Category: Articles

Tracking the Origins of the “Doomed Black Character”

We all know the old “the black character always dies in a horror movie” cliché and “the black character always dies first” trope. Although there are exceptions to both, the fact is it happens enough to be noteworthy. But when did it start and what reason(s) are there for it? Today I’m going to share …

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Hopping Ghosts

Do you want a jiangshi figure rather than a papercraft model of one? Well, you’re in luck! John Cafiero (of Osaka Popstar fame) designed an 8 inch vinyl figure of one, available in both the standard blue and special green coloration. It’s more than just a cool conversation starter. Each one comes with both a …

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I’m Surprised

Last year I put together a little article called “What Gives?” where I shared various musings and openly wondered about missed opportunities. Looking back, the title made me seem more upset than confused and some of the answers to my questions would have been answered if I had put a little more thought into the …

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Making A Magic Potion

I wish I could think of a better title for this than “Making a Magic Potion”, since there’s blessedly little potion swilling in “Call of Cthulhu”. Putting that aside, this is a quick and easy technique for creating a swirling, iridescent liquid that looks great as a potion, bound spirit, or fuel inside the reaction …

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The GdL16 Chanukkah Flashback

Finding Chanukkah-related horror stuff is hard. Thankfully we managed to come up with enough material on the subject to match up with each day of the Festival of Lights! So think of this article as the 9th candle (also known as the shamash candle) on the menorah formed by these eight crazy frights: Cybernetic Ghost …

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Vintage Thanksgiving Insanity

As I noted last year, several Halloween traditions were once associated with Thanksgiving in America. I first noticed this when I read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn back in high school and was completely mystified by the part where children were clearly trick or treating in November. When I noticed how several old magazine articles …

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Reincarnation Is Theme

Do you believe in the theory of re-incarnation? Do you think that a man dead one hundred years can come back to life and take up his place in the world where he left off? Houdini, in his initial photo-drama for his own company, “The Man From Beyond,” which begins a seven days’ engagement at …

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Make Your Own Spooky Sound Effects II

It’s been a few years since I last discussed how to make custom sound effects and I have been spending that time seeking out more sound effect ideas. Speaking of last year, remember how I noted how one could imitate a cricket using only your mouth? Fred Newman’s MouthSounds has detailed directions on doing so …

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First Parish Haunted House

Location: 75 Great Road, Bedford, MA 01730 (Directions) Dates/Times: Oct 20 from 6:00 – 9:30 pm, Oct 21 5:30 – 9:30 pm (10:30 am – 1:30 pm kid-friendly) (Dates/Times and prices subject to change as years go by) Admission: $10 per adult, $10 per child (ages 3-14) and $8 per senior citizen. Parents’ and kids’ …

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It Came From Wikipedia X

The Menendez Brothers are the reason there wasn’t a third installment in the original Fright Night series. Seriously. The painting “The Hands Resist Him” was very famous back in the late 90’s for its allegations of being haunted. But did you know there’s another painting out there with a similar reputation? It’s called “The Crying …

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It Came From Amazon IX

Why is a Lego Minifigure version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde called “Mr. Good and Evil?” Were they afraid people would get confused and expect two separate figures? Speaking of questions about Lego Minifigures, is “Horror Rocker” an excuse to depict the coolness of Frankenstein’s monster playing the guitar or is it a secret …

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Tricks and Treats VIII

Want to make your own “Electric Jack O’Lantern” for Halloween? As you can see, it’s all too easy! William J. Le Petomane is offering downloads of “Johann Sebastian Bunsen Burner (in D minor)” and “I Lost My Heart and Soul (at the Monster’s Ball)” on a “Name Your Price” basis. But act quickly, because this …

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Spawn of Horror Trivia

Have you ever wondered why the character design for the Crypt Keeper in Tales from the Cryptkeeper looks so different from his appearance in the live action Tales from the Crypt series? It’s because Nelvana felt using the mechanical puppet from the HBO series would be too scary for small children and thought a redesigned …

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The House with Laughing Windows (1976) An Overlooked Giallo

Zombos Says: Very Good This review was written for the upcoming Unsung Horrors, an anthology of horror movies you should watch, written by the fiends at We Belong Dead magazine. The book should be available at the end of this month.   The House with Laughing Windows (La casa dale finestre che ridono) is a …

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Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: The Creepy Creeps

The Creepy Creeps Official Site The Creepy Creeps, Dionysus Records 2016 (Original release date: 2006) Back when I looked at the music of Creepxotica, I provided a few details about the Creepy Creeps since the two bands are interconnected (more on that later). But to help all you new readers catch up, here’s what I …

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Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Music From The 6th Floor

Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited Official Site (Label) Music From The 6th Floor, Dionysus Records 2016 It’s been ages since I last reviewed something by Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited and the group seems as mysterious as ever. In fact, I hadn’t heard anything from them in so long that I had assumed they had quietly disbanded! …

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