This is the month of October, the time when horror movies get an extra boost by witches, goons and goblins that for, at least, one day out of the month actually walk the streets. In honor of such month, I thought it fitting to suggest a film from the horror genre, and to discuss approaches for selecting a horror film for your Hallow’s Eve festivities.

"I, Madman" is a well-crafted, gory, movie that generates real tension and contains some well-placed scares. It blends original story elements with typically solid formula plot lines. Better than all of the "Nightmare on Elm Street" sequels and clones, "Madman" places intelligent, believable characters in a quirky, campy, eerie environment.

"Madman" is about a young would-be actress who works in a creepy Los Angeles used bookstore. She has discovered a strange horror novel that really drags her in, and in the process seems to pull things out into the real world. Careful pacing and a sense of humor are critical to the film’s success. The production values are better than most "B-Grade" horror films, but this film retains a kind of "airy mic" feel, combined with a grainy texture that helps build its authenticity.

The "feel" of a movie is important and these days feel is paid attention to less and less. With the success of "The Blair Witch Project" whose camera work varied wildly adding depth to that mockumentary, grainy images and airy mics can, in some cases, help a film immensely. This is, also, true of letter boxed versions of films (try watching the hardly classic but soo funny "Bachelor Party" letter boxed--it was like watching a whole new film). I’d like to see more new films that concentrate of the feel of the film in the camera itself-- "Three Kings" perfectly makes use of a different film feel; see it, you won’t be disappointed.

Anyway, "Madman" is worth the old release rental price. I was curious about the director, Tibor Takacs (Hungarian? whatta cool name). So, I "mined the net," or the web if you prefer, and put together a filmography of sorts featured below. I haven’t seen anything else by him. If some of you have more information let me know.

A FEW SUGGESTIONS WHEN RENTING A HORROR FILM THIS HALLOWEEN:

Often, I find the most effective horror movies are those devoid of the violent and unpleasant gore found in many of these films. Sometimes, a horror film can transcend its genre and cross-over into another genre--see "Cronos," it became a somewhat moving drama. Horror movies have a very narrow focus group and those films that cross-over into another genre can get lost and prove disappointing to a viewer expecting something completely different.

Therefore, when taking a RISK on a horror film it is important to ask yourself some key questions:

(1) Are you interested in a good story? - If you are, most of the horror films on the video store shelves will fail to deliver; they just emphasize special effects working from a formula script.

(2) Gore or No-Gore? (Not Al and Tipper) - Think "Re-animator" (cleverly referenced in "American Beauty") as good benchmark. Many horror films in the last 15 years feature explicit gore, involving disembowelment and other nasty distasteful effects that are real enough to suspend disbelief and ruin pizza and a movie. One exception, the first two "Evil Dead" films, I consider them a kind of horror Shakespeare.

(3) What is the age of your audience? - Horror films in general tend to be rated "R" for violence, gore, and, yes, the occasional gratuitous sex scene, see "Sorority House Massacre" (I haven’t seen this film, but the video box looks like it would fit the bill).

(4) What time is it? - Horror films are always best viewed at night and move along quickly due to formula story-lines, actors who appear to have trouble with dialogue, and limited budgets which certainly leave little money to pay the writer. "Sorority House Massacre," for example, weighs in at a whopping 74 minutes. I’ve found that attention spans wander after 11 pm which may not be the time to consider renting a movie like "Kundun."

This Halloween it will be safe to take RISKS at the video store. Almost all horror films on the shelves are equally bad or equally good depending on your tastes. I would avoid those films with partially nude women on the video box unless you are looking for that sort of thing, killing two birds, you know.

You could rent the smaller horror classics like "The Hills Have Eyes," (the original), or the smart more mainstream Kathryn Bigelow film "Near Dark," its about modern-day, red-neck vampires and is more of a thriller than a horror film. Of course, you could reject the genre altogether and settle in and watch "Kundun" (if you do, start the film before 11 pm and drink coffee).

TIBOR TAKACS (Limited Filmography):

Television Projects Discovered on the Web-

"The Crow: City of Angels"
"Earth Final Conflict"
"The Outer Limits"

Feature Films and Straight-to-Video Releases: Tibor appears to have directed, at least, eleven (11) films. "Redline" with the always watchable cool Rutger Hauer has generated some positive buzz on a few sites, but I have not seen it. I’m curious about the last three (3) films on the list below. These three films are not even available on "reel.com!" Let me know if any of you reading this have a copy of any of them and would be kind enough to send me one.

1.) Redline (1997)
2.) Sanctuary (1997)
3.) Sabotage (1996)
4.) Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1995), with Melissa Joan Hart
5.) Bad Blood (1994)
6.) Gate II (1992)
7.) I, Madman (1989)
8.) The Gate (1987)
9.) 984 - Prisoner of the Future (1984)
10.) The Tomorrow Man (1979)
11.) Metal Messiah (1977)

Jonathan Hickman