“Trick ‘R Treat” is perfect for jack-o-lantern junkies

There are horror movies, and then there are Halloween movies.

“Trick ‘r Treat” is a Halloween movie.

First of all, this gem was supposed to be released in theaters, ya’know, like a normal movie, way back in October 2007. Due to some legal publication issues I believe, it got pushed back and pushed back and eventually went straight to DVD a full two years later. I remember seeing the trailer in fall of ’07 and watching it over and over again because of how ghoulish and perfect the imagery was.

See what I mean?

“Trick ‘R Treat” oozes spooky Halloween ambience.  The plot is split into multiple stories linked in various ways all related to a central theme of Halloween tradition. An interesting note; “True Blood” star Anna Paquin is the central role in one of these tales. One common thread is the silent character known as Sam who made his first appearance in a short film made by “Trick ‘R Treat’s” writer/director, Michael Dougherty. Dougherty’s other writing credits are too embarrassing to list so I won’t do him the disservice. Instead, here is his fantastic short film where Sam makes his debut, titled “Season’s Gretting’s”

“Trick ‘R Treat” is, in my mind, the Halloween equivalent of “A Christmas Story” and will be making an annual appearance (or twelve) on my television every fall season for years to come. I recommend you check it out.

Oh, and did I mention that it takes place in an Ohio town and appears to be quasi-based on Athens’ Halloween block party tradition?

“Wristcutters: A Love Story”

There is an inherently romantic quality to suicide, no?

Or did none of you go through your “scene” phase like I did.

Suicide has captivated the minds of human society forever. All of us remember Romeo and Juliet playing death tag back and forth so humorously tragically

Late one Saturday night I wandered home to find my lovely AND talented suite-mate Conor Morris beginning “Wristcutters: A Love Story” on the ol’ Netflix.

I don’t know where the MDMA ended and the actual quality of the movie began but this absurdist (and absurdly cute) tale was the highlight of a highlighter-filled night.

“Wristcutters” throws that kid from “Almost Famous” into a strange afterlife reserved for people who committed suicide. The purgatory is a perfect canvas, devoid of flashiness but full of quirk. No one can smile in this world, but even still the personalities of the characters will charm the heck out of ya, in all of their varying degrees of sullen.

It also includes Tom Waits in a dynamic role, and Will Arnett acting as cockily ignorant as ever, albeit very briefly.

If “Wristcutters” doesn’t inspire any sort of introspection, however brief, then you are not me. Or at least not me after a strange Saturday night. I couldn’t sleep, with cliché questions regarding my own happiness and life swirling around in my head keeping me awake.

Then again, it could have just been the chemicals.

“Hancock”

This past Saturday evening I was given with the chance to finally see the 2008 Will Smith superhero movie “Hancock.” It was on FX and not Netflix so I’m kinda breaking my own rules but if they’re mine then they’re mine to break.

Wouldn’t be surprised if most of you have already seen “Hancock” and thus filed it under “another ‘not shitty’ Will Smith movie.”

Anyway.

Let me just tell you from experience:

You haven’t truly seen Hancock until you’ve watched it in a group that includes at least one drunk dad.

(It was not MY drunk dad.)

Example:

“He thinks he’s tough! Bet he can’t do this!”

*Bites off side of beer can.*

You can never get back that same first-watch feeling after you’ve seen a movie before, and I know I won’t enjoy watching “Hancock” nearly as much ever again.

Thank you Bruce.

P.S. I hope you paid attention to the URL of that link.

“Highlander” (!)

Look what popped up under “Exciting Movies!”

I had never seen this gem and it’s cold as heck outside so I thought I might as well check out the warrior movie of “there can be only one” fame.

This shit’s ridiculous.

If you want a movie made in 1986 with all the urban-imagery corn of that time frame but based around Scottish immortals swingin’ swords, then Highlander is probably already your favorite movie.

Sean Connery FUCK YES.

This theme song FUCK YES.

For those of you who have seen Highlander I don’t need to tell you shit cuz you KNOW it’s good as hell.

OHYEAH and there’s an upcoming remake.

“Sons of Anarchy” S1 Ep 1-3.5

Last year I was exposed to the FX show “Sons of Anarchy” by (being around) my roommate who was halfway into the series on Netflix. Today I was browsing the ol’ Netflix and thought I’d check out what I missed.

Am I just a sucker for crime dramas or is this actually a good series? It’s like “The Sopranos” of Orange County. I hate generalizing things I like but that’s not an insult, really, so who cares.

Examples are needed. Here’s a voice over quote of the main character’s deceased father waxing philosophical about human existence in an outlaw biker gang,

” We came to realize that when you move your life off the social grid you give up the safety that society provides. On the fringe, blood and bullets are the rule of law and if you’re a man with convictions violence is inevitable.”

Eff words though,  there’s guns n shit! Testicles chopped off. Inter-gang rivalry (of course). But also the defending of womens’ honor! Huzzah!

Here’s a little fan-made video I found that captures the tone pretty well. At least alot better than some of the really dumb fucking fan vids with like, “Highway to Hell” and shit.

Motorcycles are BADASS.