The Children (1980)

October Challenge Day 24

I think it's kinda funny that this movie came out in the same decade as announcements on TV asked "It's 10 o'clock, do you know where your children are?" Let's talk about:

The Children

Here we have the classic tale of nuclear waste.

And this waste escaped RIGHT into a school bus full of children! These kids then turn into radioactive beings, going around hugging people to death.

To say this film is a hoot is an understatement. 

Naturally, we have the small town sheriff going around trying to solve the weirdness, and primarily driving around at night looking for these kids. These kids, by the way, who hug people to the point of disintegrating them on the spot! The transitions and practical effects are a sight to behold!

We have pregnant moms who are smoking and drinking, half naked moms just sitting around outside in their underwear, moms drinking next to the pool with their boy toys, police playing shoot out with these wandering kids, a Jaws theme song (??) playing when the kids are slowly walking towards their prey, and so much more.

While this is all fun and games, there is one scene that involves a dog that actually shook me up a bit. I think an "Eeegads!" or "My god!" would be an appropriate response. 

This film pretty much screams "f*ck them kids", and it's wildly entertaining for it. 

[Note, I took a brief break while watching this film and ran into my pregnant neighbor]

Best watched with your child-free friends or frankly, the friends with kids who just need a break. Pairs with beer and your favorite trash food.  

I watched this film on Prime, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this uncut gem.

Warlock (1989)

October Challenge Day 20

Lololololololoooooooooooooo. This is a fun movie for the right time. Let's talk about:

Warlock

This is such a silly film. I loved it. It's a perfect 1989 film too - just [chef's kiss] quintessential. 

I had a hard time keeping anything remotely like a straight face with this one. Also the woman's hair is so bad. 

Here we have the story of a warlock transported from 1600s Boston, just as he's about to be burned to death, only to tornado his way to 1980s LA area for some reason. But wait! A witch hunter is on his tail and also was transported in time. The witch hunter's use of old English confuses the woman who claims she's 20 and has really bad hair - nevertheless, they have to find the warlock together because the warlock blew through her living room window and killed her gay roommate. 

This picture is a hard one to hate because it's a hard one not to love. It's really bad and knows it, but leaned into its camp so hard that it circled back into a good time.

This film is to be shown in dive bars with a dedicated clientele. Sound optional. It should be re-watched several times before it becomes appreciated. I mean, it can easily be appreciated right away but this is a cult film for sure. 

I watched this while doing several project in the background - and had a good chuckle the entire time. 

This movie is a fun outfit. A drink your friends dare you to try. A story a bestie will share with strangers that will embarrass you a little bit but it was still bonding and you laugh because life is short. 

I do not recommend this film for folks new to horror films. This is not novice stuff - it's for the hardened camp/cult fans who know how to spot deep-seeded satire when they see it. That and appreciating the time it was created. It's a perfect 1980's horror film storm - or rather a Frankenstein monster. 

I watched this film on Pluto or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this wacky witchy feature.

The Brides of Dracula (1960)

October Challenge Day 18

It's Saturaday and you know, you can't really go wrong with a Hammer film! Let's talk about:

The Brides of Dracula

Here we have the classic tale of a manipulative man and the pick-me girls who adore him!

I got myself really set up for this film too - very excited to watch it. I turned all the lights off, turned my floating battery-operated candle sticks on with my remote control wand, had one of my cats curl up next to me, and basked in the bright, beautiful, Gothic dream that is this movie.  

This is a perfect spooky season film for pretty much everyone!

This Dracula tale introduces us to a fresh-faced young woman traveling through the Transylvanian country side on her way to be a school teacher. Village folk are concerned for her safety and a kind-hearted baroness takes her into her castle until she can complete her journey. That's when she meet's the baroness's son who the baroness describes as "sick".

Guess who seeks out this fair young maiden and love bombs her so hard she accidentally releases/validates him? Now everyone is in trouble - that is, until Peter Cushing as Van "mutha facking" Helsing shows up!

Like all vampire stories, this is another analogy for toxic relationships and addictions, which is glaring in this film. Hat's off to this Dr. Van Helsing, though, for demonstrating the most bad ass way to metaphorically set boundaries that I've ever seen in a vampire film. 

 In all, this is just a delightful film and a perfect one for the whole family or for a social gathering of low-level "horror" fans. Pairs with cognac and a hearty stew.

I rented this film from Scarecrow Video, or use the Find It! Watch It! links in Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this delicious feature.

Cobweb (2023)

October Challenge Day 2

Autumnal. It's such a great word. One of my favorites, and best describes the feel of:

Cobweb

We're fresh into October and I was so delighted to stumble across this one at this time! Here we have the story of a little boy who is hearing things in the walls of his home. His parents dismiss him as having a fantasy episode. But wait! He's not wrong. 

This feels like a book we'd curl up to as a teen to scare ourselves at night. This feels like dessert. Like an escape.

My brother and I talk a lot about how childhood is actually really terrifying. And it is - when you think about it. We're vulnerable, dismissed, still learning what is and is not safe, wandering the world with eyes trying to focus and interpret, in all: literal babes in the woods. 

This film captures that feeling very well, and then it goes off the rails because the thing in the wall comes out and I, frankly, had no idea what to do with it. 

It's scary, it's weird, it's metaphorical somehow, and classic. Also the parents are terrible but they didn't deserve that.

A great film to watch with your family, if your family is a horror loving one like mine. Pairs with something made in the slow cooker. Best watched in your cozy clothes. Talk to your kids about their fears.

I watched this film on Netflix, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can catch this creepy crawler. 

Flesh and Fantasy (1943)

October Challenge Day 29

Looking for a spooky little black and white trilogy? Looking for something a little cute, quaint, and fun for just about everyone? Let's take a look at:

Flesh and Fantasy

I didn't see as much flesh or fantasy as I was expecting, but overall it was delight!

Here we have the story opening with a man who is frightened of some omens and signs he's been seeing. Another man says "See here, good fellow" and opens up some books about why he shouldn't be afraid of those things ... or should he...

These are three strange tales about a supernatural mask (with a loud moral lesson at the end), and then we have a man who is very good - wouldn't hurt a fly, suddenly be warned that he'll kill someone... and finally we have a romance that revolves around a circus performer, ear rings, and possible jail time. 

This is a fun film for just about everyone (bring the whole family), particular folks who don't like the really scary stuff. 

This was an absolutely perfect Saturday morning watch for me. Pairs with tea, little sunshine while you're dusting your witchy sh*t.

I rented this film from Scarecrow Video, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this cozy feature.

Fright House (1989)

October Challenge Day 27

Okay, so it's Friday night and you're all settled in for the evening. What do you watch? Trash sometimes. Sometimes it's trash. Let's take a look at:

Fright House

So the description of this film hinted at some sort of anthology but I didn't see anything that resembled that. In fact, I still have No Idea what I watched?!

At the beginning there was something about a monster killing people, making it look like a suicide? Then there is a bare-chested witch posing as a therapist? There's a cop being mean to his fiance? There is a fraternity that inherited an abandoned house?? There is apparently the devil lurking around campus but I couldn't tell if the house was on campus or was the house the same one that was half demolished - what's going on here!?!

And then I see this film has both Duane Jones and Al Lewis in it. Not Ben from Night of the Living Dead, and Grandpa from The Munsters! What is going on here?!

This film is ... not good. 

I could not keep track of what was going on so I started shopping online.

Did it give me the comfort background noise to make for a perfect snuggle night in on a cold October night? Most certainly. 

My favorite review of this film comes from Tony the Halloween Terror, on Letterbox, who said: "I didn't understand at least half of the eyebrows in this movie". Same, Tony, same.

I watched this film on Tubi, because of course I did, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this .... feature...

Nightmare at the End of the Hall (2008)

October Challenge Day 15

Oh, bring me all the Lifetime made-for-TV movies! They are just the best for lazy Sunday afternoons! Let's take a look at: 

Nightmare at the End of the Hall 

Be still my adorable little heart. 

Here we have the story of a woman who returns to her high school boarding school, now as a teacher, and encounters what she believes is the vengeful spirit of her high school best friend who committed suicide there, years earlier. 

Is there a ghost? Is she out for revenge? Was there a betrayal? Did her friend commit suicide? You just get all snug in those blankets, grab a warm drink, and Find Out!!

This is pretty much all you need to know about this little charmer. It brought back so many memories of when my friend and I would gather at my place on Friday nights to catch the latest episode of Ghost Whisperer. 

Oh how I miss those days! Her and I would be crying our eyes out at the end of every episode - clutching our glasses of wine, cross-legged on the couch, and being a beautiful mess together!

God, I miss those days.

This film is pretty much that. It's fun, it's light, it's great for folks who are not entirely into horror but want a little spooky story. So grab your bestie, grab your drinks and Girl Dinners, get all cozy, and prepare to bond like you're in a girl's bathroom at a club/bar late at night and you just overheard someone was crying in the the stall next to you.

I watched this film on my Philo or use the Find It! Watch It! links to see where else you can find this absolute charmer of a Lifetime film. 

An Evening of Edgar Allan Poe (1970)

October Challenge Day 11

OH MY!

I never knew I NEEDED to see Vincent Price perform four Edgar Allen Poe stories in theatrical form, but I know now. I'm better for this experience. Let's take a look at:

An Evening of Edgar Allan Poe

Okay, so some people are Shakespeare folks. Some are Gilbert and Sullivan folks. Some others are opera, ballet, etc. folks. As a theater kid - I Am All These Folks. I love the theater, was pretty good in theater - went to state for some performances, made people laugh wildly for others, sang for a few, went pretty much naked for a few others, and even wrote a short play and had it performed. 

I love The Theater!

What I was not expecting when I popped in this film was how I lost my breath watching Vincent Price perform on what felt like my personal stage. Melted. What a talent. Marvelous man.

This is not your typical film and it's not your typical play. It's a one man show, speaking on behalf of Edgar Allen Poe.

I am a Poe fan, by the way. Big time. Don't care much for H.P. Lovecraft. His works feel more narcissistic while Poe's feel's more sympathetic - additionally, I trust Lovecraft's horrible history more, and distrust the light Poe has historically been painted in. 

I can't help but shake the thought that Price felt the same when he portrayed his characters here. Passionate, heartbroken, mad, and lost, there is heart here in the relaying of these stories - all on a stage platform. 

Overall, love it! Love this. If you also love the theater then don't miss this! 

Best watched in your best theater attire. Alone or with a best theater friend, on a dark, late, night. Pairs with wine, drama, and decay. 

I rented this film from Scarecrow Video. Or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's sidebar to see where else you can find this absolutely stunning feature.  

Freakshow (1995)

October Challenge Day 9

Oh my goodness. I had a ton of fun with this one!! Lolololololo. It was just too much. Let's take a look at the hilarity that is:

Freakshow

Not expecting much at all, I had popped this movie in and walked out of the room for sec, just letting it play - and that's when I overheard someone say from the TV: "I am the Freak Master!!" and I booked it back out into the living room as fast as I could to see who would shout such a wildly entertaining statement. 

Well, it was none other than Gunnar Hansen (aka Leatherface). OH WHAT DELIGHT!

Here we have the classic tale of a couple of teenagers getting a little life lesson in the form of an anthology from the spooky Freak Master! 

FREAK MASTER!

We have a little mummy action, a little werewolf mania, some witchy bizness - you name it. This movie is not good but it's so damn wildly entertaining! I watched it twice! TWICE! It's just a perfect afternoon film to to have on in the background while do you do chores. Or, if you're like me, watch it later at night when you're paying more attention and just laughing your butt off, waiting for a pizza delivery.

Wild, wildly amusing movie! Hahahaha! I will recommend it, every time.

Best watched in your favorite mid '90s attire. Pairs with just about everything! Bonus if you bust out the jellied preserves. 

I rented this film from Scarecrow Video or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this remarkable(ly silly) film.

The Tomb of Ligeia (1964)

October Challenge Day 7

Everyone should experience once - at minimum - waking on up on a Saturday morning, where the light is bright, the air crisp, the trees illuminated by color, and Vincent Price is menacingly talking to you from the TV. 

Such complete delight!

Let's take a look at:

The Tomb of Ligeia

Here we have an Edger Allen Poe story, retold at Roger Corman's direction, and staring Vincent Price - and frankly that's just perfection for me. [chef's kiss!]

A brooding and mysterious man falls in love with a bright and bubbly woman. They marry and return to his crumbling estate. Uh oh. His first wife's body lies in the nearby tomb and, ope, this husband can't stop thinking about her and begins to demonstrate horrible control over his new wife. Gurrrl, run! Vincent Price is scary!

I don't think I've ever encountered a Corman or Price film I didn't like. It's like someone saying, "do you like cheese?" as you are shoveling shredded cheese in your mouth, standing in your underwear, and basked in the refrigerator light at 2 AM. 

OF COURSE I LIKE CHEESE! GIVE ME ALL OF IT! CHRIST!

Now I watched this film on a beautiful Saturday morning. Of course it could always work as a night film! I think it speaks very highly when a movie can fit both a bright Saturday morning and a brooding, stormy night. 

Beautifully filmed, dramatic, chaotic, delicate, and haunting - this is just a wonderful film!  Best watched during spooky season and alone (or preferably with a black cat). Pairs with wild game, sherry, and gaslight(ing).

I rented this film from Scarecrow Video or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's sidebar to see where else you can find this stellar piece of cinema history.

The Alien Factor (1978)

October Challenge Day 4

I knew I was getting myself into some cheesy schlock with this one but I had now idea how much! Let's take a look at the beautiful mess that is:

The Alien Factor

And what a beautiful, hilarious mess this one is! 

Right off the bat, an alien ship crashes and two young lovers, just hanging out in the woods, are victims of the creatures that emerge from this craft. 

It just gets wildly off the charts and more charmingly bizarre from there. 

Folks, I could not stop laughing at a brief scene, also towards the beginning, where two dudes were walking. Just two dudes walking down the street - but with the music, the angle, the lighting - everything, it just sent me over the edge in hysterics. As with nearly all beloved trash films, it's so hard to really explain why they are so entertaining when they are such poorly made films. I think it's the earnestness. 

The way the characters and story so earnestly tries to convey a very serious issue, in the film, but it all ends up looking like your incredibly awkward best friend trying out a talent for the first time, and you just can't keep it together. I mean, you're rooting for them the whole time but still. 

I love awkward films so much. I love my awkward friends so much. 

This story then unveils a stranger coming into town, because of course, and he says he can help fix the murder situation the small town is experiencing from 'strange creatures'. The sheriff though, is all "This man is sus". 

In comes the monster aliens! Oh lord help me! When I say I was speechless when I saw these monsters, I'm not joking. I was wheeze laughing. If these alien costumes are not already in some sort of collector's home, or have been turned into miniature collector items, etc, then I don't know what. Then we fail as horror schlock nerds, I guess. 

In all, this is a FANTASTIC pick for a fun-loving horror movie night with folks. Just gather together and experience these aliens as a fond, shared memory. 

Best watched in a cozy home - full of food, fun, blankets, pillows, and laughter. Pairs with absolutely anything. A lot of cheese is a must. 

I watched this film on Tubi or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this ABSOLUTE GEM of a creature feature. 

Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo! (2022)

October Challenge Day 30

Hahahahaha! Oh my goodness - did I find a perfect, fun little film to watch when you wake up after a night on the town with friends?:

Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo!

Yes. 

Did I just forget how funny Scooby shows were or did they just get readjusted for adults? I mean, I loved Scooby-Doo as a kid but I haven't seen a Scooby cartoon in over 30 years. How smart, silly, and modern, is this movie! Very!

So yeah, as I was saying:

When you wake up with a groan, throw on a robe, walk over last night's costume laying on the floor, put your hair up in a messy bun, and as you're making your fizzy water/coffee, the prior night's events come flooding back to you. Such as How Much Damn Fun you had with friends at the burlesque musical about the misadventures of Jack Skellington. And then you all found a strange little hidden bar  - but then you all kinda all got separated, as nights out with a big group of friends do -  but somehow all found each other again at another pub in another neighborhood. 

And then, as you're cheering on your friends as they sing karaoke, you turn around to find a dude dressed as Robin Hood, I mean William Shakespeare, sitting right there at your table, next to you - just helped himself. And instead of simply saying "Hello", you say with, cringe clarity, "Where did you come from?" OMG.

And you stayed out too late, you had too much fun, and for some odd reason this cartoon seemed like a really good idea first thing in the morning. And I'm here to confirm: IT IS! Also, the sound track is rockin!

Also, and to quote the show I went to last night: This Is Halloween!! 

So have all the fun, get dressed up, laugh so hard your sides hurt, love your friends, eat the candy, and watch cartoons! Particularly on a weekend morning, it brings all the childhood memory vibes back. 

Watch alone with your cats, or with friends when you're lounging the day away in pajamas, or with the whole family. You're sure to find it a delight! For an extra dose of flare - enjoy that Halloween candy or that costume change with the film's score.

I watched this film on HBO or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this freaky fun feature. 

Making Contact aka Joey (1985)

October Challenge Day 19

OMG. If a sugar high could be turned into a human being and then that human form could conjure up the funds to make a movie, I imagine it would look like this. Let's dive into:

Making Contact (also known as Joey)

Here we have a boy who is grieving the death of his father. He starts talking to him, to the universe, and something responds ... and it's not his father. 

FOLKS! FOLKS! This is one of the most batshit crazy films I've ever seen! We have:

A talking ventriloquist dummy who GROWLS IN RAGE and it shoots lasers out of its eyes!!!!

An ET attempt??????

A Poltergeist attempt?????

A Goonies attempt?????

Is there some Stephen King's IT in there too? I think so?

Every childhood toy from the 1980's you can think of. 

A giant killer hamburger.

A kid who's idol is Darth Vader!!!? :| 

And that's just the tip of the iceberg for this film!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, so this film is intended for kids, I think, but this film would traumatize children AND adults. I'm still traumatized, I can only imagine if I saw this when I was a kid... [shivers]

No seriously, this film is so bonkers - its the bonkers AND growling ventriloquist dummy that will stick with you late at night. 

In all, this film is a An Experience that must, I stress, must, be experienced at least once. You really won't believe it until you see it. 

Best watched with your best movie watching crew. Get out all your dishes from the 1980's - make your favorite but stupid meal, and settle in for a Wild, Wild, Wild ride.  

I watched this film on Tubi or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this highly unusual gem. 

Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966)

October Challenge Day 16

OMG OMG OMG! One of my favorite things in the world is spending a weekend afternoon doing chores or meal planning for the week, and watching giant creature feature films as they smash their way through cities to my heart!

Let's check out:

Ebirah, Horror of the Deep

The story kicks off with a missing ship and a young man who brings along his friends to go on the waters to search for this ship and his missing brother. 

Uh Oh. 

There's a f*cking giant crustacean under the water and it capsizes all their plans!!!!!!!!

Don't worry, they all survived but now they are wandering this strange island they just washed ashore upon, when they stumble upon...

Uh Oh! 

A secret and evil nuclear base, and the sinister people there are kidnapping people from the local tribe!!!

What is this ragtag team going to do?! They need to hide, but where? Oh yes. This giant cave should do. 

Uh Oh! It's f*ucking Godzilla's house!

Oh things are really getting crazy ... how will everyone make it out of this mess? Maybe the local tribe could call on ...

F*cking Mothra!!!!

 

Goodness, good god. I love this stuff so much. 

You don't need to know any more than this - you just need to enjoy the chaos. This beautiful, beautiful, heartwarming chaos. 

Pairs with all the fun but messy and maybe a little trashy food. I watched this film on Tubi, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this gloriously fun feature. 

Waxworks (1924)

October Challenge Day 14

It's been a while since I've watched a silent film. I thoroughly enjoy them, and the German expressionism style of the silent films in this era is a particular favorite of mine! 

Let's dive into the original and visually fascinating

Waxworks

Here we have the story of a traveler who is hired by a wax museum father/daughter team, to write the stories about three of their notorious characters: caliph Harun Al-Rashid (for his scandalizing sexual escapades), Ivan the Terrible (for obvious reasons), and - confusingly, a figure continuously referred to as Jack the Ripper elsewhere but the film refers to Spring-Heeled Jack (who is totally different!). 

Well, the writer, while working, can't help but picture himself and this lovely daughter of the museum owner in all the stories he writes. So essentially, it's a three part anthology film. 

This one is pretty fun, charming, and a good pick for the whole family - particularly if there are family members who have never experienced a silent film/silent films like this. 

Best watched in a dark room, pairs with fresh bread made at home and the smell is lingering in the air. Wear interesting clothes. 

I watched this film on a free classic movie channel on my Roku, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find gem of a feature. 

Ghost Writer (1989)

October Challenge Day 4: 

This film has been on my To Watch list for a while now, but I couldn't find it anywhere. So when I got a Letterboxd notification that it's now available to stream, I jumped into my jim-jammies, cracked open a beer, and settled on the couch with a load of blankets and two cats.

I'm Here For This Delightful Campy Shite!

Let's check out:

Ghost Writer

Oh lordy. Folks. I love THIS STUFF!

Here we have a journalist just trying to take a break from things in her distant relative's beach house. Little did she know, the house is haunted by a famous movie star who allegedly committed suicide several decades earlier. 

The ghost makes an appearance and the journalist is determined to solve the star's actual murder. 

This film is so '80s you can smell the neon and Aqua Net. I LOVE IT!

They make no effort hiding that the ghost is a Marilyn Monroe knock-off. Didn't even try. That's fine, it actually kinda grew on me. They also made no effort in providing the journalist with an even remotely interesting and less cringey love interest. I was making the yikes face every time he came on screen and I kept wanting to scream "guuurrl! Get Out Of There". Nope. This is an '80s film and we're just all going to laugh at the sexism. They look happy though, but if you look close enough, the journalist is blinking twice for help.

This is all cheese, cheek, and cuteness. Don't ask for anything in-depth, don't ask for stellar acting or dialogue. If you're an old hat at these films then you know exactly what you're getting. If you're new then well, welcome, this is an acquired taste. 

Watch with complete and total nonsense and zero shits to give. Pairs with food eaten directly out of bags, and a whole bottle of something because you're worth it. 

I watched this film on Hoopla or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you might find this ghostly gem of silliness. 

Werewolves Within (2021)

My brother called me and asked if I'd like to come over and check out the latest rental he picked up at Scarecrow Video. 

Me: "What's the movie?"

Brother: "Werewolves Within."

Me: "Hell yeah, I'll be over by 6!"

I mean. It has the word WEREWOLVES in it! And this is how I'll get lured into a creeper van. Somone rolls by and asks if I want to check out some werewolf films and I'll be 'alrighty-o, let's go!'....

Let's check out: 

Werewolves Within

First of all: what fun this one was! 

I walked into this one completely blind. I didn't want to know anything about it - didn't even look up a poster. Which I like most of the time, but I don't see a reason why others should do the same (I mean ... you're here so I'm suspecting you're looking this film up...). 

So I was pleasantly delighted to find this film so utterly charming and entertaining. 

Here we have the classic tale of a new guy arriving to a remote, quirky small town but something more sinister bubbles beneath the quaint village and he ends up accidently in the middle of it all. 

This is absolutely a creature feature whodunnit that kicks off right away with a brutal werewolf attack! I'm always a fan when they jump right in there with the murders... With a great cast of characters, puns-a-plenty, and that quintessential small town finger pointing, you'll be sure to find something to like here.  

Naturally, since my brother and I are watching this, we're also both battling out our movie/actor/random knowledge skills while watching. I was actually having a hard time trying to figure out where I saw the character of Cecily. While I'm racking my brain, my brother pulls up her IMDB profile and suddenly shouts: "I'm one degree of separation from Milana Vayntrub!"

And wouldn't you know it, folks - he is! He directed a short film that starred a guy who would later work with Milana (or as I finally realized, Lily Adams from the AT&T commercials...). Does that also make me some degree of separation since the short was filmed in my living room? 

In all, if you're looking for something on the lighter side of horror but heavy on the wit and humor, then look right this way. Hell, make it a double feature with The Wolf of Snow Hollow!

Best watched all snug on a couch that has seen better days but is still unreasonably comfortable. Pairs with something that's been brewing in a slow-cooker all day. Cold brews or hot teas. 

This movie was rented from a physical movie store, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's sidebar to see where else you can find this fun for the whole family (....sorta...) feature. 

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1980)

October Challenge Day 25

A friend of mine and I have a years *years* long inside joke about Jeff Goldblum. My shower curtain has a picture of him on it. 

So solid is our inside joke that she asked me to bring my shower curtain to her wedding so that it could be used as a background for photos. 

You know the level of love and laughing so hard is strong when you're asked to bring your shower curtain to a wedding ... for photos.

So when she alerted me to this made-for-TV gem, I knew what had to happen. This film needed to be seen:

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

And folks, it is exactly as expected!!! Bonus: Jeff Goldblum is all Jeff Goldblum.

I love this story, it's a particular favorite of mine in the realms of Americana legend and just a tickler of a tale. This is also a perfect cozy cuddler of a movie as Halloween approaches. 

Here we have Goldblum playing the classically awkward Ichabod Crane - of which he does a hilariously good job. Naturally, he makes enemies with the town bully and we just roll from there with a headless ghost on the loose. 

What I could not stop laughing about with this film, is how it seemed everyone was just shouting all the time. Just, that's how they spoke, by shouting. 

LOLOLOLOLOLOLO

Oddly enough, everyone seemed totally miscast for this film except for Goldblum, which is another thing I'll just continue to laugh at. All Of The Time. 

One last interesting feature about this film, that really leant it some curious credit, is that this story takes place with snow on the ground (rather than Autumn leaves, etc). I honestly can't put a finger on it but this really sticks out to me as a striking feature that makes this particular retelling quite interesting. 

In all this is a really great film for the whole family. Dated? Absolutely. Sometimes painfully, but still a quiet little classic that sits unnoticed on many shelves. 

Best watched with loved ones. Pairs with the most Autumn/oncoming Winter things you can think of. All of it. All of the snuggly things. 

I watched this film on YouTube or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this bizarre little gem. 

The Undead (1957)

October Challenge Day 23:

OH YEAH! Give me some of that Roger Corman goodness!! Welcome to the weird and hilarious but oddly captivating world of:

The Undead

Don't let the dramatics of this absolutely fantastic poster fool you - this one is fun for the whole family. It also carries, much to my surprise, a heavy moral tale of the ethics of research. 

Here we have a couple of research scientists recruiting a sex worker for a little secret mental experiment (the internal review boards are SCREAMING). 

The research is on hypnotism and past lives. They take this woman back in time - to a past life where she was accused of being a witch and sentenced to die. 

More alarmingly, one of the scientists is able to "follow" her in this past life in attempts to save - her life.... Things essentially just Quantum Leap from there. 

While this is not my favorite Corman film, it certainly has it's charm and quirkiness. I was rolling - rolling - with the attempts at Medieval speech, but I also didn't care. It was Saturday afternoon and I was getting ready for a birthday dinner. 

There's a bonus real "witch" in this film who wanders around with her familiar, and I legit found their transformations and disappearances so utterly delightfully weird that I'm going to recommend watching this film *just* for this experience. 

In all, this is a great pick for a weekend afternoon or, if you're not into the real scary stuff, a cheeky and snuggly late night. 

While the storyline was going all over the place, I was honestly surprised at the weight of the tale. 

Corman's A Bucket of Blood still stands as one of my most favorite satirical horror stories, (It Is AMAZING) I also admire his attempts with this one at drawing attention to ethics and religious morals.

Best watched alone or in a very, very small group. Pairs with mead, bread, and soups. 

I watched this film on Amazon Prime or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's sidebar to see where else you can find this charming feature. 

Ghostbusters (2016)

October Challenge Day 14: 

I was hanging out at home, when my brother - who lives up the street - called me to say "Have you seen the boat that's on fire!?!"

Living near the water I ran out onto my deck to check it out, only to find my brother standing on the street. No boat was on fire. A moment of silence and he said, "I can't believe it took a boat on fire to get you out of the apartment."

Another moment of silence, staring at each other, before we busted out in laughter. 

He asked what I was doing and I said, "Watching Ghostbusters. The new one." 

The anticipated stare down commenced - as we are wildly different in our love for this particular:

Ghostbusters

I've lost count of how many times I've watched this film. I LOVE IT. 

My brother hated it and I don't see the arguments ending anytime soon. 

Part of why I love it so much is the dialogue. Folks, ghosts or not, the back and forth here - and the reactions to them - is any given night at our local pub (or random adventure) with some of my best friends. At Any Given Night/Day. 

I forget the evening but I certainly had chip remnants on my chest, watching this film, completely out of f*cks, when I realized *I* am also everyone of these fine ladies. 

• Erin (Kristen Wigg): Who I *think* I am - the professional, working in science, focused on a serious future. I pull it off on TV but deep down, I have chip remnants on my chest...
• Jillian (Kate McKinnon): 100% who I am when I get a few drinks in me. Complete with hair styles (when friends start to style it), dance moves, and scientific theories. 
• Patty (Leslie Jones):  Ever the historian, people will remark on that nice park and I will add: "That's the city's first cemetery. Pretty sure they moved all the bodies." I'm a proud lover of fun and necessary historical facts. Also, as a public transit rider for 20+ years - I Have Stories and got some grit. 
• Abby (Melissa McCarthy): It always comes back to Abby. I am her, all the way. Complete with getting a little mad about soups. 

I love absolutely love this movie. Love it. I laugh out loud every time and I smile because I know these women. I mean, I don't *know* *these* women, but I know their counterparts. And I love them. 

My brother doesn't get the humor of this film, and there I am laughing my ass off. I'm loving every joke and every tribute to the original. 

Two men recently told me that some men don't like funny women. I was shocked, and then made a joke about it. But this rattles around in my head as I remember the reception of this film.  This is a very sharp, smart funny film, full of funny women...

I give my brother a super hard time all time time and he finds my jokes painful. So it seems the fight continues but I will not stop being funny AF (I'm a lot funnier in person). 

To you weird men who don't like funny women, know I am laughing. At you.

I love this film. Best watched with your best ladies. Pairs with wanton soup. If someone randomly says "You'll die in there" bonus points.

I own this movie, or use the Find It! Watch It! or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this Horror Habit favorite.