Ready To Have A Shocking Halloweekend?
Since Halloween was Saturday, there’s one more day to stay home and get scare!
So, I have three of the best shockers for your Halloween weekend – but they are all very different – with one goal in common: to scare you when the lights are out!
Let’s get started with an evil bite of “Candy”!
Time For “Candyman!”
Tony Todd stars as the “Candyman” – say his name five times and you’ll regret it!
This hugely popular 1992 shocker tells the story of The Candyman, a murderous soul with a hook for a hand, who is summoned to reality by a skeptic grad student researching the monster’s myth.
Virginia Madsen is terrific as the grad student who goes face-to-face with pure evil – after saying his name five times.
Check out the trailer:
This is a great urban horror film, shot on location in Chicago’s notorious Cabrini-Green projects, and Todd gives a mesmerizing performance as the evil Candyman, who always seems to have bees around!
In a 2012 interview, Virginia Madsen said this film is the one she is most recognized for, especially at airports. “More people recognize me from that movie than anything I’ve done,” she told HorrorNewsNetwork. “It means a lot to me. It was after years of struggling. As an actor, you always want a film that’s annual, like It’s a Wonderful Life or A Christmas Story. I just love that I have a Halloween movie. Now it’s kind of legend this story. People have watched it since they were kids, and every Halloween it’s on, and they watch it now with their kids. That means a lot to me. The place I get recognized the most is the airport security for some reason. Every person in airport security has seen Candyman. Maybe it makes them a little afraid of me.”
There is no better way to celebrate Halloween than with “Candyman”, well, except with the most shocking horror film of all time:
“The Exorcist!”
When this film was released in 1973, it was not only nominated for Best Picture, but people were actually fainting in the audience during the film – it was that intense…why?
Well, how about twelve-year-old lead Actress Linda Blair:
Yes, when little Regan is possessed by a demon, what’s a mother to do but reach out for an Exorcist?
What follows is the stuff of movie legend!
Here is a short but very effective trailer of what was to come – what I think is still the most shocking horror film ever:
A Cold, Cold Set!
Here is some great trivia about the making of “The Exorcist”. The refrigerated bedroom set was cooled with four air conditioners and temperatures would plunge to around 30 to 40 below zero. It was so cold that perspiration would freeze on some of the cast and crew. On one occasion the air was saturated with moisture resulting in a thin layer of snow falling on the set before the crew arrived for filming.
“The Exorcist’s” Iconic Images!
The film is filled with legendary shocking moments, like Regan “rises” out of bed, or when Regan “turns” to greet Father Karras:
Cue The “Pea Soup!”
And then of course, there is the projectile vomiting scene!
The substance that the possessed Regan hurls at Father Damien Karras is thick pea soup! Specifically, it’s Andersen’s brand pea soup. The crew tried Campbell’s but didn’t like the “effect.”
Tons of great stories and commentaries on the special edition blu-ray….check it out and relive a classic!
Finally, I’m not a huge fan of many of the modern horror films – with one BIG exception:
Meet “The Nun!”
I’m not a huge fan of “The Conjuring” franchise of horror, but I heard good things about this one, so gave it a go and I’m so glad I did!
After the “Demon Nun” from The Conjuring 2 (2016) proved to be a popular horror antagonist, a spin-off focusing on the character was green-lit in 2018.
Check out the trailer:
The plot is straightforward: A priest with a haunted past is joined by a novice on the threshold of her final vows – sent by the Vatican to investigate the death of a young nun in Romania and confront a malevolent force in the form of a demonic nun!
This was a great surprise for me: a horror film that didn’t waste too much time before offering a nonstop series of shocks and suspense! The acting is good, the plot moves quickly, and the Director does a great job setting the stage for some really good set pieces of horror!
The movie is moody and atmospheric, and here’s why: filming took place at a number of Eastern European locations such as Corvin Castle, Transylvania, and Mogosoaia Palace Romania.
Of course, another of my favorite horror films was set in the US – the story of a lonely high school girl who happen to have a special gift:
Yes, Carrie White just wanted to make her Mom happy – while controlling that GIFT:
“Carrie” is my favorite horror film: an incredible cast including Oscar nominees Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie, and terrific supporting work by John Travolta, Nancy Allen, Betty Buckley and Amy Irving….see the trailer and lots of great trivia about the making of this classic horror film by clicking on my story here:
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Happy Halloween!
Categories: 70's Cinema, Academy Awards, Action Films, chicago, Cult Movies, Great Films, Halloween, Horror films, Movies, Pop Culture, Revenge Movies
johnrieber 
I never would have thought that Virginia Madsen’s big break came in “Candyman.” I’ve enjoyed her in so many roles right up to the present. Great actors never die.
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Great point…she has made a number of great films, but that is the one she says everyone comments on! Thanks for the comment!
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The creme de la creme of scary movies… just thinking about the Exorcist gives me the creeps…The only one I haven’t watched is the Nun…Great selection, John …
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Great choices John. My favorite is The Exorcist.
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Creepy!
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I remember being terrified for days after seeing the exorcist” with my friends. And “carrie”, (along with “the shining”,) are my two fav horror films of all time. Don’t think I could handle
Candy man or the Nun)
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The Exorcist looks very frightening, John. I can’t imagine letting my 12-year old daughter play a part like this. That girl looks demented and that green vomit … so realistic.
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Ive watched The Exorcist and I love it all time. The Nun I watched recently and tried really hard to like, I didnt. The Candyman Im still to watch.
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The Exorcist and Carrie are my two favorites…The Changeling as well…The Nun for me was good because it went for shocks…too many of the new ones are moody and chilling but not scary
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The last heartthrob was Pet Sematary. Did you watch that? Also Wailing for its concept. Carrie felt an all right watch. Nothing too scary there for me.
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Still love The Exorcist. So good.
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I have yet to see ‘The Nun’, but I still rate The Exorcist’ highly, for its shock value at the time.
Best wishes, Pete.
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