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Kayla Ackerman (15 KP) rated Halloween (2018) in Movies
Jun 5, 2019
Hints at the original just enough to make you go "oooh I got that reference!" without being too overbearing. (4 more)
Amazing soundtrack, they took what we all know and love and used it to gain inspiration for new music, rather than just remixing the original.
Halloween was brought into modern times without succumbing to the Hollywood Horror cliches that plague the cinema today.
They made an excellent decision to ignore the many previous sequels, which allowed them to create a plot that made sense, and welcomed newcomers who haven't followed the entire franchise.
Jamie Lee Curtis, and everything that she had to do with this film. Heck yes.
This is a Halloween film. It's revamped and revitalised, but it still feels like it belongs, it's got those good vibes that you associate with the first Halloween, and if you say it doesn't then you probably missed the point because you were rocking those nostalgia goggles a little too hard. This isn't a film made for nostalgia, this is an extension of the franchise, not a copy. There are throwback and recalls to the original, it is heavily inspired by it in all the right ways, but they took it and modernised it and they did a damn good job. Is it the best film ever? God no, its a still a horror, but it is so difficult to take a beloved classic and try to make something new, and they did such a good job. I feel a sense of irrational pride that they even attempted this and managed to not massacre that Halloween vibe, like a certain other attempt did. This was a highly enjoyable experience and I got so hyped feeling the Halloween energy pouring off of this shiny new film.
This film is like visiting your childhood home after many years and finding that someone completely redecorated. If you long for things to stay the same all the time, you're gonna have a bad time. But if you appreciate someone elses vision and attempt to make improvements, then you can enjoy the whole experience, from exploration of the new, to recognition of the familiar hidden behind it all.
This film is like visiting your childhood home after many years and finding that someone completely redecorated. If you long for things to stay the same all the time, you're gonna have a bad time. But if you appreciate someone elses vision and attempt to make improvements, then you can enjoy the whole experience, from exploration of the new, to recognition of the familiar hidden behind it all.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Halloween (1978) in Movies
Sep 29, 2020
What is there to say about Halloween that hasn't already been said? Not quite the first slasher, but arguably the film to throw this particular sub genre and all its tropes into the spotlight, and it's pretty much the perfect horror.
Halloween is iconic in several ways. A big part of that is it's characters. Laurie Strode is considered by many to be the quintessential scream queen/final girl and that is completely down to Jamie Lee Curtis. Her character is down to earth and relatable, realistic but shows resolve by the time the credits role. This has resulted in her return many times throughout the franchise and is still beloved now.
Donald Pleasance as Dr Loomis is another main stay of the franchise. His character arc is more tempestuous than Laurie's and as a result is less impactful overall, but is an important part nonetheless, especially in the original.
But what would Halloween be if it wasn't for Michael Myers, and indisputable behemoth of horror. His first outing is easily his best, with just enough back story to intrigue, and a quiet determination in the way he mercilessly and calmly stalks his victims. His souless, white mask (a mask infamously modelled after William Shatner) and dark jumpsuit is a simple yet effective aesthetic.
Some of the shots in Halloween are genuinely chilling - they got me when I was a kid, and they still get me now. One shot that always sticks in my head is when Laurie clocks Michael a little way down the street staring at her from behind a bush in broad daylight. The whole film is creepy, something that has seldom been imitated in the huge number of Slashers that followed in its wake.
This is all topped off by the instantly recognisable music score, composed by director John Carpenter (the talented bastard). I'm an unashamed Carpenter fan, and my love for his work started right here, as it did for many others.
Halloween is a film that is rightly still talked about today. It will never fade away, and it's simply down to how good it is, even all these years later. It's a must see piece of cinema, and it stands shoulder to shoulder with The Thing as my personal favourite horror of all time.
Halloween is iconic in several ways. A big part of that is it's characters. Laurie Strode is considered by many to be the quintessential scream queen/final girl and that is completely down to Jamie Lee Curtis. Her character is down to earth and relatable, realistic but shows resolve by the time the credits role. This has resulted in her return many times throughout the franchise and is still beloved now.
Donald Pleasance as Dr Loomis is another main stay of the franchise. His character arc is more tempestuous than Laurie's and as a result is less impactful overall, but is an important part nonetheless, especially in the original.
But what would Halloween be if it wasn't for Michael Myers, and indisputable behemoth of horror. His first outing is easily his best, with just enough back story to intrigue, and a quiet determination in the way he mercilessly and calmly stalks his victims. His souless, white mask (a mask infamously modelled after William Shatner) and dark jumpsuit is a simple yet effective aesthetic.
Some of the shots in Halloween are genuinely chilling - they got me when I was a kid, and they still get me now. One shot that always sticks in my head is when Laurie clocks Michael a little way down the street staring at her from behind a bush in broad daylight. The whole film is creepy, something that has seldom been imitated in the huge number of Slashers that followed in its wake.
This is all topped off by the instantly recognisable music score, composed by director John Carpenter (the talented bastard). I'm an unashamed Carpenter fan, and my love for his work started right here, as it did for many others.
Halloween is a film that is rightly still talked about today. It will never fade away, and it's simply down to how good it is, even all these years later. It's a must see piece of cinema, and it stands shoulder to shoulder with The Thing as my personal favourite horror of all time.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2353 KP) rated Lord of the Wings (Meg Langslow, #19) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The town of Caerphilly is hosting the first annual Halloween festival, and Meg is hoping she can take it easy since she is only in charge of the Goblin Patrol, the extra volunteer security force. However, a break in at the haunted house, a foot in the alligators, and a dead body complicate matters.
I love this series, and this book is another fun addition. When I realized it was set at Halloween, I almost set it aside until October, but I just couldn’t wait. The characters are strong and charming as always, and the various aspects of the plot keep things moving forward quickly. I was disappointed that one character introduced a couple books back is once again absent, but that is my only complaint in another fantastic read.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/08/book-review-lord-of-wings-by-donna.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I love this series, and this book is another fun addition. When I realized it was set at Halloween, I almost set it aside until October, but I just couldn’t wait. The characters are strong and charming as always, and the various aspects of the plot keep things moving forward quickly. I was disappointed that one character introduced a couple books back is once again absent, but that is my only complaint in another fantastic read.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/08/book-review-lord-of-wings-by-donna.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Masking for Trouble (Costume Shop Mystery, #2) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
I think it would be great to live in a town that loves costume parties and Halloween this much! Margo is such a quirky character whether she is working in her familys costume shop or just running errands, shes always in costume. When a business man interested in developing the small town into something more modern and profitable threatens to run Margos shop out of business, she is understandably angry. When she finds his dead body at a Halloween party she wasnt invited to, she becomes the prime suspect. Rather than trust the police to find the real killer, Margo decides to investigate on her own. This was a unique story, and a perfect read for this time of year.
<i>NOTE: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review all opinions expressed are my own.</i>
<i>NOTE: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review all opinions expressed are my own.</i>
Dork Diaries: Party Time
Book
Nikki is finally starting to adjust to life at her new school and things are looking up. She's made...
Shaun Collins (3 KP) rated Doctor Who: Forever Autumn in Books
Jan 12, 2018
Hurray! I finally get to chime in on a book for the book club! Full time work and school is putting such a dampener on my social life!
I remember being suitably impressed with this one when we reviewed it for the podcast last year. Its a fun read, a relatively quick read, and combines the best elements of scary Who to make it the perfect Halloween offering. Enjoy everyone!
I remember being suitably impressed with this one when we reviewed it for the podcast last year. Its a fun read, a relatively quick read, and combines the best elements of scary Who to make it the perfect Halloween offering. Enjoy everyone!
Hell Fest (2018)
7.2
Rate It
Movie Watch
On Halloween night, three young women and their respective boyfriends head to Hell Fest -- a...
Truth or Dare (2017)
Movie
Eight college friends head to a "Haunted Rental" for Halloween. But when they replay the game that...
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Halloween (2018) in Movies
May 17, 2019 (Updated May 18, 2019)
Halloween offers a solid follow up to a Horror classic
Full diclosure - The original Halloween is one of my absolute favourite horror films of all time, so I wasn't sure what to think when the trailers for this started knocking around - it looked good, but I've spent years being fooled by sequels and reboots.
Thankfully, I left cinema feeling pretty satisfied.
Halloween offers that same feeling of dread the original offered up, alongside a great soundtrack (John Carpenter take a bow).
In terms if story, this movie disregards all sequels that has come before and picks up with Michael Myers still imprisoned for what happened in the original.
Of course, he eventually gets loose to reign terror on Haddonfield once again (there's a glorious one shot scene when he eventually arrives in said town), and what follows is a suitably gory slasher, that mostly ticks all the right boxes.
Jamie Lee Curtis is back as Laurie Strode, but with somewhat of a Sarah Connor-esque makeover, and she's pretty badass - familiar yet fresh, as she fearlessly takes on a foe she's spent years preparing to face.
The rest of the cast were pretty take it or leave it for me, none leaving a lasting impact, and some plot points were a not needed (the whole story arc of The doctor springs to mind), but overall, a pretty solid horror flick that deserves your attention.
Thankfully, I left cinema feeling pretty satisfied.
Halloween offers that same feeling of dread the original offered up, alongside a great soundtrack (John Carpenter take a bow).
In terms if story, this movie disregards all sequels that has come before and picks up with Michael Myers still imprisoned for what happened in the original.
Of course, he eventually gets loose to reign terror on Haddonfield once again (there's a glorious one shot scene when he eventually arrives in said town), and what follows is a suitably gory slasher, that mostly ticks all the right boxes.
Jamie Lee Curtis is back as Laurie Strode, but with somewhat of a Sarah Connor-esque makeover, and she's pretty badass - familiar yet fresh, as she fearlessly takes on a foe she's spent years preparing to face.
The rest of the cast were pretty take it or leave it for me, none leaving a lasting impact, and some plot points were a not needed (the whole story arc of The doctor springs to mind), but overall, a pretty solid horror flick that deserves your attention.
Haunted House Murder
Barbara Ross, Leslie Meier and Lee Hollis
7.3
Rate It
Book
Tricks and treats keep the Halloween spirit alive in coastal Maine. But this year the haunted house...