'Face Off' Recap: 'Sexy Beasts'

Chloe & Rashaad's Beast, Courtesy Syfy

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

The Season Six return of “Face Off” started off not only by introducing us to 15 new artists, but also showcasing their talents with two challenges. The prizes are similar to last season and include a VIP trip compliments of Krylon, $100K, and a 2014 Fiat 500.

McKenzie Westmore returns as host along with her father, Michael Westmore, serving as mentor. Judges Ve Neil, Glenn Hetrick and Neville Page also return to judge the creations which promise to be “extreme” this season. A new twist was introduced for this season. The judges can issue a one-time immunity for an artist who may have had a difficult week. We won’t know when this will occur but I’m sure some of the artists from past seasons would have liked this feature. In retrospect, the judges did seem to take into account if one of the artists had a rough week and offered leniency. However, they also stressed that in the real world of the industry, they need to give their all and leniency is often not offered.

So let’s meet this season’s 15 artists, two of which are dating (Cat and Niko). Will that cause some drama? For more details on the artists, click here.

'666 Park Avenue': 'Hypnos'

Courtesy ABC

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

Well folks, this was the ninth and last episode of 666 Park Ave for 2012. Four more episodes remain of the cancelled series and we hope they provide us with all the answers that we crave. Tonight’s episode started to clear up some mysteries, featured an Oscar-winner who excels at channeling the spiritual plane, and we even caught a glimpse of Olivia and Gavin’s thought-to-be-dead daughter, Sasha.

Whoopi! It’s 1927!

Maris Elder (Whoopi Goldberg) is another mysterious resident of the Drake. At the end of last week’s episode, Nona took Jane to her symbol-laden door to meet her because she may hold the power to help Jane remember what she was doing during her dissociative episode.

'666 Park Avenue' recap: 'What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?"

Jane flies over the cuckoo's nest. Courtesy ABC

BY LARISSA MRYKALO


After having a week off, this week’s episode of the (unfortunately) cancelled  666 Park Avenue, picks up with a distraught Henry passing out "Missing Person" fliers. Jane has been missing for 36 hours and Detective Cooper is on the case.

Jane Enters the Cuckoo’s Nest

Jane eventually shows up in a dream-like Times Square and an older female telepathically communicates, "You shouldn’t have come here." Magically, the dream fades and Jane is found confused and wandering in the real Times Square, screaming for her Henry.

'666 Park Avenue' recap: 'Downward Spiral'

Courtesy ABC

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

This week’s episode of 666 Park Avenue begins in the Drake back in 1998. A pregnant woman named Melanie is visiting her mom (who apparently is Gavin Doran’s favorite resident). Her mom, who turns out to be Nona’s currently catatonic grandma Lottie Clark, warns her daughter to get the hell out of there and not to come back until her daughter is born. As Melanie tries to leave, her elevator breaks down and she goes into labor. A theme for tonight is "Children of the Drake" and since Nona was born there, she is a permanent resident.

'666 Park Avenue' recap: 'Diabolic'

Courtesy ABC

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

On 666 Park Avenue, it’s the day after the big Halloween party and tensions are running high at the Drake. Jane was chased through the building by an axe-wielding ghost, so naturally, she’s going to be a bit on edge. The show begins with an homage to the Psycho shower scene but luckily, it’s just a dream.

'Face Off Live' recap

Reunited Season 3 contestants. Courtesy Syfy

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

Despite the lack of a Ghost Hunters Live, the Syfy Network managed to make this Halloween interesting and entertaining. For one hour, Face Off host McKenzie Westmore not only looked stunning, but kept things moving and enjoyable until the shocking reveal. Laura and Nicole looked gorgeous and poised, and clean-shaven, cool, confident Derek looked like Andy Garcia's twin, not Eric's.

This season's winner was determined by the American viewer and more than one million votes were cast. Viewers were treated to some fun montages and even a sneak peek at season four (which looks even more epic than this season). We also got to see the eliminated contestants (sans Joe) and learned that Jason works for SNL, Rod's wrist is feeling much better, and Tommy moved to LA and is living with former contestants, Gage and Greg.

'Face Off' recap: 'Immortal Enemies'

The finalists feel the pressure. Courtesy Syfy

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

Tuesday's Face Off episode featured the last Spotlight Challenge before the big live finale tonight, Halloween night, at 10 p.m. ET. But you know that already. Nicole, Derek and Laura are instructed to create not one, but two Halloween-themed characters. The crux is that the make-ups need to be able to handle the demands of an elaborately choreographed stunt show.

Simple enough, right? Suuurrre...

'666 Park Avenue' recap: 'A Crowd of Demons'

courtesy ABC

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

All HELL broke loose on tonight's new episode. In the opening scene, we learned a little something about the smokey suitcase guy. His name is "Peter Kramer" (Jim True-Frost) and after a conversation he had in the elevator of the Drake on Halloween, 1929, he seems to have invited evil into his home.

Peter and some buds apparently did a little wealth-inducing ritual in the basement of their apartment building. According to the time in history, this is understandable since the stock market just crashed. When he gets home to his wife and daughter, things go down hill fast. He reveals that his firm was closed and then his eye gets all wonky. Stress twitch? Unlikely. He tells his wife that, "In Heaven, you will be truly happy." That's not a good sign and neither is the ax with which he starts to bludgeon her. Their daughter hides under the bed and mama manages to give her a necklace that she urges to keep in the family. We end up seeing this necklace later on Jane. Isn't is Jane's grandmother's cherished necklace? Hmmm …

'Face Off' recap: 'Scene of the Crime'

Mitchell with host Westmore

BY LARISSA MRYKALO


Laura, Roy, Derek and Nicole, are the last four standing, and in this week's episode of Face Off, they need to channel their inner Grimm. The pressure is even more intense because the three that remain after elimination, head to the Live Finale on Halloween. Their spotlight challenge tonight is to assess a crime scene and determine, and then create, the gruesome creature that may have committed the crime. Tonight's special guest was Silas Weir Mitchell (aka Monroe) from the NBC's hit show, Grimm. He offered some expert insight on how to tackle this very cool challenge.

'666 Park Avenue' recap: 'Hero Complex'

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

Sunday night's episode of ABC's 666 Park Avenue was even darker and a touch more complicated than usual. Oh, and our old friend the Smoke Monster paid another visit to our TV screens. Here's a brief recap to bring you up to speed and hopefully clear up any confusion.

Annie Morgan

So Annie the writer (Aubrey Dollar) is still alive and tied up in her apartment. Evil Russian mobster Kandinsky wants to know the source that revealed info on him. She pleads with him for her life and her left eye, and finally caves and rats out her boss, Ned.

'Face Off' recap: 'Junkyard Cyborg'

Nicole and her cyborg princess, courtesy Syfy

BY LARISSA MRYKALO


Last week focused on the whimsical world of beloved author, Dr. Seuss and we lost the sweet-as-red-velvet-cake, and equally as colorful, Alana. This week, the final five head to a dirty, smelly junkyard to begin working on the "most rugged challenge yet." McKenzie reminds the contestants that some of the most iconic characters in film history were born out of merging man and machine. Their task is create a creative and original cyborg character. There is no immunity challenge so everyone is in danger of being "terminated" (couldn't resist). At least I skipped the poetry this week.

'666 Park Avenue' recap: 'The Dead Don't Stay Dead'

Annie gets imaginative with her writing, courtesy ABC

BY LARISSA MRYKALO


This week's episode of 666 Park Ave began exactly where the last left off and proved to be extra creepy because ... Dolls! Jane is banging on the door that trapped her and, of course, has a low battery on her phone. Was it low to start with or did she experience battery drain due to the paranormal activity? She sees movement, hears a low whisper, sees those damn dolls, and then, her leg gets grabbed.

Henry rescues and comforts her and investigates the room. He finds nothing and, it turns out that there's an air vent where voices can easily stream in. Like a lot of people do after they have a paranormal experience that gets debunked, Jane feels silly and even questions her sanity. As they walk back to their apartment, a figure runs by and we get to see a little ghost girl ... clutching a doll. Who is she?

'Face Off' recap: 'Who's the New Who?'

The new Whos line up. Courtesy Syfy

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

Alana is sad ... Her friend Rod's sculpt was bad.
The judges sent him home ... This caused Alana to moan.
Will Alana prevail? ... Will her creation fail?
Will this challenge make our imaginations roam?

All right, that's enough of that...

The remaining six contestants on the Syfy show take a trip to Whoville in this new and colorful Face Off. While on the set of the Universal Studios backlot, McKenzie introduces them to award-winning producer and guest judge, Brian Grazer. The challenge tonight is to create a human/hybrid character based on one of the creatures in the classic Dr Seuss children's book, "Sleep Book." It's the 50th anniversary of the book. There is no immunity challenge tonight so everyone is on the chopping block.

'666 Park Avenue' recap: 'Murmurations'

Courtesy ABC

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

"You Belong to Me"

What a fitting song to start the second episode of ABC's devilish series! As the popular 1952 hit song plays, Gavin Doran emerges from the (working) elevator at the Drake. Jane confronts him about her not being informed about the death of John Barlow and Tony displays a tinge of jealousy when he hears that the party planners have arrived to set up for the event to which he was not invited. Tony was passed over for the job as building manager…any guesses as to what his motivation (desire) was?

'Face Off' recap: 'Monster Twist'

Laura's winning monster. Syfy

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

The Face Off season is wrapping up and heading towards the live show where the grand prize winner will be revealed. Tonight's show gave us two fun challenges and we got to get reacquainted with some old friends.

Foundation Challenge

Olvera Street is an historic area in the oldest part of Downtown LA and features a Mexican marketplace. Tonight's challenge features former judge, Patrick Tatopoulos who flew in from Bulgaria where he is working on the sequel to 300. Plus, it's not an immunity challenge tonight, it's a redemption challenge. The eliminated contestants: CC; Eric; Tommy; Nicole; and, Jason, have a chance to get back into the game! Wait, no Joe? Now that would have been controversial and fun. Right? No? Anyway…

Paranormal Pop Culture Fall Movie Preview

Breaking Dawn, final poster
Courtesy Summit

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

The fall movie season leading up to Christmas is a cornucopia of films that are a paranormal enthusiast’s dream. Heavy on the ghosts, demons and post-apocalyptic world - one we may soon live in if the Mayans were correct - this season will not disappoint.

Many highly-anticipated films, such as The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and the final installment of the Twilight Saga will thrill fans and a couple of animated flicks will delight the kiddos (and adults).

So which of these following paranormal, horror or fantasy movies are you excited to see? Which...not so much? Look ahead to see the list...

'666 Park Avenue' recap: Pilot

courtesy ABC

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

The anticipated premiere of ABC's new horror-drama 666 Park Avenue kicked off the Halloween season in style. New York City's historic Drake hotel serves as the setting and the potential portal to the underworld. We get to meet an interesting cast of characters and plot lines are quickly set up.

Symphony for the Devil

The pilot episode began at the symphony, with the owners of the Drake, Olivia (Vanessa Williams) and Gavin Doran (Terry O'Quinn), enjoying the violin performance of one of their own tenants, Mr. Hardwell. Strangely though, he ends up fiddling his heart out until his fingers are a bloody mess. What is it with violinists and Satan? Paging Charlie Daniels! We glean from the following scene(s) that Mr. Hardwell was the resident manager of the Drake for the past 10 years. He rushes back to his apartment and tries his "damned"est to escape. When Gavin Dorn calls him on the lobby phone, we learn that a contract has been signed ... and broken. Hmmm ... a contract? Hardwell manages to make it outside but the door comes to life and sucks him back inside to someplace ... "warmer."

John Carpenter's original 'Halloween' receives theatrical re-release

In the Autumn of 1978, a pioneering film changed the horror genre by introducing us to a hulking shape known as Michael Myers, and scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis. John Carpenter's low-budget gem Halloween shocked audiences yet stayed subtle by using minimal blood and left the viewer to use their own imagination. Little did those involved know that the movie they were making would become a classic - even classic enough for a re-release 34 years later.

According to the official press release:

"Screenvision, a national leader in cinema advertising sales, services and content distribution, has teamed up with Compass International Pictures and Trancas International Films to bring John Carpenter’s immortal 1978 classic, Halloween, back to the big screen. This nationwide release, beginning Oct. 25 with select showings through October 31 will be the widest distribution the film has seen since originally shocking audiences in 1978. This cinema scare classic will be presented in a striking, new HD transfer and 5.1 audio."

Viewers will also be treated to a short documentary called You Can't Kill the Bogeyman: 35 Years of Halloween which discusses how the film impacted not only the horror genre but also our culture. Malak Akkad, son of Halloween's late producer, Moustapha Akkad was quoted as saying, "We are thrilled to bring John Carpenter's original Halloween back to the screen after almost 35 years ... We are excited for fans from coast to coast to finally get the ultimate theatrical experience."

The complete list of participating theaters will be released soon. Will you be checking it out? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

-Larissa Mrykalo

Eli Roth to open Goretorium attraction

Courtesy Goretorium.com

Eli Roth is one of Hollywood's more prolific horror producers and directors with hits like Cabin Fever and Hostel, plus he does a little acting too (Inglorious Bastards). So imagine how delighted we were when we discovered  a new attraction would be opening up in Las Vegas where you could actually experience Roth's deliciously disturbed mind, first hand.

It is called, appropriately enough, Goretorium and from the tidbits the website offers, well, disturbing is an understatement. It opens on Sept. 27  and it is not just open for the Halloween season, but is a 365-days a year treat situated across from CityCenter and the Cosmopolitan.

The brand new attraction is based on the mythical Delmont Hotel where, 50 years ago, a family of cannibalistic owners would drug their guests, filet them while they were still alive, and feed them to their other guests. Yummy! Patrons self-guide through the Delmont, starting in the lobby, and get to witness the horrors that this serial-killing family bestowed upon their victims.

Says the site, "employing high-tech Vegas showmanship with old-fashioned scares, the terrifying labyrinth of live actors, animatronic frights, and stunning special effects is contained in a vintage hotel setting that rivals the best movie sets."

If you can't head to Vegas to experience this living nightmare, the site allows you to "Launch the webcam to watch our guests s#!+ their pants and see what you're missing." Sounds fun! There are also videos and pictures to draw you into the madness. (Check out this pretty grotesque clip not for the easily grossed-out).





Tickets are $35 if purchased online or $40 at the door. There is also a "Death Row VIP Fast Pass" for $60 in case you want to skip the line and jump-start your terrifying experience!

If you happen to check out this latest installment of Eli Roth's glorious insanity, please let us know - we're dying to hear about it!

- Larissa Mrykalo

'Face Off' recap: 'Supermobile'

Alana & Roy's Fire/Chaos creation, courtesy Syfy

BY LARISSA MRYKALO


What a perfect setting to learn about tonight's super-cool challenge! The remaining eight contestants walked to the mountain location, Bronson Caves, which is the entrance to the Batcave from the late '60s TV series. They learned the spotlight challenge for tonight's episode was to create an original superhero and a sidekick based around their choice of four vehicles: a Humber Pig (Tommy/Laura); Dodge Charger (Alana/Roy); Tatra T-87 (Jason/Rod); and an AJS motorcycle (Sarah/Derek).

There was not an immunity challenge tonight, so no one was safe from elimination. Jason admitted being concerned about the challenge (foreshadowing)? After choosing their vehicles and taking pictures for inspiration, the teams were treated to a consultation from last season's winner, Rayce Bird. Rayce has been heavy into "conceptual design work" and gave some really great pointers.