Movie Marathon

With so much costume-fueled excitement occurring this past weekend, it may be hard to find motivation to get into the spirit of Halloween now that it’s actually here. But what, you ask, does one do in such a dilemma? The answer: watch movies! Here to satisfy all your Halloween-related desires is a list of the spookiest and most skin-crawling films that FM can come up with.

If you want to get in the frisky mood before putting on your skimpy costume and going to a party...

“Mean Girls” (2004)—after all, what better movie to watch than the one that teaches us that “Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it”? Alternatively, watch a few episodes of “Breaking Bad” (2008). Nothing will make you feel feistier than watching the incredible Walter White get himself in a winnebago-load of trouble with his wife and take it like a champ.

If you want something that will make you feel less bad about yourself after gorging on Halloween candy...

“Super Size Me” (2004), a documentary about a man who ate nothing but McDonald’s for a month and consequently gained not only many extra pounds but a whole host of health problems, is guaranteed to make you forget your guilt over having a few (hundred) extra pieces of candy. Otherwise, indulge yourself in a beautiful yet heartbreaking romantic movie, such as “The Notebook” (2004) or “Titanic” (1997). When you’re feeling nothing but loneliness and heartache and the tears are streaming down your face, you’ll need that candy to lift your spirits. You’ll forget all about the less-than-desirable side effects.

If you’re looking for something that will make you feel young again...

There’s nothing better to bring you back to your childhood than the classics “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (1966), “Casper” (1995), or “Hocus Pocus” (1993). That being said, if you try to talk about any of these movies with anyone under the age of 18, all you’ll receive is blank stares and a reputation for being a try-hard weirdo. If what you’re looking for is to fit in with the crowd of youngins as you shamelessly trick-or-treat with them around Cambridge, your best bet is to watch the Disney Channel Original Movie “Halloweentown” (1998), and then talk about nothing else all night while trying to blend in with all the eight-year-olds.

If you’re looking for some solid costume ideas...

Seeing as it’s already Halloween, you’re going to need some quick and easy ideas that will not only take 10 minutes to put together but also convince everyone else at the party that you put real thought into your outfit. “Moulin Rouge!” (2001) provides just that—an entertaining and wildly bizarre movie, but one with a fair amount of flashy costumes that can be put together relatively easily using some things you may already have in your closet.

If you’re looking for an idea of what not to do on Halloween night...

“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974) provides a pretty solid example. In fact, it’s a pretty solid example of what you should not do on any night, ever. Another suitable substitute is “Legally Blonde” (2001), reminding us that the last thing we want to do is show up to a non-costume party dressed as a bunny. Double check your party invites, people. Don’t be that bunny.

If you’re looking for something to really freak you out...

If you’re the type of person who goes to haunted houses hoping they’ll actually manage to scare you one of these days, and your idea of the best Halloween ever is one in which you are literally afraid to leave your room for fear of spirits attacking, the right movies for you are “The Exorcist” (1973), “The Thing” (1982), and “Paranormal Activity” (2007). Alternatively, see “13 Going on 30” (2004) or “Peter Pan” (1953), movies in which the main characters eventually have to stop being children and grow up, to remind you that once college ends you’ll have to be a real adult and Halloween will never be this fun again.