Hocus Pocus (1993):
For those who want a cozy spooky tale of halloween and witchcraft. “Hocus Pocus” directed by Kenny Ortega falls into the genre of Comedy and Family after being released in 1993. The film follows Max Dennison and his little sister Dani as they embark on Halloween night in Salem, the town of witches. Max finds himself skeptical of the witchy tales that the town around him seems to truly believe. So when the pretty girl in his class, Allison, combats his skepticism then later crosses his path as he takes his little sister trick or treating, Max becomes determined. Taking Allison and Dani on an adventure to the house at the heart of all the legends, the last thing Max expects is to end up face to face with real witchcraft and more unsettlingly, the child killing Sanderson sisters from all the tales he found so trivial and fake. The spellbinding Halloween centered movie is the embodiment of witchy charm, humor, comfort and the Halloween spirit.
Beetlejuice (1988):
An Oldie but a goodie, Beetlejuice is an iconic horror fantasy film directed by the talented and spooky Tim Burton. Beetlejuice gained remarkable popularity after its release in 1988 following an array of musical adaptations to make their rise to broadway decades later in 2019. The iconic film follows husband and wife Barbra and Adam Maitland as they navigate their newly found ghostness after they find themselves dead, unable to leave their house, permanently stuck haunting the place they used to live in death. When an unlikable couple and their strange daughter, Lydia Deetze, played by the infamous Wynona Ryder, moves into their home they try and fail to scare the family away, only to attract something, or someone much more sinister, Beetlejuice played by Micheal Keaton. The rambunctious spirit that is Beetlejuice brings with him a whirlwind of danger and destruction that not only impacts the Maitlands but also the peculiar Lydia. This ground breaking story and its long line of media inspired by it was also revived in recent years, with a sequel entitled “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” Allowing infamous celebrities such as Wynona Rider and Micheal Keaton to revive their rolls as the beloved characters, this time with new characters that take the story in a new direction. Jenna Ortega takes up the role of Lydia Deetze daughter Astrid. Filled with star actors and Halloween cinematography, the spooky and eccentric iconic film will remain high on the charts of must watch halloween movies for many more years to come.
The Conjuring (2013):
The beginning of a film franchise that is filled with malevolent ghosts and spooky hauntings, “The Conjuring” came out in 2013 and was directed by James Wan. The film follows the Perron family as they move into an old house, with their five daughters and watch in horror as immediately things begin to go array. From the death of a family pet to disembodied clapping, this film brings out all the stops of a classic horror movie. As the Perron family grows more and more afraid and the danger in their home grows greater and greater, they decide they must call for help. Based on a true story, and created using the mold of the real people, Ed and Lorrain Warren are the returning characters of the film franchise. As the mother of the Perron family pleads with the Warrens, the demonologists, they agree to help the desperate mother as she begins to become a target for the vengeful spirit within the home. The returning characters of Ed and Lorraine Warren are based on true stories and modeled after the real life Ed and Lorraine Warren who have since passed on yet still face a multitude of controversies. Whether or not you believe in the paranormal, or the fact this is a true tale or the bones of a real story that was dramatized for the sake of film and media entertainment, “The Conjuring” is a spooky story masterpiece that builds tension high and portrays a classic scary story.
Interview with a Vampire (1994):
For lovers of Vampires and an intriguing story this campy and enigmatic film is a must watch. Recently revived in the 2022 two season series which follows a similar plot line with multifarious differences, the series and the original film are both based on the Anne Rice novel of the same name which was published in 1976. “Interview with a Vampire” follows bicentennial man Louis de Pointe du Lac played by Brad Pitt, with no family in the 18th century. Louis’ life is quickly turned upside down when Lastat de Lioncurt, a vampire played by Tom Cruz, turns him.
Louis and Lastat find themselves in a challenging and vaguely homosexual relationship, filled with resentment, disagreements and a lot of blood. Louis refuses to drink human blood, while Lastat being a far more seasoned vampire enjoys the thrill in a way that borders on statistics. That is until Louis loses control. Lastat is overjoyed by the break in Louis’ control. The film follows the toxic relationship Louis and Lastat have and the bond they form with their vampiric adopted daughter told from the perspective of Louis as he retells his life story to a young journalist. ‘Interview with a Vampire’ is filled with metaphors, symbolism and illusions. The film shows the raw intensity of the relationship Loui and Lastat have in an artistic way utilizing the biased narration that is Louis’ account to the journalist.
