Speaking Of Gorgeous Movie Posters

I originally wrote about this movie poster last Winter just after I'd seen The Innkeepers as part of a horror movie double feature (the other half of the double feature being The Woman in Black). Isn't it fantastically gorgeous!!! I love every bit of it. Gorgeous. Clever. Perfect.

Evan Peters As Kit In American Horror Story

I love these cast photos from American Horror Story: Asylum.

Evan Peters as Kit.

American Horror Story: Tricks And Treats

I am absolutely unabashedly loving this season of American Horror Story. Not that this is surprising, being such a huge fan of season one, and of pretty much all of the actors this season. Zachary Quinto made his first appearance this week. Love him so much. He looks awesome in glassses. So handsome, as always.

This week's episode called "Tricks and Treats" was insane (in a great way). I cannot believe this stuff is happening on TV. Cable TV, sure. FX, ok. But still, AHS is particularly brutal and relentless this time around. At least, that's my feeling. I feel like it's one thing after another after another at Briarcliff. Does the horror never end?

Take "Bloody Face". So horrific and gross looking. I had made this delicious Fall vegetable (sort of) stew for dinner. Super excited to eat it. Super excited to watch AHS. Completely lost my appetite after one look at "Bloody Face". Completely. No appetite whatsoever.

Like last week, I don't want to give too much away for those who are getting caught up. And there's not too much to dissect yet, but be warned. Once there is, I'll be dissecting it like crazy. Fixating on the littlest detail. What does it mean? What's the secret? Is there a secret? I guess the one thing that I'm fixating on a smidge is the song that plays in the common room. You know, the very up tempo French song (I think it's French?) I wonder about that. Clearly, it would drive anyone mad to have to listen to it day in and day out.

As for the characters, Kit and Grace are adorable already. Love them. Love Grace's devotion to Kit, and so early on. James Cromwell's Dr. Alden is indeed very sinister and scary. Both of the Sisters (Jude and Mary) are super interesting. Sarah Paulson's Lana Winters (great name) continues to break my heart.

I'm making a conscious effort not to watch any teasers or trailers for the coming week's episode so as to be totally surprised by it. So far, so good. That said, I did happen to see that this week's episode (to air on Halloween night) is called "Nor'Easter". Love it.

Weekly Song List: For Friday, October 26th

As you likely know (from my pervious post), I am in the midst of craft fair craziness getting ready for the Salem Open Market this coming weekend. I've been sewing up a storm, making all sorts of Halloween themed pot holders, dish towels, aprons, and more.

And so, my weekly song list will be posted on Friday this week. Hmmm. Halloween theme, perhaps???

Also, stay tuned for my weekly American Horror Story post, also on Friday. Oh, how I love this show!

Photo: Natasha Khan of Bat For Lashes

P.S. I just bought the new Bat For Lashes album The Haunted Man. Can't wait until it arrives!!! I'll most definitely be writing about it. And soon.

American Horror Story: Welcome To Briarcliff

Before I start, I want to point out that while this post contains no real spoilers, it does reveal some details that may be better left unknown for those of you who have not yet watched.

And on that note. Let's talk American Horror Story. Everyone's favorite psycho-horror-drama is back for its second season, and it is as creepy, suspenseful, and stylish (as always). This week's season opener was great! I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to see how the season unfolds.

Let's see. Highlights? I'm already head over heals for Evan Peters' character, whose proper name eludes me now. He was referred to as "Bloody Face" for much of the episode. I adore Sarah Paulson. She was a favorite of mine last season. Love her style, her voice, her general presence. And she's a fantastic actress.

James Cromwell is super creepy and sinister. Very villainous. Very tall. And of course, there's Jessica Lange. She's so amazing. Sister Jude is going to be an interesting one. Not entirely a villain, but definitely not heroic.

All in all, I'm crazy excited for this season of AHS and look forward to being good and properly creeped out by it week after week after week. Until next Friday.

Oh My Sweet Goodness, It's October!

I'm so happy that it's October. This might be my favorite month. Or December. Or maybe April? Hmmm. It's a tough one. Anyway, I love October for all sorts of reasons. I love Autumn! Halloween. My crazy craft fair season begins this month. And I like to see it a sort of fresh start. Seasons are the best that way.

Just a reminder/update: Weekly Song Lists are going to be up every Wednesday. I may do a few on a Halloween theme, but we'll see how it goes. I've heard a lot of great new music these past couple of weeks, so I'm particularly excited about this week's list.

Supernatural is starting back up this Wednesday, October 3rd. Oh my sweet goodness!!!(That's my new favorite exclamation.) And American Horror Story will be starting up on the 17th. Aaaahhh!!! So much awesome, dramatic, spooky TV.

I've seen lots of great live music this past week, so stay tuned for my standard-overly-detailed-accounts, and photos, very soon.

And that's that for now! I leave you with this beautiful black and white film still from The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, one of my all time favorite movies, and one of the great haunted-house-love-stories ever put to the silver screen.

Photo: Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison

Sam and Dean, Meet Mulder and Scully

This past Spring I did something that I should have done a long time ago. Something that was a ton of fun and kept me totally entertained for months. I watched The X-Files from start to finish.

This was quite an undertaking, but I loved it so much and may do it again this Winter. While watching, I kept a list of actors who I recognized from my favorite show of all shows Supernatural (which will be returning for its 8th season on October 3rd!) I'd planned on sharing this list in the Spring, but decided to save it to include as part of my countdown to Supernatural series of posts.

And so here you have it! Note that the actor's name is listed first, followed by their Supernatural character name and finally, their X-Files character name.

Jim Beaver: Bobby/Coroner

Mitch Pileggi: Samuel/Skinner

Steven Williams: Rufus/Mr. X 

Mark Sheppard: Crowley/Bob the Caretaker

A.J. Buckley: Ed Zeddmore/The Dude

Katharine Isabelle: Ava/Lisa Baiocchi

Chad Lindberg: Ash/Bobby Rich

Nicki Aycox: Meg Masters/Chastity Raines

Mark Pelligrino: Lucifer/Derwood Spinks

Titus Welliver: War/Doug Spinney

James Otis: Famine/Arien Sacks

Fredric Lehne: Azazel/Young Arthur Dales

Mark Rolston: Alastair/Bud LaPierre & Richard Odin

William B. Davis: Folklore Professor/Smoking Man

Nicholas Lea: Elliot Ness/Alex Krycek

If there's anyone I've left out please feel free to share in the comments section below. Enjoy!

Weekly Song List: Wednesday, August 22nd

Since I'm clearly preoccupied with my childhood  experiences of the gothic and the romantic (see my posts for the past week or so), I thought I'd dedicate this week's song list to just that. Songs that are gothic and romantic, and filled with some sort of darkness or magic. Songs that would have fit perfectly with my somewhat macabre childhood sensibilities.

1. Glass. Bat For Lashes: My favorite favorite Bat For Lashes song. From her album Two Suns. This songs makes me think of The Neverending Story. Which reminds me, I should watch that too as part of my mini movie marathon. Totally exhilarating song. It has such momentum and atmosphere.

2. 1816, The Year Without a Summer. Rasputina: This song is about the "Little Ice Age" which is apparently when Mary Shelley wrote or started to write Frankenstein. This event is also documented in the movie Rowing With the Wind (which is part of my mini movie marathon). Great song. Rasputina are one of my all time favorites. Love them.

3. The Wolf. Fever Ray: From the soundtrack for the movie Red Riding Hood. Awesome song. There's something very tribal about it. In the movie, it plays during a sort of celebration that involves darkness, dancing, and lots of fire.

4. Heavy In Your Arms. Florence + The Machine: From the Twilight Saga: Eclipse movie soundtrack. When did these soundtracks get to be so awesome!?! This is actually my favorite Florence song. Gorgeous. Love the heavy sound, and the dramatic build.

5. Love Is Blindness. Jack White: Cover of the U2 song. Featured on the 20th anniversary full album cover of Achtung Baby. I've already written about song on this very blog. I love it in so many ways. I love the loudness of it at times and the space within it. I love Jack's voice. It's also one of my favorite U2 songs.

6. When Doves Cry. Prince & The Revolution: I thought I'd include a song that I was actually listening to in the 80s. I was really into Prince when I was 8 or 9. And this song held so much mystery for me. It seemed very intense and about things that I could not relate to, but were intrigued by. I remember being in my bedroom, dancing to this song in pink leather pumps that were two sizes too big for me.

7. Jackie. Sinéad O'Connor: From her album The Lion and The Cobra. Gorgeous song about a lady waiting (for eternity) for her Jackie to return from the sea. Haunting. Beautiful. Eerie. Perfectly ghostly. Perfectly romantic.

Photo: Rasputina

Weekly Song List: Wednesday, August 8th

This week's "Weekly Song List" is (as promised) on a Jack White theme. As I started making my list of potential songs, I learned some fairly interesting things.

First off, choosing 7 Jack White songs for this purpose is (while not impossible, I suppose) difficult enough for me to have to take, like, four Nesquik breaks. I thought my brain was going to explode from the pressure. Too many great songs to choose from.

Second, when confronted with this problem, one must be decisive: dedicate this song list to The White Stripes (and The White Stripes alone), and allow for 2 songs per day instead of 1. Problem solved.

Keep in mind that Get Behind Me Satan is one of my all time favorite albums, so I could have included every song from that album on this list. But alas, I did not. What I did do (though) is realize how much I love Jack at the piano, and how much I love his ballads, especially the ones about love and girls and vulnerability and feeling lonely.

And so, here you have it! 14 of my favorite White Stripes songs. Note that instead of naming the artist immediately after the song title I've listed the album title, for your reference.

1. You're Pretty Good Looking (For a Girl). De Stijl: My first favorite White Stripes song. My (then) boyfriend and I had a mutual crush on Meg and Jack. And on the De Stijl inspired artwork.

2. Truth Doesn't Make a Noise. De Stijl: I love the lyrics. And everything else about the song.

3. The Same Boy You've Always Know. White Blood Cells: This is one of those songs that I love about girls and vulnerability.

4. Hotel Yorba. White Blood Cells: Catchy as all get out. Great to do the twist to.

5. You've Got Her In Your Pocket. Elephant: Another one of those songs about love and girls and vulnerability. I also love the simplicity. Just Jack and the guitar. I would do a variety of dramatic things to hear him play this live.

6. I Want To Be the Boy To Warm Your Mother's Heart. Elephant: I think the title says it all.

7. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself. Elephant: Brilliant cover of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David song made popular by Dionne Warwick.

8. My Doorbell. Get Behind Me Satan: Jack at the piano. Love it. It's also just plain cool. And snappy. Very snappy.

9. Little Ghost. Get Behind Me Satan: Hmmm? Mountain music + mandolin + love song about a ghost = perfection, oozing with charm. Also, one of my favorite songs to sing along to.

10. Instinct Blues. Get Behind Me Satan: I love the bluesy grind of this song. And Jack's voice sounds ridiculously good. Also, it's funny. "Even strawberries get it."

11. I'm Lonely (But I Ain't That Lonely Yet). Get Behind Me Satan: Again, Jack at the piano. With the exception of one bit of lyrics that makes me chuckle ("she's homely, and she's cranky, and her hair's in a net. I'm lonely, but I ain't that lonely yet"), I find this song totally heartbreaking.

12. A Martyr For My Love For You. Icky Thump: One of my all time favorites. I love the organ, the heaviness of the sound, and the narrative. A man saving the girl he loves from himself. Swoon. And sad. Very sad.

13. Prickly Thorn, But Sweetly Worn. Icky Thump: This song is so full of majesty and a grand sort of atmosphere. And as a (supposed) descendent of Scotch-Irish gypsies (???), I also love the Celtic influence on this one.

14. Let's Shake Hands (Live). Under Great White Northern Lights: I believe this song was the very first White Stripes 7" single. The afore mentioned rendition is from the 2009 live album Under Great White Northern Lights. Great energy. Jack's guitar is killer, and Meg plays her drums with lots of gusto. It's so good!

Photo: cover of The White Stripes 2005 album Get Behind Me Satan

Weekly Song List: Wednesday, August 1st

It's Wednesday, and that means it's time for the Fussy Gussy "Weekly Song List". And so, here you have it!

1. Silenced By the Night. Keane: I love this song because it sounds like it was recorded in the mid-to-late 1980s. And I love Tom Chaplin's voice.

2. Dark Side. Kelly Clarkson: Kelly Clarkson is one of those pop singers who (for me, at least) transcends pop because her voice is so, so strong. I watched (and voted for) her on the first season of American Idol and I LOVE this new song of hers. Perfect blend of pop and creepy music box.

3. Only If For a Night. Florence + The Machine: This song blows my mind. It's so powerful and beautiful. And there's mention of a ghost! Perfection. Absolute perfection.

4. Laura. Bat For Lashes: the new song from Natasha Khan AKA Bat For Lashes. Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Simple. Haunting. I can't wait for her new album. Until October!

5. Ananaemonesia. Chairlift: I heard this song for the first time on WERS (one of my fave local radio stations). It reminds me of Berlin's "The Metro" a bit, which I love. Caroline Polachek has a very cool, unique voice. Great dance song!

6. Arcade Blues. Neon Indian: I love Neon Indian to pieces! This song is perfect for dance parties and driving. And dancing while driving.

7. Bavarian #1 (Say You Will). Miike Snow: What can I say about Miike Snow? They're kind of my favorite right now. I listen to their album Happy To You way too much. This song is one of my top three favorites from the album. Love the marching drums.

Photo: Neon Indian

Hitchcock's Rebecca Never Ceases To Amaze Me

I watched Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca last night for the zillionth time. As the title suggests this movie never, ever ceases to amaze me. Joan Fontaine is the epitome of "perfectly lovely", and Lawrence Olivier is ridiculously handsome, gentlemanly, and charming.

And then there's Mrs. Danvers. One of the great movie villains.

Being one of my all time favorites (if not my one-and-only all time favorite), I'm certainly biased.

But in my opinion if you enjoy: gothic things, mysteries in general, black and white movies, movies that take place in creepy mansions, movies that take place on the coast of Cornwall, movies with awesome villains, movies with awesome female villains, Lawrence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, psychological thrillers, ghosts, (and so on) you've simply got to watch Rebecca. 

Nancy Drew On Etsy

I love this Nancy Drew themed treasury on Etsy! There are so many adorable goodies featured, from cool pendants to upcycled pocket books and notecards. I love the set of Nancy Drew notecards pictured above, and handmade by Nouveau Nancy on Etsy.

My Mystery of the Tolling Bell pocket mirror was also featured. Very exciting!

Thank you Retrospect  for putting your girl detective skills to super crafty use, and for putting this charming, perfectly vintage treasury together!

American Horror Story Begins Shooting This Week

I've just read that season two of American Horror Story begins shooting this week! I think it's safe-ish to assume a similar schedule to season one, with an October premier. 

I've also read that while the location of the story is still vaguely "East Coast", the head of the mental institution is a Bostonian. Could mean a quaint 1960s New England setting? We have our fair share of creepy old abandon mental hospitals in New England.

Have you seen Session 9? Fantastic movie. Terrifying, atmospheric. Great performances by everyone involved. The movie takes place at  the Danvers State Hospital in Danvers, MA, which was built in 1879.

Lastly, it turns out that Jessica Lange is not playing the lady in charge of the hospital, but she's also a "Bride of Christ". Yes, a nun.

Evan Peters To Play The Hero Of Season Two

I've just read that season two of American Horror Story will take place in the 1960s (excellent!) and that Evan Peters will be playing the hero this time around.

We all know and love Evan Peters as the striped sweater clad, twisted yet adorable ghost boy Tate Langdon from season one of the FX horror series. But I (for one) am looking forward to seeing him in a different role, and to seeing him in 1960s attire. I wonder what color his hair will be?

And this idea of a hero has got me thinking. Who was the hero of season one? Vivien? Maybe Violet?

American Horror Story: Season Two

As Summer nears, I find myself getting more and more excited about season two of American Horror Story. Ryan Murphy has revealed a few more tidbits about the season, and two new cast members have been named.

Apparently, the afore mentioned "horror institution" is in fact an institution for the criminally insane, set on the East Coast in an entirely different era than season one. Jessica Lange will be playing the head of the institution and the always fantastic James Cromwell will be joining the cast as the institution's head doctor.

Also joining the cast is Chloë Sevigny, of Harmony Korine and Big Love fame. She'll be joining previously named cast members Even Peters (my favorite!), Lily Rabe, Sarah Paulson, Zachary Quinto, and Adam Levine.

Yes, that Adam Levine. I'm as confused by this as you are. 

More Casting News For AHS Season Two

I just read that Adam Levine is in final talks to join the cast of American Horror Story season two. And yes, it's that Adam Levine. Maroon 5 frontman and judge/mentor from The Voice Adam Levine. Wild! Crazy! His role is being described as a modern day character, and one half of a couple called "The Lovers".

So as of right now we know of the following future cast members of AHS season two: Jessica Lange, Zachary Quinto, Evan Peters (yay!), Lily Rabe, Sarah Paulson, and (more than likely) Adam Levine.

Evan Peters Will Be Back For Season Two!

I've just discovered some more juicy tidbits about those cast members of American Horror Story season one who will be returning for season two. Jessica Lange was the first to be announced, in February.

Also joining the cast are: Zachary Quinto (Chad, previously), Sarah Paulson (my fave, Billie Dean Howard), Lily Rabe (the 1920s beauty), and (drum roll please)...Evan Peters. Woohoo!!!

According to series creator Ryan Murphy each actor will a play role that's the opposite of their role in season one. I guess this means that Peters will not be playing a lovable-yet-disturbing-teen-ghost-psychopath. He may be very much alive and lovable in all the right ways.

As for season two itself, all we know so far is that it will take place on the East Coast in a "horror institution". Filming will begin in July.

Lingering Questions About Murder House

With American Horror Story well over and done, I've had plenty of time to sort out my many lingering questions that were either not answered at all, or not adequately answered during the first season, and therefore will never be answered since it's been revealed that every season of AHS will have a whole new cast, house, plot, and so on. In fact, we now know that the second season will take place on the East Coast, and will involve a "horror institution". What that means exactly, I'm not sure. But I digress.

And so, here we go with my list of lingering questions (most of them are about Tate, of course):

1. Why exactly was Tate so angry and full of rage? We know that Constance wasn't a good Mom. She was most likely neglectful, abusive (verbally and possibly physically), and an all around selfish, superficial, manipulative woman. But was there a certain sinister event that made Tate the monster that he is, or was it the house?

2. Why didn't Tate go all the way with Violet on Halloween night? Violet was totally game. And what did he mean when he said that he'd never done it with a girl before? This still irks me.

3. What was on Tate's thumb ring, exactly? I still feel like there was some sort of power to the ring that was never addressed.

3 (a). Speaking of Tate's thumb ring, I LOVE this Etsy treasury of snake thumb rings that was inspired by my fixation on the topic. Thank you Balthasar for creating this gem of a treasury! I'm sure there will be plenty of Etsy treasury fodder next season, too.

4. In the episode "Birth", why did Billie Dean Howard have such a strong reaction against Tate? Was it for all of the obvious reasons (murderer, monster, etc.) or was there some sort of spirit world past relationship between Billie and Tate?

5. Can ghosts make telephone calls? Violet seems to be the only ghost who is able to contact a living person without seeing them face to face (I'm thinking of Constance in "Birth"). Somehow Violet asks Constance to come over to discuss getting rid of ghosts, but she does so without leaving Murder House. I guess telephone is the only option here. Since ghosts are basically energy, I wonder how this works?

6. Why was Tate so angry and full of rage when he killed the exterminator in the basement? He seemed crazed during that scene. He said all sorts of things about repenting for sins and taking innocent lives. Was he projecting his own feelings of guilt onto the exterminator?

7. If Addie died in the street, how did she learn about Tate and all of his wrong-doings? In the episode "Piggy, Piggy" Billie Dean Howard tells Constance that Addie is glad she didn't die on the Murder House lawn because she's afraid of Tate "now that she knows the truth." Do ghosts have neighbors, like living people? Or do you just magically know everything about every spirit once you cross over?

7 (a). And on this note, did Tate ever find out that Addie was dead?

8. Who was the hedge clipper guy from the opening credit supposed to be? Ryan Murphy said that by the end of the season we'd understand every single thing in the opening credits, but I'm at a loss about those hedge clippers.

And that's that (for now). I may very likely be tempted to post further lingering questions as the arise. And stay tuned for casting updates and other juicy tidbits about season two!

American Horror Story + A Horror Institution

American Horror Story will be back in October with an entirely new cast, new location (the East Coast), and (as rumor has it)...will involve a "horror institution" instead of a plain old house. Whatever than means? A mental hospital? We have lots of creepy abandoned mental hospitals on the East Coast.

Rumor also has it that Jessica Lange will be joining the cast of season two, though as a new character or as Constance we don't yet know.

Earlier this month on Ryan Murphy revealed the afore mentioned details about the new season, as well as the juicy tidbit that the secret to season two is embedded somewhere within the season one episode "Birth": “Go through it frame by frame. I planted it in there."

I, for one, am not phased by this secret about season two and have no future plans to watch the entire episode of "Birth" on slow-mo. I'd like to be surprised by season two, though I will keep a close eye on casting. According to Murphy no members of the Harmon family will return (meaning, Dylan McDermott, Connie Britton, or Taissa Farmiga), but that "four of the previous cast members" are in talks.

Evan Peters, maybe? Wouldn't that be nice. Or Denis O'Hare? I'd love to see more of him, too.

Perfectly Awesome Movie Poster

I love everything about this movie poster! It's so up my alley I can't even tell you. Love, love, love it.