Best Horror Movies

[polkablues]

Don't forget Jason X.  It had even more fun with the concept than Freddy Vs. Jason did, in my opinion.  No Monica Keena, to be sure, but you have to take the bad with the good.

[modage]

The Howling (1981)
"You can't tame what's meant to be wild, doc. It just ain't natural...."

WHATS IT ABOUT? Director Joe Dante's second collaboration with writer John Sayles helped re-invent the werewolf movie for modern audiences.

IS IT SCARY? Notsomuch, but the way the film mixes sex with violence particularly in the early scenes is unsettling.



WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT? Joe Dante has such a love for monster movies he sprinkles the entire film with nods to Werewolf films from the past. 

SCARIEST MOMENT: The porno booth.



WHY SHOULD I WATCH IT? While it'll never live up to An American Werewolf In London (which came out later that same year), it's fun to compare the two films to see how they each took a slightly different approach handling a classic story with a modern touch.

[modage]

Tales From The Crypt Presents: Demon Knight (1995)
"Humans. You're not worth the flesh you're printed on!"

WHATS IT ABOUT? The 90's gem directed by Spike Lee's longtime cinematographer Ernest Dickerson is the first in a failed trilogy of Tales From The Crypt films that manages to perfectly capture the humor/horror balance of the series.

IS IT SCARY? No, like the series, the tone of the show is a little tongue in cheek.



WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT? The film is like 3 of the best episodes of the show put together even including the familiar opening and closing segments with the Cryptkeeper.  Billy Zane is wonderfully crazed as the lead demon, the camerawork takes a gonzo Gilliam-esque POV, and some of the gore is incredibly over-the-top (in a good way). 

SCARIEST MOMENT: When Jeryline's sheet reveals Brayker's future.



WHY SHOULD I WATCH IT? Because it makes a good double feature with From Dusk Till Dawn as films about a group of armed misfits under siege.  And because the 90's was such an dismal time for horror it's nice to dig up the occasional gem before the post-Scream era of imitation.

[squints]

Joe Dante has such a love for monster movies he sprinkles the entire film with nods to Werewolf films from the past. 

Like what films? what scenes?

If Psycho doesn't get 10/10 skulls...what movie possibly could? or are you saving that?

[Derek237]

I liked Demon Knights. I wouldn't put it up there with From Dusk Till Dawn (but I can see the similarities and why a double feature would make sense), but it was enjoyable. I'd say the main reason to see it is Zane. He's quite the question mark to me, but he gives a wonderfully maniacal performance. Plus Dick Miller's in it. Who doesn't love Dick Miller?

[modage]

Joe Dante has such a love for monster movies he sprinkles the entire film with nods to Werewolf films from the past. 

Like what films? what scenes?

Dennis Dugan and Belinda Balaski are watching The Wolf Man in bed, there is a picture of Wolf Man actor Lon Chaney Jr. in the doctors office, and many of the characters are named after werewolf movie directors: George Waggner, Roy William Neill, Terence Fisher, Freddie Francis, Erle C. Kenton, Sam Newfield, Charles Barton, Jerry Warren, Lew Landers, and Jacinto Molina.  i'm sure if you look hard enough you could find more nods as well.

If Psycho doesn't get 10/10 skulls...what movie possibly could? or are you saving that?

if you look back a few pages, i believe last year 3 films received a perfect score of 10/10.  i try to grade honestly and instinctively when i re-watch the film.  some are better than i remember them, others not as good, but 9/10 is by no means a lackluster grade.

I liked Demon Knights. I wouldn't put it up there with From Dusk Till Dawn (but I can see the similarities and why a double feature would make sense), but it was enjoyable. I'd say the main reason to see it is Zane. He's quite the question mark to me, but he gives a wonderfully maniacal performance. Plus Dick Miller's in it. Who doesn't love Dick Miller?

i wouldn't put it up there with From Dusk Till Dawn either, but i did notice a number of similarities when i watched it that seemed like they would be a good fit.  if tarantino and rodriguez DONT love Demon Knight, they should.  i hadn't seen it in a number of years so it wasn't as good as i'd remembered it, but i had LOVED it when it came to video about 10 years ago. 

[modage]

Candyman (1992)
"Be my victim."

WHATS IT ABOUT? Virginia Madsen stars as a grad student researching an urban legend called Candyman in a story that, as RK noted last year, would be echoed a decade later in The Ring.

IS IT SCARY? Yes.  In addition to the supernatural elements, the more realistic scenes of Virginia Madsen in the projects are nailbitingly tense.



WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT? The film's unique blend of reality and fantasy, Virginia Madsen performance which helps ground the film, and Tony Todd's portrayal of Candyman creates a new horror icon.   

SCARIEST MOMENT: When the hook comes through the mirror.



WHY SHOULD I WATCH IT? Because it's one of the 90's best horror films and a true original.

[modage]

Young Frankenstein (1974)
"Are you saying that I put an abnormal brain into a seven and a half foot long, fifty-four inch wide gorilla? IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME?"

WHATS IT ABOUT? Mel Brooks & Gene Wilder pay tribute to Frankenstein in what is arguably the greatest spoof of all time.

IS IT SCARY? No.  It's the only film in my Best Horror selections that is strictly a comedy.  But it's that good.



WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT? What makes the film so good, besides it being completely hilarious, and the cast being completely perfect is the attention to detail.  Brooks actually shot the film in the same castle using the actual lab equipment from the original Frankenstein film and the result is a film that feels like it could sit right next to the original.

FUNNIEST MOMENT: When Dr. Frankenstein meets Igor.



WHY SHOULD I WATCH IT? Because if you're someone who doesn't think they like horror movies, this is the perfect substitute.  Though I've got to be honest, it does make a great double feature with the original Frankenstein...

[Pubrick]

IS IT SCARY? No.

correction:


Yes.

[modage]

The Fly (1986)
"Drink deep, or taste not, the plasma spring!"

WHATS IT ABOUT? David Cronenberg re-imagines The Fly in his masterpiece "of the flesh".

IS IT SCARY? Be afraid.  Be very afraid.  But only if you have nightmares about parts of your body falling off because this is unquestionably one of the most disgusting films of all time.



WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT? The makeup and special effects are unbelievable (and unbelievably gross), Jeff Goldblum gives his quintessential performance as scientist Seth Brundle, and a great lines like "Are you a bodybuilder?",  "Yeah I build bodies, put them back together again."

SCARIEST MOMENT: The birth scene.



WHY SHOULD I WATCH IT? Because it's David Cronenbergs best film.

[modage]

Hostel (2006)
"You could, spend ALL your money... in there."

WHATS IT ABOUT? King of self-promotion Eli Roth makes a horror film that almost lives up to the hype.

IS IT SCARY? Yes.  It will make you think twice about backpacking through Europe.



WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT? It's an original scary idea, and the scenes of gore are used sparingly but for maximum impact.

SCARIEST MOMENT: Josh in the torture room.



WHY SHOULD I WATCH IT? Because while it's not a perfect horror film, it manages something that few horror films can nowadays: it's effectively scary.  While watching it for the first time you may feel a slight tinge of disappointment but you may also find that it's a film that stays with you.  Even though I hadn't seen it since January in theatres, I actually had a nightmare about this film just a few weeks ago!

[Pubrick]

Even though I hadn't seen it since January in theatres, I actually had a nightmare about this film just a few weeks ago!

hahah, there's something very white about that comment.

(there's something very pete about this post)

[Gamblour.]

The Fly (1986)

I was just mentioning to someone that this is probably the movie that scares me the most. Melting ankles, mutated shotgunned creatures, it's fucking awesome and definitely the most disgusting film, as you say. I can't watch this late at night. Also, maybe it's because I don't post much, but what's the real difference between this thread and the Horror thread?

[Derek237]

The Fly (1986)

One I try to watch every Halloween. Uh-oh, that's today!

[MacGuffin]

Also, maybe it's because I don't post much, but what's the real difference between this thread and the Horror thread?

From what I understand, the Best Horror Films are what mod rates 2 - 10 skulls.