Ten Great Horror Movies

"Horror is the future. And you cannot be afraid. You must push everything to the absolute limit or else life will be boring."
-Dario Argento

The Horror/Thriller genre is judged by different criteria than the rest of the film world. Seeding through a mess of B-movies, prejudices, and oceans of red dye and corn syrup, one will find some true gems. These are by no means the scariest, greatest, or my favorite films. Instead this is a list of 10 dynamic and different films that represent what I find personally satisfying about constantly returning to the darker side of cinema.

Orphanage- (2008). A family moves out to country in order to restore an abandoned orphanage that the mother attended as a child. Their son makes some possibly imaginary friends who may or may not be connected the buildings buried past. Sound cliché? Perhaps, but the execution is remarkable. It was produced by Guillermo Del Torro, who adds the same oozing dark styling as he did in his previous years film, Pans Labyrinth. It works just as well as a drama while reaffirming to us all that one of the scariest things in the world is a kid with a bag on his head.

"When you have the intuition that there is something which is there, but out of the reach of your physical world, art and religion are the only means to get to it." -Guillermo Del Toro (Producer)

Science of the Lambs- (1991). I am fine with some films failing at the traditional aesthetics as long as they can excite my senses. This one not only makes my skin crawl, but it still remains a masterpiece in directing, acting, writing, and every sense imaginable. The characters are so strong and the dialogue just flows gracefully out of their mouths. A young, nieve woman is forced to face the most compelling and evil character in cinematic history. Hopkins seduces the audience as Lecter manipulates and probes a brilliant Jodie Foster. This film is as smart and articulate as its villian.

"When your daughters on the slab, where will it tickle you?"

Hostel- (2005). If you think this film is nothing but travel porn with sadistic torture added in only for shock value, you must be thinking of the sequel. It is hard to notice through the merciless gore, but Roth’s original script is actually quite smart (and hilarious). It speaks volumes about how America perceives its role in the world through its ethnocentric main characters. The story also examines the nature of excess and addiction to risky behavior. What about the well placed references to Japanese horror and Luis Brunel’s Un Chien Andalou? I have often said that I would grin and bear the second half of the film in order to experience the first. Slavic women are indeed some of the most beautiful creatures on earth. For the viewers that are in it for the more traditional horror elements, there are plenty of boobs and blood to go around.

"I've been all over the world. It's all the same shit. But THIS... This is something you never forget."

Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror– (1922). This is my favorite translation for the German silent film classic. I must admit it is a little dated for modern audiences who aren’t used to silent film. Still, many people might be surprised how it still has the ability to frighten and entertain. Parts of the script such as names and locations are changes for legal purposes, but it is essentially a retelling of the original Dracula. My favorite part of the story (and why I included it on my list) is the legend behind the camera. Max Schreck, who played the vampire Count Orlack, either thought he was, wanted to be, or actually was a vampire. He had dental and cosmetic surgery to look the part, and was even rumored to drink blood outside the studio walls. This idea was explored further in the 2000 film Shadow of the Vampire, and Klaus Kinski reprised the role again in another legendary performance (1979). The only thing we can be certain of is that this film still influences the genre today.

"Is that your wife? What a lovely throat."

Suspiria- (1977). Without restraint I would have flooded this list with Dario Argento films. The Italian horror master focuses more on style than substance, and this is his most surreal film. The plot doesn’t matter because despite dozens of viewing, I still don’t know what is going on. That is not a flaw however, that disorienting feeling is part of the film’s unique charm. The whole experience feels more like a dream than a movie. It is a haze of flamboyant colors, bold images, and one of the best scores ever written by Argento’s favorite: the Goblins.
Enjoyment of the film depends a lot on how you approach watching movies, and art in general. A passive, logic oriented viewer will find it obnoxious. A more creative, imaginative individual invests full attention will see the genius and horror it has to offer. The only other film that I know of to be so rewarding towards right-brained viewers is Blair Witch Project. For a more traditional Argento film that still has his signature-stylized killings, check out Opera (1987)

"Bad luck isn't brought by broken mirrors, but by broken minds."

28 Days Later- (2002). For starters I will say that this is not a "zombie movie" in the George Ramero sense of the word. I feel that in the last few years we can expand the definition of "dead coming back to life" to include infectious diseases that produce zombie like symptoms. So don’t bitch on semantics.
That out of the way, I will say that all good zombie movies take a stab at some sort of social commentary. Instead of some in your face statement about consumerism (yes I feel Dawn of the Dead is overrated), 28 Days Later tackles human psychology in a raw and very real way. In the event of a zombie breakout, how would society react, what social institutions would arise, and most importantly what would the effects be on out psyches? Major Henry West plays the part of a Greek chorus, chanting truths as his group’s own little post apocalyptic society spirals out of control. When I exited the theater the first time I saw it, I only casually liked it, but small things like phenomenal shots, subtle character gestures, and an absolutely amazing score have made me return to it time and time again.

"This is what I've seen in the four weeks since infection. People killing people. Which is much what I saw in the four weeks before infection, and the four weeks before that, and before that, and as far back as I care to remember. People killing people. Which to my mind, puts us in a state of normality right now."

Rosemary’s Baby- (1968). I had the privilege of seeing this horror classic re-released in a small town theater for a midnight showing. This experience reminded me how special it is to watch a film in the environment that the director intended for it. I was captivated as soon as the auditorium darkened and Rosemary’s lullaby echoes through the empty seats. I think one of the things that makes the film so compelling, is how the ridiculous premise feels completely plausible. This is achieved though great storytelling and the uncanny performance of Mia Farrow. She makes the viewers feel her paranoia and fear on a very deep level. While on the set, she was served divorce papers from her husband Frank Sinatra. This could not come a better time, as she was obviously able to channel her heartbreak into this role.
While the tension remains, a subtle, dark sense of humor remains the entire time. This is especially apparent at the end when we see sweet Clara Edwards for The Andy Griffith Show shout out "Hail Satan." "Hail Satan." Priceless.

"He has his fathers eyes."

The Saw Franchise- (2003-08). It is important to note that I did not site a particular movie in series, but the entire franchise. This is because there is not a single one that stands out (even though 2 is my favorite). I am more impressed with how they have penetrated my yearly routine. Some families get together and watch Planes, Trains, and Automobiles every thanksgiving. Those same families watch It’s a Wonderful Life every Christmas. Saw has made this same association with some fans towards Halloween. It is a Marketing Departments dream to have audiences anticipating a flick before they run their first ad for it. Each year I have gone to the theater and known that I could expect similar images, characters, and situations that thrilled me for 90 minutes the previous year. The story itself forces you to be less passive as you have to ask yourself what you would do if you were put into Jigsaw’s games. Even though Saw V was the worst so far, it was good enough to entertain, and have me anticipating another installment in a year from now. Isn’t that the best a Franchise can hope for this far into its story?

"Oh yes…. There will be blood!!!!"

The Haunting- (1973). I love blood. There is nothing I enjoy more than seeing it stylishly flung against the walls in brutal cinematic killings. While outrageous gore might make a bad film moderately enjoyable, it will never make it great. The haunting does not contain a single drop.
Robert Wise (he is famous for upbeat movies such as Sound of Music and West Side Story) directs in a way that causes tension and a sense of unease to undermine every scene. At times it is downright horrifying. Technical elements such as sound effects and lighting are used as a stimulant for the audience. It is an elegant thriller that keenly instills the feeling of an unseen presence, in the dark, in the night. This is a brand of horror that is hardly seen anymore. Not the kind that scares you outright, but the kind you will randomly thing of when you’re walking down a lonely, dark hallway.

"It was an evil house from the beginning - a house that was born bad."

Se7en- (1995). A true blessing would be to be able to view this film with no previous knowledge of what is going to happen. I was not that fortunate. If you do not know the premise or twists then cover your eyes and ears and go watch it before someone tells you.
The first time you watch the film, the elaborate step-up and unfolding story captivates any audience. What makes it great to return to time and time again is the characters. A cynical veteran paired with a nieve rookie. Their views of the corrupt city of Seattle and human nature could not be more different. Seeing how they react to each other and the evil they encounter lifts them up to represent the whole human dilemma. It’s a story about experiencing the darkest side of human nature and seeing how it affects you. Isn’t that why we watch some horror movies to begin with?
What I love about the message is that it offers hope with out compromising its cynical view on the world even for a second. The whole experience can be summed up in the last words:

"Ernest Hemmingway once wrote, "The world is a beautiful place and it is worth fighting for." I agree with the second part."