Horror movies are a splendid thing. There's nothing better than snuggling up with your honey on a chilly fall night and flipping on a scary flick. In order to aide your quest in the search for the perfect scary movie, I've compiled a list of some of my faves:
1. "Suspiria" (1977)
Dario Argento's Italian horror classic is sure to get you feeling on edge. The booming vibrant colors in the set design starkly contrast the film's eerie plot of witchcraft and murder. Suzy, an American ballet-dancer, travels to Germany to attend a prestigious school and is quickly thrown into the throws of fear as those around her are murdered and the lines of fantasy and reality begin to blur under the power of an ancient wish. If you're a fan of suspense and cinematography, this is the one for you.
2. "Psycho" (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock's cinema masterpiece defined the thriller genre and is definitely a must-watch. Just a classic story of girl fed up with life, steals $40,000 from her job, runs away paranoid as hell and winds up staying at a motel owned by a psychopath who likes to dress like his dead mom. Oh, is that not a basic story concept? Hitchcock's classic is sure to leave you looking over your shoulder for the rest of the night.
3. "The Descent" (2006)
A more modern addition to the list is the seriously uncomfortable (if you're claustrophobic just don't even try this one) film from director Neil Marshall. What's really eerie about this one is most of the movie feels absolutely like a string of believable and realistic situations, until things get a little too creepy. A close-knit group of female friends, who for some reason have a serious love for cave exploration, set out to explore an un-mapped 'secret' cave. Their descent into the cave turns chaotic as they are picked off one by one by its devilish inhabitants.
4. "An American Werewolf in London" (1981)
John Landis' 1981 film makes its appearance on the list mostly because of my die-hard love for practical effects. Pretty simple premise, boy gets bit, turns into werewolf and commits some really heinous murders. What really makes this film stand out is its stunning effects during the transformation scene and come grizzly, gory murders. If you're in it for the chaos, here's your pick.
5. "Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn" (1987)
Director Sam Raimi's classic installment in the Evil Dead series won't only sufficiently gross you out but is sure to leave you laughing and really wishing you could knock back a few beers and crush some deadites alongside Ash. Premise wise, it's basically a remake of first installment, "Evil Dead," but just done better. It is the perfect marriage of comedy and gore and one of the few horror films that doesn't take itself very seriously.
6. "Dèmoni" ("Demons") (1985)
Another from the mind of Italian filmmaker Dario Argento, directed by Lamberto Bava, is the cult-classic "Demons." This one is seriously underrated and like "Werewolf"and "Evil Dead" contains some amazing gore and prime 1980's practical effects. Moviegoers are in for a whirlwind of a night as a deadly cursed is unleashed upon the theatre. The best way to sum it up would be a classic 80's B-Horror with the carefully crafted creepiness Argento brings to the genre.
7. "American Psycho" (2000)
From director Mary Harron (the only female on my list, for shame) comes the cult-classic and one of favorite Christian Bale roles. Based on Brett Easton Ellis' 1991 novel, the film brings to life the seemingly charismatic, successful and attractive Manhattanite Patrick Bateman. Until we discover he's really a deranged lunatic who murders hookers for funsies. Still, you can't help but love Bateman and the gore he leaves in his path.
8. "Shaun of the Dead" (2004)
Bringing it back to lighter side of things is Edgar Wright's insanely quotable film. A seriously funny take on the zombie genre, Shaun and his best friend Ed embark on a mission to protect the ones they love and grab a cold pint as they fight their way through zombie hoards. This film pays great homage to the zombie genre with some awesome practical effects. Phenomenal storytelling elements and the directorial style Wright dominates makes this one a must-see.
9. "It Follows" (2015)
A modern classic brought to you by filmmaker David Robert Mitchell. This one varies from the rest of my list in that the creepy lies mostly in the unseen. "It Follows" takes the classic horror troupe that sex is deadly to a whole new level. After a sexual encounter, a young woman is plagued by horrific visions and the unshakeable sense that someone or something is following her. With fantastic cinematography and a setting that can't quite be placed the film does incredible job of making the viewer feel uneasy (to put it lightly.) This one is sure to leave you wanting more.
10. "The Shining" (1980)
If you haven't seen Stanley Kubrick's psychological horror film "The Shining" then you should absolutely forget what other pick you liked on this list and watch it. In an adaptation of Stephen King's 1977 novel, Jack Nicholson delivers a performance that will leave you terrified of your dad ever taking a job as a caretaker at a hotel in its offseason in the event he loses his marbles and tries to murder you and your mom. A beautifully crafted film, filled with hidden messages and an eerie score, "The Shining"is guaranteed to freak you out.
I love love love scary movies and there are so many I didn't get to mention here. Comment to let me know some of your faves!
