Fall is truly a majestic season. The changing of the colors, altering the standard green leaves into an eclectic mix of warm colors. America’s sport, football, is reigning supreme while the US pastime, baseball, is playing in the midst of the bitter playoffs. The air is crisp and we begin to feel that excited anticipation of the upcoming holidays. With that being said, the first holiday up is Halloween and seeing how all Hallow's Eve is only a week away, it's time to hunker down and get in your fix of horror before you need to wait another year. October provides us with that jolt of emotion very rarely felt in our daily lives, fear. If you've followed our blog, you will have learned that I am a passionate horror fan. Maybe this was gained through countless years being made to watch horror films with my mother who was usually forced to watch these movies and shows in seclusion due to the fact that my father has never be one to endure them. I believe this developed interest trickled to more hobbies including reading. Some find it difficult to be scared while reading a book as you don't have the visuals, but if you've ever been ensconced in a well written horror novel by yourself at night, you'll feel the effects that the writer is trying to provoke. While last year, I wrote about the scariest movies of all time, I thought it was only fitting to broaden this to some good old TV and books.
Television
AMC is in the midst of their FearFest marathon as they have been showing horror films from the 13th-31st. While last week, they immersed us in the Friday the 13th slasher films ( I would stay away from the dreadful Jason Takes Manhattan and Jason X), this week’s star is Michael Myers and the Halloween movies (Hopefully they do not show the 3rd movie in this collection seeing how it has nothing to do with anything). Besides starring Jason and Michael, they also show such infamous movies such as Pet Sematary, From Dusk till Dawn, Jeepers Creepers, Land of the Dead, Cujo, and several great classics. Besides this, AMC is where you can find the Walking Dead on Sunday nights, which is one of the best shows on TV let alone horror based.
Syfy hosts it’s own horror marathon called 31 days of Halloween. Their movies leave much to be desired as it usually consists of either lower budget non-hits or the worst of a franchise (Tomorrow they will be showing the worst Pumpkinheads and Nightmare on Elm Streets). The movies on tap for the rest of the days include Halloween H2O, The Mist, Pulse, and Rise of the Zombies. If you haven’t heard of those last two, there's a reason for this. Now, if you are a reality buff then Syfy is your joint. They maintain the Halloween theme year round with such reality shows as Ghost Hunters, Paranormal Witness, and Face Off. Their new show Haven, based on a novel by Stephen King, is suppose to have terrifying elements, but overall, keep the TV on AMC.
Like the previous two, ABC Family maintains the Halloween spirit through their 13 Nights of Halloween. This would be the best option if you enjoy Halloween but can’t handle anything scary or are watching with your kids. Their movies range from the Scooby Doo flicks, Adams Family and Adams Family Values, Hocus Pocus, The Mummy, Beetljuice, and animated hits like Monster House. The extent of their fear filled movies are the Poltergeist trilogy, but as we all know, those movies are more well done than actually fear evokers.
Besides, ABC SyFy, and AMC, for those who like their horror diluted and even comedic or have children, keep an eye out on Halloween themed episodes of such shows as the Office, Parks and Recreation, The Simpsons. For those who do enjoy fear, but only want to watch horror based shows not listed above, keep an eye out for the scary and ever so creepy American Horror Story on Wednesdays at 10pm on FX, 666 Park Avenue on ABC on Sundays at 10, and Grimm on Fridays at 9pm.
Books
Alright, so it's been a difficult process of trying to figure out how to pull together the best horror novels written so I thought that the only best possible option would be to organize by the best authors. Obviously, each individual has his or her own opinion, especially when it comes to books, but the best horror writers are those who have developed their craft around the genre in order to perfect it, which is why in my personal opinion it's good to read those who have several top-tier horror novels, not just writers who try a one-off to change things up.
Stephen King-There might never be a better horror writer than Stephen King. He has the ability to invoke mind-altering fear through the best character development and by paying attention to each minute detail. His options are extensive but here are 3 of the best: The Shining IT Salem’s Lot
James Herbert- So there are several better horror writers, but UK’s pride and joy is the current horror leader. While he misses on weak character development, he still does a good job of still invoking fear The Fog The Dark
Edgar Allen Poe- All you need to do is read his short stories and poems to realize how crazy this man truly was. He's the Dali of literature only more of his works were based around horror than tripping. Complete set: Stories and Poems
Dean Koontz-Probably the best ability to mix horror and sci-fi Phantoms Watchers
Robert McCammon-His premises are always terrifying They Thirst Stinger Swan Song
Clive Barker-He’s simply a man who understands mind fucking. Besides writing horror; he directed Hellraiser, Produced Candyman and The Midnight Meat Train among others. I still don’t know what the fuck happened in Candyman, but I do know that it made me think…I think. The Hellbound Heart The Damnation Game
Other Books Dracula-Bram Stoker I Am Legend-Richard Matheson Dunwich Horror and Others- H.P. Lovecraft Rosemary’s Baby-Ira Levin
This should be more than enough to get you through the next week. If not, just watch this over and over.
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