The Greatest Horror Movie of all Time

[b.k. barunt]

One of the great, if not the greatest horror film of all time is virtually unknown to the public at large. I saw it once as a kid and it gave me weird dreams for years. The movie is "Freaks", and it was made as early as the 40s. Way ahead of its time and they used real live freaks, which made it offensive and quite disturbing to the general public to this day. You'll have a hard time finding it.


Honibaz

[Juan_Bottom]

What I don't understand, is how people cannot tell the difference between scary and gorey. Most modern gore-fests have no substance to them. Take out the gore and the film is completely boring. And some films there is no story just an excuse to show you blood and guts.
I didn't find house of 1000 corpses to be scary at all. I just thought it was gory and disquisting. It did at least have a plot... but not a scary one. If a film can creep or freak you out though, you've got a winner. Like how some people couldn't even take a shower after the JAWs movie came out. I suppose it was a bit creepy?
On a personal note though, I strongly feel that the future of slasher is all about point-of-view or over-the-shoulder camera shots. If I can quickly cut to a fresh perspective that has the killer dropping his axe on the audience... I can get them to scream. Over-the-shoulder is prolly better cause you keep the charactor in shot and can throw blood at the screen. Think about the Resident Evil games. The next great-great movie will have at least one of these kills in it....

One of the great, if not the greatest horror film of all time is virtually unknown to the public at large. I saw it once as a kid and it gave me weird dreams for years. The movie is "Freaks", and it was made as early as the 40s. Way ahead of its time and they used real live freaks, which made it offensive and quite disturbing to the general public to this day. You'll have a hard time finding it.


Honibaz

B.K. knows his stuff.
I don't know how scary it is compared to more modern films... audiences have been pretty de-sensitized. And yet they are pretty much asleep if they think films like Final Destination or SAW IV are scary. But I think it still has a major creep factor to it... {SEMI-SPOILER ALERT} that scene in the rain will get n00bs everytime! It's just freaking creepy... I can't imagine myself in that spot....

But I think that the coolest thing about the film is how you could NEVER re-make it today. You'd be sued or worse.
(for those of you who don't know, it takes place in a circus freak show.... it is a hugely and immensly cult film today)

Anyway, yeah Zombie definitely has a good grasp on the horror community. If you listen to/watch interviews with him it's pretty apparent that he knows his shit when it comes to the genre. Not that it doesn't show in his movies, but he's on top of things

I think that he's a good director... but not a director's director. He definitly has tried some cool stuff so don't get me wrong... but I thought that his last Holloween film was pretty predictable. I know that he didn't write it, but he's still the director. I didn't think that he toyed with the audience enough....

Good call with REC. I HAVEN'T SEEN IT: Just watching fori gets you big props in my book. I can't tell you the number of times that I've heard people say "I don't want to read, I want to enjoy a movie." It's knuckle-heads like that that are the reason my local video rental stores only care American blockbusters.


No one has even mentioned Nosferatu.... A good copy of this film is not black and white, more like orange and white. Silent... with the lead and supporting roles all waaaay over-acting... but then comes Nosferatu... slow... no sudden movements or expression... harshly contrasting to the people around him... Sometimes he doesn't even look like he is moving... and the film makes it hard to tell anyway....

I believe this film is public domain now(FREE). Originaly shot as a rip-off of the Dracula book, but the director couldn't get permission to use the story... so the film was locked away and forgetten for some time....
Fricken' creepy movie I'll tell ya. No messy gore,... no one jumps out and screams.... Just a slow and methodical monster.


I seriously cannot watch psycho now without imagining Arnold S as Norman Bates..... I ruined it for myself.

[lgoasklucyl]

Well, since I don't feel like quoting, I'll simply address statements as I go along and with no order to my chaos

First of all Freaks. This movie was great (and I'm pretty sure is public domain). My girlfriend's mother turned me onto this movie, and I've probably seen it three or so times. The fact that something so creepy was created (and allowed!) in the 1940s (though, tolerance wasn't exactly too big for such people back then, so 'human rights' weren't a big hoo-ah; see: 'homosexuality as a psychological disorder' ). Anyway, yeah, props for mentioning this.

Onto Nosferatu: classic. I own the newest DVD release of it, and watch it at least twice a year Trouble is finding people who will watch b&w/silent films with my level of enjoyment.

On this same note, if you haven't seen the German Vampyr (1932) (the Criterion release is GREAT), you truly must. EVERYONE who appreciates old horror and incredibly innovative movies should see it. It puts Tim Burton to shame with its darkness, and is unheard of for the time it was done.

Onto Rec and foreign films: I LOVE foreign films, and don't ever mind reading. I've watched more foreign films (not only horror) that I've enjoyed so much more than what this country has released as of late. Anyone who doesn't mind reading, check out Let the Right One In. That movie is poetic in its brilliance.

Zombie as a director: While he's not a great director, he has merit on multiple grounds. One, he uses incredibly interesting and unique edits that have seldom been utilized. To be able to create unique cuts in todays cinema shows he has something to contribute that definitely makes him very worthy, especially in comparison with modern horror directors. Finding someone today who can consistently make decent horror is next to impossible. Romero has been keeping up (redundant, though he keeps up and still has some kick in him) and Aja top my list (for modern directors). Aja has had a flop or two, but knows his stuff.

Second, listen to interviews with Zombie. He knows his horror and knows what audiences (especially genre nerds like myself) look for in todays cinema. If I was to go to the theater (or pick up a straight-to-dvd which is where a lot of horror ends up these days ) expecting old Spielberg or Hitchcock I would be disappointed in everything that I saw. Realizing that todays horror is an entirely different beast, I know not to expect the genius that used to exist in cinema and it really helps to enjoy and appreciate things more. Zombie's originality and balls (when the studio doesn't have them on a leash) rarely fail to impress me.

The 'new' slasher: See 'Argento'. He's not new, but his movies are exactly what you're referring to. He created and helped the 'Giallo' killer genre grow to kick some serious ass. This are the 'black glove' killer movies. Slightly over the edge for giallo movies (Argento), but he had it down to the t. I'm pretty sure 'Pieces' (82?) had a couple good over the shoulder kills.

I've learned to take my pretentious cap off when sitting through modern cinema. Really helps me to enjoy them a lot more

[GabonX]

One of the great, if not the greatest horror film of all time is virtually unknown to the public at large. I saw it once as a kid and it gave me weird dreams for years. The movie is "Freaks", and it was made as early as the 40s. Way ahead of its time and they used real live freaks, which made it offensive and quite disturbing to the general public to this day. You'll have a hard time finding it.


Honibaz

Honibaz

Is this it?:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 5089064433

[Timminz]

If I didn't know better, I would say that lgoasklucyl is a good friend of mine. But I know he doesn't play CC.

[TheProwler]

I didn't find house of 1000 corpses to be scary at all. I just thought it was gory and disquisting. It did at least have a plot... but not a scary one. If a film can creep or freak you out though, you've got a winner. Like how some people couldn't even take a shower after the JAWs movie came out. I suppose it was a bit creepy?

I agree that some stuff is not scary...just gory. But I did find House of 1000 Corpses scary because it is something that could easily happen. Jaws, while a good movie (some of the scenes in the boat were quite good), did not scare me at all. I mean, I live over a 10 hour drive to the nearest ocean.

Did anyone mention The Exorcist? That was scary when I was younger.

Same for The Amityville Horror. But maybe it was just because I was younger...?

Anyways, I've never seen The Shining, but I have it on my PVR....so that is probably the next Horror movie I watch.

[Timminz]

Anyways, I've never seen The Shining, but I have it on my PVR....so that is probably the next Horror movie I watch.

I would say the mini-series was better than the film. At least, it was truer to the book.

That said, the film scared me more than the mini-series. Although I was stranded in a hotel during a severe winter storm when I first saw it. The power went out about 30 seconds after the movie ended, and I was just a kid.

[lgoasklucyl]

That said, the film scared me more than the mini-series. Although I was stranded in a hotel during a severe winter storm when I first saw it. The power went out about 30 seconds after the movie ended, and I was just a kid.

This... is hands down the coolest thing I have EVER heard

While I appreciate the Exorcist for what it did and the lasting effect it's had, I was not frightened by it. I think a good deal of being frightened by that movie is having religious affiliation, which I have moved very far away from over time.

If I didn't know better, I would say that lgoasklucyl is a good friend of mine. But I know he doesn't play CC.

I hope this is a good thing

The Amityville Horror was a great movie. If you know what's good for you, STAY AWAY from the remake at all costs

With all of this said, the girlfriend and I are gunna grab a few beers and watch Dance of the Dead, one of the bigger sleeper hits among the horror community.

When I first heard the name I though "Oh for fucks sake they are really grasping at straws here...", but let me tell you... If you:
a. like horror movies at all
b. love genre movies and appreciate homages (ie: Shaun of the Dead type things, just not as obvious as the homages were in Shaun (a movie I've seen ~2,000 times ))
c. have graduated high school and can appreciate social commentary on cliques

you will LOVE this movie. It's hysterical and well done. It doesn't try to do anything a zombie movie shouldn't, and yet still succeeds IMMENSELY.

If anyone ever needs horror-genre recommendations, you can always come to me. Let me know the type of movie you're looking for (gory, suspenseful, confusing as balls, funny), typically within the horror genre (though I can do other genres, too ) let me know and I'll give it a stab.

Chances are I can come up with something you're yet to see

ps: By the 'mini-series' of The Shining are we referring to the more recent one? While it was definitely truer to the book, I stand 150% by Kubriks side.

I <3 him

[Timminz]

If I didn't know better, I would say that lgoasklucyl is a good friend of mine. But I know he doesn't play CC.

I hope this is a good thing

It is. One of the best friends I've ever had, is a HUGE horror buff, and your comments remind me of him.

[Neoteny]

I remember imagery from movies more than anything else for some reason. And, though I also recommending steering clear of it, the Amittyville remake did have one scene that stood out to me. There was a jump scene with a creepy Indian dude. He was all bleeding out the mouth and shivery. Good stuff. Unfortunately that was the high point of the movie.

The Shining; oh goodness. The original, with Nicholson was one of my favorites. One of the few King books to make a decent translation. Just spooky overall. My only complaint about the movie is that they casted Olive Oyl for Wendy.

Also, while I'm on Kubrick, Clockwork Orange is another of my faves, though it's not quite a horror movie...

[Juan_Bottom]

There was nothing scary about Dairy of the Dead. At all....

Zombie as a director: While he's not a great director, he has merit on multiple grounds. One, he uses incredibly interesting and unique edits that have seldom been utilized.

I don't know about "unique edits" or what that means to you. I don' thtink there is anything too special about any of the colors or music that he uses. He does use some nice camera work. But he edits his films in a way that makes it easy to follow... just not maybe easy to understand. But still, his shots can be considered artistic. House of 1000 Corpses has quite a few poster shots. Probably the most of anything he has done.

Second, listen to interviews with Zombie. He knows his horror and knows what audiences (especially genre nerds like myself) look for in todays cinema. If I was to go to the theater (or pick up a straight-to-dvd which is where a lot of horror ends up these days ) expecting old Spielberg or Hitchcock I would be disappointed in everything that I saw. Realizing that todays horror is an entirely different beast, I know not to expect the genius that used to exist in cinema and it really helps to enjoy and appreciate things more. Zombie's originality and balls (when the studio doesn't have them on a leash) rarely fail to impress me.

He knows what to do, because he is a horror dork too. His obsession with Japanese horror kinda knocks that truth outta the park. It's easy to get a pulse for it when you've watched more horror films than anyone else.
Also, genius that used to exist in cinema? Wha?

On this same note, if you haven't seen the German Vampyr (1932)

Anyways, I've never seen The Shining, but I have it on my PVR....so that is probably the next Horror movie I watch.

The Shining; oh goodness. The original, with Nicholson was one of my favorites. One of the few King books to make a decent translation. Just spooky overall. My only complaint about the movie is that they casted Olive Oyl for Wendy.

I saw it maybe... 4 years ago and I sincerly thought that it was boring. I won't go into it further though.

Dance of the Dead

A zombie flick that I have never heard of? It hasn't made any critic's lists....?

[jonesthecurl]

The difference between scary and gory is similar to the difference between erotic and pornographic.

I just spent several minutes thinking how to expand upon what I meant, and in the end decided what I just said will do.

[pimpdave]

The one below is a close second. Some scenes still make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when I see the film.

[Skittles!]

One of the great, if not the greatest horror film of all time is virtually unknown to the public at large. I saw it once as a kid and it gave me weird dreams for years. The movie is "Freaks", and it was made as early as the 40s. Way ahead of its time and they used real live freaks, which made it offensive and quite disturbing to the general public to this day. You'll have a hard time finding it.


Honibaz

I think I have that film! But I never opted to watch it. Now I think I may. Very interesting.

And - Yay, the Shining! Yay, Cube.

[lgoasklucyl]

Dance of the Dead

A zombie flick that I have never heard of? It hasn't made any critic's lists....?

While I don't have time to respond to all of your comments (at work) I can respond to this one quickly, lol.

I doubt highly that it made mainstream critic's lists. However, many genre fans put it in their top 3 for the year (most also included: All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, Repo: the Genetic Opera, Let the Right One In (a personal favorite in the vampire genre, etc...)

ALWAYS worth checking out.

[Shivas]

I'm not much into the slashers genre so I've never had much of a desire to pay my hard earned money for them. Nosferatu is a great movie. Good effects from an era where special effects where achieved with lighting, camera angles and editing (and no talking).

My favorite scariest was Alien. I saw it way back when it was a first run at a local movie house, not one of the mega-plexes now days. I couldn't find anyone to go with so I went solo and had a terrific time. It probably scared me out of my seat five or six times, made me toss my popcorn in the air twice, shoot cola out of my nose and I actually believe my socks rolled up and down ala the Three Stooges at least once. I got totally sucked into the false ending in the life-boat ship and practically pissed all over myself! When the credits rolled I felt like I just got off a major wooden roller coaster ... you know, kind of had that buzz on. Everybody got up and left and as I was leaving I noticed the next seating was already entering the theater. So I turned around a sat down again. Usually I like to park myself about two thirds of the way back in the middle but this time I moved all the way to the right wall half way back. I had a great view of most of the auditorium and of the next seating patrons.

Knowing what was coming and watching the effect on people was a hoot. Had just as much fun the second time watching the audience jumping out of their seats, throwing popcorn up in the air, shooting cola through their noses ....

And that's why Alien is my favorite.

[Neoteny]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa7ck5mcd1o&e

lol?

[TheProwler]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa7ck5mcd1o&e

lol?

Does Debby Gibson really have a giant octopussy?

I'd want to see it....

[Kid_A]

have you ever been forced to watch this?!?!

[Juan_Bottom]

Neither Silence of the Lambs nor The Shining nor alien scared me. They were supposed to be horror films?

[Neoteny]

Not Lambs, in my opinion, though I still think it's good. Alien is borderline, but still counts imo. The Shining is more of the suspenseful type, but stands as a kind of standard for the genre. The horror genre has evolved since then, so the scare factor is not the same as it is currently.

[Juan_Bottom]

I should say, the Wizard of Oz bit was not my own original idea. But I don't know where it came from.


But I think whatever film end up taking the crown, it will be along the lines of Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Child's Play, Candyman... or something like that that hasn't been made yet.

I say because
Nightmare on Elm Street because you have to sleep. You can't ignore a good horror plot like that. You don't want to shut your eyes... but you have to....

Friday the 13th, you can't escape, you can't kill the killer. what can you do? He's not a mortal man. Don't have sex with your boyfriend in the woods ever again.

Child's Play worked like a charm. Who doesn't have a creepy doll that grandma gave them? Can't throw away a gift from grandma... but can't take your eye off of it either.....

Candyman.... everyone who sees that film trys avoiding the mirror in the bathroom for days after that. But you can't do it... there are mirrors everywhere.


The greatest horror film will have a hook like that. Alien was also more suspensful, and not relatable. Who was ever afraid of anything after seeing that film?

Spoiler

the alien in the chest could be scary... but it's too sci-fi for most people to relate to.

Of course I have my own ideas on how to shoot an actual horror film. I hope that someday I get a chance.

[TheProwler]

Of course I have my own ideas on how to shoot an actual horror film. I hope that someday I get a chance.

A quick tip: You can save thousands on special effects expenses by actually using real, live people and slaughtering them. It is incredible how much blood comes out of a real body. Just remember to have a plan on disposing the bodies. I suggest a big bonfire and crushing the bones with sledgehammers after. You might even be able to build that into the plot....

[ga7]

Ringu; The Shining; Evil Dead 2

[Neoteny]

zomg Evil Dead