DAY 31! The Rules of Halloween

Day 31: The last day of the countdown is finally here! I hope everyone enjoyed it. Have a great Halloween!

Trick R' Treat (2009) (delayed since 2007)

I will start this one like a few others I've posted. Trick R' Treat is not a 'scary' movie. It is, however, a great movie to ring in Halloween night.

This movie is all about the rules of Halloween and, moreover, what happens if you break those rules.

In case you were wondering what happens...you get killed. Perhaps by this little guy (Sam) in the picture

The movie is actually 4 short stories that are intertwined and connected by these rules. There are werewolves, creepy kids, a murderous principal, and of course Sam- the protector of Halloween rules.

This straight to DVD flick has plenty of well known actors in it (including Anna Paquin), The cinematography of the flick is its strongest point. Perfect for a chilly fall evening full of ghosts and ghouls. Make sure you follow the rules...

Once again. I hope you all enjoyed this countdown. I will be back to my old commentary in no time.

Day 30: 'That house is not fit to live in.'

Only 2 more days of the 31 Days of Halloween countdown left! then it is back to my regularly scheduled Tirading :)

Day 30: The Changeling (1980) ---NO! Not that Angelina Jolie movie!!

1980's The Changeling is, for reasons beyond me, left off of most lists of scary movies. Perhaps it is due to its very slow, calm introduction period which isn't suitable for many viewers in the 'I want it now' era. BUT if you have patience for FILMS, atmospheric detail, and mood development then this gem is for you. It is a bit slow in the beginning, but believe me ther eis a payoff. This is one of the creepiest movies ever made.

The story focuses around a man (George C. Scott) who lost his family inan accident, and so he rents an old mansion to take some alone time to get himself together. Only problem is, he's not alone. the mansion is haunted and hiding a dark secret.

There are very few films out there that lay the creepiness on quite so thick. I dare you to watch The Changeling alone...but, just don't try watching it when you are tired.

Day 28 & 29: One's and Two's

Day 28:

Creepshow 1 and 2

The Creepshow series is like the original 'Tales From the Crypt' (which is also well worth watching). It is a compilaiton of short movies interconnected by a host segueing in between them. While Creepshow might not be 'scary', it is, as the title insists, creepy. For Creepshow I, the short to look out for is called 'They're Creeping Up On You', which will definitely have you squirming in your seat! Warning: If you have an extreme fear of bugs, pass up on this. There are a lot of formerly large stars in this including: Leslie Nielson, Ted Danson, and Stephen King among others.

Creepshow II is a great extension of this series with many more creepy shorts. In this one, look out for 'The Hitchhiker'. This is a great little creepfest featuring a victim of a hit and run who just won't die before he gets a ride.

Day 29:

Saw 1 and 2

Ok, so I know a lot of people are sick of Saw because of all of the sequels, but hear me out. 1st, part of what makes horror movies great is the fact that the killer doesn't die and you get to see him (or her) kill over and over again. 2nd, as far as originality in a horror movie goes, Saw is right up there near the top

3rd, this movie series actually holds sentimental value with me. Sounds ridiculous I know, but on October 29, 2004 I took Mrs. Caped on our first date. Being the romantic that I am, that date was to see Saw (hahah- seesaw). Anyway, YES, she still ended up marrying me. So the Saw series became a running point of humor in our relationship. We call it our anniversary movie because every year since, there has been a sequel in the theater during our anniversary.

Ok, so if you can get past Danny Glovers horrifically terrible acting, Saw 1 is a smart and fun ride. The death scenes are creative and the plot has great twists.

Saw II (my favorite in the series) is more of the same but it pits a group of criminals together in a house. Get ready to cringe and gasp about 30 seconds after one of the criminals uncovers a hole in the floor full of syringes.

Day 27: 'You're gonna die'

The Strangers (2008)

Contrary to the movies in my last post, The Strangers is a VERY frightening movie! It is suspenseful and smart and the killers are regular everyday people who decide to randomly torment and kill a random couple. That's it. No reasons. No elaborations. That's it.

The mood is dark throughout with the main couple (anchored by Liv Tyler) having some relationship trouble after Tyler turns down a wedding proposal from her boyfriend. They go to a remote house in the woods and everyone knows what happens in remote houses in the woods...

The killers in this film wear very simple Halloween masks which make them seem even scarier then if they were all done up. There are a lot of creepy 'peeping tom' style moments wear the killers are keeping a watchful eye on the helpless couple. If you haven't seen this, then go get it. But be warned, you might be very uncomfortable trying to fall asleep tonight.

Day 25 and 26: The Good Book vs. The Book of The Dead

Day 25 of the 31 Days of Halloween countdown

Donnie Darko (2001)

Donnie Darko is not scary by any means, but as far as strange and confusing go, it is a the top of my list. The movie is unique and terrific and will have you asking yourself 'what the fuck is going on' pretty often.

Centered around Donnie (Jake JillAndHall...whatever), a kid who stumbles onto time travel. Either that or he's nuts...I mean he does frequently talk to a 6 foot tall demonic looking bunny rabbit...then again I had some interesting imaginary friends in my days...then again, again, I wasn't a teenager when I saw them. I digress. This movie is a great halloween flick as it takes place around the holiday. Also, there is a great performance by Patrick Swayze as a creepy and demented 'child of God' who preeches various distortions of biblical text to the towns people forming sort of a cult community in which some of the most criminal of peole linger. This movie explores what can happen when you are aloud not only to glimpse into the future, but perhaps change it too.


The Evil Dead (1981)

Evil Dead is not a scary flick either. What it is, is the king of all 'B' horror movies and the real start to the career of the greatest 'B' movie actor of all time, Bruce Campbell. The man is a comedy/horror genius and (as I met him last year) one cool, yet cocky, S.O.B.

Evil Dead is about a group of college kids who go to a cabin in the woods for vacation and uncover the Necronomicon (the book of the dead). These not too horror savvy teens accidentally unleash demons into the woods and end up getting picked off one by one as they try to take shelter in the cabin.

Sam Raimi (Spiderman) Directed this gem. The effects are cheesey and the one-liners are ever more so...if by cheesey I mean AWESOME!!

This movie is so good that a group of people made a musical out of it, (which I saw, sat in the front few rows for, and got splattered with fake blood = good times). Do yourself a huge favor and watch the whole trilogy. If you are a fan of blood, comedy, and quotable lines you won't be disappointed.

Day 23 and 24: Be afraid of the dark

Day 23 of the 31 Days of Halloween countdown

30 Days of Night (2007)

30 Days of Night is by far one of the scariest and most effective vampire movies ever made. There is no 'glamouring'; there is no requests for anyone to 'look into their eyes'; there is no inkling of humanity in their dead eyes; and none of them fall in love with a human that has special abilities...

What this movie does have is, VAMPIRES! Blood thirsty, vicious, soulless, and scary vampires; and they are on the hunt in Alaska. Why Alaska? Well because the sun goes down and doesn't come back for a month out there. Hence, 30 days of night...more like 30 days of ripping peoples heads off and feeding on their blood. The movie is dark and sinister and about as realistic as a movie about blood suckers can be.

Day 24:

The Descent (2005)

The Descent follows a group of good looking women who like to, of all things, go spelunking. These adventurers pride themselves on pushing each other to the limits of their capability and on discovering new places to explore. This leads them to a series of caves which, as far as they know, have never been explored before. after a few really close calls with falling rocks and as the cave gets tighter and tighter to maneuver within, the darkness begins to play tricks on them and they begin to see scary creatures...Only, their minds are not playing tricks on them. Flesh eating creatures are after them and they must fight to stay alive.

This is a fantastic movie with one problem. The ending is HORRIBLE. Therefore, if you are going to watch this movie, I suggest turning it off about 2 minutes before it ends. (that would be right after the woman throws up- you'll know when to turn it off) In my opinion, it makes the movie waaay better than if you watch it to the very end with its ineffective twist. That said, it is still one of the best horror flicks of recent years. there is a sequel coming out soon...I hope it is good.

Day 21 & 22- Women are SCARY

The 31 Days of Halloween countdown

(Sorry to all for falling slightly behind with this. I will be caught up shortly)

Day 21:

Carrie (1976):

I hadn't seen Carrie in years, until I had the unique pleasure of seeing this film on original reel in the magnificent Landmark Loews Theatre on Friday. Man, I forgot how great this movie is and not because of the slow motion opening credit scene; during which there is a lot of this...but because it has all of the elements that makes a horror movie great AND stylistically has been taken from over the years to make other great horror flicks.

Poor Carrie and her crazy, fanatically religious mother. They just didn't fit in with everyone else. We all know how cruel high school kids can be. BUT in this film, they picked on the wrong girl.

This movie has a large cast of fairly prominent actors including Mr. Tony Manero himself. Add to that a slew of quotables and a sprinkle decently scary scenes and you have a great flick


Day 22:

Gothika: (2003)

Gothika is an example of a smart thriller. Starring Hallie Berry, Charles S. Dutton, and the dude playin' the dude disguised as another dude, Gothika is a great movie about a woman (Berry) who is admitted into the psychiatric hospital that she worked in after being charged with killing her husband. THe problem is, Berry doesn't remember doing it...oh and she begins to see ghosts....either that or she's going crazy.

There are plenty of gotcha moments and a very good story line that will keep most people on their toes. Enjoy.