Movie Monday: Halloween-Eve
A guide to the best horror films for Halloween
It’s officially Halloween-Eve, so I have decided to share with you what I believe to be the gems of Halloween and Halloween-related cinematography. In order to accommodate the whole student body, we’ve divided the films into 3 categories of varying scariness: Sleep with the Lights on Scary, Fairly Frightening Features and the More Subdued Spooks.
Disclaimer: Not all films listed are appropriate for all ages. Viewer discretion is advised.
Sleep with the Lights On Scary
“It” (2017) – A group of middle school-aged outsiders unite to fight off an evil, shape shifting monster that has taken the form of a clown named Pennywise. Finn Wolfhard, AKA Mike from “Stranger Things,” plays one of the kids, so that’s a plus.
“The Exorcist” (1973) – Based loosely on actual events, “The Exorcist” details the story of a young girl supposedly inhabited by the devil. After pursuing medical help to no avail, her family enlists a local priest in an attempt to save her.
“The Ring” (2002) – Picture this: a haunted video tape. Watch this tape, and you die within seven days. Now, picture a fascinated reporter pursuing the case and a string of unlucky victims.
“Get Out” (2017) – A young African-American man named Chris is invited to stay with his Caucasian girlfriend and her parents for the weekend. Cute, right? Not so much. In a disturbing turn of events, Chris discovers things he would have never imagined.
“The Boy” (2016) – A young American woman takes a job nannying for a boy in a small English town, only to realize the “boy” she is to care for is actually a terrifying life-size doll with a strict set of care instructions. Yikes.
Fairly Frightening Features
“Insidious” (2010) – A family moves into a new house, only to discover that it is haunted. Their son falls victim to a lengthy coma as a result of being possessed by the evil entity haunting their home.
“Coraline” (2009) – When the adventurous and brave Coraline Jones and her parents move from their Michigan home to a mysterious flat in Ashland, Oregon, Coraline can’t curb her curiosity and ends up finding and unlocking a secret door that leads to an alternate world. This Tim Burton film is sure to creep its way into any stop-motion lover’s heart.
“The Birds” (1963) – It’s pretty straightforward. A bunch of birds terrorize a small California town, the usual.
“Nerve” (2016) – A high school senior is sick of her commonplace life. She decides to join Nerve, a popular online dare game, to incite some change. This flick is more suspenseful and intense than it is conventionally scary.
More Subdued Spooks
“Hotel Transylvania” (2012) – In a world inhabited by humans, monsters find a safe haven in Count Dracula’s infamous and lavish Hotel Transylvania. Dracula’s daughter’s 118th birthday is coming up, so he invites a few friends down to celebrate. Conflict ensues when a young human boy finds his way to the hotel and falls in love with the Count’s daughter.
“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (1966) – The Peanuts kids are gearing up for Halloween. From pumpkin hunting to costumes to parties, this classic TV special is everything you remember and more.
“Hocus Pocus” (1993) – When adolescent Max Dennison attempts to grab the attention of his love interest Allison, three vain witches are brought back from the grave after five hundred years. Now Max, his younger sister and Allison must fight to protect the children of Salem, Massachusetts and put the witches to rest again.
“Scooby-Doo: The Movie” (2002) – The gang at Mystery Inc. that we all know and love reunites after a two year hiatus to get the dirt on a series of strange happenings at Spooky Island, a popular Spring Break vacation spot. Mysteries are solved, ‘jinkies’ are incited and sandwiches are eaten.
“Frankenweenie” (2012) – Basically, a young Victor Frankenstein decides to resurrect his dearly departed best friend. This friend just so happens to be his dog, Sparky. It doesn’t exactly go well.
“Halloweentown” (1998) – A young girl discovers her previously hidden witch heritage and uses her powers to save Halloweentown, a town full of supernatural and mystical beings. This Disney Channel Original is sure to bring your memories of the early 2000s back at full force.