Movies
They’re Back Witches! ‘Hocus Pocus’ House Becomes an Airbnb, Sandersons Not Included
**UPDATE – This Airbnb is no longer available**
The Sanderson sisters have retuned to the home-sharing game. Their Hocus Pocus house* is once again being offered on Airbnb. And if you love cinematic history, themed architecture, or just want a unique way to celebrate the season, keep reading.
Just a few miles from Salem Mass., in the Danvers Woods, the cottage sits. It’s a recreation of the one in the original movie, but it has all the bells, books, and candles, including a simmering cauldron, Booook?!, and the iconic black-flame candle.
The movies are set in Salem where the infamous witch trials took place in the late 17th century. Over 200 people were accused of being witches and some were killed because of it. Hocus Pocus I and II are light-hearted takes on that part of history.
“We all know that the Sanderson Sisters’ story might not have ended when we turned to dust, nor did our shenanigans,” said actress Kathy Najimy last year on Airbnb. “What better way to celebrate the season than to host guests at the trio’s historic haunt for a night they’ll remember for years to come?”
Thirty years ago, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Najimy created their seminal roles. In the sequel, a new witch is introduced played by Hannah Waddingham. We also get a little origin story that explains why the sisters became so wonderfully evil.
Unfortunately, the cottage doesn’t have a full bathroom, but there is a modern portable one just outside.
If you should happen to nab the reservation the cost for two people is only $31 (that doesn’t include some taxes and fees).
Booking opens at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 12 for an exclusive stay on Thursday, Oct. 20.*
*This one-night stay is not a contest. Guests are responsible for their own travel, by broomstick or otherwise.
More details:
The space
As though untouched by time, our creaky old cottage stands tall amidst the trees, beckoning visitors as if by trance. Enter by window or water wheel, but watch your step – a cobweb or two and the smoke from our cauldron await you inside.
Amidst the broomsticks and apothecary bottles, the Black Flame Candle flickers and our beloved Manual of Witchcraft and Alchemy sleeps deeply – lest something (or someone) wakes it. It’s a magnificently eerie scene certain to get guests in the Halloween ‘spirit.’
Prior to slumbering in our humble abode, guests can:
– Try their hand at enchantments enshrined in the ancient spellbook that guided us in all our mischief. (Maybe just don’t expect to turn anyone into cats as a result).
– Explore the dark, rich history of Salem with visits to some of the town’s most haunted properties.
– View a special screening of Hocus Pocus 2, streaming on Disney+ beginning Sept. 30 (rated PG, Disney+ subscription required, must be 18+ to subscribe).
To support the next generation of the historic city, Airbnb will make a one-time donation to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem, which aims to ensure that success is within reach of every young person who walks through their doors.
Other things to note
We aren’t much for sunshine, so our socially distanced on-site concierge will ensure a comfortable stay for you and your guest in our stead – including showing you around and arranging meals.
Guests should also note that because our precious cottage doesn’t come with ‘facilities’, if you will, we’ve added a modern outhouse just steps from the home for your convenience.
Those looking to book should note that this stay’s rules require strict adherence with local COVID-19 guidelines. On-site staff will follow applicable local, state and federal guidelines as well as Airbnb’s COVID-19 Safety Practices, which include wearing a mask and practicing social distancing when required by local laws or guidelines, and abiding by our five-step enhanced cleaning process.
The cottage is privately owned and operated.
This article has been updated to reflect 2023 details.
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Movies
New Windswept Action Trailer for ‘Twisters’ Will Blow You Away
The summer movie blockbuster game came in soft with The Fall Guy, but the new trailer for Twisters is bringing back the magic with an intense trailer full of action and suspense. Steven Spielberg’s production company, Amblin, is behind this newest disaster film just like its 1996 predecessor.
This time Daisy Edgar-Jones plays the female lead named Kate Cooper, “a former storm chaser haunted by a devastating encounter with a tornado during her college years who now studies storm patterns on screens safely in New York City. She is lured back to the open plains by her friend, Javi to test a groundbreaking new tracking system. There, she crosses paths with Tyler Owens (Glen Powell), the charming and reckless social-media superstar who thrives on posting his storm-chasing adventures with his raucous crew, the more dangerous the better. As storm season intensifies, terrifying phenomena never seen before are unleashed, and Kate, Tyler and their competing teams find themselves squarely in the paths of multiple storm systems converging over central Oklahoma in the fight of their lives.”
Twisters cast includes Nope’s Brandon Perea, Sasha Lane (American Honey), Daryl McCormack (Peaky Blinders), Kiernan Shipka (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Nik Dodani (Atypical) and Golden Globe winner Maura Tierney (Beautiful Boy).
Twisters is directed by Lee Isaac Chung and hits theaters on July 19.
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Lists
Unbelievably Cool ‘Scream’ Trailer But Re-Imagined As A 50s Horror Flick
Ever wonder what your favorite horror movies would look like if they had been made in the 50s? Thanks to We Hate Popcorn But Eat It Anyway and their use of modern technology now you can!
The YouTube channel reimagines modern movie trailers as mid-century pulp flicks using AI software.
What is really neat about these bite-sized offerings is that some of them, mostly the slashers go against what cinemas had to offer over 70 years ago. Horror movies back then involved atomic monsters, scary aliens, or some sort of physical science gone awry. This was the era of the B-movie where actresses would put their hands against their faces and let out over-dramatic screams reacting to their monstrous pursuer.
With the advent of new color systems such as DeLuxe and Technicolor, movies were vibrant and saturated in the 50s enhancing primary colors that electrified the action happening on screen, bringing a whole new dimension to films using a process called Panavision.
Arguably, Alfred Hitchcock upended the creature feature trope by making his monster a human in Psycho (1960). He used black and white film to create shadows and contrast which added suspense and drama to every setting. The final reveal in the basement would probably not have been if he had used color.
Jump to the 80s and beyond, actresses were less histrionic, and the only emphasized primary color was blood red.
What is also unique about these trailers is the narration. The We Hate Popcorn But Eat It Anyway team has captured the monotone narration of 50s movie trailer voiceovers; those over-dramatic faux news anchor cadences that emphasized buzz words with a sense of urgency.
That mechanic died out long ago, but luckily, you can see what some of your favorite modern horror movies would look like when Eisenhower was in office, developing suburbs were replacing farmland and cars were made with steel and glass.
Here are some other noteworthy trailers brought to you by We Hate Popcorn But Eat It Anyway:
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Movies
Ti West Teases Idea For Fourth Film In The ‘X’ Franchise
This is something that will excite fans of the franchise. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ti West mentioned his idea for a fourth film in the franchise. He stated, “I do have one idea that plays into these movies that could maybe happen…” Check out more of what he said in the interview below.
In the interview, Ti West stated, “I do have one idea that plays into these movies that could maybe happen. I don’t know if it’ll be next. It might be. We’ll see. I’ll say that, if there’s more to be done in this X franchise, it’s certainly not what people are expecting it to be.”
He then said, “It’s not just picking up again a few years later and whatever. It’s different in the way that Pearl was an unexpected departure. It’s another unexpected departure.”
The first film in the franchise, X, was released in 2022 and was a huge success. The film made $15.1M on a $1M budget. It received great reviews earning a 95% Critic and 75% Audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes. The next film, Pearl, was also released in 2022 and is a prequel to the first film. It was also a big success making $10.1M on a $1M budget. It received great reviews earning a 93% Critic and 83% Audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
MaXXXine, which is the 3rd installment in the franchise, is set to be released in theaters on July 5th of this year. It follows the story of adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. However, as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Los Angeles, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past. It is a direct sequel to X and stars Mia Goth, Kevin Bacon, Giancarlo Esposito, and more.
What he says in the interview should excite fans and leave you wondering what he may have up his sleeve for a fourth film. It seems like it may either be a spinoff or something entirely different. Are you excited for a possible 4th film in this franchise? Let us know in the comments below. Also, check out the official trailer for MaXXXine below.
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