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

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Dena talks about the John Carpenter classic that jump-started the slasher film genre of the 80's.
Phalloween 6: The Hairbrained Explanation of Michael Myers: • Halloween 6: The Curse...

[@coreynukem2328]

To anyone wondering, it is explained in the Halloween novel that Michael started paying attention to how a car operated because he was constantly being driven to his psychiatric evaluations.

[@Cyborcat]

FYI: I'm in Portland, so I may be slower to respond to comments than usual.

[@graciegj63]

You doing ok?

[@Axetwin]

What's happening in Portland? (Non-US resident here)

[@Cyborcat]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn-tnZqQg5WlhLs

[@Cyborcat]

I'm fine, just on vacation.

[@Axetwin]

Cyborcat Oh right, of course! I forgot you said in your recent Vlog that you're from Sacramento. Sorry.

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

Also I object ot Halloween 4 being Shit, I personally think it was awesome. Making the would be victim a small child instead of a teenager adds to the suspense and you genuinely feel sorry for Jamie as he entire world is ripped apart in one night and the trauma effects her much worse than Laurie.

[@overlookers]

I vividly remember my youngest sister never seeing Jason or Freddy as scary but stupid. And yet, refusing at tears to watching Halloween. "What's so scary about Michael Myers?" "because He could happen."

[@Cyborcat]

He definitely comes across like he could be a real-life stalker, especially in those earlier scenes.

[@freaknr1]

Halloween is a classic, and I think it's a lot of fun to hear your thoughts on it.:-) Carpenter's musical skills and use of sound can't be understated. He can make both wonderful mood-music and kick-ass pumping rythms. I had the pleasure of seeing him playing his music live last month, and it was amazing! :D

[@jayjeckel]

Excellent as always. You point out several things that other reviews have missed, like the lack of music after the strangling starts. I'd never consciously noticed that and it was very interesting to have it pointed out. I love your Film Den videos and looking forward to part 2. Happy Halloween. :)

[@dragonskunkstudio7582]

I love Illinois with all those palm trees and how leaves stay green up until November and how the school hallways are outdoors. :P

[@shannongrayson6729]

I have been a HUGE fan of yours for a really long time. I am always so excited for your Halloween videos. This so happens to be my favorite scary movie. Looking forward to part 2!

[@Sweetestsadist]

G.I. Joe the movie (animated) has the best movie intro ever. Every time I watch it, my chest hair re-grows itself into the stars and stripes.

[@RedHatMeg]

Since last year you did a review of Halloween 2018, I decided that next October I will watch your reviews of old and new Halloween side to side. Today I saw that you posted also a review of Halloween Kills, which gave me the push to finally put my plan into action.

[@ChibiFighter]

This comment is not related to anything specific about the Movie but I Love how HUGE that bowl of Popcorn is that Annie makes.

[@silentjoe]

Child's play 2 is one of my favorite. That 3rd act in the factory is awesome.

[@BlindmansJesus]

This timing is absolutely perfect. I went to see John Carpenter in concert last night. The show was amazing, and I got to see the Halloween theme, along with a lot of others live.

[@DrGregoryHouseIT]

Carpenter also did the music for The Fog, and it fits just as well as this does. Also, apparently Lynda was a fan of the word of the month calendars, as in the novelization they say she used a different word extensively every month, and 'totally' just happened to be the one for October, and as it turned out the final one. Trivia: in Italian, my language, they kind of twist this by translating the word in two different ways, 'totalmente' but mostly 'al limite' (literally 'to the limit') which has a different meaning ('at the very least'), suggesting also that Lynda is not very book-smart.

[@JBuddis]

Carpenter wrote the music for most of his own movies. I'd say it's more notable when he DIDN'T do that, like with The Thing.

[@Cyborcat]

Interesting. I've seen a lot of his movies, but I didn't start paying attention to whether he did the music until recently.

[@hafaball]

He's said he really doesn't care about the music so he makes it very fast, but that minimalism ironically works amazingly well.

[@scissormon]

I loved part 2 personally. The idea of Micheal still after a wounded Laurie in a hospital was tense. The ending was the best in my opinion and should've been canon.

[@NodDisciple1]

Well, it kind of was. Loomis was still pretty scarred up from it for several films.

[@crakatoot5480]

I agree. Halloween is the best of all the slasher sequels. Never got the respect it deserves. And yes it is not as good as the original. Of course that’s true, but how many films are as good as the original.

[@reddeath555]

Dena you're awesome! thank you for doing a film den on Halloween!

[@ChuckingDice]

Awesome retrospective! I can't wait for the next part. Also you're looking TOTALLY amazing these days, Dena!

[@Cyborcat]

Thanks! ^.^

[@msnorringtonsims6536]

love this. wish you did them more often

[@grandamecthulhua6496]

I'm so happy you're reviewing Halloween! It's my favorite slasher film! I saw your view on Channel Awesome's website and immediately had to put everything aside and watch it! Great part one! Can't wait for part two! That being said, when it comes to the sequels, Halloween II is my favorite sequel, followed by Halloween 4, and then after that, I just don't care XD

[@MaximumMadnessStixon]

2:10 ... A friend of mine recently suggested that the cut between the nose and mouth of the pumpkin during the opening credits is supposed to represent a handle, while the nose represents a blade- essentially that the pumpkin has the hidden image of a knife on his face. I don't know if that was actually the intention, but it's all I can see now when I watch the opening credits. (And it looks even more like it in the opening credits of the 2018 sequel.)

[@novocaine09]

It was, they did it even more clear in Halloween 2018

[@novocaine09]

That's also why it zooms in on the eye

[@Cyborcat]

Holy shit!

[@NebLleb]

Carpenter's Halloween! Saw it for the first time a year ago. I might've been privy to the tropes it started, but it was a true masterpiece. Michael/The Shape is honestly my personal favourite slasher villain that isn't Freddy Krueger. He's an embodiment of pure evil and is nigh supernatural without BEING supernatural. He doesn't discriminate, he doesn't speak, he doesn't even live. He just kills. And savours every moment of his killing. _My kind of guy!_

[@nolanhewitt2563]

The carving of the pumpkin is deliberate the nose is a knife the eye is Michael's mask

[@Cyborcat]

Yep, didn't pick up on that until later.

[@DasKame]

Thx for the Upload, love your Film Den

[@hafaball]

I've never been a big fan of these movies, I always thought they were a little dated, though I am a huge fan of other Carpenter movies. But you really do a good job in saying why they should still be appreciated.

[@jasoncustomizer56]

I'm glad to see you reviewing this movie. I can't wait to see what you think of the rest of the movie.

[@sebastianemond5313]

5:14 Fun fact, there's a wrench attached to the inside of that guy's palm, allowin him to make it look like he was strong enough to smash that window.

[@Cyborcat]

Yeah, I've since had that pointed out to me. If you know about it, it's easy to spot, too.

[@IThinkItsForYou]

Just found your channel and subscribed immediately. These videos are awesome!

[@Cyborcat]

Thanks! Welcome aboard ^.^

[@jasonjoseph6497]

Dena is looking good in this video. Coming back to rewatch this series. Dena is crush worthy

[@Fracpanda7414]

Here in El paso. I enjoy your reviews. I love horror alot. Thank you very much.

[@juliettemarie3255]

i've never actually seen kids trick or treating after dark. in my neighborhood, kids start trick or treating around 2:30-3:00ish and by 7:00 it's only teenagers

[@Cyborcat]

That's interesting. I guess it depends on the area.

[@drow_Lilith9940]

one year later still fun video to watch and happy halloween

[@Cyborcat]

Thanks, you too ^.^

[@ThePomeranianPrince]

totally not relevant to the review, but your halloween decorations are absolutely gorgeous. I'm jealous.

[@Cyborcat]

Most of them are from Dollar Tree.

[@bujilou]

You have great reviews!

[@scareBro]

Michael Myers is my favorite horror movie villain. I'm sorry you don't really care for the sequels, but I think 4 (my favorite of the sequels) is pretty solid and a great follow up to 2

[@graciegj63]

That strangling scene looked too real and made me uncomfortable. So I guess Carpenter succeeded in what he intended to do there.

[@rebelnj973]

The pumpkin in the beginning of the movie the left eye is myers mask an nose is the hand with a knife thats why it looks odd

[@RedSpade37]

Just wanted to say I agree with your Top 3 Slasher Sequels!

[@Nightman221k]

I think it’s so cool that your favorite Nightmare on Elm Street is my favorite one too! I love the Alice movies. Alice and her friends in 4 are ALL likable and it breaks my heart that they all die. I really like horror where I care about the characters and don’t want them to die and feel emotionally sad about their deaths. I also like that most of the deaths are interesting (except for Rick, I love him as a character and his good big brother relationship with Alice, but invisible Freddy isn’t a death that worked well) and seeing Alice become empowered and embody the traits she admires in her friends to free their souls is great storytelling. I really would love to see you review more NoES movies since it’s my favorite horror franchise.

[@Cyborcat]

I really like that whole "trilogy" of 3-5, but yeah, 4 is my favorite, even if most people seem to prefer 3. I may be a little bit biased because 4 came out when I was really getting into horror movies and it ended up being the first Nightmare movie I saw. I'd love to go back to covering Nightmare movies. Now that I'm almost done with Hellraiser, maybe I'll make it a yearly thing to replace that.

[@coreynukem2328]

A FILM DEN!! Oh Btw, you look great, Dena!! :)

[@Cyborcat]

Thanks!

[@RandomAmerican3000]

19:50 Wouldn't it be that Micheal was in the car to begin with and he's the one who locked it. Then later unlocked when she went to get the keys. Not sure why he would do that, but it takes a while to get the inside of a car that foggy.

[@-MrFozzy-]

I’m going through a bunch of the den shows, but mostly all the red dwarf stuff, horror isn’t my thing, but the classics like Halloween films aren’t really horror to me. So I’m slowly watching everything I know I’ll enjoy, thanks

[@Cyborcat]

Horror definitely isn't for everyone. Hope you're enjoying everything else ^.^

[@koppsr]

Love thi^s ^^ and all your other horror movie reviews^^ Did you also make one for The Thing? Or maybe a comparison or a dou-review about the Thing and the Remake/prequel? that would be SO awesome! ^^ greetings from germany and keep the awesome vids comin :)

[@Cyborcat]

Thankies. No, haven't done The Thing yet, but it's on my list.

[@princesssookeh]

I love your shirt this episode!

[@Cyborcat]

Thanks ^.^

[@jeremy.802.]

My favorite horror film and slasher of all time

[@AnimeFreakLucky7]

For some reason KZbin is being a douche and didn't notify me that you uploaded this. Thanks anyway, Dena!:)

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

Good choice, I personally would have gone with Halloween 4 but still awesome.

[@alanmctavish4802]

When i was a kid age 5 when halloween was made in 1978. I think i first seen it in 1980 at age 7 and i have always thought the first one was the best, with that scary music to it. It just seemend perfect for that time, i may have seen it in 1978 but was just a bit young to remember it. But its always been a favourite slasher film and every one liked halloween. Especialy the scene when they drive up to the hospital to see michael and its a dark wet night then out the blue you see these men walking about in the dark, in the rain and up so close to a fence that to me only looks about 7ft high, and dr lumas panicks a bit as he knows what type of patients are behind that fence and no matter what he makes it plain to the hospital dr that myers should never have been able to escape in the first place as its meant to be a high security hospital with walls at 40ft, and to be allowed out in the dark to wonder about? Halloween one, is the best one, it has to be. And we see him as a young 8 year old kid that looked perfectly normal and nothing like the wee bits that we did see for a second in other films. I have seen that many over the years i lost count as to how many i have seen. I think its 2 or 4 that are good and one is really good. I remember the worse one when kids bought and wore this mask they saw on tv they became killers or something like that, toys as well were involved. It was so bad, i think it was three or five? A mean its got to 8 and more now, i think. But brilliant film in its time. Halloween one, and two and four, and am sure 5 was good. There was one when donald pleasance was in one again and it was great, but i cant mind what one it was. And at the end when all seemend ok as they did, some one left a mask on the stairs after dr lumas had killed him and the girl aged 6 i think went to pick it up and dr lumas shouted "NO DONT TOUCH THAT MASK" and it took you back to halloween one when a young michael picked up a mask on the stairs before killing his sister. But it was becouse he had evil in him and what he left and others touched that meant they were now evil like him as dr lumas found out. But that one was good!

[@MRevelle83]

Good timing. Since John Carpenter is now working on another Halloween movie. :P

[@ConnerNecromancer]

Sees the video. Immediately likes it

[@mr.intelligence2099]

YES I LOVE HALLOWEEN AND I LOVE YA TOO DENA

[@sebastianemond5313]

1. Halloween (1978) 2. Halloween (2018) 3. Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998) 4. Halloween 4 (1988) 5. Halloween (2007) 6. Halloween Season of the Witch (1983) 7. Halloween II (1981) 8. Halloween 2 (2009) 9. Halloween 5 (1989) 10. Halloween 6 (1995) 11. Halloween: Resurrection (2002)

[@tavila]

Holly shit he ate Lester! 7 years and like 6 time lines and that finally came to me.

[@michaelmitrovic8581]

Hey Dena! What are your thoughts on the new Halloween trailer? Seems like they watched your videos and just did away with the rest of the series, and I guess we’ll see if it’s for the better (I bet it will be) 🎃

[@tamarasocha8731]

Thanks alot

[@DirectorLawrence]

Maybe it's not the best explanation but I always assumed Michael was in the car with the doors locked then unlocked it before she came back. Why? That I can't explain. Also, the one thing that bothers me about this movie is the laundry scene. As someone living in the Midwest, there is no way anyone would be stupid enough to have an outdoor laundry room. I know it was filmed in California and it's minor grip but it still sticks out to me.

[@novocaine09]

If you look closely, there is a wrench in the hand that breaks the car window :)

[@Cyborcat]

Yeah, I somehow never noticed that until someone pointed it out.

[@lamarfinesse8753]

3:36-356 💀 lol love how she went in

[@amatueraceva1319]

When Lori's friend says "Speed kills" was that a clip of Phelous as Michael?

[@Cyborcat]

Yep! ^.^

[@nancycottone2155]

Could you please review the Scream series?

[@schalasmagic]

I really like the black cat screensaver that you have. Where did you get it? Did you make it? I would like to get it for my computer. Thanks.

[@Cyborcat]

Yep, I originally made it for my Silent Hill videos to mimic the "Warning screen" in Silent Hill 3. Here's a link to the DeviantArt page: razia.deviantart.com/art/Game-Den-Warning-Screen-background-344246479 Sorry it's not a very high resolution--I made it way back when videos were low-res and I didn't think I'd end up using it as wallpaper at the time.

[@schalasmagic]

I didn't know you had a deviantart page. I really like your work. Thank you,Dena.

[@Cyborcat]

Thanks, and no prob ^.^

[@christopherritenour2330]

This is my favorite movie

[@spongegarboi509]

Man I'm excited for the reboot I'm glad John carpenter is finally back on board! Can't wait for new scares with the reimagining :)

[@Razorgeist]

You should do a filmden for Friday 7

[@MaxiAkse]

In my humble opinion, A nightmare on Elm Street has the best horror movie opening. You got scary as hell ambient while some heavy breathing maniac making his killing "tool". Dena, what do think about it? I saw this for the first time when i was 5 or 6 years old and it scared for fucking life!

[@Cyborcat]

I like the opening to NoES a lot, but it doesn't have the same effect on me as Halloween. Granted, it's been a while since I saw it, but I don't remember it giving me that feeling of dread that the opening to Halloween did. It COULD be that I ended up seeing most of the NoES sequels before seeing the first (not by choice--just because I got into the series late and the original wasn't shown on TV as often), so for me it was more along the lines of "Oh, this when Freddy making his glove--neat!"

[@tylerdurst2247]

Have you considered reviewing Alien?

[@Wilmeiser]

You pointed out John Carpenter's cameo, but not Debra Hill's cameo as Michael looking back at Tommy from across the street.

[@MRevelle83]

She was also six year old Michael's arm in the beginning, lol.

[@Cyborcat]

I actually didn't know she had any cameos--I don't recall it being mentioned in the Wikipedia or TV Tropes articles.

[@Wilmeiser]

Cyborcat It's uncredited. Did you watch any of the featurettes on the dvd/blu-rays? That's how I found out.

[@Cyborcat]

No. I really should have, but I was short on time.

[@swolby9230]

5:23 How does he know how to drive?

[@butchdeadlift10]

I am still trying to come up with a celebratory phrase for the arrival of your videos. Still got nothing. "Every danced with the Dena in the pale moon light?"

[@r4z0rv1n3]

What if the door was unlocked and then he locked it when he got in the car?

[@Cyborcat]

Annie tried to open it and was locked, which is why she realized she didn't have her keys, hence why she left and he was somehow in the car when she got back.

[@r4z0rv1n3]

@@Cyborcat I haven't seen it in a while did he appear in between when she went to get the keys? Cause otherwise he could have been in there the whole time having locked the door the first time from inside the car for whatever reason.

[@Cyborcat]

No, he didn't show up until after she got in the car and noticed the steam on the window.

[@jeremy.802.]

I love Halloween 2 not a bad film at all

[@ZeNatoto]

Long time fan, love your videos, but one little thing did bug me a bit. So after Carpenter and Hill got tired of Michael Myers (after Halloween II) they agreed to make a third film as long as it included no Myers with the intent to shift the focus on telling a different horror story with different monsters from that point on. Of course, that failed, but that was the original intent, so does that really make H3 a sequel in name only? Usually, I consider SINO films that were originally completely different films, but someone slapped another property on it (Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights was originally a drama about Cuban Independence I think written by the guy that hosts Wait Wait Don't Tell Me on NPR) and if the intent was to change the formula...I don't know, they went back to Myers because it failed, but it would've been interesting to see how the series went if it was better received. Maybe we wouldn't have a cringe-worthy movie where Michael kills Coolio? I don't know, it walks a thin line, but for me, I wouldn't call it a sequel in name only just because of intent of Carpenter and Hill, though, I do think it's partially subjective depending on if you look at production from the first film to the last or vice versa. It's interesting nonetheless and great video, can't wait for part 2!

[@Cyborcat]

To me, a sequel continues a story line of a previous movie (or whatever). Since Season of the Witch takes place in an entirely different universe, it's definitely not part of the story that the previous Halloween movies started, so that's why I call it a "sequel in name only". Now I don't know if that's the official definition of a sequel or not, but that's how I've always defined it. Otherwise, you could call any of John Carpenter's movies sequels of each other.

[@ZeNatoto]

Thanks for the clarification, that makes sense, thank you!

[@Cyborcat]

No prob ^.^

[@Lightice1]

I always wondered who taught Michael to drive a car...

[@graciegj63]

Maybe he was allowed to watch driving films.

[@alexsiren7829]

I kinda find this movie kinda funny

[@christopherritenour2330]

Actually, John Carpenter did the music for all of his movies, not just Halloween and They Live

[@Cyborcat]

I didn't say he only did those. I mentioned They Live, specifically, because I covered it previously.

[@christopherritenour2330]

@@Cyborcat You should do one on John Carpenter's The Thing

[@Cyborcat]

I'll definitely get to that one at some point ^.^

[@neilprice513]

The Rob Zombie remake wasn't too bad, it was enjoyable (compared to most classic horror remakes) and had more scenes showing Michael doing the "Pure Evil" killer thing. The Rob Zombie sequel was just awfull in the worst way.

[@chrishastmann6737]

Will you ever do the hellraiser movies

[@Axetwin]

Are you joking, or are you serious?

[@chrishastmann6737]

yes. she said she was going to do all of them. and she stopped at bloodline.

[@Nightman221k]

I hope she continues the Hellraiser films. They get sooo bad after the 4th one!

[@Axetwin]

Chris Hastmann Then the proper question should be " will you *continue* doing them" not "will you *ever* do them" . The difference between the two words changes the tone and context of the question.

[@Cyborcat]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZDEgqugbtB1gcU tl;dw: I can't just do nothing but Hellraiser movies--I do other stuff in-between.

[@Godzilla-tu2cd]

ah yes halloween the class and amazing movie if only Michael myers got more respect nowadays

[@Diamondelle84]

16:47 All she needed was a damp rag. lol

[@connornoiles2447]

Your like a female version of Chris Stuckmann.. I like that. Have you done Misery? I'm new to you

[@Cyborcat]

I love Chris Stuckmann, so I'll take that as a compliment ^.^ I haven't done Misery yet, but I'm tentatively planning on doing it in December.

[@connornoiles2447]

Have you done SAW 1?.. It's not that gore fest you think it is.. That's the dumb sequels.. It's really well made

[@Cyborcat]

I've seen the first Saw, but haven't done a video about it, yet.

[@connornoiles2447]

Its the only one that is actually scary

[@Cyborcat]

I can believe that, based on what I've heard.

[@Diamondelle84]

9:15 That'll a nickel in the swear jar, young lady..lol

[@zachgamemaster3329]

My opinion is a little different when it comes to the sequels. The first and second are great movies and would have been great if it stopped there. H20 was the only good sequel after that. I just do not like Michael. Unlike Freddy, Jason, Pinhead or even Chucky, Michael didn't have an other worldly element to him. He's a normal human. He's just described as pure evil, and apernetly that's how he can survive everything thrown at him. Plus at lest the kids from Nightmare and Friday won a few battles and put the villain down. Every time Michael is put down, he just takes a short nap, and gets back up.

[@ForbiddenFruit73]

I'd argue that even in the first film it was implied that there might be something supernatural about him.

[@zachgamemaster3329]

ForbiddenFruit73 I may be forgetting something since I haven't seen the movie in some time, but the only thing that I can remember that suggests he's supernatural is being shot a bunch of times and falling off the balcony without dieing. I could write that off as a bullet proof vest and the fall from the second floor slowed him down.

[@ForbiddenFruit73]

That's part of it, but I was also thinking about the whole mystery surrounding him. Like how it's never made clear why he's so evil and what his connection with Halloween is, the way he keeps appearing and disappearing (including in the final scene), and the way he's constantly being described something other than human (again, including the final scene). Yeah you can easily interpret him as a normal psycho, but I always thought the first film did such a good job building up this otherworldly aura around Michael that you weren't sure what to make of him. Is he just figuratively the Boogeyman or could he actually be him in some way?

[@flare3000]

Its halloween again. cant wait for the new silent hill review. ya know... the pachinko machine.

[@Cyborcat]

HIT THE LEVER!!!