It is the Return of What Scares Us about HALLOWEEN and Now He's Home on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray/DVD and in time to remind you there are only 309 shopping days left until the spooky season from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and writer/director David Gordon Green, Danny McBride and Jeff Fradley from the characters created by John Carpenter and Debra Hill is the return of HALLOWEEN.

It has been forty years since Lorie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) has had to deal with the likes of Michael Meyers in Haddonfield. When two documentary filmmakers come knocking on her door to ask about the night all that long ago, she gives her opinion and throws them out of her fortress laden house.

Strode has been living a secluded life much to the dismay of daughter Karen (Judy Greer) who still holds a grudge about her childhood and granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) who wants a relationship with her grandmother. The problem is Strode believes that a time will come when Michael will return.

Her fears are actually being relocated to another facility and Dr. Sartain (Haluk Bilginer) isn’t happy about it at all. When other patients along with Michael are loaded onto the bus, the good doctor makes it clear that he will see his patient checked into the new facility. Sheriff Frank Hawkins (Will Patton) knows about the transfer and sees how it is affecting Strode.

When the bus mysteriously crashes, the carnage begins immediately as Michael makes his way back to the place where it all began. Surviving the crash is Dr. Sartain who makes it very clear that Michael is the property of the state and can’t be harmed. One call after another leads Sheriff Hawkins to body after body with no sign of Michael.

Strode isn’t about to sit around and wait for something to happen and joins in the hunt to find the psycho killer. Granddaughter Allyson is at a high school party but after being upset by boyfriend Cameron (Dylan Arnold), she takes off towards home escorted by friend Oscar (Drew Scheid) and within moments she learns how cruel Michael can be.

Strode gets daughter Karen and her husband Ray (Toby Huss) back to her fortress while the police try and locate Allyson. When everyone else is knocked down one by one, it is up to the women in the Strode family to come together and finish what was started over forty years ago.

And this time pour some gas on it!

Curtis as Lorie Strode jumps into character without missing a beat. It is ridiculous how good she jumped back in and how much I believed that this is how it would play out. Admit it – we all wondered where the character would go and now we get to see it for ourselves. Oh I’ll just say it – I just love Curtis as an actress and a person. Having listened to her speak about her career and embracing the success that the HALLOWEEN franchise brought her then and now is a testament to just how frakken cool she is. She takes Strode to another character level and she does it with grey hair and a bad ass attitude.

Greer as Karen is a bit of a downer for me in that she has totally moves away from understanding her mother. Instead she lies to her own daughter about communication and basically treats Mom/Lorie like a whack-job. Of course she jumps on the whiny ‘oh my poor childhood’ band wagon but hey, suck it up chickie, your mother taught you to survive – remember that because we all certainly would want her on our side!

Matichak as Allyson is the screamer of the family apparently. Strode in her younger years didn’t scream as much as this kid does. I mean serious, stop running down the empty street screaming like a banshee – it’s like ringing the dinner bell for a starving lion for gawd’s sake. Other than that, you did a good job kid and if there is another HALLOWEEN I’m sure you’re on the menu again so keep those track shoes handy.

Patton as Hawkins is a cop who remembers what happened forty years ago just as much as Strode does. Once the word is out that Meyers is on the loose, he doesn’t waste any time hitting the streets and doesn’t mind when Strode steps in with her loaded weapon to do what needs to be done. I’m a Patton fan in case anyone was curious about that.

Bilginer as Dr. Sartain is a doctor who needs a doctor. His agenda is pretty much the reason there are medical boards that take away your license – know that mister!

Shout out to the two gentlemen that brought us the scares both mentally and physically – James Jude Courtney and Nick Castle – thank you sirs for your valiant successful efforts in freaking us out forty years later. Well played sirs, well played.

Other cast include Rhian Reese as Dana Haines, Jefferson Hall as Aaron Korey, Virginia Gardner as Vicky, Miles Robbins as Dave, Jibrail Nantambu as Julian and, of course James Jude Courtney and Nick Castle as Michael Meyers.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us all to experience and re-experience in our own home theatres. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

The Bonus Features for HALLOWEEN is not to be missed! There is deleted and extended scenes that I’ve watched twice with Extended Shooting Range, Shower Mask Visit, Jog to a Hanging Dog, Allyson and Friends at School, Cameron and Cops Don’t Mix, Deluxe Banh Mi Cops, and Sartain and Hawkins Ride Along. Also included is Back in Haddonfield: Making HALLOWEEN, The Original Scream Queen, The Sound of Fear, Journey of the Mask and The Legacy of Halloween.

MOVIES ANYWHERE is the digital app that simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. For more information please visit http://moviesanywhere.com.

HALLOWEEN is an epic horror film that doesn’t hesitate to nod here and there to the original 1978 film that scared the living acorn candy out of most of us. Of course you can once again expect Michael Meyers to get creative in the way that he disposes of those who get in his way and this time age doesn’t seem to matter. He gives equal horror to all!

I jumped, hollered a bit, put my hand over my mouth, said ‘ewwwwwwww’ a lot, applauded, said ‘daaaaaaaaaaang’ many, many times and cheered. Lorie Strode and family had to make a few sacrifices but darn it if Michael doesn’t make them all work for ever second of survival.

I can honestly tell you that I am still excited about the film. Look, this isn’t rocket science but it’s enough rocket fuel to make those who remember 1978 happy and horror fans giddy to once again remember why we freak out seeing rubber Shatner masks coming our way.

This is a fun, spine chilling film that is a bloody run down memory lane and I can’t wait to see it again and again – with my hands off my face this next time!

In the end – believe in the Boogie-man!

It is the Return of What Scares Us about HALLOWEEN

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday just in time for the spooky season from Miramax and writer/director David Gordon Green, Danny McBride and Jeff Fradley from the characters created by John Carpenter and Debra Hill is the return of HALLOWEEN.

It has been forty years since Lorie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) has had to deal with the likes of Michael Meyers in Haddonfield. When two documentary filmmakers come knocking on her door to ask about the night all that long ago, she gives her opinion and throws them out of her fortress laden house.

Strode has been living a secluded life much to the dismay of daughter Karen (Judy Greer) who still holds a grudge about her childhood and granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) who wants a relationship with her grandmother. The problem is Strode believes that a time will come when Michael will return.

Her fears are actually being relocated to another facility and Dr. Sartain (Haluk Bilginer) isn’t happy about it at all. When other patients along with Michael are loaded onto the bus, the good doctor makes it clear that he will see his patient checked into the new facility. Sheriff Frank Hawkins (Will Patton) knows about the transfer and sees how it is affecting Strode.

When the bus mysteriously crashes, the carnage begins immediately as Michael makes his way back to the place where it all began. Surviving the crash is Dr. Sartain who makes it very clear that Michael is the property of the state and can’t be harmed. One call after another leads Sheriff Hawkins to body after body with no sign of Michael.

Strode isn’t about to sit around and wait for something to happen and joins in the hunt to find the psycho killer. Granddaughter Allyson is at a high school party but after being upset by boyfriend Cameron (Dylan Arnold), she takes off towards home escorted by friend Oscar (Drew Scheid) and within moments she learns how cruel Michael can be.

Strode gets daughter Karen and her husband Ray (Toby Huss) back to her fortress while the police try and locate Allyson. When everyone else is knocked down one by one, it is up to the women in the Strode family to come together and finish what was started over forty years ago.

And this time pour some gas on it!

Curtis as Lorie Strode jumps into character without missing a beat. It is ridiculous how good she jumped back in and how much I believed that this is how it would play out. Admit it – we all wondered where the character would go and now we get to see it for ourselves. Oh I’ll just say it – I just love Curtis as an actress and a person. Having listened to her speak about her career and embracing the success that the HALLOWEEN franchise brought her then and now is a testament to just how frakken cool she is.

Greer as Karen is a big of a downer for me in that she has totally moves away from understanding her mother. Instead she lies to her own daughter about communication and basically treats Mom Lorie like a whack-job. Of course she jumps on the whiny ‘oh my poor childhood’ band wagon but hey, suck it up chickie, your mother taught you to survive – remember that!

Matichak as Allyson is the screamer of the family apparently. Strode in her younger years didn’t scream as much as this kid does. I mean serious, stop running down the empty street screaming like a banshee – it’s like ringing the dinner bell for a starving lion for gawd’s sake. Other than that, you did a good job kid and if there is another HALLOWEEN I’m sure you’re on the menu again so keep those track shoes handy.

Patton as Hawkins is a cop who remembers what happened forty years ago just as much as Strode does. Once the word is out that Meyers is on the loose, he doesn’t waste any time hitting the streets and doesn’t mind when Strode steps in with her loaded weapon to do what needs to be done. I’m a Patton fan in case anyone was curious about that.

Bilginer as Dr. Sartain is a doctor who needs a doctor. His agenda is pretty much the reason there are boards that take away your license – know that!

Shout out to the two gentlemen that brought us the scares both mentally and physically – James Jude Courtney and Nick Castle – thank you sirs for your valiant successful efforts in freaking us out forty years later. Well played sirs, well played.

Other cast include Rhian Reese as Dana Haines, Jefferson Hall as Aaron Korey, Virginia Gardner as Vicky, Miles Robbins as Dave, Jibrail Nantambu as Julian and, of course James Jude Courtney and Nick Castle as Michael Meyers.

HALLOWEEN is an epic horror film that doesn’t hesitate to nod here and there to the original 1978 film that scared the living acorn candy out of most of us. Of course you can once again expect Michael Meyers to get creative in the way that he disposes of those who get in his way and this time age doesn’t seem to matter. He gives equal horror to all!

I jumped, hollered a bit, put my hand over my mouth, said ‘ewwwwwwww’ a lot, applauded, said ‘daaaaaaaaaaang’ many, many times and cheered. Lorie Strode and family had to make a few sacrifices but darn it if Michael doesn’t make them all work for ever second of survival.

After the film I can honestly tell you that everyone, and I mean everyone at the screening was talking excitedly about the film. Look, this isn’t rocket science but it’s enough rocket fuel to make those who remember 1978 happy and horror fans giddy to once again remember why we freak out seeing rubber Shatner masks coming our way.

This is a fun, spine chilling film that is a bloody run down memory lane and I can’t wait to see it again – with my hands off my face this next time!

In the end – believe in the Boogie-man!

Friday's Line-Up Include Zombies, a look at HALLOWEEN and a BUMBLEBEE

Jeri Jacquin

It's Friday and that means we are at the halfway point of San Diego Comic Con 2018 - yet it doesn't feel like it! That's a good thing because it's another early morning gathering up badges, laptops, phone (with extra charger) and water, water and more water.

Friday is also the day fans of the zombie world are hoping to get answers about their favorite characters but let us not jump ahead too much. The first panel of the morning is the DR. HORRIBLE'S SING-ALONG BLOG brings a reunion of Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, Nathan Fillion, Felicia Day and Maurissa Tancharoen back to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the show. To be honest, anytime Nat Fillion is on a panel I will be there with bells on, he's hilarious!

AMC brings a double dose of zombies with FEAR THE WALKING DEAD and the cast panel to talk about where the show left off midseason and the shocker that everyone is still talking about. Scott M. Gimple, Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Dave Alpert and executive producer Greg Nicotero give fans teasers as the show prepares to return to finish out the season on August 12th.

There wouldn't be a FEAR THE WALKING DEAD without the next panel of AMC's THE WALKING DEAD with Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride and Jeffrey Dean Morgan with new executive producer Angela Kang. Let us hope the issue of Rick's coming or going will finally be put to rest in a room where 7,000 people won't misunderstand. Kirkman, who was on the IMDB boat with Kevin Smith earlier said about Lincoln’s departure, "It's looking that way. It does make the differences between the comic and the show more pronounced. But at the end of the day, it's about Andrew Lincoln. This is a human being. This is someone I have known for almost a decade, somebody that I love. He's been sweating in Georgia, away from his family, for so long."

After promising that Rick Grimes' end will be extremely satisfying, he continues with, "He [Lincoln] cares about his fans. He cares about the show deeply. He wants to do something special on the way out. We have something amazing planned. I wouldn't want to spoil anything, but anybody who has been a fan of his journey, who loves Rick Grimes, who loves the world of THE WALKING DEAD; you're going to want to see what we do."

I have a feeling there will be tons of questions for the cast and those in the know but trust me when I saw that after all the years of covering THE WALK DEAD panels - they give nothing away, are very vague and relish in watching us all become grumpy at not getting answers. That being said, it is still fun!

To lighten the zombie mood a little, CBS's hit show STAR TREK: Discovery brings of journey of the U.S.S. Discovery. The cast and producers bring the panel to talk about what to expect for the next season.

Universal Pictures is bringing two of the most anticipated films to their block with M. Knight Shyamalan's GLASS and David Gordon Green's HALLOWEEN. In GLASS, Bruce Willis, James McAvoy and Samuel L. Jackson return in the characters that have been destined to meet up and I am thrilled beyond reason to see how it all plays out. HALLOWEEN reunites Laurie Strode with Michael Meyers and how it plays out forty years later. I'm going to bet Laurie is much tougher and wiser than Michael could ever imagine, plus I think Jamie Lee Curtis is awesome!

Paramount Pictures brings an early Christmas with BUMBLEBEE along with director Travis Knight and star Hailee Steinfeld and the story of the most adorable and probably slightly more famous than Optimus Prime - the yellow wonder that is Bumblebee.

The evening continues with Sony Pictures first bringing VENOM and Tom Hardy playing the title role means that fans will be flocking to see how he plays the role of duality. Speaking of duality - the creator's of Spiderman will be bringing their wisdom to fans who want to know so much more about their webbed icon and a look at the upcoming animated movie with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

AMC has the final say of the evening with the hit series PREACHER and a panel of stars including Dominic Cooper, Ruth Negga, Joseph Gilgun as well as the show's producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. It's time to talk season 3 and what direction is the story going to take for another season.

In Ballroom 20, ComicCon wouldn't be the same without a peak inside THE BIG BANG THEORY Writers' Room where fans can get a sneak peek are some of the highlights of season eleven and prepare for the series return for season 12 this fall. Perhaps you are looking for something more, well viking-ish? Then the History Channel happily brings you the hit series VIKINGS along with Kathryn Winnick, Clive Standen, Alexander Ludwig, Alex Anderson, Georgia Hirst and Michael Hirst who is the creator/writer of this amazing show. Of course I am a little partial being a huge fan of the show (p.s. I miss you Ragnar!)

One of the most anticipated events at ComicCon is the Hulu World Premier Screening of CASTLE ROCK. This is a collaboration of J.J. Abrams and Stephen King hometown horror. After the screening is the panel including executive producers Sam Shaw and Dustin Thomason along with the amazing cast of Sissy Spacek, Bill Skarsgard, Melanie Lynskey and Jane Levy to talk about this small American town full of disturbing events.

Marvel Television brings Olivia Holt, Aubrey Joseph, Emma Lahana, Ally Make and Joe Pokaski and their new series MARVEL'S CLOAK & DAGGER. Bringing footage and panel discussion, Marvel fans have another show to be thrilled about.

At the Indigo Ballroom Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Cartoon Network brings the best to celebrate 10 years of ADVENTURE TIME. Another fan favorite, THE VENTURE BROS. takes questions from fans about there seven seasons on air. My personal favorite, ROBOT CHICKEN is back for it's always hilarious return to ComicCon with Seth Green, Matthew Senreich, Douglas Goldstein, Tom Root, Breckin Meyer and Tom Sheppard. This panel is always unexpected and hilariously entertaining.

More hilarity follows as BOB'S BURGERS brings some of my favorite voices to panel with H. Jon Benjamin (also of ARCHER fame), Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, John Roberts, Kristen Schaal, Larry Murphy and David Herman bright never-before-seen footage and a panel that always has me laughing to the point of tears. Following hot on its comedy heels is ARCHER and H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Jessica Walter, Chris Parnell, Amber Nash and Lucky Yates to make sure that when it's all said and done, our funny bones will never be the same.

The 30th Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards overlooks 31 categories to recognize comic creators for their work. Also presented are the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award, Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Writing, and the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award. It's going to be a fantastic evening of celebration!

The evening, for me at least, is topped off with a trip to the Horton Grand Theatre for a 25th Anniversary showing of Tim Burton's THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS screening.

Now it's time to rest up as Saturday means more panels, more presentations and more people flocking downtown with their families to have an amazing experience like no other. This is as it should be because San Diego Comic Con is an adventure that has now ventured outside the Convention Center and spilled into the streets in such an awesome way that I constantly tell people to put on their comfy shoes, water up, hop the trolley and make an amazing weekend out of this.

Till Saturday!