Scary Movie

This film has it all! Scary Movie is a truly one of a kind watch that's also perfect for Spooky Season! The film's haunted house setting really brings back those memories of nostalgia while the plot commands your attention leading to a pretty amazing twist towards the end of the film. Huge thumbs up from me!

Before there were Haunt (2019), Hell Fest (2018), and The Houses October Built (2014), there was Scary Movie (1991). As one of the early "haunted attraction gone wrong" films, Scary Movie helps sets the scene with loving tributes to retro Halloween visuals, classic horror movies, and clever whodunnits. Director Daniel Erickson's 1986 short film Mr. Pumpkin previously glimpsed his particular brand of mischievous Halloween fun, which is now on full display throughout Scary Movie. Even Butch "Eddie Munster" Patrick is on board for this campy ride!

One thing that surprised me about Scary Movie was the genuinely twisting mystery at the heart of it. I know my plot predictions were thrown off at least once during the course of the action. I was also impressed by how little profanity and adult content were used to tell the story; there is just enough edge sprinkled across the cast of characters to make them unique, without becoming overbearingly explicit. If you're looking for an edgier film with a similar aesthetic, The Funhouse (1981) is always available to view - but I personally prefer Scary Movie for this very reason, considering how seamlessly it blends with the 1980s/1990s general audience Halloween content I grew up watching on television.

Make no mistake, this is a horror film with blood in all the right places - but one which keeps you guessing and laughing all the same. I hope more viewers come to find this hidden gem for their Halloween movie nights. While I understand that it might not necessarily be a great fit for everyone, it is sure to tickle the funny bones of viewers interested in 1980s horror, haunted attractions, and lovingly-executed independent filmmaking. The aesthetic is nostalgic, the mystery is strong, and the cast delivers for an all-around Halloween treat.

SIMILAR TO: The Funhouse (1981), Hell Fest (2018), Scream (1996), Evil Dead 2 (1987)

FURTHER VIEWING: Mr. Pumpkin (1986)

No need to explain the plot, but when I first saw this I wasn't expecting much. Probably some random 80's slasher flick, like the so many already existing with over-the-weekend written scripts that just find a way to get a bunch of teens nude and killed. But I was so wrong.

I quickly identified with the main character, Warren, a paranoid young man who strongly believes the escaped psychopath could be living in a haunted house.

This film really takes the time to let you get to know and feel for the characters unlike most other 80's films, and considering the budget was low and this is a hard find, it's worth a look if you ever get the chance.

Now, by looking at the title, you're probably thinking "Scary movie, as in the 2000 spoof to Scream? so wait, is this movie a spoof to the 1985 film, Scream: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086262/ ?" No, it's not. They are in no way remakes or sequels to those movies. This film stands out for its own reasons.

The suspense makes the movie very entertaining and almost impossible to look away from, like a roller coaster ride, you feel as if once you start, you have no other choice but to sit tight and watch it all the way through. I almost find it sad that hardly anyone will ever get the chance to see this great film, it's worked its way into my top 10.

If you ever find it, make sure to give it a chance. It's well worth it. this is one great scary movie.

Once again, Turner Classic Movies managed to dig up a real obscurity for their weekly "Underground" period - I hadn't even heard of this movie until I saw it on the TCM schedule, and with my interest of obscure cinema I had to give it a look. Unfortunately, the movie for the most part doesn't work. I will give credit to the filmmakers for taking their extremely low budget and make things look more expensive than they really were. There is even some interesting camerawork that you wouldn't expect. But this movie really needed to have its script punched up before filming started. It's endlessly padded, with almost nothing happen until towards the end, and it capped by a so-called twist that you'll probably be able to predict. The tedium could have been eliminated with a high bloody body count, but the body count is very low, and hardly any blood is seemed. What really irked me, however, was the main character of Warren. Although this nerdy wimp starts off sympathetically, his bumbling and whining eventually becomes extremely annoying. If you want some clues as to what can make a horror movie work or fail, only then should you give this a look.

This is the type of movie you can turn on and it instantly feels like Halloween. A great film to watch between Sept-Oct or anytime of the year if you are like me. Add it to your Halloween watch list! It will stay forever.