A week into October and the Halloween season is well under way. It’s no secret that Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the air being a bit chillier, the leaves of trees burning bright and the jack-o-laterns grinning on steps. Little monsters come out from hiding and the evenings whisper a promise of treats and scares.
To kick off this Halloween I thought I would you give you some of my picks of movies to watch to get you in the spirit. Sit for a spell, pull up that favorite blanket on your lap and grab a bowl of fresh popcorn. It’s movie night.
- Halloween: We’ll start with John Carpenter’s masterpiece that birthed a whole genre of horror coined the slasher movie. Tame by today’s standards but brutally effective in the creeping-you-out factor. Not to mention the wonderful score that could easily be the theme for the entire holiday.
- Monster Squad: You know who to call when you have ghosts, but who do you call when you have monsters? A ragtag group of kids brought together by their love of monsters. These kids are the only ones that are able to stand up to the classic monsters invading their town. Monster Squad is a great cheesy romp through Universal’s classic horror movie line up.
- The Others: Ghost movies don’t come much creepier then this one. The mood and atmosphere set during the story will have you looking out of the corner of your eye at shifting curtains and swinging doors. Wonderful acting from Nicole Kidman and the kids. The ending will floor you.
- Dracula: I’m talking about the Bela Lugosi one though the Christopher Lee interpretation isn’t bad either. I could easily throw all of the other Universal classic monsters in here as well, but there’s something about Dracula that sets itself apart.
- The Ring: Will scare the pants off you. Nuff said.
- Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein: The pattern all horror comedies should follow and the good ones have done just that.
- The Fog: That’s right, Carpenter made the list twice. Terror always knocks. There’s something in the fog. Don’t make the mistake of watching the half-baked remake.
- It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown: Makes you want to sit in the pumpkin patch and watch for the Great Pumpkin with Linus. Gather your kids around and enjoy a holiday classic.
- Nightmare Before Christmas: My daughter would not be happy if I didn’t mention this one. The great thing is that you can watch this movie for the next three months. I’m sure it will go down as Tim Burton’s greatest movie and it will be difficult to argue otherwise.
- Sleepy Hollow: Speaking of Tim Burton. This is Burton’s ode to the Hammer horror movies of old. The story of the headless horseman and the modern detective that is set on solving the mystery. Heads will roll.
That’s all for now. Everyone have a safe and happy Halloween.
Brandon Jimison 