Now Showing:a Few Frightening Films for Halloween
MARIO RITTER: Welcome to American Mosaic in VOA Special English.
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I'm Mario Ritter. This week on our program, we take a look at some scary movies, just in time for Halloween...
We also answer a question about the Kennedy Center, in Washington...
And we have music by singer, songwriter and producer Bruno Mars.
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Scary Movies
MARIO RITTER: October thirty-first is Halloween. The holiday comes from an ancient Celtic tradition of celebrating the change from autumn to winter. The Celts believed the spirits of the dead mixed with the living on that day. They would put out sacrifices of food and light fires to keep the spirits from doing any harm to the living.
Now, adults give candy or other treats to children dressed as witches, ghosts and other creatures to keep them from playing tricks. Many adults celebrate the holiday in other ways. Some go to Halloween parties. Others like to watch a scary movie to get in the spirit. Hollywood releases several to choose from every October. Katherine Cole tells about a few in theaters now.
KATHERINE COLE: The movie "Let Me In" is an American version of a Swedish vampire movie called "Let the Right One In." Owen is a lonely twelve-year-old boy who is mistreated by a big, mean boy at school. Owen's mother is an alcoholic. He finds friendship with Abby, a vampire girl his age. Well, sort of his age.
(MOVIE SOUND: "Let Me In")
OWEN: "Are you a vampire?"
ABBY: "I need blood...to live."
OWEN: "But, how old are you, really?"
ABBY: "Twelve, but...I've been twelve for a very long time."
The movie also explores the dark side of human nature.
(MOVIE SOUND: "Monsters")
SAMANTHA: "Do you feel safe staying here?"
