Monday 27 July 2015

Love and Other Mysteries: Top 5 Sleuthing Couples in Pop Culture

In honour of mystery and romance, a favourite combo here at our Vancouver escape game, we take a look at five of the sleuthiest, mystery solving-est couples from pop culture.

5. Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling

There’s no way FBI agent Clarice would’ve caught serial killer Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs without some sage—albeit creepy—advice from Hannibal. It may be a bit controversial to call them a couple, but there are definitely some sparks between the two—and they eventually share a smooch in the 2001 sequel, Hannibal.


4. Nancy Drew and Ned Nickerson

A pure and innocent counterpoint to Lecter and Starling, Nancy and her sometimes beau Ned solve many a low-stakes crime together throughout the book series. Although Nancy takes the sleuthing lead, Ned never fails to be nearby when a rescue from a life-threatening situation is in order.


3. Fox Mulder and Dana Scully

It may take them seven seasons to finally lock lips, but the X-Files’ Mulder and Scully prove that extraterrestrial mystery solving and romance can go hand in hand. And who knows where the reboot (currently being filmed right here in Van) will take the duo’s love affair!


2. Daphne Blake and Fred Jones

Though their relationship isn’t always clear in the original cartoon (are they? aren’t they?), there’s no doubting the love between Scooby Doo’s Daphne and Fred in the 2000s live-action franchise. Yes, Fred may not always pick up on Daphne’s advances, but it’s clear she’s always his number 1 when it comes to busting faux ghosts.


1. Special Agent Dale Cooper and Audrey Horne

While all of the mystery-solving couples on this list seem intent on keeping their romantic feelings at bay, it’s Twin Peaks’ Agent Cooper and Audrey who may go to the greatest lengths. Nevertheless, their chemistry is undeniable, as is their shared desire to solve the mystery of Laura Palmer’s death, at any cost.



Monday 20 July 2015

There's Something in the Air at Krakit Escape Game

Are you a Vancouver-area single? Are you on the quest for that special someone, or perhaps looking to get back in the dating game? Ever thought to yourself: “I wish I could find the guy/gal of my dreams—but I really need to know how they react in an emergency situation first?” Well, haven’t we all.

Lucky for you, this Wednesday (July 22) the first of four weekly Singles Dating Events goes off at Krakit Escape Game in Burnaby.

We’re all about the real, live experience here at Krakit. Instead of sitting you down in front of a video game or a scary movie, we drop you right in the action. It’s no different with our Singles Nights: instead of matchmaking online, getting you to fill out an endless form about your likes and dislikes, we throw you all in a room (two, actually) and give you a chance to mingle—while attempting to save the entire group from getting their brains eaten by zombies.

There’s nothing like a ticking clock and a bit of life-or-death pressure to bring out people’s true personalities. Will you fall for the hero? For the clever-clogs who cracks the first clue? Maybe it’s the lady who brings much-needed comic relief who’ll take your heart—assuming the Butcher doesn’t get it first, of course.

It’ll make a much radder story for the grandkids than showing them your matching dating profile checklists, right?


Krakit’s Singles Dating Events take place for the next four Wednesdays:
July 22, July 29, August 5 (LGBT), and August 12 (postponed until further notice)

Play two 25-minute games and meet 6 or 7 likeminded possible dates. Groupings are done by age: 19–24, 24–30, 31–38, 39–45, 45–58.

Pre-registration is necessary; there’ll be no walk-ins allowed, folks. Call 604-484-6552 to register a spot, or to find out more info.

Tuesday 14 July 2015

The Great Vancouver Escape (Game)

You may have heard about some heinous happenings taking place near the border of Burnaby and Coquitlam. A few unlicensed surgeries and some mystery meat being served here and there.

Luckily these diabolical events in Metro Vancouver are happening in the safety of Krakit Escape Game’s loving arms. We’ve captured some of the suspenseful—and bloody—moments on film for your viewing pleasure. It’s just a little taste of what awaits adventure-seekers in Krakit’s four escape rooms:



If you dare take on our Butcher room, you’ll find yourself locked in a meat cooler with an insane knife-wielding butcher itching to get you on his chopping block. For those who find the idea of a lobotomy less than appealing, our Asylum room will give you the right motivation to solve the clues and make your escape.

Maybe you’ve been planning for the Zombie Apocalypse since you were a child (who hasn’t, right?). If so, then our Zombie room provides just the chills and thrills you’ve been hoping for.

For those who like to have the bejeesus scared out of them minus the gore, we’ve created the perfect stomach-dropping moment in our One Night Stand room: figure out what happened last night before the game is up.

No matter which challenge you choose, you get 45 minutes to crack Krakit’s escape rooms. Escape games require a mix of ingenuity, smarts, and determination to solve. Put together the perfect team, and you just might have a chance of escaping the clutches of a bloodthirsty maniac or your own drunken decision. Only time will tell.

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for our next room theme, which will be ripe for cracking closer to September. After all, we just want to keep you on your toes at Krakit Escape Game—and maybe get a scream or two.

Tuesday 7 July 2015

The 10 Best All-Too-Human Captors in Film

Last post we paid homage to the most intense, most inescapable captors of cinema who are “Alien, Beastly, or Supernatural.” Now we turn our attention to those kidnappers, hijackers, and general captivity-lovers who could be any one of us—and are all the more terrifying for it.

These big screen bad guys don’t have the excuse of being a hell-sent demon or an alien incapable of empathy: they are all-too-human. Ah, well, at least they give us some excellent inspiration for our escape rooms here at Vancouver’s Krakit! (Warning: spoilers ahead)

10. The kids from House Arrest


It’s everyone’s worst nightmare: kids who think they know better than you do—and have access to padlocks and a basement where no one can hear you scream. Worst of all: they want you to talk out all your problems. Ugh!




9. Ryan from House at the End of the Street

Sure, he seems all shy and sweet, but really he’s just waiting to make his (psychological) problems your problem. Also, has a disturbingly large supply of blue contacts.

8. Vincent from Collateral

Here’s a captor who makes no bones about his sociopathic tendencies. Hitman Vincent (Tom Cruise) holds Max (Jamie Foxx) hostage in the man’s own taxi while he goes around calmly offing people in LA. It’s Vincent’s indifference that chills here.

7. Buffalo Bill from The Silence of the Lambs 


Completely the opposite of Collateral’s Vincent is Jame “Buffalo Bill” Gumb: he’s a ball of anxiety when it comes to his captivity obsession. He also uses a decidedly more terrifying deep dark well to hold his victims, as compared to the comforts of a cab.


6. Mann from Interstellar

Though a relatively minor character in Interstellar, Matt Damon’s Mann gets props for trying to entrap his fellow spacepeople on a far distant planet with no hope of returning to earth. He’s got vision, if not the ability to pull it off.

5. Jigsaw from Saw

A complete icon in the horror-captivity genre, Jigsaw not only holds his victims in the creepiest of traps (dirty subterranean bathroom, anyone?), but forces them to play the worst “Would You Rather” games in the history of … ever.





4. Annie Wilkes from Misery

There’s a reason Kathy Bates won an Oscar for this role, and it has a lot to do with that deadened stare that says: “I really don’t want you to die, but I also don’t want you to ever walk again, either.”

3. Max from In Fear

Max, from 2013 low-budget indie In Fear, is a stunning combination of insane and vindictive, yet still cunning and resourceful enough to turn a simple country road into a labyrinth even Theseus couldn’t escape.

2. The serial killer siblings from The People Under the Stairs

“Mother” and “Father” from Wes Craven’s 1991 flick feature so high on our list for their captivity commitment: they keep several children under their stairs (and in their walls) for years. That’s like a full-time job.

1. The captivity company from Oldboy

The people that imprison Dae-Su make an entire business out of holding people captive—for decades at a time. If someone’s willing to pay them, they’re willing to make sure you never see sunlight again. And, y’know, go stark raving mad.