Want a good scare? Try these!
Trick ‘R Treat (2007)
Four interwoven stories that occur on Halloween: An everyday high school principal has a secret life as a serial killer; a college virgin might have just met the one guy for her; a group of teenagers pull a mean prank; a woman who loathes the night has to contend with her holiday-obsessed husband.
This movie is one of my favorites for a lot of reasons, but I’ll spare you the bulk and boil it down to this: balance. Trick R’ Treat pays homage to anthology titles of old, by tying together 4 separate stories, and it does it well. There is dark humor, a little bit of spookiness, and the right amount of blood and gore.
A loan officer who evicts an old woman from her home finds herself the recipient of a supernatural curse. Desperate, she turns to a seer to try and save her soul, while evil forces work to push her to a breaking point.
If you haven’t seen this movie yet and you’re a horror movie lover, shame on you! Get to it. This Sam Raimi masterpiece was one of the few recent movies that really made me shiver. It is meant to be slightly funny, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously, which I loved. The visuals? Well let’s just say gore/gross out is a factor here.
Sam Raimi doesn’t just tell you a story, he grabs you and sucks you into the darkness.
Rec (2007)
REC urns on a young TV reporter and her cameraman who cover the night shift at the local fire station. Receiving a call from an old lady trapped in her house, they reach her building to hear horrifying screams — which begin a long nightmare and a uniquely dramatic TV report.
If you are thinking this sounds a lot like Quarantine, yep. In true American style, we stole this movie (literally shot for shot) from Rec. However if you get a chance, see this instead (or also). Rec is pure terror and suspense all wrapped up into a movie that will have you panting for breath.
Want something to keep you up at night? Here you go.
Mirrors (2008)
An ex-cop and his family are the target of an evil force that is using mirrors as a gateway into their home.
Yes, this was on my list last year, but you know what? It’s one of my all time favorites! It’s campy yes. Kind of funny at times yes. However it still never ceases to get my attention when it’s on. After all, how terrifying is it to think that seeing your reflection, something we do multiple times a day, might kill you? Atmospheric suspense draws you in to this movie. Watch out or you might find yourself sitting right up near the television.
Are you okay with blood and brutality? This one is probably for you.
Paranormal Activity (2007)
After moving into a suburban home, a couple becomes increasingly disturbed by a nightly demonic presence.
Okay who am I kidding. If you haven’t heard of this movie (or the two sequels) you must be living under a rock. That, however, does not negate how wonderfully chilling they really are.
In a world of werewolves, vampires and zombies, it’s not often a movie really really scares me anymore. This one? I couldn’t sleep at all after watching it. Demons are SCARY. Create a documentary (based on reality) about these demons?
I’m terrified and hooked. I’ve seen all 3.
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I also have to give a shout out to:
Night Watch (2004)
A fantasy-thriller set in present-day Moscow where the respective forces that control daytime and nighttime do battle.
This isn’t a horror movie per say, but it’s pretty gosh darn weird, creepy, and as the poster says “Cool as Hell!”. No seriously, it really is. If you’re a fan of vampires, this is a movie you need to see. You’ll have to read some subtitles, but trust me it’s so worth it. The battles in this movie are epic, and some of the scenes are so mind bending that you’ll just sit there and stare with your mouth open thinking… WHAT? Wrap that up in wonderfully written plot lines, and you’ve got me.
If you aren’t a fan of overly bloody deaths, welcome to your movie!
