Books, Dolls and Danielle Harris — Oh My!

You must have been good boys and girls because this week it is five horror novels and not one — but two scary movies!

1. Salem’s Lot – Stephen King (1975)

These days vampires are sexy, romantic, kind-hearted teens who only feed on animals. How boring! Vampires are blood thirsty monsters. Stephen King certainly knew that. If you like to be totally creeped out and do not require a happy ending. You must read this book. Although this book was written almost 40 years ago, it stands the test of time. What could be better than evil vampires taking over small towns!?

 

2. Stiff : The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers – Mary Roach (2003)

I read this book right after my grandfather died five years ago. I wanted to know exactly what would happen to his body now that he was no longer using it. Mary Roach’s book explained it all with humor and well researched facts (science if you will). You will learn about rigor mortis, decomposition, embalming, cremation, cadaver research, and everything in between. Stiff is amazing, gross, funny and informative. My favorite non fiction book of all time.

 

3.BedBugs – Ben H. Winters (2011)

What would you do if you moved into your dream home and it was infested with bugs that only you could see? I never would have believed I could be scared, creeped out or even unsettled by a book about bugs but I was. This tale of bugs and paranoia will leave you feeling itchy and creeped out! Keep the benadryl close by while reading this one.

 

4. The Stranger Beside Me – Ann Rule (1980)

This chilling story of the brutal murders of over 30 coeds in the 70s by a handsome, charismatic young man is 100% true. Ann Rule is a former cop and had a personal friendship with Ted Bundy, the subject of this book. Imagine the chills that went down the spine of the author when she realized her friend and co-worker (at the rape crisis hotline) Ted was guilty of raping and murdering all these girls. If the realization that you never really know anyone isn’t terrifying I don’t know what is.

 

5. The Last Victim – Jason Moss (1999)

Another true life horror story! Jason Moss was an 18-year-old college student in 1994. Jason had dreams of joining the FBI. Thinking he could learn something about them by corresponding with them, he started writing to incarcerated serial killers. He formed a relationship with John Wayne Gacy,even visited him before his execution. I’m not sure this was the best idea. Jason definitely learned something. Sometimes you should let the monster keep his mask on. Sadly, Jason took his own life in 2006.

First up in movies, Hallow’s Eve starring the lovely Danielle Harris. This movie was released on October 1st 2013 to DVD and VOD. I rented this movie because Danielle was the star and because I couldn’t believe the single negative review on Amazon could be valid. I said to myself it can’t be that bad. It was that bad! The movie revolves around Eve, a teenager who was the victim of a disfiguring accident as a child. Ten years later, someone starts murdering teenagers who are connected as the children of the teens responsible for Eve’s accident.  Hallow’s Eve is the kind of disaster that boggles the mind. It is predictable but made no sense.  Danielle was the only recognizable actor as well as the only actor with any talent. She was both misused and underused. She was cast as some sort of boring maternal figure. She barely had any lines. If you took her character out of this movie there would zero impact on the plot. She must have gotten bad advice from her agent because she is beyond needing to take these kinds of roles. All I can come up with is she owed someone favor. This movie was just awful. This movie was so boring that I don’t even think getting drunk and/or high would make it entertaining. Available to stream on Amazon for $3.99.

LITTLE MISS HORROR NERD’S RATING: 1/5

Curse of Chucky starring Fiona Dourif as Nica and her amazing father Brad as the voice of Chucky was released October 8, 2013 to VOD/DVD. Nica is paralyzed and lives with her mother who is has issues with depression. In the first 10 minutes of the movie, her mom kills herself. Nica’s sister, brother-in-law and niece show up for funeral services. This is when the madness and mayhem get underway. I cannot understand why this movie was not released to the theaters. Curse of Chucky was perhaps the best and strongest sequel since part II. The acting, writing, and production were all quality. The story was strong with so much spooky atmosphere it was almost cliche. The film had something for everyone in my opinion. There was gore, profanity, humor, even a little girl-on-girl action. I was also very pleased that we went back from campy to creepy. There were even a few twists that were super fun and some nods to Halloween and Friday the 13th. I LOVED this movie! I even watched it straight through without touching my phone or tablet once! I rented the movie for $4.99 from Comcast VOD and it was worth every cent.

LITTLE MISS HORROR NERD’S RATING: 5/5