This is a group of movies that you can probably get away with watching in October, and people won’t think you’re deranged. Just a little creepy, but totally great.
The ‘Burbs (1989):
This is one of my all-time favorite movies of all time. That’s right. I love it so much it makes me repetative. Tom Hanks and his neighbors take begin to suspect something suspicious and perhaps murderous is going on at the Kolfak’s house. While his wife, Carrie Fisher, is away the boys get right to work on spying and problem causing.
Addams Family Values (1993):
The television classic comes to life again in this sequel. Personally, this is my favorite of the three Addams Family movies. Joan Cusack plays a serial killer who marries Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd). Wednesday (Christina Ricci) and Pugsley are away at a miserably cheerful summer camp, while Gomez (Raul Julia) and Morticia (Anjelica Huston) are trying to figure out what’s wrong with Uncle Fester.
Rear Window (1954):
In the same way that Dial M for Murder is unsettling because she’s stuck in her room, so Rear Window is unsettling because Jimmy Stewart is stuck in a wheelchair. Even worse his only companion is Grace Kelly who was an invalid herself in the aforementioned. As things get more and more suspicious and foul play is suspected the music gets faster and the lighting grows dim and you know what that means!
Coraline (2009):
In this Neil Gaiman graphic novel adaptation Coraline (voiced by Dakota Fanning) isn’t quite loving her new house without her friends, the weird neighbors or how neglected by her parents she feels. So when she finds a key that opens a secret door into a parallel world she thinks she’s really made it. Until the other mother wants her to stay. Forever. In a land of eyes made of buttons. Everything is perfect until it is absolutely NOT.
Corpse Bride (2005):
Victor and Victoria are not quite sure about their betrothal until they meet. Victor still has the jitters and goes to the woods to practice his vows only to accidentally marry a dead lady. Whoops! (Be gracious. We’ve all done it.) And now he has to decide whether he wants to be dead and married or married til death.
Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985):
Pee-Wee comes to the big screen in search of his stolen bike. His perfect bike. He’s on a cross country adventure to find it. And Dottie isn’t invited, because he’s a loner, a rebel. Brace for Large Marge. That’s all I can say.
Black Swan (2010):
Natalie Portman stars as the Black and White Swans in this psychological thriller. The backdrop is ballerinas putting on Swan Lake. The movie is Swan Lake. If you know the story of the ballet, or have even so much as seen the Swan Princess, and understand the way Greek choruses work then you’ll get a chance to see the ballet without having to watch the whole thing.
Bug (2006):
Michael Shannon reprises his stage role in this play turned movie. An Army vet is on the run from the government and makes friends with a lonely and abused woman (Ashley Judd). When her ex-boyfriend (Harry Connick Jr.) is released from prison she’s afraid and welcomes Shannon’s company. But her friends quickly become concerned when the couples convinces themselves that they have aphids in their flesh and start mutilating themselves to get rid of these government plants.
The Dark Crystal (1982):
Jim Henson offers something different than his typical muppets, mostly to show off just what he is capable of, and that capability is a beautiful thing. The last two Gelflings seek the dark crystal to restore the Skeksis and the Mystics to their natural state, together. It’s a little like that episode of Buffy (The Replacement) in which Xander is split in two: One half his best qualities and one half his worst. Both Xander.
Ghostbusters (1984):
You thought I forgot it, didn’t you? Please, I’m no fool. As a rule, if there’s something strange in your neighborhood, call Bill Murray. If there’s something normal in your neighborhood, and you have Bill Murray’s number, you should call him then too. Also, if you have Bill Murray’s number, I’d really appreciate it. Or Dan Aykroyd.
Mystery Men (1999):
Alright, I admit I’ve picked this one because of all of the costumes. But this movie is probably in my top 50 favorite movies of all time. It might be high on the list; it might not. The point is it’s wonderful. If you’re the type of person who loves quoting movies, than this is for you. If you’re the type of person who loves Kel Mitchell, then this is for you. If you like watching Dane Cook get rejected, then go watch it. Just…just do it. Hank Azaria, William H. Macy, Ben Stiller, Jeneane Garofalo, Paul Reubens, Kel Mitchell, Greg Kinear, Geoffrey Rush, Eddie Izzard. Red Eyes, Red Eyes, Red Eyes, I was expecting to see you again so SPOON.
Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975):
Meatloaf, guys. Meatloaf. The guy who wrote it stars in it and then was never in anything ever again, because this is so weird. If you don’t have time to watch the whole thing I’m including an alternative for you. But if nothing else it’s worth it for all that Tim Curry goodness. Also, watching this alone in your house is actually probably weirder than watching it with a horde of people dressed in drag.
Your alternative:
Sleepy Hollow (1999):
Johnny Depp plays Ichabod Crane in this retelling of the Washington Irving story. With Christina Ricci as his plucky girl companion and a young boy assistant Crane has rid himself of “schoolteacher” and become a pathologist with all sorts of crazy new forensic ideas. Meanwhile, Christopher Walken (the horsemen) is tromping around stealing heads, but who is controlling him? Spoilers: It’s not me.
A Broad Abroad 