Five Not-So-Scary Halloween Films
Just in time for my favorite holiday.
(Okay, actually, it's more of a high holy day but we will not get into that.)
My sis and I were at the movies enjoying George Clooney's latest, Michael Clayton. (Good legal thriller.) I noticed that the fourth installment of the Saw series had just been released and it got me to thinking about all those scary movies that are more gore than fright. I've never been a fan of them. Don't really need to see people cutting off their own feet, etc.
At first I thought about naming some really good scary films but that's just so... typical. So, I decided to list five personal favorite films that I like to watch around All Hallow's Eve.
#5. Practical Magic. Okay, is it the best film ever made? No. But, here's why I like it. Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest as old-soul aunties who guide Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as they dabble in magic and must deal with the consequences. It's light, it's fun, and it has a great soundtrack. Midnight margaritas, anyone?
#4. Sleep Hollow. I'm not a huge Tim Burton fan. I respect him as a director and I like more of his films than I dislike. This one is probably my favorite of his after Batman. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has been told and retold but never has it been so delightfully dark. I also like that the dark stems from a basic human sin: greed. And it has Johnny Depp (big surprise there, right?).
#3. The Craft. Yes. It's a cheesy film. It's more teen angst than anything else but since the four major players are practicing witches, I have to include it. Besides, this film again teaches the consequences of our actions. If you project evil, if you do bad things, it will return to you threefold. "An' it harm none, do what you will."
#2. The Omen. Okay, many will argue that this film (and I am talking about the original, not the pathetically un-scary remake) is scary. It doesn't frighten me so I include it here. Gregory Peck and Lee Remick unknowingly adopt the spawn of Satan. The first nanny kills herself at Damien's birthday party, the second nanny is literally "from hell." Unhappy accidents and races against time to stop the evil from spreading. It's semi-biblical, somewhat prophetic (if you believe that sort of thing) and Mrs. Blalock (side bar: the only good thing about the remake is the casting of Mia Farrow as Mrs. Blalock. Inspired!). "It's all for you, Damien!"
#1. Mad Monster Party. I wonder how many folks remember this. From the genius of Rankin & Bass, this claymation treat used to be shown every year on KTLA when I was a kid. Dracula, the Wolfman, the Mummy, the Creature, the Invisible Man, Quasimodo, Frankenstein's Monster and his mate, and Dr. Jekyll all show up to celebrate Dr. Frankenstein's latest triumph, a potion that destroys all matter. It's not only a celebration of the greatest ghouls and goblins ever created, it also sparked all those lovely Christmas claymation specials we all grew up with. It's just a great film that you should revisit if it has been awhile. Dance to "The Mummy." Savor the Octopus Stew. Half a laugh and a blast. It's a Mad Monster Party!
(Okay, actually, it's more of a high holy day but we will not get into that.)
My sis and I were at the movies enjoying George Clooney's latest, Michael Clayton. (Good legal thriller.) I noticed that the fourth installment of the Saw series had just been released and it got me to thinking about all those scary movies that are more gore than fright. I've never been a fan of them. Don't really need to see people cutting off their own feet, etc.
At first I thought about naming some really good scary films but that's just so... typical. So, I decided to list five personal favorite films that I like to watch around All Hallow's Eve.
#5. Practical Magic. Okay, is it the best film ever made? No. But, here's why I like it. Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest as old-soul aunties who guide Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as they dabble in magic and must deal with the consequences. It's light, it's fun, and it has a great soundtrack. Midnight margaritas, anyone?
#4. Sleep Hollow. I'm not a huge Tim Burton fan. I respect him as a director and I like more of his films than I dislike. This one is probably my favorite of his after Batman. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has been told and retold but never has it been so delightfully dark. I also like that the dark stems from a basic human sin: greed. And it has Johnny Depp (big surprise there, right?).
#3. The Craft. Yes. It's a cheesy film. It's more teen angst than anything else but since the four major players are practicing witches, I have to include it. Besides, this film again teaches the consequences of our actions. If you project evil, if you do bad things, it will return to you threefold. "An' it harm none, do what you will."
#2. The Omen. Okay, many will argue that this film (and I am talking about the original, not the pathetically un-scary remake) is scary. It doesn't frighten me so I include it here. Gregory Peck and Lee Remick unknowingly adopt the spawn of Satan. The first nanny kills herself at Damien's birthday party, the second nanny is literally "from hell." Unhappy accidents and races against time to stop the evil from spreading. It's semi-biblical, somewhat prophetic (if you believe that sort of thing) and Mrs. Blalock (side bar: the only good thing about the remake is the casting of Mia Farrow as Mrs. Blalock. Inspired!). "It's all for you, Damien!"
#1. Mad Monster Party. I wonder how many folks remember this. From the genius of Rankin & Bass, this claymation treat used to be shown every year on KTLA when I was a kid. Dracula, the Wolfman, the Mummy, the Creature, the Invisible Man, Quasimodo, Frankenstein's Monster and his mate, and Dr. Jekyll all show up to celebrate Dr. Frankenstein's latest triumph, a potion that destroys all matter. It's not only a celebration of the greatest ghouls and goblins ever created, it also sparked all those lovely Christmas claymation specials we all grew up with. It's just a great film that you should revisit if it has been awhile. Dance to "The Mummy." Savor the Octopus Stew. Half a laugh and a blast. It's a Mad Monster Party!
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