Hey guys :)
I've been into horror since childhood - in litterature, but especially in movies. Now it seems I may have exhausted the stores of great horror movies - at least as far as I know - so I turn to you for help.
What do you like in the horror genre? What would you recommend?
Some things I like: Evil Dead (1982), Possession (1981), The Wicker Man (1973), The Shining (1980), Braindead (1992), Hereditary (2018), The Thing (1982), The Innocents (1961), Hellraiser (1987).
I don't much care for cheap run of the mill horror and there's a lot of stuff I don't bother with, but if a movie made a big splash, chances are I've seen it.
Currently I'm looking forward to the new Evil Dead and also Ari Aster's (Hereditary, Midsommar) next movie - although I'm not sure it'll actually be considered horror.
Whatcha got? 💀
Hoo boy, too many to count - let me go off the top of my head:
Halloween (1978) - Yeah, it's the slasher movie, and for good reason. Freddie and Jason are lame in comparison.
Cannibal Holocaust (1980) - The movie that basically started the found footage genre - the director even ended up in court because the special effects looked so real that the public thought the actors in the movie actually died (probably didn't help that the director paid the actors/actress to hole up for a year after the movie's release to sell that fiction). A great movie, but a bit over the top for some - the fact that they killed real animals and filmed it is um....well a bit over the top.
Martyrs (2008) - A revenge quest against child abusers - been years since I've seen it, but all I remember is that it left a serious impression
The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007) - A faux-documentary about a serial killer - scary and unsettling, if only because people like the subject in the movie actually exist.
Horror in the High Desert (2021) - a bit schlocky, but another faux-documentary about a hiker who went missing in the mountains - detectives eventually find his backpack that contains his video camcorder - and what they find shocks them. Yeah, it's not a masterpiece or anything, but I watched it with my wife with the presumption that it was actually a true story (I realized at some point it was a mock documentary, but I didn't say anything) - and the shock and horror on my wife's face by the end was priceless - "That wasn't real right?! That didn't really happen, right?!?" :laughing:
There's plenty more, but that's just off the top of my head - some of the ones I love you've already mentioned.
I'm gonna keep an eye on this thread, I'm not very well versed in horror. I need good stuff most of the horror I've seen is just a group of idiots encounter a series of startling images and noises.
Rob, how aboot a Canadian classic? I really love Cronenberg's Brood (1979) and Videodrome (1983). Both are wicked smart and have lots of great ideas and atmosphere. The former is a bit closer to the more traditional language of horror, I think, it's centered on the family unit and how baggage from the past can act on the present in ways that are unpleasant. Videodrome is about a sleazy producer who becomes fascinated with a weird transmission and also gets to meet Debbie Harry. And it rules. I rewatch it a couple of times a year cause it's like a foundational film and I fucking love it. If you fidn a girl who would rewatch videodrome with you, you found the one.
I'm more into comedy horror and Halloween-core movies than pure horror. My youth was spent watching a lot of classics in those genres. There will be a few straight horror films mixed in here but lighter takes on it are more my vibe.
Beetlejuice (1988), Hocus Pocus (1993), The Addams Family (1991), The People Under the Stairs (1991), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Halloween (1978), Casper (1995), Dracula (1958), Alien (1979) [it's like sci-fi horror, right?], The Blob (1988), Pan's Labyrinth (2006) [it's like fantasy horror, right?], Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)
Just off the top of my head. I'm not at all well-versed in post-90s horror movies, I'm very squeamish when it comes to really loud jumpscare noises so I'm always a bit wary of watching them.
Edit: Thank you Jadis for bringing up Videodrome, that's on there for me too.
Thanks for your suggestions, guys! ❤️
I've seen the movies mentioned so far except The Poughkeepsie Tapes and Horror in the High Desert. I'll check those out :)
By the way, about Halloween.. I tried to watch the second one recently and fell asleep 😅 seemed snoozier than the first (?) despite being more in media res.
Quote from: jadis on Apr 01, 2023, 10:21 PMRob, how aboot a Canadian classic? I really love Cronenberg's Brood (1979) and Videodrome (1983). Both are wicked smart and have lots of great ideas and atmosphere. The former is a bit closer to the more traditional language of horror, I think, it's centered on the family unit and how baggage from the past can act on the present in ways that are unpleasant. Videodrome is about a sleazy producer who becomes fascinated with a weird transmission and also gets to meet Debbie Harry. And it rules. I rewatch it a couple of times a year cause it's like a foundational film and I fucking love it. If you fidn a girl who would rewatch videodrome with you, you found the one.
I'll give 'em a try. I've seen and liked a lot of Cronenberg.
Razorback (1984)
One of my favorite horror movies. A missing journalist, a giant boar, and the Australian outback—what's not to like? Not too many scares, but this movie is a fun kind of creepy, it doesn't take itself too seriously, and it has beautiful cinematography.
Quote from: Janszoon on Apr 01, 2023, 11:29 PMRazorback (1984)
One of my favorite horror movies. A missing journalist, a giant boar, and the Australian outback—what's not to like? Not too many scares, but this movie is a fun kind of creepy, it doesn't take itself too seriously, and it has beautiful cinematography.
Cool! I've never heard of this one :)
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Apr 01, 2023, 10:23 PMI'm more into comedy horror and Halloween-core movies than pure horror. My youth was spent watching a lot of classics in those genres. There will be a few straight horror films mixed in here but lighter takes on it are more my vibe.
Beetlejuice (1988), Hocus Pocus (1993), The Addams Family (1991), The People Under the Stairs (1991), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Halloween (1978), Casper (1995), Dracula (1958), Alien (1979) [it's like sci-fi horror, right?], The Blob (1988), Pan's Labyrinth (2006) [it's like fantasy horror, right?], Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)
Oh come on now! Half of those aren't in any way horror!
Beetlejuice = comedy
Addams Family = comedy
The Nightmare Before Christmas = animated comedy
Casper = Well I don't know what to say here. Casper the friendly ghost? Are you serious?
A child of six could watch any of those and there wouldn't be the slightest bit of pushback from parents.
I'd recommend
Let The Right One In, vampire movie set in Sweden, but watch the original, not the bloody US remake, which they handily titled
Let Me In, to ensure nobody watched it by mistake. I'm not a horror fan, but I can dig vampire movies.
Event Horizon is also decent, science fiction horror or horror science fiction, you decide. You might also want to try
Dust Devil for something different.
Speaking of vampire movies, I'd recommend Anne Rice's
Interview with the Vampire, Dracula Untold, Forsaken, John Carpenter's Vampire$, From Dusk to Dawn, and maybe
30 Days of Night. Though not really what I'd class as horror, Johnny Depp is great in both
Sleepy Hollow and
From Hell.
I literally said I'm more into horror comedy and Halloween themed movies. Those are horror comedy and Halloween themed movies. Also I actually was a child when I saw all of them. I'm really not a huge film buff to be honest, I love to watch nostalgic stuff from my youth and stuff that is cheesy and fun and entertaining more than most "serious" cinema.
I don't know why you're acting so incredulous about someone having a different taste in film.
Somehow, as a millennial, I had never seen Nightmare Before Christmas before my college years. After I met my now-wife, then-girlfriend, she showed it to me - and it's become a staple of ours to watch every Halloween. Still, being the instigator I am, I always bring up the argument about whether it's a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie. I'm not sure I'm convinced one way or the other, but I always argue that it's really a Christmas movie, since my wife is adamant that it's a Halloween movie. :laughing:
Regardless, excellent movie. Regarding Alien, Mrs. Waffles, not sure if you're into gaming or not, but Alien Isolation is an excellent take on the story and setting of the first movie. And oh yeah, it's pretty scary too.
I've probably seen Nightmare Before Christmas what.. 30 times? :laughing: I know all the songs by heart. Beetlejuice as well. Addam's family, of course.
Some of the movies mentioned here, I don't care that much for, like From Hell, John Carpenter's Vampires (although I saw this ages ago when it was relatively new) and From Dusk Till Dawn. I did like Interview and Let the Right One In.
For Vampire movies, I'd recommend Bram Stoker's Dracula. It's a lot of fun, from very hammy (looking at you, Keanu) to gothic horror awesomeness (Gary Oldman in his castle).
Btw, in Alien Isolation, you play Ellen Ripley's daughter Amanda I think it was 🙂 you deal with a xenomorph outbreak on a space station, Sevastopol. It happens between Alien and Aliens (while Ellen is lost in space and in cryosleep).
I'm of the mind that Nightmare can be both a Christmas and Halloween movie. Maybe more Halloween in terms of aesthetics and Christmas in terms of the overall story? Either way, I've also seen it countless times. I was definitely one of those high school kids who was all about the Hot Topic Nightmare merch, haha.
And I know about Alien Isolation, never played it myself but I've seen gameplay footage. From what I've seen it definitely nails the atmosphere of being stalked by a xenomorph.
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Apr 02, 2023, 04:52 AMI literally said I'm more into horror comedy and Halloween themed movies. Those are horror comedy and Halloween themed movies. Also I actually was a child when I saw all of them. I'm really not a huge film buff to be honest, I love to watch nostalgic stuff from my youth and stuff that is cheesy and fun and entertaining more than most "serious" cinema.
I don't know why you're acting so incredulous about someone having a different taste in film.
Cos I'm a dick. duh. :love:
No I get it, but if someone asked for horror movies those are not the ones I'd be recommending. No offence meant, you know that. I love ya really. But I have to say again: Casper? I mean, Casper? Sorry. Sorry. No I can't; CASPER???!!! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: About as horror as
Hello Kitty: The Movie.
Also, why has nobody made
Hello Kitty: The Movie? :love:
I dunno man, if Stinky, Fatso and Stretch were haunting my house I'd be scared shitless.
(https://c8.alamy.com/zooms/9/5362b663758041bca11bcf4123bc70b8/2k8ck7j.jpg)
Quote from: Guybrush on Apr 01, 2023, 09:15 PMThe Thing
have you read the things by peter watts
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Things_(short_story)
it's fantastic
Wonder if anyone's seen Censor? I was prepared to be blown away after reading this review (https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/aug/22/censor-review-prano-bailey-bond-niamh-algar-video-nasties) cause it links it to two of my all times favorite films, Videodrome and Egoyan's The Adjuster, and cause I love the whole 80s "videos nasties" thing. But don't know if it quite lived up to the five star billing. It's an "intelligent horror film" for sure though
^Sounds interesting, Jadis 🙂 I'll add it to my list of movies to check out.
Maybe intelligent horror is a good descriptor for the sort of movies I like. I prefer it when they're not one dimensional in terms of tone. I like genre mixing (like Possession or Hereditary also works as dramas, at least for part of the movies) and I prefer plots that are not entirely predictable.
To
@Mrs. Waffles, I also like a lot of horror adjacent like basically the movies you mentioned 🙂
I don't mind those recommendations.
For intelligent horror, as you say, then again try
Dust Devil. Not a single special effect, basically a three-person play against the harshest of backdrops, the Namib Desert, which makes it look almost like you're on another planet, very little music (no cheesy), no cliches and some stunning performances, including the title character who says so little but conveys so much: that's real acting. And a shocker of an ending. I'd say you'd enjoy it.
Trailer
Full movie
Thanks for the suggestion, Trollheart 🙂 I'll add it to the list
The Loved Ones (2009) is a very good lil Australian flick
The Witch (2015) is quality puritancore. ATJ was so cute before they subjected her to this horrible thing called "buccal fat removal". Guess her face is more striking and "memorable" now, which is a good thing for an actress
Polanski's Repulsion is one of the greatest films of all time imo, but it's so great that I hesitate to reduce it to any one genre.
Repulsion we started on, but my wife thought it looked boring so we didn't make it more than a few minutes in. I'll restart that one day.
The Witch was okay, though I much preferred The Lighthouse. I'm not sure if it's considered a horror, but at least it's dark in tone.
The Loved Ones I've never heard of :) will check that one out.
Quote from: Guybrush on Apr 03, 2023, 02:52 PMRepulsion we started on, but my wife thought it looked boring so we didn't make it more than a few minutes in. I'll restart that one day.
The Witch was okay, though I much preferred The Lighthouse. I'm not sure if it's considered a horror, but at least it's dark in tone.
The Loved Ones I've never heard of :) will check that one out.
Dunno if I'd have the patience for The Witch had I not been fascinated with Anglo Puritanism. As such, I thought it was really good. Need to watch The Lighthouse
Didn't get Hereditary at all. I watched it in a NYC cinema full of black teens who screamed each time there was anything remotely scary on the screen and it was so much more fun to follow than the actual movie.
Quote from: jadis on Apr 03, 2023, 03:39 PMDunno if I'd have the patience for The Witch had I not been fascinated with Anglo Puritanism. As such, I thought it was really good. Need to watch The Lighthouse
Didn't get Hereditary at all. I watched it in a NYC cinema full of black teens who screamed each time there was anything remotely scary on the screen and it was so much more fun to follow than the actual movie.
I loved Hereditary. It's such a bleak family drama at first and I like a proper feelbad-movie. Then, towards the end, it goes properly bonkers which cleans the palate and sends me off with a smile. I became an instant Ari Aster fan :)
When the little sister is having the allergic reaction and puts her head out the car window - yikes...
When the brother just sits in the car afterwards in silence - powerful moment.
Quote from: SGR on Apr 03, 2023, 04:28 PMWhen the little sister is having the allergic reaction and puts her head out the car window - yikes...
When the brother just sits in the car afterwards in silence - powerful moment.
i've had a couple posts now that didn't go through
when they went back on showed her decapitated head with ants all over it
that was fab five freddy
and colin stetson on the ost - pow 5 stars
Quote from: SGR on Apr 03, 2023, 04:28 PMWhen the little sister is having the allergic reaction and puts her head out the car window - yikes...
When the brother just sits in the car afterwards in silence - powerful moment.
When he's standing in the hall at night listening to his mother wailing on the floor.
It's such a magical movie moment 😁