Halloween 2014: Top Alternative Viewing Choices
Matt Molgaard
|
The New Animation
ParaNorman: We’ve seen a few very entertaining seasonal animation flicks hit the market over the last few years. Frankenweenie was a beautiful nod to the horrors (and icons) of yesteryear, Hotel Transylvania was a lighthearted and very family-friendly tribute to just about every original Universal monster to exist and a few years prior to that we bore witness to the birth of the amazing Monster House. Those are all excellent films, especially if you’ve got kids, but the one that really stands out thanks to stunning stop-motion and unbelievable detail (seriously, watch this movie and just gaze at the imagery… the accomplishment is almost unfathomable) is ParaNorman. Unlike many animated works, this one is actually frightening at times, but it’s heavy on the humor and is anchored not by the stellar voice cast, but the excellent screenplay. The film captures the vibe of Halloween wonderfully and remains sublime in comparison to its peers.
The Return of the Musical
Stage Fright: As amazing as The Rocky Horror Picture Show is, it’s time to open the door to a new, refreshing musical horror. And though Stage Fright isn’t a Halloween film per se, the costumes, the killer, the set locations and the twists all scream Halloween loyalty. Be prepared for some ludicrous ballads and outrageous characters, but also look for a storyline that lures and holds the attention. This is a very well-shot picture with an awesome villain and some unforgiving death scenes. If musicals are your thing, make Stage Fright a must-see this year.
