Top 5 'What Ifs' of the 'Halloween' Film Series

 Instead of talking about a Halloween Film today, let's talk about what didn't happen.

Let me explain...

The Halloween Series had a number of starts and stops- notably after H2 and then H3, followed by H6- over the years.

So that gives us many What Ifs...

(Preface- I'm skipping the most talked about one- What If Became an Anthology Series With Michael Meyers?- since it is obvious)

1) What if it just stopped?

It is well known that John Carpenter had no plans to make a Series.  He had made a Classic and the Company wanted more.

He found someone else to take over for Halloween 2 and it was also a hit.

...but What If it didn't?

Would it be remembered as a great one-and-done Film?

2) What If It Didn't Reset (the first time)?

After Halloween 6 failed critically and wasn't a huge hit financially, should it have just stopped?

Producers didn't think so, especially in the wake of Scream revitalizing the Genre.

So they got Jamie Lee Curtis to come back for the 1998 Film.

...but What If it didn't?

Would it be that Series that was good and fun...but got bad and stopped?  

3) What If They Kept Going after Halloween 6?

As noted, H6 was not a huge hit and the Series stopped in 1995.

...but What If it didn't?

The Series went a really weird direction with the whole Cult of Thorn angle.  It was planned to take a strange turn with a corrupted Loomis, but then the Actor died.

They awkwardly recut the Ending to have him die (off-camera) with Michael still alive?
Would we have had Paul Rudd face off with Meyers again?

4) What If They Didn't Kill Off Jamie Lloyd?

Another Halloween 6(66) one here as the Film takes a real dark turn with a time jump and a (young) adult Jamie Lloyd dying after giving birth to another Meyers heir.

...but What If it didn't?

Why couldn't she get a happy ending to her story (after resisting evil and temporarily besting Michael)?
Why fridge her and not let her work with Rudd and Loomis?

5) What If They Didn't (Nearly Fully) Reset in 2018?

After Rob Zombie made a pair of Films that were full Reboots in the Series, it sat dormant for about a Decade?

With Legacy Sequels becoming a thing, the 2018 Film was made.  It follows the first Halloween Film...and that's it.  Even Halloween 2 was not in continuity anymore.

...but What If it didn't?

This one is a complex one, to be fair, as where do you stop?  With Jamie Lee's Laurie around, you can't include Halloween: Resurrection.
Do you include her as a Mom who left her Daughter behind in Halloween 4-6?

I totally get this one- save for excluding Halloween 2- but it does complicate things.

You have your own What Ifs?  Let me know...

Howl-o-Streaming: Damien (2016)

 2016 was a big year for Horror Films adapted to Television.  

We had two of note and this sure as Hell is one of them.

A War Photographer named Damien Thorn sees a strange woman speaking to him in a Foreign (even to where he is, to be clear) Language.

He's sent back home, but this seems to have triggered something in him.

He keeps seeing her and people seem to act very strangely around him.

He's flustered and in pain when he goes in a Church...

Things keep falling apart in his life as his girlfriend is drowned...in mud.

A different woman from his past- Barbara Hershey- promises him answers and, well, he doesn't like them.

True Story- when she first appeared, I said to myself 'Is that Barbara Hershey?'

I then realized that I couldn't think of WHY I recognized her right away...and I still don't.

Violence and death begin to surround Damien and the people that should be able to help him- some Nuns- are not doing what he thinks they should.

A Cult of Worshippers- including famous 'That Guy' Scott Wilson- want him to rise to power, while others want him dead.

Can the Sister of his love save him?
What about a Cop who is aways one step behind everything?

To find out, watch the Show now.  It is (for better or worse), a one-and-done Series.

A good Show, even if it suffers from the usual problems that 'Prestige Television' always seems to.

Here's the thing- these kinds of Shows are long and drawn out.  You never watch an Episode where NOTHING of note happens, but you always get them spaced out over an Hour.

This Format does allow for the material to 'breathe' (as it were) and that is good.  That said, it sometimes takes the kind of breath you take after going for a jog.

Like I said, the Show delivers what you would expect from a Damien Show.  

Is it better than The Omen 3?  Yes.  Very yes.

That said, the things that make it a Damien Show- the bleak tone, violent deaths, unpleasant mood and unsettling images- are going to limit the Audience.

Is that why it only got 1 Season?  Dunno.

For what it is worth, I do like this as a one-and-done Show.  

Without SPOILERS, it puts things in a good place for things to play out in a Film (that hasn't been made).  

Without a Season 2, it might be a bit of a sudden stop, but I found it satisfying.

It also features a lady who looks like a Live Action version of the Weeping Angels from Doctor Who.

A good- if stretched out to fit a set amount of time- Show all around.  It is bleak, dark and violent...but what did you expect?

Shudder-day: Creepshow- 'Twenty Minutes with Cassandra/Smile'

 A rare case of me doing this on time.  Don't get your hopes up.

Creepshow is back, so let's cover some more of it, shall we?

In the first tale, a woman is alone at home when there's a sudden knock at the door.

Cassandra is running from a monster?!?

She doesn't believe it- especially when told what the monster is- but soon gets proof of it.

With no way to call for help, can she survive?

In the second tale, a Photographer's celebratory night out is ruined by a creep taking his photo.

It leads them on a path of fear that takes them home.

He reveals the truth of what is going on- well, what he can, anyhow- and things don't get better from there.

What is going to happen now?!?

A good collection of tales, although I prefer one over the other.  I'll get to that in a bit.

'Twenty Minutes' is a nice twist on a Horror Story.  It has a Monster, but it is not quite what it seems.  It has a would-be victim, but she isn't what she seems to be either.  Even our Heroine has a secret or two.

It does just enough to subvert things for me and tells a unique story in the process.

'Smile' is good for what it is.  It feels like a Story out of an EC Comics Book, for the most part.  The first part in how it all plays out is good.  The second part is...eh, kind of predictable.

The worst thing you can do is be predictable.

While the first tale is strongest for me, they are both good in their own ways.  Hey, I'm being nice- don't look at me like that!

A good start to the Season.  I'm looking forward to more like this!

Tubi Thursday: Santo and Blue Demon vs. Dracula and The Wolfman

 Viva Conde Dracula!  Will this Mexican Dracula suck less than the last 2 I covered?

Here's hoping...

A bad man resurrects Dracula and The Wolfman.  Why?

For Satan, of course.

This is the same Dracula who fought Santo over his titular treasure (or sex, as the alternate Title implied)

Our Heroes take a break from Wrestling in a brightly lit, but otherwise empty room (it makes the Thunderdome look full) to help out when the Professor goes missing.

They leap into action...

...by which I mean they sit around and play Chess.

These guys miss people breaking into the House MULTIPLE times and the day is saved thanks to multiple Ex Machinas (mostly this magical dagger).

Don't get up, Champs.

The Plot gets complicated for them when the Werewolf romances a member of the family they are guarding in his human form.

To show how good they are, they leave him alone with her...and he immediately kills her.

*slow clap*

Oh and Blue Demon is captured.
Again.

At least he's not mind controlled to fight Santo...for a change.
He really is the Luigi of this Franchise though.

Can they save the day?  It sure doesn't look like they will.

Of course, they do...and make time for a quick Tag Match.  The End.

It isn't any more or less than you'd expect from them.

Have you seen an El Santo Film?  You've seen most of what this has to offer.

This one does have less prolonged fight scenes against goons, although it does have a couple.

It also has random bits of actual horror- especially once the little girl is left all alone for a bit- so that's nice.

That said, our Heroes are mostly useless.  At one point, Mobsters nearly defeat them.  In spite of that, they fend off like 14-20 Henchmen in the Finale- at least 3 of which are Werewolves.  

There's power creep (Google it) and then there's this!

The Film has a lovely HD Transfer, but it is also Dubbed.  I prefer Subbed (since it is the original Audio) myself, but I can deal with it.  There's also a certain charm to the fairly cheap Dubbing done by what sounds like 3-5 people.

Is the final showdown disappointing?  Yes.  Does that make it kind of funny?  Also yes.

This one is pretty fun, if slow at parts.  That said, here's some real Horror.  Look at this and see how long you can go without checking the nearest window...

A fun Film, either in spite of or because of the Dubbing.  The trade-off, of course, is the pristine HD Transfer.  Yum.

Fiction vs. Fiction: Van Helsing (2004)

 A Film that I once saw in Theaters in 2004, bought a $1 copy about year ago and finally decided to watch in 2023.

I also read the Book!

Did I waste my time?  Let's find out in another Fiction vs. Fiction...

***VS***

What's the Same?

The Plot is pretty much all there.  Nothing is actually cut that appears int the Film.

They pretty much just either added stuff OR included stuff that was cut from the original Script.

I don't exactly have said Script lying around, you know.

What's Different?

When you turn a Book into a Film, you have to cut corners.
When you turn a Film into a Book, you add them.

In this case, the Book spends about 20 Pages giving you Dr. Frankenstein's Backstory, why he works for Dracula and how he manages to succeed before the Villagers arrive.

In the Film, they cut all of that crap.  Storm the Castle!

A sad omission next. 

At the end of the London Scene, the Book has a hunted Van Helsing accidentally scare a kid when fleeing.  Too much Character, so cut that, Film!

One of the more random switches here.

In the Book, we see the Scene where Beckinsale's Brother seemingly dies at the hands/claws of a Werewolf and the Priest mentions the whole 'she's the last one left' thing to Van Helsing.

In the Film, he meets the Priest and THEN the Scene happens.  Since he's not a Fortune Teller, the line is cut in the Film.

Also in the Book, Van Helsing knocks out Beckinsale (to keep her safe at home) and she has a dream/flashback to when she saw her Father and Brother stop a Werewolf.

In the Film, she just wakes up.

To be fair, the 5-page section is redundant- since it is just about how her Brother will do anything to save her...which he just did 10 minutes ago.

A bit of cinematic laziness is up next.

In both the Book and Film, they find Adam/The Monster late in the Story and knock him out.

In the Book, we learn how they transported him to a Carriage.

In the Film, they just wipe and boom he's there.

That...works?

In the Book, an entranced Beckinsale dances with Dracula before his last remaining Bride (Aleera) cuts in and taunts her for a bit.

Dracula takes her back and goes to turn her, where Van Helsing swings in for the save.

In the Film, the whole Subplot of Aleera being a bit jealous of Beckinsale and this whole interaction is gone.

A random as hell change next.

In the Book, they go to escape out a Window, but a voice in his head (from his past) warns Van Helsing to go to the NEXT window instead.

That confusing bit is gone in the Film.

The only other change of note is a minor one.

The final showdowns are presented in a different order in the Book.  Does that come down to Editing?

Probably.

Regardless, you get the same thing in the end...for better or worse.

Final Thoughts

The Book is a fine way to enjoy the Story...assuming you do, of course.  I was not a fan in 2004.
I'm far less offended now- having seen far worse and sillier Horror Films in the 19 years since.

That said, the Film is a real visual spectacle and MOST of the CGI still looks pretty good.  

So, in other words, you could read the novelization of, for instance, X-Men: The Last Stand (which I have- weird humble brag) and get the same Story...or you could just watch the Film in presumably less time and at least get to see Hugh Jackman.

In fairness, the Book offers more characterization for most of the players, so it is superior in that regard.

That said, why read about *this* when you can see it?

Bonus note here- the whole Plot of the DTV Film involving Van Helsing saving Queen Victoria from Mr. Hyde (who was also Jack the Ripper FYI) is NOT in the Book.  See that here.

Almost Heroes: Detective Nash (Prom Night- 2008)

 Let's dust off another Segment, shall we?

In Almost Heroes, we highlight a Supporting Player (sometimes even a Lead) who is helpful...but gets killed/disposed of before the End.

They helped...but didn't quite finish the task.

Let's look at a great example of this in Prom Night's Detective Nash...

He works with the Police when they discover- too late- that the Killer is on the loose.

He reports all of the findings, like when they find the man whose identity the killer stole.

Again- it's a bit late, but the Film wouldn't be as long as it is if they caught up to him sooner, now, would it?

He keeps working the case- alongside Elba's Winn- and they finally seem to do something right when they clear out the Hotel.

That's actually the worst thing they could have done (since this lets the killer slip out), but, again, Movie Cops.

He's sent to guard our Final Girl, since the killer escaped.

He's on the job!

He investigates some strange sounds around the area and sees that the phone line has been cut.

This was a bigger deal in 2008, of course, as we now have people 'cutting the cord' to save money in 2023.

Unfortunately, he's killed off-screen by the bad guy before Winn arrives.  

Was this due to the PG-13 Rating or drama?  You decide!

So close!  He was so close to the end!

Literally, there were 8 minutes left in the Film when his body gets discovered.

Sorry, Nash- maybe your Actor will make it to the end of his biggest Film to date- It: Chapter Two.

...oh, never mind.

Shudder-day: Kids vs. Aliens (2022)

 Another Film that I delayed for October due to being Halloween-centric.

Let's get abducted...

A group of kids make their own, crazy Home Movies with the big Sister of the Lead Kid.

The conflict?

She's reaching the 'I want to date boys (or girls)' age and now she has someone she's attracted to.

Will this keep her from her Brother?

The kids want to keep making their Film, but she ends up letting her new Boyfriend (who looks like a younger Will Ospreay) use their House for a Halloween Party.

It doesn't go well. 

Everyone has been missing the signs of alien arrival, meanwhile, due to the events going on with their lives.

As such, they are caught off guard when the Aliens show up at the Party.

No, they don't show up to Dance.

Will Big Sis rise to the occasion?
Will her Boyfriend get what is coming to him?
How much can you make your Soundtrack sound like Stranger Things without violating copyright?

To find out, stream this one now on Shudder.

A fun Film, if you can accept that there are basically no Adults to play a key role in the Film.  The whole point is to segregate the groups and see things from their point of view.

The Film's Plot is a good one, even if it is not super-deep.  Set your expectations to the right level for a Film called Kids vs. Aliens, after all.

Thankfully, it is not the Cast of Harmony Korine's controversial Film fighting Xenomorphs at least!

Jokes aside, the Film has really good practical effects, with the Aliens looking like Greys on Steroids and with enough detailing to stand out to the most discerning viewer out there.

There's also lots of '80s-style splatter effects and a touch of body horror in there.

I also know that this is a spin-off (of sorts) from the V/H/S Series, which I've seen surprisingly little of for a guy with literally 20 VHS Tapes on display just to his left.  I'll amend that in time.

Kids vs. Aliens takes a bit to get going, but then really has fun with the Premise and the smaller Cast.  It also features Aliens that look as scary as the Astro-Zombies clearly were supposed to look (but didn't)...

Between this and Slashback, am I growing on this niche subgenre?  If they keep being fun like this, why not?