Happy Halloween!

I wish everyone who is celebrating a spooky and safe Halloween!

 

Favorite Fictional Character --- Elvira

 

Jack-o'-lanterns are being carved, bats are hanging from the ceiling, and costumes are being finalized for Halloween night — just two more short days!

I’m sure a lot of us are also getting ready to watch our favorite scary movies (if you haven’t already started, like I have). I plan to spend Halloween night cuddled up in bed with the lights off, eating popcorn — a mix of butter and cheesy jalapeño — and watching way too many of those spine-chilling movies I love so much.

If you’re a horror-loving movie fan, there’s no way you don’t know tonight’s Favorite Fictional Character: Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Played by the effervescent Cassandra Peterson, Elvira is both a horror and pop culture icon.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a full episode of her various TV hosting gigs where she introduced those glorious B-movies — but she was everywhere in the ’80s and ’90s. It was impossible not to know who she was. When she co-wrote her own movie, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988), my lifelong obsession officially began.

Elvira is drop-dead gorgeous, flirty, sarcastic, and completely in control of her persona. Some may see a vapid creature of the night; I see a vamp of a woman whose intelligence shines through every wink and slyly biting quip. I honestly don’t know how anyone resists her charms. Elvira is — and forever will be — my Queen of the Night.

I’ll leave you now, as I have a few final preparations to make. Happy Halloween! 🎃

Wordsmithonia Radio - The Halloween Playlist!

 

When I saw that Billboard released a list of the 25 Biggest Halloween Songs of All Time, I was ridiculously excited. If you couldn’t tell, I’m a huge lover of all things Halloween — especially the music. I even have a Halloween playlist on Spotify, which you’re more than welcome to listen to while you do your last-minute prepping for the best night of the year.

That excitement, however, was quickly snuffed out once I saw the list for myself. Don’t get me wrong — there are some amazing songs on there — but a lot of them don’t exactly scream spooky or Halloween to me. So, I thought I’d share 10 of my own favorite seasonally appropriate songs with you all.

After taking a look at the list, let me know some of your favorites. 

 

One of the songs that both Billboard and I agree on is “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. If you’re of a certain age, I can almost guarantee you remember where you were when the video first premiered on MTV. It wasn’t just a music video — it was an event, and it set the bar for what music videos could be.

Halloween just isn’t Halloween without Bing Crosby crooning “The Headless Horseman” from The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. That song has the perfect mix of swing and spooky, and every time I hear it, I can almost see that shadowy rider galloping through Sleepy Hollow all over again.

I absolutely adore Annie Lennox—I’ve yet to hear an album from her that I don’t go crazy for. Her version of “I Put a Spell on You” from her Nostalgia album is, hands down, my favorite take on the song. It’s sultry, haunting, and powerful in that uniquely Lennox way—equal parts elegance and menace.

When Grace is scurrying around, trying to find a hiding spot in Ready or Not, she has no idea what’s in store for her. Having “Hide and Seek” by Headquarters Music blasting through the house sets the perfect stage for the chaos and bloodshed to come.

I’m not sure any other song written for TV will ever top “The Ballad of the Witches Road” from Agatha All Along. The majestic energy that flows through as these powerful women blend their voices creates a truly spellbinding experience.

Obviously, “Spooks” by Louis Armstrong wasn’t written for Mickey Mouse’s The Haunted House (1952), but the two are such a perfect vibe when paired together. If anyone ever had the voice for Halloween music—with that deep, gravelly sound—it’s the legendary Louis Armstrong.

 

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins was the godfather of shock rock, with a voice that demanded to be heard. “Whistling Past the Graveyard” is my favorite of his — eerie, soulful, and just the right amount of unhinged.

I don't know if “Run, Rabbit, Run” by Flanagan and Allen was considered creepy when it first came out in 1939 — probably not, since it was even used as a lullaby — but it’s cadence has always given me the chills. It's appearance in Get Out (2017) sealed the deal, turning it from a cheerful ditty into something downright bloodcurdling.

 

"(Stop, Look & Listen) It's Halloween" by Pete Antell is a jazzy bop that’s so much fun to listen to while putting up your Halloween decorations or getting the candy ready for the monsters, superheroes, and princesses who will be knocking on your door in just a few short days.

When thinking about the last song I wanted to feature, I kept flipping back and forth between "People Are Strange" by The Doors and "Cry Little Sister" by Gerard McMann, the theme song from The Lost Boys (1987). I went with the latter because it sets the mood for the entire movie. It’s a hauntingly beautiful, melancholic song with a slightly Gothic tone, perfectly capturing the ’80s zeitgeist.

10 Candies I’d Snag If Adults Could Trick-or-Treat

 

I think it’s ridiculously unfair that adults aren’t allowed to go trick-or-treating. We work all day, pay bills, go to doctor’s appointments, put gas in the car, and try to make responsible decisions. If there’s any group of people who deserve to let their hair down and just enjoy a night of spooky frolicking, it’s us.

I want to dress up as the Lone Ranger, Sam, or even Eeyore, then walk the streets ringing doorbells and collecting all the free candy I can carry.

So, since society frowns on grown-ups trick-or-treating (for reasons I still don’t understand), I’ll just live vicariously through this list instead.

With that said, here are ten candies I’d want more than anything else on Halloween night.

I love the classic KitKats and wouldn’t be mad if that’s all I got, but nothing beats the flavors coming out of Japan. My favorite is the milk tea, though I’d happily gobble up the wasabi just as fast.

Take 5 has to be my current favorite candy bar and has been since it first debuted. This delicious concoction is packed with pretzels, chocolate, peanut butter, caramel, and peanuts. The only thing missing is potato chips.

Butterfingers are just about the perfect candy bar, and I absolutely loved them as a kid. Bart Simpson may be an annoying character, but he’s right about this one. I don’t even care when it gets stuck in my teeth.

You can keep your Almond Joys. I’ve always thought the nut throws the texture off—it’s like putting rocks in marshmallows. All you need is chocolate and coconut. So I’ll trade you my Almond Joys for your Mounds.

Did you know that if you bite into the right cookie, it looks different than when you bite into the left one? I thought I was seeing things when I first noticed it, but then I looked it up and discovered they do it on purpose. All that really matters, though, is that Twix is so freaking good.

Junior Mints are so versatile. I put them on my mint chocolate chip ice cream, and I’ve also been known to toss them into popcorn, mixed nuts, or even Greek yogurt with sugar-free chocolate pudding mix. Naturally, they’re just as good all by themselves.

Snickers weren’t a candy bar I enjoyed as a kid, but now I like them a lot. I think it helps that once they started making the ice cream bars, I couldn’t get enough of them.

Heath is another candy bar that wasn’t on my childhood radar. As an adult, whenever I’m craving Christmas crack but feeling too lazy to make it, I’ll just head to the store and grab a bar or two.

Nestlé Crunch is perfection in a little blue wrapper. How anyone doesn’t thoroughly enjoy that snap when you break a bar in half—or get all giddy inside when that crisped rice hits your tongue—is beyond me. It’s just that fun to eat.

We finish this list with a childhood classic: the Dum Dums. I mentioned in a list I did about my favorite Halloween candy in fifth grade that the root beer Dum Dums were my favorite—and they still are—but I’m also a sucker for butterscotch. So if you happen to get any root beer or butterscotch–flavored Dum Dums this year, I’ll gladly take them off your hands.

Favorite Fictional Character --- Abraham "Brom Bones" Van Brunt

 

It’s not often that I change my mind about a character, but a book I finished last night has me seeing Brom Bones in a whole new light. Within twenty minutes of reading the last page, I found myself rewatching The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, and I honestly think Ichabod got what he deserved. Brom did what he had to do to protect Katrina—and his own heart—from that gold-digging schoolmaster.

Now, I’ll admit, I haven’t actually read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving yet, but I plan to fix that soon. The book that sent me down this rabbit hole was Horseman by Christina Henry. I haven’t written my full review yet, but it’s coming—so keep an eye out.

If you’re not too familiar with Brom, he’s basically the local hero of Sleepy Hollow, this quiet little village that doesn’t get many outsiders. Then along comes Ichabod Crane—the awkward, lanky schoolmaster with a bottomless appetite—who somehow decides he’s going to win over Katrina Van Tassel, the local beauty and daughter of the richest farmer in town.

Naturally, that doesn’t sit well with Brom, who’s been in love with Katrina since they were kids. And while he knows Katrina is just using Ichabod to make him jealous, he decides to make sure Ichabod gets the message loud and clear. Maybe scaring a man half to death was a bit much—but honestly, I can’t say I blame him.

In Horseman, which takes place a few decades after his run-in with Ichabod, Brom is older, a grandfather now, but still completely in love with Katrina. His family is everything to him. He’s still got that same temper and swagger, but it’s mellowed with age. I don’t want to say too much yet—I’m saving that for the review—but I really hope you’ll check out Horseman and maybe, like me, find yourself looking at Brom Bones in a whole new way.

Ten of the Sexiest Screen Vampires, Volume 7

 

Halloween has, over the years, crept past Christmas to claim the title of my favorite holiday. There’s just something magical about October: the nights grow cooler (even if the days are still too darn warm), the leaves shift into fiery shades, and my already horror-loving heart gets to revel in all things spooky. Because of that, I’ve decided to resurrect some of my old Halloween traditions here on the blog. And what better place to start than with the return of my annual list of sexy vampires? If you missed my earlier posts rising from the crypt, you can revisit the lists from 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Without further ado, I give you ten damn sexy vampires who’d love nothing more than to sink their teeth into you.

The Men

Vlad Dracula as played by Luke Evans in Dracula Untold (2014). Not going to lie, Luke Evans is just about the hottest man on the planet, and I would let his version of Dracula do just about anything to me. 

Louis de Pointe du Lac as played by Jacob Anderson in AMC's Interview with the Vampire. He's broody, emotional, and from all accounts a hell of a kisser. Brad Pitt's version as already appeared on these lists, but I think this version runs laps around him. 

Remmick as played by Jack O'Connell in Sinners (2025). Between his Irish accent and singing like a dream, Remmick is a catch. He's looking for a family, and he might just decide you'd fit right in. 

Edward Dalton as played by Ethan Hawke in Daybreakers (2009). Smart and sexy is always a winning combination. 

Raphael Santiago as played by David Castro in the TV show Shadowhunters. A religious family man to his core, Raphael loves with a conviction few others posses. It helps that he's hot too. 

The Women

The Girl as played by Sheila Vand in A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014). An avenging angel who won't tolerate men mistreating women, The Girl is both gorgeous and deadly. Side note, if you've never seen this movie, do so. 

Mary as played by Hailee Steinfeld in Sinners (2025). Mary is walking contradiction of emotions, both vindictive and loving, Mary is just wanting to be loved by a man who will stay. Isn't that what we all want? 

Darla as played by Julie Benz from the TV shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Darla has the soul of a demon, but loves hard despite it. And she's smoking hot.

Lucy Weston as played by Frances Dade in Dracula (1931). As kind as she was beautiful, Lucy caught the eye of Count Dracula, and she was never the same again. 

Marya Zaleska as played by Gloria Holden in Dracula's Daughter (1936). Regal in manner Countess Zaleska commands attention, and she gets it. 

Favorite Fictional Character --- Sam

 

If I posted pictures of all the Sams in my room right now, you’d probably think I have a screw loose—maybe even two. On my bed, there’s a fleece blanket at the foot of it and a pillow shaped like his head mixed in with the rest of my pillows. On my headboard sits a sidestepper that plays music and laughter from the movie. In a cubby of my TV stand, I’ve got a lunchbox and four Funko Pops. Hanging over my curtains is a rather large wall banner. I also have a pair of slippers, two pairs of socks, and about six plastic water cups. In other words: I’m obsessed. Spirit Halloween is basically my favorite store this time of year.

I should probably stop assuming you know who I’m talking about and fill you in on the greatest modern-day horror character: Sam.

Sam is the central figure in Trick ’r Treat (2007), a Halloween-themed horror comedy built around four interconnected stories, all of which feature him in some way.

On the surface, Sam looks like an ordinary kid dressed for trick-or-treating. But underneath that burlap mask is an adorable little demon who enforces the rules of Halloween—violently. The rules are simple:

• Always wear a costume.
• Always hand out treats.
• Never extinguish a jack-o’-lantern before midnight.
• Always respect the dead.
• Never take down decorations before November 1st.
• Never harm the innocent.

Follow those, and you’ll survive the night. Break them, and Sam will make sure you don’t live to see Thanksgiving.

Sam is one of those characters I can’t help but love, even if he’s maybe one I shouldn’t. Sure, he’s technically evil—but he’s also just following his own moral compass, protecting the greatest holiday in existence. So I’m willing to make some allowances. It doesn’t hurt that he’s absolutely adorable, quite possibly the cutest horror character ever created.

 

It's currently on HBO Max and for rent on Apple TV and Prime Video. 

I also wanted to thank Michelle of The True Book Addict for redoing my Favorite Fictional Character post images for both Halloween and Christmas, I absolutely love the new ones. I'm actually thinking about asking her to redo the weekly image as well. 

FrightFall Readathon

If you know me personally, or have been following the blog for a while, you know I love Halloween. I love losing myself in a spine tingling tale. I dim the lights as low as I can deal with, turn on the electric fireplace, and with a mug of tea at hand, I burrow down and get lost in tales of ghosts, monsters, and murder.

My good friend Michelle of The True Book Addict has been sponsoring readathons for a while on a separate page, Seasons of Reading. She has been doing this one for a few years now, but this is the first time the entire month of October is in play. Once I knew that, I knew I had to jump on board this year. To learn all the details please visit the sign up page.

I've already picked out a few books I'm wanting to get through in those 31 days. The will probably change, but here is what I'm planning on as of right now.

29 Days Until Halloween

So needless to say, September was not the month that things got back to normal around here.  I had every intention of throwing myself back into blogging, then they demoted my assistant manager, and I'm stuck working 76 hours a week right now.  That appears to be what my life is going to be like for the foreseeable future, so not looking forward to it.

What I am looking forward to is Halloween, and I'm going to make a commitment to post something Halloween related everyday, right up to the big day itself.  Some days it may be a simple Youtube video of a favorite Halloween song or Halloween cartoon.  Other days will feature a book review or a movie review.  And I'm going to try my damnedest to get some Halloween themed Favorite Fictional Characters thrown in there for good measure.  And I'm not going to kill myself getting it done, but I feel as if I need to make a 2016 list of sexy vampires.

The Ten Sexiest Vampires On Film, Take 6

I know I've been rather M.I.A. on the blog this month, but work has been kicking my ass.  Just to give you an example, in a span of five days, I worked 65 hours.  I'm exhausted.

Regardless or how tired I am, there was one post I knew I had to do before the month was over. There was no way I was going to let this year go by, and not do my annual list of the sexiest vampires to grace the screen.  Over the last six years, it's become one of my Halloween traditions.  

For those of you who haven't been keeping score over the years, please visit the lists I did for 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.  Now that we got that out of the way, how about we feast our eyes on some gorgeous vamps.

THE MEN

Michael Corvin, as played by Scott Speedman in Underworld and Underworld: Evolution.  Half vampire, half lycan, and all man, Michael Corvin isn't someone you would want to mess with.

Marcus Van Sciver, as played by Neil Jackson in Blade: The Series.  Ruthlessness and drop dead gorgeous, makes a winning combination for Marcus in all his dealing.

Brother Silus, as played by Dougray Scott in Perfect Creature.  Born into a society where vampires are born to human mothers, Brother Silas is to be respected and feared, especially when dealing with a rogue.

Richard Wirth, as played by Michael Fassbender in Blood Creek.  I have to admit Richard is one hot vampire, but I think I'd be running the other way if this Nazi monster came towards me.

Steven Grlscz, as played by Jude Law in The Wisdom of Crocodiles.  All he wants is love, it's not his fault that they keep dying on him.

THE WOMEN

Erika, as played by Sophia Myles in Underworld.  Beautiful and seductive, and yet unable to get the man she wanted.

Sasha, as played by Brigid Brannagh in Kindred: The Embraced.  Looked over by the Ventrue Prince of the city, turned by a Brujah thug, and in love with a Gangrel Primogen, Sasha has divided loyalties.  Too bad she's not even sure where her ultimate loyalty belongs.

Katrina, as played by Sheryl Lee in Vampires.  It's always amazing to me how many women of the night, actually get turned into the real deal.

Regine Dandridge, as played by Julie Carmen in Fright Night 2.  Bent on revenge for the death of her brother, Regine isn't shy about using her feminine wiles to reach her goal.

Clara, as played by Gemma Arterton in Byzantium.  She wanted to be left alone to care for her daughter, it's a shame she has to keep killing those who get in her way.

5 and 1/8 Of My Favorite Halloween Cartoons

No matter how old I get, I'm a kid at heart when it comes to cartoons.  I'm that guy who probably remembers almost every cartoon that came on in the 80s.  Yeah, I know it's pretty nerdy, but I can live with that.  When you add my love of cartoons to my love of Halloween, I get as happy as a seven year old on Christmas morning.  Needless to say, I've been watching a lot of my favorites, especially since Halloween is only ten days away.  I wanted to share a few of my favorites.  I hope you love them as much as I do.  Quick side note, I couldn't find a full version of It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, so a clip will have to do.

5th Annual List of Sexy Vampires

Who knew that it's almost impossible to run out of sexy vampires to highlight every year.  I never thought I would still be doing this list all these years later, but damn, there are some fine ass vampires gracing our screens.  I know that vampires aren't for everyone, and the vampire as a sex object can get old over time, but when they look like those on this list, who cares how cliche it is.  I'm sure all of you would gladly bare your neck for at least one of the bloody thirsty fiends on this list.  For that matter, I think quite a few of us wouldn't mind if a few of them took an interest in us.  And if nobody on this list gets your blood pumping, why don't you check out the previous lists from 2009, 2010, 2011, or even 2012.  If nobody gets the blood flowing, then there is no hope for you.  So with no further ado, here are ten luscious vampire men and women for your perusing pleasure.

THE MEN

Vargas, as played by Taye Diggs in the movie Dylan Dog: Dead of Night.  What more needs to be said, look at him, he's frickin hot.  He's also hell bent on finding an ancient artifact, running a nightclub, and being an all around badass.

Barnabas Collins, as played by Ben Cross in the television remake of Dark Shadows.  There is such a dignified air about this man.  He's tall, dark, and sexy; plus he takes what he wants.  There is nothing sexier than a man who knows his own mind.

Armand, as played by Antonio Banderas in the movie version of Interview with a Vampire.  Normally long hair on a man turns me off, but there is something about the profile and accent that can make me overlook the long locks.

David, as played by Theo James in the movie Underworld: Awakening.  When a man that looks like this, has those eyes, and can fight rampaging werewolves as easily as most of us open up a book, why would you not want to have him around.

Josef Kostan, as played by Jason Dohring in the TV show Moonlight.  If only all of us would be this boyishly handsome after 412 years.  He's cute, rich, and extreme healthy, what more could you want in a mate.

THE WOMEN

Rebekah Mikaelson, as played by Claire Holt in the TV show Vampire Diaries.  Tall, blonde, deadly, and fun, a great combination if you like that kind of thing.

Harmony Kendall, as played by Mercedes McNab in two different TV shows, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.  Harmony lives up to the dumb blonde stereotype, but with her Nordic good looks, who cares that she has the brain of a unicorn.

Star, as played by Jami Gertz in The Lost Boys.  She has a carefree attitude and loves a guy who rides a motorcycle, but he has to have a heart of gold.

Lucy Westenra, as played by Bai Ling in the movie The Breed.  This version of Lucy is a tough as nail vampiric enforcer, who loves a little human meat.  

Solina, as played by Jennifer Esposito in the movie Dracula 2000.  Of all the women who made this years list, Solina may have had the smallest role, but with looks like that, it doesn't take a lot of screen time to make men take notice for years.