31 Days of Drafts and Darkness:

"Trick r Treat" (2007)

Note: This film is available on Netflix Instant Streaming right now! Check it out.

We've gone over quite a few spooky films this season. In thirty-one short days, we've featured zombies, vampires, aliens, and werewolves . So now, having gone over so many archetypes and sub-genres of horror, how to wrap up the season? What film do we cap our dark adventure off with? 

How about my favorite Halloween film of all time? 

Whenever I start talking about "Trick r' Treat", I'm utterly shocked at how many people haven't seen it. Few films are so drenched in autumnal color, so deeply in love with a holiday as this one is with Halloween. Many scary movies take place on or around Halloween, but this one is straight-up about Halloween.

All the myths and urban legends are addressed. Always check your candy. Never blow out a Jack-o-Lantern. Even the vile tricks of it's anti-hero/villain Little Sammy stretch back to old Celtic lore surrounding the holiday. "Trick r' Treat" takes pure horror-movie atmosphere and pours it over Halloween like caramel syrup. Then it sprinkles piles of candy-coated dark humor on top. 

If you love Halloween as much as I do, this little horror gem is for you!

The Plot

Naturally, it's Halloween night. We open on a small suburban town in full celebration. Kids are roaming the neighborhood for candy. Adults dress provocatively for parties. Among the festivities wanders Little Sammy, clad in orange pajamas and a stuffed burlap-sack mask. 

Sammy doesn't say much, but boy does he ever love Halloween. Anyone who finds him at their doorstep and gives him candy is left alone. But if you deny him a treat or break one of the holiday's sacred rules, you're in for a rough night.

"Trick r' Treat" tells five parallel stories. The tales often intersect, with characters showing up at different points depending on the clock. Unlike "Creepshow" and "Creepshow 2", these stories are all tightly linked. The outcome of one can affect another. Whenever someone begins to slander Halloween, a price is paid. Those who scheme against children, pull cruel pranks, or break with tradition run into all kinds of misfortune. For some, the night will prove an adventure. For others, it'll be their last. 

But no matter when or where these events take place, Little Sammy is there. Watching in the background. Is he the cause of all the chaos, or simply a witness to it?  

One tale sees a bickering couple debate over whether to blow out a Jack-o-lantern too soon. Another sees a band of trick-or-treaters disrespect the resting place of some lost children. Across town, a young group of college coeds plan a wild Halloween party, but one still needs at date. We also learn that the neighborhood middle school principle is much, much less fond of kids than he appears. He lives next door to an elderly gentleman well-known for being a recluse and hating Halloween. Well, he's about to have a visitor.

The Flavor

"Trick r' Treat" is the sort of horror that wants to utterly scare you, but have you laugh after you're done screaming. Much in how a haunted house attraction, this film celebrates all its terrors. Each jump and creepy moment plays up an old holiday tradition or icon. All the classic creatures are there, from vampires to werewolves to zombies.

Running rampant through all the twisted proceedings is Little Sammy, a chaotic imp hellbent on having the best Halloween possible. That his name bears resemblance to Samhain, the spirit of Halloween, is of course no accident. Sammy is the sort of movie monster/villain that quickly becomes endearing. Using weapons like candy bars fitted with razors and a sharpened lolly pop, Sammy's night features plenty of original, grisly kills. Gory as some of his handiwork gets, it's done with such an inventive and comedic style, so you're suitably spooked without being disturbed.

The cast does a stupendous job, each appearing to seriously enjoy whatever warped role they portray. Without spoiling anything, I can say many skeletons lie in these people's closets. This provides "Trick r' Treat" with many twists and turns. Just when you think you've got a plotline or character pegged, something entirely unexpected happens. The movie knows how to play on audience expectations and toy with it to make for some great reveals.

"Trick r' Treat" loves Halloween, plain and simple. The cinematography frames each little fallen leaf and pumpkin like it were a shrine. Dark humor makes the film just as hysterical as scary, so even moments that would otherwise seem brutal come off lighter.

Here's an example: That I love this movie, despite that it breaks one of my major rules when it comes to horror films, shows you how good a film this is. I cannot stand when horror films kill children. It's just something that bothers me, something that I feel isn't in good taste.

"Trick r' Treat" has no qualms about offing a few kids, but does so with enough tongue-in-cheek awareness to cut much of what disturbs me so much about the idea. It's never overly mean in tone, framing these moments more like dark fairy-tales. The movie is not cold-blooded and handles these moments with enough humor to stop things from getting too disturbing. It knows just the right balance to hit.

 Best Paired With...

Now, I note that point about killing trick-or-treating kids for a reason. Much as I enjoy "Trick r' Treat", it's content does take some sudden dark turns. These moments are some of the scariest in the film, but could easily terrify a young watcher past the point of having spooky fun and well into being genuinely upset. Teenagers are likely fine. Heck, they've been watching folks their own age getting killed in horror movies for years. But keep your little minions away from 'Trick r' Treat'.

However, for literally everyone else, especially on Halloween night, "Trick r' Treat" makes for essential seasonal viewing. In my mind, it's a horror classic. If you're a scary movie fan, you've likely already seen it. If you're just in the mood for a good scary movie to have fun with, "Trick r' Treat" will having you screaming and laughing in equal measure.

Accompanying Brew:

Let's go out with a Halloween bang. Not just any pumpkin ale. For Little Sammy, we'll crack open a double pumpkin ale.

From Sam Adams comes Fat Jack Double Pumpkin Ale, one of their limited release brews. This only comes in wine-sized bottles, so hit up the craft section of your liquor store to find it.

To imagine the flavor of Fat Jack, take all the spicy, sweet, and malty elements of a typical pumpkinhead ale and literally double them. The sweetness is intensely so. The spices blast your tongue. And the roasted malt washes over both with a nutty, rich taste. The brew also features an ABV of 8.5 %, so bear that in mind. This pumpkin kicks.

For's its intense flavor and higher alcohol content, Fat Jack should be enjoyed gradually. This is more a sipping-style brew, so switch the pint glass for an 8 oz. snifter. Although by this point I'm growing weary of pumpkin beers, I had to go all-out for the final day of "31 Days of Drafts and Darkness".

For the raucous celebration of  all-things Halloween to the extreme, both "Trick r' Treat" and Fat Jack pair up perfectly.

Happy Halloween!

31 Days of Drafts and Darkness:

"The Toxic Avenger" (1984)

Note: This film is available on Netflix Instant Streaming right now! 

You know, it's funny how much schlock is improved by a sense of self-awareness. In the horror and B-movie realm, there exists a species that critics describe as the good kind of bad movie. These films are often made with a $10 budget, cardboard sets, and a dream. While the resulting vision may not be professional-looking, it can still be tremendously entertaining.

When those involved actually care about the project, it can often take on a sort of DIY charm. For all the cheap effects and props bought from Toys R' Us, a sort of scrappy energy invigorates the film. We can overlook the bad acting and shoddy story if the film can entertain. And even the trashiest films can be endearing if they're laughing right along with their audience.

And no studio perhaps better understands this concept than Troma. Founded in the 70's by Lloyd Kaufman and Mike Herz, Troma films are packed with all manner of violence, sex, and general sleaze. As far as entertainment goes, they're pure cinema junk food.

And Troma will be the first to tell you that. Proudly.

That's why we like them. They know exactly who they are and make no apologies. Their goal is simply to make the most unabashed, over-the-top films they can with what little resources they have.

And what better film to represent Troma on '31 Days of Drafts and Darkness' than their flagship?

The Plot:

Tromaville, NJ appears much like any other small, urban town. Well, aside from all the nuclear facilities and industrial plants. Ok, so it's not the most environmentally-conscious of locales. How about it's residents? The good folk of Tromaville embody an almost Norman-Rockwellian vibe, seeking to live out the American dream despite their polluted surroundings.

Well, most of them.

You see, while the majority of Tromaville is just trying to get by, the few bad apples go well beyond simple thug. The town's government is corrupt to the bone. What street crime occurs in broad daylight. Heck, even the town bullies don't just torment their victims. They run them over and take pictures to laugh at. There is no grey-area type of person in Tromaville. You're either a nice guy or the most vile, despicable human to walk the Earth.

This bodes poorly for our hero Melvin. Freckled, skinny, and with all the social graces of Napoleon Dynamite and Steve Urkel combined, Melvin lives an existence of daily ridicule. Working as mop boy at the local health center, he spends each shift cleaning up after the very muscleheads that torture him. But seeing as these are Troma-bullies we're talking about here, things escalate from swirllies to near-manslaughter pretty quickly. When a prank results in poor Melvin being dumped into a vat of toxic sludge, he is transformed into the hideous but super-strong Toxic Avenger!

Part superhero, part Frankenstein's monster, the Toxic Avenger swears to clean up Tromaville. His crusade is less noble pursuit and more rampage, as criminals are frequently torn to pieces in his green hands. He also has no qualms about stalking and taking bloody revenge on the bullies that caused his little accident.

While the town praises their new hero, the local government sees him as a threat to some of their more shady enterprises. And so they being a plot to slander the Toxic Crusader and turn Tromaville against him.

The Flavor:

Blending equal portions monster movie and superhero flick, "Toxic Avenger" has just as much bloody mayhem as it does crime fighting. While Toxie only goes after the bad guys, he takes the level of retribution well past gratuitous. Let's just say the Tromaville prisons aren't very full.

Such scenes are extremely gory, but quite fun. It's clear many of the special effects and makeup are improvised. Exploding dummy-heads and plastic limbs are employed frequently. I'm not sure what they used a greater quantity of: Karo-syrup blood or green goop. Both are routinely splattered for an added squishy effect. These scenes are meant to entertain more than horrify, as everyone overacts their heart out. Literally, at times.

For the monster that he is, the Toxic Avenger can also be quite well-spoken and polite. Provided you're a good guy. That Melvin's nerdy persona + toxic waste resulted in a hideous exterior but articulate speaking voice makes the character quite funny. He'll dismember criminals with the best of em' but is all chivalry around his blind girlfriend. 

Best Paired with:

Troma is honest, if anything. They play exactly to their zany, horror-loving audience. If you're sitting down to check out "Toxic Avenger", you know exactly what you're getting into. Turn up your sense of humor to maximum, roll with the inconsistencies, and enjoy yourself.

Obviously keep the kids away. While the content is all tongue-in-cheek, there are plenty of gross moments. I can see teenagers having a ball with "Toxic Avengers", though I can't see the film ever becoming a family-night staple.

For friends, especially after a round of beers, "Toxic Avenger" provides an energized and light-hearted romp  of B-movie fun!

Accompanying Brew:

 Like Troma's signature film, we'll keep things light. Just as "Toxic Avenger" pairs up naturally with pizza and sugar, so too should our beer. We'll keep the seasonal flavor but shoot for drinkability over hops.

From Leinenkugel's (WI) comes tonight's pairing brew: Oktoberfest German-Style Marzen.

Over the course of this list, I've covered beers ranging from intensely hoppy to sweet. From crisp to heavy. Dark and light. There are certainly a ton of options out there. I mainly covered Fall brews, and yet we're already on number 30!

Though I prefer stronger ales, I understand that everyone has different tastes. Just as I wanted to pick out Halloween movies for everyone, so too do I want an equally-encompassing selection of beers. That said, for those more used to your typical American-style ale or pilsner, where's a good place to being expanding your beer horizons?

Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest provides a solid entry. In body and texture, this Oktoberfest is highly reminiscent of larger-scale American styles. The brew goes down easily and is low enough in ABV to ensure even multiple pints won't put you down for the count.

The flavor is also on the lighter side. As this is an Oktoberfest, the addition of caramel malts provides a nutty taste to each sip. It's not a strong flavor, but it will leave a nice malt aftertaste on the tongue. For those who find hops too strong, Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest is also very low on the bitter scale.

If you're feeling a lighter, milder beer that manages to be refreshing without being watery, Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest German-Style Marzen makes a good choice. Combine with pizza and friends, fire up "Toxic Avenger" on Netflix, and enjoy a fun and unhealthy night of Halloween celebrations. 

31 Days of Drafts and Darkness:

"Pan's Labyrinth" (2006)

Even the darkest fantasies can provide an escape. When the world gets cold, many turn to stories of hope for inspiration. Tonight's feature is a grim fairytale, but also a beautiful one. For as depressing as moments of the film can be, "Pan's Labyrinth" is ultimately a story about the light at the other end of the tunnel. It's a lesson on recognizing the true monsters and heroes that dwell in the world around us. 

Guillermo del Toro is fast becoming one of my favorite directors. The vision he imbues into his works extends to every minute detail, like a painter obsessed over each individual flourish of the brush. That del Toro designs the world and creatures of his films is evidence of not only his talent, but also the immense passion he brings to the proceedings. While films like "Hellboy" and "Pacific Rim" take this creativity in fun directions, "Pan's Labyrinth" uses imagination as an emotional shield. For as dark as the fairy tales in "Pan's Labyrinth" get, they're less so than the real world. Rather, they represent hope that the night won't last forever and monsters can be beaten. 

Deeply emotional, even brutal at times, "Pan's Labyrinth" can be difficult to watch, but is a spectacular work of cinematic art and storytelling that should not be missed. 

The Plot

We begin in rural Spain, five years after the end of the Spanish Civil War. The countryside is war torn, and while most are eager for peace, pockets of rebels still roam the woods. Our young hero Ofelia is a ten-year old girl with a love for books and adventure. Having lost her father to the war, Ofelia has only her mother and imagination as companions. Soon, she may only have her imagination.

You see, Ofelia's mother has remarried is carrying the child of Captain Vidal, a military leader tasked with erasing the last of the rebels. Stationed at a small village mill, Vidal and his unit constantly scour the forest for any sign of resistance. When Ofelia and her mother Carmen move in with their new father/husband, it soon becomes clear his interests lie more in ensuring his legacy through a son than in taking care of his new family. Practically ignoring Ofelia and seeing Carman as little more than a vessel, Vidal obsesses over hunting rebels to the point of killing innocents without remorse.

Being left to her own devices much of the time, Ofelia wanders the nearby woods, one day stumbling upon a rocky maze. Through following the trail of some insect-like fairies, she meets a bizarre faun (half-human, half-goat) by the name of Pan. The creature informs Ofelia that she is the reincarnation of a celestial princess trapped on Earth long ago. If she wishes to ascend to former royalty and escape her present situation, she must complete a series of trials. Each will test her bravery and virtue through a series of horrors.

What follows is a parallel-story of the battles taking place in the real world vs. those Ofelia faces in the fantasy realm. Often, the lines between the two merge. Though our young hero is up for the dire tasks ahead, she must also keep her mother and herself safe from the very real and very monstrous Vidal.

The Flavor

"Pan's Labyrinth" treads a fine a poetic line between realistic drama and artful fantasy. You're never quite sure if any of the fantastical elements are really happening or only in Ofelia's head. But it doesn't matter. What's important is that such creatures, be they real or imagined, allow our hero to fight her way through the very grim, very real world she's living in.

With Guillermo del Toro as writer and director, there are plenty of monsters to be had. They are beautifully designed and packed with creativity. They are also totally unnerving. While Pan himself, meant to be a mentor to Ofelia, seems untrustworthy and even scheming at times, other creatures like the dreaded Pale Man are the stuff of pure nightmares. Watch the Pale Man scene without squirming in your seat and you have guts of steel, my friend.

And yet, for all these monsters, the most frightening of all is no fantasy creature. Captain Vidal, played masterfully by Sergi Lopez, is one of the most terrifying movie villains I've ever seen. I'm amazed Mr. Lopez isn't a more well-known actor, as his portrayal of the ruthless and sadistic captain is pure ice. Unrelenting, unfeeling, motivated well past the point of obsession, Captain Vidal cares only for his own means. Everything else is nothing, ready to be brushed off at a moment's notice. Even Ofelia. What makes him so terrifying isn't that he's willing to do horrible things to meet his goals, but with how little care he goes about it. His attitude towards torture isn't just permissible. It's downright casual. The lack of human empathy rings less of comic supervillain and more utter sociopath. In a land of monsters, his is the most real. 

  

Whether you choose to take the film as a dark fantasy adventure or serious drama, "Pan's Labyrinth" provides some of the highest-caliber film making I've seen in either genre. For all the darkness, the sheer beauty of the story and characters lets you see the glimmer of light past the shadows.

Best Paired With...

For much of its run time, "Pan's Labyrinth" can be very hard to watch. Characters we grow to care about are hurt. Certain imagery is quite disturbing. There is fantasy-style violence, but it's nothing compared to some of the real-world atrocity that occurs at the hands of Captain Vidal.

That said, none of the darkness feels gratuitous or out of place. It's all part of the point. All the bleak atmosphere provides the foundation on which Ofelia bases her adventure. It's her escape, her way of removing herself from a wretched truth. And it's what helps her survive a situation that most children would be helpless in. The story of her journey is difficult at times, but told lovingly. You'll grow to care for Ofelia and root for her every challenging step of the way. She's not perfect. She's a ten-year-old prone to bad judgment. Even selfishness. But it only makes her feel more real.

See "Pan's Labyrinth" with a significant other. A loved one or a friend. Let them know what you're in for, that some scenes are brutal and violent. But also let them know that the overall tone of the film is about finding peace within chaos. The darkness is necessary to make you appreciate the light. Stick with it, and "Pan's Labyrinth" will give you a story you'll be discussing for weeks.

Accompanying Brew

"In darkness, there can be light. In misery, there can be beauty. In death, there can be life..."

Tonight, I present Widmer Brother's Pitch Black IPA.

From Portland Oregon, Pitch Black IPA pours a midnight shade you'd swear was a porter on first glance. Dark and with a slight ruby-tone. Pitch Black also carries a scent similar to stouts and porters, with roasty notes playing on the nose. However, take another sniff, and you'll pick up some hoppy vibe in the aroma as well.

Upon the first sip you'll realize this is no porter. Lighter in body, and with a sharp hop flavor to balance out the roasted malt, this brew is more true to a classic IPA than one of its darker brethren. The hops don't feature a sharp piney or citrus note, but rather work to balance out the roasted flavor of the darker malts. What results is a flavor that's not overly bitter, but strong enough to make the final taste complex. You'll pick up traces of hop and caramel-like roasted malt in equal degree.

What impresses me most about Pitch Black is how this initial flavor fades into the aftertaste. Most brews feature an aftertaste of one flavor or another, but Pitch Black's carries both the hop and malt qualities. Long after you've finished a sip, the crisp character of the hops is still on your tongue, along with just a bit of toasted, nutty malt. It's impressive that this beer is balanced both in the initial flavor and the aftertaste.

A blend of dark and crisp, but balanced, Pitch Black goes well with the layered tone of "Pan's Labyrinth". While the brew pours a deep black, much as "Pan's Labyrinth" opens on a gloomy world, both experiences reveal a different character under the surface. 

31 Days of Drafts and Darkness:

"Cabin in the Woods" (2013)

Note: This film is on Netflix Instant Streaming right now! Check it out before Halloween is over.

Of all the reviews I've done through October, "Cabin is the Woods" will likely be the most difficult to write. Not because I don't have enough to say. I'm fairly certain I could fill multiple blog entries with discussion on this one film. Rather, it's going to be tough putting a review together that encompasses how great a movie "Cabin in the Woods" is without giving anything away. 

My advice: Do not listen to anyone's synopsis or watch any trailer. Watch "Cabin in the Woods" with a completely blank set of expectations. I'll give you the most bare-bones plot summary I can to help enhance the experience. 

What I can tell you is this: "Cabin in the Woods" is one of my favorite horror films. It is equal parts scary and hilarious, playing the simultaneous role of both horror movie and psuedo-spoof. Every single horror clique you can think of is included and joked about. 

What took the movie from good to great in my eyes is the ending, which goes from paying tribute to slasher films to paying tribute to every single horror genre out there. The film's final 30 minutes are an absolute gourmet-caliber buffet of references for even casual fans. Crazy, chaotic, and frighteningly-fun, I could watch these scenes one-hundred times and still find things I missed. 

Here we go...

The Plot

Two story lines are running in parallel as we begin. On one side, we're presented to a nerdy pair of laboratory workers at some underground facility. Nothing seems out of the ordinary. They chit-chat about suburban banality and family matters. They sip coffee in the break room and bicker with coworkers. Seems like some big project is going on that involves multiple departments working together. 

Miles away, we meet a group of college coeds, all jazzed up for vacation. They've scored a stay at a cozy little cabin and are gearing up for a weekend of the usual: drinking, parties, etc. What separates them from typical slasher fodder are their conversations. The 'dumb jock' recommends higher-quality textbooks to his friends. The blonde bimbo is in medical school. Even the stoner's applied some fancy engineering to better conceal his pipes. And yet, here they are marching off to their doom like any one-dimensional pack of stock characters. If they're so smart, why do they start making such bad scary-movie decisions? 

And that's about all I dare to reveal. The rest of the story you'll have to experience for yourself. 

The Flavor

"Cabin in the Woods" isn't just an inventive horror film on its own, it also happens to comment on the entire genre. Each little scary movie nuance is addressed in a darkly comedic way. What's more, the reasons behind all these scenarios are explained, meaning "Cabin in the Woods" actually makes you look at other horror films in a whole new light. It actually makes other horror movies, especially slasher flicks, better when you apply its logic.

Is it scary? Certainly so, and with plenty of gore sprinkled throughout. While "Cabin in the Woods" has a sick little sense of humor and plenty of twisted laughs, it never forgets that for all its satire, it's also trying to frighten you. Thus, when things get messy, they do so in various and disgusting ways. But also through highly inventive and creative means that'll make you smile more than gag. Again, I apologize for being cryptic, but there's only so much I can say without spoiling things.

With a smart screenplay and genius concept, "Cabin in the Woods" manages to both love and laugh at (but more laugh along with) horror movies and the history of the genre. It's both a tribute and a solid stand-alone creepy tale. The flavors are numerous, from grisly death scenes to tongue-in-cheek humor, but everything's well balanced. By the film's ending, you'll have the similar feeling you get when exiting one of Salem's haunted houses. You're exhausted and rattled, but smiling from ear to ear.

It's clear the filmmakers were fully on-board with this film and embraced the idea, out-there as it is.

Best Paired With...

This film bleeds pure Halloween. Whether you love scary movies or only enjoy the occasional fright, "Cabin in the Woods" is a blast. Genre fans will absolutely lose their minds when everything in the story comes together, and even if casual viewers may not get every reference, the sheer spectacle remains massively entertaining.

The content is far too dark for kids. If one thing doesn't scar them, something else will soon come along in the film that does. And certain other scenes would make this an awkward choice for family night. Let's just say that gratuity in horror movies doesn't just come from blood and guts, and "Cabin in the Woods" doesn't forget that.

But for friends and Halloween parties, wow, is this a fun and seriously under-rated frightfest. That this film isn't hallowed as an absolute classic in the genre is bizarre, as few films love scary movies as much as "Cabin in the Woods" does.

Accompanying Brew

With a mixture of so many flavors, "Cabin in the Woods" deserves a beer that's got a lot going on in each sip. However, being such a pure Halloween film, "Cabin's" pairing brew should also amp up the seasonal factor to the extreme.

From Canton, Mass. comes tonight's brew: Blue Hills Pumpkin Lager.

While most pumpkinheads are ales, and thus made via top-fermenting yeast, Blue Hill's offering is a lager, which involves a different process. Ales are made at warmer temperatures and use top-fermenting yeast. Lagers take much longer to make than in ales and requires far lower temperatures. The yeast in lager wort ferments the brew from the bottom up. It requires patience, but this lagering process produces beer with an incredibly smooth texture and crisp, refreshing body.

Blue Hills Pumpkin Lager is a bit stronger than your usual lager at 5.8% ABV, but you wouldn't know it from drinking a pint. True to its style, this lager goes down smooth as silk. You'll find yourself drinking a large quantity without even realizing. With higher alcohol kick, I can certainly see it sneaking up on you, especially when you take its flavor profile into account.

Though I usually avoid sweeter brews, Blue Hill's seems to have hit the perfect level of sweet and spicy with their pumpkin lager. Each sip delivers a robust wave of seasonal spices and sugar, but after a moment, a dry hoppy finish sweeps over the tongue and cleanses the palate. As a result, even after multiple sips, the beer never gets overly cloying or sweet. Rather, these  final hop flavors keep the entire brew balanced. They also add some complexity to the mix, as you're left with a slightly-bitter and dry aftertaste that contrasts to the sweetness.

For the combo of smooth body and a flavor that's perfectly Halloween without becoming overpowering, I'm highly impressed by Blue Hills Pumpkin Lager. And I say this having sampled many, many, many pumpkin beers over the last two months for this list. 

Here I was, thinking I was sick of pumpkin beers. I guess an old dog can still learn new tricks, just like "Cabin in the Woods" showed me. 

31 Days of Drafts and Darkness:

"The Frighteners" (1996)

Having witnessed Peter Jackson at his most gory extreme, let's check out a tamer, more mainstream horror entry of his. A ghostly adventure story, "The Frighteners" tells the tale of an escaped 'grim reaper' claiming souls and one gifted man's ability to stop it.

While "Braindead" was a tongue-in-cheek splatterfest, Jackson's "Frighteners" takes a different horror route. It sets up a complex and paranormal mystery with haunted house-style trappings. Along the way, there are dashes of comedy and gore. The tone is kept relatively light by Michael J. Fox's hero and his partners, a bickering pair of apparitions.

Note: This film is available of Netflix Instant Streaming right now! Be sure to check it out.

The Plot:

We open on a creaky old mansion that looks straight out of a Hitchcock film. Inside, the reclusive Patricia appears tormented by some spectral presence. Creeping out of the walls and ceiling, the ghost follows Patricia from room to room as she attempts to flee. Moments before being strangled, Patricia is saved by her shotgun-toting and slightly off mother, but the malevolent spirit is still out there.

At a nearby funeral service, a salesman by the name of Frank Bannister (Fox) is handing out business cards. He's apparently a regular at local wakes and funerals. Frank claims to have the sixth sense and offers to communicate with the recently departed. Most of the town hates him, seeing him as a con-artist that takes advantage of grieving families. And while Frank is, indeed, a con-artist, he's not a liar.

You see, after a traumatic car accident that killed his wife, Frank developed the genuine ability to see and talk to ghosts. He's even befriended a pair of spirits, one a nerd from the 1950's, the other a swinging 70's disco dancer. Together, their 'business' involves Frank sending his ghostly buddies into local homes to cause trouble. Once the homeowners see their furniture in full-on poltergeist mode, they frantically turn to Frank to exorcise the abode. Frank shows up, collects a hefty fee, and leaves with his dead friends behind him. Poof! Haunting over. That Frank is responsible for the hauntings in the first place means he'll always have steady business.

But such paranormal gifts are not to be taken lightly. While Frank's more than used to chatting with ghosts, he's beginning to see other things, too. Strange visions begin plaguing him. Most disturbingly, Frank begins to notice numbers appear on the heads of normal, healthy people mere days before they die. Is the grim reaper leaving a calling card? And why are seemingly healthy people starting to kick the bucket? Might something be amiss on the other side?

Turns out, the grim reaper's had his scythe stolen. And by the worst possible spirit imaginable.

The Flavor:

If a had to stick "The Frighteners" into a genre, I'd call it horror/comedy. The multitude of ghostly proceedings and supernatural murder anchors the movie to the horror realm. A surprisingly whimsical tone and sarcastic characters also lend the film plenty of comedic charm. But these elements aside, there's also a rich mystery plot to "The Frighteners". Frank's adventure getting to the bottom of these visions leads him on a journey going back decades. Serial killers, demented cult followers, and influence from both above and below factor into the mix.  

Giving you scant clues at the start, you'll find "The Frighteners" wrapping you up in its lore from the get-go. As the film unfolds and you put clues together, tension mounts and the threat become more deadly. Though I won't reveal the identity of the film's villain, that said antagonist has the ability to destroy both the living and the dead means that no character, alive or ghostly, is safe.

For a perfect Halloween-flavored adventure, "The Frighteners" pairs enough ghoulish elements with quirky ones to appeal to many tastes. Tame enough to not disgust, but appropriately (and inventively!) grisly when it needs to be, the film is likely to please a large audience. Like "Braindead", it's tone is humorous enough that even when things are at their most nasty, you're still having fun.

Best Paired with:

Although some death scenes may be too much for young children, I'd say "The Frighteners" makes for excellent Halloween family viewing. You may want to preview the film yourself to determine if a scene or two should be skipped over. With most of the gory or effects-driven moments being supernatural,  there's less in the way of bloodshed and more creepy imagery.  Anyone over the age of 12 or so oughta be fine, but take a peek at some of the more ghoulish scenes first and judge for yourself.

For friendly gatherings, "The Frighteners" makes for a great film to have on during a Halloween party or for seasonal viewing. There's enough crazy content to make coming in any moment of the film enjoyable. However, if you want to follow the story, which does get fairly complicated, you'll have to watch from beginning to end. And pay attention.

Accompanying Brew:

For a fun chiller like "The Frighteners", tonight's beer should be refreshing and crisp. Not overly heavy on seasonal flavor and enjoyable enough to relax with while absorbing the film's twisty plot.

From Nantucket's Cisco Brewery comes tonight's pairing: Pumple Drumkin Pumpkin Ale!

After spending all of October (plus most of September) sampling dozens of seasonal brews, I've had a lot of spices. While I usually love the Fall dose of cinnamon and nutmeg, after having so many, I'm eager for something more mellow. Something that's less about spice overload but still has a nice seasonal taste.

Enter Pumple Drumkin.

The best way I can describe Drumkin's flavor is by having you imagine a classic copper ale. Not too hoppy but bitter enough to balance the taste. Nice slightly-nutty malt blend. Beautiful golden amber color. Now imagine just a slight note of spices and soft pumpkin taste. That best captures the experience of Pumple Drumkin.

If strong spices are what you seek, you might find this brew underwhelming. However, if you're tired of the cinnamon-overload and seek a solid, highly-refreshing ale that's still got seasonal flavor without overdoing it, Pumple Drumkin's a great choice. I really enjoy how the beer's mellow enough to allow the actual ale taste to come through. When you start with a quality ale like this, the last thing you want is to smother it with spices. 

Pumple Drumkin allows you to both experience a tasty copper ale and pumpkinhead simultaneously.

Much in how "The Frighteners" uses classic spooky elements to assemble a new story, Pumple Drumkin takes the classic ale recipe and adds just enough seasonal flavor to present something with elements of the old and new. 

31 Days of Drafts and Darkness:

"The Host" (2006)

From South Korea comes this throwback to giant monster movies of old. Just like how Godzilla was a commentary on the twin nuclear strikes on Japan, this film's monster represents similar commentary on the effect of a corrupt government.

Going from horrifying to tragic to funny, sometimes all in the same scene, director Joon-ho Bong establishes frequent satire throughout "The Host". Even with its message, the film is hugely entertaining and takes archetypal giant monsters into a new direction. Here, while the rampaging beast is certainly dangerous, it's made out to be more threatening than it really is by a government trying to keep its people in check.

Note: This film is currently available on Netflix Instant Streaming, so be sure to check it out!

The Plot:

In the early 2000's, a Korean lab worker is pressured by a American government scientist to secretly dump hundreds of old formaldehyde bottles into the nearby Han river. In the following years, residents of the area witness odd amphibian-like creatures swimming around. No one cares much, as the mutants are never very large. 

Cut to 2006, and the riverside is now a popular urban site in Seoul. Shops and restaurants line the bustling waterfront. One of these establishments, a neighborhood snack stand, is run by Park Gang-du, a friendly but dim man-child. Lazy and incompetent, Park does his best to raise his young daughter (mom left years ago) while running the small business. Though he never aspires beyond the snack stand, his daughter is smart and has a bright future. The family hopes she can be successful and break free of their blue-collar trappings.

One day, a crowd begins to amass along the riverbank. Something large, the size of a 18-wheeler, is hanging upside down from the nearby bridge. As the spectators snap photos, the bizarre creature slips into the water and swims off. Eager to get more shots, the crowd begins pelting garbage at the animal. Moments later, they immediately regret the decision.

Bursting onto land, the frog-like monster begins rampaging through the waterfront, devouring citizens left and right. Park grabs the hand of his daughter Hyun-Seo and flees, barely managing to get away from the creature. However, once safe, Park is horrified to find that the girl he grabbed was not his daughter after all. Running back, Park see Hyun-Seo snared by the beast and pulled into the waters of the Han river.

After the attack, the government begins a mass-quarantine of all those involved in the attack. Reportedly, the creature carries a highly-contagious pathogen and may have spread it onto the victims. Thus, Park and his grieving family find themselves locked away by the government that failed to protect them.

All seems lost until a scared Hyun-Seo calls her father from the sewers. Her cell phone battery is dying and the creature still asleep. Park must now escape the quarantine and find his daughter before she becomes the beast's next meal.

The Flavor:

Most creature flicks give you fleeting glimpses of the monster up until the very end. You'll see a flash of claw here or dark shadow there, but until the final battle, never see it completely. Think of Jaws, Cloverfield, Super 8. For most of the movie, we're allowed to imagine what the creature might look like.

"The Host" does the opposite. When its monster attacks, it does so in broad daylight. A character turns, and suddenly there it is. Massive and hungry, the beast rampages into a crowded city and begins wrecking havoc. You're dumbstruck at the sight of how out in open the scene is. Without cut-aways or shadows, we witness the full gruesome attack and see citizens devoured as they run from the beast.  Instead of scaring you by holding back, "The Host" throws its monster into your face when you're not ready. You feel like you're in the moment, and thus just as afraid as the feeling characters.

Another thing that struck me was how "The Host" shifted its tone in-between scenes. And what's really emotionally off-putting, often within the same scene. While the monster attack is scary, the following memorial service is completely heartbreaking. At least initially. It ends on an almost comical note as the family begins to completely freak out over the supposed loss of their youngest. I think these moments are meant to amplify the more satirical sides of the film. While "The Host" does feature a giant monster, it never fails to remind you from where it came from.

Once the government quarantine goes up and the public put on alert, you start to wonder if they can be trusted. They accidentally created this mess in the first place. Are they here to protect the public, or simply clean up their mess?

Even further, once Park begins his escape and eventual mission to find his lost daughter, "The Host" takes on a lot of adventure. The entire family comes together to battle this creature. And the government that's trying to keep them away from it. This leads to plenty of additional scares and some intense action scenes.

Best Paired with:

"The Host" is a great movie, but an odd duck. Anyone who loves monster movies and off-beat horror will enjoy its mutating tone. Casual fans of horror may find themselves confused as to what sort of movie "The Host" actually is. Is it horror? Comedy? Social satire?

The answer is yes.

If you're up for watching, be ready to roll with the flow of the film. When the character's are comical, laugh. When they're serious, take the film seriously. It can involve some emotional exercise, and thus be quite exhausting, but it makes for a roller-coaster of an experience.

Accompanying Brew:

 Just as "The Host" brings the monster movie concept in a new direction, let's take the pumpkin brew down a new path.

From the Southampton Public House in Southampton, NY comes tonight's brew: Southampton Pumpkin Ale.

Pouring the usual light amber/golden of typical pumpkin ales, Southampton's offering seems pretty similar at first glance. Take a whiff, and you'll be treated to the usual blend of spices and malt/nutty scent. Your first sip is where the differences come up.

Southampton Pumpkin does contain spice and added malt, but takes the flavor in a more tart direction rather than sweet one. There's almost a vegetable-like and slightly sour tone to the flavor. This makes the pumpkin stick out more than usual and tempers the spices. It's a pleasant flavor, but different from any of the pumpkinheads I've tried before. Though it took some getting used to, the unique taste began to grow on me. With the array of super-sweet and overly-spiced pumphead ales out there, it's nice to see a brewery do things differently.

It makes me wonder what other flavors might go well with pumpkin other than the usual Fall array.

With "The Host" shifting things away from typical monster movies, Southampton's unique spin on their pumpkin ale makes for a perfect pairing. The brew is light and crisp enough to enjoy alone or with a cinnamon/sugar rim and has simultaneous moments of sweet, sour, and bitter. Changing flavors for a horror film with shifting tones. But in both cases, it's all intentional.  

31 Days of Drafts and Darkness:

"Sinister" (2012)

Oh "Sinister", you nasty little cinematic snakebite. If you're planning on giving this one a watch, be sure to harden yourself up to the creepy realism it throws at you. While the story of "Sinister" features paranormal elements, it's story-within-a-story scenes are the jolts that'll shock and disturb you most.

Allow me to explain...

The Plot:

An author and his family move into a quiet home in the suburbs. Although the place seems lovely, only the father knows the abode's dark secret. You see, going back decades, every single family that has ever inhabited the house has been slain. 

Specializing in non-fiction crime, the father moves his family into the literal scene of the crime to dig up clues for a new book. Not as popular as he used to be, the author knows solving the case of these bizarre serial-killings will return him to his former fame.

Although occasional creepy things begin to happen, that pretty much comes with the territory in these sort of stories. The real problem arrives when the author discovers a dusty box of 8mm films in the antic. Curious, the author sets up the camera and begins watching. And is horrified.

Each recording contains the execution of all the previous families that ever lived in the house. They are essentially a series of snuff films. Though sickened, the author realizes that turning this evidence in to the police robs him the opportunity to solve the case for himself. Welling up courage, he begins watching each film obsessively, taking notes about every twisted scenario. After repeated viewings, he begins to notice odd things happening in the background. The same masked figure appears to be showing up in every movie, even though they were filmed decades apart. And who the hell is even filming these events?

Can this family solve the mystery without becoming its next victims?

The Flavor:

While "Sinister" packs a few jumps scares, most of its horror is drawn from the atmosphere and use of realistic 'home movies'. That we, the audience, watch each and every video alongside our main character means we get to share in his revulsion and horror. What's worse, because he's investigating these videos for clues, it means each one is viewed multiple times. The first one or two are very disturbing. The last few will drive icy daggers into your chest.

Recorded on 8mm film, none of these movies have any sound. Thus, while you watch each grisly scenes, you'll hear nothing but the faint clicking of the film reel spinning by. It doesn't sound jarring, but combined with the imagery, it ratchets up the realism to seriously creepy levels.

Gruesome as they are though, the little films do begin to intrigue. Much in the same way our protagonist suffers each film for the sake of finding clues, so too will you find yourself scanning each little frame for details and  hints. Most of the time you find nothing. But then, sometimes you do. And things go from bad to worse. For all the horror each film presents openly, the little secrets they pack are even more disturbing.

As unnerved as the film makes you, "Sinister" is also very good at getting you wrapped up and invested into the mystery. Thus, even though you dread whenever one of the home movies begins playing, you know it'll be important.  And so you press on, trying to figure things out alongside the author. For all the dread "Sinister" establishes, that it hooks you in its story from the get-go means it's not easy to leave before the credits role.

Best Paired with:

For the pure heebie-jeebie factor, "Sinister" should be watched alone and in the dark, just like its protagonist does. If you're looking for the scariest experience possible, accept no substitute. Let the film capture your complete attention and lose yourself in the story. Just bear in mind that plenty of imagery will stick will you. This is no horror movie you can just brush off.

I also recommend "Sinister" for horror junkies. Much of the blood and gore is never shown, and while that sounds like a cop-out, it actually makes the horror much more penetrating. Cutting away at just the right moment, we're treated to a view of the protagonist's traumatized reaction to the on-screen violence rather than see it for ourselves. For those with active imaginations, it's far more frightening than seeing gore effects.

For this reason, I'd advise casual filmgoers against "Sinister". While there's little in the way of blood-and-guts, the implied content is worse in ways. I completely understand the hard-R rating on this film even knowing it's not that bloody.

Accompanying Brew:

For an under-your-skin creepfest, something with bite and thematic flare:

From Buzzards Bay Brewery comes tonight's featured ale: Lizzie's 81 Whacks Red IPA.

And yes, that's the actual label. 

Named for the muderous Lizzie Borden and her infamous hatchet, 81 Whacks presents a bold array of bitter hop combined with heavy use of malt. As an IPA, or India Pale Ale, the hoppy component of the brew stands boldly at the forefront. Though pouring an amber red color, 81 Whacks has a piney scent that'll clue you in to the hop flavor within before you even taste it.

Upon the first sip, you'll quickly pick up on the strong bite of the brew, which sticks around into the aftertaste, as well. Once the initial flavor starts to recede and the aftertaste becomes detectable, it's only then that you'll pick up on the added malt nuttiness, which goes quite nicely with the lingering hop flavor.

If you like you beers (and horror) strong, both "Sinister" and 81 Whacks make for a great pairing. The beer is a nice bitter elixir to help you steel yourself through moments of "Sinister", some of which pay all-too-appropriate homage to the cutesy picture on the beer's bottle.