SPOOKY SEASON TIS THE SEASON and “Everyone’s entitled to one good scare!”

With Halloween less than a few days away, the ‘season of horror’ is in full effect and there are a plethora of viewing choices available on all of the streaming services. I have to say, although it isn’t as recognized in Australian culture, Halloween has always been my favourite “holiday”. Without getting on my high-horse about the origins and theological significances, I actually quite enjoy the celebratory aspect and the entertainment value that October 31st has come to embody amongst urbane cultures. My particular fondness (of course) gravitates to the visual mediums. From the beginning of October the availability of horror films and television shows increases and though not all new offerings are of exceptional value, that old and peculiar idiom “much of a muchness” does aptly spring to mind.

I am secretly an advocate of the ‘B Grade’ horror, and I have watched too many to count over my years as a dedicated horror fan. People often tell me they consider most horror movies to belong in that grouping, but believe me, there are notable distinctions when it comes to quality and ratings. Admittedly I could watch a horror movie at any time of the day, I don’t have to ‘be in the mood’, I will watch one while I’m writing or even have it on as background noise. Some people however, only watch them around this time of the year, which is perfectly fine (if that’s your thing, I guess) and they will often ask me for some suggestions. So, to remedy those “Halloween Season Fever” symptoms I offer a 5 film (like 5 points on a spooky pentagram) collective elixir.

Get plenty of rest, watch them in any order and repeat AS necessary!

Scream (1996): It would be an injustice and an impossibility to compile a horror movie collection and not include one or more Wes Craven film. He was one of the true Masters of Horror. His ability to combine gratuity with humour is what set him apart from the pack. Although I had watched a few films prior I wasn’t completely hooked on the genre until I had experienced one his movies and, I have been a devout disciple ever since. When Scream debuted I had mixed feelings. Written by Kevin Williamson (Dawson’s Creek) I anticipated a soapy and somewhat confused narrative. This is a meta horror with a huge cast and it reinvented the teen slasher. What Wes was able to achieve paved way for future generations of filmmakers. It’s a sophisticated, witty and highly stylized feat of modern genius. With it’s purposeful integration of almost every trope available, it broke boundaries. It is humorous, but not too much that it strays from it’s intentions. Craven kept it gory and that was what made the film even more successful. The plot could easily have been overlooked- a bunch of teenagers in a small town are being ‘picked off’ be a masked maniac. Centring around one particular teen Sydney Prescott, who’s mother was murdered one year prior to the current spate of killings. There are real scares in this film and the deaths are true to the brutal and frenzied blood-baths fans have come to know and love. Scream is masterclass in horror done right. There have been a multitude of films in the franchise but the original is very hard to surpass and, should be enjoyed for what it is; entertainment in it’s purest form. 

Candyman (1992): Adapted from the Clive Barker short story The Forbidden, Candyman is a superb example of how to successfully terrify an audience . Integrating an urban myth or legend into a horror plot is generally a format for success and this film does that with a superior level of cleverness. It has it’s share of questionable moments but, they are overshadowed by the film’s atmosphere, the realities of the world it exposes us to and of course, the subtexts. This film would not be as convincing without the amazing Tony Todd who plays the Candyman; a merciless villain portrayed with chilling precision and sense. He symbolizes oppression and fear in a community that has already suffered unfathomable atrocities and hardships. Though the film is about exploring the underbelly of the human psyche it also urges strong social and moral commentaries. There’s an overflow of blood for the gore fiends and a tonne of ‘hide-your-eyes’ instances. In a nutshell the film plays on what humans can manifest from within the recesses our of deepest and darkest fears and prompts us to ponder:  If you search hard enough for the boogeyman you just might find him. 

Pet Sematary (1989):  When I was 13, I did a book report on Pet Sematary. It horrified my English teacher and delighted my classmates. Stephen King is incomparable to any other. He is the Lord of contemporary horror fiction. With so many of his works adapted for the screen, there is bound to be at least one of his titles in any fanatic’s list of favourites. Notably, there are seldom few of those adaptations that are pleasing to King’s fans, even the ones he himself writes the screenplays for. Pet Sematary has not been an exception to that fact, the film has rarely been praised but I think as a horror film, it holds it’s own. Plot- The Creed family have moved from Chicago to a very small town in Maine. Louis Creed is a doctor who works nights in the E.R. They befriend their older and peculiar neighbour Jud who introduces them to a pet cemetery where children bury dead pets, mostly killed on the highway that boarders their homes. When their cat Church is killed, Louis buries him and he Church returns from the dead with a very noticeable change in his demeanour. When tragedy strikes again, their toddler Gage is hit by a truck. Louis does the unthinkable again and Gage also returns from the dead. There are some truly great jump scares in this movie, the creepiness factor is well covered during flashbacks of Rachel Creed’s sister Zelda; a hideous zombie-like entity suffering from spinal meningitis. If you want an entertaining horror that has often been deeply misjudged and will fuel a nightmare or two then, make sure you watch Pet Sematary… with all of the lights out. 

Tenebre (1982): Dario Argento is the Master of Horror. That is a fact. I didn’t make it up, its a fact! When I was studying film at university I was introduced the macabre world of Argento and I almost exploded with excitement. (also a fact) It is also exceptionally difficult to choose just one of his films for this list. Tenebre is a personal favourite because it was my baptism of fire and, out of all his chaotic creations it’s probably the most anchored in reality. The plot- an author is stalked by a serial killer who murders anyone associated with his latest novel. Argento had been receiving death threats by an extremely dissatisfied follower and, in an act of defiance and retaliation he released Tenebrae, a film that basically grandstands savagery. Though his films are widely revered amongst horror filmmakers and fans, they are also often widely criticised because of the excessively shocking levels of brutal violence, and the often capriciously constructed narratives. Argento’s films stage themselves in a nightmare world where not everything has relevance or context but, are sometimes simply present to extend the absurdity of that world. Tenebre was not only a return to Giallo (a style Argento became synonymous with), but an extremely underrated film. Both Eli Roth and Quentin Tarrantino cite this film as a major influence and it’s easy to see why. If you’re a newcomer to an Argento film, then Tenebre is a perfect place to start. Its gruesome, in a good way. 

Halloween (1978): It would not be right for me to exclude this movie from a Halloween collection, especially with recent release of Halloween Kills in cinemas. This movie is the epitome of classic slasher film that still resonates with today’s audiences. Michael Myers, or ‘The Shape’ as he is originally titled in the film’s credits is a giant, menacing and positively chilling mountainous figure who does not speak. He is a silent, stalking predator that emerges from the shadows where he watches and waits to strike at his prey. This concept was utterly terrifying to audiences then and remains so now.  Jamie Lee Curtis is brilliant as Laurie Strode and John Carpenter’s original score is purely haunting. There are loads of jump scares because the film relies heavily on suspense over chaos, and that makes those moments of frenzied attacks all the more alarming to the viewer. This is a film that has inspired legions of filmmakers. It is one of the most analysed horror films ever made. The Michael Myers mask remains one of the most icon memorabilia items today, and with good reason; it is completely horrifying. The mask personifies Michael’s character; cold, emotionless and hollow. If you have never seen this movie, you are really missing out. If you only watch one horror movie on Halloween then this should be it. Maybe just make sure you aren’t doing your babysitting job while you watch it.