By The Gatepost Arts & Features Staff
‘Bob’s Burgers’: Season 6 Episode 3 ‘The Hauntening’
By Liv Dunleavy
Staff Writer
Fiending for some funny laid back content this Halloween? Look no further, as “Bob’s Burgers” has everything you need and more. With tons of Halloween-focused episodes, you’re sure to find one that suits your fancy.
Out of all of the themed episodes, my favorite scary story is season 6, episode 3, “The Hauntening.” I find this particular episode to have a great balance of comedy and creepiness.
Another spooky season has arrived, and this time the Belchers are on a mission to finally scare Louise by setting up a homemade haunted house.
The illusion of safety and comedy leaves you lightheartedly giggling until you genuinely get jumpscared, something unusual for a “Bob’s Burgers” episode.
It makes great use of the family’s dynamics, and does not have much interaction with side characters compared to other Halloween episodes, which I actually prefer because I love the Belchers by themselves.
What makes this particular episode the most special, though, is the addition of another banger by the show’s fictional boy group Boyz 4 Now, “I Love You So Much (It’s Scary).” This scary song is a genuine earworm that I actually don’t mind being stuck with.
I swear every time the show includes a song they produce it like it is going on the radio! I have this song on repeat all Halloween season.
If you are a “Bob’s Burgers” enjoyer and haven’t binge watched earlier seasons in a while, I highly recommend watching the Halloween episodes marathon-style.
‘Carrie’ (1976)
By Spencer Pearson
Staff Writer
The classic horror film “Carrie" was released in November 1976 and directed by Brian De Palma. It was based on the Stephen King novel with the same name.
It tells the story of a shy teenager named Carrie, who struggles with being bullied in school and an overbearing, hyper-religious mother. While in school, she also learns that she has telekinesis.
Carrie ends up getting invited to the senior prom by Tommy Ross, where her bullies pour pig blood on her in front of the entire school after she wins prom queen. She then uses her telekinetic powers to set the school ablaze as well as kill almost all of the attendees.
The lighting of many scenes contributes to the horror aspect of the movie. Many of the settings are very dark, such as Carrie’s house, which adds to her house - and by extension, her mother - being a scary, evil place.
While the scoring can sound a little goofy at times, such as during their gym class, this makes the really tense music - for example during the ballot counting and Carrie’s return home after prom - just that much more terrifying.
Furthermore, there are several parts of the movie that are slowed down, most notably when Carrie wins prom queen and she makes her way toward the stage, officially gets crowned, and then the pigs’ blood gets dumped on her. This helps add suspense to the movie as it reaches the climax.
Almost 50 years later, this movie still holds up as a classic horror movie. While some parts of the movie are slightly dated, it is certainly worth a revisit.
‘Luigi’s Mansion’
By Paul Harrington
Staff Writer
Imagine winning a contest you didn't enter and it turns out the prize is a mansion - that is haunted?
Well that’s a day in the life of Luigi!
“Luigi's Mansion” makes me happy because we FINALLY get a game centered around Luigi! Sure it's also a spooky game, but in this household, we love Luigi.
Up until the launch of the game, Luigi had just been known as the little brother.
I like to think Luigi represents all of us little brothers who had to pick player two when playing a video game. He's like the piece of bread nobody wants to take.
And to see my green, mustached, plumbing ghost-buster get the spotlight brings joy to my heart.
The game involves both a story about brothers being separated and a plumber learning how to use a vacuum. Talk about a career change!
As a kid this game used to horrify me and challenge me. As an adult, this game serves as a source of nostalgia for one of my favorite characters.
Though I have not played this game in awhile, I know the plot of the game like my life depends on it.
“Luigi's Mansion” is more than just a silly kid’s game. It’s a love letter to all the little brothers like myself out there.
So if there's something strange and it aint no good, let's just hope Luigi picks up the phone!
‘Casper’
By Emily Monaco
Editorial Staff
During Halloween one of the staples in my household was watching “Casper,” a movie based on the comic series originally released in 1949.
The premise of the original comic was just that Casper was a ghost boy trying to make friends but every time he would scare them away. It was innocent and just a silly little comic.
The movie released in 1995 builds on the comic but expands more on Casper's character. We get to learn about what he was like when he was alive and how he became a ghost.
For a family movie, it gets pretty deep and talks about themes of losing a loved one, adapting to changes during adolescence, and the importance of family.
The story focuses on the Harveys - Kat, and her father James - who have been moving every year. Dr. James Harvey's been in search of his deceased wife since her passing and became a therapist to ghosts. The family ends up moving to an old mansion, where Casper appears.
As you could have guessed, when they first meet, they're terrified. Kat, who was a non-believer, finally admits that ghosts are real.
This film is wholesome and has a lot of depth for a family film, especially a comedy. The cast is quite impressive. The film features Christina Ricci as Kat and Bill Pullman as Dr. James Harvey - who was also in “A League of Their Own” - even Clint Eastwood makes a cameo.
I would recommend this film to anybody who wants to watch a Halloween movie that's innocent and playful but contains a lot of depth and care when writing characters that you can connect with.
‘Mononoke’
By Owen Glancy
Asst. Arts & Features Editor
Horror and anime are two concepts that historically have trouble fitting together. For whatever reason, Japanese animators have always had trouble translating that feeling of terror into the medium of animation. While not for a lack of trying, it’s very rarely worth actually seeing a horror anime all the way through to the end.
“Mononoke” is the rare exception to this rule. Not to be confused with Studio Ghibli's “Princess Mononoke,” “Mononoke” is a show that follows the Kusuriuri - or medicine seller - as he travels Japan in its Edo and Meiji eras fighting off evil spirits called mononoke.
This premise doesn’t seem scary at first, but it’s in the artstyle and writing where the scares come into play. The entire show has a classic Japanese art aesthetic, mimicking the prints and wood art that was made famous in the Edo era the series is mostly set during. This is not only beautiful to see in motion, but also uncanny as every character moves and talks in ways that are just slightly “off,” adding to the sense of dread that permeates every episode.
The mononoke themselves are terrifying from the zashiki-warashi, to the nue, to the bakeneko, the classic Japanese folklore spirits are given haunting make-overs that both preserve and update their original depictions.
What ties everything together is the episodic nature of the series, with the 12 episodes spanning four entirely separate story arcs tied together solely by the Kusuriuri. Every single tale is a tragic one, with few characters ever having a truly happy ending, even the Kusuriuri himself. This bleak outlook only adds to the terror of “Mononoke.”
If you’ve ever wanted to try more unconventional horror media that’s guaranteed to disturb, now is a better time than ever to watch “Mononoke.”
‘The Thing’ (1982)
By Jesse Burchill
Staff Writer
Debuting in theaters in 1982, John Carpenter’s “The Thing” received mixed-to-negative reviews upon release, but now has been properly reappraised as a classic horror film, and for very good reason.
The film focuses heavily on the themes of isolation, paranoia, and being hunted by an effectively invisible enemy. All of these elements are elevated greatly by the film’s setting - the middle of Antarctica.
It’s here, at a US research base, that a team of scientists, led by RJ MacReady (Kurt Russell), find themselves under siege by a shapeshifting alien that’s already caused the destruction of a nearby Norwegian base.
This alien, the titular Thing, is a particularly nasty beast, as it can assimilate and perfectly replicate the appearance and personality of any life form it encounters - humans included.
The end result is friends turning on friends, multiple gruesome assimilations, a metric load of flamethrower action, and an ambiguous-at-best ending. No character can reliably trust another, and everyone knows that the Thing can strike at any moment that suits it. Where is it? Who is it? The characters don’t know for sure most of the time, and neither will the audience.
All of the above is accompanied by some of the greatest practical effects ever made for the silver screen, courtesy of Hollywood makeup legends Rob Bottin and Stan Winston. You’ll believe that these characters are actually facing off against the Thing’s various horrifying imitations.
“The Thing” is a masterpiece in psychological horror and the power that isolation and paranoia can hold over a group of former friends. It’ll make you look over your shoulder constantly this winter as the cold sets in and the nights grow long.
‘Case 39’
By Oné Green
Staff Photographer
As we near the end of this spooky month, I would like to recommend a horror movie
which I would consider an “oldie but a goodie.” Released in 2009, “Case 39” follows Emily Jenkins (Renée Zellweger), a thorough and hardworking social worker, taking on her 39th case.
Emily looks into the case of 10-year-old Lilith (Jodelle Ferland), soon discovering that her parents have been plotting her murder. Emily successfully removes Lilith from her dangerous situation unscathed and assumes custody until she is able to find her a foster home.
Everything feels peaceful, until Emily starts having strange encounters. The closer she gets to Lilith, the more horrendous the experience. Emily is tormented and unaware of the cause, leading viewers to wonder if she’ll ever make it out of her nightmare with Lilith alive.
The thriller is about two hours long, but you don’t realize it because you are at the edge of your seat for every minute. It is free to watch on Pluto TV and you can watch it on Paramount+ if you have a subscription. I’d say this movie is a must-watch. I’ve watched it a number of times and still consider it a horror film capable of giving me chills. The CGI isn’t too bad for a film made 15 years ago and the horror doesn’t rely too much on it.
It is rated R for violence, gore, mild profanity, smoking, and drug use. Scenes can get a bit intense, but if you enjoy suspense, jump-scares, and disturbing images, this is the perfect movie to end the spooky season.
‘Hubie Halloween’
By Emma Schor
Staff Writer
"Hubie Halloween" directed by Steven Brill is a comedy/horror film that was released in 2020. The movie features Adam Sandler in the lead role as Hubie Dubois, a character who is both quirky and kind-hearted. Hubie is a man who genuinely cares about his hometown of Salem, Massachusetts, but he often finds himself the subject of jokes and ridicule from the local residents.
The story revolves around Hubie's mission to ensure that everyone is safe while celebrating Halloween, making sure that no one gets themselves into trouble. His efforts to keep the streets secure are met with challenges, including various pranks that the townsfolk play on him. These pranks add to the comedic elements of the film while also highlighting Hubie's resilience and dedication to his community.
Sandler’s portrayal of Hubie is marked by a mix of endearment and silliness. He brings life to the character in a way that makes viewers both laugh and root for him. The film also features a talented supporting cast, including Kevin James, Julie Bowen, and Maya Rudolph, who contribute to the overall charm and humor. Each character adds their unique flavor to the film, making the interactions fun and engaging.
"Hubie Halloween" has a playful spirit and captures the essence of Halloween with its festive decorations and spooky elements. For fans of Adam Sandler's style of comedy, this film delivers a blend of humor that is enjoyable and entertaining. The combination of laughs, Halloween vibes, and a bit of mystery creates a fun atmosphere, making it a great choice for those looking to celebrate the Halloween season with a smile.