My name is Lana, and I am a Nashville-based ghoul originally from Jackson, TN. I’ve always enjoyed movies and cinema, especially from the horror genre. I grew up watching the essential Horror 101 movies (because of my mother) and the Universal Classic Monsters (because of my father). That’s a well-rounded horror movie education, if you ask me! My all-time favorite films (in no certain order) are Creature from the Black Lagoon, Scream, John Carpenter’s Halloween and Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead.

My earliest movie memory is seeing Disney’s Fantasia, more specifically, “Night on Bald Mountain.” I was fascinated by the epic score and the visuals of ghosts ascending from the graves, into the sky. That did not scare me, but you know what did? The Brave Little Toaster. The giant magnet toward the end? Terrifying. Maybe that is where my love of horror started!

I’m very thankful to my parents for taking my brother and I to see a lot of blockbusters back in the day. My favorite memories include going to see Jurassic Park, Twister and Star Wars Episodes I-VI. The sound and popcorn with an ice-cold soda… all the movie magic! You just cannot beat that movie-going experience.

Horror is my favorite genre, but one of my favorite subgenres is horror comedy. The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966) and Clue (1985) are some of my earliest memories of movies that can be both scary AND funny. These movies will always hold a special place in my heart, because of the nostalgia. The Evil Dead (1981) and Evil Dead II (1987) also bring me so much joy because I love Bruce Campbell, plus the magic of horrifying creatures and gore along with humor, that was a recipe for success. The Cabin in the Woods (2011) is another favorite because the story is so clever and wild. I was the ballerina with the teeth for Halloween the year that movie was released!

I’m a huge fan of all of Jordan Peele’s work, especially Nope (2022). I love the deeper meaning and Easter eggs he puts in his movies, plus the comedic relief that he’s known for. He’s a brilliant director and visionary. I saw Nope in IMAX and it blew my mind. It was shot especially for IMAX, so you felt like you were on the ranch and Jean Jacket was there with you! Get Out (2017) and Us (2019) are excellent movies because not only are they scary and fun, but they are also original and fresh — not a remake or a reboot. As of recently, we have been seeing more original stories and we need that instead of another sequel or prequel.

Found footage horror is another favorite subgenre of mine. The Blair Witch Project (1999) and the marketing campaign done for that movie absolutely blew my mind as a teenager. I believed (and still do) it was a real story. I think it’s really cool that solid found-footage films are still being made today. For example, Frogman (2023) is a lot of fun and was done on a really small budget. It was such a hit that it’s getting a sequel. Not only was it a successful film, but it also created a brand-new cryptid (Did I mention I love cryptids?). My top favorite found-footage films include Hell House LLC (2015), As Above, So Below (2014), Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018) and Grave Encounters (2011).

Other than movies, another one of my interests is Universal Studios Florida. My family and I go every few years, but my favorite memory is from Halloween Horror Nights (2013). If you haven’t been there and you’re a horror fan, please add it to your horror bucket list! Several haunted “houses” are set up, which are actually sound stages. That year, the bigger houses were An American Werewolf in London, The Cabin in the Woods and Evil Dead. The Walking Dead Zombies were all over the streets. It was so much fun! I also love the Harry Potter world. What can I say, I’m also a Potterhead!

I am most looking forward to the park’s Dark Universe opening in 2025. It’s a brand-new part of the park dedicated to the Universal Classic Monsters. I am saving money and planning a trip as we speak.

That’s me in a nutshell! I hope we can have some fun and watch some great cinema while I’m here. I take recommendations and requests! Don’t be a stranger.