Micky Simeone
Staff Writer
Welcome to the Flix Pix three part Halloween special series of films and shows you should not miss this Halloween season.
This special edition series is a bit different from the traditional Flix Pix style we have presented in the past. There will still be references for Amazon Prime, Hulu and Netflix, but not all our recommendations will be free with subscription or available on these mediums at all. A bit of a treasure hunt may ensue. Here’s to some good, not-so-clean Halloween fun!
Last week we selected some fantastic classic treasures from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. This week’s journey transports us back to entertainment from the 1970s, 1980s and the 1990s.
Now to begin week two’s adventures for our readers who are avid horror film enthusiasts.
1. The first film we are watching is the 1999 remake of “The Haunting,” starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Liam Neeson, Lili Taylor and Owen Wilson. This is an updated version of the 1963 film based on the Shirley Jackson novel “The Haunting of Hill House” (1959). A fantastic cast is accompanied by an array of special effects, which makes this version more direct and bolder than its predecessor. While the original film stays truer to the novel and is romantically, deeply haunting with little to no overwhelming special effects, the 1999 version is a product of it’s time period: lots of flash and less left to the imagination. In spite of the different styles, the 1999 version is still melancholy and spooky with interesting original twists.
This film is available to watch on Google Play, Amazon Prime and Vudu to rent for $2.99.
2. The cartoon series “13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo” (1985) shares a similar name as a film from last week, but there is no real connection other than the name. With the 50th anniversary of the Scooby Doo franchise approaching quickly in 2019, we felt it appropriate to share this title. The film stars an impressive cast of voice characters, including the iconic horror film classic Vincent Price as the voice of Vincent VanGhoul, Arte Johnson (Weerd), Casey Kasem (Shaggy) and Don Messick as Scooby Doo. Who doesn’t want a little Scooby in their life?
This film is available to watch on Amazon Prime to rent for $1.99.
3. “The Omega Man” (1971) is a science fiction horror film in which biological warfare obliterates the bulk of humankind and morphs a major portion of survivors into albino mutants. This concept is introduced as the theme in the remake of last week’s film “The Last Man on Earth.” Both films are based on the 1954 novel “I Am Legend” by author Richard Matheson. The exception is that biological warfare replaces the plague/infection theme which left the earth seriously barren of human beings. Released in 1971 at the height of the black power movement, this film attracted quite a bit of controversy with one of the first interracial big screen love scenes. African-American actress Rosalind Cash portrays Lisa, and Charlton Heston stars as Neville. The cast also includes Paul Koslo as Dutch and Anthony Zerbe as Matthias. This is a version definitely worth looking into.
This film is available to watch on Google Play, Amazon Prime and Vudu to rent for 2.99.
4. “Psycho” (1998) is a remake of the Alfred Hitchcock-directed 1960 classic. This 1998 version is another example of a star-studded cast production that was a box office failure and critical target. However, for fans of director/producer Gus Van Sant, this film is worth the watch. The film stars Vince Vaughn as Norman Bates and an all-star cast of main characters, including Anne Hesche, William H. Macy, Julianne Moore, Viggo Mortensen and Rita Wilson.
This film is available to watch on Google Play, Amazon Prime and Vudu to rent for $2.99.
5. “Godzilla vs The Cosmic Monster,” a.k.a. Godzilla vs Mecha-Godzilla (1974) stars Masaaki Daimon, Kazuya Aoyama and Reiko Tajima and is just one film in this cult classic series of Godzilla Monster movies. Perfectly cheesy, dubbed in English as expected for the original Godzilla films from this era; which of course is the best era for renditions of this franchise.
This film is available to watch on Vudu to rent for $2.99.
6. “Dracula A.D.” (1972) is the second to last of the Hammer productions with Christopher Lee in his iconic role as Count Dracula. Lee spent 15 years as the supreme leader in these cult classic Hammer vampire films. The cast includes Peter Cushing reprising his role as Van Helsing and Christopher Neame as Jonny Alucard, who is a descendant of one of the Count’s loyal servants. The film that takes place in 1972 London and was ill-received due to the theme being set in modern ages as opposed to being made a traditional period piece.
This film is available to watch on Google Play, Amazon Prime and Vudu to rent for $2.99.
7. “An American Werewolf in London” (1981) is a fun yet frightening take on the werewolf concept. Starring the dark humored and quirky Griffin Dunne and David Noughton, the film was written and directed by John Landis. With a can’t miss cameo from Rik Mayall (The Young Ones and Drop Dead Fred) and guest star Frank Oz, puppeteer and voice actor better known as the voice of Yoda, Cookie Monster and Miss Piggy. This is one of those 1980’s films that if you have seen it, you should revisit and if you have not you really should check out!
This film is available to watch on Google Play and Amazon Prime to rent for $1.99 and Vudu for $2.99.
8. When speaking of dark humor and outside-the-box horror entertainment of the 70s, 80s and 90s, we cannot neglect “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975), deemed a science-fiction horror-comedy musical. Starring a sexy and enigmatic young Tim Curry as Frankie, the film also includes a young and remarkable Susan Sarandon and the ever interesting Barry Bostwick. With an alluring performance by rock musician Meatloaf as Eddie the Ex-Delivery Boy, it has a huge following and is still very well loved today. Billed on weekends as the artsy midnight movie all over the country, Rocky Horror is a seductively twisted spectacle within itself. From the early 1980s through present day, the fan-base for this exceptional entertainment treat gathers together for showings in theatres, art houses, house parties and more to engage in audience participation. Hoards of fun and interesting people dressed in costumes to mirror the films characters perform throughout the viewing area along with the film on screen. Although wildly entertaining, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is not for everyone. With strong, diverse sexual content and bloody violence, it is best to read up on showings prior to embarking on this engaging adventure. Just be prepared to be dragged in to the fun while being called out as a Rocky Horror Virgin as you participate in this unique entertainment spectacular.
This film is available to watch on Google Play, Amazon Prime and Vudu to rent for $2.99.
Happy haunting!
