As we just over a week away from Halloween, I think we can start the countdown by getting in the mood with some top horror and thriller films.
Rather than going for the more recent horror/gore films, I have chosen a list of classic favourites. Some of theses films have stood the test of time and will be top picks for years to come and some are what I would class as "newer" films (shows my age... ).
Without further ado, I present my list of films, in no particular order, to get you in the Halloween mood!
Starring: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles
Hitchcock being the master of suspense, you could argue for any of his films being on this list (a personal favourite being, Rear Window), however the iconic story of Norman Bates, is the godfather of horror films and is well worth a watch. Unlike most of the films on this list, Psycho is a lesson in the subtlety and art of horror, for which Hitchcock was famous.
The Exorcist (1973)
Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair
If you haven't heard of this film, then I don't know where you've been. Basic premise is that a young girl called Regan becomes possessed, and her mother calls in Father Merrin to help her.
Although perfect for Halloween, I weirdly associate this film with Christmas, as I watched it for the first time on Christmas Eve, and it's been repeated every year since. Well worth a watch, but you'll never look at pea soup the same way again.
Director: John CarpenterStarring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, Tony Moran
I had originally said that I wasn't going to pick slasher films, but if there was going to be one included it had to be Halloween. From the master of horror himself, John Carpenter, it focuses on Michael Myers, who escapes from a psychiatric hospital, 15 years after killing his younger sister. This film spawned the slasher genre, and on top of that it has one of the most memorable theme tunes, scored by John Carpenter himself, in addition to writing and directing the film.
Director: Wes Craven
Starring: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette
Simple: A masked, knife-wielding serial killer is killing the students off one by one.
Taking the lead from John Carpenter, Wes Craven created what is inarguably the best of the teen slasher genre. Like most films, it spawned many painfully bad sequels, but none lived up to the success of the original.
Director: Jonathan Demme
Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins
Slight change of pace with this one. More of a thriller, it focuses on the FBI agent Clarice Starling who enlists the canabalistic psychiatric, Dr. Hannibal Lector to help find another serial killer.
The writing and directing is brilliant, adding loads of suspense to the film. Settle in with a nice Chianti to watch Anthony Hopkins' chilling performance.
The writing and directing is brilliant, adding loads of suspense to the film. Settle in with a nice Chianti to watch Anthony Hopkins' chilling performance.
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci
Irving Washington's classic tale of the Headless Horseman, with a Tim Burton twist.
This film has action, comedy, suspense and the stunning visuals that you would come to expect from Tim Burton.
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall
Following Jack Torrance and his family as they become caretakers of the Overlook Hotel. All is not as it seems (it never is...) and the demons of the hotel, slowly consume Jack as he has a mental breakdown. Chaos in ensues.
I may sound as if I'm not taking the plot seriously, but honestly Jack Nicholson's performance combined with amazing cinematography, creates a truly terrifying movie. A film that everyone should watch, no matter what time of year it is.
That's all folks, let me know if you watch any of these or what your Halloween recommendations are!
Following Jack Torrance and his family as they become caretakers of the Overlook Hotel. All is not as it seems (it never is...) and the demons of the hotel, slowly consume Jack as he has a mental breakdown. Chaos in ensues.
I may sound as if I'm not taking the plot seriously, but honestly Jack Nicholson's performance combined with amazing cinematography, creates a truly terrifying movie. A film that everyone should watch, no matter what time of year it is.
That's all folks, let me know if you watch any of these or what your Halloween recommendations are!
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