Your favourite blog installation is back and at no better time as it’s...Halloween! In this blog we’ll introduce you to some of our favourite Halloween movie to watch here in the Student Experience team. We have recommendations for everyone catering to all tastes from scary gore to family favourites. I don’t think we need to say much more so let’s get right into it!
If we’re going to write about all things Halloween, then it’s only fair to start with the films directed by the man who embodies the spirit of the spooky season. Tim Burton is well known for an array of Halloween movies both cartoon and ‘live action’ which is why we just have to recommend one from each! The first up is our favourite Tim Burton ‘live action’ film; ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’. This film follows the story of the talented barber Benjamin Barker who returns to London after being falsely imprisoned for the last 15
years seeking revenge. With razor in hand, Benjamin Barker is reborn under the false name of Sweeney Todd and begins killing his customers with the help of his accomplice, Mrs. Lovett who uses them to make the most renowned meat pies in London. With the cast full of fantastic names such as Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, what better way to kick start a movie night than with this film.
Prefer something of Tim Burton’s that’s more...animated? No problem! Look no further than flicking to ‘The Nightmare before Christmas’ which follows the protagonist Jack Skellington, a rather charming character from Halloween Town. After he tumbles upon Christmas Town and becomes instantly fascinated, things soon escalate with Jack kidnapping Santa Claus and trying to take over the festive holiday!
Though most movies directed by Tim Burton are the epitome of Halloween you might want something that’s more classic and family friendly. Guess what? We have that covered too! First up is one you might have seen in our last ‘Halloween movie Rundown’ which is ‘Hocus Pocus’. Of course, it had to be mentioned again because it’s a Student Experience favourite and you just can’t do Halloween without it! If you love a plot line that includes 3 spooky witches seeking revenge on a town and only a group of kids and cat standing in their way then this is the movie for you! And if you prefer something with a little more dark humour then there is an obvious candidate you must consider...’The Adams Family’. Follow the eccentric family and all its charming members try to blend into normal society such as the Adams children having to go to Summer Camp or the peculiar uncle trying to find love despite all his...quirks? It’s 100% a classic and a must watch in my opinion but then again, all these movies are a must watch in my opinion!
Next up, we have to talk about the downright scarry movies and 2021 has been full of new horror releases! Must have got a lot of inspiration from 2020 if you know what I mean. First up is ‘Halloween Kill’ the sequel to ‘Halloween’ which was released in 2018. In this film, we see Michael Myers escape once again and continue his bloodbath rampage on the town of Haddonfield as Laurie Strodes fights to inspire it’s residents to rise up against him, despite her own injuries at the time. For obvious reasons, if you haven’t watched the first film then you might want to make this recommendation into a film festival so you stay up to speed. If you are a fan of remakes then our last of the lot might just be for you! ‘Candy Man’ 2021 is the remake from the classic movie following the story of the residents who are being troubled by the new housing projects happening to their home in Chicago Cabrini-Green. In the wake of these troubles, a supernatural killer with a hook for a hand begins disrupting the projects with a string of murders. Back in the modern day, an artist starts investigating this urban myth slowly losing his own sanity whilst colliding with destiny itself.
Last but certainly not least we have the movies that, well...caused some arguments within the team. Whilst coming up with a fun list of movies for you to watch, two titles stood out and caused some quite passionate debate; Die Hard and Twilight! I personally think Twilight is an obvious film choice to watch during the spooky season. It's an American romantic horror fantasy with Vampires and Werewolves in it and they did not go OTT on that blue filter to be told otherwise. Now 'Die Hard' was the title that caused the most uproar...Things were said, tables flipped over, you get the idea. I bet the entire team a dinner of Dim Sum that 'Die Hard' should not only be considered a Christmas movie, but also one for Halloween. Now if you know the plot to the movie (and if you don't stop reading now because spoilers) you'll know of the scene where McClane has killed one of the bad guys and has stuck a christmas hat on his corpse whilst writing the words "Now I have a machine gun Ho-Ho-Ho". He then sends it back down to Hans Gruber as a sort of "warning sign". Not very cop like of him is it? More on the cusp of a deranged killer. Now pardon the pun considering we just listed this as a movie to watch but this makes me think that 'Die Hard' is less a Christmas movie and more...Nightmare before Christmas! Don't worry, it seems other people have also been arguing about this as I found another article arguing something similar. Check it out using the link below and tell us which side your on! Who doesn't love a good debate ;)
https://bookandfilmglobe.com/film/die-hard-is-a-halloween-movie/
Now that you have more than a few movie recommendations to get through for this year's spooky Halloween season, it’s time to get your popcorn popping and comfy PJ’s on for a great night with friends. Don’t forget to put it on your Instagram stories and tag us if you liked any of our movie choices!