Often times, horror films or horror shows end their seasons or their storylines on a positive note. Simply because these tales of terror more or less put us through the wringer emotionally, so offering us some semblance of hope or an ending that satisfies, is the viewer’s reward for sticking with a story mired in darkness. But sometimes, the happy and/or satisfying ending simply isn’t possible in horror, for this genre is all about the worst parts of our world or our imaginations and honestly, I applaud scary stories that take the time to be bold and keep the ugly right in front of us, even as the story comes to a close. And it just so happens that the season two finale of Castle Rock meets that particularly unpleasant criteria, for this conclusion to a wild and twisted story is about as bleak as they come.
 
Which is a fascinating surprise to say the least. Because initially it seemed as though ‘Clean’ was going to give the audience a satisfying and perky finale. For there was a final showdown as the Marsten House, Abdi and Nadia set explosives everywhere to destroy the place, and we were even treated to Pop’s redemption. Because as it turns out, Pop did indeed take that Haldol before his death and resurrection, all so that he could do something good for his adopted kids and his hometown for a change. And for that matter as well, Annie and Joy were able to escape the ensuing madness before the house was blown to smithereens, with Pop still inside of it, and well, you really cannot ask for a more satisfying ending than that since it brought about the end of the Kid’s machinations and this twisted little berg gets to survive another day. But that was the only joy to be found in this particular ending.
 
For there was still one journey that needed to be wrapped up, and that would be the one belonging to Annie Wilkes. Because despite the fact that she played the hero to get her sister out of quite the mess, this was always her origin story, and we needed to know exactly how she goes from surrogate mother to obsessive monster and sadly, the back half of this tale addressed that particular mystery in nightmarish fashion. Because shortly after Joy and Annie escaped the madness of Castle Rock, they made their way to Canada, wherein Annie picked up a simple caregiver gig at a beautiful lake house, one far away from the troubles of modern civilization. And she also immersed herself in the works of a young author named Paul Sheldon and seeing her with one of his novels in her hands quickly became commonplace. 

​Which should have signaled a happy ending, for they were a family again and free from trouble. But Joy simply wasn’t herself after Castle Rock. For she was despondent and silent most days and her newfound love of films that feature the French language and her strange artwork suddenly concerned Annie. To the point where she now believed that Amity inhabited her sister’s body after all, and it seemed that the only way to bring her sister/daughter to the forefront of an infected mind, was to drug her with some Haldol and bury that alter ego. But that of course did not go exactly to plan and Joy’s fiery response to the discovery that she was being drugged, led to a violent and unsettling confrontation; one that ended Joy’s life in the water in the same manner that Annie planned for sixteen years ago. 
 
But the discovery of a letter from Joy, one that detailed how she wanted to branch out on her own in life, helped Annie to realize that her baby sister was fine after all and she worked to save her and once again it seemed we were back in happy ending territory, with a family reunited. But a stunning twist at the end, wherein Joy and Annie went to attend a Paul Sheldon reading, revealed that Joy was a figment of Annie’s imagination, for she died on that fateful day. And now that all that remained was Joy’s memory and a mistake that would haunt Annie for all time and clearly, the death of her sister is what broke her at last and made her a monster that had no qualms with killing anyone that she saw fit. And the tragedy therein, is that we know now that her story ends in the same way it began here, with Paul Sheldon right in front of her, while her madness runs rampant, and that is one powerful and sobering way to bring this second season to a close.
 
If anything, it’s just best to go ahead and declare season two of Castle Rock as downright brilliant. Because not only did it offer up an old time Stephen King story, one that has the fate and future of the planet hanging in the balance, it also tied season one into the mix in magnificent fashion and more importantly… this season provided us with some incredible insight and depth in regard to one of King’s greatest villains. For Annie Wilkes was indeed quite the mystery in Misery, but now her unbridled fury and shattered thoughts make perfect sense, and honestly, I think it is safe to say that learning her backstory here, makes her the most terrifying villain in King’s stable to date. Because now, she’s about as real as they come, she’s the monster we see on the six o’clock news and hope to avoid meeting in real life. And her ability to come unglued on a moment’s notice and tear a man to shreds, is horrifying enough to make the Crimson King tremble and prompt the Walkin’ Dude to turn around and take another path. If anything, I have to tip my cap to the writers’ of this season’s show for gifting us with such a powerful and dynamic exploration of Annie, and I am quite eager to see what other characters from King’s rich universe will get their day in the sun in season three of this dynamic saga. Until next year.  

Trying to make a film can be a difficult thing to do. Even if you have the equipment and the knowhow, there are still several aspects that elude even the best film makers. Some people think it is easier to film a documentary, but that is just ludicrous as you have to do more research and make sure that you do a wonderful job of keeping the narrative focused upon what point you are trying to get across. My hat is off to people that try to do this, as it is something that I will probably never try to do in my lifetime, since I have seen the good and more than my fair share of the bad.

Young filmmaker Kate is trying to make a name for herself and has found a way to do it; by unlocking the truth behind the Lost Dutchman Mine that is believed to be located in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. Having some of her facts together, Kate, her boyfriend Paul and friend Ross all take to the road and get ready to reveal the actual location of the mine that has been lost for over a hundred years. Meeting up with some of the locals, Kate has to give them direction on how to respond to her questions and several stories come into play.

Each person interviewed knows the story of the Lost Dutchman’s mine and is willing to speak to the camera about it. Despite countless deaths and disappearances, as people have been trying to find the lost fortune of gold in the mountains, not a day goes by that someone is not looking for it. Not knowing the causes behind the deaths in the mountains, there are several theories involving Native Americans killing people to protect their land, ghosts of the lost souls wanting to keep the treasure safe, aliens from above that watch over their riches and even vortexes to another time or place that causes the treasure hunters to lose their way. Nobody knows for sure about what happens in the mountains as the only people that have witnessed the strange accounts are six feet under. But Kate and her crew are looking to end this and they take to the trails and are on their way to find the Lost Dutchman’s mine and make history.

Dark Mountain follows Kate, Paul and Ross as they are trying to locate the Lost Dutchman’s Mine that has been lost to time. Hearing the stories about what has happened in the mountains in the past, they are still willing to put all of their fears aside and uncover the mystery that has plagued the area for many years. With their map and clues, they believe that they are on the right track and after stumbling upon a Native American prayer site, they see a cave as well. Entering the cave, Paul and Kate find some old drawings, but that is not what catches Paul’s eye, as he sees gold on the ground. Picking up a piece of it, Kate sees something move behind her boyfriend and the two are forced out of the cave without any further investigation. Even though they seem to be okay, Ross knows a little bit more about the mountain and asks that the gold be returned to the cave, since the local spirits will not take to kindly to their loss. With nobody believing what Ross is saying, a strange force has taken over Paul as he starts to speak in unfamiliar tongues and his attitude changes drastically. Finding out that there is someone or something on the mountain with them, the group has to find a way to get back to safety, but will they be able to escape the clutches of the Superstition Mountains with their lives intact?  

This started off as a movie that I was playing in the background when looking for something else to watch, but it quickly pulled me in when all of the interviews hit the screen. I love seeing what locals think about their mountain and the stories that they can bring to the table. After that, I was lost on the hunt with the group for the Dutchman’s mine and wondering what secrets the mountain had in store for them. With there being so much that I liked about the movie, I must admit that the cell phone footage kind of upset me since it was all grainy and looked like they were going for an old-time look. Besides that, it was great watch and you have to let your own mind come up with the answer as to what is haunting or hunting on this mountain. Stay Scared.

Revisit episode 15.05, ‘Proverbs 17:3’, right here.
​
Most of us in the real world have little to no insight as to what our future holds, but if you’re a Winchester, you often know more about what’s coming than the average human. Some say that knowing is half the battle, particularly when it comes to trouble. However, it seems that no matter how you look at this final season, the hits just keep on coming for Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles). That’s why this fan was thankful that 15.06: ‘Golden Time’ turned out to be a win not only for the boys, but for Castiel (Misha Collins) too! Let’s discuss…

Following their showdown with Lilith (Anna Grace Barlow) and the big reveal that Chuck (Rob Benedict) is still out there, we find Sam and Dean back at the bunker licking their wounds. Sam, trying to stay in the fight, is searching for signs of God or Lilith. Bless his heart!! Dean, on the other hand, is roaming in his pajamas, eating kids’ cereal (LOL!) and enjoying Scooby Doo marathons. I mean… can you blame him? They’ve been through so much at this point and like rats in a maze, they seem to be almost right back where they started. **Sigh**

Considering that the episode opens in Rowena’s (Ruth Connell) apartment, I was hopeful the apparition Sam senses in the bunker and confronts when he’s running, was going to be her. Maybe with some secret information only she knows. A spell to bring her back or to locate God perhaps? But that would be too predictable for our seasoned writers. So instead we see a familiar face appear; Eileen Leahy (Shoshannah Stern). Not Rowena, but a nice surprise none the less, right? Dragged to hell by the hellhound that killed her, where else would a Legacy go for help, but to our beloved boys!

Dean doesn’t hold back on the bad news that Eileen cannot get into Heaven now that she’s been to Hell, because yep, he’s all out of f@%ks to give. Same, dude. Same!! Good news is, at the very least, Sam can cast a spell to place Eileen in a Soul Catching Crystal, which I guess is better than roaming the earth until she goes crazy as she mentions there’s no ghost handbook. Beetlejuice comes to mind immediately… LOL! But even better, when Sam and Eileen visit Rowena’s apartment, a spell for resurrection is discovered. NICE!! A bittersweet moment since Rowena had actually been working on this spell for Mary Winchester (Samantha Smith), I was happy to see it won’t go to waste. Besides, I actually love that we’re seeing so many loose ends being addressed. It gives us fans such joy to know the writers care about these characters just as much as we do, and everything they’re doing here, really does add excitement and anticipation for everything that is still to come. However, I wouldn’t be a true fan if I didn’t point out that Kevin Tran (Osric Chau) is still roaming the earth as a ghost. Will he be resurrected or least admitted into Heaven before it’s all said and done? As I noted in 15.02: ‘Raising Hell’, If anyone deserves to go to Heaven, it’s definitely Kevin freaking Tran!! In fact, and even better, a resurrection would be delightful and quite just, no?

On the flip side of our story, Castiel, or should I say Agent Clarence Worley (a lovely nod to our beloved demon Meg AND Christian Slater in True Romance!!), ends up working his own case while laying low in Wyoming. After a drained body turns up in the lake, Cas ends up helping a concerned mother find her missing son Caleb (Sean Quan). In the process he discovers the cause of the disappearances – a Djinn, one of my favorite monsters to date, hiding in plain site as Sheriff Alden Roy. Also in this B-side, Cas still needs help from the boys when the Sherriff questions his authority and asks if there’s a supervisor he can speak to. Cas gives him an FBI cell number at the bunker. Dean answers as an FBI Director (aww Bobby!!) and immediately asks the Sherriff to put the “agent” on the phone. He tells Cas that Sam’s been trying to call and lets him know that Chuck’s back. And before hanging up on Cas, Dean rudely tells him to check his messages. The conversation is short, in more ways than one, giving way to the obvious tension between the two. Yikes!! We also get to see that Castiel’s powers are still fading as he struggles to heal Caleb’s sprained ankle after taking a couple gunshots from the Djinn in stride. And let’s not forget how angry he is!!! Before he kills the Djinn, and quite brutally I might add, he says, “It’s always you. You selfish little men in positions of authority… You believe your power will protect you. Well it won’t protect you from me!” Projecting much… LOL!! I guess Cas is all out of F@%ks to give too. About time, I say!!

By the end of the episode, Cas saves the day by defeating the Djinn and the resurrection spell works for Emily, creating a win-win all the way around. We also learned that not only did Rowena sacrifice herself to save the world, but that she cared so much for the boys and their plight that she bestowed all her magical possessions to them alone. Awesome!! We didn’t get to see her, but she was definitely there in spirit leaving a spell behind that kills anyone who enters her apartment beyond Sam and Dean. Could this BE anymore Rowena?!? I think not! If we can’t have her, I sure hope we see more touches like this before it’s all said and done. Not to mention after harming Sam, including with a voodoo doll, those damn witches got what they deserved!! Witch killing bullets, a hex bag, burning spirits and all!! Oh, and Sam using sign language to tell Emily to go get Dean was just awesome, right???

Aside from the win-win and inheriting Rowena’s possessions, there are a few tidbits that might go unnoticed by some. First, Shoshannah Stern isn’t the only guest star as the writers continue with their trend of cameos in every episode. Two of the witches the boys fight, the Sheriff/Djinn Castiel defeats and the mother of the missing boy have all been seen before. Keegan Conner Tracy, the Witch Mother, played Karen Giles in 2.07: ‘The Usual Suspects’ and Sera Siege (a personal fav as Chuck’s publicist) in 4.18: ‘The Monster at the End of This Book’. Her witch daughter Emily, played by Jodelle Ferland, also appeared as Melanie Merchant in 1.19: ‘Provenance’. The Sheriff, actor Art Kitching, previously played Serge Ladouceur in the huge fan favorite meta to the max 6.15: ‘The French Mistake’. And finally, Caleb’s mother, Melly Krakowski, played by Jennifer Spence, also portrayed Jean Holiday in 7.14: ‘Plucky Pennywhistle’s Magical Menagerie’ – freaking CLOWNS I tell ya!!

Next, the Witch Mother, in regards to the resurrection spell’s one-time use, says, “Show Death a loophole and she closes it.” Death and loopholes are Winchester specialties and I can definitely see this making its way back around to the forefront. Maybe with Death, AKA Billie (Lisa Berry), returning to close a loophole on God?? Also, Sam hasn’t had any visions since Colorado, where they faced off with Lilith and learned of Chuck’s plan to pit brother against brother. I can’t help but wonder if this was pointed out on purpose. Plus, the visions did show some very specific end scenes, but who’s to say it has to be our boys? I mean… Michael, possessing the OTHER brother (Jake Abel), is still out there, right?? Not to mention there could possibly be alternative world Winchesters we have yet to see. And in regard to spell work, Dean calls Sam “Ginger Junior,” (LOVE THIS!) in the beginning of the episode and later Sam makes note that Rowena kept spell journals right up until the end. Considering she was likely the most powerful witch in existence and Sam was basically her well taught apprentice, this ALL has to mean something, right?? And last, but certainly not least, the Haxon ring, I mentioned in 15.02: ‘The Rupture’, belongs to the newly resurrected Lilith who often previously used magic to have her way, is still out there! All of this is very juicy and insatiably interesting, no???

In the final scene, Dean, feeling sluggish for his late entry in the fight, congratulates Sam on a job well done. He confesses that “I don’t know what’s God and what isn’t, and it’s driving me crazy!” Sam, ever the optimist, insists they’ll find a way to beat Chuck by breaking the rules, but he can’t do it without Dean as he states, “I need my brother.” YESSS!! I conclude that maybe this time they don’t know what’s coming, but together, they WILL win!!

What did you think of ‘Golden Time’? Reach out to me in the comments below or on Twitter @obi_juanita with your thoughts. Until next time… go Team Free Will! 

​There are, a great many things we worry about in our lives. Sometimes they’re important issues, such as a sick family member or a relationship that needs healing, or bills that are out of control. While other times, it’s the silly stuff that hangs on our mind, such as how we feel like an idiot over saying ‘you too’ to the ticket agent who told us to enjoy our movie, or that one thing we said in third grade that had the class laughing at us incessantly. The bottom line is that there is always something swirling through our minds, but of the many things that keep us up late at night, there is one thing that we work to avoid thinking about and that is… our final moments on this earth.
 
Which I know, sounds a touch morbid to bring up, but let’s be honest, we really don’t worry about it, and with good reason. Because the end seems so far away and, in many ways, it truly is, so there’s no need to take the time to ponder upon our lives as a whole and our choices until that fateful moment arrives. But when it does, what exactly would, or should we reflect upon and how will we face the end as it creeps up on us? Those are important questions to ask that are up to the individual, but it just so happens that Castle Rock found a way to dive into this moment in fascinating fashion in its next episode. Because ‘Caveat Emptor’ saw Reginald ‘Pop’ Merrill face his final moments at last thanks to the cancer surging through his system and some unexpected guests outside of his shop and this all made for one powerful tale.
 
Which is funny because at first glance it seemed as though this story was going to be an extension of last week’s episode, wherein action and adventure and tense moments came our way. Something that was reinforced by quite a few elements early on in this tale. For the gunfight that took place outside of the Emporium was pretty darn intense and the scenes involving Annie and her friends, one of which included a spy from the cultists’ side were equally reminiscent of last week’s tale. In fact, the only thing that really separated this segment of the show from the ‘norm’, was the dark humor that Annie brought to the table since she dropped an incredible one liner this week. But the arrival of Ace and his clan is what brought forth the reflection in question since Pop saw an opportunity to potentially fight or talk his way out of this one and well, Ace wasn’t having it.
 
Ironically, his former son had come to the Emporium to get his hands, on pertinent information about his Lord and Savior, the Kid. But in order to smoothly obtain what he wanted, he tore into Pop in incredible fashion, forcing him to face his past and every single mistake he’s ever made and well, it was just stunning to watch Pop take inventory in this tale. Because he quickly realized he was going to be a goner soon, and it was either start to make peace with yesterday or fade into oblivion as a monster and while there wasn’t necessarily a message to be found here, the story did expose the fact that some people, the ones like Pop; face the end, mired in fear and regret and when given the opportunity, they’ll do whatever it takes to earn one more breath. Which made his death pitiful in the end, and heartbreaking too since he never found his absolution and to make matters worse, Ace is going to resurrect Pop to mine his mind for all the information he absorbed on the Kid, potentially allowing for the darkness surrounding this town to spread.
 
Yet while we can sit here and brand Pop a coward, one key moment in this tale has me wondering if Pop saw this confrontation as an opportunity to cheat death. Because he did grab a lot of Haldol from that tray, and if he pumped himself full of it before Ace shot him, there’s a fair chance the possession part of his resurrection won’t take hold and the man will be healed and given that all-important second chance. But what Pop will do with it, will have to take a back seat. For the end is apparently nigh in Castle Rock, and a dark cloud is closing in on this town and well, this was a fascinating episode when all is said and done. Because I really didn’t expect it to dive into an exploration this dark or this philosophical, while still finding ways to entertain and wow us and all higher notions aside, it really did set the stage nicely for the season two finale and truly, it is going to be a long and painful wait until next Wednesday because I am desperate to know how this story is going to end. Until next time. 

Working in an old house that has any sort of history attached to it could be a great time for everyone involved, especially when you have been tasked with returning it to its original state. Watching as the clock is being turned back to an era that you have never lived in before makes you feel like you are able to control time. Wanting to do the best job that you can, can also be very hard work since you have to find all of the accessories from the time you are returning the house to. But if there is a resident still residing in the home that does not want any changes made to their house, you may fall into a bit of trouble.

Meg Hamilton is taking her family along with her on her next assignment in the Yorkshire Moors. Being hired to restore an old bed and breakfast to its former Victorian state, it seems like a good project to pull the family together. With her husband Alec, daughter Penny and son Harper at her side, the repairs will take next to no time, along with a group from town, it will be an event of a lifetime. When walking around the house, everyone finds their spots that they will be focusing on, or where they will be staying and Alec finds a painter’s workshop that he will be more than happy in.

When working on one of his projects, Alec cuts his finger and lets the blood flow on to the table. Losing himself for a bit, and watching the blood drop, a new feeling takes over him that he refuses to let go of. Wanting to feel this way forever, he tries to show it to Meg, but when her back is covered in blood, she will have none of it. Although Alec is slowly moving away from the family, he still wants to share in their moments, as long as they are willing to come to him to share them.

​Penny is not comfortable in the house as she keeps hearing strange knocks around it. When trying to read one of her schoolbooks, a figure appears in the corner of her room and tries to attack her. With nobody believing that it happened, Penny is told that it was just a bad dream, but she knows better. Knowing that it was a ghost, Penny gets some contact information from a man in the area that believes her and against her mother’s will, she invites him over. Mr. Lean enters the house and feels like there is something happening. Upon his inspection, he can smell a potion that has been mixed in the kitchen that allows the living to be infested by the deceased. Trying to warn the family about what is going to happen, he is sent on his way, but leaves them with a treat he has made up himself.

Meg is having her own troubles in the house but does not believe there is anything sinister going on. Even with seeing an unexplained shadow, hearing her daughter's stories about a ghost trying to touch her and her husband’s obsession working with blood, it is not enough. But that changes quickly when she receives a caller that knows about the Rosicrucian mosaic that has been hidden in the attic for many years. The man introduces himself as Mr. Walker, but when she looks up the history on the house, she finds out that he had died in the home one hundred and fifty years ago. As everyone in the house starts to believe that there is something strange happening in their surroundings, Altar brings its mysterious and frightening story to life.

Just your good-hearted ghost story dealing with accidental deaths, possessions and rituals that will leave you wanting more. I must say I was a bit impressed on how the story took a turn for the dark side when I thought it was going to be just another brush off, it all happened in a dream movie. It is not, and I fear that I have mentioned too much about what happens, but as always, I let you be the judge as to whether you like it or not. With some great acting and scares, this movie takes you on a bit of a darker journey than expected and for what it is worth, it is a good thing. Not knowing who is in charge in the house could be the most frightening thing of all, since you are able to see the life fading from someone’s face before they become the head of the estate. Stay Scared.

One unfortunate constant in life, is that at some point or another, we are all going to have to deal with the loss of a loved one and the trauma that comes with that. Which is something that is so powerful and so unique, that no one is ever really prepared to handle that unfortunate moment and the fallout that comes with it. Which is why I firmly believe, that we see so many stories out there that revolve around this life changing event, so that others can find strength and guidance when they too, have to face the prospect of saying goodbye. 
 
But while it is wonderful to know that we can find a story that chronicles this journey with relative ease, the true task is finding a story about trauma and loss that properly examines this experience in a raw and honest manner. For film and novels do have a tendency to gloss over the details of how hard this experience can truly be, in order to keep the entertainment factor at the forefront of the story. But there are stories out there that hold nothing back when it comes to the horrors of losing a loved one and recently, I had the opportunity to revisit a horror miniseries that dove into this matter in supremely rough and unique fashion in Bag of Bones.
 
Now in this particular miniseries, originally released in 2011 and based off of Stephen King’s novel of the same name, we are introduced to a writer named Mike Noonan and Mike, is living the good life. For his books are extremely successful and he has a loving wife named Jo, who is genuinely his muse and it seems that nothing can bring Mike down from the great life he is living. But life’s unfortunate surprises changes that for Mike one day when his beloved Jo is killed in a car accident, an act that robs Mike of his gift with words and sends him into a tailspin of depression. But to complicate matters further, some unsettling discoveries about Jo’s life before she died leaves Mike wondering if she was as faithful and devoted to the marriage as he was, prompting him to head to their lake house to search for answers on the matter. But what Mike will uncover when he arrives there, will change his life in ways he never thought possible. 

​So, I made mention of the fact that this miniseries dives deep into the power of loss and trauma and I wasn’t kidding when I said that. Because this story really does provide the audience with a powerful look at the downward spiral that we all experience when a loved one departs from this earth and honestly, I applaud that. Because it makes Mike Noonan supremely relatable when all is said and done because let’s not mince words here; few of us understand the life and times of a best-selling writer. But what we can understand, are those moments where nothing matters because someone, we cared dearly for is gone, or the nightmares that plague us in those first tender weeks after they’ve passed and I really appreciated the fact that the story went there in bold fashion because it certainly evokes a response in the viewer.
 
Yet while this is all fascinating and powerful to watch in its own right this is a Stephen King themed horror story, and what makes this tale so unique is the sheer fact that it uses a ghost story to express the fact that whether we like it or not, we have to make peace with what we’ve lost or it will forever plague us. Which the ghost portion of that, is an unexpected surprise to find in this story since it really seems as though this was going to be about Mike and only Mike. But that theme also fits in line with what the story is trying to accomplish, and honestly, how it is explored is quite compelling. For there really is a grandiose mystery to be found in this story and it unravels nicely for the audience and for our characters too, and it does in essence promote healing and closure, which brings this story to a satisfying conclusion.
 
As an added bonus, there’s also a stellar cast featured here as well, since horror veterans Matt Frewer and Annabeth Gish appear as Sid Noonan and Jo respectively and of course, you really cannot go wrong with the star of this saga; Pierce Brosnan, who plays Mike Noonan. Because Pierce in essence steals the show by providing us with a subdued and powerful performance of a writer at the end of his rope because of the hard times he’s going through and really, all of the elements make this miniseries a true treat to watch. For this one really does move you and it features something for everyone and I honestly wish King would do more stories in this vein, simply because this really is a special story and it would be incredible to see what this gifted writer could do with more down to earth tales. But for now, this will do. For everything works in this particular tale and this is one that will stay with you for some time thanks to its frank presentation of how others handle something all of us must face.  

Sometimes being down and out at work and in life go hand in hand. If you are not able to keep a positive attitude when living your life, it is much more difficult to make any type of attempt at your job. Being there in my own life, I can tell you that it is a drag and you think about turning to other vices to help you get through the tough times. But things can change and get you back to your old self, you just have to hang in there. Even a small change at work or in your everyday life can revitalize you and give you the drive that you have been missing for some time.

Officer Lou Garou is on the down and outs. Turning to the bottle, Lou is having a hard time even making it into work on time anymore and it is being noticed by the Chief. Even though Lou’s father was on the force and a great example of what an officer of the law should be, he is falling short and does not care about the legacy. His partner Tina is the pride and joy of the small-town department and she cannot seem to find a way to ignite the greatness she knows is lurking around in Lou somewhere. 

Getting a call from crazy Willie Higgins, Lou tries to get Tina to take the call, but she defers it back to him since Willie is his best friend. Listening to Willie’s complaints about kids playing around the bushes outside of his shop, Lou does not think that it warrants a follow up and heads to his favorite bar. Trying to drown his woes before going back to work, Lou is called out by a gang leader for being nothing more than just a chump with a badge. Although Lou agrees, he is not able to muster the power to fight off the much more powerful force in front of him. 

Arriving back at the station, Lou is sent back out to Willie’s house to since the kids are messing around in the woods once again. Not being able to find anyone, Lou stumbles upon a local politician hanging from a tree, but before he is able to let the man down, he gets knocked out. Waking up with the sign of the beast on his chest, Lou does not fully understand what has happened to him and keeps getting flashbacks of what happened the night before. Trying to find a reason for why he has been marked, Lou stumbles back into the bar to do some actual police work. Drinking and researching what has happened in his town, Lou pinpoints a random act that happened thirty-two years ago involving his father. When he is almost able to put his finger on what is going on, he gets sick and runs to the bathroom. Being a full moon, there is more than alcohol is in his system as his body starts to change into something of myth, a werewolf. 

WolfCop follows Officer Lou Garou as he is going through a rough stint. Lou is not wanting to put in any effort in life or his job, but all of that is about to change. When investigating the woods outside of a friend’s house, Lou is knocked unconscious, but wakes up at home. Having the mark of the beast on his chest, Lou is desperate to find out what it means, and if it has anything to do with the strange going ons around his town. With his sense of smell and hearing being changed, Lou has to depend on his best friend Willie to help him through the tough road ahead, but when he finds out what he really is, Lou embraces his new power and wants to take it to the next level. Becoming a werewolf, Lou now finds a reason for living again and working harder than everyone else in the force to clean up the town. But there are those who want the officer for another reason and Lou will have to find a way to combat them before they harness what he is holding inside.

Why don’t they make movies like this anymore? Oh wait, this came out five years ago? You have got to be kidding me. One of my favorite types of movies are the ones you can consider throwbacks to a different era and this movie does just that. With the story line trying to keep you entertained, you have booze and ladies filling the screen in front of you and that makes me remember the 80s. I was not sold completely on this feeling until one scene made me roll over and howl, but that is neither here nor there. This is a good story that stays on point with plenty of twists along the way, not to mention a cop that turns into a werewolf. It is just a fun movie for people that are looking to be entertained with some lore, some drinking and violence. Stay Scared.

​One of my favorite holidays of the year is Halloween. I am not sure why this is, but I am pretty sure it revolves around my love for horror films and all things scary. I love watching people getting dressed up as creeps and ghouls and taking to the streets to try to get a little bit of candy, but I love it when they jump out from behind a bush and give people the scares of a lifetime. I have done this before and had it done to me as well, and although it is in good fun, some people may take the scare tactics a little bit too far.

Five friends have taken to the streets this year in their motor home for one thing and one thing only, to find the scariest haunted house in the country. Looking to have socks scared off, their real mission is to find a mythical horror group and their house called the Blue Skeleton, which is a place that is able to bring fears to life in their haunted houses. But the group that operates this house, moves around the country and there is no way to find them unless you are in the group, but it is not for everyone since few can handle their scare tactics. 

Making a documentary along on the way, the group is trying to debunk some of the popular stories about haunted houses and what happens inside when nobody is paying attention. But when it comes out that most of these stories are true, the five friends need to find the scariest haunted house in the land and see how it actually works. Getting their first haunted house out of the way, the group heads cross country in search of any of the underground haunts that they can find. But they are not alone as they are forced out of their first house and now there seems to be someone following them. Hitting the different haunts around the country is all well and good, but the group needs to find the most exclusive haunted house to make their film complete. When all seems to be lost, they get a little invite from someone that knows of this secret group, but will the five friends be prepared for what is in store for them?

The Houses October Built follows a group of five friends as they are trying to find the scariest haunted houses in the country. With stories of real body parts and convicts being included in the scares, they group is setting out to see if any of this is actually true. Shooting a documentary along the way, the group encounters some genuine freaks, but when upsetting the wrong set of haunters at their first stop, the group is in for much more than they have bargained for. Going from house to house and not being able to find what they are looking for, they continue to see some familiar faces in the crowd, but they are far from friendly. Only wanting to locate the Blue Skeleton haunted house, the group is given a lead that they cannot pass up, but when they are contacted in a very sensitive way, the group may not want to get the scare of their lives if it gets as twisted as they are expecting.

This movie makes me stand up and cheer for haunted houses all over the nation, then sit back down and wonder as to whether or not what I saw when walking through them could have been something real. According to the movie, there are a ton of regulations in place to make sure the patrons do not get hurt, but there is nothing saying that the employees cannot do other things. The better the scare, the more people will come to the haunted house and the more money you will make. I liked how the movie flowed from site to site with the bits and pieces of their interviews being sewed in. I am always a sucker for a good scare, I mean, how else do you know if you are alive if you don’t try to jump out of your seat once in a while. Being followed by one group of haunters would be freaky enough for me to give up my search, but if they remained in their costumes the entire time, yup, I would have to quit right then and there. Stay Scared.