thisdayinhorror

[thisdayinhorror]

August 8

On this day in horror history, Shirley Jackson died in 1965. 

She is best known as the author of The Haunting of Hill House. 

[thisdayinhorror]

August 7

Quick life update (as if I have fans): I have moved from Mobile, Alabama to Seattle, Washington. That’s quite a diagonal move... I suck at keeping up with this thing without anything to distract me, so there’s my excuse for the blank space. I’m all moved in now though and I’m trying to catch up with myself. Anyway, 

On this day in horror history, Tobin Bell was born in 1942. He is best known as Jigsaw from the Saw franchise. He’s pretty much some type of villain in almost everything he plays in. 

[thisdayinhorror]

July 28

On this day in horror history, Eileen Brennan died in 2013. 

[thisdayinhorror]

July 27

On this day in horror history, Cliff Curtis was born in 1968. 

[thisdayinhorror]

July 26

On this day in horror history, The Kubrick was born in 1928. 

If you look at his IMDB page, this is what you see: 

The Shining (1980), A Clockwork Orange (1971), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Full Metal Jacket (1987). 

There is tons and tons and tons of trivia on his IMDB page, and it’s all pretty interesting. The Shining is his primary horror piece, and it is an OCD person’s wet dream. Wet as in wet with blood. Wet with the sweat and tears of the actors too, apparently. 

Kubrick was a perfectionist and he would do take after take after take. The actors all said it was the hardest film they had ever done. 

[thisdayinhorror]

July 25

On this day in horror history, Illeana Douglas was born in 1965.

She is known in the horror world for her role in Cape Fear (1991), which I could not get through 30 minutes of because Robert De Niro’s “southern” accent was absolutely horrible. And I’m from Alabama, so... 

[thisdayinhorror]

July 24

On this day in horror history, Anna Paquin was born in 1982. 

It’s pretty easy to spot Anna in whatever she plays in. 

Of course she was Sookie in True Blood (which I’ve read all of but haven’t watched all the way - story of my life).

She was also in Trick ‘r Treat (2007). That is a movie I definitely recommend. It’s a little weird, but that’s why it has a cult following. 

There was Darkness (2002) and Scream 4 (2011). She’s also Rogue in X-Men (2000). I think she’s a perfect for a horror actress and should do more. 

Now for my nerdy bit. She was young Jane Eyre in Jane Eyre (1996). Which is the best Jane Eyre because William Hurt made the unsexiest sexy Mr. Rochester, just like the book. And Anna Paquin got to be a part of that. 

[thisdayinhorror]

July 23

On this day in horror history, The Haunting was released in 1999. 

I first watched this movie when I was young. So, in typical youngster fashion, I didn’t realize it had such a great cast. 

This movie was the shit when I watched it the first time at the ripe old age of probably 10. When I just watched it the other day for the sole purpose of writing about it, it was kind of boring. I kept pausing it and doing other stuff. 

I still think it had a great cast though. Liam Neeson, Owen Wilson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Lili Taylor. And it did get better towards the end when everything started to get fast paced. 

[thisdayinhorror]

July 22

On this day in horror history, Duane Jones died in 1988. 

He appeared in about 6 horror films, most notably Night of the Living Dead (1968). What was notably noted was that he was a black man amidst a white cast in the 60s - and the main character. 

Long story short, he saved everybody’s ass in this movie. While everyone else was screaming and panicking, he was level headed and taking out zombies left and right. 

Unfortunately, our hero was murdered at the end by a wild band of rednecks. It is said that this was reflective of the recent assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. 

In real life, Duane was the Executive Director of The Black Theater Alliance as well as a teacher. He taught English before acting, and the proceeded to teach acting styles. He died at age 51. 

[thisdayinhorror]

July 21

On this day in horror history, I am honored to share my birthday with the one and only (and unfortunately, late) Robin Williams. He was born in 1952 and would be 64 today. 

While he hasn’t been in an actual horror movie, some of his thrillers are both chilling and dark. I suppose it’s eerie when someone who we’re used to seeing as a bright and cheerful comedian suddenly takes on the persona of a stalker or a serial killer. 

The movies I’m thinking of are Insomnia (2002) and One Hour Photo (2002). We can do blood and gore all day, but you’re probably more likely to be stalked by a creepy photo guy than to be hacked up by a chainsaw. I think shit that can realistically happen like stalking and serial killing is the scariest. Not dungeon gore. Psychological shit is where it’s at. 

Also, Jumanji (1995) was scary as hell when I was 5. 

[thisdayinhorror]

July 20

On this day in horror history, Omar Epps was born in 1973. 

Probably best known for his role in House (2004-2012)... 

and a quick note here. When I say “best known for”, I typically mean what I know that person for. Just so we’re clear. 

Anyway, he was in Dracula 2000 (2000, duh). I swear this used to be on Netflix, but now it’s not. I might have been having a fantasy. But this is actually, in my own opinion, a pretty good vampire movie. And I typically don’t like vampires outside the realm of Anne Rice. 

He was also in Scream 2 (1997). That was kind of minor. 

Hopefully he’ll get into some more horror stuff. He was a pretty cool looking vampire. 

[thisdayinhorror]

July 19

On this day in horror history, Jared Padalecki was born in 1982. 

All Hail the Great Moose! 

If you don’t already know, Jared plays Sam Winchester on the TV show Supernatural (2005-present). And like all of the actors on the show, he’s a great actor. They can all do funny and serious and sad and it’s great. They’re also great people outside of the show as well with the various charities and so forth that they participate in. 

So, if you don’t already know every season front to back, go find out. Get sucked in.

He’s also been Friday the 13th (2009) and House of Wax (2005). 

Happy Birthday, Moose. 

[thisdayinhorror]

July 18

On this day in horror history, Aliens was released in 1986. 

FYI, Aliens are better than Predators. 

Just take a look a those curves.

Now let’s get a close up shot of those beautiful teeth that any dentist would faint over. 

And here’s the cute little facehugger that paralyzes you with a chemical, wraps it’s tail around your throat, and impregnates you with it’s proboscis. This is an awesome franchise. 

And the hero of the day, Sigourney Weaver, or Ellen Ripley. This movie could’ve horrible, but she saved the cat. 5 stars for Jones. 

[thisdayinhorror]

July 17

On this day in horror history, Donald Sutherland was born in 1935. 

He’s probably best known, at least to me, as President Snow in The Hunger Games quad-trilogy. He was of course delightful as Snow. As delightful as snow can be. Which means cold and unforgiving. 

He has been in numerous other films that definitely classify as horror such as Puffball: The Devil’s Eyeball (2007) [wtf], An American Haunting (2005), and the Salem’s Lot TV series (2004). 

Of course Netflix has absolutely none of his horror related roles. Shame on them and shame on me for thinking that they would. 

Oh, and by the way, he was also Mr. Bennet in Pride & Prejudice (2005). 

That deeply satisfies my inner English Teacher. 

[thisdayinhorror]

July 16

On this day in horror history, Hocus Pocus was released in 1993. 

I really shouldn’t have to say more, but I will. 

This movie was the epitome of my childhood Halloweens. 

We’d rent it from Blockbuster. Yes, BLOCKBUSTER. And it would also come on Fox Family numerous times. 

This movie is still the shit after all these years. 

So....

Come little children, I'll take thee away

Into a land of enchantment

Come little children, the times come to play

Here in my garden of magic.

Yeah, they eat kid souls. Funny how I still liked it anyway. 

[thisdayinhorror]

July 14

On this day in horror history, Sid Haig was born in 1939. 

He is my fave-or-ite clown, Captain Spaulding. 

He’s also been in a hell of a lot of TV. Like, 60s-70s TV shows. Like, he was on The Lucy Show in 1965. If you’re curious like I was, the episode is called “Lucy and the Monsters” and you can watch it on YouTube. He was a mummy and all wrapped up, but you can tell it’s his voice. 

I wanted to watch him in something other than The Devil’s Rejects (2005) or House of 1000 Corpses (2003), but, as always, Netflix doesn’t have shit. 

I really want to watch Brotherhood of Blood (2007). It doesn’t have the greatest reviews, but I think it’ll be good. I just like him and the way he acts and talks. 

Case in point, let’s take a ride on Spaulding’s Murder Ride. 

[thisdayinhorror]

July 13

On this day in horror history, Cory Monteith died in 2013. 

Although best know for Glee (2009-2013), he appeared in films such as Final Destination 3 (2006) and Bloody Mary (2006). He was also in a 2005 episode of Supernatural. He got killed by a Wendigo. :(

In real life, he died of an overdose. That’s worse than a Wendigo as well as awful and sad because he was talented. (Glee is a guilty pleasure. I was a chorus kid [only because the teacher needed another kid, not because I can actually sing]). 

Anyway, let’s lighten that load with his smile: