The time has come and below are a couple of MUST SEE films tonight! Whether you are going to a party in fancy dress or trick or treating (hopefully just the kids doing this haha) you should definitely find some time to stick on a scary film and get those goosebumps going! Get the popcorn ready, and don't forget the answer to the very important question...
What's your favourite scary movie?
All of the franchise should be watched, especially Halloween H20 (below)
All of the Scream films should be watched including the newest instalment
To be honest, around this time of year, any horror film can be watched and enjoyed. The above just happen to be my favourites but below are some other classics that can give you all a good scare!
Halloween is a time to trick or treat but also to spend some time with those at home watching some good films! Below are some clips/trailers from the films I think are a must see for all the family around this time of year!
Funnily enough these two great family films (both PG)were made the same year and they are both funny and creepy but enjoyable for any age! I have watched both every year since I can remember and I still enjoy them thoroughly.
Another demon possession film...this time based on a young girl who becomes possessed...sound familiar? Yes this storyline has been exhausted so why use your hard earned money to take a trip to the cinema to watch this latest edition of possession films?
Well firstly, the plot regarding the yard sale and the Jewish demon box that hoards evil spirits is quite interesting, the way it tries to find innocent minds to lure them into a friendship, manipulate them and eventually become them is a slight twist on the other humdrum films. I like that element and the acting of young Natasha Calis is worth a watch regardless as she is menacing and creepy while maintaining a likeable and innocent aura.
Secondly there are some genuinely creepy moments that will keep you on the edge of your seat, mainly watching Em’s violent outbursts and discovering what is actually inside her but in general the film does have a very similar outline to that of The Exorcist and The Exorcism of Emily Rose and I would say the second of those films is slightly more scary than this film. The only other downfall to this film is the slightly silly ending. I always find if you see too much, the mystery is over. That can be said for any paranormal/horror films. They always take it too far and spoil the initial suspense and fear.
I would say watch this film if this is your kind of genre as having the cinema atmosphere does make it a little scarier but it does have a familiar format with a few new twists.
Well what can I say - Shia Lebeouf and Tom Hardy in one film....thumbs up just from the casting! I did really enjoy this film purely for the thrill factor of manly violence! The film focuses on the three Bondurant brothers who have a reputation for being invincible and it is all about their perils in the illegal alcohol business during the Depression-era.
A crooked police officer (Charlie Rakes) is after their shares and will go to any extreme to either put them out of business or take it for himself. Pearce plays this slimy character with great conviction and he leaves you with a bitter taste of disgust from his very mannerisms to the low-life violent acts he commits.
What I love about this film is the brothers’ loyalty and tough nature. The two eldest brothers show Jack tough love to help make him a man as at first he really cannot handle himself and is not really worthy of the invincible tagline the brothers seem to have developed as a reputation.
Hardy is the real star here showing a side to a lawless villain that most don’t see. At first you would assume his lifestyle is unsavoury (which it is) but you would associate a negative persona with this but he is in fact a caring and protective sort who has just chosen a different path to go down during hard times.
To be fair many seem to have chosen the same path in this lucrative business but with less profit and fear factor. He is violent but only when necessary and knows how to look after himself. He is a fair character who doesn’t want his brother (Jack) to be in the business at first, other than as the ignorant driver but eventually has to ease him in after he discovers his business and his brother’s well being is at stake. He is a survivor and seems to find himself escaping death on more than one occasion.
Charlie underestimates the brothers as well as their influence on the locals. He feels he is above the law as he has them wrapped round his little finger but it is in fact the Bondurant Brothers who eventually stand up to him and take back the towns dignity. There really is a sense of mutual relief and victory when they all take a stand against Charlie which is what everyone wants in a film - someone to hate and see purged ensuring justice is served!
Overall this film has everything you could want - action, a touch of comedy and a hint of romance. Excellent acting and some very poignant scenes that really reflect the calibre of acting for this new generation of Class A actors! A must see in my view and it definitely deserves the 18 rating!
This has a very interesting plot about childhood monsters born in our dreams and how these can be hereditary. This sounds like a good horror/thriller to get you shifting nervously in your seat. This may give you a nightmare or two. This is my kind of film and we haven't had a good horror movie for a while so I am looking for a good scare and hope this delivers!
Another film that has caught my eye as a potential hit is The Descendants (15) starring George Clooney. This is a comedy/drama and has had good reviews, especially for Clooney's performance.
He plays a bit of a loser attempting to connect with his daughters as well has learning he has lived within a very failed marriage. He then has to step away from the 'back-up parent' role and face reality after an accident. Interesting storyline and it has various elements that should hopefully keep a wide audience entertained.
Both these films were released on 27th January 2011.
I have a few things to see at the cinema so I need to make my way to see these two very soon! I hope my post can help you choose what film to see next.
Let me know if you see any of these films or the ones I posted about previously in the comment box below!
Plot: A young paleontologist graduate (Kate) is called upon by friend Adam and scientist Dr. Halvorson to help excavate a finding in the middle of Antarctica. They join an isolated Norwegian team who work together to uncover one of the greatest findings in history. They find a creature that is over 100,000 years old and attempt to keep this finding a secret as long as possible, until it all goes horribly wrong. Kate and Dr. Holvorson come to confrontations about how to deal with this alien life force that is threatening to take over the camp which in turn leads all to wonder who is really human.
I was very excited when I saw this film advertised. I am a big fan of the original The Thing (1982) with Kurt Russell. I love the effects for the time, the excellent acting and above all, the suspense of the film. This film is even in my Top 10 Horror movies!
I love the idea of a group of individuals being isolated from the world and dealing with something that could threaten earths existence. The fact that they are alone with a creature that can imitate human life will get anyone paranoid and this is the basis of the entire film. It's like a who-done-it type of thriller and it leaves you guessing throughout the whole film. You are always surprised when the alien reveals itself and someone you didn't even consider!
The make up effects at the time were groundbreaking as no one had seem something so believable. This is why The Thing 2011 version had a lot to live up to. With the CGI age at it's peak, I was expecting serious changes in this film that could of threatened my enjoyment of it. Thankfully the film did not over do it with the CGI effects. They were definitely better than the original but they did not over power the film.
The producers of this film decided it was best not to do a remake of John Carpenter's film but a prequel with new characters and a different point of view. This film begins in 1982 before the scene in the original when the husky dog is being chased by the helicopter. This means we are taken into the world when the thing was first discovered as this is only touched upon in the first film.
I love the fact we can see what happens when the spaceship and alien are discovered and how it managed to escape. This is a very good idea as many lovers of the original film would be disappointed no matter how good the remake would of been. This film certainly has some good moments and twists. I love the addition of two female characters as this adds an element of vulnerability but also a female heroine which is more commonly seen these days.
There are obviously some parallels to the original film, in terms of how they come up with techniques to discover who is human and who is alien once people start becoming infected. This is a good idea as if these people discovered the alien, they would not have come up with the same scientific experiments as those in the second camp! They still came up with the same way to fight the alien, with flame-throwers on site. This is obviously because they would of had the same equipment on site so this similarity is believable.
The film holds suspense well as you see a build up through the slow pace of the film. I like when two of the team members who crashed in the helicopter with the alien on board return, and how they are treated as outcasts similarly to the character of Blair in the first film. One of these outcasts is Carter who reflects the character of MacReady (Kurt Russell). He is the rebel American who helps Kate survive but in fact it is Kate who is the leading woman and who also portrays a side of MacReady.
The effects of the spaceship were the only downside to the film as it was unnecessary. In the first film the spaceship was considerably smaller and not shown as much which I thought was a better way to deal with the ship element.
Near the end, we see that the dog, which was meant to have been killed by the alien at the very beginning of this film, escapes. It had cleverly been hiding away while the events unfolded, waiting for it's chance to get away and spread. This leaves it open to begin the start of the original film but we also see Kate as the lone survivor which also poses the question, is she still human?
My view: I liked this prequel as it gave some answers as to what happened before the first film and introduced some interesting characters. I enjoyed the special effects up until the spaceship but felt the ending was ambiguous as we weren't sure if Kate was infected or not. This can be seen as a good thing but in my mind it just opens the film to a sequel which may have been intended but may not be needed. I like the fact that this film is always left open ended and would prefer not to see the film expand any further than the isolated region of Antarctica as you face ruining the film entirely.
Recommendation: Watch the original again (or for the first time) before you watch this film so you have a better understanding of the film. I watched it just a week before going to the cinema to re-fresh my memory of this classic film!
In the run up to Halloween I have been excitedly watching some of my favourite horror movies. I love to be scared in a film; it gives you an adrenaline rush that you just don’t get in other genres of film. Horror is by far my favourite type of film as it takes a lot of elements to make a good horror film. You need a good plot, good character development, a hero element, suspense and of course, JUMPS!
I made my way to see Paranormal Activity 3 this week.I saw the first instalment of the film and thought it was pretty good. Many people laughed and didn’t take it seriously but if you are a horror film buff like me, you look beyond what the normal population see and think and acknowledge the work that was put into this type of film and appreciate it.
I unfortunately never got to see the second film but I actually have it on record now so this week will be a sum up of all the films for me.
The third film was much better than the first purely because of budget. The effects were better and the setting was a bit more varied. The first film obviously had a lower budget and was set purely in the home of the couple. As the first and second film grossed so much with lower budgets, the third film had the luxury of more money and therefore had a better quality to it.
I love documentary style films when they are done right. This film did not have that shaky, hand-held video camera style that makes you feel a bit sick watching it. The cameras are mainly stand-alone ones which was better viewing for me. The characters were really well developed as more time was spent learning about them. The film started in present day and back tracked to the past when the sisters (the women from the first and second films) were young.
The film revolves around why the girls are haunted in their present lives. I love how the third film explains much more about the women and how they are personally susceptible to haunting, not the homes. I won’t give away the ending to the film but all I can say is it is quite creepy!
I am personally scared when children are involved in horror films. It is a common theme in films to choose children as the ones who have the link to the ghost realm as it is a well known phenomenon that children are more susceptible to these things. Take ‘Sixth Sense’, ‘Amityville’, and ‘The Shining’ to name a few films that incorporate children who see ghosts or demons.
There are some genuinely scary bits in this film. There are some good quality jump moments and suspense that builds up to the main events and this is what makes a good horror film. There are moments that are slow going but it all adds to the suspense and if you are a lover of horror films similar to this; you understand that it is all about patience.
I like the characters in this film. Dennis is definitely a leading man and you really root for him in this film, he is very likeable. There are comedy elements, especially thanks to the character of Dennis and his sidekick who helps him track down the ghost in his home. I like it when there is comedy cleverly thrown into horror films as it takes a lot of talent and timing to make a film funny and scary at the same time.
They have cleverly released this film close to Halloween to no doubt have another big grossing film. The release of a film is almost as important as the film itself as this determines the amount of people who will actually go to the cinema rather than doing the dreaded download! The cinema was packed when I went and I know many other showings have been. This will hopefully be another success!
My view: I do recommend this film to horror lovers. There are some really intense, goose bumps on the back of your neck, type of scares. It is the best of the three films so get yourself down to the cinema this Halloween!
In the run up to All Hallow's Eve I have been collaborating with a fantastic tweeter @johnnywhizzbang to create poems that relate to some eery photographs. Via his website, I have posted a few poems that link to the photographs provided by him.
His website is sufficiently creepy and spine-chilling for this time of year. Halloween is one of my favourite holidays as I love trick or treating, the ghost stories told and of course the ritual horror movie fest.
Here are the poems that have been featured so far, there will be more in the run up to the 31st October but I thought I would share the genius of this site to all those people (like me) who appreciate this sort of art.
''Darkness engulfs the room
I hear empty whispers of lost regrets
Shifting moves in the faint moonlight
Their eyes fixate on my human presence''
''Empty vessels carry years of loneliness
Laughing demons trick those who listen
Together on this one frivolous night
These creatures rise to give us a fright''
''The night draws close and I hear them howl
They cry towards the moon and know they are heard
Creeping through their lives with a hidden secret
On this night they shall be revealed''
I have done a print-screen so you can just see my specific poems but please go to the actual website and have a look, you won't be disappointed > http://johnnywhizzbangshalloween.tumblr.com/
Also, if you love horror movies like myself, have a look at my TOP 10 Horror Movies by clicking the link. Let me know your favourite horror films too!
1. Halloween (1978)
I find this film gets to my core. Knowing a person can inflict such torment is more terrifying than most thoughts. The scenes where Myers is waiting for laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis) outside school and on her way home scared me as a child and are creepy beyong words.
2. Amytiville (1979)
Reading the book is possibly scarier than the film. The thought of the little girl and her imaginary friend at the window still sends chills down my spine. The film is well realised and based on a true story - even better! The remake in 2005 with Ryan Reynolds is just as good in my opinion. It is hard to do a remake of such a well known plot. The thought a house can hold the memories of the past always makes me think twice about my house!
Excellent remake of the original. My friends and I were terrified to go to sleep alone. The storyline of rage being transferred to the house and spreading to new victims shows how negative emotions can be contagious and destructive. The sound she makes was re-enacted so many times and I pranked quite a few people with this >>>
A film that combines the rules of the horror fiilm, comedy, gore and truly scary and intense moments gets my vote! It has lived on until 2011 and still worth seeing which is an achievement. Horror movies love to have sequels but this film has ones worth seeing.
The Omen-esque. Any film that portrays children as evil tend to be the scariest as they are supposed to be the essence of innocence. You associate children with purity but this film goes beyond that and the twist is ironically twisted!
6. The Thing (1982)
The effects were brilliant for the time. Better and more believable than most alien-based films. Nothing is scarier than being isolated in the middle of nowhere and there is something taking over your camp - who can you trust?
7. The Others (2001) and The Sixth Sense (1999)
Subtle and original. The other side to the ghost realm. Massive twist that once you have seen you can't watch it again and it have the same effect on you. Shocker! Had to put both films in here as they have the same effect and similarities but are both worthy of a spot and still scare me, just don't shock me as much as the first time.
8. The Shining (1980)
The music is intense, the film is slow but chilling and the acting is one of the best I have seen. Isolation is key in horror films and particularly in this film. Having one of you own family members turn on you is a horrible thought. Isolation, possession, haunting and madness makes this film epic as there are so many elements to contend with. ''All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy''.
9. Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
What makes this film a good horror is that it taps into the one part of your life you can't control and you are at your most vulnerable - your dreams. The thought of someone penetrating your vulnerability in your sleep and the potential for your dreams to become reality is the most important aspect of this film. A classic! ''1, 2, Freddy's coming for you, 3, 4, better lock your door...''
10. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
A strange choice but this was a planned documentary. The actors had a basic script for the day but had to follow a route and improvise when necessary. They were told things would happen but could not control their natural instincts. Genuine fear is displayed in some parts of the film and these brief moments are what make the film. Swearing aside, the concept was genius.
