Happy Halloween 2020!

 

And that's a wrap!

Halloween is here! Thank you to everyone who visited my blog this season. I very much appreciate each and every reader. Please let me know in the comments what you liked, what you didn't, and what you'd like to see in the future.

I won't tell you what a terrible year this has been, you already know. It's times like these that holidays such as Halloween are even more important, as they give us the joy we need to overcome life's adversities and remind us what is important: family, friends, and love. I wish that for you this Halloween and every day thereafter!

Happy Halloween!

On to November!

Halloween Home Movies

When the Halloween season begins, my mind is on all the cool decorations, movies, TV episodes, and music that comes with the holidays. But as we get closer to the big day, my mind turns to more practical things: trick or treating, kids getting excited for the candy they'll collect, adults enjoying the kids' enthusiasm, and the warm feeling the holiday fills in our hearts. That's what today's post is about.

Here are some real life Halloween home movies that evoke what I'm talking about. No fantastic monsters or ghosts here, just the innocence of children and their families enjoying the day. Really, this is the coolest part of Halloween.

Enjoy! See you tomorrow for the finale!

Siskel and Ebert review Halloween (1978)

 

The late Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert were the leading movie critics of their day for most of America. When they voiced their opinions, people listened, even if they didn't agree with the men.

One film both Siskel & Ebert and the public agreed on--Halloween was an awesome movie!

Here, Gene and Roger praise the film for being a scary movie that doesn't treat its characters as simple fodder for the villain. They appreciate the film's artistry and craft, making for a horror film far above so much of the grindhouse releases of the time. Siskel and Ebert recognize Halloween as a true cut above the rest!

Just for fun, here is Halloween's trailer. Who would have guessed it would become the movie that defined the scary part of the holiday for decades to come!

Halloween TV Commercials 2020 Edition Part 2

 

Today I offer a few more Halloween TV commercials. There are only a few days left to go, so let's get to it!

Here are a few McDonald's commercials. I may have featured a couple of these before, but what are commercials if not repetitive?

Next is a commercial for two tasty Halloween classics, Witchy the Witch and Dumpy the Pumpkin, two ice cream cakes from Carvel!

Here is a fun one for Hostess Fruit Pies. I love the blend of animation and live action in this one!

Finally, here is a quick one for Kit Kats starring a sleepy vampire. This one is brand new this year!

Thanks!

Peanuts Halloween Compilation

 

Today is the second of two Peanuts-themed articles this year. This is a compilation of several short Peanuts cartoons created by current Peanuts IP owners Wildbrain Entertainment. The lead cartoon features Snoopy, who develops a fear of the dark after watching a scary movie with Charlie Brown and Linus. Several other characters face their fears in this compilation.

Enjoy!

It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Soundtrack

 

It's the last week of the Countdown to Halloween! Make it a great one!

There was some majorly disappointing news announced last Monday--previously aired Peanuts specials will now air exclusively on the streaming service Apple TV+ and will no longer air on broadcast television. This includes It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. I plan to write a full article about this situation after the Countdown, but suffice it to say, I am not happy with this development.

Every year, I always include one article related to Peanuts and Halloween during the Countdown. To help fill the void left by the absence of Great Pumpkin from broadcast television this year, I will be doing two Peanuts-related articles this year. Me, you, and two other people will be the only ones that notice, but I need to do my part!

Today I offer the Great Pumpkin soundtrack. Although this is an official release, the quality is not great, as the soundtrack contains some sound effects from the special, which is unusual for a TV soundtrack. Still, it's lovely music. Please especially enjoy "The Great Pumpkin Waltz," which is one of the most warm and soothing pieces of music I've ever heard. Perfect for fall, perfect for anytime.

Enjoy!

Unless you're an Apple TV+ subscriber, you might want to get yourself a copy of the special as well as the soundtrack.

Something Wicked This Way Comes (1972)

Closing out Week 3 of the Countdown to Halloween is a film adaptation of the Ray Bradbury classic Something Wicked This Way Comes...but not the version you expect!

This version from 1972 appears to be a British production and is 11 years older than the more famous version by Disney released in 1983. I saw the Disney version for the first time this year, and possibly due to all the hype I've heard about it over the years, I was disappointed in it. Maybe this more obscure version will do me better.

Have a great weekend! It's the last one before Halloween, make it count!