Sean Kelly's Halloween Horror Fest 2006

**Sean P Kelly** · 09-30-2006, 07:51 PM

For the past few years in October, I've pulled out the horror films I have accumulated over the years and watch them in an informal festival of sorts.

I have decided to post the films I watch this year on the forum and say a small passage on the film.

Even though October technically starts tommorow, I plan to start my festival tonight with the following film:

The Blair Witch Project (1999)
This film was quite the phenomenon when it opened. Whether it's worth the hype is a matter of opinion.
Spoiler Below

For the most part, it's a film about people lost in the woods. You do not ever see anything on camera and the scary seens are limited to noises at night.

However, what makes this film memorable to me is the ending. Those final minutes of the two remaining filmmakers frantically trying to locate their missing colleague in a cabin is truly suspensful (made more disorienting by the fact that the sound is coming from only one of the two cameras). Also, then their's that final shot, which was alluded to in the beginning of the movie. By the time you realize what the shot means, it's too late and the movie's over.

Because of school, my schedule for watching the films will be irregular. Hopefully my next film will be on Tuesday. In the meantime, feel free to talk about the Blair Witch Project.

Frumie Bandy · 09-30-2006, 08:00 PM

Please have "Jack Frost the Killer Mutant Snowman" be one of your movies.

Jace Mario · 09-30-2006, 08:02 PM

Cool! Nice idea!

***CaptHayfever*** · 09-30-2006, 10:38 PM

I didn't see Blair Witch Project until over a year after it came out, so the hype was long dead, and in fact aside from a joke in Scary Movie 1, I had completely forgotten about it.

I loved it. A simple story fleshed out very strongly. It didn't actually scare me, though....which may be part of the reason why I liked it.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

**Sean P Kelly** · 10-01-2006, 12:04 PM

Well, the movie is not scary in a "jump scare" sort of way (and to be honest, those type of scares are only scary the first time).

This movie is scary in the way that you know there is something terrorizing the filmmakers, but you never see what it is (i.e. fear of the unknown)

As for other movies I'll watch. I only watch films I own, and I don't have any films about killer snowmen.

The films I have earmarked (in no real order) so far include An American Haunting, The Ring, The Grudge, The Grudge 2 (in theatres), Sleepy Hollow, House of Wax, Shaun of the Dead, Donnie Darko, and the whole festival will end with the one and only Halloween (which I plan to watch on Halloween night).

Koga · 10-01-2006, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Shaun of the Dead

YES

Chunky Kong12345 · 10-01-2006, 01:15 PM

Heh, I finally got around to watching that. It's not super scary, and about the only nasty part is when that guy gets ripped apart.

Koga · 10-01-2006, 01:19 PM

If you think Shaun of the Dead is about being scary, you completely missed the point. Although I think it's a good horror film, it's a good comedy, first and foremost.

***CaptHayfever*** · 10-01-2006, 04:45 PM

As I said, Sean, it didn't scare me. And that's part of why I liked it; I hate movies that scare me.
I was scared for the characters, though, which is good.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

**Sean P Kelly** · 10-08-2006, 08:40 AM

It took a week, but I finally got to viewing my second film last night...

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

This film literally came out of nowhere when it was released. Early in 2004 there was the Dawn of the Dead remake, then about a month later when I was hearing about this film, I thought it was some sort of joke.

That said, it is a very funny film and it ended up being one of my favourite films of 2004.

Koga · 10-08-2006, 11:58 AM

Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright also made a brilliant comedy series for British tv, together with Jessica Stevenson (who plays Yvonne in Shaun). It's called Spaced, and even though it's a tv series it's made in a similar style as Shaun, not only the way it's written, but also the way it's shot.

**Sean P Kelly** · 10-08-2006, 01:58 PM

Yeah, I heard of Spaced. Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg also have an action-comedy coming out next year called "Hot Fuzz"

***CaptHayfever*** · 10-08-2006, 10:46 PM

Spoiler Below

I actually teared up a little when Ed got bit.

Awesome flick. Loved the painfully subtle Resident Evil reference near the end (so subtle, in fact, that it might not even be intentional).

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

**Sean P Kelly** · 10-11-2006, 01:04 AM

OK, I just finished watching the third film.

House of Wax (2005)

For those who don't know, this film is a very loose remake of the 1953 Vincent Price film (i.e. they took the main plot element and made an entirely new story). It's also the fifth film released by Joel Silver and Robert Zemeckis' "Dark Castle Entertainment" production company (the sixth film, The Reaping, is set it open in March).

This is a fun film. It's not all that scary, but I found it entertaining enough.

Spoiler Below

Plus, there's a certain joy in seeing Paris Hilton get impaled in the head with a pole. Also, the climax, featuring a chase scene through the melting house, is one of the most visually spectacular sequences I've seen in a film.

I do have to say they did overload the soundtrack with rock though (there's one scene featuring a Marilyn Manson song that is really out of place).

**Sean P Kelly** · 10-13-2006, 08:03 PM

This weekend it's a double header.

First tonight on DVD:

The Grudge (2004)

Then tommorow in the theatre:

The Grudge 2 (2006)

When I saw the original, I of course compared it to the other big japanese remake of the time (before the whole remake thing became a cliche) "The Ring." My first impression was that this film was (and still is) a whole lot scarier than The Ring, but The Ring (at least the first one) had the better plot.

I have mixed feeling about the Grudge 2. I have the feeling that it will suffer from sequelitis, but I hope that it's not as severe a case as The Ring Two. We'll see, and I'll say my comments for that film in a separate topic.

Koga · 10-14-2006, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptHayfever

Spoiler Below

I actually teared up a little when Ed got bit.

Awesome flick. Loved the painfully subtle Resident Evil reference near the end (so subtle, in fact, that it might not even be intentional).

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

You mean 'Biohazard' on the trucks? That was intentional.

Spaced also has a lot of references, and for the DVD they added an homage-o-meter. Some of them are so subtle that I didn't even notice them the first time watching even though I had seen the film they're spoofing.

**Sean P Kelly** · 10-25-2006, 12:02 AM

OK, it's the home stretch. I'm going to try and watch as many films as possible in the next week.

Now for the film I watched tonight:

An American Haunting (2006)

I can definitely say that this is a very low budget film. There's no fancy computer-generated effects in this one. I say it's a pretty alright film for the mosy part, especially if you can look past the iffy explaination for the haunting in the ending.

**Sean P Kelly** · 10-27-2006, 12:10 AM

Tonight's film:

House on Haunted Hill (1999)

This was the first film to be released by Joel Silver and Robert Zemeckis' "Dark Castle Entertainment" production company. The company was originally created to concentrate on remaking the films of William Castle (who was known for including gimmicks with his film screenings). That only really lasted for two films, before they decided to try some original material.

As for the film itself, it's not a great film and I wouldn't really consider it truly scary (though there's a scene with a lot of weird messed up visuals). It's entertaining though.

**Sean P Kelly** · 10-28-2006, 04:37 PM

I'm nearing the end. Here's last night's film:

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Even though he has many dark films, this is currently Tim Burton's only true horror film. Now, it's not a true adaptation of the story and it has even become a pseudo slasher film in some ways. Still, it does have a creepy atmosphere and it's one of my favourite Tim Burton films.

With only three days until halloween, here's how the remainder of my festival will turn out:

Tonight: The Ring (the original)
Tommorow: Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (not a horror film, but still it's halloween themed)
Monday: Halloween (I'm watching this, my final film, Monday instead of Tuesday because I will not be in Tuesday night)

BrandonTragedy · 10-29-2006, 03:25 PM

SCREAM!!!

09-30-2006, 07:51 PM	#1
Sean P Kelly SMBHQ Mod Movies Mod Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Gender: Posts: 3,291 Thanks: 9 Thanked 44 Times in 34 Posts Points: 186,627.28 Bank: 87,527.80 Total Points: 274,155.08 Donate	Sean Kelly's Halloween Horror Fest 2006 For the past few years in October, I've pulled out the horror films I have accumulated over the years and watch them in an informal festival of sorts. I have decided to post the films I watch this year on the forum and say a small passage on the film. Even though October technically starts tommorow, I plan to start my festival tonight with the following film: The Blair Witch Project (1999) This film was quite the phenomenon when it opened. Whether it's worth the hype is a matter of opinion. Spoiler Below For the most part, it's a film about people lost in the woods. You do not ever see anything on camera and the scary seens are limited to noises at night. However, what makes this film memorable to me is the ending. Those final minutes of the two remaining filmmakers frantically trying to locate their missing colleague in a cabin is truly suspensful (made more disorienting by the fact that the sound is coming from only one of the two cameras). Also, then their's that final shot, which was alluded to in the beginning of the movie. By the time you realize what the shot means, it's too late and the movie's over. Because of school, my schedule for watching the films will be irregular. Hopefully my next film will be on Tuesday. In the meantime, feel free to talk about the Blair Witch Project.

10-01-2006, 12:04 PM	#5
Sean P Kelly SMBHQ Mod Movies Mod Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Gender: Posts: 3,291 Thanks: 9 Thanked 44 Times in 34 Posts Points: 186,627.28 Bank: 87,527.80 Total Points: 274,155.08 Donate	Well, the movie is not scary in a "jump scare" sort of way (and to be honest, those type of scares are only scary the first time). This movie is scary in the way that you know there is something terrorizing the filmmakers, but you never see what it is (i.e. fear of the unknown) As for other movies I'll watch. I only watch films I own, and I don't have any films about killer snowmen. The films I have earmarked (in no real order) so far include An American Haunting, The Ring, The Grudge, The Grudge 2 (in theatres), Sleepy Hollow, House of Wax, Shaun of the Dead, Donnie Darko, and the whole festival will end with the one and only Halloween (which I plan to watch on Halloween night). Last edited by Sean P Kelly; 10-04-2006 at 09:52 AM.

10-28-2006, 04:37 PM	#19
Sean P Kelly SMBHQ Mod Movies Mod Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Gender: Posts: 3,291 Thanks: 9 Thanked 44 Times in 34 Posts Points: 186,627.28 Bank: 87,527.80 Total Points: 274,155.08 Donate	I'm nearing the end. Here's last night's film: Sleepy Hollow (1999) Even though he has many dark films, this is currently Tim Burton's only true horror film. Now, it's not a true adaptation of the story and it has even become a pseudo slasher film in some ways. Still, it does have a creepy atmosphere and it's one of my favourite Tim Burton films. With only three days until halloween, here's how the remainder of my festival will turn out: Tonight: The Ring (the original) Tommorow: Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (not a horror film, but still it's halloween themed) Monday: Halloween (I'm watching this, my final film, Monday instead of Tuesday because I will not be in Tuesday night)

09-30-2006, 08:00 PM	#2
Frumie Bandy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet X Gender: Posts: 3,844 Thanks: 285 Thanked 205 Times in 136 Posts Points: 28,788.39 Bank: 38,157.99 Total Points: 66,946.38 Donate	Please have "Jack Frost the Killer Mutant Snowman" be one of your movies.

09-30-2006, 08:02 PM	#3
Jace Mario Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Australia Gender: Posts: 1,468 Thanks: 59 Thanked 19 Times in 17 Posts Blog Entries: 1 Points: 6,114.82 Bank: 14,260.93 Total Points: 20,375.75 Donate	Cool! Nice idea!

09-30-2006, 10:38 PM	#4
*CaptHayfever* Smash Supermod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 19,580 Thanks: 184 Thanked 850 Times in 536 Posts Points: 112,433.21 Bank: 1,345.79 Total Points: 113,779.01 Donate	I didn't see Blair Witch Project until over a year after it came out, so the hype was long dead, and in fact aside from a joke in Scary Movie 1, I had completely forgotten about it. I loved it. A simple story fleshed out very strongly. It didn't actually scare me, though....which may be part of the reason why I liked it. And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

10-01-2006, 01:15 PM	#7
Chunky Kong12345 WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM!? Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: ogmftwbqq Gender: Posts: 16,786 Thanks: 62 Thanked 306 Times in 222 Posts Points: 55.57 Bank: 130,262.32 Total Points: 130,317.89 Donate	Heh, I finally got around to watching that. It's not super scary, and about the only nasty part is when that guy gets ripped apart.

10-01-2006, 01:19 PM	#8
Koga Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: The Netherlands Gender: Posts: 17,093 Thanks: 104 Thanked 173 Times in 116 Posts Points: 106,317.41 Bank: 20,391.94 Total Points: 126,709.35 Donate	If you think Shaun of the Dead is about being scary, you completely missed the point. Although I think it's a good horror film, it's a good comedy, first and foremost.

10-01-2006, 04:45 PM	#9
*CaptHayfever* Smash Supermod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 19,580 Thanks: 184 Thanked 850 Times in 536 Posts Points: 112,433.21 Bank: 1,345.79 Total Points: 113,779.01 Donate	As I said, Sean, it didn't scare me. And that's part of why I liked it; I hate movies that scare me. I was scared for the characters, though, which is good. And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

10-08-2006, 08:40 AM	#10
Sean P Kelly SMBHQ Mod Movies Mod Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Gender: Posts: 3,291 Thanks: 9 Thanked 44 Times in 34 Posts Points: 186,627.28 Bank: 87,527.80 Total Points: 274,155.08 Donate	It took a week, but I finally got to viewing my second film last night... Shaun of the Dead (2004) This film literally came out of nowhere when it was released. Early in 2004 there was the Dawn of the Dead remake, then about a month later when I was hearing about this film, I thought it was some sort of joke. That said, it is a very funny film and it ended up being one of my favourite films of 2004.

10-08-2006, 11:58 AM	#11
Koga Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: The Netherlands Gender: Posts: 17,093 Thanks: 104 Thanked 173 Times in 116 Posts Points: 106,317.41 Bank: 20,391.94 Total Points: 126,709.35 Donate	Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright also made a brilliant comedy series for British tv, together with Jessica Stevenson (who plays Yvonne in Shaun). It's called Spaced, and even though it's a tv series it's made in a similar style as Shaun, not only the way it's written, but also the way it's shot.

10-08-2006, 01:58 PM	#12
Sean P Kelly SMBHQ Mod Movies Mod Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Gender: Posts: 3,291 Thanks: 9 Thanked 44 Times in 34 Posts Points: 186,627.28 Bank: 87,527.80 Total Points: 274,155.08 Donate	Yeah, I heard of Spaced. Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg also have an action-comedy coming out next year called "Hot Fuzz"

10-08-2006, 10:46 PM	#13
*CaptHayfever* Smash Supermod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 19,580 Thanks: 184 Thanked 850 Times in 536 Posts Points: 112,433.21 Bank: 1,345.79 Total Points: 113,779.01 Donate	Spoiler Below I actually teared up a little when Ed got bit. Awesome flick. Loved the painfully subtle Resident Evil reference near the end (so subtle, in fact, that it might not even be intentional). And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

10-11-2006, 01:04 AM	#14
Sean P Kelly SMBHQ Mod Movies Mod Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Gender: Posts: 3,291 Thanks: 9 Thanked 44 Times in 34 Posts Points: 186,627.28 Bank: 87,527.80 Total Points: 274,155.08 Donate	OK, I just finished watching the third film. House of Wax (2005) For those who don't know, this film is a very loose remake of the 1953 Vincent Price film (i.e. they took the main plot element and made an entirely new story). It's also the fifth film released by Joel Silver and Robert Zemeckis' "Dark Castle Entertainment" production company (the sixth film, The Reaping, is set it open in March). This is a fun film. It's not all that scary, but I found it entertaining enough. Spoiler Below Plus, there's a certain joy in seeing Paris Hilton get impaled in the head with a pole. Also, the climax, featuring a chase scene through the melting house, is one of the most visually spectacular sequences I've seen in a film. I do have to say they did overload the soundtrack with rock though (there's one scene featuring a Marilyn Manson song that is really out of place).

10-13-2006, 08:03 PM	#15
Sean P Kelly SMBHQ Mod Movies Mod Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Gender: Posts: 3,291 Thanks: 9 Thanked 44 Times in 34 Posts Points: 186,627.28 Bank: 87,527.80 Total Points: 274,155.08 Donate	This weekend it's a double header. First tonight on DVD: The Grudge (2004) Then tommorow in the theatre: The Grudge 2 (2006) When I saw the original, I of course compared it to the other big japanese remake of the time (before the whole remake thing became a cliche) "The Ring." My first impression was that this film was (and still is) a whole lot scarier than The Ring, but The Ring (at least the first one) had the better plot. I have mixed feeling about the Grudge 2. I have the feeling that it will suffer from sequelitis, but I hope that it's not as severe a case as The Ring Two. We'll see, and I'll say my comments for that film in a separate topic.

10-25-2006, 12:02 AM	#17
Sean P Kelly SMBHQ Mod Movies Mod Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Gender: Posts: 3,291 Thanks: 9 Thanked 44 Times in 34 Posts Points: 186,627.28 Bank: 87,527.80 Total Points: 274,155.08 Donate	OK, it's the home stretch. I'm going to try and watch as many films as possible in the next week. Now for the film I watched tonight: An American Haunting (2006) I can definitely say that this is a very low budget film. There's no fancy computer-generated effects in this one. I say it's a pretty alright film for the mosy part, especially if you can look past the iffy explaination for the haunting in the ending.

10-27-2006, 12:10 AM	#18
Sean P Kelly SMBHQ Mod Movies Mod Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Gender: Posts: 3,291 Thanks: 9 Thanked 44 Times in 34 Posts Points: 186,627.28 Bank: 87,527.80 Total Points: 274,155.08 Donate	Tonight's film: House on Haunted Hill (1999) This was the first film to be released by Joel Silver and Robert Zemeckis' "Dark Castle Entertainment" production company. The company was originally created to concentrate on remaking the films of William Castle (who was known for including gimmicks with his film screenings). That only really lasted for two films, before they decided to try some original material. As for the film itself, it's not a great film and I wouldn't really consider it truly scary (though there's a scene with a lot of weird messed up visuals). It's entertaining though.

10-29-2006, 03:25 PM	#20
BrandonTragedy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dirty Looks Gender: Posts: 8,040 Thanks: 212 Thanked 146 Times in 126 Posts Points: 13,635.58 Bank: 97,143.05 Total Points: 110,778.63 Donate	SCREAM!!!