31 Days of Halloween

Session 9 (2001)

Directed by: Brad Anderson
Written by: Brad Anderson, Stephen Gevedon
Starring: David Caruso, Stephen Gevedon and Paul Guilfoyle

When I started SESSION 9 I was worried. The acting was mediocre, the story seemed to unfold too slow and the film looked like it was shot on video. I stuck with it, though, and am very glad I did. If you’re patient SESSION 9 is a very rewarding experience.

The story revolves around an asbestos cleaning crew who’s been hired to clean out an old insane asylum. As they delve deeper into the building a horrific past comes to light and starts affecting the crew one by one.

The performances are strong and characters likable enough to carry the film. Even though the first 45 minutes can be a slog, the final act of the film is so well done and thrilling it makes up for it. I was on the edge of my seat.

Not a conventional film, SESSION 9 is well worth a visit.

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31 Days of Halloween

Cronos (1993)

Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
Written by: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Federico Luppi, Ron Perlman and Claudio Brook

CRONOS is the most impressive debut directorial effort I’ve ever seen. Guillermo del Toro has such control as a director here, it’s incredible. An interesting take on the “Vampire” mythos, CRONOS is macabre, scary, and funny.

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31 Days of Halloween

The Magician (1958)

Directed by: Ingmar Bergman
Written by: Ingmar Bergman
Starring: Max von Sydow, Ingrid Thulin and Gunnar Björnstrand

Full disclosure: THE MAGICIAN is my first Ingmar Bergman film. Wow. I think I’ll be watching more of his films. There’s a sophistication I wasn’t expecting in THE MAGICIAN.

Max von Sydow is incredible in his wordlessness. He can convey so much through just a blank stare, it’s pretty incredible. There’s humor and mystery along with a great sense of atmosphere. I’m really glad I finally watched this.

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31 Days of Halloween

Magic (1978)

Directed by: Richard Attenborough
Written by: William Goldman
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margret and Burgess Meredith

A film with young Anthony Hopkins and a puppet directed by the old guy in JURASSIC PARK?! What a strange combo. Though, in 1978 I’m sure it wasn’t that strange.

MAGIC is about a magician who has  a strange connection with his puppet that turns murderous. Anthony Hopkins is really great in this role. It’s actually the first time I’ve seen him in a movie as a young man, I think. Also, the puppet is damn creepy. I may never trust a ventriloquist dummy ever again. There are some straight up creepy moments of the puppet just sitting in chair. Nightmare fuel.

All the performances are great. There’s a love story here that’s believable enough. MAGIC is a surprisingly great little psychological horror flick.

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Directed by: Peter Medak
Written by: Russell Hunter, William Gray
Starring: George C. Scott, Trish Van Devere and Melvyn Douglas

THE CHANGELING is a film that has been an influence on many “haunted house” movies I’ve seen recently. Most notably with the seance scenes. The Seance Scene in THE CHANGELING is probably the best part of the movie. The rest is a haunted house mystery slog that really doesn’t amount to anything special.

George C. Scott brings a presence to his character that is clearly more than what was on the page. The rest of the film is pretty dull but has fragments of interesting moments. I’m sure in 1980 it was fresh and original. Unfortunately, I’ve seen too many haunted house films for this to leave a permanent mark.

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31 Days of Halloween

The Orphanage (2007)

Directed by: Juan Antonio Bayona
Written by: Sergio G. Sánchez
Starring: Belén Rueda, Fernando Cayo and Roger Príncep

THE ORPHANAGE is one of the best ghost stories I’ve seen in recent years. Well acted and genuinely creepy.

This was my second time seeing this  (first time in HD…amazing transfer) and the genuine surprise elements that took me by surprise the first time are gone. I really enjoyed the film this time around mainly for the atmosphere and the strong performances. I had more reactions to the re-watch, but those would spoil it for those of you checking this out for the first time.

If you haven’t seen THE ORPHANAGE, add it to your Halloween viewing. It’s a really well done film. Make sure you see it before the inevitable “Americanized” remake that’s due in 2013.

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31 Days of Halloween

The Hole (2009)

Directed by: Joe Dante
Written by: Mark L. Smith
Starring: Chris Massoglia, Haley Bennett and Nathan Gamble

Joe Dante’s been long overdue for a Horror film. While THE HOLE isn’t straight up terrifying and gory, it’s a welcomed scary movie aimed at giving kids a dose of Horror.

Unfortunately, THE HOLE hasn’t seen a U.S. release yet. The main issue being that it was shot in 3D and I believe the distributer is having a hell of a time booking 3D showings. (Pure speculation) It’s a shame, because how many Horror films can be considered “Family Friendly?” THE HOLE is a fine excursion into horror, with child protagonists battling unimaginable evil while the parents remain clueless. It’s a fun genre escape and well done. What I love is, it’s not gimmicky or counting on nostalgia to pull viewers along. THE HOLE is a well written, self contained story that both kids and adults can relate to.

I’m not as blown away as I wanted to be with Joe Dante’s return to horror, but I’m pretty damn impressed.

It’s a shame THE HOLE doesn’t have US distribution, though. So you can’t rent it. I bought the Region A Korean Blu Ray release, but I’m sure there are cheaper ways to see this…

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31 Days of Halloween

Teen Wolf (1985)

Directed by: Rod Daniel
Written by: Jeph Loeb, Matthew Weisman
Starring: Michael J. Fox, James Hampton and Susan Ursitti

TEEN WOLF is kind of a cheat. I mean, it’s a basketball movie about a geek who happens to be a werewolf. There’s nothing scary about it. But, it’s a great way to break up the Horror flicks and still count as a Halloween flick.

I love this movie. It’s 80s through and through. Michael J. Fox’s comedic charisma is not as great here as it was in BACK TO THE FUTURE, but he’s fun nonetheless.

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31 Days of Halloween

Silver Bullet (1985)

Directed by: Daniel Attias
Written by: Stephen King
Starring: Gary Busey, Everett McGill and Corey Haim

Gary Busey. Corey Haim. Werewolf. 1985.

Need I go on?

This is one of those flicks I’ve seen bits and pieces of growing up, but I’ve never sat down and actually watched it. I’m guessing it hasn’t aged well.

The werewolf effects are laughable, but the scene where the werewolf takes fireworks in the eye is pretty awesome. The werewolf looks like a guy-in-a-bear-suit gone wrong. What saves the flick are the actors. Corey Haim is extremely likable as a kid bound to a wheelchair. Gary Busey plays his alcoholic father and is . . .  well, he’s Busey.

SILVER BULLET is campy and cheesy, but in all the right ways.

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