‘Tis the time of year that I love so much. It’s ghost and goblin time and my favorite month of the year, more than my birthday and more than Christmas. It combines two elements that I enjoy – dressing up into characters and scary movies galore to watch throughout the month. 31 Days of Halloween.
As a tribute to my favorite time of the season I have compiled a list of must-see films that I feel have key components that would elude that they are scary. A little chill in your bones, a goolish character(s), dramatic special effects or the ominous feeling of possible reality. Then there are those that are just plain fun to watch during the Halloween season.
In no specific order:
Scary Reality
The Blair Witch Project
The Blair Witch Project (1999): Three film students travel to Maryland to make a student film about a local urban legend. Thought to be a documentary and styled as such…makes you think there is something more hiding in the woods than just wild animals. I remember seeing this movie in the theaters and thought it was good but wasn’t really provoked by fear but then I decided to watch it at night in my room alone with no one home…and the end really freaked me out. It’s a goody. No popcorn needed for this one.
The Strangers (2008): A young couple staying in an isolated vacation home are terrorized by three unknown assailants. Another scary thriller that I didn’t think much of but thought what the heck, I’ll watch it. Okay not a good idea to stay at a home in the deep woods with no one around to hear you. Torturess/Demented individuals coming knocking on your door…don’t answer the door. Popcorn is a good snack of choice but not too much.
Scary Elusive
The Others
Gothika (2003): Stars the gorgeous, just-want-to-be-her Halle Berry. It’s got great elements of chilling suspense, paranoramal characters and a twisted ending. The cast assembled of Halle Berry, Robert Downey Jr. and Penelope Cruz.
The Others (2001): I am a big fan of period pieces and this one reminds me a bit of the Six Sense with it’s twisted ending. A woman who lives in a darkened old house with her two photosensitive children becomes convinced that her family home is haunted. Nicole Kidman gives a chilling performance as the mother protecting her young from lurking trouble. But you find out that there is more to their life than what they think. A great movie that keeps you on your toes. I would recommend Sour Patch Kids with this one.
The Six Sense (1999): A boy who communicates with spirits that don’t know they’re dead seeks the help of a disheartened child psychologist. Okay if you haven’t seen this movie yet what rock have you been living under? Get out and rent it this October. It is spine-chilling, keeping you alert throughout the whole flick. By far, M. Night Shyamalan’s best movie. No popcorn needed.
The Ring (2002): A young journalist must investigate a mysterious videotape which seems to cause the
The Ring
death of anyone in a week of viewing it. This flick is truly wicked to watch and to listen to. The noises coming out of some characters mouths run shivers up your back..seriously. I hope to never have a child like Samara and don’t wish her on my worst enemy. Crazy psycho-visual movie! Definitely eat after watching…not for the sensitive stomach.
Seven (1995): A veteran detective (Morgan Freeman) getting ready to retire and a newbie (Brad Pitt) work together to find a serial killer using the seven deadly sins as a means to an end of his opus. It’s gory, spin-chilling and even though Brad Pitt is a damn handsome man you have to admire him for his acting abilities in the film. Another visually gruesome tale so be weary of snacking if you can’t handle it.
Scary Tradition
The Exorcist
An American Werewolf in London (1981): Two American tourists are attacked by a werewolf and one turns into one. A classic blood-and-guts picture that has some wicked cool special effects for it’s day…David (tourist) turning into a werewolf.
The Exorcist (1973): A child is possessed by a mysterious entity and her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter. One of the scariest flicks of all time. Linda Blair is petrifying turning from an innocent child into a possessed demon. Stay away from any green-colored food.
Psycho (1960): Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates, a child trapped in a man’s body pyschologically bound to his mother. Alfred Hitchcock is a genius with the camera…no special effects needed, just the right angles and the haunting music make the movie a success. I would recommend Raisnets with this pic.
Nightmare on Elm Street (1984): Freddy Krueger, a monster of the mind, hides inside your dreams where if you fall asleep and he kills you…you’re gone in real life. I hate that Tina dies in the beginning, not fair. I do enjoy Johnny Depp’s performance…the beginning of his career started with this thriller. It’s almost comical to watch now. It’s a good watch with Haribo’s Gummy Bears. (Please watch the original…much better than the remakes.)
The Shining (1980): A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where an evil and spiritual
The Shining
presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from the past and of the future. You have to love Jack Nicholson in this movie. With great lines like “Here’s Johnny…All Work and No Play, Makes Jack a Dull Boy…Redrum.” With a director like Stanley Kubrick and a novel written by Stephen King this horror movie was sure to be a classic. Omnious feelings start to creep up as the family becomes isolated from the world in a snow storm – where Jack meets the Overlook’s staff and his son seeing death and blood everywhere. For a truly perfect horror flick I would sit down to this movie with a large bowl of popcorn and settle in.
Shadows of a Vampire (2000): The filming of Nosferatu is hampered by the fact that the star is taking his role far more seriously than what seems humanly possible. The story of Nosferatu has been around for a long time as the origin vampire. A behind the scenes view of the making of the original black and white movie. A vampire movie is definitely a must for this season and this one is pretty good with William Dafoe playing the creepy but touching Nosferatu.
Scary Zombies
Pet Sematary
28 Days Later (2002): Four weeks after a mysterious, incurable virus spreads throughout the UK, a handful of survivors try to find sanctuary. A cool zombie flick where a “rage” virus turns humans into zombies…a voilent action picture.
Pet Sematary (1989): A family has just moved to a new house in the countryside. Their house is perfect, except for two things: the semi-trailers that roar past on the narrow road, and the mysterious cemetary in the woods behind the house. Another novel-turned-movie by Stephen King. Two things in this movie are chilling…the baby boy zombie and Rachel’s sister, Zelda who was a diseased monster thing.
Scary Fun
Young Frankenstein
Young Frankenstein (1974): Dr. Frankenstein’s grandson, after years of living down the family reputation, inherits granddad’s castle and repeats the experiments. Fun quotes: “YES. YES. Say it. He vas my… BOYFRIEND.” “No, it’s pronounced “eye-gor.” “Abby-Normal something” “I was going to make espresso” Mel Brooks really knows how to put on a good show.
Zombieland (2009): A student, a man on the search of a Twinkie and two con-women come together to survive the plight of a world full of zombies. Bill Murray makes a killer appearance that has you balling and crying at the same time as himself. With Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg and Emma Stone. As a salute to Zombieland have a Twinkie while watching.
Shaun of the Dead (2004): A man decides to turn his moribund life around by winning back his ex-girlfriend, reconciling his relationship with his mother, and dealing with an entire community that has returned from the dead to eat the living. A funny British comedy with really funny moments and some cool soundtrack music.
Rocky Horror Picture Show(1975): A newly engaged couple have a breakdown in an isolated area
Rocky Horror Picture Show
and must pay a call to the bizarre residence of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. This movie is a classic and has a major cult following. With every character having been a popular costume for Halloween. Everyone wants to be Dr. Frank-N-Furter and the movie is played every Halloween.
Beetlejuice (1988): A couple of recently deceased ghosts contract the services of a “bio-exorcist” in order to remove the obnoxious new owners of their house. One of Tim Burton’s first major movies starring Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin and Michael Keaton as the infamous Beetlejuice.
Scary TV Show
American Horror Story on FX
American Horror Story (2011): This fall season starts a new show on FX about a Boston city family stricken with family relationship straints moves out to California to a beautiful victorian mansion where they hope to start anew with a baby on the way but the houses’ previous owners bring new light to the history of it. From the creators of Nip/Tuck and Glee and starring Connie Britton, Dylon McDermott and Jessica Lange. Every episode unravels more and more secrets of the house and stick more and more haunting thoughts into your memory. I can’t wait what the next episode will unveil. Shown on FX on Wednesday nights at 10PM.
Well Kids! Thanks for watching.
What ‘s your favorite scary movie?
