty darn impressive if you ask me.

Even though one of the characters is non-verbal, he holds himself completely different to the other, so until I looked into who the actors were in this movie when it first came out (which is something I do with every film that I watch and enjoy) I was absolutely flabbergasted to find that this was THE SAME DUDE.

3. The Bottle Scene

If you have a weak stomach, look away when you see the bottle come out.

This scene is so incredibly violent, gory and shocking that my breath was simply taken away.

My morbid sense of humour also made me chuckle a little after thinking that some parents (who DID NOT READ what the movie rating was) took their children to see this. Fools.

Basically the Captain is brought some guerillas who are fighting against oppression, and one of them unfortunately gets a face lift á la beer bottle.

I was totally unprepared for the unbridled voracity in which his face was so easily caved in, and the guy who plays the Captain, REALLY went for it. (See GIF below, don't worry it's just the Captain).

4. The Pale Man

I have not seen in a long time a monster who has made my skin crawl and made me think about it waaaay after I've finished watching the movie.

The Pale Man did just that.

He was just so... hideous.

If you want to know the whys and wherefores about this predator, please go to this link

I really don't want to spoil the scene for you, but the link above goes into great detail what the scene is all about etc so if you don't want to watch the movie but want to know what happens... You're welcome.

I do however want to go into why I love the Pale Man

1. His grotesque skin is so unnatural - the Faun warns Ofelia that the thing that lurks where she is to go isn't human - and when he stands up you see the sagging and streched skin which is just... Gross. He looks like he is wasting away due to malnutrition - I think maybe he is having trouble finding food which leads me to my next point...
2. HE EATS CHILDREN.
3. His gosh darn SCARY ASS eyes. You must have seen the below picture:
   
   
   

5. Mercedes (The Character, not the car.)

Mercedes is an ally to the resistance that is trying to attack where Captain Face-Smasher is based, but she is a mole as she is working for the Captain. How very courageous of her!

She looks out for Ofelia and she can see the good in the little girl's heart and soul.

She has got a lot of fight in her and she is so feisty!

I would like to think that although she may be seen as a 'secondary' character I think her role is pivotal in showing that people who believe in what is right will be at the forefront and will do anything for the struggle for justice.

I watched this film again whilst writing, and I must admit, it is still as beautiful as ever - and if you have a strong stomach and a great imagination, then I would definitely give this a watch!

And remember, 

Have a Scary Movie Sunday!

American Horror Story - Season 6 ep. 1-3 **Possible Spoilers**

Hey Guys and Gals,

I'm baaaack!

Did you miss me? Or did you not even notice I was gone? Either way, I'm writing a new blogulicious *grin*

I was in high anticipation for the new season of American Horror Story (AHS) and to be honest, I feel a little disappointed.

I've held off writing this blog, because with Stranger Things I didn't really have a lot to write about by the first episode and I didn't want to give everything away in one hit!

So, I shall set the scene a little for episode one (I'll try to leave out as much immaculate detail as possible).

The two main characters are called Shelby and (hits Google as the guy's name is forgettable) Matt and they are an interracial couple, Shelby is white and Matt is black.

They were living in L.A. when Matt was set upon by some miscreants who basically beat the sh*t out of him and left him in a coma. Not good at all. To top it off, the couple had learned that morning that they were going to be parents, only to have this joy snatched away when Shelby miscarries, possibly from the stress of what had happened.

So they move out to the woods, to an absolutely glorious house - and that is kind of where things take a nasty turn.

As the couple have moved to North Carolina, and it seems to them that the racist history of the Deep South is still apparent, and that they are being tormented by the 'Hillbillies' that they outbit for their new creepy-ass abode.

Obviously that isn't how AHS works.

Another way that AHS doesn't normally work is how the story is being told to us - we are watching a fictional docu series called 'My Roanoke Nightmare' which has the same characters being protrayed by different actors (as it would be in real life)

Lily Rabe here, Sarah Paulson there.

I personally wasn't too impressed with this layout (hence my disappointment) however as the episodes have moved on, this has been a great way to tell the story, and of course - involve all of our AHS favourites.

At the time of writing I am yet to clap eyes on the gorgeous man-beast that is Evan Peters.

Mr Scary Movie Sunday who?

We are introduced to Shelby's sister in law (Matt's sister, obviously) and she has got a very troubled past, she's an addict and an ex cop who lost her job and marriage due to addiction amongst other things.

She is a very interesting character in my opinion and a lot of episodes 1-3 is to do with her relationship with her daughter, Flora. Which, may I add, is a beautiful name.

I won't go into detail with this story line, but it is tantalising and you can't stop wondering what has happened to this little girl - but sometimes I feel that the actual story telling regarding this is a little bit juddery. Whether that is due to the format of the series or not, I'm not sure.

Ok, so episodes 2 and 3.

We learn from flashbacks that there is a band of nasty and cutthroat spirits that reside in the surrounding areas of the house where the couple live - the leader of these being known as 'The Butcher'. It's catchy. We get to see the back story of this 'missing' group of people (which has stemmed from an American story about a colony that disappeared in Roanoke) and this also teaches the non-American viewrs who may not know this history so that we are all up to speed.

10 points to House AHS!

There is one SERIOUSLY bad point about these 'settlers' - and in main, the character The Butcher.

WHAT IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS
HOLY IS THAT ACCENT SUPPOSED TO BE?

I've discussed this frequesntly with Mr Scary Movie Sunday and we have come to the conclusion that the accent is meant to be a Lancashire accent. I think the point may have been missed and is in the far distance behind the cast. It bugs me so much because this character is awesome and so badass with her cleaver. 

Maybe I could just mute the parts that Kathy Bates has dialogue in.

We also have visions of murderous sisters that appear in the house, a psychic who has got THE best accent ever and is camper than a row of tents (100% my favourite character) and a guy who is camping out in a cellar by the woods. 

There is one more character that I would like to mention.

Took me until episode 3 to realise this is Lady Gaga.

Now I probably will write another blog after the season has ended - and we can talk about the fabled 'connection' theory - but I would like to say that the quality of the story and the familiarity with the new layout of the series is starting to get really promising, and I also am very excited to see the next episode (which has Evan Peters in it!)

Are you watching this season? And what do you think about it all?

And remember,

Have a Scary Movie Sunday!

Horror Movies On a Plane - The Boy *SPOILER-ISH ALERT*

Hey Creepy Crew!

I am currently lying awake in bed at 3;50 local time in Pattaya, Thailand.

Why is that relevant I hear you ask? Well, first off, the formatting may not be great on this blog post as I am using my mobile phone - and this also means no pictures *sob*. But also, that is the reason why I was watching horror movies on a plane! Holidays!

I thought to myself, it's daylight, I'm surrounded by people, and I can hear the distant hum of A380 engines - what could possibly creep me out?!

Turns out the movie The Boy did juuuuuust that.

The Boy is advertised in a way that you know that it involves a creepy doll, but not so much what it gets up to, but man - was I in for a pleasant surprise!

Here are my top three favourite things about The Boy.

1. Brahms' Parents

Brahms is the name of the little porcelain doll, the star of the show; he has a schedule which must be adhered to, and he must be treated with respect and courtesy - or else there will be hell to pay.

All we know of the names of the parents is their names - Mummy and Daddy. They live in a house relatively isolated and they have regular deliveries by a guy named Malcolm.  They adore their 'son' Brahms and tenderly look after him and care for him.  Something which makes them look like totally weirdos to the outside world.

I feel really sorry for these two, we find out that they have been utterly plagued by this doll - and so they have hired a babysitter to look after their little cherub whilst they go on holiday.

A going to say is... don't judge them.

2. Brahms

Now, you may remember that when I watched Annabelle, it freaked me out that we never saw her move on screen - well Brahms does just that and let me tell you with a hand on my heart, I am sure I let out a little nugget when I jumped out of my plane seat.

I thought the unknown was creepy with Annabelle, so I kind of hoped this movie would be the same - I can deal with my own imagination.

I won't tell you exactly what happens but just be mindful that Brahms isn't like any other doll you've seen!

3. The Ending (spoiler-ish but not enough to give it away)

The ending of this movie was a FANTASTIC twist, a twist that I really didn't see coming, and it was magical how everything just slotted into place.

For example, things have to be done in a certain way ay a certain time, and it also explains some of the actions of characters in the movie.

Even if you think you're not really going to be into this movie, give it a try - I think me personally, I try not to calculate the ending of a movie (ever since I guessed the ending of the movie Shutter Island 10 minutes in) as I like to really immerse myself in the journey.

If you guess what the ending of this movie is, then 10 points to Gryffindor because I thought it was just so left field I would never have seen it coming!

So, there you have it,  a nice little review from VERY sunny Thailand - if I get WiFi which has a good speed. I may do another review but only time will tell!

Have a great day, and remember,
Have a Scary Movie Sunday!

Horror Trailers BUT WITH NO SOUND

Hey Creepy Crew

I thought I would try something a little different with my reviews today, I currently can't listen to the trailers so I'm going to try and fathom what is going on whilst watching in a crowded room.

Could be quite interesting (and I could also get the gist of the trailer very, VERY wrong!)

1. The Disappointments Room

Ok normal road picture
Darkness in the car
YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I HATE THIS
Ok have they moved into this creepy house with headless...
ARGH THE DOOR CLOSED ITSELF
Oh no
Based on true events
Don't look through the keyhole into the dark woman!!
Ok looks like there is a secret passage in the house that Ms Beckinsale has the keys for
MIRRORS ARE A NO NO
whaaaat why has the kid got blood on him?
why has this turned all Haunted Mansion?
Dark roooom.

2. The Devil's Dolls

Dead bodies, yummy.
Aerial shot of building that looks like a cross
Ok voodoo shack is creepy
Aww the doll is WHOA SHE IS POSSESSSED
The hospital can't do anything!!
Why are these people zombied?
Oh dear he's on fire
I like the little picture
Ewww  creepy creepy
Whaaaaaaaaaah he has a big drill!

3. Tell Me How I die

In a bar
Oooh studies for money
Seems legit
Beautiful shot OF THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE
Very snowy place
Looks like the big brother house
Ok WHAT ARE THEY INJECTING HER WITH?!
Uh oh the lighty up bracelets look KILLER
I think she realised they are being watched
Ok lots of death
Lots of blood
Stabby stabby crashy jumpy
I think this girl knows how they all die...

4. Incarnate

Oooh looks like a possession
Devil incarnate maybe?
Why are you so dark trailer?
EWWW SHE WAS ON THE CEILING!
Ooh that kid got serious pink eye
Whoa he can see everybodies weird eyeballs?
Kinda looks like Nicolaj Coster Waldau
Carice Von Houten!
Lots of people raised up to the ceiling then dropped.

5. Rings

Argh its that kind of rings!!
Gloomy house
Who is julia and why is she sending this bejesus to her friends?
Ok she got the 7 days message
Oooh peeling hand
NOOOOO SHE COUGHED UP A HAIRBALL
ARGH
Ewww melded hands
Never the twitching on day 7
OMG A WHOLE PLANE IS WATCHING IT
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Oh my that was an amusing way to spend half an hour - I hope you like how randomly my brain works - and to be honest I think I know even less about these movies now ha ha!

I think I need to see The Disappointments Room and Rings - the others may have been more attractive if I could hear them.

You should give this a try and I can imagine I will do it again as it was so much fun!

Have a great day
and remember,
Have a Scary Movie Sunday!

Scary Story Competition! Enter Now!

Hey Creepy Crew!

As Hallowe'en is coming up (it's like two months away which to someone like me means it feels like it's next week), I thought I'd run a competition which fits in with my favourite type of story... A SCARY ONE!

I want to receive all of your spooky tales and creepy anecdotes, your terrifying narratives and your scary chronicles - I also want your horrifying parables, and your spine chilling adventures... I think you get the picture!

So, here's the deal... All I want from you is...

You thought it too, admit it.

Anyway, what I really want is, an original story written by you, which I would like to be between 500-1000 words (the most skilled people can write short stories so I know you guys can do it!)

You can enter in a couple of different ways - you can send me your stories through my Facebook page messages or you can email it to me direct at the email address scarymoviesundays@gmail.com.

Closing date for entries is midnight October 15th 2016 GMT.

In your message, please include:

Your Name

Your Email Address

Your Story Title

Your Story (500-1000 words) 

The winner (who will be chosen by me) will get a prize in the form of an Amazon gift voucher, their story published on my blog on October 31st and utter kudos from me!

I'm so excited to read all of your entries and I would love if you would share this competition to get lots of entries!

Stranger Things - The End of The Series ***SPOILER ALERT***

Hey Creepy Crew!

I've finished the Netfix series Stranger Things - and I actually started to feel withdrawal when I had finished it.

Mr Scary Movie Sunday actually heard me utter the words, ' What am I going to watch now...?'

If you have watched this series, you may have even felt the same dismay when episode 8 finished - and that final scene was played out with Sheriff Hopper.

BELOW THIS POINT IS WHERE THE MAJOR PLOT SPOILER THINGS LIVE

You may have seen in my last post about Stranger things that I asked some questions which I needed to be answered!

• Who is the girl?

Turns out the girl was stolen away from her mentally broken mother at birth, as she was known to have some 'special powers'. And as much as I wanted to think that the name on her birth certificate is 11 I'm not thinking it was.

The powers that this girl can wield are absolutely stupendous - to watch a young girl snap a guys neck purely with the power of her mind is so badass.

She also has the power to go into the 'Upside Down' which we learn is a parallel universe to our own which can be entered by a tear in space and time (did I mention that Eleven managed to create one all by herself?!)

We don't find out the reason that she is called Eleven, but only that she has a tattoo on her arm '011'. My guess is that she is numbered as part of the experiments into telekenisis etc which her mother was also dragged into. 

• What were they making in the laboraotry?

As mentioned up there ^^^ in the lab where Eleven lived (and escaped from) there were experiments taking place, and it seems that they were trying to 'unlock' special powers within human beings.

They were doing this using sensory deprivation tanks, monitoring of the brain activity with a funky little electrode hat - and I imagine there were many other ways to try and 'unleash' the extra brain power that us humanoids supposedly have.

Unfortunately, due to the extensive activity in the lab Eleven unwittingly opened up a tear in what I imagine is the space / time continuum <<< DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I HAVE LEGIT WANTED TO USE THAT PHRASE?!

As this kind of thing doesn't really happen in every day life, the team in the lab didn't really seem to know what they had actually done, just that it was very, VERY bad.

The fact that it looked like a massive vagina wasn't exactly awesome, either.

• Where did Will go?

We learn from Eleven that Will is still alive (as his mother had always vehemently believed) and he is in a parallel universe which is referred to as 'The Upside Down'.

The boys learn from their science teacher that humans walk along as if on a tightrope, unable to go anywhere apart from forwards and backwards along the rope - however if you think of how a flea can move around on other levels, via the side of the tightrope, or even go fully around the tightrope (as per the drawing below) this explains the possibilty of 'The Upside Down.'

In The Upside Down everything is an exact replica of this plane, however things are more degraded and the air is toxic. Will is walking around in the Upside Down; but in our plane, his mother Joyce (Winona Ryder) can connect with him via the electricity in her home -  I think we will find out more about this type of connection in the second series...

• Will we ever get to see the creature?

Turns out we do get to see the creature! We don't really learn much about it though, apart from it is drawn to blood - so when Barb cut her hand it could smell her, and there was a deer which was bleeding in the woods; which was then taken into The Upside Down to be eaten.

I'm not entirely sure that this creature can be destroyed easily, as the teens who are trying to kill it use fire and guns - which doesn't seem to hurt it too much.

Eleven full on blows it to bits though.

The creature isn't really an integral part of the story (in my opinion) but it could quite easily become important if the focus was changed slightly to it being killed.

We only ever get to see one creature - but I think there must be more than one - and although one is terrifying - can you imagine what a horde of these mofos would look like?!

So that is a quick run down of some of the things that happen in Stranger Things - I must admit there is SO MUCH MORE to take in, and I would highly recommend it is watched! It's not necessarily a scary series, but very interesting and tense!

Let me know what you think!

And remember,

Have a Scary Movie Sunday!

Tim Burton you say? P.S. Spoilers Everywhere.

Hey Creepy Crew!

I am seriously slacking in the watching of the horror movies - this is mainly due to the Olympics and Pokemon Go. 

I know, it's pitiful.

Anyway, I'm still keeping up with the blogs and trying to give you some more content whilst I'm on this small hiatus.

SO...

If you are a close friend of mine, you will know how much I luuuuuuuurve movies directed by Tim Burton (Not Coraline, that was someone else; but a good movie nonetheless). So here are some of my favourites (not all, as you would be here until next week).

 

Just look at that sexy weirdo.

This fixation may have started when I was a child, as one of my favourite films of ALL time was Beetlejuice.

Like, I knew (and probably still know if I thought about it) every word from this film and this was when I was about... 8?

Don't judge my parents, it really didn't scare me and I've always been fixated with the macabre.

Not even gonna lie, this biznatch right here scared me and gave me more nightmares than anything else, EVER. 

So, I digress. 

As I have already mentioned it, lets start with Beetlejuice and why I love it so much.

1. Beetlejuice

Let's start with The Handbook For The Recently Deceased (buy your own version here); I thought this was a wonderful little touch, and I love when Adam mentioned how it reads 'like stereo instructions'. Still didn't mean the Maitlands read it though!

When Lydia Deetz gets hold of this book, she absorbs it like no other and she is so dark that it just screams out to her. She is after all... Strange and Unusual. I love Lydia and I remember growing up wanting to be just like her. #LifeGoals

Of course, I can't forget the man himself - good ol' Betel Geuse. Michael Keaton is an awesome actor who was perfect for the role of this absolutely crazy and hellbent villain. My favourite scene is when Barbara picks him up from the model to tell him off after crashing his car and he creates his spikes - to then dance across to go and play with the ladies of the night.

Go ahead. Make my millenium.

2. Edward Scissorhands

Now this movie is just gorgeous. I love the music, I love the themes, and most of all, I love Johnny Depp as Edward.

This story is just so wonderfully unique, and Mr Burton has made it appropriate for all people from all walks of life - its a story about acceptance, but also about how awful can be to something that they don't understand - and that people are not always what they seem.

If you have not seen this film, I suggest you watch it at the earliest opportunity, its not scary, just a little eerie - and so emotional at the same time.

Every time I hear the music for the Ice Dance scene my heart just swells.

 

This movie was also Vincent Price's last

and his last ever scene was in fact, the death scene.

I've been reading about this movie and I found this excerpt from IMDB:

'The restaurant that the family eats at was, at one time, a real restaurant; a national chain diner called "Sambo's". It was located directly across the street from Southgate Shopping Center, as appears in the movie. Due to the controversial nature of the name and interior design, the diner (and entire chain) closed sometime in the late 70s/early 80s except for the original location in Santa Barbara, California, which to this day remains open in its original location.'

Mr Scary Movie Sunday and I stopped at the restaurant in Santa Barbara on our honeymoon, so this was a really cool fact to find out!

Every time I see this scene it makes me laugh.

3. The Nightmare Before Christmas

I think the majority of people have heard of The Nightmare Before Christmas - and there is a bleddy good reason for that!

This movie was (rightly so) advertised as a kids movie but even though it was to appeal to the younger generation (I was 6 when it came out) it also captured the hearts of all types of people.

I remember when this film came out and I just HAD to watch it. I wanted to go to the cinema to watch it but I think due to it being released later in the year my family was busy with Christmas planning etc.

So I went for the next best thing and asked for Father Christmas to bring it to me on the big day. St Nick (A.k.a my nan) provided and as soon as the wrapping had all been packed away and my mom started cooking the lunch I was glued to the TV waiting expectantly on this mystical movie that I was so intrigued about.

Man it did not disappoint.

From the excellent stop motion animation, and the wonderful musical score (with the vocals of none other than Danny Elfman himself) this was to become my FAVOURITE film of my childhood. I would watch this movie every. Single. Day. I loved all of the characters (even the creepy ones) and I couldn't wait to go back to Hallowe'en Town. When the VHS broke due to overuse, I was devastated and at the ripe old age of 19, my then boyfriend replaced it with a DVD.

If you want something a little creepy but not overly scary - this is a great movie to watch!

Tah dah!

4. Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

This is more of a modern movie in the list, and although it is COMPLETELY different from the original (with Gene Wilder) it is a stupendous movie in its own right.

The whole design of this gaudy and dark comedy masterpiece just draws you in like a moth to a flame - and it almost gives you a sense of security... right up until THIS scene.

I didn't even get to see the complete ending of this scene the first time round because I was laughing so much.

You don't need to tell me I'm going to Hell, I am fully aware of it.

Johnny Depp was a great choice as the infamous Willy Wonka and there is always a sense of foreboding which through all of the garish colours and wonderful musical score, still manages to trickle through.

There are also so many small jokes throughout this movie which I really loved; for example the hair cream scene (I won't go into it so you can laugh at it when you realise where I mean).

Can I just give kudos to Deep Roy - who acted out EVERY. SINGLE. OOMPA LOOMPA.

You may think it is a camera trick (which in a way it is due to layering) but those trillions of Oompa Loompas that you see were all individually acted out - can you imagine having to get those timings perfect every single time?

It's details like that which make Tim Burton movies that little bit extra special.


5. And last but not least -  Batman

This film is the shiznit.

From the looming score to the wonderfully disturbing makeup effects this film is well and truly a firm Tim Burton favourite of mine.

No matter how many times Batman is reimagined, Michael Keaton will always be da man for me.

Burton created his very own version of Gotham that was so powerfully dark and scary, that the need to have the caped crusader swoop in was so apt. There is just so much that I love about this film that I can't even get myself together easily to tell you all about it.

I think my favourite scene is this one... it's so painfully 80's

As you may or may not be aware, Tim Burton has made so many movies, and all of them are so quirky in their own way - another notable few to mention that I love are: Frankenweenie, Mars Attacks!, James and The Giant Peach, Sleepy Hollow <3 , and Alice in Wonderland.

Man I love this guy.

I think the world does too, in Germany there is a Tim Burton exhibit, and in New York there is a restaurant which is based on Tim Burton Movies!

I went to a concert a couple of years ago which was all of Danny Elfman's music from the movies of Tim Burton. If you ever get the chance to go, MAKE THE EFFORT TO GO IT WILL 100% BE WORTH IT!

Anyway,

Rememeber,
have a Scary Movie Sunday!

Stranger Things - Episode 1 - No... Ok Maybe Some Spoilers!

Hey Creepy Crew!

 

This isn't going to be a long post, but I feel the need to have a little chat about this series on Netflix. I'm not going to post any major spoilers because this is a very new season and there have got to be other people (like me) who are late to the party!

 

The blurb on IMDB says 'When a young boy disappears, his mother, a police chief, and his friends must confront terrifying forces in order to get him back.'

 

I must say, the first episode explains all of this business very well and really sets the scene.

 

I love the lighting and complete mood of this episode - very ominous and brooding.

 

I don't really want to go into too much detail, but the 'entity' that seems to be stalking the town seems to be far more terrifying than I thought it was going to be!

 

I (unwisely) thought the scares in this series would be more unnerving than jumpy, so I thought to myself, 'I'll watch this in bed, it won't be that bad...' but when the young boy (Will) disappears, I am sure my face was more hidden under the covers than above them!

 

First impressions: I can't wait to watch episode 2.

 

_______________________________________________________________________

 

BELOW THIS POINT MAY BE SPOILER-ISH BECAUSE I'M A LOSER AND CAN'T HELP MYSELF
_______________________________________________________________________

Welcome to the questions section - where I will pose questions that I want to learn the answers to in the following episodes!

• Who is the girl?
• What were they making in the laboratory?
• Where did Will go?
• Will we ever get to see the creature?

Who knows?!

Anyway,

Have a Scary Movie Sunday!

Film 4's 50 Must See Horror Movies - How Many Have You Seen?

Hey Creepy Crew!

I thought I would do a blogulicious like this one so that I can look back on the must see movies that I have seen, and also share with you which ones I haven't (please don't be offended, but there are some classics that I haven't seen!) You can view the webpage that I got this list from here!

So that you're not here forever reading this blog, I shall write ONE sentence which sums up my experience of these movies - this could be hard!

I would be interested to see which ones you haven't see too and if there is a popular one I make an event for us all to watch together!

50. Shutter Island (2010)
I guessed the ending right at the beginning, but still enjoyed it!

49. Pulse (aka Kairo) (2001)
Not seen this one, but I would LOVE to!

48. Black Swan (2010)
Had to watch behind my hands, and still had to turn the volume down.

47. The Mist (2007)
I imagine the book is much better than the movie.

46. The Innkeepers (2011)
Not seen or even heard of it!

45. Calvaire (2004)
I've never seen a Belgian film, and I think I need to make an effort to see this one.

44. American Psycho (2000)
I watched the 'It's Hip To Be Square' dance waaaaaaaay too many times!

43. Paranormal Activity (2007)
Nope nope nope nope nope.

42. Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010)
I've seen this one pop up on Netflix many times, but I thought it looked a bit too comedy for me.

41. We Are What We Are (2010)
Oh my... just read the blurb for this one and basically I NEED TO SEE IT NOW.

40. We Are What We Are (2013)
American remakes normally suck compared to the original, but I'd give it a watch.

39. Trollhunter (2010)
Apparently Norway is where it's at.

38. Wolf Creek (2005)
The thing that freaked me out about this the most was the phrase 'based on a true story'.

37. Trick ‘r Treat (2007)
Cute little murder person isn't cute on the inside.

36. Thirst (2009)
If it is in anyway shape or form as good as 'Oldboy', I'm totally in.

35. Martyrs (2008)
Less horror movie, more amazing, elaborate mindf*ck.

34. Amer (2009)
Read the blurb, still none the wiser.

33. May (2003)
One of the first movies that I reviewed!

32. Antichrist (2009)
I don't think I'm prepared for that scene, but I really want to catch this movie.

31. The Woman (2011)
This one is already on the watch list.

30. Dark Water (2002)
I remember watching the advertisements for this movie, and they scared the bejesus out of me!

29. Cabin In The Woods (2012)
Amazing concept, well executed.

28. Them (Ils) (2006)
Never heard of this one, and the blurb doesn't draw me in.

27. Berberian Sound Studio (2012)
Apparently it is based on the deconstruction of the Italikan horror genre - can't say I've even heard of this UK film.

26. Detention (2011)
This looks more Scary Movie than horror film.

25. Saw (2004)
I still remember the feeling of nausea that overcame me when I found out where Jigsaw was.

24. House Of The Devil (2009)
Looks like a groovy independent film.

23. Session 9 (2001)
I've seen this one floating about my streaming apps, I put it on my list but unfortunately I didn't get to watch it!

22. Timecrimes (2007)
This sounds like an awesome film that you can watch many times and still get new information!

21. Sleep Tight (2011)
This Spanish film sounds like it could be something that could happen in real life - my favourite!

20. The Others (2001)
This film is like coming home - such an enchanting tale with an unexpected twist.

19. You're Next (2011)
Although I knew the ending of this film before I watched it, I still loved the fast paced action.

18. A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (2014)
This movie sounds almost too cool to be scary.

17. Spring (2014)
The blurb doesn't give me the impression that this is scary in any way.

16. Lake Mungo (2008)
This film sounds very ominous, in a Paranormal Activity kind of way.

15. Inside (2007)
Not gonna lie, this movie sounds badass and like I need to see it in the near future.

14. Switchblade Romance / High Tension (2003)
Apparently this is an utter gore fest; I'll make sure to wear my rain mac.

13. Shaun Of The Dead (2004)
Horror, really?!

12. Pontypool (2008)
Sounds a bit radio gaga.

11. Ginger Snaps (2000)
I've never seen it, but Mr Scary Movie Sunday seems to enjoy this one.

10. The Loved Ones (2009)
Her name was Lola, and she sounds a bit stalker murdery.

9. [REC] (2007)
I remember watching this movie by accident, I think it was just on the TV - all I can say is creepy lady zombies.

8. Kill List (2001)
I love cult / religious horror so I think this could be right up my street.

7. The Orphanage (2007)
I'm pretty sure I've seen this; and I'm also pretty sure it didn't really keep my attention.

6. A Tale Of Two Sisters (2003)
IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS FILM YOU NEED TO RECTIFY THIS IMMEDIATELY.

5. The Babadook (2014)
This film gave me nightmares.

4. It Follows (2014)
Moral of the story: Have sex with as many people as physically possible (just in case).

3. The Descent (2005)
Have a fear of the dark and / or claustrophobia? Give this one a miss.

2. The Devil's Backbone (2001)
Tried watching it, didn't understand it - will try again.

1. Let The Right One In (2008)
The original version of the US movie 'Let Me In' - I've heard that this one is a lot better.

So, I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog - my totals are:

Seen - 20 out of 50

That's abysmal - but I may do something similar for greatest horror movies in a set time frame and I will work on watching some of these ones! A lot of the ones I haven;'t seen are foreign movies so it may take a little effort to get a hold of them but I'm sure they will be worth it!

Remember,
Have a Scary Movie Sunday! 

The Visit - A Tale of Two Weirdos - SPOILER ALERT

Hey Guys and gals!

This past week has been unbearable in the UK (I mean, people who like the heat probably loved it, but me personally would prefer a thunderstorm) and I have been watching quite a few movies - not just horror you'll be devastated to hear!

Always listen to Grandma

One of the films that I watched is one that I have wanted to see since I saw it advertised on TV.

It is simply called 'The Visit' and all I knew was that it was about some kids going to see their grandparents and then ultra freaky shiz started to happen.

This was enough for me to get gripped! So when I saw this on Netflix less that a year after it had been on at the cinema, I thought maaaaaaaaaaaaaaan, they only early release stuff if it's pants. But I stuck with my gut feeling and made sure I watched this business on Sunday morning, in the day. With Mr Scary Movie Sunday.

To be honest, I absolutely LOVED this movie, I would give it a 7.5/10 and I would definitely give it another watch, very much like M Night Shalamalamadingdong's past work, you usually miss things the first time and the more you watch it, the more interesting it gets. Another one of his films that I can watch millionz of times is The Village.

This movie is probably going to be really underrated on the scary factor because there are not so many gore scares, but more unnerving scenes that start from the get go. Here are  5 freaky moments of this movie. And can I point out there are many, MANY more!

***SPOILERS***

1. The Use of Handheld Cameras

I must admit that I am sometimes sceptical with found footage / docuhorror <<< (made a new word yay) types of movies because without being done right they can miss a lot of tension. But this movie was done SO well. and the fact that this was an integral part of how the story was told - The oldest child Rebecca is making a documentary about her time with her grandparents - you are forced to pay attention to what is going on, and I loved it!

The unusual happenings start as soon as the two children are picked up by their grandparents at the trainstation, they are distant and when there are pictures taken of the family reunion you can see how awkward it is.

Because it is filmed on a hand held camera when the children are being chased, or the grandparents are doing something mega weird, it makes the scenarios far more believable.

2. The Oven Scene

This scene is the reason that I wanted to watch the movie in the first place - because there was just something unnerving about a grown woman asking a child to get into the oven. Rather Hansel and Gretel if you ask me.

Here is the scene...

Would you get in the oven? I sure as hell wouldn't! Then again, my gelatinous ass wouldn't fit so I would be saved!

This happens earlier on in the movie, when the girl is on her own with Nana, and she is very reluctant (I mean, who wouldn't be?) and in the end she fully climbs into the oven. I thought I was going to relive the furnace scene in Saw II but with a small girl being cooked like a Christmas turkey.

3. Under the House Hide and Seek

Quite early on in the film things happent that are strange as I have previously mentioned. But the first scene that got me  ready to hide behind my hands was the game of hide and seek under the grandparent's house.

Just thinking back to this scene gives me the creeps. I mean, if that were me, my own anxiety would stop me from going to run through that maze of pillars, but then when you see the 'creature' scurrying about in the distance, the goosepimples on my arms were almost painfully popping out.

Eww.

Ewwwwww.

Watch the video, and you will see how unsettling this scene was.

P.S. Ew.

4. Sundowning

Now, sundowning is a genuine thing, mainly people who have dementia suffer from confusion and discombobulation when the sun sets (hence the name).

Nana goes a bit crazy after 9:30pm and apparently the kids are not allowed to leave their room after this time. But, kids being kids go to investigate what the weird scratching sounds and thumping sounds are...

They find out that Nana runs around naked flailing and scratching the walls, she makes strange guttural sounds and frankly, it's scary. If real sundowning (I've never seen documented footage so I can't comment) looks that way, you can easily see how unsettling it could be.

We find out that Nana hasn't got a case of dementia, but actually something far more sinister...

5. The Acquisition of the Elixir

This scene is in no way gory, scary or jumpy - it's just... disconcerting.

The reason that Becca wants to document her trip to her grandparent's house is to try and get the thing that will 'fix' her depressed mother. Something happened when she was younger and left home which meant she felt that she couldn't go back - and their mother would never tell the kids what this occurence was - but said that if Nana and Pop Pop  want to divulge then they can get their information that way.

The scene stars with Becca hearing her Nana wholeheartedly laughing, as if she was watching the funniest show on TV ever. Like, pee-your-pants funny.

So, being the inquisitive child that she is, she goes to see what the commotion is about to find... this.

Walls are HILARIOUS you know.

So, in one of the most genius moves in horror, Becca goes towards her guffawing Nana, who says that she laughs so much to keep the evil spirits at bay.

Seems legit.

Nana then goes on a bit of a ramble to tell a story about aliens that take people into water and steal them to send back to their planet. Bizarre.

Becca is a pure trouper and goes for the jugular again and tries to get information about what the frick happened between her grandparents and her mom (who by the way is living it up on  holiday but keeps in touch via the medium of Skype) and Nana goes batsh*t crazy. Cue changing this line of questioning into a story (not as creepy as the alien people, but a story nonetheless) and Nana eventually provides the Elixir for which Becca was hoping for.

The whole scene is particularly jarring and really throws you off kilter when watching the movie - and I loved it!

So there you have it, 5 things I thought were groovy about The Visit.

But, being M Night Shyamalan, means that there is always a SERIOUS plot twist. This one made me feel raaaaaaaather sick. So if you DON'T want to know the twist, LOOK AWAY NOW!

and remember,

Have a Scary Movie Sunday!

'Those aren't your grandparents...'