Halloween-Horror-Spooky Movies Watched This October

 October/Halloween is always a favorite time of the year for me.  I try to get in as many scary movies as possible.  With college and NFL football, baseball playoffs and the NBA starting up it isn't easy.  But I can't not seek these out as they are so much fun.  I actually got to see The Nightmare Before Christmas in the movie theater with my oldest grandson.  That was fun.  Movies marked with an "*" are movies I watched for the first time.  Scream VI and Tragedy girls were the two movies I like most amongst those I saw for the first time.  This is my second year listing these out and I enjoy sharing.  I hope you had a fun spooky season.

The Conjuring

The Conjuring 2

Halloween (2018)

Play Hooky*

Tragedy Girls*

Haunted Trail*

Scream (2022)

Scream VI*

Smile*

Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor*

The Nightmare Before Christmas (in theater)

Dodgers win World Series 4-1

 

2024 World Series:  Freddie Freeman and the Los Angeles Dodgers dominated the Yankees for the most part and gave us drama and great moments in the process.  The walk off four-run home run by Freddie Freeman in game one.  Freeman homers in the first four games to extend his World Series streak to six straight setting the record. Yankees take game four, powered by an Anthony Volpe grand slam, and jump out to a lead in game five.  The crazy meltdown by the Yankees defense in the fifth inning to allow LA to tie the game. Walker Buehler coming in on one day's rest to close out the World Series in the ninth inning.  Not the greatest series ever but it felt fun.  Maybe because I didn't want to the Yanks to win.  I was also happy to see Freddie do so well and winning MVP.  Happy for Mookie and Shohei as well.  Feels like LA could be in the World Series for years to come which doesn't bode well for the rest of the National League.

Scream VI (2023)

Scream VI:   Happy Halloween!  I'm a Scream guy and somehow, I never watched this after it came out last year.  I remember wanting to watch it in the theater which I obviously never did nor did I watch it via streaming.  It somehow fell off my radar after that - FAIL.  I really enjoyed Scream VI.  I liked the 2022 Scream "requel" and I really liked this one as well.  Not a ton of setup and the movie jumped straight into the action.  The "Core Four" from the 2022 movie are back and going to college in New York.  Ghostface comes after them once again.  While the possible murder suspects is normally fairly small, it's still not a slam dunk on who is behind the mask.  And it's almost impossible to know the "why".  This movie has tons of direct nods to the past movies which is fun.  There are some things I wish they had done differently but I can say that every movie.  I really enjoy the characters/actors in the last two movies.  A thumbs up from me and say watch it.

Sounds like the next Scream installment will drop in early 2026.  Unfortunately, the main characters from the last two movies, Sam and Tara Carpenter, will not be returning due to various reasons.  We'll see Sydney back as the Final Girl.  Mixed feelings on that as I really enjoy where the franchise is today.  I'll continue to shame myself for not watching this last year when it came out.  My grandsons, not of age to watch the movie, were the ones who actually got me to watch it by asking me all kinds of question about Scream VI.  If they hadn't been so nosy I wouldn't have looked back at the movie.  

Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor (2023)

 

The Carmichael Manor:  I'm a fan of the original Hell House LLC and found this one by accident last night, when I thought I'd rewatch the original.  I was pleasantly surprised.  The sequels were not very good but this one is a good October watch.  Plenty of suspense, it does a good job of tying it to the original, a good story and some really creepy moments make worth searching out.  Three young adults staying in a house where murders occurred, they find out it is truly haunted, and things go scarily bad from there.  I won't say which one, but one scene in particular I really found creepy/scary.  I recommend this one.

Random Wax: 2021-2022 Hoops

21-22 Hoops:  Giannis is off to another great start this season.  The Bucks aren't undefeated, but I think they look better this season.  Hopefully them and Dame can figure it out and be true contenders in the East this year.

Plenty of star power in this pack including Anthony Edwards who was coming off his rookie season in Minnesota.

My RC pull did leave a little to be desired.

Lights Camera Action are a favorite of mine each year, and pulling one of my favorites in the league is a big plus.  Great photo and it feels like Panini could go horizontal on some base cards.

Good looking Frequent Flyers inserts.  The backgrounds of some of these cards take us back to when there weren't fans in the stands for the 2020-2021 season.

John Wall has looked strong in the first week of the season.  If he can keep that up the Suns will be title contenders again this year.  Well Durant and Booker will have a lot to do with it too I know.

Bam rocking the Miami Vice alternate I believe.  I need him to pick it up this season.  My fantasy team needs him to be his 3X All-Star self.  Always fun going back and posting older packs I've never posted before.  You see how much things have changed or stayed the same.

BREAKDOWN:
30 – Total Cards
6 – RC
2 – Lights Camera Action
1 – Holo Parallel
1 – Purple Parallel
1 – Frequent Flyers

 

Random Wax: 2022 Topps Opening Day Hobby Box Part II

2022 Opening Day: The World Series picks back up in New York tonight and the Dodgers are up 2-0.  New York will need Aaron Judge to be more like Aaron Judge for them to make a comeback in the series.  He currently has 1 hit in 9 at the plate.

I always kind of liked that Dodgers alternate uni.  I bought this box back in March of 2022 but it has so much to offer I wanted to share more cards.  Opening Day is a brand I really enjoyed and miss a lot.

Matt Vierling has been the most productive of these three and plays in Detroit.  Gavin Sheets has found plenty of at bats with the White Sox with a career .230 average.

I liked the design of these Opening Day inserts.  Has a Wild Card vibe to them with being able to see through the words.

Wow things have changed.  Franco is dealing with legal woes.  Bohm is a 1X all-star.  India was the 2021 Rookie of the Year and a starter for the Reds since then.

Mascots were always a fun part of the Opening Day sets.

This Triple Play card is a mixed bag of emotions.  Trout was injured again this season.   Ohtani is now a Dodger, had a historic season, but went out of Saturday's game with a shoulder injury.  Rendon has been on a four-year decline dealing with injuries every yeard.

These feel a bit bland but wow you can't argue with my pull of Bomb Squad cards.  Soto is holding up his end of the deal hitting .429 in two World Series games so far. 

Really nice photo on this horizontal offering.

Lot of Trout in this box which is always a great thing.

Mookie is looking for his 3rd World Series ring, already winning one with Boston and one with LA.

Another great photo with Arenado's bubble gum making an appearance.

Waino and Goldy going Cardinal old school in different ways and I like both looks.  This was fun and there were many players who are key to the tonight's game. Still pulling for the Dodgers.  Hoping for more fun and drama like we've seen through the first two games.

BREAKDOWN:

252 – Total Cards

37 – RC

19 – Future Stars

17 – Total Cards

12 – Mascot

12 – Bomb Squad

12 – All-Star Rookie Cup

7 – Opening Day

5 – Triple Play

3 – Retired Greats

3 – Opening Day Blue Foil

 

 

1992 Pro Set NASCAR (4 Packs)

1992 Pro Set:  We'll kick this off with Dale Earnhardt who was coming off the 1991 Championship which had won before the last race of the season.  His seven total championships and countless other amazing stats say nothing to what he was in the sport.  He was an icon who was loved and "hated" but helped carry the sport during its growth spurt in the 1980s.  Great photo by the way.

These packs were an eBay pickup and they are great fun.  NASCAR was in a great place and lots of fun in 1992.  Mello Yellow was such memorable sponsor of Kyle Petty back in the day.  I appreciate the love for the haulers.

Harry Gant placed 4th in 1991.  The base cards aren't bad, but they won't' wow you.  

We get legends in this set which is a big part of NASCAR cards.  These three all won multiple championships in the sport.

Ernie Irvan was always a fan favorite, but his career was cut short by serious injuries in a practice accident at Michigan.

You get members of the crew (Fennig) as well as members of Motor Racing Network (MRN).

Team card.  I like these.  The entire team is shown off.

The backs are pretty good.  We get a second photo and lots of stats and information.  Much better than today's sets.

Owners.  Feels like a writeup would be appropriate here with some background on each.

Alan Kulwicki's Hooters hauler.  Very simple but I like them.

The back of one of the legends cards.  Ned was a commentator when his son, Dale, won the 1993 Daytona 500, NASCAR's premier race.

DW was one of the sports big personalities and always lots of fun.  Well maybe not to other drivers who weren't always a fan. He had 84 career wins and won three NASCAR championships.

You would receive a copy of the 1992 NASCAR schedule in each pack.  Rusty Wallace is my favorite driver all-time.  Rusty was never ranked lower than 19th while running full-time in NASCAR and won one championship.  Really glad I picked up these cards.  So many greats from the era and more.

BREAKDOWN:

48 – Total Cards

9 – Rig

7 - Car

6 – Legend

4 – 1992 Race Schedule

2 – Crew

2 – MRN Radio

1 – Team

Smile (2022)

 Smile: This one came on the recommendation of a friend, and I liked it.  It has an old school feel to it.  It's not fast paced either in the vain of It Follows.  Not a negative and it doesn't feel like a long movie.  Just paced differently.  Some decent jump scare moments and the storyline keeps you engaged.  The main character goes through a lot.  She's easy to like and considering what she goes through, you feel for her.  Give it a shot.

2024 World Series: New York Yankees at Los Angeles Dodgers

The World Series kicks off tonight and I'm sure the Fox network is thrilled.  I say that tongue in cheek.  The Dodgers and Yankees are the best teams in the league, and this is what we should all be wanting.  No way I can root for the Yanks though, so I'll be pulling for LA.  I get they are both evil empires spending money like they print it in a back room but I have to root for someone and Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Shohei Ohtani make the Dodgers much easier to root for.  Honestly, I don't see any huge advantage by either team.  Dodgers overall lineup and relivers versus the strengths of the Yanks with the top of their lineup and starters.  If I had to put money on this one, I'd be hurting.  Hopefully that means it's a good series.  We do get the two best power hitters facing off in Judge and Ohtani.  A rekindling of the fun these teams gave us in three World Series from 1977 to 1981.  The Yankees won two out of the three.  Rooting for some fun, some iconic moments and drama in whatever form that might take.

Friday, Oct. 25
Game 1: NYY @ LAD, 8:08 p.m. (FOX)

Saturday, Oct. 26
Game 2: NYY @ LAD, 8:08 p.m. (FOX)

Monday, Oct. 28
Game 3: LAD @ NYY, 8:08 p.m. (FOX)

Tuesday, Oct. 29
Game 4: LAD @ NYY, 8:08 p.m. (FOX)

Wednesday, Oct. 30
Game 5: LAD @ NYY, 8:08 p.m. (FOX)

Friday, Nov. 1
Game 6: NYY @ LAD, 8:08 p.m. (FOX)

Saturday, Nov. 2
Game 7: NYY @ LAD, 8:08 p.m. (FOX)

Random Wax: 1990 Donruss (3 Packs)

 1990 Donruss: World Series starts tonight!  Rickey Henderson played a ton of playoff baseball with Oakland, Toronto, San Diego, the Mets and Seattle.  He won two World Series rings, with Oakland and Toronto.  In 14 World Series games over three World Series, he batted .339.  Excellent against the best of the best on the biggest MLB stage.

Roberto Alomar also won two World Series rings, both with Toronto.  He was a teammate of Rickey on that '93 team.  Barry Larkin got his ring as a member or the 1990 Reds sweeping Rickey and the Oakland A's.

I'm a big fan of this era's Diamond Kings cards.  Willie Randolph won a championship with the 1977 Yankees.

Bob Walk, one of my favorite all-time players, won a ring with the 1980 Phillies as a rookie.  He started and won game 1 although he gave up six runs in seven innings.  Love the Yaz puzzle and the puzzle card.  Yaz batted .310 in his only World Series, but the Red Sox lost to the Reds in 7 games.

Wow, the World Series memories here.  Saberhagen, the '85 World Series MVP.  Kent Hrbek lifting Ron Gant off 1st base to end the inning in game 2 of the 1991 World Series, and Mitch Williams giving up the homer heard round the world by Toronto's Joe Carter.  Still bitter about that Hrbek play...

Rickey stat greatness.  Pedro Guerrero hit .333 with two home runs and seven runs batted in, in the Dodgers 1981 championship earning him World Series MVP.  This pack has been hanging around since 2021, but it appropriate as the league's best face off tonight.

BREAKDOWN
45 – Total Cards (3 Packs)
4 – Diamond Kings
3 – Puzzle
2 – Rated Rookie
1 – MVP
1 – All-Star 
1 - Checklist
1 – Yaz Puzzle Card