The Strange Sights of October

Good evening and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

We are sixteen days from Halloween. By now you have witnessed some jaw dropping sights and some things that will be so scarred into your brain that not even brain bleach or music can save you.  Here are some things that you might see in October that you really should don’t want to. Why don’t you want to see these things? Well, you’ll soon see why….

5. Christmas Movies

For this topic, I’m excluding “Tim Burton’s the Nightmare Before Christmas” because it’s considered a Halloween and Christmas movie. Besides, the Christmas movies I’m talking about are the ones that have been playing on the Hallmark Channel since July. You know what ones I’m bringing up – the cheesey, corny, wholesome, American way, unrealistic Christmas stories. Even during the holidays, these movies are kind of dull and just scream for attention like a child who doesn’t receive what they want. These movies try too hard to be some Blockbuster film that will take the nation by storm. Then again, they even try too hard just to be a television special. These films aren’t something memorable like “Die Hard” or “Big Hero 6”, they’re just bland sappy flicks that promote the loving, caring ways of a fictional world.

4. Pumpkin Spice Things That Should NOT Be Pumpkin Spice


For example, pumpkin spice cat litter. I honestly wish I was joking about this.

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Fall Frolic my eye, that's code word for pumpkin spice!

I used to have two cats – a black cat named Kitty and a grey kitten named Pistol (may God rest their feline souls). From my experiences with them, I know that cat leavings don’t exactly smell like a bunch of roses and I acknowledge that products exist with the goal of making a litterbox smell better. Some have a generic scent, others have some floral perfume; these scents are acceptable because they’re normal. Now pumpkin spice on the other hand is an acceptable scent for everything else, but not for cat litter.

3. Christmas decorations

Yes, Christmas is right around the corner, we know this because right now almost every store has an aisle that’s slowly being stocked with Christmas decorations. It’s a time honored tradition of rushing the holidays so we tear through the money maker that is Halloween (costumes, decorations, and candy aren’t cheap) and the even bigger cash cow of Christmas (toys, decorations, ugly Christmas sweaters, it all adds up).  It’s the most wonderful time of the year to remind you that Halloween is the mere stepping stone between spooky scary fun and Christmas consumerism.


2. Things That Should NOT Be Sexy 

Halloween costumes are by far one of the greatest pieces of clothing you can ever wear. It transforms you from your average human into a princess or that popular Internet meme or even a hot piece of corn.

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Damn this girl is ready to pop.

What? Don’t you know that corn can be a-maizing and sexy? Well, apparently it can be. Olaf can be sexy too while we’re at it and don’t get me started on some of your classic childhood icons. All limits are off on Halloween! Everything is sexy – yes, even your blender.  Go to your blender and confess your love to it, especially when it makes your smoothie just the way you like it.

1. The Treatment of Black Cats

Black cats are adorable, snuggly, and cause people to be incredibly superstitious of them. There’s nothing wrong with being superstitious, but like drinking you have to know your limit. Easily avoiding black cats without harming them is all well and good. Gutting them alive on the other hand is horrible and terrible. While black cats are shunned and harmed throughout the year, they’re usually given the worst treatment during October because it’s a month that they’re associated with.  Some people even use black cats for sacrifices in some dark religion or practice.


If you happen to see a black cat this month then call the animal shelter, take it to an adoption agency, adopt it yourself, or just bring it in for a night. Any one of these actions will do them a greater good than roaming on the streets and possibly being killed.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to comment, critique, share, and subscribe.

So tell me, what’s the worst thing you’ve ever seen during October?

Beetlejuice 2: Confirmed by Burton & Ryder

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

In the onslaught of reboots, emerges something strangely pure, something wondrously horrific, something delightfully dark. What is this strange fantastical wonder you may ask yourself? Why it’s “Beetlejuice” of course.

“Beetlejuice” was one of Tim Burton’s original films which gave way to a cartoon. While the movie differed from the program, it still holds up as a funny, but eerie comedy about a family known as the Deets moving into a home occupied by the spirits of those who lived there before. When the ghosts can’t shake the Deets, they call upon Beetlejuice (….nothing? Damn) to help them, and that’s when trouble ensues.

Since its release in 1988, “Beetlejuice” has found a place in the pop culture world and due to its success people have often wondered when the ghost with the most will return. Well, after hearing our cries, Burton and Winona Ryder have confirmed that there will be a “Beetlejuice 2”. Burton reassured the public at a press for his movie, “Big Eyes” that there will be a “Beetlejuice 2” and Winona Ryder will star in it. Winona reaffirmed his words in her recent visit to “Late Night with Seth Meyers”.

Now what “Beetlejuice 2” will include no one (including Ryder) is for certain. The sequel could be Burton’s initial idea wherein Beetlejuice goes Hawaiian as a tribute to the Universal Monster movies (films featuring Frankenstein, Dracula, Wolfman, etc.) going Hawaiian. Burton grew up with horror movies from the 50s and the Universal Monster movies were no exception. However, time does change people and their ideas and Burton may have moved on from this Hawaiian horror to something new.  There have also been rumors that Michael Keaton is ready to channel the iconic spirit once more in Burton’s long awaited sequel and that even Burton has a script. Even IMDB has a brief bio on the future sequel.

Thanks for reading today’s entry! If you enjoyed it, feel free to subscribe, share, comment, and critique.

So tell me, are you ready to revisit the ghost with the most?

Farewell, Saruman

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Christopher Lee left behind a legacy of iconic film roles and music, having passed on June 7^th, 2015 at ninety three years old.  Lee died at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London after three weeks of treatment for respiratory problems and heart failures.

Born in Belgravia, London on May 27^th, 1922 to one of the oldest families in Europe, Lee was an only child. His parents separated when he was a child and his mother moved with him to Switzerland. He attended Miss Fisher’s Academy in Wegen, followed by Summer Field’s School in London. After this, he received a scholarship at Eton College and Wellington College where he studied Greek and Latin.

In 1939, Lee enlisted in the Royal Air Force during WW2. During this time, he also was assigned to tracking down Nazi war criminals and served as an Intelligence Officer with the Long Range Desert Group in Northern Africa in the Special Forces. He later retired with the rank of Flight Lieutenant. Sworn to secrecy, Lee never spoke of his war days.

Eight years later, Lee entered the film industry and obtained a seven year contract with the Rank Organization. He was enrolled in acting school that groomed young, contracted actors.  From his education, he obtained a role in “Corridor of Mirrors” – a gothic romance movie.  In the fifties and onward, Lee’s acting career blossomed from tackling classic roles such as Fu Manchu and notorious horror icons such as Dracula and The Mummy. The part of Dracula especially shaped him into a master of the macabre and led him to dabble in other horror flicks such as “Gremlin 2”, “The Creeping Flesh”, and “Circus of Fear”.

Lee went on to portray classic villain parts such as Saruman from “The Lord of the Rings”, Count Dooku from the “Star Wars” prequels, Scaramanga from “The Man With the Golden Gun”, and countless other roles. Lee even did an audio performance of Edgar Allen Poe’s works, DiZ from Kingdom Hearts 2, King Haggard from “The Last Unicorn”, and Burton’s iconic “Nightmare Before Christmas” poem . He even collaborated with Tim Burton and appeared in “Sleepy Hollow”, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “Dark Shadows”, and “Alice in Wonderland”.  Having loved to sing so much, Lee created symphonic metal albums for Christmas and tributes to Charlemagne.

Burton even had the pleasure of awarding Lee with the BAFTA Academy Fellowship award. Lee was graced with other awards throughout his life. He received the International Fantasy Film Award, Bram Stoker’s Lifetime Achievement Award, MTV Movie Award, and was even knighted by the Queen in 2009 for his services to drama and charity.

The world is a less thrilling place without someone as amazing and epic as Christopher Lee.  While we have his metal soundtracks and his countless roles, the world has once more lost a great person. We can only imagine him now up in the sky conversing with Vincent Price and jamming with other metalheads. His presence will no longer grace the Earth, but we will still have Lee in our hearts and minds.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you liked it, feel free to comment, share, and critique.

So tell me, what was your favorite role that Christopher Lee played?

Quotes to Live By

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

So many students have graduated from all corners of the world so far. Congratulations to them and congratulations to the many more who will receive their diplomas in due time! As a graduate myself, I know the world is like a fire: burning bright, but also dangerous. It’s full of possibilities, opportunities, wonders, and risks. Many of you have had some encouragement on your graduation day, much like me.

Here are my top five quotes that have helped me during my graduation and life, that will motivate you.

5.  “Never lose your childish innocence.” – Katherine, “Under the Tuscan Sun”

What are we as children? We are open minded, innocent to the world around us, and not knowing what to expect. We should never lose this. We should always be open minded to new things; for they will take us places and help us grow. We should always be innocent to this world, without knowing what will come next or how dark it will be. We should always not know what to expect because life is full of surprises.



4. “Well we all shine on, like the moons and the stars and the sun.” – John Lennon

No matter what happens to us be it tragic, terrible, or terrific, we all shine on. We shimmer wildly like stars, we burn brightly like the sun, and we shine like the moons. Life may throw dirt at us, but we plow right through it with our radiance.  So when life does knock us down, we get back up, and keep on shining.

3. “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default.” – J.K.Rowling

Failure is something that most people frown upon and to this day, I still don’t understand why. Failing is a learning experience; we learn how to be better. Rowling has been in my life since Harry Potter hit my bookshelf and I couldn’t be happier because from this woman I have learned so much and this is by far my favorite quote from her. Because there is always the possibility of failing and that makes us human. Also by failing we have taken risks to try and be better, only to learn that it didn’t succeed. So stop being cautious. Take risks. Either way, you’ll learn something and be alive.

2. “The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.” – B. B.King

As mentioned in my recent elegy to the King of Blues, I love B.B.King.  I find this to be one of his greatest quotes because it’s true. What you learn in life, you own as a part of your experience here on Earth, as a part of your brain, as a fragment of your knowledge, as a bit of your soul. No one can take that from you. Plus you can never stop learning – you can take free courses on Coursera or go to graduate school or just keep living; it’s all up to you and for you to have until the end.

1. “One person’s insanity is another person’s reality.” – Tim Burton

Tim Burton has been my idol since I was a teenager, showing me a new perspective and giving me new angles to view the world from. Growing up I watched his works religiously from “Edward Scissorhands” to “Vincent”. When I heard him say this quote, it suddenly clicked with me that not everyone’s lives are the same. Everyone will have different lives regardless of how chaotic or peaceful they may be. Knowing this, we cannot compare our lives to another’s because our lives are so different; insane for some, realistic for others.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to comment, share, and critique.

So tell me, what’s one quote that motivates you and why?

Hollywood's Unnecessary Sequels

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

The movie industry has been buzzing with news, such as continuing to enforce sequels to movies that don’t need sequels. Like many other unnecessary sequels in the works (such as the possible Ghostbusters 3), Hollywood is now brainstorming sequels to some 90s and 80s classics.

For example:

Ms. Doubtfire

Ah yes, who can forget the 90s classic of Robin Williams posing as an elderly feminine nanny so he could see his family? It’s a movie that we all love and remember and constantly see on television. Not too long ago, it was announced that Robin Williams and Chris Columbus (the original director of Mrs.Doubtfire) were joining together to create  Mrs.Doubtfire 2. However, Mara Wilson (Natalie Hillard in the first movie), claimed she will not be returning to the classic flick. This movie had the perfect ending: Robin Williams’ character was able to see his family again, while making a celebrity of his older woman alter ego.

Beetlejuice

This has been anticipated for years, but was initially turned down when Burton started to work on his Batman movies. Originally, Burton wanted to do Beetlejuice 2 with the title of Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian. He wanted to feature the ghost with the most in this particular light as a tribute to old black and white movie monsters that invaded a Hawaiian beach or some tropical locale. Years passed and the idea was abandoned, only now to be raised from the dead, and discussed through Tim Burton, Winona Ryder, and Michael Keaton.

Goonies 2

Here’s another childhood film that was won its way into many hearts. Other than this confirmed sequel, there have been rumors of a completed script since 2010. The director, Richard Donner, hopes that all of the cast will be able to reunite for this thirty years later sequel.

Feel free to comment and reblog and as always, feedback and followers are welcomed.

What unnecessary sequel would you like to see? 

Boys and Girls of Every Age....

Welcome to another Friday entry at The Magical Mystery Blog.

Today is a Friday of a very special month. It’s a month that people have waited for since the end of summer and the start of school. It is the month of October, which can only mean one thing: Halloween! Originally started as a day to ward off spirits and demons, it has transformed throughout the years into a day where you run around in costume, asking strangers for candy.

Throughout the month of October, various television stations showcase a ton of Halloween movies. Some are Hocus Pocus, Corpse Bride, and Nightmare on Elm Street. But there’s one movie that has trumped these and risen to the pinnacle of nostalgic, Halloween movies. This classic film is none other than Tim Burton’s the Nightmare Before Christmas. Originally inspired by a poem Burton wrote and directed by Henry Selick, it was unlike any other Disney movie. As opposed to being a hand drawn or CGI constructed feature, it was all done with stop motion animation. This is where they use clay figures, pose them for one shot, take a picture of  their position, and repeat the process.

The story of this time honored film is that Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween, grows bored of Halloween Town. He comes across Christmas Town and is immediately inspired to create his own Christmas. This movie embodies the spirit of Halloween and delves into the nature of Christmas. Below are some secrets you might not have known about Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas.

      10) Oogie Boogie is Based off of Cab Calloway

If anyone remembers the famous 80s flick, The Blues Brothers, Cab Calloway plays the role of Jake and Elwood's father like persona. Cab Calloway was a famous blues artist known for his big hit "Minnie the Moocher" as performed in The Blues Brothers. He was also known for his specific movements and dance during a live performance.

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Cab Calloway’s dancing, songs, and even personality inspired clay makers, Danny Elfman, and Burton to base Oogie Boogie off of him. In fact there’s a deleted scene which was supposed to be included during the Oogie Boogie Song where Oogie dances much like how Cab would (2:40-2:54).

     9) Jack Has Eyes….Er…Eye Sockets…

When Jack lands in Christmas Town, he is in such disbelief of how different and beautiful the place is, he grows a pair of eyes; rather, eye sockets. It’s only for a brief moment that they are shown to the audience before and after "What’s This."

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      8) Two Heads Are Better Than One

During the reprise of  "This is Halloween/What’s This" the vampire clan is seen playing a game of ice hockey. They use a pumpkin for a puck. Instead of the gourd, it was supposed to be Burton’s head. However, they changed it because the movie was aimed towards children, and it was deemed too dark. Another head in this movie that wasn't censored was Danny Elfmans’.  The street band that appears throughout the movie consists of a cellist, saxophonist, and accordionist. There’s a miniature man in the cello whose head is based off of Danny Elfman’s, the movie’s composer.

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      7) Lock, Shock, and Barrel are a Gun

Burton got the names for Lock, Shock, and Barrel after the movie Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. This movie title features the main parts of a gun: the locking device, the stock to insert the bullets, and the barrel where the bullet is shot out of.

    6) Santa Was Supposed to be Someone Else

The voice actor of Santa Claus was supposed to go to Vincent Price. However, his wife had passed away, causing his health to spiral downwards. Price’s voice was frail and weak on the recordings, which were deemed unusable.

    5)  The Original

In the original poem, only Jack, Santa, Oogie, and Zero were the only characters. Sally, Devil, Harlequin Demon, Dr. Finkelstein, etc. were not given names in the piece and only referred to as Jack's peers. Lock, Shock, and Barrel were only noted as strange creatures in disguise who were ugly but rather petite. When the movie was in production, Burton created the other characters.

The verse where Jack asks Zero to guide is sleigh is specifically worded to fit the song "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" where Santa asks Rudolph to lead his sleigh. This along with How the Grinch Stole Christmas, other holiday specials, "Twas the Night Before Christmas," and Halloween decorations being replaced with Christmas creations inspired Burton to write this poem.

    4) Black and White

Apparently the NAACP was upset because they felt as though Oogie was created to use “blackspeak.” Heroes like Jack, Sally, the Mayor, and others were made to use “whitespeak.” This is complete and utter elephant dung. As stated before, Oogie Boogie was based off the style and tone quality of Cab Calloway who heavily influenced Danny Elfman in his Oingo Boingo days. There was nothing racially involved with the production of the movie. 

   3) The Gatekeeper

In This is Halloween, the citizens of Halloween Town march through the entry gate of their land. There is someone there that we only see briefly throughout the movie. The only other time we see this person is when Jack returns from Christmas Town, riding a festive scooter. This being is none other than the Gatekeeper. There have been many speculations as to who or what this Gatekeeper looks like, but if you pause the movie at the right time you’ll see him.

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Quote the Raven,"Gate's open! Come on in!"

The Gatekeeper is none other than a raven wearing a bowler hat. His wings are probably hidden within his trench coat but his black beak and face are enough to tell us it’s a raven. It also makes sense for it to be a raven because they are birds often associated with death.

    2) “Tender Lumplings”

Towards the end of  "This is Halloween", the verse “tender lumplings everywhere, life’s no fun without a good scare” is sung. “Tender lumplings” is a reference to a song written by Danny Elfman during his time with the band, Oingo Boingo.

  1) Same Song, Different Movie

Before Jack created a clash of the holidays, Burton was working on another masterpiece. Most of you may know this work of excellence as Edward Scissorhands. It was released in 1990, with a beautiful score written by Danny Elfman. This is a sample of what Elfman did and is the opening track to the movie;  listen especially to the melody from 1:44 - 1:55. Flash forward to 1993, with Burton’s release of The Nightmare Before Christmas  listen to the music around :58 - 1:15. Notice anything familiar between those two specific sections? It’s the same music but with a different movie.

Any Nightmare Before Christmas secrets you know of and want to share? Feel free to post them in the comments below and as always, feedback and followers are welcomed.

We All Have Scissorhands

Thank God it’s Friday because here’s a new entry of The Magical Mystery Blog.

I’m sure most of you are familiar with the famous movie director, Tim Burton. Mr. Burton has created classic hits like Mars Attacks, Vincent, and Corpse Bride. He has even aided in the production of other movies like James and the Giant Peach and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Growing up, I wasn’t too fond of the strange director and producer until I hit my teenage years Or as everyone remembers these years as, the time when puberty struck and life was a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world.

Needless to say, I was in that same boat of confusion. At the age of thirteen I finally watched The Nightmare Before Christmas and was completely fascinated by this director’s work. I loved his work so much I started to watch other movies created by him, including Edward Scissorhands.

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Edward Scissorhands is the story of an Avon saleswoman (Peg Boggs) discovering a leftover, unfinished invention in a deceased inventor’s palace. The invention is none other than Johnny Depp with scissors for hands. Intrigued and concerned by this man made man, Mrs. Boggs invites Edward to stay with her in her cheery little neighborhood.

The rest is a cause and effect story of what happens when you try to introduce something different and new to a town that likes an unchanging routine. How it not only effects the people in that specific location but the lengths they go to, to use this new person to their means. Only then do they reject him for the “wrongs” he has committed, when it was their doing from the start. In the end, they just shrug it off as if nothing ever happened, and return to their daily ritual.

This movie is a treat for anyone who wants to step inside the world of Tim Burton’s early years. As for myself, I've watched this film at every chance I could get because it’s my favorite Burton flick. However, as the years rolled on I began to realize a few things about it.

              1)      It’s easily relate-able to everyone - when I originally viewed this movie, I could easily understand it because I was an outcast much like Edward Scissorhands. I had just transferred from Catholic to public school at that time and despite trying to put my best foot forward, it failed in the end.

At first I didn't realize it, but as I grew older I began to see that everyone could relate to this movie. You may find that notion insane because when people think ‘Tim Burton movies’ they immediately imagine the gothic and/or emo kids who blast Slayer and wear spikes on every single article of clothing they own.

With Edward Scissorhands I find that people can relate to this film because at some point in our lives, everyone is Edward Scissorhands. You’re the new kid changing (or starting) school and know no one, you’re the new person in the office and don’t know how things are. You're strange to the new town, school, or workplace because you're new and different. Some kindhearted people will take you in, show you around, and make sure you're all right. However, there are those out there who will use you to their benefit. It happens to everyone in life, just as it did in Edward Scissorhands.

Even Burton himself has said that he was Edward Scissorhands. In fact, he had created Edward long before the movie was even made.

             2)      The inspiration – in the time that Mr.Burton made this film, he was an unknown producer and director who was still making a mark in the world. He wanted to show Hollywood a new lease on life through his style, stories, and ideas. As a teenager he often drew various things and Edward was one of them. Edward was drawn as a representation of himself growing up and even the film was a symbolization of Burton's time growing up. This movie was an outward expression of Burton’s means of finding himself in the world as the outcast he was.

              3)      The meaning of the end – SPOILER ALERT.

THE FOLLOWING IS A MASSIVE

SPOILER TO EDWARD

SCISSORHANDS. IF YOU HAVE NOT

SEEN IT YET, PLEASE DO NOT READ

ON.


When I viewed this movie, I honestly did not expect to bawl at the end. But I understood why I cried and called Kim Boggs (Winona Ryder’s character) a bitch.

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Get your hands off my man, woman!

It was because she tarnished my hopes for a happy ending for this movie by leaving Edward  alone in the inventor's palace. I was rooting for the underdog in this film so that their romance could blossom and face the challenges of having a partner with scissorhands. It would be something different as opposed to your standard boyfriend/girlfriend relationships.

I was hoping for them to be together forever because it would bridge the gap between the strange and the normal. I believed that if that chasm could never be filled in life, then at least let me have it from a movie I enjoy. This was not the case but then again, I’m rather glad Burton did not give his audience a joyful reprise.


What he gave the audience was life. There will always be the outcasts in life that no one wants to bond with because they interrupt the daily routine. But in the world there are those like Kim, Peg, and the rest of their family who embrace those who are different from them. When Kim sacrificed her future with Edward, she broke the possible idea of bridging the gap between the different and the routine. She could have stayed with Edward and explained what had happened to the crowd but they would have assumed that Edward started it and would have still considered him a villain. Kim knew he was never an enemy to the neighborhood although they believed otherwise. 

Well that about wraps up this week's blog entry. For my readers, I ask you a question: what did you think about the ending to Edward Scissorhands? Would you have preferred a happy ending, why? Or did you like it the way it was and why?