Nostalgic Halloween Movies

Happy Spooky Season Readers,

This year I think this spooky season I am feeling slightly nostalgic as I have gone hunting for Halloween films that have made me feel a little nostalgic. I am based in the UK and the films I have mentioned are available on steaming services. I also think this year I feel more horror comedies, and nothing is too scary and slight spoiler I count Final Destination a horror comedy.

I am using poster images I have found through google I do not own any rights and am using the image purely for future review purposes (Fair use under the copyright act sections 29 and 30 under use for a review).

Zombieland (2009) – Netflix

Plot: After a virus turns most people into zombies, the world's surviving humans remain locked in an ongoing battle against the hungry undead. Four survivors Tallahassee and his cohorts Columbus, Wichita and Little Rock abide by a list of survival rules and zombie-killing strategies as they make their way toward a rumoured safe haven in Los Angeles.

Thoughts: Dear Reader I flipflop all the time between Zombieland and Shaun of the Dead being my favourite zombie comedy. Don’t get wrong I love a good Zombie film as much as anyone but this one just hits different. I love the sense of camaraderie though out this film and I may be looking to much into but its one of them film where it seems the cast had a blast filming it and it translates though the screen.

Dracula (2020)– BBC three parts – Netflix

Plot: The series follows Dracula from his origins in Eastern Europe to his battles with Van Helsing's descendants and beyond. Netflix's description reads: "The Count Dracula legend transforms with new tales that flesh out the vampire's gory crimes—and bring his vulnerability into the light."

Thoughts: I adore the BBC adaption that was released in 2020. I will be honest I wasn’t that hopeful as I had been let down by the 2013 adaption with Jonathan Rhys Meyers. I was so wrong I was astounded at how much like Christopher Lee and Bela Lugosi, Claes Bang looked. Not only did he have the look down he managed to maintain the seductiveness and malevolence from Gary Oldman’s portrayal. Claes Bang really brought together everything I love about the original tale. I wouldn’t say I’m a purest when it comes to portrayal of Dracula as I tend to love a lot of the remakes and retellings. I may be slightly bias and overlook some of the creative liberties due to Claes’s embodiment of the Count.

Final Destination (2000)– Amazon Prime

Plot: Alex Browning is among a group of high school students on a trip to Europe. He suddenly has a premonition their airplane will crash, he screams to warn the others but is thrown off the plane, and the plane crashes after they get off. Unfortunately, the survivors all begin to die one after another in horrifying ways.

Thoughts: when I first watched the first Final Destination it was new and the shock factor, and I did use to find them horrifying. It’s been over 15 years since I started the series and I still feel uncomfortable near trucks with large loads and can’t help but picture Nora Carpenters demise if you know you know. The concept is still intriguing as the films still somehow manages to make me feel uncomfortable at times. One this I will say is that in the beginning the deaths are little tame but that changed during three. Also, these films will hold a place in my heart as The Final Destination was the first “Horror” film I saw at the cinema.

Hocus Pocus (1993) – Disney+

Plot: After moving to Salem, Mass., teenager Max Dennison explores an abandoned house with his sister Dani and their new friend, Allison. After dismissing a story Allison tells as superstitious, Max accidentally frees a coven of evil witches who used to live in the house. Now, with the help of a magical cat, the kids must steal the witches' book of spells to stop them from becoming immortal.

Thoughts: I love Hocus Pocus it’s a film that I love to watch all year round. As soon as there is even a slight chill in the air. It is a tossup between if hocus pocus or the nightmare before Christmas that goes on first. I put a spell on you also manages to work its way into every playlist I make on Spotify. The Sanderson sisters are the best and I keep watching Hocus Pocus one and two back-to-back. My favourite sister is still Sarah she never fails to make me laugh. I love how she isn't as wicked as Winifred, and she isn't constantly worried about impressing her older sister and not afraid to be herself.

Halloweentown (1998) – Disney+

Plot: Marnie and her kids get a big shock when they follow grandma home to Halloweentown and find out they come from a family of witches. The town is the only place where supernatural beings can lead a `normal' life, but trouble is looming, and on her 13th birthday Marnie not only finds she is a witch, but that she and her family are involved in a fight against the evil that is threatening to take over the world.

Thoughts: Rewatching Halloweentown always hits me in the feels as every time I watch it, I remember that Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher have died. This Halloweentown movies will always have a special place in my heart from my childhood and despite being reminded about Debbie I still love watching it to this day. If you want a cute Halloween movie this is the movie to watch. It’s a classic and it always brings me a smile just watching it.

L x

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