8: October 2018, part 2

This week, I’ll be talking a bit about the next round of movies I’ve watched for my October movie marathon. It’s been a wild month, so far, and full of interesting movies for the Halloween season!
 
1. Trick ‘r Treat
This is one of my favorite movies to watch around Halloween-time. It’s a fun film; not a lot of anthology movies get it right, but Trick ‘r Treat is a perfect mix of funny and dark that definitely warrants multiple watches. Plus, little Sam provides a new entry as a horror icon that we didn’t know we needed. It contains various sub-genres of the horror genre that appeals to many audiences, so that only adds to its appeal.
 
2. The Omen (2006)
I’ll admit, the remake to the classic religious horror The Omen is one of my favorites. It’s not necessarily memorable, but its modern take on Damien’s story as the antichrist, I think, was really well done. The imagery and suspense that builds throughout is sturdy and effective, and Schreiber and Styles’ performances as Damien’s parents are great, surpassed only by Mia Farrow as the horrific nanny. It’s dark, crisp, and seriously evil. The Omen is a fine remake that I do enjoy re-watching.
 
3. Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers
As inferior of a sequel as it is to its predecessor, Halloween 5 is still watchable. It’s not necessarily high on my ranking of the Halloween films; it doesn’t add anything spectacular to the series, and it seems to drag as a film, as a whole. If it was a bit more contained, it might have worked. Also, the whole “Jamie Trilogy” isn’t my favorite. She is a charming character, but her connection with Michael Myers feels out-of-place and forced.
 
4. Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers
Wow, this movie always makes my head spin. It tries to be so many different things and fails to land any of them. I see what they were trying to do, with the addition of a cult that strives to keep Myers’ presence as a demented killer alive, but it falls flat and feels ultimately hokey. At this point in the series, Donald Pleasance was the only solid piece clinging onto this discombobulated puzzle. And that’s a stretch.
 
5. Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later
This entry into the Halloween series isn’t specifically an eyesore; don’t get me wrong, it’s pretty insane, given its significance to the series (I can’t help but associate it with its sequel), but it holds no candles to the original two films. The return of Laurie Strode is the steel beam holding up this house of horrors. But it does feel rushed, given the fact that Curtis hadn’t been in any Halloween films in two decades.
 
6. Halloween: Resurrection
God, this movie is bad.
 
7. Halloween (2007)
I’m a fan of Rob Zombie, so that does put a bit of bias into my opinion of his reboot of the Carpenter classic. I do like his rendition of Michael’s character, his place in society, and the result of his upbringing being the main cause of his violence. It is over-the-top, as so in good ol’ Zombie fashion, but it does make us feel for the new Laurie Strode. Taylor-Compton’s rendition of the character is charming and, ultimately, badass. I don’t hate this installment, and it is one that I do find re-watchable.
 
8. Halloween II (2009)
This film isn’t re-watchable. But, I had to remain consistent with my Halloween movie marathon, leading up to the new 2018 sequel to the original film. Zombie’s sequel to his 2007 remake attempts to add layers to an already over-stacked cake. The appearance of Michael’s mother with the white horse (and the horribly miscast re-cast of young Michael) is so horrible. It’s not something that adds to Michael’s character; it only muddles the film beyond recognition. I get that Zombie took creative liberties with the franchise, but this sequel was like hitting a home run, but returning to the field with the entirely wrong ball.
 
9. Halloween (2018)
Knowing the rollercoaster-esque nature of Blumhouse, I went into the new Halloween with an open mind. Of course, I was excited, considering John Carpenter’s return to the series. But it did not disappoint. The score was fresh, while still heralding the classic theme, the plot was only minimally hokey (which I’m okay with, given the genre and the franchise as a whole), and Laurie Strode is a total badass. I will be writing a more formal review for this film, because I have a lot to say, but I will say this: Go see Halloween! It succeeds in wiping the Halloween slate (post the original film) clean, and I have no qualms with that. It’s a good Halloween film, and a good film, overall.
 
I’ll see y’all next week for my third October movie update!
 
-Ryan 

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