Third weekend in October is here and once again I ask, what are you doing? All haunts are open, all costume shops are still stocked, more and more decorations around the neighborhood are popping up and don’t forget the events around town, like the horror convention.

As for me, it’s the time of year I start playing zombie games, watching zombie movies and reading zombie books. Yea, I like the ZOMBIE, a lot! Now if you’re like me and want to fill in the gaps between when your out screaming like a little girl at an attraction and when your stalking the local Halloween stores; find a good zombie book like The Zombie Survival Guide or maybe shoot some zombies in Left 4 Dead or perhaps watch a great zombie flick Dawn of the Dead (1978). There are plenty of zombies thing to do, pick one.

 
If your not into the whole zombie thing, then I cant help you, but when zombie’s do start popping up, don’t tell me i didn’t try to prepare you.

Sorry we didn’t say anything sooner but it has just been brought to our attention, thanks to one of our loyal Houstonians. Crypticon Horror Convention will be here at the Reliant Center this weekend, beginning tomorrow, so be sure to attend! We have never been, but it looks like a blast. So if you’re into horror be there or be…..a zombie. Click here to check out more—> Crypticon Horror Convention

 
Also!! Paranormal Activity will be getting a wide release this Friday (just in time for Halloween, coincidence?), so if you have yet to see this film, here’s your chance.

I love going to costume shops. It’s all Halloween and it’s all free. The smells, the colors, the sounds of those stupid little plastic cheap props that have “push here” stickers all over them. Nothing like getting you into the spirit like…umm…err… Spirit.

In the past few years, I have been digging the Halloween Express mega trendy mega centers and the beautifully indie-type hole in the wall costume shops to get me into the right mood (I still love you guys equally, you are all my zombie children). This year, however, I stopped by the Spirit location in Willowbrook. Two words: Awe, some. You people rock and should get a raise.

Demand a raise I SAY! (more…)

Cast:
Woody Harrelson
Jesse Eisenberg
Emma Stone
Abigail Breslin

Director:
Ruben Fleischer

Release Date:
October 2, 2009

MPAA:
R

Before I begin, I’d just like to say that Zombieland is no Shaun of the Dead. However, it does come pretty darn close in the laughs department. Instead of being a straight serious zombie film, Zombieland is more in line with Shaun of the Dead in that it takes humor from the subject matter. It’s a zombie comedy. Most of the humor stems from the four main characters and the situation(s) they find themselves in, yet it never manages to be over the top. Woody Harrelson is a blast to watch as Tallahassee, the redneck zombie killing Twinkie-loving B.A. As is Eisenberg, the nerdy awkward Columbus who shares his set of rules for surviving through the zombie outbreak throughout the film (Rule No. 2 – Double Tap!). Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin are the perfect balance as two con artists who meet up with Tallahassee and Columbus. There is plenty of gore for the horror crowd and plenty of laughs for the comedy crowd. There is one scene in particular featuring a certain actor (I won’t reveal who… because that would ruin the fun!) that is a hoot to watch. I could not stop laughing. So if you’re in the mood for a fun, entertaining film, go check out Zombieland.

Rating:
9 out of 10

Cast:
Katie Featherson
Micah Sloat

Director:
Oren Peli

Release Date:
September 25, 2009
(Limited Release)

MPAA:
R

Every few years or so, a movie comes out claiming to be “the scariest movie of all time” – the film almost always turns out to be a letdown (my kid sister eats scariest-movies-of-all-time for Saturday morning breakfast). Paranormal Activity deserves that title, and wears it proudly. I can’t say what transpires in the film without giving anything away, but I can say that Paranormal Activity creates an overwhelming feeling of suspense, when things start to happen, you’re left asking yourself “What the ….!?”. I’ve never seen a movie that has made me feel this way. I literally got chills through some of the scarier moments (of course, I won’t say anything; the movie deserves to be experienced for what it is) and the final five minutes of this movie had me at the edge of my seat. The final 30 seconds straight chilled me to the bone. As a horror fan, I have always looked for a movie that could actually scare me, and I have found that movie. This is NOT ketchup, dumb teenagers, and bad makeup. This is the real deal. I advise you to go, you will not be disappointed. Just be warned, you will not be the same afterward.

Oh and by the way, I’m not letting my kid sister see this.

Rating:
9 out of 10

Here at Houstonhaunts.com we strive to provide the most information about everything Halloween in Houston. We want to know everything, and the only way we can collect everything is through you Houstonian’s. You know how Houston sprawls out, crawling like a zombie with no legs…So no matter how small your shindig is (calling all yard haunts), we want it. SIZE DOESN’T MATTER. We have people asking for it! This is a free service so don’t worry about digging into your pocket for any spare change. We want you to keep it for that one last hardware store trip to build the rest of your front-yard-graveyard.

Selling pumpkins? Yea we wanna know where you’re at also. Remember, anything to do with this great holiday (and Houston), we want it!

Hey everyone, the first official weekend of October is here and what better way to start off the month than with a zombie movie? Zombieland finally makes it way into theaters this weekend which looks to be a fun filled ride. Go check out the official website www.zombieland.com where you can turn yourself into a zombie. One other thing, we Houstonians have a special treat this weekend, the film Paranormal Activity is playing at AMC 30 on Dunvale and Westheimer. You may (or may not) have heard about this film – a couple is being haunted by a demonic spirit and have it all video recorded. I had the privilege of seeing this movie Thursday night, and I must say, it literally gave me the chills. I went home, called my Mom and cried myself to sleep…and I left all the lights on in my room. If you get the chance, and your not a wuss, go see it. AMC 30 only has midnight showings for Friday and Saturday nights, the movie may sell out so act quickly. Look for my official reviews of both Zombieland and Paranormal Activity this weekend.

This is it folks, October’s first weekend!! What to do this weekend? Go to a haunted attraction? What about a Halloween store? How about starting work on that scary costume? What about staying home and transforming your clean cut yard into a field of terror?

If you choose to be scared out of your mind by one of Houston’s finest attractions, here’s some suggestions (with open times)!

Thursday: Castle of Doom 8-11p, Dungeon of Doom 6-10p, Haunted Trails 8-12:30a, Screamworld 7:30-10a, Texas Terror 6:30-?

Friday: Castle of Doom 8-12a, Dungeon of Doom 6-11p, Haunted Trails 8-12:30a, Maze of Madness 8-12a, Nightmare on The Bayou 7:30-?, Phobia 8-12a, Screamworld 8-12a, Terror Dome 8-12a, Texas Terror 6:30-?

Saturday: Castle of Doom 8-12a, Dungeon of Doom 2-12a, Haunted Trails 8-11:30p, Maze of Madness 8-12a, Nightmare on The Bayou 7:30-?, Phobia 8-12a, Screamworld 8-12a, Terror Dome 8-12a, Texas Terror 6:30-?

Sunday: Castle of Doom 8-11p, Dungeon of Doom 2-10p, Haunted Trails 8-11:30p, Nightmare on The Bayou 7:30-?, Phobia 8-10p, Screamworld 7:30-10p, Texas Terror 6:30-?

It took me about an hour to get to my destination this morning. Crawling down I-45, I thought alot about the government, a Phobia billboard, a Screamworld billboard and about questionable freeway design. If the designers didn’t force us to switch lanes as we get closer to downtown, I would bet a decent sum of money (a 2 dollar bill) that traffic wouldn’t be so bad. Who agrees with me?? HOUSTON’S traffic sucks!

While the zombie invasion still seems to be put on hold, the pumpkin pawns have been sent forth to be slaughtered mercilessly. I’ve always wondered if Billy Corgan gets excited by the sight of pumpkins strewn across pumpkin lots…I’d imagine there’s a sledge hammer under his bed that he thinks talks to him. “Smash pumpkins, smash pumpkins.”

I, on the other hand have never wanted to wreak havoc upon the hapless squashes also known as The Pumps…those guys look so relaxed hanging out at Whole Foods, why should I be the one that takes away their joy? I just want to poke out their eyes. (more…)