Remember the Treehouse of Horror 7 title sequence?

Following on the 6th, we come to the 7th Halloween Special. Ah, 1996. Clinton vs. Dole. "Where's the outrage?!" Bridges to the Future. Big sucking sounds.

But we're here for some Simpsons. And this year was another of the short title sequences, starting with a carved pumpkin, and Homer lighting it up.

But he also manages to light himself up.

And set himself off.

And now the titles.

Creeping Up On Halloween With The Muppets

[I've updated a lost video, and now relabeled and named this to be part of the Creeping Up On Halloween posts.]

It's October, so we need plenty of horror. And what better for this than the Muppets. Always a good source for your Halloweening needs.


They can help you get the right foods ready.

The Swedish Chef vies with some pumpkins.



And then help monsters find friends.

A monster who wants friends...and to eat.

Sleepy Hollow (S2) - Episode 2 - The Kindred - "Inside the mangle."

So last episode we got to enjoy Abbie and Ichabod getting out of there predicaments. It was fun. It was nice. It righted some of out anxiety we'd had since the last season. ...We could exhale again.

Then we get this episode. Since watching the episode for the first time I have been unhappy. I have been trying to figure out why. There was some good action. Some scares for me. Some macabre. The plot was moved forward. And we learned the state of every character. Everything I want.

The answer to my problem is a Mangle. Odds are you are too young to know the word mangle as a verb. And you are way too young to remember mangle as a noun.

The mangle, or wringer. It just squeezes the water out of laundry. It's something you don't want to go through.


This episode was like a mangle. It put me through the wringer/

It feels like nothing good happen this episode. Almost like it was all bad news.

I guess things were going to easy last year. The producers must have
toggled the show to the Hard setting.

To start, finally, there is a new sheriff in town. Sheriff Leena Reyes (played by Sakina Jaffrey). Finally! After a season, we have an actual sheriff again!!! Also, it is verified that Irving had been standing in for a sheriff. (GTK.)

Reyes is someone who is returning to Sleepy Hollow. She served in the sheriff's department before, back when Abbie was a child. She even knew Abbie and Jenny's mom.

It seems like it should be great to have a sheriff again. But for the last season we had Irving. He gave Abbie a lot of latitude even when he didn't believe in the paranormal danger the town was in. Reyes seems a lot more strict and stiff on this stuff.

She talks with Abbie, and seems to respect her abilities. But she also expects her to follow the rules and order.

"Hey! We're back to walk and talks like last season." "Let's not pretend like
were going to be bantering, Lt. Mills."

Later Reyes checks out the Archive. When she gets there, she finds Jenny grabbing some weapons for Abbie, which they'd had stashed there.

Beyond anything else, Jenny is not someone legally allowed to own weapons. (And, I know it goes unsaid in these sorts of shows, but where did they get their guns? And was it entirely legal?)

I'd joke that Reyes better not mess with Jenny...But I'm kind of intimidated
by her...

So Jenny is under arrest. Oh, Reyes also fires Ichabod. (She doesn't see the point of a historical adviser....She didn't even get a chance to find out how annoying he can be first.)

"...Really?!"

How bad is that?

...It gets worse. FLIPPIN' WORSE!

Return of the Misplaced Horror Of Bats

Detective Comics # 27 by Bill Finger and Bob Kane

Here's a partial repost on...

Bats.

"Creature of the Night. Black. Terrible...A bat!"

Wow! Bats sound horrible. Terrifying! They must be terrible things, a blight on us! What will we do ?! How can we hope to fight back?!


PANIC!!!


...No. The reality of bats is far less scary. But, come on. Look at them. You shouldn't be surprised.

They are upside down puppies!


Like many lifeforms that people misunderstand, the bat receives a good deal of fearful hate. They get presented as evil creatures. Creature that are out to get you.

As a result, they don't get the respect or understanding that they deserve.

So let's get to know a little about the bat.

First, the legends. In the history of legends and folk tales, we have a far better track record with the bat.

• In China, bats have long been a symbol of good luck through history.
• In Ancient Egypt, bat talisman were hung over doors to keep illness away.
• In Navajo folklore the bat is an ancient being from early in time, when all was dark, who mentored the night. 
• One Ojibwa legend tells of the bat coming into being do to it's efforts to save the sun.
• Among the Bakairi of Brazil, the bat is a form the goddess of night takes.
• In many pre-Columbian tribes the bat held important symbolism for the sky and/or the underworld.
• In some cultures the bat was a symbol of change and upheaval in one's life (not necessarily bad, but changes to your life).
• Of course, in the European medieval period the bat was tied to witchcraft and witches, and were much reviled.
• Of course there are the tales of the trickster to. Like in one Nigerian tale where the bat tricks a rat he's jealous of into boiling itself. (The fact the bat is an animal of the night lends itself to tales of a thief or one that is hiding. Aesop even uses this idea. Also the fact it flies, but isn't a bird, lends to the idea that it is an outsider in some tales. Sometimes it's existence was treated as a punishment.)

Now, let's get to the modern age and the science.

Remember the Treehouse of Horror 6 title sequence?

Following on from the shift in the titles last time, let's move on to 1995 and the sixth of the Halloween Specials.

This one begins a run of the specials that have very short openings.

It begins with the beating of hoofs along a road, and the reveal of a headless horseman.

The horseman lifts a head up from the side of the horse. The head of Krusty the Clown.

And then he throws the head at the camera.

Smashing into the camera, out of the ichor appears the shows title.

Flash sprints onto TV again.

The Flash is almost about to make his return to our TV's! Just in time for Halloween, but too late for costumes that I could wish I could wear.

But what does that matter? The Flash is about to return. Hopefully this time his series will have a far longer run. Flash is a hero built for endurance.

So let's consider what we are getting with this new series.

Remember the Treehouse of Horror 5 title sequence?

1993 was interesting. Now let's move on to 1994. And this feels like the year they might just be wanting to try something new with the opening titles of their horrible little special.

This time out, Marge is back!

As she frets, she receives a notice. It says that the channel is worried about how nasty this year's show looks. So they are preempting it with

Glenn Ford's 200 Miles to Oregon.

Thankfully, unlike some shows, this clip is just moments. And then we cut to black.

An oscilloscope effect starts. Bart speaks over them, making the classic declaration of taking over your TV, as culled from The Outer Limits opening.

And Homer breaks in to screw around.

We now get the titles.

Gotham - Episode 1 - Pilot - "And the first domino falls."

Gotham has finally started. And the reactions have been about as I expected. Some people already not happy with the idea of the show are still not happy. Others that are interested continue to be so.

So let's look at what we've got.

But to do that we do have to discuss one thing. Batman.

No. I am not interested in rehashing his history and how he is pivotal to any story you tell about Gotham City. (See the All Star Western run with Jonah Hex in 19th century Gotham City for a counter example.) Because I disagree with such a notion. Over the past 75 years both Batman and Gotham City have been enrichened with stories and backstory to add wonderful dimensions to them and their histories.

So dismiss the story of a city because we want to focus on a single legend? No. That is silly. There is history to tell. From the city's founding to it's burgeoning crime crisis.

I am actually interested in this stuff. This is the era we never get to learn much about. What is this city really made of?

The Horror Of...Witchboard, In Short

Time for a healthy does of 80's horror. A good chance you haven't see this one. But even if you have, this would make a good watch this October (or whenever you read this).

And seeing as a similar new movie is about to come out in theaters, let's get into some ouija.

Now I don't really care for ouija and the attempts to try and make them look scary in real life or paranormal reality TV. But this is a horror movie. So yeah, ouija is all evil. And so is Parker Brothers.

Remember the Treehouse of Horror 4 title sequence?

Coming out of the last post, we head on into 1993.

And the Treehouse of Horror evolves more.

Starting this year, they've abandoned the whole opening warning, and get right into the titles.

Remember the Treehouse of Horror 3 title sequence?

Following on the previous post on the second year, we march on into 1992.

This year, Marge isn't there to greet and scurry us off. Instead Homer is sent out, in a send up of Alfred Hitchock's classic show opening in Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

Being pressed into the job, he gives the disclaimers. Then he belittles the whiners and dares everyone to just turn the TV off. Which everyone does.

And we begin.

Time to Halloween up!

October is upon us. Halloween is approaching.

Time to let your Halloweenie Self out.

Trailers In Short - Everything Old Is Reused Again Edition

Old ideas have long been drudged back up to use. Sometimes it's a creative choice. Sometimes it's a return to a classic. Sometimes it just boggles the mind. Let's see where Paddington the Bear, Mad Max, Moses, a woeful space station crew, the Equalizer, and...others fall on the scale.

Paddington

Oh, Paddington. There is a slight cuteness to this trailer. But then we actually get to Paddington. He feels like so many modern takes on older kiddie characters...Just off.

Now I did actually go back to the old Paddington Bear cartoons to try and remind myself what he was like decades back. I am not as enamored of those shows now as I was as a kid. But it is hard not to see the differences.

This may well click with little kids. Ear wax. Flooding a bathroom and surfing out. But it does feel sad that most all studios have given up on the idea that kids can enjoy with stories that aren't wildly wilder stories of popular characters. (Did you see what they did to Postman Pat?)

I think the thing that was really most off putting about the trailer was that all the added wackiness makes iconic Paddington so much more like every other character put out for kids. He's been made more generic.

But, this may just be a horrible ad. Maybe better will follow.

The Horror Of...Tales from the Darkside the Movie, In Short

The Halloween season is upon us again. So it's time to peruse your movie shelves, or Netflix, or where ever you dwell...

So here's the first of some new ideas to haunt your October nights, or really any night of the year.


Skulking out of 1990 comes Tales from the Darkside the Movie.

The movie has a name drawn for the preceding 80's TV series of the same name. It was an anthology series focused on horror. Ironically, the show was inspired by the success of another fun horror anthology movie, Creepshow. ...I'll have to get to that movie later in the month.

This movie is, like the show, an anthology.

Remember the Treehouse of Horror 2 title sequence?

Continuing from the first post, let's look back to 1991, and the title sequence for the second of the Simpsons' Halloween Specials.

Much like the first time, the turn to Marge to open the show, offering her warning, before she just gives up on us.

Then we head back to the cemetery, much like the first year.

All Hallow's Read, treat people to a good scary story.

As you may know. Halloween has found it tied to many traditions over the years since the first coming of a harvest. The traditions come and go, and vary from place to place. And from the time you were a kid to now, it's changed some more.

So some bright soul came up with another idea for this holiday. The idea of All Hallow's Read.

The idea is simple: During this Halloween season, share a scary book with someone.

It's a simple enough prospect. It's wonderful to share literature and stories. And at this time of year, along with costumes, candy, and spooky movies, throw in a beloved book (a comic book, children's book, Stephen King -- Whatever is appropriate for who you plan on sharing with.).

So, please, join in.


And here's Neil Gaiman to explain as only he can.




And here are some posters ideas, if you would like to promote or enjoy celebrating the All Hallow's Read.

Remember the Treehouse of Horror title sequence?

Let’s go back to 1990…

Have I already lost you bringing up ancient history? … This month we have the latest of the Treehouse of Horror coming on. It follows in a long proud tradition, going back to 1990. And that makes it…add a zero… The 200th!…Wait! My mistake. I didn't take into account the international dateline. Silly.

 But now, let’s go back. Back to the first Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror!  And let’s take a look at it’s title sequence.

They decided for this show to open with Marge walking out on a stage, through some curtains to make an announcement. It's a lot like some of the classic introductions done in movies of the past, where a man greets the audience (much like they would in many theatrics theater). He would sometimes, in horror films, offer warnings for those with weak hearts to leave. It was a ploy to build up excitement and tension.

Here though, The Simpsons has Marge come out to say how disgusting the show is this week. Then she suggests everyone just turn it off and do something else.

It's Fall!

It is that time of year! The leaves are starting to turn. Those sunny and warm days we did have this summer are shifting to being cooler. The birds are getting antsy and stocking up for a trip.

It's Fall.

COMMENCE!

Sleepy Hollow (S2) - Episode 1 - This is War - "We're getting the band back together."

Here we go back in again. Season 2 of Sleepy Hollow. A strange enough show idea, but it worked some magic on us all.

After last season we've all been left pondering just what the answer was to freeing Abbie and Ichabod. It's time to see what the answer is to that.

So let's see why "This is War". ...Other than the obvious reasons.

The Horror of Scheduling,...October?

Ah! Well the last writing plan did not go well.

...Yeah. Something like that.

Gotham - What to see in Episode 1

Gotham started to last week in much the way you'd imagine. Along the way we were introduced a lot of sights tried to Batman and Gotham lore.


Gotham City

The skyline of Gotham is hard not to race to. As a fan it is always a pleasure to see the city represented.

The looming buldings of wealthy and power.

The lesser structures most of the citizens live. It is beautifully shoot.

Thor meets MST3K, and it's Railing Kill-tastic

Came across this and it is too much of a joy not to share. Thor melded with the riffing from MST3K's viewing of Space Mutiny.



Thor truly is the Brick Hardmeat of his generation.

Trailers In Short - Horror TV Edition

Horror on TV...Okay I have to be honest. I had others shows to talk about, but I was delayed in releasing this post...

So, hey, let's look at a not that new new show, Spooked? (Okay, and also something special afterwards.)

Spooked

Spooked seems like a fun online comedy show. It seems to have some familiar and unfamiliar faces tied to it. Together they look like they create a humorous collection. Their group, PIT, chases down paranormal phenomenon to study and help people. ...You know, like most paranormal shows on cable these days...Except it's actually trying to be funny.

The series seems like an excellent option for this October. It should be something to scare you and then make you laugh, at night on your own, or with your friends around.

Check  it out.

And here's episode 1, for your perusal.


Episode 1

Currently their are 4 episodes and some bonus video available from Spooked via Geek and Sundry.

Trailers in Short - Bit Of Horror With Your Coffee Edition

Time for some horror, right? Good. Plenty of horror movies are coming out, in the US and around the world. From Blood Glaciers to Camp Dread to Goal of the Dead to My Fair Zombie. 6 horror trailers to sate you for the day.

...I got to be honest. Maybe it's some of these movie trailers, or maybe it's me. But rewatching and looking at some of them, you can see why you'll likely never fear about some of them again. ...It is me, isn't it. Grump. Grump.

Trailers in Short - TV Heroes Make a Return Edition

Time for some heroes on the old TV. Will the Arrow hit the mark? Will the 1960's Batman drain my back account?


Arrow - Season 3

Some have laughed at the show. Others have grown to actually love the show. Arrow is one of those shows that is on an interesting path. They want to tell the tale of Oliver Queen in their own way. A man on a mission who grows into the role of a hero over many dangers, obstacles, and enemies.

It also has a love of making use of a rather unbelievable past. Queen spent quite some time of that island alone. But not. We've gotten the story of a far more bizarre truth of what has honed Queen, and what is coming from that past to haunt him again.

It's not for everyone. But for fans it can be fun. And this year they begin expanding the boundaries with the start of The Flash. Metahumans are now on the table for Arrow to face.

And, it looks like we'll be seeing Ra's al Ghul emerge. And Ray Palmer! (There's even a rumor that Ted Kord could be involved.)

It's interesting to see a second area where DC Comics is allowing the DC Universe's characters to start flourishing. Maybe if the Supergirl and Teen Titans shows make it to air they will be allowed to connect? It will be interesting if, when the Dawn of Justice is done, they plan on connecting the movies to the shows. We'll just have to see.

Classic Batman

It's taken far too long for this show to get onto ANY media format, besides TV repeats. But it' finally come.

What else can you say? Flippin' heck, Boy Wonder.

Now I need a fiendish plan to earn the money to afford 3 seasons of a show on Blu Ray. Hoo! Hoo! How delightful, my malodorous motley meandering readers.

Sleepy Hollow Review - Episode 13 - Bad Blood - "Ichabod Crane. You are the father!"

There's been a distinct lack of indefatigable black leading ladies, anachronistic spies, and headless people in my life lately. What would help with that?

Oh, yeah the finale of Season 1 of Sleepy Hollow. (At long last, right?) The last episode was the first part of a two-hour finale. And the two episodes go together well enough. But I decided to divide the reviews by the episode breaks. Just a breather before we enter this last hour, when everything will go to heck...What am I writing? Things will be literally going to Hell.

Let's check out some "Bad Blood".

"Wait. Which universe am I in right
now?"

Everyone is stressed out after the last episode. They need to figure out their next step (Though it's obvious Ichabod has some ideas of his own.). Ichabod goes for a walk to consider what is at risk. As he does he has a surreal time.

"...And you? You're wearing that rifle on the wrong shoulder."

It almost seems he's stepped back in time, and is in the war. Is it a dream? Well, he thinks it is at first. And apparently his dreams are a place where he constantly gets to correct people.

A Dog's Duty Is Never Done, And For Once Not A Pun.

This is a cute little video from KLM in Amsterdam. It's about their service for returning lost items to owners, via cute doggies. I don't know if this is mostly for humor and promotion, or if it's actually something they have working. But I do know it is too cute to not watch.

Always another lost doll to return to a little kid. But when the day is done they need a little nap and a light snack.

Gotham Begins, But Do We Watch?

It's almost upon us. Gotham is about to have it's premiere episode.

It has been the point of a lot of speculation since it was announced. Mostly, we knew it would be a Commissioner Gordon-centric show. Then it was made clear that we wouldn't be getting any Batman in the show.

A lot of people were indignant about the idea. Why do a Gotham City show without the Bat? Well, how a police department deals with super criminals, mass corruption, mobs, and Arkham's Most Wanted. But what about Batman?

He isn't necessary. Tales of Gotham police have proven potent already. Books not centered on Batman have worked. But their is that craving.

Sleepy Hollow Review - Episode 12 - Indispensable Man - "Zombie Washington sends his regards."

With a short delay...we continue towards the end of the first season of Sleepy Hollow. Who will live? Who will die? Who will tell Ichabod that anything on FOX News isn't meant to be taken as a factual statement?


Anyway, let's go and find ourselves an "Indispensable Man".

"It is possible that I may have appeared in The Time Machine."

As this episode progresses, the events of the last episode hang heavy over one character in particular, Captain Irving. The rest of the law enforcement community have a lot of questions for him. And, no, "the devil made me do it" isn't going to fix this.

But we know now that it seems like Ramirez is alive. How alive isn't clear. But the deaths we saw seem to be the only ones.

Hello, I may be having to maybe be going. The Scottish Referendum

Original Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA

Tonight the votes are in on a major question in United Kingdom History.

Should Scotland stay within the U.K.? Or should it go it alone?

There has always been a dislike with being part of the British experience up North. The history has been martial, brutal, and bloody. (Ah, England.) But, for the most part, it has seemed the rank and file of Scotland have accepted their position, and had their impact on the U.K. Some have chaffed at being in the union, but most have embraced it.
At this point in the night it seems that, barring a surprise showing in the last 15 declarations, the answer from Scotland should be No. But it looks like it won't be a clear refusal of leaving the United Kingdom. Likely it will be in the 50% range. Close.

That isn't a resounding call for union. More a disgruntled call.

From all I've heard, up to a year or so ago, this wasn't even a concern. But the last years of conservative governance in the United Kingdom have been damaging. Damaging to the Scottish ties, and damaging to the nation's infrastructure.

Austerity. You may heard mention of the term here in the United States, but I first heard this buzzword from the likes of Prime Minister David Cameron. It's meant slashes the National Health Service (NHS). It's meant the privatizing of mail service. It's meant cutting and cutting of service. Cameron has gone with a gusto after social support and government services.

This has ticked off many in England. It's damn well pissed off many in Scotland. Scotland has long since set up it's own parliament for certain matters. But the Westminster set has been of value. Cameron has been dismantling that value. Some have made it clear that when the NHS was slashed, it was a breaking point.

In the last year the support for independence rose.

As a result Cameron, and other politicians, began an offensive. They were like jilted lover. Flowers. Sweet words.

But, as we all love, Scotland wanted presents. So promises of change have been made. More support. More power for the Scottish Parliament. The power to tax. Protection for the NHS in Scotland.

There have also been threats. Like a promise that the British Pound would be withdrawn from Scotland.


Over the last months the polling has been moving to balance out as a split. Perhaps these promises will make the difference. Perhaps it was always going to come down to a close No.

A historic schism of the U.K. is not likely now. But, if promises are kept, a historically more independent and empowered Scotland will continue within the U.K.

And if changes aren't coming for Scotland and national services, there can always be another referendum.