31 Days of Halloween: Day 1

The Devil's Candy (2015) (directred by Tasmanian director Sean Byrne) exploits metal aesthetics, clearly delineating its target market. It does connect with relatable experiences beyond just the cultural, however, which makes it more universally appealing than just a metal film. It has the aesthetic of a Rob Zombie film while delving deeper into the struggles (family, relationship and economic) of the characters than most of Zombie's films do. The psychological profiles of the characters is masterfully crafted.

Satan's Cheerleaders (1977) is a fairly pedestrian piece of 70s grindhouse type cinema. It reinforces stereotypes of women as being paradoxically weak and devious. The idea is that this entire town and the leadership therein are Satanists and Satan needs sacrifices. One of the potential victims, however, happens to be a witch. The authority figures in the town appear to be men, yet the witches behind the scenes, pulling the strings are women. Thus, the cheerleaders must rely on themselves and each other to get out of their predicament.  Finally, when the Satanists try to find virgins in the bunch they run into a whole headache they didn't expect.

And now...

Today's inaugural film of the 31 Days of Halloween!!!!

The Evil Dead (1981)

To start with, the POV demon perspective tracking shots in this film are affective and brilliant.  It's not the point of view of any individual, but it is the perspective of the collective evil of the forest. The film begins with a comedic atmosphere that sets the stage for the ridiculousness of the rest of the film with a delightful diddy.

This is from the Book of the Dead Website

Shelly & Scott's Singing

The script lists the song that Shelly & Scott sing while they're driving to the cabin as an "old 'Baby Moses And The Thrillers' song". Unfortunately, no recording of this song has ever been commercially released, so it isn't available to buy, but you can see a transcription of the lyrics to the right. 'Baby Moses and the Thrillers' was the name for the various players in the musical jam sessions in his Sam's basement, which usually included Rob Tapert & Ivan Raimi because they could both play the guitar, along with Josh Becker, Scott Speigel or Bruce occasionally sitting in on background vocals. Their biggest hit (a hit simply because Sam said so) was 'Eight Mile Line', which was the same song performed by Sam, Bruce & Greg Nicotero at the Evil Dead II talent contest. The song Shelly & Scott sing, had actually been written by another band member, with which Sam had worked out all the rights issues in advance. Sam taught the lyrics to the actors while they sat in their positions in the car on location at the beginning of the first day of shooting.

SHELLY ...I sent you twenty letters from Paris last year... ...You've been gone six months and I've got the fear after all the songs that we've sung together, after all the sweet and over stormy weather...  SHELLY & SCOTT ...If I knew where you were well I would surely inform you that... ...But every night don't you sleep kind of right, don't you...

And who can forget this classic Halloween moment from the classic Halloween teen movie Donnie Darko (2001).

This film, like Kubrik's the Shining (1980), sets the atmosphere early on and does not suffer for it.

Later on it gets goofy and almost slapstick at points

Of course, it's a classic to start the Halloween season!

Tomorrow is The Evil Dead 2