Trick R Treat

[Lasko8734]

Awesome Flick! Anybody else see it? What's your opinion on the film?

[Monty_Cristo]

best halloween-themed movie to come out this year. can't wait for the second installment.

[choptop]

if you like Trick R Treat youll like Seasons Greetings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U4ei6_UNLU&feature=related

[bert]

best halloween-themed movie to come out this year. can't wait for the second installment.

considering this was filmed in 2007, and just released in October 2009, it might be a while before the next film.

[bert]

Awesome Flick! Anybody else see it? What's your opinion on the film?

loved it, but horribly mis-marketed.

they were promoting it as "Creepshow", and it should have been promoted as "Lost" (ie: these characters are part of each other's stories, but they just don't KNOW it. . . or something along those lines).

the weakest story of the 5 is the teenagers playing pranks on the Autistic girl. The best? a tie between the Party in the woods, and the Principal and his son.

the Trick or Treater was in the middle somewhere.

I DO wish it had been a bit bloodier, but I get what they were going for.

the book on the making of the film (came out early in 2008, but still available on Amazon) is gorgeous, and I highly recommend it.

[Slackjaws_ate_my_brain]

Sam really hit home with me. I pretty much dug everything about him : His look, his M.O, His name (a play on the spelling and way some people pernounce Samhain), everything! One of the most memorable halloween characters to appear in a long while.

In any case, I wrote a short review of it for a post on the horrordvds.com forum, and here it is :

I gave it a 10. To me, it was a perfect Halloween movie. It was just fun and a bit off-the-wall, which fits the holiday to a T. Some people, I think, were expecting a hardcore, gore filled, kick-you-in-the-nuts fright fest (which could be partially blamed on the trailer), and that's why they were dissapointed.

I enjoyed each story, and, unlike some, I actually really enjoyed the fast pace and short running time. I think that 82 minutes was perfect for this movie. I've read various reviews where people complaina bout "character development".....This is a horror anthology, not "Seven" or "In The Mouth of Madness". Most people I've spoken to that have seen it have related it most closely to "Creepshow", with it's comic book stylings and anthology set-up, and I agree. That said, "Creepshow" was essentially full of 1-note characters as well. The stories (in both films) are short, to the point, with 2-demensional characters that are essentially there to serve a simple purpose.

As I mentioned briefly in the other thread about this movie, I actually really enjoyed the fact that it wasn't simply "basic frame story and a handful of unrelated stories". I loved that all the stories took place in the same night, I loved that the filmmakers played with the chronology and order in which the stories were told, and I especially loved that thestories all overlapped at least 1 other tale. It's a reasonably small town and they all take place on the same night, so why wouldn't they interact/overlap with one another?

Beyond that, I loved that the movie LOOKED great. I'm not 100% sure of the budget, but it looked like a 100 million dollar movie. The sets were done well, the costumes were great, and the special ef-x were done well. The acting was all pretty on as well. Everyone seemed to know their role and everyone seemed to go for it. 2 things that tend to bug me in genre films is when an actor looked bored (not bad acting, simply realizing that an actor is phoning it in) and simply looking cheap. This film thankfully had neither.

I also really liked Sam. I loved his design, I loved his "mission", and I loved how simply he was used in most of the film for a perfect effect. Like I said in my earlier post, I'm tempted to drop 60 bucks on the Sideshow 15" vinyl doll of him, I really am.

Basically, to me, the movie was pretty perfect for what it was : A fun halloween movie with a mischevious spirit, some fun little scares, and vibe that's picture perfect for the season. I can easily see this becoming another "Halloween Week Regular" for me (alongside other seasonal favorites like "Mad Monster Party", "Halloween III : Seasons of the Witch", etc.). Like I said, it's just fits my view of Halloween perfectly, and watching it I could almost smell the dead leaves and fresh pumpkins and feel the brisk chill of cold autumn air. What more can a guy ask for?

[anavrin0901]

I originally saw this flm in July at Comic Con and instantly knew I would buy it upon its release. I find myself struggling to decide which is better this year...this or Drag Me to Hell. I am leaning a tad towards the latter.

[Lasko8734]

Alright
1) what was your favorite character (besides Sam)
2) what was your favorite story

for me
1) Principal Wilkins
2) Meet Sam

[Sean Walsh]

It's sad that this movie got tossed aside by WB for 2 years and then tossed into the direct-to-DVD pile.

It's gotten a lot of good reviews from people who tend to be critical of newer horror movies - and the comparisons to CREEPSHOW have been quite positive (that part alone makes me wanna see it).

So naturally, it's on "incredibly very long wait" on Netflix. :-/

[jessecuster3]

I really enjoyed it, it was like a good Tales From The Crypt or Creepy.

[Frank]

It was very much over-hyped and the result was pretty average. Nothing really scary or very interesting. Anybody could have written something better than this in their sleep.

I think people liked the idea of Trick R Treat better than the result.

[Monty_Cristo]

considering this was filmed in 2007, and just released in October 2009, it might be a while before the next film.

that was because they were going to release it on the big screen. i doubt they'd wait that long to put another one out on dvd.

[Monty_Cristo]

It was very much over-hyped and the result was pretty average. Nothing really scary or very interesting. Anybody could have written something better than this in their sleep.


prove it. :cool:

[Slackjaws_ate_my_brain]

I find the "over-hyped" thing to be laughable. Sure, on internet message boards and at places like comic con, it's been spoken highly of, but that's IT. I haven't seen one commercial for it on TV, I haven't seen 1 late-night-talkshow interview with anyone involved, and 9 out of 10 people you ask probably haven't heard of the movie.

In any case.....

1) what was your favorite character (besides Sam)
I liked Rhonda, the young witch girl in the kids' story. Basically, I just loved the fact that she was a Halloween geek : a kid that read up on the history of halloween, enjoys following the traditions of Halloween, enjoys making jack-o-lanterns, and enjoys making her own costumes. Seriously, when I was a kid, that was me (only...you know...in guy form)

2) what was your favorite story
Hard to choose. I really liked the final twist of the "little red riding hood" story because I honestly didn't see it coming. I really liked the kid's story, but only in conjunction with the end of Mr. Kreeg's story, as it felt like a moralistic EC ending to me. I also liked Sam/Mr. Kreeg's story, simply because of how Sam in fended off. It was perfect.

[Andreas Tanis]

Great horror movie, I highly recommend it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet. It's well worth your time.

[Frank]

prove it. :cool:

First, prove me how any of the stories were original. Seriously, we could start a discussion right now between you and me and I bet you that our story would be more clever even if it's created in 30 minutes.

[tjarvis]

The only thing that doesn't make sense to me is the end of the Mr. Kreeg story. Considering he had all those jack o'lanterns lit, the kids shouldn't have been able to get to him. The movie kind of violated its own internal logic with that one.

Otherwise, I thought it was a lot of fun and really well done.

[Monty_Cristo]

The only thing that doesn't make sense to me is the end of the Mr. Kreeg story. Considering he had all those jack o'lanterns lit, the kids shouldn't have been able to get to him. The movie kind of violated its own internal logic with that one.


huh? uh dude. Kreeg wasn't visited by the children because he violated a halloween law. Sam(hain) does the punishing for that sort of thing. those kid were the bus children he helped kill. they were getting revenge. Sam visited Kreeg because he used his dog to scare away children instead of giving them candy. he basically chose "trick" over "treat."

[Monty_Cristo]

First, prove me how any of the stories were original. Seriously, we could start a discussion right now between you and me and I bet you that our story would be more clever even if it's created in 30 minutes.

it's possible. all i'm saying is that you made a pretty big claim. you said that anyone could think of a better story in their sleep. as someone who submits ideas for horror anthologies (it's a hobby) i can tell you that it's not that easy to write something scary and entertaining. maybe none of the trick r treat stories wowed you. that's cool. i didn't like all of them either. but i also wasn't disappointed. i loved that serial killer teacher opening. i wish that section had been longer. and i'm quite optimistic about them improving if they make a sequel to Trick r' Treat. Creepshow's probably my favorite movie; outside of Tales from the Darkside: the movie. half the time it isn't the story but the talent you use to act it out. i think Trick R'Treat had some strong talent in it. it could stand to be longer in parts. the bus kids segment was the weakest.

---
what was unoriginal about the principal being a serial killer? what's unoriginal about the spirit of halloween doing it's best to murder people who break the rules of halloween? i thought Sam was quite creative; as far as new movie villains go.

[tjarvis]

huh? uh dude. Kreeg wasn't visited by the children because he violated a halloween law. Sam(hain) does the punishing for that sort of thing. those kid were the bus children he helped kill. they were getting revenge. Sam visited Kreeg because he used his dog to scare away children instead of giving them candy. he basically chose "trick" over "treat."

Yeah, but the story that introduced the dead kids is the one that introduces the jack o lantern protection idea. They play up the idea of the kids crushing the pumpkins and the slightly retarded girl still holding onto hers.

I get why the kids were there, it just seems to violate the rules of the story they started in.

[Monty_Cristo]

Yeah, but the story that introduced the dead kids is the one that introduces the jack o lantern protection idea. They play up the idea of the kids crushing the pumpkins and the slightly retarded girl still holding onto hers.

I get why the kids were there, it just seems to violate the rules of the story they started in.

Sam put the pumpkins there. it was all part of the prank; part of the punishment. same with him writing Trick r' Treat all over the walls. Sam was done with the bus driver. he was hands off from that point on. the kids are completely unrelated to the halloween laws. there were a more than a few people who died w/o breaking the rules (i.e. werewolf food). maybe you're just focusing on the principal being a stickler for the rules. that was just the reason he was using to explain why he was killing children. it was more like a family tradition. but Samhain is the only character that is "authorized" to punish those who break one of the rules of Halloween. it's pure coincidence that the kids came back to visit their killer.

or the alternative explanation...
the bus children (whose spirits were disturbed by Wendy's associates) were the means that Sam used to punish the bus driver. that's why Sam didn't kill him himself; like w/ that girl in the beginning. he could give out all the candy he wanted to. he could decorate his lawn with a thousand pumpkins. by that point, he had already screwed up; pissed off the spirit of halloween.

[bert]

Sam put the pumpkins there. it was all part of the prank; part of the punishment. same with him writing Trick r' Treat all over the walls. Sam was done with the bus driver. he was hands off from that point on. the kids are completely unrelated to the halloween laws. there were a more than a few people who died w/o breaking the rules (i.e. werewolf food). maybe you're just focusing on the principal being a stickler for the rules. that was just the reason he was using to explain why he was killing children. it was more like a family tradition. but Samhain is the only character that is "authorized" to punish those who break one of the rules of Halloween. it's pure coincidence that the kids came back to visit their killer.

or the alternative explanation...
the bus children (whose spirits were disturbed by Wendy's associates) were the means that Sam used to punish the bus driver. that's why Sam didn't kill him himself; like w/ that girl in the beginning. he could give out all the candy he wanted to. he could decorate his lawn with a thousand pumpkins. by that point, he had already screwed up; pissed off the spirit of halloween.


no.

what he's saying is that the Autistic girl TELLS the younger boy that as long as he stays by the lit pumpkins the gouls can't get him. Then reinforces this when she's in the elevator clutching her lit pumpkin.

so the film establishes that the lit pumpkin offers protection from the ghouls.

then the film ignores this internal logic to have the kids show up to kill the bus-driver, despite his home being surrounded by lit pumpkins.

I understand what he's saying, and he's right. I didn't find it bothersome, because I just figured Sam blew out the candles in the jack-o-lanterns.

but it IS a continuity error in the film.

[Monty_Cristo]

no.

what he's saying is that the Autistic girl TELLS the younger boy that as long as he stays by the lit pumpkins the gouls can't get him. Then reinforces this when she's in the elevator clutching her lit pumpkin.

so the film establishes that the lit pumpkin offers protection from the ghouls.

then the film ignores this internal logic to have the kids show up to kill the bus-driver, despite his home being surrounded by lit pumpkins.

I understand what he's saying, and he's right. I didn't find it bothersome, because I just figured Sam blew out the candles in the jack-o-lanterns.

but it IS a continuity error in the film.

you say that the film establishes that lit pumpkin's protected them from the ghouls. from where i was standing, the elevator gate is what protected them. a quick glance at all of the deaths in the movie shows that only one individual was killed for blowing out a pumpkin's candle. and she was killed by Sam. Sam didn't kill the old guy. how is the internal logic ignored? and why would Sam blow out a pumpkin's light when he himself passed on killing the old dude. i wouldn't take idiot savant rhonda's word as law. you might as well be quoting the principal and his rule that you should always check your candy.

[Frank]

it's possible. all i'm saying is that you made a pretty big claim. you said that anyone could think of a better story in their sleep. as someone who submits ideas for horror anthologies (it's a hobby) i can tell you that it's not that easy to write something scary and entertaining. maybe none of the trick r treat stories wowed you. that's cool. i didn't like all of them either. but i also wasn't disappointed. i loved that serial killer teacher opening. i wish that section had been longer. and i'm quite optimistic about them improving if they make a sequel to Trick r' Treat. Creepshow's probably my favorite movie; outside of Tales from the Darkside: the movie. half the time it isn't the story but the talent you use to act it out. i think Trick R'Treat had some strong talent in it. it could stand to be longer in parts. the bus kids segment was the weakest.

---
what was unoriginal about the principal being a serial killer? what's unoriginal about the spirit of halloween doing it's best to murder people who break the rules of halloween? i thought Sam was quite creative; as far as new movie villains go.

I thought the principal being a serial killer was not a bad idea. I wish it would have been explored futher. The kid vomiting candies was the only good moment for me.

[the goddamn batman]

This. Movie. Sucked.

It was boring, which, is the cardinal sin of entertainment. A lot of it made no sense... like the kids. Why are the kids killing other kids? There could be myriad reasons, but none of them are offered. Why did they wait, god knows how long to kill the bus driver? Why did they wait until he finally started giving out candy to kids and obeying the rules of Halloween?

As for the bus driver, why was he punished for choosing trick over treat when trick is clearly one of the options involved in trick or treating...? Riddle me that Batman.

Again, there's myriad answers available, but none of them were offered. And this wasn't some 'decide for yourself' movie. It's not Last Year at Marienbad or anything.

I'm glad you guys enjoyed it, but if this is the best Halloween movie in years, that says more about the state of Halloween themed movies than this nonsense.

[Monty_Cristo]

A lot of it made no sense... like the kids. Why are the kids killing other kids? There could be myriad reasons, but none of them are offered. Why did they wait, god knows how long to kill the bus driver?

the answer to both is that the kids chose that night to disturb the spirits of the dead children.

As for the bus driver, why was he punished for choosing trick over treat when trick is clearly one of the options involved in trick or treating...? Riddle me that Batman.

it's not a riddle. trick r' treat translates into "you give me treats or i play a trick on you." there are only two options. giving treats is playing by the rules. if you break them you get the trick.

[Frank]

This. Movie. Sucked.

It was boring, which, is the cardinal sin of entertainment. A lot of it made no sense... like the kids. Why are the kids killing other kids? There could be myriad reasons, but none of them are offered. Why did they wait, god knows how long to kill the bus driver? Why did they wait until he finally started giving out candy to kids and obeying the rules of Halloween?

As for the bus driver, why was he punished for choosing trick over treat when trick is clearly one of the options involved in trick or treating...? Riddle me that Batman.

Again, there's myriad answers available, but none of them were offered. And this wasn't some 'decide for yourself' movie. It's not Last Year at Marienbad or anything.

I'm glad you guys enjoyed it, but if this is the best Halloween movie in years, that says more about the state of Halloween themed movies than this nonsense.

Yea logic wasn't the best thing about this movie. I'm disappointed with Dougherty as a writer.

[Slackjaws_ate_my_brain]

This. Movie. Sucked.

Your opinion, and you're well entitled to it

It was boring, which, is the cardinal sin of entertainment. A lot of it made no sense... like the kids. Why are the kids killing other kids? There could be myriad reasons, but none of them are offered. Why did they wait, god knows how long to kill the bus driver? Why did they wait until he finally started giving out candy to kids and obeying the rules of Halloween?

- Personally, I found the pace to be brisk, fitting a half dozen situations into under 90 minutes. I was never bored for an instant, between being interested in quirky characters, fun plot twists, and watching for intersect points between the stories. That said, it is your opinion and, again, you're entitled to it.

- The ghost kids were angry because of what happened to them, and attacked the annoying kids because the said kids had disturbed them, easy as that. They were disturbed from their sleep, so the first thing they wanted to do (after dispatching the annoying kids that woke them who were essentially directly in their way) was to go find the bus driver. Again, nothing too complicated there.

- Sam was the only character in the movie that killed others for not obeying the traditions of Halloween, as he was, essentially, the embodiment of the spirit of Halloween. The ghosts just happened to show up after Mr. Kreeg had "turned over a new leaf". It literally had nothing to do with his encounter with Sam. Think of it as a classic case of EC "Come-Uppance"

As for the bus driver, why was he punished for choosing trick over treat when trick is clearly one of the options involved in trick or treating...? Riddle me that Batman.

- I don't think you know what "Trick or Treat" means. The person giving the candy is given a CHOICE by the kids that go door to door. The choice is between 2 options : Either give said kids a "treat" or those kids will give the person a "trick". The person at the door, in the traditional situation, doesn't have the 3rd option of "Trick the kid before they trick you", that isn't how things are done, young ward.

Again, there's myriad answers available, but none of them were offered. And this wasn't some 'decide for yourself' movie. It's not Last Year at Marienbad or anything.

- I thought a lot of answers were given, maybe you just weren't paying attention...

I'm glad you guys enjoyed it, but if this is the best Halloween movie in years, that says more about the state of Halloween themed movies than this nonsense.

- I can't remember when the last good, fun-spirited Halloween film was, to be honest. It's been FAR too long!

[jesse_custer]

- I can't remember when the last good, fun-spirited Halloween film was, to be honest. It's been FAR too long!

Hocus Pocus, of course.

Wait, you said good.

[the goddamn batman]

Fair enough, I thought it sucked.

[Andreas Tanis]

It's sad when people can't even recognize a great horror film when it's right in front of them. Probably the same people who rave on & on about how the more gory horror movies are the best.

[Knightmare10880]

huh? uh dude. Kreeg wasn't visited by the children because he violated a halloween law. Sam(hain) does the punishing for that sort of thing. those kid were the bus children he helped kill. they were getting revenge. Sam visited Kreeg because he used his dog to scare away children instead of giving them candy. he basically chose "trick" over "treat."


Man, I loved this movie. I can't remember the last time, I smiled so much at the end because of a brilliant horror movie.

If you guys don't mind I'd like to put in my two cents about the how Kreeg thing and here's how I see it.

Kreeg was going to kill the kids on Halloween at the parents request(a tragic accident) but then the kid dressed as Dracula got free and caused the actual accident that Kreeg barley escaped from. Years later the Macy, Schrader, Sara, and Chip show up using the now "urban legend" to help with their prank on Rhonda (although I wonder if she was always their intended target) the kids go with it and after Rhonda breaks her glasses and passes out after bumping her head, Schrader realizes that they have gone to far and decides call it quits Macy who could care about Rhonda or the others then kicks the still lit Jack O' Lantern into the remains of the lake and this brings the kids back to life. I think they go after the others because of how they used their tradegy as means for hurting someone else.

Now back to Kreeg, since the events of the accident he had became a very bitter man turning his back on Halloween(among other things) he's been using his dog to scare children and then take their candy. Samhain shows up to deal with Kreeg for his indescrations aganst the "Spirit of Halloween" and was dealing with him for that. After Sam left Kreeg we see him standing out by the tree infront of Kreeg's house and then goes to take care of Emma. The the kids from the bus show up.

I have two theroies one that Sam was only originally dealing with Kreeg because of his disregaurd for the "Spirt of Halloween" and it's rules and didn't know Kreeg was the Bus Driver and realized it during the "attack" (maybe he saw the picture).
Or two: Sam knew who Kreeg was and was testing him to amke him see the error of his ways. Then when Kreeg is outside handing out candy to the kids, he's not doing it because he's been saved and accepted the "Spirirt of Halloween" the way Scrooge did with the "Spirit of Chirstmas" but more so to keep Sam away and Sam knows this and therefore elects to let the school bus kids have their revenge.

Also I think that Rhonda was protected by her Jack O' Lantern because she truley believed in the "Spirit of Halloween" and it's power(and was also an innocent in regaurds to the prank since she was it's victim) were Kreeg didn't .

[drwho]

This movie was absolutely garbage. I cant see how in hell this was ever considered for being at the theater. Sam was a little weird. I think it would have been better if it was just about Sam going around killing people on halloween. It was a big bad episode of tales from the darkside, or a cheap knock off of Creep Show.

Can someone explain to me why Sam stuck that pumpkin pop down that womans throat? I didnt quite understand that part of the movie.

[WeAreGoingToEatYou]

Are you serious? You would rather watch another generic slasher movie? And what's to get? Sam killed her because she blew out the jack o' lantern.

[Fatguy]

I absolutely love this movie. It's definitely going to be a Halloween staple for me, I watched it twice in the last week. It's very fun.

[WeAreGoingToEatYou]

Very fun indeed. My only nitpick with the film is that the 'vampire' was actually the principal. I didn't think it was necessary, and it didn't even fit his MO. The guy could have been a real vampire, and I would have been cool with that.

[Slackjaws_ate_my_brain]

This movie was absolutely garbage. I cant see how in hell this was ever considered for being at the theater. Sam was a little weird. I think it would have been better if it was just about Sam going around killing people on halloween. It was a big bad episode of tales from the darkside, or a cheap knock off of Creep Show.

Can someone explain to me why Sam stuck that pumpkin pop down that womans throat? I didnt quite understand that part of the movie.

Se blew out the jack-o-lanterns and took down the halloween decorations before halloween night was over.

[Monty_Cristo]

Man, I loved this movie. I can't remember the last time, I smiled so much at the end because of a brilliant horror movie.

If you guys don't mind I'd like to put in my two cents about the how Kreeg thing and here's how I see it.

Kreeg was going to kill the kids on Halloween at the parents request(a tragic accident) but then the kid dressed as Dracula got free and caused the actual accident that Kreeg barley escaped from. Years later the Macy, Schrader, Sara, and Chip show up using the now "urban legend" to help with their prank on Rhonda (although I wonder if she was always their intended target) the kids go with it and after Rhonda breaks her glasses and passes out after bumping her head, Schrader realizes that they have gone to far and decides call it quits Macy who could care about Rhonda or the others then kicks the still lit Jack O' Lantern into the remains of the lake and this brings the kids back to life. I think they go after the others because of how they used their tradegy as means for hurting someone else.

Now back to Kreeg, since the events of the accident he had became a very bitter man turning his back on Halloween(among other things) he's been using his dog to scare children and then take their candy. Samhain shows up to deal with Kreeg for his indescrations aganst the "Spirit of Halloween" and was dealing with him for that. After Sam left Kreeg we see him standing out by the tree infront of Kreeg's house and then goes to take care of Emma. The the kids from the bus show up.

I have two theroies one that Sam was only originally dealing with Kreeg because of his disregaurd for the "Spirt of Halloween" and it's rules and didn't know Kreeg was the Bus Driver and realized it during the "attack" (maybe he saw the picture).
Or two: Sam knew who Kreeg was and was testing him to amke him see the error of his ways. Then when Kreeg is outside handing out candy to the kids, he's not doing it because he's been saved and accepted the "Spirirt of Halloween" the way Scrooge did with the "Spirit of Chirstmas" but more so to keep Sam away and Sam knows this and therefore elects to let the school bus kids have their revenge.

Also I think that Rhonda was protected by her Jack O' Lantern because she truley believed in the "Spirit of Halloween" and it's power(and was also an innocent in regaurds to the prank since she was it's victim) were Kreeg didn't .

that could be it. as revealed in 'Fright Night,' you can't ward a vampire off with a crucifix if you don't have faith that it will work. maybe that's the same way with Samhain and the jack o'lanterns.

[Andreas Tanis]

It's become apparent to me that the people who hate this movie either don't understand what went on through the movie or were expecting a generic slasher movie. For the life of me I'll never understand why people want to see the same thing over & over.

[Slackjaws_ate_my_brain]

Some people have complained that the trailer was a "bait and switch", which is kinda true. The initial trailer made the film appear to be far darker and much less fun/light-hearted than it ended up being. Some people were expecting a darker, more adult, more violent film because of that, and, while i can see their gripe, i personally wouldn't have the movie any other way.