Well folks, as promised here’s my trick-or-treat-tastic suggestions for a screamalicious night in this Friday. In no particular order, my top ten films to round off any scary night in:
The Exorcist
A cinematic masterpiece. Treats the subject of demonic possession and seriously and intelligently and still freaks me out even now.
The Omen
Dated but still modern enough to be genuinely scary. Contains some truly memorably scenes and will leave you not wanting to take any photographs of yourself.
Jaws
Great White Sharks have never been given such bad press as in Spielberg’s classic. Who can say they’ve never been scared by this film and who doesn’t know John William’s masterful minimalist soundtrack by heart?
The Thing
Very few films achieve the sense of isolation and paranoia that John Carpenter’s 1981 remake instils in its audience. A small group of scientists, trapped in an Antarctic research station with only each other and a voracious shape-changing alien for company.
An American Werewolf In London
John Landis’ lycanthropic classic combines horror with a very funny script. From the opening moments in the Slaughtered Lamb pub (watch out for a young Rik Mayall!) to the conversation in the porn theatre, every scene is memorable. Rick Baker set the benchmark with the werewolf transformation effects that have still yet to be matched.
The Changeling
An underrated, little known gem that’s recently been released on DVD. A bereaved composer buys a large house but discovers he’s not the only inhabitant. Very creepy and unnerving, with a superb performance by George C. Scott. The major influence for
The Others
A contemporary chiller set in WW2 Jersey starring Nicole Kidman in an oscar nominated turn as the protective mother of two young children. The arrival of three new servants starts a chain of ghostly events that lead to a startling conclusion.
Evil Dead 2
A long time before Spider-man, Sam Raimi started his cinema career with The Evil Dead and then remade it with more money as the Evil Dead 2 which also put Bruce Campbell on the map. Very gory but also very funny and still scary. Works because it keeps its tongue firmly nailed to the cellar trap door in its cheek.
Near Dark
Modern day vampire film, which is probably my favourite of that genre. A beautifully shot contemporary tale that adds so much to the vampire mythos without once mentioning the V word or showing a pair of fangs. Slightly let down by the dénouement but otherwise a classic.
????
I’m not actually going to give you a 10th film because there are so many left to choose from. Instead I’m going to let you suggest what should be added to this list. Are we going to see “Nightmare on Elm Street” here or an old classic like “Rosemary’s Baby” or “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”. Was anyone actually scared by “Blair Witch Project” or do you prefer Cronenberg’s opuses? Let me know below and then get your friends to tell me too and let’s find out what scares bloggers!
