For Your Consideration: Part 9

For Your Consideration: Friday the 13^th Edition

Most of you that read The Coda probably already know that I’m an avid horror movie fan. One of my childhood memories was the horror film marathon that basic cable would play on Friday the 13^th. It was a treat, like a random Halloween day in some random month a couple times a year. With streaming services galore, Friday the 13^th just doesn’t hold the nostalgia like it use to, however that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a day of nothing but horror films. So, for those of you not having a nervous breakdown, here are some fantastic horror films available on your streaming network…FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

Friday the 13^th: Part 4: The Final Chapter

Dir: Joseph Zito

Starring: Kimberly Beck, Crispin Glover,

and Corey Feldman

The Final Chapter is one of my favorites in the Jason Voorhees saga primarily because it’s handled with such a matter-of-fact attitude, but also because it was touted as the FINAL film…a wrap-up of the previous three films. And by the time this film was released way back in 84’ most viewers were wholly aware of what was expected from these films; it was starting to become films for fun instead of scares. Throw in the unexpected plot twists and a cast that offered Corey Feldman and Crispin Glover and you have one of the better Friday the 13^th films of the bunch.

Prince of Darkness

 Dir: John Carpenter

Starring: Donald Pleasence, Victor Wong,

Lisa Blount, and Jameson Parker

John Carpenter was the first director I followed as a kid. I watched everything he had his name on. Prince of Darkness might be the one you identify with Carpenter, but it seems to get better and better as the years progress. There was always something that stuck out about this film, the strange setup, unusually effects, and oddball characters all assist. Themes of religion, science, technology, and media all factor and mix well with the film. There are some nice performances as well, particularly the scenes with Donald Pleasence and Victor Wong are especially fun. Prince of Darkness isn’t Carpenter’s best, but it’s up there.

Dead and Buried

Dir: Gary Sherman

Starring: James Farentino, Melody Anderson,

Jack Albertson, and Robert England

Small coastal town, tourist hating community, the dead coming back to life…typically day in Potters Bluff. I remember this film for one particular reason, because Grandpa Joe (Jack Albertson) from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory has a starring role in this wonderful horror tale. The film is unsuspecting and has an exceptional introduction that sets the tone of the film. It’s a mystery story at heart, a film that lives and breaths on tension building elements of strategic narrative revelations. The color composition and subtle Stan Winston makeup effects all assist in making Dead and Buried a memorable horror film.