Category: ghost
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Horror Cinema: Insidious – Chapter 3
Horror movies are my comfort viewing. I start with my favorite ghost story, Ti West’s The Innkeepers, and then I revisit my favorite franchises, like Wrong Turn, Hatchet or Freddy Kreuger. I was recently in a spooky mood, so I revisited the Insidious franchise.
I’m a fanboy of the series, so I have nothing negative to say about it. I love the cast of characters, the exploration into the netherworld, and the numerous jump scares. My favorite in the series was the third chapter, but my appeal to it relies on having watched the first movie, so I would not recommend it on its own.
The third chapter is refreshing because it is about a new cast of characters, even a different demon, than the previous two. The one constant is the psychic, Elise Rainier. Played by Lin Shaye, Elise is a tender but fearless character. I am glad that the third and fourth movies are both about her.
In the third chapter, Elise sees her future, which is a vision of the ending of the first movie. I love the connection in time between the two movies, and I especially loved how the movie ended with Elise recognizing her finite, numbered days and choosing to use them to help others and become friends with her two ghost-hunting buddies.
For a horror junkie, I’m a total sap, I know!
Aside from the feel-good moments, the third chapter had scary visuals, like a demon looking out from the protagonist’s throat, and an engaging story. It is a great central chapter in the five-movie series.
Whannell, Leigh. Insidious: Chapter 3, Focus Features (USA), 2015.
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Horror Cinema: The Crone
On more than one occasion while watching The Crone, I exclaimed, “What the heck is going on right now?” Some of the visuals were surreal and others were body horror, which were super gross, but that is what I want from a horror movie, so it was great. The movie, overall, was spooky as sh*t, and I loved it. For a supernatural movie and a Japanese horror film, this one is a classic!
Naito, Eisuke. The Crone, Travis, 2013.
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Love Spell
I love the ghosts on this Sabrina the Teenage Witch comic cover, but I think I like Sabrina’s spell on Ethel more. Ethel deserves some action! Go, girl! It would be about time she got to go out with Jughead. 😋💖
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A Ghostly Skeleton
A Ghostly Skeleton Trying to Strangle a Sick Child; Representing Diphtheria, Richard Tennant Cooper, c. 1912
Wellcome Collection -
Chelsea Hotel Ghost Story
I’d love to visit the Chelsea Hotel some day! I’m a big fan of lots of its visitors, namely Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell and Patti Smith ❤️
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Horror Cinema: Urban Myths
Urban Myths is a series of short horror stories based on urban myths that are loosely woven together to make up the movie. While not every story was my taste, like one about a dentist and a mouth parasite that was gross and good but not my jam, there were enough great ones to make the movie as a whole enjoyable. I particularly liked the paranormal stories. They were gory and fantastic in ways that I could not expect. Highly recommended!
Image credit: CNN Indonesia Won-ki, Hong. Urban Myths, Megabox JoongAng PlusM, 2022.
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Elvis Ghost Sightings
According to The Ghosts of Famous Musicians by Ashley Watson of Notebook of Ghosts, the ghost of Elvis is said to haunt various locations, including:
Old RCA Recording Studios (Tennessee). People have reported weird noises coming out of sound equipment, lights blowing out, objects being moved, and the apparition of The King himself.
Room 1016 of the Knickerbocker Hotel (Hollywood). Elvis stayed here when he filmed movies. Visitors and staff attribute the eerily cold temperature of the room to his spirit.
Graceland (Memphis). There’s a couple photos circulating online that supposedly capture Elvis looking out the window.
Las Vegas Hilton. People have seen his spirit in the penthouse, the basement where he hung out with his band, and the elevator he used to avoid screaming fans.
The Ryman Auditorium (Nashville). Lisa Marie Presley claims she heard her father, Elvis, while there. After a performance at the theatre she went to her dressing room, but the door was stuck and she could not get it open. Suddenly, she heard the distinct laugh of her father and the door opened.
