Halloween Special: Grim Grinning Ghosts

Halloween is my favourite time of the year. I love everything about it --- the costumes, the candy, the movies, the horror.

 

Ever since I can remember, I've been intrigued by the magic, superstition and trickery associated with this holiday. When I was in 5th grade, I was a member of this top secret club that investigated local paranormal activity. We called ourselves the Super Trixters Club. Awesome, I know. We'd hold séances during lunch and run around with our pretend EMF readers, knocking on our neighbor's doors begging for them to hire us. It was pretty serious stuff. I guess what I mean to say is that I've always had a thing for hauntings and ghosts. Even now, I'm dragging my hubby on ghost tours and visiting every local haunted hot spot that I can find. It's such a thrill and on more than one occasion, I've encountered something unexplainable.

Though I can't say for sure if ghosts are the real deal, I do believe that something exists outside the natural realm of things. Either way, to me it's both creepy and fascinating. It was about this time last year that I took you through a spooky movie round-up (Part 1 & Part 2) so this year, as a tribute to my fellow STC members, I thought I'd divulge some of my favourite on-screen ghosts. From the grim to the grinning and the freakishly frightening, these are some picture perfect poltergeists.

Dr. Malcolm Crowe (The Sixth Sense) - Spoiler Alert: He's dead the whole time. But that doesn't stop him from trying to do his job and help the kid out. His quiet, brooding manner is less than scary and a little sexy.

Adam & Barbara Maitland (Beetlejuice) - The B-Man gets all the attention here but really it's Barbara and Adam navigating their way through life after death that captures my attention. This is yet another case of ghosts who aren't so bad.

Amityville House (Amityville Horror) - Okay, the demonic presence here is not of the friendly sort. This movie and the fact that it's loosely based on a true story totally gives me the creeps. Let me sum up for you: NEVER EVER move into a house where mass murders have taken place. You've been warned. 

Arthur Kriticos (Thir13en Ghosts) - Arthur is a classic case of "The Sacrificial Lamb." Otherwise known as "The Broken Heart" ghost, he's got to die in order to save his family and reverse the curse that presides over the other 12 ghosts.

Stretch, Stinkie & Fatso (Casper) - What can I say? I adore me a plucky comic relief --- or in this case, three of them. Though they may be mischevious, deceitful and full of malcontent, I can see right through their tricky act. These ghouls aren't nearly as cold as they may feel.

 

Poltergeist (Poltergeist) - They're heeeeeeeere. And they're scary as crap. These ghosts are classic in that if they don't frighten you, I worry you may not be one of the living anymore.

 

House on Haunted Hill (House on Haunted Hill) - This is yet another classic where the house takes on a life of its own and scares the life out of everyone living in it. 

 

Cast of Lost (Lost) - Spoiler Alert: They're all dead... or something. I'm still a little bitter about this ending but not because it was bad, rather because Lindelof insisted throughout the duration of the show that they weren't dead. Dammit.

 

Slimer (Ghostbusters) - Slimer was the lovable little ghost pet I never had. Albeit he may have been a not-so-lean, green, stinking, eating machine, but he's still loveable nonetheless. You know you've made it when you have the greatest Hi-C drink EVER named after you, ahem, Ecto Cooler, ahem.

 

Nearly Headless Nick & Moaning Myrtle (Harry Potter) - Nick and Myrtle are like the odd couple of the ghost world in Harry Potter. He's cheeky and she's, well, slightly annoying. Either way they both have an insurmountable amount of personality for being dead and I do kind of wish I had those kinds of phantasmic friends in school.

 

 

 

So there you have it my Earthly friends. Now let me ask you --- do you believe in ghosts? Have you ever experienced something otherworldly? And who are your favourite friendly and not-so-friendly ghosts? Let's chat about our favourite haunted places!

Movie Round-Up: Halloween Edition (Part 2)

Halloween is tomorrow so there's no time more appropriate to list out my favourite scary flicks. You can find the first part of this list, here. So, how will I be spending my Halloween this year? By seeing Tim Burton's, Frankenweenie, in theaters of course!

Note: Now I know not all of you are into the whole horror thing so I've listed a few flicks that aren't so scary and also ones that are appropriate for trick or treaters of all ages.

Alien (1979) - An SOS call from a commercial space ship leads the answering crew to a nearby planet to investigate. What they find isn't an SOS at all--it's a warning. This is, by far, one of the scariest movies I've seen. Even the video game freaked me out! Ridley Scott really knows how to draw out the suspense.

Freddy vs Jason (2003) - What do you get when you combine two of the most vicious murderers around? A lot of dead teens. This epic film pits the town of Elm Street against Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees as well as the two teenage nightmares against eachother. I saw this movie my Freshman year of college and loved the ass-kicking and cheesiness combined. 

The Relic (2007) - A Chicago Museum is facing some bad luck during the opening of a big exhibition when a mythical creature terrorizes the patrons and staff. A superstitious homicide detective and anthropologist set out to defeat the beast before anyone else gets hurt. Based loosely off the book, this creature feature is full of thrills, chills, suspense and mystery.

Young Frankenstein (1974) - Who hasn't seen this classic Mel Brooks parody? It's a staple in my home, that's for sure. Hell bent on not repeating his grandfather's mistakes, Dr. Frank-en-SHTEEN sets to clear the family's good name. Full of laugh-out-loud moments and slapstick humour, it's a great lighthearted film for any time of year.

Scream (1996) - What's your favourite scary movie? My favourite ghost-faced killer rampages through the town of Woodsboro offing a group of teenagers. This slasher came out right when I was in the 7th grade and it scared the pants off me. I loved how the "rules" to surviving a horror film definitely applied and it left you guessing who was the murderer through to the end.

The Corpse Bride (2005) - Victor goes into the woods to practice his vows for his upcoming wedding to Victoria and unknowingly marries Emily (the corpse bride) instead. With two brides and only one groom, who will Victor pick? Tim Burton always knows how to weave magic and darkness in an enchanting way.

The Thing (1982) - You can't have a Halloween moviefest without watching this one! A group of scientists in the Antarctic battle against an alien that can take the shape of anyone in their group. This is the ultimate who's who test that will leave you guessing.


How do you plan on spending your Halloween? And which movies scare you the most?

Movie Round-Up: Halloween Edition (Part 1)

It's absurd just how much joy I get from making lists. Seriously, it's an obsession and an art. But my love for Halloween tops even my love for listography. It's my favourite holiday in the bunch (and not just because of the candy!). I love the spirited mood, costumes and most of all... the movies. Since Halloween is a mere 2 days away I thought it would be fun to give you my top Halloween movie recommendations to get you in the spooky spirit. This is the first in a two-part list.

Note: Now I know not all of you are into the whole horror thing so I've listed a few flicks that aren't so scary and also ones that are appropriate for trick or treaters of all ages.

Fright Night  (2011) - A remake of the 1985 classic, this tale tells the story of a boy who suspects his neighbor his a vampire. While the original was scary, this one borders on the verge of comedy--featuring the talents of Mc'Lovin, Colin Farrell and David Tennant. Also, look for a surprise cameo from a particular warthog-faced buffoon (he was in the original).

Trick r' Treat (2007) - The ideal Halloween flick that follows four different intersecting stories-- a college virgin has met the "perfect" guy; a high school principal is secretly a serial killer; a wife learns to get into the holiday spirit from her obsessed husband; a group of teens pulls a terrible prank. Not the most deep story but still fun to watch, nonetheless!

The Mist (2007) - A group of people from a small town are trapped in a grocery store as a fog filled with bloodthirsty monsters surrounds them. Definitely one of the more frightening additions to my list, the ending is not for the faint of heart. I don't think I've ever been so shocked in my life. For reals.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) - Yes, it's a musical but it's wacky, zany, weird, creepy and a total cult classic! I don't know anyone who doesn't enjoy the antics of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. It's an all star cast featuring Tim Curry (in drag!), Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and Meat Loaf. Yes, the Meat Loaf! It's even more fun if you can catch it in a local theatre--makes for great people-watching!

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) - I grew up with this British import and have fallen for the loveable duo. Cute, funny and not too scary, this installment sends our heroes Wallace and his faithful dog, Gromit, on a wild rabbit chase. They seek to find the monster plaguing their town which threatens their annual vegetable growing contest.

Dawn of the Dead (1978) - The undead have risen and amidst the plague, a group of survivors seeks refuge in a shopping mall. This is, perhaps, the most classic of zombie films. It doesn't get any better than George A. Romero, who practically invented and perfected zombie genre. Bonus Tidbit: the film is actually a social commentary on consumerism. Pretty cool! 


What do you think of my picks so far? Anything strike your fancy? Tune in tomorrow for Part 2 of my top Halloween flicks!