Join us then for this massive round up of horrifying films with ghosts, trolls, aliens, psycho killers, demons, dead things, human centipedes, and a time warping transvestite!
Let's start with said transvestite as The Rocky Horror Picture Show
finally makes its way to blu-ray in a 35th anniversary blu-ray book! Okay, so it's not horror exactly, but it's a Halloween tradition and for less than $20 bucks it is a must buy. The disc is jammed with special features and despite its less than delightful packaging (the disc is in a sleeve rather than securely clicked in place) it is a great release.Special features include a gorgeous restored picture, two versions of the film (UK and US), a plethora of featurettes, deleted and alternate scenes, credits, and ending, music video, karaoke, trivia, and much more. The only thing it doesn't seem to come with is toast. Halloween is the perfect time to Time Warp again and this release takes the film to a new level with a gorgeous picture and perfect sound. I would for sure add The Rocky Horror Picture Show
to your list of Halloween activities!
Troll 2
. Yes, it is on blu-ray and yes it is just as awful as you think it is. There is a reason there is a documentary about this movie. It really is the Best Worst Movie
. But that's exactly what makes it the perfect Halloween treat. The Blu-ray set has a trailer and a DVD and that's about all you can expect in terms of special features. Who needs features anyway when you're traveling to Nilbog? This goes on the guilty pleasure list for sure and will make for a great double feature once the documentary is released. IF you want to Mysty3k your halloween party than this is the one to get.
Up next is the perfectly average Heath Ledger flick The Order
. It's a decent movie but it's a slow burn type of film. It's not the scariest on this list but it does have some creepy moments to it as well as some great performances. It's pretty light on special features. The picture and sound are nice but not as perfect as I'd like on a blu-ray.This might not be the best film for a Halloween movie night but worth a watch when you aren't looking for fun scares to have with your friends.
Next up is the direct-to-video sequel to the extremely awful Keifer Sutherland
starer Mirrors
, aptly titled Mirrors 2
. Don't expect this to surpass the original in terms of quality. Well, I guess it does surpass it because it's even worse. There is really only one reason to spend your money on this disc and that is for the original Korean film Into The Mirror which is light years better than both of these films.Nick Stahl stars in this one which leads me to wonder if he is trying to flush his career down the toilet or will just do anything he can do until he lands a role that is really worthy of his talents. Skip Mirrors 2
or you probably won't be able to look at yourself, y'know, in the mirror. See what I did there?
. This wicked fun film has everything zombie fans can ask for and will make for a great Halloween viewing. Brains, blood, gore, laughs, scares, Return of the Living Dead has it all. It is of course completely ridiculous but it's a helluva lot of fun.The Blu-ray is PACKED with features and even comes with a DVD for those who want to get the blu-ray for when they do upgrade. there are a few featurettes, trailers, Zombie subtitles, audio commentary and more.
They really did a great job with this one. Fans will be pleased for sure.
Let it be known that my favorite Halloween film is NOT Halloween
. It's the 1988 classic Night of the Demons
. This is not that film. Let it be known that in this time of unnecessary remakes, it was my dream to be able to write a Night of the Demons remake. When I heard it was in production I was saddened that I wasn't doing it, but at the same time excited. It's a perfect film for a remake. One that could only benefit from the advances in technology. Unfortunately, it doesn't hold a candle to the original. Not for a lack of trying, they do keep the spirit of the original but this one just doesn't work for me. The script is weak, the make up is uninspired but it still has its moments. The acting isn't as bad as I was expecting but the characters are entirely disposable and the story itself is pretty lame in terms of why things are happening.The Blu-ray is also light on features with commentary, a featurette, and comic-con footage. If you want some demon action for your Halloween fix, you are much better off with the original
. It is one of the best.
The fun continues with Adam Green's modern day 80's slasher Hatchet
, uncut in all it's bloody ridiculous glory. Let's get something straight. This movie is completely over the top and outrageous. But damn if it isn't fun as hell.Adam Green, in my opinion, is the future of horror. He respects the genre and crafted what is easily one of the best horror films of the year with Frozen
. Hatchet is his love letter to the slasher films of old and Victor Crowley can certainly give Jason Vorhees a run for his money.With a beautiful picture and crisp sound, this blu-ray is a no-brainer. It comes with some cool features as well but you'll probably be in for the cringe inducing, gasp causing death scenes. They are a plenty. Make sure this one is on your list!
The gross out factor is high on The Human Centipede but it doesn't live up to the hype. There aren't many scares here and the acting is atrocious (outside the lead) but it has some value as purely gross out potential.
The disc is standard in terms of features with a trailer, behind the scenes, deleted scene, commentary, casting tapes, posters, and more.
It looks good on blu-ray but not sure we need to see people attached to each other ass to mouth in high-def. Curiosity factor alone makes this one a welcome addition to any Halloween movie night but to be honest, it's not that scary and behind the first few times you get grossed out, the fun fades.
In all reality, Dieter Laser's performance is worth the price.
We're in the home stretch guys! Next up is the last remake of the bunch. The woefully disappointing, but still good, Amityville Horror
. I love haunted house movies and I loved the original
but something about the remake didn't sit well with me. I think it tries too hard.It's a bit too overproduced and doesn't have that same innocence as the first. There are some good scares and some good intense moments but as a whole, I was just underwhelmed.
The blu-ray does look good though not to mention certain aspects of the movie that I'll leave to your imagination. The sound works well here also, giving me jumps I had forgotten about. Special features wise it's a dud. Nothing too much here save for a featurette about the original murders which is a bit interesting.
This one will make a good watch on Halloween but if torn between this and something else (like the wonderful original film
) it might lose out.
There is something extremely creepy about aliens taking over our bodies or cloning us. Invasion of the Body Snatchers tells that story and it is creepy as hell. The original classic stars the awesome Donald Sutherland and despite the dated look, it holds up rather well.
It's certainly one of the scariest sci-fi films I've seen that doesn't involve acid dripping xenomorphs. It is a fun watch with some terrific acting and a great story.
It looks great on Blu-ray but in terms of special it's a little light. Featurettes, trailer, and a DVD of the movie. Still, it's worth a buy simply because it's pretty great. If you want some alien chills this weekend, Invasion of the Body Snatchers
fits the bill (pod) just perfectly.
Last, and certainly not least, is The Evil Dead
. Why not just stop reading and buy it now. It's got everything, zombies, gore, magic, Bruce Campbell's magnificent chin. It's scary, funny, shocking, and on blu-ray it's better than ever. The set is loaded with features if you are lucky enough to nab the limited edition with the bonus DVD. Otherwise, you get a commentary. The bonus dvd comes with a ton of featurettes, pictures, trailers, and much more.
Honestly, who cares about all that. It's The Evil Dead
. Who doesn't want to grab one of the best indie horror films of all time from one of the best genre directors? All of these films are available now on blu-ray and while some aren't great most will make a perfect fit for your Halloween festivities. And, as an added bonus, nearly every title is under $20.00 (Human Centipede
is $20.49) and most of them are under $15. So, pick them up and get ready for some fun scares!Happy Halloween!!
Night of the Demons (2010)
The Return of the Living Dead
The Evil Dead
The Human Centipede
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Hatchet
The Amityville Horror
The Order
Mirrors 2
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Troll 2
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