“Just when they thought the boogeyman wasn’t real….he came home to prove them wrong!”

Slasher films were all the rage in the late 70’s and early 80’s, and no one can deny that the one that stands out the most is probably the 1978 classic Halloween!  Written and directed by legendary filmmaker John Carpenter, this movie has stood the test of time as one of the best and most successful independent horror films of all time.  Created with a very thin budget of 300K, this iconic masterpiece was a vision that almost didn’t happen due to funding.  Originally titled The Babysitter Murders, it was recommended by producer Irwin Yablans to give the movie a “holiday” theme, and nothing was more fitting than the scariest night of the year…Halloween!

THE PLOT

On the eve of Halloween in 1978, psychiatrist Dr. Sam Loomis (Donald Pleasance) along with his nurse assistant, is on his way to an Illinois sanitarium to pick up his longtime patient, Michael Myers (Nick Castle) and prepare him for his meeting with a judge to determine his future prison sentence.  Fifteen years prior to this night, a 6 year old Michael shockingly murdered his older sister for reasons unknown.  Dr. Loomis has spent all these years trying to make sense of Michael’s actions, but due to his emotionless silence there seems to be no hope for rehabilitation. As they approach the hospital gates, they’re startled to see that many of the other patients are wandering around unsupervised.  As Dr. Loomis exits the car to find out what’s going on, the nurse is attacked and “carjacked”.  This carjacker is none other than Michael Myers, and now Loomis is panicked knowing that the “evil” has escaped, and is convinced that there is only one place he is headed…..home to Haddonfield!

The next day (Halloween), in Haddonfield, the small town is getting ready for what they think is another exciting night of tricks and treats. Teenage shy girl, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her group of wild friends are preparing for a night of babysitting, drinking, and boys.  Little do they know that they are all in for a long night of blood filled terror, as the “boogeyman” is coming home!  When Dr. Loomis makes his way into town, he quickly alerts the authorities that “evil” has come to town and there may be nothing that can stop him!  As night begins to fall, Laurie and her friends quickly go from having fun to fighting for survival as Michael Myers silently stalks and slashes his way through them all one by one!

SHOULD YOU SEE IT?

This film has become a staple for the slasher genre and a yearly tradition for movie watchers (myself included).  It’s a great popcorn flick, with plenty of tense moments and well timed jump scares. The cast is pretty great, and this is the first feature film for the “Scream Queen” herself, Jamie Lee Curtis.   Throw in a great soundtrack, including the easily recognizable theme song, it makes for a fun and spooky film that will live on for many generations to come.  The boogeyman is coming…and he’s gonna get you!