‟I will just not tolerate any John Carpenter slander!”

“Nope” director Jordan Peele thought it might be taking things a little too far when a fan proposed he could be the best horror director of all time.

“I know this is a hot take but at what point do we declare Jordan Peele the best horror director of all time?” wrote comic book creator Adam Ellis Wednesday morning on Twitter. “Can you think of another horror director that had 3 great films, let alone 3 in a row? I can’t.”

“Sir, please put the phone down I beg you,” Peele tweeted in response. “Sorry. I love your enthusiasm but I will just not tolerate any John Carpenter slander!”

Gotta love a director like Jordan Peele.  A talented, brilliant, and (so-far) successful horror director, but still holds reverence to pioneers like John Carpenter.  

Click below for the NOPE trailer

Original Article

“Wake up, Mr. Jones”

You have to stay behind

You have to put on the mask

You have to protect us

I really love the costume for Mr Jones.  The outfit seems quite unassuming but the image of his coat and mask have always stuck with me.

Click here to watch Mr. Jones on YouTube (free w/ ads)

Endless Drinking Skeleton

Super cool fountain prop! It's the same kind of whimsical pirate-y stuff one might see in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride (a childhood favorite).

Click below for the tutorial and to see it in action!

100 Days Until Halloween

Been looking back on what little footage I took of last year's haunt.  Most of it was lost on the corrupted card, and what was left wasn't great.  Though I eventually scrapped the idea of doing a video, I thought I'd share the small clip below.  Watching it back is getting me pumped to decorate again this year.

Speaking of which, I met with the neighbor whose house I'll be decorating.  While our meeting was brief, he seems to be a cool guy; basically told me to go wild in his yard.  

His yard, by the way, is perfect.  It's set farther back from the road, is darker, and has several trees throughout. The driveway/sidewalk to the front door will make a wonderful walk-up for the haunt.  I'm very enthusiastic about this year.

Nightwalk Photos

Now Watching: The Witching Season

A great horror short anthology series on Amazon Prime. Currently watching it while working on this year's display. 

Click below for the trailer

Also make sure to check out Witching Season Films on Instagram

Halloween 2022 Update: Yard Acquired

Last year some friends of mine were kind enough to allow me to decorate their yard. Since that option was off the table this year, I was forced to look for a different foster yard. 

Fortunately, after speaking with several folks in my neighborhood, I've got a promising yard lined up for this year's display. I'll be meeting with my neighbor in a few days to discuss my plans for his yard. 

I just hope he's accepting of my "artistic vision" as it were.

Anyway, let's wrap up this sleep-deprivation-and-alcohol-induced post with an impromptu photo I took of my back porch, which is currently choked with branches and twigs.  Featuring a jack o'lantern ornament by Primitive Pig Folk Art.

 

Listening to: rises the moon

Days seem sometimes as if they'll never end

Sun digs its heels to taunt you

But after sunlit days, one thing stays the same

Rises the moon

Click Below...

Now Watching: Pumpkinrot Halloween 2015

Blaircrows

Simple but effective prop from The Haunting Grounds

Photo and tutorial available on their website.

Now Watching: The Black Cauldron

It's been years since I've seen this film.  Produced by Disney in 1985, this movie was widely criticized for being less than kid-friendly. Now a cult-classic, this dark 1980's dungeon-fantasy has been remastered and is available for streaming on Disney+.  

The classical animation is reminiscent of the 1978 Lord of the Rings cartoon, and it looks awesome... even better than I remember.  Elmer Bernstein's soundtrack is wicked.  And Sir John Hurt delivers a chilling performance as the Horned King.  Definitely check it out if you get the chance!

Click below to watch the original 35mm theatrical trailer:

Skiáchtro

Photo by Nikos Karagiorgis

Feeling stressed and overwhelmed?

Well here's some midnight advice for you:

Image by @jana_sojka

Grim Thimble

Truly incredible and whimsical paper mache props by Eric (@grimthimble_halloween)

Aftermath

Photo by Erik A (@erik.j.a)

Photosynthesis

Re-edited daytime shot of a corpsecrow from last year.

Happy Independence Day

 Down with the British!

Photo by @lostintheabyss13

Listening to: Fear

Halloween ambient track by Ken Elkinson. This track is a longtime favorite of mine.  I think this would make a great haunt soundtrack; it evokes an ethereal sense of paranoia.

Definitely recommend listening to the entire album, which is available on YouTube: Ambient Holidays, Vol. 3 (Halloween Ambient)

More Mini Scarecrows

 By Willow Cove

Photos from Instagram: @hauntedwillowcove and Etsy: WillowCoveManor. 

Rotting Reign

Instagram: @rotting_reign