arts // 8 theotherpress.ca Lighthearted Halloween flicks for the frightened » Fewer screams and more laughs - It’s the Great Pumpkin, Hocus Pocus (1993) Charlie Brown (1966) Beloved by families Cazzy Lewchuk Another beloved TV tradition and often on cable TV, Staff Writer frequently quoted and aired. this spooky comedy follows two teenagers who accidentally resurrect three cackling witches on Halloween night. It’s a definite Halloween tradition. Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy, and the whole Peanuts gang celebrate Halloween in their family-friendly, typical animated style. As a kid, I always worried about getting a rock in my candy bag just like our unfortunate hero. Wi the holiday season of Halloween well- underway, horror films have never been more popular. Scary movies play on cable, in the theatres, and all over the Netflix promotions. Many of us love the spirit of Halloween, but some can’t handle movies that seek to make the viewer scared or uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are a lot of movies available that, while scary, are easily suitable to watch with timid friends or anyone who doesn't want to sleep with the lights on. Scary Movie (2000) This one is a pioneer of the parody film genre, before they became horrible and unfunny. This flick parodies popular horror movies from the ’90s—everything from Scream to The Blair Witch Project. It should not be confused with its less-than- funny sequels, although Scary Movie 2 is on par with the first. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) In this bizarre rock-and-roll musical, horror comedy, clean-cut young adults Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick) and Janet Weiss (Susan Sarandon) find themselves in a castle inhabited by a transvestite scientist, Dr. Frank N. Furter (Tim Curry), who's eager to unleash his handsome “monster” creation. An absolute cult-classic that parodies early horror and science fiction films, this one is even better if you can find a showing at a local theatre. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) This Claymation musical masterpiece is one of Tim Burton’s best films. The Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington, discovers Christmas Town and attempts to bring the two holidays together—but things don’t go so well. For me, this one’s a tradition every Halloween and Christmas. Beetlejuice (1988) A recently deceased couple find themselves annoyed by the new (living) family occupying their house. They enlist the help of the wisecracking “bio-exorcist” ghost Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), with hijinks ensuing for all. An early film of quirky- master director Tim Burton, this remains one of my favourites. Young Frankenstein (1974) Directed by comedy legend Mel Brooks and starring Gene Wilder (the original Willy Wonka), this hilarious classic filmed in black-and-white follows Dr. Frankenstein’s grandson and his revival of Grandpa’s experiments. If you're blue and don’t know what to watch this Halloween, then why not try this? Shaun of the Dead (2004) This very British zombie film mocks and tributes the zombie genre all the way to the title. Created by the popular team of Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Edgar Wright, this is one of the best zombie films ever made, despite its parody. Who says zombies aren’t funny? Chairman of the Board: Friends for dinner » ‘Werewolf’ game review @theotherpress.ca his October, I’m going to be taking a look at a series of darker themed games. This week we look at a game that can literally involve a whole village. Werewolf, also known as Mafia, is a party game designed by Dimitry Davidoff for eight or more players. In the game, werewolves who kill off one of the other players every night. The rest of the players are villagers who, in the morning, pick one of their own to lynch in hopes of getting rid of the : werewolves. Some villagers : werewolf. The game ends once : all the werewolves are killed or : there are no villagers left. One player gets to play : the Storyteller. This player : works outside of the game, : making sure the day and night : sequences work and everyone : follows the rules. It is usually : the most experienced player or : one who has the best flair for two or three players are secretly storytelling. The best aspects of the : game are its subterfuge, : bluffing, and maintaining : the alliances among the : werewolves. It is similar to : other betrayer-style games such : as The Resistance or Bang! The Ed Appleby : have special abilities, such as : game is quick, and can involve illustrator : killing, healing, or identifying : a lot of people. It does have the Millustrator : whether other players arethe —: elimination issue that some : other games have, but it can : still be entertaining even to : someone watching from the : outside. Werewolf is considered : to be public domain and you : can find the rules to it easily : enough online. But if you want : something a little more stylistic : and permanent, you can find : several versions on Kickstarter : or pick up the seminal version : Werewolves of Miller Hollow : published by Asmodee. This is a game to pull out at your Halloween party, for both : kids and older gamers. | cannot : recommend it highly enough.