October Horror Movie Marathon
 

So every year during the month of October I watch at least one horror film a night up until Halloween night where I watch as many as I possibly can. Anyone else doing this? I'll try and respond each day with what I've watched the night before, maybe with a few words? Most of these I've seen before so I'm just reaffirming my love for them.

1st. Evilspeak
Fun, if not a little uneven, film made during the height of the "satanic panic" craze of the 80's

2nd. Don't Go In The House
I love this sleazy little film so much. It uses a simple theme but does it so well. Plus it has disco!:bunny:

Whilst I'm not really planning on a straight up marathon this year, I have been watching a fair bit of horror themed stuff so far this month; mainly supporting my Nightmare USA viewing project. I have been/will be splicing a few other titles into the mix too though.

I do this at another forum, this'll be the third year now. I genuinely look forward to it all year round, picking out what to save for it. This is the schedule for this year:

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The People Under The Stairs | Bloody Homecoming | Don’t Go To The Reunion | The Night Of The Hunter | House On Straw Hill | Savage Water | Death By Invitation | The Initiation Of Sarah | Are You In The House Alone? | Night Train To Terror | Nosferatu | Curse Of Chucky | What’s The Matter With Helen? | The Vagrant | The Godsend | The Outing | The Fury | Spirits Of The Dead | Dolls | Varsity Blood | Rites Of Spring | Night Of The Comet | Night Of The Creeps | Dead Of Night | Body Bags | Das Cabinet Des Dr. Caligari | Prince Of Darkness | Nightmare | Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker | Creepshow | Halloween | Halloween II | Halloween H20 | Trick Or Treat

Although I've never quite stuck to my schedules yet. There's always something that drops through the door I want to watch asap, and I always put something fun on like Hocus Pocus early on, on a Halloween night. Thinking about The Monster Squad this year.

I always watch Triumph Of The Will.

Now that's scary...;)

Seriously, this year I may try and watch something on the 31st, as I usually either forget/have something on/can't be arsed.

After all every day can be Halloween if you put your mind to it.......;)

It is for me in many respects where film watching is concerned.

Ministry also share this sentiment.

Ministry - Everyday is Halloween - YouTube

Some nice titles there BAKA. I didn't even think of The Night Of The Hunter but I'm going to add it to my schedule.

3rd. The Prowler

I've always had an affinity for this particularly gruesome and mean spirited slasher film. Definitely a high point for Savini. Watched the blu-ray by Blue Underground which looks wonderful to my eyes.

Totally agree, my house is covered in horror/occult/witchy shit all year round.

4th. C.H.U.D.

For me, this is the perfect 80's "creature feature". You have a decent cast, good makeup effects, a ridiculous government conspiracy plot and a pre-gentrified NYC setting. I even enjoy the sequel.:crazy: I'm looking forward to the day this gets a blu-ray release.

My viewing so far has been.

1st - Hallowed Ground
2nd - Happy Hell Night
3rd - Corridors of Blood
4th - Madison County

What did you think of Happy Hell Night Demdike? I haven't seen it in years and remember being indifferent towards it. I need to revisit it soon.

5th. Tourist Trap

What a brilliantly mad and zany film with genuinely creepy moments. Chuck Connors really shines in this one. Perfect drive-in film.

I reviewed it a couple of days back in The What Have You Seen? thread. https://www.cult-labs.com/forums/hor...tml#post419931

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[1] The People Under The Stairs
I’ve often found this to be Craven’s most interesting film, far from his best, but alongside Shocker, a curious oddity that doesn’t quite fit in with its siblings. It plays a little like The ‘Burbs set in a ghetto. Deliciously suffused with black humour, at times frustratingly too silly, but effortlessly enjoyable.
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[2] Bloody Homecoming
I found myself hugely in disagreement with the main criticism levelled against this film in reviews, that it doesn’t do anything new. I hate how that is, bewilderingly, considered a negative. Slasher movies have a formula, and it works. Why attempt to fix something that isn’t broke? The makers clearly had the same philosophy, and I respect that. If you have an original twist on the formula, go for it, but if not, don’t waste your audience’s time or insult them by shoehorning something in that doesn’t work. That being said, everything feels a little green in Bloody Homecoming, the cast, the characters and most disappointingly, the execution.
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[3] Don’t Go To The Reunion
(Inc. Bonus Shorts: Blood Brothers, Popularity Killer and Teddy)
This is easily the best modern micro-budget slasher movie that I’ve seen. With the killer despatching victims with methods lifted directly from slasher movies, it’s littered with fan service that fans of the subgenre will eat up. Deftly executed, well shot, at times strikingly composed, with some solid performances (bar the odd supporting cast member), it’s surprising the film was crowd-funded. The ending felt a little too Scream inspired, but didn’t spoil the fun. Looking forward to see what the folks at Slasher Studios do next.
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[4] The Night Of The Hunter
Many likely won’t consider this a horror movie. Strictly speaking it’s not, but there’s a sense of malevolence in Robert Mitchum’s performance that makes for a chilling experience. I’ve also found the cinematography evocative of many a silent horror classic. That scene where Powell is in the basement and reaches out for the escaping children is oddly reminiscent of Frankenstein’s lurch. Despite appearing to be a deceptively simple tale of good and evil, there’s a rich multi-layered complexity of themes bubbling under the surface.
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[5] House On Straw Hill
I think it’s safe to say Linda Hayden isn’t a fan of House On Straw Hill, nor of her co-stars, it would seem. Which is a little sad, because it’s a genuinely effective, sexually charged pulp curio. At it’s core a simple tale, but delivered as a hallucinogenic assault to the viewer. I wouldn’t quite call it top tier Video Nasty, but it’s certainly encroaching.
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Was slightly concerned that wouldn't work, cross forum posting. Would be easier with we had this: http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...psa6273b60.gif emoticon, with the same :dead2: code as Blu-ray.com though! :tongue1:

We should really get some more horror-themed/spooky emoticons for Halloween etc. :nod:

6th. The Monster Club

This was a first time viewing for me. I had a ton of fun with this curiously humorous take on the horror anthology sub-genre. Watching a couple horror legends share the screen together was wonderful. It did have a few dodgy segments including the chase sequence in the final story. Those damn songs during the wraparound portion are going to be stuck in my head, though not as bad as the song in Night Train To Terror.:fear:

Yea am doing something similar "The October Challenge" minimum of 31 horror films in the month & at least 16 must be first time views... I intend on watching at least 31 first time view Asian horror films. :cool: Some people go completely crazy and watch over 100+ :lol:

I wonder how people find the time to watch that many? I mean, I would love to be able to do that.

I did a Halloween marathon in 2012 and managed to watch 91 films. It was fun, but you've got to be in the mood and committed throughout - I'm not 'feeling' it as much this year so am taking things slow and casual. :)

I know how you feel. I'm usually part way through the Halloween sequels by now but i just can't be bothered at the moment.

I've been doing it for so many years, when i picked out Halloween Resurrection (the worst) to watch, it all flickered in front of my eyes, every kill....so i put it back.:lol:

Great list as always B_E.

Thanks. :)

Obviously personal mood plays a massive part, but I think it can become a bit of a chore if you strictly and repeatedly adhere to a marathon over a set period. I sometimes start watching the end of September or earlier to break myself in gently. Plus, sometimes it can be fun if there are a few people doing it, meaning that the 'competitive' and regimented nature of it doesn't feel as taxing... forced or chain watching can certainly kill the fun pretty quickly though.

My Christmas marathon is a pure joy as they are all films which are new to me.

I always try and mix some new to me films into any marathon I do to keep things fresh. I don't really do a Christmas marathon though, other than (usually) watching both It's a Wonderful Life and Black Christmas (now there's an unconventional double-bill!)

Not related to my horror marathon but related to It's a Wonderful Life.

I watched a film called The Shop Around the Corner with James Stewart for the first time early last November. It was on one of those 4 disc TCM Legends set on region one. Little did i know it was a beautifully funny Christmas film.

That will be one to rewatch with the tree lights twinkling.

I've never seen that... will have to check it out. :nod:

7th. Videodrome

Much can be written/discussed about this spectacular film but I will spare everyone with only a few anecdotes. Videodrome explores the idea of television altering our perception of reality brilliantly and almost as a warning. Cronenberg's treatment of the television as a living organism and an extension of our mind and body is marvelous and poignant. I feel like it could be an allegory for religion at times as well. This is easily in my top 5 films of all time. Long live the new flesh!

5th - Prophecy
6th - Samhain / Isle of the Dead
7th - Devils of Darkness

8th. The Funhouse

God, I love this film. It just oozes atmosphere and impending doom. I know not everyone feels the same but this is certainly a highlight in Tobe Hooper's oeuvre for me.

9th. Fear No Evil

An incredibly ambitious film that some how manages to miss the mark but still hit it somewhat. Wonderful horror imagery in the beginning of the film doesn't really match the tone of the rest of the film and feels underdeveloped. The film really falls apart going into the third act but recovers to give us a wildly energetic finale. Overall, I found it quite a good watch with some obvious flaws. This was the first time I've watched it in about 10 years. Great soundtrack!

Does anyone care to list all of the Halloween themed horror films you can think of? These are a few the top of my head:

Halloween films
Trick Or Treats
Trick Or Treat
Trick 'r Treat
Night Of The Demons films
The Lady In White
Satan's Little Helper

Dead Scared (2004) US title The Hazing - a personal fave of mine
The Pumpkin Karver (2006) - another fave of mine.
Halloween Night (2006) - reasonable enjoyable slasher even if it's from the Asylum.
Idle Hands (1999)
American Nightmare (2002) - cheapie slasher starring Debbie Rochon. Again i quite like it but it may not be to all tastes.
Pumpkinhead aka Vengeance the Demon (1988) - also a Halloween fave with me, even though i'm not entirely sure it's set around Halloween, although it features ripe pumpkins so it must be i suppose.
Evil Breed: The Legend of Samhain (2002). - Porn stars n' strong gore.

I'm curious to check out All Hallow's Eve. That's set around Halloween, but it's a bit pricier than this type of fare usually is. Hopefully Fopp will have it cheap, as I'll be in London when it comes out.

I seem to recall the Creepshow films being set around Halloween. Dark Night Of The Scarecrow. I recently saw The Guest, which was set around Halloween, but not really Halloween themed. Very interesting film from Adam Wingard.

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[6] Savage Water
Savage Water, for a time, seemed like the holy grail of bad slasher films. I had been failing miserably to track it down for so long, until Vinegar Syndrome came to my rescue. But even that release got pulled. Luckily I was still able to gain one of those copies. I was actually hugely surprised at how well it starts; the film conveys a genuine awe and respect of the environment evocative of Deliverance. Sadly from the introduction of the tourists the film becomes a mess of stereotypes, clichés, horrific acting, inane dialogue, eventually culminating in the worst death scenes, all of which destroy any kind of headway the film was making. You can’t help wondering if the slasher elements were tacked on at the last minute for commercial reasons. I’m glad I got to see it, and it didn’t disappoint, it’s just as horrible as its reputation suggests.
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[7] Death By Invitation
This was a genuine surprise. It doesn’t seem to have many fans, has a pretty low rating at many an aggregate based site, I would never have gone out of my way to watch this had it not been included as part of a double feature on a DVD with Savage Water. What a gem it is, overflowing with atmosphere, featuring a hugely captivating opening that deliriously pulsates throughout. It’s clearly a low budget production, but they manage to accentuate what they have. There are some poor performances, but Shelby Leverington is chillingly compulsive viewing. It’s one of those cult 70s gems whose worth has been masked by those looking for cheap thrills and scares, overlooking this slow burning psychedelic potboiler.
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[8] The Initiation Of Sarah
I’ve found myself in recent years checking out a lot of made for TV movies from the late 70s and early 80s. There are some really interesting finds, so when Scream Factory announced a double pack, I was hopeful it could lead to more, sadly that doesn’t seem to be the case. It’s not all bad news though, both of the films are interesting, and well worth watching. The Initiation Of Sarah is very clearly Carrie inspired, a little obvious and ever so slightly twee at times, but features some great performances, from those established like Shelley Winters, to those who would go on to find success later, like Morgan Fairchild. It’s the performances that hold your attention, but the hokey plot and theatrics are really enjoyable.
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[9] Are You In The House Alone?
The poster for Are You In The House Alone gives a false impression, suggesting something along the lines of When A Stranger Calls, or Don’t Answer The Phone. It’s a far more subdued drama, which does venture into rape territory. However, the attitudes to rape at the time are far more shocking than anything else on display in the film. It’s well made, with endearing characters (Kathleen Beller’s wide-eyed performance in particular is empathetic), and very watchable. It’s interesting to see a young Dennis Quaid and the type of role he played this early in his career.
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In addition to the ones i listed earlier i've just picked up Wrong Turn 5 as this is also set on Halloween.

Nice write ups BAKA! I wonder if Savage Water will ever see the light of day? I regret not being able to get my hands on that one when it was still sort of in limbo. I had a fun time with Scream Factory's TV Terrors set as well. Shame it wasn't a good seller. There are loads of quality made for tv horror films out there.

Good call, this is sort of the perfect combination of Halloween atmosphere. It has witches, graveyards and a monster. I used to have a huge bust of Pumpkinhead about 8 years ago. Here's an old pic.

10th. The Others

This elegant, gothic, supernatural horror film is simply marvelous. More than just a generic ghost story, it really exceeds at infusing the dramatic human dynamic with scenes of chilling uneasiness. The foggy exteriors certainly contribute to the overall atmosphere of the film which is one of loneliness and dread. Wonderful piece of celluloid.

Hauntedween is another Halloween themed horror that was actually filmed in a city that I used to live in.

8th - Witchcraft
9th - Halloween Resurrection / Frankenstein meets the Wolfman
10th - The Seventh Sign

I just thought of another Halloween film, Bill Hinzman's FleshEater.

11. Beyond The Door

Let's get this out of the way, I love knock off imitations of The Exorcist. Often times they forego the story for sleazy scenes of possession and my heart flutters. While Beyond The Door might not exhibit that entirely you can't deny that it has wonderful scenes with Juliet Mills in full demon mode. The scene in the children's bedroom (you'll know if you've seen it) is a thing of special effects beauty. Foul mouth children, some excellent set pieces and spinning heads. What more could you possibly want out of an exploitative possession film?

12. Cheerleader Camp

Fairly mediocre slasher/comedy effort with an attractive female cast. Not terrible but not very good either. The less said about this film the better.

13. The Night Of The Hunter

Thanks to BAKA'S earlier mention of this (I'll find any excuse to watch this film) I decided to add it to my Halloween film list. I really can't verbalize any more eloquently than what BAKA has already said but I find the lush B&W photography hypnotic. The brief scene when Harry first shows up to the children's home at night is extremely unnerving. Beautiful pace, marvelous cast, and a rich, textured plot make for an incredible film.

11th - The Haunting of Bates Motel / The Fog
12th - Black Swan
13th - Idle Hands / The Old Dark House (with Newman / Jones chat track)