That's such a tough question because I always seem to break horror movies into sub-genres. So here is my attempt to break them down:
(I might have lifted a summary here and there from IMDb.com, just to speed things up.)
WHERE IN THE HELL ARE MY PANTS?!?
(Movies that scare the pants off of you.)
28 Days Later (2002)Directed by Danny Boyle
"His fear began when he woke up alone. His terror began when he realized he wasn't."
I think the main reason why I find this film so brilliant and undeniably disturbing is that the premise seems realistic. A powerful virus escapes from a British research facility. Transmitted in a drop of blood and devastating within seconds, the virus locks those infected into a permanent state of murderous rage. The outbreak sweeps across London over the course of a month and lays waste to a majority of the population. Jim (Cillian Murphy), our protagonist, wakes from a coma in a deserted hospital and finds himself searching for any survivors in the now vacant city.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)Directed by Daniel Myrick & Eduardo Sánchez
"In October of 1994 three student filmmakers disappeared in the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland, while shooting a documentary...A year later their footage was found."
The majority consensus, when it comes to this fim, is either: it truly scared me to death or it was a giant pile of rubbish. This film is the defining compass as to the ability to suspend your disbelief. So much time and effort went into creating a rich history with mock television specials, websites, etc., that it was hard to determine what you were seeing was real or just horse manure. The film thrives on how good your active imagination is and will it have you looking over your shoulder by the time the credits roll?
IS THAT A STITCH IN MY SIDE OR AM I BEING DISEMBOWELED?
(Movies that are humorously horrifying.)
Evil Dead II (1987)Directed by Sam Raimi
"Kiss Your Nerves Good-Bye!"
Sometimes satire is considered one of the highest forms of flattery. This works twice as well when you satirize your own work. Some consider it a remake, others consider it a sequel. Either way, Evil Dead II is a splendid blend of horror and comedy reuniting Ash (Bruce Campbell) with a deserted house in the woods and the Necronomicon (the book of the dead). The result is a laugh-a-minute goofball gore-filled adventure as Ash (armed with only a shotgun and chainsaw) tries to save himself and a set of strangers from demon possession and quite possibly the end of the world.
Shaun of the Dead (2004)Directed by Edgar Wright
"A romantic comedy. With zombies."
A brilliant British comedy with the disturbing images of a zombie flick. Shaun (Simon Pegg) is a 29-year-old with no real ambition in life, much to the consternation of his friends, family, and fed-up girlfriend. All of these things come to a screeching hault when London is suddenly overtaken by flesh-eating zombies. Shaun, with the help of his loser friend Ed, must now come to the rescue of his mum, step dad and ex-girlfriend armed with only a shovel, a cricket bat and his wit.
YOU'LL ONLY DIE IF YOU'RE NOT A VIRGIN.
(Slasher movies with a pre-determined set of rules.)
Halloween (1978)Directed by John Carpenter
"The Night HE Came Home!"
A group of unsuspecting teenage girls are stalked by an escaped mental patient who murdered his sister on Halloween when he was only six years old. He has returned to his hometown to repeat his crime, pursued only by his psychiatrist, who believes that his patient is the manifestation of pure evil. John Carpenter and his crew shot this film in 21 days with budget of $300,000. Halloween is high on suspense, low on blood and guts and it works. Rumor has it that when the film was first screened, it only received mediocre reviews. After Carpenter added the now iconic film score, it suddenly became too intense for some viewers. Just goes to prove how valuable a film score can truly be.
Scream (1996)Directed by Wes Craven
"Make Your Last Breath Count."
A teenage girl (Neve Campbell) becomes the target of a killer who has stalked and killed one of her classmates. A tabloid news reporter (Courtney Cox) is determined to uncover the truth, insisting that the man who raped and killed Campbell's mother one year earlier is the same man who is terrorizing her now. Scream made you re-evaluate how you looked at every other horror movie (sucessfully proving the point that if you were a virgin, and in a horror movie, it was a very good chance you survive). With it's tongue-in-cheek dialog, this independent horror film became a smash hit when people realized that you could have just as much fun laughing as you could screaming.
DUDE, DID YOU JUST SEE SOMETHING?
(Movies that make you sit on the edge of your seat.)
Alien (1979)Directed by Ridley Scott
"In space no one can hear you scream."
When commercial towing vehicle Nostromo, heading back to Earth, intercepts an SoS signal from a nearby planet, the crew are under obligation to investigate. One of the crew members is put into a coma by an alien creature while investigating. What follows shortly after is one of the most intense and suspenseful pictures I've ever witnessed. The alien creature proceeds to eliminate every crew member on the ship, one by one. Ridley Scott sucessfully created a haunted house-like film where it made you wonder what would happen next at every turn. The film is also a great social commentary on the evils of commerical corporate conglomerates. It's the perfect mixture of science fiction, horror and unrelenting suspense.
Signs (2002)Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
"It's Not Like They Didn't Warn Us."
In Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a five-hundred-foot crop circle is found on the farm of Graham Hess (Gibson), the town's reverend. The circles cause a media frenzy and test Hess's faith as he journeys to find out the truth behind the crop circles. Many would argue that this film shouldn't belong next to other horror titles. That's why I have sub-genres. While this film has next to no blood and gore associated with it, it does display an extremely high level of suspense. As if corn fields weren't creepy enough already, with the assistance of Mr. Shyamalan, they become the direct source of anxiety and anticipation. I have yet to watch another film involving an alien invasion that seems more realistic than this one here. Plus I can't fail to mention that this was the first film that I can recall making Willis jump out of his seat. That, if nothing more, was well worth the price of admission.
I'LL TAKE AN M16 ALONG WITH A CLEAN PAIR OF SHORTS.
(The action-movie scare-fest experience.)
Aliens (1986)Directed by James Cameron
"This time it's war."
The only survivor of the Nostromo, Ripley is discovered in deep sleep half a century later by a salvage ship. When she is taken back to Earth, she learns that a human colony was founded on the same planet where the aliens were first found. After contact with the colony is lost, she finds herself sent back to the planet along with a team of marines. James Cameron sucessfully writes and directs the sequel and takes the general haunted house premise and turns it into a full-fledged rollercoaster ride. The action is satisfying, the horror is sometimes unbearable and the tension and suspense is unwavering. Once the aliens arrive on screen, the pacing is unbelievably quick and you hardly have time to catch your breath before the picture fades to black.
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)Directed by Robert Rodriguez
"One night is all that stands between them and freedom. But it's going to be a hell of a night."
Penned by Quentin Tarantino, From Dusk Till Dawn is the story of two criminals and their hostages who unknowingly seek temporary refuge in an establishment populated by vampires. This film is what I call a "half-n-half." Half Tarantino dialog-driven action film, half insane vampire action-gore fest. Robert Rodriguez role didn't end with director on this film. He also was his own director of photography, producer and editor. Any Rodriguez or Tarantino fan should and probably does love this film. It's a has little bit of everything, just like "Benny's World of Liquor."
THE CHANNEL CHANGER.
(Movies that you just can't watch ever again.)
The Exorcist (1973)Directed by William Friedkin
"Somewhere between science and superstition, there is another world. The world of darkness."
Based on the novel by William Peter Blatty (based on actual events) involves around a visiting actress in Washington, D.C. who has noticed dramatic and psychological changes in her daughter. She seeks out help through a pyschologist, who also happens to be a priest. The escalated situation calls upon the aid of another priest, when all hope seems to be lost. The girl seems to be possessed by a demon. The Exorcist is the kind of film that disturbs be down to my core. I've probably seem the film twice in it's entirety and never plan to watch the film again. Coming from a strong christian-based family and background, the film strikes too close to home pyschologically and more specifically, spiritually. That's why I've labeled this film as "The Channel Changer." If I ever come across it on television, the channel is immediately changed. I'm sure everyone has a film that has this kind of affect on them. I can readily admit that The Exorcist is by far, the scariest and the most unnerving film I've ever seen.
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