31 Days of Halloween: A Catching Up Post

If you haven't read my post of lame excuses detailing why I'm behind on these, feel free to mosy on over if you like. If not, you can just read these to pick up where I left off:

Movie Review #27: Wallace and Gromit The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Okay, this is a movie that NO ONE should miss out on. ESPECIALLY at Halloween. It's hysterical. I mean... come on.. it's a WERE-RABBIT. Not a were-wolf, not a were-tiger, a were-RABBIT. LOL In the film, Wallace and his slightly more intelligent than he dog, Gromit try to save residents of Tottington Hall from a mutated rabbit. Perfect for kids or just for some really not very scary at all Halloween fun and spirit.

Movie Review #28: Young Frankenstein

If you haven't seen this Mel Brooks film then you definitely NEED TO. There is Dr. Frankenstein's grandson, Dr. Frankenstein (pronounced "Fronkenstein"), and an Igor (pronounced "eye-gore"), who refuses to believe he has a hump. There are several more equally funny characters and the Frankenstein monster does a wonderful rendention of "Puttin on the Ritz." It doesn't get any better than that. I watch this one all year round whenever I need a good belly laugh.

Movie Review #29: Hocus Pocus

Ha! I bet you thought I was going to forget this one!! Seriously... if you go through Halloween without watching Hocus Pocus then there is no help for you. Bette Midler is amazing. One year I WILL make enough time for myself to make that costume and I will go as Winnafred (her character) for Halloween. It's on my bucket list. It's going to happen.

Anyway, like most of my favorite Halloween movies, it's got a lot more funny than it does scary. I think my favorite part is when they all take to the air and one of them has to use a vacuum cleaner. LOL Classic!

Movie Review #30: Monster Squad

Okay, this movie is one my husband's childhood favorites. In the movie, a group of teenage kids battle against all of the classic monsters: Dracula, Wolf-man, the Mummy, etc. over possesion of an amulet from Van Helsing's diary. It's a pretty cute movie and just perfect to get you in the Halloween Spooky Ooky spirit!

And this has been a "catch-up" post on all of the Halloween Movie Reviews!

Whoops!

So, if you've been following along, you might have noticed that I was a bit late in getting yesterday's Halloween movie review posted. Well that's because last night, I spent all my time sewing up these:

I wanted to do little treat bags for the B's preschool class party on Thursday and had already bought the little cheap plastic ones when I came across this tutorial over at Sew-Fantastic. So I brought the plastic ones back to the store and used up some of my Halloween scraps that I STILL have left over from last year. Even after making an outfit for B, Mister, and my niece.

They probably would have sewn up much faster if I didn't have to use the dreaded black thread. I don't know what it is about my machine (I say "my" like it's mine or something, but I'm borrowing one right now from a friend. LOL), but it HATES black thread. Every time I have to sew with it, I have to fight with the machine. It's like trying to feed a baby spinach or something equally as gross to a baby. You know how just keep spooning it in and the baby keeps spitting it out? It's like that. The more I try to sew with it, the more the machine spits it out, the thread snaps, the bobbin jams. I have used like 5 different kinds of black thread, different weights, tried adjusting the tension, etc. Nothing works.

SO, after 3 hours of fighting my machine, I had 20 or so decent treat bags. They came out a little smaller than what I anticipated, so I wasn't able to put everything in them that I had originally planned on. Each one got a mini bag of m&m's, 2 dum dums, and stickers. I think they came out pretty cute and I'm excited about bringing them on thursday.

I also made a trip out to Glen's yesterday and got a bunch of christmas fabrics to start on some clothes for the B. I am pretty excited about those. The fabrics were of course, wonderfully cheap as well as being cute. I love that store.

Other than that, I spent most of the day yesterday being achey and feeling rather like crap. My sinuses have decided to let me know that it's finally getting colder here in Alabama. My lymph nodes are all swollen and my throat has been sore as well. Not to mention that all the rain and cooler temperatures has my arthritis acting up too so my hips and knees have been really sore as well. Today isn't much better where those things are concerned, but at least Tim is off of work today so I have a little help around here.

And now I'm off to feed Calvin who is screaming from lack of interest in my post. LOL

31 Days of Halloween: Movie Review #26

I love watching this movie. The Great Pumpkin is basically like Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny. He only comes at Halloween to those who believe in his existence. Although it seems the only one who believes in him is Linus. This movie is just classic Halloween and Charlie Brown fun all rolled into one! Great for kids, especially small ones because it isn't really spooky or scary at all.

31 Days of Halloween: Movie Review #24

What can I say?

Sometimes a picture is worth 1,000 words.

31 Days of Halloween: Movie Review #23

For a very long time, I thought that maybe I had just dreamed this movie up and that it didn't actually exist. I *thought* I could remember watching a movie as a kid about a Halloween Tree and so forth but could never find any proof that it actually existed and as I've made this mistake before (thinking a childhood dream was a movie or a book that I could SWEAR was real), I had long since given up hope.

But HOORAY! The Halloween Tree is an ACTUAL movie AND book! The movie even won an Emmy! How bout that? The story is about a group of kids that learn the history of Halloween while trying to save the life of their friend Pipkin.

For Halloween movies, this one is tops: It's spooky, fun, AND educational! *laughs*

31 Days of Halloween: Movie Review #22

The Good Witch. This movie came on the lifetime network a few years ago and I just happened to catch it. I LOVE this movie and it's sequel, The Good Witch's Garden. I will watch them any time they happen to come on TV and you should too!

One of the things I like about this movie is that the main character, Cassie Nightingale, is a modern day witch- not the evil, child-eating, hooked nose, warty old fashioned kind. She never really performs any sparkly, cartoony, impractical magic either. She's just very pagan-new-age-y, gardens very well, and gives good advice to children, keeps an open mind, is good and kind to animals, and knows her way around herbs and essential oils.

When she moves into a "to-die-for" old house in a small town and opens her shop, The Bell, Book, and Candle, she has to deal with the small town mentality of the locals. Primarily, the mayor's wife who is as close-minded and crotchety as they come.

Even though the movie comes across as just ever so slightly cheesy, I still really like it because it's entirely believable (to me). Did I mention that I really, really like her house? And her garden? I want both. And hey, while I'm dreaming, I'd like a pony!

31 Days of Halloween: Movie Review #21

Ever since Angelica Houston did The Witches I've never been really able to get over it..... Probably because they made her look like this:

Which I must say is pretty hideous... but well played, and now every time I see her in a movie or as a guest star on TV I wonder if she's going to pull her face off. The movie itself is based on a book, which, sadly, I have not yet read. I'm not usually a big fan of movies like this one which portray witches as ugly, hooked-nosed, warty, child-eating, scary monsters (quite literally), but for the sake of Halloween creepiness and movie watching it certainly does the job.

31 Days of Halloween: Movie Reviews #19 & 20

So.. yeah... I missed a day. SO SUE ME! LOL Just kidding folks. But no, I really did miss a day yesterday but I had a head cold/sinus deal and went to bed early... so I hereby excuse me for yesterday. I will make it up right now by reviewing 2- COUNT EM- TWO movies.

Movie #1:

Okay, this was a "kid's" movie that came out very recently. We let the B go see it with my younger sister, Allie. She LOVED it.. with a big, huge puffy heart. She watched it with the 3-D glasses on the WHOLE time.. which is saying something because usually she just plays with them and watches the movie without them.

Now, I will say.. this movie was a little creepy.... even to me. There were parts where I got seriously creeped out... and the whole time B was just mesmerized. So I don't know if you want to let your kids watch it... that's up to you. My four year old just happens to be a bit on the strange side and likes the creepy.

Despite the creepy though, I did really enjoy this movie. I really like these kind of animated movies.... the ones that are a little on the dark side. They are perfect for Halloween movie watching.

Movie Review # 2:

The Covenant. Before Edward Cullen made the messy bed head look the new hotness, there were these guys. Not vampires, but warlocks. Warlocks with a legacy to be awesome and look really hot and dreamy while doing so!

Okay...so this is a pretty cheezy flick, with some fairly unrealistic scenes (i.e. the scene where all of the young, beautiful, super model, stick ladies walk around in their underwear.. cause right THAT happens everyday but at least it made the fireballs seem like less of a stretch), but I still like it. And I still watch it from time to time when I'm just in the mood for a supernatural fix.

So now I'm off to go get everything together for our company tonight. We are firing up the ...uh.. fire pit and logs and flames and such and having some spiked cider and hot chocolate and other yummy grown up fire treats. Yay!

31 Days of Halloween: Movie Review #18

I really love this movie because you can watch it at Halloween and Christmas....

Or Easter, or on the great holiday known as Tuesday. It doesn't matter what day or holiday it is, this movie ALWAYS rocks.

However, for Halloween blogging purposes this movie fits because... hello... Halloween Town, Jack Skellington, Sally, The Oogie Boogie... lots of pumpkins, ghouls, and goblins... it's brimming over with the Halloween Goodness... there are even Halloween song and dance numbers. Gotta love that!

You have to admit that the Oogie Boogie is pretty creepy... even if he does put on an awesome show. In fact, his song is probably my favorite of all the songs in the movie. I have burned onto at least three cd's that I can think of right off hand. Probably more if I really thought about it.

31 Days of Halloween: Movie Review #17

A friend of mine had mentioned watching this movie yesterday and I thought, "Ooh... now that would be perfect for my blog!"

There's no bones about it, folks. This movie is downright creepy. I'm not going to post any spoilers, but trust me, even if you don't get creeped out throughout the movie, by the time you get to end and figure out what all of the sweet old ladies questions were really all about, you'll have that lingering creeped out-let's sleep with lights on vibe for at least a few days. *shudder*

I don't usually do genuinely scary movies because I'm a big fat wimp, but I actually like this one for several reasons, 1 being that it is set in my hometown of New Orleans, and another being Gena Rowlands.

She is an awesome actress, and chances are if she's in a movie, I will love it.

31 Days of Halloween: Movie Review #16

Okay, I know that this movie isn't very "scary" but it does have monsters in, yeah? And since we took the B out to see it tonight (so that I could see it on opening night), I'm going to review it for my 31 days of Halloween Blog Review.

First of all, I must mention that I love the story book and have for a very long time. I actually own a toy of "Carol" which is the name they give to the monster pictured above, that is still in the box, and that was bought long before they even decided to make a movie. I love Maurice Sendack's work.

The way the movie looked was amazingly beautiful and accurate. I loved the Wild Things. I thought the movie was very good, but separately from the book. The movie had a very bittersweet, almost downright SAD vibe going on. The background story they gave to Max and his mother worked for the story, I thought, for the movie. However, that being said, I always thought the book had a much more light-hearted, spirit of imagination sort of thing going on and it would have been nice to have a bit more of that feel in the movie.

Anyway, I still really enjoyed it regardless, and oh yeah, the B loved it as well. She has always loved the story, and since my checks are Where the Wild Things Are, she has been collecting them everytime we go to walmart. (they give them back to you now for some reason) She calls them and anything pertaining to the Wild Things, including the movie, "HER STORY," and if you throw it away she goes beserk. So she now has a collection of walmart printed, Wild Things used checks. (wierdo)

P.S> How to go to a movie on a budget:
tickets + small popcorn + 1 bag of m&m's = $20 (no exaggeration)

SO instead: Invest in a HUGE purse/bag...they are popular these days anyway. I got one in a lovely shade of purple on clearance today for $7.

Then BERORE going to the movie (or in my case, after you've already paid the $2.50 for the bag of popcorn it costs them $0.10 to make and the $1.50 for a bag of $0.50 m&m's and realize you don't have enough change for a drink, and you have to leave the theater...) GO to the grocery store/dollar store and buy 3, 20 oz sodas and 2 bags of candy for $4.00.

Shove the items into the huge purse. Go to movie.

It helps if you went to high school with the ticket booth manager so you don't get searched when you are obviously smuggling in "outside" food and drinks in your huge bag with suspicious looking bulges. LMAO

Now I'm about to head outside and enjoy a big fire in the fire pit since it's all cold with Jess and Roger who are bringing over a huge bottle of wine.

31 Days of Halloween: Movie Review #15

Usually, I don't go in much for sequels... but Hellboy 2 was AMAZING. In fact, I must say that I like it even more than I did the first movie. The main reason being that Guillermo Del Toro worked on this movie. He is the same man that worked magic on the Spanish film Pan's Labyrinth (another big time favorite).

Not only does Hellboy 2 have a fantastic story line, it's just ... wow... just to look at. I love the troll market scene, the fight with the forest god, and the scene where Hellboy meets his personal Death (a being, he doesn't die). The creatures that Del Toro creates for his films aren't just scary or creepy.. they are BEAUTIFUL. Each one is a piece of beautiful, strange art.

Also, I really love the way he did the elves. Prince Nuada is my particular favorite. His similarities to a beloved (personally) book character Drizzt Do Urden (forgotten Realms series) border on the uncanny.

So anyway, I love this movie. It's awesome. It's perfect. It's beautiful. Watch and Enjoy.

31 Days of Halloween: Movie Review #14

I caught a glimpse of Hellboy today while channel surfing and decided it would be an excellent movie to review for my "31 Days of Halloween" Blog fest. So I hunted down the DVD (I wasn't watching the TV one.. they always ruin it with editing) and popped it in.



The First Hellboy movie is just full of creepy, outlandish characters including the notorious Rasputin (his role in this movie is much more sinister as compared to his role in Anastasia.. just so you know.), and his lackey undead assassin, Kroenen.



I think my favorite character in the Hellboy movies is most definitely Abe. He's sort of a fishy type person that has the gift of empathy... or in other words, he can read people's emotions, thoughts, memories, even their health by way of his remarkably receptive palms.

I love this movie, and its sequel, which I will shamelessly be using for my blog review tomorrow night! So stay tuned!

31 Days of Halloween: Movie Review #13

Tonight's movie is another "Oldie but Goodie." The Witches of Eastwick, starring Jack Nicholson and of course the ladies, is based on the book The Witches of Eastwick that was written by John Updike. (The book is fairly good as well, btw.)

I have always really liked this movie. The scene with the cello solo is my favorite part. It's kind of a "bad" witch movie, which is kind of a minus in my book, but I still like the movie all in all.

Anyway, they all did very well portraying their respective characters, especially ol' Jack. Gotta luv 'im.

31 Days of Halloween: Movie Review #12

For tonight's Halloween Movie Review, I picked a favorite and a CLASSIC: Death Becomes Her is an absolutely HILARIOUS movie, and with both Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn how can you possibly go wrong? If by some chance you haven't ever seen it, the story goes that two long time rivals stumble upon the secret for eternal youth and battle it out to see who gets to win and who gets to die.

Can I just say that the pic above is of my FAVORITE scene from the entire movie? *laughs* She has a hole through her stomach: Hysterical!!! I can't stop laughing at it. I mean... it's a GIANT HOLE through her STOMACH! She SHOT her THROUGH the stomach! *laughs*

Okay, anyway though. Love this Movie. If you haven't seen it, go watch it. If you have, you know you love it too.

31 Days of Halloween: Movie Review #11

Tonight's movie is an animated film about a literally monstrous house that comes alive and eats anything that wanders onto it's property. Which would explain why the curmudgeonly old man who lives in it is constantly bullying the kids off of his lawn.



The characters in this movie, though drawn, are PRICELESS. I don't just laugh through this movie, I seriously guffaw. EVERY TIME. Chowder is my favorite.



Aside from being totally cute and a little bit spooky, this movie is a Halloween must because the story takes place during Halloween.


FYI, it airs tomorrow night at 7/6pm on Cartoon Network. If you haven't seen it yet, you have the perfect opportunity to watch it tomorrow. And I seriously suggest you do. I will be!

31 Days of Halloween: Movie Review #10

Twitches is probably my favorite cheesy Halloween movie of all the cheesy Halloween movies out there.

I love the idea of long lost twin witches (twitches) with a magical destiny to meet again and save their birth mother and the fantastical land of their birth, Coventry. I also love the jewelry.

Besides all of that, I also really love the twins' magical guides and protectors Karsh and Illeana... specifically Illeana who is just good corny fun.

I seriously watch this movie and the sequel every time they air on TV. Sad.. I know.. but I can't help myself!

31 Days of Halloween: Movie Review #9

Okay, seriously... is there anyone out there that doesn't like this movie? I love the movie. I love the goblins. And I love David Bowie.

This is one of B's favorite movies as well, though she refers to it as the "Save the Baby" movie. Which is kind of vague since she refers to Willow (another family favorite) in the same way.


For those who might be unfamiliar, this 80's flick is about a young teen who wishes her baby brother away when she is forced to babysit for an evening. In compliance with her disgruntled wishes, the goblins whisk away the bouncing baby boy and take him to their king. In order to "save the baby" Sarah must first find her way through Jareth's (the goblin king)Labyrinth.


In this movie are dwarves, fairies, goblins, giants, and knights as well as a few -very 80's- song and dance numbers. My favorite part is the masquerade.

31 Days of Halloween: Movie Review #8

Tonight's movie was The Brothers Grimm. This movie has just the right amount of creepy atmosphere for this time of year.

In the movie, the Brothers Grimm (played by Matt Damon and Heath Ledger) stumble upon a real life fairy tale curse.

Throughout the movie you catch recognizable glimpses of the classic fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood, but with an eerie supernatural twist. And so the big bad wolf becomes the evil queen's werewolf minion and the only thing that can stop him is a magic woodsman's axe.

I particularly like Heath Ledger in fantastical roles like this one and the role he played in A Knight's Tale. As the joker?? Eh... not so much. But he's definitely awesome in this movie.

The end of the movie is a bit of a teaser as it's left up to the viewer to decide whether or not the evil queen is really gone or just temporarily set back from her goals towards perfect beauty and youth and immortality.

31 Days of Halloween: Movie Review #7

Everybody say it with me now:

BEETLEJUICE! BEETLEJUICE! BEETLEJUICE!

I think it's interesting to note that he spells his name as "Betelguese" IN the movie, but the cover of the movie does read "Beetlejuice." Huh... *shrug*



Anyway, CLASSIC Tim Burton fun in this movie. Gotta love it. I get the biggest kick out of Adam and Barbara as they try to be scary ghosts. They are so cute.



*LOVE* the dance scene at the dinner party.



After watching this tonight I'm thinking that next year it would be awesome for Tim and I to go as Lydia and Betelguese. We are having some disagreement on what outfits to wear, with myself in favor of the wedding gear.

Because, seriously... who wouldn't have fun in all of that red tulle!?