Scary Movie is a 1991 horror comedy film directed by Daniel Erickson. Its stars John Hawkes as Warren, Suzanne Aldrich as Barbara, Ev Lunning as Sheriff Pat Briggs, Mark Voges as Jerry, Zane Rockenbaugh as Billy, Jason Russel Waller as Brad, Virginia Pratt as Shelley, Ernie Taliaferro as Laughing Man, Zeke Mills as Basil, Butch Patrick as Eddie, Lee Gettys as John Louis Barker, Trant W. Batey as J. J., and Lorne Loganbill as Otto.
SYNOPSIS: Warren, a paranoid teenager goes with some friends, Brad, Shelley, and Barbara, to their town's haunted house on Halloween night. As they wait in line, Warren becomes increasingly uncomfortable with his surroundings. Little did these teens know that the infamous killer, John Louis Barker, is on the loose. What would have been a fun night suddenly turns sinister when Warren believes he is stuck in the haunted house to face Barker alone. Warren attempts to escape the maze, with his life and sanity intact.
Daniel Erickson won the Silver Award at the Houston International Film Festival for Scary Movie, and, shortly thereafter, the Austin-based filmmaker established himself as an accomplished director of Texas music videos. Erickson is currently developing feature-length projects while continuing to work on music video and commercial productions. His second feature, Eve's Necklace (2009), was the first-ever motion picture with an all-mannequin cast, and it won Best Feature at the Seattle True Independent Film Festival.
...The haunted house in Scary Movie is an architectural anomaly, its unassuming exterior unfolding the slow reveal of its various rooms, hallways and dungeons like the centerpiece of Mark Z. Danielewski's novel House of Leaves. The film's house (can you guess which Hitchcock film it references?) was a facade: each room was built and then deconstructed on a sound stage, thereby allowing the camera crew to move with ease inside the space while conveying the claustrophobia and horror which Erickson sought to impend on his protagonist.
The casting of a young Hawkes decades before his Academy Award nomination for Winter's Bone and his turns in The Perfect Storm and HBO's Deadwood, among dozens of other credits would be one of the film's defining achievements.
Scary Movie has been unjustly forgotten, a case that wasn't helped by the release of the 2000 comedy-horror send up with the same title. Erickson reveals that Wes Craven's Scream (1996) was initially set to be released with the title, but the young director and his team wrote a plea which the legendary horror director indulged.
Thankfully, the film is finding an audience and gathering clout as a must-see cult Halloween movie in some circles. Now viewers have a chance to see a vibrant, passionate talent on display and to witness a crazed performance by an actor who has gone on to have career-making performances in Deadwood (2004–2006) and Winter's Bone (2010) with still more to come. And if for nothing else, it's a ticket — no matter the month — to step back into the late evenings of October and to feel that brush of wind carrying something ominous and unknown on its breath... read more here.
In The Mouth Of Madness hosted by Joe Bob Briggs on TNT ad:
Joe Bob Briggs' Hollywood Halloween TNT ad (1999):
Don't miss Joe Bob Riggs' Halloween sèance with special guests Rhonda Shear (host of USA Network's Up All Night) and Joe Flaherty (host of SCTV's Monster Chiller Theater), featuring John Carpenter's In the Mouth of Madness (1994). Originally aired on TNT on October 31, 1999 at 10:15 (ET/PT), commercials have been edited out.
Think you can tell the difference between fantasy and reality? Well, you won't after you sit through this nutcase of a film which is narrated by a madman in a straitjacket. Sam Neill plays the ill-fated insurance investigator who tries to locate a missing horror writer, obviously modeled on Stephen King, and winds up hopelessly insane - or is he? Directed by John Carpenter. With Jürgen Prochnow (as the writer, Sutter Cane)...read full transcript!
Candy Corn (2019) is streaming free with ads at Tubi, Roku, Pluto, Plex, Fawesome and via the embedded YouTube videos below. It's also streaming for subscribers of Prime. The suspense horror thriller was released in limited theaters in the United States on September 13, 2019, followed by VOD and Blu-ray releases on September 17, 2019.
SYNOPSIS: It’s the eve of Halloween in Grove Hill, Ohio. A traveling carnival is in town for the weekend and local outcast, Jacob Atkins, has been hired as one of the freaks in the event’s main attraction, “Dr. Death’s Side Show Spook House Spectacular.” When a group of bullies target Jacob for their annual hazing, things go too far and he winds up dead. Now, Dr. Death has resurrected Jacob as an unstoppable killer to seek revenge on those who wronged him.
Written, directed, and produced by Josh Hasty (Director of “In Hell Everybody Loves Popcorn” and the acclaimed feature length documentary on the making of Rob Zombie's “31”). Produced by Courtney Gains alongside Matt O’Neill and Executive Produced by Tony Todd, James Claeys (of Local Boogeyman Productions), Justin Mabry (of Trick or Treat Studios), Lindsey Kowalski, Ben Scrivens (of Fright Rags), Johnny Cooper, Nick Ford, and Brandon Cooper. “Candy Corn” is the first production financed by Local Boogeyman Productions.
Horror icons Courtney Gains (“Children of the Corn,” “The Burbs”) and Pancho Moler (Rob Zombie's “31,” “3 From Hell,” “American Horror Story”) star, with cameo appearances by PJ Soles (John Carpenter's “Halloween,” “Carrie”) and Tony Todd (“Candyman,” “The Crow,” “Final Destination”). Rounding out the cast is Sky Elobar, Caleb Thomas, Madison Russ, Cy Creamer, Jimothy Beckholt, Nate Chaney, Patrick Ryan, Justin Mabry, Matt O'Neill, and Jaime Gallagher.
Makeup Effects by Justin Mabry (sculptor of the Michael Myers mask in 2018 “Halloween” & Co-Owner of Trick or Treat Studios), Chris Gallaher (“Vice,” “Fear the Walking Dead,” “Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Passion of the Christ”) and Erik Porn (“Pineapple Express,” “Scream Queens,” “American Horror Story”). Additional credited effects by Russ Lukich (“Hellboy 1&2”, “Jurassic Park III,” “Blade: Trinity”) and Emmy nominee, Dave Hartman (“Transformers: Prime,” “Bubba Ho-Tep,” “Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny”). Costume Design by Cody Varona (Costume/Stage wardrobe designer to Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie and Guns ‘n’ Roses.)
Jack-O's Review: I love the Halloween decorations throughout the film, and it really feels like it takes place in the fall, especially during the fantastic opening credits. Candy Corn (2019) nails the atmosphere with a strong seasonal vibe, highlighted by standout makeup and costume design for Pancho Moler’s character, a memorable killer mask and trick-or-treat pail, and a genuinely creepy score that sets a tone of lingering dread. The film also includes some fun Halloween (1978) homages that add to its charm. The kills, however, feel a bit underwhelming and never quite reach their full potential. Courtney Gains and Pancho Moler stand out with strong performances, while Tony Todd and P.J. Soles are largely underutilized and don’t have much to do. Still, the film earns an extra star for its spirit and striking visual style. ★★★ @trickhorrortreater
More Reviews:
” ...the characters all sound the same and have a single trait, at most. At the end, it tries to resolve the script’s larger plot elements, but in trying to do so ends up making a lot less sense. In the end, Candy Corn is not a bad film – it’s well made and everyone involved give it their all, but that’s all trapped by a stale script and an inability to provide any real scary moments.” BattleRoyaleWithCheese.com
” ...a predictable one-by-one cycle of standard stabbings, satisfactory spine-rippings, and “okay, I guess” tongue-tearings as Jacob takes revenge on his tormenters. In the meantime, everyone who isn’t among that group goes on goose chases with varying degrees of needlessness. Candy Corn loads for bear with excessively lingering shots, even entire scenes, it absolutely has no narrative use for.” Review Score: 35 CultureCrypt.com
“At only 85 minutes long, Candy Corn still manages to drag in places. It’s a pity because the movie has bags of atmosphere, but it’s let down by a meandering pace and story points which remain underdeveloped ... Shame, but still worth a look.” DarkEyesOfLondon.blogspot.com
” ...has a very aggressive anti-bullying message. Coupled together with ultra gory kill scenes that feature impressive effects work, Candy Corn has everything that would promise a great gut-punch of a film, but the self-seriousness of the movie is distracting.” HaddonfieldHorror.com
“Laughable attempts at bonafide drama involve endless slow-motion scenes of silent characters looking anguished and Tony Todd is wasted in yet another nothing role. The only saving grace of this genuinely boring Halloween horror is the effective tinkly synth score by Hasty and Michael Brooker.” HorrorScreamsVideoVault.co.uk
“This is a guilty pleasure revenge flick that has you rooting for the underdog, or at least rooting against his victims. Josh Hasty combines a lot of tropes, like dickhead teenagers, freakshows, small-town charm, inept cops, loping masked killers and rural black magic, but although these ingredients aren’t new, he combines them into a tasty yet bloody candy corn pie.” Rue-Morgue.com
” ...the execution of the story falls flat as the film is filled with well-worn tropes, cliches, and stock characters ... On the plus side, Candy Corn is entertaining throughout, with game performances from its cast, crisp cinematography from Ryan Lewis (Dusk), and a solid score by Hasty and Michael Brooker.” ★★½ ScariestThings.com
“Taking place on Halloween is about the only area worth commending, as everything else is an unwelcome sack of cliches. Absolutely nothing here is remotely original and comes across as a wannabe Rob Zombie movie with the budget of a gum wrapper.” ★ SplatterCritic.com
![A tale of revenge for all the FREAKS out there | Candy Corn [11]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AbjF3qhcowg/hqdefault.jpg)
