Frightening films

Halloween would not be complete without a hefty serving of frightening cinematic goodies to satisfy audiences’ appetite for undying thrills and exhilaration. Despite the heaping pile of mediocre-to-god-awful films that have recently populated the horror genre, there are still a few gems worth revisiting to make the process of turning one’s lights off at night a practice met with extreme apprehension. With a holiday that welcomes monsters, supernatural entities and homicidal maniacs as honorary guests, the likelihood for heart-pounding jolts are quite promising. When watched consecutively, these memorably terrifying films function as a recipe for instant nightmares.

“SIGNS” (2002)

Before director M. Night Shyamalan and actor Mel Gibson were two of the most reviled people in Hollywood, they worked together on the spine-tingling film “Signs.” With the film’s ominous rural setting, meticulous focus, steady pacing and mounting sense of dread, Shyamalan’s direction was comparable to the great Alfred Hitchcock. The film earned its scares, creating an eerie atmosphere, sympathetic characters and creatures that provoke high anxiety even upon a brief glimpse.

“THE EXORCIST” (1973)

Is there anything more terrifying than watching children surrender to the seductive powers of a demonic presence? You might think so, but then again, you have probably never watched Linda Blair’s haunting performance in “The Exorcist.” From the chilling score and the sinister cinematography to the grotesque makeup, “The Exorcist” reveals searing passion and visceral thrills. William Friedkin’s horrifying American classic became the standard by which all other horror films would be evaluated.

“A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET” (1984)

In 1984, fear was personified by a severely burned child murderer sporting a grimy fedora, a tattered Christmas sweater and tarnished knives for fingernails. As if those descriptions are not unsettling enough, this deranged psychopath terrorized his victims in their dreams, giving insomniacs much to be grateful for. His name is Freddy Krueger (brilliantly performed by Robert Englund) and he is just one of the diabolical delights of the film’s visionary and stylish production. If you ever freaked out before drifting into a coma, you have Wes Craven to thank.

“HALLOWEEN” (1978)

There is something very unnerving about a tight-lipped serial killer that hides behind a blank white mask, obscuring any insight into his wicked demeanor. Unlike the menacing chatter of Freddy Krueger, the iconic Michael Myers represented a more subtle, lingering menace reminiscent of a predatory shark approaching his defenseless prey. Made for peanuts in a mere 21 days and solidifying actress Jamie Lee Curtis as a horror film “scream queen,” John Carpenter’s masterpiece “Halloween” proves that it doesn’t take elaborate set designs and special effects to scare the hell out of an audience.

“THE CRAZIES” (2010)

For those who have grown tired of the influx of “zombie films” over the last decade, the bloodcurdling “The Crazies” took the familiar aspects of the sub-genre, blew off the dust particles and added some much needed polish. The film is an improvement on George A. Romero’s acclaimed 1973 version, displaying impressive production value that is small and confined, dark and ominous, tranquil and lurid. For audiences to miss out on this shamelessly effective and well-crafted splatterfest would be, well, crazy.

Laron Chapman is a film and media studies senior.

Creepy costumes

I have always been a Halloween fanatic. Perhaps because it was how I was raised. When my mom would decorate for Halloween, our house would be consumed by orange jack-o’-lanterns and fabric ghosts, resembling the Halloween section at Michael’s craft store. I loved the thrill of getting scared around this time of the year. Walking through haunted houses and peeping in between my fingers while watching “The Amityville Horror” are things I always did during Halloween. Now in college, I have not been able to show my love for Halloween as I used to. Studying for exams and writing papers have replaced my adventures through haunted warehouses and pumpkin carving. But this year, I took a vow to get into the Halloween spirit — or at least try to.

The college years are some of the last in which students can dress up in hilarious costumes and not feel completely ridiculous. Sure, in the real world there are the Halloween office socials and costume parities that typically involve the small talk, but college is a time to make the memories last, even when you and your friends are dressed up in the outrageous Halloween costumes that are out there this year.

So what will you dress up as for Halloween this year? There of course are the typical costumes: Lady Gaga, Marilyn Monroe, the Simpsons. But those are costumes that have been worn before. Let’s think of something original and creative.

After doing a little research, I found some of the top Halloween costumes for 2011. The store Halloween Express said some of its top costumes for this year are Pee Wee Herman, Beavis and Butthead, and The Muppets (Who doesn’t love the Muppets?). If you want to make a political statement, there is a mask available at Halloween Express called the “Barack Insane Ozombie,” a depiction of our president as a zombie. Why are zombies so popular lately? That’s something that should be discussed at another time.

I am a personal fan of celebrity costumes. According to Ranker.com, the top celebrity costumes this year are Michael Jackson (YES!), Charlie Sheen, Amy Winehouse, Sarah Palin and the cast of Jersey Shore. If you want to dress up like Snooki or DJ Pauly D, please make sure to not get an actual spray tan; you wouldn’t want to be the color of a pumpkin for the next two weeks.

The top college Halloween costumes for this year, according to USA Today, are Nicki Minaj, the ballerina in “Black Swan,” Angry Birds, and Beyoncé and her baby.

Other costumes I would like to see this year are Melissa McCarthy’s character from “Bridesmaids” and Conan O’Brien.

Maybe you already know what you are dressing up as, but if not, I hope this helped you think of some ideas. Happy Halloween OU!

Top Halloween Costumes:

-Justin Bieber

-Katy Perry

-Where’s Waldo?

-Super Mario and Princess Peach

-Wicked Witch of the West and flying monkey

-Harry Potter

-Captain America

-The Smurfs

Lauren Duff is a University College freshman.

Terrifying tunes

This is Halloween. But “This is Halloween” will have no place on this Halloween playlist. Neither will “Thriller,” so prepare to branch out a bit and open up your mind to some equally creepy, ghoulishly great tunes.

“I Put a Spell on You” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins

I usually try to avoid clichés, but there’s no avoiding this song when it comes to Halloween. There are few things scarier than the singer’s screams and maniacal laughter. They don’t call him “Screamin’” for nothing.

“Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads

Sure, zombies and other creatures can be frightening, but what’s more terrifying than a killer among us regular humans? Stew on that for a while.

“Dracula’s Lament” by Jason Segel

OK, so this is not really scary — at all. But it is hilarious, and there’s only so much terror most people can take before they need a little bit of comic relief. Enjoy Jason Segel’s Dracula impression from “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” Thank me later.

“They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From the Dead!! Ahhhh!!” by Sufjan Stevens

I’m going to be honest with you. I saw the ridiculous title of this song and immediately added it to the playlist without listening to it. However, I did go back and listen, and I think the song earns the title. Mostly.

“She’s Not There” by The Zombies

First of all, the name of this band is The Zombies. However, this song is also unexplainably creepy. Who is “she”? Where did “she” go? These are the questions that haunt me.

“Time Warp” by the cast of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”

I gave in. I couldn’t stop myself from including this track with a cult following. You can shoot me for being repetitive and cliché, but I wouldn’t. I’ll just come back and haunt you.

“I’m Your Boogie Man” by White Zombie

The Boogie Man is real — this song proves it. Only a creature that eats children could have such a terrifying voice.

Megan Deaton is a journalism sophomore.