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Spelunk Into the 31 Days of Horror: ’22 Edition

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Mamma Mia, here we go again! Welcome to the Void of Celluloid and we are continuing the daily movie marathon tradition. This time, we have only two repeats from last year. Deeper cuts, recent releases–we’re pulling out all the stops. If you’re looking for a more traditional 31 Days of Horror, check out the first iteration here. Now, here at The Void of Celluloid, we think every night could be a special movie night. Therefore, each of these will have a beverage and a snack paired with them as well as a double feature to keep the party rolling.

Above is the calendar for the month. This year is going to work just like last year–3 weeks and then the final 10 days. The foundation is set, it’s now time to kick it off with days one through seven.

October 1st: X (2022)

Pearl: Everything We Know So Far About Ti West's X Prequel

We’re kicking off the month with a bloody good time. X is a film that came out in 2022 and marks Ti West’s triumphant return after a hiatus. Everyone delivers in this film, and it is a great homage to the classic slasher. Packed full of great performances–notably Mia Goth with her two roles. The prequel, Pearl, just released mid-September, so why not get caught up?

It’s obvious to pair this one with a Pornstar martini (a virgin one can be found here). Then, let’s take it all the way back to the 70s with these pineapple meatballs fit for a cocktail party back then. To keep up with the vintage blood, guts and gore, the double feature has to be The Texas Chain Saw Massacre–the brutality of X is up to par with this classic.

You can rent X here on Amazon Video or add it to your physical collection here. Already a fan? Check out the Redbubble design designed by yours truly and immortalize Maxine’s wise mantra.

October 2nd: The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

Watch The Exorcism of Emily Rose | Netflix

This 2005 horror-film-meets-court-drama is rich with atmosphere. Especially with its real-life inspiration, The Exorcism of Emily Rose can be quite a terrifying watch. Most notably, this is Scott Derrickson’s first flick–his newest also made the list. Stellar acting by everyone involved, it’s a captivating and somewhat emotional tale of possession being brought up in court for the first time in order to excuse what seems to be cruel and unusual punishment. Definitely a brain scratcher.

For this film, I pair up with a cocktail fit for a pre-Lent celebration: the Sazerac. For the non-drinkers, choose something as red as blood with this Non-Alcoholic Mardi Gras Punch. As far as food goes, I’m going to recommend something you can spread on crackers such as this Tuscan Spread so you pretend you’re taking communion every time something unholy happens on screen. To keep up with the court drama, pair this one with The Conjuring III: The Devil Made Me Do It.

You can rent The Exorcism of Emily Rose on Amazon Video or contribute to your physical collection here. Ever wanted a sticker for this film? Check out my custom design on Redbubble.

October 3rd: Would You Rather? (2012)

I did title them ‘Malicious Mondays’ for a reason. This IFC Midnight flick is grisly and gruesome if that is more your speed. Iris, played by Brittany Snow, joins a deadly dinner party in which fatal ‘Would You Rather’ style games in order to win a large sum of money. In Iris’ case, it’s to pay for her brother’s experimental treatment for his terminal disease. A few twists, a couple turns, and a shocker of an ending is guaranteed to entertain.

There is a scene in this that I cannot physically watch that has to do with an eyeball–however, snacks can distract from the brutality. Match the dinner party vibes with this Ham and Cheese Feuilleté which is something that both the refined palate and the picky eater can enjoy. Break out the ice pick and crush some ice for this cocktail appropriately named The Wild Ruffian (sub cognac for iced black tea for a virgin drink). As for the double feature, lighten it up with another twisty, turn-y film April Fools’ Day.

You can rent Would You Rather? on Amazon Video and purchase it here to support the physical media movement. Oh yeah, I made a design for this film too. Check it out on Redbubble (tw: razor blade).

October 4th: Cujo (1983)

Oh, poor Cujo. This is a terrifying and rather heartbreaking tale of a good boy who gets bitten by a bat and transmitted with rabies. This causes the dog to go on a rampage–one chock full of bloodlust. With a killer performance by Dee Wallace trying to protect her son from the man’s-best-killer, this is one of the Stephen King adaptations you shouldn’t miss. Just make sure to hug your pups super tight after viewing.

Well, it’s better to drink foamy drinks than be foaming at the mouth. You could go with the non-alcoholic Citrus Fizz or the classic Gin Fizz to get that foamy texture to a drink. As for food, treat yourself (and perhaps a few pieces to the dog) with these Garlic Butter Steak Bites. As for a second film, Stephen King stories are like a craving as in only one is not enough. Therefore, go with the chilling adaptation of Pet Sematary that came out the same year as Cujo.

You can rent Cujo on Amazon Video and if you’re looking to add to your Stephen King Blu-Ray collection, you can find that here. This Redbubble design can be ordered as a pet bandana, so if you and your pet want to share your sympathies to the Saint Bernard, be my guest.

OCtober 5th: Ready or not (2019)

This film has been one of my favorites in the recent years. I am a sucker for a horror-comedy and this film knocks it out of the park. Jarring, atmospheric and comedy pairing beautifully with violence, it’s a must watch and guaranteed to get at least one laugh out of you. Therefore, it has rightfully earned its place this year on the calendar. Excellent performances all around, however Samara Weaving delivers as our scream queen with one of the most bloodcurdling screams I’ve ever heard.

You can’t toast to the groom and bride without a little champagne. Try out the Champagne Cocktail for a tastier twist to the bubbly beverage or sub in this virgin Pink Champagne Mocktail for a pop of color (and honestly, more flavor). Lean more into the wedding style of this movie with these Bacon Wrapped Scallops or lean more into the game night flair with these Soft Pretzel Bites. As for double features, play another round with You’re Next–because we love to see strong women kicking ass.

You can rent Ready or Not on Amazon Video or add it to your Blu-Ray collection here. Looking for a minimalistic ode to this film? Check out my design.

October 6th: Carrie (1976)

As Fleabag would say, my favorite period piece. Carrie is the second King adaptation to make this week, but he has so many stories that a repeat is bound to happen. Carrie White is one of horror’s most tragic figures and even when she’s the cause of death and destruction, you can’t help but feel deeply for her. On another hand, her mother is one of the evilest villains put to screen. With brilliant performances from Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie, this one is a classic through and through.

Want to pretend someone spiked the punch at your prom but in the safety in your own home? Try out this Rum Punch. If you would rather have good, clean fun, you can try out this fruit punch instead. In regard to food, get a bit of the pig with the heat with these Mini Jalapeno Popper Turnovers, a finger food fit for a high school prom. As for the double feature, go from a victim going insane to the insane victimizing herself with another King tale: Misery.

You can rent Carrie on Amazon Video or if it wasn’t the establisher to your King DVD collection, make it right by purchasing it here. Appreciate a good Fleabag reference tied in with a Carrie design? Check it out here.

October 7th: House of Wax (1953)

Ending the week with a classic–or Paris Hilton if you prefer the remake. Despite preferences, anyone could benefit from a good dose of Vincent Price. He is a horror legend, and House of Wax showcases him as well as one helluva story. Still having its creepy moments to this day, House of Wax is a legendary watch both in first and repeat viewings. This film was one of the pioneers as well for 3D technology in film and marketed heavily on the fact that it was in 3D. All physical formats of this film remain to have a 3D option to this day.

The 1950s was the introduction of the legendary tiki-style cocktails we are familiar with today. Much like original things being ruined by reiterations (the 2005 House of Wax isn’t terrible, just cringe), that’s what happened to the glorious Mai Tai. Therefore, go drink yourself a real one and learn some history on the way. If you want something non-alcoholic, opt for the virgin version. Make something glazy to emulate the wax with this lovely, perfect-for-fall spiced carrot cake, because we need a sweet treat from time to time. The spices will pair nice with those tiki cocktails. Of course, the double feature is House on Haunted Hill, as we always need more Vincent Price in our lives (the Rifftrax is great on this one too).

You can rent House of Wax on Amazon Video or own it (and its 3D forms) here. I made a trippy little design to go with this one as well, casual fan or fanatic.

Coming Up Next…

So, there’s the first week of the 31 Days of Horror here on The Void of Celluloid. Hopefully this spawned some ideas on what to make for any upcoming Halloween celebrations. For those that like to go hard and celebrate every day like me, go for it–I have given you the tools. Coming up next is Week 2, Week 3, and The Final Ten Days which will be linked respectively once published.

Thanks for checking us out here on The Void of Celluloid. If you’re a returning spelunker, welcome back. If you’re new, welcome. We post regularly and jump into the many voids that the horror genre presents and break down what is special and unique about the genre. You can find custom horror designs here at TVOC’s Redbubble shop and the rest of the socials are linked on the buttons down below. Follow us if you too believe that horror should be more respected than it is and are a horror fanatic anyways.

The Black Phone: A Thrill to Remember

on July 15, 2022July 15, 2022 By thevoidofcelluloid 1 Comment

I know that I’m about two weeks late. Elvis took priority in my weekly viewing first (truly fantastic movie, always been a Baz fan). However, I took the next opportunity to catch The Black Phone and boy what a treat it was. I really did enjoy this film, and it’s continued to get better the more I reflect on it.

This is the fourth horror project of Scott Derrickson that I’ve seen, and it takes second place to The Exorcism of Emily Rose. For those not familiar with Derrickson, he is responsible for the film Sinister which in has held the number one spot until 2021 for the scientifically scariest movie in a study conducted by Broadband Choices UK called the “Science of Scares.” It’s not my personal favorite, but I do tip my hat to a certain scene with a lawnmower, as it is one of the best horror scenes I’ve ever seen. Much like Sinister, The Black Phone has some flaws that pop out to me.

I will be discussing the highs and the lows of the film here, so if you haven’t seen it, go and watch it! I caught it on a value day, but I would pay full price to see it again–so go and watch it or scroll down and face the consequences of getting things mildly spoiled. Now let’s jump into this void of a detailed review.

Let’s get straight to it: Ethan Hawke

I’m sure you’ve heard by now, but Ethan Hawke is amazing in this film. He is truly a terrifying villain which differs from the heartthrob, sensitive roles I’ve loved him in. He really took the plunge and played a complexly evil man chock full of dysfunction. While all the elements of his character weren’t fully explained in the film, he portrayed who he was in full confidence that even a viewer with zero context of the story can reach a mutual understanding of who he is and what his motivations might be.

Taking place in the late 70s, The Grabber’s targets emulate one similar to John Wayne Gacy–with details being eerily similar that doubles down on the creep factor for familiar viewers. The varied complex emotions that he swings to seamlessly is very similar to the skill portrayed by Toni Collette in the dinner scene from Hereditary. Accompanied with the variety of creepy masks that only adds on to the performance, this movie is worth seeing for just his performance alone.

Brilliant Kid actors: Another It Phenomenon

The Black Phone Movie Showtimes & Tickets | Charlotte, NC

However, it is not just Ethan Hawke that excels. The child actors that play the main characters in this film are beyond brilliant, especially the sister. Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw are what brings the film to life. They also add quite a lot of heart to the story. Starting out in their abusive household, your heart automatically hurts for these kids as the story goes on. It makes the abduction scene that more intense and heartbreaking, as you know their farewell to each other might be their last.

I give major props to McGraw here for her performance. She’s a convincing psychic and delivers some heartfelt, comedic lines through the film that breaks up the tension a bit. This does not discount Thames’ performance as well as the rest of the younger actors, who are at the center of this horror. The film starts out a bit slow. However this is only for us to get an insight and bond with these two children before they are thrust into the whirlpool that is this movie’s act II and III. We’re approaching a decade now of incredibly strong child actors in horror-based content such as Stranger Things and IT. Boy, do they add brilliance to their stories.

Peak Storytelling: Well Crafted

The scares from this film came from the realism. I meant it by drawing up comparisons to Gacy. Probably the scenes that delivered the most is the abduction scenes and the overall desensitization of the community as it occurs more and more often. The dream sequences and storytelling are top notch, making this seem much like a passion project of Derrickson’s. I also believe that it is aided that this is an adaptation of a novella, meaning there was structure to build off of.

The Black Phone Image Gallery - Preview Scott Derrickson's Horror Return

Not that the two are remotely comparable in regard to story content, but I feel that this tale was told better than Sinister. Derrickson played within his wheelhouse of gritty realism. For example, the scariest pieces of Sinister are the found ‘snuff’ films. This played it out through the film’s entirety. I see the progress only going up from here. If he has Hawke as his De Niro, the only direction is up for the duo.

Uneven Pacing and Plot Holes: The only Complaints

While I mostly want to sing its praises, The Black Phone is not flawless. Because it is an adaptation, the film relies too much on inference. There are a lot of unanswered questions and details that only the source material delves into and reveals. While this might cause the average viewer to pick up the book to find more, majority of film viewers will see these as merely plot holes. However, the questions don’t need to be answered to enjoy the movie and understand the main points.

The Black Phone: release date, cast, trailer and everything we know | What to Watch

Another issue that can grind people’s gears is the pacing. The pacing is very similar to a typical somber psychological thriller. That being said there are quite a few moments where things seem to lull. However, I had no complaints as some of my favorite horror/thriller movies are slow burns. However, the way that this film was marketed was as a pure horror film. I can confidently say that it is not what it was marketed as. Reminiscent of films such as Zodiac or Se7en, it’s the burn of the chase.

Overall Review of The Black Phone

I definitely recommend this movie and believe it’s more enjoyable once one knows what they’re getting into. It’s an intense thriller that doesn’t let go once it sets off. It’s a solid film from Scott Derrickson that showcases stellar performances. The key reason to watch this film is to get blown away by Ethan Hawke, Mason Thames and Madeline McGraw. They delivered through the whirling hour and 42 minutes. Finally, I think it’s a must see in theaters before it’s gone. If you’re seeing this too late, watch in a pitch-black room–should get the same creepy effects.

Anyways, thanks for spelunking this void with us. If you’re new to the Void of Celluloid, welcome. Feel free to spelunk some other voids while you’re here and follow me on other platforms by clicking the buttons below. We post regularly and stay up to date about what’s going on in horror today, reflect on what went on yesterday, and plan for a better, horrific tomorrow. See ya next time.

31 Days of Horror: Week Three

Featured By thevoidofcelluloid

Welcome back everybody to The Void of Celluloid’s 31 Days of Horror. The whole concept of this series is to go through each week of October and pair snacks, drinks and double features to The Void’s picks. This is the first year of this series, so the standard calendar is a lot of staples and not a lot of sleeper hits. However, it is not a bad thing to revisit some of the classics. We are hitting the halfway point of October, so we have to celebrate spooky season every second we got! Here is the calendar:

I’m really excited to revisit the picks of this week, as we have some killer classics here. You can find the kick off of this series here and the bloody sequel here. Alright, let’s set up this trilogy of good spooky fun, shall we?

A Micro-rant from The Void

For those that are going to stay away from some of these films because of tiny little words you have to read, please try and push yourself to do so. There will be another subtitled movie this week as well as next week, and if you aren’t open to subtitles, you’re going to miss out on a lot of good horror. As Bong Joon Ho says “Once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” Alright, micro rant over, let’s get to the goodies.

OCtober 15th: THe Orphanage

If you somehow missed this movie during its long Netflix reign during the early 2010s, you missed out. That’s why it’s here. El Orfanato or The Orphanage is a compelling ghost tale that will have you rethinking every time someone knocks on a wall. Laura moves her family back into her childhood home, which was once an orphanage specifically for handicapped children. Not long after, her young son combats transition by having an imaginary friend. However, it turns out this friend might not be so imaginary. You might wanna have some tissues with you if you’re a hair-trigger weeper like I am when anything is remotely sad.

The double feature for this one has to be Guillermo del Toro’s The Devil’s Backbone. He actually produced The Orphanage and both this film and Pan’s Labyrinth became the top grossing Spanish films of all time. Since both films take place in Spain, we have to indulge ourselves with some Spanish food and drinks. One of the most popular cocktails in Spain is the Agua de Valencia, a delicious drink reminiscent of a mimosa. For our zero-proof crowd, there is a delicious dessert drink known as Leche Merengada which is a creamy, spiced milkshake style drink (for those lactose intolerant and savvy in Google Translate/fluent in Spanish, you can find a dairy free version here). As far as snacks go, almost everyone loves potatoes, so pair all of this with a simple, spicy Patatas Bravas.

OCtober 16th: Psycho

Psycho's Shower Scene: How Hitchcock Upped the Terror—and Fooled the Censors - HISTORY

As we know, Halloween Kills is out and while it is general trivia knowledge for most horror fans, a lot of people do not know that Jamie Lee Curtis is Janet Leigh’s daughter. Psycho is a must see and showcases stellar performances from all of its cast, especially Leigh and Anthony Perkins. Despite Peeping Tom being the first slasher film by technicality, it never reached as great of heights and praise as Psycho did. Marion Crane decides to make a run for it with her employer’s precious deposit, but due to a storm has to take refuge in the Bates Motel. I think we all know where it goes next… Nevertheless, Psycho still packs a punch despite its second biggest twist being spoiled for most film lovers and therefore, it makes it onto the calendar.

Psycho just screams classic to me, so therefore I pair this one with a nice Negroni. Believe it or not, I actually found a non-alcoholic Negroni which I thought was impossible, but it has great ratings, so check it out. What pairs nice with the sophisticated Negroni? A bunch of snooty (but tasty) things, but for some reason, these rich Bacon Mac and Cheese Bites from Entertaining with Beth will do too. Double feature wise, you could go with the previously mentioned pioneer Peeping Tom or you could go with another Hitchcock horror The Birds. It’s the simple decision of not trusting men or not trusting birds, you decide.

OCtober 17th: THe Conjuring

Ah, there’s nothing like family and building a home together, right? Gathering together and playing Hide-and-Clap sounds like a very wholesome thing to do? Well, when there is a possible witch/demon terrorizing your family each night, it’s not as picture-perfect as you would imagine. This is the first installment of the now expansive Conjuring Universe, but nothing quite beats the first one, which delivers the suspense upon every single viewing. Too bad that it spawned another wave of copycats and cheap spinoffs, but I don’t think any of its expansions can take away from this gem.

The film takes place in the 70s, complete with Patrick Wilson sporting some epic sideburns. Therefore, I’m going vintage with these pairings. If you’ve never had a cheeseball before, you have to try this classic cheeseball recipe from Tastes Better from Scratch. In the mood for something sweet and more with the season? Check out this this pumpkin cheesecake ball. If we’re keeping it classic 70’s, we should go for a nice bright Harvey Wallbanger (here’s a virgin one) to lighten up the mood for this dark, grim film. The double feature for this one is surprisingly not from the Conjuring-Verse, but rather a Mike Flanagan film Ouija: Origin of Evil. It matches The Conjuring‘s tone and because of its predecessor, some horror fans missed out on this one.

October 18th: The Shining

In October, you try to shuffle in some new finds, but sometimes nothing beats the tried and true classics. That is why The Shining is on here. I watch it at least once a year, mainly to play detective to see if I get anything new from it. I feel like I don’t really need to explain the plot of this one other than it deters heavily from the book. Why I bring this up is mostly due to my double feature, but also a push for people to read the book, as it has a lot of sentiment that the Kubrick film is obviously lacking in.

There is now an obvious double feature for The Shining which is its sequel Doctor Sleep. Yes, Mike Flanagan again. Here he does the impossible task of marrying the two versions of The Shining, and he pulls it off beautifully. You can read more about it on The Void of Celluloid here: We Love You, Mike Flanagan. For this film, I went more with a themed cocktail meets generic yummy carbs, since alcohol is such an important plot point in the story. Yes, suggesting a cocktail is opposite of the point which is why I will lead with this mocktail recipe that sounds utterly amazing: Cranberry Apple Cider Mocktail. Which is red. I think you can see where this is going, just don’t spell this REDRUM cocktail backwards. The delicious side I chose to pair with this deep red punch is the viral Cheese and Garlic Crack Bread.

October 19th: Scream

13 Seriously Effed Up Facts About 'Scream' - MTV

This film is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year so it’s time to rewatch it if you haven’t caught it in theaters yet. This film is Wes Craven’s comeback as well as the father of meta-horror that a lot of modern horror comedies use today. Also, I think it is impossible to not fall in love with Sidney Prescott’s badassery. Oh, and Matthew Lilliard’s acting. There’s a lot I love about this film.

Its double feature has to go to its sequel Scream 2, as I think there is a lot that they did better in regards to it being a horror movie. There is scarier moments in the second one at least, so if you want to go more pedal-to-the-metal with your scares, don’t skip this one. These two films drip with teenage/college student energy, so I decided to go for a dive bar meets high school party aesthetic with the pairings. We got a lovely light beer cocktail known as a Chelada, which is like a Corona with lime on steroids. Since we already did Shirley Temples last week, we’re going to go with another non-boozy classic: the Roy Rodgers. Pair this off with some adorable, salty Bacon Cheeseburger Bites and you got yourself a spooky rager.

OCtober 20th: Housebound

Housebound review: Perfect horror for the Covid-19 quarantined - Vox

If you couldn’t tell, I am quite a fan of Kiwi humor. Housebound is another title that lurked around Netflix for a while, and I remember watching it without any prior knowledge. I was confused, but once you realize it is a comedy through and through, it gets absolutely hilarious. Therefore, I want to use this platform to clarify and shine some more light on this lost gem. Kylie is forced to return to her childhood home under house arrest, trapping her inside with the supposed evil entity that lives among her and her family.

This is a fun movie and should be paired with equally fun things. Therefore I’m pairing it with one of my favorite movies The Lost Boys. Because who could say no to some glam punk 80s vampires? This is a mixed bag of a night, so why not mix it up some more with this Halloween Sangria or a prom-style punch? In my mad search for recipes, I came across these jalapeno popper pigs in a blanket that I could not help but share. Say hello to a wild Wednesday night!

OCtober 21st: Ringu

I’ll be honest, I am not a big fan of the American The Ring. I feel like it’s a cheap knockoff of the rich story that is Ringu. If you have only seen the American version, I urge you to watch Ringu this week. It is genuinely one of the creepiest films out there. It still centers around the cursed tape that is well known but its use of practical effects as well as the absence of that blue filter that was so popular in early 00s horror (and promptly killed by Twilight) make this film soar above the American remake.

The obvious double feature is another story done so dirty by American film studios: Ju-On: The Grudge. A “slower” burn than the first film, but a truly rich and amazing ghost story through and through. Since we are enjoying two classic Japanese horror films, I decided to pair it with onigiri, which is impossible to hate given its endless combinations and simpler assembly. Of course, I involved sake, so please enjoy the highly rated Sake Southside from Tasting Table (a Japanese Cream Soda for the non alcohol drinkers).

Conclusion and what’s Next

I’m so happy to see people enjoying this series and I enjoy making it (even though it makes me hungry). There is a lot coming up with The Void of Celluloid in the next few months from a podcast to a Patreon startup to oh so much more and I am excited to share this journey with all of you. Please be sure to follow and share this with your friends and loved ones and I will see you next week as we celebrate the final ten days of TVOC’s 31 Days of Horror.

Spooky Season, Welcome: A Guide for September Spooky Flicks

Featured By thevoidofcelluloid 1 Comment

It’s now September, therefore I declare that spooky season begins now, for all of our sanities. As an author of a horror blog, I am always in the mood for a scary movie. However, sometimes it’s hard to convince the viewing party to join the fanatical ways. Therefore, I took the time this week to conjure up a loose fitted plan to ease even the biggest scaredy cat into spooky season.

Halloween' 1978: The Times Finally Reviews a Horror Classic - The New York Times — A preview of what’s to come next month…

This will be the first installment, and while there isn’t necessarily horror forward movies on the September catalogue, there are plenty of good romps on here. This plan starts now, as Halloween candy and pumpkin spice are already making strides into a part of our regular diet for the next few months, so what are we waiting for? Let’s begin this journey and explore other genres’ takes on the spooky season.

The First Half of September: Easing In

Most of the films listed in this first half could easily be in the final week of October. I prefer to ramp up the scares then, so I put a lot of comfort in this first half. As the sunshine drifts away and seasonal depression might start to sink in for some, nothing is more comforting that goofy, sometimes heartfelt movies. I’m talking 1990s and early 00s cheesefest kind of movies. That is not a derogatory sense, as I love all of these movies myself. The movies also listed here can be good replacements for October films if you either A) have little ones to be cautious of or B) don’t like to get scared.

Practical Magic, BeetleJuice and Ghostbusters

Topping my list is actually not a horror movie, but rather a movie about family, magic and of course midnight margaritas: Practical Magic. This movie has always been a staple for my mom and I during fall time, so not only does it bring fuzzy feelings, but also a boat load of nostalgia. It also includes many familiar faces, with the two main stars being Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Check it out if you haven’t, it probably is my favorite film about witches (see below for hot take about Hocus Pocus, I’m sorry).

This is also where Beetlejuice goes for me surprisingly. I usually get to this movie later in the season despite me placing it here, but this movie fits in with the semi-lighthearted, cheesy vibe, even though it is a magnificent film. I haven’t ran into many people that hasn’t heard this story before, especially with the recent surge in popularity of its Broadway counterpart, but if you haven’t seen it, I have a few questions. First, what are you doing still reading this? Second, why aren’t you watching it right now?

With the new sequel coming out in November, it is impossible not putting Ghostbusters on this list. This movie was a childhood staple for me, and my favorite character isn’t even pictured here and that is Rick Moranis’ character, Louis. This is forever a classic, and a good light felt romp fit for younger kids when you’re looking for some Halloween classics.

Hocus Pocus and Others: Family Friendly (Except One)

Okay, okay, yes. A large chunk of the population watches this on Halloween, and I get that. But most years, I don’t even watch Hocus Pocus. It isn’t one of those comfort movies for me, even though it can be enjoyable, but–in the most hipster way possible–I kind think it’s overrated. I’m not alone in this opinion either, check out this piece from Sarah El-Mahmoud: Who Decided Hocus Pocus Was A Great Movie?Other than the three witches, every character annoys me and if the film just consisted of Winifred and the gang causing chaos rather than the weird plot they forget about half the time, I would probably like it more and consider it part of my ritual. It’s a staple for most however, so no judgement if this is in your regular spooky regimen.

Below is a gallery of other films that I like to partake in/think fit this tone. Most are kidfriendly but they are fun films nonetheless.

The Second Half of September: Dancing Through Life

The leaves actually start changing, the equinox comes and there is fall euphoria in the air. It feels like you could burst out into song any moment. So why don’t you? There are plenty of spooky musicals out there. Most are cult classics at this point, while others might have been revisited since childhood.

The Rocky horror Picture Show & Little Shop Of Horrors

There is an obvious crowning jewel to this subgenre, which is most enjoyed at midnight in your local theater. If you aren’t giving yourself over to absolute pleasure, a couple viewings of this masterpiece will have you doing so whilst scantily clad and throwing toast at the screen. The Rocky Horror Picture Show has quite a legacy, and what kept alive is fans and notoriety. Most people have seen this film, and I haven’t met anyone who has absolutely hated it. Even musical haters have a soft spot for this film. It is truly a transcendent cultural icon, and should be indulged every spooky season, every year for how many times that you wish to watch it (I average about four times a year, it’s a deep comfort of mine). Also, yes, this gif embodies probably my favorite Frank-N-Furter moment.

Another comfort film of mine is a bit more hush hush than the previous, but a cult classic nonetheless. Little Shop of Horrors features a great array of actors and one of the most impressive uses of practical effects and puppetry. All the songs are bops and will get stuck in your head, so much so that they may sound familiar. You’d be right, as the writers are the same people that did the music for Disney’s 90s Renaissance. “Somewhere That’s Green” is the same exact tune as “Part of Your World,” meaning it isn’t plagiarism if you steal from yourself. and the characters are likeable, even when they are doing terrible things. There’s also a weird but hilarious S&M scene between Steve Martin and Bill Murray that is not one to miss.

Claymation Classics: Thanks, Laika

Stepping into the spotlight is Laika Studios, who is responsible for most of the claymation films we see today. Not all of these are musicals, but a lot have musical elements and are perfect for spooky season. The two I want to feature are Corpse Bride and Coraline. Yes, The Nightmare Before Christmas should be a feature here too, but I do consider that film a November film in between seasons. Corpse Bride features beautiful music from Danny Elfman and adopts Tim Burton’s usual style. Coraline revolutionized claymation and pushed the limits on what is advertised as a children’s film or not. Both are spooky and perfect for pushing the limits on older kids looking for a mild scare. If they love them, congrats, you’re raising a future horror fanatic.

Honorable Mentions for A Playful End to September

Below is a gallery of other films to consider as we ramp up to October. Yes, we embrace the Bowie Bulge here.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2008)

Conclusion

I warned there was not a lot of horror on this list, and while I believe every time is horror time, this is a guide for everybody. Some people don’t like the spooks, and sometimes needs coaxing to be down to watch the scarier movies. That’s completely okay! However, if you’re depraved like me and are ready for the scares, stay tuned, as October 1st comes 31 Days of Horror, a calendar strictly for horror fans and those ready to be scared this October. Don’t forget to sign up for email notifications and I’m excited to embark with you all on The Void of Celluloid’s first spooky season. Now to feast on copious amounts of pumpkin bread.