What’s up witches! Spooky season is finally here and in full swing! I decided to resurrect Halloween Chronicles this year to dish about all the books, movies and tv shows I’ll be consuming this October. So far, I’ve watched at least one movie every day! I know we’re only 6 days in, but have you ever tried to watch a horror movie every day for 31 days?? It takes a lot out of ya! I haven’t finished a book yet or a single series, but there are a few things I’m looking forward to. So let’s get into it!
Movies
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Rating: 2/5
Little Shop of Horrors is a fun musical following Seymour and his discovery of an alien plant lovingly named Audrey II. Trying to coax it to grow, Seymour finds out that this little plant doesn’t want water, it wants blood! I think this is the first time I’ve seen this musical all the way through and boy did it drag! For context, I am not a musical hater. I love Grease, Rocky Horror Picture Show, and most of the classic Disney movies I grew up on (yes, those are obviously musicals). But Little Shop of Horrors just had sooooo many songs and not enough story. I don’t think the song thing would have irked me as much if most of the songs slapped, but to be honest, a lot of them were boring and hard to listen to. I think we are seriously lacking in the category of horror musicals, make more of these people!
Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)
Rating: 3/5
Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum is a South Korean found footage film about a group of “YouTubers” trying to capture ghost activity on a livestream at Gonjiam, a haunted asylum (obviously). I found this hidden gem through PossedbyHorror’s YouTube channel and I’m so happy I did! I know that not everyone loves found footage films, but I am a sucker for this subgenre of horror. I’m not sure what it is, but I feel like these types of movies make me jump more than traditionally filmed horror movies. I mean this one had a few scenes in there that made me cover my eyes! I’m too grown to be doing that! This one does start off a bit slow, but give it a chance to terrorize you.
Thir13en Ghosts (2001)
Rating: 2/5
Thir13en Ghosts is an early 2000s horror film about some evil guy trying to capture 13 ghosts to power up some evil machine. Honestly guys, this movie served as a palate cleanser for me after watching Gonjiam and nothing more. I haven’t seen this movie in its entirety before, but I knew that people loved it for its cheese. Boy did it deliver on that! I don’t have much to say about this one, because it really is just a cheesy ass movie about killer ghosts. I think this is best enjoyed as a background movie, as long as you don’t mind ghost titties popping up every so often.
Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire (2000)
Rating: 3/5
Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire is a fun Disney channel movie about some kids setting their mom up on a date with a vampire. I watched this one last year and was craving a comfort watch on my Sunday evening. If you’re watching something spooky every day this month like me, I suggest having some comfort watches sprinkled in there. It makes it easier to want to continue watching horror movies for 31 days. If you want to hear my initial reaction to this movie, you can check out our podcast episode here: https://pressedpodcast.com/2020/10/31/s3-ep4-spooktacular-times/.
Ghost Team (2016)
Rating: 2/5
Ghost Team is about a ragtag gang of amateur ghost hunters filming their first encounter with the paranormal. Okay, I have an issue with this one. Ghost Team is categorized as a horror comedy, but in my opinion it wasn’t funny enough to be a comedy or scary enough to be a horror. This had some great actors in it that I love: Jon Heder, Justin Long, and David Krumholtz to name a few. I usually enjoy the movies that they’re in. Hell, I just rewatched Blades of Glory and laughed more times than I did watching this. I don’t know if I would even recommend this one as a background movie. Overall, it was just a disappointing watch.
TV Shows
I haven’t finished any series yet, but I have been enjoying a few shows! One of them is Midnight Mass. Midnight Mass is about the island of Crockett getting a new pastor who seems to be bringing with him a few surprises. I’m trying to keep it vague because holy shit! I’m only 3 episodes in and I love it! I’m really enjoying where the story is going and I can’t wait to finish it.This is a bit of a slow burn, but if you enjoyed Haunting of Hill House or Haunting of Bly Manor, you should check it out! The other one I’m watching is Squid Game. If you haven’t heard about Squid Game by now, allow me to be your introduction. This South Korean gem follows a few different people who are all competing in childhood games for a big ass lump sum of sweet, sweet moola. But these childhood games have taken a sinister turn. Is the money worth their lives? Y’all need to watch it! I’m only 2 episodes in, but it has me hooked! If you like the concept behind Squid Game, you should also check out Alice in Borderland. Very similar vibes!
Books
I haven’t finished any books yet, but come back next time!
I am super excited about this spooky season! We have a lot of creepy things cooking up, so make sure you’re following us on Instagram (@hayleyandkayli) and our YouTube channel (Hayley and Kayli) so you don’t miss any scary surprises! Stay spooky!
PRESSED 