The Horror Show: Halloween Playlist Challenge
Having to boil down all the good, the bad, and the hilariously terrible movies in my life that shriek HALLOWEEN to me is so difficult, but I did my best for my buddies over at ihatehorror . Better late than never, right?! They’re a hugely diverse group, so no judging. I don’t know if I can prescribe these any hierarchical order, but I think some of them are best watched at certain time.
Begin at the beginning with: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Judge me if you will, but this theater girl fucking LOVES beckoning in the Haloween season with this movie (and then, let’s be honest, continuing to watch it through Christmas because I CAN). Nothing quite kicks off Halloween quite like a movie that specifically has a scene/song about Halloween.
Then maybe get more serious with: The Reanimator Trilogy
I have a mad crush on Jeffrey Combs - I don’t know how or why, but Herbert West is the pinnacle of his awesome-ocity in my book. I actually just decided to pick up the Gloom Cthulu expansion over some others because the Wests are one of the families. I love the first and last movies the most, but when I can’t dedicate the time to watch them, I just check out the ridiculous video for Move Your Dead Bones.
While we’re on zombies, maybe giggle a bit with: Shaun of the Dead
This is one of my year-round staples, but there’s so much to this movie. I know horror-comedy isn’t everyone’s cuppa, but this one pays such wonderful homage to so many zombie flicks that came before, it’s hard to find it completely repulsive. (Unless you hate fun. And Queen.)
More zombies? Gore time? OKAY!: Dead Alive/Brain Dead
Oh. My. Glob (s of blood and chunks of flesh). My husband introduced me to this movie and I introduced him to Reanimator (match made in... somewhere), and the first time I watched it, I couldn’t believe I’d never heard of it. Disgusting, hilarious, and oh the practical effects! That fucking lawnmower scene.
And while we’re on practical effects, how about: Nightbreed: The Director’s Cut
Clive -fucking- Barker. What a treasure of a human being... Not even to mention David Cronenberg as Dr. Philip K. Decker a.k.a. the creepiest fucking manipulative masked murderer I’ve seen in forever. The makeup and costuming is amazing. The storyline is an amazing beginning that I’m disappointed didn’t get to grow more, but the world-building is fantastic in every sense of the world. The introduction to the monster world of Midian is a sweeping and bizarre scene scored by the incomparable Danny Elfman.
That’s good and all, but do you want something that will make you weep with fear? Got it: Evil Dead - The Trilogy
I haven’t yet seen the remake (I know, I know... bad girl), but the originals were enough for me to be terrified of going to my family’s cabin in Vermont for WAY too long. The original is so well acted, the scenes are completely disturbing, and even Army of Darkness creeped me the hell out between laughs. The body horror alone in the “Goody Little Two Shoes” scene has haunted me for years.
Now that we’re toward the end, how about something wonderfully meta?: Cabin in the Woods
I didn’t know what to expect when I first saw this movie, and I think that’s the best way to watch it. I am admittedly a Whedon fan-girl, but I was a horror fan first, and the tropes upon wonderful tropes sell me every single time without fail. Not only that, but I love unicorns. Especially unicorns of DEATH.
Finally, to wrap things up and celebrate the true spirit of the season: Trick R Treat
Sam is my favorite little psycho. His motives are straight forward and his judgement is harsh, but who wants to tell him he’s being a bad boy...thing? I love anthologies, and this was the best I’d seen in a very long time. Needless to say, I’m SUPER pumped for Krampus, too! Pet Sematary (where I get my handle from) instilled a fear of hamstringing in me, and Trick R Treat just brought that back full force.
So that’s my list. For now. I’m sure it’ll change tomorrow when I remember some other fantastic movie that makes me go IT’S HALLOWEEN, GUYS!!! It may be a little unconventional, and it may have made a few of you groan, but it’s mine and I love it.
