It’s Thursday! That means another list for Thursday Movie Picks. The rules are simple; based on the theme of the week pick three to five movies and tell us why you picked them. All October long the prompt is Halloween themed! Now is the perfect time to join in on the fun.
Krampus (2015)
I have a feeling this movie might be on a few lists. It was the first one that popped into my head. I’ll be honest, the main reason I wanted to see it is because I love Adam Scott (AKA Ben Wyatt). I wanted to see it in theaters but never made it, but I have watched it on TV! Look, it’s not perfect and it’s weird but I found it entertaining. That’s really all I ask for these days. It was even released on my birthday.
The Good Son (1993)
Not 100% sure this would be considered a horror movie but is there anything scarier than a killer kid? Especially when played by Macaulay Culkin? I might actually try and revisit this movie soon. I don’t remember a lot about it and honestly, I feel like the 90’s were filled with killer kid movies. I swear Neil Patrick Harris was in one too?
The Shining (1980)
I don’t think I really need to explain this one! I actually had a hard time coming up with winter/snowy horror movies for some reason but obviously this one sticks out. Just the thought of being stuck somewhere in the winter is kinda terrifying. Then add to it all the weird shit going on, that’s a no from me. It has been a minute since I’ve seen “The Shining,” I might have to revisit soon.
Like I said before, I had a hard time coming up with movies for this list. I think part of it is I just don’t pay that much attention to the season/weather in films? Or those horror movies just don’t reach me for some reason. But I know there are a ton out there. I might have to try and make more of an effort to watch them. As soon as I read some other lists I know I’ll have my brain rattled and go “Why didn’t I think of that one?”
The first is new to me but I’ve seen the other two.
Culkin isn’t much of an actor in my opinion but he worked well enough here, though the film felt like a ripoff of The Bad Seed.
I thought The Shining was a decent adaptation of the book probably about the best that could be done but the dread of the book is hard to translate. I thought it would be all over today but this is the first I’ve seen it.
I’m just not a horror person but with some dredging I managed to come up with three even if I wasn’t really crazy about any of them but the first.
Dead of Winter (1987)-When struggling actress Katie McGovern (Mary Steenburgen) answers a vague casting call for a leading role she is approached by the mysterious Mr. Murray (Roddy McDowall) and invited to a snowy upstate New York mansion to film a screen test. Upon arrival she meets Dr. Lewis (Jan Rubes) who eagerly hires her to replace an actress she is told suffered a nervous breakdown. However Katie shortly begins to realize dark forces are at work and trapped by both the men and the snow she soon fears for her life.
The Abominable Snowman (1957)-British scientist John Rollason (Peter Cushing) and his wife Helen (Maureen Connell) wile away their days studying plants at a monastery in the Himalayas. When his American associate Tom Friend (Forrest Tucker) arrives he proposes an expedition to find the mysterious creature Yeti aka The Abominable Snowman. Despite warnings the pair set out along with Friend’s partner (Robert Brown) and a guide (Michael Brill) who claims he can find the beast. However the trip quickly becomes more dangerous than they had anticipated.
The Thing from Another World (1951)-The Air Force sends in Captain Hendry (Kenneth Tobey) and his team to the remote North Pole research base headed by scientist Dr. Arthur Carrington (Robert Cornthwaite) when he reports a crashed UFO nearby. Upon investigation they discover a strange frozen creature (James Arness). Bringing it back to the base the men quibble over how to proceed, meanwhile the creature is mistakenly defrosted and watch out!!
I used to love The Good Son when I was younger. I still think it’s super campy now, it counts! I need to see Krampus. I thought the trailer was awful but then everyone who actually went seemed to like it.
It totally gives off campy, made for TV movie vibes now!
The Shining is an obvious pick but you can’t go wrong with that film. The Good Son is kind of underrated as it’s just good to see Macaulay Culkin be a mean little asshole.
I haven’t seen the first 2 but I love The Shining. I thought this film would be very popular today. One day I may see the Good Son but it stars Culkin so..meh. I wonder what Southern Germany thought of Krampus. On Dec. 6th, St. Nicholas Day, St. Nicholas goes to people’s doors to give goodies to the kids but he is accompanied by Krampus, a demon looking character that deals with the naughty kids.
The Good Son – I definitely consider evil kid genre horror.
The Shinning – Not a fan but the basic premise of empty isolated large hotel is scary.
The Shining is the only I’ve seen and it was the first that came to my mind with this theme too.