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New Pitch Black & Old Shocktober Ads!


Welcome to the second week of X-E's Halloween Countdown. Oh, the times we'll have. Let's kick it. You've heard the rumors, and the rumors are true: Mountain Dew Pitch Black IS BACK. Sort of. It's back in ICEE Freeze form. This isn't as big of a cause for celebration as a legit Mountain Dew Pitch Black III in cans & bottles would've been, but it's something, and it's allll good. Read all about it!

It got really hot this weekend. If the sun doesn't knock it off and let the leaves do their orange thing, I'm going to beat it up.

Oh, remember my tribute to former NY television station WPIX's old Shocktober events? If not, and you don't feel like reading a two-year-old article, I'll summarize: What later became the WB Network in New York was formerly WPIX, a mostly identity-less station that managed to stay relevant with its weekday afternoon airing of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and reruns Saved By The Bell. The station also ran popular-but-obsolete movies on a regular basis, but nothing was as cool as their "Shocktober" events, where horror/slasher/spooky films were broadcast with all the good parts and dirty lines cut out almost nightly.

If you want to know more about Shocktober, read the old article, but new for today's post are two of the movie-specific promos that fell under Shocktober's umbrella. In the original article, I talked about the Shocktober kickoff ad. Here are some of that ad's children...


A lot of people like The Gate, and they should, because the movie holds up with equal levels of nostalgic and horror appeal, kind of like the less good-looking cousin of The Lost Boys. The Wraith was more of a science fiction film, and a pretty poorly received one at that. Both movies came off looking aces in their Shocktober promos, because Shocktober promos were AWESOME. They used WPIX's standard voice-over guy, but that guy had range, and knew how to make something sound creepy even if it really wasn't.

I have such fond memories of those long ago Shocktober months. Sometimes I'd watch 'em alone, sometimes a few friends and I would feel all privileged by being able to both stay up late and watch scary movies. Some of the movies were better than others, obviously, but as every commercial break was littered with Hallmark Halloween commercials and promos for other Shocktober movies, who cared?

Click here to download the Shocktober promo for The Gate.
...or here for The Wraith.

Posted by Matt on 09/17/2006. E-mail me!



Discussion Thread: 92 comments

Heh, those of us on the West Coast are just getting ready for work, actually.
I just saw Anchorman for the first time. It was funny, but not THAT funny. Wedding Crashers and 40 Year Old Virgin were both funnier, IMHO. On the subject of movies you’ve slept on, I’m halfway through watching The Graduate for the first time. Just watched Freaks for the first time as well, and I thought it was pretty amazing, though it made me nostalgic for Carnivale. As far as other horror goes, I’ve missed out on basically all the major franchises, even F13. I CAN highly recommend Shaun of the Dead to anybody that’s missed it so far.
Could I use the word “just” any more times in this post? Ooh, I just did!

Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 09/18/2006 11:26 AM

HBO plays Career Opportunities frequently. It’s ok, but nothing to write home about.

You’ve guys mentioned the two best things about Anchorman, the fight scene and Afternoon Delight. Otherwise, it’s just an ok film. Talladega Nights was better.

My survey was just on horror/sci-fi films. If we just added movies in general (movies like It’s A Wonderful Life, Casablanca, Gone with the Wind, Tron, Raging Bull, Scarface, etc.) my list would be astronomical.

What’s the difference between a Icee and a Slurpee? We don’t have 7-11′s here. We just have Icee’s and the generic slushie drinks.

Chestnuts roasted by JLAJRC @ 09/18/2006 11:42 AM

When did they stop making PB2 in cans? It was out way past Halloween last year.

I liked the first version better, but the food coloring they used discouraged me from drinking it too often. It was too unsettling.

I’ve already gone to Target for Jones Soda but now I’ll have to go for the PB Icee. And because Target is my favorite store. If only they were open 24 hours.

Chestnuts roasted by devi @ 09/18/2006 12:09 PM

You never write, you never call, of course we miss you, Mars. Now, did you bring us anything?

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 09/18/2006 12:25 PM

Man, my Target lied to me. I saw the new flavors in the ICEE machine (well actually Atric Blast at my Target but it’s the same brand) and they weren’t labeled as Mountain Dew, Pitch Black or Live Wire, just some generic halloween names for Orange and Grape.

I so would have bought one. Guess I’m freaking heading backout to try ‘em.

Chestnuts roasted by Smurfwreck @ 09/18/2006 12:39 PM

Like Invader Norbert, I also was at Target TODAY and didn’t pay any attention to the ICEE machine. And I was likewise disappointed that they only had Candy Corn and Berried Alive Jones Sodas (but I bought them anyway.)

I also bought The Office 2007 calendar, some cute baby clothes for a friend’s baby, and assorted other stuff. Somehow I managed to spend $49.49 on random stuff, when all I really needed was the baby present. But who can resist Halloween M&M’s?

Chestnuts roasted by Lilly @ 09/18/2006 12:43 PM

Man, I was just searching for Pitch Black all weekend, what a damn let down…..my favorite Halloween beverage was Pitch Black mixed with Capt. Morgan Tattoo!!!! Now I’ll have to make a rum Icee.

Chestnuts roasted by Funky BooBerry the 70's Ghost @ 09/18/2006 1:05 PM

When I get out of class today, I’m totally going to Target! My trek for frozen Pitch Black begins NOW.

Chestnuts roasted by Review the World @ 09/18/2006 1:22 PM

I LOVE Target! My boyfriend got a $5 giftcard for buying Lego Starwars there, which he kindly gave to me to spend on halloween stuff. I bought a little pack of the Gourmet Flavored Candy corn (it was on sale), a bag of ‘limited edition’ vanilla tootsie rolls (which have actually been around forever, just not on their own and are BEYOND phenomenal)some Russel Stover stuff (the BEST candy is RS!) Oddly, it seems that my posts keep getting edited. If I mention my blog at all, the line gets edited out, but other people mention theirs and nothing happens! :’( As a side note, I stopped in at Claire’s (UG!, but for halloween stuff, I will go anywhere!)and they had some cute earrings, and some AMAZINGLY GOOD lipgloss, in Frankenberry and Boo Berry (they had count chocula, too) and betty crocker frosting… also popcorn and cheetos. Lipgloss is awesome.

Chestnuts roasted by c0rp0rate z0mb1e @ 09/18/2006 1:36 PM

I loved CAREER OPPORTUNITIES! It’s one hilarious movie.

Chestnuts roasted by Frank Whaley @ 09/18/2006 2:06 PM

Boo no PB-III!
Hooray PB Icee!

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 09/18/2006 3:53 PM

Ryane,

I am assuming you were respnding to my 3d Freddy’s Dead post in the 3D Friday the 13th thread. It was definitely in 3d and I would be interested to know if it was ever released that way on DVD or VHS.

Chestnuts roasted by Old E @ 09/18/2006 3:56 PM

ICEE’s are everywhere down here, sadly though, slurpees are no where to be found.

Chestnuts roasted by Fox @ 09/18/2006 4:12 PM

UPDATE: Went to the other Target near me, and all all 7 Jones Flavors!! Didn’t buy em yet because I’m poor.

And I did pay attention to the Icee mahine and they only had Pitch Black in only 1 of the dispensers, and only the purple flavor.

Chestnuts roasted by Invader Norbert @ 09/18/2006 4:28 PM

Sonofabitch, I was at Target TWICE yesterday…even looked over at the food court, contemplating greasy Target lunch, and passed.

Damn.

Chestnuts roasted by Rev @ 09/18/2006 4:35 PM

Old E: If you buy the Nightmare On Elm Street boxed set, it comes with a pair of 3d glasses and the original 3d ending to Freddy’s Dead.

Chestnuts roasted by Deuce @ 09/18/2006 4:50 PM

Old E: :o I forgot we were even talking about Freddy’s Dead, earlier. My bad! I honestly can’t even remember going to see it, though I do love Freddy, and I think I really would’ve remembered, if I had 3D glasses for it. Hmm…

So, Target ICEE’s… do you get them before you pay – or pay, then go get them? I’ve never been in the food court and don’t wanna look like a doofus. :oops:

Chestnuts roasted by Ryane @ 09/18/2006 5:46 PM

Jesse-

You’re thinking of “Oops!” Or “Woops!” which was about survivors of an atomic blast. One guy survived cause he was in a Volvo. They joked about it the whole show through. “Wow, it is the safest car on the road!”

Chestnuts roasted by Terror Claws Cole @ 09/18/2006 5:57 PM

The Wraith : 80s Gearheads :: The Crow : 90s Goth Crowd

(Oh my goth, that’th a lotta vampireth!)

Chestnuts roasted by kintgklash @ 09/18/2006 6:05 PM

I had forgotten about The Crow…will have to watch it now…

Chestnuts roasted by kittycatgirl @ 09/18/2006 6:22 PM

I went to Target today and got one of the Pitch Blacks. It was a depressing afair overall. Target reminds me of Tom Goes to the Mayor, and the whole vibe of the store reeked of lame.
The Icee was decent though.

Chestnuts roasted by Joker @ 09/18/2006 6:25 PM

JLAJRC

Maybe I can enlighten you about the difference. It’s like an icee but coarser. It’s like a cross between a snow cone and an icee. When it goes into your mouth it doesn’t fall down it maintains a little bit of it’s shape (the shape of the straw of course) until you start moving it around in your mouth. I hope I helped answer your question :D

Chestnuts roasted by Goob @ 09/18/2006 7:03 PM

cross between a snow cone and an icee
Damn it, there shouldn’t be so many things you can do with smashed up ice.

Chestnuts roasted by dohopoki @ 09/18/2006 7:21 PM

hey jesse,
“they’re baaaa-aaaaack”
the movie you’re thinking of makes me wonder if its Poltergeist, i could be wrong though
and after a 2 month or so hiatus, IM BAAAAA-AAAAACK!!!!!

Chestnuts roasted by JoshC @ 09/18/2006 8:00 PM

Love the new stickers. Especially the heart Dracullas. Awww like Im looking at my own childhood sticker book.

Chestnuts roasted by Add A New Comment @ 09/18/2006 8:44 PM

Add A New Comment!


This entry was posted on Sunday, September 17th, 2006 at 6:50 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.