Halloween is approaching quickly, so here's 5 good films and 5 bad films to watch during your favorite month of the year!
THE GOOD
Eaten Alive
Also known as “Death Trap” “Horror Hotel” and “Starlight Slaughter”, Eaten Alive is a 1977 film by Tobe Hooper (of Texas Chainsaw fame) and tells the story of a crazed owner of a hotel in the south and his pet crocodile. As you can guess he kills multiple residents in many ridiculous and gory ways, and feeds them to his pet croc. This film is good fun if you’re into movies that are gore-fueled splatterfests.
Chopping Mall
Here’s the story. Mall gets new security robots, some kids decide to sneak into the mall at night and hang out, security robots malfunction and start killing everyone in their path, and yeah you can see where this goes. If you’re a fan of fun slasher films that involve robots, dumb teenagers, and a ridiculous story, you’ll more than likely enjoy this.
Tucker and Dale Vs Evil
Ever see “Shaun of The Dead”? Yeah? Did you enjoy it? Good, then this movie is just for you! Tucker and Dale are two lovable southern boys who are vacationing in a cabin in the woods, however there is also a group of teenagers also vacationing nearby, who assume that Tucker and Dale are serial killers and murderers. Basically the teenagers manage to die in the most hilarious ways while Tucker and Dale are just trying to help during the whole ordeal. VERY funny stuff and HIGHLY recommended.
Maniac
This is easily one of the scariest horror films I have ever watched, and the only one to scare me as an adult. While well known throughout the horror underground, this classic didn’t get as much media attention as it’s remake. The film stars Joe Spinell (The Godfather, Taxi Driver, Rocky) as Frank Zito, an EXTREMELY disturbed serial killer who targets women and scalps them after his murders, however something new happens in his life, he falls in love (arguably becomes obsessed) with one of his targets. The movie is one of the most fascinating films I have ever seen and is highly recommended by me and many other horror fanatics.
Begotten
Ah yes, the elusive “Begotten.” This is more of an art piece as opposed to a horror film however I will put it on this list for that sake of the films grotesque imagery. This is a pagan retelling of Genesis in silent film form, and with lots and lots of dirt and blood. It’s best to go into this film blind so I won’t say too much however this is a very intriguing watch and is NOT for the faint of heart.
THE BAD
American Psycho 2
If the fact that they made a sequel to one of the best modern day horror films didn’t upset you enough, then good news, it’s bad as well. Starring Mila Kunis (an amazing actress) and William Shatner (an incredible actor) this direct to DVD film tells the story of a young girl who’s baby sitter was killed by Patrick Bateman, she then decides to kill Bateman, flash forward 20 years later and the girl is now a sociopath killer herself. The movie then turns into this weird thriller that’s hard to consider horror for me and while this movie isn’t THAT bad it’s definitely not the best film ever made.
Plan 9 From Outer Space
Ooooooh boy is this movie trash, just pure trash, however it’s not bad trash. Basically, the plot for this film is as follows: aliens come to earth attempting to contact world leaders, world leaders say “nah”, the aliens initiate “Plan 9” a plan to reanimate the earths dead. Bad acting and hilarity ensues. Definitely an enjoyable film and not the worst on this list.
Troll 2
Believe it or not, this isn’t a sequel, there is no “Troll 1” and that should be your first red flag. Well that’s half a lie, there IS a movie called “Troll”, but this film and that one have no connection. The original title for this film was actually “Goblins” but I guess even the filmmakers realized it was so bad that they needed to market it as a sequel to “Troll”. This movie tells the story of a family being pursued by vegetarian goblins who want to transform them into plants so that they can eat them. I promise I’m not making this up go check Google if you have to. The result is one of the absolute funniest B-horror films of all time, highly recommended if you enjoy laughing until the point that you start crying.
Book Of Shadows: Blair Witch II
Did you know they made a SECOND “Blair Witch Project” film? Me either until I started making this list. This film won three separate awards for being bad, including a Raspberry and two Stinkers. It’s also not really a horror film so much as it is an edgy psychological thriller filled with decent acting and an overall “eh” story. Not terrible but not great.
Birdemic: Shock and Terror
I’m going to be blunt, this is hands down the worst film I have ever watched and I loved every minute of it. This is not a film to be viewed for pleasure; rather you need to be a gigantic masochist in order to enjoy this steaming pile of hot garbage. EVERYTHING IN THIS FILM IS BAD, the audio mixing, the effects, the acting, the story, everything, bad. The premise itself is ripped off from Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds”. Peaceful oceanside town gets terrorized by horribly 3D animated birds. Do not watch this movie unless you want to laugh uncontrollably throughout the entire thing.
