MovieChat Forums > Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) Discussion > Nope, no way...

Nope, no way...

posted 7 years ago by akirastronaut
40 replies | jump to latest

Big Carpenter fan here. I saw Season of the Witch for the first time 2 days ago: disappointed.

I'd been reading for a while how this had been dismissed at it's release, and had progressively been re-appraised over the years, like so many of Carpenter's films, (I know he didn't direct this, but he was heavily involved) so I was rubbing my hands in anticipation when I hit "play".

First off, having read about it, I knew Mr Myers would not be around, and therefore was not disappointed by his absence at all, which is considered a reason for its initial flop.

Secondly, I'll address the positives: The score, and Dean Cundey's photography (though not his greatest work either IMO).

But then... The story! The story is ****. I'm not sure what to add, it just didn't work for me.

Acting: Pretty bad. Tom Atkins is alright I guess, the girl was awful. Lots of secondary characters were awful as well.

Plot holes, oddities and strange cuts. I'm not one to over-analyse like so many people on imdb, e.g. "He's driving a V5 engine, he's driving at 80 mph and he runs out of gas after 5 minutes, what !?!?!". No, I'm happy to buy into stuff, will happily suspend the disbelief, but so many things here were too strange and distracting.

Scary? Not whatsoever.

Is it nostalgia that makes it very popular amongst some of you? Or did any of you see this for the first time recently and like it?

"Chinese girls do not come with green eyes"

[–] jase-prasad 7 years ago

This film is not for your generation, leave well alone and stick to the rubbish you're use to.

[–] akirastronaut 7 years ago

Hey, thanks so much for your very informative and well thought out reply!

1) You know nothing about me or what generation I'm from.

2) If you read my post properly, you might gather that I enjoy films made anytime (and anywhere, by the way).

3) Speaking of generations, you should maybe grow up and accept the fact that not everyone agrees with you. Just because someone doesn't like a movie that you like, does not mean that they like rubbish.

4) Night night

"Chinese girls do not come with green eyes"

[–] jase-prasad 7 years ago

I am merely stating watching films that exceed your intellect will demand more from you, consequently your opinion of those pictures is very likely to be negative. Please stick to the Tarantino plagiarised garbage he makes, it is more accessible for you and far easier to understand. Stay well away from John Carpenter's stuff. If you don't get it, the likely hood of you ever understanding the subtext is zero. No point rising up to the Carpenter challenge if you're not seasoned with that movement. Carpenter is a bit like Mamet, you either get it straight off, or you don't. Your love for Tarantino is evident. And there's nothing wrong with admiring plagiarists. That's your thing so you stick to it.

Do not bother with Carpenter, I am telling you for your own good. You will only end up embarrassing your self. Now move on.

[–] akirastronaut 7 years ago

:)

Not only are you not the sharpest tool in the shed, but you're a condescending one at that. That's a strong combo...

Good luck to you!

"Chinese girls do not come with green eyes"

[–] 7 years ago

[deleted]

[–] glennhead-61166 7 years ago

It's a movie you gotta warm up to, hence the initial hatred and subsequent re-evaluation. A lot of the things you didn't like about the movie are things that we have come to embrace, and for me personally the nostalgia of it all. They just don't make movies like this anymore. And I for one am saddened by that.

[–] akirastronaut 7 years ago

Thanks for your civil reply. I get it, and will probably give the movie another go at some point.

"Chinese girls do not come with green eyes"

[–] jase-prasad 7 years ago

why re-watch something that is beyond your comprehension? You don't understand satire, you don't get consumerism, you just don't get Carpenter! Some of his stuff during the 80s/90s focused on these very simple issues that Carpenter fans immediately understood and appreciated, unfortunately the mass audience, i.e., people like you, treated his films with disdain because they found it strange and the simple message, which we all got, complex and indecipherable. Now you come on this board slamming his message that predates youtube and social media.

You are disrespectful and as such you fully deserve my wrath. Just stay away from Carpenter his material will remain inaccessible to your dummy generation because you are beneath the ideas explored. Stick to Tarantinos' plagiarism - where he takes original ideas and simply reverts them into pulpy laughable crap. You are perfectly suited to his films. A Carpenter fan, you are not. You never were and you never will be. Accept your deficiencies and move on.

[–] akirastronaut 7 years ago

You're hilarious.

And you're also the one who was disrespectful from the get go. You were and still are making assumptions, when you don't have a clue. Why you get so worked up is beyond me. You seem to slam modernity and mentioned "youtube"... the irony here is that you're a typical modern day keyboard warrior who throws a hissy fit as soon as someone has an opinion different to their own. Relax.

Thanks for the advice, but I'll stay away from what I like. Have a good day.

"Chinese girls do not come with green eyes"

[–] jase-prasad 7 years ago

wrong again, it is you and your dummy generation who embraces the social media world by having accounts for youtube, facebook, etc. Those things are beneath me but are engaging for you dummies. Furthermore, only your dummy generation would employ a phrase like 'keyboard warrior' pathetically apt for your generation. And yes I do disrespect anyone who fails to understand Carpenter, because silly uneducated people like you are not worthy of respect.

[–] akirastronaut 7 years ago

:)

Take a deep breath, re-read your latest comment, and (be honest now!) ask yourself this: "Does this read like it's been written by an angry 10 year old?".

I am so grateful that IMDB is not beneath you, or else we would be deprived of the delight of your numerous quasi-identical rants: "Americans are dummies! Young people are silly and dumb! Nobody understands this film apart from me and my generation because they're all uneducated silly dummies! ... Did I mention Tarantino? His movies are so stupid!... Will somebody please pay attention to me!!!!!"

You've entertained me, thank you. In return, I'll offer you a piece of advice.

Make yourself a nice cup of tea. Take a break from the internet. Go for a long walk in the country. Smile to people.

Everything is going to be ok. Big hug.

"Chinese girls do not come with green eyes"

[–] jase-prasad 7 years ago

But you are dumb. I have never stated "Americans are dummies," that is your error of inference. Nor have I written that "young people are silly or dumb" you did. I didnt write "nobody understands this film" but you seem to like making these sweeping statement that I have never made. Proving my point further: you are dumb and a liar.

[–] akirastronaut 7 years ago

My dear fellow,

I am a liar, you say.

A quick perusal through your imdb posts offer the following titles:

"Suitably dumbed down for American audiences..."

"Wasted on American audiences"

"Americans fully deserve garbage they willingly pay for", in which you write so eloquently:

"But in america your studios continually ruin books like the Reacher series with garbage like this, which you all fully deserve to get because you freely, happily and willingly pay for. Serves you dummies right! You all deserve it!"

In another one of your fascinating rants, you wrote the following:

"This generation will remain dumb because they do not have masterful writers like the ones I was treated to. They have just boring video gamers who don't read but think they can write screenplays. Dummies write for dummies that can't read. If I were unfortunate to be a living teenager now, I would surely kill myself out of depression."

"USA couldn't understand the original film"

"Initially too intelligent for US audiences, better internationally"

I could carry on, but I think you know where I'm getting at. You may have a goldfish memory and forgotten about the drivel you post, but either way, you clearly have an unhealthy obsession with the USA, and suffer from a typical case of "Back in my day things were better / Today's young people are all stupid".

"Chinese girls do not come with green eyes"

[–] jase-prasad 7 years ago

Hey dummy, point out in any of my posts where i have written what you have falsely accused me of: "Americans are dummies."

You won't find it, because my focus is dumb american movies made by dummies for dummies. Though I would say you have the highest magnitude of dumbness for lying outright and trying to accuse me of writing something I never did. Go back to school dummy

[–] chronomagnus 7 years ago

He did point it out, several times that you indicated that movies were too smart for American audiences. That more than a little implies that American audiences are "dummies". To say otherwise is pretty dishonest.

[–] jase-prasad 7 years ago

once again you prove to be the dumbest dummy as i have never written "movies were too smart for American audiences." This is YOU writing that accusatory lie against me!

I have always written about movies, specific films and the engagement/acceptance/comprehension of American audiences with that particular film. I have NEVER written "Americans are dummies" as you have written here. This is what YOU are writing and you outright LIE in order to spread hate and promote propaganda by injecting racial socio-political variables on a movie review site.

If people hate Americans they do so because of people like YOU, who create falsehoods and invert the truth. People like you prove why your nation is hated and why you deserve a president like Trump. I only write about movies. You do everything else. I don't like crappy hollywood films that dumb americans like to watch, nor do i like crappy british movies that dumb brits like to watch, dumb indian and asian movies watched by dumb indians and asians.

Dummies like you won't live long

[–] chronomagnus 7 years ago

He have consistently posted that X arthouse movie is too smart for American audiences. When it does about as well in the United States as it does elsewhere, as I indicated using "internet numbers" before jase blocked me for invading his xenophobic safe space. He posted that The Big Lebowski was initially too smart for American audiences despite doing better here initially than it did overseas.

He goes back to the same nonsense because like most bigots he can't actually defend his opinion using facts or logic, just that "Let Me In" was "suitably dumbed down for American audiences". In his weird mind that isn't at all condescending to Americans. He makes trashy arguments unburdened by facts and sticks to them with the resolve of a dog chasing his tail.

Also people hate Americans for the same reason Americans hate non-Americans, they're idiots.

[–] akirastronaut 7 years ago

WOW... You're a hoot! 😂

"Chinese girls do not come with green eyes"

[–] chronomagnus 7 years ago

But you are dumb. I have never stated "Americans are dummies," that is you error of inference. Nor have I written that "young people are silly or dumb" you did. I didnt write "nobody understands this film" but you seem to like making these sweeping statement that I have never made. Proving my point further: you are dumb and a liar.

I know you have me blocked because actual debate is just too much for your fragile little mind but..

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1228987/board/flat/263513760?p=1
Suitable dumbed down for American audiences? Americans aren't dummies but it's "suitable" that a movie is "dumbed down"?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1228987/board/flat/263541130?d=263541130#263541130
USA couldn't understand the original film? Is that not crapping on the intelligence of Americans?

He comes here to post xenophobic nonsense because he gets bored, I come here to rebut it because I get bored. He says he blocks me, it doesn't matter.

[–] glennhead-61166 7 years ago

Shut up jase. Halloween III fans are only rude to each when we're joking. A real Halloween III fan is comfortable with their opinions and doesn't feel the need to legitimately trash others for their opinions. We're open minded. We'd have to be to love Season Of The Witch. Calm yourself and let the guy be himself. Jeez.

[–] akirastronaut 7 years ago

Hey Glenn, thanks for the reasonable attitude.

I'd disagree on one point though: Jaseprasad has proven repeatedly that, despite being a fan of the movie, he is extremely narrow-minded and is the incarnation of the grumpy uncle we barely tolerate / annoying guy at the otherwise fun party.

[–] glennhead-61166 7 years ago

He's a butt plug.

[–] jase-prasad 7 years ago

Thank you for the entertainment

[–] jase-prasad 7 years ago

Yeah, consumerism and the power of the media and propaganda news network to mask killing, maiming and committing war and atrocities, which was the underlying unsaid of HIII. Yeah, good joke dummy, I'm laughing.

[–] Nathan_Arizona 7 years ago

No, you just think that YOU have such great tastes in movies, when you don't. You have terrible taste in movies. You suck, actually. And you go around thinking that anyone who doesn't agree with your Valuable Opinion is dumb.

Which is funny, as stated before you have terrible taste in movies. You gave 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag a "10".

Or my isn't name...

[–] jase-prasad 7 years ago

"you go around thinking that anyone who doesn't agree with your Valuable Opinion is dumb."

In your case I don't think, I KNOW you're dumb.👊

[–] Nathan_Arizona 7 years ago

Wow, what a zinger. Your wit is razor sharp. Dumbass.

Or my isn't name...

[–] Stratego (29252) 2 years ago

"I am merely stating watching films that exceed your intellect will demand more from you"

This is about Hallloween III, you freaking moron!🤣🤣🤣

[–] BensGirl (590) 4 years ago

Yes!! You said it perfect!!!!

[–] GeorgeRoots 7 years ago

Hey bud. Ignore the other dude :-) . He brought up his good points, but threw a barrage of c**p at you before giving you anything useful, and continued on also after that.

I would advise you to do a little research into this movie, because there's interesting stuff that happened pre-production. Michael Myers was pretty much killed at end of "H2" and that was that, the plan was to go into a new direction and make it an anthology series with different horror stories happening Halloween night.

Unfortunately the film didn't go well, audiences wanted Myers back and the rest is history. What could have been who knows, but the series was raped into a franchise, that I feel just got worse and worse as its got on with Myers going up against Busta Rhymes of all people later on...

John Carpenter had a producer credit on it, and was apparently an un-credited writer. It was directed by Tommy Lee Wallace (Who has done some interesting things here and there, but nothing really big) and the poor guys had to defend it all his life.

I'll give my opinion here. 5/10. Directing is wooden, acting is really bad (but I love lead actor Tom Atkins) and script does let itself down. I saw it late night on BBC a few times, The songs and music were annoying catchy and I've gotta admit I've never felt that it was bad as everyone thought it was. It even got the balls to kill off a kid and people in a few unique, grotesque ways.

Critics now look on it a little more favourably with themes towards American consumerism and corporate leaders lack of health standards towards public, references also to "Invasion of the body snatchers" etc. I do get a good chuckle describing it to friends, on the one hands there is those themes... on the other hand Androids and Stonehenge (This villain celebrates Halloween hardcore). XD

So Y'know it's very hit and miss dude. It's no great work of art by any means, but the somewhat camp factor and approach to try something new wins me over enough to check it out again every once in a while, tell people about it and defend it a little... Androids and Stonehenge XD.

I'm curious as to what you may have liked about it? did you want Myers to return? and anything else you would like to add or ask? please let me know, Thanks.

[–] dave626 7 years ago

Watched it again last night and it was a decent B movie. If it didn't have the Halloween label attached to it, it might've done better. It was in the vein of the Fog and the Thing, even Christine to an extent.

It was a good story, as you said, a pod movie like Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Typical of the time. I've seen a lot worse movies from that era, certainly. The feel, the score, Atkins, Nelkin, O'Herilhy was an excellent villain. The ambiguous ending which hadn't been done much to that point. All these things made it worth while. After the events of 2, with Michael burned alive and no Laurie, not much else they can do. Honestly, Carpenter was forced into making 2 a Myers film and making 3 at all, thanks to a contract he signed with Yablans. Plenty of blame to go around.

It is what it is, basically, a Fog like movie based on Halloween and the end of Carpenter's contract, legal ties. Akkad buying it back and bringing Michael back gave my generation a chance to see him on the big screen. I was 5 when the original came out. So I am happy for that, but it does admittedly go downhill rather quickly. 3 as a stand alone is a fun popcorn movie not to be taken too seriously and meant to just be enjoyed.

"He came home." - Dr. Sam Loomis from the original HalloweeN

[–] rateater (9234) 4 years ago

kind of boring and corny. a cool idea.

[–] BensGirl (590) 4 years ago

If you’re a “Carpenter” fan and you just saw this 2 days ago, you’re not a Carpenter fan and this film isn’t for you. Because it’s awesome.

[–] zombihntr (91) 3 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Bloodworth79 (5569) 3 years ago

A lot of what you hate about it. Is what makes it great.

This was a fun and creepy flick.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

[deleted]

[–] furiousstyles (4359) 3 years ago

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[–] seagal72 (1831) 3 years ago

Personally, I think it's a legit good movie....but I think that over the years people have come to appreciate the fact that (regardless of how you rate it as a movie) it at very least *tried* to deviate from the tired-old 'Michael-Myers-Stab-Show' (that subsequent sequels have proven)
Perhaps if it had been a big a hit as Halloween II, we might have had a series of great 'stand-alone' movies under the 'Halloween' moniker? (as opposed to endless sequels, rehashes and retcons that we have now)

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

I certainly agree. I would love for Halloween to go back to Santa Mira and have another story based on deceased Cochran.

[–] pjl69 (2430) 3 years ago

Without the robots this would have been a decent halloween story. I think the robot aspect was unnecessary and could have been easily edited out.