American Horror Story teams with Universal's Halloween Horror Nights

As reported over at Blastr.com, Universal theme parks are getting a double dose of horror this autumn as FX’s anthology series American Horror Story teams up with Halloween Horror Nights in both Orlando and Hollywood.

Announced in a press release yesterday, the annual event at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood will include a maze featuring chapters from the “Murder House,” “Freak Show,” and “Hotel” seasons of creator Ryan Murphy’s show.

According to the release, the temporary attraction, opening Sept. 16, will expose guests to “twisted scenes from Murder House” where “evil spirits that possess the Harmon estate” and “decades of the tortured dead who previously resided there” will be unleashed.

The release continues:

“In Freak Show, guests will join a troupe of biological misfits in a sinister sideshow where they’ll be stalked by the murderous and deformed Twisty the Clown. Finally, guests will succumb to the warped desires of The Countess after checking in to the haunted Hotel Cortez, conceived from the beginning as a torture chamber for its customers.”

John Murdy, Creative Director at Universal Studios Hollywood and Executive Producer of Halloween Horror Nights, said AHS has been the “number one requested maze” from our guests.  Michael Aiello, Director of Entertainment Creative Development for Universal Orlando Resort, commented, “It's that constant evolution that makes this popular series a perfect fit for Halloween Horror Nights – and we can’t wait for our guests to experience some of the horror they’ve seen on the show."

The opening of the attraction also coincides with Season 6 of American Horror Story, which kicks off Sept. 14. Meanwhile, AHS joins Halloween Horror Nights mazes based on other successful horror properties The Walking Dead, The Exorcist, Krampus, Halloween II, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, as well as Freddy vs. Jason in Hollywood. Entering its 26^th year, Orlando’s HHN event will also include The Repository, an “immersive paranormal virtual reality experience.”

Check out the trailer for the attraction below, and let us know if you will be headed to Orlando or Halloween for HHN. 

-Aaron Sagers

'Paranormal Lockdown' Announces Longest Paranormal Investigation Ever With Halloween Special

Courtesy Destination America

We realize it's only July and we're sweating off our orbs but it's never too early to start thinking about that glorious month of October and Halloween. Our friends over at Destination America are already rolling out the Ghostober announcements and we think you'll be pleased. So grab a pumpkin spice latte and check out the details from the press release they just issued about the "Paranormal Lockdown" Halloween special that will premiere on Friday, October 28 at 9 p.m. ET.

What notorious location will Nick Groff and Katrina Weidman be investigating? Read on.

Official Release via Destination America
(San Diego, Calif.) – This October it’s Halloween all month long on Destination America with a celebration of all things that go bump in the night. October – make that GHOSTOBER! – keeps the thrills and chills coming with week after week of premieres so spooky viewers will never want to leave the safety of their sofa. TV’s #1 home for paranormal programming delivers tricks and treats every night of the week during GHOSTOBER, culminating in a supernatural television event sure to scare socks off. From the network that delivered the first-ever live televised exorcism last fall, comes the two-hour PARANORMAL LOCKDOWN HALLOWEEN SPECIAL (wt), premiering Friday, October 28 at 9/8c only on Destination America.

A history of the mysteries of the Ouija

BY AARON SAGERS

Whether you say yes or no to the power of the Ouija board, there's no dismissing the legacy of this supposed spirit communication tool that inspires intrigue and amusement -- and sometimes fear.

For more than 125 years, the Ouija has been an all-American invention that's alternately viewed as a practical way to reach out to the beyond, a slumber party game and a great narrative device in pop culture. Some even see it as a negative creation and a potential gateway for the nastier denizens of the spirit realm to enter our turf.

Regardless of the Ouija's power (or lack thereof?), it is an undeniable part of our nation's history. That history was honored on Oct. 14 when the Talking Board Historical Society -- led by the world's leading talking board expert, Robert Murch -- worked with the City of Baltimore to install a plaque commemorating the location of an April 1890 séance where the board was named.

Though it is now a 7-Eleven, the building at 529 North Charles Street was once the Langham Hotel boarding house. Inside, the board's first manufacturer, Charles Kennard; his attorney friend and fellow Mason Elijah Bond (who registered the Ouija/Talking Board patent); and Bond's sister-in-law and medium Helen Peters asked the board what it wished to be called during a seance. When it spelled out "O-U-I-J-A," the board allegedly said it meant "good luck." Though later stories said the word was an amalgam of "yes" in French and German.

And much like the location where it earned its name in 1890, the Ouija board has changed over the years. What is currently sold by Hasbro, and marketed as a kids game, is a cardboard platform with glow-in-the-dark letters, or a plastic planchette with an embedded black light to read the board's "hidden" messages.

But there is much history to the Ouija board, and the talking boards (aka witch boards) that pre-date the brand. Join me and Murch, who has consulted on the show Supernatural and last year's Ouija movie, and next appears as a talking board expert on Destination America's Exorcism: Live!, for a brief tour of this mysterious, mystifying (and some would say malevolent and murderous) device.

Celebrate Day of the Dead with James Bond!

With Halloween just mere days away, die-hards are searching for a way to extend the spooky holiday. For those wishing to draw out the festivities, worry not, for Dia de Los Muertos is TWO whole days (Nov. 1-2) of extra goodness.

Dia de Los Muertos is a Mexican tradition that celebrates loved ones who have passed on to the other side. Altars are created and filled with photos, gifts, incense and candles, and even little sweet treats, to guide their spirits.

In recent years, the Day of the Dead celebration has been garnering more attention in pop culture, and it will be prominently featured in the newest James Bond film, "Spectre."

If you're still dying to know more about the history of Dia de Los Muertos, check out this fantastic infographic from Morph Suits, and be sure to check out "Spectre" when it hits theaters on November 6th!

-Nowal Massari

Reelz Channel ups the real fear factor of Halloween programming

Note: This post is sponsored by REELZ; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are our own.

| Movie Trailer | Review

We are only just a few days away from Halloween, but the fear is far from finished this season. This is especially the case over at Reelz Channel, where they are still in the throes of their unique 13 Nights of Reelz Scary programming. But what is making this particular slate of October content notable is that Reelz is kicking up the real fear factor by exploring freaky facts behind favorite movies and popular scary stories.

For instance, last night on the network, our skin was crawling with their true crime shows that built the tension leading up to "The Silence of the Lambs." Before Dr. Lecter started licking his lips over chianti and fava beans (and a little human liver), the programming block kicked off with an episode of "Murder Made Me Famous," about the gruesome works of serial killer Ted Bundy. Following that was "Behind the Screams," a docu-series that connected the dots between Bundy and how it inspired the character of Buffalo Bill in "Lambs." The 1991 Jodi Foster/Anthony Hopkins classic then rolled, and was followed by a behind-the-scenes documentary about the film, featuring cast and crew interviews.

See what they did there? Build the tension using real (and horrific) scary stories, then lead into a great Hollywood flick. Although the programming is not strictly paranormal-themed, the "Behind the Screams" episodes detailing the disturbing lives of Ed Gein and John Wayne Gacy are darkly compelling -- as are the effects the killers had on the entertainment industry.

But there is actually quite a lot in the paranormal pop culture realm to scare the pants off you. Tonight at 8 p.m. ET, a "Behind the Screams" episode titled "Witches Among Us" explores the haunting tale of the Perron family, who you'll remember from "The Conjuring." This installment adds a level of creepiness to the movie with the first-hand accounts you may not know about. Also tonight is the story behind a different case of Ed and Lorraine Warren: "The Amityville Horror Murders." The doc takes a critical look at the murders and the supposed hauntings to determine whether the reports were true or not. There are also "Behind the Screams" entries this week focusing on the "true story" accounts of some of the most famous paranormal movies, "The Exorcist" and "Fire in the Sky."

Even if you don't end up tuning, or setting your DVR, into the 13 Nights of Reelz Scary, check out their site for pretty cool/creepy supplemental content. One of the things I really got into was a gallery of exorcisms depicted in art, from 1300 to 1900. They also include a breakdown, and listing, of the Latin exorcism ritual.

And if you need a little appetizer to get you ready for some scary programming, check out the YouTube vid of supposedly real footage from hauntings and poltergeist activity.

I won't say any of it's legit, but it is worth sticking around to watch the whole thing. Though the one beginning at the 1:28 mark is the best, in my opinion.

-Aaron Sagers

Syfy's '31 Days of Halloween' Returns for its Eighth Year

We knew Syfy wouldn't let us down this October and now we know for sure. They just announced their eighth annual '31 Days of Halloween' and they're unleashing 600 hours of programming this season. From new original movies, to films and shows we know and love, we're counting down the days until the most wonderful time of the year.

Check out the full press release that includes all the details and highlights....

NEW YORK – September 15, 2015 – Be afraid. Be very afraid. Syfy’s 8th annual 31 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN spook-a-thon will unleash more than 600 hours of blood-curdling programming October 1-31, including ghoulish Ghost Hunters and Paranormal Witness holiday-themed episodes and four spooky new original movies.

HIGHLIGHTS OF SYFY’S 2015 31 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN (ALL TIMES ET/PT)

· Night of the Wild (New original movie, Saturday, October 3 at 9PM) -- When a large meteor crashes into a quiet town, pet dogs become mysteriously aggressive, attacking and killing the residents. Night of the Wild stars Rob Morrow (Northern Exposure), Kelly Rutherford (Gossip Girl) and Tristin Mays (The Vampire Diaries).

Werewolf Bites: 32 Things You Didn't Know About The Hairy Beasts

BY AARON SAGERS

Who's afraid of the big bad werewolf? The creatures of folklore and entertainment have struck us with full-moon fever for generations, and it seems like a new litter of movies or TV shows starring the supernatural pups is always popping up.

On TV, Syfy has a pack of two wolfy shows, such as Bitten and Lost Girl, but there is also MTV's Teen Wolf  -- as well as The CW's werewolf-ish Beauty And The Beast. Vampires may take center stage with CW's The Originals and The Vampire Diaries, but the wolves are a regular burden to the bloodsuckers. Although he's technically a "Blutbad" the hairy Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell) on NBC's Grimm is definitely a wolfman. Supernatural also has an ongoing puppy love for them, as did the recently wrapped True Blood and Being Human, and the ongoing show Hemlock Grove. And director David Hayter's new movie Wolves even has Aquaman Jason Momoa wolfing out.

So with all the lupine lunacy out there, and just in time for Halloween, we wanted to serve up a giant serving of paranormal pop culture werewolf bites...

Ford Delivers A Spooky Car Wash Prank in Time For Halloween

Shhhh....Listen.... Did you hear something or was that in my head?
Halloween tends to make everyone paranoid they might run into the walking dead.
Could it be a ghoul or a ghost, I'm too scared to find out.
Until all of a sudden comes a shriek then a shout.
Mmm, I bet you didn't think monsters hid in some places.
But we are finding out they are creeping in the most peculiar spaces.
If your car is dirty, I'd recommend giving it a clean.
Yes, a good washing, just try not to scream.
Ford is embracing Halloween with a spooky surprise.
Welcome to the haunted car wash… you might want to close your eyes.....

Scary prank videos seem to be all the rage lately and Ford recently got into the action to celebrate Halloween. The auto company set up a haunted car wash for 30 unsuspecting strangers to drive through on the way to film an imaginary ‘Ford test drive.' They got a little more than they bargained for but it looks like some free coffee was thrown in so that's a plus!



-Larissa Mrykalo

Chicago's Admiral Theater Celebrates Sixth Year of 'Night of the Stripping Dead'

Prepare yourselves, boils and ghouls, for the "Night of Stripping Dead" is coming. Celebrating their sixth year, the Admiral Theater will once again be providing spooky (and sensual) entertainment for Chicago's adults. The event originally began as a one night event, but became so popular that it now spans three terrifyingly sexy evenings.

According to the Admiral himself, "Wicked Wednesday will include Witches, Zombies and Mummies. Terrifying Thursday will host more Zombies and offer $1000 for the best Sexy Zombie Stripper. Freakshow Friday will no doubt be the most Thrilling of all with Freaky Features and Ghoulish surprises!" The performances will span from October 29th at 9 p.m. through November 1st at 6 a.m.

If you're 18+ and in the Chicago area, be sure to snag your tickets before they return to the grave for another year.

-Nowal Massari

'The Simpsons' 25th Annual 'Treehouse of Horror' Airs Tonight

Courtesy Yahoo

Tonight at 8 pm ET on Fox marks a quarter century of horror in a Springfield treehouse. Yep, the 25th episode of "The Simpsons" Treehouse of Horror airs tonight and Bart and Lisa will be transported to an alternate universe. After the "official" synopsis, check out the promo and a hellish clip. Then, let us know what your favorite Halloween episode has been so far and if you remember the first one just like the old lady writing up this piece does.

The 25th annual 'Simpsons' Halloween special includes an alternate dimension, a "Clockwork Orange"-style gang led by Moe and a visit from the Tracey Ullman-era Simpsons.





-Larissa Mrykalo

John Carpenter's 'Halloween' Returns to Theaters This October

Michael Myers is coming home again and he'll be making a worldwide visit in theaters all October. Thanks to a partnership between SpectiCast, Compass International Pictures and Trancas International Films, John Carpenter's 1978 classic, Halloween, is being re-released onto over 500 screens at select theaters.

Malek Akkad, producer and son of Halloween's producer, Moustapha Al Akkad stated, “We are delighted to work with SpectiCast to bring this restored and re-mastered version of Halloween to movie screens. We are excited for fans across the globe to experience this film like never before.”

You can click here for a complete list of theaters and showtimes and then check out the trailer below to get you in the mood. The select run starts October 1 and goes through October 31.

-Larissa Mrykalo

Michael Myers Comes Home to Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights

Michael Myers is paying a visit to Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights starting September 19. Their newest attraction is, of course, based on John Carpenter's 1978 slasher film, "Halloween" and "follows the story of Michael Myers, a deranged boy from Haddonfield, Il." It's promised that Michael will be setting out for new blood and will stop at nothing as he stalks his victims. "Every scene tells the tale of a different kill and if you’re not careful, you could be next."

The Myers attraction rounds out this year’s lineup for Halloween Horror Nights 24. Some of the other pop culture attractions include experiences inspired by AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” Robert Rodriguez’s chilling television series “From Dusk Till Dawn,” the cult sci-fi franchise “AVP: Alien vs. Predator,” Universal Picture’s upcoming film “Dracula: Untold,” Universal Picture’s “The Purge: Anarchy,” and Syfy’s “Face Off – In the Flesh.”

Here are more details from the release. Universal's Halloween Horror Nights runs from September 19 to November 1. We're also including a complete overview of all the attractions (after the jump). Let us know if you plan on making the trip!

New 'From Dusk Till Dawn' Maze Coming to Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights

Halloween Horror Nights just got even more bite! Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort has teamed up with Robert Rodriguez to bring a "From Dusk Till Dawn" maze to their annual event. The supernatural series airs on the El Rey network, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET. Do you think you're a match for the Culebras and Santanico Pandemonium? Check out the complete details from the press release and then the video announcement. If you plan on going, make room in your suitcase for us!

Release:
From cult horror film to breakthrough television series on El Rey Network, “From Dusk Till Dawn” will add terrifying maze to its credits when filmmaker Robert Rodriguez’s acclaimed supernatural show debuts as a menacing new “Halloween Horror Nights” experience at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort, beginning Friday, September 19.

'The Walking Dead' Returns to Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood's 'Halloween Horror Nights'

Is it fall yet? We're starting to get in that autumn mood and thinking about Halloween certainly helps. To help us out, the good folks at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood will be bringing back "The Walking Dead" to their Halloween Horror Nights events. Fans will get to experience all new, terrifying mazes inspired by the fourth season.

Here are the complete details from the release. Let us know if you plan on attending!

After rave reviews from fans on both coasts, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood are bringing back AMC’s “The Walking Dead” to Halloween Horror Nights for an unprecedented third consecutive year. Horror-hungry fans will experience all-new terrifying mazes inspired by Season 4 of the critically-acclaimed, Emmy Award®-winning television series.

Universal Orlando Announces Dates for "Halloween Horror Nights 24"

Returning for its twenty-fourth year of terrifying the public, Universal Orlando has just announced the official dates for "Halloween Horror Nights 24."

This year they are promising the more nights than ever before, as well as horrifying experiences based off of some of the biggest names in pop culture and horror. On 28 selected evenings, September 19 through November 1, guests will be able to explore 8 terrifying haunted houses, wend their way through bone-rattling street experiences that feature "scareactors," as well as enjoy 2 live shows and have some heart-racing fun of a different variety on the parks rides and attractions.

Event nights are as follows:
September 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 and 28
October 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30 and 31
November 1

Along with more information, ticket packages will be going on sale soon. Keep checking back here for all of the latest info and prepare to get your scare on this fall in Orlando!

-Nowal Massari

'Ghost Adventures' Recap: 'Fear Factory'

All images courtesy of the Travel Channel

BY NOWAL MASSARI

This week's "Ghost Adventures" brings the crew to Salt Lake City, UT to investigate an abandoned cement factory that was turned into a Halloween attraction dubbed the “Fear Factory.” The 100 year old building sat abandoned for years before becoming a haunted house, and is allegedly the home of dark, possibly demonic, paranormal activity.

According to employee Jessica, she was with a group of fellow performers in the “Hell Silo” and they used a spirit box to communicate with one of many rumored spirits. The group saw shadows flitting back and forth on the ceiling and a voice came through the spirit box, that repeatedly claimed to be a demon. Another employee, Chris, found a book of Satanic rituals inside the attraction, but no one could explain where it came from. While playing Satan inside the Hell Silo, he decided to start reading things from the book that “sounded cool” and soon after began experiencing terrible headaches. Allegedly, a few Satanists work in the show and warned Chris to be careful because while performing rituals in the Hell Silo, they were scratched.

Blood Manor Opens For Haunted Valentine's Day Event

If you are a fan of scares and think Valentine's Day should be a holiday to make bleeding hearts bleed, then a New York City haunted attraction has something right up your alley.

Blood Manor, a haunted house attraction known for its Halloween event has announced it will re-open this Valentine's weekend for the "Bloodiest Weekend of the year."

In a press release, Blood Manor touts that its scare actors will show visitors on Feb. 13 & 14, what it means to be together forever. From 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. both days, the haunt is unveiling some new scares, as well as joining with the zombie pinups from the Gorgeous and Gory 2014 calendar, who will be on hand. Online tickets to the event start at $30, though there are other ticket packages, which include a black long-stemmed rose and Blood Manor shot glass.

-Aaron Sagers

'Silent Night, Deadly Night' Returning to Theaters in December

To help dull the pain of another Halloween passing, Fangoria and Brainstorm Media are bringing "Silent Night, Deadly Night" back into theaters, making for a holly, jolly hackmas!

From our pals over at Fangoria:

FANGORIA, together with Screenvision and Brainstorm Media, are thrilled to announce the re-release of the controversial, ultra-bloody anti-Holiday slasher favorite "Silent Night, Deadly Night," opening wide across the country in theaters everywhere!

Released in 1984 to outrage and parental paranoia, director Charles Sellier’s killer Kris Kringle creeper tells the tale of a tot who, on Christmas Eve 1974, sees mommy kissing Santa’s axe as a lunatic invades their home and murders his family.  Growing up in an abusive Catholic orphanage, the poor put-upon lad grows up to be a similar psycho in a Santa suit and goes on a bloody rampage. The film will be fully uncut and re-mastered, better to see every inch of those deer antlers penetrate poor Linnea Quigley’s breastplate. 

Silent Night, Deadly Night" will open on December 4th and show through December 17th. Head on over to FANGORIASCREEN.com for listings of specific theater locations and to purchase your tickets.

Don't be naughty and miss out!

Check out the trailer below...


-Nowal Massari

Exploring Fear & 'The Walking Dead' At Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights

BY AARON SAGERS


The Halloween screams don't end after Oct. 31 for the creatures, and creature creators, at Universal Studios Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights. While you may be removing gooey fake blood, latex or fangs after a long night of candy corn and cocktails, the scares continue at the 23-year-old event in Central Florida.

Running through Nov. 2, Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) - which has a counterpart at the Universal Hollywood in California - has consistently ranked at the top of lists of best haunt. In fact, HauntWorld, a magazine for professional owners and operators of Halloween attractions, called it "simply the king of all Halloween theme parks."

And for a second year in a row, the "king" of haunts has partnered with the ruler of cable television, AMC's series "The Walking Dead," to create a zombie-ridden experience. Although this year the scream team has expanded to include park-wide "scare zones" where so-called "Walkers" from the show will terrorize guests as they explore the movie-set streets - and wander through scenes from the first three seasons of the mega-hit show. Also, "The Walking Dead: No Safe Haven" haunted house, or maze, allows those guests to visit the disturbingly accurate prison and town of Woodbury from the show.

The Killer Guide To 'Halloween'

BY ANDREW PETERS

Thirty five years ago, a low-budget horror film directed by then-relatively unknown director John Carpenter would become a staple in the horror genre and spawn countless clones for years to come.

Its legacy is known worldwide and its killer is iconic. That blank mask with choppy dark hair, shadowing the eyes of the killer behind him that world would come to know (and love) as Michael Myers. Being that it is the Halloween season and the franchise just so happens to be celebrating its 35th Anniversary, we thought we would take a look back at each film and some of the highlights...