Best Halloween Movies

Happy Halloween everyone! Since today is Halloween here are some great movies to watch today. Earlier this week I posted some Halloween related movie reviews, which I will have links to below. This is not really a "Best Of" list, it is more just good movies to watch if you are like myself and just do not understand why so many people like supposed "Horror Classics". Also I have just read that there will be another Star Wars film made! And it is a official statement, and I still cannot believe that is happening. As Han Solo said "I'm out of it for a little while, everybody gets delusions of grandeur." Be sure to check back tomorrow for the Two Towers Book Vs. Movie post tomorrow. One more thing, sorry if I have not replied to comments recently, my flu has gotten worse and I have not been on the computer much. But thank you everyone for your comments and best wishes.





Psycho

Alfred Hitchcock's horror, suspense, mystery thriller, classic Psycho. Hitchcock virtually invented the "Slasher" genre with Psycho and I have yet to see a better "Horror" movie than Psycho. As I said in my review yesterday, it is suspenseful, and full of shocking plot twists. Definitely a must see if you are a classic film fan. I wonder what Hitchcock would think today of all the terrible rip-offs of his classic film. Also there is a movie coming out named "Hitchcock", which a bio-pic of him making the classic Psycho, however the trailer completely spoils the major plot twist of the movie, I would not recommend watching the trailer until after watching the movie.

Psycho (1960) Review.

Jaws

One of Steve Speilberg best, Jaws revolutionized the film making with the "Jaws Effect". Were the camera only shows some of the creature to create mystery and terror, which at the time it was considered a very scary movie. Although it loses suspense upon multiple viewings, and is much more of an adventure thriller than anything else, Jaws is still a fantastic movie that is another must see for film fans. If you have yet to see Jaws you are missing out on a classic. And how can we forget John Willaims' iconic soundtrack, which is what makes Jaws truly suspenseful.



Ghostbusters

While Ghostbusters is not in anyway a "Horror" movie, it is about capturing ghosts. Ghostbusters is just a really fun movie, easily one of the best comedies I have seen. It is packed with so many quotable lines and clever dialogue it is hard not to recommend.
Ghostbusters Review.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Invasion of the Body Snatchers, more specifically the 1978 version with Donald Sutherland. Although I have not the seen the original, this version is smart, thrilling and a little creepy. While Invasion of the Body Snatchers is not quite in the same caliber of film as the movies listed above, if you like sci-fi thrillers it is definitely recommended. Note: This is not for the younger audience, although at the time was rated "PG" it would definitely earn an "R" rating today.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) Review.

Harry Potter Saga

While it is far from anything that resembles horror, there are some Halloween type elements in the series. As a whole the Harry Potter series is one of the best. Although I was not really fan until the last four, they were awesome. The final installment "The Deathly Hallows Part 2" is one of my all-time favorite movies. Definitely check out the series if you do not have any problem with the "magic".

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's (Philosopher's) Stone Review

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Review.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Review.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Review.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Review.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Review.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Review
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Review

Do you like any of these movies? What are your favorite Halloween films? Please comment below. 

If you want to contact us or have any question please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

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Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) Review.

To continue with the Halloween countdown, here is the review for Invasion of the Body Snatchers, also be sure to check back tomorrow for my review of The Avengers DVD.
Thoughts: Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a remake of the 1956 with the same name, which is based on a book named "The Body Snatchers". I have not seen the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers and had little to no knowledge of either film prior to watching it. However, the remake is considered by many to be just as good, if not better than the original.
The basic premise is that some form of space parasite lands on earth of replaces people with emotionless clones of themselves. While I very much dislike horror films in general with the exception of Psycho and Jaws, Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a horror film in some respects. Yet it more like a combination of sci-fi, suspense, conspiracy, and horror, creating a unique and creepy hybrid. I have not seen a movie like Invasion of the Body Snatchers before, it is one of the most original sci-fi movies I have seen. While the film starts slowly it builds an eerie sense of suspense and eventually leading to a creepy final act. Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a very intelligent with a almost realistic take on an alien invasion. Also this is not a "fun" movie, it is almost depressing but it works in making the movie better.


Directed by: Philip Kaufman
Genre: Sci-Fi, Suspense, Horror, Conspiracy Thriller,
Release Date: December 20, 1978
Running Time: 115 minutes
MMPA rating: PG (would be PG-13 or R today)


The Good: Genuinely creepy, Many plot twists and turns, Suspenseful,

The Bad:

Note: Although it was rated "PG" at the time of its release, it would definitely be rated PG-13 or even R today.




Plot: The following plot summary is copied from Wikipedia.com.
The film opens out in deep space, where a race of gelatinous creatures abandon their dying world. Pushed through the universe by the solar winds, they make their way to Earth and land in San Francisco. Some fall on plant leaves, assimilating them and forming small pods with pink flowers. Elizabeth Driscoll (Brooke Adams), an employee at the San Francisco health department, is one of several people who brings a flower home. The next morning, Elizabeth's partner, Geoffrey Howell (Art Hindle), suddenly becomes distant, and she senses that something is wrong. Her colleague, health inspector Matthew Bennell (Donald Sutherland), suggests that she see his friend, psychiatrist Dr. David Kibner (Leonard Nimoy). Kibner suggests that Elizabeth wants to believe that Geoffrey has changed because she is looking for an excuse to get out of their relationship.
Meanwhile, Matthew's friend Jack Bellicec (Jeff Goldblum), a struggling writer who owns a mud bath with his wife Nancy (Veronica Cartwright), discovers a deformed body on one of the beds and calls Matthew to investigate. Noticing that the body (which has adult features but lacks distinguishing characteristics) bears a slight resemblance to Jack, Matthew breaks into Elizabeth's home and finds a nearly complete double of her in the bedroom garden. He is able to get Elizabeth to safety, but the duplicate body has disappeared by the time he returns with the police.
Matthew realizes that what is happening is extraterrestrial, not realizing that Dr. Kibner has also been changed. He calls several state and federal agencies, but they all tell him not to worry. In addition, people who had earlier claimed that their loved ones had changed seem to have been converted as well. Watch the movie to see what happens next.


Plot: 8.2/10- Although Invasion of the Body Snatchers has a slow building plot, the third act is "nail-bitingly" suspenseful. There are some unexpected plot twists thrown in to keep the audience on their toes and there are a few moments were I was actually startled to a point.

Action: N/A- While there some running and people being chased, it is not an action movie.

Acting: 7.7/10- Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Jeff Goldblum, Leonard Nimoy and Veronica Cartwright all gave good solid performances, there was no noticeably weak actor at any point.

Special effects: 8.0/10- Although Invasion of the Body Snatchers never uses anything too difficult to achieve, what is used works effectively.

Soundtrack: 7.3/10- The soundtrack an eerie feeling to the film, which added tension and a state of paranoia.

Comedy: N/A-

Would I Watch This Again: Because the movie relies on suspense and plot twists, it would not be near as effective on a second viewing, but I will definitely watch the original version of the film.

Overall: 7.9/10- Overall Invasion of the Body Snatchers is intruging, sometimes suspenseful and creepy, sci-fi thriller.

Closing comments: If you like classic sci-fi and want to see a intelligent thriller you would probably enjoy Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

Recommended for: Sci-Fi fans, Suspense fans, Horror fans, Conspiracy Thriller fans,
Warning This is Not for the Younger Audience.

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Halloween Countdown and Star Wars Update!

First let’s start with the Star Wars update. If everything goes as planned I will be making a list of the Top 25 Lightsaber Battles throughout all of Star Wars, including battles from the movies, TV shows and even a few video games.
Now on to the Halloween countdown! I am not really a fan of Halloween. While I did dress-up and go trick-or-treating when I was 13, I have never cared much for it. However, it seemed like the perfect time for Halloween time movie reviews! Horror is one of my least favorite genres, it has never appealed to me, although there are some movies that can be considered "Horror" that I do enjoy or movies with the theme of ghosts, monsters ect. And on Halloween, I make a list of good movies to watch that might just give you the chills, yet are intelligent or just fun to watch. As for the movies I will be reviewing this week and the next: Ghostbusters, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and Psycho. While I am not exactly sure when I will post the reviews for Ghostbusters and Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) it will be this week this week, I will be posting my review for Psycho Monday before Halloween. What do you think of my Halloween plans? Please comment below.

 

 

 

 

If you want to contact us or have any question please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

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