Spooky Season
Saturday, October 1, 2016 at 11:30AM 
Trick or treat, trick or treat, give us something to make us shriek! When October rolls around inevitably film studios capitalise on Halloween fever to release a slate of horror movies… and often take the chance to dump them at a “critic-proof” opportunity. Let’s look what’s being carved up for us this October.
Ouija: Origin of Evil – 21 October
Prequel to the 2014 film Ouija that lots of people watched but far less people liked. This time young attractive people in the current era, have been replaced by family with creepy little girl in the 60’s, a far more in vogue horror trope of the moment. Lin Shaye is the only one appearing in both films, who was only added to the original in reshoots, and has curiously become a horror movie icon in the last few years. No reviews are out yet, but considering director Mike Flanagan’s unexpectedly sleeper hit on Netflix Hush kept horror simple but tight, it may fare better than the first.
Three more Halloween-aimed films after the jump
Boo! A Madea Halloween - 21 October (Wide)
This is the 12th Madea feature film. Say what you will about the quality, but that is staying power rarely seen in cinema. The next holiday or noun that Tyler Perry has pulled out of a hat to create a movie will feature Madea actually battling supernatural terrors. I believe it is not recommended to try and figure out the logic of the Madea Cinematic Universe.
31 – 21 October (Wide)
Rob Zombie is branching out from his usual feel good chick flicks with 31. Kidnapped carvinal workers fight for survival through sadistic games against a gag of sadistic clowns. Bring your Nan. It’s already had a limited release but is releasing wide. Reviews so far are about as gruesome as the content. There is some suspicion that the appearance of menacing clown spotted in South Carolina was an ill-though out publicity stunt for the film, but there have been no official ties.
Jack Goes Home – 14 October (Limited)
After debuting at South By Southwest, this independent horror film directed and written by actor Thomas Dekker best known for Gregg Araki’s Kaboom, and The Sarah Connor Chronicles, is getting a limited release. Starring Rory Culkin alongside Britt Robertson as the son who tends to his mother after a car accident that also killed his father, and uncovers some hidden dark family secrets. Lin Shaye is also in this film as the mother. Word is good about Culkin who carries the film whilst the reception to the film itself is mixed.
The slate doesn’t look too promising so horror fans best bet is with the relatively well received Blair Witch and Don’t Breathe which are still currently playing in cinemas.
That or…
It’s the right choice.
Reader Comments (8)
Re: "Ouija 2", the director has said in interviews that the studio basically gave him a title, a release date, a blank check, and a long leash. Could just be self-promotion, but I'm curious what'll turn out, and I do like the trailer. Flanagan's track record is encouraging, but we also just saw Wingard underwhelm in similar circumstances w/"Blair Witch".
I also like the Ouija trailer.
Yeah, the new Ouija looks a whole lot better than what was banged out a couple years ago. I have hope.
Other Halloween films that are worth watching? Trick'r Treat, which is perhaps the greatest horror anthology ever created. Paranorman, which is beautiful and family friendly. Addams Family Values, because duh. Ginger Snaps, which is perhaps the greatest werewolf film ever made. May, which is one of the best spins on the Frankenstein concept since Mary Shelley penned the novel. And you can't go wrong with the original Halloween.
TCM star of the month is Christopher Lee who is Count Dracula
I saw the OUIJA 2 trailer in front of BLAIR WITCH and it's basically a CONJURING franchise title by a different name, right?
Glenn, that's what I got from the trailer, too. It's a good formula for a horror film and fits the subject.
The trailer for "Ouija2 " is effective- has anyone watched "The Exorcist" tv series?
It's sad that October generally yields such lackluster new horror fare for us fans. Jackie goes Home looks to the be best of a clearly poor lot, but I still would go see Don't Breathe, of which I've heard positive things.