After the vigorous discussion that the last column generated, it only seems fair to post up the horror flicks that are my personal favorites so that ya’ll can nod along or scoff to your hearts content.
Now let’s be clear, I’m not saying these are the ten best ever, or even what I think on balance are the best. These just happen to be the top 10 genre movies, that for one reason or another, I enjoy watching the most.
So check it out, and then spit bullets on what you love the most. ‘Cause whether we all agree or don’t (hint: we don’t), it’s good times for all watching the debate.
READ PART 1 OF THIS LIST HERE WARNING – SOME SPOILERS BELOW! 5. ALIENS The original is a better movie in my estimation, but it’s not as fun as watching Ripley and a bunch of Space Marines take on reams of Xenomorphs. And as far as final boss battles go, Cameron gives us a throwdown that puts most video game fights to shame. That is all.
4. GINGER SNAPS Long before JUNO launched Diablo Cody and turned the world onto the Moldy Peaches, this tale of adolescent angst and emergent sexuality pretty much rocked the socks off anyone who saw it. Even better, it also had werewolves! You can keep Megan Fox and JENNIFER’S BODY. I’ll take this deeply thought out character play with ample bloodshed as my preferred meal any day of the week.
3. THE DESCENT It’s a chick flick. It’s a man vs. nature flick. It’s a horror flick. It’s all of those and seamlessly integrates each element. Make no mistake that you’ve got yourself balls to the wall, straight ahead action-horror here, but unlike almost any other movie that can make that claim, THE DESCENT makes sure we care about the women involved, really care, before it starts abusing and killing them as brutally as possible.
2. HELLRAISER II H2 takes the promise of the original and just runs the f*ck away with it. We get plenty of what we loved (and loved to hate) from the first, but it’s served up with a heaping portion of Hell-based bloodletting the likes of which I’ve rarely seen. Seeing the good doctor get himself Cenobited is still one of the most disturbing things I’ve had occasion to witness.
1. IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS I’m a writer, a horror fan, and a Carpenter fan, so it was almost impossible that I wouldn’t love this movie. From the opening asylum scene to the perfectly trippy movie theater ending, this is an amazing experience from start to finish. If ever I see a “Do you read Sutter Kane” t-shirt being sold, it will be bought and become my most cherished non-family possession for the rest of my days.
READ PART 1 OF THIS LIST HERE Got a Top 10 idea? Hit me up at mattwithers@joblo.com