Have a Blumhouse Movie Night this Halloween!

I have talked previously about the huge influence that Blumhouse has had on cinema. Producer and studio head Jason Blum has helped revolutionise modern filmmaking, whilst also re-vamping the horror genre. Sure there have been a handful of misses along the way, but the studio has been nominated for awards and has grossed close to $1 billion at the international box office. and thanks to a new set put out by Universal Pictures, you can enjoy some of the studio's highlights. So today I will be talking about the films on the set, giving you my recommendations! So here are my recommendations for Blumhouse's 'Blumhouse of Horror' set.

Get Out (2017) - Jordan Peele's directorial debut 'Get Out' may be one of my all-time favorite horror flicks. The film is endlessly clever, with social and political messaging that will be relevant for decades. Daniel Kaluuya gives an incredible performance as Chris Washington, instantly becoming a horror icon. The film balances its horrific moments, with sequences of comedy as well, with Lil Rel Howery stealing nearly every scene he is in. This one is definitely worth your time!

Ouija (2014) - Believe it or not, 2014's 'Ouija' is actually based on a Hasbro board game of the same name. If you have seen any horror movie before, you of course know what an 'Ouija Board' is. This film focuses on what can go wrong when you use one of these boards, as Olivia Cooke's Laine Morris and friends find out. This film is a lot of fun, it may not be as well crafted as other Blumhouse flicks, but Ouija is one hell of a ride that may be best enjoyed with mates. I had a blast re-visiting this flick and would recommend getting a few mates together, putting this one in your DVD player, have a few drinks, and enjoy. 

Unfriended (2015) - The found-footage genre has seen its fair share of entries, in the early 2010s there was a huge influx of these films after the success of the 'paranormal Activity' franchise. 2015s 'Unfriended' however is vastly different from all of them. This film is shot entirely from the perspective of our lead Blair Lilly's (played by Shelley Hennig) computer. This is a unique perspective to take and adds to the film's authenticity, as it does feel very real. The attention is in the detail and the cast and crew do a fantastic job of selling the frights featured in this flick. This one is definitely worth a watch! 

Ma (2019) - Octavia Spencer has been one of Hollywood's best now for the best part of a decade. It was only time before she had a turn at playing a horror villain. In Ma, she does that as she plays the title character 'Ma'. She is fantastic in this film, chewing every single bit of scenery. She's funny when she needs to be, scary and over-the-top. It is truly a masterful performance that needs to be seen to be believed. Check this one out!

Truth or Dare (2017) - Blumhouse is no stranger to gimmick-based horror as well. For those who don't know what I mean, essentially it is a horror film that bases its premise around a gimmick. For example, 'Paranormal Activity' is based around the found-footage gimmick, and 2017's 'Truth or dare' is based around the game of 'truth or Dare'. The film has fun with its premise, never taking itself too seriously. This results in an overall fun experience. This movie should be enjoyed under the right circumstances, with mates and a few beers. Check this one out if you truth... or dare... 

Happy Death Day (2017) - Have you ever asked yourself what Friday the 13th would have been like if it met Groundhog Day? Well 'Happy Death Day' kind of answers that question? Well not entirely, but it's pretty close. 'HappyDeath Day' flirts with both comedy and horror and blends the two genres to great results. Jessica Rothe plays our main character Tree and she's bloody fantastic. Rothe eats the scenery up, delivering a genuinely great performance with a lot of heart and great comedic timing. The death montage in this film may be one of the funniest in recent memory.  This one is definitely worth your time. 

Split (2017) - M.Night Shyamalan is no stranger to horror. The man, made a name for himself with his directorial debut in that very genre with 'The Sixth Sense'. He surprised audiences with his return to form with 'Split'. A thriller with a twist (we haven't seen that before), but in all seriousness, this is a great flick. The film is elevated by James McAvoy's compelling performance or performances... He does a great job at bringing each of Kevin's personalities to life in weird and unique ways. It is both a testament to Shyamalan as a director and McAvoy as an actor. his one is worth your time and you should also check out the film's 2019 sequel 'Glass'.

The Visit (2015) - Another Shyamalan film in this collection, is the director's foray into found-footage with 2015s 'The Visit'. Shyamalan plays a little with genre tropes here, as it is obvious that the director is self-aware of both his own career and the cliches associated with the over-populated genre. The film has fun with its use of found footage and never fails to deliver some great scares. One of the better found footage films out there.  

The Purge (2014) - Another gimmick-based horror flick is 2014s'The Purge'. Starring both Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey, the film asks the question 'What would you do if all crime was legal?' the film is basically a home invasion flick, set on the night that all crime is legal. It's thrilling, tense, and well-executed. The film is genuinely unsettling. The film and its 4 sequels make for the perfect marathon. 

The Boy Next Door (2015) - This entry is a 'so bad it's good type of film. Meaning, the film is not fully aware that it's bad. But that isn't always a bad thing. Because the film proves to be endlessly enjoyable for that very reason. Jenifer Lopez is doing her best with what she is given, and you can't really blame her for taking the role, because, at the time, everyone was turning to horror. The film has some truly terrible moments, but it will keep you watching and keep you entertained for its entire run time. Again, under the right circumstances, this one could become a Halloween mainstay. 

Halloween is only just finding its feet here in Australia and Blumehouse has put together the perfect boxset to introduce movie fans to what the horror genre has to offer. This set is great and is so much fun. You need to check it out and have yourself a movie marathon this Halloween! Pick up the 'Blumhouse of Horrors' set on DVD from your local Sanity or online today! 

Buy The Blumhouse of Horrors 10 Movie Collection Boxset Here

Christopher Pattison wrote this blog post for Sanity. See more from Chris here