The Omen (1976) – Day 18 – 31 Days of Halloween

An American diplomat adopts an orphaned child whose mother died at birth unbeknownst to his wife, who has just given birth to their (supposedly) stillborn son. Their new child, however is the Antichrist. Hilarity ensues. Just kidding. This film is perfect in many ways. Direction, cast, cinematography, music, screenplay. If ever it feels like the …

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Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971) -Day 17 – 31 Days of Halloween

One of the few Dario Argento films I haven't seen. Until now that is. And what a treat! A rock drummer notices that hes being watched by a mysterious stranger. He confronts this person in an abandoned opera house and after disarming him of a knife accidentally stabs him. This is all witnessed a photographed …

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The Evil Dead (1981) – Day 16 – 31 Days of Halloween

This movie is just as infamous for the furore surrounding the film as it is for the actual content. I grew up in the midst of the Videos Nasties storm in a teacup in which the Tory government led by Herr Thatcher thought that the commoners who watched certain horror movies would grab a chainsaw …

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Let The Right One In – Day 14 – 31 Days of Halloween

An intelligent, original horror film is as rare as hen's teeth nowadays. Hollywood seems content on remaking, rehashing and plundering the past glories of the genre with predictably mediocre and overexplained results. Let The Right One In is one of those rare gems however. Set in snow laden 80s Sweden this is the story of …

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The Savage Bees – Day 13- 31 Days of Halloween

I first learnt of this film when I saw the poster for a double bill it was playing as a part of outside my local cinema back in the day. I then saw it as a kid when it was on television. It was the last thing I watched before going to bed and it …

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Burial Ground – Day 12 – 31 Days of Halloween

Zombies, gore and guts. Oh and spaghetti. Whats noticable about this film is the incest subplot involving the effeminate manchild character called Michael played by Peter Bark. I didn't know about this when I first watched the film. Its now seered into my mind for better or worse. This film is for titmunchers of all …

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Chopping Mall – Day 11 – 31 Days of Halloween

Corman romp about security robots in a shopping mall that malfunction and take it out on a group of teens who are there after closing time. With this being Corman there are some great cameos from stable regulars like Mary Waronov, Paul Bartel and Dick Miller. A great sense of humour and some gory moments. …

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The Watcher in the Woods – Day 10 – 31 Days of Halloween

I remember watching this as a kid on VHS in the 80s and loving it. Now as a gay horror fan who's all grown up watching the film feels different. Firstly, it's because the great gay icon Bette Davis is in it. Safe in this knowledge I know that this isn't just any run-of-the-mill performance …

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Beyond The Door – Day 9 – 31 Days of Halloween

A mark that you've made a great movie is when your film spawns a number of imitators. One such movie is The Exorcist. One such imitator is Beyond The Door. But whilst some imitators are pale and shoddy rip offs, this film is amazing. Starring esteemed actress Juliet Mills this deals with her posession and …

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The Stepford Wives (1975) – Day 8 – 31 Days of Halloween

If you could replace your wife with a robot hausfrau who lives to cook, clean, be subserviant to her man and climax every time you had sex, would you?  Joanna Eberhart has just moved to Stepford and is suspicious of the sinister Men's Association. Joanna is a liberated woman, a free spirit. And in Stepford …

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