Haunt is a 2019 horror film directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. Behind the production side is Eli Roth. It stars Katie Stevens, Will Brittain, Lauryn McClain, Andrew Caldwell, Shazi Raja, and Schuyler Helford. On October 31st, some teenagers decide to enter a haunted house. Do they make it out alive?

Welcome to the Halloween season movie! The time when most of the population decorate their house and place candy on their porch for small children to collect.

Harper (played by Katie Stevens), Bailey (McClain), Angela (Raja), and Mallory (Helford) are enjoying a ladies’ night out. Later, the girls chat with Nathan (Brittain) and Evan (Caldwell) and befriend each other.

As the night transcends, the group decides to hit the road together. Upon driving, they see a house with a “haunted house” sign around the corner and choose to stop.

At the entry of the house, they are greeted by a person wearing a clown mask. However, there are rules. Before entering the house, they must give up their electronic devices.

Of course, most people would retract from losing their phone privileges. But not these teenagers, who are looking for a spooky Halloween movie adventure.

Once inside, they notice fun games such as “Guess the Body Part.” But as they navigate through the house, they realize it is a maze, they are not alone.

With no phones, will this group of teenagers find their way home, or will it be too late? Sometimes, a spooky adventure can be more than you bargained for.

Happy Halloween, everyone!

1. “Haunt” movie. Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (Sierra, Momentum Pictures, 2019). ↩︎
2. “Haunt” movie. Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (Sierra, Momentum Pictures, 2019). ↩︎

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The Shining is a 1980’s classic horror movie. Directed by the mastermind Stanley Kubrick (1928-1999), it stars Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Scatman Crothers, and Danny Lloyd. When a family temporarily moves in into a hotel for the winter, eerie events unfold. To get to the bottom, read the article and watch “The Shining.”

Jack Torrence (played by Nicholson), a former teacher, is looking to turn a new leaf in his life. Luckily, he has found a superb job as a watchman at a hotel.

But not just any resort, namely the impeccable “Overlook Hotel.” A hotel designed for upscale guests. However, located at 4,000 meters above sea level, it is hardly a desired destination during the cold winter.

Despite being closed for the season, just like any property, it requires maintenance. Therefore, during the next five months and until its re-opening in Sommer of next year, Jack will do the following chores on a daily routine:

• Run the boiler
• Heat different areas of the hotel
• Repair occasional damages
• Watch the facilities

A job not so demanding, per se, but mentally challenging due to the isolation side effects. Upfront, the manager confesses to him that the preceding caretaker killed his wife and two daughters a decade earlier (1970).

But that doesn’t seem to bother him. Admittedly, confinement is what he is looking for, as he is in the early stages of writing a novel. So, with the companionship of his wife Wendy (Duvall), and his son Danny (Lloyd), Jack is ecstatic.

Yet Danny isn’t the typical kid. He possesses telepathic powers and can communicate with others such as the head chef, named Dick Hallorann (Crothers). Dick explains this unique gift as “the shining” and warns him about the previous spirits in the “Overlook Hotel.”

Firstly, the days unravel as expected, Jack completing his morning routine and spending the evenings in the lounge to tackle his writing. Nonetheless, that schedule quickly derails as he begins having sleep deprivation and devilish nightmares.

Lately, it seems as if some essence has taken over Jack. He has turned into a psychopathic killer with a mentality much iller than you could ever imagine in your wildest dreams. Will Wendy and Danny survive or meet their faith like the previous family?

“The Shining” movie has become an 80’s cinematic debate ongoing to this day. Some fans praise the movie whereas some critics trash it. What are your thoughts?

Lastly, it is based on Stephen King’s 1977 book. To enhance the story, I recommend watching its sequel, “Doctor Sleep” (2019).

To read Music, Movies, and Me’s 2021 Halloween special, click on “Zombieland: Double Tap.”

Watch “The Shining” film teaser in the link below.

1. “The Shining” movie. Directed by Stanley Kubrick (Warner Bros., 1980). ↩︎
2. “The Shining” movie. Directed by Stanley Kubrick (Warner Bros., 1980). ↩︎
3. “The Shining” movie. Directed by Stanley Kubrick (Warner Bros., 1980). ↩︎

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Fright Night is a 1985 horror film directed by Tom Holland. It stars William Ragsdale, Chris Sarandon, Roddy McDowall, Amanda Bearse, Stephen Geoffreys, Jonathan Stark, Dorothy Fielding, and Art Evans. When a teenager discovers his next-door neighbor is a vampire, he seeks everyone’s help. Let me explain the Fright Night Movie 1985.

On the 37th anniversary of the original film, I state how the feature became a cult classic of the vampire genre and how a remake can influence the legacy, for better or worse. Let’s take a look.

Charley Brewster (played by Ragsdale) is a typical teenager. During the mornings he attends school and at night he spends most of his time in his house, where he resides with his mother, Judy (Fielding).

One evening as Charley watches TV, he glances over the window at the new neighbor, Jerry Dandrige (Sarandon). Suddenly, he witnesses how Jerry sinks his teeth into the neck of a woman.

In addition, the news stations keep broadcasting missing women, never to be seen again. Therefore, he reaches the verdict: his neighbor is a vampire. However, as he breaks the news to his mother, she believes it is a “speck of his imagination.”

So, he turns to his girlfriend, Amy (Bearse), and his friend, Evil Ed (Geoffreys) for support but they also brush off his allegations. Hence, he takes it a step further and gets the police involved.

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if a horror movie fan became convinced that his next-door was a vampire? If I was that kid, what would I do?“

Tom Holland, writer & director of Fright Night Movie 1985

But when Officer Lennox (Evans) pays a visit to Jerry’s house, he can’t find anything suspicious except that he is a regular civilian living with his roommate, Billy Cole (Stark).

So, who do you turn to when nobody believes you? That’s when Charley seeks help from Peter Vincent (McDowall).

A self-proclaimed vampire hunter and TV hostess of the show “Fright Night.” Reluctant at first, Charley and he join forces to fight against the vampires. Will they succeed? What is the outcome of all the characters?

Upon its release on August 2, 1985, “Fright Night” performed the best horror film of that year. As decades have passed, it has become a cult classic in the vampire genre.

In the 1980s, technology was not as advanced as today. Yet the entire visual effects team masterminded each of the scenes perfectly.

For example, the transformation scenes are well-executed. Indeed, as a viewer, it almost felt as exciting as watching Michael Jackson’s Thriller (1983) for the first time.

Unsurprisingly, in cinema, it is often the case that remakes emerge. Mostly, to introduce the film to a new generation and to test new technological software. But if the original film is a classic, can a remake match or even top it?

Original films vs. Remakes is a delicate subject. On one hand, it introduces the feature to a new generation but it can also tarnish the original’s legacy. What do you think of “True Grit”?
⬇️https://t.co/jXILf9KBlw#truegrit #movie #remake

📷Paramount Pictures (2010) / + MMM. pic.twitter.com/0WLWPW7kNQ

— MusicMoviesandMe (@MusicMovies_Me) June 12, 2022

Its remake “Fright Night” (R.I.P. Anton Yelchin) arrived in 2011 but fell short. To avoid tarnishing the original legacy, the following list should provide a guide for studios.

1. The cast needs to be adequate: That is not just casting the most popular actors at the time.
2. The director must pay homage: To the original script, and of course with room for improvement.
3. The release date: A few decades must have passed before being taken into consideration for a remake.

Following the three essential points listed above, only then can a remake close to matching the original. Very rarely, the remake can top the original.

That is the case of “True Grit” arriving in 1969, and its remake in 2010, respectively. To conclude, “Fright Night” definitely paved the way for the future of vampire cinema.

Check out the following transformation scene and don’t miss the chance to watch Fright Night Movie 1985!

1. “Fright Night” movie. Directed by Tom Holland (Columbia Pictures, 1985). ↩︎
2. “Fright Night” movie. Directed by Tom Holland (Columbia Pictures, 1985). ↩︎
3. “Fright Night” movie. Directed by Tom Holland (Columbia Pictures, 1985). ↩︎

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Get Out is a 2017 horror movie that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. It stars actors Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford, LaKeith Stanfield, and Rel Howery. When a boyfriend meets his girlfriend’s parents, he must stay awake or sink. Let me give you an explanation of the Get Out movie.

Couple Chris (played by Kaluuya) and Rose (Williams) have decided to take the next step in their relationship. Therefore, they are driving for the weekend to meet her parents. But he can’t help to ask, “Do they know I’m black?”

To his surprise, parents Missy (Keener) and Dean Armitage (Whitford) welcome him with open arms upon arriving at their residence. Moreover, the Armitages have already organized the weekend with their prestigious friends.

At the get-together, he notices that every guest is white, except him, the housekeepers, and Logan (Stanfield). Shockingly, his TSA friend Rod (Howery) discovers a shivering fact.

In addition, he realizes that all eyez are on him. At this point, he doesn’t know who to trust anymore. But one thing is certain: the clock is ticking. So, he either stays woke or succumbs to the “sunken place.”

Despite not being on the cast, rapper Childish Gambino provides the perfect song for the motion picture with “Redbone” from his album “Awaken My Love!” (2016). “They going to find you, gon’ catch you sleeping, now stay woke!”

“Get Out” tackles subjects such as racism, stereotypes, and hypnosis. As you watch the cinema, you can’t help but empathize with the protagonist and root for him to escape from being another statistic.

The film is the debut of filmmaker Jordan Peele. His second production “Us” (2019), was also critically acclaimed. With his third motion picture called “Candyman” (2021) out now, all eyez are on him.

Watch the following scene to get a better explanation of the Get Out movie in the link below.

1. “Get Out” movie. Directed by Jordan Peele (Universal Pictures, 2017). ↩︎
2. “Get Out” movie. Directed by Jordan Peele (Universal Pictures, 2017). ↩︎

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A Quiet Place is a Sci-fi horror movie that premiered at South by Southwest in March 2018. It stars Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, and John Krasinski, who also takes the director role. In a post-apocalyptic world, the quieter you are, the better your chances of survival.

In a not-so-distant future, the Earth has been invaded by unknown creatures. Consequently, the Abbott family has relocated to a farm. Here, they have built their perfect hide-out.

A place that is distant from the city, which is why they take regular trips to look for essentials such as food. Unfortunately, one day, their youngest child becomes the victim. Luckily for them, Evelyn (played by Blunt) is expecting and a new baby is on the way.

The human senses are the following:

1. taste
2. touch
3. sight
4. smell
5. hearing

Unfortunately, their daughter Regan (Simmonds) lacks the last one. Hence, the reason why Lee (Krasinski) is constantly trying to fix her auditive device.

On the other hand, they have figured out the creatures also lack one sense: sight. But this doesn’t make them less threatening because they strike via sounds. So, the quieter the family remains, the better.

But, with the baby’s due date approaching, how long will the Abbotts’ hide-out last? More importantly, how to fight back?

What makes “A Quiet Place” so thrilling is the way some scenes can portray tense moments, even with a lack of sound.

In fact, that is what the director aimed for when shooting actress Millicent Simmonds’ scenes, who is a deaf person. Therefore, the cast had to learn American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with her in real life and on-screen.

With “A Quiet Place Part 2″ out now and the third installment already announced, could this movie be the next blockbuster horror franchise next to the “The Conjuring” saga? Time will tell.

Watch director John Krasinski break down the above-shown scene.

1. “A Quiet Place” movie. Directed by John Krasinski (Paramount Pictures, 2018). ↩︎
2. “A Quiet Place” movie. Directed by John Krasinski (Paramount Pictures, 2018). ↩︎

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