31 Days of Spooky Movies - Interview with the Vampire (1994) R

 Hey there princess!

Ok, so I think this is my first R rated movie on my list but despite the rating (and at times disturbing imagery, I would not watch this with a child present), I think this movie is excellent. It has so many of the things I love: New Orleans, vintage costuming, and Kirstin Dunst. 

Truly, this is peak Tom Cruis and Brad Pitt - they are never more attractive than they are in this film. Not to mention, cameos by Antonio Banderas and Christian Slater. This is an incredible cast!

The story follows two vampire companions who navigate immortality with lavish opulence. Their thirst for blood can only be topped for their thirst for fabulousness! 

Kirsten Dunst’s role in this movie is captivating as a young girl who is transformed into a vampire. Her struggle to accept that she will never age is captivating, and it is incredible to see a little Kirsten Dunst act circles around Pitt and Cruise. 

My personal note for today is: I love to collect little Halloween toys from Happy Meals and line them up on my staircase. I have all of my Nugget Buddies from growing up in the 90’s and some newer toys - like the Wendy’s frosties. They make me so happy!

31 Days of Spooky Movies - Twilight (2008) PG-13

 Hey there princess!

Today’s movie is very special to my heart - Twilight (2008) was such the hit movie for my late teens. I remember reading the books in high school and then the movie coming out in theaters on my birthday, freshman year of college. I was so in love with these books, and I went to see the movie at midnight when it came out with all of my friends. 

For those not in the know, Twilight tells the story of a young girl who moves to a small town in order to be closer to her father. There, she meets a strange family of students who turn out to be… you guessed it… vampires.

Bella is your classic awkward girl who is unaware of her own ethereal beauty. 

Edward is sensitive to smells and slightly dramatic. 

To me, they are the perfect couple, and their toxicity makes for endless entertainment. I love this movie both ironically and unironically. I don’t even know how to describe the love I have for the nostalgia of it and the drama.

For funsies - here is a photo of me at the movie theater at midnight wearing a bedazzled Twilight t shirt that my mom got for all of my friends and me. I am wearing a birthday tiara and having the time of my life!

31 Days of Spooky Movies - Ghostbusters (1984) PG

 Hey there princess!

Oh look! It’s the movie with the best theme song of all time! What isn’t there to love about a team of disgraced scientists who start a small business together?! What I love is the ingenuity of these men to take a tough time and turn it into a cash-grab. Their has been an inter-dimensional gateway opened in New York City, and for a small fee these guys can take care of it for you! 

You know we love seeing these costumes every Halloween! My little boy was the Stay Puft marshmallow man for his first Halloween, and I always love seeing kids running around in the Ghostbusters jumpsuits. 

I love going to see this movie at the theater whenever I can find somewhere that is playing it. I feel that Sigourney Weaver’s hair is best appreciated on the big screen. Also, there is an amazing role for Rick Moranis in this movie. I think he is so great, and love everything he is in! 

On my personal note for the day: please enjoy this photo of my little boy on his first Halloween! I miss those chubby cheeks!

Spook on!

31 Days of Spooky Movies - Nosferatu (1922)

 Hey there princess!

Nosferatu (1922) is such a staple in the horror genre, and I think is such a mandatory viewing for anyone interested in film. It is a silent, German film that is essentially an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. To sum things up: a young man and his bride are traveling through Transylvania and agree to take care of the estate of a strange and mysterious Count. Scary things are afoot in his castle and the couple discover that they have been living with a vampire (but not in a cute Edward Cullen way).

I have seen this movie several times, but a favorite of mine was when Alamo Drafthouse would host a Nosferatu movie night with a live orchestra using era-appropriate instruments. The group that would provide music was called the Invincible Czars and though the movie theater I went to is gone, they are still touring and performing (click here for their website and tour dates). This was such an incredible time!

My personal note for today is this yummy pumpkin bread that I made for my family! It was just a boxed mix that I got from HEB and baked quickly. I have two small children, so it is so nice to have some easy-to-prepare meals that everyone likes!

Spook on!

31 Days of Spooky Movies - Tower of Terror (1997)

 Hey there princess!

You’re about to enter - The Twilight Zone! This is one of my absolute favorite Halloween movies, and was a year-round staple in my house growing up. This movie is one in the series of films that came out inspired by the Disney World/ Disneyland attractions. 

This movie has it all: intrigue, an abandoned and mysterious old Hollywood landmark, Kirsten Dunst, and inspiration drawn from one of my favorite shows: The Twilight Zone. I will say, to the best of my memory this was first a made-for-TV movie and then somehow my family acquired a copy on DVD and then watched it into oblivion. 

For those who have not seen it, this movie follows Kirsten Dunst’s character and her ambitious fallen-from-grace uncle as he attempts to write a news story about their local abandoned hotel where five people mysteriously disappeared in 1939. 

Favorite quote: Magic can only be countered by its’ contrary.

Favorite fact: Poulet means chicken in French.

On a personal note: look at my cutie pumpkin! I always want to carve a pumpkin as soon as they start showing up in stores. The bummer about that is that by the time October 31st rolls around it’s always completely rotten. I will enjoy it while I have it!

Spook on!

31 Days of Spooky Movies: A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004) PG

 Hey there princess!

I remember when A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004) came out at the theater, it was so highly anticipated. My siblings and I poured over all of the books and I remember my mom commenting on what a bummer they were. While they aren’t something that I typically revisit - this is such a silly watch for spooky season.

For those not in the know, this movie follows the tragic tale of three orphans who are bundled here and there to various quirky family members all while escaping the snare of the evil Count Olaf (Carrey). The film follows the story of the first three books in the Series of Unfortunate Events, and I was completely devastated that they didn’t make this into a series. The costumes, sets, and cast are all incredible!

Remember when Jim Carrey was in everything? He was great in this role, and I absolutely love the Meryl Streep cameo! And Jude Law?! Yes, please!

This is such an under-discussed movie, and it was so perfectly made! 

On a personal spooky note: where is the Count Chocula this year?!? It is my favorite cereal and I am having such a hard time locating a box. The photo below is from a perfect spooky breakfast that I had last year where I was able to refresh my memory with a little reread of The Bad Beginning - so sad and such a silly read.

Spook on!

31 Days of Spooky Movies - The Birds (1963) PG-13

 Hey there princess!

I know, I know - another Hitchcock movie. Well this isn’t the first and it won’t be the last this spooky season! Let me live! 

The Birds (1963) follows the story of a young woman out to hit on a handsome guy who lives at a mysterious lakeside cottage with his family. When birds become unusually aggressive, the locals have to make tough choices about who they can trust and how they can get out of the remote area alive. 

Also - Tippi Hedren looks so fabulous in this movie. I remember watching it when I was younger and running out to buy colorful eyeshadow so that I could start matching it to my outfits. She looks so fabulous! Why did people ever stop wearing driving gloves? Let’s bring it back.

I always get such a kick out of being in a parking lot at dusk and seeing lots of birds lingering around. I always think about this movie and wonder… what if?

On a personal spooky note - here are some photos of a snack set-up I did last year. I had my family over to watch a movie and set up the area that is usually my coffee bar as a station for sliced apples and pretzels. 

I absolutely love a candied apply, but slices are so much easier for quick bites (and even quicker kids). I did white chocolate, caramel, and milk chocolate dip in (click here for the amazon link to the warming dishes and click here for the cauldrons). 

Then for people who want a little added pizzaz I filled these mini ramekins with sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, caramel bites, and crushed Heath bars (click here for the pumpkin ramekins). The little plates in the back are from Target (I got them in maybe 2021??). 

Sometimes it’s fun to do something a little extra for movie night, and everyone had such a blast with this little setup. 

Spook on!

31 Days of Spooky Movies - Beetlejuice (1988) PG

 Hey there princess!

The 1988 film Beetlejuice has become synonymous with Spooky Season, and I love the opportunity to rewatch it each year. The costumes, hair, acting, and premise are all incredibly over the top - which is a pro in my book!

In the film, a married couple perish in a car crash and are stuck haunting their old house. When new (rather annoying) residents move in, the couple do their best to scare them away but in the process attract the attention of another zany and dangerous spirit - Beetlejuice. 

The movie is full of stars from top to bottom and was directed by Tim Burton. I will say that while a lot of the movie is really fun, there are some darker elements, just so that you know in advance if you’re planning on watching with family.

The music for this film is also iconic, and if you’re one for creating Halloween playlists, there are several options here that would be great including the original score by Danny Elfman and Harry Belafonte’s “Day-O” and “Jump in the Line.”

My personal note for the day is that there are tons of ways to add a little spookiness to your family’s day! This morning, I made Pillsbury Grands cinnamon rolls and added some autumn sprinkles to the top for a little fun. It made my kids feel special, and it set our day off on a fun and fanciful tone. 

31 Days of Spooky Movies - Young Frankenstein (1974) PG

 Hey there princess!

This movie is such a classic and is absolutely hilarious. You don’t need to have seen the original Universal Frankenstein movie to understand the references here, and if you’ve been thinking about sitting down to watch this but just haven’t gotten around to it - watch it! This would be such a fun, relaxed movie to watch during a Halloween party and I think there are absolutely tons of things you could do on theme. I have always thought Mel Brooks was such an incredible director, and the actors in this movie are all such stars!

Gene Wilder is phenomenal in this zany role! He is so wonderfully expressive and fun and takes himself so perfectly seriously. Also - the hair is phenomenal.

Everything wraps up with a musical number, which is my favorite way to conclude any movie.

The cast in this is incredible, and the writing is so above anything that is out these days. For those not in the know, Mel Brooks (the director, who also turned 100 this year) is the genius who gave us Spaceballs, Blazing Saddles, The Producers and Robin Hood Men in Tights. The comedy is spot-on and the story sticks with you!

On a more personal note, please enjoy my invitation to my annual Halloween party from 2024. I just did some calligraphy on orange craft paper and then burned the edges. They were so fun to pass out, and I had a blast celebrating my favorite season with my family.

Spook on!

31 Days of Spooky Movies - Halloweentown (1998)

 Hey there princess!

What would October be without a viewing of Halloweentown (1998). This is such a classic from my childhood and while it is very goofy - that is kind of the whole point of Halloween anyway so we may as well have some fun with it. Plus, it has Debbie Reynolds! Debbie Reynolds! What an icon. 

The story follows three siblings who find out that their grandmother is a witch. They set out together to her magical hometown to save the residents from evil forces set on taking over the world. Time for a thirteen year old and her two younger siblings to step up to the task!

I remember them playing this on the Disney Channel all through October when I was growing up, and I always loved watching it. Plus, the two main characters from the second movie ( I think there are four in total) ended up married in real life, which is super cute!

For my real-life spooky update, please enjoy Skellerina! I spent four years working for Houston Ballet, and I (with lots of help) made Skellerina using craft supplies from Hobby Lobby so that I could have a spooky ballerina at my desk during October. Big shout out to my mom who made the tutu and bow for me using tulle since I couldn’t figure it out! 

Store-bought decorations are very cool, but there is something special about adding your own personal touch. Bling it up! Add a bow! 

Spook on!