HALLOWEEN EVERY DAY: Fright Night (1985)

'Fright Night' tells the tale of Charlie Brewster, young man who loves him some horror flicks. One night, Ol' Charlie catches a glimpse of his next door neighbor and suspects him of being a creature of the night and now it's up to him to convince everyone else around him before they become the next victims. I first saw this film early into my what I like to call initiation into the horror genre. I saw the film very late at night during a Halloween TV marathon and I never forgot about it. Now even today, the film really takes me back to the days of 'Goosebumps', 'Are You Afraid of the Dark?', and TNT's 'Monstervision'. I was always fascinated with monsters and spooky things, even though as a child they scared the hell out of me and left me with many sleepless nights, but I couldn't help it this stuff brings so many emotions to me.

And these old memories are why I love 'Fright Night'. It's not a particularly great horror movie, it has many slow moments and only at the end does the ball truly get rolling with some awesome special effects and monsters but those childhood memories are what keep me going back to it every Halloween. And I believe that will be most people's reactions to it, it feels just like one of those B-Movies you would watch on 'Elvira' late at night. It almost has a 'So cheesy it's good' mood to it. The old Universal Monsters and the 1980's just oozes from 'Fright Night' and I love it to death.

As I said, the film's ending is where the real money and it can tend to be slow but I like certain parts of the first half. Roddy McDowell is the best part of the film in my opinion, playing a Peter Cushing late night TV host who must find his faith to battle the vampires at hand. William Ragsdale is charming as Charlie and he always reminds me of myself and most horror fanatics. He's such a relatable character and it's his charm that pulls off the character so well. One final standout is the character of EVIL ED, played by Stephen Geoffreys. This character is insane and goes through multiple special effects transformations that really hold up and are creepy as hell. He also provides some humor to balance the horror and he's really funny.

'Fright Night' is what I call a 'Sleepover' movie. The kind of film one of your older siblings would have an old VHS tape of and you aren't supposed to be watching it. You have your pizza, your soda, and your popcorn and you're all set to get the shit scared outta ya. I love it and I love 'Fright Night'.

HALLOWEEN EVERY DAY: The Howling (1981)

Possibly one of the darkest werewolf films to come out, 'The Howling' doesn't screw around. Dee Wallace stars as Karen who is traumatized by a man named Eddie Quist after helping the police aid in their capture of the man. She is told by her therapist to visit the countryside resort known as 'The Colony' in the hopes that it will help her ease her pain. 'The Colony' turns out to be more than meets the eye as various violent and bizarre happenings begin to plague Karen until the big climax. The film is directed by Joe Dante who would later bring us 'Gremlins' and while he retains some tongue in cheek humor here, this is 100% horror on overdrive with 'The Howling'. The film gives you a feeling of being watched, and that everyone is against you. Even Karen's husband changes from her only comfort to a nightmare.

I think most people know before this review that a film called 'The Howling' is about werewolves, so let us drop the hiding of that shall we? What I do wish to say about the werewolf effects in this film is that they are still some of the most impressive practical effects ever put on film. The early 1980's, especially in the horror genre has some of the most amazing visuals that you would ever see and its a shame that it took so long for many of these artists to receive the recognition they deserve. Rob Bottin worked on the effects here, and brought to the screen one of the best werewolf transformation scenes ever and all done in real time with everything really on screen. CGI ruined animal transformations in movies as far as I'm concerned. Rob Bottin would go on to do John Carpenter's 'The Thing' quite possibly the best special effects movie of the entire decade so it's safe to say that he knows his stuff.

The actors all do quite well, though some of their performances especially Eddie Quist and the residents of 'The Colony' tend to overact which can interrupt the mood often. Dee Wallace is one of my favorite actresses even today and always look forward to seeing her. The rest of the film's characters are unfortunately worm food therefore they're given little to do, other than a last minute hero at the end. While I may have spoiled almost all of this film, the ending I will not give away because I don't care if you hate horror films, you have to see it to believe it. It's amazing.

'The Howling' is a classic horror film that has become my regular Halloween watchlist and I recommend it highly. I also suggest you check out its source novel, which is also good. Relax and come visit 'The Colony' with me, won't you?

HALLOWEEN EVERY DAY: Trick R' Treat (2007)

'Trick R' Treat' is perhaps the perfect way to get you into the Halloween mood, even more so than the 1978 film of the same title. 'Trick R' Treat' is not perfect mind you and in most cases I wouldn't attempt to compare it to John Carpenter's classic, but this film just feels like you're living in the town from 'Nightmare Before Christmas'. The film is an anthology film, which means that it's multiple stories featuring different characters, yet still connecting in some way in the end. Anthology films have the unfair advantage of being flawed almost by default due to the film's structure. One story is almost always going to top another, creating a somewhat uneven flow to the whole thing. Luckily, for the most part 'Trick R' Treat' holds its ground and brings more positives than negatives with its stories. The standouts include the haunted school bus, which brings you back to your childhood telling stories around the campfire and the last story featuring the film's mascot Sam, who tries to teach an Old Scrooge the true spirit of Halloween.

'Trick R' Treat' was given so much grief during its production, being dumped on DVD after nearly two years of rumor and speculation and to this day, I still don't understand Warner Bros. thinking process here. This is a film that could have raked in the revenue had it been released on Halloween, a weekend where mediocre horror flicks seem to unfortunately dominate. It wasn't even until a few years ago did the film finally begin to gather a large fanbase and rightfully so. 'Trick R' Treat' is a film that you can almost double as a Halloween decoration, showing it off in the background at a party or while handing out candy. Definitely be sure to check this one out and have a perfect Halloween.

 

HALLOWEEN EVERY DAY: Dracula (1931)

'Dracula' is the first of what is now the classic Universal Monsters franchise and stars Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, Edward Van Sloan, and Dwight Frye. The film was directed by Todd Browning who was famous at the time for his work with Lon Chaney Sr. who tragically passed away before he could don the cape himself. The film is actually closer to the stage play of the same name rather than the Bram Stoker novel, with many changes throughout and most for the better back in 1931. The truth is, the 'Dracula' novel was probably difficult to imagine a film adaptation due to it being written like diary or journal entries by the various characters and their interactions with Dracula. That would throw me for a loop too if I were asked to make a film at the time but for all the difficultly they may or may not have gone through, 'Dracula' is still one of if not the best film in the Monsters universe.

Bela Lugosi, even with his real-life tragedies will still be remembered for all time due to his performance as the titular vampire. He is Dracula, and while there were many other actors that I also enjoyed as the character, Lugosi's image, his accent, his very presence is forever ingrained into modern culture and even the Halloween season. Everywhere you go, you see Lugosi's Dracula as decorations and even on Count Chocula cereal. As far as the movie itself goes, that's really going to depend on whether or not you're a fan of the slower horror films. It saddens me deeply to hear people won't see any movies in black and white, good or bad because they're missing out on some of the greatest films of all time, particularly comedy and horror flicks. I really urge people to give it a chance and 'Dracula' would be a great starter.

The film keeps you feeling very uncomfortable and creeped out through the short running time which in part is due to the lack of any score or sound effects. This was 1931 and sound films were very new and this, along with a composer union strike at the time, the film was only able to use two pieces of classical music, the first being 'Swan Lake' at the film's opening credits. That theme somehow out of all the odds works perfectly and even Tim Burton used the song as Bela Lugosi's theme in his 1994 biopic film 'Ed Wood'. It's significance has lasted beyond the play from which it originated. As far as anything I would put down about the film, it would be the acting.

This is a hard thing to criticize due to the time period in which it was filmed. Actors were becoming used to sound recording during their performances, therefore they tended to overact particularly Dracula and the various characters that run the hospital. It's silly to most modern audiences but I believe with proper history and context, it can be appreciated a little better. The worst part of the film is by far the character of Jonathan Harker, who comes off as very bland and wooden. Supposedly, the actor playing him really disliked being a part of the production and I can see than through his performance but luckily he doesn't drag down the movie.

This is still a great film, though it may not scare anymore it is still great film making of the early days of the craft. It's a real shame Todd Browning lost his career due to the film 'Freaks' which is also a very good film from this time. I think he could have brought something even more special along the way had he been given the chance. If you choose to check out 'Dracula', I recommend the original audio Blu-Ray. Do NOT pick the Phillip Glass score track, though Mr. Glass is a brilliant composer, this film works so much better in silence. Check it out and see what music the children of the night truly make.

HALLOWEEN EVERY DAY: Sleepy Hollow (1999)

'Sleepy Hollow' is the perfect Halloween film. It may lack as a film in many areas, as with most Tim Burton films but the time spent watching it is worth it. Johnny Depp is at his best as always no matter the role. This time, he plays the squeamish and nervous Inspector Ichabod Crane who has come to the village of Sleepy Hollow in order to solve a series of gruesome murders using his modern techniques. He soon comes to find that nothing is at all like it seems. The film is both a deep dark mystery and bloody spectacle, though the effects don't always have the upper hand here, something all too common throughout the 1990's.

The cast is vast and amazing here. Johnny Depp I already mentioned, but its his interactions with the various cast members that make his performance work so well. Christina Ricci's Katrina is a character of mystery. She is a damsel, but she can also handle herself in certain situations, giving her a more complex character than in Washington Irving's novel. On the opposite end you have Brahm played by Casper Van Dien who is almost non-existent in the film. In fact his character is brutally bumped off half-way through, giving the film another check against the norm. You also have some of the best veteran actors of all time here. Michael Gambon, Michael Gough, Richard Griffiths, and Ian McDermind playing the various townsfolk who each harbor dark secrets of their own and may be the Horseman.

The film's story changes are what gives the film its multiple flaws. Side plots such as Ichabod's flashbacks involving his mother don't really seem to add up to anything other than some pretty visual sequences. You also have the 'Who-Dunnit' scenario going on throughout that doesn't really make sense, seeing as how most people know the truth about the Headless Horseman even before watching the film, rendering the multiple accusations pretty pointless. Tim Burton really knows how to make a pretty film, but these flaws are ever present and I know he's a better director than that and hope to see it come through some day.

'Sleepy Hollow' is one of Burton's better films, flaws and all and its a great way to set up the mood during the Halloween season and the Fall season in general. Enjoy it late at night while giving out your annual candy treats.

RINGU (1998)

'Ringu' or 'Ring' for us English folks is the original 1998 film that would go to inspire many many bad remakes here in the US. Luckily, the original film is quite the creep fest and well worth your time. The film has the same plot as its American counterpart with a supernatural video tape that once viewed will lead to your death within seven days. A young reporter and her child become caught within a web of horror, conspiracy, and death as the seventh day gets closer and closer. The film at the time was considered very extreme and while much of it is pretty tame when comparing it to modern horror flicks, it still contains very disturbing subject matter involving child murder, vengeance, regret and sorrow so yeah still not for the extremely squeamish.

The film has a very uncomfortable silence to it, meaning that the sound design, the pacing, and even the cinematography itself is very subtle, very quiet, and very dimmed until the horror moments come with no warning, putting this film high above other thrillers of its kind. The film may be considered too slow for many, but even they should be able to appreciate the overall bizarre feelings one gets when viewing 'Ringu'. I'm not exactly sure how to describe it properly, but I think of it like this: This film feels so much creepier to me because of its foreign nature. Being unable to speak the language on screen, the locations being unfamiliar to me, and the overall tone of the film being unknown, mysterious, and alien is what truly makes these original J-Horror films better than their US remakes.

It may just be the modern YouTube age that has jaded me so on this, but the film can look like an Internet parody at times. When the film works though, hot damn does it work as you can see in the photo above this paragraph. The fact that they achieved that effect with practical means and that it works better than the remake just goes to show less is more. Holy crap that scene is creepy.

Overall, I present this to you: If you think these images throughout the review are creepy, unsettling, or unnerving in any way, you should check out 'Ringu' you'll get all of this in spades. Is the movie perfect? No, not very many films are sadly however its well worth your time, especially with the Halloween season looming over us. Check this one out if you plan to see 'RINGS' this October as well. The film has nothing to do with this film, but I recommend it so that you can have a good comparison and make a better judgment for yourself.

5 Films To Watch on Halloween

Do you find yourself watching the same horror flicks every Halloween? Perhaps this list will help a little bit. Since you all seemed to enjoy my list for kids Halloween films, I thought I'd give the big kids something as well. Without further ado, let us begin below:

FRIGHT NIGHT (1986)

No, not the recent film starring Colin Ferrell put that out of your mind forever and check out the Tom Holland original. This film gives the feeling of living within an episode of a late night monster movie show, back when the horror hosts were kings. The film also brings back those old days where you watched one two many movies late at night and assumed that dog outside was something more sinister. 'Fright Night' takes the vampire tropes and gives them some creativity and vigor while still keeping the spirit of those films of old. Check this one out with a group and you'll have fun.

THE EXORCIST III: LEGION (1990)

Yes, I am going outside the norm and bringing a sequel that deserves much more attention than it gets. The lack of publicity was likely due to the dry valley that was 90's horror flicks and its a shame 'Legion' got lost within the decade because it's almost on equal footing with the 1973 classic. George C. Scott, Brad Dourif, and Jason Miller are some of the best actors in film history and they all pull off their very best here. 'Exorcist III' has a very dark and quiet tone to it, making even the quieter moments so unsettling that your just wishing for something to happen so the uncomfortable silence will end. Dare I say, 'The Exorcist III' is creepier than the original and I highly recommend it. And the director this time around is the author of the novel himself, what more do you want?

HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH (1982)

Everyone knows John Carpenter's 'Halloween' is possibly the best modern horror film of all time, so I really don't want to put it here as I hope most people have seen it by now. What I would like to put here is one of its highly underrated sequels. Yes, I know about all the complaints: No Michael Myers, No connections to the series however when going over the franchise as a whole, 'Season of the Witch' stands out as a much better film than most of the other sequels. The film tells a solo tale of a creepy small town where masks are being manufactured to kill all the children of the world, giving the film almost an alien invader scenario mixed with the background of Halloween. The film captures the holiday perfectly, from its costumes, to its set design and even its creepy synth score by Carpenter himself. Please ignore anyone who wants to be negative about this film, check it out for yourself. I think you'll be surprised.

EVENT HORIZON (1997)

'Alien' meets 'Hellraiser' in director Paul Anderson's 'Event Horizon' a surprise film that I checked out on the television one afternoon back in the day and have fallen in love with it ever since. The film has been notoriously butchered and edited heavily due to its content, but what is there is still enough to fuel those nightmares at night. I will admit the film has many flaws, possibly due to the editing but its hard to ignore the choppy story and lack of interesting characters. Still, the film's visuals and short length is more than enough to warrant a late evening viewing. If only Anderson could make the 'Resident Evil' films as well as this one.

THE HAUNTING (1962)

The final pick here is one that is a little bit older, but doesn't lose any of its charm or horror. A much more psychological horror film than its 1999 remake which I wish to forget about, 'The Haunting' shows the slow break down of a troubled young woman who may or may not be experiencing paranormal activity all leading up to a well executed climax. The film is very much about the visuals rather than a straight story. Do not expect non stop sequences of action through this one, its meant to be appreciated and to give you a discussion afterwards with your friends. I simply love this film, and why shouldn't it be a great film? Robert Wise (Sound of Music) is the director after all.



HONORABLE MENTIONS:

INSIDIOUS:

James Wan is the best horror director of the modern age bar none and 'Insidious' is his masterpiece. This film genuinely terrified me, and those who know me know that is a hard feat indeed. There's so much to discuss here, however we will be getting into this one later next month.

DEAD SILENCE:

Mr. Wan again in his second effort about a deadly ventriloquist ghost. 'Dead Silence' is a precursor to what would become 'The Conjuring' and 'Insidious' but this one doesn't quite have the same polish. Still, worth checking out.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK:

Daniel Radcliff, Hammer Films, a Haunted House and a creepy old lady ghost. What about this combination of things is a negative in any way? Great flick, but recommended to those who can handle slower paced films.

THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL:

Ti West's 2nd outing is his best effort to date. Set in the 1980's, the film gives that nice retro feel that brings you back to the days of renting old monster movies from the video store every weekend. The film is also a beauty to look at as well but it is not for the squeamish. Be forewarned.

CRIMSON PEAK:




Guillermo Del Toro brings Gothic horror and romance together in this recent effort. The film is beautiful in both its gore and its visuals, with every scene detailed and set up expertly. It may lack some of the precision of Del Toro's other films, however its a perfect choice for the holiday.