Black Pumpkin (2018)

**_Entertaining low-budget Halloween slasher delivers the goods_** After a kid goes missing in a Southern California town, the legend of ‘Bloody Bobby’ develops, fueled by some alarming slayings on a few Halloweens. Thirty years later, two You-Tubing boys inadvertently unleash the violent, malevolent spirit (?) once again. "Black Pumpkin" (2018) is a low-budget Indie that comes in the tradition of the original “Halloween” and “Trick ’r Treat” (2007). It’s similar to “The Barn” from two years prior, just with a more compelling script and better observance to the genre’s staples. The trick or treat ambiance is great, as it was in “The Barn” and “Halloween,” but this is the more entertaining movie, although “Halloween” is more artistic (naturally because it had John Carpenter and way more money with which to work). Ellie Patrikios (Laurie) and Alix Lane (Ashley) stand out in the feminine department and the director doesn’t fail to capture their beauty without getting too raunchy. Ellie was a little too old to play a high school girl, though, at 24-25 years-old during shooting, but that’s not uncommon and this is just a cavil. The antagonist is kinda reminiscent of Sam from “Trick ‘r Treat,” just fiercer. His violent streak coupled with a mischievous nature make for a memorable villain. “Bloody Bobby” (2016) preceded this movie, but it’s not necessary to see it to follow this one. A prequel came out in 2021, “Legend of Fall Creek,” wherein the events take place after “Bloody Boody.” This is the only movie I’ve seen in the franchise. It’s self-contained. It runs 1 hour, 31 minutes, and was shot in Inglewood, California, which is 10 miles south of Hollywood. GRADE: B