The Doctor's Halloween Movie Special

Welcome to my Halloween Movie Special!

Every year in October, I enjoy spending some of my free time watching horror movies. So if you are planning on staying in for Halloween, here are some films you might want to check out.

Let's begin!


THE CONJURING 2

This is the sequel to the film that introduced us to the possessed doll Annabelle, which got its own spinoff. Like the first film, the story revolves around real-life paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren. This time they try to help a family in London who believe they are haunted by malicious spirits.

Hey, I didn't know Marilyn Manson was in this!

The film is masterfully directed by James Wan, who also directed The Conjuring, Saw, and Insidious. Wan has a way of building up tension and scaring his audience even when it is obvious something is going to happen. Basically, if James Wan is attached to direct a horror movie, I would make it a point to watch it. This is a must-see for horror fans.


THE WITCH

This gem is a period piece based in 1630 New England. The story follows a family that is plagued by witchcraft, causing a rift within the family as the members begin to blame each other.

"That'll learn 'em to bust my tomater."

This one is a slow burn, so some people may not have the patience to sit through this to get to the payoff. But if you do, you will be treated to some amazing acting and some standout cinematography. This is a thought-provoking film and well worth a shot. Writer/director Robert Eggers made an impressive debut with this one. Give it a watch.


HUSH

This is a home invasion film with the twist that the protagonist is a deaf mute. This adds an extra challenge to the heroine since she can't hear the masked man stalking her. It also shows how great the film is to be able to be so engaging with so little dialogue throughout.

"Oh, a guest? He looks nice!"

The film is directed by Mike Flanagan who also worked on Oculus, a great psychological horror film I recommended in the past. He also directed Ouija: Origin of Evil, a film I have yet to see but is getting a lot of great buzz. Mike Flanagan is clearly leaving his mark in the horror genre. Give this one a look.


HELLRAISER III: HELL ON EARTH

I am a big fan of the original Hellraiser, and the sequel was a worthy but flawed followup. This film is not quite as good those two films.

Could be worse. You could...... nah this is as bad as it gets. Enjoy eternal suffering!

This sequel sees Pinhead released on Earth to cause havoc. It's up to an investigative reporter to send Pinhead and his minions back to Hell. Unfortunately, some of the new Cenobites are a little lame.

Meet Camerahead!..... Let's just pretend he never existed.

There is a scene where Pinhead lets loose and kills a bunch of people in a bar. It is kind of cool if you like wanton destruction. But it does feel a little small-scale considering the film is called Hell on Earth. The movie should feel bigger, but never gets there.

If you really want more Pinhead, this is harmless enough. Otherwise, it's pretty skippable.


THE ABCs of DEATH

This is a horror comedy anthology that takes us through the alphabet. There are 26 tales all shown in alphabetical order including A is for Apocalypse, B is for Bigfoot, and so on and so forth. Unfortunately the quality of these shorts are very uneven. There are some truly bad shorts such as F is for Fart.

I'm not.

The film is made up of shorts from directors all over the world who were given complete creative control. Maybe too much creative control because the good is far outweighed by the tasteless and disgusting. Some shorts will leave you wondering what the director was thinking.

What am I even watching?!

If you like movies made in bad taste, maybe you will enjoy this. A lot of it is difficult to watch, and downright embarrassing at times. For most of you, I cannot recommend this. There are far better anthology films to watch.


TRICK 'r TREAT

Now this is a horror comedy anthology I can get behind. Unlike most anthologies, this film follows several characters in a little town whose lives are all intertwined. The film also introduces us to my favorite new horror mascot, Sam.

"I just want some candy..... honest!"

Written and directed by Michael Dougherty, the film excels mostly because it is the focused creative vision of one person. The stories are interwoven and play off each other in a smart manner. This is a fun film for sure. Make this a priority if you want to watch a good horror flick.


THE INVITATION

This is another slow build but it is an easier watch for most people compared to The Witch. The story follows a man who is invited to attend a dinner party by his ex-wife and her new husband. Soon, he begins to suspect that everyone in attendance is in grave danger.

"I'm not worried... I just suffer from resting suspicious face."

I won't spoil the ending, but the film gets incredibly intense once it reaches its climax. The payoff is well worth the buildup. Definitely put this on your to-do list.


HOUSEBOUND

This is a New Zealand horror comedy that revolves around a woman under house arrest at her estranged mother's house. Hilarity and spiritual hijinks ensue. One of the funnier elements in the film is Amos the security guard who is also an amateur parapsychologist.

"Let me handle this. I've read some books!"

The best thing about this film is that it somehow manages to balance the comedy and horror elements so well, which is very difficult to do. The film is tense when it needs to be, but somehow manages to make you laugh the next moment, and vice versa. It is masterfully done. This is one to watch if you want some levity with your horror.


GHOSTBUSTERS (2016)

I decided to give this one a chance since I love the original movie so much. How does it stack up? I was pleasantly surprised how entertaining this film is. The dialogue is incredibly funny at times.

I was crying from laughter at this scene.

However, as funny as it is, I couldn't help but feel this didn't have to be a Ghostbusters movie. The best comedy almost always came from scenes that had nothing to do with busting ghosts. The fight scenes near the climax were silly and, unlike the original, the film never feels scary.

Furthermore, the main villain is lame. And while the ghosts are well designed, they look too cartoony. This is partly because all the ghosts have so much bright, colorful halos surrounding their bodies.

Cool ghost design. Maybe just dial back the bright blue a little bit.

Overall, this is a highly entertaining film. It might not be as good as the original, but it is better than the sequel and worth a look if you can get past any preconceived notions. Give it a chance when you're ready.


That's it for my Halloween Movie Special. I hope you all have fun and stay safe. Happy Halloween!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - Teaser Trailer

Marvel Studios has released the first teaser trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2! Need a hug?

Fantastic trailer that has that same fun feel we remember from the first film. And who can't get behind cute little baby Groot? More of this please!

Marvel also released a new poster for the film.

Written and directed by James Gunn, the film stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, Michael Rooker, Sean Gunn, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Glenn Close, Chris Sullivan, Sylvester Stallone, and Kurt Russell.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 will arrive in US theaters on May 5, 2017.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - Official Trailer

Darth Vader returns in the new trailer for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story!

Still digging the vibe from this film as it feels so different from other Star Wars movies, but still feels like it belongs in that universe. It will be interesting to see how they use Darth Vader. I hope he gets to do more than just look menacing from behind. Either way, cannot wait to see more.

Directed by Gareth Edwards, the film stars Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, and Jonathan Aris.

The story takes place before the events of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, and follows a band of resistance fighters on a daring mission to steal the plans for the Empire's Death Star.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is scheduled to arrive in US theaters on December 16, 2016.

Wonder Woman and Justice League - SDCC Trailers

Warner Bros. has released the Comic-Con trailer for Wonder Woman!

Definitely feels different from Man of Steel and Batman v Superman, which might be a good thing. I like what I see so far. It is fun seeing Wonder Woman plow through random soldiers, but they may be a little too easy to take down. Knowing Warner Bros, they will give Wonder Woman a suitably formidable antagonist to fight. Looking forward to seeing more.

Directed by Patty Jenkins, the films stars Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen, Lucy Davis, Lisa Loven Kongsli, Florence Kasumba, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Ewen Bremner, Saïd Taghmaoui, and Elena Anaya.

Here is a synopsis:

"Diana (Gal Gadot), princess of the Amazons, was raised on a sheltered island and trained to be an unconquerable fighter. After American pilot Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) crashes on the island and tells her about a world war that is happening, Diana leaves her home to try to stop the war."


Surprisingly, Warner Bros. also released the Comic-Con trailer for Justice League!

It is exciting to finally see all these characters together on screen. Looks like Warner Bros. is changing the overall tone of their films to feel less grim. This is not a bad choice, but hopefully they also understand that it will require more than just a tonal shift to make the films work. As of now, I am cautiously optimistic.

Directed by Zack Snyder, the film stars Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, and Ray Fisher.

Here is the official synopsis:

"Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman's selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes - Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash - it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions."

Wonder Woman will arrive on July 2, 2017, while Justice League is scheduled for release on November 17, 2017.

Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and The Defenders - SDCC Teaser Trailers

Sweet Christmas! Watch the SDCC teaser trailer for Marvel's original Netflix series, Luke Cage!

Assuming the show follows the same quality as Daredevil and Jessica Jones, Luke Cage will be a must-watch for fans of the superhero genre.

Here is an official synopsis:

"After a sabotaged experiment leaves him with super strength and unbreakable skin, Luke Cage (Mike Colter) becomes a fugitive who attempts to rebuild his life in modern day Harlem, New York City. But soon he is pulled out of the shadows and must fight a battle for the heart of his city - forcing him to confront a past he had tried to bury."


Want more? Marvel also released a teaser trailer for Iron Fist!

Here is a short synopsis:

"Danny Rand (Finn Jones) returns to New York City, after being missing for years, to fight corruption with a proficiency in kung-fu and the ability to call upon the power of the Iron Fist."


But that's not all. Marvel also revealed the teaser trailer for The Defenders!

The Defenders serves as a culmination of the various Marvel Netflix shows. It features Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist as they unite to face their biggest threat yet.


Finally, Marvel also released an awesome sizzle trailer for their Netflix programs..... because apparently we are not hyped enough.

The first season of Luke Cage will debut on Netflix on September 30, 2016. The Defenders will arrive sometime in 2017. No release date was revealed for Iron Fist, but it is expected to premiere in 2017.

Doctor Strange - Official Teaser Trailer

Check out the official teaser trailer for Marvel's Doctor Strange!

That was some amazing imagery. Very exotic and otherworldly. Feels much different than anything else from Marvel, yet still feels like it fits in well. Cannot wait to see more.

Directed by Scott Derrickson, the film stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Michael Stuhlbarg, Mads Mikkelsen, and Tilda Swinton.

The story revolves around an arrogant but brilliant surgeon, Stephen Strange, who learns the mystic arts from the Ancient One after his career is destroyed by a near-fatal car accident.

Doctor Strange is set to release in US theaters on November 4, 2016.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - Official Teaser Trailer

Watch the official teaser trailer for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story!

I love this teaser trailer. The AT-ATs look amazing, and the film already looks different from the other entries in the series. It feels a little grittier and more realistic, which also makes it feel fresh. Hopefully more of the future Star Wars films follow this one's lead and take a few risks. Definitely looking forward to the next trailer.

Directed by Gareth Edwards, the film stars Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, and Jonathan Aris.

The story takes place before the events of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, and follows a band of resistance fighters on a daring mission to steal the plans for the Empire's Death Star.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is scheduled to arrive in US theaters on December 16, 2016.

Captain America: Civil War - Second Official Trailer

The new Spider-Man debuts in the latest trailer for Captain America: Civil War!

This looks great so far. We saw Black Panther take down the Winter Soldier from a speeding motorcycle, Ant-Man riding Hawkeye's arrow, and Spider-Man finally jump in to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first time!

Interestingly, Spider-Man's eyes can change size, which appears to be facilitated by mechanical shutters as evidenced by the details around the eyes in the pic above, and the sound that can be heard as the eyes change in the trailer. Very clever design reminiscent of a camera's aperture, which may have been inspired by Peter Parker's "real life" job as a photographer for the Daily Bugle.

Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), the film stars Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd, Chadwick Boseman, Jeremy Renner, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Holland, and Martin Freeman.

Here is an official synopsis:

"Captain America: Civil War finds Steve Rogers leading the newly formed team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. But after another incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability, headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers, resulting in two camps - one led by Steve Rogers and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference, and the other following Tony Stark's surprising decision to support government oversight and accountability."

Captain America: Civil War will swing into US theaters on May 6, 2016.

Ghostbusters - First Official Trailer

Watch the first official trailer for the Ghostbusters reboot. Who you gonna call?

That last line got a laugh out of me. Also, Kate McKinnon looks like she could steal the movie with her unique character. She really stands out. I like the look of the ghosts, which is similar to the old films but with an updated touch. They even had the library ghost and a Slimer cameo!

That said, I think this looks just OK so far. I would be more excited if this was a sequel with the ladies taking over for the old team. They could always open a dimensional rift and team up with Ray Stantz and Winston Zeddemore somewhere down the line. Nonetheless, what they have here looks acceptable. Hope to see more soon.

Directed by Paul Feig (Bridemaids, The Heat), the movie stars Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Chris Hemsworth, Andy Garcia, Michael K. Williams, Matt Walsh, and Neil Casey.

Ghostbusters will arrive in US theaters on July 15, 2016.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - Official Final Trailer

Watch the epic final trailer for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice!

Wow, that was the best trailer by far. Batman looked brutal in the opening fight scene. This is the trailer they should have released in the first place. I am definitely pumped to watch this now more than ever.

Directed by Zack Snyder, the film stars Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jesse Eisenberg, Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Holly Hunter, and Jason Momoa.

Here is an official synopsis:

"Fearing the actions of a god-like super hero left unchecked, Gotham City's own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis' most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it's ever known before."

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will arrive in US theaters on March 25, 2016.

Suicide Squad - Second Trailer

Watch the newest trailer for Suicide Squad! "Worst. Heroes. Ever."

This could be one of the better DC Comics films. Looks like a lot of fun and true to the roots of the original characters. See what happens when you take chances on more obscure properties?

Directed by David Ayer, the film stars Will Smith as Deadshot, Jared Leto as The Joker, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flag, Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang, Cara Delevingne as Enchantress, Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Killer Croc, Karen Fukuhara as Katana, Adam Beach as Slipknot, and Jay Hernandez as El Diablo.

Here is a short synopsis:

"It feels good to be bad... Assemble a team of the world's most dangerous, incarcerated Super Villains, provide them with the most powerful arsenal at the government's disposal, and send them off on a mission to defeat an enigmatic, insuperable entity. U.S. intelligence officer Amanda Waller has determined only a secretly convened group of disparate, despicable individuals with next to nothing to lose will do. However, once they realize they weren't picked to succeed but chosen for their patent culpability when they inevitable fail, will the Suicide Squad resolve to die trying, or decide it's every man for himself?"

Suicide Squad is scheduled to arrive in US theaters on August 5, 2016.