Movie Zone
Here I will post movie reviews and recommendations, opinions and updates on the world of film, lists/rankings, and the occasional film essay/analysis if I am feeling brave enough
Summer of 2024 is upon us! It’s time for warm weather, sunny beach days, and long movie nights. Looking for a good variety of movies to escape the heat with? These are some of my absolute favorite movies to watch when the weather is warm! Sorority RowWho doesn’t love a good college/summer-slasher? If you’re looking for a popcorn, spooky movie night this summer, I always recommend one of my favorite slasher movies ever. Great kills, fun characters, and a really unique vibe. I’m a sucker for college/graduation slashers, and I’m sure this movie is to blame. A great vibe for a fun summer movie night with friends. AnnetteThis modern gothic tragedy is NOT for everyone, but if you somehow align with the weird vibe, it is a strange, wondrous, and breathtaking experience. I do think it is something you will be able to immediately tell if you will be into or not, and if you do decide to give it a try, I highly recommend listening to the soundtrack before watching the movie. Already knowing the story through the music somehow enhances the entire experience. This is a great one to take in alone on a relaxing summer night and revel in the bizarre, beautiful story. VoyagersThis gives the appearance of a typical PG-13, dystopian YA film, but I found it had a bit more edge and a very different atmosphere than most other teen sci-fi films. Yes it’s not the smartest film on the block, but I found it really intriguing how they went in a Lord of the Flies direction where the fellow teens were their own worst enemies, instead of the Evil Adults, as is the case in most films like this. Bit of a different twist, and a fun movie to pop in on a summer movie night with friends or family. Friday the 13thAnd how could I not recommend a camp slasher! There are tons of camp slashers that are great to watch when the sun is out, but I decided to go with a classic. This is a great first slasher if you are new to the sub-genre and want to get a start on checking out the Big 3 of slasher movies… even though Jason does not make his official appearance as the killer in this one. It’s still an iconic movie with fun characters, crazy cool kills, and of course, a good ol’ summer camp vibe. Relax after a refreshing splash in the pool and settle in with some popcorn and ice cream sandwiches for this one. Back to the Future TrilogyWhat would summer be without a classic dose of the 80's? I’m sure we’ve all seen these by now, and if not, you’ve got quite an entertaining ride ahead of you. I adore going back to these movies and this crazy world over and over again because the characters are so colorful and iconic, and the humor never disappoints even after watching it seventy times or so. Spend a day or two traveling back to these timeless movies on a lazy summer day. The Man Who Killed Don QuixoteAnd now, for the second obligatory Adam Driver movie. Yes again, I’m a bit scared to recommend this because a lot of people will not connect with it at all. It is one of those films where if you get it, you’ll have a hell of a ride, and if you don’t, then it will probably just be very confusing. I completely understand why people wouldn’t get into this one, but if you are a fan of film and the art of story-telling in general, then I do believe this one is worth checking out. It’s a loopy, fantastical, adventurous movie with humor, action, romance, and very energetic performances. A fun adventure film to possibly add to the summer night movie docket. TarzanAnd, the obligatory Disney movie! This is by far my favorite version of the Tarzan story, just for the epicness, the music, and the cinematic animation alone. It is such a beautiful love story as well, and has produced one of my favorite Disney couples of all time. Any Disney movie is good to watch any time of the year, but I decided to highlight this one for your possible summer movie consideration this time around. A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy’s RevengeAnd now, for a more controversial one. I’ve always enjoyed this movie for what it is, even though it is a very strange departure from the story and atmosphere of the original. I’ve always liked Jesse as a lead and I do think the movie has some genuinely cool and fun moments. Perhaps it’s because the movie takes place in summer and focuses a lot on the maddening effects of the heat, but I always tend to gravitate towards this one when I’m looking for a fun movie on a hot summer night. This is one you can laugh along with on a fun night with a couple of friends who get it. The Mask of ZorroAnother awesome adventure film in the same vein as The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, although this one is undoubtedly much more conventional and resonated with a larger number of people. This is a fantastic, classic tale of rags to riches, revenge, and romance. I adore swashbuckling, old-school stories like this that have the modern grandiose of a blockbuster film. This is a timeless one for me and a great pick for a summer movie night out in the backyard with a barbecue. Star Wars MarathonAnd finally, the movies that will always be on every single recommendation list of mine. I am completely biased being that this franchise is my heart and soul, but I am a firm believer that one must have at least a couple Star Wars marathons every year. There is the near-Christmastime viewing, and then your obligatory marathon on May the 4th and/or Revenge of the 5th and 6th. And personally, I like to have my summer SW marathon around the 4th of July, but you can get together any time with friends and family and top off a fantastic movie-filled summer with a series of films that will always be as exciting as they were the first time around.
Hopefully this list gives you some ideas if you were previously lost on what to put on for your summer movie night. Here’s to a fun and relaxing summer!
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Happy horror month! Unsure of how to bring some creepy cheer to your October festivities? These are my absolute must-watches for every Halloween season. The Addams Family / Addams Family ValuesStart your spooky season off in the best way with this darkly hilarious double feature. I love to put these on the first weekend of October while I’m decorating the house, or kicking back after a long day with some fun Halloween treats to get myself officially in the mood for the season. These films have the perfect atmosphere for Halloween-time, since our beloved Addams family keeps the spirit 365 days a year. Dance the Mamushka, fall in love with a psychopath, play deadly games with your sibling, and have a ball with these fun, lovable characters and their beautiful gothic lifestyle. Corpse BrideOf course, you have to throw in a bit of romance during the creepiest season of the year. This is one of my absolute favorite horror-romances with its beautifully tragic story, surprisingly catchy songs, wonderful design and aesthetic, and its overall use of the gothic subgenre. It almost feels like an adaptation of a classic gothic novel with how it plays out, the setting, and the odd characters. This is a great one to have on in the background for ambiance at a Halloween party, or to settle in and watch with loved ones on any spooky night. Sleepy HollowAnd speaking of gothic Johnny Depp-Tim Burton team ups, you can’t go through October without this horror classic on the list. A wonderful dark tale with iconic, gorgeous imagery and one of the best and creepiest villains in the headless horseman brutally beheading people left and right, no matter the age (yes, even children). There are a lot of surprisingly disturbing elements in this movie that I really appreciate. It does a great job of establishing a very sinister tone where you don’t know what could happen next, who is safe and who isn’t. A great film to watch on the eve of Halloween to prepare yourself for the scariest day of the year. Dracula / FrankensteinA must have double feature for every single October. I love to watch these two early on in the month to get me into the creepy spirit. Both feature absolutely legendary performances from Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff respectively, who will forever remain the image of these two horror monsters. Though I love many of the Universal Monster films, these two are probably the most iconic and have the best Halloween-time vibe to set your house in the perfect mood for the month of frights ahead. Bake up some spooky treats, turn off the lights, and kick back with these two atmospheric flicks that will turn your house into a creaky, cobwebby old castle on a dark and stormy night. The Phantom of the operaWe cannot go through the month of October without a dark romantic musical either. Fill your halls with the haunting music of Andrew Lloyd Weber and whisk yourself away into the opera house of the Phantom this Halloween to add to your season of murder and terror. There are many versions of this story that are worthwhile, be it the Hammer produced picture from 1962, the Robert Englund-starring slasher-esque flick from 1989, or even the silent one from the 1920s. But one that I’m sure to catch every Halloween is the 2004 version, not only because of the music, but because of the grandiose sets, costumes, and cinematography that paints a gorgeous picture of the opera house and the magnificent lair of the Phantom below. A stunning looking film to have on and douse your home in the gothic Halloween mood. Child's PlayAnd we of course need to include a slasher on this list. Maybe a slightly unconventional one to choose, but something about the first Child’s Play film has a wonderful Halloween-time vibe for me that I love to include in every October marathon. Chucky is a ravenous little villain who will fill your haunted house with the perfect amount of Halloween cheer. It is an equally atmospheric and hilarious time to spend an hour and a half with Brad Dourif’s brilliant performance bringing the murderous doll to life with one-liners that I have found myself quoting religiously. Light the candles and carve your Halloween jack-o-lantern to the tune of slashing, blood, and complicated voodoo body-switching spells. Abbott and Costello Meet FrankensteinAnd regarding horror-comedies, I can not go without suggesting one of the best of all movie history. There is plenty of time for chills and thrills during the Halloween season, but also plenty of time for laughs, for which there are many to be found within this film where the famous comedy duo take on not only Frankenstein’s monster, but Bela Lugosi’s Dracula, and Lon Chaney Jr.’s Wolf Man. Could there be anything better? This is a great one for the whole family, and a fantastic way to throw in some light-hearted laughs into your spooky holiday. There is a perfect balance of a creepy atmosphere and hilarious shenanigans. Highly recommend this loveable little movie to throw on one cozy night this October. The Addams Family SeriesApart from the iconic 90s films, you can’t forget about the series that started it all. If you’re looking for some sitcom content to have on and add to your October atmosphere this season, spend some time with our favorite family, where endless hijinks abound as they try to navigate the oh so strange world around them. This show adds the perfect mood to conclude any fall evening, any Halloween-decorated living room, or to send you off to sleep with delightfully gothic dreams. Each character is fun, charming, and charismatic in their own way, and after a few episodes, you’ll feel like you simply belong in this odd little mansion with this creepy kooky family. HalloweenAnd finally, what is any Halloween without Michael Myers? Always be sure to have time for a Myers marathon within your 31 days of horror to get you fully into the spirit of our favorite holiday. Whether it’s in the week leading up, or all on Halloween night, I find there are no better movies to get me into the perfect mood for candy, costumes, party games, and nights filled with delightful frights. So start up that classic John Carpenter score and get ready to survive 13 Halloween nights (or however many of the movies you actually like) with the reigning king of all slashers and the worthy holder of the title that is the best part of the Fall season. Conclude your spooky celebrations in the best way, by bringing us all back at the mercy of the embodiment of pure evil. Have a fun, frightening, and safe Halloween season!
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AuthorCertified non-professional who just enjoys giving her random thoughts on movies and books. Archives
June 2024
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