List of Fives Part Twelve
Five Film Treats for Hallowe'en!
1. Arsenic and Old Lace -- This Frank Capra film stars Cary Grant as Mortimer Brewster, confirmed bachelor and theater critic trying to steal away with his new bride before the press finds out. He heads on over to his dear aunties to inform them of the news, only to learn that these two old spinsters have a secret of their own. They have been poisoning "lonely old gentlemen" and burying them in the basement. It's a hilarious romp and perfect fodder for Halloween. Check out Raymond Massey in serious "Boris Karloff" make-up, a running gag in the film.
2. Mad Monster Party -- This Claymation classic features all the great monsters: Dr. Frankenstein, his Monster and Bride, the Werewolf, Dracula, the Invisible Man, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Mummy, and the Hunchback from Notre Dame. Used to watch this film as a kid and finally found it on DVD. Now it is a must for Halloween.
3. Nosferatu -- If you want to see a truly scary vampire film, check out this German silent classic. Beautifully shot in a sepia tone, it stars Max Schreck as Graf Orlok. And he is one creepy dude! Loosely based on Bram Stoker's classic Dracula (okay, it's a total rip-off), this film uses those old tricks of stop-motion camera work, ghoulish makeup (or is it?), and music to frighten. Watch it and try not to keep checking over your shoulder. (Honorable mention: if you like this one, check out the film "Shadow of the Vampire," which is about the making of this classic. That may be even more frightening than this.)
4. The Rocky Horror Picture Show -- Let's be honest. There's no real horror. Okay, there is implied cannibalism and all sorts of debauchery but that's about it. This musical is a cult classic and there's a reason for it. It's so unbelievably disjointed and weird, it was bound for infamy. Starring a young Tim Curry (in drag!), this film spawned the classic hit "Time Warp" song; a song that gets about as much play this time of year as Michael Jackson's "Thriller." It's not the best film ever made (nor is it the worst, frankly) but it is eccentric and a bit strange. But who cares when you are having this much fun? Don't dream it, be it!
5. Sleepy Hollow -- Yep, Tim Burton's film. Why do I love this film? Well, Johnny Depp's "Ichabod Crane" is not brave or daring. He faints, repeatedly. And often to hilarious effect. The film uses images of the Headless Horseman we are all familiar with (the flaming pumpkin head on the bridge, thank you Lisa!) and goes deeper into the tale. It's chilling and terrifying but not overly so. The Horseman (when bearing a face) is played by Christopher Walken. Brilliant casting, if you ask me.
I know, I know... you are wondering "where are the horror films?"
Well... I don't go for gross horror films. I like Clive Barker's "Hellraiser" films but that's as far as I'm willing to go with gore. And after the first two... I stop. Don't need to see that, thanks.
I don't watch bloodfests like "Saw" or all those creepy films that Ellen Paige mentioned in "Juno." Don't like 'em. See no need for 'em.
I'm no fan of Freddy, Michael, or Jason. Ridiculous exploitation.
And I don't find "The Exorcist," "The Omen," or "Rosemary's Baby" scary. "The Ninth Gate" is a favorite film of mine but I don't necessarily deem it a "Halloween" film.
So, there's my list! Happy Halloween!
1. Arsenic and Old Lace -- This Frank Capra film stars Cary Grant as Mortimer Brewster, confirmed bachelor and theater critic trying to steal away with his new bride before the press finds out. He heads on over to his dear aunties to inform them of the news, only to learn that these two old spinsters have a secret of their own. They have been poisoning "lonely old gentlemen" and burying them in the basement. It's a hilarious romp and perfect fodder for Halloween. Check out Raymond Massey in serious "Boris Karloff" make-up, a running gag in the film.
2. Mad Monster Party -- This Claymation classic features all the great monsters: Dr. Frankenstein, his Monster and Bride, the Werewolf, Dracula, the Invisible Man, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Mummy, and the Hunchback from Notre Dame. Used to watch this film as a kid and finally found it on DVD. Now it is a must for Halloween.
3. Nosferatu -- If you want to see a truly scary vampire film, check out this German silent classic. Beautifully shot in a sepia tone, it stars Max Schreck as Graf Orlok. And he is one creepy dude! Loosely based on Bram Stoker's classic Dracula (okay, it's a total rip-off), this film uses those old tricks of stop-motion camera work, ghoulish makeup (or is it?), and music to frighten. Watch it and try not to keep checking over your shoulder. (Honorable mention: if you like this one, check out the film "Shadow of the Vampire," which is about the making of this classic. That may be even more frightening than this.)
4. The Rocky Horror Picture Show -- Let's be honest. There's no real horror. Okay, there is implied cannibalism and all sorts of debauchery but that's about it. This musical is a cult classic and there's a reason for it. It's so unbelievably disjointed and weird, it was bound for infamy. Starring a young Tim Curry (in drag!), this film spawned the classic hit "Time Warp" song; a song that gets about as much play this time of year as Michael Jackson's "Thriller." It's not the best film ever made (nor is it the worst, frankly) but it is eccentric and a bit strange. But who cares when you are having this much fun? Don't dream it, be it!
5. Sleepy Hollow -- Yep, Tim Burton's film. Why do I love this film? Well, Johnny Depp's "Ichabod Crane" is not brave or daring. He faints, repeatedly. And often to hilarious effect. The film uses images of the Headless Horseman we are all familiar with (the flaming pumpkin head on the bridge, thank you Lisa!) and goes deeper into the tale. It's chilling and terrifying but not overly so. The Horseman (when bearing a face) is played by Christopher Walken. Brilliant casting, if you ask me.
I know, I know... you are wondering "where are the horror films?"
Well... I don't go for gross horror films. I like Clive Barker's "Hellraiser" films but that's as far as I'm willing to go with gore. And after the first two... I stop. Don't need to see that, thanks.
I don't watch bloodfests like "Saw" or all those creepy films that Ellen Paige mentioned in "Juno." Don't like 'em. See no need for 'em.
I'm no fan of Freddy, Michael, or Jason. Ridiculous exploitation.
And I don't find "The Exorcist," "The Omen," or "Rosemary's Baby" scary. "The Ninth Gate" is a favorite film of mine but I don't necessarily deem it a "Halloween" film.
So, there's my list! Happy Halloween!
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