My Favorite Movies

A film I've had a fascination with since childhood, 'House of Wax' combines the camp of '50s gimmick horror with themes of art and suffering reminiscent of 'The Phantom of the Opera.' The story, originally explored in 1933's 'Mystery of the Wax Museum,' is an unforgettable one about a tortured artist driven to madness in his unrelenting pursuit of perfect beauty. Somehow, 'House' stands superior to its predecessor, whether due to its stunning array of colour, sense of fun and spectacle, or the sympathy Vincent Price brings to a character originally portrayed as menacing and cold. Whatever the reasons for it being so great, 'House of Wax' is a horror treasure that all genre fans are urged to experience.

One of the most striking, original movies I've ever seen, 'Repo!' is an absolutely breathtaking horror rock opera. Set in a dystopia as stylish as it is dreary, it combines operatic themes with the slickness of the modern slasher film to create something delightfully original and deliciously surreal. In addition, 'Repo!' boasts a fantastic soundtrack and a cast so impossibly mismatched it's tough not to love them. Certainly a film to invoke either adoration or loathing in its viewers, but either way it is absolutely destined to be a cult classic.

A truly remarkable film that absolutely lives up to its reputation as one of the most shocking movies ever made. Of course, 'Cannibal Holocaust' suffers a few minor flaws in its acting and dialogue, but they're more than made up for by the film's overall boldness and intelligence. Both meaner and smarter than the average splatter flick, 'Cannibal Holocaust' knows no bounds in its display of human suffering. Yet at the same time, it is careful to ensure we never forget the violence of our own society and its unquenchable thirst for blood and sensationalism. While perhaps a little hypocritical, the clear message brings a level of depth to 'Cannibal Holocaust' that other films of this creed simply lack. Overall, this is a classic of horror and exploitation, and is an absolute must-see for fans of the genre.

Possibly the best slasher the '80s ever produced, 'My Bloody Valentine' has all the blood and camp we so love of this kind of film, but with the inclusion of a few additions and tweaks that elevate it beyond its peers. The story is a well-used genre standard and the characters are ones we've seen a thousand times before, but the setting and villain are just so effective, all is easily forgiven. The mine, a claustrophobic network of dark tunnels, is the perfect playground for a killer, and murdering Harry Warden, utilizing what is possibly the most ingenious costume and weapon choices possible for a slasher movie psycho, is just the man for the job. It's a brutal, nasty, mean-spirited film that is not afraid to get its hands dirty (seeing the newly released uncut version is a must!), and is necessary viewing for any slasher fan.

While it may not be the best giallo film ever made, Don't Torture a Duckling is indeed Fulci's masterpiece. It is a twisted story ripe with mystery and superstition, where the virtues and vices of each colourful character will literally keep the viewer guessing until the final scene. The subject matter is extremely dark here, and it somehow manages to become even more disturbing as the plot unfolds. But somehow Fulci manages to combine this intriguing mystery with his trademark qualities, injecting Don't Torture a Duckling with its fair share of gore and sleaze without having it descend into exploitation. The result is something refreshing: a gore flick with some taste and a murder-mystery with some gall. Certainly a recommended film.

Interview With the Vampire is a gorgeous film. Sticking as closely as possible to the brilliant source material, it details the luxury, tragedy and violence of a vampire's ongoing life with all the Gothic romance, shameless flamboyancy, and bloody horror demanded of such an epic story. The sensuality, melodrama and savagery that was born in the modern vampire through Dracula and nurtured in Anne Rice's early work is brought to life with the utmost care, amidst breathtaking sets by a near-perfect cast. A definite recommendation to all fans of horror and vampire fiction.

My favorite Asian horror film, Battle Royale is complete insanity. The violence is relentless and the satire subtle yet undeniably clever. An absolute must-see for fans of foreign or horror cinema.

Extremely well made, Inside is easily one of the best slasher films of the past 20 years. Trading character development for relentless violence and in-your-face gore, France has taught us a valuable lesson in depravity with this one! Fantastic film - this gives me hope that PG-13 slashers may not be the future of the genre after all.

Fantastic! A re-imagining that is absolutely worthy of the Halloween name. Zombie has done a fantastic job updating the characters and transforming Michael's story into something gritty and real. As a remake, it meets the original halfway with new material and fresh takes on old content. Remarkable, an absolute recommendation.

My favourite Alfred Hitchcock movie and thought by many to be the greatest horror movie of all time, Psycho is genuinely creepy in every way. Equipt with sympathetic villain Norman Bates and plenty of spine-tingling scenes, Psycho earned its excellent reputation.

An excellent film that blurs the lines between "good" and "evil." Rob Zombie proves that he is a fantastic director for the genre in this intense bloodbath of a film streaked with the same dark humour as House of 1000 Corpses. The atmosphere is raw and gritty in the style of Texas Chainsaw 2003, and every character slides between sympathetic and hateful as the movie ploughs onward. Excellent horror movie, one that's highly recommended to any fan of the genre.

Part gorefest, part sci-fi, and part cheesy throwback to Universal monster movies, Re-Animator is definitely a modern classic. Quirky and fun!

Blood and Black Lace is certainly a classic, easily being one of the best giallos out there. Expertly filmed, the kills are intense and the sets a stylish array of vibrant colour. Definitely a must-see for budding giallo fans, and highly recommended to slasher fans too!

Brilliance! If you're a fan of slasher movies, this is, in every way, for you. An ingenious parody that not only mocks the standard formula, but analyzes and celebrates it. All this is done from the refreshing point of view of the film's token unstoppable killer. Fantastic!

Very, very cool movie. Like Gans' other work, Brotherhood of the Wolf is visually stunning and surreal, and the over-the-top story and characters give the entire film an almost manga-esque vibe. The CGI could use some work, but the adrenaline-charged fight scenes more than make up for it. If you want a film that's quiet and gloomy, look elsewhere. If, however, you like to have fun, then this dark fantasy is certainly for you.

Fabulously bizarre, Ichi the Killer is every bit as twisted and gruesome as you would expect from the maker of Audition, and then some. Ridiculously bloody and sporting a cast outrageous characters, it's an over-the-top fiesta that's every bit as gloriously demented as it is fun to watch. A fantastic movie from start to close!

My all-time favourite horror movie. The original 1931 Frankenstein sees Karloff in his infamous role, and the amazing use of goregous sets and a script worth quoting over and over again make this movie a classic.

One of my favourites! I'd say if you only got to watch one Friday the 13th, you should watch this one. It's got the gore, the cheese, and Jason in all his glory.

Remarkable. The French pull it off again with this absolutely excellent addition to the horror genre. Bloody, gritty, and relentless in its intensity, Frontier(s) is a dream come true for any gorehound, and another assurance that PG-13 may not be the way of the future after all. A definite must-see!

Rather than stripping away the over-the-top camp and trying to erase the genre cliches as most recent slashers have done, Hatchet embraces its roots and ends up having a great time. Equipped with fantastic gore effects, a wicked sense of humor, and a ridiculously overpowered villain, Hatchet is everything you want from a traditional slasher and so much more. I wish more movies were made like this one.

One of the most relentless movies I've seen in a long time, and definitely the most intense PoV flick since Blair Witch. [Rec]'s concept is great, and its execution is almost exhausting in how non-stop the panic is. Possibly the film that makes zombies scary again. A great watch - definitely recommended to all horror fans.

One of my favorite early slashers, The Burning boasts impressive gore effects littered amongst its Friday the 13th-esque story. So the characters fall flat and the plot is non-existent - just accept The Burning for what it is and you'll have a great time with it.

One of Vincent Price's best, The Abominable Dr. Phibes is a strange and entertaining film. The story is fantastic, backed by fabulous performances and beautiful atmosphere. A great movie, very much recommended.

Holy bloody zombie entrails, Batman! Without question, Dead Alive is a contender for the title of "most ridiculously gory movie ever made." It's absurd, it's quirky, and, as a result, it's completely and utterly awesome. If you like laughing, zombies, and mounds of blood and guts, you must see this movie immediately.

Definitely a must-see for Asian horror fans, and certainly a treat for fans of the genre in general. Suicide Club is a clever satire hidden inside two hours of complete madness - see it to believe it!

Starring what is one of my all-time favourite villains, The Invisible Man is a fantastic movie. With groundbreaking special effects and a circle of characters who are genuinely fun (particularly Jack Griffin himself), it's a classic flick that's a fabulous addition to any horror fan's collection.

A very strange film, and certainly a giallo masterpiece. Surreal and suspenseful, with possibly some of the best kills the genre has to offer, Suspiria is something you just have to see for the experience of doing so.

Fantastic movie, one of the best werewolf flicks out there. It's bloody, fast-paced, thematically clever, and it's got a wicked streak of black humor.

Sleepy Hollow does seem to be a rather gory movie for Tim Burton to be directing, he still pulls it off with his bizarre, gothic flair. With an unsettling, moody atmosphere and adorable performances by Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci, the film roughly retells Washington Irving's fictional short story about Ichabod Crane's encounter with the Headless Horseman. With this grisly background and Burton's direction, Sleepy Hollow sits comfortably on the border between the paranormal thiller and the slasher flick to create something that is both truly unique and a great deal of fun.

Beautiful. Emotionally charged, eerie, and "boo scary" in all the right places. A goregous example of horror film.

Along with the 1931 classic, Horror of Dracula is easily one of the best movies available with the Count in a starring role. Its gothic atmosphere is fantastic, and Lee and Cushing are at their best here. Overall, it's epic in the way only Hammer could make it. Definitely a must-see for horror fans!

Mystery of the Wax Museum pops up in the strangest places, and this time it's for the giallo set. Perhaps not what it could have been with Argento and Fulci working together, but still a visually pleasing, atmospheric gorefest. My only real criticism is that it's too similar to its source material - if you've seen MotWM or House of Wax '53, you know the plot twists well in advance. Still, great fun!

One, two, Freddy's coming for you . . . Using a fabulously original idea and plenty of bloody special effects--and, of course, equipt with one of the slasher genre's most notorious villains-- Nightmare on Elm Street is definitely a classic and one of my favourites!

Another of Boris Karloff's signature monster movies, The Mummy is a fantastic old classic that should be enjoyed by all. Utilizing great makeup and costuming,and featuring a romantic storyline, it's one of those movies that will stay with you forever.

Oh, sweet gory mayhem! As expected, Tokyo Gore Police is absolute bloody insanity of the degree only Japan can provide. Does the story make sense? Of course not! But that's not important - what is, is the completely insane ways the makers of this film found to mutilate its characters. If you're a fan of flicks like Battle Royale and Machine Girl, Tokyo Gore Police will send you straight to heaven. A nightmarish heaven where mutants with weapons built into their bodies are battled by the most terrifying, mentally unstable police force ever formed ... but heaven, nonetheless. In all seriousness, though: see this movie, immediately.

A fantastically original slasher featuring a villain as charming and tragic as he is frightening and brutal. Surprisingly smart and deep for its genre, Candyman has quite a bit to say about racism, social structure, and urban myth, but this never takes away from its being a fun, gory, and dramatic entry for slasher fans. Definitely recommended.

An atmospheric masterpiece very much deserving of its reputation, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is undoubtedly a classic in gothic horror cinema. Chaney's sympathetic performance and startling makeup are, of course, amazing. It's quite the spectacle, and is certainly recommended to classic horror fans.

Simply awesome. A horredy in the spirit of the Evil Dead sequels, Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer is a hysterically fun romp through the horror genre, complete with vibrant characters and the whimsical premise of a plumber-turned-warrior of good. Definitely a recommendation to genre fans. Hope to see more of Jack in the future!

Flowers of Flesh and Blood is quite possibly the definitive Guinea Pig film. Packed with incredibly realistic, brutal gore and glazed with a layer of sickening sexual themes, it's truly an intense ride from start to finish. Do not watch unless you've a strong stomach!

Though it only toys with the bare concept of its 1953 original, House of Wax is the paramount example of a fun slasher movie. Lively and engaging, it's equipt with a charming and colourful cast of characters that actually develops and grows with the story, a far cry from the static ensemble usually seen in the genre. The plot is simple but intriguing, and the film itself relatively bloodless when compared to peers like the recent Texas Chainsaw Massacres and The Hills Have Eyes, relying instead on what is implied. It is flawed in places, faltering with factual errors and tripping into a few stereotypical slasher plot devices (detours, trespassing, splitting up, woodland romance, and so on), but in the end the flaws just don't really matter. Take it for the exceedingly fun teen horror flick it is and you're bound to have fun with it.

Seeing as My Bloody Valentine is one of my absolute favourite slasher films, I had high expectations for this film. I can safely say it met and surpassed every one of them. My Bloody Valentine '09 is not only a fantastic remake that takes all of the greatness of the original and charges it with its own unique flair, but it's a bloody good stand-alone slasher flick as well. The gore gags are wicked and perfectly executed - and the awesome 3D effects only add to the experience. It's fantastic to see Harry Warden finally get the attention he deserves. Overall, a great slasher, and highly recommended.

I saw this movie when I was young and I believe it scarred me for life, for it is now the only horror movie that can actually disturb me. Far from subtle, Poltergeist throws its scares at its viewers, but manages to remain a classic worth seeing at least once.

What a gem. Atmospheric, good story, and great performances. Great flick - definitely check it out if you have the chance.

Not quite as good as the second movie but better than the first, Saw III kicks the gore up to a whole new level of nauseating while entertaining all the mind-bending plots expected of Jigsaw. Combining these factors with an emotionally engaging plotline and three-dimensional characters (particularly where Jigsaw and Amanda are concerned), Saw III is a sequel worth seeing.

Very, very cool. A thoughtful film that plays with its viewer's mind, The Machinist definitely needs to be watched a few times to fully appreciate it. It's a visually intriguing film where Christian Bale is absolutely excellent in his role. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a strange, intelligent mystery full of madness and mind games.

Don't get me wrong - Blood Feast is a terrible, terrible movie. The acting is abysmal to the point of falling past hilarious and hitting 'pathetic and embarassing.' The camera work is boring, the plot is silly, and the script is just all-out bad. That leaves the gore, which is unbelievable ... for 1963. Now, not so much. Which means Blood Feast is a fantastic movie for nostalgic, history-seeking gorehounds, and absolutely nobody else. So turn your head and avoid, unless you, like me, are one of the former.

Overlooked by many for the great little flick it is, The Last Man on Earth introduces Vincent Price as a hunter of vampire-zombies. Fun, entertaining, and surprisingly moving, it's a gem that many seem to miss.

Very good. I enjoyed the refreshing premise this movie presented, and the atmosphere was delightfully dreary. I have to agree with previous reviewers, though, that the actual Nightmare Detective is sorely amiss for most of the movie and the female lead is a little stiff. Nevertheless, a really enjoyable movie.

While it is an excellent horror-thriller-type film, American Psycho shines as a hysterical satire. Christian Bale is fantastic in the role of Patrick Bateman, wealthy Wall Street businessman and serial murderer extrordinaire, and Willem Dafoe makes a great inspector. It makes you laugh, makes you blush, and makes you squirm--great movie.

When vampires meet crime drama, hope the result is always as good as Moon Child. It's a beautiful tale of friendship, loyalty, and undead bloodsuckers that all fans of vampire movies and Asian horror should definitely check out.

A fun and refreshing film that plays on all the old werewolf tricks--and introduces a few new ones-- while not taking itself too seriously.

Don't get me wrong - Simon Says is an absolutely abysmal film. Everything about it, save Crispin Glover's performance, is complete garbage. It's that bad. But, in being that bad, it has lapped the quality scale four times and ended up as a totally awesome movie. Heat-seeking pickaxes hurled from catapaults, dogs that are actually just furry bags of walking blood, corpses that can hide entire people inside of them . . . it's so terribly, horribly, awfully, unbelievably bad, and yet it's oh, so good. Close your browser, find a whole bunch of sick-minded friends and go watch Simon Says right now!

Artsy, twisted, and bloody is the way to describe Rubber's Lover. Great for fans of bizarre horror flicks that require repeated watching to understand. Strange, yet somehow very cool.

Though it's PAINFULLY slow, Prom Night turns out to be a hysterically fun example of an 80s slasher flick. Jamie Lee Curtis is great in her role as the leading lady, and the rest of the cast fits nicely. A lot of solid fun; definitely take a peek at this one if you're into slashers.