South Africa isn’t really a country that celebrates Halloween (crying silently), but in the last few years there’s been a larger appearance of costumes and decorations. It’s still not as huge as it is in Western cultures, which means no extreme Halloween fun for me. We don’t even have orange pumpkins! So since I don’t go out Trick-or-treating, I will spend my time baking scary treats and watching Halloween themed movies and series. And of course, that includes films by the brilliant and twisted, Tim Burton.
Let’s kick off this very spooktacular list!
1) Vincent
image source: Fanpop
Although Vincent isn’t a very long film, it is really such an entertaining thing to watch. I’ve watched it at least a thousand times. This short film is about seven year old Vincent Malloy who pretends to be Vincent Price. He is obsessed with Edgar Allen Poe and tries to turn his pet dog into a zombie. The poetic narration by Vincent Price is eerie and it showcases Tim Burton’s talents. There is also an early form of Jack Skellington as a cameo!
2) Beetlejuice
image source: abc7
Beetlejuice is a classic that everyone should know by now. Barbara and Adam Maitland are killed in a car accident when Barbara swerves out of the way to avoid hitting a dog. With their Handbook for the Recently Deceased and new owners moving into their house, they call upon Betelgeuse, a bio-exorcist ghost, to scare away the new owners. I simply adore the colorful, yet twisted comedy.
3) Corpse Bride
image source: Sneaky Experience
Corpse Bride is an extremely adorable musical fantasy about Victor Van Dort who finds himself accidentally married to Emily, a bride who was murdered on the night of her secret elopement. Watch as a love triangle travels between the World of the Living and the World of the Dead. Oh, and it includes Johnny Depp.
4) Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
image source: vignette2
Ah, Sweeney Todd, one of my favorite musicals. Benjamin Barker has the perfect family until a corrupt judge charges him with a crime he didn’t commit. Years later, after returning from exile, Benjamin changes his name to Sweeney Todd and opens a barber shop above Mrs. Nellie Lovett’s meat pie shop. From her he hears that the judge raped his wife, who later poisoned herself with arsenic. The judge also has their daughter. Sweeney Todd vows revenge and later he and Mrs. Lovett bakes his victims into pies. Cannibal flavored pie anyone?
5) Edward Scissorhands
image source: Modern-Vinyl
Edward Scissorhands is one of my favorite movies of all time. The tale follows Edward, an artificial man whose creator dies before he can give him real hands. Edward is taken in by a sweet family and falls in love with their daughter, though not everyone accepts him. A really amazing role to see Johnny Depp in.
6) Frankenweenie
image source: ignimgs.com
Frankenweenie makes me smile and cry. Victor, a nerd and outsider, has one best friend in the entire world, his dog, Sparky. But when Sparky is hit by a car and dies (queue tears here), Victor decides to do the science thing and bring his beloved friend back from the dead. Of course not everyone in the town is happy that something came back from the dead.
7) Sleepy Hollow
image source: Schmoesknow
In the town of Sleepy Hollow there is a mysterious Headless Horseman leaving a trail of murders behind him and Ichabod Crane is sent to investigate. This film is dark and just perfect for Halloween.
8) The Nightmare Before Christmas
image source: schmoesknow/
This is the embodiment of Halloween (and Christmas) and it sparked my love for the spooky holiday. The Nightmare before Christmas is the best movie of all time! The magical story revolves around Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King and ruler of Halloween as he organizes the annual Halloween holiday. However, Jack has grown tired of the same routine and longs for something more. He eventually stumbled upon the seven holiday doors and enters Christmas Town. After witnessing a new and mystical holiday, Jack becomes obsessed and tries to assume the role of “Sandy Claws”. Beautiful characters, quirky songs and one of the best love stories ever, the Nightmare before Christmas never disappoints even after millions of viewings.
So join me in my love for adorable dogs, serial killer pies and skeleton-like characters as I get my Halloween on with some Tim Burton. Because, this is Halloween, this is Halloween! Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween!
This post is a part of our Halloween 2015 Party. To see the Halloween schedule, click here.
So lovely to see the appreciation for all these. Thank you!