The Doctor's Halloween Movie Special

Welcome to my annual Halloween Movie Special!

Every year in October, I enjoy spending some of my free time watching horror movies and TV series. So if you are planning on staying in for Halloween (and with covid-19 still around, that may be a good idea), here are some films and TV series you might want to check out.

Let's begin!

SQUID GAME

This super popular Netflix Korean drama series features hundreds of contestants competing in children's games for a large sum of cash. But they have to stake their lives to win.

Don't play games with this guy.

This 9-episode show is popular for a reason. It features a layered story with superb acting, memorable characters, and class themes such as those found in movies like Parasite and Snowpiercer. Even the titular squid game can be dissected to represent class struggle. The story leaves enough open for a second season but I honestly feel like the show would still feel complete if that never happens. There are spoilers everywhere online so definitely make this one a priority if you somehow have not yet seen it.

MALIGNANT

A woman named Madison has terrifying visions of grisly murders, but she soon learns that these visions are all too real.

"Hello, police? I'd like to report a murder only I can see in my head.... Hello?"

Directed by one of my favorite horror directors, James Wan (Saw, The Conjuring, Insidious), Malignant is something very different from Wan's previous horror films. It feels more like an homage to B-movies with the frantic violence of a Sam Raimi film like Evil Dead, and this movie gets incredibly violent. There is a big twist that I will not spoil but once you get there, the gory action turns up several notches. The twist is ridiculous, and the movie feels like it was made as a bad movie on purpose, but somehow it still works. My only critique is that since the premise is so bizarre that Wan should have made this more of a horror comedy. It takes itself maybe a little too seriously but Wan is so good that this movie still ends up very entertaining. Give this one a chance.

MIDNIGHT MASS

This Netflix limited series takes place in an isolated town on a small island where a mysterious, charismatic priest arrives, bringing miracles and hope with him. As expected, not all is as it seems.

The priest means well but you know what they say about good intentions.

This show is the latest offering from creator/director Mike Flanagan (Oculus, Gerald's Game, Hush). While not as scary as Flanagan's The Haunting of Hill House, or as emotional as his follow-up The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass instead offers a slow burn that builds up to a horrific climax. It features strong acting and a topical, layered story showing the potential terror resulting from misplaced faith. Another great show from Mike Flanagan.

ALICE IN BORDERLAND

This Netflix series follows an aimless gamer and his friends as they are transported to a strange, empty version of Tokyo, Japan where they are forced to play sadistic games just to survive.

"Does Tokyo sound a little quiet to you guys?"

Based on the manga of the same name, Alice in Borderland is yet another show featuring games with lives on the line but it also stands out for its creativity. It kind of feels like Saw meets Squid Game. Part of the fun is the characters figuring out the rules of the games because they are not always straightforward. Another thing I enjoyed about this show is that it feels like a live acton manga with the kind of tropes and story beats you would expect, especially once the story arc reaches its climax. A second season has been confirmed and I hope they are able to keep the quality of the show up. This might be one of the better manga adaptations around so definitely check this one out.

PSYCHO GOREMAN

Two siblings inadvertently resurrect an ancient alien overlord but then force him to do their childish biddings by using a magical amulet. However, this soon draws the attention of intergalactic assassins from around the universe.

This little girl is almost as big a psycho as Psycho Goreman himself.

Directed by Steven Kostanski (The Void), this film is a campy, gory love letter to 80s horror movies. It feels like a cross between E.T. and The Toxic Avenger. It's cheesy, it's violent, it's absurd, and it's very funny at times. I also love how the film uses so many practical effects. The downside is the little girl is incredibly annoying, and some of the jokes fall flat, but overall this is an entertaining, over-the-top movie that does not take itself seriously at all. This will not be for everyone but if my description caught your attention then this may be for you.

AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

A family wakes up on Christmas Day to find their house surrounded by a mysterious substance, followed by the TV set displaying a simple message: "Stay Indoors and Await Further Instructions". As the TV begins to give orders, the situation escalates. How far will this family go to follow these orders?

Sick nose ring, bro.

This is a great sci-fi horror film reminiscent of The Twilight Zone and Black Mirror. It takes a dark satirical look at topical themes such as xenophobia and media-driven paranoia. Some of these themes may be too on the nose but that does not detract too much from the film. Give this a watch if you are a fan of science fiction style parables.

CANDYMAN (2021)

An artist looking for inspiration explores the history of the Candyman, but his sanity soon begins to unravel as he unwittingly unleashes a deluge of violence.

Be his victim.... Wait, who the hell is that?!

Directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld, and DaCosta, this reboot/sequel is a followup to the old movies but also expands on the mythos with some mixed results that I think mostly works. It is difficult to outdo the original film's slow burn and psychological terror, so they went in a different direction. For example, the racial undertones of the original film are replaced with overt racial themes. Moreover, the Candyman's motivations in the original film are more mysterious, which is part of what makes it so scary. Without giving anything away, Candyman's purpose is much clearer in this film, although the film contradicts this purpose at least once. This clearer purpose also makes this sequel less scary. Despite that, I still enjoyed this film and it has an important message to tell. Some may not like the new direction but overall the new film is a worthy sequel.

BATTLE ROYALE

In near-future Japan, the government passes the BR Act to curb rising juvenile delinquency. A class of 9th graders learns what that means when they are captured and forced to fight to the death on an island in the annual Battle Royale.

There are no winners in the Battle Royale. Only survivors.

I would be remiss if I talked about Squid Game and Alice in Borderland without also talking about their source of inspiration. Battle Royale is a highly influential film based on the novel of the same name. It has been a while since I had seen this film but it still holds up incredibly well. In fact, I think my appreciation for it has only grown over time. The interesting characters, the horrors of the situation, and the question of "What would you do?" really pull the viewer in. This is a film that has often been imitated but it is still one of the best around. Definitely give new shows like Squid Game a watch but go out of your way to watch this classic.

That's it for my annual Halloween Movie Special. Thank you for reading! I hope you all have fun this year and stay safe. Just maybe don't play any games with strangers in the subways, OK? Happy Halloween!

The Doctor's Halloween Movie Special

Welcome to my Halloween Movie Special!

Every October, I like spending some of my free time watching horror movies and sharing my thoughts on them. So if you are staying at home for Halloween, or just want a good list of horror films to watch, you might want to check out some of these movies, most of which are available on Netflix.

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. Some of the following images are gory so do not proceed if that is not your thing.

With that out of the way, let's begin!


OCULUS

Starring popular Doctor Who alumnus, Karen Gillan, Oculus stands out because it's not gory, but instead more psychological. The story centers around an odd mirror that affects the senses of those who dare get near it.

"This fruit's juice tastes a little funny."

The film has a bit of a vibe similar to The Shining, but it also has a lot of flashbacks, which serve to confuse the audience as well as the protagonists. Unfortunately, the acting is a bit uneven, with many of the main characters lacking chemistry with each other. However, Karen Gillan does a great job, although her American accent could use some work. Oculus is unique enough to warrant a look.


HELLBOUND: HELLRAISER II

If you know me, I love Hellraiser. It is a great horror film that is both gory and character driven. The sequel is not quite as good as the first, but it is still a very good film featuring even more gore than before.

Nah, he'll be alright..... It's just a flesh wound.

If you want to find out more about the Cenobites, and the realm in which they reside, this film will answer those questions. However, I feel that it takes a bit of the mystique away by actually showing us what Hell is like. Nonetheless, Hellbound is a worthy successor to the first film.


CANDYMAN

This has got to be one of the best horror movies I have ever seen. The premise is simple: a grad student investigates an urban legend called "Candyman." Saying his name five times will summon him to kill you. Sounds so basic, but it is so much more.

"I think I overdid it with the weight loss."

Yes, there is some gore in this film, but it is also very cerebral. The protagonist's life spirals out of control, and you begin to question what is real. Furthermore, the film doesn't lose steam in the final act, staying strong throughout. If you like horror films, this is one you need to watch.


GRAVE ENCOUNTERS

This was one of the weaker films I saw this year, though the premise is interesting. A crew of ghost hunters from a reality series encounter some real ghosts, which turn out to be deadly.

"Oh look, a friendly ghost. It just wants to say hi!"

The film doesn't try to fool the audience into thinking it might be real. The first act is entertaining with some comedy sprinkled in, but once the scares begin, the film is not as effective. Nonetheless, there are some great ideas here. I just wish the director stuck to the comedy a bit more because the film just isn't all that scary. If you don't like found footage type films, stay away. If you do, this is just ok to watch with some friends. Certainly watch the other films on this list first.


NIGHTBREED

This is a cult classic from Clive Barker, though it's not a typical horror film. The monsters are the "good guys," and the antagonist is a human serial killer.

I don't think that's the kind of mask that comes off.

The main problem with Nightbreed is that it is too ambitious. There is some world-building since the monsters live in an underground society called Midian, and the film has many interesting characters (the monsters in particular), but fitting them all into one film makes the pacing feel rushed. Furthermore, the final act feels like it could have gone further with the action and gore, though that could have been due to a budget issue.

Despite the flaws, there is a certain charm to the film. It is incredibly imaginative, and worth watching because it is so unique. It feels like there are many layers to the characters that inhabit this world, even if there isn't enough time to explore them all. I'd love to see more from Nightbreed in the future, although I can't help but feel the story would work a little better as a TV series.

Horror fans should give this film a shot. Funny little coincidence that the director's cut was just released on Blu-Ray/DVD earlier this week. Go get a copy!


YOU'RE NEXT

On the outside, this looks like just another home invasion movie, and the setup is pretty basic with a family reunion suddenly interrupted by men in masks. Panic and gore ensue. However, this is a smart movie that knows how to have fun.

Points for proper spelling.

Part of what makes this movie stand out is that one of the family guests just so happens to possess strong survival skills. What's so great is that she still acts realistic in how she approaches fighting back. She still seems vulnerable, as she is taking on several assailants. So despite the protagonist's training, there is still quite a bit of tension as she hides and strategically plans her actions. This is probably my second favorite on this list after Candyman, so go watch it on Netflix now!


WISHMASTER

This one gets creativity points. The antagonist is a djinn, a demon with incredible power, but can only use that power to grant other people's wishes. As a result, the djinn tries to get people to reveal what they want so he can twist their words and use their desires to kill them in creative ways.

"I think I need more moisturizer."

Unfortunately, the movie is not that strong as a whole. The acting is fairly weak, and the horror element is rather gimmicky. On the other hand, the film does have an all-star horror cast with Kane Hodder (Friday the 13th), Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm Street), and Tony Todd (Candyman). Furthermore, both the first and final acts go all out with gore and special effects, an effort I can appreciate. Overall, Wishmaster is a very flawed film, but still a fun watch.


RE-ANIMATOR

If you like gore and a little dark comedy, this is one for you. Based on a story by H.P. Lovecraft, the film revolves around a medical student (Jeffrey Combs) who concocts a serum to reanimate the dead. Of course, the serum has some nasty side effects, such as the little problem of causing the reanimated to kill indiscriminately. Well, most of the time anyway.

"Please don't eat me. I make a terrible appetizer."

Part of what makes this film stand out is how over-the-top it is. It's a fun, campy horror movie. However, there is one particular graphic scene with a severed head and a nude woman that is a bit hard to watch, but it does still fit in with the gore and nudity that is prevalent throughout. The comedy also helps make the film entertaining, such as some of Jeffrey Combs' dialogue, and visual gags that are also gory. If you don't like gore, stay away. Otherwise, this is a must-see for horror fans.


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