Category: Film

Film, History

It’s Horror Galore Inside the Halloween: Dungeon of Doom at The Hollywood Museum

by Jennifer Vasquez7 Comments on It’s Horror Galore Inside the Halloween: Dungeon of Doom at The Hollywood Museum
Vamp Jenn entering The Hollywood Museum's Halloween: Dungeon of Doom
Vamp Jenn entering The Hollywood Museum’s Halloween: Dungeon of Doom

The Hollywood Museum in Los Angeles is a great place to explore if you want to immerse yourself in the city’s cinematic history. It’s located inside the iconic Max Factor Building. Max Factor was a renowned makeup artist to the stars during Hollywood’s Golden Era. His clientele included silver screen goddesses such as Joan Crawford, Marilyn Monroe, Jean Harlow and many others.

My first time here was around 2012 when I checked out the Marilyn Monroe exhibit. The structure has multiple stories, each featuring a different exhibition. It has been years since my last visit, and this time I descended to its lowest depths into Halloween: Dungeon of Doom.

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Film

Horror Film ‘28 Years Later’ Delivers Zombies & a Tale of Humanity

by Jennifer Vasquez4 Comments on Horror Film ‘28 Years Later’ Delivers Zombies & a Tale of Humanity
Vamp Jenn attending special screening of 28 Years Later
Vamp Jenn attending special screening of 28 Years Later

Who recalls when they first watched 28 Days Later? The 2002 film played such a pivotal role in reimagining zombies and presented them in a disturbing yet captivating way that has stuck with audiences. Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland have teamed up again to create 28 Years Later, a narrative that is set nearly 30 years after the rage virus has spread. It’s a fascinating storyline that shows how survivors are managing to exist alongside the infected. I had the pleasure of attending a special screening before the official release. Don’t worry, no spoilers will be included in this review.

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Events, Film, halloween, music, Performing Arts

LA Opera Brings the Spanish Version of ‘Dracula’ to the Big Screen

by Jennifer Vasquez5 Comments on LA Opera Brings the Spanish Version of ‘Dracula’ to the Big Screen
Vamp Jenn attending LA Opera's screening of the Spanish Dracula
Vamp Jenn attending LA Opera’s screening of the Spanish Dracula

Did you know there is a 1931 Spanish-language film version of Dracula? It was released the same year as the notorious adaptation starring Bela Lugosi. When LA Opera announced this would be their movie selection for Halloween, I was ecstatic. Every year during the last weekend of October, they choose a horror film to play that’s accompanied by live orchestra. I knew this was a rare opportunity I couldn’t miss, and I’m here to share it with you.

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Culture, Film, Lifestyle

How Lydia Deetz of ‘Beetlejuice’ Influenced the Goth Subculture

by Jennifer Vasquez6 Comments on How Lydia Deetz of ‘Beetlejuice’ Influenced the Goth Subculture
Winona Ryder as Lydia in Tim Burton's 'Beetlejuice' (© Warner Bros.)
Winona Ryder as Lydia in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (© Warner Bros.)

When Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice hit cinemas in 1988, the goth subculture was still in its youth, having only been around since the late 70s/early 80s. The scene was evolving and growing both in music and fashion, so for a figure like Lydia Deetz to pop up on the big screen, many black hearts in the audience must have stopped. How many teenage goths can you recall appearing in 80s films? While there may have been a few, none have left as lasting an impression as Winona Ryder’s macabre character. With the release of the sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, I thought it’d be fun to take a look at a few of the influences Lydia Deetz has had on the goth community.

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Film

Short Body Horror Film ‘Unravelling’ Explores the Complexity of Chronic Illness

by Jennifer Vasquez3 Comments on Short Body Horror Film ‘Unravelling’ Explores the Complexity of Chronic Illness
Shona McHugh as Fiona in Unravelling 
Shona McHugh as Fiona in Unravelling 

Receiving a diagnosis of relapse remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) would feel like a real-life horror story to many, and this disease is at the center of the short body horror film Unravelling. Writer, director and award-winning Scottish filmmaker Aimie Willemse is the mastermind behind the project and was inspired to make the film after being diagnosed with RRMS in 2020 at the age of 30. The short film is not widely released but has started making its rounds at various film festivals, premiering recently at London’s FrightFest. I had the wonderful opportunity to see it in advance and am here to share some enticing tidbits.  

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Culture, Film, Lifestyle

Spotlight Feature: Ivotres Littles of Horror Movies & Beyond

by Jennifer Vasquez3 Comments on Spotlight Feature: Ivotres Littles of Horror Movies & Beyond
Ivotres Littles of Horror Movies and Beyond
Ivotres Littles of Horror Movies and Beyond

“Do you like scary movies?” -Ghostface from Scream (1996)

This is the question Ivotres Littles explores through her platform, Horror Movies and Beyond. Her YouTube channel is a treasure trove of horror content, from scary movie reviews to celebrity interviews to explorations into the unknown. Through her features, she analyzes, in an entertaining way, what makes horror so enticing.  

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Film, History, Travel

Malia Miglino on ‘Haunted Discoveries’ & Becoming LA History Girl

by Jennifer Vasquez7 Comments on Malia Miglino on ‘Haunted Discoveries’ & Becoming LA History Girl
Malia Miglino
Malia Miglino

She’s a historian, researcher, traveler and full-time content creator, and she does it all in style. I’m talking about Malia Miglino. For her latest venture, she’s the historical researcher and one of the TV hosts of the upcoming paranormal series Haunted Discoveries. In addition to that, she’s been staying busy, continuing to produce content centered on Los Angeles history and beyond. Let’s dive into what she’s been up to.

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Film

‘Talk to Me’ Horror Movie Review

by Jennifer Vasquez4 Comments on ‘Talk to Me’ Horror Movie Review
Sophie Wilde as Mia in Talk to Me (Photo credit: © A24)
Sophie Wilde as Mia in Talk to Me (Photo credit: © A24)

Imagine having access to an embalmed hand that allows you to contact spirits when you touch it. That plot is at the core of the Australian horror film Talk to Me, which marks the directorial debut of brothers Danny and Michael Philippou. I had the opportunity to attend an advanced screening at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, CA. The event was sold out and the space was bustling with excited viewers. When the lights turned down, we were all in for quite a supernatural thrill ride. Don’t worry, there won’t be any major spoilers, but there may be some scares.

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entertainment, Film, holidays

9 Horror Films to Watch on Valentine’s Day

by Jennifer Vasquez24 Comments on 9 Horror Films to Watch on Valentine’s Day
Samantha Robinson as Elaine Parks in The Love Witch (© Anna Biller Productions)
Samantha Robinson as Elaine Parks in The Love Witch (© Anna Biller Productions)

Blood, death and love are in the air this Valentine’s Day. For those who prefer to keep things spooky when February 14th rolls around, I’ve curated just the list for your viewing pleasure. If your plans are to stay in and watch a movie, why not make it a horror movie? As the holiday of romance draws nearer, I got to thinking about creepy and tragic love stories. Of course my incessant need to give every holiday a macabre makeover is part of it too. So, following is a selection of films I’ve personally handpicked and seen that I find appropriate for Valoween. They’re a delightful mix of dark comedy, gothic and scary, and I present them here in chronological order. Enjoy!

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entertainment, Events, Film

The Mystic Museum Presents 90s Slashers Immersive Experience

by Jennifer Vasquez9 Comments on The Mystic Museum Presents 90s Slashers Immersive Experience
Scream photo op at The Mystic Museum's 90s Slashers Immersive Experience
Scream photo op

The Mystic Museum in Burbank, Calif., has unleashed an all-new immersive experience that pays bloody tribute to 90s slashers! My interest was piqued when the oddities shop announced the event, and I had the chance to attend the recent grand opening. Horror fans are in for quite a treat, and I’m giving a peek inside for those dying to find out more.

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