Prior to seeing it, back when it was having its run, the title just brought to my mind Jesus Christ: Vampire Hunter (Demarbre, 2001). A bit unfair of course but there it was. I couldn’t help it, and even dismissing that daft comparison I didn’t imagine that it would be anything other than a madcap send-up (I was dimly aware of the source novel but hadn’t read it and assumed it was a comedy book). But I liked Night Watch/Day Watch and was interested to see Bekmambetov’s latest effort if nothing else. Upon seeing it though I was surprised and tbh quite impressed at how seriously the movie (and probably the book for all I know) took everything. I liked that slant, and I found it to be a pretty cool movie, really. Nothing Earth-shattering by any means but an unexpected “win” nonetheless. Liked it better than Lincoln (Spielberg, 2012) tbh. 
I’ve been really close to watching those Blind Dead films in the last couple of weeks. There’s something about them that is really creepy with the atmosphere, great stuff
Looking through Synapse blu rays and see that both Demons and Demons 2 are coming out in November as regular editions.
Glad I didn’t end up shelling out the cash for those limited steelbooks 
And Shout! is releasing Lord Of Illusions on blu in December, sweet.
31 DAYS of HALLOWEEN - DAY 12
Today I’m watching the strange and largely unappreciated gem Yellowbrickroad (Holland/Mitton, 2010). Not the most beloved of movies, this one; leaves many decidedly underwhelmed but I think it’s just about as creepy and unsettling as any I’ve seen in years.
The Family Frightener for today is, um, The Frighteners (Jackson, 1996).
Holy shit, I never knew The Frighteners was directed by Peter Jackson
Yeah, it sort-of occupies the no man’s land (with Heavenly Creatures) between “Splatter Jackson” and “J.R.R. Jackson”.
Its already October 12 and I have yet to see my first horror film of the month! Gotta get my ass in order…
Fascination 1979 - Jean Rollin
Fascinating film from Rollin about a thief who hides out in mansion with a couple of kinky French babes who like to laugh at him. As the film progresses, hints are steadily dropped that these girls are up to some spooky business, and expecting some creepy company as night approaches.
Plenty of skin on display, but not quite a skin-flic. This is another one that kind of defies genre more than usual.
A pleasure to watch, I am really enjoying these films from Rollin so far and look forward to several more in the coming days. The blu ray transfers from Redemption look excellent, and there are actually several of them available on Netflix.
31 DAYS of HALLOWEEN - DAY 13
Today I’m venturing to the Far East with Park Chan-wook’s beautiful slow-burn vamp-'em-up Thirst (2009). Might be a little TOO slow for some and it has a tendency to run up a blind alley or two but overall it’s a fantastic movie.
The Family Frightener today is The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes IX-XII (1998-2001).
Days 11 and 12 for me were another couple of recent British efforts: Monsters (Edwards 2010) and The Woman in Black (Watkins 2012)
Monsters is arguably not a horror movie but it is set up as one in the alien invasion sub genre kind of way and, hey, it’s called Monsters for heaven’s sake. Whatever you classify it as I thought it was well made and held my interest for an hour and a half. Woman in Black is much more of an old school gothic ghost story and I enjoyed it very well until the ending which I found a bit naff. Pretty enjoyable stuff for the most part though.
I think I might be getting TOO invested in my Halloween movie odyssey. All set this evening to watch The Walking Dead s5e1 and then my 31DoH pick for tonight (Thirst) and my brother-in-law turns up following a big domestic bruhaha. So I had to do the shoulder-to-cry-on bit, except that although I immediately made myself there for him and had no intention thereafter to sit there watching horror programming, a little bit of me was thinking, “F*ck’s sake! My horror!”
Now it’s nearly 4 in the morning and probably a bit late. So at some point I’m going to have to fit Thirst in as part of a double header. F*ckbums. >:(
[quote=“Phil H, post:970, topic:405”]Days 11 and 12 for me were another couple of recent British efforts: Monsters (Edwards 2010) and The Woman in Black (Watkins 2012)
Monsters is arguably not a horror movie but it is set up as one in the alien invasion sub genre kind of way and, hey, it’s called Monsters for heaven’s sake. Whatever you classify it as I thought it was well made and held my interest for an hour and a half. Woman in Black is much more of an old school gothic ghost story and I enjoyed it very well until the ending which I found a bit naff. Pretty enjoyable stuff for the most part though.[/quote]
Yeah, I like The Woman in Black. Bags of brooding tension, especially when he’s in that house. It’s a bit like The Shining in that regard (not in that league of course, but you know what I mean). And I never gave much of a stuff for the Harry Potter franchise so I’ve had no problem watching Daniel Radcliffe in other roles, which seems to be an issue for some, including mrs.caress.
Phil, you’re the first person I’ve encountered who has declared a liking for Monsters. I thought I was the only one. The sequel looks as though it’s going to be WAY more action packed and monster-centric, and I’m not sure at all that that’s going to be a good thing.
I’ve almost watched Monsters and the Robert Englund Phantom of the Opera in the last week. I didn’t put on Phantom because figured it would be pretty bad, what did you think Lone Gringo?
Held off on Monsters because it wasn’t quite what I was in the mood for.
I’ve actually only heard good things about it, not that I’ve heard that much.
I also watched the first episode of this season’s Walking Dead - starting off with a bang! And I watched the first episode of American Horror Story, which was just alright and about what I expect from this very typical show.
My viewings from previous nights, more Jean Rollin:
The Iron Rose (1973)
A couple picnic at a big old cemetery and then get freaky in a crypt as night falls. They emerge to realize they don’t know their way out and start to get a bit loony. Its a beautiful film with a perfect location, I imagine a lot of people enjoy watching this film just based on this alone. A great halloween movie in a way, with its theme focusing on the living relationship to the dead and mixing of these worlds. Things often take a turn when the characters do things unexpected. Maybe seems a bit pretentious at times for my taste.
The Night Of The Hunted (1980) -
A man finds a girl wandering the streets with total amnesia. He takes her home and makes sweet love, and then she takes off with a couple of suspicious authority figures to the black tower. Maybe my favorite of all the Rollins I’ve watched so far. This is perhaps more of a psychological thriller than horror film, but at times is far more creepy than most horror stuff I’ve seen over the years. I’ve seen comments about The Iron Rose being the perfect work of erotic horror from Rollins, but in my opinion, The Night of the Hunted has it totally beat.
Rollins really picks so lovely ladies for these films… some of the most gorgeous ladies I’ve seen in any of these erotic genre flics
That is a beautiful cover for The Iron Rose
Both are great posters in fact - good enough that it makes me intrigued to discover Jean Rollin’s work. Any recommendations as to what his best films are?
Well, for me I liked the film, I thought Robert Englund was impressive in his performance as the Phantom. It dragged a bit in the story (like some films do), but it sure has it’s moments in the gore and violence though and the makeup and effects were nicely done.
31 DAYS of HALLOWEEN - DAY 14
Tonight I’m watching the slow-burn retrostyled Satan-Worshipper The Lords of Salem (Zombie, 2012). Bit of a “Marmite” pic, this one. The frantic avant-garde conclusion threatens to derail the entire picture for any viewer who isn’t feeling it, but if you meet it halfway it’s a cracking film. IMO.
The Family Frightener today is The Lost Boys (Schumacher, 1987). You don’t have to beat me, Michael; you just have to keep up.
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Be careful with the recommendations he did a lot of porn films back in the seventies and 80’s, so if any recommendations had a funny French title, beware
In fact Rollin did the porn stuff to invest the money he made in those films in his mainstream material, or horror films in the case, (at least it was what he said) in common the films had many time the same actresses (Lahaie and others) and tech crew. It’s somehow strange that such a quality director as Rollin never had the chance to make a decent film in productions terms in a such a prolific market as the French one was and still is, but back in the seventies horror films were not a must for French cinema, they never had a Hammer.
My favorite works for him Les raisins de la mort (Grapes of death) and Fascination, The Iron Rose is a nice film to.
I think Woman in Black was good but my problem is that Radcliffe does absolutely nothing for me. His character was uninteresting and he lacked leading man presence. Not to mention he was way too young to play a widowed lawyer with a kid.
To future makers of horror films, here is a word of advice: Make your characters compelling!