A new Twitter challenge cropped up recently. Even though these are dime a dozen (favorite horror novels! Favorite horror movies! Video games! Music!) one popped out that I’ve never seen before! Here’s a link to the offending Tweet here.
It’s an unique challenge: If you could craft an all-night horror film festival, what would it look like? It got me thinking. I recently saw John Carpenter’s Halloween on the big screen for the first time, and was so happy I could barely stand it. Seeing a classic like that on the screen not only reinforced its power, but it made me want to see more of my favorites up on the big screen. You’ve got your soda and your candy you snuck in is snug in your pocket. The lights dim. The first movie is starting…
7 P.M: The Nun (2018)
“Why are we starting with The Nun!?”, you shout at the screen in rage. Why would Logan do this to us!? Okay. I want to kick off with something new, and something fun, and most importantly, something really stupid. Listen. The Nun is not a great movie. But it had some big scares in it and I love the creepy-monastery-in-Romania vibe. It’s the perfect movie to kick off this festival with.
9 P.M: A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)
One movie down. You’re still primed. It’s almost Halloween everybody! And what better way to celebrate than with a little bit of Freddy in your life. A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors is as good as Freddy ever got. Sure, I love the original maybe more, but this is a long night of spooky movies. Let’s keep the energy high. That’s why this one gets a prime time slot.
11 P.M: Scream (1996)
A real and true crowd-pleaser to take us through the Witching Hour. Scream is a favorite of mine for many reasons. It still feels fresh, the kills still feel brutal, and the script positively screams. Scream is a classic through and through.
1 A.M: Ghostbusters (1984)
Cats and dogs, living together… You know the rest. This is your wake up movie! Let Ray Parker Jr. fill you with wonderful Halloween energy. Slimer. Stay-Puff! Ghostbusters is a stinkin’ classic man.
3 A.M: The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
Drew Godard and Joss Whedon do an old cliché so much good. The Cabin in the Woods is fun and meta. It’s a horror movie made for horror fans. From bargain bin versions of our favorite monsters (and one or two surprises) this one is a breath of fresh slasher air. We’re in the home stretch. Two to go. And they are some of the biggest of the night…
5 A.M: Suspiria (1977)
A stone cold weird classic. Giallo can be powerful, and this witchy, Alice in Wonderful marvel is everything you could want for a long October night. Suspiria would look absolutely break-taking on the big screen.
7 A.M: Halloween (1978)
THE October movie. As vital to the season as apple cider and pumpkins. It’s the perfect ending to a night of new and old horror classics. You can see influences from this movie in every single one on this list (save for Suspiria). Let Carpenter’s perfect score end this night of frights.
The film festival is over. Stumble out to your car in the new daylight, tired but smiling. You’ve won. And now for the sequel…
Maybe next year?
Logan Noble, Author 