TOP FIVE HORROR FILMS OF THE EIGHTIES

Most lists focusing on the best horror films of an entire decade are going to be different than the next. There will be various reasons for why one movie makes one list, but not another. This list attempts to corral the top five horror films of the eighties based on this short, slightly unfocused sequence of criteria:

• Popularity
• Influence
• Creative impact
• Eighties representation

Some movies would score high in one category, but not as well in the others. A few of those films on the "just missed" list are Stan Winston's wonderful Pumpkinhead, Clive Barker's creepy Hellraiser, Tobe Hooper's Poltergeist, Fright Night, The Lost Boys, and Fred Dekker's awesome Night of the Creeps. There are cult favorites not included on the list, not because they're not good films, but because there is only room for five. Number six would probably be An American Werewolf in London, for instance.

So, without further ado...

5) Return of the Living Dead - Director Dan O'Bannon's cult magnum opus, about zombies who overrun a town. This movie kind of defines the decade in terms of splatter, effects, and the combination of horror and comedy so prevalent at that time. Embodies the "feel" of an eighties film.

4) The Shining - OK, so Stephen King wasn't madly in love with Stanley Kubrick's vision of King's book. Still, it stands the test of time, with Uncle Jack Nicholson's eerie turn, strange and unique visuals, and a style that would be copied relentlessly to much less success over the next twenty years. Recently released to Blu-ray.

3) The Evil Dead - Sam Raimi's low budget splatter-piece that introduced genre fans to fanboy hero Bruce Campbell. Campbell, as Ash, is lasciviously abused onscreen by undead creatures, some of whom used to be his friends. Strange, unique, and extremely influential film.

2) A Nightmare On Elm Street - Wes Craven's most iconic creation, and one of horrordom's most beloved characters, Freddy Krueger makes his debut in this dark, scary flick. Robert Englund snarls and slinks his way to a fan favorite performance, and the phenomena of Freddy is born. Creepy and effective to this day.

1) John Carpenter's The Thing - The master's best film of the eighties also doubles as one of the most popular, often cited as the best horror film of all time. Rob Bottin's mind blowing effects and the nightmarish setting make this one of the most memorable horror movies ever made. The "Norris Creature" is one of the most popular monsters of the decade, despite the limited screen time. Originally bombed at the box office amidst height of the feelgood gigantic hit E.T., but found renewed life on home video. If you haven't seen this film...well, what are you waiting for?

THE BEST HORROR FILM EVER MADE: The Case For John Carpenter's Halloween

It's an ongoing debate in the horror and cinematic community, and will never really be answered: what is the best horror film ever made? I have five in mind that I feel vie almost equally for the title, and here is one of them. Making the case for John Carpenter's 1978 classic...Halloween.

Sheriff Brackett: Every kid in Haddonfield thinks this place is haunted.
Dr. Loomis: They may be right.

 
Someone once said that opinions are like belly buttons: everyone has one (well, except for Kyle XY, but that's a completely different story). Fans of horror cinema are no exception, and in many cases are actually extremely passionate about their fright flicks, often to the point of believing that their personal favorite is THE one...the best...the greatest horror film ever made.

To this notion, here is the argument for John Carpenter's seminal 1978 indie slasher Halloween.

The Source of Halloween

The onus for what eventually became John Carpenter's first masterwork began in the mind of film producer Irwin Yablans, who sought to make a movie that might have an Exorcist type impact on the film-going community. His basic idea was for a deranged psycho to stalk babysitters on Halloween night. Carpenter and Debra Hill wrote a screenplay based around the simple idea, Carpenter was given a $320,000 budget, and a new horror legend, Michael Myers, was born.

What would separate this character and this film from the other offerings of previous decades? For one, the sheer brilliance of Carpenter as a filmmaker, despite his lack of experience and with a budget that allowed little to no funds for such basic necessities as wardrobe. Carpenter made exceptional use of the first person camera, placing the audience in the role of the mad man and forcing those watching to do so from Myers' point of view.

The Crux of Halloween

At the base of this extraordinary film is the performance of young Jamie Lee Curtis, daughter of Janet Leigh (Psycho) and legendary actor Tony Curtis. Curtis portrays Laurie Strode as a believable character, and is unique in the annals of horror history in that she is actually likable and is an easy protagonist to root for. This shouldn't be underestimated in the underlying success of the film, because when you care about what happens to a character, it's much easier to build the tension.

Also notable is the great Donald Pleasence as the strange and often unhinged Dr. Loomis. He somehow manages to simultaneously add both weight and brief levity to the film, delivering wonderful lines with great passion. He seems to be enjoying himself in the part, and it's infectious.

In fact, one of the most successful scenes in the movie was dictated by Pleasence, according to Carpenter. With Carpenter's blessing, Pleasence made the decision to play the climactic scenario of Myers apparently absorbing bullets, falling out a window and disappearing into the night as ultimately unsurprising to Loomis. It's subtle but chilling...Was that the Bogeyman? As a matter of fact...it was.

Of course, Myers himself is also a huge reason for the film's success. He seems to be omnipresent, appearing in the shadows; standing outside Laurie's room; looking out the window of the old Myers residence. It's a cold take on evil itself, illustrated in the words of Doc Loomis: The blackest eyes...the devil's eyes.

Carpenter and cinematographer Dean Cundey's use of camera and lighting keep things on the creepy side throughout. A particularly inspired (and oft-copied) scene is one where Michael appears from the darkness of a doorway behind a frightened Laurie. It's sheer blackness, and the bluish-white mask subtly comes into view via the simple effect of a room dimmer. It's an extraordinary shot, and just one of many inspired moments in this excellent horror opus.

Also worth noting is Carpenter's spooky and memorable soundtrack. So integral to the success of the film, in fact, that early screenings of the film without the soundtrack were deemed not scary at all. The main theme is exceptionally unusual, with its driving, 5/4 time pulse, echoing The Exorcist's "Tubular Bells." To this day, all around the world, that theme music is identified with the very holiday of Halloween.

The Influence of Halloween 

The film as an influential work is undeniably strong, which is another requirement of any film vying for the title of the very best. Decades later, lesser films copy the main structures, characters and events of the film. The most successful of those types of movies is probably Friday the 13th, a series of films based around the Myers-esque Jason Voorhees, another silent stalker.

Notable are Rob Zombie's "re-imaginings" of the Halloween series with his films Halloween and the much more vilified sequel, Halloween II.

Still, the success of those remakes and the public's interest in the Myers character more than thirty years after John Carpenter's masterpiece was released is yet another reason to give a closer look to the original film as one of, if not THE, greatest horror film of all time.

What do YOU think?

THE BABADOOK IS HERE...2014 is saved!

"It's just a book."

For fans of mainstream horror, there's little doubt that 2014 has been somewhat disappointing. There have been several high profile cinematic releases, some even much ballyhooed (Annabelle, Deliver Us From Evil, The Purge: Anarchy), but even though there is at least something to like about those flicks, there hasn't been that slam dunk mainstream movie that made everyone sit up and say, "Wow...that was THE horror movie of the year!"

And that's ok...because indie horror has given us a SLEW of fantastic goodies. Both Bigfoot flicks: Bobcat Goldthwait's tense but witty Willow Creek and Eduardo Sanchez's creature feature Exists, Kevin Greutert's promising ghosty Jessabelle, and the jaw-droppingly awesome horror-comedy Housebound leap immediately to mind, among others.

On November 28th in the U.S., Australian director Jennifer Kent's brilliant and super spooky The Babadook creeps it's way into our collective consciousness, looking to take it's place among the top horror films of the year.

And guess what? It really delivers the good stuff.

Aside from Essie Davis' amazing, Oscar worthy performance (yep, I said it) as a mother on the edge of madness, The Babadook unleashes some of the most haunting imagery we've seen in quite some time and one ups the pretenders with a heapin' helpin' of nail biting suspense. Quite simply, this movie is original, smart, scary and just plain ol' awesome.

See for yourself on November 28th. Then run back here and let me know how right I was.

                                                                                        - Paul Counelis