#hallowen2018

The Night He Came Home!

Let me begin this review of mine by confessing that two of my all time favorite films are the original Halloween and Suspiria. John Carpenter’s horror classic always captured my imagination as a child. A silent killer who could pop up anywhere in a suburban neighborhood was fuel for my nightmares. Seeing it the first few times as a  child was always a visceral and intense experience. It wasn’t until I got older that I started to appreciate the choices Carpenter made as a filmmaker. From story, to cinematography, to score, to iconic casting. The film continues to reign supreme as an example of a perfect horror film and classic in cinema in general. And then there is Dario Argento’s first foray into the supernatural and oh my how that film utterly enhanced and strengthened my imagination and perspective of art and design. Suspiria is an all out assault on the senses with beautiful and gothic images and colors and set design paired with a striking and violent story about ballet dancers and witches. Add a pulsating score by Goblin that enhances the experience and you have a film that bleeds style and horrific beauty; every viewing of this film I discover something new which is a testament to Argento’s genius concerning this project. I could write pieces on both these films alone I love them so. So to say I was both excited and nervous about both these new films is an understatement.

Halloween 2018 is written by Danny McBride (The Foot Fist Way, Eastbound & Down, Vice Principals) Jeff Fradley (Your Highness, Vice Principals, The Foot Fist Way) and also the director of the film David Gordon Green (George Washington, Pineapple Express, Joe, Stronger). These gentlemen have made it clear since this project was announced that they are bonafide Michael Myers fans. And it shows. Choosing to ignore the convoluted franchise this team chooses to make Halloween 18’ a direct sequel to the original. 

What a refreshing move for this franchise. Gone is the sibling connection between Laurie and Michael. Gone is the supernatural motives for Michael. We pick up with Michael on Halloween day 40 years since his killing spree. A combination of factors are gonna lead to Michael returning to Haddonfield to remind the town why they should fear this unholy holiday. Returning the franchise to its roots and resetting the story of Michael is a bold and appreciated move. 

I absolutely love this film. Two viewings and the urge for a third cements this as my second favorite Michael Myers film. First off the look of the film is impeccable. Every scene oozes a Halloween/Fall vibe thats very beautiful to look at and is an absolute requirement for a Halloween film; you need to feel that cozy festive vibe. This film captures that especially once Halloween Night arrives the lighting and shots are epic and creative. One scene in particular stands out when the camera follows Michael as he surprises a lady making dinner in her kitchen. Next is the sound of the film. Not only did John Carpenter return as a producer and consultant but he also collaborated on the score alongside Daniel Davies and Cody Carpenter. The soundtrack far outshines anything in this franchise, dare I say even the original. With shades of Goblin and Vangelis I still can’t get enough of the score the standout being ‘The Shape Burns.’ I’m a very happy filmgoer when music and visuals are paired together perfectly. The casting of the film is more than solid; a gathering of characters actors who we may not get to know too well in this film (I have a feeling they are saving more of that for later) but perform their parts pitch perfect. And when it comes to Michael actor Jude Courtney brings the best physical embodiment of Michael since the original film; I can think of no better praise than that. The story itself in my opinion is groundbreaking and timely which leads to my absolute favorite aspect of this film and why it works so well for me and that is the queen… JAMIE LEE CURTIS.

Jamie Lee Curtis is back as Laurie Strode and delivers one of my favorite performances of 2018. I’m gonna delve into spoiler territory but I’m assuming many have seen the film at this point but if not heres your warning. I loved the concept of female empowerment in this film. When we catch up to Laurie we discover she’s a tough albeit unhinged survivalist. Whereas in the first film she plays the classic damsel in distress. What felt refreshing in this film is that Laurie never comes off as in distress or incapable, in fact Laurie is prepared through and through for what Michael throws her way. PTSD plays a major role in this film. PTSD is a very real and debilitating mental problem. I found it novel and inspiring though how this film uses the pain and suffering Laurie feels from the first film as a motivation for her to obviously become stronger and more aware of the world around her and to not let that world ever catch her off guard again. Bad things happen to people. I absolutely sympathize with those who struggle to wrestle with those demons the rest of their lives. PTSD isn’t given enough attention or credit in our culture and for too long has gone overlooked. Think of that first film if it were real in the 70s. Young Laurie would’ve been bandaged up quickly both mentally and physically and then probably would’ve been asked to go back to regular society and adjust accordingly. But after facing such trauma nothing will ever be the same for a person; I believe that in my soul for those dealing with PTSD today. But what I also believe is that we are capable of taking that trauma and letting it define us in stronger and more efficient ways which is what is displayed in this film. Laurie represents that. She took the evil and horror she faced and channeled that into becoming more stronger and confident and prepared than anyone else around her. Laurie’s family views her as a crackpot and selfishly ask her to get over her past. They also refuse to see her survivalist attitude as something to appreciate and respect but rather an excuse to condemn her. This echoes how people have viewed PTSD in our culture. I myself found it refreshing to see a horror movie where a female character is just as strong and intelligent, if not more, than her male hero counterparts in other horror films. In this film Laurie is always a step ahead of Michael as evident by the epic ending when Laurie wishes Michael a Happy Halloween. Jamie Lee Curtis is perfect note for note in conveying Lauries fierce intelligence and raw ferocity. Pair that with her daughter in the film (played fittingly by Judy Greer) and you have a beautiful representation of female teamwork and strength saving the day. 

What works well in the film also, and without distracting, is the obvious love and reverence of the franchise. There are nods to the history of Michael everywhere. My absolute favorite being the Silver Shamrock masks running amok around Michael. The fan service in the film is executed honorably. And that ultimately sums up this 11th film in the Michael Myers franchise. It is an honorable addition to the legacy that will hold up well and age gracefully. And for me I took a lot away from how they represented Laurie and the strength of a woman. For too long women have been made to be in distress and unfocused in these films compared to how males are represented. 

And that seems like a great segue into director Luca Guadagnino’s epic remake of SUSPIRIA. With an all female cast with just a few minor male roles this film also represents thematically, physically, and mentally the awe inspiring light and darkness of woman. 

A period piece that resonates today set in 70s Berlin distraught by a Wall, a war, and riot police. In the midst of this is the Markos Academy of Dance where a whole other political battle is at work involving a coven of witches and their unsuspecting collective of dancers. Into this world walks in Susie Bannon escaping her strict Protestant upbringing. She is the catalyst for things to run amok and go bump in the night at this place of creative dance.

The casting is sublime for the most part. Tilda Swinton again tears up the screen and deserves all the accolades and awards that should come her way for her 3 tour de force roles in this film. The rest of the female cast are all strong and game for this type of film and I couldn’t help but be impressed by Chloe Moretz’s few moments which are both whimsical and frightening. Mia Goth again shows she’s more than capable in the horror world (I quite liked her in Gore Verbinski’s A CURE FOR WELLNESS) and exudes an eccentric energy to the proceedings. My only concern was Dakota Johnson. Still she has not won me over just yet with her performances but I will give her the praise for her physicality in this role. The dances and the energy she brings to them is incredible. Whenever Swinton’s Madame Markos asks Susie to dance you are transfixed by Johnson’s presence on screen. 

I was very nervous about this film because I hold the original in high regard. Argento’s film was uniquely epic and beautiful. So much so I can confess I do not think he ever quite topped it. So to have another filmmaker try and bring his own vision to it seemed like a daunting task to me. Luca admirably makes this his own film. Although the epic set designs and bright colors schemes are gone from the original his choice in aged sets and bleak colors gives the film its own unique look and feel. The score itself is a beast of its own like the originals. Here we have Thom Yorke presenting a soundtrack that is jarring and exquisite and mirrors the energy and look of the film. Suspiria was always a film that celebrated sight and sound to me and I was very happy to discover that Luca’s version acknowledges that of the original.

But yet again the strength of the film for me comes from the female empowerment I see here. First off we have an epic horror film headlined by an all female cast and the few male roles that are in here are just fodder for the witches in the story. The female characters in this film are all strong and none convey the weak damsel in distress; all are capable except when faced with vicious supernatural elements. Once more we are headed into spoiler territory; the film ultimately (save for a few standout horror scenes; that first dance horror scene is a goddamn doozy) is a slowburn to a gothically frenetic and gory ending that more than satiates a horror fans bloodlust in film. But what follows after that is quite beautiful. Dakota’s Susie is more than she appears and in the end exacts a cruel and vicious revenge. But its after that she also shows the greatest compassion and empathy. The bloodbath at the end of the film executed by Susie represented to me what actions women are capable of, and I do not mean just violence, but in general the great physical feats and accomplishments that women are capable of and have done that for far too long have been overshadowed by the feats of men. But what I found even more beautiful is that after that sequence of death and destruction you have a powerful scene of Susie showing compassion and empathy to a man who for so long seeked the peace of resolution. Its a quiet and serene scene and a stark contrast to what just came before it. I loved the duality of that ending because, again to me, it represented that which is profound and admirable about women… the unbelievable strength and compassion they are capable of. That pairing I believe is difficult for men and thats why I’ll always be in awe of my female peers.

I was worried I’d be disappointed by this new Suspiria but even now to the contrary I’m very happy that I can say I love it and am glad that it is it’s own entity and I need not compare it to the original. They are both beautiful and unique horror films.

Reboots and remakes more often than not fall flat. One of the aspects to making a strong and memorable reboot or remake is infusing it with themes and ideas that are topical and relevant to today. The #MeToo movement seemingly is getting stronger by the day and I won’t say these films were aiming to support that movement in their stories but how inspiring is it that the filmmakers chose to make their female characters strong and larger than life and are self aware and always a step ahead of anyone in their way and are victorious by the last frame.