It's a Magical Time of the Year
October.
Halloween.
Scariness. And not just the Dick Cheney kind.
That's right, I'm talking about horror films. Now, I know some of you probably aren't fans of the genre, and when it comes time to choose a film, you steer away from the aisles in Hollywood video that contain box after box of half-dead ghouls peering out at you. And frankly, you're justified. Most horror films SUCK, truly and royally, the kind of sucking that makes you embarrassed you just lost an hour and a half of your life. BUT- when one comes along with charm, or pizazz, or real gravitas, something that elevates the film off the screen- well, it's somehow better than any other kind of movie. Because not only does it grab you, make you care, make you believe, or even make you laugh, something about the craft just makes it linger. Oh, and did I mention making you afraid to turn off the light afterwards?
So here's my plea for the elusive art of that most illustrious beast, the good horror film. I used to hate the genre- and hear me out if this sounds familiar: "Oh, I like The Shining a lot, and I liked Silence of the Lambs a whole bunch, but I just don't like horror films." That used to be me. Until I realized that, just like most of us, the only things I saw on the shelves with a quick glance were crap. For every Exorcist, there's twenty Boogeyman II. But isn't the case with most genre films? It's just that we find ignoring horror more convenient, because, unlike most films, when a horror movie gets to you, it REALLY gets to you.
So , in the spirit of the Halloween season, I figured this was the perfect time for those of you dragging your feet on the scary movies tip to get with the program, by offering a couple gems, some well known, some not-so-well known, as a kind of primer. Happy hauntings.
1) Cabin Fever. Now, I've been really pushing this one lately, because it's new, and you want this guy to make more movies, so support this one. But mainly because it's awesome. Admittedly, this one is very gory, so if you have a problem with that, maybe start with another. But I find this movie seems to appeal to newbies and fans alike, with its wicked sense of humor combined with loads of inside jokes about the genre. Probably the best horror film of the past few years.
2) Rosemary's Baby. One of the more well-known, but also lesser-seen, for some odd reason. This film completely deserves to be up there, in my mind, alongside Exorcist, the Omen, and all the other classic horrors of the seventies, but gets oddly overlooked, despite the name recognition. So do yourself a favor, and check out Mia Farrow in the best thing she's ever done.
3) May. Here's a good introductory one for those of you who like the arty films. May is a rollicking good horror film with a wickedly black sense of humor, but it's also a strangely moving and graceful film, and fairly sad. The story of a desperately lonely outcast of a girl, May is the kind of debut film (from auteur-to-be Lucky McKee) that really makes an impression, and I would recommend to those of you shy about diving into the genre. Not too gory, either.
4) Friday the 13th and Halloween. Despite how wildly craptacular many of the later films in each series have proved to be, the original Jason and Michael Myers still pack a pretty mean punch in their respective coming-out parties. Or, failing that, you get to see Kevin Bacon take it in the jugular.
I'm going to start posting additions to this list as people suggest them, and as I think of them. So, have a fave? Send it in!