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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

Must-See Contemporary Films & TV Series for the Victorian Goth

Photo courtesy of moviestillsdb.com
Photo courtesy of moviestillsdb.com

Pining to watch something that oozes sensual morbidity, gothic horror, tightly laced corsets, melancholy characters, and the backdrop of a gray and gritty England? The films and TV series featured here have at least one or a combination of these components. Although by no means an exhaustive compilation of cinema with a 19th-century dark edge, these are a few of the best contemporary works the Victorian Goth will fancy.

Continue reading “Must-See Contemporary Films & TV Series for the Victorian Goth”

Mystery Mansion: Winchester Film Review

Helen Mirren as Sarah Winchester
Helen Mirren as Sarah Winchester (Photo courtesy of moviestillsdb.com)

Who has seen the film Winchester?

If you’re interested in haunted houses, you may have heard of this mysterious mansion located in San Jose, California. It is notorious for its complex construction, which was spearheaded by widow and owner, Sarah Winchester. It’s said that she maintained nonstop construction on the house 24 hours a day, seven days a week from 1884 to 1922, the year of her death. Continue reading “Mystery Mansion: Winchester Film Review”