“I’ve Put A Spell on You… And Now You’re Mine, Mine, Mine!”

As we get closer to October 31st, I thought it would be fun to share with you what I feel are my top “Spooktacular” movies of this hauntingly spooky season!

As we get older and outgrow things like trick-or-treating, we rarely ever outgrow the fun of watching these seasonal movies that help us to still find enjoyment and provide us with “thrills” in other ways.

Some of the movies I love to watch this time of year while in my favorite pajamas in a dark room with friends, snacking and the anticipating the sheer enjoyment of being scared are the following:

1. Halloween

Jamie Lee Curtis proves that this movie is the ultimate movie that no matter how old you are, it still can give you the creeps enough to where you spook yourself while watching it and the theme music just gets you every time.

2. Poltergeist

Craig T Nelson makes you think twice about whether or not you really want to get up and change the TV channel…

3. The Shining

Has all the classic elements for a good scare; deserted hotel, a young boy who has “visions”, a man who is slowly going mad and power outages due to storm. Jack Nicholson proves why he is the master of his craft.

4. Carrie

Stephen King puts us full of dread in another classic book turned thriller movie… bullying, prom, crazy religious mother who is slightly unstable and what happens when a young girl has had enough of it all.

5. Psycho

Janet Leigh paved the way for her daughter Jamie Lee Curtis in the horror industry. After watching this, you will never check into a hotel/motel the same way ever again!

Okay, not one who likes a good “scare” but still likes to get into the fun? Then these classics are for those who are a tad more “faint of heart”:

6. It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

That beloved knucklehead and his friends always are enjoyable and worth a chuckle or two.

7. Hocus Pocus

My personal favorite, still! Everyone enjoys watching the Sanderson sisters portrayed by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy in their quest for immortality.

8. The Addams Family

Halloween would not be complete without the beloved characters and their antics. Morticia, Gomez and their slightly “different” family never disappoint.

9. Ghostbusters

Paranormal investigators out to save their city. The only thing “larger than life” in this movie than the cast was the big Stay Puff marshmallow guy!

10. The Nightmare Before Christmas

This classis brings the thrills and chills of two classic holidays, Halloween and Christmas, and mashes it into a frightfully delightful classic. Jack Skellington, Sally and Zero along with Oogie Boogie and the rest of the characters leave you “dying” for more…

And as I end my list, there is one movie that just cannot be put into any category of its own, because it is just that good… The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It just makes me want to “Time Warp” over and over again! Tim Curry at his finest. If you ever get the chance to attend the show in a theatre, don’t forget to bring your own props… audience participation adds that extra flair for the extra ordinary experience.

So why not pull up a chair, if you dare… and enjoy the hauntingly good fun you can have in the confines of your own dorm room with your roommates, just beware of the those who may join you… unannounced!