sinematic--halloween-blog

[sinematic--halloween-blog]

[sinematic--halloween-blog]

Halloween is coming

[sinematic--halloween-blog]

First Review! Fort Howard Haunted Dungeons.

First some information! 1.http://www.baltimoresun.com/bal-bs-forthowardhauntns20110929112504-photo.html 2.https://www.facebook.com/haunted.dungeons And some history on the area! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Howard_(Maryland) The dungeons, so aptly called by residents and actors, is open every Friday and Saturday in October, Box office hours are 7-10pm. They run tours until the last tour is finished. Before moving into my review, I'd like to give my own history with this particular haunt. Being a past Edgemere native and a graduate of Sparrows Point High, Fort Howard Haunted Dungeons, was the first haunt I ever had the pleasure of working. I originally started my Junior year in high scool as a tour guide, when they used tour guides. Eventually moved to preforming in my own skits. I worked there for roughly 3 years. It is all volunteer based and the proceeds go to the park as well as the Edgemere-Sparrows Point recreation center. This haunt holds a special place in my heart, as it was the first step into my career with special effects make up and haunt-working in general. As with any haunt, there is always going to be lines. We waited in line roughly an hour and 45 minutes. No big deal, we're used to it. We go to haunts every year; and lines are part of the fun anyway! While in line, you have the options to grab some hot coco, a 'Dungeon Dog' or 'Haunted Hamburger', and some other snacks. They use a projector to display a movie on the side of a shed, for you to pass the time. Tonight's movie was "Poltergeist." Tonight, October 7, was their second night in operation for the season. So of course there were a few hiccups, which do result in a long wait time and back-ups. Fort Howard Dungeons are mostly considered and 'Outdoor haunt.' While there are buildings, and you do absolutely enter them, it is still weather dependant. Luckily, tonight was an unseasonably warm night, with few clouds. There were multiple actors walking around, and would attempt at jump scares, to un-suspecting patrons in line. Most of these actors were children in clown masks, or other creepy garb. Some had chainsaws, shovels, bats, etc. Unfortunately, for them, jump scares really don't get me that often, as I'm regularly expecting them. However, I'm no fan of clowns, as I do suffer from Colourphobia. So, when the clowns would come around, I would freeze and either look dead ahead and try not to make eye contact and appear fine; or I bury my face in my boyfriend's chest. The first dungeon, or building we enter is named the "Mystery Asylum." done up to look like you're walking into a broken down hospital. The "nurse" or "assistant" character which walks you in to meet the "doctor" sadly, was not dressed for the part. She was wearing a black robe and had her face painted white with her eyes blacked out. The Doctor character appeared to be an inmate or patient who seems to have taken control of the asylum. Or he's similar to Dr. Hugo Strange, from Batman/Gotham. They separated one of our groups members and had her walk ahead of us. Sadly, there were few skits in this section, and it was more of a maze. It seemed only 2 or 3 actors in this area were dressed for the part. On a rating scale I would give this section, 2 out of 5 coffins. (We're gonna go with coffins for our rating system on haunts!) Our next area, after walking up the trail some, was named "Freddy's kids." You could hear the theme music from Nightmare on Elm Street playing over a speaker and as you looked down the wooded trail we were to walk down, there were what appeared to be white sheets hanging amongst the trees. I was already excited for this, as I love classic horror slashers. Unfortunately, this section did not do Nightmare, or Freddy justice. As you walk through the sheets, which turned out to be plastic shower cutrains, (still blew in the breeze which definitly added a nice effect!), there was nothing to it. No jumps, no Freddy, nothing. Highly disappointing. I was hoping for more. At the end of the trail, we were met by 3 teenaged "tour guides" who, for the most part, stayed in character as if they were teens in an 80's slasher flick. So one up for them! On the rating scale, I'd give this section 1.5 out of 5 coffins. Our next stop was a 'Fun House.' Which, I wasn't really keen on. But was much easier than expected. It had a total of 2 actors in it, and they really did not seem to know what to do other than shout at us. Very disappointing as, this could have really been played with to terrify me. 0/5 coffins for the fun house. At this point, we end up taking a stroll through the woods. We got a little caught up because this is where the paths cross. Once directed the correct way to go, we walk down the trail through the woods. There's some lights and fake cobwebs running through the shrubbery and trees. I notice a fog machine, but it is not turned on. This section would be perfect for jump scares, among other things. Dissappointingly, there was nothing. We're met by a young boy, who introduced himself as, Roman I believe, and he attempts to figure out how many people are in our group, and make sure each tour is separated properly. Finally, he walks us up to the adult in charge, who then gives us the run down of Dungeon 1, along with the rules and lets us know that Roman will be our tour guide for this dungeon. Once in the dungeon, it's a brief walk through, no skits. Lasted roughly, 3 minutes at most. This seemed to be where most of the small children were stationed to work. At the end of the dungeon, we're met by someone named Grim, who is to guide us to Dungeon 2. Grim is very cynical and saracastic, I enjoy his snarkiness. Dungeon 2 was a wait to get in, as there were already 3 tours in front of us. This is actually normal, for this area, even from the time I worked there. This particular night, they were still having electrical wiring issues. Which turned out to be rather important for this dungeon. This one was a walk through, but generally had skits. You really couldn't see the skits in them, and couldn't enter the room, so you were quickly ushered through. But it was obvious, this was to be Christmas themed. You walk over a "candy cane" bridge while being shouted at by small girls, dressed to look like little toys or wind up dolls. Until you walk through a maze which exits back outside to wait to go into the next dungeon. I give this dungeon, a 2 out of 5 Coffins. Dungeon 3, which is still a part of the building dungeon 2 is located, is next. This one had more skits and you were to enter the rooms, and watch the skits. It appears this one is where the older kids are located. The first room, we walk into and theres a blood splattered sheet and a dark hooded figure behind it. "Do I smell failures?!" The figure proclaims, and he walks from behind the sheet. "Who's ready to sacrifice their first born?" he asks; at this point, 3 boys seemed to have joined our tour. One speaks up, "My mom already tried that." The group laughs at the joke, and then there's a pause. The hooded actor then looks at the boy and proclaims, "I guess it's your turn then" grabs him and pulls him behind the curtain. the second boy follows. After this, it appears he slaughters both. The skit is over. the second room we enter is 'Stranger Things' themed, which I get exceptionally excited about, as I love the show. The room is small and narrow. Black walls, with black windows with black curtains. The alphabet around the room in chalk on the walls, with classic Christmas lights hung around them. They ran a voice track from the show, of the mother communicating with her lost son, up until he tells her to run. The room goes dark, music starts playing, and when the lights flash back on, there is a person standing with a blackout suit on, and a well done mask, or special effects makeup, including prosthetics, of what appears to possibly be the monster from the upside down. I wasn't able to get a close enough look. The second room, was themed "Croatoan", from last season of American Horror Story:Roanoke. you walk into the room and are directed to line up to the faint neon orange line on the floor. There are 3 girls in the center of the room, with orange christmas lights made to be a campfire. The word Croatoan, is written in white chalk, largely on the wall behind them. they play the voice track from the show of Sally Bates speaking right before chanting "Coatoan." The room then goes black. Music starts, and when the lights flash on, there's a boy with a pig mask standing directly in front of you. His execution was well done, however, his dungeon-mates, did not appear as committed to the roles. The third room, was themed with the new "Rings" movie. They had the girl (I don't believe her name was Samara in this one), sitting in the chair and played the soundclip of her speaking with the psychiatrist. The lights would flash off an on, and each time she'd be in a different position. (This was neat beacause they used a 2 way mirror.) At the end of the skit, she is on the floor crawling to us. Our next room, which happened to be the first room I ever worked in, so I was exceptionally excited for this, was themed to be a little girl playing with her "dollies." the lights flash off, and then back on. You see the girl has been joined by someone in a bloody bunny mask. The lights flash off again, and then back on, to see them "playing." Finally, the lights flicker one more time, just enough for you to see the bunny grab the girl and kill her. Lights off, music starts and they have now joined you from behind the wall/window. Our next room is named "Harley's play room." I was intruiged with this, as I really wanted someone to take on Harely Quinns sadistic, diabolical nature; and play with it. Sadly, this is not what I got. In fact, I was really displeased with what we got. A young, high school aged girl, dressed as Harley in her prison jumpsuit just kind of, standing there. changing positions. Playing with her bat. While music played over her. It fell very dead, I don't think anyone was entertained. The final room in this dungeon, was completely dark when we walked in. Once we were all in and lined up, we heard someone behind us ask a prisioner if they had any final words, to which someone responded "I'll be back!" and then the lights behind the wall flashed on to show someone dressed as a prisioner in the electric chair. The cool thing was we could feel voltage beneath us. the lights flickered off and then behind us we heard, "I told you!" Music played and the lights came back on for us to turn and see the prisioner behind us. we were then exited the building, and told to walk up the hill and go left. I give this a total of 3.5 out of 5 coffins. They all had amazing base ideas, for their skits, however, they were poorly executed. I was followed by a boy in a werewolf mask for a few minutes who was very committed to his part. Eventually I said "Good boy" with a smirk, to which he stopped following me, and howled. I really appreciated his committment. Finally, we come to our last stop. We get to take a trip through the land of Oz! our first stop in Oz appears to be Dorothy's house after it has fallen on the Wicked Witch of the East. A girl knocks on the door a few times, but no answer. She then opens the door, to find no one. She asks us if we have seen Dorothy, when we answer no, she responds "oh no, I've lost Dorothy, this isn't good." We walk down the trail some more, to see the Tinman. Who tells us to move along or we'll be next. We continue along the "Yellow brick road" to be stopped. A resident of Oz (wonderfully dressed might I say!) Shouts, "Oh No! Look what Dorothy has done! She's killed the Lion! She's killed our friend! She'll kill us all!" and runs off. Look to the left on the ground and you see what is supposed to be a Lions head strung in the bushes. We continue on and are met by a maniacally laughing, covered in blood Dorothy. Finally, we exit onto the paved trail, and are semi-chased by another chainsaw weilding clown. I give this area a 3.5 out of 5 coffins as well. I loved the idea of a twisted fairytale with Oz, with Dorothy being the culprit. The costuming and set was well put together, but I felt there was more scare potential to be had. That's an average of 1.7 out of 5 coffins. This haunt can be very family friendly, depending on the age range of the children. Do except some lines and hiccups, as they do all the electrical wiring themselves and it is outdoors. Hope this gives you a decent insight to the haunt, and hope you enjoy it! Let me know if you go and if your experience is better! xoxo

[sinematic--halloween-blog]

[sinematic--halloween-blog]

Introduction

Hello! My name is Chrissie, and I LIVE halloween and all things spooky and scary! I've been wanting to do this for a while and I've always slacked off due to a number of reasons. Well, now I finally have an excuse and am doing it! I used to work Haunted attractions all the time. I've learned a lot from my time at each haunt I've worked. Not to mention I have a Theatre background, as well as I am an MUA. I'm now ready to put all of my knowledge to use, and give full, honest reviews of the local haunts in the Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware areas! As well as horror movies, music, etc. (Including pumpkin farms and fall festivals!) I'm hoping to have my first review out this weekend! If you have suggestions of places you'd like reviews on, feel free to submit your suggestions! Xoxo