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| (2011) |
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| (2008) |
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| (2005) Jerri Blanck/Amy Sedaris |
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| (2006) |
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| (2007) |
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Merry Halloween! Pumpkins
I'm continuing my countdown to Halloween by creating a photo essay of past pumpkins I've carved over the last several years. If I haven't convinced you yet, you'll now know I'm a total TV junkie. I'm sorry, I tried to put these in order but blogger wasn't cooperating.
This Snoopy's Christmas doghouse pumpkin was one I carved in December--I was lazy and just kept putting off carving my Halloween pumpkin that year until it was December.
Monday, October 10, 2011
The Munsters' Scary Little Christmas (1996)
The 1996 made-for-TV movie The Munsters’ Scary Little Christmas is based on the familiar characters from the classic 1960s TV sitcom, The Munsters. Just like the original TV series, this movie isn't very frightening. But there is enough dark humor here to entertain adult viewers as well.
The Munster family are filled with the Christmas spirit except for young Eddie, who misses the traditions of their former home in Transylvania. The main plot focuses on how each member of the Munsters clan tries to help little Eddie recapture his Christmas spirit. His father, Herman, attempts to reach Eddie by buying him an expensive toy: The Marquis de Sade Dungeon Action Play set--complete with thumb screws. Mother, Lily, tries to inspire Eddie by asking for his help in elaborately decorating their home for a neighborhood contest. Lily ends up winning the house decorating contest when the judges love her unique sophisticated, dark -themed, tribute to Artaud’s Theatre of Cruelty. Her tableau includes guillotined snowmen, rabid reindeer and spider-filled webs.
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| Don't slice up Santa! |
Don’t miss the funny continuing gag of Herman unknowingly frightening away the door-to-door carolers. Another outrageous moment includes Santa’s elves ending up at a dangerous biker bar. And, just like the a typical plot point from the TV series, Marilyn finds a chance for romance. Will he find her family a bit too weird as well?
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| The Munsters admiring their outdoor Christmas display |
Looking for a free DVD of this movie to watch with your family? I've got one to giveaway. The first person to comment on the blog below and ask for it--I'll mail it to you (North American residents only please). Make sure you already follow this blog through Google Friends Connect. That's the only condition. And thanks for reading :)
Friday, October 7, 2011
Merry Halloween! Scrooge in Hell
I'm continuing my countdown to Halloween covering scary, creepy and Halloween-appropriate Christmas entertainments.
Have you checked out what other cool bloggers are writing about during the month of October? Please feel free to click on the Cryptkeeper link on the righthand side of this blog to go to a HUGE list of other blogs. It's a Halloween blog hop! hosted by CountdowntoHalloween.com
Have you ever watched the 1970 British movie musical Scrooge? With music and lyrics written by Leslie Bricusse, both the score and the song "Thank You Very Much" from this movie were nominated for Academy Awards that year. The music and lyrics were written by Leslie Bricusse, the same man who went on to write the music for the 1971 movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Scrooge stars Albert Finney as Ebenezer Scrooge and Alec Guinness as the Ghost of Jacob Marley.
I point out 1970's Scrooge at Halloween because this particular adaptation of the popular Christmas story includes an incredible scene of substantial length. During his journey with the Ghost of Christmases Yet to Come, Scrooge takes a trip to HELL!
After falling down into the depth of Hell, Scrooge is relieved to see a familiar face: his old friend and business partner, Jacob Marley. Marley welcomes Scrooge to his final destination (mwuh--hahahaha!) and shows him his office. He's been given the job as personal clerk to Lucifer!
Marley takes him in his office and warns him about the rats! He's also been denied heat in his office, just as he denied heat to Cratchit serving as his personal clerk. (Karma is a bitch). Next, Scrooge's chains are delivered--they took extra long to forge.
After Scrooge awakens on Christmas morning, he finds he's had a change of heart and sets out to buy a Christmas turkey for the Cratchits before joining his nephew Fred for a meal.
I find this interpretation of Scrooge's journey an interesting one. (A trip to Hell is not in the original manuscript as written by Charles Dickens). While I find the frightening imagery and the threat of eternity spent working for Lucifer a thrilling addition to the story, I don't think it fits the point intended by Dickens. I believe Dickens created Scrooge's transformation as one to be motivated by reciprocity and a recognition that his wealth will do him no good after death. As if Scrooge learns "you can't take it with you" rather than "for the wages of sin is death." It's a more subtle turn for Scrooge to recognize and appreciate what good his money can do for others rather than change his mind about his greediness because he fears eternal damnation. Certainly, Dickens was clever enough to consider writing it that way if he so wanted. But I think he preferred the more subtle character change. I think we all do. Even if it is entertaining to see Scrooge in HELL!
Check it out: Scrooge is available on DVD and is easy to find each December airing on television.
Have you checked out what other cool bloggers are writing about during the month of October? Please feel free to click on the Cryptkeeper link on the righthand side of this blog to go to a HUGE list of other blogs. It's a Halloween blog hop! hosted by CountdowntoHalloween.com
Have you ever watched the 1970 British movie musical Scrooge? With music and lyrics written by Leslie Bricusse, both the score and the song "Thank You Very Much" from this movie were nominated for Academy Awards that year. The music and lyrics were written by Leslie Bricusse, the same man who went on to write the music for the 1971 movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Scrooge stars Albert Finney as Ebenezer Scrooge and Alec Guinness as the Ghost of Jacob Marley.
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| Albert Finney as Ebenezer Scrooge |
I point out 1970's Scrooge at Halloween because this particular adaptation of the popular Christmas story includes an incredible scene of substantial length. During his journey with the Ghost of Christmases Yet to Come, Scrooge takes a trip to HELL!
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| Spirit, what is to become of me? |
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| Ebenezer literally stumbles into his own open grave. |
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| ...falling...falling... |
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| There's a signpost up ahead. Next stop: HELL! |
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| Panaramic view of Hell's stalactites and stalagmites lined with sad faces. |
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| "Help me Jacob Marley, you're my only hope!" |
After falling down into the depth of Hell, Scrooge is relieved to see a familiar face: his old friend and business partner, Jacob Marley. Marley welcomes Scrooge to his final destination (mwuh--hahahaha!) and shows him his office. He's been given the job as personal clerk to Lucifer!
 |
| A new office? how shall I decorate? |
Marley takes him in his office and warns him about the rats! He's also been denied heat in his office, just as he denied heat to Cratchit serving as his personal clerk. (Karma is a bitch). Next, Scrooge's chains are delivered--they took extra long to forge.
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| This photo is not taken from an Erasure music video. Scrooge's chains are delivered by Human Resources |
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| Scrooge's chains in the afterlife are choking him... |
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| Wrapped in his bed linens, Scrooge finally awakens from his nightmare! |
After Scrooge awakens on Christmas morning, he finds he's had a change of heart and sets out to buy a Christmas turkey for the Cratchits before joining his nephew Fred for a meal.
I find this interpretation of Scrooge's journey an interesting one. (A trip to Hell is not in the original manuscript as written by Charles Dickens). While I find the frightening imagery and the threat of eternity spent working for Lucifer a thrilling addition to the story, I don't think it fits the point intended by Dickens. I believe Dickens created Scrooge's transformation as one to be motivated by reciprocity and a recognition that his wealth will do him no good after death. As if Scrooge learns "you can't take it with you" rather than "for the wages of sin is death." It's a more subtle turn for Scrooge to recognize and appreciate what good his money can do for others rather than change his mind about his greediness because he fears eternal damnation. Certainly, Dickens was clever enough to consider writing it that way if he so wanted. But I think he preferred the more subtle character change. I think we all do. Even if it is entertaining to see Scrooge in HELL!
Check it out: Scrooge is available on DVD and is easy to find each December airing on television.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
South Park in the magazine Entertainment Weekly
Anybody else subsribe to the magazine Entertainment Weekly? Well, the next time you're at the doctor's office look for the October 7th issue.
In honor of South Park's 15th anniversary, the magazine has an article and a listing (p.44) of the 15 Best South Park Episodes and 53 of the Worst Episodes. If you watch the outrageous animated comedy series on Comedy Central--or have even heard of it--you know that South Park exists to push the boundaries on what's funny and what can be expressed on television. TV hasn't been the same since this show debuted.
Reading the list of the 15 Best South Park Episodes, I see that #7 is "Woodland Critter Christmas" from season eight. Wow! Have you seen it? You don't really ever forget it if you've seen it!
Instead of a summary, I'll just warn you: it is trying to be offensive and succeeds. But the mere mention of this episode brings a smile to my face every time someone asks me if I've seen it! There is no other Christmas episode quite like this one. None. But you don't have to be a Christmas TV expert to know that. It's South Park!
I find it quite amusing that this episode made their best 15 episodes list. Which ones would be in your list of the best South Park episodes?
Click on the link to read what a guest blogger had to say about another animated segment from Matt Stone and Trey Parker: South Park essay from Christmas in July.
In honor of South Park's 15th anniversary, the magazine has an article and a listing (p.44) of the 15 Best South Park Episodes and 53 of the Worst Episodes. If you watch the outrageous animated comedy series on Comedy Central--or have even heard of it--you know that South Park exists to push the boundaries on what's funny and what can be expressed on television. TV hasn't been the same since this show debuted.
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| p. 44 in this week's Entertainment Weekly |
Reading the list of the 15 Best South Park Episodes, I see that #7 is "Woodland Critter Christmas" from season eight. Wow! Have you seen it? You don't really ever forget it if you've seen it!
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| Those woodland critters are sooo cute! Aawww.....AAAHHHH!!! |
I find it quite amusing that this episode made their best 15 episodes list. Which ones would be in your list of the best South Park episodes?
Click on the link to read what a guest blogger had to say about another animated segment from Matt Stone and Trey Parker: South Park essay from Christmas in July.
The Good Witch's Gift (2010)
I'm continuing my countdown to Halloween covering scary, creepy and Halloween-appropriate Christmas entertainments. Who doesn't love a witch at Halloween?
This Halloween, I'm reminded of the 2010 holiday TV movie The Good Witch's Gift an original production from The Hallmark Channel. This Christmas TV movie is the third in a sequence of The Hallmark Channel's highest-rated movie series of all time. The series is based on the characters from the first movie The Good Witch in 2008. Actress Catherine Bell plays Cassandra Nightingale, or more simply Cassie, a mysterious woman who seems to be at the center of magical occurrences in her small town.
Bell became a household face after starring on the long-running, military/law drama JAG. Fans of this show already know that JAG produced seven Christmas episodes during its run from 1995-2005. More recently, Bell has starred in the Lifetime original series Army Wives.
The Hallmark Channel original Christmas movie The Good Witch's Gift sees Cassie and Jake (played by actor Chris Potter) finally setting a date for their wedding: Christmas Eve. There are several hurdles to overcome before the wedding: young Lori loses Cassie’s wedding ring, there was a mix up with the marriage license, the bride and groom have no minister for the wedding, and they are without a wedding cake. Will Cassie use her magic to make her wedding day a perfect one?
Attention Degrassi fans: Jodi Deeks, a character in a side story, is played by actress Jordan Todosey. You may recognize her as the ground-breaking f-to-m transgendered teen, Adam, in the current episodes of the Canadian teen drama. Full Disclosure: I'm addicted to Degrassi.
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| debuted in 2010 |
This Halloween, I'm reminded of the 2010 holiday TV movie The Good Witch's Gift an original production from The Hallmark Channel. This Christmas TV movie is the third in a sequence of The Hallmark Channel's highest-rated movie series of all time. The series is based on the characters from the first movie The Good Witch in 2008. Actress Catherine Bell plays Cassandra Nightingale, or more simply Cassie, a mysterious woman who seems to be at the center of magical occurrences in her small town.
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| David James Elliott and Catherine Bell on the long-running TV drama, JAG |
The Hallmark Channel original Christmas movie The Good Witch's Gift sees Cassie and Jake (played by actor Chris Potter) finally setting a date for their wedding: Christmas Eve. There are several hurdles to overcome before the wedding: young Lori loses Cassie’s wedding ring, there was a mix up with the marriage license, the bride and groom have no minister for the wedding, and they are without a wedding cake. Will Cassie use her magic to make her wedding day a perfect one?
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| Adam on Degrassi |
Attention Degrassi fans: Jodi Deeks, a character in a side story, is played by actress Jordan Todosey. You may recognize her as the ground-breaking f-to-m transgendered teen, Adam, in the current episodes of the Canadian teen drama. Full Disclosure: I'm addicted to Degrassi.
Witchrospective on The Good Witch film series on The Hallmark Channel
promo for The Good Witch's Gift
The fourth movie in The Good Witch film series recently aired on the Hallmark Channel entitled The Good Witch's Family. And, the announcement has recently been made that a fifth movie is to be created. I'm sure this Novemeber and December, The Good Witch's Gift will return to the Hallmark Channel holiday film schedule. Did you see it last year? Do you like watching Hallmark Channel movies at Christmas time?
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Merry Halloween!
I'm continuing my countdown to Halloween covering scary, creepy and Halloween-appropriate Christmas entertainments.
Have you ever seen the 1972 British horror movie Tales from the Crypt? This anthology film made by Amicus Productions begins with five people separated from their tourist group in the catacombs under the cemetery. There, they meet a crypt keeper who shows them each how they will meet their grisly deaths. Of interest here is the first of the five segments, entitled "And All Through the House." The Grand Dame of Bitches, Joan Collins, stars as Joanne, a woman who murders her husband on Christmas Eve in order to collect his life insurance money. As she cleans up the mess and the blood, she hears a warning on the radio about a homicidal maniac dressed in a Santa suit in the local area. As she hurriedly dumps the body down the basement steps, she has to repeatedly tend to her young daughter Carol who keeps getting out of bed--impatient for it to be Christmas morning.
Unfortunately, the Santa Claus killer is outside the home, eagerly looking in the windows and watching Joanne clean up the scene of her own crime. As Joanne carefully finishes making her husband’s death look like an accident, she's horrified to realize that her young daughter has excitedly opened the front door to welcome in Santa Claus!
One of the fun things about this segment is that it was re-made for the HBO TV series Tales from the Crypt in 1989. This past summer, a guest blogger wrote about this episode during our Christmas in July party on the blog. Click here to see what she wrote about it. Thanks again to Roza for joining in on the fun last July.
Have you ever seen the 1972 British horror movie Tales from the Crypt? This anthology film made by Amicus Productions begins with five people separated from their tourist group in the catacombs under the cemetery. There, they meet a crypt keeper who shows them each how they will meet their grisly deaths. Of interest here is the first of the five segments, entitled "And All Through the House." The Grand Dame of Bitches, Joan Collins, stars as Joanne, a woman who murders her husband on Christmas Eve in order to collect his life insurance money. As she cleans up the mess and the blood, she hears a warning on the radio about a homicidal maniac dressed in a Santa suit in the local area. As she hurriedly dumps the body down the basement steps, she has to repeatedly tend to her young daughter Carol who keeps getting out of bed--impatient for it to be Christmas morning.
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| He knows when you've been naughty! |
Unfortunately, the Santa Claus killer is outside the home, eagerly looking in the windows and watching Joanne clean up the scene of her own crime. As Joanne carefully finishes making her husband’s death look like an accident, she's horrified to realize that her young daughter has excitedly opened the front door to welcome in Santa Claus!
One of the fun things about this segment is that it was re-made for the HBO TV series Tales from the Crypt in 1989. This past summer, a guest blogger wrote about this episode during our Christmas in July party on the blog. Click here to see what she wrote about it. Thanks again to Roza for joining in on the fun last July.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Countdown to Halloween 2011
I'm planning on blogging about scary, spooky and monstrous Christmas-themed entertainments all month long as we gear up for Halloween. But I'm not the only blogger excited for Halloween. Check out: Countdown to Halloween for a list of participating blogs.
During the entire month of October, I'm going to keep the Cryptkeeper badge (in the sidebar on my blog along the right hand side). Click on that badge any time during the month to link to that list of participating blogs to check out what other bloggers are writing about this Halloween. I'm sure you'll discover more than a few new blogs to follow as well! Thanks to Wonderful Wonderblog for turning me on to Countdown to Halloween 2011.
And, don't forget! The Trick or Treat Giveaway is going on from Oct. 2 through the 10th. Click on the link to go to the Authors By Authors blogsite to follow the instructions for the freebies. There's something in the prize package from me, so don't hesitate to join in on the trick-or-treat fun.
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