The Book of Life (2014)

Title: The Book of Life
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Release Date: October 17, 2014
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Romance, Musical
Production Co.: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: Jorge R. Gutiérrez
Starring: Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana, Channing Tatum


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who wanted a less musical Coco.

What is this about?
Love conquering all, even death.

When would be a good time to watch this?
October 31 to November 2.

Where does it take place?
San Angel, Mexico.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I like death...and cartoons.

How did I like this?
I had forgotten about this one but I remember being really excited for it. This is exactly my animation style. The movie is so pretty! I wasn't sold on the plot at first, but once the death and despair started I was into it!

This would have benefited from NOT being a musical though. The handful of 30 second songs are not good and are distracting. Except for the one that Manolo sings to the demon bull.

Have you seen The Book of Life? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Don't Look Under the Bed (1999)

Title: Don't Look Under the Bed
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
Release Date: October 9, 1999
Genre(s): Fantasy
Production Co.: Walt Disney Television
Director: Kenneth Johnson
Starring: Erin Chambers, Ty Hodges, Robin Riker


Who would I recommend this to?
'90s kids.

What is this about?
Teen girl and imaginary friend versus boogeyperson!

When would be a good time to watch this?
Spooky Season or when you need to remind yourself that YES, this movie did actually exist.

Where does it take place?
Middleburg.

Why did I decide to watch this?
As a kid...because Halloween and Disney Channel. Now because I haven't seen it in a billion years.

How did I like this?
Another movie I was obsessed with as a kid and thought I had hallucinated because it totally disappeared for awhile. Which it did because parents said it was too dark. It actually is quite mature when compared to other DCOMs, but it is also one of the best! It handles several serious topics in an approachable and fun way without minimizing the seriousness.

I loved that Francis skipped a grade! So did I! Not at the time this movie came out, but later. She's a 14 year old freshman, which I always thought was normal. I was 12. It was an uncommon choice to make her act more grown up as part of the plot conflict.

Have you seen Don't Look Under the Bed? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Night Teeth (2021)

Title: Night Teeth
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 1 hour 48 minutes
Release Date: October 20, 2021
Genre(s): Horror
Production Co.: Netflix
Director: Adam Randall
Starring: Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Debby Ryan, Lucy Fry


Who would I recommend this to?
Vampire aficionados.

What is this about?
A guy chauffeurs around a pair vampires for the night.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Spooky Season.

Where does it take place?
Boyle Heights, Los Angeles.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Vampires.

How did I like this?
Why did this remind me of Grand Theft Auto?! It made me want a version of GTA with supernatural elements!

Other than that, I found this movie pretty boring. I liked Benny, but the plot never really interested me. I honestly didn't watch most of it.

Have you seen Night Teeth? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Nightbooks (2021)

Title: Nightbooks
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 43 minutes
Release Date: September 15, 2021
Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror
Production Co.: Catchlight Studios
Director: David Yarovesky
Starring: Winslow Fegley, Lidya Jewett, Krysten Ritter


Who would I recommend this to?
Scaredy cat Halloween fans or those who just like family-friendly spooky films.

What is this about?
A boy is held captive by a witch and must write her a new scary story every night...or die.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Spooky season, or a dark and stormy night.

Where does it take place?
New York.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It's a new family friendly spooky film.

How did I like this?
I did not get why the witch was keeping him if she was just going to shoot down every story he wrote. I mean, I guess there was the theme of believing in yourself and your talents, but...Natasha's attitude didn't really work. Just kill him and move on, or shut up and listen to the stories that you asked for! She was annoying.

I like Lenore, the cat. And the ending was cool, but the rest was odd.

Have you seen Nightbooks? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

 

Scary Movie 4 (2006)

Title: Scary Movie 4
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 23 minutes
Release Date: April 14, 2006
Genre(s): Comedy, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: Dimension Films
Director: David Zucker
Starring: Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Craig Bierko


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of the series or spoof movies in general.

What is this about?
Aliens come to destroy Earth and only Cindy Campbell can stop them.

When would be a good time to watch this?
No rush, just whenever. Perhaps Spooky Season.

Where does it take place?
Earth....somewhere.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It was my friend's birthday and we were stoned, sooo....

How did I like this?
It's better than the third one, but the jokes are super old at this point. But I did like it more since I actually saw the main movies referenced: Saw, The Grudge, and The Village. I didn't see War of the Worlds, but it's easy enough to follow.

Have you seen Scary Movie 4? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Afterlife of the Party (2021)

Title: Afterlife of the Party
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 49 minutes
Release Date: September 2, 2021
Genre(s): Fantasy, Drama
Production Co.: Front Row Films
Director: Stephen Herek
Starring: Victoria Justice, Midori Francis, Robyn Scott


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who likes these second chance, fix your mistakes movies.

What is this about?
A party girl dies after her birthday party but has unfinished business.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Anytime.

Where does it take place?
San Diego, California.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It looked cute, and my mom and aunt both liked it.

How did I like this?
It's super cute! It's a fun take on death and regret.

Have you seen Afterlife of the Party? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Halloween is Grinch Night (1977)

Title: Halloween is Grinch Night
Rating: G
Run Time: 25 minutes
Release Date: October 29, 1977
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Musical
Production Co.: Dr. Seuss Enterprises
Director: Gerard Baldwin
Starring: Hans Conried, Hal Smith, Gary Shapiro


Who would I recommend this to?
Those who are curious about obscure holiday animation.

What is this about?
A young Who gets lost on Grinch Night and comes face-to-face with the What himself.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Spooky Season.

Where does it take place?
Whoville.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I saw it on a list of Halloween movies for scaredy cats.

How did I like this?
I am disturbed. What did I just watch?! I don't even know...

Max's song is so depressing. This whole thing was dark...

Have you seen Halloween is Grinch Night? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?