ELI’S GIVEAWAY

I’m happy to be part of RJ Scott’s Halloween Scare Trail, which features blog posts with great giveaways as a treat for Halloween. My post is about the horror movie marathon I’m doing.

For my giveaway, I’m doing a $20 Amazon gift certificate. To enter to win, just add a comment below. I’ll pick a winner with a random number generator. Since my post is about horror movies, if you’ve enjoyed any horror movies this October, let me know in the comments!

ELI’S HORROR MOVIE MARATHON

I love horror movies. My favorites are the old gothic and Euro gothic movies (like The Innocents), supernatural/paranormal (like The Fury and Firestarter), ghost/hauntings (The Others), giallo (Italian thrillers like Don’t Torture a Duckling), creature features (Jaws, Grizzly), disaster movies, and witch/vampire/zombie movies. The only type of horror I really don’t like are films I consider “torture porn” like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the Saw franchise, etc. I particularly love vintage stuff from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s.

I’m also OCD and enjoy reading and movie challenges. Last year, I discovered a forum that has an annual horror movie marathon. I’m participating this year and will reach over 100 horror movies watched in October.

For anyone who might be interested in doing it, here’s a link to the challenge on DVDTalk forum. The challenge is in its 14th year.

The highlights of this month’s viewing so far are listed below All are recommended—assuming you like horror movies!

Abominable (2006) - Fun tongue-in-cheek horror movie that’s sort of Rear Window meets Bigfoot. A man in a wheelchair sees a huge yeti type creature preying on a cabin of college age girls next door and can’t figure out how to help them.

Antichrist (2009) - This Lars Von Trier film is not for the squeamish, but it’s got gorgeous cinematography and is a total head trip. Very sexy too.

Blood on Satan’s Claw (1970) - Folk horror that revolves around historical witchcraft and pagan beliefs is one of my favorite sub-genres. (Think The Wicker Man). This is a cool story set in a historic English village. The bones of a mysterious entity are accidentally unearthed, and it begins taking over the village children.

Cujo (1983) - This huge-dog-with-rabies story holds up surprisingly well. I hadn’t seen it since it first released. Looks amazing on blu ray.

Down (2001) - This is a tongue-in-cheek horror movie about an evil elevator. Way more fun than I expected.

Dressed to Kill (1980) - A vintage psychological thriller that’s still riveting to watch. The Criterion version is rated X!

The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967) - The cinematography is incredible in this farce that sends up Euro gothic horror. I know Roman Polanski is problematic, but in this film he’s young and seems so sweet and innocent (and cute). It’s very funny.

Firestarter (1984) - A young girl and her father are on the run because of the supernatural power they both have. George C. Scott is amazing in this.

Frogs (1972) - Because a young Sam Elliot without his moustache is a gorgeous thing to behold. Also I’m fond of 70’s eco horror.

Happy Death Day (2017) - Fun college-age horror movie about a girl who keeps dying over and over until she can figure out who’s killing her. Has a good sense of humor and a bad-girl-turns-nice trope.

The Hidden (1987) - I love Kyle MacLachlin in this. An alien predator who can shift into different bodies is causing a rash of murders and a detective works with another new detective from out of town to stop it. Nice mix of odd-bedfellows-partnership and an action/horror script.

Kwaidan (1964) - Japanese anthology of spooky stories. The cinematography is amazing on the blu ray edition. I love folktales from other parts of the world, and this anthology features Japanese folklore.

Lake Mungo (2009) - Cool documentary-style film about a girl who is supposedly drown in a lake and her haunting of her family. Found footage style.

Mill of the Stone Women (1960) - Old school Euro gothic film featuring a young man who goes to a small village to study with a professor. There’s a mill with wax figures of women in history being killed (like Joan of Arc) and a beautiful young woman who isn’t what she appears. Gothic at its finest.

Opera (1987) - Wonderful giallo film that revolves around a killer stalking an opera production of MacBeth. I loved the opera scenes and soundtrack.

Patrick (1978) - I love films about supernatural powers. This vintage 70’s classic features a comatose patient who can move things with his mind. Cool.

Phobia 2 (2009) - From Taiwan. Excellent anthology of horror shorts. I love the story of the juvenile delinquent who is sent to study as a monk to straighten him out, only he is rebellious and runs afoul of an ancient deity.

Pontypool (2008) - Interesting take on the zombie movie. In this one, a radio talk show host is trying to figure out what’s going on as a zombie-like illness takes over the town outside. It’s cool that it takes place entirely without the radio station. Almost like a stage play.

Ravenous (1999) - A horror type on The Donner Party. Horror set in the old West is rare, and I love this little film. Stars a very cute Robert Carlyle too.

The Reincarnation of Peter Proud (1975) - Another 70’s paranormal thriller, this time about reincarnation. It stars the wonderful Margot Kidder who passed this last year. The story holds up well and it looks fantastic on blu ray.

Venom (1981) - I love Oliver Reed! I also love him in Burnt Offerings. In this little British Film, a chauffeur and maid plan to kidnap their master’s child to hold for ransom but their plans are foiled by a black mamba snake that’s accidentally let loose in the house. Tense and with a very tight script.

Viy (1967) - A Russian film that feels very authentic in terms of location and casting. A young priest in training accidentally kills a witch and must sit with her body for 3 nights saying prayers. Very cool effects.

The Washing Machine (1993) - An Italian thriller that’s got a lot of soft core porn in it but is also an excellent mind-game script ala Diabolique. The Inspector (played by Phillippe Cariot) is super hot!

The White Reindeer (1952) - Rare Lapland film shot in black and white about the wife of a reindeer herder who is a witch. I love the unusual setting of a Lapland village.

Who Can Kill a Child? (1976) - Awesome Euro 70’s horror movie about a couple who rent a boat and travel to a Greek island for vacation. When they get there, all the adults are missing and they only see children at a distance. Gradually they figure out that the island’s children are up to no good.

If you’ve enjoyed any horror movies this October, let me know in the comments!

SCARE TRAIL LINKS - LIVE OCT 28th

RJ Scott - $20 Amazon Gift Card - www.rjscott.co.uk

Angel Martinez - $25 Pride Publishing Gift Certificate - https://angelmartinezauthor.weebly.com/from-angels-cave
V.L. Locey - $10 Redbubble Gift Card - http://thoughtsfromayodelinggoatherder.blogspot.com/
Jordan Castillo Price - Ebook or Audio of Reader's choice plus JCP Swag Pack - www.jordancastilloprice.com/blog

J.L. Merrow - Ebook of both newly re-released werewolf novels Camwolf & Midnight In Berlin. -

https://jlmerrow.com/
Rick R. Reed - Ebook of A Demon Inside from DSP Publications - http://rickrreedreality.blogspot.com/
K.A. Merikan - Paperback - https://www.facebook.com/KAMerikan/
Charlie Richards - $20 Amazon Gift Card - http://www.charlie-richards.com/
Amber Kell - $20 Amazon Gift Card - www.amberkell.com

Eli Easton - $20 Amazon Gift Card and 2nd prize of ebook copies of Gothika #1-4 - www.elieaston.com

Charlie Cochet - 3 x $10 Amazon Gift Cards - charliecochet.com/blog

Meredith Russell - $10 Amazon Gift Card - http://meredithrussell.co.uk/

Alex Jane - $10 Amazon Gift Card and Ebook from back catalogue.- www.alexjane.info
Stormy Glenn - $20 Amazon Gift Card and backlist ebook. -http://stormyglenn.blogspot.com

Annabelle Jacobs - $10 Amazon Gift Card and backlist ebook - annabellejacobs.com