1985 - 2009
These are my top ten favorite horror film since I've been alive. Horror has never been my genre of choice because I've never been interested in sifting through all the crap to find those few gems. Well, these are ten diamonds in the cinematic rough that, in the last twenty-five years, have deserved to be found.
(The films below are listed by "Year" -- This list is subject to change)
1. Re-Animator (1985) -- Dir. Stuart Gordon
Stuart Gordon's Re-Animator is a bizarre, shocking, and down-right hysterical horror classic. It is gruesome, gory, and in a strange way, intelligent. Even though it is entirely inconceivable, Gordon tells the H.P. Lovecraft tale with great charisma.
The special effects are very interesting, too. By utilizing the entire frame, Gordon uses the camera to create illusions; a decapitated man carrying his own head; a head talking from a dissection pan (like in the stillshot above); etc. Great film. Check it out.
2. The Fly (1986) -- Dir. David Cronenberg
I love the full body suit Jeff Goldblum wears. It's pretty obvious, but within the context of the film, and acknowledging the subject matter, you just kind of overlook it. I personally think it adds a certain element that would otherwise be missing.
And if you want gore, look no further. The film develops the story while placing spurts of disgusting imagery you'll dream about for days. For example: Flies throw up on their food to decompose it so they can eat it; the acids in their vomit soften the substance. I'll let your mind wonder with that.
3. Jacob's Ladder (1990) -- Dir. Adrian Lyne
If I had to categorize Jacob's Ladder, I would consider it more of a
psychological thriller. However, the film has some horrific elements that are truly unsettling -- plus, I always find it in the horror section, so this counts. Director Adrian Lyne (Unfaithful) dives into the psyche of men mistreated by their government, and haunted by the horrors of war. This film also examines the power of the mind. It makes one question, "Is this real, or just my imagination."
The cast is lead by a strong performance from Tim Robbins (Shawshank Redemption).
4. Dead Alive (aka Braindead) (1992) -- Dir. Peter Jackson
This film is BRILLIANT! This is easily in my "top three" on this list.
Herolded by critics as "the goriest fright film of all time" (New York Daily News), Dead Alive takes us on a trip to zombie land like we've never experienced before. Prior to making the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and the fantastic modern remake of King Kong, Peter Jackson made some great B-movies. But don't let that detour you from seeing this film, because this film surpasses the so-bad-it's-good status, and crosses the line into bloody good filmmaking. Dead Alive is more comedy than horror, but it's subject matter fits the genre well. Made in New Zealand on a $3,000,000 budget, Dead Alive shows its audience a plethora of ways to mow through a room full of zombies -- even if one of those zombies is your giant, hideously mutated mother.
5. Audition (1999) -- Dir. Takashi Miike
WHOOOOOOOOA! This film is a wild ride! You can't get more
I love that Miike took the story of a widower trying to find love again, so much so that he holds auditions for a new wife, and turns it into one of the most disturbing films on this list.
I will say, it is rather slow in the second act, however, the story is compelling nonetheless. (And for you who have seen it, "Kiri kiri kiri kiri kiri")
