Get Spooky, But Not Too Spooky
Halloween is here, and for those of us who have been nudged into attending parties the past two weekends, it might even feel like it's over.
But before you put the five random costume pieces you've drudged up from the bottom of your closet back into their 11-month oblivion and start dreaming of mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, you might want to start playing She Wolf by Shakira and take a moment to check out some of my favorite pieces of spooky (but not too spooky) content.
Every October I find myself delving into the same few movies, musicals, books and such, and I'd like to share them with you. This is for those of you who love any excuse to celebrate a holiday but aren't too crazy about being scared out of your mind for a whole month.
I hope you enjoy this little listicle, let me know if any of these are Halloween staples for you! And to all the Rocky Horror fans - I'm sorry - the music is great but I hate watching it. Forgive me.
Movies & TV
It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
Every year I like to sit down with family and friends and watch this iconic masterpiece on VHS or Amazon Prime (I adapt with the times okay.) There is nothing more heartwarming than watching sweet little Linus try to have the most sincere Halloween he can.
Scooby-Doo & The Witch's Ghost
Let's be honest here, every episode of Scooby-Doo could be Halloween content. But Scooby-Doo and the Witch's Ghost is my all-time favorite. The New England-y, Salem-y vibes, the moody writer and the freaking Hex Girls? Come on.
The Corpse Bride
The Nightmare Before Christmas always tends to outshine this one, but Tim Burton's work on The Corpse Bride just hits different for me. The visuals are stunning, the story is heartbreaking yet heartwarming, and the underworld looks cool as hell. And Danny Elfman slays the heck out of "The Remains of the Day," his big mid-movie number.
Musicals
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Murder. Cannibalism. Songs. What more could you ask for from this family favorite? The character of Sweeney Todd originated in a Victorian "penny dreadful" story, although some historians believe the murderous barber was a real person. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1979 starring Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou. It has been revived many times (hello, Patti LuPone) and was made into a movie in 2007 starring Helena Bonham-Carter and Johnny Depp.
Songs to check out: The Worst Pies in London, Epiphany, Not While I'm Around
Little Shop of Horrors
Imagine if a Venus Fly Trap came to life and offered you fortune and fame, but you had to feed it. And it only eats human flesh. I know, I know I said this was "not too spooky" content but believe me this musical/movie is a gem. Originally off-Broadway in 1982 and was made into a cult-classic film in 1986. It's hokey, it's heartwarming and at its core, it's a story about a boy who will do anything to make the girl he loves feel valued and cared for.
Songs to check out: Skid Row, Feed Me, Somewhere That's Green (all of them, please the soundtrack isn't that long)
Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical
But before you put the five random costume pieces you've drudged up from the bottom of your closet back into their 11-month oblivion and start dreaming of mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, you might want to start playing She Wolf by Shakira and take a moment to check out some of my favorite pieces of spooky (but not too spooky) content.
Every October I find myself delving into the same few movies, musicals, books and such, and I'd like to share them with you. This is for those of you who love any excuse to celebrate a holiday but aren't too crazy about being scared out of your mind for a whole month.
I hope you enjoy this little listicle, let me know if any of these are Halloween staples for you! And to all the Rocky Horror fans - I'm sorry - the music is great but I hate watching it. Forgive me.
Movies & TV
It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
Every year I like to sit down with family and friends and watch this iconic masterpiece on VHS or Amazon Prime (I adapt with the times okay.) There is nothing more heartwarming than watching sweet little Linus try to have the most sincere Halloween he can.
Scooby-Doo & The Witch's Ghost
Let's be honest here, every episode of Scooby-Doo could be Halloween content. But Scooby-Doo and the Witch's Ghost is my all-time favorite. The New England-y, Salem-y vibes, the moody writer and the freaking Hex Girls? Come on.
The Corpse Bride
The Nightmare Before Christmas always tends to outshine this one, but Tim Burton's work on The Corpse Bride just hits different for me. The visuals are stunning, the story is heartbreaking yet heartwarming, and the underworld looks cool as hell. And Danny Elfman slays the heck out of "The Remains of the Day," his big mid-movie number.
Musicals
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Murder. Cannibalism. Songs. What more could you ask for from this family favorite? The character of Sweeney Todd originated in a Victorian "penny dreadful" story, although some historians believe the murderous barber was a real person. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1979 starring Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou. It has been revived many times (hello, Patti LuPone) and was made into a movie in 2007 starring Helena Bonham-Carter and Johnny Depp.
Songs to check out: The Worst Pies in London, Epiphany, Not While I'm Around
Little Shop of Horrors
Imagine if a Venus Fly Trap came to life and offered you fortune and fame, but you had to feed it. And it only eats human flesh. I know, I know I said this was "not too spooky" content but believe me this musical/movie is a gem. Originally off-Broadway in 1982 and was made into a cult-classic film in 1986. It's hokey, it's heartwarming and at its core, it's a story about a boy who will do anything to make the girl he loves feel valued and cared for.
Songs to check out: Skid Row, Feed Me, Somewhere That's Green (all of them, please the soundtrack isn't that long)
Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical
Based on the book by Robert Louis Stevenson (we'll get to that later), this musical is kind of a flop when it comes to mainstream theater. It debuted on Broadway in 1990 and has been revived so, so many times that even David Hasselhoff has played the titular role (clips on YouTube, highly recommend checking those out.) The story focuses on Dr. Henry Jekyll's quest to scientifically separate good and evil in a society that does not understand him. It's dramatic, it's intense, it's spooky.
Songs to check out: Facade, This Is The Moment, Alive, Someone Like You, Murder, Murder!, A New Life (again, they are all great)
Books
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
We all know the story of Frankenstein whether it's from the novel, the satirical film Young Frankenstein or the freaky 1994 movie version starring Kenneth Branagh and Robert De Niro (as the creature.) It's a spooky story but at its core, it's a story about humanity and the desire to belong. If that doesn't sound like the story you remember I highly recommend revisiting the book (you can listen to the audiobook for free on the Libby app.)
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Ah, the classic novel. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was published way back in 1886. At the time it was bone-chilling to its readers. Now its more of a gentle spook. Less than 100 pages I think this is the perfect read to get into the October spirit. Grab some tea, light a candle and imagine walking through the foggy streets of London with a murderer on the loose...
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Did you also have to stop watching the show halfway through season two because it became too difficult to watch all the violence? Try the book! This isn't exactly a spooky book (especially given the culture that some of the rich and powerful are starting to cultivate.) But it is a great read to give a subtle chill down your spine as you imagine what it would be like to live in Gilead. Originally published in 1985, Atwood was really prolific.
And...that's all folks. Thanks for playing!
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