#paranormal found footage core

[gleamer]

Obsessed w this pic of myself looking like a dark entity in my bedroom

[romanceyourdemons]

paranormal activity (2007) is an excellent found footage horror film. its spare, claustrophobic, eminently ordinary setting frames the bizarre events depicted as a violating intrusion, rather than as an alien discovery as in the film’s predecessors cannibal holocaust (1980) and the blair witch project (1999). however, the film maintains the other films’—indeed, most found footage films’—theme of the cameraman being an audience stand-in, whose obsession with creating the film matches the audience’s obsession with watching the film, an obsession that brings about all of the suffering in the film, condemning the audience for their voyeuristic interest in witnessing horror as eventually the cameraman is consumed and destroyed by the very thing he had hoped the thickness of the camera’s lens would protect him from. micah, the film’s cameraman, is more explicitly convinced of the shielding properties of the camera than many of his genre counterparts: he repeatedly expresses the belief that he is “in control” of the situation due to his observation of (and therefore, he seems to feel, separation from) it. however, the film makes it clear that his observation does not separate him from the situation. observing the situation creates the situation, which the observer has no control over—a device present in both cannibal holocaust (1980) and the blair witch project (1999), but which in this film is literal. the two most unsettling moments in the film are the moments when the cameraman and the audience he stands in for have their one power, their observation, turned against them: through katie, the demon watches micah for hours as he sleeps; and, in the film’s final seconds, the demon looks directly into the camera before unleashing the only act of directly seen violence in the film—and the act of observation is powerless to change this. paranormal activity (2007) is an undeniably important film in the closely-knit genre of found footage horror, and it brings a new and interesting perspective to the themes that have been at the genre’s core since the beginning

[nickmakura]

Adult Scooby-Doo TV Show Pitch

So, the idea with my theoretical Adult Swim Scooby-Doo TV Show is to avoid any inclination this is a reimagining. I'm envisioning this is as being a sort of continuation of the concepts and story present in Zombie Island, Witch's Ghost, and Alien Invaders. But, attempting to keep up the original episodic format of "Where Are You?" and breaking some limits of what you can put these characters through.

Part of the reason "Zombie Island" works, is because these are the same characters we grew up with. But they're a little older now too. They all have jobs, they're long past high-school, they have adult expectations. But for the most part, Hanna-Barbera doesn't change anything about Mystery Inc's personality, and instead drops them into a scenario that is dark and gritty. Which makes it far more terrifying.

But another reason is Zombie Island keeps the inherent comedy without sacrificing the horror. Good stuff.

So how do you take the concepts of Zombie Island, and transform it into a monster of the week Scooby-Doo show?

Coast to Coast with Scooby-Doo!

Part I: The Plot

After the harrowing experiences dealing with true brushes with the supernatural and the paranormal, Daphne Blake is now more convinced then ever that she needs live footage of a real honest to good ghost. If they can get one on camera, and report it, this will be the find of a century.

Sticking with the original plan, Scoob & The Gang travel across America investigating real folklore and horrors, in hopes of finding something real.

Part II: The Formula

So, Coast to Coast With Scooby-Doo is kind of a mix of genres. But for the most part, I want it to be a Horror Comedy Mystery show, but it's also a road trip show. One of the things I liked about Zombie Island, is that it took place in New Orleans, and introduced us to real New Orleans cuisine. From beignets, to po' boys, crawdads, gumbo and jambalaya. But it also told us about the voodoo scene in New Orleans.

I'm now dead set on heading out to New Orleans sometime just to try the food, and I think that's something that can really help drag Scooby-Doo down to earth. It makes you really want to visit these places, and maybe investigate a haunting while you're there too.

So, here's the setup.

Spooky Cold Open, probably a Murder

Theme Song

Scoob & The Gang ride the mystery machine into town, probably with some sort of banter. Velma brings up where they're going, and Shag is like "Yo man, it's been a minute since we've been out to New York! You guys think Trinidad Golden Palace is still open? Like they had one crazy Shark Sandwich dude!" Then another member of the gang brings up they're actually looking to go to the statue of Liberty, where, by the way, there is ACTUAL rumors of buried treasure and ghosts. This changes depending on local

The gang stumble upon mystery, ask questions, find out gruesome details, meet suspects. Daphne & Fred interview some people.

They film the hauntings as they're happening, and search for clues.

Then, as the episode progresses we figure out whether or not this thing is real or fake. If it's real, the gang have to find a way to take down the monster using ingenuity and what they've found in the episode, or they have to capture the culprit and breakdown the mystery.

Small things, but I feel like having a constant bet between characters whether or not it's real or if it's fake would be something really fun actually. I think the audience would have fun getting in on the question too, and guessing along with the gang.

Part III: The Adult Part

So, this is a show for adults, but the fact it's FOR adults will not override that it IS Scooby-Doo. Which is to say, that it will have murder, swearing, mentions of sex, but it will not go beyond what you expect in terms of tone from Scooby-Doo. It's a fun horror comedy mystery show about 4 friends and their dog who investigate spooky mysteries. You can't change that core premise or you risk it no longer being Scooby-Doo and something else entirely.

So if you need a member of the gang to swear for a scene, you can, but it can't breach too far out of character for the group. Like Fred can say fuck, but he's still the leader Dad type guy who likes Daphne, and likes building absurd rube goldberg type traps. Shaggy can smoke weed, but he's still the goofy moral center of the group. He makes fun sandwiches, he cracks dumb jokes, he's scared of getting stabbed, but he sticks around for his friends. Velma can be a lesbian, but she's still the quirky smart character who loves books and science.

But most importantly you need to make sure it's still abundantly clear to the audience that no matter how much drama or crazy shit they see, Scoob & The Gang are all best friends who love working together.

[diffenbachiae]

About Blair Witch Project, because that movie fucked me up haha

I'd recommend watching it again, especially since you're a fan of horror. I watched that movie a few years ago, and I can never watch it again it freaked me out so bad.

The characters' descent into paranoia affected me in ways I was NOT prepared for, and when I tell you it's one of the two horror movies that truly shook me to my core, I mean it. (the other one is Midsommar)

Anyways, take from that what you will.

see and i own it on youtube too so i’ll definitely have to give it a rewatch- it was the first found footage film i had seen and now after watching paranormal activity i think my appreciation for those has gone up a lot! i will update u when i watch it 🫡

[themovieblogonline]

Top Ten Catholic Horror Movies To Watch If You Loved The First Omen

Catholic horror has always been the genre that delivered the best of scary experiences. Whether it's the creepy 70s classics or a modern take on the church, religious horror movies can be reliable to creep you out like nothing else. With the release of the critically acclaimed prequel of the classic The Omen, it makes sense if you want to continue this kind of cinematic journey. So get on the ride with these skin-crawling movies to watch if you're a fan of this genre. The Exorcist (1973) The lives of two families are intertwined by a demonic entity. When an actress begins to see violent changes in her daughter, she calls in a priest for help. However, the priest questions his faith when his mother falls ill.  This masterpiece is unquestionably one of the best attempts at projecting the fearful side of religion. The very concept of a demonic child is chilling to its core. The Exorcist laid the ground for the future of horror by horrifying innocent children which was further used in many works. It also instills fear by showcasing a powerless priest. 2. The Prophecy (1995)  A detective is set on solving a murder case. What could go wrong? Well, when he sees eerie visions of angels preparing for a war, he knows that the case isn’t as simple as he imagined.  Original in its conception and thoughtful in its genre, The Prophecy explores the depths of faith and good vs evil in the most chilling way possible.   3. Prince of Darkness (1987)  There are weird things in people’s basements, but when Father Loomis cleans out the church basement, he finds a can with suspicious green liquid inside. Upon further investigation with a professor, the sludge turns out to be Satan’s vengeful spirit.  4. The Conjuring (2013) When a family moves into a new house on a farm things are anything but peaceful. With strange occurrences haunting their lives, they decide to call in paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren to help them. Soon, they would uncover the disturbing history of the farmhouse house. The characters in The Conjuring were so powerful that they left an indelible mark on the horror movie. The fact that it is based on real-life events, makes it even more terrifying. The meticulous details and real investigation files bring the realness to the film that makes it timelessly admirable. 5. The Devils (1971) Taking place in the 17th century, The Devils is about Father Grandier, who is notorious for his controversial opinions on religion and sexuality. When a vengeful Cardinal vows to ruin Grandier’s reputation, things take a deadly turn as Satanism is involved. The movie remains one of the most iconic attempts when it comes to unconventional horror. The historical grandeur and exposition of power make it delve deeper into the human mind, all the while plaguing our dreams. 6. The Sacrament (2013) The Sacrament is a found-footage horror film that depicts the quest of a reporter who goes into a deep secluded place to rescue his sister, a recovering alcoholic, from a cult. Things seem pretty straightforward until he meets the unhinged cult leader. The way this movie explores psychology and blind faith will always stay ‘sacred’ to me. 7. Saint Maud (2019) Obsession with anything can lead to deadly outcomes, even if it’s saving lives. Saint Maud is about a religious nurse, who seems to be fixated on saving the soul of her patient on the verge of death. The religious elements of the film come smoothly together with mental illness and denial that blows all of our minds away. 8. Carrie (2013) Be careful of who you bully. Carrie, a sheltered high-school girl, is tormented by bullies at school and by her mother at home. When she finally snaps, she unleashes deadly telekinetic powers. What makes this one special is the less-recognized role of religious extremism in causing detrimental effects on children and how bad it can get. 9. The Exorcist III (1990) A series of murder investigations, presumably the works of a serial killer, leads a detective down an unsettling path. Things are more deadly and sinister than he ever anticipated. The good ole classic that does not need to be told about. The dark side of religion and themes of faithlessness are what make The Exorcist III one of the best horror movies of all time. 10. Immaculate (2023)  An American nun, Cecilia, goes to the Italian countryside to join a convent. However, things take a horrific turn from the get-go and she’s forced to come face-to-face with the sinister evils lurking within the borders. She must save herself from the tormenting clutches before it’s too late. A modern take on the religious theme. Immaculate satisfies the need to get back to the classic themes with plenty of scary moments and intriguing characters. These horror movies are a must-watch whether it’s the creepy season or not. Picked up from your favorite genres, they will give you unforgettable jump-off-your-couch moments. 

[mediamixs]

10 best horror movies about the demon

1)The Exorcist (1973)

Regarded as a classic in the horror genre, "The Exorcist" follows the possession of a young girl named Regan and the subsequent exorcism performed by two priests. It's known for its chilling atmosphere, groundbreaking special effects, and intense performances.

2) The Conjuring (2013)

Based on true events, "The Conjuring" explores the case files of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren as they help a family plagued by a malevolent presence in their farmhouse. The film's tension-building and effective scares make it a standout in demon-themed horror.

3) Insidious (2010)

Directed by James Wan, "Insidious" tells the story of a family whose son falls into a mysterious coma and becomes a vessel for malevolent entities from another realm. The film's blend of psychological horror and supernatural elements, particularly its depiction of the demon known as "The Lipstick-Face Demon," earns it a place among the best.

4) Hereditary (2018)

"Hereditary" delves into the dark secrets of a family haunted by ancestral demons. As the family unravels, they uncover horrifying truths about their lineage and the sinister forces at work. Known for its disturbing imagery and psychological terror, this film leaves a lasting impression.

5) Paranormal Activity (2007)

Shot in found-footage style, "Paranormal Activity" follows a couple as they attempt to document the demonic presence haunting their home. The film's minimalist approach and escalating tension create a sense of dread, making it a standout in the supernatural horror genre.

6) The Babadook (2014)

"The Babadook" centers on a mother and son who are terrorized by a sinister entity from a mysterious children's book. As the presence of the Babadook grows stronger, the family's sanity begins to unravel. The film's exploration of grief, trauma, and psychological horror sets it apart.

7) Drag Me to Hell (2009)

Directed by Sam Raimi, "Drag Me to Hell" follows a loan officer who becomes cursed by a malevolent demon after denying an elderly woman an extension on her mortgage. The film balances horror and humor while delivering inventive scares and a sense of impending doom.

8) The Omen (1976)

"The Omen" revolves around an American diplomat who gradually realizes that his adopted son may be the Antichrist. As mysterious deaths and sinister events occur, he races to uncover the truth and prevent the apocalypse. This classic horror film remains influential in the demon subgenre.

9) The Devil's Advocate (1997)

In "The Devil's Advocate," a young lawyer is recruited by a powerful law firm led by a charismatic and enigmatic figure who may be more than he seems. As the lawyer's life spirals out of control, he confronts the demonic forces at play. The film blends legal drama with supernatural horror.

10) The Last Exorcism (2010) - Presented in a found-footage style, "The Last Exorcism" follows a disillusioned minister who agrees to perform one last exorcism on a young girl in rural Louisiana. As he confronts the evil within her, he discovers a conspiracy that shakes his beliefs to the core. The film offers a fresh take on the exorcism subgenre with its blend of realism and supernatural terror.

[jcmarchi]

Paranormal Activity Game Announced By Creators Of The Mortuary Assistant

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/paranormal-activity-game-announced-by-creators-of-the-mortuary-assistant/

Paranormal Activity Game Announced By Creators Of The Mortuary Assistant

A video game based on the Paranormal Activity film franchise has been announced. Developed by Darkstone Digital, makers of the 2022 horror game The Mortuary Assistant, along with publisher DreadXP and Paramount Pictures, the upcoming game is slated to release in 2026. 

Like the films, Paranormal Activity will feature found-footage-style gameplay as well as a “Haunt System,” which dynamically changes the types of scares that unfold based on players’ actions. Unfortunately, a brief teaser trailer doesn’t do much but show some logos, so we may be waiting a while to see the game in action. 

[embedded content]

“We are thrilled to work with Paramount Game Studios and to have the opportunity to bring the world of Paranormal Activity to gamers everywhere,” said Epic Pictures CEO and DreadXP producer Patrick Ewald in a press release. “The films are steeped in rich lore and creative scares, and under the stewardship of creative director Brian Clarke, DreadXP’s Paranormal Activity video game will honor those core tenets and offer horror fans one of our most terrifying games yet.”

Paranormal Activity has no announced platforms. It’s not the franchise’s first foray into video games. A 2017 game called Paranormal Activity: The Lost Soul was released for PS4 and PC and was playable in VR. 

[dirtmunch]

Ok for starters the absolute tops are ofc Ringu, hausu and ju on the grudge. Ringu and the grudge are the most comparable of the 3, hausu is kind of in its own league. Overall, I think if you want more scares and setups, the grudge is better for That. Every single paranormal scene is masterfully put together and they are really truly creepy. The place where the grudge fails and ringu Excells however is plot and story. There is a looser plot that strings things together, but no real ups and downs or pace. It's more about giving you several vignettes of horror all connected with one back story rather than a comprehensive story. Ringu on the other hand has an amazing investigative plot that focuses on a couple core characters and the paranormal aspects of the film are rich with aspects of Japanese culture. The first time I watched it was in my Japanese culture class and the prof. Was really great and explaining different aspects of it. It's not to say the scary scenes are lesser than ju ons, they're really all excellent and creepy, just less total scenes than the back to back ones of the grudge. That weird otherworldly deep sense of wrong. Between the two, ringu still takes home the cake.

Hausu

Hausu or House is the oldest of the movies I've seen, made in the late 70s versus the late 90s/early 2000s. There is a much stronger artistic direction with it, and the use of lighting is incredible. It eeks on the edge of parody with how they set up the lights in a fantastic way. It has a much sillier tone compared to every other Japanese horror movie I've seen while still maintaining a strong air of horror. Definitely reccomend

Noroi

Noroi is one where I was.... Dissappointed to say the least with how much I heard it being hyped. It's staged as a found footage film, following a paranormal Ingestigative journalist researching a particular curse so the footage is from his shots, as well as some TV segments. My main issue is that they kept throwing different aspects of whatever the curse manifested at the audience, with little reason given. I'm not saying they needed to explain every little thing but it feels as if they wanted to keep adding things to make it mysterious but it actually just gets confusing and hard to follow. And because of the found footage aspect of it, there isn't music or as much purposeful cinematography to enhance what scares there are.

Pulse

Pulse is also one I was somewhat dissatisfied with like noroi- tons of hype what raised my expectations too high. Well, of course besides THAT scene. It has less confusing than noroi, but still somewhat hard to follow. The first half is strong, but reallllyyy starts to fall apart at the end. It follows a couple perspectives but it's not super clean when it transitions from one to another. That being said it's definitely worth it for the one infamous scene near the beginning.

Dark Water

A solid, run of the mill film. Hits a lot of the same troupes as predecessors, which makes it mildly derivative but on its own doesn't harm the movie at all. Not much more to say honestly. Good film!

Goes without saying to watch the actual, original Japanese films instead of the horseshit American remakes

Please recc me more Japanese horror!!! It's my favorite genre. Doesn't have to be film Films either, any paranormal shows or anything like that too

[dozeysheep]

come join THA SCARY ZONE...

do you like horror? are you lgbtq+? are you 16+? do you wanna talk to other lgbtq+ horror fans? well my friend @lernaean and i run a discord server for just that! were happy to have you whether youre new to horror or a long time fan, we have something for everyone!

we have things such as:

scary movie nights just about daily! anyone can host one and we watch many kinds of movies including horror comedy, classic slashers, found footage, modern remakes, paranormal, behind the scenes documentaries, and many more so there’s something for everyone! we also watch them at various times so people in different time zones have a chance to join and were happy to change the time or rewatch a movie if youre unable to make it

speaking of movie nights, we all know no horror movie is complete without a horrible heterosexual sex scene... we have a specific thread for when this happens where we post our beloved emotes :sexo: and :booba:

another core channel is our bad horror merch channel where we share such fantastic items as crochet billy jigsaw puppet and freddy kreuger hot wheels car

and were not just a server for horror movies, weve got channels for books, games, tv shows, and miscellaneous horror things as well! feel free to talk about anything that may keep you up at night...

we have interesting and exciting conversations such as this one

we do also have a death curse, sorry

come and join us for a SCARY TIME and beware of evil creatures and beasts and manmade horrors that may be lurking in tha shadows... ..

(and also please dont join if youre going to be weird or horny, you will be banned without hesitation, be normal and behave)

[theparanormalperiodical]

The TRUE Story Behind Friday The 13th (1980), And America’s 7 Most Haunted Campsites & Lakes That Will Definitely Ruin Your #VACAY

It was sometime around midday when Nils Gustafsson’s body was found on the shore of Lake Bodom. The 18 year old was alive, however, despite his broken jaw and the concussion. 

The three people lying next to him were not.

In the early hours of June 5th 1960, Nils, Irmeli Bjorklund, Tuulikki Makiwer, and Seppo Boisman were attacked by an unknown person armed with a knife whilst camping at one of Finland’s most serene tourist spots.

12 years later, a former suspect confessed to the crime. The local kiosk keeper was known to be irritated by the presence of the youngsters in the area and it was assumed he took his rage into his own hands.

He alleged that he did indeed commit the murders in a suicide note before drowning himself in the lake that overlooked them. His wife has since provided evidence that refutes this.

This tragic story is still under investigation to this day, with the sole survivor being put up for trial for killing his own girlfriend and her friends himself. But what makes this tale quite so terrifying is that we’ve heard this story before.

We’ve read it on r/nosleep, we’ve heard it at a sleepover, and we’ve told it round the campfire. We’ve even seen it on the TV, too.

It’s been 41 years since the terrifying events at Camp Crystal Lake were recounted in the horror classic Friday The 13th (1980). But what happened at Lake Bodom is not the only time the stories we tell around the campfire actually happened. And right by the crackling logs, too.

Today we unmask the dark inspiration behind Friday The 13th and make some smores at the most haunted campsites in the US, each with their own tale as terrifying (and tragic) as what happened at Camp Crystal Lake.

First, Let’s Recap Horror’s Most Iconic Franchise, Friday The 13th

It’s not easy to summarise a franchise lumbered with 12 films, a TV series, and a gaggle of video games following in close pursuit. But I’ll try.

This American horror franchise follows Jason Voorhees, a serial killer who drowned as a child at Camp Crystal Lake while the camp councillors were having *sex*. Following this tragic event, the lake was rumoured to be cursed according to the superstitious locals and became the setting for several mass murders carried out by Jason or in his name.

It was one of the original slasher flicks released in an attempt to cash in on the success of Halloween (1978) and was actually the highest grossing horror franchise of all time - until about 3 years ago.

The reboot of it’s arch nemesis, Halloween (2018), left Jason in the shadow of Michael Myers.

The franchise starts by introducing us innocent viewers to the mysterious folklore surrounding Camp Crystal Lake when the new councillors rock up to revamp it. Then Jason Vorhees’ mother starts pickin’ em off one by one in vengeance for the death of her son who was born on - yep, you guessed it - Friday the 13th.

There’s actually not much mention of the date in the franchise, with some claiming only on his birthday does Jason commits the murders. But this is what’s so great about the films: at its core it’s a story told around the fire by American kids at summer camp. 

Just like ‘The Hook’ or ‘Killer In The Backseat’, Jason’s murder spree fits a simple plot line copy-n-pasted for urban legends. There’s a mysterious killer with a mysterious motivation who does terrible things at a mysterious location.

We see the events of these baseless stories happen in the grainy footage of the 80s and the pierce-your-eyeballs HD of 2009, right where the stories are typically told. It’s meta. It’s mindful. It sounds like a boring 90 minutes stretched out of an urban legend you could tell in 45 seconds flat.

The franchise does sprinkle in a handful of bad luck symbols amidst the buckets of blood ‘n’ guts to fit the title, but it’s setting on this infamous day is merely a technicality to pull us headfirst into the not-so-urban and not-so-legendary plot line.

Most urban legends are just that: legends. Rumours pieced together from random scraps of information until they juuuuuust about make sense. But most of these rumours have basis in reality. Despite the creators claiming it was not directly based on a true story, we already know events eerily similar have taken place.

But what happened at Lake Bodom was not the only occurrence of such terrible events. We will get them later.

Even if Victor Miller wasn’t inspired by the cursed lakes and haunted campgrounds littered across the States, they clearly took inspiration from one paranormal phenomena.

(Hint: it’s in the title.)

Why Is Friday The 13th Considered Unlucky?

We’ve never had a good relationship with the number 13. Triskaidekaphobia can be traced back as far as Norse mythology when 12 gods were having a dinner party until Marvel-fan-favourite Loki arrived and arranged for someone to be shot.

The god that was shot, Balder, died, and it was then that the “earth got dark. It was a bad, unlucky day.” A similar dinner party, this time hosted by Jesus and his disciples, also gave ‘13’ a bad name.

Judas was the 13th to sit at the table during the Last Supper and his betrayal of Christ gave it its more mainstream reputation.

There are many more events like this, whether mythical or based in reality, that link the number 13 to bad luck. But what is about Friday the 13th?

Friggatriskaidekaphobia - or fear of Friday the 13th - lumps together the cursed backstory of the number 13 and the fear of the unluckiest day of the week. Eve gave Adam the apple on a Friday, their son killed his brother on a Friday, and Jesus was crucified on a Friday.

It’s not looking good.

But fear of the date Friday the 13th was only planted in mainstream Western culture in the 20th century. 73 years before Jason Vorhees mother slut-shamed those camp councillors, Thomas William Lawson published the book Friday, the Thirteenth (1907).

Lawson told the tale of an NYC stockbroker who used superstitions about the date to create chaos on Wall Street and rake in the cash.

*sweats in GameStop*

From here furore about the date festered with every occurrence (which can be as much as three times a year). There’s no escaping it, even if a hockey-masked killer is interrupting your campfire sing along.

To this day, the American economy loses about $900 million every Friday the 13th. Flights are half-filled, spending is reduced, and some daren’t leave their homes until midnight strikes.

Funnily enough, the franchise only contains 12 movies so far, but this echoes the unluckiness of 13 that much further. Another reason we fear the number is because 12 is used so much to represent completeness. The months of the year, the hours in a day - 13 goes beyond that. 13 plays on that.

It takes what we know and twists it a ‘lil. But just enough to strike fear into even the least superstitious.

The 7 Haunted Campsites And Lakes That You Should Emotionally Block Out When You’ve Finished Reading This

Holy Ghost Campground, New Mexico

Nestled in the Sante Fe National Forest, this is an isolated but serene location perfect for pitching a tent and starting a fire. But 300 years ago, something happened there that might make the howling wind that much more terrifying.

The area is reportedly haunted by the spirit of a Spanish priest murdered there in the 18th century. But the entire area has a reputation similar to the Bermuda Triangle. People just tend to disappear into thin air over there. No clothing is found and no bones or bodies are discovered.

UFOs have been sighted overhead, shadows have wandered through the forest, and voices have echoed into the night. Just like the Bermuda Triangle and the lesser-known Alaskan triangle, there are claims of a ‘cosmic doorway’ where different energies and entities flit between realms.

Big Moose Lake, New York

Grace Brown was only 18 years old when she died. She was unmarried and she was pregnant by her boyfriend, Chester Gillette. This was a bad situation to be in in 1906.

She went with her soon-to-be-fiancee to the Adirondacks mountains assuming he would propose during the trip, saving her from a ruinous fate. But one day, she would not return to the campsite from which they stayed.

Knowing she couldn’t swim, Gillette paddled their boat out to the middle of the lake, grabbed a tennis racket from inside his bag, and smashed in her head.

She then fell into the water and drowned. To this day, campers have reported supernatural occurrences around the lake. She is often seen wandering the shores of the lake, visiting the local cottages nearby, or reliving her traumatic death.

According to local legends, she is trying to extinguish all the lights in the local houses. No one knows why.

Lake Morena, California

On the other side of the US, events similar to those seen in Santa Fe were playing out.

In 1983, these supernatural occurrences were reported in the local paper: “More than Fish Haunt Morena”. Park rangers and tourists have witnessed and reported a vast range of phenomena, not limited to heavy footsteps following visitors, noticing the figure of an old man in the corner of their eye, and even seeing people levitating.

One of the most infamous sightings of paranormal activity was when a ranger had a relative staying over in his house. The relative woke up in the middle of the night to see a baby’s christening gown float across the room.

“It floated to her, brushed her cheek, floated back where she had first seen it and disappeared.”

Lake Ronkonkoma, New York

To this day many locals won’t dip a toe in Lake Ronkonkoma - and it’s easy to see why.

Long Island’s deepest lake was once the setting of a tragic love story. Just like Romeo & Juliet, but far wetter. Legend has it back in the 17th century a Native American princess fell in love with a colonist on the other side of the lake.

The star-crossed lovers were forbidden from meeting, and the princess wrote notes confessing her love on a piece of bark and floating it across the lake. Heartbroken by the lack of response, she canoed to the middle of the lake, stabbed herself in her broken heart, and her body slumped into the icy waters below.

Some versions of the legend claim before she died she cursed the lake.

Whichever you believe, the routine drowning of a young man on a yearly basis is enough to stir up the story. There have been at least 160 drownings here from the 1850s to the 1970s. A majority were men, fitting the story.

Is she still looking for the man she could never be with? Or is she punishing the local community for the divide that kept her from her love?

Lake Lanier, Georgia

There are a number of ghosts seen at this lake. There’s the spirit of a woman in a flowing blue dress roams around this lake, and several pairs of supernatural hands have been felt reaching out of the depths and grabbing swimmers mid-stroke…

But this paranormal phenomena is nothing compared to what lurks underneath the water.

The lake was actually created in the 1950s by flooding valley communities. The local government wanted to provide surrounding towns and the city of Atlanta with water and power, but to do this they’d have to create ghost towns and then effectively drown them.

Locals that had sold land to the government gathered during the building of the dam and watched the waters rising above the place they once called home. But in these communities were cemeteries. The dead did not consent to this.

More than 200 people have died in mysterious accidents on the lake since 1994.

Manchac Swamp, Louisiana

The Manchac wetlands are known for being, well, grotesque. They’re thick with pea green ooze, riddled with bugs, and festering with ‘gators. But according to some, the greatest threat was the local Voodoo priestess, Julia Brown.

She was known for her charms, curses, and singing strange songs on her porch. But there was one verse which in hindsight makes a lot of sense: "One day I’m going to die and take the whole town with me."

On the day of her funeral a huge hurricane swept through Louisiana. On September 29th 1915, the 125mph winds killed 300 people with homes, buildings, and railways destroyed.

Locals claim this was caused by a curse created by Brown. She is even rumoured to still be seen cackling by the water’s edge.

Lake Tahoe, California

Tahoe-Truckea is steeped in paranormal tales, stretching back as far as the legends of the local Native Americans. Many hotels and cabins claim to have their own supernatural entities concealed within their hotel which you can see for yourself - for a booking fee, of course.

But the spirit that haunts Emerald Bay can be seen for free.

Captain Dick Barter was known for telling stories of his seafaring days in the early 19th century. His encounters with capsizing in frosty waters, grizzly bear attacks, and by the sounds of it serious alcoholism made him talk of the town.

Apparently Captain Barter just can’t stop reliving his glory days.

One night after goin’ heavy in the bar, Barker boarded his boat to sail home. But he was never seen again. Somewhere on the route back he capsized and died. His body was never found.

His spirit is often seen swimming in the area during foggy moments, trying to find his way back to the tomb he built years before he passed.

So that was depressing.

Anyway.

If you liked this post/it traumatised you but hey you’re living for the spooks, make sure you like and reblog to let me know!

And if you simply can’t wait for more articles on the paranormal, then you best be hitting the follow button. I post a new article every weekend AND a new ghost story everyday.

(That’s really sad, isn’t it?)

Oh well. See you next week, kids!

[azbagans]

Don’t Be Scared, I Love You.

Pairing: Zak Bagans x Reader

Summary: (Made up) Investigating what's now become a museum, the remnants of John Wayne Gacy's home has dragged the crew for a twist. The killer clown and his victims shaking you to your core.

Warnings: Serial Killer investigation, possible demonic mentions, and minor swearing.

DT: @takemepedropascal

tap the 'x' below

X

You and the Ghost Adventures crew were now in Illinois, your newest investigation already having you guys in for a shock. The name itself was insanely chilling, John Wayne Gacy. Better known as, the killer clown, of course. There was no paranormal investigation history to help because the Ghost Adventures crew were the first to not only be allowed to investigate but to be invited to do so. The interviews were just about wrapped up, and now you guys were just waiting for the lockdown.

A simple hang out in the hotel room with simple take out for dinner, because to be frank it was clear none of you could stomach much. "Considering Gacy had two alter egos, in the afterlife we could be dealing with something far more negative," Jay explained, the crew settled out in the small balcony of the shared hotel room. You hadn't quite touched your food much, something was extremely off about this investigation and it was off settling, especially for you. "What else did you find out today?" Aaron asked, before sipping loudly from his nearly empty drink.

A loud slurping sound following the question as to his straw hit against the ice, none of his drink left to be enjoyed. Normally, either of you would make a comment to joke about it, but none of you had it in you. Instead, you responded. "He admitted to having murdered over 33 men. Many were found in the house actually, few in the backyard and some in the crawl space." You shared. You had been helping Jay investigate his history while the others wrapped up the interviews earlier that day. "A couple bodies found in the Des Plaines River." Jay added as he collected his garbage into the fast-food bag it came in.

"Listen, guys..." Zak finally spoke up with a heavy sigh. He knew his crew quite well, after so much time working alongside each other, it was easy to spot they were all on edge already. "I know this is strange, and honestly a bit off settling...but it's also a huge opportunity for us. However, your safety will always be my priority." Zak continued as he glanced at his team, more so his family, as he spoke. "Seriously don't hesitate to communicate any feelings, thoughts, or concerns. It's okay to be afraid, it is." He reassured everyone.

That was the thing about Zak Bagans, he was human. Sure he made some bold decisions, seemingly fearless, but he was indeed human. He also had a big heart, one not many were lucky enough to see. Fortunately for you, being his girlfriend, you knew him quite well. Honestly, his heart might just be one, if not the, biggest reasons why you fell in love with him. You sent him a small smile as the rest of the crew mumbled some response. "Don't get soft on me man, we'll be fine. We always are." Aaron reassured the lead investigator.

As time passed, you and the others getting ready to leave the hotel, you couldn't help but feel your heart begin to pound even harder in your chest as you walked down the hall to the elevator. "You okay, y/n?" Zak asked far softer, as he walked alongside you. His hand resting on the small of your back as you both followed behind the rest of the crew. "You've been quiet today," he added, concern lacing his voice as he gazed down at you. It was no secret you were together, but you guys hardly showed much PDA when filming.

Just occasional teasing from Aaron, sometimes Billy, and from time to time you and Zak would investigate together. "I'm fine, just a little on edge. I don't know why it's bothering me so much." You admitted quietly, gazing up at your boyfriend, keeping the conversation quiet and intimate. When it came to feelings and emotions, the both of you preferred to keep those conversations private. Your friends didn't need to know everything after all. Zak nodded in understanding, pressing a soft kiss to your temple as you both entered the elevator.

The journey down to the ground floor was filled with some commentary, attempted jokes from Aaron, and Zak gently rubbing the small of your back in reassurance. A gesture you treasured greatly.

From the beginning, your presence was known. Not just yours, but everyone. Even when setting up the X cameras and other equipment, activity was quick to welcome the Ghost Adventures crew into the after-hours of their lockdown. Currently, Jay was in their nerve center, Aaron was doing some EVP work in the backyard, and you, Billy, and Zak were making some advances in Gacy's bedroom. It went without much need to say, you were on high alert and on edge after arriving at the location hours ago.

Zak was asking questions in hopes to communicate further with the spirit in the room using the spirit box, while Billy was using the Ovilus at the same time. "You don't need to stay here anymore, you're free to go. Why are you still here?" Zak questioned, moving his hand as he had been covering the spirit box to cover the white noise while he asked. Seconds later, no voices came through but Billy quickly reacted to the small device at hand.

"Woah, y/n come get this!" Billy exclaimed, as you quickly made your way to him, your camera focusing on the device that reads "stuck." As Billy and Zak raved about the discovery, the Ovilus soon came through with, "Crawl." And then again seconds later, "Space." Which left the three of you in shock. "It just said stuck crawl and space!" Billy exclaimed, the investigators a bit excited at the activity considering the spirit box hadn't brought many results. "Are you stuck in the crawl space?" Zak questioned, recalling the information you and Jay had shared back in the hotel.

In the next few minutes, there were no more responses. All activities having just stopped abruptly. "Y/n, why don't you go and check out the basement? Maybe like around the crawl space?" Zak suggested as Aaron came through on the Walkie Talkie. "Zak, come in." Aaron's voice was heard. "Yeah, Aaron what's up?" Zak responded with the device at hand. "Someone needs to come down here with me man.. it's just... it's different out here bro." Aaron admitted.

"Billy's heading down," Zak responded, making eye contact with both you and then Billy before nodding. "I'll stay here and see if I can get some more contact." He clarified. You both nodded and soon you and Billy were heading down the steps, before parting ways to your different destinations. "Good luck," you bidded, Billy doing the same before heading out. You sighed deeply, making your way into the basement with your heart pounding loudly within your chest. Your hand visibly shaking in your camera footage as you managed your way in the dark.

"Hey y/n, you good?" Jay asked, coming in through your walkie talkie, scaring you half to death. "Shit Jay.. not anymore.." you exclaimed as you made it into the basement, taking a moment to compose yourself as best as possible. "I'm good.." you responded before getting your walkie put away, hearing a faint "help.. me..." From the corner of the room, "I'm in the basement, and I swear I just heard someone say 'help me'... I'm completely alone." You explained to the camera to document the discovery, but also to make sure you weren't losing your mind.

Now was a good time to call for Zak or anyone, but you were too stubborn. You had barely gotten down there anyway, you could manage. As you moved closer to the area in which the voice came from, you realized the small crawl space started from that corner. You swallowed the lump in your throat as you pushed past your fear and got down, close to the floor. "Is anyone here with me?" You called out anxiously, your camera pointing into the crawl space, the X camera had you insight which was helpful for Jay back at nerve.

Another faint "...help." was enough to encourage you, no... enough to draw you in. You began to crawl into the small tunnel-like enclosure with your camera, you hadn't meant to crawl in so deep but something was just dragging you closer until you came to a stop, your heart racing as you realized how far under you had gotten. "W-Who are you?" You asked, on high alert as you heard faint rustling around you. Unexplainable movement, as you were clearly alone. Before you could ask another question, your Ovilus came through with "demon." And "hide." Which made you immediately panic as you heard a growl right at your ear, leading you to scream in panic.

You tried to rush out of there, but the tight space only slowed you as you felt a grip at your ankle. "Zak- Zak come in, come in!" Jay nearly shouted into the walkie talkie after your scream came through the audio of the X Camera, but also throughout the house, which had put Zak on edge. "What is it Jay?" Zak responded to the device at hand. "Y-Y/n, she entered the crawl space and I just heard her scream, get down there now!" He reported, concern clear as day in his voice, as he got through to Aaron and Billy too.

Zak felt his heart drop down to his stomach as he heard Jay's response. Dropping whatever he had been doing and rushing down the stairs with his flashlight at hand, nearly tripping down the steps as he made it down another flight of stairs into the basement. He heard your cries from the corner of the room. Zak knew you well, you weren't the type to get frightened so easily, much less react in this way, which only made his worry grow as he kneeled at the opening of the crawlspace. Shining his light as he called out for you, "Y/n! Y/n I'm right here, reach for my hand okay? I'm getting you out of there." Zak did his best to stay calm for you, despite his panicked mindset.

No matter how much you pushed yourself to get out, you always seemed even farther from the exit. You tried to focus on Zak's voice and not the constant growling, as you pushed your free hand out in hopes to find his hand. Once you felt his hand grabbing yours, he helped pull you out, and securely tucked you into his arms once you were out of the crawlspace. Billy and Aaron helped you both up to your feet once they rushed in, and Zak helped you out the house. His arms protectively wrapped around you as he kissed your head, forgetting all about the show, the investigation, the cameras, as he was focused on you and your well being.

"I'm right here, y/n... You're okay now," he reassured you, the lead investigator couldn't help but feel guilty after having assigned you down there. You were both outside and near the car, as quiet sobs left your lips. You couldn't shake the feeling of intense fear, no matter how hard you tried. "Y/n, sweetheart.. breathe.. shh, breathe." Zak tried to calm you, as his hands gently cupped your face, making you meet his gaze. His thumbs gently wiping your tears away as your breathing began to slow.

Quiet sniffles being heard as he finally brought you into his embrace, kissing your head softly. "Don't be scared, I love you." He whispered to you softly, as he held you close and securely. "I love you," he repeated quietly, hoping the power of those three words could in some way help ease you.

They did.

He had said something so perfect, despite the horrifying scare.

He calmed you with six words and one kiss.

"Don't be scared, I love you."

[demcnsinmymind]

Rules for mobile

#1 About the mun

Hey! I’m Susan (she/her) but usually go by my fandom name Veri (see @veritaaas for my main blog). I’m 31, from Germany and pretty chill most of the time! Always open to make new friends and chat! Just like my muse, I work for a film production company and thus am a complete workaholic. I’m also a night owl and usually active between 8pm - 4am GMT+1 (Germany), should be around daytime in the US and so on. I only recently rebooted this blog in Nov 2021 and am more active again. Shouldn’t take me longer than a week to reply to anything. I'm from Germany and not a native English speaker by any means. So there might be grammatical errors and typos in my replies. Please bear with me here and be kind. I always appreciate some help and suggestions regarding my writing as long as it’s delivered in a polite manner, not in a condescending way. I don’t expect your writing/English to be perfect either, as long as I can interpret what is being written.

#2 About the muse

I know my pages cover a lot of info regarding Lance, his canon, and the world surrounding that canon. As not to confuse you too much about what kind of character he is, here’s the basic and most important information: Though like half my interactions are based on my possessed verse, Lance is not a villain character, and neither is the demon possessing him his main trait. He’s more of a victim/anti hero character who at his core, is still a good guy who’s trying to find a way out of his twisted situation. The same goes for his verses set during or before canon, the only difference there is that he isn’t possessed by a demon, but more by his obsession with becoming famous and making loads of money. In those verses he can be somewhat of a self-centered dick, but the good at heart trait still applies. So all in all, he’s a pretty ordinary guy trapped in some freakish circumstances and/or mental health issues.

#3 Content Warnings

This is a mature blog. Since Grave Encounters is a found footage horror movie, there will be mentions of violence, death, horror and psychological issues. However, I won’t write about excessive gore or horrendous torture/super depraved things. Though things can get pretty dark on here, I try to keep it tame. Think Paranormal Activity or Blair Witch Project kinda horror, not Hostel or SAW madness. Lance is a very troubled character with mental disorders in most of the verses. His biggest problem in canon is that he has severe Stockholm's syndrome and suffered through some horrible psychological torture. And if nothing from the movies has happened to him yet, you can expect him to be a somewhat of a douchebag. If topics like mental disorders/treatment/health, mentions of psychological and physical abuse as well as possession, demons, ghosts and horror trigger you, Lance and the Grave Encounters verse won’t be suitable for you. Special note regarding the lovecraftian lore on my blog: As some might be aware, H.P. Lovecraft was a racist, elitist and classist, and that is disgustingly apparent especially in his early work. I do not condone any of this, and neither will I be writing any of that when including his Azathoth in any of my threads. I've hijacked only bits and pieces of that lore, the basic idea of Azathoth so to say, the rest of it is pretty much original at this point. There might be some mild and sensual NSFW material on this blog every now and then, which I'm only posting on sindays. There might be the occassional smutty-ish thread, but that will be behind a readmore. I'm tagging possibly triggering stuff with the following format: triggerword tw. Since tumblr is stupid and loves to fully hide posts with a 'nsfw' tag, I'll be tagging those as it's sinday! and lemons.

#4 Selectivity

Both mun and muse are 30+. I’m selective and do not wish to roleplay with other muns that are minors. However, muses under the age of 18 are welcome. (not that Lance is any good with kids though who are we kidding) I prefer to RP with muses from similar genres (horror, paranormal, vampires/werewolves/demons, ghost hunting and so forth). If you follow me I assume you're showing interest in writing with me. Awesome! It usually takes me less than a week to check out your blog and decide if I'm interested in writing with you. If I don't follow back or don't reply to a thread you tagged me in, chances are that your blog contained something that I mentioned in the following rules about my own preferences. It's nothing personal, I just like to keep my dash tidy and fun for me.

#5 Other Preferences

As of late 2022, I likely won't be following back if you're a multimuse blog with more than 3 characters on it. I like to see characters, stories and faceclaims on my dash that I'm interested in and that bring me joy. Unfortunately, I've had a few select somewhat unpleasant instances where I found my dash flooded with characters, threads and images I had no interest in due to mumu blogs with a -lot- of characters on them. No shade from my side of course, I admire people who have the energy and enthusiasm to write so many characters at once! I just like to focus on a select few characters I can definitely see myself interacting with, hence the mumu rule. I hope you can understand. If you want only one of your mumu characters to interact with my muse, feel free to shoot me an ask or IM and we can talk about it! I'm more than open to have threads with mumu blogs I don't follow back. I just want to keep my dash enjoyable for myself. I do not wish to RP with anime/cartoon/superhero chars. Sorry folks, the whole Marvel/MCU stuff just doesn’t tickle my fancy at all. It’s nothing personal against your chars, I'm sure they're wonderful, it's just my preference as that type of stuff does nothing for me. The same goes for characters that do not have a real life faceclaim (as in an actor/actress). I know, it's weird. But I enjoy RL stuff a lot more. I also do not wish to RP with overly psychopathic/sociopathic characters whose main traits involve excessive sadism, gore, torture porn and what not. I prefer chars with at least an ounce of humanity and redeemability in them. I'll hardly ever change much about my own muse's biography, traits and what not. Meaning I'm not going to write him as a wizard or a mermaid or a robot or whatever else. He'll always be more or less human in my interactions with the occasional demonic or spiritual addon. The only exception to this is my 'The Originals' / vampire verse as I consider that close enough to home for my taste. I can totally see myself write something set in different time periods, but I'm talking +/- 100 years max. A big pet peeve of mine is not cutting your posts. and having mile long replies with repetitive back and forth threads. It clutters up my blog and dashboard. Do what you want with your own posts and blog of course, however, there's a good chance I'm not gonna follow you back or interact much with you if you don't like to keep it tidy. I also probably won't follow back or interact with you if you don't have any info about your muse, no rules and some basics readily available on your blog. I'm not talking big fancy blog pages, carrds or google docs. A link to a standard text post can be more than enough. You just gotta give me something to work with, please :> I'm okay with personal blogs following me and liking/reblogging my gifsets and edits and headcanon posts. I know that the Grave Encounters fandom is so tiny and there's barely any content on here for it, so feel free to reblog the goodies :> I only ask you not to reblog threads and writings I got going with other RPers. Feel free to read them like fanfiction, but don't reblog, thankies :)

#6 The Dos

If you’d like to plot, shoot me an ask and plot right away. I will jump right in. I occasionally repost memes and open starters- take them as invitation to start a convo right off the bat and I will gladly play along. I’m open to roleplay in your muse’s time periods or canons, also feel free to start anything set in Collingwood or the 1940s if you’re up for the challenge. That's not a must of course, I love writing in other muse's verses if I can see Lance in them. My ask box is always open if you want to send in memes or plot ideas, even if we've never interacted with each other before. I love using memes as an ice breaker. If you don't send anything in after a couple of weeks of us becoming mutuals, expect me to send something in to get things going. If I follow you back, I most definitely want to write with you as soon as we can! :> I am okay with all written lengths and will try to match how much you write.This means sentences, paragraphs, etc. I am guilty of some pretty lengthy writing though, so sorry :D Don't ever feel like you need to match my actual paragraph length though. I'm totally fine with you shooting two paragraphs at my long replies. However, expect me to get discouraged if I keep getting one liners in response to my longer replies.

#7 The Donts

I don't tolerate any threads or RL talk containing pedophilia, racism and any sort of preference based phobia, bestiality or slut shaming/misogyny. Just anyone who feels the constant need to belittle/disrespect/insult any group of people/systems for the sake of putting another on a pedestal. I don't care for excessive real life or dashboard drama. I get it, we all got our bad days and want to vent. I do the same on my blog every now and then behind a read more. (tag: # cut it : irl talk) However, if all I see is negativity, call out culture and constant vague posting from your side, I won't follow you/unfollow you. I'm here to have fun and write :> Please don't follow me if you don't plan on actually interacting with me. Always having to be the first one to interact and start something between us when you're the one who followed me first gets somewhat tiring after a while if we're honest. My meme tag is always there and free to select from to start something whenever you want. If you follow me yet make no attempts whatsoever to interact, be that a simple like here and there, or sending a meme or starting a thread or just talking about plotting after a couple of weeks have passed, I'll softblock and move on. I have no interest in boosting an artificial number, I want to write with you! :)

#8 Shipping & Exclusives I am open to shipping on this blog. There must be some minor development between Lance and your character to delve into possible shippy stuff, but it doesn't take much to get him going. Please be aware though that Lance is not the relationship type of person though, and neither is he looking for anything serious or long term. He’s an aromatic douchebag who’s mainly out to have a good time and that’s it. He also doesn't do exclusivity in relationships. I do not yet have any mains and I'm not sure if I'll ever add a list. I got a few favorite people on here where my muse might strike harder every once in a while, but most of the time, I reply in a first come, first serve kind of way. I'm probably open to writing with duplicates of characters, so far that hasn't happened yet though.

[dearmrsawyer]

J A M I L A please i must ask you supernatural asks and NO I WILL NOT limit myself to just one. Please can i ask you! 12. what is your most memorable episode (and obviously WHY) and 26. Best side Character. ALSO free question because i want to PLEASE JUST TELL ME SOMETHING(ANYTHING) YOU LOVE ABOUT SUPERNATURAL PLEASE THANK YOU

LE you’re so indulgent thank you ;__; (edit to say this is so long i am just... well. it was inevitable i suppose, ty for your patience lol)

12. what is your most memorable episode (and why!)

AAH this is hard because obviously there are so so many memorable episodes over 15 years!!!! but i think i‘d like to pull out the season 8 (or as i like to call it, season gr8) finale, Sacrifice. midway through season 8 my brother and i moved into our grandparents place while my parents were separating and i used to sleep in their spare room. they had this old tv in there that pre-dates flatscreens and i lowkey used to loveee watching it. anyway during that period i would use up all my grandparents’ bandwidth downloading new Spn episodes and destroy their internet until it reset at the end of the month LOL, but Spn was one of the few things that really kept me going at that point in time. i think God was like ‘jamila’s having a hard year, let’s make this one of Spn’s best seasons ever’ because truly i cannot explain to you how much i love that season. how much thinking about it pushes everything else out of my heart so i can feel the love for it as fully as possible. i have this extremely vivid memory of sitting on the single bed in that spare room watching the season 8 finale on that little fat tv, and feeling SO much, like feeling so many feelings about everything that was happening in the episode, and forgetting everything else in the world because that episode swallowed me whole, and i remember - i remember SO clearly - the last scene of that episode, when the angels started falling, and being completely awed, like jaw agape, heart pounding, just full of wonder, because that scene was so beautiful and shocking and like, just an unbelievable moment? i just REMEMBER how it felt to watch that episode more clearly than the watching any other moment in the show, it was so powerful to me. i think it was a combination of factors, like the intensity of life at that moment, the build up of this unbelievable season of a show that had carried me through 8 years (including this hard year), the fruition of a storyline focused on Sam, a character i’d loved so much for so long, and a really staggering episode. 

26. best side character?

oh NOOOO howwww how how can i choose. i’m gonna pick 3 because I’M in control! and i’m going to pick these based on the value i believe they added to the show, and to Sam and Dean’s lives. 

1. Bobby. It’s crazy to me that Bobby died literally halfway through the show (mid season 7) and yet he still feels like a core part of the show to me? Like it’s been 7 and a half years lol but i still feel like he’s a foundational block! I love Bobby SO much, for many reasons but most especially because he was really a dad to Sam and Dean. Like no disrespect to John (some disrespect) but he was their DAD. He took so much care of them, talked them down from so many ledges, showed them so much love (even if it was in his own gruff way!), and felt so much pride over who they grew up to be, like i truly think we owe Bobby for who they are. and he really acted as a home base to them for those first 7 seasons! Spn was always supposed to be a road show, 2 brothers driving across country, staying in bizarre hotels, no home base. But Bobby really WAS the home they could come back to anytime. And they needed that so badly. 

2. Mary. How many times can i explain how AMAZING it was to have Mary become a fixture in the show 12 YEARS IN. Like!?!?!?! And the reason i think Mary is such an incredible side character is because for those first 11 years (and all the years pre the show) the memory of Mary shaped Sam and especially Dean in very specific ways. Like she was this phantom known mostly through Dean’s vague, 4yo memories, so insubstantial and so dream-like. And that image of her was so extremely formative for them. And then all of a sudden BAM here she is in the flesh! And she’s not that dream-like figure at all! She’s fully formed and complex and has a lot of issues and neither she nor Sam/Dean know what to do about each other, because they’re all adults! And watching them figure out how to be a family was the most INCREDIBLE thing, watching Mary figure out how to be a mother to 2 adults (missing the opportunity to be a mother to growing boys) and also not being sure she even wanted to be one?? watching Sam get to know a mother he had NO memories of, and knew only by proxy threw Dean’s infant memories, and watching Dean have to reluctantly scratch out that image he’d been carrying around for 35 years and let Mary be her own self, not the self he’d been projecting onto her all this time, was justttttt <333333

3. Jack. I can’t miss out on our collective son ;__; listen listen listen, this idea. to have Sam and Dean spent 12 seasons learning and unlearning all the traumas of their parents, to face every challenge imaginable, and then to round out their story by giving them the one extremely human challenge they’ve not yet faced (being parents) is so... unbelievably beautiful. like to give them this character, who was presumed to be the doom of all creation, and have them end up seeing him as a son, and loving him, and fearing losing him, and wanting to do anything - anything - to save him, to break whatever cosmic rule it took (exactly the same way they’d do anything to save EACH OTHER these past 12 years btw) is JUST!!!!!! IT IS JUST!!!!!!! THE MOST INCREDIBLE STORY!!!!!!!!!! AND the fact that all their doubts and fears about his ‘potential’ for darkness were mirrored within Jack himself, and for him to try to combat that fear by modelling himself after Sam and Dean as much as he could, because HE believed that THEY were his salvation, and if he followed in their footsteps he would only ever be good. LIKE THAT MAKES ME INSAAAAAAAAANE. AND THEN HE BECAME GOD. SAM AND DEAN RAISED GOD. HE DECIDED ON THE KIND OF GOD HE WANTED TO BE BASED ON EVERYTHING HE LEARNED FROM THEM. NEVER COULD THIS SHOW HAVE FOUND A BETTER WAY TO GO OUT IT DRIVES ME CRAZYYYYYYYY

oh my god i’ve been writing this post for over an hour because i have to keep stopping and feeling emotions lol 

special le question: tell you something i love about the show!! 

god okay!!!!! so many things to choose from!!!! let’s try not to be an emotional mess this time lol. something that i love about the show is the fact that it had the time to experiment. the gift of long-running scifi shows is that they have time to find their feet, and then they have time to find their voice, and finding their voice allows them to play. and playing is how you get some of the best moments in television. and my god, did Spn play. episodes like “Changing Channels” where Sam and Dean were sucked into satirical versions of other TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy and CSI Miami. or “Ghostfacers” which was a found footage episode from the pov of a group of awful paranormal investigators, and Sam and Dean were basically the side characters LOL! or “The French Mistake” where Sam and Dean were sucked into a universe where they were actually the actors PLAYING Sam and Dean SJKJKD or “Baby” when they had an entire episode from the CAR’S perspective, or when they’re in a black and white monster movie!!!! something i love about the show is that they had the time to play and they USED it! so well!!!! it’s been 15 years of wonderful stories, i am just so grateful for them all

[caw4brandon]

Documentaries [Part 1]: What We Do In The Shadows

You guys know Paranormal Activity? or The Blair Witch Project? I’m going to assume that you do because its been quite popular in terms of the style of the film.  Today, I wanted to talk about some found footage films that I have gazed upon and maybe share it with you guys. First, What We Do In The Shadows.

Its 6 PM In The Night-Time

"And this is when I wake up," said Viago who is currently 379 years old but looks a lot like a young Taika Waititi. That statement might get you kinda confused cause...What? Let me explain. In 2013, a group of cameramen has been granted access to a highly secretive society. They wore crucifixes and were guaranteed protection by the subjects of the film.

What We Do In The Shadows follows three different centuries of vampires. Viago you already know but we also have Deacon (183 years old) and Vladislav (862 years old). The film follows the daily lives of these three very out of date folks in modern New Zealand. Oh, and there is Petyr who is 8,000 years old.

As the film progresses, we learn more about vampires in general. Their relationships with others like them, their enemies and the other creatures of the dark. We also follow Deacon's a human familiar, Jackie. We learn about their personal histories like Deacon's Nazi Vampire background and Vlad's old name; Vladislav The Poker and his rivalry with The Beast. We also learn about Viago's human crush.

In the second half of the film, we follow a new blood vampire; Nick and his human friend; Stu who got involved in some very interesting antics with this band of the supernatural. Overall, it's a good film about these powerful beings being put into this modern world where the mundane becomes unique and the unique becomes mundane.

There is also a TV show under the same title where it follows four new vampires in modern America but that's a whole other story.

We Decided Not To Eat Stu

Overall, a very good film but what I think is great about What We Do In The Shadows is that the filmmakers know the actual lore about vampires and use it poke fun of how silly they are. The curse of immortality with limitations can be very sad for the core three characters and the fact that they are far more understanding about the mundane human mortality, mainly Stu's is perhaps the most interesting of them all. The characters may be cold-blooded killers but they are also understanding and plain fun.

from a film-making standpoint, it's highly praised for taking the genre and poking it (no, not like Vlad.) to death in a playful way. They reference classics like The Lost Boys, Bram Stoker's Dracula and Interview with the Vampire and also isn't afraid to take jabs and inspirations from Blade, Twilight and Buffy The Vampire Slayer. So, yeah. This film is great!

You're Dead and Out of This World

Final note, What We Do In The Shadows takes the dark supernatural elements and paints them in a very mundane and silly light where the serious tones are done in a "not try too hard" way. It pokes fun of (no, not like Vlad! You idiot!) the classic and modern vampire shows which I think would generate laughs all around for everyone.

Often times we see these shows as dark and gloomy. But in truth, they are just like everyone else who is actively trying to live and find meaning to live in this modern world that no longer believes in supernatural monsters and magic.

- B - 

[moonlightmadnessreviews]

The Blame Truth Project’s “Recordings” Series: Found Footage in the YouTube Age

The year was 1999, and a little film entitled The Blair Witch Project would light a fire in the world of independent horror cinema. In the years since it’s release, the found footage genre has risen, fallen victim to over saturation and finally transformed and been reborn thanks to mediums like Twitter. Lost in the shuffle however is a small YouTube series entitled “Recordings” from the Blame Truth Project channel, and I want to shine the spotlight on it I feel it deserves.

Although The Blair Witch Project has long been recognized as one of the most financially successful independent films of all time, it did not create the Found Footage genre. That credit may fall to Ruggero Deodato’s infamous Cannibal Holocaust which, like Blair Witch, had audiences convinced the shocking images projected onto the screen were real. The genius of Blair Witch lies in its world building and viral marketing. Not only were there websites set up ahead of the films release showing evidence that can be seen in the movie, such as Heather’s journal and the found film reels themselves, but HBO also produced a documentary to help solidify the credibility of the films events. It’s this world building that makes the film itself a more immersive experience. Other films, such as Cloverfield, would use Alternate Reality Games as a means to accomplish this same world building, while social media would help blow up a movie like Paranormal Activity.

The Blame Truth Project channel used many of these same techniques, and though it may not have the same production value of films like The Blair Witch or Paranormal Activity (the best found footage is never completely unpolished), the story it builds is crafted just as cleverly. The channel started as a means for a young man named Anthony to document the hauntings he was experiencing at home. Strange noises and odd occurrences began to manifest themselves in his home, and he felt it was connected to a mysterious Pokémon Blue cartridge he’d recently gotten his hands on. Within that cartridge lies our first bit of world building, as it seems to be taking inspiration from a popular Creepypasta about a haunted Pokémon cartridge. If the viewer is familiar with the Creepypasta, it is easier for them to suspend their disbelief and let this world envelope them. Anthony also starts receiving menacing emails and video responses from a fellow YouTube channel who’s cryptic messages allude to the fact that he is part of a larger paranormal event, and those responsible have their eyes on him.

Eventually the hauntings subside and Anthony decides to turn his channel into one where he can investigate other paranormal events, hauntings in his native North Carolina and local folklore. Essentially, the Pokémon Blue series was an ARG for the “Recordings” series, showing us that Anthony has a tendency to bite off more than he can chew and helps keep the viewer on edge. As the new series begins, we see Anthony exploring local legends and visiting a haunted church. For the most part these first few videos seem to be exactly what we were expecting, an amateur version of Ghost Hunters, but some eagle eyed viewers began picking up on figures in the background. The figures are hardly there, blink-and-you’ll-miss-them shapes donning animal masks. At first we see one just under a lamppost in a park, the low resolution of the video making it look like they’re starring right at as through Anthony’s camera. We begin to see them outside of Anthony’s windows at home, the shots never lingering on them for too long, but they were menacing enough for viewers to comment on them. Anthony eventually addresses them and even draws a connection to the YouTube channel that had previously sent him the cryptic emails in the last series.

With each new video, Anthony begins to feel the walls closing in on him, and the group that’s taunting him gets more and more invasive. Some of the videos can be extremely disturbing and I can only imagine his subscribers being left feeling like they had to look over their shoulders when they were done. With a bigger budget, it isn’t difficult to imagine this as a full blown film, but something about having to wait for each bit of new information to be revealed makes this the perfect medium for horror. Essentially each video is a chapter in a larger story and the excitement of having to wait for that information keeps the viewer engaged as well as horrified.

More recently, the Twitter account TheSunVanished took is similar approach. We learn of a supernatural event and are invited into the world this story creates and even get to take it to another level of immersion in the comments section. What I love about the “Recordings” series though is just how much they were able to do with a simple premise, minimal crew and the medium of YouTube itself. We get a fully fleshed out story, without the usual exposition dump, told from the perspective of a character we can relate to and you can easily get sucked into watching the entire series in one night. The series did end up getting a spin off, but the original core series is far better and much more engaging.

If you’re a fan of Found Footage and Alternate Reality Games, check out the “Recordings” series tonight!

[themovieblogonline]

Top Ten Catholic Horror Movies To Watch If You Loved The First Omen

Catholic horror has always been the genre that delivered the best of scary experiences. Whether it's the creepy 70s classics or a modern take on the church, religious horror movies can be reliable to creep you out like nothing else. With the release of the critically acclaimed prequel of the classic The Omen, it makes sense if you want to continue this kind of cinematic journey. So get on the ride with these skin-crawling movies to watch if you're a fan of this genre. The Exorcist (1973) The lives of two families are intertwined by a demonic entity. When an actress begins to see violent changes in her daughter, she calls in a priest for help. However, the priest questions his faith when his mother falls ill.  This masterpiece is unquestionably one of the best attempts at projecting the fearful side of religion. The very concept of a demonic child is chilling to its core. The Exorcist laid the ground for the future of horror by horrifying innocent children which was further used in many works. It also instills fear by showcasing a powerless priest. 2. The Prophecy (1995)  A detective is set on solving a murder case. What could go wrong? Well, when he sees eerie visions of angels preparing for a war, he knows that the case isn’t as simple as he imagined.  Original in its conception and thoughtful in its genre, The Prophecy explores the depths of faith and good vs evil in the most chilling way possible.   3. Prince of Darkness (1987)  There are weird things in people’s basements, but when Father Loomis cleans out the church basement, he finds a can with suspicious green liquid inside. Upon further investigation with a professor, the sludge turns out to be Satan’s vengeful spirit.  4. The Conjuring (2013) When a family moves into a new house on a farm things are anything but peaceful. With strange occurrences haunting their lives, they decide to call in paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren to help them. Soon, they would uncover the disturbing history of the farmhouse house. The characters in The Conjuring were so powerful that they left an indelible mark on the horror movie. The fact that it is based on real-life events, makes it even more terrifying. The meticulous details and real investigation files bring the realness to the film that makes it timelessly admirable. 5. The Devils (1971) Taking place in the 17th century, The Devils is about Father Grandier, who is notorious for his controversial opinions on religion and sexuality. When a vengeful Cardinal vows to ruin Grandier’s reputation, things take a deadly turn as Satanism is involved. The movie remains one of the most iconic attempts when it comes to unconventional horror. The historical grandeur and exposition of power make it delve deeper into the human mind, all the while plaguing our dreams. 6. The Sacrament (2013) The Sacrament is a found-footage horror film that depicts the quest of a reporter who goes into a deep secluded place to rescue his sister, a recovering alcoholic, from a cult. Things seem pretty straightforward until he meets the unhinged cult leader. The way this movie explores psychology and blind faith will always stay ‘sacred’ to me. 7. Saint Maud (2019) Obsession with anything can lead to deadly outcomes, even if it’s saving lives. Saint Maud is about a religious nurse, who seems to be fixated on saving the soul of her patient on the verge of death. The religious elements of the film come smoothly together with mental illness and denial that blows all of our minds away. 8. Carrie (2013) Be careful of who you bully. Carrie, a sheltered high-school girl, is tormented by bullies at school and by her mother at home. When she finally snaps, she unleashes deadly telekinetic powers. What makes this one special is the less-recognized role of religious extremism in causing detrimental effects on children and how bad it can get. 9. The Exorcist III (1990) A series of murder investigations, presumably the works of a serial killer, leads a detective down an unsettling path. Things are more deadly and sinister than he ever anticipated. The good ole classic that does not need to be told about. The dark side of religion and themes of faithlessness are what make The Exorcist III one of the best horror movies of all time. 10. Immaculate (2023)  An American nun, Cecilia, goes to the Italian countryside to join a convent. However, things take a horrific turn from the get-go and she’s forced to come face-to-face with the sinister evils lurking within the borders. She must save herself from the tormenting clutches before it’s too late. A modern take on the religious theme. Immaculate satisfies the need to get back to the classic themes with plenty of scary moments and intriguing characters. These horror movies are a must-watch whether it’s the creepy season or not. Picked up from your favorite genres, they will give you unforgettable jump-off-your-couch moments.