Instead of just reposting last year’s list, I’ve decided to just list the six movies that I’m adding to it, and giving the approximate number where it would fit in the overall list. Unfortunately, that means that six films have dropped out of the Top 100. If I were to recreate the entire list today, would it necessarily be #100-95 from last year? Probably not. The world will never know.
#98 – PHANTASM (1979)
Directed by Don Coscarelli
Genre: Mortuary
Last Year’s Rank: NEW
Rating: 3 stars
I’ve been meaning to see this one for years, and finally sat down and did it. Pretty much what I figured it would be. A pretty good story and a memorable villain, but horror’s come a long way.
#67 – MY BLOODY VALENTINE (1981)
Directed by George Mihalka
Genre: Slasher
Last Year’s Rank: NEW
Rating: 3.5 stars
Another one that I’ve finally watched, thanks primarily to My Bloody Valentine 3-D. I’ve got to admit that I enjoyed the remake more, but that might have been thanks to the excellent 3-D. What more can you ask for? It’s got mystery, sex, and lots of pick axes to the skull.
#47 – TRICK ‘R TREAT (2008)
Directed by Michael Dougherty
Genre: Anthology
Last Year’s Rank: NEW
Rating: 4 stars
It’s criminal that this wasn’t released into theaters. One of the most enjoyable horror flicks I’ve seen in a while. It’s an anthology movie, but all of the stories (give or take) take place on one Halloween night. It’s not the scariest movie out there, but it’s a lot of fun.
#35 – LÅT DEN RÄTTE KOMMA IN (LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (2008)
Directed by Tomas Alfredson
Genre: Vampire
Last Year’s Rank: NEW
Rating: 4 stars
This movie was a big deal last year and I guess Hollywood is prepping the mandatory remake, but don’t let the subtitles turn you off. This is one of the most unique and involving vampire stories to come along in forever.
#27 – QUARANTINE (2008)
Directed by John Erick Dowdle
Genre: Zombie
Last Year’s Rank: NEW
Rating: 4 stars
I’m not sure what makes the handheld camera technique so effective in horror movies. I guess it just makes the happenings that much more real. This is one of the easier to watch handheld cam movies, but it doesn’t rely on the camera work to fill in for scares. A great zombie tale with a palpable sense of dread.
#16 – PARANORMAL ACTIVITY (2007)
Directed by Oren Peli
Genre: Ghost
Last Year’s Rank: NEW
Rating: 4.5 stars
All I can say is, “Wow.” I’m not sure how this movie slipped through my radar, but the first I heard of it was this past Thursday. Luckily, Seattle is one of the few towns screening it and I was able to make an emergency trip to the theater. This is one very scary movie. It employs the handheld camera technique, but it really works. It’s the kind of movie that sticks with you after you leave the theater. Seriously, don’t watch this alone, but watch it the first chance you get. Movies like this don’t come along that often.
BlackJack
Sparks
cmsof