Welcome to the new home of Creepercast.com. Where we let the fear creep in with all things horror genre. News, Reviews, and more! STAFF:
J.P.: Editor (EIC - Editor in Cheif), Writer (CC - Content Contributor);
Joel Kenyon: Editor (AE - Assistant Editor), Writer (CC - Content Contributor); William S Mayfield: Writer (CC - Content Contributor)
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2018 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2018! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2017.)
The Worst of the Year) 'The Strangers: Prey at Night'
I've already written a full review of this one, but I felt like I'd be remiss in not following Jeff's lead with this idea. Along with all of the amazing things we see throughout the year, it's not without it's garbage. For me, this year, this one takes the cake. It took such an amazing original idea and ruined it with all of the cliches that kept the first one from being a trite throwaway home invasion film. No more tension, no more scares, just a big heavy sledgehammer of stupid. One minor tweak could have made it one of the best of the year. Instead, it ended up being a waste of time and energy. Lord help us if they keep making these films and it turns into the 'Wrong Turn' franchise.
Suggested snack to eat while watching: a roofie, to forget it ever happened
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2018 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2018! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2017.)
The Recap!
13) 'Cargo'
12) 'Mandy'
11) 'The First Purge'
10) 'Revenge'
9) 'The Night Eats the World'
8) 'A Quiet Place'
7) 'Hereditary'
6) 'The Night Watchmen'
5) 'To Hell and Back: The Kane Hodder Story'
4) 'Summer of 84'
3) 'Terrifier'
2) 'The Ravenous'
1) 'Halloween (2018)'
Close, but no guitar:
'The Haunting of Hill House'
ps While 'Upgrade' was amazing and one of my favorites of the year.... it's not horror.
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2018 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2018! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2017.)
1) 'Halloween' (2018)
We're finally here! I hope the wait was worth it. My top film of 2018 is none other than David Gordon Green and Danny McBride's 'Halloween' (2018). This is another one that I've already written a full review for, so I won't go on and on again about how wonderful this film is. While it's not a perfect horror film, it still hit all the sweet spots that the franchise needed and breathed life into Michael Myers once again. Even though I'm a die hard fan of Rob Zombie's take on the series, those films had reached their conclusion. It was nice to see that two fans of the genre and franchise could pull a rabbit out of their hat and make something old, new again. It may have taken a complete erasing of the movies that came before it to make it happen, but I'm okay with that. Those films still exist and will still hold a soft spot in my heart, but this just means that there is a whole new timeline to follow. Unlike the messy 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' films, this one seems less all over the place. It's not trying to hold it all together anymore, but rather to forge a new path of destruction. This one is an example of team film making that puts together something that pays off on everything it promises. I, personally, would have tweaked a couple of minor things, but you'll never have every single part of a film exactly right.... but this is still worthy of my top spot and a film I will revisit often.
Suggested snack to eat while watching: Halloween candy!
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2018 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2018! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2017.)
2) 'The Ravenous'
We're almost at the top of the pile, as the countdown continues! I've already written a full review of this film and it still holds up as one of the truly best of this year. While it has some mixed reactions, as a whole, with the people who've seen it.... to me it sums up what a zombie film should be. It's bleak, but full of hope. Frightening, but with heart. A simple little slice of life in the apocalypse. I've since gone back and watched it a second time and it held up just as well as the first time. It takes the expected formula and throws in some slight twists on the genre that make this one stand out from the rest of the pack. It's also proof that despite the over saturation of the zombie market, there is still brilliant stories to be told.
Suggested snack to eat while watching: "Fronch dressing. Fronch fries. Fronch bread. And to drink….Peru!"
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2018 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2018! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2017.)
3) 'Terrifier'
The final film that kind of came out of nowhere is 'Terrifier'. With the fear of clowns being at an all time high, Art the Clown has walked out of the shadows at the perfect time and has suddenly become part of the higher echelon of horror clowns and an instant horror icon. He's starting to be mentioned in the same breath as Freddy and Jason and Pennywise and it was all in a matter of two films time. This one is a straight up throw back to the old 80's style storytelling with a grindhouse aesthetic that works brilliantly. I can't say enough good things about this film and the ending is ultimately what put the nail in the coffin. It's so beyond belief, but fits snugly into place along with all of the other unstoppable killers, that it's like magic. Long live Art! PS David Howard Thornton embodies this role so perfectly that it's like he was born to play the part.
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2018 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2018! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2017.)
4) 'Summer of 84'
Every year there seems to be a "sleeper" film that sneaks up on me and takes me by surprise. This year, there were three! One of them, 'Mandy', has already been on the list and this is number two. If you've ever wondered what 'Stranger Things' as done by Alfred Hitchcock via 'Rear Window' would look like, then you'll have your chance to see the result of that pairing in 'Summer of 84'. A spot on tale of a different time with lots of twists and turns and one moment that literally had me on the edge of my seat. A fantastic example of what horror is becoming. If you haven't seen this one yet, do yourself a favor and change that fact as soon as possible.
Suggested snack to eat while watching: a bottle of vodka
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2018 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2018! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2017.)
5) 'To Hell and Back: The Kane Hodder Story'
Documentaries are not the normal fare for a 'Top 13 Horror Films' list, but this one is an exception. When the focus of the documentary is a horror icon, then it's one that must be seriously considered and 'To Hell and Back: The Kane Hodder Story' is deserving of a top spot. His story is an amazing one. This film is everything a good documentary should be, but Kane is such a kind man with a huge heart and it all just oozes off the screen. He's dedicated his life to film and more specifically horror films. He's become a cornerstone in our genre and a poster boy for all the good aspects that people tend to overlook. Even if you've never seen any of his films, this is still a story that will move you. If you're a fan of his work or the films he's been a part of, it'll hit you even harder. Don't miss this one. It's a must watch!
Suggested snack to eat while watching: something killed
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2018 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2018! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2017.)
6) 'The Night Watchmen'
Horror comedies are one of my favorite subgenres. The blending of laughs and monsters is one that hits my sweet spot. Not all of them work, but when they do, they're amazing. This one flew in under the radar and deserves a much wider audience. It's not what you think it is, but what it is.... makes my heart happy. It leaves you with a smile and a hope that they do make a sequel at some point. I sincerely hope that the director, Mitchell Altieri, continues his journey as a film maker. This one is a big ol' slice of happiness on a plate. End of story.
Suggested snack to eat while watching: fresh garlic
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2018 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2018! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2017.)
7) 'Hereditary'
Once again, a movie came out of the woodwork that caught everyone off guard. After the end and the credits started to roll, I was a little lost for words. As the time began to pass, I couldn't stop thinking about it. While there were several elements that were borrowed from the films that came before, the caliber of acting, directing and story telling is what set this one apart from the rest of the pack. One scene in particular had my jaw on the floor with shock. All I can tell you is to go into this one with no expectations and just take the ride. It's unforgettable. I don't feel that it's the scariest horror film ever, but it's certainly one of a new crop of movies that prove that there's still more stories to tell.
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2018 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2018! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2017.)
8) 'A Quiet Place'
Original concepts are few and far between. 'A Quiet Place' came out of nowhere and took some elements of other horror films and tweaked them in such a way that it made something new and different. While it has some flaws, they can all be overlooked by the way it's all executed. It plays on my love of films about overwhelming odds and adds the element of being forced to remain quiet to stay alive. Plus, how many films do you know of utilize American Sign Language? If you've not seen this one, please stop reading this and go watch. You won't regret it.
Suggested snack to eat while watching: marshmallows
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2018 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2018! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2017.)
9) 'The Night Eats the World'
The zombie film is my bread and butter. No matter how many different variations on the theme you have, I'll always be up for a new tale of post apocalyptic terror. When I saw the trailer for 'The Night Eats the World', I was sold immediately. It didn't look like there was anything new, but I didn't care. It's almost like we're watching each and every little story play out, as the world they live in is slowly falling down around them. It will never cease to terrify me. The thought of fighting overwhelming odds to a hopeless end is something that keeps me awake at night. I hope that it never comes to fruition, but until then.... I'll use each film that's made as a blueprint for a possible future. This one, was a solid entry into the undead lexicon, that's worth your time.
Suggested snack to eat while watching: canned goods
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2018 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2018! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2017.)
10) 'Revenge'
I love films where women are empowered. Revenge films are also right in my wheelhouse. The only thing I'm not a fan of, is films with sexual assault. Sadly, it's a large lynch pin that creates the reason for revenge. What's worse is that it's a story that's all too true, but more often then not, there is no justice. That's one of the things these films can offer the viewers, closure or a release. 'Revenge' is a bloody, gut wrenching tale of giving back, ten fold, what they took from her. It's intense and one that's not easy to forget.
Suggested snack to eat while watching: a dish best served cold
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2018 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2018! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2017.)
11) 'The First Purge'
I have no shame in my love of 'The Purge' franchise. The first one didn't show us enough of the world that was built. The second and third, took us out into the open and slowly shifted to a more action based horror film. With a TV show and the fourth film, the series felt like it could be bordering on over saturation of the market. Once I finally saw this entry into the series, I felt like things were still alive and well. Despite mixed reviews and some hate being thrown its way, I felt like this kept the story moving forward and was worth being counted as a continuation of the series. What makes this all work, is that the world today is creepily close to reaching this outcome. I hope we never come to that, but in the meantime, it just cranks up the tension and makes this that much more frightening.
Suggested snack to eat while watching: something to binge on, before you purge
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2018 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2018! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2017.)
12) 'Mandy'
Nicolas Cage has been on a comeback trail recently, by jumping into the deep end of the horror pool. To be honest, I don't mind one bit. I used to be a huge fan and would seek out everything he did, but somewhere along the way.... he lost his way. Now, I'm starting to feel the Cage love again. However, the star of this film is truly Andrea Riseborough. She oozes a bizarre charisma that lights up the screen and makes you feel why she's the name on the poster. There's a lot to unpack in this film, let's not mince words. It doesn't always maintain the momentum it starts with, but it's still a crazy train ride that's worth the price of admission. If you haven't seen this yet, now is the time. Turn up the surround sound, turn off the lights and get ready for a hell of a ride!
Suggested snack to eat while watching: cigarettes and corn syrup
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2018 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2018! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2017.)
13) 'Cargo'
Zombie films will always have a soft spot in my heart. I never get tired of them and despite the scenarios being the same, I still lose myself in the idea of having to live through overwhelming odds in order to survive what is probably a hopeless situation. In this film, we get the always fun to watch Martin Freeman, in yet another horror role as a man trying to keep his family alive. One of the hooks of this film, is that it takes place in Australia. They've also tweaked the mythos to include a governmental response to the epidemic that's humane, but leaves you with some morality questions that ratchet up the tension. This one is above average for the undead fare that's being mass produced. It left me feeling a little cold, in the end, but it's still deserving of a spot on my list.
Suggested snack to eat while watching: anything you can find lying around the local abandoned boat
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2018 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2018! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2017.)
Honorable Mention) 'The Haunting of Hill House'
In my mind, the 'Top 13' list should be films only. However, with the release of Mike Flanagan's 10 episode epic, 'The Haunting of Hill House'.... I'm making an exception. This is a moderately sprawling epic tale of sadness, death and redemption that deserves a mention. It's not without its flaws, but it's creepy, when it needs to be. It's dramatic, when it's called for. Sometimes, it's a bit formulaic in it's creature design and execution, but at the end of the day it proves that it has heart and a heck of a story. It's all the things that it promised and it proves that Mike Flanagan is still a force to be reckoned with. I feel that there's a lot of things I could pick apart about this series, but there's so much more going on that's good, that I'd be doing the uninitiated a disservice by making it sound like less than it was. If you've got 10 hours to spare, it's worth your time.
As with all of my reviews of films for The Creepercast, I fully recommend that you check each and every one of them out. I am one man and this is my opinion. I've seen plenty of movies that received reviews that were the complete opposite of how I saw the film. These writers, directors, producers and actors all put a lot of time and love into these projects. They deserve to be seen and appreciated for what they are. Everyone has a dream and I fully support the people that take the time to make theirs a reality. With that being said....
Every once in a while you get excited about something that's coming out. I'm not talking about general excitement, but honest to goodness, kid on Christmas, excitement. That's how it was when I went to the theater to see the newest installment in the 'Halloween' legacy. Way back when I first heard about a pitch that had happened by David Gordon Green and, none other than, Danny McBride for a new 'Halloween' film.... needless to say, I was confused. What on earth does this comedic actor and (primarily) television writer/director, know about horror? But the more I read about it and saw the legitimate passion they had for the project, the more interested I became. Then they dropped the bombshell. This was going to be a direct sequel to the original 1978 John Carpenter film. Once again, I was a little bit gobsmacked. Why on earth would you retcon everything from the past 6 sequels (not counting part 3) and/or not continue what Rob Zombie had started? It seemed a rather bold decision. Once again, I read all of the articles and saw that they had a vision. They saw something fresh and new that the rest of us did not and genuinely wanted to make the 'Halloween' film that we'd all been waiting for. I mean, the original part 2 was written in a drunken stupor and John Carpenter himself, wasn't really keen on how it turned out. Part 3 was it's own thing. Parts 4-8 created an almost impossible timeline of events and confusing back story that watered down the original material to an almost unwatchable place. Even part 8, that really could have been something good, turned into one of the biggest farces ever committed to the screen. Rob's films, essentially, could stand on their own and didn't leave much room for a continuation of the story. So, when I looked at it as a whole, what other direction could you go? Then, Jamie Lee Curtis signed on and all was well in the world. At that point, we all knew that this may be something special. Here we are, a couple of years later and the film has been unleashed to the world and it is doing some crazy box office. This just proves that Michael Myers has a staying power that can't be underestimated and that you can teach an old dog new tricks.
The film begins in Smith's Grove Sanitarium, the home of Michael Myers for the past 40 years. Now, an old man, he's never spoken a word and lives his days out as a bit of a modern day boogeyman; retired. Two podcasters come to visit him, in the hopes of getting some kind of an interview and a story for their latest episode. Upon meeting with Michael, one of them shows him the mask and we get the idea that perhaps there is something still a bit supernatural about 'The Shape'. They then head to the home Laurie Strode. The survivor of that single murderous night, in which Michael killed five other people and left her alive to tell the tale. She now lives in, basically, a compound that's compete with a shooting range, floodlights, all kinds of security and no one else but herself. The two podcasters once again attempt to get a story, in the hopes of possibly having her and Micheal sit down together to hash out their differences. We see Laurie is now a PTSD sufferer and has had a life full of sadness and struggle. All because of the actions of one man. She turns down the offer and escorts the two off her property. We then meet her daughter and granddaughter, who rarely see her, but are soon joined together for a meal. This turns out to be a bit of a good bye dinner, as Laurie plans to murder Michael as he's being moved to another location. She realizes that she can't go through with it and while Michael is on his way to his new home, he escapes. From there, it's back to Haddonfield, to once again pick up where he left off and possibly finish what he started.
I really don't want to divulge much more than that, because this is such a new film and part of the joy in seeing it is the ability to watch the events unfold naturally. While this might not be a perfect film and may have been a bit to over hyped by the press, it does pay off on the majority of what it promised. A return to form and a story that's worthy to be included in the canon that is 'Halloween'. One of the big things that immediately jumps out at you, with this film, is the score. John Carpenter returns to take what he originally wrote and expands on it in ways that punctuate the film beautifully. There are some intense moments that are only amplified by the musical score. What he's done with the music is perfect and fits tonally with what David was going for with the film itself. They really work quite well together and it lends some credence to the entire affair. Another aspect of this film that really spoke to me was the erasing of all that came after part 1. Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy 2 and 3 quite a bit, but never really could appreciate the later outings like the rest of the fandom does. It wasn't until Rob Zombie's films, that I really got into the Michael mythos. I always felt like they were continually diluting what made the main character scary in the first place and making him more of a puppet that a monster. Whereas Jason was an undead killing machine and Freddy was a murdering mirth maker, Micheal became confusing. This wipes that slate clean and leaves you with the impression he may be more than just a man, but maybe not? It seems as though they were taking aspects of the other ten films and incorporating them into this one, in bits and pieces, but never really giving the audience more than a nod that they even existed. All in all, this film just felt 'right'. Like it fit perfectly in the world that John created and gave us some much needed closure on the story. Not that it's necessarily over....
With all of that being said, there were some things here that didn't work. There are some logic jumps, which kind of come with the territory. I mean, you can't make a horror film without it. At least not with a modern day boogeyman. There was one scene in particular that seemed a bit out of left field. I don't want to provide any spoilers, but it involves the doctor and.... well, you'll know it when you see it. However, the moment that part has ended, what happens next raises a lot of very interesting questions that make me look forward to the commentary on the DVD/Blu-ray release. I've also got a few minor issues with the mask itself, as I think I got a little bit spoiled with the quality of the one that Rob had created for his films. Not too mention, that if this is supposed to be the one that was used back in 1978, I would think that it wouldn't have been wearable by 2018. Based on what I know about latex masks. (Which isn't much). Finally, the ending. I'm a little puzzled by the decisions that were made with how to close out the third act. The final two shots and the (sort of) cut scene after the credits. They leave us with more questions than answers and it felt just a bit confusing. I don't know what the plan was with the franchise, when they were writing it, or if there was a plan, but it leaves me wondering if/and or what would happened next? Maybe that was the goal? All in all, this is a solid entry into the series and bookends nicely with the original films and even the remakes. Sadly, the majority of the other big names have fallen on hard times. The 'Friday the 13th' films have all but petered out, unless they do another reboot or find a fresh way to pick up where the left off. The 'Nightmare on Elm Street' films left us on a high note, only to kill that with a horrific remake. With 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre', it's become one of the most absurd timelines in cinema history. Although, I really enjoyed the most recent installment, it didn't really leave them room to grow. It's like each films is almost it's own separate entity with only Leatherface tying it all together. The 'Child's Play' films have held things together really well, in my opinion, and may finally be making a mistake with a reboot, but time will tell. Finally, 'Hellraiser'... well, that's just a mess. For the newest 'Halloween' (2018) I'm giving it a 4 out of 5 star ranking and have added it to my list of the 'Top 13 Horror Films of 2018' and justifiably so. It's a love letter to the first films, while breaking its own new ground. If you get a chance, go see this one in the theater with a room full of people and I think you'll walk away feeling satisfied. Also, thank you to Danny McBride and David Gordon Green for not making Laurie without the flaws and scars of someone who's endured a traumatic experience. Far too many films shy away from this for their 'final girl' and sadly, it ends up cheapening the story line and the characters that have been created. Bring on the next film!
If you like this film, please revisit: 'Halloween' (1978), 'Halloween' (2007) and consider the rest of them too. We all have our favorites, eh?
