“The Thing” (1982) — Oli Lyttelton
I don’t entirely remember when I first saw John Carpenter‘s “The Thing.” I’m pretty sure that, due to having my head almost continuously in film-related magazines and books from the age of about eight onwards, I’d had some of the film’s more horrific images revealed for me long before I ever saw them in context. But whenever it was that I finally saw John Carpenter’s masterpiece—probably my single favorite horror film, and one of my favorite films period—the previous illicit glimpses didn’t stop me from being entirely freaked out by the whole. The rare worth-a-damn remake (of Howard Hawks‘ worthwhile, but somewhat dated 1951 film “The Thing From Another World,” based on the novella “Who Goes There?” by John W. Campbell), it’s scary on the level of the original, “Body Snatchers“-derived film—the idea that anyone could be one of Them, and about to turn on you at any minute. But then it piles on a remote, desolate Antarctic setting, which of all the places in the world, is the one I’d least like to die in. And then, it layers in Rob Bottin‘s still-astonishing visual effects, in which human (and animal) bodies are melded, distorted and shown to contain horrifying secrets. With Kurt Russell leading a cast of grizzled character actor favorites, and John Carpenter at the very peak of his game, it’s something I return to annually, despite it putting the willies up me every single time.
So, no judgments here, it’s your turn. What’s been your scariest movie experience (aside from the “Bratz” movie which I think we can all agree is a touchstone of terror that may never be equaled)? Blow the cobwebs out of our comments section below, and a very scary Halloween to you all. And here’s a treat: 163 horror movies in 2 1/2 minutes.
It's probably thought of more as a thriller, but Silence of the Lambs just gets me every time. Few movies have filled me with as much dread as the scenes where Hannibal escapes his cell and the ending in Bill's basement. And the "puts the lotion on it's skin" scene where Bill mimics the girl's screams just disturbs in a way I've never felt in any other movie.
I'd never heard of Kill List before, but now I can't wait to check it out.
Heather O`Rourke owns the universe.
1. Martyrs (skinned alive & more)
2. The Vanishing (final scene)
3. Twin Peaks (TV episode where Leland /Bob kills the cousin)
Glad I'm not the only one that got frightened by Zodiac. Something about Dealins and making the camera and lighting help create an freaky, unstable, unknown mood.
Of course classics like The Shining and The Thing would be near the top of my list, but if I chose one I didn't think would get picked by many people I'd go with Jacobs Ladder. Definitely a psychological horror film that is scary for what it doesn't show than what it does.
Zodiac is the last great mystery thriller. Even leaving the theater at 2pm the film left you looking over your shoulder and leaving you sleepless that night at the even the most slightest of sounds. But where I got a great scare from Zodiac was watching it at night alone in a resort town home and at the point in the film where Gylenhall starts poking around in Max Fleschiers basement, a cleaning person opened the front door and walked into the living area. It was a scare for both of us. He had the wrong home.
'zodiac' is such a fantastic, atypical choice. that movie creeps the hell of out me. eerie doesn't even begin to describe it. probably fincher's best, and one of the best movies of the past 10 years.
For classic horror my pick is "Dead of Night" from 1945.
Bobcat Godthwait's new movie WILLOW CREEK should be considered for next year's list.
Great list. I haven't seen The Beyond, so now I know what I'm watching tonight.
What, no "Exorcist"? Okay, that's an easy one so I get it. One that scared the bejeezus outta me as a kid was "The Picture of Dorian Gray". It's dark noir styling and its cerebral concepts about the corruption of the soul left a permanent impression as well as planting the seed to explore in more detail the wonders and artistry of film.