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Post by GL on Jun 16, 2006 11:43:00 GMT -5
On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being the worst, 5 being the best.
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Post by GL on Jun 16, 2006 13:46:28 GMT -5
“Halloween” is, without any doubt in my mind, one of the classics of the genre and perhaps the most influential horror movie of all time.
**SPOILERS**
Young Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) has a rather bizarre family history. His younger brother Michael Myers killed his older sister on Halloween night when he was six years old and she was sixteen. He has been in the care of Dr. Samuel Loomis (Donald Pleasence) for the past 15 years, and has developed a cold, murderous personality. He escapes on the 15-year anniversary of the crime and returns to his hometown, Haddonfield, Ill. At first, he stalks Laurie, keeping his distance from her and her friends, Annie (Nancy Kyes) and Linda, (P.J. Soles) never fully showing himself. Then, that night, he strikes, killing Annie, Linda, and her boyfriend in the neighboring house. Laurie herself is babysitting in the house across the street, which unbeknownst to her is Michael's house. Finally tired of the lies that her two children are telling her, Laurie goes across the street to see if the boogeyman really is there. She finds all of her friends murdered and a madman, Michael, after her. She manages to escape and flee back to her house. Meanwhile, Dr. Loomis is valiantly trying to find Michael with the Chief of Police, Sheriff Brackett. (Charles Cyphers) Combing the streets, they are unable to find Michael. After Laurie makes it back home, she sends the two children out to get help, and run into the Sheriff and Loomis, who direct them back to Laurie, who is having a hard time trying to kill Michael, as he relentlessly tries to kill her as well. Loomis arrives at the nick of time, putting several bullets into Michael and sending him over a balcony. After checking on Laurie, he goes outside to find Michael has survived the bullets and the fall.
The Good News: Where do I start? First of all, the music. Those notes have become one of the spookiest sounds in all of horror movie history. Add those notes to any other movie, (drama, action, porno, etc.) and that movie instantly becomes creepy. Like `Jaws' and `Friday the 13th' they will forever live on in the hearts and fears of movie lovers as horrors greatest signatures. The suspense in the movie is almost as effective as the score. The way the scenes build up to a monumental moment is staggering. The beginning, for instance, is one of the most original and shocking openings ever, as a young child, apparently, selects a clown mask, then a giant butcher knife, then walks up a flight of stairs. We hear music playing, and we enter the room of some teenage girl getting dressed up for a date. She spots the person in the room and alerts him, then he convienently stabs her. We then see that whoever did that was a young boy, but the whole scene transpires without us knowing who it is, or without a word of dialogue spoken. It comes as a giant shock to those who have never seen it, as we expect that the transaction was done by a man. The film does have some fantastic action scenes, including the whole last half-hour in the house. From one scare to the next, we are treated to a series of logical and well executed scenes that build up to a nerve-wracking climax. For the time, the acting is passable, and there is no hard gore, but there are a few scenes of blood-letting. Also, Michael has a small sense of humor in this film, as in the scene where he wanders upstairs to find Annie in bed after having dispatched her boyfriend covered in a towel. Her remark is pretty funny, but Michael steals it by simply standing there, then finally moving when he knows he might be caught. The strangling over the phone has become a scene that has shown in numerous horror films since.
The Bad News: Unfortunately, like my review for `Phantasm,' this is a film of its time. The clothes, the coloring, and the conversations are very distinctly 70s. Also, ever other film in the series has had more gore than this movie, which is a disappointment for those seeking to see a ton of blood from Michael's killings. However, Carpenter was working on a small budget, so he can be forgiven.
The Final Verdict: With knock-out scene after knock-out scene, “Halloween” is recommended viewing for horror fans of all ages, audiences, and tastes. No one should miss out on the chance to see the film that has launched more than 80 sequels, imitators, and homage's. Perfect for all occasions, but best scene with the lights off at night.
Rated R: Violence, Nudity, two sex scenes, some language and mild drug use
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Post by CK on Jun 17, 2006 19:53:59 GMT -5
5/5 for me, this IS the horror movie to end all horror movies it set the standard for horror movies for years to come. No other movie has had an impact on Hollywood as much as Halloween has. It is basic learning for anyone who wants to get into horror.
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Post by GL on Jun 19, 2006 11:47:47 GMT -5
Couldn't say it any better, CK.
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HNT
Grizzled HMaM Vet
Horror in General & Everything Else Moderator[/i]
Kiss my tuchis
Posts: 6,296
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Post by HNT on Jun 19, 2006 19:37:30 GMT -5
5 from me. The quintessential slasher film. Debate will rage as to whether the modern horror film began with this or with NOTLD, but there can be no question as to the quality of this film
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Post by GL on Jun 20, 2006 10:36:43 GMT -5
I call it NotLD, but I agree, this is so good that debating it's negative points is useless.
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Kevin
Resident Republican
Zombie Reagan 2012[/i][/size]
It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time! Peanut Butter Jelly Time!
Posts: 2,508
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Post by Kevin on Jun 21, 2006 6:01:09 GMT -5
Laurie's a guy, ha! Sorry for being so critical Gl, just my OCD kicking in.
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Post by GL on Jun 21, 2006 11:30:18 GMT -5
No problem, I wasn't worried at all.
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Canetoad
The Prodigal Toad
HMaM member of the Month, July 2006
Cry Havoc! And let slip the cats of war.
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Post by Canetoad on Jun 21, 2006 17:57:32 GMT -5
5 from me also. One of the first horror movies I ever saw as a tadpole, and had to sneak in to the theatre as it was 18 plus.
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Post by GL on Jun 22, 2006 12:06:34 GMT -5
This got an 18? I don't see how. There's nothing really explicit in it, other than a couple boob shots, but nothing pornographic about them at all. With no gore, it couldn't have been for that. I don't see how this one could be 18 over there.
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Kevin
Resident Republican
Zombie Reagan 2012[/i][/size]
It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time! Peanut Butter Jelly Time!
Posts: 2,508
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Post by Kevin on Jun 22, 2006 18:29:07 GMT -5
My first and fave. Watched when I was 5, and I am still scared of him to this day! Damn I see him again.
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Post by GL on Jun 23, 2006 11:20:22 GMT -5
Come on, Kevin, stop looking in the mirror. ;D
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Conan
DWI/Evil Dead Moderator
Pennywise
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Post by Conan on Jun 28, 2006 23:40:04 GMT -5
This is my favorite Halloween movie. So far I still got to see Rob Zomibe's. This is one of if not best slasher movies of all time. Well not only is it one of the best slasher, its one of the best horror movies of all time.
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Post by GL on Jul 6, 2006 10:14:30 GMT -5
No complaints here. Could also be one of the most famous.
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Post by Jen on Aug 2, 2006 13:53:16 GMT -5
I agree, certainly one of the most influential horror films of all time, and one of the best. There aren't many slasher films as frightening as this one, that built tension as well. 5/5 from me as well. Classic.
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