Not Reviews Necessarily: Gateways Into Horror - MORE Personal Favorites in the Genre

The Grudge (2004) - I know the American version of The Grudge has had a lot of poor reviews, I find its use of terror seen in the eyes of various characters as a tool to arouse fear in the audience very clever.
Simply seeing emotions on someone's face can cause that same emotion in another person.
This movie pulls that off rather well with long shots on character's faces when something dark and terrifying is about to show itself. It's all in the eyes.
Despite poor reviews, I enjoyed this movie.

The Invisible Man (1933) - There's so much written about this monster movie. As the Invisible Man is considered a Universal Monster, like Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, and Gillman (aka The Creature from the Black Lagoon) I've often wondered why he's considered a monster based on the mere fact that he's invisible. The answer lies in his intentions.
For this era of movie making, the special effects are well done. This movie is dark and grim, sometimes humorous. Claude Rains as Dr. Jack Griffin (the chemist who discovers invisibility) is superb.
His monstrous nature arises from his desire to conquer the world, and do so by any means possible, leading to widespread of terror.

The Exorcist 3 (1990) - A lot has been said about The Exorcist (1973). When it comes to the sequels and its one prequel, the third is the only installment in the franchise that's compelling and scary, thanks primarily to Brad Dourif. He's the man who single-handedly made the third Exorcist movie the only good sequel.
Though the movie does drag a bit, the performances are great. Brad Dourif's performance especially really makes the movie. He puts everything he's got into it. And George C. Scott is great to see in this film. Scott is an actor I sorely miss altogether.
The intense exorcism at the end is perfect, and visually memorable.

Trick 'r Treak (2007) - I haven't found any horror movie yet that really utilizes the lore and traditions of Halloween as we know them today into a story.
The John Carpenter Halloween movies take place around the holiday, but Halloween isn't necessarily an integral part of the film's storyline.
Trick 'r Treat is an anthology movie, with separate tales that are all woven together.
The visuals work well, leaving me with an uneasy feeling. And the use of Halloween to tell each story is great. Just as I watch movies like A Christmas Story and It's a Wonderful Life during the holidays each year, I watch Trick 'r Treat every October 31.

The Stand (1994) - After the TV movie Salem's Lot (1979), I think Stephen King's TV miniseries, The Stand, is second best as it's compelling and entertaining.
Sure, the effects are a bit dated, but that...you know...what are you going to do? It is what it is.
It's long if you watch from beginning to end in one sitting. But it kept me interested right from the start. The characters are memorable. The storyline develops fairly well. And though this aired over several episodes, it doesn't really drag on.

The Witches (1990) - While this movie is a children's movie, it centers on witches so it fits well here. Based on the book by Roald Dahl, it delivers scary visual affects (thanks to magic of Jim Henson) wonderful make-up, great casting, fantastic story telling, and is the best Dahl story adaptation after Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971).
Angelica Houston plays the "Grand High Witch" - a role that couldn't have gone to anyone else. She went on to play Morticia Addams the following year in the movie The Addams Family. I wonder if she drew some creepy inspiration from her part in Witches. This movie is original, entertaining and chilling right from the beginning with no dull moments in between.

The Blob (1988) - Seldom are movie remakes both good and memorable. The remake of the 1958 SciFi/Horror movie The Blob is both.
While the original is good despite its B-movie feeling, and stars the legendary Steve McQueen, the remake delivers more in horror and terror.
I loved this movie, turning what could pass as a B-sci fi movie into an entertaining scarefest. It's a fun horror movie. Oh, and great horror effects!
Movie critic Leonard Maltin called it a needless remake. I call it a worthy one!






For more recommendations, click here: Personal Favorites in the Genre no.1