We’ve all come to trust in certain films. We know the pictures that never fail to let us down, we know the pictures that force our girls to leap in our laps, and we know the pictures that make for a perfect fit on Halloween.
There is no losing with a small Halloween marathon (particularly parts 1 through 3). Friday the 13th, though not a Samhain-themed film of any sort, makes for an excellent choice on the 31st of October, as do Trick ‘r Treat, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Monster Squad. They’re all classics that hold a place in the viewing traditions of Halloween hounds.
But there are some other – far more recent – options out there worth looking into. In fact, a number of the recommendations you’re about to read are already gaining a lot of steam with fans and stand to be future go-tos for the holiday. So, if you’re looking for some new alternative seasonal viewing, you’ll want to take a few notes because we’ve got some great recommendations for you.
The Anthology
All Hallows’ Eve: An indie anthology that doesn’t necessarily rival the beauty of Trick ‘r Treat, Damien Leone’s grimy anthology All Hallows’ Eve boasts a few thrilling stories and an excellent wraparound tale. But the truth is, that’s not what really elevates the film. What pushes this one over the top are the unbelievably eerie visuals. Art the Clown is one disquieting creation, and when he’s on screen, bringing to life terribly awkward physical mannerisms, generating very real fear, it’s impossible to deny the effectiveness of the picture. The steady dose of organic Halloween sights and sounds also proves engaging. Don’t approach this film with the hopes of witnessing glossy, high budget terror; prepare yourself instead for a pic that feels like it crawled straight out of the 80s on a mission to make clowns petrifying once again.
The Inevitable Found Footage
The Houses October Built: Impactful found footage films are becoming a more significant rarity by the day. Every guy with a camera and an “idea” has decided they’re fit to go shoot a found footage flick. Most of these movies are drab, boring and unoriginal affairs that borrow every technique used by every other handy-cam movie already made. The Houses October Built is a different animal. It’s set during Halloween (and the week building up to it), and it utilizes an idea that hasn’t been dabbled with in this format: A group of 30-somethings are on a holiday road trip to visit all of the scariest haunt attractions they can find. Their desire to experience the most extreme of these haunts will prove – as expected – ill-advised, but the journey to reach that pinnacle of terror is quite entertaining. These characters aren’t complete morons (for the most part, that is); they use quite a bit more common sense than your average FF player, and most of them are actually likable. The antagonists of the picture, however, are not likable; they’re scary as, well, hell, and once you get a good look at them, you’ll realize that the special effects and makeup crew showed up with the intention of leaving a mark on the minds of viewers. If you’re going to watch a found footage flick this Halloween, The Houses October Built is a strong recommendation.
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.
A Slasher of a Different Breed
Mischief Night: Mischief Night arrived on the heels of very little buzz, but as it turns out, it’s an awfully inspired flick that deserved a stronger promotional push than it received. Equal parts slasher and home invasion, the picture is quite jarring thanks to Richard Schenkman’s willingness to hold shots and take his time building tension. In fact, his cinematic style is a little reminiscent of a young John Carpenter. And this tale of a blind girl tormented in her home the night before Halloween is successful in creating a lasting dread rather than a quick jolt or shock. The movie and the idea behind it linger courtesy of the heavy psychological edge of the film. It would have been nice to see some more Halloween-themed shots, but the flick is rather moving all the same, and the actual fear looms heavy thanks to some cool atmosphere and a decision to inject more realism in the production than overt hyperbole.
Terror on Television
“Penny Dreadful”: The easy suggestions here are “American Horror Story: Freak Show” and “The Walking Dead,” as both are top-notch efforts that work very well for the Halloween season (“The Walking Dead” capturing a cool Night of the Living Dead vibe, which is always good for a Halloween viewing, and “AHS: FS” playing on the terrors of the carnival, which again, given the absurd creatures and wild getups, works perfectly this time of year). But everyone is already watching both of those shows. They’re both off to amazing season starts, and all eyes are on them. However, if you want to catch up on a really impressive television show that you may not have seen, Showtime’s “Penny Dreadful” is the way to go. It’s a period piece that essentially pits a group of monster hunters against some of the more famous historical figures. The acting is excellent, the story is gratifying and the monsters are great. If you’re not a Showtime subscriber, Season One landed on Blu-ray and DVD October 14th, and it’s a purchase worth your while. A mini marathon Halloween day won’t do a damn thing other than please you.
Here’s the deal: No one expects you to abandon your favorite Halloween films. Half of us will watch the first two Halloween movies come October 31st. A large portion of us will watch Trick ‘r Treat, Satan’s Little Helper and Hell Night as well. There’s nothing wrong with keeping the trusted and true in circulation. But if you’ve got some free time during the waning days of October, these are pieces worth looking into. You’re not likely to be disappointed by any project listed here, and you never know… you may just unearth a classic in the making or a new seasonal favorite.
