BY MARK CERULLI
John
Carpenter’s Halloween was supposed to
be a one-off… a small, disposable horror movie that would give some young
filmmakers a break and its backers a nice hit of cash should it succeed. But a one-off it was not. Instead it became an American classic, which
until a few years ago, was the most successful indie movie of all time. It’s a story that cried out for a book – and
now there is one: Halloween: The Changing Shape Of An Iconic Series by
Ernie Magnotta.
This
deeply researched, 378 page oversize paperback illustrates Magnotta’s
enthusiasm for the films and the genre on every page. He goes through the franchise, film by film,
examining the plots, the key sequences, the cinematography, the music and, of
course, the characters and the actors who portray them. Even the changing face of Michael’s iconic
mask is examined and discussed. Like all fans, Magnotta has strong opinions and
isn’t afraid to share them. For example,
he picks apart the rather confusing ending of Halloween 6, which this writer saw in the theaters and couldn’t
quite get, either. He also looks at the
various plot holes and inconsistencies that crop up over the long course of the
series, which have caused die-hard Halloween
fans no small amount of agida over the years. That said, the book is not a
hatchet job by any means. It praises the
great work done by directors, actors and cinematographers as well as the many inventive
scares – crucial elements that helped make this one of horror’s most successful
and beloved franchises.
The
book contains over 200 color photos, as well as a number of posters and rare
lobby cards. Magnotta also thoughtfully includes film reviews of each title,
giving the reader a taste of how each movie was received during its initial
release. With the, er, monster success of Blumhouse’s 2018 Halloween reboot, this franchise is far
from dead – and Ernie Magnotta’s book is the perfect guide.
Click here to order from Amazon