Now that I've truly earned my reputation as the world's least reliable horror blogger, I thought I'd take a minute and show you what I've been up to, because, as you know, it certainly hasn't been blogging. I'm not bored with horror or anything. I'm still on a steady diet of blood and guts, and I've seen quite a few worth writing about. I still take mental notes about what I'm going to say here on the blog. Then I let a few days slip away. I tell myself I'll get back to the blog on the weekend, and I don't. Before I know it, a month has gone by and I feel like it's too late. But this time I've only let 4 days go by without a report on my Halloween goings-on, so I'm patting myself on the back while simultaneously rubbing my tummy.
So without further doo-doo, here's what I've been doing for the past two months: I've been elbow-deep in paper. No, not paperwork, thankfully, but paper clay. This fantastic and supercheap modelling compound is made with recycled newsletters from my workplace, wallboard joint compound, flour, Elmer's glue, and water. Check out some of my custom Halloween props:
Keep in mind that these are early attempts, and I should get better. This all came about because I was helping my 9-year-old build some Uruk-Hai armor as his Halloween costume. I got the techniques from a kick-ass little website called Stolloween, which has all kinds of tutorials and great props by a talented papier mache artist who is fanatical about all things Halloween.
Here's a few shots of what our Halloween display looked like. We didn't go all-out this year, but we still got our fair share of compliments from the trick-or-treaters. Keep in mind that I made the papier mache spiders last year before I learned all my groovy new techniques. I'll probably revisit them and add some detail for next year.
All-in-all, it was a pretty low-key affair this year. Highlights of the 2012 Halloween season included an Egyptian-themed corn/hay-maze in Missoula, and taking my son to a double-feature screening of Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein. Even though he'd seen them before, he was pretty stoked and had a great time. And I gained an even greater appreciation for both the original film (I always liked Bride better, until now) and for Boris Karloff. If you can pull off the trick of watching the films with a 1930's mindset, there are some pretty scary moments and a real sense of danger for the characters who are near the monster when he's attacking. Here's to hoping Fathom events brings back more classic monster movies to theaters, or even more recent classic horror. What I wouldn't give to watch The Shining in an honest-to-god movie theater.
Speaking of The Shining, I've got to plug my friends Jeff and Tucker over at the If We Made It Podcast. Their Halloween episode revisits both The Shining and Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. If you've never experienced the glorious madness of these two dudes talking film, this is definitely a good episode to begin with. Particularly because I make a guest appearance and give my reviews of Sinister and Paranormal Activity 4. Do check it out.
Alright, now let's see if I can get in a couple more posts before the month is out. Well, we can always hope.