It’s that unlucky time of year again when the number thirteen happens to coincide with Friday. For those of you who haven’t had their fill of horror, why not try these movie suggestions? There’s more than a few scares on this list.
13. Halloween: The winning formula includes Jamie Lee Curtis, daughter of Janet Leigh (Psycho), a slasher called Michael Myers and John Carpenter (god of film awesomeness). And who can forget that classic synth score?
12. The Orphanage: The Spaniards certainly know their horror. Plugged by Guillermo del Toro, it has all the classic elements: haunted house, creepy kid, paranormal detectives. I guarantee you will jump in this movie! The boy with a sack on his head is a particularly freaky, if low budget, costume.
11. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: If you like chainsaws and Texas cannibals, why not watch this bloodbath? Would you believe the director originally aimed for a PG rating? Tell him he’s dreaming!
10. Shawn of the Dead: For those of you with girlfriends/boyfriends who can’t handle horror. A romantic comedy with zombies, Shaun of the Dead is the greatest rom com zom ever made. Simon Pegg takes down the undead with a cricket bat and a hangover.
9. The Omen: Creepy kid = The Devil, but they just can’t quite believe it. Didn’t anyone tell them that the devil always takes the form of creepy children? Just check the your kids for any discriminating birthmarks before you release them into the world. Great shot with a goldfish bowl.
8. The Birds: An oldie but a goodie. It might not be as scary as some of the films on this list but when the guy gets his eyes pecked out in the phone booth… Filmmaking genius.
7. Nightmare on Elm St: A young Johnny Depp is not all that is appealing about this horror classic. Just don’t go to sleep… he’s waiting for you. Gotta love that tagline: “If Nancy doesn’t wake up screaming she won’t wake up at all.”
6. Saw I (et al.): I say et al because they just keep getting scarier. I couldn’t watch the third one. Eep. Watch out for the scene with the camera flash. And if you’re really rich, go and see Saw VI at the movies.
5. The Ring: If you watch the video, you die! ‘But I’m watching the video,’ you say. ‘Hang on… I’m going to die!’ This film brilliantly manipulates the process of watching into the horror of the film. Naomi Watts adds a convincing performance to an otherwise supernatural setting.
4. The Shining: Never has there been a more brilliantly shot horror film, as we watch the young boy pedal along endless corridors, filled with labyrinthine carpet. A film that sparked many great likes such as “Heeeeeere’s Johnny!” or “No beer and no TV make Homer go… crazy? Don’t mind if I do!”
3. Psycho: We’re talking the original here, not the remake. Make sure you’ve showered before watching the film. Critics loved and loathed the film equally, but it didn’t stop it from becoming one of the most highly regarded horror films of all time. One of the main concerns for the censors was the flushing toilet in the opening scene, as this was unheard of in the 1960s. True story.
2. The Exorcist: One of the spookiest films of all time. Creepy kid + The Devil = Freaky head-turning body-twisting terror. ‘Nuff said.
1. Friday 13th: Well it was bound to be obvious. The classic tale of naughty camp counsellors being punished for their frivolities which sparked the splatter genre. You might start wondering why all these teens are so dumb, but at you get to see an early Kevin Bacon killed in a very creative manner. The perfect Friday 13th movie.
What’s your favourite Friday 13th movie? Do you disagree with this list? Let me know in the comments section below.
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