Day 2: Some horror fun with Eliot from ET, William from Almost Famous, and that creepy dude (Michael Shannon) from Boardwalk Empire

More From Reed Rothchild

Reed's Epic Halloween Extravaganza Part III: This time shit gets real (and as usual i make a lot of boner and boobie jokes...)

A good friend of mine runs a terrific film blog, Reed Rothchild's Movies and other Epic Stuff Blog.  I encourage you to check out his Halloween coverage.  You will find some great new films and probally re-discover some old classics.  Click the little bugger below to check it out. 

His first review this year is

Offspring

Overview;

Retired Lawman George Peters a survivor of Off Season is called upon to help hunt down the feral cannibals that escaped from him over a decade ago as children, and its a race against time.  The “family” decide to hunt David Halbard, his wife Amy and newborn Melissa.  To complicate matters Amy’s old friend Claire and her son Luke are up for the weekend seeking refuge in their rural home from an abusive spouse. 

“Two of them perched on the counter by the sink.  Squatting, staring at her, eyes unnaturally bright.  Their dangling arms covered in blood.

Children.

While Nancy (her daughter) lay naked on the butcher-block table.” 

 Review;

Jack Ketchum’s sequel to Off Season, Offspring deviates little from the original in format and style.  A reader of the first will immediately recognize familiar beats and be able to predict the setting of the final scenes.  Despite this Offspring is still an entrancing read.  This is due to Ketchum’s undeniable talent.  Part of his predictability comes from being unpredictable.  The simplest and most inescapable rule of a Jack Ketchum book is that there are no limits and anything, or nothing can happen.  Jack Ketchum’s style is a straight forward, never shirking narrative.  Each event in the novel is written clearly and simply.  This allows the reader to truly judge each action for him/herself. 

The novel is broken into three perspectives.  The cannibal family, the hunted and law enforcement’s response.  Ketchum creates tension from giving his readers more information than his characters.  The cannibals are fleshed out human characters that Ketchum ensures are never deserving of the readers sympathy.  Each cannibal has a distinct personality, dreams and motives.  This gives the horde of killers unique attributes and keeps the readers surprised and the simple plot from becoming dull. 

The hunted consist entirely of average sympathetic people that you either resemble or know someone who does.  One of the novels strengths is that none of the characters are overly strong and heroic, nor foolish and weak.  Readers searching for a strong bad ass maternal protagonist will find two in Amy and Claire. 

George Peters a sheriff and survivor of Off Season unofficially leads the search and rescue mission.  George knows what is going to happen and he knows how to stop it, it is only a matter of learning where he needs to go. 

In the end;

Offspring is without a doubt a retread for Ketchum over familiar territory.  While he does not add anything new to the town of Dead River, he never detracts from the original.  Those who enjoyed the original will find much of the same.  Those unfamiliar with Off Season are in for an incredibly shock.  Offspring is a worthy sequel, but never surpasses the original.

 

Extra note, a film version of Offspring was recently released that is never good, or bad and this is its flaw.  A sequel written by Jack Ketchum and directed by Lucky Mckee titled The Woman was recently completed.   

Something Wall Mart This Way Comes

From season eight of South Park comes the most frightening Halloween episode ever.  Click the image to watch...but you have been warned.

Army of Darkness

Have you missed one of my favorite films of all time…

Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead Trilogy is one of my favorite series.  The progression from balls to the walls scares of the first, through the comical Army of Darkness end of the series. (though a remake/sequel is all but a sure thing)  As the films progress the series comes to rest more and more on the shoulders (or chin) of one man…Bruce Campbell.  His portrayal of Ashley Williams has inspired comics, video games and every medium conceivable.  Starting in Evil Dead Ash he goes from average schulb to total bad ass spitting out one liners like a champ.  

Army of Darkness provides him the perfect medium for his shtick.  Picking up immediately after the events of Evil Dead 2, Ash emerges from the portal in medieval times.   With a brazen attitude Ash moves from slapstick dismemberment to slapstick dismemberment with the energy of all three stooges combined.  One of my favorite elements is that Ash’s main physical antagonists are himself.  In the film he fights himself, tiny versions of himself and the character known as Evil Ash.  This trend began in Evil Dead 2 when he battles his hand in one of the all time classic horror sequences. 

If you have not seen Army of Darkness be warned, it is a film that generally is loved or loathed, for no element is subtle.  If you are in the mood for a visually impressive horror film, with a total lack of scares you can do no better.  If I have failed to interest you in this film please click Ash below to read Scott Tobias’ impression of the film for his cult cannon series from the av club.  

There are two versions of Army of Darkness available.  The Theatrical edition and the Director’s cut or “Bootleg Edition.”  While I prefer the theatrical edition overall, there are elements of the Director’s cut I prefer.  The biggest diference between the two is the ending.  Raimi and Campbell prefer the Director’s cut ending, stating it is darker and keeps in line with the other films better.  I understand the argument but prefer the theatrical ending.  Ash still doesn’t “win” but it is better in line with the goofy nature of the film.  Which do you prefer?

Interview at Ramsey's Book Reviews

Click below to read my interview as Part of Ramsey's Second Annual Halloween Bash.  You can also enter to win a collection of prizes.

The Frightners

You may have missed...

Produced by Robert Zemeckis, Peter Jackson’s The Frightners cost 30 million dollars and made five and a half in the United States in 1996.  It is a shame no one came out to see the film.  It is a terrific medley of horror and comedy.  Michael J Fox stars as Frank Banister a supernatural conman, enlisting the help of a trio of ghosts to haunt people, only to have him arrive and save the day.  On one of these outings he sees a number in a man’s forehead, who soon dies unnaturally.  He is killed by a mysterious hooded specter.    Frank soon becomes obsessed with unraveling the mystery.

Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson’s script seems like it would be an utter mess.  It contains a well layered mystery combined with genuinely funny and scary sequences.  All of these elements work well, helping the film hold up over multiple viewings.  Michael J Fox plays the lead well, but has a strong supporting cast including Jeffery Combs, Chi McBride, John Astin, Jake Busy and R. Lee Ermey. 

Jackson’s direction is full of energy, bringing the audience from one set piece to the next.  A theatrical and Director’s cut are both available now.  I would recommend the Director’s Cut.  It is 15 minutes longer, comprised of terrific extended scenes that make the film more personal and adding a few extra gags.

The Frightners should be a considered a classic and makes a perfect Halloween movie with its combination of scares and laughs.  If you have not seen it this is the perfect time of year to.  If you have, rediscover it for yourself.