Halloween is just around the corner, and Scene has chosen its favorite songs, films and haunting reflections to celebrate!
“Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge”
Rose Androwich, Scene Writer
The sequel to “Halloweentown” is better than the original. The first film relies too heavily on sheer shock factor. “Halloweentown II” broaches the idea of good versus evil. The 2000s nostalgia factor of “Halloweentown” makes it easy to return to every single year. Besides, who doesn’t love a good witch story? The good witch takes on the bad warlock, and it’s a Halloween must-have. Disney isn’t interested in scaring you, but their Halloween films are still great!
Make Halloween ugly again
Gracie Eppler, Scene Writer
Perhaps the scariest thing about Halloween, to me, was when I discovered that costumes were meant to be cute. In Halloweens past, I have been a kayaker lugging around an orange boat made of cardboard strapped around my waist. I’ve become a glimmering silver robot with arms made out of dryer vent tubes. I have been transformed into (my personal favorite): Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous masterpiece herself, the Mona Lisa, by sticking my face through a hole my dad carved in a large cardboard cut-out. I strongly believe that in lieu of dressing up as glamorized pirates, angels or bunnies, it’s time to bring back ugly costumes. This Halloween, I’m looking forward to seeing more Minions, Pitbull impersonators and Mona Lisas.
The magnificent camp of “The Lost Boys”
Annie Brown, Scene Writer
As far as late ‘80s cult classics go, there’s no shortage of marginally terrible, very campy movies to choose from: “Cocktail,” “Spaceballs” and “Weird Science” come to mind. However, you’ve never seen a movie quite like 1987’s ”The Lost Boys.” From mullet-clad vampire gangs to saxophone raves to young Corey Feldman’s uncannily Rambo-esque vocal fry, it’s a sexy, dark and vaguely homoerotic delight that’s sure to change the way you think about both comedy and horror. After all, what could be a better activity on Halloween than watching some undead angst and incredibly corny one-liners? That’s easy: death by stereo.
“Skeletons” by Aja Volkman, “Breakfast” by Dove Cameron, “Heads Will Roll” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Maggie Eastland, Assistant Managing Editor
These three songs escalate in vibe.
The first is a chill, folksy number perfect for walking to class or around the lake during spooky season. It’s raw and emotional and reminds me of the Sunday scaries. “I make choices that I’m going to have to live with. I’ve been places that I shouldn’t have gone. And I know that you’ve got some skeletons, too.” Keep this one in your back pocket for the impending Halloweekend x Hangxiety crossover.
Next on the list, “Breakfast” by Dove Cameron, is best blasted in your dorm room under purple LED lights while applying your (sultry) vampire makeup before the Halloween festivities. Call it cringe if you want, this is the prime opportunity to play the siren you’ve always dreamed of becoming.
Finally, turn up the energy with “Heads Will Roll.” Again, Halloween only comes around once a year. Do not miss this opportunity to experience mid-2000s blockbuster euphoria. “Dance ’til you’re dead.”
An ode to the American Halloween
Abigail Keaney, Scene Writer
Embarking on a transatlantic move at the tender age of nine was difficult for many reasons. But perhaps one of the most significant tragedies for my fourth grade self was the harsh realization that the Halloween I had celebrated in years past would not be matched by the holiday in my new home. Armed with hopes of trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving and costume contests, I was devastated to learn that the English, at least back in 2010, didn’t celebrate Halloween — or certainly not any version of it that I recognized. The vision of myself waiting at the door for the trick-or-treaters that would never come haunts me even now, my childhood delight crumbling in tandem with my love for Halloween. With that being said, I would like to proclaim an ode to the American Halloween. With its gaudy decorations, sickly sweet candy corn and general sense of indescribable madness, there really is nothing like the 31st of October in the good ole USA. For my nine-year-old self, I’m making this one count.
Spooky, not scary
Andy Ottone, Scene Writer
Some horror movies are just a little too intense. That is why the difference between spooky and scary is so important. “Spooky” is plastic skeletons and paper ghosts. “Scary” is the ghosts you see in “The Omen” or “Paranormal Activity.” If you want something spooky, not scary, to watch this Halloween, here are some quick recommendations: “Over The Garden Wall” (streaming on HBO Max) is a miniseries about two brothers getting lost in a fantasy world, and “Gravity Falls” (on Disney+) has a fun mystery vibe while remaining goofy. Lastly, the “Goosebumps” movie (VOD) is a fun callback to the spooky book series by R.L. Stine and is a great Halloween flick for all audiences.
Better to be scared with others than by yourself
Gabriel Zarazua, Scene Writer
Yeah, yeah, yeah, we’re all watching classic movies with friends such as “Monster House,” “Frankenweenie” and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” but we need a good scare once in a while, especially now, to release tension in the middle of the semester. I would recommend the second movie by Jordan Peele, “Us,” in which a family tries to escape from getting killed by clones of themselves. It’s a fun watch and starts great conversations with friends on how they would try and fight a better version of themselves. Me personally? I would just have my clone do my art homework for me — if he’s so much better at it.