BEARS THAT SCARE, CHILDHOOD HALLOWEEN MOVIES

I've had a long-standing tradition each October to have a Halloween movie marathon. It started when I was just a peanut watching "Charlie Brown And The Great Pumpkin". My fascination with horror grew into my formative years and "The Puppet Master" series quickly became a staple (our neighbor at the end of the block always dressed up like one of the characters- what a guy). As I became older, my taste in horror evolved. My high school years were filled Jason, Freddy, and Michael from AMC's Fright Fest and currently, you'll find the classics like "Frankenstein" and "Psycho" plastered across my television screen.

Each year that passed without a proper showing felt empty- like I missed the greatest part of fall. But looking back at all of my years of Halloween Horror, some of my fondest memories came from where it all started: my childhood. Take a walk down memory lane with me and re-watch some of the best Halloween classics from tots to teens.

Elvira Mistress of the Dark

1 Sentence Synopsis: Hot babe tries to get dead aunt's inheritance.

Quote: "Oh well, there's nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there's lots of sex and violence."

Notes: Witty, campy, & downright hilarious. One of my favorites.



The Midnight Hour

1 Sentence Synopsis: A scandalous teenager rager unlocks evil.

Quote: "The party could go on forever."

Notes: I felt ultra-cool after I watched this.




The Little Monsters

1 Sentence Synopsis: Monsters under the bed? Say no more.

Quote: "Who put piss in my apple juice?"

Notes: I watched this as a kid in a hotel room and it scared the hell out of me.  



The Monster Squad

 1 Sentence Synopsis: Essentially, the Goonies meet Frankenstein.

Quote: "Wow, Wolfman's got nards!"

Notes: Dark and nostalgic, perfect for Halloween. My boyfriend's favorite.



Halloweentown

1 Sentence Synopsis: Young witches save a land of monsters.

Quote: "Being normal is vastly overrated."

Notes: Cute and quirky. You gotta love Aunt Agie and the giant Jack-O-Lantern.


Double Double Toil & Trouble 

1 Sentence Synopsis: Darling twins steal a magic moonstone from their evil aunt.

Quote: "These people have been reading too much Stephen King."

Notes: A nice mixture of scary and sweet. Aunt Agatha gave me nightmares.


The Halloween Tree

1 Sentence Synopsis: Children learn the origin of Halloween.

Quote: "But suddenly, the day was gone. Night came out from under each tree and spread.”

Notes: Remember what it's like to be a kid and relive trick-o-treating in Ray Bradbury's animated classic


Halloween is Grinch Night
1 Sentence Synopsis: Its Grinch Night and the Grinch must be stopped!

Quote: "It's a wonderful night for eyebrows. It's a wonderful night for teeth! It's a wonderful night for Grinch Night!"

Notes: Equal parts weird (so weird) and great.

The Great Bear Scare

1 Sentence Synopsis: Ted E Bear tries to save Halloween from monsters.

Quote: "Bears are afraid of nothing."

Notes: Adorably scary. Perfect for your young honies. A Halloween special that was made special by watching it with my family.

TRICK OR TREAT, HERE'S A HALLOWEEN BOOK LEAK!

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Halloween Morning.

Knock, knock, knock. Felix tapped his fist against the dingy screen door on Hoover Drive.
He waited. No answer.
Leaning in sideways he peaked through the curtain covered windows. Lights from a television game-show blinked and he could hear contestants applauding inside. He knocked again, “Mr. Del Vecchio,” he yelled. “I know you’re in there.” Rudy’s grandfather had never been one for uninvited guests. “Mr. Del Veccio,” Felix called again.

Suddenly, the front door swung open and the smell of cigarettes rolled through the broken screen. Mr. Del Vecchio appeared, standing tall in a white t-shirt and gray leisure pants. A pair of suspenders held the ensemble together. 

“Rudy’s not here,” he grumbled. “He’s out collecting twigs for his Halloween costume.” This year Rudy was going as a demonic scarecrow for trick-or-treating. 

“Actually, sir, I was hoping to talk to you.” Felix rubbed his neck nervously.
           “To me? What do ya’ need you runt?” Mr. Del Vecchio coughed and a few blobs of spit came flying out.
           “Rudy told me about the witches.”
Mr. Del Vecchio poked his head out like a parrot looking for a cracker. He grabbed Felix by the collar of his shirt and pulled him into the house.
           “I think my little sister is being hunted,” Felix said as the old man slammed the door.
He took a chain and slid it across to secure it, “Sit down.”

THROW YOUR OWN KILLER PUMPKIN PARTY

Love pumpkins more than just your basic white girl?
Then throw your own killer pumpkin festival!

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Killer pumpkin fest 2016 was a fusion between Halloween Horror and Fall flavors.

 With a cool breeze in the air, the Charleston weather played happily along for our crisp autumn evening. Luke and I gathered the essentials and set forth to create an unforgettable night. 

Step 1: 

Pick pumpkins from a local farm-stand or pumpkin-patch

 (it's half of the fun)

Step 2: 

Polish the pumpkins, wiping away any dirt so you can decorate them.

(We chose pumpkin-pie pumpkins for our guests)

Step 3:

Paint your Pumpkins while listening to "The Monster Mash".

(Using paint markers from Michaels made it easy)

Step 4:

Decorate your home!

(Most of my treasures came from Target and Marshalls)

Step 5:

Dress up your family in fall sweaters

(Comfort and coziness is key)

Step 6: 

Cook a pumpkin dish that smells incredible.

We chose this recipe for a spicy pumpkin chili.

(The aroma of food and fall candles really set the mood for the party)

Step 7: 

Welcome guests and eat.

(Our spread consisted of pumpkin maple muffins, pumpkin mac-and-cheese, pumpkin-apple quesadillas, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin donut munchkins, pumpkin fluff dip with vanilla wafers, pumpkin-spice cheese with harvest wheat crackers, pumpkin tortilla chips, pumpkin pie, caramel-apple popcorn, smore's cookies, apple cider, pumpkin beer, and of course Halloween candy.

 

Step 8: 

Carve pumpkins for cups.

(Pumpkin-pie pumpkins are perfect for holding 16 ounces of your favorite fall beverage. We used wax paper to place the guts on.)

Step 9:

Give the inside of your pumpkin a quick wash to dislodge any fibers.

Drink out of it!

Step 10:

Enjoy the company of your friends.

(We watched Halloween, and Monster Squad while playing cards and dispensing random horror trivia. Later in the evening, the boys lit up a few Cigars on the balcony and enjoyed the chill in the air. The girls stayed warm inside and watched Hocus Pocus)

Bonus Step:

(The most important one)

Be thankful.

Kiss your significant other for helping you put together a great party and making a killer pot of pumpkin chili.

 (Posing as the Brawny Paper Towel Man)

A big thank you to all of my friends for bringing a delicious pumpkin recipe and spending your Saturday evening with us. We can't wait to do it again next year.

 Gather your friends and family and recreate your own killer pumpkin party!

P.S. the leftovers were awesome.