With Halloween looming, preparations for the big day are in full swing. You’ve stocked up on fake blood, purged Goodwill’s costume racks for that perfect ensemble, and dig out all the orange and black decorations you could find. But after a long day of pumpkin carving there is nothing like sitting down with a bowl of candy corn and watching a spooky film to top off the night. The Fringe has gathered our favorite thriller, horror, and downright creepy movies for you to sink your fangs into.
Friday the 13th
What can I say? It’s my favorite horror franchise. Jason Vorhees, the hulking undead, machete wielding goalie from Hell is by far one of the most memorable slasher villains of all time. So popular that he had an onscreen duel to the death, which he won, with the dream master himself, Freddy Krueger. But wait a second. Jason wasn’t the killer in the original, so which Friday the 13th am I talking about? That’s easy. I’m talking about the whole bloody series. Sure, Jason’s mom was the killer in the first one and she did a bang up job but her son is the reason horror fans look forward to “Friday the 13th” the date. So why does this series mean so much to me? Simple, it’s the ultimate comeback kid. Just when you thought the series was done for, cough, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, cough, the writers found a new way for Jason to return and slaughter again. In fact, the series is so well received that it spawned a total of 12 movies, enough said. So do yourself a favor this Halloween season and watch the entire “Friday the 13th” series. Just don’t watch Part 9: Jason Goes to Hell, that one sucks hard.
-Brett Kihlmore, you can watch the original Friday the 13th’s trailer here.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Back when I did theater in high school, this was the flick of choice for almost all of our fall play cast parties. The film revolves around a young couple that gets lost while driving to see an old friend. They end up in an old castle to escape from the rain. What follows is a series of spooky, sexual, and over-the-top insanity led by a transsexual scientist played by Tim Curry.
This is not a good film. In fact, by most film standards, this film is pretty terrible. The editing is convoluted, the acting is hokey-pokey, the story is generic and unfocused, and the characters are unlikable and unfocused. I can also see how someone might get offended by the portrayal of transsexuals and the overtly sexual nature of the movie.
But gosh darn it, this is such a fun movie! The iconic music, while dated, is such a joy to listen to. And the sheer craziness and balls-to-the-wall filming style grabs you. This film doesn’t care if you love it or not, it just does its thing just like Tim Curry’s character, Dr. Frank N. Furter. You fall in love with this movie the same way you do with “The Room” or “Troll 2,” where the novelty of how bad it is charms you in a way.
If you’re going to see this film, make sure you have friends, and make sure you have a copy of the official fan participation script. The script provides the movie’s dialogue along with snarky things you can say about it over or after the characters’ dialogue. Half of the enjoyment of this film comes through making fun of it, and the script allows you to do just that. If you’re really adventurous, you can see the film every second Saturday at the Oriental Theatre. The film plays as a live “shadow-cast” known as Sensual Daydream plays out the scenes in unison. This is an especially special way of seeing the film, because moviegoers are encouraged to throw rice, toast, and toilet paper around the theater at certain points in the movie.
-Jack Fennimore, watch the trailer here.
The ABCs of Death
I know you all watch Netflix regularly, and for long periods of time. If you don’t then you’re a liar. So in the spirit of October/Halloween/Pumpkin Spice/ghosts n’ other mediocre scary stuff, get on your Netflix account now and watch “The ABC’s of Death.” The film is so disturbing, frightening, gut-busting, and button-pushing that I wholeheartedly give it a solid two thumbs up.
ABCs is comprised of 26 short films made all around the world. Each film is named a letter of the alphabet and a corresponding “scary” word. The best thing about “The ABC’s of Death,” is that you can’t get bored. There is absolutely nothing boring about this movie. There are shorts with dog fighting, fat sawing, jerk-off contests, lots of Shakespearean death, dirty farts, orgasms, and more! Don’t say I didn’t give you a fair warning.
I can’t tell you much else because I’d ruin each 5 minute short film, but it’s definitely worth a view.
Don’t eat anything before watching it though.
-Mary Jo Contino, watch the trailer here.
Beetlejuice
The leaves are changing and pumpkins are popping up all around town. You know what that means…Halloween is almost here! If you already have your costume planned for the big night out, I salute you, but what will you be watching when preparing? If lost on what to choose for your cinematic adventure I recommend Tim Burton’s 1988 film “Beetlejuice.” This comedy horror flick is based around a recently deceased couple, Adam and Barbara Maitland. Having to dwell in their home after death they begin to try and adapt to their new way of life.
This however is challenged bluntly when the Deetzes family moves in and brings their contemporary New York lifestyle along with. Defending what is theirs, Adam and Barbara turn out all the stops to drive this family mad in the hopes they’ll leave. Not reaping success, they turn to the “bio-exorcist” himself, Beetlejuice. Rotten to the core but funny enough to split your sides, he lets the Maitlands in on his views of the living and the dead. The Maitlands then turn to him to help close the deal with the Deetzes. The rest of the film embellishes on the methods they take and how it all starts to waver, while still all building up to climax of the film. So listen to Beetlejuice when he says, “It’s show time,” because it really is.
-Elizabeth Lapointe, watch the trailer here.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
1993’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is in many ways a sleeper hit. Directed by Henry Selick and produced/written by Tim Burton, the film was originally seen as “too dark and scary for kids” and developed without any hopes of gaining an audience. Today, Nightmare is considered a cult classic; with fan’s citing the film’s story, music, and eerily beautiful animation for its staying power. Jack Skellington, the “Pumpkin King” of Halloween Town, is the film’s good natured protagonist. After years of celebrating Halloween, Jack craves something to spark his creativity. He then stumbles upon a strange portal to Christmas Town. So inspired by this newfound holiday, he disastrously sets out to put on his own Christmas. All while thwarting the villainous Oogie Boogie’s evil plans to take him down.
In today’s animation climate where computer-generated graphics rule; “The Nightmare Before Christmas’s” intricately beautiful stop-motion techniques are refreshing. Details in this film are everything; from each individual stitch on Oogie Boogie’s body, to the cobblestoned streets of Halloween Town’s main square, and the glittery snow of Christmas Town. Each frame in this stop-motion piece shows tireless love and thought was put into it.
What ultimately makes this film so special is its musical score. Written by Danny Elfman (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride, and Alice in Wonderland), who also provided the singing voice for Jack, the music for the film is both humorous and melancholy. While most remember the film’s opening number “This is Halloween” as one of the standout tracks in the film, quieter tunes such as “Jack’s Lament” and “Sally’s Song” develop Nightmare’s characters in ways most live-action films do not. The film is a must see for lovers of the animated and Halloween genres, and serves as one of the rare Johnny Depp-less Tim Burton pictures.
-Mac Writt, watch the trailer here.