After a week of general malaise and writer’s block, I am finally back with the second edition of the Spooky Spectator! For this edition, we’ve kept in theme by mixing prestige new horror entries with family friendly classics, all for your enjoyment. The selections for this week just so happen to include what I believe is a front-runner for show of the year so let’s dive in:
The Fall of the House of Usher (2023):
As expected from Mike Flanagan, The Fall of the House of Usher is absolutely one of the best shows of this year, if not the last 5 years. As a native Marylander, I immediately perked up when I heard that Netflix was adapting Edgar Allen Poe’s work into a short series, then I almost did a backflip when Mike Flanagan was announced and he did not disappoint at all. Poe’s subject matter and Flanagan’s flowery monologues mesh together beautifully to create a new story that’s both accurate adaptation and compelling original work. The show also succeeds both visually and sonically, with dynamic colors and textures throughout and a score that captures the dark and sometimes zany tone Poe was known for. Mike Flanagan also takes aim at the overwhelming greed of the pharmaceutical industry with the Usher family being a not-so-subtle parallel for the Sackler Family, the creators of Purdue pharma and Oxycontin. I say this all to say, this was an absolute joy to watch and is his best work since The Haunting of Hill House. (8.5/10)
Barbarian (2022):
Barbarian is an absolutely genius thriller… until the last 20 minutes. The set up is well executed, down to the brilliant casting of Bill Skarsgård, whose famously creepy vibe is used as the perfect misdirection for his character. The over-arching commentary about misogyny and the proliferation of r*pe culture in our society is also extremely well done. With each new man introduced, we see a subtle ramping up of sexist behavior that culminates in the cruelty that led to the creation of ‘The Mother’. Unfortunately, this movie loses it’s footing when main character Tess leaves the main setting of the house and has to face the horror head on. I get the sense that they just had no idea how to wrap this story up and settled on the most boring and safe option so as not to ruin the rest of the movie. I understand not wanting to take risks, especially when funding for Indie horror is so hard to come by, but with movies like ‘X’ and ‘Nope’ coming out in the same year that excuse doesn’t really hold up well. At least the jump scares are decent. (6.5/10)
Over the Garden Wall (2014):
This mid 2000’s classic has become a mainstay for fans of Cartoon Network’s off-kilter storytelling style so you know I had to run it back for this year’s season. We follow adorable Greg and an out of his depth Wirt as they try and return home after jumping over the titular garden wall. On the path home, the boys come into contact with strange people and frightening creatures culminating in a final confrontation with the foreboding Beast. This story is one of new brotherhood and accepting your loved ones for who they are, which is a wholesome message for children who are learning to adjust to blended families. It’s also beautifully animated and brief, with each episode lasting about 10 minutes so it’s a good train-ride watch. (7/10)
Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge (2001):
Halloweentown II is the perfect sequel, period. We follow Marnie, plucky as ever, as she tries to unite her Mother and Grandmother and put an end to their years long feud. In the process, she catches the eye of the cute new boy who turns out to be the secret bastard son of Kalabar, the evil wizard from the original Halloweentown. This movie has it all, higher stakes than the original, a surprisingly well-done time travel subplot, and solid acting performances from everyone involved. Yes it’s corny and the end when Kal turns into a blue ball of light because he’s embarrassed to death is ridiculous but it still holds up today. Nothing will ever beat the original Halloweentown but over the past few years when I’ve done a “Disney Halloweekend”, this movie is never skipped. (6/10)
Halloweentown High (2004):
While fun, Halloweentown High is a masterclass in wasted potential. The concept is literally perfect. “What if we take teenage magical creatures, put them in disguises, and let them attend a human high school?”. Truly a stroke of genius. You had fairies, trolls, and other other-worldly creatures pose as “nerds” and “jocks” and let them loose in the suburbs. All the while, Marnie tries desperately to be the best advisor she can while keeping her grandmother from blowing up the chemistry lab. Literally so fun. Unfortunately though, the knights were too lame to forgive and the entire conspiracy to rob the Cromwells of their magic just fell flat. Which is a shame because the discrimination focus of the second half of the movie could’ve led to a really interesting place. Oh, well it’s a teen movie made by a kids channel so what can you do. At least it isn’t Return to Halloweentown, that abomination. (5/10)