If blood curling movies are your thing, then boy have I got something in store for you. I’ve decided to compile a top 10 Halloween movies that sent shivers down my spine and all the way to my toes when I was a kid.
Silence of the Lambs (1991) – On screen chemistry on this film was so electrifying that it never fails to keep you at the edge of your seat. And just imagine, Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins never even made physical contact. The intensity runs along throughout the whole show and never lets up in this brilliant psychological thriller that swept the 1991 Oscars. FBI agent Foster interviews vicious murderer Hopkins, hoping he will help the bureau catch another serial killer who’s preying on young women. The interrogations turn personal as Hopkins, an ex-psychiatrist, turns the tables and makes Foster his vulnerable subject.
Psycho (1960) – The emergence of Hitchcock’s psychological thriller, changed the horror genre and broke new grounds in Hollywood forever. The bone-chilling tension still resonates today, despite a culture hardened to big-screen violence. The infamous “shower scene” remains one of the most memorable in film history. Bernard Herrmann’s chilling score intensifies the edge-of-your-seat suspense.
The Exorcist (1973) – For a film that was considered too controversial, it was quite a surprise that it took in $89 million to become a certified blockbuster. This Movie is a classic! It still freaks me out to watch it alone. Classic scenes that I’ll never forget were all the stomach-turning visuals like a twisting head, the crawling down the stairs upside down, spinning bed, and green vomit. (Fun Fact : People actually vomited in theaters during the film’s original theatrical run). A tormented priest tries to exorcise the devil from 12-year-old Linda Blair. In the process, he unleashes some of his own demons. I did a little research and apparently this movie is 80% true. “Yoikes!” in the cowardly words of Shaggy.
The Shinning (1980) – If I were to have one deranged laugh, it
would have to be Jack Nicholson’s in this classic Stephen King story. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, this was his most commercial film and for it to be repeated so many times only revealed it to be a classic psychological movie. To cut things short, Nicholson’s character Jack Torrance interviews for a caretaker job at the Overlook Hotel in an effort to rebuild his life after his volatile temper lost him a teaching position. At first, Jack seems to be enjoying the serenity of the hotel and the mountains, and mentions to Wendy that when he first arrived for his interview, he felt a sense of déjà vu. But soon afterwards, Jack’s mental health deteriorates rapidly once the family is alone in the hotel. Winter weather arrives in the mountains, and Jack begins breaking down.
A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984) – Now, a scary movie list wouldn’t be complete without this one now would it? In the dreams of his victims, a murderer named Freddy Krueger stalks the children of the members of the lynch mob that killed him. Sounds boring? Just wait for the scene when Johnny Depp gets swallowed by his bed and spit out in a giant spray of blood. Gory! Come on, you have to admit those claws Freddy has are kind of creepy.
The Amityville Horror (1978) – A family moves into a perfectly nice house in Amityville, New York. Then things begin to happen: black goo comes out of the toilet, flies appear (does this have anything to do with the toilet?), a voice tells a priest to “get out,” and something with glowing red eyes peering through the windows at night. I remember this show because of how the house was presented, it looks like a freaking face!
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) – I remember watching this movie when I was 9 years old with my cousins. I couldn’t sleep alone for 7 straight days. What sets this movie apart from other slasher films? Perhaps it was Leatherface’s (played by Gunnar Hansen) human skin mask, or maybe it was the roar of the chainsaw, or it could have been the “based on a true story” line at the beginning. What is certain is that this is extremely scary movie with a lot of blood.
Jaws (1975) – Duh-dum. Duh-dum. Duh-dum. Duh-dum, Duh-dum, Duh-dum. Any movie that can keep you out of the sea for a whole good summer has to be good. Scary music, which I think stalkers or rapists use when they are approaching you. Even the casting was good, with Roy Schneider, playing a stressed-out sheriff to a small beach community who eventually becomes the hero here, Richard Dreyfuss put in a good display if you asked me. I think this movie plays a part in my serious phobia of the sea. Just look at that shark on the poster.
Halloween (1978) – Best movie to bring your girlfriend to watch. Lots of edge-of-your-seat scenes, and that equals to lots of hugging. Great movie, cast, and score. John Carpenter created an icon in Michael Myers a.k.a Jason (played by Tony Moran). You will never watch another movie with Jamie Lee Curtis screaming her heart out. A must watch. A very quick plot outline for you, a psychotic murderer institutionalized since childhood escapes on a mindless rampage while his doctor chases him through the streets.
Dawn of the Dead (1978) – “When there’s not room in hell the dead will walk the earth”. Just the very thought of that sends chills. Director George Romero single handedly created the zombie genre with “Night of the Living Dead.” But it was the sequel, “Dawn of the Dead” that made him the daddy of all zombies. This movie was so gory that it was banned in 17 countries. I spent so many years looking for this DVD and I finally got it 2 years back. Worth it.
Well that’s my top 10, obviously there is a lot more out there, but I can’t fit them all in now can I? Let me know what you think should be in the top 10 and what shouldn’t. Happy Halloween in advance!
Filed under: Entertainment, Movies | Tagged: blood, halloween, horror, Movies, screams | 2 Comments »
