Monday, October 23, 2017

Unique Horror Films, Unique Halloween Decorations, Toi Thomas’ Birthday Bash, Scary Good Reads, and Ninja News

Recommended Unique Horror Films

To get you into the Halloween mood, here are some horror films I recommend. Rather than go with mainstream ones you’ve probably already seen, I decided to pick some smaller, less known films.

Near Dark 1987
Starring Bill Paxton, Lance Henriksen, Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, and Jenette Goldstein. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, this film is a unique addition to the vampire legend, and even more so that they never say the word vampire. Pasdar is bitten by Wright and then abducted by the rest of the vampire gang. Paxton really goes all out as a bad-ass vampire and it’s a great balance of action and quiet moments.

Ginger Snaps 2000
Directed by John Fawcett and staring Katharine Isabelle and Emily Perkins. This one tackles the werewolf lore and again, in a unique manner. Isabelle and Perkins are sisters with a goth streak who dabble in fake gory photos. Things go awry when Isabelle is bitten by a wolf. A mixture of horror and coming of age with some decent effects. The sequels were all sub-par though.

Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn 1987
Starring Bruce Campbell and directed by Sam Raimi, this is one of those rare sequels that outshines the original. Now a cult classic, this film showcases Raimi’s unique filming style and is still his best film. Campbell and his girlfriend happen upon a cabin where the Book of the Dead’s contents has been unleashed. Over the top and gory, this film is funnier than it is scary and filled with one-line zingers you won’t soon forget.

The Devil’s Backbone 2001
Directed by Guillermo Del Toro with English subtitles, this is one of the director’s early masterpieces. Set at an orphanage/school during the Spanish Civil War, this film is as much a drama as a horror film. There is a ghost haunting the place, but it’s the horrors of the live people that are much more frightening. Filled with symbolism and poignancy, this stylish film is filled with atmosphere.

Let the Right One In 2008
Directed by Tomas Alfredson, this Swedish film is both powerful and creepy on so many levels. Many have seen Let Me In, the American version, but this film still shines with its unnerving atmosphere and undertones. A young boy befriends a neighbor girl who is a vampire and the movie follows their growing friendship even as the violent deaths escalate. While it doesn’t push all the limits found in the book, this quiet film carries a heavy impact.

Unique Halloween Decorations

Looking for just the right decoration to scare all of your neighbors? Here are some fun ideas.

If you are on a budget, this almost foot tall moveable skeleton rat is only ten bucks.

After the recent release of It, the six foot tall hanging clown with red flashing eyes is perfect.

You could also go with the six foot tall hanging animated phantom.

The barking skeleton dog with glowing eyes would be fun.

So would the four feet wide inflatable spider with kaleidoscope light.

And if you have the cash and want to go big, how about a six foot tall skeleton T-Rex with glowing eyes?

Welcome to Jurassic Park…






It’s Toi Thomas’ Birthday!

Hi there, Toi here. October 21st is my birthday so, all my ebooks are on sale $0 - $1.99 from October 20th – October 24th + I’m offering my Top 5 Angel Books as a giveaway on Amazon.

Legend of the Boy, In the Window, and Other short stories - Collection of multi-genre stories. The first title story is that of a boy who must destroy the world so he can save humanity.

It’s Like the Full Moon - A romantic comedy; the first in a series. The mild-mannered Rebecca gets caught up in a most unlikely love-triangle and her BFF Lisa isn’t much help.

Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel – He’s a creature out of time. Mira’s a doctor trying to classify him. Beauty and the Beast meet Jekyll and Hyde in this paranormal romance with biblical influences. *40 Days and Nights of Eternal Curse- a nonfiction companion guide to the novel.

Eternal Curse: Battleground - A family saga that touches the past and future. Giovanni’s story brings you to tears as loss and duty blur the lines of hope for what is to come. *Battleground Survival 101- a nonfiction companion guide to the novel.

Chip and Skip Need Each Other & What Does Joe Need - Two simple, yet vibrant, stories teach young children, and those with special needs, the difference and importance of needs and wants, at home, school, and overall. Sold separately.

Plants and Animals Change Over Time & Land Changes Over Time - Two simple, yet vibrant, stories teach young children, and those with special needs, the importance and inevitability of change in living things and the world. Sold separately.

If you aren’t familiar with me yet, don’t worry; this is your chance to learn that I love Batman, Betty Boop, Star Wars, and Angels. I like all kinds of angels. Good ones, bad ones, and even creatures with wings that look like angels. I don’t think it’s just a matter of wings. There are some winged creatures I don’t like such as flying monkeys or seagulls. LOL! But seriously, I’ve grown fond of angel lore and stories about and or containing angel-like creatures. Heck, I even write about them in my Eternal Curse Series. While my books are influenced by Bible tales, a many angel stories are not. Either way, if it’s about angels, I’m probably going to like it. Here’s a list and giveaway of the Top 5 angel books I’ve read in at least the last ten years; in no particular order.

Ninja News

Just a week to go to send in your submission for the IWSG Anthology Contest!
You have until November 1…

For those who like audio books or would like to see if you’d like it, you can listen to a sample of Dragon of the Stars on SoundCloud.


New release!
Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library
Book 2: Fairday Morrow Series
By Jessica Haight & Stephanie Robinson
Middle grade mystery from Willow Press

Fairday Morrow had no clue that moving from Manhattan to the small town of Ashpot, Connecticut, would lead to an unsolved mystery. Her parents’ dream of renovating a crumbling Victorian, called the Begonia House, into a bed and breakfast had seemed like treachery at the time. But Fairday found out that her new house kept secrets, and once inside its twisted front gates, anything was possible. When mysterious notes start showing up warning that a librarian is in trouble and a bookworm is eating words, Fairday thinks the Begonia House has more skeletons in its closets. What happens to stories when their words get eaten?

Recommended Halloween Reads:

Since I won’t post again until November 1, I’m sharing some good Halloween reads from my publisher.
Some are spooky, some are creepy, and some just full of tension:

Bloodwalker by L.X. Cain
Matowak: Woman Who Cries – Joylene Nowell Butler
Maski: Broken but not Dead– Joylene Nowell Butler
Parallels: Felix Was Here – IWSG Anthology
Hero Lost: Mysteries of Death and Life – IWSG Anthology

What would you recommend?


Have you seen any of those horror films? What decoration do you want in your front yard – and why? Ready to try some new books from Toi? Entered the IWSG Anthology Contest? And who is up for a scary good read?

See you November 1 for the IWSG monthly posting!

116 comments:

Sarah Foster said...

First? This is why I'm always tired, because I get up so early!
I've seen all the Evil Dead movies (hubby made me). Definitely funny and different but the gore was a little over the top for me at times.
Hmm, which one of those books would I recommend? Gonna have to think about that one. ;)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex - I'm avoiding all horror movies! Those toys look amazing - fun too. The Fairday Morrow books certainly seem to be for the bookworm in all of us ... while Toi - happy birthday ... and thanks for the offer of your books ... good luck to all who enter the IWSG contest ... cheers Hilary

Pat Hatt said...

I've seen 3 out of the 5 movies at least. There sure are plenty of fun halloween decorations these days. The cats would be rather perturbed by a few of those I bet. Hope Toi has a happy birthday at her bay.

Mason Canyon said...

I have to say out of the horror movies, I have seen Evil Dead II. It's a whole different light to see Bruce Campbell in these films from his days as Brisco County Jr. Happy Birthday to Toi and congrats to Jessica and Stephanie on their release. Hard to believe Halloween will be here next week.

nashvillecats2 said...

Hi Alex thanks for interesting post. Not into Horror Movies, just adored the Halloween decorations......except for the spider.
Have a fun week.

Yvonne.

The Cynical Sailor said...

So many creepy Halloween decorating ideas. I think I'd have to go with the inflatable spider. It seems slightly less creepy than the others :-)

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Aside from Evil Dead II, I haven't heard of any of those films. When I feel brave (in the broad daylight), I'll give some of your recs a go!

Toi Thomas said...

Evil Dead II is funny and (the original) Let the Right One In is awesome.
Thank you so much for sharing my birthday giveaway!
Thanks for the Dragon of Stars sample.
Matowak is a good story, lots of tension.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sarah, you are first!

Pat, you don't think they would like the dog?

Mason, Campbell was great as Brisco County Jr.

Elizabeth, give one a try.

Toi, you're welcome!

mshatch said...

Huh, a Bill Paxton movie I haven't seen! I'll have to check that out along with The Devil's Backbone. I loved Evil Dead (Bruce Campbell is awesome) and Let the Right One In was also really good, better than its American counterpart imo.

As for Halloween Decorations, I tend to go simple with a few hand carved Jack o lanterns.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I've had Near Dark on my list to watch for ages now and still haven't done it. I'm hoping to re-watch Annabelle then watch Annabelle: Creation - kind of a mini-marathon - this week or for Halloween. Oh, and Stranger Things! Yeh!

Natalie Aguirre said...

What fun and different Halloween decorations. Not that I put any up. And congrats to Jess on her new book! It sounds so intriguing from the title.

Have a good week off, Alex.

Shady Del Knight said...

Hi, Alex!

I remember watching Ginger Snaps in the early 2000s. Those innovative Halloween decorations remind us that we've come a long way since the days of two dimensional cardboard witches and ghosts hung on the wall. My brother-in-law goes all out for H-ween and will probably add one or more of these creatures to his display.

Thanks, Alex, and have a great week!

Erika Beebe said...

I love the spider. Thank you for featuring all those movies. I had not heard of most of them. Happy Birthday to Toi!

Jay Noel said...

Wow. I have not seen any of those horror movies. Thanks for the recommendations.

A neighbor of mine got the rat skeleton. It's not scary, but just freaky looking. Someone nearby built a hydraulic giant spider. This thing is huge, and when it moves, the kids jump!

L.G. Keltner said...

I've seen all those horror movies, and they're all worth a watch. Near Dark was one of my mom's favorite movies, so I saw that one a lot as a kid.

I want that t-rex skeleton, but we had to spend most of our Halloween budget on costumes for the kids. Maybe next year . . .

Christine Rains said...

I've seen all of those films, and I definitely recommend seeing the foreign version of Let the Right One In as it is creepier. Awesome decorations! Happy birthday to Toi! :) Have a great Halloween, Alex.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Marcy, you will really dig both movies.

Madeline, yes! Stranger Things is coming...

Natalie, I don't put any up either.

Shady, if he gets the T-Rex, I want to see the pictures.

Jay, bet that's fun to watch.

LG, if you get it, maybe the kids will be inspired to go as dinosaurs.

Karen Lange said...

Congrats to Jessica and Stephanie! The new book looks like a winner. Thanks for sharing all the news, Alex. Have a great week!

The Happy Whisk said...

You did a Halloween post? 🎃🎃🎃🎃
Happy Monday and boogie boogie!

Mina Burrows said...

Love those decorations. I need to check out those horror movies. Thanks!
Happy Bday Toi!

Andrew Leon said...

I don't think i agree that Evil Dead 2 is Raimi's best movie.

TL said...

I am a gigantic wuss when it comes to scary movies/TV/books. My husband and son love to stay up on weekends watching them.

kaykuala said...

It's good to be recommended the lesser known ones for those who go for it. Hank will opt not to be seeing them though.(unless there are lots of laughs) The decorations are in keeping with Halloween so should be ok.

Hank

Joanne said...

Happy Halloween. Those are spook-tacular decorations. I like the clown - very IT appropriate. Not up for those scary movies. The original The Omen still had me freaked out. Have a good week

Fundy Blue said...

Happy Birthday, Toi! I'd take that T-rex as a decoration! I think I would like "The Devil's Backbone." Have a good one, Alex!

Patricia Stoltey said...

I can read scary books, but have a lot of trouble watching scary movies. I still think the scariest movie I ever saw was Deliverance. I get cold chills today if I here that banjo music.

H. R. Sinclair said...

Dead by Dawn was awesome! And i totally agree with Let the Right One In. It was haunting. I like the barking dog skeleton. :)

Murees Dupè said...

Hey Alex. I haven't seen any of those movies yet. Happy Birthday to Toi.

Juneta key said...

Love Halloween Lore and Mythology but not into horror films. Thrillers/Mysteries yes or the Paranormal that is not horror, lol. I like visiting graveyards but don't find them scary either, go figure.

Nick Wilford said...

I haven't seen any of those films so thanks for the tips. I do appreciate horror with a good dose of humour to balance it out. Happy Birthday Toi!

Mary Aalgaard said...

I have a spider/scarecrow theme going on in my front porch! I just received the Hero Lost anthology from Amazon. Looking forward to reading it! Getting geared up to write a story for the next anthology.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Glad it made you happy, Ivy!

Joanne, that was a freaky movie.

Fundy, it's a thinking movie.

Patricia, all guys do...

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I watched a horror the other night. It wasn't awesome, but it was good. It wasn't a blood and gore film. The suspense was plot driven and not contrived with special effects or creepy music. It also had a spiritual angle that I always find both intriguing and scary as hell. I mean, if you know there are angels, you know there are demons too. Always a good way to frighten me!!

Sherry Ellis said...

I'm sure my neighbors would love to see a giant T-Rex skeleton with glowing red eyes in my front yard!

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

That spider is 4 feet wide? The thought alone scares me. Creepy!
Have a great week, Alex.

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

This looks like a busy week. I won't put up any decorations for Halloween. No one would see them in the country, except the coyotes, deer and other wild creatures.
Happy birthday to Toi. A great giveaway.
Jessica's and Stephanie's book is awesome. L. X. Cain's Bloodwalker is spooky, a perfect read for Halloween. The other mentioned books I haven't read.
Have a great week.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Elizabeth, very true!

Sherry, I bet they would!

Beverly, we don't bother with decorations either.

Cherie Reich said...

I really think I need that T-Rex skeleton.

Elephant's Child said...

Happy birthday Toi - and how generous to be giving gifts rather than receiving them.
Horror movies are not for me - love some of the decorations though.

Rhonda Albom said...

This list is exactly what we have been looking for. Well, when I say we, I mean my teen. She has been looking for some old horror movies to watch, and since I still get nightmares from them, even as an adult, I could offer no help.

JeriWB said...

I have a friend who shows horror movies in his home theatre the entire month of October. He's a true film aficionado.

J E Oneil said...

I've heard those are good. Except for Let the Right One In, which I saw myself and did not enjoy. I don't know, I guess it just didn't strike a cord with me.

I love those decorations. I want the T-Rex!!!

Sandra Cox said...

Those are some great Halloween decos. Especially that T Rex.

SpacerGuy said...

Halloween is near again, wowsers wasn't that fast. Originally Evil Dead was a horrid shocker, although today with HD its different somehow but even still cracks me up laughing.







DMS said...

Thanks for sharing about Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library! :)

What unique holiday decorations. I don't recall seeing anything quite like them before.

Have a wonderful rest of October!
~Jess

Ann Bennett said...

I'm not too fond of Halloween; but the big spider looks cute.

DMS said...

Thank you for spotlighting Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library today! We appreciate your help spreading the news about the book release. Love the Halloween decorations! :) ~ Jess & Stephanie

Truedessa said...

Good Evening Alex,

I don't watch scary movies as my imagination can get carried away at times and I have enough paranormal activity in my life.

I've seen a few of those big phantoms around here. They are a bit creepy..YIKES..

Have a wonderful week!

Sandra Ulbrich Almazan said...

Congrats to those with new releases!

I wouldn't mind getting one of those skeletons. The T-Rex would be great!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Cherie, I think you do as well!

Rhonda, happy to help!

Jeri, he's a fan!

Spacer Guy, the difference between the first and the second one is massive.

Jess, you're welcome!

Sandra, Alex would love it.

Jemi Fraser said...

I can't read horror novels or watch horror movies!!! I read too many Stephen King novels in high school and I don't need those nightmares back again!! :)

Love the Halloween decorations tho - those I can handle!

Liz A. said...

I don't do scary. Not movies. Not decor. I like cute, though. I'm all for cute Halloween.

stephen Hayes said...

I'm not much into horror films and haven't seen any on your list. I did like them when I was younger.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I haven't seen any of those films though I've heard of Let the Right One In. I don't put Halloween decorations out. Everything blows away here, but some of those look really cool.

Jo said...

Happy Birthday to Toi.

I will NOT be watching or reading any of that horror stuff. I frightened myself silly with such stories when I was a young woman and used to read a very good writer of vampire and zombie books - Dennis Wheatley. I gave up reading such stories when I started having nightmares about them.

I'm pretty late again Alex, sorry about that. Or won't you "fall" for that apology?

XmasDolly said...

Thanks for stopping by my friend. I truly appreciate it. I like Halloween with the kids coming over and stuff, but I'm not into the scary movie of today. They're really way out there!!! I'm more the Hocus Pocus kinda girl. I know big old scarety cat!!! Sorry!

Nilanjana Bose said...

I am keeping my eyes firmly shut at all the horror films, thank you. The decorations look fun, all except the spider that is. That gives me the heebie jeebies, not going anywhere near it. And I'd thoroughly recommend Felix was here, it's a thumping good read.

Have a great Halloween!

Birgit said...

Congrats to Toi and Happy belated birthday! I actually saw Near Dark way back when and remember being scaredout of my wits. I would take the creepy phantom...pretty cool looking. Happy Halloween!

Cathrina Constantine said...

I haven't seen any of those Halloween movies. In fact, I've only heard of one. Strange. I'm one of those people who cover their eyes and watch gory horror through her fingers. I decorate for all the holidays, but I don't get into the creepy stuff, mostly pumpkins and sweet ghostly creatures.

Alex, Have a Happy Halloween!

Tonja Drecker said...

I'm going to be looking into some of those movies- sound interesting and I've never heard of them before. That t-rex skeleton is great! The kids would never let me take it down again, though.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I wonder if my cats would attack the skeleton rat?

Charles Gramlich said...

the first three films you mention are all faves of mine,

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Liz, the spider is almost cute.

Jo - funny!

Nila, it is!

Tonja, you could always redecorate and put a Santa hat on him.

Sandra Cox said...

Happy Birthday, Toi. Great sale going.

Have a pleasant, productive day, Alex.

H.R. Bennett said...

What a fantastic list. Personally, I think Ginger Snaps is so wonderfully underrated. The other two are meh, but the first one is cult-horror gold.

Shannon Lawrence said...

Great horror picks! I'm especially fond of Ginger Snaps. Werewolf as coming of age story is perfect. Talk about change! I've got a few of the skeletons, though not the dinosaurs. I do have a dragon. ;) Also, Happy Birthday, Toi!

Chrys Fey said...

I love Halloween decorations. My nephews would get a kick out of that skeleton dog.

LynNerdKelley said...

Those are fun and spooky Halloween decorations. I'm too chicken to watch horror movies. Happy Birthday to Toi. Congrats to you Alex on your Dragon of the Stars audiobook! Good luck to everyone entering the IWSG Anthology contest. Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library sounds like a fun read! Take care, Alex!

Lynda Dietz said...

I haven't seen any of the films you mentioned, but I'm getting my taste for scary movies back, as my sons make it a point to watch them together on a regular basis. In fact, they make a game out of trying to find the *worst* ones, and they narrate.

Magic Love Crow said...

I can't believe I haven't seen any of those horror films!! I hate clowns! No clown decorations! LOL! Happy Birthday Toi!! Congrats Jessica and Stephanie!!! Take care Alex!

Helena said...

I've only heard of a couple of those movies and I haven't seen any of them. What I've always loved are ghost stories, so maybe around Halloween I'll pull out my favorite "real life" tales and indulge.

Which reminds me: when I was a kid the movie that always scared the #(*! out of me was the original "The Haunting". No ghost is ever seen in it, but oh, the way those ghosts made their presence known!

dolorah said...

I'd recommend reading Stephen King's IT. Scariest shhhhht ever. Can't believe I've never seen Near Dark; if I have I need to see it again. The star line-up practically sells the movie. And anything Del Toro is worth an indulgence.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Shannon, a dragon is cool.

Lynda, they are budding RiffTrax writers!

Helena, the original is much better than the recent remake.

Jennifer Lane said...

Happy birthday, Toi! I haven't heard of ANY of those movies. The skeleton rat is delightfully creepy.

Loni Townsend said...

Admittedly, I'm not one for horror films, so I probably won't watch any of those. :) But I'll probably check out those recommended Halloween reads.

Sandra Cox said...

Wishing much success to Jess and Stephanie on the release of another Fairday adventure.

debi o'neille said...

I can only do horror movies on nights I don't want to waste sleeping anyway, and then I need all the lights on. :-)

Melissa said...

Oh my gosh, that spider! I don't know whether to scream or laugh!

Have a creepy-good Halloween. :)

kimlajevardi.com said...

I don't decorate for Halloween now that my son has grown up. But I were to get a new yard decoration, it would be the skeletal rat or dog.

G. B. Miller said...

I actually saw the American version of "Let The Right One In". It was the best of the remakes out there (don't watch the version with English dubbed in, it's horrible). Also saw the original, and for good measure, also read the book that the movie is based on. You absolutely have to read the book in order to fully appreciate the story as the movie (like all movies based on novels) had to clip a few things, which in turn made some of the movie plot chunky.

Also, he did write an ending for "Let The Right One In", which he put into a so-so collection of horror stories that came out in either 2015 or 2016.

I Are Writer!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Melissa, I'd say laugh.

GB, I'll have to look for that short story.

Anonymous said...

You had me at Evil Dead II, which to me is really the first one because the first one really didn't count. Bruce Campbell is the best in that movie. I have so many favorite scenes: the hand, the laughing room, the ballerina. and on and on.

Have a beachy week!
Elsie

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Bruce Campbell makes any movie better, right? :-) NEAR DARK is a favorite, too. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, the Swedish version, is much better than the Americanized version. Thanks for visiting my blog. Work makes it so difficult lately to get out and visit my friends these days. Happy Halloweening!

UplayOnline said...

Gonna have to think about that one. ;)


เกย์

Donna K. Weaver said...

Some of the people in my office are freaked by clowns, so that one would be heart attack fodder here.

Anonymous said...

I think the hanging phantom is my favourite. The rat skeleton looks too realistic. :-) I like the sound of 'Chip and Skip' and also 'It's Like the Full Moon', though I'll pass on the Halloween reads ;-)

M Pax said...

Halloween is the best holiday.

Sandra Cox said...

Ooh, I love the sample of Dragon!

Rachna Chhabria said...

Hi Alex, thank you for the horror movie recommendations. And I liked the unique halloween decorations you have posted :)
Happy Halloween!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Elsie, the first one was like a trial run. It was also a straight horror film. The humor in the second one made all the difference.

Donna, you should get it then!

Sandra, thanks!

Tyrean Martinson said...

I have seen parts of Walking Dead II - on tv way back, so I know I didn't see all of it. I live down a long driveway with old trees leaning over the sides so there is no need for spooky decorations at our house - it scares all trick-or-treaters away already.
I didn't write a story for the contest this year, partly because mystery would be a tough challenge for me, and partly because ... I made it in last year and I'm still pretty happy about it. I hope a new host of storytellers and writers arise for this year's anthology!
Happy Birthday, Toi!

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

One of my favorite horror films is a 1982 flick called "Cat People," but that's partly because I LOVE the soundtrack. Lots of low slow bass-y sounds and some songs sung by David Bowie... what's not to love?

For the first time, I sent a submission in to the IWSG contest. No matter what, it was FUN to write, so thanks for the impetus.

No Halloween decorations for us anymore. I used to go all out, but the decor was always more on the side of whimsy than it was scary.

Anonymous said...

I love Halloween, but I can't do scary movies. Not even the cheesy ones that are more stupid funny than anything.

Sandra Cox said...

Enjoy Netflix:)

Truedessa said...

Hi Alex,

I just listened to the sample of Dragon of the Stars. I totally enjoyed it! Thanks for posting.

Tamara Narayan said...

My kids and I like to critique skeleton decorations offered in stores because so many of them make no sense. Spiders, for example, do not have skeletons. Dogs and cats do have skeletons, but their ears are not solid bone. And so on...

Never saw a T-rex skeleton. That's cool!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Tyrean, mystery would be a challenge for me as well.

Susan, glad you did!

Truedessa, thanks!

Tamara, good point about the ears.

John Wiswell said...

Great taste in Horror films! Devil's Backbone, Let the Right One In, and Ginger Snaps are all excellent pieces of work.

Barbara said...

I can honestly say I've not seen any of those movies - probably because I've always got my nose stuck in a book. Love the Halloween decorations especially the rat! Hope your weekend is going well.

Botanist said...

The skeleton decorations look fun. Trouble is, I couldn't take the T-Rex skeleton seriously since Night at the Museum :)

Carrie-Anne said...

I think that kaleidoscope spider is on a neighbor's roof! There's a house at the end of the cul-de-sac that would win the gold medal for Halloween decorating. Their yard, on both sides, is full of huge inflatables, zombies, lights, inflatable pumpkins, carriages, skeletons, spiders, a smoke machine, sound effects, spider webs, you name it. I've taken photos, and a short video of a moving zombie holding a doll upside-down.

Al Penwasser said...

A rat skeleton?
Off to the store...

Raquel Byrnes said...

We are gearing up for a Halloween movie binge so this is awesome. :)

Mason T. Matchak said...

I haven't seen many horror movies, but some of those do sound interesting. Scary/creepy stuff tends to be something I like to read about but not actually read or watch the works themselves. I don't know why.

Unknown said...

Love that clown--would totally freak my kids out.

Arlee Bird said...

Belated happy birthday to Toi.

We used to sell a lot of spooky decorations at the company where I used to work. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if some of the examples you showed came from that company or one of the vendors we distributed.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Misha Gerrick said...

I'm not much of a horror fan, although some of those look good. :-)

A Beer for the Shower said...

I'm late to the Halloween party, but I love those movies. Evil Dead especially. I haven't seen Near Dark, though, so I might have to sneak that in before tomorrow.

My go to cheap decoration? I found a ten foot tall inflatable dragon for only $10 at Big Lots. He guards my balcony. I might leave him up year round. He's effective.

Lidy said...

The only reason why I know for sure that I've watched Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn 1987 is because of the ending where Ash is transported through a portal to another time. Heard they've rebooted the movies into a TV series but haven't watched it yet.

Lidy said...

The only reason why I know I've watched Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn 1987 is because of the ending where Ash is transported to another time. Don't remember anything that happened before then.
I've also heard that they made a reboot/TV series about Ash Williams but haven't watched it yet.

Heather R. Holden said...

Really need to see Near Dark, Ginger Snaps, and Let the Right One In someday. Have seem them praised a lot over the years, but despite being a huge horror fan, still haven't had a chance to check 'em out for myself...

J.H. Moncrieff said...

You suggested some great movies. Thanks for recommending a Canadian one (Gingersnaps) and the original Swedish Let the Right One In.

I know the writer of Near Dark, and he's an amazing guy. He also wrote The Hitcher, one of the all-time creepiest horror movies.

Happy Halloween, Alex!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Ian, good point.

Carrie-Anne, have you posted those images anywhere?

Bryan, you should leave him up all the time!

Lidy, I haven't watched them either.

JH that's cool!

Shadow said...

Hallow's nit has passed, the veil thickening with the rising dawn and the passage of time. Don't mind if I'll check out some of these movies, hubby loves them so. Happy day to you, Alex

Leslie S. Rose said...

It's scary how close I came to buying the t-rex skeleton. I must have walked by that thing ten times. Soooooo tempting.