Add it To Your Queue Vol. 7: Alternate Horror For Halloween
Every Halloween, Horror gets its due and people stay inside to scare themselves with blood, guts, and shocks. There are a lot of bad horror movies, but there are also some really good films…and there are even some which are under the radar. If you’ve warn out your copies of The Shining, Psycho, or Halloween, here are some alternatives to add to the Halloween queue.
1. House (1986)
For haunted House horror, comedy fans might like this horror comedy about spirits in the home of a Vietnam vet. Traumatized by the disappearance of his son and in the midst of a divorce, novelist Roger Cobb goes to the house of the aunt who raised him for solitude. It just so happens that his aunt has killed herself and the house has monsters come out from every door. In comes helpful neighbor George Wendt in full Cheers mode, to check in on his disturbed neighbor. The movie is as corny as the goofiest haunted house movies (quintessential first horror movie viewing) but it also has equal parts shocks and laughs, thanks to horror/comedy director Steven Miner (Friday the 13th Part 3, Lake Placid) who casts his son as one of the monsters victims. It also spawned one of the weirdest, disconnected sequels ever.
Get House
on Amazon.com
2. The Host (2006)
A cult hit, this film is considered South Korea’s Godzilla film, and was considered one of the country’s best exports and highest grossing of all time. A toxic dump created a lake monster which snatches and feeds on people, including a little a little girl. That girl’s family of misfits must escape officials keeping them in quarantine to save her from the monster. The movie is, as usual with Korean horror, often absurd and funny, but also delivers on thrills (particularly the impressive design of the monster).
Rent The Host (English Subtitled)
on Amazon.com.
3. Sunshine (2007)
Another weird little movie, this space horror came just one year before director Danny Boyle won best director for Slumdog Millionaire. Sunshine came out to little fanfare and complaints that the movie goes off the rails are accurate (it is a weird movie). But the movie is also a visionary, spiritual thriller about the space crew sent to reignite the sun, and realize they won’t only make the return trip, but might not even make it to the sun. And for those looking for space horror in the tradition on Alien and 2001, Sunshine is an always compelling homage to the tradition of such films, and comments some profound concepts of morality and spirituality.
Order Sunshine [Blu-ray]
on Blu Ray.
4. We Are What We Are (2013)
Last year’s highly praised film about a family of a cannibal took a black comedy and made an atmospheric, modern gothic horror film. As the family fasts in preparation for their annual feast, the outside world begins to close in on them when their mother dies and the doctor suspects fowl play, all while the daughters begin to question the family orders. The focus on patriarchy in a family of maturing women adds weight to the movie which would be a compelling family drama even without the blood.
Rent We Are What We Are
5. Apartment Zero (1989)
Alfred Hitchcock is the master of horror and thrillers, and laid the ground work for many a film. One of the lesser known but underrated homages to the master is a psychos-sexual about two roommates who develop an unhealthy obsession. A very young Colin Firth plays a disturbed introvert who develops an obsession with his charming roommate (Hart Bochner) who befriends everyone in their building. But is quickly become evident that Bochner’s Jack isn’t the All-American sweetheart Firth initially thought he was.
Order Apartment Zero
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