Friday, September 24, 2010
Eleven Best Ghost Stories
1) The Haunting (1963)- Four people head over to the infamous Hill House to record a little paranormal activity, and they get a hell of a lot more than they bargained for. Robert Wise crafts the perfect tale of supernatural horror that is psychologically horrifying. Not a single ghost in sight. With "The Haunting," it's all about sound effect. That banging on the door and the cackling still gives me the creeps. Perfectly cast, well-written, and flawlessly directed, "The Haunting" is THE definitive ghost story.
2) Poltergeist (1982)- From the director of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and a story by Steven Spielberg, "Poltergeist" brings us to the suburban town of Cuesta Verde, where the Freeling family soon experience traumatizing ghostly events, including the disappearance of their 5 year-old daughter, Carol-Anne. From then on, all hell breaks loose. A perfect blend of subtle horror and tremendous "BOO!" scares, with wonderful effects(Industrial Light and Magic!), a great cast of actors(gotta love Zelda Rubinstein as Tangina), and a truly startling story. "They're heeere."
3) The Others (2001)- Nicole Kidman. Old dark mansion. Ghostly activity. Best words to describe the movie. Alejandro Amenabar's spooky "Haunting-style" tale will satisfy anybody who loves slow-burn horror.
4) The Innocents (1961)- Based on Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw," this ghost story is more sophisticated than you'd believe. Deborah Kerr stars as Miss Giddens, a nanny looking over young Miles and Flora at the Blye estate. When she begins to see apparitions around the mansion, she gets a gut-wrenching feeling that there is something that Miles and Flora are not telling her. You're not really sure what to believe after you watch "The Innocents." Are there really ghosts at Blye? Could it be the paranoia or sexual repression of Miss Giddens? It could be either. Eerie, atmospheric, and very disquieting, "The Innocents" will not let you down. It's truly one of the creepiest horror films of the 1960's.
5) The Fog (1980)- John Carpenter followed up "Halloween" with this nifty little campfire story about the island of Antonio Bay, which is struck by a surrounding fog on its 100th birthday. It is not taken seriously at first. But then it's no joke. A great build-up of suspense and horror backed up by an all-star cast and frightening music from good old Mr. Carpenter.
6) The Entity (1981)- Inspired by the real-life case of Doris Bither and based on the novel by Frank De Felitta, this is one of the more bizarre and very shocking ghost stories to appear over the years. Happily living her life with her three children, all is well with single mother Carla Moran until she is repeatedly beaten and raped by an unseen force over several nights. Psychologists can't understand what is happening, and Carla is slowly dismissed as insane. But you and I both know that an entity is attacking Carla, and the film is her struggle for survival and help. The ghostly rape scenes certainly aren't fun, but "The Entity" is a great and underrated movie that deserves more attention. Barbara Hershey is well-cast as Carla, and so is Ron Silver as Dr. Sneiderman.
7) The Amityville Horror (1979)- Another movie inspired by a true story, this film takes us to Amityville, Long Island, where George and Kathy Lutz and their three children move into the lovely 412 Ocean Avenue home. What begins as a dream come true turns into 28 days of horror. There are a couple of cheesy moments, but it's no doubt that "The Amityville Horror" is a classic haunted house movie due to its publicized story and several genuine creep-out moments.
8) The Sixth Sense (1999)- Dr. Malcolm is a child psychologist whose next patient is young Cole, who says he sees dead people. The bad news is he's right. More of a tragic ghost drama than a horror film, to me, "The Sixth Sense" was M. Night Shyamalan's breakout movie. It made Haley Joel Osment a star, and it gave us insight into why the ghosts in the film were there. Several moody and creepy moments highlight the film, especially young Osment in the red tent.
9) Paranormal Activity (2009)- Katie believes there is something in her and boyfriend Micah's new house. So Micah sets up a camera in their bedroom to film whatever happens when they sleep. The results will terrify you. Delayed for two years and finally demanded by moviegoers everywhere, this is a simple haunted house story that induces major goosebumps. Is "Paranormal Activity" for everyone? No. But for those who are into slow tension will love it. As the movie promises, it will make you afaid to go to sleep with the lights off for a long time.
10) Burnt Offerings (1976)- A super-simple "family rents house for the summer and finds that it's haunted" movie. But what makes it better than the PG-13 dreck you see nowadways are the subtle and quiet scares that build through the movie. The horror builds to a great sense of dread. Put together the star power of Karen Black, Oliver Reed, Bette Davis, Burgess Meredith, and Eileen Heckart, the direction of Dan Curtis(creator of the hit show "Dark Shadows"), and remarkable tension, and you get "Burnt Offerings." P.S. The devilish grin of The Chauffeur brings chills to the spine.
11) The Shining (1980)- Jack Nicholson with an axe. A large hotel. Some extremely frightening ghosts, including those damn twins. If you haven't seen Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece based on Stephen King's novel, watch it or be ashamed that you didn't.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Best Movies To Watch On Halloween Night!
As All Hallow's Eve 2010 approaches, I, HorrorMovieBuff, have decided to make another list. Put on that costume, pop that popcorn, and pig out on that awesome candy. These are the best movies to chill your spine on Halloween.
1) Halloween(1978)- Now, this one is a no-brainer. "Halloween" is a movie I watch constantly, whether it is or isn't October 31st. John Carpenter's classic tale tells the story of the masked murderer Michael Myers returning to Haddonfield to stalk Laurie Strode and her friends. Damn creepy, with a terrifying villain, a perfect music score, and flawless acting from Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, and the ensemble cast. I've said it enough. "Halloween" is THE horror film that will last forever.
2) The Exorcist(1973)- Okay. This is one of the scariest movies of all time, no doubt about it. William Friedkin directs this Satanic frightfest about a 12 year-old girl posessed by the devil and the priest and exorcist that try to save her soul. Not only unbearably eerie and shocking(Love that 360-degree head turn and Linda Blair's disgusting language), but also an intense drama that takes a look into the tragic and tortured life of the priest and the pain that he goes through. If you haven't seen "The Exorcist," then you're not even a horror fan. This is pure horror!
3) Psycho(1960)- Your mother would be ashamed of you(pun intended) if you didn't watch this classic. Alfred Hitchcock orchestrates one of the perfect and essential thrillers that will leave you terrified to take a shower.
4) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre(1974)- It's so much more than just a slasher film. Director Tobe Hooper sparked his career with this truly disturbing horror film about five teens that come face to face with backwoods cannibals, led by chainsaw-wielding, skin-ripping Leatherface. Known for being the bloodiest movie of all time? I don't think so. Tobe Hooper lets your imagination go to work, which leads to the graphic thoughts that the movie will leave you with. Clasutrophobic, horrifying, and not fun at all. But it's definitely a classic!
5) A Nightmare on Elm Street(1984)- Listen to the nursery rhyme, and then tell me that it doesn't creep you out: One, two, Freddy's coming for you. Three, four, better lock your door. Five, six, grab your crucifix. Seven, eight, gonna stay up late. Nine, ten, never sleep again. Wes Craven's 80's horror masterpiece gives you good reason to not go to sleep.
6) The Omen(1976)- Another Satanic tale that is smart and eerie. Ambassador Robert Thorn adopts a baby in Rome after his wife, Katherine, has a miscarriage. The child seems to be doing well until he's 5 years old. After that, the Thorn family's life is all downhill from there. Do us all a favor: When you give birth and name the kid Damien, check his scalp for any signs of the Antichrist. P.S. "The Omen" has the best decapitation ever put on film.
7) Jaws(1975)- It's flawless! Perfect casting, perfect direction, and a horrifying and iconic musical score. Thank God that mechanical shark didn't work.
8) Rosemary's Baby(1968)- Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse buy a new apartment at the Bramford, which leads to all hell breaking loose. Mia Farrow's performance is amazing, showing emotions of paranoia, innocence, and fear. It's a classic film, period. The cradle still rocks.
9) Night of the Living Dead(1968)- Several people lock themselves into a halfway house that is soon to be surrounded by flesh-hungry ghouls. One of the first real zombie movies that, even though it was made on a low budget, still looks extremely well-made. George A. Romero offers up lots of social commentary that just make the movie more controversial and out there. "They're coming to get you, Barbara..."
10) Friday the 13th(1980)- The movie that invented the gory slasher genre that you see so often. Betsy Palmer is to die for as Mrs. Voorhees. Ch, ch, ch. Ah, ah, ah.
11) Child's Play(1988)- Tom Holland directs the story of Karen Barclay and her son Andy, a boy obsessed with Good Guy dolls. He owns the pajamas, the sneakers, all kinds of memorabilia. Andy's birthday is coming up, and Karen surprises her son with his very own Good Guy doll. His name is Chucky, and he swears that he and Andy will be "friends till the end." That is, until a person gets killed, and Andy becomes a suspect. But Karen knows who the real suspect is...Chucky. The doll is alive, and mighty pissed off! I know, I know. It sounds like an ultra-sleazy B-movie. But "Child's Play" is a very dark horror film with great acting, especially from Brad Dourif as the voice of Chucky, and one uber-creepy doll.
12) Scream(1996)- Scripted by Kevin Williamson and directed by master of fright Wes Craven, "Scream" is one of the perfect Halloween party movies. It offers up a healthy dosage of horror, comedy, and drama. A year after Sidney Campbell's mother has died, people begin to get phone calls from a serial killer, whose knowledge of horror movies is pretty diabolical. After one girl gets murdered, it becomes a game of cat and mouse for Sidney, the tabloid with a heart Gale Weathers, dumb but sweet Dewey Riley, and Sidney's friends from school. If you're a horror cinephile, get some friends together and have a ball with this nifty and clever horror classic that is filled to the brim with awesome movie references.
13) The Evil Dead(1981)- The ultimate "cabin in the woods/demon posession/slice and dice" flick. Watch it.
14) The Silence of the Lambs(1991)- FBI newbie Clarice Starling is assigned the case of capturing and killing serial killer Buffalo Bill. But first, she must get the info she needs from an intelligent madman(pun intended), Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter. The Academy Award-winning film is argued about whether or not it is a horror film. For me, it is. And it's a masterpiece. It builds slowly, but once you're 15 minutes in and you meet our good pal Hannibal Lecter, you'll be creeped out instantly. Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins are the perfect creepshow duo. And Ted Levine is so unbearably frightening as Buffalo Bill.
15) The Haunting(1963), Poltergeist(1982), and The Shining(1980)- I've publicized about these movies enough. They're three movies that will keep you up long after the night is over.
1) Halloween(1978)- Now, this one is a no-brainer. "Halloween" is a movie I watch constantly, whether it is or isn't October 31st. John Carpenter's classic tale tells the story of the masked murderer Michael Myers returning to Haddonfield to stalk Laurie Strode and her friends. Damn creepy, with a terrifying villain, a perfect music score, and flawless acting from Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, and the ensemble cast. I've said it enough. "Halloween" is THE horror film that will last forever.
2) The Exorcist(1973)- Okay. This is one of the scariest movies of all time, no doubt about it. William Friedkin directs this Satanic frightfest about a 12 year-old girl posessed by the devil and the priest and exorcist that try to save her soul. Not only unbearably eerie and shocking(Love that 360-degree head turn and Linda Blair's disgusting language), but also an intense drama that takes a look into the tragic and tortured life of the priest and the pain that he goes through. If you haven't seen "The Exorcist," then you're not even a horror fan. This is pure horror!
3) Psycho(1960)- Your mother would be ashamed of you(pun intended) if you didn't watch this classic. Alfred Hitchcock orchestrates one of the perfect and essential thrillers that will leave you terrified to take a shower.
4) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre(1974)- It's so much more than just a slasher film. Director Tobe Hooper sparked his career with this truly disturbing horror film about five teens that come face to face with backwoods cannibals, led by chainsaw-wielding, skin-ripping Leatherface. Known for being the bloodiest movie of all time? I don't think so. Tobe Hooper lets your imagination go to work, which leads to the graphic thoughts that the movie will leave you with. Clasutrophobic, horrifying, and not fun at all. But it's definitely a classic!
5) A Nightmare on Elm Street(1984)- Listen to the nursery rhyme, and then tell me that it doesn't creep you out: One, two, Freddy's coming for you. Three, four, better lock your door. Five, six, grab your crucifix. Seven, eight, gonna stay up late. Nine, ten, never sleep again. Wes Craven's 80's horror masterpiece gives you good reason to not go to sleep.
6) The Omen(1976)- Another Satanic tale that is smart and eerie. Ambassador Robert Thorn adopts a baby in Rome after his wife, Katherine, has a miscarriage. The child seems to be doing well until he's 5 years old. After that, the Thorn family's life is all downhill from there. Do us all a favor: When you give birth and name the kid Damien, check his scalp for any signs of the Antichrist. P.S. "The Omen" has the best decapitation ever put on film.
7) Jaws(1975)- It's flawless! Perfect casting, perfect direction, and a horrifying and iconic musical score. Thank God that mechanical shark didn't work.
8) Rosemary's Baby(1968)- Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse buy a new apartment at the Bramford, which leads to all hell breaking loose. Mia Farrow's performance is amazing, showing emotions of paranoia, innocence, and fear. It's a classic film, period. The cradle still rocks.
9) Night of the Living Dead(1968)- Several people lock themselves into a halfway house that is soon to be surrounded by flesh-hungry ghouls. One of the first real zombie movies that, even though it was made on a low budget, still looks extremely well-made. George A. Romero offers up lots of social commentary that just make the movie more controversial and out there. "They're coming to get you, Barbara..."
10) Friday the 13th(1980)- The movie that invented the gory slasher genre that you see so often. Betsy Palmer is to die for as Mrs. Voorhees. Ch, ch, ch. Ah, ah, ah.
11) Child's Play(1988)- Tom Holland directs the story of Karen Barclay and her son Andy, a boy obsessed with Good Guy dolls. He owns the pajamas, the sneakers, all kinds of memorabilia. Andy's birthday is coming up, and Karen surprises her son with his very own Good Guy doll. His name is Chucky, and he swears that he and Andy will be "friends till the end." That is, until a person gets killed, and Andy becomes a suspect. But Karen knows who the real suspect is...Chucky. The doll is alive, and mighty pissed off! I know, I know. It sounds like an ultra-sleazy B-movie. But "Child's Play" is a very dark horror film with great acting, especially from Brad Dourif as the voice of Chucky, and one uber-creepy doll.
12) Scream(1996)- Scripted by Kevin Williamson and directed by master of fright Wes Craven, "Scream" is one of the perfect Halloween party movies. It offers up a healthy dosage of horror, comedy, and drama. A year after Sidney Campbell's mother has died, people begin to get phone calls from a serial killer, whose knowledge of horror movies is pretty diabolical. After one girl gets murdered, it becomes a game of cat and mouse for Sidney, the tabloid with a heart Gale Weathers, dumb but sweet Dewey Riley, and Sidney's friends from school. If you're a horror cinephile, get some friends together and have a ball with this nifty and clever horror classic that is filled to the brim with awesome movie references.
13) The Evil Dead(1981)- The ultimate "cabin in the woods/demon posession/slice and dice" flick. Watch it.
14) The Silence of the Lambs(1991)- FBI newbie Clarice Starling is assigned the case of capturing and killing serial killer Buffalo Bill. But first, she must get the info she needs from an intelligent madman(pun intended), Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter. The Academy Award-winning film is argued about whether or not it is a horror film. For me, it is. And it's a masterpiece. It builds slowly, but once you're 15 minutes in and you meet our good pal Hannibal Lecter, you'll be creeped out instantly. Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins are the perfect creepshow duo. And Ted Levine is so unbearably frightening as Buffalo Bill.
15) The Haunting(1963), Poltergeist(1982), and The Shining(1980)- I've publicized about these movies enough. They're three movies that will keep you up long after the night is over.
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