What did you watch this Halloween?
Halloween films are always a bit of a divisive subject. Horror, Comedy, Slasher, Thriller, Animation, Musical. What do you watch? Everything is, of course, down to personal taste. But when you are in a group, or a couple, where tastes might vary more widely than could be helpful, it can be difficult to pick something.
I know it is too late, Halloween having been and gone, but the spooky season doesn't end on October 31st. The long, cold nights of late autumn and throughout winter roll in eerie mists, flickering street lights and crisp, crunchy steps echoing around you. A date night might see the warm lights of home bringing a couple together on the sofa; a sleepover during school holidays might lead to trying to brave a scary franchise; or a walk home from the theatre might take you through an eerie mist where he squeezes your hand as he hides the fact he is spooked and you are his comfort. What do you pick to watch together after that?
You want fun, entertaining pictures that give a thrill, bring people together and get you talking and laughing with one another. Here is what I suggest, perhaps for Halloween next year...
Corpse Bride (2004) - A Stop-motion classic from Tim Burton. A great little sing-a-long, fun hidden jokes and completely quotable. Also brings in some amazing costume ideas, and it include Christopher Lee's penetrating voice.
Van Helsing (2004) - How can you go wrong with Hugh Jackman? This one brings a thrill of gore without being too realistic, very funny with some great on screen chemistry, and brings a bit of a sexy vibe for couples watching - if that's your thing.
House on Haunted Hill (1959) - A Vincent Price gem here from his early film career. For its time, it is wonderful. For modern standards, it is funny and entertaining. Some cheap tricks, classic "old-school" acting and Vincent Price charm makes it a great watch.
The Woman in Black (2012) - Probably the scariest film I have watched and would recommend. Daniel Radcliffe's first major project after Harry Potter, this is a really good film for jump scares. There isn't a huge amount of dialogue at times, but the suspense and tension is very well built, but you don't have the gore that others give you.
Victor Frankenstein (2015) - Another Daniel Radcliffe film, but a fantastic take on the classic Frankenstein story. Radcliffe stars as Igor, with James McAvoy as the ever eccentric Victor Frankenstein. An unusual take on the story, but completely without losing its essence. A good one for groups who aren't looking for a lot of blood, but still want spooky atmospheres, weird outfit ideas and action.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) - This is a really fun and silly film. Who doesn't like Aardman Animations? Wallace and Gromit are out to save the local harvest festival from a plague of rabbits, only to learn of a bigger pest causing problems. This was the penultimate outing for Peter Sallis as Wallace before he passed away, and Ralph Fiennes delivers a droolingly delicious performance as Victor Quartermaine.
Just a few different ones for you to think over. Many classics like Dracula and Frankenstein (both 1931), or Nosferatu (1922) could help boost the spooky without being too outrageous, but that's what we like here at I Bet You Didn't See.
Comments