I'm looking to do a horror double feature for the employee's halloween party this year, so I plan to get a couple of prints to run on the big screen. Question is, what would be best? What movies would you want to see on a big screen?

Obviously, I'm running into a couple of problems (besides availability around Halloween). Most of the employees are teenagers, so that limits what what I'd be able to make them sit through; I doubt they'd have the patience for anything foreign or contemplative, like Let The Right One In. Also, stuff like The Descent, which I really wanted to show, is only available in its truncated US form. Playing a DVD is the last resort; I've seen how they look on a big screen, and even upconverted just doesn't cut it.

So, what would you play in a horror double feature?

phantasm
evil dead 2
halloween
return of the living dead
sleepaway camp
dawn of the dead
re-animator

^ these are movies that i tend to play at halloween parties

How about Halloween? As for the second, I'm not sure. Because it's an employee party, it might be better to stick with more of the classics (not knowing your employees or workplace). Maybe Night of the Living Dead or something like that.

*Ahem* what about playing one of those Blu-ray thingies?

Joe Sixpack isn't going to care if you show the US version of The Descent. It's not that different.

I don't have a blu-ray player, nor do I want to risk damaging someone else's.
<The condescension is not appreciated>

The ending in the UK cut (or here, "UNRATED!!!" ) is better.

Besides, this isn't for Joe Six Pack, it's for me and my employees.

^ this

Drag Me to Hell, unless everyone's seen it. I would stay away from Let the Right One In because, although it's very, very. very good, some people may not like subtitles and it doesn't exactly scream "party" atmosphere.

What kind of movies do you have access to? Current? Last decade? All the way back to the 40s?

I personally enjoy the one two combo of The Wicker Man ('73 - short cut) and the original Halloween.

Unfortunately Trick R Treat and Murder Party probably don't have available reels.

Return of the Living Dead & Re-Animator would be a groovy double feature.

Perhaps A Nightmare on Elm Street and Carrie? Seems like even today's teenagers would find enough in those films to sit through, and they're both genre classics.

I have to say that RE-ANIMATOR plays so well on the big screen! I saw a theatrical print a few years ago that was near immaculate so, at least, you know you can get one.
MGM seems to have great AIP stuff. I have seen excellent 35 mm AIP films in near mint shape.

i like the idea of going with something old and new.

Halloween (1978)
&
Trick 'r Treat (teens wet dream, short stories for short attention spans)

Friday the 13^th (1980) (would probably like it for many reasons, Kevin Bacon cameo puts in over-the-top)
&
Friday the 13^th (2009)

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) (teens would love an early Johnny Depp)
&
Last House on the Left (2009)

Just saw Re-Animator at a fest this past weekend (with appearance by Stuart Gordon -- sat right next to him). Looks great seeing it on the big screen, something I had never gotten to do before.

But I have to ask...are any of these employees under 17? If it's a work function, they may not want an R-rated film, and Re-Animator is a very HARD R.

The Lost Boys
&
Near Dark (might like an Adrian Pasdar from Heroes spotting)

An American Werewolf in London (teens should love the horror/comedy/and groovy soundtrack)
&
Ginger Snaps

Dawn of the Dead (1978)
&
Dawn of the Dead (2004)

The Exorcist (can't see anyone not liking and would look great on big screen)
&
Drag Me To Hell

I would probably show some of these:

The Evil Dead
The Shining
The Thing
Halloween
Friday the 13th (original)
A Nightmare on Elm Street

In other words, the classics...

Halloween or Alien

and

From Dusk Till Dawn or Re-Animator or Return of the Living Dead.

Something moody, and something fun. Always a good mix.

The most widely-seen version of the film is not rated.

You'd probably have a lot of fun doing a Drag Me to Hell / American Werewolf in London double-up with a bunch of teenagers. And both are on Blu-ray, if you're able to locate a machine -- or, possibly, rent/borrow a PS3?