With all the ghosts, pumpkins, spiders and ghouls out and about, you may have guessed that it is Halloween time. Along with the candy, this time of year comes with its own season of scary movies to keep you on edge and jumping in terror. Here are some suggestions for your viewing pleasure. I tried to stay away from the obvious ones (’Halloween’, ‘Friday the 13th’, etc.) so hopefully you’ll find something to surprise and scare you a bit.
If you’re not in the mood for a full length movie, check out these Top 10 Halloween TV Specials
For Kids – PG
One of the few cartoon to live action adaptations that was actually worthwhile and a good film. This 1995 film tells the story of Casper the friendly ghost and how he tries to become friends with a living family and help them solve the mysteries of a huge mansion. Christina Ricci and Bill Pullman star as Kat Harvey and Dr. James Harvey who move into the mansion because Dr. Harvey specializes in ghosts and hopes to rid the mansion of any. But Casper’s three uncles have other plans for their mansion and will spook who ever tries to step in. A heartwarming tale of accepting people (or ghosts) for who they are, while providing laughs and haunts for the entire family.
This “horror” classic is one of the funniest movies ever made and if you or anyone in your family has not seen this then make them watch this movie. Featuring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson as some eccentric scientists who find a way to capture ghosts and become New York City’s ghost exterminators. Also staring Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis who complete the great cast of characters along with the featured ghouls and ghosts. Even though it is rated PG I would keep the younger kids away, it did scare me as a kid and I couldn’t watch it until 10 or 11. Keep an eye out for the third Ghostbusters movie currently in production.
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
This 1949 Disney movie is a great Halloween film, not so much for the Mr. Toad adventure but for the fantastic telling of the classic tale “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” The story is not watered down and cheery, it is actually pretty dark and true to the story, right down to the frogs croaking “Ichabod.” The Headless Horseman is truly menacing and the suspense his presence creates can be felt even in the cartoon. It won’t scare the kids but it will definitely show that it was a dark and spooky tale worthy of Halloween.
For Teens – PG-13
This Tim Burton movie from 1988 stars Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice, a crude and crass undead ghoul who is looking for a way into the real world and finds a way through an unsuspecting family and a ghostly couple all trying to live in the same house. If you like the design and look of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” then you’ll be happy to know that entire look all started with this movie. Some vulgar language and humor but otherwise a harmless fun movie that will keep everyone laughing but still in the Halloween spooky spirit.
Fantastic performances by everyone involved including the late Raul Julia, Anjelica Huston, Christopher Lloyd and Christina Ricci make this feature film of the old television series a good watch for anyone. Language and themes may keep the younger kids out of the room but for the most part this movie is safe for the whole family. Discover all creepy, spooky and the all together ooky mysteries of the Addams’ house and how they are still just a family that needs each other to be happy. Another plus is getting to hear MC Hammer’s rap about the Addams at the end.
The film that made us think M. Night Shyamalan could actually make decent movies because it was the only good one he did. This film stars Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment, this suspense filled, supernatural horror story uses tension and off camera techniques to make you hold your breath and wait for what’s next. The spirits that haunt this troubled child and the psychiatrist who tries to make sense of it all, help build up to a shocking ending that everyone should see before it gets ruined by hearing about it from someone. The classic movie line “I see dead people.” is from this film too.
For Adults – R
A movie that mostly went unnoticed while in theaters in 2001 but it is directed by Bill Paxton who stars along with Matthew McConaughey and Powers Boothe in this creepy and suspenseful film. What would you do if you seemingly normal father burst into your room in the middle of the night and proclaimed that your family has been empowered by God to kill demons? Well young Fenton Meiks finds himself in that exact situation and worse when his father starts bringing home “demons” and cleansing the world. Very eerie with its use of music and off screen violence but it tends to move a little slow and makes you think. Highly worthwhile just for the ending and may make you think twice about shaking hands in the future.
A remake of George A. Romero’s classic zombie movie but with modern special effects and a different director with a knack for gore. Zack Snyder (director of “300″) tells the story of what happens when the dead start to rise and begin eating all living things on the planet. The gore is nonstop but once you get used to it, the story and characters begin to show their true faces and you get to see what happens to society when all Hell really does break loose. Great characters you really start to care for (and hate) along with some really cool zombie deaths and violence. Good for scares and jumps from unsuspecting watchers.
Vampires are so popular these days so this should be easy to find in stores now. This star filled film tells the story of the vampire Louis (Brad Pitt), from his creation at the hands of Lestat (Tom Cruise) to his time with the young vampiress Claudia (Kirsten Dunst) and Armand (Antonio Banderas) as told by Louis to an interviewer (Christian Slater) in the present. A century spanning tale filled with many macabre scenes, gore and a different perspective of the vampire world that you will want to watch again later. Watch just to see all those actors drink some blood.
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