Time to shine the spotlight on a member of our community. Giving you the opportunity to share your experience becoming a fan of the horror genre. What you like. What you’ve missed. What you’re looking forward to. Finally, I get to have a little fun creating a scenario for you to escape from…

Subscriber: Colleen from Windsor, Ontario

Questions

When did your interest in horror begin? 

As far back as I can remember I was completely terrified of Stephen Kings Pet Semetery…when they show Rachel’s sister Zelda dying from Spinal Meningitis. Completely turned me off any type of scary movie. 

That is until I met a certain friend who encouraged me that I can in fact decorate for more than just the Christmas holiday. (guess who that friend is?)

I have a decorating obsession, as you will see.

As for horror movies, I started off slowly with suggestions of not-so-scary movies.  Classics as it were, think Fright Night, Bram Stroker’s Dracula. It turns out, I adore Horror/Thriller movies! 

Not the unnecessarily bloody gore flicks, not to say I don’t love me some Braveheart or 300 style movies…picture watching Gladiator just like Commodus watching the games with his tongue out. That’s me.

What is your favourite type of horror?

I would not say I have a particular favorite, though I do really enjoy a good jump scare. Onscreen, it takes quite a bit to startle me - contrary to how easily I scare/jump for zero reason in real life.  

For me, what I watch really depends on my mood. Do I need to actually pay attention? Do I want some comic relief? Am I feeling rather twisted today?  Luckily so many one can choose from!

What do you enjoy about your favourite subgenre?

If I am in the mood to really pay attention, then I go for psychological or mystery horror like Silence of the Lambs. Movies where you can pay attention to the clues along the way.

What is a famous horror movie that you've never seen?

The Birds. I’ve only seen parts of The Exorcist. Never the full movie and with the 50th anniversary and new release The Exorcist: Believer - I may have to rectify that. Also Rosemary’s Baby…with the new season of A.H.S. I may have to rethink that one as well.

What upcoming horror movie or novel are you most looking forward to?

A Haunting in Venice, The Fall of the House of Usher, and obviously Beetlejuice 2

Plan Your Escape

One of the best parts of watching horror movies is figuring out how you would respond in similar situations.  Here is yours...

Scenario

You are trapped in a dark basement.  There are two exits.  The wooden cellar doors leading to the backyard are locked by a chain that is looped through the exterior door handles. The stairs leading up to the main floor are blocked by a Romero zombie (slow moving, responds to light and noise). It is hungry and wants you to be their next meal.

You only have access to a high powered flashlight, a rake and an axe.

What's your escape plan?

I would like to think of myself as a little MacGyver-like, but I’m pretty sure I would be the first to go. LOL!  Given the situation, with cellar doors made of wood:

1. I would take said axe and quickly blow open a hole by the outer door handle

2. Take the end of the axe or the handle of the rake…whichever has a wider diameter and pop through one handle, using the leverage to break away the door handle from the wooden door.  

3. Given I do this quickly, my zombie is a slow Romero one, I randomly shine the flashlight to see where he is, when I’m ready to hop out I throw the rake behind the zombie as a distraction and to make my wonderous escape.

Readers, have your say - does Colleen make it out of the basement?

How would you escape using only those items? Post your escape plan in the comments.

Want to be featured in an upcoming Community Profile? Let me know in the comments or look for submission updates in the newsletter.