#slanderoidhalloween — Public Fediverse posts

"Get Out" (Movie)

- There aren't really any monsters except body swapped people 😐
- The story is full of awesome characters and tense moments 👍👍

I tried watching this movie several years ago... But I fell asleep in the middle and never tried it again. That might be for the best - I don't know if I would have appreciated it as much then as I do now. (Between this and "Late Night with the Devil", I'm starting to think that horror movies with hypnosis really freak me out!) Jordan Peele pulls out all the stops for his directorial debut, putting together a bizarre story that is equally entertaining and truly disturbing. While it's light on action, it's constantly engaging. The cast does a phenomenal job bringing this story to life. It's a must watch if you haven't seen it!

#slanderoidHalloween #Halloween #SpookySeason #horror #movies

"Freaky" (Movie)

- The killer is a little lame... but gets better when he swaps bodies 👍
- The story is good but is held back a bit 👍

This one was a lot of fun! (My wife didn't like it as much as Bodies Bodies Bodies, though.) The kills were graphic and fun, the story wasn't half bad, and the cast does a great job. There were some nitpicky things I had about the direction/writing that affected the scares. And, as a guy, I'm not sure how well Vince Vaughn did playing a teenage girl... My wife said he was fine, though. Regardless, this one is entertaining and probably worth a watch!

#slanderoidHalloween #Halloween #SpookySeason #horror #movies

"Bodies Bodies Bodies" (Movie)

- The killer is hard to rate but I'll give them one point for the ending 👍
- The story is fine, I guess 😐

This is a pretty standard slasher movie. In fact, I didn't think any of the kills were that spectacular and I didn't find any of the characters to be likeable tonight enough to cheer them on. The best part is the last five minutes of the movie, which came as a huge surprise to me. I don't know if I'd recommend it unless you have nothing else to watch. However, my wife liked this one much more than I did, so your mileage may vary.

#slanderoidHalloween #Halloween #SpookySeason #horror #movies

"The Wolf House" (Movie)

- A couple of really strange creatures but I don't think they're monsters 👍👍
- A deep story hiding in a simple story 👍👍

I bought this Blu-ray because I couldn't find this movie on streaming platforms last year... I'm glad I did! The most amazing part of this movie isn't the horror (which is disturbing) or the story (which is a powerful account of an authoritarian cult thing in Chile) but the presentation itself. This is a stop motion movie that defies description and challenged what I thought stop motion was. This is a beautiful work of art and anyone who can find a way to watch it should do just that! 🎃

#slanderoidHalloween #Halloween #SpookySeason #horror #movies

"Infidel" by Jose Villarrubia and Aaron Campbell (Comic)

- Freakish monsters that will stick with me 👍
- A strong story with a good message 👍

This comic series always comes up when I search for good horror comics. Luckily, I found it at the local library sale and got to read it this year! I thought the monster was really scary, with its hideous design and the way its actions are behind some of the misconceptions that lead some people to embrace xenophobic ideologies. This was an excellent read and I definitely recommend it!

#slanderoidHalloween #Halloween #SpookySeason #horror #books #series

"The Stepford Wives" by Ira Levin (Book)

- No monsters here to speak of... Maybe 😐
- An accessible and truly creepy story 👍👍

I decided to start my horror reading marathon with a classic this year and, damn, was that a good choice. Even though the ending left a lot of lingering questions unanswered, the story here is compelling and genuinely freaky. It's a short book that starts slowly (while being consistently engaging) and goes from zero to one hundred in the matter of a few pages. And, unfortunately, it's getting more and more relevant by the day. If you haven't read this one, you need to!

#slanderoidHalloween #Halloween #SpookySeason #horror #books

"Weapons" (Movie)

- The monster has me torn so it gets a 😐
- The story is told in a fun, time jumping, shifting POV kind of way 👍

This post has *SPOILERS*. Okay, you've been warned.

(If you would like more context for my opinions, check out this link: http://slanderoid.com/2024/10/01/slanderoids-monster-of-the-week-4-zombies/ )

This is a zombie movie, and I usually hate zombie movies. But, this is a *traditional* zombie movie, where there is a bokor that can control them. This is something that I've wanted to see for a long time. However, I feel like these zombies were wasted. I wish the bokor had some kind of plan to do something with the zombies they made... But they literally spent the whole movie hiding in a basement. Ultimately, this one is a mixed bag: something I've wanted to see that just doesn't hit the mark

#slanderoidHalloween #Halloween #SpookySeason #horror #movies #books #VideoGames #series

"Late Night with the Devil" (Movie, rewatch)

- The monster is just as awesome the second time 👍👍
- The story holds up, too, with more revealed on a second watch 👍👍

We've started collecting physical movies lately, so there are going to be some rewatches this year. I'm excited to see if they still hold up!

The first one, and the one I've been dying to see again since picking it up, is "Late Night with the Devil". This was my movie of the year last year and... Yeah, not much has changed. It's still fucking awesome. The production, the story, the humor, the grotesqueness... It's all just spot on. There are a lot of subtleties that are undetectable the first time through, too, and - to anyone who liked this one before - I'd argue that it's even more awesome the second time. It's still a 10/10 for me! 🎃

#slanderoidHalloween #Halloween #SpookySeason #horror #movies #books #VideoGames #series

"The Toxic Avenger" (Movie, 2025)

- There's actually an interesting story this time 👍
- Peter Dinklage as Toxie is pretty damned great! 👍👍

Let's start the year off swinging with the 2025 remake of "The Toxic Avenger". Honestly, this movie was much better than I expected it to be. It somehow managed to balance the fun of the original movie with a new storyline that nearly everyone can relate to (how the medical system sucks). I was laughing my ass off for most of this one. Pitting it against the original, however, I don't think it's my preferred version of the movie - but, if it manages to introduce a new audience to the original series, then it's okay in my book!

#slanderoidHalloween #Halloween #SpookySeason #horror #movies #books #VideoGames #series

"The Substance" (Movie, 2024)

- Disgusting and terrifying monsters 👍👍
- A story that is compelling from A to Z 👍

I've waited all month to watch this one! We didn't get it at our local theater, so I ended up having to wait until I was able to stream it. It was worth the wait! I'm always a fan of horror movies that are bright and colorful, and this one definitely fits the bill. The makeup and effects were honestly mind-boggling - I kept asking myself how they were able to pull them off. It touches on so many things - gender, aging, and addiction, to name a few. This one is certainly worth a watch... as long as you're not squeamish!

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #halloween #horror #movies

"Clown in a Cornfield 3: The Church of Frendo" by Adam Cesare (Book)

- Some creepy and humorous killers 👍
- The story is an improvement over the last one 👍

I started this series back when the first book came out. I loved it! The humor and breakneck pace really drew me into it. I don't remember much about the second book... Except that I really, really disliked it compared to the first one. Thankfully, the third captivated me. The cult resembles the real life transformation of Christianity since being infected by MAGA, so it hits pretty close to home. My main issue is that it feels like the catalyst behind the new religion is kind of a negative McGuffin - instead of the church evolving naturally (like it is in the real world), the leader uses a drug to control the minds of the followers. Still, it was a pretty good read!

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #halloween #horror #books @bookstodon

"Alone in the Dark" (Game, 2024)

- Tons of creepy monsters of all varieties 👍
- The story is interesting and the acting was good 👍

I wanted to play one more big game for the season and, when I remembered this remake came out this year, it had to be this one. I've never played a game in this series but this seemed like a good place to start. I loved the different environments in the game and how they all stem from the mansion. The puzzles were mostly fun, too. It took me a while to warm up to the story but, once I did, it had me hooked. Unfortunately, I didn't finish this one because the final boss was being an asshole, so I haven't seen the conclusion yet. I definitely plan to see it through, though. This one was pretty fun!

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #halloween #horror #gaming #VideoGames #ShareYourGames

"The Lost Boys" (Movie)

- Some charismatic monsters 👍
- The story was pretty predictable 😐

This was part two of our vampire double feature. I'm probably in the wrong here, but this movie wasn't really for me. It had a lot of charm, but the charm veered into cheesy a little too often for me. I thought some of the rules for the vampires were a little too convenient, too. (Like, "some vampires explode when they die" felt like it was just so they could have a bombastic ending.) I'm glad I watched it but I don't see myself returning to it, unfortunately

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #halloween #horror #movies

"Abigail" (Movie)

- The monster knows ballet AND karate 👍👍
- The story takes meaningful twists and turns 👍

The other night, we had a vampire double feature! We started with "Abigail". I felt like I knew how the story was going to go because I'd seen some reviews. But, to my surprise, after the first hour, the story goes in directions I never expected. The way Abigail switches between protagonist and antagonist is awesome. This movie was so much fun and it's easily one of my favorites of the season!

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #halloween #horror #movies

"Walk the Earth" by Mikey Frankenstein (@mykie) (Music)

- Classic monsters (including a haunted train!) 👍
- Heartbreaking stories about love and loss 👍

I listened to this while driving two towns over to pay my gas bill. And I think that's the perfect way to listen to it: on a highway surrounded by miles and miles of corn. This album perfectly captures what it feels like to walk the dusty plains during twilight, when shadows get long and ghouls slip out of hiding for another night if stalking the land. (Trust me - I do it all the time.) I can't decide whether I liked the ethereal instrumentation of "Troubled" or the creeping dread of "Reprisal" more... They both got stuck in my head equally. Considering the other great songs on the album I haven't even mentioned, it's hard to pick my favorite track. This album is absolutely worth checking out!

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #halloween #music

"The Convent" (Movie, 2000)

- A gaggle of bloodthirsty, but goofy, monsters 👍
- A twisted backstory for a horror fest 👍

I don't know what I expected out of this movie, but I know I didn't expect what I got 😂 This is some peak B-movie-style horror/comedy. It somehow feels like it was made in the '80s and the 2000s at the same time. It's silly, campy, and grotesque. But what it lacks in polish it makes up for in earnestness; everyone looks as if they're having a hell of a great time making this movie. If you're in the mood for something to kick back and have a laugh with, this one should definitely be on your radar!

Thanks a lot for the recommendation, @HailSatan! 😄

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #halloween #horror #movies

"Cackle" by Rachel Harrison

- A few lovable "monsters" 👍
- Predictable but heartwarming story 👍

I figured I've been going hard on some intense horror stuff lately, so I thought I would cool off a bit with a cozy book. This was actually a little darker than I was expecting (not by a lot) but that's okay with me. It turned out to be a really interesting look at what witches mean to society versus who they really are. This is an empowering book all about embracing the things that make you different because those things can also make you happy and powerful. It's definitely worth a read if you're looking for something to lift your spirits or have been having trouble seeing what makes you awesome. It's exactly the pick-me-up I was looking for!

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #halloween #books #bookstodon @bookstodon

"Late Night with the Devil" (Movie)

- A pair of thought-provoking villains 👍👍
- Somewhat predictable story told in a cool way 👍👍

We watched this after "Love and Monsters". After loving that one, I didn't expect to fall in love with another movie right away... But that's exactly what happened! This is another of my favorites of the season - and one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. Without getting into spoilers, this one goes beyond the "unreliable narrator" and turns the audience into "unreliable viewers". And the fourth wall breaks throughout the movie are just fucking :mario_awe: Seriously, if you're willing to go along for the ride, you might find yourself scared out of your gourd with this one

Thank you so much for the recommendation, @ofdiceandmen 😄

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #halloween #horror #movies

"The Purge" (Movie)

- Many killers that are disturbing in different ways 👍
- The story makes me want to see the rest 👍

I don't know why, but ever since these movies started coming out, I've always filed them away under "sounds dumb". I watched a YouTube video, though, that sang their praises, so I figured I should see what the buzz was about... a decade ago. I wish I had watched them sooner, now. I thought it was really well made: it definitely left me feeling the creeps, it gave us a lot to talk about, and it left me wanting to know more about the world. If there's anyone else out there who hasn't seen it and wants to watch a good thriller, this is one to check out!

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #halloween #horror #movies

"Love and Monsters" (Movie)

- Lots of awesome, gigantic monsters! 👍👍
- A solid comedy story, but pretty cliche 👍

My stepbrother recommended this one. He's not a horror fan, but he recommended one of my contenders for horror movie of the year ("Onyx the Fortuitous") so we had to check this one out. Guess what? It's another hit! (At least for us 😂) It's kind of like "Zombieland" mixed with "Fallout", with a pinch of "The Last of Us", but it's got tons of cool, creepy monsters all over the place. Oh, and it's pretty consistently funny, too. The writing and acting are spot-on for what the movie tried to achieve. I'll give this a few more watches but I'm confident his one is getting a place in my favorite movies of all time. It's definitely worth the watch! (My wife's review: "It was cute!")

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #horror #monsters #movies

"The Song of Saya" (Game)

- A disturbing, but sorta sympathetic monster 👍
- The story is good but I feel like I've seen it before 😐

I heard a YouTuber talk about how much this visual novel fucked her up a long time ago so I wanted to check it out. And, yeah, there is some fucked up stuff in here. Most of the worst parts involved SA (which I usually avoid) but there is some other stuff that was pretty gross. The thing is, though, that it was really reminiscent of the book "Earthlings" by Sayaka Murata. Like, if I found out that this was a sequel to that book, I wouldn't be surprised at all. But I guess that's on me and the author of the book because this game came out almost twenty years ago. Anyway, it wasn't really my cup of tea but I'd have a hard time calling it bad

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #halloween #horror #gaming #VideoGames

"I Saw the TV Glow" (Movie)

- A few unique and bizarre monsters 👍
- The story is strange and heartbreaking 👍

This is one of the most unique movies we've watched this Halloween season. Between the sort-of mixed media delivery and interesting special effects, it's definitely an interesting watch. The only thing that hurts it for me is the fact that it's a sloooow burn... and I'm not actually sure if it ever actually burned. (This is an A24 movie, after all.) If it did, it was closer to the halfway point than the end. Still, it's an interesting look at gender and repression that, I think, is worth a watch

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #halloween #horror #movies

"'Salem's Lot" (Movie, 2024)

- A horde of creepy monsters 👍👍
- The story was way better than I expected 👍

This is one of (many) Stephen King's works that I've missed completely over the years. I never really expected him to do vampires very well, for some reason. Well, shit, I was wrong about that one! I really, really liked this movie 😄 The vampires are creepy as fuck and the design of the main vampire was pretty great. Without preaching too much, I think this story does for me what "The Walking Dead" and "The Last of Us" sort of does for most folks. The difference is that, in this small-scale post-apocalyptic scenario, there are some shitty people but the focus stays firmly on the monsters. Anyway, this is certainly the best vampire movie I've seen this year and a contender for my favorite movie of the season!

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #halloween #horror #movies

"Dark Water" (Movie)

- Pretty standard monster 😐
- Maybe it's just old but the story is predictable 😐

I guess it's a Koji Suzuki kind of year 😂 While I loved "The Ring", I never checked out this movie based on another of his books. It turns out that's okay because it isn't nearly as innovative as the "Ring" series is. There is some cool imagery with torrents of dirty water and the climax is pretty satisfying, but it's otherwise a run-of-the-mill ghost story. I wouldn't say it's a bad watch: I liked the relationship between the two main characters and seeing John C. Reilly nail a pretty serious role was cool. It's just not an essential watch, either.

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #halloween #horror #movies

"The Cipher" by Kathe Koja (Book)

- One of the freakiest monsters so far this year 👍👍
- Poor pacing kills the story for me 👎

This one is the ultimate mixed bag for me. I fucking love monsters. (That's why they're part of my rating system.) And this story has a "monster" that's complex, mysterious, terrifying, occasionally funny - everything I could ever want. But I fell out of love with the author's voice by the time the second half of the book rolled around. Her prose is vivid and wild... but it feels neverending, too. I think a solid 25% of this book could have been left on the cutting room floor, unfortunately. That's not going to stop me from checking out some more of her work because she's up to her eyeballs in potential. Hopefully one of her other books will really do it for me!

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #halloween #horror #books #bookstodon @bookstodon

"Let the Right One In" (Movie)

- Eli is a really memorable monster 👍
- The story is missing some important parts 👎

I read this book a few years back and remember liking it just fine, so I thought it would be good to watch the movie. The direction was good and the cast did a great job. My wife didn't like it but I mostly did. She said it was "boring and creepy". Also, I won't get into spoilers, but she was left with a lot of questions in the end that weren't answered by the movie. But the answers were in the book... Why they didn't make it into the movie is anyone's guess. Still, I didn't think it was awful, just kind of disappointing

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #halloween #horror #movies

"Silent Hill 2 Remake" (Game)

- Fucking terrifying monsters 👍👍
- A chilling story that stands the test of time 👍👍

I've played this game non-stop for the last few days. At work, I thought about it. When I slept, I dreamt about it. It's good, folks. Really, really damned good. It's not a perfect 1:1 remake - some concessions needed to be made to update the game for the 2020s. But, it worked! It's every bit as haunting as the original was. I think it might even be more effective than the original. This is, without a doubt, my Game of the Year. I intend to go back and 100% it before too long. I'm sorry for gushing, but I loved it a lot :blood_luster:

If you want more gushing, my full review can be found here: https://steamcommunity.com/id/slanderoid/recommended/2124490?snr=1_5_9__402

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #halloween #horror #SilentHill #gaming #VideoGames #ShareYourGames

"Spiral" by Koji Suzuki (Book)

- The monster is still pretty freaky 👍
- The story goes in a direction that feels cheesy 😐

I was really hoping to love this one... Unfortunately, I only liked it. As a sequel to "Ring", it takes the story (and Sadako's power) in a new direction. I just don't think it needed to go as far as it does. Or, it doesn't go far enough. I'm not sure which... This ends up feeling like a bridge between two ideas, but the bridge is pretty wobbly. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series, which apparently undergoes a genre shift. In that sense, this one might be necessary for the overarching plot. It's just a shame that it doesn't stack up when compared to the first book

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #halloween #horror #books #bookstodon @bookstodon

"A Night in Halloween House" by Elyse Willems (book)

- Some pretty creepy monster moments 👍
- Predictable story and the tone is all over 👎

I had to finally read this one. Since Funhaus died this year, I've been trying to support their displaced creators whenever I can. So, Elyse's book was a great way to do that! But, while it was kind of a fun read, I have no idea who this book is for. It's written as if it's for kids but the monsters get pretty violent for a story meant for kids. Plus, it's 100% nostalgia-bait, so it seems like it's aimed at adults? I'm really not sure. Still, I hope she has more stories to tell because I'd gladly read another one

#slanderoidHalloween #SpookySeason #halloween #horror #books #bookstodon @bookstodon