*A side note - I'm shying away from most well known classics such as Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, Evil Dead etc. So, grab your leg warmers, throw on a Cure cd and read on for the goodies. P.S. don't forget the Aquanet....
10) Terror Train - Jamie Lee Curtis stars, fresh off her turn in Halloween as one of many students trapped on a moving train with a murderous psychopath. While this movie certainly isn't anything revolutionary, it does at least change the setting from typical "kids in trouble" slasher fare. They also use the confined location to create a nice atmospheric tension. Plus, there's a fun (if far fetched) twist at the end. Definitely worth checking out one night if you're looking for something different.
9) Hell Night - This movie gives us a grown up Linda Blair of Exorcist fame, starring as a new college student hoping to get into the popular sorority house. In order to get in, her and several other hopefuls must spend the night in a supposedly haunted house. Of course the house has been rigged to scare the hell out of them and it works wonders. That is, until the real lunatics show up and start picking them off one by one. This movie is chock full of plot holes and horrible logic, but it's still a damn fun watch. Plus the scene in the bedroom is pretty damn creepy. Keep your eye on the carpet.....
8) Slumber Party Massacre - Standard setup here: Four friends have a slumber party and a maniac breaks in and stalks them. Whats cool here is the fact that it's an ordinary unmasked man. He's simply a maniac, no other motive needed. His weapon of choice is a rather large drill which is a nice change from the stock butcher knife or machete. There are some moments of dread but it plays mostly as a comedy much the way Evil Dead 2 did. Worth a watch with a bowl of popcorn and some friends.
7) The Burning - This movie has it all. Makeup by Tom Savini, original character, nice kills and a young Jason Alexander... It also appeared on the infamous Video Nasty list, earning it's place for the vicious raft massacre scene. The story sees young campers being hunted by a disgruntled and deformed former caretaker but trust me, it's more original than it sounds. Seriously, do yourselves a favor and SEE THIS MOVIE! In my opinion, it's better than it's other peer set in a summer camp.... (I know, bring on the hate)
6) Cannibal Holocaust - This is with out a doubt one of the best of the eighties. It would have placed higher on the list, but I consider it more of a suspense flick than horror. Story sees a professor go in search of a missing documentary crew who was researching a cannibal tribe. He finds only their footage and remains and the results are indeed horrifying. This also landed on the Video Nasty list as it depicts actual animal death as well as supposed un-simulated sex. Certainly a gruesome movie and for die hard, strong stomached people, I recommend watching it even if it's only once...
5) Maniac! - This movie stars the underrated Joe Spinell as the titular maniac. He's a photographer with mommy issues who kills women to gain a measure of revenge against his mother. The effects are done by Tom Savini and boy do they deliver (particularly the shotgun to head scene.) The gore here is fantastic, the acting is top notch and this is a truly disturbing movie. If you like your horror to be realistic, this one's for you
4) C.H.U.D.- A solid B- movie if ever there was one. Rife with solid performances but cheesy dialogue and a plethora of unintentionally comedic moments, CHUD sees the homeless being taken out by our underground cannibals. The atmosphere is creepy, the leads are all likable and boy is there slime to be had! This is one of the most enjoyable cult classics out there. The sequel..... not so much.... still, rent this one!
3) Return Of The Living Dead - Personally one of my fave "dead" titles. While it's not as obscure as some titles here, I like it, so too bad! Anyhow, the dead once again roam the earth after being released by two hapless employees who thaw out a zombie from the original movie. All hell ensues. This movie is a phenomenal time. It's a fun ride with likable characters, great effects and the perfect blend of humor and horror which is so hard to master. Everything from the sexy Punk Rock Striptease in the graveyard to the "tar man" zombie, this movie is a must watch. It's one you truly won't grow tired of.
2) Visiting Hours - This movie sounds like Halloween II on paper but is a must see. Here we have a mad man murderer/potential rapist who attacks an anchor woman. After she escapes his clutches and is rushed to the hospital, he follows her there and torments her and the nurses non stop. What really elevates this one to this position, for me, is the performances and realism. Every character is believable and we truly feel for our leading lady. Plus, the villain is played by the incomparable Michael Ironside who is criminally underrated. There are moments reminiscent of Jack Nicholson at his crazy best, but make no mistake, Ironside owns this role and makes it his own. His icy demeanor and commanding presence take his character way above the typical disposable slasher typically seen in this kind of movie.
1) Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer - What to say about this movie....? It's loosely based on the tale of real life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas. It shows his demise into lunacy unflinchingly. He and his buddy Otis do what they want to whomever they please, and even Otis' sister isn't safe. This movie is violent, no doubt. But more disturbing are the amazing performances. Michael Rooker, (who is tremendous in all his roles) nails the role of Henry. He gives a menacing, violent Molotov cocktail personality to Henry, while also showing him struggle with his violent nature. We truly get a real look inside the head of a maniac and even see him try to have a normal life and relationship, albeit with disastrous results. This truly is one of the most disturbing movies I've seen and I recommend any horror fan check this out. It is way above all the other slasher/psycho fare and still holds up today. This is horror for the thoughtful person who enjoys some substance, and it truly shows why horror deserves more respect than it gets and proves that there is indeed an art to the genre. I implore you to see this film. It is amazing.
Well, that's it folks! I hope this gives you some ideas for some genre films you maybe haven't heard of and inspires you to seek them out. Anything you felt I missed? Leave your faves in the comment section and let's turn some genre fans onto some underrated gems!
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