Review: Slumber

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Sleep paralysis films seem to be all the rage in horror right now. From the fantastically creepy documentary, The Nightmare, to the mediocre-at-best Dead Awake, the uptick in these films has also inspired a lot more people to come forward with their nightmarish fears. But, where the documentary succeeded, no fictional account of the disorder has quite captured the uniquely horrifying experience. Looking to change that is Slumber.

Operating on a fresh perspective from a sleep doctor who encounters a sinister force behind a family's sleep paralysis experience, Slumber does little to hold interest. While its premise provides a new, more medical angle the movie's conventions are all too known and done superiorly better in other supernatural demon flicks. There's the typical empty dark space scares and some odd placement for scoring, this along with contrived creepy children and bland, one dimensional acting from supporting cast are all telling signs of an inexperienced filmmaker's blunders.


Slumber is directed by freshman Jonathan Hopkins and stars Maggie Q (Divergent) as sleep doctor, Alice Arnolds. It also features Will Kemp (Reign) as her husband, Kristen Bush (Liberal Arts) and Honor Kneafsley (Miss You Already) as the two most resonating Morgan family members, Sylvester McCoy (The Hobbit) as the token spiritualist, and William Hope (Aliens) as a fellow sleep doctor. As noted the majority of them are mediocrely elaborated on, brimming with flaky dialogue and uninteresting decisions. McCoy makes the greatest offences playing a really obnoxious former sleep paralysis victim and Hope is the only one who isn't a complete disaster in a supporting role, but he's a much smaller part of the film. For Maggie Q however, one of the only salvageable actors from the mess that was the Divergent franchise, Slumber once again finds her as a bright spot. She deserves better than this film as she did Divergent, and it'd be a welcome opportunity for her to continue down the horror path.


Outside of the dialogue and character issues, there is still one glaring missed opportunity and that's that Slumber itself just isn't entertaining. It drags on with far too many recycled techniques. It's as if the filmmakers sat down, watched a host of successful horror films and decided to adapt their scenes into a poor medical drama. The tension is nonexistent and the plot aimlessly stumbles along until it finally ends with little more than a fizzle.


Slumber is instantly forgettable. It’s not the type of movie worth watching and even if people did, they'd be hard pressed to find others who remember it enough to talk about it with. It’s got a lot of missed opportunities as it drags a great premise through too many conventions. Even with Maggie Q's bright light, this film feels dim. It’s a shame, too, because in a world where Dead Awake wasted  Jocelin Donohue's talents, it seems Slumber did once again with Maggie Q's. 3 out 10.

 

Review: Leatherface

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Family drama is a treasure trove of material. So many movies feature it in some form; financial issues, relationships and lies and deceit all culminate into endless tales that can be used to compel audiences. Perhaps none other has capitalized on this more than the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. With cannibalism, inbred behavior and crazed mental stability, the Sawyers are an outlandish enigma of interwoven insanity. But, when your family is as messed up as Leatherface's, why would anyone ever think the material would stop churning out?


Featuring a pretty stellar cast and a core that feels reminiscent of Texas Chainsaw Massacre II, this origin story follows what is presumably the first major stint and escape from a mental institution for the titular killer and his cohort of chosen family. The star of the movie is undoubtedly Lili Taylor (The Conjuring) who plays the struggling and disturbed matriarch of the family, Verna. Flanked by a cast of young stars, including Sam Strike (M.I. High) as Jedidiah, the inmate and eldest son, crazed patients Ike, played by James Bloor (DCI Banks), Clarice, played by Jessica Madsen, and Bud, played by Sam Coleman, Leatherface makes out well with its determined psychopathic characters.


The film does suffer from a lack of overall clarity. The time cuts throughout seem spliced together with little follow through and the established twist only comes together through gathered context, rather than established storytelling. There are also some parts that seem relatively nonsensical and over-the-top, but this is, of course, a movie in a franchise known for its insanity. Unfortunately, when insanity become clutter, it's hard to make it past.


Despite its flaws, Leatherface does succeed on a number of levels. It's young and driven cast is entertaining enough. Additionally, this movie is nostalgia galore; there plenty of inspired scenes that haven't been brought out of horror convention storage for years. The asylum escape, plenty of cheap gore and the birth of an icon all provide enough to keep audience attention. This movie makes the most of its low-brow entertainment, while also portraying its characters as something deeper than other movies have gone. Is this a disservice to the original? Maybe, but it also makes the depraved Sawyers compellingly bad people, regardless of what injustices have been acted against them.


Leatherface isn't the greatest horror film of the modern era, or even this year. But it is a thrilling romp reminiscent of movies like The Hills Have Eyes remake. It's cheap, crazy fun. The cast is all committed - Taylor is especially - and there's a lot to love about this old-fashioned inbred-led cannibal film. 6 out 0f 10.

Review: Found Footage 3D

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Found-footage filming gives new filmmakers a chance to make big movies on a low budget. For years, the increasingly saturated subgenre has inundated the horror industry with an onslaught of flack, recently dying down to complacency and general acceptance. The fact is, found-footage films are easy to consume and can actually be scary. But for some, the filming method will always be unworthy. These critics would argue that found-footage has been done to death. Jumping onto that trend is Found Footage 3D; a film that is ironically found-footage and only sometimes as aware as it wants to be.


Written and directed by Steven DeGennaro, Found Footage 3D follows a group of friends destined for a cabin to film a cheap horror film. Once there, they find out that the cabin is haunted and what was originally supposed to be just a movie, is something far scarier. It stars Carter Roy (Refuge) as the lead actor and creator, Derek, Alena von Stroheim (Hacker's Game) as Derek's ex and costar, Amy, Chris O'Brien (Tenured) as the videographer, Mark, Jessica Perrin (A Song for Danny) as a production assistant, and Tom Saporito (Best Day Ever) as the film's director.


For a movie that presents itself as such a transcendent art piece, there's plenty to critique. Outside of it's innovative, yet gimmicky 3D production, Found Footage 3D borrows a lot from other horror films. Reminiscent of superior movies like Sinister and Hell House, LLC, the awareness in this film is often exchanged for jump scares and borrowed sequences. Attempting to build some satirical approach to found-footage films, Found Footage 3D is a send up of tropes and conventions that succeeds only to lukewarm degrees. Embedded into the film is a deep disdain for the very kind of movie that's being made, and while the attempt might be made to ensure that it's the fictional characters within the movie who hate the subgenre and not the filmmakers, there's an air of self-loathing and condescension.

The biggest problem is that Found Footage 3D takes a lot of shots at other movies but never really does much to exceed expectations. Calling out a mere pair of found-footage films as adequate, the filmmakers ignore plenty of other progressive and scary products in the subgenre. Movies like Unfriended may not appeal to everyone, but at least they're inventive in their storytelling and camera work, and others like As Above, So Below may be flawed, but at least at their core they're scary. The fact is that for something so aggressively conscious, viewers would think the resulting plot and ploys would be terrifying and accomplished, not bland and only occasionally scary.

Found Footage 3D comes across as an excuse for the filmmakers to bemoan a successful subgenre while seeming perceptive. But, the resulting film isn't much more than a glass house occupant throwing a lot of stones. There's some good scares and the characters have a lovable potential, but the constant struggle to identify itself as a superior film all leave Found Footage 3D  feeling quite pompous. 4 out of 10.

Best in Show: Nasty Neighbors (Pt. II of II)



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5. Troy & Sons (The Neighbor) There's a sheer ruthlessness to the neighbor at the center of The Neighbor. Like Mick Taylor of Wolf Creek infamy, Troy is a rural man who is evil to his core. Drawing his two sons into his insidious plans, Troy is the type of neighbor who may come across as a homely outdoorsman, but he is nothing short of villainous. His small business consisting of holding victims for ransom and killing everyone in his way is the type of work only someone in a Podunk town could get away with.


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4. Jon & Teresa (The Ones Below) If things feel too perfect, chances are they are. This is exactly the conclusion Kate and to an extent her husband, Justin, come to after quickly befriending and defriending their new downstairs neighbors. While slightly off, the pairs quickly have a budding friendship. That however, crashes after a by-chance accident that quickly unravels into hell for Kate. Disorienting in their passive aggressiveness and the steps they take to ruin the lives of Kate and Justin, the pregnant Kate quickly recognizes the darkness behind Jon and Teresa. While things at one point grow rosier, the unsettling tension never leaves this film. This is a pair you won’t see coming, but will certainly regret accepting into your lives.

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3. Mr. Jones (Mr. Jones) Artsy and cultured neighbors can be a double-edged sword. Sure they bring a certain lighthearted airiness to the area, but they can also spell trouble thanks to their free spirits and intrusive projects. This happens to be a complete and total understatement in the case of Mr. Jones. A secretive artist in the vein of Banksy, Mr. Jones is a welcome unknown for new homeowners Scott and Penny. After they decide to research the recluse and film it, they soon get more than they bargained for. Mr. Jones isn't a neighbor any of us are bound to come across any day, but his scary sculptures paired with the mystery surrounding him make him less than a satisfying prospect for any potential homeowners.

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2. Jerry Dandrige (Fright Night) Though more comical than most neighbor horror stories, the core of the 70's film, Fright Night, is terrifying. Deceptively charming to everyone other than Charley Brewster, Jerry Dandrige is a new neighbor \you'll literally be praying to leave. While he may need to be invited in and presents himself as cordial, he's truly anything but. Using trickery and deceit, Jerry captures the hearts of those around him and then transforms them into similar monstrous creatures. His ability to feign normalcy in the eyes of everyone by Charley is a testament to his charms. Jerry is scary, at the very least, because of his ability to charm.



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1. Robert Turner (Disturbia)

One of the most iconic thrillers for 2000s teenagers is the Shia LaBeouf-starring film, Disturbia. Featuring a neighbor with enough skeletons to fill more than a closet, Disturbia is a frightening reminder that despite rosy appearances, you don't really know your neighbors. Sure they may be friendly and relatively normal, but underneath that veil could be something far more sinister. Like the human Jerry Dandrige, Robert Turner comes across as the charming man next door. Older and dressed in semiformal clothes in nearly every appearance, he seems like your typical suburbanite. But, after some deep sleuthing, it becomes clear that he has a secrets and a preparedness to kill. Disturbia isn't a straight up horror film, but it gives viewers one of the scariest neighbor nightmare stories in the film industry.

Best in Show: Nasty Neighbors (Pt. I of II)

While plenty of horror films are set nestled in desolate locations, some of the scariest stories come from the house right next door. Whether hiding bodies in their basement or harboring a dark secret, neighbors can be the unknown and unsuspecting evil you never knew you had to watch out for. Sure suburbia sounds nice and high-rises can build a sense of community, but when your fellow suburbanites or tenants are evil, isolation seems like the better plan. This week's list covers horror's scariest neighbors.

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10. Will & Annie (Honeymoon)

While leaning more toward the isolated setting of films like The Strangers, the indie horror flick, Honeymoon, features a pair of distant neighbors who could make any new residents' skin crawl. When Paul and Bea set out for their honeymoon at a remote cabin, their closest neighbors are a pair of odd townies, Will and Annie. Will happens to know Bea from her youth and Annie, while quieter is deeply troubled. And, while Will ends up being less aware of the dark roots setting themselves into Annie and Bea, his initial hostilities toward Will are more than suspicious cannot be ignored.

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9. Ryan Jacobson (House at the End of the Street)

Despite his troubled childhood and continued struggles, there's no denying the creep factor driving Ryan Jacobson. When divorcee Sarah and her daughter, Elissa, move into a secluded and wooded neighborhood, the nearby house at the end of the street proves to harbor more than the normal white lies of everyday families. Ryan lives there alone after the disappearance of his sister who happened to murder their parents. Things get increasingly unsettling as Elissa uncovers far more than she bargained for in her budding relationship with Ryan. Ryan isn't your typical scary neighbor; he's young, enrolled in school and seems relatively friendly, but through all of his childhood trauma, Ryan has turned into something far more evil.

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8. Abel Turner (Lakeview Terrace)
Rarely do thrillers give as much of a perspective as to the crazed reasoning behind bad neighbors as in Lakeview Terrace. While completely unwarranted, there's something almost sympathetic about the unhinged Abel Turner. His actions while sinister and problematic are given plenty of backstory and while he eventually turns into quite the problem, he starts the movie as a grumpy old man. It’s a shame how evil he turns out to be because everyone would think having a cop next door would be the blessing of a lifetime.  Instead, it ends up being an absolute nightmare. 

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7. The Castevets (Rosemary's Baby)

You have to love moving into a new place and discovering you have kind, even if a little overbearing, elderly neighbors. Well, that is until you realize they're far more sinister than they appear. Turns out, the Woodhouse's neighbors are quite the opposite of cutesy. In fact, they're anything but. Last week, the pair made the list of scariest old people in horror and for good reason. The Castevets' pension for Satan, hidden behind a desire to assist Rosemary and her pregnant needs, is anything but neighborly. Rosemary's Baby is a classic hinged on the great villains created in The Castevets. They're terrifyingly kind demeanors and their overly helpful nature make for something truly dark.

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6. The Ferrins, Halversons and Mr. Cali (The Purge)While a lot of money may buy you a nice neighborhood, it certainly can't buy you nice neighbors. While the tension built around the neighbors surrounding the Sandin's may seem a little warranted, the added pressure of an annual anything-goes evening of horrors is all that's needed to break the camel’s back. Whether it’s the standoffish but innocent behavior exhibited by the Sandin's is partially to blame the horrific intentions of their neighbors is anything but couth. Despite the feigned culture and class of them all, this group of neighbors are vicious. They set out with a goal and set on the Sandin's house with all the ferocity of the deeply rooted mistrust and competition of upper-class living.

Review: The Canadoo

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For years, creators have tried turning America's passion for reality television into effective and scary horror stories. Television shows like Siberia and movies like Man Vs. and Wrong Turn 2, have all had limited success capturing the melodramatic, but engrossing nature of broadcasted reality. The recently released movie, The Canadoo, follows suit.

As noted, The Canadoo follows a group of five hopefuls as they venture into the forest for the chance of fame and fortune. There's a pretty stereotypical typecast between the aggressive pretty boy, the fame-seeking blonde, the nerdy introvert and the kind, small town girl. However, each is provided some more dimensionality as the film unravels. The film stars Tyler Buckingham (Megan Leavey) as aggressive pretty boy, Shawn, Ali Roberts (The Takeover), as the fame-seeker, Taylor, Alina Lia (Immortalis) as the kindhearted Ashley, Teddy Cole (Vice Principals) as nerd, Adam, and Drey Wigfall (The Brides of Sodom) as Derrick.


The cast is pretty phenomenal. Despite being relatively unknown, each provide far more to their characters than anyone could expect. The bonding sequence around the fire is one of the movie's most enjoyable and grounded sequences. It gives depth to characters that otherwise carry on as one dimensional. It feels the most real and would fall more in line with what actual reality programming attempts to do and is successful, largely in part, because of the cast. Even when they seem to fall into shaky territory, they wrap back enough to provide some sense of realness.  



The Canadoo takes a lot of time to get anywhere near a horror film. The majority of the film is spent giving the characters conversational moments, rather than building tension amongst them and the wilderness. For a non-horror film, this would be entirely fine, but when the movie has less than thirty minutes left, you begin wondering why the "scares" are amounted to a handful of rustlings in the bushes around the group's camp. The chasing in the dark scenes aren't fantastic, but more so because the camerawork seems pulled from the 90s. The eventual unveiling is scary and inexplicable, but it is the wilderness, so who knows what happens out there.


The Canadoo is cheaply made and sometimes leans toward mediocrity. Like the aforementioned films and shows that feature contestants taking part in reality television, there's something inherently missing. The fact that the cast isn't real, the things that happen to them aren't even close to real and the show they're featured on also isn't real make for something filtered through too many lenses. It's got some benefits; its characters - while sometimes flat - have a certain draw to them, the setting - while plain - is incredibly desolate and the plot - while predictable and not always scary - is enjoyable. The Canadoo isn't the most intelligent or terrifying film made, but it never becomes something unwatchable. 5 out of 10.

Best in Show: Horror Goes to College (Pt. II of II)

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5. Black Christmas Despite its flaws, the yuletide horror film, Black Christmas, is iconic. Even with its clunky remake, the slasher-in-a-sorority-house horror movie provided some much needed terror to a holiday so typically jolly. From terrifying phone calls to the sisters to some intense deaths scenes, Black Christmas may be a dated product, but it’s definitely worth the watch. Forewarning though, any college student that has hung around their off-campus housing during breaks probably should avoid this movie, lest they be afraid to turn the lights off at night.

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4. The Blair Witch Project/The Green Inferno What do The Blair Witch Project and Green inferno have in common? Practically nothing. One has become a legendary success, while the other remains a somewhat indie film on the fringe of popularity. But, both feature a collection of students out in the field doing the work they believe in. In The Blair Witch Project, a group of film students travel into the forest near Burkittsville, Maryland and become entrapped in a psychological prison of endless foliage and chaotic directions. Here, the students, who quickly lose the resolve to complete their project, come face to face with an impending sense of dread. In The Green Inferno, a group of social justice warriors heading to protect the rainforest and its native tribes get more than they bargained for after a plane crash. Both films capitalize on the very real blind courage propelled by youth and the dumb decisions young people make as a result. Was it a good idea to travel deep into woods in the middle of fall, with little reinforcement that'd help you be found? Probably not. Was it an equally bad idea to follow a group into unknown lands to do some dangerously grassroots protesting? Sure the intentions may have been better, but the decision is one I'm sure the characters of The Green Inferno wish they hadn't made.

3. Sorority Row 

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Sorority Row will never receive an A in class if you know what I mean. It's the type of movie that offers little depth, but makes up for it in sloshing deaths, iconic one-liners and great characters. Like Urban Legend, but far superior, Sorority Row  has such a strong ensemble it’s hard not to fall in love with this movie based on the script for the 80s flick, The House on Sorority Row. Featuring an indelible role courtesy of Carrie Fischer, who plays housemother Mrs. Crenshaw, Sorority Row piles the icing on its shallow cake.  It has amazing death sequences, a completely nutty killer and by the films end, those who knew what they were getting into will be entirely satisfied.

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3. Kristy

Like Girl House, Kristy is an easily forgotten film that really shouldn't be missed. By far one of the scarier indie films out there, the filmmakers make the most of their thinly conceptualized story following a girl hunted down on her empty campus. Like an expanded The Strangers, Kristy features incredibly tense and horrifying moments, masks that'll make you deepen into your seat and a lead character who'll win you over. This movie brings you along the entire campus that proves to be quite isolated during a Thanksgiving recess. Kristy should not go unseen. It's an action-packed thriller with plenty of scares and fierce moments to enthrall even the most desensitized viewer.

1. Scream 2 

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While the original Scream made high school students, well, scream, the follow up to the massively successful slasher, Scream 2 followed our survivors to a different locale; this time, a college campus. By far one of the best horror sequels around, Scream 2 builds the mythology of Ghostface as we meet a new killer and some new kills, all while witnessing the growth of a heroin in Sidney Prescott. Scream 2 makes full use of its expansive setting; perfectly capturing the ins-and-outs of the winding corridors, large lecture halls and basement facilities that make universities so unsettling. Scream 2 showcases just how lonely a populated campus can be- how even surrounded by peers and professors, a yell (or scream) for help, is more like a tree falling in the woods.

Best in Show: Horror Goes to College (Pt. I of II)

With the return to college right around the corner for many students and the release of this fall's Happy Death Day getting an increasing amount of buzz, the college-horror subgenre is one that can't be ignored. While many of these movies have felt thinly scripted and acted, often exasperated by one note girls in bikini's and jocks getting butchered, the fact is that these movies are pure, cheap entertainment. They're some of the most over-the-top films around, but are fun through and through. And, when one is released that is actually scary, the results are bone-chilling. This week's list looks at the best horror movies set on a college campus.

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10. Friend Request

The release of Friend Request has been tumultuous. And, for all of the distributors’ troubles, the payoff probably won't be great. Filled with problematic displays of mental illness, mediocre acting and some odd plot choices, Friend Request isn't the most impressive movie. But with a collection of really great tense moments and scares, Friend Request deserves a spot on this list. For those who haven't even heard of this film, but have more than likely seen "coming soon" trailers at different points over its near-yearlong struggle to find a wide release, Friend Request follows a college student who gets entangled with a disturbed student with some truly dark spirits within.

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9. The Roommate

During the late-2000s and the beginning of the 2010s, a slew of trashy, lowbrow horror movies came out. Capturing the attention of a young audience, films like 2011's The Roommate glistened with teen spirit and young adult flavor. Despite their flaws, these movies are insane romps. The Roommate was such an unsettling endeavor that, while ridiculous in every way, could be devoured easily. Whether shoving a cat in a dryer or getting matching tattoos Leighton Meesters ' Rebecca was the type of character viewers could love to hate.  

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8. Urban Legend

Despite its cheese and all of its late-1990s glory, Urban Legend has plenty of cheap jump scares and despicably amusing characters to make it worth watching. Not even its marred execution can overcome its relatively strong concept and while it'll continue to age terribly, fans of simple slasher will find plenty to love. Despite not being ancient, it definitely feels like nostalgia; from its dated furnishings and awkward haircuts, to iconic stars of the era like Tara Reid, Rebecca Gayheart and Jared Leto starring in the film, Urban Legends is a movie best viewed surrounded by friends who probably won't take it very seriously, but will appreciate it as a great throwback.

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7. Cry_Wolf 

It's fair to point out that Cry_Wolf doesn’t actually take place on a college campus or even feature college-age students. However, with a preparatory school setting that's far more akin to a university than say, a community college of commuters, it practically qualifies. At some point, Cry_Wolf became widely forgotten. Often left off of slasher lists and mid-2000s horror iconography, Cry_Wolf is a thrilling and dark film following a group of students who play a game similar to Mafia, except when one night, their game takes a sharp turn toward real life.



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6. Girl House

In terms of lesser known horror films, you'd be hard-pressed to not include 2014's Girl House. Seldom seen, but ultimately great, this horror-thriller follows a woman in desperate need of money for college. She joins a house that provides X-rated content for the internet in exchange for money, but when a crazed fan attempts to find her, things get out of hand. A sleek and surprisingly terrifying film, Girl House is obsession-stalker film that'll scare you away from the internet. It's a dark and twisted movie that slowly builds before completely destroying everything in its path. If you're in college wondering what you'd do for free tuition, Girl House may make you think twice about your options.

The Overlook: Burning Bright

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You ever sit down, watch a movie, dislike the movie, but see it all the way through because of the passive enjoyment you received from it? That's pretty much the situation for Burning Bright; a film, that like many animal attack films before it is good entertainment, even if it’s a bad movie. Whereas, a movie like Backcountry is simultaneously good stylistically and story wise as it is thrilling entertainment, Burning Bright is only worthwhile under the pretense that you probably won't care so much. The choices made by filmmakers, including the problematic use of a son with autism, won't win any points in class or tact, but there's something still so enjoyable at the core of the B-horror Burning Bright.


Currently streaming no Shudder, Burning Bright follows a financially struggling sister and brother and their absentee step-father-turned-guardian as they - quite literally - get caught up in a cat-and-mouse game with a tiger during a hurricane. The film stars bon a fide scream queen, Briana Evigan (Sorority Row) as Kelly Taylor a college-hopeful who feels trapped taking care of her sibling after her mom's death, Charlie Tahan (I Am Legend) as Tom Taylor, the brother with autism, and Garret Dillahunt (Deadwood), as Johnny, the worthless step-father without a care.

Trapped in the house without a place to go, Burning Bright makes the most of its confined spaces. From the get-go, it's pretty obvious who released the big cat from its cage and fair warning: the horror portion of the film doesn't begin until 30 minutes in, but this movie offers enough bang in its tiny package to make something fans of the subgenre will like. Additionally, fans of Evigan will be pleasantly surprised to see that, once again, she's able to hold some of the film's flaws on her back. She's a proven force in the genre and despite all of the movie's dated-feel, can make it seem just as good in a world of slicker, more accomplished films.

Perhaps it is the level of escapism presented by Burning Bright that makes it so watchable. Viewers won't be able to help thinking what they would do in a similar, although ridiculous, situation. One particular scene, where Kelly is trapped in a laundry room provides some terrific tension and perfectly captures this level of simulative thinking.

Will you love Burning Bright? Chances are, honestly, no. But, what you get is what you pay for and for a film like this; it’s definitely a find worth some value. Evigan's Kelly is great and Dillahunt's terrible role is just as fulfilling. The gratification alone, given by the somewhat predictable and comical ending, while cheap, is definitely amazing and it’s hard not to be enthralled by all the happenings in Burning Bright.

Best in Show: Aging Classics (Pt. II of II)



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5. Aliens (1986)
Like Alien, but with even greater crowd appeal, this sequel seems destined to stand the test of time. While packed with more action and intense explosion, Aliens is a horror film with older effects, which seem masterful even in the modern world of CGI. The creatures within are scary, the cast is, once again great, and everything about this film works for a modern audience. Aliens doesn't really recreate its machine, but it definitely builds upon it and takes advantage of every advancing effect it can.





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4. The Exorcist (1973)

The Exorcist is perhaps the most famous horror movie of all time and for good reason. With insane head spins and horrifying tongues, as well as numerous jump scares, it’s a movie that is still relevant today. Sure the split pea soup vomit and gritty camera work make The Exorcist feel a little dated, but there are enough scares and some terrific acting - courtesy of a particularly fantastic Linda Blair (Born Innocent) and Ellen Burstyn (Requiem for a Dream) - that The Exorcist is compelling enough, even in the modern context. The trying struggles of a mother and daughter attempting to overcome the devil is harrowing and timeless.

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3. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

There's something about slasher films that allow them to transcend time. While some blood splatter and off acting may not translate well to the modern context, it seems that these movies are capable of appealing to even the most freshman of audiences. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is one of the best. Regardless of some grotesquely over-the-top slicing and dicing, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is one of those scary movies that'll make even the most seasoned horror fan afraid of backcountry fields and the desolate families who live there.  

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2. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

While still relatively young in the grand scheme, The Silence of the Lambs is often regarded as a horror classic. Pushing the boundary into modern horror, the early 90s film may border on drama, but the fact is, The Silence of the Lambs is most definitely horror. Whether you're afraid of cannibalism or the dark, this movie brims with scares. The night vision scene where an unsuspecting Clarice attempts to find Buffalo Bill amongst heaping messes and furniture is incredibly tense, regardless of the year this film came out. The Silence of the Lambs is deserving of a spot on this list, regardless of its release because it’s often clumped in with much older films.



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1. Jaws (1975)

Jaws is the movie that scared a generation out of the water. What this quote doesn't account for is just how many generations Jaws would actually inspire fear in. To this day, many of the people - old and young - who have seen Jaws are still afraid of ocean waters. Jaws is, without a doubt, one of the most transcendent horror films ever. It could be watched today or tomorrow and the shark central to it would still feel believably deadly. While plenty have come after it, no shark movie can or will ever be quite as terrifying as Jaws. Even as its iconic soundtrack has gone on to become one of the most joked about, hearing it in the film is still a terrifying experience. Jaws is perfect for any time of the year, any year, for all years.

 

Best in Show: Aging Classics (Pt. I of II)

Horror is one of those genres that is so often referred to by its classics. Every list of greatest horror films is inundated by older, near geriatric movies featuring less than sleek visuals, some off-color acting and disjointed flaws. But, their inclusion is nonetheless valid. The foundation set by classics help forged a genre that is still strong today. Even old, often overlooked movies like Nosferatu may not be as effective for a young audience, but the filmmakers methodology and resulting product still helped shape the industry. There are of course - just as there are in any genre - those films that have aged so poorly, they'd be almost hard to watch for the first time today. But for those looking for some classics that feel timeless, there are options available.

This week's list covers the best aging horror movies. Included are films that many of our parents grew up on and those we may have been exposed to as children, but the important thing is that they're still amazing today. Despite some flaws, the movies on this list still hold their flames in a modern context, regardless of their dated release.




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10. The Omen (1976)

Working against this film? Some pretty dated acting style and language. Working in its favor? Plenty of deadly stares, creepily suspenseful moments and a storyline that is still applicable today, The Omen asks the question: what if your child had mysterious things happen around him? From his nanny's death after a cry of devotion to Damien to the unsettling Mrs. Baylock, The Omen has aged well mostly because it didn't need so many special effects. It’s the type of movie that avoids outdating itself by focusing less on glorious effects and more on icy stares and disturbing storytelling.









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9. An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Despite the schlocky comedy and campiness of An American Werewolf in London, the fact of the matter is, this movie is terrifying. Featuring some crazy jump scares and an opening werewolf attack that'll have viewers avoiding moonlit walks, this movie is scary from start to finish. Even the grotesque, somewhat dated transformation scene will have you running for the hills (you know, so long as they're well-lit and paved).



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8. The Shining (1980)

I'll be the first to say that there are parts of The Shining that probably won’t appeal to the modern horror audience. The Shining is filled with oddities and deep symbolism, two things that may tune fans of the fast-paced, quick-scare viewer away. But, for those willing to sit and watch, there's plenty of fear packed into this iconic film. Whether it is the blood tidal wave or the lady in the bath tub, The Shining never forgets that its root is in straight up horror. While its plot and storyline may veer, this is a film that can and should be consumed by the masses.



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7. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Despite an atrociously dated soundtrack and some truly 80s visuals and camerawork, the original Nightmare on Elm Street film packs full punches of full-on scares. Even with some rough edges, this movie will scare you. Freddy alone is terrifying enough reason to include this movie on the list. No matter his plane of existence, the character requires little to relate to the current time period. He is timeless and equally scary now as he was then. The scenes of him chasing down Nancy and friends are some of the most nightmare-inducing fuel in horror history. 

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6. Alien (1979)

Whether its recency bias thanks to some stellar sequels or the simple fact that this movie makes the most of its late 70s special effects, the undeniable fact is that Alien does not age. Sigourney Weaver is, as she always has been and will continue to be, wonderful. Her acting skills and heroic nature are as timely today as they once were, and with scares abundant, Alien is a standout. For fans of modern horror, there is certainly enough here to maintain attention and warrant a watch. For fans of the genre in general, this is especially true. Alien may feel dated in the grand scheme of modern graphics, but even in this age, there is something so interesting about the space shuttle and crew central to this movie.

The Overlook: Fear, Inc.

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Dedicated horror fans often complain about how, over time, they've become desensitized to scares. Even movies that terrify most come across as placid to some aggressively consuming audiences. Playing off of this, some filmmakers have attempted to address these problems head on. In the Scream franchise, horror movie buffs who are seemingly ahead of the killer then become victims and in The Houses October Built, the insatiable desire to be scared took a turn for the deadly when a group of friends look for the best haunted house of their lives. This is basically the foundation of last year's Fear, Inc.; a horror-comedy that shows once again what happens when someone bite off more than they can chew.

Similar to Houses October Built, Fear, Inc. features a group of friends who get caught up in a horror service that takes things very, very far. But, with enough differentiation and a healthy dose of blind comedy, Fear, Inc. is iconic on its own. Opening with a horror fanatic who thinks he's setting his friends up with a company responsible for scaring, this film quickly devolves into a twisting and horrific film asking what limits actually exist in a contract and the question, "who is pranking who?"

Like The Houses October Built, Fear, Inc. brings together a wickedly strong ensemble that is able to balance horror and comedy, given the ridiculousness of the plot. The true star and most definite scene stealer is Lucas Neff (Raising Hope) who plays horror junkie, Joe Foster. His character is the funniest and most blankly accepting of his situation. He adds a lighthearted tone to what could be a very dim film. His girlfriend, Lindsey, is played by Caitlin Stasey (Reign), and Chris Marquette (Freddy vs. Jason) plays his best friend, Ben. The cast is rounded out with Stephanie Drake (Mad Men) playing Ben's wife, and Mark Moses playing the leader of Fear, Inc. 

With so many twists, Fear, Inc. is an unexpectedly good movie. Each of the actors is game for the wild roles they play. Whether being hunted or being tricksters, these characters will completely engross the viewer who will surely be content with whatever they're watching. Fear, Inc. also has a fair set of scares to balance out the comedy. Between some truly energetic deaths and Neff's uncanny ability to seem so unaware and invested in what he believes is a prank, Fear, Inc. gives some truly great moments.

Overall, what makes Fear, Inc. so special is its originality. It toggling between entertainment and horror is cringe-worthy in the best way possible. Even while viewers see and know that the characters have something to be afraid of, the band of friends still accepts it as a joke. This type of disruption is so perfectly captured it's hard to deny this movie as addicting.

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.

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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.