When I was 8, my family moved to a secluded house in a rural part of town. Because we didn’t have close neighbors, I couldn’t go trick or treating on Oct. 31. Instead I plopped down on the sofa and watched movies. Since then, it has become my own Halloween tradition. If you intend on spending Halloween at home, too, consider the following horror films to celebrate the holiday.
“Cabin in the Woods”
The film stars Kristen Connolly, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Anna Hutchinson and Chris Hemsworth, who is best known for his role as Thor. In the film, they play a group of college students vacationing at a cabin when things begin to go horribly wrong. Drew Gollard and Joss Whedon directed, wrote and produced the film. You may already be familiar with Joss Whedon’s work. He is credited as the creator of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
“Dark Shadows”
“Dark Shadows,” on the other hand, is ideal for the person who scares easily and is looking for a campier Halloween movie. The Tim Burton film captures the same humor and grotesque romanticism as the “Corpse’s Bride” and the “Nightmare before Christmas.” Based on the “Dark Shadows” soap opera, which ran from 1966 to 1971, the movie is about a vampire who wakes up in 1972 to an eccentric set of family members. The film stars Johnny Depp alongside Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter from the “Harry Potter” series and Hit-Girl Chloe Grace Moretz from Kickass.
“The Devil Inside”
If you enjoy religious horror films, I recommend “The Devil Inside.” The film is about a young woman who set on a journey to discover the truth behind tragic and unusual circumstances surrounding her family. The film takes audiences to Budapest in Hungary, Rome and Vatican City and stars Fernanda Andrade, Simon Quarterman, Evan Helmuth and Suzan Crowley.
“Prometheus”
Plan on celebrating Halloween with friends who are science fiction fans? Then “Prometheus” is a must. The film was intended to be the fifth installment of the “Alien” franchise starring Sigourney Weaver from Avatar but gradually evolved into a separate entity. It stars Noomi Raspace and Michael Fassbender and also features Charlize Theron, who you might recognize as the Evil Queen from “Snow White and the Huntsman.”
“Paranormal Activity 4”
Rather than staying in, perhaps you plan on hitting the theaters for Halloween. If so, be sure to check out “Paranormal Activity 4.” It is the latest film in the highly successful “Paranormal Activity” series. It premiered Oct. 19. Based on the number of people around campus buzzing about it, I would say it is the most highly anticipated horror film of the year. It is directed by Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost.
“ParaNorman”
Of course, if you want to bypass the horror altogether but maintain the essence of the holiday, I suggest “ParaNorman.” The Burton-esque animated film, starring the voice of Casey Affleck, captures the holiday without the gore.
Whatever you choose to do, I wish you a happy Halloween.
Chris Hemsworth in “Cabin in the Woods”
