By Jamierose Walton
While we are still living through the Covid-19 pandemic, one way to pass time, if you aren’t a book-type person, is movies! I highly recommend horror classics from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, as I believe that these films from back in the day are fresh, original, and are so epic that you cannot help yourself but to binge them. They are Halloween (1978), Hellriaser (1987), and Candyman (1992).
All three of these films can be found on multiple streaming apps. A handy free app I’ve been using during the pandemic is “Tubi”. Some smart TV’s may have Tubi automatically installed, however it is also available on both the Apple and Android app stores, and you can also stream directly from their website. Candyman is both on Tubi and Netflix, while the first Halloween and Hellraiser is currently available on Shudder, or you will need to rent or purchase the other films on other platforms such as Apple TV, VUDU, and Google Play.
If you’re a horror nerd like me the Halloween franchise is a must watch that stars Horror Icon Jamie Lee Curtis. Be warned, the quality of the films goes down after the second movie, but if you are obsessed with serial killers like Michael Myers and theorizing the plots, then I say go for it. Nonetheless, the first Halloween film is a classic that everyone should see at least once.
In addition, director David Gordon Green worked with John Carpenter on a reboot and retrial on this franchise by filming a new Halloween which was released in 2018. The fresh take on the film did justice by erasing the timeline after the first Halloween and takes place 40 years later when Michael Myers — The Shape — is aged but still the same evil. As a huge fanatic of this franchise I couldn’t help but to watch the film three times in theatre, though I admit I could’ve used the extra money to purchase the DVD itself — I still bought it later on. Some critics may say it follows the cliche horror script but I found it to have its own unique qualities compared to other remakes, reboots, and general cliche horror films — I would not categorize it as a general cliche horror film. And while Halloween Kills was supposed to be released this year it was moved to October 15, 2021.
Moreover, if you’re into gory-type horror movies, then you should check out Hellraiser and Candyman. They aren’t gory in every scene, but they have more explicit scenes than Halloween. While these two titles are also a titled franchise, I personally favor the first for both of them. Hellraiser was supposed to have a reboot, but there has not been a word to confirm a release date. However, there are articles out there that have written about the reboot and that we still may not see it release anytime soon.
Candyman on the other hand already has a new movie coming out October 16, 2020 — originally June 12 before the pandemic — which will be similar to the circumstance of Halloween by ignoring the two sequels and now feature as Candyman (1992) and Candyman (2020). Similar to Halloween the new Candyman is based in a modern setting with the past lead character being reintroduced — Virginia Madsen as Helen Lyle — just as Halloween (2018) did with Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode. With Oscar winner Jordan Peele being the director of Candyman (2020) some people have high hopes for this reboot.
Overall, these are my top three horror franchise recommendations from the 70s, 80s, and 90s that would be good to binge during this pandemic.