My Top 10 Song-Numbers from Halloween specials

   As a kid, Halloween was the one time of year in which I felt the most adult, and on the opposite side of that coin … as an adult, Halloween is the season that makes me feel the most like a kid again. It’s a perfect marriage of feeling young and grown-up in one package, and I try to maintain that balance in my posts for October. 

For every adult horror movie I review, I also want to post something that ties into my childhood nostalgia of growing up with Halloween as my favorite holiday. I was one of those kids that grew-up with various Halloween movies and specials, and one of the highlights I always looked forward to was a breakout song or musical number. While there are obviously a number of great stand-alone Halloween tunes like Alice Coopers “Welcome to my Nightmare”, Bobby Pickett’s “The Monster Mash”, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, Ramones “Pet Sematary”, and even the “Grim Grinning Ghosts” theme from Disneyland’s The Haunted Mansion Ride, it was always the songs from select Halloween specials that always left the most nostalgic impact on me. Someday I’ll do a top 10 Halloween songs with no movie tie-ins, but that’s for another season. For this October however, I’m going to count down my own personal top 10 favorite song or musical numbers from Halloween specials.

#10 “Trick r’ Treat Theme Song” (Classic Donald Duck Cartoon: Trick or Treat)

I grew-up with this classic Donald Duck short titled “Trick or Treat” on an old VHS collection called “Cartoon Classics Halloween Haunts”, and needless to say … it was something I made a tradition of watching every year. It was fun, colorful, packed with memorable images, and an awesome supporting character called Old Witch Hazel. The highlight was this catchy little theme song which plays through-out the short. It’s a surprisingly catchy and cheerful harmony that always gets me in the perfect, nostalgic, Halloween mood. The musical number itself features some bouncy ghouls and playful visuals. While the song is no classic by any means, it’s still a fun little time capsule of a tune, and makes my childhood favorite Donald Duck short all the more special. 

#9 “Remains of the Day” (Corpse Bride) 

The re-animated corps bride named Emily has arguably the most tragic backstory of any character in a children’s Halloween special. So, what better way to convey her tragic tale … then with an up-scale musical number in a jazzy night club. The presentation is polar contrast to the darkness of her origins, but it goes with the tone and personality of the movie. The animation on display is outstanding, with striking colors, a busy environment, and arguably the greatest ensemble of Stop-Motion Skeletons senses the days of “Jason and the Argonauts”. Also, you can’t get any better than the lead Skeleton singer who’s voiced by the wickedly talented Danny Elfman, and is clearly channeling Sammy Davis in his delivery. It’s all-around a Jazzy number, and a “lively” way to explore a character’s backstory.           

#8 “You're My Zing” (Hotel Transylvania) 

Unlike the other songs on my countdown, which emphasize either the spooky or adventurous aspects of the season, this song is more romantic at heart, and the presentation is upbeat and colorful. We all know the classic phrase “love at first sight” … well, the monster’s from “Hotel Transylvania” have their own take, which is colorfully referred to as … a zing. When Dracula’s daughter falls in love with a human boy, it’s Zing at first sight, and this song marks the finale of their romantic venture in a fun, upbeat fashion. Aside from that, it’s just cool to be at a party with all the classic monsters. The lyrics are catchy, the rhythm is bouncy, and it’s just a charming musical number to close out an all-around lovable film.   

  

#7 “Monks on a Mission” (Alvin and the Chipmunks meet the Wolf-Man) 

Back when I was a kid, I always viewed Halloween as a mini-adventure, a time when kids face their fears, journey out into the night, and share an exciting experience with friends. In this animated Chipmunks adventure, Alvin and his brother Simon venture out into the night to solve the mystery of a Werewolf. The ensuing song titled “Monks on a Mission” just seems to capture all the spirit and excitement of us kids that went out Trick r’ Treating on the spookiest, yet most fun night of the year. It has the eerie build up, the triumphant high notes, and the scene contains all the proper fun, spooky visuals. It’s simply an upbeat song number that brings out the inner child in me, and who’s ready to make Halloween night an adventure again.       

#6 “Who You Gonna Call?” (Ghostbusters) 

This is one of those movies that’s not exactly “Halloween related”, but I still watch it ever October, and every Halloween party I go to plays their theme song. “Ghostbusters” in general was a childhood favorite, with genuine scares, cool ghosts, awesome gadgets, and one hell of a catchy theme song to boot. I distinctly remember my parents asking why I would still be watching it even though the credits were rolling. Obviously, I was still listening to that awesome song, and I wasn’t going to turn that movie off until it was over. The film is very self-aware that it has a catchy theme, because it's played not once, not twice, but three times in the film. The only thing that keeps this song from ranking any higher on my list is the musical montage sequence in the middle of the film ... it just needed more Ghosts on display then just that one dream girl ghost. Still, to this day the Halloween season just doesn’t feel complete without this memorable tune.

#5 “I Want t to Scare Myself” (Winnie the Pooh: Boo To You Too) 

Along with “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown”, “Boo to You Too” was one of the very first Halloween specials I ever saw in my lifetime, and the song “I Want t to Scare Myself” is when my love for the holiday first took shape. No joke, one of the first things I loved about the holiday was its collection of different characters and creatures. This musical number was the first time I saw so many at once, like all Halloween characters on parade. The song isn’t even that long, about a minuet at best, yet it’s one minuet of awesomeness that no amount of growing up could make me forget. The music tempo was bouncy, and the lyrics were easy to remember. Once more, this song is exploding with energy and delightfully spooky visuals that are constantly being thrown in your face. We get headless horsemen, mad scientists, haunted mansions, a selection of costumes, and a parade of all kinds of ghosts and goblins. It’s almost like if a kid ate too much candy, and then had the craziest Halloween dream ever. Basically, it was just an awesome treat to see as a child, and it’s never left me sense. 

  

#4 “Thriller Night” (Shrek’s Thriller) 

In my view, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is the all-time greatest song to listen to at Halloween parties. In this underrated 2011 animated Halloween special featuring the characters of Shrek’s animated universe, there’s a short segment that plays out as a loving recreation of Michael Jackson’s original music video … and its great stuff. Some of the lyrics are changed around to fit with both the characters and setting, but it still keeps the same beat, tone, atmosphere and bouncy fun of its source material. It even contains some additional material that worked for a modern update, including flashy colors, and backup singers that came in the form of Witches, rats and black birds. It’s all around a great way for kids to be introduced to the classic song, and for us familiar’s, it’s a fun homage, and one that’s shore to thrill.     

#3 “Terror Time Again” (Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island) 

I never called myself a Scooby-Doo fan as a kid, but he still had his select animated movies I loved watching. “Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island” was exceptionally good, with a darker tone, a layered mystery, and even some moments that came close to being scary. Yet, the big take away from this venture was the zombie theme song “Terror Time Again”. It had a fast beat, lots of energy, and it had some awesome lyrics like “You Just Might Die of Fright”. Just like the movie, this song had a little bit of a dark edge, and always got me riveted. All around, it was just a fun song that got me in the proper mood for some awesome zombie action.  

#2 “I Put a Spell on You” (Hocus Pocus) 

The evil Sanderson Sisters have awakened on Halloween night, and their after all the towns children ... but first, they have to distract the parents. Straight to the point, this was one of my favorite Halloween movies from child hood, as it had fun characters, a strong atmosphere, and … the most insanely entertaining musical number any holiday special could ask for. The song “I put a Spell on You!” was relentlessly energized, colorful, catchy, and with Bette Midler giving her all, this song just reeked of classic Halloween nostalgia. I don’t even need to comment further, it’s such a staple of the holiday, and I think it’s what’s kept “Hocus Pocus” alive after all these years.        

Before I reveal my #1 favorite, here are some Honorable Mentions … 

“The Headless Horsman Song” (Disney’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow)

“Time Warp” (The Rocky Horror Picture Show)

“Day-O” (Beetlejuice)

“I'm a Hex Girl” (Scooby-Doo and the Witch's Ghost)

“Things Out There” (Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein)

#1 “This is Halloween” (The Nightmare Before Christmas) 

Yea, you guessed it, how could this not be number one? It’s the witching hour, and the residents of Halloween town are throwing a celebration. The images, creatures, visuals, and variety of characters on display in this opening number just blew my mind as a child. 

We got ghosts, vampires, trees with skeletons, witches, shadows, Jack O’ lanterns, faceless clowns, black cat’s, a flaming scarecrow, and it all builds to that unforgettable final image of Jack Skellington rising up from the well. It’s simply the definitive opening for a Halloween movie. There’s also a relentless amount of energy to this scene, as the camera is constantly zooming through different rooms, interiors and landscapes. It’s almost like a simulated roller-coaster, but set in a highly decorative Halloween world. With all kinds of great designs and surreal images just flying out at the screen, it’s probably one of the most over the top and mind-blowing (or mind-numbing) scenes for a holiday special. It’s almost too good, because as a kid, I rarely continued the rest of the film ... truthfully, I just kept replaying this opening song. It’s a musical number that lives up to its title 100%, and in my opinion deserves to be called the number one Halloween song of all time.

Thanks for reading my musical countdown ... and let's make everyday in October feel like Halloween!

    

ParaNorman (2012) (Movie Review)

                                            

  For me, watching Halloween specials and movies are just as much of a holiday tradition as carving a Jack O’ Lantern or Trick R’ Treating. However, when I was a kid, I had Halloween movie/specials like “Casper”, “Halloween Town”, “Hocus Pocus” and “The Haunted Mansion”, which admittedly weren’t without some charm and appeal, but aren’t even close to what viewers have today. The Halloween Movie/Specials of today’s generation like “Coraline”, “Frankenweenie”, “Hotel Transylvania”, “Corps Bride” and “Monster House” are simply brimming with imagination, creativity, and subsequently a great deal more substance than simple derivative entertainment. The stop-motion animation company “Laika studios” hit gold back in 2009 with “Coraline”, and sense then, they’ve raised the bar for the quality of animated pictures, especially the spookier ones worth viewing around Halloween. Case in point for today’s review is their 2012 picture “ParaNorman”, which might just be the greatest Horror movie I’ve ever seen that’s aimed at both kids and adults equally. This film had quite a lot to live up to following on the heels of “Coraline”, but surprisingly “ParaNorman” was able to stand on equal footing with its spooky predecessor, and in some respects might just be a better movie. It was nominated at the Academy Awards for Best Animated Picture ... but lost to Pixar's "Brave", making for a rare case in which I don't think Pixar deserved the award.

  The premise borrows heavily from previous horror classics like “The Sixth Sense” and “The Crucible”, but like the best of stories, it takes old ideas and elements from classics, and then molds them into something that’s both original and unique. Norman is an abnormal child who can communicate with the spirits of people who’ve had untimely demise. Because of this, he gets picked on all the time by both people at school, and even the members of his own family. As a result, he shuts himself out from the world, and hides away in his bedroom full of monster decorations. Then one night, a 300-year-old witch’s curse falls upon the town, resulting in several zombies bursting out of their graves, which all run loose. Now it’s up to Norman to use his special abilities to stop the curse, save the town, and concur his greatest fears. On paper, this may sound like your basic good versus evil story with exciting monster attacks spread throughout, but as the film goes on, “ParaNorman” takes a surprisingly different turn into complex, and surprisingly emotional territories that go beyond simply watching a kid lift a witch’s curse.

  Before I go into any more details about the quality themes of the movie, let’s first talk about the films aesthetics, which are equally impressive. From a visual stand point, this movie is a thing of beauty to look at. The film is characterized by a color scheme of neon purples, oranges and greens all merged together, and it’s great because whenever I think about this movie, it’s these colors that immediately begin stirring in my subconscious. The stop-motion animation on display is outstanding, and there’s a simple charm that comes from looking at all these cool effects, knowing that most of them were actual props, and miniatures made to perform in front of the camera. There’s a little moment after the credits where they show how long it took just to create the Norman puppet.

Truthfully, I can’t even begin to imagine all the dedicated hours or even months it might have taken just to complete a single scene. It’s really a wonderful form of art, and I’m so pleased that films with this animation style are still getting audiences in the theater. The depth of field on display was also very impressive, and the stop-motion felt all the more submersing when integrated into 3D. Now there are some computer effects, but their used sparingly, and at just the right moments. Of course, there’s countless spooky imagery, which is perfect for getting me in the mood for Halloween, and I like that the film gives us a wider variety of creepy visuals, rather than just focusing on the resurrected zombies. There’s several effective dream sequences featuring creepy talking trees, ghostly hands, and one of my favorite little touches is this mysterious black bird that appears to Norman just before his first vision. The titular witch takes on several forms throughout the film, and the image of her evil face being formed in the stormy clouds is something that always stuck with me. The movie also moves at very brisk pace, giving you just enough time to breath and have an occasional laugh, but never without derailing the excitement.

  Norman himself is a great character who I can sympathize with, and even relate to on a couple levels. I also like his best friend, who despite being kind of a stereotype “fat kid” is actually quite charming and funny. Unfortunately, if I had any problems with this film, it would be that the remaining human characters all get on my nerves. A lot of the animation and quirky mannerisms of these side characters goes a little too far at times, and their deliveries are just a little too over the top for the films own good. There’s a crazy guy voiced by John Goodman, who plays an important part in the story, but the character is anything but subtle. There’s the stereotypical smart talking, self-absorbed older sister, whose quirks get very repetitive, but she does at least redeem herself by the end. There’s also a brainless bully, a one-note jock, a hammy theater teacher, a careless police officer, and their presence just spoils the mood every time. Now even though I can’t stand these human characters, there are still some admittedly funny moments, and even quotable lines. One of my favorite gags is when a guy tries to get a piece of candy out of vending machine which is unfortunately moving slower than the zombies. 

  There’s no shortage of satire on display, including an obvious metaphor of how the human people are acting more like monsters then any of the zombies. Thankfully, the film doesn’t solely focus on being satirical, and isn’t afraid to have some quiet, emotional, and even genuinely beautiful moments. I’m sure that sounds like an odd description for a stop motion cartoon-comedy filled with zombies and ghosts, but beneath the films outward appearances is a genuinely touching story about acceptance versus vengeance. 

In truth, “ParaNorman” might just have one of the most solid scripts I’ve ever seen for an animated movie. For all the monsters, ghosts and witches featured in the film, there really isn’t a cliched villain that needs to be defeated. Instead, the real evil that needs to be faced are the horrible mistakes that some of the characters made in the past. For me, the scariest part of a good monster tale is when the story acknowledges that our titular monster is the victim of human error, and we ourselves can become that kind of monster if we’re not more careful. I still remember going to see this movie back when it first premiered, and I was only expecting fast paced excitement, with stunning visuals and maybe have some laughs along the way. What I wasn’t expecting was to get so invested in the story or even be emotionally engaged in the drama surrounding the main characters. It’s right at the third act when this film begins playing with expectations, and the final confrontation between Norman and the Witch is about as perfect as a finale can get. It’s exciting, and visually extraordinary, but what makes it so good is this one moment when all the frightening action stops, and the two just have this peaceful conversation. It’s arguably the most touching ending I’ve ever seen to a spooky Halloween adventure, and it still gets to me on repeat viewings.

  For what could have easily been a cash crab movie that solely catered to either it’s 3D gimmicks, or it’s comedy, or scary action, really turned into something special. I genuinely felt that the filmmakers wanted this to be remembered as something really good, something that could entertain young viewers, yet still give them something mature to take away, and even give the parents something thoughtful. That’s not to say “ParaNorman” is recommended for everyone either, as some kids might be disturbed by the films scary content, while some parents may be turned off by the film’s goofy overtone, and occasional dopey hummer. 

Some of the jokes also get very adult, like border-line PG-13 territory, so the age of the viewer needs to be kept in mind before seeing this. I definitely have my issues with inconsistencies in tone, and I really hate the silly supporting players, but for all the problems going against it, this film balances out with stunning visuals, a heavy Halloween atmosphere, and just the right amount of emotional subtext at the center. While I personally prefer “Laika studios” previous film “Coraline”, this was still a strong follow-up, and I can absolutely respect why some would call it superior. “ParaNorman” is one of those films that I instantly wrote off as one of the great new Halloween classics, and it’s absolutely worth repeat viewings in the seasons to come.

Thanks for reading my review of 2012's New Halloween Classic “ParaNorman” ... and let's continue to make every day in October feel like Halloween!       

             

Halloween (1978) (Movie Review)

     The 1970’s was a game changing decade for Horror cinema, and the point in which nearly every scary movie to follow drew some inspiration from. Movies like “The Exorcist”, “Jaws” and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” all left their mark on the genera. Yet, for me, there’s one special film from this decade that’s stuck with me as one of my all-time horror movie favorites … a little flick from 1978 simply titled … “Halloween”. Horror movie titles don’t get any simpler, or more recognizable then that. In truth, the film really needs no introduction, as it’s already regarded as a horror film legend, and is often cited as one of the top 5 most classic of the scary movie genera. It dose admittedly beg the question for less familiar viewers … why so much praise and attention to a film with such a one-note premise, as it’s just a guy in a mask terrorizing people?” The answer all lies within both the execution, and even some reserved subtext. Make no mistake, while I feel “Halloween” has the misfortune of being branded a “slasher film”, I find there’s so much more to it than that. The film-making on display is right on par with the style and subtlety of an Alfred Hitchcock picture, and is far beyond what a simple “slasher film” would offer.

    The movie begins with a terrific title card sequence, with a slow pan-in on a lit-up Jack O’ Lantern, along with the appropriate orange texts glowing against the black backdrop, and that iconic score perfectly setting the mood. Just before the movie begins, we hear a children’s quire singing and rhyming about Halloween night, and it’s such a small, yet eerie detail which I really love. We then segue into one of the most iconic opening scenes in horror movie history, as we follow an unbroken POV shot of a faceless killer approaching a house, and claiming the life of a young woman. The face behind the kill is soon revealed, and shockingly … it was a little boy the whole time, and he apparently just murdered his sister. Holly cow, what an opening … this entire five-minuet lone, one take opening sequence is still highly influential today, and it’s personally my favorite scene of the whole film. Although, there is one detail that always takes me out of it. When this Point-Of-View shot enters the house, the camera is noticeably elevated above the appropriate eye-level of a little boy. You can call it a flub, or maybe the filmmakers did it intentionally to mislead the audience before the reveal. 15 years later, the boy has grown up, escaped a mental ward, and has returned to his home town, and has become the neighborhoods literal Boogeyman. His main target of interest comes in the form of a small group of girls, who are stuck with baby siting duty on Halloween night.  

    Yes, the premise is as simplistic as they get, but the strength of the movie is all in the experience. With a title as basic as “Halloween”, it opens the door for all kinds of possibilities, yet there’s nothing supernatural about the events, and the villain is made of flesh and blood. Sure, human villains had been present in previous horror classics, but unlike “Psycho”, or “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre”, which feature the victims venturing out to isolated locations … “Halloween” features an evil that invades the comfort of our homes. 

As such, the neighborhood setting was one of the most important elements to get right. All through the course of the movie, director John Carpenter makes the unfolding events feel as real, and as in the moment as they get. It’s almost like a simulation, where the audiences feels they're living this ordinary Halloween night in this quiet area, with a genuine lived-in atmosphere, and a faceless evil that’s silently lurking in the shadows, ready to strike at any time. John Carpenter clearly channels the work of Alfred Hitchcock, as he plays with the camera, presents long sequences with our characters walking down the street, or walking over to a neighbor’s house, and gives us an authentic layout of the grounds. It’s also worth noting that the Halloween decorations, and kids in costumes are kept to a minimum … and yet it still captures the atmosphere of both the holiday and the season. The subtle fall imagery with dead leaves blowing around, the family making Jack O’ Lanterns, and the kids blankly watching “spooky” films on TV ... it’s as simple a representation of a Halloween night as they get, and it really adds to the flavor of the experience. It makes me feel completely submersed, and when the scary action goes down, I feel like I’m right there with the characters running from the danger. One detail worth noting is that the kids are watching both "Forbidden Planet" and "The Thing from Another World", highlighting that John Carpenter was a fan of classic Sci-Fi, and wouldn't you know ... his remake of "The Thing" as been hailed a Sci-Fi/Horror classic in it's own right.  

     There’s nothing exploitative, graphic or bloody about the kills in the film, and that’s one of my favorite aspects of this movie … it’s all about the thrill of the chase, and that’s when I feel that horror cinema is at its finest. Speaking personally, there’s nothing that scares me more than seeing a present danger that’s currently at a distance. Because of this, my favorite shots in the movie are when the boy looks out the window, and sees the killer standing motionless at a house across the street. This also applies to the films thrilling climactic chase, in which our hero runs over to one house while we see the threat coming to her from across the street. Little touches like that make my skin crawl more than any of the kills. Another detail at work is playing a figurative game of “Where’s Waldo”, and trying to spot the killer in certain frames in which he doesn’t clearly stand out. Then there’s a stolen car seen throughout the film, which serves the same purpose as the barrels from “Jaws” … allowing the audience to know precisely where the danger is without physically showing it on screen. Another similar element is when the camera holds on two people in bed, and the shadowy shape of the killer quietly passes over them ... it’s so eerie. The distinct sound designs are yet another chilling element in play, especially when parried with details like lights going on, or when the killer appears on screen. Of course, I have to mention John Carpenters brilliant music score, which is personally my favorite horror track of all time. Whenever I hear those music beats, I’m suddenly entranced, and I have goosebumps all through my body.   

     

    While the majority of the supporting characters are very bland, and exchange some awful dialogue … the two main characters are outstanding, and again help elevate this film above other generic slasher movies. 

“Halloween” of course marked the film debut for Jamie Lee Curtis in the leading role of Laurie Strode. Her mother Janet Lee was already famous for staring is “Psycho”, so it was her daughters turn to make an icon out of another scary movie classic. While she’s often labeled a generations “scream queen”, her performance really was credible in this film, as she carries herself like a professional, and one destined for a long-standing carrier. My favorite character of the whole movie by far is Dr. Loomis, who’s played brilliantly by Donald Pleasence. He was the villains care taker, and knows more then anyone just how evil he is. Loomis in many respects is like the Van Helsing to his Count Dracula, and he has this hypnotizing screen presence. Yet, he has just enough of a personality … like when he teases these boys playing around the abandoned killers house. His best moment of all is when he gives a dooming speech about the evil that lays behind the killers eyes … it might just be my favorite monologue ever spoken in a horror movie. Once again, for as simple as the premise is, it still touches on some deep themes, which still hold relevance to this day. Basically, the film is an examination of evil, and how evil can manifest in someone who seems human on the surface. There’s a very subtle detail given to us early in the film, involving a teacher lecturing a class on how some people can’t escape their fate ... that some people are destined to walk certain paths, and while other forces may try turning the direction, in the end … people always meet what fate has in store for them. Dr. Loomis was destined to be a figurative guardian angel, Laurie Strode was destined to be a survivor, and one Michel Myers was destined to be evil personified.     

   This brings us to our titular main villain himself … and this is the one element of the film that gives me really mixed feelings. Everything I’ve mention about the villain thus far is great, I love that he’s a mysterious figure that spends more time observing his victims rather than just bluntly killing them on site, I love that he’s stealthy like a ninja, and the over arcing theme of him being evil just as nature intends him to be is a very chilling concept. 

Unfortunately for me, I’ve never liked anything else about this character. While everyone views the famous white panted William Shatner mask as something iconic, it’s always stood out as a mild annoyance for me. I feel he is just too recognizable, and too marketable, to the point where I can never feel scared of him. He’s just too ingrained in our pop culture, and thus he never feels like a mysterious, or imposing entity. Honestly, I feel the movie as a whole is so genuinely unnerving, to the point where I don’t think it ever needed a marketable figurehead. I’ve also hated the universal popularity of the name Michel Myers, as I find that the most non-threatening, and laughable name for a horror movie villain ever. Even a name as simple as Ed Gein or Norman Bates has something of an edge to it. Also, I know it’s no fault of the movies, but every time I hear the name Michel Myers, I find myself instantly thinking of the comedian Mike Myers. Personally, I’d rather refer to this film’s villain plainly as … The Boogeyman. Actually, watch this movie in complete isolation of the franchise, and notice that more people refer to him as The Boogeyman then they ever do call him by his name. I can only speak for myself when I say … I wish that this character’s popularity was tied to the title of the Boogeyman rather than the name Michel Myers. Truthfully, I think all those sequel titles would sound more intimidating if they were rearranged like … “Halloween 4: The Boogeyman Comes Home”, or “Halloween 6: Twilight Curse of the Boogeyman” ... but that’s just me.

   Prier to the release of the 1981 sequel "Halloween 2" was a special extended cut of the original movie, with an additional ten minuets added in. It's not uncommon for TV versions to insert previously deleted scenes into the movie to fill the air time, but this was a unique case, as all the added scenes were filmed during the making of the sequel. If you're a fan pairing both films back to back, you may prefer the extended cut, as it sets up Laurie Strode as the villains sister. I personally never liked that twist, or even the sequel itself, and I find the added moments really boring ... so, I'll just stick with the original cut. 

All around, “Halloween” is an ideal movie to watch during October, and obviously one of the most famous horror movies ever made. While I’m not overly fond of the “Slasher Movie Genera” that spawned do the films popularity, I still think “Halloween” stands head and shoulders above the other horror movies with that brand. There’s just so much more to this then senseless killing and repetitive violence. After all, there’s hardly any blood in the film, and there’s clearly a competent, artistic creator behind the project. Using atmosphere and suspense as its tool, “Halloween” is all about the thrill of the chase, and the terrifying notion of something evil invading your peaceful everyday home. Of course, you just can’t beat all those technical details … the lighting is great, the autumn scenery is beautiful, the sound effects are really eerie, and that musical score conveys an especially haunting atmosphere. While “Halloween” is technically a slasher film, it’s also very sophisticated, and undeniably a benchmark in the history of horror cinema.

Thanks for reading my review of the 1978 Horror classic “Halloween” … and treat yourself to one good scare this October.