Best in Show: Horror Landscapes (Pt. I of II)

Spring has sprung and as everyone begins venturing outside, it's important to remember the dangers that lurk in the places we go. From sprawling mountains to deserts and deep forests, horror has been using sprawling outdoor settings to instill fear in vacation-goers since the dawn of time. For the characters central to these films, the unknown dangers lurking in these landscapes often take on different forms, but the ending is almost always the same. In honor of Earth Day (April 22), here's a list of horror's scariest landscapes, featuring the threats that lurk within: 



(imdb.com)

10. Desert in New Mexico (The Hills Have Eyes)

I saw The Hills Have Eyes 2 prior to ever seeing the first remake or it's original. Yet, there was something so troubling about the arid plateaus surrounding the formerly radioactive site. From the off-putting holes and crannies used by the sequel's somehow more aggressive mutants to the visual dryness of spaces surrounding the home, this desert setting should make anyone long for the comforts of A/C and rivers. This is by far one of the harshest settings of any horror movie around.

(imdb.com)

9. Remote Forest (Evil Dead/Cabin in the Woods)

With so many films taking place in a desolate cabin in the wilderness, who pick these two? For one, Evil Dead is perhaps the most emblematic of the horror convention and secondly, The Cabin in the Woods resonated most with me. Each offer similar visuals; a dark and dense tree line with nothing but forests in sight, but each also offers its own unsettling aspects. The woods of Evil Dead seem cold and harsh, with plenty of twisting and turning roots to upset the stomach, while the warmer, more polished forest of The Cabin in the Woods looks far more safe than it actually is. Add in the booby traps and higher intervention of Cabin in the Woods, and what seems like another plain old setting quickly becomes a daunting maze of epic proportions.

(imdb.com)

8. Rural New England (The Witch)

There's something drearily plain about the forests surround The Witch, but anyone who's seen the movie knows just what unsettling atmosphere it creates. Sure it looks like any other woods, but exasperated by the dark brooding stories and mythology surrounding it make for a hike that no one would want to take. It's a dimly lit, grey backdrop to an already dark and desolate film. The woods surrounding the farmland of The Witch is visually one of the most on-point settings in modern horror as it pairs a sense of familiarity with an impending feeling of dread.

(imdb.com)

7. Amazon Rainforest (The Green Inferno)

Plenty of films take place in the jungles surrounding the Amazon River and Cannibal Holocaust most certainly did so the most prolifically, but it's Eli Roth's The Green Inferno that deserves the credit for encompassing the deep, lush colors of foreigner's image of the rainforest with the stark realities of its dangers and the mythological threats within. It feeds it's audience with imagery that'll make them fall in love with the idea of visiting but then lampoons that with terrible situations that'll make them want to look away. Tie in the unknown-lands aspects of the characters central to this film, and viewers are left with a truly terrifying journey.

 

(imdb.com)

6. "Mount Holliston" Ski Resort (Frozen) 

Okay, so this one's not quite the spring/summer destination others on this list might be, but it undeniably deserves a spot on this list. Following a group of skiers who become trapped on a chair lift on the fictitious Mount Holliston in New England, the visually freezing and stark setting of this film is sure to send chills into its viewers- regardless of the weather outside. It's a grounded, mostly realistic tale of survival that should make skiers and snowboarders weary of chairlifts everywhere.

 

Best in Show: Final Girls (Part I of II)

One of the longest lasting traditions of horror cinema is the "final girl." Just as the name suggests, the final girl is a common trope of the character who is the sole survivor of a horror movie. While the specific identity of the final girl has been held to some contention, typically the final girl is a strong, empowered character with the ability to outlast. For instance, in some horror movies, the final girl isn't the only survivor, but instead just the main character and focus point. The final girl is often a topic of discussion and the identity is still talked about in academic circles to this day, while maintaining a strong hold on many modern movies. Here is a list of the 10 best final girls.

(wikia.com)

10. Max Cartwright (The Final Girls)

The Final Girls is a satirical, on-the-nose type of movie that still manages to provide a new dimension to the final girl trope that is so often talked about. Despite its lack of actual scares, The Final Girls is weirdly funny and entertaining and on top of that, Taissa Farmiga's Max is an awesome addition the final girl class. She's simple, but not perfect; cool, but not too cool; and ultimately willing to take on her role and defend herself and friends. The fact that Malin Ackerman's character, Amanda, is Max's mother and former actress and final girl is just one more bonus. Watching the pair figure out an alternative universe in the imaginary Camp Bloodbath is insanely fun.


(frontrowreviews.uk)

9. Erin (You're Next)

You're Next will continue to infiltrate my blog for weeks to come. There are so many great things about this movie and one of those is Erin. By far, Erin is the most on her game. Her character is equal parts satire as it is serious. Far more capable than she should be, Sharni Vinson's Erin grew up on a compound and knows how to use weapons. Whereas other final girls are indescribably effective at staving off death, Erin has a reason and explanation for her skills. She is powerful and determined and at the end of the day, doesn't care what she has to do to come out of the other end.

(wikia.com)

8. Amanda Young (Saw)

Is Amanda Young a final girl? That's definitely debatable. But, what's not debatable is the fact that she is  one of the most compelling products of modern horror. From survivor to villain (if that was a spoiler remember that the original has been out for more than 10 years), Amanda's survival instincts are pretty unstoppable. She's a viciously twisted character with a surprising amount of depth given the lack of it in the franchise. Her escape from the reverse bear trap is one of the most disturbing things on earth, I mean, other than her later being thrown into a pit of needles (which she also survives). Amanda is a quintessential final girl and deserves a spot on any list regarding this.

(beafraid.cl)

7. Dana Polk (Cabin In The Woods)

Like Max, Dana is kind of a joke on the whole final girl trope. She isn't some holier-than-though character and she certainly doesn't match all of the features of a final girl, but nonetheless she is meant to represent one (they'll take what they can get - fit in a Cabin In The Woods joke!). Dana is such a chilled out and normal character that it's impossible not to feature her on this list. She's a great character because of how normal and human she is. She's not a glorified survivor or even that pure and sweet, she's just a girl trying to make it through a set up world. Her character also scores points for making hard decisions and unsuccessfully betraying friends, something a typical final girl would never do.

(gamespot.com)

6. Laurie Strode (Halloween) & Nancy Thompson (Nightmare on Elm Street)

Part of the iconic class of horror's final girls are Laurie Strode from Halloween and Nancy Thompson from Nightmare on Elm Street. The pair works hand-in-hand as strong-willed final girls with particularly solid acting skills. Unlike some of the more over-the-top final girls of yore, both Jamie Lee Curtis' and Heather Langenkamp's characters are scream queens with purpose.

Jamie Lee Curtis, who later joined the actual show Scream Queens, is by far one of the most legendary horror actresses of all time. Laurie is strong in the face of fear. Her character is the epitome of the babysitter-turned-defender archetype and her (and Curtis') influence is noticeable today.

The second icon on this list, Nancy Thompson, is a complimentary pair with Laurie. Perhaps even more confident that Laurie, Nancy is a strategic and fearless focal point. Her plans to end Freddy's terrorizing are something all horror victims should aspire for. Nancy is impressive for a high school student and most other high school horror characters pale in comparison.

10 Favorite Horror Movies (Ever) (Part I of II)

It's been about a week since I began this blog and I realized that I most definitely should have started things off acknowledging my favorite horror movies of all time. As noted, I am a child of modern horror and my opinions tend to reflect that. I do enjoy some classics and will more than likely talk about them again, but in terms of my current standings on the industry, only two "classics" made it into my list. However, I would argue that all of the movies I've listed will be looked back upon as classics as well.



(rogerebert.com)

10. The Strangers

As previously noted in my list of favorite slashers, I truly love The Strangers. From the nostalgia it provides for me to the very real fears it doles out, it's a staple in my horror collection. I have been confused for so long as to how so many people collectively decided they didn't enjoy this movie, I spent years backing into rooms making sure no one was about to come behind me. Fire alarms still give me pause and I am always afraid to be home alone. With all that said, I think it would be a lie not to include The Strangers on my top list.



(imdb.com)

9. The Descent

The Descent frequently is placed on lists of best modern horror films, but it is so much more. The Descent is a bona fide classic. The first time I saw this movie I was left scarred. It is a deep, terrifying adventure film that also happens to feature a diverse group of female leads, and honestly it deserves more recognition than it gets. The Descent was everything in high school and I'll be watching it this weekend. 

(imdb.com)

8. The Exorcist

For all I say about modern horror, The Exorcist continues to be one of my favorites of all time. It's too amazing not to love and where other older horror movies falter when looked at through today's lens, The Exorcist holds on. It's acting isn't overrated or outdated, not even its effects seem that outlandish and fake. The movie is able to transcend time and I am here for it. 

(imdb.com)

7. Cabin In The Woods

What is this movie? That was my question the first time I saw Cabin in the Woods. I then went back to the theater and saw it two additional times. It's funny without trying too hard, scary without it being the center of the film and interesting beyond all belief. I really, really dig this movie. I love it so much I have purchased merchandise featuring it. The scares  are real, the humor is solid and no one can say it's an un enjoyable movie. By the time Sigourney Weaver, one of the original "final girls," shows up, the brakes have been completely smashed away.



(imdb.com)

6. Scream

I loved all four of these movies. They're so emblematic of everything Halloween (I'd argue even more so than Halloween itself) and for this reason alone, it's one of my favorites. On top of that, I love the characters- From Sid to Dewey, to literally anything that Cougar Town says, this movie is a relentless horror movie that is in on any jokes it offers. It's the ultimate satire and I am here for it. There is not a thing I would change about these movies. While not particularly scary (except for the stray jump), Scream is a must-see horror movie for literally anyone ever.