It was recently announced that Zack Snyder wants to include a love interest for Bruce Wayne in the upcoming Batman vs Superman film. Ben Affleck has already been cast as the new Batman but all we can do is speculate about who will be playing his lady. Here are some ideas I had on who it could be. Special thanks to Paul C. for his contributions!

New Characters

These are characters that have appeared in other Batman mediums besides live-actions films and could easily be translated into this film.

Mercy Graves

The casting call for the love interest in Man of Steel 2 asked for a taller woman in her late 20′s who contains physicality which immediately brought me to the character of Luthor’s bodyguard Mercy Graves.  Graves was created for the animated series of the titular superhero (this time Superman) and was so popular that she crossed into the comic-book world to become a staple of that title.  I believe she’s a candidate to be the love interest in the sequel solely because the inclusion of Lex Luthor could mean she’s already involved and it would be a subtle way to put our heroes together.  If they do decide to cast Mercy Graves I would love to see Abbie Cornish in the role. (By Paul C.)

Andrea Beaumont

Andrea Beaumont is a character from the animated film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm who Bruce Wayne is willing to give up Batman for to marry until she is revealed to be the villain Phantasm. It’d be fun to have a bad-ass and deceptive character for Batman’s love interest and I think Jessica Chastain would be perfect for this role, especially since she normally plays the good girl.

Lorna Shore

Lorna Shore doesn’t have much of a background in the comics, which would allow a lot of creative liberty for her character in the film. She is a museum curator with whom Bruce has a relationship. It’s an innocent enough job for a character who will probably not have much to do in the film. If they’re looking for a beautiful and sophisticated lady for Lorna Shore, I suggest Gabrielle Union.

Vesper Fairchild 

TV and radio personality Vesper Fairchild would be a good choice for Batman’s love interest in this film because her demise is ultimately due to Lex Luthor. This would most certainly connect Batman to Metropolis. If they did write Vesper into the film, I would like to see her played by Michelle Monaghan.

Silver St. Cloud

Silver is another of Gotham’s social elite who dates Bruce Wayne and after discovering his secret identity leaves Gotham. The rest of her story is dramatic enough for the big screen but perhaps too much story for this film. Despite that, she would be a good character choice for a one-film appearance. My choice for Silver St. Cloud would be Ali Larter.

The Already Been Done Characters

These are characters that have already shown up in live-action Batman films but may be reinterpreted in the upcoming ones. 

Vicki Vale

Kim Basinger played journalist Vicki Vale in the first Batman movie back in 1989. I think enough time has passed to reinvent her on screen and I also think that she would be a good character for such an inevitably small roll. She’s not a superhero or villain with a complex background and her role as a reporter would be easy enough to work into the film. Then again, they already have Lois Lane sniffing around for stories so they may decide against having two lady journalists. If they do go with Vale, I’d love to see Rosamund Pike in the role.

Julie Madison

Julie Madison made a small appearance (played by Elle Macpherson) in 1997′s Batman & Robin. She was Batman’s first significant love interest in the comics and has gone from socialite damsel-in-distress to hardworking law student. While she’d be a simple and easy character to add to the story, I wouldn’t be surprised if creators decided not to use her to further distance themselves from the disaster that was Batman & Robin. If they did go with Julie, my vote would be for Sarah Shahi. 

Selina Kyle

It’s very unlikely that Catwoman would show up in this movie both because of her complex relationship with Batman that would need more than a crossover film to develop and the fact that she was so recently portrayed by Anne Hathaway in The Dark Knight Rises. But since she is Bruce’s #1 love interest I had to include her on this list. If they do decide to bring her back in the future, they should definitely cast Eva Green in the role.

Talia al Ghul

Talia al Ghul is equally unlikely to be in the Batman vs. Superman film for the same reasons as Selina Kyle. That being said, her history would make her an interesting choice. Marion Cotillard played Talia in The Dark Knight Rises but if she is recast for a future film my vote goes to Olga Kurylenko.

The Other Options

A Made Up Character

Another option for the writers of the Batman Superman movie is to create a new character altogether. This would work in their favor because they wouldn’t have to deal with disgruntled fan-boys angry at a comic book character’s film interpretation. Christopher Nolan did this with Rachel Dawes in his Batman trilogy and it worked out just fine.

No Love Interest At All

Another option for a love interest in the Batman/Superman movie is.. well.. how about nobody? Seriously, this is a sequel that’s not only acting as a continuation of the characters from Man of Steel but as an introduction to an entirely new franchise and the reboot of DC’s most popular character.  If you look at past superhero movies you’ll notice that most of the romances are either too small for us to care or are just shooed in for a subplot to bring in a new demographic.   Very few of them are so organic and real that we honestly care about both sides equally (Pepper and Tony stand out as the strongest in this example and they had three movies to work on their romance. This “sequel” to Man of Steel is already supposed to further the relationship of Clark and Lois, flesh out Superman himself, establish a villain (or two), launch a brand new version of Batman, create the universe in which DC prepares to launch the Justice League franchise and work in the remainder of the side characters AND THEN add a romantic subplot on top of that?  If you ask me that’s a lot to put on one plate for a movie that already has mile high expectations and the best way to keep it from feeling bloated and incoherent would be to drop the love interest and focus on the heroes we do know.  Clark, Bruce, Lois and our villain should be the ones in the forefront and I would much rather they hold off on the love interest until after Bruce Wayne was established. They’ve already announced that they’re giving Bruce a love interest but who knows, maybe they’ll change their minds.  (By Paul C.)

Who would you like to see as Batman’s love interest in Batman vs. Superman?

Last year I put together this list of 20 Authors to read during the Halloween season. This year I bring you 20 more!

1. H.P. Lovecraft

Check out: At the Mountains of Madness and Other Novels, H.P. Lovecraft: The Complete Fiction

2. R. L. Stine

Check out: The Haunted Mask, Fear Street Series

3. Seth Grahame-Smith

Check out: Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

4. Agatha Christie

Check out: Death Comes as the End, Endless Night, Crooked House

5. J.L Bourne

Check: Day By Day Armageddon

6. Ray Bradbury

Check out: Something Wicked This Way Comes, Gotcha!, The Burning Man

7. Roger Zelazny

Check out: A Night in the Lonesome October

8. Richard Laymon

Check out: Island, The Cellar

9. Mark Z. Danielewski

Check out: House of Leaves, The Fifty Year Sword

10. Lisa W. Cantrell

Check out: The Manse

11. Gillian Flynn

Check out:  Dark Places, Sharp Objects

12. John Saul

Check it out: The Blackstone Chronicles, Suffer the Children

13. Rick Yancey

Check out: The Monstrumologist series

14. Shirley Jackson

Check out:  The Haunting of Hill House, The Lottery

15. Jack Kilborn

Check out: Afraid, Endurance, Serial

16.  John Ajvide Lindqvist

Check out: Let the Right One In, Handling the Undead

17. Libba Bray

Check out: The Diviners, A Great and Terrible Beauty

18. Simon Holt

Check out: The Devouring trilogy

19. Susan Hill

Check out: The Woman in Black, The Various Haunts of Men

20. Joe Hill

Check out: Horns, Heart-shaped Box, Locke & Key

Check out the original 20 Authors to Read During the Halloween Season.

The horror genre is very broad, old, and much-loved and one of the biggest parts of the genre is the Scream Queen. A scream queen is an actress who is known for playing roles in horror films. Ever since the beginning of film there have been horror films and accompanying scream queens. Some of these ladies only play the girlfriend role and stay on the sidelines as damsels in distress but others lead the film as the beacon of good against whatever evil they go up against. As long as there has been horror films, there have been Scream Queens and this article takes a look at the most famous queens from Old Hollywood.

Silent Sirens

Mary Philbin in The Man Who Laughs

The silent era brought us some of the most famous and creepy horror films including Nosferatu and Vampyr. Mary Philbin was perhaps the biggest silent scream queen with appearances in The Phantom of the Opera and The Man Who Laughs. Some other ladies from famous silent horror films include Lil Dagover from The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Greta Schröder from Nosferatu, and Martha Mansfield in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. There were plenty of talented scream queens in our early film era but Mary Philbin is the one whose name people remember the most.

Universal’s Darlings

The ladies of Universal’s monster films: Elsa Lanchaster, Glora Stuart, Zita Johann, and Julie Adams

Universal Studios produced some extremely memorable and wonderful horror films back in their day, all of which starred beautiful ladies. Many are remembered for those roles including Helen Chandler in Dracula, Glora Stuart in The Invisible Man, Julie Adams in Creature from the Black Lagoon, and Zita Johann in The Mummy. And who could forget Elsa Lanchaster as Frankenstein’s Bride? When it comes to Universal horror films, however, there is one lady who sticks out as having the most impressive résumé: Evelyn Ankers.

Evelyn Ankers

Ankers is probably most remembered for playing Gwen Conliffe in The Wolf Man but her filmography is much more extensive. Ankers also starred in such horror films as Hold That Ghost, The Ghost of Frankenstein, Captive Wild Women, Son of Dracula, Weird Woman, The Mad Ghoul, The Invisible Man’s Revenge, and more. In the 1940’s Evelyn Ankers dominated the horror genre and secured her spot in history as a bona fide scream queen.

Val Lewton’s Ladies

Simone Simon

Val Lewton produced nine amazing horror films in the 1940’s that relied more on psychological terror that cheap monsters the way Universal’s monster films did. He always hired beautiful and talented actresses for his horror films and none more so that Simone Simon, star of Cat People and Curse of the Cat People. In these films she plays a troubled immigrant who fears that she will turn into a wild beast if her emotions go awry. Simon’s beautifully exotic looks and haunting performances makes her the most memorable of Lewton’s ladies.

Val Lewton’s ladies: Jean Brooks, Jane Randolph, Anna Lee, and Frances Dee

Jane Randolph was one of Lewton’s ladies who also appeared in both Cat People and its sequel and later went on to show up in Bud Abbott Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein. Jean Brooks is yet another lady who made more than one appearance in Lewton’s films including playing a mysterious young woman caught up in a deadly cult in The Seventh Victim and a nightclub performer in The Leopard Man. Other stars of Lewton’s horror films include Anna Lee in Bedlam and Frances Dee in I Walked with a Zombie.

Hitchcock’s Blonde Beauties

Grace Kelly and Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock is considered by many to be one of the best directors ever to have made films. While a majority of his movies are thrillers, Hitchcock’s most famous features are horror films such as Rear Window and Psycho. As famous as he is for making these films, he’s equally known for his tendency to cast beautiful blondes in the lead roles. The most famous of these is Grace Kelly who starred in three of his films: Dial M for Murder, Rear Window, and To Catch a Thief. Grace is remembered today not only for her marriage that made her a princess but for bringing her classic beauty, poise, and style into every film she starred in.

Hitchcock’s Beautiful Blondes: Tippi Hedren, Janet Leigh, Joan Fontaine, and Kim Novak

Hitchcock had plenty of other blonde beauties star in his most famous horror films. Tippi Hedren led one of his most well-known movies, The Birds, as well as the psychological drama Marnie.  Kim Novak played the mysterious lady lead in Vertigo, Joan Fontaine won our hearts in Rebecca and Suspicion, and Janet Leigh’s performance in Psycho is one that will live in film infamy. Some of Hitch’s other blondes include Eva Marie Saint from North by Northwest, Ingrid Bergman from Notorious, and Madeleine Carroll in Secret Agent and The 39 Steps.

One Scream Queen to Rule Them All

Fay Wray in King Kong

The first half century of film brought us numerous fabulous scream queens in their equally awesome horror films but there is one lady who stands above all of them: Fay Wray. Wray should technically be in the Universal section of this article but she’s just so amazing I thought she deserved her own category. Wray is considered by most horror aficionados to be the very first scream queen. Her resume is completely stacked with horror films and in each one of them she plays her role with a beautiful face, a convincing attitude, and a fantastic scream.

Fay Wray from King Kong and Mystery at the Wax Museum

Wray’s most famous role is that of beautiful actress Ann Darrow in King Kong, a film that remains a classic to this day. She’s also starred in the much-loved films Mystery at the Wax Museum and The Most Dangerous Game. And it doesn’t stop there; Wray’s filmography also includes The Vampire Bat, Doctor X and many more. While she eventually turned to crime dramas, Wray will always be remembered not only for her iconic role as Ann Darrow in King Kong but for being the first scream queen.

Dumbo is one of those Disney classics that will oftentimes make people nostalgic. I’m not personally a big fan of this film, partly because I can’t handle how sad some scenes are and partly because it reminds me of real-life animals being tortured in circuses today, but regardless I recognize it for being a well-made film. Some of the scenes are completely iconic (pink elephants!) and many people enjoy revisiting this classic. Whether it’s crying over Dumbo’s mom or singing along to Casey Jr., Dumbo is definitely one of the most recognizable of Disney’s animated creations.

For a Dumbo themed snack I decided to go with the idea of circus food. Since I’ve never been to the circus (see my aforementioned idea about their treatment of animals) I used the many local carnivals I’ve been to as inspiration. To have the perfect balance of salty and sweet I made popcorn and cotton candy. Okay, I bought the cotton candy because I didn’t have a machine but I have made it myself in the past and it’s fun to do if you ever get the chance to use someone’s machine. Of course I had to make it pink to match Dumbo’s famous pink elephant scene. And the popcorn looked great in these cute plastic containers we found at the store. This is a fun and easy way to experience a bit of carnival at home.

For my meal I made something I had been wanting to try for a long time: a nut loaf. My reasoning being that elephants are known to be fond of peanuts. I know the idea of a nut loaf doesn’t necessarily make one’s mouth water (I didn’t have high hopes myself for it) but I was shocked at how absolutely delicious this came out to be. My sister and I (who I want to give a shout-out to since she is always helping me make and eat these recipes, thanks Michelle!) ate the entire thing in one sitting. Even if you’re an avid meat-eater I suggest trying this recipe because it is straight-up delicious. And I loved the sweet glaze we put on top too. You can find the recipe I used here. To make the recipe vegan I substituted apple sauce for the egg and  liked the flavor it added to the loaf. I will most certainly be making this one again.

For dessert I absolutely had to make elephant ears. This is an extremely simple recipe. All you need is frozen pastry sheets and a mix of cinnamon and sugar. The trick is being able to roll them into the specific ear-shape, something I didn’t do too well. I also burnt mine a little bit so be very careful when baking them and check them off. Regardless, they came out entirely edible. I’m not personally a fan of flaky pastries but my friends are and they gobbled them up. This is a great quick and easy recipe to use if you’re bringing baked goods to a party and don’t have that much time.

I wasn’t sure how making a meal for Dumbo would turn out but in the end I think it came out quite well. Carnival food is the perfect fun snack and the nut loaf is now permanently added to my recipe book. The elephant ears were not only very appropriate for the theme but also a big hit as well. Whether you’re a fan of the film or not, I definitely think this is a meal worth making.

Coming Soon: Disney Dinner and a Movie: Hocus Pocus

Check out Disney Dinner and a Movie: Lady and the Tramp

For this edition of Showdown! I put the  two cherished children horror anthologies of the 90′s s against each other: Are You Afraid of the Dark? vs. Goosebumps! 

Plots:

Are You Afraid of the Dark was a  joint production between the Canadian company Cinar and the American network Nickelodeon. It ran for seven seasons and had a total of 91 episodes, airing from 1991 to 1996 and again from 1999 to 2000. The series was about a group of friends in The Midnight Society who met in the woods to tell scary stories around the campfire. Each episode featured a member of the group telling the story. Throughout the series we were presented with these members and their own mini story-lines including romantic relationships and sibling rivalries. The stories they told varied but most were supernatural and many were based on urban legends. Despite being a long-running show, they never ran out of ideas and always came up with an interesting (and often terrifying) plot for each episode.

Goosebumps was another Canadian-American children’s horror anthology of the 90′s that had a total of 74 episodes across four seasons. The show was based on R. L. Stine’s popular Goosebumps book series and aired from 1995 to 1998 on YTV in Canada and Fox Kids in the United States. Each episode of Goosebumps offered a different story with different characters, with the exception of a few two-part episodes or sagas and some episodes were even introduced by the one and only R.L. Stine himself. Like Are You Afraid of the Dark?, the plots of these stories varied, with many of them being about unnatural creatures. From werewolves to ghosts to monsters, Goosebumps offered a variety of plot-lines to keep audiences hooked. Both shows provided us with some great episodes so it’s really up to the viewer what they prefer.

Winner: Tie

Ryan Gosling appeared both on Are You Afraid of the Dark (The Tale of Station 109.1) and Goosebumps (Say Cheese and Die)

Cast:

Are You Afraid of the Dark? featured many young actors that are well recognized today including Rachel Blanchard, Joanna Garcia, and Elisha Cutheberts as members of the Midnight Society and such familiar faces as Ryan Gosling, Neve Campbell, Melissa Joan Hart, Jewel Staite, Will Friedle, the Mowry twins, and Jay Baruchel in various episodes. Watching the show today is always amusing when you see younger versions of your favorite stars pop up. Not only were a lot of the cast then (or soon to be) famous, but the performances were generally very well done. AYAOTD didn’t cast just anyone in these roles and the acting ability of everyone involved really played a part in the show.

Goosebumps also had a few future stars in its cast line-up. Current scream queen Katharine Isabelle as well as Laura Vandervoort, Hayden Christensen, Kevin Zegers, Adam West, A.J. Cook and even Ryan Gosling all made appearances on the show. Despite these guest stars, Goosebumps was hit or miss when it came to acting ability. Some cast members were awesome and some, not-so-much. Overall, AYAOTD had a better record for acting ability and star power.

Winner: Are You Afraid of the Dark

Scares:

With 91 episodes under it’s belt, Are You Afraid of the Dark? provided viewers with a plethora of creepy tales. Whatever you fear, it was guaranteed to be featured on this show. Some of the most freaky and memorable episodes include The Tale of the Ghastly Grinner about a super-villain come to life, The Tale of the Dollmaker about girls turned into dolls, and any of their incredibly traumatizing episodes about clowns. Even as an adult there are still episodes of this show I can not watch alone or in the dark. The opening to the show is also supremely creepy (again with the clowns!). Whether it’s ghosts, vampires, clowns, or aliens, AYAOTD had something scary for everyone.

Goosebumps has its fair share of freaky episodes as well. The Haunted Mask is a fan favorite, about a girl who puts on a scary mask and transforms into the creature she’s pretending to be, The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight, Welcome to Dead House and the Night of the Living Dummy saga are others that I remember being particularly creepy as a kid. Going back to the series as an adult I admit that none of the episodes scare me anymore but they do bring back a sense of nostalgia. At the end of the day, AYAOTD’s tendency to stick to the supernatural was scarier than Goosebumps’ creature features.

Winner: Are You Afraid of the Dark

Production Value:

Both Are You Afraid of the Dark and Goosebumps are classic 90′s TV productions. As children, their special effects were terrifying including monstrous werewolves, transparent ghosts, and other supernatural occurrences. When you go back and view these programs as adults, they can seem a bit dated because of the major advances in technology since then but nonetheless, the shows both worked with what they had. Neither was any better than the other and kids especially enjoyed both for what they were.

Winner: Tie

Nostalgia Factor:

Are You Afraid of the Dark? was a favorite for many kids in my generation. I fondly remember huddling under the blankets at night watching and being terrified but always wanted to watch more. Nowadays you can find the episodes on youtube, occasionally on Teennick.com or on Amazon, but most of today’s kids haven’t been exposed to the greatness that is AYAOTD. Regardless, those of us 90′s kids who were fans can never forget the show.

There is almost no one our age who doesn’t know what Goosebumps is. Whether you read the books, watched the show, or both as a kid, the name invokes a serious sense of nostalgia. We can all picture the green ooze dripping down the TV screen and the characteristic opening theme song with the dog whose eyes light up. And who can ever forget “Viewers beware, you’re in for a scare!”? Luckily for us, we can revisit the series anytime on Netflix Instant or iTunes.

Both series were (and are still) much-loved, especially by the generation of now 20-somethings who were glued to the TV screens in our youth waiting for the next scare. However, at the end of the day it’s Goosebumps that is more memorable and brings in the ultimate nostalgia.

Winner: Goosebumps

As a kid I loved both Goosebumps and Are You Afraid of the Dark? and I still watch certain episodes around Halloween to this day. Both shows offered a variety of episodes with scary plots and creepy creatures sure to get at any kid. But at the end of the day there can only be one winner and thanks to their extra scary and original plots (including the Midnight Society) and impressive cast, that winner is Are You Afraid of the Dark?!

Overall Winner: Are You Afraid of the Dark!

Halloween season is in full swing and my favorite show to watch during October is Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Buffy has provided us with plenty of creepy creatures, spooky spirits, and vicious vampires but here I give you my opinion on the 10 best Buffy episodes to watch during the Halloween season.

10. Conversations with Dead People (7×07)

Conversations with Dead People really freaked me out when I first saw it. The gang is being stalked by The First, a non-physical entity of evil that they don’t know or understand. Dawn experiences poltergeist activity while home alone and believes her mother’s spirit is being harassed by a malevolent ghost. Willow is visited by the ghost of a dead girl, only to discover she was The First in disguise. The eminent doom of Season 7′s villain and the uber-scary spirit activity makes this a great Buffy episode for the Halloween season.

9. I Only Have Eyes For You (2×19)

You can’t have Halloween without a good haunting story and I Only Have Eyes For You brings us just that. During Sunnydale’s Sadie Hawkin’s Dance the school is haunted by decades-old ghosts; a teacher and student who had an affair which ended tragically. The group splits up to exorcise the school and get attacked by all manner of things, including snakes and a possessed Angel. I Only Have Eyes for You gives us a haunted house tale in a way only Buffy could.

8. Some Assembly Required (2×02)

Frankenstein’s monster is one of the most iconic figures for Halloween time. Buffy’s answer to this is the episode Some Assembly Required which features a dead Sunnydale student brought back to life a la Frankenstein. He then forces his brother to make him a girlfriend (similar to Frankenstein’s Bride) and of course they choose Cordelia to donate a head. This is another episode that’s great for the Halloween season because of it’s homage to Mary Shelley’s classic story and its spinoffs.

7. Killed By Death (2×18)

Killed by Death is an especially creepy Buffy episode. Buffy is hospitalized after she comes down with a severe case of the flu and finds out that there is an invisible force killing children in the hospital. Despite being extremely ill, Buffy must convince the others that there really is something not right going on and defeat Der Kindestod. This is a great episode to watch around Halloween because it’s one of the creepiest episodes all around: it takes place in a hospital, features dead children, and is one of the scariest villains in Buffy history.

6. Dead Man’s Party (3×02)

You can’t have Halloween without zombies and Dead Man’s Party is Buffy’s quintessential zombie episode. Joyce’s Nigerian museum artifact turns out to be a magical zombie-creating machine. The zombies attack during Buffy’s welcome-home party and the gang must survive not only the undead, but their own issues as well. Dead Man’s Party combines two things perfect for Halloween: Buffy and zombies, and therefore is  a must-watch.

5. All the Way (6×06)

All the Way is Buffy’s third and final Halloween episode and the only one featuring Dawn. In this one, Dawn inadvertently hangs out with a bunch of handsome vampires who try to turn her. Other plots of the episode include Willow and Tara arguing over magic and Xander and Anya discussing their recent engagement. This episode isn’t nearly as Halloween-y as the others but it’s still a good watch for the season.

4. Buffy vs. Dracula (5×01)

Dracula is the quintessential Halloween character and Buffy gives us an episode featuring him that is not only hilarious, but offers some epic throwbacks to the classic Gothic tale. Whether you’ve read the original novel or not, you’ll get a kick out of Dracula turning Xander into his Redfield and Giles encountering his three brides. Another fun thing about this episode is the way they use Spike’s character. Buffy vs. Dracula is a great way to get some more Halloween spirit into your Buffy viewing.

3. Hush (4×10)

Hush is perhaps the most famous episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The Gentleman come to town and steal everyone’s voices so they can cut out people’s hearts in the middle of the night. Besides The Gentleman being the scariest villains in Buffy history, the episode is even creepier because of its silence. Joss Whedon created a horror masterpiece in Hush and it’s perfect for the Halloween season.

2. Fear, Itself (4×04)

Fear, Itself is Buffy’s second Halloween episode. The gang attends a frat party at Sunnydale University that goes from fun fake haunted house to real-live house of horrors. This one is a bit more heavy than Season 2′s episode, dealing with some of the underlying tension between Buffy and the others, but it is equally Halloween-themed. My favorite part of this episode is when Giles comes to the rescue with a chainsaw. You don’t get much better than that.

1. Halloween (2×06)

Halloween is of my favorite Buffy episodes of all time. The show’s first Halloween episode, it brings us the characters we loved turned upside down when a spell by the despicable Ethan Rayne turns everyone into their costumes. Xander becomes a soldier, Willow turns into a ghost, and Buffy goes from kick-ass slayer to helpless damsel in distress. Not to mention all of the children in Sunnydale dressed as monsters turn into actual monsters and team up with Spike to hunt down the gang. Halloween is an extremely fun episode that perfectly embodies the tone of the holiday.

Click here for 10 Scariest Buffy Villains and don’t forget to check out the Ten Worst Horror Movie Sequels and Ten Scariest Disney Moments for more Halloween viewing!

This is the first time I’m doing a live-action film for Disney Dinner and a Movie and I couldn’t have chosen a better one. Hocus Pocus is a flawless film (in my humble opinion) about kids who accidentally awaken three witches on Halloween night and must stop them before they steal the souls from every child in Salem. Everything about this movie is amazing; the characters, the setting, the humor, the memorable dialogue. I could go on and on about how much I love this film but I’ll spare you. I watch Hocus Pocus every year for Halloween but this is the first time I’ve made a themed meal to go along with it and boy am I glad I did. 

When I decided to do a Hocus Pocus meal I knew that I absolutely had to make Witches’ Brew. Winnie’s potion she uses to suck the souls from children is such an important (and fun) part of the film that I wanted to emulate it as much as possible. You can find plenty of different recipes online for this sort of drink but I made up my own because I couldn’t find any non-dairy sherbet (if you do use green sherbet it will make the drink a very pretty color). Instead, I mixed one can of frozen limeade with one bottle of cherry lime seltzer. It fizzled right away but then died down. If you want to go all out I suggest adding some dry ice for a true smokey effect (but please make sure you do it safely). Lastly I added some gummy worms as a garnish. This particular mix came out very sour (try lemon-lime soda instead of seltzer to sweeten it up) but my friends all enjoyed it nonetheless (especially since we added rum to it). Witches’ Brew is not only an easy way to mimic the film, but can be tinkered with to your exact specifications and I highly suggest it for a Halloween party.

The entree took me the longest to figure out. They don’t really eat any meals in the film so I decided to go with the theme of pumpkins (the ultimate Halloween food) and create these adorable and tasty mini stuffed pumpkins. I followed this recipe but modified it based on my own taste preferences. I substituted seitan for sausage and nixed the fruit to keep it a fully savory dish. I also substituted butternut squash for pumpkin in the stuffing. It was surprisingly easy to make, all you do is cook up the veggies and meat and add some couscous then bake it in small hollowed out pumpkins. Think of them like stuffed peppers, but with pumpkins. This recipe turned out great and I ate every bite. It was a great dinner meal, with or without the film.

For a Hocus Pocus dessert I immediately knew I wanted to make witch hat cookies. These are absolutely perfect for this film (and make a great treat for any Halloween gathering) and are pretty simple to make. I used chocolate covered oreos as the base and “glued” on Hershey’s kisses using the same orange gel icing that I used to draw on the bows. I tried out both straight and crooked bows and decided that I like the crooked ones best but they all came out great. The only downside to this is that your hand gets tired pretty quickly (hence why I stopped at 7). These were delicious and fun and were a big hit at my Hocus Pocus movie night.

Hocus Pocus is not only my favorite Halloween movie but also one of my favorite films of all time. It’s perfect for all ages and lends itself very well to a themed movie night. Both the Witches’ Brew and the Witches’ Hat cookies would make great treats for a party or any other sort of Halloween gathering and the stuffed pumpkins are a great Fall dish. Overall, this was a very easy and perfectly themed Disney Dinner and a Movie.

Coming Soon: Disney Dinner and a Movie: Cars

Check out Disney Dinner and a Movie: Dumbo

Halloween was a blast for most of us here at House of Geekery so to keep the spirit alive a little longer, we decided to share our costumes with you.

I’m Erin from the new slasher film You’re Next.  I saw the film and fell in love with the film and her character.  She was a brilliant character who was tougher than the normal final girl, and I love me a good final girl.  My dream is to play the final boy in a slasher film someday, so I decided why not be a final boy this year so I dressed up as Erin, meat tenderizer and all.  - Bryan E.

I decided to go as a mummy this year which was interesting if nothing else. Came together pretty well, bandages and calico are easy enough to find and I’m building up a nice collection of coloured contacts (they come in handy for working cons when I can’t really cosplay but wanna do something fun anyway). By the end of the night I was trailing most of my bandages in a somewhat epic fashion. All in all A+ would costume again. - Hedgie

I went as the TARDIS this year, continuing my celebration of the 50th Anniversary. Luckily I ran into my dear friend Jack Harness along the way, sadly the Doctor was no where to be seen. Is he regenerating without me? Oh my dear Doctor I do miss you. -Vampjezzc

For my costume this year my girlfriend and I chose to go as Nathan Drake and Elena Fisher from the Uncharted video game franchise.  These are my favorite games of all-time and Nathan Drake is a costume I’ve wanted to try and conquer for a couple of years now.  As someone who’s been a massive Indiana Jones fan his whole life these games essentially gave me those movie experiences but in video game form.  When you throw in the fact that my girlfriend and I share similar features to the characters and I’m a sarcastic wise ass like Nate than I pretty much had my mind made up.  We try to go as couples as much as possible (two years ago we were Khal Drogo and Khaleesi from Game of Thrones) and with this being one of my favorite things it seemed like a no brainer. – Paul C.

Why be Wolverine? Really the question is who wouldn’t be wolverine when given the opportunity? It’s hard to find facial hair that can put Chuck Norris to shame but I’d argue it’s those wolverine chops. I’ll be honest I chose the costume partly because of its simplicity, shave a line in my beard, find some claws, throw on some dog tags and I was essentially done. My decision may also have had something to do with how effective those claws are at spearing food. -Paul G.

This is my “All of the Ninja Turtles” costume, I grew up with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and since I didn’t have a lot of time to plan this year’s disguise I thought of just DONing one of the turtle’s masks (probably Ralph’s) but usually with TMNT you can’t have one without the other so I just settled for all of them at the same time. Cowabunga! -Randy

Mid-way through October my family attended out local Witch’s Ball and we decided to go as a Family of Creepy Dolls. I went as a rag doll with my sister as a broken porcelain doll, my brother as a ventriloquist’s dummy and my mom as an old discarded doll. We had a lot of fun. For Halloween itself my friends and I decided to go as The Rugrats. I’m a huge fan of the show and Chuckie is my favorite and since I already have the red hair I went for it. HALT I am Reptar! - Jamie Z.

I always wanted to dress up for Halloween in a costume that used some hand made effects. So me and my sister used some toilet paper, wet latex, glue, and fake blood to create this zombie with a ripped off face. Thankfully, I was a big hit at the local Zombie Walk. It will open the door of more of these in the future. -horrorphile23

Leave a comment and tell us what you went as for Halloween this year!

Sony recently announced that Olivia Milch will be writing a new adaption of Little Women, the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott. Little Women happens to be my favorite book, I must have read it ten times by now, and I’m also a huge fan of the 1994 film with Winona Ryder, Christian Bale and Susan Sarandon. Naturally, I had to create my dream cast for the upcoming retelling. Below are my picks for the new Little Women film.

Elizabeth Olsen as Meg March

Meg is the oldest of the four March sisters. She is mature and responsible but can also be vain and materialistic at times, perhaps because she is old enough to remember the time before their family lost their money. Meg is known to be a graceful, beautiful, and well-mannered young lady and despite her affinity for living a comfortable life, decides to marry for love instead of money. Elizabeth Olsen would be perfect for this role because she always comes off as graceful and mature. She’s a talented actress who has the right balance of maturity and youth to play Meg.

Jennifer Lawrence as Josephine March

Jo March is the second oldest March sister. She is an outgoing girl who shuns societal norms and wishes to support herself and her family by being a writer. Jo strikes out on her own and in her quest to get published meets the handsome Mr. Behr. She befriends Laurie when he moves in next door and their relationship serves as one of the main plot-lines of the story. Jennifer Lawrence has already shown us that she is just as talented and rambunctious and Jo March.

Ashley Bell as Beth March

Beth is the second youngest March sister. She is shy and quite, preferring to be home-schooled and do chores then go to parties and balls. She suffers from sickness throughout much of the book and is really the heart of the story. Ashley Bell is known for her role in The Last Exorcism and I think her quiet seriousness and sweet understated beauty would make her a good fit for Beth.

Joey King as Young Amy March

Because Little Women begins with Amy as a pre-teen, it makes sense that the 1994 film decided to recast the role halfway through once the character grows up. Amy as a child is an artistic but silly girl who wants desperately to fit in with her friends and can be selfish and spoiled at times. Joey King’s performances in The Conjuring was impressive enough to convince me that she could play the spirited young Amy.

Margot Robbie as Older Amy March

The second half of the book has Amy March in her late teens. She travels with her Great Aunt to Europe to study art and meets up with their old friend Laurie. Amy is still preocupied by her artisitc endeavors and the finer things in life but by now she has matured into a more compassionate and calmer individual. Margot Robbie is old enough to make a clear distinction between pre-teen Amy but young enough to keep the youthfullness you need for her role. Like her character on PanAm, she would bring a reserved beauty to Amy March.

Diane Lane as Marmie

Susan Sarandon was absolutely perfect as Marmie in the 1994 film, the girls’ headstrong and compassionate mother who teaches them about what truely matters in life and is constantely dedicating her time to helping others. She believes in women’s rights and equality and isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in. Diane Lane would be perfect for this role as she is a beautiful and strong woman who could play the mother figure without being lost in it.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Laurie

Theodore “Laurie” Laurence (called Teddy by Jo) is a rich boy who moves in with his grandfather next door to the March sisters. He is constantly being pressured to become a scholar and a businessman but would rather spend his time galavanting through the woods with the girls, especially his best friend Jo whom he eventually develops feelings for. Aaron Taylor-Johnson would be my choice for Laurie because his endearing intensity and boyish charm makes him just as lovable as Laurie himself.

Goran Višnjic as Mr. Behr

Mr. Behr is the German professor who Jo meets in New York and ending up falling in love with as her patiently supports her writing and gives her some much needed advice. Gabriel Byrne played this character in the 1994 film and I think Goran Višnjic would be perfect this time around. He’s appropriately older than Jo and possesses equal parts maturity, intelligence, and good looks for the role.

Joshua Jackson as John Brooks

John Brooks is Laurie’s tutor who develops a crush on Meg. While it begins as a point the girls use to tease their older sister about, Meg eventually comes to love John back and marries him despite him not having a lot of money (and to the chagrin of Aunt March). Joshua Jackson has been flying a bit under the radar lately but I think he’d work well as the quiet and dignified John Brooks who wins sweet Meg’s heart.

Gena Rowlands as Aunt March

Aunt March is the girls’ great aunt who languors in her big house with her money disapproving of everything they and Marmie do. She wishes Meg to marry rich to help her family and although Jo serves as her loyal companion (until Amy takes over in the second half of the book and travels to Europe with her) she constantly chides her. She is the definition of a grumpy old woman although deep down she does mean well for her family. Gena Rowlands was amazing in The Notebook and I think she would fit this role nicely.

Timothy Dalton as Mr. Laurence

Mr. Lawrence is Laurie’s grandfather who at first comes across as stern, strict, and mean but eventually the girls come to learn he is just sad. Beth especially warms his heart and he rewards her with her own piano. He is the typical older man character with a hard exterior and soft interior. I’d love to see Timothy Dalton in this role because, well, it’s Timothy Dalton.

Similar to zombies and witches, vampires are popular in today’s culture. From the animalistic villains of 30 Days of Night to the romantic heroes of Twilight and True Blood, vampires are showing up in all forms of pop culture and for all ages and genres. Both Twilight and True Blood are coming to a close, leaving us with classical approaches to vampires including Dario Argento’s film version and NBC’s television version of Bram Stoker’s famous Dracula. Dracula is one the the most reproduced stories of all time and although it’s a classic that I always enjoy, it’s not the only gothic vampire tale worth telling.

The Vampire Lovers is (very) loosely based on Carmilla but with the added exploitation of 70′s horror films.

Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu is a famous gothic author from the 19th Century who wrote such tales as Green Tea, Uncle Silas and Carmilla. Carmilla is the story of a family who takes in a young woman, only to discover that she is actually a creature of the night. It has the same classic vampire themes as Dracula and it’s underlying homoerotic tension can be explored in modern cinema without being exploitated as it has been in the past.

The 2011 film The Moth Diaries is a modern-day adaptation of Carmilla.

Carmilla is a favorite among vampire enthusiasts and has been adapted into films before, but usually twisted into an extremely sexualized version of the true story. I think that the time is perfect for a true Carmilla movie based closely on the short story and without the added pornography elements that accompanied the tale in the exploitation era of the 70′s (such as in Lust for a Vampire or The Vampire Lovers). I will note that 2011′s The Mother Diaries (based on a book of the same name) was a clever and enjoyable modern-day adaptation of the story. However, with this time of gothic vampire resurrgance, I think we deserve a more loyal adapation and below you will see my choices of who I think should star in it.

Holliday Grainger as Laura, a pretty blonde young woman who gets caught up with a deadly houseguest and the narrator of the story.

Maria Valverde as Carmilla, a beautiful dark-haired stranger with a dangerous secret who moved in with Laura and her father.

 Kenneth Branagh as Laura’s Father who invites Carmilla to stay at their house and later becomes suspicious of her.

Miranda Richardson as Carmila’s mother, a mysterious figure who appears suddenly and leaves Carmilla in Laura’s father’s care.

Orlando Jones as General Spielsdorf, a friend of Laura’s father who is searching for the villain who killed his niece.

Nathalie Emmanuelle as Bertha Rheinfeldt, the General’s niece, a pretty young woman who sufferes a tragic fate.

 Anthony Head as Baron Vordenburg, an authority on vampires and the descendant of the hero who rid the area of vampires long ago.

They recently announced that the hugely popular Monster High doll line and animated web-series will be getting a live-action version. I am pretty much entirely opposed to this idea but of course as soon as I heard “live-action” my brain started fan-casting these characters that I (even as an adult) admitting love. So here you go.

Emma Roberts as Frankie Stein. Emma’s got that girl-next-door attitude down pat and would be perfect as the line’s main protagonist, wholesome new girl Frankie.

Keke Palmer as Clawdeen Wolf. Keke from True Jackson VP is pretty, fierce, and fabulous; just like Monster High’s resident fashionista Clawdeen.

Janel Parrish as Cleo de Nile. Janel knocks it out of the park on Pretty Little Liars as mean (and sometimes crazy) girl Mona and she would be equally adept as Queen Bee Cleo.

Lucy Hale as Draculaura. Pretty Little Liars’ Lucy Hale is perfect to play the petite romantic girly-girl Draculaura, and she has the dark-haired beauty down pat too!

Claire Holt as Lagoona Blue. Aussie Claire Holt from The Vampire Diaries has the same beachy style and blonde locks as Monster High’s laid-back animal lover from down under.

Cristine Prosperi as Ghoulia Yelps. Cristine, who plays Imogen on Degrassi, has the perfect mix of adorable brainy girl and fierce best friend to play the uber-intelligent Ghoulia.

ThomasDekker as Deuce Gorgon. Thomas has that suave popular-guy attitude that would be perfect for Cleo’s laid-back boyfriend.

Spencer Locke as Abbey Bominable. From her roles in Resident Evil and Detention, Spencer has proven herself capable of playing an ice queen with a warm heart, just like Abbey herself.

Corbin Bleu as Clawd Wolf. Corbin is my choice for super-jock and nice guy Clawd, who is not only Clawdeen’s brother but also Draculaura’s boyfriend.

Ariana Grande as Operetta. Singer and actress Ariana isn’t just perfect for music-loving Operetta because of her bright pink hair; she’s also got some great pipes on her just like Monster High’s best singer.

Jeremy Sumpter as Heath Burns. Jeremy’s fun role as Peter Pan reminds me of sometimes-awkward jokster Heath Burns and I think he would bring the right balance of endearing and ridiculous.

Brie Larson as Toralei Stripe. Brie Larson’s reputation for being sassy and spunky makes her the perfect fit for mean girl Toralei.

Freddie Highmore as Jackson Jekyll. Equally adorable and funny Freddie Highmore is just right for the shy Jackson who tries to woo Frankie while dealing with his alternate personality.

Q’orianka Kilcher as Venus McFlytrap. Like the plant-loving Venus, Q’orianka is known for being an environmental activist so she would definitely understand this character.

Katerina Graham as Robecca Steam. The Vampire Diaries’ Kat Graham has a dance background which would be perfect for the Skultimate Roller Maze champion.

Phoebe Tonkin as Spectra Vondergeist. Phoeie’s haunting good looks and enchating otherwordly persona makes her the perfect choice for journalist and gossip-hound Spectra.

Jemima West as Rochelle Goyle. Just like Rochelle, The Mortal Instruments’ Jemima West hails from Paris, France. Her mysterious attitude on The Borgias is perfect for stoney Rochelle.

Zendaya as Howleen Wolf. Zendaya is the perfect age and has the right amount of attitude to play Clawdeen’s popularity-hunger younger sister.

Wenwen Han as Jinafire Long. China-born Wenwen from The Karate Kid would be a great choice for Jinafire Long, Monster’s High’s fiery and brave transfer student from China.

Selena Gomez as Skelitta. Uber-famous actress and singer Selena Gomez would be the ideal choice for fun-loving Mexican transfer student Skelitta.

Jodelle Ferland as Sarah Screams. Jodelle Ferland, known for her roles in horror films like Silent Hill and Case 39 has a very ghostly (but pretty!) look about her which matches perfectly with shy Sarah.

Emily Browning as Twyla. Emily’s ethereal beauty and ellusive nature is the same as that of the Boogeyman’s daughter, the sometimes misunderstood Twyla.

Riley Keough as Gigi Grant. Indie actress Riley Keough is my choice for daydreamer genie, Gigi Grant because they both have a whimsical quality about them.

Naya Rivera as Nefera de Nile. Feisty and sometimes mean on Glee, Naya is the best choice for Cleo’s not-so-nice big sister Nefera.

Amber Riley as Catty Noir. Amber Riley’s incredibly impressive vocal chords would make her a perfect Catty Noir, the biggest pop singer in Monster High history.

On Saturday November 3oth the world heard the unfortunate news that 40-year old actor Paul Walker died in a car crash. Walker is best known for the hugely popular action film series The Fast and the Furious. Seeing that his tragic death happened during one of his charity events, and knowing the fact that he was so deeply involved in charity organizations of all kinds, I have decided to put together a tribute to his works that will hopefully remind us all of what’s really important and perhaps inspire us to get involved the way Paul did. 

Reach Out World Wide (ROWW)

Website: http://www.roww.org

“ROWW is a network of professionals with first responder skill-sets who augment local expertise when natural disasters strike in order to accelerate relief efforts.” It was one of ROWW’s events to benefit victims of Typhoon Haiyan that Paul Walker was attending on Saturday. Actor/producer Walker is actually the founding member of the organization, which he started in 2010 in order to bridge the gap between the availability of skilled resources and the requirement for such personnel in post-disaster situations. ROWW has been involved in relief efforts for both tsunamis and earthquakes internationally, as well as tornadoes here in the US. If you visit their website you can learn more about the organization as well as find out how to volunteer and donate.

The Billfish Foundation

Website: http://www.billfish.org

Paul Walker had a strong interest in marine biology and become a member of The Billfish Foundation in 2006 as part of its Board of Directors. Founded in 1986 it has become the largest international billfish tagging program in the world. Their goals include using science and policy to create sustainable management of billfish worldwide to improve the health of oceans and economies. You can join the organization through their website.

Expedition Great White

Website: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/wild/shark-attack-experiment-live/interactives/expedition-great-white/

Not so much a charity as an event, Paul Walker joined a team of scientists in June of 2010 to catch and tag seven Great White Sharks off the coast of Mexico. DNA information allowed scientists to better study the migration patterns of these beautiful but endangered species. Shark conservation is extremely important, especially with the finning pressure of today’s society, and Paul Walker’s celebrity status did nothing but help the cause by drawing more people in to become educated on such an important ecological and  conservation issue.

Paul Walker will certainly be missed by his family and friends but also for his charming personality onscreen and dedication to important causes offscreen. Rest in Peace Mr. Walker.

Cars is a fun Pixar film that is many a child’s favorite while being many an adult’s least favorite (or perhaps that honor goes to its sequel Cars 2). I personally thought it was a charming tale that include some valuable life lessons played out by fun characters on a beautiful background. And of course, the clever idea of the cast being made up of cars is a big draw for lots of audience members, especially children. When I was in Disneyworld this past summer Cars’ popularity was extremely apparent and so I felt that I should definitely do a meal around this one.

Since much of the film takes place in the American Southwest I decided to go for a bit of a Tex-Mex theme for my appetizer. This dip is a super easy and super delicious way to spice up tortilla chips. I actually learned this recipe from a friend of mine in college (thanks Kate!) and it’s incredibly simple. All you do is mix cream cheese (I used soy), salsa, and taco powder in whatever ratio you like. You end up with a dip that is the perfect balance of creamy and savory. I also thought that round chips fit the theme since they reminded me of car tires. My friends and I have devoured large amounts of this taco dip on multiple occasions and I would suggest it for any appetizer or party snack.

Cars is filled with fast-paced, spicy characters and combines the all-American sport of NASCAR with the gorgeous landscape of the American Southwest. I immediately thought “buffalo sauce” when I thought of this combination. This isn’t really a recipe but it’s certainly a great idea: make a breaded chicken sandwich (in my case, frozen soy “chicken”) and top it with lettuce, tomato, and of course: buffalo sauce! Having the sauce in your fridge is a great idea because you can use it for anything from wings to sandwiches to dips and it spices up any meal, just like Lightening McQueen!

For dessert I had this shortcake recipe so I decided to create a Lightning McQueen cake. As you can see the cake was a bit flaky so I suggest using a more solid white or yellow cake mix or recipe but this was more about the experience than the presentation. We enjoyed picking out the cookies and candies that we wanted to use for tires and steering wheel and then decorating it with red and yellow frosting. This would be a fun activity for kids to do while watching the film…and they get to eat it afterwards!

Cars is a Pixar classic and made for a fun time designing a meal. I tried to mix All-American, with Tex-Mex, with arts and crafts to come up with a family-friendly meal appropriate for eating during this fun flick. I hope you enjoyed this installment of Disney Dinner and a Movie!

Coming Soon: Disney Dinner and a Movie: Hercules

Check out Disney Dinner and a Movie: Hocus Pocus

This is just something I did for fun; matching up Old Hollywood actresses with Disney princesses. I used both looks and personality for this and please keep in mind, Old Hollywood wasn’t big on diversity, but I did my best.

Rita Hayworth as Ariel: both are fun and flirty redheads.

Lana Turner as Aurora: both stunning blondes who made men weak at the knees.

Audrey Hepburn as Belle: both were more than just a pretty face.

Grace Kelly as Cinderella: both gorgeous blondes who worked hard and became princesses.

Gene Tierney as Jasmine: both with exotic looks and a smoldering presence.

Simone Simon as Snow White: both dark-haired women with a sweet fragility to them.

Hedy Lamarr as Pocahontas: both beautiful but stoic, with strength and mystery.

Judy Garland as Wendy: both were “not a girl, not yet a woman”.

Elizabeth Taylor as Esmeralda: both considered to be sexy and alluring with fun reputations.

Anna May Wong as Mulan: both hard working and stereotype-breaking.

Shirley Temple as Alice: both sweet and childlike.

Vivian Leigh as Jane: both pretty ladies with reputations for being pretentious but lovable.

Veronica Lake as Tinkerbell: both lovely blondes who know how to use sex appeal.

Dorothy Dandridge as Tiana: both ladies who worked hard to fight stereotypes and accomplish their dreams.

Marilyn Monroe as Charlotte: both voluptuous blondes with big hearts who knew how to have fun.

Lauren Bacall as Megara: both raspy-voiced vixens who knew the value of independence.

Katherine Hepburn as Rapunzel: both adventurous and out-spoken ladies.

Maureen O’Hara as Merida: both fiery redheads who made their own path.

Lena Horne as Kida both feisty women who stood strong for a good cause.

Lucille Ball as Jessie; both funny redheads who steal the show.

2o14 looks like it’s going to be an exciting year for horror films. Check out what we have in store for the new year. Note: Release dates are for the USA and information was taken from various websites online including IMDB and are not necessarily correct.

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (January 3)
Starring Katie Featherston, Molly Ephraim, and Andrew Jacobs, this installment of the Paranormal Activity series is about party-goers who stumble upon black magic and have to work together to save one of them once he becomes “marked”.

Open Grave (January 3)
Open Grave stars Sharlto Copley, Joseph Morgan and Thomas Kretschmann and is about a man who wakes up in the wilderness surrounded by dead bodies, missing his memory and unsure of whether or not his rescuers can be trusted.

The Banshee Chapter (January 10)
The Banshee Chapter (already available on VOD) stars Katia Winter as a journalist who is investigating her missing friend which may be linked to shady government business. The film is loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft’s short story From Beyond.

Raze (January 10)
Raze stars action ladies Zoë Bell, Rachel Nichols, and Tracie Thoms as women who are abducted and forced to fight each other to survive. Sherilyn Fenn and Doug Jones also star.

Devil’s Due (January 17)
Devil’s Due is a found-footage film starring Zach Gilford and Allison Miller as newlyweds who find themselves mysteriously pregnant with a baby that may be controlled by dark forces.

Nurse 3D (February 7)
Nurse 3D stars Paz de la Huerta as a nurse who uses her sexuality to punish and kill cheating men. The film also stars Katrina Bowden, Judd Nelson, and Corbin Bleu.

Oculus (April 18)
Oculus is about a woman who tried to clear her brother of murder chargers by proving that the crime was actually committed by supernatural phenomenon. It stars Katee Sackhoff, Karen Hillan, and Brenton Thwaites.

The Quiet Ones (April 25)
The Quiet Ones is about a university physics professor played by Jared Harris who puts together a team to create a poltergeist. Other cast members include Sam Clafin, Olivia Cooke, and Erin Richards.

The Sacrament (June 6)
Starring Amy Seimetz, Joe Swanberg, and Kate Lyn Sheil and directed by Ti West, The Sacrament is about two journalists who set out to document their friend’s search of his missing sister.

The Purge 2 (June 20)
There’s not much information available for the sequel to 2013’s The Purge, about the one day of the year where crime is legal. The cast list includes Frank Grillo, Zach Gilford, Carmen Ejogo, and Kiele Sanchez.

Deliver Us From Evil (July 2)
Deliver Us from Evil stars Eric Bana, Joel McHale, and Olivia Munn and is about a New York City police officer who teams up with a renegade priest to investigate a series of crimes involving the occult and demonic possession.

Innocence (August 15)
Based on the novel by Jane Mendelsohn, Innocence stars Kelly Reilly and Sophie Curtis and tells the story of a young woman who discovers a dark secret in her Manhattan prep school.

Jessabelle (August 29)
Jessabelle is a ghost story about a woman (played by Sarah Snook) who hides out in her father’s Louisiana mansion after the death of her mother and experiences spirits both good and evil.

Dracula Untold (October 17)
Starring Luke Evans as Vlad Tepes, Dracula Untold combines the true history of the dark prince with classic vampire mythology. The cast also includes Dominic Cooper, Charlie Cox, and Sarah Gadon.

Paranormal Activity 5 (October 24)
Paranormal Activity 5 is slated for an October release yet no information on a plot has been released yet. It will feature Katie Featherston and be directed by Gregory Plotkin.

The following films are listed for a 2014 release but do not have an exact date attached:

The Woman In Black: Angels Of Death
The sequel to 2012’s The Woman in Black takes place 40 years later and involved evacuated children in WWII London. It stars Helen McCrory, Jeremy Irvine, Leanne Best and Ned Dennehy.

The Amityville Horror: The Lost Tapes
The Amityville Horror: The Lost Tapes is about a TV news intern who joins a team that  investigates the supposedly haunted Amityville house and the events leading up to the Amityville horror.

Poltergeist
Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, and Jared Harris star in the remake of the 1982 classic. The story is a contemporary version made by Sam Raimi and Gil Kenan.

Tusk
Tusk, starring Genesis Rodriguez, Haley Joel Osment, and Justin Long, is about man who goes missing in the backwoods of Canada and his friend and girlfriend who search for him.

Incarnate
Incarnate stars Aaron Eckhart, Carice van Houten, Catalina Sandino Moreno and Karolina Wydra. It’s about an exorcist who can tap into the subconscious of possessed victims.

Wolf Creek 2
Wolf Creek 2 is a sequel to the original horror film about serial killer Mick Taylor as he goes after tourists in the outback. John Jarratt, Ryan Coor, and Shannon Ashlyn star.

Mercy
Mercy is about a single mom and her two sons who take care of their grandmother with mystical powers. The film stars Dylan McDermott, Chandler Riggs, and Frances O’Connor.

Hercules is one of my all-time favorite Disney films, and one I feel doesn’t get enough credit sometimes. It takes an entirely inappropriate myth from Greek mythology and manages to turn it into a child-friendly, hysterical, and absolutely fun animated film. The characters are top-notch with the lovable Herc himself accompanied by sassy Meg, sarcastic Hades, and Danny Devito as Phil. The Hercules soundtrack is one of my favorites as well; it uses Gospel music sung by Greece’s infamous Muses and provides us a variety of fun and insightful musical that only elevates this already delightful film.

For an appetizer for my Hercules themed meal I originally wanted to make grape leaves but soon learned that it was a bit too difficult for my skill-set so I turned to another classic Greek appetizer: tzatziki. I used this recipe to make an easy vegan dill version but you can find whatever variations you choose online. It’s an easy dip to make (mostly just a yogurt mixed with chopped up cucumbers) and allows for flavor experimentation if you wish. Of course I served mine with toasted pita. Simple, delicious, and perfect for Hercules.

For my Greek entree I wanted to make something that had all the classic Greek flavors. This stew recipe combined potatoes, kalamata olives, and feta cheese for a delightful and flavorful dish. It tastes like what I imagine being in Greece would be like; rich, distinct, and cultured. This stew was absolutely amazing and pretty easy to make and I highly suggest it.

For dessert I went with a dish that is known to have been eaten by the ancient Greeks. Heck, they could have eaten this delicious honey cake while telling the (much more accurate) tale of Hercules themselves. I used this simple recipe that includes both the cake itself and the honey sauce that you warm up and pour over each slice individually. This dessert was a little sticky and a lot yummy.

My best friend was the one who introduced me to Greek food and for that I am very thankful. I love the classic flavors of olives and honey and I had a blast designing a Greek meal to fit with the already much-loved film Hercules. This is one complete meal that I recommend you try all-together!

Coming Soon: Disney Dinner and a Movie: Finding Nemo

Check out Disney Dinner and a Movie: Cars

It’s award season so of course I have to nitpick the red carpet and present to you (in my humble opinion) the best dressed of the night for the 2014 Golden Globes.

15. Margot Robbie

14.  Cate Blanchett

13. Gabourey Sidibe

12. Reese Witherspoon

11. Julianna Margulies

10. Lupita Nyong’o

9. Mila Kunis

8. Olivia Wilde

7. Maria Menounos

6. Lily Rabe

5. Kate Beckinsale

4. Jessica Chastain

3. Amy Adams

2. Amy Poehler

1. Tatiana Maslany

What were your favorite looks of the night?

For as long as there have been comic books, there has been the feud between DC and Marvel. Both are heavy-hitting comic companies that continue to gain legions of fans every year. The purpose of this column is to take one DC persona and one Marvel persona of equal measure and popularity and pit them against each other to see who would come out on top and who is a better character overall.

I choose to match Harley Quinn with Mystique because they’re both tricksters in their own way and are very popular villains in their respective universes.

Background:

Harley Quinn is a unique character in that she was created specifically for the show Batman: The Animated Series. When writers noticed how popular she was with fans she was quickly introduced into comics as well. Dr. Harleen Quinzel studied psychology at Gotham State University. It was at her residence at Arkham Asylum that she met and fell in love with The Joker, eventually helping him escape and being committed herself. After many more escapes Harley became a staple in Batman’s villain line-up. Sometimes working on her own, sometimes with The Joker, and sometimes as the head of her own gang, Harley quickly cemented herself as a leading Gotham character.

Mystique, aka Raven Darkholme, has a shadowy past of which few know anything about. She spent time working for the United States Civil Service before joining up with other mutants. Raven has also had multiple relationships and even children. She became a villain when she felt her status as a mutant was threatened but later became Professor X’s spy in exchange for protection from the countries seeking retribution against her terrorism. Mystique has an interesting background and readers can never be sure what side she is truly on. While Mystique’s background is no doubt interesting, Harley’s connection to The Joker and transition from TV to comic star that wins her this round.

Point:  Harley Quinn

Skills:  

Harley Quinn is an expert gymnast (she received a scholarship to Gotham State) and trained in the field of psychoanalysis. Other than a few toxin immunities, Harley doesn’t have powers of any sort. Mystique, on the other hand, has some of the most impressive powers in the Marvel universe. She can psionically shift the atoms of her body to duplicate any humanoid of either sex, wearing any kind of clothing. She can essentially become any person she wishes. Along with this, Mystique is immune to poisons and drugs and doesn’t age. Her abilities have allowed Mystique to go undercover in any number of situations and give her a definite point in this category.

Point: Mystique

Affiliations:

Harley Quinn is known for being The Joker’s girl, and is most often seen fighting beside him. For a period of time she ran her own gang, The Quintets. In the New 52 reboot, Harley is brought back to the good side by Amanda Waller and joins her task force The Suicide Squad. In the end, Harley will always been known for her affiliation with her puddin’.

Mystique has jumped around from group to group and began as a member of the villainous team Brotherhood of Evil Mutants (which later became the Freedom Force). She then went on to join different branches of the X-Men, as well as The Marauders. Although Mystique isn’t’t known for her loyalty to any specific group, her affiliation with the X-Men (as either member or villain) is famous.  Mystique is often affiliated with The X-Men, either as member or nemesis, and Harley is known for her affiliations with The Joker. At the end of the days it’s apples and oranges so this one is a tie.

Point:  Tie

Apparel/Weapons:

Harley is perhaps best known for her harlequin appearance and silly weapons. Her classic look is a red, white, and black jumpsuit complete with belled hood but has since evolved. She’s kept the same color scheme but her comic-book costume is significantly more revealing that her classic BTAS look. As for weapons, Harley is known for her deadly yet humorous devices such as an over-sized wooden mallet and a boxing glove gun.

Mystique’s famous blue skin, red hair, and yellow eyes are unforgettable. There isn’t another comic book character that looks quite like her. While that is her typical look, Mystique also takes on the form of anyone she wishes. As for weaponry, she has been known to use a variety of different things. As interesting as her look is, Harley’s iconic harlequin outfit and humorous weapons give her the edge here.

Point: Harley Quinn

Social Relevance:

Harley first showed up in BTAS in 1992 and by the next year made her first comic appearance in The Batman Adventures #12. She has also made appearances in numerous comics and especially video games, including Injustice: Gods Among Us, the Arkham series, and Lego Batman. Harley appears in some animated films including Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker and other animated shows besides BTAS including The Batman and Batman: The Brave and the Bold. She was also on the short-lived live action TV show Birds of Prey, portrayed by Mia Sara.

Mystique first showed up in Marvel comics in 1978. She has made appearances in different animated television shows including X-Men and X-Men: Evolution. Mystique has a strong record in live-action films, being portrayed by Rebecca Romijn in the original X-Men trilogy: X-Men (2000), X2 (2003), and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006). Her character has had a resurgence with the newer X-Men films, X-Men: First Class (2011) and the upcoming X-Men: Days of Future Past played by Jennifer Lawrence. Mystique is also a popular character in video games such as X-Men Legends.

When it comes to social relevance it’s hard to beat Harley Quinn. Go to any comic convention and you’ll find at least a handful of Harley’s. She’s a fan favorite for memorabilia, art, and especially costumes. She’s loved  among gamers, comic-book readers, and BTAS viewers alike. As cool as Mystique is, even her increased film relevance can’t top the power of The Joker’s #1 girl.

Point: Harley Quinn.

This was an especially tough battle with two feisty and sneaky ladies who constantly keep audiences engaged with their on and off affiliations and unique physiques. At the end of the day, it’s Harley Quinn’s fame and strong fanbase that not only got her into the comics, but won her this competition as well.

WINNER:  Harley Quinn!

Another awards show, another best dressed list. Check out my thoughts on who brought it to the 2014 SAG Awards.

10. Lena Headey

9.  Lupita Nyong’o

8. Mindy Kaling

7. Carice Van Houten

6. Jennifer Lawrence

5. Laura Carmichael

4. Natalie Dormer

3. Elisabeth Moss

2. Gretchen Mol

1. Amy Adams 

With the U.S. in the middle of a polar vortex, I thought this would be a nice time to do a Disney Dinner and a Movie article that reminded me of summer; swimming, warmth, and barbecues! That’s why this installment is based on one of my all-time favorites: Finding Nemo! Finding Nemo is arguable one of the most beloved Disney/Pixar films. It offers a colorful environment and a wonderful adventure story that includes values about family, bravery, and friendship. And it also gives us some great food inspiration as well!

For an appetizer I wanted to do something that incorporated Nemo’s famous orange, black, and white clownfish coloring. Dip is a great barbecue snack so I chose with three different dip recipes: black bean dip, carrot dip, and white bean dip. I originally thought it would be possible to arrange the dip on a plate in the shape of Nemo himself but soon realized that was never going to happen so I put them in these cute orange bowls and garnished them with goldfish crackers instead. This is a great appetizer because each dip has a unique flavor so guests can hopefully find at least one they like. It’s also a great source of protein.

For the entree my first thought was a seafood dish but I realized that this was kind of morbid since we don’t want to think of eating the main characters of Finding Nemo. So I thought I would go in a different direction and remembering that the film takes place in the water surrounding Australia, decided to make some typical barbie food. I found this recipe for the most amazing honey, lime and chipotle sauce (which you can use on any sort of protein, meat or not) and complimented it with one of my favorite summertime recipes, macaroni salad. Classic, and refreshing.

Dessert for this blog was the most fun. One of my favorite parts of the film has to do with the sharks, including the infamous Bruce. I love sharks to begin with and these characters are awesome so I found this really clever watermelon shark fruit salad recipe. You carve a watermelon into the shape of a shark head (try not to forget the dorsal fin like I did) and fill it with all kinds of yummy fruit, Swedish Fish candies, and if you’re feeling creative, a toy human. This was a big hit at our barbecue and there’s nothing better than fresh fruit on a hot day.

Finding Nemo is the perfect Disney/Pixar film to use as inspiration for a summer-time barbecue blog. The foods I made here are great for eating with your family or for guest-filled party. I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Disney Dinner and a Movie!

Coming Soon: Mulan

Check out Disney Dinner and a Movie: Hercules