Saturday, October 30, 2010

10 Horror Movies For Halloween


Stumped on what movies to get for your Halloween movie festival? Here are ten picks that are guaranteed to slake any horror thirst. For a little extra fun I've assigned each movie a rating based on the value of candy type to a trick or treater.



10. April Fools Day (1986) - Okay, so it's pretty easy to pick up on where the film is going from the start, it doesn't stop the fact that it's hilarious in it's own regards. Clearly this is the Razzles in the bag. Those who know the movie and those who know the candy should get this right away.

9. Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989) - I think this is pretty much regarded as the worst Jason movie (not counting Jason vs Freddy). Personally I watched all the Friday the 13th's but hated them. With Jason Takes Manhattan I found it so hilariously bad that it was entertaining. I'd call it the Cherry Sours in our bag of films. 

8. House (1977) - What's a horror list without some freaky Japanese horror movie? House (Hausu in Japan) is one of the most bizarre haunted house movies ever. I've never done drugs but one questions whether or not Obayashi did. I'd rate this as those wax bottles that contain a bit of juice that kind of burns going down.

7. The Uninvited (1944) - This film is like licorice to me. It looks like it should be good and every so often I'll indulge. Halfway through though comes the inevitable 'this is kind of bland' thoughts. So why is it on my list? Because it still looks like it should be good and like a sucker I know I'll end up watching it. Plus I needed a licorice. Though I suppose I could have also gone with it as a Cinnamon Bear. Same problem really.

6. Topper Returns (1941) - From the above bland classic horror movie to a hilarious ghost comedy. This film is actually the third in a series of films that started with Cary Grant. To me this one has always been the funniest of the bunch. Pez somehow seems fitting.

5. Let The Right One In (2008) - Call it love at first viewing, this vampiric tale is now one of my favorite horror films. Beautifully shot and with a melancholy tone that captivates, this is a great addition to any horrorfest. I'd say this is the tootsie roll in the bag.

4. The Blob (1958) - It might just be my favorite horror monster of all time. I love all versions of The Blob but you just can't go wrong with the original. Gummy Bears, Gummy Worms... anything gummy really would be how I'd rate this.

3. Dead Alive (1992) - Peter Jackson's gory zombie film is a great film to toss into the mix. Six words, "I kick ass for the lord!" Now, you know there's got to be some chocolate in the bag. Though personally Halloween is the one time of year where candy is preferable over chocolate, it's still generally rated higher than the so called plebeian sugar treats. So let this represent whatever chocolate you'd like in the bottom of that bag.

2. Shaun of the Dead (2004) - Edgar Wright, Simong Pegg and Nick Frost created one of the best horror comedies ever. While it in many ways pays homage to other great horror films, it never gets bogged down by it and stands alone as its own great horror film. Pure essence of what Halloween should be, I rate it as Pixie Sticks.

1. Awakenings (1990) - Alright, so it may not be strictly horror but come on, what's more horrific than being stuck in a catatonic state as your body ages on? Truly a different kind of horror. And also the Wax Lips in your bag of candy.

15 comments:

  1. Dead Alive! Best use of a lawner mower against zombies ever.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have seen surprisingly few of these, which makes me sad because I consider myself a lover of (attempts at) horror films. I like that you picked mostly unknowns. I'm definitely going to have to see some of these. Especially Dead Alive. That sounds awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm sad to say it, but I saw the blob the day it was released...

    It was the Blob that made me love B-movies. It was probably the best B-Horror film made.

    the Topper movies are very funny! Better if EBB.*

    *Enhanced by bong

    ReplyDelete
  4. Alex, It so is. Messy, but awesome.

    Abby, They're a good bunch. Definitely worth a viewing. Even The Uninvited.

    Pat, You saw The Blob the day it was released? That just speaks to how frickin' cool you are! I'm not planning on watching the majority of these movies this weekend, but I've already watched The Blob. And LOL EBB!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the way even your movie lists are unconventional. Do you do that on purpose? I would add the following to the list...

    Fright Night

    Fraility

    Seven

    The Thing (1982)

    [Rec]

    ReplyDelete
  6. Kal, I try to change things up a bit whenever I can. Oooh, Frailty! I haven't seen that one in a couple years. I love that film.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I really liked Awakenings. I still need to see Shaun Of The Dead.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You're not the first person to put The Blob on a Top 10 List - I def have to check it out. And I call myself a horror movie buff!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Why does Awakenings sound so familiar to me...yet I can't remember if I've seen it or not? I must be getting old. Almost catatonic, even.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I remember renting April Fools with my first girlfriend. That and Spring Break. Yeeesh, you nailed it on Awakenings – a chiller indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Watch Two Sisters the original Korean version of The Uninvited. If I still lived in Nashville I would drive it out to you. It is so much better.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Budd, I looked up the movie you mentioned and we're talking about two different Uninviteds. The one I'm talking about is from the 40's. However I have also seen the remake you were talking about and now I want to see the Korean version.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Very clever rating system ... I'm a sissy with scary movies, but I do know my candy.

    ReplyDelete
  14. FINALLY someone is championing April Fools Day, classic, witty horror that is all too commonly overlooked. A fun Halloween list for sure TS!

    ReplyDelete
  15. found your site on del.icio.us today and really liked it.. i bookmarked it and will be back to check it out some more later

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts with Thumbnails