The best home movie channels are never a replacement for a trip to the cinema - just not the horror films. And when it comes to scary spectacles, it’s the prospect of some Michael Jackson ‘Thriller’ moves live on stage

I love watching a good film. Particularly at this time of year, when you can curl up on the sofa for a couple of hours and immerse yourself in a world of make believe. But there is still nothing that quite beats the whole experience of going to the cinema. From the smell of the popcorn in the foyer as you walk in to the cozy darkness that wraps itself around you and the comfy seats. There’s something about watching a giant-sized Brad Pitt on the big screen that brings a warm glow to your cheeks even on the coldest winter day.

I’m not overly fussy about what I watch, which is lucky because my other half is. And that would be fine if it weren’t for the fact that usually about an hour into most films, just as I’m getting particularly gripped by the plot and tension is building, the faint sound of snoring can be heard coming from the seat next to me. It always makes me think that maybe I should have made a slightly stronger case for watching the latest rom com if he was just going to nod off anyway.

The only films I will absolutely not watch are horror films. I just don’t get them. I’m not really one for gore and I don’t find anything entertaining about being scared. I would much rather come out of the cinema laughing at a film than having to sleep with the bedroom light on.

You would think with my aversion to ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump in the night, that October would fill me with a sense of dread. The funny thing is I really love Halloween. I have done since I was a child, from carving a pumpkin with a scary (or slightly comical) face on and apple bobbing - although it’s never advisable to be one of the last people to have a go - to dressing up as a witch. To me, it’s all part of the celebration.

We always have plenty of sweets ready in our house in case the local children knock on the door for that all American phenomenon of Trick or Treating. Although I have a sneaking suspicion this is more about my other half having an excuse to indulge his sweet tooth.

My band Hustle has a gig this Hallowe’en at the Kings Arms in Portesham. We’ve been busy learning Thriller by Michael Jackson - sadly without the dance moves. I did try to talk the band into it but let it drop after I was asked if I would like to fly to the gig on my broomstick! Dance moves aside, I do think it’s important the band gets in the ‘spirit’ of things and dresses up for the occasion. Just as long as the costumes aren’t too scary - after all I don’t want to be sleeping with the lights on...

Maria’s Band of the Month - The Chris Taylor Band

Soulful and melodic, it’s easy to tell that Chris Taylor’s well crafted songs take inspiration from artists as diverse as Fleetwood Mac, James Taylor and Peter Frampton. As well as Chris on vocals and guitar, The Chris Taylor Band draws on the talents of Michael Keane on drums, and bassist and vocalist Dave Phillips. Moves I Make is the title of the band’s new EP released this month on Weymouth music producer Mike Hallet’s record label, Octopia. The three-track offering is a prelude to a new album, and also features a guest appearance from ex-Pretenders’ guitarist Robbie McIntosh. The EP is available on iTunes or at christaylorband.com.

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