Friday the 13th

Horror Block October 2015 unboxed

image

This is the Halloween block for Horror Block, but it sort of ended up “meh”. Though I suppose I really shouldn’t be holding high standards for a subscription box, should I? Spoiler alert: the first thing I noticed about this box is that there is no Rue Morgue issue included this month. This is something I’m trying not to feel too sad about. But there is an item included that is probably the next-best thing.

1. Summoner’s mouse pad

I think the only mouse pads my husband and I have in our flat is whatever we get for free from somewhere or (more likely) a hardback volume of the Serenity comic. As far as mouse pads go, this ouija board one is pretty cool. Nothing like zooming your mouse over the “board”, raising spirits while searching for YouTube videos.

2. Child’s Play Chucky plush doll – exclusive

There were few movies when I was a child that I could not abide by. One of the stop three has to be Child’s Play. Even today I feel an immense feeling of discomfort just thinking about that movie. So I genuinely don’t know what to do with this doll. It might just be the Halloween season, but I don’t feel comfortable leaving it in my room and I definitely  don’t want it in my house. I would try throwing it away, but do I really want to face the horror of it just being back in my room when I return? Also, I guess if you’re going to be a total bitch and a stickler this is a Bride of Chucky doll. But I really don’t care about details here because fuck these movies and this doll.

3. Friday the 13th Camp Crystal Lake t-shirt – exclusive 

Nerd Block really knocked it out with the shirts included in their boxes this month. First it was the Peltzer’s Pets Gremlins shirt, now it’s this fantastic Friday the 13th Jason shirt. This is a bit different than the usual fare, mostly because it’s brown instead of black. What are we to do with ourselves? But seriously, this is another great graphic from ShirtPunch. I’m a particular fan of the bold graphic.

image

4. Dario Argento’s Dracula (Dracula 3D) DVD

Ah yes. No one’s favourite Argento movie! Oh and no one’s favourite Dracula movie or even anyone’s favourite vampire movie with Rutger Hauer. Don’t get me wrong, I love all three of those things very much, but there just was something that really, really didn’t work in this 2012 film. Perhaps I’ll re-watch and review this a different day, but only if you make me. Either way, this is definitely not going to make my Halloween to-watch list.

5. “They’re Coming to Get You” Print

This is pretty cute, though I never know what to do with the prints I receive in these subscription boxes. Who hangs up art work in their houses that are this tiny? Anyway, for a print that I just described as “cute,” this picture is filled with some of horror’s most iconic undead characters like Madeleine from White Zombie and Karen from Night of the Living Dead, oh and I guess Michael Jackson from his “Thriller” music video because why the hell not? The art was done by Paul Hanley as a part of Guzu Gallery’s “Something Spooky” show.

6. Rue Morgue Magazine’s “Cryptic Collectibles: A Concise Compendium of Creepy Keepsakes”

As I mentioned before, there is no copy of Rue Morgue in this month’s block, which is kind of disappointing. But this book of movie memorabilia is pretty fun. This isn’t the first time subscribers have received a book from the Canadian magazine. This is by far the best and most interesting one included this far. Cryptic Collectibles delves into the world of collectible toys, monster cereals and even Halloween costumes.

Horror Block August 2015 unboxed

image

I know. I know. July was the last month. I was determined to break things off like the strong-willed woman I want to be… But I couldn’t help it (well, more like I just forgot to cancel). I got another Horror Block. Why? Because why the hell not. But I’m pretty glad that I did last another month because this box is pretty damn cool. I swore to myself this would be my very last subscription box (you know, because now that I’m a real adult I have loans to pay or other adult things to do). Call me a fair-weather fan, but this block was so good it’s difficult to let go… So I probably won’t. Especially because next month’s box is going to have a Night of the Living Dead documentary included. Sign me the hell up!

image

  1. Grady Twins autographed print

This is freaking cool. I’m a big fan of Kubrick’s The Shining and those freaky twins are amazing. Having an autographed print made me fangirl. But the bonus is that it comes with the certificate of authenticity, which is completely necessary when sending these sorts of items. I’m not sure how much these signatures are worth, but when I go to comic cons, most signatures (even those of people absolutely no one has heard of) are at least £15, which makes this item a good chunk of the value for this box. Sure it’s a cheesy print, but I will probably put it in a picture frame anyway.

image

2. Friday the 13th Jason Voorhees plush from Bleacher Creatures

As we creep into September, the Halloween excitement is already building (if I was still in Wisconsin, my best friend and I would have already been planning festivities since August 1st). Nothing makes me more excited for October than this little guy. The people over at Bleacher Creatures do all sorts of plushes from MLB to the Pope. Another good company to know about for future gifts. I’ve always liked the horror subscription boxes with handmade items. This gives me that well-thought-out vibe and I really like it.

This is an exclusive item for this month’s block.

3. Rise of the Zombies DVD and Blu-Ray

I’m not going to lie, when I saw this DVD in this month’s box, I had a bit of an eye roll. I’m sorry, I love Danny Trejo’s persona, but I usually can’t be bothered to watch his movies anymore. But after watching the trailer, I don’t actually think this movie is going to be 100% shit. Does that mean I’ll actually watch it? If the last two DVDs we got in the box are anything to go on… probably not.

“When zombies overrun San Francisco, a desperate group survives by locking themselves inside Alcatraz Prison. When the undead breach the island, our heroes are forced to return to the mainland overrun with the undead.”

What I do like about the synopsis is that the movie clearly fucks up everyone’s idea of living in Alcatraz during a zombie apocalypse. I guess no one will be save on this one.

4. Rue Morgue – September 2015 issue (not pictured)

 

image

5. Necronomicon notebook

This is the freaking BEST. It’s just a tiny pad of paper, really, but it’s the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis! Or, I think it is because it certainly looks like the book from Evil Dead. Being a writer (of sorts) I go through notebooks like crazy. This little one will have to be saved for special occasions. This is something useful for lists and to-do bits. Although a majority of things in Horror Block are not officially licensed products, I do like how they’ve gone about this one. It’s gross and people on the tube will definitely give me looks (and it’s not just because of my Labyrinth tote bag either).

image

6. “Say My Name” Beetlejuice t-shirt from ShirtPunch.com

Some times the shirts in Horror Block are pretty bad, but this one is absolutely-freaking-fantastic. The design and colours are both really good on this Beetlejuice shirt without being too garish (I guess) to be worn in public. Plus the tag line is pretty great, so just the finishing touch on a pretty great block this month.