Thursday, October 2, 2008

My Top Halloween Movie Pics

Do you mind if I complain for just a very brief moment? Hope not, because I’m going to do it anyway. Now this is just an observation of mine but, it seems like Christmas sales are starting earlier every year. I remember, when I was a kid, the stores would at least wait until Thanksgiving was over before they ”whipped the holly jolly” out on everybody. Not anymore. Did they even wait till September this year? Come on already. There is nothing worse, in my opinion, than hearing Christmas carols before December. Please, give me a chance to enjoy Halloween and everything that comes with it first. The fall season just started and I am so excited about it. This is the one time of year when adults can dress up like Zombies, Vampires, heck even our favorite super hero and totally get away with it and, after recent events, I’m already wondering how many bananas chasing gorillas we will see on the streets come Halloween night. Yes, this time of year is great. When else can you visit haunted houses, play pranks, and eat candy shaped like eyeballs. One of my favorite things to do is have scary themed movie watching parties. Now I know we all have our own strong opinions as to what the best movies to watch are, at least in my house but, it’s always a great time. I thought just for the heck of it I would make my own countdown of personal Halloween favorites. I’m sure a lot of people will disagree with me on this but, that’s fine by me. I welcome the feedback. Now without further ado let’s get to it:

10. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
Why do I like this one? It was really gory and twisted. There were a few times that I had to shut my eyes but, it’s based on a true story and who doesn’t love that? R. Lee Ermey plays the deranged stepfather who kills the sheriff and takes on his identity. He was absolutely disgusting! It was great! Even if that kid had been born “normal” so to speak he would have never stood a chance being raised with that group of freaks that he had to call family. Yikes!

9. The Amityville Horror (2005)
This is based on a true story too. I remember having nightmares as a kid after I saw the original. I may be the only one who thinks this but, I prefer the remake with Ryan Reynolds. He was great in it and the special effects were pretty cool. What I don’t get is why would anyone want to move into a house that looks like that in the first place? It just looks creepy. No thank you very much.

8. Gothika
I was surprised by this one. I didn’t expect to like it. I just love a good ghost story though and this one delivered just that. Halle Berry plays the part of a repressed psychiatrist who wakes up as a patient in the very asylum were she worked and has no memory of what happened. It is a trip and the ending is very unexpected, which is great. I hate it when you’re able to figure out the ending ahead of time.

7. Blade: Trinity
Now I know this is the 3rd movie in the Blade Trilogy but, it is by far my favorite. Dracula, the king of vampires, is awakened and it is just one kick butt scene, at least to me, after another. Of course, if your familiar with the Blade character at all, you already know he will kick ass but, that doesn’t matter. If you like Vampires, you will love this movie.

6. Saturday the 14th (1981)
I didn’t say that all my favorites were actually scary did I? This is some great stupid humor and was on the top of my list, as a kid, back in the day. It’s a spoof on the Friday the 13th series but, it also takes shots at several other horror films. If you like watching movies from the 1980’s, like I do, then you are almost guaranteed to like this movie.

5. Underworld
There is nothing better to me, around Halloween, than a good vampire movie and this one is awesome. Kate Beckinsale plays Selene, a vampire warrior, who is entrenched in a war between the vampire and werewolf races. It’s fought in a gothic-like setting and the special effects are awesome.

4. Shaun of the Dead
How can you not love a romantic comedy filled with flesh eating zombies? Poor Shaun is just trying to turn his life around, win back his girlfriend and reconcile with his mother but, these darn pesky zombies are taking over and trying to eat everybody. This movie is greatness!

3. Interview With a Vampire
Have you noticed my love of vampire movies yet? This is another great one. I love just about everything Anne Rice writes and this movie was about the first book of the Vampire Chronicles. When I first found out Tom Cruise was playing the Vampire Lestat, I was shocked. Tom Cruise? No way! He actually nailed it though. He was great. That was such a good surprise. Unlike the Queen of the Damned movie that came out a few years ago that was based on another of her books, this one was awesome. It kept with the story line almost perfectly. If you haven’t read the Vampire Chronicles yet you should.

2. 1408
I didn’t know what to expect when I went to see this at the theatre. This movie is a trip! It’s about Mike Enslin, a cynical writer who writes books evaluating supernatural events that go on in hotels and other haunted places, usually debunking the mystery. Anyway, he hears about this hotel room, in the Dolphin Hotel, that is permanently unavailable to guests. The manager tries everything to keep him from staying in that room but, finally gives up after Mike threatens to sue the hotel. He finds out real quick though that while he can check out anytime he likes, he can never leave alive.

1. Planet Terror
I’m not much for zombie movies but, this movie was awesome. It’s a throwback to the Grindhouse movies from the 70’s. It’s even made to look and sound like one from back then. It takes place one night after an experimental bio-nerve gas is accidentally released at a remote U.S. Military base in Texas. Anyone exposed to the gas turns into flesh-eating zombies. If you have an affinity for old style movies like this you have to see it. It is sheer greatness!


So there is my list, love it or hate, I don’t mind. I meant it though when I said that I’m open to feedback or suggestions. I would like to find one or two new ones to watch the next time movie night rolls around. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m off to spoil my inner child by shopping for Halloween goodies. I am having a hard time deciding the perfect thing to be this year but, it’s fun to look around.





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6 comments:

OrangeMoJoJo said...

This is a great list, and there are several on here I haven't seen (Gothika, the new(er) Amityville Horror, Planet Terror). I can't wait to check them out this Halloween!

I agree with you on the whole Christmas starting too early thing. They were playing Christmas carols at the Menards in our neighborhood (very similar to Lowe's or Home Depot) -

in August.

OMG.

Sarcasm is just one more service I offer. said...

Hey cool. Glad you like it. :o)

Lisa Nelsen-Woods said...

The best all time horror movie line _ever_! For Night of the Living Dead, "Honey, let me show you how much I love you. LET ME EAT YOUR BRAIN!"

Sarcasm is just one more service I offer. said...

...and they say romance is dead.lol

stephanie said...

I, too, was pleasantly surprised by Gothika & the Amityville remake.

I'm rather stunned you didn't list The Sixth Sense for sheer spookiness or Saw and The Exorcist for sheer terror. The first still gives me goosebumps even though I know what's up, and the other two are like a rollercoaster ride - I feel a little sick to my stomach and want to keep closing my eyes.

But of course we have to pick & purge...Nice job overall :D

Sarcasm is just one more service I offer. said...

Actually, I almost included 6th Sense but, the others won out. If there was a #11 though that would be it.lol The exorcist scared me to death when I was a kid. I still can't watch it.lol Haven't seen Saw yet. How many have they put out now? I think there is another installment coming out soon. Guess I should finally break down and watch the 1st. I'll add that to my next movie night. :o)