Monster High Wave 3 Preview

      It has come to my attention that the majority of viewings of this blog is due to a Monster High post I did awhile back. At this point that post has had 3,804 views and it's probably all due to one bloody image. Oh, well I suppose it could be worse, there are signs that people actually look at the content of my blog. :D


I suppose that if this blog is mostly known for one little post then I guess there is no harm in giving the buggers a little more of what they want. Today, we will be taking a quick peak at what Mattel has in store for The Monster High franchise this summer. 

Basic Line:

*Abbey Bominable (Daughter of the Abominable Snowman)
*Spectra Vondergeist (Daughter of the ghost)
*Clawd Wolf (Son of the wolfman and brother of Clawdeen.) (Could also only be available in the gift pack)

 As of right now Spectra Von Hauntington's doll is the only one to be seen. Oh boy, does she resemble Bombshell Hell. (The other contributor on this blog.) I know you guys have no idea what she looks like, but trust me if she would dye her hair purple again the resemblance would almost be uncanny. People have pointed out that no writing can be seen on her diary and the theory is that you need her little animal friend (possibly a ferret) to read it.

(Edit)

 A crappy pic of Abbey Bominable. She is adorable,but not as adorable as Spectra Von Hauntington though.

Dawn of the Dance

• Lagoona Blue
• Ghoulia Yelps
• Deuce Gorgon

 

 The rest of the Monster High cast was felling left out when it came to the dancing scene. It looks like this summer we will be seeing Ghoulia, Lagoona, and Deuce on store shelves. It also looks like each doll will come with a nifty little dance CD, with the Monster High Fright Song on it, most likely. It's surprising that Draculaura doesn't make an appearance during the summer. Maybe, they want to do an exclusive Draculaura and Clawd Wolf couple pack for the next comic con?

Plushies(No pics as of yet. -tear-)

• Ghoulia Yelps
• Abbey Bominable
• Spectra Vondergeist

 

Draculaura and Clawd Wolf Gift Pack

 Looks like Clawd and Laura hookup and do they not make an adorable little couple. Box caption "A forbidden romance blooms under a full moon." The whole forbidden romance angle has been really popular since the whole Twilight craze, even though the whole forbidden romance thing has been around much longer than that. (I mean the whole plot of Underworld:Rise of the Lycans is between a forbidden romance between a werewolf and a vampire.) Not much else to say here,but these two will probably fly off the shelves quicker than the Cleo de Nile and Deuce Gorgon set.

Classroom Doll Assortment

• Frankie Stein
• Ghoulia Yelps
• Blue Lagoona

 Home Ick:

 Mad Science

Physical Deadication

School's Out Assortment

• Frankie Stein
• Clawdeen Wolf
• Cleo de Nile

Dead Tired Doll Assortment

Ghoulia comes with bloody popcorn.

Fashion Gift Set

The giftset comes with gift for their fried Clawdeen. How cute. ^_^

Playsets

• Clawdeen Wolf's Bed

(No ide why her midriff is showing.)
• Lagoona Blue's Hydration Station

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There is talk of there being a Phantom inspired doll called Operetta. I am terribly excited by this because Lon Chaney's Phantom of the Opera is my second favorite of the Universal Studio's monsters. It is apparent that Mattel is running out of ideas, when it comes to new dolls. What else could they do? They are limited to doing the more traditional monsters because I doubt that parents would be overjoyed seeing their 8-year-old daughter playing with a Fred Kruger inspired doll.

I wonder what other dolls they will make in the future? Bigfoot?, Witch? Spider Baby? or perhaps an Alien? Those bastards have become quite popular a of late.

-Horrorwood Doll

The Scream Post with Trivia

     Today Scream 4  makes its debut in theaters. It's interesting to see how much horror has changed in this past decade or so. The original Scream was a break through when it came to horror films because for the first time the characters in the film were aware of the rules of horror. Sense the first Scream horror films have become much more self aware, seven-year-olds still dress up as Ghost Face(Even though many don't know what movie he is from.) and the rules of horror films have certainly changed. It was time for a sequel  that would put Scream back on the map again. After all  Scream was one of the most innovative and scariest films of its time. Today's post is a quick look back at the original Scream in honor of it making its way back to theaters.

The opening scene in the original Scream has become iconic and faced what seems like hundreds of parodies  right after its release. Lets face it, the original opening is pretty freakin scary, unlike the face-palm opening of Scream 2.

You can of course watch the first Scream on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA3fv9ND8bc


Random Scream Trivia:

*Drew Barrymore was originally cast in the lead role of Sidney Prescott, but her schedule changed unexpectedly and she wasn't able to film the whole movie. It was her idea to take the role of Casey Becker, a less time-consuming but ultimately iconic role.

*Dewey Riley wasn't intended to live through the first movie. In the script, Dewey didn't survive his injuries. Wes Craven also filmed an alternate ending where Dewey survived, and when test audiences said they liked Arquette's performance the movie was re-edited and Dewey lived to appear in all four scream films.

*Kevin Williamson's script for the first film was originally titled "Scary Movie," and it wasn't until late in the shooting that executive producers Bob and Harvey Weinstein insisted on changing the title to "Scream."

The scary voice on the phone that taunts the victims before they're attacked is done by Roger L. Jackson. The same guy who does the voice of Mojo Jojo from the Power Puff Girls.

*From the beginning Wes Craven had Jackson on the set to actually talk to the actors over the phone. In order to heighten the realism the actor's were never allowed to see Jackson face to face.

*He nearly turned down the option to direct the hit Scream (1996/I) because the first scene with Drew Barrymore reminded him too vividly of the climax sequence of The Last House on the Left (1972), his first film.

*To keep Drew Barrymore looking scared and crying, director Wes Craven kept telling her real life stories about animal cruelty.
*The infamous Ghost Face Mask was found by Wes Craven  in a store while location-scouting in California.

* In the first Scream when the killer smashes his head through a window and Casey hits him in the face with the phone, Wes Craven is actually wearing the costume and was really hit in the face.

*The use of caller ID increased more than threefold after the release of this film.
*The killer was based on a Florida serial killer, the "Gainesville Ripper."
 * Wes Craven makes a cameo in the film as janitor called Fred who is dressed in a similar manner as Fred Kruger from A Nightmare on Elm St.


Sources:  http://movies.yahoo.com/photos/collections/gallery/3346/#photo0

-Horrorwood Doll

The Woman in Black (2011)

     Just a few months after the final Harry Potter installment, Daniel Radcliff (Harry Potter) is set to make a debut in a horror film called "The Woman in Black.". The film is set to be released in the UK on October 28th. (No word as of yet on if and when it will be released in the U.S) The film seems to be a remake of the 1989 made for TV film as well as a movie adaption to the book that was written by Susan Hill. You can now watch the teaser trailer, which is posted below.

"A young lawyer travels to a remote village to organize a recently deceased client's papers, where he discovers the ghost of a scorned woman set on vengeance."-Synopsis of the film.

The synopsis is a bit vague as well as the trailer, but it looks promising. I am curious to  see if this film will start off Daniel Radcliff's career as an actor that is known besides his role as "The boy who lived".

If you wish to see the 1989 television film, you can catch it on youtube here.   (I have yet to watch it myself,but one I get the chance. I will most likely post a review of it on here.)

You can purchase the book that inspired both film on Amazon here. You can most likely find it at your local library as well.

Note: For a horror blog there has definitely been a lack of horror film review material. I apologize. I'm trying to make a horror review system that will separate us from other horror blogs. Also to note the real world seems to keep me rather busy, but you will begin to see more horror film material either this or next month.

-Horrorwood Doll

The Only Ghost I Ever Saw

The only Ghost I ever saw
By Emily Dickinson

The only Ghost I ever saw
Was dressed in Mechlin -  so -
He wore no sandal on his foot -
And stepped like flakes of snow -

His Gait - was soundless, like the Bird -
But rapid - like the Roe -
His fashions, quaint, Mosaic -
Or haply, Mistletoe -

His conversation - seldom -
His laughter, like the Breeze -
That dies away in Dimples
Among the pensive Trees -

Our interview - was transient -
Of me, himself was shy --
And God forbid I look behind -
Since that appalling Day!

Shag' s Haunted Mansion 40th Anniversary Artwork

     Disney's Haunted Mansion has been around for quite awhile now. It's hard to believe that the ride is over 40 years old now, since the ride itself just seem so timeless. (Of course that might be because it's always getting updates.) In 2009 The Haunted Mansion had its 40th anniversary and in honor of the big birthday Disney got the popular artist SHAG (Josh Agle) to create a series of images of The Haunted Mansion in his style. (and like I said in my Black Widow Bride game review, I would do a post on SHAG's Haunted Mansion artwork.) The big event took place on August 9th in Disneyland with the original artwork selling from $6,000 to $16,000.

 Of course Disney being the merchandise marketing machines they are couldn't resist putting all the artwork on a range of merchandise. You can check out and see all the merchandise that was available for the event here.

Unfortunately, the majority of the merchandise that was available for the event has sky rocketed,but check out Ebay and you might find a great deal.

There was a Mickey Mouse Haunted Mansion SHAG hat.

 

Hurry back, hurry back........don't forget to bring your DEATH certificate!! -Horrorwood Doll (P.S. I'm making it my priority to be there for the Haunted Mansion' 50th birthday.)

The Delightfully Chilling Children's Books of Denna Molinaro

     I am not ashamed to admit that I'm a fan of children books. I just find their simple stories and illustrations to be delightful. More often than not writer's get the idea to make horrific little books for children and because children seem to have fascination with getting scared they always seem to leave an impact. Deena Molinaro writes and illustrates children books as a hobby and currently has them all on her website for your viewing pleasure. If you have a little squishy (cute child) in your life or just like demented little childrens tales check it out. http://www.deannamolinaro.com/Stuff_That_I_Made/Books/BookTitles.html (If you plan on reading these to your own child, I suggest you read them before hand. Some of these tales might be to grim for some children.)

      My favorites That Story about the Rabbit and As an Alligator (Even though it's not strictly horror) If you really like her books check out her online shop and purchase one of her books. http://www.deannamolinaro.com/GeneralStore.html

-Horrorwood Doll

Mainstream Horror films for 2011

Horror season is upon us. The majority of horror films come during the spring and summer, with usually one horror film during October. (Yeah, I don't get it either.) Let's take a look at what the upcoming year holds for us when it comes to Hollywood Horror.

Holy crap Hollywood, What is it with you and evil children? I'll be honest the film doesn't look to bad and seems to be what " A Haunting in Connecticut" should have been. The film has some promising attributes like the fact that the makers if the two most popular franchises of the past decade are involved. It does seem to follow the typical "My house is haunted,but I'm to much of a dumbass to get the hell out" type of film, even if it's the kid that is haunted. It could be good or ir could be bad, but it will most likely be mediocre.

It's interesting to see how horror films have changed in the past decade. Let's face it horror is a genre that is always evolving and I'm curious to see what the next decade will bring. I can say that actually like the first Scream when it came to terms with the whole rules of horror film. I think Screm 4 won't be as good as the original,but it will be better than Scream 2 and Scream 3.

Upcoming Mainstream Horror Films for 2011

-Dylan Dog:Dead of Night (April 29) (Looks kind of bad and not in so bad it's good kind of way. The movie also didn't get the memo that Aliens are the new werewolves,zombies, and vampires.)

-Priest (May 13, Fiday the 13) (Based on a Tokyopop manga. It looks nice,but that's about it.)

-Super 8 (June 2) (I actually have no idea if this will fit into the horror genre,but the looks pretty cool.)
-Cowboys and Aliens (July 29) (Again,not sure if it's horror,but it is a spectacular throwback to the type of plot that would be in 1950s B-movies, but this time it has a huge budget like Grindhouse.)
-The Darkest Hour (August 5) (Looks to be pretty scary. Aliens seem to be the new horror trend.)
-Don't be Afraid of the Dark (August 13) (Already made a post on this and well I gave out the incorrect date of its release. The film is sure to be fantastic and will probably be the best horror film of the year.)
-Fright Night (August 19) (Brought to you by the wonderful world of Disney, with the Tenth Doctor as Peter Vincent.)
-Final Destination 5 (August 29)  ( There are far too many of these films.)
-Paranormal Activity 3(October 21) (Yep, # 2 made money. Lets make another one.)
-Piranha 3DD (November 23) (No idea what that extra D is for.)

Aliens= The new werewolves,zombie, and vampire.

I have no idea what is with the new Alien trend. Maybe it's because of Avatar or Doctor Who.(Doubtful) People are probably just tired of vamps,werewolves, and zombies. Anyways, this years horror list is just kind of average. A few sequels, a few bad films, one or two really great films, and the rest are just mediocre. At least this years remake is not one of the greats like Halloween or Nightmare on Elm Street.

-Horrorwood Doll



Elvira's Movie Macabre

I'm honestly surprised by how many people have not heared about Elvira. I mean she is the queen of f*#@$ing Halloween. I can't exactly say that I grew up watching her movie macabre, but I did grow up watching her movies. -sigh- it seems such a shame that I did not get the chance to view Elvira's Movie Macabre first hand. Oh, but wait....

 Elvira: The Mistress of the Dark is back and has proclaimed her spot on public television. You now can catch Elvira hosting the chessiest of horror films every Friday,Saturday, or Sunday night. (Check your local listings to find out when Movie Macabre is playing for you.) I can now know what it was like for the children of the 80s by watching Elvira's Movie Macabre every Saturday night at 10 p.m. :D

This is the intro for Elvira's Movie Macabre. I can honestly say that I love the theme song "What Can I do" by the Black Belles. I would love a chance to go that theatre. :D

Why not take Elvira home with you? You can now purcahse a double feature of Elvira's Movie Macabre and have your own personal Elvira movie nights when ever you want. And best thing yet none of those darn commercials. You can now take home classsics such as Frankenstein's Castle of Freaks, The Devil's Wedding Night, They Came from Beyond Space,  The Werewolf of Washington, and more delightful movie classics that you will come to love and cherish forevers and forevers. Purchase these timeless classics here.

Or better yet you can catch five of the original Movie Macabre for free on youtube here. (I'm guessing it's the original show from the 80s.)

If you didn't know about Elvira before, now is your chance to get aquainted with the Mistress of the Dark. (She'll most likely get mentioned on this blog from time to time, so it's for the best that you know who we are talking about.)

-Horrorwood Doll

Salvidor Dali Museum

I'm currently in Florida for a wedding and now seems like the perfect time do the blogs first travel log. Today I got the chance to go to the Salvidor Dali museum in St.Petersburg,Florida. (I know I happen to do a lot of art posts. It just turns out like that. -_-) Anyways, I know Mr. Dali isn't directly linked to horror, but his work has inspired quite a few horror films, etc.

He had a pet ocelot and ocelots are cool.

He was mostly known for his paintings, especially The Persistance of Memory. His work is often filed under surrealism and more often than not his pieces were a bit macabre. Today I'm going to show off some of his morbid pieces.

The Face of War 1940-41

 Ballerine En Tete De Mort

Self Portrait

The Sickly Skull of Venereal Disease

"In the 1940’s, Salvador Dali painted this masterful poster for the armed forces to warn soldiers against the dangers of fornicating with loose foreign hussies and contracting venereal disease. The composition of the sickly green skull from the pert-breasted prostitutes is just breathtaking, especially the way their milky upper thighs, exposed above garters, form the front teeth." -Link

 photograph by Philippe Halsman (Yeah, probably one of the only times you'll see nudity on this blog.)

He also had his hand in photography. His most notable work is the skull that was formed out of seven women, which inspired the cover design for the horror film The Descent. It also appears on that darn moth on the Silence of the Lambs poster. You have to look real close to see,but it's the same image. The image seems to pop up in other places as well,but I'm currently limited on time, so you all are going to be happy with that. (Goodness those women must be uncomfortable.)

You can check out more of Dali's work and earn more about him at the Dali museum in St.Petersburg, Florida. http://thedali.org/ Even if you're not a Dali fan (like me) the museum is still pretty cool. Also check out the cool gift shop online. You can find a lot spiffy trinkets for everyone you know like the tarot card set and the melting clock wristwatch.


If you have the time check out the 1929 film Mr. Dali wrote called Un Chien Andalou.(I had a chance to see it at the museum)  Yeah, I know it doesn't quite fit into the horror genre, but there are enough elements in the film that allows me the chance to put it on the blog. A woman's eye is split open at the two-minute mark. In reality it is actually a cow's eye,but still a bit freaky to watch. It's a sixteen minute film and as far as silent films go it's interesting enough to keep modern movie goers interested. Damn kids, need to appreciate silent films.

-Horrorwood Doll (I honestly do too many art posts -_-)

Note: I'll make another Florida related post in the next few days.

American Mcgee's: Alice Madness Returns

She's back! Miss Alice is not well because her Wonderland has gone back to hell. The long awaited sequel to American Mcgee's Alice is finally here after eleven long years. This time Alice must come back to Wonderland after eleven years and save it from the evil that resides within it and her. You can come and play with Alice on June 14th, 2011 on PS3, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows.

Before its release a few horrific teaser trailers have found a way onto the inter-webs. One thing is sure the game is bound to be bloody good fun.

There have been talks about a film adaption for awhile now, many seem to think Tim Burton is the man for the job. I on the other hand can't help, but think of Zack Snyder. Have you seen the trailer for Sucker Punch? It looks quite similar to the overall game's style. Not to mention the quote "This is Madness! This is WONDERLAND!" will likely make an appearance.

(Note: I can't help but be amazed by all the lovely outfits Alice has been given. I can almost guarantee that a future Halloween costume shall be inspired by one of them.)

The original Alice was released in 2000 and was highly acclaimed for it's graphics and complexity. It was released by EA games and was their first game even given the Mature rating. The game is highly sought after and copies have been known to be $50-100 sometimes more. For years there have been rumors about a movie in the making. Rumors have involved Wes Craven and Sarah Michelle Gellar owning rights to the film. To better understand the new game, why not check out the original? The original opening scene of the game can be seen below.

-Horrorwood Doll