By Geno McGahee
It’s that time of year again. Scared Stiff is stepping up and bringing you the 7th annual Scared Stiff Halloween Picks. Our goal here, as always, is to present something unique rather than the typical horror movies that you see others suggesting. We could throw out EXORCIST or SCREAM, but we want to focus on things that may just be overlooked.
Some of these you may have heard of. Some you may not have. I hope that I can introduce you to something new. Here are the 2014 Scared Stiff Halloween Picks!
Scarecrow (2013)
When you think SyFy, you don’t immediately think good movie. They sort of specialize in the bad movie and they take great pride in it. With SCARECROW, they elected to produce a serious horror entry with some terrible CGI, but the movie still proved to be entertaining. If you’re looking for the traditional scarecrow killer in this, you won’t find it, but you will find some amusing moments and an honest attempt by Syfy to make a good horror movie.
Alien Abduction (2014)
I’m not a huge fan of found footage films, but IFC has picked up a great title. ALIEN ABDUCTION is scary and interesting and brings forth some mean aliens and great atmosphere. Very few films hit the mark like this one and all other alien horror films of recent note pale in comparison. It is found footage done right. It made sense why they were taping everything, which is missing in most of these films.
All Hallows’ Eve (2013)
A surprising indie anthology with a terrifyingly fun clown. ALL HALLOWS’ EVE was a refreshing film, using a dark atmosphere, some backstory, and great character development to bring forth a memorable collection of horror stories, all tied to each other with the evil clown being the recurring character. This film was just outstanding.
Cherry Falls (2000)
An obscure whodunit/slasher, CHERRY FALLS features a neat backstory about a rape and cover up, which has given birth to a woman with a mean streak. It is very SCREAM-influenced, but it still has its own vibe and brings a hilarious conclusion that made this film a standout among SCREAM-like films that came after.
Hack-O-Lantern (1988)
The great days of SOV (Shot on Video). HACK-O-LANTERN is so ridiculously over the top and absurd. It ties together heavy metal music and the devil himself in this whodunit/slasher film. There is plenty of T&A and memorable characters, many of which are great suspects leading into the memorably conclusion. This film could be classified as “so bad it’s good,” but damn is it good…and bad, I guess.
Shocker (1989)
OK, SHOCKER was mainstream…sort of. I’m adding SHOCKER out of pure guilt. For years, I had put down this horror entry as stupid and worthless, but after watching it ten dozen times, I finally got it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have since changed my mind about it’s worth. SHOCKER is absurd and silly, but if you go into it knowing that, you are going to have a great time. And you can’t beat the soundtrack either.
DEATH GAME (1977)
Only in the 1970s. What a special time for film in general, but the disturbing horror movies were the thing. In DEATH GAME, we have two hot chicks that show up at a married man’s house when he’s alone and they won’t leave. It becomes a torture/home invasion film to remember, much like FUNNY GAMES. It is disturbing and effective and the perfect way to get some tension going.
Zipperface (1992)
Oh, how I love ZIPPERFACE. Yes, it’s low budget and yes, it’s not going to change the world, but it may change how you perceive men in leather masks. It’s a hilarious whodunit that is so incredibly overdramatic that it plays out like a horror soap opera. I found myself laughing every scene. If you are a fan of over the top acting, this is your film.
Deep in the Woods (2000)
A beautifully shot slasher is DEEP IN THE WOODS. It’s just really strange, but the pure beauty of the film sets it apart from other slashers. An old rich man gathers a bunch of actors together to put on a play for his son when somebody dressed like the big, bad wolf shows up and starts killing people. It’s very strange at times, but, in the end, I walked away very happy that I watched it.
The Haunting of Rebecca Verlaine (AKA – Garden of Love)(2003)
OK, this is a fun film about a woman that had her family viciously murdered and she is forced to live with it, but she also has the spirits of the dead demanding revenge, leading to a mystery of sorts. Well, the movie is very well-paced and enjoyable and it has its share of creepy moments and great locations, leading to a very memorable ending…one that I kept rewinding and watching again. THE HAUNTING OF REBECCA VERLAINE is a winner.
Dead of Winter (1987)
A mystery/thriller with plenty of tension, DEAD OF WINTER brings together all the elements that you would want in a horror film. There is great writing, great acting, notable actors and actresses, and great pacing. The mystery really does consume you as you watch this and as the bad guys start to get exposed, you start to root for the captive to escape. This film is just so well done and intense.
City of Panic (1987)
A very strange film concerning homophobia and a masked killer taking out gay dudes. I wasn’t sure that CITY OF PANIC would appeal to me, but it is hilariously absurd and has some of the greatest lines in any film. One of the detectives goes to a gay guy that was in a bathroom stall looking for love and says “You want to get your pee pee grabbed?!” They had to kick him off the case because of his hatred. It’s a great flick with a few twists and turns. If it’s entertaining it’s good and this is entertaining.
Click, the Calendar Girl Murders (1990)
OK, this one may not be for everyone, but when you have a killer in drag and a line like “you hold that gun like you hold a limp dick,” I have to recommend it. We have a bunch of models at a shoot and a transvestite nurse on the warpath, killing every girl in sight. It’s a whodunit, I guess, but it’s predictable, but despite that, it’s so ridiculous that you’ll have a great time watching it.
Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things (1973)
This film doesn’t get the credit it deserves. It is often overlooked and mismarked as a “horror/comedy”, when it is a flat out horror film. It’s strange and it’s creepy, and the dialogue is unique, but it makes sense. A group of stage actors go to an island where they buried the criminally insane to do a satanic ritual to raise the dead. They actually do it and have to battle off crazy zombies. This film is tremendous and definitely influenced THE EVIL DEAD.
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