Mischief Night

On October 30th many people partake in Mischief Night. The day before Halloween pranks are played some fun, others not. In Hollywood there have been many movies that take place on this night, yet none is like the 2013 film Mischief Night.

Emily Walton is suffering from psychosomatic blindness after her mother died in a car accident. On October 30, one year to the day, her father heads out on a date for the first time leaving her alone. Before he goes, their house is egged. Assuming this is a harmless prank he heads out leaving Emily alone. While he is away she is visited by her boyfriend and aunt. However, there is a killer who is stalking her during these visits. After disposing of her aunt and attacking her boyfriend, Emily realizes that she is in the fight for her life against a relentless killer. When her father arrives home she feels safe, but they both know if they are to survive they must face him head on. Will they be able to take him down? Or does the killer have another trick up his sleeve?

Mischief Night falls on October 30th as the prelude to Halloween. On this night many people enjoy playing pranks, toilet papering trees, and playing ding dong ditch. However, it is also a night where strange things can happen. In the 2013 horror film Mischief Night we are introduced to a young blind girl who is in the fight for her life.

Cat People

October 29 is known as National Cat Day in the United States. Cats have always been a favorite animal of mine as I do hope to have one someday. Yet, cats have become subject in many films throughout the years. In the 1942 film Cat People are brought to a different side of cats.

When Oliver Reed meets Irena he is immediately taken with her. Soon the two are married, however, Irena has a dark secret. She reveals to him that she is from a group of people who believe that if they become sexually excited they will kill. Believing this to be rubbish Oliver talks to his friend Alice who gives him the information for a psychiatrist. Soon Irena starts going to see him. But, her belief of becoming a killer cat still haunts her. However, Oliver has grown tired of waiting of for Irena to “get better” causing him to leave her. But, he learns as well as Alice all too quickly that Irena may have been telling the truth when the psychiatrist shows up to help her out.

In 1942 Cat People premiered to scare many people out of their wits. Many people today are inspired by the film as a way to tell a story through shadow. On October 29, National Cat Day is celebrated in America.

Erin Brockovich

Julia Roberts is one of the most beloved actresses today. Even though many claim her heyday was in the 1990’s, she still manages to make movies that inspire us all. In the 2000 drama Erin Brockovich she brings to life a woman in a fight for justice that inspires us all.

After losing a lawsuit Erin Brockovich convinces her lawyer to hire her as a secretary. One day Erin finds papers that reveal a PG&E as being responsible for poisoning water leading to cancer in several citizens. A single mother Erin convinces her boss, Ed Massry into helping her prove that PG&E reckless behavior has cost many people money, their lives, and pain and suffering. However, PG&E are unlikely to be willing to comply with new rules as they do not believe they are doing any wrong. Yet, Erin and Ed are able to find six hundred and thirty four plaintiffs that will fight PG&E to expose them for what they did to their families. In the end, Erin receives the credit she deserves for helping bring down a powerhouse company who, for too long, had taken advantage of their clients.

Julia Roberts brought to life Erin Brockovich, a real woman, in the biographical film by the same name. On October 28, 1967, Julia Roberts was born. Several times she has brought to life countless characters who have inspired us all.

The Sixth Sense

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is one of the most recognized cities in the world. In America, it is filled with history as the origins of our country. Yet, Philadelphia has become one of the most recognize cities for filming movies. In the 1996 thriller The Sixth Sense we are introduced to a young boy who knows a little too much.

A year after being attacked by a former client, child psychologist Malcolm Crowe finds himself helping a young boy. Cole Sear’s mother is looking for someone to help her son as he claims to see dead people. As the film goes on Malcolm begins to believe that Cole is not just an ordinary boy that he can actually talk to and see the souls of those who have recently passed. Eventually, Cole and Malcolm attend the funeral of a young girl who had been killed by her mother. Assisting in bringing the mother to justice, Malcolm starts to work with Cole to learn more about the ghosts. Yet, Cole is trying to tell Malcolm something that will change everything. In the end, will Malcolm be able to help Cole with these spirits unfinished business, including some of his own?

On October 27, 1682 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was founded. Today it is one of the most recognizable cities in America and the world. In the 1996 film The Sixth Sense, that takes place in Philadelphia, we are introduced to a young boy and a man who is trying to help him.

Little Red Riding Hood

Many people know Dana Serra Cary as Baby Peggy. As a cute child, she became one of the first child actresses in the silent era. On October 26, 1918 she was born, and a few days ago she celebrated her ninety-eighth birthday. In 1922, she brought to life Little Red Riding Hood in the film by the same name.

In the short hour this film lasts we watch as Baby Peggy brings to life one of the most beloved fairy tale characters of all time. Little Red Riding Hood heads off to her grandmothers to bring her food as she is sick. Along the way she meets a wolf who entices her, but she stays on the trail heading to her grandmothers. As we all know the grandmother ended up being eaten by the wolf whom eats up little red riding hood as well. But, all is not lost as the little girl and her grandmother are freed by a huntsman. In the end, there is the same happy ending.

Although this is a short synopsis of a well beloved fairy tale in to a movie, it does star the only living actress from the silent film era. Baby Peggy was born Dana Serra Cary who would live on to become a recognizable face in film. Yet, as she grew she drifted away from the spotlight to live a life of happiness. A couple days ago on October 26 she turned ninety-eight, I do hope she had a great day.

The Masque of the Red Death

Vincent Price was a well known actor for his work in the horror genre. With the right looks and voice he was able to terrify audiences every where. In the 1964 film he brought to life a satanist prince who in the end would get his.

Prince Prospero is the satanist prince who rules over a small island in Italy. In the land there is strife, death, and disease that plague all of the villagers. Knowing that many of these people are aware of Prospero’s allegiance he takes several of them prisoner executing them. Yet, when he takes in Juliana, a pretty peasant, he finds himself fighting off her brothers. When he kills them off he finds himself in more than he bargained for when death comes knocking. As the villagers gather asking for sanctuary Prospero finds himself at wits end learning that death has become his only option. Losing Juliana and another girl Francesca, Prospero gives into death as the only way out of the madness that he has caused. In his death, the red death is shown to be playing tarot cards with his “friends” as disease, death, strife, and anger continue to take over Prospero’s land.

Vincent Price passed away on October 25, 1993. Known for his roles in the macabre and unexplained movies he became a well known horror figure. In the 1964 film The Masque of the Red Death he proves why he deserves his place in horror movie cinema.

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl

On October 24, 1929 became known as “Black Tuesday”. The day the stock market crashed causing American to end up in the Great Depression with jobs becoming scarce as people lost them daily. As bad as this sounds, we are brought into the Great Depression through the eyes of a child in the 2008 film Kit Kittredge: An American Girl

Kit Kittredge is your average girl who dreams of becoming a reporter one day. However, her world around her starts to fall apart as her friends move away and her dad loses his car dealership. With her dad leaving to find work in another town, her mom starts to take in boarders as a way to make money. Sadly, things take a wrong turn when her house is robbed taking away the money her mother needs to keep the house. The prime suspects is a young hobo who has been helping around the house. Yet, Kit is not convinced that it is him. Determined to prove his innocence, Kit and her friends learn the thief is one of the boarders. Eventually, the thieves are caught with Kit and her family being allowed to keep their house. In the end, Kit gets published and her dad returns home to her mother on Thanksgiving.

2008 opened America’s eyes to the Great Depression through the eyes of a child. On October 24, 1929 the stock market crashed leading America and parts of the world into dark days with no work and homes being taken. In Kit Kittredge: An American Girl we see how these dark days affected even the young one.s

Quills

Philip Kaufman is one of the most recognized names in film. As a director, producer, and writer he has been able to bring films to life that many fall in love with. This is no different than in the 2000 movie Quills.

Madness reigns on in an asylum during the Reign of Terror in Paris, France. The Marquis de Sade has taken a very particular interest in Madeline LeClerc. As a young maid in the asylum, she finds herself drawn to not only the Marquis de Sade but a young man named Abbe. Madeline is stuck in between which one she prefers. In the meantime, the Marquis de Sade’s works have gotten out in the asylum among the staff. Several staff members are outraged at his works which are outrageous for the day, yet some of the staff find it interesting as a way to seduce a partner. However, when his works end up being used in a murder he finds himself to be confined and taken away from Madeline. By accident Madeline ends up being killed by a patient. After she is found by her blind mother, the Marquis de Sade uses his power to end the patients life. In the end the Marquis de Sade has his tongue cut out while being confined to spend the rest of his life alone.

Philip Kaufman brought to life an unconventional love story involving the Marquis de Sade. Today, October 23, Philip Kaufman celebrates his birthday. In the 2000 movie Quills, he managed to prove once again why he deserves his place in ovie history.

Jurassic Park

On October 22 Jeff Goldblum celebrated his birthday. In several films he was able to bring to life many characters who have inspired several people. In the 1993 film Jurassic Park he showed the world again why he is a fantastic actor.

Lex and Tim are sent to live with their grandfather on an island where dinosaurs have been brought back to life. However, while out on a safari tour, a greedy employee steals some samples to sell of to competitors. During this the power goes out in the middle of a rainstorm. All of this causes Lex and Tim to be stranded with Grant, a fellow scientist, in order to make their way back home. In the meantime, Ellie, Malcolm, Arnold, and Hammond (their grandfather) are doing everything they can to get them home safe. But, this is not as easy as vicious raptors and a T-Rex are on the loose. All of this creates chaos and loss, but will Lex and Tim be able to make it home safe with those whom they are closes with?

Jeff Goldblum brought to life a sauve, yet heroic scientist in the 1993 movie Jurassic Park. On October 22, 1952 he was born with a life of acting ahead of him. Jurassic Park is just one of the many films that he has acted in with more to come.

The Execution of Mary Stuart

The movie that I have chosen for October 21 is probably going to be the shortest. On October 21, 1879 Thomas Edison invented the first light bulb. As an inventor he was able to help bring into the world a new way of seeing in the dark. In 1895 Thomas Edison produced his first film The Execution of Mary Stuart.

Starting off with showing Mary Stuart bringing brought up to the scaffold to be beheaded. As soon as she gets up their the executioner swings his ax. Once the ax hits her neck her head comes off as the film ends after eighteen seconds.

Even though this film was only eighteen seconds, Thomas Edison was able to bring to life one of most famous executions. On October 21, 1879 Thomas Edison officially invented a new way to see light in the darkness. Over time the light bulb has been improved, yet Thomas Alva Edison was the first one to bring it to life.