Best in Show: Horror in the City (Pt. II of II)

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5. Quarantine

Quarantine is the type of film that'll make you afraid of apartment complexes. Despite the numerous exits and the fact that the building itself is no taller than a large house, the building central to this New York City-based horror film is less homey and more like a coffin. Representative of much of the older housing in urban areas, the questionably lit, eerie corridors of Quarantine is a city horror film that preys on primal fears of germs and condensed spaces.

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4. Cloverfield

Cloverfield is iconic. Foraging the rebirth of found-footage alongside films like Paranormal Activity, Cloverfield isn't consistently terrifying but, uses its setting perfectly. Like the multitude of monster flicks before it, this movie's city-based setting made for a thrilling journey into a labyrinth of buildings and side streets. Propelled through stylized footage across New York City to seem realistic, this film delved viewers into the position of the characters and begged the question, "what would you do?" Cloverfield is perfectly sound; it - like many movies - has some flaws, but its use of location is pretty stellar.

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3. 28 Days Later

While later escaping the city, the characters of 28 Days Later begin in London during a terrifying outbreak. By far one of the scariest modern horror films, 28 Days Later provided a fresh take on typically stunted, walking zombie creatures and gave them agility, which in a city setting where navigation can be difficult, made the film all the more scary. 28 Days Later use of London streets felt very new as so many others before it had settled for New York City. Its depiction of the denigration of the city, catapulted by particularly aggressive zombies, left viewers stunned when it first came out.

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2. The Purge: Anarchy

When The Purge first came out, critics and audiences ate up the movie's original concept and creative setting. However, somewhat disappointed by the film's house-based small scale, fans still wanted something more. Then, the sequel came out. Perfectly capturing and visualizing exactly what viewers had been seeking, The Purge: Anarchy is one of the greatest sequels ever released. Trekking across Los Angeles, Anarchy tackled race relations, socioeconomic status and the intersections between them, all wrapped tightly into a fiercely intense package. It showcases the absolute chaos that could erupt in a densely populated area with stamina.

(imdb.com)

1. Train to Busan

Maybe it can be tossed up to its currency, but Train to Busan is one of the most original city horror films I've ever seen. While taking place mostly on a train, the use of passing cityscapes and the claustrophobic atmosphere of the speeding train cars make Train to Busan a stand out. It's a thrilling, fast-paced horror flick. Even with subtitles which may make some wary, this movie never distracts from its intense storyline; offering abundant scares, great emotional moments and some truly great visual effects. Add on formerly populated train stations and a destination to one of South Korea's largest cities, and Train to Busan is sure to resonate with anyone who feels overwhelmed by urban areas.

Best in Show: Outbreak Movies (Part II of II)



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5. Flesh-eating Virus (Cabin Fever)
Cabin Fever and the later sequels each made my stomach legitimately turn. With gross-out effects and gore and a flesh eating bacteria that makes viewers skin feel weird, this is probably the most difficult endeavor to swallow on this list. This movie serves no other purpose than to make its viewers cringe. And, thanks to the disgusting sickness at the center of it, it works; what starts off as a trip to a cabin quickly spirals out into a gore fest of torn up legs and decomposing bodies. Cabin Fever is a pandemic classic and a must see.

(imdb.com)

4. Trixie Virus (The Crazies) The Crazies is the type of movie that is less concerned with the logistics of its virus and more with the need to terrify its viewers. It's an effective horror movie regardless of how the outbreak spreads and is definitely scary. One of the best things this movie has going for it is laid out steps made quarantining the sick. With the ability to place you in the shoes of the characters, The Crazies offers a suspenseful and insane trip. The added dimensions of infected water supplies and the hopelessness the victims of this movie face, all work well together,

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3. Flu-like Virus (Contagion)

By and large the most realistic on the list, the virus outbreak of Contagion feels like a real-life telling of a pandemic. Well-executed and scientific, Contagion feeds into the fear of its audiences through grounded realism. The virus at the center of this movie, spread like any typical sickness, is one that holds similar symptoms to the flu, but with the potency of something far more dangerous. Contagion is dark and even when the cure is discovered; viewers will be sufficiently freaked out. Washing your hands matters, people.



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2. Mutant Parasites (The Bay)

While unsure if the found-footage style of this film or the way the parasite makes its victims succumbs to its symptoms, but the nasty sickness at the center of The Bay felt way too close to home. From the smaller seashore town to the everyday people who were exposed, this outbreak should be reserved to those with strong stomachs and a heart that doesn't easily attach to idyllic opening scenes. Like a superior The Happening, The Bay tosses around the impact of humans on the environment and doles out plenty of punishments for the small village that comes face-to-face with a deadly outbreak. The parasites caused by a bird plant leaking heavy levels of waste into the bay, quickly become a decimating problem as the creatures eat away at the families who call the area home.

1. Rage Virus (28 Days Later/28 Weeks Later)

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Like the sicknesses of Quarantine, The Crazies, I Am Legend and World War Z, the zombie-like super rabies virus at the center of 28 Days Later and its sequel is horrifically aggressive in that it turns its victims into hungry monstrosities. But unlike those films, there is something innately troubling about the rage virus. The way it transforms those exposed and the lightning quick nature of the creatures it creates is truly nightmare-inducing. Between bloodshot eyes and the type of viciousness usually reserved for wild animals, the crazed hosts of this violent disease provide enough stamina and scares to warrant this number one spot. Pair that with the sheer scale and lack of containment prospects and the rage virus quickly becomes one of the most effective pandemics on this list. 

Best in Show: Outbreak Movies (Part I of II)

Pandemics and outbreaks are something that everyone seems so interested in, yet fears so much, No matter what it is, these sicknesses glue people to their TVs as world news reports help the stories unfold. Today, we're focusing on the scariest pandemic films out there. With flu season hopefully soon behind us, these movies are each meant to instill the fear that an epidemic is more than likely coming. In an attempt to define these outbreaks, note the absence of zombie films that specifically raise people from the dead. However, the exact nature of diseases isn't perfect so this list is somewhat broad in spectrum, but all are undeniably horrific.




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10. Reaper Virus (Doomsday)

While the vast majority of this film takes place post-pandemic, the fact remains that the damage done by the virus and eventual world restructuring are both pretty terrifying. Filled with gore and Mad Max-like biker who happen to also be cannibals, Doomsday was an over-the-top action-horror film that was meant for geeks and nerds. It's the type of film that's world is entirely parallel to ours and for it to work, you need to invest yourself. At the least, the idea to have Scotland completely done over after a pandemic with two warring factions who exist in secrecy to the outside non-quarantined world is at the very least, pretty original.

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9. Plant-spread Neurotoxin (The Happening)

The Happening by no means, is a good movie. It's poorly acted, thinly written plot all culminate into something rather underwhelming. But, decidedly, the one thing that does work for this film is its terrifying fictional sickness. Spread through the air at the hands of plants, the movie's central themes of global warming are a little too blatant, but ultimately effective. It's the type of film that makes the audience feel hopeless at the hands of the illness and while the movie was a bore, the idea that plants have the ability to readjust our world to survive, is pretty fantastic.



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8. Super Rabies ([REC]/Quarantine)

The outbreak of a type of super rabies in an apartment building and the quarantine that results is the stuff of claustrophobic germaphobes' nightmares. While small in scale, the outbreaks of the original [REC] and later American-remake Quarantine struck a spine-tingling cord in the souls of audiences. Between the dark, dank apartment settings of the two films that feels much more realistic than some of the glossed-over looks of modern horror films that surround it and a pension for creating spooky atmosphere, these movies are truly terrifying entries into the outbreak subgenre.

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7. Re-engineered Measles Virus (I Am Legend)

By far one of the most well-known and identifiably crossover films on this list, the mainstream I Am Legend features a virus with a disturbingly sad backstory and a disturbingly dark forward. Originally created as a cancer cure, the virus featured in this movie kills most of those infected and leaves others as raging creatures with a sensitivity to sunlight. I Am Legend is a terrifying endeavor in human nature and intervention and between the plenty of sad moments (RIP Max and fam), this movie features plenty of scary ones.

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6. Zombie Plague (World War Z)

I really tried to avoid straight up zombies on this list. I really did, but the scientific aspects and constant referral of the virus in World War Z as a curable disease makes it worth the inclusion. World War Z came out at a time when zombies oversaturated the industry and for that it is especially commendable. It's terrifically action-packed, suspenseful and well-made. From the opening escape scenes in the red-lit apartment to the attempts to find a cure are all equally compelling and scary.

Best In Show: Horror's Creepy Kids (Part II of II)

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5. The Little Things, Hand bitter (King Kong), spotlighted child (Chernobyl Diaries) token apocalypse daughter (Quarantine)

Rather than occupy entire spots for these small roles, I decided to combine these deservedly noteworthy moments of terror. In each of the films occupying this spot, these children were absolute scene stealers, leaving me with nightmares for weeks. Whether it's the little girl with the chocolate bar in the King Kong remake or the small radioactive child in Chernobyl Diaries, or even the somewhat larger role as the residential apartment girl in Quarantine, these youngsters truly shook me to my core. In fact, part of me thinks they deserve to be placed higher as their parts really did scare me whole-heartedly.

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4. The Grady Twins (The Shining)

I remember the first time I encountered The Shining was when I was sneakily watching my parents watch it and the first scene I saw was with The Grady Twins. Without context or truly understanding their role in the film, I was still terrified. The Grady Twins gave me goose bumps and it was only until I saw the movie in full years later that I realized that no matter what, they would scare me.

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3. Mercy & Jonas (The Witch)

Mercy and Jonas are perhaps two of the greatest children in modern horror. From their willingness to talk to a goat, to Mercy's iconic "clickity-clackity" scene, the pair is odd in both appearance and personality. There's something so innately off-putting about the two youngsters, who seem all too innocent. As the movie progresses and fingers begin to point at their wayward ways, the suspense and tension building around Mercy and Jonas made my hair stand on ends. It was as if all these underlying thoughts overflowed into my consciousness and left me unsettled. Mercy and Jonas are truly standouts in the already stacked Witch cast. Their spot on this list is more than worthwhile.

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2. Regan (The Exorcist)Probably the most legendary child in horror, Regan is the epitome of scary. As a young girl possessed by Satan, she is by far one of the scariest children ever. Whether speaking in tongues or lashing out, Regan is the pinnacle poster child of horror and her actions throughout The Exorcist should scare everyone, but especially parents. What makes her even more effective is the fact that, outside of her possession, Regan is a character you feel for. She's a simple young girl who is then afraid herself of the entity surrounding her. In fact, even the later revival of The Exorcist into the Fox series gives a continued depth to the youngster who terrified a generation.

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1. Asian Influences Kayako and Toshio (The Grudge) & Samara (The Ring)

Full-disclosure: Without having ever seen the source material for The Ring and The Grudge, I can say that the American recreation of these ominous children is still terrifying. And, while eventually I will see Ju-On and Ringu, for now, I will settle to being afraid of the American versions of Kayoko and Toshio and Samara. For movies that have widely been criticized as less-than, I can say with utmost honesty, that these characters were haunting. Each left me up at night and while later sequels took away from - or in the case of Rings, ruined them, each of the three children haunting these films is amazing in their American original form

Best in Show: Horror Houses (Both Parts!)

Typically, I split the weekly list over two days, but other circumstances made it impossible for me to do a Thursday article. So, special news - here is an entire list for Friday! This one is on scariest homes in horror. Whether the house itself is haunted or it simply has the visual equivalency of a nightmare, the homes presented in this list are the ones that wrap and wind, creak and groan, and are ultimately unsettling.




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10. Country Home (The Taking of Deborah Logan)

While not the most iconic, the country home of Deborah Logan is a choppy antiquity. With sharp corners and plenty of doors, the divided up house must have been hard to get comfortable in. Even filled with the young group of students filming a project, the house in The Taking of Deborah Logan should cause some pause for the haunting, hollow features of furniture that hasn't been properly used, room that are rarely open and the empty woods surrounding it,



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9. Bates' House (Psycho)

Name a more iconic house than the Bates' house on a hill. The home of the titular killer of Psycho is the stuff of legend. Dark and dusty, his original home and its later revival in the television series Bate's Motel, create for a stuffy atmosphere worthy of mention. The Bates; house isn't the scariest, there is a certain lived in quality, even if it's offset by poor lighting and skeletons out of the closet. So, while it definitely is one of the most recognizable on this list, it doesn't always do much to stand out as the most horrifying. In other words, I could probably fall asleep here.
 



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8. Settler Farm (The Witch)

Poor, poor souls. The farm and surrounding forest of The Witch seemed destined to ruin the religious family at the center of the film. Between the grey, muddy backdrop and lighting to the lowly conditions of the house, the farm provides plenty of feels. At night, the darkness of the home is exclusively lit by candles, further enhances the creepy feeling,  The plot of land isn't anything to write to the homeland about- it's dark and questionably dangerous and for a period piece, the ability to create a setting that is still scary in 2017 is noteworthy.



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7. Apartment Building (Insidious: Chapter 3)

While not as recognizable as the original craftsman of the Insidious franchise, the apartments in the third installment offer a lot with a little. Featuring some of the biggest bang for their buck, the simple yet lived in features of the Brenner's apartment create a comfy feeling that becomes all too uncomfortable. Chapter 3 is an underrated gem. The apartments featured - the aforementioned Brenner’s' and the vacant one upstairs - offer a much grounded take on horror houses. It gives viewers very "it could happen to you" vibe and for that, I'm all in.

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6. Country Mansion (Texas Chainsaw Massacre Remake)

What ever happened to good ole fashion, southern hospitality? The country mansion featuring massive cement pillars is one of modern horror's most emblematic. The interior of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre home is definitely country-living themed, but underneath the doilies and ornate decorations is a much more sinister atmosphere.



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5. Semi-Attached (The Babadook)

Spooky and grey, those are the two words that best describe The Babadook, mostly thankful to almost entirely B&W home of the mother-son duo central to this film. The Babadook offers viewers an extremely stark setting for a home that by all means should be bright and cheery. But the problematic lives of the single mother who works too hard and her troubled son makes for a home that feels cold. It's an impressively large house featuring tall ceilings and expansive rooms that never brighten up.

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4. Apartment Building (Quarantine)

This is the worst apartment building. Even before the scares start, everything about this building is haunting. It’s greenly lit, damp-looking and outdated. Then as the tenants move through their apartments, it becomes increasingly clear that they were all living in disparaged, spooky conditions. Even when they move into some of the nicer ones, there is a constantly dark undertone that conjures up scares easily. The atmosphere feels ghastly, even when the scares aren't ghostly.

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3. Abandoned Home (Blair Witch Project)

Yeah, technically no one lives here. But, for a list of horror homes, not including at least one abandoned property feels negligent and the abandoned house in the woods featured in The Blair Witch Project is a worthy addition. Its empty, disparaged interior, paired with its blank, rundown exterior, make for something I'm truly terrified I'll stumble upon one day.



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2. Overlook Hotel (The Shining)

Is the Overlook Hotel technically a house? I'd argue yes. The snowed-in family of three is the only (living) occupants and one could say that if home is where the heart is; their hearts are definitely in it. From the winding halls rode through by Danny to the sprawling rooms of emptiness, the Overlook is not only one of the most stunning visual sets in horror; it is also one of the scariest. The Overlook Hotel is scary. Its sprawling hedge maze and similarly confusing halls provide a lost feeling that viewers won't shake even after the credits role. The Shining is a classic, and a lot of its merit is thanks to the Hotel that the Torrance's made home.



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1. Perron Family House (The Conjuring)

The Conjuring is an amazing piece of work. Whether discussing its cinematography, its acting or its plot, the talent of its cast and crew is undeniable. But, the truest star of this show is the home of the Perron family. This house is everything; it's old, discolored and eerie - despite the attempts to brighten it up. The basement alone is enough to send chills down my spine. The most telling sign of the effectiveness of the Perron's home is the ability for it to be scary, even in the daylight. Even if rooms are lit with natural sunlight, The Conjuring carries a heavy atmosphere of horror. The old house is undeniably the best horror house ever.