2020 Has Been the Year of the Doc! What I watched in September 2020.

 Oh, September when its time to fire up the VCR and watch some of those old Halloween specials to get the spooky juices flowing. Sure I watched a few in preparation for the upcoming count down to Halloween but a few were just for pure enjoyment. As soon as that crisp air starts to flow my mind started drifting towards Halloween. But holy black cats what a year so far watching Documentary's this month I watched 4!  

 Mon, 28 Sep 2020  Witches in Stitches 1997 (Tubi TV)

Ready for a hilarious adventure? Hop aboard a broomstick for this tale of two dim-witted witches who accidentally turn their sister into a jack-o-lantern on Halloween...and that's just the beginning of the story. Join the silly sisters as they turn a typical suburban town topsy-turvy with their inept attempts to rescue their sister-turned-pumpkin on Halloween night. Watch them fly around town, go trick-or-treating for the first time, and pop in on a children's Halloween party. These "Witches in Stitches" will delight children with their entertaining tactics and humorous happenings. This is one Halloween story that can be enjoyed all year long!

Watch for my review during the Halloween Countdown.

Watched on Sunday, September 27, 2020. Larry The Cable Guy: Remain Seated (Amazon Prime)

Larry the Cable Guy is back to Git R Done. Remain Seated, his latest solo special will show you why this Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum recording artist and Billboard award winner is at the top of his game. Coming to you straight from the Rialto Square Theater in Joliet, IL to your seat at home! 

Was looking for something lite and airy to watch the other day and this popped up on Amazon Prime. Once I read it was filmed in Joliet (not too far from me) I thought hey why not. Boy, I'm glad I did this one is a hoot. Never was much of a Larry the Cable Guy fan but he had me rolling, as well as the wife and she never laughs.

Watched on Friday, September 25, 2020. The Social Dilemma 2020 (Netflix)

This documentary-drama hybrid explores the dangerous human impact of social networking, with tech experts sounding the alarm on their own creations. This was way scarier to watch than most horror movies. IF you or a loved one is addicted to social media this just might be a wake-up call for you. I still steer away from Facebook about man Twitter and Pinterest falls on this list as well. I would not doubt that High Schools show this in history classes.

Watched on Friday, September 25, 2020. In Search of Darkness: A Journey Into Iconic '80s Horror  (Shudder)

An exploration of ’80s horror movies through the perspective of the actors, directors, producers, and SFX craftspeople who made them, and their impact on contemporary cinema. This one took me days to watch as it clocks in at a whopping 4 hours long! I feel it skipped some pretty important movies and for a horror junky like myself, I did not see anything new for me. Yet it is a nice look back at the goopy horror of the 80s. 

Watched on Thursday, September 24, 2020. Notre-Dame: Race Against the Inferno (Disney+)

On 15th April 2019, during Holy Monday Mass, the world’s most famous cathedral caught fire. Notre-Dame de Paris was ablaze in minutes, as an epic battle unfolded for heroic French firefighters. Under the gaze of the world’s media, they fought the inferno for more than 15 hours. Exclusive footage and interviews bring vividly to life the moment-by-moment courage of the Paris fire and police services, as they put their lives on the line to save this historic building.

Wow-what those firefighters went through! This was pretty intense at times.

Watched on Friday, September 18, 2020. Night of the Lepus 1972 (Svengoolie)

Giant mutant rabbits terrorize the southwest! Yeah, this was defiantly a fun time as a child it would have traumatized me. 

Watched on Saturday, September 12, 2020. Frankenweenie 1984 (Disney+)

When young Victor’s pet dog Sparky (who stars in Victor’s home-made monster movies) is hit by a car, Victor decides to bring him back to life the only way he knows how. But when the bolt-necked “monster” wreaks havoc and terror in the hearts of Victor’s neighbors, he has to convince them (and his parents) that despite his appearance, Sparky’s still the good loyal friend he’s always been.

Such a classic Halloween staple I still do not understand why Tim Burton would have been fired by Disney for its creepiness? And yet he helps save the company a few years later. 

Watched on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Fuzzbucket 1986 (Disney+)

In the vein of “Harvey”, an invisible creature befriends a 12-year-old boy. Of course, no one else can see him nor believes in him. Oh wow, how is it I have never seen this? And if you have missed it fire up the old Disney+ time machine sit back and relax as Mick Garris (Yep the one that brought us so many scary movies) weaves a fun tale for the whole family to watch. 

Watched on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Mr. Boogedy 1986 (Disney+)

This one will defiantly be part of the Countdown next month so stay tuned! PS it was a blast!!

Watched on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. The Blob 1958 (Svengoolie)

A drive-in favorite, this sci-fi classic follows teenagers Steve and his best girl, Jane, as they try to protect their hometown from a gelatinous alien life form that engulfs everything it touches. The first to discover the substance and live to tell about it, Steve and Jane witness the blob destroying an elderly man, then it grows to a terrifying size. But no one else has seen the goo, and policeman Dave refuses to believe the kids without proof.

One of my all-time favorites!

Watched on Saturday, September 5, 2020. Hell on the Border 2019 (Amazon Prime)

This epic, action-packed Western tells the incredible true story of Bass Reeves, the first black marshal in the Wild West. Having escaped from slavery after the Civil War, he arrives in Arkansas seeking a job with the law. To prove himself, he must hunt down a deadly outlaw with the help of a grizzled journeyman. As he chases the criminal deeper into the Cherokee Nation, Reeves must not only dodge bullets but severe discrimination in hopes of earning his star–and cement his place as a cowboy legend.

Man, I had such high hopes for this one even if it was a low budget attempt it is a story that should be told. Sadly it comes off cold and rather boring. Bass Reeves was the inspiration behind the Lone Ranger who happens to be my favorite cowboy. With that said this one is a hard pass. 

Watched on Thursday, September 3, 2020. Class Action Park 2020 (HBO MAX)

Discover the legacy of Action Park, a very real amusement park that used to exist that has something of a legendary story. Not only because the park was wild and far less structured than something like Disneyland, but because many people were seriously injured, and some even died. While it sounds made up, this place was very real.

Watched on Thursday, September 3, 2020. Rob Schneider: Asian Momma, Mexican Kids 2020 (Netflix)

Former “Saturday Night Live” star Rob Schneider returns to the stage and shares his take on life, love, and dinosaur dreams in this stand-up special. Ending with a surprise duet performance with his daughter, singer-songwriter Elle King, Rob talks about potty training his young daughters and his own pig potential.

"What is he saying? It’s so low and not funny. So disappointed I really like Rob Schneider." Pulling out the turkey leg for this one! SKIP IT.

The totals for the month look like this

13 Flims Watched

4 on Disney+

1 on Shudder

2 on Amazon Prime 

2 on Svengoolie

1 On HBO Max

2 on Netflix

1 On Tubi TV

100 of the 75 movie goal I set for 2020

Wow up to 100 movies and it feels pretty good if I do not say so myself. 17 of those 100 are documentary, not sure what it is this year but searching for a good story seems to come int that format. I have also watched more stand up than ever before with Larry the Cable Guy of all things bringing me to tears. What a crazy world this has been.

Of course, scary movie month is upon us I would like to squeeze 2 movies a week in for October. I have a few bucket list movies that I have inquired that I will jump on asap as well as a few I would like to revisit. 

Here is to Shocktober. 

So let me know in the comments have you watched anything fun in September? What are some of your viewing plans for October?

 

Chill and Thrill to Dracula's Curse! Tonight on Svengoolie.

Son of Dracula

1943 | NR | 1 Hour 20 Minutes | Horror | Universal

Director: 

Robert Siodmak

Writers: 

Eric Taylor 

Curt Siodmak 

Stars: 

Lon Chaney Jr.

Robert Paige

Louise Allbritton

Synopsis:

Count Alucard finds his way from Budapest to the swamps of the Deep South after meeting Katherine Caldwell, of the moneyed Caldwell clan that runs a plantation called Dark Oaks. She's obsessed with occult matters. Who better to guide her through this supernatural world than Count Alucard, whose name no one bothers to spell backward? No one, that is, except the wily Dr. Brewster, an old family friend. He'll join Professor Lazlo, a specialist in the occult, in fighting this "Alucard" and the woman he's influenced. Or has Katherine influenced him? Meanwhile, Katherine's fiancé, Frank Stanley, will find his courage and his sanity sorely tested when he accidentally shoots Katherine to death, yet finds that she goes on living.

Son of Dracula is the first film to features the man-into-bat transformation ever seen on camera. In "Dracula (1931)" no transformations were shown on screen. Both John Carradine and Bela Lugosi would get similar treatment over the next five years. This is also one of a few "Universal" horror movies to feature a downbeat ending.

Make sure to tune in tonight and don't forget to tweet along using the hashtag #Svengoolie. 

Katura and the Cat a Halloween Tail.

 

Katura and the Cat

"An original fairytale by Lillian Moats & J.P. Somersaulter."

Katura and the Cat is an original fairytale by JP Somersaulter and Lillian Somersaulter Moats. In the film, Katura receives a mysterious key from her grandmother, who instructs her to go across the forest to attend a Halloween ball at the castle. Along the way, Katura encounters witches and ghouls, a missing prince, and a shape-shifting cat. Illustrated with high-contrast imagery, silhouetted forest scapes, and a black, white, red, and blue color scheme, Katura and the Cat is a Halloween-inspired fairytale that is visually reminiscent of a graphic novel. 

This creepy as all get out 10 minutes short from 1982 was intended for Kindergarten through intermediate grades! Man, I love these old creepy things. And what a fantastic tail to boot.

What did Halloween Look Like On Mtv in 1987 Well Take a look.

 MTV: Halloween Top 20 Countdown With Alan Hunter

Such a crazy trip from October 31,1987 with Jason Bateman and some really odd music like Mr. Misters Somthing Real ( I don't remember this song at all) to REO Speedwagon - In My Dreams. Not sure this will get you into the Halloween Spirit but its cool nevertheless. 

Tracklisting in case you want to jump around. 

00:00:00 Alan Hunter With Jason Bateman Intro (Partial)

00:02:48 Yes - Love Will Find A Way 

00:07:10 Alan Hunter With Jason Bateman Intro 

00:07:57 Snoopy Come Home Disney Channel Local Commercial

00:08:27 Cinemax Channel Local Commercial 

00:08:56 Lifetime Channel Local Commercial

00:10:00 RAD Rock Against Drugs PSA 

00:10:33 Alan Hunter With Jason Bateman Intro 

00:11:06 Mr. Mister - Something Real (Inside Me/Inside You) 

00:15:30 Pink Floyd - Learning To Fly 

00:19:48 Alan Hunter Intro 

00:20:18 Sun Country Wine Cooler Commercial

00:20:48 Doublemint Gum Commercial 

00:21:18 Hiding Out Movie Commercial

00:21:48 Tin Pan Apple Records Album Commercial

00:22:24 Alan Hunter With Jason Bateman Intro 

00:23:09 REO Speedwagon - In My Dreams 

00:27:25 Belinda Carlisle - Heaven Is A Place On Earth 

00:31:14 Alan Hunter Intro 

00:31:44 Snickers Candy Bar Commercial 

00:32:14 Stridex Pads Commercial (Partial)

Riddle Me This...

 Ok, Dad jokes alert!!

What room do ghosts avoid? 

The Living Room!

When is it bad luck to see a black cat?

When you're a mouse

Why did Snap, Crackle, and Pop get scared?

They heard there was a cereal killer on the loose.

What is a ghost's favorite dessert?

Ice Scream Duh. 

How do you fix a jack-o-lantern?

With a Pumpkin Patch.

What should you say when you meet a ghost in your bedroom?

"How do you boo?"

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, I will be here all month long and October too...Insert Witch Laughter here. 

We are creeping that much closer to Halloween make sure to check out our Host Countdown To Halloween  as bloggers from all over celebrate everyone's favorite spooky season.

Diabolical Dr. Cyclops Tonight on Svengoolie

  

Dr. Cyclops

1940 | NR | 1 Hour 17 Minutes | Horror | Paramount

Director: 

Ernest B. Schoedsack

Writer: 

Tom Kilpatrick

Stars: 

Albert Dekker

Thomas Coley

Janice Logan

Synopsis: Four explorers are summoned to Peru by the brilliant physicist Dr. Thorkel. They discover a rich source of radium and a half-mad Thorkel who shrinks them down to one-fifth their normal size when they threaten to stop his unorthodox experimentation.

Some of us also received the great news that CW26 in the Chicago land has brought back Sven on Saturday mornings rebroadcasting last week's movie! This is great news for me as now I do not have to watch it on my phone using the MeTV app. So if you missed those pesky Killer Rabbits in Night of the Lepus you still have time!

October Disney+ Lineup

Disney+ already has so much content to watch on its streaming service, but Disney just keeps on treating us to new content. Starting Oct. 1, Disney+ will be putting out new library titles for you to enjoy. Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent will the first library title to be released in October, followed by Cheaper By The Dozen 2, Mr. Holland’s Opus, and more.

And of course, the Emmy award-winning series The Mandalorian season two kicks of October 30th. You can also catch new seasons for The Right Stuff, One Day at Disney, and The Big Fib. Plenty of fun for those cool nights ahead.

And for the spook in your Halloween Disney+ has added Maleficent and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice this month. Watch for a fun list of Family movies to watch this Halloween coming soon. Also would like to point out for the geeks in all of us Disney Junior the Rocketeer streams on October 16th.

October 1

Maleficent - A beautiful, pure-hearted young woman, Maleficent has an idyllic life growing up in a peaceable forest kingdom, until one day when an invading army threatens the harmony of the land. Maleficent rises to be the land's fiercest protector, but she ultimately suffers a ruthless betrayal - an act that begins to turn her pure heart to stone. Bent on revenge, Maleficent faces a battle with the invading king's successor and, as a result, places a curse upon his newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Maleficent realizes that Aurora holds the key to peace in the kingdom - and perhaps to Maleficent's true happiness as well.


October 2

Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Cheaper by the Dozen 2
Mr. Holland’s Opus
Secrets of the Zoo: Down Under (Season 1)
The Simpsons (Season 31)

Zenimation Extended Edition (Premiere) Unplug, relax, and refresh your senses for a moment of mindfulness with Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zenimation -an animated soundscape experience. Whether it’s baby Moana being called by the ocean, Anna and Kristoff walking through an icy forest, or Baymax and Hiro Hamada flying over San Fransokyo, these iconic scenes become an aural experience like no other with the sounds of ocean waves, an icy forest, and soaring flight. Zenimation pays tribute to both the visual and sound artists who have created Walt Disney Animation Studios’ legacy of films. Created and edited by David Bess. From Walt Disney Animation Studios.

October 9

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Oil Spill of the Century
Wild Portugal
X2
The Right Stuff (Premiere)

October 16

Disney Junior the Rocketeer (Season 1)
Drain (Season 3)
Lost on Everest
Marvel’s Iron Man & Captain America: Heroes United

Clouds (Premiere) Inspired by an incredible true story, “Clouds” is a poignant and beautiful look at the heartbreaking duality of life and a testament to what can happen when you start to live as if each day might be your last. Zach Sobiech (Fin Argus) is a fun-loving high school student with raw musical talent living with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. At the start of his senior year, he is ready to take on the world, however, when he receives the news that the disease has spread, he and his best friend and songwriting partner, Sammy (Sabrina Carpenter), decide to spend Zach’s limited time following their dreams. With the help of Zach’s mentor and teacher, Mr. Weaver (Lil Rel Howery), Zach and Sammy are given the chance of a lifetime and are offered a record deal. Along with the support of the love of his life, Amy (Madison Iseman) and his parents, Rob and Laura (Tom Everett Scott and Neve Campbell); Zach embarks on an unforgettable journey about friendship, love, and the power of music.

Meet The Chimps (Premiere) “Meet The Chimps” takes viewers into the secret life of one of the largest and most unique wildlife sanctuaries in the world–Chimp Haven—a 200-acre refuge tucked deep in the forested heart of Louisiana, which is home to more than 300 chimpanzees. Narrated by Emmy Award-winning actress Jane Lynch, this six-part series, from National Geographic, tracks the ups and downs of this extraordinary group of chimps that are given a second chance at life by a staff whose dedication, compassion, and commitment know no bounds. Through a seamless blend of natural history and observational-documentary filmmaking, “Meet The Chimps” puts the chimps–the heart and soul of the series–at front and center. A real-life drama with a full emotional range, the series gives unparalleled access to everything happening at Chimp Haven, including food squabbles, alliances, romances, ‘bromances’, tears, tantrums, high jinxes, and heartbreaks.

October 23

Once Upon A Snowman (Premiere) The previously untold origins of Olaf, the innocent and insightful, summer-loving snowman who melted hearts in the Academy Award®-winning 2013 Disney animated feature, Frozen, and its acclaimed 2019 sequel, are revealed in the all-new Walt Disney Animation Studios animated short, Once Upon a Snowman. The film follows Olaf’s first steps as he comes to life and searches for his identity in the snowy mountains outside Arendelle. Once Upon a Snowman is directed by Trent Correy (animation supervisor, “Olaf” in Frozen 2) and Dan Abraham (veteran story artist who boarded Olaf’s “When I Am Older” musical sequence in Frozen 2) and will debut exclusively on Disney+ October 23, 2020.

The Big Fib
Gathering Storm (Season 1)
India from Above (Season 1)
Marvel Super Hero Adventures (Shorts) (Season 4)
Pompeii: Secrets of the Dead
Ultimate Viking Sword

October 30

The Mandalorian (Season 2 Premiere) The Mandalorian and the Child continue their journey, facing enemies and rallying allies as they make their way through a dangerous galaxy in the tumultuous era after the collapse of the Galactic Empire. “The Mandalorian” stars Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano, Carl Weathers, and Giancarlo Esposito. Directors for the new season include Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rick Famuyiwa, Carl Weathers, Peyton Reed, and Robert Rodriguez. Showrunner Jon Favreau serves as executive producer along with Dave Filoni, Kathleen Kennedy, and Colin Wilson, with Karen Gilchrist serving as co-executive producer.

Disney the Owl House (Season 1)
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
X-Ray Earth (Season 1)

Hubie Halloween. Yay or Nay?

Hubie Halloween Coming October 7th 

Ok, Halloween fans now that a trailer has dropped for the new Adam Sandler flick what do you think? I'm sure I will watch it for the greater good of this blog and all things Halloween but I just might have to drink a few witches brews beforehand.

Despite his devotion to his hometown of Salem (and its Halloween celebration), Hubie Dubois is a figure of mockery for kids and adults alike. But this year, something is going bump in the night, and it's up to Hubie to save Halloween.

Hubie Halloween is just one of several new movies and shows coming to Netflix this Halloween, and people seem to be excited! the movie reunites a bunch of comedy faves all in one star-studded cast. Like many prolific people in Hollywood, Sandler definitely has some collaborators he likes to work with a lot, and some of them show up in this cast, but there are also plenty of exciting newcomers to watch out for. 

Ok let me know will you be tuning in or tuning out?

The Red Room Riddle

 

The Red Room Riddle

1983 | TV-Y | 30 Minutes | Adventure | ABC

Director: 

Robert Chenault

Writers:

 Scott Corbett (book), Stephen Manes (teleplay)

Stars: 

Billy Jayne

Nicholas Gilbert

Christian Hoff

Synopsis:

Two young boys, Todd & Bill, go snooping into an alleged haunted house as a club initiation. One of the upstairs rooms was supposedly inhabiting a ghost by the name of Jamie Bly, who was a young boy who burned in the room years before. He had a dog, as well. The entire mansion was filled with ghosts, from Bly to his old caretaker, to the maid, to everything. This episode featured the misadventures of the two boys as they entered the property & wandered inside the mansion.

This wildly entering Saturday Morning Special based on Robert Corbett's short story will send a chill down your spine. After watching a few of these "Scary" type kid shows in preparation for Halloween I have quickly discovered why so many of us 80s kids love scary things. Shows like this just might not have made it on tho the small screen today! This is not overly intense like a few others I will be discussing as we creep closer to Halloween, but most kids will want to leave the lights on while watching. Side note the Vincent Price gag is worth the watch alone. 

The Red Room Riddle: A Ghost Story was first published in 1972 and the ABC Saturday Morning Special first aired on February 5th of 1983. It would later air at a more appropriate day and time on October 20,1984. This would also be the complete version I watched today. Thanks to The Museum of Classic Chicago Television they have made this one available to watch in all its glory including some of those wonderful toy commercials for Cap'n Crunch's Choco-Crunch, Crystal Barbie from Mattel, Cabbage Patch Kids album and cassette, and the C.L.A.W. Action Wagon from Tonka.

Oh, those wonderful toys of the 80s.

Our ghost in the story was played by Christian Hoff who would win a Tony in 2006 for Playing Tommy DeVito in the Award-winning Broadway show "Jersey Boys."  and would also lend a voice to Freckles Friendly on The Richie Rich/ Scooby-Doo Show. In the same year, child actor Billy Jayne would show up on the big screen to scare us once again as Brett Chamber in Cujo. Of course, but I will always remember him from the TV show Silver Spoons. And last, the scaredy-cat played by Nicholas Gilbert would only show up on film one more time as a bully in the Never Ending Story. The three hold the show together pulling off this fun little ghost story. 

If you are looking for a short little ghost story to get the Halloween spirit juices flowing The Red Room Riddle is a fun little ride that will help get you there. The old commercials are a hoot and you really should fight the urge to fast forward. Sadly the video is an old VHS from 1984 so it will be a bit graining and dark but the story will keep you focused. 

If you would like to watch The Red Room Riddle follow this Link