Must-See Horror Films Part 7

"It Follows"

I love this film. One of the most original horror films I've ever seen, it takes the tired tradition of teen films in which all the sluts die and the virgin lives and reverses it. In this film, in order to live, have sex with someone you don't care about, because they're going to die, unless they have sex with someone they don't care about. And when that person dies, it comes back to get you, so keep on boinking.

"The Battery"

A super-basic plot, done supremely well. It's the zombie apocalypse. Two friends are caught in a station wagon trying to find some semblance of civilization in the city ahead, when the vehicle breaks down. That's when the zombies catch up to them, leaving them trapped inside for days and days and days.

"The Witch"

Another amazing film, which tries to accurately depict a 17th century family in New England, the era of the Salem Witch Trials, when there is an actual witch in the area. Many disturbing scenes in this film that have haunted me ever since. Disturbing and very accurate.

"The Monster"

Part of what makes a quality film or story is character development, which is often lacking in horror films. This movie is an exception though. A mother and her teenage daughter, who have a strained relationship, have to drive in the middle of the night to see the daughter's father. Along the way they hit some kind of animal or creature in the woods and their car is damaged. Stranded, they wait for help to arrive, but find the creature was just wounded, not killed, and now it's coming back.

"Cabin in the Woods"

Co-written and produced by Joss Whedon, this horror-comedy takes all the clichés established in horror films since the 1970s and puts them together, finally showing that there's a reason for them. Smart, funny, and just a bit scary with hidden details galore, the film takes "Scream" a step further, and is like a love-letter to horror fans and the films they adore.

"Starry Eyes"

People have said for ages that they would sell their soul to be rich and famous, and they have also said Hollywood is an evil place. This film shows both ideas quite literally, as a struggling actress, one of countless others trying to make it in Hollywood, finally has a chance to make it big, if she does certain things. No one is forcing her to, it's her choice, but she hates her day job and the acting classes and casting calls are getting her nowhere. To be the next big thing, you have to want it more than the rest, and go that extra step.

"31"

From writer-director Rob Zombie, a unique kind of Halloween movie, in which a group of carnival workers are kidnapped and forced to play a survival game called 31, in which they fight for their lives against increasingly deadly opponents. If they can survive for 12 hours they're free to go. Observing this is a group of super-elites who play the game once a year, betting on the outcome. Featuring all the things you'd expect in a Rob Zombie film it has 70s and 80s horror stars, interesting characters, and plenty of serious violence.

"Infinity Chamber"

Mainly a sci-fi film, the horror aspect comes in the bleak depiction of the main character's situation and the lengths he goes to to escape. As with other films, our character awakens in a very sterile room, not knowing why he's there. There's a camera in the ceiling, and a voice tells him that he can't leave, but his needs will be provided for. Automated food, a shower and toilet upon request, beverages, music. But he can't leave. He learns he is suspected of being a domestic terrorist, and every means of putting him there, and having him under suspicion, was all handled automatically, and it may be wrong. Unless he can convince the computer of the mistake, he may rot in that room forever.

"Beyond the Black Rainbow"

If you like "Stranger Things" you'll love this film, with its retro-80s feel. Trippy and scary, it follows a young woman with ESP as she tries to escape from a strange commune. Trippy and horrifying, it will leave you wanting more in a very good way.

"Train to Busan"

A Korean film, this is like "Snakes on a Plane," in that it's "Zombies on a Train," except not cheesy or funny at all, just very, very scary.

"Maniac"

This is a rare horror film where I recommend watching the original or the remake, they're about equally good, which is very good. I actually prefer the remake because it stars Elijah Wood, who ever since "Lord of the Rings" has made a concerted and successful effort to never be a cute hobbit again. I also think the remake does a better job of playing up on the creepiness of mannequins. See it, love it.

"Dario Argento’s Dracula" aka "Dracula 3D"

I'm a huge Argento fan, so I couldn't wait to see the giallo master's take on the Bram Stoker classic. I wasn't disappointed. It's not super-faithful to the novel, but it does feature legendary actor Rutger Hauer in the Van Helsing role, and the visuals are excellent, from the retro-Hammer style colors to displays of Dracula's array of powers, it's a refreshing addition to the mythos.

"Stakeland"

Not as bleak as "Last Man on Earth" but a far cry from upbeat, this film depicts a world in which vampires have taken over. A vampire apocalypse, with the few humans remaining clustering to protect each other and try to survive Nick Damici plays a legendary vampire hunter who travels through this horrid world, killing as many vampires as he can and trying to give hope to the humans who are left.

"Late Phases"

If you liked "Stake Land," you'll love "Late Phases." Nick Damici stars as a Viet Nam vet who gradually lost his sight after the war, and now, against his will, is going to a retirement community because he supposedly can't care for himself. There, using his remaining senses, he realizes that something is wrong. Residents are dying each month, around the time of the full moon. And there are odd sounds and smells. When something kills his beloved dog, the man's suspicions are confirmed, and he decides to wage one last war.

"Mandy"

From the creator of "Beyond the Black Rainbow," is one of my favorite films of the last 10 years. Nicolas Cage plays a recovering alcoholic living in the Pacific Northest, working as a lumberjack. When a cult kidnaps his beautiful wife, kills her in front of him, and leaves him for dead, he becomes totally unhinged and swears vengeance as only Nicolas Cage can. Featuring a retro-80s style, an outstanding plot and acting, and a chainsaw duel, you'll love this film forever.

"Llamageddon"

It sounds stupid. It's pure camp. It's super-low budget. It's awesome. In this comedy/sci-fi/horror mashup, a member of a race of evil super-powered extraterrestrial llamas crash-lands on Earth (in a ship that looks like a horse trailer, but with more lights) and comes upon a group of teens engaged in typical teen house party activity. With a high body count and lots of subtle visual jokes as well as references to classic films, this film will keep you amazed at how bad it can be, in a very good way. It's so low-budget, the more complex scenes such as the llama impregnating a human had to be done through animation.

Films I forgot

Thanks to my partner in horror, Dandy J. West, for reminding me of these, and also for pointing out the blatant mistake that Jeffrey Combs is the star of "Re-Animator," one of her favorite films.

"Motel Hell"

I'm ashamed of myself for forgetting this classic from 1980. A rural hotel, known for its comfortable lodging and good food, has a secret. The tender, juicy meat enjoyed by the guests is made from...former guests.

"The Burning"

From 1981, this film actually began development before "Friday the 13th", making it one of the first slasher films. Based on the urban legend of Cropsey, the film has the caretaker of a summer camp burned by kids at the camp as part of a prank, returning to avenge himself years later. Historic not only for being one of the first slasher films, but for launching the careers of Harvey and Bob Weinstein (writers) and actors Jason Alexander and Holly Hunter.

"Silver Bullet"

Another Stephen King classic. What I like about this werewolf film, and "Late Phases" is the adherence to the cycles of the moon. Too many werewolf films kind of toss it aside, or wrap the whole story up within the few nights after the first time a character transforms. "Silver Bullet" works with the calendar, over a number of months, to figure out who the werewolf is, and destroy him/her/it. If you can find it, look for the original trade paperback, "Cycle of the Werewolf," with art by legend Berni Wrightson, who also did the art for the graphic novel of "Creepshow." King + Wrightson = pure horror gold.

"Gremlins"

I really waivered about including this one. Like "Die Hard," some people say this is their favorite Christmas movie. Others say it's their favorite horror movie. It's not particularly scary, but it is gory, suspenseful, and an 80s classic.

"My Bloody Valentine"

In the early 80s, there were a lot of slasher movies cropping up, many of them based around holidays. I didn't include them all, or many of them really, they're just variations on a theme. This one is a bit different, more memorable. It involves an urban legend, a terrifying killer who looks distinct (that's a miner's outfit and pickaxe), and it takes place in a mine, which is not just another camp or frat house or place in the woods. Once again the remake is okay, stick to the original.

"Killer Klowns from Outer Space"

People are scared of clowns, that's why the creature in "It" poses as a clown. They can entice children, seem a bit funny or friendly, then turn deadly. What's even scarier, and more absurd, is alien clowns from outer space, all of them deadly, with all the things you'd expect clowns to have, just horrible versions of them. A cult classic.

"Chopping Mall"

Malls were the biggest of big things in the 80s. Kids went there for everything - food, movies, arcades, shopping. You would even go there if you didn't have money just to be there. Which is why "Dawn of the Dead" is set in a mall, and it's why there is "Chopping Mall" in which a group of people must escape a mall, closed after hours, patrolled by security robots gone amok.

"Night of the Comet"

If you love zombie films, or dystopian films, you must see this one. It's not a Romero zombie film, or a Danny Boyle zombie film. It does its own thing, having the population of the planet decimated as those who were outside to witness a comet passing close to the earth are reduced to dust. Those who were inside are left alive, and others are slowly turning into once-human monsters. As with several other great 80s films, this one features some celebratory shopping at the mall as the teen sisters realize no one can stop them and everything is free.

"The Stepfather"

A different kind of horror thriller, this one features Terry Quinn, years before being a castaway on "Lost", as a man who changes his identity and settles in a new town, always in search of a perfect family. But people are so disappointing, and so they must be punished. He just wants to be loved. You should love him perfectly, or die.

"Cutting Class"

A black comedy in which someone at a high school is killing the popular kids, it's not as darkly cool as "Heathers," but it is noteworthy for being the first major role for Brad Pitt, plus Roddy McDowall is in it, which always ends a bit of acting gravitas to the mix.