Halloween Movie Reviews Pt. 1 (1-10)
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown - This is my very favorite Halloween movie of all time, forever and ever, AMEN. I LOVE me some Charlie Brown, but the Halloween Charlie Brown is by far the best, in my opinion. The Christmas one is a close second, but it’s just impossible to beat Charlie Brown getting rocks instead of candy while wearing a ghost costume he somehow managed to ruin. I also love anytime there is a good Sally storyline. Sally is MY GIRL. Her tantrum at the end is EVERYTHING! I’ve been watching this movie literally every single year since I can remember. So, there is definitely some nostalgia at play in making it my fav. If you’ve never seen it…WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!?! It’s seriously the cutest. It obviously gets a 10/10.
Hocus Pocus - I have never liked Hocus Pocus…there, I said it. I saw it once when I was little and thought it was scary. Then I watched it again as an adult, and was less than impressed. I actually dreaded watching it again this year with my hubby, but he and his sisters LOVE it. Plus, the sequel (with SJP) was coming out. So, I reconciled myself to watching it. I’m as surprised as anyone, but I actually really enjoyed it. I think the retro, nineties vibes really won me over (+ SJP, of course), and it was significantly less scary than I remembered. It also made me laugh more than once, which I can appreciate. All in all, despite not growing up watching it, I must say, it really is a classic. It will definitely be on our list of must-watch Halloween movies forever and always. On a scale of 1-10, I’m giving it a solid 7.
Hocus Pocus II - On a scale of 1-10, I’m giving this one a 3…might be a little generous. It was more difficult to follow than it needed to be, and there were too many side stories competing with the main storyline. It was fine, but nothing to write home about, as they say. I think my biggest issue with this movie is the wasted potential. It COULD have been so amazing. Personally, I would have had the main character be Dani’s son or daughter. That would have been so fun. Plus, it would have practically written itself. But, instead we got introduced to all these new characters, and the connection just wasn’t there. Not to mention…the witches were supposed to be like DEAD, dead. I have some issue with the fact there was a sequel featuring the same three witches at all. But, I do love anything featuring SJP…she was flawless as always. We just needed more returning characters.
The Conjuring - Solid horror movie, and one of V’s favorites. As far as the demon-possessed movies go, this is one of the best in my opinion. I also LOVE the Ed and Lorraine Warren story (and Vera Farmiga is spectacular). If you ask me, it should have been obvious to everyone involved that this house was haunted. I would have never moved in…and I love old houses. But, if the main characters of horror movies were smart, we wouldn’t have very many horror movies. So, I get it. Scale says 8/10.
The Conjuring II - probably my least favorite of The Conjurings. I think V would definitely disagree, but I just don’t love it. Again, love the Ed and Lorraine piece, but overall…not my fav. Well acted, but I’m frustrated by how hard it is to get anyone to believe what is happening…even Ed and Lorraine. This clearly isn’t a case of some kid seeking attention. Again, we have a super creepy house that gives off haunted/possessed vibes SO obviously. However, I do appreciate that it’s based on a true story. In real life, the mom lived there until the day she died…after everything that happened, she kept on living there. I do NOT understand. I’d give it a 6/10.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It - I’ll give this one a 7/10. Not as good as the first Conjuring, but better than the second. Unlike the other two movies, there is no build up with this movie. You are immediately thrown into a chaotic exorcism, which I have to say I appreciate. Some horror movies are soooo slow to get moving. I also like the storyline, and OF COURSE, the Ed and Lorraine involvement.
The Nun - Made the mistake of watching this one by myself while V was at work. It’s pretty intense. Flawlessly tied into The Conjuring Universe, with a sequel on the way, it’s a good storyline. A little forbidden romance (more like forbidden flirtation), left me wishing things has turned out differently for the main character. Overall, I’d say it’s one of the scarier movies from The Conjuring Universe. I’ll say 7/10.
Annabelle - This is the first scary movie V and I ever watched together. So, maybe that gives it some bonus points. But, I really do like the movie. I like that it is part of a series/The Conjuring Universe. I will say, only a complete psycho would ever think the Annabelle doll was appropriate for a nursery…or anything this side of Hell. But, we needed a story line…so Mia had to think this creepy, haunted doll was just the cutest collector’s item. Definitely some good jump scares, which I can appreciate in a horror movie. Lots of cute retro outfits, some cult talk (always fascinating) and very well acted. I’d give it a 9/10.
Annabelle Creation - This is V’s favorite. I’ve seen it twice now. The first time I was underwhelmed. However, I liked it a lot better the second time. It was scarier, creepier, etc., then I remembered. Also, more graphic at times. The ending is SO GOOD. When you figure out the connection to the first movie, it is mind-blowing. Shocking…but there’s another, obviously haunted house in this movie. What is wrong with these people?! It would be a pretty beautiful house on the outside with a little TLC...TLC I would not be giving, because again…OBVIOUSLY a haunted house. I’d give it an 8/10, but the ending gets a 10/10.
Annabelle Comes Home - Love it, love it, love it. Minus the devil….that sounds weird. Allow me to elaborate. I really do love The Conjuring Universe, but V and I both agree that it loses us when it comes to the computerized devil. He just doesn’t match the rest of the movie in our opinion. Fake, corny vibes are what I get. That aside, really great storyline, less Ed and Lorraine content than I’d like, but lots of Judy (their daughter) camera time to make up for it. Plus, almost the entire movie takes place inside the Warren’s house. I’m torn between this one and the first one in terms of a favorite. So, I’ll give this one a 9/10 too.
