Month: October 2023

It was several years ago now, I guess 2019, that I read The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury. In it, the children learn about Halloween traditions in a ghostly tour through history. Widely celebrated, the holiday is filled with costumes, jack-o’-lanterns, and trick-or-treating, and has a rich and intriguing past that spans centuries. Originating from ancient Celtic rituals, this holiday has evolved over time to become the beloved festivity we know today.

The origins of Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter. Held on the eve of November 1st, Samhain was believed to be a time when the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred. The Celts would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming spirits.

With the spread of Christianity, the celebration of Samhain merged with the Christian holiday of All Hallows’ Eve, which honored the saints and martyrs. As a result, the festival came to be known as “Hallows’ Even,” eventually evolving into Halloween.

All that is to say, Happy Halloween today. And be safe.

William Carlos Williams wrote: “All our efforts as writers and as men must be to release the enchained dragon within us.”

Writing of writers and men, he postulates that we cage ourselves. And in the efforts, we release that which we’ve been educated to keep hidden away.

Maybe that’s creativity, or a drive to succeed, or even the childlike curiosity that lets us laugh when a child asks why.

We lose a lot, growing up. Though maybe it isn’t lost. Maybe it’s simply caged.

A number of horror movies spawn sequels. Some, an unfathomable amount of sequels. And yet, they keep getting made.

Why? Because they keep getting seen. Among the numerous sequels, movies keep getting made, making money, and getting sequels.

The end is only the beginning…

Each story must have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Taken like that, it could be said that every day is a story to experience.

The efforts to make work more efficient have led to technologies that, while promoting productivity, can also distract us from it.

I’m looking at you, email.

As new tech emerges, in the forms of VR, AI, and whatever else is coming, keeping mindful of how you use it will be just as important as what it’s used for.

It’s been a time-sucking couple of months. I thought I had managed to be better prepared, but I was incorrect. As happens frequently enough.

So here we are, again, after a bit of a delay. Newly committed to trying to post daily, in the same vein as those I try to emulate.

We’ll see how it goes this time.

Growing up in Central Florida, I was young when I started attending Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights. As it was in line with my interest in scary movies and the like, it was a popular event every year for me.

Haunted attractions have become increasingly popular over the past few decades, captivating thrill-seekers and horror enthusiasts alike. Among these spine-chilling experiences, Halloween Horror Nights stands out as one of the most celebrated events.

One contributing factor in its popularity is how the scale of an attraction can immerse a guest in the experience. As society embraces new forms of entertainment, the demand for immersive experiences has grown exponentially. Traditional haunted houses have transformed into elaborate, multi-sensory attractions, providing visitors with an unparalleled thrill. 

Additionally, haunted attractions (referred to as haunts) often tap into nostalgia and embrace popular culture. By incorporating iconic horror movie franchises, such as “Halloween,” “Friday the 13th,” and “The Exorcist,” these attractions create a sense of familiarity and excitement. Fans of these movies can live out their favorite scenes and encounter their beloved characters, further enhancing the overall experience.

Fear is a universal emotion that has evolved over millions of years to help humans survive in dangerous situations. From an evolutionary perspective, fear triggers a fight-or-flight response that prepares our bodies to either confront the threat or flee from it.

When we encounter a threat, our amygdala activates the hypothalamus, which then triggers the release of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones prepare our bodies for action by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. This physiological response helps us react quickly to potentially dangerous situations.

Yet the relief that comes from a frightening situation passing is where the enjoyment of fear stems from. This is why we see scary movies, visit haunted attractions, and seek out the spookier side of life. Especially this month.

A number of people in US – and around the world, I would suppose – find themselves absolutely enamored with Halloween. Partly it has to do with the season – an Autumnal shift from the heat of summer to cooler days and colder nights, foilage turning shades of brown and umber, and the promise of approaching holidays. Family, friends, and so much more.

For many, though, it’s spooky season. A great time to take a date to see a scary movie, go with friends to haunted attractions, or find a terrifying tale to read at night. It’s been a particular interest of mine for as long as I can remember. In so many ways, this season represents some of the most interesting thoughts we have life, death, and rebirth.

A reflection of humanity in how the harvest played out, and something we celebrate even today.

The horror film has been around for almost as long as film itself. The first horror film, “Le Manoir du Diable” (The House of the Devil), was released in 1896. A three-minute silent film, by early adopter of special effects Georges Méliès.

From then, horror films have come a long way. The 1930s saw the release of some of the most iconic horror movies of all time. Films such as “Dracula,” “Frankenstein,” and “The Mummy” all set the tone for the genre, and introduced horror to a mass audience.

The 1940s saw the introduction of some of the most beloved horror icons. Bela Lugosi’s portrayal of Count Dracula in “Dracula” was a defining moment in horror cinema, as was Boris Karloff’s portrayal of the Monster in “Frankenstein.” These and other horror films, mostly products of Universal Pictures, set the tone for the genre for years to come.

In the 1950s, horror shifted as filmmakers incorporated science fiction and the supernatural. Films such as “The Creature from the Black Lagoon,” “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” and “Them!” all combined horror with science fiction elements, creating a new breed of horror film. It was a sign of the times, as the nuclear age inspired those films’ scientific elements.

The 1960s saw the emergence of a new style of horror. Hammer Films released a series of horror films, such as “The Curse of Frankenstein” and “The Mummy,” that featured a darker, more Gothic style. 

The next shift occurred in a similar fashion to other genres of films in the market. A new generation of filmmakers, inspired by those of previous generations, pushed boundaries. 

Movies such as “The Exorcist,” “Halloween,” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street” all featured intense suspense and gore, and walked the line of what was considered acceptable in horror films.

These films set the standard for horror films that followed, and paved the way for an entirely new genre of movie. The success of these films showed Hollywood that there was an audience for horror films that continues to be explored even now.