Tag Archives: halloween horror nights

Anticipation Alert: ‘The Exorcist’ Maze At Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights 2016!

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As a frequent goer to Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights in Hollywood each year, there’s always one maze that I have at the top of my wish list:  The Exorcist.  And each year I’m disappointed, as it’s never announced that Regan and her split pea soup will be blessing us with their presence in maze form.  Until now!

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Awwwww yeah!  I can already hear the ‘Tubular Bells’ theme music now.  All I keep saying to myself after this was announced yesterday is “Please don’t fuck this up HHH, please don’t fuck this up!”  But yes, it’s out there that The Exorcist will become a maze at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights at both the Hollywood and Orlando locations.  And Orlando gets a Texas Chainsaw Massacre maze too, so they’re 2 for 2 so far.

One thing that I love about their mazes is the incredible detail that’s put into them, so expect to see a lot of great visuals and possibly smell some green vomit as well.  I would say it’s a safe bet that we’ll get a spinning head or two in addition to everything else. Maybe a bloody crucifix thrown in for good measure?  We shall see.  Look for Universal to announce more mazes in the coming months (this was announced pretty early), and if you go this year then I would highly suggest buying Front Of The Line passes!

Review: Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood (2015)

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Going to a haunted house in September is a bit like drinking egg nog in October – it doesn’t quite feel the same.  But when ‘front of the line’ tickets to Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights went on sale last month and were close to $100 cheaper for September than October, that’s pretty much a no-brainer.  Regardless of the September aspect, once again Universal didn’t disappoint (well, except in a few spots) and if you read on I’ll give you my thoughts on all of the madness!    Continue reading →

Review: ScareLA Convention (Pasadena, CA)

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With Halloween less than 3 months away, what better way to start to get into the mood than by going to a convention that caters to everything that is Halloween?  And that’s exactly what I did this past weekend at the ScareLA Convention in downtown Pasadena, California.

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Now in it’s third year, the ScareLA Convention is easily one of my favorite horror-related conventions to hit up, and this year they had a new bigger and better location at The Pasadena Convention Center.  And because of that bigger and better venue, there were bigger and better treats and surprises as well!  For instance, an entire section of the convention center was dedicated to local haunted houses, where you could stand in line and get a taste of what they had to offer by walking through mini-versions of them.  This was definitely a highlight for me, as the area really captured the Halloween spirit with fog machines, darkness, and the occasional costumed creature popping up.

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There is a ton to do at the ScareLA Convention, so you definitely won’t be bored if you decide to go when it comes back next year.  In addition to the mini haunted houses, you can check out some movie screenings or sit in on a panel like the Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights one where they announced this year that a brand new Michael Myers maze will be coming!  Numerous ghouls and ghosts walk around the convention while you stop by the many booths full of Halloween and horror-themed art, trinkets, and delicious pastries.  There is even a kiddie section set up where you can take the little ones so they can join in on the spooky fun as well.  Overall, you won’t find more bang for your buck if you’re looking to get into the Halloween sprit and the ScareLA Convention definitely keeps improving every year!

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(5 out of 5)

Review: Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood (2014)

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I was worried about spending another $300 for Front Of The Line passes at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights in Hollywood again this year.  Would I be underwhelmed?  Would I accidentally beat the shit out of someone trying to scare me?  Luckily, I can answer no to both of those concerning questions that I had.    Continue reading →

News: Here’s Some Buzz – The New Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D Poster!

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Hey, guess what?  They’re making another attempt at revitalizing a classic horror franchise!  Yay!!  Slight sarcasm there, but somewhat well deserved. News broke earlier in the year that Lionsgate would be relaunching The Texas Chainsaw Massacre in 2013, but this time it would be in 3D! Ooooooh!  Now before I get into the storyline for the new revamp, let me vent about 3D.  Unless it’s going to be the fun, midnight movie variety a la Friday The 13th Part 3, where popcorn and yo-yos are flying at the screen, count me out.  I just don’t want to see my horror movies in 3D, unless the intentional cheese factor is there.  Who wouldn’t want to see an eyeball literally come springing out at the screen after all?

*BOING!!*

So the set up for the new Leatherface romp is this:  Texas Chainsaw 3D continues the story of the homicidal Sawyer family and picks up where the Tobe Hooper 1974 classic left off.  After Sally (Marilyn Burns) escapes, word around town spreads about the evil that’s going on at the Sawyer farmhouse and they proceed to burn it to the ground, killing every last member of the family – or so they thought.  Flash forward decades later and we meet a young woman named Heather who learns she’s inherited a Texas estate (lavish mansion) from her grandmother she never knew she had.  After embarking on a road trip with her friends to check it out, she stumbles upon a horror that awaits in the mansion’s dank cellars…..

I will say that the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre still rattles the old nerves every time I watch it.  But some of the sequels, like Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation, rattle the old funny bone and I can’t get enough of Matthew McConaughey’s bat shit, over the top performance.   Continue reading →

News: Halloween Horror Nights Adds Another Maze! And It Includes…….Dubstep?!?

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Now if any of you know me, you know I look forward to one thing every year…..something monumental…..something that I cherish and always will…..a special moment in my life that I can look back and reflect on………………….my wedding anniversary?  Pffft – no (kidding honey, kidding!)  It’s Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights!  And if you’ve read my blog, you know I’ve already done a post on the new La Llorona maze coming this year.  A few days ago, Universal dropped the info on another maze to be added, a re-imaging of Universal’s classic horror icons called Universal Monsters Remix.  Oh – I forgot to mention that it’s all set to the fear inducing sounds of Dubstep!  Check out the frightening font for the logo below if you dare!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok…..Halloween Horror Nights – let’s talk for a minute.   Now you know I love you.  You know that I love seeing you every year and I even open the car door for you and kiss you on the cheek at the end of the night because I’m a gentleman.  And I understand that you never know what to do with the space containing House Of Horrors (which runs year round at Universal Studios), but I feel betrayed by you and hope we don’t have to break up because of it.    Continue reading →

News: Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights Bringing Back ‘La Llorona’ With A New Maze!

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I keep telling and telling people – if you haven’t been to Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights in LA, you need to go!  It’s unlike anything I’ve ever been to regarding haunted houses and it always ups the ante each year with new mazes and attractions. Yesterday, it was announced that they’re bringing back one of my favorite mazes from last year, ‘La Llorona’ for the sequel ‘La Llorona: Cazadora de Niños’ or translated in english,  ‘Weeping Woman: The Child Hunter’.  Based off of a widespread legend in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and South America – the new maze will tell the haunting story of ‘La Llorona’, a beautiful girl named Maria from a poor village who desperately sought to win the affection of a rich nobleman. Rejected and grief stricken, she drowns her children in a river. Overcome with anguish, she drowns herself in a bitter end. According to legend, Maria’s tormented and distressed spirit wanders the earth, eternally piercing the night with mournful cries, “My children! Where are my children?” ― giving rise to her name, ‘La Llorona’ or ‘The Weeping Woman.’

*ay dios mio!*

As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, it takes a lot to creep me out and last year this maze creeped me out!  Just ask my wife who I clung to like a frightened child (probably just ruined my rep typing that).  Joining ‘La Llorona’ this year for the spooky fun is also the return of Alice Cooper with his new maze ‘Alice Cooper Goes To Hell 3D’; the very first ever maze revolving around the popular video game Silent Hill, ‘Welcome To Silent Hill’; and the grandaddy of them all right now…..a maze based off of the enormously popular tv show The Walking Dead called ‘Walking Dead: Apocalypse’. Now keep in mind also that there are still two more mazes to be announced (c’mon Exorcist maze, c’mon Exorcist maze), so it’s only going to get better.  So get off your ass and get to Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights this year!  Here are the dates and tickets will be going on sale soon (I highly recommend springing for the Front Of The Line tickets):  September 21, 22, 28, 29 – October 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31.  Ticket prices coming soon here.

*be afraid….be very afraid*

 

New Trailer: Silent Hill Revelation – 3D (oooooh 3D!)

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Yesterday (sorry I’m a day behind), the new trailer for Silent Hill: Revelation 3D popped up online.  It’s the sequel to the 2006 opener, Silent Hill.  And just like that one, it looks like the acting is going to be horrible!  Yay!  Seriously, nothing against the lead girl Adelaide Clemens (sidebar:  I haven’t heard the name Adelaide since Different Strokes’ second housekeeper), but we’re in some pretty bad acting territory here.  And come on Jon Snow!  What happened to your bastard son acting chops on Game Of Thrones??! Ugh – at least Sean Bean is there, but he probably just gets killed off quickly just like in Game Of Thrones (oops!  Spoiler Alert!)

All that aside, it looks like it has the same going for it that the first one did – some good visuals and some sexy no face nurses (and Pyramid Head is pretty bad ass).  At least the franchise is somewhat sticking to the script of the video game, unlike the abomination that we call Resident Evil (can’t go wrong with zombie Mike Epps though). So check out the trailer below and sound off if you want.  Speaking of sound – gotta admit that the siren is pretty creepy and was well played in the first movie too.  Be sure to check out the Silent Hill maze at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights this year – looking waaaaay more forward to that than this movie (sorry Silent Hill movie enthusiasts).