Best Halloween Movies of 2009

I thought last year was weak in terms of good scary movies. This year is even worse. But, there are a few movies I can recommend, including the upcoming Saw 6.

Zombieland

Directed by Ruben Fleischer

Written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick

Release date: October 2nd, 2009

It may not be as brilliant as Shaun of The Dead, but Zombieland is well-made in terms of blending comedy with zombie terror. In fact, you might even say the comedy helps make the terror that much more scary. You end up caring about our 4 heroes, Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin). When the zombies are chasing them or cornering them, you feel like you're right there with them. That's why I can say, Zombieland was well made. You do have to look past some serious gore in the opening credits, but it will help set the post-apocalyptic mood later. Zombieland is certainly a movie can make you jump, scream, and keep you on the edge of your seat.

Paranormal Activity

Written and directed by Oren Peli

Release date: October 18th, 2009

Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat are experiencing ghost problems in their average two-story townhouse. What will happen as time goes by? Will this ghost or "demon" win? To be honest, I didn't care to find out. I'm beginning to resent these Blair-Witch-esque scary movies. They look and feel cheap. They try to manipulate audiences far too much. It's like reality TV gone soar. But, there are a few elements of Paranormal Activity that might turn your blood cold. I would personally much rather sit home and watch Poltergeist and The Sixth Sense all over again.

The Last House on The Left

Directed by Dennis Iliadis

Written by Adam Alleca and Carl Ellsworth

Release date: March 13th, 2009

It is scary what human beings can do to human beings under the right circumstances. In this remake of Wes Craven's original film, John (Tony Goldwyn) and Emma Collingwood (Monica Potter) have a beautiful teenage daughter, Mari (Sara Paxton). Soon, this loving family is victimized by the likes of three murderers and rapists. If you can stomach what these scumbags do to young Mari, you'll love the consequences of their actions. This is a delightfully fiendish and nasty film, exploring how the love of your family can make you do the worst things imaginable.

The Haunting in Connecticut

Directed by Peter Cornwell

Written by Adam Simon and Tim Metcalfe

Release date: March 27th, 2009

On a former mortuary, a family tries to keep their oldest son, Kyle Callner (Matt Campbell) alive and well. His illness is making him weak with some dementia. However, there seems to be more to his hallucinations than meets the eye. He begins to see things that can only be explained as paranormal. Apparently, the former occupant of this rustic old house was burying dead bodies in the walls, causing quite a stir in the spiritual world. The Haunting in Connecticut may not be as good or effective as some movies, but it's got more intelligence and soul than others. Don't get me wrong. This movie can make you feel uneasy and scared. It's just not jaw-droppingly effective.

Saw VI

Directed by Kevin Greutert

Written by Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton

Release date: October 23rd, 2009

Jigsaw's schemes keep going and going like the Energizer Bunny. It's getting to be redundant and pointless. Will this be the last film in this highly successful torture series? We hope so. The last film was so pointless, it might as well have been Friday the 13th: Part 3. Hopefully, everything will come full circle - as the advertisements have promised - and Jigsaw can rest in peace. I guess in Saw 6, Detective Hoffman - the man who took up the reigns after Jigsaw's death - might be the one who is played. But, who is behind it all? That's a question that won't be answered until October 23rd. It still blows me away how little these movies cost and how much each film actually makes at the box office.

Other recommendations

Drag Me to Hell

The Final Destination (Death Trip 3D)

The Grudge 3

My Bloody Valentine 3D

Orphan

Pandorum

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans