I'm putting together another list this weekend. This time I'm counting down the Top Ten Horror Films. You might be thinking that Halloween would be a better time to bust this list out, but, being the horror fan that I am, I think anytime is a good time for a scary flick. Also, this gives you time to build up your collection, so you can have that Halloween horror marathon I know you're dying to show. I've included the year of release to prevent confusion with any of the crappy remakes that were inflicted upon the legacy of many of these films. What's on the list? You can find out after the jump and watch trailers of the films! I see you shiver with antici......pation.
10. The Exorcist (1973) - A little girl gets possessed by a demon, humps a crucifix, and vomits pea soup. It is iconic, creepy, and more than a little disturbing. This film tops many lists, and it is no doubt a great horror film, but the religious angle lessens it's impact a bit for me since I am not a religious person. Even so, it still packs a nice punch.
9. Carnival of Souls (1962) - An often overlooked B-movie, this film doesn't really contain a big scare. Rather, it's all about atmosphere with an eerie aura pervading throughout the film. It speaks to the fear of being a non-entity in a world with which you desperately long to connect and of which you desperately wish to be a part. The ending is no surprise, but the film is really all about the journey (and the detours it takes) to the destination for which it's named.
8. Jaws (1975) - A big fish eats a lot of people. It's premise is simple, yes, but told by one of the modern masters of story-telling, Steven Spielberg, it becomes a superb mix of creature feature and Moby Dick. I'm tempted to resent this film since it started the summer blockbuster era responsible for so much garbage, but every time that theme starts to play, I'm hooked.
7. Psycho (1960) - A cross-dressing psychopath takes a knife to anyone who stokes his desire or sticks his nose where it doesn't belong. Hitchcock is the master, and a second film of his, The Birds, barely missed making this list. Having a star like Janet Leigh being murdered early in the film was absolutely revolutionary at the time (and isn't that common even today). This film is a lesson that brave choices can pay huge dividends. It's also the reason why, when I take a shower, I either make sure the door is locked or bring a friend.
6. Night of the Living Dead (1968) - More than a zombie flick, this film is not only a great horror film, but also an important film for its sly racial commentary at a pivotal time for race relations. The choices of a black man as the hero and an ending that is anything but happy only add to impact of the film, considering when it was made. Social commentary may have been done elsewhere in horror, but I don't know if it's been done better.
5. Rosemary's Baby (1968) - There might be no greater fear than a mother's fear that something will be wrong with her baby. Coming somewhere not far behind would probably be the fear that someone we love and trust would betray us in a heinous fashion. This film speaks to both fears, and brutally so. And every time I watch Rosemary's one-night stand with Satan, I can't get those damn eyes out of my head.
4. Scream (1996) - Some might disagree with how high this film places, but I think it's a monumental achievement to be able to make people laugh one minute and scare the hell out of them the next. This film succeeds admirably in that department. It somehow manages to be a send-up of horror films and a legitimate horror film at the same time. That's no easy task. Also, like Rosemary's Baby, it could make people paranoid about who they let into their lives. I don't recommend watching them back to back despite their placement here. It's enough to make someone go hermit!
3. Suspiria (1977) - Horror as high art is how I describe this film. Each shot is almost like a painting with surreal lighting and disturbing graphics. Every time I watch it, I become more enamored. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of horror to go around here, but if you enjoy a feast for the eyes as well as a good scare and an occasional gross-out, then this is the film for you.
2. The Haunting (1963) - This film is vastly underrated in the horror genre. That may be partially because it transcends horror and is a great film period. It's easily enjoyed by both horror fans and film fans in general, making it less of a horror staple. Those that make horror films today could learn a lot from watching it, however. We never really see the Big Bad, but the tension is tremendous. It's that tension that is sorely missed in more modern fare. It earns extra kudos for including a lesbian character at a time when that love dared not speak its name. Oh, its name still isn't spoken, but it's made quite clear nonetheless.
1. Halloween (1978) - It's not considered the original slasher flick, but, in my opinion, it's the film that perfected the concept. Black Christmas and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre came before, with Psycho providing an early inspiration. These films, however, contained murderers who were like spiders, setting up their webs someplace and snatching whoever happened to get too close. If you didn't get too close, you didn't have to worry. If you did get too close and got far enough away, you were probably safe. If Michael Myers decided you needed to die, on the other hand, he was going to track you down until you were dead. I find that to be more terrifying, especially when accompanied by that terrific score.
Recommended song download: Just Dance - Lady GaGa featuring Colby O'Donis
10. The Exorcist (1973) - A little girl gets possessed by a demon, humps a crucifix, and vomits pea soup. It is iconic, creepy, and more than a little disturbing. This film tops many lists, and it is no doubt a great horror film, but the religious angle lessens it's impact a bit for me since I am not a religious person. Even so, it still packs a nice punch.
9. Carnival of Souls (1962) - An often overlooked B-movie, this film doesn't really contain a big scare. Rather, it's all about atmosphere with an eerie aura pervading throughout the film. It speaks to the fear of being a non-entity in a world with which you desperately long to connect and of which you desperately wish to be a part. The ending is no surprise, but the film is really all about the journey (and the detours it takes) to the destination for which it's named.
8. Jaws (1975) - A big fish eats a lot of people. It's premise is simple, yes, but told by one of the modern masters of story-telling, Steven Spielberg, it becomes a superb mix of creature feature and Moby Dick. I'm tempted to resent this film since it started the summer blockbuster era responsible for so much garbage, but every time that theme starts to play, I'm hooked.
7. Psycho (1960) - A cross-dressing psychopath takes a knife to anyone who stokes his desire or sticks his nose where it doesn't belong. Hitchcock is the master, and a second film of his, The Birds, barely missed making this list. Having a star like Janet Leigh being murdered early in the film was absolutely revolutionary at the time (and isn't that common even today). This film is a lesson that brave choices can pay huge dividends. It's also the reason why, when I take a shower, I either make sure the door is locked or bring a friend.
6. Night of the Living Dead (1968) - More than a zombie flick, this film is not only a great horror film, but also an important film for its sly racial commentary at a pivotal time for race relations. The choices of a black man as the hero and an ending that is anything but happy only add to impact of the film, considering when it was made. Social commentary may have been done elsewhere in horror, but I don't know if it's been done better.
5. Rosemary's Baby (1968) - There might be no greater fear than a mother's fear that something will be wrong with her baby. Coming somewhere not far behind would probably be the fear that someone we love and trust would betray us in a heinous fashion. This film speaks to both fears, and brutally so. And every time I watch Rosemary's one-night stand with Satan, I can't get those damn eyes out of my head.
4. Scream (1996) - Some might disagree with how high this film places, but I think it's a monumental achievement to be able to make people laugh one minute and scare the hell out of them the next. This film succeeds admirably in that department. It somehow manages to be a send-up of horror films and a legitimate horror film at the same time. That's no easy task. Also, like Rosemary's Baby, it could make people paranoid about who they let into their lives. I don't recommend watching them back to back despite their placement here. It's enough to make someone go hermit!
3. Suspiria (1977) - Horror as high art is how I describe this film. Each shot is almost like a painting with surreal lighting and disturbing graphics. Every time I watch it, I become more enamored. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of horror to go around here, but if you enjoy a feast for the eyes as well as a good scare and an occasional gross-out, then this is the film for you.
2. The Haunting (1963) - This film is vastly underrated in the horror genre. That may be partially because it transcends horror and is a great film period. It's easily enjoyed by both horror fans and film fans in general, making it less of a horror staple. Those that make horror films today could learn a lot from watching it, however. We never really see the Big Bad, but the tension is tremendous. It's that tension that is sorely missed in more modern fare. It earns extra kudos for including a lesbian character at a time when that love dared not speak its name. Oh, its name still isn't spoken, but it's made quite clear nonetheless.
1. Halloween (1978) - It's not considered the original slasher flick, but, in my opinion, it's the film that perfected the concept. Black Christmas and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre came before, with Psycho providing an early inspiration. These films, however, contained murderers who were like spiders, setting up their webs someplace and snatching whoever happened to get too close. If you didn't get too close, you didn't have to worry. If you did get too close and got far enough away, you were probably safe. If Michael Myers decided you needed to die, on the other hand, he was going to track you down until you were dead. I find that to be more terrifying, especially when accompanied by that terrific score.
Recommended song download: Just Dance - Lady GaGa featuring Colby O'Donis
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