31-Day Horror Challenge Day Six: Day of the Dead(1985)

Often coined as the slowest, most boring, or most artsy film in the "Dead" series, Day of the Dead doesn't quite measure up to the previous two films but it is still great in its own right.  It has enough charm and enough gore to keep horror fans interested and the characters are awesome.  That being said, this is the last movie in the series worth watching.  You'd do well to stay far away from its sequels.

By now, you can probably tell that these films don't follow any real linear storyline.  Every movie has its own story and characters that are completely unrelated.  Day of the Dead follows a small group of soldiers hiding out in an underground military base.  A doctor among them is performing experiments on zombies and we start to see the evolutionary process in the undead.  If it sounds cool to you, it's because it is.


Day of the Dead is most definitely worth its hour and forty minute runtime.  Give it a look and if you're a die hard zombie fiend, you'll most definitely enjoy.  Thank you for reading!




____  ____  8/10 Jack O'lanterns

31-Day Horror Challenge Day Five: Dawn of the Dead(1978)

A review of Night of the Living Dead cannot be done without at least reviewing its two sequels.  Dawn of the Dead is not only the best of the series, or the best zombie film, it may very well be the best horror movie of all time.  It packs the best combination of suspense, comedy and action.  And let me make one thing clear: anyone who has the gall to say that Zack Snyder's remake of this flick is better should be drag through the streets and hanged publicly.  Now, let't get on with it!

A group of people head north by way of helicopter, looking to escape the impending zombie outbreak.  Their plans are thwarted when they realize they do not have enough fuel and they seek refuge in a shopping mall.  The premise sounds simple enough but there's plenty of gore, failed escape attempts and some awesome social commentary about consumerism.  To this day, no one has made a better zombie movie and I doubt they ever will.

George A. Romero has definitely lost his magic, but back in the day, he directed masterpieces like this.  It truly is a great moment in cinema history and great for the Halloween season.  Watch it, it's good!

 10/10 Jack O'lanterns

31-Day Horror Challenge Day Four: Night of the Living Dead(1968)

Prior to 1968, the only zombie films that existed were about voodoo zombies.  George Romero change all that with Night of the Living Dead.  A wonderfully terrifying little movie that started Romero's prolific "Dead" series.  You're not a true zombie fan if you haven't seen this one.

Siblings Johnny and Barbra go to annually visit their father's grave.  When Johnny is attacked by a strange, pale man, Barbra is forced to run for her life.  She finally stumbles across a farm house in which several other people begin to barricade themselves against a hoard of flesh hungry zombies.  The ending will both shock you and make you think.

NOTLD was definitely a recipe for success.  It spawned millions of spin-off films and started one of the greatest horror series of all time.  Try to watch this and the two films that followed, Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead, this Halloween season.  I guarantee you'll enjoy!

 ____  9/10 Jack O'lanterns

31-Day Horror Challenge Day Three: The Tingler

Ah, Vincent Price and William Castle.  What a wonderful team that brought us so many good horror films.  Let's be honest, The Tingler isn't the best film ever made but Vincent Price could have made Battlefield Earth good.  That being said, this is definitely a noteworthy piece of classic cinema.

Price plays Dr. Warren Chapin, a man who obsessively researches his theories about the causes of fear on the human body.  His worst nightmares are realized when he discovers that the cause is actually a creature that inhabits all human beings.  This brings plenty of scary, and cheesy moments.  This is definitely a fun one.

If you're a Vincent Price or William Castle fan, or if you just enjoy classic horror cinema, you should see this film.  It's quirky and silly but also frightening at times.  I, for one, had a blast.




____  ____  ____  7/10 Jack O'lanterns

31-Day Horror Challenge Day Two: Suspiria

Pretty colors, inspiring music, ballet, and... murder?  Yeah, it sounds like a crazy variety but strangely, it works wonders.  Films like Suspiria are a rare treat in the horror world and you won't see any modern films like this one.  After all, not many films can say they have the most gruesome murder scene in the history of cinema.

Suzy Bannion(Jessica Harper) travels to Germany to further her education as a ballerina.  Things start off rocky but there is seemingly nothing out of ordinary until she begins to research and people begin to disappear.  What happens in the finale will both shock and inspire you.

Some of the dialogue comes across as very odd because the script was written for very young girls but the producers ended up hiring several 20 somethings.  Regardless, Dario Argento knows exactly what he's doing.  The man is up there with the best horror directors and always will be.  For me, the Halloween season isn't the same without a viewing of Suspiria.

____   9/10 Jack O'lanterns

31-Day Horror Challenge Day One: The Brood

David Cronenberg is generally more well known for his work on 1981's The Fly and 1986's Scanners.  Sadly, I seldom hear much more than a simple "it's pretty cool" about The Brood.  I think every horror fan should put this on their list of must see movies.

Set in Canada in the 1970's, The Brood tells the story of Frank, a man trying to uncover secrets about his mentally disturbed wife's unconventional psychotherapist.  Meanwhile, a bunch of crazy mutant children seem to be savagely attacking everyone in Frank's life.  Yeah, I know, it sounds awesome.

Many questions are answered but enough is left unsaid in that Cronenberg style we all know and love.  You will be disturbed and delighted as you watch a very original and horrifying film.  Now, why are you still reading this garbage?  Go watch it!


____ ____   8/10 jack o'lanterns

31-Day Horror Challenge

This Saturday, I will be starting my 31 day horror challenge.  I will watch one(or more) films every day of October and post a review of it on here.  Stay tuned, this is going to be awesome!