Directed by John Carpenter. Written by Carpenter and Debra Hill. Starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, PJ Soles, Nancy Loomis, Charles Cyphers, Brian Andrews, Kyle Richards, Tony Moran (as “the face”) and Nick Castle (as “the shape”).
Plot: Michael Myers escapes a mental institution and comes after Laurie Strode and her friends on Halloween.
There is nothing quite like this creeptastic classic. I love it, clearly. I’d love it even more if Michael had love for dogs. That poor, poor German Shepherd. He’s in the wrong place at the wrong time with an ignorant babysitter on the clock. Perhaps it isn’t fair, but I subtract points for animal deaths.
In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past EVER, I’ll tell you the story. Michael Myers is just 6-years-old when he stabs his own sister to death. He winds up in a mental hospital that he escapes from 15 years later. On Halloween. He steals a car that he somehow knows how to drive and goes all the way back home to stalk some teenagers. Enter Laurie Strode (Curtis), a good and reasonable babysitter, watching Tommy Doyle (Andrews) for the night. Of course, her friends, Annie (Loomis) and Lynda (Soles), aren’t nearly as reasonable or as responsible, so Laurie ends up watching Lindsey Wallace (Richards) for the night as well. And everyone just has a nightmare of a time.
Everything is done so simply. There is no gore. There is no blood. The music is also simple, yet highly effective. The tune stays with you forever. My brother feels like it was used way too much though. There were several scenes where Laurie is just staring at children in costumes and the music is playing as though it’s supposed to be some sort of shocking event.
And can we talk about the lighting? The lighting is the greatest. Everyone who has ever seen this movie remembers when Michael’s face slowly comes into view behind an already terrified Laurie. But why was she standing next to an open doorway anyhow? She knew there was a killer!
The movie has a very talented cast, creepy effects, a legendary opening and a memorable ending (with the Boogeyman and the breathing it’s classic!). There’s boob shots, too. That’s a win. It’s also highly quotable. To no end, it is quotable, with the words coming mainly from Donald “The Pleas” Pleasence. He is always fantastic though, so that’s no surprise. He’s my absolute favorite part of many of the things I’ve seen him in.
For the love of all that is holy, if you haven’t seen this, see it now. We recommend it oh so fully. Even though DJ did not love it like I love it, he still wants you to watch ASAP.
My score: 90. DJ’s score: 80.
I spent eight years trying to reach him, and then another seven trying to keep him locked up because I realized that what was living behind that boy’s eyes was purely and simply… evil.
I suppose I could list my favorite movies here, but instead I'll give you a strange glimpse into what makes me TaraRomero.
1. I met George Romero. He was the kindest and sweetest man. He talked to me for longer than he should have with the line getting longer. He also held my hand. And when he noticed the ladybug I have tattooed on my wrist, he said he liked it and asked me it's name. Till then, it had not had a name. Now, I call him George.
2. I love stickers. All stickers. I just adore them. I even ask for stickers for Christmas! As a matter of fact, the birthday that just past, every member of my immediate family gave me sticker packs as gifts. Affordable and extremely appreciated.
3. I have never put much stock in astrology or horoscopes, but I LOVE the magic of the MBTI. Omg. I am an INFP and it actually sounds just like me. Introverted mostly. Creative always. Heart before head and not the most logical. Totally me! For better or worse.
4. It's no surprise I count horror so high up on the list of things that make me, me. However, it's so within my soul that I was part of the Horror Club in college. Interesting bunch. And even took a Horror Lit class as an elective. I got an A.
5. Coffee always makes me happy. Always. I'm particularly fond of caramel macchiatos. But I'll drink black coffee if it's the only thing available.
6. I hate shock for the sake of shock and endings that depress me. I always mention the movies Within (2016) and the Eli Roth produced, written and starred in, Aftershock (2012), as proof of this distate I have. I abhor the idea that just because I like horror, some people think I'd actually praise a movie that lets you think the "Final Girl" just made it through the night, only to slap her in the face with a tsunami.
7. We are big time animal people. I mean, if I could, I'd have an elephant, a bear, a zebra, a penguin, an otter and a meerkat, living with me. Seriously though. We have 2 dogs right now and 2 cats. Both cats we picked up when they each came to our front door hungry. And both dogs we got from 2 different sets of neighbors. Both who, unfortunately, don't know how to care for pets long-term. But they're happy and healthy now!!
8. Revisiting my love of horror, one of the above cats, my cat, is a little black guy named Church. Because Pet Sematary. His middle name is even Pascow. To give credit where credit's due, the name was DJ's idea. But he loves horror too!
9. I'm big into art. Along with movie posters and an Anne Frank quote, I have some actual paintings on my wall. I really think Dali paints beautifully when he wants to. And if I don't get to see Michaelangelo's Pieta in person some day, I will be very disappointed.
10. Lastly, I find Emily Dickinson's poetry intriguing. I took an elective course about her as well. But do you know I injected horror even there? I was given a poem to dissect and I picked one on death, of course. Then, I researched old "Death Photos" and even printed out copies for everyone in the class. They were so interested in looking at them that it stopped them from all looking at me, and I was able to deal quite well with my stage fright. Haha
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3 thoughts on “Halloween (1978)”
Found your blog and scrolled through until I spotted an undisputed classic by which to judge your taste. Congrats, you passed.
BLOOD RED REVIEWS 
Found your blog and scrolled through until I spotted an undisputed classic by which to judge your taste. Congrats, you passed.
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Well, that’s good news! Tell your friends!!
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