Release Date: July 3, 1985 | DVD Release Date: March 8, 2016
Much has been written about this classic 1985 film starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson so rather than review the film, I plan to examine why it has remained popular 32 years after its initial release. Enjoy my take on Back to the Future (1985). Continue reading Back to the Future (1985)
Books
Reviewed especially for Halloween:
The late Vincent Price was the master of horror and comedy. His movies had an eerie and unsettling quality that made him a horror film icon. Read a review of his biography written by his daughter, Victoria Price.
In the tradition of his enticing book Verliege, Rivers, once again, takes the reader on a supernatural adventure. This time, he chose the sea as a location for tragedy and suspense on board of The Black Witch—read what happens in this review.
Oh Shit, I’m Dead! by G.R. WilliamsThis debut novel by Williams is a short story into the afterlife. The character, Ray, takes readers along on an emotionally-charged journey to the final destination. Read The Oh Shit, I’m Dead! review.
Spooks Reads Recommendations
For this year’s Halloween, we put together some spooky reads that have been reviewed throughout the year on this website. Check out our Spooky Reads for Halloween 2015 list.
Further Reading
Once again, Rabid Reader’s Reviews is able to present one of Clive S. Johnson’s popular poems The Mariner’s Shadow. Don’t miss out on his other two poems From a Moorland Walk and Remiss that were published on this blog in 2014. Clive S. Johnson is a science fiction author and poet. Check out a review of the book Cold Angel Days, the fourth book in The Dica Series.
Romance, science fiction author, Veronica Scott, presents a special post and illustrations dealing with Victorian Veggie People for Halloween.
There is a Halloween celebration going on on the HALLOWEENPALOOZA Facebook page. You can read short stories entered for this event on the HALLOWEENPALOOZA blog.
…and More
Last year’s movie reviews proved to be a success. This year again, we reviewed some movie classics for you:
House of Wax (2005 | 1958)
A remake of the original House of Wax starring the legendary actor Vincent Price that does not live up to its 1953’s predecessor. The message conveyed in the modern version is that if you’re going to take a detour, take a lot of friends to keep the killers busy while you look for a way out. Read more about House of Wax.
Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964)
This movie was one of the first that introduced the audience to a formulaic plot line and gory details. It is a parody of southern hospitality, which at times, has a very comical effect. The film was mostly played in drive-in movies and became on instant success. Read more about Two Thousand Maniacs!
The Screaming Skull (1958)
The Screaming Skull is a cult classic and a fun look at the classic, psychological horror genre. You won’t die of fright watching it, but it contains enough highly dramatic and scary moments to keep you watching. The movie was based on the classic horror story by the author F. Marion Crawford and originally published in 1911. Read more about The Screaming Skull.
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
This horror, comedy movie is a British-French-American production dealing with an apocalyptic zombie uprising and has become a cult classic. Because of its satirical approach, it is now considered one of the top horror movies of the decade and the best zombie movie ever made. According to Screenrant, Shaun of the Dead is one of Tarantino’s top 20 movies.
Ghost Ship (2002)
Originally, the screenplay was written as a relatively bloodless psychological horror movie. The script underwent several revisions and turned Ghost Ship into a gory film with an emphasis on the supernatural element.
The Uninvited (1944)
This atmospheric and moody film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Black and White Cinematorgraphy in 1945. The movie is based on the novel “Uneasy Freehold” by Dorothy Macardle that was published in 1942. The Uninvited is listed as one of the 11 scariest horror movies of all time by Martin Scorsese.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (1978)
What type of movie do you get when scientists experiment with tomatoes? A musical, black comedy horror B-movie that is so bad, it became part of the pop culture. Although Attack of the Killer Tomatoes will probably go into the annals of the worst vegetable movie ever made, fans are pushing for a remake.
Killer Klowns From Outer Space (1988)
This movie is a science fiction, a horror comedy that has reached a cult classic status. Aliens, who resemble evil circus clowns, invade a small town. Although the storyline is considered quite simple, the movie, in general, is reminiscent of past B-movies. Killer Klowns From Outer Space received praise for its special effects and visual design.
Around the Internet
On the Metro page you can check out the 5 tips (from scientists) on how to survive a zombie apocalypse.
Bored Panda has a great recipe for a red velvet zombielicious Brain Cake.
Live Science page has a ‘The Walking Dead’: How to Survive a Zombie Invasion article on their site.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition is having a Halloween round-up. Articles include the history and traditions of Halloween, The Perfect Halloween Pumpkin, How to Make Green Goo/Gloop, Pumpkin-Potato-Polenta Dumplings and Scary Tales for Halloween.
Zombie Research Society is the leading expert on everything zombie. Their homepage is dedicated to zombie survival, zombie culture and zombie science. Enjoy articles like The Benefit of Cannibalism, Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse, Zombie-Proof your Apartment, 7 Badass Zombie Kills, and the Apocalypse Check List: High-Tech Gadgets.
Business Insider released an article A giant ‘spooky’ space rock is flying close to Earth on Halloween, but that’s not the most disturbing part. We hope this is not any kind of zombie apocalypse.
Fast Company has run an article with photos of Running a Haunted House is Scarier Than You Think.
Missed Spooky Halloween Reads and More last year? check out our post now.
____________
Ship Illustration:
©Clive Johnson — All Rights Reserved
Skull Photo:
©Rowan Russell — All Rights Reserved
Release Date: May 27, 1988 | DVD Release Date: August 28, 2001
Aliens that resemble clowns descend from Outer Space in a ship resembling a Big Top. They terrify and kill occupants of Crescent Cove, California.
Release Date: September 24, 2004 | DVD Release Date: December 21, 2004
Shaun is a slacker who lives a routine life. With his relationship on the rocks and a contentious relationship with his stepfather, Shaun takes some time to notice that his neighbors are turning into zombies. While gathering his friends and getting to the bar on his mind, will Shaun and his friends survive brains intact?
Release Date: September 20, 2011
This is a movie review of Going Postal by Terry Pratchett. Moist Von Lipwig (Richard Coyle) is a con man gleefully fleecing the people of Ankh- Morpork. From painting horses to make them look like stallions to causing a banking crash, Moist is looking out for #1 and never looking back at the consequences. When he’s finally caught and sentenced to death, the ruler of Ankh-Morpork, Lord Vetinari (Charles Dance) decides to give Moist another chance. Moist will reopen the defunct post office or die, there are no other choices. Faced with thousands of undelivered letters, a haunted post-office and employees who are quite willing if not very able, Moist must battle ruthless competitor, Reacher Gilt (David Suchet) and potential lady love Adora Loveheart (Claire Foy) to bring the post office back to its former glory.
We put together something for your entertainment and musings for the last days of 2014. We’d like to thank the authors Clive S. Johnson and D.L. Morrese for their contribution and we hope all readers will enjoy the reviews and poems that we selected.
Continue reading Rabid Reader’s Reviews Holiday Musings 2014
In the Discworld, it is Hogswatch Eve and children are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Hogfather. Someone doesn’t want the Hogfather to make his scheduled rounds and hires the Guild of Assassins to kill the jolly, fat man. Against the fierce Mr. Teatime of the Guide of Assassins can anyone win? Can Hogswatch be saved?