Fright Nights: Perfect Blue (1997)

'Perfect Blue' is a surreal horror anime film directed by the late Satoshi Kon and was released in 1997. Kon is a well known filmmaker for fans of Japanese anime and has influenced others in their work, the most famous example being director Darren Aronsofsky. The story is a common theme with Kon, focused on the real & the unreal, the person you truly are & your persona. A young pop singer named Mima announces to her fans during her final concert that she will be pursuing a career of an actress. At first things are going well for Mima, until she begins to receive harassing letters and she is becoming more intimate, such as doing nude photography and starring in a graphic television drama. Her inner conflict with these changes in her career start to wane on her sanity, as Mima the pop star and the real Mima fight for control and reality & fantasy become blurred.

I myself have a particular interest in the subject of someone creating a persona. In the modern world of social media, this practice is more popular and widespread then it was back when 'Perfect Blue' was released, but seeing the film in 2019 gives it even more of a relevant message and shows Kon's talent of perception. We all have our Twitter & Facebook profiles, but a film like 'Perfect Blue' makes you ask yourself 'Is this truly myself? Or is this what I want people to see me as?'. The film makes this question the primary focus for Mima as she struggles internally with herself, doubting her choices and eventually her own sanity as those around her begin to be brutally murdered and with all evidence pointing to her.

The film also looks at the other side of the spectrum as well and see the results of this issue of creating a persona. If you know anything of Hollywood or show business in general, this is nothing new. We see actors, singers, performers as they're presented in their work but when does the line get pushed too far? When do we see them as objects or merely our own enjoyment rather than people just like us? I don't think 'Perfect Blue' points a particular finger at either side but rather presents them both to the audience and Kon let's you decide for yourself what is the potential benefits and dangers of such a lifestyle? It simply amazes me when someone can be this insightful that their message can become even more relevant years down the road and the world is truly missing something because of the loss of Kon. 'Perfect Blue' is well...quite simply a perfect film. It's surreal atmosphere, real world setting, and its strong themes make it a must see for fans of psychological horror or anime. You'd be sorely missing out if you don't.

5/5

Fright Nights 2019: Ranking The Halloween Franchise!

There was a new 'Halloween' film last year, so I thought I'd update my current ranking list of the series. Now, I won't be doing this three year's straight for each new movie coming so don't worry about repetition. I just thought I'd take another look and give you all something fun so without further ado, let's rank the 'Halloween' franchise. We go worst to best this time and yes part 3 is included.

 'Resurrection' is still at the bottom for me and this is unlikely to change in the near future. While 'Halloween H20' wasn't perfect, it did provide a satisfying conclusion that saw Laurie Strode finally overcome her demons and chopped off Michael's head. What should have been sequel proof is explained away two minutes into this dreck. Then to add to the poor decisions, Laurie is unceremoniously disposed of and then we get into the real garbage. I will give the film this: the idea is not a bad one on paper, but the execution and writing is what topples everything. Every character is annoying, dumb, and I can't even remember their names even after watching it again for this ranking. It's no surprise that this did truly kill the 'Halloween' franchise for many years. At least Rob Zombie's version gave the series some life again despite your overall thoughts on the film. As far as I can tell, there's truly no hope for this one moving any time soon.

A perfect example of what happens when you rush a movie to cash in on the success of the previous installment, 'Halloween 5' is boring, repetitive, and bloodless. 'Resurrection' may have a terrible cast all around, but this one has Tina who could have single-handedly dropped the film to very bottom if not for part 5 having better technical qualities than that film. Donald Pleasance does seem to be trying his best as Dr. Loomis but it just feels like he's just having a real hard time which is sad that his talent is wasted on this. Danielle Harris is okay but the whole idea of her being psychically linked to her uncle is a little too silly for 'Halloween'. The film also just throws any continuity out the window in favor of generic slasher tropes and a setup that wouldn't be resolved until 1996. 'Halloween 5' is a cash grab plain and simple.

I like some of Rob Zombie's films, but I think it's nothing new for me to say that they aren't the most intellectual or well written. That's the most mild thing you could say about his 2007 half-remake of the original film. The prequel portion is commendable because it's at least trying to be an original idea, but after five minutes you just want to shut it off. The movie like many of his works seem to just be trying to be offensive so hard that it's just obnoxious and desperate. He stated he wished to remain faithful to the original film but at the same time, he seems to be going for a sleazy grindhouse style film that just clashes with that film's more subtle angle. It's like that kid you knew in school who thought swearing made him cool when he's just an annoyance. He even managed to make me hate Dr. Loomis and Laurie which is some kind of achievement.

Most of what I have to say about 'Halloween II' is the same as above, with a couple changes. At least this is a completely original story and not based on the 1981 sequel. It's also more stylish than the 2007 film but instead of the exploitation style, Zombie is going for the surreal which he was much more successful at with 'The Lords of Salem'. Nothing much else really. It's a trashy Rob Zombie flick.

This may be due to fatigue, but I feel like I'm from another world whenever I hear people tell me 'Curse of Michael Myers' is a good sequel. I've heard this from so many fans and that's their opinion and their right don't get me wrong, but I simply don't understand the love for this flick. Even the Producer's Cut doesn't change a lot of the problems I have with it, with the exception of more Donald Pleasance which is always a plus. But the story is still silly, the cast is bland, the kills are lackluster, and I can completely understand why they basically rebooted with 'H20'. What I do like about the movie is it has the atmosphere down and it feels like Halloween if that makes sense. The film is also shot with a more contrast heavy darkness that gives it more style than a lot of 90's horror of the time. It's not as terrible as I thought the first time around, but it's a bit overrated to me.

It was nice to see Jamie Lee come back in what was intended to be the last movie of the series (yeah right). 'Halloween H20' has sadly not aged well over the years, especially with the recent 2018 film taking it's place but it's still pretty fun. It was the first 'Halloween' film I got to see and being a big fanatic of the 'Scream' series at the time I was of course hooked on the franchise after 'H20'. But 'Scream' is the root of the problem here because ironically the film that was inspired by 'Halloween' would influence a 'Halloween' sequel. Hell even the score is recycled from 'Scream' much to the chagrin of the composer but it's the final act that really ramps up the film on the list for me. I'll predict that once the upcoming sequels roll in, you'll probably be seeing 'H20' go down a bit more.

 'Halloween III' is much like 'Curse' in that it has become a bit overrated due to a resurgence of fans who began to praise the film. I do still think it's overrated, but it's also a better movie than 'Curse' in my opinion. While it doesn't follow any characters or storylines from the main 'Halloween' series, it captures the holiday on screen better than some of the other sequels. This is one of the better films to binge during Halloween and it is one of the few in the series to try legit scares and is surprisingly one of the gorier sequels. It also still had a lot of the original team still working behind the scenes so you do get a quality script, musical score, and direction. I just think people need to calm down a bit when singing its praises is all.

'Halloween 4' has grown on me after ranking so low the last time. When I did my first list, 'Return' felt a bit too simple for an anniversary comeback film but now I see that simplicity is what makes 'Halloween 4' work so well. It goes through the same beats as the first movie and we thankfully see the return of Dr. Loomis and we're introduced to Danielle Harris's Jamie who is a very likeable character as is her sister Rachel. Even if the movie itself seems cheap the performances from Harris, Pleasance, and the rest are better than a slasher sequel expects of them. It's really only held back by it's cheap look and Michael himself who looks like he wears football padding at all times and probably the worst mask in the franchise.

The previous number two holder 'Halloween II' has been given the bronze though it's still a great sequel. The hospital setting is surprisingly underused in horror and my personal favorite setting of the series. I just find hospitals eerie and the flick gets that down (though one must wonder why no other patients exist). Michael is brutal and unrelenting this time around, with more gruesome deaths and an overall darker tone to the whole thing. Sadly Jamie Lee is pushed to the side and instead we get a more generic slasher plot. The reveal of Michael and Laurie being siblings never bothered me but I will admit it did create issues down the road and probably should not have been included. Donald Pleasance returns in my favorite Loomis role. He's just a madman desperate to kill Michael at all costs and the over the top performance is wonderful and humorous. 'Halloween II' may not be considered canon anymore, but it's still a great sequel.

'Halloween 2018' is overrated, but I still love it. It brought the franchise back with a well made project that had effort and passion put into it when it could've just been another cash grab. While it's far from perfect (my old review is pretty different to how I feel now) with a bit too much name-dropping and self-referential humor along with some really dumb horror cliches and dialogue it's also well acted, one of the better made, the score has John Carpenter return, and of course Jamie Lee is badass. Let's hope they can do even better with next year's 'Halloween Kills'.

I'm going to be honest, I have officially run out of things to say about the original 'Halloween'. You all know this movie, most people I know love it, it's one of the best movies ever made. It's my number one horror movie of all time and inspired countless imitators some good most bad. 'Halloween' is a phenomenon but you already know that.

Fright Nights 2019: Hocus Pocus (1993)

I've previously talked about 'Hocus Pocus' on my list of family Halloween films where it ranked pretty high. It's funny how time can change people's opinions sometimes and this film is a wonderful example of that. Back in July of 1993 when 'Hocus Pocus' first premiered, it was given a mixed to negative reception from the critics while audiences failed to fall under its spell resulting in a lukewarm box office as well. 25 years later, the film has become a huge phenomenon thanks to yearly airings on television and a fond love from Millennials so let's take a deeper look into the film and see if all the new hype makes for a worthwhile movie.

In Salem, Massachusetts the Sanderson sisters are hung for practicing witchcraft and taking the lives of several children. 300 years later, a young boy named Max moves to Salem from Los Angeles and as usual in movie worlds, he's not having the best time adjusting. He begins to soften up when he meets the popular girl in school and they and Max's little sister set out to explore the abandoned Sanderson's homestead. Max makes the mistake of raising the witches from the dead and shenanigans ensue.

The main problem with 'Hocus Pocus' when looking at it with my critical eye is that it suffers from a specific plot cliche. The sisters are chasing and making death threats to three children but like 'The Blob' or 'Killer Klowns' before it, no one believes them. However, with this movie all they'd have to do is say that these people are trying to hurt them and leave out that they're 300 year old witches. I guess there would be no movie but still films with stupid characters get on my nerves. What does hold up best in 'Hocus Pocus' is the humor. It plays the 'fish out of water' angle which is again cliche but the jokes themselves are written well that you still laugh. A joke early on is the witches encounter a bus and ask the driver if that they desire children. While this is an obvious joke, Bette Midler and her fellow members deliver the jokes so well, using old time language and some surprising innuendo (this was an unusual angle for Disney at the time) for some of the best lines such as referring a schoolhouse as a prison for children.

The kids are all okay and not too obnoxious or unlikeable like many family flicks of the time. Max is shown to be a selfish jerk at the beginning but by the end you see he truly cares for his sister Dani. Dani herself is also not as annoying as you'd expect, keeping her composure and remaining strong willed even in the face of death. The only member who sadly seems underutilized is Allison who is portrayed as both smart and beautiful but despite her supposed knowledge of the sisters, the spotlight is ultimately on Max & Dani's relationship leaving her sorta out of place.

What really surprised me when re-watching the movie is the special effects still really hold up despite being more than 25 years old. Other than the early CGI work on the talking cat Blinx the composite shots and animated graphics don't stand out in high definition like many before it. The practical effects are also high end and gruesome with Winnie's spell book being an homage to 'Evil Dead' and popular monster actor Doug Jones as the undead Billy Butcherson. If there's anything to truly praise about 'Hocus Pocus' it's gotta be these amazing effects.

The music is also memorable and is part of the amazing cult following the film has, with a new rendition of the classic 'I Put A Spell On You' along with the original piece 'Come Little Children' which are both now on everyone's Halloween Playlist. The score is also very well done, almost channeling a mixture of Jerry Goldsmith's 'Poltergeist' with the work of Danny Elfman. I recommend picking up the soundtrack album for your next Halloween party.

'Hocus Pocus' may have weak story elements to it, but the harshness of those original reviews seem a bit much. This is still a fun film that everyone can enjoy during the Halloween season that has just enough edge for the older crowd who grew up with it. It may be a bit overrated these days, but make no mistake this is still a great movie to binge during your midnight marathon.

4/5

Fright Nights: The Addams Family (1991)

When you look back at the many behind the scenes issues, it's amazing that we even got the first 'Addams Family' film, let alone two sequels and an upcoming animated adaptation. The story behind it all can be an article in itself with many switching of the guard, actors, and all that jazz however, we're here to review the finished product. Released in 1991 and directed by Barry Sonnenfeld who would become a big time director with his later blockbuster 'Men in Black'. 'The Addams Family' is no slouch however with solid jokes and visual flair though it is dragged a bit by its mediocre story and weak antagonists.

The story follows the Addams as they attempt to make contact with Uncle Fester, who mysteriously vanished in the Bermuda Triangle twenty five years ago. Wracked with guilt, his younger brother Gomez and his clan are thrilled to see him return, though not all is right as others attempt to steal the Addams' vast fortune. Like I said, it's not that original but to give the scriptwriter credit the rest of the film works out great. The humor perfectly replicates the television series and even some gags from the comic strip. It's appropriately morbid but the family's ignorance and sharp dialogue give it that lighter side as well. Though some may be cautious as the humor is also a little more mature given this is a film and not so restricted but really that's more a personal preference.

Those cast as the family are all perfect and they were all just born to play these roles. They each give add their own unique aspects while keeping with the characters they play. Angelica Huston's Morticia is a particular favorite of mine, as I feel she gets some of the funniest jokes throughout with that sly and quiet demeanor. Christina Ricci is another perfect fit and a lot of future interpretations would follow her more sarcastic and monotone portrayal of Wednesday including the upcoming animated flick. Christopher Lloyd is sadly a bit underused despite being the main connection to the whole story but he's mostly just a henchman for the villains up until the third act where he finally gets something to do. It's understandable given how the story goes, but still you should always use Christopher Lloyd whenever you can if he's in your movie.

And speaking of the villains, it's the biggest drawback for the first 'Addams' film. They're simply con artists who use Uncle Fester to obtain the family's money. Not much else to them really and even the complex aspect of Fester having amnesia is a bit silly and overused. It always seems to be an issue when it comes to the series maybe it comes down to the antagonists are usually normal people offended by the Addams' oddball ways so they seem bland in comparison. 'The Addams Family' should have been nothing but a major disaster due to the insane production but the end result is about as good as they could have done. Luckily, with the 1993 sequel they were able to flesh out the script a bit more and both films would keep the interest in the property alive. It's not as bad as people make it out to be but I do recommend the sequel over this one.

3/5

Fright Nights 2019: Alice Sweet Alice (1976)

'Alice Sweet Alice' is still surprisingly under the radar for many horror movie fans these days. That may be due to its relative unavailability on home video but thankfully in the modern age, it seems that no movie is lost forever. Directed by Alfred Sole, the film tells the story of a young girl named Alice (Paula Shepperd) who shows jealousy and resentment towards her younger sister (Brooke Shields) and mother (Linda Miller). When Alice's sister is murdered during her first communion, suspicion immediately falls on her. However, as the clues begin to pile up can Alice truly be blamed? The director states on the audio commentary that he was inspired by the critically acclaimed film 'Don't Look Now' a few years prior. That film also had a masked killer in a raincoat and was also an homage to the Italian Giallo film. For those who don't know, the term is used for a specific type of horror mystery, with its own specific style and pacing. In simple terms, it's similar to the slasher films of the 1980's such as 'Friday the 13th'.

With 'Alice Sweet Alice' I'm not sure this was the best angle to take given its story. In most Giallo films, every character is depicted as sleazy or otherwise unpleasant in order to throw off the viewer and keep the ultimate reveal of the killer a secret. In this film, there can only be so many suspects besides Alice given her size and very specific costume. Other than her estranged father, everybody in this flick is so horrible to Alice or just outright horrible people to everyone for seemingly no reason other than Alfred Sole felt some form of anger when writing the script. Although this may have some truth to it as the film has a very blunt and negative view of the Catholic Church and it's more corrupted aspects. The film depicts a killer who connects their motive for killing to the church which on its own isn't the best endorsement. The overall film is a bleak and miserable experience, but in the best way I think. As a horror film it certainly has that unsettling creepy feel to it although if you're looking for much gore or nudity this one isn't for you. As far as the killer's look goes, it definitely freaky but also so simple in its design you'd wonder why no one else thought of it.


Strange enough, the film being a period piece (mid 60's) even brings a suspenseful and creepy feeling to everything. The old furniture, dolls, churches, and more it feels almost as if one was walking through abandoned or haunted houses/buildings. The music plays into the gloomy nature as well with haunting echoes of children along with the eerie strings and harpsichord that almost gives the movie a sound similar to Bernard Hermann's 'Psycho'. 'Alice Sweet Alice' is certainly not for everyone thanks to its slow pace and small body count but there is something truly uncomfortable and hypnotic about it that makes it so memorable even today. I recommend at least one watch to get it off your horror bucket list.

4/5

Fright Nights 2019: Scooby Doo on Zombie Island (1998)

The 'Scooby-Doo' franchise is still going strong after 50 years thanks to a general appeal among each generation along with its ability to innovate and keep up with the times in each incarnation. A perfect example is from 1998 to 2001 four direct to video movies were released which began with 'Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island'. These were not cheap productions either, they were very high quality for the time making me wonder why these couldn't have been theatrical films. The films also presented real monsters and dangerous situations which was first explored with 'The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo' but with 'Zombie Island' onward these would provide genuine scares for the kids but still retain that playful tone Scooby and the gang are known for.

The plot takes place after the Mystery Inc. group have disbanded after growing tired of never catching a real ghost or monster. We see that alone, the gang aren't really themselves and when Daphne begins a haunted tour through Louisiana with Fred, he invites the gang to get back together and heading for the mysterious Moonscar Island which is said to contain real restless spirits. Once the gang arrives they slowly begin to realize that they are in real danger and something far more sinister is plaguing the island than ghosts.

As I said, the production value on this flick is really top notch with beautiful animation that really stood out at the time and even today it holds up compared to the modern Scooby films. The recent 2019 sequel 'Return to Zombie Island' has that cheap computerized animated look and the film overall felt more like a cash grab for the 50th anniversary. The 1998 film however still holds up as not just the best 'Scooby-Doo' movie in my opinion but one of the best animated films of the 1990's. The voice cast is also full of talent though sadly most of the main cast would not return to reprise their roles with the exception of Frank Welker as Fred. The new cast does well however with Billy West's Shaggy being a very spot on impression and Mary Kay Bergman's Daphne giving the character much more depth than her previous incarnations. Other major actors include Mark Hamill, Adrienne Barbeau, and Jim Cummings.

'Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island' was the film that really got me into the show. Though reruns were frequent throughout the 90's, I never really got into the original series. 'A Pup Named Scooby-Doo' I would say was my first real foray into the franchise, but this movie really got me to look back at everything I missed. It was nice to see a kids movie that could be spooky and have some edge while also being family friendly. I'm not sure if I'd recommend the film to very young children but if you want something to ease them into the horror genre, this is an excellent pick. Happy 50th Birthday Scooby-Doo and let's hope you're around for many more years to come.

5/5

Fright Nights 2019: Silent Hill (2006)

It's no surprise that video game movies aren't the most loved or anywhere near the greatest of movie choices out there, which is likely why films like Christophe Gans' 2006 film 'Silent Hill' is often lumped into the likes of 'Super Mario Bros.' & 'Resident Evil'. Now that's not to say Gans' adaptation is a masterpiece or anything, but he does manage to capture the tone, look, and themes of the games which makes it stand far above the others. The plot is based on the 1999 game where a mother named Rose (Radha Mitchell) takes her daughter to the mysterious titular town in the hopes of finding the source of her night terrors. The film switches roles from father to mother which I guess is supposed to create a stronger bond between the characters, but it almost seems a bit sexist to think that a father can't care for their child or have the same motivations as the mother when put in a similar situation. Getting off of politics, as far as the movie's plot is concerned, this change does provide a strong motivation and gives far more depth to the protagonist than any other video game movie has.

Once in Silent Hill, the movie is pretty straight forward with recreating the major scenes from the first game from that grotesque moment when the town first converts into the nightmare world to the introduction of policewoman Cybil who after a brief confrontation begins to assist Rose in finding her lost daughter. It's at this point when the movie's biggest flaws come out and where many fans of the games likely begin to have sour feelings. Much like the 'Resident Evil' series, 'Silent Hill' throws in many monsters and scenery from the various game sequels but without any context or connection to the original's plot. The series's biggest icon is a monster named Pyramid Head (or Red Pyramid) who was meant to be symbolism for the main character of 'Silent Hill 2' but as the games went on, he was shoehorned in as some kind of familiarity. He serves no purpose or symbolism in the 2006 film other than he's cool to look at and provides one of the more graphic murder scenes but he's all style and no substance. The same with the Nurses, who I've used for my graphic above. To be fair, the original game did have a nurse monster but this specific design is once again taken from 'Silent Hill 2' with no context.

As a whole however, that's all I really have to say when it comes to negativity towards 'Silent Hill'. The acting is better than average with the main villain (Alice Krige) providing the proper amount of over the top silliness. Radha Mitchell is the most grounded with her performance and you see the genuine emotions for her daughter throughout as she literally goes through hell to save her. While the Cybil character is not as fleshed out here, we do get a proper arc that explains why she initially distrusts Rose, becomes determined to help her find her daughter, and in the end she plays the hero to make sure they can escape. The average acting is mainly Sean Bean who was in fact just thrown in at the request of Sony Pictures and it clearly shows. Bean is an excellent actor as fans of 'Game of Thrones' or 'GoldenEye' will tell you but he has nothing to work with due to what were likely rushed on top of being re-shoots. 

The overall design is spot on from the games, perfectly recreating the creepy fog and rust covered darkness of the town. Christophe Gans and his crew studied the games and this is by far the most accurate video game movie as far as the environment and overall horror aspects are concerned. The score is taken directly from the original 1999 game remastered and rerecorded especially for the movie by the game's original composer Akira Yamaoka. The music felt a lot like something you'd hear in a classic fairy tale with a warmth but also has that creepy factor to it that makes it a good listen by itself or with the games/movie.

'Silent Hill' is still quite the underrated gem these days but I can understand why. Video games movies aren't great 99% of the time so it's easy to see this as just another pile of garbage on top of the landfill. However, I really suggest you'd give it a watch or if you didn't care for it before perhaps give it another chance. The movie perfectly captures the look and feel of the games, the acting is better than most of these films, and while the choice to bring over monsters and plot points over just due to their popularity is pointless and drags the film down just a peg 'Silent Hill' is worth checking out for Halloween.

4/5

Halloween Horror Nights 29: Ranking the Scare Zones

Hello once again as we continue our discussion of this year's Halloween Horror Nights for my Fright Nights 2019 celebration page. Last time, we ranked the ten haunted mazes and now we shall take a look at the five scare zones on offer. QUICK NOTE: Academy of Villains is a show and though on the cover pic for this entry, it will not be discussed here. Though an honorable mention of another show will be covered below.


These scare zones will be ranked by a few things: Immersion, The Acting, and the overall Theme and as before, we'll go favorite to least favorite.

1.) Vanity Ball

The horror genre rarely seems to capitalize on the real life terror of plastic surgery or hospitals these days. Just think of all the creative scenarios you could do with that and 'Vanity Ball' is a great example of showing off just how horrifying it can be. The overall narrative tells of a facility that performs grotesque and violent plastic surgery on their patients, under the thought process that pain is beauty and beauty is subjective. A very active zone, with the best overall makeup and costume design, aggressive and fun actors, and even a runway modeling show with music and an announcer. A fun and unique scare zone and my overall favorite this year.

2.) Rob Zombie's Hellbilly Deluxe

As far as theming is concerned, Rob Zombie took the cake this year with his house and this zone, based upon his first solo album. Various scenes from his most famous music videos are on display as the album is played in its entirety if one were to stick around long enough. What keeps it from my number one spot is the actors who seem a bit lackluster or very timid compared to 'Vanity Ball'. You expect Rob Zombie actors to be these wild madmen but aside from the occasional dirty look and jump scare moments they provided little to the environment. Still the overall feeling that you're in the world of the singer's music is more than enough to warrant the high spot.

   

3.) Anarch-CADE

This one is right up my alley. An 80's inspired scare zone with killer video game characters with neon & fog surrounding you. Sadly, it seems 'Anar-cade' is struggling with its narrative. The area is nice to look at but when you see these women on stilts with glowing nun-chucks and some neon light covered goons with chainsaws, it feels incoherent and noisy. Still the visuals do give it that extra bump on the list so the style was there at least. I will say that they could use this theme for a future maze to great effect.


   

 

4.) Vikings Undead

I honestly didn't know what to expect with 'Vikings' as like the ones above the idea is solid enough to make a good fit for a horror movie. Even without the supernatural elements, the Vikings were a vicious people and translating that carnage into a horror scenario should be perfect. Sadly, this was a pretty lackluster experience for me personally. I have heard many varying stories from other guests about this as well, with some who like myself just didn't see many actors or any interactions with the gory props and overall environment. Others have said that later in the night, the zone is more lively but I can't give a personal ranking based on what others saw. I saw some of the cheapest gore props of the event, annoying sound effects such as over the top screaming, and one actor who was in full costume talking to another Universal employee. I just didn't see the good stuff I guess.

5.) Zombieland 2

While it was an overall faithful adaptation of the 2009 horror comedy, 'Zombieland 2' was by far the weakest zone this year. The zombie actors performed well enough but I felt an overall lack of effort went into this one. It feels more like a last minute cross promotion with the upcoming sequel than a fully realized scare zone.

HONORABLE MENTION: Marathon of Mayhem

The main highlight of the whole HHN even was the spectacular new water show 'Marathon of Mayhem'. A combination of laser lights, water effects, and projections the show covers the main horror houses while combining an awesome 80's theme to everything. This is one show that will hopefully come back again but let's just hope they decide to put in special seating for the guests next time.

 

 

Halloween Horror Nights 29: Ranking the Houses!

For those who don't know, every year the Universal Orlando Resort holds a month long Halloween themed even known as Halloween Horror Nights or HHN for short. I finally was able to experience the event and now that I've returned and because it's the Halloween season, I would like to discuss and rank each horror maze. I will go over the scare zones and other miscellaneous aspects of the event at a later time. I will be going from my personal favorite to least favorite this time around from 1 to 9. QUICK NOTE: I was unable to see the 'Stranger Things' maze due to its long waiting times of nearly two hours so I cannot include this one on the list. If any of you got to see it, let me know in the comments below what you thought of it.

1.) Universal Monsters

The classic Universal Monsters have a large spot in my childhood memories, so this one was going to have to live up to a somewhat higher standard for me personally. I'm happy to say that this was by far my favorite of the event this year. Right away, the house gives you that perfect atmosphere you'd expect from the classic films. The outside queue also shows some nice effects and appropriately spooky music to keep you engaged while you wait to enter. The maze was also one of the more genuinely scary of the bunch, with very aggressive actors who grab and claw at you viciously. Overall its very entertaining and one of the few houses I went through multiple times.

2.) House of 1000 Corpses

Rob Zombie's movies are certainly not for everyone and even with horror fans, he is pretty hit or miss. The movie this house was based on might not be perfect, but the house itself is perfectly capturing the movie's atmosphere and has film quality makeup and set design. It goes through some of the most memorable moments from the film and the scare actors inside perform excellently. The sound design was a bit loud at times making it hard to understand some of the spoken dialogue, but overall it's clear that some effort went into this one which bumps it high on my list.

   

3.) Graveyard Games

The biggest surprise for me this year was 'Graveyard Games'. It was one of the last to be announced before the event begun and very little information was given out about it so it was natural for me to be a bit of a skeptic. It was the last house I attended but its one you should definitely attend first. It was actually a lot darker in tone than I anticipated, with graphic violence and uncomfortable imagery with dead children and the like. Out of all the original houses this one also has the most understandable and straightforward story to it which I won't spoil here. Like Universal Monsters, this was one that got a genuine scare out of me more than once, so why is it not higher? Well the production value can be a bit inconsistent and the scare actors are pretty timid with the exception of one surprise that you'll have to see for yourself. 

   

4.) Killer Klowns From Outer Space

Not the least bit scary, but man is this a fun one. Based on the 1988 horror comedy, this maze captures the spirit of the film with wacky designs and fun little extras throughout. It's the only maze that I know of that you can interact with some of the environment and the Klown actors are really funny here. Plus that rocking theme song always gets me. A lot of negativity has gone towards it for lacking any real horror, but its about as close to a classic funhouse experience as you can get. 

   

5.) Yeti: Terror of the Yukon

A very divisive house this year was 'Yeti' which some cite as one of the worst due to its slow pacing and lack of Yeti, while others praise it's slower more atmospheric build up to the scares. I'm in the latter group as I felt like I was part of the story, as if I was someone sent to rescue these people and coming upon the carnage. It felt very much like John Carpenter's 'The Thing', slowly building up tension until those final rooms when gore and scares just hit you over the head. It was nice to have a house that didn't just have someone jump out every few seconds like others. But I will have to agree that even when it does get to the goods, there is a lack of the monster though some have said he is more frequent during their walkthrough.

   

6.) Ghostbusters

'Ghostbusters' was another hot topic of debate this year with many arguments over it being either too commercial or not a horror movie. I will not be getting into that this time but I have to say that overall the house itself is pretty disappointing. Not bad but also not that great. It goes through the story beats of the first movie while having some bits and pieces from the sequel/remake here and there. It's one of the most high tech and well designed houses this year I'll give it that but it just felt a little bland for having to wait in line for so long to see it.

   

7.) Us

I was pretty curious about Jordan Peele's 'Us' becoming a haunted maze this year. The film is set in a normal environment such as a living room or a carnival so making these work as a scary attraction was going to be pretty hard. It wasn't that they didn't succeed with me necessarily, but like 'Ghostbusters' it's a pretty straightforward house that recreates scenes from the it but with little in the way of scares or tension like the movie had. It was far from a bust, but there were so many more interesting houses this year that this one falls pretty flat.

8.) Nightingales: Blood Pit

Sadly, I have never seen the original 'Nightingales' house because it sounds a lot better than this sequel was. Before you even enter the maze, the queue line is pretty unpleasant and not in the way they intended. It smelled like horse manure and the cheap looking torn apart bodies littered throughout makes this all feel so rushed. Then you get into the house itself, and it gets even worse. I'm not against a horror scenario that only relies on bloodshed and gore, but at least try to make it creative which is 'Nightingales' biggest sin. The monsters makeup and masks look much cheaper than the earlier designs I have seen before, the theme of Gladiatorial fighting mixed with blood sucking creatures is hardly there, and the sound effects were too loud and more annoying than scary. This one was pretty bad guys. I can only hope the next sequel will be better.

   

9.) Depths of Fear

Unlike 'Nightingales', I had high hopes for 'Depths of Fear' as I love the concept. Films like 'Leviathan' & 'Deep Rising' mixed in with a bit of 'Bioshock' hey that doesn't sound bad right? What we really have here though is a cheap 'Alien' ripoff with an underwater theme and one of the worst looking monster costumes I have ever seen. This is Universal for god's sake you'd expect better than this from them. The house itself is also just boring, with generic rusty pipes and steam along with some slime here and there. The acting of the infected crew and some of the gore was nicely implemented but then you just have that goofy monster and just parts where nothing happens. Thankfully the line for this one was short and fast.

Again, sorry I couldn't rank 'Stranger Things' for you guys but let me know if you attended HHN either this year or before. Also let me know what your favorites were and be sure to check back here for my look at this year's Scare Zones. Thanks guys and happy October.

   

Fright Nights 2019: Ranking the Universal Monster Movies!

Happy October everyone! For some of you, I started this month out with a review of the 1931 classic 'Dracula'. I have decided that reviewing each of these Universal Classic Monsters flicks would feel a bit too repetitive for you as much of my thoughts on them are pretty interchangeable. So instead, I have forgone that earlier review and instead I present to you lovely readers of mine a ranking of my least favorite to favorite of the Universal Monsters. Note that I said least favorite as this will be a first for me and will contain no real negative or terrible entry as with other franchise countdowns. I will be ranking each film merely how often I would choose to go back and re-watch each entry. So without further ado, the Halloween season has officially begun and so shall we...

8. The Mummy (1932)

The original 'Mummy' sadly falls into last (but not at all least) on the list. Boris Karloff got to really show off his acting chops in the role of the titular mummy and gets to speak a great deal of dialogue this time around. The movie's main issue and why it tends to not be in my replay bin often is its similarities to 'Dracula'. The film tells the story of an ancient undead creature that rises from the grave and seeks the love of a mortal woman, and you even have the same actor who played Van Helsing as the man who tries to defeat the monster. The film is really saved by its beautiful cinematography and as I said this is one of Karloff's best roles of the series. I feel that ultimately many fans of the modern films will be disappointed by the slow pace and lack of any true action while monster fans will love Karloff but find the similarities to 'Dracula' tiring.

7. Phantom of the Opera (1943)

One of the first technicolor horror films, this adaptation of the Gaston Leroux is far from the first, but it is the most solid entry since the 1925 Lon Chaney classic. Claude Rains stars as the Phantom and this version gives us a detailed background to his character and overall attempts to flesh out the story more than previous versions. The film is gorgeous with bright colors and that huge glamor of Hollywood's golden age to boost it up the list a little. The issues come down to the characters including the Phantom himself. Claude Rains is an excellent actor mind you, and for a role such as this he appropriately hams it up but his motivations are less sympathetic and more vengeful making him a bit more villainous than the story originally intended. The other characters are also pretty forgetful and you couldn't ask me on a good day to remember their names. Still, 'Phantom' is quick, beautiful to look at, and acted well enough to enjoy.

6. Frankenstein (1931)

Yes. The original 'Frankenstein' but only due to 'Bride' also being on this list which in many ways is the rare case of surpassing the original. Not to say there isn't anything special about the original and for many hardcore horror fans, they will likely enjoy this one over 'Bride' due to more of a focus on dark Gothic environments and straight scares whereas its sequel plays with macabre comedy. And it's that darker look and tone that makes the original so great to watch. I would say 'Frankenstein' & 'Wolf Man' epitimize the Universal Monsters look perfectly: Dark cemeteries, creeping fog, and old rotting castles. This film just oozes misery out of every inch of celluloid and is what I'd consider the most bleak of the series. Boris Karloff's role doesn't need anymore praise at this point he was made for the role and brought both sympathy and menace to the creature that could have ruined the whole movie if done wrong. This is where the list will have the films I feel are perfect one way or another and the film never gets old for me.

 5. The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

Yes, I am one of those who doesn't mind the comedy within 'Bride of Frankenstein'. I personally think it makes the film overall more enjoyable in some ways but it's the surprising depth of this sequel that makes it so superior. For a movie they could have just rushed together for a quick buck, the story goes into the character development even further, showing the consequences and inner conflicts Dr. Frankenstein has created after the fallout of his creation's rampage. Karloff of course returns and does his usual brilliant job. He is closer to the novel's version but unlike the novel's creature Karloff he retians the sympathetic and sad nature of the first movie though sadly he loses any kind of menace/horror. The stand out here though is Dr. Pretorious who is one of the funniest characters in a horror film. He is just so proud of how insane he is and he makes me chuckle each time. The only real negative here is the titular Bride. How she became an icon of horror I will never understand as she really does nothing but scream. As a whole though, it doesn't take away any of the brilliance this film has. Always one on my marathon list during the season.

  4. Dracula (1931)

The one that started the sound era of horror movies and the first one I saw as a kid late one Halloween night, it's just a classic any way you slice it. But it isn't necessarily the best of the bunch as it can feel padded in the middle and some of the acting is over the top and hammy. But the mood this film sets is so perfect and always gets me in the mood for Halloween. The film does not have a musical score so there's just this eerie silence throughout along with these long sweeping shots that just make the viewer feel like they're in some other world. It's one of the creepier Universal movies and a highly recommended first choice.

3. The Invisible Man (1933)

The first horror movie I ever owned, I remember my father bringing this home to me after one of his trips and it still holds a high spot to this day. Now to be fair, it's not the traditional horror others on this list provide, but you can't underestimate just how much of an achievement this film was for its time. For a movie in 1933 to create an invisible man and make it look real was unheard of. So much so that when the sequel arrived, the Academy Awards presented it an Oscar for Best Special Effects. The film is the third on this list directed by James Whale and as expected, lots of morbid comedy is abound. This is easily the funniest movie of the Universal Monsters series and makes it one of the most rewatchable. Claude Rains once again stars and brings his usual theatricality to the role and just fits the role of a maniacal invisible scientist like a glove. This one I would say is the most accessible of the list.

    2. The Wolf Man (1941)

The film that has everything you're looking for when it comes to that classic monster movie. Fog, dark forest, a monster stalking and killing off its prey like a slasher movie, and anything else you can think of (except a full moon oddly enough). The most interesting aspect of 'Wolf Man' is that the film almost has a more psychological thriller feel than a flat out monster movie. You really don't know for a while if Lawrence Talbot is truly what he fears he is or if its just a delusion in his mind and it toys with this for a while. It does become a traditional werewolf movie of course, but the buildup is quite interesting and keeps you engaged in the film. Of the classic era, this is the best one you'll find.

1. Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

My top choice is the latecomer of the group 'Creature from the Black Lagoon' made long after the classic monsters had all but faded. This was the era of the giant monster or science gone wrong but 'Creature' was stubborn and wanted to bring one more classic monster to the table and they succeeded. My all time favorite monster, the Gill-Man would go on to inspire many films of every genre, including last year's Best Picture 'The Shape of Water'. The film just has this energy you'd find in a classic serial or the 'Indiana Jones' flicks and it makes for the most entertaining of the group. The film is also surprisingly violent and heavy on action for a 50's horror flick making it stand out even more. It also came out in 3D! How cool would that have been to see?






And that'll do it for today folks. The reviews, lists, and other little Halloween tidbits will be coming steadily. Even if I can't do something every day, I'll enjoy making content for you fine readers so thank you for your views and I'll catch ya later. Happy October folks. Let the festivities begin.