Halloween Movies #10-16
Halloween Movies #17-24
Halloween Movie #25
Paranormal Activity 4 (Unrated) [2012]
Halloween Spook-o-meter: 4/5
Ah, now here is a franchise running on fumes. I loved the first Paranormal Activity because I really enjoy movies rely more on the imagination than the effects. The three previous films weaved together a story about a girl named Katie. The first film followed Katie as demons haunt her; the second revealed that Katie's family may be involved in her possession; and the third film depicted the frightening childhood of Katie and her sister. For the fourth installment, the creators decided to focus on Katie's neighbors, instead of answering any of open-ended questions from the previous films. Although each film boasts diminishing scares, the storyline was enough to bring audiences back for more. Now that it is apparent they're more worried on "trick" camera shots than filling in the plot holes, I'd say it is safe to pass on anymore Paranormal Activity movies, especially "The Marked Ones" when it arrives in January. Paranormal Activity 4 (Unrated) is available on Netflix.
Halloween Movie #26
Zombieland [2009]
Halloween Spook-o-meter: 3/5
When the preview for this film came out, I couldn't believe how bad it looked. Fatigued from the zombie craze, I thought it looked like an inevitable cash-in on a growing genre. Four years later, The Walking Dead is the biggest show on television and zombie pub crawls are major events in every autumn social calendar. I ended up seeing it in theaters and was blown away by how funny it was. Woodie Harrelson is hilarious as Tallahassee and his quest for Twinkies is a highlight of the film. Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg and Abigail Breslin round out a well cast ensemble, but it is the film's surprise cameo that steals the show. I expected this film to be the final straw for the zombie comedy genre created by Shaun of the Dead. Instead Zombieland might be the best movie to come from the recent undead craze. Zombieland is available on DVD.
Halloween Movie #27
Trick 'r Treat [2007]
Halloween Spook-o-meter: 4/5
While there are plenty of movies to watch this time of year, there seems to be a limited number of scary Halloween films. So I was quite excited when Trick 'r Treat was released a few years back. The film is a horror anthology in the vein of Creepshow and Tales From The Crypt. It is kind of hard to describe the plot without giving too much away, but it involves werewolves, costume parties, ghost stories, serial killers and even some candy. The four stories slowly come together as the movie progresses ending in with a surprising twist. If you are looking for a Halloween-themed film this season, you can't go wrong checking this out. (If you enjoy this film, they just announced a sequel!). Trick 'r Treat airs for 24 hours on Fear Net on Halloween.
Halloween Movie #28
The Conjuring [2013]
Halloween Spook-o-meter: 5/5
I don't know what to say about this one. I definitely let other people get my expectations too high. I found the first half fun and frightening as they depict a family tormented by the growing phenomenon of "shadow people". Suddenly the movie had haunted objects, ghosts and possessions. The movie is definitely creepy and worth a viewing, but I just can't help feeling I would've preferred it a little more if the director would have stuck to making a haunted house movie instead of trying to cram in every single horror. By the time the (spoiler) exorcism happens at the end, I was wondering when the masked serial killer was going to arrive. Truth be told, reading about shadow people is much more frightening than this film. The Conjuring is available on DVD.
Halloween Movie #29
The Poltergeist [1982]
Halloween Spook-o-meter: 5/5
There were many moments in the Conjuring that reminded me of the Poltergeist, so I had to make it my next film. This movie is so enjoyable because the characters act like real people would. When Diane shows her husband that stuff slides across the kitchen floor, they aren't afraid. Instead they're amused and filled with wonder. As things get scarier, they start react as you would expect someone would. It never occurs to them that something malevolent is in the home until their daughter disappears into a portal. I've spoken about my love for the films that originate a theme and the Poltergeist is responsible for all the following movies with the "My house is haunted! You're the only paranormal investigator that can help me!" scenario. This is just a fun film, with lots of inventive gimmicks, specifically the use of televisions as inter-dimensional communication machines. By now you probably know I'm pretty biased toward Steven Spielberg, but it is clear why The Poltergeist remains a favorite of the haunted house genre.
Halloween Movie #30
Session 9 [2001]
Halloween Spook-o-meter: 3/5
In hopes that I boost my Halloween hipster credentials, I love reading articles entitled "The Best Horror Movies You've Never Seen!" and counting how many I've viewed. Session 9 seemed to be mentioned in most of them, so I had been saving it for a really good fright. The story follows an team removing asbestos from a decrepit insane asylum. Session 9 gets the same review I've given a bunch of movies this month: the first half is eerie and creates a great atmosphere only to unravel in the second half. I want to contrast this film with my Poltergeist review. In Session 9, people suddenly become crazed and angry. Since we are watching a horror film, it seems like logical behavior, but no real person should ever get so violently upset over nothing. The actions of the characters are used to move the story along and it just feels unnatural. I will admit bias: I find David Caruso to be an especially awful actor. Session 9 is available on Netflix.
Halloween Movie #31
Halloween [1978]
Halloween Spook-o-meter: 5/5
This whole list ends with the absolute best. No movie compares to Halloween and I try to watch it on every year on Halloween. This is the first major "slasher" film and its imitators are countless. Scream would later mock the "rules" of horror films, most of which originated with Halloween. The film features Michael Myers, an escaped convict who returns home on Halloween and terrorizes the community. Later films would tie together a sibling connection between protagonist Laurie and Myers which deflates the true horror of the original: that these murders were completely coincidental. The victims were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The fact that Myers' psychologist, Dr. Loomis is nearby but unaware only heightens the thrills. From the couch to the closet to the balcony, no other movie does horror quite as well as Halloween. Throw in the chilling score and you have one of my top five favorite movies of all time. Halloween is available on DVD.
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Dougy's 10 Favorite Horror Films [2013 Edition]
10. Psycho [1960]
9. Texas Chainsaw Massacre [1974]
8. The Exorcist [1973]
7. Alien [[1979]
6. The Evil Dead [1981]
5. Se7en [1995]
4. The Shining [1980]
3. The Thing [1982]
2. Jaws [1975]
1. Halloween [1978]
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