Posts Tagged ‘Candyman’

13 Movie Recommendations for Spooky Season This Year

Posted: July 29, 2023 in Review, Scary Stuff
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As you are no doubt aware, we’re less than a hundred days till Halloween. With that in mind, you’re probably doing all sorts of preparations for the spooky season. This obviously includes what scary movies you’ll be watching this year.

Back in 2020, I did a recommendation list of lesser known horror films that many Followers of Fear found helpful. Why I waited three years to do another one, I don’t know, but I came up with a strong list of films you crazy horror fans might enjoy adding to your queue this year.

Keep in mind, I will be focusing mostly on lesser known horror films, as the very well-known ones don’t really need a recommendation. Chances are, you’ve probably seen the well-known ones anyway. So, since we horror nuts love finding new material, let’s get on with it!

Ghostwatch (1992)

A BBC team of journalists investigate a supposedly haunted house on Halloween night, broadcasting it live to the nation. At first, things are calm and there’s even evidence that the hauntings aren’t real. However, as the special continues, supernatural events not only begin to plague the family and journalists in the house, but in the BBC studio and in the homes of viewers.

Or at least, that’s what many people thought was happening. In reality, this special was filmed beforehand and was technically a TV movie. It even listed the name of the movie series it was part of and the name of the writer at the beginning of the special. However, many who caught the special missed this notice, and, possibly because some of the BBC’s most trusted names were part of the “investigation,” believed the events portrayed were real. The thousands of ensuing complaints, plus the death of a young man with intellectual disabilities who believed his home was haunted after watching the special, led to the BBC apologizing and never airing the special again.

That being said, Ghostwatch is available on Blu-Ray and streaming, and it is a fascinating watch. Even if you weren’t around in 1992 or have no idea who these people are, it is amazing to place yourself in the shoes of the audience and see how masterfully they were led to believe that the events portrayed were real. If you can, go check it out. I placed it at the top of this list for a reason.

Hell House LLC (2015)

Portrayed as a documentary, Hell House LLC covers the case of a haunted house attraction that, on opening night in October, resulted in the deaths of numerous guests and most of the staff. As the documentary team tries to piece together what happened from newly discovered footage, they make a terrifying discovery about the site where the tragedy occurred. Namely, not everything is what it seems there.

Honestly, this film is absolutely unsettling. The news report about the tragedy at the beginning of the film gives it a sense of realism, and the numerous strange events in the building give everything this sense of encroaching evil. The scenes with the creepy clown mannequin and the last scene in Paul’s bedroom are among the scariest I’ve seen from a found footage movie in a while, and it’s not surprising that it’s built a following. Highly recommended if you want a good, creepy found footage horror film. You can stream it for free on YouTube.

Also, there are two sequels, but they’re more about explaining things than actually scaring the crap out of you, so I’m avoiding them.

Lake Mungo (2008)

Man, there are a lot of fake documentaries this year. Must be how effective they are at seeming real. Anyway, in this Australian film, a family deals with the mysterious drowning death of their daughter and what they think might be her spirit trying to contact them. I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s both a poignant story of a family dealing with grief as well as a surprising ghost story. There are moments I still play over and over when I watch this movie because they’re that good. Definitely don’t miss this one.

The Offering (2023 film)

A new addition to the growing catalog of Jewish horror, this film follows a young Jewish man and his pregnant, non-Jewish wife as they go to reconcile with the former’s heavily religious father. However, the family is being plagued by a dangerous entity, one that seeks to harm the couple’s baby. And not everyone might survive.

While somewhat uneven in scares and storytelling, it is still a tense and scary film with plenty of moments to freak you out. It’s also a very sad story about what it means to be a family and to be a parent, to grieve for loss and to take responsibility for lives other than your own. If you’re not squeamish about children and pregnant women being targeted by evil in a horror story, I highly recommend it.

Candyman (1992 and 2021)

I’m including both films here as one entry, as I think they make a great double feature if you watch them together and they just really compliment each other. Anyway, you know these films: the spirit of an African American painter who was horribly murdered by white men and became a Bloody Mary figure wreaks havoc every time someone says his name five times in the mirror.

The first film follows grad student Helen Lyle as she does research on the urban legend on the Candyman. The reboot/sequel follows a painter who discovers a variation of the legend and brings it into his art. Both lead to carnage and to the evolution of the legend. Both films are amazing pieces that have their own mood and aesthetic that are fascinating to watch. Definitely view them together if you can.

The Innkeepers (2011)

Ti West has made a name for himself as a director of horror films, and this artsy piece is definitely one not to miss. Set at the very real (and allegedly very haunted) Yankee Pedlar Inn in Torrington, Connecticut, it follows two employees running the hotel and trying to document its alleged hauntings during the hotel’s last weekend of operations.

A slow burn of a horror movie, it has some terrifying imagery and scares that make you want to rewatch the scares just to see how they do it. It also makes you want to find out more about the inn and maybe visit it yourself. Or is that just me? Well, if it is, this is a fun and creepy ghost story that you would probably enjoy as part of your horror movie marathon. Especially if you need a break from the more pee-your-pants horror films.

Terrifier (2016)

Two girls going out for fun on Halloween night come across Art the Clown, a silent, psychotic murderer with a penchant for humor in his torture.

That’s it. That’s the movie. But what a movie it is! A splatterpunk slasher that does not shy away from showing the blood and guts and gore, it’s elevated above a Saw knockoff by Art, whose enigmatic nature and almost humorous approach to life and death make him almost mesmerizing to watch. For people who aren’t into gore and violence for violence sake, I would avoid this one. But if you are at all curious, I would at least check it out. Just don’t blame me if the hacksaw scene turns you off.

Terrifier 2 (2022)

Art’s back, and he’s out for more blood. Only this time, he’s on a collision path with a high schooler who seems to have a strange, almost psychic connection to Art. And when they meet, it’ll be a battle of good vs. evil for the ages.

When this film came out, there were reports of people fainting or throwing up in the theaters during shows of Terrifier 2. Honestly, I can believe it. There are some seriously sick scenes, especially in the first half of the film. However. it’s also a fascinating story of two siblings dealing with grief and growing up, finding themselves and learning to be strong and adults in the face of pure evil. It’s a tough film to get through, but I’m honestly glad I sat down and watched it. And I hope that when Part 3 comes out, I can actually see it in theaters.

Scream VI (2023)

The latest and probably the most brutal entry in the Scream franchise takes us to New York City, where a new Ghostface killer goes after the Carpenter siblings and their friends. And you would think being in a crowded city, rather than in a small town, a college campus or on a movie set would help. But really, no matter where you are, Ghostface is going to come for you.

While I’m not a big fan of the final twist, I thought the film was well done. The action and tension are master class, and the film’s story continues to bring the mystery and guessing game we’ve come to expect from the Scream movies. I say check it out if you’re looking for a good modern slasher.

The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007)

Our final fake documentary, The Poughkeepsie Tapes presents itself as a true crime documentary of a serial killer who films his kills on VHS tapes.

And God, does this film feel real! Between not shying away from the violence and psychological terror of its subject matter, as well as its masterful use of amateur actors to play “expert witnesses,” it’s almost too easy to believe in this film. Even if you don’t, it’s one of the scariest films I’ve seen in a while. If you’re going in, good luck. You’re going to need it.

The Uninvited (1944)

Our only classic film on this list, The Uninvited follows two siblings who purchase a seaside house in England, only to find out that ghosts are haunting the house. And that these ghosts have a connection to a local girl named Stella, who is obsessed with the house.

Honestly, it’s a very fun film and has held up very well since its release. While I’m not sure modern audiences would find it spooky, there’s some great storytelling and atmosphere in the movie that makes it very entertaining to watch. If you’re looking to ease yourself or someone else into spooky season and all the horror out there, this is a good film to go with.

The Changeling (1980)

A grieving widower moves into an old house after losing his wife and daughter in a tragic accident. He soon discovers the house is haunted by a powerful entity, and this spirit won’t be held back by a little thing like death.

While some things about this film haven’t aged well, others are just as terrifying as they were in 1980. Anyone who has seen the sequences with the red ball, the séance, or the wheelchair know what I’m talking about. It gets even scarier when you find out the film was based on things the writer supposedly experienced while renting a haunted house a few years prior. Definitely worth including in your spooky season rotation.

Talk to Me (2023)

The only entry on this list that’s still in theaters, it follows several teens who play a game with an embalmed hand trapped in plaster. When you hold it like giving a handshake and say “Talk to me,” it allows you to communicate and even become briefly possessed by the dead. However, one night playing the game takes things to a scary new extreme, and these kids learn what happens when you play with fire.

I wouldn’t call it the scariest film of the year, as others have said, and I did think the second half got slightly predictable and less scary. However, it is an enjoyable horror film, with an emphasis on emotion and storytelling over gore or special effects, and an amazing cast. If you can, get your butts to the theaters and check out Talk to Me.

So, there you go, my Followers of Fear. Thirteen horror movies for your eyeballs to gorge on this spooky season. I hope you enjoy them and let me know what you think, as well as what films you think are necessary viewing this year.

Until next time, my Followers of Fear, good night, pleasant viewing, and even more pleasant nightmares.

Review: Candyman (2021 film)

Posted: August 28, 2021 in Review, Scary Stuff
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During the slasher craze of the 1980s and 1990s, Tony Todd’s Candyman was a killer who brought a gravitas, elegance and a deeper origin story to his gruesome work. It’s a shame that he only got three films (and from what I hear, I didn’t miss much not seeing the sequels), because he’s become such a beloved character. So when word got out that Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Production company was making what was basically a soft reboot, people were both curious, excited, and more than a little worried.

I saw the film last night and wanted to share my thoughts as soon as possible. But I was tired when I got home last night, so I held off until I had the energy to do so. And folks, I can tell you now that the Candyman still slays like he used to.

And yes, Tony Todd’s Candyman is in this movie. In case you were worried.

Serving as a direct sequel to the original movie (a la 2018’s Halloween), Candyman follows Anthony McCoy, a Chicago artist who hears a version of the events from the first film from his girlfriend’s brother. Interested, he heads to Cabrini-Green to learn more, and there discovers the story of the Candyman. What seems at first to be a simple urban legend turns out to be so much more. And Anthony finding the legend is more than just coincidence. It may even be considered destiny.

First off, I enjoyed the kills in this film. We mostly see the Candyman in reflections from mirrors and windows, which allows for some scary moments and some creative kills (*cough* art critic’s apartment *cough*). I also enjoyed how they re-approached the myth of the Candyman, changing it so that multiple people have taken on the mantle of Candyman so that every generation can recontextualize the myth and have a killer for the age. And the story is very well-written, balancing horror, elements of destiny and the cycle of history with social commentary (mostly race and gentrification).

Also, I love how flashbacks and storytelling is mixed between people talking, shadow puppetry, and flashbacks. It makes for some great visuals.

I did find some elements of the film predictable, however. I guessed one element of the film way early just from some slight foreshadowing, and was right! And there are some moments of info-dumping that I thought could have been done slightly better.

All told, I’m giving 2021’s Candyman a 4.4 out of 5. It’s a visceral, well-done story that brings Candyman back into the spotlight where he should be. And, if it does well, I can see this film being the launching point for numerous sequels and prequels around the new aspects of the mythology.* Grab a ticket, say his name five times in the mirror, and get ready for a bloody good time.

That’s all for now, my Followers of Fear. I’ll likely be taking a break from reviews for a couple of weeks to focus on some reflection/writing posts and my own editing. Until next time, good night and pleasant nightmares!

*And before that, I need to rewatch the original and watch the sequels. I can’t believe how many things I forgot from the first film! I need to remedy that and watch the sequels, even if they aren’t that amazing. Maybe I’ll start on that tonight.

Review: “American Horror Story: Double Feature” Season Premiere

Posted: August 26, 2021 in Review, Scary Stuff
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Ladies, gentlemen, and non-binary classy humans, American Horror Story is back, and it is back with a vengeance.

As you can see from the title, the season is divided into two stories, with the first half of the season subtitled “Red Tide.” In this story, screenwriter Harry Gardner, his pregnant wife Doris and their young daughter Alma decide to winter in Provincetown, Massachusetts so Harry can work on a pilot script and Doris can do some interior designing. However, things in Provincetown aren’t as idyllic as things on the surface. There seems to be a number of strange individuals whom the locals identify as “tweakers,” a number of dead bodies showing up, and some of the local artists appear to know more than they let on.

I have to say, this is a good start to the season. We got the first two episodes last night and the first was full of scares and frights. In the first episode, there were a number of moments where I jumped or was seriously freaked out by what I was watching. Not to mention, there’s one hell of an atmosphere in the setting and story. It’s like The Shadow Over Innsmouth with a dollop of Salem’s Lot thrown in for good measure. That second influence shows quite a bit in the “tweakers,” with their odd movements and savage, animalistic hunger.

The second episode was much more story focused, and while AHS tends to suffer when it focuses too much on storytelling, it was still pretty good here. There’s a lot of focus on the price of artistic greatness and inspiration, and the way they explore that actually would make a better anti-drug PSA than anything the DARE program came up with. There’s also this really suspenseful scene that switches between events in a dentist’s office, one of those perpetual motion swinging ball things, and something going on with the daughter Alma. It’s the kind of scene where you know things can’t go back if certain things happen, and you don’t know what will happen, but it’s thrilling to see how it plays out.

Also, can I just say Finn Wittrock as Harry Gardner does a great impression of me at the tail end of writing a novel during a late-night writing session? I saw him going to town on his laptop, typing till his fingers fell off, and I’m like, “I get it, dude. I totally get it. I’ve been there before.”

I will say, though, there was a lot of exposition, especially in the second episode. And once you figure out some things, which the show doesn’t really take the time to hide, it does take out some of the mystery and allow for more seasoned viewers to get at what could be occurring later in the season.

Still, on the whole, this is a triumphant return for the AHS franchise. On a scale of 1 to 5, I give the premiere of American Horror Story: Double Feature (or American Horror Story: Red Tide, if you want to be pedantic about it) a 4.4 out of 5. I was scared and I enjoyed seeing these characters react to these strange and terrifying circumstances and I look forward to seeing what else happens (as well as reporting my findings at the end of the season).

Just a couple of notes before I end the post.

–First, I want to let you know that the Indie Author Book Expo in Aurora, Illinois has been canceled due to COVID-19. Yeah, I’m not happy about it, either. But with numbers rising and so many people refusing to get vaccinated, what can you do? Thankfully, the Licking County Local Author Festival is still on, and another event is in the works, so they’ll still be plenty of opportunities to say hi and grab a signed book if you so desire.

–Second, thanks to the publication of The Pure World Comes on Tuesday, I’ve now been upgraded from a Supporting Member of the Horror Writers Association to an Affiliate Writer. I’m so excited to be able to share this latest milestone on this road of words and bloody bones with you and I hope you’ll continue to support me down the line.

–Third, I recently read Junji Ito’s new book, Sensors. I’m not going to give it a full review, but I will say that I was disappointed with it. On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 1.2. Definitely a waste of potential and not up to snuff with his previous work (speaking of which, has anyone hear been reading that lately?). I’d say skip it and find something else to read. Maybe The Pure World Comes?

–Finally, today I found out I won an advanced reader copy of The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward today from Tor Nightfire Books. Not the biggest deal, but it was a big deal for me. It’s a shame my TBR list keeps getting bigger and more unmanageable, but hey, sometimes that’s just how it is. Hopefully I get through all the reading sooner rather than later.

Anyway, that’s all for now, my Followers of Fear. I’ll see you soon for the review of the new Candyman movie and perhaps a short essay about something on my mind. Until next time, good night and pleasant nightmares!

Is the Slasher Genre Making a Comeback?

Posted: October 24, 2018 in Reflections, Scary Stuff
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Halloween (2018) poster

This past weekend, the new Halloween movie was released and eager horror fans, including myself, flocked to theaters to see it (see my review of the film here). At the time I’m writing this, the film has made over 103 million bucks, nearly seven times it’s original budget. This definitely counts as a financial success for the film and its producers, and it’s all but certain at this point that a sequel will be greenlit. This has many horror fans speculating on a particular question: is the slasher genre coming back, bigger and badder than ever?

Now in case you stumbled on this post by accident and have no idea what a slasher is, let me explain: slasher, also occasionally known as splatterpunk, is a sub-genre of horror that focuses on violent deaths and gore, as well as the prospect of those occurring, as the source of its terror and tension. Slashers were really big in the 1980s, but declined as the many sequels kept going for more ridiculous kills and even more ridiculous plots. There were some brief flare-ups of good slashers in the late 90s and early 2000s, with films like Scream, Urban Legend and Wes Craven’s New Nightmare and remakes of franchises like 2003’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Rob Zombie’s Halloween, but for the most part it didn’t stick. Recently, slashers have done well in television format with shows like Slasher and Scream (yes, based on the film I mentioned a sentence ago), but Halloween‘s the first in years that’s managed to satisfy this many fans, critics, and bank accounts.

Hollywood can be a very reactive sort of place: anything that’s proven to be even slightly successful will be copied over and over again by movie studios until long after audiences have lost interest. So with Halloween doing so well and sequels definitely being discussed in boardrooms, can we expect more slasher reboots and remakes on the horizon? Which ones? And is this the first of a slasher renaissance similar to their first wave of popularity in the 1980s?

Well, there are actually a few slasher movies being developed right now based on the older franchises. Child’s Play, which first introduced the character of living doll Chucky, is getting both a reboot and a TV series, and A Nightmare on Elm Street has had a new remake in development for a while now. But with the success of Halloween, there’s a chance the studios producing them will give them more attention and funding than they might’ve had without Halloween.

Please bring back Friday the 13th! Jason and I both want to see a comeback for the franchise!

And I don’t think it’s too far-fetched to say other series will be getting new films. There has been talk for years of rebooting Friday the 13th with my boy Jason Voorhees. Recently a court case regarding the original film was resolved, and basketball player-turned-actor and producer Lebron James, who is as big of a fan of the franchise as I am, has come forward saying he would like to help produce the film. And while Lebron’s still new to Hollywood, I would welcome his involvement in a new Friday the 13th film. Sometimes it takes the perspective of a fan, especially one who has more power than expressing outrage through a keyboard, to truly give a character or franchise new life.*

And after the crappy 2009 remake, almost anything would be welcome. Seriously, what was with that film? It felt like the filmmakers were making porn, then making a raunchy comedy, and then remembered to put Jason in it! By the time the final third rolled around, I was bored! I’m seriously considering destroying a copy of the film on DVD when its tenth anniversary rolls around, it’s that bad!

But not just Friday the 13th: there’s room for other franchises to get new films. I think a Hellraiser reboot would be great, as the series has devolved into cheap, direct-to-DVD sequels. A proper remake would give the series’ concept the fresh rebirth it needs. Of course, I’d love to see some new Freddy Kreuger, as there’s still so much to do with that character. And I think given our current social/political climate, a director like Jordan Peele could do something great with the character of Candyman.

But there should also be original works, not just remakes and reboots. As you’re reading this, there are plenty of filmmakers out there with fresh ideas for the slasher genre that should be given a chance. Perhaps with the success of Halloween, studios will be willing to give them a chance. Heck, maybe Jason Blum and Blumhouse, one of the companies that produced Halloween, can use this to recruit some female directors to develop some new projects.**

Perhaps we can see all these dudes, and then some, get new films.

And as for if this is the beginning of a slasher renaissance, we’ll just have to wait and see. One film doesn’t indicate a genre’s comeback. Sometimes several films don’t mean a particular genre or sub-genre is going to be the next big thing (*cough* YA dystopia and fantasy films *cough*). It’ll take several successful films, both originals as well as remakes and reboots, before we can really say if the slasher genre is back with a vengeance.

Still, I’m hopeful. I didn’t think until the trailer that anyone could bring Halloween back. Perhaps with the right writers and directors, we could see the return of the genre. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Until then though, we’ll just have to content ourselves with Halloween, the old classics, and this awesome little video (sorry, couldn’t help but post it. Enjoy).

*And if you do end up producing a new Friday the 13th film Mr. James, can I help? I love Jason too, and I’d love to see him given a film worthy of his franchise. Perhaps I can help write the script? I have ideas.

**Sorry Mr. Blum. I love your work, and I even sent a resume to your company after I graduated, but you really put your foot in your mouth with that “lack of female directors” comment. I mean really? One article found 30 female directors who can do horror! Perhaps Halloween‘s success means a chance to start fixing that fiasco and bringing them on board.