Halloween (1978). The original is a classic, with Jamie Lee Curtis as good-girl Laurie Strode. I like that the main character is an intelligent, independent character who, albeit a bit lonely, makes overall good decisions throughout the movie. Michael Myers is also the perfect mysterious figure who seems to constantly elude his dramatically hilarious doctor, Dr. Loomis, and everybody else in Haddonfield. It’s just the right balance of mysterious plot, shock, and drama. The 2018 version is also great, as it follows up perfectly, probably because John Carpenter and Jamie Lee Curtis built on it 40 years later by returning to the mysterious magic that captured us in the original.
Rick also likes the Rob Zombie remake of the movie. While it had it’s own merits, it told a bit too much backstory, which removed the element of mystery that intrigued me in the original. It was interesting to see how Michael Myers became who he was (and the kid that played him did a great job in the role), but it was too much information in my opinion.
Salem’s Lot. These are vampires! Nobody does horror like Stephen King, and it seems to me that he was the first to address vampires emigrating from Europe to America. What’s more, he did it by piggybacking the story to a haunted mansion in a small Maine town, and weaving two eerie tales together. Very clever and classic. I didn’t see it until I was older, but I easily understand how this was a terrifying movie at the time, and how it scared so many people. Definitely a horror classic, and the remakes don’t touch it with the element of mystery and intrigue that the original had. This is a Halloween must-see.
Tourist Trap. It’s admittedly cheesy, but cheesy in a charming way. I believe it’s because the plot behind it has a bit more “meat” on it’s bones than the typical horror story, with just a touch of the supernatural. Rick turned me on to this movie about four teenagers stranded at a wax museum tourist attraction that’s being driven out of business by the newly-developed highway nearby. Add a proprietor who is telekinetic and admittedly a bit crazy, and you have a classic horror movie. You’ll never see mannequins the same way again.
Much like Christmas music and movies, it seems that I’m drawn to the originals. The horror movies from the 70’s were definitely better than what we have today. Perhaps it hearkens to the fact that the world has changed, and a lot of the mystery that once intrigued us is now gone. Or maybe it’s just because storytelling has changed, and sometimes we need to be reminded of what once compelled and inspired us to find that new inspiration for a new age.
That’s all today. Take care, and have a safe and Happy Halloween!
Bye!