Horror Movies

[ProfessorLayton]

So last night for some reason I just decided to watch a couple of 80's horror movies, A Nightmare on Elm Street (fantastic) and Friday the 13th (awful). I was then inspired to go find every classic horror movie I could on the "watch instantly" list and line them up to watch.

Since I'm in a horror mood right now (and considering it's almost October, I timed this pretty well (not on purpose)), I wanted to have a horror movie discussion on the Escapist. So... what are your favorite horror movies? Why are these your favorites? What makes a movie scary to you?

 

[Jonluw]

I don't like horror movies, but I'll intrude on the discussion never the less. I, naturally, have no favourite, but what makes a movie scary to me is if the scenario is actually plausible; you know, something that could actually happen in the real world.

I don't get why people like watching horror movies. I just don't see the appeal of feeling scared. In addition, movies in general have a tendency to fill me with a strange feeling of existential angst.

That said, I'm not that easily scared.

 

[Mr.Petey]

I did like the John Carpenter remake of "The Thing" as it had what I like to call a proper horror setup. Spend a good portion of the first 1/3 of the movie setting the scene, the characters, an air of unnatural events and only then bring in some horror elements.

A good horror movie has an even mix of visual, audio and "dialogue" frights. A lot of horror can turn to a damp squib if it either relies too much on the visual and dialogue. Signs I felt was notorious for the latter on this because how it made too much reliance on imagination and "everything going on out there while we freak out here where there isn't much happening here at all"

 

[Sevre]

In addition, movies in general have a tendency to fill me with a strange feeling of existential angst.

I like this.

On topic, I haven't seen any good horror movies lately, I liked The Crazies, but that wasn't very scary, entertaining though.

I like Hitchcock's movies for their suspense though, I don't know how he does it but he gets my heart racing.

 

[Marter]

I haven't really watched all that many horror movies, but one that I really liked was Orphan. I, myself, don't really believe it to be horror, as it's not all that scary, but it was still a great film.

 

[Commissar Sae]

I did like the John Carpenter remake of "The Thing" as it had what I like to call a proper horror setup. Spend a good portion of the first 1/3 of the movie setting the scene, the characters, an air of unnatural events and only then bring in some horror elements.
[/John Carpenter is a hit and miss horror director. He has some amazing films like 'The Thing' and 'In the Mouth of Madness' but then he also churns out stuff like 'Ghosts of Mars' or 'Vampires' which are mildly entertaining but pretty stupid on the whole.

Still, 'The Thing' and 'In the Mouth of Madness' are some of my favorite horror movies of all time. The first 'Nightmare on Elm Street' also gets some recommendations, especially for the scene with the body being dragged down the hall, that was very well done.

I'm a big fan of horror movies/books on the whole. (Read a lot of Lovecraftian stuff) That said even a bad horror movie can be pretty entertaining when you watch it with friends for a laugh.

Edit: oh and the original version of 'The Omen' is awesome!

 

[Jonluw]

In addition, movies in general have a tendency to fill me with a strange feeling of existential angst.

I like this.

Do you like the feeling of existential angst, or do you like that I feel it?

I remember watching some movie about The Hulk once, and literally feeling sick when I left the cinema.

 

[Mr.Petey]

John Carpenter is a hit and miss horror director. He has some amazing films like 'The Thing' and 'In the Mouth of Madness' but then he also churns out stuff like 'Ghosts of Mars' or 'Vampires' which are mildly entertaining but pretty stupid on the whole.

Oh good lawd yesh. The Ghosts of Mars didn't have much staying power for me when I caught it one night on tv, I certainly won't deny that!

 

[Sevre]

In addition, movies in general have a tendency to fill me with a strange feeling of existential angst.

I like this.

Do you like the feeling of existential angst, or do you like that I feel it?

I remember watching some movie about The Hulk once, and literally feeling sick when I left the cinema.

I like that movies evoke existential angst in you, I'm not a fan of movies and my friends are always trying to drag me to the cinema so I'm citing existential angst as my next excuse.

 

[Jonluw]

Do you like the feeling of existential angst, or do you like that I feel it?

I remember watching some movie about The Hulk once, and literally feeling sick when I left the cinema.

I like that movies evoke existential angst in you, I'm not a fan of movies and my friends are always trying to drag me to the cinema so I'm citing existential angst as my next excuse.

Good luck with that, I'm sure you'll get a few strange looks they'll understand.

It doesn't happen with all movies though. I don't really know what's the trigger, but sometimes a movie will just make me think about stuff, and render me incredibly uncomfortable.

 

[Cartman2nd]

The F13th sequels are way better (talking about 2, 4 and 5 here) and the two classics from the 70's (Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Halloween) should bring some enjoyment. You should see Scream to, although it isn't 80's. Lastly, I highly recommend [Rec]!

 

[ProfessorLayton]

I don't like horror movies, but I'll intrude on the discussion never the less. I, naturally, ahve no favourite, but what makes a movie scary to me is if the scenario is actually plausible; you know, something that could actually happen in the real world.

I don't get why people like watching horror movies. I just don't see the appeal of feeling scared. In addition, movies in general have a tendency to fill me with a strange feeling of existential angst.

That said, I'm not that easily scared.

I remember reading somewhere that people get a slight high off of fear. Do you like roller coasters? Both horror movies and roller coasters present a person with fake-dangerous situations that make you feel afraid but nothing can really threaten your life. It gets your heart racing and to some people, that's a whole lot of fun. I can understand not enjoying horror movies, though, in the same way I can understand someone not liking any genre.

 

[Stoic raptor]

The F13th sequels are way better (talking about 2, 4 and 5 here) and the two classics from the 70's (Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Halloween) should bring some enjoyment. You should see Scream to, although it isn't 80's. Lastly, I highly recommend [Rec]!

I never watched rec, but I keep hearing about how fucking horrifying it is.

 

[Klumpfot]

What kind of horror are you after?

My favourite 80's horror franchise is Hellraiser. Sadomasochistic demons from another dimension. It also has my favourite ever sequel with a higher number than three (Hellraiser V: Inferno). Godzilla flicks don't count. Another great 80's series is Return of the Living Dead. Although the first one is better than the others by leaps and bounds.

In the Mouth of Madness has already been suggested, and it is a great movie.
There's the Evil Dead movies, of course. Not exactly scary, but very fun to watch!
If you haven't already, you should watch Romero's zombie movies. At least the first four (Night, Dawn, Day and Land).

For something that will genuinely disturb, I recommend The Girl Next Door.

 

[YoBadMama]

Now, im into those old horror movies (Mostly horror movies I couldn't see when I was younger.) but I do like newer ones. I find movies scary when it can happen at any moment (Alien attacks, zombie outbrakes, ect.) it puts me on edge and on the lookout. I find being scared by a movie exciting and fun.

 

[Kair]

Watch Evil Dead 1, 2 and 3.

 

[Jonluw]

I don't like horror movies, but I'll intrude on the discussion never the less. I, naturally, ahve no favourite, but what makes a movie scary to me is if the scenario is actually plausible; you know, something that could actually happen in the real world.

I don't get why people like watching horror movies. I just don't see the appeal of feeling scared. In addition, movies in general have a tendency to fill me with a strange feeling of existential angst.

That said, I'm not that easily scared.

I remember reading somewhere that people get a slight high off of fear. Do you like roller coasters? Both horror movies and roller coasters present a person with fake-dangerous situations that make you feel afraid but nothing can really threaten your life. It gets your heart racing and to some people, that's a whole lot of fun. I can understand not enjoying horror movies, though, in the same way I can understand someone not liking any genre.

I don't like roller coasters. I hate pretty much everything you'd find in an "amusement" park.

I am far to docile a person to enjoy the adrenaline rush you get from frightening situations.

 

[Snake Plissken]

It really all boils down to what kind of horror you like.
Psychological?
Gore?
Atmospheric?

As for the gore film, the ultimate from the 80's would probably be Cannibal Holocaust. Doesn't get much better than that...

If you're limiting yourself to the 80's you're missing out on a shitload of the awesome 70's horror films (thing like Texas Chainsaw) and newer horror classics (stuff like Hatchet). Romero's Dead series is spread out over many decades, and you'd be doing yourself a favor to watch all of them (even the ones that most people don't like).

My personal favorite is, as a few above me mentioned, The Thing. It's got a little bit for everybody, and the practical effects are STILL mind-blowing. On top of that, if you have a PS3, the Blu-Ray transfer is orgasmic.

Oh, and avoid Let the Right One In like that fucking plague. Apparently this is the newest goddamned classic the genre has to offer, but I have no idea how any horror fans regard this as anywhere near the best of recent horror films. It's horror in the same way Twilight is horror.

 

[Artina89]

I likes me some horror movies, especially the classics, i'm talking about "The Omen", "Texas chainsaw massacre", "Evil dead", "Day of the dead" and "Dawn of the dead". Among the newer horror films I found myself really liking the remake of "Outpost", "Black christmas" and "The exorcism of Emily Rose" even though I don't know of anyone else who actually liked those films. The last horror film I went to see was about 2 weeks ago, when I went to see "The last exorcism" which I thought sucked.

 

[Klumpfot]

Addendum: Somewhere down the line, someone (else) is going to mention Paranormal Activity. I'd like to preemptively say that it is the most disappointing and underwhelming horror movie I've seen this decade. I don't know if it's scarier if you believe in ghosts and such, but I did not care for it at all.