TrueHorror.net's Essential October Viewing List : Part 1
October brings out the horror fan in all of us, for those that watch it year round, it is just an excuse to watch even more, or makes those viewings more special. For those who get into it simply as part of their seasonal celebration, they may not always know what to watch. Either way, it is always fun to discuss horror films and the reasons why we love them and why we feel you should watch them. Everyone has their opinion on what film constitutes a watch during the Halloween season. However, as far as I am concerned, not all horror films are created equal and certain films play better at certain times of the year. For me, Jason Voorhees during October is a no-no. I feel Friday the 13th films should be watched on Friday the 13th or during the summer, everything has it's place. Many will disagree with me on that, but that is okay. We are selecting movies that fit into October and Halloween for various reasons. Now rather than just give a list of films for you to watch and say "Good luck!" we are going to explain just WHY we feel these films are worthy of your valuable October viewing time. So get ready to take some notes or since it's 2015 just bookmark this list on your phone, tablet or laptop as we bring to you TRUEHORROR.NET'S ESSENTIAL HALLOWEEN VIEWING LIST...2015.
1. TRICK 'R TREAT (2007)
One of the most obvious picks anyone can make, yet there is a reason for that. Trick 'r Treat has become a classic film for horror fans and Halloween lovers alike. The entire film plays out like the best Halloween night anyone could ever hope for. The imagery throughout is absolute Halloween perfection. The film also does a wonderful job of covering the spectrum of ones Halloween life cycle showing how each generation spends All Hallows Eve. Child, Teenager, Young Adult, Middle Aged, and Elderly are all represented here. This is the film that when I watched it I said to myself, I really wish I had made that movie, because for me they nailed every single aspect of what makes the holiday so special. Lastly and perhaps most importantly it introduces us to one of horror and Halloween's newest icons in the pumpkin headed demon, Sam. His popularity grows each year and the demand for his merchandise is always high. There were a few years where I actually was not feeling the Halloween spirit and was in a bit of a doldrums for the month, this is the film that brought back the love I had for the Holiday throught most of my life and I am so thankful for that. I would say it is a great film to watch on Halloween night when all is said and done, but if you need a little help getting in the spirit of things to start the month, Trick 'r Treat will help you get back into it immediately upon viewing. It is the BEST film ABOUT the actual holiday and everything I love about October and Halloween is on full display here.
2. FRIGHT NIGHT (1985)
Vampires and werewolves have long been associated with the holiday, though there are plenty of vampire and werewolf related films that for me, don't feel at home during October. Fright Night is my favorite vampire film and it oozes with a great Halloween atmosphere that hits all the right notes.
It is a perfect late night 80's horror film that tells a "boy who cried vampire" story when Jerry Dandridge (Chris Sarandon) moves in next door to Charlie Brewster, a high school kid with a penchant for watching, well...late night horror films. He begins to suspect his new neighbor is something much more than the friendly guy he appears to be. Fright Night has it all, a spooky atmosphere, vampires, fog, vampire babes, werewolves, zombies, a modern day vampire hunter, a great soundtrack all wrapped up in a film that delivers the horror as well as the humor. It is a spooky good time highlighted by some impressive FX work and great performances. This is one of those films that is great for a night watch with a big bowl of popcorn and the lights turned down.3. NIGHT OF THE CREEPS (1986)
One thing I love to stress about film watching in October is that there needs to be a balance of fun and horror, if all your selections get too serious, you suck all the fun out of the month, if they are all too goofy, well then you lose the fun out of being scared and/or creeped out. Like anything in life, it is all about balance. Night of the Creeps is one of the more fun horror films you can watch this month. It just might be the MOST 80's horror film on this list, it has it's humor, but it also has some great thrills and horror fx as well. So if you want to watch the story of space slugs invading a college campus and subsequently turning it into a zombie crawling warzone, then this is the film for you. I would definitely put this in the watch with a group of friends category and have a blast with it. Top it all off with one of Tom Atkins most iconic performances and you will undoubtedly have a good time with this one! "It's Miller Time!"
4. RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD (1985)
Like Night of the Creeps, this is another that falls into the watch with your friends category, in fact it would make an awesome double feature night with the right crowd. Return of the Living Dead is one of the best zombie movies ever made. Again it is very 80's in the best way possible and it delivers on all 80's fronts blending humor, gore and a famous scene of nudity to boot. While primarily a horror comedy, Return of the Living Dead boasts quite possibly the creepiest zombie ever committed to film in "Tarman". It was one of the scariest and unsettling things I had seen as a kid, and now it's simply awesome. The other zombie effects are equally cool and Return of the Living Dead boasts plenty of zombie mayhem, skeletons crawling out of graves and plenty of cemetery based action to fit right at home in your October viewing. There are "More Braaaaains!" behind this punk rock infused zombie film than at first meets the eye.
5. MONSTER HOUSE (2006)
Hey guess what? Kids love to enjoy Halloween too, and I have no problem saying the movies I have listed above probably aren't great for your little ones to watch just yet. Sure that is all up to the individual parent, but there definitely has to be something more appropriate to watch for them right? Hence, our selection of Monster House, I know this cgi animated film gets a bad rap from some people, but truth be told it is a Halloween film through and through and is ideal for kids as well as adults to watch during the season. The film about three friends and their conflict with the haunted house across the street has a great "Goonies-Amblin-esque" feel to it. It literally opens up with a shot of a bright orange leaf floating through the street giving way to a little girl riding her tricycle through a bed of raked leaves on the sidewalk, the autumn colors are in full effect as is plenty of humor and spooky imagery. The film even takes place on Halloween weekend. Sometimes you just want to watch something light and fun, but still in the spirit, this will fit the bill.
6. FRANKENWEENIE (2012)
In keeping with the theme of our previous selection, Frankenweenie is a perfect addition to your watch list for October. It is a beautifully put together stop motion film and one of Tim Burton's best films since Big Fish and then if you want to go further back, Sleepy Hollow. Corpse Bride could fit in well to watch this month, but Frankenweenie is a superior film in many ways. The story of Victor and loving bond with his dog and best friend Sparky is one that will undoubtedly cause a few to shed some tears, as you truly buy into not only their relationship, but the fact that Sparky is a fully realized character with a personality all his own. By now you know that after an unfortunate accident Sparky is resurrected by Victor (Frankenstein) and all types of hijinks ensue, but what you may not know is that (SPOILERS AHEAD) Frankenweenie turns into a full blown monster movie that homages plenty of classic horror films complete with beautifully animated spooky visuals. It really is a combination of all of Tim Burton's best instincts when it comes to film. The choice to film in black and white was a risky choice for a studio, but the movie would have nowhere near the same atmosphere or impact with out it. This is one film that I find myself wanting to watch the most this year and as of the time of this writing, I will probably throw it on this first weekend of October as my first at home watch of the season. It's truly a work of art that fits in seamlessly among your Halloween activities. Bonus points for anyone that realizes Sparky is modeled closely after another Tim Burton project "The Family Dog"
7. VINCENT (1982)
There is no way we can recommend Frankenweenie and leave out one of Tim Burton's early masterpieces. By now most of you have probably seen or at least heard of "Vincent". The 1982 stop motion short film is a pure work of art, which displays hints of things to come throughout his career including Frankenweenie. Narrated by the one and only Vincent Price, it tells the tale of a creepy boy with an overactive imagination. At only six and a half minutes long, it wont take much time to watch this, but it is best viewed (like any of these films) in the dark. It again like Frankenweenie, captures Burton's best. It is one of those films that I watch and say yes I wish I made this because it is that awesome and in line with my own sensibilities. Stop Motion will forever be my favorite art form and this is one of the reasons for that. Vincent can be found on various Nightmare Before Christmas releases, but you can watch it right here right now!
8. TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE - VARIOUS EPISODES
Any child of the 80's worth a damn knows that eerie intro seen up above all to well. As a kid (and quite honestly to this day) that music made a bunch of streams and trees seem like the scariest thing ever. Many horror fans hold a special place in their heart for this series, some episodes were great, some were absolutely terrible, but such is the power of nostalgia. I personally will always remember watching episodes of this with my dad late at night, with popcorn or whatever snack he might have chosen that day. He also taped a bunch of episodes on VHS for me to watch as well.
Now everyone has their favorite episodes. There is a general consensus on a few, one that is a must watch however is the Tom Savini directed "Halloween Candy" which is the story of an old grumpy curmudgeon who becomes the victim of an overzealous trick or treater. It is this episode that I will always feel is the inspiration for the Sam and Mr. Kreeg segment of Trick 'r Treat. Regardless it is an effectively eerie and fun slice of the 80's tv horror craze.
The other episode which actually terrified me most as a child is "Inside the Closet" the story is pretty straight forward and actually brilliant in the end. Girl rents a room in an old spooky house and something is going on with the tiny closet in her room she cannot open. I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it but it is probably my favorite episode overall. This episode was also directed by Tom Savini with FX by him as well.
Finally the last episode I will bring up is "Trick or Treat" which if I am not mistaken is the first ever episode aired of the show. It follows the story of a mean old man who every Halloween has a strange contest that revolves around towns peoples children entering his house which he has set up as a sort of haunt, and challenges them to last through the scares while trying to find these vouchers for the money the families owe him. By doing so they will alleviate the families debt to the man and he has the best time ever scaring the hell out of the kids. Again without spoiling it, the end is pretty great and appropriately Halloweeny. These three episodes will make for a great hour and a half of frightful viewing, late at night, as it was meant to be with this show. Tales From the Darkside is available on DVD everywhere, but we have included them here for your convenience. It is an awesome trio that will take you back to a different time of television horror.
Trick or Treat :
Inside the Closet:
Halloween Candy:
Can't recommend enough that you give all three a watch!
9. IT FOLLOWS (2014)
One of the most divisive horror films in recent memory, It Follows has seemingly split audiences in down the middle. It has plenty of detractors, and everyone is entitled to their opinions, but for us it is a chilling and atmospheric nightmare captured on film. The film is an exercise in dread and it's believable teen cast go a long way to making you care about their plight. Armed with an incredible musical score, It Follows delivers an off kilter horror experience complete with a very fall like atmosphere that make it a solid choice for your viewing needs this October. Need more convincing? read our full review here !
10. THE FOG (1980)
It's a safe bet that this won't be the last John Carpenter film on this list, The Fog is a perfect watch, for the middle of the month. After all what says Halloween more than fog, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Atkins and a good old fashioned ghost story? The Fog is one of my favorite Carpenter films and we know it will be one of yours as well after you throw this on, during one chilly October night.
11. THE GUEST
As far as I am concerned the Guest is not a horror film it's much more of a thriller/action flick that kind of defies categorizing, still that doesn't mean that it cant be a Halloween film, and what a Halloween film it is. Every scene of October set film is bursting with Halloween imagery, from pumpkins to skeletons and clever nods to the Halloween film series (specifically part 4 and 3). It also features star making turns by Dan Stevens and Maika Monroe. Stevens plays the Menacing David who is equal parts Terminator and Michael Myers. Top it all off with a heavy dose of carpenter-esque synth from Steve Moore and a pulsating Dark Wave soundtrack and you have the perfect flick for a mid October watch when you still want to keep it Halloween but need a break from the ghosts and goblins that populate most of the other horror fair. The Guest wears it's Halloween love on it's sleeve and we love it for that and you will too!
Easily two of the greatest pieces of Halloween animation ever created. The famous Skeleton Dance lives up to it's reputation as one of the coolest things Disney by way of artist/animator Ub Iwerks has ever done for the Halloween faithful. As a big fan of classic Black & White cartoons (Man I miss Late Night Black and White) I always had an affinity for these two shorts. They capture the Halloween mood in all it's glory, watching them in the dark on a cold night, there is just something really comforting about them. These two pieces of animation really are remarkable, especially when considering that they are both from 1929! The animation back then was incredibly fluid due to the techniques used and the backgrounds are all works of art. These are two MUST watches that I can't recommend enough. All the visuals are just iconic Halloween imagery brought to life.You would be remiss if you did not take the time out to appreciate these two spooky masterpieces of a time long gone by.
As a bonus here is an MGM Flip the Frog cartoon "Spooks" from 1931, also animated by Ub Iwerks that is very similar to Mickey in the Haunted House but still just as fun and spooky.
13. TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2
So in my introduction to this article I stated how there are certain films, I just don't consider right for October viewing, I mentioned how I felt Jason and the Friday the 13th Films have no place in October and are much better viewed in the spring or summer, and always more fun ON Friday the 13th. Well I sort of feel that way about Leatherface and the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. To me it just feels like a summer horror film and that is always a more appropriate time to watch it. THAT rule goes out the window though when it comes to this amazing film, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre part 2. This movie is just too gonzo, creepy, funny, and gory to not be watched this month. As my good buddy Dan would say "It is very macabre!" and that is an understatement. This is my favorite Texas Chainsaw film, from the opening bridge scene that scared the hell out of me as a kid, to the having the best incarnation of Leatherface to his insane chainsaw duel with an equally psychotic Dennis Hopper, this film takes what came before it and expands it into a whole new type of film and mythology, sort of the way Gremlins 2 just went all out berserk after the original Gremlins. There is so much weirdness going on here, I recommend it to everyone I know that will listen. It also introduces audiences to Leatherface's other brother, Choptop, played to disgusting creep perfection by none other than horror legend Bill Moseley. Oh and while we are on the topic of Leatherface, there is only ONE Leatherface and that is Bubba Sawyer, not Jeb, or Thomas Hewitt, no, it's Bubba Sawyer and the Sawyer clan. TCM2 is a horrifically psychedelic, gore fuled trip into madness, if that isn't something to watch near Halloween I don't know what is. Truthfully it deserves it's own article but that will be a story for another day!
This concludes part 1 of our Essenital October Viewing list Hope you all enjoyed reading it and that you get to check out some or all of the titles listed. Stay Tuned for Part 2 next week!
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