My original intention was to list my 5 favorite horror movies (and 5 favorite SciFi movies). But when I started putting together a list, I quickly realized that there's no way I can list only 5 horror movies. To do so would be a grave injustice to the genre. So I've settled with the nice round number of 10. Before you say anything, I know there are many more movies that are deserving - and that's just considering the movies that are fresh in my mind. If you shoot me a post with movies 'that I've obviously overlooked' I'm sure I'll tend to agree with you. But for what it's worth, here's my list (in no particular order):
Note: disclaimer - remember I've said that I'm not in to movies that rely on extreme violence or gore to keep you watching.
1) 'The Keep' 1983. I may be alone, but I liked Michael Mann's artistic direction and I liked the soundtrack by Tangarine Dream. Take that along with the proven story of good vs. evil and throw in Scott Glenn - and you have one of my favorite movies. I'm still hoping that it will come to DVD.
2) 'Halloween' 1978. I don't know if there's a John Carpenter movie I don't like. This movie launched the career of Jamie Lee Curtis. It also set the tone for a whole new movement in horror movies that set the groundwork for Friday the 13th and many, many more.
3) 'The Thing' 1982. I struggled with this one. As I said above, I'm a John Carpenter fan, but the original was just so damn good. What tilted the scales in favor of the remake was Kurt Russell and his supporting cast. I know there were a lot of special effects, but they were kind of groundbreaking for the time.
4) 'Storm of the Century' 1999. As I said in previous posts, this is probably my favorite movie of all time. My wife and I watch this every year in our 'start of the winter' tradition. The story is great, the cast is superb and evil wins one for once. This movie was my first exposure to the actor Colm Feore and it made me a fan. You'll see his name again when I list my favorite SciFi movies.
5) 'Dracula' 1992. Beautiful direction by Francis Ford Coppola. Of course it's a great story, but what pushed it into my top 10 was the acting of Gary Oldman. He made me feel for the vampire.
6) 'Hitcher' 1986. Until 'Storm of the Century' this was my favorite movie. It's so creepy and so weird that it's practically hypnotizing. Rutger Hauer can't be bettered in the roll of the antagonist. I say this with conviction - I haven't even rented the remake.
7) 'Pumpkinhead' 1989. I love the creature in this movie. I have to admit I have a special fondness for stories that try to capture the fear generated by folklore. I don't know if the folklore of 'Pumpkinhead' is real or just made up as a movie premise - but it's presented as real in the movie and I liked it. Of course the great Lance Henriksen gives the movie the substance to keep it all together.
8. 'Lost Boys' 1987. Okay don't think less of me. I know the movie wasn't scary - but it was fun as hell. The soundtrack was great and of course it featured Jami Gertz who's pretty darn easy on the eyes. Plus it immortalized the phrase 'One thing about living in Santa Carla, I never could stomach all the damn vampires'.
9) 'Darkness Falls' 2003. I already admitted that I like folklore stories. But the first 10 minutes of this movie alone garnered a spot in my top ten. Joshua Anderson did a great job as young Kyle Walsh.
10) 'Candyman' 1992. More folklore and a great story by Clive Barker. Virginia Madsen and Tony Todd are incredible in this movie. This is one of those horror movies that never strays from its true motive. There are no breaks in the suspense - no humor thrown in for recovery. Extremely creepy!
There you have it - my top ten horror movies. A few of them might have you thinking that I'm crazy, but I'm guessing that you'll agree with the majority of those on the list. If there's one not on the list that you feel strongly about then by all means, let me know. Until then, Go IU! J/W
