Want something creepy or cozy to entertain you over Fall break? Read on for faculty recommendations of spooky books, movies, and music!
It (2017 Film)
Dr. Pfannenstiel recommends this film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel directed by Andy Muschietti about “outcast kids in a small town who are terrorized by the creepy being Pennywise the Dancing Clown.” She writes that “I am not a fan of horror while my spouse is a huge fan of Stephen King. He convinced me to start reading the Dark Tower series (which is amazing so far). To convince me to watch It, he explained the intertextual references to the Dark Tower series, the psychological thriller elements I would like (as a fan of Hannibal), the outcast kid genre connections (Stand by Me, The Goonies). He was 100% right – this is so much more psychological than horror, with a smattering of jump scares. I think the contemporary influences (with obvious connections to Stranger Things) demonstrate the fantastic literary writing of King.”
You can check out It on DVD from your Local Public Library or hear what a panel of horror authors have to say about King’s works at the “50 Years of King” Event happening Oct 11 at the Midtown Scholar as part of the Harrisburg Book Festival.
Les Diaboliques (1955 Film)
Dr. Craven recommends this horror mystery saying “director Henri-Georges Clouzot beat out Alfred Hitchcock for the rights to this psychological thriller. The story takes place in a French boarding school, where the self-absorbed headmaster has a frail wife and an opinionated mistress. The two women conspire to murder the headmaster but complications ensue.”
For film fans and casual watchers alike, Les Diaboliques offers an unexpected plot that’s given rise to a legacy. Dr. Craven says “I appreciate the psychological complexities of this film and the way it has contributed to later films, like Psycho and Fatal Attraction. Its plot twists are memorable!”
You can watch Les Diaboliques for free on YouTube.
Dungeon Crawler Carl (2020 audiobook)
Dr. Mando recommends this book by Matt Dinniman to mix up your reading list! Dungeon Crawler Carl has opened a new genre for Dr. Mando. He says “this is the first work of “literary RPG” that I’ve ever read/listened to (the audiobook is the way to consume this one due to the excellent voice acting). It’s a fun read about what would happen if our whole planet got turned into an intergalactic dungeon-crawling game, and the entire universe is watching. The protagonists are Carl and his girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut. This is a weird one, but I’m hooked on the series. This is way out of range from what I typically read, but a departure to the bizarre world created by Matt Dinniman ended up being just what I needed.”
You can listen to Dungeon Crawler Carl on Amazon.
“Witch Hunt” (2023 Cover Song)
If you want to feel the resonance of creepiness, Dr. Mayers suggests you listen to “Witch Hunt” saying “this song, originally written and performed by Rush in 1981, has now been reinterpreted and performed by Central Pennsylvania’s own Solar Federation. This new version is both true to the original and relevant to today. This song seems creepier in 2024 than it was in 1981.” A great song for the season, “Witch Hunt” is “a haunting song about what can happen when people allow their fears to get the better of them, which can lead to the demonization of immigrants, the burning of books, and the banning of films.”
You can listen to “Witch Hunt” on YouTube or get tickets to see the band perform live in PA in October or December.
A Sorceress Comes to Call (2024 novel)
Dr. Baldys recommends “Kingfisher’s Gothic retelling of the Grimm Brothers’ story ‘The Goose Girl’.” This novel “is set in the Regency era and centers around a teenager named Cordelia, whose mother is a ruthless sorceress with the power to make people ‘obedient’ to her will. Cordelia lives in her mother’s thrall until the sorceress moves them into a local squire’s mansion intending to take over. Cordelia must join forces with the squire’s sister and a cadre of feisty middle-aged ladies (including one ghost) to thwart her mother’s plans while dodging murder attempts, evil spells, and a headless demon-horse.”
Dr. Baldys says “I love T. Kingfisher’s fairy tale adaptations, and this one leans darker and spookier than most. The titular sorceress can control the bodies of others and does not balk at committing (vicarious) murder to achieve her ends; her familiar is a ghostly undead horse named Falada who stalks the novel’s characters and must be dealt with in a grisly fashion. Nevertheless, Kingfisher tells the tale with her trademark dark humor and witty dialogue, and readers can expect a fairytale ending. Enjoy!”
You can check out A Sorceress Comes to Call and other works by T. Kingfisher at your local public library.
Let us know if you read or listen to any of these recommendations and have a safe and spooky fall break!
