Bechman 2000

o.k. here's the deal. I've really been getting into the horror genre lately, and in my attempts of renting some of them to see which ones are good ones to buy, I've noticed that they are kind of hit or miss. Now I know that this is a matter of personal taste when it comes to the types of movies someone likes, but here's what I've come to like and dislike in these types of movies.

Here's a list of horror movies I've liked:
Scream
I Know What You Did last Summer
The entire Halloween series
The entire Friday The 13th series
The entire Alien series

Here's a list of what I didn't like:
Evil Dead (I've since then changed my mind)
Evil Dead II (Changed my mind )
Killer Instinct

Since I'm kind of new to this genre, these are the only movies that I can comment on, but maybe it can give an idea of what I look for. For the most part I really like when the killer walks slowly or has some sort of costume. I like when the gore isn't so outrageous that it makes it unrealistic. Realistic amounts of blood make it better... for me anyway . I'm not into nudity, and would rather not have it involved in the movie if possible. If I want to watch a horror movie, I want a horror movie... not a porno. If there's a little, that's o.k., as long as there aren't any long explicit sex scenes. That's just my own personal opinion. I also like the thrill of a hunt. I like the girls screaming (that's the best part) and then running away only to find that he was right around the corner.

I'm looking for good, well made horror that I can add to my collection. I'll rent them first of course, but I was just wondering if you guys could possibly give me some titles to check out. I'll accept anything, just let me know why you liked the movie, even if you don't like the ones I like and like the ones I don't. I'm really interested in adding some great horror to my collection, so I don't want to miss out. I work at Blockbuster and can rent five for free a week, so a couple shots in the dark are o.k. I've tried looking on some "Top 100 Horror Movie" lists, but I don't trust those. I've seen a lot of ones I know I wouldn't like on them. I was told about Fraily and saw it, and although I liked it, I didn't really think it was much of a horror flick, as much as it was a suspense/thriller.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions

Mike

mookiemeister

Here are some other good horror movies
Psycho
Silence of the Lambs
Alien
6th Sense
The Others
Spoorloos (The Vanishing)
Wait Until Dark

Bechman 2000

I definitly need to check out Psycho. Alien is on my list of ones that I liked (part of the Alien series ). I've seen The 6th Sense, Silence of the Lambs, and The Others. I liked them all, just not the type of movies I'm looking for. They seem more like Suspense/Thrillers more than horror. Maybe I'm just ignorant of how broad of a genre horror is, so please don't flame me . Keep em' coming though.

What about Wishmaster? Is that a good series?

C.H.U.D.

You liked the Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer movies, but you didn't like the Evil Dead films? Man, you must be new to horror.

Bechman 2000

I wouldn't say that I didn't like them. They just weren't really horror. I laughed so hard during the films, especially the second one, that I thought I was gonna pass out from lack of oxygen. I haven't seen Army of Darkness yet, although I plan on watching it this weekend at some point. I liked the chainsaw/hand thing though... that was pretty cool! I mean wasn't the purpose of the films to make you laugh? The amount of blood that they use is rediculous, you just have to laugh. It didn't have that "edge of your seat" that I'm looking for. The main character is soooo over dramatic it kills me. I definitly appreciate it for what it is... but it's just not what I'm looking for... right now anyway.

I figured that someone would bust on me for liking Scream and IKWYDLS, so thanks for getting it over with early!! I do like the original Halloween though... don't I get some credit for already owning that series?

But now back on topic.... please give me some ideas. Like I said, I'm new and ignorant!!!

Milt Fargus

Lets get some of the classics out of the way.

- Halloween
- Night Of The Living Dead
- Nosferatu
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- Cat People
- Jaws
- Alien

Honorable Mentions
- The Sixth Sense
- Friday The 13th
- Evil Dead (I and II)
- Aliens
- The Blair Witch Project

I'm all about really being scared. It's not enough to just throw blood and guts and a sharp object at me. It has to be psychological, causing me actual fear.

The first time I saw Jaws, I couldn't go near pools, lakes, etc for months.

I also enjoy those movies that are born to be different. Directors who take to movie where they want it to go. The chase scene in the woods in Evil Dead is classic.

Amadeus

I can't believe no ones mentioned Nightmare on Elm Street This one is a classic.
Some other good ones
Return of the Living Dead
The Thing
Wishmaster

When i say Wishmaster i mean the first,not those crappy ass sequels.

Bechman 2000

Evil Dead truly scared you? I couldn't take it seriously. The more I think about it though, it was a "fun" movie, but nothing that scared me. Now Halloween... that scared the mess out of me!!

Bechman 2000

Are you talking about the 1951 original or John Carpenters 1982 remake?

Amadeus

Carpenter's remake.I haven't seen the 1951 version.

DeputyDave

I've seen both and I know some "purists" out there will dissagree, but John Carpenter's re-make was much scarier. The SE just came out and its worth checking out. Also his "The Fog' is one of the most frightening true horror movies I've ever seen.

Also I like:
Re-Animator
The Shining
Candyman
The Exorcist (I prefer the new version)
Fallen
Near Dark

I'd like to reccomend the Italian horror clasics from the 70's but it takes a certain type to like those, you could start out by checking out "Zombie" by Lucio Fulci.

JonTurner

Rosemary's Baby

Mountain Biker

Well if you liked Halloween, you definitely need to check out Black Christmas.

Based on your like list, you seem to enjoy slasher movies, so if you haven't seen these, I'd highly recommend:

Happy Birthday to Me
House on Sorority Row
Terror Train
Prom Night
My Bloody Valentine
The Burning
The Prowler
Psycho II


Other excellent horror titles to check out:

The Thing (Carpenter's, of course)
The Fog (HIGHLY underrated)
Prince of Darkness
The Shining
Dawn of the Dead

inri222

DEEP RED
TENEBRE
SUSPIRIA

jfoobar

Did I miss a rerelease? The CE of The Thing has been out since 1998.

Shonn

A couple of recent horror/thrillers that I've enjoyed are Jeepers Creepers and JoyRide. JoyRide I wouldn't call a horror movie, but it is a very good thriller and has held up very well with multiple viewings.

DeputyDave

Yeah, my bad. For some reason I was thinking it was just released in the CE. I double checked and you are right = 1998

C.H.U.D.

I'd strongly suggest Black Christmas and Exorcist III.

Rypro 525

also why did you say that you dont like nudity and sex in your horror movies when in all of the friday movies and all the halloween movies, thats the other half of the movie?

LBPound

Some horror films I like:

The Shining (already mentioned)
Cujo
Arachnophobia
The Blair Witch Project

soxrule

i 2nd Candyman

ckolchak

some of my favorites- they probably won't be your cup of tea (based on the trend i see from your likes) but here they are anyway;

The Changling a ghost/haunted house story.
no teenagers in peril, no knife weilding psychos, but a really sad, spooky tale, structured like a mystery. one of the best movies i know of, in any genre.

Wolfen a semi-riff on werewolf movies. so atypical to the usual though, that many people seem let down by it. Has a terrific performance by Albert Finney, and great support from a variety of other actors/actresses. if i discuss the plot, then i know you'll pass on it, but you really should give it a shot. interesting story & themes and a couple good jolts. most of all i like it because it shows adults behaving in believable ways to extraordinary circumstances (like the Changling)

Dawn of the Dead an all time classic. part gore fest, part comedy, part adventure movie, part social commentary. it shifts gears so many times in so many ways, and never feels wrong.
can't wait for the ultra deluxe set coming next year.

just watched Night Of The Demon and thought it was excellant also, but thats probably way out of the circle of what you would find interesting.
B&W, no gore, more suspense than explicit shocks, but i loved it.

i'm also a fan of Salem's Lot.
a 3 hour tv adaption of a Stephen King novel about a vampire coming to a small town.
does a good job of embellishing the major and minor characters (the way Stephen King does in his books) while leisurely unfolding the plot. some pretty spooky images too, for what would most likely be a pg-rated film.

flixtime

Hi Bechman 2000, while I'm not too knowledgeable when it comes to the horror/thriller genre, I just wanted to add my 2 cents anyway:

The Omen
The Amityville Horror
Carrie
Poltergeist

and more recently:
Stir of Echoes
The Devil's Backbone

maybe too:
Final Destination

Edited to add: The Entity starring Barbara Hershey (though I recall it has nudity (but I'm not certain), but it probably does given the subject).
Also:
Shock Waves - another zombie movie
The Devil's Rain - a horrible rating over at IMDb.com but it sure scared me when I saw it as a kid. Don't know how it would hold up today.

You might consider all of the above to be more suspense/thrillers than horror/thrillers but..............well, I just felt like posting something. Good luck with your search!

Josh-da-man

The "Wicker Man." Not really a horror movie, though it is a mystery/thriller with occult overtones.

Gioman

No love for The Ring?