Film Den: Halloween 2018, Part 1 (Video Review/Retrospective)

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

I think Michael's design in this film is probably my favorite of the bunch. He looks a bit bulkier than he did in the original which better emphasizes him as a physical threat, and the weathered mask truly makes him look otherworldly, not to mention also make it look like his face is made of stone.

[@Hawbitten]

You know how you can tell if an actor is enjoying themselves? I think Jamie Lee is loving being able to rewrite Laurie as a gritty trainwreck rather than as a damsel in distress.

[@WolfEntertainment]

The jack o' lantern in the intro is actually meant to be an inflatable decoration. It appears as a rotting pumpkin reforming into what looks like the pumpkin from the original classic. It was supposed to be a metaphor of how this movie literally revived the spirit of the old story after the franchise lost gas. Also, that "knife" in both the pumpkins was really supposed to look like Michael Myers getting ready to kill. The triangle nose is his knife while the eyehole was intended to look like his head.

[@Redrally]

Jee, it's almost as if the filmmakers had passion for the original, the art of filmmaking and what makes a horror movie work. And it turned out really well.

[@DoveCalderwood]

It just isn't Spooky Season without a Film Den ❤

[@TheAbstruseOne]

Not gonna lie, when he put the firecracker in the jack o lantern, I kept wanting Sam from Trick R Treat to show up.

[@georgeheilman885]

Resubmitted to get out of comment jail. Looking forward to your second video. This movie for me leaped to 2nd favorite in the series after I saw it and while after a few years, it's a bit of a back and forth between this and the first Halloween II, that shows how well it holds. One criticism I've seen about this film highlighted is Aaron having borrowed the mask and treating it like a prop instead of evidence. I like to think his "friend" was someone he bribed big time and since he is the opportunistic type, wouldn't care about forensics if it suits his objectives. Looking back this does have some character issues overall, but so does every film in this series.

[@Cyborcat]

Yeah, it turned out it wasn't held for review after all. Thanks for reposting.

[@kristiandepue5374]

Crawling across a gas station bathroom floor. The most horrific thing in the entire movie.

[@TDWTB]

I’m a simple man, Dena uploads and I watch.

[@livingcorpse5664]

I wish Halloween Kills was a different story entirely, since Halloween was originally meant to be an anthology series. I felt this movie was a great way to end Michael's story. Imagine how effective an impact it would have been if Michael had been in the first movie, then didn't show up again till Halloween 2018 decades later.

[@livingcorpse5664]

As others have said, the best thing about this mask is it doesn't look like it's trying to be old like the Rob Zombie one, it looks like it just is old.

[@Cyborcat]

Makes sense. Realistically, I don't know if latex would even hold up this well after 40 years, but it looks convincing enough that I don't care.

[@tailsfan109_SonicSFM_Gamer]

3:53 I never saw it this way. The way I felt about it, they were all able to sense the premonition of evil that was coming from Michael at that moment, as if they could all sense that Michael knew his time to escape would be drawing near, all because of that mask, which he treats as his real face. Much more interesting that way in my opinion, and I've always thought it like that ever since I saw it in theaters opening night. The podcasters might've heard nothing, but everyone else, Michael included, did.

[@Cyborcat]

People keep trying to explain this to me as if I don't get it. I GET that the mental patients are sensing Michael's intent. My point is that if ONLY mentally ill people and dogs can sense Michael's intent, that is othering and dehumanizing the mental patients. Period. I'm not saying that the creators had bad intentions--they probably didn't think of it that way, but that's the effect.

[@tailsfan109_SonicSFM_Gamer]

@@Cyborcat I was only giving my perspective on things. I know nothing about how mental institutions work, or how the patients generally behave in such places, so I'm clearly ignorant to this kind of topic. All I know is that it was a scene trying to unsettle before the opening credits, and for me, it worked. If I may ask, if you were director, how would have directed the scene differently (and let's just assume that the scene has to stay in, in that spot, you can't take it out.) You don't have to answer if you don't want to. I'd just like more insight on your perspective if possible, because it's the first I've heard anyone have this reaction to this scene.

[@BooksInTheVoid]

The music in this movie is my favourite of the series. I even listen to it while I'm working. It's just so calming to me and helps me concentrate. It has this heavy riff guitar that is really perfect. There is a track called Halloween Triumphant that starts of slow and half way through it starts speeding up and getting more manic and I just love it.

[@TheRealBSDigitalQ]

I was so, SO happy this flick turned out as good as it did. Very pleased you're covering it Dena. :D

[@ToruKun1]

A new Film Den about Halloween? MY SNOUT DESCENDS! Laurie downing that goblet of wine in one sitting is a whole-ass mood

[@Cyborcat]

It really is XD

[@5sieben2.15]

I was just thinking about Cyborcat's channel which I haven't visited in a while ( Film and Game Den, Binge of my Choice 😝 ) and there was a new Film Den uploaded just two days ago? Thank you ❤ Your type of review/retrospectives are unique & I just like your voice and demeanour so I keep coming back 😁

[@Cyborcat]

Welcome back! Glad you like the videos ^.^

[@cassiebelmont993]

I'm so delighted to see a new video from Dena.

[@jaredsamples6969]

I was wondering if you'd talk about this. Also, the husband is portrayed by toby huss, better known as cotton hill from "king of the hill".

[@kristiandepue5374]

He's also "The Wiz" in 'Seinfeld' and Charlie the limo driver in 'Curb Your Enthusiasm.'

[@UnderTheSkin13]

I didn't even know this movie existed but why excuse for another Dena horror trip. Great job, like always.

[@reevesavage]

Yep, Brackett, Lindsey, Tommy, and Lonnie all come back for Halloween Kills

[@sarahruss5330]

I only opened a KZbin account so I could like these Film Den videos - always thrilled for new content!

[@TheXell]

Goddammit KZbin, I had the bell on and everything!!

[@BlueMageDaisen]

Oh how did I not see this until partb2 popped up? Definitely need to watch a Film Den!

[@justjordan1]

Dena, thank you so much for making a film den on this one :D Can't wait for part 2 :)

[@BluntmanEXE]

As much as you dislike Rob Zombie's Halloween, I should mention one fun fact about it. The Michael Meyers from that movie made a cameo in Rob Zombie's animated movie, The Haunted World of El Superbeasto. (Hilarious movie, BTW. Go check it out)

[@sandmanzcommin08]

How did I miss this? Glad to see you still making these, I love your reviews! Can't wait to see more Chucky and Nightmare reviews.

[@Mr007no2]

21:17- I think this woman who’s creeped out by Michael is in the final Halloween kills trailer as a victim, when Michael attacks the van

[@Cyborcat]

Yeah, I was pretty sure I spotted her in the trailer.

[@geekchic8798]

I consider Halloween: Season of the Witch as a side story that could have happened around the same time as the first Halloween. It would explain why Michael Myers didn't appear the in the film.

[@Cyborcat]

The original Halloween was being shown on a TV, tho, so it can't take place in the same universe.

[@fourcatsandagarden]

O: A movie that kills people you actually care about? (and where there are characters that are worth caring about) Bold! Even bolder: actually putting in the effort to endear one-scene characters to the audience

[@mr.intelligence2099]

We love you, Dena!

[@livingcorpse5664]

Yeah but the kid could run away and had a gun. The baby can't really fight back or even run away so there's no challenge. I feel like Micheal likes the chase if the victim can get away, and if they can fight back even better. He's like a character in a stealth game.

[@raulchuman2224]

A Halloween film den! I'm watching this one on the tv

[@livingcorpse5664]

I also like that this movie leaves it vague on if Michael is just a crazy person who is really strong or is in fact a spirit of evil taking shape, it gives just a hint that he might be a personification of evil when the pod-casters show his mask and the dogs freak out with the inmates. The could be magic, could be mundane trope.

[@alexandergerbery2794]

Here we go, Halloween properly starts!! Very nice, algorithm be pleased. Looking forward to second part already 👍 Take care Deena

[@jasonjoseph6497]

Been waiting for this review. Thanks Dena❤

[@Niktana]

October hype Bingo has begun! Cyborcat October Film Den! This is certainly a treat!

[@thatonezeldaguy250]

Lovely to see you again Dena

[@cowboyquebecanimations3068]

Apparently according to John Carpenter wanted the Halloween series to be like the conjuring series, each movie getting a spin off

[@bluethunder250]

I've always found serial killers to be interesting people. You wonder what it is that caused them to snap in the first place. Also, I like that it when they try to humanize Michael Myers.

[@TomMSTie1138]

After RESURRECTION, I was so beyond done with this franchise. But after seeing this review, I gotta see this film. And the Dwarf reference fucking killed me!😆😆😆

[@DjDown1984]

I hate everything from halloween 2 onwards, but this one is actually very good, it's done justice to the original and I cannot wait for halloween kills

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

1:34 Most do, the general consensus among Halloween fans is that Halloween 2 and 4 are considered pretty solid sequels, H20 is tolerable and Halloween 3 is fine as long as you treat it as it's own thing. However, between the Thorn Trilogy, Resurrection and Zombie's movies, all three timelines for the series were tainted beyond recognition so making a new timeline just made sense.

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

Hello Dena my old friend....its so wonderful to see you again! And upon this month you blessed me...with something wonderful to see.

[@livingcorpse5664]

On the news humanizing murderers and not their victims, yeah I was kind of pissed when that one guy killed several Asian woman at a massage parlor and they were saying he had a bad day. Everyone deserves a chance to tell their story, even the bad person but fuck off on the gunman had a bad day, you know who also had a bad day? The women he killed and their loved ones who will never see them again. It's gone too far, yes we need to remember the bad person is human, but let's not degrade the victims to being just that, there was more to their life than just being the victim of someone who murdered them, they had a life, hopes and dreams before that, they were people with their own life story.

[@jankreft6753]

I actually expected the podcasters to die, due to a small clip in a trailer that showed Michael smashing Aarons head against the door 😅

[@Cyborcat]

I hate when trailers do that. I probably either avoided it entirely or only saw it once and forgot by the time I saw the movie.

[@jankreft6753]

@@Cyborcat it's a really short bit, probably under a second long, but I remember it quite distinctly because I had to pause the video at this point due to a reason I forgot 😅 (perhaps someone was at the door or something like this)

[@drow_Lilith9940]

21:08 mike ofcouse i leave baby alive i am pure evil not a monster looking forward to the follow up

[@JenMistress]

You know, I've never noticed it until you pointed it out to me, now I don't think I'll be able to unsee it, but yes, it does resemble a knife. And this movie, I got the Blu Ray, and also came with a Digital Media Code, so can watch it easily, which I plan to watching it again already between now and when Halloween Kills come out. Watched the first one again a few nights ago. Anyways, thank you, enjoyed this video.

[@MsamaB3]

Happy Halloween, Dena! I hope that you are doing well! 🎃

[@Cyborcat]

Thanks, you too!

[@jasoncustomizer56]

I will be honest, I loved this film. I do feel that the patients reacting wasn't meant to be in bad taste. In my opinion I think it was mostly meant to show just how scary michael was. How much of a legend he had become. But I can also see your view and it's one I didn't even consider.

[@Hewylewis]

Ha! John Carpenter didn't even like Halloween 2. He said had to get DRUNK in order to get motivated to finish writing the script! He admitted the twist that Michael was Lauri's brother was a BAD idea.

[@ashtraydekay6624]

Excellent job, can't wait for part 2!

[@genyfear]

9:16 There should be a law if a little shit like this destroys your Halloween decor, you get to give him one free throat punch along with replacing your precious decor! Also, really liking the video so far. I appreciate calling out the movie for portraying the mentally ill like animals and the jab at Carpenter. (Haha)

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

3:56 actually no, that's not what they're doing. It's mean to emphasize that Michael is reacting to the mask, like his evil is so potent and has been awakened once again, both the mental patients and the dogs can sense it and are reacting to it.

[@Cyborcat]

That's still comparing mental patients to animals.

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

@@Cyborcat I don't think so. It's possible that because of their instability they are more aware of certain things or possibly because they are less aware of most things, they more easily pick it up. Also some mental patients are shown to be fairly unstable and dangerous.

[@Cyborcat]

They're still being shown alongside dogs doing the same things the dogs are doing. You can try to explain it any way you want, but it is what it is.

[@RedHatMeg]

@@Cyborcat It's kind of a shame, really. Because we have an ongoing theme with Michael being dehumanized by most people, while others try to humanize him again as a mentally ill person. The creators could make a point my showing how other patients are different than him; that THEY are "just humans" with mental illnesses that get dehumanized. Myers could be that silent, eerie and emotionless presence, while others would showcase fear, confusion, sadness, maybe even compassion for one another. And instead of them acting all animalistic, they could showcase various reactions caused by fear, like one patient cowering like a little kid, one saying to the guards: "Hey, he's trying something!", another one being looking for a weapon etc.

[@danielallen3454]

As do killing kids onscreen . . . yeah. This and Fear Street '78 are the only two films I can recall doing it in the 21st century.

[@Cyborcat]

IT: Chapter One had a pretty brutal one, right in the beginning.

[@danielallen3454]

@@Cyborcat Right! I forgot that one. Part II had one as well, in the carnival. Doctor Sleep also had a *terrible* one. That may be one taboo on its way out, huh?

[@Fairly-odd-kel]

I can't wait for Halloween! So happy to see a video here 😊

[@Barbayat79]

Algorhythm comment, onto part 2

[@RedHatMeg]

Ha, the best opening of the Halloween season - Film Den!

[@thomaslance5428]

Watching this and commenting, bit by bit maybe lol. Season of the Witch is in a universe where Halloween is a movie, not an event that happened. Remember it's on tv during the movie.

[@Cyborcat]

Trust me, I know.

[@nathanswag1006]

Thank god they ignored the cult of thorn. As much as I love paul Rudd, I’m glad they stopped doing the cult bull. Also universal: BRING BACK BUSTA RHYMES FOR HALLOWEEN ENDS

[@jwnj9716]

It's an ok movie. Basically H20 mixed with Halloween's greatest hits. So let's see if "H Kills" improves, off course the kills will be fun.

[@mirrorforce8025]

YES!!!! I love your horror reviews!!!

[@171QA]

Scary.

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

Also surprised I didn't see this coming. You reviewed the original Halloween and Halloween Kills comes out next week, this does seem appropriate.

[@BigDumbMovie]

oh, happy day!

[@WolfEntertainment]

I thought Halloween H20 was still pretty good. This movie took a lot of the great ideas from it & just expanded on them a bit more. I still like this movie though since it kept epic Laurie & totally erased Resurrection's awfulness.

[@Cyborcat]

H20 was hit-or-miss for me, but yeah, it was easily the best sequel until this one came out.

[@Axetwin]

Oh look bloggers who fancy themselves journalists yet carry themselves with zero sense journalistic decorum. Color me shocked. (I didn't use the I word there because it's become a dogwhistle, and I'm not about that) I liked how this movie and Scream acknowledge how fucked up it is to be "the final girl". That it's not just something you can shrug off but is a deeply traumatic experience.

[@hunnykun101]

Lori become Batman in this movie

[@Cyborcat]

Kinda, yeah!

[@VenusHeadTrap2]

Yay! The film den

[@kpopninja]

Engagement for the Algorithm Gods! Woooo Dena and Horror movies! Name a better combination.

[@livingcorpse5664]

Oh yeah, I loved this movie so much.

[@WolfEntertainment]

Will we ever get a Hannibal Lector Film Den one day, pretty please? 8)

[@Cyborcat]

Probably not, I never really followed those movies.

[@WolfEntertainment]

@@Cyborcat Dang. Well I still look forward to your potential Season of the Witch Film Den.

[@christopherb501]

I get why people like Halloween 2 (1981); I used to like it too. Do NOT get the appeal of #4-6.

[@neilprice513]

You can sort of have in your head cannon, with the last movie that retcons ALL the previous sequels to the original Halloween, That these now non canon sequels are in universe Hollywood films. They based those films on the events of the first movie and that they made stuff up to entertain audiences.

[@ianharvey4406]

This makes my heart happy

[@shogunfawkes]

The eye looks kind of a profile of the shape ,also it almost looks like the number 40.

[@DasKame]

HAPPY HALLOWEEN DENA (i miss the Ben Tramer count) XD

[@Cyborcat]

Same. I was totally hoping he'd get a mention somewhere in this movie XD

[@Nightman221k]

I really hated the murder of the kid. It never feels right in a horror movie to show children being brutally murdered. They have no defenses to make it feel right to show a giant man killing them. Just to show they would “go there” feels weird. Especially since in Halloween 1 Michael never actually messed with the kids even though he was watching Tommy and the mean boys. I also thought that Laurie’s granddaughter should have been the babysitter Vicky cause she was an endearing character, where as Alyson was a wet drip that didn’t get a lot of characterization outside her family. Laurie’s personality was kind of a wet drip in the original movie too, but you’d think they’d want to at least make you like her granddaughter look like more than just a blank slate. The only really good thing about her is that she is family oriented but that’s kind of it.

[@runningsuperska]

They show him stalking too much in the 2018 one.

[@leejones8582]

Are you seeing the new one?

[@Cyborcat]

Monday.

[@somewhatdweeb5194]

8:58 to 9:06 I see I’m still probably the only one who kind of agrees with him.

[@Cyborcat]

Yikes.

[@Kaiju_Queen94]

I think that the scene with the kid and his dad getting killed (mostly the kid) should have been cut out entirely, it just felt unnecessary IMO 😒

[@Cyberleader672]

16:00 who says that?

[@zionkraze9965]

Cinema Sins

[@Cyberleader672]

@@zionkraze9965 Thank you

[@dragon22214]

no there nothing wrong with lori dfid and cps would not take a kid away for gun trainiing

[@Cyborcat]

You are seriously missing the point. She filled her kid with fear and convinced her she was constantly in danger, resulting in her needing a lot of therapy. It wasn't specifically about guns.