Welcome to the uncanny valley. These singing robot heads (in an installation by Nathaniel Mellor) remind me of a horrific setup in a serial killer’s basement.
Don’t they look like the final scene in a Tales From the Crypt episode?
Here, let the Haunted Mansion singing busts show everyone how it’s done (a cappella):
I want to thank everyone who forwarded this video to me when it started circulating (I’ve been meaning to post it for a while). You guys certainly know what I like!
I’m pretty excited about Tim Burton’s upcoming MOMA exhibit (I love his aesthetic sensibilities). The museum has released a new promo video:
The exhibit begins November 22nd and runs through April 26th.
Anyone else plan on going?
This automaton self-portrait by Thomas Kuntz, hand crafted from brass, steel and wood is a creepy masterpiece. Watch his head get severed and resurrected in this autobiographical cult allegory, Automaton: Death + Resurrection: In the Chamber of Reflection.
Now for something considerably LESS creepy than the last post, I give you “Midnight Dance.” This video made the rounds on some Halloween countdowns (my apologies for not remembering which blog I saw it on first).
Drat. I had many more Halloween posts to make in my countdown, and the holiday has managed to sneak up on me.
Shadowmill Productions has a lovely little collection of creepy photographs and short films. Click on the link to view actual photos! They blur and un-blur when you move over them…saving them results in the blurred versions!
Next to each photo is a description or story, summarizing the mournful plight of these ghostly subjects.
See the rest in the gallery.
There is a nice little section ofshort films as well.
Something about this video is profoundly disturbing. I found it in a search while wondering about the new Fantastic Mr. Fox movie (specifically, whether they were using pure stop-motion or CGI).
One thing is for sure: THIS one is pure stop-motion. It pulls off the amazing feat of being incredibly creepy without anything gory or horrific. Wait until it gets going a minute or so into the video.
I’m coming down with a little something, so I better get some rest today. In the meantime, here are two big playlists of Halloween goodies to keep you occupied!
Vintage Halloween and Spooky Cartoons
Enjoy!
The Skeleton Dance is one of my favorite cartoons of all time, so I was shocked when I saw Skeleton Frolic on George Van Orsdel’s blog. How did this escape me for so long?
I absolutely don’t care that it’s a complete rip off of the 1929 cartoon. It’s great.
Found here
These show openings of the 80’s and early 90’s had great intro sequences. Packed with antiques, dust, spooky things (or simply an ominous sense) and a general Halloween vibe…see them again and bring back some fond memories.
I used to love the Tales From the Crypt house so much that I fantasized about living in one just like it, sans cobwebs.
I wish they spent more time on the antique shots!
And All Hallows Steve reminded me of this one:
I always thought the eerie music and narration worked beautifully over peaceful nature scenes to convey a “dark side” lurking beneath.
I only remember this one vaguely. Perhaps I should re-watch an episode or two.
SheWalksSoftly 