Another Week in the ol' Trick or Treat Bag

Halloween is nigh, so here is another weeks worth of horror to tell you about.

October 22nd: Gwen (2019)
            I saw so many comparisons of this film to The VVitch and Hagazussa that I felt compelled to check it out. A sense of dread hangs over the main characters of this movie from start to finish. Its lacking the power of the aforementioned films, but it does capture the atmosphere, even if the plot doesn't seem quite clear. 

October 23rd: Urban Legend (1998)
            Riding the Scream wave, Urban Legend helped send the 90's out in he best way possible, by paying tribute to the slasher film AND the obsession with urban legends us 80's and 90s kids held so dear. This one is fun, has a great cast, and keeps you guessing until the reveal. 

October 24th: The Field Guide to Evil (2018)
            I love a pleasant albeit horrific surprise. This horror anthology boasting segments by an international cast of directors you may only recognize by their previous films- Goodnight Mommy, The Lure, Baskin, Nothing Bad Can Happen, The Oregonian, Berberian Sound Studio- was a twisted creepy surprise. Highly recommend.

October 25th: Haunt (2019)
            This "teens caught in an extreme haunt with a killer" film is a cut above the rest. Pun all the way intended. Some of my favorite horror is when the reason for the horror isn't explained, it just is. 

October 25th: Lords of Salem (2013)

             I want this to be better than it is. Rob Zombie has such an eye for style, and he pays so much tribute to horror in general, I just wish he had cast someone other than his wife to play the lead, its too hard to take her seriously among such a great cast. The idea for this movie is great,but there are so many plot holes that could use a little filling. 

October 26th: Moth Diaries (2012)
             I wanted more suspense and more vampires. And less of Lily Cole's eyebrows. They were the there were, however, plenty of moths. Also, that rock Band scene... The Dr. and I weren't impressed with this one.

October 27th: Hell Night (1981)

             I was so scared of this movie when I was 10 or 11. Watching it in 2019 is an entirely different experience. One day I may sit and write something more thoughtful about how we as a culture bought into the whole Frat plot line in the 80's and 90's, but for now, I'll just say that schtick is very dated. Along with the Fraternity stuff, we get an extra helping of sexism and misogyny.  Fun! Despite all this, I still think this works as a mashup of slasher in the old haunted mansion movie. Linda Blair post-exorcist looks like a high school student who sneaked in to a college party, all the frat guys have great hair, and once the kills start happening, the movie gets better. Maybe because they're killing off the frat bros? Now, that's MY kind of movie!