Decades of Horror
For the past thirty years or so, studios have been churning out
an abundance of horror movies; some have been really good, while
many have been really bad. People often disagree as to the
“scariest” movies of all time, but here are my picks for the “best”
chillers and thrillers of the last few decades that are sure to
give you a frighteningly good time this Halloween.
1970s
1. “Halloween” (1978)
One of the most famous of all horror films equals the perfect
choice for home viewing this holiday. This classic gave birth to
horror icon, Michael Myers, who comes home one Halloween with
terrifying consequences for his victims. The movie produced several
inferior sequels, but the very scary original stands the test of
time as one of the greatest horror films ever.
2. “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974)
An oldie, but goodie about a chainsaw-wielding maniac in the
backwoods of Texas who terrorizes a group of extremely annoying
teen-agers. Director Tobe Hooper makes you feel like you are losing
your sanity right along with the film’s heroine. This influential
movie has clearly been the inspiration for several other horror
films over the years.
3. “Carrie” (1976)
Another often-imitated horror classic about a high school
outcast who gets revenge over her tormentors on prom night. The
film is aided by chilling performances by Sissy Spacek and Piper
Laurie. “Carrie” is the one of the only horror films in history to
receive major critical acclaim.
Honorable Mentions: “The Stepford Wives” and “The Exorcist”
1980s
1.”The Shining” (1980)
Easily one of the greatest horror films of all time. Jack
Nicholson stars, in one of his best roles, as a writer who goes
more than a little mad while snowed-in at an empty hotel with his
family. The “RED RUM” part used to scare the crap out of me as a
kid.
2. “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984)
“One, two, Freddy’s coming for you…” Teens are stalked in
their nightmares by a madman with a glove of knives in this popular
and scary film. The original deserves applause for introducing one
of the most notorious of all villains from the horror genre, Freddy
Krueger. This film spawned many surprisingly good sequels, which is
more than I can say for another famous horror series of the 80s,
“Friday the 13th.”
3. “Poltergeist” (1982)
Definitely one of the best ghost stories ever, this fright fest
is about a family who is forced to fend off supernatural spirits
after the youngest daughter gets trapped in the TV. It is scary and
entertaining despite sometimes getting overlooked next to the more
gory and violent films of the genre.
Honorable mentions: “The Lost Boys,” “The Fog,” “Children of the
Corn” and “The Changeling,”
1990s
1. “Scream” (1996)
This film single-handedly revived the slasher movie genre. The
whole masked killer stalking teen-agers angle had been done many
times before it, but “Scream’s” combination of a clever script with
real scares made it the best horror film of the 90s.
2. “Candyman” (1992)
This is a dark and grisly tale of a hook-handed man who kills
those who say his name three times in the mirror. It is gory and
seriously scary.
3. “Jurassic Park” (1993)
Although not a horror film in the traditional sense, you have to
admit you too thought those dinos were pretty darn scary the first
time you saw this movie. The film was a milestone achievement in
the world of motion picture special effects as well as one of the
most thrilling movies of all time.
Honorable mentions: “The Silence of the Lambs,” “Final
Destination,” “Interview with the Vampire,” “The Sixth Sense,”
“From Dusk till Dawn,” “Sleepy Hollow,” “The Blair Witch Project,”
“Bride of Chucky” and “Arachnophobia”
2000s
1. “The Ring” (2002)
An amazingly scary movie about a mysterious videotape that
causes viewers to die seven days after watching it. There are
fantastic visuals as well as one of the creepiest villains in the
history of movies. It is my personal candidate for the scariest
film of all time.
2. “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (2003)
This is a truly scary remake of the1974 classic and definitely
not for the faint of heart. Go see it this Halloween while it is
still playing in theatres.
3. “The Cell” (2000)
This under appreciated thriller may not be a true horror movie,
but its incredible and disturbing visual effects are still pretty
creepy. Jennifer Lopez stars as a therapist who enters the mind of
a serial killer through an experimental treatment process. The
sinister world she encounters in there is amazing and haunting.
Honorable mentions: “The Others,” “Session 9,” “Final
Destination 2,” “Signs,” “Brotherhood of the Wolf,” “May” and “Joy
Ride”
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