By Geno McGahee
Happy Halloween to everyone that celebrates this great day and I wish it to those that do not celebrate it as well. I wish it to those that even slip in religious propaganda into my kids’ trick or treat bags instead of candy. They may need it the most. I have narrowed down who’s doing it too. They’re lucky I’m not younger or I’d egg their house for that nonsense.
It’s 2016, meaning that this is the 10th year of my SCARED STIFF HALLOWEEN PICKS. It’s amazing to think that the site it still moving and that this much time has passed since its birth as a blog in 2006. So, to those that have enjoyed this site and what we do, we thank you.
The Halloween picks, for those of you that don’t know, are meant to showcase titles that you may not be familiar with. I see a lot of other sites that come up with suggestions, but they are stating the obvious. Everyone has heard of HALLOWEEN and FRIDAY THE 13TH. It’ meaningless to suggest them. I try to present something off the beaten path that I have enjoyed and I hope that you share the same feelings.
So, in no particular order or breakdown, here are some suggestions to make your Halloween that much better.
MALATESTA’S CARNIVAL OF BLOOD (1973) – Arrow Video has been digging up and putting out a lot of great horror films and this is absolutely one of them. This film reminded me a lot of CHILDREN SHOULDN’T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS with the setting of an amusement park. There is something special about a horror film taking place at an amusement park. I’m not sure why they go together so well, but it’s much like heavy metal and horror. They are right for each other. This is a great and creepy film with plenty of mystery and strangeness.
DEATH WISH CLUB (1983) – In the anthology NIGHT TRAIN TO TERROR, we were presented with three stories. Although the film was very good, the stories seemed to be incomplete and there was a reason for that. They cut up three features and squeezed them into an anthology. DEATH WISH CLUB was one of them and it might not be terrifying, but it’s incredibly entertaining. The basic premise is what the title states. A group of people gather in games where they could die. It’s absurd and hilarious with memorable characters and ridiculous situations. You have to see it to believe it.
THE NIGHTMARE NEVER ENDS (1980) – Another feature from NIGHT TRAIN TO TERROR is THE NIGHTMARE NEVER ENDS. A detective is informed that a wealthy local celebrity is actually a former Nazi, but apparently he has not aged. The detective starts to see that anyone that gets close to this guy dies, and he begins to investigate himself, which ends up with his partner burning alive. The man turns out to be the devil and it just keeps getting better and better. This is an intense film and it’s difficult to watch it cut up in the anthology. When you see it in its entirety, you realize how tremendous it is. I’m happy to see that it was released in its entirety.
WNUF HALLOWEEN SPECIAL (2013) – I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this film. The 1980s was a very special time for horror and for the world in general. This 2013 film is totally believable as a 1980’s local TV broadcast gone wrong. I don’t think this film got the appreciation it deserves, yet, but there’s still plenty of time. A local reporter investigates a haunted house live on TV and soon finds out that it might not all be fiction.
THE MUTILATOR (1984) – One of the great 80’s slashers that has flown under the radar. Great focus was paid to the kills and to the fun factor. Recently re-released on Blu-Ray from Arrow Video, THE MUTILATOR is a film that is hard not to love. The film surrounds a young boy that accidentally kills his mother with a shotgun. His father comes home and finds his dead wife and snaps, turning him into the Mutilator, a maniacal killer that may just be the fiercest slasher of all time.
DARK FLOORS (2008) – As a fan of the metal band Lordi, this film was a must see from jump. The film features the monsters of the band in their origin stories, more or less. It is similar to THE LANGOLIERS, but this film is actually good and has this dark mysterious atmosphere throughout.
THE WICKSBORO INCIDENT (2003) – A mockumentary about aliens masquerading as humans that can be detected by a man that used to work for the government. Two young filmmakers begin making a documentary about him and his work, thinking that he is delusional, start to discover that he might be legit. This is one of the best horror mockumentaries out there.
THE DARKSIDE OF MIDNIGHT (1984) – A low budget horror flick that is very inspired by the action films of the 80’s, especially the work of Charles Bronson. A serial killer is terrorizing the community, killing college girls, earns the name of “the Creeper,” leading to a cat and mouse game with some ambitious detectives. This is a great horror/action hybrid with plenty of suspense and fun.
DON’T GO IN THE HOUSE (1979) – PSYCHO-inspired horror with the great feel of the 1970’s. A social reject with mother issues begins killing women because they are evil in his eyes and the eyes of his mother, runs into some paranormal issues along with some trouble with the law. The visuals in this film are incredibly creepy. Overall, the film starts off a little goofy but it becomes unsettling as it goes on, turning into a pretty scary horror film.
LONE WOLF (1988) – One of the best werewolf films of all time, although some may disagree with that. The acting is over the top, the kills are fun, it has a bad 80’s metal band, and the fun factor is through the roof. This is something that should not be missed if you are fan of werewolf movies or if you are just looking for a good time.
FAMILY SECRET (2016) – the recut version of the 2009 film “FAMILY SECRET” is one of the few slasher films that concern the illuminati. When the grandmother of a dysfunctional family dies, she apparently returns to take them all out. Now playing for free on Amazon Prime, this is a film to check out.
SOCIOPATHIA (2015) – Mara (Tammy Jean) spends her days making props for movies. Mara begins a killing spree, turning her lovers into dolls…decomposing human dolls. Tammy Jean is so great in this role and the film has a great pace and fun atmosphere.
SECRETS OF A PSYCHOPATH (2015) – Bert I. Gordon brings the beautiful Kari Wuhrer to the screen in this amazing tale. Gordon is known for that great rat movie FOOD OF THE GODS and he proves that he still has it here with this tale about some crazies and the madhouse that they reside in. This film also features a great performance by Mark Famiglietti and has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. You owe it to Gordon to see this one. He gave us FOOD OF THE GODS!
TOXIC APOCAPLYPSE (2016) – This horror/comedy is much like SHAUN OF THE DEAD with zombie action and humor mixed throughout. The story surrounds a factory that is concealing a huge secret that is turning humanity into bloodthirsty zombies. One man and his girl have to overcome the mob of killers and zany lab workers to save the day.
SCARY TALES: LAST STOP (2015) – A horror anthology with Bigfoot, masked killers and more. Often compared to CREEPSHOW, this popular horror anthology is free on Amazon Prime and has some twists and turns mixed in with the monsters and gore. Definitely worth a watch.
Happy Halloween everyone! I hope you enjoy these selections!
