Scary Movie Night Suggestions Pt. 2

See Part 1 Here!

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

Michelle awakes in an underground bunker with no recollection of how she got there. Howard, a stranger with ambiguous intent, tells her there's been a chemical attack on the earth and that the air above ground is unbreathable. He says he found her at the scene of a terrible car accident and took her underground so that she had a chance to survive. This man is either her captive or her savior, but with no access to the outside world and the chance that she might die if she attempts to enter it, Michelle has to decide her next move - and how to make it under Howard’s watchful eye.

Creep (2015)

This documentary-style horror film takes the point of view of the man behind the camera, Aaron, who has answered an online ad to help a dying man, Josef, film a day in his life for his unborn child, whom he will not be alive to meet. What at first seems like a sweet, sad project soon turns surreal as the requests for the day’s shooting become stranger and stranger. Joseph’s behavior is increasingly erratic, but is always explained away just enough to keep Aaron around. When he finally decides he’s had enough, he finds out that it may be too late.

Funny Games (2007)

Much like The Strangers, this film (an American remake) creates a lot of its tension from the knot-in-your-stomach feeling we get when things seem normal, but somehow you know they’re just not quite right. Ann, along with her husband and young son, is visiting her upscale vacation house when a pair of seemingly dapper young men arrive to borrow some pantry items. The feeling of unease builds as their behavior turns from perfectly polite to unpredictable. By the time she knows what her gut is telling her, it’s far too late and there’s a price to pay.

Eyes Without a Face (1960)

A grieving father, Dr. Genessier, uses his medical prowess and absent moral compass in an attempt to right a wrong for which he feels responsible. His disfigured daughter, thought dead by the outside world, is left wearing a face obscuring mask that on its own is creepy enough to be worth the price of admission. How far her father will go to get her a new face may shock and disgust you, but it’ll keep your eyes (with a face, hopefully) fixed on the screen.

The Visit (2015)

Two young siblings take a journey to meet their maternal grandparents for the very first time. Because of a strained relationship between these grandparents and their mother, the children know very little of them or their rural farm life. All seems pleasant when Nana and Pop Pop welcome them in, but when odd behaviors and confusing interactions start to stack up, they question the safety of staying in this home. When the kids learn a spine-chilling secret, they know their only option will be to fight their way out. I have to say: the personality of the brother in this film is nearly unbearable (child white rapper!!!) but ultimately the thrills outweigh the secondhand embarrassment.

Fashion Inspiration from Ladies of Horror

As part of Blogtober, I'll be re-running some past posts that fit this month's theme. This post was originally published in April 2012.

Friday the 13th is a rare and special treat - most people are freaked out by the morbid associations, but I delight in any day that feels like a holiday. Seriously - any excuse (even a superstitious nonevent) to put a little special spice in the air is okay by me. In honor of this most fearful of Fridays I'm showing you how to get horror movie-style glamour directly from the queens of scream themselves. 

The Birds

Even though we pretty much only see one outfit on Tippi Hedren in The Birds, it was definitely a good one. Her vintage green dress suit could still be rocked today and her simple, sleek accessories could still make us "flock" to her (yes, I went there). Here's how she'd do it up today:

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The Craft

The Craft was HUGE for me and my friends and I was always drawn to the wardrobe of Rachel True's character Rochelle. This look was LITERALLY the epitome of chic to me in 1996 and I tried (and failed) to pull it off with my limited 5th grade wardrobe. Gotta admit - I'd still feel incredibly cool in this right now. Also, why don't we wear more suspenders?

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Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Buffy was so cool I could barely stand it. I once watched this movie ten times in 48 hours before returning my rental in 2nd grade. I have her wardrobe memorized, from daisy print dress to spandex unitard and every jean jacket in between. Words of wisdom: anyone who can effortlessly pull off a black leather jacket over a prom dress is a fashion pro. Here's how to steal her best slaying gear:

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Gremlins 2: The New Batch

Some may find her repulsive, but I'm strangely drawn to the girl gremlin. Her confidence is insane! She's like a leathery Marilyn Monroe. Wearing a pink boa and full on ball gown like it's just ~whatevs~ shows this chick can pull off anything! A full head of retro styled green hair is a look I'd like to pursue, but we can start small with a few clip in streaks.

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Rosemary's Baby

OK, so Rosemary had some serious shit going on, but she still managed to knock the whole fashion thing out of the park. Her baby is all Satan-y and she's still sporting non-stop hats, mod collars and to-die-for nighties. If she can find the time to wear perfect shift dresses while solving the whole 'what the hell is going on' thing then what's our excuse?

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Psycho

Like The Birds, we get just a glimpse into the potential super closet of Janet Leigh in Psycho, but it's stayed engrained in our collective memory. Her simple shirt dress and selective jewelry are smart for a gal on the run and I think we can all give thanks that her clothes were spared during the infamous shower scene. Also, can we talk about THOSE BROWS? Perfection.

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The Shining

The Shining twins are probably not topping any lists of who we most want to emulate, but let's step back from the creepiness for a sec...their look is actually pretty cute, am I right? Nightgown-esque dress, knee socks, mary janes - YES. Throw on some Gemini jewelry as a nod to your "better half" and this lipstick in the shade REDRUM and you can have the twins' look - minus the blood stains (unless you're into that, of course).

They're not only there to terrify you: the ladies of horror can be major fashion inspiration! Follow their lead - err, at least in the clothing realm - to get a cool, vintage or tough look that's so good it's scary.

Who is your favorite lady of horror?
Which of these looks would you want to wear the most?

Scary Movie Night Suggestions Pt. 1

I’d say the number one thing I try to avoid in life is feeling anxious or scared. Who wants that? But the same brain that works overtime to keep me that way is also telling me, “Go ahead, put on Rosemary’s Baby real quick.” Mixed messages, no?

I thought I’d offer a few recommendations in case you’re looking for movie night inspiration during this spookiest of seasons. I tried to pick some that are slightly off the beaten path, so maybe you’ve seen these, maybe you haven’t, but I hope you find something that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand straight up!

Suspiria (1977)

An American ballet student arrives to study at a prestigious dance academy in Europe, but soon realizes that there’s a little more going on here than just pirouettes and plies. Strange encounters, maggots raining from the ceiling and mysterious secret rituals have Suzy confused, scared and wondering what all this witch talk is about. This cult classic is worth the watch for the visuals alone, but the perfectly eery soundtrack and vintage gore don’t hurt either.

The Strangers (2008)

For me, the scariest movies are those in which the horror is random and realistic; no over-the-top premises are needed and the victims are chosen just because. It could be anyone, anytime, and in this film it is. A couple staying in a remote cabin is caught off guard with a middle of the night knock on the door. A case of mistaken identity, or so it seems. When another knock follows later, and things are found out of place, they’re left wondering if someone has been inside the house all along. A tension-filled night goes from weird to dangerous. Why them? “Because you were home.” Gulp. 

It Follows (2015)

This film starts almost like a teen romp - a young woman goes for a swim, chats with her friends, gets dolled up for a date with a new guy. Things shift suddenly when, after a sexual encounter, she finds herself in a confusing and terrifying situation and learns of a nightmarish burden that has been bestowed upon her. What follows is her attempt to understand and lose that burden, all with the ever-present feeling of fear and pressure as the clock silently ticks forward. This is a compelling and original horror premise that keeps you guessing until the very last shot.

Teeth (2007)

The very picture of teen chastity, Dawn takes her position in her abstinence group very seriously. When she becomes the object of a violent sexual act, Dawn discovers, to her horror, that she possess vagina dentata, aka toothed lady bits. Ouch. Once a stranger to her own body, she gradually grows emboldened by her newfound power and unleashes herself into the world, prepared to use her teeth if the need arises.

Don’t Breathe (2016)

Three young delinquent friends decide to break into the home of a blind man they’ve learned is holding something they want: lots and lots of cash. They figure it’s easy money, like taking candy from a baby, but soon realize that although this man can’t see, he’s a more than formidable contender. Their plan of a quick cash grab in the dark soon turns into trying to outrun and outsmart this man in order to save their lives. In the process, they learn he's got secrets darker than they could’ve imagined.

Check back soon for Part 2!

It's Alive! Exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum - Salem, MA

It’s not often that you get to combine the serene, intellectual activity of museum prowling with the creepy-cool aesthetic of Halloween, but the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts is allowing visitors to do just that. 

Their newest exhibit, It’s Alive!, is a showing of vintage horror and science-fiction art courtesy of collector and Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett, which features decades-old art for classic films like The Mummy and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, and props, like a costume worn by Boris Karloff in the 1934 film The Black Cat.

Immediately upon entering the exhibit hall, you’ll find lowered lights and a scene from the film Nosferatu projected on the wall in your immediate field of vision.

Every wall is covered in beautiful promotional posters for all of your favorite horror classics, which you could easily imagine hanging in the decadent theater lobbies of yesteryear. There’s even a poster mockup for the film Vampyr on which you can see the original mixed media cut-and-paste and penciled-in design notes.

The most striking features are the costume and prop-wearing mannequins, which stand out under spotlights in a darkened room, and allow you to see custom-sewn clothing up close and personal, seams and all. 

It’s hard not to notice the somewhat shoddy quality of a piece like the Invaders from Mars creature’s suit, which by today’s standards reads like a homemade halloween costume. All of it adds to the creepy, vintage message of the exhibit, though, and it gives a thrill to see genuine movie props, like the Creature from the Black Lagoon’s mask, in person.

Also included in the exhibit are vintage horror and sci-fi toys, vintage lobby cards (small movie posters designed to be displayed in theater lobbies to lure in potential viewers via artful depictions of key movie scenes) and a large-scale promotional cutout of King Kong, which nearly grazes the ceiling. 

One wall is dedicated to horror-themed painted guitars belonging to Hammett, featuring designs such as a ouija board print and a Dracula scene. You’ll even find some original paintings which were used as cover art for the vintage magazine Creepy.

There’s a book of the exhibit pieces and more available in the museum gift shop, and you can peruse the pages in the exhibit, as well. 

The It’s Alive! exhibit runs through November 26, 2017. 

Find out more at www.pem.org

What's your favorite vintage horror movie? 
Is there any memorabilia you collect?