Happy Halloween everyone! October 31 is here, so it's time that we start seriously thinking about what scary movies we all want to watch to get us in the spirit (no pun intended...ok pun intended). If you're like me, you're a horror movie junkie, and it's often hard to narrow down which frightful flicks you'll enjoy this year. Ryan and I planned to make a list of the ten scariest movies of all time, then work our way through. However, it's really hard to comprise a concise list because each horror movie is unique in its thrill and chill factor. Therefore, I've divided them up into 13 categories and given my recommendations for each. Hopefully this will assist you in your quest for scary.
The Not-as-scary-as-you-thought Movies
These movies weren't flops, but they just didn't live up to the hype.
1. Salem's Lot (1979, 2004)- It is my general opinion that vampire movies rarely are all they're cracked up to be.
2. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)- Normally, I am terrified of movies that have the word "exorcism" in the title, but this one's previews turned out to be much scarier than the actual film.
Just Say No
Just don't watch them. Period.
1. The Girl Next Door (2007)- This movie is based on a novel by Jack Ketchum, and is absolutely the most shocking and gruesome movies I have ever seen. It's not scary; it's disturbing. Ketchum should be arrested for even thinking of something this terrible.
2. Quarantine (2008)- I've never seen it, but Ryan says its just no good.
The Zombie Movies
What's more classic Halloween than zombies? Basically, nothing. Anything that ends with "of the Dead" is solid gold. Most zombie movies offer something unique, but I definitely recommend
1. Night of the Living Dead (1968). It's in black and white, so it has to be classic.
2. The Crazies (2010)- Though the zombies were not your traditional limping, brain dead monsters, this was still an edge-of-your-seater.
The Laugh-the-whole-time-but-not-be-scared-at-all Movies
These movies really belonged in the comedy section.
1. Killer Clowns from Outer Space (1988)- I mean, did you not laugh when you read the title?
2. Blair Witch Project (1999)- The only thing scary about this movie was when my dad and I looked up the distance from Huntsville, AL, to Blair, MD, and it was 666 miles.
3. Jaws (1975)- Here's a tip townsfolk: Don't swim if there's a shark.
The Stephen Kings
In my humble opinion, Stephen King flicks fall short on the scary meter, but nonetheless he is considered an expert in the area. His classics like "The Shining" and "Children of the Corn" aren't really that scary. But here are some that aren't too bad.
1. 1408 (2007)- truly scary
2. Pet Sematary (1989) -I haven't actually seen this one is a long time, but it has to be better than Shining or the little corn cobs.
3. Secret Window (2004) - another movie you never knew Johnny Depp was in.
The Wish-this-wasn't-based-on-a-true-story Movies
You know those movies that are a little too based in reality? The kind that keep you up knowing that that COULD happen to you? Yeah, you gotta watch at least one.
1. The Strangers (2008)- Do NOT watch this if you spend a lot of time alone after dark. The victims in it are just stupid enough to make you a little more confident, but you may not answer the doorbell for a month or so.
2. The Last House on the Left (1972, 2009)- Make sure you watch the 2009 version and not the 1972 one. I'm not sure which one is more based on reality, but the old version is just sickening.
The Classics
These are the ones that make all the countdowns, the ones everyone has heard of. Titles like "Halloween," "Nightmare on Elm Street," "Friday the 13th," and "Psycho." You should watch any classic because of its novelty, but here are my top recommendations:
1. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - This is one of the top movies in general of all time, and it ranks among the best in horror flicks as well.
2. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984, 2010)- If you're really an overachiever, watch the new one and the old one. I have a hard time deciding which one is best.
3. The Omen (1976, 2006)- Again, watch the old one AND the new one. You won't regret it (unless you're a big Gregory Peck fan).
The Series
Let's be honest, horror movies typically prove the theory, "The new ones are never as good as the original," painfully true. But some aren't so bad.
1. Paranormal Activity 1-3 (2007, 2010, 2011)- If the camera work in 1 makes you nauseous, 2 is way better (and probably scarier too), and 3 is just...well go watch it!
2. Halloween series- Not awesome, but better than most. That silly Michael just won't die!
The Made in the 2000s
A lot of times, modern scary movies rely too much on blood, guts, and special effects and not enough on true scare tactics. These movies though are the exception:
1. When A Stranger Calls (2006)- Apparently, this is a remake, but I've never seen the original. If you hate when you scream at the television because the people in the movie are acting so stupidly, then you'll love this one. This girl does all the right things and...well, you'll have to watch and see.
2. Mirrors (2008)- I think this one is a must-watch for an true horror junkie.
3. The Rite (2011)- Does Anthony Hopkins make a bad movie? This is one of the best movies I've seen. Not incredibly scary, but a definite good watch.
The Ones You've Never Heard Of
Ok, I'm not saying that these are the best movies ever, but one does have to wonder why they didn't get more publicity.
1. Ghost Story (1981)-Old rich men with a secret makes for a decent movie.
2. The Hitcher (2007)- You'll never pick up a hitch hiker again.
The Didn't-really-think-this-was-going-to-be-scary Movies
Sometimes, we scary movie connoisseurs think we can easily distinguish between a flop and a fright. However, some of them take up by surprise.
1. Case 39 (2009)- Should've known freaky little kids can make anything scary.
2. The Haunting in Connecticut (2009)- Not your typical haunted house movie. This movie will cause you to get the full history report on the next house you purchase.
The Crazed Murderer Movies
Most of us fearful followers don't like these types of movies. We figure, "Hey, keep a gun beside the bed, you'll be fine." But they do comprise a significant portion of the genre.
1. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974, 2003)- Old or new? Doesn't matter. Both weird. Both with a chainsaw.
2. The Hitcher (2007)- I just had to include it again. You really should watch it.
The Horrifically Horrifying Horror Movies
And finally, the scariest of the scariest. The ones where people pass out in the theatres, jump out of their seats, and cry at even the thought of watching it again. I do NOT recommend these movies, but if you're in the mood for a real scare, you'll find it with these.
1. Insidious (2010)- I cried in the theatre, literally.
2. The Exorcist (1973)- Not necessarily scary while it's on, but once it ended I was paralyzed with fear.
Now, I'm sure you're all wondering which one I would recommend out of them all. I know you're oh so perplexed and thinking, "Just tell us which one to watch." So here are my top three recommendations for a frightful and fun Halloween:
1. Insidious
2. The Rite
3. The Strangers
Let's the scaring begin!!
