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My FavoritesJul 03 '01 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line These are my favorite horror films, not necessarily the "ten best." My taste in horror films is bit old fashioned. But, for better or worse, here are my favorites. 1-The Thing-(1951 version)-I know this film is scary, because my WWII vet dad, who hates and loathes horror movies, says it scared him back in the fifties. It is one of the finest examples of the "don't show the monster" theory, as the creature maintains a presence throughout the film, even though he's only on screen about five minutes all together. 2-Horror Of Dracula- Lugosi may have created the role, but Lee defined it in this lushly photographed, well written, and brilliantly acted masterpiece. Peter Cushing's performance has Van Helsing plays extremely well off Lee's sexy and satanic Lord Of The Undead. 3-Brides Of Dracula-Cushing's second, and best, performance as Van Helsing proves that Hammer could make a scary, and literate vampire movie without Lee (although with it's usually better with Lee). David Peel's Baron Meinster may not have given Chris any sleepless nights, but he does a better than fair job. 4-Curse Of The Demon-A wonderful tale of black magic, and pyschological terror in modern day (50's) Britain. Niall McGuiness almost cherubic warlock, spares brilliantly with sceptical psychologist Dana Andrews. McGuiness is terrifying precisely because he looks so innocent and cute. 5-The Mummy-(1931 version)Karloff's powerful performance carries this slow moving, but terrifying tale of black magic and resurrection. Proving that yes you can be scary without special effects, and only five minutes of monster make-up. 6-Curse Of Frankenstein-Hammer shifted the emphasis from the creature to the scientist, and the result was a bravura performance by Peter Cushing. Instead of a well-meaning, misguided (and overacted) wimp, Cushing makes Victor Von Frankenstein into a overachieving, self absorbed, homicidal scumwaffle. In short, he's the real monster, not the pathetic, brain damaged innocent he creates. 7-The Devil's Bride/The Devil Rides Out-Another tale of Black Magic, this time by Hammer. Christopher Lee does battle with Warlock Charles Grey for the soul of a young girl, proving that Lee could make just as effective a hero, as he could a fiend. 8-Poltergeist-It starts out slow, and builds to a powerful crescendo. And just when you think it's over, and carthesis starts to build, it reaches out and slaps you in the face with sheer terror. 9-Masque Of The Red Death-Vincent Price in one of his best roles. Cruel and sophisticated, decadent and witty, and more scary than most up front monsters. 10-Son Of Frankenstein-We had to have one of Karloff's performances as the monster in this list. This one made it for two reason's 1)Bela Lugosi as Ygor, and 2)Colin Clive isn't running around chewing on the scenery. Basil Rathbone is good as the mad scientist, but a sappy ending nearly spoils it.  |
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by jankp
by cdm72
