MikeyB's Movie Night: October Horror Movie Marathon Week 2: Oct 5 - 11


 Another week in October, another Horror Movie roundup! Last week I actually had a theme for all the films I watched and wanted to continue that trend. So this week's theme, with one exception, is that all the films I watched are available on various streaming services which I will link to. So with that out of the way lets dive right in!

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Harrison Ford, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Remar
Streaming On: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video


 Plot: A mother with a workaholic husband, and a daughter who has just left for college, starts experiencing paranormal activity in her home. 

 Opinion: Robert Zemeckis made this slick little supernatural thriller while he waited for Tom Hanks to lose all the weight needed to portray a man who had been stuck on a deserted island in Cast Away. I'm quite glad he did too because this is the kind of movie that doesn't get made very often and is a nice throwback to the Hollywood thrillers of yesteryear. Seriously skip that trailer though. It just ruins the whole movie.

Movie #6: Signs (2002)
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin
Streaming On: Hulu


 Plot: An widower ex-priest, his two children, and his younger brother start to experience strange goings ons at their farm after a crop circle appears in their cornfield. Soon though the crop circles begin to pop up all over the globe and other extraterrestrial phenomena begin to appear.

 Opinion: One of Shyamalan's very best films and my personal favorite Mel Gibson performance. James Newton Howard's score is pure perfection, iconic even, and Shyamalan once again proves his ability to get amazing performances from child actors. Signs is not only a wonderful Sci-Fi/Horror hybrid, but is a great family drama, and in my opinion, one of the best films ever made on the subject of faith.

Movie #7: The Crescent (2017)
Director: Seth A. Smith
Starring: Danika Vandersteen, Woodrow Graves, Britt Loder
(Not streaming. Saw at VIFF)
Trailer


 Plot: A mother and her young child retreat to a seaside house to spend some time recovering after her husband dies. After a short time she begins to have disturbing dreams and strange people start to show up on the beach. Is she going crazy or is something supernatural at hand?

 Opinion: The one exception to this weeks theme. Made on the striking coast of Nova Scotia, this interesting little indie film was the first movie I saw this year at The Vancouver International Film Festival. It has shades of Kubrick and Lynch, and just a little dash of Cronenberg style "body horror". I wish I could say that this all comes together and makes an amazing movie, but I would be lying. That is not to say that this is a bad movie by any stretch, it's just not a great one. The acting is hit or miss and the pacing is just a tad too slow, but it does have a great score and immersive sound design. Worth a watch at the very least.

Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette
Streaming On: Netflix


 Plot: A child psychologist attempts to help a troubled boy who exhibits the all the same symptoms as a previous patient who he failed to help years prior.

 Opinion: Shyamalan stormed onto the scene with his instant classic of an addition to the horror genre. Willis gives one of the best performances of his career and Osment is absolutely heartbreaking and totally deserving of his Oscar nomination. It is hard to believe that there are those out there who have not seen this movie, but even if the "twist" has been spoiled for you, you do yourself a disservice if you are a fan of the genre and have neglected this shocker.

Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Bryce Dallas Howard, William Hurt
Streaming On: Netflix


 Plot: In a tiny woodland village in 1800's Pennsylvania, there are creatures that live in the woods. If the villagers follow the rules, the creatures leave them be. After a series of terrifying events, one girl must leave the safety of the village and pass through those woods.

 Opinion: This is a movie that I can never understand the hate for. Most people's main complaint seems to be that the twist ending was "dumb". Okay. Take that away and what are you left with? A gorgeously shot, perfectly cast, expertly crafted, thrilling feature. If you can't tell, I love this movie. The score is one of the most beautiful performed in film, all the performances are pitch perfect, and it features my favorite love story in all of cinema. Truly an underrated addition to the genre.

Movie #10: Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson
Streaming On: Netflix, Hulu
Trailer

 Plot: A retelling of the classic tale by Washington Irving with Ichabod Crane recast as a New York Constable, sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of murders purported to be committed by a headless ghost.

 Opinion: Every year I find myself returning to Tim Burton's gorgeous chiller, and for good reason. It is a stunning tribute to Hammer horror films of the 60's, with it's striking color palette, beautiful costumes, and intricately stylized sets. It's funny but I have to say that this year I'm just now realizing that this is probably my favorite film Burton has ever made.


 Well that seems to wrap up week 2! I have fallen behind schedule by one film, and I blame that entirely on my addiction to Stardew Valley. Hopefully I can make up the difference next week, but until then I'd love to hear any of your opinions on the films I watched and am always open to suggestions what to watch next. So feel free to hit me up in the comments below, and as always thank you for reading and I'll see you next week!

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