Topic: Marie's Halloween/Horror Marathon

[Dragonfire]

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit From the Academy Award®-winning* creators of Wallace and Gromit comes "one of the most enjoyable family films of the year" (Jeffrey Lyons, NBC). When their town's prized produce starts disappearing, our cheese-loving inventor and his savvy canine companion must use all their wildly imaginative inventions to try to capture a mysterious beast of epic and fluffy proportions! Hailed as "a terrific family movie" (Russ Leatherman, CNN and Moviefone.com) and "whimsical, funny and endlessly inventive" (Roger Ebert, Ebert & Roeper), The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is a hare-raising adventure for the whole family! * The Wrong Trousers (Winner, Best Animated Short, 1993), A Close Shave (Winner, Best Animated Short, 1995)

I first saw this movie in the theater when it originally came out.  I've seen it several more times since then and I still love it.  It is a fun, entertaining scary movie that is family friendly.  I like the idea of a were rabbit instead of a were wolf, and I really like how that part of the story worked out.  I was surprised by one thing when I first saw the movie.  The animation is wonderful.  I'm always amazed by what they are able to do with clay.  There is humor to what is going on along with some of the scary movie moments.  Nothing is that scary, though some things might bother younger children.  The characters are wonderful and manage to be really expressive even though they are made of clay. 



I still really enjoy this movie and think it is a fun movie to watch around Halloween.  I did post about it here before.  I also posted a review at Epinions after seeing the movie in the theater originally.

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

[Dragonfire]

The Wolf Man THE WOLF MAN (1941) The original horror classic that introduced one of the screen's most infamous monsters! Lon Chaney Jr. portrays Larry Talbot, who returns to his father's (Claude Rains) castle in Wales and meets a beautiful woman (Evelyn Ankers). One fateful night, Talbot escorts her to a local carnival where Jenny's fate is revealed by a mysterious gypsy fortune teller. The dreamlike atmosphere and elaborate settings combined with a chiling musical score make The Wolf Man a masterpiece not only of the genre, but for all time!

This is another of the classic Universal monster movies.  I first saw this one years ago on AMC during a Halloween marathon...before they had commercials on the station and before they started playing some of the new horror movies over and over and over during their marathon.  This is the first time that I've seen the movie since then.  I had forgotten some things about it.  I really enjoyed it again this time.  The plot is interesting and entertaining even though it isn't that complex.  Things are established fairly early in the movie, and most of the time is focused on Larry realizing what has happened to him and trying to deal with it.  The special effects are limited because of when it was made, but they were done well for the time.  I think the makeup for the werewolf is done well.  There is a little bit of violence to the movie, but it isn't that graphic.  There is a decent amount of suspense to what is going on.

Overall I really enjoyed the movie and think it is still well worth watching.



I did post a review at Epinions.

The Wolf Man

[Dragonfire]

A Nightmare on Elm Street From modern horror master Wes Craven ('Scream', 'Scream 2') comes a timeless shocker that remains the standard bearer for terror. Nancy (Heather Langenkamp) is having grisly nightmares. Meanwhile, her high-school friends, who are having the very same dreams, are being slaughtered in their sleep by the hideous fiend of their shared nightmares. When the police ignore her explanation, she herself must confront the killer in his shadowy realm. Featuring Johnny Depp in his first starring role and mind-bending special effects, this horror classic gave birth to one of the most infamous undead villains in cinematic history...Freddy Krueger.

I only saw bits of this on television at times.  When the movies were first being made, I really wasn't interested in seeing any of them.  I finally decided to pick up this 4 DVD movie set this year.  I think this is the first time I've seen the entire movie.
The plot is interesting and entertaining and a bit stronger than what has ended up in some other slasher type movies.  There isn't a lot about Freddy shared.  It could have been nice to get a little more information, though part of what makes him scary might be that not much is known about him.  I think the idea of someone - or something - being able to attack and kill a person in their dreams is freaky and works well for the movie.  I still feel that movies that deal with things that are more possible are scarier overall, but Freddy is pretty scary.  Everyone has to sleep and a person can only go so long without sleeping before they start cracking up or fall asleep.  I've gotten migraines when I hadn't slept in a while before.  Trying to fight or even defend against Freddy is difficult because of how he does things. 

Several characters are killed in the movie, usually in some different ways, like being pulled up a wall and across the ceiling or being sucked down into a mattress.  Some of the scenes are fairly gory and violent, though those things work for the movie.  This isn't a movie for everyone and it definitely isn't one for children.

The characters are fine, though most of them are kind of flat.  The actors are fine in their parts.  Johnny Depp is really young here.  For some reason, I keep forgetting that he was in this.

This is a very well done horror/slasher movie that still is worth seeing.



I did post a review at Epinions if anyone wants to take a look.

A Nightmare on Elm Street

[Dragonfire]

A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge Five years have passed since Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) was sent howling back to hell. But now, a new kid on Elm Street is being haunted every night by gruesome visions of the deadly dream stalker. And if his twisted soul takes possession of the boy's body, Freddy will return from the dead to wreak bloody murder and mayhem upon the entire town. When A Nightmare On Elm Street made a killing, horror fans shrieked for more. Soon the diabolic Freddy was resurrected with a vengeance -- along with some of the most terrifying special effects ever to spatter the screen. Look for Robert Englund minus his Freddy face in the opening sequence. He's a real scream!

I went ahead and watched this one after watching the first Nightmare on Elm Street movie.  I might have seen a little of this on tv at some time - an edited version - but I can't remember for sure. 
The movie is sort of interesting and entertaining, but it doesn't seem to work as well as the first one.  Freddy isn't around enough to feel as threatening.  The characters are a little more irritating and the acting isn't as good. 

The movie has some interesting moments, though a few things don't make much sense.  People that liked the first movie may find something to like about this one.



I didn't end up getting a review done for Epinions.  I probably will eventually.

[Dragonfire]

The Rocky Horror Picture Show You asked for The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Blu-ray and you shall receive it... in abundance! Recreate the Midnight Movie Experience in your living room and celebrate 35 years of absolute pleasure with this picture-perfect specimen of Richard O’Brien’s cosmic cult classic starring Tim Curry, Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon. It’s brimming with twisted humor, mind-blowing music and decedent extras. So come up to the lab... See what’s on the slab... And Let The Film Begin!

I still love this movie and I really like watching it around Halloween. 
The plot isn't that complicated really, but it manages to be entertaining.  This isn't a movie that everyone will like because it is so..bizarre at times.  Even people who like musicals may find this one too wild.  The bizarre stuff is part of what makes the movie so entertaining to me.  The characters are a strange group for the most part with Brad and Janet being the only normal ones, though they each show a different side as the movie progresses.  Dr. Frank-n-Furter is a very unique character and Tim Curry is wonderful in the part.  It's probably sad that he can walk in those heels way better than I could - I'd probably fall and break something if I attempted to shoes like that.   

The Blu-ray is wonderful and full of interesting extras.  I'm really glad I decided to double dip for this last year..it is definitely worth it.  But it is still Jon's fault.



I have posted about this one here before.  I've also posted a review at Epinions a few years ago.  I'll share the link again.

Rocky Horror Picture Show

[Jimmy]

A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge

It's the one in the serie I always jump, I just don't like it. It feels like it wasn't a "Nightmare on Elm Street" movie at all, but a different script in witch they add some Freddy Krueger reference to make a sequel

No title come in my mind right now but I'm sure this was done with some other well known movie too just to cash on a franchise (no I don't think at Zombi 3/4/5 or Troll 2/3).

It is still Jon's fault.

I think I will blame him for the next dvd that will arrive here today or monday next week, because he mentioned it some time ago. Not that it wasn't on my radar already, but using Jon as the scapegoat is kind of fun

[Najemikon]

Not fair! Rocky Horror is a bloody musical. I ain't taking no blame for that! 

[Jimmy]

and if I blame you for A Serbian Film did it work? You mention it one time

[Najemikon]

That's fairer! Because I said I had no interest what so ever in that, it probably made it a must-see for you...   

[Dragonfire]

Not fair! Rocky Horror is a bloody musical. I ain't taking no blame for that! 

Musical or not, it is still your fault.  If you will recall, it was decided - by me - that you get blamed when I double dip on Blu-rays...and for all Blu-rays in general... just because.   Well really, because of how you went on about how good a few Blu-rays were, it helped convince me to get a Blu-ray player.  So.  Every Blu-ray I buy is your fault.

Just so you know...I pre-ordered Harry Potter Deathly Hallows Part 2 and Doctor Who Series Six Part 2 yesterday...so more blame is on the way.

[Najemikon]

Oh, ok!

[Dragonfire]

Halloween Fifteen years ago, Michael Myers brutally massacred his sister. Now, after escaping from a mental hospital, he’s back to relive his grisly crime again, and again...and again. This is Halloween like you’ve never seen or heard it before! Halloween has been fully restored under the supervision of Lucasfilm’s THX Digital Mastering Services. The video was transferred by the award-winning colorist Adam Adams ('Terminator 2', 'Titanic') from a new 35mm interpositive (made from the original camera negative) and approved by the film’s cinematographer Dean Cundey ('Jurassic Park', 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'). The new Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack was created by Chace Productions in association with Alan Howarth using the original 16-track music studio master and the recently discovered original 35mm magnetic dialogue & effects tracks.

I ended up watching Halloween again.  I like to watch it on or really near Halloween.
The movie has held up really well even though some things are slightly dated.  I like that this movie doesn't show all the gory violence that some other slasher type movies do.  I think it works better by limiting what is shown.  The unknown is scarier than what is actually shown.  Handling it that way, along with not giving a specific reason for what set Michael off to begin with, makes him scarier and more intimidating.  The score is creepy and helps add to the atmosphere of the movie. 

 

I have posted about this one here before.  I'll share the link to my Epinions review of the movie again...I posted it a few years ago.

Halloween

[Dragonfire]

Halloween III: Season of the Witch Producer 'John Carpenter' ('Halloween', 'The Thing') presents the third chilling installment in the shocking 'Halloween' collection. When a terrified toy salesman is mysteriously attacked and brought to the hospital, babbling and clutching the year's most popular Halloween costume, an eerie pumpkin mask, doctor Daniel Challis is thrust into a terrifying Halloween nightmare. Working with the salesman's daughter, Ellie, Daniel traces the mask to the Silver Shamrock Novelties company and its founder, Conal Cochran. Ellie and Daniel uncover Cochran's shocking Halloween plan and must stop him before trick-or-treaters across the country never come home in this terrifying thriller.

This year, I decided to skip the second Halloween movie.  I do like that one, but I was just running out of time, and I wanted to get the third one in this year. 
I first saw it on tv a few years ago.  I was a bit ...confused about why it was called Halloween III, yet Michael Myers was no where to be found and he isn't even mentioned.  I don't remember liking the movie that much that time.  I've seen it a few more times since then, and the movie has grown on me since then.  Carpenter originally wanted to do a series of Halloween movies that would each tell a different story somehow connected to the holiday.  That is an interesting idea, and it is too bad he didn't continue with the idea.  We could have ended up with more original stories instead of movie after movie of Michael coming back after he's thought to be dead to go on yet another killing spree. 

The story in this one is different, involving Halloween masks and some odd deaths.  The main characters are adults instead of teenagers.  The characters aren't overly developed and some of the acting isn't that great, but the movie still manages to be entertaining.  The movie does include a commercial for the Halloween masks that has music that is memorable and annoying all at the same time.  It is close to be unpleasant to hear in some way, but it ends up working for the movie and what is going on.  There is a bit of mystery to what is going on along with some violence in a few scenes.  Some of what happens is rather disturbing.  I think this movie is decent and worth checking out. 



I did get a review posted on Epinions

Halloween III: Season of the Witch

[Dragonfire]

Sleepy Hollow Master storyteller Tim Burton (Batman, Edward Scissorhands) weaves an eerie, enchanting version of this classic tale of horror. Johnny Depp is Ichabod Crane, an eccentric investigator determined to stop the murderous Headless Horseman. Christina Ricci is Katrina Van Tassel, the beautiful and mysterious girl with secret ties to the supernatural terror.

I'm really not sure how many times I've seen this movie now and I still love it.  It has become a tradition for me to watch it on Halloween.
The story is interesting with a decent amount of mystery tied to what is going on.  I remember not figuring out what was going on when I first saw the movie.  The setting is suitably creepy and it works well as a scary movie.  The violence is limited to a few scenes, but it does get a bit graphic. 
I love Johnny Depp as Ichabod.  He is a bit of a sissy, but he tries to hid it..except where the spider is concerned.  that part cracks me up every time I watch the movie. 



I've written about this movie here before.  I'll share the link to the review I posted on Epinions a few years ago.

Sleepy Hollow

[Dragonfire]

The Frighteners In the sleepy little town of Fairwater, a monstrous evil has awakened... an evil so powerful, its reach extends beyond the grave. Director Peter Jackson and Executive Producer Robert Zemeckis unleash a riveting thriller with the most spectacular special effects this side of the hereafter. For Frank Bannister (Michael J. Fox), death is a great way to make a living: ridding haunted houses of their unwelcome "guests." But he's in cahoots with the very ghosts he promised to evict! It's the perfect scam... until Frank finds himself at the center of a dark mystery. A diabolical spirit is on a murderous rampage... and the whole town believes Frank is behind it. Boasting music by Danny Elfman, co-starring Trini Alvarado, Jeffrey Combs and John Astin, this supernatural chiller is so fiendishly entertaining, it's scary!

I love this movie.  It has an interesting plot that is very entertaining with a decent amount of mystery.  I was surprised by how things worked out the first time I saw the movie.
The cast is wonderful and I really like the characters.  They are all so entertaining and make the movie great. 



I have written about this one here before.  I'll share the link to the review I posted on Epinions a few years ago.

The Frighteners