Category: Film

entertainment, Film, holidays

9 Horror Films to Watch on Valentine’s Day

by Jennifer Vasquez21 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!

Continue reading “9 Horror Films to Watch on Valentine’s Day” →
entertainment, Events, Film

The Mystic Museum Presents 90s Slashers Immersive Experience

by Jennifer Vasquez8 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.

Continue reading “The Mystic Museum Presents 90s Slashers Immersive Experience” →
Film, Lifestyle, Travel

Spotlight on Malia Miglino of Macabre Mondays

by Jennifer Vasquez5 Comments on Spotlight on Malia Miglino of Macabre Mondays
Photo Credit: Chelsea Curtis

Cemeteries, history, death, the paranormal and plenty of delicious wine are just some of the elements that make Macabre Mondays so alluring. Meet Malia Miglino, the woman behind this creative endeavor that highlights the dark side of centuries past. She hosts, researches, writes and produces the material for her episodes, and, let me tell you, her charisma immediately draws you in.

Continue reading “Spotlight on Malia Miglino of Macabre Mondays” →
Dining & Drink, Events, Film, Lifestyle, Literature, music, Travel

The Undead Way to Celebrate Dracula Day

by Jennifer Vasquez23 Comments on The Undead Way to Celebrate Dracula Day

From left to right: Bram Stoker, Vlad Tepes and Bela Lugosi as Dracula
From left to right: Bram Stoker, Vlad Tepes and Bela Lugosi as Dracula

On May 26th, 1897, Bram Stoker’s notorious novel Dracula was published. More than a century later, the vampire tale has indeed proven to be as immortal as its protagonist. There have been films, TV shows, music, books, art and entertainment events inspired by the Count. Stoker’s work has left such an indelible mark on, not just the literary world, but the creative world in general that there is a day dedicated to it—Dracula Day. There are many ways to celebrate and following you will find ideas for how to throw a fangtastic vampire soiree, whether alone or with others! Continue reading “The Undead Way to Celebrate Dracula Day” →

Film

7 Films to Watch on Goth Day

by Jennifer Vasquez12 Comments on 7 Films to Watch on Goth Day

Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (© Columbia Pictures & Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)
Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (© Columbia Pictures & Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

Wondering how you can celebrate Goth Day on May 22nd? Set the mood with a list of binge-worthy, macabre films. Following are a few of my favorite flicks that either feature goth characters or exude a dark vibe. By no means an exhaustive compilation, this should at least give you a good start. So, drape yourself in black, dim the lights and enjoy the feature presentation. Continue reading “7 Films to Watch on Goth Day” →

Film, Lifestyle, Literature

The 7 Most Iconic Goth Couples

by Jennifer Vasquez6 Comments on The 7 Most Iconic Goth Couples

Still from Francis Ford Coppola's "Dracula" (© Columbia Pictures)
Still from Francis Ford Coppola’s “Dracula” (© Columbia Pictures)

Flowers, chocolates and anything and everything heart-shaped blissfully emerge when February 14th rolls around. For lovebirds, it’s all red, pink and sweet for Valentine’s Day, no? Well, for those that have a penchant for dark romance, there’s nothing more amorous than a bouquet of black roses, a moonlit picnic in the cemetery and perhaps even a keepsake in the shape of a real, bloody human heart.

To commemorate this holiday, I decided to pay homage to some of history’s most quintessential pairs that put an entirely different spin on the old adage “romance is dead.” For the following seven most iconic goth couples, romance is at its peak when in the grasp of passion and death. Continue reading “The 7 Most Iconic Goth Couples” →

Events, Film

House of Salem & Lethal Amounts Present The Texas Chainsaw Museum

by Jennifer Vasquez11 Comments on House of Salem & Lethal Amounts Present The Texas Chainsaw Museum

The House of Salem's The Texas Chainsaw Museum at Lethal Amounts
House of Salem’s The Texas Chainsaw Museum at Lethal Amounts

It’s gone down in history as one of the most controversial films of the 20th century and set the bar for the slasher genre. Upon release, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” was not only met with polarizing critical reviews but was also banned in more than six countries. From being described as “despicable” by one Los Angeles Times reporter to being said to possess “redeeming social merit” by Stephen King, there’s no doubt this horror movie elicits strong reactions from audiences, down to the present day.

To commemorate the 45th anniversary of the motion picture, House of Salem, in collaboration with Lethal Amounts in Los Angeles, California, debuted The Texas Chainsaw Museum this past weekend. The pop-up features hundreds of memorabilia and artifacts from the 1974 film, including many never-before-seen items—until now. Continue reading “House of Salem & Lethal Amounts Present The Texas Chainsaw Museum” →

Film, Lifestyle, Spiritual

Hail Satan?: An Enlightening Look Into Modern Satanism

by Jennifer Vasquez2 Comments on Hail Satan?: An Enlightening Look Into Modern Satanism

"Hail Satan?" film poster (Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures)
“Hail Satan?” film poster (Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures)

It may seem blasphemous to some to release a documentary titled “Hail Satan?” a few days before Easter Sunday. Or, maybe it was perfectly timed? It’s also easy to jump to conclusions about what message such a film could possibly deliver. I’d assume that just mentioning the title to people would cause two opposite reactions—one of revulsion and the other of fascination. When it comes to the topics of Satan and Satanism, is there a middle ground between the two responses? Continue reading “Hail Satan?: An Enlightening Look Into Modern Satanism” →

Art, Events, Film

Inside The “I Like Scary Movies” Experience

by Jennifer Vasquez2 Comments on Inside The “I Like Scary Movies” Experience

In the
In the “It” room of I Like Scary Movies experience

Let me begin by saying that what I am about to describe is a horror fan’s nightmare come true. In a nutshell, I Like Scary Movies is an immersive art installation featuring five classic horror films — “The Shining,” “It,” “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “Beetlejuice,” and “The Lost Boys.” But, it’s not your typical exhibit. Here, guests can experience and, literally, dive right into some of the most iconic scenes from these movies. Continue reading “Inside The “I Like Scary Movies” Experience” →

Film, Lifestyle, Literature

The 10 Most Intriguing Vampires of Legend & Lore

by Jennifer Vasquez13 Comments on The 10 Most Intriguing Vampires of Legend & Lore

Vampire Collage

Some of you may have suspected by my website name, Vamp Jenn’s Corner, that I’m fascinated with vampires. I’ll admit my fascination borders on obsession. Although my initial introduction to these figures was Sesame Street’s Count von Count, it was Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles that had me spellbound by these undead creatures. They exude mystery and possess multifaceted natures. Although they have a voracious appetite for human blood, we mortals cannot help but be entranced. They’ve been presented in many lights, from ghastly to charming, cruel to caring, repellant to sexy.

So, I thought, why not share with you some of the vampires with whom I have fallen in love over the years. Following is a list of 10 that, in my opinion, have been influential in shaping the vampire image in both history and pop culture. But this is not a definitive list. Here they are presented in chronological order. Continue reading “The 10 Most Intriguing Vampires of Legend & Lore” →