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I Just Have to Say

About Halloween:


*Shopping for your child? Do not invest in the cute, clingy "bat shirt." You'll be spending time outdoors. Go for the loose and thick "doggie" hoodie that can slide itself on top of three or four additional layers of clothing. Nurses should dispense this advice in the NICU; the words should be printed, in gold, on laminated cards.


*"A Simple Plan" isn't a conventional horror movie, but it's a product of Sam Raimi, the godfather of horror. Thus it has spooky ravens, ravenous rodents, blood and gore, rotting flesh. Also, it's a splendid vehicle for Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton. This may be my ideal Halloween movie.

*You will see a father melting down with his tween daughter. The tween daughter is dressed in a strapless Bride-of-the-Monster gown, and the father is screaming, "I told you, it's freezing outside!" You might wish to judge the father. Instead, state and repeat these words, in your head: "There but for the grace of God go I....."

*"The Great Pumpkin" is beautifully plotted; it's a master-class in character development; it's visually stunning; it has a score that rocks. Classics are often classics for a reason.

*If you live on a hill, costumed children will not be knocking on your door. Tale as old as time. Just use your brain. Sell the house if the kiddo-visits are so important to you....
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