Horror-tober 7: Return to the House on Haunted Hill

I'm not afraid to admit that I like the remake of The House on Haunted Hill from 1999. But it is also no surprise that this sequel is not that great. Shortly after the suspicious death of her sister (Sarah, a survivor from the massacre at the mansion), Ariel, receives a mysterious journal of a Dr. Vannacut that speaks about a Baphomet idol with supernatural powers. An archaeology professor helps Ariel translate the journal and he ends up going to the mansion with some students in search of the idol. Some thugs that may be responsible for Sarah's death kidnap her and her boyfriend and they force them into helping find the idol. Anyhow, of course the house traps them in and kills off a bunch of people until only two are left behind. Honestly, the idol aspect for the existence of the ghosts was pretty hoaky. The acting was dull, although I was sort of excited to see Andrew Lee Potts from the UK TV Show Primeval in this but of course he is not one of our survivors. Really the best part about this movie was Jeffrey Combs returning as the ghost of the doctor. He didn't say a word but he was perfect. The rest of the movie sucked but provided some unrealistic but memorable and gruesome death scenes.

Yep, because this is what happens when you are pulled apart.

My rating:

Horror-tober 16: No Movie, but Ghost in Concert!

So after watching 4 movies the night before, I did not watch a movie on Sunday the 16th. But for my birthday this year Joey not only got me Opus Eponymus on vinyl by Ghost, a Swedish metal band I am obsessed with, but he got tickets to the concert, which happened this evening.

Sort of in relation to the last post, when your husband knows you love cats and metal, you get this for your birthday! #papaemeritus

A photo posted by Mandy Klehr (@moogfasa) on Sep 23, 2016 at 6:20pm PDT

Every time they have come to Portland so far I have otherwise been engaged and unable to see them. So it was awesome to finally get to see them in concert. Formed in 2008, Ghost is a spectacle to be seen. Sort of a play on the Roman Catholic church, the anonymous lead singer ("the anti-Pope" named Papa Emeritus) wears papal-like robes but with an upside-down cross and makeup disguising his appearance. The rest of the band are also completely anonymous. Called "the Nameless Ghouls" each wears a cherub-like, devil mask with no mouth. Each also represent different symbols or elements, wind, water, earth, fire, and ether. There have actually since been 3 Papas, the one performing now called Papa Emeritus III, like the succession of the pope. I think in the last 10 years or so, I have really gotten into groups that have a "schtick" for lack of a better word, or an overall theme to their music. And Ghost is no stranger to that. Most songs have to do with the devil, antichrist, doomsday, sexuality, and more, all in a way satirizing religion.

The current Papa and ghouls receiving their Grammy this year

The concert can be described as an experience somewhat like if I was attending a Satanic church, I guess, if I did that. The lighting effects were great and the energy in the venue was pretty fantastic.   

A Message From The Clergy: Air ripping it up in Mummy Dust tonight in Portland, OR. #popestartour #papaemeritusiii #thenamelessghouls #marissanadler

A photo posted by The Band Ghost (@thebandghost) on Oct 16, 2016 at 10:39pm PDT