Someone suggested I do a holiday movie. So I did. Bet they wish they had been more specific, huh?
Halloween 3: Season of the Witch (1982)
Nathan Shumate is the proprietor of Cold Fusion Video Reviews and the publisher of Cold Fusion Media.
And Happy Samhain, too!
Nathan Shumate is the proprietor of Cold Fusion Video Reviews and the publisher of Cold Fusion Media.
#1 by lyzard on December 31st, 2008
How odd: I had this shortlisted for the New Year. Perhaps I’ll push it back a few reviews. It’s been quite a while since I watched this. I don’t recall hating this as much as you do, Nathan, but that may have been because I watched it just after H2, and I really hate that.
#2 by aphexbr on January 1st, 2009
I love this film. Yes, ‘it’s cheesy. Yes, it’s incredibly flawed. You could probably die of alcohol poisoning if you drink along with Tom Atkins (seriously, that guy always has a drink in his hand here!). But, it’s a charming movie, and often effective despite itself. I don’t know exactly how much of Nigel Kneale’s original script survives (I believe the Stonehenge angle is his), but I remember the scene where the kid dies (a kid dies!) being very disturbing when I first watched it. And who can forget the Silver Shamrock song? (Happy Happy Halloween Halloween Hallloween, Happy Happy Halloween, Silver Shamrock!).
Happy New Year!
#3 by Nathan Shumate on January 1st, 2009
Lyz, it’s not that I hated it. It’s just that I couldn’t respect it, and it gave every sign of wanting to be respected, despite oozing silliness wherever possible.
#4 by KeithA on January 2nd, 2009
it gave every sign of wanting to be respected, despite oozing silliness wherever possible.
People say that about me all the time.
My favorite dumb thing about Halloween 3 (which I always thought felt like a Full Moon movie) is the notion that a particular brand of Halloween mask could be the hottest item of the year, with all the kids demanding one.
#5 by Blake Matthews on January 2nd, 2009
“My favorite dumb thing about Halloween 3 (which I always thought felt like a Full Moon movie) is the notion that a particular brand of Halloween mask could be the hottest item of the year, with all the kids demanding one.”
Well, there are those of us who have little notion of reality. Me, for example, once thought it was possible to impress my classmates in elementary and middle school with my intelligence and reading skills.
#6 by lyzard on January 2nd, 2009
Yes, but what Keith is objecting to is the equivalent of your elementary and middle school classmates thinking en masse that they could impress each other with their intelligence and reading skills.
#7 by Blake Matthews on January 2nd, 2009
Actually, I was trying to compare the screenwriter’s lack of a grip on reality to mine.
#8 by lyzard on January 2nd, 2009
And I’m saying his is even greater than yours.
Think about that for a minute…
#9 by KeithA on January 2nd, 2009
You know, in a South Indian horror film, the masks those kids are wearing would represent actual monster characters.
#10 by Tom Meade on January 3rd, 2009
Well, if they’re approaching it with conviction, solid direction and intelligent scripting then I don’t see that they can’t work around those limitations.
#11 by HP on January 3rd, 2009
I grew up watching Hammer, AIP, and Amicus movies on late night TV, and always considered myself a horror fan. I missed out on a lot of 70s R-rated horror because I was too young and we didn’t have cable. And by the time the slasher thing started, I was too busy with university, and besides, horror movies are meant to be watched at home, alone, in the dark, not in some huge theater full of … shudder … Other People. So I largely missed out on the whole thing when it was happening.
It must have been around 1986, when I saw that there was going to be a slasher movie on Cinemax, and I thought, “I should just sit down and see what this newfangled style of horror movie is all about.” That movie, needless to say, was Halloween III: Season of the Witch.
I guess it was just a few years later that I saw Evil Dead II and Re-Animator, and everything was OK after that, but for a while there I felt angry, confused, and betrayed.
(I just finished watching Fulci’s Touch of Death, so I guess my wounds healed up stronger than ever. No film can harm me now!)
#12 by lyzard on January 3rd, 2009
Have I told you lately that I love you?
#13 by celnae on January 8th, 2009
The beginning of this write-up is complete and total horseshit. HALLOWEEN was made as a one-off. The first sequel came about because folks wanted the money. The idea for a yearly anthology of Halloween-themed movies was hit upon when those business considerations demanded yet another sequel.
#14 by Nathan Shumate on January 8th, 2009
And do you have references to back up your impassioned assertion?
#15 by Blake Matthews on January 8th, 2009
This supports an comment by El Santo about internet commentators, doesn’t it? Is it really necessary to use profanity, when a simple “Actually, according to…it says…”
#16 by lyzard on January 8th, 2009
I suppose some sort of recognition is in order, if not exactly congratulations: in the fifteen months that this blog has been in existence, this is the first time anyone has resorted to expressing an opinion via profanity and attitude.
#17 by Nathan Shumate on January 8th, 2009
But now that that precedent has been set… it’s foul filth from here on out, baby! (And technically, that’s not “profanity,” it’s “vulgarity.”)
#18 by Gentle Benj on January 8th, 2009
“it’s foul filth from here on out”
Fuck that shit! Let’s keep it clean, dammit!
#19 by celnae on January 9th, 2009
“And do you have references to back up your impassioned assertion?”
Have you any references to back up the bald-faced lie with which you began your write-up?
#20 by lyzard on January 9th, 2009
Okay, let’s have one last crack at this: celnae, we do not appreciate abusive language or aggressive attitudes here. If you care to rephrase either of your statements into more polite and respectful terms, we will attempt to have a conversation with you. Otherwise, please leave and don’t come back. I hope that’s clear enough?
#21 by Elizabeth the Ferret on January 9th, 2009
Great review, as always Nathan. I always look forward to reading reviewts from you, El Santo, and Lyz, probably because I’ve read every single review from the three of you (yes, I have no life and get extremely bored).
#22 by Nathan Shumate on January 9th, 2009
Celnae,
If you’re saying I’m wrong, that’s one thing. Show me where I’m wrong, and I’ll accede.
But when you come out and call me a liar — i.e., that I am willingly and knowingly spreading falsehoods — that crosses the line between crotchety disagreement and utter assholery. And you know what? I pay to host this site, and I’m not required to let that kind of thing go on, any more than I’m required to allow strangers to wander into my living room to fart.
In other words, welcome to Bannedville. Enjoy your stay.
#23 by KeithA on January 9th, 2009
And that’s why I love talking about American horror films — it always seems to bring out the obnoxious, idiotic kids.
#24 by The Rev. D.D. on January 9th, 2009
Crappy “adult” comedies do that to, if Pip’s reviews of such at Jabootu are any indication.
That was kind of a nice diversion, but I have to admit, idiocy is so rampant on internet boards in general that I find this place to be a nice haven from that. So I don’t think I’ll be shedding any tears over celnae’s abrupt departure.
#25 by Blake Matthews on January 9th, 2009
The worst idiocy I found on an internet board was in a Yahoo review of “Godzilla 2000″ where a person referred to it as a “Stupid [racial epithet] movie.” Say what you will about that movie, it was not deserving of a racist attack.
#26 by Tom Meade on January 10th, 2009
To be fair, giant amphibious reptiles have historically been used as frequent stand-ins for African-Americans in racist discourse.
#27 by MatthewF on January 12th, 2009
So what you’re saying is that Godzilla vs Spacegodzilla is a subtle discourse of the dialectic between moden manners and a post -racial conciousness, played out between giant rubber monsters as a homage to both Chekov and the new radical theatre movement?