Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Wednesday, November 20, 2024 73° Today's Paper


Features

Halloween At Home: Watch a movie

COURTESY DISNEY
                                “Muppets Haunted Mansion”
1/3
Swipe or click to see more

COURTESY DISNEY

“Muppets Haunted Mansion”

COURTESY METRO GOLDWYN MAYER PICTURES
                                “The Addams Family 2”
2/3
Swipe or click to see more

COURTESY METRO GOLDWYN MAYER PICTURES

“The Addams Family 2”

COURTESY DISNEY
                                “Coco”
3/3
Swipe or click to see more

COURTESY DISNEY

“Coco”

COURTESY DISNEY
                                “Muppets Haunted Mansion”
COURTESY METRO GOLDWYN MAYER PICTURES
                                “The Addams Family 2”
COURTESY DISNEY
                                “Coco”

Check out the latest Halloween releases or go for a tried-and-true classic. Here are a dozen titles to consider:

>> “The Addams Family 2” (2021)

>> “Muppets Haunted Mansion” (2021, Disney+; subscription required)

>> “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (1966; airs today at 6 p.m. on PBS Hawai‘i, 7:30 p.m. on PBS Kids 24/7)

>> “Coco” (2017)

>> “Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)

>> “Spirited Away” (2002)

>> “Hocus Pocus” (1993)

>> “Ghostbusters” (1984 original)

>> “Kiki’s Delivery Service” (1989)

>> “Corpse Bride” (2005)

>> “Coraline” (2009; note: This film can be scary for the youngest viewers.)

>> Any “Scooby Doo” movie

Here are five fright flicks from the past two years. All of them are widely available to stream/rent/purchase right now.

‘Freaky’

Director Christopher Landon hits one out of the park with this film that can be considered a kind of horror movie version of “Freaky Friday.” Vince Vaughn and Kathryn Newton are brilliant as a serial killer and high school student who end up switching bodies through the usual dark evil spell mumbo-jumbo.

>> RELATED: Halloween At Home: Spooky stories

>> RELATED: Halloween At Home: Crafts

>> RELATED: Halloween At Home: Pizza

‘The Wretched’

It’s a chilling supernatural horror film, with a few scenes — is that a monster crawling out of that deer carcass? — that could end up keeping you up at night. The film stars John-Paul Howard as Ben Shaw, who suspects that there is something wrong going on with his neighbors. (Spoiler alert: He’s right.)

‘Becky’

Kevin James from the comedic “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” and TV’s “The King of Queens” is very convincing in his cinematic turn to the dark side, playing an ex-con who might just have bitten off more than he can chew when he tangles with 13-year-old Becky (Lulu Wilson), in this home invasion tale.

‘Spiral’

“Saw” has been one of horror’s most consistently entertaining franchises. This 2021 offering is a worthy addition to the legacy as well as a plausible reboot, delivering plenty of new avenues to further explore in the “Saw” storyline for years to come. Chris Rock stars in the film and adds a sense of humor to the mix.

‘Willy’s Wonderland’

Nicolas Cage shines brightly, in a very stoic kind of way, in this delightfully ridiculous movie that could lead to nightmares for all of us who grew up celebrating our birthdays at Chuck E. Cheese.

———

Tribune News Service

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines. Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.