Now Watching: Blade Runner

The Final Cut, of course.  Introducing my sister to Ridley Scott's genre defining masterpiece.  

I miss Vangelis. Rest in peace.

Click below for the original trailer

I promise this isn't just a classic movies blog haha. I've just been taking my time with this Haunt Theory post.  More Halloween-specific stuff soon!

Now Watching: Raiders of The Lost Ark (on the big screen!)

I had the absolute pleasure of watching a theatrical re-screening of Raiders presented by Fathom Events. It's such a formative and influential movie for me, my interests, and my artistic style. (Fun fact, I learned how to crack a bullwhip because of my love for Indiana Jones haha)

If you want to catch the film, there is one more day to see it: Tonight, Wednesday June 7th. 

Click below to get tickets in your area

Now Watching: The Last of Us

Just saw the first episode of HBO's The Last of Us. It's as long as a feature film, and incredibly well-executed. As a fan of the original video game, I was pleased by how many scenes in the episode were a direct pull from the game. 

Those unfamiliar with the game(s) will have no trouble watching the show. Seriously check it out. 

Click below for the trailer

Fan poster by SG Posters

Now Watching: Halloween 2022 - THE CARVER

The 2022 Haunt Video is up on YouTube! 

Click below to watch it:

Let me know what you think! I'm already thinking of ways to improve for the 2023 video. 

Now Watching: The Pumpkin Man

It's been a long time since I've attended a local film festival screening. The Pumpkin Man was a fun movie, and I thoroughly enjoyed the big screen experience! Not to mention the Q&A panel after with Ryan Sheets and some of the cast and crew.

Click below for the trailer

14 days until Halloween...

Now Watching: Over The Garden Wall

I've been needing a comfort watch, and there's nothing comfier than Over The Garden Wall. 

If you haven't seen it, I recommend avoiding any trailers, as going into it blindly really adds to the viewing experience (you'll see what I mean).   If you want a glimpse into the concept, click here for a spoiler-free post I made last year.

If you'd like to watch the first chapter of the two-hour-long miniseries, Cartoon Network has published it on YouTube.  The rest of the show can be streamed with a Hulu or HBO Max subscription, or by purchasing on Prime Video. (I have also seen it available in DVD form at public libraries)

Watch the first episode for free below:

22 days until Halloween

Now Watching: The X Files

But your eyes are open?

Yeah, they're open, but it's like nothing's happening.

Try turning your head.

I can't.

Why not?

I don't know. I can't move. So I don't. I just lie there in bed.

Can you see your sister?

No. But I can hear her.

What is she saying?

She's calling out my name over and over again. 

She's crying out for help, but I can't help her.  I can't move.

Are you scared?

I know I should be but I'm not.

Do you know why?

Because of the voice.

The voice?

The voice in my head.

What's it telling you?

Not to be afraid.  

It's telling me that no harm will come to her...

And that one day, she'll return.

Do you believe the voice?

I want to believe.

(Season 1, Episode 4: Conduit)

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

Now Watching: Pumpkinrot Halloween 2015

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:

Now Watching (Double Feature): Resolution (2012) & The Endless (2017)

Two films by my favorite horror directing duo: Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead.  

I watched The Endless years ago and loved it.  Only recently did I learn that it was a sequel (of sorts) to the duo's earlier film, Resolution.  So I decided to watch the two films back to back (in order of release).

The two films work very well together.  Resolution is a fantastic horror mystery/thriller that explains almost nothing and left me with more questions than answers (and a burning desire to understand what the heck was happening!).  The Endless then does a great job of answering some of those unanswered questions and gives the viewer a glimpse into something unknowable.  It still leaves plenty of mystery while delivering a very satisfying ending.

If you love slow-reveal mysteries and Lovecraftian cosmic horror, then definitely watch Resolution followed by The Endless. Both movies are available to stream for FREE on multiple sites (like Peacock, Tubi, Vudu, Crackle, etc)

Watch the trailers below:

Now Watching: HallowJean on Twitch

HallowJean, creator of some of the most realistic prop corpses I've ever seen, occasionally livestreams while working on her latest creation. I was lucky enough to catch the tail-end of her stream yesterday.  Very informative, entertaining, and engaging.  

Click below to see HallowJean's Twitch channel, and subscribe to get notified about her future livestreams.

Now Watching: Early to Mid 2000's Halloween Home Videos

A simple pleasure of mine is watching videos of people's Halloween decorations, parties, or trick-or-treating, specifically from the early to mid 2000's.  These videos scratch a very precise nostalgic itch of mine.

These videos also tend to disappear from YouTube.  Many of the ones I watched regularly (don't judge me) have been deleted, or have vanished after the original account was terminated.  It really makes me sad.  I wish there was a huge archive just for videos like this.  

It disheartens me to wonder how many Halloween home videos have been erased from the web...  how many wonderful October memories have been lost... I've even contemplated buying a larger hard drive just to download and preserve this kind of media. 

I swear, I'm going to turn in to a digital hoarder... 
*pours booze*

Now Watching/Listening to: Fallulah - Out of It

Catchy song with a witchy vibe by indie pop/art rock/folk artist Fallulah. I first discovered the song when a favorite artist of mine, John Kenn Mortensen (best known for his "sticky-note monsters") announced that he had collaborated with Fallulah to design some monsters for the Out of It music video.  

Click below to give it a watch/listen

Now Watching: Rot's Basement

After seeing many of Pumpkinrot's basement photos, I was reminded again and again of the basement scene from Mr. Jones.  I (half) jokingly commented that I'd love to see a found-footage-style walkthrough of his basement... and to my pleasant surprise, Rot delivered!

Click below to watch the little eight second clip he filmed.  It's exactly what I had envisioned!

Now Watching: Drive

"The noir hero is a knight in blood caked armor. He's dirty and he does his best to deny the fact that he's a hero the whole time."  -Frank Miller

Finally got around to seeing Drive (2011) starring Ryan Gosling.  It was a lot grittier than I anticipated, a great neo-noir that I had somehow looked over.

The trailer doesn't really do the film justice (which is probably why I never watched it until now), so click below to watch the opening credits scene... it really sets the tone.

Click the image to watch the opening scene

Now Watching: "Why Matthew Gray Gubler Lives in a Haunted Tree House"

Been on a Criminal Minds binge recently, and was delighted to discover this video of Matthew Gray Gubler (Spencer Reid) providing a brief tour of his home.  

For the longest time I didn't know much about the actor outside of the show, but this video reveals him to be quite endearing.  He is weird, personable, and hilarious (in kind of a dry way).  I really enjoyed this video (also, check out his personal YouTube channel!)

His home really frames him as a kindred spirit to folks like myself. And needless to say, if I were to decorate my dream house, it would look pretty close to how he decorates his.

Now Watching: Robert Eggers' "Hansel & Gretel"

A charming and atmospheric silent-film directed by Robert Eggers.  This is an early film of his (2006) almost 10 years before The Witch.  Its fascinating to see Egger's style begin to form here; it's clear to see how the aesthetic experimented with here eventually evolved into his period-horrors like The Witch or The Lighthouse.

Check out the full short below (26 mins)

Now Watching: Over The Garden Wall

It's about time I talk about Over The Garden Wall.

Created by Patrick McHale, this ~2 hour Emmy award-winning animated miniseries is such an Autumnal treasure.  It feels like an ode to olde Americana, somehow familiar but still mysterious.  

The art and animation style feels old, in a good way (think classic Merry Melodies).  And I am constantly listening to the soundtrack by The Blasting Company.

Without spoiling any plot points, I can say that there is a great mix of light and dark moments throughout, weaving a timeless story, brought to life by an all-star voice cast.

For the best viewing experience, don't watch any trailers!

Here's some of the background art for the show, by Nick Cross.

And I can't help but post just one little screenshot from the series:

"Patient is the night"

If you'd like to watch the first chapter (episode) of the show, Cartoon Network has published it on YouTube.  The rest of the show is available with a Hulu or HBO Max subscription, or by purchasing on Prime Video. (Or just pick it up from the library! Do people go to libraries any more?)

Watch the first episode for free below: