HALLOWEENTOWN, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Every day this month, resident horror movie enthusiast and 828newsNOW staff reporter Pruett Norris is recommending a Halloween film for your macabre amusement.
Whether they be monster movies or fearsome family films, demonic possessions or slasher sensations, this exercise hopes to encourage spooky seasonal “scream”ings at home or in cinemas.
As the old saying goes, “trick or treat, trick or treat, give me something good to…watch.”
Day 10: SCREAM (1996, 112 min., directed by Wes Craven)
The ultimate horror movie lover’s horror movie is Wes Craven’s 1996 meta masterpiece “Scream.”
The film is rife with pop culture references, from “Friday the 13th” to “Halloween,” and its central slasher would go on to become a cultural sensation himself. Ghostface, the killer in “Scream,” and his Munchian white mask have been a ubiquitous Halloween costume for nearly 30 years. Just check your local Spirit Halloween.
Read our story about Spirit Halloween here.
Furthermore, unlike its legion of imitators, like the gonzo 2012 Drew Goddard effort “The Cabin in the Woods,” “Scream” balances its commentary with character.
Sidney Prescott, played by Neve Campbell in all but one of the six “Scream” films, is a beloved final girl. David Arquette’s Dewey Riley, Courtney Cox’s Gale Weathers and Matthew Williard’s Stu Macher are equally remembered as classic horror franchise characters. Of course, the “Scream” franchise would be nothing without the face of its poster: Drew Barrymore is forever memorable as Casey Becker.
“Do you like scary movies?” Ghostface asks his first victim in the 1996 film. If you do, it’s nigh-on impossible not to like this one.
Looking for more October movie recommendations? Read the rest of the 828boosNOW archive:
DAY 1: BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
DAY 3: A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS
DAY 5: SCOOBY-DOO! AND THE WITCH’S GHOST
DAY 7: THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT