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On my weekends home from campus lately I saw the regular Nightmare on Elm Street flicks on TV as well as Jason vs. Freddy and some others, as well as Halloween H2O, one of the better Halloween films aside from the Carpenter originals.
A couple of weekends back I saw only a part of a film called My Soul to Take written and directed by Wes Craven, and decided to download it this past weekend and check it out. While I thought the idea of the film was interesting, I though the overall execution of it was poor at best. The characters had a chance to really be interesting and relatable, but before they get room to breathe like in some of Craven's other flicks, they are killed off in rather predictable fashions. While there are a few cool shots from Craven, interesting twists and all that, I think the film would have benefited from a longer running time where more time was spent on fleshing out the characters we are supposed to care about. The movie at times smells of heavy editing, as if important scenes were taken out to fit a certain running time or budget. The film caught my eye at first, but because it has an inability to let its characters connect to the audience in a meaningful way, when the proverbial crap hits the fan, you don't really care about any of them or feel any sadness. I am kind of disappointed, not only because I know what Craven and his team are capable of, but also because the film had so much potential at the start that was ruined in part because of bad storytelling decisions. I would still recommend this film to anyone hoping to get in the Halloween mood, as it does supply that eerie atmosphere perfect for this season, and as I said, it has content that works and will keep you interested.
As for the films I watch as an annual tradition, Halloween (the 1978 Carpenter original) is my go to horror film. There is so much to like here, from Carpenter's smart direction and brilliant shots and simple yet unnerving score, to the brilliant debut of Jamie Lee Curtis (now the undisputed Scream Queen of the ages), and a great script full of brilliant supporting characters like the unforgettable Loomis. Carpenter is my favorite horror director because he understands how to direct a horror film, and its "monster" or "killer." We see Michael in only far away shots, one person perspective shots (with added heavy breathing), or in shadows until the very end, constantly building up that tension until it reaches its peak at the climax. Carpenter understood that if you show too much of the film's killer you lose that scare factor, and by seeing so little of Michael, Carpenter makes us start to scare ourselves. We know Michael is out there somewhere, but we can't see him and have no idea when he will strike. Now that is how you shoot a horror film! There are so many clever shots that tell the story onscreen in such an interesting and innovative way, and when you realize just how low the budget for this little film was, it is an unimaginable feat that Carpenter and his crew pulled off here. It is a fine example of all that can be accomplished with a small budget and a short number of hands on deck. Even some of the blockbuster horror films of today with their massive crews and huge casts and budgets can't put a finger on this classic from the year '78. If you haven't seen this horror masterpiece, do yourself a favor and give it a watch this Halloween.
Since I have no classes on the day of Halloween I am going to watch films all day long, and hope to do a marathon of the following:
*Halloween (1978)- The aforementioned traditional film for me. I don't think I'll follow it up with Halloween II though. We'll see...
*Zodiac- David Fincher and his team struck cinematic gold with this little number. This still remains one of my favorite films ever, and one that never fails to haunt me in its atmospheric glory every time I see it anew. Everything from the direction to the cinematography, star studded cast, writing, and attention to detail that it pays to the real life serial murders are glorious. The Zodiac killer has haunted me since childhood along with the Black Dahlia case, and it is satisfying to see a film that successfully showcases the real life events and transmits the deep fear that the Zodiac held San Francisco in with a tight death grip all those decades ago. Nothing else packs atmosphere, spine-tingling chills, deep paranoia and unrelenting fear like this beauty, and I couldn't think of a better film to add alongside Halloween to watch on the 31st.
*Psycho- One of my favorite Hitchcock films that I have ever seen, and quite ground-breaking for its time. We get shots of Marion in a bra (gasp!), an innovative death scene, a shocking directorial move, and last but not least, we get to see a toilet flush for the first time in cinematic history. Psycho is a hell of a film, and hasn't aged a bit. The performances are great, Bernard Herrmann's score a masterpiece in its own right, and Hitch delivers us a film full of brilliant shots, gripping tension, and endless appeal. Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates is one of the best casting decisions in film history, and he carries the film perfectly, never once losing a step. It's frightening. It's unforgettable. It's Psycho.
*I have a few others I am considering adding to the list, like The Shining (super chilling) or The Omen (original version), which I have heard so many great things about and have been saving for Halloween to finally watch. I have also heard a lot of great things about The Thing, and since I like Carpenter's direction style, I want to give that a watch as well leading up to Halloween.
So everyone, please share all your favorite films that get you in the Halloween mood and that you traditionally watch year in and year out the night of the 31st. I would also love some recommendations on some films to see building up to Halloween, as there are many I still need to see. I would appreciate any and all suggestions you give me. Cheers! :)
I'm guessing you have dressed up as The Crow before? Who do you plan on going as this year? I always love seeing how you go about creating your awesome costumes.
The Crow (#1)
The Legend Of Hell House (#2)
Then, various Hammer Dracula films, John Carpenter, Gremlins (doubles as one of my Christmas movies), etc as the mood strikes.
I was hoping the rumored release dates were true and I could watch 'You're Next' on Halloween, but sadly, it has been given a January release date, so for the night, I'll spend it trick-or-treating with the girlfriend (we're six years old, I think), and then return home to stuff our faces with strange candy and good horror films. I look forward to it, Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year.
This will be my best one yet- I can't wait
I actually tried on the makeup a few weekends ago just to make sure I had the sort of face shape for it to look right, and my cat wouldn't come near me! :))
That's funny. What kind of dog do you have?
An incredibly spoiled, overly loved sheepdog/lab mix.
Next Halloween will might be better if I can finally do my ultimate *dream* costume-
ROBOCOP!
http://vraiefiction.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/legend-of-jack-olantern-part-1.html
http://vraiefiction.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/legend-of-jack-olantern-part-2.html
And I am trying to make Jack O'Lantern tales a yearly tradition on my blog.
I will have the electric tape around the forearms and abdomen too, but it'll have to wait until the night of, since once it's on I won't be able to take the shirt off without cutting it
My Son asked if we could do an Ape costume this Halloween (He loves the TV series!), so I dug out the old mask I made when I was 13...
And I'm refreshing its look for the big day (repaint & repair)!
The green threads I just got at Goodwill, next to Joanne's for the phoney leather...
Who knew that 40 years later it would get more use?:confused:
In any event, will be working until quite late on the day, and then after that, going out to dinner with my wife and a drink or two. Nothing too extravagant
It's a damn nuisance when you get to a certain age. Sure we were all young once, but it's not something everyone appreciates now. We'll leave the kids to get on with things, and after that, it'll be out of the way for another year. The time will soon pass
This year I am planning to go as Greene from Quantum of Solace. My girlfriend is Mexican so she says she will be Camille but let's see.
Be safe everyone and Happy Halloween.
And here he goes out into the night...
35 :D
:))