Monday Movie Madness-TV Spin

I got to thinking about some of my favorite creepy tv shows this weekend. This is what came to mind:

The Twilight Zone: I'll admit I haven't watch a lot of TZ episodes but Nightmare at 20,000 ft. is a classic and definitely creepy.


I know The Munsters and The Addams Family aren't exactly scary, but they were great and they have the best theme songs eva!





Another fun one is The Simpsons Treehouse of Horrors specials. My fave was Bart reading the Raven, but I couldn't find a clip of it.


I wasn't allowed to watch American Gothic when it first came out, but I did finally watch a few episodes a couple years ago. Good story, but it gets a little weird after the first 6 episodes. It only lasted one season but still gathered quite a cult following.

Tales from the Crypt and Amazing Stories had their creeptastic moments. Who doesn't love a montage of short freakish stories?




Fear Itself was a mini tv series on NBC that premiered about a year ago. It recently came out on DVD. Similiar to Master of Horrors and Tales from the Crypt.



I have only seen bits and pieces of Millennium, but it looks pretty good!! Produced by the same folks who did X-Files.



X-Files may also fall into the SciFi category, but we all know how scary this show could get. One of the most frightening episodes was Home from season 4. Very Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

The new TV show, Fringe, is very similiar to X-Files and worth checking out. It tends to be more on the SciFi/bioterrorism side of things, but the episode about the creature living like a gopher from this season was pretty spooky.


And the best creepy show award goes to . . . . . Twin Peaks. Bob, the Black Lodge, people talking backwards. Disturbing all the way through. Be sure to watch the Prequel to the TV show which is the movie, Fire Walk with Me.

No more sexy please.

We all know that Halloween has been taken over by the sexy costume industry. I feel like some of this may have been brought on by the revealing superheroine outfits worn by people at comic/scifi conventions. Don't get me wrong, there are some great well crafted superheroine outfits, like the ones made by the legendary Ruby Rocket.

But we all know these outfits require some serious bosom buddies and a severe brazilian wax job.
That's why I was so delighted to come across this very funny article of comic book Halloween costumes that Don't objectify women, like She-Hulk the lawyer.
The article also covers comic book costumes that sexually objectify men. It's great! Check it out Here.

Freaky Fashion Friday: The Wild Things

It's hard to not be inspired a bit by the recent "Where the Wild Things Are" craze. The fox costume that I made myself for my Halloween costume certainly drew it's look from the terrible monsters in Spike Jonze's new film, but the idea of dressing like animals goes way back. Since human beginnings we have been fascinated by our link and relationship with animals and have continuously made masks and costumes in order to take on their traits and attributes. Here are some of my favorite animal costumes that I have come across.

From a stage production of the fairy tale, "Hansel and Gretel."

Two wonderful costume renderings of characters from the beloved Beatrix Potter series.


The Costume Shop in London has a variety of amazing Comedia Del Arte animal masks.



1handmadebyheather on etsy has a selection of handmade furry animal masks perfect for children and adults this Halloween season.

Paper Goodies

B. Shackman has been making amazing paper creations since the 1890's and these fantastic paper designs have become the traditional "look" of most holidays. Keep these little paper ornaments in your mind while you decorate for this Halloween. They are wonderful pieces to buy, but also fairly easy to make yourself.

Give your Halloween party an old-fashioned hint with this take on the traditional children's game, Pin the Tail on the Donkey.
"Pin the Tail on the Cat!"

Find both of these designs and more at the B. Shackman wholesale site HERE

Dead leaves on your door

Believe it or not, wreaths are one of oldest adornments of man kind. Dating all the way back to Roman times, wreaths were initially inspired by the God, Apollo. The plants often used symbolized strength, health, and immortality. Evergreens were used for wreaths due to their ability to survive harsh winters and conifer trees, which symbolized remembering the dead, were employed for burial wreaths.

They became a common door decoration when they were appropriated into an advent wreath by Christianity. Wreaths may seem a little motherly, or homey but they are a great way to decorate. You can also get pretty creative with them.

Here are a few Autumn/Halloween themed wreaths I recently came across:

I love the wheat and golden leaves. Simple, chic, and obviously looks great in golden light.
This wreath may be a little springy, but I like the juxtaposition of golden flowers with the twigs.

Berries!! That are most likely poisonous.

This leaf wreath is a Martha Stewart design that you can pick up at Michael's. You don't even need the kit to make this wreath, just some paper, glue, and a wreath mold. If you want to give it a darker twist, try spray painting the leaves black and silver and then alternating them.

It's a little hard to see but there are two little ravens at the bottom of this wreath. Don't you love the twigs?!

Another dark twig/berry wreath.

This one belongs on a dreary looking victorian house.

I really wish there was a better photo of this one but, alas, their wasn't. A simple twist on the twig wreath with a few embellishments. Easy to make at home.
Another Martha Stewart wreath. Very easy to make. Again, try spray painting the materials different colors to give it a more macabre feeling.

This wreath reminds me of the eyeballs on the stone wall in The Labyrinth. Best part: The eyeballs glow.

Cardboard Safari designs some amazing stuff, including these skull wreaths. My fave is the white one. They also have standing skull sculptures.

Thrilling Trims: The Halloween Feast

Every beastly Halloween feast needs the proper accessories to complete the atmosphere. The hostess in me couldn't resist these decorative, vintage-inspired plates and napkins. With a wonderfully tasteful design, and the ease of being paper, these plates make the perfect Halloween party addition. Find them HERE along with other fun designs. They are available through Amazon as well, HERE

For the Geek in all of us . . . . .

Everyone enjoys a good comic book every now and then. There is quite a variety of spooky, gothic comics out there for your reading pleasure. Here are a few that I have either read or heard about:

I came across Gloom Cookie years ago. There is nothing particularly horrific about this comic book, but it has a cute gothic romance and suspenseful story. My favorite artist, Ted Naifeh, was the first illustrator for this comic.

After Ted Naifeh left Gloom Cookie he went on to make Courtney Crumrin. I love how Courtney, the main character, doesn't have a nose. One of the comic's installments was actually nominated for the Eisner award.
Ted Naifeh has also contributed to the wonderful comic,The Nocturnals, by Dan Brereton. More of an actiony gothic comic.
My fave character is Gunwitch. A mix of ghoul, skull, sheriff badass.

I Luv Halloween is a manga about a group of misfits who gather on Halloween to cause some ruckus. Haven't read it yet, but it is on my list.

Death JR. first came out as a PSP video game. Then the super cute comic book was made. Death Jr. is about Death's (as in the grimreaper) son, Death Jr. and his freakish little friends. Surprise, Surprise, Ted Naifeh is also involved with this dreary delight as well.

Now for some darker, more disturbing gothic comics.

Lenore created by Roman Dirge is a classic. Who knew such a disturbing little dead girl could be so cute? You have to have a morbid sense of humor to really enjoy this one.
Johnny the Homicidal Maniac is probably one of the must recognized macabre horror comics out there. Jhonen Vasquez brings a twist of humor to this dark comic about a somewhat eccentric killer.

Jhonen Vasquez also was the genius behind Invader Zim, the wacky children's cartoon that was on Nickelodeon.
Squee is another spinoff comic by Vasquez. Johnny the Homicidal Maniac just happens to be this little kids neighbor. Poor Guy.
Sandman by Neil Gaiman , of course.

I guarantee you that the Hellboy comic is much better than the movie. I love the dark illustrations in this series.

I have only read the first installment of 30 Days of Night, but I loved it. It is a great vampire tale that is more realistic than fantastical. Great graphics! The movie isn't too bad either. No vampire romance bullshit in this film.
Vampirella. She'll eat your heart out. Love it.