Halloween Movie List 2008

As most people who know me will tell you, I love horror movies-yet I hate Halloween. I suppose it's okay for kids, I mean I'll give out candy and let my daughter go out when she's older, but adults dressing in costumes and going to haunted houses and all...I just don't get it. But I'm not out to spoil anyone else's fun, so I've decided to put in my two cents and publish a list of some of my favorite Halloween type movies.

This list intentionally avoids the obvious stuff (how much more can be said about Evil Dead?), but instead I've decided to focus on some slightly more left-of-center films. Some you've probably never heard of, others you've heard of but maybe not seen, and some most people have seen but I feel they've been underrated and deserve a second look.

So here it is, in no particular order, Dave's Halloween Movie List 2008:

1.Creepshow
So far the only movie to be referenced on this blog twice. This one is more about fun than fright, but it's got a few scary moments. As a tribute to the old E.C. horror comics it succeeds wonderfully, even if sometimes it drags a little as a film. A mixed bag at best, but when the mix is made from Stephen King and George Romero it's still pretty good.

2.Henry:Portrait Of A Serial Killer
A truly disturbing movie, not for the timid. The film is based on real life killer Henry Lee Lucas, who it turns out may have made up some of his confessed killings (which, if you think about it is kinda scary in and of itself). The movie stars a very creepy Michael Rooker in the title role as Henry and his ex-prison buddy (or more?) go around getting their jollies by killing people. This is not a slasher film, although there is some bloody gore involved, but not a lot by today's standards. It is instead a psychological study of the minds and relationships of some truly messed up people. Definitely recommended if you don't mind feeling creeped out for a few days and sleeping with the light on.

3. Blood Harvest (a.k.a. The Nightmare)
Typical 80's slasher flick with a few scenes that are actually pretty effective, although that's probably an accident. Anyone who's seen any horror movie knows who the killer is from minute one, there are buckets (literally) of blood, and some fairly misogynistic stuff even for 80's slasher flicks. So why do I recommend it? Tiny Tim as a borderline retarted man who dresses as a clown. Yeah, you wanna see it now, don't ya?

4.May
Okay, this one's just weird. It's the story of the slightly sympathetic weird girl, socially and sexually confused, who talks to her freaky-ass doll. She realizes, as all outsiders do, that people are pretty on the outside but ugly inside. As she becomes more and more alienated she takes her mother's advice: "If you don't have a friend, make one." And she does, literally. After the first shocking image, this movie unfolds very slowly, not becoming a horror flick until about midway through. As May grows ever more emotional and...well, batshit, we learn to important lessons. Don't break up with the weird girl, and don't let her volunteer at the school for the blind.

5.Mr. Sardonicus
I'm not really sure how to describe this without giving it all away. The movie is directed by William Castle, often referred to as the "poor man's Hitchcock". This was the guy who rigged up various movie seats to deliver a small shock during The Tingler, if that tells you anything. The gimmick for this movie was that the audience could "vote" on the fate of the villain. Moviegoers were given cards with a thumbs up/thumbs down emblem on them and were prompted to vote during the movie. Now, that's cheesy as hell, but the rest of the movie is really good, full of great acting and a classic Gothic type story. It requires a major suspension of disbelief, but definitely worth seeing.

6.Two Thousand Maniacs (1964)
Sing it if you know it: "Yee-haw! Oh, the South's gonna rise again!" Short version: Couples on vacation drive into a small town in the rural South during their bicentennial celebration and are invited to be the guests of honor. Trouble is, the travelers are all Yankees and these ol'boys still have a sore spot about the Civil War...and soon the festivities take a turn. Low budget movie with some decent gore effects for the time, and another flick that works in spite of itself. A favorite. A remake came out a few years ago, but I haven't seen it and don't intend to. Neither should you-see this one.

7.In The Mouth Of Madness
My favorite John Carpenter film. It's basically one big tribute to both Stephen King and H.P. Lovecraft. How can you not love that? The storyline is that a detective is hired to find a horror author who has gone missing before turning in his latest novel. As the search continues to a small New England town, it appears that maybe the stories he writes are based on fact, and are indeed coming true which would kinda sorta bring about the end of everything. Under-rated by some because there's not much violence and you actually have to pay attention. Great movie though, see it.

8.The Wicker Man (1973)
Not the piece of crap Nicholas Cage remake, but the original with Christopher freakin' Lee, and the guy who played The Equalizer. This is definitely a movie that rewards your patience. A lot of the imagery of May Day is lost on Americans since we don't celebrate it, but it can be followed if you pay attention. Many people are also thrown off by the singing in the film, but it deals with Pagan religions, and in that context it's perfectly acceptable. From the very beginning of the movie you just know that something's going on, and as the film unfolds, the viewer gets more and more intrigued, with one of the best endings in horror movie history. A must see for anyone who enjoys story and intelligence over violence and blood. Or if you just like Christopher Lee, and who doesn't?

9.The Vanishing (a.k.a. The Man Who Wanted To Know) (1988)
Not the piece of crap remake with Keifer Sutherland, but the original with a bunch of French people. This is probably the least horror of all the movies on this list, it's more of a whodunnit movie with a twist. The viewer knows who did it-we just don't know what he did. A man's fiancee goes missing from a gas station convenience store while he is outside. As the years go by, he becomes obsessed with figuring out what happened. He is then contacted by the abductor and given the chance. This is another fabulous ending, without the stupid tripe added on to the American version. awesome movie, subtitles and all.

10. Motel Hell
Anyone who came of age in the 70's or 80's has probably seen this one. What most of us don't know, or at least I didn't, is that it's supposed to be a send up of the horror movies of the day. Actually, that knowledge makes it a little less cool. I think it's much better if you just take this as it comes. It's the simple story of a farmer who owns a motel/meat factory, falls in love with a young guest, creating a love triangle with his brother. Oh, and he uses people in the meat. He keeps the people in a secret garden in the back of the motel, buried from the neck down like crops. He also cuts up the meat while wearing a pig mask. See, isn't it better if you don't know this mess was intentional? Either way it's incredibly, laughably weird and worth a look. Or two.

Okay, that's the list. Hopefully I've given you a few ideas for your Halloween (or any time really) viewing pleasure. Happy viewing and pleasant dreams.