#also most trail crews are co-ed but i love women so

[braincoins]

Unusual Halloween Movies

Tired of Jason, Freddy, and Michael? Want something new this year? Boy, do I have some treats lined up for you! I’ve used JustWatch to list the streaming options (though these are US streaming options; I maaaaay be up for some streaming fun on Halloween...). I’ll tell you right now, this list can almost perfectly be broken into three categories: Horror-Comedy, Sci-Fi Horror, or International Horror.

American Mary -  A medical student drowning under tuition debt finds a lucrative practice when she enters the world of body modification. ngl, I remember liking this movie but it’s been a bit since I saw it, so for the CONTENT WARNINGS I’m going to straight up rip the MPAA here: Rated R for strong aberrant violent content including disturbing images, torture, a rape, sexual content, graphic nudity, language and brief drug use

Ava’s Possessions - Ever wonder what life is like once all your demons have been exorcised - literally? Now that Ava is free of the demon that once possessed her, she’s out of a job, down a few friends, and facing charges for the acts of violence her demon did. The only way to get out of trouble is to go to the demon-equivalent of AA. CONTENT WARNINGS: mostly blood and bad language; some mild sexual content 

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon - A journalism grad student interviews a young man in training to be the next slasher killer, ala Jason/Freddy/Michael. An absolute treat of a movie for anyone who loves slasher films; it’s about 3/4 mockumentary, 1/4 actual horror film when she realizes that, no, really, he’s going to go kill all those co-eds. CONTENT WARNINGS: Blood, gore, naked boobs (”Ugh. Is that REALLY necessary?” “Now, Taylor, who’s telling this story?”), sex, occasional panty shots (because, again, slasher films). 

Bubba Ho-Tep - OH MAN another one I had to go back and add in ‘cause REALLY NOW. Elvis is in a nursing home (at least, he says he’s the real Elvis) and he and JFK (who is played by Ossie Davis - who you will note is NOT white) have to fight off a resurrected mummy who sucks the souls of the living out of their assholes. Bruce Campbell stars. HOW IS THAT NOT AWESOME ENOUGH FOR YOU?! CONTENT WARNING: Um... look, I think you kinda already know what sort of content to expect given what I just told you about the story.

Bulbbul (Netflix Original) -  (Hindi Language) During the 19th century Bengali Presidency, something - or someone? - is haunting the woods around a lord’s estate, killing men in gruesome ways. The lord has left his estate in charge of his young wife, while his younger brother, who’d been away studying in London, returns to hunt down whatever is causing these mysterious deaths. CONTENT WARNINGS: child bride, blood, and what Netflix calls “sexual violence”, meaning a rape scene so graphic (despite not showing any nudity or genitalia) that it is GUARANTEED to make you uncomfortable. The movie was written and directed by a woman, so there is nothing intended to be “sexy” about this at all. If you can make it through that scene, though, there is a definite payoff for it. (Or should I say “payback”?)

Eli (Netflix Original) - A young, incredibly sick boy with a fragile immune system is brought by his parents to a clinic for an experimental treatment that may be their last hope. But all is not as it seems within the walls of this place... perhaps literally. CONTENT WARNINGS: mostly just language, a few mild jump scares. People get set on fire at one point. No biggie. 

Errementari: the Blacksmith and the Devil (Netflix Original) - (Basque Language) Based on a Basque folk tale. Eight years after the First Carlist War, a government official comes to a small, impoverished Basque town asking after the blacksmith. Everyone tries to warn him away; the blacksmith is an evil, evil man. But he is on the trail of some Carlist gold that might be in the smithy, and the prospect of the gold wins him some helpers. And while everyone is distracted by that, a young orphan girl manages to get onto the blacksmith’s property. And what she finds there, no one could have expected... CONTENT WARNINGS: I took a screenshot of Netflix’s list of warnings just because it amuses me:

[sings “One of these things is not like the others...”]

Europa Report - Look, I really can’t recommend this enough for fans of found-footage features and people who can stand slower-paced, constantly-building terror. An international mission is sent to investigate Europa, one of the moons of Jupiter. (Those of you who are fans of real-world space exploration know that Europa is considered a prime target for extraterrestrial life within our solar system.) Contact was lost with the mission for a long time, until the data streams came flooding into Earth all at once. And what they showed... CONTENT WARNINGS: Like I said: slower pace than most horror/thriller movies. It builds slow and steady. There’s really not much in the way of blood and gore, though; an excellent example of terror without resorting to buckets of red corn syrup.

Event Horizon - Hellraiser in Space? Hellraiser in Space. Except the Lamentation Configuration is a fucking SPACE SHIP. Also, props for genre-savvy cast. CONTENT WARNINGS: EYE SCREAM. Blood, gore, and, no really, THE EYE THING. Did I mention the gore and the blood? Oh, and language. And blink-and-you-miss it nudity & sex.

Grabbers - Strange creatures are attacking a small Irish coastal town and the only way to protect yourself is... to be drunk? CONTENT WARNINGS: I mean, it’s Irish and everyone’s drunk, so bad language (by American standards) is a given. That’s... really about it, unless you have a tentacle phobia.

Green Room -  An up-and-coming punk band show up to play a gig and realize too late that they’re playing at a Neo-Nazi club. And when they happen to see something they... really shouldn’t have, it becomes an all-out fight for survival. Same director as Murder Party, though this movie was made later with a much better budget. CONTENT WARNINGS: Violence, blood, gore, and yes, some dogs die because they were trained to be vicious attack dogs by Neo-Nazis. :( Also, the most important content warning of all? PATRICK STEWART PLAYS A NEO-NAZI. (You think I’m joking, but for someone who grew up with him as Jean-Luc Picard, it is downright unsettling to see, okay?)

Life - Think Alien meets Europa Report (above). The six-member crew of the International Space Station are given a sample from Mars that might contain actual extraterrestrial life.  CONTENT WARNINGS: Blood. No, let me say that again: BLOOD. Sounds of bones breaking. Alien creature entering someone’s mouth and killing them from the inside (probably through a combination of choking them/asphyxiating them on their own blood/devouring their blood? It’s not clear, it’s just UNSETTLING).

Murder Party - This is what happens when snobby art school brats try to kill someone. (Read: it doesn’t go well.) Fuckin’ bop of a Halloween song over the end credits, too. Also, at least two characters are canonically bisexual. Same director as Green Room, though this movie was made first (with a much lower budget). CONTENT WARNINGS: bad language, blood, gore, nudity, mild sexual content (the nudity is supposed to be “artistic”). The dog probably DOES die, given the circumstances, but it doesn’t happen on screen, at least? And the dog gets some pretty decent comeuppance first... Also, 1000000% accurate cat representation. 

The Perfection (Netflix Original) - A former cello virtuoso (virtuosa?) gets in touch with her former teacher and meets his new star pupil. An instant connection is formed between the two women... or is it? (Yes, there are lesbians!) CONTENT WARNINGS: oh chaos, where do I start? Bugs under the skin, hacking off body parts, blood, gore, mild sexual content, sexual abuse, and the movie itself is complete and utter MINDFUCKERY. Did you like “Tales from the Crypt” as a kid? You’ll probably dig this. 

Ravenous - With apologies to all Native Americans, but at least they did get actual Native American actors for those parts (George is played by a Pueblo actor; his sister Martha is played by an actress of Menominee and Stockbridge-Munsee descent). A soldier who won a questionable victory during the Mexican-American war is given a hero’s status and then an exile to a remote fort in the Sierra Nevadas. Not long after he arrives, a would-be settler arrives with a harrowing tale, calling for help for what few survivors there are of his wagon train. The two friendly Native Americans at the fort issue warnings that go unheeded, of course. CONTENT WARNINGS: Blood, gore, cannibalism, PTSD.

Slither - James Gunn’s 2006 Feature Movie Directorial Debut! He wrote it, too. An homage to B-movie gore flicks like you’d see at the drive-in. I am just copying and pasting the IMDB summary ‘cause I love this movie too much to be concise about it: A small town is taken over by an alien plague, turning residents into zombies and all forms of mutant monsters. (Oh, but don’t forget the nasty, slithery blood worm things!) CONTENT WARNINGS: Nasty, slithery blood worm things. GORE, BLOOD, GORE, GORE. A very uncomfortable sex scene. Michael Rooker.

They’re Watching - An American TV crew filming what is essentially “House Hunters: Eastern Europe” stumble into superstitions, folklore, and... TERROR!! MWAHAHAHAHA. No, seriously, I LOVE how it’s basically “What if some HGTV crew wound up waaaaaaaay in over their heads, in a horrible and bloody way?” CONTENT WARNINGS: Blood, gore, and NO WI-FI.

[zealoptics]

From New Zealand to North America: “A Ride With Purpose” 

Words by Christian Little

Christian shares a bit of her return from New Zealand to North America this summer in her latest blog, "A Ride With Purpose." Join us as she shares of her summer adventures on two wheels through Colorado, British Columbia, and Jackson Hole and the journey of continued growth on and off the bike as she rides with purpose following her near death experience and recovery from a broken back and spinal cord injury over 2 years ago. She hopes sharing a bit of her journey through her lens encourages and inspires you along your adventurous journey. 

New Zealand Round 2 

It can be bit of an adjustment to return to your country after being gone for several months. It turned out to be a mix of emotions returning for me after such quality healing time and adventures in New Zealand for round 2 there. I had a lot of time to reflect alone but also explored with new and old friends adventuring New Zealand. We surfed and mountain biked the beautiful country while even dabbling in some less familiar sports such as pack rafter rapids, SUP surfing, orienteering through the jungle, and island hopping by ocean kayak. I really tried to make the most of my time in the South Pacific and even managed to squeeze a cheap ticket and trip over to Samoa to moto around the Islands exploring, cracking open fresh coconuts, and surfing while getting immersed with the locals and their culture. 

Returning to New Zealand was a healing time as my prior time in NZ was cut short back in 2016 due to suffering and broken back and spinal cord injury. This time in New Zealand brought a peaceful and loving connection with God in his creation as my healing continued in New Zealand round 2. Being able to return to the trail I fell on was a very special experience, which you can get the full story by checking out "Miracles and Mountain Biking." 

(Stopping to savor the moment at heavens door in New Zealand which happens to be just past where I nearly died after tomahawked off the mountain 2 years prior.) 

Back in North America 

Fast forward to being back in the states following New Zealand summer 2018. I felt my healing had made huge progress while in New Zealand, yet I still was having a hard time. Trauma is rough and takes time to get through, so I encourage you to love and support others out there in the journey of life. I encourage you to live life to the fullest, live it well, leap2fly, don’t give up, and let your light shine. Adventures awaits! In the midst of working through my hardship and healing I have so much to be grateful for... 

(Back in North America. Living life to fullest. One highlight of the summer was hopped onto a 45 minute ferry in Nelson, BC at the Trans BC race to drop into steep and gnarly terrain with epic views like this. Photo by Noah Wetzel.)

(My home base for the summer was Jackson Hole, WY. I was practicing physiotherapy, MTB guiding and coaching, and you could often find me riding Teton Pass and hitching rides from the stagecoach for more laps.)

(While adventuring on two wheels is my favorite way to adventure, I wanted check out areas of the Tetons a bike isn't allowed, so I got amongst the Tetons by foot.) 

Riding with Purpose 

When I returned from New Zealand I did not know what was ahead other than my plan to continue riding with purpose. Riding with purpose signifies mountain biking for a bigger purpose than myself. My faith is what has inspired and gave me hope through the toughest of times and has given me purpose to ride on. Also, a big part of why I feel I survived the fall in New Zealand is for the purpose of inspiring, encouraging, and positively impacting others lives through the outdoors and biking. Specifically I returned to North America to continue growing Leap2fly in Colorado and expand into Canada, so I could continue to see lives positively impacted through mountain bike retreats. 

Leap2Fly 

Leap2fly is a mountain bike retreat business that offers retreats in Colorado, British Columbia, and New Zealand. I started Leap2fly to support, encourage, inspire, and empower growth on and off the bike by providing an opportunity to connect with yourself, others, and the outdoors in some of the most epic mountain bike locations in the world. My goal is for every person who comes to adventure with use on a retreat to leave not only stoked at an epic experience with lots of hi fives and laughs with new friends, but to feel it was a life changing experience for them that they truly embraced "Leaping to fly" on and off the bike. 

Recent Leap2fly MTB Retreats 

Ladies shared stoke and supported each other in the midst of riding some of the most epic trails in Crested Butte. Leap2fly retreats started the morning with yoga and yummy food and embarked each day on an epic adventure into the backcountry high alpine mountains of Crested Butte. Sharing the amazing trails and taking in the moments of breathtaking beauty with the ladies was such a special experience. Each day provided an opportunity for participants to truly embrace "Leaping to fly" while we grow on and off the bike together over the weekend. So many laughs and smiles from stoke where shared and each lady left encouraged, inspired, and positively impacted. 

(Ladyshredder train at Leap2fly MTB Retreat)

(Gotta leap2fly in Crested Butte, Colorado) 

What's ahead for Leap2fly 

Leap2fly offers ladyshred retreats as well as co ed retreats, but absolutely there is something uniquely awesome about women supporting and encouraging each other at the ladyshreder retreats. 

Next up for Leap2fly is our Durango Ladyshred MTB Retreat. I will be partnering up with friend Lindsey Richter, founder of Liv Ladies AllRides to offer a skills clinic the first day to kick of the Retreat at Purgatory Resort. I'm also in the process of planning for a mountain bike adventure retreat in New Zealand for the NZ summer that will include epic mountain biking as well as surfing. Next year more Colorado MTB retreats in Crested Butte and Durango. Also, starting a Retreat for those interesting in Enduro racing or progressing in acing in partnership with Anne Galyean who was the first and only female on Yeti's factory team. checkout more at: leap2fly.com 

follow on instagram @leap2fly or @christian_little 

Summer adventures in North America 

(Soaking in the moment with a Teton sunset. Photo by katielozancich.com)

(Photo by katielozancich.com) 

(Spending a bit of time in the Tetons this summer riding Teton Pass, Shadow Mountain, and guiding at the JH Resort.)

(Enjoying technical enduro style goodness from steep slabs to wood features as I traveled throughout British Columbia in July.) 

(After the Trans BC race a crew of us continued on to Revelstoke, BC to continue adventuring together on the big mountain technical trails around Revy.)

What inspires you? 

My faith has inspired me as I am in awe of the miracle that I am alive and know part of being alive is to share my story and Leap2fly to inspire/encourage others. Seeing participants "leap 2 fly" at the retreats inspires me to press on to continue hopefully creating a ripple effect to inspire each person who comes to a retreat. I am in awe of Gods creation and every time I am out adventuring on two wheels I am inspired by the beauty in all things and all around me. Life is short and I want to continue soaking in the adventurous journey of life inspired to live it to the fullest and hopefully inspiring and encouraging others to "leap 2 fly" in life too. 

Where do you #findyourzeal? 

Riding with purpose. Adventuring on two wheels in the mountains and/or helping others in the journey of life and biking. 

On the mountain tops after a long climb or on the descent as your stoke level is high flying down a technical section on the trail, when sharing a hi five and stoke on an epic adventure with friends, when stopping to take in the moment of the beauty all around (watching the colors change in the sky and the temperature drop as the sun begins to set while surfing or mountain biking), stepping into the unknown exploring in the mountains around the world and sharing the experience with others, and when she "leap 2 fly" in biking and life and/or help others in the journey. 

I really value living this short life to the fullest and encouraging others in their journey in biking and life. Mountain biking has opened up a whole new world with adventures, friendships, and travel around the world that I love to share with others. What truly inspired me to start leap2fly is encouraging others to "leap to fly" in biking and life to live it the the fullest. You've got one life. Live it well! Let your light shine! 

What Zeal products do you enjoy riding in? 

I sport the radium sunglasses on a sunny day as they provide coverage riding in the sun, yet have a rad design and are light weight for riding in. I also love sporting them on just about any sunny adventure. I just got some zeal googles to shred in with my full-face helmet for those technical days in the dark forest.

(Photo by katielozancich.com)

As we head into fall we are in the midst of changing seasons. May you embrace the beautiful journey and find peace and joy beyond what you thought possible as you take in the light moments along the way. Don’t give up along the way and believe in the light, love, and purpose ahead. Hope my personal journey brings you encouragement and inspires you to Leap2fly in your life. You’re on your way. Adventure awaits! Enjoy the ride!