It’s almost here! The decorations, seasonal candles, the lights, the sweets, the corpses hanging from the trees….
Wait, what did you think I was talking about?
Yes, Halloween is coming: the season of pizza, pumpkin carving and horror films.
As streaming and On Demand take over, we are so flooded with movie options that we sometimes forget about the classics. So here’s my list of eight personal favorites to watch this season:
8. “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” (1992)
All right, I know some of you might be scratching your heads at this one. Winona Ryder’s and Keanu Reeves’ English accents are laughably awful, Anthony Hopkins is a fun and weird Van Helsing, and Gary Oldman chews the scenery so hard he may have taken his role as Dracula a bit too seriously; but the movie’s greatest strength is its bizarre yet grand gothic style, and absolutely incredible set pieces.
7. “Sleepy Hollow” (1999)
In my opinion, a definitive Halloween movie. Tim Burton turned his twisted, macabre style up to 11 for this one, then dumped a bucket of autumnal leaves and pumpkins on top. It’s also one of Depp’s more entertaining pre-Jack Sparrow performances.
6. “The Cabin in the Woods” (2012)
Fairly new, but already a cult classic horror comedy, with one of the greatest left-turn plot twists ever. If you haven’t seen it, you must.
5. “The Shining” (1980)
After watching “Ready Player One” this summer, I had an itch to revisit “The Shining.” Yeah, it’s still really good.
4. “Alien” (1979)
What is essentially a haunted house film in space, and still holds up as one of the greatest horror movies of all time. If you are burnt out on xenomorph movies after “Alien: Covenant,” consider returning to the original — it’s still terrifying to watch in the best way possible.
3. “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991)
Pairs well with some fava beans and a nice chianti.
2. “Evil Dead 2” (1987)
In this horror comedy, the slapstick B-movie genius of Bruce Campbell is at its best. And with the tone and plot leaning more toward horror than its great sequel, “Army of Darkness,” I have to lean a bit more toward “Evil Dead 2” as a Halloween favorite rather than its sequel. (Also, for all you primitive screwheads, get your boomsticks out and watch the first two seasons of “Ash vs. Evil Dead” on Netflix!)
1. “The Thing” (1982)
Though many adore John Carpenter’s 1978 classic “Halloween,” I believe “The Thing” is his best film, hands down. A perfect blend of scares, unique monster effects, a chilling score by Ennio Morricone, and great performances all around make this my favorite to watch every All Hallow’s Eve.
That’s my list, and I’m sticking to it. Stay safe on Halloween night. Remember to check your candy. And please stop buying Harley Quinn costumes. Just stop.
