HHN XXIV: WEEK 2 & CURRENT HOUSE RANKINGS

    Greetings HHN fans! Two weeks have come and gone for me (I won't be there on Sunday). I did however attend the event on Thursday, Friday, AND Saturday. I sprang for the first 3 Saturday annual passholder deal and went yesterday, the 27th. I generally don't like to go to HHN on Saturday's, but I felt the itch to get an extra day in. Saturday wasn't too bad honestly. I did notice a trend though; The Walking Dead: End of the Line, fills up REALLY quick. All 3 days I went, the wait time was 90 minutes right from the get-go.
    A couple of quick observations, before we get to the current House standings in my book. If you haven't heard, the human sacrifices that were taking place every hour in Bayou of Blood, have stopped. I've heard all sorts of reasons why, AND if it will, or will not return. I think it will return, but in a much smaller, less intense capacity. However, as of Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, they were suspended. Keep that in mind if you go this week looking for it, and there is no sacrifice.
    I noticed an uptick in intensity from certain Scare Zones on Friday and Saturday. The Minions in the Face Off: In the Flesh Zone, were really aggressive on Saturday night, as were the dancer's in MASKerade: Unstitched. Even some of the Houses have stepped up their game (we will get to that in a moment). Overall, HHN XXIV is still a solid year, and it looks like they are really in it for the long haul. Everyone seems to be finding their grooves at this point, and it can only get better from here.

---

HOUSE RANKINGS AS OF 9/27/14

8. FROM DUSK TILL DAWN

• CURRENT RATING: 3.5/5
• HOUSE VISITS: TWO

The sad thing about From Dusk Till Dawn, is just how bland the House is executed. The set design in here is REALLY impressive and is worth a run through, just to look at everything. Everything else, is just OK. I really hope they step up their game over the course of the event. This could be something truly impressive.

---

7. DRACULA UNTOLD: REIGN OF BLOOD

• CURRENT RATING: 3.5/5
• HOUSE VISITS: THREE

The biggest problem with Dracula Untold, is consistency from the actor's. After my abysmal first run through last Friday, I decided to give it another chance and test a theory. This was my first and last House visit on Saturday, and there was a difference. My first run was INTENSE. The actor's worked in tandem with the sets and atmosphere perfectly. My second visit, wasn't as impressive, but was still better than my first time through last Friday. If they can find a groove, this House could climb higher on my list.

---

6. ROANOKE: CANNIBAL COLONY

• CURRENT RATING: 4/5
• HOUSE VISITS: THREE

Roanoke continues to improve for me. I really dig the sets in here, and my last two visits, the actor's really brought it. My visit on Saturday was really intense, and this House is quickly becoming a favorite. Another thing I really love in here, is how close you are to everything. It makes for a very good time.

---

5. GIGGLES & GORE INC.

• CURRENT RATING: 4.5/5
• HOUSE VISITS: THREE

A genuine fun, gory, bloody good time. Giggles is quick, simple, and to the point. It pulls no punches and comes right at you. Love the actor's in here too. They bring it with every visit.

---

4. AVP: ALIEN VS PREDATOR

• CURRENT RATING: 4.5/5
• HOUSE VISITS: FOUR

The problem I've had with my last few visits in AVP, is in the intensity by the actor's. It seems they may have taken a small step back in here. I'm not sure why, but I do know there was a medical issue in the House at some point last week. Perhaps that is why. Still, AVP is a great House, with sets, and a genuine sense of fun.

---

3. THE WALKING DEAD: END OF THE LINE

• CURRENT RATING: 4.5/5
• HOUSE VISITS: TWO

My, oh, my. If this is indeed the last year for The Walking Dead, they have certainly gone out with a bang. This House is phenomenally done. It's large, intense, creepy, and has some killer scenery. One of my best scares so far at HHN XXIV, has come inside this House. Just a remarkable job in here. There's some nifty sight gags within the House too that work really well. I really dig the facade as well. Shocker...

---

2. DOLLHOUSE OF THE DAMNED

• CURRENT RATING: 5/5
• HOUSE VISITS: FOUR

Dollhouse went over the top for me on Saturday. Two other of my biggest scares at HHN XXIV so far, came in this House on Saturday. Dollhouse nails you with its creepy and weird vibe, then beats you with the scares. I got "the smell" on Saturday too. That just upped the ante. A terrific House, and one of HHN's best.

---

1. HALLOWEEN

• CURRENT RATING: 5/5
• HOUSE VISITS: FOUR

Halloween is still hands down, the best House at HHN XXIV. It really is a perfect House. Everything is executed so brilliantly. One of the fun things I've taken to doing, is trying to spot as many Michael Myers as I possibly can. Trust me when I say, he is EVERYWHERE in here. I love the "surprise" ending too. It's a great spot to people watch if you can do so.

---

---

SCARE ZONE RANKINGS AS OF 9/27/14

4. BAYOU OF BLOOD

• CURRENT RATING: 2/5

This zone is quickly becoming a huge disaster. With the sacrifice show on hold (maybe indefinitely), nothing in here quite works. It's also still too dark to really see anything as well. Quite disappointed.

---

3. MASKERADE: UNSTITCHED

• CURRENT RATING: 3.5/5

The actor's in here are starting to find a rhythm. They were super aggressive on Saturday night, going after person after person. Still a great Zone to hang out and people watch.

---

2. FACE OFF: IN THE FLESH

• CURRENT RATING: 3.5/5

Like MASKerade, the minions who walk around the carious characters, are also starting to find their groove. They weren't holding back this week, and were going after as many people as possible. I especially like the pig-sack-face guys. They are awesome.

---

1. THE PURGE: ANARCHY

• CURRENT RATING: 4.5/5

Still one of the best Scare Zones HHN has done in quite some time. Everything just flows in here. From the auction show, to the kidnapping of victims, to the Purgers in the streets, it's just a great Scare Zone.

---

---

SHOWS

BILL & TED'S EXCELLENT HALLOWEEN ADVENTURE

• CURRENT RATING: 3.5/5

I did not find this year's show quite as funny as last year's. Granted, it's still one of the better Bill & Ted shows, but I found it lacking. Yes, they poke fun at the Mouse a lot; some of it works, other stuff doesn't. Still, it's not horrible by any means, I just liked last year's better.

---

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW: A TRIBUTE

Rocky Horror is what it is. I'm not going to rate it, as it's the same show every year. If you dig the show, you will like the tribute show. As far as the "censoring" of call-backs goes, I didn't hear as many as I used to in year's past.

---

---

    That concludes this week at HHN. I'm not sure how this week will play out. I have an unexpected family issue that I need to take care of, so we'll see how the week goes. Can't wait to go back in the near future!