Here we are with just over
a week to go before the big night of ghouls and goblins. Despite a
few odd hang-ups it's been a pretty solid season and there's still
enough time to fit in a good haunted house, some pumpkin carving, and
plenty of spooky movies. Naturally I've been keeping to my tradition
of at least one scary movie every night though there have been a few
that have counted more as glorified background noise during bouts of
schoolwork.
One nagging issue on this
page is that, outside of praising Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum
earlier this month, there's been little opportunity to talk about
movies with you all. I aim to remedy that issue by ushering in what
may become a permanent fixture of future Halloweens where I offer
some suggestions. Some are totally scary affairs, others are a bit
goofy, a couple of them aren't even horror films. I think each of
them make a fine enhancement for the holiday. Let's kick things off
with proper horror flicks.
For those craving some
under the radar frights you can't go wrong with Late Phases: Night
of the Lone Wolf. The set-up is simple, a cranky old blind
veteran moves into a senior living neighborhood only to be attacked
by the resident werewolf. He survives but his dog isn't so lucky, and
so begins a campaign to get revenge on the man-mutt responsible for
killing his pooch.
Late Phases manages to
function as a sort of character-study as our hero is a gruff bastard
with a strained relationship towards his adult son. Even though he's
a grim character his quest is easy to relate with. He doesn't have
much save for his dog. Once that's taken from him it's simply a
matter of taking out the bad guys no matter the cost.
This is a tight dramatic
movie elevated by excellent performances from the likes of Ethan
Embry, Lance Guest, Tom Noonan, and Nick Damici as our hero. It's
probably best suited for a more intimate viewing. Perhaps solo or
with the significant other on a quiet night when the moon is bright.
Another recent horror
flick that I haven't seen get anywhere near enough love is The
Autopsy of Jane Doe. This one also benefits from a simple premise
as a father and son coroners are tasked with the autopsy of a
mysterious body found at a nearby massacre. As the pair dig deeper
into the corpse they unlock further clues to her identity and
inadvertently stir up some paranormal activity.
This is your straight-up
scary recommendation for the year. I will admit that for those if us
who ingest horror on a regular basis it may only bring some chills,
but regular folk are likely to get nice and scared. There's a little
bit of everything you need for a solid fright fest, from spooky
noises over the radio to animated corpses, and all the gore
associated with an autopsy.
There are a few drawbacks
such as a somewhat ho-hum ending but for those in the market for a
good scream, this is well worth you time.
Many of us have hidden
gems tucked away in our movie library. Those awesome films that stick
with us for years without ever garnering much attention elsewhere.
One of my absolute favorite to show off comes from one of the men
responsible for The Blair Witch Project, Eduardo Sanchez. The
man has put together an interesting list films since then, even a
decent Bigfoot flick with Exists. That said, he has never
topped the work he did with Altered, a reversal on alien
abduction tales where a batch of rednecks manage to capture a little
green man.
Turns out this batch of
good old boys have some history with space men, having been abducted
and tortured years earlier. Now they're faced with a tough decision.
What do you do with a blood-thirsty alien once you've captured it?
You might say take it to the authorities but keep in mind this little
monster has all sorts of tricks and his buddies are looking to get
him back.
The sheer scope of
storytelling that plays out in one house and the surrounding woods
never feels tiresome, there are plenty of characters both stoic and
stupid, and the critters are mean and deadly. There are a few sloppy
plot-twists but the overall effort is astonishing. I've never quite
figured out how Altered hasn't become a certified classic of
the genre but It's one I think you should all take the time to track
down.
While not a horror film
in any shape or form, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (AKA Knockin'
on Heaven's Door) manages to provide some outstanding alternative
Halloween viewing. As if it isn't enough to be a great anime, or a
great action flick for that matter, the final act occurs on Halloween
night amid a huge parade. I'd planned on putting together a full
tribute for this one as it's holiday connection is often overlooked
but time simply won't allow it.
Taking place between the
twenty-second and twenty-third episodes of the TV series, this movie
benefits from well-established characters while still offering a
solid entry point for new viewers. It's the perfect treat for people
who want something drastically different from scary movies but still
want to maintain their seasonal spirit.
One of my favorite
elements comes during the ending credits as we move into November
first and watch life return to normal. Very few films based around
any holiday properly tackle that ephemeral shift from full-scale
celebration to everyday life. It's a neat comparison between how life
builds up to events and then immediately back to business much the
way these characters overcome crazy obstacles only to go back home
and crash on the couch. Whether you're just regular folk or a space
cowboy it's both the big and little moments that matter.
Here's another one for
those craving something outside of the usual scary trappings. Lost
Skeleton of Cadavra is spoof of black & white sci-fi monster
movies, only the comedy largely comes from it being exactly like
those old schlock-fests. From terrible special-effects and costumes
to corny dialogue and senseless plot-holes, every detail is captured
perfectly. At the same time it is one of the most comfortingly funny
movies you'll ever see with lines you can quote for years to come.
The same writer/director
along with this cast have made other throwback spoofs, including a
sequel, radio plays, and one of the funniest novels I've ever read
with Suburb at the Edge of Never. Even with all that to choose
from the group has never made something as upbeat as this first
outing.
For those of you with
kiddies, consider this the family pick. There's no vulgarity of
excessive violence to be found. It's just as clean as the old
drive-in fare it pays tribute too. Like the combo of hot coco and a
blanket, it's the perfect fit for a night when you need to be cheered
up.
Last but not least we've
got the wild-card pick for something so bad it's good. Night Train
to Terror is a horror anthology comprised of re-edit and
unfinished films. Each story is presented by god and the devil as
they play chess on a train full of break-dancing teenagers. That
should clue you in to the kind of “quality” this one has to
offer.
Each segment is besieged
by massive plot-holes, terrible effects, and unexpected nonsense.
There's not a single redeeming factor to the whole production but
given the right mood, a few beers, and some friends you've some
legendary entertainment.
Content wise there's
plenty of violence, nudity, satanic panic, and musical numbers. If
you zero inclination to laugh at crap, stay away from this film. For
those who love to replicate Mystery Science Theater at home,
this is a holy grail.
I'm glad we got to talk
about a few movies before the month is done. This is such an
important topic for me at this time of year and it almost got lost in
the shuffle. More than likely there will only be one more post before
Halloween night, maybe two if I'm lucky. Until then I urge you all to
get out and enjoy what's left of October. Set aside real-world
responsibilities, they'll still be there in November. Take a walk in
the park, play a scary game, or just sit outside among the
decorations and drink some pumpkin ale. Enjoy this time time the way
you see fit.
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