Starting at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, SCOPE and the Wired Production Group will construct a stage by the early afternoon. “We should [have it done] for SHOUT in the evening,” SCOPE’s community outreach director Myles Evangelista said.

Preparations for the homecoming concert began before the fall semester started. SCOPE’s board of directors, a four-person committee, scours over artists within their allotted budget. The board also looks for acts touring the Midwest around Iowa’s homecoming. They usually find the artist, in this case indie rock group Sir Chloe, about a month before homecoming. SCOPE keeps the artist under tight wraps, especially after an incident a few years ago when the artist was leaked by an over-enthusiastic team member.

Once SCOPE finds the artist, their graphic designer Charlie Darveau creates promotional materials. With larger artists such as Sir Chloe, the band usually sends in pictures to use. Darveau then proposes a design to the artist, who either accepts or suggests changes.

Evangelista describes the design process as “iterative.” Seeing that the final design is now on both SCOPE and Sir Chloe’s social media platforms, it’s clear that both parties are satisfied with the results. Supportive fans flooded Sir Chloe’s comments to praise the artwork, an eerie double exposure of lead singer Dana Foote. It’s a perfect match for the late autumn atmosphere.

Indie lo-fi artist NoSo will open the homecoming show. Their name references the divide between North Korea and South Korea and asks an abrasive question: “which part of Korea are you from?”

On Tuesday, Evangelista interviewed NoSo with a member of the Asian Pacific American Cultural Center. Their conversation highlighted the importance of including diverse voices, especially in the indie scene. In the interview, NoSo said “it’s important to exist and to get out there and play, by being a queer Asian indie artist [they] create a more inclusive space around [them].”

Evangelista furthered this opinion, noting that he observed a trend in the indie scene. “White artists [tend to] book white members of production teams, or marketing teams,” he observed. “Artists of color will seek out bringing other people of color to their team, because not a lot of people will actively make space for that.”

He emphasized that SCOPE has a responsibility to understand diversity, equity, and inclusion, adding that Sir Chloe is the first femme headliner since Lizzo’s 2018 homecoming concert. Evangelista believes that SCOPE, as the “music industry” on campus, has a responsibility to uphold these standards and allow more voices to be heard.

One new aspect at this year’s homecoming celebration is the costume party, set to take place before the concert. “It’s Halloween and homecoming week… why keep them separate?” Evangelista said. The costume party starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28 in front of the Old Capitol Building. Costumed participants have a chance at winning prizes.

Sir Chloe and NoSo’s homecoming concert will begin at 8 p.m. Make sure to include this concert in your Halloweekend plans. If you still have an itch to hear live music after the homecoming concert on Friday night, head to the James Theatre (213 N Gilbert St) at 9:30 p.m. to see Martin Sexton. Sexton is a singer-guitarist who blends elements of soul, R&B, and country.

SCOPE’s next event will be the Lamplight concert around late November or early December. Keep an eye out for further info from the SCOPE team.

Myles Evangelista is the community outreach director for SCOPE Productions. He is a senior studying biomedical engineering and joined SCOPE to get a better understanding of what goes on “behind the stage.” Evangelista has a solo act under the name mars hojilla (pronounced heel-ia) and is supporting a friend at the Trumpet Blossom’s Halloween “Costumed Cover Show”, Thursday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. The Trumpet Blossom is located at 310 E Prentiss St.

The post Halloween homecoming 2022: behind the scenes with SCOPE appeared first on KRUI Radio.

After a night of wild yelling, half naked singing, and crazed bread throwing, I can now say I have been to a famous “Rocky Horror Picture Show” viewing party/show, and am no longer a “Rocky Horror Virgin”

I have been a longtime fan of the film, and have had many of the lyrics from all the songs committed to memory since 11 years old. I was very excited to see what one of these revered live showings would be like and I was definitely glad to have gone.

For those who are unaware, a theater almost becomes its own world at these events.

Almost everyone is dressed in some costume. There will be dozens of Janets and Frankfurters running around, the amount of skin varying on case-by-case situations. The alternative is easy too: dress however you like. Everyone entering the theater is given a bag filled with props and a newspaper.

One of the special parts of the viewing party is the way the audience participates with the film. Throughout the film at different plot points or when certain charades appear on stage, the audience is supposed to yell, put on accessories, throw props, and sing along.

This type of audience participation causes an amazingly fun ampere and community. It lends itself to funny outbursts throughout the film.

Click the link to see The Virgin’s Guide to Rocky Horror Callouts

The other key aspect to these viewings is the actors. As the film plays there are a crew of actors and singers that stand on stage and run around the crowd, portraying the characters in the film. It creates a performance that feels like the characters from the film are really in the theater.

While attending this showing, one part I was truly struck by is the history of these events. The viewing in Iowa City has been sold out for 7 years in a row, but on a global level these parties have been going on for decades.

There are now late middle-aged adults that dressed and acted the same way my generation is when they view this legendary film. I find history beautiful in that fact. This is a timeless tradition that seems like it will be carried out for years to come.

This production had great actors, great lighting props that spelled out words from the songs and, most importantly, was put on with great love and a sense of fun that I continues on so I can take more of my “Virgin” Friends too. This production was put on by the Englert Theater and Comics In Action.

See some of my favorite Rocky Horror Picture Show songs and clips below!

“Time Warp”

“Sweet Transvestite”

“I’m Going Home”

The post Rocky Horror Picture Show 2018 @ Englert Theater appeared first on KRUI Radio.

It’s finally spooky season! I cannot begin to explain my love for Halloween. Maybe it has to do with the weather changing, welcoming in the fall, cool breeze. Or it is the inevitable nostalgia that comes with the holiday.

I think about the joy I felt, all dressed up as a vampire or princess, running house to house. The night felt different on Halloween. Exciting and mysterious. My imagination goes crazy with ideas and it is a time to explore that creativity. It’s fun to be someone new and to let out your weird side.

I could also just be inclined to scary things. I like monsters and ghouls and mysteries, which is the more sinister side of Halloween.

With that being said, Halloween is primarily a family holiday. With kids trick or treating and families handing out candy, 20-somethings are left in limbo. Yes, we have the wild parties and the sexy costumes, but I, personally, want to feel that love I had as a kid again.

So, I comprised a mix of Halloween-y songs that make me think of my childhood, as well as new ones that I’ve discovered with my age that are fitting for a party.

The Classics

Here’s a brief list of some classic Halloween songs that I remember defined my spooky season growing up:

“Monster Mash” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett –– The most classic of classics. Everyone hears this songs at immediately thinks of Halloween.

“Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker, Jr. –– This is the theme song from the 1984 classic, “Ghostbusters”, directed by Ivan Reitman. This movie has always been associated with Halloween and therefore fits perfectly.

“I Put A Spell On You” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins –– The passion in Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ voice makes for a scary undertone, as well as the obsession the song is about. Also, the use of “spell” is seen as witchy.

“Witch Doctor” by David Seville –– This song always seemed to play at my childhood Halloween parties. It is fun and juvenile, but still a classic all around.

“The Addams Family” by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra  –– The theme to The Addams Family series.

New Discoveries

These are songs I have discovered with age that still give me the same spooky feeling. These songs aren’t necessarily new, but ones I wouldn’t have connected this feeling with at a younger age. These songs all have something spooky about them. Whether it’s just the music and sound or actual lyrics, they are more obscure than the obvious classics.

“Heads Will Roll” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

“Tear You Apart” by She Wants Revenge

“Hurdy Gurdy Man” by Donovan

“Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads

“Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac

I wanted to highlight the importance of balancing adolescence and maturity in a Halloween. I don’t want to lose the joy of trick or treating and dressing up. Things differ with age, but having a joyful attitude doesn’t have to. That’s why even just the existence of a Halloween playlist shows an extra effort towards a spooky spirit.

The post Mood Ring: Halloween appeared first on KRUI Radio.

I mean, we already have our very own pumpkin king.

The recent turbulent senate confirmation hearings of Brett Kavanaugh and his subsequent appointment as a justice of the Supreme Court has thrown questions of socio-political justice up in the air.

Controversy surrounding the sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh prompted President Trump to claim it’s “a very scary time for young men in America.”

Trump went on to say that this aforementioned ‘scariness’ comes from the potential “to be found guilty of something of something you may not be guilty of.” But what is there to be afraid of if you haven’t done anything wrong?

I’d really like ‘scary’ to just have to do with skeletons and Halloween costumes again, not toxic masculinity and obtuse judgement towards sexual assault victims.

Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, among thousands of other sexual assault victims, suffer in silence for years, unsure if they will ever recover or get to tell their side of the story.

No matter the extent of the assault or when it occurred, if it has caused someone emotional distress, it merits investigation and justice. All human beings deserve a basic respect of emotional sympathy.

And that sense of sympathy extends to Kavanaugh as well. This trial has no doubt tinged his reputation and will impact his life for a long time. Neither party deserves to be written off completely.

The investigation into this assault was not, as Kavanaugh seemed to understand it, an attack on him and his family just because he is a conservative nominee. It was a way to find recompense for a clearly distressed woman and measure Kavanaugh’s character as a person and future justice.

President Trump construing Blasey Ford’s testimony as false on a national scale illustrates a placement of personal allegiances over the pursuance of justice. Democracy is a system designed to be as fair as possible and avoid a one-sided power structure like the monarchy it was created to escape.

The lack of trust between genders mimics the polarization between political parties, and neither appears to have a clear solution. Without a open conversation on what and how to fix the blatant opposition between sides, nothing will change.

Though difficult and unlikely based off the current climate of the political system, consolidations need to be made on both sides to create a more unified system that works for the country.

While fodder for SNL and other late night shows, if you take a minute to really consider everything that has happened in the political sphere since Trump’s inauguration in 2017, it really is scary. Almost apocalyptic. The twisted world of Halloween Town from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” doesn’t seem that far removed from the partisan free-for-all we are currently living in. I’m half expecting for Trump to kidnap Santa Claus just for the hell of it.

You can help make the U.S. political system less scary by

 registering to vote in the upcoming midterms!

The post Old Soul: A Scary Time for Everyone appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Just look at this album cover. Is this not the most hardcore Halloween banger album art you’ve ever seen?

As we descend into October, cool mists roll across campus and the veil between our world and the supernatural grows ever thinner. There was a new moon on Sunday, a good time for reflection and refreshing for this next cycle. Cultivate an intention for this month, set a little energy aside to reach a goal, whether personal, academic or otherwise.

Happy Libra season, you beautiful foolish Libras. There’s a full moon early in the first decan of Scorpio this year. A full moon means that it’s time to cash in on the energy you’ve put toward making or manifesting something. Use this energy for good, act where you have previously refrained. Come out of the shadows and into your own this October.

Track #1 – “Can’t Play Dead” by The Heavy

We kick off this playlist with a romp into the world of B-list zombies, werewolves and vampires with The Heavy’s “Can’t Play Dead”. Imagine you’re sprawled across your couch on a cold October night, as the wind howls outside and tree branches rattle against the windows. The TV is tuned to a channel showing old school horror movies. You’re starting to fall asleep and as your dreams grow strange…

The Heavy is a rock band of four that hails from Bath, England. In this decidedly monster mash vibe, “[‘Can’t Play Dead’] feels like the soundtrack to a zombie B-movie” according to lead singer Kelvin Swaby. With lyrics like “Walks like a zombie / talks too cold / lives in a graveyard like the one I call home”, the song comments on the cutthroat and profit-driven cycles of the music industry.

The drama of this absolute Halloween banger is topped with a homemade feeling claymation music video. The music video showcases the song’s “filthy garage riffs” and is complete with nods to monster movie imagery and sound.

Track #21 – “Lose Your Soul” by Dead Man’s Bones

We finish off with a personal favorite of mine. There’s nothing like a children’s choir on backing vocals to make it feel like someone’s walking over your grave. The project is led by Hollywood beloved actor Ryan Gosling and his friend Zach Shields. The two first connected in 2005 over their shared obsession with all things supernatural, and embarked on creating what would be the album “Dead Man’s Bones”.

The album centers around an almost fireside retelling of a monster-ghost love story. Every instrument was played by either Gosling or Shields themselves, even instruments they had never played before. They incorporate the Silverlake Conservatory Children’s Choir to give it that extra eerie and honest feeling. Experimental, weird and so much fun, I highly recommend you give this album a listen if you’re into the thematic and dramatic. Read more about the project here and check out Pitchfork’s review!

These jams are guaranteed to get you in the mood, whether you tear it up at a house party, or run howling at the moon this Halloween.

Listen to the whole playlist below!

The post Conundrum of the Veil: Monster Mashes appeared first on KRUI Radio.

People are dressed up as memes, Kevin Spacey was accused of sexual assault, Paul Manafort was indicted. Things are getting really, really spooky. Sure, 2017 has been pretty ominous in the political and pop-culture world, but add in dead trees, pumpkins, and cold weather and…I’m just plain scared.

This Rock Don’t Walk is dedicated to spooky jams that are going to make your Halloween…feel like Season 6 of American Horror Story; a little to real.

Here is a playlist to fully immerse you in the scary world that we currently live in.

“Escape” – Kyle Dixon

So yes, this is from the Stranger Things Season two soundtrack. I love the heavy synth, definitely remnicent of Daft Punk’s “TRON Legacy” Album. They embodied the 80’s perfectly and also give us an eerie start to the playlist.

“John Wayne Gacy, Jr.” – Sufjan Stevens

This song is terrifying. Flat out terrifying. This is about John Wayne Gacy, from the perspective (or so I assume), of his son, John Wayne Gacy, Jr. It’s frighteningly morbid, and there’s breathing at the end along with slow taps on the piano keys that really leave you thinking about the song long after it’s finished.

“This is Halloween” – The Citizens of Halloween

Alright you might be laughing that I transitioned to this ridiculously goofy song but I’ll be honest in saying I sing this all year long. I don’t know why, something about my messed up childhood, but it rings in my ears throughout the seasons.

“Little Dreamer” – Future Islands

The dissonance in the guitar chords that this song first brings on to the listener in its melody already creates a repetitive, synchronised pattern that draws you in.

Like the waxing scar where my lonely heart
Once bloomed before I met you

“Psycho Killer” – The Talking Heads

fa-fa-fa-faaaaar better. Sure, the topic is Psycho Killer, so it’s spooky in it’s title. But it’s also got flare through the rest of the song that can put you off. Bryne’s voice seems to kind of mutter in this song compared to the other Talking Head’s hits. He’s shaky, and it sets that theme for the rest of the music. The base is stagnant through the song, and that keeps the jaunt of the song moving forwards

“Five Minutes” – Her

The electric guitar clearly sets the mood for what kind of dissonant and strange song this is going to be, but the chorus “All I need is five minutes” actually dissolves into a kind of dream-like sequence. This song is intoxicating and off-putting – two of my favorite things.

“Stranger Things” – Kyle Dixon

you know what they say, start with a stranger thing, end with a stranger thing.

Have a happy hallows eve everyone!

The post Rock Dont Walk: It’s getting spooky. appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Scary movies? Check. Candy that you don’t plan on sharing? Check. Costume? Check. But wait, what about a Halloween Playlist?! Not to worry, I got you.

1.) Thriller by Michael Jackson

Okay, I had to. This song has been a classic spooky song since 1983. Thriller is considered a pop/post-disco/funk song. Some creepy elements of this song include a creaking door, thunder, howling dogs, and let us not forget the famous voice of Vincent Price, an American actor known for his performances in horror movies.

2.) Monster Mash by Bobby “Boris” Pickett

Monster Mash as been a “graveyard smash” for over 50 years now. This one is a cult classic, and no Halloween playlist is complete without it.

3.) This Is Halloween by Disney Characters

There’s not much to say about this one — the lyrics say it all. This classic comes from the Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. If you don’t bump this every year while you’re getting all jazzed up for Halloween, you’re doing it wrong.

4.) Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr.

I ain’t ‘fraid of no ghost! I guarantee if you go outside and yell “WHO YOU GONNA CALL?!”, someone will yell back “GHOSTBUSTERS!”. The Ray Parker Jr. version is definitely iconic, but some decent covers have been made by Fall Out Boy and This Wild Life.

5.) Somebody’s Watching Me by Rockwell

Let’s be real, this song just has creepy vibes all around. I think we all get paranoid that somebody is watching our every move, and this song just reinforces those creepy vibes.

6.) Heathens by Twenty One Pilots

This song, released earlier in 2016 on the Suicide Squad soundtrack, is definitely one of Twenty One Pilot’s creepier songs. Lead vocalists Tyler Joseph said in an interview that he wanted the song to sound like TOP first; the themes inspired the song that now sends shivers down our spines.

7.) Mama by My Chemical Romance

Okay, was I the only person that thought this song had some creepy elements to it? Granted, I was only about 9 years old when The Black Parade came out, but with the creepy guitars and Gerard’s distinctive voice and lyrics (“Mama, we all go to hell”) I’d go as far as to say that this song would give some people the creeps.

8.) Emperor’s New Clothes by Panic! At The Disco

The song itself, off of Panic! At The Disco’s latest release Death of a Bachelor, isn’t too creepy, but watching the music video definitely sends some scary Halloween vibes. In a nutshell, lead singer Brendon Urie ends up in a stormy graveyard with dug-up skeletons where he pretty much transforms into a creepy demon. If you haven’t seen this one, you definitely need to — the cinematography and special effects used to make this are top of the line.

9.) I’m Gonna Put a Spell On You by The Hex Girls (from Scooby Doo and the Witch’s Ghost)

Growing up, I was a huge Scooby Doo fan. I have vivid memories of my sister and I jamming out to this song when we watched our VHS copy of this movie. The Hex Girls were my absolute #goals and I think I even went as the lead singer for Halloween one year. This one definitely gives me Halloween vibes from my childhood.

Check out this playlist on Spotify as well!

Feel free to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr where I upload concert pictures and you can be up-to-date on where I’ll be next.

Happy Halloween!

The post 9 Essential Songs for Halloween appeared first on KRUI Radio.

As we get closer to the witching hour of October 31 (and also the Witching Hour festival in Iowa City), my search for scary movies has been ramping up. At first I was satisfied with seeking out unique horror fare that may have delivered in terms of film quality while skimping on the fright factor. Now I am looking for pure terror. What I have found does not necessarily read like a greatest hits of horror films. There is no Exorcist, Halloween, or Rosemary’s Baby.  

These movies and many more have been clearly recognized as some of the scariest movies of all time largely because of their undeniable influence on the horror genre. The films I want to share with you are some slightly grittier gems. A couple are among the most well-renowned recent horror movies, but most should be an enjoyable new find for horror buffs and newbies alike.

Last Shift is a relatively standard horror film. It involves a lone female protagonist stuck in an isolated location. She is a rookie cop working the last shift of a closing police station. There is a sufficiently fleshed-out plot with a few intruiging twists and turns. Most importantly however, once the scares start coming they do not stop. At all. This is the most relentless horror movie I have seen in recent memory, which acts greatly to its benefit.

Other movies try to beat the viewer over the head with jump scares so frequent they act as more of a reflex test. Last Shift earns your attention and drains your stamina with terrifying imagery, suffocating dread, and yes, a few well-executed jump scares. Because Last Shift is so straight forward in its setup, it does not earn a spot in the pantheon of great horror films. It works amazingly however, if all you want to do is make you and your friends terrified to go to sleep after watching it.

There is a well-worn horror rule that no matter how long you keep the monster behind the door, eventually that door has to open. We humans are great at conjuring up the worst things possible in our minds, which is why films like Jaws work so well. Eventually we do have to see the shark though, or the audience loses interest.

There is one movie in recent history, however, that breaks this rule. The Blair Witch Project, the found footage masterpiece that has now spawned two “meh” sequels, was a masterclass in minimalist horror. Its power was in letting the viewer’s mind think up the most spine-tingling things possible. Seriously, the scariest image we get is a guy standing in a corner.

When The Blair Witch Project was released in 1999 it was accompanied by one of the first viral ad campaigns for a movie. The ads were launched to convince the audience that the events depicted in the film were real. Many audience members went in believing that these film students actually went missing while searching for the infamous Blair Witch. This realism serviced the film greatly and let the audience craft the horror in their mind, a feat many films still try but fail to achieve.

The VHS series has been steadily progressing through three iterations. This helps to explain how the absolute best entry of the series, Safe Haven, which is smack in the middle of VHS 2, was seemingly forgotten. The thirty minute movie follows a film crew that is documenting a modestly creepy cult located in Indonesia. I’m not sure about you, but I’ve never seen a movie featuring a cult where the whole organization didn’t go off the rails by the end. If this sounds like a familiar horror plot trope you may be asking what exactly makes this movie so fantastically frightening. First, the progression the film takes from slight unease to genuine shock to utter despair happens so rapidly that as an audience member, you barely have time to react to one event before the plot turns deeper into darkness.

Also, the segment is filled with what I call “Holy shit moments.” While not necessary to a great horror film, “Holy shit moments” are those brief scenes so gut-wrenching that it causes an almost involuntary utterance of the words “holy shit” by the viewer. Bad movies try to fake these by having characters in the film say “holy shit” to try and convince you that what you are watching is indeed crazy as hell. Great movies just show you the goods and let you react. And when a film can pump in three or more of these moments into thirty short minutes, you have something special.

Finally, my search for the most spine-tingling movies brought me back to my own history with horror, specifically when I worked at a movie theater in high school. During our breaks we were permitted to sit in on any movie we wanted, which was a boon to me as I could think of no better way to pass the time. One lunch break I decided to sit in on a movie I hadn’t heard much about: The Descent. It is safe to say that fifteen-year-old me had not yet built up the proper fright threshold for watching such a film.

The Descent follows a group of women on an expedition into a remote cave system. This setup alone could be, and has been, good enough for many different movies. The constant claustrophobia and lack of vision on the screen torment not only the characters but leave the viewer short of breath as well. If that weren’t enough, there also happens to be a race of nasty humanoid creatures that wander around in the tunnel system. The group soon realizes that the reason the cave is so isolated is because no one who had previously attempted the trek had ever escaped. The final act of the film descends deep into a gory abyss of body parts, blood, and viscera that is sure to make its mark deep in your brain.

I hope you are are as terrified of these movies as I am. If not, go find what scares you. Remember, they are just movies. Happy scary movie month!

Watch and Talk is a column about movies. Movies are not always reviewed, they are simply talked about. Watch and Talk discusses the cultural aspects and impacts that movies can have.

The post Watch and Talk: Scary Movie Month Part 2 appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Since last year’s column was all about how not to be a dick on Halloween and picking out a costume that is funny and creative without being unnecessarily crass or offensive, I figured this column should be all about how to throw a Halloween party to put your killer costume to good use. Let’s get spoopy y’all.

Step 1: Costume

The first step of throwing a Halloween party is to have a costume to wear. OBVS. It’s been basically Halloween since October 1st hit so if you don’t have your costume yet, YOU’RE SEVERELY BEHIND. It’s fine, I guess, but if you need some inspiration and guidance here’s my Halloween costume guide from last year. It’s okay, I’ll wait.

Step 2: Theme/Decorations

Now that you’ve got yourself a costume lined up, it’s time to decide the theme of your party as it will dictate the rest of your party planning. Yes, technically “Halloween” is a theme in itself, but if you’re feeling particularly creative there are so many sub categories within the Halloween spectrum you could explore such as zombies, vampires, monsters, witches, superheroes, etc. or my personal favorite: Harry Potter. (Although I’d definitely argue that any time of the year is perfect for a Harry Potter themed party, just saying.) Your theme could relate to your costume, or you could match your costume your theme, SO MANY OPTIONS.

Once you have your theme planned, most of all the other big decisions are pretty much made for you as long as they follow said theme. For example, I recently made a nearly life-sized cauldron in my ceramics class that I’m pretty stoked about and would go perfectly with the décor of my theoretical Harry Potter themed party. However, if you don’t have the time or means to make a giant cauldron for your party but are still feeling crafty, there are plenty of cheap DIY decorations you can make to liven up your party.

Step 3: Food

Next, and possibly the most popular element to your party is the food. People love food, and you gotta give the people what they want for a successful party. The food table for a Halloween party is pretty much the same for any other party, you just have to add a little spooky flair to the dishes. You know, like making the cheeseball look like an eyeball or adding ketchup to things for fake blood. For some inspiration, it’s best to turn towards the Queen of Halloween parties herself, the great Sandra Lee.

Step 4: Booze (or should I say BOOze??) (I’m dead inside)

Another important piece of your party that we all know Ms. Lee would approve of is Halloween themed cocktails for cocktail timeeee. You could make butterbeer, “witches brew,” or any other concoction floating around on Pinterest, or you could follow a recipe from the Queen of Halloween—just remember that 2 shots of vodka are much different in Sandra Lee terms so it’s probably best to actually measure out your liquor instead of following her pours. (Also if you had a cauldron you could totally put your cocktails in the cauldron JUST SAYING.)

Step 5: Music

The final step in throwing a wild Halloween party is finding the perfect music: aka just play Bette Midler’s “I Put A Spell On You” from Hocus Pocus on repeat. You’re welcome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaC-WDrvmUQ

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The post The Walking Contradiction’s How-to Guide: Halloween Bash appeared first on KRUI Radio.

I began branching out into what I discovered to be the nearly infinite amount of different genres of horror films: Italian horror, psychological horror, horror comedy, splatter gore, invasion horror. These different movies offered a very unique take on the horror genre and really opened up what the term “scary movie” actually meant to me. Don’t get me wrong, these movies can be terrifying, but they do offer a lot more than simple scares in their storytelling.

Bone Tomahawk (2015) – There are even Western horror movies! Except for some choice scenes, this film is a true Western in every sense of the word. The film follows a group of lawmen led by Kurt Russell who are on a mission to rescue some peaceful townsfolk from prehistoric-appearing cavemen.

There are gorgeous wide open shots of panoramic western plains that make you almost forget you are watching what is classified as a horror movie. Indeed, after the somewhat brutal opening scene the movie eschews nearly all standard horror elements until the film’s finale. The movie is not titled Bone Tomahawk for nothing though. The title object features as the tool of destruction in all of the films grisly bits. These include one scene that, without exaggeration is the single most physically graphic moment I have ever witnessed on film. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Violence aside however, this movie is still worth a watch for both horror fans and seasoned western watchers alike. Just skip the above mentioned scene.

Deathgasm (2015) – Ah yes, the old metal-splatter-horror-comedy subgenre. As its name implies, Deathgasm is a movie not to be taken too seriously. As crazy as it may sound, a movie about two metal heads from New Zealand who accidentally summon an entity from Hell is actually quite silly, and even sweet. Oh yeah and there is a lot of blood. It is called Deathgasm after all. The core characters play well off of each other for occasional dialogue and story-driven moments, but the majority of the film is driven by a kinetic energy reminiscent of, well, a death metal track.

They Look Like People (2015) – This low budget pyschological horror film plays the most like a straight scary movie, but is also incredibly emotionally affecting. It followes a young man named Wyatt who believes that the people around him are turning into monsters that (name drop!) look like people. At the core of the movie is the relationship between Wyatt and his best friend Christian. As Wyatt struggles between his paranoia and preparing himself for the coming invasion, he must decide whether or not to help his friend even though Christian may be a monster himself. The film is very quiet and decisive in its scary moments, which amplifies their effectiveness and builds to a climax that is as heart stopping as it is heart wrenching.

Spring (2014) – What do you get when you combine low-impact yet high caliber dialogue with body horror reminiscent of The Fly? You get Spring, a romantic horror film. Yes, romantic horror films exist. Imagine crossing this year’s Sundance Festival hit Southside with You with John Carpenter’s The Thing. Stretching into even more adventurous territory is Spring , the story a man named Evan who takes a winding vacation to Italy. In his travels, he meets and eventually falls for Louise, a student studying in the field of genetics. That genetics major comes in handy for Louise because it turns out she has bouts of turning into horrific monsters every so often. Other than that, she is a total catch. The movie earns its points in the genuine relationship it builds between Evan and Louise. The viewer completely understands why Evan would stay and offer to help Louise near the end of the film rather than go back home and run away from the challenges she presents.

Holidays (2016) – Anthology horror films are notoriously unbalanced, which should surprise no one. If you get multiple directors together for a film there are sure to be some masterful segments as well as a few floppy duds. Holidays contains eight short films that pay homage to some of the more disturbing elements of our favorite times of the year.

The standout segment is Anthony Scott Burns’ Father’s Day. In the short film, a young woman named Carol receives a cassette tape from her father who she previously thought was dead. The tape contains directions from her father on how to find him as well as an explanation for why he had to leave. Jocelin Donahue gives an emotional and nearly silent performance as a daughter who is simultaneously stunned, grieved, and hopeful at the prospect of finding her father.

Likewise Michael Gross is a standout talent as the perfectly pitched dad, lending an air of fatherly love as well as morbid longing to his voice portrayal of Carol’s father. The conclusion of Father’s Day is left ambiguous, but this does not lessen the impact of the segment as a whole.

I absolutely hate when people get down on horror movies. With such a tremendous variety to choose from, everyone can find one that matches their taste. If none of these worked for you, don’t worry. I’ll be back with more choice horror gems later this month. Happy scary movie month!

Watch and Talk is a column about movies. It seeks to not only review movies, but to simply talk about them. Watch and Talk looks at the various cultural impacts and aspects that movies can have.

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