Spook Series 2015: A Devilish Duo (#10-11)

Aaaaaand we’re back! Yes, this is the second Spook Series post this week. So sue me. I’m excited about Halloween! Also, I’m making up for a severe lack of Spook Series last week. So what do you think? Ready for some more? The following are definitely more lighthearted Halloween picks, but that doesn’t make them any less great. Well, at least in my opinion. Many of you might disagree with me on the second one…but we’ll see. Time for spooks! Or, you know, maybe just laughs. 🙂

Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

Synopsis: “A nerdy florist finds his chance for success and romance with the help of a giant man-eating plant who demands to be fed.” –www.imdb.com

Why It’s Devilishly Delightful: This one…this was just a lot of fun. First of all, Rick Moranis—arguably the king of awkward, nerdy characters—is the perfect choice for poor, sweet Seymour. He’s the classic underdog character, and he’s very easy to root for. Ellen Greene’s Audrey can, admittedly, get a little old…but Levi Stubbs’ plant alien Audrey II, on the other hand, is consistently hilarious. And can I just say how thoroughly (and pleasantly) surprised I was by Steve Martin’s completely ridiculous yet 100 percent awesome Orin Scrivello? A masochistic, Elvis-esque dentist, Scrivello is unlike anything I’ve ever seen Martin play, and it’s a beautiful thing. Also, Bill Murray has a delightful cameo as one of Scrivello’s patients. Heck, John Candy and Jim Belushi even pop up in this one. It’s a colorful bunch of characters, not to mention a crazy fun plot to boot. It’s definitely bizarre, yet it just…works. And the music, which is consistently driven forward by a Greek Chorus trio, is pretty darn catchy, too. It’s the kind of music that I don’t necessarily think you have to be a musical theater fan to appreciate. Basically, I found Little Shop thoroughly enjoyable. If you’re looking for some campy, musical fun for Halloween, it’s a solid choice.

My Grade: B+

Scary Movie (2000)

Synopsis: “A year after disposing the body of a man they accidently killed, a group of dumb teenagers are stalked by a bumbling serial killer.” –www.imdb.com

Why It’s Devilishly Delightful: Is it bad that I actually enjoy this one quite a bit? …Wait! Where are you going?! Haha. Okay, guys. Hear me out. Let’s address the biggest issue right off: Scary Movie is a stupid, stupid movie. The humor clearly caters to pre-teens and/or extremely immature adults. And yet…it makes me laugh. I mean, at least a little. I can’t help it. I love Anna Faris as clueless Cindy. Marlon Wayans cracks me up as idiotic stoner Shorty. Shawn Wayans is a surprisingly fun contradiction as a very closested, macho athlete. Regina Hall somehow manages to make mouthy, squeaky-voiced Brenda likable. But in my opinion, the real star of the show is Dave Sheridan’s “special” Officer Doofy. Is he (and many of other characters and/or humor, for that matter) very politically incorrect? God, yes. And yet, I laugh. Does that make me a terrible person? I think I mostly laugh because the character is so clearly a spoof of David Arquette’s Officer Dewey in the Scream films. Of course, the whole film is a spoof of other horror films, and, as a horror fan, I find that kinda fun. Even if it does get downright stupid more often than not. If you’re going for a classy Halloween choice, this is not your film. But if you want to just eat, drink, and be completely stupid, then Scary Movie is your film.

My Grade: B+

So what do you think? Love these or hate ‘em? I think they’re both pretty fun, albeit in very different ways. Anyway, have splendid weekends, everyone! And get in as many scary movies as you can! Halloween is approaching fast…