Halloween House of Horror

Overview

Sometimes, a horror movie is smart, scary, and a thoughtful musing on both grief and motherhood. Sometimes, it tells you what to feed — or not — after midnight. And sometimes, a scary flick starts not only its own franchise, but sparks a US remake franchise as well.

Those films? The Babadook, Gremlins and Ringu, aka prime October viewing — and Halloween viewing, too. And yes, they're three of the titles on Dendy Newtown's Halloween House of Horror lineup on Monday, October 31.

How does a cinema celebrate the spookiest day of the year? With a big-screen scary-movie takeover. This one-day fright fest spans flicks old and new, including The Shining and its thoughts on all work, no play lifestyles, showing on glorious 35mm; The Exorcist, with William Friedkin's director's cut getting a whirl; and Evil Dead II, to make sure you keep thinking twice about creepy cabins.

There's also The Fly, aka one of Jeff Goldblum's finest-ever performances — plus Halloween Ends, adding some Michael Myers to the festivities, and also a preview of ace new Aussie horror Sissy.

Because this is a one-night-only affair, a heap of these titles show at the same time, so you'll need to pick your Halloween scary-movie viewing wisely.

Tickets cost $12 per film for Club Dendy members and $15 otherwise. Or, for $8, you can get a surprise — thanks to a cult shlock-horror title on VHS picked by Andrew Leavold, the former owner/manager of Brisbane's now-defunct Trash Video, with his tape of choice only revealed on the night.

Also, if you dress up in an October 31-appropriate costume and buy a ticket to any of the Halloween House of Horror sessions, you'll score a free medium popcorn.