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Chris_morris (Chris_morris)
Username: Chris_morris

Registered: 04-2008
Posted From: 98.220.97.79
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 07:44 am:   

This one's been a long time coming: TRICK 'R TREAT was supposed to be released back in Fall '06, but for dubious reasons was withheld and didn't find distribution (in the US anyway) until now -- the DVD was released this week. Over the years it has come to be known as the great horror movie that got away. Rare festival screenings were met with near-unanimous praise. Horror fan sites speak of the film in hushed tones. Bootleg DVDs sold for exorbitant prices on the Internet.

So tonight I popped it in the disc player and prepared to be awed. I admit this is never the correct way to view a film, but I couldn't help it: I succumbed to the hope that this film's reputation was deserved.

That turned out to be a mistake.

TRICK 'R TREAT is an anthology film: four stories (three and a half, really) cunningly woven together, ably acted by Brian Cox, Dylan Baker, and Anna Paquin, among others. The direction is good and production values are high. It even has a real orchestral score! The film's biggest problem, though -- and this is a biggie -- is that it isn't scary. It's not. Ever.

It's not scary and it's not funny, but it exists on some plane in between. The opening credits portray scenes from the film drawn up in comic book panels, which suggests a certain light-heartedness; this tone is maintained throughout. Or perhaps the panels were meant as an homage to CREEPSHOW or TALES FROM THE CRYPT -- it's hard to say, really, because there are many references to other horror films threaded throughout the four stories. The tales, though, are consistent with the general EC Comics formula: characters who exhibit bad behavior are given a gruesome supernatural comeuppance. The problem with this approach is (a) each of the characters must go through unlikely personality contortions just to make sure this formula is preserved; and (b) anyone aware of this formula knows well in advance what's in store for any given character.

Each of the four stories, then, amounts to a slightly better-than-average episode of a TV horror anthology -- HBO's "Tales from the Crypt," say, or maybe "The Hunger." The references to other horror films -- some sly, some altogether too obvious -- offer some entertainment for the jaded horror fan, but even though the film's only an hour and twenty minutes long, this viewer was left bored and looking at his watch most of the time.

Don't believe the hype here, folks -- certainly, if you do see it, don't expect too much.
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Craig (Craig)
Username: Craig

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 75.4.247.121
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 08:23 am:   

Oh my goodness, how two people can see things so differently....

I too went in "prepared to be awed." I was! And then some!

This is, I found, a small film - if movies are novels, then this is, well, four short-stories... but what a total delight! I thought it superior to the "Tales From the Crypt"s I've seen (admit to not seeing every single one), and other such anthology series - those have TV feels to them. Hell, they were made for TV, so they are "small," mostly, as befits them.

But this is an homage to film horror anthology films, it was clear to me: films like CREEPSHOW, and all the old Amicus flicks, TALES FROM THE CRYPT, and so on. TRICK 'R TREAT just has a movie-bigness to it: it's also very intelligently told and structured, for such an anthology film. This is not like any horror anthology movie you've seen before, structurally alone, let alone any TV series in that respect.

The theme of "Halloween" is consistently, masterfully, exploited: this is a movie about all things Halloween (and even, "trick or treat") - each story only works against its Halloween backdrop, and integrates it indelibly into the storylines.

And, being an homage to old anthology films/comics/stories too (early Bradbury comes to mind), it knows, quite well, that a vast swath of its audience knows as much as it does (but always keep in mind, much of the audience does not; and a film-maker plays on that too, delivering the good old chills-n-thrills to the "newbies" who don't have the luxury of being jaded). Everyone goes into an M. Night Shyamalan or a SAW movie expecting a twist; everyone who ever saw those old anthology horror films back in the day, the old comic books, knew quite well the structure of the stories being told - that is not something to hold against it.

So did it do its job? Absolutely! You have to let go, engage that "template" (sorry), and know what you're getting into here. Do that, and TRICK 'R TREAT just works its magic. I haven't enjoyed a horror film this much in, gosh, a long time.

"Enjoy"ment of a different kind, yes, as to this kind of horror. And "horror film" might even be the wrong way to put it, because the "horror" here is comic (we're intentionally keyed into that again, by the comics in the credits): it's campy, grotesque, maliciously wicked, deliciously evil, laughingly sadistic, nearly boundary-less, and delighting in its own poetic justice - poetic justice is a convention of this kind of tale/s: it's not predictable, it's expected. And yet, still, the movie has many delightful surprises, and is that rare movie you wish were longer than it is.

Produced by Bryan Singer (who directed/produced THE USUAL SUSPECTS, APT PUPIL, SUPERMAN RETURNS), you expect, and get, a higher class of horror film. Don't go in expecting, I don't know... anything other than a loving homage to the classic film-ic horror anthology film, that has gone by the wayside, probably for good now, with this sad DVD-dump here... a travesty, that all the other shit horror gets released theatrically (I love them like the guilty pleasures they are, but I'm always willing to concede, every time, most of it's pretty shitty) and this the unceremonious direct-to-DVD stigma....

I can't believe we watched the same film, Chris. I guess, I can only assume, great minds don't always think alike.
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John Llewellyn Probert (John_l_probert)
Username: John_l_probert

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 213.253.174.81
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 08:42 am:   

I hadn't even heard of this. Craig, how does it compare to say, Trapped Ashes, which had the potential to be very good but was ultimately let down by the stories (apart, surprisingly, from the Sean Cunningham 'J' horror).
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Craig (Craig)
Username: Craig

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 75.4.247.121
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 08:51 am:   

John, now it's my turn - I'd never heard of TRAPPED ASHES. But yay! You've directed me to another anthology horror film to watch! I'll Netflix that one immediately, and tell you what I think.

I was thinking of you once or twice, John, while I was watching this... I tend to think we have somewhat similar tastes, when it comes to this horror sub-genre, the "delightfully wicked" I'll just call it for now... I dunno, see it, see what you think... I'd love to read a review from you, whatever you think!...
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Chris_morris (Chris_morris)
Username: Chris_morris

Registered: 04-2008
Posted From: 12.165.240.116
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 04:02 pm:   

Craig -- I had a feeling you were going to like this one. I don't disagree with your review, either. I don't think the movie is all that bad, really -- just that it wasn't the movie I was expecting. If I'd been expecting something along the lines of ... ARACHNOPHOBIA, say, or a more gleefully evil THE GOONIES, I wouldn't have been so disappointed.

By the way, I saw EASTERN PROMISES last week, and I agree with you about that one: meh.
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Craig (Craig)
Username: Craig

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 75.4.236.171
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 05:02 pm:   

It is "meh," isn't it?

I do want to echo your "don't expect too much" in literal terms: this is a "trick or treat" of a movie, it's like a handful of Halloween candy that doesn't last. It goes very very quickly - too quickly, I thought, not so, Chris.

Speaking of 80's movies that were "gleefully evil" - I resaw THE BLOB from the 80's, Chris - that movie holds up nicely! The gore is pre-CGI (ohohoh! TRICK 'R TREAT is CGI-free! another huge plus!), and sure the early sfx that wishes it were CGI is kinda cheeseball, but it's still effective, and quite gruesome - this was heavily influenced by Carpenter's THE THING, and it shows. The film yet reminds me of T'oT in another way, it has no problem with offing the tots. I guess I never realized it starred a very young Shawnee Smith (from the SAW movies, and "Becker" too). A fun rediscovery....
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Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston)
Username: Weber_gregston

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 194.176.105.47
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 05:21 pm:   

It is "meh," isn't it?


NO}
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Craig (Craig)
Username: Craig

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 75.4.236.171
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 05:50 pm:   

Yeah? You wanna fight about it Weber?!

Meet me naked in the sauna, I'LL show you something!

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Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston)
Username: Weber_gregston

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 194.176.105.47
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 05:51 pm:   

Remind me to bring my magnifying glass along if what your mum told is right...
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Craig (Craig)
Username: Craig

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 75.4.236.171
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 05:56 pm:   

Well there's a new record: 9 posts between thoughtful analyses of film, to "mum" jokes....
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Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston)
Username: Weber_gregston

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 194.176.105.47
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 06:00 pm:   

not forgetting the small dangly bits joke as well
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Craig (Craig)
Username: Craig

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 75.4.236.171
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 06:01 pm:   

No, I've not forgotten you, Weber.
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.155.206.196
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 07:26 pm:   

Craig - if I was a girl I'd want you for a boyfriend. That review was so heartfelt and unrestrained I swooned. Lovely stuff; I'll be buying.
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.155.206.196
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 07:27 pm:   

I think 'scary' alone is overrated. Sometimes a 'flavour' is more meaningful and lasting.
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.222.21
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 07:28 pm:   

Eastern Promises is definately not meh.
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.155.206.196
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 07:28 pm:   

Craig - do you think The Gate should be remade? I bet you liked that one.
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.155.206.196
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 07:40 pm:   

Is it, um, kid friendlyish?
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Craig (Craig)
Username: Craig

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 75.4.234.106
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 08:54 pm:   

Craig - if I was a girl I'd want you for a boyfriend. That review was so heartfelt and unrestrained I swooned. Lovely stuff; I'll be buying.

Tony - why oh why can't you be a 25 year-old single blonde svelt attractive funny intelligent Swedish women wanting to come live with me in America, saying that...? (thanks for that kind comment, hope you enjoy the film; I'm actually going to watch it again for the commentary track, and I never do that!)

You know, I'd forgotten all about THE GATE, but I do remember liking it very much at the time... I must go find that one again... things are turning into an 80's horror nostalgia-fest around here....

Speaking of 80's horror films: anyone remember (of course you do!) THE CURSE? Based on "The Colour Out of Space"? I have very fond memories of that one, remember it being a really disturbing and scary pic, despite its 80's thoroughly studio horror release style (as opposed to an indie). THE BLOB, say, is comically, shockingly grotesque; but I recall THE CURSE as being scarily disturbing, even unsettling. Never saw the sequels, but that original... correct me if I'm wrong, but it's still not made it to DVD yet?... one of the very very best Lovecraft adaptations to date....
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Craig (Craig)
Username: Craig

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 75.4.234.106
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 08:58 pm:   

Tony, if you mean is TRICK 'R TREAT kid-friendlyish, I'd say see it first, because everyone has their own boundaries there.

But my opinion? Oh hell yes! This is NOT sadistic, evil, mean-spirited violence, etc., visited upon children. This is all schoolyard, comic-book, groty he-got-what-he-deserved comeuppances.

More children should read something like EC Comics and watch these old-school anthology horror movies now, and spend a lot less time with "iCarly" and "Dora the Explora" and hell "Baby Einstein" too and whatever the hell else crap they're feeding these kids nowadays....
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Chris_morris (Chris_morris)
Username: Chris_morris

Registered: 04-2008
Posted From: 12.165.240.116
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 09:18 pm:   

Tony, I don't want to give too much away, but children do get murdered in this film. The tone is somewhat campy, but if you don't mind your kids witnessing the murder of a child (by ingesting poisoned candy -- owing to an incredible amount of vomited blood, this sequence is perhaps more gruesome than it sounds), and an attempt to carve his severed head like a jack o'lantern, then I'd stay clear ... Craig's right, though, that this decision depends on your own boundaries and on the ages of your children.
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.155.203.26
Posted on Thursday, October 08, 2009 - 07:26 am:   

Damn! Just posted a reply and it got lost! Biggun, too.
In short yesterday I bought a dvd for a pound called Die Monster Die! starring Boris Karloff. Looks absolutely spot-on stunning. And guess what story it's based on? Yup; The Colour Out of Space.
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Huw (Huw)
Username: Huw

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 218.168.186.132
Posted on Thursday, October 08, 2009 - 08:03 am:   

I saw this when I was a kid, Tony - really gave me the willies! I wasn't quite as impressed with it when I watched it again more recently, though. There's another film based on 'The Colour Out of Space' too - it's an 80s film called The Curse (aka The Farm).
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Craig (Craig)
Username: Craig

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 75.4.245.20
Posted on Thursday, October 08, 2009 - 08:05 am:   

Huw - look four posts up....
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Huw (Huw)
Username: Huw

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 218.168.186.132
Posted on Thursday, October 08, 2009 - 11:45 pm:   

Sorry Craig, I must have somehow missed your post! Can you remember who was in The Curse? I'm pretty sure Wil Wheaton and David Keith (not too sure about the latter) were in it. I'd like to see this one again, to see how it holds up. I hope it gets a DVD release. I'm still waiting for them to release that other 80s oddity, The Keep.
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Mick Curtis (Mick)
Username: Mick

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.179.61.66
Posted on Thursday, October 08, 2009 - 11:59 pm:   

Huw - I'm waiting for a DVD of THE KEEP too - I have a slightly fuzzy but otherwise fine widescreen copy on laserdisc, but it'd be nice to get a more up-to-date copy.
Also, THE CURSE is available on R1 DVD - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Curse-II-Bite-Region-NTSC/dp/B000UDGOAC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UT F8&s=dvd&qid=1255039144&sr=8-1
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Huw (Huw)
Username: Huw

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 218.168.186.229
Posted on Friday, October 09, 2009 - 04:32 am:   

Thanks, Mick - I've just ordered it. I really hope someone will release The Keep some day soon. I have an old VHS copy. I always got the feeling there was footage missing from the film, that it was not quite complete. It has some great atmosphere, and I like the Tangerine Dream score, but I always felt it was missing something that could have made it a great film (not sure what, exactly - been years since I last watched it).
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Craig (Craig)
Username: Craig

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 75.4.245.162
Posted on Friday, October 09, 2009 - 05:15 am:   

Huw - how could you forget the role the usually mild-mannered, soft-spoken, never-scary Claude Akins plays in THE CURSE!

I've always heard about THE KEEP, but never have seen it - that's a potential gem me eager to get me hands on....
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Huw (Huw)
Username: Huw

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 218.168.186.229
Posted on Friday, October 09, 2009 - 10:34 am:   

I remember the father (or uncle, or whoever he was) being a swine, but couldn't remember the actor's name! I haven't seen this since I rented it way back in the 1980s.

I still have fond memories of Boris Karloff glowing in Die Monster Die, which, along with The Thing, Quatermass and the Pit, Nosferatu and various Hammer and Universal horror films traumatised me as an impressionable youngster!

The Keep has its flaws, but it's well worth seeing, if only for the setting and the weird atmosphere. I wonder why nobody has remade this one yet? Not that I particularly want to see a remake... the leads would all be about 20-30 years younger, no doubt, and the strange atmosphere would be replaced by cheap shock tactics.
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John Llewellyn Probert (John_l_probert)
Username: John_l_probert

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 90.203.130.228
Posted on Friday, October 09, 2009 - 11:26 am:   

My review of Die Monster Die is here:

http://www.grayfriarpress.com/films/02.html#diemonster

And I've just ordered Trick R Treat

Huw - the version of The Keep that played in cinemas was a vastly paired down print I remember reading - a lot of dialogue scenes got cut to pick up the pace and a lot of exposition was lost as well. No idea of the footage still exists
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Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 213.219.8.243
Posted on Friday, October 09, 2009 - 11:41 am:   

And I've just ordered Trick R Treat

Ditto, my good friend. I also pre-ordered something called The Hills Run Red.

Count me in as a fan of Michael Mann's The Keep.
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Steve Jensen (Stevej)
Username: Stevej

Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 82.0.77.233
Posted on Friday, October 09, 2009 - 01:18 pm:   

The Keep is on Youtube. No idea if it's the full version though:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szr7R_OsnuQ
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Protodroid (Protodroid)
Username: Protodroid

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 109.79.68.55
Posted on Monday, August 02, 2010 - 01:43 am:   

I've just viewed TRICK R TREAT. It's sticky and over-ripe. Not as much fun as it could have been.
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Protodroid (Protodroid)
Username: Protodroid

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 78.152.222.161
Posted on Monday, August 02, 2010 - 11:49 am:   

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00nfsjy/Reece_Shearsmiths_Haunted_House_An _Appointment_with_Fear/
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Frank (Frank)
Username: Frank

Registered: 09-2008
Posted From: 212.49.212.18
Posted on Tuesday, August 03, 2010 - 12:23 pm:   

Proto - excellent link. Just my cup of tea. Cheers.
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Protodroid (Protodroid)
Username: Protodroid

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 109.79.93.97
Posted on Tuesday, August 03, 2010 - 08:45 pm:   

Cup of tea, choccie biccie, crackly horror on the wireless. Is this not happiness?

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