I have done a Halloween list every year since I have been at UAB, and in my fourth—and likely final—year here, the trick was finding a fairly obscure horror movie I haven’t mentioned in a previous article! So I did some heavy-duty web-searching, and here’s what I came up with. Enjoy!
1. “LET THE RIGHT ONE IN”
Sick of all those wussy teen vampires clogging up the movie and TV screens? Check out this nifty Swedish shocker about a pre-teen female vamp that is way more disturbing than anything you’ll see in the likes of the “Twilight” movies. And don’t worry if you fear subtitles more than vamps - there’s a dubbed option on the DVD.
2. “DEAD SNOW”
Another Swedish import, this one revolves around the ever-popular zombies, also still making waves with the recent “Zombieland.” However, this one features Nazi zombies! How can you go wrong? Not here, with the flick that stole the show at the recent Sidewalk Festival. It equal parts of “Evil Dead” and “Scream,” with an amusingly tongue-in-cheek, self-referential tone that translates into any language.
3. “MARTYRS”
Just when you thought it was safe to avoid torture porn comes this belated entry in the much maligned (often deservedly so) genre. This French import is far superior to most films of its ilk, adding a dense psychological subtext that makes it cut deeper than most horror movies. That said, it is definitely not for the faint of heart, least of all in the super-gory unrated version. The French have been on a roll as of late –see also the excellent “High Tension” (by the director of the “Hills Have Eyes” remake), “Inside,” and “Frontier(s).”
4. “BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE”
Gore-fests not your cup of tea? Try this underrated flick, based on a young adult novel of the same name, which tried to do for werewolves what “Twilight” did for vampires before that film was released. It is flawed, but beautifully shot and well-acted, and is more for those who prefer light horror or so-called “paranormal romance” than die-hard horror fans - in other words, it’s much more girl-friendly than the other films on this list if you’re looking for date night material. If you like this, see also the excellent French period-piece werewolf flick “Brotherhood of the Wolf” or the Canadian teen-wolf series “Ginger Snaps.
5. “THE WOODS”
Like “Blood and Chocolate,” this also features rising starlet Agnes Bruckner, plus horror stalwart Bruce Campbell of “Evil Dead” fame and celebrated indie actress Patricia Clarkson (“Six Feet Under”). Revolving around mysterious happenings at a girl’s school in the mid-60s, it’s a subtle, mood-driven chiller that makes up in atmosphere what it may lack in gore. See also director Lucky McKee’s fantastic “May,” featuring a rare straight performance from funny girl Anna Farris (“Scary Movie”). For even more girl-school thrills, check out the tres-campy “Satan’s School for Girls” with - who else? - notorious bad girl Shannen Doherty.
6. “TALE OF TWO SISTERS”
Sure, Asian horror is old hat by now, to the point that the recent remake of this film, “The Uninvited,” was not even promoted as such. However, this one is well worth a look, even for those burnt-out on Asian horror. For one thing, it’s not your typical Asian horror movie; It’s grounded in reality, and though there are ghosts of a sort, it’s not anything like “The Ring” or “The Grudge” or what have you (not that there’s anything wrong with those films). This one is more of a psychological thriller than a ghost story, and that makes all the difference. See also the excellent Mexican chiller “The Orphanage,” presented by Guillermo Del Toro (“Pan’s Labyrinth”) for a similar flick that moves as much as it chills.
7. “THE FUNHOUSE”
Director Tobe Hooper has taken his lumps over the years, somewhat deservedly, despite having created two of the all-time best horror movies: “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Poltergeist.” However, there are a few hidden gems in his repertoire that few talk about, including this shocker set largely in a carnival ride—hence the title. The main monster’s gruesome makeup is by Academy Award winning effects man Rick Baker (“Hellboy,” “An American Werewolf in London”). Other Hooper movies worth checking out: “Eaten Alive,” featuring a pre-Freddy Robert Englund and a hungry crocodile, and “Lifeforce” about space vampires (!). For an ideal double feature, check out the also-carnival-set flick “Dark Ride,” with “Sopranos” siren Jamie-Lynn Sigler.
8. “VIDEODROME”
Before there was torture porn, there was “Videodrome.” This ahead-of-its-time flick features James Woods and a post-Blondie Deborah Harry (as a redhead!) playing a couple who run afoul of a pirated cable network that shows nothing but torture films with no plot or recurring actors. Might they be real snuff films? You will just have to see for yourself, but with David Cronenberg (“The Fly”) in the director’s chair, suffice it to say things only get weirder. This film single-handedly warped my childhood irrevocably, and I mean that as a compliment. See also Cronenberg’s “Existenz,” which could be a bigger-budgeted sequel to the film and makes for a perfect double feature.
9. “ANGEL HEART”
Believe it or not, there was a time when Mickey Rourke (“Sin City,” “The Wrestler”) looked like a normal guy. Granted, he never was anything remotely resembling normal as a person, which is why he is such a perfect fit for this proto-M. Night Shyamalan chiller. A modern-day film noir, the film is directed by Alan Parker, of “Fame” fame as well as “Pink Floyd: The Wall,” and features a post “Cosby” Lisa Bonet, never hotter. “Angel Heart” revolves around a P.I. investigating a disappearance in New Orleans at the behest of the mysterious Robert DeNiro, at his creepiest this side of “Cape Fear.” Great ending, beautifully shot, and excellent acting all around. A must see, but try to get a hold of the unrated version. See also the equally underrated “Jacob’s Ladder” for a similar nightmarish vision with a twist.
10.”PIECES”
What would a Halloween horror list be without a guilty pleasure slasher flick? One of “Hostel” director and “Inglourious Basterds” star Eli Roth’s faves, this so-trashy-it’s-great gore-a-palooza must be seen to be believed. Featuring stalwart horror husband and wife team Christopher and Lynda Day George (“Day of the Animals”), plus Paul “Bluto” Smith, this would-be murder mystery is sleazy but fun, with loads of gratuitous nudity and gore, plus an ending to end all horror movie endings, “Sleepaway Camp” notwithstanding. For more Georges fun, check out the underrated “Mortuary” featuring a young Bill Paxton, and for more guilty pleasure 80s slashers, check out the recently re-released “The Prowler” with effects by the guru of gore, Tom Savini (“Dawn of the Dead,” “Friday the 13th”) and the underrated original “My Bloody Valentine,” which features restored unrated gore.
Well, there you have it! Have a great Halloween, and remember to lock your doors and bolt your windows, because you never know who—or what—might be lurking out there in the dark.
related keywords: let the right one in,dead snow,martyrs,blood and chocolate,the woods,tale of two sisters,the fun house,videodrome,angel heart,pieces,top 10 horror movies you have not seen
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