Halloween is almost here. It’s the time of year for scary movies. I’d like to share with you a few of my favorite horror movies. So cuddle up in a blanket and enjoy the thrills and chills
Gremlins -- I think most people forget this is actually a horror film. When a cuddly pet with too many special rules and needs accidentally spawns a horde of mischievous creatures, an entire town falls victim to their mayhem. Their behavior was gruesome enough that this movie helped lead to the creation of the PG-13 rating. Engineered by producers extraordinaire, Steven Spielberg and Peter Marshall, Gremlins is often overlooked as one of the creepiest horror movies of all time.
Halloween -- John Carpenter’s masterpiece gave birth to a new sub-genre of horror movie: the slasher film. Slasher films generally feature a seemingly unstoppable killer stalking teenagers or college students during periods of bad behavior (underage drinking, pre-marital sex, drug use, etc). The darkly shot movie combined with the most recognizable horror score of all time makes Halloween one of the must see movies every October 31st.
In the Mouth of Madness -- Another film from the legendary John Carpenter, this may be his most under-appreciated film, but it is definitely one of his creepiest. Imagine if you will reading a horror novel that literally drove you mad as you read. This movie has a Twilight Zone feel to it while delivering the chills and jumps expected from Carpenter.
Scream -- While this movie is part horror and part satire it is one of horror master Wes Craven’s greatest achievements. The slasher element exists as a masked killer stalks high-school kids, but the killer here is different from all other slasher villains. The satire enters as the movie breaks and lampoons the “rules” that supposedly exist in slasher films. Craven made perfect casting choices with Scream and as always, his eye behind the camera is dead-on. So if you want some laughs and chills, Scream is your movie.
House of 1000 Corpses -- And now for something completely different… Heavy metal singer Rob Zombie wrote and directed this campy homage to 1970s horror centered on a group of teens in search of stories about an infamous serial killer named Dr. Satan. They become stranded and fall prey to a murderous backwoods Texas family. With a cast featuring cult movie legends Bill Moseley and Sid Haig, House of 1000 Corpses is gruesome, creepy and most of all, fun.
Jeepers Creepers -- I’m not sure what is scarier, the Creeper or this fact this movie made Justin Long a star. I’d like to think a demon who needs to eat body parts to regenerate his own would win on that one, but let’s call it a tie. Jeepers Creepers begins delivering right from the start with a scene of menacing road rage and the suspense and thrills continue until the shocking end. (SPOILER ALERT: The bad guy wins!)
Have a great Halloween weekend everyone. And make sure to enjoy some scary movies.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Not a parody post
October 23 marked the 52nd birthday of one of my generation's greatest comedic minds. Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic blew out the candles Saturday. I've been a "Weird Al" fan since I was in elementary school. I've enjoyed his mega-hits like "Eat It", "Fat" and "Amish Paradise" as well lesser known tracks such as "She Drives Like Crazy" and "Do I Creep You Out?". And who could forget the Al Originals like "Dare to be Stupid", "UHF" and "The Night Santa Went Crazy"? Al has had a fantastic career and to this day remains the undisputed champion of the parody. In honor of his birthday, I am going to discuss a few of my all-time favorite "Weird Al" songs.
"A Complicated Song" -- A parody of Avril Lavigne's "Complicated"
When I think of jokes about constipation, incest and accidental beheadings, I'm expecting a stand-up routine from Larry the Cable Guy. However, Al pulls this song off without going overboard with the humor.
"Truck Drivin Song" -- A "Weird Al" original
I wonder if Al was watching Smokey and the Bandit when he was inspired to write this song about a cross-dressing truck driver. The combination of trucker lingo and descriptions of the outfit being worn make this one of Al's best original songs ever.
"Ode to a Superhero" -- A parody of Billy Joel's "Piano Man"
OK, I am one of the people who thought Spider-Man was a terrible movie. But Al's five-minute recap of the entire movie sung to the tune of the classic Billy Joel song is fantastic. It's the entire story without the horrible acting of Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst.
"Theme to Rocky XIII" -- parody of Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger"
Wow, there were almost enough Rocky sequels to make this accurate.
"Happy Birthday" -- A "Weird Al" original
Only Al could make nucelar annihilation and the destruction of the planet hilarious.
"It's All About the Pentiums" -- A parody of Notorious B.I.G.'s "It's All About the Benjamins"
This is one of Al's most under-appreciated songs and I can't figure out why. With lines such as "You're just about as useless as JPEG's to Helen Keller!" and "If I ever meet you I'll Ctl-Alt-Delete you!", this is one of Al's most hilarious songs.
"Headline News" -- A parody of Crash Test Dummies "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm"
A Weird Al roast of the ridiculous news stories which captivated America in the early 1990s. The verse about JohnWayne Bobbitt is over-the-top and funny enough to make your tummy hurt from laughter.
"One More Minute" -- A "Weird Al" original
This break-up song from Al discusses all the horrible and disgusting things he'd rather do than spend another solitary minute with the former love of his life. It's a classic.
"Weird Al" has been performing for nearly 30 years and still remains at the top of his game. His comic genius will never be matched. Even with a few missteps, (like most of the Alapalooza album) he has continued to entertain us again and again. Thanks Al, and keep the laughs coming!
"A Complicated Song" -- A parody of Avril Lavigne's "Complicated"
When I think of jokes about constipation, incest and accidental beheadings, I'm expecting a stand-up routine from Larry the Cable Guy. However, Al pulls this song off without going overboard with the humor.
"Truck Drivin Song" -- A "Weird Al" original
I wonder if Al was watching Smokey and the Bandit when he was inspired to write this song about a cross-dressing truck driver. The combination of trucker lingo and descriptions of the outfit being worn make this one of Al's best original songs ever.
"Ode to a Superhero" -- A parody of Billy Joel's "Piano Man"
OK, I am one of the people who thought Spider-Man was a terrible movie. But Al's five-minute recap of the entire movie sung to the tune of the classic Billy Joel song is fantastic. It's the entire story without the horrible acting of Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst.
"Theme to Rocky XIII" -- parody of Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger"
Wow, there were almost enough Rocky sequels to make this accurate.
"Happy Birthday" -- A "Weird Al" original
Only Al could make nucelar annihilation and the destruction of the planet hilarious.
"It's All About the Pentiums" -- A parody of Notorious B.I.G.'s "It's All About the Benjamins"
This is one of Al's most under-appreciated songs and I can't figure out why. With lines such as "You're just about as useless as JPEG's to Helen Keller!" and "If I ever meet you I'll Ctl-Alt-Delete you!", this is one of Al's most hilarious songs.
"Headline News" -- A parody of Crash Test Dummies "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm"
A Weird Al roast of the ridiculous news stories which captivated America in the early 1990s. The verse about JohnWayne Bobbitt is over-the-top and funny enough to make your tummy hurt from laughter.
"One More Minute" -- A "Weird Al" original
This break-up song from Al discusses all the horrible and disgusting things he'd rather do than spend another solitary minute with the former love of his life. It's a classic.
"Weird Al" has been performing for nearly 30 years and still remains at the top of his game. His comic genius will never be matched. Even with a few missteps, (like most of the Alapalooza album) he has continued to entertain us again and again. Thanks Al, and keep the laughs coming!
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