TOP 10 HALLOWEEN MOVIES by SEBASTIAN

So here they are, just in time for the holiday. Pick out one of these puppies and have a really shocking time this year on Halloween.

I’ve organized them by CLASSIC and CONTEMPORARY. Enjoy!

CLASSIC :

5. THE OMEN (1976) – Look for the those terrifying dogs, the anti-christ, and an impaling! Yikes! Also look for the only actor to make it onto this list in two different movies : David Warner. A classic chiller. You can never go wrong with chills when it comes to the son of the Devil.

4. POLTERGEIST – “They’re here….” Yup, those ghosts scared me a lot as a little kid. Some really effective tactics used in this one. I have heard rumor that producer Steven Spielberg may have co-directed on this one with Tobe Hooper. Watch the movie and it seems obvious.

3. THE EXORCIST – This film is truly terrifying, but it can be in the subtle scenes. Like the one where Megan is being examined for any physical ailments to explain her demonic personality. Its like director William Friedkin put some freaky spell on the audience and they can’t look away. Hypnotic and eerie as all get out.

2. PSYCHO – It’s AFI’s number one thriller of all time, shot in beautiful black and white. Alfred Hitchcock at the absolute top of his game. And the last scene is unforgettable.

1. HALLOWEEN – C’mon. You do the math. Micheal Myers, Dr Loomis, unsuspecting promiscuous teens, pumpkins, a butcher knife, knitting needles. Need I say more?

CONTEMPORARY :

5. EVENT HORIZON : Quite simply, “The Shining” meets “Hellraiser” in space. What more do you want?

4. THE RING : Fabulous adaptation of the original Japanese “Ringu”, “The Ring” surpasses it in all the technical aspects, as well as the creepy-crawlies. A truly scary premise, beautifully composed.

3. IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS : True entertainment = Sam Neil ( who I just realized is also on this list twice!) drawing crosses all over a padded cell and himself. The mere mention of the name Sudder Kane can give one the chills. Look for a cool cameo by Charlton Heston and David Warner. This is the third film in director John Carpenter’s apocalypse trilogy. The previous two were “The Thing” and “Prince of Darkness” respectively. All three are fantastic horror films.

2. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS – The movie that made cannibals popular at the Oscars. If you were lucky enough to see this thoroughly effective character study in the theaters, then you know the power of director Jonathan Demme’s close-ups throughout the Dr. Lector/Clarice exchanges. One of the best. Gives you nightmares though.

1. JACOB’S LADDER – The only masterpiece film-maker Adrienne Lynne has ever given us, there’s hardly a moment in this mind-shattering movie that won’t leave you haunted. Tim Robbins gives his best performance and supernatural entities writhe and squirm their way into your thoughts. This is the thinking man’s thriller, and it performs on all levels. A must see.

-Sebastian

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