Halloween Movie Guide 2014
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Popularizing the “found-footage” style present in recent productions like Cloverfield and Quarantine, this film terrified audiences with its gritty production and playing on the imagination. It’s simple but effective use of props, the terrifying psychological assaults, and the unseen nature of the film crew’s stalker is one of the reasons as to why this is one of the most successful independent movies of all time.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Tobe Hooper’s classic slasher film popularized the distinct features of the horror sub-genre, namely, the use of a common power tool for gory slayings and a horrifying brute that pursues his victims with fierce tenacity. The movie was remade in 2003 though the original still stands a monumental title in the history of horror films.
Saw (2004)
An independent horror film that explored the morality of a diabolical man whose murder victims are people deemed unappreciative of life and must go through torturous puzzle traps to survive the game. While the acting is not that good, the movie makes up for it by strapping viewers down with an intense thriller-horror experience.
28 Days Later (2002)
Acclaimed British director Danny Boyle busted the zombie cliché with this postapocalyptic horror film and gave a refreshing new look on the subject through its focus on the human condition and social-political issues in the aftermath of a devastating epidemic. Its gritty film style set in the quarantined island of Great Britain changed zombies from the mindless and slow paced corpses to fast moving humans overtaken by a virus that consumes them with bloodlust.
The Mist (2007)
While not perfectly executed, The Mist is a notable Stephen King adaption that stands well on its own two feet. It’s a story that puts audiences in the position of being more fearful of the inhabitants inside the supermarket turned prison than the strange monsters outside. Religious tones glide over the top of the plot and morals are put into question when decisions have to be made amongst the growing tension between restless shoppers.
Begotten (1990)
Notorious for its film style where each minute of film took about 10 hours to produce it’s two-tone black and white style, Begotten is an experimental film tip toeing on the edge of surrealism. It indirectly tells the story of Genesis through horrifying visuals and little amounts of sound. Because of its strange and fringe nature, this is one of those films where you’ll either like it or hate it profusely.
Poltergeist (1982)
With a reboot in the works for 2015, it’s worth checking back on the film that sparked urban legends surrounding its production and is remembered as a classic of the genre. The film portrayed a family bond amidst a supernatural crisis triggered by their house that was built over a cemetery.
Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Though not necessarily horror, the film does take a lot of elements from the genre. Blending horror with crime fiction, this film draws upon some of the vilest serial killers and creates an atmosphere that leaves you at the edge of your seat. The film’s notorious character, Hannibal Lecter, makes his mark.
Popularizing the “found-footage” style present in recent productions like Cloverfield and Quarantine, this film terrified audiences with its gritty production and playing on the imagination. It’s simple but effective use of props, the terrifying psychological assaults, and the unseen nature of the film crew’s stalker is one of the reasons as to why this is one of the most successful independent movies of all time.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Tobe Hooper’s classic slasher film popularized the distinct features of the horror sub-genre, namely, the use of a common power tool for gory slayings and a horrifying brute that pursues his victims with fierce tenacity. The movie was remade in 2003 though the original still stands a monumental title in the history of horror films.
Saw (2004)
An independent horror film that explored the morality of a diabolical man whose murder victims are people deemed unappreciative of life and must go through torturous puzzle traps to survive the game. While the acting is not that good, the movie makes up for it by strapping viewers down with an intense thriller-horror experience.
28 Days Later (2002)
Acclaimed British director Danny Boyle busted the zombie cliché with this postapocalyptic horror film and gave a refreshing new look on the subject through its focus on the human condition and social-political issues in the aftermath of a devastating epidemic. Its gritty film style set in the quarantined island of Great Britain changed zombies from the mindless and slow paced corpses to fast moving humans overtaken by a virus that consumes them with bloodlust.
The Mist (2007)
While not perfectly executed, The Mist is a notable Stephen King adaption that stands well on its own two feet. It’s a story that puts audiences in the position of being more fearful of the inhabitants inside the supermarket turned prison than the strange monsters outside. Religious tones glide over the top of the plot and morals are put into question when decisions have to be made amongst the growing tension between restless shoppers.
Begotten (1990)
Notorious for its film style where each minute of film took about 10 hours to produce it’s two-tone black and white style, Begotten is an experimental film tip toeing on the edge of surrealism. It indirectly tells the story of Genesis through horrifying visuals and little amounts of sound. Because of its strange and fringe nature, this is one of those films where you’ll either like it or hate it profusely.
Poltergeist (1982)
With a reboot in the works for 2015, it’s worth checking back on the film that sparked urban legends surrounding its production and is remembered as a classic of the genre. The film portrayed a family bond amidst a supernatural crisis triggered by their house that was built over a cemetery.
Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Though not necessarily horror, the film does take a lot of elements from the genre. Blending horror with crime fiction, this film draws upon some of the vilest serial killers and creates an atmosphere that leaves you at the edge of your seat. The film’s notorious character, Hannibal Lecter, makes his mark.
