Best in Show: Quick Binge Television (Pt. II of II)

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5. The River (ABC)

In one of the most outlandish, yet adventurous shows in recent memory, ABC's The River brought found-footage to television. Set in the Amazon, this one-season series was an underrated gem that may be gone, but shouldn't be forgotten. Beset at the disappearance of her travel show-hosting husband, Tess Cole and her son, Lincoln, travel to the jungle and become deeply involved in a swirling - and terrifying - mystery. Although sometimes chaotic and misguided, The River deserved better than its raw deal and is a short, must-see for fans of the subgenre.





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4. Harper's Island (CBS) Fleshing out a slasher plotline into an entire series can be a harrowing task. Whether it’s the difficulties around establishing enough worthwhile characters that are loved, but also expendable, or creating an interesting enough mystery to keep audiences interested. This subgenre has found some interesting results on television. In shows like Slasher and MTV's Scream, the success and horrors have been limited, often oversaturated in melodrama between protagonists. But, in Harper's Island, rampaging murder found its home. Grossly underrated with an end twist that would shock even the mo0st diehard Lost fans, Harper's Island floundered in ratings, despite its fantastic premise, terrific cast and engrossing death scenes.

3. American Horror Story: Asylum (FX)

Largely regarded as one of the best American Horror Story seasons, Asylum brought Ryan Murphy's cast and crew to an insane asylum for the critical hit's second installment. Deeply terrifying, this season featured everything from religious themes and slasher aspects, to odd sciences and aliens. Perhaps too stuffed with, well, everything, Asylum seemed to be in a constant, entertaining identity crisis. With all the well-done and intersecting plethora of subplots, there was something for everyone to love, but also something for everyone to hate. And, while there are some messy critiques to be made, the end result was something totally original, compelling and horrifying.

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2. The Enfield Haunting (Sky Living)

Before The Conjuring 2 swept the box office and won over critics with its own retelling of the infamous Enfield Poltergeist, Sky Living's miniseries, The Enfield Haunting, shook UK viewers to their core. Scary and well told, this controversial story is executed with great precision. It's dark and brooding atmosphere is sure to chill bones and it's action packed 3-episode layout makes it feel like a long, but terrific movie. Those who missed it on the first go around should do all they can to locate it and watch. It's a strong, forceful rendition that challenges the prowess of Wan's creation.

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1. American Horror Story Murder House (FX) 

American Horror Story: Murder House helped herald in a new generation of horror television. While other programs existed and will continue to exist years after this fantastic creation, nothing will ever touch the pure surprise of Murder House, its amazingly accomplished cast and the heart and devotion to horror that rests in this shows core. Easily one of the scariest installments of the series and by far the best laid out, Murder House exceeds as a horror show and a moving and compelling piece. Near flawless in its execution, each character, visual and scare were thoughtfully put together to create something all could enjoy. Even when the going gets a little gory for some, it always wrapped back to something mass audiences could know and love. Murder House is something that'll never be recreated or recaptured. It was a fleeting moment, but one that'll be remembered for years to come.

Best in Show: Quick Binge Television (Pt. I of II)

For years, horror television has been on an upward climb to the top of entertainment. Shows like The X-Files and The Walking Dead have amassed large, dedicated fan bases, while older classics like Are You Afraid of the Dark? and The Twilight Zone continues to sparkle in the back of our minds. But, the former are long-running and if behind, near impossible to catch up on, while the latter are great on single watches, but are episodic anthologies that don't need your love or adoration for the consistent characters. That's why this week's list covers shorter series (vague term, oh well) that you can sit down and watch in, say, a week. Miniseries, limited series and concluded shorter series are all included to ensure, no matter the time constraints, there's something to watch and invest in.


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10. Channel Zero: Candle Cove (SYFY)

With the release of the follow-up to the limited series recently debuting, there is simply no better time to watch the self-contained 6-episode SYFY original, Channel Zero: Candle Cove. With terrifying puppets, some great camera work and cinematography, this series builds a spooky atmosphere that'll engross viewers more every episode. It's loopy and twisting plot is odd, but will maintain interest and while some of the acting is a little mediocre, the characters and story are all entertaining enough to keep it all worthwhile.

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9. The Exorcist (FOX)

The second season of this FOX television show has just started airing, but left behind are much of the original cast and story first featured. The first season is a call back to horror classics, most namely The Exorcist of which it considers itself to be a direct sequel of. The second season will continue the unraveling story of two central characters, but their move to a different home and family will surely make the first season feel terrifically separate. The first season is arguably largely underrated, as it keeps a firm line in mainstream horror territory, rather than taking the plot in an action, drama or arthouse direction. Sure, there's a central family that'll tug at the heartstrings, but this show isn't made for anyone other than horror fans, and for that, we should be appreciative.

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8. Dead Set (E4 - now on Netflix)

Based on the British version of the reality show, Big Brother, this 5-episode series brings the zombie apocalypse to a group of hopeful reality stars trapped and cut off from the outside world. When things start to go haywire, it's pretty clear that something is wrong, but for our \contestants, what exactly is happening begins as a mystery. This show is gory, sometimes a little comical and with a fantastic turn by breakout star, Riz Ahmed (The Night Of), it's a must-see.

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7. American Horror Story: Roanoke (FX)

Despite its complex premise, this UnREAL-like season of American Horror Story, is one of the most organic and straightforward of the season. Featuring a sleuth of actors, characters and actors who played characters, this show-within-a-show is creative, and honestly scary. With some cheap jump scares, some terrifying tension and an unravelling plot that leaves a bloodbath in its wake; Roanoke was a welcome change from the limited series' convoluted artsy years.

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6. IT (ABC)

Before Bill Skarsgard took over as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, Tim Curry starred as him in the iconic IT miniseries. While its graphics are dated and the plot gets a little off the rails, this ABC series gave viewers plenty reason to be afraid of the dark. Featuring an equally absurd and horrifying clown demon, IT tells a story nearly everyone knows now. And, while the new one is a fantastic entry in Stephen King's world, the original miniseries is quite the accomplishment that shouldn't be forgotten.

Review: It (2017)

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Stephen King is the pinnacle of the horror genre. With more than 50 books in his repertoire and numerous film and television adaptions, his mark will be left on the industry forever. The latest adaption of his work, a feature-length adaption of it, continues this legacy. It has already broken multiple records - and for good reason. Fantastic in nearly every way, it’s the type of big-budget horror film that every member of the audience can find enjoyable. As good, if not better than the infamous 1990 miniseries of the same name, It cannot be ignored.

Direct by Andy Muschietti (Mama), 2017's It is a masterful accomplishment. Following the self-proclaimed Losers friend group as they seek to uncover the disturbing disappearance of local peers, It features a healthy mix of horror, comedy and drama. It's a coming-of-age story with terrifying scenes interwoven and, as the friends delve deeper into the intentions of the scary clown demon, Pennywise, the movie gets all the more unsettling. It stars Bill Skarsgård (Atomic Blonde) as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. The Losers are composed of Jaeden Lieberher (St. Vincent) as leader, Bill Denbrough, Jeremy Ray Taylor  (Ant-Man) as the new kid in school, Ben Hanscom, Sophia Lillis (A Midsummer's Night's Dream) as the sole female and most courageous member, Beverly Marsh, Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things) as jokester Richie Tozier, Chosen Jacobs (Hawaii Five-0) as homeschooler, Mike Hanlon, Jack Dylan Grazer (Tales of Halloween) as the sheltered Eddie Kaspbrak, and Wyatt Oleff (Guardians of the Galaxy) as the group's most reserved member, Stanley Uris. 

One of the most noteworthy aspects of It is its terrific cast of young actors. Each conveying justified emotion with strength and determination, the young up-and-comers all carry their weight. Skarsgård and Lillis are especially strong; Skarsgård giving an unsettling, yet whimsical turn as the horrific clown and Lillis as the outsider whose perseverance is unparalleled. Even the tiniest of roles, like Georgie, played by Jackson Robert Scott's (Criminal Minds), are so meticulously casted that it’s hard not to fall in love with these characters. Muschetti's strength as a director is especially visible as well, as he utilizes each of the young cast's talents and inflects enough style into the setting to truly draw viewers into the world of Derry, Maine.

It, as predicted, is scary. But, it's also so much more. It is a horror movie with heart. Scary scenes are chopped into with laugh-out-loud comedy and intense dramatic scenes that explicitly address the horrifying real-life horrors of our protagonists. Even when these separations get a little distracting though, the quality of each moment lifts the film past any sense of clunky storytelling. This movie is seamless. Its vivid visuals, stellar acting and scares that pull no punches make for a product that is deviously fantastic.

It may not be the scariest film ever, but it’s certainly one of the highest quality horror films in recent years. There are plenty of genre-bending, moments of terror and even great laughs to make every moment feel justified. Overall, It is everything audiences will expect to see. By offering some great retro style, perfect cinematography and great scares, It will appeal to even those viewers not used to horror. 8 out 10.

 

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