(That’s probably because you rolled up nothing but spooky things on Netflix streaming!)
This is my LAST chance this year to write about Halloween before the actual day arrives, and if you know me at all, you know I’m taking advantage of that! This week, I’ve been browsing Netflix instant viewing, and here is a selection of the top things in my instant queue.
ParaNorman: This may be one of the best kids’ movies I’ve seen in recent years, and I watch way more kids’ movies than a grownup without kids might be expected to watch. Norman, like Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense, can see dead people. Only, unlike in the The Sixth Sense, everyone else around him knows this, and thinks he’s a freak. When his town’s curse comes true, and some undead puritans rise from their graves, he’s gotta do something about it, while still navigating the murky waters of new friendships and old bullies. This has smart and fun dialogue, and some great subversions of tropes you think you know all too well. I give it an A!
Ghost Dad: Bill Cosby is a dad, who turns into a ghost! There may be a taxi involved? I think I saw this in the theatre as a child. For some reason, whenever I think about it, I hear the song “Miss You Much” by Janet Jackson. Is it on the soundtrack? Did I just hear it on the way to or from the movie on the car radio? Only time will tell! I am betting this movie is kind of terrible, but I am still totally going to watch it this week. Maybe we should watch this for Torture Cinema!
R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps: I had no idea this was a TV series! My sister read the books, and okay, I admit, I stole them from her and read them, too, even though I was way too old for them. We were an Are You Afraid of the Dark? household when it came to spooky TV, though. I’m gonna be honest and say that I am kind of afraid to watch these unless someone’s with me. Yes, I am a giant dork. Never say I pretended otherwise.
Ghostbusters: I saw this in the theatre, and it terrified me! I was scared of everything, including the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. I thought it was the coolest movie ever. As an adult, I can appreciate how cool it is for different reasons. It’s funny! It’s eminently quotable! And okay, yes, still scary. Yes, the marshmallow man still scares me. But dude, seriously death by giant gooey marshamallow man is creepy! Oh man, someone has a crocheted version. WHY???
The Nightmare Before Christmas: This is one that stays seasonally fresh for several months! I’ll watch it this week, and again in December, because really now, why not? Stop motion! A whole LAND of Halloween! Comically disastrous mistakes about the nature of Christmas! What is not to love? I mean, really?
And that’s that.
