It's October (close enough to it), and that means pumpkin spice everything, autumn, Halloween, and the 31 day horror movie challenge. The goal is to watch 31 horror films during the month and share what you've seen. If you can't reach 31 movies, that's okay too: post about whatever you see anyways. You never know what everyone has or hasn't seen.
In regards to spoilers, use your best judgment.
(The Witch - 2016)
Where to watch:
https://www.shudder.com/
http://www.hulu.com
https://www.netflix.com/
https://www.amazon.com/
*Note-You can get a free trial with all of the above*
Also, On demand (or whatever variant for the different cable providers) for everyone that's still subscribed to a provider.
I don't know where to start:
That's cool. Ask away. If gory films aren't your thing, there are plenty of cerebral horror films that will leave you shook. If you want to watch a bunch of fuckbois/gals do silly shit, the genre has it in spades. Someone here can point you in the right direction.
I really don't know where to start:
2016 has brought us "The Witch" and "The Conjuring 2", so if you haven't seen them, toss them on your list.
But, I've seen the major films:
Good Luck
In regards to spoilers, use your best judgment.
(The Witch - 2016)Where to watch:
https://www.shudder.com/
http://www.hulu.com
https://www.netflix.com/
https://www.amazon.com/
*Note-You can get a free trial with all of the above*
Also, On demand (or whatever variant for the different cable providers) for everyone that's still subscribed to a provider.
I don't know where to start:
That's cool. Ask away. If gory films aren't your thing, there are plenty of cerebral horror films that will leave you shook. If you want to watch a bunch of fuckbois/gals do silly shit, the genre has it in spades. Someone here can point you in the right direction.
I really don't know where to start:
2016 has brought us "The Witch" and "The Conjuring 2", so if you haven't seen them, toss them on your list.
But, I've seen the major films:
By Apollo Go To PostI'm going to try my best to join in but it won't be a full 31 movies.
Anyways, here's a cool starter list.
http://www.indiewire.com/gallery/31-great-horror-movies-you-might-not-have-seen/#!1/the-addiction-1995/
Good Luck
I need help with a list, my damn self. lol.
So far:
-The Shallows
-Lights Out
-Ava's Possessions
-Holidays
-Spring
So far:
-The Shallows
-Lights Out
-Ava's Possessions
-Holidays
-Spring
By Apollo Go To PostSociety if you haven't seen it.Definitely watch this if you want something completely fucked up.
When you're tired of winning
When you get tired of fame
Or when your head is spinning
And you've drunk all the best champagne
Then we'll all sing together
To society we'll be true
Then we'll all sing together
Society waits for you
I would love to get into this.
Sadly, I don't really know where to start. Not sure if I know 31 horror movies. It is a genre I have never really gotten into.
Sadly, I don't really know where to start. Not sure if I know 31 horror movies. It is a genre I have never really gotten into.
How do you ease in this genre
I get horror shook easy. I think about RE in VR and I start sweating . Wife talking about going to a haunted house/woods for Halloween and I'm giving her the side eye...
I get horror shook easy. I think about RE in VR and I start sweating . Wife talking about going to a haunted house/woods for Halloween and I'm giving her the side eye...
Cool idea, anyone have any recommendations? I'm honestly not that familiar with horror films except for the big ones.
Going to start with Witch!
Going to start with Witch!
By Totti x 40 Go To PostI would love to get into this.
Sadly, I don't really know where to start. Not sure if I know 31 horror movies. It is a genre I have never really gotten into.
I would suggest starting from some "older" films (the classics) and working your way up. From there, you'll figure out which types of horror films you're cool with and the others that you'll want to avoid (if any at all).
*Random movies off the top of my head*
Halloween (John Carpenter - 1978)
The Thing
Alien
The Exorcist
The Shining
Rosemary's Baby
Psycho
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
The Fly
The Evil Dead
Nightmare on Elm Street
Nosferatu
Carnival of Souls
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Apollo and LFMartins86 recommend "Society".
And that's before getting into foreign films and the like. Those movies are the ones that you'll find on damn near any top 10-100 list, and for good reason. A lot of them have elements that have been (or should have been) cycled through the genre....and they're flat out good. Some have a focus on gore and others don't. None of those are extremely draining to watch. Now, if you want something a little bit harsher, then you can take a gander at the more exploitative ones like,
The Last House on the left (wes craven's take on the Virgin Spring)
Cannibal Holocaust
I Spit on Your Grave
I tend not to throw people just starting out, straight to those types of movies. lol. If you can deal with them, then venture forth.
Start old and move through the decades:
90's focused heavy on slashers
Early 2000's had a European Extreme tinge, while also borrow from Asia
Late 2000's felt like the start of the haunted house craze with Paranormal Activity (We never actually left this phase)
Zombie and Vampire films cycle back and forth, every other year.
I didn't list them, but even films from the Nosferatu and Dr. Caligari eras were fire.
By Smokey Go To PostHow do you ease in this genre
I get horror shook easy. I think about RE in VR and I start sweating . Wife talking about going to a haunted house/woods for Halloween and I'm giving her the side eye…
She's trying to throw you in the deep end. lol.
VR is a totally different beast, imo. Even with an overactive imagination watching a film in total darkness, you can place yourself in the characters shoes...with the realization that you're still in your own world. VR takes the safety net away...completely. lol.
Start with the older films. Some of them might be scary to you, but a good amount of them have more going on than just jump scare after jump scare. I say this, fully knowing that that can (and does) make the film scarier, but eh. You're probably a bit more desensitized than you'll give yourself credit...especially by the ones that have been parodied to hell and back...like The Exorcist.
Take "The Exorcist." It's a good movie and one can place themselves in the world that the film presents...but, it's a lot easier having not seen the fifty zillion parodies that sprung up in the 90's/2000's.
By vire Go To PostCool idea, anyone have any recommendations? I'm honestly not that familiar with horror films except for the big ones.
Going to start with Witch!
Possession
May
Excision
Apparently, we should all watch "The Wailing"
I'm going to try my best to join in but it won't be a full 31 movies.
Anyways, here's a cool starter list.
http://www.indiewire.com/gallery/31-great-horror-movies-you-might-not-have-seen/#!1/the-addiction-1995/
Anyways, here's a cool starter list.
http://www.indiewire.com/gallery/31-great-horror-movies-you-might-not-have-seen/#!1/the-addiction-1995/
Goddamn, The Wailing looks good.
I got :
-Alien Quadrilogy (any excuse to bust out the BluRay is a good one)
-Event Horizon
-Mimic
-Conjuring 1 & 2
-Nightmare on Elm Street marathon (do this every year with some friends, we usually skip 5 & 6)
-The Thing (remake)
-The Neon Demon
-Mind's Eye
-Evil Dead (remake)
-I Spit on your Grave 1&2&3
-The Fly
-The Exorcist
-The Omen
-Children of the Corn
-Child's Play
Maybe add The Wailing if I can find it, subbed.
I got :
-Alien Quadrilogy (any excuse to bust out the BluRay is a good one)
-Event Horizon
-Mimic
-Conjuring 1 & 2
-Nightmare on Elm Street marathon (do this every year with some friends, we usually skip 5 & 6)
-The Thing (remake)
-The Neon Demon
-Mind's Eye
-Evil Dead (remake)
-I Spit on your Grave 1&2&3
-The Fly
-The Exorcist
-The Omen
-Children of the Corn
-Child's Play
Maybe add The Wailing if I can find it, subbed.
By Lupercal Go To PostMaybe add The Wailing if I can find it, subbed.
It's on Amazon.
By EldritchTrapStar Go To PostIt's on Amazon.
Thanks brah, Ordered it ;)
By Apollo Go To PostI'm going to try my best to join in but it won't be a full 31 movies.There's some really good stuff in there, I'm finally going to watch Les Yeux Sans Visage this year.
Anyways, here's a cool starter list.
http://www.indiewire.com/gallery/31-great-horror-movies-you-might-not-have-seen/#!1/the-addiction-1995/
God Told Me To is on that list and it is a complete mindfuck, truly one of the strangest movies I ever seen.
By EldritchTrapStar Go To PostI would suggest starting from some "older" films (the classics) and working your way up. From there, you'll figure out which types of horror films you're cool with and the others that you'll want to avoid (if any at all).
*Random movies off the top of my head*
Halloween (John Carpenter - 1978)
The Thing
Alien
The Exorcist
The Shining
Rosemary's Baby
Psycho
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
The Fly
The Evil Dead
Nightmare on Elm Street
Nosferatu
Carnival of Souls
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Apollo and LFMartins86 recommend "Society".
And that's before getting into foreign films and the like. Those movies are the ones that you'll find on damn near any top 10-100 list, and for good reason. A lot of them have elements that have been (or should have been) cycled through the genre….and they're flat out good. Some have a focus on gore and others don't. None of those are extremely draining to watch. Now, if you want something a little bit harsher, then you can take a gander at the more exploitative ones like,
The Last House on the left (wes craven's take on the Virgin Spring)
Cannibal Holocaust
I Spit on Your Grave
I tend not to throw people just starting out, straight to those types of movies. lol. If you can deal with them, then venture forth.
Start old and move through the decades:
90's focused heavy on slashers
Early 2000's had a European Extreme tinge, while also borrow from Asia
Late 2000's felt like the start of the haunted house craze with Paranormal Activity (We never actually left this phase)
Zombie and Vampire films cycle back and forth, every other year.
I didn't list them, but even films from the Nosferatu and Dr. Caligari eras were fire.
She's trying to throw you in the deep end. lol.
VR is a totally different beast, imo. Even with an overactive imagination watching a film in total darkness, you can place yourself in the characters shoes…with the realization that you're still in your own world. VR takes the safety net away…completely. lol.
Start with the older films. Some of them might be scary to you, but a good amount of them have more going on than just jump scare after jump scare. I say this, fully knowing that that can (and does) make the film scarier, but eh. You're probably a bit more desensitized than you'll give yourself credit…especially by the ones that have been parodied to hell and back…like The Exorcist.
Take "The Exorcist." It's a good movie and one can place themselves in the world that the film presents…but, it's a lot easier having not seen the fifty zillion parodies that sprung up in the 90's/2000's.
im so pure that I haven't seen the exorcist or parodies, but I know what the movie is about and what happens. I just can't watch the shit. Saw picture of oh girl and said I'm good. Thinking about it, I tend to stay away from things dealing with spirits and demons. I know some people be like it ain't real etc, but I can't get down with a demons. I'm not overly religious, but I'm enough to be where I just can't do it 😂.
I can deal with slashers to a point. I loved Saw 1 and 2, but after that nah.
Suspiria is great. It's a great film for letting go of all notions of narrative and plot, and just enjoying the rising and retreating tides of mood and imagery.
And so it begins...
Day 1
Outstanding movie. Filled with atmosphere, this epic Korean movie will keep your attention for all of it's 160 minutes and it's well worth it.
A string of shocking murders plagues a small town coinciding with the arrival of a strange Japanese man and strange sightings in the woods.
The residents are paranoid, the police can't seem to understand what´s happening and one police officer will have a personal connection to the case.
Na Hong-jin´s direction is masterful, toying with the viewer and keeping it guessing all the way to it´s shocking ending.
It will require patience and your full attention as the movie is filled with characters and the plot can become a bit confusing but I really liked it.
Day 1
Outstanding movie. Filled with atmosphere, this epic Korean movie will keep your attention for all of it's 160 minutes and it's well worth it.
A string of shocking murders plagues a small town coinciding with the arrival of a strange Japanese man and strange sightings in the woods.
The residents are paranoid, the police can't seem to understand what´s happening and one police officer will have a personal connection to the case.
Na Hong-jin´s direction is masterful, toying with the viewer and keeping it guessing all the way to it´s shocking ending.
It will require patience and your full attention as the movie is filled with characters and the plot can become a bit confusing but I really liked it.
By Elchele Go To PostIs Children of the Corn any good?Children of the Corn is a film I wish was better. It's one of those ideas that has the potential to be a great scornful film about religion and rural isolationism, like, it's the kind of film that seems perfect for someone like Lynch.
But the film itself always disappoints. :(
Day - 1
The Shallows is way more entertaining than I thought it was going to be. lol. The shark in the movie absolutely despises humanity. It must be related to the sharks in "The Deep Blue Sea" and was out for revenge. It's got some really ridiculous moments (Super Mario Bros 3 Jellyfish segment...lol) and an abundance of cg, but the film knows what it is.
The seagull in the film is in the running for goat status.
The Shallows is way more entertaining than I thought it was going to be. lol. The shark in the movie absolutely despises humanity. It must be related to the sharks in "The Deep Blue Sea" and was out for revenge. It's got some really ridiculous moments (Super Mario Bros 3 Jellyfish segment...lol) and an abundance of cg, but the film knows what it is.
The seagull in the film is in the running for goat status.
By Apollo Go To PostIs Predator a horror flick? If so that was my number one.Yeah, it qualifies. It´s big on the action but it is essentially a bogeyman horror movie just instead of teens as the victims you have a team of kickass soldiers.
Train to Busan was ok. 6.5/10
Typical zombie film, but at least the main characters were better than in american counterparts
Typical zombie film, but at least the main characters were better than in american counterparts
Day 2
I love anthology movies so I was really looking forward to idea of 5 horror stories in a desert road interlinked together seemed like a great premise to me but I came out a bit disappointed. Southbound isn't bad at all but they felt that stories were a bit short and they lacked a bit of a punch to it.
I'm fine with directors letting things up to the interpretation of the audience but I felt that here a bit of more of exposition would have helped the movie, especially in the last story.
It's still a quite decent movie and it seems like a lot of people love it so I might just be missing something.
I love anthology movies so I was really looking forward to idea of 5 horror stories in a desert road interlinked together seemed like a great premise to me but I came out a bit disappointed. Southbound isn't bad at all but they felt that stories were a bit short and they lacked a bit of a punch to it.
I'm fine with directors letting things up to the interpretation of the audience but I felt that here a bit of more of exposition would have helped the movie, especially in the last story.
It's still a quite decent movie and it seems like a lot of people love it so I might just be missing something.
I really enjoyed the wrap-around for Southbound as well as the accident/hospital story. As a whole though, it wasn't my cup of tea.
Number 2:
The Neon Demon
Take every bad rumor, stereotype, and actuality of the modeling industry, and blend it with Refn's eye for visuals and you have The Neon Demon. This movie is every bit as stylish as one could expect, as well as being equal parts nauseating. While it take some cues from Suspiria (well...more than cues in the third act), it's way more overt with it's storytelling (yea...I know): this industry is fucked...the end. The only thing the viewer can do is hope that Jesse can navigate the monsters that latch onto her naiveté, because there isn't an ounce of hope in this film in the slightest. It's pessimistic as fuck. There is zero subtlety here.
I still need to let it marinate, but eh. Enjoyed my time with it. I think it fits somewhere between Drive and Only God Forgives (swapping spots with Bronson in the middle). I will say this, if you're not a fan of Refn's work...I don't see this changing your mind. It's very much his signature style of storytelling...with a Giallo framework.
The third act was ridiculous. lol.
I really love how it's just a chill ass family that gets caught up in some shit.
That face melting scene was etched into my dreams. :(
Number 2:
The Neon Demon Take every bad rumor, stereotype, and actuality of the modeling industry, and blend it with Refn's eye for visuals and you have The Neon Demon. This movie is every bit as stylish as one could expect, as well as being equal parts nauseating. While it take some cues from Suspiria (well...more than cues in the third act), it's way more overt with it's storytelling (yea...I know): this industry is fucked...the end. The only thing the viewer can do is hope that Jesse can navigate the monsters that latch onto her naiveté, because there isn't an ounce of hope in this film in the slightest. It's pessimistic as fuck. There is zero subtlety here.
I still need to let it marinate, but eh. Enjoyed my time with it. I think it fits somewhere between Drive and Only God Forgives (swapping spots with Bronson in the middle). I will say this, if you're not a fan of Refn's work...I don't see this changing your mind. It's very much his signature style of storytelling...with a Giallo framework.
The third act was ridiculous. lol.
By data Go To PostI still think Poltergeist is the scariest horror film I've ever seen.
Like fuck man.
I really love how it's just a chill ass family that gets caught up in some shit.
That face melting scene was etched into my dreams. :(
Day 3
I loved the short film so I was kind of worried how they would expand that cool concept into a full movie but they managed to pull it off in quite an interesting matter.
Lights Out is more of a psychological thriller with a supernatural twist touching on the subject of mental issues, altough not in a deep and serious note as The Babadook. The cast did an excellent job, especially Maria Bello as the troubled mother of the family who´s struggling mentally.
Running at a lean 76 minute, David F. Sandberg keeps his focus on the story he wants to tell without any filler.
The Swedish director is one to watch in the future, he his currently working on the sequel to The Conjuring spin-off Annabelle.
I loved the short film so I was kind of worried how they would expand that cool concept into a full movie but they managed to pull it off in quite an interesting matter.
Lights Out is more of a psychological thriller with a supernatural twist touching on the subject of mental issues, altough not in a deep and serious note as The Babadook. The cast did an excellent job, especially Maria Bello as the troubled mother of the family who´s struggling mentally.
Running at a lean 76 minute, David F. Sandberg keeps his focus on the story he wants to tell without any filler.
The Swedish director is one to watch in the future, he his currently working on the sequel to The Conjuring spin-off Annabelle.
Day 4
Ok, so Phantasm : Ravager isn't a good movie for any newcomers, it might not even be a good movie at all. The plot is a mess, probably a result of a troubled production and the fact it originally started as a web series. The constant jumping around in timelines with very little explanation makes it confusing to follow and the script is weak.
But if you are a fan of the series and just take it as a collection of scenes around Reggie's fight against The Tall Man then you might have a good time.
Most of the original cast returns for the definite final chapter of the saga that unfortunately doesn't give us many of the answers that we were looking forward.
Still, it was good to see Angus Scrimm on his legendary role one final time.
Ok, so Phantasm : Ravager isn't a good movie for any newcomers, it might not even be a good movie at all. The plot is a mess, probably a result of a troubled production and the fact it originally started as a web series. The constant jumping around in timelines with very little explanation makes it confusing to follow and the script is weak.
But if you are a fan of the series and just take it as a collection of scenes around Reggie's fight against The Tall Man then you might have a good time.
Most of the original cast returns for the definite final chapter of the saga that unfortunately doesn't give us many of the answers that we were looking forward.
Still, it was good to see Angus Scrimm on his legendary role one final time.
Saw 31 last night, Rob Zombie's new film.
Well, it's a Zombie film all right, some nice framing shots and great use of colours/lighting.
But they're always something missing with them.
It's billed as horror but it misses suspense and fear. Either you love it or hate it, if you're a fan I'd watch.
Well, it's a Zombie film all right, some nice framing shots and great use of colours/lighting.
But they're always something missing with them.
It's billed as horror but it misses suspense and fear. Either you love it or hate it, if you're a fan I'd watch.
Number 3: The Darkness (2016)
Honestly, it's not fair to the film, but I tire of the minority having to come save white people from themselves, especially when they are the ones that end up getting hurt. This movie not only had the all knowing minority, but 2 other ones saving Kevin Bacon and family from ancient evil first nation brehs. lol. The film had a lot of elements that I liked (the familial dysfunction, how they interact with the autistic son, ancient ones, etc), but ultimately drops all of those plot points for the familiar oogie boogie jumpscares. :(
I'm not the type of person to demand bad endings in horror movies. In fact, a lot of the "good" endings people complain about aren't actually "good" in context of the story. Here, everything is tied up with a nice happy bow and some of the heavier elements are glossed over.
Honestly, it's not fair to the film, but I tire of the minority having to come save white people from themselves, especially when they are the ones that end up getting hurt. This movie not only had the all knowing minority, but 2 other ones saving Kevin Bacon and family from ancient evil first nation brehs. lol. The film had a lot of elements that I liked (the familial dysfunction, how they interact with the autistic son, ancient ones, etc), but ultimately drops all of those plot points for the familiar oogie boogie jumpscares. :(
I'm not the type of person to demand bad endings in horror movies. In fact, a lot of the "good" endings people complain about aren't actually "good" in context of the story. Here, everything is tied up with a nice happy bow and some of the heavier elements are glossed over.
Saw Alien together with my girl, her first time ever watching an Alien film. Reminded me of when I saw it first as a kid.
Complete and utter horror, we're seeing Aliens tonight.
Complete and utter horror, we're seeing Aliens tonight.
Been trying to watch a horror movie ever night. Missed the first few days
Watched the Witch...extremely extremely disappointing flick all around. Such a horrific waste of Ralph Inesons amazing presence.
Watched the Witch...extremely extremely disappointing flick all around. Such a horrific waste of Ralph Inesons amazing presence.
By Dark PhaZe Go To PostBeen trying to watch a horror movie ever night. Missed the first few daysYeah, wasn't my thing as well. All that mumbling as well.
Watched the Witch…extremely extremely disappointing flick all around. Such a horrific waste of Ralph Inesons amazing presence.
Day 5
This wasn't bad at all. I'm a sucker for found footage movies so I'm very easy to please but I actually found As Above So Below to be one of the better ones to come out lately. There´s nothing truly special about it but it was a solid movie from start to finish.
A group of explorers goes down into the catacombs of Paris to find the Philospher´s Stone but end up going deeper than they ever imagined.
It also doesn´t hurt that Perdita Weeks is really cute so watching her is not a bad way to waste 90 minutes.
The movie could have been a bit better if they expanded a bit more on the whole Hell premise.
This wasn't bad at all. I'm a sucker for found footage movies so I'm very easy to please but I actually found As Above So Below to be one of the better ones to come out lately. There´s nothing truly special about it but it was a solid movie from start to finish.
A group of explorers goes down into the catacombs of Paris to find the Philospher´s Stone but end up going deeper than they ever imagined.
It also doesn´t hurt that Perdita Weeks is really cute so watching her is not a bad way to waste 90 minutes.
The movie could have been a bit better if they expanded a bit more on the whole Hell premise.
Number 4 : Tell Me How I Die
It's a bit Twilight Zone(ish) mixed with Final Destination and the typical 90's/Early 2000's late teen-college student slasher. Pharmaceutical company makes a drug and tests it on a bunch of people. Some of the subjects start to feel the best side effect ever in a trial: being able to see the future. Of course, someone sees the deaths of...well everyone and the movie takes off.
It's got issues. Some of the dialogue doesn't come across the best and there was a character that just felt largely inconsequential to everything. The ending is abrupt as all hell. It felt like 1CCing an arcade game and killing a cool boss with no L, only to be greeted with a restart to the title screen when you win: not even a thanks for playing. That being said, I liked it. It had some cool sequences and I really enjoyed the premise.
It's a bit Twilight Zone(ish) mixed with Final Destination and the typical 90's/Early 2000's late teen-college student slasher. Pharmaceutical company makes a drug and tests it on a bunch of people. Some of the subjects start to feel the best side effect ever in a trial: being able to see the future. Of course, someone sees the deaths of...well everyone and the movie takes off.
It's got issues. Some of the dialogue doesn't come across the best and there was a character that just felt largely inconsequential to everything. The ending is abrupt as all hell. It felt like 1CCing an arcade game and killing a cool boss with no L, only to be greeted with a restart to the title screen when you win: not even a thanks for playing. That being said, I liked it. It had some cool sequences and I really enjoyed the premise.
By EldritchTrapStar Go To PostNumber 4 : Tell Me How I Die
Saw this one too a few weeks ago, not bad. But felt like a tv movie for some reason.
Day 6
I wanted to love Abattoir, I liked the style they were going for, a mixture of old noir ambient with modern elements (much like Gotham is doing on TV), the premisse of someone buying houses where murders happened and then ripping out the rooms where they happened is original and intriguing but the final product seemed a bit like a missed opportunity.
The beginning and the end were good but the middle was such a drag. The story was moving at a decent pace but I really didn´t care for the characters.
It's a well made product directed by Darren Lynn Bousman but ultimately the whole thing seemed a bit underwhelming.
It´s a shame because we don't get horror movies with this Lovecraft vibe, it kind of remembered me a bit of In The Mouth Of Madness at times which made the viewing experience worse because I kept thinking that I rather be watching that instead.
This was clearly made with sequels in mind and one was announced back in 2015 but I really don't know if they are still going ahead with me.
I'm kind of split one this one, part of me wants to recommend it to other people as I think there are good elements here but at the same time I´m struggling to call this anything above decent and even that might be pushing it.
I wanted to love Abattoir, I liked the style they were going for, a mixture of old noir ambient with modern elements (much like Gotham is doing on TV), the premisse of someone buying houses where murders happened and then ripping out the rooms where they happened is original and intriguing but the final product seemed a bit like a missed opportunity.
The beginning and the end were good but the middle was such a drag. The story was moving at a decent pace but I really didn´t care for the characters.
It's a well made product directed by Darren Lynn Bousman but ultimately the whole thing seemed a bit underwhelming.
It´s a shame because we don't get horror movies with this Lovecraft vibe, it kind of remembered me a bit of In The Mouth Of Madness at times which made the viewing experience worse because I kept thinking that I rather be watching that instead.
This was clearly made with sequels in mind and one was announced back in 2015 but I really don't know if they are still going ahead with me.
I'm kind of split one this one, part of me wants to recommend it to other people as I think there are good elements here but at the same time I´m struggling to call this anything above decent and even that might be pushing it.
Day 7
It's a classic and for all the good reasons. It still holds up today and 35th anniversary blu-ray restaures it to all it's glory.
Without Halloween we wouldn't have most of the great slasher movies, its influence is still felt to this day.
It's funny how most of the most significant details came to due to budget restraints. It was originally titled The Babysitter Murders and it was supposed to take place over several days but due to budgetary reasons they decided to have it all happen in one day so the shooting would be shorter and as they were filming in Autumn, they decided to have it happen during Halloween for bigger impact.
The creepy mask that Michael Myers was just a Willam Shatner Star Trek mask painted white as they were very cheap.
Incredibly, all this restrictions actually made the movie better and with a budget of 300.000$, Halloween ended up making nearly 50M$ in 1978 (which would be around 150M$ this days).
If you haven't watched this gem, do yourself a favor and watch it. The creepiness, the terrific soundtrack by Carpenter himself, it is all still very effective.
If you have watched it, the 35th anniversary BR is a good reason to watch it again.
It's a classic and for all the good reasons. It still holds up today and 35th anniversary blu-ray restaures it to all it's glory.
Without Halloween we wouldn't have most of the great slasher movies, its influence is still felt to this day.
It's funny how most of the most significant details came to due to budget restraints. It was originally titled The Babysitter Murders and it was supposed to take place over several days but due to budgetary reasons they decided to have it all happen in one day so the shooting would be shorter and as they were filming in Autumn, they decided to have it happen during Halloween for bigger impact.
The creepy mask that Michael Myers was just a Willam Shatner Star Trek mask painted white as they were very cheap.
Incredibly, all this restrictions actually made the movie better and with a budget of 300.000$, Halloween ended up making nearly 50M$ in 1978 (which would be around 150M$ this days).
If you haven't watched this gem, do yourself a favor and watch it. The creepiness, the terrific soundtrack by Carpenter himself, it is all still very effective.
If you have watched it, the 35th anniversary BR is a good reason to watch it again.
Number 5: The Wicker Man (2006)
So, I'm like the last person online to have seen this film(this is my first viewing of it...). Beneath the over-the-top-everything of the movie, there is a story at it's core that I enjoyed. A man dealing with PTSD going to overcome his failings as a cop, and save a life that he wasn't able to before. I am perfectly okay with the setting and setup, however...things take a turn for the tragic as soon the story hits the island. I just...wow. lmao. Everything about this movie is ridiculous -the scripting, the acting, the directing...it's crazy. I'm befuddled-.
Not the bees. Not the beeeeesss / 10
Number 6: Sweet Home
I'm kind of a sucker for home invasion films. As long as I don't get treated like an idiot, and the story doesn't start pulling dues ex machinas out of it's ass, then I'm usually fine with them.
Sweet Home is merely...okay...and I was enjoying myself, up until the end. Around the third act it starts to feel like it was running out of steam and characters that felt natural started to break and fall into the I-gotta-be-dumb-af-to-further-the-plot realm. Then, around 10 minutes left it has a boss battle that drags out the story. It felt super unnecessary and out of place. meh. All in all, the setup was actually pretty romantic for this type of film and it did have some tense moments. I'd probably be a bit more..."glowing" if not for that last act. It works. heh. It's also not the worst of these particular types that I've seen.
So, I'm like the last person online to have seen this film(this is my first viewing of it...). Beneath the over-the-top-everything of the movie, there is a story at it's core that I enjoyed. A man dealing with PTSD going to overcome his failings as a cop, and save a life that he wasn't able to before. I am perfectly okay with the setting and setup, however...things take a turn for the tragic as soon the story hits the island. I just...wow. lmao. Everything about this movie is ridiculous -the scripting, the acting, the directing...it's crazy. I'm befuddled-.
Not the bees. Not the beeeeesss / 10
Number 6: Sweet Home
I'm kind of a sucker for home invasion films. As long as I don't get treated like an idiot, and the story doesn't start pulling dues ex machinas out of it's ass, then I'm usually fine with them.
Sweet Home is merely...okay...and I was enjoying myself, up until the end. Around the third act it starts to feel like it was running out of steam and characters that felt natural started to break and fall into the I-gotta-be-dumb-af-to-further-the-plot realm. Then, around 10 minutes left it has a boss battle that drags out the story. It felt super unnecessary and out of place. meh. All in all, the setup was actually pretty romantic for this type of film and it did have some tense moments. I'd probably be a bit more..."glowing" if not for that last act. It works. heh. It's also not the worst of these particular types that I've seen.
By Lupercal Go To PostMartins, have you seen the rob zombie Halloween remakes yet?I did when they came out, going to watch them again as part of my Halloween retrospective.
I don't hate them, I think Rob Zombie has a unique visual style that I appreciate and he tried to make his own Halloween and not just a copy of Carpenter's so he does deserve some respect for that.
Day 8
It's a slightly inferior movie to the first one but it is still pretty good. Picks up right after the first one and takes place through the rest of the nightmarish night of when Michael returned home.
John Carpenter declined to be back in the director's chair but he wrote the script with his writing partner Debra Hill.
It has a bit more gore and nudity, Myers takes more of central role and appears more often on screen.
This was supposed to be the end of Michael's and Laurie's story as they wanted to turn the franchise into an anthology and that's why we have the very different Halloween 3 : Season Of The Witch.
It's a slightly inferior movie to the first one but it is still pretty good. Picks up right after the first one and takes place through the rest of the nightmarish night of when Michael returned home.
John Carpenter declined to be back in the director's chair but he wrote the script with his writing partner Debra Hill.
It has a bit more gore and nudity, Myers takes more of central role and appears more often on screen.
This was supposed to be the end of Michael's and Laurie's story as they wanted to turn the franchise into an anthology and that's why we have the very different Halloween 3 : Season Of The Witch.
By LFMartins86 Go To PostNever saw The Wicker Man remake, love the original movie.
It's a bad film. Lol.
I need to watch the original. Super curious how the old movie handles the story, in comparison to the remake.
Going to watch It Follows with some friends who haven't seen it tonight, hope my copy is in the mail later.
By Lupercal Go To PostGoing to watch It Follows with some friends who haven't seen it tonight, hope my copy is in the mail later.Good choice.
Day 9
The one that is now known as the strange Halloween sequel, Season Of The Witch is an unappreciated film at times. It was supposed to take the franchise into the anthology route but it was a failure on the box office so they went back to Michael Myers.
This is a completely different type of horror movie from the first one but it is its uniqueness that makes the movie fun.
Being part of the Halloween franchise ultimately hurt Season Of The Witch as everyone went in expecting more Myers creepiness and ended up getting a middle aged doctor that seems to have a drinking problem, is a bit of asshole to his kids but still gets the ladies, battling an Irish mask maker who mixes technology with witchcraft to kill kids and their parents on Halloween.
How can you not love a movie that has this playing multiple times?
It is a shame that they didn't go with the anthology angle as Season Of The Witch is such a big departure from the slasher genre and so original that I would of like them seeing them pushing out different types of horror movies.
There's a great video from GoodBadFlicks talking a bit about the production and reception of the movie that it's really worth a look.
Number 7: REC 4 - Apocalypse
If you haven't seen REC, you should track that down and watch it. In America there was a remake of it called Quarantine. Now, even though it wasn't quite shot for shot, it follows the story beats until it diverges at the very end. I bring that up to say this: REC 4 is far divorced from the feeling of REC 1, REC 2, and even the Spanish Army of Darkness feel that REC 3 has (which I enjoyed...). It's more Resident Evil than the middle ground the other movies (including Quarantine) had...and it feels like it's caught between making both versions of REC 1/Quarantine's plot valid.
The plot feels at odds with some of the happenings of the story. I guess they excised some of the elements from the third film, and kept the global damning nature of the contagion at play. Certain plot twists sprout up, out of the blue, that are head scratching and not in a good way. It plays with expectations for a minute and tries to pull the cloth from under the plates, only to break every single dish on the table. Now, I can admit that I'm wrong, but I don't remember there being any indication for what happens in this film in any of the rec movies.
Plot aside, it had some cool effects, and the pacing is fine. It doesn't overstay it's welcome and does have a couple of tense moments. It works...but, it feels like every other zombie film. The other films (including 3) had their own identities.
I didn't care for the shock ending either.
Number 8: Jessabelle
If you like "The Skeleton Key" there is a chance that you might like this. It relies on more jump scare moments (relatively few) than the aforementioned. While it does feel a little like the typical ghost story, the voodoo aspects brings it back to a realm rarely traversed. It's got problems (the usual silly ish that comes with the territory), but I enjoyed it a lot.
Plot twist had me shook. Way more fuckery than I was expecting from something of this nature.
I always love how straight forward even the staunchest of non-believers in these stories are (Southern Gothic Voodoo tales). Here, there is always one person like, "lookey here. Don't fuck with that voodoo shit. Leave it alone and live your life. You don't want no parts of it." You don't get that in a lot of these Catholic priest cleanses the haunted house films.
If you haven't seen REC, you should track that down and watch it. In America there was a remake of it called Quarantine. Now, even though it wasn't quite shot for shot, it follows the story beats until it diverges at the very end. I bring that up to say this: REC 4 is far divorced from the feeling of REC 1, REC 2, and even the Spanish Army of Darkness feel that REC 3 has (which I enjoyed...). It's more Resident Evil than the middle ground the other movies (including Quarantine) had...and it feels like it's caught between making both versions of REC 1/Quarantine's plot valid.
The plot feels at odds with some of the happenings of the story. I guess they excised some of the elements from the third film, and kept the global damning nature of the contagion at play. Certain plot twists sprout up, out of the blue, that are head scratching and not in a good way. It plays with expectations for a minute and tries to pull the cloth from under the plates, only to break every single dish on the table. Now, I can admit that I'm wrong, but I don't remember there being any indication for what happens in this film in any of the rec movies.
Plot aside, it had some cool effects, and the pacing is fine. It doesn't overstay it's welcome and does have a couple of tense moments. It works...but, it feels like every other zombie film. The other films (including 3) had their own identities.
I didn't care for the shock ending either.
Number 8: Jessabelle
If you like "The Skeleton Key" there is a chance that you might like this. It relies on more jump scare moments (relatively few) than the aforementioned. While it does feel a little like the typical ghost story, the voodoo aspects brings it back to a realm rarely traversed. It's got problems (the usual silly ish that comes with the territory), but I enjoyed it a lot.
Plot twist had me shook. Way more fuckery than I was expecting from something of this nature.
I always love how straight forward even the staunchest of non-believers in these stories are (Southern Gothic Voodoo tales). Here, there is always one person like, "lookey here. Don't fuck with that voodoo shit. Leave it alone and live your life. You don't want no parts of it." You don't get that in a lot of these Catholic priest cleanses the haunted house films.
Day 10
After Season Of The Witch was a commercial flop, they brought back Michael Myers and while I kind of wished they kept with the anthology angle, Return Of Michael Myers is a fine sequel on his own, especially when they only had 11 days to write it due to an impending writer's strike.
They also brought back the amazing Donald Pleasence who gives an outstanding performance as Loomis, the man who won't rest until the world is safe from the ultimate evil and he is willing to die for it.
Another shinning star on the movie is a very young Danielle Harris playing the 7 year old niece of Myers and the target of his homicidal rampage.
She gives a great performance for such a young kid and this role was the start of her road to horror royalty as one of the most loved scream queens of modern days.
It's an highly entertaining slasher movie and one of the final good Halloween movies.
After Season Of The Witch was a commercial flop, they brought back Michael Myers and while I kind of wished they kept with the anthology angle, Return Of Michael Myers is a fine sequel on his own, especially when they only had 11 days to write it due to an impending writer's strike.
They also brought back the amazing Donald Pleasence who gives an outstanding performance as Loomis, the man who won't rest until the world is safe from the ultimate evil and he is willing to die for it.
Another shinning star on the movie is a very young Danielle Harris playing the 7 year old niece of Myers and the target of his homicidal rampage.
She gives a great performance for such a young kid and this role was the start of her road to horror royalty as one of the most loved scream queens of modern days.
It's an highly entertaining slasher movie and one of the final good Halloween movies.