Halloween Movie Reviews
Harley Woods | October 29, 2021
For our special Halloween edition of the Echo, I will be reviewing a few popular movies. Two are appropriate for children, and two are for adult audiences. These reviews are written from my personal opinions of the movies. Things I look out for include interesting cinematography, adequate dialogue, acting and other technical/aesthetic components to movie-making.
Hocus Pocus (PG)
The 1993 Disney film directed by Kenny Ortega follows three Salem witches, who were alive during the seventeenth century, who are resurrected on one condition: they must feed on children’s souls to stay alive within a certain time frame of their resurrection. There is a sequel to the movie set to come out in 2022.
This movie starts out on a very intense note. The viewers get a glimpse of what the witches are all about, and are sent into modern day where the Salem witches’ myth is alive and well. There are several things I love about this movie. First, the personality of each witch is so distinct and lovable. Second, the talking cat? Adorable. The music and storytelling of this film are absolutely worth the watch.
If I were to change anything about Hocus Pocus, it would be the climax and the ending. There is a clear point where the movie’s action seems to die down, only to be struck up again for one last minute hurrah. At that point, my brain has calmed down and is ready to conclude. I feel like I am being tugged out of bed for an ending that didn’t necessarily need to be there. That being said, I am extremely anticipating the release of the sequel in 2022.
Suspiria (2018) (R)
This Luca Guadagnino horror film is of the supernatural kind and is a remake of the 1977 Italian
film directed by Dario Argento.
While I enjoy the set design from the original movie better, everything else about 2018 Suspiria is superior. There is more body horror, more explanation into the witches behind the dance company, more spotlight on the Berlin Wall conflict and much more outside of plot. The music by Thom Yorke sets the whole vibe.
(Spoiler alert) In the end, all the wrongdoings of the coven of witches is resolved and put to rest by Susie, who reveals herself as Mother Suspiriorum. The revelation is somewhat unexpected and confusing, though the scene itself is very artfully crafted and entrancing.
Coraline (2009) (PG)
This Laika claymation film is based on the novel written by Neil Gaiman, a supernatural writer. The movie follows a young girl with blue hair named Coraline, who is frequently disappointed and bored with her parents and the old house they are moving into. In an attempt to find adventure, Coraline meets various strange characters and is lured into an alternate universe by a manipulative creature which seeks her soul.
Despite being a claymation, the movie is perilous and packed with tension, dynamic emotions, amazing scenery and scary scenes. All the characters are uniquely shaped and well-developed with very suited voice actors. The plot and sequence of the movie follows a balanced shape and is easy to watch.
I have always enjoyed this movie and recommend it to others. It is especially enjoyable for people who aren’t totally invested in the horror genre but want to feel a little bit of adrenaline or fright.
Hereditary (2018) (R)
Directed by Ari Aster, this horror film centers on one specific family and their struggle to maintain relationships with each other and overcome generational trauma.
To be frank, this movie did not scare me. However, my older brother said that it scared him so badly that he cried. The plot is somewhat slow and confusing, but resolves itself in the end. The only part that scared me was a jump scare; other portions of the movie are very disturbing and uncomfortable but not inherently frightening. If anyone is uncomfortable with gore and body horror, then avoid this movie.
While I do think this film is artfully made, I didn’t personally enjoy it and would likely not watch it again for a while. I also am not sensitive to family-related horror, so the film did not strike me quite as deep as it might with others.
