Matt Olson, Copy Editor
On Netflix
Zombies and Vampires and Monsters oh my!
The offbeat comedy “Fido” is a unique spin on zombie mythology: what if zombies could be kept as pets? The movie pokes fun at 1950s ideals with subversive humor underneath its “Leave It To Beaver”-esque tone.
The classic “Night of the Living Dead” is among the first zombie movies to attain popularity and is still one of the scariest. Several people take shelter in an abandoned farmhouse as the zombie outbreak begins.
TV’s “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” stars Sarah Michelle Gellar as a young woman who must contend with high school, her love life, and vampires. The successful series lasted seven seasons.
“The Babadook” mixes childhood fears with parental anxieties as a mother and her son are tormented by a storybook monster. The film received acclaim from critics and audiences alike. Also available on Redbox.
The South Korean film “The Host” centers on a family during a monster attack in Seoul. When the monster takes his daughter, an unambitious food deliveryman springs into action. The movie is a bizarre but enjoyable blend of slapstick comedy, family drama and monster horror.
Horror
Cult classic “The Blair Witch Project” follows three would-be documentarians as they search for the titular witch and lose their way in the woods. Modern viewers may know that the movie’s claim to be real is a hoax, but the film still thrills.
“The Guest” is equal parts action, comedy, horror and thriller. An ex-marine visits the family of a fallen soldier he served with, but his calm demeanor can be kept only for so long. Dan Stevens of “Downton Abbey” stars.
Guillermo del Toro’s sci-fi and action blend “Hellboy” might not be a first choice for viewers looking for horror movies, but scare-averse audiences may find the film to be suitable entertainment for the season.
In throwback flick “The House Of The Devil,” a young woman takes a job housesitting at a country home for a mysterious older couple. The movie has a slow set up but rewards patient viewers with loads of tension and a horrifying climax.
The Swedish film “Let The Right One In” offers a distinctly chilling tale of a lonely young boy and the mysterious neighbor he befriends. The movie serves as a stark contrast to supernatural romance flicks along the lines of “Twilight.”
“The Omen” opens up fears about parenthood, as an American diplomat and his wife slowly discover that their son is not who he appears. The film stars Gregory Peck and went on to spawn several lesser sequels and a 2006 remake.
“Rosemary’s Baby” explores similar themes to “The Omen” to different ends. A young Mia Farrow stars as Rosemary, whose nutty neighbors take an unusual interest in her developing pregnancy.
Far from a simple slasher, “Scream” skillfully skewers its own genre. Teens are stalked and killed, but the ones who know the rules of horror movies might stand a chance to survive. “Scream 2” and “Scream 3” are also available.
In “You’re Next,” an uncomfortable family reunion at a secluded country home turns deadly when masked killers make an appearance. Morbid humor mixes with gory horror, and the results are decidedly enjoyable.
Television
TV’s “The X Files” follows agents Mulder and Scully as they investigate all things extraterrestrial and supernatural. The show is primarily sci-fi-based, but numerous episodes are as scary as any good horror movie.
Popular TV series “American Horror Story,” “Supernatural” and “The Vampire Diaries” have new seasons arriving early in the month of October, as will the first season of The CW’s “iZombie,” a show about a young woman learning to be a zombie. Netflix original “Hemlock Grove” will air its third season the week before Halloween.
Choices for children are somewhat limited for parents looking for quality entertainment, but animated film “The Boxtrolls” (also available on Redbox), Jim Henson’s David Bowie-starring “Labyrinth,” 1960s TV show “The Munsters” and Tim Burton’s classic “The Nightmare Before Christmas” each offer family-friendly spins on Halloween themes.
On Redbox
Recent release “It Follows” received wide acclaim as an original horror film that draws upon influence from classics such as “Halloween” and “A Nightmare On Elm Street.” A young woman is stalked by a mysterious and persistent entity that only she can see.
“Unfriended” boasts a unique spin of taking place on a Skype video call between several teenagers. One by one, the teens are terrorized and killed by an unseen force.
Last year’s “What We Do In The Shadows” is a comedy in which ancient vampires contend with modern day life and its challenges. Jermaine Clement of “Flight Of The Conchords” stars and directs.
On Oct. 6, “Insidious: Chapter 3” will be available. The 2015 remake of “Poltergeist” will be released Oct. 27.
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