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Film Friday Movies

“Skypemare” Short Film

“Skypemare” Short Film

Skypemare (2013) is a short film by John Fitzpatrick. Screened at Screamfest, Shriekfest, and a few other festivals, this is a well-made little slasher film with a fun little payoff at the end.

The Plot: Alison is alone on Halloween night, chatting with her best friend Jenna over Skype. Suddenly something horrific happens to Jenna, leaving Alison watching on in terror, and fearing that she will be next.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Screamfest Presents “Darkman”

Screamfest presents “Darkman”. Join Screamfest Horror Film Festival at the LOOK Dine-In Cinemas Glendale on Wednesday, July 16th, 2025, for a special screening of Sam Raimi’s Darkman (1990).  Dive into

Read More »

2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions

Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions   The Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon is open for submissions! Now in its eleventh year, the 61-day multimedia celebration spotlighting haunted

Read More »

2024 Halloween Shopping

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

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Categories
Attractions Destinations News

Hyde Bio-Activated Maze Kickstarter

Hyde Bio-Activated Maze Kickstarter

Growing up in Western New York, the haunted houses I remember were mostly nice sets with actors popping out to give us a fright at various points. Over the years, the haunted attraction industry has grown and matured, bringing more immersive experiences and detailed story lines. We now have experiences like Knott’s Scary Farms’ “Trapped” where you are stuck in a room until you can solve a puzzle or complete a challenge to get out, or “Delusion: Haunted Play” where guests must interact with actors as they see a strange tale of magic & mystery unfold around them.

Slingshot, a British company that designs real world games about things like surviving a zombie apocalypse, has created a Kickstarter for their most ambitious game ever – Hyde. Hyde will be the world’s first bio-activated maze game. Using bio-sensors that connect to a cell phone via bluetooth, player data is sent to a server that monitors the players to vary the difficulty level of challenges based on things like heart rate or breathing.

This game isn’t just about the technology, the developers have also whipped up an intriguing  storyline to build tension and keep the participants engaged.

Imagine this: You have volunteered for a clinical trial with the “Jekyll Corporation”. You are fitted with wearable tech, given the sample “drug”, and let loose in the maze to test the results. At first things are easy and fun – you unlock doors and solve puzzles – but soon the unintended side-effects of the drug become apparent. As you make your way further into the maze the challenges become more difficult, leading you into a completely different world of laboratories, operational facilities, and behind the scenes areas where Hyde begins to chase you. This is the world of Hyde. Sounds fun, doesn’t it?

With this Kickstarter campaign, we now have the chance to push the limits of interactive experiences in a positive way (none of that ridiculous torture porn “Extreme” haunted house stuff). Ending on Friday, July 17th, 2015 at 4:31 PM PDT, this Kickstarter hopes to raise $78,047 towards the project. Help out and donate what you can to support the future of the haunted attraction industry.

The Hyde Kickstarter Campaign can be found here.

Screamfest Presents “Darkman”

Screamfest presents “Darkman”. Join Screamfest Horror Film Festival at the LOOK Dine-In Cinemas Glendale on Wednesday, July 16th, 2025, for a special screening of Sam Raimi’s Darkman (1990).  Dive into

Read More »

2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions

Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions   The Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon is open for submissions! Now in its eleventh year, the 61-day multimedia celebration spotlighting haunted

Read More »

2024 Halloween Shopping

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »
Categories
Film Friday Movies

“The Lady and the Reaper” Short Film

“The Lady and the Reaper” Short Film

The Lady and the Reaper (2009) is an animated film by Spanish filmmaker Javier Recio Garcia. A Goya Award Winner and Academy Award Nominee, this short is a beautifully morbid tale about an old woman caught in the battle between a determined grim reaper and an overzealous doctor. The film’s comic take on death as well as a jazzy score by Sergio de la Puente, make this an enjoyable watch.

Screamfest Presents “Darkman”

Screamfest presents “Darkman”. Join Screamfest Horror Film Festival at the LOOK Dine-In Cinemas Glendale on Wednesday, July 16th, 2025, for a special screening of Sam Raimi’s Darkman (1990).  Dive into

Read More »

2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions

Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions   The Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon is open for submissions! Now in its eleventh year, the 61-day multimedia celebration spotlighting haunted

Read More »

2024 Halloween Shopping

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »
Categories
Movies

The Thing’s Practical Effects

The Thing’s Practical Effects

John Carpenter’s  The Thing (1982) is lauded as a horror masterpiece – utilizing terrifying creature effects and a well-paced plot to keep audiences at the edge of their seats. For the few of you who have lived under a horror-free rock for the past few decades, the plot is this: Scientists in the Antarctic are confronted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of the people that it kills.

Now in this article, we’re not talking about that Thing, I am talking about the other thing, The Thing – the prequel. In a confusing title choice, 2011 gave us a prequel to The Thing called, well, The Thing. Although many had high hopes for the film, the final result was a bit of a letdown.

One of the major aspects creating the film’s hype was that director Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. insisted upon using practical effects for the various alien transformations. With the trend towards (often cheesy) digital effects in horror, fans were excited this wide release film would return to real effects.

Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc. was hired to create the animatronics, latex costumes, and other practical effects for the film. Their hard work is showcased in this video which chronicles their products from pre-production to their final incarnations on set:

Want another 15 minutes of slides detailing their work?

How about on-set footage of the Edvard-Adam Thing?

Awesome, right? Even with a poor script the movie should have been salvageable just because of these cool effects. I know just watching the above videos has caused me to sleep with a nightlight (and a flamethrower) for the past few nights.

Well, in the post-production process, the studio decided that computer-generated images would be used to “enhance” these practical special effects. Enhancements in and of themselves are not particularly egregious mistakes (in fact, when used in moderation they can truly work in tandem with practical effects), but entirely replacing certain animatronics with digital effects certainly was.

Of course, there are many reasons filmmakers use digital effects and CGI, and many times it is the only option to tell the story they are trying to tell – it just isn’t cost effective to build actual cars that turn into giant robots for Transformers . It is, however, a shame that many of Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc. creations were hid behind CGI and that some were completely removed from the finished film.

At least ADI released their behind-the-scenes videos, so everyone can appreciate their work – and have a few extra alien-related nightmares.

Screamfest Presents “Darkman”

Screamfest presents “Darkman”. Join Screamfest Horror Film Festival at the LOOK Dine-In Cinemas Glendale on Wednesday, July 16th, 2025, for a special screening of Sam Raimi’s Darkman (1990).  Dive into

Read More »

2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions

Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions   The Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon is open for submissions! Now in its eleventh year, the 61-day multimedia celebration spotlighting haunted

Read More »

2024 Halloween Shopping

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

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Categories
Music

Living Dead Girl – Rob Zombie

Living Dead Girl – Rob Zombie

Rob Zombie’s Living Dead Girl is a must-have on every hard-core Halloween Soundtrack. It has a pulsing beat, edgy instruments, and clips & references from old horror movies.

The opening line – “Who is this irresistible creature who has an insatiable love for the dead?” –  is from the trailer for Lady Frankenstein (a 1971 Italian horror film) and the opening musical cue is from Wes Craven’s The Last House on the Left. Later in the song, the words “What are you thinking about?/The same thing you are” are clips from Daughters of Darkness (a 1971 Belgian vampire film).

Zombie uses his knowledge and (seemingly) love for vintage horror to frame this rock song  as a perfect tune for horror-lovers. Even the music video for this film references other old films – using a visual style of sepia tones, title cards, and exaggerated expressions  that harkens back to The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and other silent horror classics.

Screamfest Presents “Darkman”

Screamfest presents “Darkman”. Join Screamfest Horror Film Festival at the LOOK Dine-In Cinemas Glendale on Wednesday, July 16th, 2025, for a special screening of Sam Raimi’s Darkman (1990).  Dive into

Read More »

2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions

Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions   The Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon is open for submissions! Now in its eleventh year, the 61-day multimedia celebration spotlighting haunted

Read More »

2024 Halloween Shopping

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »
Categories
Art Entertainment

The Horror Photography of Joshua Hoffine

The Horror Photography of Joshua Hoffine

If you type “horror photography” into your search bar, the first site that appears is for Joshua Hoffine. You might not know him by name, but you have probably seen his work.

Hoffine’s photography mixes the horrific with the fantastic. Each image seems to come directly from our collective nightmares – from the thing under the bed to what lurks just around the corner. His art not only contains macabre antagonists, it also features elaborate sets that blur the line between reality and fantasy. The locations seem almost familiar, but include just touches of something off.

While creating these fascinating shots, Hoffine also includes friends, family, and even his own daughters to bring his vision to life.He constructs the movie-like sets and allows his subjects to act out the scene in front of the camera, causing each photograph to tell an all-to-familiar scary tale.

The images have been a source of nightmares and inspiration to many people in the horror/haunt industry. Visit Hoffine’s official website at: http://www.joshuahoffine.com/#/1 to see his entire collection.

Screamfest Presents “Darkman”

Screamfest presents “Darkman”. Join Screamfest Horror Film Festival at the LOOK Dine-In Cinemas Glendale on Wednesday, July 16th, 2025, for a special screening of Sam Raimi’s Darkman (1990).  Dive into

Read More »

2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions

Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions   The Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon is open for submissions! Now in its eleventh year, the 61-day multimedia celebration spotlighting haunted

Read More »

2024 Halloween Shopping

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »
Categories
Attractions Destinations News Theme Parks

Hatbox Ghost Returns to Disneyland

Hatbox Ghost Returns to Disneyland

In an April 10th, 2015 press release Disney Parks Blog announced that a long-lost member of the 999 happy haunts at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion would be reappearing this spring – the Hatbox Ghost!

The “Hatbox Ghost” was an original member of the Haunted Mansion’s grim grinning ghosts when the attraction opened in 1969. Appearing in the attic scene near the Bride, he was dressed in a cloak and top hat and held a hatbox in his hand. As the Bride’s heart beat, the Hatbox Ghost’s head would disappear from his shoulders and reappear in the hatbox.

The Hatbox Ghost was removed shortly after the mansion’s opening due to issues with the effect. The illusion of his head changing locations relied solely on lighting effects, and because of its proximity to the Doom Buggies, guests could see the two locations of the head even when one was supposed to have disappeared.

Disney Imagineer Yale Gracey Posing with the Hatbox Ghost

With advancements in technology, Disney is now ready to give this ghost a second chance at (after)life in May 2015. There have not yet been pictures released of the new figure or details on whether the effect will be practical or digital in nature.

All fans can do is speculate while we count down the days until the Hatbox Ghost’s reappearance!

Screamfest Presents “Darkman”

Screamfest presents “Darkman”. Join Screamfest Horror Film Festival at the LOOK Dine-In Cinemas Glendale on Wednesday, July 16th, 2025, for a special screening of Sam Raimi’s Darkman (1990).  Dive into

Read More »

2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions

Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions   The Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon is open for submissions! Now in its eleventh year, the 61-day multimedia celebration spotlighting haunted

Read More »

2024 Halloween Shopping

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »
Categories
Games Legends & Lore Other Games

Hyaku Monogatari – One Hundred Candles

Hyaku Monogatari – One Hundred Candles

Hyaku Monogatari – One Hundred Candles (also referred to as “One Hundred Stories” – a literal translation from Japanese), is a traditional Japanese parlor game. Traditionally played on the eve of a full moon in the summer (a time Japanese folklore names as ripe with spirit activity), the game consists of a group of friends telling scary stories, and legend dictates that the evening culminates with the appearance of a spirit.

The exact origins of the game are unknown; records of the game can be found as far back as the 1600s, but the game is believed to be far older than that. Historians believe that the game originated among the samurai class as a test of courage. The book Yurei Attack! The Japanese Ghost Survival Guide by Hiroko Yoda and Mike Alt suggests that based on the name, “Hyaku Monogatari”, the game may have been based on a supposedly true story of an 11th century invasion of Kyoto by supernatural beings, “The Hundred Demons’ Night Parade”.

The tales of the supernatural and folklore that were told during these games became known as “kaidan”

Supplies

The game requires the following elements:

1. 100 candles – they must be slow-burning and able to stay lit for up to eight hours

2. A space with three rooms or two rooms with a long, dark hallway separating them

3. A group of friends with 100 scary stories to tell between them

4. A low table

5. A mirror

6. In the earliest versions of the game all the players must wear blue robes or clothing. In modern times, this requirement has been dropped, though there have been fewer spirit sightings in modern times – best to keep as close to the original as possible!

Playing Hyaku Monogatari :

For the initial set-up, pick one room to make comfy for your guests and another (preferably far away down a dark corridor)to fill with 100 candles. In the candle-filled room, also set up a low table and a mirror. Make sure this room is as dark as possible, so the only light will come from the lit candles. Right as your party begins, light all the candles.

The group arranges themselves in the non-candle-filled room and each participant will take  a turn telling the scariest story they can think of. Stories can be about ghosts, monsters, real-life horrors, etc. Each story should only be about 3-5 minutes in length (as you have 100 to get through in the evening – this game does take about 8 hours of your night).

After each story, the teller must walk alone to the candle room and extinguish one candle flame.  He or she must then kneel by the table and look into the mirror for one minute. This might not seem like a challenge for the first few trips, but as the night wears on, the room becomes darker and the scary stories begin to put one in a fearful state of mind.

After the 100th tale and the final candle is extinguished, the spirits are said to appear in the mirror. Will your group be brave enough to face them? Many groups choose to end their evening at the 99th tale to avoid welcoming the spirits into their homes.

Screamfest Presents “Darkman”

Screamfest presents “Darkman”. Join Screamfest Horror Film Festival at the LOOK Dine-In Cinemas Glendale on Wednesday, July 16th, 2025, for a special screening of Sam Raimi’s Darkman (1990).  Dive into

Read More »

2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions

Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions   The Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon is open for submissions! Now in its eleventh year, the 61-day multimedia celebration spotlighting haunted

Read More »

2024 Halloween Shopping

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »
Categories
Music

Make Out in the Graveyard – Matt Mahaffey

Make Out in the Graveyard – Matt Mahaffey

Make Out in the Graveyard by Matt Mahaffey is the end credit theme song for the underrated Nickelodeon movie, Fun Size. This cute upbeat tune mixes fun Halloween imagery with sexy lyrics about a Halloween tryst appealing to any fanatic of all things spooky.
Although appearing in a Nickelodeon film, this song is certainly appropriate for the adult crowd and a fun hit to spice up your Halloween playlist!

While you are at it, also check out Fun Size – it is actually a pleasant surprise. So why did it tank at the box office? It was probably poor advertising. The film has plot lines for every member of a dysfunctional (but endearing) family – from the young prankster son to the teenage daughter to the widowed mother (who is dating a college kid). Nickelodeon had no idea how to advertise such a broad film, so most of the trailers, commercials, and ads featured the younger family members’ plots – which made the entire movie seem like a childish misadventure film (and a film geared towards children and families as opposed to an older crowd). In actuality, although there are silly moments, the majority of the film has a more adult humor and is geared mostly to the teen/young adult crowd more than younger viewers.

Screamfest Presents “Darkman”

Screamfest presents “Darkman”. Join Screamfest Horror Film Festival at the LOOK Dine-In Cinemas Glendale on Wednesday, July 16th, 2025, for a special screening of Sam Raimi’s Darkman (1990).  Dive into

Read More »

2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions

Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions   The Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon is open for submissions! Now in its eleventh year, the 61-day multimedia celebration spotlighting haunted

Read More »

2024 Halloween Shopping

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

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Categories
Events News

Monsterpalooza 2015

Monsterpalooza 2015

March 27th-29th, Monsterpalooza returns to the Mariott Burbank Hotel and Convention center. Prepare for a weekend of Monsters, Celebrities, and Amazing Art.

Tickets run $30 per day or $70 for a weekend pass and can be purchased at the door on the days of the event.

The show hours are:

Friday: 6:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m.

Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The show will feature a variety of Southern California’s best horror vendors – with artwork, DVDs, posters, props, makeup effects, and more.

Special Guests include George Romero, Linda Blair, and many more. Some special guests only attend one day of the show, so be sure to check the schedule.

This is the perfect way to spend a weekend for any horror lover. I hope to see you there!

Screamfest Presents “Darkman”

Screamfest presents “Darkman”. Join Screamfest Horror Film Festival at the LOOK Dine-In Cinemas Glendale on Wednesday, July 16th, 2025, for a special screening of Sam Raimi’s Darkman (1990).  Dive into

Read More »

2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions

Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon Open for Submissions   The Haunted Attraction Network’s 2025 Hauntathon is open for submissions! Now in its eleventh year, the 61-day multimedia celebration spotlighting haunted

Read More »

2024 Halloween Shopping

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »