Four Horror TV Series That Would Be Great For The Horror Fan OnChristmas 2014

Now every year I have tried to give some recommendations for some classic entertainment in the horror/science fiction variety that people might enjoy if they happen to be alone for the Holidays... Usually these items are emblematic of the spirit of the season... But the truth is, is as far as I know, there are no Horror based TV series that revolve around Christmas exclusively... But these still apply rather nicely I do believe! So for those alone during the holiday season, I hope this helps!

At number 4: Supernatural

At number 3: American Horror Story

Ar number 2: Buffy The Vampire Slayer

At number 1: Tales From The Crypt

There are a lot more out there, but these are four series that are great for binge watching, and if you happen to be home alone this Christmas... These could be ones to ring in the Christmas spirit in the scariest ways imaginable

Five Of The Most Recognized Intro Songs In Horror or Sci-fi Movie AndTV History

One of the things about movies and TV history is the fact that their soundtracks can almost become just as important (or in some cases more so,) then the movie or TV shows themselves!

With that in mind, and with the fact that I am a huge fan of all 3 mediums, I thought that you guys would enjoy these: Five Of The Most Recognized Intro Songs In Movie And TV History!

At number 5: The theme song to the TV show: 'Angel':

The cast of season 1... By the end of the series, most of them may have been gone, but none of them will ever be forgotten!

Now this one maybe the lesser of the lot, but for a time, even people who had never seen this show recognized this song, and thus I am going to have to give it to this one... And even with the show having been off for nearly a decade... Well it is still pretty easily recognized by fans of the show.

For more information on this song, please enjoy!

At number 4: The theme song to, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer':

The opening theme for, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer', another great song, from a classic Horror TV series!

The truth is, is that at this point it is probably pretty safe to say that this song may not be heavily recognized by the younger generation (I mean this show has been off the air for quite a few years now,) but in the late 90s, and really up till this show went off the air, this song was one of the more recognizable songs on TV!

For more information on this song, please enjoy!

At number 3: The theme song to, 'Halloween':

Besides being legend in horror movies, John Carpenter is also an accomplished musician who had scored the theme for, 'Halloween' (1978)!

Now I will be absolutely honest with you guys and say that this song is probably more for the Horror fans out there, but the truth is, (and I know this to be true, because I have known people who can't stand horror that have recognized this song,) but I am going to say that as far the world of horror goes, that this is probably one of the more famous songs in horror movie history!

For more information on this song, please enjoy!

At number 2: The theme song to, 'Star Wars':

The song that John Williams did for Star Wars... Well this song is probably one of the most famous songs in motion picture history!

Let's be honest... It is Star Wars... This song is one of the most famous songs in cinematic history to one of the most famous movies in cinematic history!

For more information on this song, please enjoy!

At number 1: The theme songs to, 'Star Trek':

The cast of the original series... They started a phenomena in TV & Movies as well as Music that will never be forgotten!

Alright, this one may seem a little obvious... Well some times the obvious choice is the best, and I am including all of the songs, because in all honestly, all of these songs, created the musical theme to the most famous entertainment franchise in American history!

Bring Back Buffy

Buffy The Vampire Slayer, the classic Horror/Drama that was made popular in the late 90s.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer... This show and the movie (despite what some people might think about it...) Was an important piece of Americana in the 1990s... I mean during a time when demonstrating what the life of a teenager was like on TV was filled primarily with shows like, 'Beverly Hills 90210' & 'Dawson's Creek'... We, the goth crowd had, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer'!

Now you might be wondering how a Vampire show could be a coming of age type of show... Well the truth is, is if you were like me, who was extremely disenfranchised with life in general as a kid, you found a show like, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer', a show that told the story of a group of teenagers that during the day are normal kids, and at night fighting the forces of darkness, kind of showed the world as it was for some teens in the 90s, with a twist that made it fun!

So I say this, 'BRING BUFFY BACK!'

A blast from the past right?

Sorry for being so emphatic, but besides the more philosophical side of the show, Joss Whedon (The Avengers), did a truly amazing job in turning a box office flop in to a show that was not just a show but an institution!

I mean this show, which had it's own spinoff, as well as video games, and all sorts of amazing collectible merchandise, was just an awesome show that was completely relateable to not just the teenage crowds, but as an adult and out of my goth stage, I still found that I really enjoyed this series quite a bit!

Since this show has gone off the air, fans all over the world have been clamoring for it to come back in some form... Rather it be in another spinoff, or remake movie of some sort...

 Kristy Swanson (seen here with Paul Reubens) brought Buffy to life in the classic early 90s movie!

Although it is true that for the most part, the characters from BTVS and it's spin off, 'Angel', have continued to do alright as comics, it just isn't the same as seening Buffy kicking some one's ass on the big screen or on the small screen... And well, if they are planning on doing another spinoff, they better hurry, considering that both original casts are starting to get way to old... And at this point a remake may be in order!

Eitherway, 'BRING BUFFY BACK!'

Five Classic Sci-fi/Horror TV Shows That Would Eventually Be Put To Print

One of the great  things about the 1990s is that the 90s on TV, saw a rise in the number of truly amazing Science Fiction & Horror TV Shows, a couple of great examples of this of course being: Star Trek & The X-Files... Well one of the things that happened with a lot of these classics, it is something I noticed around the mid 90s, and that is that some of the best of  the best of the Horror & Science Fiction genre on TV were being put to print!

With that said I thought that I would give you guys, '5 Classic Sci-fi/Horror TV Shows That Would Eventually Be Put To Print'!

At number 5: Star Trek



In number 4: Buffy The Vampire Slayer



 

At number 3: The X-Files



At number 2: Angel



At number 1: Battlestar Galactica



As a side note, all of these were not only made in to books, but also in to comics!

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (2002) - Video Game Review

[caption id="attachment_557" align="alignright" width="307"] Official Score = 3 1/2 Devils[/caption]

You know what? I have to be honest... I am a little disappointed in the way that the buffyverse has been handled since the end of both, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' and, ' Angel'... The reason being is that, although I imagine Joss Whedon (The Avengers) has managed to do some pretty cool stuff with the 2 comics based on their signature series, but the truth is, is there is a wealth of fun and entertaining activities that you could just spend hours upon hours of enjoyment with, that is based on both of those series... And frankly a comic book series is just not enough!

Now you might be wondering why I mention this, and simply put, there was a video game that was made based on, 'Buffy' that when I firs got in to Microsoft's, 'XBox' video game system, I found I really enjoyed, 'and in my opinion is still one of the better games that has ever been produced for any of Microsoft's XBox line... That video game being, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' (2002)!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="256"] A truly fantastic video game![/caption]

Developed By: The Collective, Inc. & Published by: Fox Interactive, for Distribution by: Electronic Arts on Microsoft's, 'XBox'

Set roughly around the 3rd season of the TV series, this video game pits Buffy and the Scooby Gang in a quest to stop, 'Lybach' who taken possession of, 'Drusilla' and who has resurrected, 'The Master' (who now also inhabits, 'Angel' and who has forced Spike in to doing his bidding in an attempt to build a bridge between Hell and Earth... As if the Hellmouth wasn't enough right!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Buffy killing a Vampire at Sunnydale High![/caption]

The truth is, is this video game is a total blast, the only real problem that I found with this game is  the fact that this game suffers from certain difficulties with figuring out some of the controls with the characters... Also there is some points in the game that are so difficult to figure out, that it makes the game suffer... (I like hard games, but this made me put the game away a few times!)

In the end though, this game I have found is well worth the effort, and if you give it a try, you might find the same thing as well!

http://youtu.be/fUkT-quc8E8

 

Young Adult Horror Novels... Why They Are Fun For Adults As Well

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="604"] A great example of a fun young adult, 'horror' novel![/caption]

Young adult novels, rather they be the, 'Sweet Valley High' novels, some of the 'Star Trek' novels, or even the, 'Goosebumps' series of novels... These novels generally are written with the idea of teenagers in mind, (i,e... Leaving out a lot of the adult themes that come with novels from such authors as, 'Anne Rice' & 'Stephen King'...)

Well I am here to say that these young adult novels... Despite the fact that they generally tend not to have the size-able portions of adult themes that authors put in to their more adult novels... There are definitely a decent sized portion of young adult, 'Science Fiction' novels, and young adult, 'Horror' novels that are definitely fun!

Now don't get me wrong, Like any category, there are some good and there are some bad... And in the case of young adult novels, you will have to discover for yourself which ones you are either going to like or dislike... But there are some truly fun ones out there!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="260"] A fun example of a young adult, 'Science Fiction' novel![/caption]

A great example of a novelized series that I found to be an awful lot of fun is the, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' novels... There are a couple reasons for this:

A: Despite the fact that these novels were generally written with the idea of teenagers in mind, most of the stories that I have read thus far from this series of novels, has kept to the core values of what made, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' a truly amazing TV series, including: genuinely cruel big bad guys, that the authors oft times go in to fun detail as Buffy and the Scooby Gang have to fight off the monsters.

B: They also have the relatively easy to kill vampire.

C: Last but not least they go in to the legitimate drama and tackle as many of the issues that they can, that people the age of Buffy and her team would normally face...

And Buffy is just one example of some of the great horror novels for young adults that are out there!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="118"] Christopher Pike... A great author who has produced some awesome, 'young adult' horror novels![/caption]

A great example of young adult Science Fiction novels happens to be the, 'Star Wars' & 'Star Trek' series!

A couple of examples of this are:

A: In both series, the author generally does good by these 2 series by maintaining the basic overall stories of these series, really quite nicely!

B: Reading these novels and going through as we continue on with the saga of these characters in my opinion is like imagining an episode of, 'Star Trek' or a new, 'Star Wars' movie in your head as you are reading one or the other!

C: The adventures that the characters have in their respective series, are both entertaining, and remain true to the forms upon which they were originally made, (Being the various TV series of, 'Star Trek' and the various movies of, 'Star Wars'.)

So the next time you are in the book store or looking for something to read on your, 'e-Reader', don't skip past the, 'young adult books' you might find one that will keep you both entertained, and maybe even at the edge of your seat as you read through it!

The Legacy Of, 'The X-Files'

Now if you are like me, then you followed, 'The X-Files' pretty much from beginning to end, and all of the movies that have come out... And still to this day, despite the fact that this show has been off the air for literally years now, think this show is an absolutely an amazing fun time!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] The legacy of the adventures of the intrepid, F.B.I. agents, 'Mulder' & 'Scully' as they search for the truth that is, 'out there' will live on in the world of the big screen and the small screen forever![/caption]

Well I got to thinking about what, 'The X-Files' has going for a legacy for it... I mean if you consider the last movie they released as their final legacy... Well the truth is, is as a physical legacy, I can't really see it, seeing as how despite the absolutely abhorrent nature of the most recent movie, that there are rumors that another, 'X-Files' movie is in the works... So what is their legacy?

Well of course there is the more crazy, conspiracy nuts out their that went a little over the top with their UFO conspiracies...

Besides the more crazy stuff, The X-Files had a very unique style in which the show developed over time, and you see that in a lot of the TV that has been released, (that isn't like a, 'sitcom' or a, 'soap opera' or shows of that ilk...) What I mean by this, well here are a couple of examples:

1. The sexual tension between, 'Mulder' (Played by: David Duchovny on the show), and, 'Scully' (Played by: Gillian Anderson) through out most of the show, I do believe precipitated that to become more a standard in these types of shows, a couple of great examples of this is between, 'Buffy Summers' (Played by: Sarah Michelle Gellar on the TV series, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer') and, 'Angel' (Played by: David Boreanaz on the TV series, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer,) and another great example of this is, 'Phoebe Halliwell (Played by: Alyssa Milano on the TV series, 'Charmed') and, 'Cole Turner' (Played by: Julian McMahon on the TV series, 'Charmed'.)

[caption id="attachment_1993" align="aligncenter" width="528"] A great example of how, 'The X-Files' has brought, sexual tension between the lead characters, is the tension between, 'Angel' &. 'Buffy' in, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer.'[/caption]

It could be said to be true that this happened long before, 'The X-Files' (the, 'Sam' & 'Diane' run on, 'Cheers' is a good example of that.)

But the truth is, is I kind of feel like all that had ended by the time, 'The X-Files' came on the air, and once, 'The X-Files' did it, so did everyone else... A few other examples of this of course also being, ('Booth' & 'Bones' on the TV Show, 'Bones',) ('Angel' & 'Cordelia' on the show, 'Angel')... And well one that is quite obviously untrue, but still never the less was one that was floated out there was, ('Xena' & 'Gabrielle' from the TV show, 'Xena: Warrior Princess',) and last, but certainly not least (and I would say that this one is probably the most recent,) is, 'Sheldon Cooper' & 'Amy Farrah Fowler' on, 'The Big Bang Theory'...

2. In a time when a lot of Government Conspiracy was really starting to gush all over the internet, 'The X-Files' paved the way for making it acceptable again for big name characters or big name shows to be some what connected to Government Agencies, What I mean is as follows:

[caption id="attachment_1995" align="aligncenter" width="450"] 'Bones' is I do believe was indirectly influenced by, 'The X-Files' when it was still in novel form...[/caption]

A: In, 'Bones' a research team works with an, 'FBI' attache.

B: In, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' season 4, part of the big bad of that season was a paramilitary organization that was funded by the Government.

C: Another great example is the show, '24', which told the story of the Los Angeles branch of the governments, 'Counter Terrorist Unit' and one Agent's, 'really bad day'.

3. Another thing that I wanted to mention here is the fact that this show also helped to produce a whole generation of popular, 'Occult' TV series, and 'Supernatural' reality shows... And a couple of great examples of this are:

[caption id="attachment_1999" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Supernatural... A show that was indirectly inspired by, 'The X-Files'![/caption]

A: Supernatural: A classic fiction based, 'supernatural' TV series.

B: Ghost Hunters: A great paranormal research series

And that is just name a few!

In the end folks, this series will live on in syndication forever, and possibly with movies, but's influence will continue to reverberate through the Science Fiction and Horror genre's for life!

http://youtu.be/rbBX6aEzEz8

Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Sins Of The Father (1999) - Christopher Golden - Book Review

[caption id="attachment_325" align="alignright" width="263"] Official Score = 3 Devils[/caption]

Buffy The Vampire Slayer... This series believe it or not maybe one of the most prolific series to hit the horror scene really pretty much ever (except for maybe for the Universal Monsters), I mean, 'Buffy' has in a lot of respects become to the horror world, what, 'Star Trek' has been to the Science Fiction world for the last few decades! They have released books, comics, a movie, a TV series and a spinoff and so much more!

Now you might be wondering why I am mentioning this, well simply put, I came across an interesting novel a few years back, called, 'Sins Of The Father', a novel that was written by: Christopher Golden, and which is part of the, 'Buffyverse' that combined both the TV series, and elements of the original movie... What with the character, 'Pike' (Played by Luke Perry in the movie, coming to Sunnydale and all!)

[caption id="attachment_1923" align="aligncenter" width="450"] In this novel, Buffy is going to have to resolve her un resolved feelings for, 'Pike', and the awkwardness that it brings between her and Angel.[/caption]

You see in this novel, Pike has come to Sunnydale looking for help from his old girl friend and current, 'Slayer', 'Buffy'... The reason he has come to Sunnydale is the fact that he needs Buffy's help and protection in defeating a rock Demon by the name of, 'Grayhewn', due to the fact that Pike had killed her mate...

This puts Buffy in the awkward position of having to come to terms with her unresolved feelings for, 'Pike' and her current feelings for, 'Angel'... And what makes matters worse is that when Giles starts dating one of the new teachers, he ends up slowly becoming more and more disconnected from his duties as, 'Watcher', and loosing consciousness at weird intervals!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="180"] This book is definitely well worth the read![/caption]

In the end though I suspect for the most part that it is just another day on the Hellmouth for the, 'Slayer' and the rest of her, 'Scooby Gang'!

In the end, the truth is, is if you like, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer,' then this is a fun one to get in to, and if you are looking for a way to get in to the series, then this is definitely a fun one and well worth it, but the truth for me is that being a fan of both the TV show and the movie, I mostly just found that it was great seeing Pike entering the TV show world (there really wasn't much interaction between the TV series and the Movie when the show was still on the air.)

Some Awesome Horror Writers And A Novel They Wrote For Halloween 2013

Horror movies are always a staple of the Halloween tradition for those who have finally gotten to the age where trick or treating has lost the merriment that it had when you were a kid... But I thought what with having done a top 5 movie list last year for some great horror movies, I thought that I would take a different turn and take the tradition back to it's roots and do a list of some great classics to read by the fire this year!

So here is my list of the, 'Some Amazing Horror Writers And A Novel They Wrote For Halloween 2013'.

Number 5: Various Writers. Star Trek: Invasion Series...

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="315"] A fun read for the trekkie in your life this Halloween![/caption]

The truth is, is I found this entire series of novels to be extremely engrossing and a hell of a lot of fun... I like how the story involves and takes place over the 4 main generations of star trek (at that time, 'Enterprise' hadn't been released yet). and involved all of them directly! The are not particularly scary... (although I imagine in the right setting, and with the right person they can be...)

Now the only problem I imagine with this series is the fact that unless you are a Star Trek fan, or are expecting a chiller, this probably is not it, but they are a hell of a lot of fun, and are definitely worth reading if you are a trek fan and happen to be home this Halloween!

Number 4: Robert Louis Stevenson for, 'The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde (1886),

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Robert Louis Stevenson - Author.[/caption]

This book... This book was truly something for me... As a matter of fact I think this maybe the story that helped re-ignite my love of the horror genre... I mean this story is the truly classic tale of a kindly scientist who takes his potion and transforms in to a monster!

The truth is, is this tale was told in different variations a lot in the 19th century, but I have to admit that this one was particularly awesome and a classic story that lives on forever. The problem with this novel is the fact that it is also very old and if your not in to that, then you might find this one to be dated and pointless.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="264"] A great novel for the classics fan in all of us![/caption]

The next one that I am mentioning here is one that is a little unorthodox, but it does have it's merit  believe it or not is actually a surprisingly fun novel, which involves Buffy The Vampire Slayer, both in the TV show and the original movie... But in written form, and I personally think that if you are home this Halloween evening, and you are a, 'Buffy' fan, then this is a must...

So with out further adieu, and coming in at number 3 we have: Christopher Golden for, 'Sins Of The Father' (1999).

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="180"] A true classic for the Buffy fan this Halloween![/caption]

This one is a fun tale that tells of how Buffy's old flame ends up popping back in to the Slayer's life for one more mission when a rock Demon ends up going after the Slayer, and while a major group of Vampires is chasing down Giles!

And at number 2 we have: Stephen King for, 'Christine' (1983).

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Stephen King - Author[/caption]

Now I will admit that I am a little biased when it comes to Stephen King novels... I mean his books are just an amazing fun time, and since I figure y'all already know how much of a fan I am of his work that I would put this novel in a number 1... (This time I thought that I would give the torch to another amazing works of fiction, and give this one the number 2 spot...)

In all fairness though, Christine, a novel which tells the story of a possessed '58 Plymouth Fury ends up in the hands of a high school kid, and after that, his whole out look begins to change, and it will be up to those friends the car hasn't already killed to save the kid, before the car and the kid become to inseparable!

In truth, maybe not in this category will this book be giving the one the number #1 spot, but it does deserve it! I mean this book is so good, that when I was in Boarding School I ended up reading about half of it in 2 days, and when I was sent home to live with my family again, I went straight out and bought it, and finished the other half within 24 hours!

In the end, this is another truly awesome novel that would be fun to read if you happen to be home alone for this Halloween!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="197"] A truly awesome novel... Something great for this Halloween![/caption]

Anne Rice for, 'Interview With The Vampire' (1976).

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="297"] Anne Rice - Author[/caption]

If you haven't read this novel, then let me say that for a horror fan, this book will start you on a series that truly kicks ass!  The style in which Anne Rice introduces her characters, and paints a picture of their lives before they were turned, and after, is nothing short of absolutely one of the better times I had reading!

And Interview With The Vampire, a novel which tells the story of a tortured Vampire who decides to spill the beans to a writer about his personal history is a truly emotional ride, that I think you might both love and hate... And trust me when I say that I rarely find myself getting emotional about books, but this one is just truly awesome!

In the end, if you haven't read this book yet, and happen to be home this Halloween, then check this one out, you might end up really liking it!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="305"] Interview With The Vampire... A great read this Halloween![/caption]

Well Fright fans, that's all I got for the time being, but I hope you enjoyed this list, and if you do happen to be home alone this Halloween, then I hope this list helps!