(Originally published Oct. 26, 2009) First things first — I’m suing AMC (American Movie Classics). The cable channel’s line-up for Halloween includes “Return to the House on Haunted Hill“ and “King Kong,” the 1976 version.
Huh? There’s nothing classic about either of those flicks.
Here’s a list, in no particular order of some horror flicks to check out. Some you’ve heard of, some you haven’t.
The first batch of suggestions comes from members of our Facebook fan page.
Darlene Bomba Zawisza: The original “Poltergeist.”
Christine Wolfram Taylor: “In the Mouth of Madness“
Derek Glenn: “Night of the Living Dead,” always a classic.
Bob Bomba: Friday the 13th
Mary Llewellyn: This one’s not a horror movie but is Halloween-related: “Donnie Darko.”
Alyce Trelawny Coleman: “Showgirls.”
Jack Zibluk: “Lost Skeleton of Cadavera,” an indy film co-produced by former Derbyite and Sentinel reporter Laure Trotta. Lost Skeleton is a sci-fi spoof btw..and if you’re doing local, anything with Derby’s Brian Dennehy.
Derek Jansen: “House of a 1000 Corpses,” “Dead Birds,” “Christine,” “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “Cabin Fever,” “Hostel“
Helen Beattie Witalis: “Hunting Season“
Tony Spinelli: I like old classic monster movies….the other night I watched Beast from 20,000 Fathoms….! I like monsters….not too crazy about psychokillers…..
Nathan Wrann: Wrong Turn, Wolf Creek, Eden Lake, The Strangers, Scream
Here are some clicks officially endorsed by the Valley Independent Sentinel:
DAWN OF THE DEAD The 1978 version, because ZOMBIES DON’T RUN!
ZOMBIELAND Reporter Jodie Mozdzer, via Twitter: “Zombieland. Zombieland. Zombieland. Zombieland. More of a comedy than a horror, but whatever. You need some variety on that list.”
28 DAYS LATER Easily one of the great modern horror flicks, proves wrong all the idiots out there who say ZOMBIES DON’T RUN.
HIGH TENSION Or, for you fancy foreign movie lovers, “Haute Tension.” Terrifying, disturbing, tough-to-watch sort-of serial killer flick — and not just because it’s French.
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN A vampire flick — but the vampire’s a 12-year-old girl. Creepy, very much deserving of its cult status. Also foreign, but worth the subtitles.
NEAR DARK Imagine if “Lost Boys” took it self seriously? The ultimate vampire road/Western flick.
THE VIEWER/I CAN SEE YOU/I SELL THE DEAD/HOUSE OF THE DEVIL: While mainstream Hollywood turns a quick buck with crappy remakes, a bunch of folks in Brooklyn’s Glass Eye Pix are turning out funny/terrifying/trippy genre flicks through their Scareflix label. They’re partnering with Dark Sky to produce even more. Full disclosure — I mopped up fake blood for “The Viewer,” a 3‑D short film.
HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER Not your traditional horror flick. Documentary-style, minimalist look at a compulsive killer, Henry (played by Michael Rooker). Hugely controversial upon its release in the 80s. Not a pleasant movie.
THE TRIPPER Funny, awkward, weird comedy/horror from writer/director David Arquette. You’ll laugh at least twice.
THE THING John Carpenter’s 1982 remake of a 50s classic was pretty much panned by critics and ignored by audiences when it was released. It’s now a classic in its own right, widely regarded as one of the best horror films ever (and, I’d argue, one of the top five flicks of the 1980s).
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, PART II Dennis Hopper’s self-destructive ways were so harmful, he found himself in a starring role in this notorious mid-80s gorefest. Totally over-the-top, almost a parody of the first “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” — and much better. Yeah, I said it.
TRICK ‘R TREAT This flick sat on the shelf for something like two years before finally hitting the video-on-demand/DVD market earlier this month. Horror fans love it. Actually, anyone who sees it loves it, judging by its perfect rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s an anthology flick — a bunch of separate evil stories taking place in one small town on Halloween. Despite its newness, it’s already being called “The Christmas Story” of Halloween flicks.
Grey’s Anatomy Wife makes me watch every episode. A true horror, especially this season.
