The Official Halloween thread

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  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,372
    Got my mask from 'You're Next' ordered and my outfit picked out. Looking forward to playing the role of a child and getting to trick-or-treat again. Free candy, spend the rest of the night watching horror movies. Should be a blast.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Well, since the Halloween season is rolling back around, I have been getting into the seasonal mood, and would like to ask all of you what films you watch leading up to Halloween and on the night? The films you watch can be a traditional thing for you, or just films you watch randomly leading up to Halloween that you find interesting.

    On my weekends home from campus lately I saw the regular Nightmare on Elm Street flicks on TV as well as Jason vs. Freddy and some others, as well as Halloween H2O, one of the better Halloween films aside from the Carpenter originals.

    A couple of weekends back I saw only a part of a film called My Soul to Take written and directed by Wes Craven, and decided to download it this past weekend and check it out. While I thought the idea of the film was interesting, I though the overall execution of it was poor at best. The characters had a chance to really be interesting and relatable, but before they get room to breathe like in some of Craven's other flicks, they are killed off in rather predictable fashions. While there are a few cool shots from Craven, interesting twists and all that, I think the film would have benefited from a longer running time where more time was spent on fleshing out the characters we are supposed to care about. The movie at times smells of heavy editing, as if important scenes were taken out to fit a certain running time or budget. The film caught my eye at first, but because it has an inability to let its characters connect to the audience in a meaningful way, when the proverbial crap hits the fan, you don't really care about any of them or feel any sadness. I am kind of disappointed, not only because I know what Craven and his team are capable of, but also because the film had so much potential at the start that was ruined in part because of bad storytelling decisions. I would still recommend this film to anyone hoping to get in the Halloween mood, as it does supply that eerie atmosphere perfect for this season, and as I said, it has content that works and will keep you interested.

    As for the films I watch as an annual tradition, Halloween (the 1978 Carpenter original) is my go to horror film. There is so much to like here, from Carpenter's smart direction and brilliant shots and simple yet unnerving score, to the brilliant debut of Jamie Lee Curtis (now the undisputed Scream Queen of the ages), and a great script full of brilliant supporting characters like the unforgettable Loomis. Carpenter is my favorite horror director because he understands how to direct a horror film, and its "monster" or "killer." We see Michael in only far away shots, one person perspective shots (with added heavy breathing), or in shadows until the very end, constantly building up that tension until it reaches its peak at the climax. Carpenter understood that if you show too much of the film's killer you lose that scare factor, and by seeing so little of Michael, Carpenter makes us start to scare ourselves. We know Michael is out there somewhere, but we can't see him and have no idea when he will strike. Now that is how you shoot a horror film! There are so many clever shots that tell the story onscreen in such an interesting and innovative way, and when you realize just how low the budget for this little film was, it is an unimaginable feat that Carpenter and his crew pulled off here. It is a fine example of all that can be accomplished with a small budget and a short number of hands on deck. Even some of the blockbuster horror films of today with their massive crews and huge casts and budgets can't put a finger on this classic from the year '78. If you haven't seen this horror masterpiece, do yourself a favor and give it a watch this Halloween.


    Since I have no classes on the day of Halloween I am going to watch films all day long, and hope to do a marathon of the following:

    *Halloween (1978)- The aforementioned traditional film for me. I don't think I'll follow it up with Halloween II though. We'll see...

    *Zodiac- David Fincher and his team struck cinematic gold with this little number. This still remains one of my favorite films ever, and one that never fails to haunt me in its atmospheric glory every time I see it anew. Everything from the direction to the cinematography, star studded cast, writing, and attention to detail that it pays to the real life serial murders are glorious. The Zodiac killer has haunted me since childhood along with the Black Dahlia case, and it is satisfying to see a film that successfully showcases the real life events and transmits the deep fear that the Zodiac held San Francisco in with a tight death grip all those decades ago. Nothing else packs atmosphere, spine-tingling chills, deep paranoia and unrelenting fear like this beauty, and I couldn't think of a better film to add alongside Halloween to watch on the 31st.

    *Psycho- One of my favorite Hitchcock films that I have ever seen, and quite ground-breaking for its time. We get shots of Marion in a bra (gasp!), an innovative death scene, a shocking directorial move, and last but not least, we get to see a toilet flush for the first time in cinematic history. Psycho is a hell of a film, and hasn't aged a bit. The performances are great, Bernard Herrmann's score a masterpiece in its own right, and Hitch delivers us a film full of brilliant shots, gripping tension, and endless appeal. Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates is one of the best casting decisions in film history, and he carries the film perfectly, never once losing a step. It's frightening. It's unforgettable. It's Psycho.

    *I have a few others I am considering adding to the list, like The Shining (super chilling) or The Omen (original version), which I have heard so many great things about and have been saving for Halloween to finally watch. I have also heard a lot of great things about The Thing, and since I like Carpenter's direction style, I want to give that a watch as well leading up to Halloween.


    So everyone, please share all your favorite films that get you in the Halloween mood and that you traditionally watch year in and year out the night of the 31st. I would also love some recommendations on some films to see building up to Halloween, as there are many I still need to see. I would appreciate any and all suggestions you give me. Cheers! :)
  • My kind of movie marathon Obrady! My traditional Halloween film (besides Halloween, naturally) is The Crow. That movie has become something of a tradition
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    My kind of movie marathon Obrady! My traditional Halloween film (besides Halloween, naturally) is The Crow. That movie has become something of a tradition

    I'm guessing you have dressed up as The Crow before? Who do you plan on going as this year? I always love seeing how you go about creating your awesome costumes.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    My Halloween movies:

    The Crow (#1)
    The Legend Of Hell House (#2)

    Then, various Hammer Dracula films, John Carpenter, Gremlins (doubles as one of my Christmas movies), etc as the mood strikes.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,372
    I've had quite a few back-to-back sessions lately of 'Halloween'/'Halloween 2,' so I'm sure I'll do that during the week of Halloween. I think the original 'Halloween' is the best choice of film for some good October 31st viewing. I still haven't unwrapped my 'Alien Anthology,' so I might watch some of those, as well, along with 'The Thing.' Granted, they're sci-fi films, but they still scare me. I also might have to break out the film that never fails to make me jump: 'The Descent,' or one that always gives me the creeps, the original 'Nosferatu.'

    I was hoping the rumored release dates were true and I could watch 'You're Next' on Halloween, but sadly, it has been given a January release date, so for the night, I'll spend it trick-or-treating with the girlfriend (we're six years old, I think), and then return home to stuff our faces with strange candy and good horror films. I look forward to it, Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year.
  • edited October 2013 Posts: 4,813
    Who do you plan on going as this year? I always love seeing how you go about creating your awesome costumes.
    The Crow, lol

    This will be my best one yet- I can't wait
    I actually tried on the makeup a few weekends ago just to make sure I had the sort of face shape for it to look right, and my cat wouldn't come near me! :))
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    This will be my best one yet- I can't wait
    We WILL require pictures after the fact you understand....
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,372
    @Master_Dahark, I got a mask from 'You're Next,' put it on, and my dog was freaking out. I took it off and she kept trying to bite and eat it. :))
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Cool, @Master_Dahark! I'd love to see how it is all coming along. I also understand that @chrisisall has gone as The Crow before as well.
    Creasy47 wrote:
    @Master_Dahark, I got a mask from 'You're Next,' put it on, and my dog was freaking out. I took it off and she kept trying to bite and eat it. :))

    That's funny. What kind of dog do you have?
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    edited October 2013 Posts: 40,372
    She's a sheepdog/lab mix.

    An incredibly spoiled, overly loved sheepdog/lab mix.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Creasy47 wrote:
    She's a sheepdog/lab mix.

    An incredibly spoiled, overly loved sheepdog/lab mix.
    That's the best way to raise a dog. No shame in that.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,372
    @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7, that's the only way in my eyes. I'm a dog fan, and I try to overly love any dog I'm around.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    I also understand that @chrisisall has gone as The Crow before as well.
    My favourite Halloween ever!

    Next Halloween will might be better if I can finally do my ultimate *dream* costume-
    ROBOCOP!
  • Posts: 14,800
    I promised to post it here, I did it before in another thread. But anyway, here it is, the legend of Jack O'Lantern, written by me:

    http://vraiefiction.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/legend-of-jack-olantern-part-1.html

    http://vraiefiction.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/legend-of-jack-olantern-part-2.html

    And I am trying to make Jack O'Lantern tales a yearly tradition on my blog.
  • Cool, @Master_Dahark! I'd love to see how it is all coming along. I also understand that @chrisisall has gone as The Crow before as well.
    chrisisall wrote:
    We WILL require pictures after the fact you understand....
    OK keep in mind this is a WIP and no make-up obviously, but here's what I've got. I will need to make the hair look more like his (my GF will help with all of her mysterious hair tools, lol). I already cut the wig since it was way too long, but it still needs some work.
    I will have the electric tape around the forearms and abdomen too, but it'll have to wait until the night of, since once it's on I won't be able to take the shirt off without cutting it

    crow_zps3c92d99b.jpg
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    edited October 2013 Posts: 17,687
    It'll be epic, Eric.

    My Son asked if we could do an Ape costume this Halloween (He loves the TV series!), so I dug out the old mask I made when I was 13...

    SANY9004_zps9ec7e24a.jpg

    And I'm refreshing its look for the big day (repaint & repair)!

    SANY9014_zps40dffc53.jpg

    The green threads I just got at Goodwill, next to Joanne's for the phoney leather...
    Who knew that 40 years later it would get more use?:confused:
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,372
    @Master_Dahark, that's awesome! I don't think you ever disappoint when it comes to halloween outfits.
  • This is from last years halloween thread ?

    In any event, will be working until quite late on the day, and then after that, going out to dinner with my wife and a drink or two. Nothing too extravagant

    It's a damn nuisance when you get to a certain age. Sure we were all young once, but it's not something everyone appreciates now. We'll leave the kids to get on with things, and after that, it'll be out of the way for another year. The time will soon pass
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    Test fit of my Son's costume:

    SANY9035_zpse729254a.jpg
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,328
    chrisisall wrote:
    Test fit of my Son's costume:

    SANY9035_zpse729254a.jpg
    ;)
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    The hairy hands & dark nails will be added tomorrow.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,372
    Going out with the girlfriend tomorrow and I still haven't even tried my costume on. Hope it works out! I'm screwed if it doesn't.
  • Posts: 19
    Last Halloween I went partying as Mathis from Casino Royale but nobody knew who I was so I had to tell them I was Mathis from Casino Royale but they still didn't know who I was.

    This year I am planning to go as Greene from Quantum of Solace. My girlfriend is Mexican so she says she will be Camille but let's see.
  • Halloween what more can I say. Halloween baskets and Halloween hunts. But mostly. Lots and lots a candy... :)
  • Posts: 1,497
    We'll be watching Beetlejuice tonight. My favorite Tim Burton film.

    Be safe everyone and Happy Halloween.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    edited October 2013 Posts: 17,687
    Hmmm... The Crow or The Legend Of Hell House tonight? Decisions, decisions...

    And here he goes out into the night...

    SANY9055_zpse3923fa5.jpg
  • Posts: 1,637


    35 :D
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,372
    Went out and relived my inner child by trick-or-treating with my girlfriend. Laid out our spread of sweets (and rejects), and we're going to dive in and watch 'V/H/S 2.' Happy Halloween, everyone! I hope you all enjoy it.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    Flagged for sugar content.
    :))
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