Ki-Ki-Ki, Ma-Ma-Ma…Sorry, just had to get that out of my system. Good morning, good afternoon or good evening fellow creatures of the night, all of course depending on which time of the day you are reading this one. We have reached the penultimate chapter of my Countdown to Halloween series, a collection of posts diving into all things horror. In a week from now, it will be the 31st of October, and it will also be the night he came home. And if you know your horror classics, you will know to which “he” I am referring. But that is a campfire tale that I will save for next week. So what about today’s post huh? When it comes to us horror fans I guess we all have our favorite horror icons. For some that might be the glove wielding Freddy Krueger from the A Nightmare on Elmstreet franchise, for others it’s serial killer Michael Myers from the classic Halloween, and there might even be people that are rooting for Jigsaw from the gruelling Saw movies. Whatever kind of poison you prefer, all of these have become a part of popculture in some form or another. Not to mention inspiring loads of merchandise items, ranging from lunch boxes, action figures, puzzles or even more obscure items. Now do I have a favorite of my own? Well, you know me, and of course it will come as no real surprise that the answer to that question is a bloodcurdling yes!

Friday the 13th is one of the first slasher movies that got released after the huge succes of John Carpenter’s Halloween. Taking place at the lovely summercamp of Crystal Lake, it tells the family friendly (not) tale of how a bunch of hormone crazed teenagers were picked off one by one, by an unknown killer. Quite often in very bloody ways. In the movie audiences were also introduced to the story of Jason Voorhees, a young boy that drowned at Crystal Lake year’s earlier while his camp counselors were having sex. Little did they know, much less the creators of that first film, that this story would give birth to one of horror’s most iconic characters. When the first sequel came out, it was established that Jason somehow survived his drowning and he has a little bit of a chip on his shoulder. Well, that’s quite the understatement I guess, as Jason would go on a killing spree that spawned 10 sequels (not counting a remake), culminating in a clash with his biggest rival Freddy Krueger, in 2002’s Freddy vs Jason. Now I’m not even going to deny it, all of these are B-movies, with maybe the exception of Freddy vs Jason. They are all pretty bad, have some questionable acting performances, and are not what some people would consider Oscar worthy material. Yet….I love them!

And I am not alone in this either. The franchise has made hundreds of millions of dollars, and is one of the most profitable horror series to date. Why exactly is that? I guess a part of the answer to that question is Jason Voorhees himself. Even though he’s a horrible figure, his iconic hockey mask that has been a part of him since the third film, and the way he creatively kills people is part of the fun of these movies. Well if you love horror films that is. Films like these are part of that genre of movies that I always like to call “ They are so bad, that they are good”. It’s simply a guilty pleasure, and I guess we all have things like that in our lives, or maybe that’s just me. I own all of the movies on dvd, and it’s become kind of a tradition to at least watch one or two of them every Halloween. But in this post I’m not going to be reviewing any of the films, but rather a fantastic book that covers the entire franchise called Crystal Lake Memories. This book is a Friday the 13th fan’s dream come true. The fantastic cover for this coffee table book immediately manages to draw you in and works as great preview for the good things to come. It’s a massive 320 page book, that weighs a ton, and could be used by Jason himself to kill someone. Or for home defense, whatever you prefer I guess.

Author Peter M. Bracke has spent more than three and a half years in doing research for this book and it totally shows. This book really is the definitive source for the entire franchise, and chronicles the making of all 11 original movies. The only film that isn’t covered in this one is the remake from 2009, but seeing as that is honestly a totally different movie anyway, I’m not the least bit disappointed in that. Each film has it’s own chapter comprised of hundreds of interviews with cast and crew alike. You might think that this would become quite boring after a while, but it totally didn’t. It was very nice to get the perspectives of everyone that were involved in these films, and honestly I wasn’t prepared for quite a lot of problems that came up during the filming of some of them. Ranging from budgetary restrictions, to actors and crew clashing on the set, it at times even felt you were on a talkshow where family members talked trash about each other. It was very refreshing to see the author not having any judgement on which of these people were right or wrong. It’s up to the reader to decide who to believe, and I definitely rolled my eyes a couple of times during certain interviews that offered different points of view on a particular issue.

And then of course there are the photographs that are contained within the book. There are hundreds of them, covering stills from the movies but also a lot of behind the scenes photography, as well as pictures that deal with the horrific and often bloody kills that the movies are famous for. Each chapter ends with details on how the movie eventually performed at the box office. You won’t believe how much profits the films at times gathered. As they were relatively cheaply made films, at least in terms of Hollywood blockbusters, Jason was a real moneymaker for the studios involved in releasing them. Our favorite hockey mask wearing killer hasn’t been seen in the cinemas for quite a while, and there aren’t any rumors about a new film being in development either. That said, some legends never die, and it would not surprise me if mr. Voorhees were to eventually reappear again. Crystal Lake Memories is a fantastic book for fans of horror. It gives an insightful look in the entire process of making these films, as well as the hard work and dedication of the people that bring these movies to life. It goes without saying that if you are a Friday the 13th lover, this book is an absolute must buy, that won’t disappoint in any way.
I give Crystal Lake Memories a 10 out of 10 score.

I have seen a couple of the F13 films, and they are okay. My favourite horror film character is Pinhead, from Clive Barker’s ‘Hellraiser’.
“We have eternity to know your flesh”.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Haha, now that does surprise me Pete: Pinhead being your favorite one! 😀 He’s definitely great as well, although admittedly those films really went downhill fast😂😂 (not to say these are any better I suppose😊)
The F13 films are definitely okay. Not all of them, but most are decent, and an enjoyable way to pass some time. No Jason quotes unfortunately so I guess I will just say: “What’s your pleasure….” 😊
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Would it surprise you that I’ve never seen a Friday 13th movie? Reading this makes me feel that I’m missing something…
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That is quite surprising actually😀 The first one stars a very young Kevin Bacon, which shows that every movie star has to start with something😂
Granted these are B-movies, but honestly they are quite a lot of fun, and worth the watch for Jason alone. There are certainly worse movies out there😀
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Actually, I’ve seen Jason X and vs Freddy, but I think I’ve got the wrong end of the stick here…
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Jason X had a bigger budget, as did Freddy vs Jason, but both were not the same campy fun as the older movies😀
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Oh wow, that’s definitely the perfect book for Friday the 13th fans! It’s incredible how much research has gone into it. Truth be told, I haven’t watch many of the Friday the 13th films, only the first one and the 2009 one, but they were both good fun. I’m definitely keen to watch the Freddy vs Jason one soon!
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It really is! I’m amazed someone has taken this much time in order to research and put together such an amazing book, for what are, essentially, B-movies. No matter how much fun they are😀 But yeah I loved this book from start to finish especially considering I’m a huge fan of the franchise😊
I’ve seen them all, but the one I have seen only twice so far is Freddy vs Jason. That one is due for a rewatch soon😊
Thanks as always for visiting and your comment!😀
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Yaaaaas! Good stuff!
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Haha…so true! Real good stuff indeed. I had a blast reading this book the past few weeks! This is absolutely a fan’s dream come true! 😀
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The book looks great for fans, one of which I am not 🙂
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Lol, fair enough! 😊 These films aren’t for everyone, and I would be the last person to deny that fact. But yeah this books is absolutely great!😀
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I snuck into a showing of Friday the 13th with some friends when I was 15 and I don’t think I’ve ever gotten over the trauma! It was my first exposure to the slasher genre and it totally freaked me out! I still get the heebie jeebies whenever I hear that intro for Jason. The book looks fantastic, but I think I’ll spare myself the nightmares that will undoubtedly ensue!😱
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Haha, I remember that story from when I reviewed the movie itself😂 I guess back in those days the film really did give the heebie jeebies (gotta love that word). I think when you it today though, it’s lost much of it’s scare factor😂
But atmittedly there are still some scary scenes in it, and the sequels do have those too (although, I have to say those are even more campy than the original movie😂).
This book really was a very interesting read, and one that I really enjoyed quite a lot, especially as fan of this series😀 But it is that: one for the fans, that’s for sure😊
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I’ve seen a number of the movies though I’ve no clue which ones. They weren’t among my favorite of this type of movie (I’m more a Freddy fan) but they had their charm, if you could call it that. 🙂 Though I haven’t purchased many of these, I do enjoy when books are put out about a favorite movie, franchise, or creator that give great backstory. It’s like an entire other way of enjoying the material. Glad to see how much you’ve enjoyed this one!
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Haha, yeah I guess charm is the correct word to use😂 (Though Jason himself would probably disagree😀)
I wish there was abook like this for the Freddy movies too, as The Nightmare on Elmstreet movies certainly rank as my second favorite classic horror movie series😊 This book definitely provided some great insights, and wasn’t boring even for a single second. Something I had expected it to be, seeing as to how the book is structured. But yes this really was a book I enjoyed! Next up will me the making of Alien, that I started reading today😊
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What an awesome looking book. I love these tribute books. I have a 50s horror comic tribute book that I forgot about before I read this, so thanks for that!
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Haha, you are welcome, and I have to be honest: That sound very cool too! 😀 Definitely like the sound of that, as back in those days horror comics certainly could be really terrific, especially with the artwork.
This book really was a very lucky find, and I enjoyed it immensely😀 Hope you will enjoy the 50’s comic tribute as well😀
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Hey 👋
I was commenting back to let you know I finally got a chance to post the book I was talking about if you care to check it out. 🤠
-S.D.
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Thanks I just did, it was awesome! Really cool book! 😊😊
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I’m with tensecondsfromnow in the never seen group! I didn’t realize there were that many movies in the franchise. It’s great that this really does seem to be a series retrospective and not just cover a few of the movies. And it doesn’t seem like a lazy cash group if 3 1/2 years worth of research went into it. I wish more franchises had such a book made with such dedication!
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It certainly wasn’t! In fact it’s an absolute tour de force for someone to spend so much time and effort on a film franchise that consists of mostly B-movies!. I couldn’t agree more though! There are certainly loads of franchises I would love to see books like this from, but they seem to be sorely lacking which is a real shame😢
As for the films, well no worries. They are of course almost all of them quite old, and date back to a time where films were sometimes more simple. These are simply put real guilty pleasure films, but quite enjoyable ones at that😊
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Well it probably wouldn’t surprise you to know I’ve seen all the 80’s era slasher franchises. Texas Chainsaw Massacre was the only one I had to save for this year. Last year I reviewed every installment of Child’s Play, Halloween, Scream, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and of course Friday the 13th. Unlike those other franchises that at least have the first movie or a sequel that’s good, Friday the 13th was arguable never “good.” That’s why I enjoyed them so much! Like you said, they’re guilty pleasures that got more entertaining the more over-the-top they got. By the 7th or 8th movie I found myself rooting for Jason the dumber the teenagers got. I don’t know if they’ll ever make Friday the 13th Part 13, but I wouldn’t mind if they did.
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Haha, no that wasn’t a real surprise at all😂
You are so right though! This is definitely a movie series that falls into exactly that category: the so bad it’s good ones!
I always rated for Jason, as absolutely the teenagers just seemed to be getting dumber with each installment haha😂 I always have hopes that they bring Jason back in some way, but honestly it’s been so long now, that I very much doubt it’s going to happen. Not unless they have a very good script. You never know though, I mean look at Michael Myers…he’s still around too!😊
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I just hope they don’t neuter the franchise if they ever do give Jason the Halloween (2018) treatment.
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Yeah, that’s what I’m hoping as well, because I wasn’t a huge fan of that one😔
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Not seen this one or Halloween to be honest. In fact, I’ve not seen The Exorcist either! To be fair, the latter film was banned in the UK for nearly 30 year so…
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I was weirded out to see Michael Meyers as at the featured image!
I do really like the Friday the 13th Franchise.. there is something about the mythos that I really like. More so than the fragmented Halloween timeline with the niece and the cult and the branching timelines.
The Tommy Jarvis story works a lot better for me and I like the kills a lot better than Halloween as well. The Uncut Sleeping Bag kill from I think.. the seventh? Movie.. they Redid it in the remake I think but the original is my favourite!
This does seem like something fun… stop making me wanna buy books! I have to buy tables still xD
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Haha, well that image has been a part of this feature since I started it: one more to go, and then Michael can retire until next year😂😂
You are so right though! Even though friday also has a bit of a continuity problem at times, it’s better structured than Halloween. It has so many timelines now that it’s crazy. It’s almost like Terminator😂😂
Yes haha, that sleeping bag kill is a classic. It’s both gruesome, but at the same time too funny as well😂😂
Haha, sorry…I’ve got another upcoming book review that you will probably be interested in too😂😂😂 Well…you can always use the books as a table right? Problem solved!😂😂
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Oh man, the number of movies these horror icons have spawned is quite impressive! I saw one of the reboots, the 2009 one, and found it so ridiculous that I couldn’t get myself to invest time in any of the rest that I haven’t seen hahaha But I can definitely see the appeal and would gladly watch the original movies now just to see how they were first introduced to the world. This book does sound like a fantastic piece for a collector and fan though. Thanks for sharing this with us, Michel! 😀
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Haha..it’s off the charts isn’t it? From these three infamous icons the only still active one is Michael Myers. But eh Jason is still my favorite. It’s campy fun, and when compared to modern standards quite horrible. But I don’t know somehow these film are just so much fun to watch, can’t even fully describe as to why.
This book is truly amazing though, and has been a real joy to read. Thanks as always for a great comment Lashaan!😀
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These books are cool especially if you’re a big fan of the franchise
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Yeah, definitely! This is one of those books that really is just for the fans, but as I am a fan, it was a very enjoyable read!😀
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