Brown Beauties & Guilty Pleasures

Just what it says

[dearabsolutelynoone]

Introducing KANTHONY the new ship that is twisting my mind, rotting my brain, and dragging me into a brand new realm of insanity!

[lecho]

The chemistry between these two. 🔥🔥🔥 Loved it. Will definitely go down as one of my favorite couples. 

[lecho]

Celebrating Black History Month: Frederick Douglass “Fritz” Pollard – First African American player and head coach in the NFL  (1894-1986)

Pollard attended Albert G. Lane Manual Training High School in Chicago, also known as "Lane Tech," where he played football, baseball, and ran track. He then went to Brown University, majoring in chemistry. Pollard played halfback on the Brown football team, which went to the 1916 Rose Bowl.[2] He was the first black football player at Brown. He became the first black running back to be named to Walter Camp's All-America team.

He later played pro football with the Akron Pros, the team he would lead to the NFL (APFA) championship in 1920. In 1921, he became the co-head coach of the Akron Pros, while still maintaining his roster position as running back. He also played for the Milwaukee Badgers, Hammond Pros, Gilberton Cadamounts, Union Club of Phoenixville and Providence Steam Roller. Some sources indicate that Pollard also served as co-coach of the Milwaukee Badgers with Budge Garrett for part of the 1922 season. He also coached the Gilberton Cadamounts, a non-NFL team. In 1923 and 1924, he served as head coach for the Hammond Pros.

Pollard, along with all nine of the black players in the NFL at the time, were removed from the league at the end of the 1926 season, never to return again. He spent some time organizing all-black barnstorming teams, including the Chicago Black Hawks in 1928 and the Harlem Brown Bombers in the 1930s.

Pollard coached Lincoln University's football team during the 1918 to 1920 seasons [4]and served as athletic director of the school's World War I era Students' Army Training Corps. During 1918–1919, he led the team to a victorious season defeating Howard University's Bisons 13–0[5] in the annual Thanksgiving classic as well as Hampton (7–0) on November 9, 1918, and teams of military recruits at Camp Dix (19–0) on November 2, 1918,[6] and Camp Upton (41–0).[7] By the fall of 1920, he had begun to play for Akron, missing key Lincoln losses to Hampton (0–14) and Howard (0–42), much to the consternation of the alumni and administration.[8] Paul Robeson was enlisted by Lincoln's alumni to coach the Thanksgiving 1920 game against Howard.

Pollard later criticized Lincoln's administration, saying they had hampered his ability to coach and had refused to provide adequate travel accommodations for the team. "Prior to the Hampton game, the team was compelled to go to Hampton by boat, sleeping on the decks and under portholes," he told a reporter. "No cabins were provided, nor were they given a place to sleep after reaching Hampton. They lost the game through lack of rest." He also blamed the school for not providing the proper equipment. "I, myself, bought and paid $200 out of my pocket for football shoes for the team." He missed the 1920 Howard game, he said, because his Lincoln salary was so low that he was compelled to augment it with pay from Akron.

In the 1930s, Pollard founded his own professional football team, the Brown Bombers. The Depression ended the Brown Bombers’ run in 1938, and Pollard went on to other ventures, including a talent agency, tax consulting and film and music production. He produced Rockin' the Blues[10] in 1956, which included such performers as Connie Carroll, The Harptones, The Five Miller Sisters, Pearl Woods,[11] Linda Hopkins, Elyce Roberts, The Hurricanes, and The Wanderers.[12] Pollard also published the New York Independent News from 1935 to 1942, purportedly the first black-owned tabloid in New York City.[13]

Pollard’s legacy lives on through his grandson Fritz D Pollard III (and children Meredith Pollard Russell and Marcus Pollard) his other grandson Dr Stephen Towns and granddaughter Stephanie Towns.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_Pollard

[lecho]

Celebrating Black History Month:  Althea Gibson – First African American to win Wimbledon, French and U.S. Open

Early Life and Career

Althea Neale Gibson was born on August 25, 1927, in Silver, South Carolina. Gibson blazed a new trail in the sport of tennis, winning some of the sport's biggest titles in the 1950s, and broke racial barriers in professional golf as well.

At a young age, Gibson moved with her family to Harlem, a neighborhood in the borough of New York City. Gibson's life at this time had its hardships. Her family struggled to make ends meet, living on public assistance for a time, and Gibson struggled in the classroom, often skipping school altogether. However, Gibson loved to play sports — especially table tennis — and she soon made a name for herself as a local table tennis champion. Her skills were eventually noticed by musician Buddy Walker, who invited her to play tennis on local courts.

After winning several tournaments hosted by the local recreation department, Gibson was introduced to the Harlem River Tennis Courts in 1941. Incredibly, just a year after picking up a racket for the first time, she won a local tournament sponsored by the American Tennis Association, an African American organization established to promote and sponsor tournaments for Black players. She picked up two more ATA titles in 1944 and 1945. Then, after losing one title in 1946, Gibson won 10 straight championships from 1947 to 1956. Amidst this winning streak, she made history as the first African American tennis player to compete at both the U.S. National Championships (1950) and Wimbledon (1951).

Gibson's success at those ATA tournaments paved the way for her to attend Florida A&M University on a sports scholarship. She graduated from the school in 1953, but it was a struggle for her to get by. At one point, she even thought of leaving sports altogether to join the U.S. Army. A good deal of her frustration had to do with the fact that so much of the tennis world was closed off to her. The white-dominated, white-managed sport was segregated in the United States, as was the world around it.

The breaking point came in 1950, when Alice Marble, a former tennis No. 1 herself, wrote a piece in American Lawn Tennis magazine lambasting her sport for denying a player of Gibson's caliber to compete in the world's best tournaments. Marble's article caught notice, and by 1952 — just one year after becoming the first Black player to compete at Wimbledon — Gibson was a Top 10 player in the United States. She went on to climb even higher, to No. 7 by 1953.

In 1955, Gibson and her game were sponsored by the United States Lawn Tennis Association, which sent her around the world on a State Department tour that saw her compete in places like India, Pakistan and Burma. Measuring 5 feet, 11 inches, and possessing superb power and athletic skill, Gibson seemed destined for bigger victories. 

In 1956, it all came together when she won the French Open. Wimbledon and U.S. Open titles followed in both 1957 and 1958. (She won both the women's singles and doubles at Wimbledon in 1957, which was celebrated by a ticker-tape parade when she returned home to New York City.) In all, Gibson powered her way to 56 singles and doubles championships before turning pro in 1959.

For her part, however, Gibson downplayed her pioneering role. "I have never regarded myself as a crusader," she states in her 1958 autobiography, I Always Wanted to Be Somebody. "I don't consciously beat the drums for any cause, not even the negro in the United States."

Commercial Success

As a professional, Gibson continued to win — she landed the singles title in 1960 — but just as importantly, she started to make money. She was reportedly paid $100,000 for playing a series of matches before Harlem Globetrotter games. For a short time, too, the athletically gifted Gibson turned to golf, making history again as the first Black woman ever to compete on the pro tour.

But failing to win on the course as she had on the courts, she eventually returned to tennis. In 1968, with the advent of tennis' Open era, Gibson tried to repeat her past success. She was too old and too slow-footed, however, to keep up with her younger counterparts.

Later years and Death

Following her retirement, in 1971, Gibson was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. She stayed connected to sports, however, through a number of service positions. Beginning in 1975, she served 10 years as commissioner of athletics for New Jersey State. She was also a member of the governor's council on physical fitness.

But just as her early childhood had been, Gibson's last few years were dominated by hardship. She nearly went bankrupt before former tennis great Billie Jean King and others stepped in to help her out. Her health, too, went into decline. She suffered a stroke and developed serious heart problems. On September 28, 2003, Gibson died of respiratory failure in East Orange, New Jersey.

Source: https://www.biography.com/athlete/althea-gibson

[lecho]

Celebrating Black History Month:  Jack Johnson – First African American to win Heavy Weight Boxing Crown

Early Years

The first black heavyweight champion, John Arthur "Jack" Johnson was born on March 31, 1878, in Galveston, Texas. The son of ex-slaves and the third of nine children, Johnson possessed an air of confidence and drive to exceed beyond the hardscrabble life his parents had known.

After a few years of school, Johnson went to work as a laborer to help support his family. A good deal of his childhood, in fact, was spent working on boats and sculleries in Galveston.

By the age of 16, Johnson was on his own, traveling to New York and later Boston before returning to his hometown. Johnson's first fight came around this time. His opponent was a fellow longshoreman, and while the purse wasn't much — just $1.50 — Johnson jumped at the chance and won the fight. Not long after he earned $25 for managing to stick out four rounds against professional boxer Bob Thompson.

Challenging James F. Jeffries

By the early 1900s, the 6'2" Johnson, who'd become known as the Galveston Giant, had made a name for himself in the black boxing circuit and had his eyes set on the world heavyweight title, which was held by white boxer Jim F. Jeffries. Jeffries refused to fight him, though he wasn't alone; white boxers would not spar with their black counterparts. 

But Johnson's talents and bravado were too hard to ignore. Finally, on December 26, 1908, the flamboyant Johnson, who often taunted his opponents as he beat them soundly, got his chance for the title when champion Tommy Burns fought him outside of Sydney, Australia. Burns, who had succeeded Jeffries as champion, had only agreed to fight Johnson after promoters guaranteed him $30,000. The fight, which novelist Jack London attended and wrote about for a New York newspaper, lasted until the 14th round, when police stepped in and ended it. Johnson was named the winner.

‘Fight of the Century’

From there, Johnson continued his calls for Jeffries to step into the ring with him. On July 4, 1910, he finally did. Dubbed the "Fight of the Century," more than 22,000 eager fans turned out for the bout, held in Reno, Nevada. After 15 rounds, Johnson came away victorious, affirming his domain over boxing and further angering white boxing fans who hated seeing a black man sit atop the sport. 

Jeffries was humbled by the loss and what he'd seen of his opponent. "I could never have whipped Johnson at my best," he said. "I couldn't have hit him. No, I couldn't have reached him in 1,000 years." For the fight, Johnson earned a purse of $117,000. It would be five years before he relinquished the heavyweight title, when he fell to Jess Willard in a 26-round bout in Havana, Cuba. Johnson continued to fight for another 12 years, hanging up his gloves for good at the age of 50.

Boxing Record

In total, John's professional record included 73 wins (40 of them being knockouts), 13 losses, 10 draws and 5 no contests.

 Lavish Lifestyle and Prison Sentence

As Johnson became a bigger name in the sport of boxing, he also became a bigger target for a white America that longed to see him ruined. For his part, Johnson loved to brandish his wealth and his disdain for racial rules.

He dated white women, drove lavish cars and spent money freely. But trouble was always lurking. In 1912, he was convicted of violating the Mann Act for bringing his white girlfriend across state lines before their marriage. Sentenced to prison, he fled to Europe, remaining there as a fugitive for seven years. He returned to the United States in 1920 and ultimately served out his sentence.

Death

His life came to an unfortunate end on June 10, 1946, when he died in an automobile accident in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Personal Life

Johnson had three spouses, all of whom were white women, which caused great controversy. His first marriage was in 1911 to Brooklyn socialite and divorcée Etta Terry Duryea. Their relationship was anything but stable and Duryea, who suffered from depression, ended up committing suicide in 1912.

Just a few months after Duryea ended her life, Johnson married Lucille Cameron, but she divorced him in 1924 because of his philandering. A year later the boxer married Irene Pineau and the couple remained together until his death in 1946. 

Movie

Since his death, Johnson's life and career have undergone a major rehabilitation. His alleged crimes are now seen as the result of racial bias in law enforcement. In 1970 Johnson was portrayed by actor James Earl Jones in the film adaptation The Great White Hope, which was sourced from the 1967 play by Howard Sackler. Jones and his co-star Jane Alexander both received Oscar nominations for their work on the film. Twenty years later, Johnson was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and his life also became the subject of the acclaimed Ken Burns’ documentary Unforgivable Blackness (2004).

Petitions for Presidential Pardon

In April 2018, President Donald Trump tweeted that, after receiving a phone call from actor and boxing aficionado Sylvester Stallone, he was considering a full posthumous pardon for Johnson's violation of the Mann Act. In May 2018, Trump granted Johnson a posthumous pardon.

Several lawmakers had sought the pardon in recent years. In 2016, Senators John McCain and Harry Reid and Congressmen Peter King and Gregory Meeks wrote a joint letter to President Barack Obama, asking him to overturn the "ongoing injustice" of Johnson's "racially-motivated conviction." In 2017, Senator Corey Booker joined his colleagues in introducing a resolution on behalf of the boxer. 

Source: https://www.biography.com/athlete/jack-johnson

[lecho]

Celebrating Black History Month: Mabel Fairbanks – First African American Inducted into U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame

Mabel Fairbanks was born in Jacksonville, Florida in the early 1920s. Life there was subjugated by abject poverty, bigotry, and Jim Crow laws. In the early 1930s, there was a great migration north in which Fairbanks’ brothers and sisters moved to New York City. She herself followed along. There, at an early age, she was drawn to the sport of figure skating. During the cold winters of the city, she would curiously watch from afar the twirling and gliding skaters in Central Park. But it was after seeing Sonja Henie’s movie “One In A Million” that she was determined to learn to skate. She took herself to the north end of Harlem with a pair of used, oversize skates, and on small frozen ponds and rivulets, she started to teach herself to skate. In her continued desire to practice her skills on ice, she ventured out into the city to find a proper ice rink facility. Time after time she was denied entrance to skate at many of the city’s coveted rinks because of her color, but she did not let that deter her.

The manager of the Gay Blades Ice Rink on West 52nd St. noted her persistence and finally let her in, only to request that she could only skate the last 30 minutes of the evening session. As a result, with her enthusiasm and dazzling spirit she caught the eye of the legendary 9 time U.S. Ladies Champion, Maribel Vinson Owen, who helped refine Fairbanks’ skating technique with tips and pointers. Fairbanks was finally shattering the race barrier in the city. Because she was not allowed to compete due to race and bigotry of the skating community in the city, Owen encouraged her to create her own shows and events. Taking that suggestion to heart, she soon was producing her own shows at the Gay Blades Ice Rink after their closing hours, as well shows in the Supper Clubs, the Apollo Theatre, and other social venues in and around Harlem. In the late 40s Fairbanks left the east coast for California. She quickly gained fame and respect first becoming the coach of the children of Hollywood’s elite — Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Ozzie and Harriet’s Ricky Nelson, and Otto Preminger. She made guest appearances on the popular KTLA TV show “Frosty Frolics.” But eventually her deep desire was to become the coach of young competitive skaters of all races with her primary focus in helping nurture and support African American figure skaters.

The list of some of those talented students includes: Atoy Wilson, Richard Ewell and Michelle McCladdie, Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner, Bobby Beauchamp, Leslie Robinson, and many others. Along with inspiring, mentoring, and knowing champions — Peggy Fleming, Scott Hamilton, Kristi Yamaguchi, Rudy Galindo and Debi Thomas — her coaching style helped her students to become not only great champions but also upstanding individuals. Even though she herself never stood on a podium as a champion, she took great pride and satisfaction in her students who did. And with that, her vision and goals were accomplished and fulfilled. Fairbanks coached until she was 79 years young. In 1997, Fairbanks was the first African American to be inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame. In October of 2001 she was posthumously inducted into the Women’s Sports Foundation Hall of Fame. Mabel Fairbanks quietly passed in Sept of 2001 in Burbank, California, leaving a bright legacy as a trailblazer and the Grand Dame of African American figure skaters.

Source: https://www.icetheatre.org/mabel-fairbanks-bio.html

[lecho]

Celebrating Black History Month: Jackie Robinson – First African American to play in Major League Baseball

Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia in 1919 to a family of sharecroppers. His mother, Mallie Robinson, single-handedly raised Jackie and her four other children. They were the only black family on their block, and the prejudice they encountered only strengthened their bond. From this humble beginning would grow the first baseball player to break Major League Baseball’s color barrier that segregated the sport for more than 50 years.

Growing up in a large, single-parent family, Jackie excelled early at all sports and learned to make his own way in life. At UCLA, Jackie became the first athlete to win varsity letters in four sports: baseball, basketball, football and track. In 1941, he was named to the All-American football team. Due to financial difficulties, he was forced to leave college and eventually decided to enlist in the U.S. Army. After two years in the army, he had progressed to second lieutenant. Jackie’s army career was cut short when he was court-martialed in relation to his objections with incidents of racial discrimination. In the end, Jackie left the Army with an honorable discharge.

In 1945, Jackie played one season in the Negro Baseball League, traveling all over the Midwest with the Kansas City Monarchs. But greater challenges and achievements were in store for him. In 1947, Brooklyn Dodgers president Branch Rickey approached Jackie about joining the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Major Leagues had not had an African-American player since 1889, when baseball became segregated. When Jackie first donned a Brooklyn Dodger uniform, he pioneered the integration of professional athletics in America. By breaking the color barrier in baseball, the nation’s preeminent sport, he courageously challenged the deeply rooted custom of racial segregation in both the North and the South.

At the end of Robinson’s rookie season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he had become National League Rookie of the Year with 12 homers, a league-leading 29 steals, and a .297 average. In 1949, he was selected as the NL’s Most Valuable player of the Year and also won the batting title with a .342 average that same year. As a result of his great success, Jackie was eventually inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.

Jackie married Rachel Isum, a nursing student he met at UCLA, in 1946. As an African-American baseball player, Jackie was on display for the whole country to judge. Rachel and their three children, Jackie Jr., Sharon and David, provided Jackie with the emotional support and sense of purpose essential for bearing the pressure during the early years of baseball.

Jackie Robinson’s life and legacy will be remembered as one of the most important in American history. In 1997, the world celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Jackie’s breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier. In doing so, we honored the man who stood defiantly against those who would work against racial equality and acknowledged the profound influence of one man’s life on the American culture. On the date of Robinson’s historic debut, all Major League teams across the nation celebrated this milestone. Also that year, The United States Post Office honored Robinson by making him the subject of a commemorative postage stamp. On Tuesday, April 15th, President Bill Clinton paid tribute to Jackie at Shea Stadium in New York in a special ceremony.

Source: https://www.jackierobinson.com

[americasgreatoutdoors]

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached a message of hope, justice and equality that has been woven in the fabric of American society. Wherever people stand together against hatred and oppression, the memory of Dr. King stands with them. A leader in a movement that changed our country, we honor him today and every day. Photo of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, D.C. by National Park Service.

[lecho]

Truer words have never been spoken.  A little late with my celebratory post, but better late than never. Blessings on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr day. Spread peace and love 💕 

[makerswomen]

On the anniversary of his death we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a brilliant orator and hero who dedicated his life to the fight for civil rights. Celebrate Dr. King’s legacy by learning how six bold women were influenced by his actions, driving change and making history in their own right.  

Art by MAKERS graphic designer Nathalie Gonzalez.

[bradthings]

Thanks to collector Mike Gruber.

[lecho]

Holiday Watchlist 🎅🏾🤶🏾🎄❄️

Social Distancing:  Spirit of Christmas -   #40

Synopsis: Kate, a workaholic lawyer, has three weeks to get a haunted bed and breakfast appraised and sold. The uncooperative manager claims a spirit who lives there will not approve. With Kate's possible promotion resting on accomplishing this task, she checks in and haggles with the aforesaid Christmas spirit, who suspiciously seems awfully solid for a ghost.

Mood: Drama/Romance/ Mystery

My Rating: The chemistry between the leads was palpable. The male lead was HOT. LOL. The story was not just about the romance between the lead’s but the tragedy that had befallen the “ghost” who apart of that romance. The piano accompaniment played during the ending scene and credits is just beautiful. Rating: 8

[lecho]

Holiday Watchlist 🎅🏾🤶🏾❄️🎄

Social Distancing:  Almost Christmas - #39

Synopsis: Walter Meyer (Danny Glover) is a retired mechanic who lost the love of his life one year earlier. Now that the holiday season is here, he invites daughters Rachel (Gabrielle Union) and Cheryl (Kimberly Elise) and sons Christian (Romany Malco) and Evan (Jessie T. Usher) to his house for a traditional celebration. Poor Walter soon realizes that if his bickering children and the rest of the family can spend five days together under the same roof, it will truly be a Christmas miracle.

Mood: Drama/Comedy

My Rating: Some hilarious moments, but some dramatic ones as well. Great family dynamic and interactions. Though the cast was strong Glove and Elise are the standouts.  Rating: 7

[lecho]

Holiday Watchlist 🎅🏾🤶🏾❄️🎄

Social Distancing:  Home Alone - #38

Synopsis: An eight-year-old troublemaker must protect his house from a pair of burglars when he is accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation.

Mood: Comedy / Family / Adventure

My Rating: Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern are comedic gold. Macaulay Culkin is cute as a button, but very good as bratty Kevin McCallister. As kids we’ve all had this dream of being left home alone and to the adventures it will bring.  Rating: 10

[lecho]

I’m very late starting this list. But here it is. Some holiday movies I’ve enjoyed. I hope if you decide to check these out, you’ll enjoy them too!

Holiday Watchlist 🎄❄️🎅🏾🤶🏾

Social Distancing:  #35, #36, #37

A Preacher’s Wife (movie) - #35

Synopsis: A cleric begins to doubt himself and is visited by an angel. The heavenly emissary is supposed to help the good reverend over his midlife crisis, but he is distracted by the cleric's lovely young wife. A remake with gospel music of the `The Bishop's Wife'.

Mood: Inspirational / Comedy/ Family

My Rating: Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington in their prime! The singing! The music.  Rating: 10

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A December Bride (movie) - #36

Synopsis: Layla accompanies Seth to her cousin's wedding, and everyone is surprised when she announces they're engaged. They are forced to keep up the pretense, and as they spend more time together, they find themselves feeling something very real.

Mood: Romance

My Rating: The love story could’ve been a little stronger and some of the relationships are questionable, especially between certain family members, but it does what a Hallmark holiday movie should do – Romance and a HEA tied up in a nice bow. Plus the leads looked very pretty together.  Rating: 7

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A Charlie Brown Christmas (TV Special) - #37

Synopsis: Charlie Brown finds himself depressed despite the onset of the cheerful holiday season. Lucy suggests he direct a neighborhood Christmas play, but his best efforts are ignored and mocked by his peers. After Linus tells Charlie Brown about the true meaning of Christmas, Charlie Brown cheers up, and the Peanuts gang unites to celebrate the Christmas season.

Mood: Comedy/Family

My Rating: Classic holiday cartoon. It short. Funny and is a great feel good for the family. Rating: 10

[lecho]

Halloween Watchlist 🎃😱💀

Social Distancing: The Shining (Movie) - #34

Synopsis: The film's central character is Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic who accepts a position as the off-season caretaker of the isolated historic Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. Wintering over with Jack are his wife, Wendy Torrance (Shelly Duvall), and young son, Danny Torrance (Danny Lloyd). Danny is gifted with "the shining", psychic abilities that enable him to see into the hotel's horrific past. The hotel cook, Dick Hallorann (Crothers), also has this ability and is able to communicate with Danny telepathically. The hotel had a previous winter caretaker who went insane and killed his family and himself. After a winter storm leaves the Torrances snowbound, Jack's sanity deteriorates due to the influence of the supernatural forces that inhabit the hotel, placing his wife and son in danger.

My Take:  Can’t have a Halloween watchlist without at least one Stephen King movie on it. This is one of the few movies which I found was better than the book. Though the Overlook Hotel seems somewhat cozy upon our initial introduction to the property, it doesn’t take long before the audiences realize that the Torrances need to get the hell out of dodge. Not only should the thought of just the three of them being confined to a 142 room hotel for the winter (6-months), been enough to have them decline the “opportunity” for employment, but when it was learned the previous winter caretaker went nuts and cut up his family before dying himself that should’ve been all that was needed for them to get far, far away. But Jack was out of work, had alcohol problems and as a result couldn’t find employment anywhere else. He was weak in mind and soul, in need of a job to support his family which of course was the perfect storm for the evil that reside in that Overlook Hotel. Jack Nicholson is fantastic as Jack Torrance, who eventually comes unhinged under the pressure of his own self-doubt and spirits haunting the hotel. Shelly Duvall conveys her terror and shock at Jack’s transformation well, and Danny Lloyd was excellent as the child who struggled with not only his shine and intimately understanding the horror of his father’s slow mental deterioration. The story terrifying and will have many sleeping with the lights on after watching. This is another great movie, that epitomizes horror.

[lecho]

Halloween Watchlist 🎃😱💀

Social Distancing: The Conjuring Movie Series (Movies) - #33

Synopsis: The films present a dramatization of the supposed real-life cases of Ed and Lorraine Warren, paranormal investigators and authors associated with prominent yet controversial cases of haunting. The main series follows their attempts to assist people who find themselves possessed by demonic spirits, while the spin-off films focus on the origins of some of the entities the Warrens have encountered.

My Take:  This series is not the scariest out there, but it definitely brings its creepy moments and loads of suspense. It does a great job at setting the mood with houses that are centuries old, with peeling paint and nefarious looking furniture that was left behind by the previously disappeared owners. Or convents or orphanages is the middle of some dark forest or abandoned pasture which will cause even the most staunch skeptic to run in the other direction. Lol. Lastly this series does a good job at tying each sequel or prequel together with the glue being Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga). They relationship is warm, relatable and interesting. Additionally, they’re a formidable foe to the demons and spirits to who are attempting to destroy those whom they’re trying to help.

My favorite movies out of the series in order of favorability: The Conjuring, Annabelle Creation, The Nun, and The Conjuring 2.  The stories of the first two movies listed are really good, with Annabelle Creation being heartbreaking considering what happens to some of the characters in this. The Nun did an excellent job at establishing that ominous and spine-chilling mood. While The Conjuring 2 was just creepy and weird. This is a great movie series and a scary way to spend your Halloween night!

[lecho]

Halloween Watchlist 🎃💀

Social Distancing: The Haunting of Bly Manor (Series) - #32

Synopsis: The story tells of a young governess hired by a man to look after his niece and nephew at the family country house after they fall into his care. Arriving at the Bly estate, she begins to see apparitions that proceed to haunt the premises

My Take: Ghosts are always fun and don’t get nearly the hype they deserve due to the zombie apocalypse and the vampire revolution 😂, but in recent years when a story is done that explores ghosts, it’s usually not a failure. Bly Manor does a great job establishing the ominous setting in a 18th century mansion with forbidden corridors and inhabitants who are young eccentric siblings. This won’t have you hiding behind your hands while watching or sleeping with the lights on afterwards, but it does do it’s creepy moments well. This series has it all, love, betrayal, haunting, possessions, murder, several characters of color and homosexuality to boot. That said, the show can be kind of slow. So it might not be something you can binge through, but it’s still engaging. The best parts of the series is when the audience is allowed to get some back story on the characters and the ghosts who are haunting the manor. Good series. Perfect for a Halloween watch.

[lecho]

Halloween Watchlist 🎃💀

Social Distancing: The Exorcist (Series) - #31

Synopsis: Angela Rance believes something is very wrong in her home. Plagued by increasingly frightening nightmares, she isn't the only one in her family suffering: her husband Henry is slowly losing his mind, while their older daughter spends all of her time locked in her room and the younger one believes she hears strange noises coming from inside the walls. Desperate, she turns to Father Tomas Ortega -- the progressive leader of their suburban Chicago parish -- setting him on a collision course with old school Vatican soldier Father Marcus Brennan, as all their fates become entangled in a battle against an ancient force of evil.

My Take:   This show picks up decades after the events of the 1973 classic horror film – The Exorcist. If you’re looking for true horror, this show is it. The eerie and the terrifying breaks the scales in this one. 😱 The horror not only lies in the fact that after all these years, Reagan MacNeil/Angela Nance (Geena Davis) (and now her husband and children) are being haunted and terrorized by the demon that possessed her years earlier, but that Father Ortega (Alfonso Herrera) and his mentor, Father Keane (Ben Daniels) have to contend with their own past misjudgments and mistakes which may either make them vulnerable to possession or undermine their attempts to help Angela and her family.

The acting in this series is fantastic, and the chemistry between the actors is wonderful and most notably between Alfonso Herrera and Ben Daniels. All of their interactions popped. This show does a great job at capturing the essence of what old school horror used to be – spine-chilling. You’ll need to have nerves of steel IMO to watch this at night and in the dark. 😂 I always watched the episodes during the day. Or if at night with the lights on. The show only has two seasons, (20) episodes. With the first season extending the storyline of Reagan MacNeil from the movie, while the second season explores various demons who are haunting other poor souls. Again, great series that is the epitome of scary.