Forgotten Frights II: Halloween H20: 20 Years Later

 

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

 

 

 

 

What came before it: The first two films in the Halloween series, those classic slasher flicks following mass murderer/William Shatner mask enthusiast Michael Myers on his pursuit of his sister, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), and his psychiatrist, Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasance).

 

What remains: Laurie returns to fight off her estranged bro on the 20th anniversary of their first meeting (and the events of the first film), that fateful night when Mike escaped from Smith's Grove Sanitarium and came at her, her friends and the kids she was babysitting with a butcher knife.  It's even more a family affair this time, with Laurie's son (Josh Harnett) and his friends also being targeted. Dr. Loomis, however, is nowhere to be found, presumably seeing as he died by Michael's hand in the sixth flick (Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers).

 

Why it deserves a second (or third, or fourth) chance:

• It is specifically designed with fans in mind, making many references to earlier instances in the series (i.e. the nurse from Halloween and Halloween II appears in the opening scene, there are closet stabbing flashbacks). This is most likely Kevin Williamson's (Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer) doing. Apparently he wrote the first draft of the script.
• There are nods to other non-Halloween horror classics as well. My favourite has to be the interaction between Curtis and her mom, Psycho star Janet Leigh. As the two converse as coworkers on screen, you can hear the Psycho theme and see Marion Crane's Ford Sedan in the background.
• The supporting cast is kinda out of control. In addition to Hartnett, we've got a young Michelle Williams and one of the most badass iterations of LL Cool J ever (next to the one in Deep Blue Sea).
• A 3rd Rock era Joseph Gordon Levitt also makes an brief appearance ... before getting a skate to the face!
• The ridiculous events of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth movies are basically ignored. I mean, those ones claimed Laurie Strode, the original Survivor Girl, has died! As if!
• "Mr. Sandman" is back and as haunting as ever. Although it technically didn't come into play until Halloween II, I've always considered it the unoriginal soundtrack to the series.
• Creed provides an original song for the actual soundtrack. Just in case you didn't realize that it was shot and released in the late '90s.
• There is a brilliant showdown scene between Michael and Laurie involving cafeteria tables.
• The ending is a perfect wrap-up to the series, providing brutal closure for both Laurie and the viewers. That is, if you ignore the fact that Halloween: Rescurrection and those awful Rob Zombie adaptations exist.

Forgotten Frights II: REC 2

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

What came before it: A found-footage Spanish zombie movie that's adored by horror critics and fanatics alike. A documentary reporter is filming at a fire station when the fire fighters get an emergency call to an apartment building. However, while there, they find out that an infection has broken out in the apartment complex and they've got to "quarantine" it immediately (hence the English remake of the film, Quarantine), sealing everyone in with it. They soon find out, that this is far from any ordinary virus and symptoms are terrifying.

What remains: There are two ways to talk about this sequel: safe and spoilery. I'll go with the former so that if you haven't seen it yet, you have a chance of loving it just as much as I do. The story picks up right where the first one left off, literally beginning with the last film's ending scene, and continuing with found footage. This time, we're with a special ops squad, before switching perspectives to a group of young teens who managed to sneak back into the building.

Why you should give it a second (or third, or fourth) chance:

• Everything we loved about REC is back and amazingly, even better.
• Some of the mystery from the first film is answered (and developed into a greater mystery).
• If you don't feel like reading subtitles, you don't really have to most of the time. The story is mostly action-driven, but intelligently so. It's definitely not about cheap scares and bloodbath.
• On that note, although it's not excessively gory, all blood and guts are perfectly placed, warranted and shocking.
• It's even more creative than the first, delving slightly sci-fi at times.
• It's got a ridiculous twist ending that puts a new spin on the zombie genre (if you'd call it a zombie movie at that point) and it will make you want to watch REC 3 immediately.

Sorry, I'm giving you a teaser trailer. You'll thank me later.

Forgotten Frights II: Scream 2

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

What came before it: Scream, Wes Craven's 1996 homage to horror movies. As the original “ghost-face killer” hunts down a group of teenagers, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and her friends try to abide by the rules of scary movies (Never say, “I'll be right back,” for example) in order to survive.

What remains: Everyone that made it out alive the first time is back for more! Sidney is now attending college where she's joined by everyone's favourite film geek, Randy (Jamie Kennedy). When someone is murdered at the premiere of Stab, the film based on Gale Weathers' (Courtney Cox) best-selling book, The Woodsboro Murders, Deputy Dewey (David Arquette) arrives to protect Sid and Weathers is there to get the story. Just like old times.

Why it deserves a second (or third, or fourth) chance: 

• You'll see some horror movie regulars in this “killer” cast, including Sarah Michelle Gellar (I Know What You Did Last Summer) and Rebecca Gayheart (Urban Legends).
• In general, this is a star-studded cast. You'll also see brief appearances (some more so than others) by Jada Pinkett Smith, Portia de Rossi, Joshua Jackson, Luke Wilson, Tori Spelling, Heather Graham, Omar Epps, Liev Schreiber, Jerry O'Connell... the list goes on.
• The film class scene in which class members discuss the merits of sequels is perfect. Favourite line: “Stab 2? Who would want to do that? Sequels suck.” – Randy
• Just like the first film, you'll be screaming at the television as the soon-to-be victims break every scary movie rule. “Are you serious? Don't run up the stairs!!” and “Come on! Do you really need to make sure he's actually dead!?”
• Fans of a little gore will be pleased to know that “the body count is always bigger” in sequels.
• Fans of a little romance will enjoy watching Gale and Dewey/Courtney Cox and David Arquette's (ill-fated) love blossom.

BY: Regan Reid
DREAM CAST: Michael Fassbender, Ryan Gosling, Mia Wasikowska, Saoirse Ronan, Emma Thompson

Forgotten Frights II: The Return of the Living Dead

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

What came before it: Night of the Living Dead. I know what you're thinking: isn't Dawn of the Dead the sequel to Night of the Living Dead? Technically, yes. But that was George A. Romero's sequel. This is a darkly comedic adaptation of Night cowriter John Russo's completely separate novel follow-up.

What remains: Just a leftover bin of zombie bodies from Night of the Living Dead. Return of the Living Dead reanimates the late guys and gals that come after the punk rock protagonists of this flick.

Why it deserves a second (and third, and fourth) chance:

• It is the reason "Braaaaaains!" has become the official zombie manifesto. It was the first movie to have the walking dead chow down on grey matter and utter the now famous phrase.
• It's highly self-aware, name dropping Night of the Living Dead right off the bat.
• Unlike some of the Romero sequels, it's really quite funny, intentionally and unintentionally (those costumes!).
• The soundtrack is stellar, featuring an hot mess of pop-punk tracks that take the B plot to a whole other out-of-control level.
• There is a wicked cemetery party scene in which one of the spiky-haired hipsters inexplicably strips down to her skivvies and dances atop a tomb. Talk about raising the dead! (Eww. I just wrote that.)
• There are characters named Spider, Trash, Scuz, Suicide and Tarman. Oh, and two characters named Burt and Ernie (no relation to the ones on Sesame Street).
• It was written and directed by Dan O'Bannon, scribe of Alien and the original Total Recall.
• The zombie puppet stuff was done by a former Muppeteer.

Forgotten Frights II: Friday the 13th Part II

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

What came before it: (Note: I'm going to be very spoilery.) Years after two teens were murdered at Camp Crystal Lake, the camp is being re-opened (because that's a camp you want to send your kids to). Counsellors start prepping for the incoming campers when they mysteriously start getting picked off one by one. By picked off, I mean stabbed, sliced and otherwise torn to pieces. Soon, we've got one girl left, Alice. Frantically searching for help, she finds a woman who turns out to be the woman behind the murders, Pamela Voorhees, a mother avenging the death of her son who drowned years ago at the hands of neglectful and otherwise preoccupied counsellors. In the end, Alice prevails before seeking escape in a canoe. She's pulled underwater by a deranged and deformed boy who suddenly appears. Flash to her waking up in the hospital, they never recovered any boy. "Then he's still there," says Alice.

What remains: For one, Alice. But not for long. A new group of counsellors gather to set up a new camp. You think they'd learn not to return to the site of a dozen murders with the nickname of "Camp Blood," right? Well, it's not exactly the same camp, it's just right beside it, on the same lake. It's totally fine.

Why you need to give it a second (or third, or fourth) chance:

• There's a new, mysterious murderer, and this time he's bigger and badder.
• Alice is back! For a few minutes, but a few very worthwhile minutes.
• The story is taken a level further. Yeah, sure, we love slashers for their senseless fun, but a good story goes a long way.
• It's fun to take part in the terror. Who's going to die next? What will be their misstep? Is that Jason peering through the woods? (The answer to the latter is almost always "yes.")
• It's not too bloody (which could be a pro or con depending on your taste), but it's got great jumps and truly shocking moments.
• It takes itself seriously and it pays off, which is a lot more than several of this series' other sequels can say.
• An ending the rival's the first's. Not to spoil anything, but we love a clever heroine.

Forgotten Frights II: The Curse of the Cat People

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

What came before it: A B-movie called Cat People about a strange woman named Irena who turns into a panther when she's aroused (sexually or angrily). However, being a cat person psychologically tortures Irena, as she's not allowed to express her love. Things take a turn for the worse when she catches her husband getting too friendly with another woman. Eventually, her inner darkness leads to her demise.

What remains: The couple from the first film now has a six-year-old daughter, Amy, who feels isolated and left out by her peers, much like the feelings Irena felt. One day she calls out for a friend. Irena appears and befriends her, a secret she must keep from her parents. However, when her parents find out, they refuse to believe her and force her to feel even further isolated.

Why you should giving it a second (or third, or fourth) chance:

• It focusses on the psychological torment of a young child and her greatest fears of loneliness and betrayal. Plus, there are some very strange and spooky moments.
• It reminds me of The Turn of the Screw. We think we believe, but we're always doubting whether or not Irena is actually a ghost or a figment of Amy's imagination.
• Amy says some disturbing things about herself, like after she blew out her birthday candles, "You know what I wished, daddy? I wished that I could be a good girl," making us wonder if she's actually a malicious child or just misunderstood.
• Reference to Robert Louis Stevenson's poem "The Unseen Playmate" about children's imaginary friends but in the context of a horror story, with lines like "When children are playing alone on the green, In comes the playmate that never was seen," it can get creepy.
• Truthfully, it's not exactly a horror movie. It's more haunting and unsettling, but sometimes that's what you need for a more lasting effect.

Forgotten Frights II: Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

What came before it: The hugely successful original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) centred around a cannibalistic family led by a killer carrying a chainsaw and wearing a human skin mask. The sequel, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986) is an overly-campy and silly version that reduced Leatherface to a lovesick and sexually confused monster, relying heavily on classic 80s cheese.

What remains: This sequel should have been the original sequel! This version is much closer to the feel and structure of the original. They keep the general plot outline and the whole Leatherface family is back, but with some additions. We meet Michelle and her boyfriend who are road tripping through Texas (always a good idea) and after being rerouted by a crime scene, stop at a gas station owned by a pervert (who else would own an almost-abandoned gas station?). When the pervert gets a little too creepy, a young, handsome hitch-hiker played by Viggo Mortensen, saves the day (seems legit). All goes wrong when the couple leaves and the hitch-hiker is shot by the gas station owner! It turns out the two strangers were in on it the whole time and as our leads soon find out, the strangers are more than perverts.

Why it deserves a second (or third, or fourth) chance:

• This movie is worth it just for Viggo. He's creepy and charming at the same time and he wears a floral apron to save his shirts from blood splatter.
• The family and the Leatherface house is just like the original (they kept the bone room!). The family has just a few additions but instead of being a strange, campy version of the original, they're a revamped but more realistic version.
• There are so many more layers in this one. There are more characters (an escaped victim who is equally creepy as the family) and plots twists (are they dead or aren't they?!).
• This version keeps the most important line from the first sequel, "The saw is family," but this time, it's engraved onto a brand new, custom made chainsaw.
• This one is also creepier! Nothing beats the original but compared to the first sequel, this version is tense, gross and actually creepy, thanks to pretty good sets and mood lighting.
• Just wait for the lake of bodies and the chainsaw fountain/fight scene.

By Isa Montagnese
Dream cast: Gene Wilder. That's it.

Forgotten Frights II: Aliens

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

What came before: Ellen Ripley, crew member aboard an intergalactic but very vague mission on behalf of a space exploration and development company, was the sole survivor after the crew became infected by a face-sucking alien species that impregnated them with a parasite that burst through their chests and killed them (obviously). At the end of Alien, Ripley put herself and her cat into stasis while her space pod floated away, with the hopes of being rescued by a passing ship.

What remains: Ripley is the only character left (and the cat). She finds out that she’s been floating in space for 57 years, and everyone she knew and loved is now dead, including her daughter. Ripley is discredited by her employer, but when the company loses contact with the colony that has been living on the planet where the alien comes from, Ripley agrees to go investigate. The rest of the rescue crew finds out she’s not crazy soon enough, as face-suckers show up very quickly. Added bonus: the company wants to bring home specimens of the face-suckers with the hope of developing them into biological weapons.

Why it deserves a second (or third, or fourth) chance:

• Paul Reiser as the evil company guy who wants to bring home specimens of the aliens for biological weapon development. Nice to see him in a non-Mad About You way.
• Classic scene where the alien rips through Ripley’s stomach. Every pregnant woman’s worst nightmare. (Ripley’s, too.)
• We learn more about the alien, even if it is through the heavy-handed lens of maternal protection/biological determinism. We learn there’s a female, and she’s the Queen, and she’s smart, and she’s definitely the scariest of them all.
• James Cameron wrote and directed. That guy knows how to make a blockbuster.
• 7 Oscar nominations, including Sigourney Weaver for Best Actress.
• Hey, remember when the third Matrix came out like 6 months after the second Matrix? And how awful it was? Well, Aliens came a good 7 years after the original. They took their time to get it right, I say.
• Bill Paxton, being kind of shrill.
• This movie was definitely bigger and badder than the first, by far. Alien had a more horror-movie sensibility to it; it was quieter, creepier. Aliens was an action movie, pure and simple. But it was a smart action movie.
• Personally, I think this may be the best of the franchise. It’s relentless, high-adrenaline, and your nerves are frayed by the end. It’s more terror than horror. I really, really love Alien as well, but the franchise clearly heads into a tailspin after this film.
• Ripley is a feminist film-lover’s dream.

By: Jennifer Simpson
Favourite (non-existent) section of the video store:

Women Talking to Other Women About Things Other Than Men

Forgotten Frights II: Urban Legends: Final Cut

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

What came before it: Urban Legend. The 1998 slasher flick about a parka-clad killer offing college kids by bringing modern myths (i.e. Boyfriend Hanging from Tree, Kidney Heist) to life.

What remains: Aside from Reese (Loretta Devine), a.k.a. the best Foxy Brown-obsessed movie security guard ever,  none of the original's characters return. Instead, we follow a set of film students (including Matt "Warner Huntington III/Alaric Saltzman" Davis, Once Upon a Time's Jennifer Morrison and Joey Lawrence) who are getting tortured by a new urban legend-obsessed killer in a fencing mask. What's more, Morrison's character has centre her final year film on, you guessed it, an urban legend-obsessed killer.

Why it deserves a second (or third, or fourth) chance:

• Like the first one, it's straight-up PG-13 '90s slasher stuff. The kills are more clever than brutal and the costumes are laughably dated (what modern, pseudo-popular college girls rock pigtails legitimately these days?).
• In addition to Davis, Morrison and Lawrence, the all-star cast also includes Eva Mendes, Yani Gelman (Pretty Little Liars, The Lizzie McGuire Movie), Anson Mount (Crossroads) and Anthony Anderson.
• The urban legends used for the death scenes are more elaborate and, given the whole film within a film thing, meta. I particularly love the scene that takes place inside an abandoned mining ride. Are those body parts part of the shoot, or are they real?
• The opening sequence is a fun fake-out that could easily have been a jokey outtake of the plane scene from the first Final Destination film.
• Please just look at the poster and how it unintentionally matches our Forgotten Frights II logo.
• The ending ties everything together in the most campy way and features a surprise cameo. Don't get too excited though. It's not Robert Englund or Brad Dourif, who both made brief appearances as a professor and a gas station attendant in the first film.
• It won the Teen Choice Award for "Choice Horror/Thriller." I mean, how can you argue with that?

Forgotten Frights II: Inferno

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

What came before it: Then a hit, now a cult favourite, 1977's Suspiria, from famed Italian horror director Dario Argento. Vivid, thrilling and sometimes revolting, the story follow the new girl at a prestigious dance school in Germany who slowly discovers that there's something dark lurking behind closed doors.

What remains: Not much at all. You might not even consider this a sequel if it weren't the second film in Argento's "Three Mothers" trilogy. This time, the story follows a young man in New York who again encounters a similar dark secret while investigating the disappearance of his sister. Although not as story-driven as the first, it's still got a lot going for it (if you enjoy Argento's brash style).

Why you should give it a second (or third, or fourth) chance:

• Like the first, suspense is done perfectly. Even when aren't really sure what's going on (which happens more than once), you're nervously on edge in anticipation for what's about to happen next.
• This one's got a strangely interesting score too. While it's not Italian rock band Goblin, like the first film, this one's got a mix of synthier-sounding effects and discordant piano, plus classical and opera bits.
• It's a lot grosser than the first, not in terms of gore itself (though there is more of that too), but more in the "get this rotting corpse off me" sense.
• Pop art style film. Bright colours, nonsensical visuals and the unexpected. You will either love it or hate it.
• Trivia: The creepy, withered hands with the long nails were Argento's.
• With Argento's signature touch, there's not much else like it. If nothing else, it's really refreshing.

Note: If you haven't seen the movie, you might not want to watch this trailer. Actually, I highly advise you don't.

Forgotten Frights II: 28 Weeks Later

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

What came before: The original 28 Days Later was a fast paced horror film about a young man who wakes up from a coma to find London deserted. It turns out the city has been evacuated thanks to a vicious, fast-acting virus that turns its victims into fast, strong, violent, zombie-like monsters. The original stars Cillian Murphy and is directed by Danny Boyle. This indie-style, fast-paced film style and feel revamped the zombie genre.

What remains: The sequel picks up in London six months after the virus has spread, the city is occupied by American military who are trying to secure a small part of London to contain survivors of the virus and reunite families. The plot centres around two kids who return from a refugee camp trying to find their family. They're helped and guided by a military doctor played by Rose Byrne.

Why it deserves a second (or third, or fourth) chance: 

• This movie rocks a jacked cast! Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner, Harold Perrineau and Idris Elba. But I still miss Cillian Murphy.
• Though Danny Boyle isn't directing this time, the feel and style is still there! The style is exciting and fast-paced but never feels overdone.
• I love when a newer movie still makes a real effort with practical effects and makeup. They nailed it with the makeup, enhancing the freaky infected zombie look.
• The plot is stand-alone from the original and it's a bit more complicated and twisty. They weren't afraid to get rid of main characters and the filmmakers tried to up the stakes by making the virus fast-acting and the story more violence-driven and complicated. The writers explain the original but this film is enough of a story to please audiences that haven't seen the original.
• I liked the two kids as the lead characters! They added a different feel for the film, instead of a lot of politics and adult problems. The kids made everything uncomplicated and gave it a different perspective. They weren't totally innocent and they understood what was happening but I felt myself rooting for them more than I normally would!

By Isa Montagnese
Dream cast: Gene Wilder. That's it.

Forgotten Frights II: The Bride of Frankenstein

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

What came before it: 1931's Frankenstein, based on Mary Shelley's 1818 classic novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. The story follows mad scientist Dr. Frankenstein (strangely renamed Henry from the novel's Victor) as he attempts to create life from lifeless body parts and the brain of a murderous criminal.

What remains: This story picks up right where the first left off, though not without a clever introduction from actors in the roles of Mary Shelley, her husband Percy and Lord Byron, in a setting much like what inspired the real-life Shelley to write Frankenstein. In this opening scene, Shelley tells Lord Byron that her story of Frankenstein wasn't finished the first time around (flashing back to scenes from the first movie), and continues with the monster's quest for a mate. Most of the original cast returns (at least those who matter), as does the director (though he almost didn't).

Why you should give it a second (or third, or fourth) chance:

• A much better film than the first, a real rarity for a sequel.
• An immensely detailed and seemingly authentic sets.
• A more complex and well-rounded cast than the first. An array of characters small to significant are played by a very talented and entertaining cast.
• Boris Karloff credited as just Karloff, because he's just that good.
• A well-placed, dramatic score that swells, fades and falls off just when it needs to.
• A better-than-expected interpretation of the monster, even moreso than the first. When I read the book, I was afraid that the movies might have played up his treacherousness too much, when actually he's supposed to be a character we feel empathetic toward. However, this film truly maintains the integrity of Shelley's characters. We really feel for the monster. He's just like anyone else under his hideousness, and like us, he just wants someone to love and to be loved by.
• Some clever references to the first film, like the monster telling Dr. Frankenstein to "sit down" with the exact same motions.
• Brilliant special effects that aren't even too shabby by today's standards.
• A movie that's still really entertaining 77 years after its release.

Forgotten Frights II: The Devil's Rejects

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

What came before it: House of 1000 Corpses. The brutal, yet campy 2003 Rob Zombie flick about the psychotic Firefly family, who get their kicks from maiming, torturing and killing any and every innocent traveler they can get their perpetually dirty hands on.

What remains: The focus is on the most compelling members of the criminally insane clan - Captain Spalding (Sid Haig), Baby (Sheri Moon Zombie), Otis (Bill Mosley) - and the hellbent sheriff (William Forsythe) tracking them after raiding their carnage-laden home in search of his missing brother. Mother Firefly (Leslie Easterbrook), Tiny (Matthew McGrory) and Rufus (Tyler Mane) also appear, but Spalding, Baby and Otis are the ones we watch run for their lives while still dementedly taking others.

Why it deserves a second (or third, or fourth) chance:

• While the original was just straight up, balls-to-the-walls gross-out horror, this is more of disturbing character study. Zombie has said he was influenced by classic crime dramas like Bonnie and Clyde, The Wild Bunch and Badlands, and you can definitely tell.
• We spend more time with each family member, getting to know their individual kinks and coming to understand that while they hate everyone else with an insatiable, sadistic fire, they love each other to death.
• By chipping away at the personalities of Baby, Spalding and Otis, Zombie achieves the incredibly awful: he makes you root for them. Even though you know that they've offed countless people in despicable ways, you'd rather see the sheriff die than see them get caught.
• I'm still not sold on Sheri Moon Zombie's acting skills, but Haig and Mosley are superb. Particularly Mosley. He glides smoothly between pissy hilarious (don't you dare ask him to make an ice cream pit stop!) and relentlessly revolting. 
• The tone of the film is like the open road: slow and winding. This makes the death scenes both easier and harder to take. On the one hand, since they are less over-the-top and frantic, you feel a definite sense of relief. On the other, they almost become more horrifying because they are not sensationalized and thus, appear uncomfortably real.
• Zombie throws in some great meta background stuff. Like having a movie critic pretentiously explain how each Firefly is named after a character from a Groucho Marx movie.
• The soundtrack is beyond brilliant. I mean, the bullet-laden finale is set to the entirety of "Free Bird." We don't even hear the shots get fired. We just hear that epic guitar solo go down.
•  Danny Trejo has a small role as a bounty hunter.
• There's a fun side-plot involving Spalding's pimp buddy Charlie (Dawn of the Dead's Ken Foree). The scene where the two reunite is filthy, awkward and hysterical
• So you can finally understand why Zombie is this modern horror icon. Cause we all know those Halloween remakes are all kinds of blasphemous.

Forgotten Frights II: The Exorcist III

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

What came before it: I'll give you one guess. The series began with one of the most iconic, memorable horror movies of all time, in which young girl is possessed by a demon, who learn more about in failure of a sequel.

What remains: The story picks up [SPOILER] following the death of Father Damien Karras from the first film, with absolutely no relation the second film. We follow Lieutenant William F. Kinderman (played now by George C. Scott, previously by Lee J. Cobb) who follows a series of crimes seemingly committed by the Gemini killer, who was executed 15 years earlier. What does this have to do with demonic possession? You'll just have to see for yourself.

Why you should give it a second (or third, or fourth) chance:

• It's a well-crafted, supernatural mystery that picks up after the first film where the second film should have. Why the second film decided to investigate the story of the priest who died at the hands of the demon as opposed to the priest who called possession upon himself and tried to kill the demon is beyond me.
• Although the horror scenes in this film are few, when they happen, they're done absolutely perfectly.
• The university president saying that his favourite movie is The Fly, coming from the actor who starred in The Fly II a year earlier.
• The lieutenant's creepy, symbolic dreams, foreshadowing the crimes to come.
• Speaking of his dreams, Fabio also appears briefly and inexplicably as an angel in one of them.
• The most haunting statues ever, some crying blood, some headless, some opening their eyes and some wielding daggers.
• When the Gemini killer, Brad Dourif (a.k.a. Chucky) ends his conversation with the lieutenant with "It's child's play," before opening the next scene with the shot of a doll-like, red-haired little boy.
• William Peter Blatty is back! After seeing The Exorcist movie, Blatty, the author of The Exorcist book, came up with a sequel for the movie. However, The Exorcist II (unrelated to Blatty) was released first. Blatty was approached for the third installment, but his screenplay didn't work out so he turned it into a best-selling book before turning it back into a screenplay, with the hopes of John Carpenter directing (obviously, right?). When Carpenter declined, Blatty decided to do it himself and it was a hit. You show 'em how it's done, Blatty!
• It's (arguably) the best film in the series. Personally, I'm undecided (it's a toss up with the first), but it's safe to say that it's regarded as one of the better horror sequels of all time.

Oh and here, have a look at the very spoilery trailer:

Forgotten Frights II: Bride of Chucky

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

Photo: New Wave Creative

What came before it: Child's Play and two same-named sequels that followed. These are the flicks that introduced us to Chucky, that charmingly crass doll who went on a murderous rampage after being taken over by the spirit of serial killer Charles Lee Ray (Brad Dourif).

What remains: Obviously Chucky's still very much alive and kicking. He's got a plastic partner in crime now though and her name is Tiffany (Jennifer Tilly). Tiff started out as a human too, but she turns toy after a Chucky-orchestrated bath electrocution incident sends her soul into a previously inanimate girl doll. 

Why it deserves a second (or third, or fourth) chance:

•  It's really fun in a cheesy-and-it-knows-it way. The previous films were more serious, trying a little too hard to be scary when they clearly were not (they lost us all at killer doll). This one makes fun of that a bit, amping up the dark comedy and taking obscene advantage of the ridiculous concept. (Doll-on-doll sex scene anyone?)
• Tilly is spot-on over-the-top as Tiffany. Her voice is as grating as Dourif's, if not more, and she delivers the practically unspeakable script with punny pith.
• The supporting cast includes John Ritter (R.I.P.), Alexis Arquette and a young Katherine Heigl!
• The initial Tiffany death scene is quite elaborate, yet also to the point. While Tilly is fun to watch as her human self, we really just want to see her all dolled up.
• There is a makeover montage in which Tiffany tarts up her bland new bod, giving her doll self a dye job, extensions, whack-loads of make-up and a badass leather jacket. 
• Director Ronny Yu would go on to do Freddy vs. Jason. Which I can't help but love. (Freddy's got Kelly Rowland's nose!)
• Yu throws in a bunch of intentional nods to other modern horror classics like Hellraiser, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm St. and Friday the 13th. The "Crate" from Creepshow even makes a cameo!

 

Forgotten Frights II: A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

What came before it: The 1984 classic about the ghost of Freddy Krueger, a child killer who seeks murderous vengeance on the children of the neighbours who killed him.

What remains: This movie picks up in the same house on Elm Street five years later. When Jesse's family moves into the house, he gets wind of the story of the girl who lived in the house before him. When he finds her diary buried in his closet, his sinister dreams start to make sense. This time Freddy isn't out for revenge, but rather wants Jesse to do his evil bidding for him.

Why it deserves a second (or third, or fourth) chance:

Okay, so this movie isn't the best. (5.1/10 on IMDB… ouch!), but it has some worthwhile moments.

• Some great 80s special effects, like the trippy opening dream scene that ends with a school bus, and it's captive teenagers, teetering on enormous underworldly stalagmites.
• A cleaning-his-bedroom dance montage featuring kitchy gold 80s eyewear and phallic gestures with prop flute. Pretty great stuff.
• Alien style chest-ripping scene where Freddy Krueger literally breaks out of Jesse in an inside-out caesarean section from hell.
• An awesome scene where (teenager) Jesse uncharacteristically seeks solace in an S&M night club, and unexpectedly meets his (actually) sadistic gym teacher there. This is followed by a very weird scene where sadistic gym teacher makes Jesse run laps for his enjoyment only to later get revenge towel-whipped by Freddy's ghost in gym shower.
• *Spoiler alert* It's not only fearlessness that can disarm Freddy, but sweethearts too! Jesse's girlfriend Lisa ends up defeating the monstrous child killer (who is possessing her boyfriend at the time) through three little words. Freddy Krueger life lesson: Love truly conquers all.

By Lindsay Ulrich

Favourite (non-existent) section of the video store: 80s high school drama meets cyberpunk film noir

Forgotten Frights II: Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

 

Photo: Renaissance Pictures

What came before it: The Evil Dead. You know, the 1981 Sam Raimi flick about a group of kids (including a super young, super sexy Bruce Campbell!) who head to a cabin in the woods for a weekend and unwittingly unleash an ancient demonic force.
 
What remains: Evil Dead II could almost be considered a remake of the original. Campbell's Ash returns to the same cabin with a very similar group of kids and kickstarts the exact same scenario, just with extended death scenes (angry molesting trees!), a few added characters and a whole lot more humour.

Why it deserves a second (or third, or fourth) chance: 

• It put a very fun spin on an often overly serious genre. In doing so, it birthed a whole new subsection of horror, one of my personal favourites: splatstick (splatter gore gone slapstick).   
• This one's for the ladies/gay dudes: Bruce Campbell may look his mighty finest here, his promiscuously protruding chin on full and utterly glorious display. Also, this is where we first get to see Bruce really ham it up, turning catchphrases like "Groovy!" into instant classics.
• There is a two-minute scene of Campbell fighting with his possessed hand (see: clip below). It is brilliant and mostly likely the only way that Idle Hands was able to get made.
• You get to witness a fresh corpse do ballet to classic music in a forest. (This is the point where you'll either fall in love, or run away screaming.)
• Even the props are hilarious. For example, after (SPOILER ALERT) Ash cuts off his hand, he places it near a copy of A Farewell to Arms. 
• It sets things up for the epic conclusion of the trilogy:  Army of Darkness. 
• This is the flick Evil Dead: The Musical is based on. Yes, that's a real thing and yes, it's amazing. One of my favourite memories (ever) has to be subwaying home after sitting in the Splatter Zone during my third viewing of the show. Needless to say, buying a white chocolate macadamia cookie while covered, head to toe, in fake blood, isn't as cut and dry as you might think. 

Forgotten Frights II: The Hills Have Eyes 2

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

What came before it: A not-too-shabby remake of one of the films that helped give Wes Craven a name. A family on a road trip gets lost and stranded in the desert, only to be slaughtered by mutants living hidden in the surrounding hills.

What remains: The story implicitly picks up where the first left off with the army investigating the massacre site. Wes Craven penned the new story (completely different from his original 1985 sequel) with an all-new cast (though he had hoped to keep Emilie de Ravin's character, she was busy with the best TV on earth, Lost).

Why you should give it a second (or third, or fourth) chance:

• It's unintentionally splatstick (slapstick plus gore). Of course, the gore is intentional but every kill is also ridiculously slapstick.
• Devendra Banhart's "Insect Eyes" accompanying the teaser trailer. Without Banhart? Not bad trailer. With Banhart? Put me down for two tickets, please.
• The porta-potty scene. "There's a hand in the shitter!" Yes, a groping hand.
• Lee Thompson Young. You know, Jett Jackson? From Disney's The Famous Jett Jackson? The kid who was a celebrity for playing a secret agent on TV? No? Alright.
• And the award for best camouflage goes to the creepy mutant who's so scaly he blends into the rocks.
• The dude who looks inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas' Dr. Finklestein. Compare:

• Terrible, terrible lines, which I both love and hate.
• Finally, when one hears of a Wes Craven horror movie, one must watch said movie.

Forgotten Frights II: Silence of the Lambs

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

What came before it: Manhunter. The 1986 Michael Mann film is based on theThomas Harris novel Red Dragon and follows a detective (William Peterson) who enlists the help of Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Brian Cox), the psychiatrist and cannibalistic killer that once tried to murder him, in investigating the "Tooth Fairy" murders.  

What remains: Not much. Hannibal is back again, this time played by the man who would make him famous, Anthony Hopkins. But as in the Harris sequel of the same name, this time Hannibal is working alongside a female detective, Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), and hunting a killer named "Buffalo Bill" (Ted Levine).

Why it deserves a second (or third, or fourth) chance:

•  It's one of the only horror films to get nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award. What's more? It won. 
• Hopkins is obviously sssssssstellar in his first turn as Hannibal. But Foster is also unquestionably amazing as Clarice. She's much more engaging than Peterson was in Manhunter, mainly due to her crazy chemistry with Hopkins.
• With Foster at the helm, Clarice becomes an ultimate final girl. She's smart, fearless and unintimidated by rare moths that have been hiding out in dead girl's throats.  
• It has one of the most memorable and terrifying final showdown sequences ever. The best non-sexy use of night vision I can remember.
• Unlike the later Hannibal films, most of the killings are left  mysterious and off-screen. So when creepy something does happen, it takes you aback and really stays with you. It's always simple and real too - like when we see Buffalo Bill subtly lure his first victim into a van. Shudder.
• This is the flick that made fava beans and a nice Chiant the horror movie equivalent of PB & J.
• The ending is so clever, leaving things on a haunting, yet darkly hilarious note, while also marking a clear path for sequels. Although, neither Hannibal nor Red Dragon comes close to this.

Forgotten Frights: Final Destination 2

Forgotten Frights is back! To celebrate the second anniversary of our annual horror movie roundup, every weekday for the next month we're going to sound off on a scary good sequel (or, if we want some cheese with our corn syrup, a schlocky second), ruminating on the returns of our favourite monsters, murderers, heroes (or heroines), creepies, crawlies, chills and thrills.

FINAL DESTINATION 2

What came before it: A very original movie about a young guy who sees a plane crash that leaves no survivors. Acting on his premonition, he saves his friends and a few other passengers, not realizing that they've altered their fate, or messed with "death's design." In the days that follow, death comes hunting.

What remains: Clear Rivers (Ali Larter), but otherwise, new director, new writers, new cast, same premise. If not for an entirely new slew of creative, gory and more-than-coincidental death scenes, it would have been a write-off. When A.J. Cook's character foresees a massive highway pileup, we know what's to come. (Though four sequels is a bit much.)

Why it deserves a second (or third, or fourth) chance:

• When Kimberly (Cook) hears "Highway to Hell" on the radio before the pileup. It's just too perfect.
• The Candyman, er, Tony Todd is back! Any good (b-list) horror movie is not complete without a Tony Todd (or Robert Englund) cameo. Unless Kane Hodder is the villain.
• The return of Clear Rivers (Larter), although "short-lived."
• Trivia: The news reporters in this movie are real-life Vancouver news reporters. Woop, woop for our journos!
• All the clues leading up a death (the one-eyed doll, the man with the hooks, an upside-down horseshoe...) make for a great (drinking) game.
• Although you know what's coming, with building anticipation and false-calls, you never really know when.
• It's kind of, sort of, maybe, a little bit funny sometimes. I feel guilty snickering at brutal murders, but they're just so improbable, ridiculously coincidental and seemingly preventable that I can't help it!