Scary Stories (from a Dark Allie)

I so badly wanted to like this movie way more than I did. It has such a clever name! I love the idea of it! Even the performances are pretty good! But something about the execution here just isn’t it.

So, I originally found this film when I wanted to watch the 1999 movie Memorial Day for the Memorial Day holiday, but unfortunately couldn’t find it streaming ANYWHERE. There were a few places that had the DVD for sale, and I bought it! But I wasn’t sure if it would ship in time…plus there’s another movie by the same name from the same year, and I was a little worried I’d accidentally get THAT movie instead…

Well, I DID get the (correct) movie in time! But I already watched this movie just in case. It came up when I was searching for other Memorial Day horror movies. I don’t think it’s exactly on theme for today (though the main character is a veteran!), but it’ll work. Plus it has Larry Fessenden and Ethan Embry, so it seemed somewhat promising? And it’s available on streaming platforms.

So this was…certainly a movie. And not a very good one. Nor was it a very original one.

I originally watched this way back in 2016 and was going to write about it for the original run of this site, but there was some distribution issue and I wasn’t sure it was technically available anywhere so I put it aside and am finally getting back around to it.

Okay, I was…hesitant to watch this, because it’s a two and a half hour movie, but it IS Mike Flanagan (AND Stephen King), and I watched The Shining last time around, so it had to be included here. And I’m glad it was.

I honestly wish I had more to say about this movie. Especially because it stars the late, great, Donald Sutherland. And, like…ALL of Donald Sutherland.

I was hoping I’d like this one a bit more than I actually did. It’s a high three stars, but just not quite four stars.

I was a bit surprised how much I liked this movie. Maybe it’s because it’s been a long time since I’ve seen Elisha Cuthbert in anything, and it was somewhat disorienting to have her play the “mom of a teenager” as opposed to practically being the teenager herself. Am I feeling old??

I…am surprised by how much I liked this movie? It’s so weird, but it’s short, and it’s fun, despite primarily taking place in a rest stop bathroom?

I had SO MUCH FUN with this movie. Maybe it’s because I watched it with a friend I hadn’t talked to in a while. Maybe it’s because I was just in a mood to watch anything but Halloween. Or maybe it’s because this movie was super fun and entertaining!

Yeah…I have nothing to say about this movie.

I’m sorry, I don’t think I’ll have much to say about this one or tomorrow’s movie, other than I’ll be glad to be finally done with this franchise.

Happy Halloween! I hope you get all the candy you want tonight!