Film Fest: Halloween
October always brings the urge to watch scary movies because of Halloween. This month so far I have watched The Fly (1986), The Lost Boys (1987), Hocus Pocus (1993), and Sleepy Hollow (1999). After 30 years I finally crossed The Lost Boys off my cinematic bucket list, the others I had seen before.
The Fly
1986, R, 1h 36m
Distributor – 20th Century Fox
Budget / Worldwide Box Office (in millions) – $15 / $60
IMDB – 7.5
The Fly is a horror sci-fi about a scientist (Jeff Goldblum) whose brilliant experiments take a nasty turn while sharing them with a journalist (Geena Davis). Winning the Oscar for Best Makeup, The Fly is as disgusting as it is fascinating to look at. Relatable banter between the two leads helps you invest in caring about them, the dialogue normally moves the plot along too, and while the technology may be dated now- it makes reading what is on their computer screens far easier. Goldblum shines as the eccentric scientist, having a few memorable lines, and convincingly portrays the poor guy’s decent with attention paid to both his mannerisms and speech. Watch for the house fly during the opening FBI warnings! Filmed primarily in Toronto, Ontario, and directed by David Cronenberg (who also did both The Dead Zone in 1983, horror with Christopher Walken and Dead Ringers in 1988, horror with Jeremy Irons), The Fly is loosely based on George Langelaan’s short story of the same name in 1957, (a film version was also made in 1958, also worth watching). Jeff Goldblum was previously in Transylvania 6-5000 (1985 horror comedy about tabloid reporters looking for the Frankenstein monster, which also had Geena Davis) and was next in Beyond Therapy (1987 comedy about a couple on a bizarre dinner date). Geena Davis was previously in Fletch (1985 crime comedy starring Chevy Chase) and was next in Beetlejuice (1988 fantasy comedy with Alec Baldwin). The 2 disc collector’s edition DVD comes with numerous extras such as documentaries, deleted scenes, an alternate ending, test footage, the screenplays, and more.
The Lost Boys
1987, 14A, 1h 37m
Distributor – Warner Bros.
Budget / Worldwide Box Office (in millions) – $8.5 / $32
IMDB – 7.3
The Lost Boys is a horror with comedic moments about two brothers (including Jason Patric) who move to a town that has vampires living there, (one of which is Kiefer Sutherland). The first film to have both Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, The Lost Boys breaks up the scary sharp teeth and makeup moments with a tale of brothers living with their single mother. While Patric begins to succumb to the allure of vampire life (and leather jackets), Haim tries to get to the bottom of the town’s shady secret (with the help of Feldman and comics). Using clever lighting and camera movements to augment the film’s low budget, in addition to reasonable makeup, the film delivers a decent amount of jumps and surprises. Filmed primarily in California, and directed by Joel Schumacher (who also did both St. Elmo’s Fire in 1985, drama with Rob Lowe and Cousins in 1989, rom-com with Ted Danson), and was written by Jeffrey Boam (Innerspace in 1987, adventure with Dennis Quaid), Jan Fischer and James Jeremias (who both only had the one film writing credit). Jason Patric was previously in Solarbabies (1986 adventure about a future Earth ruled by the military) and was next in The Beast (1988 war about a Soviet tank lost in an Afghan valley). Kiefer Sutherland was previously in Stand by Me (1986 drama with River Phoenix) and was next in Promised Land (1987 drama with Meg Ryan). The 2 disc special edition DVD comes with a commentary, extra scenes, documentaries, and more.
Hocus Pocus
1993, PG, 1h 36m
Distributor – Buena Vista
Budget / Worldwide Box Office (in millions) – $28 / $39
IMDB – 6.7
Hocus Pocus is a family comedy about three witches in Salem on Halloween night starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures, the film has kids in mind as an audience while dealing with usually scary concepts such as witchcraft, hangings, the devil, and child endangerment. The three leads look like they are having fun playing centuries old witches in a modern day setting, complete with potions, black cats, and broomsticks, (very much made for a Halloween viewing). Special effects, makeup, and costumes complete the fantasy, and while it was not a huge success in theatres, has built a cult following since released on home video. Filmed in both Massachusetts and California, directed by Kenny Ortega (who also did both Newsies in 1992, musical with Christian Bale and High School Musical in 2006, comedy with Zac Efron), and was written by Mick Garris (The Fly 2 in 1989, horror with Eric Stoltz) and Neil Cuthbert (Mystery Men in 1999, action comedy with Ben Stiller). Bette Midler was also in For the Boys (1991 drama comedy with James Caan) and The First Wives Club (1996 comedy with Goldie Hawn). Sarah Jessica Parker was also in Honeymoon in Vegas (1992 rom-com with Nicolas Cage) and Striking Distance (1993 action with Bruce Willis). Kathy Najimy was also in Sister Act 1 & 2 (1992 & 1993 comedies with Whoopi Goldberg).
Sleepy Hollow
1999, 18A, 1h 45m
Distributor – Paramount
Budget / Worldwide Box Office (in millions) – $100 / $206
IMDB – 7.4
Sleepy Hollow is a horror mystery about the investigation by Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) about some decapitations in a small town that declares the Headless Horseman to be the murderer. The film won the Oscar for Best Art Direction and was also nominated for Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design. It also boasted a number of talented aging actors with Michael Gambon, Richard Griffiths, Ian McDiarmid, Michael Gough, and Chrisopher Lee, (between them covering franchises such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Batman), all of which add an old American with a slightly English feeling to the film. Depp’s investigator whose then “modern” technology and odd behaviour sets him apart from the inhabitants of the small town, and is matched by the mystery, the violence, and by Christina Ricci. Filmed primarily in England, directed by Tim Burton (who also did both Mars Attacks in 1996, sci-fi comedy with Jack Nicholson and Planet of the Apes in 2001, sci-fi adventure with Mark Wahlberg), and is inspired by the short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving in 1820. Johnny Depp was also in The Astronaut’s Wife (1999 sci-fi with Charlize Theron) and The Man Who Cried (2000 romance drama again paired with Christina Ricci). Ricci was also in No Vacancy (1999 rom-com about a 21 year old drifter at a motel with an ensemble of odd characters) and Bless the Child (2000 crime horror starring Kim Basinger). The Blu-ray includes a commentary and two featurettes.
Links
The Fly
The Lost Boys
Hocus Pocus
Sleepy Hollow