Haven't done a movie recommendation list in awhile, and thought I wanted to do something a bit different than my typical game reviews. Figured that a horror movie list with my thoughts on each of them on why I recommend them for Halloween would make for a good post, so here we are. Hopefully you guys find something to watch out of these, as I count down through some of my all time favorite horror films which I'll be watching I'm sure throughout the day/evening! So, lets get to it.
12. Train to Busan
Synopsis:
A man along with his estranged daughter and other passengers become trapped on a speeding train during a zombie outbreak in South Korea.
My thoughts on the film:
The premise which this film has is a simple one, and at this point in time I'm sure most people are tired of zombie films. However, this movie nails it's simple setting and is a breath of fresh air for the zombie genre as of late. The action in it is entertaining, and the zombies themselves are fairly creepy which is something that is lacking from most zombie films these days. The film revolves around a Father and his daughter who have a broken relationship, and there is a lot of character growth throughout. This is an exciting, fun horror flick which would be a good movie to watch for Halloween. Well, so long as you don't mind reading subtitles.
11. Event Horizon
Synopsis:
A rescue crew investigates a spaceship that disappeared into a black hole and has now suddenly returned years later. However, something sinister lurks aboard the ship, and the horrors that the past crew experienced are still present.
My thoughts on the film:
Event Horizon is a cult classic, and that's for a good reason. It sports some terrifying visuals and showed some elements of psychological horror which I wasn't expecting at all going in. It has a great cast to it, which all give some interesting performances. Unlike some of the other horror films I'm going to include, this movie lacks an actual physical monster, and has more of a cosmic terror type vibe to it with the interdimensional elements. I think it's a great sci-fi/horror film, and is very underrated with few people actually having even heard of it.
10. Return of the Living Dead
Synopsis:
When two bumbling employees at a medical supply warehouse accidentally release a deadly gas into the air, the vapors cause the dead to rise again as zombies.
My thoughts on the film:
This film is a mixture of horror and dark comedy, but it's one of my favorite horror and zombie films ever made. It's like a very campy version of Night of the Living Dead, but with some different takes on what the ghouls crave and how they've come to be. It uses some grisly special effects that stand up pretty well to the test of time, and has plenty of creepy visuals thanks to the setting of the film taking place in a mortuary, medical supply warehouse, and a graveyard. While this isn't the scariest film on this list, it's definitely one of the most entertaining ones.
9. The Cabin in the Woods
Synopsis:
Five friends on a school break head to a remote cabin, where they get far more than they ever bargained for. Little do they expect the horrors awaiting them on their vacation.
My thoughts on the film:
This is another film on the list that has some comedy elements mixed in with the horror. Though, this film explores horror film tropes in a very strange, but entertaining way. There are so many easter eggs in this film referring to other works of horror in media and literature, and the film itself is very, very self aware. This is a film where you feel like you've got it figured out over and over, only for it to be turned upside down on you. There are plenty of genuine scares and creepy tones set within the film, but the comedy bits really help to elevate it in my opinion. Definitely a fun movie to watch, especially for Halloween.
8. Dog Soldiers
Synopsis:
A routine military exercise quickly turns into a nightmare within the Scotland wilderness. Without transport or communications, the military squad is forced to retreat to a farmhouse to wait for the full moon to disappear at dawn.
My thoughts on the film:
Probably my all time favorite werewolf film made. There are some gruesome practical special effects in this one, with some good performances from the cast and some wonderfully grim atmosphere the entire film. Along side the unrelenting horror aspect of the film is plenty of entertaining action and gallows humor strewn about. A somewhat gory film, but definitely a great watch that won't leave you bored.
7. Re-Animator
Synopsis:
A dedicated student at a medical college and his girlfriend become involved in bizarre experiments centering around the re-animation of dead tissue when an odd new student arrives on campus.
My thoughts on the film:
This horror/comedy film which is based loosely off an H.P. Lovecraft novel is one of the most off the rails splatterfest filled movies I've ever seen. You know, in a good way. The injections of dark humor within the film help elevate it from just being a gorefest zombie film into something truly great. The bizarre monstrosities and scenes in this movie along with the excellent writing and awesome performance from Jeffrey Combs are what make this film. Not only is it a cult classic that has been ingrained in pop culture, it's just an absolute classic film from the 80's that is hands down one of the most entertaining horror films I've ever seen. Probably not for everyone, but definitely check it out if you haven't.
6. The Mist
Synopsis:
After a powerful storm damages their home, David Drayton and his young son head into town to gather supplies. Soon after, a thick mist rolls in and engulfs the town, trapping the Draytons and other townsfolk in the grocery store. Terror mounts as deadly creatures soon reveal themselves outside, but that may be nothing compared to the threat within.
My thoughts on the film:
Probably my favorite adaptation of any Stephen King work to date. This film is gritty, and brutal throughout, and a lot of that doesn't even had to do with the lovecraftian type of monsters within the mist. It has some genuine scares within, and a lot of disturbing imagery and creepy scenes. The performances are beyond good in this, especially by the lead actor who embodies what most of us have probably shouted at previous horror characters when they're making terrible, dumb decisions. (Aka, he is a rational thinking man who does the things that most of us would do in his situation.) This film has one of the most dark, gut wrenching endings in any film ever made that leaves you on a very shocked note. I highly, highly recommend this one.
5. Trick'r Treat
Synopsis:
Five interwoven stories that occur on Halloween: An everyday high school principal has a secret life, a college virgin might have just met the guy for her, a group of teenagers pull a mean prank on a classmate, a woman who loathes the night has to contend with her holiday-obsessed husband, and a bitter old man meets his match against a supernatural trick-or-treater.
My thoughts on the film:
Definitely one of the first films I think of when I think about Halloween. This film is chalk full of Halloween atmosphere, dealing with the superstitions and legends of Halloween. It's quite the slick and twisted horror film, with plenty of unsettling characters, narratives and scenes. This film has become a yearly viewing for me on Halloween, and you can bet it's going to be something I'm watching later today. Out of all the films on this list, this one is the closest to the spirit of Halloween that you'll find.
4. Evil Dead II
Synopsis:
After discovering an audiotape left by a college professor that contains voices reading from the Book of the Dead, Ash's girlfriend Linda becomes possessed by evil spirits that are awakened by the voices on the tape. Ash soon discovers there is no escaping the woods.
My thoughts on the film:
The Evil Dead series probably has the biggest cult following of just about any horror film. This movie is a hilariously awesome slapstick gore film with quite a few disturbing scenes and elements to it, but it's always got an absurd bit of humor around the corner. There is a manic energy to the film, not only from the story and creatures but from Bruce Campbell who plays Ash as well. The film was very inventive for its time, and just stays consistently lively and makes for a great spooky movie to watch for Halloween.
3. Alien
Synopsis:
In deep space, the crew of the commercial starship Nostromo is awakened from their cryo-sleep capsules halfway through their journey home to investigate a distress call from an alien vessel. The terror begins when the crew encounters a nest of eggs inside the alien ship. An organism from inside an egg leaps out and attaches itself to one of the crew, causing him to fall into a coma.
My thoughts on the film:
Alien is probably the most well known sci-fi horror film to ever be released. Even with it being almost 40 years old, it still holds up just as well as when it was released due to it being about the fear of the unknown, which is something that man will always be afraid of. The pacing of this film is excellent, with such a slow large build up for the first half of it. There is so much tension within this film, and it never lets up. This is definitely a horror classic worth watching if you haven't seen it.
2. The Shining
Synopsis:
Jack Torrance becomes winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado, hoping to cure his writer's block. He settles in along with his wife, Wendy, and his son, Danny, who is plagued by psychic premonitions. As Jack's writing goes nowhere and Danny's visions become more disturbing, Jack discovers the hotel's dark secrets and begins to unravel into a homicidal maniac hell-bent on terrorizing his family.
My thoughts on the film:
Now, I can't say I really consider this film to be an adaptation of Stephen King's work, as it fails at this severely. I couldn't even call this a loose adaptation. However, even with that being the case, it is an amazing look into what a downward spiral of madness looks like. It has a hauntingly beautiful sound design behind it, and some absolutely stunning cinematography. The design of the hotel itself has a creepy, colorful aspect to it and it seems like everything has a reason for being included in the set design. This is by far one of the greatest horror films ever made, filled with malevolent atmosphere and amazing performances from the cast. I highly, highly recommend this one.
1. John Carpenters The Thing
Synopsis:
A crew in Antarctica finds a neighboring camp destroyed and its crew dead. Whatever killed them is nowhere to be found, unless it's hidden in plain sight.
My thoughts on the film:
My all time favorite sci-fi horror film, the thing has some of the greatest practical special effects ever made. They stand up easily to the test of time and haven't aged a bit. There is a thick, intense air of paranoia in this film which I've not seen any other film even come close to replicating. The casting for this film is great, with each actor giving an excellent performance. The atmosphere and cinematography in this film is beyond amazing, both filled with the feeling of dread, paranoia, loneliness, and of course coldness. You're left wondering throughout the entire movie who exactly is The Thing? If you haven't watched this movie yet, you're truly, truly missing out on probably the greatest horror film released. At least in my opinion.