By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@TheCitizenNews.com

If you look on your calendar, there are 13 days before Halloween and nothing gets you in the mood for the holiday better than watching some scary movies.

Here are 13 films that can be appropriate (using good judgment) for the whole family.

"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" This animated film from Disney (not the recent film by Tim Burton) is a creepy classic. Nerdy schoolteacher Ichabod Crane is haunted by the Headless Horseman in this rendition of Washington Irving's spooky tale. You can find this version in most video stores and some versions come on a tape of other Disney Halloween cartoons. Rated G.

"Gremlins" This film may be set at Christmas time but it packs plenty of thrills. When Billy gets a mogwai, an exotic creature, from his dad, little does he know that if any of the many rules of caring for the mogwai are broken, it can become a hideous Gremlin. "Gremlins" offers a lot of laughs and a few chills. Rated PG.

"The Nightmare Before Christmas" Another Halloween meets Christmas movie. This film was directed by Tim Burton and offers a few chills in what is mostly a comic, musical masterpiece. The plot revolves around Jack Skeleton, the king of Halloween-land, trying to take over Christmas and bring some excitement back home. Though his intentions are purely noble, he fails miserably and only his friends can help him put things right. Rated PG.

"The Lady in White" This film may be harder to find than most, but it is a good one. The story focuses on a little boy played by Lukas Haas who sees a "Lady in White." Everything in this film is spooky from the scenery to the background music and the film will stay with you for awhile. Rated PG.

"The Sixth Sense" Last year's surprising ghost story is on video and is amazing. If you have seen it (and most people have) you know about the plot twist that will throw you for a loop. It may be too intense for the younger viewers in your family, but "The Sixth Sense" is a creepy movie well worth the price of a rental. Rated PG-13.

"The Witches" Roald Dahl, author of "Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory," also penned this tale about a boy who lives with his grandmother and a group of witches who hold their convention at a local hotel. Anjelica Huston is wonderful as one of the head witches and there is more adventure and action than anything frightening. It is fun for the whole family. Rated PG.

"Jurassic Park" Everybody saw this when it came out but it's still a nice place to visit. A rich man has cloned dinosaurs and plans on opening an amusement park on an island. Things go awry and it is up to a paleontologist, his girlfriend, a mathmetician and the rich man's grandkids to save the day. There are lots of good action and lots of good scares in this blockbuster film directed by Steven Spielberg. Rated PG-13.

"Poltergeist" Another great thrill-fest from Spielberg, this film focuses on a family that moves into a house built on top of an old burial ground. Spirits haunt the family's house (and the land around it) and their attentions focus on the 5-year-old girl, Carol Anne. This could be too intense for the younger viewers as well, but it packs a punch. Rated PG-13.

"Jaws" One more Spielberg movie while we're at it. This was the film that put Spielberg over the hump and sent him on his way to being one of the greatest directors in the history of film. Jaws is about a man-eating shark terrorizing a beach in New England. Since you won't be going to the beach anytime soon, it should be OK for most viewers. Rated PG.

"The Mummy" Brendan Fraser stars in this film about a curse of a mummy. This film is similar to Indiana Jones movies with a horror slant. The special effects are great and the movie is fun. Rated PG-13.

"The Changeling" George C. Scott stars in this ghost story that is more suspense-filled than horrific. It is important to turn the sound up and the lights off to maximize the effect of this film. Amazon.com had this movie rated as R, but there is no nudity or gore and mild profanity, if any. Use discretion and enjoy.

"The Birds" Another film where the sound should be turned up and the lights should be turned off. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, this film answers the age-old question, "What if The Birds took over?" There is no music in this film, only bird noises. It's a delightfully creepy film. Rated PG.

"Psycho" Only for the older adolescents and their loving parents. This film focuses on a strange motel manager named Norman Bates and his domineering mother. It is one of the all-time horror classics and although it is rated R, there is no nudity, no gore (just a bit of chocolate syrup) and no profanity. It is scary and it is OK to leave the lights on for this one.

There are obviously other choices out there, but these should carry you until the big night. Although if you want to see something really scary, there is another presidential debate this week.

Back to the Top of the PageBack to the Weekend Home Page