Featured Artist of the Week - "The Barn"

Going a slightly different route with this entry.  Instead of a musical artist, or a visual artist, we are going to treat the concept of art in its all encompassing meaning - "the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination".

"The Barn" is a movie - and the artists are the producers, directors, actors, musicians, director of photography, F/X specialists, stuntmen, and everybody else, such as the gaffer and best boy (whatever those are) - and anybody else involved.  The "artist" as a whole is Nevermore Production Films.

I'm not a movie critic, so bear with me on this one.

"The Barn" in an independent studio horror/slasher picture.  I picked up a copy at the recent Flashback Weekend HorrorCon, because they had quite the booth.  They offered it on DVD, they had a video game, they had a board game, they had an orange vinyl something (not sure if it was soundtrack of that old movie format).  Anyhow, it was clear they were serious about this venture - so I supported them.  Heck, they even have their own website dedicated to the movie - The Barn Merch Store.

The concept of the movie (no spoilers because it's printed right on the box) - "It's Halloween 1989, best friends Sam and Josh are trying to enjoy their last Devil's Night before graduating high school.  Trouble arises when...take a detour on their way to a rock concert, finding an old abandoned barn and awakening the evil inside..."  (Nevermore Production Films)

I wasn't sure what to expect from an indie film, but given their booth at the convention, I figured it should be pretty good.  And it was.

I'll admit, there were some jumps in logic, or things that just didn't make sense, but it's a horror film - name one where everything makes sense.  Being a horror film, it also had a pointless gratuitous nude scene, but again, most horror/slasher films do - it's almost expected.  But, really, those are the only sorta negative aspects, and are they really negatives - or just standard horror/slasher items?

The filming is very good, the camera angles are interesting, and the lighting is perfect, considering it's almost 75% filmed in the dark outdoors.  Many films end up with these very very dimly lit and hard to see scenes - but The Barn does an excellent job of keeping the dark night feel, but still enough lighting to clearly see everything going on. 

The acting and dialogue are actually pretty strong and it all feels "real" - none of it looks like "acting" or sounds "scripted".  

As a HUGE fan of Halloween (the holiday, the legends, the myths) - I am very impressed with the storyline and the premise and the underlying theme of the movie.  VERY impressed.  The plot stays true to the mythology and ambiance of Halloween (the holiday, not the movie).  The plot is established very well in the first 5 minutes and stays consistent until the end.

And, it is a horror/slasher - which means there will be blood and gore - and there is - and plenty of it.  But, it's not gratuitous (love using that word) blood and gore, it's not "gore for the sake of gore" - it's appropriately used.  And, with that comes up the topic of Special Effects and Makeup!

FX and Makeup - SUPERB!!!  Quality makeup work, quality splatter, quality kills - some very unique ones too!  Mega props to the FX, Makeup, an Props people!!!  It's not cheesy and it's not low-budget - it looks good - and from what I can tell, it's all Practical FX, no CGI.  Which, in my opinion, makes it even better!

And, finally, let me tie this back to what this blog usually writes about - music (and running).  The soundtrack is KILLER!!!  PERFECT horror/slasher music - perfect.  And integrated very well into the scenes, especially at the Hootenanny!

If you are a horror/slasher buff - and if you are willing to give independent filmmakers a chance - this is worth your investment!!!  Check it out.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Featured Running Event of the Week - Spooky Sprint South

Heading into our final Featured Running Event prior to Halloween (I will not be posting on Halloween, rather I'll be enjoying my favorite holiday of the year) - it seems only fitting that the Spooky Sprint South be the featured event.

The Spooky Sprint South is leg 1 of the 2-race-in-one-week Spooky Sprint Series.  One Trail 5k on Sunday - and one 6 days later on Saturday.

The "South" event took place at Konow's Corn Maze, which much more than a corn maze.  This place has a ginormous jumpy (like HUGE), giant bins of corn for kids to jump and play in, some small farm animals, a pumpkin patch, a kiddie train ride, and awesome Apple Cider - just to name a few things.  Race participants with kids could make an entire day out of this event.

The race itself is a timed 5k, with walkers welcome (even encouraged).  It is a trail race, and the terrain can be rough, so strollers are allowed, but it could get quite bumpy.  Participants are also encouraged to arrive in costume, as there is also a post-race costume contest.

The course starts with runners heading down a 5-wide tractor path and making a hairpin turn in less than a block and running down an adjacent tractor path back towards the finish line - but the race is far from finished.  Runners then turn into the corn maze (or maize maze), with stalks taller than the tallest runner.  The first quarter mile of the race is held inside the maze - at this point it's all straight line and 90 degree turns, in the maze, but not being maze like. 

Runners then exit the maize maze to the second portion of the course which involves several small rolling hills along another extremely wide tractor path, which is a combination of hard dirt, compact mud, sloppy mud, and grass.  This portion makes a giant rectangle around the property, but outside of the maze and very open.  The path is extremely wide allowing for easy passing - and also making it easy to get around some of the more muddy areas.  Runners find themselves searching for the right grove, much like car races looking for the best racing grove, but in this case runners are choosing between hard dirt, compact soft mud, wet grass, sloppy mud, and bumpy tractor tracks.  As mentioned prior, the path is VERY wide, so searching and finding a preferred groove is easy.  Although this is all open and wide, this section provides the entire gamut of trail running footing (even a touch of crushed gravel).

The final 3/4th of a mile is back in the corn maze, but this time it's a long and winding path, with 90 degree turns, 180 degree switchbacks, 110 degree sharp cuts, quick jogs of less than 2 steps before the next turn, and a constant changing of direction.  A few times runners can hear the sounds of the finish line - only to be turned back away - it's almost like teasing.  Zigging and zagging on dirt, sloppy mud, compact mud - while avoiding broken stalk stems, fallen corn, and fallen stalks.  Again - this is what trail runners dream about!!!  (and some have nightmares about).  Eventually the end is in sight, and runners exit the maize maze for a 20 yard deep gravel sprint to the finish line.

About 1 mile of the course is in the maize maze, as an estimate.

The course is lined with zombies a well, but polite zombies, pointing the way.  Seriously, all the course volunteers were in full zombie makeup and, acting as zombies, pointed the way at turns and even provided water.....such polite undead. 

This is a course that suits every aspect of trail running (except for stream crossings and steep inclines).  And, it's fun.  It's impossible to run this race without smiling and having fun, while still putting forth a best possible effort.  Definitely a test for the sure-footed!!!

The Spooky Sprint West takes place in a park, not a corn maze, and unfortunately this year, I will not be able to report on it, because I will be participating in the annual Thriller 5k Trail Race instead - dressed as Superman, with my race bib proudly displaying "Kent, Clark".

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

 

Featured Artist of the Week - Raven's Grin Inn

The Haunted Raven's Grin Inn in Mt. Carroll, IL is our Featured Artist of the Week.

Say what?  An Inn?  A Haunted Inn?  As an artist?

Well, sure, why not.  Because it's not just the building, but the Caretaker, Mr. Warfield, and any other surprise guests, wanted or unwanted, that count as the artists.

This is not, I repeat, IS NOT, a normal haunted house with scary monsters walking around jumping out at people.  It is nothing like that, do not expect that.  This is like an oddity house.

Is it haunted?  It could very well be.  Is it spooky and eerie?  Most definitely.  Is it scary?  It could be.  Do real ghosts and paranormal things occur?  Many say so.

It's hard to explain the look of the house from the outside without really ruining the experience, but there is a volkswagon beetle melded into it, it seems to have all sorts of odd shaped windows and doors, there are unusual sculptures and beings and things to behold, it's something to stand back and absorb. 

But, then, you meet the Caretaker, Mr. Warfield, and he's just as difficult to describe as the house!!  He's eccentric, spooky, funny, odd, hard to figure out, and definitely eerie.

While trying to figure out the Caretaker, one is seated in the parlor, and parlor is equally as hard to describe - and figure out - as the Inn exterior and Mr. Warfield himself.  Again with surprises lurking everywhere and oddities and spooky oddities and even some down right scary oddities strewn throughout the room - from floor to ceiling - LITERALLY.  This room is hard to absorb and digest as there is so much to see - and so much to experience.

The Caretaker begins the tour with some rather unique stories, some funny, some confusing, some downright scary, some befuddling, and definitely some that make you go "hmmm?"  Are they true?  Possibly.  Are they scary?  Possibly.  Are they all a figment of the unusual mind of the Caretaker?  Could be?  Is the house itself an entity?  Highly possible.

After some story telling, the tour then moves through the house.  Some of the house is exactly what you'd expect, remnants of an old hotel, an old restaurant, and an old B&B..........but a very odd and disturbing and creepy old place for sure.  And then other parts of the house are definitely NOT what you'd EVER expect inside a house - EVER.

The tour goes from the main floor up a flight (or two), down a flight (or two or three), into a labyrinth of tunnels out of some Texas Chainsaw or Wrong Turn movie, and eventually outside.......and then back inside.  When you leave the house, you can't quite figure out where you've been or how you got there.

This is a house of oddities - and potentially a legitimate haunted house.

The tour takes anywhere from 1 hour to 2 hours depending on the tour size and how things are going with the tour group, and the Caretaker, who seems to just sort of ad-lib the entire adventure.  And I think adventure is the right word for it.

I really can't give a detailed review because that would simply ruin the experience completely.

But, what I can tell you is, this is NOT the typical Halloween haunted house with people just dressed up and making noises.  This is, more cerebral, this is the type that gets freaky and eerie when you think about it - and when you absorb your surroundings.  When it's all in your mind!!!!

Mt. Carroll is in the NW corner of Illinois.  The house is not hard to find with GPS coordinates - plus the webpage provides some directions.  It is behind some businesses, so you have to watch for it - but it's not hidden.

Like anything spooky - the best times to go are off-season.  But, going in October is perfectly fine as well.

My only 3 recommendations are :

1) go with friends
2) do NOT expect a typical Halloween jump-out and scare house - it's not that, and it doesn't claim to be
3) if you happen to know someone from that area, asked them about the lore beforehand as well

Link - http://www.hauntedravensgrin.com/RGI/index.html

Featured Live Event of the Week - Flashback Weekend HorrorCon Chicago

So, two weeks in a row I'm gonna switch things up a bit. 

This week, our Featured Live segment will feature an Event - after all - it is also Live - right?

Flashback Weekend HorrorCon Chicago

This is a three day event that takes place in Rosemont, IL at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (across from the Convention Center).

This event DID feature live music last year, when Alan Howarth had a multi-media concert showcasing his work on so many Horror Films.  They also had a Burlesque/Magic Act, which had music.  But really, this isn't about music - this is about an event.  Just like a concert - an event occurs and provides entertainment.

For 3 days, Flashback Weekend takes over several meeting rooms, halls, ballrooms, etc at the Crowne Plaza hotel.  The event features live meet & greets, where fans can get an autograph and a selfie with horror actors and actresses from past and present.  There are around 20 guests each year, ranging from old Halloween movies to very recent ones like You're Next.  The guests range from the heroes, to the slashers, to the victims, to the ghosts, to the f/x artists and makeup artists, to the directors, to the writers, to the stuntmen, and everything in between.

Fans get an up-close and personal opportunity to talk to their favorite guests - not just an assembly line, but actual conversation and selfie's with the guest.  So far, in the years I've been going, even the biggest stars with the longest lines, take the time to have a brief conversation with the fans.  And I think part of that is that the event is low-key and everybody feels comfortable and "part of the family".  Most of the special guests stay right in the same hotel and can be seen walking around between events, just like average hotel guests.  And the fans respect that and only make appropriate small talk and do not crowd the actors and actresses.

In addition to the meet-and-greets - there are the professional photo ops - now, these are like an assembly line - but if you are limited for time and want a top-notch professional quality photo with the star - these are the way to go.  Very professional and very fast.  Instant prints, by the time you get to the "print table" - it's there waiting for you - and when it's busy, the workers see you coming and hand it right to you.

In addition to that, are the panels and Q&A sessions, in which the stars sit up front in groups or pairs or solo and do a mini-interview followed by a Q&A session from the fans.  And trust me, some of the questions are shockers - but the actors and actresses always answer.  Again, as mentioned earlier, the fans keep things appropriate.  The panels/Q&A are always fun, as the stars "let their hair down" and sometimes it gets so funny, people just can't stop laughing at all - not even the special guests.

There are also screenings from the small screen to the large screen to the outdoor screen.  Yes, outdoor screen.  Flashback Weekend sets up a giant movie screen outside in the courtyard, and they show the feature film right outside, as people watch from chairs.  Like a drive-in, but really a walk-in.  The perfect end to the day in the summer as the night cools off.  In addition, they have screenings of cult-classics and other films throughout the day in one of the meeting rooms/ballrooms.  And, some years, even have a screening over at the Muvico Theater in MB Financial Park - for that full big budget visual and audio!  The movies are even opened with mini-interviews or Q&A with stars or directors associated with the films!

There are also costume contests and various other events going on as well, and it varies from year to year.

And last, but certainly not least, VENDORS.  These vendors sell everything from original artwork to old hard-to-find DVDs to t-shirts (originals and mass produced) to action figures to movie posters to costumes and masks.  The vendors are in the same room as the special guests, so attendees can check out both simultaneously as they weave through the rows.

There is just so much to see and do, and, I think because of the way it is run, it maintains a nice low-key family atmosphere.  It never feels like an assembly line of cattle waiting for a quick signature.

The entire event is run by the owners of the Midway Drive-In in Dixon, IL and the money raised helps keep the Drive-In theater alive and prospering as well as goes to restore old movies.

If you like horror - old and new - then you'll like this convention!

Horror Fanatics Podcast

We'd like to share a brand new podcast, on youtube, hosted by author, James Henry Brown.

It's called Horror Fanatics, and will most likely be a weekly thing.

Check it out, if you are into Horror :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G9ErDm3VW4&feature=youtu.be

Available on the Horror Fanatics Channel - at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcVhlxlYQKapwX8w1vo0Cqw

Featured 5k of the Week - Resurrection Mary 5k

Few things say "Chicago" better than a run dedicated to the memory of Resurrection Mary!!!

The Resurrection Mary 5k benefits the Indian Springs School District 109 in Justice and Bridgeview - the two towns directly adjacent to the famous Resurrection Cemetery on Archer Avenue.

The course starts at Commissioners Park in Justice, located slightly off of 79th and Archer, in a residential area.  Due to the way the roads in the area are configured, this alcove neighborhood feels completely separated from the nearby Archer Avenue, LaGrange Road, 79th Street, and I-294 thoroughfares.

The race begins with the most unique pre-race speech of all time as the DJ tells the sad tale of Mary's legend, demise, and perpetual return!

The route leaves Commissioners Park and winds through the neighborhood which is a nice blend of older houses and large trees and newer houses and open skies.  After a long straightaway to start the race and spread the field out, the course begins making several small turns as it weaves through the neighborhood - to eventually emerge on Archer Avenue...................................insert scary music here..............almost directly across from the gates of Resurrection Cemetery!!!!  

The course then heads up Archer for a few before making a U-turn and heading directly in front of the Cemetery gates, the home of the legendary "burnt bars", that Mary bent trying to get back into the cemetery after one of her first "nights out".  (Those bars have since been removed by the Church, by the way).  The course then proceeds nearly a mile on Archer Avenue going past the legendary Chet's Melody Lounge before turning back into the neighborhood on a sharp 90+ degree turn.  (Chet's Melody Lounge is known for leaving a fresh Bloody Mary drink at the end of the bar during operating hours, in hopes of enticing Mary in for a drink some day)

Almost immediately after the hairpin turn, the course begins a nice comforting downhill trot before turning to a minor uphill and then a long, well-deserved downhill, which lasts quite a distance.  The course then turns back towards Commissioners Park for a nice 2-3 block finish line homestretch.

Speaking of the downhill, the course actually begins with a very gradual uphill climb for almost the first 1.5 miles of the course.  It's gradual, so it's not all that noticeable to the eye, but participants tend to look back before their first turn, as they start to realize they might have been running uphill for a while.  Which is why those downhills after leaving Archer Avenue are so enjoyable to finish the race.

Even though this event is held in an area generally considered "congested", the entire event has that nice small-town feel to it...........maybe just the way Mary remembered the neighborhood.

Runners have commented on seeing Mary while running.  Were they just seeing other runners in costume......................or not????

HALLOWEEN - 1950s style

Celebrate the Halloween Season at the newly relocated 1950s Park Forest House Museum until November 7th.

Now located at St. Mary's Church - 227 Monee Road.

Convenient parking and fully accessible.

Featured 5k of the Week - Rosehill Cemetery Crypt Run & Walk

Purposely saved this one to post at night.

Picture this - October, crisp (but not cold) autumn air, nightfall comes early this time of year, a cemetery, a dark cemetery, a large dark cemetery, a large dark cemetery with very old monuments, lighting only provided by the moon, and some candles, Halloween Theme music playing in the air, the sounds of night...................and about 1100 of your closest running friends!!

That is the Rosehill Cemetery Crypt Run & Walk, located on the North Side of Chicago, not far from Uptown - and only minutes away from the ever-so-scenic Lake Shore Drive.....at night.
"Don't be afraid to run in the dark" is the event slogan.  And that is exactly what the participants do - they run (or walk) in the dark.  But it's not total darkness - there are a few sources of light :

1) The moon casting elongated eerie shaped shadows
2) Distant city lighting creating more shadow than light
3) Creepy green and purple pulsating lights making the monuments dance to some unheard music
4) The sounds of running feet echoing from every direction
5) The sounds of heavy breathing from all around, within inches
6) The ever moving shadows engulfing the participants one by one
7) Blood red glow enveloping runners at every mile
8) A street named RAVENSWOOD, quoth the Raven

Oh yeah - and

1) Lots of smiling
2) Lots of laughing
3) Lots of enthusiasm
4) Lots of fun!!

And that is the Rosehill Cemetery Crypt Run & Walk.  The event begins at 7:00pm just across Ravenswood Street - with the giant arches and entrance way of the cemetery looming less than 50 yards away.  Halloween music echoing through the street from the Halloween Theme to Tubular Bells to Monster Mash to Werewolf In London, as the runners prepare to run in the dark.

Runners leave the starting corrals and head across Ravenswood Street, then immediately under the passing Metra trains overhead - as they exit the viaduct the grand archway of Rosehill Cemetery - clad in rising fog - comes into full view. 

Runners then narrow down to get through the gates, and then narrow down even further to stay on the candlelit path.  (Battery operated baby candles line the path on both sides from start to finish - thank you to the volunteers who place those!)

The path winds its way for 3 miles throughout the cemetery heading west, then north, then south, then east, and back and forth, to the point of never really knowing which way one is heading - almost like being chased through a cemetery at night.

Eerie green and purple lights illuminate various monuments throughout the cemetery - and the familiar red digital lights of the mile-marker clocks become a blood red glow.  The only other lighting is from the moon, the city, some runners with headlamps, and some runners with glow-items.  It truly feels like being chased through a cemetery in the dark...........with 1100 other people.

The feeling is almost indescribable.  And, though most runners always go out to do their best and be relatively serious, they always have fun - and at this event, it just sounds like they are having even more fun - more laughing more joking - even people howling at the moon as they run (usually followed by someone singing "Werewolf in London" in response.  The time literally seems to fly by - whether the participant is a 17 minute 5k-er or a 59 minute 5k-waker - the event seems to be over just as it starts.  Time flies when having fun.

This is definitely an event every 5k runner AND 5k walker should experience at least once!!!  And then, it becomes two times and three times and so on and so on!

The Man Behind the Mask.........and the props - Tommy Lee Wallace

Tommy Lee Wallace was the creative mind behind the infamous "Michael Myers" mask (aka "The Shape").

He also played Michael Myers in several scenes in the first Halloween movie.
Which scenes did he play?  Any scenes involving breaking props or scenery.
Why did he play in those scenes?  He was also the man behind the props and scenery construction.

Favorite Halloween Franchise Movies

IT'S TIME - My annual "favorite Halloween list" - which probably only I care about - but hey, whatever, I like to make lists (I might be OCD) :

1. Halloween (the original - no question - no doubt)
2. Halloween II (a true sequel, picks up immediately after 1)
3. Halloween III : Season Of The Witch (not part of the Myers saga, but a good movie on it's own...SILVER SHAMROCK)
4. Halloween 6 : The Curse of Michael Myers (you know it has a map of Route 66 in it?) 
5. Halloween 9 : Rob Zombie Reboot (actually very cool, a retelling, not necessarily a remake, different view point)
6. Halloween 8 : Resurrection (so reality-tv it's cool)
7. Halloween 4 : Return of Michael Myers
8. Halloween 5 : Revenge of Michael Myers (kinda goes with Halloween 4)
9. Halloween 7 : H20 (Jamie Lee Curtis's big moment to drop the F bomb as many times as possible in 90 minutes)
10. Halloween 10 : Rob Zombie Reboot of Halloween II (I so did not understand this movie - one bit)

BEST. HAUNT. EVER!!! Heap's Haunted Corn Maze

BEST. HAUNT. EVER!!!!!
Heap's Haunted Corn Maze, Minooka, IL

I love haunted houses/corn mazes/woods/etc.

In 100% serious, this was THE BEST HAUNT I've been to in at least a decade!!!

I don't want to say anything at all about it because I don't want to spoil anything. Let's just say - BEST. HAUNT. EVER. 100% in a corn maze - corn taller than even a basketball players. Price - ONLY $12.00!!!! Yep $12.

Click here --> Heaps Haunted Corn Maze