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The Thing
Night of the Living Dead
28 Days Later
Salem's Lot (two part 70's made for TV thing)
The Ring (Japanese original)
Silence of the Lambs
The Shining
Halloween
Saw

I like watching classic Hammer horror movies when they're on TV too

Cannae whack a bit of Vintage Hammer!

I've got that boxed set they did, and every now and then dip into it.

And if we're discussing Hammer, one must also mention Amicus, 'the Studio That Dripped Blood'.

A rival British studio to Hammer, probably best noted for the their 'portmanteau' series of films, a series which I spent a month or two collecting. And they're pretty wonderful. Some are of course ropey old nonsense (the one with Jon Pertwee and the Vampire is a hoot!), but definitely worth a watch.

It's a shame the portmanteau style of film making went largely out of fashion. From memory, there's only really Trick R Treat and the likes of Creepshow recently which continue it.

 Bromsy wrote:
The best horror movie ever is The Thing. It is a masterpiece of tension building and existential dread. It's a monster that reproduces every cell of your body perfectly, until it is attacked. You could be fully convinced you are fine, until someone comes after you with a flammenwerfer and your head sprouts legs, crawls off your body and darts away.

Most other horror movies are either hokey, torture porn, hom-coms, or just generally full of "if you aren't stupid, this whole movie wouldn't happen".

Fantastic film and the prequel is great.

Agree about many horror films especially slasher flicks most especially Scream - I hate and despise that film - seriously just wanted one where the girl in peril pulls a gun and blows the pathetic knife wielder away.

 Mr Morden wrote:
seriously just wanted one where the girl in peril pulls a gun and blows the pathetic knife wielder away.

See, that's the moment The Walking Dead truly impressed me. Carol, Lizzie and 'look at the flowers'.

For the first time in a long, long time someone made the distasteful but ultimately sensible choice.

Can you imagine how genuinely terrifying a psychological horror film would be where the killer/psycho genuinely outthinks their prey at every turn? Not plans which require 'and provided they're a complete idiot and sprain their ankle here, here, here or here, should come off without a hitch! SPIFFING!'

So much more interesting. Which is also why I like Cabin in the Woods so much. It plays up to the tropes, but also thumbs it's nose at them in a glorious smorgasbord of utter nonsense.

The Descent, being a bit claustrophobic that movie was extremely unsettling. It gave my girlfriend nightmares for weeks and as a result I was subject to many random revenge punches from her every time she flinched while thinking about it.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:

 Mr Morden wrote:
seriously just wanted one where the girl in peril pulls a gun and blows the pathetic knife wielder away.

See, that's the moment The Walking Dead truly impressed me. Carol, Lizzie and 'look at the flowers'.

For the first time in a long, long time someone made the distasteful but ultimately sensible choice.

Can you imagine how genuinely terrifying a psychological horror film would be where the killer/psycho genuinely outthinks their prey at every turn? Not plans which require 'and provided they're a complete idiot and sprain their ankle here, here, here or here, should come off without a hitch! SPIFFING!'

So much more interesting. Which is also why I like Cabin in the Woods so much. It plays up to the tropes, but also thumbs it's nose at them in a glorious smorgasbord of utter nonsense.

Still not watched Cabin but that was a brilliant moment in WD - shame it was so rare especially as it continued. I remember Joss Whedon talking about Buffy and saying similar things about not just wanting a show where the girl ran from the monster but actually turned round and kicked its ass.

 stanman wrote:
The Descent, being a bit claustrophobic that movie was extremely unsettling. It gave my girlfriend nightmares for weeks and as a result I was subject to many random revenge punches from her every time she flinched while thinking about it.

I really liked this one as the girls were not just helpless victims being chased by monsters - well not all of them - the sequel was not too bad either.

JC's The Thing and the Prequal had loads of tension as others have said because it appeared that not even those infected knew they were (maybe? Sometimes - Apparently even the cast discussed this and what would you do if you thought you were)

The Descent is definitely up there, as is Neil Marshall's besterest film in my opinion - Dog Soldiers.

Often referred to as a 'horror-comedy', I prefer to think of it as simply a Very British Squaddie film. No giving up. Minimal freaking out. Nobody dies without going out swinging.

Such a refreshing change to the 'oh man oh man oh man we like can't kill it man NEW TROUSERS, MAN' of fare in the same genre.

And sure, I said 'a very British squaddie' film, but I like to think that any professional soldier in the same position would react much the same. Spesh the bit in the Land Rover, which is just glorious!

Lots of great films recommended already. I'll add a few that haven't been mentioned yet.

In the Mouth of Madness, starring Sam Neil, is a great scary movie from the mid 90's. What is real? What is madness? Very obviously Lovecraftian

Oculus is a recent one starring Karen Gillian (of Dr Who). A supernatural evil that can control your senses.

On the flipside, one that came highly recommended was The Babadook, and while it is a well acted slow burn, it ultimately failed to satisfy me.

Oh yeah, speaking of Sam Neil that's reminded me of the unofficial 40k prequel in Event Horizon. There's a good gross out film for you.

sirlynchmob wrote:
The train to Busan, is a really well made zombie movie. you can catch it on netflixs.

Ill second that, it starts off a little slow but 15 to 20 minutes in it takes off and just goes for it, some really creative on the edge of your seat stuff.

JuOn is probably number 1 for myself and my wife. That movie mind raped us for a month or three for sure and no joke, scared her so bad she went into labor and my son was born

Occulus. Mind fudge to the Nth degree! I didnt know what was real or fake

Got a few more to add in;

Baskin
Hellraiser
As above, So below
Drag me to Hell

Event Horizon

I love horror movies, but they just don't scare me (which is what I'm hoping will hoping most times).

The only film that's ever genuinely scared me was that split-second final scene in BWP with Mike in a hoodie facing the corner... It must have clicked on some level I wasn't expecting and totally freaked me out for weeks

The Vincent Price House on Hautned Hill is craacking.

I'll stick with some more recent ones as the classics already have tons written on them:

IT: Great film interpretation. Kind of a similar vibe to Stand By Me but with an interdimensional monsters, which is a good thing. Hope the next installment keeps it up.

Happy Death Day: Wasn't expecting much, but a very fun Groundhog Day inspired movie. Rothe gives a solid performance and the movie is surprisingly upbeat, with tongue firmly in cheek.

Jigsaw: Do you like the Saw franchise and it's overly convoluted interlinking and questionable moralism? I don't! Good thing this movie strips it down and tells a pretty straight forward story of a warped vigilante imitating Jigsaw to torture and kill some bad people with improbable kill devices. Expect tv drama level dialogue and you won't be disappointed!

The Snowman: More suspense then horror. Killer kills women and builds snowmen. Convoluted red herring story, terrible dialogue that tries to be super serous and mysterious but is just all around painfully slow and boring. The only tension is when the movie will finally end.

Leatherface: Dumb chainsaw massacre origin story. Doesn't really make any sense, but lacks any visceral connection to power through. For a second, I thought they were going to do something clever, but nah, it's stupid all the way down. Probably would have been better off just remaking the original for the 1000000th time.

I fell in love with A Dark Song last year. I watched it a few times since. Its a slow burn, and kind of boring in places, but I enjoyed it. Its not a full on “horror” movie until the end, then the ultimate climax of the movie was like nothing I’ve ever seen in recent memory.

 War Drone wrote:
I love horror movies, but they just don't scare me (which is what I'm hoping will hoping most times).

The only film that's ever genuinely scared me was that split-second final scene in BWP with Mike in a hoodie facing the corner... It must have clicked on some level I wasn't expecting and totally freaked me out for weeks

Blair Witch gets a lot of crap, but that film was a masterpiece for what it achieved. It's the ultimate "never see the monster" film. With my imagination, the tent scene and the corner scene created whole worlds of horror that some slasher film could never reach.


But if we aren't sticking strictly to newer, scarier stuff, I have to recommend Tremors (and part 2) and Critters.

 Easy E wrote:
The Vincent Price House on Hautned Hill is craacking.

I'm also a fan of the remakes. Well shot, half-decent script, people at least trying to act. Effects remain quite creepy too.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:

Can you imagine how genuinely terrifying a psychological horror film would be where the killer/psycho genuinely outthinks their prey at every turn? Not plans which require 'and provided they're a complete idiot and sprain their ankle here, here, here or here, should come off without a hitch! SPIFFING!'

Silence of the Lambs.

Never actually seen that....

I know, I know, for shame. Was too young when it first came out, and then got into my Awful Zombie Movies From Italy phase, and never nipped back.

 Mr Morden wrote:

 stanman wrote:
The Descent, being a bit claustrophobic that movie was extremely unsettling. It gave my girlfriend nightmares for weeks and as a result I was subject to many random revenge punches from her every time she flinched while thinking about it.

I really liked this one as the girls were not just helpless victims being chased by monsters - well not all of them - the sequel was not too bad either.

Agreed on the first. The lighting, slow build of tension as they realise they are lost and not showing the lurkers for so much of the screen time was spot on. The sequel was crap, in my opinion, however. It lacked any of the tension of the first. The sets were overlit, lacking any of the realism of being in an actual cave and the monsters shown way too early. It also retconned the actual ending of the first film.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Never actually seen that....

I know, I know, for shame. Was too young when it first came out, and then got into my Awful Zombie Movies From Italy phase, and never nipped back.

Watch it tonight. Do it.

Is on Netflix and that?

Also, another shout out for Shudder as a service. I find it's worth every single penny!

Sadly it isn't on Netflix but is included in Amazon prime to stream.

Can probably be found on less reputable websites, however.

Sweet. Amazon Prime I have.

And I think I am clear, viewing wise, tonight.

Depends if I decide to go on another Murder Hobo Rampage in Fallout 4

Midnight Meat Train
The Collector
The Collection (dat opening club scene! )
Slient Hill (pro-tip, play Tool's Aenima in the background for ambiance... trust me, works great).

I always liked The Relic. Don't know why, but it just clicked with me as far as horror movies go.




Also, for a true scare, I recommend Showgirl. Absolutely terrifying.

I'll second Midnight Meat Train. Superb primer for people looking to try World of Darkness roleplaying.

Silent Hill I enjoyed, and the sequel (albeit to a lesser degree).

The Relic is fun.

Watched Silence of the Lambs....good film, but I fear it's showing it's age?

Silence of the Lambs has not aged well at all. Well, not the parts with Anthony Hopkins, anyway.

I don't know if the Fly or the Fly 2 count, but they are both worth watching. The Fly 2 isn't as good overall, but that final comeuppance... Worth it.

 Just Tony wrote:



Also, for a true scare, I recommend Showgirl. Absolutely terrifying.

Is that a Scream2 reference?

 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
Silence of the Lambs has not aged well at all. Well, not the parts with Anthony Hopkins, anyway.

Really? Why? I think they hold up just as well, with maybe the exception of the liver and fava bean line due to overexposure.

I think SotL has suffered from being too iconic, too popular and influencing everything that came after it. It's like listening to Jimi Hendrix, unless you were there when it was new, it's hard to appreciate just how amazing it was without the avalanche of artists after that built on his genius.