He may not be the biggest, bloodiest, or most intimidating horror movie villain, but Chucky the doll has still traumatized millions of movie-goers with just a few words.
"Hi, I'm Chucky. Wanna play?"
Two decades of children have lived in fear of those words. Two decades have seen him slice through everything from movies to haunted houses to Halloween outfits.
With red hair, blue overalls, and tiny little sneakers, Chucky could be a remnant from any toy chest, a piece of history from any childhood playtime... except games have always been the last thing on his agenda.
Originally released in 1988, "Child's Play" was conceived as a psychological thriller rather than a slasher flick. Writer/director Don Mancini wanted to examine the effects of advertising and commercialism on young children, with Chucky - a young boy's doll - serving as a focal point for the world's wicked ways.
In the film, Chucky is gifted to Andy, a lonely six year old. Then Andy's caretakers start dying one by one. Despite Chucky's bloody legacy, the first film plays coy with his true nature; he isn't seen killing anyone until well into the movie, leading audiences to wonder if Andy himself is the culprit.
These days, of course, the idea that Chucky is "just a doll" is laughable. More than a character or a message, he's a brand in his own right. "Child's Play" has spawned countless sequels, spinoffs, games, toys, and Halloween outfits, each bloodier and more memorable than the last. Chucky stands at the helm of his own empire.
Ironically, Macini's warning against consumerism has become a consumer's dream. With countless Halloween outfits and Chucky dolls.
So what can you take from mens Halloween costumes built around Chucky? For one, you won't have to worry about being recognized. Chucky is one of the most iconic figures of his time, still famous after twenty years and a half-dozen sequels. You'll also be drawing on nostalgia - everyone has childhood memories (and nightmares) of Chucky.
Most importantly, Chucky is *scary*. He's a twisted horror of what should be untouchable - a corruption of youth and innocence that goes beyond Hollywood movie magic. By choosing to dress as Chucky, you'll be striking at deeper fear than just ghosts and spooky masks.
Chucky also makes a great choice for mens Halloween costumes. There aren't a lot of options for guys who like dressing up, but Chucky himself is male, and even the funny parts of his outfit - the wig, the overalls - aren't quite as amusing when they're covered in blood. You won't be laughed at in a Chucky costume.
This October, choose Chucky if you really want to make a statement. He's famous, he's frightening, and wearing his face is guaranteed to inspire both fear and conversation. There aren't many Halloween outfits more memorable than the one with a body count spanning two decades.
Mens Halloween costumes are difficult, but choosing Chucky is so easy it's almost... well... child's play.
Thursday, 18 August 2011
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Jack Skellington And Mens Halloween Costumes
Nightmare Before Christmas One Of The Most popular Halloween Outfits
Ghosts and ghouls and goblins, oh my!
In 1993, audiences were introduced to the strange, garish dreamworld of Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas." It was a land filled with the freakish and the odd - everything from talking rag dolls to faithful zombie dogs. Most strangely, they were all ready with a song.
We know it as a cult classic, of course, and the genesis of both Tim Burton's career and a whole new line of Halloween outfits. But did you know there was a time when "The Nightmare Before Christmas" was nothing but a gleam in his eye?
A lowly animator in the early 1980s, Burton wasn't yet the filmmaking powerhouse he is today. In fact, all he did was write a poem - a weird little thing about a singing skeleton. It wasn't until Disney execs expressed interest in adapting it for the screen that Burton realized he was sitting on potential gold.
"Nightmare" went through several incarnations before it became a feature film. It was considered for a short movie, then a holiday special on TV. Burton re-created the concept art a dozen times. Despite writing the poem as a young man, it would be a decade until the movie really began to take shape.
Of course, the rest is history. Burton attracted big names for the project, like Chris Sarandon and Catherine O'Hara. He snagged Danny Elfman - an award-winning composer - for the musical numbers. They would toil together until 1993, when the movie finally hit theaters and became an instant success.
So what's special about it? What about "Nightmare" inspired a multi-million dollar brand and a whole host of Halloween costumes?
The story is simple. Jack Skellington, a talking bag of bones from Halloween Town, finds himself bored with the holiday and the town's constant fright nights. He wants something more - something different. Wandering the woods with nothing but his trusted sidekick, the ghost dog Zero, he stumbles on a portal that takes him to Christmas Town, and his life is never the same again.
The irony of a skeleton wanting to celebrate Christmas was not lost on audiences, especially when Jack donned a Santa hat and tried to distribute gifts among the world's children. (For some strange reason, they didn't like shrunken heads and cannibalistic Christmas lights.) But it was that dichotomy that made "Nightmare" famous, especially paired with Burton's smart dialogue and memorable dance numbers.
It was also, simply, an idea that sold. Who wouldn't want the soundtrack? Who wouldn't want to dress up as any of the characters? The options were endless. Jack, the grinning, spinning skeleton. Sally, the talking rag doll with red hair and a patchwork dress.
Mens Halloween costumes were a special hit. Despite the stigma of guys playing dress-up, "Nightmare" offered the self-respecting man a way to get in the holiday spirit without looking silly. Burton was hip; the movie was smart. A guy could wear a "Nightmare" costume without losing any dignity, so the sale of mens Halloween outfits took off.
These days the movie is such a cult classic that the idea of a stigma is laughable. "The Nightmare Before Christmas" has an award-winning film and soundtrack, and it's been immortalized in everything from video games to theme parks to - of course - Halloween outfits.
If you're looking for a new way to dress up (especially if you're looking for mens Halloween costumes) then "Nightmare" is the remnant of a genius' career and a beloved 90's classic.
Not bad for a poem originally inspired by "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer."
In 1993, audiences were introduced to the strange, garish dreamworld of Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas." It was a land filled with the freakish and the odd - everything from talking rag dolls to faithful zombie dogs. Most strangely, they were all ready with a song.
We know it as a cult classic, of course, and the genesis of both Tim Burton's career and a whole new line of Halloween outfits. But did you know there was a time when "The Nightmare Before Christmas" was nothing but a gleam in his eye?
A lowly animator in the early 1980s, Burton wasn't yet the filmmaking powerhouse he is today. In fact, all he did was write a poem - a weird little thing about a singing skeleton. It wasn't until Disney execs expressed interest in adapting it for the screen that Burton realized he was sitting on potential gold.
"Nightmare" went through several incarnations before it became a feature film. It was considered for a short movie, then a holiday special on TV. Burton re-created the concept art a dozen times. Despite writing the poem as a young man, it would be a decade until the movie really began to take shape.
Of course, the rest is history. Burton attracted big names for the project, like Chris Sarandon and Catherine O'Hara. He snagged Danny Elfman - an award-winning composer - for the musical numbers. They would toil together until 1993, when the movie finally hit theaters and became an instant success.
So what's special about it? What about "Nightmare" inspired a multi-million dollar brand and a whole host of Halloween costumes?
The story is simple. Jack Skellington, a talking bag of bones from Halloween Town, finds himself bored with the holiday and the town's constant fright nights. He wants something more - something different. Wandering the woods with nothing but his trusted sidekick, the ghost dog Zero, he stumbles on a portal that takes him to Christmas Town, and his life is never the same again.
The irony of a skeleton wanting to celebrate Christmas was not lost on audiences, especially when Jack donned a Santa hat and tried to distribute gifts among the world's children. (For some strange reason, they didn't like shrunken heads and cannibalistic Christmas lights.) But it was that dichotomy that made "Nightmare" famous, especially paired with Burton's smart dialogue and memorable dance numbers.
It was also, simply, an idea that sold. Who wouldn't want the soundtrack? Who wouldn't want to dress up as any of the characters? The options were endless. Jack, the grinning, spinning skeleton. Sally, the talking rag doll with red hair and a patchwork dress.
Mens Halloween costumes were a special hit. Despite the stigma of guys playing dress-up, "Nightmare" offered the self-respecting man a way to get in the holiday spirit without looking silly. Burton was hip; the movie was smart. A guy could wear a "Nightmare" costume without losing any dignity, so the sale of mens Halloween outfits took off.
These days the movie is such a cult classic that the idea of a stigma is laughable. "The Nightmare Before Christmas" has an award-winning film and soundtrack, and it's been immortalized in everything from video games to theme parks to - of course - Halloween outfits.
If you're looking for a new way to dress up (especially if you're looking for mens Halloween costumes) then "Nightmare" is the remnant of a genius' career and a beloved 90's classic.
Not bad for a poem originally inspired by "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer."
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