The Screaming Room

Jesse Blanchard's Top 10 Picks

by victor_crowley 10. June 2010 01:11

This list was restricted to movies I've seen more than once. A lot of good films didn't make the cut, simply because I haven't re-watched them yet.

10. The Burbs

9. Battle Royale

8. Dead Alive

7. The Orphanage

6. Evil Dead II

5. Bad Taste

4. The Descent

3. The Thing

2. Shaun of the Dead

1. Oldboy

 

This list was provided by independent horror director Jesse Blanchard. For more info on Jesse, check out his exclusive interview right here at The Horror Shack. Also, make sure to check out two of his short films, Space Bugs and Run For Your Life, in our Indie Horror Theater.

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10 Best Girly (But Good) Horror Movies

by Rae Schuetz 9. June 2010 08:17

Ever get home at night, take off the dress and the slippers, and just want to have a good cry while watching someone get disemboweled? No? How about just watch a horror film with a touch of sentimental value to it? Here are the top ten films that love to remind you that you’re a woman, even if you’re not.

10. Inside (À l'intérieur) 2007

Being a mother has never been harder. Four months after the death of her husband, a young woman has to protect her child from an intruder who wishes to take it for herself. The only problem is, the child hasn’t been born yet.

9. Grace(2009)

When Madeline looses her unborn child, she refuses to let it die. Carrying it to term, she is surprised when the child lives. However, it has some unusual tastes.

8. May(2002)

7. Ju-On 2 (2003)

All Kyoko wanted was to make it big on T.V. What she got was the Saeki Curse. The sequel to the hit Japanese film Ju-On: The Grudge, this film will tug at your heart strings a few times before shocking you into submission

6. Wishing Stairs (Yeogo goedam 3: Yeowoo gyedan) 2003

This film is the third sequel to the Whispering Corridors series. At a girls boarding school, there is a legend. If you climb the 28 steps leading to the dormitory with your eyes closed and find a 29, you will be granted any wish you desire. Yun Jin-seong makes her wish, but the results turn out disastrous.

5. Dark Water (Honogurai mizu no soko kara) 2002

When Yoshimi goes through a horrible divorce and gains custody of her daughter, she is forced to move into a new building. However, the building has a past that wishes to claim Yoshimi’s daughter as it’s own. Written by Koji Suzuki, creator of The Ring Cycle.

4. Poltergeist(1982)

Written by Steven Speilburg and Directed by Tobe Hooper, this film is a staple of many horror fan’s childhoods. Carol Ann and her family have lived in peace for years in their house. Sadly, that peace was not meant to last.

3. One Missed Call (Chakushin Ari)

People start dying after a mysterious ring-tone appears on their phone and tells them how they will die. And it’s spreading. Directed by Takashi Miike.

2. Ginger Snaps (2000)

Ginger and Bridgett don’t fit in. What’s even worse is Ginger is starting to pull away from her sister. Bridgetts worries get worse when her sister goes through the changes of life; Hair growing in new places, getting into boys, and turning into a werewolf. Ahh, the joys of adolescence.

1. The Orphanage (El Orfanato) 2007

Laura, an orphan, brings her family back to the orphanage in which she grew up intending to make it an Orphanage for other children. However, unknown to Laura, the Orphanage has unexpected secrets to tell, and it will tell them only to her.

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10 Best Dark Comedies

by Horrorzilla 8. June 2010 00:14

Dark, or black comedy truly is a world of its own. It is a tool that has been used for centuries to satirize popular culture and to tackle taboo issues in a subtle, yet comical way that may not necessarily be picked up on by the untrained eye. there are an absolute ton of movies that fall into this category and they span all genres of film and literature. We recommend giving the following that fall into the horror genre a watch (or re-watch)very closely to try to pick up on some of the humor you may have missed if you weren't looking for it.

10. Street Trash

A wildly outrageous film of non-stop gore, sleaze, and depravity. A movie filled with strangely endearing characters and over the top politically incorrect humor that will have you laughing at things you never thought you would. In the same sense as Basket Case it has to be seen, and you will love or hate it, but either way it's a must see.

9. Basket Case

Frank Henenlotters masterpiece of B horror that is still original over 25yrs later. This movie is hard to describe without making it sound stupid and contrived. It has to bee seen - plain and simple, and you will either be overjoyed or disappointed.

8.Trick r' Treat

Destined to be a Halloween classic, this anthology has me wonder what Warner Bros. was thinking when they sat on this film for a year and then released in the summer. It has everything you could want - black humor, scares, unexpected surprises and everything ties together at the end. Be glad Warner Bros. saw the and finally released this gem of a movie.

7. Parents

A tale of suburban lifestyle in the fifties where nothing is as it seems to a young boy. Are his parents really cannibals or is he just it all a figment of his imagination. A fun and enjoyable film that may take a few viewings to fully comprehend, but well worth the time.

6. The Dentist

OK - who doesn't fear going to the dentist? Corbin Bernsen does a masterful job of playing a deranged dentist who goes off the deep end. It plays on the fear most of us have and takes it to the extreme. It is an unsettling movie from Brian Yuzna and Stuart Gordon - both of whom are responsible for The Re-Animator, among other horror classics.

5.Freaks

A brilliant and extremely creepy film from 1932 that still hold up today. You will find yourself amused and empathetic at the same time thanks to Tod Brownings excellent direction. The sense of unease you get comes from the fact that you will be repulsed by and endeared to the characters. The humor comes from the feeling that such "normal" surroundings and people are anything but.

4. Teeth

Vagina Dentata - those two words say it all. This movie will have every male crying in pain and every female screaming with glee. It plays on the old wives tale to both horrify and delight the viewer, all the while never stooping to childish jokes or excessive nudity. Kudos to writer/director Mitchell Lichtenstein for not following convention and making a memorable film.

3. April Fool's Day

A grossly underrated horror movie that uses subtle humor to make the viewer comfortable just before they are about to be scared. A typical teen slasher type movie that does not follow the T&A and gore conventions of other movies of the period, April Fools Day has a fun feel to it which is not expected from a horror movie.

2. An American Werewolf In London

A masterpiece of horror from John Landis that influenced horror/comedy movies ever since it first hit the big screen in 1981. The music and offbeat humor contrast the violence and gore brilliantly, keeping the viewer strangely relaxed while screaming at the same time.

1. Re-Animator

This film is a fast paced ride into the world of gore and macabre. It will repulse you, make you laugh, and make you think all at the same time. One of the few critically acclaimed horror movies ever, it launched Jeffrey Combs into horror movie cult icon. The dark humor will unfortunately be lost on the average viewer but for the true horror fan it will delight to the very end.

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10 Best Comedy/Horror Movies

by Horrorzilla 7. June 2010 00:29

For us die hard horror freaks, regular comedies just don't seem to cut it. Personally, if a movie doesn't have any death, blood, or monsters it simply doesn't hold any interest, but it is always a nice change of pace to watch a movie that makes me laugh. Luckily, there is a whole sub genre of films to fill this need. Here are a few of our favorites:

10. Black Sheep

Genetically engineered sheep who eat human flesh - those words alone make it a must see. With a mix of humor and gore you will be entertained throughout. The special effects are top notch and the characters funny and endearing, New Zealand movies have become much more polished thanks to Peter Jackson.

9. Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead

No comedy/horror list would be complete without at least one Troma film. This movie will offend you to no end and have you rolling on the floor laughing at the same time. If you know anything about Troma and enjoy their films then you will love his movie.

8.Love At First Bite

Where to start - this film is a fun ride full of nostalgia and stereotypes and laughs. It's hard to argue with George Hamilton as a modern day Dracula and Richard Benjamin Van Helsing, so see it if you haven't already.

7. The Burbs

Tom Hanks and Bruce Dern team up for an hilarious ride into suburban hell. An original movie that will suck you in and leave you laughing and being apprehensive at the same time. A very underrated film by Joe Dante.

 

6. Evil Dead Series

Sam Raimi basically invented the modern comedy/horror template that most movies of the genre use today. Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, and Army of Darkness have developed a cult following for good reason. Any true comedy/horror fan will have these in their collection.

5. Abbott and Costello Meet ...

The duo of Abbott & Costello met most all of the horror icons of the their time with all the laughs you could ask for. You will be hard pressed to find more laughs and fun out of a movie than one of their classic comedy/horrors.

4. Shaun of the Dead

Some sites, if not most, may rate this movie 1 or 2, and for good reason. It contains enough laughs to keep you laughing for the entire film. Shaun spoofs almost every zombie film stereotype there is with great aplomb.

3. Special Dead

OK - the humor may be low brow and childish at times but will leave you rolling on the floor none the less. It contains all the tongue in cheek humor and gore you could want from a comedy/horror movie. A must see !

2. Return of the Living Dead

A cult classic from Dan O'Bannon that has all the wit and satire anyone could want from a film of this genre. It pays homage to the classics while being original, which is rare for a movie of any type. Most all zombie movies after it owe a debt of gratitude to this great movie.

1. Ghostbusters

With an all-star cast and some of the most memorable one-liners in movie history there isn't much left to say. A movie that the whole family can and get scares AND laughs from.

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10 Best Horror Movie Cars

by victor_crowley 6. June 2010 13:11

No intros needed on these. These cars speak for themselves.

10. Black Cadillac

1957 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75 Limousine

9. Maximum Overdrive

Green Goblin: 1977 Western Star 4864

8. The Wraith

1984 Dodge M4S

7. The Car

1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III

6. Duel

1971 Plymouth Valient

5. Death Proof

1969 Dodge Charger

4. Death Proof

1970 Dodge Challenger

3. Phantasm

1971 Hemi Cuda

2. Christine

58 Plymouth Fury

1. The Raimimobile

1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88

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10 Best Slasher Films

by victor_crowley 6. June 2010 00:29

For many of us, slasher films pretty much define the horror genre. There really is nothing better than kicking back with a few beers and watching some unsuspecting teen get decapitated while her friends are partying in the cabin over. Slasher flicks range from extremely comical to downright disturbing, but they always manage to entertain. Everybody has their favorite killer and/or kill scene and nobody can ever seem to agree on which is best, but I think we can all agree the following films deserve a top spot in the horror hall of fame.

10. Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon(2007)

This extremely clever mockumentary gives us a behind the scenes look at the real life of a slasher style serial killer in a world where our favorite movies are a reality. Jam packed with references to all the great films that came before it and the various rules that seem to stick to the sub-genre, "Behind The Mask" turns out to be a solid, albeit comical slasher film in its own right. A definite must see for the true horror geek.

9. My Bloody valentine(1981)

A huge early 80's cult favorite, "My Bloody Valentine" tells the story of a sleepy mining town with a violent past that appears to be repeating itself on......you guessed it....Valentines Day. Very much a standard slasher flick for its day, it does manage to throw a few twists in there to keep you guessing. If you have never seen this film, or have only seen the remake, then SHAME ON YOU. Make sure you check out the uncut version released in 2009 to catch a couple scenes that had initially given this film an X rating in 1981.

8. Child's Play(1988)

Dolls are creepy. FACT! "Child's Play" sets the standard for killer doll movies. It is not necessarily scary (anybody reading this that can't kick a 2 foot tall doll's ass needs to seriously consider hitting the gym), but is certainly an entertaining addition to the slasher family. Keep your eyes open for the remake supposedly coming up soon.

7. The Burning(1981)

One of my favorite of the early 80's slashers, "The Burning" is basically your standard slash and hack film following a bunch of kids away at camp that start disappearing one at a time. While not long on plot, "The Burning" offers an excellent cast, including early performances by Fisher Stevens and Jason Alexander, as well as the makeup and special effects of Tom Savini.

6. Hatchet(2006)

Just when we thought the slasher film was dead, "Hatchet" came along and brought things right back to the roots. A bunch of people poking around where they don't belong, getting picked off one at a time by a disfigured madman with an ax to grind. Starring horror legend Kane Hodder and with cameo appearances by Robert Englund and Tony Todd, "Hatchet" is an awesome throwback to the days when the slasher was king.

5. A Nightmare on Elm St(1984)

The first slasher to include a supernatural edge, "A Nightmare On Elm Street" was an instant classic. Following the already tested formula, the deranged killer returns from beyond the grave to seek revenge on high school students. Freddy immediately became an icon in the horror world and managed to scare a whole generation.

4. Black Christmas(1974)

This 1974 classic is the one that started it all. Based on real life crimes committed around Christmas, "Black Christmas" set the stage for the sub-genre as we know it. Slightly dated by today's standards, still definitely still an enjoyable watch and belongs in any serious collection.

3. Friday the 13th(1980)

What can really be said about this one? "Friday the 13th" was an instant success spawning 10 sequels and a remake. Jason Vorhees has managed to be a household name and a part of all of our lives for 30 years now.

2. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre(1974)

Another major influence on modern horror movies, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" still manages to frighten audiences to this day. This timeless classic may lack the gore that we are used to these days, but manages an extreme amount of tension without ever showing much of anything. Along side "Black Christmas", this film managed to pave the groundwork for everything that came after it.

1. Halloween(1978)

This is definitely the one that started the craze. Unlike the slasher films to come before it, "Halloween" managed to bring that terror right to our door. The masked sociopath stalking our streets and killing indiscriminately , Michael Myers sets the standard by which all other horror movie villains should be judged. Perfection in every way, this movie has it all. The score alone can manage to evoke a reaction from people. Anybody who says that Michael Myers doesn't scare them, even a little, is lying.

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10 Best Horror Remakes

by victor_crowley 5. June 2010 09:00

Everybody knows that Hollywood is going overboard with the remakes, but not all of them are terrible. If done correctly and provided enough time has passed, it is possible to bring some of our favorites into the modern world. Unfortunately, this does not happen too often, as the machine that is Hollywood likes to churn these movies out as quickly as possible, thus foregoing the quality and letting the fans down. I'm sure I will have a lot of people disagreeing with my picks, but if you don't like it, submit your own damn list. Anyway, these are what I think are the top 10 best remakes out there:

10. My Bloody Valentine 3D(2009)

I think this one made the list due to expectations. I went into it thinking it was going to be terrible, and walked away pleasantly surprised. I think the 3D version did justice to the original, and they mixed it up just enough so it wasn't a total ripoff.

9. Last House on the Left(2009)

Honestly, I can't believe this is here. I was downright pissed about this movie and went into it knowing I would hate it. I didn't see how they could possibly pull this off. The original was so raw and sleazy in a way that could never be matched. The remake certainly had a different feel to it, but overall I think it was very well done, thus earning it a spot on this list.

8. Willard(2003)

I can't think of anyone better than Crispin Glover to have such an intimate relationship with a rat. He totally nailed the part and brought a creepiness to the role that I felt was absent in the original. Not to mention that the cat scene certainly goes in my book of all time favorite horror moments. I know many will disagree, but this is one of those rare instances where the remake outshines the original.

7. The Hills Have Eyes(2006)

I am not going to say that this remake was superior to the original, as the original was great for its time, but was in severe need of being updated. They certainly pushed the limits with this one, but did not overdo it.

6. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre(2003)

The success of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" remake has led to the current craze in Hollywood. They actually did get it right with this one. The story of Leatherface turned into a disaster in the original movies and needed to be corrected. Between this film and "TCM: The Beginning", I think they did justice to an iconic horror legend that truly deserved to be resurrected.

5.The Fly(1986)

David Cronenberg's adaptation of the 1958 classic starring Vincent Price, while very different from the original, was a really solid movie in its own right. Updated to reflect the numerous advances in technology since the 1950s, this "re imagining" delivered everything we had come to expect from Cronenberg. Overall, it is a great film, lets just hope they don't try it again in 3D.

4. The Blob(1988)

I must say that Kevin Dillon is certainly no Steve McQueen, but he managed to pull this off, as did the rest of the cast. This movie was in serious need of an updating at the time. It is a great story, but it was hard to make the blob intimidating in 1958. "The Blob" not only belongs on the top of this list, but also really represented the 1980's very well. Definitely a well done remake and I just hope Rob Zombie doesn't screw up the upcoming remake like he did Halloween 2.

3.Halloween(2007)

I know that I'm gonna get a lot of shit for this, but I really enjoyed Rob Zombies remake of "Halloween". True fans are split down the middle on this topic with one side saying that Michael was fine the way he was and that no back story or motivation is what made him scary. I disagree with that. I think the depth added to the character in the first half of the movie made him more real, therefore scarier. Getting an in depth look at why and how he became the monster we all know and love just enhanced the experience even more for the second half of the movie. The cast was incredible, as was the soundtrack, not that we would expect less from a Rob Zombie film.

2. Night of the Living Dead(1990)

Tom Savini's adaptation of the 1968 Romero classic "Night of the Living Dead" was absolutely dead on. While nothing can compare to the original, Savini did an excellent job staying true to the 1968 version. It was obvious that the whole cast and crew had great reverence for Romero's masterpiece and they delivered spot on performances. After a debut like this, I can't believe Savini has yet to direct another feature film.

1. The Thing(1982)

"The Thing" is not only #1 on this remakes list, but also ranks up there as one of the best films of all time. John Carpenter's adaptation of the classic "The Thing From Another World" from 1951, far surpasses the original and is a must have for any serious collection.

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10 Worst Slasher Films

by victor_crowley 3. June 2010 15:01

For every great slasher that comes out, there are so many more that just don't make the grade. I enjoy a good bad movie from time to time, but these films are the absolute worst of the worst. They can be good for a few laughs if you're in the right mood, but overall you should proceed with caution.

10. Drive-In Massacre(1977)

I have no idea how this film ever got released. I think there would be a better chance of getting people to sit through home movies of me playing solitaire. The film is about a serial killer with a sword at a drive-in and does not have one single redeeming quality. This really belongs to be further down the list, but its so bad i can't bring myself to give it a #1 on any kind of list.

9.Valentine(2001)

This one is pretty funny, people either love it or hate it. I am definitely with the haters. I'm not sure I can even tell you why, because I have done a good job blocking it out and refuse to watch it again to find out. I was not a fan of many of the films that came out during that time period, but I know this one sucked pretty bad because it left a lasting impression.

8. Don't Go In The Woods......Alone(1981)

No Budget. Bad Acting. Basically nobody with any talent was allowed to work on this film. I like bad movies for the most part and this one is kinda fun if you take it for what it is. Just don't go into expecting anything and you won't be disappointed.

7. A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge(1985)

It is no surprise at all that Wes Craven refused to work on this film. I am a huge fan of the whole franchise, but honestly i don't know how they managed to get funding for any additional sequels after this stinker came out. They changed the whole premise and it just doesn't fit with the rest of the series. You're lucky your fans love you Freddy and are willing to give you a pass on this one.

6. Silent Night, Deadly Night 2(1987)

This whole movie is archive footage of the first. Total waste of space in anyone's collection. If you've never seen it, don't. You can skip right to 3 and you haven't missed a thing.

5. Jason Goes To Hell: The Final Friday (1993)

Why mess with a proven system? The ninth in the series, "Jason Goes To Hell" does not make any sense, on any level. All of a sudden Jason can jump bodies? WTF? This movie was just terrible and never should have been made. Luckily, they followed with Jason X AND TOTALLY REDEEMED THEMSELVES!

4. Leprechaun(all)

I can manage to sit through the first couple in this series, but that's it. I know they arent meant to be taken seriously, but come on. If I had to listen to that little guy rhyme like that, I would kill myself before he ever got to me. They seemed fun and different at first, but I have to rate this whole series as some of the worst movies ever.

3. Return To Sleepaway Camp(2008)

I have always been a big fan of this series, but they never finished filming the fourth movie. Why would they ever move on to a fifth? This particular slasher's time has passed. Trying to capitalize 20 years after the last sequel had been released just didn't work. This film isn't worth the DVD it's burned on.

2. Texas Chainsaw Massacre 4: The Next Generation(1994)

Why did they have to do this to Leatherface? This movie is watchable for some laughs, but they took this one too far. OK. We all knew Leatherface was a cross dresser, but was there really a need to make it so pronounced? They totally emasculated a legend and then had the balls to make the whole thing a government conspiracy. Just so wrong on so many levels. Don't watch this movie if you can avoid it.

1. Slumber Party Massacre 2(1987)

This movie is so bad that it is so much fun to watch in the right company. I don't even want to say anything to ruin it. The picture says it all. It is so absolutely terrible that it's a definite must see. If you have never seen it, I guarantee some dropped jaws.

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10 Worst Horror Remakes

by victor_crowley 3. June 2010 08:48

If you can't do something right, DON'T DO IT AT ALL! How many more of our favorite movies are going to get butchered for the sake of making a quick buck? I know not all of Hollywood is brain dead and I know for a fact from my dealings with independent filmmakers that original screenplays still exist. It's time to buck the trend and stop going to see this garbage so maybe we can get some new, original movies in theaters again. The only way we can make that happen is to stop feeding the machine and not allow movies like the following make millions at the box office.

10. Friday the 13th(2009)

This movie had potential, had they just followed the proven formula. Don't make Jason into something he isn't. He moves very slow, yet seems to teleport to catch anyone, anywhere. He hacks people to death with whatever is handy and has AWESOME music to go along with it. That's it. Couldn't get more simple. Jason does not take hostages, nor does he use a bow and arrow and he certainly won't be competing in an Olympic decathlon anytime soon. Only good thing about this movie was that it was so bad they had to call off the sequel.

9. The Wicker Man(2006)

I don't think this film could have been any worse if they tried. It amazes me that they took such a fantastic classic horror movie and followed the script so closely, yet totally ruined it. The original totally sucked you in right from the beginning with an utterly eerie soundtrack making it that much more chilling. "The Wicker Man" remake is the exact opposite. It does not engage the audience at all and there isn't one likable character in the bunch. Nick Cage's role just seems like a lost, confused child and is actually quite comical, which as I understand it is the opposite of how things were intended. It is no surprise to me at all that Robin Hardy, the original director, has teamed up once again with Christopher Lee to offer audiences another "re imagining" of the classic only a few years after this remake was released.

8.The Omen(2006)

There can be only one Damien. The original is still eerie after 35 years and there was absolutely no need for an update. I'm not saying the movie wasn't well put together, it was just missing something and had nowhere near the effect of the original regardless of how many times you have seen it.

7. The Amityville Horror(2005)

This was totally unnecessary. The original is a great, timeless movie, but keep in mind that we have already been subjected to 7 sequels. I don't know about the rest of the world, but I am Amityvilled out. Perhaps a different cast would have changed things, but I find it absolutely impossible to take Ryan Reynolds seriously in any role he plays. Overall it just didn't work for me, and I am still trying to figure out where in the original was the babysitter taking bong rips in the bathroom?

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