Movie Classics: Spooky Marathon
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A Full Night of Favorite Frights!
In this series of Movie Classics is a selection of the best and most loved Hallowe'en and horror favorites that you can enjoy with your family, as well as recipes for delicious drinks to keep the chills away. Follow our Spooky Movie Marathon from start to finish for a delightfully scary Hallowe'en night.
All movies will be rated for the following qualities:
Family Friendly - 5 stars means it's great for everyone!
Scariness - 5 stars means you'll need to sleep with the lights on.
Fun Factor - 5 stars movies might make you laugh more than scream.
Grossness and Gore - 5 stars movies should be watched on an empty stomach!
Browse Films
The Matinee
For the Whole Family...
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Scariness: None
Fun Factor: ****
Grossness: None
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
This funny, memorable Peanuts special has been delighting kids of all ages for more than 40 years. It is still a favorite today, featuring everyone's favorite characters and their Hallowe'en plights. Poor Charlie Brown gets rocks instead of candy, while Linus eagerly awaits the arrival of the legendary Great Pumpkin.
Rating: G
Run time: 25 min.
Awards: Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys
The satiric comedy of Charles M. Schulz creates an enjoyable theme throughout Peanuts comics and films that makes them suitable for kids and their parents. This television special has been a Hallowe'en tradition for many generations of families. Thanks to home video, you'll never miss this holiday treat again!Favorite Quote: "Good grief!"
The Dark Crystal
Scariness: *
Fun Factor: ***
Grossness: None
The Dark Crystal
Jim Henson's masterpiece, the Dark Crystal has been mesmerizing children - and adults - since it's release in 1982. This original fantasy tale follows a young Gelfling named Jen on his journey to restore order to his world by mending the Dark Crystal. The evil Skeksis, who use the Crystal for their own ends, stand in his way.
Rating: PG
Run Time: 93 min
Awards: Nominated for BAFTA Film Award
The Dark Crystal features the voice talents of Jim Henson and Frank Oz, along with the amazing creatures of Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Although the skesis are mean and scary-looking, this movie is appropriate for kids of all ages. The adventures of Jen and his friends are a timeless delight that is sure to be a favorite with kids and adults.Favorite Quote: "What was sundered and undone, shall be whole, the two made one, by Gelfling hand, or else by none..."
Intermission
Take a Boo Break
Creepy Cocoa
1 cup 2% milk
2 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp sugar
dash salt
peppermint extract
whipped cream
Heat the milk gently in a saucepan. Add the cocoa, sugar and salt, stir to dissolve. Pour cocoa into a mug and stir in a few drops of peppermint. Top with whipped cream.
The Witches
Scariness: **
Fun Factor: ***
Grossness: *
The Witches
Based on the popular children's novel by Roald Dahl, this quirky British film is a classic from the early 90's. Little Luke and his grandmother take a holiday by the sea, only to discover that the hotel has been invaded by every witch in England! Luke and his new friend Bruno must avoid being captured by the terrible witches who abhor the smell of children.
Rating: PG
Run time: 91 min
Awards: Nominated for BAFTA Film Award
Starring the lovely Anjelica Huston as the Grand High Witch, and Rowan Atkinson as the grouchy hotel manager, this film is sure to please the entire family. There are a lot of good laughs, and the English witches are downright horrible! The film has a great bed-time story feel to it, thanks to the imagination of Roald Dahl.Tagline: "Saving the world from witches is a tall order for a boy they've turned into a mouse!"
The Monster Squad
Scariness: ***
Fun Factor: ***
Grossness: *
The Monster Squad (Two-Disc 20th Anniversary Edition)
This hilarious Hallowe'en cult classic is about a group of neighborhood kids who create a Monster Club in their tree house. They're monster experts, which comes in handy when Dracula comes to town, looking for a magical amulet hidden by Van Helsing. He brings along some other familiar faces such as Frankenstein's monster, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and the Mummy.
Rating: PG 13
Run time: 82 min
Awards: Saturn Award for Best DVD Classic Film Release
Although the costumes are somewhat comical, this film might be a bit scary for very young children. Older kids will enjoy the action and humour. Parents will love the youngest club members, Pheobe and Eugene, who are adorable. Though the acting isn't Oscar quality, all of the characters are very engaging. This is a fun and freaky movie that everyone should see!Favorite Quote: "Wolfman's got nards!"
See Dracula in the #10 spot on:
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Top Ten Movie Vampires
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There have been hundreds of vampires portrayed in films over the years. So many, in fact, that it warranted a top 70 list of the greatest vampire movies of all time! As a tribute to the fantastic actors who capture creatures of the night, Movie Class...
Crank up the Heat
Apple Grog
1 1/2 oz applejack brandy
1 tbsp brown sugar
4 oz water
2 whole allspice
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 oz rum
Place the first 5 ingredients in a saucepan, and bring just to a boil. Pour into mugs, top with rum and garnish with sliced lemon.
Shaun of the Dead
Scariness: ***
Fun Factor: ***
Grossness: ***
Shaun of the Dead
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/13/2009)
Equal parts comedy and horror, this hilarious British zombie fest has everything that movie-goers want to see. It's balance of action, comedy, romance and horror is played out by the comedy duo of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, who must save their friends - and Shaun's Mum - from a sudden outbreak of zombie-ism.
Rating: R
Run time: 99 min
Awards: Bram Stoker Award for Best Screenplay
This film was such a hit that it sparked a new genre - the romzomcom. Even classic zombie man George Romero is a fan! The classic slow zombies are still scary, even though Shaun and his crew keep the laughs coming through the entire film. Zombie fans should not miss this future classic.
Favorite Quote: "His arm's off!!"
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Scariness: ***
Fun Factor: **
Grossness: ***
A Nightmare on Elm Street (Infinifilm Edition)
This is the first of many excellent cult films starring Robert Englund as the terrifying Freddy Kruger. In a quiet California neighborhood, the teens have started to suffer from horrible nightmares. After the strange murder of her best friend, Nancy must learn the origin of the evil Freddy Kruger to save herself and her friends from gruesome deaths.
Rating: R
Run time: 91 min
Awards: Saturn Award for Best Horror Film Nomination
Though the horror is mild compared to modern fright films, the Elm Street saga is still a chilling classic and a must-see for a Hallowe'en movie night. You can skip Part Two, "Freddy's Revenge", and pick up the story again when writer Wes Craven returns for "Dream Warriors".Tagline: "She is the only one who can stop it... if she fails, no one survives."
Check out Freddy and the Elm Street residents in:
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Movie Classics: A Nightmare on Elm Street
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One of the most popular thriller films of all time, A Nightmare on Elm Street is the firstin a saga of cult classics that have been entertaining horror fans for decades. Now a seemingly lost art, the slasher film is a relic of the 1980's, and brought...
Last Call for The Squeamish
Midnight Snack
Triscuit crackers
spreadable cream cheese
thinly sliced green onion
sliced grape or Roma tomatoes
black pepper
Spread each cracker with a bit of cream cheese, and microwave for 45-60 seconds, until the cheese is melted. Top with a few slices of onion, a slice of tomato, and a dash of pepper.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Scariness: *****
Fun Factor: *
Grossness: ****
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
This 2003 remake of the cult classic is a truly frightening film. A group of teenagers on their way home from Mexico find themselves trapped in a web of insanity as they are terrorized by the creepy and malicious Hewitt family. The plot is fingernail-biting intense and will have you jumping out of your seat.
Rating: R
Run time: 98 min
Awards: Teen Choice Award for Best Thriller
Directed by Marcus Nispel, and starring R. Lee Ermey and Jessica Biel, this modern horror classic is sure to keep you awake at night. Leatherface is just as scary as ever! This film is at it's best the first time you watch it, so be sure to catch the entire thing in one viewing. At first you're completely tied up in the characters, and terrified along with them. Watching it a second time, you might find yourself wishing they would just run away. It brings up a lot of great "What would you do" questions, and has an underlying theme of morality that makes the entire plot much more intense.Favorite Quote: "What is wrong with you people!?"
The Ring
Scariness: *****
Fun Factor: *
Grossness: ****
The Ring (Full Screen Edition)
This Hollywood remake of the briliant Japanese horror film 'Ringu' is so spooky it will give you chills. Journalist Rachel Keller discovers that she has been cursed when she views a mysterious video tape while investigating the strange death of her niece. She must dig into the haunted past of the Morgan family in order to prevent the curse from taking the life of her son, and her own.
Rating: PG 13
Run time: 115 min
Awards: MTV Movie Award for Best Villain
Starring Naomi Watts and Brian Cox, this movie stays true to it's Japanese horror roots, making it one of the scariest films of the decade. The imagery is highly disturbing, and the overall mood of the film will give you serious shivers. There are a lot of great startle moments to keep you jumping out of your seat.Tagline: "Before you die, you see the ring."
Curtain Call
Hot Toddy
1 oz bourbon
4 oz boiling water
1 tsp sugar
3 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 thin lemon slice
f.g. ground nutmeg
Put sugar, cloves, cinnamon and lemon into a mug. Cover with 1 oz boiling water and steep for 5 minutes. Add bourbon and 3 oz water. Stir and sprinkle with nutmeg.
Movie Facts and Trivia
The Best of Hallowe'en Classics
More Hallowe'en Favorites
Set the mood for family Hallowe'en festivities with a great collection of spooky stories! And if you're looking for a costume at the last minute, Handmade Hallowe'en can help you solve your Hallowe'en emergencies!-
Kid Lit! Holiday Story Books
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There are so many ways to make a holiday special, from decorations, to treats, to music. One of the most wonderful ways to make a holiday exciting and memorable for children is with a cherished story book. These classics that come out once a year wil...
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That's Creative: Handmade Costumes
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That's Creative has put together some of the most creative costume ideas that you can make from items you already have! If you need a costume at the last minute, look no further for ideas that will make you stand out in a crowd of ghouls! Browse thr...
Movie Reviews!
What's your favorite Hallowe'en classic? Please feel free to leave feedback about Movie Classics, and don't forget to rate Hallowe'en Marathon.
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TheWhistler wrote...
Great Halloween lens. I love scary movies, but not too scary.
Posted October 31, 2008
Mortira wrote...
I adore the original Saw film, and part 2 is pretty good, but the rest of the series is a sad example of how a director can bow shamelessly to the lowest common denominator. What began as an incredibly clever, horrific thriller is now just a soft-core gore fest.[in reply to a_willow]
Posted October 25, 2008
naturegirl7 wrote...
I like all the old ones. I'm not really a fan of Freddy and Chainsaw massacre. Great job.
Posted October 20, 2008
a_willow wrote...
My favorite is Saw serial! How would you rate that? :) Nice selection! I missed some...
Posted October 20, 2008
awelldressedbullet wrote...
And you actually think I could stay up to watch all these movies? LOL but a great lens with a nice selection of movies! I did grab a creepy cocoa though, thanks! - Kathy
Posted October 19, 2008
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