"It's almost time kids, the clock is ticking". So yeah, get ready for another edition of 31 Days of Horror. What are you going to check out this october and what are your favorite suspense and horror movies?
Everyone can participate (if you are a member that is), i know iīm going to watch 31 films anyway.
Posted by TheHoff (Member # 37515) on :
I don't watch horror movies, never thought of them as my type of movie.
I watched Michael Jackson's Thriller video
Anything you can suggest I watch that could break me in gently?
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
Surely you have watched classic 80s horror comedies like The Lost Boys or Gremlins? If not, those are nice choices and good gateway films to more serious stuff.
Posted by Johnny Roarke is reckless (Member # 9826) on :
I recently watched Adam Wingard's Blair Witch (2016), which turned out to be both a sequel to, and remake of, The Blair Witch Project (1999), in which the brother of Heather Donahue (from the '99 film) sets out to investigate the disappearance of his sister so many years ago.
The 2016 film pretty much follows the same path as the original, so there are no real surprises to anyone familiar with The Blair Witch Project, although there is a little more emphasis on the distortion of time which gets more severe the deeper they venture into the woods, leading up to the discovery of the exact location from which Heather disappeared : The ruins of a house, which seems to exist in a place completely outside of time, from which there is no going back. (not unlike Twin Peaks' The Black Lodge now that i've come to think about it)
The finale is more elaborate than the '99 film, and people who suffer from claustrophobia will have their heart rates going into overdrive with one particular scene during the climax.
[ 30. September 2025, 12:40: Message edited by: Johnny Roarke is reckless ]
Posted by TheHoff (Member # 37515) on :
quote:Originally posted by aTomiK: Surely you have watched classic 80s horror comedies like The Lost Boys or Gremlins? If not, those are nice choices and good gateway films to more serious stuff.
Ah yes, and don't call me Shirley
Never really though of them as Horror per se but I guess so. They are more light hearted than I was thinking.
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
No more Shirley then
More lightweight halloween/horror themed movies are more than welcome here, after all, i watched two Goosebumps films back in the 2022 marathon
Not a big fan of the original Blair Witch, Johnny but that 2016 film sounds pretty interesting.
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
First three:
All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (2006)
Starring everyones favorite Amber Heard, this modern teen horror film with a twist was pretty underwhelming effort. Few decent moments but the character development was almost nonexistent so i didnīt care about anyone. 4/10
Blacula (1972)
Pretty fun blaxploitation horror film from AIP. You canīt really take this seriously but who cares when itīs jamminī good. Featuring the fist black vampire in movies and perhaps without Blacula there would be no Blade. 6/10
Jack the Ripper (1976)
Director Jess Francoīs take on Jack the Ripper and i kinda liked it. The film stars Klaus Kinski and Franco regular Lina Romay who goes through a lot. The pace is slow but this includes few super nasty and sleazy moments. 6/10
Posted by Johnny Roarke is reckless (Member # 9826) on :
Seeding Of A Ghost (1983)
A man turns to black magic to seek vengeance on the hoodlums who were responsible for his wife's violent death.
Shaw Brothers production that's equally a splatter-fest as well as a morality play about the unforeseen consequences of infidelity.
The wife's reanimated corpse provides some freakishly grotesque imagery, but otherwise it's rather silly. Fast-paced and occasionally stylish though, and the tentacle-filled finale is something that cannot be described in mere words.
Seeding Of A Ghost will be included in Arrow's forthcoming Shawscope volume 4 box-set due out in December, but was previously available on blu-ray from 88Films (which is currently out-of-print).
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
Evil Dead Rise (2023)
Pretty good but the first three in the franchise are better. Modern comedy in horror rarely works for me and the prologue was totally unnecessary. Waiting for Evil Dead Burn (2026). 6/10
Frankenfish (2004)
Spawn director Mark A.Z. Dippe behind the camera. Nothing new in this mutant monster on the loose flick but itīs still better than those Asylum films. 5/10
Scream Blacula Scream (1973)
This was even better than the original. Blaxploitation vampirism vs. voodoo queen Pam Grier so whatīs not to like. Featuring Michael "letīs be careful out there" Conrad as the police chief. 7/10
Posted by Johnny Roarke is reckless (Member # 9826) on :
quote:Originally posted by aTomiK:
Evil Dead Rise (2023)
Pretty good but the first three in the franchise are better. Modern comedy in horror rarely works for me and the prologue was totally unnecessary. Waiting for Evil Dead Burn (2026). 6/10
Funny, i actually watched this last night as well, and was planning on writing a few words on it.
It took some time before i got into it, but eventually i enjoyed it quite a bit. The final act is appropriately bonkers with that creature merged from the people who fell prey to the demon's possession, and they certainly didn't hold back on the gore !
Second remake of The Evil Dead.. Evil Dead in an urban setting, or whatever you wanna call it. It's probably best to not compare it to any of the previous films, and see it as a stand-alone fright flick, which just happens to be inspired by The Evil Dead.
Extra points for subjecting a 9 year old girl to all sorts of explicit bloody mayhem and carnage ! Posted by Johnny Roarke is reckless (Member # 9826) on :
Aftermath (1994)
The infamous short by Nacho Cerdā about the fetishistic desires of a sinister mortician, arousal by autopsy, and necrophilia.
It's as grisly and repulsive as ever, but for some reason it kinda left me cold this time. I used to love this sort of stuff, but i guess i've grown numb over the years, or maybe the film's shock value wears off after multiple viewings, i don't know.
The arthouse aesthetic is in stark contrast with the film's content, and for that reason alone it remains an essential piece of cinema for adventurous horror fans who think they've seen it all !
Posted by Johnny Roarke is reckless (Member # 9826) on :
Asylum of Satan (1972)
A young woman suffers a nervous breakdown, and is committed to a psychiatric hospital against her will, while her hot-headed fiancé tries to locate her whereabouts.
William Girdler's PG-rated directorial debut is fairly mild when it comes to actual horror, but it does have that typical early 70s vibe, complete with the cars, the wallpapers, the mustaches, and hideous plaid polyester pants. (The horror !, The horror !)
The actress that plays the blind patient who gets attacked by snakes in the swimming pool, would stick with Girdler for his next feature, Three On A Meathook, later on that same year, as well as the actor Charles Kissinger, who would continue to play bit parts in nearly all of Girdler's subsequent features.
Rumour has it that Girdler somehow managed to obtain the devil suit that was used for Rosemary's Baby, plus The Church Of Satan is credited as "technical consultant", so you know this is a legit devil worshipping film ! Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
Lo strano vizio della signora Wardh aka The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh (1971)
This was a good giallo directed by Sergio Martino and starring superhot Edwige Fenech. A serial killer is on the loose but thatīs only the subplot because Mrs. Wardhīs life is already filled with twists and turns. Loved the Nora Orlandi "Dies Irae" theme. 7/10
Snatchers (2019)
Not bad "Alien meets Mean girls" horror comedy. Teens with a Mayan sex curse and two very nasty creatures here plus i quite enjoyed Mary Nepiīs performance. 6/10
El Barón del Terror aka The Brainiac (1962)
This was pretty fun and simple Mexican horror revenge film. "In 1661 Mexico, Baron Vitelius is executed for witchcraft. 300 years later, during a comet's return, he resurfaces as a brain-eating monster seeking revenge on the Inquisitors' descendants." Loved that monster rubber suit 6/10
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
Jeepers Creepers (2001)
This was a rewatch and itīs still a pretty good monster movie starring Justin long and Gina Philips. The monster is called the Creeper and itīs one nasty human eating SOB. No happy ending here 6/10
The Wicker Man (1973)
British folk horror classic this one and the first time i saw this film was back in 1986 when the Finnish national television aired it! Now i have the awesome Studio Canal 4K and watched the final cut version. Highly recommended! 9/10
My Soul to Take (2010)
This is a Wes Craven film, his second to last and itīs very typical teen horror feature of itīs time. However i think that My Soul to Take is a bit better than those Urban Legend and I Know What you did... films which are from the bottom of the pit. I especially enjoyed the opening ten minutes, crazy entertaining stuff 5/10
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
Monster Summer (2024)
This was a fun teen adventurechiller for fans of the Goonies etc. A witch haunts young kids and takes their souls so itīs up to Noah (Mason Thames) and ex-cop Carruthers (Mel Gibson) to save the day. 6/10
L'isola degli uomini pesce aka The Island of the Fishmen aka Something Waits in the Dark aka Screamers (1979)
Another Sergio Martino film and the story has some Dr. Moreau and Creature from the Black Lagoon in it. Add a heavy dose of italo weirdness and you have a pretty decent film in you hands. The US release history of this film is batsh*t crazy stuff 6/10
Jeepers Creepers 2 (2003)
A surprisingly good sequel this one. Creeper is still on the loose and this time he attacks a farm and a schoolbus but people are fighting back. Entertaining film. 7/10
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
Retribution (1987)
This was a rewatch and iīve always enjoyed this not so well known film. Dennis Lipscomb gives a very good performance as a possessed painter and my great Severin blu-ray also includes those extra seconds from the Dutch vhs tape. 7/10
Maniac (1980)
Another rewatch and this William Lustig debut sure is a sleazy classic. Joe Spinell plays Frank Zito who has this little thing against women Cool Tom Savini sfx and Caroline Munro! 7/10
Zombie Strippers (2008)
Low budget zombicomedy this one but it certainly gives you what it promises. Boobs and gore is the name of the game and i was quite entertained. 5/10
Posted by gordongecko (Member # 4685) on :
So far behind and glad to be back. Nice work aTomiK! I haven't gotten in to the horror movies yet but I did start a few fall/halloween movies and shows. I watched Indian Summer for the first time last week and enjoyed it. I've also been watching The Simpson's Tree House of Horror episodes. I love those! As a family, we watched the Hotel Transylvania movies which are fun and good Halloween vibe. I haven't had time to get my Friday the 13th movies going!
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
Witchfinder General (1968)
This is good UK folk horror film from Tigon company. Vincent Price gives a great performance as the notorious witch hunter Matthew Hopkins, Ian Ogilvy and Hilary Heath also star. 7/10
Jeepers Creepers 3 (2017)
Another good monster film once again written and directed by Victor Salva. Nothing that special here but itīs still surprisingly well written and well made modern horror. 6/10
Baby Blood (1990)
Baby Blood is a wicked splatter/body horror movie from France including nice sfx and very bloody kill scenes. Recommended! 8/10
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
The Last Horror Film (1982)
This was a pretty fun horror film with comedic elements and was a bit ahead of itīs time. Joe Spinell and Caroline Munro star once again and in some countries this was called Maniac II: Love to kill Includes excellent Cannes Film Festival 1981 scenery. 6/10
Titane (2021)
This is pretty bonkers French body horror film. A dancer serial killer makes out with a Cadillac car and gets pregnant but finds new love in a strange circumstance. Not everything goes well though. Definitely not for everyone 6/10
Lord of Illusions (1995)
This was a rewatch and the film is much better than i remembered. Damn well done horror noir by writer/director Clive Barker. Scott Bakula did a great job and Famke Janssen looks stunning. Recommended! 8/10.
Posted by Johnny Roarke is reckless (Member # 9826) on :
Zombieland (2009) / Zombieland ; Double Tap (2019)
Big movie studio and a cast of A-list stars tackle the living dead (of the running kind) sub-genre, with amusing results.
More comedy with zombies than it is horror with zombies, but entertaining nonetheless.
Director and cast (Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin) of the original return for the sequel, which is pretty much more of the same. Supporting roles by Rosario Dawson, Luke Wilson, and a very funny Zoey Deutch (daughter of filmmaker Howard Deutch and beloved actress Lea Thompson).
Creative use of the familiar Columbia Pictures logo at the beginning of the sequel !
Posted by Johnny Roarke is reckless (Member # 9826) on :
Jack Brooks Monster Slayer (2007)
Young adult Jack works as a plumber, goes to night school, and has some anger issues ever since he witnessed his family being slaughtered by a monster when he was just a kid. When his night school professor (Robert Englund) unwittingly unleashes an evil force and gets possessed, Jack is forced to face the demons of his past (quite literally) and must do battle to save the day.
Fun little B-movie was a pet project for writer / producer / star Trevor Matthews, and in its final act becomes a showcase for practical effects. The fully transformed Englund is quite a sight (and kinda looks like Chet the blob monster from Weird Science).
Released on a fully loaded region 1 dvd in the waning days of Anchor Bay Entertainment when they predominantly focused on direct-to-video fare rather than the 70s and 80s classics they were known for during the early days of the dvd format.
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
Other films i watched:
Night of the Demon (1980)
Very low-budget but fun and nasty regional horror film. The Severin blu-ray includes lots of cool extramaterial including the Ban the Sadist Videos! documentaries. 6/10
The House That Jack Built (2018)
Cool serial killer film from Lars von Trier. Matt Dillon gives a chilling performance and i have to give a warning that this certainly is not for everyone. 7/10
Jeepers Creepers Reborn (2022)
JC series crashed with this reboot. Uninteresting story, lame cast and characters plus laughable cgi. Avoid. 2/10
Maniac (2012)
Surprisingly good remake this one. Elijah Wood is not bad at all and i enjoyed the mostly POV cinematography. Nice atmosphere and few nasty kills. 7/10
The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
This was of course a rewatch and ROTLD is still one of the best movies ever made. The new Arrow 4K release is great and i finally got to see the More Brains! documentary. Highly recommended 10/10
The Return of the Living Dead 3 (1993)
Another rewatch and this was not as good as i remembered. Itīs a zombie flick with a teen love story twist but i feel that the film is overlong so the highs are few and far between. 5/10
Shocker (1988)
And yet another rewatch and the last 31 Days of Horror film this year. Shocker is a Wes Craven horror comedy and i quite enjoy this one. Itīs a bit silly but Mitch Pileggi gives a fun performance and the heavy metal soundtrack rocks!
Posted by Johnny Roarke is reckless (Member # 9826) on :
On Halloween, Robert Englund was awarded his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.. Congratulations Robert !
Heather Langenkamp was present and gave a speech. You can watch the whole ceremony on Youtube here :
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
