07 - Great 21st Century Horror

Here we are in the new LizaMinnellium, and here are some of the movies that this era without a workable name has offered us.

NOTE: These are NOT the best. This is not an official Top Eleven List (that would just be weird) – they’re just good movies, and they’re in approximate date order rather than order of preference. Slashers later, blah blah, blah.

Ginger Snaps (2000) If there was ever a film that managed to sell the werewolf-as-sexual-maturation metaphor, this is it. Changes in body shape, hair in new places, new appetites awakening – it’s kind of obvious in many ways, so this film scores highly for making that work.

Dog Soldiers (2002 ) Another werewolf movie, this one very different to Ginger Snaps in almost every way. This one takes the “base under siege” concept of a group in a single location being attacked by outside forces, but with werewolves.

Cabin Fever (2002) A “who do you trust”/”enemy within” horror, but with a flesh-eating virus in place of demonic possession or alien invasion. Plus, ick.

Hostel (2005) Great film, terrible trailer. It should set up the trap the kids fall into, the balancing the dream of the hostel filled with sexually liberated and available Eastern European women with the nightmare of the torture that it leads to. Establish happiness, show that the happiness will be taken away. No wonder ordeal horror gets labelled as “torture porn “ if the torture aspect is used as the main selling point.

Severance (2006) This is more like it. Here are some people, here’s what they’re up to – and here’s what we’re going to put them through. Yes, Danny Dyer, but on the other hand, Andy Nyman.

Wrong turn 2 (2007) I wasn’t overly impressed with the first film in this series, but this one really worked for me. I love the setup, and Henry Rollins is just amazing.

Trick 'r Treat (2007) If you’ve not seen this one, you’ve missed out. An anthology of horror stories, but intermingled like Pulp Fiction or Short Cuts. A modern classic. I’m not sure if the recently announced sequel fills me with joy or dread – could a sequel live up to this?

Frozen (2010)

I’m not using slasher movies so Hatchet is out, but here’s another Adam Green film instead. It’s a different kind of survival horror, straddling the thriller/horror borderline.

F (2010) As a British horror movie set in a school with kids as the villains, this would probably make an interesting double-bill with Unman, Wittering and Zigo – though it’s very different.

Kill List (2011) A very different take on the hitman movie, with a bleak yet inevitable ending. If you only know Michael Smiley as Tyres from Spaced, this will be a revelation.

Cabin in the Woods (2012) Again, a film you really need to see, and the less you know about it going in the better. Deconstruction is a frequently-used term, but this is an incredible writing exercise – it takes the modern horror movie apart, shows you what all the pieces are and what they do. If I had any complaint, it’s that the surprise cameo at the end would be so much better served by a different person in the role – one who I must assume was offered the part.

06 - Great Nineties Horror

In a move that will shock absolutely nobody (because that’s how many people are reading this), I’ve moved on to the nineties. A word of warning for this one: I’ve not actually revisited all of these, so I’m going on my memories of what I liked at the time. Sorry if my younger taste offends.

NOTE: These are NOT the best. This is not an official Top Six List (Though it’s good enough) – they’re just good movies, and they’re in approximate date order rather than order of preference. Still actively avoiding slashers, saving them for later.

 

Misery (1990) That said, I think I’m safe with this one. It’s not as close an adaptation as Rosemary’s Baby, but it certainly captures a lot of the spirit of the book and is well worth watching if you’ve somehow not seen it yet.

Tremors (1990) If you want to be picky it’s a monster action comedy, but I’m more than happy to give this one a horror nod. A small Nevada town comes under attack from giant burrowing monsters, and the townsfolk fight back.

Man Bites Dog (1992) Again, if you’re being picky, dark comedy crime mockumentary. A documentary film crew follows a serial killer around as he commits various murders, getting more and more involved as the film plays out.

The Prophecy (1995) A civil war between angels erupts on the earth. Starring Christopher Walken as the archangel Gabriel and featuring Viggo Mortensen as Lucifer. Is that not enough for you?

Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1996) Apart from the appearance of the Crypt Keeper, this has precious little to do with the Tales from the Crypt TV series or the original EC comics. The occupants of a boarding house battle an army of demons. I’d still love to see a sequel.

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) I envy anyone who got to see this one without being spoiled beforehand, expecting just a hostage/road movie. If this trailer is anything to go by, I doubt many were that lucky.

 

Actually, if you ditch Misery and Man Bites Dog, this would probably make a good night's horror viewing. You can watch them some other time if you like, I won't mind. 

05 - Great Eighties Horror

You’ve watched the trailers for sixties and seventies horror, so to nobody’s surprise we move onto the eighties. I make no apology for the mainstream nature of these choices again.

NOTE: These are NOT the best. This is not an official Top Six List (why would you do a top six?) – they’re just good movies, and they’re in approximate date order rather than order of preference. I’ve also avoided slasher movies again, as they’ll get their own entry later.

An American Werewolf in London (1981) Not much to say about this one – if you haven’t seen it, please see it. If you’ve not seen it, and the trailer isn’t enough, come back later in the month for a longer list.

The Thing (1982) Is this a remake, or is it a re-adaptation? No, it’s a horror movie with a great story and incredible special effects. That’s all that matters.

Videodrome (1983) How eighties is that trailer? Again, it’s Cronenberg being Cronenberg, this time with added Debbie Harry, and also James Woods and his belly vagina slot.

Gremlins (1984) Comedy horror is still horror, especially when it hits both targets so well. This is my favourite Christmas movie, by the way.

The Fly (1986) See the comments from The Thing above, and add in Cronenberg being Cronenberg, Geena Davis being Geena Davis, and Jeff Goldblum being very, very Jeff Goldblum.

The Monster Squad (1986). Yes, it’s a kids' movie. It’s a kids' movie with one of the best werewolves ever. It takes the classic Universal monsters, and makes them fit into the eighties without warping them beyond recognition.

04 - Great Seventies Horror

Yesterday’s sixties rundown was a little sparse. Today’s is decidedly less so.

I bring you... the seventies! So many great little warped and grimy horror movies in this decade. I’ve gone mostly for the more obscure titles, and for the early part of the decade.

NOTE: These are NOT the best. This is not an official Top Seven List (who the hell would do a top seven?) – they’re just good movies, and they’re in approximate date order rather than order of preference. I’ve also avoided slasher movies, they’ll get their own entry later.

Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly (1970) If it’s warped horror you’re after, this is a fine place to start – watch a “family” of freaks deal with a new friend. In the USA, it’s called Girly.

Unman, Wittering and Zigo (1971) I couldn’t find the trailer for this one, so you’ll have to settle for the entire movie instead. Psychopathic schoolkids and the wonderful David Hemmings.

 

 

Death Line (1972) Shown here under the US title Raw Meat, this one really has to be seen. If An American Werewolf in London didn’t put you off using the London Underground, this one will.

The Flesh and Blood Show (1972) A mysterious killer bumping off young actors in a run-down theatre. Plus, boobies. If you haven’t yet sampled the “delights” of Pete Walker, make this your first.

The Wicker Man (1973) What hasn’t been said about this movie? It’s a neo-realist gothic sci-fi epic set in 14^th century Palestine, starring Derek Nimmo as Caligula's shoe. Nobody’s said that about it before.

Vampyres (1974) If it’s lesbian vampires you’re after, forget Hammer. This is the movie for you. Both this and Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly are filmed in and around Oakley Court - which will probably stop you from forgetting Hammer...

Shivers (1975) Pure Cronenberg weirdness abounds as the occupants of  an apartment building are turned into sex-crazed maniacs. Once you know that this was filmed as Orgy of the Blood Parasites, it all becomes very clear.