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SHOCKTOBER!!!  31 HORROR MOVIES, 31 NIGHTS IN OCTOBER!

EVERY NIGHT IN OCTOBER THEATER GEAR WAS SHOWING A DIFFERENT HORROR MOVIE ON ONE OF OUR  BIG SCREENS.  STARTING WITH ROMERO'S CLASSIC "NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD", AND ENDING WITH CLIVE BARKER'S "HELLRAISER", THESE MOVIES WERE NOT FOR THE KIDS! 

LINKS BELOW ARE FOR THE  ALL MOVE GUIDE, THE BEST MOVIE SITE ON THE WEB (look at all of this Michigan talent!).  OUR REVIEWS WERE WRITTEN DIRECTLY AFTER EACH SHOWING AND ARE LISTED BELOW.

HERE WAS THE SCHEDULE FOR THE GREATEST HORROR FILMS OF ALL TIME:

FILMS REVIEWED AFTER OCT 31ST ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE!

DAY:

1.  NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD OUR REVIEW:  ***** (FIVE STARS)  This black and white, low budget classic scores on all points.  Realistic characters, good acting, gore and doom abound.  Many who claimed to have seen this movie did not know it was in black & white.  Underlying political currents, and a kickass black hero, really make this the movie that started it all. 

2.  THE CHANGELING -   OUR REVIEW:  ** (TWO STARS)  You got to love a movie staring George C. Scott that doesn't have him playing a  WWII general or a father looking for his porn star daughter.  Scott does a credible job here (as always), but the story itself plays out just like your average ghost story.  Our audience questioned why the ghost attacked the changeling at all, as nothing that happened was his fault, he was only 3 years old.  The digging of the well is so unbelievable (as are the "special" effects in the well) , that we have to say watch this one on a 19" TV.  This movie won Scott a Genie award in Canada, so in all fairness we must state that the Canadians must not get out much.

3.  THE OMEN - SATAN'S SON COMES TO EARTH.

4.  THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE OUR REVIEW:  ***** (FIVE STARS)  This true story, brought to life by Tobe Hopper, is so scary, so horrible,  so demented, that our audience kept talking throughout the movie like scared little girls (reportedly to "break the tension")!!!  We guess no bigger complement can be given to a horror movie.  The scene of the girl screaming at the dinner table is burned into our eyeballs forever.  The movie apparently features most of President Bush's extended clan, (not the crackhead daughter though), so our advice is :  don't watch this one alone (and stay off of them back roads, bo)!    

5.  CANDYMAN - OUR REVIEW:  ***** (FIVE STARS)  This version of Clive Barker's "The Forbidden" could possibly qualify as the best adaptation of a horror short story to film ever.  Everything works here, the setting (Chicago's Cabrini Green tenement, instead of the Spector Street Estates in England),  the characters (developed to perfection), and the visuals (this is not your usual low budget slasher movie, in fact, sometimes Virginia Madison appears almost Marylyn Monroe like in her beauty).  This movie is all about urban legend, years before the movie "Urban Legend".  A thinking man's horror movie, both scary and poetic, watch this one with a date.

6.  A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET - OUR REVIEW ***** (FIVE STARS)  Long before Freddy was a silly joke slinger, he was scary, very scary.  Arguably Wes Craven's best movie,  the movie looks good, sounds good (remixed in 5.1), and delivers the fright in spades.  The scene where the jock boyfriend gets killed is so over the top, our audience squealed with delight.   If all you can remember of the Nightmare series is the crapy, endless sequels, you owe it to yourself to watch the original again.

7.  RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD OUR REVIEW:  **** (FOUR STARS)  Repo Man meets Dawn of the Dead.  This well made homage to Romero's Dead series, has great special effects, great campy dialog, and believe it or not, lots of laughs.  Although not exactly a comedy, this movie will entertain both horror buffs and casual onlookers.  Not a dull moment anywhere in this film, and a surprising amount of nudity.  An often overlooked classic.

8.  VIDEODROME - POSTMODERN MASTERPIECE.

9.  SILENCE OF THE LAMBS / SE7EN OUR REVIEW: ***** (FIVE STARS-EACH) DOUBLE FEATURE.  Silence of the Lambs is the only horror movie to ever win an Oscar.  Thus the rub, it really isn't a horror movie.  Horrible things happen to people, its dark and dreary, but it really is more of a detective movie.  The same goes for Se7en.  In fact the movies have quite a bit in common.  Both movies star a brilliant, well read, serial killer, and both movies star a rookie detective to interact with the killer.   Both movies imply lots of violence, but you really don't get to see it on screen.  Kasi Lemmons co-stars in both Lambs and Candyman, as basically the same character, but that's another story.  So which movie is better?  None of us could decide.   Se7en is the better looking of the two, without a doubt, and has a much more complex storyline.  But it didn't win any Oscars....

10.  THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT - OUR REVIEW  * (ONE STAR)  We guess that it had to happen, nobody liked this movie.  Wes Craven's first movie looks like it was shot by my grandfather on his 8mm movie camera (only grandpa could focus better).  Instead of having scary music that might set some kind of mood to the scene,  the music is usually honky tonk piano (were not making this up).  Nothing scary happens at all, just your basic rape-revenge movie, and if that's your thing, I Spit on your Grave is much more effective.  The audience felt cheated based of the reputation this movie had.  We sum it up as another Cannibal Holocaust; all bark and no fright.

11.  DAY OF THE DEAD -OUR REVIEW *** (THREE STARS)  The last in the series, more talk than gore.  A kind of thinking man's Dead, with experiments on the zombies.  The audience enjoyed the movie, but if you only watch one Dead movie, make it the Night of the Living Dead.

12.  COMBAT SHOCK - OUR REVIEW *** (THREE STARS)  This is definitely not your usual horror film.  The first 10 minutes are as dull as a mail order steak knife,  but once you get past that, you know it's going to be a strange ride.  Gore and desperation abound, maybe even tipping a hat to Lynch's Eraserhead.  The audience had many outbursts during the movie, but the ending took the cake.  One member turned completely around to avoid seeing the ending.  You may want to avoid both dairy products and reproducing after viewing this one.

13.  ZOMBIE - OUR REVIEW *** (THREE STARS)  This classic from Lucio Fulci stars some really great looking zombies and is  a great example of Italian horror.  Like other Italian films, the plot develops at a slower pace than you may be used to,  but you get the payoff at the end.  This film obviously had a good size budget,  and has a few scenes that the viewer will not soon forget.  The sound has been remixed into surround sound to good effect.  Had the movie moved along a little quicker, it would of rated higher with our audience, but the scene where a zombie fights a great white shark is worth five stars all by itself! 

14.  THE THING - OUR REVIEW ***** (FIVE STARS) This 1982 remake by John Carpenter is the director's masterwork.  A gruesome portrayal of how a group of testosterone fueled men would react to a space alien shape shifter in their mists.  The special effects are great (one can imagine how great they were in '82), and the movie has been remixed into surround sound.  The visuals in this movie are so good, you can just about feel the cold.  The audience loved this one, with lots of jump moments, spraying goop, and gore.

15.  MOTEL HELL - OUR REVIEW **** (FOUR STARS)  This first rate satire gives a wink and a nod to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and other classic horror movies, without actually stealing anything from them .  The humor here is not as obvious as Return Of The Living Dead, but will have you rolling none the less.  Rory Calhoun's dead pan delivery as Farmer Vincent's character is what ties this whole crazy movie together.  The audience could not believe some of the great scenes that occur, and sometimes the dialog was drowned out by laughter from the proceeding scene.  This movie is light on the gore, so it would be safe to watch with the un-undead. 

16. KAIRO - OUR REVIEW **** (FOUR STARS) Contrary to popular belief, Japanese cinema is more than just little girls, robots and RapeMan.  This dark ghost story defies any category you might place it in or compare it to.  It is subtitled, so be aware that you may have to read it to illiterate friends.    The audience loved the movie, although the subtitles slightly detract from watching the whole screen.  In a related beef, the movie is letterboxed, yet still, the subtitles have to be placed on the picture itself, rather than the black box below.  This movie had many scary moments, a very dark color pallet, and an ending so horrible, it definitely stays with you long after its over.  Very low on the gore scale, watch this one with a crew having at least a high school education.

17.  FROM BEYOND - HP LOVECRAFT WEIRDNESS.

18.  THE EXORCIST - OUR REVIEW ***** (FIVE STARS) This true story about the last exorcism performed in the United States, stars a young Linda Blair before she was Repossessed.  One might more accurately call this movie a horror/drama, rather than strictly a horror movie, but whatever you call it, this movie works on every level.  The audience was silent and spellbound throughout the  entire movie (although there was a few painful groans during the crucifix scene!).  The crude language used by the possessed Blair is so strong it would make a sailor blush.  It's been said that the Pope, even in his frail condition, still performs a few exorcisms each year, I don't envy him.

19.  QUEEN OF THE DAMNED - OUR REVIEW *** (THREE STARS) OK, if we didn't show at least one movie from this century, my girlfriend would quit believing that I'm 23  ;^) .  Although not as good as the books, this movie was a fun romp through Anne Rice's vampire tales, and was much better than Interview With The Vampire.  Casting was also much better in this film.  The audience was not shy in stating that Aaliyah was so hot that it makes one want to outlaw private planes.  Add in a few Blade/Matrix fighting scenes, some great special effects, and you have yourself a very entertaining movie.  Watch this one with friends, popcorn and beer.

20.  ALIEN -OUR REVIEW ***** (FIVE STARS)  This SI-FI Horror Film was better than most of the audience remembered it.  Extremely dark, (you will be assured as to why you spent the few extra dollars on a CRT projector over a LCD or plasma on this one!) and detailed, the atmosphere is what makes this movie great.  Lots of jump moments and tension.  The cat gets a smaller role here than in the book, but still this is one great film. 

21.  THE FLY - 1986 REMAKE, GEENA DAVIS  WAS STILL HOT.

22.  THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW - OUR REVIEW ***** (FIVE STARS)  Some in the audience thought that there was not enough "horror" in the movie to make this a horror film.  But that could point could be argued,  MANY horrible things happen:  cannibalism, adultery, transvestites, transsexuals, murder, raising the dead, homosexual seductions, brother/sister incest, folk dancing,  really anything sinful you can think of.  Audience members who had never seen the movie, at first were apprehensive, but then were easily seduced by Frankenferter's charming ways.  The DVD had a really great transfer for a "low budget" movie, and the sound was excellent.   Lot's of fun, a little bit of gore, watch with lots of friends, and leave the homophobes at home.

23.  NOSFERATU - OUR REVIEW *** (THREE STARS) The original horror film.  This 1922 German film has aged pretty well.  Many of the "effects" we now take as commonplace were first filmed here.  Huge doors swing open by themselves, vampires rise with out moving a muscle, back in the 20's this had to be really scary stuff.  The scene to scene matching is of varying quality, but that adds to the charm of the movie.  One scene uses the film negative to show the doom that is coming.    The soundtrack on the DVD is the original organ music that would have been played at the theater (the actual film, of course, is silent), and it has plenty of bass to workout the subwoofer.  Not exactly a movie to show off your system or scare a date, but a masterpiece that must be seen nevertheless. 

24.  SPECIES - OUR REVIEW *** (THREE STARS)  Easy Species recipe:  take one part "The Thing"  one part "Alien" (H.R. Giger even did the monster design!) and add one very sexy monster.  Simmer for 90 minutes.  Maybe not the most original movie of all time, but Species sports a great, all star cast,  a naked alien, and a good subwoofer workout.  An audience pleaser, watch this one with the guys. 

25.  FROM DUSK TO DAWN OUR REVIEW ***** (FIVE STARS)  Ahhhhh, the movie everybody hates.  Tarantino fans, they hate it, Rodriguez fans, they really hate it.  But you have to love this movie, it has an all star cast (even John Saxon sneaks in for a second), a great story idea, and all the gore you can eat.  Lots of "smart" Tarantino dialog, and plenty of humor, this move has to be just watched and enjoyed.  If you have never seen this movie, hang on through the first 20 minutes, this movie switches gears without stepping on the clutch.  Fun for all.

26.  PHENOMENA - OUR REVIEW **** (FOUR STARS) Jennifer Connelly stars in one of her first movies.  In typical Argento style, people are killed  in very creative and disturbing ways.  The cinematography is great, and the soundtrack features Moterhead and Iron Maiden.   Slightly slower than your typical horror movie,  the payoff comes with the creativity of the film.   Very high in artistic content,  share you appreciation of Oscar wining actress and see this one with a strong stomached lass. 

27.  VAMPIRES - CARPENTER'S HORROR-WESTERN.

28.  RE-ANIMATOR - MED STUDENTS GONE WILD.

29.  FRIDAY THE 13TH - OUR REVIEW * (ONE STAR) How this tedious stinker somehow slipped into our almost perfect collection of horror is unknown (actually the video store tricked us).  Slow and predictable, this movie looks like your uncle's vacation videos compared to Reanimator.  This movie features every cliché in the book, but goes even further in it's quest to bore you, by explaining the obvious.  The ending could of been it's saving grace, but even there, it goes on too long and explains away any lasting shock.  No hockey masks at all, don't watch this one unless forced to.

30.  PHANTASM - OUR REVIEW ***** (FIVE STARS)  Why is Phantasm so great, even 20 years later? Originality.  This movie steals nothing that you have seen before.  No zombies, no slashers,  no vampires, no local sheriff,  you get the idea, just a good scary movie.  Part horror, part Si-Fi, the movie keeps you guessing.  Lots of jump moments, and lots of tension.  Good overall casting is evident here, but Angus Scrimm as "The Tall Man" is what you will have nightmares about.  Sound on the DVD was remixed into 5.1 and had a huge amount of bass in the gateway room.  The audience loved this one, some seeing it for the first time.   Some thought it was the best movie yet shown at Shocktober (wait till tomorrow night!).  Watch this one by yourself with the lights off and the phone unplugged.  If you watch only one movie from the list (and you have already seen Hellraiser) make it this one,  Boy.............

31.  HELLRAISER -OUR REVIEW  ***** (FIVE STARS)  This dark horror movie was seen in sharp contrast to Phantasm the night before.  While Phantasm gave slight relief with a few comedic scenes,  Hellraiser is non-stop doom.  Characters are developed at a smooth pace, allowing the audience to savor the unfolding betrayals.  Another non-conventional horror movie,  Hellraiser mixes S&M, sibling rivalry, demons (angels to some), and a strange mechanical box to make the greatest horror movie of all time.  Doug Bradley delivers the lines of Pinhead with such a passionate coldness, that he effectively steals the show.  One must note that this is the ONLY movie in the series written and directed by Clive Barker, based on his novel The Hellbound Heart.  All others are counterfeits (direct to video yet!)  and are not to be watched.  Barker had to sign away the rights to the characters in order to get this (his first) movie made.  If there is any justice in this world,  it would be to return the rights to Barker and let him make a final film before he or Bradley kick the bucket.  The audience loved this film,  sitting in stunned silence as some of the most horrible things ever put to film took place.  Some of the electrical special effects look slightly dated, but that does nothing to diminish this masterpiece of the macabre.  An absolute must see. 

32.  AUDITION  (1999)- OUR REVIEW:  *** (THREE STARS)  We were warned not only not to read All Movie Guide's review of this movie before seeing it, but also not to even look at the DVD cover art.  After seeing this we have to whole heartedly agree.  With no inkling at all as to what the movie was about, the movie seeped into our minds and stayed around afterwards.  Another Japanese horror flick, also subtitled (and subtitled on the film part of the letterbox!  Why! Why....??), the film is beautifully shot and framed.  There really is not a lot we can say about the film itself without somehow ruining it's presentation, so we'll leave it as:  if you are a fan of David Lynch, and you can have the girl at the video store hold the DVD at the front counter so you don't see the box, it will be a worthy film to see.

33.  BLADE II - OUR REVIEW:  *** (THREE STARS) This might even be considered more of an action film than a horror film, but if you liked the first one, you will certainly like the second.  This is one of the few movies that the sequel exceeds the original. Great special effects, lots of surround sound action, you get the idea.  Watch this one with the guys.

34.  RESIDENT EVIL - OUR REVIEW: * (ONE STAR)  We so wanted this to be a good movie.  It had all of the right ingredients:  hot chicks, based on a great video game, big budget, everything but a script.  If you thought that Tomb Raider stunk to high heaven, you ain't seen nothing yet.  Just when you thought you couldn't sit through another zombie movie, you cant! 

35.  NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1990) - OUR REVIEW ** (TWO STARS) Here was a horror movie that I didn't know existed!  This may explain how many of our viewers of the original movie said that they thought it was in color. This remake is almost exactly the same as the original except it is not as scary.   Why Tom Savini thought he had to remake this is anyone's guess.  If he wanted to do a tribute, one only has to look as far as Return of the Living Dead to see an effective tribute movie.  If you are a horror fan I guess you have to see this one (you probably already have! I must live a sheltered life.).  Watch this one with somebody who hasn't seen the original. (thanks to Mike Wayne from Orlando, Florida for pointing this one out to us!)

36.  RINGU - OUR REVIEW **** (FOUR STARS) This movie is the Japanese original of what was remade as The Ring (2002).  A very dark (CRT love again) and suspenseful movie about a killer video tape with some urban legend mixed in.  A few good twists and turns make this a really good movie.  Again the subtitles are placed on the film itself rather than the black bars of the letter box.  Truly scary, with zero gore, watch this one with a date.

37.  THE RING (2002) - OUR REVIEW **** (FOUR STARS) OK, we know, American remakes are never supposed to be as good as the original, but, this movie really is.  Now, this is not a scene for scene remake, and the original had maybe a slightly better ending (I said slightly!), but the Americanization of this film works well.  The psychic son part could of been safely left out, as we kind of saw enough of him in parts like The Sixth Sense, but it does work for one shocking plot twist.  A good date movie, although you will need to see the original also to make your life complete.

37. JASON X - OUR REVIEW *** (THREE STARS)  After 10 years another Jason movie.  We saw this movie in High Definition, so the resolution of the picture was more than double that of a DVD, and the picture was absolutely stunning.   For a "dark" horror movie,  the sets were well lit, with lots of splashes of color and detail.  This is by no means the most clever slasher movie ever made, but it is cleverly self aware, and has some of the greatest "kills" ever put to film.  The audience laughed out loud at some of them and moaned at most the others.  Watch this one with the gang in High Definition if at all possible, it is worth the $3.99 for sure.

AN ASIDE:  WE STILL HAVE A FEW WORTHY FILMS WE DID NOT HAVE TIME TO SHOW IN OUR SHOCKTOBERFEST , (as above)  THUS WE WILL BE SHOWING THEM IN THE COMING WEEKS AND ADDING THE REVIEWS TO THIS PAGE.  YOU ARE ALL OF COURSE INVITED, CALL US FOR DATES, OR WITH SUGGESTIONS. 

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR FEEDBACK, SUGGESTIONS, AND PATIENCE, AS THIS TURNED OUT TO BE OUR BEST SHOCKTOBER YET!

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