Scary Movie Night - Halloween 2020

Halloween isn’t really celebrated here in The Netherlands, but I wished it was. Because I love it and everything about this holiday. I usually have a scary movie night on Halloween, but I never really shared anything about it on my blog. This year I will. And I will do more of these in the future, whenever I have a themed movie night. My favorite kind of ‘party’ to host.
 
This year we chose three films. All horror, but three very different films. I won’t review them here, but will give you links to the reviews of the movies we viewed.
 
My scary movie night partner in crime this year was my brother Frank, who is a horror fan and has seen some of the most obscure films in the genre and is an expert when it comes to scary films.
 

The first film we watched turned out to be the most shocking and heavy one of them all: “Sinister”, starring Ethan Hawke. The film shines because of its suspense and tension build-up and had some really big, effective jump scares. I realized that my heart rate went way up when I watched “Sinister”. Check out my review HERE .
 

Number two was a rewatch and a personal favorite for both of us: “Fright Night”. The original version from 1985, with Chris Sarandon as Jerry Dandridge. This film is not so much scary, but extremely entertaining, funny with horror elements and a great 80s throwback. It was a nice change from the heavy material we saw before. Check out my review for “Fright Night” HERE .
 

We finished with a movie I had never seen, but is one of Frank’s favorite horror movies of all-time. And I think a favorite for most horror fans: “Hellraiser”. This is scary because of the gore. It’s a body horror film with pretty disturbing and bloody images. Also very eighties. You can read my review HERE .
 

I was a fun scary movie night, with some real good scares. What did you watch on Halloween?

What's in a Movie Year - 1985

Taking a look at the year 1985, picking my 10 favorite movies from that year in random order.

Back to the Future
Seventeen-year-old Marty McFly travels to the past using the time machine of the remarkable Professor Emmett Brown. There he meets his clumsy father and his charming mother. He will have to pair them up, otherwise he will never be born. The brilliant, witty script by director Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale of this classic time travel film was only approved by the Universal studio after a long hesitation. Can you imagine a world without “Back to the Future”?

The Goonies
This Steven Spielberg produced action/ adventure film for (big) children has all the ingredients to be a wild and unforgettable ride. A group of children search along the coast in their own hometown for the remains of the legendary seventeenth-century pirate One-Eyed Willie. When they discover an underground lake, they find the pirate’s ship.

Clue
Six guests are anonymously invited to a strange mansion for dinner, but after their host is killed, they must cooperate with the staff to identify the murderer as the bodies pile up. It’s a crazy and humorous whodunit, loosely based on the popular boardgame.

The Breakfast Club
Five teenagers, who are very different from each other and don’t know each other well, serve detention on Saturday in a locked room of the school. They open up to one another and discover that they have more in common than they ever suspected. This humorous film stood out because of its poignant and sharply observed situations and characters.

The Color Purple
Alice Walker’s critically acclaimed novel about the young black Celie who grows up in a cruel, unjust world in the American South at the beginning of the twentieth century, was skillfully filmed by Steven Spielberg. He gave Whoopi Goldberg her breakthrough role. The excellent acting, including Oprah Winfrey in her debut film, provide powerful and poignant scenes. Eleven Oscar nomination, none of them were wins.

The Jewel of the Nile
In “Romancing the Stone” (1984), novelist Joan engaged in a beautiful romance with adventurer Jack and has sailed around the world with him ever since. This film begins six months later, when the honeymoon is over. Joan receives an invitation from a charming and mysterious Egyptian sheikh to write his biography. Shortly after Joan leaves, Jack’s boat is attacked by unknown thugs. It’s an old-fashioned adventure movie and a guarantee for an entertaining movie night.

Cat’s Eye
A cat is the red thread in this film with three different stories by Stephen King. The first revolves around a man who enters a smoker’s rehab clinic where unconventional and somewhat shocking methods are used. In the second episode, a man makes a terrifying bet with his wife’s lover. King wrote the third story with young Drew Barrymore (a few years before “E.T.”) in mind. She plays a girl who is sure there is a strange creature behind her bedroom wall. Excellent special effects and of course very exciting.

Fright Night
Teenager Charley is convinced that their new neighbor, Jerry, is a vampire, but everyone makes fun of him. At the end of the day, he asks TV horror presenter Peter Vincent for help. When Jerry claims a victim, Charley sees himself forced to battle him. Great vampire satire with excellent effects. The legendary myth isn’t ridiculed, but it does have a different take on the theme. In 2011 it even got a remake, which was surprisingly good.

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
This third part in the original “Mad Max” trilogy is not the best (that’s the second) and also not the most violent (that’s the first), but the most beautiful looking thanks to the generous budget. Director George Miller took full advantage of it and created a film with great attention to detail the post-apocalyptic Bartertown. For people who don’t know it, this is the “Mad Max” movie with Tina Turner in it.

Out of Africa
This film screams Hollywood: it’s compelling, big, melodramatic and has great actors. Robert Redford plays the British hunter Hatton, with whom Danish writer Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep) starts a difficult extramarital relationship in Kenya. “Out of Africa” is a beautiful piece of work.

10s Movie Review - Fright Night

Director: Craig Gillespie
Genre: Horror/ Comedy
Runtime: 120 minutes
Year: 2011
Starring: Colin Farrell, Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Toni Collette, David Tennant, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Dave Franco

Description: Teenager Charlie Brewster (Anton Yelchin( suspects that his new neighbor Jerry (Colin Farrell) is a vampire.

Review: The horror movie “Fright Night” from 1985 isn’t one of the most well known movies from the 80’s. On the contrary, it’s a typical, very underrated genre film that got a cult status from a limited group of fans. Building of the tension, the atmosphere and the traditional vampire mythology make the original “Fright Night” an enjoyable film.
So there was a lot of skepticism when they decided to remake this horror classic and give it a modern twist. Thankfully the makers of “Fright Night” don’t make the same mistakes as predecessors that decided to make a modern version of a classic horror flick. The original source material has been handled well. Off course the setting and characters are spiced up a bit and are translated to the 21st century. The neighborhood this movie is set on, is well chosen. A place where many people work nights, a perfect place for a modern vampire. Director Craig Gillespie also succeeds in combining horror and humor together.
The star of the film is Colin Farrell. The flamboyant Irishman easily creates a memorable movie vampire, that can’t be compared to any other vampire. Jerry is a seemingly charming guy, but also a very self-assured killing machine. Fun fact is that Chris Sarandon, who played the role in the original, has a cameo. The British David Tenant also has a remarkable role, as horror magician Peter Vincent. Sometimes mocking, but has enough charm to not overdo it. Only the transformation from cynic to vampire slayer is a bit unbelievable. The movie also loses its tension towards the end.
Aside from some small negatives, “Fright Night” is an above average horror film. It’s not a movie you’re constantly comparing its predecessor, it has enough power to stand on its own. Finally a remake that manages to succeed and has the perfect balance between horror and comedy.

Rating: 4/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Hottest Male Characters in Horror Movies

Since it is October and it’s the month of Halloween, I decided to share with you a top 5 featuring horror movies. Well, I do it my way. I focused on the hottest male movie characters in horror movies. Here they are.

5. Seth Gecko (George Clooney in “From Dusk Till Dawn”)
Seth Gecko manages to charm you and you almost forget that he is a criminal. And although I’m not much a tattoo kind of girl, his is pretty awesome. And sexy.

4. Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale in “American Psycho”)
Patrick Bateman is exactly the kind of man I would never date: a yuppie, narcissistic and vain man. But he is attractive.

3. Curt (Chris Hemsworth in “Cabin in the Woods”)
Curt is kind of a douche, the jock of the group. But come on, it’s Chris Hemsworth who plays him. I just had to put him on the list.

2. George Lutz (Ryan Reynolds in “The Amityville Horror”)
I don’t know why George Lutz is in this film shirtless so often, but I’m not complaining. George eventually turns into a psychopath, but he still got the looks.

1. Jerry (Colin Farrell in “Fight Night”)
I’ve never liked the swoony vampires, that don’t want to kill people. I liked the bad boys. Having Jerry as your neighbor is not that bad, weren’t it for the fact that he is an evil vampire. A hot evil vampire.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Jerry (Colin Farrell in “Fright Night”), Nick Jones (Chad Michael Murray in “House of Wax”)

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 13: Fright Night

Director: Tom Holland

Genre: Horror/ Thriller/ Comedy

Runtime: 106 minutes

Year: 1985

Starring: Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, Amanda Bearse, Roddy McDowall, Stephen Geoffreys, Jonathan Stark, Dorothy Fielding, Art Evans, Stewart Stern, Nick Savage, Ernie Holmes, Heide Sorenson, Irina Irvine, Bob Corff, Pamela Brown

Description: When teenager Charley (William Ragsdale) learns that his next door neighbour Jerry (Chris Sarandon) is a vampire, no one will believe him.

Review: In the eighties horror villains like Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krueger ruled the screen with their slasher movie series “Halloween” “Friday the 13th”and “Nightmare on Elm Street”. Like character Peter Vincent says in this movie: ‘Nobody wants to see vampire killers anymore, or vampires. All they want are demented madman, running around hacking up young virgins. Thank goodness for “Fright Night”, a nostalgic vampire movie for every horror fan.

Charley’s new next door neighbor, the very charming Jerry Dandridge, has strange nightly habits. Charley is a fan of the horror show ‘Fright Night’ and soon knows Jerry is a vampire. Off course no one believes him, so he calls in the help of Peter Vincent, the presenter of ‘Fright Night’ and a former actor.

“Fright Night” never really terrifies, it’s more a mocking of the vampire genre without ridiculing it. It’s a good mix of horror and comedy, which works very well. And there is enough tension.

Chris Sarandon, who also had a cameo in the remake of “Fright Night”, is the right guy to play the vampire and has that charm to enchant his victims. Williams Ragsdale convinces as Charley and the cat and mouse game between Charley and Jerry is just a joy to watch. I also liked Roddy McDowell, who plays Peter Vincent, who uses horror clichés to win over his fear for vampires.

“Fright Night” is good horror comedy, that really entertains. The love for the vampire genre is clearly present and it’s a recommendation for every fan of the genre.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Marry, Kiss, Cliff - Round 4

Round 4: Guy Patterson (“That Thing You Do”), Ian Malcolm (“Jurassic Park”) and Jerry Dandridge (“Fright Night”)

 

Marry: Guy Patterson is husband material, very caring and loves his music. I think we would have a lot of fun going to concerts and music festivals together.

Kiss: I know he’s an evil vampire, but can’t you blame me for thinking this? Just look at him!

Cliff: I really like Ian Malcolm, but he’s a mathematician. He would drive me nuts.

Me & 3 Dave Franco Movies

Without even realizing it, I watched three movies starring Dave Franco in a short period of time. He’s never the main star, yet, but I see a bright future for this guy. Although he isn’t as good as his brother James, and he probably never will, he’s not bad to watch. So here are three movies starring Dave Franco.

 

Now You See Me

Genre: Thriller

Year: 2013

Director: Louis Leterrier

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Mark Ruffalo, Mélanie Laurent, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine

Description: An FBI agent (Mark Ruffalo) and an Interpol detective (Mélanie Laurent) track a team of illusionists who pull off bank heists during their performances and reward their audiences with the money.

Opinion: It’s visually an amazing movie, but the director doesn’t have great tricks up his sleave. It’s all very predictable and not all the characters get the attention they deserve.

Favorite character: Alma Dray (Mélanie Laurent)

Most memorable quote: “Whatever is about to follow, whatever this grand trick is, is really going to amaze. Look closely, because the closer you think you are, the less you'll actually see”. –Thaddeus Bradley-

Best scene: The opening scene, where we meet the four horsemen.

Fright Night

Genre: Horror/ Thriller/ Comedy

Year: 2011

Director: Craig Gillespie

Cast: Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, Toni Collette, Imogen Poots, David Tennant, Dave Franco, Christopher Mintz-Plasse

Description: Charlie (Anton Yelchin) suspects that his new neighbor Jerry (Colin Farrell) is a vampire.

Opinion: Definitely not bad for a remake. My brother is a huge fan of the original and was pleasantly surprised by this one. It’s a very enjoyable horror, with little touches of subtle humor in it.

Favorite character: Peter Vincent (David Tennant)

Most memorable quote: “That is a terrible vampire name. Jerry?” –Charlie Brewster-

Best scene: Jerry is asking Charlie if he has some beer for him. By this time Charlie is doubting his friend’s stories, that Jerry is a vampire. While Charlie is getting the beer out of the fridge, Jerry is standing outside. But Charlie doesn’t invite him inside, because if he is a vampire that would give him all access.

Neighbors

Genre: Comedy

Year: 2014

Director: Nicholas Stoller

Cast: Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne, Dave Franco, Christopher Mintz-Plasse

Description: Kelly and Mac (Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen) are settling down in a quiet neighborhood with their newborn child, until a fraternity moves into the house next door.

Opinion: A good comedy that managed to make me cry of laughter. Both verbal and physical humor, great comedic performances by Rogen, Byrne and Efron.

Favorite character: Mac Radner (Seth Rogen)

Most memorable quoteL “He puts his dick in your mouth while you were asleep!” –Pete- “I wasn’t asleep.” –Assjuice- Best scene: The fight between Mac and Teddy.

Favorite of the 3: “Neighbors”

Top 5 Thursday: Hottest Movie/ TV Vampires (male)

Vampires are a real hype and I never got that. But I do like a good vampire story (not the "Twilight" smuck off course). And there are a lot of famous actors who portrayed vampires in movies or on TV. Here are the sexiest male TV/ movie vampires.

5. David Boreanaz as Angel in “Angel” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
Most people loved the sight of Angel when he was just on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, so he got his own show. Although I never watched this show, Angel still deserves a place on this list.

4. Tom Cruise as Lestat in “Interview with the Vampire”
I normally prefer Brad Pitt over Tom Cruise. As an actor, as a person and because of the looks. But I think Tom is a better looking vampire than Brad. I think it’s because he’s so vicious and nasty.

3. Alex O’Loughlin as Mick St. John in “Moonlight”
What? “Moonlight”? Yeah, that other vampire show that was cancelled after just one season. Mick St. John, very memorable for me. Alex O’Loughlin is without a doubt one of the hottest men on TV right now, but “Moonlight” just didn’t get the succes it deserved.

2. Colin Farrell as Jerry Dandrige in “Fright Night” (2011)
I recently saw this remake in the cinema, in 3D. Not a big fan of Farrells acting, but together with “Phone Booth” and "In Bruges" this was one of the exceptions. And hell was Colin sexy in this one. He was simply irresitible and charming, although he was a very evil and brutal vampire.

1. Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore in “The Vampire Diaries
I stopped watching the show after one and a half season. Too much of the same and I just couldn’t understand Elena for chosing Stefan over Damon. I know, Damon is evil and a bit crazy, but that is so much more attractive than all the sweet vampires that don’t want to drink human blood. They are just sissies ; ) I like the evil ones, they have more character.

They almost made the top 5: Brad Pitt as Louis in “Interview with the Vampire” and Jason Patric as Michael Emerson in “The Lost Boys”.