[It's almost time, kids. The clock is ticking. Be in front of your TV sets for the Horrorthon, followed by the Big Giveaway. Don't miss it. And don't forget to wear your masks. The clock is ticking. It's almost time.]



31 films as selected by various members of PW.

DAY ONE




Trick R Treat

As selected by c

Director: Micheal Dougherty
Year: 2007
Cast: Dylan Baker, Rochelle Aytes, Anna Paquin, Brian Cox.

Plot:

It relates four Halloween horror stories with a common element in them: Sam, a trick-or-treating demon wearing orange footie pajamas with a burlap sack over his head. The character appears in each story whenever one of the other characters breaks a Halloween tradition.

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System’s Semantics:


I’ve had this on DVD for years since it was first released and only ever watched it once. I remembered not liking it and I’m not really sure as to why after rewatching it.

It’s a fun anthology film in similar vein to the V/H/S series or the critically acclaimed Movie 43, which side note: I’m amazed they went to the effort of making two separate US and UK versions to tie the story together.

It keeps you guessing all the way through with more than one or two parts catching me completely off guard with how each story relates to the other. Visually it looks great almost comic book like and perfectly captures the look of Halloween.

Even people who haven’t seen this film are familiar with the Sam character also, so cool to see them add another character for potential Halloween costumes.

Unfiltered notes:

SPOILER: Click to show

Mouth creepy
kid from somewhere anthology
vomiting
Zack boy
Charlie browns an asshole :lol:
Kid is in on it

Chelsea Wolfe
Saw him NWA, all hallowed Eve

Bus South Park
Jack o lantern

Movie 43
Creepy kid

Zombos
Rey mysterio!!
Creepy dad
Marilyn Manson!!!
Sackboy is back

grumpy old man next door

Jack o lanterns reek, carved.
Argument (hollow)
Hellraiser

Best night costume the office
Zombos back

DAY TWO



Alien

As selected by CM Punk'd

Director: Ridley Scott
Year: 1979
Cast: , Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm, Yaphet Kotto.

I don’t rewatch films that often as I go to the cinemas once a week and have trouble paying attention to media at home. The Alien franchise is the exception as I normally
make it a habit to rewatch this series or at least the first 3 at least once a year.

Rewatched this in 4K and sans one or two exterior shots it looks absolutely incredible and you wouldn’t know the film was 45 years old watching it. I love how smartly they approached the future, people still dressed in similar fashion. The technology admittedly does look dated at times but other parts it looks like something out of an aircraft so it holds up and working for a greedy corporation is something that most people can relate to.

As for the Xenomorph, originally being inspired by H R Ginger’s Necronom IV painting,
Giger’s designs made for an iconic film villain as well as being able to visually depict the films themes of rape without spelling it out directly for the audience.

While Aliens is also a classic in its own right this in my mind is one of the best Sci-Fi horror films ever released.

I am really looking forqard to following this. Partly as a way, to see your thoughts on movies I have seen already, but also to sell me kn the ones I haven't seen yet.

Trick R Treat

Simply put, the reason I never watched Trick R Treat is because it's an anthology. In my mind, I'd rather watch one 90 minute film than three 30 minute film. That's not to say that I believe short films are worse than long films, it's just that if I'm going to invest that much time, I'd rather do it on one fully-fleshed out story. Maybe I should open my mind more?

Alien

Not long ago I rewatched Alien with Empress, in anticipation of Alien: Romulus. It was her first time and my second time. We both loved it. Of course we did. It is one of the greatest films ever made. Stunning futuristic scenery, a fresh depiction of the future and how, in some ways, it's not so different from the present. Fantastic storytelling, minimalistic at times but never boring. Great characters who have time to breathe and establish their personalities. An awesome low-key antagonist in Ash, whose existence raises existential questions that become a strong theme throughout the series.

Finally, Ellen Ripley and the Alien. I posed Empress the question of who the hero would be. She guessed a few names. None of them were Ellen Ripley. Yet her transition to the leading character was foreshadowed and presented with great judgment. She wasn't shoehorned in as the token female character. It was earned, and Sigourney Weaver delivered a legendary performance. The Alien itself is a terrifying adversary, the ultimate killing machine. A handful of the effects of the xenomorph did not age well, but it most holds up. In my view the Facehugger is the most horrifying part of the movie.

Emperor I’m not usually a fan of anthology films either for the same reasons but to me Trick R Treat is the exception. It’s wonderfully done and each story has its merits and the tying in together really works for me. Never expected to enjoy it as much as I did and for my money it’s the best anthology movie out there.

Never cared for the Alien franchise (blasphemous!!!). Most space movies don’t work for me. I recognize its merit and accomplishments and understand the love people have for it.

DAY THREE



Halloween

As now selected by System

Director: John Carpenter
Year: 1978
Cast: Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, P. J. Soles, and Nancy Loomis.

Plot:

Set mostly in the fictional Illinois town of Haddonfield, the film follows mental patient Michael Myers, who was committed to a sanitarium for murdering his teenage sister one Halloween night during his childhood; he escapes 15 years later and returns to Haddonfield, where he stalks teenage babysitter Laurie Strode and her friends while his psychiatrist Dr. Samuel Loomis pursues him.



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This was originally on someone’s else’s list but they changed it so I’ll make this my 1 pick to make it 31 as I feel it’s a glaring omission next to other films on this list.

Seen this many times and had the pleasure of seeing it on the big screen 2 years ago and it’s such a fun independent film. Yes some of the dialogue is vapid, scenes are dragged out for “suspense” (to make the film long enough for a theatrical release) but it’s a staple of the slasher genre even if it wasn’t the first.

Such a simple concept, The Shape causes havoc on Halloween, people get killed. Is he dead? Roll credits. Spawned not only an entire franchise but the shoestring budget into mega hit that many other films try to emulate.

The opening crawl and music are iconic also.

It was me, it was my list. I originally selected a handful of “classics” but wanted to pivot to add some variety and maybe movies that aren’t talked about as much.

Halloween is an obvious choose for legitimate reasons and THE movie watch during this season. Not only one of the greatest horror movies of all time but I’d say it’s one of the best movies of all time and in my personal Top 3.

Oct 2, 2024 16:13:21 GMT UT said:

It was me, it was my list. I originally selected a handful of “classics” but wanted to pivot to add some variety and maybe movies that aren’t talked about as much.

Halloween is an obvious choose for legitimate reasons and THE movie watch during this season. Not only one of the greatest horror movies of all time but I’d say it’s one of the best movies of all time and in my personal Top 3.

Worked out well as I couldn’t think of anything I haven’t already mentioned ad nauseam.

So I might get some hate for this, but a few years ago I watched all of the Halloween films (minus three for obvious reasons), outside of a few films in the series, I found the majority of them boring, including the original Halloween movie.

Oct 2, 2024 17:09:10 GMT Lony said:

So I might get some hate for this, but a few years ago I watched all of the Halloween films (minus three for obvious reasons) ,outside of a few films in the series, I found the mahoroty of them boring, including the original Halloween movie.

Well if you don’t like the others maybe give III a chance
🎃 🧙 👻

Oct 2, 2024 17:09:10 GMT Lony said:

So I might get some hate for this, but a few years ago I watched all of the Halloween films (minus three for obvious reasons), outside of a few films in the series, I found the mahoroty of them boring, including the original Halloween movie.

Well you’re wrong.

Also I don’t care for 3 but its a hard turn from the others so maybe you’d like it.

Also - totally wrong.

Oct 2, 2024 19:41:10 GMT UT said:

Oct 2, 2024 17:09:10 GMT Lony said:

So I might get some hate for this, but a few years ago I watched all of the Halloween films (minus three for obvious reasons), outside of a few films in the series, I found the mahoroty of them boring, including the original Halloween movie.

Well you’re wrong.

Also I don’t care for 3 but its a hard turn from the others so maybe you’d like it.

Also - totally wrong.

I liked the latest trilogy, plus Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, and Halloween: Resurrection.

So I guess like half of them I like.

Oct 2, 2024 20:08:36 GMT Lony said:

Oct 2, 2024 19:41:10 GMT UT said:

Well you’re wrong.

Also I don’t care for 3 but its a hard turn from the others so maybe you’d like it.

Also - totally wrong.

I liked the latest trilogy, plus Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, and Halloween: Resurrection.

So I guess like half of them I like.

You like the Scream influence. I can’t fault that, though Resurrection is the most hated of the series. I have a soft spot for it while admitting it’s not very good.

The only Halloweens I would say I don’t love/like is 5,6 and Ends.

Not sure any more Halloweens make it so my rundown of the series quickly.

OG - Classic as it said. Beauty is in its simplicity. Birth of an icon.

2 - I like it. Hospitals are naturally scary and the violence really ramps up. Don’t love sedated Laurie as much.

4 - A great sequel and return of Myers. Harris as Jaime is perfect and Rachel is a great final girl.

5 - Maybe becomes my least favorite in the series, they ruined everything 4 did so well. Made Jaime a mute for some reason, killed Rachel and replaced her with an insufferable Tina. Also Loomis sucks the most.

6 - Not a fan of the Thorn stuff and replacing Harris. Credit because Michael is at one his most scary but overall it just doesn’t work.

H20 - Heavily Scream influenced means I love it. Great comeback for the series with an excellent face off with Laurie and Michael and a perfect ending.

Resurrection - stupid for opening with the death of Laurie and really doesn’t work on a lot of levels but I have a weird soft spot for it minus Busta being corny.


2018 - I love it more than most - thought it was a really well done request and they paid great homage to the franchise. Crazy lethal Laurie is awesome.

Kills - minus a bunch of the Evil Dies stuff I find it to be a fun popcorn flick. And a totally badass looking Michael with the burnt mask and him being a complete machine.

Ends - only seen it once. I understand what they were going for and didn’t hate it but wish they would have went with more Myers. Worthy of a rewatch.

DAY FOUR



A Nightmare on Elm Street

As selected by CM Punk'd

Director: Wes Craven
Year: 1984
Cast: Heather Langenkamp, John Saxon, Ronee Blakley, Robert Englund, Johnny Depp

Plot:

On Elm Street, Nancy Thompson and a group of her friends (comprising Tina Gray, Rod Lane and Glen Lantz) are being tormented by a clawed killer in their dreams named Fred Krueger. Nancy must think quickly, as Fred tries to pick them off one by one. When he has you in your sleep, who is there to save you?

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My least favourite franchise of the Big 3, Robert Englund is fantastic as Freddy Krueger and things can get more inventive in dreams but I’d rather watch annoying campers/townspeople get what’s coming to them rather than people trying to nod off.

The first is still a classic though (the less said about the remake the better).

Hey another one from my (old) list.

NOES is also my least favorite of the big three but the original is a masterpiece. Freddy is at his best blend of sadism and charismatic , Nancy is up there with the greatest final girls of all time and the kills are absolutely iconic. His continuing exploration of kids and parents dynamics always hits home as well.

The series devolves after three rather rapidly until it gets to New Nightmare.

Two is weird and I really don’t like it. Don’t understand the direction they took after the success of the first one. Though this is arguably the scariest Freddy.

Dream Warriors is beloved as one of the best horror sequels ever and well I do enjoy it, I also think it’s the beginning of the end for Freddy moving forward as 4,5&6 are mostly trash and Freddy becomes a cartoon character.


Edit - I forgot to acknowledge the remake. As it deserves. Fuck that movie.

DAY FIVE



Friday the 13th

As selected by CM Punk'd

Director: Sean S Cunningham
Year: 1980
Cast: Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King, Harry Crosby, Laurie Bartram, Mark Nelson, Jeannine Taylor, Robbi Morgan, and Kevin Bacon.

Plot:

A group of teenage camp counselors attempt to re-open an abandoned summer camp with a tragic past, but they are stalked by a mysterious, relentless killer.

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I enjoy a lot of the films in this franchise for what they are but as far as the original film goes I was severely disappointed first time I watched it. I’d see the hockey mask, Jason etc all get referenced in other stuff long before I ever watched these films.

Also it saddens me that Jason lost his crown as slasher villain with most kills to Michael Myers only because there’s been 3 more Halloween films since Friday the 13th (2009) which is much better than this.

The “ending” which isn’t actually the ending is iconic though.

Yeah the OG Friday isn’t what a lot of people think of when they think of the series. I’ll give it credit for being more of a whodunnit and some of the innovation but it falls further down my ranks as the years go by. When I’m in the mood for a Friday film there are handful of others I go to first - some of which are coming.

DAY SIX



Dead Silence

As suggested by sandylea

Director: James Wan
Year: 2007
Cast: Ryan Kwanten,Amber Valletta, Donnie Wahlberg, and Bob Gunton.

Plot:

After his wife meets a grisly end, Jamie Ashen returns to his hometown of Ravens Fair to find answers. His investigation leads him to the ghost of a ventriloquist named Mary Shaw who seems to have ties to his entire family tree.



Even without knowing James Wan directed, the way the film is shot, the Donnie Wahlberg casting and the way the film plays it will give you a clue that Saw’s fingerprints are all over this.

It’s no torture porn though, just a fun horror film with a slightly better script than the usual far in this sort of film. Your fright factor will strongly vary depending on whether ventriloquist dummies scare you or not.

Oct 5, 2024 12:43:51 GMT UT said:

Emperor I’m not usually a fan of anthology films either for the same reasons but to me Trick R Treat is the exception. It’s wonderfully done and each story has its merits and the tying in together really works for me. Never expected to enjoy it as much as I did and for my money it’s the best anthology movie out there.

We watched Trick R Treat (that title irritates me) and thoroughly enjoyed it. The first 15 minutes was cheap dumb horror and I was bracing myself to yawn into oblivion but suddenly the other stories happened and I somehow became absorbed. It became genuinely creepy at times, and as you say the way the stories tie together is brilliant. I didn't see any of the twists coming and they way they are revealed is pretty great. The pumpkin monster was freaky too. Excellent film that blends together fun and scary very well.

Oct 5, 2024 19:45:18 GMT Emperor said:

Oct 5, 2024 12:43:51 GMT UT said:

Emperor I’m not usually a fan of anthology films either for the same reasons but to me Trick R Treat is the exception. It’s wonderfully done and each story has its merits and the tying in together really works for me. Never expected to enjoy it as much as I did and for my money it’s the best anthology movie out there.

We watched Trick R Treat (that title irritates me) and thoroughly enjoyed it. The first 15 minutes was cheap dumb horror and I was bracing myself to yawn into oblivion but suddenly the other stories happened and I somehow became absorbed. It became genuinely creepy at times, and as you say the way the stories tie together is brilliant. I didn't see any of the twists coming and they way they are revealed is pretty great. The pumpkin monster was freaky too. Excellent film that blends together fun and scary very well.

Happy you enjoyed it! Speaks to the movies quality that we both enjoyed it despite not being lovers of anthologies.

Also… pretty sure the title is like that because there’s an 80s movie that’s titled Trick or Treat. That one isn’t as much worth the watch - incredibly cheesy and bad but I know people LOVE the soundtrack to it.

Oct 5, 2024 19:45:18 GMT Emperor said:

Oct 5, 2024 12:43:51 GMT UT said:

Emperor I’m not usually a fan of anthology films either for the same reasons but to me Trick R Treat is the exception. It’s wonderfully done and each story has its merits and the tying in together really works for me. Never expected to enjoy it as much as I did and for my money it’s the best anthology movie out there.

We watched Trick R Treat (that title irritates me) and thoroughly enjoyed it. The first 15 minutes was cheap dumb horror and I was bracing myself to yawn into oblivion but suddenly the other stories happened and I somehow became absorbed. It became genuinely creepy at times, and as you say the way the stories tie together is brilliant. I didn't see any of the twists coming and they way they are revealed is pretty great. The pumpkin monster was freaky too. Excellent film that blends together fun and scary very well.

Glad you enjoyed the film, Emperor.

I haven't really gone into Trick r Treat, just because I plan on doing my yearly watch soonish

DAY SEVEN


THIR13EN GHOSTS

As suggested by sandylea

Director: Steve Beck
Year: 2001
Cast: Tony Shalhoub, Embeth Davidtz, Matthew Lillard, Shannon Elizabeth, Alec Roberts, Rah Digga, F. Murray Abraham.

Plot:

When Cyrus Kriticos, a very rich collector of unique things, dies, he leaves his house, fortune, and his prized collection of ghosts.

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This reminded me a lot of a music videos and it didn’t surprise to learn that Steve Beck made commercials at one point. It’s very flashy and a lot going on in a good way, all the visuals are very striking and ghosts memorable.

That’s about all the positive I have to say about it, a lot of scenes seem shot as if they were filmed for a rowdy cinema (like Marvel that times in the applause now) which took me out of it a bit but it’s still cheesy fun.

Wasn’t aware it was a remake either, have not seen the 1960 film.

I love Thirteen Ghosts. Yea it’s cheesy and totally of its time but it’s still a fun run. Lillard chews the scenery, the ghosts have some incredible designs and the entire concept is fun. I’d love to see it expanded on in today’s world.

Oct 6, 2024 21:51:39 GMT UT said:

I love Thirteen Ghosts. Yea it’s cheesy and totally of its time but it’s still a fun run. Lillard chews the scenery, the ghosts have some incredible designs and the entire concept is fun. I’d love to see it expanded on in today’s world.

It’s rumoured they are making a TV show, which I hope is done really well. I’m excited for the idea of it, but especially if they can expand on the ghosts lore

Oct 7, 2024 8:34:17 GMT sandylea said:

Oct 6, 2024 21:51:39 GMT UT said:

I love Thirteen Ghosts. Yea it’s cheesy and totally of its time but it’s still a fun run. Lillard chews the scenery, the ghosts have some incredible designs and the entire concept is fun. I’d love to see it expanded on in today’s world.

It’s rumoured they are making a TV show, which I hope is done really well. I’m excited for the idea of it, but especially if they can expand on the ghosts lore

That would be fun - especially giving it to someone like Flanagan.

Two seasons 10 episodes per. Let’s go.

DAY EIGHT


MAY

As suggested by c

Director: Lucky McKee
Year: 2002
Cast: Angela Bettis, Jeremy Sisto, Anna Faris,James Duval,

Plot: A socially awkward veterinary assistant with a lazy eye and obsession with perfection descends into depravity after developing a crush on a boy with perfect hands.

c and I have a very similar taste in film and has suggested a lot of
Stuff I’ve liked over the years and this is no different.
A simple premise without going overboard with a convoluted plot and Angela Bettis makes the character work which was a tough act to pull off without being cheesy.


Also this trailer makes it seems like a fun comedy :lol:



If you’re sensitive when it comes to mentioning of pet related stuff, probably give this one a miss.

DAY NINE


Resident Evil

As suggested by Lony

Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Year: 2002
Cast: Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Eric Mabius, James Purefoy, Martin Crewes, and Colin Salmon.


Plot: A special military unit fights a powerful, out-of-control supercomputer and hundreds of scientists who have mutated into flesh-eating creatures after a laboratory accident.

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Probably one of the best video game adaptations, especially at a time where most video game adaptions were god awful (like the live action Super Mario Bros 😛).
While it did spawn some garbage sequels and indirectly unleashing the Monster Hunter film into the word which is worse than the T-Virus.

Also bonus points for a Marilyn Manson track.

I hate them all. Every last one.