Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Trick 'r Treat (2009)
#1Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 9/28/09 at 1:41pm
As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of the horror genre, I can safely say that I (along with legions of fellow fans) have waited in AGONY for two years over the release of Michael Dougherty's debut feature.
But, despite strong feedback from test screenings and film festivals, one had to wonder... What was keeping Warner Bros. from releasing the film? I mean, the theaters have been flooded with remakes and sequels and "Saw" movies consistently, and could "Trick 'r Treat" really not compete with them? And, even if the movie WAS released, would it live up to the hype that Warners had involuntarily created?
Well, the movie has finally arrived to us... and it is a beast. A delicious, twisted, gleeful anthology, with the the four plot lines seamlessly interwoven. Connecting them all is the instantly iconic figure of Sam. This little guy, wearing nothing more than a scarecrow costume and a potato sack over his head, is the stuff nightmares are made of. For my money, he is Halloween's answer to Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny.
The screenplay is fresh and surprising, the pace is brisk, the tone is morbidly charming, and the cast is remarkably solid (Dylan Baker and Brian Cox are standouts). The film also features the kind of immaculate detail and thick autumnal atmosphere that any fan of cinema would appreciate, let alone the horror genre.
On top of that, the movie is scary. Really. Not in a deep, troubling "The Exorcist" way, but is reminiscent of the friendly shiver you get when being told a ghost story around a campfire. Doughterty's affection (obsession?) for the holiday is apparent in every last frame, with pumpkins, candy, shadows, foliage, and costumes being beautifully incorporated into the film's overall mood.
Mischief, mayhem, and gore are all over this cracked-out little gem, guaranteed to be a classic of the horror genre, not to mention an addition to my annual list of required viewing for October 31st.
Updated On: 9/28/09 at 01:41 PM
#2re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 9/28/09 at 1:52pm
I'm so thrilled to read this post!
I've had this film on my radar for a while. I wouldn't call myself a horror connoisseur, but the ones I like, I like a lot. And this one seemed right up my alley. And your description made it seem even more so.
Can't wait!
#2re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 9/28/09 at 1:58pmThis poor little film has been pushed around the release schedule forever. It's finally coming out on dvd week from tomorrow and I also can not wait!
....but the world goes 'round
#3re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 9/28/09 at 7:02pm
This poor little film has been pushed around the release schedule forever.
Which makes no sense to me. The only reason that I heard was that Warner Bros. wasn't sure how to market it... but... it's a horror movie. If you open it on/near Halloween, you would think that it'd have no problem selling itself. Hmm...
#5re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 10/16/09 at 11:06pmI saw it. It was interesting and had it's tongue placed firmly in it's cheek, but at the same time it was so scattered at what it wanted to be. But, I enjoyed it.
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#6re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 10/17/09 at 12:17am
I liked the stories, but somehow each felt too short for me. I kept wishing they could develop each storyline a bit more, but it was enjoyable.
I wish they could make series out of it.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
#7re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 10/17/09 at 12:18amI just got it the other day and looking forward to watching it this weekend. Was kind of surprised when I read the back of it and saw a running time of 82 minutes. Seems very short.
#8re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 10/17/09 at 8:28am
My missing "bump" post:
re: Trick 'r Treat (2009) Oct 16, 11:02:47 PM
Just saw it and I agree with everything broadway86 said.
What a fun Halloween movie! One of the best I've seen in a long time. It was clever and had a few genuine surprises. Dylan Baker and Brian Cox are wonderful.
Highly recommended for genre fans or anyone looking for a good flick for the holiday
....but the world goes 'round
#9re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 10/17/09 at 2:26pmIt's a fun movie. I liked how the various stories were linked and overlapped each other, though they varied wildly in style and tone. I liked some stories better than others and I enjoyed the film, but I wasn't totally ga-ga over it. The music is wonderful and it's definitely worth checking out. I don't know if I'd watch it multiple times or anything.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#10re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 10/17/09 at 2:37pm
"Highly recommended for genre fans"
I guess this genre will have to check it out! 
I'm having a "Holiday" Halloween Film Festival today: MOTHER'S DAY, APRIL FOOL'S DAY, MY BLOODY VALENTINE and, of course, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
P
TheatreFan4
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/12/09
#12re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 10/17/09 at 2:50pm
And of course:
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
#13re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 10/17/09 at 2:51pm
I certainly haven't! Though I'm not sure if it's on DVD yet... is it? Either way, BLACK CHRISTMAS (the ORIGINAL) is my favorite Christmas horror movie. Unless you count IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE...
EDIT: Yes, it is! And on Dec 1 parts III, IV and V are released! I've only seen the first one...
P
Jingle Hell
Updated On: 10/17/09 at 02:51 PM
TheatreFan4
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/12/09
#14re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 10/17/09 at 2:57pm
Since you are fan of the horrors have you seen "Going to Pieces: The Rise & Fall of Slasher Films"?
It's a great movie. It hits all the big franchise movies, the important small movies, the camp movies, & all of the controversy surrounding them.
It's on Netflix's instant watch if you have it.
#15re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 10/17/09 at 3:14pm
Those sort of things usually irritate because they don't give enough credit to Bava, Argento, Fulci, Deodato, etc. and instead make it out to be like American horror is so original when it is ANYTHING but...
... but since is uses PIECES (the KING of 80s slasher films) in its title I might check it out.
P
EDIT: And speaking of Christmas horror movies, another of my favs is CHRISTMAS EVIL (with John Waters commentary!) but I just stumbled upon this... and the title alone makes it rent-worthy:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000BQ7J6Q/sr=8-10/qid=1255805529/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=130&s=dvd&qid=1255805529&sr=8-10
Updated On: 10/17/09 at 03:14 PM
TheatreFan4
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/12/09
#16re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 10/17/09 at 3:39pmThey do start off with Le Théâtre du Grand-Guignol though.
#17re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 10/17/09 at 3:46pm
Here are some more holiday favorites for your festival Pgenre:
....but the world goes 'round
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#18re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 10/17/09 at 3:48pm
I remember dressing up like the original character for Halloween back when I was in school. Our drama teacher had a Halloween party, and I stayed out by the front door, perfectly still as my classmates arrived. They thought I was just a stuffed dummy until I lunged at them.
It was the first time I made a girl pee her pants.
Good times, good times...
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>>
“I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>>
-whatever2
TheatreFan4
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/12/09
#19re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 10/17/09 at 3:49pmMemorial Day looks like a Michael & Jason hybrid.
#20re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 10/17/09 at 3:55pm
It's not very good theaterfan, but I do love horror movies that exploit holidays.
Anyone seen the recent release "The Hills Run Red"?
Of course it's cliche, you expect that, but it does have some particularly nasty bits and a great new slasher character in Babyface.
I wasn't really buying it in the beginning, but by the end it had me...um...hooked.
....but the world goes 'round
Updated On: 10/17/09 at 03:55 PM
TheatreFan4
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/12/09
#21re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 10/17/09 at 4:04pm
Sounds unteresting, Taz.
IMDB's Plot outline:
A group of young horror fans go searching for a film that mysteriously vanished years ago but instead find that the demented killer from the movie is real, and he's thrilled to meet fans who will die gruesomely for his art.
I just found the movie so I'm going to watch it now.
TheatreFan4
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/12/09
#22re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 10/17/09 at 4:51pmI'm watching now & the blonde girl looks like a full grown Selena Gomez.
#23re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 10/18/09 at 2:20pmThe Hills Run Red was tough for me to stomach. I'm usually good with the more brutal horror movies, but that one was just unrelentingly bleak.
TheatreFan4
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/12/09
#26re: Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Posted: 10/23/09 at 1:42am
The Hills Run Red was rather good and better than Trick 'r Treat, IMO.
While I enjoyed both movies, let me just say I'm not thrilled(no pun intended) with the release of horror movies this month. The selection is usually a lot better.
Meh.
Updated On: 10/23/09 at 01:42 AM
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