G-S-T Top 10 – Flicks for Halloween

While the “Horror genre” is not my cup of tea, there are some films that I really enjoy watching. They are well done and really scare the crap out of me which is just what you’d want from a Halloween flick right? It’s not that I like horror films but each of these on this list have a quality content which puts them (severed) “head and shoulders” above the predictable, stereotypical and disposable slasher flicks. This time of year, I enjoy watching these films to get me in the Halloween mood. So to get us in the spirit for All Hallow’s Eve, I thought share my suggestions (in no particular order) with you all. FYI this is an revised list from last year.

Behold, the G-S-T Top 10 Flicks for Halloween:

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Dawn of the Dead – This remake from 300 superstar Zack Snyder is light-years beyond the original. Making great use of the new ‘Olympic sprinter’ breed of zombie started with Danny Boyle in 28 Days Later and while it now populate all 21st century zombie flicks, Snyder was one of the first to be on the ground floor. This film helped the resurgence in zombies popularity (not that it really went away) and also really really scary. Now I’ve seen the original, but after this testosterone injected overhaul, can you avid fans of the original really admit to still liking zombies that look like melted crayons when you have this powerhouse ‘zead’ film? Kai, this is one time I’ll side with you on the OSZ variety. Plus when you have long-time Romero collaborator/effects god Tom Savini plus the original cast making cameos, how can you not just love this movie?

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The Devil’s Rejects -Rob’s House of 1000 Corpses was just as terrible as anything Uwe Boll could come up with but to it’s credit, it tried to pay homage to all the horror movies of the 60’s and 70s that made sense to absolutely no one.  However this follow-up/sequel film is such a solid horror movie that people call this “The Terminator of horror films” and for damn good reason.  While this makes you cringe and want to turn away, you’ll find it very hard to do so.  For as horrific as it is, it is just well acted and shot, has one stunningly great ending (set to Freebird!) and is set to the finest collection of 70’s folk music I’ve ever heard.

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The Exorcist – Do you really need me to write anything more?? Didn’t think so…

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Shaun of the Dead – Honestly, I could watch this any day of the week and I don’t need Halloween as a reminder to re-watch this classic. Hell, it’s the reason I have this movie on my phone – for anytime, anywhere Shaun. This is the more humorous and light-hearted (but still replete with gore and surprises) entry to the zombie genre. It’s probably the best thing to happen to zombie films since George A. Romero himself, and that says a lot! And as a little bonus click here for a sweet pencil sketch of Shaun and Ash (from Army of Darkness) going to town on some baddies.

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[Rec] – Techinally the only non-zombie movie to make the list but it deserves to be here because it’s just badass in all respects. It’s creepy, legitimately scary and amazing as the film is shot in continuous 4 to 5 minute scenes. That brings a realism to the film that makes it that much more intense.

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The Frighteners – Peter Jackson’s pre Lord of the Rings film that combines his passion for horror with otR film is one of my dear favorites. Blending the right amount of humor amongst a very creepy plot, this horror film needs to be seen by more people. Inventive, original, great (even today) pioneering CGI and best of all, one of Michael J. Fox’s best films. And as a bit of trivia for you film fans this is a Robert Zemeckis production so it’s kind of like a quasi BTTF reunion:)

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Sleepy Hollow -Tim Burton’s take on the old fairy tale and one I think deserves a little more recognition. Mr. Morbid hit the nail on the head with this one and with his impressive cast (all but Ricci) makes this Burton film nearly a screen treasure. Plus Christopher Walken as the Headless Horsemen is such an oddly funny choice that it works.

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The Haunting in Connecticut – There have been “haunted house” films before and most people you ask will hold that The Amityville Horror sets the standard. But to me, I believe this entry to this sub-genre has been the best attempt to take that top spot. Its a little dumb and slow but still pretty damn creepy and is better than Amityville imo. Also the fact that it is based on real events (for real this time) makes this one chilling flick. Plus I’m glad to see any film with Elias Koteas.

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Trick ‘r Treat – I just saw this not too long ago and found it incredibly refreshing.  Kind of a throwback to the Creepshow films with the smaller plots but well structured with how they all overlapped each other.  One of the horror genre’s most anticipated and finest additions in my opinion.  Chalk it up to being a Bryan Singer/Bad Hat Harry Production I guess:)  This slick flick should be an example to all horror filmmakers of how to do it right -not all gore and try to have some fun with it. That way we won’t have to endure anymore stooopid slasher films that are just terrible and make the whole genre look bad. Kudos to the filmmakers and even more to those committed souls helping this film get this finally released.

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Night of the Living Dead – Since we started with zombies, I thought it was fitting to end with zombies.  It must be said that any mention of Shaun merits the mention of the legendary inceptor itself.  But like The Exorcist, does this really need a description from me to tell you how great this classic really is?? Black and white and moody is just as scary as full color and buckets of blood. Annnnd not to brag but after meeting Romero I have even more respect for him and his films.

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HONORABLE MENTION:

White Noise – Now Michael Keaton is really the only thing saving this film. It had a cool premise and the fact that EVP (supposedly a real science) records ghost voices, I’d say that  anything that is real and scary is really scary. It’s worth a look but then again I’m a sucker for Michael Keaton.

While I’m at it, (if you can’t already tell from some of the above) I love Zombies, and although I do have to call out two more deserving flicks as honorable mentions. Robert Rodriguez’ wonderful B-Movie PLANET TERROR and Danny Boyle’s ultra-intense 28 DAYS LATER. They just missed the list because they aren’t technically really Zombies but they’re still respectively fun and frightening as hell. But taking a look at the list above, if we start today (watching one every couple of days) we can finish up by Halloween. Anyone like those listed above?? Anyone have any suggestions they want to pass along…love to hear them!!