Best in Show: Autumnal Scares (Pt. II of II)

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5. A Nightmare on Elm Street

While the legendary 80s film, A Nightmare on Elm Street, may also be suited better for a Halloween-specific article, there's a certain chill to this movie that is reminiscent of fall. From dense fog and teens, this supernatural slasher is somewhat of an enigma when it comes to horror. While the killer is dead, he's not the typical ghostly being that haunts horror films like it. No, he's an actual killer and as he chases his victims through assorted dreamscapes, audiences can expect to be fully immersed in a world that's perpetually fall.



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4. The Conjuring

Old period home, chilly mornings and plenty of fallen leaves. Yes, I could be describing just about any of the movies on this list, but I'm talking about the one, the only: The Conjuring. Easily one of the scariest modern horror films, The Conjuring is meant for fall viewing. Its autumnal setting, often referenced in the film's cinematography and character's fashion feel exclusively autumnal. From witches to ghosts, this movie has everything and it’s all wrapped up in a nice orange and brown bow.



3. The House of the Devil

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The House of the Devil should always be your go to for 80s-inspired, satanic cult films. Highly stylistic and equally terrifying, this movie will prep audiences for the cooler evenings of fall; sweaters, dim-lights and an older home secluded by branchy trees make this movie delectably fall-oriented. The House of the Devil is sure to bring you and your friends into the fall mood thanks largely to the leads attire and surroundings.



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2. The Blair Witch Project/Blair Witch

Say what you will about the surprise sequel to The Blair Witch Project, but the pair complements one another nicely and perfectly capture fall in the Northeast. Like many rural areas there, the setting of these two films features deep woods, leaf-covered grounds and plenty of dewy foliage. Whether watching Heather & co or James & friends getting hopelessly lost in the woods near Burkittsville, ME, the sense of chilled nights and earlier sunsets permeates every scene. Pair this with the casts' hiking gear, visible breath and the iconic snot scene and The Blair Witch Project series will herald you into autumn with gusto.

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1. The Possession

If you're not a woman in your 60s you may not realize that Labor Day is a huge time for garage sales. So, in honor of the holiday itself, it's only fair to give the top spot on this list to a movie that's entire plot stems from a garage sale. That, in addition to the greyness, fallen leaves and general atmosphere of fall, all makes The Possession the type of movie that will have you fully prepared for autumn. The nights scenes are spooky, the day scenes are dull in color and the movie as a whole has an ambience reminiscent of childhood and jumping in leaves, or whatever the horror version of that would be.



Best in Show: Autumnal Scares (Pt. I of II)

Hear that? The fallen leaves crunching under your flip-flops? Well, that's the quickly changing season. Summer is nearly over and for many of us Labor Day is the nail in the coffin. School is back in session, hoodies become a necessity and pools become way too cold. In cinema, films have long used the seasons to set the tone of the movie; capturing the symbols of the time of year and drawing viewers in with those aspects. In fall, it’s often either a film related to Halloween or has plenty of falling leaves, grey skies and dim lighting to signify the months of September until late November. This week's list covers the most autumnal horror films that'll make the season change a little easier.

Note: As this film is more about the beginning of fall and not Halloween, movies explicitly related to the holiday will receive their own list later in the season.

10. Hollow 

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Dimly lit and grey all around, 2011's British import, Hollow, feels perfect for a night in surrounded by blankets. While never fully acknowledging the season - some characters wear shorts, while others opt for sweaters - there's something perpetually cool about the countryside in this film. While maybe not the strongest film, there are plenty of brief scares to instill fear and leave you unsettled. All of this complements autumn feelings as warm candles are placed throughout the film's night scenes giving it an orange glow that'll leave you craving pumpkin.





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9. My Soul to Take

Wes Craven's critically panned slasher film, My Soul to Take, may not have won over viewers and audiences, but its woodsy setting, constantly falling and sweatshirt-wearing students give the film an undeniable sense of September. Craven captures the setting of this film perfectly, and while perhaps some things could be improved on, there is a very clear sense for the time of the year it’s meant to take place during. Letterman jackets abound, My Soul to Take is like the football game-reminder that the change of seasons is upon us.


8. House at the End of the Street 

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Spooky to some, terrible for others; this is the space where we find films like House at the End of the Street. While many would argue there's plenty to pull from this twisted mystery-thriller, others would argue that its best meant unwatched. However, disregarding the films quality, this movie will definitely make you ready for the changing season. Whether Jennifer Lawrence's character is taking long walks home or peering into the woods around her house, the dampness of the movie and the fact that she's beginning classes at a new school all lend themselves to a feeling of fall.

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7. It Follows

Between beaches and a few scenes in a pool, it may be possible to confuse It Follows as a summer set movie. But, as if it took place during Labor Day itself, viewers will notice the cool lighting and colors, flannel-adorning characters and general sense of summers end. It's impossible to mistake: It Follows is a tale that comes with the fall. This movie seems like the perfect lead in to the season of changing leaves and long pants. The hues and lighting, the crispness of the atmosphere and the scenes taking place in the school all make for an experience that'll undeniably set you in the mood for pumpkins lattes and scarves. You know, if you're into that sort of thing.

6. The Woman in Black 

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Maybe meant more for the future Halloween movie list, maybe not. But, The Woman in Black includes everything you could think of from nostalgic autumn weather. Dark hues, cooling weather and period clothing reminiscent of fall, This film, like many time period pieces before it, has an air of nostalgia that just about anyone can connect with; whether or not you were alive. And, what works in tandem together better than reminiscing and fall? Nothing. That's the answer. While Christmas brings the thoughts of joys of Christmas past, autumn often brings such nostalgia of coziness and sweaters that it’s impossible to ignore.  

Best in Show: Remaking the Classics (Part II of II)

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5. Halloween (2007)

When Rob Zombie remade the original Halloween he received a lot of flak. Some of it was warranted but, for the most part, the 2007 rendition of Halloween is fantastic. Far gorier, far more disturbed and almost as scary, Zombie's Halloween is a completely bloody nightmare. It's the type of movie that will stun you to watch. The unstoppable Michael Myers is particularly unstoppable in this one, with a much more grotesque and terrifying composure.  And, while some of the explicit moments could have been reeled in, the unraveled heap of torture is horrifying.

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4. Sorority Row (2006)

If When a Stranger Calls is the pinnacle of my high school horror days, then Sorority Row was a very close runner up. This movie is a pure, unattached mid-2000s slasher. It never once strives to be anything thought provoking but is so confident in it that it is amazing. From Carrie Fisher's house mother to the sorority girl nicknamed Jugs, this classic remake was an updated thrill ride of seismic proportions. The deaths are entertainment-driven and the dwindling numbers fed into all of the cliché, horror conventions known to man. It truly is one of the most thrilling, yet simultaneously comedic films to come out of the industry.

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3. The Crazies (2010)

The Crazies terrified me. It's the type of movie that never really fails to impress, regardless of how many times you see it. With compelling characters, an innate ability to capture an early post-apocalyptic atmosphere and an insane quarantine scene where a crazed person brings a pitchfork into a hospital room filled with restrained patients, this movie left me on the edge of my seat. And, while it arguably is better than the original and was received as such, the 2010 The Crazies definitely pays homage to its source material. It truly is an outstanding horror movie and generally underrated.

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2. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)

Remaking such an iconic classic can be really hard. But, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake featuring Jessica Biel in one of her best roles to date is an undeniably strong film. With all of the grotesque features of the first, paired with spectacularly terrifying moments, this 2003 rendition worked way better than it should have. I remember one specific scene where Biel’s character and Leatherface are in the abandoned slaughterhouse and at one point he lunges underneath some grating after her. The room of people I watched it with unanimously shot out of their seats in fear, in what is perhaps one of the greatest jump scares of all time.

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1. Evil Dead (2013)

The cult classic Evil Dead invokes a lot of nostalgia from horror experts and intense fans everywhere. That's why it's particularly surprising how well this remake was received. Aside from the fact that it is particularly well-done, from the gore to the intense camerawork, every single moment of this film is heart-pounding. Evil Dead is an inexplicable masterpiece that runs parallel to the original. It truly deserves all of the credit it receives as such a stark, aggressively raw addition to a genre that by 2013 was relatively glossing over. Fair warning: it's incredibly dark and cold, so be ready if somehow you've missed it.

 

Best in Show: Remaking the Classics (Part I of II)

In honor of the release of the It trailer; I decided to dedicate this week's list to the remakes that are actually worthwhile. Taken with a grain of salt and acknowledging the lack of creativity in simply recreating old movies, I truly believe that these are worthwhile films that deserve a little more credit. I'd never suggest that they're groundbreaking or overly fantastic but some and especially those that make the top 5, may have undeservedly received tough critiques. Remakes, especially in the horror genre, are going nowhere and it's time we take a look at them and appreciate that we're getting anything at all. Except when they're actually bad (Poltergeist), then they can be critiqued harsher.

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10. The Omen (2006)

The 2006 remake of The Omen isn't anything special, but for what it lacks in groundbreaking material it certainly makes up for in being a well-done, creepy adventure. There's moments - like the skewering of the priest, which is done terrifically, while the acting of the recreated characters is just as strong as the original. For the parents, replaced by Julia Stiles (Out of the Dark) and Liev Schreiber (Scream), their performance as somewhat out of touch socialites is noteworthy. The Omen isn't that out of this world, but it certainly isn't awful; like something you'd tune into Chiller for on a Saturday morning.

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9. House of Wax (2005)

The remake of the classic House of Wax features all of the updated conventions of mid-2000s horror. With the Ill-lit, over the top gore and subpar-acting this remake encapsulated everything this era represents. But, what should have damaged the film far more than it did, made it a campy sometimes scary adventure. It's a pillar of the time period it came out during; featuring Paris Hilton Jared Padalecki and Chad Michael Murray - all icons of my teenage years, whether or not you prescribed to what they were selling.

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8. Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)

This movie basically killed the 2000s remake subgenre. From its foundation it was lampooned for being the straw that broke the camel's back, and while horror remakes like Evil Dead and the awful Texas Chainsaw 3D followed, the willingness to toss money at a remake began to slow. For somewhat understandable reason, The Nightmare on Elm Street remake received a ton of backlash for it’s glossed over and copycat identity. But, looking past the fact that it is in fact a remake, which everyone who went and saw this movie knew, yet simultaneously complained about in the months following, the end result isn't all that bad. Rooney Mara (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) is a terrific actress, even if she later complained about the movie, and for the most part, it did stay true to the original while making slight updates.  I'd argue this film has plenty of scares, too. In fact, one character that falls asleep while swimming made me terrified of the empty lap pools I used to exercise in for years following.



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7. Dawn of the Dead (2004) & The Hills Have Eyes (2006)

These two remakes made quite the splash when they were released- Dawn of the Dead came out to critical acclaim as it nodded to the original and expanded, and The Hills Have Eyes experienced great commercial success as it grossed out viewers everywhere. For the two, their pros seemed almost redeemable given their remake foundation and each resonated with audiences of mid-2000s horror. Even faced with some horror experts' critiques, The Hills Have Eyes stood out as a terrifying venture into the mutant cannibal, and as noted Dawn of the Dead somehow managed to maintain an unmarred image as it brought zombies back into the limelight with, gasp, a zombie baby. Each deserve a spot on this list as both were scary and at the very least, memorable.



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6. When a Stranger Calls (2009)

This movie remake was everything to my friends in high school. We saw it so many times our eyes were basically falling out. But it was that first time we saw it, when we were all left terrified of our typical babysitting positions. When the man appears in the rafters, we all lunged from our seats. I included this movie on this list for the very fact that, regardless of acting or style, this film is pure nostalgia. Everything about this movie spoke to my group of friends, and while I didn't see the original for many years after, I can say that this rendition is most certainly a worthwhile endeavor.