HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS 21 FULL SITE REVEALED

We've got our official icon in the form of a slightly aged (but still pretty) Lady Luck and the full site has JUST gone live. The link to the full site is below, feel free to browse around and check it out, since (in my personal opinion) it's the best site we've had in YEARS!

http://www.halloweenhorrornights.com/orlando/index.html#homepage

I LOVE how it's laid out and how the theming in the site is consistant throughout. For those who are too lazy to click on the link I've generously provided The houses and Zones list with the description for each found on the main site and my personal reaction to each.

HOUSES

NIGHTINGALES: BLOOD PREY- Within every war, the Nightingales have appeared. Able to transform themselves to fit any setting, these savage banshees feed on the weak and helpless. Patrolling WWI era trenches, you discover that you are more than just at war...You are being hunted.

My my does this sound AWESOME and AMAZING! I wonder how these "Nightingales" will look?? Will they be pretty, terrifying, maybe even both??? CAN'T WAIT!!!

H.R BLOODENGUTZ PRESENTS HOLIDAYS OF HORROR- Join creature feature host H.R. Bloodengutz in his final televised broadcast as he presents a scare-athon of holiday-based horror that is guaranteed to cleave you screaming for more.

Love how their incorporating a (made-up)classic cheesy late night tv horror host into HHN. However, not sure how I feel about the whole holiday angle. Anyways, BRING ON THE CHEESE!!! INTERESTED

SAWS N' STEAM: INTO THE MACHINE- Spinning blades and massive, crushing pistons await you around every corner as you are forced deeper into the bowels of a mechanical nightmare. Give yourself to "The Machine".

This house marks the first time that HHN has turned a (pretty successful and popular) scarezone into a house. I am interested to see how they will handle this, it will take a lot more than spinning blades, etc to scare me. Hope they give this one some backstory. That said, I do love me some steampunk!! APPREHENSIVE, BUT INTRIGUED NONTHELESS

THE THING- Paranoia spreads like an epidemic among a group of researchers in an isolated Antarctic outpost as they are infected, one by one, by a horrifying creature from another planet. In a place where there is nothing, they found something.

Huge fan of the original Thing, this house is based on the upcoming prequel film. 2009's The Wolfman house was a huge success that perfectly captured the atmosphere of the remake, I can only hope HHN does not drop the ball on this one. APPREHENSIVE, BUT INTRIGUED NONTHELESS.

WINTER'S NIGHT: THE HAUNTING OF HAWTHORN CEMETARY- As snow falls on this normally serene gothic cemetery, the deceased souls that occupy its confines have their sights set upon you. Insuring that the chill you feel up your spine is more than just the cold of night.

Hoping that this one has some constant snow effects as implied by the above description. Love the idea of a haunted cemetery, if done right the atmopshere could be truly top-notch here. PRETTY EXCITED

NEVERMORE: THE MADNESS OF POE- The madness of Edgar Allen Poe's greatest works has come to life. Step into the mind of the iconic writer, where every turn of the page takes you closer to the brink of insanity.

LOVE Edgar Allen Poe. Wonder what works would be included in the house, I would hope the Masque of the Red Death and The Casque of Amontillado would make an appearance. PRETTY EXCITED

THE FORSAKEN- Four ships began Columbus' fateful voyage, only three became legend. Condemned to a watery grave, the mutinous and cursed crew of that 4th ship has returned with a vengence. For within the walls of a spanish fort, A maelstrom has brought from the depths...death itself.

Interesting premise for the house, LOVE how some intense weather effects may be witnessed here (Strobe for lighting, some strong winds, perhaps even some rain). That said, it's yet ANOTHER ghost house of sorts. Can't say I'm excited for this one, but I'll probably try to give it a glimpse. WORTH A PEEK I SUPPOSE

THE IN-BETWEEN- An ominous portal reveals a 3rd dimension where all is not what it seems: A realm where our world and another collide. Surrounded by fiendish creatures, your eyes will deceive you with every step through this phantasm of terror.

FINALLY, a 3D house!!!! This will mark my first time ever walking through a 3D Haunted Hoise and thus, I'm pretty psyched (not to mention the idea of stepping into another fiendish, twisted dimension interests me to no end). I think I smell win. PRETTY EXCITED

SCAREZONES

ACID ASSAULT: For decades now the city has been degrading from the effects of Acid Rain that still falls today. Those that have lived and survived the blistering decay are all alone in the city. Survivors have stripped the city of all life to sustain their own...Dare to enter the Acide Assault!

Ehhh. Not much info to digest here. Hopefully this zone will include water/rain effects and I'm expecting the scareactors here to have some pretty grusome blisters on them. I suppose this could be an interesting zone, but it ould also end up being another contamination (shudders). APPREHENSIVE, BUT INTRIGUED NONTHLESS

CANYON OF DARK SOULS- Upon entering into the Canyon of Dark Souls, you will feel like a small spec of humanity as the overwhelming sense of death surrounds you. Creatures that dwell within the Canyon are not welcoming so walk slowly as to not disturb them.

I wonder how they shall incorporate the whole "being quite" aspect into this zone. That said, I LOVE the premise and can't wait to see how the atmosphere is and how the scareactors look. CAN'T WAIT!

GROWN EVIL- Enter, if you dare, into our garden where Evil grows. Nature has taken this once well manicured sanctuary back from the humans who once kept it. Now the creatures that inhabit the garden are making any human that enters their prey!!!

*Yawns*. Oh, sorry Universal...did I fall asleep there? I kid I kid. The premise actually does sound somewhat interesting and there is only one logical place for this zone to go: in the shady, tree lined street that leads to the Hollywood area of the park. I suppose most call this Central Park. It's good to see this small area finally getting some TLC from HHN. The past few years it's been decorated with wonderfully creepy Jack O' Lanterns and flickering lights. The area is already creepy and atmospheric enough that HHn doesn't have to do all that much (but I hope they do). Just the fact that zone will (hopefully) be in this area excites me to NO END!!! LET IT BEGIN!!! EXTREMELY PSYCHED!

7- As daylight shines upon our temptresses, their appearance, though evil, allows you the spectacle of beauty. As night falls, these 7 temptresses will show their true colors and take on their true fatal evil forms!! Beware of your own temptations!

Wow! I can't help but wonder why they put the daylight part in here since most of the event takes place at night. True for the first hour or so it is light out, so maybe that's what their talking about? I can't help but hope (foolish as it seems) that this zone will be open during the day. Either way, the idea of beautiful, sexy, evil females on the hunt after me....I'm not gonna lie, that's pretty hot. And I can only wonder what they mean by temptations? EXTREMELY PSYCHED!

NIGHTMAZE- Journey through the ever changing maze of darkness! This all black maze will change and morph as you walk through it!!! You will not be scared the same way twice!

I'm not gonna lie, this one sounds truly terrifying. An all black maze that morphs and changes as you walk through it...God, I peed myself just thinking about it. I'm confident that this maze will go into Shrek Alley as the pillars and walls there includes wheels. PRETTY PSYCHED!

YOUR LUCK JUST RAN OUT- Enter if you dare into the lair of the Lucky. Your choices will determine if you make it out alive! Witness Lucks deadly wrath. Will she choose you to be her next victim?

I hope there's a mini-stage show in this zone so we can watch Lady Luck (our icon/hostess for the event) do her thing. It sounds like we may be presented with choices in this zone, good way to make the event interactive HHN!!! I can't wait to finally shake hands with Luck!! EXCITED!

SHOWS

BILL AND TED'S EXCELLENT HALLOWEEN ADVENTURE- Party on as those two most excellent dudes return to skewer the biggest names in entertainment and pop culture.

This show has been a staple of HHN since opening year. that said, it's usually a hit or miss. Some shows have been most excellent and others have been Non Non Heinious. Either way I'll most definitely be visiting this show while I'm there! Be excellent to each other and PARTY ON DUDES!!! EXCITED!

DEATH DRUMS- A seductive, hard-hitting and raw, extreme drumming experience is revealed at Halloween Horror Nights 21! Don't just see 1 show as there are 3 different shows nightly. Make the choice and experience Death Drums!

Seductive, huh? Maybe this show will include some sexy, scantily clad females? Not to mention, I've always had a thing for drums. I'll have to investigate further. INTERESTED

On a sidenote: I'm officially 21 so this will be my first time I'll be consuming alcohol at the event, adding a whole new element to the event I've never experienced before. I am (needless to say ) MOST EXCITED!

Anyways, those are my thoughts on the event. It seems to be shaping up to be another HHN 18: another year full of new, different, original, and unique concepts and themes. Here's to a great event, I'll see YOU there!!!! Till then feel free to try your luck while you're at HHN 21, but remember, the House always wins.

HST FANS REJOICE: FIRST TRAILER FOR THE RUM DIARY IS RELEASED

Now, I don't know about you folks, but I love me some HST, that's Hunter S. Thompson for those of you who are uninitiated with this brilliant man and his delightfully insane novels. Most famous for his novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (which was later turned into a hit film starring Johnny Depp), most of his novels involve heavy use of illegal drugs and alcohol. Another film based on one of his novels is being released soon, entitled The rum Diary and from its first trailer it looks like it's shaping up to be a fun ride.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m0yqS3jodU&feature=player_embedded

Looks to me like The Rum Diary is going to have quite a few staples commonly found in HST's works: A traveling journalist, a crazy trip, a different and interesting location, large consumptions of alcohol/drugs, some surrealism and insanity, and tales that are so unbelievable they can only be true (I think). It's been a while since we've seen a film released based on HST's work, and while this one does look to be a bit watered down it still seems to me like there is a genuine chance it will be a breath of fresh air for HST fans such as myself, till this is released I'll have to busy myself with re-watching Rango (the closest thing we have right now to a film that includes some signature HST elements) So put on your shades and don't stop the car (It's Bat Country), because The Rum Diary is coming to a theatre near you SOON (how exactly soon is soon, we have yet to learn).

YOU'RE SOOOO COOL BREWSTER: BEETLES REVIEW OF FRIGHT NIGHT 3D

Fright Night was one of my favorite films to come out of one of my favorite eras: the 80's. Fright Night was about boy next door Charlie Brewster, who discovers the new neighbor that lives next door to him is a bloodthirsty vampire. It started out as a campy, fun PG-13 film but as the film progressed it went places that the audience didn't expect it to go and eventually morphed into a dark, sexy hard R film. That's what I loved about the original, it's ability to surprise and thrill the audience while still being able to have fun with itself was what made the film an instant classic. Now, there's a remake that has awakened. Now, I know in these days the word remake is shunned and frowned upon. In a market where the fountain of creative, original ideas has seemingly run dry Hollywood has resorted to remaking classic films for the modern day. While most remakes end up being predictable pieces of crap, Fright Night is THE remake to remember.

In Fright Night 2011, Charlie Brewster is an everyday guy ( Anton Yelchin) who is struggling (like all teens) to fit in and be cool. He's nailed the almost impossible task of nabbing the incredibly hot Amy ( Imogen Poots) as his girlfriend. His life seems to be heading for easy street until new neighbor Jerry Dandridge (Colin Ferrel) moves in next door and kids start disappearing. Of course, none of this registers on Charlie's radar until his forgotten friend, "Evil" Ed brings up the strange goings-on surrounding Jerry. Charlie blows him off and Ed eventually winds up missing as well. Feeling guilty, Charlie sets out to investigate and finds himself in the fight for his life, his family, and his girlfriend.

Unlike the original Fright Night, Fright Night 2011 starts out as a pretty dark, cool, sexy film and stays that way for most of its running time. Luckily, it still manages to show its audience a good time (especially in 3D). It performs the difficult task of updating the source material for the modern day, staying true to the source material, and being its own film. against all odds, Fright night 2011 succeeds in doing all of these things brilliantly. It also throws in many references to the original classic which made me grin (There's the white dress, a cool bedroom scene where Charlie is too busy watching Jerry to notice Amy is waiting for him on his bed, some lines that also appeared in the original, etc.).

Fright Night 2011 also showcases the proper way to use the 3D technology. The film showcases the most depth I've seen in a 3D film thus far, it feels like you're looking through a window at another world. Fright Night 2011 also does a great job at allowing objects to penetrate the theatre screen (spurts of blood, crosses, it also boasts the most impressive use of fire in a 3D film as well. The fire and explosions seem to billow out into the theatre). Overall I can safely say that, although my eyes did start to hurt near the end of the film, that I thoroughly enjoyed and loved the 3D experince to be sampled here. If you do make the decision to sample Fright Night in 3D, you will not be throwing away a few extra dollars, as the 3D here only serves to enhance an already great film.

Anton Yelchin (my favorite up-and-coming actor) stars as the everyday guy next door Charlie Brewster. The film beefs up Charlie's backstory a bit, which makes the character all the more identifiable and interesting.Fright Night 2011 turns the character of Charlie into an ex-nerd who is trying to become cool and popular, in the process ditching his best friend "Evil" Ed. Yelchin puts on a brilliant performance as Charlie, perfectly capturing the problem of our generation: fitting in. He shows the right amount of regret when he realizes he may have been able to save Ed, but was too selfish to help his friend out and it is this dilemma that propels the film forward and ignites the rest of the film.

Christopher Mintz-Plasse (best known a for his role as McLovin) is great fun as "Evil" Ed. He is kind of an A-hole throughout most of the film, but his actions and such are understandable. He is losing his best friend and begins to view Charlie as almost a traitor of sorts. Plasse's best scene in the film is his brief stint as a secondary villain of sorts. It's great fun to watch two friends (Charlie and Ed) battle it out, and the dialogue they share is absolutely hilarious (Not to mention Plasse looks pretty damn cool as a bad guy). While he's not in the film alot, he still adds much to it by just appearing in it.

Imogen Poots is sexy as the incredibly desirable Amy. In the original film ,Amy was a mousy nerdy girl who was Charlie's girlfriend, However in Fright Night 2011 Amy has been transformed into a hot, sexy, tight-assed goddess. Luckily, she is not used purely as eye candy (her 3d scenes were pretty damn hot though) and actually appears as a fleshed out character in the film. She is what drives the action and plot for the end of the film and is the reason why Charlie finally goes all-out in his quest to vanquish Jerry.

David Tennant is also great fun as the almost comic foil of the film, Peter Vincent. In the original Fright Night his character was a late night horror show host who starred in many films as a vampire hunter. In Fright Night 2011 he is a Las Vegas illusionist/magician whose act revolves around killing Vampires. By the time we are fully introduced to his character, Charlie has realized he is in waaaaay over his head and so, goes to Peter Vincent for help and advice. David Tennant plays his part perfectly as the sarcastic, extravagent, alcohol loving bad-ass. He's almost a mentor of sorts to Charlie for the parts he is in, and let's face it, the climax just wouldn't be the same without him.

Colin Farrell is perfect as Jerry Dandridge, the vampire next door and the antagonist for the film. He is the ultimate, cool bachelor. He has girls over every night, has a nice car, goes to parties, and even talks like a bad-ass. He enjoys being a vampire, and the perks that come with it. Every piece of dialogue he has is absolutely electric and he lights up the screen here like it's nobodies business. Him and Anton Yelchin work off of each other perfectly here (one scene comes to mind when Jerry comes over asking for a pack of beer) and you can tell that both are enjoying the hell out of their roles here. Jerry is almost always in control for most of the film, and it's fun to watch him plot and plan. Jerry is a real vampire here, he is deathly allergic to sunlight, hisses and growls, and even vamps out into one ugly monster when he gets hungry. It feels great to finally see a real vampire back on the big screen.

While it is a remake, Fright night 2011 (like it's predecessor before it) manages to take itself to some pretty surprising and fun places. It's very rare to see a remake do everything so right. The 3D is great, the SFX are stunning, the acting is top-notch, the references are smart and fun, the script is smart, and it's reverential to its source material but it still emerges as its own film. In the end, while nothing can replace the original Fright Night, Fright Night 2011 is every bit as good as the original was (In fact, I'd say I prefer the remake to the original).

4/5 Stars

BEETLE TAKES A DRIVE WITH 30 MINS OR LESS

Let's start this review off by addressing the elephant in the room. YES, 30 Mins or Less was partly inspired by a real life event in which a 40 something pizza delivery guy was abducted and had a bomb placed around his neck, and then was forced to go rob a bank (he died by the way). Does knowing this detract from any of the fun to be had in this film? the answer is, surprisingly, no. Every now and then this knowledge gnaws on you during the film, but it's never enough to ruin what is otherwise an extremely fun time at the movies.

From its first fast-paced scene involving Jesse Eisenberg and his car, the tone and pace for 30 Mins or Less is established (it's also one of the few times where after the first scene it's fairly easy to tell if you're going to love the film or not. Me?, I loved it) . Running at a swift 83 mins, not a second is wasted and not a single opportunity for fun is denied. It's a tight, well-made fun guy flick.

30 Mins or Less is about slacker pizza delivery guy Nick (Jesse Eisenberg) and his best friend Chet (Aziz Ansari). One day after Nick and Chet butt heads over an issue and Nick storms out, he ends up having (reluctantly) to deliver one last pizza. Unfortunately, once he arrives at the place he is ambushed by two idiots, Dwayne (Danny McBride) and Travis (Nick Swardson). Once the bomb is strapped around Nick's waist, he is told that he has 10 hours to rob a bank otherwise both buffoons will blow him sky high. In a panic, he drags Chet into his problem in hopes Chet may be able to help him out (of course, this does not please Chet).

While most films would be content in following this otherwise straight-forward plot, 30 Mins or Less is more than willing to step away from the crowd and do something completely, exhilaratingly different.The film is actually alot more complex than its trailers make it out to be and in reality, while the film seems to be building up to an obvious climax it really builds up to something completely different. The trailers only show you maybe the first 30 mins of the film, the rest of 30 Mins or Less has quite a few twists, turns, and surprises so that the audience is kept guessing as to how it all will end throughout the 2nd half of the film, and while the ending is nowhere near as great as it seems to be building itself up to be, there are still quite a few eye opening moments that come out of left field. I can honestly say this is one of the few films where I couldn't guess how it all would end, and this excited me to no end.

While most of the cast does a great job (Aziz Ansari was hilarious as always and his banter with Nick made for some of the more memorable moments in the film), I felt that the 2 best characters were Nick and Dwayne. Dwayne is played by Danny McBride, who does a wonderful performance as a moron who tries to create a scheme that involves killing his A-hole dad (played to perfection by Fred Ward) and using his inheritance to become a millionaire. How does this fit into the bank robbery?? You'll have to see the film for yourself to find out.

Nick is played by Jesse Eisenberg, perfect as the slacker asshole of a main character. He is great fun to watch and immensly easy to root for. It's fun to see him think his way through the problem he's found himself in and use the last few hours he may have to try and fix his somewhat messed up life.

While the script isn't the strongest one I've seen and some jokes fall a wee bit flat, 30 Mins or Less still gains points in it's ability to surprise and thrill audiences (several pretty cool action sequences, and character arcs that go places that are pretty unexpected), and in a market where Hollywood is perfectly content with staying on the beaten path, that makes this film all the more refreshing. 30 Mins or Less is an immensely fun time at the movies that I highly recommend to anyone just looking to have a good time and then some.

3.5/ 5 stars

YES, I didn't go into too much detail and there were several characters I left out in this review. It would be a crime if I spoiled too much of the plot here.