Critic Reviews
Halloween (1978) Rank 3 Reviews
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based on (156) reviews
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Appreciating Great Trash
Movie ram-blings (Ram Samudrala)
Any fan of horror movies is intimately familiar with Halloween even if they've not seen the actual film itself. The movie has been mimicked and parodied extensively and the cliches present have become embedded in pop culture. ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Movie ram-blings (Ram Samudrala)
Shade.ca
One Halloween, a psychopathic child murders his sister with a knife. Fifteen years later, he escapes from the asylum where he was locked up. He grabs a mask and returns to his hometown, Haddonfield. ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Shade.ca
The Melancholy Eskimo Review -- Reviews & Essays
Halloween has come and gone, in the manner of all holidays, only to make dark hints that it may return, like certain genre movies which attain the status of belonging to a âfranchiseâ. (I remember when this word first entered the popular vocabulary ...read the complete Halloween movie review at The Melancholy Eskimo Review -- Reviews & Essays
Kinocite
Imitated, ripped-off and stricken with sequelitis, Halloween made its mark as the original slasher movie back in 1978 when it scared audiences silly and, as word-of-mouth spread, went into the record books as "the highest grossing horror movie ever". ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Kinocite
Hysteria Lives! review
There must be more sites dedicated to it than to any other single movie. Even though I would argue that it certainly wasn't the first slasher movie, it is, after-all, the flick that was the catalyst (albeit unintentionally) for the tidal wave of teenage ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Hysteria Lives! review
FireBlade Coffeehouse DVD Reviews
have never been a fan of horror movies. Most of them seem to rely heavily on stupidity, either the charactersâ or the writersâ or the directorsâ. The horrible things only happen because someone was really, really, unbelievably stupid. Probably ...read the complete Halloween movie review at FireBlade Coffeehouse DVD Reviews
filmcritic.com gets spooked on Halloween
Considered by many to be a modern horror classic, Halloween succeeds through simplicity. This thriller -- a veritable kickoff for 25-plus years of slasher films -- works because director John Carpenter keeps the story neat and the presentation basic. ...read the complete Halloween movie review at filmcritic.com gets spooked on Halloween
BeyondHollywood.com
The rule of thumb in every Teen Slasher film is that the promiscuous characters die first. Sex is the kiss of death and taking your clothes off is like characters in a vampire movie taking off their cross. Our Fair Hair Lead is guaranteed survival ...read the complete Halloween movie review at BeyondHollywood.com
UpcomingDiscs.com (David Annandale)
In 1963, little Michael Meyers stabs his sister to death (the scene shown in a justly famous continuous POV shot). Fifteen years later, Michael escapes from the asylum and returns to his home town of Haddonfield. On Halloween night, he stalks Laurie ...read the complete Halloween movie review at UpcomingDiscs.com (David Annandale)
DVD-Dweeb.Com (Oliver Korioth)
When John Carpenterâs âHalloweenâ was shot over 20 days in South Pasadena during early 1978, no one thought they were crafting a classic. Certainly not many students at USC, Carpenterâs alma mater; many were repulsed and walked out of a campus ...read the complete Halloween movie review at DVD-Dweeb.Com (Oliver Korioth)
DVD MovieGuide
Halloween has been fully restored under the supervision of Lucasfilmâs THX Digital Mastering Services. The video was transferred by the award-winning colorist Adam Adams (Terminator 2, Titanic) from a new 35mm interpositive (mode from the original ...read the complete Halloween movie review at DVD MovieGuide
And You Call Yourself a Scientist! (Liz Kingsley)
With the single possible exception of the Italian cannibal film â and there are so few of those by comparison â no movie genre has been greeted with such universal loathing and hostility as the slasher film. To an extent, this reaction is ...read the complete Halloween movie review at And You Call Yourself a Scientist! (Liz Kingsley)
ToxicUniverse.com (Lee Chase IV)
John Carpenter's Halloween is a revolutionary film for several reasons. First, it proved the success of independent film and, second, it gave birth to the slasher genré. ...read the complete Halloween movie review at ToxicUniverse.com (Lee Chase IV)
The Onion A.V. Club (Keith Phipps)
With slasher films back in the public consciousness following last year's excellent Scream, what better time to take a second look at the film that ushered in the disreputable genre almost 20 years ago? With a new widescreen transfer that finally does it ...read the complete Halloween movie review at The Onion A.V. Club (Keith Phipps)
DVD MovieGuide
Would we still have witnessed the explosion of "slasher" movies during the late 1970s and early 1980s if 1978's Halloween never existed? Probably not. That creates a muddled legacy for the film; for every good horror movie of that era, there were about ...read the complete Halloween movie review at DVD MovieGuide
TV Guide (Staff (Not Credited))
There's nary a drop of blood on screen in this rollicking funhouse of a movie but there is enough sheer cinematic ingenuity on display to coax screams out of the most jaded gorehound. ...read the complete Halloween movie review at TV Guide (Staff (Not Credited))
Austin Chronicle (Mike Emery)
Not entirely without some laughable or dated scenes, Halloween remains an original that continues to inspire a genre and probe middle America's fears about what's really lurking in the laundry room after midnight. ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Austin Chronicle (Mike Emery)
Diabolical Dominion
DVD Review e-zine
"Halloween" is the first movie I ever remember seeing. I walked in on my parents watching the movie with friends during the 'closet scene' towards the end of the movie. The horrific image of Michael Myers' white mask stuck with me even after I was rushed ...read the complete Halloween movie review at DVD Review e-zine
Monsters At Play (Lawrence P. Raffel)
I don't know about you folks, but I'm getting pretty tired of discussing the same old flicks here. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Halloween (along with a select few of its sequels), but I'd much rather sit back and just enjoy what should be the ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Monsters At Play (Lawrence P. Raffel)
DVD Review e-zine
Originally titled "The Babysitter Murders" but renamed before its release in 1978, "Halloween" is the primordial of all slasher flicks.
No matter which stalker film you watch today, each and every one of them builds upon the recipe established by ...read the complete Halloween movie review at DVD Review e-zine
Horror Express (Jonathan Stryker)
The first thing that struck me about HALLOWEEN was John Carpenterâs amazingly effective minimalist score. To think that he directed and wrote the music to this film astonished me. The music is so simple, yet so scary and fits the film like a glove. ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Horror Express (Jonathan Stryker)
Crazy for Cinema
One of John Carpenter's best films, I first saw HALLOWEEN when I was 13-years-old and it scared the bejesus out of me. I was not and am not a big horror movie fan because I relish my sleep far too much. This is the ultimate "bogeyman" flick and I've ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Crazy for Cinema
Celluloid Dreams
John Carpenter´s Halloween was first released in 1978 and can be credited with sparking the run of "slasher" films, which were to prove very popular throughout the eighties. Michael Myers was the original masked killer, silent, icy and intent on killing ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Celluloid Dreams
DVD Savant review
Twenty-five years later, Halloween still looks impressive. The horror content is now on the tame side, but the film wasn't all that explicit even in 1978. What we remember, as in most Carpenter films, is the assured, professional build-up that interests ...read the complete Halloween movie review at DVD Savant review
Andrew Hicks (Andrew Hicks)
not coming to a theater near you (Rumsey Taylor)
Psycho supplies a tremendous influence for Halloween. Jaime Lee Curtis is, firstly, the daughter of Janet Leigh. Michael Myerâs hunter is named Sam Loomis after the boyfriend in Psycho (there is also a Marion in the credits, speculatively after Marion ...read the complete Halloween movie review at not coming to a theater near you (Rumsey Taylor)
Worldwide DVD Forums
Well, I guess I should make a start and I could only think of this genius film to review. John Carpenters low budget film, Halloween. ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Worldwide DVD Forums
Joe Chamberlain
I first saw Halloween when I was in junior high, which was more than a decade ago. To this day the theme song still gives me chills. By far, Halloween has the best soundtrack of any horror film ever made, with the possible exception of Psycho. Much like ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Joe Chamberlain
The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (Jay Scott)
This low-budget horror film, sophisticated far beyond its budget, is the work of John Carpenter, an authentic prodigy whose style recalls both Martin Scorsese and the Brian De Palma of "Carrie," but who has a metaphysical, sophomoric sense of humor both ...read the complete Halloween movie review at The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (Jay Scott)
Entertainment Weekly (Bruce Fretts)
Carpenter's brutally efficient exercise in tension and release. ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Entertainment Weekly (Bruce Fretts)
Off-screen
Halloween night 1963: una bella casa bianca con veranda, una zucca illuminata sulla destra, una vecchia filastrocca di bambini: â¦chi non paga presto piangeâ¦
C'è un occhio curioso e invadente, è l'occhio della strega forse, oppure il ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Off-screen
Edinburgh U Film Society (Keith H. Brown)
One of the most profitable and influential films ever, Halloween has now spawned two generations of imitators, from Scream and company in the late 1990s. Although one would have to acknowledge that Halloween itself rips off its seasonal title and its ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Edinburgh U Film Society (Keith H. Brown)
DVDBeaver
Halloween is one of those films where the attention to detail is evident in every frame. While there are many memorable moments, three scenes stand out above the rest. The first is the long, unbroken opening sequence where the young Michael dons a clown ...read the complete Halloween movie review at DVDBeaver
review at "metamovie.de"
CultureDose.net (Lee Chase IV)
Horror DVDs Review
In 1978 Director John Carpenter and Producer Debra Hill collaborated on a film for the second time. The film originally titled "The Baby-sitter Murders" would later be known to countless fans as "Halloween". Written by both John Carpenter and Debra Hill ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Horror DVDs Review
Raging Bull Movie Reviews
Shivers Of Horror
DVD Town (John J. Puccio)
If at first you don't succeed.... Anchor Bay's initial DVD issue of "Halloween" did not come off too well visually, the picture quality often looking faded and washed out, especially in nighttime sequences, and sometimes accompanied by instances of ...read the complete Halloween movie review at DVD Town (John J. Puccio)
digitallyOBSESSED.com (Dan Lopez)
By now, John Carpenter's Halloween is practically an American institution. It's not only one of the most instrumental horror films ever made, it's also one of those iconic movies that never dies in the public conscious. I feel rather insignificant ...read the complete Halloween movie review at digitallyOBSESSED.com (Dan Lopez)
DVD Review
After 21 years âHalloweenâ is still one of the most impressive horror films that never seems to lose its appeal, and is widely considered John Carpenters best film to date - although I personally prefer some of his later films over ...read the complete Halloween movie review at DVD Review
FearScene
What is it that is so terrifying about Michael Myers? Is it the blank white mask, the black bottomless eyes, the relentless killings? Or is it something more...Pure Evil. ...read the complete Halloween movie review at FearScene
DVD Savant (Glenn Erickson)
Classic-Horror.com
It's a dark, autumn night. You're alone in the house, and the wind is playing all sorts of tricks on your mind. You hear a noise. Sitting bolt upright, you check for a presence. Nothing. And then, in the corner of your eye... SOMETHING! If there was ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Classic-Horror.com
Classic Horror
It's a dark, autumn night. You're alone in the house, and the wind is playing all sorts of tricks on your mind. You hear a noise. Sitting bolt upright, you check for a presence. Nothing. And then, in the corner of your eye... SOMETHING! If there was ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Classic Horror
Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews (Harry Knowles)
Cold Fusion Video Reviews (Nathan Shumate)
Halloween is almost impossible to watch with a straight face now -- not because it's bad (quite the opposite), but because of what I call the "Casablanca effect": every line, theme, plot point, musical cue, etc., has been imitated, homaged, ripped-off, ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Cold Fusion Video Reviews (Nathan Shumate)
MovieEye.com (David Litton)
I first saw "Halloween" nearly three years ago in December of 2000, in the haze of pharmaceutical drugs given me by my dentist after having my wisdom teeth ripped from my mouth. Were it not for that incident, I probably would not remember my first ...read the complete Halloween movie review at MovieEye.com (David Litton)
Weekly Reviews (Nathan Weinbender) - Capsule
The Terror Trap
If the criteria for a horror classic includes how well the film holds up after repeated viewings, the scare factor, the acting, the effectiveness of the score, its directorial style and photography, etc., then this baby has it all.
Director John ...read the complete Halloween movie review at The Terror Trap
ZombieKeeper.com
HOLLYWOOD'S C LIST
This film is still one of John Carpenterâs best. His direction is perfect, especially for such a low-budget movie. The suspense is wonderful and still very capable of generating chills in todayâs audiences. The soundtrack, also composed by ...read the complete Halloween movie review at HOLLYWOOD'S C LIST
DigitalVD.de (Oliver Anter)
John Carpenter erschuf 1978 einen ganz besonderen Film: Packende Spannung und Stars wie Jamie Lee Curtis (True Lies) und Donald Pleasance (Die Klapperschlange) machen diesen Gruselschocker zu einem besonderen Klassiker der Filmgeschichte, der bis heute ...read the complete Halloween movie review at DigitalVD.de (Oliver Anter)
Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
Although Black Christmas predates John Carpenter's film by four years, Halloween is the one that popularized the formula for almost every slasher movie that followed it, from Friday the 13th to A Nightmare on Elm Street to I Know What You Did Last ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
DigitalVD.de (Mike Borrink)
John Carpenter erschuf 1978 einen ganz besonderen Film: Packende Spannung und Stars wie Jamie Lee Curtis (True Lies) und Donald Pleasance (Die Klapperschlange) machen diesen Gruselschocker zu einem besonderen Klassiker der Filmgeschichte, der bis heute ...read the complete Halloween movie review at DigitalVD.de (Mike Borrink)
At-A-Glance Film Reviews
The movie does one key thing right: it puts the emphasis on suspense rather than gore. There's almost no gore in this movie, actually -- nor is any needed. Carpenter builds all the atmosphere and tension he needs from what is not seen. What's lurking ...read the complete Halloween movie review at At-A-Glance Film Reviews
Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
Although Black Christmas predates John Carpenter's film by four years, Halloween is the one that popularized the formula for almost every slasher movie that followed it, from Friday the 13th to A Nightmare on Elm Street to I Know What You Did Last ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
iofilm.co.uk
Imitated, ripped-off and stricken with sequelitis, Halloween made its mark as the original slasher movie back in 1978 when it scared audiences silly and, as word-of-mouth spread, went into the record books as "the highest grossing horror movie ever". ...read the complete Halloween movie review at iofilm.co.uk
Icons of Fright
The documentary itself is so extensive, that itâs mandatory viewing for even the most casual Halloween fan. Over the course of 84 minutes, we go into the entire history of the Halloween franchise, starting with John Carpenterâs classic and going ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Icons of Fright
DVDnett.no
DVDnett.no har tidligere anmeldt "Halloween - 20 år etter" (sone 2), den siste Halloween-filmen så langt. Nå tar vi altså for oss den aller første filmen, som til nå har avlet hele seks oppfølgere, og som har vært prototypen til en endeløs rekke ...read the complete Halloween movie review at DVDnett.no
Choking on Popcorn (Arjan Welles)
One of the reasons the architects of the 1978 movie Halloween wanted Jamie Lee Curtis so badly for the part of babysitter and damsel in serious distress was because she was the daughter of Hollywood actress Janet Leigh, who after Psycho never dared step ...read the complete Halloween movie review at Choking on Popcorn (Arjan Welles)
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