October 28th, 2012: Candyman

Candyman's plot follows Helen Lyle, a graduate student at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  She is conducting research for her thesis on urban legends and stumbles upon the legend of "Candyman".  It is said that Candyman can be summoned by saying his name 5 times while looking into a mirror.  He will then murder the person who summoned him with his hook for a hand. 

The film is based on a short story entitled Forbidden, written by Clive Baker, and was directed by Bernard Rose.  It is accompanied with an incredible soundtrack scored by the amazing Philip Glass.  The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 1992 in the Midnight Madness lineup.  After a successful premier the film became a box office hit and made a lot of top horror lists.

ROTTEN TOMATOES RATING: 74%

This is such a great story and definitely a top choice for the weekend before Halloween.  Though I hadn't seen this movie until 2009, I remember hearing about who Candyman was back in first grade.  The stories I heard about them were enough to give any 6 year-old nightmares.  The fact that it takes place in Chicago is another plus!

-Colby.