6 Terrifying Things From Children's TV

Last night I attended a Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror marathon at The Grand Social in Dublin. Needless to say I was filled with the nostalgia of watching the hilariously macabre anthologies which brought back fond memories of Halloween for me. About halfway through they screened the episode entitled The Springfield Files which featured guest appearances from The X-Files' David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson along with the late Leonard Nimoy. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the episode, it features Homers encounter with what he believes to be an extraterrestrial. Although it is not a Treehouse of Horror episode, it was just as macabre and watching it last night reminded me of how much it terrified me as a kid. That led me to recall multiple instances where I was scared stiff by some of my favourite childhood shows, so without further adieu here are 6 terrifying things from children's TV.

The Simpsons- The Springfield Files

The episode which inspired this post and something that left a six year old me shaking with terror after watching it, The Springfield Files is one of the most iconic episodes of the shows eight season. Now The Simpsons isn't exactly a children's show, but it's generally suitable for family viewing. This particular episode features a mysterious alien with a high-pitched voice and a glowing green appearance, in the end it turns out to be Homers boss, Mr. Burns, and everything goes back to normal. As a kid this episode used to scare the hell out of me and I instantly changed the channel as soon as the alien appeared onscreen. Now that I've grown older the episode is one of my all time favourites and I've grown to appreciate the numerous sci-fi references and guest appearances throughout. However, it will always stick with me as that episode that used to terrify me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MQ356o5nCk

Moomin- The Groke

For those of you who don't remember this, Moomin was a lighthearted kid's show about a family of pleasant, hippopotamus looking trolls living in the colourful Moomin Valley based off the books by Tove Jansson. The show had a friendly atmosphere and I used to love sitting down and watching it in my nanny's house as a child. Which is why I was utterly terrified by the appearance of The Groke, a large, menacing figure who made multiple appearances throughout. It usually brought with it an eerie atmosphere that contrasted the usual cheerful one of the show. It scared the Moomins and it sure as hell scared me, although the creature was eventually revealed to be harmless, it's ghostly appearance still freaked me out as a little boy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_4Bjd7VEug

Hey Arnold!- Ghost Bride

One of my favourite cartoon on Nickelodeon when I was growing up was Hey Arnold! The show was humerous and full of great characters including the eponymous football-headed protagonist himself, Arnold. However, one Halloween as I sat down to watch the show I had no idea that I was about to be scared shitless. The episode follows Arnold and his peers going to the local cemetery to investigate the urban myth of the ghost bride, a vengeful spirit who decapitated her groom and his mistress. Already a very dark subject matter, the episode progresses to show the gang trapped in the cemetery with the bride herself! It is extremely tense and creepy and the brides haunting rendition of the wedding march is sinister as hell. Although it turns out to be a friend of Arnold's playing a harmless prank, the episode ends on an eerily ambiguous note.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzrph0pEbLg

Courage the Cowardly Dog- The Great Fusilli

I was almost tempted to put the whole show on this as Courage the Cowardly Dog was one of the most morbid kids shows I've ever seen. By the time I had got around to watching the show I was about 7 or 8 years old and didn't scare as easily as I used to, but The Great Fusilli managed to leave me quite freaked out. The episode follows a mysterious alligator puppeteer (the titular Fusilli) arriving at Courage's farm offering Eustace and Muriel fame and fortune. As the episode progresses we get the sense that Fusilli is not as friendly as he seems and eventually reveals his plot to turn Eustace and Muriel into puppets. What really played on my mind in this episode was the fact that it ends with Courage's owners as puppets with Courage operating them himself. It never really resolves anything and viewers are left unsettled as the episode ends with Courage's owners as lifeless puppets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U32VTpeAwBA

Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids- The Whole Show

It was too difficult to pick just one episode of this British anthology series, everything about it used to just terrify me when I was a kid. Each episode focused on a different cautionary tale narrated by comedian Nigel Planer (The Young Ones) who portrays the creepy hunchback on the show. Each episode consisted of a traditionally animated segment along with a stop-motion animated wraparound. The whole show was, as the title suggests, both grizzly and gruesome with each episode following an unruly child facing the grim consequences of their actions. The animation was also quite exaggerated and creepy and I remember hiding in the kitchen until it was over. When I eventually grew a pair and watched the show I fell in love with it's dark humour and eerie atmosphere, although I learned to appreciate it I'm sure many kids still cowered when the credits began to roll.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WEVhF372XE

The Teletubbies- The Lion and The Bear

We all remember Teletubbies, it was one of the most beloved and colourful kid's shows of the past 20 years, until that bloody bear rolls onto the screen. Yes that's right, the top spot goes to the creepy bear from one of the segments in Teletubbies, forget Freddie Krueger or Jason Voorhees because this thing is the true face of evil. Randomly popping up in the generally lighthearted show, the bear sent me running and screaming from the sitting room and plagued my nightmares for years. I don't even know why it was necessary to include in a kids show because both it's appearance and voice are utterly unnerving. Even the atmosphere becomes more sinister upon it's arrival and what was once an innocent kids show turns into a true nightmare, you really have to see it for yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idhc85tLPNQ

So there's 6 things from children's TV that personally terrified me as a kid. I'm sure there are many of you out there who agree, maybe you even have your own terrifying TV experiences from childhood. If so I would love to hear them! If you feel I've left something out that terrified you as a child let me know in the comments. Until next time, have a safe and happy Halloween.

"Goodnight Mommy" Review.

When the trailer for Goodnight Mommy (or it's original German title, Ich Seh Ich Seh) was first released, the internet went crazy for what looked like possibly one of the creepiest horror films since Dario Argento's Suspiria. Therefore when I heard the film was finally released, I couldn't wait to see this new Austrian horror from directors Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala. However, there is a massive contrast between the actual film and the film presented in the trailer. From the trailer, I myself and many others had a feeling of what to expect within the film, however once it gets halfway through it's second act, Goodnight Mommy throws a curve ball that not many people will expect. It is not exactly the film that is presented in the trailer but this acts as an advantage as it only adds to the films shock value. Although many people may be disappointed that they did not get the film that they had hoped for, the majority of people will appreciate the fact that they have been given something even better.
The film follows twins, Elias and Lukas (Elias and Lukas Schwarz) who begin to notice strange changes in their mother's (Susanne Wuest) behaviour when she arrives home after receiving facial reconstruction surgery. Soon the boys conclude that this is not their mother and they begin to investigate what's really going on. Initially this is what viewers would have expected, but once the film gets into it's second act things begin to change and that's when the real psychological terror begins. However, as this is a spoiler free review I'll say no more about that and let you watch the film for yourself. The Schwarz twins give an excellent performance from start to finish, struggling to cope with their mother's drastic personality change. Elias comes across as the more innocent of the two while his brother Lukas is the more manipulative one. As for the eponymous Mommy, Susanne Wuest gives a chilling performance in the first act, looking even more menacing with her bandaged face, however by the third act her talents are truly evident.
The film uses the theme of loss heavily throughout as the boys have this constant notion that their beloved mother has been replaced by something much more sinister. This theme becomes key in the films climax when viewers discover what is really going on. There is also theme of trauma as the events are set off by a road accident involving the family. The atmosphere is very tense from start to finish and the third act will have viewers on the edge of their seats at certain points, the entire third act itself is very reminiscent of a Hitchcockian isolated thriller. Although the film can be slow at parts, particularly in the first act and the beginning of the second act, it is definitely worth it once the third act begins. The directorial duo of Franz and Fiala show off their talents in this film as, despite it's horrific nature, the film is a pleasure to watch from start to finish taking place in the beautiful Austrian countryside. I believe the film has already been nominated for the Academy Award for best foreign-language film so the duo's talents may be recognized during awards season.
Goodnight Mommy is not the film that viewers will expect, it is something a lot better. Although in the first act one may think they know what's in store, eventually things take an even darker turn and viewers will be left on the edge of their seats while watching this isolated thriller. Although it is slow in the beginning, the tension gradually rises until the film's insidious climax. The film is both dark and disturbing (there is a particular scene involving superglue) but at the same time it is beautiful to watch due to it's cinematography and countryside setting. Although it may not be the film that you expect, it's tense and dark atmosphere along with it's talented cast and clever story all contribute to making Goodnight Mommy a beautiful yet disturbing horror film.

         

5 Cheesy Horror Films That Deserve A Chance

Horror is such a broad genre as it includes countless subgenres and often links with genres such as sci-fi and thriller. The function of a horror film, theoretically is to scare you but not all horrors manage to achieve this for different reason. Sometimes it depends on what the viewer fears and other times it can just be a cheesy or even bad movie. However, just because a horror film is cheesy does not necessarily make it a bad film. In fact I myself find some of the campier horrors to be the most entertaining. Not only that, but some films could have woeful acting and a weak plot but could still scare the hell out of me. At the end of the day, once  horror film scares somebody it's doing it's job right. So here are 5 cheesy horror films that I feel deserve a chance, regardless of their campy or hammy nature.

Braindead (1992)

This nineties zombie flick follows young Lionel Cosgrave (Timothy Balme), a young man from New Zeland dealing with love, his controlling mother and a zombie outbreak in his small town. Possibly one of the goriest horror films ever made, Braindead does not hold back when it comes to blood and guts, however the film's slapstick tone makes it a bit easier to watch.

Why it deserves a chance?

It may come as a surprise but Braindead is one of Peter Jackson's early films. That's right, before taking on Tolkien's epic Middle-Earth franchise, Jackson began his career with comedic splatter films shot in his homeland of New Zeland. If you're a fan of films like Evil Dead II then this will be right up your street as it packs on both the gore and the comedy. With everything from zombie babies to lawnmower massacres, Braindead is one of the greatest and most hilarious splatter films of all time.

The Raven (1963)

No not the John Cusack one, this is a loose adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's iconic poem of the same name. It follows Doctor Erasmus Craven (Vincent Price) who mourns the death of his deceased wife Lenore (Hazel Court). Craven is approached by a mysterious raven (Peter Lorre) who was once a man but had been turned into a raven and seeks Dr. Craven's help.

Why it deserves a chance?

Not only does the film feature Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and the man himself, Boris Karloff, it also features a young Jack Nicholson in one of his earliest roles. If you're familiar with the works of Roger Corman you'll know that his low budget films are generally cheesy but fun, The Raven is no exception. From Peter Lorre's performance as a bird man (before Michael Keaton came along) to a hilarious wizard battle between Price and Karloff, the film is both a stylish and enjoyable watch for and fans of the horror genre, despite it's campy nature.

Halloween III: Season of The Witch (1982)

In a departure from the Michael Myers story, the third installment of the Halloween franchise follows Dr. Daniel Challis (Tom Atkins) and his attempts to foil the evil schemes of warlock Conal Cochran (Dan O'Herlihy) on Halloween night. In a plot that involves evil masks, robots and stonehenge the film goes deeper into the history and traditions of the holiday itself.

Why it deserves a chance?

A Halloween film without Michael Myers? Well believe it or not the franchise was originally intended to be an anthology, each installment having a new story revolving around the eponymous holiday. However after the success of the first film, a direct sequel was rushed into production and so Season of the Witch became the third installment. Before watching it I was skeptical but the film really is not all bad. The acting is strong, specifically from Atkins and O'Herlihy, it's soundtrack is almost as good as the originals and it has one of the bleakest horror film endings ever. Season of the Witch is a severely misunderstood film that people don't give a chance, but it really does work without Myers and his Captain Kirk mask.

Demons (1985)

In a mysterious cinema at the heart of Berlin, a group of people fight for survival when a possessed mask causes them to turn into savage demons. Among the group are a blind man, an elderly married couple and a pimp named Tony (Bobby Rhodes). Together they fight against the forces of darkness in an attempt to survive the night.

Why it deserves a chance?

Not only is the film directed by Lamberto Bava, son of Italian giallo master Mario Bava, it's also written by another icon of Italian horror, Dario Argento. The film is certainly cheesy, from it's dubbing to Tony the pimp's dialogue alone, many (including myself) will spend most of the film laughing. However, Demons is one of the most entertaining horror films you will ever watch. It has grizzly and believable gore effects, a catchy soundtrack (including Billy Idol's White Wedding) and a hilarious performance from Bobby Rhodes. Whether you're watching it for the violence or the laughs, Demons has something for everyone and will appeal to anybody who appreciates the horror genre.

House by the Cemetery (1981)

When the Boyle family move into a mysterious house beside a cemetery their lives become increasingly strange when a number of brutal murders begin taking place. Unbeknownst to them, there is something horrifying living in their basement. 

Why it deserves a chance?

Ok I should probably clarify that the films plot doesn't exactly make much sense, the acting is a bit dodgy and the character of Bob Boyle (Giovanni Frezza) is enough to turn you off the film. However, I should also clarify that this is a Lucio Fulci film and although Fulci's films usually tend to have ludicrous plots they are always tense and chilling. House by the Cemetery is no exception, it's plot is weak but it has such an eerie atmosphere from start to finish that you won't care about the plot. It also has one of the most prolonged death scenes ever, and that's just the cut version. I'm no stranger to horror films but this one made me feel uneasy throughout and although it doesn't make much sense at all, Fulci manages to create an eerie atmosphere throughout.

So there are 5 cheesy horror films that I feel deserve a chance. Now those are just my opinion and many of you will probably still think they're crap, but it shows that even if a film is camp or cheesy it can still find an appeal in certain audiences. If you feel I've left anything out let me know as I'm always open to checking out cheesy horror films and hearing what other people like. Until next time!

"AHS: Hotel" First Impressions

"AHS: HOTEL" First Impressions

When the credits began rolling at the end of the final episode of American Horror Story: Freakshow I was already excited for the fifth season of Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk's bizzare horror anthology series. Although it had it's negative aspects, Freakshow for me was an improvement on the shows rather disappointing third season Coven. However when you're waiting months for a show to return, the hype begins to die down and sometimes you almost forget it's coming back (I'm looking at you here Sherlock). The hype, for me had died after a couple of months until Murphy and Falchcuk's new show Scream Queens began a few weeks ago. Needless to say this reignited the excitement for me so once again I was dying to watch the first episode of Hotel. The seasons opening episode was a pleasant surprise for me and it felt good to be back in the world of American Horror Story again. So without further adieu, here are some pros and some cons of Hotel's first episode, Checking In.

Pros:

The Cast.

American Horror Story is known for it's ensemble cast of familiar faces and each season the actors are tasked with taking on new roles. Hotel sees the return of many AHS alumni such as Denis O'Hare and Kathy Bates along with new cast members such as Cheyenne Jackson and Lady Gaga. Gaga's role in particular was much anticipated and although her screen time is short in Checking In, so far she has presented audiences with an intriguing and charismatic character, The Countess. For me Sarah Paulson stood out the most in this episode. One of the cast members who's been here since way back in the murder house, Paulson has hitherto played characters who are usually pleasant and at worst cynical. Which is why it was surprising to see her play such a sleezy character like Sally. However Paulson shines as the sinister addict and I'm looking forward to seeing where her character goes. Other highlights include Denis O'Hare's cross dressing consierge and Wes Bentley's family man detective. The cast have already shown that they can continue to carry the show even without Jessica Lange.

The References.

Much like last season with films such as Freaks, the show continues to add in multiple references to pop culture, some subtler than others. There are many obvious references to films such as Stanley Kubrick's The Shining with the mysterious kids in the hallway and the familiar carpeting in the hotel. The plot involving Wes Bentley's character on the case of the Ten Commandments Killer is quite reminiscent of David Fincher's Seven while the impaled couple on the bedspread resembles one of the death scenes from Mario Bava's giallo classic A Bay of Blood. The whole introduction of Gaga and Bomer's characters reminded me personally of the opening scene of Tony Scott's The Hunger from the darkwave music to the bloody yet erotic encounter with the other couple. It was also nice to see a screening of Nosferatu midway through the episode. 

Less Singing, More Blood.

One of the downsides of the previous season was that it included to many musical numbers for a horror show. We all loved The Name Game in season two because it was something we didn't expect but after Evan Peters' rendition of Nirvana's Come as You Are, the novelty wore off. Thankfully there has been no singing so far and if what the writers have said is true then there won't be any this season. The show has returned to the brutal and bizzare violence that we all loved about the first two seasons and if the rest of the season is as violent as that first episode I think we are in for the most graphic season of AHS yet.

The Cons:

Too Much Going on?

There was a lot happening in that episode and AHS is known for having multiple subplots in each season. In the first episode alone viewers have already been treated to a variety of different characters, and are still to meet others such as Evan Peters' character and Lily Rabe's. My fear is that with only a handful of episodes to fit all of this in certain plot lines may be underdeveloped and certain characters may lack a level of depth compared to others. This was season two's major weakness for me and I just hope the numerous characters and plots are balanced out more this season.

Lacking Lange.

Now although the cast seen to be doing fine without her, I myself can't help but miss Jessica Lange. She had been the heart of the series ever since season one and has excelled in her portrayals of all of her characters since. Although future appearances aren't ruled out, it seems for now Lange has taken a break from the universe of AHS. This isn't the first time a major player has left the show as I'm still hoping that one day Zachary Quinto and Dylan McDermott will make a return. However Lange was one of the highlight's of the show and I look forward to seeing what she does now that she has more time for other projects.

The Verdict:

Now it is only early days so I cannot judge the season as a whole yet, but that first episode was the most bizzare and graphic episode of AHS in a long time and I think it brought back that sense of dread that had been lacking in the previous two seasons (apart from the short lived Twisty the Clown in the previous season). If the rest of the season is anything like Checking In then I think that we could be in for the best season of AHS yet and I look forward to exploring the world of the Cortez Hotel.

7 Essential Horrors for Halloween

7 Essential Horrors for Halloween

Now that the leaves have begun to fall from their branches and the supermarkets are full of black and orange decorations that can only mean one thing, Halloween is approaching. Halloween, like every annual holiday, holds something special for all of us. Whether it's trick or treating, dressing up or just being scared stiff, Halloween's macabre atmosphere brings appeal to many. For me the best part of the holiday is watching excessive amounts of horror films. Now the genre isn't for everybody but it's a genre I hold close to my heart and this time of year is the perfect time to embrace the wonderful world of horror cinema. Horror being such a broad genre there are tons of films to choose from when looking for something to watch. To narrow that down, here are 7 essential horror films to watch this Halloween.

Halloween III: Season of the Witch(1982)

Now I know what you're thinking, how could there possibly be a Halloween film without Michael Myers? Well believe it or not the third installment of the iconic franchise did not involve the Shatner mask-wearing murderer. Instead it focuses on witchcraft and the Celtic background of Halloween in a plot involving killer masks. This sounds ludicrous I know, before watching it I had the same attitude but the film was surprisingly fun. With excellent performances from Tom Atkins (Night of the Creeps) and Dan O'Herlihy (Robocop) and one of the most terrifyingly ambiguous endings in any horror film that I've seen, Halloween III does not deserve the criticism it gets. It is certain to put one in the mood for Halloween, although it might put you off jack o lantern masks for the rest of your life.

Sleepy Hollow(1999)

Perhaps the highlight of director Tim Burton's career, Sleepy Hollow is an adaptation of Washington Irving's tale of a ghostly headless horseman who terrorizes the eponymous town. The atmosphere is eerie throughout but in typical Burtonesque fashion there are plenty of comedic moments to ease the tension. With a stellar cast including the likes of Johnny Depp (A Nightmare on Elm Street) and Christopher Walken (True Romance), Sleepy Hollow is an exciting and macabre thrill ride throughout. However the real highlight of the film is the beautifully gothic setting, perfect for Halloween.

House of 1000 Corpses(2003)

Rob Zombie is one of those directors that you either hate or you love. For me it's the latter as I can't help but admire Zombie's sheer love for the genre. What better way to show this than his blood-filled directorial debut House of 1000 Corpses. Set on Halloween, the film follows a group of teenagers who get caught up with a family of homicidal maniacs portrayed by the likes of Bill Moseley (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2) and the late Karen Black (Easy Rider). The film pays homage to old grindhouse films and has a sort of grungy yet colourful atmosphere. What better way to spend your Halloween than to watch Dwight from The Office get tortured by the maniacal Firefly family.

Frankenstein(1931)

One of the defining films of the horror genre, James Whales adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel has become an iconic piece of horror cinema and Boris Karloff's portrayal of the monster is unforgettable. Frankenstein is a true classic and my favourite adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel, from the moment Colin Clive screams "it's alive!" to the shot of the burning windmill viewers are treated to a true gothic masterpiece and a Halloween essential. 

Halloween(1978)

You all saw this one coming. John Carpenter's classic slasher film set on all hallows eve, what better way to celebrate Halloween than watching a film named after the holiday? The atmosphere is tense throughout as the sinister Michael Myers kills unsuspecting teenagers one by one while being pursued by his former psychiatrist Dr. Sam Loomis. With performances from Donald Pleasance (Phenomena) and the scream queen herself, Jamie Leigh Curtis (The Fog) Halloween is a must for all fans of the genre and an essential for Halloween viewing.

Night of the Demons(1988)

What's better than a group of teenagers being stalked by demons on Halloween night? A group of teenagers being stalked by demons on Halloween night in the eighties. That's right it's the cult classic, Night of the Demons. Perhaps not as well known as the other films on this list, Night of the Demons for me is the perfect film for Halloween. Not only does it take place on Halloween but it also explores the traditions and urban myths surrounding the holiday. With razor blade-riddled apples, possessed mirrors and a rather lengthly opening sequence, the film manages to makes us both laugh and jump from start to finish. However the most unsettling scene is Angela's surreal dance to Stygmata Martyr by the darkwave band Bauhaus.

Trick 'r Treat (2007)

In my opinion, Trick 'r Treat is not only one of the best Halloween films of all time but one of the best horrors in recent years too. Although it has it's laughs, the film does not hold back on the gore factor and is full of blood, vomit and dismemberment from start to finish. Focusing on the holiday and it's traditions, this frightful anthology film has everything from werewolves to homicidal principals and features an all star cast including Anna Paquin (True Blood) and Brian Cox (Manhunter).

So there are seven spine chilling films to make your Halloween that extra bit terrifying and to get you in the mood for the holiday itself. Honourable mentions include the Scream franchise, Psycho, Ginger snaps and basically the majority of horror films out there. I hope you've enjoyed my list and I hope you have a happy and safe Halloween.