When it comes to Halloween movies, it's tough to pick a favorite

Oct. 29—October brings out the movie buffs.

With fall's chill comes the spooky season, which means that new Halloween movies find their way to the big screen, and fan favorites find their way to living room televisions.

With so many classic horror and Halloween-themed films to choose from, it's difficult to crown a favorite. But several community members were up to the challenge.

Harold St. John

Paranormal movies are among the favorites of the co-founder of Toledo Ohio Ghost Hunters Society.

"Everybody liked The Exorcist, but I'd say The Amityville Horror is one of my favorites," he said.

The Amityville Horror was released in 1979 and is the first of a series. St. John said the film caught his attention years ago, as it's based on Ed and Lorraine Warren, two well-known paranormal investigators.

"They were probably the most popular modern-day ghost hunters, and The Amityville Horror, The Conjuring series, and Annabelle are all based on the couple," St. John said.

While he sang praises for the couple's work, he said the movie does have drawbacks that are obvious to paranormal investigators.

"Not to be rude, but a lot of Amityville Horror was blown out of proportion and exaggerated for TV. This was a real case in New York. Ed and Lorraine Warren were well respected in the paranormal field," he said.

St. John said it's fairly normal for paranormal activity to be misrepresented in entertainment.

"I don't want to be negative around Halloween time, but hauntings are not fun," he said. "They're rare but real, and in the rare case that someone is home during a haunting, it's never like the movies. You have children and parents scared to death."

Chris Bores

This local ghost behaviorist, as Bores calls himself, praised The Conjuring for its accuracy.

"They didn't really embellish too much, and basically what they portray on screen is what you can experience in real life. A lot of movies kind of glorify the storyline to the point you have to suspend belief. I spoke to one of the kids that The Conjuring is based on, and she said the real events were more intense than what's shown in the movie," he said.

Bores said he isn't big on thriller movies, so the paranormal-themed movies are his go-to's.

"Since I seek the paranormal myself, I enjoy these movies. They're actually based on real cases and actual events that occurred. They just released the third one, but I'm not crazy about the spin-offs. The first one is my favorite," he said.

Adam Fineske

As for Halloween classics, the Ottawa School superintendent listed Scream as his favorite.

The movie came out in 1996, and still has him shaking in his boots.

"No matter how many times I watch it I get scared at the same parts even though I know what's going to happen. I love the plot and that it makes one really wonder about all the other scary movies out there," Fineske said.

Romules Durant

The Toledo Public Schools superintendent also finds himself lured to a Halloween classic, this one released in 1974, but for other reasons. Durant said he loves The Texas Chain Saw Massacre for its psychological elements.

"The screenwriters used a creative element to produce a film that depicts life-changing scenarios for those who lack a true appreciation for life," Durant said.

Wade Kapszukiewicz

Toledo's mayor said he is not a fan of scary movies whatsoever.

"I'm not a big fan of the blood and guts type of films, you know like slasher-style movies. I'm not drawn to Friday the 13th or Nightmare on Elm Street. Those sorts of things just aren't for me," he said.

However, Kapszukiewicz said he is a sucker for a good suspense film.

"I'm drawn to more suspense movies, and my favorite would be The Shining (1980). I know it's not based in October, but I like Stanley Kubrick, who's the director. I really like his movies and how there's a twist at the end."

"I like suspense movies that are loosely based on true historic events like The Amityville Horror of the late '70s. I believe the house is still there," he continued. "Or take The Exorcist, that's based on a real exorcism that took place in the 1940s."

Tom Hosler

Kapszukiewicz is not the only one who loves the classics. The superintendent for Perrysburg Schools listed The Silence of the Lambs as one of his holiday favorites as well. It came out in 1991.

"When it comes to horror or suspense movies, that's my time. I think it was just the characters, the evilness, and how it was disguised by this highly refined and intelligent person who's Dr. Lecter that struck me," Hosler said.

He also credited the movie's climax as a selling point.

"I like the way it builds up, you know, there are some scary scenes like the ending, but the buildup of Dr. Lecter and his relationship with Clarice Starling adds to the movie's appeal," he said.

First Published October 29, 2021, 9:00am