The Horror!!!
With Halloween rapidly approaching, and because I haven’t done a Top 10 in a long while, I thought it fitting to run down some of my favorite horror movies. The horror genre is tough to rate because it is my favorite genre and there are so many different sub-genres: zombie, vampire, slasher, comedic horror, apocalyptic, alien, etc.; not to mention the foreign, remade, and borderline sci-fi/thrillers/suspense-horror movies. I also tried to account for longevity, overall quality as film - not just as a horror film, level of actual scariness, and of my personal memories of watching these films. Basically it’s tough for me to narrow down to a Top 10, but if you’re looking to get a decent collection together to watch this Halloween these 10 are some of my favorites and will get you in the right direction.
10. Nightmare on Elm Street (1984): This film and the entire franchise is too popular to not have on the list. Sure the acting is of the typical, corny, 80s-movie variety, but Freddy still managed to scare an entire generation sleepless. A child predator haunting his victims’ children in their dreams, yeah it’s as creepy as it sounds. The scene where Johnny Depp explodes into a bloody geyser is a classic in cinematic horror history. Also, “The Making of..” on the Biography channel is worth watching for any fan.
9. 28 Days Later (2002): Although the “Infected” are not zombies by traditionalist standards their cannibalistic nature is all the more frightening when placed in abandoned, jolly-old London. Not to mention these flesh-crazed mutants can run like the wind. The climactic scene in the military’s “safe zone” is one of my favorite 15 minutes of recent cinema – the score, filming, and setting are all superb. This is a solid movie that fans of several genres can enjoy. You can take a pass on the sequel and please don’t confuse this with 28 Days - you’ll be disappointed.
8. High Tension (2003): The movie has a few flaws, what horror film doesn’t, but it is incredibly suspenseful, psychologically thrilling and most first-time viewers with whom I’ve watched it with are at least a little uneasy throughout the flick. That is the point of horror films right? There are some pretty gruesome scenes and you’ll probably not want to take in any houseguests for awhile after watching. Oh, it’s also subtitled so if that is a deal breaker, sorry.
7. Shaun of the Dead (2004): This is an underdog pick for one of my favorite movies, period. It may be more comedy than horror film and could be classified as a romantic comedy at that, but it stays relatively true to the zombie sub-genre. As one IMDB reviewer wrote, “a zom-rom-com”. Look, it’s still a zombie movie and the additional layers provide some laughs without making the film cheesy. Zombieland is in the same vein as another great flick to check out if you’re looking for some laughs to break up the gore and horror.
6. Halloween (1977): Michael Meyers is probably my favorite franchised villain in the genre. Sure his creepy quotient skyrockets with the chilling Carpenter-created theme playing in the background; but does a child, locked away for decades after killing his sister, only to return to his hometown for a murderous rampage really need help with his creepiness? No. The movie is bound to make anyone’s Halloween a bit more frightening. Some of the sequels aren’t too bad, but the original is unbeatable.
5. The Shining (1980): I might consider this one of the most overrated movies ever, and maybe it is, but it is still a must see as far as horror films are concerned. An abandoned Overlook Hotel, a pair of creepy twins wandering around, blood drenched hallways, an imaginary bartender, oh and Jack Torrance losing his damn mind. A definite and disturbing Kubrick classic.
4. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974): Few movie scenes have stuck with me more vividly than Leatherface maniacally waving around a chainsaw in the closing scenes. Although very loosely based on serial killer Ed Gein this was one of the first movies I remember watching that purported itself to be a true story. This really helped the movie become a favorite of mine. The sequels and remakes aren’t awful, but watch the original first so as to not spoil your appetite…pun very much intended there.
3. Evil Dead (1981): I first saw this in eighth grade and did not really get it. Then after each additional viewing I began realizing the awesomeness of this movie and the entire trilogy. There are some amazingly gruesome scenes and one of the more genuinely frightening movies of all time. Evil Dead II and Army of Darkness are definitely worth a view too.
2. The Exorcist (1973): Upon its release viewers fled the theatre, but it has stood the test of time and most will to this day consider it one of the most horrifying films ever. Linda Blair is chilling as a possessed child and was awarded with an Oscar nomination - not too common in this genre. The re-released/enhanced edition is worth a view as you get the bonus scene of the crab walk down the stairs.
1. Dawn of the Dead (1978): George Romero’s sequel to the Night of the Living Dead takes the gore to entirely new level as a group of zombie-apocalypse survivors find refuge in a shopping mall. It seemed like a good idea until they start with the in-fighting, looting bikers discover the mall, and, of course, the walking dead find their way in. It all could’ve been avoided if Fran would’ve just let the whole “I want to learn how to fly the helicopter” thing go, but then we wouldn’t have had much of a movie. Thanks, Fran! This is a must see for any horror fan. NOTLD is a classic, but DOTD made the zombie film what it is today.
Like I mentioned, it was difficult for to narrow down to a Top 10, but these are all a great start for a horror film collection or some Halloween viewing. Everyone enjoy and Happy Halloween!
