Horror Movies, Final installment

The final installment… a little late.

• Amityville Horror – (The OLD one, not the new one.) I’d watched this before, but it was so much better than I remember it. In fact, I felt it was the scariest movie that I ended up watching. The scene at the beginning where the priest goes into the house was totally blood chilling.
• House of 1000 Corpses – I waited for years to see this movie, only to end up kinda disappointed. I figured Rob Zombie had to know what he was doing with a horror movie, but the plot was so off-the-wall that I couldn’t believe anything, resulting in my rather ambivalent feeling towards it. Too many characters killing too many other characters. The creepy clown was the only interesting/memorable character.
• The Devil’s Rejects – I also waited a number of years to see this movie, but was prevented under the reasoning that I had to see House of 1000 Corpses first. With that finally out of the way, I was now allowed, but I was wary… especially after the last film. For the Devil’s Rejects, Rob Zombie took the large number of characters and un-realistic plot from the first movie, and turned it on it’s head… keeping the cast numbers low and keeping the entire movie realistic. Zombie made the 3 bad guys out to be quasi-good guys, and the cop into a revenge obsessed bad guy. The result was a really good character study of some truly bizarre people. This movie wasn’t particularly scary, but it was quite good.
• Carrie – One of the best scary movies ever… my favorite part is at the end where Carrie’s hand… well, you know.
• The Exorcist – I LOVE this movie. I saved this pick until Halloween night. I love Max von Sydow, the early scenes in the desert, Father Damien, the fact that the movie is based on something that happened in a part of Maryland I frequent, that the movie’s steps are right down the street from where I used to work in Georgetown. My favorite.

Next-to-last Horror Movies

Latest installment…

• The Blob – Pure 60’s cheese (well, technically 1958, but close enough). Not scary, more silly than anything else. I was amazed that at one point, there was 24 minutes of no blobbing. Instead, we were shown a nearly 30 year old McQueen pretending to be a high schooler. At least I can say I’ve seen it once.
• Hellbound: Hellraiser II – I had heard (multiple times) that this lived up to, if not surpassed, the original. I didn’t quite think that was true. [spoiler] I didn’t like Pinhead reverting to a human and dying. A hero has an air of invincibility, and a super-villain (from hell no less) should be the same. The plot set him up against the true villain of this movie, and Pinhead lost. What a shame. That said, it was immensely psychological, and quite a captivating movie (we were all watching with baited breath throughout). I thought it was terrific, just not as good as the first.
• Dead Alive – What can you say about a movie like that? Tons of gore and grossness, with only a hint of a plot. It is indeed a “classic.” Did I like it? Ehh, it was ok… but I can appreciate it, especially viewed through the eyes of others.

More October Horror Movies

Continuing the reviews of my house’s October horror movie film-fest:

• 28 Days Later – Rick told me that this was among the most realistic zombie movies ever made. While it had a realistic look and feel, I had a problem with the unrealistic (and porous) plot line. Of the 4 or so main characters, the supporting father and daughter roles were sympathetic, but I cared nothing for the main male and female leads. That would be fine, if I didn’t also have to care about the weak plot (and yes, I know we’re talking about a zombie movie, but still!). I didn’t dislike the movie, but it wasn’t my favorite.
• Hellraiser – I’ve been excited about watching this ever since I first heard the (rejected) soundtrack by Coil. It was well worth it. The movie’s imagery was pure 80’s (a compliment) and quite realistic, compared to the only-special-effects imagery I’m used to after watching modern movies. I won’t soon forget the rats nailed to the walls. Hoping I can sneak Hellraiser II in before Halloween.
• The Shining – I’m sure I don’t need to mention how this movie helps to define the horror genre. It’s spooky, creepy, and maintains the feeling that things are about to descend into total chaos for so long that you’re exhausted by the end. My only problem is that the Simpson’s parody is so good that’s all I could think of at times. Teriffic movie.
• Feast – Ok, I didn’t get all the way through this last night, but I’ve seen it (a few times) before. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and is a quintessential example of a trashy, gorey, funny horror movie. You’d think the end woud be a let-down after how front-heavy the action is, but you’d be wrong.

October Horror Movies

My roommates and I have decided to try to watch a horror/thriller every night of October. Unfortunately, the Red Sox and a few other distractions have prevented watching one every night, but here’s what we’ve got so far:

• Nightwatch – Not a fan of this movie. I thought that the scary parts were kinda cheap, and that the plot of the movie was gross (really gross) for the sake of being gross. That gets under my skin faster than just about anything. Plus, what’s the point of a movie where the number of possible suspects is 2? As Rick points out, one of the biggest hit/miss parts of Scream was that there were 15 possible suspects. That’s much more interesting. This was Alissa’s pick.
• Sisters – A psychological horror movie about two Siamese twins that were separated after a number of years and the emotional result of that operation. Very spooky, in a thought-required way. This movie was my pick.
• Dressed to Kill – Continuing on the Brian De Palma theme… I’m a sucker for Michael Caine. So I really enjoyed his performance. The rest of the movie had a really constant quality to it that wasn’t quite eerie, but was close. Unfortunately, I fell asleep during part of the film (not long…) but I liked it anyway. This was Rick’s choice.

And upon consultation with them (I had to ask just to be certain) that was it. They watched Cape Fear without me (I’ve seen it before), but even still… 4 movies in 16 days isn’t good enough.

Other movies that I remember are on our combined list:

• Alien
• The Shining
• Feast*
• Carrie*
• Hellraiser I & II
• Repulsion* (one of the scariest I’ve ever seen, and one of my favs)

* I’ve seen (and loved)