Rob Zombie’s “Halloween II”: Trick or Treat?

Slasher StudiosHalloween II

I will start this post off by saying that I am one of the few horror fans out there that prefer Rob Zombie’s “Halloween” to John Carpenter’s “Halloween”. I know, it’s blasphemy and I will go down in horror hell for saying such a thing. But I personally love the back story that Zombie gave Michael and feel as though everything about the film (from the acting to the directing to use of music) was just about perfect. Everything about the film really worked for me and it was with appreciation that I approached the sequel. Going in, I had heard nothing but TERRIBLE things. I mean downright AWFUL comments. “One of the worst horror sequels ever made” and “Rob Zombie will burn in hell for what he has done to this series were some of the nicer comments. So is “Halloween II” really as awful as horror fans have made it out to be?

In a short flashback, Deborah Myers (Sheri Moon Zombie) visits her son, a young Michael Myers (Chase Wright Vanek), at Smith’s Grove Sanitarium. Deborah gives Michael a white horse statuette as a gift. Michael says that the horse reminds him of a dream he had of Deborah’s ghost, all dressed in white and leading a horse down the sanitarium halls toward Michael, telling him she was going to bring him home. Moving ahead fifteen years, after having shot an adult Michael (Tyler Mane), Laurie Strode (Scout Taylor-Compton) is found wandering around in a state of shock and covered in blood by Sheriff Brackett (Brad Dourif). Brackett takes Laurie to the emergency room. Meanwhile, the paramedics pick up the Sheriff’s daughter Annie (Danielle Harris) and Michael’s psychiatrist Dr. Loomis (Malcolm McDowell), who are still alive after having been attacked by Michael, and take them to the hospital. Presumed dead, Michael’s lifeless body is loaded into a separate ambulance. When the driver has a traffic accident Michael awakens and escapes the ambulance, walking toward a vision of Deborah dressed in white and leading a white horse.

Michael appears at the hospital, and begins murdering everyone he comes across on his way to Laurie. Trapped in a security outpost at the gate, Laurie watches as Michael tears through the walls with an axe, but just as he tries to kill her, Laurie wakes up from the dream. It is actually one year later and Laurie is now living with the Bracketts. Michael’s body has been missing since last Halloween—still presumed dead—and Laurie has been having recurring nightmares about the event. While Laurie deals with her trauma through therapy, Loomis has chosen to turn the event into an opportunity to write another book. Meanwhile, Michael has been having visions of Deborah’s ghost and a younger version of himself, who instructs him that with Halloween approaching it is time to bring Laurie home; so he sets off for Haddonfield.

I know that most horror fans seem to despise this movie but I find it to be a beautiful shot, misunderstood gem of a horror film. I admire Zombie for not doing a straight up remake of the original sequel and I like how you actually are able to see the emotional grief that the first travesty has caused its characters. We are able to see Laurie and Annie as real, flesh and blood characters that are each trying to deal with this travesty the only way that they know how. It’s not a perfect film (the horse imagery is out of place to say the least) but it is an ambitious film and that’s more than you can say about most horror movies today.

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Eli Roth Selects His Fab Five Horror Movies

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As writer and director of such films as “Cabin Fever” and “Hostel,” Eli Roth is one of the premiere filmmakers in the industry and a true student of the horror genre. Via Daily News Los Angeles, Slasher Studios is proud to showcase Eli Roth’s five favorite horror films.

“Sleepaway Camp” (1983): Ah, “Sleepaway Camp.” I remember watching this film at a sleepover with Lenny Mead and a bunch of friends in the mid-’80s, and when the movie ended we literally stood up out of our chairs and screamed at the top of our lungs until we ran out of air. I will not say why – and don’t go looking up the spoilers on the Internet because that will take all the fun away. Treat yourself to a wonderful surprise. Director Robert Hiltzik’s film is anything but a by-the-numbers, early ’80s, low-budget slasher flick set at a summer camp. The kills are fun, but the ending simply cannot be topped. Don’t read anything about it, just go rent it, pop it in, and watch your friends freak out. This will be the film you guys talk about for weeks after.

“Troll 2” (1990): In the past few years, this has become the most made-fun-of horror movie for many, many reasons, all of which are documented in the excellent film “Best Worst Movie.” The director, the inimitable Italian maestro Claudio Fragasso, had a script that had nothing to do with trolls, but he could get it financed if he changed the title to “Troll 2.” Fragasso let the financiers change the title but refused to change anything else, and as a result there are many goblins, but not a single troll in the entire film. It will take hours to get through this gem because you’ll keep pausing and replaying the lines over and over.

“Troll 2” is one of the rare sequels where you don’t have to waste time watching the first one, since the films have absolutely nothing to do with one another. It has such a strong cult following, it was recently rereleased on Blu-ray for you to enjoy in all its high-definition glory.

“Creepshow” (1982): George Romero was the king of horror then, having made the classics “Night of the Living Dead” and “Dawn of the Dead,” Stephen King was the scariest author on the planet (and still is, as far as I’m concerned), and Tom Savini had upset nearly every parent in America by creating the goriest makeup effects in the nastiest horror films of the golden era. The three of them teamed up to create an old EC Comics-style scarefest that is “Creepshow.”

The movie, told in five stories, is designed to look like a comic book, but it is creepy. And disgusting. And really, really fun. Plus it’s an anthology so you don’t really have to pay attention, and if you’re not that into the story, a new one will be on in 10 minutes. I watch it now and find myself saying things like, “Look, Ed Harris with hair!” An amazing cast, incredible script, brilliant makeup effects and nonstop fun. A very underrated horror movie that’s a guaranteed good time.

“Zombi 2” (1980): One of those rare sequels that isn’t actually a sequel.

It was just called “Zombi 2” because, in Italy, “Dawn of the Dead” was released under the title “Zombi,” and the producers wanted to trick people into thinking this was the second one, even though the two films have nothing to do with each other. Other than zombies, that is.
“Zombie,” as it’s commonly known in the United States, has grown over time to be one of the most beloved zombie movies, with scenes of gore so spectacular and horrifying they still stand head and shoulders above any zombie movie made since. Lucio Fulci is one of my all-time favorite directors, and whenever I film a particularly gory scene, we all close our eyes and try to channel him for inspiration. “Zombi 2” has the greatest scene ever committed to celluloid, and is actually responsible for the modern movement of zombie films. Nothing comes close to it, which is why the die-hard horror nerds like me wear T-shirts that say “Viva Fulci!” A must-see for any zombie apocalypse fan.

“Pieces” (1982): Watching this film with a crowd is the most fun experience I have ever had watching a movie. I showed it to a packed house at a film festival I held a few years ago, and people had so much fun that, afterward, they were actually depressed they’d never have that good a time at the movies again. This was the movie where on the poster you saw a chain saw, a stitched-up dead girl, and the tagline: “It’s exactly what you think it is.” Some movies don’t exactly live up to their poster. Juan Piquer Simon’s does. But “Pieces” is also one of the craziest, most random and insane slasher films ever made. You think you have it figured out and then the film blindsides you. There are many, many classic scenes, like the infamous tennis match, which has some of the best extras casting in the history of cinema.

“Pieces” truly is my favorite slasher film of all time, and it’s the one movie that never fails to have the audience totally entertained from start to finish. It’s also got an ending to rival “Sleepaway Camp.” I am almost sorry you are going to watch “Pieces” because pretty much any moviegoing experience after will be a letdown.

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Slasher Studios’ Holiday Horror Hits

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On this week’s episode of Slasher Studios, Kevin Sommerfield and Steve Goltz will be counting down their top 10 favorite Holiday Horror movies at a special time THIS Friday June 17th at 3pm central. Make sure to call in to talk about your favorite Holiday Horror movies and we’ll see which holiday is the favorite “Holiday of the Slashers”.

Click here to listen LIVE or to check out some of our older shows:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/slasherstudios

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Steve’s Top 10 Horror Sequels

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10. Final Destination 2
The characters were much more likable and the filmmakers really amped up the deaths in this film. By far my favorite of the franchise.

9. Silent Night, Deadly Night 5 – The Toy Maker
Mickey Rooney in a Santa costume. Need I say more?

8. Saw 2
The series started to lose me after a while, but Saw 2 is not only my favorite of the franchise, but also a great sequel. Clever death traps and a twist to die for along with a scene that will leave you on pins and “needles.”

7. Bride of Chucky
Bride of Chucky is the point in the series when our little friend turns up the humor. There was always something to chuckle about seeing a creepy doll running around, but now we are really supposed to laugh. Going from straight horror in the first half the the series to horror-comedy in this one was a big risk. And it paid off.

6. Nightmare on Elm Street 3 – Dream Warriors
At first I wasn’t a fan. Not at all. I wanted the third part in the series to stick with kids in their neighborhood. But, after watching a few more times i started to realize what I was missing. This film takes on something new without going too far.

5. Friday the 13th Part 7 – New Blood
Favorite sequel from the Friday The 13th series. Great death scenes. and a great final girl. not to mention the great hair!

4. Poltergeist 3
I will just say it: I love this film. I know many of you out there disagree, but I can’t help myself. Maybe it’s just the filmmaker in me, but I get excited seeing the mirror effects within this movie. And don’t tell anyone, but i like all the, “Carol Anne” lines.

3. Halloween 2 (Rob Zombie)
This film is beautifully shot from beginning to end. Rob Zombie was very reluctant to make another Halloween, but after a little coxing and then taking the script into his own hands, he was able to come up with a very compelling story and great looking piece.

2. Scream 2
One of the greatest sequels from one of the greatest horror franchises of all time. This movie not only holds its own against the original Scream, destroys the sequels that follow. Great twist, great characters, great movie.

1. The Devils Rejects
Another Rob Zombie film and another great sequel. This gritty film looks amazing with the desert backdrop and warm colors. We follow the creepy and cruel Firefly family throughout the film and watch brutal murder after murder. The cinematography along with the soundtrack gives this film a boost over others.

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Slasher Studios’ Top 10 Favorite Horror Movie Sequels

Slasher Studios*Top Ten

“By definition alone, [sequels] are inferior films.” Randy, Scream 2

No other genre in the history of film is as overloaded with sequels as the horror genre. Seven Friday the 13th sequels (sorry horror fans, I believe that this series ended with Jason in Manhattan), six Nightmare on Elm Street sequels, and seven Halloween sequels. The numbers don’t lie. Horror sequels are easy to make and are more often than not cheaply produced copycats. Below are my top ten horror sequels. They aren’t the BEST horror sequels that I’ve ever seen, they are just among the most fun. Prepare to let the arguments begin.

10. Silent Night Deadly Night 5: The Toymaker
A sequel by name only, The Toymaker is one of the strangest sequels I’ve ever seen. A young boy sees his father killed by a toy that was anonymously delivered to his house. After that, he is too traumatized to speak, and his mother must deal with both him and the loss of her husband. Meanwhile, a toy maker named Joe Peto builds some suspicious-looking toys, and a mysterious man creeps around both the toy store and the boy’s house…but who is responsible for the killer toys? The twist at the end needs to be seen to be believed (shades of Sleepaway Camp), The Toymaker is fun with a capital F. I can’t in all honesty say this is a “good” film but I can say that you’ve never seen anything like it. Besides who DOESN’T want to see a horror movie version of Pinocchio?

9. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
Ten years after Michael’s original attack on Laurie Strode, Michael is back for revenge and his prime target is Laurie’s daughter Jamie. This is the rare sequel that actually tries to follow the events of the first film while, at the same time, adding something to the story. Jamie Lee Curtis may be gone but Danielle Harris does a fine job as the young Jamie and the ending is sure to make chills run up your spine. Too bad part 5 didn’t have the balls to follow through on the cold and mysterious ending. Easily the best of the Halloween sequels.

8. Scream 4
Seeing Scream 4 just made me feel good, like reconnecting with old friends while making new ones as well. The film is just damn fun from beginning to end. And speaking of beginning, the opening fifteen minutes are terrific. It doesn’t beat the original’s opening twelve, but it certainly toys with conventions while still being witty, dark and quite violent. The final twenty minutes is fucking insane. Hell, some of it is just downright crazy. Everything in between is fairly standard stuff from there with many good, and a couple excellent, moments.

7. Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever
Probably the least known sequel on my top ten list, Cabin Fever 2 is a gory, trip of a movie. The virus has spread to prom and it is up to three friends to save the day before the whole town is infected. The ending doesn’t really work (poor Ti West got his movie taken away from him and had his ending completely butchered just to go in some producer cameos) but this is splatstick at its very best. If John Waters directed a horror film in the 1980’s, it would look something like this.

6. Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
If ever there was a horror sequel that screamed the 1980′s, it would be A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. Crazy punk chick? Check. Wheelchair Dungeons and Dragons obsessed geek? Check. Zsa Zsa Gabor? Check. Dokken theme song? You better believe it, check! Dream Warriors is both a faithful to sequel to original masterpiece as well the rare sequel that actually advances the story without just being a carbon copy reboot of everything that made the first film great.

5. Friday the 13th Part 7: The New Blood
Why is The New Blood such a great Friday the 13th sequel you may ask? It’s fucking Jason meets Carrie with a tour-de-force performance by Lar Park Lincoln as Carrie…err….I mean Tina. This movie just works from beginning (a six movie montage narrated by Crazy Ralph, yes please!) to end (the final showdown between Tina and Jason is the most suspenseful the series has been since Part 2. It’s just a damn fun movie. Would have placed higher if it hadn’t been raped by the MPAA (all of the death scenes are cut) and if the final reveal (Tina’s dad) wasn’t as lame. Still a damn good sequel.

4. Poltergeist 3
Poltergeist 3 is, by all means, a film that I should hate. It’s a sequel with only two returning characters (Carol Ann and the ever reliable Tangina), it’s PG-13, and it’s supernatural. By all means, this should be on my worst list of horror sequels. Hell, that’s where most other horror fans would put it. But it’s a good film damnit and it’s a film that I will defend until the day I die. To be honest, I just don’t understand the hate for this film. The mirror effects are cool, the film attempts to bring closure to the story, and it is the late Heather O’Rourke’s last film. Sure they may say Carol Ann would a hundred times too many but it really just adds to the fun of the film. Have a few drinks and do a toast to Miss O’Rourke, one of the genre’s youngest scream queens that was taken far too early.

3. Friday the 13th Part 2
Friday the 13th Part 2 is the kind of sequel that takes a lot of chances and most of them work. The film is well paced, well acted (big props to Amy Steel who does an incredible job as Ginny), and the deaths are effectively gruesome. Also, for what its worth, I’ll take potato head Jason over hockey mask Jason any day. This is a fun sequel that doesn’t exactly advance the series (the godawful Part 3 actually does more to define Jason than this one does) but doesn’t destroy its legacy either. The characters aren’t particularly memorable but they aren’t particularly annoying either. This is really the last point in the series were you actually still feel some affection for the characters. They aren’t quite stereotypes…yet. Furthermore, it contains the two best “jump scares” of the series and the ending is pretty damn scary. Sure the middle act drags a bit but don’t let that stop you, “Part 2″ is a fine slasher film that does the series proud.

2. Scream 2
Although at times I feel as though I am in the minority, I truly believe that Scream 2 is the best film in the Scream franchise. This is that rare sequel that takes everything that works about its predecessor and manages to take it to another level. The deaths are suspenseful, the characters are charming and likable, and the twist ending works better than it has any right too. I also truly believe that this is some of Craven’s finest directing and the “cop car” scene is a hide-your-eyes-behind-your-fingers chiller of a scene.

1. Wes Craven’s New Nightmare
New Nightmare is that rare horror film in which everything works. The performances are pitch perfect, lead by a tour-de-force performance by the amazing Langenkamp. The script is full of twists and turns and the movie is quite possibly the best looking of the entire series. What starts out as a maze of mirrors becomes something much more than your typical nightmare. The film examines the role film plays on those who watch it. Something that Wes Craven’s Scream would play out to great effect two years later. I really can’t say enough about this film and homages to the original are expertly placed. It is my favorite horror film of all time and a modern classic.

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“Why Would They Want to do That?!? Sequels Suck!”

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Just a reminder to everyone that our show is tonight! On tonight’s show, Steve Goltz and Kevin Sommerfield will be looking at their top ten favorite horror sequels. Movies we think are just as good, about as good, and, in some cases, even better than their predecessor. So make sure to listen in with your list and call in to talk about the horror sequels that YOU really love! It’s going to be a great show! Tonight at 10PM central. Click on the link below for more details or to listen to a previous show.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/slasherstudios

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“Trick r Treat” is a Tasty Treat of a Film

Slasher StudiosTrick r Treat

Anthology horror films seem to be a dying breed. Gone are the days of Creepshow and Tales from the Crypt and in are the days of supernatural horror and torture porn. Good anthology horror films are some of the hardest horror films to make. It is hard enough for a good filmmaker to come up with one captivating story let alone three or four, or, in the case of Creepshow, five stories. So it is with this in mind that I dig my teeth into Warner Brothers’ long delayed Halloween themed anthology horror flick Trick r Treat. Is it a delicious treat for slasher maniacs everywhere? Or is it an apple covered razor blade? Well…let’s see…

“Trick r Treat” begins on Halloween night in Warren Valley, Ohio, a young woman named Emma blows out a Jack-o-Lantern in front of her home despite a warning from her husband Henry. She has a tragic surprise for not obeying the Halloween rules. Next (or earlier, you really have to see the film to know what I mean), the virgin Laurie buys a Little Red Riding Hood costume with her sister and two girlfriends as they invite some guys for a party. Meanwhile, the glutton Charlie destroys many Jack-o-Lanterns on the street. When he arrives at the house of the high-school principal Steven, the boy discovers how much the disturbed man respects the dead and the traditions of Halloween. Meanwhile four teenagers invite the outcast Rhonda to join them in their journey to an abandoned rock quarry where a tragic accident with the school bus with eight troubled children happened thirty years ago. They play a prank with Rhonda but when the mean Marcy blows out the last Jack-o-Lantern in the spot, they need the support of Rhonda to escape from the damned place. Laurie sees a stalker that follows her; while walking through the woods to the party, she is attacked and she finally has her initiation. Earlier, the lonely Mr. Kreeg lives alone with his dog Spite and is visited by a scary trick-or-treating creature named Sam.

Wow..that was exhausting. If it sounds confusing or overly complicated, believe me that it’s all part of the fun. Trick r Treat is a delicious throwback to the comic book style anthology films of the 1960’s and 1970’s. For those of you who want their gore laid on thick with extra nudity, you are going to be disappointed. Those who want a good old fashioned horror movie with a lot of twists and turns are going to be much more impressed. From the acting (top notch in just about all the stories) to the spot on directing, to the breathtaking cinematography, just about everything in this movie works. It is the Halloween classic horror fans have been waiting years for.

To order Trick R Treat: Trick ‘r Treat [Blu-ray]

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Slasher Studios: Top 10 Best Horror Sequels

Slasher Studios*Slasher Studios Podcast

On this week’s show, Steve Goltz and Kevin Sommerfield will be looking at their top ten favorite horror sequels. Movies we think are just as good, about as good, and, in some cases, even better than their predecessor. So make sure to listen in with your list and call in to talk about the horror sequels that YOU really love! It’s going to be a great show! June 12th at 10PM central. Click on the link below for more details or to listen to a previous show.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/slasherstudios

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Slasher Studios Takes a Bite out of Trick r Treat

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Today, we celebrated a little bit of Halloween in June. On this week’s show, Kevin Sommerfield and Steve Goltz did a LIVE commentary of the modern day horror classic Trick r Treat. Make sure to have your dvds or blurays ready and click on the Blog Talk Radio link below to listen to us discuss one of our favorite horror anthology films or even to listen to one of our previous shows.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/slasherstudios

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A Slasher Studios Look At Hollywood Horror Trends

Slasher Studios*Horror

For those of you who may have missed it on tonight’s Slasher Studios Web Cast, Kevin Sommerfield and Steve Goltz will be discussed the recent trends in Hollywood Horror. We will be talked about the Hollywood 3D craze, slasher vs. supernatural as well as the remake controversy and the PG-13 vs R horror debate. Click on the link below to check out an archive of the show and make sure to tune in next week when we have a FULL LENGTH commentary of the horror film “Trick R Treat”. Same time, Sunday at 10PM central. Stay tuned for more details!


http://www.blogtalkradio.com/slasherstudios

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