Halloween - Top Scary Movies

Halloween -  a brief insight.

The Name Derived

Halloween - is derived from the phrase "Hallow's Eve" and the festival pre-dates Christ. The Irish Celtic people called it "Samhain". Samhain fell on October 31 and was deemed to be the last day of Summer.

The Celts believed that on this day, the veil between the real and spirit world was thinnest and thus spirits would be able to cross over and take over one's body for just that one day. Humans not wanting to be possesed would dress up as ghouls and spirits to keep the spirits at bay. Hence the origin of "dressing up" for Halloween.

Trick or Treat

Treats came in once the Irish came to America. As part of Halloween, tricks would be played on neighbors and one way to avoid these tricks was to offer or leave candy - hence candy and the "trick or treat".

Pumpkins

The pumpkin is associated with folklore whereby a fellow named "Jack" trapped the devil and upon his death neither Heaven or hell would take him. But the devil gave him a light which he "housed" in a turnip. Later on the turnip was replaced by pumpkins.

I prefer the "Man-o-lantern" - remember 40 Year Old Virgin?

Horror Flicks
With that said, and since all things dark and scary are associated with this day I leave you with my fave scary movies:

5. The Evil Dead
4. The Return of the Living Dead
3. The Ring
2. Fright Night (Wonder Man - I know your a fan of this one)

Fright Night Poster

1. Halloween (the original by John Carpenter)


(See link - I also mentioned in one of my posts "Rob Zombie - Me Scared" about Halloween - Halloween)

If your a fan of "Supernatural" there is an episode in Season 4 which talks about the origins of Halloween, and Samhain. Check it out!

So what's your fave?

Happy Halloween Peeps!