leasia-fixt

Running a label like FiXT might keep President James Rhodes busy year-round, but when October rolls around, it’s all about family, fun, and spooky traditions. From pumpkin carving to movie nights, James takes Halloween as a chance to slow down, enjoy the season, and make memories with his loved ones. We caught up with him to talk about how he celebrates, what movies make the annual watch list, and the family traditions that keep the spirit of Halloween alive.

James, what’s your favorite Halloween tradition with your family?

We decorate the house with a spread of Halloween items but my favorite tradition is everyone in the family doing pumpkin carving each year. And I highly recommend https://www.zombiepumpkins.com/ for great patterns!  We take photos of our creations each year. Here are a few of my favorites over the years:

Do you and your family go all out for costumes, or keep it simple?

When our kids were littler we took them trick or treating each year and made sure they had exciting costumes (Godzilla, Chewbacca, Bee, Parrot, Pirate, Dorothy, Chicken in a Suit, Sia, a Tootsie Roll, and many more!) as well as us trying to dress up and do something fun too – from Negan from The Walking Dead to Mario, Zelda, Tony Stark (Iron Man), a Mummy or even Rowsdower from the amazing MST3K film episode for The Final Sacrifice!

When you were a kid, what was your favorite Halloween costume or memory that you still think about today?

The biggest part of Halloween as a kid was just scoring a ton of candy!

What Halloween movie is a must-watch for your family every year?

Our biggest Halloween must-watch tradition is the Halloween is Grinch Night (1977) animated film from Dr. Seuss which you can watch in full on YouTube here:

Are you more into fun, lighthearted classics (Hocus Pocus, The Great Pumpkin) or spooky/scary films?

We’re a bit more into lighthearted classics as a family but we do enjoy some scarier films too. Some family favorites we watch each year include: Ghostbusters, Hocus Pocus, Poltergeist, as well as getting little into some of The Conjuring movies.

If you could pick one Halloween movie that perfectly sums up your family’s Halloween vibe, what would it be?

Ghostbusters – a good mixture of fun and comedy mixed with scary!

Do you and your family carve pumpkins together? Classic faces or creative designs?

Yep – here’s more photos of some we’ve done:

Step inside if you dare, beyond the cobwebbed doors of Travis Brockett’s House of Horror lies a movie marathon dripping with terror, suspense, and just enough campy gore to make you laugh while you scream. Travis’s favorite list of Halloween movies is here, the kind of films that creep into your brain, crawl under your skin, and make you question whether that shadow in the corner is really just your jacket.

These aren’t just casual “pop some popcorn and forget it” picks, these are movies designed to haunt, to thrill, and to keep the lights on long after the credits roll. Whether you’re a horror connoisseur or a seasonal dabbler, Travis’s favorite fright flicks will guarantee your October nights are filled with chills, thrills, and maybe a nervous glance over your shoulder.

So grab your candy stash, lock the doors, and prepare to be pleasantly unsettled.

Which timeless horror movies never fail to give you chills?

I am a diehard fan of the A Nightmare on Elm Street movies. The first one was one of the first horror movies I watched as a child and it scared the hell out of me. I know a lot of people think they start to fall apart as they go on but I love the whole series.

What newer horror films have earned a permanent spot in your Halloween rotation?

I think in very recent memory, movies like Weapons, Sinners, Bring Her Back, and Speak No Evil (Foreign – 2022) all have locked in a place for me.

Which slasher or “body count” films are your guilty pleasures to watch every Halloween?

I am a huge fan of the Scream franchise as I really think it brought slashers “back from the dead.” I enjoy the Child’s Play universe and of more recent movies, the Terrifier movies are really enjoyable.

What films with ghosts, demons, or curses get you every time?

Drag Me to Hell is probably one of my favorites in the supernatural genre. I love Sam Raimi and this one was just so good. When Evil Lurks is a recent one that is just flat out scary and has some of the best horror scenes I have seen in the last few years.

Which over-the-top, self-aware horror movies do you love for the laughs (and screams)?

I loved Cabin in the Woods because going in, you thought you were just getting another Evil I don’t think you can talk about laughs with horror without talking about Shaun of the Dead. That is an all-time favorite. I also really enjoyed the Happy Death Day movies as well because they had the comedic bit of Groundhog Day.

Which movies mix scares with humor in the most perfect way?

I don’t think you can talk about laughs with horror without talking about Shaun of the Dead. That is an all-time favorite. I also really enjoyed the Happy Death Day movies as well because they had the comedic bit of Groundhog Day.

Which Halloween movie do you always watch, year after year, no matter what?

I have two that come to mind. I always watch Killer Klowns from Outer Space. It has been a favorite ever since I was a kid. The other would be Halloween 3: Season of the Witch. This movie got a lot of flack, mostly because Michael Myers isn’t in it. But I just love the movie.

Gear up for FiXT Vice President Kurtis Redden’s favorite time of the year. If you’ve worked with Kurtis long enough, you know. 

Forget Christmas. Forget Easter. Forget summer fun. It’s Halloween baby.

When the shadows grow long and the night air carries an unshakable chill, true horror fans know it’s time to settle in for a night of terror. Kurtis Redden’s House of Horror is not for the faint of heart, this list of Kurtis’s favorite Halloween movies. From classic slashers to psychological thrillers, supernatural haunts, and hidden gems of the macabre, these are the films that define a season of fear. Whether you’re a die-hard horror aficionado like Kurtis or just dipping your toes into the dark, these favorites of his will make your Halloween unforgettable… 

So, lights off. Door locked. Grab that blankie. From slashers to supernatural scares, Kurtis Redden’s picks are for those brave enough to watch… and hopefully survive.

Which timeless horror movies never fail to give you chills?

When I think of the true “classics” of horror, my mind always goes back to the Universal Monsters. Dracula, The Wolf Man, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, Frankenstein’s Monster—those films are foundational, and the characters have stood the test of time. I’d also say John Carpenter’s original Halloween belongs in that conversation. It’s a seasonal staple that still sets the bar for slasher horror.

What newer horror films have earned a permanent spot in your Halloween rotation?

As for what I’ve watched this year, I’ve been lucky to see some really strong modern entries: Weapons, Together, 28 Years Later, Bring Her Back, Clown in a Cornfield, and Sinners—all excellent films that prove the genre is alive and thriving.

Which over-the-top, self-aware horror movies do you love for the laughs (and screams)?

Evil Dead 2 is my favorite movie of all time.  Next question.

Which movies creep you out more with tension and mind games than with gore?

If you’re after a movie that will leave you squirming with dread and full of anxiety, I can’t recommend The Coffee Table enough. Don’t look up a single thing about it—just watch. There’s also a low-budget film called Vulcanizadora. It won’t be for everyone, but once the story clicked for me it left me with a deep, gnawing sense of dread that stuck.

Which slasher or “body count” films are your guilty pleasures to watch every Halloween?

Of course, everyone knows the iconic slashers, but if you want to dig a little deeper, here are a few that often get overlooked: Intruder, The Burning, Slumber Party Massacre 2, and my personal favorite, Tourist Trap. These films don’t always get the spotlight, but they each bring something strange, creative, and unforgettable to the table.