Top five films for Halloween weekend
Halloween is a day away, and since we’re all too old to trick-or-treat, what better way to celebrate than with a few good movies? A Halloween movie night can be spent watching films like “Halloween” or “Freddy Kruger,” but from time to time I enjoy a film that won’t have me sleeping with a baseball bat next to my bed. Here’s a glimpse at the top five films that are a little more scare-free without losing that Halloween spirit.
5. “The Nightmare Before Christmas”
I know; this movie is not a big stretch for a Halloween movie list. But even so, Tim Burton’s classic adventure of Jack the Pumpkin King stealing Christmas for himself will definitely leave you entertained. You will surely get shivers running down your arm when you see the Oogie Boogie for the first time. With the contrast of a soundtrack that will have everyone singing along to “This is Halloween,” “The Nightmare before Christmas” is a great Halloween choice. It even has the added bonus of reminding us that Christmas is only a few short months away.
4. “Ghostbusters”
The 1984 classic about a group of guys catching ghosts and saving the world is an easy choice. Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd take you on a tale through New York City that introduces the audience to classic characters like Slimmer the Ghost and Louis Tully. The comical natural of this film makes it a good one to sit and watch with the family or a group of friends. Plus, it might be good to get a refresher on your ghost-busting skills with the recent announcement of a new installment of the franchise coming in the future.
3. “Warm Bodies”
This zombie film directed by Jonathan Levine dropped in 2013 and gave audiences a different interpretation of the undead. Nicholas Hoult stars as main zombie “R” trying to figure out just exactly who he was before being infected and where he fits in the new world. This film is a great idea for a date night. If you’re looking to have an enjoyable evening for two and you don’t want to scare your date, Warm Bodies is an excellent choice.
2. “Zombieland”
This fun zombie film from 2009 is another great one for a date night or a group of friends. Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) knows the rules for staying alive in a zombie-infested world and meets up with Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin). The unlikely group bands together in an attempt to reach “Pacific Playland,” a theme park rumored to be zombie-free. Harrelson gives a wonderful performance, and this film will definitely give you some laughs.
1. “Cabin in the Woods”
I know I said I’d try to avoid the blood and gore, but Drew Goddard’s “Cabin in the Woods” is just too good to pass up. This film is about a group of friends who choose to spend an evening in the countryside. Little do they know, they are the annual offering to the Ancient One, a spirit in who presides in the earth. This film’s interesting use of classic Halloween characters will give you some chills. Thanks to the writing of Joss Whedon (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “The Avengers”), you will for sure have some laughs along the way.
— Jay Wolin majors in communications and started writing film reviews for Utah Statesman this semester. He loves football, movies and comic books. Send questions or comments to jacob_wolin@yahoo.com.