The Standard

Rating: 10/10 (11 March 2017)

IN 1978, John Carpenter's "Halloween" set the standard by which all horror flicks both emulated and came to be judged by.
For a basic plot summary, "Halloween" tells the story of psychotic killer Michael Myers, who (15 years after murdering his sister in cold blood) escapes a mental institution and returns to his old stomping grounds to wreak havoc once again, this time on a group of young teenagers on Halloween night.
Basically, everything you are accustomed to seeing in a horror film has its roots here, including:
-The blood-curdling score, which has never quite been duplicated. -The terrifying, weapon-wielding antagonist who knows nothing but murder. -The standard prey, that being young, sex-crazed teenagers who are so caught up in themselves that they become oblivious to their surroundings. -The "jump scenes" (often accompanied by loud music crescendos) that make your heart skip a beat, whether true or fake-outs.
What's really impressive about this movie, though, is the fact that it was THE standard of horror films for such a long period of time. Until "Saw" changed the game with its graphic violence and outwardly moral musings in 2004, "Halloween" was the king of scary movies. "Friday the 13th" and "Nightmare on Elm Street" may have had their followings, and "Scream" did a great job of poking fun at the genre, but it was this flick that still remained on top of the heap (it helps to have your own built-in holiday, too!).
Thus, if you are a fan of fright fests whatsoever and haven't yet seen this film all the way through (hard to believe, I know), it is a must-see. Or, if you don't have trick-or-treating responsibilities on October 31st, then settle in for another go-round of the seminal horror event.