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In the midst of your knuckling down and commitment to exam preparation, schedule some light hearted fun and celebrate Halloween on Friday October 31! Ghouls, ghosts and lollies and chocolates galore – what’s not to love?!
Here’s a selection of spooky, horror themed movies and books you can borrow or stream from QUT Library to scare yourself silly and get into the Halloween spirit.
Movies
Paranormal Activity When a young couple move to their new house they might find some unwanted visitors. This haunting thriller was filmed on a hand-held video camera for authenticity. For such low production costs, this classic scream-fest is one of the most profitable movies ever made. Reports stated that viewers were left terrified in the cinema
Halloween Michael Meyers escaped from a state mental hospital after 15 years treatment for the brutal murder of his sister. He has returned to relive his crime. A classic film of the horror genre from 1978.
Funny Games When Anna, George and their son Schorschi arrive at their lakeside villa for a week’s holiday, their idyllic break doesn’t last long. While father and son sail the lake in their yacht, Anna is asked by a neighbour’s houseguests for a handful of eggs. But the neat, educated appearance of these young men betrays their sinister intentions, and Anna starts to realise they play games. Cat-and-mouse games. Director Michael Haneke’s harrowing vision of emotional terror and psychopathic violence is one of the most chilling ever made. Not for the fainthearted!
Books
The Shining / Stephen King Published in 1977 The Shining centers on the life of Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic who accepts a position as the off-season caretaker of the historic Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. His family accompanies him on this job, including his young son Danny. Danny possesses “the shining,” an array of psychic abilities that allow Danny to see the horrific past of the hotel. Soon, after a winter storm leaves them snowbound, the supernatural forces inhabiting the hotel influence Jack’s sanity, leaving his wife and son in incredible danger. The Shining was adapted into a feature film in 1980 by director Stanley Kubrick.
The turn of the screw / Henry James. Originally published in 1898, The turn of the Screw is a gothic ghost story centering around a governess who, when put in charge of two young children, begins to see the ghost of her dead predecessor with tragic results.
Frankenstein / Mary Shelley Written when Mary Shelley was only nineteen-years old, this chilling tale of a young scientist’s desire to create life still resonates today. Victor Frankenstein’s monster is stitched together from the stolen limbs of the dead, and the result is a grotesque being who, rejected by his maker, sets out on a journey to reek his revenge.
For the small ones
Coraline / Neil Gaiman ; with illustrations by Dave McKean. Looking for excitement, Coraline ventures through a mysterious door into a world that is similar, yet disturbingly different from her own, where she must challenge a gruesome entity in order to save herself, her parents, and the souls of three others.
The worst witch / Jill Murphy The adventures of Mildred Huble, the worst trainee witch in Miss Cackle’s Academy.
Let’s find out about Halloween / Paulette Cooper All about the historical background of Halloween and describes its celebration today.
Let us know your favorite scary movie or book in the comments below. Happy Halloween!
1 Comment
my favourite scary movie is The Company of Wolves (which is based on a short story by Angela Carter (but I like anything with werewolves, American Werewolf in London is also great), my favourite scary TV show is Hannibal and my favourite scary book is Rosemary’s Baby.