[Movie Talk] A Guide to Unconventional but Awesome Halloween Films

Written by: Paula Limbaugh

Aah, it’s that time of year again when horror movies are at their peak.  But, with so many out there what to watch can be a bit of a dilemma, so I took the liberty of compiling a list old favs that just might work for you.  Hopefully there’s a little something for everyone here.  If not please comment below and let us know your picks!

Trick or Treat

1986-98 min run time.

Directed by Charles Martin Smith.

Cast includes Marc Price, Tony Fields, Lisa Orgolini and cameos by Gene Simmons as Nuke and Ozzy Osbourne as a Reverend who hates rock music.

This is a highly entertaining cheesy horror that has Eddie (Price) able to communicate with his dead heavy metal idol Sammi (Fields) through a demo record that was cut before Eddie died.

Trick ‘r Treat

2007-82 min run time.

Directed by Michael Dougherty.

Cast includes Anna Paquin, Brian Cox, and Dylan Baker.

Reminiscent of Tales from the Crypt, this movie interweaves 5 darkly funny tales that all take place on Halloween night. Brian Cox as the serial killer principal is priceless!

All Hallows’ Eve

2013-83 min run time.

Directed by Damien Leone.

Cast includes Katie Maguire, Mike Giannelli, and Catherine A Callahan.

When a babysitter finds an old VHS tape in the kids trick or treat bag, curiosity gets the better of her and she watches it, uh oh! The tape includes three intertwining tales linked by a CREEPY clown but as she’s watching she begins hearing things within the home!  Might not be an Oscar winner, but it’s not a waste of time either!

Sam Hell

2008-115 min run time.

Directed by Michael Bayouth.

Cast includes Asa Wallander, Brian Graves and Keith Lewis.

When Sean (Graves) buys a corpse head for the haunted head he doesn’t realize it’s real. Soon it begins communicating with Sean and turns him into a killer from hell!

Haunted Hay Ride

2008-94 min run time.

Directed by Warren F Disbrow.

Cast includes Daniel Bartewicz, Jeremy Blakely and Dan Griffin.

Hate (Blakely) in on a rampage, stay out of his way or you could be NEXT!  Still wanna do that hayride??

Night of the Demons

1988-90 min run time.

Directed by Kevin Tenny.

Cast includes Cathy Podewell, Alvin Alexis, and Hal Havins.

A group of teens decide to party at an old abandoned funeral parlor on Halloween. When the dummies decide to hold a séance, all hell breaks loose, literally.  HeeHee, this is a classic 80’s horror movie!

Pumpkinhead

1988-86 min run time.

Directed by Stan Winston.

Cast includes Lance Henriksen, Jeff East and John D’Aquino.

Yeah it’s a cheesy teenage horror flick where some kids accidentally kill another kid and his Dad is out for vengeance, but it works and I liked it!

This Ed Justin poem is what inspired the movie

Keep away from Pumpkinhead,
Unless you’re tired of living.
His enemies are mostly dead,
He’s mean and unforgiving.
Laugh at him and your undone,
But in some dreadful fashion.
Vengeance he considers fun,
And plans it with a passion.
Time will not erase or blot,
A plot that he has brewing.
It’s when you think that he’s forgot,
He’ll conjure your undoing.
Bolted doors and windows barred.
Guard dogs prowling in your yard.
Won’t protect you in your bed.
Nothing will, from Pumpkinhead.

Dark Night of the Scarecrow

1981-96 min run time.

Directed by Frank De Felitta.

Cast includes Charles Durning, Robert F Lyons and Claude Earl Jones.

This was a great made for TV movie. A retarded man wrongly accused of killing a young girl, tries dressing as a scarecrow to avoid detection but alas he’s caught and murdered by the townsfolk.  Soon there is murderous scarecrow on the loose exacting revenge against the town!! This has some really creepy moments!

Hell Night

1981-101 min run time.

Directed by Tom DeSimone.

Cast includes Linda Blair, Vincent Van Patten and Peter Barton.

Great slasher flick, if you’re into blood and gore!  Four college pledges agree to spend Hell night in an old deserted mansion where an entire family was murdered 12 years ago, but one body was never found. Is there a survivor, is he still there?? Yikes!

The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane

1976-91 min run time.

Directed by Nicolas Gessner

Cast includes Jodie Foster, Martin Sheen, and Alexis Smith.

This oldie is quite the find. With a young Jodie Foster outshining her co-stars, she plays the part of Rynn a girl living with her dad in a secluded rental home or is she; dad never seems to be around when visitors stop by.  I think this sentence from the poster blurb says it all “What is her unspeakable secret?”

Clownhouse

1989-81 min run time.

Directed by Victor Salva

Cast includes Nathan Forrest Winters, Brian McHugh, and Sam Rockwell.

A classic and controversial creeper from Victor Salva about a trio of children terrorized by escaped mental patients dressed as clowns. This one takes atmospheric chills to new heights, but delivers enough in-your-face jolts to mess with the minds of the most seasoned fans.

Satan’s Little Helper

2004-96 min run time.

Directed by Jeff Lieberman

Cast includes Alexander Brickel, Katheryn Winnick, Stephen Graham, and Amanda Plummer.

Quirky and generally unorthodox, this indie film is likely to far exceed expectations. Well written and oozing charisma, it’s a slasher film of the unique ilk, and watching young Douglas befriend an ice cold killer is strangely charming.

May

2002-93 min run time.

Directed by Lucky McKee

Cast includes Angela Bettis, Jeremy Sisto, and Anna Faris.

Before Lucky McKee had struck with certified masterpieces like The Woman and All Cheerleaders Die, he delivered this wildly enjoyable psychological piece that features dedicated genre contributor Angela Bettis. It’s a treat just waiting to be unwrapped.

Okay there you have it, some great little gems for your viewing pleasure this Halloween season.  Get the popcorn popping, pull out the twizzlers, and crack open a cold one, be ready to sit back and enjoy some CHEESE with that popcorn!