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!


GERALD'S GAME

Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, this is a psychological horror film that follows a woman that gets a little kinky with her husband in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Her husband decides he wants to handcuff her to the bedpost. However, he soon suffers a heart attack, leaving his wife to fend for herself while she begins hearing voices and having strange visions.

Finally.... Someone is here to help.

This movie stands out thanks to the great acting by Carla Gugino (Watchmen, Sin City), who has to carry an entire movie about a woman handcuffed to a bed. This is also thanks to the masterful directing by Mike Flanagan, who also directed Hush and Oculus, two horror films I have praised in the past. Flanagan has definitely made me take notice with his quality of films. I will definitely keep an eye out for more from this director.


THE SACRAMENT

This found footage horror film follows two journalists who document their friend's journey to find his missing sister at Eden Parish, a utopian religious community. Of course, all is not what it seems.

"Behave and I'll let you have some punch."

It takes some time to build to it, but the climax goes all out with the protagonists in a race to escape with their lives. Part of what makes this film so effective is that it is based on the real events of the Jonestown Massacre of 1978. It is a reminder that some of the biggest monsters are just regular people like you and me.


ILL - THE RITUAL

This little gem is a foreign film entirely in Russian, but do not let that stop you from checking it out. The story revolves around two sisters. After their mother passes away from an illness, the younger sister becomes gravely ill. The older sister seeks help from a parish priest and soon finds a way to combat the illness by diving into her sister's subconscious in order to find what is really making her sick.

That thing crawling from the tree is a whole lot of NOPE.

Unfortunately, this film did not come off as very scary, but it has other strengths. In particular, the visuals are stunning. Every time the film delved into the subconscious mind, I could not pull my eyes away. It is best described as a surreal landscape that is both grotesque yet beautiful in its own way. Definitely give this one a shot. Films like this need more love.


CREEP

This is a found footage film that follows a videographer who answers a Craigslist ad for a one-day shoot in a remote town. As you can expect, the guy who ran the ad is not exactly as he appears.

Nope... Nothing creepy to see here. Just keep moving right al-*runs away*

This might not sound like the most original film, but it is very well executed. The acting is good, and the director does a great job at building tension throughout until the climax. This is worth a view for sure.


IT

Another film based on a Stephen King novel, this is a newer take on an old favorite. And I was pleasantly surprised how good this new iteration was. The story revolves around a group of kids who band together to fight a shape-shifting monster who emerges every 27 years to prey on children.

As if you needed another reason to hate clowns.

The child actors are really talented and the movie does not pull any punches when it comes to the scares. This is a genuinely frightening film with Bill Skarsgård excelling as the terrifying Pennywise. The story really pulls you in and makes you root for the children. You always feel like they are in real danger that could come at any minute. This is a must watch for horror fans.


WES CRAVEN'S NEW NIGHTMARE

After they decided to kill off Freddy, where could the studios go? They decided to go a little "meta" with this film. Actress Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors) plays herself in this film, which takes place in the "real world" where the horror franchise is still popular despite Freddy dying in the last flick. But Heather has been receiving some weird prank calls, and she soon begins experiencing some odd dreams as well. But are they really dreams?

Freddy looks decidedly more demonic, and somehow more frightening than ever.

I was really surprised with this film. There is less gore than the average Freddy movie, but it is a lot more psychological, and in some ways more frightening. It does get a little silly at times but it is done tongue-in-cheek. This film really smart, and almost feels like a cross between Candyman and a regular Nightmare movie. This film comes highly recommended. Especially if you have already watched all the other films in the series. This might just be the best Nightmare.


GET OUT

Written and directed by Jordan Peele, this film revolves around an African American man who decides it is time to go meet his white girlfriend's parents out in their secluded estate in the woods. Thankfully, his girlfriend's parents are quite accommodating. Almost too accommodating. At first, the young man thinks the parents are just overcompensating because he is black and they want to be accepting. However, say it with me now.... all is not how it seems.

When you accidentally delete a song on your playlist and can't remember which one.

This film is another standout this year with superb acting by Daniel Kaluuya (Broken Mirror) and sharp writing and directing from Peele. The film is quite funny, but still scary when it needs to be, and also quite thought-provoking. This is another must-watch for horror fans.


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

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.