Spooktober Checkpoint - A Discussion

Spooky Scary Skeletons and Lots of Movies Too!

Seeing that we are at the midpoint of October I thought it would be good to discuss the various films I have watched so far. During the year there are three times where I spend more time than usual watching movies those being October, December, and Oscar season. October is when I watch as many horror movies as I can, December I binge my favourite Christmas classics and the occasionally modern cheese fest, and in the leadup to the Academy Awards I always try to catch as many nominees as I can. Today I am going to discuss my progress through my October watchlist and the other odd movie I caught so far this month. Lets begin!

I Saw the TV Glow (2024)

Many writers here on Substack seem to have a pattern or schedule that they follow which can make it feel a bit intimidating given that I only write a review when I feel that I have something to offer or when I cannot help but get something off my chest after watching, reading, or doing something. Right at the start of the month I got that feeling after watching Jane Schoenbrun’s incredible 2024 film I Saw the TV Glow which I reviewed here.

Southbound (2015)

Anthology horror movies are both the subgenre I tend to avoid the most and the one I feel that has the best hit to miss ratio. Still, my favourite horror subgenre is still found footage films which is most likely explained by my lifelong fandom for The Blair Witch Project. Southbound is a fun collection of shorts that follow various characters who stumble into a pseudo Twilight Zone where everything is not as it seems and norms and mores are broken left, right, and centre. The movie produces a strong sense of anxiety and delivers great gore but unfortunately much of the suspense that is built is never paid off in a way that is all that satisfying. It is a well made and entertaining horror movie but also one that I am not sure I would want to revisit given how unsatisfying it ultimately became.

Desperate Measures (1998)

Every now and then you have to break the mold and though it is October I could not help myself and watched this 1990’s thriller staring the most exaggerated Michael Keaton bad guy that I have seen, at least thus far. Andy Garcia is your typical 1990’s everyman here, though Garcia is sure to make it more bland than is necessary as he goes up against Keaton. Though Keaton is not the most original villain, nor is the plot that inventive, if you just want to burn an hour and a bit while watching him scream, punch, and growl his way out of jail while toying with Andy Garcia than this is just the film for you.

The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023)

From director André Øvredal, whose previous films The Autopsy of Jane Doe and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark I really enjoyed, comes a well made but underwhelming gothic horror flick. I enjoyed the nautical and historical setting along with the vampiric elements of the plot. However, each of the human characters in this film left me wanting given that I could not connect with any of them nor are they that compelling given that the movie tediously picks them off one by one in rather routine fashion. Though the explanation for the Advent Calendar style kills is decent enough as a movie it is not good when you can see the horror coming and do not care which of the characters are knocked off next given that none of them appear to be much more than archetypes. Ultimately, this one is not worth watching even though it is perhaps one of the better made mainstream horror films of the 2020’s.

Abigail (2024)

First and foremost I must say Rest in Peace to Angus Cloud. As a fan of Euphoria Cloud was by and away my favourite character due to the genuine nature of his performance which seemed like a stone in a whirlpool given the chaotic nature of the rest of that over the top series. As for Abigail, the tandem directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett prove themselves here to be masters of the horror genre given the great performances they got out of this stellar cast along with how they were able to keep the plot evolving over the course of the movie. Many horror films are concept heavy in that they stretch a simple idea out for too long or end up repeating one small, but good, idea over and over since they have nothing else to offer. Abigail, on the other hand, slowly evolves and is constantly introducing new layers to the story which gives the incredible cast new things to do in combination with much action that helped to make this one of the more entertaining films I have watched thus far during Spooky Season.

Host (2020)

I had avoided this pandemic era film for a while perhaps due to my experience of having spent the last year of University studying over zoom. While it was fun to not have to commute to the campus for two hours everyday while getting next to no sleep the constant crashing of Zoom combined with the awkward nature of being taught as if by an influencer was not an experience I have had any real desire to relive. I bit the bullet this year though and watched it and it was alright. Given that this was filmed during Covid I did have sympathy for the filmmakers and was impressed by the decent effects they were able to pull off here. Still, the plot itself is not well developed and none of the characters are that compelling. Ultimately, I found this to be a mediocre screenlife thriller that is really only interesting if you want to get a glimpse back at life during the pandemic, though I am not sure why anyone would want to relieve that horrible time we were lucky enough to survive.

The Abyss (1989)

James Cameron’s 1989 deep sea sci-fi drama is both one of the most visually stunning films of the 1980’s with a ton of amazing practical effects which also boasts one of the most ridiculous plotlines I have seen. Though the initial idea of some deep miners helping the military investigate a sub wreck is intriguing, watching Ed Harris be lobbed down a deep sea cavern to which the experienced sea miners do not realize will cause him extreme harm until after they do it resulted in me having one of the most aggressive laughing outbursts I have had this year. The movie is an incredibly mixed bag. The first hour or so is genuinely great. The Michael Biehn subplot that shows up toward the middle was a bit meh but nothing too bad given that Biehn is the ultimate Cameron collaborator. The third act is another beast altogether, pun intended. While I enjoyed the optimism of the extraterrestrials here, similar to Starman (1984), the way in which that plot develops was ridiculous. Still, this is a movie most should watch if for nothing else to see the awesome production value of actors navigating a real underwater set which nearly dug in many of the cast and crew in making the movie.

Bats (1999)

Is this an objectively good movie? No.

Did I have a blast watching it. HELL YES!

Lou Diamond Phillips playing a small town sheriff and Dina Meyer being a Batologist (according to Phillips) who in tandem work to prevent the onslaught of a growing horde of bats from doing waste to the world is just the b movie plot this cinephile can get behind. From large swarms of CGI bats fitted with glowing eyes to small glimpses of grotesque animatronic bats working their way into a building or a vehicle this is an exceptionally fun creature feature. I score this one seven bats out of ten.

The Menendez Brothers (2024)

Having seen Ryan Murphy’s bastardization of the Menendez Brothers’ story, which I reviewed here, I was optimistic to see an actual documentary which would allow the Menendez brothers a chance to voice their perspective to the world rather than have their story be dramatized by entertainers once more. The movie itself does not offer that much to those already familiar with the case but it is a decent summary to newcomers. In the wake of the newfound interest in the case there seems to be a growing fanbase of sorts online which wants to see the brothers be released and though I do support that cause the TikTok esque culture surrounding it is both disturbing and not helpful. In the documentary the Menendez brothers often go out of their way to ensure that the nature of their crime is not overshadowed by the abuse done to them. Still, there are gaps in their story that are hard to reconcile especially their insistence on blaming the cops for not arriving sooner as being the explanation for why they lied as opposed to having any innate inclination to be untruthful. That is all I can offer on this one though as I feel I have discussed this case enough already.

Eli (2019)

Ciaran Foy’s Netflix horror film was the most surprising watch thus far. This movie reminded me a lot of Brightburn which ironically came out the same year given that both revolve around a child endowed with some inhuman qualities. The movie works well given that it is told not from the perspective of the hero but the villain. Furthermore, when the action occurs in the third act it is both shocking and convincing thanks to the excellent special effects. This one I highly recommend as it is a unique horror film which creates a genuine sense of tension that pays off well in the third act given the devilish twist.

Renfield (2023)

Watching Nicolas Cage movies makes me happy. Ever since I was a kid this dude has been entertaining me from his over the top performance in Face/Off (1997) to when I started to watch more serious drama films as a teenager and enjoyed his role in Leaving Las Vegas (1995). Thus, watching Cage return back to mainstream cinema and eat up the scenery as the iconic vampire Dracula was a treat. The movie works as a fun horror comedy, similar somewhat to Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes films, but unfortunately much of the movie comes off more like a bad action drama. Nicholas Hoult is solid here opposite Cage as his familiar Renfield who is both trying to overcome his vampiric ways while also finding his place in the modern world. It is a decent watch, but it could have been so much more.

Totally Killer (2023)

Kiernan Shipka is a solid Buffy Summers clone for the twenty-first century but I just did not enjoy this The Final Girls (2015) knock-off. At times the movie is interesting but the constant reminder of how society has grown over the decades and rampant checking of improper actions of the 1980’s characters become less charming and more of a plot to endure as the movie wore on. Ultimately, the movie just never became fun which I feel is a problem for a movie that is supposed to blend comedy and horror in that it never dedicates itself to either genre fully nor properly interrogates its condemnation of the past as The Final Girls did so well.

Poltergeist III (1988)

The final role of Heather O’Rourke, the onscreen debut of Lara Flynn Boyle, and a genuinely interesting premise are put to waste in a movie that seemed to lack focus or a real purpose for being made. The idea of mirrors being the nexus that connects the spirt and real world was a decent enough concept but unfortunately most of the scares appear to be only temporary while the characters themselves, outside of O’Rourke, are never properly contextualized or given all that much to do. Definitely a step up from the disaster that was Poltergeist II but still a sad imitation of Tobe Hooper’s 1982 classic.

Dog Soldiers (2002)

Neil Marshall’s 2002 werewolf film is a cult classic that has received much praise that I unfortunately cannot echo. Though the last twenty minutes are a blast and there are some great lines such as the man telling one of the monsters that he hopes that “[he] gives [him] the shits” prior to being eaten the prelude to all of that was off putting and not all that entertaining. Simply put I could not really connect with any of the characters nor was the plot all that interesting. The movie itself also feels very low budget and while that does not limit the quality of a movie the duct tape holding this project together seemed to show more than it should have. I’d recommend passing on this one but it is worth watching the last twenty or so minutes on YouTube to see the Tarantino esque action extravaganza that concludes this B movie.

The Boogeyman (2023)

From director Rob Savage, who directed the already mentioned 2020 film Host, comes an adaptation of a 1973 Stephen King short story that delivers more than just a good scare. Most of the credit belongs to Sophie Thatcher and the screenwriting which allowed her to deliver a captivating performance as the grief stricken and often bullied teenage girl whom must contend both with a fragmented family and the torment of some mean girls before she ever encounters the Boogeyman. The movie develops at a decent pace but unfortunately the payoff of seeing the Boogeyman was somewhat lacklustre given how computer generated it appeared to be. Given that the movie up till that point felt quite grounded the fact that the monster was not overly believable was a real letdown. Still, the way in which the plot is resolved mostly made up for that forgettable monster design and execution.

Red Riding Hood (2011)

Somehow, someway, this movie made money. Still, it seems as though this one has been entirely forgotten. Based on a Grimm fairy tale, produced by Leo DiCaprio, and s still Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke crafted one of the most generic 2010’s horror shlock fests I have yet to watch. Everything here is just so bland and underwritten that it was hard to pay attention toward the end and to be honest I hardly did. When I was creating my watchlist for October I included this one because I thought it would be a fun watch and offer me some nostalgia for the 2010’s which I seem to be feeling warmer toward lately as my memory of attending high school during that decade fades into the ether of my mind. Unfortunately, the movie was more excruciating than even the worst day of high school. Okay, maybe that was a bit hyperbolic.

Longlegs (2024)

From the director of Gretel & Hansel (2020) comes another excellently crafted film that is sure to satisfy fans of 1990 crime thrillers such as Se7en and The Bone Collector. I have avoided browsing Reddit or looking too far ahead at what is coming so as to not build my expectations too high before a movie comes out, which appears to be what happened with Longlegs. Many saw the movie and were disappointed after feeling as though the promotion promised something the film did not deliver. As someone who was entirely ignorant of that ad campaign for the film I found it to be a nuanced and entertaining movie that included some of the best cinematography I have seen this year. The use of negative space here was excellent given that it added to the sense of paranoia and suspense since as a viewer I was constantly scanning the background, which made up much of the screen, hoping to catch a glimpse of whatever might be around the corner which made it hard to ever look away and drew me further into the story. Additionally, Nicolas Cage was at his zany best here and the unique horror story at the film’s centre added to the creepy theme the movie built. All in all, this was a great film that left a lasting impression on me and is one I want to watch again, and soon.

Agnes of God (1985)

Norman Jewison’s adaptation of John Pielmeier’s 1979 play is a slow burn that is almost worth it. Jane Fonda plays a psychiatrist tasked with examining a Nun who has been charged with murdering her newborn baby. Of those questions the movie asks the most interesting is whether or not ignorance truly is bliss. In the film many of the Nuns are shown to prefer a life of isolation where they turn a blind eye both to the modern world and the reality it is forcing onto them and their members. Meg Tilly, who plays the nun at the centre of the mystery, is especially great here in that she both exudes extreme innocence and brutal honesty with a hint of mania. While the movie will leave you thinking after you watch it the actual experience of seeing it is less than thrilling since those questions which are the most interesting are not properly interrogated until well into the third act.

The Dentist (1996)

This is quite simply a ridiculous and somewhat surreal horror film about an evil dentist. Everyone hates the dentist, or at least all the people that I know, which is not saying much since I am one of the most introverted people on Earth. The concept of this movie is unfortunately far better than the movie itself. Between the random cutaways into the melodrama and random side plots the actual parts where the dentist is allowed to be maniacal are fun. The effects are decent, and the movie at times works as a good over the top revenge film where the titled dentist takes out his anger and feeling of betrayal on anyone and anything he encounters. At best this is a good flick to throw on toward the end of a movie marathon when you are starting to feel a bit sleepy.

It’s What’s Inside (2024)

Gary Jardin’s Netflix Body Swap comedy is a genuine breath of fresh air. Captivating frenetic editing and lightning combined with a creative story were the highlights of this otherwise underwhelming film. I am probably in the minority here, but I just did not latch onto the plot of this one. I have always struggled with remembering names which might explain why the underdeveloped characters being thrown in and out of each others bodies was hard for me to follow or it might just speak to the nature of the script. Either way, this is an okay watch that leaves a lot to be desired.

Haunted (1995)

Director Lewis Gilbert’s little known paranormal drama is a decent watch. Aidan Quinn plays your average skeptic professor who undergoes his Scully esque right of passage into the unexplainable in a movie that relies much more on drama than cheap thrills. Kate Beckinsale is captivating here in her role as the seductress trying to lure Quinn to the other side. Essentially a prelude to Alejandro Amenabar’s 2001 film The Others, though I actually preferred this film. Having so much of the movie draped with romance made the third act work so well where the rug gets pulled out and the dark nature of story is revealed. I highly recommend this one.

So there it is, that is my rundown of all the movies I have watched thus far during Spooktober. To say that this is one of my favourite times of the year would be an understatement. I hope that whoever is reading this is having a great October. Now, I have to get back to my watchlist!