Movie Classics: Spooky Marathon

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A Full Night of Favorite Frights!

Humanity has a strange obsession with being scared - a desire to be thrilled, tickled and tantalized by monsters and mysteries. Thanks to television and film, we can enjoy a few shrieks and shivers from the comfort of our own homes.

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!


Attack of the Crab Monsters

The Matinee 

For the Whole Family...

The trick-or-treating is all done, the make-up is washed away. Candies are sorted - and maybe more than a few eaten. Once your little goblins have had a good dinner, pop some popcorn and curl up on the sofa for some spooky, fun family viewing. Dim the lights, grab a blanket, and enjoy!


King Kong

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown 

Family Friendly: *****
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

 

Peanuts 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 

Family Friendly: *****
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 - Movie Score 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

If your tiniest tots have made it this far, it's time to tuck them into bed! Then dim the lights a little more, refill the popcorn, and tune in to these classic frights for the bigger, braver kids - and the kid in you, too! Mix up a nice warm drink to keep away the chills.


Frankenstein


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 

Family Friendly: ****
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

 

Anjelica Huston 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 

Family Friendly: ***
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

 

Creature from the Black Lagoon 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:

Crank up the Heat 

It's time that all young ghosts were in bed, dreaming of all the candy they'll be eating for days to come. Now the grown-ups can turn the lights all the way down, and grab an extra blanket. It's time the real monsters came out to play.


House on Haunted Hill


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 

Family Friendly: **
Scariness: ***
Fun Factor: ***
Grossness: ***

Shaun of the Dead

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/13/2009)Buy Now

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

 

Shaun Of The Dead
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 

Family Friendly: *
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

 

Freddy Krueger 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:

Last Call for The Squeamish 

You've had your fun, but now it's time for the real fright fest. Bring out the most hellish horror films to bring your Hallowe'en movie marathon to a terrifying climax. Grab an extra pillow - you may need to hide behind it later. Don't be scared on an empty stomach! Throw together a few munchies and refill your hot drinks.


Die, Monster, Die!


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 

Family Friendly: Nope!
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

 

Leatherface 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 

Family Friendly: Nope!
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

 

The Ring 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 

The sun is nearly up, and you may be checking behind doorways and jumping at every bump and creak. Fix yourself a glass of warm milk, plug in a night light, and hug a pillow until you fall asleep. Don't worry about the ghosts and ghouls - they won't be back until next Hallowe'en.


The Body Snatcher - Boris Karloff


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 

You can create your own movie marathons and must-see lists with an informative film guide. Look for your favorite titles, directors and more to plan your next popcorn party.

The Best of Hallowe'en Classics 

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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!

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.

ReplyPosted 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]

ReplyPosted October 25, 2008

naturegirl7 wrote...

I like all the old ones. I'm not really a fan of Freddy and Chainsaw massacre. Great job.

ReplyPosted October 20, 2008

a_willow wrote...

My favorite is Saw serial! How would you rate that? :) Nice selection! I missed some...

ReplyPosted 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

ReplyPosted October 19, 2008

 
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by Mortira

Movie Classics is a selection of films that I have enjoyed, and want to share with movie-lovers everywhere. If you have yet to view these titles, now'... (more)
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