The first ever Never-Ending Kit Kat candy bowl!
Halloween
On October 11th, The Knockturnal attended the LA premiere of David Gordon Green’s ‘Halloween Ends’ at the Hollywood Legion Theater, marking the last film in the ‘Halloween’ reboot trilogy.
The film stars Jamie Lee Curtis and tackles the legacy of Laurie Strode as she writes a memoir grappling with the evil encounters of her life; however, Michael Myers doesn’t lurk far from her attempts to finally find peace.
The audience gathered in a packed theater to experience the horror as part of Beyond Fest, and continued the celebration at Yamashiro for the premiere’s afterparty. The popular high-end sushi hotspot was transformed into a terrifyingly magical Halloween escape land, a full-on seasonal celebration and tribute to the iconic film series.
Guests were greeted by a spectacle of orange lights and jack-o’-lanterns that lit up the beautiful space overlooking the LA skyline, while staff members were decked out in a variety of thematic costumes, including a special guest appearance from a masked Michael Myers himself. To complete the Halloween horror ambience, realistic dead body props were placed strategically throughout the Yamashiro, including the staircase and the central pond area of the venue.
Yamashiro provided a wide variety of buffet-style entrée options including salmon, chicken, an array of side dishes, and of course a stunning platter of sushi spelling out “Ends.” In tune with the flawlessly executed theme, the bar served movie-inspired cocktails named “The Myers” and “The Strode” after the film’s prominent enemies, and buckets of candy and “trick or treat” bags were conveniently placed all over the restaurant.
‘Halloween Ends’ was released in theaters on October 14th by Universal Pictures, and can also be streamed on Peacock for the next two months.
I love desserts. I never thought that that would be a statement that was needed to be said but as I venture further and further into adulthood and my dreaded thirties, I have noticed and unsettling trend: desserts are as unfashionable as cowboy hats in Times Square. I mention this because Netflix’s recent forays into animation have very much struck me with a sinfully sweet aftertaste. Let’s think about Arcane. Much like the tiramisu at Pecora Bianca, it’s not the reason you showed up but it’s the keynote to end off a great experience. Very few subscribe to Netflix for its animated content but it proved that it’s more than just a cherry on top, it’s a palpable final note.
Now not all desserts are great. For example, much to the chagrin of many fall lovers, I can’t stand pumpkin pie. But Wendell & Wild, the most recent Netflix animated film, is not quite that. It’s something like Paris Baguette – it’s like and fluffy and slightly sweet, but not quite the sugary punch you’d expect. You know dessert would be a satisfying meal, but you at least expect something that could excite your senses without destroying too many teeth. You don’t need it to fill you with nutrients. In the film world, that’s what Nolan and Tarantino are here for. Wendell & Wild, especially given the creative minds behind it, left me feeling a bit disappointed and bored while altogether remembering “right, this is a movie for children, after all”.
The strongest part about this film is the creative mind behind it all: Henry Selick. His animated art style is by far one of the most inventive visual experiences in the world of film today. He manages to push the boundaries of his iconic clay style animation to the limits and just when you think he’s exhausted the limits of his medium, he goes even further and creates something entirely new. He wasn’t the only creative talent at play here. In fact, there were many incredibly talented voice actors who were able to help bring this film to life, for example, Jordan Peele and Keegan Michael-Key. Their performances helped to carry the movie and it’s hard to imagine this movie working without them.
Back to talking about desserts. The reason why animated children’s movies and especially Wendell & Wild instantly brought my mind to think of dessert was because like many of the overpriced bakeries that are speckled across Manhattan, they look better than they taste. Every detail is precise, prim, and pretty but leaves me longing for the unassuming masterpiece that is my mother’s baked goods. The one thing Wendell & Wild has is that polish. It is an incredibly inventive and beautiful movie and it’s a joy to watch. It is a quintessential exemplar of the phrase “every frame a painting”. However the themes are explored at a surface level, character development is so rushed as to feel overlooked, and the plot can best be described at simplistic. Pixar showed that animated films can explore deeper themes in a real way nearly thirty years ago, but to compare the two even with Pixar’s weak recent releases would be a disservice. In the end, Wendell & Wild is a beautiful mediocre pastry in a world where Michelin starred outputs has been the established bar for years.
Time to get this party startled! ?
Kiernan Shipka stars in the first podcast movie from C13Features podcast movie studio titled Treat! Treat is a 90-minute podcast… movie about two teenage siblings dealing with a dysfunctional household on top of a spooktacular Halloween legend. Creepin’ it real, the script is super scary. But in the most fun way!
If you’re asking yourself, “What is a podcast movie?” You’re not alone. It’s a newer entertainment medium based on one of Hollywood’s earliest pursuits, radio shows! Think Lucille Ball in My Favorite Husband (pre I Love Lucy.)
Convenient and fun, just pop in your AirPods and close your eyes. You will escape to a sleepy little town where everybody knows your name and Halloween is the perfect excuse to eat, drink, and be scary. Kiernan narrates as character Allie West. When she’s not dodging the school bully, she’s avoiding mummy or mommy of the year. Her Mom has been a hot mess ever since their father left and Allie has taken on more responsibility. Little did she know, someone… or something has other plans for her.
Kiernan tells The Knockturnal‘s Kinsey Schofield that navigating acting throughout a podcast movie can be quite ghoul-ing but she enjoyed the exercise. Overall, she found the experience fa-BOO-lous!
Accompanying Kiernan, Treat features David Shih, Noah Robbins, Marc Menchaca, Kyle Beltran, Peggy J. Scott, Christa Scott-Reed, Ryan Buggle, Sara Echeagaray, Bill Lobley, Renata Friedman, Marin Ireland, and Wayne Knight.
Listen to Kiernan Shipka’s Treat whenever you get your podcasts on October 25, 2021! Happy Halloween! ?
Kinsey Schofield is a contributor to The Knockturnal and you can follow her on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
The sixth annual Brooklyn Horror Film Festival brought the boogeyman to the beloved borough.
With events at fan favorite venues Williamsburg Cinema, Stuart Cinema, and the newly-reopened Nitehawk Cinema, BHFF offered something for everyone. From the sold-out closing night East Coast premiere of The Sadness to the 35mm screening of Session 9 in honor of its 20th anniversary, BHFF truly outdid itself in its first year back in theaters since the pandemic.
See our favorite festival moments below!
The Last Thing Mary Saw is an outstandingly haunting portrayal of a woman in 1843 New York who faces deadly (and supernatural) consequences for her affair with a maid. Stefanie Scott, who also stars in new Peacock series The Girl in the Woods, portrays Mary, who falls in love with Eleanor, played by Isabelle Fuhrman. Rory Culkin stars as a stranger who threatens to disrupt everything. Writer-director Edoardo Vitaletti was present at Brooklyn Horror Film Festival for the U.S. premiere. The film will be distributed by AMC+ and Shudder.
Family drama When I Consume You returned home to Brooklyn, where the film was shot, after premiering at Fantasia Film Festival earlier this year. Siblings Daphne (Libby Ewing) and Wilson Shaw (Evan Dumouchel) tackle their shared childhood traumas while warding off a demon stalker. Director Perry Blackshear told Variety that horror films are specifically designed to be watched in a dark theater: “It feels like when I watch a scary movie in the theater, it’s like going through a kind of timeless ritual where you die, you feel death,” Blackshear stated. “You get to undergo this intense pain and suffering and yet you survive, maybe stronger than when you began. This catharsis is my favorite part of the genre.”
Netflix’s Night Teeth was a crowd-pleaser with a sultry take on sexy vampires who secretly run L.A. We believe it! Debby Ryan and Lucy Fry play two BFFs who take driver Jorge Lendeborg Jr. on a very different type of ride. Megan Fox and Sydney Sweeney have memorable cameos as queen vampires, while Alfie Allen and Alexander Ludwig round out the urban undead underworld. BHFF hosted the world premiere of Night Teeth, now streaming.
The Home Invasion shorts programs featured a slew of standout films, but two especially caught the attention of BFHH audiences: Still Together and Hazel. Christopher Piazza’s Still Together is at once horrifyingly claustrophobic as well as hilarious. A department store window designer falls in love with a Nordic warrior trapped inside a mannequin. The couple try to plan their escape, but will the other employees thwart their happily ever after? A funky score and a bloody kicker prove we are Still thinking about this off-beat take on horror.
Hazel, directed by Jordan Doig, is a memorable portrayal of postpartum depression. New mom Libby struggles to take care of her daughter, Hazel, especially when her husband Pat isn’t supportive. Libby’s downfall into psychosis has a sinister turn, and you have to watch to see how this short film ends. The horror genre is best when its uncovering the real horrific moments of reality, and Hazel does just that.
See the full list of films at Brooklyn Horror Film Festival here!
Haunt O’ Ween is back and going all out after last year’s modified drive-through only version due to COVID-19. This year, the immersive Halloween experience encourages families to enjoy kid friendly activities while still keeping the adults entertained, too. With over 150,000 sqft, a roster of performances, games, decorations, displays and even a 40 ft carousel, Haunt O’ Ween is an expansive experience everyone can participate in.
This year 35,000 pumpkins will be featured as well as 4 themed walk-through tunnels. Mom and dad can visit a Malibu Wines tasting garden with 4 2oz samples or have a bite to eat at the food trucks and bar while the kids trick or treat from 10-12 houses in the Town of Haunt O’ Ween.
To embrace the spooky season, costumes are highly suggested as you walk through the pumpkin patch to pick the perfect one to carve. Of course there will be face painting for those wanting cobwebs or pumpkins on their cheeks and a complimentary photo booth to remember the moment. Cornstalk mazes with scarecrows pinned and ghouls lurking around will be a fun adventure no matter what age.
At the “Addams Family World,” fans of the franchise will enjoy entering a 45’-tall replica of the macabre suburban mansion where Morticia, Gomez, Wednesday, Uncle Fester, Lurch, and the rest of the gang creepily welcome you inside their home.
Tickets start at $35 for general admission or can be discounted to $31 for those with parties of 8 or more. The entrance fee includes access to the park activities located off of Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Haunt O’ Ween began October 1st and runs through October 31st so get your tickets before it’s sold out!
Additional Halloween updates:
*Smashing Pumpkin by Gigantic– Launched September 9th, this sortasweet candy bar is made with plant-based caramel, crunchy pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice then smothered in dark chocolate. It’s what your Halloween candy always wanted to be. Turn up The Smashing Pumpkin tunes here to really vibe with this new flavor (fun fact: Billy Corgan is a gigantic… Gigantic fan).
*To kick off the fall and Halloween season early, the Reese’s brand partnered with Krochmal Farms in Tewksbury, MA to debut the first-ever chocolate and peanut butter pumpkin patch. Now, the brand is asking fans where to go next!
- ABOUT THE PATCH: Reese’s created The Reese’s Pumpkin Patch – the ultimate fall sanctuary. Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins were dispersed throughout the patch, along with farm pumpkins, for guests to ‘pick’ and enjoy. Thanks to the Reese’s Pumpkin Patch, pumpkin picking will never be the same. You’re welcome.
- WHERE TO NEXT: Have the perfect location for the next Reese’s Pumpkin Patch? Fans can tell us where on Instagram by tagging @Reeses and using #ReesesPumpkinPatch. Fans can also visit www.hersheyland.com for more on how to make a Reese’s Pumpkin Patch in their own backyards.