It's October folks, specifically the back half of October, which means we're getting incredibly close to Halloween. Some people like to head out and party the night away, but for others, a low-key night at home or at the movies seems like a better plan.
This year, there's an abundance of flicks available all throughout the remainder of the month, and we've collected as many as possible right here. From O Cinema and to Miami Beach Cinematheque, to Cosford and Coral Gables, the art houses in town have put together some fantastic Halloween frights.
See also: The Ten Best Miami Halloween Costumes This Year
The Modern Stuff
This month is actually kind of sad for horror films this year, but there are thankfully some great options available on demand that have come out throughout the year. The ABCs of Death 2 is a mixed bag, but the folks who made the shorts based on letters D, H, K, S, U, V, X, Y and Z really turned it out, and there's a good chance that the Soska sisters could give the See No Evil series a much-needed kick in the ass with their sequel. But the two that are ideal for any horror fans marathon this year are Leigh Janiak's Honeymoon, an often-unsettling play on relationship dramas that dives into good ol' sci-fi and body horror territory and leaves plenty to the imagination, and one of the year's best: Coherence. It's a low-budget sci-fi flick, but it's damn great, and can be best described as an episode of Twilight Zone directed by Shane Carruth.
Let's Do The Time Warp
As you're probably aware, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is always in style. Every year there's an abundance of screenings of the film, some with shadow casts and some without, but it's the kind of flick that's a bundle of fun for everyone. While the Cosford is holding their usual screenings this year, and there's sure to be plenty of others as well, one stands out because of a more important event this year. The folks at O Cinema, who just recently announced their newest location in Miami Beach, will screen Rocky Horror at O Cinema Miami Shores with mistress of ceremonies TP Lords on tonight, October 25, and again on October 31 at O Cinema Wynwood. It won't feature a shadow cast, but sometimes it's better to simply watch the movie as is, especially if you're a virgin to its charm.
Back at O Cinema Miami Shores, a Freddy Double Feature hosted in partnership with Popcorn Nights brings an anniversary celebration of A Nightmare on Elm Street and Wes Craven's New Nightmare, the meta-sequel to the original film. The event on Sunday, November 2, features a costume contest and a live Q&A via Skype with Miko Hughes (Wes Craven's New Nightmare, Pet Sematary, Spawn, Kindergarten Cop).
A Night at the Drive-In
The Blue Starlite Drive-In Miami has got a hell of a slate available for people willing to drive on over this month. The sole true horror film that's available in the upcoming nights is Stanley Kubrick's masterful The Shining, but the theater has an abundance of fun flicks for everyone: Ghostbusters, Hocus Pocus, Beetlejuice, and Rocky Horror Picture Show. Plus, in collaboration with the Miami Jewish Film Festival, they've got a 40th anniversary screening of Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein that will be prefaced by a short film title Night of the Living Jews.
Secret Celluloid Society's Horror Screenings
You've likely heard of the Shirley's Theatre at Gramps by this point, but if you haven't and you're a fan of horror, this might just be the ideal moment to discover it. Run by the Secret Celluloid Society, Shirley's is presenting Demons and Santa Sangre on October 29. But it doesn't stop in Wynwood, although those are the only free events we know of, as they've teamed up with the Coral Gables Art Cinema to present the 40th anniversary digital restoration of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre on both Halloween night and the following afternoon.
Divorce Horror on Film
There's enough films in this world that could essentially boil down to the faux genre title "divorce horror." Of all of them, the one that easily tops the charts is Andrzej Żuławski's Possession. It's got Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill, both at the top of their game, a bundle of body horror and an incredibly messed up depiction of what relationships are like. As old as the film is, there's nothing like watching a flick in theaters, especially when it's being presented on 35mm at the Cosford Cinema on Sunday, October 26. So get up, get to the movies, and bring a date. After all, nothing says romance like tentacles and screaming.
The Godfather of Grindhouse
Last Halloween, the Miami Beach Cinematheque brought the Godfather of Gore to its audience, presenting Herschell Gordon Lewis with his film Blood Feast. This year, they've got another legend in the field of classic Florida horror: William Grefé. The feature he brings with him is Sting of Death, the utterly ridiculous '60s B-movie that was shot here in Miami about a mutant jellyfish that stalks biology students. Even better though is the fact that the jellyfishman from the film, Doug Hobart, will be along with Grefé for a Q&A session following the film. Don't forget to dress up in your best marine creature costume for a chance at winning a prize as well!
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