Hocus Pocus 20th Anniversary

To the five or so of you out there who are not aware, Hocus Pocus is THE Halloween movie.  It tells the story of three 17th century witches who are resurrected for one Halloween night in 1993, and they must suck the life out of children in order to keep living.  Hocus Pocus is also probably one of the most underrated films of all time.  It flopped when it came out, and it has a measly 33% critic approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes (although it does have a respectable 66% approval rating from fans).  The movie seemed destined to be forgotten until ABC Family started showing it in October during its 13 Nights of Halloween marathon.  Since then, it has garnered a respectable cult following and has gotten at least some of the appreciation it deserves.

Learning How to Salem (part I)

Actor/Judge: "I ask you then, Goodwife Bishop, why did you attack a three year old child?"
Random woman in the audience: "Because she met a three year old child?"

The Witch House

This year, my sister and I spent Halloween in the only place you really can spend Halloween in Massachusetts: Salem.  Salem, obviously, is known for the Witch Trials of 1692.  Although most of the actual "witches" were from Salem Village (today known as Danvers), Salem was the site of the trials and the hangings, and they have full-heartedly embraced their heritage.  The city celebrates for the whole of October in what they call Haunted Happenings.  So sit back, relax, and let me take you Halloween in Salem (it was a long day, and it's going to be a long post, but there's a surprise at the end).