Entertainment Binge

By Isaac White.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about Curse of Bridge Hollow. Within the piece, I proclaimed my affection for fall as well as Halloween. Whether you think I was overly effusive is something we can discuss at a later time. I stand by my convictions and what I said there though. But that’s not the point.

Now that it’s actually Halloween, I thought I’d write something about my favorite Halloween movies, or films that hit…What’s the opposite of a funny bone? Horrified bone? Fright bone? Whatever you think it is, I believe you understand what I said. Halloween is a time for fun and mischief. It’s also a time where we revel in the fun of, well, fear.

I do have a new show that I watched which I will go over to close out this masterpiece. But for now I want to stick with the Halloween Fun/Fear movies. Now, there are shows that could fit in this category but I didn’t want to get into a whole thing. For me, and perhaps you’ll disagree, but for me, Halloween is all about movies. I can’t quantify it, I just feel it to be true. It may not be so for you, I’m just writing out my truth as the kids say. See how hip I am daddy-O? I know I know.

I’m not going to make this list exclusively “scary scary” either. I know some of you will look at that and say, “What do you mean?” You know what I mean. That I’m not only going to list off the typical straight up horror films. I’m going for a vibe as the kids say. You know what? I think I’m exposing just how out of the loop I am in terms of what’s cool these days. That’s ok. I had my day’s being cool. Not really, I’m just hyping myself up again.

There are plenty of movies that have a fun streak right through the entire scary plot. I like those kinds of Halloween movies too. Some films just FEEL like Halloween right? I believe that everyone reading this will intuitively understand what I’m saying. Even on the morning of Halloween you feel the thing. I really can’t fully express it. I could but I’d need more time.

I’m going to start out with a straight up fright fest. This movie happens to be one that my wife and I are in total agreement on as our favorite horror film. We have a lot of common favorites when it comes to movies, but not so much on horror films. She’s quite difficult to scare. In fact, most of the time we watch a horror flick, she doesn’t like it. Don’t get me wrong, I think most horror films are not great, but she’s like thumbs down on just about all of them.

But I want to start out with the best in my view, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I’m talking about the original, not any of the sequels or remakes or whatever. The first TCM is so awesome. I’m sure you’ve all seen it, I mean who hasn’t by this point right? Well I guess if you don’t like terrifying people living in a creepy house with the most depraved minds you don’t wanna meet then you wouldn’t have seen the film. And I’m not saying if you don’t like horror movies you’re wrong. I totally understand that they’re just not for everyone. That’s movies right? I just don’t want anyone upset they think I’m insulting them for horror not being their bag.

For my money, you can’t get better than TCM. Even if it’s not your favorite, I think everyone can agree that the film is in the top echelon of horror movies all time.

The second I’m going with is a TV movie. Now, I know I said no TV shows and I’m sticking to that because this is a TV movie. You may find it to be a small distinction but I think it’s critical to my honor being intact throughout this article. After all, how can I credibly say anything if I’m contradicting my own standards? But I’m not.

Helter Skelter was a 1976 TV movie about, well, I think it’s obvious from the title that it’s about Charles Manson and his group of weirdos that committed murder on his behalf. Before you jump to conclusions, no, I’m not one of those Manson fans, which by the way, I never understood. I get the fascination with people who do horrific things. What’s in their head all that stuff. But I never figured out why people worship this guy, or other serial killers.

The movie was released in 1976, five years before I was born, but I saw it the first time when I was around 10 or 11. The movie creeped me out. A big part of that is because I knew it was real. Naturally, after seeing the movie, I began asking some questions about Charlie and his pals. It only made the movie more unnerving for me.

You know how something can permanently impact you from childhood and continue to creep you out when you’re grown? Yeah, Helter Skelter is one of those for me. The whole feel of it is intended to cause you to be worried. It does that job. I watched it again at least 10 years after the first and I was again creeped out. I know it’s not what you would expect on this list, but I’m going for that vibe (so cool) and this fulfills that.

Next up is Hocus Pocus 1 and 2. What else do I need to say? I mean, I remember Hocus Pocus when it first released and when my sister and I loving it. In fact, even though a lot won’t admit it, there are lots of 80s and 90s kids who loved that movie right away. It’s a classic and deservedly so. I’m going to drop the mic on this one and leave it, but I’m still leaning toward saying that 2 is even better than 1. I said it. You might be happy to learn that there is a Hocus Pocus 3 in the works. I’m very happy about that.

I am a huge fan of Roald Dahl, I devoured his books when I was a kid, I wore them out with how many times I read his books that I owned. The Witches is a wonderful movie, the original with Anjelica Huston. I actually think the reboot was pretty good, surprising because I love the original so much and I normally find remakes/reboots to be bad ideas, let alone movies. If you’ve never seen the original watch that right away. It’s perfectly Halloween.

I had to cut. It was inevitable, but my next pick is obvious. Halloween. This movie is brilliant. First the premise is great. This sick kid kills people and manages to become evil incarnate while locked up for his child crimes. It’s perfect. The born killer escapes from the facility he is in, goes back home and kills scores of people. On Halloween.

It’s the world’s introduction to Jamie Lee Curtis, who is one of the best leads in a horror franchise you could ever want. She’s so innocent and kind, you would be crazy not to yell out, “Michael is around the corner, WATCH OUT!!!” One thing I love most about this movie and series really, is the camera angles. It’s so awesome when we get to watch what Michael is looking at. It’s disturbing but it builds the kind of tension most slasher films, actually most horror films, never do.

The last Halloween addition is not a movie, nor is it a tv show. It’s a music video. The video for Thriller made a lasting impression on me and who knows how many millions of kids who grew up in the 80s and 90s. Other age groups too but Michael Jackson for me growing up was a phenomenon. That video is amazing, still the best ever made, and it’s a must watch for Halloween. I don’t care how many people say it’s played out. Thriller will forever endure. That’s that.

I watched a new show called Pokerface, starring Natasha Lyonne. Very interesting show. She plays a woman named Charlie, who has a gift. She can detect when anyone lies, so long as she can see them. Her path starts when she is wrongly accused of killing a very powerful crime boss’ son.

She goes on the run and along the way she meets people, befriends some, some betray her, but there is always a mystery. Murders occur around Charlie, or at least the people she is around. Coincidence right? I know, I don’t believe in that either but for a good show I’ll let it slide. Especially considering that the whole show wouldn’t be able to get an episode off the ground without the murder occurring. So I let that go.

Why? Because the show is fun. Charlie’s investigations are really fun to watch develop. I must say that I didn’t predict more than half of what was going to happen. In fact, I don’t think I even ventured guesses for most of them.

This show is so much fun. It’s an interesting twist on the thriller murder/mystery show. Not only that but Natasha Lyonne is incredible. I can’t believe she wasn’t a huge star after Slums of Beverly Hills, which if you haven’t watched, you need to view immediately. Great movie. The other acting is very good too. We get new “main characters” every episode with a couple that run through the season. Every murder is different and so fun to watch being tracked down by the dogged Charlie. Go check this out this show. It’s a Peacock original, so now you can find it.

I’m out of time so I’m gonna boogy.

Thanks for reading and until next time….